BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus including a storing device for storing a sheet recording medium with a recorded image.
Description of the Related Art
A recording apparatus including a sheet storing portion for storing sheets serving as recording media with recorded (printed) images is conventionally known. Japanese Patent No. 5966574 discloses an apparatus configuration including a storing portion for storing a roll sheet to be fed into an image recording portion before images are recorded on the sheet, in which an ejected-sheet storing portion (basket) is provided in front of a roll cover disposed over the roll-sheet storing portion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Unfortunately, in the apparatus of Japanese Patent No. 5966574, the roll cover serves as a sheet-path surface and thus a sheet, which is easily curled, may roll up on the roll cover and bring a print surface (image recording surface) into contact with the roll cover. This may cause a scratch to be avoided.
The present invention provides a recording apparatus that can suppress the occurrence of scratches on a recording medium to be ejected.
In order to solve the problem, the recording apparatus of the present invention includes:
- a recording portion configured to record an image on a recording medium;
- a housing having an ejection opening on a side of the housing, the recording medium recorded the image being ejected from the ejection opening in an ejection direction; and
- a receiver that receives the recording medium ejected from the ejection opening,
- wherein the recording apparatus includes a first guide that is provided inside the ejection opening of the housing and supports the recording medium, and
- wherein the receiver has a first end being on an upstream side of the receiver in the ejection direction such that the first end is held at a position under the first guide so as to overlap with the first guide in the ejection direction.
The present invention can suppress the occurrence of scratches on a recording medium to be ejected.
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 are configuration explanatory drawings illustrating a recording apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
FIGS. 2A to 2E are configuration explanatory drawings illustrating a sheet storing device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a second holder according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
FIGS. 4A to 4D are configuration explanatory drawings illustrating the second holder according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
FIGS. 5A and 5B are explanatory drawings illustrating other configurations of upper and lower ejection guides according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
FIGS. 6A to 6C are explanatory drawings illustrating the attachment configuration of a basket according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
FIGS. 7A and 7B are configuration explanatory drawings illustrating a roll cover according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;
FIGS. 8A to 8C are configuration explanatory drawings illustrating a sheet storing device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;
FIGS. 9A and 9B are configuration explanatory drawings illustrating the sheet storing device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;
FIGS. 10A and 10B are explanatory drawings illustrating an operation when the roll cover is opened according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;
FIGS. 11A to 11C are explanatory drawings illustrating the lock configuration of the roll cover according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;
FIGS. 12A and 12B are explanatory drawings illustrating another configuration for attaching the basket according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; and
FIG. 13 is an explanatory drawing illustrating the attachment configuration of the basket according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, a description will be given, with reference to the drawings, of embodiments (examples) of the present invention. However, the sizes, materials, shapes, their relative arrangements, or the like of constituents described in the embodiments may be appropriately changed according to the configurations, various conditions, or the like of apparatuses to which the invention is applied. Therefore, the sizes, materials, shapes, their relative arrangements, or the like of the constituents described in the embodiments do not intend to limit the scope of the invention to the following embodiments.
Embodiment 1
Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1C, 2A to 2E, 3, 4A to 4D, 5A, 5B, and 6A to 6C, a recording apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below. The recording apparatus of the present embodiment is an inkjet printing apparatus including a sheet conveyor for conveying a sheet as a recording medium, a recording portion for recording an image on the sheet, a sheet-ejecting portion for ejecting the sheet to the front portion of the apparatus. The recording apparatus of the present embodiment is a liquid-ejecting recording apparatus that ejects liquids such as ink onto a recording medium. The kind of image recording is not limited to a specific method. For example, the present invention is also applicable to a recording apparatus of an electrophotographic system.
FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views illustrating a schematic configuration of a recording apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a printing apparatus) 100 that accommodates two roll sheets 1 that are wound as sheet recording media. FIG. 1B illustrates a sheet being ejected from the front of the recording apparatus. An image is printed on the sheet 1 selectively drawn from the two roll sheets that are set in vertically disposed sheet conveyors 200. The sheet 1 with the printed image is ejected from a front ejection-guide portion 110 provided at the front of the printing apparatus. A user can specify the size of the sheet 1, switch on-line/off-line, and input various commands for the printing apparatus 100 by using various switches provided for an operation panel 2.
FIG. 1C is a schematic cross-sectional view (taken along line A-A of FIG. 1B) of the principal part of the printing apparatus 100 when the sheet is ejected from the front. The two sheet conveyors 200 for two rolls R are vertically disposed. The sheet 1 drawn from the roll R by the conveyor 200 is conveyed to an image recording portion (hereinafter referred to as a print portion) 400, which can print images, by a sheet conveying portion (conveying mechanism) 300 along a sheet conveying path. The print portion 400 prints an image on the sheet 1 by ejecting ink from an inkjet print head 18. The print head 18 ejects ink from an outlet by using ejection-energy generating elements such as an electrothermal conversion element (heater) and a piezoelectric element. The print head 18 is not limited to an inkjet type. Moreover, the print method of the print portion 400 is not limited and may be, for example, serial scanning or full-line printing. In the case of serial scanning, an image is printed while the sheet 1 is conveyed and the print head 18 scans in a direction crossing the conveying direction of the sheet 1. In the case of full-line printing, by using the long print head 18 extended in the direction crossing the conveying direction of the sheet 1, images are printed while the sheets 1 are consecutively conveyed.
The sheet 1 guided to the print portion 400 is conveyed in a conveying direction F1 by a conveying roller pair 14. A cutter 21 and the front ejection-guide portion 110 are sequentially disposed downstream of the print head 18 in the conveying direction F1. The sheet 1 passes over the front ejection-guide portion 110 and is ejected from the front of the printing apparatus. After the completion of the print, the sheet 1 cut by the cutter 21 is ejected by the weight of the sheet and is stored in a front ejected-sheet storing portion 29 that can be drawn from the lower portion of the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus 100 has an ejection opening 102 on a side 101a at the printing apparatus front-side of a housing 101. The front ejected-sheet storing portion 29 is disposed below the ejection opening 102 so as to receive the sheet 1 ejected from the ejection opening 102.
Referring to FIGS. 2A to 2E, the detail of the front ejected-sheet storing portion 29 will be described below. FIGS. 2A to 2E are configuration explanatory drawings of a sheet storing device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2A is a perspective view, FIG. 2B is a configuration explanatory drawing of a basket cloth 120, FIGS. 2C and 2D are explanatory drawings of a configuration that holds the basket cloth 120, and FIG. 2E is another schematic diagram of the sheet storing device. In FIG. 2A, the printing apparatus 100 of FIG. 1B is not partially illustrated. The front ejected-sheet storing portion 29 includes a polyester sheet member (hereinafter referred to as a basket cloth) 120 serving as a receiver, and a first holder 130 and a second holder 140 that support the basket cloth 120. The first holder 130 supports one end 120e (end side) of the basket cloth 120 on the downstream side in the ejection direction of the sheet 1, below the ejection opening 102 in the vertical direction and at a predetermined distance from the side 101a in the horizontal direction, the side 101a having the ejection opening 102. The distance between the first holder 130 and the side 101a is optionally set so as to properly receive the ejected sheet 1. The distance may be changed according to, for example, the length, the material, and the number of ejected sheets 1. The second holder 140 is configured to support the basket cloth near the printing apparatus 100 relative to the first holder 130. The detail will be described later.
The front ejected-sheet storing portion 29 further includes a drawer portion 150 disposed below the sheet conveyors 200 at the bottom of the printing apparatus main body, and side rods 131 supporting the first holder 130 with respect to the drawer portion 150. The side rods 131 connect both ends of the first holder 130 to the drawer portion 150 and are supported so as to pivot, with respect to the drawer portion 150, from an upright position in FIG. 2A to a position where the distal-end sides (near the first holder 130) are laid toward the back side of the printing apparatus. The drawer portion 150 can be moved from the state of FIG. 2A in the direction of an arrow C (a direction from the front side toward the back side) by rails 160 with respect to the printing apparatus 100. The drawer portion 150 serving as a storing portion of the front ejected-sheet storing portion 29 is configured so as to store the first holder 130 and the side rods 131 in a laid position and the basket cloth 120 that is stored in a folded or rounded position after being removed from the printing apparatus 100. Thus, if the basket cloth 120 is not used, the front ejected-sheet storing portion 29 can place various configurations in the drawer portion 150 and store the configurations in the lower portion of the printing apparatus 100.
FIGS. 2B and 2C illustrate the configuration of the basket cloth 120. The basket cloth 120 is attachable and detachable to and from the first holder 130 and the second holder 140. The basket cloth 120 of the present example has at least one hook and loop fastener 121 in the width direction of the sheet 1. A user wraps the basket cloth 120 around the two holders and joins the hook and loop fastener 121 at a site. Specifically, one end side of the basket cloth 120 is folded around the outer surface of the first holder 130 shaped like a pipe or a shaft, and then the back sides of a sheet receiving surface are joined to each other near the one end by the hook and loop fastener 121. Moreover, the other end side of the basket cloth 120 is folded around the outer surface of the second holder 140 shaped like a long plate, and then the back sides of the sheet receiving surface are joined to each other near the other end by the hook and loop fastener 121. The detail will be described later.
The hook and loop fastener is not always provided on the basket cloth 120. For example, the second holder 140 may have the hook and loop fastener 121 on the opposite side from the guide surface for the sheet 1 such that the hook and loop fastener 121 on the second holder 140 pairs up with the hook and loop fastener on the basket cloth 120 side (FIG. 2D). In this configuration, the sheet conveyors 200 are placed in two stages and the bottom portion of the configuration is used to provide the front ejected-sheet storing 29, allowing the storage of the first holder 130. The present invention is not limited this configuration.
As illustrated in FIG. 2E, if the printing apparatus has an upper single roller, a space for a lower roller in the printing apparatus 100 may have the side rods 131 pivoting inside and outside the printing apparatus 100 without using the drawer portion 150.
Referring to FIG. 3, the configuration of the second holder 140 will be described below. The second holder 140 has positioning members 141 for positioning the basket cloth 120 on both ends of the second holder 140. The two positioning members 141 are attachable and detachable to and from the printing apparatus 100. The detachable positioning members 141 can be removed to another location when the basket cloth 120 is not used.
Referring to FIGS. 4A to 4D and 13, a guide configuration with the second holder 140 attached to the printing apparatus 100 will be described below. FIG. 4A is a perspective view illustrating a configuration around an attachment portion (ejection-guide portion 110) before the second holder 140 is attached. FIG. 4B is a schematic side cross-sectional view illustrating the attachment portion before the second holder 140 is attached. FIG. 4C is a partial perspective view illustrating the attachment portion when the second holder 140 is attached. FIG. 4D is a schematic cross-sectional view of the second holder 140. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the basket cloth 120 and the second holder 140 that are attached to the ejection-guide portion 110. In FIGS. 4A to 4D, for explanatory convenience, the basket cloth 120 is not illustrated. In reality, as described above, the second holder 140 is wrapped with the basket cloth 120.
The front ejection-guide portion 110 includes an upstream ejection guide (upstream-side guide, first guide) 111, and a downstream ejection guide (downstream-side guide, second guide) 112, and the second holder 140 and is provided in the ejection opening 102 so as to guide the recorded sheet 1 to the ejection opening 102. In the positional relationship between the underside of the upstream ejection guide 111 and the downstream ejection guide 112, an overlap (broken line D) is made in the horizontal direction while a space E is formed in the vertical direction (perpendicular direction). In other words, the downstream ejection guide 112 is disposed below the upstream ejection guide 111 and is partially superimposed thereon when viewed in the vertical direction. The upstream ejection guide 111 and the downstream ejection guide 112 are separated by a predetermined distance in the vertical direction. A clearance between the guides forms the space E.
The downstream ejection guide 112 overlaps with the upstream ejection guide 111 in the horizontal direction and has an inclined shape (inclined surface) 112a such that the ejection guide portion is not entirely horizontal but is inclined downward at a predetermined angle in ejection direction with respect to the horizontal direction. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 13, in a part from the clearance between the downstream ejection guide 112 and the upstream ejection guide 111 to the outside, the inclined surface 112a extends diagonally downward to the ejection opening with respect to a horizontal plane. When the basket cloth 120 is attached to the printing apparatus 100, the inclined surface 112a serves as a support surface that supports the vicinity of a first end 120d of the basket cloth 120 (second holder 140), the first end 120d being disposed on the upstream side of the basket cloth 120 in the sheet ejection direction. Also, as illustrated in FIG. 2C, a second end 120e of the basket cloth 120 is disposed on the downstream side of the basket cloth 120 in the sheet ejection direction and the second end 120e is supported by the first holder 130. When the basket cloth 120 is not used, the inclined surface 112a serves as a guide surface that guides a surface opposite to the image recording surface of the sheet 1. In this case, the inclined surface 112a forms a second guide surface that is aligned with a guide surface (first guide surface) 111b of the upstream ejection guide 111 in the ejection direction of the sheet 1 with the clearance disposed between the surfaces. The second guide surface is provided on a downstream side of the guide surface 111b in the ejection direction of the sheet 1. The inclined surface 112a is inclined at 17° in the present example. The angle is not limited to a specific angle and is optionally set according to the specifications of the printing apparatus or the kind of sheets.
As illustrated in FIG. 13, an opposed surface 112b forming the clearance with the upstream ejection guide 111 on the downstream ejection guide 112 serves as a support surface (first support surface) that supports, with the inclined surface 112a (second support surface), the vicinity of the first end 120d (second holder 140) of the basket cloth 120. The opposed surface 112b is a surface inclined with respect to the inclined surface 112a and the guide surface 111b so as to extend in a direction that is bent at an acute angle with respect to a direction that extends the inclined surface 112a and the guide surface 111b of the upstream ejection guide 111 (sheet guide direction). The opposed surface 112b allows the clearance between the upstream ejection guide 111 and the downstream ejection guide 112 to extend the space E substantially opposite to the ejection direction of the sheet 1 with respect to the ejection path (conveying path) of the sheet 1. This configuration prevents one end of the sheet 1 from being drawn into the clearance (space E) and caught by the basket cloth 120 (the occurrence of a jam). In the present example, the opposed surface 112b extends horizontally. The opposed surface 112b may be angled with respect to the horizontal direction if the catch of the end of the sheet 1 can be suppressed. In the printing apparatus configuration of the present example, an angle formed by the opposed surface 112b with a horizontal plane is preferably smaller than an angle formed by the inclined surface 112a and the guide surface 111b with the horizontal plane. This depends on an angle formed by the ejection direction of the sheet 1 with respect to the horizontal plane, so that the configuration is not particularly limited. For example, in the present example, the inclined surface 112a and the guide surface 111b are parallel to each other. If an angle is formed between the surfaces, the inclined surface 112a and the opposed surface 112b may be parallel to each other (form a single surface).
As illustrated in FIG. 4C (taken along line F-F in FIG. 1B), the basket cloth 120 has a first set position for attachment to the printing apparatus 100 with the second holder 140 inserted into the space E. At this point, the second holder 140 also has a cross-sectional shape including a horizontal surface 140a and an inclined surface 140b along the space E and the inclined surface 112a when viewed in an arrow direction G. The second holder 140 has hem bending portions 140c in the longitudinal direction on the upstream side and the downstream side in the ejection direction. This configuration can achieve compatibility between space savings and strength. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the basket cloth 120 is attached and held such that the first end 120d is wrapped around the second holder 140. In the basket cloth 120, a part surrounding a part (first holding portion) including the horizontal surface 140a disposed inside the space E on the second holder 140 includes a part forming an opposed surface 120c with respect to (the underside of) the upstream ejection guide 111 with the space E disposed therebetween, and a part interposed between the first holding portion and the opposed surface 112b of the downstream ejection guide 112. Moreover, in the basket cloth 120, a part surrounding a part (second holding portion) including the inclined surface 140b includes a part forming a guide surface (receiver guide surface) 120b that guides the ejection of the sheet 1, and a part interposed between the second holding portion and the inclined surface 112a of the downstream ejection guide 112. At the first set position, the horizontal surface 140a of the second holder 140 overlaps with the underside of the upstream ejection guide 111 in the horizontal direction, thereby preventing the curled sheet 1 from being caught by the basket cloth 120 when the sheet 1 is ejected in the direction of an arrow K.
With this configuration, the first end 120d of the basket cloth 120 is held at a position under the upstream ejection guide 111 so as to overlap with the upstream ejection guide 111 in the sheet conveying direction. Furthermore, the end 120d is held inside the clearance between the upstream ejection guide 111 and the downstream ejection guide 112. The clearance between the upstream ejection guide 111 and the downstream ejection guide 112 is opened outside the side 101a of the printer housing 101 through the ejection opening 102 such that the end 120d of the basket cloth 120 can be inserted and removed into and from the clearance through the ejection opening 102. The basket cloth 120 is attached and detached to and from the downstream ejection guide 112 (the end 120d of the basket cloth 120 is held in the clearance) by the engagement and disengagement of an engaging portion and an engaged portion, which will be described later, between the second holder 140 and the downstream ejection guide 112.
The engaged portion, which will be described later, with the second holder 140 engaged therewith is attached to an upper roll cover 201 serving as a cover member (opening/closing member) that exposes the storing portion of a recording medium to the outside of the housing. Thus, the upper roll cover 201 can be opened and closed when the basket cloth 120 is placed at the first set position. This can change roll sheets without removing the basket cloth 120. Moreover, the basket cloth 120 at the first set position covers the front side of the printing apparatus 100, thereby preventing the curled sheet 1 from coming into contact with the roll cover 201 and causing scratches or ink smudges.
As illustrated in FIG. 4A, a width Wf of the basket cloth 120 in the width direction perpendicular to the ejection direction of the sheet 1 is larger than a maximum width Wp of the sheet 1 in the specifications of the printing apparatus, that is, the maximum width of the sheet 1 where an image can be recorded in the printing apparatus of the present example. At the first set position, even if a sheet having the maximum width in the specifications of the printing apparatus is ejected, the sheet 1 is not placed out of the basket cloth 120 in the width direction as illustrated in FIG. 1B. The width Wf of the basket cloth 120 is set inside user operation portions (handle portions) 141b on both ends, so that the width of the sheet 1 is necessarily set inside hook portions (hook-shaped portions) 141a serving as engaging portions.
In this configuration, when the basket cloth 120 is not used, the upstream ejection guide 111 and the downstream ejection guide 112 are horizontally kept in an overlapping state even after the second holder 140 is removed, so that the ejection guides remain usable as ejection guides. The present invention is not limited to this configuration. FIGS. 5A and 5B are explanatory drawings illustrating other configurations of the upper and lower ejection guides. As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, it is not necessary to always open a space H where the second holder 140 is inserted. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, a shield 111a may be provided as a shield member projecting downward from the upstream ejection guide 111 so as to close the space H (clearance). The shield 111a may be pivotally urged by a spring urging force without being pressed to a sheet. In this case, for use in combination with the basket cloth 120, the shield 111a may be configured to be pressed by the basket cloth 120 attached to the downstream ejection guide 112 or the second holder 140 so as to pivot to a retraction position against a spring urging force when the basket cloth 120 is used. As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the upstream ejection guide 111 and the downstream ejection guide 112 may be combined and attached to the upper roll cover 201.
Referring to FIGS. 6A to 6C, the positioning members 141 that are provided on both ends of the second holder 140 and are engaged with the downstream ejection guide 112 will be specifically described below. FIG. 6A is a partial perspective view illustrating the engaging portions on the printing apparatus side, in the vicinity of the left and right ends of the downstream ejection guide 112 in the width direction. FIG. 6B is a partial perspective view illustrating the engaging portions on the second holder 140, in the vicinity of the left and right ends of the second holder 140 in the width direction. FIG. 6C is a partial perspective view illustrating that the second holder 140 is engaged with the engaging portions of the printing apparatus side in the vicinity of the left and right ends of the second holder 140 in the width direction. The positioning members 141 of the second holder 140 at the first set position are engaged with the printing apparatus 100 outside the maximum sheet width of the specifications, whereas engaged portions 114 of the downstream ejection guide 112 are disposed within the length of the downstream ejection guide 112 in the ejection direction (inside both ends in the ejection direction). This configuration offers excellent viewability and accessibility to a user. Furthermore, outside the engaged portions 114, inclined surfaces 114a formed in the ejection direction extend in the sheet width direction. The inclined surfaces 114a serves as guides for attaching the positioning members 141 by a user. The positioning member 141 has the hook portion (hook-shaped portion) 141a serving as an engaging portion for engagement with the engaged portion 114. The engaged portion 114 has a protruded portion 114b where the hook portion 141a can be engaged. The protruded portion 114b is provided at a lower position than the ejection guide surface of the engaged portion 114. The hook portion 141a is engaged with the protruded portion 114b, which is made of the same material as the hook portion 141a, at a lower position than the ejection guide surface of the engaged portion 114, thereby attaching the second holder 140 to the downstream ejection guide 112. The engagement between the positioning members 141 and the engaged portions 114 determines the positions of the second holder 140 in the sheet ejection direction and the vertical direction with respect to the downstream ejection guide 112.
Moreover, the user operation portion 141b serving as a handle portion for holding the second holder 140 (basket cloth 120) by a user during the attachment is provided on the hook portion 141a. The user operation portion 141b inside the ejection opening 102 of the housing 101 is exposed out of the clearance between the upstream ejection guide 111 and the downstream ejection guide 112. This facilitates the recognition of a hook position and prevents the second holder 140 from dropping from the space E between the upstream ejection guide 111 and the downstream ejection guide 112 into the printing apparatus 100. The total length of the second holder 140 and the positioning members 141 on both ends thereof is smaller than a distance between the inner surfaces of the drawer portion 150, which can be drawn at the lower portion of the printing apparatus, in the sheet width direction. Thus, when the basket cloth 120 is not used, the second holder 140 can be stored in the drawer portion like the first holder 130.
In the conventional apparatus configuration, the roll cover serves as a sheet-path surface and thus a sheet, which is easily curled, may roll up on the roll cover and bring a print surface (image recording surface) into contact with the roll cover. This may cause a scratch. Furthermore, in the conventional apparatus configuration, the attachment of the ejected-sheet storing portion (a form changed to a usable state) requires the opening and closing of the roll cover, which forces a user to perform an operation in addition to the attachment of the ejected-sheet storing portion. This may reduce the ease of operation. In contrast, the present embodiment includes the basket cloth covering the roll cover, thereby suppressing the occurrence of scratches on a recording medium to be ejected. Moreover, the ejected-sheet storing portion (basket) can be attached with the closed roll cover, that is, without the need for opening or closing the roll cover, thereby improving the ease of operation for a user.
Embodiment 2
Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, Embodiment 2 will be described below. The same functions as those of Embodiment 1 are indicated by the same numbers. A downstream ejection guide 112 is attached to a roll cover 201. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the opened roll cover 201 (the left and right ends are partially enlarged). The downstream ejection guide 112 has engaged portions 214 on both ends thereof in the sheet width direction and protruded portions 214b formed as hook-shaped portions. The protruded portions 214b are configured to be opened to the outside of a printing apparatus while the roll cover 201 is opened, thereby improving viewability. As illustrated in FIG. 7B, a loop cord (cord portion) 120a attached to both ends of a basket cloth 120 is hooked on the protruded portions 214b serving as hooks, thereby holding the basket cloth 120. FIG. 7B is a perspective view illustrating the basket cloth 120 attached to the roll cover 201 (the roll cover 201 is kept opened). When the roll cover 201 is closed, the first end 120d of the basket cloth 120 is held in a clearance between the upstream ejection guide 111 and the downstream ejection guide 112.
A distance between the hooked portions of the loop cord 120a on both ends of the basket cloth 120 is set shorter than a distance between faces for receiving the loop cord 120a at the protruded portions 214b. A tension is applied in the sheet width direction of the basket cloth 120, thereby preventing a sheet from being caught by slack at the central portion of the basket cloth 120. The present invention is not limited to this configuration. As illustrated in FIG. 12A, the loop cord 120a may have a hook and loop fastener 121 that can adjust a distance between cords. As illustrated in FIG. 12B, the protruded portion 214b may be urged by a spring 600 in the protruding direction, and a tension applied in the sheet width direction of the basket cloth 120 may be adjusted by the urging force.
FIG. 8A is a partial cross-sectional view of a printing apparatus 100 in the process of ejecting a sheet 1 into a front ejected-sheet storing portion 29 according to Embodiment 2. FIGS. 8B and 8C are enlarged views around a sheet outlet in FIG. 8A. Hereinafter the configuration will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 8B and 8C. As illustrated in the drawings, the protruded portions 214b of the engaged portions 214 are disposed inside an inclined surface 112a of the downstream ejection guide 112 in the printing apparatus 100 while the upper roll cover 201 is closed. Moreover, the loop cord 120a of the basket cloth 120 is attached to the protruded portions 214b serving as hooks, covering the sheet-path surface (inclined surface 112a) of the downstream ejection guide 112 with the basket cloth 120. Furthermore, a second set position where the basket cloth 120 and the upstream ejection guide 111 overlap each other in the horizontal direction is provided (a broken line in FIG. 8B). With this configuration, a sheet path for ejection is covered with the basket cloth 120 and thus scratches caused by a sheet curled into contact with a print surface can be prevented.
FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic partial cross-sectional views illustrating a sheet storing device for the explanation of a state of the basket cloth 120 when rolls are changed in this configuration. As illustrated in FIG. 9A, if the basket cloth 120 is attached to the upper roll cover 201, the basket cloth 120 covers the upper roll cover 201 and a lower roll cover 202. Thus, this configuration effectively prevents the curly sheet 1 from coming into contact with the upper roll cover 201 and causing scratches or ink smudges. When rolls are changed, the upper roll can be changed while the basket cloth 120 is attached. As illustrated in FIG. 9B, if the basket cloth 120 is attached to the lower roll cover 202 serving as a second opening/closing member, the basket cloth 120 only covers the lower roll cover 202. Thus, this configuration is suitably used for less curly sheets. When the rolls are changed, the lower roll can be changed while the basket cloth 120 is attached. The upper roll is also accessible and thus the rolls can be properly used depending on the purpose of use.
Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the configuration of the upper roll cover will be specifically described below. FIGS. 10A and 10B are explanatory drawings of an operation configuration when the upper roll cover is opened. FIGS. 10A and 10B are enlarged views illustrating both ends in the width direction (lateral direction). The lower roll cover has a similar configuration and thus the explanation thereof is omitted. First, as illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B, a depressed portion 114c is configured between the engaged portion 214 on each outer end in the sheet width direction of the basket cloth 120 and the printing apparatus 100. With this configuration, even when the basket cloth 120 is attached, the upper roll cover 201 can be opened with fingers inserted into the depressed portions 114c.
Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, the configuration of the upper roll cover 201 will be specifically described below. FIG. 11A is a partial perspective view illustrating the opened upper roll cover 201. FIG. 11B is a partial perspective view illustrating the closed upper roll cover 201 viewed from the left in the lateral direction (width direction) of FIG. 11A. In FIG. 11A, the upper roll cover 201 has a pivot center 201a (the opposed side is not illustrated). The depressed portion 114c is formed on one end opposite to the pivot center 201a, and a reinforcing beam 115 is attached in the sheet width direction. The reinforcing beam 115 is assembled to extend from one end to the other end in the width direction of the downstream ejection guide 112. As illustrated in FIG. 11B, the depressed portion 114c is formed in the area of the reinforcing beam 115 and thus keeps stiffness in this configuration, so that the upper roll cover 201 can be opened with fingers.
In FIG. 11B, a lock holder 502 attached into the printing apparatus 100 and a lock member 500 attached to the lock holder 502 are opposed to the pivot center 201a of the upper roll cover 201. These components lock the upper roll cover 201. The lock configuration is specifically illustrated in FIG. 11C. The lock member 500 is urged in the direction of an arrow P by a lock spring 501 assembled into the lock holder 502. Thus, the upper roll cover 201 is pivoted over a top 500a of the lock member in the direction of an arrow (close) in FIG. 11B, the top 500a being disposed in the area of a bent portion 115a of the reinforcing beam, thereby locking the upper roll cover 201. With this configuration, the upper roll cover 201 can be directly locked by the bent portion 115a of the reinforcing beam and thus can be opened with fingers.
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. 2020-166128, filed on Sep. 30, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Patent Application
20230347665
