JPH09278243A - Image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) An object of the present invention is to prevent the recording paper from jamming or skewing when the recording paper is passed through a conveyance path by curling the leading end of the recording paper roll. An image recording device capable of performing the above is provided. A tip of a recording paper roll R is nipped by a nip portion of a feed roller 24 and a sponge roller 24a and curled so as to be bent in the same direction as the winding direction of the recording paper roll R.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus, and more particularly to an image recording apparatus that uses a recording paper (recording paper roll) wound in a roll shape and corrects the curl to perform an image recording operation. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some image recording apparatuses use recording paper wound in a roll shape and correct the curl and perform an image recording operation. This type of image recording apparatus includes, for example, a group of rollers that pulls out and conveys the leading edge of the recording paper from a recording paper roll, a curl correction mechanism that corrects curl of the recording paper that is pulled out from the recording paper roll, and a recording device. It is equipped with a cutter that cuts the paper to a length according to the size of the recorded image, and an image recording unit that uses an electrophotographic recording system.The curl correction mechanism uses, for example, the recording paper pulled out by the conveyance roller group in the curl direction. The decal member is pressed against the recording paper being conveyed so as to bend in the opposite direction.

[0003]

However, in such a conventional image recording apparatus, it is possible to correct the curl of the recording paper by the curl correcting mechanism.
The curl correction capability of the curl correction mechanism is for the entire length of the recording paper cut from the recording paper roll.

For example, if there is no curl correction mechanism as shown in FIG. 10 (a), and the amount of curl of the recording paper is A, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), the curl correction mechanism is used. When the curl was corrected, the amount was only B as a whole, and there was little effect on the leading edge of the recording paper. That is, even if the curl correcting mechanism is used, the curl amount cannot be reduced to zero.

Therefore, when the recording paper is passed through the conveying path, the leading end of the recording paper is caught in the conveying path, which causes a problem such as a jam or a skew. Therefore, the present invention provides an image recording apparatus capable of preventing a recording sheet from jamming, skewing, or the like when the recording sheet is curled at the leading end thereof when the recording sheet is passed through a conveyance path. The purpose is to do.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In order to solve the above problems, a paper feed cassette that is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, a conveyance unit that pulls out the recording paper from a recording paper roll housed in the paper feed cassette, and conveys the recording paper in a predetermined conveyance direction, In an image recording apparatus provided with a cutting means for cutting a recording paper into a predetermined length at a predetermined position in the transport direction and an image recording means for recording an image on the recording paper at a downstream side of the cutting means in the transport direction, It is characterized in that tip curl means for curling the tip portion so as to be bent in a predetermined direction is provided downstream of the cutter portion in the transport direction.

In that case, since the leading end of the recording paper roll is curled so as to be bent in a predetermined direction, the leading end of the recording paper is caught in the carrying path when the recording paper is passed through the carrying path. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the recording paper from jamming or skewing. If the predetermined direction is at least the same direction as the curl direction of the recording paper pulled out from the recording paper roll, the recording paper will be further curled, so the curl direction of the recording paper pulled out from the recording paper roll. It is preferable to set in the opposite direction.

Further, since the conventional curl correcting means is unnecessary, the cost of the image recording apparatus is reduced accordingly.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 2 has a curl correcting means for correcting the curl of the recording paper on the upstream side of the cutting means in the conveying direction in the invention according to claim 1, wherein the leading edge curl is provided. The means is characterized in that the leading end of the recording paper roll is curled in the same direction as the winding direction of the recording paper roll.

In this case, not only the leading edge of the recording paper but also the curl of the entire length of the recording paper is corrected by the curl correcting means, so that when the recording paper is passed through the conveying path, the recording paper is caught in the conveying path. This is further prevented, and it is possible to further prevent jamming and skewing of the recording paper. Further, in the present invention, since the leading end of the recording paper roll is curled by the leading end curl means in the same direction as the winding direction of the recording paper roll, the recording paper pulled out from the recording paper roll by the curl straightening means is wound around the recording paper roll. Even if the curl is corrected in the direction opposite to the curl direction, the curl is applied in the direction opposite to the curl correction direction (that is, the same direction as the winding direction of the recording paper roll). It is possible to prevent curled recording paper from curling in the same direction as a whole.

Further, in the present invention, when the curl is corrected by the fixing device when the recording paper is discharged as in the electrophotographic method, the curl correction by the curl correcting means is not effective for curling the discharged recording paper. In terms of preventing the occurrence of jams and skews when the recording paper is passed, a remarkable effect can be obtained. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the conveying unit is arranged between a recording paper roll and an image recording unit,
The recording paper is sandwiched and conveyed by a plurality of conveying rollers, and the leading end curl means is a driving means for driving the conveying roller pair, is downstream in the conveying direction from the cutting means, and is closest to the cutting means. The driving means is stopped for a predetermined time in a state where the leading end of the recording paper roll is held in the nip portion of the conveying roller pair.

In that case, one of the conveying roller pairs is used,
By sandwiching the leading end of the recording paper roll in the nip portion of the pair of conveying rollers, the leading end of the recording paper can be curled with a simple structure, and the cost of the image recording apparatus can be further reduced. In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 4 is the same as the invention according to claim 1 or 2,
The conveying means is provided between the recording paper roll and the image recording means, and is composed of a plurality of pair of conveying rollers for nipping and conveying the recording paper, and the leading end curling means drives the pair of conveying rollers. A convex member provided on the recording paper conveyance path on the downstream side of the cutting means in the conveying direction, and a concave member facing the convex member and curving in a direction opposite to the protruding direction of the convex member, The drive means is characterized in that it stops for a predetermined period of time with the tip of the recording paper roll being sandwiched between the convex member and the concave member.

In this case, the front end of the recording paper can be curled with a simple structure by sandwiching the front end of the recording paper between a convex member and a concave member provided on the conveyance path, and the cost of the image recording apparatus can be reduced. Can be further reduced.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 9 are views showing an embodiment of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention. First, the configuration will be described. 1 to 6, an image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment has an apparatus main body 1 in which an image recording unit 10 as an image recording unit for forming an image on a recording sheet and a paper feed cassette 21 are detachable. Recording paper feeding for cutting the recording paper (hereinafter, referred to as recording paper roll R) wound in a roll shape and stored in the paper feeding cassette 21 into a predetermined length and feeding it to the image recording unit 10 And a section 20.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image recording section 10 includes a photosensitive belt 11 driven in the direction of arrow A, and a photosensitive belt 11.
Charger 12 for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, an optical writer 13 for optically writing an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive belt 11 based on input or read image information, and a static charger on the photosensitive belt 11. A developing device 14 that develops the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image, and a transfer device 15 that transfers the toner image on the photosensitive belt 11 onto the recording paper P.
The toner image is fixed on the recording paper P by a fixing device (not shown) and is discharged to the outside of the apparatus.

As shown in the perspective view of the main portion of FIG. 5, the recording paper feeding unit 20 is constructed in a paper feeding cassette 21 which is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 1 from the side where the recording paper roll R is stored. As shown in FIG. 1, a holder 22 for rotatably containing a recording paper roll R and a pressure roller are provided in a paper feed cassette 21.
The recording paper P is sandwiched between the recording paper P and the 23a, and the pickup roller 23 pulls out and conveys the recording paper P from the recording paper roll R when the recording paper P is driven to rotate in a predetermined direction. The feed roller 24 that conveys the recording paper P to the right side), the cutter unit 27 as a cutting unit that cuts the recording paper P into a predetermined length at a predetermined position in the conveyance direction of the recording paper P, and the pressure rollers 25a and 26a together with the recording paper P. Relay roller 25 and registration roller 26 that convey in the direction (upper side in FIG. 1)
And the recording paper P between the feed roller 24 and the relay roller 25.
And a mylar 29 as a flexible film that guides the recording paper P while allowing slack. Each of the rollers 23 to 26 is driven by a rotational driving force from a stepping motor, which will be described later, to convey the recording paper P on the conveying path 59, and the relay roller 25 has a rotational speed different from that of the other rollers 23. The transmission ratio of the rotation speed of the stepping motor is adjusted so as to be slower than the rotation speeds of 24, 26.

Further, the recording paper feeding section 20 is provided with a recording paper P when the image recording on the recording paper P of the image recording section 10 is completed and stands by.
Is cut by a cutter unit 27 and is conveyed by a predetermined amount downstream by a pickup roller 23 driven by a stepping motor. The pickup roller 23, the pressure roller 23a, the feed roller 24, the sponge roller 24a, the relay roller 25, the pressure roller 25a, the registration roller 26 and the pressure roller 26a are the same as those of the image recording paper unit 10 and the recording paper roll R. A conveying unit is provided between the recording sheet rolls R housed in the sheet feeding cassette 21 to pull out the recording sheet P and convey the recording sheet P in a predetermined conveying direction.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, a curl correcting mechanism 30 (curl correcting means) for correcting the curl of the recording paper P is provided upstream of the pickup roller 23 in the recording paper conveying direction. . The curl correction mechanism 30 includes a decurling roller 33 (decal member), swing arms 35a and 35b (swing member), a lever 37, a torsion spring 41, and a solenoid 45.

The decal roller 33 is a swing arm 35 on the left and right.
Both ends of the recording paper P are supported by a and 35b, extend in the width direction of the recording paper P, and are pulled out from the recording paper roll R by swinging the swinging arms 35a and 35b to a predetermined position (described later). To curl the recording paper P. The left and right swing arms 35a and 35b are vertically swingably attached to the side plates 21a and 21b of the paper feed cassette 21 as shown in FIG. 5, and also have a decal roller 33 as shown in FIGS. The curl correction operation position C below which the recording paper P is brought into contact with the decurling roller 33 is separated from the recording paper P, and the upper release position B where the recording paper P is released is rocked. When the swing arms 35a, 35b are swung by a predetermined amount in the direction of the curl correction operation position C from the vertical, the swing arms 35a, 35b thereafter fall by their own weight and swing about the swing shaft by a predetermined amount. As shown in FIG. 4, the lever 37 is received by the lever 37 at a position where it abuts the stopper 50, and from this position, the curl straightening operation position C is resisted against the elastic force of the torsion spring 41 interposed in the lever 37. It is supposed to fall.

The lever 37 is attached to one side plate 21a (or both) of the sheet feeding cassette 21 so as to be vertically rotatable so as to face the decurling roller 33, and the swinging arms 35a and 35b are set at a predetermined position from the curl correcting operation position C. When the swing angle is within the range, the decal roller 33 is engaged. A notch 37a for receiving the decurling roller 33 is provided on one end side of the lever 37, and an abutting portion 37e with which the decurling roller 33 moved to the curl correcting operation position C abuts is provided at an upper portion of the notch 37a. Are formed. Further, the lever 37 is provided with a bracket portion 37b and a rotation base end portion 37c. A shaft 37d is provided at the rotating base end portion 37c, and one end side of the rotating arm 43 is engaged with the shaft 37d.
Shaft having 43a at the base end and provided on the side plate 21a
A plunger 45a of a solenoid 45 screwed and fixed to the side plate 21a is engaged with a notch 43b on one end side of the bracket 43a. Further, between the lever 37 and the boss 42 provided on the side plate 21a, there is a predetermined elastic force, and the base end of the torsion spring 41 is loosely inserted into the rotating shaft 38.
Is interposed and is urged by its elastic force in the clockwise direction in FIG. The elastic force of the torsion spring 41 is smaller than the own weight of the swing arms 35a and 35b including the leaf spring 39 and the decal roller 33.

When the recording of the image on the recording sheet P is completed and the solenoid 45 is stopped, the lever 37 is moved upward by the tension of the recording sheet P on the decurling roller 33 as shown in FIG. Since the force of is applied, the decal roller 33
At the same time, the curl correction operation release position D is turned. Also,
As shown in FIG. 2, when the solenoid 45 is driven, the plunger 45a is attracted, the rotating arm 43 is rotated clockwise, and the lever 37 is rotated counterclockwise against the elastic force of the torsion spring 41. To be done. Along with this, the notch 37 of the lever 37
The decurling roller 33, which has been received by a, passes over the curl straightening operation position C and hits the lower ends of the notches 34a and 34b provided in the side plates 21a and 21b, respectively, and is swung to the curl straightening operation position C, so that the lever 37 moves. The contact portion 37e hits the decal roller 33 and stops its swinging.

As shown in FIG. 6, the leaf spring 39 is attached to the swing arms 35a, 35b near the center by screws or the like. The leaf spring 39 is provided when the swing arms 35a and 35b swing to the release position B above the sheet cassette 21.
A stop member that comes into contact with 21 and stops the swing arms 35a and 35b at the release position B above the sheet cassette 21 is formed. Further, the leaf spring 39 constitutes a handle for manually swinging the swing arms 35a and 35b. Further, the leaf spring 39 is used when the sheet feeding cassette 21 is mounted on the apparatus main body 1 while the swing arms 35a and 35b are stopped at the release position B above the sheet feeding cassette 21. Swing arm 35 that abuts
a, 35b is bent through the projection 40 at the tip of the swing arm 35.
When a and 35b are detached from the guide member 16 provided on the main body base portion 17 of the apparatus main body 1, the swing arms 35a and 35b are swung to a state in which they are tilted in the direction of the curl correction operation position C from the vertical by a predetermined amount. It constitutes an elastic member. In the case of forming the stop member and the elastic member, it goes without saying that even if the leaf spring 39 is provided on the side of the sheet feeding cassette 21, the same operation is performed.

The protrusion 40 is provided at the tip of the swinging arms 35a and 35b, and the swinging arms 35a and 35b are stopped at the release position B above the sheet feeding cassette 21, and the sheet feeding cassette is attached to the apparatus main body 1. A guide member provided at a predetermined position of the main body base portion 17 when attaching and detaching the 21 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
Abut on 16. Although not shown, the main body base portion 17 is located below the image recording portion 10 and accommodates the paper feed cassette 21 in a detachable manner.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
An electromagnetic clutch 60 is provided on the rotary shaft of 24, and the electromagnetic clutch 60 is connected to a stepping motor 62 via a timing belt 61. The electromagnetic clutch 60 is ON / OFF controlled by a controller (not shown), and transmits the driving force of the stepping motor 62 to the feed roller 24 or disconnects it based on a command from the controller. .

The relay roller 25 and the registration roller 26 are connected to a stepping motor 62 via a timing belt 63 and driven by the stepping motor 62. Further, the feed roller 24 and the pickup roller 23 are connected by a timing belt 64, and the pickup roller 23 is driven by a stepping motor 62 via the timing belt 64 and rotates in synchronization with the feed roller 24. .

A recording paper detection sensor 65 is provided below the feed roller 24, and the detection sensor 65 detects the leading end of the recording paper P and outputs a signal to the controller. The controller controls ON / OFF of the electromagnetic clutch 60 based on the signal from the sensor 65. In this embodiment, the electromagnetic clutch 60 and the stepping motor 62 form a driving means. Further, in addition to the driving means including the electromagnetic clutch 60 and the stepping motor 62, the feed roller 24 and the sponge roller 24a constitute the tip curl means.

Next, the operation will be described. First, the paper feed cassette 21 is pulled out from the main body base portion 17 of the image recording apparatus 1, the recording paper roll R is housed in the holder portion 22 and the recording paper P is pulled out, and at the same time, the plates attached to the swing arms 35a and 35b. When the spring 39 is lifted upward to swing the swing arms 35a and 35b and swing from the curl correcting operation position C to the release position B above the sheet feeding cassette 21, the swing arms 35a and 35b.
The leaf spring 39 attached to 35b is the upper surface of the paper feed cassette 21.
21c, the leaf spring 39 bends by a predetermined amount and the swing arm 35
The swing of a and 35b is stopped. Along with this, lever 37
Is rotated and separated from the decal roller 33 at a predetermined position, and thereafter, is swung clockwise by the elastic force of the torsion spring 41, and stopped at a position where it abuts the stopper 50 as shown in FIG. To do. In this state, the recording paper P is set between the pickup roller 23 and the pressure roller 23a. At this time, since the decal roller 33 is located at the release position B above the paper feed cassette 21, the recording paper P can be easily set below the decal roller 33.

Then, after setting the recording paper P,
By manually swinging the swinging arms 35a and 35b from the release position B above the sheet feeding cassette 21 in the direction of the curl correcting operation position C, the decurling roller 33 is received by the notch 37a of the lever 37, and the curl correcting operation position is obtained. Move to C. At this time, the rotating arm 43 is rotated clockwise, the lever 37 is rotated counterclockwise against the elastic force of the torsion spring 41, and the lever 37 contacts the stopper 50 shown in FIG. Is swung from the curl correcting operation position C. At this time, since the solenoid 45 is not energized, the plunger 45a thereof is movable, and there is almost no drag even when the decurling roller 33 is swung to the curl correcting operation position C. Next, the paper feed cassette 21 is attached to the main body base portion 17 of the apparatus main body 1.

Here, if the recording paper P is set and the swing arms 35a and 35b are forgotten to be returned from the release position B above the paper feeding cassette 21 to the curl correcting operation position C, the swing arms 35a and 35b. The release position B above the paper feed cassette 21
With the paper feed cassette 21 still in place,
When mounted on the main body base portion 17 of the swing arm 35a, 35b
Of the guide member 16 of the main body base portion 17 of the apparatus main body 1
And the leaf spring 39 attached to the swing arms 35a and 35b is bent by a predetermined amount, and the protrusions of the swing arms 35a and 35b.
When 40 is disengaged from the guide member 16, the return force of the leaf spring 39 causes the swing arms 35a and 35b to swing from the vertical direction in the curl correcting operation position direction C by a predetermined amount, and thereafter, the leaf spring 39 and the decurl. Swing arm 35 including roller 33
It is swung by the rotational force due to its own weight of a and 35b and swung within a predetermined angle range from the curl correcting operation position C. At this time, the elastic force of the torsion spring 41 is applied to the decal roller 33.
Since the swinging arms 35a and 35b including the swinging force are smaller than the rotating force when swinging due to their own weight, the elastic force of the torsion spring 41 itself can be reduced, and against this, the driving force of the solenoid 45 that drives the lever 37. Can be made smaller. Therefore, the solenoid 45 can be downsized, and the curl correcting mechanism can be downsized and the cost can be reduced.

Next, the electromagnetic clutch 60 is turned on by the controller to transmit the driving force from the stepping motor 62 to the feed roller 24 and the pickup roller 23 via the timing belts 61 and 64, and the relay roller via the timing belt 63. 25 and registration roller 26
To drive the rollers 23 to 26 to convey the recording paper P.

At this time, the outer peripheral surface of the decurling roller 33 is applied to the outer surface of the recording paper P while the frictional force between the recording paper roll R and the bottom of the holder 22 and the tension due to the own weight of the recording paper roll R are applied to the recording paper P. It is slidably contacted, inverted, and conveyed. Also,
The decurling member 33 that corrects the curl of the recording paper P is applied with an upward force by the tension of the recording paper P, but the decurling roller 33 located at the curl correcting operation position C is used.
Is supported by the lever 37 and the left and right swing arms 35a, 35b, and is in contact with the decal roller 33 in the notch 37a.
Since it is engaged with 37e, the contact portion 37e limits the movement of the decal roller 33 within the cutout portion 37a. for that reason,
The decal roller 33 includes a lever 37 and right and left swing arms 35.
The curl straightening operation position C is held by the rigidity of a and 35b. Therefore, when the recording paper P is continuously conveyed,
In order to hold the decurling roller 33 in the curl correcting operation position C, it is necessary to maintain the energization of the solenoid 45.

The recording paper P that has passed through the conveying roller groups 23 to 26 is the final recording paper P on which an image is formed by the image recording unit 10.
After being cut by the cutter unit 27, the solenoid 45 is stopped. Then, the pickup roller 23 is driven for a predetermined time, and the recording paper P is conveyed by a predetermined amount. Therefore, the recording paper P between the recording paper roll R and the pickup roller 23 is conveyed downstream by the decurling roller 33, the recording paper P is tensioned with a predetermined tension, and the recording paper P is recorded on the decurling roller 33. A predetermined force is applied in the upward direction by the tension of ## EQU1 ## and the decurl roller 33 and the lever 37 receiving the decurl roller 33 are moved to the curl straightening operation releasing position D, as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the recording paper P pulled out to the transport path 59 by the rollers 23 to 26 is cut by the cutter unit 27 and becomes a strip-shaped recording paper P and is transported on the transport path 59. When the leading edge of the pulled-out recording paper P is detected by the recording paper sensor 65, a predetermined time elapses based on a command from the controller (the predetermined time is the hood after the sensor 65 detects the leading edge of the recording paper P). The electromagnetic clutch 60 is turned off when the leading edge of the recording paper P on the recording paper roll R side reaches the nip portion between the roller 24 and the sponge roller 24a).

At this time, the front end of the recording paper roller R is clamped by the nip portion of the feed roller 24 and the sponge roller 24a and stopped for a predetermined time (this predetermined time is cut when the recording paper roll R is attached). There is no particular limitation because it is not necessary to form an image on the recording paper that has been cut. However, during the image forming operation, the time when the image forming operation is completed on the cut recording paper P by the image forming unit 10 Set to the time to be printed).

At this time, since the relay roller 25 and the registration roller 26 are driven by the timing belt 63,
The cut strip-shaped recording paper P is conveyed toward the image forming unit 10 by the relay roller 25 and the registration roller 26 through the conveying path 59. Therefore, the leading end of the recording paper P nipped between the nip portion of the feed roller 24 and the sponge roller 24a bends the leading end of the recording paper P toward the sponge roller 24a side, so that the winding direction of the recording paper roll R ( Curls in the direction opposite to the curl correction direction).

As described above, in this embodiment, the recording paper roll R
The leading end of the recording paper P is nipped by the nip portion of the feed roller 24 and the sponge roller 24a and curled so as to be bent in the same direction as the winding direction of the recording paper roll R. When passing the paper, it is possible to prevent the leading end of the recording paper P from being caught in the transport path 59, and to prevent the recording paper P from jamming or skewing.

Further, since the curl straightening mechanism 30 for straightening the curl of the recording paper P is provided on the upstream side of the cutter unit 27 in the conveying direction, not only the front end of the recording paper P but also the entire length of the recording paper P can be detected by the curl straightening mechanism 30. The curl can be corrected, and when the recording paper P is passed through the conveyance path 59, the recording paper P is conveyed by the conveyance path 59.
It is possible to further prevent the recording paper P from being caught, and it is possible to further prevent jamming and skew of the recording paper P from occurring.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the leading end of the recording paper roll R is curled by the feed roller 24 and the sponge roller 24a in the same direction as the winding direction of the recording paper roll R, the recording paper is curled by the curl straightening mechanism 30. Even when the recording paper P pulled out from the roll R straightens the curl in the direction opposite to the winding direction of the recording paper roll R, the direction opposite to the curl straightening direction (that is, the same as the winding direction of the recording paper roll R). Since the curl can be applied in the direction (see FIG. 8), it is possible to prevent the recording paper P drawn from the recording paper roll R from curling in the same direction as a whole.

Further, in this embodiment, the feed roller 24
Also, by using the sponge roller 24a and inserting the leading end of the recording paper roll R into the nip portion of the feed roller 24 and the sponge roller 24a, the leading end of the recording paper can be curled with a simple structure. The cost can be further reduced. In this embodiment, the curl straightening mechanism 30 corrects the curl of the recording paper P. However, the curl straightening mechanism 30 may be omitted and the leading end of the recording paper roll R may be curled. In this case, the curl of the entire length of the recording paper P cannot be corrected, but the paper passing performance intended in this embodiment can be improved. In this case, since the curl correction mechanism 30 can be omitted, the cost of the image recording device can be further reduced.

In this case, since the curl straightening mechanism 30 is unnecessary, the curl direction of the leading end of the recording paper roll R is opposite to the curl direction of the recording paper P pulled out from the recording paper roll R. Is preferably set to. This is because, if the curl correction mechanism 30 is not provided and the direction of the applied curl is the same as the curl direction of the recording paper P pulled out from the recording paper roll R, the recording paper will be further curled. Is. If there is no such curl correction mechanism, the sponge roller 24a and the feed roller 24a
You can reverse the position of 24.

Further, in the present embodiment, the curl is applied to the leading end of the recording paper roll R by the feed roller 24 and the sponge roller 24a, but the curl may be applied by the configuration shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, a convex upper guide 71 (convex member) protruding downward and the upper guide 71 are provided on the conveying path 59 on the downstream side of the cutter portion 27 in the conveying direction. A concave lower guide 72 is provided on the side opposite to the protruding direction of the recording paper roll R, and the leading end of the recording paper roll R is sandwiched between the upper guide 71 and the lower guide 72 to stop for a certain period of time. The tip may be curled in a predetermined direction. Even in this case, the leading end of the recording paper roll R can be curled with a simple structure, and the cost of the image recording apparatus can be further reduced.

The curl direction is the curl correction mechanism 30.
Upper guide 71 and lower guide 72 with and without
By changing the position of, it is possible to easily set the recording paper roll R in the same or opposite direction to the winding direction. The method of holding the recording paper P between the upper guide 71 and the lower guide 72 is the same as that described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0042]

According to the first aspect of the invention, since the leading end of the recording paper roll is curled so as to be bent in a predetermined direction, when the recording paper is passed through the conveying path, It is possible to prevent the leading end portion from being caught in the transport path, and it is possible to prevent jamming or skewing of the recording paper. Further, since the conventional curl correcting means can be omitted, the cost of the image recording apparatus can be reduced accordingly.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, not only the leading edge of the recording paper but also the curl of the entire length of the recording paper can be corrected by the curl correcting means. Therefore, when the recording paper is passed through the conveying path. Further, it is possible to further prevent the recording paper from being caught in the conveyance path, and it is possible to further prevent jamming and skew of the recording paper. Further, since the leading end of the recording paper roll is curled by the leading end curl means in the same direction as the winding direction of the recording paper roll, the recording paper pulled out from the recording paper roll by the curl straightening means is aligned with the winding direction of the recording paper roll. Even when the curl is corrected in the opposite direction, the curl can be applied in the direction opposite to the curl correcting direction (that is, the same direction as the winding direction of the recording paper roll). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the recording paper pulled out from the recording paper roll from curling in the same direction as a whole.

According to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, the leading edge of the recording paper can be curled with a simple structure, and the cost of the image recording apparatus can be further reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an internal configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a state diagram showing an operation of a main part of one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a main part of the embodiment when a swing arm is released and a paper feed cassette is attached.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a standby state of a main part of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main part of a paper feed cassette according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a swing arm according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a drive system of a transport unit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a curl attached to the leading end of the recording paper roll according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a view showing another mode of the tip curl means of the embodiment.

FIG. 10A is a diagram showing a conveyed state of a recording sheet when there is no curl correcting unit, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing a conveyed state of a recording sheet whose curl is corrected by the curl correcting unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Device main body 10 Image recording unit (image recording unit) 21 Paper feed cassette 23 Pickup roller (conveying unit) 23a, 25a, 26a Pressure roller (conveying unit) 24 Feed roller (conveying unit, tip curl unit) 24a Sponge roller ( Conveying means, tip curling means 25 Relay roller (conveying means) 26 Registration roller (conveying means) 27 Cutter (cutting means) 30 Curling correction mechanism (curling correction means) 59 Conveying path 60 Electromagnetic clutch (driving means, tip curling means) ) 62 Stepping motor (driving means, tip curling means) 71 Upper guide (convex member) 72 Lower guide (concave member) R Recording paper roll P Recording paper

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A paper feed cassette that is attached to and detached from an apparatus main body, a feeding unit that pulls out a recording paper from a recording paper roll housed in the paper feeding cassette, and feeds the recording paper in a predetermined feeding direction, and a predetermined feeding direction of the recording paper. An image recording apparatus comprising: a cutting unit that cuts a recording sheet to a predetermined length at a position; and an image recording unit that records an image on the recording sheet downstream of the cutting unit in the transport direction. The image recording apparatus is characterized in that tip curl means for curling the sheet so as to be bent in a predetermined direction is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction from the cutter section. 2. A curl straightening unit for straightening curl of the recording paper on the upstream side of the cutting unit in the conveying direction, wherein the leading end curl unit sets the leading end of the recording paper roll in the same direction as the winding direction of the recording paper roll. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording apparatus is curled. 3. The conveying means comprises a plurality of conveying rollers arranged between a recording paper roll and an image recording means and nipping and conveying the recording paper, and the leading end curling means is a pair of conveying rollers. Drive means for driving the pair of conveying rollers, and one conveying roller pair arranged on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the cutting means and closest to the cutting means.
3. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive means stops for a predetermined time while holding the leading end of the recording paper roll in the nip portion of the conveying roller pair. 4. The conveying means is arranged between a recording paper roll and an image recording means, and comprises a plurality of conveying rollers for nipping and conveying the recording paper, and the leading end curling means is a pair of conveying rollers. Driving means, a convex member provided on the recording paper conveyance path on the downstream side of the cutting means in the conveying direction, and a concave member facing the convex member and curving in a direction opposite to the protruding direction of the convex member. 3. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drive means stops for a predetermined time in a state where the leading end of the recording paper roll is sandwiched between the convex member and the concave member.