JP2000191229A - Sheet sorter and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To greatly improve the convenience of users for identifying or removing recording sheets when several users use one sorter by stacking the recording sheets in one output unit, if possible, in one pin tray and stacking the recording sheets in the newest output unit on the uppermost pin tray all times, in the order of the newest output unit from the uppermost pin tray. SOLUTION: A sorter 500 wherein a plurality of pin trays 37 are arranged almost perpendicular thereto for sorting and stacking recording sheets P includes a moving means for opening/closing movement of at least one of the pin trays 37 separated into at least two, a detecting means for detecting whether stacked recording sheets are present or not in each pin tray 37 and a control for controlling the opening/closing movement of the pin tray 37 with the moving means, so that the opening/closing movement of the pin tray 37 may cause dropping movement of the recording sheets stacked on the pin tray 37 onto the lower pin tray 37 before the recording sheets are discharged, if stacked recording sheets in another unit are already present in the pin tray 37 from which the recording sheets are tried to be discharged.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a sheet sorting apparatus,
And a copier, a printer including the sheet sorting apparatus,
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various types of sheet sorting apparatuses (sort mechanisms) mounted on image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and facsimile machines have been proposed.

For example, in a sorting mechanism mounted on a copying machine, when a plurality of copies are to be made from a part of a document, recording paper is sorted and stacked on each bin tray for each part. The sorting method is to move the bin tray up and down while copying the number of copies of one document, sort and stack the recording paper on which the copy was made, or copy a part of the document, There is a method of sorting and stacking the copied recording paper by moving the bin tray vertically.

On the other hand, a request for a sort mechanism in a facsimile is not the above-mentioned "creating a plurality of copies of the same copy", but the one "separating recording paper output in one reception for each communication". is there.

Further, in recent years when networking of personal computers in offices (LAN environment) has been advanced,
A network printer that can be used by a plurality of people has become widespread, and a request for a sorting mechanism in this network printer includes the above-described “creating a plurality of copies of the same one” and the To separate. "

[0006]

In recent years, facsimile machines and network printers have become remarkably widespread in offices, and the functions of office machines such as copiers, printers, scanners, and facsimile machines have become more complex. Multifunction devices with no barriers have become widespread.

In a case where a facsimile, a network printer, or a multifunction device is used by a plurality of people in an office, there is an increasing demand for mounting a sort mechanism on the device, and the sort mechanism of a conventional copying machine is actually used. May have been. However, the sorting mechanism of the copier is a method of sequentially moving the bin tray up and down for each output and outputting the copies. When making a plurality of copies from some originals, the recording paper on which the copies have been made is placed in each bin tray. The purpose is to sort all of the recording paper loaded on each bin tray.

For this reason, when the sorting mechanism is used in a facsimile, a network printer, or a multi-function device, the facsimile or the network printer “divides recording paper output in one reception for each communication”, “ In some cases, such as "recording paper is separated for each output case", satisfactory usability may not be obtained. That is, unlike copying machines, when and how the recording paper stacked on each bin tray is removed is irregular, and depending on the bin tray, recording paper with different output items may accumulate on the same bin tray. In addition, it becomes difficult to determine which bin tray the recording paper for oneself is loaded on, and it is difficult to use.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to stack recording papers of one output as much as possible on one bin tray, and to always record the recording papers of the newest output from the highest bin tray in the newest output order. In a case where a single apparatus is used by a plurality of persons, the usability of checking and taking out the recording paper is greatly improved for the user.

[0010]

A representative configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object is a sheet sorting apparatus in which a plurality of bin trays for sorting and stacking sheets are arranged in a substantially vertical direction. Moving means for dividing each bin tray into at least two, opening and closing at least one of the divided bin trays, detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of stacked sheets in each bin tray, and bin tray by the moving means Control means for controlling the opening and closing movement of the sheet tray, and if there is already a stacked sheet of another matter in the bin tray from which the sheet is to be discharged, the bin tray is opened and closed to move the sheet stacked on the bin tray. The sheet is discharged after dropping and moving to a lower bin tray.

According to the above configuration, when there is already a stacked sheet of another matter in the bin tray from which the sheets are to be discharged, the bin tray is opened and closed to move the sheets stacked on the bin tray to the lower bin tray. Since the sheets are discharged after being dropped and moved, it is possible to stack one output sheet on one bin tray.

Further, the sheet is discharged to the uppermost bin tray among the plurality of bin trays, so that the newest output sheet is always loaded on the uppermost bin tray, and the sheets are output from the uppermost bin tray. It becomes possible to load in the order of the new output.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus provided with a sheet sorting apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] An image forming apparatus provided with a sheet sorting apparatus according to a first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a facsimile apparatus provided with a sorting mechanism as a sheet sorting apparatus is exemplified as an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a facsimile apparatus with a sorting mechanism to which the present invention is applied. Facsimile body
The recording paper discharged from 100 is always loaded on the uppermost bin tray 37 of the sorter 500. In the present embodiment, each bin tray 37 is divided into two as shown in the figure, and each is configured to be able to open and close in the direction of the arrow (the direction intersecting with the recording paper transport direction). By opening and closing the bin tray 37, the recording sheets (or a bundle of recording sheets) stacked on a certain bin tray can be dropped and moved to a bin tray immediately below. The configuration of the means for opening and closing the bin tray will be described later in detail,
By sequentially opening and closing the bin tray on which the recording paper is to be dropped, the recording paper can be dropped and moved to the bin tray on which the recording paper is aimed.

The facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment
In addition to the facsimile function, a copy function including multi-copy (multi-copy) and a function as a network printer that can be used by multiple people by being connected to a network environment with multiple people (multi-function Device).

FIG. 2 is a main sectional view of a facsimile apparatus with a sorting mechanism to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 2, 100
Is a facsimile main body, 200 and 300 are optional first and second paper feed units combined with the facsimile main body 100 respectively, 500 is a sorter connected to the facsimile main body 100 via the adapter 400, and 600 is the above-described apparatus.
It is a pedestal on which 100 to 500 are placed. Reference numeral 700 denotes a pedestal interposed between the lower surface of the adapter 400 and the sorter 500 and the upper surface of the pedestal 600.

The sorter 500 is combined with the facsimile main body 100 by being connected to the recording paper discharge side of the facsimile main body 100 via an adapter 400. Furthermore,
The facsimile main body 100 and the sorter 500 are mutually connected by a control unit (not shown) also by an electric adapter, and information is exchanged mutually and controlled in a coordinated manner.

The facsimile main body 100 is roughly divided into a printer section 101, a document reading section 102, and a control section (not shown).

The original reading section 102 reads information described on the original 25 while the original 25 is being conveyed. Its composition is
As shown in FIG. 2, a document 25 having image information loaded on the lower surface of a document placing table 24 is separated one by one by a separation piece 27 pressed against a separation roller 26, and is conveyed by a conveyance roller pair 28. The image information is read while being pressed against and brought into close contact with the reading means 29 such as a contact type sensor by 30, and then discharged onto the document discharge tray 32 by the discharge roller pair 31. The document table 24 is provided with a slider 33 that is slidable in a direction (width direction of the document 25) that intersects with the conveyance direction of the document 25. Both sides of the document 25 stacked on the table 24 can be aligned.

The printer unit 101 is an electrophotographic laser printer mechanism in this embodiment. Reference numeral 1 denotes a drum-type electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum) as an image carrier, which is rotated at a predetermined peripheral speed in a direction indicated by an arrow (clockwise). The outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor drum 1 is subjected to primary charging by a predetermined polarity and potential by a charging unit 2, and the charged surface is irradiated with a laser beam L based on image information output by a laser scanner 3. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to image information is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1. A mirror 3a reflects and deflects the laser beam L to the photosensitive drum 1.

Next, the electrostatic latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is developed as a toner image by the developing means 4a. 4b is a toner tank. The toner image is separated from the paper supply roller 13 from the paper supply cassette 7 or the first paper supply unit 200 or the second paper supply unit 300 incorporated in the printer unit 101 at a transfer portion between the photosensitive drum 1 and the transfer means 5. The sheets are separated and fed one by one by the sheet 14 or the sheet feeding roller 15 (in the case of the first sheet feeding unit 200 and the second sheet feeding unit 300, the conveying guide portion 1 is conveyed by the conveying roller pair 18).
The recording paper P is sequentially transferred to the recording paper P fed by the feed roller 16 and the opposing roller 17 through (9, 20). The recording paper P to which the toner has been transferred in the transfer unit is separated from the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, introduced into the fixing unit 9 through the transport unit 8, and subjected to the fixing process of the toner image. The recording paper P on which the toner image has been fixed by the fixing device 9 passes through a pair of fixing discharge rollers 10, passes through a pair of discharge rollers 11 of the facsimile main body 100, and passes through a discharge port 12.
From the facsimile main body 100.

The surface of the photosensitive drum 1 on which the toner image has been transferred onto the recording paper P is cleaned by removing residual matters such as untransferred toner by the cleaning means 6a, and is repeatedly used for image formation. 6b is a waste toner tank,
This is a container for storing residual matters such as transfer residual toner.

In the facsimile main body 100 of this embodiment, the four image forming processes of the photosensitive drum 1, the charging means 2, the developing means 4a, and the cleaning means 6a of the printer unit 101 are collectively formed as a process cartridge. The main body 100 is configured to be detachable and replaceable with respect to a predetermined portion.

The recording paper P discharged out of the facsimile main body 100 passes through the transport section 34 of the adapter 400, and is sorted by the sorter 500.
Sent to the side.

The sorter 500 has an entrance 35 for receiving the recording paper P from the transport section 34 of the adapter 400.
It is transported and discharged by the rotation of the discharge roller pair 36 of the sorter 500 through which, is stacked on the first bin tray 37 ₁ the uppermost.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the bin tray 37 divided into two parts and a mechanism for opening and closing the bin tray viewed from above, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view thereof.

As shown in FIG. 3, the bin tray 37 according to the present embodiment is divided into two. Divided bin tray 37
On the inner side of the sorter mechanism, rib portions 37a are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the bin tray 37 (see FIG. 4). Further, the rib portions 37a are guided above and below the bin tray 37, and the respective bin trays 37 are pointed by arrows A, A groove 38 for sliding movement in the B direction is provided. The divided bin trays 37 each have a rack portion 37b, and are provided so that their tooth surfaces face each other.
A rack gear 39 meshing with b is provided rotatably.
When the rack gear 39 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3 in this manner, the divided bin tray 37 slides and opens in the direction of arrow A, and the recording paper stacked on the bin tray 37 is dropped and dropped. When the rack gear 39 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 3, the divided bin tray 37 is slid in the direction of arrow B and closed to load the recording paper. Can be.

Each bin tray 37 is provided with a detecting means comprising an actuator member 37c and a photo interrupter 37d for detecting the presence / absence of stacked recording paper (see FIG. 3). The loading state can be recognized on the main body side.

A motor 40 and two gears constitute a drive unit 44 for rotating the rack gear 39. The motor 40 and a gear 40a press-fitted to the center shaft of the motor 40 are used for reduction. Two-stage gear 41, and furthermore, this two-stage gear
A pendulum gear 43 connected to a connecting arm 42 by a connecting arm 42 is provided. When the pendulum gear 43 is meshed and connected with another tooth surface different from the tooth surface meshing with the rack portion 37b of the bin tray 37 of the rack gear 39, the rotational drive of the motor 40 is transmitted to the rack portion 37b. Thus, the bin tray 37 can be opened and closed.

That is, when the motor 40 rotates clockwise, the two-stage gear 41 for deceleration rotates counterclockwise, and the connecting arm 42 also rotates counterclockwise around the two-stage gear 41, The pendulum gear 43 meshes with the rack gear 39 by the connecting arm 42, the pendulum gear 43 rotates clockwise, the rack gear 39 rotates counterclockwise, and the divided bin tray 37 slides in the direction of arrow A. Move and open.

Conversely, when the motor 40 rotates counterclockwise, the two-stage gear 41 for reduction rotates clockwise, and the connecting arm 42 also rotates clockwise around the two-stage gear 41, The pendulum gear 43 meshes with the rack gear 39 by the connecting arm 42, the pendulum gear 43 rotates counterclockwise, the rack gear 39 rotates clockwise, and the divided bin tray 37 slides in the direction of arrow B. Move and close.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a sorter in which a plurality of bin trays 37 are arranged in a substantially vertical direction. Drive unit
44 moves up and down (in the direction of arrow C), and each bin tray 37
The bin tray 37 can be opened and closed by engaging the pendulum gear 43 of the drive unit 44 with the rack gear 39 corresponding to. In the present embodiment illustrates the sorter 10 bin tray 37 _{1-37 10} are arranged substantially in the vertical direction.

FIG. 6 shows a vertical movement mechanism of the drive unit 44. The drive unit 44 is provided with a sleeve portion 45 having a spline groove on the inside diameter. On the other hand, a shaft 46 for vertically moving the drive unit 44 is provided inside the sorter 500, and a spline portion 46a meshing with a spline groove of the sleeve portion 45 of the drive unit 44 vertically moves the drive unit 44. It is provided in the range. A pulley portion 46b is provided below the shaft 46, and a motor 47 is provided.
Drive pulley press-fitted into the center shaft of the motor 47
47a and the timing belt 48.

When the motor 47 rotates, the drive unit 44 is moved up and down via the motor pulley 47a, the timing belt 48, the spline portion 46a provided on the shaft 46, and the sleeve portion 45 provided on the drive unit 44. Can be. By controlling the rotation direction of the motor 47 in the forward and reverse directions, the up and down movement of the drive unit 44 can be controlled.

On the other hand, when the drive unit 44 is at the level of the lowest bin tray 37a ₁₀ to be opened and closed, a micro switch 49 for detecting the presence of the drive unit 44 is provided. as a reference home position of the height position when it is detected that 49 there is a drive unit 44, it is moved to the position of another bin tray 37 _{1-37 9} by a predetermined feed amount of the motor 47 from the home position The drive unit 44 can be moved to the height of the bin tray 37 to be controlled and opened and closed.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a simplified configuration of a control system of the sorter 500. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 51 denotes a control unit which controls the entire sorter 500 in cooperation with a control unit (not shown) of the facsimile main body 100. This control unit 51
Are n (10 in this embodiment) bin trays 37 ₁ to 37 ₁ .
Based on the information from the detecting means 52 _{1 to} 52 _{n including} an actuator member 37 c and a photo interrupter 37 d provided on the 37 _n , the bin trays 37 ₁ to
And controls the driving of the motors 40, 47 constituting the moving means 53 for sequentially opening and closing movement of the 37 _n.

The operation of the sorter 500 when the facsimile main body 100 performs a recording operation will be described. First, the facsimile main body 100 performs facsimile reception on the sorter 500 and “discharges the received recording paper for each communication” or outputs it as a network printer and “divides the output recording paper for each output case”. The operation of the sorter at the time of "discharge" or "discharge the copied recording paper separately for each copy" with a single copy output will be described.

First, when the facsimile main body 100 is in the standby state, the main body always recognizes the presence / absence information of the stacked recording paper of each bin tray 37 in the sorter 500 attached to the recording paper discharge section of the facsimile main body 100. Next, when the communication line is opened to start receiving facsimile information, a print output output command is sent from the network, or a manuscript is set and a single copy is designated,
Until the recording operation is started, the bin trays are opened and closed and the recording paper is dropped according to the presence or absence of the stacked recording paper in each bin tray.

FIG. 8 shows a sorter 50 having ten bin trays 37.
A flowchart when the opening / closing operation of the bin tray 37 is performed in the case of 0 is shown.

[0041] When loading the recording sheet in the first bin tray 37 ₁ the uppermost no (step S11), and the opening and closing operation of the bin tray 37 is not performed, the recording operation is performed or a copying operation (step S20). There is stacked recording sheets in the first bin tray 37 _1, when stacked recording sheets in the second bin tray 37 ₂ down one is not (step S12), the performed first bin tray 37 _first opening and closing operation (step S21), and the dropping moving the first bin tray 37 _one stacked recording sheets in the second bin tray 37 ₂ down one.

First bin tray 37₁And second bin tray 37_Two
Both have loading paper and the third bin tray 37_ThreeLoading on
If there is no recording paper (step S13), first the second bin tray
I-37 _Two(Step S22), the second bint
Ray 37_Two3rd bin tray 37_ThreeMove to fall
And then the first bin tray 37₁Open / close operation (step
S21), first bin tray 37₁2nd recording paper
Tray 37_TwoTo fall.

[0043] Similarly, if there is stacked recording sheets to all until the ninth bin trays 39 ₉ (step S19), performed first opening and closing operations of the ninth bin trays 37 ₉ (step S29),
The recording paper loaded in the ninth bin tray 37 ₉ is transferred to the tenth bin tray 37 ₁₀
And then move to the eighth, seventh, sixth, fifth, fourth,
Third, second, performs the opening and closing operation of each bin tray 37 _{8-37 1} in the first order (step S28～S21), the stacked recording paper 1
It is sequentially dropped and moved to the lower bin tray. Regardless of whether this case there is only stacked recording sheets to the tenth bin trays 37 _10, stacked recording paper ninth bin trays 37 ₉ tenth bin trays
37 Same loading on ₁₀ only.

[0044] performs the opening and closing operation of each bin tray 37 before the recording operation or the copying operation based on the flow of the flowchart as described above, when the falling movement of the loading recording paper, the recording on the first bin tray 37 ₁ the uppermost paper ready for not stacked, and different output matter of the recording paper is in a state which is not loaded in the same bin trays except tenth bin trays 37 ₁₀ the lowest. Moreover, because if the output of the plurality of copies to the tenth bin trays 37 ₁₀ are stacked on the same output number is not retrieved in the output is only when more than the total number of bins, the and the output to recording paper Time Since it is the oldest, it is rare that the user feels inconvenience.

[0045] Thus when the recording operation is started or copy operation, the image information of the first output worth all been recorded, is discharged, stacked on the first bin tray 37 ₁ the uppermost first recording sheet of the latest output of the uppermost bin tray 37 can be loaded on _one ,
Especially when the user is waiting for output, the output recording paper for himself is easy to recognize, easily take out, and easy to use. In addition, since the output is arranged in order from the upper bin tray 37 in the new output order, it becomes easy for the user to use. Further, immediately before the start of the recording operation, the bin trays are sequentially opened and closed according to the presence or absence of the stacked recording paper in each bin tray.The recording paper is dropped and moved. you can keep stacked in the bin tray 37 _1, likely the user recognizes the output recording paper, also easier to take out, becomes easy to use.

Next, the operation of the sorter when the facsimile main body 100 outputs "copying recording paper separately for each copy" in multiple copies output will be described.

First, when the facsimile main body 100 is in the standby state, the main body side always recognizes the presence / absence information of the stacked recording paper in each bin tray in the sorter 500 mounted on the recording paper discharge section of the facsimile main body 100. Next, when the original is set and a plurality of copies are designated, the bin trays are opened and closed according to the presence or absence of the stacked recording paper in each bin tray, and the recording paper is dropped and the copying operation is sequentially performed.

FIG. 9 shows a sorter 50 having ten bin trays 37.
9 shows a flowchart when the opening / closing operation of the bin tray 37 is performed in the case of 0.

At the time of the first copy operation, the uppermost first
Bin tray 37₁If there is no loaded recording paper in
31), copy operation without opening / closing bin tray 37
Perform (Step S50). First bin tray 37₁Loading records
If there is paper (step S31), the above-described “Each output
Ejecting recording paper to the first bin tray 37₁On recording paper
Is not loaded and records different output records
Paper is in the tenth bin tray 37 _TenLoaded on the same bin tray except for
Loading tray of each bin tray 37 to prevent
Based on the presence / absence information (steps S32 to S39),
Opening and closing operation of the tray 37 (steps S41 to S49),
Start the copy operation after dropping the loaded paper
(Step S50). At this time, during the first copy operation
Simultaneously proceed to the second bin tray 37_TwoIs loaded with recording paper
And the recording paper with a different output is
Tray 37_TenNot loaded on the same bin tray except for
Information on the presence or absence of stacked sheets in each bin tray 37.
Based on the information (steps S52 to S59), each bin tray 37
(Steps S62 to S69) to open and close the stacked recording paper.
Do the falling movement of.

At the time of the second copy, the first bin tray 37
₁ always has a stack of recording papers for the first copy, and the second bin tray 37 ₂
Since the recording sheet is in the state of not being loaded in, first performed the first bin tray 37 _first opening and closing operation (step S3
1), were allowed to fall moving the first bin tray 37 _one stacked recording sheets in the second bin tray 37 _2, the copying operation (step S50). In this case also simultaneously into second copy of the copy operation, the second bin trays 37 _two recording paper dropped moved to a state was dropped moved to the third bin tray 37 _3, and different output matter of the recording paper There based on tenth bin trays 37 ₁₀ except for a state which is not loaded in the same bin tray, presence information of stacked sheets of each bin tray 37 (step S52
To S59), the opening and closing operation of each bin tray 37 is performed (steps S62 to S69), and the stacked recording paper is dropped and moved.

At the time of the third copy, the first bin tray 37
_{The first} bin always has a stack of recording paper for the first copy, and the second bin tray 37 ₂
Since the recording sheet is in the state of not being loaded in, first performed the first bin tray 37 _first opening and closing operation (step S4
1), were allowed to fall moving the first bin tray 37 _one stacked recording sheets in the second bin tray 37 _2, the copying operation (step S50). In this case even if simultaneously during copying operation tripartite eyes, the recording paper is dropped moved to the third bin tray 37 ₃ Fourth bin trays 37 _4, the recording paper is dropped moved to the second bin tray 37 _Paragraph three bin tray 37 in a state of being dropped moved to _3, and different output matter of the recording paper tenth bin trays 37 ₁₀
In order to prevent the sheets from being stacked on the same bin tray except for (1), the bin trays 37 are opened and closed based on the presence / absence information of the stacked sheets on each bin tray 37 (steps S52 to S59) (steps S62 to S69), and Make the paper fall and move.

Thereafter, the same operation as described above is repeated until the first designated number of copies (N number of copies) is reached. When the number of output copies reaches the designated number of copies (step S60), the copying operation is terminated and the operation returns to the standby state.

When outputting the last (Nth) copy of the designated number of copies (N number of copies), it is not necessary to open and close the bin tray, which has been performed simultaneously with the output operation.

[0054] Based on the flow of the flow chart as described above performs the opening and closing operation of each bin tray 37, when the falling movement and copying operations of loading the recording paper, multiple copies in order from the first bin tray 37 ₁ the uppermost The specified number of copies can be sorted and stacked one by one, so that the copy recording paper for oneself can be easily recognized, taken out, and used easily. Also, perform opening and closing operations of the second bin tray 37 ₂ after each bin tray 37 and simultaneously during the copying operation, by leaving its drop movement of the loading paper, required time the first bin tray 37 applied between parts Only the time of the opening and closing operation of ₁ can significantly reduce the total copying time. Furthermore, the smaller the number of copies, the less the unnecessary opening and closing movement of the bin tray, so that the total copy time can be shortened efficiently.

[0055] Here, there are still stacked recording sheets to one of the bin trays 37, and the designated number of copies only when ten parts of the stacked recording paper and copy only remaining in the tenth bin trays 37 ₁₀ least significant It is considered that the user rarely feels inconvenience because the copies are stacked in the same manner, but the first copy is on the stacked recording paper.

[0056] Also, if the specified number of copies of copies greater than 10 bins of the total number of bins, if the usability multiple copies to a tenth bin trays 37 ₁₀ lowest is stacked on the same becomes bad, designated Software protection may be applied at the time of input of the number of copies so that the number of copies cannot be set to be greater than the total number of 10 bins. Further, at least one bin tray may be made divisible.

[Other Embodiments] In the sheet sorting apparatus of the above-described embodiment, if there is no particular need to drop the recording paper for the lowermost bin tray, the lowermost bin tray is not divided and opened and closed. It is also possible not to do.

FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of a facsimile apparatus with a sorting mechanism to which another embodiment of the present invention is applied. Each bin tray 37 is divided into two as shown in the figure.
Each of them is opened and closed by a rotational movement about one end of the bin tray 37 in the direction of the arrow, thereby dropping the stacked recording papers onto the bin tray 37 immediately below. With this configuration, effects similar to those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

In the above-described embodiment, the facsimile apparatus having a copy function including multi-copy (multiple copy) and a function as a network printer in addition to the facsimile function as the image forming apparatus has been described.
The present invention is not limited to this, and may be another image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, etc. having one function, and the present invention is applied to a sheet classifying apparatus used in the image forming apparatus. The same effect can be obtained by applying.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the sheet sorting apparatus which is detachable from the image forming apparatus is exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The same effect can be obtained by applying the present invention to the sheet sorting apparatus.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the electrophotographic method is exemplified as the recording method. However, the recording method is not limited to this, and another recording method such as an ink jet method may be used.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention,
If the bin tray from which the sheets are to be ejected already has another stacked sheet, the bin tray is opened and closed, the sheets stacked on the bin tray are dropped to the lower bin tray, and then the sheets are ejected. Thus, one bin tray can be loaded with one output sheet.

Further, since the sheets are discharged to the uppermost bin tray among the plurality of bin trays, the sheets of the latest output can always be stacked on the uppermost bin tray, and the uppermost bin tray can be stacked. Can be loaded from the latest output.

As a result, when a single apparatus is used by a plurality of users, the usability of the user in checking and taking out sheets can be remarkably improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a facsimile apparatus with a sorting mechanism to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a main sectional view of a facsimile apparatus with a sorting mechanism to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the divided bin tray and a mechanism for opening and closing the bin tray when viewed from above.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a divided bin tray and a mechanism for opening and closing the bin tray when viewed from above.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a configuration of a sorter in which a plurality of bin trays are arranged in a substantially vertical direction.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a vertical movement mechanism of a drive unit.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a simple schematic configuration of a sorter control system.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an opening / closing operation of a sorter when recording paper is discharged for each output.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a sorter opening / closing operation in a case where recording paper is ejected by copying a plurality of copies.

FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of a facsimile apparatus with a sorting mechanism according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 L: Laser light P: Recording paper 1 ... Photoreceptor drum 2 ... Charging means 3 ... Laser scanner 3a ... Mirror 4a ... Developing means 4b ... Toner tank 5 ... Transfer means 6a ... Cleaning means 6b ... Waste toner tank 7 ... Paper feed cassette 8: Conveying unit 9: Fixing unit 10: Fixing discharge roller pair 11: Discharge roller pair 12: Discharge port 13: Feed roller 14: Separation piece 15: Feed roller 16: Feed roller 18: Transfer roller pair 19, 20: transport guide section 21: operation panel 24: original platen 25: original document 26: separation roller 27: separation piece 28: transport roller pair 29: reading means 30: pressing means 31: discharge roller pair 32: original discharge Tray 33 Slider 34 Conveyor 35 Inlet 36 Pair of discharge rollers 37 Bin tray 37a Rib 37b Rack 37c Actuator 37d Photointerrupter 38 Groove 39 For rack Gear 40: Motor 40a: Gear 41: Two-stage gear 42: Connection arm 43: Pendulum gear 44: Drive unit 45: Sleeve 46: Shaft 46a: Spline 46b: Pulley 47: Motor 47a: Motor pulley 48: Timing belt 49 … Micro switch 51… Control unit 52… Detection unit 53… Transportation unit 100… Facsimile body 101… Printer unit 102… Document reading unit 200… First paper feed unit 300… Second paper feed unit 400… Adapter 500… Sorter 600… Pedestal 700… pedestal

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Norihiko Yokota 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Nobuo Matsuoka 3-30-2 Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo F term in the company (reference) 2H072 AA01 AA18 AA22 AB12 FC06 FC12 3F050 BA01 BE01 CA08 CB06 CD07 CE06 LA02 LA05 LA07 LB03

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A sheet sorting apparatus in which a plurality of bin trays for sorting and stacking sheets are arranged in a substantially vertical direction, wherein each bin tray is divided into at least two or more bins, and at least one of the divided bin trays is divided into at least one bin tray. Moving means for opening and closing at least one bin, detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of stacked sheets in each bin tray, and control means for controlling opening and closing movement of the bin tray by the moving means, and intends to discharge sheets. If the bin tray already has another stacked sheet, the bin tray is opened and closed to drop the sheet stacked on the bin tray to the lower bin tray, and then the sheet is discharged. Classifier. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when there is no stacked sheet in the bin tray from which the sheet is to be discharged, the sheet is discharged without opening and closing the bin tray.
2. The sheet sorting device according to 1. 3. When there is a stacked sheet in a bin tray from which a sheet is to be discharged, and there is no stacked sheet in a bin tray below the bin tray from which a sheet is to be discharged,
2. The sheet sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bin tray for discharging the sheet is opened and closed, and the stacked sheets are dropped and moved to a lower bin tray, and then the sheet is discharged. 4. When there are stacked sheets in a bin tray from which sheets are to be discharged, the bin tray closest to the bin tray from which sheets are to be discharged is a bin tray having no stacked sheets below the bin tray from which sheets are to be discharged. 2. The sheet sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein opening and closing movements are sequentially performed upward and downward one by one from the bin tray on the upper stage of the bin tray, and the stacked sheets are sequentially dropped and discharged before discharging the sheets. 5. The sheet sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lowermost bin tray among the plurality of bin trays is not divided and does not perform opening / closing movement. 6. The sheet sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is discharged to an uppermost bin tray among the plurality of bin trays. 7. The sheet sorting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the stacked sheets of the uppermost bin tray are dropped and moved to a lower bin tray before the sheets are discharged to the uppermost bin tray. 8. A sheet sorting apparatus in which a plurality of bin trays for sorting and stacking sheets are arranged in a substantially vertical direction, wherein at least one of the bin trays is divided into at least two or more, and the divided bin trays are opened and closed. A moving unit that moves, and a control unit that controls opening and closing movement of the bin tray by the moving unit. The opening and closing movement of the bin tray is performed so that sheets stacked on the bin tray are dropped and moved to a lower bin tray. A sheet classifying device characterized by comprising: 9. A sheet sorting device according to claim 1, an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet, and a discharging unit for discharging the sheet on which the image is formed to the sheet sorting device. An image forming apparatus comprising: