Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6305281
-
Patent Number
6,305,281
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, September 22, 199925 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, October 23, 200122 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Hilten; John S.
- Grohusky; Leslie J.
Agents
- Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 101 116
- 101 117
- 101 118
- 101 119
- 101 120
- 101 129
- 101 483
- 101 484
- 101 485
- 101 DIG 36
- 271 315
- 271 906
- 271 223
- 271 298
- 271 296
- 399 370
- 399 16
- 399 86
- 399 389
- 399 405
- 399 403
- 358 449
- 358 451
- 358 452
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A stencil printer includes a document size sensing device for sensing the size of a document and a paper size sensing device for sensing the size of papers. A controller determines the orientation and size of the document and those of the paper on the basis of information output from the two sensing devices. If the document and paper are different in orientation, the controller controls a master making section on the basis of the orientation of the papers for forming a document image in a master in accordance with the orientation of the paper. At the same time, the controller controls a side fence moving device and an end fence moving device such that side fences and an end fence mounted on a paper discharge tray each are located at a particular position matching with the size of the papers. The side fences are movable in the widthwise direction of the paper while the end fence is movable forward and backward in the direction of paper discharge.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a stencil printer and more particularly to a stencil printer capable of making it needless for the operator of the printer to give consideration to the size or the orientation of papers.
A stencil printer extensively used today includes master making means for perforating, or cutting, a stencil in accordance with image data representative of a document image and thereby producing a master. The master is wrapped around a porous ink drum having ink feeding means arranged thereinside. A pressing member presses a paper or similar recording medium against the ink drum, so that a document image is printed on the paper via the master. The paper with the document image is driven out to a paper discharge tray included in a paper discharge section. Usually, the operator of this type of printer sets a document or documents in the same orientation as papers and then presses a perforation start key for making a master.
Generally, the outer periphery of the ink drum is made up of a porous portion where pores for passing irk therethrough are present and a non-porous portion where a damper for clamping the leading edge of the master is mounted. The porous portion has a length, as measured in the circumferential direction of the ink drum, matching with the maximum size of papers available with the printer, e.g., the maximum length of papers of size A3 prescribed by JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards). The master formed with a document image by the master making means is cut off in a size covering the entire porous portion, e.g., a length matching with size A3 without regard to the size of papers to be used and then wrapped around the ink drum. This, however, brings about the following problems.
Assume that the maximum paper size available with the printer is A3, but the operator desires printings of size A4, and that papers to be used are positioned vertically long. Then, almost one half of the resulting master is simply blank. Such a mater is removed from the ink drum and discarded when printing is to be executed with another document, aggravating the wasteful consumpt ion of a stencil. Further, ink fed from the inside of the ink drum is deposited over the entire area of the master. Therefore, ink deposited on the blank portions of the master is simply wasted together with the master.
In light of the above, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 64-18683 proposes a stencil printer capable of varying the length of a master and the duration of contact of a pressing member in accordance with the kind (circumferential length) of an ink drum at the time of making a master and then producing printings with the master. This stencil printer, however, has a problem that it cannot save a stencil unless the ink drum is replaced every time the paper size is changed. In addition, the replacement of the ink drum is troublesome. Another problem is that the operator intending to set a document must check the size and orientation of papers and then set the document in the same orientation as the papers or set papers of the same size as the document, resulting in a troublesome procedure. Should the operator be inattentive, the document and papers might be different in orientation or size, resulting in defective printings.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-1254 teaches a stencil printer including a paper discharge tray on which an end fence movable forward and backward in a direction of paper discharge and a pair of side fences movable in the widthwise direction of a paper are mounted. In this kind of printer, paper size sensing means senses the size of papers stacked on a paper feed tray and allows each of the end fence and side fences to be moved to a particular position matching with the paper size. Although this scheme allows papers or printings to be neatly stacked on the paper discharge tray, it also forces the operator to check the orientation of the papers and then set a document in accordance with the orientation of the papers or set papers corresponding in size to the document.
Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 5-306025 discloses a stencil printer including a plurality of paper feed trays each being loaded with papers of particular size. This allows a plurality of papers of different sizes to be stacked on the paper feed trays. However, the operator must confirm the orientation of papers and that of a document and must replace the papers if papers matching in size with the document are not available.
Moreover, assume that any one of the above conventional stencil printers prints a document image on papers by changing the magnification. Then, if papers having a size great enough to accommodate the resulting document image are not set, the printer cannot operate at all. Even when such papers matching in size with the document image are available in the printer, if they are different in orientation from the document, the operator must change the orientation of the papers or that of the document by troublesome operation.
Technologies relating to the present invention are also disclosed in, e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication Nos. 64-24783, 10-193767, and 11-228007.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a stencil printer capable of producing desirable printings and neatly stacking them without requiring the operator to give consideration to the orientation and size of a document or those of papers.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a stencil printer capable of obviating the wasteful consumption of a stencil and ink with a single ink drum, producing desirable printings and neatly stacking them without regard to the magnification change ratio of a document, and/or producing a greater number of printings efficiently.
In accordance with the present invention, a stencil printer includes an ink drum for wrapping amaster around its outer periphery, a master making section for making the master, a paper discharging section including a paper discharge tray having a pair of side fences spaced from each other in the widthwise direction of a paper and movable in the widthwise direction and an end fence selectively movable forward or backward in the direction of paper discharge, a side fence moving device for moving the side fences in the widthwise direction, an end fence moving device for moving the end fence in the direction of paper discharge, a document size sensing device for sensing the size of a document, a paper size sensing device for sensing the size of the paper, and a controller for controlling the master making device, side fence moving device, and end fence moving device. The controller determines, based on information output from the document size sensing device and paper size sensing device, the orientation the document, the orientation of the paper and the size of the paper and controls, if the document and paper are different in orientation, the master making device on the basis of the orientation of the paper to thereby orient a document image to be formed in the master in accordance with the orientation of the paper, and controls the side fence moving device and end fence moving device for locating each of the side fences and end fence at a particular position matching with the size of the paper.
The control means may determine, based on information output from the document size sensing device and paper size sensing device, the size of the document and the size of the paper and control, if the document and paper are different in size, the master making device on the basis of the size of the paper to thereby automatically change the magnification of a document image to be formed in the master in accordance with the size of the paper, and control the side fence moving device and end fence moving device for locating each of the side fences and end fence at a particular position matching with the size of the paper.
Further, the control means may determine, based on information output from the document size sensing device and paper size sensing device, the orientation and size of the document and the orientation and size of the paper and control, if the document and paper are different in orientation and size, the master making device on the basis of the orientation and size of the paper to thereby form the document image in the master in accordance with the orientation of the paper and automatically change the magnification of the document image in accordance with the size of the paper, and control the side fence moving device and end fence moving device for locating each of the side fences and end fence at a particular position matching with the size of the paper.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1
is a front view showing a stencil printer embodying the present invention;
FIG. 2
is an enlarged view showing various sections of a printer body included in the illustrative embodiment;
FIG. 3
is an enlarged view showing a pressing member and a mechanism for moving it included in the illustrative embodiment;
FIG. 4
is an enlarged side elevation showing contact area varying means included in the illustrative embodiment;
FIG. 5
is an enlarged plan view showing a paper discharge tray and fence moving means included in the illustrative embodiment;
FIG. 6
is a block diagram schematically showing control means included in the illustrative embodiment and sections associated therewith;
FIG. 7
is a flowchart representative of a x1 automatic paper selection control program to be executed by the control means of the illustrative embodiment;
FIG. 8
is a flowchart representative of a paper selection control program to be executed by the control means of the illustrative embodiment;
FIG. 9
is a flowchart representative of an automatic magnification change selection control program to be executed by the control means of the illustrative embodiment;
FIG. 10
is a flowchart representative of a magnification change ratio designated control program to be executed by the control means of the illustrative embodiment;
FIG. 11
is a view demonstrating a master making operation and control over the paper discharge tray to be executed when a document size and a paper size are identical.
FIG. 12
is a view demonstrating a master making operation and control over the paper discharge tray to be executed when a document size and a paper size are different;
FIG. 13
is a view showing a relation Between papers of regular sizes and a paper of irregular size;
FIG. 14
is a front view showing an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 15
is a plan view of conveying means included in the alternative embodiment and constituting a paper discharge section;
FIG. 16
is a front view of distributing means included in the alternative embodiment;
FIG. 17
is an enlarged oblique view showing essential part of switching drive means included in the alternative embodiment;
FIG. 18
is a block diagram schematically showing control included in the alternative embodiment and sections associated therein;
FIGS. 19A-19C
are flowcharts representative of a paper selection control program to be executed by the control means of
FIG. 18
;
FIG. 20
is a table listing a relation between magnifications and rotation dependent on a document and a paper; and
FIG. 21
is a table listing a relation between paper sizes and cam surfaces and cam plates to be selected.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to
FIG. 1
of the drawings, a stencil printer embodying the present invention is shown. As shown, the printer includes a printer body
10
including an ink drum
4
, a press drum or pressing member
5
, a master discharge unit
6
, a paper feed unit
7
, and a paper discharge unit
9
. The ink drum
4
is caused to rotate by a driveline including a drive motor not shown. The paper feed unit
7
includes a paper feed tray
29
loaded with a stack of papers
25
. The paper discharge unit
9
includes a paper discharge tray
60
. An ADF (Automatic Document Feeder)
1
, an image reading section
2
for optically reading a document
28
and a master making unit
3
are mounted on the printer body
10
, implementing an integrated master making and printing type of stencil printer. A multistage paper feed unit
12
is removably mounted to the bottom of the printer body
10
and includes a plurality of paper feed trays
12
A and
12
B. More specifically, the printer body
10
is mounted on the top
12
b
of the multistage paper feed unit
12
positioned on a floor or similar base
84
.
The ink drum
4
is made up of a porous hollow cylinder and a laminate of mesh screens wrapped around the cylinder and is rotatably mounted on a shaft
11
. The cylinder has a porous portion extending over a preselected circumferential range (length) of the ink drum
4
and formed with a number of pores, and a non-porous portion on which a camper
13
is positioned. The master making unit
3
perforates, or cuts, a stencil
14
(see
FIG. 2
) in accordance with image data representative of a document image optically read by the image reading section
2
, thereby producing a master
14
. The master
14
is wrapped around the outer periphery
4
a
of the ink drum
4
with its leading edge being clamped by the camper
13
.
As shown in
FIG. 2
, an ink roller
15
and a doctor roller
17
spaced from the ink roller
15
by a small gap are disposed in the ink drum
4
. The ink roller
15
is rotatable in synchronism with and in the same direction as the ink drum
4
for feeding ink to the inner periphery of the drum
4
. An ink pump, not shown, feeds ink
18
under pressure from an ink pack, not shown, to an ink well
16
formed between the ink roller
15
and the doctor roller
17
via holes formed in the shaft
11
. The ink
18
existing in the ink well
16
is fed to the inner periphery of the ink drum
4
. The porous portion of the ink drum
4
has a circumferential length over which a paper of size A3 prescribed by JIS can be wrapped lengthwise. The width of the ink drum
4
in the direction parallel to the axis of the drum
4
is greater than the width of the paper of size A3 conveyed lengthwise.
As shown in
FIG. 2
, the master making unit
3
includes a support shaft
20
b
supporting the stencil
14
implemented as a roll
20
. Specifically, the stencil
14
is wound round a tubular core
20
a
to constitute the roll
20
. A platen roller
19
pays out the stencil
14
from the roll
20
and conveys it. A thermal head
22
is movable into and out of contact with the platen roller
19
. The support shaft
20
b
, platen roller
19
and thermal head constitute master making means
8
. A pair of cutter members, or cutting means, cut the stencil
14
at a preselected length. A pair of rollers
23
a
and
23
b
cooperate to convey the leading edge of the stencil or master
14
toward the camper
13
. A cutter drive motor
26
causes an eccentric cam
27
to rotate and move the upper cutter member
21
in the up-and-down direction, thereby cutting the stencil
14
at a preselected length.
The platen roller
19
includes a rotatably supported shaft. A platen drive motor
24
is implemented by a stepping motor and rotates the shaft of the platen roller
19
, so that the roller
19
conveys the stencil
14
while pressing it against the thermal head
22
. The head
22
includes a plurality of heating elements arranged in an array extending in the widthwise direction of the stencil
14
. A conventional moving mechanism, not shown, selectively moves the head
22
into or out of contact with the platen roller
19
. Specifically, an analog-to-digital converter included in the document reading section
2
and control means
100
, which will be described later, output a digital image signal representative of a document image. The head
22
selectively perforates, under the control of the control means
100
, the stencil
14
with heat in accordance with the digital image signal, thereby making the master
14
.
The master discharge unit
6
is located at the left of the ink drum
4
. The master discharge unit
6
removes a used master
14
from the outer periphery
4
a
of the ink drum
4
and collects it as a waste master.
The paper feed unit
7
arranged below the master making section
3
includes the paper feed tray
29
, a pick-up roller unit
30
, and a registration roller pair
33
. The paper feed unit
7
feeds the papers
25
stacked on the tray
29
toward a printing station
35
one by one. The tray
29
is mounted on the right side of the stencil printer
10
.
The paper feed tray
29
is mounted on the printer body
10
in such a manner as to be movable up and down. Specifically, an elevating mechanism or elevating means, not shown, raises the tray
29
every time the paper stack
25
on the tray
29
is brought out of its adequate paper feed position. When the paper stack
25
is used up, the above mechanism lowers the tray
29
. Reflection type sensors
70
a
,
70
b
,
70
c
,
70
d
and
70
e
constitute a group of paper size sensors
70
. A pair of conventional side guides
34
are movable in the widthwise direction of the paper stack
25
for guiding the opposite sides of the stack
25
. The sensors
70
a
-
70
e
and side guides
34
are mounted on the tray
29
.
More specifically, the sensors
70
a
-
70
d
each are responsive to the length of the papers
25
in a direction D in which the papers
25
are conveyed (direction of paper conveyance D hereinafter). The sensor
70
e
determines the length of the papers
25
in the widthwise direction of the papers
25
by sensing the position of the side guides
34
. Signals output from the sensors
70
a
-
70
e
are sent to the control means
100
. The control means
100
therefore determines the size and orientation of the papers
25
on the basis of the output signals of the sensors
70
a
-
70
e.
The pick-up roller unit
30
is positioned above the tray
29
and includes a pick-up roller
31
and a separation roller
32
a
each having a surface formed of a high resistance material. A single stepping motor, not shown, rotates the pick-up roller
31
and separation roller
32
a
in the direction indication by arrows in
FIGS. 1 and 2
via drive transmitting means including gears and belts not shown. The pick-up roller
31
is held in contact with the top of the paper stack
25
under preselected pressure. A separation member
32
b
is affixed to a guide
36
a
forming the bottom of a first paper transport path
36
. The separation roller
32
a
is pressed against the separation member
32
b
by preselected pressure.
The first paper transport path
36
extends from the paper feed unit
7
to the printing station
35
. A press drum
5
is positioned below the ink drum
4
and movable into and out of contact with the outer periphery
4
a
of the drum
4
. The outer periphery
4
a
of the ink drum
4
and press drum
5
define the printing station
35
therebetween. The separation roller
32
a
and registration roller pair
33
are respectively positioned at the start point and intermediate point of the first transport path
36
. As shown in
FIG. 2
, the registration roller pair
33
is made up of a drive roller
33
a
rotatable in synchronism with the ink drum
4
and a driven roller
33
b
pressed against the drive roller
33
a
. The roller pair
33
drives the paper
25
at such a timing that the leading edge of the paper
25
meets the leading edge of an image formed in the master
14
.
As shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3
, the press drum
5
is operatively connected to a driveline assigned to the ink drum
4
via conventional drive transmitting means including gears or pulleys and belts. The press drum
5
is rotatable counterclockwise at the same peripheral speed as the ink drum
4
. The circumference of the press drum
5
is made up of a cylindrical portion
5
a
capable of contacting the ink drun
4
and a flat portion
5
b
formed by notching the above circumference in the form of a letter D. The flat portion
5
b
prevents the press drum
5
from interfering with the camper
13
. Specifically, the phase of the ink drum
4
and that of the press drum
5
are preselected such that the damper
13
meets the flat portion
5
b
at the printing station
35
. A retainer
44
for temporarily retaining the leading edge of the paper
25
is mounted on one side edge of the flat portion
5
b
and openable away from the circumference of the cylindrical portion
5
a
. Specifically, when the retainer
44
is located around a position where it faces the registration roller pair
33
, the retainer
44
is opened and then closed to clamp the leading edge of the paper
25
. When the retainer
44
retaining the paper
25
moves away from the printing station
35
due to the rotation of the press drum
5
, it is opened to unclamp the paper
25
. An opening/closing mechanism, not shown, causes the retainer
44
to perform the above operation.
Shafts
37
are affixed to axially opposite ends of the press drum
5
. A pair of arms
38
are spaced from each other in the axial direction of the ink drum
5
. The shafts
37
each are rotatably supported by one of the arms
38
via a respective bearing not shown. The arms
38
each are rotatable at one end
38
a
thereof about a shaft
39
affixed to the printer body
10
. A tension spring or biasing means
45
is anchored to the other end
38
b
of each arm
38
at one end and to the printer body
10
at the other end. Such tension springs
45
constantly bias the press drum
5
upward toward the ink drum
4
. A cam follower
38
c
is rotatably supported by the end of one arm
38
remote from the shaft
39
. The press drum
5
may be replaced with any other suitable pressing member, e.g., a conventional press roller movable into and out of contact with the ink drum
4
.
A cam
40
for canceling pressure (pressure cancel cam
40
hereinafter) is located in the vicinity of the cam follower
38
c
and made up of six cam plates
40
a
,
40
b
,
40
c
,
40
d
,
40
e
and
40
f
. As shown in
FIG. 4
, a shaft
41
is supported by the printer body
10
at opposite ends thereof in such a manner as to be rotatable and movable in its axial direction. The cam plates
40
a
-
40
f
are mounted on one end portion of the shaft
41
and spaced from each other. The cam plates
40
a
-
40
f
are sequentially positioned in this order from the front toward the rear of the shaft, as viewed in FIG.
3
. The cam plates
40
a
-
40
f
each are made up of a disk-like base portion coaxial with the shaft
41
and a projection protruding from the base portion. The projections of the cam plates
40
a
-
40
f
have the same height as measured from the base portions. However, assuming the right edge of the projection of the cam plate
40
a
as a reference, the projections sequentially increase in size in the circumferential direction in the order of the cam plates
40
b
,
40
c
,
40
d
,
40
e
and
40
f.
As shown in
FIG. 4
, a drive gear
42
is mounted on the shaft
41
. A transmission gear
49
is mounted on a shaft
48
journalled to the printer body
10
. Rotation is transferred from the driveline of the ink drum
4
to the pressure cancel cam
40
via the transmission gear
49
and drive gear
42
, so that the cam
40
is rotated in the direction indicated by an arrow in FIG.
3
.
When any one of the projections of the cam plates
40
a
-
40
f
is brought into contact with the cam follower
38
c
, the press drum
5
is moved to the spaced position indicated by a solid line in FIG.
3
. When any one of the above projections is released from the cam follower
38
c
, the press drum
5
is brought into pressing contact with the outer periphery
4
a
of the ink drum
4
under the action of the tension springs
45
. The base portions of the cam plates
40
a
-
40
f
and cam follower
38
c
are so arranged as not to contact each other when the press drum
5
contacts the ink drum
4
.
The projections of the cam plates
40
a
-
40
f
have circumferential sizes respectively allowing the cylindrical portion
5
a
of the press drum
5
and the outer periphery
4
a
of the ink drum
4
to contact each other over areas, or lengths, matching with the papers
25
of size A3 positioned horizontally long, the papers of size B4 positioned horizontally long, the papers
25
of size A4 positioned horizontally long, the papers
25
of size B5 positioned horizontally long, the papers of size A4 positioned vertically long, and the papers
25
of size B5 positioned vertically long.
As shown in
FIG. 4
, a generally L-shaped arm
43
and a stepped cam
47
are positioned below the shaft
41
. The arm
43
is rotatably mounted on a shaft
43
c
at its bent portion and carries a roller
43
a
and a cam follower
43
b
at opposite ends thereof. A tension spring
46
is anchored at one end to the am
43
between the shaft
43
c
and the cam follower
43
b
and at the other end to the printer body
10
, constantly biasing the arm
43
clockwise, as viewed in
FIG. 4
, about the shaft
43
c
. The roller
43
a
is positioned between a pair of spaced disks
41
a
and
41
b
mounted on the intermediate portion of the shaft
41
. The cam follower
43
b
is pressed against the circumference of the stepped cam
47
by the tension spring
46
. The distance between the disks
41
a
and
41
b
is slightly greater than the diameter of the roller
43
a.
The stepped cam
47
is mounted on a shaft
51
journal led to the printer body
10
and has six consecutive cam surfaces
47
a
,
47
b
,
47
c
,
47
d
,
47
e
and
47
f
on its circumference. A gear
54
is mounted on the shaft
51
. A gear
53
is mounted on the output shaft of a cam drive motor, or contact area varying drive member,
52
mounted on the printer body
10
and is held in mesh with the gear
54
. The motor
52
causes the stepped cam
47
to rotate in the direction indicated by an arrow in FIG.
4
. When the motor
52
is energized to rotate the stepped cam
47
, the cam
47
causes the arm
43
to angularly move about the shaft
43
c
. As a result, the roller
43
a
mounted on the arm
43
pushes either one of the disks
41
a
and
41
b
and thereby moves the shaft
41
in the axial direction (right-and-left direction in FIG.
4
). The motor
52
is implemented by a stepping motor and control led by the control means
100
as to timing.
The stepped cam
47
is so configured as to move the shaft
41
and therefore the pressure cancel cam
40
, as follows. When the cam follower
43
b
and cam surface
47
a
contact, the cam plate
40
a
is brought to a position where it is capable of contacting the cam follower
38
c
. When the cam follower
43
b
and cam surface
47
b
contact, the cam plate
40
b
is brought to a position where it is capable of contacting the cam follower
38
c
. When the cam follower
43
b
and cam surface
47
c
contact, the cam plate
40
c
is brought to a position where it is capable of contacting the cam follower
38
c
. When the cam follower
43
b
and cam surface
47
d
contact, the cam plate
40
d
is brought to a position where it is capable of contacting the cam follower
38
c
. When the cam follower
43
b
and cam surface
47
e
contact, the cam plate
40
e
is brought to a position where it is capable of contacting the cam follower
38
c
. Further, when the cam follower
43
b
and cam surface
47
f
contact, the cam plate
40
e
is brought to a position where it is capable of contacting the cam follower
38
c
. Contact area varying means
50
mainly consists of the pressure cancel cam
40
and drive mechanism associated therewith, arm
43
, stepped cam
47
, and motor
52
for driving the stepped cam
47
.
Referring again to
FIGS. 1 and 2
, a peeler
55
, a porous belt
58
and a suction fan
59
are arranged between the press drum
5
and the paper discharge unit
9
. The peeler
55
is movable into and out of contact with the cylindrical portion
5
a
of the press drum
5
. The belt
58
is passed over a drive roller
56
and a driven roller
57
for conveying the paper
25
removed from the press drum
5
by the peeler
55
. A motor, not shown, drives the belt
58
counterclockwise at a speed higher than the peripheral speed of the ink drum
4
. In this configuration, the paper
25
moved away from the printing station
35
is removed from the press drum
5
by the peeler
55
and then conveyed by the belt
58
toward the paper discharge unit
9
while being sucked by the suction fan
59
.
The paper discharge tray
60
protrudes sideways from the printer body
10
for stacking the papers
25
to be sequentially driven out of the printer body
10
. The tray
60
includes a pair of side fences
61
and
62
and an end fence
63
. As shown in
FIG. 5
, the side fences
61
and
62
are spaced from each other by a distance W in the widthwise direction of the paper indicated by an arrow A (widthwise direction A hereinafter). The side fences
61
and
62
are movable toward and away from each other in the widthwise direction A. The end fence
63
is located in the direction indicated by an arrow B in which the paper
25
is discharged. The end fence
63
is selectively movable in the direction B or a direction C (forward direction B or backward direction C hereinafter) with respect to the direction of paper discharge.
Mounted on the paper discharge tray
60
are side fence moving means
64
, end fence moving means
65
, and a side fence drive motor
66
, and an end fence drive motor
67
. The side fence moving means
64
moves the side fences
61
and
62
in the widthwise direction A. The end fence moving means
65
moves the end fence
63
in either one of the forward direction B and backward direction C. The motors
66
and
67
are specific forms of drive means for driving the side fence moving means
64
and end fence moving means
65
, respectively.
The side fence moving means
64
includes a pair of racks
71
and
72
facing each other. The side fences
61
and
62
have their base portions
61
a
and
62
a
affixed to the outer ends of the racks
71
and
72
, respectively. The racks
71
and
72
, extending in the widthwise direction A, are held in mesh with a pinion gear
74
coaxial with a wheel gear
73
. The wheel gear
73
is held in mesh with a worm gear
76
affixed to a shaft
75
which extends in parallel to the rack
71
and is journal led to the tray
60
. A gear
79
is mounted on one end of the shaft
75
. A drive gear
77
is mounted on the output shaft
66
a
of the side fence drive motor
66
and held in mesh with the gear
79
via a gear
78
. The gear
78
is rotatably mounted on a shaft
80
extending in parallel to the shaft
75
. A slit plate
81
is affixed to the outer end of the output shaft
66
a
. A side fence sensor
68
senses the rotation of the slit plate
81
while sending its output to the control means
100
. The side fence sensor
68
is implemented by a photo interrupter facing the outer circumferential portion of the slit plate
81
.
When the side fence motor
66
is energized, the rotation of the output shaft
66
a
is transmitted to the racks
71
and
72
via the gears. When the direction of rotation of the output shaft
66
a
is switched, the racks
71
and
72
are moved in the widthwise direction A.
The end fence moving means
65
includes a drive pulley
85
and driven pulleys
86
,
87
and
88
. An endless belt
89
is passed over the drive pulley
85
and driven pulleys
86
-
88
and extends in the forward and backward directions B and C. A tension pulley
90
is positioned in the vicinity of the drive pulley
85
for constantly pressing the belt
89
. A slider
91
supporting the end fence
63
is affixed to the belt
89
. A wheel gear
92
is coaxial and rotatable integrally with the drive pulley
85
. A worm gear
94
is affixed to a shaft
93
and held in mesh with the wheel gear
92
. The shaft
93
is journalled to the tray
60
and carries a gear
95
at one end thereof. A gear
96
is mounted on the output shaft
67
a
of the end fence drive motor
67
and held in mesh with the gear
95
via a gear
97
. The gear
97
is rotatably mounted on a shaft
98
extending in parallel to the shaft
93
. A slit plate
99
is mounted on the end of the output shaft
67
a
while an end fence sensor or photo interrupter
69
is positioned around the outer circumferential portion of the slit plate
99
. The end fence sensor
69
senses the rotation of the slit plate
99
while sending its output to the control means
100
.
When the end fence drive motor
67
is energized, the rotation of the output shaft
67
a
is transmitted to the belt
89
via the gears. When the direction of rotation of the output shaft
67
a
is switched, the slider
91
is moved in either one of the opposite directions B and C via the belt
89
.
A side fence HP (Home Position) sensor
82
and an end fence HP sensor
83
are additionally mounted on the tray
60
for sensing the home positions of the side fences
61
and
62
and end fence
63
, respectively. These sensors
82
and
83
each are implemented by a reflection type sensor arranged within the tray
60
. Specifically, when the bottom of one side fence or that of the end fence shields the light-sensitive surface of the associated sensor, the sensor outputs an HP sense signal. Usually, the side fences
61
and
62
and end fence
63
each are held at a preselected home position to which the sensor
82
or
83
, respectively, is responsive. More specifically, the HP sensors
82
and
83
are so located as to position the side fences
61
and
62
and end fence
63
such that the paper of maximum size available with the tray
60
can be accommodated.
As shown in
FIG. 2
, the ADF
1
and image reading section
2
are arranged on the top of the printer body
10
. The image reading section
2
includes a glass platen
101
on which the document
28
is to be laid, a cover plate
102
angularly movable toward and away from the glass platen
101
, mirrors
103
and
1204
and a fluorescent lamp
105
for scanning the document
28
, a lens
106
for focusing image light, and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or similar image sensor
107
on which the image light focused by the lens
106
is incident.
Reflection type sensors
117
a
,
117
b
,
117
c
,
117
d
and
117
e
are arranged in the image reading section
2
for sensing the vertical and horizontal lengths of the document
28
laid on the glass platen
101
. The sensors
117
a
-
117
e
constitute a document size sensor or sensing means
117
in combination. The control means
100
determines, based on the outputs of the sensors
117
a
-
117
e
, the size and orientation of the document directly laid on the glass platen
101
.
The ADF
1
includes a document feed tray
108
to be loaded with the document or documents
28
. A roller pair or feeding means
109
feeds the documents
28
one by one toward the glass platen
101
. A plurality of parallel belts
113
convey the document
28
along the glass platen
101
. A roller
110
conveys the document
28
read toward a document discharge tray
114
. Guides
111
and
112
guide the document
28
being conveyed. In this configuration, the document fed from the document feed tray
108
is conveyed along the glass platen
101
and then driven out to the document discharge tray
114
.
A document guide
108
a
is mounted on the document feed tray
108
and movable in the widthwise direction in accordance with the size of the documents
28
. A reflection type sensor
115
is positioned below the document guide
108
a
for sensing the position of the guide
108
a
. A reflection type document length sensor
116
is mounted on the underside of the tray
108
in the vicinity of the roller pair
108
for determining the length of the document
28
being conveyed. The two sensors
115
and
116
constitute a document size sensor
118
in combination and output document length information and document width information, respectively. The outputs of the sensors
115
and
116
are sent to the control means
100
. The control means
100
determines the length of the document
28
on the basis of the output of the sensor
116
and the duration of operation of the belt
113
. In addition, the control means
100
determines, based on the outputs of the sensors
115
and
116
, the size and orientation of the document
28
to be conveyed by the ADF
1
.
As shown in
FIG. 1
, the multistage paper feed unit
12
includes pick-up roller units
120
A and
120
B assigned to the trays
12
A and
12
B, respectively. The pick-up roller units
120
A and
120
B respectively feed papers stacked on the trays
12
A and
12
B one by one. A second transport path
121
guides the paper
25
fed from the tray
12
A or
12
B into the printer body
10
. A plurality of roller pairs
122
are arranged on the second transport path
121
. The transport path
121
extends substantially vertically along the right side wall
12
a
of the paper feed unit
12
. The transport path
121
has an upper end
121
a
opening at the top
12
b
of the multistage paper feed unit
12
and has an intermediate portion
121
b
and a lower end
121
c
opening in the vicinity of the pick-up roller units
120
A and
120
B, respectively. A drive motor and a drive transmission mechanism, not shown, drive the pick-up roller units
120
A and
120
B and roller pairs
122
, so that the papers
25
are fed one by one from the tray
12
A or
12
B to the transport path
121
.
The papers
25
stacked on each of the trays
12
A and
12
B are different in size from the papers
25
stacked on the previously stated tray
29
. Of course, one or both of the trays
12
A and
12
B may be loaded with the papers
25
of the same size as the papers
25
stacked on the tray
29
. Further, the papers
25
of the same size may be stacked in a particular orientation on each of the trays
12
A and
12
B.
As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, an intermediate transport path
123
is defined in the printer body
10
and provides communication between the first transport path
36
preceding the registration roller pair
33
and the second transport path
121
. An intermediate roller pair
124
is positioned at the intermediate portion of the transport path
123
and rotatable in synchronism with the pick-up roller units
120
A and
120
B by being driven by a motor and a drive transmission mechanism, not shown, mounted on the printer body
10
. The paper
25
fed from the paper pick-up unit
12
A or
12
B is routed through the second transport path
121
, intermediate transport path
123
and first transport path
36
to the registration roller pair
33
.
The trays
12
A and
12
B include reflection type sensors
125
a
-
125
d
and reflection type sensors
126
a
-
126
d
, respectively. The sensors
125
a
-
125
d
and sensors
126
a
-
126
d
constitute paper size sensors or sensing means
125
and
126
, respectively. End guides
127
and
128
are respectively mounted on the trays
12
A and
12
B, and each is movable for guiding the rear edges of the papers
25
in accordance with the size and orientation of the papers
25
. The sensors
125
a
-
125
d
and
126
a
-
126
d
respectively sense the positions of the end guides
127
and
128
while sending their outputs to the control means
100
. In response, the control means
100
determines the size and orientation of the papers
25
stacked on each of the trays
12
A and
12
B.
FIG. 6
shows a specific configuration of a control panel
130
mounted on the front of the printer body
10
and having various keys arranged thereon. Specifically, numeral keys
131
are used to input various numerical information including aclesired number of printings. A perforation (PERF) start key
132
is used to start a master making operation. A print start key
133
is used to start a printing operation. A power switch (SW) key
136
is used to turn on or turn off a power supply
135
. A counter display
137
displays numerical information including the number of printings output. A display
138
is implemented by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) for displaying the operating conditions of the printer. A paper size key
139
is used to select the papers
25
of desired size; the key
139
outputs paper size information relating to the papers
25
. An automatic magnification change (AUTO MAG) key
140
is used to automatically change the magnification of a document size in matching relation to the paper size. Magnification change ratio inputting means
141
is used to input a desired magnification change ratio of the document size.
More specifically, the magnification change ratio inputting means
141
includes a zoom down key
142
and a zoom up key
143
for respectively reducing and enlarging the document size. Every time the operator presses either one of the keys
142
and
143
, the document size changes by 1%. The inputting means
141
additionally includes a reduce (RED) key
145
and an enlarge (ENL) key
144
. Every time the operator presses the key
144
or
145
, the document size changes regularly in matching relation to the regular size of the papers
25
.
The above keys and displays arranged on the control panel
130
are electrically connected to the control means
100
. Also electrically connected to the control means
100
are drive control sections, not shown, respectively assigned to the ADF
1
, ink drum
4
, master discharge unit
6
, paper feed unit
7
, and multistage paper feed unit
12
.
The control means
100
is implemented by a conventional microcomputer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit)
151
, a ROM (Read Only Memory)
152
, a RAM (Random Access Memory)
153
, an image memory
154
for storing a document image read by the document reading section
2
in the form of an image data signal, and image processing means
155
. The image memory
154
, image reading section
2
and thermal head
22
are connected to the image processing means
155
. When the document
28
and papers
25
are different in orientation or size from each other or when the document size is charged in magnification, the control means
100
controls the output to the thermal head
22
.
The side fence sensor
68
, end fence sensor
69
, side fence HP sensor
82
, end fence HP sensor
83
, document size sensing means
117
and
118
and paper size sensors
70
,
125
and
126
are connected to the input side of the CPU
151
by wirings, not shown, and send their outputs to the CPU
151
. Connected to the output side of the CPU
151
are the platen roller drive motor
24
, cutter drive motor
26
, stepped cam drive motor
52
, side fence drive motor
66
, and end fence drive motor
67
via associated drivers.
The ROM
152
stores motor rotation angle data representative of the reference positions of the side fences
61
and
62
and end fence
63
and each matching with a particular paper size and a particular paper orientation. Also, the ROM
152
stores a magnification change table listing data representative of a relation between the magnification and the rotation dependent on the sizes and orientations of the document
28
and paper
25
. Further, the ROM
152
stores a map, not shown, for determining the sizes and orientations of the document
28
and papers
25
on the basis of the outputs of the document size sensing means
117
and
118
and the outputs of the paper size sensors
70
,
125
and
126
. In response to the outputs of the paper size sensors
70
,
125
and
126
, the control means searches for the tray
12
A,
12
B or
29
loaded with the papers
25
of desired size.
Furthermore, the ROM
152
stores specific programs shown in
FIGS. 7
,
8
,
9
and
10
.
FIG. 7
shows a x1 automatic paper selection control program for automatically selecting the papers
25
and controlling the contact area varying means
50
, side fence moving means
64
, and end fence moving means
65
.
FIG. 8
shows a paper selection control program for controlling the master making unit
3
, contact area varying means
50
, side fence moving means
64
and end fence moving means
65
in accordance with a paper size selected by the operator.
FIG. 9
shows an automatic magnification selection control program for automatically changing the magnification of a document image in accordance with the size of the papers
25
and controlling the master making unit
3
, contact area varying means
50
, side fence moving means
64
, and end fence moving means
65
.
FIG. 10
shows a magnification ratio designated control program for controlling the master making unit
3
, contact area varying means
50
, side fence moving means
64
and end fence moving means
65
in accordance with a desired magnification ratio.
The operation of the illustrative embodiment to be executed in accordance with the above programs will be described hereinafter.
As shown in
FIG. 7
, the operator lays the document
28
on the document feed tray
108
or the glass platen
101
, and then presses the perforation start key
132
(step E
1
). In response, the size and orientation of the document
28
is determined on the basis of the output of the document size sensor
117
or
118
(step E
2
). At the same time, the sizes and orientations of the papers
25
stacked on the paper feed trays
12
A,
12
B and
29
are determined on the basis of the outputs oF the paper size sensors
70
,
125
and
126
(step E
3
). When the perforation start key
132
is pressed, the control means
100
drives the document reading section
2
in order to cause it to read the document
28
. The resulting image data signal output from the image reading section
2
is written to the image memory
154
via the image processing means
155
. If the document
28
is present on the document feed tray
108
, then the control means
100
drives the ADF
1
and causes it to convey the document
28
to the glass platen
101
while causing the document reading section
2
to read the document
28
. The resulting image data signal is written to the image memory
154
via the image processing means
155
.
In a step E
4
following the step E
3
, whether or not the papers
25
of the same size as the document
28
is available on any one of the trays
12
A,
12
B and
29
is determined on the basis of the above document size and paper size. If the answer of the step E
4
is positive (YES), whether or not a plurality of identical paper sizes are present is determined (step E
5
). If the answer of the step E
5
is YES, a paper orientation having a shorter perforating length is automatically selected, i.e., one tray loaded with the papers
25
shorter in the direction of paper conveyance D is automatically selected (step E
6
). If the answer of the step E
5
is negative (NO), the papers
25
of the same size as the document
28
are automatically selected (step E
7
). The steps E
4
-E
6
constitute a saving operation for saving the stencil and ink.
In a step E
8
following the step E
6
or E
7
, whether or not the orientation of the document
28
and that of the papers
25
are coincident is determined. If the answer of the step E
8
is YES, a master making operation is executed in matching relation to the paper size (step E
9
). At this instant, the control means
100
sequentially transfers the image data output from the document reading section
2
to the thermal head
22
without varying the order in which the image data are read out of the image memory
154
. At the same time, the control means
100
energizes the platen drive motor
24
in order to pay out the stencil
14
from the roll
20
and perforate it.
If the answer of the step E
8
is NO, it is determined that the document
28
is different in orientation from the papers
25
by 90°. This is followed by a step E
10
for rotating the document image by 90° and then perforating the stencil
14
. Specifically, in the step E
10
, the image data signal is read out of the image memory
154
in such an order that the image to be formed in the stencil
14
is rotated by 90° in, e.g., the counterclockwise direction. The resulting image data signal is fed to the thermal head
22
via the image processing means
155
. Consequently, the image to be formed in the stencil
14
is rotated counterclockwise by 90° to coincide in orientation with the papers
25
.
As stated above, when the document
28
and papers
25
are of the same size, but different in orientation, a rotated image is formed in the stencil
14
. The operator can therefore obtain an image coincident in orientation with the papers
25
without giving any consideration to the orientation of the document
28
or that of the papers
25
. This obviates defective printings ascribable to a difference in orientation between the papers
25
and the printed image.
After the step E
9
or E
10
, the perforated stencil or master
14
is cut off at a preselected length which is the paper size selected plus a (step E
11
). More specifically, the control means
100
controls the platen roller drive motor
24
and cutter drive motor
26
such that the master
14
has a length slightly greater than the length of the papers
25
in the direction of paper conveyance D. In parallel with the feed of such a master
14
, the ink drum
4
is rotated at a lower speed than at the time of printing. When the ink drum
4
reaches a preselected position, the damper
13
is opened and then closed to clamp the leading edge of the master
14
. As a result, the master
14
is sequentially wrapped on the outer periphery
4
a
of the ink drum
4
. This makes it needless to replace the ink drum
4
in accordance with the master size or the paper size and thereby obviates the wasteful consumption of the stencil and ink.
After the step E
11
, the side fences
61
and
62
and end fence
63
on the paper discharge tray
60
are moved in accordance with the paper size selected (step E
12
). Specifically, the control means
100
rotates the side fence drive motor
66
and end fence drive motor
67
until the side fence sensor
68
and end fence sensor
69
each sense a particular rotation angle implementing a reference position matching with the paper size. When the sensors
68
and
69
sense such rotation angles, the control means
100
stops rotating the motors
66
and
67
. That is, the side fences
61
and
62
and end fence
63
each are automatically moved from the respective home position to the reference position matching with the paper size. This frees the operator from manual operation taking account of the sizes and orientations of the document
28
and papers
25
.
The step E
12
is followed by a step E
13
for selecting one of the cam plates of the pressure cancel cam
40
in accordance with the paper size selected. Specifically, the control means
100
controls the direction and amount (angle) of rotation of the stepped cam drive motor
52
so as to select an adequate position of the stepped cam
47
. That is, one of the cam plates
40
a
-
40
f
matching with the length of the master
14
, i.e., the length of the papers
25
in the direction of paper conveyance D and expected to contact the cam follower
38
c
is selected. Consequently, the circumferential range of the ink drum
4
over which the press drum
5
is expected to contact is limited to the range defined by the length in the above direction D. This prevents the press drum
5
from contacting the porous portion of the ink drum
4
not covered with the master
14
; otherwise, the press drum
5
and its neighborhood would be smeared by the ink.
After the master
14
has been fully wrapped around the ink drum
4
and the adequate cam plate of the cam
40
has been selected, a trial printing operation is executed (step E
14
). Specifically, the control means
100
again causes the ink drum
4
to rotate at a lower speed than during printing. At the same time, the control means
100
controls the press drum
5
, retainer
44
, and the pick-up roller unit assigned to the paper feed tray loaded with the papers
25
of the size selected. For example, assume that the papers
25
of the size selected are present on the tray
29
, as shown in FIG.
2
. Then, the control means
100
causes the pick-up roller unit
30
to rotate the pick-up roller
31
and separation roller
32
in the directions indicated by arrows in FIG.
2
. As a result, the top paper
25
is fed from the tray
29
to the registration roller pair
33
via the first transport path
36
. The registration roller pair
33
drives the paper
25
toward the printing station
35
at a preselected timing. The retainer
44
temporarily retains the leading edge of the paper
25
. At this time, the press drum
5
is pressed against the ink drum
4
over the preselected contact range with the result that the ink is transferred from the drum
4
to the paper
25
. The paper
25
moved away from the printing station
35
is removed from the press drum
5
by the peeler
55
, belt
58
and suction fan
59
and driven out of the printer body
10
. Finally, the paper
25
is laid on the paper discharge tray
60
by being guided by the side fences
61
and
62
and end fence
63
.
If the paper or trial printing
25
produced by the above step is acceptable, the operator inputs a desired number of actual printings on the numeral keys
131
and then presses the print start key
133
. In response, a printing operation begins (step E
15
) and produces printings (step E
16
). Specifically, the control means
100
rotates the ink drum
4
at a printing speed and thereby causes the image formed in the master
14
to be sequentially formed on the number of papers
25
(fed from the tray
29
) equal to the desired number of printings. This is the end of the control. The papers or printings
25
sequentially driven out of the printer body
10
are neatly positioned on the paper discharge tray
60
by the side fences
61
and
62
and end fence
63
adequately positioned beforehand.
Assume that none of the papers
25
stacked on the paper feed trays
12
A,
12
B and
29
is of the same size as the document
28
(NO, step E
4
). Then, the operator is urged to replace the papers
25
different in size from the document
28
with papers
25
of the same size as the document
28
. When the operator replaces, e.g., the papers
25
stacked on the tray
29
with papers of the same size as the document
28
, the step E
4
is transferred to the step E
7
via the steps E
5
. On the other hand, when the operator replaces not only the papers stacked on the tray
29
but also the papers
25
stacked on at least one of the trays
12
A and
12
B, the step E
4
is transferred to the step E
8
via the steps E
5
and E
6
. Subsequently, the orientation of the document
28
is determined (step E
8
). If the answer of the step E
8
is YES, the step E
9
is executed. If the answer of the step E
8
is NO, the step E
10
is executed.
Assume that the operator selects one of the existing papers
25
(step E
17
). Then, the operator presses the paper size key on the control panel
130
,
FIG. 6
, for selecting the desired papers
25
, i.e., the tray loaded with the desired papers
25
. In this case, a magnification change ratio matching with the size of the desired papers
25
is automatically set (step E
20
). Specifically, referencing a magnification change ratio table shown in
FIG. 20
, the control means
100
automatically sets a magnification change ratio which confines the document image in the paper size selected by the operator.
The step E
20
is followed by the step E
8
. In the step E
9
following the step E
8
, the image processing means
155
transforms the image data signal read out of the image memory
154
on the basis of the magnification change ratio and delivers the transformed signal to the thermal head
22
. As a result, the document image is formed in the stencil
14
in a size matching with the paper size.
If the answer of the above step E
8
is NO, the image processing means
155
transforms the image data signal read out of the image memory
154
in accordance with the magnification change ratio such that the image to be formed in the stencil
14
is rotated by 90°. Also, the image data signal is read out of the image memory
154
in a different order. Consequently, a document image rotated by 90° and capable of being confined in the paper size is formed in the stencil
14
.
The magnification change ratio table shown in
FIG. 20
is representative of a relation between the magnification change ratio and the rotation dependent on the document size and paper.
FIG. 2
, tabulates a relation between the paper size and the cam surface and cam to be selected.
The control program of
FIG. 7
will be described more specifically with reference to
FIGS. 11 and 12
. Assume that the document
28
of size A4 is positioned horizontally long along the edge of the glass platen
101
, as shown in
FIG. 11
, [I], and that the papers
25
stacked on the paper feed tray
29
are also of size A4 and positioned horizontally long, as shown in
FIG. 11
, [II]. Then, because the papers
25
and document
28
are of the same size and oriented in the same direction, the control program advances to the step E
9
and forms the document image in the stencil
14
without rotating it. In this case, the cam plate
40
c
of the cam
40
assigned to the A4 horizontal size is selected while the side fences
61
and
62
and end fence
63
are held at positions shown in
FIG. 11
, [III], matching with the A4 horizontal size. Consequently, the papers
25
with images identical in orientation with the document image are sequentially stacked on the paper discharge tray
60
while being neatly guided by the fences
61
,
62
and
63
.
On the other hand, assume that the papers
25
of size A4 are stacked on the paper feed tray
12
A vertically long, as shown in
FIG. 11
, [IV]. In this case, the trays
12
A and
29
both are loaded with the papers
25
of the same size as the document
28
. Therefore, the control program advances from the step E
5
to the step E
6
for selecting the papers
25
of A4 horizontal size having a shorter perforating length, i.e., shorter in the direction of paper conveyance D. However, the orientation of these papers
25
is different from the orientation of the document
28
. The control program therefore executes the step E
10
for rotating the document image by 90° before perforation. In this case, the cam plate
40
e
of the cam
40
assigned to the A4 vertical size is selected while the side fences
61
and
62
and end fence
63
are held at positions shown in
FIG. 11
, [V], matching with the A4 vertical size. Consequently, the document image is rotated by 90° and then printed on the above papers
25
in adequate orientation. Again, the resulting printings
25
are sequentially stacked on the paper discharge tray
60
while being neatly guided by the fences
61
,
62
and
63
.
Assume that a document
28
of size A4 is laid on the glass platen
101
vertically long along the edge of the glass platen
101
, as shown in
FIG. 12
, [I], that papers
25
of size B5 are stacked on the tray
12
A vertically long, as shown in
FIG. 12
, [II], and that papers
25
of size B4 are stacked on the tray
12
B horizontally long, as shown in
FIG. 12
, [IV]. Further, assume that papers
25
of size A4 are absent on the tray
29
.
The operator stacks papers
25
of size A4 on the tray
29
(step E
18
) or selects the papers
25
stacked on either one of the trays
12
A and
12
B on the paper size key
139
. Assume that the operator selects the papers
25
of size B5 stacked on the tray
12
A vertically long, as shown in
FIG. 12
, [II]. Then, the control program automatically sets a magnification change ratio of 87% (step E
20
). In this case, the papers
25
and document
28
are identical in orientation, so that the operation is transferred from the step E
20
to the step E
9
without rotating an image to be formed. The cam plate
40
f
of the cam
50
is selected in matching relation to the B5 vertical size. As shown in
FIG. 12
, [III], the side fences
61
and
62
and end fence
63
each are located at a position corresponding to the B5 vertical size. Consequently, images are printed on the papers
25
in a size reduced by 87%. The papers with such images or printings
25
are neatly stacked on the paper discharge tray
60
by being disirably guided by the side fences
61
and
62
and end fence
63
.
When the operator selects the papers
25
of size B4 stacked on the paper feed tray
12
B horizontally long, as shown in
FIG. 12
, [IV], the control means
100
automatically sets a magnification change ratio of 122% in the step E
20
. Again, the document image is rotated by 90° because the document
25
and the above papers
25
are different in orientation (see FIG.
20
). In this case, the cam plate
40
b
of the cam
40
assigned to the B4 horizontal size is selected while the side fences
61
and
62
and end fence
63
are held at positions shown in
FIG. 12
, [V], matching with the B4 horizontal size. The resulting printings
25
with images enlarged by 122% and rotated by 90° are sequentially stacked on the paper discharge tray
60
while being neatly guided by the fences
61
,
62
and
63
.
The paper selection control program shown in
FIG. 8
is as follows. The operator lays the document
28
on the document feed tray
108
or the glass platen
101
(step F
1
), and then presses the paper size key
139
to select the tray loaded with the papers
25
of desired size (step F
2
). When the operator presses the perforation start key
132
, the control means
100
determines the size and orientation of the document
28
on the basis of the output of the document size sensor
117
or
118
(step F
3
). When the perforation start key
132
is pressed, the control means
100
drives the document reading section
2
in order to cause it to read the document
28
. The resulting image data signal output from the image reading section
2
is written to the image memory
154
via the image processing means
155
.
In a step F
4
following the step F
3
, referencing the magnification change ratio table of
FIG. 20
, the control means
100
automatically selects a magnification change ratio matching with the paper size selected, so that a document image can be accommodated in the paper size. Subsequently, the control means
100
determines the orientation of the document
28
and that of the papers
25
(step F
5
). Specifically, if the answer of the step F
5
is YES, a master making operation is executed in matching relation to the paper size (step F
6
). At this instant, the control means
100
sequentially transfers the image data output from the document reading section
2
to the thermal head
22
in accordance with the magnification change ratio without varying the order in which the image data are read out of the image memory
154
. At the same time, the control means
100
energizes the platen drive motor
24
in order to pay out the stencil
14
from the roll
20
and perforate it.
If the answer of the step F
5
is NO, the document image is rotated by 90° and then formed in the stencil
14
(step F
7
). Specifically, the image data signal is read out of the image memory
154
in such an order that the image to be formed in the stencil
14
is rotated by 90° in, e.g., the counterclockwise direction. The resulting image data signal is fed to the thermal head
22
via the image processing means
155
. Consequently, the image to be formed in the stencil
14
is rotated counterclockwise by 90° to coincide in orientation with the papers
25
.
After the step F
6
or F
7
, the perforated stencil or master
14
is cut off at a preselected length which is the paper size selected plus α (step F
8
). After the step F
8
, the side fences
61
and
62
and end fence
63
on the paper discharge tray
60
are moved in accordance with the paper size selected (step F
9
). After the step F
9
, adequate one of the cam plates of the cam
40
matching with the paper size is selected (step F
10
). This is followed by the previously stated trial printing operation (step F
11
). If the paper or trial printing
25
produced by the above step is acceptable, the operator inputs a desired number of actual printings on the numeral keys
131
and then presses the print start key
133
. In response, a printing operation begins (step F
12
) and produces printings (step F
13
). This is the end of the control. The steps F
8
-F
13
are identical with the step E
11
and successive steps of FIG.
7
and will not be described specifically in order to avoid redundancy.
As stated above, even when the operator selects a desired paper size, the control means
100
executes control based on the table of
FIG. 20
such that the document image matches in size with the papers
25
selected. If the document
28
and papers
25
are different in orientation, the control means
100
rotates the document image by 90°. Further, the master
14
is cut off at a length matching with the paper size. This, coupled with the fact that the cam plate of the cam
40
matching with the paper size is selected, makes it needless to replace the ink drum
4
in accordance with the master size or the paper size. The operator therefore does not have to care about the orientation and size of the document
25
or those of the papers
25
. It follows that the above program promotes easy and efficient operation, reduces defective printings, and obviates the wasteful consumption of stencil and ink. In addition, the fences of the paper discharge tray
60
are adequately located to insure neat stacking of the papers or printings
25
.
The automatic magnification selection control program of
FIG. 9
will be described specifically hereinafter. As shown, the operator lays the document
28
on the document feed tray
108
or the glass platen
101
(step G
1
), presses the automatic magnification change key
140
on the control panel
130
,
FIG. 6
, for selecting an automatic magnification change mode (step G
2
), and presses the paper size key
139
for selecting the tray loaded with the papers of desired size (step G
3
). When the operator presses the perforation start key
132
, the control means
100
determines the size and orientation of the document
28
on the basis of the output of the document size sensor
117
or
118
(step G
4
). Again, when the perforation start key
132
is pressed, the control means
100
drives the document reading section
2
in order to cause it to read the document
28
. The resulting image data signal output from the image reading section
2
is written to the image memory
154
via the image processing means
155
.
In a step G
5
following the step G
4
, the control means
100
determines whether or not the papers
25
selected are of regular size. Specifically, the control means
100
may determine whether or not the paper size exists in the table of
FIG. 20
or may compare regular size information stored in the ROM
152
and the above paper size.
If the answer of the step G
5
is YES, the control means
100
sets, based on the table of
FIG. 20
, a regular magnification change ratio matching with the document size and paper size (step G
6
). If the answer of the step G
5
is NO, the control means
100
calculates a magnification change ratio on the basis of the document size and paper size and sets the calculated ratio (step G
7
). Specifically, in the step G
7
, the operator inputs the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the papers
25
of irregular size on the numeral keys
131
. The control means
100
calculates a magnification change ratio for the papers
25
of irregular size by using the above dimensions and vertical and horizontal dimensions of document sizes stored in the ROM
152
beforehand. Alternatively, to set a magnification change ratio for the papers
25
of irregular size, the ratio may be implemented by smaller one of a/c and b/d where a and b are respectively the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the document
28
while c and d are respectively the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the papers
25
.
After the steps G
6
and G
7
, the control means
100
determines the orientation of the document
28
and that of the papers
25
(step G
8
). If the document
28
and papers
25
are identical in orientation (YES, step G
8
), the control means
100
executes a master making operation in matching relation to the paper size (step G
9
). In this case, the control means
100
delivers the image data signal output from the image reading section
2
to the thermal head
22
via the image processing means
155
in accordance with the regular magnification change ratio without varying the order of reading of the signal out of the image memory
154
. At the same time, the control means
100
drives the platen drive motor
24
for causing the master
14
to be selectively perforated while being conveyed. Consequently, the image to be formed in the stencil
14
is reduced in size if the paper size is smaller than the document size or is enlarged in size if the former is greater than the latter (see FIG.
20
).
If the answer of the step G
8
is NO, the document image is rotated by 90° and then formed in the stencil
14
(step G
10
). Specifically, the image data signal is read out of the image memory
154
in such an order that the image to be formed in the stencil
14
is rotated by 90° in, e.g., the counterclockwise direction. The resulting image data signal is fed to the thermal head
22
via the image processing means
155
in accordance with the magnification change ratio for the irregular size. Consequently, the image to be formed in the stencil
14
corresponds to the irregular size and is rotated counterclockwise by 90° to coincide in orientation with the papers
25
.
After the step G
9
or G
10
, the perforated stencil or master
14
is cut off at a preselected length which is the paper size selected plus α (step G
11
). After the step G
11
, the side fences
61
and
62
and end fence
63
on the paper discharge tray
60
are moved in accordance with the paper size selected (step G
12
).
After the step G
12
, adequate one of the cam plates of the cam
40
matching with the paper size is selected (step G
13
). In this case, if the paper size is a regular size, one cam plate assigned to the regular size is selected via the stepped cam drive motor
52
, as in the previously stated step E
13
. If the paper size is an irregular size, the control means
100
compares the dimension of the irregular papers
25
input on the numeral keys
131
and the lengths of papers of regular sizes and thereby selects an adequate cam plate. More specifically, as shown in
FIG. 13
specifically, the control means
100
compares the dimension Y
0
of the irregular paper size and differences, as measured in the direction of paper conveyance D, between the papers
25
to which the cam plates
40
a
-
40
e
of the cam
40
are respectively assigned. If the dimension Y
0
is smaller than a difference X
1
between regular paper sizes, the cam plate
40
e
is selected. If the dimension Y
0
is smaller than a difference X
2
, the cam plate
40
d
is selected. If the dimension Y
0
is smaller than a difference X
3
, the cam plate
40
c
is selected. If the dimension Y
0
is smaller than a difference X
4
, the cam plate
40
b
is selected. Further, if the dimension Y
0
is smaller than a difference X
5
, the cam plate
40
a
is selected. That is, the cam plate
40
a
is selected for all of the papers
25
of itcgular sizes longer than the lengthwise dimension of the paper
25
of size B4. The other cam plates are selectively used with the papers
25
of irregular sizes shorter than the above dimension.
After the step G
13
, the previously stated trial printing operation is executed in the same manner as in the steps E
14
-E
16
(step G
14
). If the paper or trial printing
25
produced by the above step is acceptable, the operator inputs a desired number of actual printings on the numeral keys
131
and then presses the print start key
133
. In response, a printing operation begins (step G
15
) and produces printings (step G
16
). This is the end of the control.
As stated above, when the operator selects the automatic magnification change mode and inputs a desired paper size, the control means
100
executes control such that the document image matches in size with the papers of desired size ever if the paper size is irregular one. If the document
28
and papers
25
are different in orientation, the control means
100
rotates the document image by 90°. Further, the master
14
is cut off at a length matching with the paper size. This, coupled with the fact that the cam plate of the cam
40
matching with the paper size is selected, makes it needless to replace the ink drum
4
in accordance with the master size or the paper size. The operator therefore does not have to care about the direction and size of the document
25
or those of the papers
25
. It follows that the above program promotes easy and efficient operation, reduces defective printings, and obviates the wasteful consumption of stencil and ink. In addition, the fences of the paper discharge tray
60
are adequately located to insure neat stacking of the papers or printings
25
. Particularly, this kind of control is adaptive even to the papers
25
of irregular sizes and thereby broadens the range of papers
25
with which the printer is operable.
The magnification change ratio designated control program of
FIG. 10
is as follows. As shown, the operator lays the document
28
on the document feed tray
108
or the glass platen
101
(step H
1
), presses any one of the keys of the magnification change ratio inputting means
141
,
FIG. 6
, for inputting a desired magnification change ratio (step H
2
), and presses the perforation start key
132
. In response, the control means
100
determines the size and orientation of the document
28
on the basis of the output of the document size sensor
117
or
118
(step H
3
). Subsequently, the control means
100
determines, based on the outputs of the paper size sensors
70
,
125
and
126
, the sizes and orientations of the papers
25
stacked on the paper feed trays
12
A,
12
B and
29
(step H
4
). When the perforation start key
132
is pressed, the control means
100
drives the document reading section
2
in order to cause it to read the document
28
. The resulting image data signal output from the image reading section
2
is written to the image memory
154
via the image processing means
155
.
In a step H
5
following the step H
4
, the control means
100
determines whether or not the papers
25
identical with the document size changed in magnification are present. If the answer of the step H
5
is YES, the control means
100
determines whether or not a plurality of identical paper sizes are available (step H
6
). If the answer of the step H
6
is YES, the control means
100
automatically selects the papers
25
having a shorter perforating length (step H
7
). If the answer of the step H
6
is NO, the control means
100
automatically selects the papers
25
of the same size as the document size changed in magnification (step H
8
). The steps H
5
, H
6
and H
7
constitute a saving operation for saving the stencil and ink.
After the steps H
7
and H
8
, the control means
100
determines the orientation of the document
28
and that of the papers
25
(step H
9
). If the document
28
and papers
25
are identical in orientation (YES, step H
9
), the control means executes a master making operation in matching relation to the paper size (step H
10
). In this case, the control means
100
delivers the image data signal output from the image reading section
2
to the thermal head
22
via the image processing means
155
in accordance with the magnification change ratio input on the inputting means
141
without varying the order of reading of the signal out of the image memory
154
. At the same time, the control means
100
drives the platen drive motor
24
for causing the master
14
to be selectively perforated while being conveyed. Consequently, the image to be formed in the stencil
14
is reduced in size if the paper size is smaller than the document size or is ;enlarged in size if the former is greater than the latter (see FIG.
20
).
If the answer of the step H
9
is NO, the document image is rotated by 90° and then formed in the stencil
14
(step H
11
). Specifically, the image data signal is read out of the image memory
154
in such an order that the image to be formed in the stencil
14
is rotated by 90° in, e.g., the counterclockwise direction. The resulting image data signal is fed to the thermal head
22
via the image processing means
155
in accordance with the magnification change ratio input on the inputting means
141
. Consequently, the image to be formed in the stencil
14
corresponds to the paper size and is rotated counterclockwise by 90° to coincide in orientation with the papers
25
.
After the step H
10
or H
11
, the perforated stencil or master
14
is cut off at a preselected length which is the paper size selected plus α (step H
12
). After the step H
12
, the side fences
61
and
62
and end fence
63
on the paper discharge tray
30
are moved in accordance with the paper size selected (step H
13
). Subsequently, adequate one of the cam plates of the cam
40
matching with the paper size is selected (step H
14
). After the step H
14
, the previously stated trial printing operation is executed (step H
15
). If the paper or trial printing
25
produced by the above step is acceptable, the operator inputs a desired number of actual printings on the numeral keys
131
and then presses the print start key
133
. In response, a printing operation begins (step H
16
) and produces printings (step H
17
). This is the end of the control. The steps H
12
-H
17
are identical with the step E
11
and consecutive steps of FIG.
7
and will not be described specifically in order to avoid redundancy.
If the answer of the step H
5
is NO, the control means
100
urges the operator to change the magnification change ratio or the size of the existing papers
25
or to select any one of the other existing papers
25
.
To change the magnification change ratio, the operator inputs a new magnification change ratio capable of confining the document image in the current paper size (step H
2
) and again presses the perforation start key
132
.
On the other hand, to change the paper size, the operator should only replace the existing papers
25
of different size with papers
25
of the same size as the document size changed in magnification in the step H
2
. For example, when the operator replaces only the papers
25
stacked on the tray
29
with papers
25
of the same size as the document changed in magnification, the step H
6
is transferred to the step H
9
via the step H
8
. In the step H
9
, the control means
100
determines whether or not the orientation of the document
28
and that of the papers
25
are identical. If the answer of the step H
9
is YES, the control means
100
executes the step H
10
. If the answer of the step H
9
is NO, the control means
100
executes the step H
11
.
Further, to select any one of the existing papers
25
in the step H
18
, the operator presses the paper size key
139
in order to select one of the trays loaded with the papers
25
of desired size (step H
20
). In a step H
21
following the step H
20
, a magnification change ratio matching with the size of the above papers
25
is set. Specifically, the control means
100
automatically sets, based on the table of
FIG. 20
, a magnification change ratio capable of confining the document image in the paper size selected. Subsequently, in the step H
9
, the control means
100
determines whether or not the orientation of the document
28
and that of the papers
25
selected in the step H
20
are identical. If the answer of the step H
9
is YES, the control means causes the image data signal to be fed from the image memory
154
to the thermal head
22
via the image processing means
155
in accordance with the magnification change ratio. As a result, the image document is formed in the stencil
14
in a size matching with the paper size.
If the answer of the above step H
9
is NO, the control means
100
causes the image data signal to be delivered from the image memory
154
to the thermal head via the image processing means
155
in accordance with the magnification change ratio while varying the order of reading of the signal. As a result, the document image rotated by 90° is formed in the stencil in a size matching with the paper size.
As stated above, even when the operator inputs any desired magnification change ratio, the control means
100
executes control based on the table of
FIG. 20
such that the resulting document size lies within the paper size selected. If the document
28
and papers
25
are different in orientation, the control means
100
rotates the document image by 90° before perforation. Further, the master
14
is cut off at a length matching with the paper size. This, coupled with the fact that the cam plate of the cam
40
matching with the paper size is selected, makes it needless to replace the ink drum
4
in accordance with the master size or the paper size. The operator therefore does not have to care about the direction and size of the document
25
or those of the papers
25
. It follows that the above program promotes easy and efficient operation, reduces defective printings, and obviates the wasteful consumption of stencil and ink. In addition, the fences of the paper discharge tray
60
are adequately located to insure neat stacking of the papers or printings
25
.
Reference will be made to
FIG. 14
for describing an alternative embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is identical with the previous embodiment except for the configuration of a paper discharge unit
200
and control over the paper discharge unit
200
. In
FIG. 14
, the same structural elements as the elements shown in
FIG. 1
are designated by identical reference numerals and will not be described in order to avoid redundancy.
As shown in
FIG. 14
, the paper discharge unit
200
is operatively connected to the printer body
10
and includes a rectangular, tower-like framework
205
freely movable on the floor
84
. The framework
205
accommodates therein a bin unit
207
, a paper discharge tray
60
, distributing means
212
for distributing the papers
25
sequentially driven out of the printer body
10
to the bins
206
, conveying means
211
including a sort path for guiding the papers
25
to the distributing means
212
and a non-sort path for guiding them to the paper discharge tray
60
, and switching means
213
(see
FIG. 17
) for switching a path selector
251
to the sort path or the non-sort path. Control means
300
(see
FIG. 18
) controls the paper discharge unit
200
in accordance with the size and orientation of the papers
25
and whether or not a sort mode is selected.
The framework
205
includes a bottom frame
221
, a plurality of vertical frames
222
connected to the bottom plate
221
, and a plurality of horizontal frames
223
connecting the vertical frames
222
. Outside panels
217
(see
FIG. 15
) are positioned at adequate positions adjoining the frames
222
and
223
. The bin unit
207
having a plurality of bins
206
and the distributing means
212
are arranged in the upper portion of the framework
205
.
The bin unit
207
includes a pair of vertical frames
224
extending between the top and bottom horizontal frames
223
, and a plurality of bins
206
arranged one above the other between the vertical frames
224
. The bins
206
each are formed with mount portions, not shown, at its right and left edges (front edge and rear edge as viewed in
FIG. 14
) and supported by the support portions, not shown, of the vertical frames
224
at the mount portions. The bins
206
have their inlet ends
206
A aligned in the up-and-down direction. The distance between the inlet ends
206
A of the bins
206
adjoining each other in the up-and-down direction is great enough for a preselected number of papers to be stacked on each bin
206
. The portion of the framework
205
around the bins
206
is open, so that the operator simply standing by the paper discharge unit
200
can easily pick up the papers
25
from any one of the bins
206
.
The distributing means
212
extends in parallel to the bin unit
207
and faces the inlet ends
206
A of the bins
206
. As shown in
FIGS. 14 and 15
, the distributing means
212
includes a pair of vertical frames
226
and a horizontal frame
227
connecting the vertical frames
226
. An upper roller
228
and a lower roller
229
are respectively rotatably supported by the upper ends and lower ends of the vertical frames
226
via bearings (indicated by broken lines
216
in FIG.
15
). A plurality of (four in the illustrative embodiment) endless belts
230
are passed over the rollers
228
and
229
. An indexer
231
is arranged between the opposite runs of the belts
230
and steers each paper
25
conveyed vertically toward the upper surface of preselected one of the bins
206
. An upper and a lower fan
232
face the belts
230
with the intermediary of a space
215
(see FIG.
14
). An outside panel member
233
supports the fans
232
and isolates the space
215
and belts
230
from the outside.
The belts
230
each are formed of synthetic resin or rubber by way of example. As shown in
FIG. 16
, the belts
230
are formed with a number of through holes
257
. When the fans
232
are driven, they suck air through the holes
257
of the belts
230
so as to retain the paper
25
being conveyed on the belts
230
. The upper roller or driven roller
228
and lower roller or drive roller
229
each is formed with four large diameter portions
225
. The belts
230
each are passed over the large diameter portions
225
of the rollers
228
and
229
facing each other. Nearby belts
230
are spaced from each other by a gap L. The indexer
231
includes lugs
234
each being movably received in one of such gaps L. As shown in
FIG. 15
, a drive gear
235
is mounted on one end of the lower roller
229
and connected to a distribution drive motor
237
by a speed reduction gear train
236
.
As shown in
FIG. 16
, the indexer
231
includes an upper and a lower horizontal frame
238
and
239
positioned in the vicinity of the upper and lower rollers
228
and
229
, respectively. A pair of vertical frames
240
and
241
connect the horizontal frames
238
and
239
and are positioned in parallel to the vertical frames
226
. A pair of feed shafts
242
extend in parallel to the verticle frames
240
and
241
and are journal led to the upper and lower horizontal frames
238
and
239
. Driven gears
244
and
245
are respectively mounted on the upper ends of the feed shafts
242
and
243
above the upper horizontal frame
238
. A drive gear
248
drives the driven gears
244
and
245
via intermediate gears
246
and
247
, respectively. A sort drive motor
249
drives the drive gear
248
. A movable frame
250
is held in threaded engagement with the feed shafts
242
and
243
at opposite sides thereof and movably received in grooves formed in the vertical frames
240
and
241
at opposite ends thereof. The lugs
234
protrude from the movable frame
250
into the gaps L between the belts
230
.
While the paper discharge unit
200
is not in operation, the indexer
231
holds its lugs
234
at a reference position for sorting the paper
25
into the lowermost b in
206
. In a sort mode, when a second sort signal for sorting the paper
25
into the second bin
206
from the bottom is input, the sort drive motor
249
is driven by one pitch to raise the lugs
234
to a second sort position. In this condition, the paper
25
is driven into the second bin
206
from the bottom by the lugs
234
. In this manner, the papers
25
sequentially driven out of the printer body
10
are sequentially distributes to the bins
206
assigned to the expected number of papers. Thereafter, the sort driver motor
249
is reversed to return the lugs
234
to the reference position, completing the sorting operation with a single document
28
.
Partitions, not shown, enclose spaces between the vertical frames
226
and the vertical frames
240
and
241
positioned inward of the frames
226
, and the upper and lower spaces outside of the drive range of the belts
230
. The partitions delimit a passage for air to be sucked by the fans
232
and thereby allow suction to act more positively on the paper
25
within the drive range of the belts
230
.
As shown in
FIG. 14
, the conveying means
211
is located beneath the bin unit
207
and distributing means
212
for conveying the papers
25
to the distributing means
212
or the paper discharge tray or non-sort tray
60
. The papers
25
driven out of the printer body
10
each are introduced into the conveying means
211
via an outlet
10
A formed in the printer body
10
. The conveying means
211
conveys the paper
25
in a direction of paper discharge B. The conveying means
211
includes the previously mentioned path selector
251
and a conveyor
252
connectable to the distributing means
212
.
The path selector
251
is implemented as a horizontal conveyor. As shown in
FIGS. 14
,
15
and
17
, the path selector
251
is mounted on opposite base plates
210
in such a manner as to be angularly movable up and down. The base plates
210
are connected to the vertical frames
222
and horizontal frames
223
of the framework
205
. More specifically, the path selector
251
includes a flat box-like base
511
supported by the inner surfaces of the base plates
210
. A drive pulley
253
and a driven pulley
254
are journalled to the inner surfaces of the base plates
210
. A plurality of (three in the illustrative embodiment) endless belts
255
are passed over the pulleys
253
and
254
and partly exposed to the outside on the top of the base
511
. A fan
259
is mounted on the bottom of the base
511
for retaining the paper
25
on the belts
255
by suction. A path selector drive motor
218
is drivably connected to the drive pulley
253
via a conventional drive transmission mechanism, e.g., a chain and sprocket mechanism not shown. In this configuration, the belts
255
are rotated counterclockwise, as viewed in
FIG. 14
, as needed.
The belts
255
are formed of synthetic resin or rubber by way of example and formed with a number of through holes
257
. When the fan
259
is driven, it suck air out of the base
511
through the holes
257
of the belts
255
so as to retain the paper
25
being conveyed on the belts
255
.
Pivot pins
256
respectively protrude horizontally from the right and left sidewalls of the base
511
at the paper inlet side. The pivot pins
256
are coaxial with the drive pulley
253
(see
FIG. 15
) and rotatably supported by the base plates
210
. In this condition, the paper inlet side of the belts
255
and base
511
constantly faces the paper outlet
10
A of the printer body
10
. The paper outlet side of the base
511
is angularly movable up and down about the pivot pins
256
. The switching means
213
mentioned earlier (see
FIG. 17
) is mounted on the bottom wall, not shown, of the base
511
at the paper outlet side.
The switching means
213
causes the path selector
251
to move up and down about the pivot pins
256
. In the sort mode, the switching means
213
holds the path selector
251
at a sort position P
1
(indicated by a solid line in
FIG. 14
) facing the conveyor
252
, thereby forming the sort path mentioned earlier. In a non-sort mode, the switching means
213
holds the path selector
251
in a non-sort position P
2
(indicated by a dash-and-dots line in
FIG. 14
) facing the paper discharge tray
60
, thereby forming the non-sort path.
Specifically, the switching means
213
includes a bracket
258
protruding from the underside of the base
511
. A pair of pinions
260
are mounted on opposite ends of a shaft
262
rotatably supported by the bracket
258
. Racks
261
each are formed in one of the base plates
210
and held in mesh with one of the pinions
260
. A worm wheel
263
is mounted on the intermediate portion of the shaft
262
and held in mesh with a worm
264
. A switching drive motor
265
(see
FIG. 15
) drives the worm
264
. The racks
261
each have a sectorial shape whose center is defined by the axis of the aligned pivot pins
256
. To selectively move the path selector
251
to the sort position P
1
or the non-sort position P
2
, a sort signal is sent from the control panel
130
shown in
FIG. 18
to the control means
300
. In response, the control means
300
sends a control signal to the switching drive motor
265
connected to the worm
264
. As shown in
FIG. 14
, a first sensor
266
and a second sensor
267
are located in the range over which the path selector
251
is movable between the sort position P
1
and the non-sort position P
2
. The first sensor
266
is responsive to the sort position P
1
of the path selector
251
where the outlet end of the selector
251
is communicated to the conveyor
252
. The second sensor
267
is responsive to the non-sort position P
2
of the path selector
251
where the outlet end of the selector
251
is communicated to the paper discharge tray
60
. The motor
265
selectively drives the pinions
260
in the forward or the reverse direction in accordance with the outputs of the sensors
266
and
267
, thereby switching the path selector
251
to either one of the two positions P
1
and P
2
.
As shown in
FIG. 15
, the conveyor
252
connectable to the distributing means
212
includes a flat box-like base
268
, a pair of pulleys
269
and
270
rotatably supported within the base
268
, a plurality of (three in the illustrative embodiment) endless belts
271
passed over the pulleys
269
and
270
and partly exposed to the outside on the top of the base
268
, and a suction fan
272
mounted on the bottom of the base
268
for retaining the paper
25
on the belts
271
by suction. A gear
220
is mounted on a shaft
219
supporting the pulley
269
and is held in mesh with the drive gear
235
. The base
268
is mounted substantially horizontally on the vertical frames
224
. When the path selector
251
is held in the sort position P
1
, the base
268
receives the paper
25
from the paper selector
251
and transfers the paper
25
to the lower end of the distributing means
212
by steering it with pieces
268
a
adjoining the distributing means
212
. The belts
271
are also formed of synthetic resin or rubber by way of example and formed with a number of through holes
257
. The suction fan
272
retains the paper
25
on the belts
271
by sucking air out of the base
268
through the holes
257
.
The paper discharge tray
60
includes the side fences
61
and
62
and end fence
63
as well as mechanisms for driving them, as in the previous embodiment. The paper discharge tray
60
will not be described specifically because it also has the configuration described with reference to FIG.
5
. The paper discharge tray
60
is supported by a vertical support frame
277
positioned in the lower portion of the framework
205
.
As shown in
FIG. 18
, the control means
300
includes a CPU
301
, a ROM
302
, a RAM
303
, an image memory
304
for storing image data representative of a document image read by the document reading section
2
, and image processing means
305
. The image memory
304
, document reading means
2
and thermal head
22
are connected to the image processing means
305
.
The first and second sensors
266
and
267
mentioned previously are connected to the input side of the CPU
301
by wirings, not shown, together with the various sensors included in the previous embodiment. The path selector drive motor
218
, distribution drive motor
237
, sort drive motor
249
and switching drive motor
265
, as well as the motors of the previous embodiment, each are connected to the output side of the CPU
301
via a respective driver not shown. The ROM
302
stores motor rotation angle data representative of the reference positions of the fences of the paper discharge tray
60
, the magnification change table of
FIG. 20
listing data representative of a relation between the magnification and the rotation dependent on the sizes and orientations of the documents
28
and papers
25
. Further, the ROM
302
stores the map for determining the sizes and orientations of the documents
28
and papers
25
on the bas is of the outputs of the document size sensing means
117
and
118
and the outputs of the paper size sensors
70
,
125
and
126
. In response to the outputs of the paper size sensors
70
,
125
and
126
, the control means
100
searches for the tray
12
A,
12
B or
29
loaded with the papers
25
of desired size. In addition, the ROM
302
sores a paper selection control program shown in
FIGS. 19A-19C
and used to drive the various motors of the paper discharge unit
200
in accordance with the size of the papers
25
or the sort mode selected. In the illustrative embodiment, the control panel
130
additionally includes a sort key
280
for allowing the operator to select the sort mode. When the sort key
280
is pressed, it sends a signal indicative of the sort mode to the CPU
301
.
A specific operation of the illustrative embodiment will be described with reference to
FIGS. 19A-19C
. In
FIG. 19A
, steps K
12
-K
16
are the same as in the paper selector control program of FIG.
8
and will not be described specifically in order to avoid redundancy. The following description will concentrate on control steps relating to the paper discharge unit
200
. As shown, the operator sets the document
28
(step K
1
), selects a desired paper size or paper feed tray on the paper size key
139
(step K
2
), and then presses the perforation start key
132
. In response, the control means
300
determines the size and orientation of the document
28
(step K
3
), reads the document
28
, and writes the resulting image data signal in the image memory
304
via the image processing means
305
. If the operator presses the sort key
280
before the perforation start key
132
, the control means
300
sets up the sort mode.
The control means
100
automatically sets, based on the table of
FIG. 20
, a magnification change ratio capable of confining the document image in the paper size selected (step K
4
). Subsequently, the control means
100
determines whether or not the orientation of the document
28
and that of the papers
25
are identical (step K
5
). If the answer of the step K
5
is YES, the control means
100
executes a master making operation in matching relation to the paper size (step K
6
). If the answer of the step K
5
is NO, the control means
100
rotates the document image by 90° before the master making operation (step K
7
). Thereafter, the control means
300
causes the master
14
to be cut off at the length equal to the paper size plus α and causes the mater
14
to be wrapped around the ink drum
4
(step K
8
).
In a step K
9
following the step K
8
, the control means
300
determines whether or not the sort mode is selected. If the answer of the step K
9
is NO, the control means
300
drives the path selector drive motor
218
(step K
10
) and then determines, based on the output of the second sensor
267
, whether or not the path selector
251
is held in the non-sort mode P
2
(step K
11
). If the answer of the step K
11
is YES, the control means
300
executes the next step K
12
, determining that the path selector
251
is located at the non-sort mode P
2
. If the answer of the step K
11
is NO, the control means
300
executes a step K
17
shown in
FIG. 19B
, determining that the path selector
251
is not located at the non-sort position kP
2
. In the step K
17
, the control means
300
drives the switching drive motor
265
in order to bring the path selector
251
to the non-sort position P
2
facing the paper discharge tray
60
, as shown in FIG.
14
. Subsequently, the control means stops, based on the output of the second sensor
267
responsive to the position P
2
, the rotation of the motor
265
(step K
18
) and then executes a step K
12
shown in FIG.
19
A.
In the step K
12
, the control means
300
moves the fences of the paper discharge tray
60
in accordance with the paper size selected. Then, the control means
300
selects one of the cam plates of the cam
40
matching with the paper size (step K
13
) and executes a trial printing operation (step K
14
). The paper or trial printing
25
output by this operation is conveyed from the paper outlet
10
A to the paper discharge tray
60
by the belts
255
of the path selector
251
. After the trial printing operation, the operator inputs a desired number of printings on the numeral keys
131
and then presses the print start key
133
. In response, the control means
300
starts a printing operation (step K
15
) and executes printing (step K
16
). This is the end of the control program. The papers or printings
25
are sequentially driven out via the paper outlet
10
A of the printer body
10
and stacked on the paper discharge tray
60
via the path selector
251
.
Assume that the operator selects the sort mode (YES, step K
9
). Then, the controller
300
drives the path selector drive motor
218
, distribution drive motor
237
and sort drive motor
249
(step K
20
, FIG.
19
C). Subsequently, the control means
300
determines, based on the output of the first sensor
266
, whether or not the path selector
251
is held in the sort position P
1
(step K
21
). If the answer of the step K
21
is NO, the control means drives the switching drive motor
265
(step K
22
), determining that the path selector
251
is not located at the sort position P
1
. As a result, the path selector
251
is brought to the sort position P
1
aligning with the conveyor
252
. When the free end of the path selector
251
contacts the first sensor
266
, the sensor
266
outputs a sense signal (YES, step K
21
). In response, the control means
300
stops rotating the motor
265
(step K
23
) so as to locate the path selector
251
at the sort position P
1
. Thereafter, the control means
100
selects one of the cam plates of the cam
40
(step K
13
,
FIG. 19A
) and then executes a trial printing operation (step K
14
).
The paper or trial printing
25
output by the above operation is conveyed from the paper outlet
10
A to the distributing means
212
by the belts
255
via the conveyor
252
. When the paper
25
is conveyed upward by the distributing means
212
, the indexer
231
steers the paper
25
toward the upper surface of designated one of the bins
206
with its lugs
234
. At this instant, the control means drives the suction fans
259
,
272
and
232
as well as the belts
255
,
271
and
230
, thereby guaranteeing the sure conveyance of the papers
25
.
After the trial printing, the operator inputs a desired number of printings and a desired number of copies (sets) on the numeral keys
131
and then presses the print start key
133
. In response, the control means starts a printing operation (step K
15
), executes printing (step K
16
), and then ends the control program. When the sort drive motor
249
is driven, it causes the indexer
231
to sequentially move its lugs
234
upward from the reference position facing the first bin
206
by one pitch at a time. The lugs
234
sequentially steer the consecutive papers
25
into the bins
206
while moving upward pitch by pitch.
As stated above, even when the operator selects any desired paper size, the control means
300
executes control based on the table of
FIG. 20
such that the resulting document size lies within the paper size selected. If the document
28
and papers
25
are different in orientation, the control means
100
rotates the document image by 90° before perforation. Further, the master
14
is cut off at a length matching with the paper size. This, coupled with the fact that the cam plate of the cam
40
matching with the paper size is selected, makes it needless to replace the ink drum
4
in accordance with the master size or the paper size. The operator therefore does not have to care about the direction and size of the document
25
or those of the papers
25
. It follows that the above program promotes easy and efficient operation, reduces defective printings, and obviates the wasteful consumption of stencil and ink. This is also true when the operator selects the sort mode which is expected to output a great amount of printings. Particularly, the fences of the paper discharge tray
60
are adequately located to insure neat stacking of the papers or printings
25
.
Of course, the control program of the above embodiment, i.e., the steps shown in
FIGS. 19A-19C
may be added to the control programs of
FIGS. 7-10
and stored in the ROM
302
for controlling the paper discharge unit
200
. This also makes it needless for the operator, desiring a great amount of printings, to give consideration to the magnification change ratio of the document size or the orientations and sizes of the document
28
and papers
25
because the control means
300
adequately controls the various motors of the paper discharge unit
200
. The papers or printings
25
can therefore be efficiently sorted by easy operation and are free from defects.
While the illustrative embodiments shown and described deal with specific paper sizes ranging from size A3 to size B5 and specific orientations thereof, they are, of course, capable of handling other paper sizes including size A5, postcard size and name card size. This can be done only if additional paper size sensors are used or if the cams
40
and
47
each are provided with additional cam plates or cam portions or replaced with another suitable cam.
In the illustrative embodiments, the pressure cancel cam
40
is used to limit the range over which the press drum
5
contacts the ink drum
4
. Alternatively, an arrangement may be made such that the press drum
5
constantly biased toward the ink drum
4
is selectively released from the ink drum
4
and has its contact time controlled steplessly by the control means
100
or
300
. This alternative scheme does not need the cam
40
or the drive transmission mechanism associated therewith, the arms
43
, the stepped cam
47
or the driveline including the stepped cam drive motor
52
and can produce a master having an adequate length without regard to the paper size.
The paper discharge unit
200
shown in
FIG. 14
includes the paper discharge tray or non-sort tray
60
and bins
206
. If desired, the bins
206
may also be implemented as non-sort trays similar to the tray
60
and arranged one above the other. In such a case, the sort drive motor
249
will also be controlled to adjust the positions of the lugs
234
of the indexer
231
in accordance with the size and orientation of the papers
25
. The trays replacing the bins
206
each should preferably be provided with the end tray
63
at a position adjoining the printer body
10
.
In summary, it will be seen that the present invention provides a stencil printer having various unprecedented advantages, as enumerated below.
(1) When a document and papers are different in orientation, master making means is control led on the basis of the orientation of the papers and therefore forms a document image in a stencil in accordance with the orientation of the papers. This, coupled with side fences and an end fence positioned in accordance with the paper size, allows desirable printings to be produced and neatly stacked without the operator caring about the orientations of the document and papers or the positions of the above fences.
(2) When a document and papers are different in size, the master making means is controlled on the basis of the size of the papers and therefore forms a document image in a stencil after automatically changing the magnification in accordance with the paper size. This, coupled with side fences and an end fence positioned in accordance with the paper size, also achieves the above advantage (1).
(3) When a document and papers are different in orientation and size, the master making means is controlled on the basis of the orientation and size of the papers and therefore forms a document image in a stencil in accordance with the orientation of the papers after automatically changing the magnification in accordance with the paper size. This, coupled with side fences and an end fence positioned in accordance with the paper size, also achieves the above advantage (1).
(4) When a document and papers are different in orientation, the order in which an image data signal is read out of an image memory is so controlled as to rotate a document image by 90° before the perforation of a stencil. An image can therefore be printed on the papers in accordance with the orientation of the papers, rendering the resulting printings more desirable.
(5) At the time of a saving operation, a paper feed tray loaded with papers having a minimum length in the direction of paper transport is selected, thereby reducing the perforation range of a stencil in the above direction. The printer can therefore obviate the wasteful consumption of the stencil and ink by use of a single ink drum while also achieving the above advantage (1).
(6) Even when the document size is changed in magnification, the above tray loaded with papers having a minimum length in the direction of paper transport is selected. This is successful to reduce the perforation range of the stencil while adjusting the orientation and size of the document image in accordance with the orientation and size of the papers, and also achieves the above advantage (1) and (5).
(7) Even when the paper size to be used is changed, the stencil is cut off at a length corresponding to the paper size while contact area varying means is operated in accordance with the cut length of the stencil or master. Therefore, even when the size and orientation of the papers are changed, the printer makes it needless to replace the ink drum while successfully adjusting the orientation and size of the document image in accordance with the orientation and size of the papers. This also achieves the advantages (1) and (5).
(8) The papers are selectively conveyed to bins or a paper discharge tray via a movable path selector with the document image being adjusted in size and orientation in matching relation to the papers. This also achieves the advantages (1) and (5).
(9) When the document is set on a document feed tray, feeding means conveys it to a document reading section. It follows that the entire sequence beginning with document feed and ending with paper stacking on a paper discharge tray can be automatically executed.
Various modifications will become possible for those skilled in the art after receiving the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope thereof.
Claims
- 1. A stencil printer comprising:an ink drum for wrapping a master around an outer periphery thereof; master making means for making the master; a paper discharging section including a paper discharge tray having a pair of side fences spaced from each other in a widthwise direction of a paper and movable in said widthwise direction and an end fence selectively movable forward or backward in a direction of paper discharge; side fence moving means for moving said pair of side fences in the widthwise direction; end fence moving means for moving said end fence in the direction of paper discharge; document size sensing means for sensing a size of a document; paper size sensing means for sensing a size of the paper; and control means for controlling said master making means, said side fence moving means and said end fence moving means; said control means determining, based on information output from said document size sensing means and said paper size sensing means, an orientation of the document, an orientation of the paper and a size of said paper and controlling, if said document and said paper are different in orientation, said master making means on the basis of the orientation of said paper to thereby orient a document image to be formed in the master in accordance with the orientation of said paper, and controlling said side fence moving means and said end fence moving means for locating each of said pair of side fences and said end fence at a particular position matching with the size of said paper.
- 2. A stencil printer as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an image memory for storing an image data signal representative of the document image, said control means rotating, if the document and the paper are different in orientation, the document image to be formed in the master by 90° by controlling an order in which said image signal is read out of said image memory.
- 3. A stencil printer as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a plurality of trays each being loaded with a stack of papers, said control means executing a saving operation for selecting, based on the information output from said paper size sensing means, one of said plurality of trays whose papers have a minimum length in a direction of paper conveyance.
- 4. A stencil printer as claimed in claim 3, wherein said control means executes said saving operation when a plurality of papers with a same size as the document are sensed.
- 5. A stencil printer as claimed in claim 3, further comprising magnification change ratio inputting means for inputting a magnification change ratio of the size of the document, said control means executing said saving operation when a plurality of papers with a size corresponding to the magnification change ratio input on said magnification change ratio inputting means are sensed.
- 6. A stencil printer as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of trays each being loaded with a stack of papers, said control means executing a saving operation for selecting, based on the information output from said paper size sensing means, one of said plurality of trays whose papers have a minimum length in a direction of paper conveyance.
- 7. A stencil printer as claimed in claim 6, wherein said control means executes said saving operation when a plurality of papers with a same size as the document are sensed.
- 8. A stencil printer as claimed in claim 6, further comprising magnification change ratio inputting means for inputting a magnification change ratio of the size of the document, said control means executing said saving operation when a plurality of papers with a size corresponding to the magnification change ratio input on said magnification change ratio inputting means are sensed.
- 9. A stencil printer as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:a pressing member selectively movable into or out of contact with the outer periphery of said ink drum; contact area varying means for varying a range over which said pressing member contacts the outer periphery of said ink drum; and cutting means for cutting off the master; said control means controlling said cutting means such that the master is cut off at a length corresponding to the size of the paper, and controlling an operation of said contact area varying means in accordance with the length of said master.
- 10. A stencil printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said paper discharging section comprises:a plurality of bins supported in a framework one above the other; distributing means for distributing the paper to a designated one of said plurality of bins; conveying means for selectively forming, in accordance with a support position of a path selector, a sort path for guiding the paper to said distributing means and a non-sort path for guiding said paper to said paper discharge tray; and switching drive means for switching the support position of said path selector in such a manner as to form either one of said sort path and said non-sort path; said control means controlling an operation of said distributing means and controlling an operation of said switching drive means such that said path selector is selectively located at a support position for forming said sort path or a support position for forming said non-sort path.
- 11. A stencil printer as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) including a document feed tray to be loaded with the document and feeding means for feeding said document from said document feed tray to a document reading section.
- 12. A stencil printer comprising:an ink drum for wrapping a master around an outer periphery thereof; master making means for making the master; a paper discharging section including a paper discharge tray having a pair of side fences spaced from each other in a widthwise direction of a paper and movable in said widthwise direction and an end fence selectively movable forward or backward in a direction of paper discharge; side fence moving means for moving said pair of side fences in the widthwise direction; end fence moving means for moving said end fence in the direction of paper discharge; document size sensing means for sensing a size of a document; paper size sensing means for sensing a size of the paper; and control means for controlling said master making means, said side fence moving means and said end fence moving means; said control means determining, based on information output from said document size sensing means and said paper size sensing means, a size of the document and a size of the paper and controlling, if said document and said paper are different in size, said master making means on the basis of the size of said paper to thereby automatically change a magnification of a document image to be formed in the master in accordance with the size of said paper, and controlling said side fence moving means and said end fence moving means for locating each of said pair of side fences and said end fence at a particular position matching with the size of said paper.
- 13. A stencil printer as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a plurality of trays each being loaded with a stack of papers, said control means executing a saving operation for selecting, based on the information output from said paper size sensing means, one of said plurality of trays whose papers have a minimum length in the direction of paper transport.
- 14. A stencil printer as claimed in claim 13, wherein said control means executes said saving operation when a plurality of papers with a same size as the document are sensed.
- 15. A stencil printer as claimed in claim 14, further comprising magnification change ratio inputting means for inputting a magnification change ratio of the size of the document, said control means executing said saving operation when a plurality of papers with a size corresponding to the magnification change ratio input on said magnification change ratio inputting means are sensed.
- 16. A stencil printer as claimed in claim 12, further comprising:a pressing member selectively movable into or out of contact with the outer periphery of said ink drum; contact area varying means for varying a range over which said pressing member contacts the outer periphery of said ink drum; and cutting means for cutting off the master; said control means controlling said cutting means such that the master is cut off at a length corresponding to the size of the paper, and controlling an operation of said contact area varying means in accordance with the length of said master.
- 17. A stencil printer as claimed in claim 12, wherein said paper discharging section comprises:a plurality of bins supported in a framework one above the other; distributing means for distributing the paper to a designated one of said plurality of bins; conveying means for selectively forming, in accordance with a support position of a path selector, a sort path for guiding the paper to said distributing means and a non-sort path for guiding said paper to said paper discharge tray; and switching drive means for switching the support position of said path selector in such a manner as to form either one of said sort path and said non-sort path; said control means controlling an operation of said distributing means and controlling an operation of said switching drive means such that said path selector is selectively located at a support position for forming said sort path or a support position for forming said non-sort path.
- 18. A stencil printer as claimed in claim 12, further comprising an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) including a document feed tray to be loaded with the document and feeding means for feeding said document from said document feed tray to a document reading section.
- 19. A stencil printer comprising:an ink drum for wrapping a master around an outer periphery thereof; master making means for making the master; a paper discharging section including a paper discharge tray having a pair of side fences spaced from each other in a widthwise direction of a paper and movable in said widthwise direction and an end fence selectively movable for ward or backward in a direction of paper discharge; side fence moving means for moving said pair of side fences in the widthwise direction; end fence moving means for moving said end fence in the direction of paper discharge; document size sensing means for sensing a size of a document; paper size sensing means for sensing a size of the paper; and control means for controlling said master making means, said side fence moving means and said end fence moving means; said control means determining, based on information output from said document size sensing means and said paper size sensing means, an orientation and a size of the document and an orientation and a size of the paper and controlling, if said document and said paper are different in orientation and size, said master making means on the basis of the orientation and the size of said paper to thereby form the document image in the master in accordance with the orientation of said paper and automatically change a magnification of said document image in accordance with the size of said paper, and controlling said side fence moving means and said end fence moving means for locating each of said pair of side fences and said end fence at a particular position matching with the size of said paper.
- 20. A stencil printer as claimed in claim 19, further comprising an image memory for storing an image data signal representative of the document image, said control means rotating, if the document and the paper are different in orientation, the document image to be formed in the master by 90° by controlling an order in which said image signal is read out of said image memory.
- 21. A stencil printer as claimed in claim 20, further comprising a plurality of trays each being loaded with a stack of papers, said control means executing a saving operation for selecting, based on the information output from said paper size sensing means, one of said plurality of trays whose papers have a minimum length in the direction of paper transport.
- 22. A stencil printer as claimed in claim 21, wherein said control means executes said saving operation when a plurality of papers with a same size as the document are sensed.
- 23. A stencil printer as claimed in claim 21, further comprising magnification change ratio inputting means for inputting a magnification change ratio of the size of the document, said control means executing said saving operation when a plurality of papers with a size corresponding to the magnification change ratio input on said magnification change ratio inputting means are sensed.
- 24. A stencil printer as claimed in claim 19, further comprising a plurality of trays each being loaded with a stack of papers, said control means executing a saving operation for selecting, based on the information output from said paper size sensing means, one of said plurality of trays whose papers have a minimum length in the direction of paper transport.
- 25. A stencil printer as claimed in claim 24, wherein said control means executes said saving operation when a plurality of papers with a same size as the document are sensed.
- 26. A stencil printer as claimed in claim 24, further comprising magnification change ratio inputting means for inputting a magnification change ratio of the size of the document, said control means executing said saving operation when a plurality of papers with a size corresponding to the magnification change ratio input on said magnification change ratio inputting means are sensed.
- 27. A stencil printer as claimed in claim 19, further comprising:a pressing member selectively movable into or out of contact with the outer periphery of said ink drum; contact area varying means for varying a range over which said pressing member contacts the outer periphery of said ink drum; and cutting means for cutting off the master; said control means controlling said cutting means such that the master is cut off at a length corresponding to the size of the paper, and controlling an operation of said contact area varying means in accordance with the length of said master.
- 28. A stencil printer as claimed in claim 19, wherein said paper discharging section comprises:a plurality of bins supported in a framework one above the other; distributing means for distributing the paper to a designated one of said plurality of bins; conveying means for selectively forming, in accordance with a support position of a path selector, a sort path for guiding the paper to said distributing means and a non-sort path for guiding said paper to said paper discharge tray; and switching drive means for switching the support position of said path selector in such a manner as to form either one of said sort path and said non-sort path; said control means controlling an operation of said distributing means and controlling an operation of said switching drive means such that said path selector is selectively located at a support position for forming said sort path or a support position for forming said non-sort path.
- 29. A stencil printer as claimed in claim 19, further comprising an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) including a document feed tray to be loaded with the document and feeding means for feeding said document from said document feed tray to a document reading section.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
10-305462 |
Oct 1998 |
JP |
|
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5349422 |
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Sep 1994 |
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5507225 |
Noguchi et al. |
Apr 1996 |
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