Image forming apparatus having a sheet material transport device

Claim 2

An image forming apparatus having sheet material transport means comprising: image forming means; means for conveying a sheet material on which an image is formed by said image forming means; an upwardly curving conveying path situated at a downstream side of said conveying means for guiding the sheet material; paper discharging tray means for supporting the sheet material guided through said conveying path, said paper discharging tray means situated atop of said apparatus; discharging means comprising a pair of discharge rollers situated at an exit side of said conveying path opposite and immediately adjacent to said paper discharging tray means and which can shift between a first mode for discharging the sheet material onto said paper discharging tray means and a second mode for returning the sheet material to said conveying path in a direction opposite to the direction of discharge; a reconveying path for accepting the sheet material returned to said conveying path by said discharge means in its second mode for guiding again the sheet material to said image forming means, said reconveying path positioned below said conveying means; and flapper means for switching between a position for guiding the sheet material conveyed by said conveying means to the conveying path and a position for guiding the sheet material being returned on the conveying path to said reconveying path.

Claim 3

An image forming apparatus having a sheet material conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the discharge means first conveys the leading edge of the sheet into the inner part of the tray while in the second mode and the reconveying path accepts the sheet returned to it while said sheet is substantially straight.

Claim 4

An image forming apparatus having a sheet material conveyor comprising: image forming means; means for conveying a sheet material on which an image is formed by said image forming means; an upwardly curving conveying path situated at a downstream side of said conveying means for guiding the sheet material; first paper discharging tray means for supporting the sheet material guided through said conveying path, said first paper discharging tray means situated atop of said apparatus; discharge means situated at an exit side of said conveying path and which can shift between a first mode for discharging the sheet material onto said first paper discharging tray means and a second mode for returning the sheet material to said conveying path in a direction opposite to the direction of discharge; a reconveying path for accepting the sheet material returned to said conveying path by said discharge means in its second mode for guiding again the sheet material to said image forming means, said reconveying path positioned below said conveying means; and second paper discharging tray means, positioned below said reconveying path, for supporting the sheet material such that the sheet material is externally accessible, wherein a flapper is provided within said reconveying path so that the sheet material can be directed to said second paper discharging tray means, wherein the sheet material supported by said first paper discharging tray means and the sheet material supported by said second paper discharging tray means are supported after having an image formed on at least one side by said image forming means.

Claim 5

An image forming apparatus having a sheet material conveyor comprising: image forming means; means for conveying a sheet material on which an image is formed by said image forming means; an upwardly curving conveying path situated at a downstream side of said conveying means for guiding the sheet material; first paper discharging tray means for supporting the sheet material guided through said conveying path, said first paper discharging tray means situated atop of said apparatus; discharge means situated at an exit side of said conveying path and which can shift between a first mode for discharging the sheet material onto said first paper discharging tray means and a second mode for returning the sheet material to said conveying path in a direction opposite to the direction of discharge; a reconveying path for accepting the sheet material returned to said conveying path by said discharge means in its second mode for guiding again the sheet material to said image forming means, said reconveying path positioned below said conveying means; and second paper discharging tray means, positioned below said reconveying path, for supporting the sheet material such that the sheet material is externally accessible, wherein a flapper is provided within said reconveying path so that the sheet material can be directed to said second paper discharging tray means, wherein the sheet material supported by said first paper discharging tray means and the sheet material supported by said second paper discharging tray means are supported after having an image formed on at least one side by said image forming means.

Claim 6

An image forming apparatus having a sheet material conveyor comprising: image forming means; means for conveying a sheet material on which an image is formed by said image forming means; a first conveying path situated at a downstream side of said conveying means for guiding the sheet material; paper discharging tray means for supporting the sheet material; first rotating discharge means situated at an exit side of said first conveying path for discharging the sheet material onto a first part of said paper discharging tray means; a second conveying path provided along said first conveying path for guiding the sheet material; second rotating discharge means situated at an exit side of said second conveying path opposite and immediately adjacent to said paper discharging tray means and capable of performing forward and reverse rotations and guiding the leading edge of the sheet material onto a second part of said paper discharging tray means; flapper means capable of being switched so that the sheet material is directed to said first conveying path or to said second conveying path; and a reconveying path for accepting the sheet material returned to said second conveying path by the reverse rotation of said second rotating discharge means and for guiding again the sheet material to said image forming means.

Claim 7

An image forming apparatus having a sheet material conveyor comprising: image forming means; means for conveying a sheet material on which an image is formed by said image forming means; a first conveying path situated at a downstream side of said conveying means for guiding the sheet material; paper discharging tray means for supporting the sheet material; first rotating discharge means situated at an exit side of said first conveying path for discharging the sheet material onto a first part of said paper discharging tray means; a second conveying path provided along said first conveying path for guiding the sheet material; second rotating discharge means situated at an exit side of said second conveying path opposite and immediately adjacent to said paper discharging tray means and capable of performing forward and reverse rotations and guiding the leading edge of the sheet material onto a second part of said paper discharging tray means; flapper means capable of being switched so that the sheet material is directed to said first conveying path or to said second conveying path; and a reconveying path for accepting the sheet material returned to said second conveying path by the reverse rotation of said second rotating discharge means and for guiding again the sheet material to said image forming means.

Claim 8

An image forming apparatus having a sheet material conveyor according to claim 4, wherein the first and second conveying paths are upwardly curved, and wherein the reconveying path accepts the sheet material returned on said second conveying path nearly straight.

Claim 9

An image forming apparatus having a sheet material conveyor according to claim 4, wherein the first and second conveying paths are commonly formed utilizing a part of a guide plate.

Claim 10

An image forming apparatus having a sheet material conveyor according to claim 6, wherein the first and second rotating discharge means are vertically aligned and the second rotating discharge means is situated above the first rotating discharge means.

Claim 11

An image forming apparatus having a sheet material conveyor according to claim 4, wherein a preceding sheet material encounters a succeeding sheet material when the preceding sheet is sent to the second conveying path by the reverse rotation of said second rotating discharge means.

Claim 12

An image forming apparatus having a sheet material conveyor according to claim 4, wherein said paper discharge tray means is situated atop the apparatus and said first and second conveying paths are curved upward.

Claim 13

An image forming apparatus having a sheet material conveyor according to claim 9, wherein the reconveying path accepts the sheet material on said second conveying path nearly straight.

Claim 14

An image forming apparatus having a sheet material conveyor comprising: image forming means; means for conveying a sheet material on which an image is formed by said image forming means; a first conveying path situated at a downstream side of said conveying means for guiding the sheet material;, paper discharging tray means for supporting the sheet material; first rotating discharge means situated at an exit side of said first conveying path for discharging the sheet material onto a first part of said paper discharging tray means; a second conveying path provided along said first conveying path for guiding the sheet material; second rotating discharge means situated at an exit side of said second conveying path and capable of performing forward and reverse rotations and guiding the leading edge of the sheet material onto a second part of said paper discharging tray means; flapper means capable of being switched so that the sheet material is directed to said first conveying path or to said second conveying path; and a reconveying path for accepting the sheet material returned to said second conveying path by the reverse rotation of said second rotating discharge means and for guiding again the sheet material to said image forming means, wherein said first and second conveying paths are commonly formed utilizing a part of a guide plate, wherein said first and second rotating discharge means are vertically aligned and said second rotating discharge means is situated above said first rotating discharge means, wherein said paper discharging tray means includes sheet material parting means corresponding to said second rotating discharge means.

Claim 15

An image forming apparatus having a sheet material conveyor comprising: image forming means; means for conveying a sheet material on which an image is formed by said image forming means; a first conveying path situated at a downstream side of said conveying means for guiding the sheet material;, paper discharging tray means for supporting the sheet material; first rotating discharge means situated at an exit side of said first conveying path for discharging the sheet material onto a first part of said paper discharging tray means; a second conveying path provided along said first conveying path for guiding the sheet material; second rotating discharge means situated at an exit side of said second conveying path and capable of performing forward and reverse rotations and guiding the leading edge of the sheet material onto a second part of said paper discharging tray means; flapper means capable of being switched so that the sheet material is directed to said first conveying path or to said second conveying path; and a reconveying path for accepting the sheet material returned to said second conveying path by the reverse rotation of said second rotating discharge means and for guiding again the sheet material to said image forming means, wherein said first and second conveying paths are commonly formed utilizing a part of a guide plate, wherein said first and second rotating discharge means are vertically aligned and said second rotating discharge means is situated above said first rotating discharge means, wherein said paper discharging tray means includes sheet material parting means corresponding to said second rotating discharge means.

Claim 16

An image forming apparatus having sheet material transport means comprising: image forming means; means for conveying a sheet material on which an image is formed by said image forming means; an upwardly curving conveying path situated at a downstream side of said conveying means for guiding the sheet material; paper discharging tray means for supporting the sheet material guided through said conveying path, said paper discharging tray means situated atop of said apparatus; discharge means comprising a pair of discharge rollers situated at an exit side of said conveying path opposite and immediately adjacent to said paper discharging tray means and which can shift between a first mode for discharging the sheet material onto said paper discharging tray means and a second mode for first conveying the leading edge of the sheet into an inner part of said paper discharging tray means and then returning the sheet material to said conveying path in a direction opposite to the direction of discharge; a reconveying path for accepting the sheet material returned to said conveying path by said discharge means in its second mode while the sheet material is substantially straight for guiding again the sheet material to said image forming means; and flapper means for switching between a position for guiding the sheet material conveyed by said conveying means to the conveying path and a position for guiding the sheet material being returned on the conveying path to said reconveying path.

Claim 17

An image forming apparatus having sheet material transport means comprising: image forming means; means for conveying a sheet material on which an image is formed by said image forming means; an upwardly curving conveying path situated at a downstream side of said conveying means for guiding the sheet material; paper discharging tray means for supporting the sheet material guided through said conveying path, said paper discharging tray means situated atop of said apparatus; discharge means comprising a pair of discharge rollers situated at an exit side of said conveying path opposite and immediately adjacent to said paper discharging tray means and which can shift between a first mode for discharging the sheet material onto said paper discharging tray means and a second mode for first conveying the leading edge of the sheet into an inner part of said paper discharging tray means and then returning the sheet material to said conveying path in a direction opposite to the direction of discharge; a reconveying path for accepting the sheet material returned to said conveying path by said discharge means in its second mode while the sheet material is substantially straight for guiding again the sheet material to said image forming means; and flapper means for switching between a position for guiding the sheet material conveyed by said conveying means to the conveying path and a position for guiding the sheet material being returned on the conveying path to said reconveying path.

Claim 18

An image forming apparatus having a sheet material conveyor comprising: image forming means; means for conveying a sheet material on which an image is formed by said image forming means; a first conveying path situated at a downstream side of said conveying means for guiding the sheet material; first paper discharging tray means for supporting the sheet material guided through said first conveying path; first rotating discharge means situated at an exit side of said first conveying path for discharging the sheet material onto said first paper discharging tray means; a second conveying path provided along said first conveying path for guiding the sheet material; second rotating discharge means situated at an exit side of said second conveying path and capable of performing forward and reverse rotations; first flapper means capable of being switched so that the sheet material is directed to said first conveying path or to said second conveying path; a reconveying path for accepting the sheet material returned to said second conveying path by the reverse rotation of said second rotating discharge means and for guiding again the sheet material to said image forming means; second paper discharging tray means, positioned below said reconveying path, for supporting the sheet material such that the sheet material is externally accessible; and second flapper means provided within said reconveying path so that the sheet material can be directed to said second paper discharging tray means, wherein the sheet material supported by said first paper discharging tray means and the sheet material supported by said second paper discharging tray means are supported after having an image formed on at least one side by said image forming means.

Claim 19

An image forming apparatus having a sheet material conveyor comprising: image forming means; means for conveying a sheet material on which an image is formed by said image forming means; a first conveying path situated at a downstream side of said conveying means for guiding the sheet material; first paper discharging tray means for supporting the sheet material guided through said first conveying path; first rotating discharge means situated at an exit side of said first conveying path for discharging the sheet material onto said first paper discharging tray means; a second conveying path provided along said first conveying path for guiding the sheet material; second rotating discharge means situated at an exit side of said second conveying path and capable of performing forward and reverse rotations; first flapper means capable of being switched so that the sheet material is directed to said first conveying path or to said second conveying path; a reconveying path for accepting the sheet material returned to said second conveying path by the reverse rotation of said second rotating discharge means and for guiding again the sheet material to said image forming means; second paper discharging tray means, positioned below said reconveying path, for supporting the sheet material such that the sheet material is externally accessible; and second flapper means provided within said reconveying path so that the sheet material can be directed to said second paper discharging tray means, wherein the sheet material supported by said first paper discharging tray means and the sheet material supported by said second paper discharging tray means are supported after having an image formed on at least one side by said image forming means.

Claim 20

An image forming apparatus having sheet material transport means comprising: image forming means; means for conveying a sheet material on which an image is formed by said image forming means; a conveying path situated at a downstream side of said conveying means for guiding the sheet material; first paper discharging tray means for supporting the sheet material guided through said conveying path; discharge means situated at an exit side of said conveying path and which can shift between a first mode for discharging the sheet material onto said first paper discharging tray means and a second mode for returning the sheet material to said conveying path in a direction opposite to the direction of discharge; a reconveying path for accepting the sheet material returned to said conveying path by said discharge means in its second mode for guiding again the sheet material to said image forming means; second paper discharging tray means, positioned below said reconveying path, for supporting the sheet material such that the sheet material is externally accessible; and a flapper provided within said reconveying path so that the sheet material can be directed to said second paper discharging tray means, wherein the sheet material supported by said first paper discharging tray means and the sheet material supported by said second paper discharging tray means are supported after having an image formed on at least one side by said image forming means.

Claim 21

An image forming apparatus having sheet material transport means comprising: image forming means; means for conveying a sheet material on which an image is formed by said image forming means; a conveying path situated at a downstream side of said conveying means for guiding the sheet material; first paper discharging tray means for supporting the sheet material guided through said conveying path; discharge means situated at an exit side of said conveying path and which can shift between a first mode for discharging the sheet material onto said first paper discharging tray means and a second mode for returning the sheet material to said conveying path in a direction opposite to the direction of discharge; a reconveying path for accepting the sheet material returned to said conveying path by said discharge means in its second mode for guiding again the sheet material to said image forming means; second paper discharging tray means, positioned below said reconveying path, for supporting the sheet material such that the sheet material is externally accessible; and a flapper provided within said reconveying path so that the sheet material can be directed to said second paper discharging tray means, wherein the sheet material supported by said first paper discharging tray means and the sheet material supported by said second paper discharging tray means are supported after having an image formed on at least one side by said image forming means.