DE4042539C2 - Paper handler for copy sorter - Google Patents

Abstract

The paper handling device has a number of compartments or shelves for sheets, a unit for positioning the sheets or sorting them into the compartment. A unit (402) moves the sheets compartment by compartment into a stitching or binding position. A unit carries out the stitching of the sheets. The unit for moving the sheets is returned to its original position by the stitching unit, and there is a control unit for the paper moving unit for adjusting it when it has been returned, so that it can sort the sheets or bundles of sheets.

Description

The invention relates to a paper handling device according to claim 1.

Sheets of paper, for example from a copier or have been delivered to a printer, will be usual usually in individual compartments of a sorter or one Stacking device stacked. The stack of sheets of paper who which are taken out of the subjects one by one and then bound, punched and then secured using a stapler or bonded together using bookbinder glue. Each yet is taking out the individual stacks of paper from the compartments to bind them or to keep them in another way act, tedious and inefficient.

A recent development in the field of the former  hend described devices is a paper handling direction which stacks of paper are stapled in their compartments or can treat in other ways; such a facility is therefore also referred to as a sorting or stapling device net. An example of this type of paper handling directions is a facility that predetermines te number of sheets of paper distributed across all subjects and stapling the sheets of paper tray by tray, as in the yes Panicked Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 62-290655, 63-60871 and 63-116168. With a copy machine advises with such a sorting and stapling device generally provided that those distributed among the subjects Paper sheets in the correct position, d. H. positio be kidneyed. If the paper sheets in each case not put in the right position or tidy should be arranged, they can with the stapler not be tied properly. For efficient stapling to promote, it can be provided that as soon as one of the last sheet of paper associated with the template is enough, a stapling process on the first compartment begins without that on delivering a predetermined number of Sheets of paper to be serviced on all subjects.

From US-PS 4,762,312 is already a paper handling device known, which comprises a sorting device to Sheets of paper made by an appropriate copier have been held in a number of subjects len. The sorting device in turn comprises a position niereinrichtung in the form of a lower paper stop to the paper sheets, which are sorted into the number of compartments were invited to the right location bring. In addition, the known paper handle includes exercise device also a stapler to the paper sheets that have been loaded into the number of compartments, to staple, with overall control by a control  direction is made to control the operation so probably the sorting device, the stapling device as well the positioning device.

A sorting device is known from US Pat. No. 3,937,459 sorting compartments arranged vertically one above the other. In this known sorting device, sheets of paper can can be passed on to the individual subjects and can be shared with With the help of a positioning device in each case be aligned with each other at their edges.

The object underlying the invention is to create a paper handling facility in which without additional mechanical effort sheet already stapled stack in the individual subjects into a precisely defined one Can be brought to a multiple exploitation of the to enable respective storage compartments.

This object is achieved by the in claim 1 listed features solved.

Particularly advantageous refinements and developments the invention emerge from the subclaims.

In the following the invention is based on exemplary embodiments play explained with reference to the drawing. It shows

Fig. 1 is a front view of a Papierhandhabungsein device according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 device,

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a device provided in the direction of Figure 1 Schwenkvorrich.

Fig. 5 is a plan view from which a relationship between the pivoting device and compartments can be seen;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a pivoting device provided in the sliding member;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a swivel motor and associated elements, which are part of the swivel device;

Fig. 8 u. 9 are graphs each showing a relationship between the rotation angle of the swing motor and the displacement;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a compartment;

Fig. 11 is a side view of the tray;

Fig. 12 is a right side view of the compartment;

. 13 to 15 are sectional views of various parts of the compartment;

Fig. 16 is a side view of a portion of the compartment to which a Austragbürste is provided;

Fig. 17 is a sectional view of another special shape of the compartment;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the overall construction of the embodiment of a stapling device;

FIG. 19 is a plan view of a supporting member;

FIG. 20 is a plan view of a stapler;

Fig. 21 is a front view of the stapler;

Fig. 22 is a side view of the stapler;

Are is playing in Figure 23 to 33 are front views, in which the movements of various components of the stapler.

Fig. 34 is a front view of a feed screw;

Fig. 35 to 39 are front views which can be taken as a loaded in the stapler Staple cartridge is replaced;

Fig. 40 is a front view of another specific embodiment of the feed screw;

Fig. 41 is a graph showing a relationship between the speed and the displacement which can be achieved with the feed screw shaft in Fig. 40;

Fig. 42 is a schematic block diagram of a control system for controlling the paper handling device;

FIG. 43A and 43B are flow charts of a general procedure, which is performed by the control system;

FIG. 44A to 44C are flow charts of a staple-step sequence;

FIG. 45A and 45B are flowcharts of a process for operating the swing device;

Fig. 46 is a flowchart of a pivot operation;

Fig. 47 is a flowchart showing a process for pulling the swivel device;

Is assigned 48 is a flowchart of a calculation process which reserved stapling compartments.

Fig. 49 is a flowchart for locking a swing movement;

Fig. 50 is a flowchart showing a procedure for checking of compartments, in which a pivoting movement has occurred;

FIG. 51 is a flowchart of a treatment with a clamping device;

FIGS . 52 and 53 are flow charts relating to a two-tier animal;

FIG. 54 is a flowchart showing a procedure when a door is opened during a stapling operation is in progress;

FIG. 55 is a flowchart with respect to a downward motion of an elevator;

Fig. 56 is a flowchart related to up / down movements;

Fig. 57 is a flowchart of an error relief procedure in an up / down movement;

FIG. 58 is a flowchart of a size-shift Def lerrelief procedure;

FIG. 59 is a flowchart of an error determination at an upward / downward movement;

FIG. 60 is a flowchart of a pivot error detection Stel lung;

FIG. 61 is a flowchart of an error detection during a pivoting device;

FIG. 62 is a flow diagram of a stitching error detection;

FIG. 63 is a flowchart of a general position error detection;

FIG. 64 is a flowchart of a treatment of a size shift error;

Fig. 65 is a flowchart of handling an error in an up / down movement;

FIG. 66 is a flowchart of a pivot error handling;

FIG. 67 is a flow chart of a clamping error handling; and

Fig. 68 is a flow diagram of a stitching error handling.

In Fig. 1, a paper handling device is illustrated in accordance with the invention. The device has at the inlet to ordered guides 104 a and 104 b to receive sheets in the form of copies, which are successively discharged from a Ko piergerät or similar device.

Guides 107 , 109 , 110 and 111 , transport rollers 106 , 108 , 112 and 113 and a selection part in the form of a claw 115 are arranged after the guides 104 a and 104 b in order to convey the incoming copies upwards. The selector 115 is pivotable to thereby select one of two independent tracks, ie an upper track which extends from a guide 119 via a pair of discharge rollers 117 and 118 to a tray 119 , and a lower track which extends from a guide 120 in a vertical transport path runs. The vertical transport path runs along the inlet sides of a number of 20 compartments 300 in the illustrated embodiment. The transport and discharge rollers 162 and 163 are provided in pairs. Driven rollers 165 are pressed against some of the transport rollers 162 , which are arranged at a corresponding distance from one another. The transport rollers 106 , 108 , 112 and 113 , the discharge rollers 117 and 118 , the transport rollers 162 and the discharge rollers 163 are driven by a motor 200 .

As shown in Fig. 2, a binding or binding device 400 is arranged on one side of the group of subjects. The stapler 400 consists of a stapler 401 , which serves as a stapler unit to be described later, a device 402 for pulling a stack of sheets of paper toward the stapler 401 (this device 402 is hereinafter referred to as a clamp), and one Mechanism to move the stapler 401 and the clamping device 402 up and down to one of the trays 300 . On the other side of the group of subjects, a swivel device 500 is arranged, the sliding parts, which play the role of regulating devices, in order to bring paper sheets into the correct position, ie to position or arrange them before the sheets are stapled, and have a device to move each slide to a position that fits a paper size.

Fig. 3 shows a rear view of the device shown in Fig. 1. The twenty compartments 300 are divided into a first block or a first sorting unit 100 and a second block or a second sorting unit 101 , each having ten compartments. Fan sensors 176 and 179 and discharge sensors 177 and 178 are assigned to the upper block (the first sorting unit) 100 , while fan sensors 181 and 184 and discharge sensors 180 and 183 are assigned to the lower block (the second sorting unit) 101 . The sensors 176 to 184 are each designed as photosensors, which have a light-emitting diode and a phototransistor. The discharge sensors 177 , 178 , 180 and 183 each respond to the discharge of a sheet of paper or a copy, while the tray sensors 176 , 179 , 181 and 184 each respond to a copy in the assigned compartments 300 . With the help of the fan sensors 176 , 179 , 181 and 184 , the lower block 101 can be used when the upper block 100 is loaded with copies.

During operation, a copy carried out by a copying machine reaches the paper handling device via the guides 104 a and 104 b and is conveyed upwards by the guides 107 , 109 , 110 and 111 and the transport rollers 106 , 108 , 112 and 113 . In a normal discharge operation, the selector 115 is lowered to route the copy over the guide 114 and the discharge roller pair 117 and 118 to the discharge tray 119 . In a sort operation (in which copies are sorted in page order) or in a batch operation (in which copies are sorted page by page), the selector 115 is raised to route the copy down the guide 110 . A copy, which is conveyed further by means of the transport rollers 116 and driven rollers 165 , is distributed to a specific compartment 300 , on which the assigned diverter is held in an effective position. The deflectors 164 are adjusted according to the respective operating mode (sorting or batch operation).

In the sorting operation, the deflector 164 assigned to the first compartment is actuated in order to discharge the copy into the first compartment 300 . The second copy of the first page is discharged through the second compartment 300 associated deflector 164 in the second compartment 300th The first copy of the second page is assigned to the first tray 300 and the second copy of the second page is assigned to the second tray 300 . In this way, the first page and all subsequent pages are successively distributed to the respective compartment 300 in the sorting operation. In batch mode, all copies of the first page are discharged into the first bin, while all copies of the second page are discharged into the second bin.

Various means necessary for stapling the copies sorted by one of the above two modes are described below. To staple a number of stacks of copies, they must be neatly arranged. In order to meet this requirement, the embodiment shown has the swivel device 500 , which is subsequently described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8.

As can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5, each compartment 300 has an upright contact surface 316 at one edge. A rear upright portion extends upward from another edge of the compartment 300 which is perpendicular to the edge on which the abutment surface 316 is located. An incision 311 extends from the edge of the compartment 300 which is parallel to the edge at which the contact surface 316 is fixed. The incision 311 extends over a predetermined length in the direction of the contact surface 316 . A main shaft 501 has a rectangular cross section and extends upright through the incisions 311 of the compartments 300 . A number of sliding parts 502 are attached to the shaft 501 at spaced locations, each corresponding to one of the compartments 300 . Each slide member 502 abuts the end of a stack of sheets of paper to position them, that is, to position what will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, a sliding part 502 consists of elastic sliding parts 502 a and 502 b, which lie opposite the contact surface 316 and serve to accommodate positional deviations, in particular on the sliding part 502 and the compartment 300 . If a sheet of paper is curved upwards, the elastic part 502 b presses against it, so that the sliding part 502 abuts the end of a paper stack.

Generally L-shaped support members 505 and 506 are attached to the upper and lower ends of the main shaft 501, respectively. Timing belts 507 and 508 are arranged in an upper and a lower area of the compartments 300 , respectively, and each runs in essentially the same direction as the cuts 311 . The support members 505 and 506 are attached to the straps 507 and 508 , respectively. The belt 507 is guided over pulleys 509 and 510 , while the belt 508 runs over pulleys 511 to 513 . The pulleys 509 and 511 , which are drive belts, are attached to the upper and lower ends of an upright drive shaft, respectively. The pulley 513 is supported on an output shaft of an engine 515 .

As shown in Fig. 4, a size sensing plate 530 is fixedly attached to the sorter. A size sensor 531 is attached to the lower support member 507 to serve as a size information sensing device. The size sensing plate 530 and the size sensor 531 work together to sense a position of the slide member 502 . A swing motor 520 is attached to the lower support member 506 . An eccentric shaft 520 a extends from the driven side of the motor 520 upward. A swing arm 521 extends from the lower end of the main shaft 501 toward the motor 520 . The eccentric shaft 520 a sits loosely in a longitudinal slot 521 a, which is formed in the swivel arm 521 . When the motor 520 is rotated, the arm 521 is rotated, which in turn rotates the main shaft 501 . The main shaft 501 therefore rotates the elastic sliding parts 502 a of the individual slider 502 between two different positions, which are shown in FIG. 5 by a drawn or a dash-dotted line. This rotary movement is sinusoidal, as is shown in Fig. 8 Darge. As a result, the rotation at the top dead center is slowed down. The dash-dotted position of the elastic part 502 a is selected so that the part 502 a rests against the end of a paper stack with a predetermined pressure in order to press the paper stack securely against the contact surface 316 .

As stated above, the swivel device 500 is designed as a unit and is moved as a whole by the motor 515 . When a size signal is supplied from the image forming device to the paper handling device, the motor 515 rotates the upper and lower belts 507 and 508 . As a result, the sliding parts 502 attached to the main shaft 501 are then moved in the forward direction to one end of stacks of paper deposited in the individual compartments 300 . The swivel device 500 is stopped in a predetermined position which has been sensed by means of the size sensing plate 530 and the size sensor 531 . The motor 520 then makes a half revolution (180 °) in the forward direction and then returns back to its starting position. As a result, the arm 521 is pivoted once and communicates its angular movement to the individual sliding parts 520 a via the main shaft 501 . Consequently, each sliding part 502 a is brought from the drawn position shown in Fig. 5 in the dash-dot position. If necessary, as shown in Fig. 9, the motor 520 can be moved more than 180 ° in the forward direction and is then returned to the starting position so as to effect the pivoting movement of each sliding part 502 a twice in one step.

When the elastic member 502 abuts a portion of each slide 502 against one end of a data stored in the associated compartment 300 Pa pierstapels, the opposite end of the Pa pierstapels is pressed against the abutment surface 516 and thereby brought into the correct position. At the same time, the sliding part 502 pushes the paper stack during the rotational movement such that the end of the paper stack, which is perpendicular to the aforementioned end, is pressed against the upright part 308 of the compartment 300 , as indicated by an arrow S in FIG. 5. As a result, the paper stack is placed in the correct position in two directions perpendicular to each other in the tray. Since the pivotal movement is performed by the forward and backward rotations of the motor 520 , the return to the home position is easy even if the slide member 502 does not completely push the paper stack during the forward pivotal movement.

The paper stack, which is positioned on the tray 300 as described above, is then subjected to a stapling or similar operation, and is then pulled out in a direction indicated by an arrow X in FIG. 5. Since there are no obstacles in the x direction, the paper stack can easily be pulled out.

The structure of the intended compartment 300 will be described based on FIGS. 10 to 17 in order to promote accurate positioning of a paper stack and an accurate stapling. A plan view and a side view of the compartment 300 are shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. As shown in Fig. 10, the incision 311 is provided substantially in the intermediate region of the compartment 300 so that the main shaft 501 can be moved according to the paper size. Two webs 301 are arranged next to the incision 311 , whereby a gutter for receiving the slide 502 is defined in between ( FIG. 15). As shown in Fig. 15, the ridges 301 serve to lift a sheet of paper P so that it can be securely positioned. As shown in Fig. 17, the groove defined by the ridges 301 can be replaced by a simple recess.

Another advantage, which he can be reached with the aid of the webs 301 , is that the paper sheet P is provided with a certain elasticity and is therefore positioned with greater accuracy. Ribs 302 b provided on the compartment 300 prevent a sheet of paper from slipping into the incision 311 . As shown in Fig. 13, each rib 302 b located near the cut 311 extends up and down from the tray 300 to prevent a sheet of paper P from getting under the tray 300 , and to simultaneously prevent it from slipping into the incision in the compartment above. The ribs 302 b lie essentially 10 mm within the end of the paper size, in particular to guide the end of a paper sheet which can easily get into the cut 311 .

As shown in Fig. 13, the rib portion projecting upward from the compartment 300 has a generally triangular, slightly oblique cross-section. Such a shape is advantageous for guiding a stapled and discharged paper stack so that it is not caught by the ribs, such as the ribs 302 . Each rib 302 b has a height which increases in the direction of the incision 311 , as can be seen from FIG. 14. As a result, a larger number of paper sheets can be accommodated on the compartment 300 . As shown in FIG. 16, in the illustrated embodiment, a discharge brush 322 is attached to the tray 300 to increase the number of copies that can be accommodated in the tray 300 . However, it is likely that the brush 322 will pick up the discharged paper sheet P due to its curvature to effect the accuracy of stacking and positioning. Ribs 302 c, which are also provided on the compartment 300 , guide such a paper sheet P in order to reliably prevent it from being caught by the brush 322 . These ribs 302 c are also arranged to press opposite ends of different sizes of paper sheets P accordingly.

As shown in FIG. 11, an attachment 302 e runs down from the compartment 300 . This approach 302 e serves to push the end of paper sheets P down so that the clamping elements 421 of the clamping device 402 can securely clamp the paper sheets P without hitting the end of the sheets.

In Fig. 11, a protrusion 307 extends downward from compartment 300 . When the sheet P assigned to the tray 300 is in the correct position in one direction, it may go beyond the abutment surface 316 ( FIG. 12) if it is heavily curled. A precise positioning of such a sheet P is promoted by the projection 307 .

In Fig. 10, the compartment 300 is hen with an incision 310 so that by means of the clamping device 402 paper sheets P, which are stacked in the compartment 300 , can be clamped. The compartments 300 are on the sorter in a certain angular position, for. B. attached at an angle of 25 ° to the horizontal. With this arrangement, paper sheets are brought into the correct position in the intended discharge direction not only by the rotation of the slide 502 but also by their weight.

Fig. 12 is a right side view of the Fa ches 300 and shows how it is held. In Fig. 12 side walls 315 a and 315 b and compartment brackets 312 a and 312 b are shown. The compartment 300 is rigidly connected to the compartment holder 312 a, which is arranged close to the contact surface 316 , and is simply held by the other compartment holder 312 b, since only a small gap between the compartment 300 and the holder 312 b is provided is.

The space between the compartment 300 and the compartment holder 312 b absorbs thermal expansion of the compartment 300 .

The stapling device 400 is designed as follows. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the stapling device is arranged fan 300 on one side of number 400th The stapling device 400 has the stapler 401 and a paper moving device 402 , which are attached to the underside of a support member 403 . The stapler 401 drives a staple into a stack of paper placed on one of the trays 300 . The paper moving device 402 grips the paper stack on the tray 300 and conveys it substantially in the horizontal direction. Opposite ends 403 a and 403 b of the supporting part 403 are bent upwards and downwards, respectively. Rollers 404 a and 404 b are rotatably supported at the bent ends 403 a and 403 b, respectively. Two parallel guide rails 504 a and 504 b extend in the vertical direction along the ends of the compartments 300 . Rollers 404 a and 404 b are received in the guide rails 405 a and 405 b, respectively, so that the stapler 401 and the device 402 can be moved up and down together along the ends of the compartments 300 . A belt 406 a runs over belt pulleys 407 a and 407 b, which are arranged in the vertical direction at a predetermined distance from one another. Likewise, a belt 406 b is guided over pulleys 407 b and 407 d, which are arranged in the same way as the belt pulleys 407 a and 407 c. The belts 406 a and 406 b run essentially parallel to one another along the compartments 300 . The bent ends 403 a and 403 b of the supporting part 403 are fastened to the belts 406 a and 406 by means of screws. The lower pulleys 407 c and 407 d are held on a shaft 408 so that they are rotated together. A pulley 401 is attached to the output shaft of an engine 409 . A belt 411 is passed over the pulley 401 and a pulley 412 . A drive gear 413 is attached to the same shaft as the belt pulley 412 and is held in meshing engagement with a gear 414 . The rotational movement of the motor 409 is transmitted to the belt pulley 407 d via such a gear arrangement. In this arrangement, the stapler 401 and the paper moving device 402 are moved up and down by means of the belts 406 a and 406 b. A Posi tion sensor 415 is attached to the bent end 403 a of the support member 403 , while an upright sensing plate 416 , as shown, is assigned to the position sensor 415 . The plate 416 has lugs 416 a, which are fixed at predetermined intervals with respect to the subjects 300 . With such a position sensing mechanism, the stapler 401 and the paper moving device can be brought to the trays 300 and stopped. A projection 403 c is provided on the support part 403 and defines the upper limit position of the support part 403 in connection with a sensor 403 d. In particular, when the projection 403 c enters the sensor 403 d, the motor 409 is switched off, where it is prevented by any further upward movement of the support part 403 .

The movement of the stapling device 400 is explained with reference to FIG. 20. As shown, a paper sheet 423 c, which is assigned to the compartment 300 , is discharged into a position indicated by 423 d and then pressed by the swivel device 500 against the contact surface 316 . At the start of a stapling process, the clamping device 421 is brought from an extended, reproduced position into a dash-dotted position. In the dash-dotted position, the clamping device 421 is closed so that it attacks paper sheets 423 c. Then the Klemmvor direction 421 is returned to the drawn-out position, which then leaves 423 c in a position 423 f are brought. In this state, the paper sheets 423 c are stapled by means of the stapler 401 . Subsequently, the clamp 421 is opened to release the stapled sheets 423 c, and a push rod, which will be described later, shifts the paper sheets 423 c to thereby bring them back into a position which is in the range from 423 e to 423 d lies. Such a sequence of steps is repeated for the other subjects, as will be described in detail later. As shown in Fig. 21, the paper moving device 402 has the clamping device 421 , detecting a paper stack and a reciprocating mechanism 422 for reciprocating the clamping device 421 in the horizontal direction. The clamping device 421 has a base part 421 a, on which two arms 421 z and 421 s are rotatably supported. Operated by a solenoid 421 c, the arms 421 z and 421 s with their associated clamping parts 421 y and 421 m grab a paper stack.

The reciprocating mechanism 422 has a feed shaft 422 a in order to move the clamping device 421 towards and away from the compartment 300 . Axle stub, which protrude at the ends of the feed shaft 422 a, are rotatably held in a U-shaped frame 422 b. One of the stub axles projects through the frame 422 a predetermined distance on the outside. As shown in Fig. 22, a pulley 422 is attached to the protruding end of the aforementioned stub axle. A belt 422 d with a circular cross section is guided over the pulley 422 c and an intermediate pulley. A motor 422 f drives the pulley 422 c via a gear 422 e, the intermediate pulley and the belt 422 d. The feed shaft 422 a has a groove in its peripheral surface, whereby a Ku gelumspindel is formed. A base 421 a has a round neck 421 h with an internal thread for the feed shaft 422 a. The motor 422 f drives the feed shaft 422 a and sets the rotary motion, whereby the base part 421 a is moved back and forth. Position sensors 422 j and 422 k are attached to the frame 422 b at a predetermined distance from each other. A sensing part 422 m is provided on the shoulder 421 h in order to be sensed by the position sensors 422 j and 422 k. The clamping device 421 is movable back and forth between the position sensors 422 j and 422 k.

At the start of a stapling operation, the stapler 401 and the paper moving device 402 are moved up and down together by the belts 406 a and 406 b ( FIG. 18). The stapler 401 and the device 402 are brought to one of the trays 300 which is loaded with a stack of paper to be bound. According to an output signal of the position sensor 415 , the stapler 401 and the device 402 are stopped in a position adjacent to the special compartment 300 . At this moment, the solenoid 421 c is not energized, so the arms 421 z and 421 s, therefore, the clamp members 421 y and 421 m are held in their open position. Then the motor 422 f rotates the feed shaft 422 a in order to move the clamping device 421 in the direction of the paper stack in the compartment 300 forwards.

In Fig. 34 is a specific embodiment of a groove 430, as mentioned above, shown in the peripheral surface of the feed shaft 422 a. When the feed shaft rotates, fitting into the groove 430 balls are placed in a back-and Herge rising movement 431, where they are through the groove 430 ge. The feed shaft 422 a has at its opposite ends a blind part 432 which extends over an angular range of 180 ° and more. The ends of the idle parts 432 serve as stops to prevent the stop position from being changed by the building property. When the ball 431 abuts against the respective ends of the groove 430 , the resulting impact due to slippage by the circular belt 422d is absorbed. This also applies when the circular belt 422d is supported by a flat belt or the like a transmission is replaced by friction.

Fig. 40 shows a further special embodiment of the groove 430 in a development. The groove 430 of FIG. 40 is designed accordingly to control the speed of movement by changing the displacement relative to the angle of rotation. In this example it is assumed that the feed shaft 422 a creates the entire displacement by two turns (720 °). The movement is gradually accelerated by the first rotation of the shaft 422 a and then decelerated with the next rotation. If, for example, the displacement A is 42 mm, the groove 430 can be formed such that the first 90 ° of a rotational movement a displacement B of 3 mm, the next 90 ° of a rotation a displacement C of 4 mm, the third 90 ° one One rotation causes a shift D of 6 mm and the fourth 90 ° of a revolution causes a shift E of 7 mm. From this it can be seen that the type of speed control with respect to the paper stack 423 c is free from a disturbance with regard to positioning due to inertia or persistence, which occurs when the clamping parts 421 y and 421 m, which gripped the paper stack 423 c start moving towards the stapling position and stop there.

As soon as the clamping parts 421 y and 421 m reach a position in which they can grip the paper stack, they are stopped there and at the same time the solenoid 421 c is excited. Then, as shown in Fig. 24, the clamping parts 421 y and 421 m are closed to take the end part of the paper stack. Such a procedure is described in detail with reference to FIGS. 21 to 27 below.

When the solenoid 421 c is energized, a lever 421 L is rotated about a fulcrum 421 d. Then a connecting part 421 j is rotated by a spring 421 k, which is attached to the lever 421 L, about a pivot point 421 h. The rotational movement of the connecting part 421 j is transmitted via an A gear 421 g, which is fixedly attached to the connecting part 421 j, to a B gear 421 w. The B gear 421 w is fixedly attached to an upper arm 421 z, so that the upper arm 421 z is rotated counterclockwise, ie downward, about a pivot point 421 x, as illustrated at a point 421 T, as a result of which the upper one Clamping part 421 y is lowered. Since the clamping section protrudes forward, as shown in Fig. 25, a bolt 421 V falls into an incision 422 w, which is formed in a push rod 422 Z. The gear 421 w is held in meshing engagement with a gear 421 P. As a result, the gear P is also rotated clockwise, which in turn rotates a lower link 421 S rigidly attached to the gear 421 P about a fulcrum 421 R. The lower clamping part 421 m is therefore moved upward about a pivot point 421 N, as shown in FIG. 21. Whether a spring 421 f prestresses the lower arm 421 S constantly clockwise, its preload is small enough to be able to move the lower clamping part 421 m, as stated before.

The displacements of the clamping parts 421 y and 421 m from their predetermined positions depend on the number of teeth of the gears 421 g, 421 w and 421 P and on the distances between the pivot points and the points of attack. In the illustrated embodiment, the A gear 421 g, the B gear 421 w and the C gear 421 P have 40 teeth, 32 teeth and 56 teeth, respectively. Therefore, the displacements of the gears can be pressed out. In a ratio A: B: C = 1.25: 0.7. Furthermore, the distance between the fulcrum 421 x of the upper arm 421 z and the point of action 421 T is 52 mm, and the distance between the fulcrum 421 R of the lower arm 421 S and the point of application 421 N is 37 mm. Consequently, the displacement ratio is 1.25 × 52: 0.7 × 37, ie 2.5: 1. Especially when the upper clamp part 421 y moves down 2.5, the lower clamp part 421 m moves 1 upward .

The clamping force which has been exerted by means of the upper and lower clamping parts 421 y and 421 m is determined by the force of the spring 421 k, which is attached to the solenoid 421 c. As shown in Fig. 21, the spring 421 k stretches more as the thickness of the paper stack to be gripped by the clamp 421 y and 421 m becomes larger. In particular, the arrangement is designed so that the clamping force increases as the number of sheets of paper to be gripped by the clamping device 421 increases; this excludes a shift or a similar process that is attributed to a small clamping force.

Thereafter, the motor 422 f is reversed to return the clamp 421 to the home position, gripping the paper stack as shown in FIG. 26. The paper stack is therefore moved substantially horizontally toward the stapler 401 . As soon as the end part of the paper stack reaches the end position, the paper stack is stopped there. As best shown in FIGS. 23, 25 and 27, the push rod 422 z is brought into the position shown in FIG. 27 by the reverse rotation of the motor 422 f, since the bolt 421 v is received in the cut 422 w. A slot 422 T is continuously formed in a holding part 422 X, and a pin projecting on the push rod 422 z is received in the slot 422 T. Likewise, a slot 422 is formed in the push rod 422 z, and a bolt 422 P standing on the holding part 422 X is received in the slot 422 R. The holding part 422 X is excluded on the frame 422 b. The holding part 422 X and the push rod 422 z are connected to one another by a spring 422 N. In this embodiment, when the motor 422 f is reversed, the push rod 422 z is shifted from the position in FIG. 25 to the position in FIG. 27. The push rod 422 z itself is pulled to the left by the spring 422 N, as can be seen from FIG. 27. Then, the stapler 401 is operated to drive a staple into the end part of the paper stack.

After completion of the stapling operation, the solenoid is de-energized 421 C. As a result, the upper clamping part 421 y and the lower clamping part 421 m are opened by the force of the spring 421 f, ie they are returned from the position shown in FIG. 26 to the position shown in FIGS . 21 and 23. At the same time, the bolt 21 V is free of the incision 422 w of the push rod 422 z. The push rod 422 z is consequently brought back under the action of the spring 422 N from the position of FIG. 38 into the position of FIG. 23, while the paper stack is pushed into the starting position.

In Fig. 32, a relationship between the push rod 422 z, the support member 422 X and the spring 422 n is shown to each other. The end of the push rod 422 z is larger than the distance between adjacent compartments 300 , so that the paper stack is safely returned to the compartment 300 . A part of the holding part 422 X protrudes obliquely upwards in the direction of the compartment 300 . If such an extension is missing on the holding part 422 X, relatively soft paper sheets P or strongly corrugated paper sheets P can slide upwards, as shown in FIG. 33, when they are moved in the direction of the compartment 300 by means of the push rod 422 z. Then, the stapler 401 and the paper moving device 402 are pushed to the next tray and operated as described above to staple a stack of paper housed therein.

As shown in FIG. 28, the abutment surface 316 protrudes upward from the edge of the tray 300 which is opposite the stapler 401 . The contact surface 316 is supported at its lower end by a shaft 425 which runs along the underside of the compartment 300 . The contact surface 316 can therefore be tilted into an open position shown in FIG. 29. The shaft 425 is in turn rotatably supported by bearing parts 423 b which protrude downward from the opposite edges of the compartment 300 . A helical spring 426 is wound around the shaft 425 . The two ends of the coil spring 426 rest on the underside of the compartment 300 or on the back of the contact surface 316 . The coil spring 426 biases the contact surface 316 in the direction of the upright position shown in FIG. 28. The contact surface 316 is opened in connection with the vertical movement of the stapler 401 by tiltable parts, ie a pivotable plate 427 and a release plate, which is held on the stapler 401 . A part of the pivotable plate 427 is received in a projection 424 a protruding from the contact surface 316 . When the pivotable plate 427 is rotated downward, it abuts the edge of the cutout opening, thereby tipping the abutment surface 316 downward. When the pivotable plate 427 is pivoted upwards, it does not touch the contact surface 316 and is therefore freely rotatable. A roller 428 a is held on the release plate 428 and arranged in a position in which it can touch the plate 427 . When the stapler 401 is moved up and down, the roller 428 a contacts the pivotable plate 427 to rotate it.

During a sorting operation, the abutment surface 316 is held in the upright position by the coil spring 426 , as shown in FIG. 28. In this state, paper sheets which have been successively allocated to the compartment 300 are brought into exactly the right position by their ends abutting the contact surface 316 . When the sorting operation ends, the stapler 401 starts moving downward. Then comes the roller 428 a on the plate 428 , which is attached to the stapler 401 , on the pivotable plate 427 of the tray 300 in contact, whereby the plate 427 is rotated downward into the position shown in Fig. 29. The plate 427 then tilts the contact surface 316 against the action of the spring 426 , whereby the compartment 300 is opened. At this time, the contact surface 316 and the plate 427 are then lowered into a position below the surface of the compartment 300 , as indicated by a dash-dotted line in FIG. 29. Then the stapling process described above is performed.

As soon as the stapled stack of paper is returned to the initial position in the compartment 300, or is pushed while such a paper stack in the direction of the tray 300, the stapler 401 is lowered to the next compartment. At this point, the roller 428 a on the plate 428 then moves away from the pivotable plate 427 with the result that the contact surface 316 is returned to its upright position by the spring 426 . The tray opening and stapling movements described above are carried out on all trays to which sheets of paper have been allocated.

After all the stacks of paper are stapled in the trays 30 , the stapler 401 is raised to its uppermost or home position, which is above the first or uppermost tray 300 , when the roller 428 a on the plate 428 in the case of the return of the stapler 401 the bottom of the Touching pivotable plate 427 , the plate 427 simply moves upward, as shown in Fig. 30, and does not rotate the contact surface 316 at all. If the roller 428 a moves freely from the plate 427 , the pivotable plate 427 assumes the position shown in FIG. 28 due to its weight.

FIG. 31 shows a modification of the arrangement described above with reference to FIGS. 28 to 30. An elastic part 429 is attached to receive the pivotable plate 427 on the contact surface 316 . When the swivel plate 427 is pivoted upward during the return of the stapler 401 by the roller 428 , as stated above, it abuts against the elastic member 427 and then springs back into the position shown in FIG. 28.

Now 35 to 39 to replace the staple cartridge is described in the stapler 401 with reference to FIG.. In the illustrated embodiment, the stapler 401 is held upside down because an unillustrated copy case has a paper reversing device and discharges copies whose copy surface faces downward.

As shown in Fig. 35, when a release lever 480C is pushed up, it is rotated clockwise about a shaft 480F . Then, a shaft 480 e slides in a longitudinal slot so that a release claw 480 B is rotated counterclockwise around a shaft 480 D to be released from a shaft 480 E ( Fig. 36). When the shaft 481 E is released as mentioned, a stitching section 481 is rotatable clockwise about a shaft 483 . The 480 B claw is returned to its initial position by a 480 G spring. When the stapling section 481 is moved clockwise, its shaft 482 A slides in a slot and when it is locked by the slot, the stacking section 481 is secured in this position. In the locked position, the stapling section 481 is slightly inclined with respect to the vertical and protrudes slightly on the outside of the sorter, which makes it easier to replace a staple cartridge 481 C. After replacing the 481 C staple cartridge, turn the 480 C lever up or clockwise around the 480 F shaft. As a result, the shaft 482 A is unlocked, which then the Heftab section 481 can be moved counterclockwise around the shaft 483 . The 480 C lever is returned to the starting position by the 480 G spring. As shown in Fig. 39, when the staple portion 481 is moved counterclockwise as stated above, the shaft 481 E abuts the claw 480 B and opens it. After the shaft 480 E has moved away from the claw 480 B, the claw 480 B is closed by the spring 480 G in order to lock the stapling section 481 in this position. This makes it easy to replace a staple cartridge.

In Fig. 42, an applicable in the illustrated embodiment the control system is shown, which is designed as a microcomputer control system. The control system has a central processing unit (CPU) 600 , a read-only memory (ROM) 601 , a random access memory (RAM) 602 , input / output elements 603 and 606 , a clock control unit (CTC) 604 and a universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter (UART ) 605 . ROM 601 is loaded into programs. The central unit 600 receives output signals from an input system, ie from sensors and switches via a multiple xer 607 and the input / output element 606 . Accordingly, the central unit 600 controls various consumers, which will be described later, via the input / output element 603 , the CTC unit 604 , various control units 608 , 611 , 615 , 616 , a phase signal generator 617 and an SSR Unit 609 . The central unit 600 exchanges various states and command signals via the UART unit 605 , a receiver 612 and a control unit 613 with the copier.

The sensors and switches can be: an upper compartment sensor 631 , a compartment sensor 630 , an upper input sensor 629 , a lower input sensor 628 , a size output sensor 627 , a size sensor 531 , an initial position sensor 626 , upper and lower initial position sensors 403 d , an upper and lower position sensor 415 , a sensor 422 j upstream of the clamping section, a sensor 422 k downstream of the clamping device, a stapler output sensor 625 , a staple sensor 624 , a paper sensor 623 , a switch 622 on the upper cover, a switch 621 on the left door, a switch 620 on the right door, an inlet sensor 619 and a paper discharge sensor 618 . The consumer (the output system) can include the drive motor (an AC motor), an indicator 656 for NO STITCH, an indicator 655 for STITCH, a deflector solenoid (SOL) 635 , a changeover solenoid 634 , an electromagnetic clutch (C1) 421 c, a stitching motor (DC motor) 632 , the motor (a reversible DC motor) 422 f for the clamping device, the elevator motor (stepping motor) 409 , a size motor (stepping motor) 515 and a motor (stepping motor) 520 provided for a pivoting movement. The copier gives the sorter and stapler a sort start signal, a copy discharge signal, a mode signal, a size signal, a staple start signal, a end of staple signal, a reset signal for a customer service technician call (an SC reset signal), etc. On the other hand, the Sorter and the stapler to the copier a discharge signal, a signal "door open", a jam signal, a signal "short tray", a failure signal, a signal "no stapling", a signal "end of stapling", a signal " heftbe reit ", a signal" ready for sorting ", etc.

The operation and control in particular the Darge presented embodiment will now be described with the aid of Flußdia programs. In Fig. 43A and 43B, the general operation of the embodiment is shown. First, an operation mode signal is received from the copier (step 54-1), and then a signal of the set number is received from the copier (step 54-2). After a copying operation is started, the copier sends a "start sorter" signal (step 54-3). Accordingly, the drive motor 200 is turned on (step 54-4) to start a sorting operation (steps 54-5 and 54-6). A waiting state is maintained before the "Start sorter" signal arrives. As shown in Fig. 43B, in the sort mode, a signal indicating the size of sheets of paper fed from the copier arrives somewhat later than the "start sorter" signal (step 54-10). According to the size signal, it is determined whether the swivel device is ready or not (step 54-11). If the answer to step 54-11 is yes, the swivel device is brought into the appropriate position which matches the size signal (step 54-12).

The subroutines intended for general operation are shown in Figs. 45A and 45B. In Fig. 45A, a subroutine is provided in such a manner that when the large has been received ßensignal (step 56-1), size Posi tion data that fit to the size signal are loaded into a size counter (step 56-2), and a swivel unit shift command is issued (step 56-3). Then the program returns (step 56-4). If the answer to step 56-1 is no, the program jumps back directly.

In Fig. 45, the swivel-slide program is shown. If the swivel device cannot be moved (step 56-5), the program jumps back (step 56-6).

If the answer to step 56-5 is yes, it is determined whether or not the pan can be pivoted (56-7). If the answer to step 56-7 is yes, the motor 515 is rotated clockwise at high speed (step 56-8). It is then determined whether or not the size sensor 531 has switched from the switched off to the switched on state (step 56-9). If the answer to step 56-9 is no, the program returns (step 56-6). If the answer to step 56-9 is yes, the so-called size counter is decremented by 1 (step 56-10) and checked (step 56-11). If the size counter is 1, the speed of the motor 515 is decreased (step 56-12) and the program jumps back (step 56-13). If the size counter is 0 (step 56-14), the motor 515 is switched off (step 56-15) and the program returns.

As seen from Fig. 43B, the copier is a discharge signal when a copy (sheet of paper) is discharged (step 54-13). When the discharge signal is received, the electromagnetic clutch (CL) is engaged (step 54-14). When the copy arrives at the sorter, the inlet sensor 619 is turned on (step 54-15), thereby energizing the switch solenoid 634 (step 56-16). The sorter is now ready to allocate the copy from the compartment. Among the deflector solenoids 635 to 654 associated with the individual compartments, the solenoid associated with the first compartment is energized somewhat later than the turn on of the inlet sensor 619 , thereby guiding the copy into the compartment (steps 54-17). After a lapse of a corresponding period of time necessary for the copy to be completely in the tray (e.g. 300 ms, step 54-18), the motor 520 is turned on to move the slide member to place the copy in the Bring the tray into the correct position (step 54-19). especially the sliding part is moved when the trailing edge of the copy is felt.

The pivoting movements of the sliding part will now be described with reference to the subroutine in FIG. 46. When the copy is fed into the tray, one of the upper and lower input sensors 629 and 628 is turned on. At the end of the discharge process, the sensor 629 or 628 is switched from the on to the off state (step 57-1). The rear edge of the copy is displayed by switching from the switched on to the switched off state. When the sensor 629 or 628 is switched as mentioned above, a timer in the central unit 600 is started (step 57-1). When a predetermined period of time, for example, 300 ms has elapsed, which is determined by monitoring the timer (step 57-3), the timer is stopped (57-4) and when the swivel unit is ready, the motor 520 is turned on by one Start panning motion (step 57-6). This is repeated every time a copy is delivered to a subject. However, if the number of copies stacked one by one in the tray exceeds the number that is allowed in the stapler (30 copies in the illustrated embodiment), the panning movement is interrupted, thereby preventing the sorting; the swivel unit is returned to the starting position and the stapler is prevented from binding the copies on the tray.

The retraction of the swivel unit is represented by a subroutine in FIG. 47. As shown, when a copy is fed into the first bin (step 58-1), it is counted (step 58-2). If the number of copies carried out exceeds the number which can be stapled (step 58-3), the pivoting movement is interrupted (step 58-4) and the pivoting unit is retracted into the starting position (step 58-5). The next copy and all subsequent copies that are delivered to the tray will not be placed in the correct position. At the same time, stapling of the copies previously carried out is prevented (step 58-6).

Next, stapling will be described. In Fig. 43B, when a staple start command is received (step 54-20), stapling starts (step 54-21). When the stapling operation ends (step 54-22), the stapler-slide unit is brought into the starting position (step 54-23). The stapling operation is performed in accordance with a software command (step 54-24). Thus, as indicated in Fig. 43B, the stapling operation in the illustrated embodiment can be controlled to occur prior to the end of a sorting operation, ie, in parallel with and alternatively with it, to support efficient paper handling. In the illustrated embodiment, two different types of stapling are possible, ie manual and automatic stapling. In manual stapling, paper sheets are stapled after sorting, while in automatic stapling, stapling a stack of paper sheets that are fully allocated to the first tray is automatically stopped without interrupting the sorting operation.

In Fig. 44A and 44B a pre-designated for the manual stapling subroutine is shown. A manual stapling operation begins in accordance with a stapling start signal, which the copier emits after a sorting operation, and if copies are present in the compartments. First, the stapler 401 is moved from the home position to the tray in which a stack of paper to be stapled is housed. The program then proceeds based on the value of a stitch sequence counter, as shown in Figs. 44A and 44B. Specifically, when the stapler 401 reaches the first bin, the staple sequence counter is incremented from 0 to 1 (step 55-1). If the staple sequence counter is 1, the motor 422 f is turned on to move the clamp forward (step 55-2). When the upstream sensor 422 j, which responds to the end of the forward movement of the clamping device, is switched on (step 55-3), the clamping device is brought to a standstill (step 55-4), while the stitch sequence counter is incremented to 2 (step 55-5).

When the staple sequence counter is 2 (step 55-69), the associated solenoid 421 c is turned on (step 55-7), and the stapling sequence counter is set to 3 is incremented (step 55-8). If the stitch sequence counter is 3 (step 55-9), the current state is held for 0.2 s, and after 0.2 passes (step 55-10), the stitch sequence counter is incremented to 4 (step 55- 11). If the staple sequence counter is 4 (step 55-12), the motor 422 f is turned on to return the clamp to the home position (step 55-13). If the downstream sensor 422 k is switched on (step 55-14), the return of the clamping device to the starting position has ended (step 55-15) and the stitch sequence counter is incremented to 5 (step 55-16).

If the stitch sequence counter is 5 (step 55-17), the paper sensor 623 is checked to see if there are sheets of paper (step 55-18). If the answer to step 55-18 is yes, stapling is performed (step 55-19). When stapling is finished (step 55-20), the staple sequence counter is incremented to 6 (step 55-12). If the answer at step 55-18 is no, no stapling is performed. When the staple sequence counter 6 (step 55-25), the solenoid is turned off 421 c (Step 55-23), a counter in which the abgeleg th in the compartments, stapled paper stack to be counted, is advantage Incrementa, and The swing motor is turned on to position the stapled paper stack (step 55-24). Then the counter for the stapled paper stacks in the trays is compared with a memory which indicates the number of trays loaded with stapled paper stacks. If the count is equal to the stored value (step 55-25), the staple sequence counter is reset to 0 and stapling is finished (step 55-26). Then, the elevator motor 409 is turned on to bring the stacker to the home position (step 55-27). How the value in the memory is calculated and how the stapled paper stack is positioned will be described later. If the staple count is less than the stored value, the staple count is incremented to 7 (steps 55-28). If the staple sequence counter is 7, the current state is held for 0.3 s, and after 0.3 s has elapsed (step 55-30), the staple sequence counter is reset to 0 (step 55-30). At the same time, the start of shifting the stapler to the next bin is commanded, which will now be described with reference to Fig. 44C.

First, as shown in Fig. 44C, it is determined whether or not to start moving the stapler has been commanded. If commanded (step 55-50), elevator motor 509 is turned on and timer started (step 55-51). When a predetermined period of time has passed (step 55-52), the booklet sequence counter is incremented to 1 (step 55-53) to start moving the booklet to the next bin. Whether or not the sensor 413 detecting the up / down position has been turned on is then determined (step 55-54). If the answer to step 55-54 is yes, the elevator motor 409 is turned off to finish moving the stapler. In the illustrated embodiment, the stapler starts stapling the next bin about 100 ms before the end of the shift in that bin, thereby shortening the stapling time. The sequence of steps described above is repeated until the count in the counter which counts the stapled stacks stored in the compartments is equal to the counter for the compartments reserved for this.

The automatic stapling operation will now be described with reference to FIGS . 44A and 44B. While a sorting operation is in progress, the copier emits a staple start signal at the time when it carries out the first copy of the last original. After receiving the stapling start signal and sharing the first copy of the last template, stapling begins when this copy is brought into the correct position by the pivoting device. In particular, the stapler 401 is brought from the starting position to the compartment in which a paper stack to be stapled first is accommodated. Once the stapler 401 reaches the first bin, the operation proceeds based on the value of the staple count as shown in Figs. 44A and 44B. When the stapler 401 is positioned in the first bin, the staple sequence counter is incremented from 0 to 1 (step 55-1). If the counter is 1, the motor 422 f is turned on to move the clamp forward (step 55-2). When the upstream sensor 422 j, which responds to the end of the forward movement of the clamping device, is switched on (step 55-3), the clamping device is brought to a standstill (step 55-4) while the stitch sequence counter is incremented to two. When the counter 2 is then (step 55-6), the solenoid 421 c is turned on (step 55-7), while the stapling sequence counter is mented 3 Incre (step 55-8).

If the staple sequence counter is 3, the current state is held for 0.2 s, and after 0.2 s has elapsed (step 55-10), the staple sequence counter is incremented to 4 (step 55-11). Then, when the counter is 4 (step 55-12), the motor 422 f is turned on to bring the clamp device to the home position (step 55-13). If the downstream sensor 422 k, which responds to the end of the movement of the clamping device in the starting position, is switched on (step 55-14), the shift to the starting position has ended (step 55-15) while the stitch sequence counter is on 5 is incremented (step 55-16). If the counter is then 5 (step 55-7), the output of paper sensor 623 is checked to see if there are paper sheets (step 55-18). If the answer to step 55-18 is yes, stapling is performed (step 55-19). When the end of stapling is determined (step 55-20), the staple sequence counter is incremented to 6 (step 55-21). If the response from the paper sensor 623 is no, no stapling is performed.

When the staple sequence counter 6 is (55-22), the solenoid is turned off 421 c (Step 55-23), of the stapled piling retentive in the compartments counter is incremented and the swing motor is turned on, in order to position the stapled stack of paper . Then the value of the counter counting the stapled paper stacks is compared with the contents of the memory for the reserved bins. If they are equal (step 55-25), the staple sequence counter is reset to 0 and the batch operation is ended (step 55-26). The motor 409 is then turned on to bring the stapler 400 to the home position (step 55-27).

If the counter for the stapled paper stacks is less than the content of the memory for the reserved trays, the counter value is compared with the memory content, where is indicated by, up to which tray the panning movement has taken place (step 55-33). If the staple counter is smaller than the bin contents, the staple sequence counter is incremented to 7. If the counter contents are equal to or larger than the memory contents (step 55-33), the stapler is held in the current position and the panning movement is released (step 55-38) in order to be able to carry out the panning movement. In this way, it is determined whether the paper positioner (swing motor) or the stapler (stapler 400 ) should be activated before the other.

When the sheets of paper are of a predetermined size (Steps 55-35) and the swiveled fan memory 2 or more is larger than the memory for with stapled The staple sequence counter is set to 7 in stacked compartments incremented (step 55-36). If the former by 1 or is less large than the latter, the stapler is in the held in the current position while locking the Panning movement is canceled (step 55-37) around that Perform panning. Locking a swivel movement and the calculation which is panned to the memory for Subjects assigned will be described later. By the The sequence described above can be the pivoting movement at least twice for a stack of paper of interest be effected before the paper stack is stapled.

If, after the panning movement, the memory for pivoted compartments becomes larger than the memory for compartments with stapled stacks or if, in the case of a predetermined size, the former is two more than the latter, the stitch sequence counter is incremented by 7 (step 55- 28). When the staple sequence counter is 7, the current state is maintained for 0.3 seconds, and after 0.3 seconds has passed, the start of shifting the stapler to the next tray is commanded, as described with reference to Fig. 44B.

The number of reserved bins reserved for stapling is calculated using a subroutine shown in Fig. 48. In the illustrated embodiment, the calculation is performed in three different memories, that is, in one memory up to which bin copies of originals can be discharged while a sorting operation is in progress (hereinafter referred to as the last bin number memory) Memory to store up to which bin a maximum order can be discharged in a sort sequence (hereinafter referred to as the memory for the last maximum bin number) and from a memory to indicate to which bin a stapling operation should be carried out (what hereinafter referred to as memory with the reserved number of compartments). The contents of these memories are shifted as follows.

After the copier clears the sort has started (step 59-1), the memory for the last number of compartments and the memory for the last maxima le number of subjects compared at a time when a Copy sheet is discharged into the first compartment of the sorter (Step 59-2). If the memory for the last compartment number larger than the memory for the last maximum number of compartments is the content of the memory for the last compartment number by the content of the memory for the last maximum Tray number replaced (step 58-4) while 1 for the counter is used for the last compartment number (step 59-5). If copies of the second and subsequent f The contents of the counter for the last number of compartments increased by 1 each time. The Number assigned to a subject to which a knockout is to be discharged, is constantly with the counter for the last maximum number of compartments compared (step 59-6), and one of them, which is smaller than the other, is in the memory for the reserved compartment number is loaded (step 59-7). Because the content of the counter for the reserved subject number depends on the situation, is the first hend described procedure even with the automatic booklet operation practicable when stapling is performed while copies are being delivered.

In particular, ten, five and seven subjects are now supposed to the first, second, and third template are reserved.  

First, a copy of the first template is placed in the first compartment carried out. At this point, the last maxi male subject number M and the last subject number, which in each because memories are stored, 0, so the answer at step 59-3 is no. Then the memory for that last compartment number loaded with 1 (step 59-5). At a Step 59-6, the number assigned to the subject is in which a copy is to be submitted and the content of the Counter for the last maximum number of compartments compared. If a copy of the first template in the tenth compartment gen, the current subject number is 10, and the last th compartment number M is 0, i. H. the current number of subjects is larger as the last subject number. So the answer is Step 59-6 no, with the result that the memory for the reserved compartment number is loaded with 0.

As a result, a copy of the second template becomes the first Subject allocated. At this time, the last one is maximum Subject number M 0, while the last subject number which has been counted up to the other program, 10 is. Thus, the answer to step 59-3 is yes with that Result that the last maximum compartment number M with 10 against becomes. If a copy of the second template in the fifth Tray has been carried out, which is determined in step 659-6 , the current number of subjects is 5, and the last one maximum compartment number M is 10. Hence the memory for the reserved number of compartments loaded with 5.

Finally, a copy of the third template becomes the first Subject allocated. At that time, the last is maximum Compartment number M 10, while the last compartment number is 5, so that the answer to step 59-3 is no. Then it stays last maximum number of compartments M 10. If a copy of the third Submission in the tenth subject is the current compartment number 7, while the last maximum  Subject number is 10. Hence, the answer is at step 59-6 Yes. Then the counter for the reserved compartment number is 7 loaded. After that, a stitching operation with the subjects like which copies of the last template are distributed have been.

In the procedure described above, it is possible to activate the binding device 400 on the compartments which are loaded with copies of the last original, ie to bind as far as possible sets of copies which have all pages. It may appear that this can be achieved without the complicated procedure described above. In particular, a simple process can be sufficient, in which the current number of compartments is monitored and entered into the memory for the number of reserved compartments. The above sequence of steps is intended to be used for the following purpose.

There should now be seven, five and ten subjects for which he first, second or third template can be reserved. First will be a copy of the first template to the first or front Subject allocated. At this point, they are the last maximum number of subjects M and the last number of subjects 0 and consequently, the answer at step 59-3 is no. Then we the memory for the last compartment number is loaded with 1 (step 59-5). This means that the last subject number template for Template is reset. After step 59-5 the current number of subjects and the last maximum subject number compared at step 59-6. If a copy of that Seventh subject has been allocated is the current one Compartment number 7, while the last maximum compartment number M is 0. At this point, the answer is then step 59-6 no, with the result that the memory is reserved for the number of compartments is loaded with 0.  

After the copies of the first template in the first to Seventh subjects have been held, copies of the second template distributed in succession. If the copies of the second submission up to the fifth subject are, the current subject number is 5, while the last te maximum number of compartments is M7. The answer at step 59-7 is therefore yes. Thus, the memory for the right served number of compartments loaded with 5 at step 57-7.

After that, a copy of the third template is made into the subject carried. At this point in time is the last number of subjects M 7, while the last number of copies delivered 5 is. Thus, the answer at step 59-3 is no that the last maximum number of subjects M 7 remains. If copies the third submission up to the tenth subject the current number of subjects is 10 and the last one maximum compartment number M is 7. The answer at step 59-6 is consequently no. Thus, the memory for the reserved number of compartments loaded with 7. In this condition stacks of paper are stapled up to the seventh tray. Whether copies of the last template of the first to tenth subject have been allocated, in particular only the templates stapled, which loaded in the first to seventh compartments have been. This prevents a single Copy, which in the eighth to tenth subjects each is housed, stapled. If only a template is copied is the content of memory for the reser fourth number of sheets 0 and consequently, of course, stapling prevented from a single copy.

The procedure described above prevents the binding device 400 from being operated in the compartments which, despite the allocation of copies of the last original, has only one original. This successfully precludes economic binding operations unless the number of copies that correspond to the last template is changed.

Fig. 49 shows a subroutine for locking the pivotal movement when priority is given to stapling. As shown, it is determined whether a stapling is in progress or not (step 60-1). If the answer to step 60-1 is yes, it is determined whether the solenoid of the clamp has been turned on or not (step 60-2). If the answer to step 60-2 is yes, it is determined whether 0.3 s has elapsed after the clamping device arrives in the starting position (step 60-3). If the answer at step 60-3 is no, the pan movement is permitted (step 60-4) and if the answer at step 60-2 is no, the pan movement is prevented (step 60-5). If the answer to step 60-3 is yes, panning is inhibited and the program returns. If the answer to step 60-1 is no, the program jumps back unconditionally while panning is prohibited.

Fig. 50 shows a subroutine which represents the calculation in connection with the memory for pivoted compartments. First, it is determined whether or not the swing movement has been performed once (61-1), and if the answer at step 61-1 is no, the program returns. If the answer to step 61-1 is yes, the program returns after loading a swiveled fan memory with the number of "discharged" fans (step 61-2). The words "number" for discharged compartments mean up to which compartment copies have been discharged, while the words "memory for ge pivoted compartments" indicate up to which compartment the pivoting movement has taken place.

Fig. 51 shows a subroutine for positioning a stapled paper stack. After a stapling operation (step 62-1), the solenoid is turned c 421st Then the push rod 422 z pushes the stapled copies (sheets of paper) to bring them back to the area where the swingable part of the swing device is rotatable. This is the end of a stitching process. At this point in time, a flag is set which indicates the end of a stapling process. After a staple ends, which is determined based on such a flag, the stapler is shifted to the next bin to perform another staple. If the solenoid for the clamp is turned on during the stapling operation on the next tray, which is determined in step 62-2, a pivotal movement is started (step 62-3) so as to staple the paper in the previous tray to a predetermined position to push. The stapled paper stack thus pushed does not adversely affect the positioning of sheets of paper which are allocated to the next and subsequent trays.

The illustrated embodiment has in addition to functions and operations described so far some special functions and operations. First is at a block-by-block stapling function the compartments in one above and a lower block divided, and after a Sor Make copies in one of the blocks and staple who which sorts the copies into the other block and then ge staples. This function has two different modes, i. H. a mode A that is only available if the copy sizes, which have been assigned to the upper and lower blocks are, are the same, and a mode B, which is only available is when the copy size matches one of the blocks which is to be treated later is greater than the copy size assigned to the other block,  which has been treated before. These fashions are on Switched user prompting.

Fig. 52 shows a subroutine to perform the block-by-block mode A stapling operation. Sorting copies in a block after dealing with the other block is referred to hereinafter simply as "double sorting". If double sorting is selected and if it is not allowed (step 63-1), the sorting operation is inhibited (step 63-2) and an alarm is generated. When double sorting is allowed, the paper size is felt. If the paper size desired for double sorting is the same as the previous paper size, the operation continues.

Fig. 53 shows a subroutine representing block-by-block mode B processing. If double sorting is not allowed (step 64-1), the sorting operation is prohibited (step 64-2) and an alarm is generated. If double sorting is permitted, the paper size is felt. If the felt paper size is equal to or larger than the previous paper size, the operation continues.

Fig. 54 shows a subroutine which is performed when a door is opened while stapling is in progress. When all of the doors, that is, a "stapler" door, a door and a top cover of the sorter, are closed, operation continues. When the "stapler" door is opened (step 65-2), the staple sequence counter is reset to 0 (step 65-3) and all loads are switched off (step 65-4). If either the door or the top cover of the sorter is opened while the "stapler" door remains closed while the stapling is in progress (which will be referred to as state 1 hereinafter; (step 65-5)), the following sequence of steps becomes Specifically, when the clamper is advancing in the state, the stitch sequence counter is reset to 0 (step 65-7), and the clamper motor is turned off (step 65-8) the clamp has already moved forward and has not passed 0.2 s after the solenoid 431 c has been switched on (step 65-9), the stitch sequence counter is reset to 0 (step 65-10), and the solenoid 421 c is turned off (step 65-11).

Now, in state 1, the clamping device is said to have already moved forward, and it should have passed 0.2 s after the solenoid of the clamping device has been switched on (which is referred to below as state 2). In state 2 , when the clamp moves back (step 65-12), the staple sequence counter is incremented to 4 (step 65-13) and operation continues. In state 2, if the clamp has already moved back and a staple is in progress (step 65-14), the staple sequence counter is incremented to 5 (step 65-15) and operation continues. In state 2, if the clamp has already moved backward and the stapling action is complete, the staple sequence counter is reset to 0 (step 65-3) and all loads are turned off (step 65-4).

If the elevator motor 409 is operated in state 1 (step 65-16), the stitch sequence counter is reset to 0 and all loads are switched off.

Fig. 55 shows a subroutine for changing the falling speed of the stapler depending on the tray on which a stapling operation is started. In particular, when the stapler is not in the present position (step 66-1), a higher motor speed is selected (step 66-2), and the elevator motor 409 is rotated at a higher speed to lower the stapler (step 66-3). If the instant position of the stapler is the starting position, the decreasing speed is changed depending on the number of trays to be treated next. In particular, when the stapler unit is to be stopped at the first bin (step 66-4), the higher motor speed is selected (step 6-2) and the elevator motor 409 is energized (step 66-3). If the stapler on the second bin or one of the subsequent bins is to be stopped (step 66-4), a lower motor speed is selected and the elevator motor 409 is turned on (step 66-3).

Now an acceleration and deceleration of the up-down described upward movement. This option is provided hen to successively move at the beginning an up-down move, and if one before certain speed is reached, a constant movement speed, and then move the movement speed of movement from a position in front of an interest reducing subject, and if a predetermined one Speed is reached, a constant speed to the interested subject until a stop put.

Fig. 56 shows in particular in subroutine, which is called up to 1 ms each in order to effect the acceleration and deceleration function. As shown, after the elevator motor 409 has been turned on (step 67-1), if acceleration has not yet ended (step 67-2), an acceleration counter is incremented by 1 each time the subroutine is called (step 67-3). ROM 601 stores a set of speed data associated with the values of the acceleration counter. Special speed data that matches the increasing value of the acceleration counter is written into the CTC unit 604 (step 67-5). The CTC unit 604 generates a frequency which is assigned to the speed data and supplies it to the phase signal generator 614 shown in FIG. 42. Accordingly, the generator 614 provides a phase signal to the constant current driver 615 to drive the elevator motor 409 at a speed associated with the speed data. As soon as the acceleration counter reaches a predetermined value (step 67-6), the acceleration is ended (step 67-13) and the elevator motor 409 22999 00070 552 001000280000000200012000285912288800040 0002004042539 00004 22880 then rotates at a constant speed.

After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, a delay begins (step 67-7). A delay counter is incremented by 1 each time the subroutine is called (step 67-8). At this time, the ROM 601 stores a group of speed data, by which the movement speed is then reduced based on the value of the deceleration counter (step 67-9). Speed data corresponding to the value of the deceleration counter is set in the CTC unit 604 (step 67-10). The CTC unit 604 again generates a frequency that corresponds to the speed data and supplies it to the phase signal generator 614 . The generator 614 outputs a phase signal to the constant current driver stage 615 , whereby the elevator motor is operated at a speed corresponding to the speed data. When the deceleration counter reaches a predetermined value (step 67-11), the deceleration is ended (step 67-12), and the elevator motor 409 is then driven at a constant speed. When the stapler unit arrives at a bin of interest, the elevator motor 409 is turned off and the acceleration and deceleration counters are cleared (steps 67-14).

Fig. 57 shows an error relief subroutine for an up / down movement. If a failure of the elevator motor 409 is detected and if this counted failure (step 68-1) is the second failure (step 68-2), an error signal is sent to clear the counter (step 68-6) and to make a call to a service technician (step 68-7). However, if the fault is the first fault (step 68-2) and if the elevator motor 409 rotates for an upward movement (step 68-3), the motor 409 is restarted (step 68-4) to stop operation to continue. When the elevator motor 409 rotates for an upward movement, a jam signal is given (step 68-5). In particular, the arrangement is such that when an error occurs in the stapler 401 or the positioner 502 , a first interrupt signal to simply interrupt the discharge of paper from the copier housing and a second interrupt signal selectively to produce the off interrupt and to request an error reset signal. Then the first interrupt signal is transmitted when an error occurs first, while the second interrupt signal is transmitted when an error occurs second. If necessary, the first and second interrupt signals can serve as a traffic jam or an error signal. The errors mentioned above relate not only to the errors of the elevator motor 409 , but also to the errors of the stapling device 401 and positioning device 502 .

A treatment is described with reference to FIGS. 58 to 68, which is assigned to a different error state in each case. In Fig. 58, a treatment is shown which error size motion detection is associated with a. As shown, it is determined whether the size shift motor has been turned on or not (step 69-1). If the answer to step 69-1 is yes, it is determined whether or not a timer is operating (step 69-2). If the answer to step 69-2 is no, the process is stacked (step 69-3). It is then determined whether the size sensor is switched from switched off to switched on (step 69-4). If the answer to step 69-2 is yes, step 69-4 is performed by skipping step 69-3. If the answer to step 69-4 is yes, the timer is reset and restarted (step 69-5) to see if a stop position of the size shift has been reached (step 69-6). If the answer at step 69-6 is no, it is determined whether or not the timer has expired (step 69-7). If the answer to step 69-7 is yes, an error signal is output to the copier (step 69-8) and an error processing subroutine is performed (step 69-9). After step 69-9, the size shift motor is turned off (step 69-10), the timer is reset and stopped (step 69-11), and the program then jumps back. Conversely, if the answer to step 69-6 is yes, the size shift motor is turned off (step 69-12), the timer is reset and stopped (step 69-13), and the program returns. If the answer to step 69-7 is no, the timer counts up (step 69-14) and the program returns to step 69-4. If the answer to step 69-1 is no, the program jumps back immediately.

Fig. 59 is a flowchart showing an error detection processing during an up-down movement. This processing begins with step 70-1 to determine whether or not the elevator motor has been turned on (step 70-1). If the answer to step 70-1 is yes, it is determined whether or not an up-down motion error timer is operating (step 70-2). If the answer at step 70-2 is no, the process is started (step 70-3) and it is determined whether or not the up-down counter has switched from switched off to switched on (step 70-4). If the answer to step 70-2 is yes, step 70-4 is performed by skipping step 70-3.

When the up-down sensor switches from switched off to on has switched, as determined at step 70-4 the timer for the up-down move reset and then restarted (Step 70-5). It is then determined whether the booklet unit has reached a stop position (step 70-6).

If the answer to step 70-6 is no, it is determined sets whether the timer for up-down movement errors has expired or not (step 70-7). If the answer at step 70-7 is yes, an error signal is sent to the ko pier set (step 70-8) and an error processing subroutine is executed (step 70-9). After this Step 70-9 de-energizes the elevator motor (step 70-10), becomes the timer for up-down motion errors stopped and reset, and then the program jumps back. If the answer to step 70-6 is yes, the answer is Elevator motor turned off (step 70-12), the timer for up-down movement errors is reset and ge stops (step 70-13) and the program then jumps return If the answer to step 70-7 is no, counts the timer up (step 70-14) and the program jumps back to step 70-4. If the answer is  If step 70-1 is no, the program jumps immediately back.

Fig. 60 is a flowchart showing a swing error detection. As shown, it is determined whether or not the swing motor has been turned on (step 71-1); if it has been turned on, it is determined whether a pan error timer is in operation or not (step 71-2). If the answer at step 71-2 is no, the pan error timer is started (step 71-3) and it is determined whether or not a pan output sensor has switched from off to on. (Step 71-4). If the answer to step 71-2 is yes, step 71-4 is performed by skipping step 71-3. If the answer at step 71-4 is no, it is determined whether or not the pan error timer has expired (step 71-5). If the answer to step 71-5 is yes, an error signal is output to the copier (step 71-69 and an error processing subroutine is performed (step 71-7). After step 71-7, the swing motor is de-energized (step 71-8), the pan error timer is stopped and reset (step 71-9), and the program then jumps back in. If the answer to step 71-4 is yes, the pan motor is de-energized (step 71-10) The pan error timer is stopped and reset (step 71-11) and the program then jumps back in. If the answer at step 71-5 is no, the pan error timer counts up (step 71-12) and the program jumps back to step 71-4 If the answer to step 71-1 is no, the program jumps back immediately.

In Fig. 61, a clamping error detection procedure is shown. This procedure begins with step 72-1, in which it is determined whether or not the clamp motor has been turned on. If the answer to step 72-1 is yes, it is determined whether or not the pinch timer is operating (step 72-2). If the answer at step 72-2 is no, the clamp error timer is started (step 72-3) and it is determined whether or not the clamp motor is rotating (step 72-4). If the answer to step 73-2 is yes, by skipping step 72-3, step 72-4 is performed. If the answer to step 72-4 is yes, it means the clamp is moving forward and step 72-5 is performed to see if the upstream sensor has switched from off to on. If the answer at step 72-5 is no, it is determined whether or not the clamp error timer has expired (step 72-6). If the answer to step 72-6 is yes, an error signal is output to the copier (step 72-7) and an error processing subroutine is performed (step 72-8). After step 72-8, the clamp device motor is turned off (step 72-9), the clamp error timer is stopped and reset (step 71-10), and the program then returns. If the answer at step 72-4 is no, which means that the clamping device is moving forward, it is determined whether the downstream sensor has switched from switched off to switched on or not (step 72-11). If the answer at step 72-11 is no, step 72-6 and subsequent steps are carried out. If the answer to step 72-5 or step 72-11 is yes, which means that the clamping device is moving forward or backward, step 72-9 is carried out because there are no errors. If the answer at step 72-6 is no, the pinch error timer counts up (step 72-12) and the program returns to step 72-4. If the answer to step 72-1 is no, the program jumps back immediately.

Fig. 62 is a flowchart showing a staple error determination. As shown, it is determined whether or not the staple motor has been turned on (step 73-1), and if it has been turned off, it is determined whether or not a staple error timer is operating (step 73-2). If the answer at step 73-2 is no, a staple error timer is started (step 73-3) and it is determined whether or not the sensor provided in the stapler exit point has switched from switched off to switched on or not (step 73 -4). If the answer to step 73-2 is yes, skipping step 73-3 executes step 73-4. If the answer at step 73-4 is no, it is determined whether or not a staple error timer has expired (step 73-5). If the answer to step 73-5 is yes, an error signal is output to the copier (step 73-6) and an error processing subroutine is executed (step 73-7). After step 73-7, the staple motor is turned off (step 73-8), the staple error timer is stopped and reset (step 73-9), and the program then returns. On the other hand, if the answer to step 73-4 is yes, the stapler motor is turned off (step 73-10), the staple error timer is stopped and reset (step 73-11), and the program then returns. If the answer at step 73-5 is no, the staple error counter counts up (step 73-12) and the program returns to step 73-4. If the answer to step 73-1 is no, the program jumps back immediately.

Fig. 63 shows a general method for detecting errors as described above. First, the size error detection program is executed (step 74-1) (the treatment shown in Fig. 58), a program for detecting an up-down movement error (step 74-2) (the treatment shown in Fig. 59) A program for a swing error detection (step 73-4) (the treatment shown in Fig. 60), a subroutine for an error detection of the clamping device (step 74-4) (the treatment shown in Fig. 61) and a subroutine for Find a staple error (step 75-5) (the treatment shown in Fig. 62). It is then determined where an error has occurred (step 74-6). If there are no errors, the program naturally jumps back. If there is any error, it is determined whether or not a service technician call (SC) reset signal corresponding to a system reset signal has been received from the copy housing (step 74-7). If the answer to step 74-4 is no, the program waits for a reset to occur and if a reset occurs the fault is located.

In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, it is determined whether or not the error is a size shift error (step 74-8). If the answer to step 74-8 is yes, a size error treatment (step 75) shown in Fig. 64 is performed; otherwise, it is determined whether the error is an error in the up-down movement or not (step 74-9). If the answer to step 74-9 is yes, processing of an up-down motion error shown in Fig. 65 is performed (step 76); otherwise, it is determined whether the error is a pan error (step 74-10). If the answer at step 74-10 is yes, pan error processing shown in Fig. 66 is performed (step 77). Otherwise, it is determined whether the error is a pinch error or not (step 74-11). If the answer at step 74-11 is yes, a clamping error treatment shown in Fig. 67 is performed; otherwise, it is determined whether or not the mistake is a staple error (step 74-12). If the answer at step 74-12 is yes, staple error processing shown in Fig. 68 is performed (step 79); otherwise, a sorter / stapler ready signal is given to the copier (step 74-13) and the program returns.

In the size shift error treatment shown in Fig. 64, that is, at step 75, it is determined whether or not the size output sensor has been turned on (step 75-1). If the answer at step 75-1 is no, which means that the swivel unit is not in the initial position, the direction of rotation of the size motor is reversed (step 75-2), the swivel unit is stopped in its initial position (step 75-3) , and a determination of the size shift error is made (step 75-4). After step 75-4, it is determined at step 75-5 whether or not there is a size shift error again. If the answer at step 75-5 is no, which means that the size shift error has been removed, the program jumps to step 74-9, which is indicated by the letter A, otherwise the program jumps to step 74- 7, which is indicated by a letter F. If the answer to step 75-1 is yes, the size motor is rotated forward (step 75-6), for example, the swing unit is stopped at position A3 (step 75-5), and then a size shift error determination is made performed (step 75-8). At step 75-9, it is again determined whether or not there is a size shift error. If the answer at step 75-9 is no, the direction of rotation of the size motor is reversed (step 76-2); on the other hand, the program jumps to step 74-4 as indicated by the letter F.

In the treatment of an up-down movement error shown in FIG. 65, ie at step 76, it is determined whether the sensor provided for this has been switched on or not (step 76-1). If the answer at step 76-1 is no, which means that the stapler is not in the home position, the direction of rotation of the elevator motor is reversed to raise the stapler (step 76-2), the stapler is in the Stopped from home position (step 76-3), and then an up-down motion error determination is made (step 76-4). After step 76-4, step 76-5 is performed to see if there is an up-down motion error. If the answer to step 76-5 is no, which means that the error in the up-down movement has been eliminated, the program jumps to step 74-10, which is indicated by the letter B; otherwise it jumps to step 74-7, which is indicated by the letter F. Conversely, if step 76-1 is yes, the elevator motor is rotated forward to lower the stapler (step 76-6), for example, the stapler is stopped on the first tray (step 76-6), and then detection of an up-down motion error is performed (step 76-8). Whether or not there is an up-down motion error is then determined again at step 76-9. If the answer at step 76-9 is no, the elevator motor is reversed in its direction of rotation (step 76-2), and the following steps are performed. On the other hand, step 74-7 and subsequent steps are performed as indicated by F.

In the swing error treatment shown in Fig. 66, that is, in step 77, the swing motor is energized (step 77-1), and then the swing error determination is performed (step 77-2). It is then determined whether there is a pan error or not (step 77-3). If the answer to step 77-3 is no, the program moves to step 77-11 as indicated by the letter C; otherwise the program jumps to step 74.7, as indicated by the letter F.

When in Fig. 67 shown clamping error treatment, that at step 78 it is determined whether the nachgeordne te sensor has been turned on or not (step 78-1). If the answer to step 78-1 is no, the clamp motor is reversed to rotate the clamp backward (step 78-2), the clamp error determination is performed (step 78-3), and so on it is determined whether or not there is a movement error of the clamp (step 78-4). If the answer to step 78-4 is no, the program jumps to step 74-12 as indicated by the letter D; otherwise it jumps to step 74-7. If the answer to step 78-1 is yes, the clamp motor is operated in the forward direction to move the clamp forward (step 78-5), the clamp error determination is performed (step 78-6), and so on it is then determined whether or not a pinching error exists (step 78-7). If the answer to step 78-7 is no, the program jumps to step 78-2; otherwise it jumps to step 74-7.

When in Fig. 68 shown stitching error treatment, that at step 79, the stapler motor is switched on (step 79-1), and it is a stitching error determination is performed (step 79-2). It is then determined whether or not a staple error exists (step 79-3). If the answer to step 79-3 is no, the program jumps to step 74-13 as indicated by the letter E; otherwise it jumps to step 74-7, which is indicated by the letter F.

With the invention, there are thus still various unprecedented benefits have been achieved, the next listed below.

• 1) Even if a stapling process is interrupted halfway because too few sheets of paper were brought in, who the sheets of paper that have been loaded into compartments, which follow a subject in which the stapling operation interrupted, put in the correct position d. H. positioned. Therefore if after the introduction (new) Paper sheets copies are sorted, the pa pierblätter, which were already in a Number of compartments loaded, no longer positioned become. As a result, the one acting on an engine Reduced load and stacks of paper can be stapled be after using an inexpensive micro motors reliably positioned with low torque are. In particular, the paper positioning and Binding processes in the double described above Sorting and stapling operations performed reliably.
• 2) Paper sheets of different sizes can be sor be tiert and thereby a double sorting drive carried out, whereby a handling of carried paper sheets is increased.
• 3) Since small size paper stack in the sorter have been distributed, not stapled, is the same advantage achievable as above under point (2) is listed.
• 4) Stapling stacks of paper that are not yet posi are excluded.

Claims (8)

1. paper handling apparatus, having a plurality of trays, with a paper positioning device for positioning the paper sheets which have been distributed into the plurality of storage trays, with a paper moving device ( 402 ) for the paper sheets after the paper sheets have been positioned by the paper positioning device, into a staple position to move the bin, and with a stapler for stapling the paper sheets that have been moved into the staple position by the paper moving device, the paper moving device returning the paper sheets stapled by the stapler to an original position, and with a controller, which is designed to act that, after the paper moving device has moved the paper sheets into the original position, the paper po sitioning device acts on the paper sheets. 2. Paper handling device according to claim 1, characterized by a first and a second sorting device for paper sheets which from a corresponding device has been carried out on the Distribute the number of storage compartments.   3. Paper handling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the Heftvorrich device ( 400 ) arranged on one side of the number of stacked compartments ( 300 ) and along the number of storage compartments ( 300 ) can be moved in the manner of an elevator. 4. Paper handling device according to claim 3, characterized by a the compartments ( 300 ) associated position sensing mechanism ( 403 , 415 , 416 , 416 a) to align the stapling device ( 401 ) and the paper moving device with the respective compartments ( 300 ). 5. Paper handling device according to claim 4, characterized in that the paper movement supply device has a displaceable clamping device ( 421 ) for clamping and moving a sheet stack to be stapled and present in a compartment. 6. Paper handling device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by a push rod ( 422 z) which can be actuated after a respective stapling operation in order to push a stapled plate stack back into the corresponding compartment. 7. Paper handling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning device ( 501 , 502 ) is designed as a pivoting device. 8. paper handling device according to claim 5 or 7, characterized in that the swivel movement the swivel device in a compartment with a yeast Teten sheet stack is triggered when the clamping device activated when stapling on a next storage compartment becomes.