EP4722140A1 - Postprocessing apparatus and corresponding image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Postprocessing apparatus and corresponding image forming apparatus

Info

Publication number
EP4722140A1
EP4722140A1 EP25206400.1A EP25206400A EP4722140A1 EP 4722140 A1 EP4722140 A1 EP 4722140A1 EP 25206400 A EP25206400 A EP 25206400A EP 4722140 A1 EP4722140 A1 EP 4722140A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sheet
transportation
bunch
postprocess
subsequent
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP25206400.1A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Ryosuke Takahashi
Hideo Taketani
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.)
Kyocera Document Solutions Inc
Original Assignee
Kyocera Document Solutions Inc
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 Kyocera Document Solutions Inc filed Critical Kyocera Document Solutions Inc
Publication of EP4722140A1 publication Critical patent/EP4722140A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H31/00—Pile receivers
    • B65H31/30—Arrangements for removing completed piles
    • B65H31/3027—Arrangements for removing completed piles by the nip between moving belts or rollers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H29/00—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles
    • B65H29/12—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by means of the nip between two, or between two sets of, moving tapes or bands or rollers
    • B65H29/125—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by means of the nip between two, or between two sets of, moving tapes or bands or rollers between two sets of rollers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H29/00—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles
    • B65H29/12—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by means of the nip between two, or between two sets of, moving tapes or bands or rollers
    • B65H29/14—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by means of the nip between two, or between two sets of, moving tapes or bands or rollers and introducing into a pile
    • B65H29/145—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by means of the nip between two, or between two sets of, moving tapes or bands or rollers and introducing into a pile the pile being formed between the two, or between the two sets of, tapes or bands or rollers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H31/00—Pile receivers
    • B65H31/02—Pile receivers with stationary end support against which pile accumulates
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H31/00—Pile receivers
    • B65H31/34—Apparatus for squaring-up piled articles
    • B65H31/36—Auxiliary devices for contacting each article with a front stop as it is piled
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
    • B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
    • B65H2301/42—Piling, depiling, handling piles
    • B65H2301/421—Forming a pile
    • B65H2301/4212—Forming a pile of articles substantially horizontal
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
    • B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
    • B65H2301/42—Piling, depiling, handling piles
    • B65H2301/421—Forming a pile
    • B65H2301/4213—Forming a pile of a limited number of articles, e.g. buffering, forming bundles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
    • B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
    • B65H2301/42—Piling, depiling, handling piles
    • B65H2301/421—Forming a pile
    • B65H2301/4219—Forming a pile forming a pile in which articles are offset from each other, e.g. forming stepped pile
    • B65H2301/42194—Forming a pile forming a pile in which articles are offset from each other, e.g. forming stepped pile forming a pile in which articles are offset from each other in the delivery direction
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2403/00—Power transmission; Driving means
    • B65H2403/90—Machine drive
    • B65H2403/94—Other features of machine drive
    • B65H2403/942—Bidirectional powered handling device
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2404/00—Parts for transporting or guiding the handled material
    • B65H2404/10—Rollers
    • B65H2404/15—Roller assembly, particular roller arrangement
    • B65H2404/152—Arrangement of roller on a movable frame
    • B65H2404/1521—Arrangement of roller on a movable frame rotating, pivoting or oscillating around an axis, e.g. parallel to the roller axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2405/00—Parts for holding the handled material
    • B65H2405/10—Cassettes, holders, bins, decks, trays, supports or magazines for sheets stacked substantially horizontally
    • B65H2405/11—Parts and details thereof
    • B65H2405/111—Bottom
    • B65H2405/1115—Bottom with surface inclined, e.g. in width-wise direction
    • B65H2405/11151—Bottom with surface inclined, e.g. in width-wise direction with surface inclined upwardly in transport direction
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/10—Size; Dimensions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2801/00—Application field
    • B65H2801/24—Post -processing devices
    • B65H2801/27—Devices located downstream of office-type machines

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Pile Receivers (AREA)

Abstract

An output roller (23) outputs a sheet bunch on a processing tray (23) after a postprocess through an ejection port (24a). In a waiting transportation path (10b), a subsequent sheet (211) can wait while the postprocess is performed for the sheet bunch (111). The transportation roller (12) draws a subsequent sheet to the waiting transportation path and transports the subsequent sheet from the waiting transportation path to the processing tray. A controller (41) performs concurrent transportation, and in the concurrent transportation, (a) when the sheet bunch is outputted through the ejection port, transports the subsequent sheet to the output roller and causes the subsequent sheet to protrude from the ejection port such that the subsequent sheet partially overlaps the sheet bunch, and (b) after a rear end of the sheet bunch passes through the ejection port, reverses the output roller and transports the subsequent sheet to the processing tray.

Description

    BACKGROUND 1. FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
  • The present invention relates to a postprocessing apparatus and an image forming apparatus.
    • 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
  • A postprocessing apparatus includes not only a processing tray on which a sheet bunch is put when a specific postprocess is performed for the sheet bunch but a waiting transportation path to cause a sheet to wait, and stacks the sheet that waits in the waiting transportation path onto a sheet transported from a previous-stage device (image forming apparatus main body or the like) , and transports the both sheets to the processing tray. Further, in this postprocessing apparatus, when a sheet or a sheet bunch is transported from the waiting transportation path to the processing tray, a front-end part of the sheet or sheet bunch is caused to protrude from an ejection port and then the sheet or sheet bunch is switched back and transported to the processing tray.
  • As mentioned, a transportation path to transport a sheet or a sheet bunch from the waiting transportation path to the processing tray partially overlaps a transportation path to transport a sheet bunch on the processing tray to an output tray after the postprocess, and therefore, after the sheet bunch after the postprocess is outputted, a subsequent sheet or sheet bunch is transported from the waiting transportation path to the processing tray. Therefore, the postprocess for the subsequent sheet bunch is delayed.
    • SUMMARY
  • A postprocessing apparatus according to the present invention includes a processing unit, an output roller, a waiting transportation path, a transportation roller, and a controller. The processing unit is configured to perform a postprocess for a sheet bunch on a processing tray. The output roller is configured to output the sheet bunch after the postprocess through an ejection port. In the waiting transportation path, a subsequent sheet can wait while the postprocess is performed for the sheet bunch. The transportation roller is configured to draw the subsequent sheet to the waiting transportation path and transport the subsequent sheet from the waiting transportation path to the processing tray. The controller is configured to control the processing unit, the output roller, and the transportation roller. Further, the controller performs concurrent transportation of the sheet bunch after the postprocess and the subsequent sheet, and in the concurrent transportation, (a) when the sheet bunch is outputted through the ejection port, controls the transportation roller and thereby transports the subsequent sheet to the output roller and causes the subsequent sheet to protrude from the ejection port such that the subsequent sheet partially overlaps the sheet bunch, and (b) after a rear end of the sheet bunch passes through the ejection port, reverses the output roller and transports the subsequent sheet to the processing tray.
  • An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes the aforementioned postprocessing apparatus, and an image forming apparatus main body configured to output each sheet of the sheet bunch and the subsequent sheet to the postprocessing apparatus.
  • These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following detailed description along with the accompanied drawings.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    • Fig. 1 shows a perspective-view diagram that indicates an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
    • Fig. 2 shows a side-view diagram that indicates a mechanical configuration of a postprocessing apparatus 1b shown in Fig. 1;
    • Fig. 3 shows a block diagram that indicates an electronic configuration of the postprocessing apparatus 1b shown in Fig. 1;
    • Fig. 4 shows a diagram that explains transportation of a sheet to a processing tray 23 (1/2);
    • Fig. 5 shows a diagram that explains transportation of a sheet to a processing tray 23 (2/2);
    • Fig. 6 shows a diagram that explains concurrent transportation (1/3);
    • Fig. 7 shows a diagram that explains concurrent transportation (2/3);
    • Fig. 8 shows a diagram that explains concurrent transportation (3/3);
    • Fig. 9 shows a diagram that explains sheet transportation and a behavior of a cursor unit when the postprocess is a stapling process;
    • Fig. 10 shows a flowchart that explains a sheet transportation operation of the postprocessing apparatus 1b shown in Figs. 1 to 3; and
    • Fig. 11 shows a diagram that indicates an example of a determination condition of whether the concurrent transportation should be performed or not in Embodiment 2.
    DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • Hereinafter, embodiments according to an aspect of the present invention will be explained with reference to drawings.
    • Embodiment 1.
  • Fig. 1 shows a perspective-view diagram that indicates an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1 is a multi function peripheral that has a printing function, an image scanning function, a facsimile function and the like.
  • As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter, also called "apparatus main body") 1a, and a postprocessing apparatus 1b. The apparatus main body 1a includes not only an operation panel but an image scanning device, a printing device, a storage device, a controller and the like, and prints an image on a print sheet (hereinafter, also simply called "sheet") and outputs the print sheet to the postprocessing apparatus 1b. The postprocessing apparatus 1b performs a postprocess (i.e. a stapling process, a sorting process or the like) for print sheets transported from the apparatus main body 1a.
  • Fig. 2 shows a side-view diagram that indicates a mechanical configuration of a postprocessing apparatus 1b shown in Fig. 1. The postprocessing apparatus 1b includes a transportation roller 11, a transportation roller 12, a path changing member 13, an intermediate roller 21, a stopper guide 22, a processing tray 23, an output roller 24, an output tray 25, and a processing unit 26.
  • Further, the postprocessing apparatus 1b includes a main transportation path 10a and a waiting transportation path 10b. The main transportation path 10a is a transportation path to transport a sheet outputted from the image forming apparatus main body 1a (previous-stage device). The waiting transportation path 10b is a transportation path in which a subsequent sheet can wait while the postprocess is performed for a sheet bunch on the processing tray 23.
  • The transportation roller 11 causes a sheet transported to the postprocessing apparatus 1b to move along the main transportation path 10a.
  • The transportation roller 12 is a transportation roller that draws a sheet transported by the main transportation path 10a to the waiting transportation path 10b (with the intermediate roller 21) and transports the sheet from the waiting transportation path 10b to the processing tray 23.
  • The intermediate roller 21 transports a sheet transported by the main transportation path 10a to (a position over) the processing tray 23.
  • The transportation rollers 11 and 12 and the intermediate roller 21 are driven by an unshown motors (motors 42 mentioned below or the like).
  • The stopper guide 22 is arranged at an end of the processing tray 23, and an end of a sheet on the processing tray 23 contacts with the stopper guide 22.
  • The processing tray 23 is a member of a slanted planer shape, and a single sheet or plural sheets (a sheet bunch) as a target of the postprocess is/are put on the processing tray 23. The postprocess (stapling process, sorting process or the like) is performed for a sheet bunch put on the processing tray 23.
  • When a sheet is transported to the processing tray 23, specifically, after a rear end of the sheet passes through the intermediate roller 21, the sheet is guided to the processing tray 23 while making contact with a sheet contact member (not shown), and is caused to contact with the stopper guide 22 by a drawing paddle (not shown) and thereby the sheet is aligned. In this manner, the sheet bunch is aligned in its transportation direction by the stopper guide 22. In a perpendicular to the transportation direction, the sheet bunch on the processing tray 23 is aligned by a cursor unit (not shown). For example, the cursor unit drives contact members (cursors) using a motor, an actuator or the like, causes the contact members to contact with sides of the sheet bunch and thereby aligns the sheet bunch.
  • The output rollers 24 are apart from each other until the postprocess is finished such that the sheet bunch on the processing tray 23 and the subsequent sheet can move through a gap between the output rollers 24 (i.e. the ejection port 24a), and after finishing the postprocess, nip the sheet bunch and transport (output) the sheet bunch through the ejection port 24a onto the output tray 25.
  • The output tray 25 is a member on which the sheet bunch after the postprocess is put and is enabled to be lifted and lowered.
  • The processing unit 26 performs a postprocess for the sheet bunch on the processing tray 23. The postprocess is a stapling process, a sorting process, or the like. Specifically, the processing unit 26 includes a stapler, the aforementioned cursor unit, and the like, and performs the stapling process using the stapler or performs the sorting process using the cursor unit.
  • Fig. 3 shows a block diagram that indicates an electronic configuration of the postprocessing apparatus 1b shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 3, this postprocessing apparatus 1b further includes a controller 41, and motors 42 that drives the transportation rollers 11 and 12, the intermediate roller 21, the output roller 24 and the like.
  • The controller 41 operates in accordance with an instruction from the image forming apparatus main body 1a, and controls the motors 42 (i.e. controls the transportation rollers 11 and 12, the intermediate roller 21, the output roller 24 and the like), and thereby performs transportation of a sheet from the image forming apparatus main body 1a, and controls the processing unit 26 and thereby causes the processing unit 26 to perform the postprocess.
  • Figs. 4 and 5 show diagrams that explain transportation of a sheet to the processing tray 23.
  • If the waiting transportation path 10 b is used, the controller 41 controls the transportation rollers 11 and 12 and the intermediate roller 21, and thereby, as shown in Fig. 4, for example, transports sheets 101 and 102 transported by the main transportation path 10a to the waiting transportation path 10b in turn.
  • For example, if the postprocess is performed for every three sheets, then as shown in Fig. 4, for example, after two sheets 101 and 102 is moved to the waiting transportation path 10b, when transporting the third sheet 103 using the main transportation path 10a as shown in Fig. 5, for example, the controller 41 causes the sheet 103 to overlap the two sheets 101 and 102 in the waiting transportation path 10b and transports the sheets 101 to 103 onto the processing tray 23 using the transportation roller 12 and the intermediate roller 21. Consequently, the three sheets 101 to 103 are put on the processing tray 23.
  • Figs. 6 to 8 show diagrams that explain concurrent transportation.
  • Further, as shown in Figs. 6 to 8, for example, the controller 41 performs concurrent transportation of a sheet bunch 111 after the postprocess and a subsequent sheet (a sheet bunch 211 like the aforementioned sheets 101 to 103). In the concurrent transportation, the controller 41 (a) as shown in Fig. 6, for example, when the sheet bunch 111 after the postprocess is outputted through the ejection port 24a, controls the transportation roller 12 and thereby transports the subsequent sheet (sheet bunch 211) to the output roller 24 and causes the subsequent sheet to protrude from the ejection port 24a such that the subsequent sheet (sheet bunch 211) partially overlaps the sheet bunch 111, and (b) after a rear end of the sheet bunch 111 passes through the ejection port 24a as shown in Fig. 7, for example, reverses the output roller 24 and transports the subsequent sheet (sheet bunch 211) to the processing tray 23 as shown in Fig. 8, for example.
  • Fig. 9 shows a diagram that explains sheet transportation and a behavior of a cursor unit when the postprocess is a stapling process.
  • Further, the controller 41 controls the aforementioned cursor unit and thereby (a) causes the cursor unit to perform alignment of the sheet bunch on the processing tray 23 before the postprocess, and (b) causes the cursor unit to release the sheet bunch before starting to output the sheet bunch after the postprocess.
  • For example, if the stapling process is performed for each of 3 copies of three sheets per copy, then as shown in Fig. 9, for example, after three sheets of the first copy are transported to the processing tray 23 as mentioned, a sheet bunch of the first copy is aligned by the cursor unit and then stapling of it is performed. When the sheets of the first copy are transported to the processing tray 23, the concurrent transportation is not performed because there is not a sheet bunch on the processing tray 23.
  • After the postprocess (stapling), the cursor unit immediately releases the sheet bunch, and in the concurrent transportation, the sheet bunch of the first copy is outputted to the output tray 25 and three sheets of the second copy are transported to the processing tray 23.
  • Subsequently, a sheet bunch of the second copy is aligned and then stapling of it is performed. After the postprocess (stapling), the cursor unit immediately releases the sheet bunch, and in the concurrent transportation, the sheet bunch of the second copy is outputted to the output tray 25 and three sheets of the third copy are transported to the processing tray 23.
  • Subsequently, a sheet bunch of the third copy is aligned and then stapling of it is performed. After the postprocess (stapling), the cursor unit immediately releases the sheet bunch, and in the concurrent transportation, the sheet bunch of the third copy is outputted to the output tray 25. When the sheets of the third (i.e. the last) copy is transported to the output tray 25, the concurrent transportation is not performed because there are no subsequent sheets.
  • Further, the controller 41 (a) determines whether the subsequent sheet should be caused to wait in the waiting transportation path 10b or not on the basis of an instruction from the apparatus main body 1a or the like, (b1) if the subsequent sheet should be caused to wait in the waiting transportation path 10b, performs the aforementioned concurrent transportation, and (b2) if the subsequent sheet should not be caused to wait in the waiting transportation path 10b, does not performs the concurrent transportation and transports the subsequent sheet to the processing tray 23 using the intermediate roller 21 (rather than through the waiting transportation path 10b) after outputting the sheet bunch after the postprocess using the output roller 24.
  • The following part explains a sheet transportation operation of the postprocessing apparatus 1b. Fig. 10 shows a flowchart that explains a sheet transportation operation of the postprocessing apparatus 1b shown in Figs. 1 to 3.
  • Every time that a sheet is transported to the postprocessing apparatus 1b, the controller 41 performs the following process.
  • Firstly, the controller 41 determines whether the waiting transportation path 10b should be used for an incoming sheet or not (in Step S1), and if the waiting transportation path 10b should not be used, the controller 41 transports the sheet to the processing tray 23 (in Step S2).
  • Contrarily, if the waiting transportation path 10b should be used, the controller 41 determines whether there are a predetermined number of sheets in the waiting transportation path 10b or not (in Step S3). For example, if the postprocess is performed for every three sheets, then this predetermined number is 2. Thus, this predetermined number is set as a number smaller by 1 than the number of sheets in a sheet bunch as a target of the postprocess.
  • If there are not the predetermined number of sheets in the waiting transportation path 10b, then the controller 41 determines whether a current sheet will be the last sheet in a sheet bunch as a postprocess target or not (in Step S4), and if the current sheet will not be the last sheet, then the controller 41 transports the current sheet to the waiting transportation path 10b (in Step S5).
  • If the current sheet will be the last sheet in Step S4 or there are the predetermined number of sheets in the waiting transportation path 10b in Step S3, then the controller 41 determines whether there is a sheet bunch (prior sheet bunch) on the processing tray 23 or not (in Step S6), and if there is not a sheet bunch on the processing tray 23, the controller 41 transports the current sheet with a sheet in the waiting transportation path 10b to the processing tray 23 (in Step S2).
  • Contrarily, if there is a sheet bunch on the processing tray 23, the controller 41 performs the concurrent transportation and thereby outputs the prior sheet bunch and transports the current sheet with a sheet in the waiting transportation path 10b to the processing tray 23 (in Step S7).
  • As mentioned, in Embodiment 1, the processing unit 26 performs a postprocess for the sheet bunch on the processing tray 23. The output roller 24 outputs the sheet bunch after the postprocess through the ejection port 24a. The waiting transportation path 10b is a transportation path in which a subsequent sheet can wait while the postprocess is performed for a sheet bunch. The transportation roller 12 draws a subsequent sheet to the waiting transportation path 10b and transports the subsequent sheet from the waiting transportation path 10b to the processing tray 23. Further, the controller 41 performs concurrent transportation of the sheet bunch after the postprocess and the subsequent sheet, and in the concurrent transportation, (a) when the sheet bunch is outputted through the ejection port 24a, controls the transportation roller 12 and thereby transports the subsequent sheet to the output roller 24 and causes the subsequent sheet to protrude from the ejection port 24a such that the subsequent sheet partially overlaps the sheet bunch, and (b) after a rear end of the sheet bunch passes through the ejection port 24a, reverses the output roller 24 and transports the subsequent sheet to the processing tray 23.
  • Consequently, the concurrent transportation restrains transportation delay of the subsequent sheet and therefore when the postprocess is performed for each of plural continuous sheet bunches, delay on the postprocess for a subsequent sheet bunch is restrained.
    • Embodiment 2.
  • Fig. 11 shows a diagram that indicates an example of a determination condition of whether the concurrent transportation should be performed or not in Embodiment 2.
  • As shown in Fig. 11, for example, the controller 41 (a) if a sheet size of the subsequent sheet is different from a sheet size of the sheet bunch, does not perform the concurrent transportation, and (b) if a sheet size of the subsequent sheet is identical to a sheet size of the sheet bunch, a type of the postprocess for the subsequent sheet is identical to a type of the postprocess for the sheet bunch, and the subsequent sheet should be caused to wait in the waiting transportation path 10b, then performs the concurrent transportation. It should be noted that normal transportation in Fig. 11 is sheet transportation to transport the subsequent sheet to the processing tray 23 after finishing outputting of the sheet bunch after the postprocess.
  • Other parts of the configuration and behaviors of the postprocessing apparatus in Embodiment 2 are identical or similar to those in Embodiment 1, and therefore not explained here.
  • It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

Claims (5)

  1. A postprocessing apparatus, comprising:
    a processing unit configured to perform a postprocess for a sheet bunch on a processing tray;
    an output roller configured to output the sheet bunch after the postprocess through an ejection port;
    a waiting transportation path in which a subsequent sheet can wait while the postprocess is performed for the sheet bunch;
    a transportation roller configured to draw a subsequent sheet to the waiting transportation path and transport a subsequent sheet from the waiting transportation path to the processing tray; and
    a controller configured to control the processing unit, the output roller, and the transportation roller;
    wherein the controller performs concurrent transportation of the sheet bunch after the postprocess and the subsequent sheet, and in the concurrent transportation, (a) when the sheet bunch is outputted through the ejection port, controls the transportation roller and thereby transports the subsequent sheet to the output roller and causes the subsequent sheet to protrude from the ejection port such that the subsequent sheet partially overlaps the sheet bunch, and (b) after a rear end of the sheet bunch passes through the ejection port, reverses the output roller and transports the subsequent sheet to the processing tray.
  2. The postprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cursor unit configured to align the sheet bunch on the processing tray;
    wherein the controller controls the cursor unit and thereby (a) causes the cursor unit to perform alignment of the sheet bunch before the postprocess, and (b) causes the cursor unit to release the sheet bunch before starting to output the sheet bunch after the postprocess.
  3. The postprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an intermediate roller configured to transport a sheet transported from a previous-stage device;
    wherein the controller (a) determines whether the subsequent sheet should be caused to wait in the waiting transportation path or not, (b1) if the subsequent sheet should be caused to wait in the waiting transportation path , performs the concurrent transportation, and (b2) if the subsequent sheet should not be caused to wait in the waiting transportation path, does not performs the concurrent transportation and transports the subsequent sheet to the processing tray using the intermediate roller rather than through the waiting transportation path after outputting the sheet bunch after the postprocess using the output roller.
  4. The postprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller (a) if a sheet size of the subsequent sheet is different from a sheet size of the sheet bunch, does not perform the concurrent transportation, and (b) if a sheet size of the subsequent sheet is identical to a sheet size of the sheet bunch, a type of the postprocess for the subsequent sheet is identical to a type of the postprocess for the sheet bunch, and the subsequent sheet should be caused to wait in the waiting transportation path, then performs the concurrent transportation.
  5. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
    a postprocessing apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4; and
    an image forming apparatus main body configured to output each sheet of the sheet bunch and the subsequent sheet to the postprocessing apparatus.
EP25206400.1A 2024-10-07 2025-10-02 Postprocessing apparatus and corresponding image forming apparatus Pending EP4722140A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2024175566A JP2026066517A (en) 2024-10-07 2024-10-07 Post-processing apparatus and image forming apparatus

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4722140A1 true EP4722140A1 (en) 2026-04-08

Family

ID=97179570

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP25206400.1A Pending EP4722140A1 (en) 2024-10-07 2025-10-02 Postprocessing apparatus and corresponding image forming apparatus

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4722140A1 (en)
JP (1) JP2026066517A (en)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2015117075A (en) * 2013-12-16 2015-06-25 キヤノンファインテック株式会社 Sheet postprocess device and image formation system using the same
US20180079616A1 (en) * 2016-09-20 2018-03-22 Canon Finetech Nisca Inc. Sheet processing apparatus, image forming apparatus including the same, and sheet discharge method

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2015117075A (en) * 2013-12-16 2015-06-25 キヤノンファインテック株式会社 Sheet postprocess device and image formation system using the same
US20180079616A1 (en) * 2016-09-20 2018-03-22 Canon Finetech Nisca Inc. Sheet processing apparatus, image forming apparatus including the same, and sheet discharge method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2026066517A (en) 2026-04-17

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP3543186B1 (en) Sheet processing apparatus and image forming system incorporating the same
US10899572B2 (en) Sheet processing apparatus and image forming system incorporating the same
JP7064714B2 (en) Sheet processing equipment and image forming system
JP6000737B2 (en) Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus
JP2000143104A (en) Automatic document feeder
US9505579B2 (en) Sheet processing apparatus having post-processing section, and image forming apparatus having the sheet processing apparatus
US8905393B2 (en) Sheet post-processing apparatus that performs buffer processing, and image forming apparatus
US8205867B2 (en) Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus
JP5847480B2 (en) Sheet stacking device
JP6019847B2 (en) Image forming system and paper conveying method
JP4546059B2 (en) Image forming apparatus
JP6092584B2 (en) Sheet processing apparatus, control method thereof, and program
JP2006044833A (en) Paper post-processing device and its control method
EP4722140A1 (en) Postprocessing apparatus and corresponding image forming apparatus
JP2014021268A (en) Image forming apparatus
US6449440B1 (en) Image forming system having job recovery depending on number of sheets in ejection tray
EP4722141A1 (en) Postprocessing apparatus and corresponding image forming apparatus
US10618759B2 (en) Sheet stacking apparatus and image forming system
JP5921237B2 (en) Sheet stacking device
JP5444991B2 (en) Paper processing apparatus and image forming apparatus
JP7354527B2 (en) Sheet processing equipment and image forming system
JP2023112651A (en) Medium processing device and image forming system
JPH0425496A (en) Picture forming device
JPH028162A (en) Control device for original automatic transfer device
JP2005324948A (en) Automatic document feeder

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC ME MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR