JP2001026344A - Image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the collision of a recording sheet and a partition sheet at a joint part of conveying routes of the first and second conveying means, by conveying the partitioning sheet by an approximately linear second conveying means, and determining an interval between the partitioning sheet and the recording sheet in front thereof, longer in comparison with a case when the partitioning sheet is not inserted. SOLUTION: This image formation device is executed onto four sheets of recording sheets S supplied from a paper supply cassette 5 at an image recording station A, and two partitioning sheets P are properly fed from a manual paper supply tray 10A, and fed out onto an elevation-type paper feeding-out tray of an after-processing device FS. On this occasion, a first recording sheet S1 supplied from the paper supply cassette 5 is reversed at a reversing part 11b after an image is formed on one surface thereof, and fed out onto the elevation-type paper feeding-out tray 82 from the image forming station A, on this occasion, a time slightly longer than a time necessary for the recording sheet S1 to be reserved and conveyed, is determined as the delay D1. By delaying the start of the conveying of the partitioning sheet P by the delay D1, the partitioning paper P1 can be prevented from being collided with the recording sheet S1 in front thereof.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus, and more particularly, to an image recording apparatus that separates a recording sheet on which an image is recorded by a partition sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a copying operation is performed over a plurality of pages, a copying machine that inserts a partition sheet (also called an inter-sheet or an insertion sheet) according to a user's instruction is known. This copying machine conveys a separation sheet loaded on a manual feed tray to a discharge tray before or after a continuous copy operation over a plurality of pages to a discharge tray, so that a recording sheet continuously discharged on the discharge tray is recorded. The partition paper is inserted such that the partition paper is discharged on the top or bottom of the paper, or both of them.

In some cases, thick paper having a weight per unit number larger than the recording paper is used as the partition paper. For example, a partition paper loaded at a designated position such as a manual feed tray is used for image recording in a copying machine. The sheet is conveyed to the sheet discharge tray via the used conveyance path.

[0004]

However, when a partition sheet is inserted during a copying operation for a plurality of pages, the following problem occurs.

[0005] To discharge the recording paper on which the image is recorded,
2. Description of the Related Art An image recording apparatus that performs face-down discharge is known. In such an image recording apparatus, even when performing one-sided copying, the recording paper is transported using the reverse transport path, but when the partition paper is transported to the reverse transport path in the same manner as the recording paper, the partition paper is made of thick paper. Therefore, there is a possibility that a paper jam occurs because the paper cannot pass through the reverse conveyance path. Even if the thick paper is not entered into the reverse transport path and is transported by the straight transport path, even if the recording paper transported through the reverse transport path and the thick paper of the partition paper are in the middle of the transport path,
For example, there is a possibility that the two will collide with each other at a position where the reverse transport route and the straight transport route meet.

Therefore, when performing one-sided copying,
Even if the user wants to insert the partition paper, it cannot be realized, and the user needs to find a place where the partition paper should be inserted from the stack of recording papers ejected repeatedly, and then manually insert the partition paper. The first problem was that it was labor-intensive.

In particular, digital copiers, which have become increasingly popular in recent years, have a configuration in which image data read from an original is stored in a memory in the order of pages and output in order from the first page. In order to solve this problem, face-down discharge is performed using the reverse transport path even in the case of single-sided copying in which an image is recorded only on one side of a recording sheet.

Further, if the partition paper is transported using the reverse transport path in double-sided copying or the like, since the partition paper is thick paper, the partition paper cannot pass through the reverse transport path and a paper jam may occur. Even if thick paper is transported by the straight transport path without entering the reverse transport path, even if the recording paper transported through the reverse transport path and the thick paper of the partition paper are in the middle of the transport path, for example, the reverse transport path and the straight transport There was a possibility that they would collide with each other at a position such as a merging portion of the route.

Therefore, when performing double-sided copying,
Even if the user wants to insert the partition paper, it cannot be realized, and the user needs to find a place where the partition paper should be inserted from the stack of recording papers ejected repeatedly, and also to manually insert thick paper. The second problem is that it takes time and effort by hand.

In some cases, a company name, a department name, a document name, a date entry column, a creator entry column, and the like are printed on a partition sheet. When inserting such printed partition paper, for example, if another user inserts the loaded partition paper without checking, the image of the recording paper and the printing direction of the partition paper may not be unified. As described above, the third problem is that there is no standard when it is desired to unify the orientation of the recording paper and the orientation of the partition paper.

If an image recording apparatus capable of inserting a partition sheet into an arbitrary position of a recording sheet bundle is realized, if this image recording apparatus is provided with a stapling mechanism, the following problems can be foreseen.

With the staples used in the staple mechanism, the maximum number of recording sheets that can be bound and bound in a bundle is determined for each type of staple, and a partition sheet having a thickness greater than that of the recording sheets is placed at an arbitrary position. Even if the inserted bundle has the same number of bundles, the thickness per bundle is larger than that of the bundle bound only with recording paper. The upper limit of the number of recording sheets used in the copying operation is controlled by the above-mentioned maximum number of sheets. The fourth problem is that it becomes impossible to bind with the staples even if the upper limit number has not been reached, so that the management of the upper limit number becomes meaningless.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is as set forth in claim 1.
Can be solved. That is, the image recording apparatus according to claim 1 includes a first stacking unit that stacks recording paper, an image recording unit that records an image on a recording sheet conveyed from the first stacking unit, and the image recording device. Discharge stacking means for stacking recording paper on which an image is recorded by means, and first transport for transporting the recording paper through a transport path in the order of the first loading means, the image recording means, and the discharge loading means Means, a reversing conveyance means for reversing recording paper on which an image is recorded by the image recording means and conveying the recording paper to the discharge stacking means, a second stacking means for stacking partition paper, and the conveyance path. A substantially linear path that joins the partition paper stacked on the second stacking means to the discharge stacking means by merging with the conveyance path on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording paper from the image recording means. A second conveying means for conveying by,
An image recording apparatus comprising: the first transport unit, the reverse transport unit, and a control unit that controls transport of the recording sheet in the second transport unit. When the transported partition paper is inserted between the recording paper transported by the first transport unit,
The conveyance of the recording paper and the partition paper is controlled so that the interval between the partition paper to be inserted and the preceding recording paper is made larger than the standard conveyance interval of the recording paper.

According to this image recording apparatus, the partition paper is transported by the second transport means having a substantially linear shape, and the interval between the partition paper to be inserted and the preceding recording paper is made larger than when no gap is inserted. It is possible to prevent the recording paper and the partition paper from colliding with each other at a portion where the transport paths of the first and second transport units merge. Therefore, the recording paper and the partition paper can be conveyed in an arbitrary order, solving the first problem, and eliminating the need for the user to manually insert the partition paper.

In this image recording apparatus, the second transporting means includes adjusting means for adjusting a timing at which the recording paper enters the image recording means, and the control means controls the partition by the adjusting means. The transport of the recording paper and the partition paper may be controlled so that the paper is delayed so that the interval between the partition paper and the recording paper is larger than the standard transport interval of the recording paper.

According to this image recording apparatus, since the delay can be accurately adjusted by the adjusting means, the collision between the recording paper and the partition paper can be more reliably prevented.

Further, the image recording apparatus includes an image reading means for sequentially reading a plurality of placed originals to obtain image data, storing the image data in the reading order of the image reading means, and storing the stored image data. Image data storage means for outputting in the reading order, wherein the image recording means preferably records an image on the recording paper in the reading order based on the image data output by the image data storage means.

According to this image recording apparatus, the image data read from the document is stored in the image data storage means, the image is recorded based on the image data in the order of reading from the document, and the recording is reversed by the paper discharge stacking means. Even though paper is loaded, it is possible to prevent a collision between the recording paper and the partition paper.

The object of the present invention can be solved by the image recording apparatus according to the fourth aspect. That is, the image recording apparatus of the present invention includes a first stacking unit that stacks recording paper, an image recording unit that records an image on a recording sheet transported from the first stacking unit, and an image that is recorded by the image recording unit. Discharge stacking means for stacking the recorded recording paper, first transport means for transporting the recording paper by a transport path in the order of the first loading means, the image recording means, and the discharge loading means; Inverting the recording paper on which the image is recorded on the first surface by the image recording means, reversing conveyance means for conveying the image recording means again, second loading means for stacking partition paper, and the conveyance path A substantially linear path that joins the partition paper stacked on the second stacking means to the discharge stacking means by merging with the conveyance path on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording paper from the image recording means. A second conveying means for conveying by, In an image recording apparatus comprising: a first conveyance unit, the reverse conveyance unit, and a control unit that controls conveyance of a recording sheet by the second conveyance unit, the control unit is conveyed after the recording sheet When the partition sheet is fed from the second stacking means, when the recording sheet records an image on the first surface, the feeding of the partition sheet is stopped, and the recording sheet is conveyed from the conveyed recording sheet. When a position separated by a predetermined interval toward the downstream side in the direction is secured as a scheduled insertion position of the partition sheet, and when the recording sheet conveyed from the reverse conveyance unit to the first conveyance unit is conveyed again, the image is recorded again. The partition paper is fed from the second stacking means, and the second transport means transports the partition paper at the expected insertion position while maintaining a predetermined interval between the recording paper and the partition paper. It is characterized by things.

According to this image recording apparatus, the partition paper is transported by the second transport means having a substantially linear shape, and when the recording paper records an image on the first surface, the paper is fed. Is stopped to secure the expected insertion position, and when the recording paper is image-recorded again, the partition paper is transported at the expected transport position. It is possible to prevent a collision between the recording paper and the partition paper at the merged portion. Therefore, it is possible to convey the recording paper and the partition paper in an arbitrary order, and solve the second problem.
The user no longer has to manually insert the partition paper.

In this image recording apparatus, the second transport means includes an adjusting means for adjusting a timing at which the recording paper enters the image recording means, and the control means controls the partition by the adjusting means. It is preferable that the predetermined interval is maintained by delaying the sheet.

According to this image recording apparatus, since the delay can be accurately adjusted by the adjusting means, the collision between the recording paper and the partition paper can be more reliably prevented.

In these image recording apparatuses, the interval is twice as long as the interval between two recording papers which are continuously transported when recording an image, and the length in the transport direction of the partition paper. Should be greater than the sum of

According to this image recording apparatus, when the partition paper is transported at the scheduled transport position, the interval between the recording paper and the partition paper becomes equal to the interval between two consecutively transported recording papers. The collision between the paper and the partition paper can be more reliably prevented.

The object of the present invention can be solved by an image recording apparatus according to the present invention. The image recording apparatus includes a first stacking unit that stacks recording papers in a conveying direction, an image recording unit that records an image on a recording sheet that is conveyed from the first stacking unit, and an image recording unit that records an image. Discharge stacking means for stacking the recorded recording paper; first transport means for transporting the recording paper by a transport path in the order of the first loading means, the image recording means, and the discharge loading means; A second stacking unit for stacking sheets, and merging with the transport path on the upstream side of the image recording unit in the transport direction of the recording paper with respect to the transport direction of the recording paper, and the second stacking unit stacked on the second stacking unit; An image recording apparatus comprising: a second conveying unit that conveys the partition sheet to the discharge stacking unit along a substantially linear path, wherein a conveying direction of the partition sheet in the second conveying unit and the recording sheet With the transfer direction of Control means for judging the direction of stacking of the partition sheets on the second stacking means to be made, and display means for displaying the direction of stacking of the partition sheets determined by the control means. .

According to this image recording apparatus, the direction of stacking of the partition sheets is determined by the control means, and the stacking direction is displayed by the display means. Here, since the loading direction of the partition paper is a direction in which the transport direction of the partition paper and the transport direction of the recording paper coincide, it is possible to unify the orientation of the recording paper and the partition paper. The point was solved.

The image recording apparatus further comprises a loading direction detecting means for detecting a direction of the partition paper loaded on the second loading means, and the control means comprises a loading direction detecting means for loading the partition paper loaded on the second loading means. If the orientation of the partition paper does not match the determined orientation of the partition paper, a warning may be displayed on the display means.

According to this image recording apparatus, a warning is issued when the orientation of the loaded partition paper does not match the determined orientation of the partition paper, so that another user can use the loaded partition paper. Thus, it is possible to prevent the directions from being mismatched.

Further, the object of the present invention can be solved by the image recording apparatus according to the ninth aspect. The image recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image recording unit records an image on a recording sheet, and a partition sheet inserting unit inserts a partition sheet having a different thickness from the recording sheet on a plurality of recording sheets on which the image is recorded. An image recording apparatus comprising: an aligning unit that aligns a leading end of the sheet bundle in which the partition sheet is inserted into the plurality of recording sheets with a width direction; and a stapling unit that binds the aligned sheet bundle with a staple. An insertion number counting unit that counts the number of partition sheets to be inserted into the bundle, and stapling can be performed by a staple according to a thickness ratio between the partition sheet and the recording sheet and the number of partition sheets to be inserted. Calculating means for calculating an upper limit of the number of recording sheets.

According to this image recording apparatus, by inserting the partition paper at an arbitrary position, even if the partition paper is inserted arbitrarily, the calculation is performed in accordance with the number of the partition papers to be inserted. , It is possible to avoid a situation in which stapling by the staples becomes impossible.

In the image recording apparatus, the image recording apparatus may include an output number counting means for counting the number of recording sheets used for image recording, and a stapling means when the number of used sheets exceeds the upper limit number. It is preferable to provide a prohibiting control means.

According to this image recording apparatus, by inserting the partition paper at an arbitrary position, even if the partition paper is inserted arbitrarily, if it exceeds the upper limit number calculated according to the number of the partition paper to be inserted. Since the use of the staple means is prohibited, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the staple cannot be used for stapling.

[0033]

FIG. 1 shows an image forming section A and a post-processing section F.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image recording apparatus 100 including an S.

The illustrated image forming section A executes an image recording operation for recording a toner image on recording paper by an electrophotographic method, and includes an image reading means 1, an image processing means 2,
An image writing unit 3, an image forming unit 4, a first sheet feeding unit 5, a second sheet feeding unit 6, a fixing unit 7, a conveying unit 8, a main control unit 9, a partition sheet feeding unit 10, and the like are provided.

The first paper supply means 5 includes a cassette paper supply section 5A and a large capacity paper supply section (LCT) 5B. The cassette feeding section 5A includes a pickup roller 51A that separates the stored recording sheets one by one and starts conveying the recording sheets. The large-capacity sheet feeding section (LCT) 5B also includes a pickup roller 51B.

The partition paper feeding means 10 includes a manual paper feed tray 10A, and stacks thick paper used as the partition paper P. The manual paper feed tray 10A is provided with two slidable guide plates 10C (only one guide plate is visible in the line of sight of FIG. 1).
The position of the guide plate 10C is adjusted according to the size of the paper loaded on A. The manual paper feed tray 10A is provided with a position detection sensor 10D for detecting the position of the guide plate 10C and several paper detection sensors 10E. If the position is adjusted correctly, the size and orientation of the stacked paper can be determined.

The pick-up roller 10B is used for separating paper P
Can be separated one by one.
The partition sheets P stacked on 0A can be fed one by one from the top to the image forming section A at a predetermined timing.

An automatic document feeder DF is mounted above the image forming section A.

The document d placed on the document table of the automatic document feeder DF is transported in the direction of the arrow, and one or both sides of the document d are scanned and exposed by the optical system of the image reading section 1, and the CCD image sensor 1A Is read in.

The analog signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD image sensor 1A is subjected to analog processing, A / D conversion, shading correction, image compression processing, and the like in the image processing means 2, and the digital signal is sent to the image writing means 3. Sent as

In the image writing means 3, the output light from the semiconductor laser irradiates the photosensitive drum of the image forming means 4, and a latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum. In the image forming unit 4, processes such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, separation, and cleaning are performed.

The second paper supply means 6 includes a plurality of intermediate paper supply rollers and a registration roller 6a. Registration roller 6a
The rotation of the recording paper S can be stopped and restarted at an arbitrary timing under the control of the main control means 9, and the timing at which the recording paper S enters the transfer portion between the photosensitive drum 4a and the transfer electrode 4b is adjusted.

The recording paper S sent from the first paper supply means 5
The toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 4a is transferred to a predetermined position on the recording paper by the registration roller 6a whose rotation is adjusted and the rotation is restarted. The transfer of the toner image is performed.

The transport means 8 includes a transport belt 8A, a first transport path switching plate 8B, and a discharge roller 8C. The reversing means 11 includes a reversing section entrance 11A, a reversing section 11B, a reversing section exit 11C, an automatic double-sided copy transport section (ADU) 11D,
A second transport path switching plate 11E is provided.

Recording paper S carrying toner image by transfer
Is transported by the transport belt 8A, the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 7, and the image is recorded. The image forming unit 4 and the fixing unit 7 constitute an image recording unit of the present invention. On the left side of the image forming unit A in the figure, a post-processing unit FS for processing recorded recording paper discharged from the paper discharge roller 8C is connected.

When recording an image on one side of the recording paper S, the recording paper S on which the image has been recorded is transferred to the transport path switching plate 8.
B, once entered the reversing portion entrance 11A, is switched back, and is conveyed from the reversing portion outlet 11C to the paper discharge roller 8C in a state where the recording surface on which the toner image is recorded is turned downward in the drawing. Is sent from the paper discharge roller 8C to the post-processing unit FS.

Alternatively, when an image is recorded on both sides of the recording paper S, the recording paper S on which the image is recorded is placed at the entrance 1 of the reversing unit.
1A, the sheet is sent to the automatic double-sided copy conveying section 11D by the second conveying path switching plate 11E, and the image is recorded on the remaining one side again by the image forming means 4 and the fixing means 7, and then the image is recorded for the first time. The sheet is fed from the sheet discharge roller 8C to the post-processing unit FS with the surface facing down.

The partition paper P stacked on the manual paper feed tray 10A is separated by the pickup roller 10B, transported in the order of the second paper feeding means 6, the image forming section 4, and the transporting means 8 and sent to the post-processing section FS. It is. When the partition paper P is transported, the first transport path switching plate 8B shifts to a position indicated by a dotted line in the figure, and the partition paper P passes above the first transport path switching plate 8B and is discharged from the discharge rollers. It is sent from 8C to the post-processing unit FS. Therefore, the manual feed tray 1
From 0A to the post-processing unit FS, the partition paper P is transported along a substantially straight paper feed path.

The post-processing section FS is installed with its position and height adjusted so that the inlet roller pair 12 for receiving the recording paper S carried out from the image forming section A coincides with the paper discharge roller 8C of the image forming section A. ing.

The transport path of the recording paper S received from the image forming section A has three transport paths according to the selection of the angle occupied by the switching gates G1 and G2.

(1) The operation of discharging the recording paper S carried out from the image forming section A to the fixed paper discharge tray 81 will be described.

The image-formed recording paper S discharged from the image forming section A is conveyed by the entrance roller pair 12 and
The first switching gate G1 passes through the upper passage 13 in the drawing, is nipped by the transport roller pair 14 and the transport roller pair 15, is transported upward, and is further nipped by the discharge roller pair 16 to be fixed at the upper part outside the machine. The sheets are discharged onto a paper plate 81 and sequentially stacked.

In the recording paper transporting process, the switching gate G1 is swung by the drive of the solenoid SD1 to close the passage 17 below the switching gate G1 in the figure, and
Open.

(2) The operation of discharging the recording paper S discharged from the image forming section A to the elevating discharge tray 82 will be described.

In this case, the switching gate G1 is connected to the passage 13
Is closed, the passage 17 is kept open, the recording paper S can pass through the passage 17, and the switching gate G2 is connected to the passage 3
1 is closed and the passage 21 is kept open.

The image-formed recording paper S discharged from the image forming section A passes through the entrance roller pair 12, passes through the passage 17 formed below the switching gate G1, and is conveyed to the transport roller. Pair 18, passes through passage 21 above second switching gate G <b> 2, is nipped by transport roller pair 22, and is nipped and transported by shift means 70 and shift roller pair 24 of shift means 70, The sheet is discharged onto an elevating sheet discharge tray 82 outside the apparatus by the discharge roller pair 26.

The shift means 70 is displaced to the front or the rear side in the figure in a state where the recording paper S is held between the pair of shift rollers 24, and the recording paper S discharged and stacked on the elevating discharge tray 82 is moved. The positional relationship between the recording papers S is slightly shifted (shifted). When the recording paper S is shifted, the user can easily distinguish the recording paper S. The shift of the recording paper S by the shift means is executed according to the user's selection.

(3) Next, the stapling operation will be described.

Recording paper S to be subjected to edge binding processing or saddle binding processing
Is transported through a passage 17 below the entrance roller pair 12 and the first switching gate G1 and is nipped by the transport roller pair 18 to be transported to the third transport path.

In the third transport path, the recording paper S passes through a path 31 below the switching gate G2, and is nipped and transported by a downstream transport roller pair 32. The recording paper S is
Further, the intermediate stacker 3 is sandwiched and sent out by the transport roller pair 34 at the downstream side, and is inclined on the first stacking unit 30.
5, and is brought into contact with the upper surface of the intermediate stacker 35 or the recording paper S stacked on the intermediate stacker 35, slid upward, and then the trailing end of the recording paper S in the traveling direction is discharged from the pair of transport rollers 34. After that, the recording paper S starts to move down due to its own weight, slides down on the inclined surface of the intermediate stacker 35, and has a movable stopper member for edge binding near the stapling means 50.
The leading edge of the recording sheet S in the traveling direction comes into contact with the recording sheet abutting surface of the edge binding stopper 51), stops, and performs leading edge alignment (leading edge alignment).

The recording paper S stopped by the width matching means (not shown)
When a predetermined number of sheets of recording paper S are stacked on the intermediate stacker 35, the stapling means 50 performs stapling. The staples are driven in and the edge binding process is performed.
The recording paper bundle is bound.

The stapled recording paper bundle is held at the rear end of the recording paper S by a discharge claw (not shown) of the discharge belt 38, slides on the stacking surface of the intermediate stacker 35, and is pushed obliquely upward. The sheet is discharged and stacked on the elevating discharge tray 82 by the rotating discharge roller pair 26.

In the case of saddle stitching instead of edge stitching, the recording paper S is abutted against the saddle stitching movable stopper member 53, and
At that position, the width is adjusted, and the staple means 5 continues.
The staples are driven into two places at the center in the width direction of the bundle of recording papers according to “0”, and are stapled.

After the saddle stitching process, the center folding means 60
When the center folding of the recording paper bundle is performed, the saddle stitching stopper 5
3 retracts and opens the passage downstream of passage 52. The recording sheet bundle composed of the cover sheet K and the recording sheet S that have been subjected to the saddle stitching process comes into contact with the center folding stopper 65 and stops. When the recording paper bundle stops, the folding roller pair 67 widens the nip interval,
The push-out plate 66 pushes the central portion of the recording paper bundle into the nip portion.

When the recording paper bundle is pushed into the nip portion, the folding roller pair 67 narrows the interval between the nip portions, the protruding plate 66 retreats from the nip portion, and the recording roller bundle 67 is further pushed in. The conveyance of the sheet bundle is started, the fold is firmly formed, and the sheet bundle is sent to the conveying means 68.

The bundle of recording paper sent to the conveying means 68 is
The sheet is conveyed while being sandwiched between the lower conveying belt and the upper conveying belt, and is discharged to the fixed sheet discharge tray 83.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image recording apparatus 100 shown in FIG. In the figure, an image processing unit 2 generates a digital signal used in an image writing unit 3 (see FIG. 1) based on an analog signal obtained by the image reading unit 1 (see FIG. 1). Image processing means 2
Is stored in the image memory 2A, and then sent to the image writing means 3. When copying a plurality of sheets, digital signals corresponding to all pages of the document are temporarily stored in the image memory 2A, and then the digital signals are sent to the image recording unit A in the order of the stored pages.

The partition paper size detecting means 10F includes a position detection sensor 10D and a paper detection sensor 10E, and the partition paper P loaded on the manual paper feed tray 10A.
And a position detecting sensor 10D related to the positions of the two guide plates 10C adjusted by the user.
The size of the partition paper P is detected based on a combination of the detection results of the above and the detection results of the plurality of paper detection sensors 10E, and an output signal corresponding to the detected size of the partition paper P is transferred to the control unit 9.

The stapling means 50 is the above-described stapling means 50 provided in the post-processing section B.

An instruction input section 91 and a display section 92 are provided in the operation section 90 of FIG. 1. The instruction input section 91 includes the number of copies, an instruction to execute double-sided copying, stapling, shift processing, and half-fold processing. , And an operation for designating the insertion position of the partition paper P and the like can be performed. On the other hand, the display unit 92
The content of the instruction input from the instruction input unit 91 is displayed and can be confirmed by the user, and various messages are displayed according to the image recording operation.

The control unit 9 controls the operation of the entire image recording apparatus 100, and includes a general-purpose processor, a memory, and the like, and executes a control program. The control means 9 controls the registration roller 6a in accordance with the operation status of the image recording unit A, the size of the partition paper P detected by the partition paper size detection means 10F, the user's setting input from the instruction input unit, and the like. Control of rotation stop and rotation restart of the pickup roller 1
0B, the start timing of feeding the recording paper S by the pickup roller 51A, the timing of switching between the straight transport path and the reverse transport path by the first transport path switching plate 8B, the display unit 92
Control of display on the display.

The control means 9 is controlled by a control program.
The stapling means 50 is operated as described in FIG.

Next, a description will be given of a first example of the control of the conveyance path switching timing by the control means 9 and the sheet interval by the registration control of the recording sheet S with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

FIG. 3 shows an image recording apparatus 1 according to the first invention.
9 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the manual feeding tray 10A. The image forming operation is performed by the image forming unit 4 and the fixing unit 7 on the four recording sheets S fed by the cassette feeding unit 5A. Two sheets of partition paper P fed
Is an example in which the paper is discharged to the elevating paper discharge tray 82 of the post-partition processing unit FS. The recording paper S is distinguished by numbering the first sheet S1, the second sheet S2 and the like, and the partitioning paper P is distinguished by numbering the first sheet P1 and the second sheet P2. Two sheets of partition paper P
1, P2 is an example in which recording papers S2 and S3, and S4 and S5 are inserted into two places. In FIG. 3, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical ones represent points on the transport path of the image recording unit A.
The cassette sheet feeding section 5A is an example of a first stacking means of the first invention, the manual sheet feeding tray 10A is an example of a second stacking means, and the elevating discharge tray 82 is an example of a sheet discharging stacking means. Is controlled by The first transport unit and the second transport unit join at a slightly upstream side of the registration roller 6a in the transport direction.

An oblique line s1 connecting timings T1 to T5.
Indicates the position of the recording sheet S1 being conveyed, and rising indicates passage of the leading end, and falling indicates passage of the tail end. Similarly, an oblique line p1 connecting timings T6 to T10 indicates the position of the partition sheet P1 being conveyed, and an oblique line s2 indicates the recording sheet S.
2, the oblique line s3 indicates the position of the recording sheet S3, the oblique line s4 indicates the position of the recording sheet S4, and the oblique line p2 indicates the position of the partition sheet P2.

First, the conveyance of the recording paper S1 will be described focusing on the oblique line s1. At timing T1, the pickup roller 51A operates, and the first recording sheet S1 is fed from the cassette feeding unit 5A. Although the recording paper S1 collides with the registration roller 6a during which rotation is stopped, the rotation of the registration roller 6a resumes under the control of the control means 9, so that the recording sheet S1 advances to the transfer section at timing T2.

The recording paper S1 that has proceeded to the transfer section sequentially passes through the image forming means 4 and the fixing means 7 to fix the toner image on one side, and proceeds to the reversing section entrance 11A at timing T3. At timing T3, the first transport path switching plate 8B
Occupies the position where the recording paper S1 is fed into the reversing unit 11B (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 1), and when the tail end of the recording paper S1 passes through the reversing unit entrance 11A, the first transport path switching plate 8B separates the partition paper. It occupies a position (dotted line in FIG. 1) where P is sent to the straight transport path.

The recording paper S1 is reversed by the reversing unit 11B, sent out from the reversing unit outlet 11C at the timing T4, discharged from the image forming unit A by the paper discharge roller 8C, and face-down with the image recorded side down. The paper is discharged and placed on the elevating paper discharge tray 82.

While the recording paper S1 is being conveyed as indicated by the oblique line s1, the pickup roller 10B operates at timing T6, and the first paper P1 is fed from the paper feeding means 10. Timing T6 is the same as timing T2 (recording sheet S1 due to resumption of rotation of registration roller 6a).
) And T3 (the recording sheet S1 passes through the reversing portion entrance 11A). Although the partition paper P collides with the registration roller 6a that has stopped rotating, the registration roller 6a resumes rotation under the control of the control means 9, so that the timing T7
To proceed to the transfer section. The timing T7 at which the registration roller 6a resumes feeding the partition paper P1 is determined by the delay D1.
After the delay.

The partition paper P that has proceeded to the transfer section sequentially passes through the image forming means 4 and the fixing means 7 without recording an image, and proceeds to the reversing section entrance 11A at timing T8. At timing T8, the position where the first transport path switching plate 8B has already sent the partition paper P to the straight transport path (FIG. 1).
Occupies the position indicated by the dotted line).
Passes over the first transport path switching plate 8B and passes through the reversing section exit 11C at the timing T9. Timing T9
Then, the delay D1 delayed at the timing T7 is cancelled. The partition sheet P1 discharged from the reversing section exit 11C is discharged from the discharge roller 8C at timing T10, and is stacked on the elevating discharge tray 82 together with the recording paper S1 already discharged.

Subsequently, while the partition sheet P is being conveyed as indicated by the oblique line p1, the pickup roller 51A operates at timing T11, and the second recording sheet S2 is fed from the cassette sheet feeding section 5A. Timing T1 indicated by oblique line s2
The conveyance of the recording paper S2 from 1 to the timing T15 is controlled in the same manner as the conveyance of the recording paper S1 indicated by the oblique line s1, and the description is omitted.

During the conveyance of the recording paper S2 indicated by the oblique line s2, the third recording paper S3 is conveyed as indicated by the oblique line s3 from timing T16 to T20. Recording paper S indicated by oblique lines s3
The conveyance of No. 3 is controlled in the same manner as the conveyance of the recording paper S1 indicated by the oblique line s1, and the description is omitted. The time interval between the timings T11 and T16 of the recording papers S2 and S3 corresponds to a standard transport interval of the recording paper S during continuous copying.

During the conveyance of the recording paper S3 indicated by the oblique line s3, four sheets of the second partition paper P are conveyed as indicated by the oblique line p2, and during the conveyance of the second partition paper P indicated by the oblique line p2. The eye recording paper S4 is conveyed as indicated by the oblique line s4. Oblique line p
The conveyance of the partition sheet P indicated by 2 is the same as the conveyance of the partition sheet P indicated by the oblique line p1, and the conveyance of the recording sheet S4 indicated by the oblique line s4 is the same as the conveyance of the recording sheet S1 indicated by the oblique line S1. Omitted.

The delay D1 is provided to make the interval between the partition paper P to be inserted and the recording paper S larger than when no interval is inserted. Each recording sheet S is reversed by the reversing unit 11B. However, since the partition sheet P reaches the discharge roller 8C via the straight transport path, the two sheets are compared, and the two are compared in the transport path from the registration roller 6a to the discharge roller 8C. In the overall length (path length), the path length of the partition sheet P is shorter than the path length of the recording sheet S. Since the partition paper P and the recording paper S are transported at the same transport speed, the partition paper P reaches from the registration roller 6a to the paper discharge roller 8C in a shorter time. Here, without setting the delay D1, the recording paper S
If the operation timings of the registration rollers 6a are set at equal intervals without distinguishing the partition paper P from the subsequent partition paper P,
May collide with the preceding recording paper S.

In this embodiment, a time slightly longer than the time when the recording paper S1 is reversely conveyed by the reversing section 11B is set as the delay D1, and the conveyance of the partition paper P by the registration rollers 6a is started. By delaying by the delay 1, the interval between the partition paper P and the recording paper S is made larger than in the case where it is not inserted, and after the recording paper S1 is discharged from the paper discharge rollers 8C at the timing T4, the partition paper P enters the reversing section entrance. Progressing to 11A. This prevents the partition sheet P1 from colliding with the preceding recording sheet S1.

The delay D1 is the time from when the leading end of the recording paper S1 enters the reversing section entrance 11A to when the tail end is discharged from the reversing section exit 11C, and when the leading end of the partition paper P enters the reversing section entrance 11A. The difference from the time until the end is discharged from the reversing section exit 11C is set to the minimum value.

As described above, by making the transport interval of the partition paper P following the recording paper S larger than the transport interval of the recording paper S, the transport of the partition paper P to the preceding recording paper S is performed. It prevents rear-end collision.

Next, a description will be given of a second example of the control of the conveyance path switching timing by the control means 9 and the paper interval by the registration control of the recording paper S with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

FIG. 4 shows an image recording apparatus 1 according to the second invention.
00 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the manual paper feed tray, in which the image forming means 4 and the fixing means 7 execute the image recording operation on both sides of the four recording papers S fed by the cassette paper feeding unit 5A. This is an example in which two partition sheets P fed from 10A are discharged to a partition elevating discharge tray 82.
The cassette sheet feeding section 5A is an example of a first stacking means of the first invention, the manual sheet feeding tray 10A is an example of a second stacking means, and the elevating discharge tray 82 is an example of a sheet discharging stacking means. Is controlled by The first transport unit and the second transport unit join at a slightly upstream side of the registration roller 6a in the transport direction. The recording paper S is distinguished by numbering the first sheet as S11, the second sheet as S12, and the like, and the first sheet of the partition paper P is P1.
The first and second sheets are numbered P12 to distinguish them. On the side of each recording sheet S, the side on which the toner image is first recorded is the SID.
The back of E1 and SIDE1 is SIDE2. This is an example in which two partition sheets P11 and P12 are inserted at two positions between the recording sheets S11 and S12 and between the recording sheets S12 and S13. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical ones represent points on the transport path of the image recording unit A.

An oblique line s connecting timings T41 to T44.
Numeral 11 indicates the position of the recording paper S11 being conveyed. The rising edge indicates the passage of the leading end, and the falling edge indicates the passage of the tail end. Similarly, an oblique line p1 connecting timing T45 to T47.
1 indicates the position of the partition paper P11 being conveyed,
Numeral 12 indicates the position of the recording paper S12, diagonal line s13 indicates the position of the recording paper S13, diagonal line s14 indicates the position of the recording paper S14, and diagonal line p2 indicates the position of the partition paper P2.

First, the conveyance of the recording paper S11 is indicated by oblique lines s1.
Description will be made focusing on No. 1. At timing T41, the pickup roller 51A operates to feed the first sheet of recording paper S11 from the cassette feeding unit 5A. Although the recording paper S11 abuts on the registration roller 6a during the rotation stop, the rotation of the registration roller 6a resumes under the control of the control means 9, so that the recording sheet S11 advances to the transfer section at timing T42.

The recording paper S11 that has advanced to the transfer section sequentially passes through the image forming means 4 and the fixing means 7, and an image is recorded on the first surface. At this time, the first transport path switching plate 8B
Feeds the recording paper S11 to the automatic double-sided copy transport unit (ADU) 11
D (the solid line in FIG. 1), and the recording paper S11 is reversed and the SID on which the image is recorded
With the surface of E1 facing downward in FIG. 1, it again strikes the registration roller 6a that has stopped rotating.

Subsequently, the rotation of the registration roller 6a is restarted at the timing T43 under the control of the control means 9, so that the recording paper S11 advances to the transfer section and the image is recorded on the SIDE2.

The recording paper S11 that has advanced to the transfer section sequentially passes through the image forming means 4 and the fixing means 7, and an image is recorded on the second surface. At this time, the first transport path switching plate 8B occupies the position (dotted line in FIG. 1) where the recording paper S11 is fed into the straight transport path, and the recording paper S11 passes above the first transport path switching plate 8B. Then, the sheet is discharged to the outside of the image forming section A by the discharge roller 8C.

While the recording paper S11 is being conveyed as indicated by the oblique line s11, the pickup roller 10B operates at a timing T45 to feed the first partition paper P11 from the partition paper feed means 10, and the oblique line p11 indicates Conveyed as follows. The timing T45 is between the aforementioned T43 (conveyance of the SIDE2 of the recording sheet S11 due to the resumption of the rotation of the registration roller 6a) and T44 (discharge of the recording sheet S11). Although the partition paper P collides with the registration roller 6a during which rotation is stopped, the registration roller 6a resumes rotation under the control of the control means 9, and advances to the transfer section at timing T46.

The partition paper P11 that has proceeded to the transfer section sequentially passes through the image forming means 4 and the fixing means 7 without forming a toner image. Further, since the first transport path switching plate 8B occupies the position (the position indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 1) for feeding the partition paper P11 into the straight transport path, the upper side of the first transport path switching plate 8B, the reversing section exit. The paper passes through the order of 11C, and is subsequently discharged from the paper discharge roller 8C at timing T47.

While the recording paper S11 is being conveyed as indicated by the oblique line s11, the pickup roller 51A operates at a timing T48, and the second recording paper S1 is fed from the cassette paper feeding unit 5A.
2 is fed and conveyed as indicated by oblique lines s12. Timing T48 is the same as T42 (conveyance of SIDE1 of recording sheet S11 due to restart of rotation of registration roller 6a) and T4
3 (recording sheet S11 due to resumption of rotation of registration roller 6a)
Of SIDE2). Although the recording paper S12 abuts on the registration roller 6a during which rotation is stopped, the registration roller 6a restarts rotation under the control of the control means 9, so that the recording sheet S12 advances to the transfer portion at timing T49.

The recording paper S12 advanced to the transfer section is indicated by a hatched line s.
Since the sheet is conveyed in the same manner as the recording sheet S11 shown in FIG. 11, the description is omitted, but a toner image is formed on both sides. The timing T50 of the oblique line s12 is the same as the timing T43 of the oblique line s11, and the timing T51 is the same as the timing T44.

While the recording paper S12 is being conveyed as indicated by the diagonal line s12, the pickup roller 10B operates at timing T52, and the second partition paper P12 is fed from the partition paper feeding means 10, and the diagonal line p12 Conveyed as follows. The conveyance of the partition sheet P12 from the timing T52 to the timing T54 indicated by the oblique line P12 is controlled in the same manner as the conveyance of the partition sheet P11 indicated by the oblique line p11, and thus the description is omitted.

During the conveyance of the recording paper S2 indicated by the oblique line s12,
From timing T55 to T58, the third recording sheet S13 is conveyed as indicated by the oblique line s13. The conveyance of the recording sheet S13 indicated by the oblique line s13 is performed by the recording sheet S1 indicated by the oblique line s11.
Since the control is performed in the same manner as in the transport of No. 1, the description is omitted.

Subsequently, the recording paper S13 indicated by oblique lines s13
During the conveyance of the recording paper S, the fourth recording sheet S14 is conveyed as indicated by oblique lines s14 from timing T59 to timing T62. The conveyance of the recording paper S14 indicated by the oblique line s14 is controlled in the same manner as the conveyance of the recording paper S11 indicated by the oblique line s11, and thus the description is omitted. The interval between the recording papers S13 and S14, for example, the time interval between the timing T11 and the timing T16 corresponds to a standard transport interval of the recording paper S during continuous copying.

Now, since the recording papers S11 to S14 are reversed by the automatic double-sided copy transport unit (ADU) 11D, the partition papers P11 and P12 reach the discharge roller 8C through the straight transport path. The difference is that the recording sheets S11 to S14 pass through the image forming section A twice, and the partition sheets P11 and P12 pass once. The distance between the registration roller 6a and the reversing portion entrance 11A is:
SIDE1 of recording paper S11 to S14 and partition paper P1
1 and P12 are a common conveyance path, and from the registration roller 6a to the paper discharge roller 8C, the recording paper S11 and SIDE2 of the recording paper S11 and the partition paper P11,
P12 is a common transport path. A succeeding sheet may collide with a preceding sheet in a transport path through which each sheet passes in common.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the partition paper P
Is Lp (cm), and the linear velocity (equal to the transport speed of the recording paper S and the partition paper P) is Sp (cm / s).
ec) The interval between two recording sheets S which are continuously conveyed without inserting the partition sheet P during the image recording operation on both sides is set to t.
(Sec), assuming a transport path length R1 (cm) from the pickup roller 10B to the registration roller 6a, an interval Le (sec) between the timing T41 and the timing T48.
In c), the rotation of the pickup roller 10B and the registration roller 6a is controlled by the control means 9 so that Le = 2t + (Lp / Sp).

Further, the timing T45 will be described. In the dotted line portion of the oblique line p11, at the timing Tx, the leading end of the insertion position of the partition sheet P11 is
This corresponds to the timing of adding a. Partition paper P
It is desirable that the recording paper S11 be conveyed at an interval t from the recording paper S11.
The position at a distance t from the tail end of 1 is taken as the tip of the expected insertion position.

The leading end of the expected insertion position is the registration roller 6
When it reaches the position of the interval R1 from a, at timing T45
, The pickup roller 10B feeds the partition paper P11. Subsequently, the partition paper P11 collides with the registration roller 6a during which rotation has been stopped, and the timing R45 shifts to R1.
/ S time has elapsed is timing T46,
At timing T46, the registration roller 6a resumes rotation and sends the partition paper P11 to the transfer unit.

According to the above control, in this embodiment, timing T42 (hatched s11), timing T49 (hatched s12), timing T43 (hatched s11), timing T45 (hatched p11), and timing T50 (hatched p).
12) is in this order. Therefore, each sheet (recording sheet S1)
The order in which the partition sheets P11, 12,... Pass through the registration rollers 6a depends on the SID of the recording sheet S11.
E1, SIDE1 of recording paper S12, SI of recording paper S11
SIDE2 of DE2, partition paper P11, and recording paper S12
Since the timings at which the sheets pass are shifted, it is possible to prevent the sheets from colliding with each other. Further, since the distance between the recording paper S and the recording paper S to be conveyed and the distance between the recording paper S and the partition paper P when passing through the paper discharge roller 8C are equal, each paper is prevented from colliding with each other. it can.

Next, the third invention of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
Will be described with reference to a flowchart showing a procedure for matching the transport direction with the size of the partition paper P and the recording paper S.

From the contents of the instruction input by the user through the instruction input unit 91, the size and the transport direction of the recording paper S used in the image recording operation are determined in Step 1 (St1). Here, the size of the recording paper S will be described by using numbers such as A4 and B5 defined in JIS P0138 (paper processing finish dimensions), and the transport direction of the recording paper S is the same as the transport direction and the longitudinal direction of the recording paper S. What is called vertical feed, and what does not match (orthogonal) is called horizontal feed.

For example, B4 vertical feed to the cassette sheet feeding section 5A,
The recording paper S is stacked on the large-capacity feeding unit (LCT) 5B so that the A4 landscape feed is performed.
If four originals are placed, the size and the transport direction of the recording paper S used by the control means 9 are determined to be A4 landscape feed.

When the size and the transport direction of the recording paper S are determined, the size and the feeding direction of the partition paper P stacked on the manual paper feed tray 10A are determined by the partition paper size detecting means 10F in Step 2 (St2).

Next, the recording paper S and the partition paper P are compared, and it is determined in Step 3 (St3) whether the size and the transport direction are both the same or not even at least one.

For example, when the recording paper S is A4 horizontal feed and the partition paper P is also A4 horizontal feed, it is determined that they match. If the recording paper S is A4 horizontal feed and the partition paper P is A4 vertical feed (conveyance direction mismatch), if the recording paper S is B4 vertical feed and the partition paper P is A4 vertical feed (size mismatch), the recording paper S
For example, when the sheet is A4 horizontal feed and the partition paper P is B4 vertical feed (both in size and in the transport direction), it is determined that they do not match. .

If it is determined in Step 3 (St3) that both the size of the recording paper S and the size of the partition paper P coincide with the transport direction, the process proceeds to Step 4 (St4) to execute the image recording operation.

On the other hand, if it is determined in Step 3 (St3) that they do not match, the process proceeds to Step 5 (St5) and the display unit 9
A warning message is displayed at 2. The warning display may indicate only a mismatch, but it is more preferable to display the size and the transport direction of the partition paper P to be stacked on the manual paper feed tray 10A.

Next, the fourth invention of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6 showing the procedure for setting staple limit variables.

The number of partition sheets P to be used in the image recording operation is calculated in Step 11 (St11) from the contents of the instruction input by the user from the instruction input unit 91. The calculation is executed by the control means 9. Here, the number of sheets of partition paper P is the number of sheets of partition paper P used for each sheet bundle bound together by the staples stapled by the staple means 50. For example, in the example of creating three copies (three bundles) of 30 originals, a front and back cover, and one partition sheet P inserted for every 10 pages, the partition sheets P (cover),
10 sheets of recording paper S, partition paper P, 10 sheets of recording paper S,
Since the partition paper P, the ten recording papers S, and the partition paper P (back cover) are stitched together in a bundle with staples, the number of the partition papers P to be used per bundle is five. The number of copies to be made has no relation to the number of partition sheets P to be used.

The contents of the instruction by the user may specify the position at which the partition paper P is to be inserted by the page number.
The instruction may be inserted every specified number of pages. Alternatively, an instruction to insert a plurality of partition sheets P into one insertion point may be given.

After the number of partition papers P to be used is calculated, the converted value of the recording paper S corresponding to this number is calculated in Step 12.
It is calculated in (St12). The conversion value is a value indicating the sum of the thicknesses of all the partition sheets P used in one bundle converted into the number of recording sheets S. For example, when the thickness of the partition sheet P is 2.5 times the recording sheet S, If there are, the five partition sheets P in this example are 5 (sheets) × 2.5 = 12.5 (sheets), and the converted value is 12.5 sheets.

When the converted value is obtained, Step 13 (St1
In 3), a staple limit variable is obtained based on the following equation.

Staple limit variable = staple limit constant-converted value (however, the decimal part of the staple limit variable is rounded down.) Here, when the staple limit constants are bundled together with the recording paper S only, they are combined with a staple. This is the upper limit of the number of sheets that can be used. Since this upper limit is determined according to the staple used by the staple means 50, it is set as a constant used by a control program executed by the control means.

The staple limit variable obtained by the above equation is used per bundle when an arbitrary number of partition sheets P are inserted and an image recording operation is performed using the stapler 50 in accordance with the contents of the user's instruction. This is the upper limit of the possible recording paper S.

When the staple limit variable is obtained, the staple limit variable is set in Step 14 (St14) as reference data used by the control program executed by the control means 9. In the control program, by referring to the staple limit variable, it is determined whether or not the image recording operation according to the user's instruction input can be performed, and if not, a warning is issued and the image recording operation based on the instruction content is prohibited. Things become possible.

For example, if the staple limit constant is 50
(Sheets), 30 copies of the original, 30 sheets of the front and back covers, and 3 copies of the sheets into which partition sheets P are inserted every 10 pages
In this example, the staple limit variable is 37.5.
(50-12.5 = 37.5). In this example, the number of recording papers S used per bundle is 30, which is smaller than the staple limit variable, so that it can be understood that the image recording operation can be executed in accordance with a user's instruction input.

However, the staple limit constant is 50
(Sheets), for example, 40 copies of a manuscript, a front and back cover, and a copy in which a partition sheet P is inserted every 10 pages are 3 copies.
In the example of creating a copy, converted value = 6 x 2.5 = 15 (sheets)
And the staple limit variable is 35 sheets (50-15 = 3
5). In this example, the recording paper S used per bundle is
Is 40, which is larger than the staple limit variable, it can be seen that the image recording operation cannot be executed in accordance with the user's instruction input.

If the stapler 50 can switch a plurality of types of staples having different staple limit constants to collect a bundle of sheets, the control program determines if the number of recording sheets S to be used exceeds the staple limit variable. It is preferable to obtain and verify a staple limit variable to determine whether the image recording operation according to the instruction input is possible if the type of the staple is exchanged. When the post-processing unit FS includes an automatic staple changing device, the staple limit variable when the staple is changed is obtained.
It is preferable to determine whether or not the image recording operation is possible and, if possible, replace the staples and execute the image recording operation.

[0126]

According to the image recording apparatus of the first aspect, it is possible to prevent the recording paper and the partition paper from colliding with each other at the portion where the transport paths of the first and second transport means merge. Therefore, the recording paper and the partition paper can be conveyed in an arbitrary order, solving the first problem, and eliminating the need for the user to manually insert the partition paper.

Further, according to the image recording apparatus of the present invention, since the delay can be accurately adjusted by the adjusting means, the collision between the recording paper and the partition paper can be more reliably prevented.

Further, according to the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the image data read from the original is stored in the image data storage means, and the image is recorded based on the image data in the order of reading from the original, and is discharged. Even though the inverted recording paper is loaded on the paper loading means, it is possible to prevent a collision between the recording paper and the partition paper.

Further, according to the image recording apparatus of the fourth aspect, it is possible to prevent the recording paper and the partition paper from colliding with each other at the portion where the transport paths of the first and second transport means merge. Therefore, the recording paper and the partition paper can be conveyed in any order, solving the second problem, and eliminating the need for the user to manually insert the partition paper.

Further, according to the image recording apparatus of the present invention, since the delay can be accurately adjusted by the adjusting means, the collision between the recording paper and the partition paper can be prevented more reliably.

According to the image recording apparatus of the sixth aspect, when the partition paper is transported at the scheduled transport position, the interval between the recording paper and the partition paper is continuously transferred. Since the distance is equal to the distance, it is possible to more reliably prevent a collision between the recording paper and the partition paper.

Further, according to the image recording apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to unify the orientation of the recording paper and the partition paper, thereby solving the third problem.

According to the image recording apparatus of the present invention, a warning is issued when the orientation of the loaded partition paper does not match the determined orientation of the partition paper, so that another user has loaded the paper. By using the partition paper as it is, it is possible to prevent the orientation from being inconsistent.

According to the image recording apparatus of the ninth aspect, if the management is performed based on the calculated upper limit number, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the stapling by the staples becomes impossible.

According to the image recording apparatus of the tenth aspect, when the number exceeds the upper limit number calculated according to the number of the partition sheets to be inserted, the use of the stapling means is prohibited, so that the stapling is performed with the staples. You can avoid the situation that you can not do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image recording apparatus including an image forming unit and a post-processing unit.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the image recording apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart illustrating the operation of the image recording apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart illustrating an operation of the image recording apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for matching the size and the transport direction of the partition sheet P and the recording sheet S with each other.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for setting a staple limit variable.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Image Processing Unit 2A Image Memory 4 Image Forming Unit 6a Registration Roller 7 Fixing Unit 8C Discharge Roller 9 Control Unit 10A Manual Feed Tray 10B Pickup Roller 10F Partition Paper Size Detecting Unit 11 Inverting Unit 11A Inverting Port Entrance 11B Inverting Unit 11C Inverting Unit exit 11D Automatic double-sided copy transport unit (ADU) 11E Second transport path switching plate 50 Staple unit 51A Pickup roller 80 Operation unit 82 Elevating paper discharge tray 92 Display unit A Image recording unit DF Automatic document feed unit FS Post-processing unit S Recording Paper P partition paper

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 2H027 DA41 DC02 DC20 DE07 ED17 EE02 FA21 FA27 GA30 GB04 GB05 GB09 2H072 AA13 AA29 AB07 GA08 3F102 AA01 AB02 BA07 FA08 3F107 AA04 AC01 CA03 CC01

Claims (10)

[Claims] A first stacking unit for stacking a recording sheet, an image recording unit for recording an image on a recording sheet conveyed from the first stacking unit, and a recording unit on which an image is recorded by the image recording unit. A discharge stacking means for stacking paper, a first transporting means for transporting recording paper by a transport path in the order of the first loading means, the image recording means, and the discharge loading means; and the image recording means. Inverting and transporting means for inverting the recording paper on which the image is recorded and transporting the recording paper to the paper discharge loading means, second loading means for loading the partition paper, and recording paper more than the image recording means on the transport path. A second transport unit that joins the transport path on the upstream side with respect to the transport direction and transports the partition paper loaded on the second loading unit via a substantially linear path to the discharge loading unit; And the first transport unit, the reverse transport Means, a control means for controlling the conveyance of the recording paper in the second conveyance means, the control means, the control means, the partition paper conveyed by the second conveyance means, the When the recording paper is inserted between the recording papers conveyed by one conveying means, the recording paper and the partition paper are so set that the interval between the partition paper to be inserted and the preceding recording paper is larger than the standard conveyance interval of the recording paper. An image recording apparatus characterized by controlling the conveyance of an image. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second transport unit includes an adjusting unit that adjusts a timing at which the recording sheet enters the image recording unit, and the control unit delays the partition sheet by the adjusting unit to adjust the timing. 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveyance of the recording paper and the partition paper is controlled so that the interval between the partition paper and the recording paper is larger than the standard conveyance interval of the recording paper. 3. An image reading means for sequentially reading a plurality of placed documents to obtain image data, an image storing the image data in the reading order of the image reading means, and outputting the stored image data in the reading order. 3. The image according to claim 1, further comprising: a data storage unit, wherein the image recording unit records images on the recording sheet in the reading order based on the image data output by the image data storage unit. 4. Recording device. 4. A first loading unit for loading a recording sheet, an image recording unit for recording an image on a recording sheet conveyed from the first loading unit, and a recording on which the image is recorded by the image recording unit. A discharge stacking means for stacking paper, a first transporting means for transporting recording paper by a transport path in the order of the first loading means, the image recording means, and the discharge loading means; and the image recording means. Inverting the recording paper on which the image is recorded on the first surface, reversing transporting means for transporting again to the image recording means, second loading means for loading partition paper, and the image recording means on the transport path. Also merges with the conveyance path on the upstream side with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording paper, and conveys the partition paper stacked on the second stacking means through the substantially linear path to the discharge stacking means. A second transport means,
In an image recording apparatus including the first transport unit, the reverse transport unit, and a control unit that controls transport of a recording sheet in the second transport unit, the control unit is transported following the recording sheet When the partition sheet is fed from the second stacking means, when the recording sheet records an image on the first surface, the feeding of the partition sheet is stopped, and the recording sheet is conveyed from the conveyed recording sheet. When a position separated by a predetermined interval toward the downstream side in the direction is secured as a scheduled insertion position of the partition sheet, and when the recording sheet conveyed from the reverse conveyance unit to the first conveyance unit is conveyed again, the image is recorded again. The partition paper is fed from the second stacking means, and the second transport means transports the partition paper at the expected insertion position while maintaining a predetermined interval between the recording paper and the partition paper. An image recording apparatus characterized in that: 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second conveying unit includes an adjusting unit that adjusts a timing at which the recording sheet enters the image recording unit, and the control unit delays the partition sheet by the adjusting unit to adjust the timing. The image recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a predetermined interval is maintained. 6. The interval is set to be larger than a sum of a length twice as long as a transport interval between two recording papers continuously transported when recording an image and a length in a transport direction of a partition paper. The image recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: 7. A first stacking unit for stacking recording papers in a conveying direction, an image recording unit for recording an image on the recording paper conveyed from the first stacking unit, and an image recording by the image recording unit. Discharge stacking means for stacking the recorded paper,
A first transport unit that transports the recording paper by a transport path in the order of the first loading unit, the image recording unit, and the paper discharge loading unit; a second loading unit that loads partition paper; and the transport route. Merges into the conveyance path on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording paper from the image recording means, and the partition paper stacked on the second stacking means is substantially linearly extended to the discharge stacking means. An image recording apparatus comprising: a second conveying unit that conveys the partition sheet along a path of the second stacking unit that matches a conveying direction of the partition sheet with the conveying direction of the recording sheet by the second conveying unit. An image recording apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to determine a direction in which the partition sheets are stacked on the printer; and a display unit configured to display the stacking direction of the partition sheets determined by the control unit. 8. A loading direction detecting means for detecting the direction of the partition paper loaded on the second loading means, wherein the control means detects that the direction of the partition paper loaded on the second loading means is 8. The image recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a warning is displayed on the display means when the orientation does not match the determined orientation of the partition paper. 9. An image recording unit for recording an image on recording paper,
Partition paper insertion means for inserting partition paper having a thickness different from that of the recording paper into a plurality of recording papers on which images have been recorded, and aligning the leading edge with the width direction of the paper bundle in which the partition paper has been inserted into the plurality of recording papers In an image recording apparatus provided with an aligning unit, and a stapling unit that binds the aligned sheet bundle with a staple, an insertion number counting unit that counts the number of partition sheets to be inserted into the sheet bundle, and the partition sheet and the recording sheet. An image recording apparatus comprising: a calculating unit that calculates an upper limit number of recording sheets that can be stapled by a staple according to a ratio of a thickness to paper and the number of partition sheets to be inserted. . 10. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: output number counting means for counting the number of sheets of recording paper used for image recording; and control means for prohibiting use of the stapling means when the number of used sheets exceeds the upper limit number. The image recording apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: