Printing apparatus and printing method

Abstract

By effectively using a sheet feeding mechanism used for feeding a printing medium in a single transporting path for the purpose of another transporting path, a printing apparatus and a printing method that can simplify a configuration and reduce a size are provided. A first transporting path and a second transporting path are selectively used when an image is to be printed on a printing sheet. The first transporting path transports the printing sheet supplied by a sheet feeding roller from a printing sheet loading portion to a printing position. The second transporting path transports the printing sheet located at a position different from the printing sheet loading portion to the printing position. When the printing sheet is to be transported by the second transporting path, the sheet feeding roller is moved onto the second transporting path so as to transport the printing sheet in the second transporting path.

1 . A printing apparatus in which a printing medium is transported to a printing position of a printing unit and an image is printed on the printing medium, comprising:
 a first transporting path that transports the printing medium supplied by a supplying unit from a first position where the printing medium is loaded to the printing position; and   a second transporting path that transports the printing medium located at a second position different from the first position to the printing position, wherein   the supplying unit can move onto the second transporting path so that the printing medium in the second transporting path is transported along the second transporting path.   
     
     
         2 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first transporting path and the second transporting path include a common path common to the both paths, and   the common path is provided with a feeding unit that transports the printing medium.   
     
     
         3 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first transporting path includes a path that discharges the printing medium in which an image is printed on one face at the printing position through the second position, and   the second transporting path reverses the printing medium at the second position and transports the printing medium to the printing position so that an image is printed on the other face of the printing medium.   
     
     
         4 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the supplying unit blocks the second transporting path when the supplying unit is located on the first transporting path.   
     
     
         5 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 a supply tray on which a plurality of the printing mediums can be loaded is provided at the first position, and   the supplying unit includes a supply roller that supplies an uppermost one in the printing mediums loaded on the supply tray to the first transporting path.   
     
     
         6 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein
 the supply roller is movable to a position on the first transporting path and a position on the second transporting path, respectively.   
     
     
         7 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the supply roller is provided at a rotatable arm.   
     
     
         8 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein
 a part of the second transporting path is formed by an upper face of a guide member located above the supply tray, and   the supply roller opposes the upper face of the guide member when the supply roller moves onto the second transporting path and opposes the printing medium loaded on the supply tray when the supply roller moves onto the first transporting path.   
     
     
         9 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein
 the supply roller is movable to a position on the first transporting path and a position on the second transporting path, respectively, through a hole formed in the guide member, and   a blocking unit is provided that forms a part of the second transporting path by blocking the hole when the printing medium is transported by the second transporting path.   
     
     
         10 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein
 the blocking unit includes a blocking member located below the guide member and movable to a position that opens and blocks the hole.   
     
     
         11 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein
 the blocking unit urges the supply tray upward so that the hole is blocked by the printing medium loaded on the supply tray or the inner bottom face of the supply tray.   
     
     
         12 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the printing unit prints an image using an inkjet print head that can eject ink.   
     
     
         13 . A printing method in which a printing medium is transported to a printing position of a printing unit and an image is printed on the printing medium, wherein using:
 a first transporting path that transports the printing medium supplied by a supplying unit from a first position where the printing medium is loaded to the printing position; and   a second transporting path that transports the printing medium located at a second position different from the first position to the printing position,   when the printing medium is transported by the second transporting path, the supplying unit is moved onto the second transporting path, and the printing medium in the second transporting path is transported by the supplying unit.