Image forming apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9630798-B2
Application number	US-201615089539-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 2, 2016
Priority date	Jun 25, 2012
Publication date	Apr 25, 2017
Grant date	Apr 25, 2017

Abstract

An image forming apparatus ( 10 ) includes an apparatus main body ( 20 ), a first processing unit ( 30 ) and a second processing unit ( 40 ). The apparatus main body ( 20 ) performs an image forming process onto a paper sheet. The first processing unit ( 30 ) and the second processing unit ( 40 ) are disposed in vertical direction ( 91 ) such that one is located on an upside of the other on a same side face's side of the apparatus main body 20 . The second processing unit ( 40 ) is disposed on the upside of the first processing unit ( 30 ), and is configured in such a manner as to be capable of being slidingly moved in an approaching-leaving direction ( 92 ) in relation to the apparatus main body ( 20 ).

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a paper feeder for containing a paper sheet to supply an apparatus main body, the apparatus main body performing an image forming process onto a paper sheet; and
a post-processor for performing a post-processing to a paper sheet that has undergone the image forming process in the apparatus main body, wherein the paper sheet is discharged from an image forming section of the apparatus main body after the image forming process is complete and before the post-processing, wherein
the paper feeder and the post-processor are arranged in a stack along a vertical direction and are arranged on a side face side of the apparatus main body.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
in an approaching-leaving direction in relation to the apparatus main body a dimensional value of the post-processor is not larger than a dimensional value of the paper feeder, and
in a depth direction in relation to the apparatus main body a dimensional value of the post-processor is not larger than a dimensional value of the paper feeder, the depth direction being opposite to the approaching-leaving direction and the vertical direction.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the post-processor is disposed on the paper feeder, and
the post-processor is slidable in an approaching-leaving direction in relation to the apparatus main body.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein
the paper feeder has an opening section on a top surface thereof, the opening section permitting a member related to an image forming process to pass therethrough,
the opening section is exposed between the post-processor and the apparatus main body in a state where the post-processor is disposed at a predetermined separate position that is away from the apparatus main body, and
the opening section is not exposed in a state where the post-processor is disposed at an adjacent position that is adjacent to the apparatus main body.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein
the paper feeder has a lid member configured to open and close the opening section, and
the lid member is exposed to outside in the state where the post-processor is disposed at the predetermined separate position, and further the opening section is released when the lid member is opened.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein
the paper feeder is fixed to the apparatus main body, and
the post-processor is slidable in relation to the paper feeder.

7. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a paper feeder for containing a paper sheet to supply an apparatus main body, the apparatus main body performing an image forming process onto a paper sheet; and
a post-processor for performing a post-processing to a paper sheet that has undergone the image forming process in the apparatus main body, wherein
the paper feeder and the post-processor are arranged in a stack along a vertical direction and are arranged on a side face side of the apparatus main body,
the post-processor has a post-processor main body and an extending section,
the post processor main body is disposed on the paper feeder, and
the extending portion extends downward from the post processor main body along a side face of the paper feeder.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein
the post-processor is disposed on the paper feeder, and
the post-processor is slidable in an approaching-leaving direction in relation to the apparatus main body.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein
the paper feeder has an opening section on a top surface thereof, the opening section permitting a member related to an image forming process to pass therethrough,
the opening section is exposed between the post-processor and the apparatus main body in a state where the post-processor is disposed at a predetermined separate position that is away from the apparatus main body, and
the opening section is not exposed in a state where the post-processor is disposed at an adjacent position that is adjacent to the apparatus main body.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein
the paper feeder has a lid member configured to open and close the opening section, and
the lid member is exposed to outside in the state where the post-processor is disposed at the predetermined separate position, and further the opening section is released when the lid member is opened.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein
the paper feeder is fixed to the apparatus main body, and
the post-processor is slidable in relation to the paper feeder.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein
the extending section is configured to support the post-processor main body.

Assignees

• Sharp Kk

Inventors

• Akagawa Yuhi

Classifications

• B65H37/00 Primary

  Article or web delivery apparatus incorporating devices for performing specified auxiliary operations (incorporating cutting or line-perforating devices B65H35/00) · CPC title

• B65H1/266

  Support fully or partially removable from the handling machine, e.g. cassette, drawer (B65H1/027 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G03G21/1604 Primary

  Arrangement or disposition of the entire apparatus · CPC title

• B65H5/062

  between rollers or balls · CPC title

• G03G21/1647

  Mechanical connection means · CPC title