Option-type paper feeding device

Abstract

The invention provides an option-type paper feeding device that can contribute to enhancing printing operation efficiency while taking advantage of variable printing speed in a printing apparatus. A high-volume paper feeding device includes: a paper stacking section; a paper feeding mechanism; and an intermediate transport section connected to a paper feeding section of a printing apparatus such as a stencil printing apparatus. The intermediate transport section includes: a first paper transport means; and a second paper transport means provided downstream of the first paper transport means, and an inkjet printing section is provided above the first paper transport means. The transport speed of the first paper transport means is fixed to a speed suitable for printing by the inkjet printing section, while the transport speed of the second paper transport means is variable. The transport speed of the second paper transport means is adjusted by control means (not shown in drawings) in accordance with the printing speed of a printing apparatus connected to the high-volume paper feeding device.

1 . An option-type paper feeding device, comprising:
 a paper stacking section;   a paper feeding mechanism for separating and feeding, sheet by sheet, paper from the paper stacking section;   an intermediate transport section, arbitrarily connectable to a paper feeding section of a printing apparatus for printing in use of a plate, for transporting the paper fed by said paper feeding mechanism towards the paper feeding section of said printing apparatus; and   an inkjet printing section provided in the intermediate transport section, wherein   said intermediate transport section comprises first paper transport means provided facing said inkjet printing section, and second paper transport means provided downstream in a transport direction of the first paper transport means, and   a transport speed of said first paper transport means is fixed to a substantially constant speed, and a transport speed of said second paper transport means is variable.   
     
     
         2 . The option-type paper feeding device according to  claim 1 , further comprising control means for, on the basis of printing speed information from said printing apparatus, adjusting the transport speed of said second paper transport means so as to match said printing speed, when said option-type paper feeding device is communicably connected to said printing apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The option-type paper feeding device according to  claim 1 , wherein said paper stacking section is capable of stacking thereon a larger amount of paper than the paper feeding section of said printing apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . The option-type paper feeding device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least said first paper transport means, among said first paper transport means and said second paper transport means, has a structure in which paper is suctioned and thereby transported by electrostatic forces or by air negative pressure. 
     
     
         5 . The option-type paper feeding device according to  claim 1 , wherein the option-type paper feeding device can be used as an inkjet printer by being directly connectable to a paper discharge device, without said printing apparatus being interposed therebetween. 
     
     
         6 . The option-type paper feeding device according to  claim 5 , wherein printing by said inkjet printing section can be stopped on the basis of information from said paper discharge device, when said option-type paper feeding device is communicably connected to said paper discharge device. 
     
     
         7 . The option-type paper feeding device according to  claim 5 , further comprising control means for temporarily storing print data in a memory, and for enabling supplementary printing by said inkjet printing section through reading of the stored data. 
     
     
         8 . The option-type paper feeding device according to  claim 1 , further comprising cleaning means for cleaning an ink head of said inkjet printing section, said cleaning means being operated on the basis of a cleaning signal. 
     
     
         9 . The option-type paper feeding device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a press roller abutting an end of said first paper transport means on an upstream side of the transport direction, for pressing the paper.