US 12,409,672 B2
Image forming apparatus and control method of image forming apparatus
Shinya Naoi, Tokyo (JP); Sho Okuzawa, Tokyo (JP); and Sho Soda, Tokyo (JP)
Assigned to KONICA MINOLTA, INC., Tokyo (JP)
Filed by Konica Minolta, Inc., Tokyo (JP)
Filed on May 15, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/317,454.
Claims priority of application No. 2022-081574 (JP), filed on May 18, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0373231 A1, Nov. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. B65H 19/20 (2006.01); B41J 15/16 (2006.01); G03G 15/00 (2006.01)
CPC B41J 15/16 (2013.01) [B65H 19/20 (2013.01); G03G 15/6517 (2013.01); G03G 15/652 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
a main part that forms an image on a continuous medium in a state in which a tension is applied to the continuous medium, the continuous medium being fed from a first roll and conveyed to be taken up on a second roll; and
a tension maintaining part that maintains the tension of the continuous medium at the main part during a manipulation for replacing at least one of the first roll and the second roll;
wherein:
the tension maintaining part includes:
a tension applier that applies a predetermined tension to the continuous medium, and
a holder that holds the continuous medium in a state in which the predetermined tension is applied to the continuous medium, and
when the image forming apparatus transitions from an image formable state to a roll replacement state, the holder is operated such that the holder holds the continuous medium, and thereafter stops the tension applier applying the tension.
 
16. A control method of an image forming apparatus, comprising:
forming an image on a continuous medium by a main part of the image forming apparatus in a state in which a tension is applied to the continuous medium, the continuous medium being fed from a first roll and conveyed to be taken up on a second roll;
operating a tension maintaining part to maintain the tension of the continuous medium at the main part during a manipulation for replacing at least one of the first roll and the second roll;
wherein:
the tension maintaining part includes:
a tension applier that applies a predetermined tension to the continuous medium, and
a holder that holds the continuous medium in a state in which the predetermined tension is applied to the continuous medium, and
when the image forming apparatus transitions from an image formable state to a roll replacement state, the holder is operated such that the holder holds the continuous medium, and thereafter stops the tension applier applying the tension.