Paper discharge device and storing unit for image forming apparatus
US5860647A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 24, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jan 19, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 24, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/00421
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An image forming apparatus in which paper fed from a paper feeder is transported to image forming portions. A toner image is formed on the paper, and a pair of paper discharge rollers of a discharge unit are disposed at the rear end of a paper storing unit to discharge the paper into the paper storing unit. Preferably, the paper storing unit is disposed inside of the apparatus, with a lid or panel covering an access opening after the paper discharge operation has been completed, the paper storing unit is withdrawn from the apparatus; and/or feeds a stack of paper outside the apparatus upon opening of the panel. Therefore during the image forming operation, the leakage of noise made in the apparatus is prevented or reduced. Furthermore, since paper is discharged toward the front of the image forming apparatus, the width of the apparatus is minimized.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.