Sheet inverting device and image forming apparatus incorporating same

摘要

A sheet inverting device includes a loop pathway including an entrance slot to which a recording medium is conveyed and an exit slot from which the recording medium is conveyed, the loop pathway forming a loop shape to convey the recording medium therethrough in a forward direction defined by a sheet conveyance direction in which the recording medium is conveyed from the entrance slot travels, and a redirectable sheet conveyance member to convey the recording medium traveling through the loop pathway in the forward direction and a reverse direction that is the reverse of the forward direction. The exit slot is configured to convey the recording medium that is conveyed by the redirectable sheet conveyance member in the reverse direction outside the sheet inverting device therethrough.

主权项

1. A sheet inverting device, comprising:
a loop pathway comprising an entrance slot to which a recording medium is conveyed and an exit slot from which the recording medium is conveyed, the loop pathway forming a loop shape to convey the recording medium therethrough in a forward direction defined by a sheet conveyance direction in which the recording medium is conveyed from the entrance slot; a redirectable sheet conveyance member configured to convey the recording medium traveling through the loop pathway in the forward direction and a reverse direction that is the reverse of the forward direction, the recording medium conveyed by the redirectable sheet conveyance member in the reverse direction is conveyed from the exit slot out of the loop pathway; an export pathway that extends below the loop path to convey the recording medium to be ejected through the exit slot, wherein the loop pathway further comprises: a first pathway extending from the entrance slot to the exit slot to convey the recording medium therethrough in the forward direction; a second pathway extending from the exit slot to the entrance slot to convey the recording medium therethrough in the forward direction such that the recording medium conveyed in the forward direction in the first pathway to the second pathway passes the exit slot; and a first angle formed between the second pathway and the export pathway is greater than a second angle formed between the first pathway and the export pathway in the vicinity of the exit slot; and a sheet reentry pathway that serves as the export pathway and extends below the first pathway to re-convey the recording medium traveling in the reverse direction therein, the reentry pathway having one end at which the exit slot is formed.