Electrophotography – Document handling – Copy
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-06
2001-11-06
Chen, Sophia S. (Department: 2852)
Electrophotography
Document handling
Copy
C399S406000, C399S407000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06314267
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image recording system having superior expandability, for use in copy machines, printers, etc.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventionally, image recording systems capable of responding to user demand have been offered, in which an image recording device main body is combined with peripheral devices, such as a paper supply unit which increases the number of paper supply trays, a post-processing device having functions such as sorting and stapling, etc., selected as desired according to the user's needs, the environment of use, etc.
For example, Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 6-100850/1994 (Tokukohei 6-100850, published on May 15, 1987 as Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 62-105159/1987 (Tokukaisho 62-105159)) discloses a structure in which a copy machine main body
101
, shown in FIG.
22
(
a
), can be upgraded to a full device shown in FIG.
22
(
b
).
FIG.
22
(
a
) shows a basic structure, in which the copy machine main body
101
is provided with a pressure plate
103
, and with a discharge tray
104
of the paper-supply channel.
102
a
is a paper supply tray containing recording material of a small size,
102
b
is a paper supply tray containing recording material of a large size, and
105
is a hand-feed tray which can be freely opened and closed.
In FIG.
22
(
b
), the copy machine main body
101
is provided with an automatic original supply device
110
in place of the pressure plate
103
, and with a sorter
111
in place of the discharge tray
104
. Further, the copy machine main body
101
is mounted on a double-sided processing device
112
, which is in turn mounted on a table
113
, and the double-sided processing device
112
is provided with a 250-sheet tray
102
c.
Further, the table
113
is provided with a paper bank
114
, and the paper bank
114
is provided with a 1000-sheet tray
115
and a 250-sheet tray
102
d.
With this structure, it is possible to automatically perform double-sided recording of images from double-sided originals onto large- and small-sized recording material, and collating.
However, with the structure disclosed in the foregoing publication, as is evident from FIG.
22
(
a
), even in the basic structure the paper supply trays
102
a
and
102
b
and the discharge tray
104
project from the copy machine main body
101
, and thus installation requires a large width. Accordingly, if the copy machine main body
101
is combined with further peripheral devices, as shown in FIG.
22
(
b
), installation width of the system becomes very large.
As a result, since the image recording system could only be installed in a limited number of locations in the office, and users had to go to the place of installation each time, a problem with the conventional art was inferior operability.
Further, in the current image recording device market, given an ever more digital office environment of network-linked terminal devices, there is increasing demand for image recording devices which can be installed nearby, so that when images are outputted from various terminal devices, the outputted images can be viewed near at hand.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image recording system structured such that an image recording device can be assembled as a system in accordance with user needs and office environment, which is able to hold to a minimum the floor space required for installation of the assembled system, thereby increasing the range of installation locations in the office.
In order to attain the foregoing object, an image recording system according to the present invention is made up of an image recording device which records images on recording material (of small or large size), and one or more peripheral devices selectively connected to the image recording device according to functions the image recording system is desired to perform; the image recording device internally incorporating a recording material supply section containing recording material of a small size, and the peripheral devices including a recording material supply device which contains and supplies to the image recording device recording material of a size larger than the small-sized recording material, which has a width which is in keeping with measurements of the large-sized recording material; in which the image recording device is structured so that recording material with an image recorded thereon is discharged onto an upper surface of the image recording device, and has a width which is in keeping with measurements of the small-sized recording material, and is installed so as to fit within the extent of an upper surface of the recording material supply device.
Among peripheral devices installed for system upgrade of the image recording device, the device with the greatest structural width is a recording material supply device which supplies the image recording device with large-sized recording material of A3 or B4 size.
Accordingly, in the foregoing structure, the basic image recording device has a width which is in keeping with the measurements of the small-sized recording material used in the recording material supply section internally incorporated in the image recording device, and is structured so that recording material with an image recorded thereon is discharged onto the upper surface of the image recording device main body, and is installed so as to fit within the extent of the upper surface of the recording material supply device.
By providing such an image recording device above the recording material supply device, a space is formed above the recording material supply device adjacent to the image recording device. Further, by forming this space on the downstream side with respect to a paper discharge direction, it is possible to provide in this space a peripheral device other than the recording material supply device, such as a post-processing device (stapling device, sorter, etc.), and the peripheral devices other than the recording material supply device can be assembled together so as to substantially fit within the extent of the upper surface of the recording material supply device, which has the greatest width.
In this way, the width for installation of the image recording system can be held to the minimum necessary, and even if the system is upgraded, the installation width thereof can be substantially held to within the width of the recording material supply device. Thus, in the office, the image recording system can be installed nearby, such as at the side of a desk, and outputted images can be viewed easily, thus contributing to improvement of work efficiency.
Here, “width” means the dimension in the direction of paper discharge, and when the direction of paper discharge is parallel to the front of the device, means the width of the device when viewed from the front. Further, the “extent of the upper surface of the recording material supply device” means a space above the recording material supply device, bounded by the upper surface of the recording material supply device and a cylinder whose generating line is the periphery of the upper surface.
In order to attain the foregoing object, another image recording system according to the present invention is made up of an image recording device which records images on recording material, and one or more peripheral devices selectively connected to the image recording device according to functions the image recording system is desired to perform; in which the peripheral devices include a double-sided transport device having a transport channel, which transports recording material from an upper end to a lower end of the transport channel, provided on a side of the image recording device; and a laterally located recording material post-processing device which receives recording material transported through the double-sided transport device, performs predetermined post-processing of the recording material received, and discharges the recording material post-processed, provided on a side
Chen Sophia S.
Renner , Otto, Boisselle & Sklar, LLP
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
Tran Hoan
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