JP2001146361A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve workability by preventing the occurrence of a jam by an entrance of a sheet having an unspecified thickness into a sheet sorter. SOLUTION: When a sort mode is selected and a sheet of a kind of unsortable unspecified thickness is set by a sorter, for example, characters such as 'A sorter and thick paper cannot be simultaneously set.' are displayed on a warning area 72 of a liquid crystal display part 56 of an operation panel 54 without performing the sort mode to issue a warning.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a printing machine, a copying machine,
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer and a facsimile, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus having an integrated sheet sorting apparatus for sorting sheets on which images have been formed, or having a sheet sorting apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a sheet sorting apparatus (sorter), an image-formed sheet (sheet) discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a printing machine is distributed to a plurality of bins of a bin unit by a sheet discharging means, and the sorting process is performed. It is supposed to do. The bin unit is configured by providing a plurality of trays in a vertically superposed state, and the number of bins (sheet storage spaces having the trays as bottom surfaces) is formed by the number of trays. In order to distribute a plurality of sheets to each bin by the above-described stack configuration of the bin unit, it is necessary to make the sheet discharging means correspond to the designated bin of the bin unit every time the sheet is discharged from the image forming apparatus. The corresponding methods are roughly classified into a bin moving method in which the position of the sheet discharging means is fixed and the bin unit is moved in the vertical direction, and a deflector moving method in which the position of the bin unit is fixed and the sheet discharging means is moved in the vertical direction. (For example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-2749).
No. 106).

When a sheet discharged from the printing press is conveyed to a bin by connecting a sorter to the printing press, the deflector moving method has a configuration as shown in FIG. 7, for example. As shown in FIG. 7, the printed paper 102 discharged from the printing press 100 is transferred to an intermediate transport unit 106 of a sorter 104,
Horizontal transport unit 108, deflection guide plate 109, vertical transport unit 11
0, it reaches the bin via the deflection claw 112 constituting the sheet discharging means. The intermediate transport unit 106 moves up and down under the control of a motor, stops at the upper position when sorting, and transfers the paper 102 to the horizontal transport unit 108. When sorting is not performed, the sheet 102 stops at the lower position indicated by the broken line and guides the sheet 102 to the non-sorting unit 114 as in the normal print mode.

In an image forming apparatus to which a sorter can be connected, or an image forming apparatus integrally having such a sorter configuration, a "sort mode" for performing sorting and a "sort mode" in which a sorter is used in the same manner as a normal printing machine without sorting. There is a "non-sort mode", which can be arbitrarily selected by the mode selection means. By the way, paper size and paper thickness are well known as conditions for paper used in the sort mode, that is, conditions for paper that can be conveyed in the sorter. When the paper size is always detected by the printing press, if a paper size other than the specified size is set, a warning is issued to prevent the paper size other than the specified size from entering the sorter. Had been prevented.

On the other hand, as for the paper thickness, there is no mechanism or control for detecting the paper thickness at the stage when the paper is set in the printing press. Therefore, the specification is that “only standard paper can be sorted” or “・ Kg paper ~ ... kg paper. "

[0006]

In the case of a sorter of the deflector moving type, as shown in FIG. 7, it is physically impossible to limit the paper transport path to only one direction such as horizontal transport, as shown in FIG. Impossible. That is, in order to sort the paper into each bin, it is absolutely necessary to switch the transport direction of the paper on the way. In FIG. 7, the configuration is such that the horizontal transport is switched to the vertical transport via the deflection guide plate 109, and the vertical transport is further switched to the horizontal transport via the deflection claw 112. Not only the deflector movement method,
Even in the case of the bin moving method, it is often necessary to switch the transport direction under the influence of conditions such as the configuration of the sorter and the orientation of the image plane. Generally, the sorter is designed in accordance with the paper discharge configuration of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, in consideration of the downsizing of the sorter and the like, a configuration in which the transport direction is switched cannot be avoided in order to achieve this.

In an image forming apparatus having a sorter provided with such a mechanism for switching the transport direction, the thickness of the sheet must be limited as a condition for normal sorting. If the paper is too thin, even if the transport direction is switched well, the operation of finally entering the bin depends on the momentum that has been transported. The paper jam may occur without being stored in the tray. If the paper is too thick, the paper may be too stiff and the leading edge of the paper may not be properly warped when the transport direction is switched, and the paper may not be properly stored in the bin and a jam may occur.

However, conventionally, since there is no mechanism or control for detecting the thickness of the sheet at the stage when the sheet is set as described above, even if the thick sheet is set in the sort mode, the thick sheet is not specified. Despite being there, paper was entering the sorter. Therefore, in such a case, when the start key is pressed, a jam occurs in the sorter inevitably. Furthermore, the printing machine (image forming apparatus) cannot judge that the cause of the jam is “due to the passing of an unspecified sheet”, so it merely warns that a jam has occurred, and the user has no problem. Unless the user notices the problem, there is a problem that the same operation is performed again by performing the same operation again after the jam processing is performed without understanding the cause or arbitrarily assuming that the cause is another reason.

It is a main object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the above-mentioned trouble when an unspecified sheet is set and improving workability in a sorting operation.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet sorting apparatus for sorting sheets on which images have been formed, a mode selecting means capable of arbitrarily selecting a sorting mode, In an image forming apparatus having a sheet type setting unit for setting a type of a sheet, a sorting mode is selected by the mode selection unit, and a thickness of an unspecified thickness that cannot be sorted by the sheet sorting device by the sheet type setting unit. When a sheet is set, a warning is issued without executing the sorting mode.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having a sheet sorting apparatus for sorting sheets on which images have been formed, a mode selecting means for arbitrarily selecting a sorting mode, and a sheet type setting means for setting the type of sheet. The apparatus has a sheet thickness detecting means for detecting the thickness of the sheet upstream of the sheet sorting apparatus in the sheet conveying direction, and the sheet thickness detecting means detects a sheet having an unspecified thickness that cannot be sorted by the sheet sorting apparatus. In such a case, the sorting mode is stopped, the sheet is returned to the position before sheet feeding, and a warning is issued.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet sorting apparatus for sorting sheets on which images have been formed, and an image forming apparatus having mode selection means for arbitrarily selecting a sorting mode. A sheet thickness detecting means for detecting the thickness of the sheet is provided upstream, a sorting mode is selected by the mode selecting means, and a sheet having a thickness outside the specified range which cannot be sorted by the sheet sorting apparatus is detected by the sheet thickness detecting means. Then, the sorting mode is stopped, the sheet is returned to the position before sheet feeding, and a warning is issued.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having a sheet sorting apparatus for sorting sheets on which images have been formed, and a mode selecting means capable of arbitrarily selecting a sorting mode. A sheet thickness detecting means for detecting the thickness of the sheet is provided upstream, a sorting mode is selected by the mode selecting means, and a sheet having a thickness outside the specified range which cannot be sorted by the sheet sorting apparatus is detected by the sheet thickness detecting means. When it is done, the sorting mode is stopped and a warning is issued.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the second, third or fourth aspect, the sheet thickness detecting means includes:
It is provided near the downstream of the sheet feeding means for feeding the sheet.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the first, second, and third aspects of the present invention are provided.
In the configuration described in 3, 4 or 5, the set sorting mode is automatically cleared before or after issuing the warning.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the sixth aspect, when the sorting mode is cleared, the mode automatically shifts to the non-sorting mode.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the first, second, and third aspects of the present invention are provided.
3. The configuration according to 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7, wherein an operation panel having a liquid crystal display unit is provided, and the warning is given by character display via the liquid crystal display unit.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the eighth aspect, the warning is accompanied by a warning sound.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention (an example in which a sorter moves by a deflector) will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a stencil printing apparatus 2 as an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a stencil printing apparatus main body 4 and a sorter 6 as a sheet sorting apparatus attached to the stencil printing apparatus main body 4. I have. The stencil printing apparatus main body 4 is
An automatic document feeder (F) 8, an image reading unit 10, a printing unit 12, and paper feeding units 14 and 16 are provided. An original (not shown) is automatically fed onto a contact glass (not shown) by the ADF 8, and the image of the sent original is read by the image reading means 10. In the printing unit 12, based on the image information read by the image reading unit 10, the master makes a perforated plate making by a thermal head in a plate making unit (not shown). The master made is wound around the outer peripheral surface of a plate cylinder 18 having ink supply means (not shown) therein.

In the sheet feeding means 14, sheets P as sheets stored in a stacked state on a sheet feeding table 14a are fed by sheet feeding rollers 14b.
The sheet is fed one by one from the uppermost one by a separation pad (not shown). Similarly, in the sheet feeding means 16, similarly, sheets P as sheets stored in a stacked state on the sheet feeding table 16 a are fed one by one from a top one by a sheet feeding roller 16 b and a separation pad (not shown). ing. Sheet thickness detecting means 20 and 21 for detecting the thickness of the sheet P are provided near the downstream of the sheet feeding rollers 14b and 16b in the sheet conveying direction, respectively. The sheet thickness detecting means 20 and 21 include a light emitting member and a light amount detecting sensor facing the light emitting member, and detect the thickness of the sheet P based on a change in the transmitted light amount.

Paper P fed from paper feeding means 14 and 16
Is temporarily stopped by the pair of registration rollers 22 and corrected for oblique displacement or the like, and then sent at a predetermined timing to the nip portion between the plate cylinder 18 and the press roller 24 pressed against the cylinder by the pair of registration rollers 22. When the paper P is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the plate cylinder 18 by the press roller 24, ink supplied from an ink supply unit (not shown) provided in the plate cylinder 18 oozes out from a perforated portion of a master (not shown) and the paper P Transfer to the top and print is made. Printed paper P
Is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the plate cylinder 18 by a separating member (not shown), and is transported by the suction transporting unit 26. The sheet P conveyed by the suction conveyance unit 26 is
And enter the sorter 6.

The sheet P that has entered the sorter 6 is fed to the intermediate transport section 30, the horizontal transport section 32, and the deflecting guide plate 3 of the sorter 6.
4. The transport path is switched via the vertical transport units 36 and 38 and the deflecting claws 40 and 42 constituting the sheet discharging means, and finally reaches the bins of the bin units 44 and 46. The printed paper P is stored in the bin with its image side down. The sheet discharging means (not shown) integrally having the deflection claw 40 moves up and down to expand the sheet entrance of the designated bin, and in this state, the sheet P enters the designated bin by the deflection claw 40. A sheet discharging means (not shown) having the deflection claw 42 integrally performs the same operation. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the first bin at the bottom of the bin units 44 and 46 is designated.

The intermediate transport section 30 moves up and down under the control of a motor.
To the horizontal transport unit 32. When sorting is not performed, the sheet P is stopped at the lower position indicated by the broken line, and the sheet P is guided to the sheet discharge tray 48 as a non-sorting section as in the normal print mode. Although not shown, the belts constituting the vertical transport units 36 and 38 are provided with a large number of holes, and the paper P is transported in a state in which the paper P is in close contact with the belt by the suction action of a fan 50 provided on the back side.

As shown in FIG. 2, the stencil printer main body 4 is provided with control means 52 as a main controller. The control means 52 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM,
It is a microcomputer including an I / O interface and the like, and controls a printing operation and the like of the stencil printing apparatus main body 4 based on information input through the operation panel 54. The control means 52 includes sheet thickness detecting means 20 and 21.
, And the control means 52 controls the rotation of the sheet feed rollers 14b and 16b based on the information.

As shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel 54 is provided with a liquid crystal display section 56, a plate making start key 58, a printing start key 60 and the like (claim 7). Liquid crystal display 5
6 is provided with surface switches 62 (standard), 64 (thick paper), and 66 (special) as sheet type setting means for selecting and inputting the type of paper P based on the thickness. Surface switches 68 (sort mode) and 70 (non-sort mode) are provided as mode selection means for setting the mode. The liquid crystal display unit 56
Is provided with a warning area 72 for warning the operator.

Next, the stencil printing apparatus 2 of the present embodiment
The control operation in the sort mode (sort mode) will be described. First, the setting error prevention control at the setting stage on the operation panel 54 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the control means 52 checks whether or not the sort mode is set (S1). If the operator presses the surface switch 68 to set the sort mode, the control means 52 sets a sort flag (S1). S2). Next, it is checked whether or not the thick paper is set (S3). When the operator presses the surface switch 64 to set the thick paper, the sort flag is cleared (S4). After clearing the sort flag,
As shown in FIG. 5, the control means 52 issues a warning in the warning area 72, for example, by displaying characters such as "sorter and cardboard cannot be set at the same time" (S5) (claims 1 and 5).
The clearing of the sort flag may be performed after the warning or at the same time as the warning. Further, in order to make the warning to the operator more effective, a warning sound such as a buzzer (not shown) may be issued simultaneously with a warning sound (claim 8). In the case of the non-sort mode (non-sorting mode) in S1, the control unit 52 clears the sort flag (S1).
6).

Next, the control means 52 controls the print start key 6
It is checked whether 0 has been turned on (S7), and if it has been turned on, it is checked whether the sort flag has been set (S8). If the sort flag is set, processing is performed in the sort mode (S
9). In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate transport unit 30 is positioned at an upper position indicated by a solid line. As shown in FIG. 4, when the sort flag is not set, the process is performed in the non-sort mode (S10). In this case, the intermediate conveyance unit 30 is positioned at the broken line position shown in FIG. 1, and the printed paper P discharged from the stencil printing apparatus main body 4 is
The paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 48 with the image surface facing upward and stacked.

As shown by S4 in FIG. 4, when the sort mode is set and the thick paper is set, the sort flag is forcibly cleared by the control means 52. Even if the print start key 60 is turned on, the processing in the sort mode is not performed, and the mode automatically shifts to the non-sort mode (claim 6). For this reason, it is possible to prevent the unspecified paper P from entering the sorter 6, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a jam due to the non-defined paper P entering the sorter 6. As shown in FIG. 3, the special paper of the surface switch 66 is a non-standard thin paper.
When the sort mode is set and the surface switch 66 is pressed, a warning similar to that shown in FIG. 5 is issued.

Even if the operator presses the surface switch 62 of the standard paper (specified paper), the paper P actually stored in the paper feeding means 14 or 16 may be a non-specified paper not corresponding thereto. The control for preventing the non-standard paper from entering the sorter 6 in such a case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The description of the same parts as those in the flowchart of FIG. 4 will be omitted. The control means 52 checks whether the print start key 60 has been turned on (S
1) If it is turned on, it is checked whether the sort flag is set (S2). If the sort flag is not set, the feed rollers 14b or 16
b is driven to start sheet feeding (S3), and processing is performed in the non-sort mode (S4).

If the sort flag is set, the sheet feeding roller 14b or 16b is driven to start sheet feeding (S5), and the detection signal of the sheet thickness detecting means 20 or 21 is checked. This detection signal and a ROM (not shown)
Is compared with the paper thickness data stored therein to determine whether the paper is thick paper (or whether it is thin paper) (S6), and if it is not a specified thick paper, processing is performed in the sort mode (S7). In the case of thick paper, the feeding roller 14b or 16b is controlled to stop feeding (S8), and then the feeding roller 14b or 16b
Is rotated in the reverse direction to return the paper P to the paper feed table 14a or 16a (S9). Next, the sort flag is cleared (S10), and a warning similar to that shown in FIG. 5 is issued (S11) (claim 2). Also in this case, the clearing of the sort flag may be performed after the warning or at the same time as the warning. Further, in order to make the warning to the operator more effective, a warning sound such as a buzzer (not shown) may be simultaneously generated to generate a warning sound. A warning may be issued immediately without returning the sheet P to the sheet supply table 14a or 16a after the sheet supply is stopped (claim 4).

If the control method for judging the thickness of the paper P actually fed based on the detection information of the sheet thickness detecting means 20 or 21 is used, the setting of the type of the paper P on the operation panel 54 by the operator is possible. Proper, paper feeding means 14 or 1
Even if the paper P actually stored in the sheet 6 is different from the set one, it is possible to prevent the unspecified paper P from entering the sorter 6, and the unspecified paper P enters the sorter 6. Accordingly, occurrence of a jam can be prevented.

Even in an image forming apparatus in which the sheet type setting means does not exist on the operation panel 54, if the sheet thickness detecting means 20 or 21 is provided as described above, the operator can erroneously move to the sheet feeding table or the sheet feeding cassette. Even if a sheet of an unspecified type is set, it is possible to prevent the sheet from entering the sorter 6 and to prevent the occurrence of a jam due to the entry. ).

In the above embodiment, the case where the sorter 6 is of the deflector moving type has been described. However, the same can be applied to the case where the sorter 6 is of the bin moving type. Further, the example in which the sorter 6 is attached to the stencil printing apparatus main body 4 has been described. Also, sheet thickness detecting means 2
0 and 21 are not limited to the type that detects the amount of light transmission, and light reflection type may be used.

[0034]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the sorting mode is selected and a sheet of a different thickness is set, a warning is issued without executing the sorting mode. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a jam due to an unspecified sheet entering the sheet sorting apparatus. In addition, since the interruption due to the jam can be avoided, the workability in the sorting operation can be improved. Further, since the operator can correctly recognize the cause of the warning, it is possible to prevent the same error from being repeated.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, even if the type of the actually fed sheet is different from the set type of sheet, the occurrence of a jam due to the sheet entering the sheet sorting apparatus is generated. Can be prevented. In other words, even if there is a mistake in the selection of the sheet type when the operator sets the sheet on the sheet feeding table or the sheet feeding cassette, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a jam. In addition, since the interruption due to the jam can be avoided, the workability in the sorting operation can be improved. Further, since the operator can correctly recognize the cause of the warning, it is possible to prevent the same error from being repeated.

According to the third or fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a jam due to an erroneous selection of a sheet type in setting by an operator on a sheet feeding table or a sheet feeding cassette. In addition, since the interruption due to the jam can be avoided, the workability in the sorting operation can be improved. Further, since the operator can correctly recognize the cause of the warning, it is possible to prevent the same error from being repeated.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the sheet thickness detecting means is provided near the downstream of the sheet feeding means, the returning distance when a sheet outside the specified range is detected is short.
Therefore, the return operation can be performed quickly and reliably.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the sorting mode set after the warning is issued is automatically cleared, so that a jam due to an unspecified sheet entering the sheet sorting apparatus. Can be reliably prevented.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the sorting mode is cleared, the mode automatically shifts to the non-sorting mode, so that an unspecified sheet enters the sheet sorting apparatus. The occurrence of a jam can be prevented, and work interruption can be avoided.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the warning is given by character display via the liquid crystal display of the operation panel, the warning can be issued without providing a dedicated facility. Cost can be reduced.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the warning is accompanied by a warning sound, the degree of recognition of the warning by the operator can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a stencil printing apparatus as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a main part of an operation panel.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a control operation.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a main part of the operation panel when a warning is issued.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a control operation when a sheet thickness detecting means is provided.

FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of an image forming apparatus having a conventional sorter.

[Explanation of symbols]

20, 21 Sheet thickness detecting means 54 Operation panel 56 Liquid crystal display 62, 64, 66 Surface switch 68, 70 as sheet type setting means Surface switch as mode selecting means P Paper as sheet

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a sheet sorting apparatus for sorting sheets on which images have been formed; a mode selecting means for arbitrarily selecting a sorting mode; and a sheet type setting means for setting a sheet type. Sorting mode is selected by means,
Further, when the sheet type setting unit sets a sheet having a thickness of a non-specified thickness that cannot be sorted by the sheet sorting apparatus, a warning is issued without executing the sorting mode. 2. An image forming apparatus comprising: a sheet sorting apparatus for sorting sheets on which images have been formed; a mode selecting means for arbitrarily selecting a sorting mode; and a sheet type setting means for setting a type of sheet. A sheet thickness detecting means for detecting the thickness of the sheet upstream of the sheet sorting apparatus in the above, when the sheet thickness detecting means detects a sheet having a thickness outside the specified range which cannot be sorted by the sheet sorting apparatus, the sorting mode An image forming apparatus which stops printing, returns a sheet to a position before sheet feeding, and issues a warning. 3. An image forming apparatus comprising: a sheet sorting apparatus for sorting an image-formed sheet; and an image forming apparatus having a mode selecting means capable of arbitrarily selecting a sorting mode, wherein a sheet thickness is set upstream of the sheet sorting apparatus in a sheet conveying direction. When the sorting mode is selected by the mode selecting means, and the sheet thickness detecting means detects a sheet having an unspecified thickness that cannot be sorted by the sheet sorting device, the sorting is performed. An image forming apparatus which stops a mode, returns a sheet to a position before sheet feeding, and issues a warning. 4. An image forming apparatus having a sheet sorting apparatus for sorting an image-formed sheet and a mode selecting means capable of arbitrarily selecting a sorting mode, wherein a sheet thickness is set upstream of the sheet sorting apparatus in a sheet conveying direction. When the sorting mode is selected by the mode selecting means, and the sheet thickness detecting means detects a sheet having an unspecified thickness that cannot be sorted by the sheet sorting device, the sorting is performed. An image forming apparatus which stops a mode and issues a warning. 5. An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said sheet thickness detecting means is provided near a downstream of a sheet feeding means for feeding a sheet. . 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the set sorting mode is automatically cleared before or after the warning is issued. Image forming apparatus. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when the sorting mode is cleared, the mode automatically shifts to a non-sorting mode. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an operation panel having a liquid crystal display, wherein said warning is displayed via said liquid crystal display. An image forming apparatus characterized by being displayed. 9. An image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said warning is accompanied by a warning sound.