U.S. patent number 3,817,134 [Application Number 05/317,781] was granted by the patent office on 1974-06-18 for device for cutting a rolled medium.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Canon Kabushike Kaisha. Invention is credited to Hajime Katayama, Yoshimasa Kimura.
| United States Patent |
3,817,134 |
| Katayama , et al. |
June 18, 1974 |
DEVICE FOR CUTTING A ROLLED MEDIUM
Abstract
In a copying apparatus or the like using a rolled medium, a
device for cutting the rolled medium into a predetermined length
comprises cutter means, cutter operating means, rolled medium
conveyor means and a conveying path both provided rearwardly of the
cutter means. The device further includes second detector means
operated by the rolled medium when a predetermined time T.sub.2 has
elapsed after cutting, and first detector means operated when a
time T.sub.1 determined by the length of the medium cut off has
elapsed after the cutting. The first and second detector means are
located so as to satisfy the relation that T.sub.3 > T.sub.1
> T.sub.2, where T.sub.3 is the time required for one cycle of
operation. The cutter means is operated to effect an additional
cutting operation when the first detector means properly operates
but the second detector means does not do so.
|
Inventors: |
Katayama; Hajime (Tokyo,
JA), Kimura; Yoshimasa (Tokyo, JA) |
|
Assignee: |
Canon Kabushike Kaisha (Tokyo,
JA)
|
| Family
ID: |
11495842 |
| Appl.
No.: |
05/317,781 |
| Filed: |
December 22, 1972 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
| Dec 29, 1971 [JA] |
|
|
46-1237 |
|
| Current U.S.
Class: |
83/203; 83/359;
83/364; 399/385 |
| Current CPC
Class: |
G03G
15/6523 (20130101); Y10T 83/4443 (20150401); Y10T
83/531 (20150401); Y10T 83/515 (20150401) |
| Current International
Class: |
G03G
15/00 (20060101); G03g 015/00 () |
| Field of
Search: |
;83/203,205,359,364
;355/13,28,29 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Meister; J. M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper &
Scinto
Claims
We claim:
1. In a copying apparatus or the like using a rolled medium, a
device for cutting the rolled medium into a predetermined length,
said device comprising cutter means, cutter operating means, rolled
medium conveyor means and a conveying path both provided rearwardly
of cutter means, first detector means operated when a time T.sub.1
determined by the length of the medium cut off has elapsed after
the cutting, and second detector means operated by said rolled
medium when a predetermined time T.sub.2 has elapsed after
severance of said rolled medium, said first and second detector
means being located so as to satisfy the relation that T.sub.3 >
T.sub.1 > T.sub.2, where T.sub.3 is the time required for one
cycle of operation, said cutter means being caused to effect an
additional cutting operation when said first detector means
properly operates but said second detector means does not properly
operate.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said cutter operating
means includes a solenoid and a capacitor serially connected
together, said solenoid being energized by a charging current
flowing through said capacitor to effect a rolled medium cutting
operation, and when the cutting operation is unsatisfactory, said
second detector means detects it to cause said solenoid to effect
an additional cutting operation.
3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said first detector means
serves also as means for setting the final position of one
reciprocal cycle of said copying apparatus or the like.
4. A device according to claim 2, wherein a timer circuit is
parallel-connected with said solenoid so that, when a cutting
signal does not come from said second detector means, first relay
means energized upon energization of said solenoid continues its
own energization to thereby charge said capacitor whose charging
voltage is applied to second relay means, and when such condition
continues longer than said predetermined time T.sub.2, said second
relay means closes the circuit of said solenoid to effect a cutter
operation, whereupon said capacitor, said second relay means, etc.
are reset temporally, all these series of operations being again
repeated in the absence of a rolled medium cutting signal.
5. A device according to Claim 1, further comprising timing roller
means (15-1, 15-2) provided forwardly and rearwardly of said cutter
means (16) in said rolled medium conveyor means, a guide portion
(E) provided between said cutter means (16) and said timing roller
means (15-2) to curve and direct said medium, and third detector
means for braking said timing roller means (15-1) during the cutter
operation for cutting the rolled medium widthwise thereof, to
thereby detect that the curved portion of the rolled medium is
tensioned as it is drawn by said timing roller means upon
unsuccessful cutting.
6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said third detector means
includes a detector lever (47) for braking the feed rollers (15-1)
just preceeding the cutter during the cutter operation for cutting
the medium straightly widthwise thereof, to thereby detect the
entire width of the medium tensioned as it is drawn by said timing
roller means (15-2) upon unsuccessful cutting, thus detecting a
localized failure in cutting the medium.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a roll cutting device in copiers,
printers or the like which employ a rolled printing medium, and
more particularly to a roll cutting device which can detect any
unsuccessful cutting operation and can correspondingly accomplish
additional cutter operations.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a copying machine or the like using a roll of copying medium, it
is usually the practice to set a predetermined format of medium
(such as format A or B), then select a predetermined length and
operate a cutter in accordance with a signal representing the
selected length to cut the medium into the predetermined length,
thereafter convey the cut medium to a subsequent process station.
The cutter operation is stable for restricted types of the medium
and under restricted ambient conditions, whereas if the types
(especially, thickness) of the medium and the ambient conditions
(especially, high humidity) are varied, cutting errors would
inevitably occur with an increasing wear of the cutter edge.
Moreover, unsuccessful cutting occurring in high-speed copying
machines would cause the medium to be conveyed in the form like a
chain or would result in jamming. Especially, in an
electrophotographic copying machine which generally includes
heating means for fixing a formed image on the medium at the last
stage of the process, the medium stopped in the heating means would
lead to a danger of firing and, if the medium is continuous in the
form of a chain, it would impart damages to the apparatus
itself.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a device which can quickly detect
any unsuccessful cutting to thereby prevent occurrence of the
above-noted possible dangers and further can effect an additional
cutter operation or operations. To achieve this, the present
invention employs a second detector switch provided in the path of
a copying medium rearwardly of the cutter and operated by the
copying medium in a time T.sub.2 after a cutting operation, and a
first detector switch operated in a time T.sub.1 after the cutting
operation, the time T.sub.1 being determined by the length of the
medium cut off. The first and second detector switches are
relatively located so as to always satisfy the relation that
T.sub.3 > T.sub.1 > T.sub.2, independently of the size of the
medium (T.sub.3 being the time required for one cycle of operation.
Thus, the cutter is caused to effect an additional cutting
operation when the first detector switch properly operates but the
second detector switch does not properly operate .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will become fully apparent from the following
detailed description thereof taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an electrophotographic
copying apparatus to which the present invention is applied;
FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the construction and arrangement
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 3 (1) and (2) are diagrams of the electric circuits in
respective embodiments;
FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the drive system therefor;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the drive system;
FIG. 6 is a front view of another embodiment using a modified
arrangement of control switches and cams;
FIG. 7 diagrammatically shows the electrical connection of the
present invention utilizing an electric timer circuit;
FIG. 8 shows the arrangement of the control switches and cams in
the FIG. 7 embodiment;
FIG. 9 is a front view of the detector switch;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the detector switch; and
FIG. 11 shows a modified form of the detector switch.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an electrophotographic copying
apparatus provided with the device according to an embodiment of
the present invention. An original carriage 1 is mounted on top of
an apparatus body 24 and supports thereon an original O to be
copied. While the original may be scanned in any known manner, the
illustrated example employs such a system that a first mirror 4 and
a second and a third mirror 5 and 6 are moved in parallelism to the
original carriage 1 at the speed ratio of 1 : 1/2 whereby the
optical path from a lens 7 to the surface of the object may always
be maintained at a predetermined length. A lamp a for illuminating
the object and a reflector 3 are secured to a first mirror base 4-1
(FIG. 2) so that the image from the object may be directed via the
mirrors 4, 5, 6 and through the lens 7 and further reflected by a
stationary mirror 8 for projection upon a photosensitive drum
11.
The electrophotographic process illustratively adopted herein is
disclosed in Applicant's Japanese Patent Publications Nos.
23910/1967 and 24748/1968. More specifically, the photosensitive
drum 11 is rotatably on a horizontal shaft 11-1 fixed to the
apparatus body, in the direction of arrow and at a velocity equal
to that of the first mirror 4 (in the case of 1 : 1 magnification),
and is subjected to corona discharge from a charger 10 and thence
subjected to simultaneous application of image light from the
object O and AC corona discharge by a simultaneous exposure and
discharge means 9; whereafter the drum 11 is subjected to an
overall exposure by a lamp 21 to form thereon an electrostatic
latent image, which is then brought to a developing station 12 and
made into a visible dust image by a so-called sleeve type
developing device formed by a non-magnetic cylinder containing
therein a magnet; thence the dust image reaches an image transfer
station where a web of paper P fed in synchronism with the movement
of the dust image on the drum is brought into contact with the dust
image while a corona is applied from a corona discharger 14 to the
back side of the paper P to transfer the dust image from the drum
to the paper P; thereafter the paper P is separated from the drum
surface by suction force at separator means 13 and conveyed on a
belt 18 to pass below a heater 19 for heating and fixing the dust
image on the paper P; and finally the paper is discharged through a
set of discharge rollers 22 onto a tray 23.
After the image transfer, the drum 11 reaches cleaner means 20,
whose blade 20-1 of polyurethane rubber or like material wipes the
surface of the drum to remove any residual toner thereon. The toner
thus removed is discharged in one direction by a discharge screw
20-2 at the lower part of the cleaner.
The transfer paper P may be in the form of a roll 17, from which
the paper is fed by a set of feed rollers 15-1 and further
delivered to the image transfer station by a set of timing rollers
in synchronism with the image on the drum. The web of paper P is
then advanced over a predetermined length, whereupon it is cut by a
cutter 16.
The present invention is applicable to an apparatus which uses such
a roll of paper as described above, and embodiments thereof are
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
The web of paper unwound from the roll 17 is first passed over an
uncurling roller 15-3, and then passed between feed rollers 15-1
while th leading edge of the paper is uniformly trimmed by the
chuck cutter 16, whereupon the paper is temporally stopped there
and ready for copying. Thereafter, for example, in response to a
paper feed signal from a paper feed start switch SW1 actuated by a
cam C3, first the feed rollers 15-1 and then the rollers 15-2 are
rotated, the latter being in synchronized relationship with the
formed image on the drum, whereby the paper P is fed while the
mirror train in moved horizontally (leftwardly in the drawing) in
response to a signal from a print button or the like provided
separately.
The drive system for the mirror train is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
The first mirror base 4-1 and the second mirror base 5-1 are
journalled for smooth movement on rails 25 each fixed to the
apparatus body 24. A driving wire 36 has one end thereof secured to
the apparatus body at a point C and extends via a pulley 39
rotatably mounted on the second mirror base 5-1 by means of a shaft
40, and via a pulley 38 journalled to the apparatus body, and is
wrapped for several turns about a drive pulley 31, wherefrom the
wire 36 extends in a cross fashion and passes over a pulley 37 and
said pulley 39 to an opposite point D, where the other end of the
wire is secured to the apparatus body. A point E on the first
mirror base 4-1 is connected to the wire 36. Thus, when the wire 36
is driven at a velocity V in the direction of arrow, the first
mirror base 4-1 (i.e. mirror 4) is driven at the same velocity V,
followed by the leftward movement of the second and third mirrors 5
and 6 at the speed of V/2 due to the principle of the running
block.
FIG. 5 schematically shows a top plan view of the driven system.
The drive from motor M is transmitted via gears 29 and 28 to the
drum 11 and further to gears 30 and 32. When a clutch CL-1 is
electrically operated, the mirror train driving pulley 31 is driven
through gears 29, 30, clutch CL-1 and shaft 41 in the direction of
arrow indicated in FIG. 4, thus moving the mirrors leftwardly at
the velocity V. Next, when the clutch CL-1 is disconnected and the
clutch CL-2 is operated, the shaft 41 and pulley 31 are reversely
driven through gears 29, 30, 32, clutch CL-2, sprocket 34, chain 35
and sprocket 33, at a velocity V' determined by the gear ratio,
thus reverting the mirrors rightwardly.
In the electric circuit shown in FIG. 3, a stop switch SW4 and a
reversing switch SW5 are operated by an actuator 27 provided
beneath the first mirror base 4-1. In the normal stop position
(rightmost end position) of FIG. 4, the switch SW4 is opened by the
actuator 27 so that both clutches CL-1 and CL-2 are in their OFF
positions. When the print button PB is depressed, the clutch CL-1
is operated to move the mirror train leftwardly as already
described, so that the mirror train scans the object while it
directs the object image to the drum 11. When the actuator 27 is
disengaged from the stop switch SW4, this switch is closed to
permit the clutch CL-1 to continue its operation even if the print
button PB is released.
On the other hand, when the mirror train comes to the leftmost end
position until the actuator 27 is engaged with the reversing switch
SW5, the switch SW5 is closed at its contact b to energize a relay
RL-A, whose contact a-1 and accordingly the clutch CL-1 is thus
disconnected, whereupon the relay RL-A self-holds by its contact
2--2 and has its contact a-3 closed, thus operating the clutch CL-2
to return the mirror train rightwardly until the actuator 27 opens
the stop switch SW4. Thereupon, the relay RL-A and clutch CL-2 are
disconnected to complete one cycle. Further, a contact a-5 serially
connected with the print button PB is inserted to release the
self-hold of the relay RL-A even if the print button PB is
depressed in the open position of the switch SW4.
In the arrangement described above, a second detector switch SW3 is
provided at an intermediate point between the cutter 16 and the
image transfer station 14, as shown in FIG. 2. For the purpose of
illustration, let L be the length of the path traversed by the
paper from the cutter 16 to a point B in the image transfer
station, AB be the circumferential length from the exposure point A
on the drum 11 to the point B in the image transfer station. If AB
= L, it will be possible to operate a cutter operating solenoid SL
concurrently with the operation of the mirror train reversing
switch SW5. Thus, the reversing switch SW5 can also serve as a
cutting command switch SW1.
It will thus be seen that depression of the print button PB closes
the clutch CL-1 to move the mirror train leftwardly while scanning
the object O and projecting the reflected image thereon upon the
drum 11 via mirrors 4, 5, 6, lens 7 and mirror 8, and concurrently
therewith, the paper P is fed in by paper feed rollers 15-1, 15-2.
Then the actuator 27 changes over the reversing switch SW5 to its
contact b to disconnect the clutch CL-1 and operate the clutch
CL-2, whereby the mirror train reverses its stroke while the
contact a-4 of the relay RL-A is changed over to the contact a to
charge a capacitor C, whose charging current energizes the solenoid
SL to operate the cutter 16 so as to cut the paper P into a
predetermined length. When the paper P is properly cut, the sheet
of paper thus cut off will pass by the second detector switch SW3
to change over this switch to its contact b, whereafter the
actuator 27 opens the stop switch SW4, thus completing one cycle.
Thereupon, the contact a-4 shifts back to its contact b to cause
the capacitor C to discharge through a circuit of (SW3-b) - (a-4-b)
and a resistor R.
However, if the paper cutting is unsuccessful, the paper P will
remain astride the cutter 16 so that the paper P is still present
on both sides of the cutter, and thus the second detector switch
SW3 is maintained closed at the contact SW3-a by the paper to
thereby keep the cutter ready for an additional cutting operation.
On the other hand, the detection of unsuccessful cutting and the
additional cutting operation must take place during one cycle and
prior to a subsequent cycle. Therefore, in the case of FIG. 3 (1)
for the illustrated embodiment, the switch SW4 coming to the final
position in one cycle is made to act as a second detector switch
for imparting an additional operation command. When the switch SW4
is opened at the final position, the contact a-4 of the relay RL-A
is connected with the contact b to form a circuit of (a-4-b) -
(SW3-a), through which the capacitor discharges to energize the
solenoid SL and resume the cutting operation.
While in the foregoing the stop switch SW4 has been made to act as
a first detector switch, if it is desired to make the point of
detection time take place earlier, then a first detector switch SW2
may be provided at a spatial point corresponding to the time before
the reverted mirror train comes to the final position of the stop
switch SW4, i.e. at an intermediate point between the switches SW5
and SW4. However, since the return velocity V' of the mirror train
is higher than the normal forward velocity V thereof, the relative
positions of the switches SW3 and SW2 must be determined so as to
satisfy the relation that T.sub.3 > T.sub.1 > T.sub.2, where
T.sub.2 is the time required for the trailing edge of the paper P
to pass through the second detector switch after the reversal of
the mirror train, T.sub.1 is the time required for the mirror train
to pass through the first detector switch SW2, and T.sub.3 is the
time required for one reciprocal cycle of the mirror train.
The circuit in the case described just above is shown in FIG. 3
(2). The first detector switch SW2 operable in a predetermined time
T.sub.1 after a cutter operation to start an additional cutting
operation of the cutter, and the second detector switch SW3 for
detecting whether the paper has been cut properly or not, are set
so that they are respectively operated upon lapse of time T.sub.1
and T.sub.2 after the operation of the cutter and that the relation
T.sub.1 > T.sub.2 is satisfied, namely, so that the switch SW3
is opened after the time T.sub.2 (>T.sub.1) when proper cutting
has been done. The additional cutter operation is accomplished with
the charge from the capacitor C being supplied to the solenoid SL
through the first detector switch SW2-b and the second detector
switch SW3-a. It is to be noted that the time T.sub.2 is constant
once the switch positions are determined, whereas the time T.sub.1
is variable with the length of the original image (i.e. the length
to be scanned).
In the embodiment described above and shown in FIG. 2, the switch
for the reciprocation of the mirror train and the first detector
switch SW4 (or SW2) are all disposed in the path of travel of the
mirror train, but the construction and arrangement as shown in FIG.
6 is also feasible.
As shown in FIG. 6, a camming plate 42 rotatable in the direction
of arrow at the velocity equal to the velocity V of the mirror
train may be mounted as on a mirror driving pulley shaft 41, and
may be provided with cams C1, C2 and C3. Switches SW1, SW2, SW3,
SW4 and SW5 may also be provided. In scanning an object, some
auxiliary running distance 1.sub.2 is usually necessary to prevent
the overshot of velocity arising from the inertia of the mirrors
and the like. Therefore, the mirror train travels over a distance
1.sub.2 + 1.sub.1 which is longer than the actual image length, and
accordingly, the feeding of paper P must start later by 1.sub.2
than the start of the mirror train. For this purpose, there is
provided a paper feed starting switch SW1. When the cam C3 actuates
the switch SW1, the paper feed is started, and when the cam C3
engages the reversing switch SW5, the clutch CL-1 is disconnected
but the clutch CL-2 is operated and the cutter is operated at the
same time. The length of the paper sheet thus cut off is equal to
the length of the original image, as is the case with AB = L in
FIG. 2. The cam C1, which serves to actuate the first detector
switch SW2, is designed so that it is operative in the return
stroke only and not in the forward stroke.
Although the detector switches have been shown as microswitches,
they may alternatively be photodetector switches comprising a
combination of a light source and a photoelectric element.
The above-described embodiments are arranged to accomplish an
additional cutting operation when unsuccessful cutting has been
detected, but there may be such situations that the twice repeated
cutting operation is no sufficient to cut the paper.
FIG. 7 shows a multi-cutting system which utilizes a CR timer
circuit for repeating the cutting operation more than twice until
the paper is completely cut off.
In FIG. 7, the stop switch SW4, when in its normal stop position
(rightmost end position), is closed at its contact SW4-a by the
actuator 27 and both clutches CL-1 and CL-2 are disconnected.
Depression of the print button PB energizes a relay RL-C, whose
contact C-2 is thus shifted to the contact a to supply the power to
the clutch CL-1, thereby moving the mirror train leftwardly to scan
the object and expose the drum 11 to the object light. When the
actuator 27 is disengaged from the switch SW4, this switch is
changed over to the contact SW4-b but the relay RL-C self-holds by
its contact C-1, thus permiting the clutch CL-1 to continue its
operation even if the print button is released.
When the mirror train reaches its leftmost end position so that the
actuator 27 engages the switch SW5 to shift the latter to its
contact SW5-b, the reversing clutch CL-2 is operated through the
relay RL-C with its contact C-1 opened, the closed contact C-2-b
and closed switch SW4-b, to thereby return the mirror train
rightwardly and cause the actuator 27 to bring about the open
switch SW4-a, thus disconnecting the clutch CL-2 and stopping the
mirrr train. Thus, one cycle is completed.
Where the switch SW5 for producing a reversing signal is to serve
also as the cutting command switch, the switch SW5-b is used for
the switch SW6-d (hereinafter referred to as SW5-d). When the
switch SW5-d is closed, i.e. when the mirror train begins to
revert, the cutting solenoid SL is operated and by that time, the
paper P has already been advanced to the point B, i.e. by a length
satisfying the relation L = AB in FIG. 2. In this instance, a
cutting command switch SW6 operable simultaneously with the
reversing switch SW5 may be provided in the manner as shown in FIG.
6, the switch SW6 serving also as the switch SW5. The arrangement
described just above is substantially identical in operation with
the previously described embodiments.
A CR timer circuit is combined with the above-described circuit of
the cutting solenoid SL, and such circuit is controlled by the
second detector switch SW3 in the paper feeding system so that
cutting operation may be repeated until the web of paper from the
supply roll is completely severed. As soon as the solenoid SL is
operated with the switch SW5-d closed as described above, a relay
RL-D is energized through a diode D to close its contact d-1. At
that time, the cut paper still rests on the second detector switch
SW3 so that the relay RL-D remains energized even if the switch
SW5-d is open, but the relay RL-D becomes deenergized when the
leading edge of the paper sheet has passed by the switch SW3.
If the paper should fail to be cut well and the switch SW3
continues its closed position, the relay RL-D will self-hold but
will be disconnected from the solenoid SL by the diode D, thus
permitting the cutter 16 to be returned to its initial position by
a spring.
As soon as the relay RL-D is energized due to the above-described
closed position of the reversing switch SW5.varies.d, the contact
d-2 thereof is open to allow a current to flow to the capacitor C
and to the base of transistor Tr, thus boosting the terminal
voltage of the capacitor C and also boosting the terminal voltage
of the relay RL-B in the transistor circuit. Such voltage boost
continues until the second detector switch SW3 is opened (i.e.
paper is severed) and the relay RL-D is reset.
If during that while the paper has been severed, the second
detector switch SW3 will be opened by the trailing edge of the
severed paper sheet after the aforesaid predetermined time T.sub.1
has elapsed (T.sub.1 = L/S, where S is the velocity at which the
paper is fed), so that the relay RL-D will be reset while the timer
circuit is cut off. Thereupon, the contact d-2 is closed to cause
the capacitor C to discharge through resistor R2.
If the paper could not be severed within the time T.sub.1 or more,
the charge in the capacitor C will boost the maximum terminal
voltage V.sub.1 of the exciting coil of the relay RL-B to a level
exceeding its operating voltage V.sub.a (the relation V.sub.1 <
V.sub.a being determined by the values of VR, R1, R2 and C), thus
operating the relay RL-B to close its contact b-1 and energize the
cutter operating solenoid SL for an additional operation of the
cutter 16.
Thereupon, the contact b-2 of the relay RL-B is closed to cause the
capacitor C to discharge its stored charge through the transistor
base and resistors R1, R2. When the terminal voltage of the relay
RL-B becomes lower than its reset voltage V.sub.b, the relay RL-B
is reset to open the contact b-1, thus resetting the solenoid SL.
Simultaneously therewith, the contact b-2 is also opened so that
the terminal voltages of the capacitor C and relay RL-B start to
rise.
If the paper has been served successfully by the above-described
cutter operation, the trailing edge of the paper sheet will pass by
the switch SW3 during the predetermined time T.sub.1 after the
cutter operation, thus opening the switch SW3 to reset the relay
RL-D and close its contact d-2, so that the capacitor C quickly
discharges through the resistor R2 to cause the relay RL-B to
reduce its terminal voltage in preparation for a subsequent
detection. At this time, the values of VR, R1, R2 and C are
determined so that the maximum terminal voltage V.sub.2 of the
relay RL-B, unlike the previous case, is in the relation V.sub.2
< V.sub.2, if the time during which the contact b-1 is closed is
TB. Further, by setting the resistance values of R1 and R2 so as to
satisfy the relation TB .apprxeq. .DELTA. T, the relation V.sub.1
.apprxeq. V.sub.2 may be obtained so that the point of time at
which the cutter is additionally operated at the time interval
T.sub.1 after one cutter operation is always identical between a
first, a second and subsequent additional cutting operation, and
the values of VR, R1, R2 and C can be so set that the point of time
for additional cutter operation comes earlier than in the case
where V.sub.1 .noteq. V.sub.2. The reason is that when V V.sub.1
< V.sub.2, the point of time for a first additional cutter
operation is delayed and when V.sub.1 > V.sub.2, the point of
time for a second additional cutter operation is delayed.
Next, if the paper still stays on the second detector switch SW3 to
maintain this switch closed even when the time T.sub.1 has elapsed
after the forementioned first additional cutting operation, the
terminal voltage of the relay RL-B will rise up to a level
exceeding its operating voltage, whereupon the relay RL-B will be
operated to effect a second additional cutting operation until the
paper is completely severed. In this way, the additional cutting
operations may be repeated automatically. Further, the contact d-3
of the relay RL-D is inserted in series with the copy button PB so
that when the relay RL-D is being in operation, i.e. when the timer
circuit for additional operation of the cutter is being in
operation, the contact d-3 is opened to inhibit any subsequent
copying operation. It is also possible to incorporate a device for
operating a conventional time limit means by means of the relay
RL-D contact so that during an unusually extended operating time of
the relay RL-D or during successive occurrences of unsuccessful
cutting operations, the time limit mean produce a signal to operate
an indicator means such as lamp, buzzer or the like or to stop the
paper feed.
FIG. 8 shows a mechanical similar in function to the embodiment of
FIG. 6 but in which switches SW1, SW4 and SW5 are actuated by the
cams C3, C3, and C2 on the camming plate 42.
FIG. 9 shows a specific form of the aforesaid second detector
switch.
In a high-speed copying apparatus, paper cutting is usually
effected without the paper being stopped. Since the cutter severs
the paper web from one side edge thereof to the other side edge,
the paper unavoidably tends to be cut obliquely with respect to the
longitudinal axis thereof. FIG. 9 shows means for preventing such
tendeny. In the process from the cutting station 16 via the timing
rollers 15-2 to the image transfer station, a U-shaped curve E is
provided by a guide plate 48 just before the rollers so as to bend
the paper P into a U-shape along the inner bottom surface of the
guide plate 48 and direct the paper to the timing rollers 15-2.
Concurrently with the signal for cutting the paper P, a brade is
imparted to the feed rollers 15-1 to interrupt the paper feed
temporally, whereupon the paper is cut. This ensures straight
cutting of the paper. Since the timing rollers 15-2 are then in
rotation, the paper is drawn somewhat upwardly from the lowest
surface of the guide by these rollers, but upon severance the paper
settles down at the lowest position from its own gravity.
If the cutting should be unsuccessful, a preceding sheet of paper
will be drawn by the timing rollers 15-2 because the rollers 15-1
are braked, so that the paper will be tensioned as indicated by
dotted line, thereby rotating a detecting lever 44 to cause an
actuator 45 at one end of the lever shaft 43 to actuate the second
detector switch SW3.
When the paper has been cut off, the tension in the paper is
released to permit the detector lever to return to its original
position, thus releasing the switch SW3.
In this instance, the detector lever 44 on the shaft 43 may be in
the form of a lever 47 which is integral substantially along the
entire width of the paper web as shown in FIG. 11 or a plurality of
levers 44 may be provided in the direction of the paper width,
whereby good detection may be ensured even if any unsuccessful
cutting occurs with an uncut portion left in the side edge or
center of the paper web.
* * * * *