BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a reception apparatus receiving an article discharged from a processing apparatus such as a printer.
Description of the Related Art
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-242111 discloses a configuration in which a position of a flexible sheet for receiving papers discharged from a printer is appropriately changed depending on a type and a size of the paper. Specifically, a size and a depth of a reception region of the large flexible sheet can be adjusted by arranging a shaft mounted on a leading end or a middle portion of the flexible large sheet at various positions, and winding the large sheet on the shaft.
However, according to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-242111, both ends of the shaft are hooked on a right hook and a left hook of the apparatus which are formed at the same height, and thus the shaft can be disposed only in a horizontal fashion. Accordingly, in a case where a discharged paper is tried to be taken out, a front shaft or the large sheet becomes an obstacle and thus the paper may not be easily taken out.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a reception apparatus having excellent operability, in which a position of a reception sheet for receiving an article to be discharged can be changed in a right-left asymmetrical manner.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reception apparatus that receives an article discharged from a processing apparatus, the reception apparatus comprising: a first rod; a second rod; a reception sheet having flexibility, supported by the first rod and the second rod, and configured to receive the article between the first rod and the second rod, and two side rods capable of rotating, extending and contracting independently from each other with respect to the processing apparatus while respectively supporting both end portions of the second rod.
Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to the attached drawings).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1A to 1C illustrate an external view of a print apparatus that can be used as a reception apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a sheet-holding configuration in which a print medium is received;
FIGS. 3A to 3D illustrate detail views of second engagement units and first engagement units;
FIG. 4 is a top plan view illustrating a joining state between a top rod and a side rod;
FIGS. 5A to 5D illustrate detail views of a side rod and a side rod angle holding unit;
FIGS. 6A to 6C are enlarged views of a rear rod holder, an upper hole, and a lower hole;
FIGS. 7A to 7C illustrate a first front discharge position;
FIGS. 8A to 8C illustrate a second front discharge position;
FIGS. 9A to 9C illustrate a third front discharge position;
FIGS. 10A to 10C illustrate a configuration of attaching a reception sheet to the top rod;
FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a configuration of winding unit;
FIGS. 12A to 12C illustrate another example of a mechanism changing a reception length;
FIGS. 13A to 13C illustrate another example of a mechanism changing a reception length;
FIGS. 14A to 14C illustrate a position in which the reception length is shortened at the third front discharge position;
FIG. 15 illustrates a reception state diagram in a case where a long print medium is discharged in a state of FIGS. 14A to 14C;
FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate a setting state diagram of a sensor detecting the presence or absence of a discharged print medium;
FIGS. 17A and 17B are a block diagram and a flowchart illustrating a method of changing a posture of the reception sheet;
FIGS. 18A to 18F illustrate a coupling state between the first engagement unit and a joint portion;
FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate an example of a position in a case where a posture of the side rod can be independently set;
FIG. 20 illustrates a projecting portion to be attached to a rear rod;
FIGS. 21A and 21B illustrate a reception region in a case where the projecting portion is attached to the rear rod;
FIGS. 22A and 22B illustrate a reception region in a case where the projecting portion and a fixing member are attached corresponding to each other;
FIG. 23 illustrates a rear rod having a plurality of projecting shapes integrally formed; and
FIGS. 24A and 24B illustrate an example in which loop-shaped strings are provided to form ridge shapes.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
FIGS. 1A to 1C illustrate an external view of a print apparatus 1000 that can be used as a reception apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the print apparatus 1000, FIG. 1B is a side view thereof, and FIG. 1C is a front view thereof. The print apparatus 1000 mainly includes a printer unit 1, a leg unit 2 supporting the printer unit 1, and a reception unit 3 to receive a print medium discharged from a discharge port 1a of the printer unit 1.
The printer unit 1 includes a print medium W held in a rolled shape, a print head capable of printing an image on the print medium W, a cutter to cut the print medium W for each printed page, and the like. The print medium W, including a region in which a predetermined image is printed by a print head, is gradually discharged via the discharge port 1a with the advance of a print operation, and the print medium W hangs down from the discharge port 1a in a Z direction due to its own weight. Then, in a case where a cutter cuts a rear end portion of the image, the cut print medium W is received by the reception unit 3.
Hereinafter, the reception unit 3 that is a characteristic configuration of the present invention will be described in detail.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a sheet holding configuration 100 receiving the print medium W in the reception unit 3. Both ends of a flexible reception sheet 40 in a Y direction are supported by each of a top rod 20 and a rear rod 30 extending in an X direction. First engagement units 21 are mounted at both ends of the top rod 20 in the X direction, and second engagement units 31 are mounted at both ends of the rear rod 30 in the X direction. A position and posture of the entire sheet holding configuration 100 can be changed depending on at which position of the print apparatus 1000 the first engagement units 21 and the second engagement units 31 are respectively engaged with each other. Note that, as long as the reception sheet 40 is in the form of a thin and flexible sheet, the quality of the material of the reception sheet 40 is not particularly limited, and can adopt various types of forms such as a plastic sheet and a metal sheet in addition to cloth.
FIGS. 3A to 3D illustrate detail views of two second engagement units 31 arranged at both ends of the rear rod 30, and two first engagement units 21 arranged at both ends of the top rod 20. FIGS. 3A and 3B are enlarged views of regions surrounded using a broken line circles IIIA and IIIB in FIG. 2, and illustrate the second engagement unit 31 on a left side and the second engagement unit 31 on a right side when viewed from the front (−Y direction). The rear rod 30 passes through a cylindrical shape 40a of the reception sheet 40, and a rear rod holding member 51 is arranged at both ends of the reception sheet 40. A hook 51a attached to the rear rod holding member 51 can be attached to a plurality of attachment portions arranged in the apparatus. The attachment portions will be described in detail below.
On the other hand, FIGS. 3C and 3D are enlarged views of regions surrounded using a broken line circles IIIC and IIID in FIG. 2, and illustrate the first engagement unit 21 on the left side and the first engagement unit 21 on the right side when viewed from the front (−Y direction). An end portion or a middle portion of the reception sheet 40 is fixed onto the top rod 20 so as to be wound. The first engagement unit 21 arranged at each end of the top rod 20 can be coupled with a side rod 10 capable of rotating about the print apparatus 1000.
Referring again to FIGS. 1A to 1C, the side rods 10 (supporting rods) are arranged on both sides of the print apparatus 1000 in the X direction and can rotate in a YZ plane in a state where one of the end portions is supported by a side rod angle holding unit 60 fixed to a leg unit 2. Furthermore, a joint portion 12, to which the first engagement unit of the top rod 20 can be engaged, is arranged at another end portion of the side rod 10.
FIG. 4 is a top plane view illustrating a joining state between the top rod 20 and the side rod 10. One side of the side rod 10 is connected to the side rod angle holding unit 60 via a side rod support member 61, and another side thereof is joined to the first engagement unit 21 arranged at both ends of the top rod 20.
FIGS. 5A to 5D illustrate detail views of the side rod 10 and the side rod angle holding unit 60. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the side rod 10 and the side rod angle holding unit 60. FIGS. 5B to 5D are enlarged views of a region surrounded using broken line circles VB to VD in FIG. 5A.
With reference to FIG. 5A, the side rod 10 has a first side rod 10a that is hollow and has a second side rod 10b that is likewise hollow and is capable of being taken in/out from an inside of the first side rod 10a in an extension direction thereof. The first side rod 10a is joined with the side rod support member 61, and the second side rod 10b can be connected to the first engagement unit 21 of the top rod 20. The U-shaped joint portion 12 that can mount the top rod 20 is attached to the leading end of the second side rod 10b.
Referring to FIG. 5B, the side rod angle holding unit 60 has a base member 130 attached to the leg unit 2, a side rod support member 61 for rotating and supporting the side rod 10, and a rotation stop lever 70 for restricting rotation of the side rod support member 61. The side rod support member 61 is attached to the base member 130, and can rotate about a rotational axis 61b on the YZ plane. The rotation stop lever 70 can rotate about a rotational axis 70b on the YZ plane. A tension spring 72 urges a right end portion of the rotation stop lever 70 in a Z direction, and a convex portion 70a provided on a left end portion of the rotation stop lever 70 is urged toward the side rod support member 61. Therefore, the convex portion 70a of the rotation stop lever 70 engages with a concave portion 61a formed on the side rod support member 61 to thereby hold the side rod 10 at the engagement position, namely, at the engagement angle. Hereinafter, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, the angle of the side rod 10 obtained by engaging the convex portion 70a of the rotation stop lever 70 and the concave portion 61a of the side rod support member 61 is defined as a first angle. The side rod 10 can be released from being held at the first angle by rotating the side rod support member 61 against an urging force of the tension spring 72. On the other hand, the angle obtained by arranging the side rod 10 at a substantially horizontal position due to its own weight is defined as a second angle.
Note that, in a case where a plurality of concave portions 61a is provided at a side of the side rod support member 61, the angle of the side rod 10 can be adjusted at further at more positions, in addition to the above-described two angles. The urging force of the tension spring 72 may be adequately adjusted depending on the weight of the side rod 10 and a desired holding angle.
An extension and contraction configuration of the side rod 10 will now be described. The second side rod 10b can take a contraction state of being stored in the first side rod 10a as illustrated in FIG. 5A, and an extension state of being extended from the first side rod 10a. At an end portion of the second side rod 10b closest to the side rod support member 61, a position holding lever 81 for determining an engagement position with respect to the first side rod 10a is attached. In the contraction state, the position holding lever 81 is engaged with a first position holding lever follower 84 provided near the side rod support member 61 of the first side rod 10a. On the other hand, in the extension state, the position holding lever 81 is engaged with a second position holding lever follower 85 provided at a position away from the side rod support member 61 of the first side rod 10a.
FIG. 5C illustrates an engagement state of the position holding lever 81 and the first position holding lever follower 84 in the contraction state. FIG. 5C is an enlarged view of a region surrounded using a broken line circle VC in FIG. 5A. The position holding lever 81 is attached to a lever holder 82 fixed to an end portion of the second side rod 10b. The position holding lever 81 can be rotated about an axis 81b, serving as a rotational axis on a plane orthogonal to the extension direction of the side rod 10, and urged by a compression spring 83 toward the first position holding lever follower 84 provided on a side surface of the first side rod 10a. Then, a position holding portion 81a provided on a side of the position holding lever 81 of the second side rod 10b is engaged with a position holding portion 84a provided on a side of the first side rod 10a to thereby hold the contraction state. To change the contraction state into the extension state, the user rotates the position holding lever 81, namely, the second side rod 10b against the urging force of the compression spring 83 and releases the engagement, and then, the user extends the second side rod 10b from the first side rod 10a.
FIG. 5D illustrates the second position holding lever follower 85 in which the position holding lever 81 is engaged in the extension state. FIG. 5D is an enlarged view of a region surrounded using a broken line circle VD in FIG. 5A. The second position holding lever follower 85 and the position holding portion 85a have, respectively, the same shape as the first position holding lever follower 84 and the position holding portion 84a. After the second side rod 10b is extended, it is rotated about the rotational axis 81b, whereby the position holding portion 81a of the second side rod 10b and the position holding portion 84a of the first side rod 10a can be engaged via the compression spring 83, thereby being able to realize the extension state.
As described above, the user rotates the second side rod 10b about the rotational axis 81b, and extends and contracts the second side rod 10b with respect to the first side rod 10a to thereby be able to switch a state between the contraction state and the extension state. Note that, in a case where a plurality of position holding lever followers is provided on a side of the first side rod 10a, a length of an entire side rod 10 can be adjusted at further more levels. The urging force of the compression spring 83 may be adequately adjusted in accordance with the weight and the length of the side rod 10.
As described above, the side rod 10 of the present embodiment can change its length and angle by at least each two levels. As a result, the position of the top rod 20 and the posture of the reception sheet 40 can be adjusted in various ways in accordance with the length and a setting angle of the side rod 10.
Next, a setting position of the rear rod 30 will be described in detail. With reference to FIG. 1A once again, the rear rod 30 of the present embodiment can be mounted on three positions of a rear rod holder 33 fixed to each leg unit 2 on the both sides, an upper hole 91 and a lower hole 92 provided in front of the printer unit 1.
FIGS. 6A to 6C are enlarged views of the rear rod holder 33, the upper hole 91, and the lower hole 92. FIG. 6A is an enlarged view of a region surrounded using a broken line circle VIA in FIG. 1A. The rear rod holder 33 has a bottom hole formed, which can join the rear rod holding member 51 illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The rear rod holding member 51 is joined with the bottom hole, and thus a posture of holding the rear rod 30 behind a bottom portion of the print apparatus 1000 is realized as illustrated in FIG. 1A.
On the other hand, FIGS. 6B and 6C are enlarged views of each region surrounded using a broken line circles VIB and VIC in FIG. 1C. In front of the printer unit 1, the upper hole 91 and the lower hole 92 for hooking the hook 51a are formed at a position corresponding to the rear rod holding members 51 attached on the both sides of the rear rod 30 and at intervals in the X direction. The rear rod 30 can be arranged substantially just below the discharge port 1a of the printer unit 1, by hooking right and left two hooks 51a on the upper hole 91. Furthermore, the rear rod 30 can be arranged at a position slightly lower than the discharge port 1a of the printer unit 1 in the Z direction, by hooking the right and left two hooks 51a on the lower hole 92. Note that a plurality of rear rod holders 33 may be provided in the Y direction of the leg unit 2, and further more holes for hooking the hook 51a may be provided at the front of the printer unit 1.
Hereinafter, there will be described a position of the sheet holding configuration 100 that is realized in a case where the top rod 20 and the rear rod 30 are each set at various positions as described above.
FIGS. 1A to 1C described above illustrate a position in a case where the side rod 10 is brought into the contraction state at the first angle and the rear rod 30 is attached to the rear rod holder 33. Hereinafter, such a position is referred to as a rear discharge position. In the rear discharge position, the reception sheet 40 forms a mild concave shape at a position lower than the discharge port 1a of the printer unit 1 in the gravity direction (Z direction).
A rear discharge position efficiently works in a case where a large number of print mediums are continuously discharged since a large space between the reception sheet 40 and the discharge port 1a is sufficiently secured. The discharged print medium W is guided along the mild concave shape of the reception sheet 40 and is recovered at a position on an upstream side of the discharge port, namely, behind the print apparatus 1000.
FIGS. 7A to 7C illustrate a position in a case where the side rod 10 is brought into the extension state at the second angle and the hook 51a of the rear rod 30 is hooked on the upper hole 91. Hereinafter, such a position is referred to as a first front discharge position. In the first front discharge position, the reception sheet 40 forms a plane substantially linearly extending forward and downward from just below the discharge port 1a of the printer unit 1 (+Y+Z direction).
In such a first front discharge position, the print medium W is supported by the reception sheet 40 from a time right after the print medium W is discharged from the discharge port 1a, and is linearly guided forward and downward. Therefore, even if the print medium W right after being printed is slightly curled, the reception sheet 40 comes into contact with a back surface of the print medium W without contact with a print surface (upper surface), and thus, can guide the print medium W forward and downward while supporting it. However, in such a first front discharge position, it is difficult to collectively receive a large number of print mediums continuously discharged since the reception sheet 40 does not have the concave shape. The first front discharge position effectively works in a case where a comparatively large gross photo paper having a vulnerable print surface is discharged on one-by-one image basis.
FIGS. 8A to 8C illustrate a position in a case where the side rod 10 is brought into the extension state at the first angle and the hook 51 of the rear rod 30 is hooked on the upper hole 91. Hereinafter, such a position is referred to as a second front discharge position. In the second front discharge position, the reception sheet 40 forms a bag-like concave shape in front (Y direction) of the discharge port 1a of the printer unit 1 from just below the discharge port 1a.
In such a second front discharge position, similarly to the rear discharge position described in FIGS. 1A to 1C, a large number of print mediums continuously discharged can be collectively received in the concave shape of the reception sheet 40. However, unlike the rear discharge position, the reception sheet 40 can support the print medium W from just below the discharge port 1a, namely, from a time right after the print medium W is discharged. Therefore, even if the print medium has a material that can be easily curled or is small-sized, the second front discharge position has an advantage that damage caused by scratch and fall is hardly generated in comparison with the rear discharge position. Furthermore, since a reception point is located at a comparatively high position in front of the print apparatus 1000, the second front discharge position has also an advantage that the user can easily take out a discharged article in comparison with the rear discharge position.
FIGS. 9A to 9C illustrate a position in a case where the side rod 10 is brought into the extension state at the first angle and the hook 51 of the rear rod 30 is hooked on the lower hole 92. Hereinafter, such a position is referred to as a third front discharge position. In the third front discharge position, similarly to the second front discharge position, the reception sheet 40 forms a bag-like concave shape in front (Y direction) of the discharge port 1a of the printer unit 1. However, unlike the second front discharge position, the print surface (front surface) of the print medium W is supported not from just below the discharge port 1a, namely, not right after being discharged, but from a position somewhat away from the discharge port 1a. Such a third front discharge position is effective in a case where the print medium W having strong curling tendency is discharged.
With the reception unit in the second front discharge position, and in a case where the discharged print medium W has high rigidity and is discharged with a certain level of curvature, the print medium W supported by the reception sheet 40 just below the discharge port 1a may be curled at that position, whereby there is a fear that the discharge port 1a may be closed. In contrast, in the third front discharge position as illustrated in FIG. 9B, the print medium W is not supported by the reception sheet 40 right after being discharged. Therefore, after the print medium W has fallen in the Z direction, to some extent, following gravity (W2), the print surface (front surface) comes into contact with and is supported by the reception sheet 40, at a position sufficiently away from the discharge port 1a. As a result, without the discharge port 1a being closed, the print medium W is put into a state of being gradually discharged below the discharge port 1a, while the print surface (top surface) of print medium W is brought into contact with the reception sheet 40. In other words, a distance between the discharge port 1a and the lower hole 92 is set depending on the size or curling strength of the print medium W assumed to be used, so as to realize the discharge as described above. In addition, like in the present embodiment, in a case where a plurality of attaching holes having different distances to the discharge port 1a in the Z direction is previously arranged, the preferable reception position can be easily adjusted depending on the extent of curling and the size of the print medium.
Note that, as described above, four typical positions have been described, but further more positions can be realized in a case where the angle of the side rod 10, the extension and contraction state of the side rod, and the attachment position of the rear rod are respectively and independently changed. Namely, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of positions where the top rod 20 and the rear rod 30 can be attached is prepared, whereby the position of the sheet holding configuration 100 can be appropriately set depending on its use application.
A configuration in which the length (reception region) of the reception sheet 40 held between the top rod 20 and the rear rod 30 in the sheet holding configuration 100 can be adjusted will now be described. In a case where the length of the reception region can be changed, a depth and a size of a concave region receiving the print medium, and an inclined angle of the reception sheet 40 in the front discharge position can be preferably adjusted.
FIGS. 10A to 10C illustrate a configuration of attaching the reception sheet 40 to the top rod 20. With reference to FIG. 10A, the top rod 20 has three holes 20a opened in its extension direction (X direction), and the reception sheet 40 has similar holes formed at positions corresponding to the holes 20a. In addition, a fixing member 101 (refer to FIG. 10B) including an axis 101b being capable of commonly penetrating through these holes and a C-letter shape 101a capable of being coupled around the top rod 20 has a configuration of being joined to the top rod 20, while allowing the reception sheet 40 to wind around the top rod 20 (refer to FIG. 10C). FIG. 10A illustrates, in parallel, the top rods 20 before the reception sheet 40 is fixed, and the top rod 20 after the reception sheet 40 has been fixed. An excessive length 102 of the reception sheet 40 located at a position opposite to the rear rod 30 with respect to a fixing position is used for covering the fixing member 101. The region of the reception sheet 40 from the rear rod 30 up to the position fixed using the fixing member 101 serves as the reception region thereof. Hereinafter, some examples of mechanisms for changing the length (reception length) of the reception region will be described below.
FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a configuration of a winding unit 110 being capable of winding a desired amount of the reception sheet 40 on the top rod 20. With reference to FIG. 11A, the winding unit 110 mainly includes a rod engagement member 111, a rotation clutch 112, a fixing clutch 113, a compression spring 116, a release button 115, and a housing 114. The rod engagement member 111 is fixed around the top rod 20 and has partly a convex portion 111a. The rotation clutch 112 engages with the convex portion 111a of the rod engagement member 111, includes a saw teeth-shaped portion 112a on a side opposite to the engagement, and can rotate coaxially with the top rod 20. At a position facing the saw teeth-shaped portion 112a, a fixing clutch 113, including a saw teeth-shaped portion 113a to mesh with the saw teeth-shaped portion 112a, is arranged. The saw teeth-shaped portion 112a of the rotation clutch 112 is urged by the compression spring 116 in a direction of the fixing clutch 113 to thereby mesh with the saw teeth-shaped portion 113a of the fixing clutch 113. However, in a case where the user presses a release button 115 in a −X direction against the urging force of the compression spring 116, the rotation clutch 112 is separated away from the fixing clutch 113. The housing 114 covers the above-described mechanism to protect it in a state where the housing 114 is not fixed to the rod engagement member 111 but fixed to the fixing clutch 113. Namely, in the configuration described above, the top rod 20, the rod engagement member 111, and the rotation clutch 112 integrally rotate, and the housing 114 and the fixing clutch 113 integrally rotate independently from the above-described rotation. FIG. 11A illustrates, in parallel, the states where each mechanism is removed from the housing 114 and where each mechanism is covered by the housing 114. Note that, an outer circumference of the housing 114 is, as a first coupling unit of the top rod 20, joined to the U-shaped joint portion 12 provided at a leading end of the second side rod 10b.
FIG. 11B is an enlarged view of an engagement portion between the rotation clutch 112 and the fixing clutch 113. In a case where the user rotates the top rod 20 in an R direction as illustrated in FIG. 11B, that is, in a winding direction of the reception sheet in a state where the top rod 20 is engaged with the joint portion 12 of the side rod 10, the rod engagement member 111 and the rotation clutch 112 each coupled to the top rod 20 interlock with the rotation. However, the housing 114 engaged with the joint portion 12 and the fixing clutch 113 integrated with the housing 114 are not interlocked. Therefore, the saw teeth-shaped portion 112a of the rotation clutch 112 proceeds along a tapered surface 140 against the compression spring 116, and rotates in the Y direction while repeating separation from and coupling with the saw teeth-shaped portion 113a of the fixing clutch 113. Namely, the user can wind the reception sheet 40 on the top rod 20 while sensing some load.
On the other hand, even if a force in a −R direction is applied on the top rod 20 by some external forces, the saw teeth-shaped portion 112a of the rotation clutch 112 is abutted on a stopper face 150 to inhibit rotation in the −R direction. Namely, even if a large number of the print mediums are received in the concave portion of the reception sheet 40 after the user has adjusted a reception length of the reception sheet 40 to a desired length by rotating the top rod 20 in the R direction, the amount of winding the top rod 20 is not largely changed due to the weight. That is, according to the present embodiment, while the reception length of the reception sheet receiving the discharged article is appropriately set in accordance with the purpose, the adjusted reception length can be maintained in use. Note that, in a case where the reception length is required to be newly adjusted, the rotation clutch 112 is completely separated from the fixing clutch 113 by pressing the release button 115, so that the top rod 20 can also rotate in the −R direction. Note that the winding unit as described above may be provided in both of the right and left two first engagement units, but may be arranged in either one of the first engagement units.
The configuration in which rotation can be performed only in the R direction is described in FIG. 11B. However, in a case where relationship between slope of the tapered surface 140 and a stopper surface 150, at the engagement portion between the saw teeth-shaped portion 112a and the saw teeth-shaped portion 113a, is reversed, only the rotation in the −R direction can be allowed. In this case, in a case where the winding direction with respect to the top rod 20 is reversed, the same effects as described above can be obtained. For example, in a case where the winding direction is set to the R direction (clockwise direction viewed from the +X direction), the reception sheet 40 is wound with the front surface of the reception sheet 40 facing inside, on the top rod 20. In this case, the leading end of the print medium proceeding along the front surface of the reception sheet 40 is abutted on a circumference of the winding around the top rod 20, and then the proceeding is inhibited. Namely, such a configuration works effectively in a case where a large number of short print mediums are discharged. On the other hand, in a case where the winding direction is set to the −R direction (anticlockwise direction viewed from the +X direction), the reception sheet 40 is wound with the front surface of the reception sheet 40 facing outside, on the top rod 20. In this case, the leading end of the print medium proceeding along the front surface of the reception sheet 40 smoothly proceeds along the circumference of the winding around the top rod 20. That is, such a configuration is effective in a case where the long print medium is discharged.
Furthermore, in a case where one-way clutch is not particularly needed, a configuration in which the tapered surface having reversed slopes are alternately arranged may be applied for the engagement portion between the saw teeth-shaped portion 112a and the saw teeth-shaped portion 113a. With the arrangement described above, the user can easily perform fine adjustment on the reception length by forward and backward rotation of the top rod. Naturally, the load at the time of operation can be adjusted by changing a compression force of the compression spring 116.
FIGS. 12A to 12C illustrate another example of a mechanism changing the reception length. FIG. 12A is a perspective view of the print apparatus 1000. FIG. 12B is an enlarged view of a region surrounded using a broken line circle XIIB in FIG. 12A. With reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B, in the present example, a plurality of closed string portions 200a is formed at a predetermined pitch at the both ends of the reception sheet 40 in the X direction. On the other hand, on the joint portion 12 attached to the leading end of the second side rod 10b, a hook 12b capable of hooking a string portion 200a is formed. In such a configuration, the user hooks, on the hook 12b, the string portion 200a located at a position where the desired reception length can be realized, whereby the length of the reception region can be easily adjusted.
In a case where the reception length is required to be sufficiently shortened, since the string portion 200a located at the middle portion of the reception sheet 40 is hooked on the hook 12b, it is assumed that the leading end of the reception sheet 40 protrudes from the top rod 20 and hang down. Even in such a case, as illustrated in FIG. 12C, the reception sheet 40 is folded and the plurality of string portions 200a is hooked on the hook 12b all together, whereby hanging-down of the leading end of the reception sheet 40 and dirt caused by the hanging-down can be avoided.
FIGS. 13A to 13C further illustrate another example of a mechanism changing the length of the reception region. FIG. 13A is a perspective view of the print apparatus 1000, and FIG. 13B is an enlarged view of a region surrounded using a broken line circle XIIIB in FIG. 13A. With reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B, in the present example, a hook-and-loop fastener 200b is made to adhere along an end side portion of the reception sheet, on the both ends of the reception sheet 40 in the X direction. On the other hand, in the top rod 20, a fixing hook-and-loop fastener 200c removable from and replaceable on the hook-and-loop fastener 200b is arranged at a position corresponding to the hook-and-loop fastener 200b in the X direction. In such a configuration, the user makes the hook-and-loop fastener 200b adhere onto the fixing hook-and-loop fastener 200c at a position where the desired length can be realized, and thus the length of the reception region can be easily adjusted. Also in the present example, as illustrated in FIG. 13C, the hook-and-loop fastener 200b and the fixing hook-and-loop fastener 200c are made to adhere to each other in a state where the reception sheet is folded, whereby hanging-down of the leading end of the reception sheet 40 and dirt caused by the hanging-down can be avoided.
As described above, the reception length held between the top rod 20 and the rear rod 30 can be easily adjusted at many levels by adoption of the configuration described above using FIGS. 10A to 10C, 11A and 11B, 12A to 12C, and 13A to 13C. As a result, the depth and the size of the concave region receiving the print medium, and the inclined angle of the reception sheet 40 in the front discharge position, and the like can be adequately adjusted depending on the size of the print medium and an amount of discharge thereof, and usability of a user. Note that, although the reception length is adjusted by winding the reception sheet 40 on the top rod 20 as described above, the configuration described using FIGS. 10A to 10C, 11A and 11B, 12A to 12C, and 13A to 13C may be provided on a side of the rear rod 30, or on both sides of the top rod 20 and the rear rod 30.
FIGS. 14A to 14C illustrate a state where the reception length is shortened using the clutch mechanism described with reference to FIGS. 10A to 10C, in the third front discharge position illustrated in FIGS. 9A to 9C. The shortened reception length makes the reception region between the top rod 20 and the rear rod 30 to be a substantially flat and smooth surface having a rising gradient. FIGS. 14A to 14C illustrate a state where the print mediums W having curling tendency, cut into an A4 landscape size, are continuously discharged.
On the other hand, FIG. 15 illustrates a reception state, in the state described above, in a case where the print medium being sufficiently longer than a standard size is discharged in a state of being curled. The print medium W discharged from the discharge port 1a is supported along the reception sheet 40 which is a comparatively flat surface, and a region after the print medium W goes over the top rod 20 hangs down in the Z direction due to its own weight. Then, in a case where the print medium W is cut at a rear end of an image, a front of the print medium W hangs down in the Z direction in a state of being supported by the top rod 20, and a rear thereof is received in contact with the reception sheet 40.
The first front discharge position illustrated in FIGS. 7A to 7C has been described as being effective in a case where the comparatively large gross photo sheet is discharged on one-by-one image basis. However, in a case where the rear end of the print medium W is cut, the print medium W is likely to slide down along the flat and smooth reception sheet 40. On the other hand, as described in the present example, in the configuration in which the print medium is hung down in the vicinity of the top rod 20 located at a top point or supported on an inclined surface, the print medium does not slide in the Y direction or −Y direction but is reliably received by the reception unit 3.
On the other hand, in a case where the print medium is comparatively small and a length in a discharge direction is shorter than a distance between the discharge port 1a and the lower hole 92 as illustrated in FIG. 14B, the leading end of the print medium discharged while being curled is discharged toward the front surface of the printer unit 1 (W3). Then, in a case where the print medium is cut before the leading end of the print medium is abutted on the front surface of the printer unit 1 or the reception sheet 40, the print medium falls down while being inverted, and the print medium is received in a state where its print surface is in contact with the reception sheet 40 (W4). At this time, in a case where the discharge guide 1b for guiding the print medium along the curled print medium just below the discharge port 1a, and a recessing portion 302 hooking the leading end of the print medium guided along the guide are previously arranged, the above-described inversion and falling-down are performed further more smoothly.
Here, for example, in a case where the reception sheet 40 is a substantially horizontal plane, the print medium former previously discharged moves more easily in a downstream direction (+Y direction), and thus loading positional deviation may be generated among the print mediums previously discharged and subsequently discharged. In contrast, as described in the present example, in a case where the reception sheet 40 includes a plane having a rising gradient in the +Y direction, movement of a first print medium in the +Y direction can be suppressed.
Furthermore, in the present example, the reception sheet 40 wound on the top rod 20 is slightly drawn out due to the weight of the discharged print medium. At this time, a reception surface is transformed such that the reception surface changes from a planar shape into a curved shape (concave shape, a convex shape viewed downward in a different direction) that is warped downward in the gravity direction. Therefore, in a case where a new print medium is discharged, the reception sheet 40 having slackness easily comes into contact with the curled surface of the new print medium so that the print mediums can be orderly loaded at a predetermined position.
At this time, the reception sheet 40 can be kept substantially flat and smooth until the first print medium is discharged, and after the first print medium is discharged, the following method can be adopted as a method for applying some extent of slackness to the reception sheet 40.
For example, there is one method in which a soft and elastic fiber such as polyester is used as a material of the reception sheet 40. In a case of such a reception sheet, the discharged print medium falls on and comes into contact with the reception sheet 40 thereby the reception sheet 40 extends, and the print medium can be loaded at the predetermined position.
Furthermore, a sensor detecting whether or not the discharged print medium exists on the reception sheet 40 is prepared, and thus a holding state of the reception sheet 40 depending on a detection result of the sensor can also be more positively changed. FIGS. 16A and 16B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view illustrating a setting state of the sensor detecting whether or not the discharged print medium exists on the reception sheet 40. A sensor 301 is a transmission-type optical sensor arranged lower than the discharge port 1a at the front surface of the printer unit 1, and detects whether or not the print medium exists on the reception sheet 40 via a notch hole 300 formed on the reception sheet 40.
FIGS. 17A and 17B are a block diagram and a flowchart for illustrating a method in which a CPU 303 included in the print apparatus 1000 changes a posture of the reception sheet 40 on the basis of the detection result of the sensor 301. In the present example, a drive motor 302 being capable of changing an angle of the side rod 10 is included in the side rod angle holding unit 60, and the CPU 303 drives and controls the drive motor 302 depending on the detection result of the sensor 301 to thereby adjust the angle of the side rod 10.
Hereinafter, the method will be described along with the flowchart in FIG. 17B. Once the processing is started by turning on a power of the print apparatus 1000, the CPU 303 first, in step S1, resets the posture of the reception sheet 40 to a flat and smooth state having no slackness.
Subsequently, in step S2, the CPU 303 confirms whether or not the power is turned off. In a case where the power is not turned off, the CPU 303 proceeds to step S3 to determine whether or not the print medium is present on the reception sheet 40 on the basis of the detection result of the detection sensor. In a case where it is determined that the print medium is not present, the CPU 303 returns to step S2 and repeatedly performs step S2 and step S3 until it is determined that the print medium is present.
In a case where it is determined that the print medium is present in step S3, the CPU 303 proceeds to step S4 to rotate the drive motor 302 by a predetermined amount in a forward direction. Along with the rotation, the side rod 10 is rotated, and the flat and smooth surface formed between the top rod 20 and the rear rod 30 is slacked in a curved, concave shape (convex shape downward). As a result, the curled surface of the discharged print medium is supported by the reception sheet 40 having slackness and held at a predetermined position.
Further, the CPU 303 proceeds to step S5 to confirm whether or not the power is turned off. In a case where the power is not turned off, the CPU 303 proceeds to step S6 and determines whether or not the print medium is present on the reception sheet 40 on the basis of the detection result of the detection sensor. In a case where the print medium is still present, the CPU 303 returns to step S5 and repeatedly performs step S5 and step S6 until it is determined that the print medium is not present.
In a case where the user collects the print medium, for example, and the sensor 301 detects that the print medium is not present on the reception sheet 40, the CPU 303 proceeds to step S7 and rotates the drive motor 302 in a backward direction. Along with this rotation, the side rod 10 is rotated in an opposite direction and the reception sheet 40 located between the top rod 20 and the rear rod 30 forms again the rising gradient surface that is flat and smooth. Subsequently, the CPU 303 returns to step S2 again.
On the other hand, in a case where it is confirmed that the power is turned off in step S2 or step S5, the processing is finished. In a case where it is determined that the power is turned off in step S2, the reception sheet 40 maintains a position having the flat and smooth surface until the power is turned on next. In a case where it is confirmed that the power is turned off in step S5, the reception sheet 40 maintains a position where the reception sheet 40 has slackness until the power is turned on next. However, in a case where the power is turned on next, since resetting to a position having the flat and smooth surface is performed in step S1, even in a case where the power is turned off in either state, the above-described processing can be performed without any trouble.
Note that, in step S1, for example, a method may be adopted in which a torque limiter is arranged in the middle of a drive transmission path between the drive motor 302 and the side rod 10, and then the drive motor is driven in a backward direction. With this arrangement, the position can be reset without applying load on the drive motor. Furthermore, although in FIGS. 16A to 17B, the configuration has been described in which the position of the reception sheet 40 is switched depending on the presence or absence of the print medium, a configuration may be such that for example, the number of the loaded print mediums and the weight thereof is measured and the side rod 10 is gradually rotated depending on the measurement result. With this arrangement, the print mediums can be further more stably loaded by keeping or the like of the highest position of the loaded print mediums at a substantially constant height.
As described above, the reception sheet 40 is kept substantially flat and smooth until the first print medium is discharged, and after discharging the first print medium, a certain slackness is given to the reception sheet 40, whereby the plurality of print mediums can be orderly loaded.
Next, a coupling configuration between the top rod 20 and the side rod 10 will be described in detail. FIGS. 18A to 18F illustrate the coupling state between the first engagement unit 21 of the top rod 20 and the joint portion 12 of the side rod 10. FIGS. 18A and 18B are enlarged views of regions surrounded using broken line circles XVIIIA and XVIIIB in FIG. 4, and illustrate each of the coupling positions on a right side and a left side in a case of being viewed from the front (−Y direction). The top rod 20 and the side rod 10 are coupled such that the outer circumference of the housing 114 is fitted into the U-shaped joint portion 12 on the coupling positions on the right and left sides. In the joint portion 12, at both U-shaped side surfaces, long hole portions 12a having the same shape are formed facing each other so as to extend in the X direction. In addition, in a case where the first engagement unit 21 is coupled with the joint portion 12, the two projecting portions 21a attached to the housing 114 are inserted into the long hole portions 12a to be fitted therein.
FIGS. 18C and 18D illustrate FIGS. 18A and 18B viewed toward the U-shaped bottom surface of the joint portion 12, respectively. A shape of the projecting portion 21a in the X direction will be described in detail. The projecting portion 21a includes a straight shape 21b on an outside surface of the top rod 20 in a width direction (X direction), and a circular arc shape 21c on an inside surface thereof. Therefore, the first engagement unit 21 can move in the X direction within an area corresponding to a length of the hole portion 12a, and can also rotate about the projecting portion 21a in a P direction. In such a configuration, in a state where the top rod 20 is attached to the side rod 10, the straight shape 21b formed on the outside surface of the projecting portion 21a and an inner wall of the long hole portion 12a face each other in an axis direction of the top rod 20. Accordingly, even in a case where the load is applied on the side rod 10 at one side in the X direction, the load can be dispersed between the side rod 10 and another side rod 10 via the top rod 20.
Moreover, by adoption of the above-described configuration, a right top rod 20 and a left top rod 20 are independently attachable and removable relative to the joint portion 12 without applying excessive load on the coupling portion. For example, viewed from a point of view of a user's operation, in a case where the long top rod 20 is mounted on the side rod 10, it is natural to mount each one of the two first engagement units 21 on the joint portion 12 in order. At this point, at the period during which the first engagement unit 21 on one side has just mounted and the first engagement unit 21 on another side being mounted, a posture of the top rod 20 is inclined with respect to the X axis. Even in such a case, with the above-described configuration, the projecting portion 21a of the first engagement unit 21 can be located at anywhere in the long hole portion 12a of the joint portion 12, and then the posture of the top rod 20 can be arranged while the projecting portion 21a is being slid in the long hole portion 12a. Furthermore, in a case where the top rod 20 is inclined too much such that the long hole portion 12a of the joint portion 12 cannot face the projecting portion 21a, an circular arc shape 21c goes round inside a wall of the long hole portion 12a and thus the first engagement unit 21 easily comes off from the joint portion 12. Namely, according to the configuration, the top rod 20 is safely attachable and removable relative to the side rod 10 in a state of having no possibility of damage. At this point, in a case where the joint portion 12 is rotatably attached to the second side rod 10b, operability can be further enhanced.
FIG. 18E is a cross-sectional view in a case where FIG. 18A is viewed in the +X direction. FIG. 18F is a cross-sectional view in a case where FIG. 18B is viewed in the −X direction. Here, the shape of the projecting portion 21a on the YZ plane will be described in detail. With reference to FIG. 18E, the projecting portion 21a of the first engagement unit 21 located at a right end portion toward the front face of the device has a circular arc shape 21d at a surface abutting on the long hole portion 12a of the side rod 10. Therefore, in a case where a predetermined amount of a rotational load or more is applied on the first engagement unit 21, the circular arc shape 21d of the projecting portion 21a rolls on the surface of the long hole portion 12a of the side rod 10, and thus the first engagement unit 21 easily comes off from the joint portion 12. Namely, for example, in the winding unit 110 described in FIGS. 11A and 11B, even in a case where the user tries to rotate the top rod 20 in the −R direction by mistaking a winding direction, there is no possibility of damage or excessive load to be applied on the coupling part between the both.
On the other hand, with reference to FIG. 18F, the projecting portion 21a of the first engagement unit 21 located at a left end portion toward the front surface of the apparatus has a straight surface shape 21e at the surface of the projecting portion 21a abutting on the long hole portion 12a of the side rod 10. Therefore, even if the rotational force is applied onto the top rod 20 on the YZ plane, the first engagement unit 21 located at the left end portion does not easily come off from the joint portion 12 due to a drag force generated between surfaces.
Hereinafter, there will be described a modification example of the position of the reception unit 3, which makes use of the fact that the projecting portion 21a can be tightly coupled with the long hole portion 12a even in a case where the top rod 20 has some inclination.
FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate a position of the reception unit 3 in a case where the postures of the two side rods 10 are independently set, respectively. Similarly to the third front discharge position illustrated in FIG. 9A, FIG. 19A illustrates a state where the both side rods 10 are extended at the first angle. On the other hand, FIG. 19B illustrates a case where, in the third front discharge position, one side rod 10 is in an extension state at the first angle, and another side rod 10 is in an extension state at the second angle. For example, in the third front discharge position illustrated in FIG. 19A, after several print media W are discharged to the reception sheet 40, and in a case where the print mediums W are taken out, the print media W may be hardly taken out due to the front top rod 20. In such a case, in a case where only the side rod 10 on one side is changed from the first angle to the second angle, the inside of the reception sheet 40 is widely opened and thus the user can easily take out printed matters, as illustrated in FIG. 19B.
In a case where the side rod 10 is moved from the first angle to the second angle, the top rod 20 is gradually inclined with respect to the X axis, and a distance between the two joint portions 12 located at the leading ends of the side rod 10 is gradually increased. However, meanwhile, since the projecting portion 21a of the first engagement unit can gradually rotate or move in the long hole portion 12a of the joint portion 12, the position can be changed into that illustrated in FIG. 19B while the engagement of the two being maintained.
Furthermore, as described above, in a case where the discharged print medium is taken out from the reception sheet, there has been described the configuration of shifting to the posture illustrated in FIG. 19B. However, in a case where the comparatively small print medium is continuously discharged, the position of the reception unit 3 illustrated in FIG. 19B may be adopted from a stage of a printing operation. In this case, even during continuous printing, the discharged print medium can be appropriately discharged from the reception sheet 40.
An embodiment in which the reception sheet 40 has a ridge-like shape formed will now be described. According to the present specification, the ridge-like shape means partial expansion in a convex shape like a ridge (mountain ridge line) linearly extending in the discharge direction (Y direction) of the print medium. Irregularities are intentionally provided in the flexible reception sheet 40 so as to form the ridge-like shape. In a case where such a ridge-like shape is formed in the reception sheet 40, even if the print medium has low stiffness and easily follows a shape of the reception sheet 40, a contact area with the reception sheet 40 is reduced to be as small as possible, and sliding resistance between the both two is suppressed, thereby guiding the print medium to in target direction. Note that, in order to clearly form such a ridge-like shape, namely, projections and recesses, a material of the reception sheet 40 is preferably a soft and elastic fiber such as polyester.
FIG. 20 illustrates a projecting portion 120 to be attached to the rear rod 30 in order to form the ridge-like shape. Furthermore, FIGS. 21A and 21B are a perspective view and a top plan view illustrating the reception region in a case where four projecting portions 120 are attached to the rear rod 30 at equal intervals.
The reception sheet 40 has the convex shape formed at four positions where the projecting portions 120 are attached to a rear rod 30 side, and is fixed at three positions where the fixing members 101 are attached on a top rod 20 side. With this arrangement, the reception sheet is fixed and supported on lines connecting the projecting portion 120 and the fixing member 101. In other regions, the reception sheet 40 hangs down in the Z direction due to its own weight. As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 21B, there is formed the ridge-like shape 120a that extends in a direction crossing the direction of the discharge of the print medium. Therefore, even in a case where the print medium is discharged from the rear rod 30 side, or in a case where the print medium is discharged from the top rod 20 side, the surface of the discharged print medium is supported on the lines of the ridge-like shape 120a, whereby the print medium is prompted to proceed in the Y direction in a state where the sliding resistance is suppressed.
FIGS. 22A and 22B are a perspective view and a top plan view in a case where four projecting portions 120 are attached to the rear rod 30 at equal intervals, and the fixing members 101 facing each projecting portion 120 of the rear rod 30 are attached to four points, on the top rod 20 side. In the case of this configuration also, similarly to the case of FIGS. 21A and 21B, the region except for the ridge-like shape 120a hangs down in the Z direction due to own weight of the reception sheet 40. As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 22B, in the reception sheet 40, four ridge-like shapes 120a are formed substantially in parallel to one another toward the fixing member 101 from the projecting portion 120. Namely, also in this configuration also, the surface of the discharged print medium is supported on the lines of the ridge-like shape 120a extending in the Y direction, and is prompted to proceed in the Y direction in a state where the sliding resistance is suppressed.
Note that the number and a size of the projecting portion 120 are not particularly limited, and may be adjusted depending on the material of the reception sheet and the ridge-like shape required to be formed. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 23, the rear rod 30 having a plurality of projecting shapes integrally formed may be adopted.
FIGS. 24A and 24B illustrate an example in which the ridge-like shape is formed by providing loop-shaped strings. In this example, at the both end portions of the reception sheet 40 in the Y direction, loop strings 121 are previously sewed at predetermined intervals in the X direction, and the top rod 20 and the rear rod 30 are in a state of being passed through loops of the loop strings 121, respectively. FIGS. 24A and 24B illustrate a case where an attachment position of the loop string 121 on the top rod 20 side and an attachment position of the loop string 121 on the rear rod 30 side coincide with each other in the X direction. As a result, the reception sheet 40 has the ridge-like shapes 120a formed extending substantially in parallel to one another in the Y direction, and substantially same effects as those in FIGS. 22A and 22B can be obtained.
Such a ridge-like shape can effectively function also in a case where, as illustrated in FIGS. 14A to 14C, for example, the reception length is reduced by winding up the reception sheet 40 the flat and smooth reception region is formed between top rod 20 and rear rod 30. In this case, a tension force is generated between projecting portion 120 and the fixing member 101, and the ridge-like shape 120a is linearly formed along an orientation of the tension force. In addition, the contact area and the sliding resistance of the print medium with respect to the reception sheet 40 are further suppressed to be low and the print medium is linearly guided along the ridge-like shape 120a. As a result, as illustrated in FIGS. 14A to 14C, in a case where the flat and smooth reception region having the rising gradient is adopted, the print medium can be guided in a desired direction.
Note that in the embodiments described above the reception unit 3 receives the print medium on which print processing is performed using the printer, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can also be widely applied to embodiments receiving articles discharged from a processing apparatus performing processing other than printing.
While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-191165, filed Sep. 29, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference wherein in its entirety.
Patent Grant
9809407
