Medium discharging device, medium processing device, and recording system

A medium discharging device includes a first tray, a second tray receiving a medium from the first tray, a supporter which is configured to be displaced from a retreat position in the first tray and an advance position above the second tray and which supports the medium, an aligner which is provided in the supporter and that aligns a first end portion which is an upstream end portion in a discharge direction of the medium supported by the supporter, to be displaced together with the supporter, and a restrictor configured to be displaced between a restriction position where an upstream movement of the first end portion of the medium in a position of the aligner in the discharge direction and a non-restriction position where the movement is not restricted, when the supporter is in the advance position.

The present application is based on, and claims priority from JP Application Serial Number 2018-173845, filed Sep. 18, 2018, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a medium discharging device discharging a medium, a medium processing device including the medium discharging device, and a recording system including the medium discharging device.

2. Related Art

A medium processing device performing processing such as stapling processing and punching processing on a medium includes a medium discharging device that stacks the medium, aligning the end portion thereof, in a first tray, performs processing on the stacked medium, and discharges the post-processing medium to a second tray, for example. Such a medium processing device is incorporated into a recording system configured to continuously execute from recording on a medium in a recording device represented by an ink jet printer to follow-up processing such as stapling processing of the post-recording medium in some cases.

As an example of such a medium processing device, JP-A-2015-107840 discloses a medium processing device configured to perform stapling processing on a plurality of media stacked on a processing tray 28 as a “first tray”, and discharges the processed media to a placement tray 31 as a “second tray”.

In JP-A-2015-107840, a discharge of post-processing medium in the “first tray” to the “second tray” is performed by a discharge roller 29 which nips and feeds the medium by a roller pair.

If a media bundle in which a plurality of media overlap with one another is discharged by a roller pair, end portions of the media aligned in the “first tray” are disturbed in some cases.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a medium discharging device including a first tray receiving a medium, a second tray receiving the medium discharged from the first tray, a supporter which is configured to be displaced between a retreat position in the first tray and an advance position above the second tray, ahead of the retreat position in a discharge direction from the first tray to the second tray, and which supports the medium, an aligner which is provided in the supporter and which aligns an upstream end portion in the discharge direction of the medium supported by the supporter, to be displaced together with the supporter, and a restrictor configured to be displaced between a restriction position where an upstream movement of the end portion of the medium in a position of the aligner in the discharge direction is restricted and a non-restriction position where the movement is not restricted, when the supporter is in the advance position.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be schematically described.

A medium discharging device according to a first aspect includes a first tray receiving a medium, a second tray receiving the medium discharged from the first tray, a supporter which is configured to be displaced between a retreat position in the first tray and an advance position above the second tray, ahead of the retreat position in a discharge direction from the first tray to the second tray, and which supports the medium, an aligner which is provided in the supporter and which aligns an upstream end portion in the discharge direction of the medium supported by the supporter, to be displaced together with the supporter, and a restrictor configured to be displaced between a restriction position where an upstream movement of the end portion of the medium in the discharge direction is restricted and a non-restriction position where the movement is not restricted, when the supporter is in the advance position.

According to the present embodiment, since a first tray receiving a medium, a second tray receiving the medium discharged from the first tray, a supporter which is configured to be displaced between a retreat position in the first tray and an advance position above the second tray, ahead of the retreat position in a discharge direction from the first tray to the second tray, and which supports the medium, an aligner which is provided in the supporter and which aligns an upstream end portion in the discharge direction of the medium supported by the supporter, to be displaced together with the supporter, and a restrictor configured to be displaced between a restriction position where an upstream movement of the end portion of the medium in the discharge direction is restricted and the non-restriction position where the movement is not restricted, when the supporter is in the advance position, are included, when a plurality of the media are received in the first tray, it is possible to push out and discharge the media to the second tray in a state where the upstream end portions of the media in the discharge direction are aligned. In this way, it is possible to suppress a disturbance of the end portion of the medium.

A specific mechanism discharging the medium from the first tray to the second tray will be described below.

Further, the restrictor is displaced to the restriction position after the aligner is displaced downstream of the restriction position in the discharge direction and is displaced to the non-restriction position after the aligner is displaced to the retreat position.

According to a second aspect, in the first aspect, the supporter is configured to extend along with displacement from the retreat position to the advance position.

According to the present aspect, since the supporter is configured to extend along with the displacement from the retreat position to the advance position, it is possible to advance the supporter to the advance position in which advancement is made from the retreat position in the discharge direction while disposing the supporter compactly in the retreat position.

According to a third aspect, in the second aspect, the supporter includes a first member which is configured to slide with respect to the first tray in the discharge direction and which has a first rack portion and a second rack portion provided in the discharge direction,

a second member which is configured to slide with respect to the first member and which has a third rack portion provided in the discharge direction, a third member which is configured to slide with respect to the first member in the discharge direction and which has a fourth rack portion provided to face the second rack portion in a width direction intersecting with the discharge direction, a first gear engaging with the first rack portion, a second gear having a larger number of teeth formed on a rim than the first gear and engaging with the third rack portion to integrally rotate with the first gear, and a pinion gear having a rotation shaft in the second member and engaging with both the second rack portion and the four rack portion.

According to the present aspect, since the supporter includes a first member which is configured to slide in the discharge direction with respect to the first tray and which has a first rack portion and a second rack portion provided in the discharge direction, a second member which is configured to slide in the discharge direction with respect to the first member and which has a third rack portion provided in the discharge direction, a third member which is configured to slide in the discharge direction with respect to the first member and which has a fourth rack portion provided to face the second rack portion in a width direction intersecting with the discharge direction, a first gear engaging with the first rack portion, and a second gear in which a larger number of teeth are formed on a rim than the first gear and which engages with the third rack portion to integrally rotate with the first gear, a speed difference is generated between the first member and the second member moving on a slide. This enables the pinion gear having a rotation shaft in the second member to rotate and the third member to slide to the first member.

Thus, it is possible to secure the extension distance of the supporter in the discharge direction by a compact configuration. A specific configuration of a mechanism extending the supporter will be described in detail below.

According to a fourth aspect, in the third aspect, the aligner is provided upstream of the third member in the discharge direction.

The third member has the longest moving distance in the discharge direction among the first member, the second member, and the third member.

According to the present aspect, since the aligner is provided upstream, in the discharge direction, of the third member having the longest moving distance, it is possible to lengthen an extrusion distance of the medium in the discharge direction.

According to a fifth aspect, in the third aspect of the fourth aspect, the pinion gear is configured to move downstream of the first tray in the discharge direction.

According to the present aspect, since the pinion gear is configured to move downstream of the first tray in the discharge direction, it is possible to securely discharge the medium to the second tray.

According to a sixth aspect, in any one of the first to the fifth aspects, a transport belt, positioned above the first tray and configured to transport the medium by adsorbing the medium on a transport surface and rotating, is included, and the restrictor includes a driven roller transporting the medium together with the transport belt when the restrictor is in the restriction position.

According to the present aspect, since a transport belt, which is positioned above the first tray and which transports the medium by adsorbing the medium on a transport surface and rotating, is included and the restrictor includes a driven roller transporting the medium together with the transport belt when the restrictor is in the restriction position, it is possible for the driven roller to support the transport of the medium by the transport belt when the restrictor is in the restriction position.

According to a seventh aspect, the medium processing device includes the medium discharging device in any one of the first to the sixth aspects and a processor executing predetermined processing on the medium placed in the first tray.

According to the present aspect, an operational effect similar to the effect in the first to the sixth aspects is obtained in the medium processing device including a processor executing predetermined processing on the medium placed in the first tray of the medium discharging device.

According to an eighth aspect, the recording system includes a recording unit including a recorder performing recording on a medium and a processing unit including the medium discharging device, described in any one of claims1to6, discharging the post-recording medium in the recording unit and including a processor executing predetermined processing on the medium placed in the first tray.

According to the present aspect, an operational effect similar to the effect in the first to the sixth aspects is obtained in the recording system that includes a recording unit including a recorder performing recording on a medium and a processing unit including the medium discharging device discharging the post-recording medium in the recording unit and including a processor executing predetermined processing on the medium placed in the first tray.

According to a ninth aspect, in the eighth aspect, an intermediate unit receiving the post-recording medium from the recording unit and delivering the medium to the processing unit is included.

According to the present aspect, an operational effect similar to the effect in the eighth aspect is obtained in the recording system including an intermediate unit receiving the post-recording medium from the recording unit and delivering the medium to the processing unit.

First Embodiment

A first embodiment will be described in the following with reference to drawings. In the X-Y-Z coordinate system shown in each drawing, the X-axis direction is the width direction of a medium and indicates the device depth direction, Y-axis direction is the transport direction of the medium in a medium transport path in the device and indicates the device width direction, and Z-axis direction indicates the device height direction.

Overview of Recording System

A recording system1shown inFIG.1includes a recording unit2, an intermediate unit3, and a processing unit4, for example, sequentially from right to left ofFIG.1.

The recording unit2includes a line head10serving as a “recorder” performing recording on a medium. The intermediate unit3receives a post-recording medium from the recording unit2and delivers the medium to the processing unit4. The processing unit4includes a medium discharging device30discharging a post-recording medium in the recording unit2and includes a processor36executing predetermined processing on the medium placed in a first tray35of the medium discharging device30.

In the recording system1, the recording unit2, the intermediate unit3, and the processing unit4are configured to be coupled to each other and a medium is transported from the recording unit2to the processing unit4.

The recording system1is configured such that a recording operation to the medium in the recording unit2, the intermediate unit3, and the processing unit4can be input from an operation panel (not shown). The operation panel can be provided in the recording unit2, for example.

In the order of the recording unit2, the intermediate unit3, and the processing unit4, the schematic configuration of each will be described.

On Recording Unit

The recording unit2shown inFIG.1is configured as a multi-function apparatus including a printer unit5including a line head10(recorder) ejecting ink, which is a liquid, onto a medium to perform recording and a scanner unit6. In the present embodiment, the printer unit5is configured as a so-called ink jet printer.

A plurality of medium storage cassettes7are provided in a lower part of the recording unit2. The medium stored in the medium storage cassette7is fed through a transport path11denoted by a solid line in the recording unit2ofFIG.1to a recording area in which recording operation is performed by the line head10. The medium after recording by the line head10is fed to either a first discharge path12serving as a path for discharging the medium to a post-recording discharge tray8provided above the line head10or a second discharge path13serving as a path for feeding the medium to the intermediate unit3. The first discharge path12is denoted by a broken line and the second discharge path13is denoted by a one-dot chain line in the recording unit2ofFIG.1.

The recording unit2includes a reversing path14denoted by a two-dot chain line in the recording unit2ofFIG.1and is configured such that a dual recording, in which the medium is reversed after recording on a first surface of the medium and recording is performed on a second surface, is possible.

As an example of a unit transporting a medium, a transport roller pair or pairs (not shown) are provided in each of the transport path11, the first discharge path12, the second discharge path13, and the reversing path14.

A controller15controlling an operation concerning transport and recording of a medium in the recording unit2is provided in the recording unit2. The controller15can be configured to control various operations in the processing unit4, to be described below, as well as the recording unit2.

On Intermediate Unit

The intermediate unit3shown inFIG.1is disposed between the recording unit2and the processing unit4and is configured to receive the post-recording medium delivered from the second discharge path of the recording unit2in the receiving path20and transport the medium to the processing unit4. The receiving path20is denoted by a solid line in the intermediate unit3shown inFIG.1.

There are two transport paths in which the medium is transported in the intermediate unit3. In the first transport path, the medium is transported from the receiving path20through a first switchback path21to a discharge path23. In the second path, the medium is transported from the receiving path20through a second switchback path22to the discharge path23.

In the first switchback path21, the medium is received in the arrow A1direction and then switchbacked in the arrow A2direction. In the second switchback path22, the medium received in the arrow B1direction and then switchbacked in the arrow B2direction.

The receiving path20branches into the first switchback path21and the second switchback path22at the branching portion24. Further, the first switchback path21and the second switchback path22merge at the merging portion25. Therefore, it is possible to deliver the medium from the common discharge path23to the processing unit4regardless of which switchback path the medium is delivered in from the receiving path20.

One or more transport pairs (not shown) are provided in each of the receiving path20, the first switchback path21, the second switchback path22and the discharge path23.

When recording is continuously performed on a plurality of media in the recording unit2, the medium that entered in the intermediate unit3is alternately fed to a transport path passing through the first switchback path21and a transport path passing through the second switchback path22. In this way, it is possible to increase the throughput of the medium transport in the intermediate unit3.

The intermediate unit3can also be an omitted recording system. That is, it is possible to configure the processing unit to be directly coupled to the recording unit2.

Since the transport time is longer when the post-recording medium in the recording unit2is fed to the processing unit4through the intermediate unit3than when the medium is directly fed to the processing unit4from the recording unit2, it is possible to cause the ink of the medium to further dry before the medium is transported to the processing unit4.

On Processing Unit

The processing unit4shown inFIG.1includes the medium discharging device30discharging the medium received from the intermediate unit3and is configured to perform processing, in the processor36, on the medium discharged to the first tray35of the medium discharging device30. An example of processing performed in the processor36includes stapling processing and a punching processing. In the present embodiment, the medium discharging device30discharges the medium which is received from the discharge path23of the intermediate unit3and is transported through the transport path31.

The processing unit4includes a first transport roller pair32and a second transport roller pair33transporting the medium in a first transport direction and transports the medium toward the medium discharging device30. In the present embodiment, since the first transport direction is substantially in the +Y direction, the first transport direction is hereinafter referred to as a first transport direction +Y.

A transporter34is provided downstream of the second roller pair33in the first transport direction +Y. The transporter34transports the medium by a transport belt40to be described below. The transporter34is configured to transport a medium in the first transport direction +Y and the second transport direction opposite to the first transport direction +Y. In the following, the second transport direction will be referred to as a second transport direction −Y.

On Medium Discharging Device

As shown inFIG.3, the medium discharging device30includes a first tray35receiving a medium and a second tray37receiving the medium discharged from the first tray35. A supporter39, to be described below, is provided in the first tray35.

A medium P transported by the transporter34is placed in the first tray35. A first end portion E1, which is an upstream end portion in the +Y direction, which is the discharge direction of the medium P, contacts with the aligner38and the position thereof is straightened in the first tray35. When a plurality of sheets of medium P are placed in the first tray35, the first end portion E1is aligned by the aligner38.

As shown inFIG.12as an example, a plurality of the aligners38are provided in the X-axis direction which is the width direction and one of them, the aligner38A, is provided in the supporter39.

In the medium discharging device30shown inFIG.3, the first end portion E1is straightened by the aligner38and a processing such as a stapling processing or the like is performed on one sheet, or a plurality of sheets, of the medium P placed in the first tray35by the processor36provided in a vicinity of the aligner38. The medium P after processing by the processor36is discharged to the second tray37from the first tray35. The second tray37receives the medium P after processing by the processor36upstream of the first suction area K1in the second transport direction −Y.

The first tray35is provided below the transport belt40constituting the transporter34, and the medium P, transported in the second transport direction −Y after being transported in the first transport direction +Y by the transport belt40, is placed in the first tray35.

In the following, a method of discharging the medium placed in the first tray35to the second tray37will be briefly described, and then, the above supporter39will be described. The transport of the medium to the first tray35by the transport belt40will be described after the supporter39is described.

On Discharge of Medium from the First Tray to the Second Tray

Discharge of the medium P from the first tray35to the second tray37will be described with reference toFIGS.8to15.FIGS.12to15are perspective views showing states of the supporter and the controller, corresponding toFIGS.8to11.

FIGS.8and12show states in which the medium P is placed in the first tray35.

The supporter39provided in the first tray35is configured to be displaced between the retreat position in the first tray35as shown inFIGS.8and12and the advance position above the second tray37, ahead of the retreat position in the +Y direction which is the discharge direction from the first tray35to the second tray37, as shown inFIGS.9and13. The supporter39can support the medium P in both the retreat position and the advance position. The supporter39is provided with the aligner38A and moves following the displacement of the supporter39.

When the medium P is placed in the first tray35by the transport belt40, the supporter39is disposed in the retreat position shown inFIGS.8and12. The supporter39supports the medium P together with the place surface of the first tray35and performs processing on the medium P by the processor36in this state inFIGS.8and12.

When the processing by the processor36is performed on the medium P placed on the first tray35, the medium P is discharged from the first tray35to the second tray37.

When the medium P is discharged from the first tray35to the second tray37, the supporter39moves from the retreat position shown inFIGS.8and12to the advance position shown inFIGS.9and13. Since the aligner38A is provided in the supporter39and moves together with the supporter39, the supporter39moves to the advance position while supporting the medium P.

Here, the medium discharging device30includes a restrictor configured to be displaced, in the +Y direction which is the discharge direction, between the restriction position (FIG.10) where an upstream movement of the first end portion E1of the medium P in the position of the aligner38A moving together with the supporter39is restricted and the non-restriction position (FIG.9) where the movement is not restricted, when the supporter39is in the advance position.

The restrictor60protrudes from the placement surface of the first tray35in the restriction position as shown inFIGS.10and14and retreats to the first tray35side in the non-restriction position as compared with the restriction position as shown inFIGS.9and13.

In the present embodiment, the restrictor60is provided in the base portion62swinging about a pivot shaft60ashown inFIGS.9and10and is configured to swing between the restriction position (FIG.10) and non-restricting position (FIG.9). The base portion62including the restrictor60swings by the power of a driving source (not shown).

As shown inFIGS.12to15, the restrictor60is disposed in a position deviating from the supporter39in the X-axis direction which is the width direction. More specifically, the restrictor60is provided on both sides of the supporter39in the width direction.

When the supporter39moves to the advance position shown inFIGS.9and13, the restrictor60is displaced to the restriction position as shown inFIGS.10and14.

Then, as the supporter39returns to the retreat position as shown inFIGS.11and15in a state where the movement of the medium P in the −Y direction is restricted by the restrictor60in the restriction position, the medium P not supported by the supporter39falls onto the second tray37as shown inFIG.11. In this way, the medium P is discharged from the first tray35to the second tray37such that, when a plurality of media P are placed in the first tray35, it is possible to push out and discharge the medium P to the second tray37while maintaining the alignment of the first end portion E1of the medium P aligned by the aligner38.

Next, the configuration of the supporter39will be described mainly with reference toFIGS.16to21.

In the medium discharging device30, the supporter39is configured to extend along with the displacement from the retreat position shown inFIG.8to the advance position shown inFIG.9. Since the supporter39is configured to extend along with the displacement from the retreat position to the advance position, it is possible to secure distance of the supporter39from the retreat position to the advance position of the supporter39while compactly disposing the supporter39in the retreat position in the first tray35.

In the present embodiment, the configuration of the supporter39extending along with the displacement from the retreat position to the advance position is as follows.

The supporter39shown inFIG.16includes a first member71, a second member72, a third member73, a first gear74, a second gear75, and a pinion gear77(FIG.17).

As shown inFIGS.19to21, the first member71is configured to slide with respect to the first tray35in the discharge direction in the Y-axis direction and has a first rack portion81(FIG.16) and a second rack portion83(FIG.17) provided in the Y-axis direction. As shown inFIGS.20and21, the first member71is configured to slide with respect to the groove portion78extending in the Y-axis direction in the first tray35.

In the supporter39shown inFIG.16, the second member72is configured to slide with respect to the first member71in the Y-axis direction and has a third rack portion82provided in the Y-axis direction.

The third member73is configured to slide with respect to the first member71in the discharge direction in the Y-axis direction and has a fourth rack portion84as shown inFIG.18. The third member73shown inFIG.18has a guide portion85on both sides in the width direction, the guide portion85is guided by a protruding portion71ain the groove portion79of the first member71shown inFIG.17, and the third member73slides with respect to the first member71. As shown inFIGS.19to21, the fourth rack portion84is provided to face the second rack portion83of the first member71in the X-axis direction which is the width direction intersecting with the discharge direction. The aligner38A provided in the supporter39is provided in the third member.

Further, in the supporter39shown inFIG.16, the first gear74engages with the first rack portion81. The second gear75has a larger number of teeth formed on a rim than the first gear74and engages with the third rack portion82to integrally rotate with the first gear74. The first gear74and the second gear75are provided on the same rotation shaft76. The first gear74and the second gear75are rotated by the rotation shaft76rotated by the force of a driving source (not shown). The first gear74and the second gear75are configured to rotate in both the +R direction and the −R direction denoted by a double arrow inFIG.16.

FIG.16shows a state where the supporter39is in the retreat position, and, as shown inFIG.8, the first gear74and the second gear75are provided in the end portion of the first tray35in the +Y direction.

The pinion gear77shown inFIG.17has a rotation shaft86in the second member72and engages with both the second rack portion83and the fourth rack portion84as shown inFIGS.19to21.

If the first gear74and the second gear75shown inFIG.16are rotated in the +R direction from a state where the supporter39is in the retreat position, the supporter39starts to move toward the advance position in the +Y direction.

More specifically, if the first gear74and the second gear75are rotated in the +R direction, the first member71having the first rack portion81engaging with the first gear74and the second member72having the third rack portion82engaging with the second gear75move in the +Y direction respectively.

Since the second gear75has a larger number of teeth formed on the rim than the first gear74, the moving speed of the second member72is higher than the moving speed of the first member71. That is, a speed difference is generated between the moving first member71and second member72.

If a speed difference is generated between the first member71and the second member72, the pinion gear77having the rotation shaft86(FIG.17) in the second member72rotates. In this way, it is possible to slide the third member73with respect to the first member71.

InFIG.17, if the first gear74and the second gear75are rotated in the +R direction, the pinion gear77rotates in the +S direction and the third member73(FIG.15) moves in the +Y direction.

In the present embodiment,FIG.21shows the moving distance of each of the first member71, the second member72, and the third member73when the supporter39moves from the retreat position shown inFIG.19to the advance position shown inFIG.21. When the moving distance of the first member71is defined as a distance L1, the moving distance of the second member72having a higher moving speed is a distance L2longer than the distance L1. Further, when the moving distance of the third member73with respect to the first member71is defined as a distance L3, the total moving distance of the third member73becomes a distance (L1+L3), and the third member73ends up moving the longest distance among the first member71, the second member72, and the third member73.

The aligner38A shown inFIG.16is provided upstream of the third member73in the discharge direction as described above. Since the aligner38A is provided in the third member73having the longest moving distance among the first member71, the second member72, and the third member73constituting the supporter39, it is possible to lengthen the extrusion distance of the medium in the discharge direction.

The supporter39is moved from the advance position shown inFIG.21to the retreat position shown inFIG.19by the rotation of the first gear74and the second gear75shown inFIG.17in the −R direction.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown inFIG.9, the pinion gear77is configured to move downstream of the first tray35in the +Y direction which is the discharge direction. In this way, it is possible to discharge the medium P to the second tray37more securely.

It is possible to detect the position of the supporter39by a supporter detector90shown inFIG.16. The supporter detector90is provided on the first tray35side and is configured with a transmission-type optical sensor, for example.

Other Configurations of Restrictor

In the present embodiment, the restrictor60includes a driven roller61transporting the medium P together with the transport belt40when the restrictor60is in the restriction position shown inFIGS.11and15.

Here, in the processing unit4, in order to improve the throughput when a plurality of sheets of medium are stacked in the first tray35, as shown inFIG.22, in some cases overlapping transport processing is performed, in which a preceding medium P1transported first and the succeeding medium P2transported next to the preceding medium overlap with each other and then are transported to the first tray35. The overlapping transport processing may be called buffer processing.

If two sheets of the preceding medium P1and the succeeding medium P2are adsorbed onto the transport belt40, the preceding medium P1positioned on a lower side inFIG.22does not directly contact with the transport surface40a, and thus, is not adsorbed. When the preceding medium P1and the succeeding medium P2are different in size or the preceding medium P1and the succeeding medium P2slightly deviate from each other even if the size is the same, the preceding medium P1may be adsorbed a little, but adsorption force is insufficient. Therefore, the preceding medium P1may not be appropriately transported to the first tray35by the transport belt40.

As shown inFIG.22, since the restrictor60includes a driven roller61transporting the medium P together with the transport belt40when in the restriction position denoted by a solid line inFIG.22, it is possible to position the restrictor60in the restriction position and transport the preceding medium P1and the succeeding medium P2nipped between the transport belt40and the driven roller61when the preceding medium P1and the succeeding medium P2are transported by the transport belt40, overlap with each other. That is, it is possible to support the transport of the medium P by the transport belt40with the driven roller61.

InFIG.22, the succeeding medium P2is superimposed on the preceding medium P1, but it can be reversed, of course.

On Driven Roller

Focusing on the driven roller61, the driven roller61is configured to move between the transport position where the medium P can be nipped between the transport belt40and the driven roller61as shown in an upper diagram ofFIG.23and the retreat position farther from the transport belt than the transport position as shown in a lower diagram ofFIG.23. The driven roller61in the transport position is denoted by a solid line and the driven roller61in the retreat position is denoted by a dotted line inFIG.22.

More specifically, the driven roller61is supported by the base portion62including the restrictor60to be described below. The base portion62swings about the pivot shaft60aand the driven roller61moves between the transport position and the retreat position.

Then, the driven roller61is in the retreat position when a single sheet of the medium P is transported in the transport belt40and in the transport position when a plurality of sheets of medium P are transported in the transport belt40as shown inFIG.22.

For example, as shown in an upper diagram ofFIG.4, since the medium P is adsorbed on the transport surface40awhen a single sheet of medium P is transported, the driven roller61is in the retreat position, and it is possible to transport only by the adsorption force in the transport belt40.

On the other hand, since the driven roller61is in the transport position when a plurality of sheets of medium P are transported in the transport belt40as shown inFIG.22, it is possible to transport the overlapping preceding medium P1and the succeeding medium P2nipped between the driven roller61and the transport belt40. Therefore, it is possible to transport, and appropriately place in the first tray35, the preceding medium P1and the succeeding medium P2in an overlapping state even if the preceding medium P1positioned below is not adsorbed on the transport surface40a.

Further, as shown inFIG.22, when a first driven roller63configured to rotate by the movement of the transport belt40is provided inside the ring of the transport belt40and the driven roller61is in the transport position, the transport belt40is nipped between the driven roller61and the first driven roller63. In this way, it is possible to suppress an increase in a driving load of the transport belt40when the driven roller61is in the transport position.

On Guider

Next, a guider80provided in the −Y direction of the driven roller61will be described.

The guider80is configured to switch between a first state shown in a lower diagram ofFIG.23and a second state shown in an upper diagram ofFIG.23, and the guider80switching from the second state to the first state along with the movement of the driven roller61from the retreat position (the upper diagram ofFIG.23) to the transport position (lower diagram ofFIG.23) is provided.

The guider80in the first state shown in the lower diagram ofFIG.23is in a state of guiding a medium in a direction between the driven roller61in the transport position and the transport belt40. The guider80in the second state shown in the upper diagram ofFIG.23is along the placement surface of the first tray35.

The guider80is also shown inFIGS.12to15.FIGS.12and13show the second state of the guider80andFIGS.14and15show the first state of the guider80.

If the guider80is in the first state, as shown inFIG.24, the preceding medium P1is transported by a second transport roller pair33, advancing along the guider80even when, out of two sheets of media P of the overlapping preceding medium P1and the succeeding medium P2, the preceding medium P1below is not adsorbed on the transport surface40ato hang down. In this way, it is possible to guide and nip the leading end in the first transport direction +Y of the preceding medium P1between the driven roller61in the transport position and the transport belt40.

Since the guider80switches from the second state to the first state along with the movement of the driven roller61from the retreat position to the transport position, it is possible to bring the guider80into the first state when the driven roller61moves to the transport direction, that is, when a plurality of sheets of medium P are transported by the transport belt40. Therefore, it is possible to guide the preceding medium P1positioned below and not adsorbed on the transport surface40a, out of a plurality of media P, between the driven roller61and the transport belt40.

In the present embodiment, the guider80includes a first arm91which is positioned upstream of the driven roller61with respect to the first transport direction +Y and which constitutes the guider80and a second arm92which is positioned upstream of the first arm91with respect to the first transport direction +Y and which is connected with the first arm91, and the first arm in the first state shown in the lower diagram ofFIG.23configured to form a posture so as to shorten the distance between the surface facing the transport belt40and the transport belt40facing the driven roller61.

On Transporter

Next, the transporter34transporting the medium by the transport belt40will be described in detail.

In the transporter34shown inFIG.3, the transport belt40has the first adsorption area K1as an “adsorption area” in which the medium is adsorbed on the transport surface40aand is configured to transport the medium in the first transport direction +Y and the second transport direction −Y by adsorbing the medium in the adsorption area and rotating. The transport belt40is disposed above the medium P to be transported. That is, the transport belt40is configured to adsorb and transport the medium from above.

In the present embodiment, a second adsorption area K2in which the medium is adsorbed is provided upstream of the first adsorption area K1in the first transport direction +Y. It is possible to omit the second adsorption area K2in the transporter34.

As shown inFIG.2, two transport belts40are provided at an interval in the X-axis direction which is a width direction intersecting with the first transport direction +Y.

As shown inFIG.3, the annular transport belt40is wound around four rollers of a first roller46A, a second roller46B, a third roller46C, and a fourth roller46D. The fourth roller46D is configured to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise inFIG.3by the power of a drive source (not shown).

The transport belt40adsorbs the medium in the first adsorption area K1and the second adsorption area K2positioned between the first roller46A and the fourth roller46D.

InFIG.3, if the fourth roller46D rotates clockwise, the transport belt40also rotates clockwise and the medium adsorbed by the transport belt40is transported in the first transport direction +Y. Conversely, if the fourth roller46D rotates counterclockwise, the transport belt40also rotates counterclockwise and the medium adsorbed by the transport belt40is transported in the second transport direction −Y. The third roller46C is configured to move in a direction along a long hole48shown inFIG.3and to adjust the tension of the transport belt40.

The transporter34has a plurality of holes41as shown inFIG.2and includes the annular transport belt40driven to rotate and a first suction unit43provided inside the ring of the transport belt40as shown inFIG.3. The first suction unit43generates an adsorption force in a part of the plurality of holes41subjected to a negative pressure by the first sucker42. A suction pump or a suction fan can be used as the first sucker42.

More specifically, in the first suction unit43shown inFIG.3, the internal space is subjected to the negative pressure by the suction of the first sucker42. A lower portion of the first suction unit43facing the transport belt40is opened and a suction force is generated in the holes41of the transport belt40passing below the first suction unit43subjected to the negative pressure. The adsorption area corresponding to the first suction unit43is the first adsorption area K1.

A first peeler51shown inFIG.3is provided in a position corresponding to the first suction area K1in the second transport direction −Y. The first peeler51is configured to switch between a protrusion state where the first peeler51protrudes from the transport surface40aof the transport belt40as shown inFIG.7and a retreat state where the first peeler51does not protrude from the transport surface40aas shown inFIG.3. By switching from the retreat state shown inFIG.3to the protrusion state shown inFIG.7, the first peeler51peels the medium P from the transport belt40.

Further, a second suction unit45, in which an adsorption force is generated in a part of the plurality of holes41subjected to negative pressure by a second sucker44, is provided upstream in the first transport direction +Y of the first suction unit43inFIG.3. If a switching position F shown in a lower diagram ofFIG.4to be described below is set to be a reference, the second suction unit45is disposed between the second transport roller pair33in the first transport direction +Y and the switching position F inside the ring of the transport belt40.

The second sucker44sucks the air inside the second suction unit45through a conduit47to subject the inside of the second suction unit45to negative pressure. A suction pump or a suction fan can be used as the second sucker44. The adsorption area corresponding to the second suction unit45is the second adsorption area K2.

As described with reference toFIGS.4and5, the transport belt40is configured to adsorb the medium P delivered from the second transport roller pair33on the transport belt40to transport the medium P in the first transport direction +Y such that the first end portion E1of the medium is transported to the predetermined switching position F and the medium P is transported in the second transport direction −Y to be placed in the first tray35.

In the following, the transport of the medium P to the first tray35by the transporter34will be described with reference toFIGS.4and5.

The medium P transported in the first transport direction +Y by the second transport roller pair33is adsorbed on the transport belt40by the adsorption force in the first adsorption area K1and the second adsorption area K2and is transported in the first transport direction +Y, as shown in the upper diagram ofFIG.4. The white arrow indicates the moving direction of the transport belt40in the upper diagram ofFIG.4. That is, the transport belt40rotates clockwise in a plan view of the upper diagram ofFIG.4.

If the medium P is further transported from the state of the upper diagram ofFIG.4and the first end portion E1of the medium P reaches the switching position F as shown in the lower diagram ofFIG.4, the rotation of the transport belt40is reversed and the medium P is transported in the second transport direction −Y. That is, the transport belt40is rotated counterclockwise in the plan view of the lower diagram ofFIG.4.

In the present embodiment, a medium detector49is provided between the transporter34and the second transport roller pair33, and it is possible to determine the switching timing of the rotation direction of the transport belt40based on the detection of the medium P in the medium detector49.

For example, the transport belt40is rotated clockwise by as much as a predetermined driving amount after the medium detector49detects the first end portion E1of the medium P transported in the first transport direction +Y, and the transport belt40is rotated counterclockwise once the first end portion E1is transported to the switching position F.

Further, the medium detector may be provided in the switching position F and the rotation direction of the transport belt40may be switched at the detection timing of the first end portion E1in the switching position F.

A second peeler52peeling from the transport belt40the medium P adsorbed in the second adsorption area K2of the transport belt40is provided in the transporter34. The second peeler52has a pivot shaft52aupstream in the second transport direction −Y with respect to the second adsorption area K2and swings with a downstream end as a free end. The second peeler52is positioned inside the rim of the transport belt40as shown in the upper diagram ofFIG.4when the medium P is adsorbed in the second adsorption area K2and swings to protrude outside the rim of the transport belt40as shown in an upper diagram ofFIG.5when the medium P adsorbed in the second adsorption area K2is peeled from the transport belt40.

As shown inFIG.6, the second peeler52includes a second peeler52A provided between the two transport belts40which is the width direction and a second peeler52B and a second peeler52C provided on two sides of the two transport belts40in the X-axis direction. That is, a plurality of the second peelers52are provided in the X-axis direction which is the width direction intersecting with the second transport direction −Y.

After the first end portion E1of the medium P transported in the first transport direction +Y is positioned in the switching position F, the second peeler52is made to protrude outside the rim of the transport belt40before the transport direction of the medium P is switched from the first transport direction +Y to the second transport direction −Y.

In this way, it is possible to guide the medium P toward the first tray35positioned below the transport belt40while suppressing a re-adsorption of the medium P in the second adsorption area K2when the medium P is transported in the second transport direction −Y.

Further, the transporter34includes the first peeler51in a position corresponding to the first adsorption area K1described above.

If the medium P is fed by the transport belt40in the second transport direction −Y, the first end portion E1of the medium P is positioned in the aligner38of the first tray35as shown in the upper diagram ofFIG.5, the rotation of the transport belt40is stopped, the first peeler51is switched from the retreat position to the protrusion state shown in a lower diagram ofFIG.5, and the medium P is peeled from the first adsorption area K1. Therefore, it is possible to place the medium P in the first tray35in a state where the first end portion E1of the medium P is straightened in the predetermined position.

It is possible to determine that the first end portion E1of the medium P is transported to the position of the aligner38and stop the rotation of the transport belt40when predetermined time elapses after the transport direction of the medium P is switched from the first transport direction +Y to the second transport direction −Y. Further, it is possible to provide a detector configured to detect the first end portion E1in the position of the aligner38and stop the rotation of the transport belt40at the time when the detector detects the first end portion E1.

As the first peeler51is brought into the protrusion state, the second peeler52retreats to the transport surface40aside as shown in a lower diagram ofFIG.5and it is possible to adsorb the medium P in the second adsorption area K2.

Therefore, if the medium transported earlier is taken as a preceding medium P1, it is possible to receive and adsorb the succeeding medium P2successively transported in the second adsorption area K2while peeling the preceding medium P1from the transport belt40by the first peeler51and placing the medium P1in the first tray35.

When the succeeding medium P2is transported following the preceding medium P1, the first peeler51is configured to be displaced from the retreat state shown in the upper diagram ofFIG.5to the protrusion state shown in the lower diagram ofFIG.5, press the preceding medium P1placed in the first tray35, maintaining the protrusion state, after the preceding medium P1is peeled from the transport belt40, and be displaced to the retreat position before the succeeding medium P2reaches the first adsorption area K1, when the succeeding medium P2is transported following the preceding medium P1. In this way, it is possible to alleviate the concern that the preceding medium P1placed in the first tray35floats up and is adsorbed again on the transport belt40by the time the succeeding medium P2reaches the first adsorption area K1.

It is possible to set the timing of the first peeler51in the protrusion state in the lower diagram ofFIG.5returning to the retreat state after an elapse of a predetermined time from the detection of the succeeding medium P2by the medium detector49, for example. It is possible to set the predetermined time within a range where the succeeding medium P2transported in the first transport direction +Y does not reach the first adsorption area K1after the succeeding medium P2is detected by the medium detector49.

Further, for example, it is possible to provide a medium detector separate from the medium detector49downstream of the medium detector49in the first transport direction +Y and upstream of the first adsorption area K1and bring the first peeler51into the retreat state at the time when the medium detector detects the succeeding medium P2.

It is desirable that the first peeler51is in the protrusion state until immediately before the succeeding medium P2reaches the first adsorption area K1. In this way, it is possible to further alleviate the concern of re-adsorption of the preceding medium P1on the transport belt40.

The first peeler51and the second peeler52swing by the power of a driving source (not shown). It is possible to drive the first peeler51and the second peeler52by a common driving source. It is needless to say that the peelers may be driven by separate driving sources.

Further, in the present embodiment, the transport belt40is of a suction and adsorption type, but it is also possible to use a transport belt of an electrostatic adsorption type, for example.

Further, the adsorption area in the transport belt40can be made of only the first adsorption area K1, the second adsorption area K2being omitted, and it is possible to configure the transport belt40with three or more adsorption areas to which adsorption force is imparted by individual suckers and suction units.

In the present embodiment, it is possible to regard the processing unit4as a “medium processing device” including the medium discharging device30and the processor36executing predetermined processing on the medium placed in the first tray35. Further, it is possible to regard the recording system1as a “medium processing device” including the medium discharging device30and the processor36executing predetermined processing on the medium placed in the first tray35. Further, it is also possible to regard the recording system1minus the recording function as a “medium discharge device”. Alternatively, from the viewpoint of the medium discharging, it is possible to regard the recording system1itself as a recording discharging device even if the recording function is included.

Further, it is needless to say that the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment, that various modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure described in the claims, and that the modifications are also included within the scope of the present disclosure.