Patent Publication Number: US-7210681-B2

Title: Paper discharge unit and printing apparatus employing the paper discharge unit

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a paper discharge unit for discharging papers on which images, for example, have been printed by a plurality of printing engines. The present invention also relates to a printing apparatus that employs the paper discharge unit. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Recently, printing services, wherein images which have been photographed with digital cameras are printed, are being provided, along with the spread of digital cameras. As a manner in which these printing services are provided, there is known a printing apparatus provided with a plurality of printing engines, each housing paper therein (refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-162871). The printing apparatus is configured to receive a recording medium such as a SmartMedia™ having image data recorded therein, and to print images represented by the image data with the plurality of printing engines within the apparatus. By providing a plurality of printing engines, image data can be printed in parallel. Thus, high speed, efficient printing processes are enabled. 
     Various types of paper sizes exist for the paper on which images are printed. Examples include: postcard size, 3×5, 4×6, and CD size. Each printing engine performs printing on papers of a plurality of paper sizes. A discharge mechanism capable of discharging the largest print size is provided, in order to enable discharge of all of the print sizes. 
     The discharge mechanism is constituted by a chute box, which guides the papers output by the print engines to an ejection opening. For example, the chute box of a printing apparatus, which prints onto papers of the postcard size, 3×5, 4×6, and the CD size, is capable of discharging papers of the 4×6 size, and has a width so that the 4×6 size papers do not rotate therein. 
     However, when papers smaller than the 4×6 size move through the chute box gaps exist between the chute box and the papers. Therefore, the papers rotate within the discharge mechanism. When the papers fall to the ejection opening, the papers may be in disarray, or flipped over. Therefore, a problem exists in that when a user removes the papers from the ejection opening, they are not organized. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been developed in view of the problem described above. It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper discharge unit which is capable of discharging papers so that they are arranged in position, even in the case that papers of different sizes are inserted thereinto. It is another object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus that employs the discharge unit. 
     The paper discharge unit of the present invention comprises: 
     a chute box having a plurality of slots for inserting papers of different sizes thereinto, provided at different heights in a first surface thereof; 
     a plurality of guide members, inclined downwardly from the plurality of slots, provided to form a gap through which the papers fall toward a second surface of the chute box facing the first surface in which the plurality of slots are formed; wherein 
     the chute box is provided with side walls for regulating widthwise movement on the guide member of a first paper, having the largest width among the papers; and 
     each of the guide members is provided with a guide rib for regulating widthwise movement of a second paper, which is smaller than the first paper, in cooperation with one of the side walls, the guide ribs extending from the slots to the second surface of the chute box. 
     The printing apparatus of the present invention comprises: 
     a plurality of printing engines capable of discharging papers of different sizes on which images are printed, the printing engines being housed in the printing apparatus in a stacked manner; 
     a chute box having a plurality of slots for inserting papers of different sizes discharged by the printing engines thereinto, provided corresponding to each of the printing engines in a first surface thereof; 
     a plurality of guide members, inclined downwardly from the plurality of slots, provided to form a gap through which the papers fall toward a second surface of the chute box facing the first surface in which the plurality of slots are formed; wherein 
     the chute box is provided with side walls for regulating widthwise movement on the guide member of a first paper, having the largest width among the papers; and 
     each of the guide members is provided with a guide rib for regulating widthwise movement of a second paper, which is smaller than the first paper, in cooperation with one of the side walls, the guide ribs extending from the slots to the second surface of the chute box. 
     Note that the “guide ribs” may be provided so that the width between them and the one of the side walls becomes narrower toward the second surface of the chute box. 
     In addition, the “guide ribs” may be provided so that upper edges thereof approach the second surface of the chute box toward the end of the guide ribs away from the slots. 
     Downwardly extending sheet members may be provided at the distal ends of the guide members, the sheet members being in contact with the second surface of the chute box. 
     Further, the sheet member may be provided with a first space for both edges in the width direction of the first paper to be inserted in, and a second space for both edges in the width direction of the second paper to be inserted in, in the case that the first and second papers are curled in the cross section of their width directions. 
     Still further, a paper housing portion for stacking and housing the papers may be provided below the chute box; and 
     a position controlling member for causing the papers which fall through the chute box to be stacked in the same direction may be provided between the chute box and the paper housing portion. 
     According to the paper discharge unit of the present invention and the printing apparatus using the same, when papers are inserted into the chute box and move therethrough while being guided, movement of the first paper, having the largest width, is regulated by the side walls of the chute box. Meanwhile, movement of the second paper is regulated by one of the side walls and the guide rib. Therefore, even in the case that papers of different sizes are inserted from the slots, the second paper does not rotate within the chute box. Accordingly, the first papers and the second papers are respectively discharged from the chute box at substantially uniform positions. 
     The guide ribs may be provided so that the width between them and the one of the side walls becomes narrower toward the second surface of the chute box. In this case, even if a plurality of the second papers are inserted into the slots in a state that they are slightly shifted in the width directions thereof, they are caused to fall from substantially the same position. 
     The guide ribs may also be provided so that upper edges thereof approach the second surface of the chute box toward the end of the guide ribs away from the slots. In this case, the first papers which pass over the guide ribs can be positively be guided to the gap formed between the guide member and the second surface of the chute box. 
     Downwardly extending sheet members may be provided at the distal ends of the guide members, the sheet members being in contact with the second surface of the chute box. In this case, the papers which fall through the gap are urged toward the second surface of the chute box. Therefore, the papers do not strike other guide members along their descent. 
     Further, the sheet member may be provided with a first space for both edges in the width direction of the first paper to be inserted in, and a second space for both edges in the width direction of the second paper to be inserted in, in the case that the first and second papers are curled in the cross section of their width directions. In this case, rotation of the first papers and the second papers is prevented. 
     Still further, a paper housing portion for stacking and housing the papers may be provided below the chute box; and 
     a position controlling member for causing the papers which fall through the chute box to be stacked in the same direction may be provided between the chute box and the paper housing portion. In this case, the papers which fall into the paper housing portion may be stacked in an arranged state. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a printing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a view showing printing engines of the printing apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of a paper discharge unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the paper discharge unit of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view showing a gap of a guide member of the paper discharge unit of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view showing sheet members provided in the gap of the paper discharge unit of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view showing the periphery of a paper housing portion of the paper discharge unit of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view showing the manner in which papers fall from the guide members of the paper discharge unit of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a printing apparatus  1 . The printing apparatus  1  is installed at a storefront, for example, to provide a printing service, wherein users print images represented by image data photographed by digital cameras, on a self-serve basis. The printing apparatus  1  comprises: a touch panel monitor  2 ; a media insertion slot  3 ; a print discharge opening  4 ; and a payment slot  5 . When a user performs printing of images using the printing apparatus, he first inserts a recording medium into the media insertion slot  3 . Then, the images recorded in the recording medium are displayed on the touch panel monitor  2 . At this time, the user selects the images to be printed, sets print sizes of the images, sets the number of prints, and inserts money for a charge corresponding to the number of prints into the payment slot. Thereafter, the printing apparatus performs printing of the images, and papers on which the images have been printed are discharged from the print discharge opening  4 . 
     The printing apparatus  1  is constructed so as to enable provision of a plurality of printing engines  10  therein, as shown in  FIG. 2 . The printing engines  10  perform printing of images on papers. Four print engines  10 ,  11 ,  12 , and  13  are provided in the printing apparatus  1  shown in  FIG. 2 . The print engines  10 ,  11 ,  12 , and  13  perform color printing on thermal recording paper by the thermo-autochrome method, for example. The printing engines  10 ,  11 ,  12 , and  13  house papers corresponding to a plurality of print sizes (3×5, postcard size, CD size and the like) in the form of curled sheets. When the user specifies a print size from among 4×6, 3×5, postcard size, CD size, and the like, each of the printing engines  10 ,  11 ,  12 , and  13  performs printing of image data onto papers of the specified print size. 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view of a paper stacking portion  20  (paper discharge unit) employed by the printing apparatus of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is a front view of the paper stacking portion  20 . The paper stacking portion  20  of  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  is mounted on the paper discharge side of the printing engines  10 ,  11 ,  12 , and  13 . The paper stacking portion  20  comprises a chute box  30 , a plurality of guide members  40 , guide ribs  50 , and a paper housing portion  70 . The chute box  30  of  FIG. 3  is provided for papers OP discharged from the printing engines  10 ,  11 ,  12 , and  13  to fall through to the paper housing portion  70 . Slots  31  are formed for insertion of the papers OP into the chute box  30 . The slots  31  are provided at a plurality of heights, corresponding to the paper ejection openings of the printing engines  10 ,  11 ,  12 , and  13 . 
     The chute box  30  of  FIG. 4  comprises a hollow portion  32  for guiding the papers OP, which have been inserted through the slots  31 , to the discharge opening  4 . The width W of the hollow portion  32  is formed so as to allow a first paper OP 1  having the largest size (e.g., 4×6), which is ejected from the printing engines  10 ,  11 ,  12 , and  13  (inserted through the slots  31 ), to pass therethrough. Further, the width W is formed to be shorter than the diagonal length of the first paper OP 1 , so that it does not rotate within the chute box  30 . That is, the side walls of the chute box  30  restrict movement of the first paper OP 1  in the widthwise direction thereof (the direction indicated by arrow X). 
     The guide members  40  are provided at the lower sides of the slots  31  of the chute box  30 . One end  40   a  of each of the guide members  40  is positioned at the lower side of the corresponding slot  31 , and the other end  40   b  is positioned toward a second surface  33  of the chute box  30 , which faces the surface in which the slots  31  are formed. The guide members  40  are also inclined downward (the direction indicated by arrow Z 1 ) from the slots  31 . 
     Gaps  35  are formed between the ends  40   b  of the guide members  40  and the second surface  33 . The papers OP which have slid off the guide members  40  fall downward (the direction indicated by the arrow Z 1 ) through the gaps  35 . Thereby, the papers which have been ejected from the printing engines  10 ,  11 ,  12 , and  13  slide along the guide members  40  from the slots  31  toward the ends  40   b,  then fall through the gaps  35 . 
     The guide ribs  50  are provided on the guide members  40 . The guide ribs  50  serve to regulate movement of the papers OP on the guide members  40 . The guide ribs  50  serve to regulate movement of a second paper OP 2  having a smaller width (e.g., 3×5) than the first paper OP 1 , which is inserted through the slots  31  from the printing engines  10 ,  11 ,  12 , and  13 , in its widthwise direction (the direction indicated by the arrow X) Specifically, the guide ribs  50  are provided at positions that allow the second paper OP 2  to pass between them and a side wall  34   b  of the chute box  30 , while preventing the second paper OP 2  from rotating. Thereby, when the second paper OP 2  is inserted from the slots  31 , movement in the widthwise direction thereof is regulated by the guide ribs  50 , in cooperation with the side wall  34   b.    
     Here, the guide ribs  50  are provided so that the widths between them and the side wall  34   b  narrow toward the second surface  33  of the chute box  30  from the ends  40   a  (at the side of the slots  31 ) of the guide members  40 . Therefore, even in the case that the second paper OP 2  is inserted from the slots  31  shifled in the direction of the arrow X, or inclined with respect to the direction indicated by arrow X, the second paper  0 P 2  is guided while its widthwise movement is regulated, and caused to fall through the gap  35  at substantially the same position. Note that in the case that a plurality of first papers OP 1  are shifled in their widthwise directions (the direction indicated by the arrow X) when inserted through the slots  31 , they are caused to fall in an aligned state by side walls  34   a  and  34   b.    
     Further, upper edges  50   a  of the guide ribs  50  are provided to approach the second surface  33  of the chute box  30  toward the ends  40   b  of the guide members  40 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , which is a bottom plan view of the gap  35 , the upper edges  50   a  contact the curled first sheet OP 1 , to regulate rotation thereof. 
     Elastic sheet members  60 , formed of plastic film or the like, are attached to the ends  40   b  of the guide members  40 . The sheet members  60  are attached to the ends  40   b  of the guide members  40 , and extend downward (the direction indicated by the arrow Z 1 ) into the gap  35 . The sheet members  60  are in contact with the second surface  33  of the chute box  30 , and the papers OP fall between the sheet members  60  and the second surface  33 . At this time, the sheet members  60  apply force to the papers OP in the direction that presses them toward the second surface  33  (the direction indicated by arrow Y 2 ). This force prevents the papers OP from getting stuck on the other guide members  40  along their descent, thereby preventing paper jams. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the sheet members  60  have first spaces  61  for accommodating both widthwise edges of the first sheets OP 1 ; and second spaces  62  for accommodating both widthwise edges of the second sheets OP 2 . Thereby, the curled first papers OP 1  and the curled second papers OP 2  fall along the sheet members  60  in a state in which both edges thereof are accommodated within the first spaces  61  and the second spaces  62 . Therefore, rotation of the first papers OP 1  and the second papers OP 2  during their descents is prevented. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the paper housing portion  70  is placed beneath the chute box  30 . The paper housing portion  70  stacks and houses the papers OP which have fallen through the chute box  30 . A housing surface  71  is inclined with respect to the X-Y plane. A substantially flat surface  72  is provided on the downstream side of the housing surface  71 . The edges of the papers OP, which fall from the chute box  30 , strike the housing surface  71 , move toward the downstream side thereof, and the edges are aligned by the flat surface  72 . Meanwhile, the papers OP fall in a state in which movement in the widthwise directions (the direction indicated by the arrow X) thereof is restricted by the side walls  34   a,    34   b,  and the guide ribs  50 . Therefore, the papers OP fall at substantially the same positions in the X direction (refer to  FIG. 4 ). Accordingly, when the papers OP are stacked, their edges are aligned. 
     A position controlling member  80  is mounted beneath the chute box  30 , on the upper part of the paper housing portion  70 . The position controlling member  80  comprises a position controlling sheet  81  and the lowest guide member  41 . The lowest guide member  41  is provided to extend from the slot  31  so that a portion of the second surface  33  is positioned above the gap  35 . The position controlling sheet  81  is attached to the lowermost portion of the chute box  30 , and extends downward so as to contact the surface of the lowest guide member  41 . The edges of the papers OP which have fallen through the gap  35  strike the lowest guide member  41 , and the papers OP are caused to be laid in the Y direction. At this time, the position controlling sheet  81  aids in the laying of the papers OP by applying a force thereon in the direction toward the slots  31  (the direction indicated by arrow Y 1 ). Thereafter, the papers OP move toward the downstream side of the lowest guide member  41 , and fall into the paper housing portion  70 . 
     That is, the papers OP fall in the direction indicated by the arrow Z, oriented in an erect position by the guide members  40  and the sheet members  60 . If the papers OP fall into the paper housing portion  70  in this state, shock will be applied to the papers OP already stacked therein, possibly causing damage thereto. At this time, by the position controlling member  80  laying the papers OP down from their erect positions, the shock applied to the papers OP which are already stacked within the paper housing portion  70  is reduced. Thereby, damage to the papers OP is prevented. 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram showing the movement of the paper OP from the slots  31  to the gap  35 . An example of the operation of the paper stacking portion  20  will be described with reference to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 8 . First, papers OP ejected from the printing engines  10 ,  11 ,  12 , and  13  are inserted into the chute box  30  through the slots  31 . Then, the papers OP are guided by the guide members  40  to slide into the gap  35 . At this time, the first papers OP 1  are regulated in their widthwise movement by the side walls  34   a  and  34   b  of the chute box  30 . Meanwhile, the second papers OP 2  are regulated in their widthwise movement by the guide ribs  50  and the side wall  34   b.  All of the first papers OP 1 , having been guided by the side walls  34   a  and  34   b,  fall from substantially the same position of the gap  35 . All of the second papers OP 2 , having been guided by the side wall  34   b  and the guide ribs  50 , fall from substantially the same position of the gap  35 , after sliding along the inclined guide members  40 . 
     Thereafter, the papers OP which fall through the gap  35  descend while being pressed against the second surface  33  by the sheet members  60 . Further, the first papers OP 1  and the second papers OP 2  fall while being restricted from rotating by the first spaces  61  and the second spaces  62 , respectively. 
     Then, when the papers OP have fallen to the lowermost portion of the chute box  30 , the papers OP fall into the paper housing portion  70  in a state in which they are laid down in the Y direction. The edges of the papers OP are aligned by the flat surface  72 , and the papers OP are stacked. 
     According to the embodiment described above, when papers OP are inserted into the chute box  30  and move therethrough while being guided by the guide members  40 , movement of the first paper OP 1 , having the largest width, is regulated by the side walls  34   a  and  34   b  of the chute box  30 . Meanwhile, widthwise movement of the second paper OP 2  is regulated by the side wall  34   b  and the guide ribs  50 . Therefore, even in the case that papers OP of different sizes are inserted from the slots  31 , the second paper OP 2  does not rotate within the chute box. Accordingly, the first papers OP 1  and the second papers OP 2  are respectively discharged from the chute box  30  at substantially uniform positions. 
     The guide ribs  50  are provided so that the width between them and the side wall  34   b  becomes narrower toward the second surface  33  of the chute box  30 . Therefore, even if a plurality of the second papers OP 2  are inserted into the slots  31  in a state that they are slightly shifted in the width directions thereof, they are caused to fall from substantially the same position. 
     The guide ribs  50  are also provided so that the upper edges  50   a  thereof approach the second surface  33  of the chute box  30  toward the end of the guide ribs  50  away from the slots  31 . Therefore, the first papers OP 1  which pass over the guide ribs  50  can be positively be guided to the gap  35  formed between the guide members  40  and the second surface  33  of the chute box  30 . 
     Downwardly extending sheet members  60  are provided at the distal ends of the guide members  40 , the sheet members  60  being in contact with the second surface  33  of the chute box  30 . Therefore, the papers OP which fall through the gap  35  are urged toward the second surface  33  of the chute box  30 . Accordingly, the papers OP do not strike other guide members  40  along their descent. 
     Further, the sheet members  60  are provided with the first spaces  61  for both edges in the width direction of the first paper OP 1  to be inserted in, and the second spaces  62  for both edges in the width direction of the second paper OP 2  to be inserted in, in the case that the first and second papers are curled in the cross section of their width directions. Therefore, rotation of the first papers OP 1  and the second papers OP 2  is prevented. 
     Still further, the position controlling member  80  for causing the papers OP which fall through the chute box  30  to be stacked in the same direction is provided between the chute box  30  and the paper housing portion  70 . Therefore, the papers OP which fall into the paper housing portion  70  are stacked in an arranged state. 
     The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. For example, guide ribs  50  for guiding papers OP of the 3×5 size are provided on the guide members  40 . However, guide ribs  50  may be provided for guiding papers OP of the postcard size or the CD size. In addition, a single guide rib  50  for guiding the papers OP of the 3×5 size is provided on each guide member  40 . However, a plurality of guide ribs  50 , for guiding papers OP of the 3×5 size, the postcard size, and the CD size, respectively, may be provided on each guide member  40 . 
     In this case, in the same manner that the guide ribs  50  do not interfere with the movement of the curled first papers OP 1 , the guide ribs for the papers OP of the postcard size and the guide ribs for the papers OP of the CD size do not interfere with the curled papers OP of the 3×5 size. Movement of the postcard size papers OP and the CD size papers OP on the guide member  40  is also restricted. Therefore, rotation of all of the papers OP on the guide members  40  is prevented.