The present invention relates to a paper cutting apparatus which is mounted in a facsimile apparatus, a printer, or the like to cut a roll of recording paper to a necessary length with a cutter after information is recorded on the paper.
FIG. 7 shows a facsimile apparatus in which a conventional paper cutting apparatus is mounted. Referring to FIG. 7, reference numeral 102 denotes a roller of recording paper; 103, a thermal head for generating heat in accordance with a signal from a control section (not shown) to cause a black printing reaction on the recording paper 102; 104, a platen roller which is arranged on the printing line of the thermal head 103 to press the recording paper 102 against the thermal head 103 so as to convey the recording paper 102 upon pivotal movement; 140, a cutting apparatus for cutting the recording paper 102 to a predetermined length in accordance with a signal from the control section; and 141, a plate-like stacker extending obliquely upward from a position below the cutting position of the cutting apparatus 140 and having almost the same surface area as that of cut recording paper 107. The recording paper 107 cut by the cutting apparatus 140 drops onto the stacker 141 by gravity.
The above conventional paper cutting apparatus requires the stacker 141 for storing the cut recording paper 107. For this reason, the stacker 141 having a size corresponding to a predetermined cutting length, e.g., JIS A4 or B4 size, protrudes outward from a facsimile apparatus aiming at a reduction in size, as shown in FIG. 7. Therefore, the user of a facsimile apparatus having such a structure must ensure a wide installation place for the stacker 141. In addition, in order to prevent operators around the facsimile apparatus from bumping against the stacker 141, the installation place is undesirably limited.