EP0054351B1 - Appareil de finition et système de reproduction de documents le comprenant - Google Patents

Appareil de finition et système de reproduction de documents le comprenant Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0054351B1
EP0054351B1 EP19810305201 EP81305201A EP0054351B1 EP 0054351 B1 EP0054351 B1 EP 0054351B1 EP 19810305201 EP19810305201 EP 19810305201 EP 81305201 A EP81305201 A EP 81305201A EP 0054351 B1 EP0054351 B1 EP 0054351B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sheets
document
copy
station
copy sheets
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP19810305201
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0054351A2 (fr
EP0054351A3 (en
Inventor
Joseph N. May
Stephen A. Rhinehart
Robert G. Zambelli
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Xerox Corp
Original Assignee
Xerox Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Xerox Corp filed Critical Xerox Corp
Publication of EP0054351A2 publication Critical patent/EP0054351A2/fr
Publication of EP0054351A3 publication Critical patent/EP0054351A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0054351B1 publication Critical patent/EP0054351B1/fr
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/65—Apparatus which relate to the handling of copy material
    • G03G15/6538—Devices for collating sheet copy material, e.g. sorters, control, copies in staples form
    • G03G15/6541—Binding sets of sheets, e.g. by stapling, glueing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42C—BOOKBINDING
    • B42C1/00—Collating or gathering sheets combined with processes for permanently attaching together sheets or signatures or for interposing inserts
    • B42C1/12—Machines for both collating or gathering and permanently attaching together the sheets or signatures
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/00362—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes relating to the copy medium handling
    • G03G2215/00789—Adding properties or qualities to the copy medium
    • G03G2215/00822—Binder, e.g. glueing device
    • G03G2215/00827—Stapler
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/00362—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes relating to the copy medium handling
    • G03G2215/00789—Adding properties or qualities to the copy medium
    • G03G2215/00822—Binder, e.g. glueing device
    • G03G2215/00831—Stitcher

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a finishing apparatus for receiving and binding into sets precollated copy sheets from a document reproducing apparatus, comprising a compiling station for registering and assembling copy sheets into sets and at least one stapling device for binding a set compiled at the compiling station and having means for clamping an edge of the set during stapling. It also relates to a document reproduction system incorporating such a finishing apparatus. Such apparatus is disclosed in US-A-4029309.
  • a finishing device such as a stitcher or stapler is activated to bind the set.
  • These systems are of the precollation type wherein the document sheets are precollated in the document handling apparatus prior to commencement of a reproduction run.
  • the output for the reproduction machine will likewise be precollated in sets corresponding to the sequenced numbered document set in the document handling apparatus.
  • the copy sheets are collected in collated sets as they are sequentially produced so that binding may be effected without the interaction of additional devices.
  • Such systems are described in US-A-4,134,672.
  • the present invention contemplates the concept of utilizing a compilation station which includes the stapler or stitcher heads in order to avoid the use of copy set transport devices and permit continuous compilation of successive copy sets.
  • Present day machines on the market such as the Xerox duplication machine labeled the 9400@ Duplicator marketed by Xerox Corporation of Stamford, Connecticut, utilize a document handler as an input device which exposes as many copies of a single document sheet at a time as is appropriate before starting on the next document sheet.
  • the present invention contemplates utilizing a recirculating type of document handling apparatus such as of the general type disclosed in the above referred to US-A-4,134,672. Any other suitable recirculating type of document handler may also be used in conjunction with the processor for the 9400@ Duplicator.
  • a finishing apparatus is characterised in that the stapling device and means for clamping are positioned to operate on the set while it is in the clamping station and said compiling station includes a support surface movable, while a said set is clamped by said stapling device, between a first position for supporting sheets received at the compiling station with their surfaces parallel to the support surface as they are being compiled into a set and a second position in which it no longer supports the sheets thus enabling a bound set on release by the clamping means to pass through said position to a collection point.
  • the compiling station is defined by a movable, horizontally arranged plate upon which sheets are collected, and the stapling heads of one or more stapling apparatus.
  • the plate When the last sheet of a set to be bound is collected, the plate is quickly retracted from the set in timed sequence with the clamping of the leading end of the set by the stapling heads whereupon the rear edge of the set lowers to carry the set downwardly upon a set collecting, vertically movable tray.
  • a set kicker may be employed to facilitate quick removal of the stapled edge out of the stapling heads.
  • the collecting plate is repositioned into its compiling position to catch the first sheet of the succeeding copy set.
  • the collecting plate reciprocates, that is, moves from a collecting position to a retracted position and back to its collection position at a cycle rate approximately equal to the rate of production of the reproduction machine with which the finisher is associated so that there is no loss of productivity.
  • the time during which the plate reciprocates is approximately equal to the pitch time for the machine i.e. the time for a copy sheet to move a distance from the leading edge of one copy sheet to the leading edge of a succeeding sheet regardless of where the sheets are in the system.
  • the system comprising the processor 11 and the document handling apparatus 12 is under control of a programmer P which permits an operator various options: to turn the entire system ON or OFF; to program the reproduction system for a desired number of reproductions to be made of each original document sheet or set; to select whether simplex or duplex copies are to be made; to select a desired output arrangement, that is, sets mode or stacks mode, stapled or unstapled; to select one of a plurality of paper trays; to condition the machine for the type of document, that is, whether one sided or two sided, to select a copy size reduction mode, and other desirable functions.
  • the programmer P also includes a controller which provides all operational timing and synchronization between the processor 11 and all of its xerographic processing functions, and system control functions, the automatic events to be described hereinafter.
  • the controller may include any suitable microprocessor having a CPU and the appropriate machine clock, but preferably the microprocessor is one similar to the Intel 8080 Microprocessor manufactured by the Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, California, and having sufficient ROM's and RAM's for all of the necessary functions in the reproduction system.
  • the document handling apparatus 12 serves to feed one document sheet at a time from a supply of document sheets of a document D into copying position on the platen 14 where a single exposure of each document sheet is made per document set and during sequential operation. Following exposure, each document sheet is automatically returned to the document supply and the next document sheet, if any, is brought into the exposure position on platen 14. Document sheets returned to the supply stack may be recycled by the apparatus 12 in the event additional copy sets are to be produced, or simply removed by the user when the copying program is completed.
  • copy sheets exiting through the exit slot 50 positioned at one end of the housing for the xerographic processor 11 are directed to the finishing station 13 which comprises a compiling station, a stapler apparatus, and an output elevator system.
  • the finishing station 13 which comprises a compiling station, a stapler apparatus, and an output elevator system.
  • each sheet After leaving the processor 11, as shown in Figure 2, each sheet is positioned upon a transport 92 to be further conveyed generally along the same horizontal plane as its previous path to a fixed receiving point or station 93.
  • the transport includes a movable endless transport belt 94 upon which each sheet is placed and a plurality of loosely retained rotatable balls 95 which rest on and along the belt 94 by gravity and which coact with the belt to convey sheets therebetween.
  • the belt 94 is driven by a motor and suitable gearing and pulleys (not shown) at a velocity slightly greater than the processing speed of the processor 11 in order to add more working space between the sheets and to ensure that the final handling of copy sheets does not impede the throughput of the entire system as determined by the process speed of the processor 11.
  • the rate at which the sheets arrive at the station 93 nevertheless is the same as the process speed or reproduction rate of the processor.
  • the axis of the belt 94 is at a slight angle to the direction of the movement of the copy sheets.
  • This arrangement drives each sheet of copy slightly laterally against a side registration edge 97 which is parallel to and offset from the centerline of the incoming path of sheet movement.
  • the sheet S as can be seen through a sheet clearance opening formed in the top plate of the transport 92. In this orientation, the sheets are positioned so that their toner image side is down, for the simplex mode, or an odd numbered page is down for the duplex copying mode, and the top of each sheet is along the edge 97.
  • a sheet contacting switch S-1 is positioned to be actuated as each sheet enters the transport 92 of the finishing station 13.
  • the circuit for this switch is connected to the logic in the programmer P and serves to reset the machine clock for the finishing function so that zero time for the sheet commences when the sheet is at the station 93 which serves as the system reference point.
  • a pair of contacting transport rollers or a set of corrugating rollers 100 which receive each copy sheet within the nip for directing a sheet onto a compiling receiving plate 102 located at a compiling station which includes this plate.
  • the plate 102 is suitably mounted for horizontal reciprocable movement between the position showing in Figure 2 whereat copy sheets are compiled to form a set C just prior to a stapling operation to its retracted position shown in Figure 3.
  • a pneumatic cylinder 104 having an electromagnetically actuable valve 105 is suitably connected to the plate to provide very fast reciprocating movement upon logic control in the programmer P.
  • the valve 105 is energized by means of a time signal from the programmer logic to drive the plate to the collecting or compiling position of Figure 1 or to retract the plate to the position shown in Figure 3.
  • the time during which the plate 102 makes a complete reciprocating cycle is approximately equal to the rate of production of the processor, or its pitch time. For example, if the production rate for the processor is 120 copies per minute, its pitch is one sheet plus one space between sheets per one-half second and the cycle time for reciprocation of the plate will be approximately one-half second.
  • an individually-operable, dual stapler apparatus 110 which provides a stapling function either with a single staple or with two staples, both being adapted to be applied at variable positions along the long edge of a set C of copy sheets. Stapling is achieved by way of two identical mechanisms, each of which provides the functions of copy set clamping, staple driving and staple clinching.
  • the apparatus utilizes two commercial type stapler heads 112, such as the Bostitch staple head indicated as the 64-E manufactured by the Bostitch Division of the Textron Corporation of Buffalo, Rhode Island.
  • the stapling apparatus 110 may be identical to that disclosed in detail in EP-A-46675 which claims priority from application Serial No. 180,184, filed August 21, 1980.
  • logic timed control signals are imparted to two electromagnetic clutches and to a clinching solenoid in order to acquire copy set clamping along the edge of the copy set to be stapled; to separate a staple from a supply and drive it through the set; and to effect clinching wherein the staple legs are bent to secure the copy sheets.
  • the receiving plate 102 is in the position shown in Figure 1 wherein its far edge is adjacent the clamping position for the stapling apparatus.
  • sheets are conveyed past the reference point 93 by the rollers 100, they are directed onto the plate 102 and into clamping positions relative to the stapler heads 112.
  • the sheets are being directed into their prestapling position, they engage and become registered against corner registration members 114, 115.
  • the member 114 is so positioned between the heads 112 that when all sheets of a set are against the member, the now aligned edge of the set is in proper position to be clamped and stapled by the stapling heads.
  • a stapled copy set is dropped onto an elevator device 118 which is utilized to collect into a pile stapled or unstapled sets or stacks of copy sheets for delivery to an operator.
  • the elevator comprises a tray 119 mounted in cantilever fashion on a pair of vertically arranged, drive screws 120 threadedly received in threaded members 121 secured one to each corner of the tray 119, so that upon rotation of the drive screws 120, the tray 119 is moved vertically in the up or down direction.
  • a reversible motor M-1 is operatively connected to the drive screws 120 for imparting rotation to the same in either direction.
  • the height of piled sets or stacks in the elevator is controlled by an optical sensor SR-1 which "looks" across the pile and effects the energization of the motor M-1 and lowering of the tray 119 until the top of the pile is at or below the sensor.
  • Corresponding copy sheets are produced in collated arrangement in the processor 11 and exited at the slot 50 in succeeding order in accordance with the production rate for the processor. Since the arrangement is such that there will be no skipped pitches in the production run, the copy sheets will be evenly spaced throughout processing, for all twenty times five, or one hundred sheets set to be produced.
  • the first five copy sheets, corresponding to the first complete cycling of the document apparatus 12 are transported by way of the transport 92, through the reference point 93 and into the compiling station to be collected for a stapling operation. Each of these sheets is conveyed to and along the top surface of the plate 102 and into the clamping position for the stapling heads 112, the edges of the sheets being registered by the members 114, 115.
  • the clamping clutches for the stapling heads are activated to clamp the adjacent edge of the collected set.
  • the compiling plate 102 is retracted to permit the lowering of the opposite or trailing edge of the set, as shown in Figure 3.
  • This plate is returned immediately to its compiling position as shown in Figure 1 so as to be in position to receive the first sheet of the second set of five copy sheets being transported.
  • the clutch for providing the force to drive staples through this edge and the clinching solenoid are activated in timed sequence to produce a stapled set.
  • the forward registration member 114 may be suitably connected to a kicker driving mechanism and timed in its actuation to kick the stapled edge out of the stapling positions over the heads 112 at the instant before the plate 102 is returned. With the far portions of the stapled set already in position below the level of the plate 102 and dropping, the final kick of the set causes immediate lowering of the set and out of the return path of the plate.
  • the timing sequences for the activations enumerated above: i.e. clamping by the stapling heads, retraction of the plate 102, staple driving and clinching, final kicking of a completed copy set, and return of the plate 102 are provided in the logic for the programmer P.
  • Final kicking of a completed copy set is such that the compiling plate 102 is returning to the compiling position as the first copy sheet of a succeeding copy set is being delivered.
  • the logic will determine when these actions are to occur by way of operator manipulation of the programmer P during presetting of the desired reproduction run. As the stapled sets are produced, one by one, they fall upon the elevator tray 119 which lowers in accordance with the sensed height of the topmost set thereon.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Folding Of Thin Sheet-Like Materials, Special Discharging Devices, And Others (AREA)
  • Paper Feeding For Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Control Or Security For Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Discharge By Other Means (AREA)

Claims (7)

1. Appareil de finition pour la réception et le lien en jeux (C) de feuilles de copie pré-assemblées (S) provenant d'un appareil de reproduction de document, comprenant un poste de compilage (102) pour cadrer et assembler des feuilles de copie en jeux et au moins un dispositif d'agrafage (110) pour lier un jeu compilé au poste de compilage (102) et comportant un moyen (112) pour fixer un bord du jeu (C) pendant l'agrafage, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif d'agrafage et le moyen de fixation sont placés de manière à agir sur la feuille alors qu'elle se trouve dans le poste de compilage, et le poste de compilage (102) comprend une surface de support mobile, alors qu'un jeu (C) est fixé par le dispositif d'agrafage (110), entre une première position pour le support des feuilles reçues au poste d'agrafage (102) avec leurs surfaces parallèles à la surface de support alors qu'elles sont compilées pour donner un jeu (C) et une seconde position dans laquelle elle ne supporte plus les feuilles, permettant ainsi à un jeu lié (C) d'être libéré par le moyen de fixation pour traverser la première position jusqu'à un point de recueil.
2. Appareil de finition selon la revendication 1, où la surface de support (102) est constituée d'une plaque de support mobile dans un mouvement de va-et-vient suivant un plan généralement horizontal.
3. Appareil de finition selon la revendication 1 ou 2, où dans le seconde position de la surface de support (102) un jeu lié (C) peut être recueilli au-dessous de la première position.
4. Appareil de finition selon la revendication 3, comprenant un moyen élévateur (118) disposé au-dessous de la première position de la surface de support.
5. Appareil de finition selon la revendication 1, 2, 3 ou 4, comprenant un mécanisme provoquant un choc pour sortir un jeu agrafé de la position de fixation après l'opération d'agrafage.
6. Système de reproduction de document pour produire des feuilles de copie pré-assemblées (S), ayant un appareil (12) manipulateur de document qui est destiné à acheminer des feuilles individuelles (D) de document à partir d'un empilage de fourniture jusqu'à un poste d'exposition (14) et effectuer une exposition de chaque feuille de document avant son retour à l'empilage de fourniture, un processeur (11) pour reproduire des feuilles de copie (S) des feuilles de document exposées (D), et un appareil de finition (13) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, pour recevoir et lier en jeux (C) des feuilles de copie pré-assemblées (S) en provenance du processeur (11).
7. Appareil de reproduction selon la revendication 6, comprenant un moyen (100) pour acheminer des feuilles de copie sur la surface de support (102) à une cadence égale à la vitesse de traitement pour la reproduction des feuilles de copie, et un moyen pour déplacer cette surface entre une première position et une seconde position, et la ramener à la première position dans une période temporelle approximativement égale au pas du processeur.
EP19810305201 1980-12-17 1981-10-30 Appareil de finition et système de reproduction de documents le comprenant Expired EP0054351B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US21732680A 1980-12-17 1980-12-17
US217326 1980-12-17

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0054351A2 EP0054351A2 (fr) 1982-06-23
EP0054351A3 EP0054351A3 (en) 1982-09-29
EP0054351B1 true EP0054351B1 (fr) 1985-04-17

Family

ID=22810595

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19810305201 Expired EP0054351B1 (fr) 1980-12-17 1981-10-30 Appareil de finition et système de reproduction de documents le comprenant

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0054351B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPS57120952A (fr)
CA (1) CA1184710A (fr)
DE (1) DE3170027D1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN111252613A (zh) * 2018-11-30 2020-06-09 株式会社理光 后处理装置、图像形成装置及图像形成系统

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4424963A (en) * 1981-09-11 1984-01-10 International Business Machines Corporation Finisher--exit pocket module for copier
ZA836050B (en) * 1982-09-21 1984-07-25 Xerox Corp Copy finishing apparatus
JPS60205466A (ja) * 1984-03-29 1985-10-17 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd 紙とじ用アウトプット装置
JPS619669A (ja) * 1984-06-26 1986-01-17 Ricoh Co Ltd 製本装置
JPS61160766A (ja) * 1985-01-08 1986-07-21 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd フイニツシヤ−を備えた複写機
JPS6359591A (ja) * 1987-05-29 1988-03-15 株式会社リコー 製本装置
EP0302519B1 (fr) * 1987-08-07 1994-07-06 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Appareil délivrant des feuilles avec une agrafeuse
US5320335A (en) * 1987-08-07 1994-06-14 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Control method for sheet discharger with stapler method of stapling a group a discharged sheets into sub-groups having up to n sheets
US5026034A (en) * 1989-06-19 1991-06-25 Eastman Kodak Company Document output apparatus having anti-dishevelment device

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3719266A (en) * 1970-09-09 1973-03-06 Xerox Corp Sheet stacking apparatus
US4029309A (en) * 1975-10-29 1977-06-14 Xerox Corporation Set transport and stacker
US4134672A (en) * 1976-03-30 1979-01-16 Eastman Kodak Company Copier finisher for an electrographic reproducing device
GB2032889B (en) * 1978-11-07 1983-06-15 Xerox Corp Sheet handling

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN111252613A (zh) * 2018-11-30 2020-06-09 株式会社理光 后处理装置、图像形成装置及图像形成系统

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH023504B2 (fr) 1990-01-23
DE3170027D1 (en) 1985-05-23
JPS57120952A (en) 1982-07-28
EP0054351A2 (fr) 1982-06-23
EP0054351A3 (en) 1982-09-29
CA1184710A (fr) 1985-04-02

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