FR2653625A1 - IMAGE RECORDING APPARATUS, IN PARTICULAR FOR FAX. - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is an image recording apparatus. It relates to an apparatus comprising a roll (2) of a recording paper (1) on which information is recorded by a printhead (3), when the paper is moved by rollers (4), before cutting by a knife (5). According to the invention, a roll (6) of a sealing paper (7) advances under the control of rolls (8) and is superimposed on the recorded part of the sheet of recording paper, before passing through a recording device. sealing (10 '). In this way, the copies formed, for example faxes, can remain confidential. Application to fax machines.

Description

The present invention relates to a recording apparatus

  image recording and more precisely such an apparatus used in an image communication apparatus such as

than a fax machine.

  The fax is a device available for the transmission of character and drawing images to remote locations. An example of a conventional image recording device used in the output section

  a fax is shown in Figure 1.

  The image recording apparatus comprises a roll 2 of a tape 1 of recording paper, an image reproducing section 3, rollers 4 for advancing the tape 1 of recording paper towards the section 3 of image reproduction, and a knife 5 for cutting the tape 1 at the end of the data recording. In the image recording apparatus having this construction, the received image is reproduced on the recording paper in the following manner. The data

  image received are transmitted to section 3 of the reproduc-

  image and simultaneously, the tape 1 of recording paper is transmitted by the roller 2 to the section 3 in which the image is recorded on the paper web, by thermal transfer. Then, the recorded paper tape is cut by the knife 5 that separates

  the recorded part la of the remainder of the band 1.

  In the conventional image recording apparatus of this type, however, the recording paper on which

  received image data have been recorded is simple-

  transmitted to the outside and cut off, so that when the recorded sheet of paper transmitted by the apparatus remains as it is, the information shown on the sheet is exposed and can be seen by other persons

  than that to which the information transmitted is addressed.

  Thus, the content of a letter or document transmitted can not remain secret. This poses a problem when you want to send a personal letter to a specific person or when transmitting documents concerning confidential information of the company

  new models (for example, clothing designs).

fax machines.

  The invention is intended to solve these problems posed by conventional fax machines, and its purpose is the realization of an image recording apparatus whose operation allows the transmission of the recorded paper sheet in such a way that its content

remains secret.

  For this purpose, the invention is characterized in that the image recording apparatus on the recording paper web from the roll has a roll of

  sealing paper in addition to the roll of paper

  tration. It also includes a device for stacking a sheet of sealing paper on the recorded and cut sheet of paper and a device for connecting the registered paper to the paper of

  sealing, to their peripheral parts.

  When the image data is transmitted to such an image recording apparatus, the apparatus starts advancing the recording paper tape of the

  roller. When this band is extracted, the recording head

  This record reproduces an image corresponding to the data received on the sheet of paper. At the same time as

  record sheet is extracted, the seal paper-

  It is also transmitted so that it is stacked on the recorded sheet of paper that has received the image of the reproduced data. Next, the sheet of recording paper and the sheet of sealing paper, placed on the previous one, are connected to each other at their peripheral parts by a fastener and are

  extracted in the form of a sealed letter.

  According to the invention, as the image recording apparatus comprises a roll of sealing paper so that the sealing paper can be placed on the paper

  recorded and stuck to it along the peripheral parts

  However, it is possible to keep secret the contents of personal letters, confidential documents of a company or new models (for example

  clothes) that may be appropriated by other people.

  This gives some security to the user.

  Other features and advantages of the invention

  tion will become more apparent from the following description,

  with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view showing the construction of a conventional image recording apparatus; Fig. 2 is a schematic elevational view showing the construction of a first embodiment of an image recording apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an exemplary treatment applied to the surface of the seal paper used in this embodiment to hide the contents of the recorded paper placed underneath; Fig. 4 is a perspective of an example of a received document obtained with the image recording apparatus of the previous embodiment; Fig. 5 is a perspective showing the construction of a second embodiment of an image recording apparatus according to the invention; Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the second embodiment;

  Figure 7 is a block diagram of a telecom

  which the image recording apparatus according to the invention can be incorporated; Figure 8 is a perspective representing a

  example of a document received, obtained with the recording device

  very image of the second embodiment; Figure 9 is a side elevational view

  representing the construction of a third mode of

  an image recording apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 10 is a plan view showing the state of a received document introduced into an envelope used in the third embodiment; Fig. 11 is a schematic side elevational view showing the construction of a fourth embodiment of an image recording apparatus according to the invention; and Fig. 12 is a side elevational view showing the recorded paper obtained with the image recording apparatus of the fourth embodiment.

in the process of folding.

  Figure 2 represents a first embodiment of

  an image recording apparatus according to the invention.

  The image recording apparatus of this embodiment

  It has a fundamental construction analogous to that of the conventional image recording apparatus described above because it comprises a roll 2 of a strip 1 of recording paper, a section 3 of image reproduction for reproducing the images to be recorded on the thermal transfer recording paper, rollers 4 for advancing the web 1 to the image reproduction section 3, and a knife for cutting the web 1 of paper end of the recorded part. However, this embodiment

  has additional organs. These are constituted

  killed by a roll 6 of sealing paper separated from the roll 2 of recording paper, second rolls

  debtors 8 for advancing the paper 7 of seal-

  from the roll 6 and to transmit it to the transport path of the recording paper web, pressure rollers 9 for stacking the sealing paper 7 on the recording paper 1, and an organ

  sealing device for connecting the recording paper 1 to

  and the sealing paper 7 to their peripheral parts. While the recording paper 1 is formed of heat-sensitive paper or electrostatic recording paper, the sealing paper is plain paper. This sealing paper 7 is cut almost to the same width as the recording paper 1. The paper of

  sealing is sufficient to ensure that the information

  recorded on the recording paper can not be seen through it, or a side 7a of the sealing paper intended to be in contact with the recorded paper sheet 1 undergoes a blindness treatment, for example by painting with a certain color, like

indicated in 7b in FIG.

  The operation is now described in more detail

  of the image recording device having the

previous construction.

  First, when the image data is transmitted to the recording apparatus, the recording apparatus begins to operate the rollers 4 which advance the tape 1 of recording paper from the roll 2. The section 3 of image reproduction reproduces the characters or drawings received on the paper 1, and the recorded portion of the paper 1 is transferred to the back of the section 3 of

  image reproduction. While record paper 1

  is transported and subjected to data recording, the sealing paper 7 comes from the roll 6 under the

  order of the second debtor roll 8. The seal paper

  7 is stacked on the recorded portion of the recording paper 1 by the pressure rollers 9. There is a certain delay between the advance control of the recording paper 1 and that of the sealing paper 7 in order to

  that the latter begins to touch the paper 1 of record-

  at a predetermined distance L behind the extreme

  of the recording paper.

  L is preferably a few centimeters

  ratio to the upper end of the record paper 1

  so much so that recipient information lb and the

  date lc are not covered by the paper 7 of seal-

  is lying. The recording paper 1 and the sealing paper 7 thus stacked are transferred to the sealing member 10 in which the end portion 7c of the paper 7

  seal is first glued to paper 1 of record-

  and the side parts 1d, 7d of the paper 1 of

  Registration and sealing paper 7 are connected on both sides. This fixing operation is carried out either by gluing or by forming lines of perforations. The operation of fixing the lateral parts ld, 7d is performed at the same time as the recording operation is

  performed on the recording paper 1. When the

  the record on this page is complete, the posterior end

  above the part of the registered part of the paper 1 and the part

  Corresponding 7th of the sealing paper 7 are glued.

  Then, in the glued parts, the 7th, the paper of

  1 and the sealing paper 7 are cut and separated from the remaining strips of recording and sealing paper respectively. As a result, the received document, which is sealed as shown in FIG. 4, is

  evacuated out of the image recording apparatus.

  Then, the debit rollers 4 and 8 change direction so that they move the leading ends of the recording paper 1 and the sealing paper 7 to the initial positions so that the apparatus can process the

  next document or the next page.

  When it is not necessary that the reproduced images be hidden from other persons, a normal mode is established for the usual image recording, with transmission of the recorded paper 1 which is not covered. Figures 5 to 8 show a second embodiment of the invention. Unlike the image recording apparatus of the first embodiment, the second embodiment provides the winding of the tape.

  of paper in the form of a roll and seal it

  between the two ends of the roll formed by the

recorded paper.

  In Fig. 5, reference numeral 10 represents a facsimile machine. A registered paper discharge opening 11 and a holder 12 placed near the opening 11

  are at a first end of the facsimile machine 10.

  The support member 12 has two remote guide members 13 placed near its opposite sides and intended to wind the recorded paper web 1, out through the opening 11, in the form of a cylinder of circular section. These guide members 13 are formed by cutouts 14 of the support member 12 formed near its sides and inwardly of the edges of the recording paper sheet 1, in the direction of advance of the sheets.

  of paper, and curvature of the cuts up.

  A binding device 15 is placed above the support member 12 and binds the recorded paper 1 wound by the guide members 13 in the form of a letter. The binding device 15 comprises motors 16 fixed on either side of the fax machine 10, arms 17 coupled to a first end of the rotary shafts of the motors 16, a frame 18 coupled to the other end of the arms 17 and supported by these arms, and pressure blocks 19 and fasteners 20 mounted on the frame 18. The motors 16 are placed on either side of the fax machine 10 and the arms 17 coupled to the motors 16 are also placed on both sides of the fax machine 10. The arm 17 is formed of a connecting rod mechanism, for example with a parallelogram. The frame 18 has a rectangular-shaped structure. The pressure blocks 19 are attached to the front and rear parts of the frame 18. The members 20

  fasteners are mounted on both sides of the frame 18.

  Block 19 is short enough to be placed between the two guide members 13. The fasteners 20 are placed on the frame 18 at locations which correspond to the side edges of the recording paper sheet 1, outside the two guide members 13. The fastener 20 may consist for example of several very small knives 21 having a length of about 1 to 1.5 mm, aligned with a certain spacing. The support member 12 is formed with a plurality of slots 22 at locations facing the knife mounting positions so that the ends of the knives 21

can spend there.

  This embodiment includes a control circuit which, when the facsimile machine 10 receives a message, stores the recipient information on the recording paper at the end of the received message. An example

  such a control circuit is shown in FIG. 7.

  In this figure, the reference 31 designates an image reader which scans the text and creates image data.

  intended to be transmitted by telephone lines.

  Reference 32 designates a printer assembly that transmits the received data as an image. A communication control member 33 executes the sequence

  specified control procedures ensuring the communication of

  fax. Reference 34 designates a modulator

  demodulator which provides modulation and demodulation of the image signals. A network control unit 35 provides automatic data transmission and reception.

  through a network of telephone lines 36.

  Reference 37 designates a system controller that controls the overall operation of the facsimile machine 10 and

  which is connected to an image memory 38.

  In the above construction, when the facsimile receiving operation begins, the system controller 37 operates the printing unit 32 and, simultaneously, the image signal received by the telephone circuit 36 is demodulated. in the modem 34. The control member 37 then reproduces, from the demodulated signal, the image data that was created when the text was read at the other end of the telephone line. The image data thus produced are recorded and

  printed by the printing assembly 32.

  At the same time, the system controller 37 retains in the image memory 38 a specified number of first lines of the data of the received image. The number of lines stored in the memory 38 may correspond to several centimeters (equivalent to the dimension L) since

  the front end of the recording paper 1, that is,

  say that the number of lines should only be sufficient

  large enough to reproduce the destination information

  addressee. The registered paper 1, printed in the set 32

  printing, is evacuated through the discharge opening 11.

  When the sheet 1 of recorded paper is extracted, the front end 1a of the sheet 1 advances on the support 12 and reaches the guide members 13 along which the sheet 1 of paper moves and rolls up forming a cylindrical roll as shown in the figure

  5. (The rolled cylindrical part bears the reference if).

  When all the data has been received and the tele-

  When the copier 10 performs the disconnection processing of the telephone circuit, the control member 37 searches for the first portion of the image data received in the memory 38 and transmits it to the printing unit 32. The latter saves the first part of the data of the received image again at the end of the message received before cutting the tape 1 of paper recorded. The evacuation operation of paper sheet is then completed, the last part of recorded information (corresponding to the last recorded part lg) remaining unwound at the end of the

  rolled cylindrical part lf. The last part is

  lg contains information such as the destination

natal lb and date lc.

  Then, the system controller 37 transmits a command to the binding device 15 so that the recorded and evacuated paper 1 is connected. When this binding operation begins, the motors 16 begin to rotate the arms 17 connected to the motors 16, lowering the frame 18 to the rolled cylindrical portion of the registered paper sheet 1. When the frame 18 goes down, the blocks 19 push the cylindrical part if between the guide members 13 so that this part is folded. At the same time, the fasteners 20 come into contact with the end portions of the rolled cylindrical portion 14 and urge them (or come into contact with both side edges of the recorded tape) and cause the recorded tape to be flattened and folded. and wound 1 in the form of several layers. This pressing operation causes the knives 21 fixed to the fastening members 20 to advance towards the slots 22, and the knives pierce the end portions of the rolled cylindrical portion 1e of the recorded strip 1 and deform the end portions by embossing so that a sealed portion 23 is formed as shown in FIG.

  binds a number of folded sheets.

  An operator placed at the receiving end of the telephone line then takes a finished document formed by the recorded and connected paper sheet of FIG. 8, by extracting the support in the direction S in FIG.

forward it to the intended recipient.

  Figures 9 and 10 show a third embodiment of the invention. This implements the placing of the recorded sheets 1 in front envelope

evacuation.

  In this embodiment, a box 40 which contains envelopes as shown in FIG. 9,

  is placed behind the knife 5 of the first embodiment

  tion (see Figure 2). The box 40 which contains several envelopes 41, has an opening 42 formed at its bottom and through which the envelopes 41 are evacuated. The opening 42 has a hook portion 43 at its front end. A base 44 which supports the envelope 41 is placed under the box 40. Each of the envelopes 41 is formed of a sheet of paper simply folded in two and placed in the box 40. The envelope 41 is folded so that a top layer 41a is slightly longer than

  lower layer 41b. As a result, when

  loppes 41 are loaded into the casing 40, the lower casing 41c is placed as shown in FIG. 9, the edge of the upper layer 41a being in contact with the hooking portion 43 and the lower layer 41b being in abutment with the base 44, the complementary ends being separated. This embodiment also implements the same fasteners 20 and the same control circuit as the second embodiment.

  When operating such a recorder

  image, the control device 37 of the system con-

  set in image memory 38, the specified number of

  first lines of the data of the received image. Simultaneous-

  The system control member 37 transfers the image data to the print assembly 32. Each time the recording paper sheet 1 receives messages in an area slightly shorter than the length of the document envelope 41, the control member 37 of the

  system transmits a paper cut command to the

  seems to print. According to this command, the recorded paper 1 is successively cut to a dimension almost equal to the length of the envelope 41, and the cut sheets 1 are then transmitted in the envelope 41c placed on the base 44. However, in the case of the last page recorded, the system controller 37 does not transmit the paper cut command immediately after the receipt of all the data and the end of the disconnection of the telephone line by the facsimile machine. the system's command seeks instead the first part of the data from

  the image received in the memory 38 and transfers them to the

  The latter is intended to continue to advance an additional section of recording paper 1 corresponding to a complete page and to store the image data read in the memory 38 on the additional page 1h, before cutting. 1. As a result, the registered paper 1 is evacuated from the print assembly, the last remaining page 1h remaining outside the envelope 41. The last additional page 1h is recorded and carries information

  such as the recipient lb and the date lc.

  The control member 37 of the system then transmits another command to the printing unit 32 so that the envelope 41 is connected by the device 15. When the operation begins, the associated driving mechanism is controlled so that it pushes the fasteners against the casing 41. The fasteners occupy positions corresponding to the circumferential portions of the casing 41 other than the folded portion. This pressing operation causes the knives 21 fixed to the fastening members 20 to advance towards the slots 22, to pierce the recorded sheets 1 in the circumferential parts of the envelope 41 or to form an embossing so that a sealed part 45 be delimited. As a result, a sealed envelope 41 is obtained and an additional page 1h, on which the recipient information lb or other is printed, remains exposed as shown in FIG. 10. A facsimile operator, placed at the receiving end, so can easily identify the recipient

of the envelope.

  In this embodiment, it is also possible to print the data removed from the image memory 38, on the top of the sealed envelope 41 after placing the cut sheets 1 and carrying the data of the reviewed image.

  in the envelope and sealing of it.

  Figures 11 and 12 show a fourth embodiment of the invention. It implements a method of folding the recorded sheet 1 during its evacuation.

  As shown in Figure 11, this mode of

  It comprises a registered paper sheet folding member 50 placed behind the knife 5. As shown in FIG. 12, a binding device 15 is placed

  near the fax machine opening 10.

  A control circuit similar to that shown in FIG. 7 is used to control fax reception and registration operations. However, this embodiment does not necessarily use the image memory 38 but can instead use a modified program contained in the control member 37 of the

  system so that it creates a confidential document.

  During the operation of this recording device

  image, the system controller 27 retains in the image memory 38 a specified number of

  first lines of the data of the received image. Simultaneous-

  The system control member 37 transfers the image data to the print unit 32 for recording. Following a command from the member 37, the print assembly 32 advances the first page of recorded paper 1 so that the first page is a little longer than the ordinary size. The first page is only recorded in the last part that begins several centimeters from the end and in which the information including the recipient lb and the date ld is printed. When a specified length portion of the sheet 1 is extracted, the registered sheet folding member 50 is controlled to fold the recorded sheet 1 and the printed side is always turned outward. The recording operation is performed continuously on a second page. In the case of the second page, the recorded paper 1 advances a distance slightly less than that of the first page and at this time the folding member 50 is controlled so that it folds the sheet in the opposite direction to that of the first page. Similarly, the following pages are transmitted with the same length as the second page and folded in the other direction. In the case of the last page, when all the image data has been recorded, the sheet 1 is extracted until the last page has a length equal to that of the first page and, at that moment, the sheet 1 is cut by the knife 5. As a result, the recorded paper 1 that is obtained is as shown in FIG. 12, the recorded pages being folded between the first and the last

  page that are longer than the intermediate pages.

  The control member 37 of the system then transmits

  a command to the printing assembly 32 so that the envelope

  loppe 41 is connected by the device 15. When the operation

  the binding mechanism starts, the associated mechanism of

  The fastening members 20 have positions such that only the first and the last page are fixed to each other.

  in a circumferential part of the sheets of paper. This pressing causes the advance of the knives 21 fixed to the organs 20 of

  fastening to the slots 22, the knives

  piercing the recorded paper 1 or causing distortion

  by embossing so that a seal is formed on the

  confidential document. Like the first page of this document

  is printed and carries information such as the recipient lb, an operator placed at the end of

  reception can easily identify the intended recipient.

  It is understood that the invention has been described and shown only as a preferred example and that any technical equivalence can be provided in its

  constituent elements without departing from its scope.

Claims (4)

  An image recording apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a recording paper roll (2), an image reproducing section (3) for forming images on the recording paper, a device (4) for advancing the recording paper from the roll and transmitting it to the image reproducing section (3), a roll (6) of sealing paper (7) arranged   to separate it from the paper roll of   a device (8) for advancing the sealing paper (7) from the roll (6) of sealing paper,   a device for stacking the seal paper   (7) on the registered part of the registration paper   (1), and a device (15) for binding the paper of   sealing and the recorded part of the recording paper   to their peripheral parts.   2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing paper (7) begins to be stacked   on the recording paper (1) at a predetermined distance   behind the front end of the paper   tration. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a blind treatment (7b) is applied to the surface of the sealing paper (7) which is in contact with the recording paper (1).   4. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that a blind treatment (7b) is applied to the surface of the sealing paper (7) which is in contact with the recording paper (1).