JP2001316036A - Punching device and image formation system using it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a punching device used for punching a sheet and capable of avoiding trouble that filing becomes troublesome or punching is not carried out to a desired sheet by punching so-called 'prepunched paper' by controlling the punching in a punching device depending on whether the punching hole is already formed in the sheet or not and to provide an image formation system using it. SOLUTION: In this punching device for punching the sheet, the purpose is accomplished by providing a recognizing means for recognizing whether the punched hole is already formed in the sheet or not, and a control means for controlling the punching process in the punching device based on the recognition result of the recognizing means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a punching apparatus used for an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a laser printer, and a facsimile, and an image forming system using the punching apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as an image forming apparatus such as the above-described copying machine or laser printer, or a post-processing apparatus used in combination with the image forming apparatus, an apparatus provided with a perforation processing apparatus has been widely used. With this perforation processing apparatus, a complicated perforation operation for filing a sheet is automated. for that reason,
Various techniques disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 9-286561 and Japanese Patent No. 2894269 have already been proposed as the perforation processing apparatus.

On the other hand, although the amount of demand is not so large, paper having a hole for filing in advance, that is, "pre-punched paper" is also distributed. When an image is formed by the image forming apparatus using such “pre-punched paper”, naturally, the automatic punching processing by the punching processing apparatus is not required.

[0004]

However, the prior art described above has the following problems. That is, as an image forming apparatus such as the above-described conventional copying machine or laser printer, or a post-processing apparatus used in combination with the image forming apparatus, an apparatus provided with a perforation processing apparatus has been frequently used. However, in this perforation processing apparatus, regardless of the type of a sheet such as a sheet, even if it is a normal sheet or a "pre-punched paper" in which a hole for filing is previously formed, It is configured to perform a specified punching process. Therefore, when the user forms an image using “pre-punched paper” with the image forming apparatus and the punching processing is specified in the punching processing apparatus, the punching processing is performed again even though the paper already has holes. The holes are expanded due to misalignment between the holes that have been opened in advance and the holes that have been opened by the perforation process, and there is a problem that filing is hindered.

Therefore, a paper processing apparatus for reusable paper which can discriminate whether or not to process a sheet based on the presence or absence of a punch hole or the number of punch holes, or can align the direction of the punch hole of the processed sheet. The technology that provides
There is one disclosed in JP-A-8-59048.

[0006] The paper processing apparatus for recycled paper according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-59048 performs a predetermined process in a processing unit on recycled paper fed from a paper feeding unit, and discharges the paper to a paper discharging unit. A detecting unit having at least one detecting unit for detecting a binding hole on a sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit, and a sheet between the detecting unit and the processing unit. A second paper discharge unit for discharging paper without performing processing by the processing unit connected to a transport path, a switching unit for switching a paper transport direction to the processing unit or the second paper discharge unit, Control means for switching the switching means based on the detection result of the detection unit and controlling the reusable paper fed from the paper supply unit to be conveyed to the processing unit or the second paper discharge unit. It is composed.

[0007] However, in the case of the paper processing apparatus for recycled paper according to the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-59048, whether or not to reuse the paper is switched depending on whether or not the paper has punch holes. Since it is not a device that performs punching processing on paper, even if there is a punch hole in the paper,
There are cases where it is necessary to perform the perforation processing again and cases where it is not necessary to perform the perforation processing again, and there is a problem that it is not possible to cope with these various perforation processings.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a punching apparatus for punching a sheet. By controlling the perforation processing in the perforation processing apparatus depending on whether or not a hole is formed, so-called “pre-punched paper” is perforated to make filing difficult or to perform perforation processing on a desired sheet. An object of the present invention is to provide a perforation processing apparatus capable of avoiding the disadvantage of not being perforated and an image forming apparatus using the same.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a punching apparatus for punching a sheet, which recognizes whether or not a punch hole is already formed in the sheet. And a control means for controlling a punching process in the punching processing device based on a recognition result of the recognition means.

Further, in the invention described in claim 2, the control means prohibits the punching process when the recognition means recognizes that a punch hole is already formed in the sheet. 2. The perforation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

Further, in the invention described in claim 3, the recognition means comprises detection means for detecting a punch hole formed in the sheet, wherein the recognition means comprises a detection means for detecting a punch hole formed in the sheet. is there.

Further, in the invention described in claim 4, the detecting means detects at least one or more of the number, position, and hole diameter of the punch holes formed in the sheet. The punching apparatus according to claim 3, wherein

In the invention described in claim 5, it is possible to form a desired image on a sheet and set a punching mode for performing a punching process on the sheet on which the image is formed. In a possible image forming system, a recognition unit that recognizes whether or not a punch hole has already been formed in the sheet, and a control unit that controls a punching process in the punching apparatus based on a recognition result of the recognition unit. An image forming system comprising:

Further, in the invention described in claim 6, the recognizing means comprises a setting means for setting a type of a sheet fed from a sheet feeding tray, and based on a setting result by the setting means, 6. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein it is recognized whether or not a punched hole has already been formed in the sheet fed from the sheet feeding tray.

Further, in the invention described in claim 7, the setting means can set at least one or more of the number, position, and hole diameter of punch holes formed in the sheet. 7. The image forming system according to claim 6, wherein:

Further, in the invention described in claim 8, when the sheet on which the image is to be formed has already been punched, the setting of the perforation processing mode is not accepted. It is an image forming system described in the above.

Further, in the invention according to the ninth aspect, when a punching mode is set when a punch hole is already formed in the sheet on which the image is to be formed, a warning is issued. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein

In the image forming system according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the recognizing means includes a detecting means for detecting a punch hole formed in the sheet. is there.

Further, in the invention described in claim 11, when there is a difference between a detection result by the detecting means and a mode in which punching is possible, a punching processing mode can be set. The image forming system according to claim 10, wherein

Still further, in the invention according to claim 12, there is provided a comparing means for comparing the detection result of the detecting means with the positional relationship of the punched hole with the perforable mode. 12. The image forming system according to claim 11, wherein the punching process is enabled only when a predetermined condition is satisfied as a result.

Furthermore, in the invention described in claim 13, the predetermined condition is that the punch holes do not overlap and are separated by a predetermined value or more. Image forming system.

In the invention described in claim 14, a desired image is formed on a sheet, and a punching mode for performing a punching process on the sheet on which the image is formed is set. In a possible image forming system, a recognition unit for recognizing whether or not a punch hole has already been formed in the sheet, and a perforation processing mode are received,
After the start of image formation, based on the recognition result of the recognition unit,
If it is determined that the punching process is not to be performed, control is performed such that the image forming operation is continued until a predetermined break, the sheet is passed without performing the punching process, and the image forming operation is temporarily stopped at a predetermined timing. An image forming system comprising:

Further, in the invention according to the fifteenth aspect, the case where the punching process is not performed means that the recognition result of the punched hole of the sheet by the recognition means substantially matches the punched hole information of the punching mode. The image forming system according to claim 14, wherein:

[0024] In the invention described in claim 16, the predetermined break for continuing the image forming operation is defined as:
15. The image forming system according to claim 14, wherein the set is a set of sheets on which an image is formed.

Further, according to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, a desired image is formed on a sheet, and a punching mode for performing a punching process on the sheet on which the image is formed is set. In a possible image forming system, a recognizing means for recognizing whether or not a punch hole has already been formed in the sheet, and a recognition result of the recognizing means, and when the perforation processing mode is different, a specified perforation processing mode The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein

[0026]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus constituting an image forming system to which a punching apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied.

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an ADF (Auto Document Feed) image of a document (not shown).
r) or an image input unit to which a series of image information is input from a host computer or the like. The image input unit 1 outputs image information to the laser scanning unit 2. The laser scanning unit 2 irradiates a laser beam on the photosensitive drum 3 uniformly charged in advance by the primary charger 4 based on image information at one or two exposure positions according to an image forming mode. Thus, an electrostatic latent image is formed. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 3 is developed by a developing device 5 and / or a developing device 6 with toners of different colors as necessary. Further, the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 3 is supplied from a paper storage unit 9 of a paper supply unit 10 (paper supply tray), and is fed onto a recording paper S fed at a predetermined timing by a registration roll 11. Is transferred by the transfer roll 7. Recording paper S on which this toner image has been transferred
Is transported to the fixing device 13 by the transport belt 12,
The fixing device 13 fixes the toner image on the recording paper S by heat and pressure. The recording sheet S on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to the outside of the apparatus through a discharge path 16 through a discharge path 16 according to an image forming mode, or is fed into a feed path 17 or a feed path 18 by a sheet reversing mechanism 14. If necessary, the paper is discharged from the discharge roll 15 to the image forming portion of the photosensitive drum 3 via the double-sided / multiple-recording path 26 in a state where the transport direction and the front and back are reversed as necessary. The sheet is conveyed and double-sided or multiple recording is performed.

After the image forming step is completed, the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 is cleaned by a cleaning device 8 to remove residual toner and the like, so as to be ready for the next image forming step.

FIG. 2 shows a sheet reversing mechanism of the image forming apparatus.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 14 denotes a sheet reversing mechanism provided at a discharge section of the image forming apparatus, and a sheet reversing mechanism is provided between the transport roll 13a and the discharge roll 15 of the fixing device 13 of the image forming apparatus. A discharge passage 16 is formed in a straight line obliquely upward, and below the discharge passage 16, a feed passage 17 extending obliquely downward from an upstream side of the discharge passage 16 in the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S. And a delivery passage 18 extending obliquely downward from the downstream side of the discharge passage 16 in the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S, are arranged so as to form a substantially triangular shape. A switching member 27 for switching the recording sheet S discharged from the fixing unit 13 between the discharge passage 16 and the feed passage 17 is provided at the entrance of the discharge passage 16 and the feed passage 17.
Are arranged so as to be tiltable.

The feeding path 1 of the sheet reversing device 14
A tri-roll 19, which constitutes a part of the sheet reversing device 14, is disposed between the sheet 7 and the delivery path 18. The tri-roll 19 is such that the nip between the first driven roll 19A and the driving roll 19B is located in the feed passage 17 and the nip between the driving roll 19B and the driven roll 19C is located in the delivery passage 18. The driven roll 19A, the driving roll 19B, and the driven roll 19C are arranged in a state where they are pressed against each other.

Further, the inlet passage 17 and the outlet passage 18
As shown in FIG. 2, a reversing passage 25 is connected to the lower end of the merging portion located at the lower end of the reversing passage 25 in an inclined state. 25A and a double-sided / multiple-recording path 26 are formed so as to be branched. A switching member 20 for switching the transport direction of the recording paper S is disposed at a branch between the drawing-in portion 25A and the duplex / multi-recording passage 26, and a lower end of the switching member 20 has a mylar sheet or the like. A shield plate 31 made of a synthetic resin film is provided to project downward. The switching member 20 is arranged so that the shield plate 31 comes to a position shown in the drawing in a normal state. A forward / reverse rotation roll 21 and a pinch roll 22 for transporting the recording paper S are disposed at the upper end of the draw-in section 25A so as to be able to press against each other. This pinch roll 22
The pressure contact state with the forward / reverse rotation roll 21 can be released by the solenoid 24 via the link 23.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 23A indicates a fulcrum of the link 23, reference numeral 24A indicates an operating rod of the solenoid 24, and reference numeral 29 indicates a detection unit of the recording paper detection sensor 28.

In the sheet reversing mechanism 14 configured as described above, a sheet reversing operation is performed as follows.

In the single-sided copy normal discharge mode of the image forming apparatus, the driving motor for driving the driving roll 19B of the tri-roll 19 of the sheet reversing mechanism 14 is stopped, and as shown in FIG. In a state where the switching member 27 disposed in the section is lowered, the fixing device 1
The recording paper S, which has been subjected to the fixing process in Step 3, passes above the switching member 27 via the discharge path 16 and is directly discharged to the discharge roll 15.
From the device.

In the one-sided copy reversal discharge mode of the image forming apparatus, the triroll 1
9 is driven, and the driven roll 19A of the tri-roll 19 and the driving roll 1B are driven.
9B and the driven roll 19C are driven to rotate. The switching member 27 disposed in the discharge passage 16 is, as shown in FIG.
It is pulled up by a solenoid (not shown), and is switched from the discharge passage 16 to the inlet passage 17. The transport direction of the recording paper S subjected to the fixing process by the fixing device 13 is switched by the switching member 27, and
7 and is guided to a nip portion composed of a driven roll 19A and a driving roll 19B located in the feed passage 17 and is driven in a normal rotation state via a reversing passage 25 by a driving force of the driving roll 19B. It is guided to the forward / reverse rotation roll 22.
As a result, the recording sheet S is once guided into the reversing passage 25, but the upper end of the recording sheet S is located above the lower end of the shield plate 31 of the switching member 20.

The upper end of the recording sheet S once guided into the reversing path 25 by the forward / reverse roll 22 is located above the lower end of the shield plate 31 of the switching member 20. The roll is conveyed again to the reversing passage 25 by the forward / reverse rotation roll 22, and is guided to a nip portion composed of a driving roll 19 </ b> B and a driven roll 19 </ b> C disposed in the delivery passage 18 via the reversing passage 25, and is driven by Is conveyed to the discharge roll 15 by the conveyance force of.

Further, in the double-sided copying mode in the image forming apparatus, the driving motor for driving the driving roll 19B of the tri-roll 19 of the sheet reversing mechanism 14 is driven, and the driven roll 19A and the driving roll 19B of the tri-roll 19 are driven. The switching member 27 disposed in the discharge passage 16 is lifted upward by a solenoid (not shown) as shown in FIG. 2, and is switched from the discharge passage 16 to the inlet passage 17. The operation until the roll is guided to the forward / reverse roll 22 in the forward rotation state is the same as that in the single-sided copy reverse discharge mode. When the reversal timing of the recording paper S is delayed from the one-sided copy reversal discharge mode, the upper end of the recording paper S is at the lower end of the switching member 20 disposed at the branch between the reversing path 25 and the duplex / multiplex recording path 26. The switching member 20 is switched to the double-sided / multiplex recording path 26 by its own weight.
Therefore, the recording sheet S conveyed again by the forward / reverse roll 22 in the reverse rotation state is conveyed via the switching member 20 to the double-sided / multiple recording path 26 with the surface on which the toner image is formed facing up. . The recording sheet S is conveyed again to the image forming section with the surface on which the toner image is formed down, via a double-sided / multiple recording path 26 formed so as to be bent and folded. On the back surface of S, a toner image is formed. Subsequent operations are the same as those in the single-sided copy normal discharge mode.
After passing through the fixing device 13, the paper is discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the discharge roll 15 via the discharge passage 16.

Incidentally, if necessary, in the case of the single-sided multiple recording mode, the recording paper S on which the toner image is formed on one side is used.
However, the surface on which the toner image is formed is transferred to the photosensitive drum 3 via the reversing passage 25 and the duplex / multiplex recording passage 26 without being conveyed to the retracting portion 25A of the reversing passage 25 by switching of the switching member 20. Is conveyed again to the image forming section so that the toner image is transferred on the surface of the recording paper S in a multiplex manner, and is discharged in the same manner as in the single-sided copy normal discharge mode.

FIG. 3 shows a post-processing apparatus used in combination with the above-mentioned image forming apparatus. These image forming apparatuses and post-processing devices constitute an image forming system.

In FIG. 3, the post-processing apparatus 40 includes a sheet S on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus on a surface (left side in FIG. 3 of the post-processing apparatus 40) connected to the image forming apparatus (not shown). A sheet entrance 41 for carrying in the sheet is provided. In the sheet entrance 41, a carry-in roll 42 is arranged. A sheet loop absorption path 44 is provided in the middle of a sheet carry-in path 43 connected to the carry-in roll.
Immediately thereafter, a registration roll 45 for correcting the skew of the sheet 41 is provided, and a punching device 46 for forming a punch on the sheet 41 is provided downstream thereof. Downstream of the perforation processing device 46, a transport roll 47 and a discharge roll 48 for controlling the stop of the sheet 41 during the perforation process are arranged. In addition, the above-mentioned perforation processing apparatus 4
The perforated waste of the sheet 41 perforated at 6 is accommodated in the perforated waste accommodating box 50 via the perforated waste receiving guide 49.

The sheet S conveyed from the sheet entrance 41 is conveyed from a discharge roll 48 to a compile tray (paper alignment tray) 51. The compile tray 51 is arranged so as to be inclined upward as it goes outward (to the right in FIG. 3). This compile tray 5
1 is provided with a pair of front and rear tampers (paper alignment members) 52 for aligning sheets in the front-rear direction. The left end of the compile tray 51 is configured as a sheet left end positioning member 53. Further, a stapler 54 is disposed on the left end side of the compile tray 51.

The stapler 54 has a needle driving section 55, a needle receiving section 56, a cam 57 and the like. The needle receiving portion 56 is disposed and fixed above the compile tray 51. When the cam 57 rotates, the staple driving portion 55 rotates upward and staples (staples) the sheet S stored in the compile tray 51 with the staple 58. At the right end of the compile tray 51, a sheet discharge device 60 is provided. The sheet discharging device 60 has a pair of upper and lower sheet discharging rolls 61 and 62. The swing arm 63 supporting the upper discharge roll 61 is urged downward by a tension spring 64 (held at a position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3).
When necessary, the solenoid 65 is held at an upper position (see a solid line position in FIG. 3). On the right side wall of the post-processing device 40, the upper sheet discharge roll 61 is provided.
A sheet discharge port 66 is formed adjacent to the lower sheet discharge roll 62. Then, the sheet discharge port 66
A stack tray 67 is arranged outside the box.

When the sheets S stored in the compile tray 51 are discharged to the stack tray 67, the upper sheet discharge roll 61 is rotatable at a position lowered (a position pressed toward the lower discharge roll 62). Held in state. The lower discharge roll 62 is driven to rotate clockwise in FIG. 1 when discharging the sheet S in the compile tray 51 to the stack tray 67. Further, the upper sheet discharge roll 61
Is a sheet S sequentially carried into the compile tray 51.
In order to align the left ends of the two, it is configured to be driven to rotate clockwise at the position lowered (see the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3). Such a state in which the upper sheet discharge roll 61 is rotatable and a state in which the upper sheet discharge roll 61 is rotationally driven can be switched by turning on and off a clutch (not shown).

The lower surface of the right end of the compile tray 51 is rotatably supported around a hinge shaft 68 supported by a frame of the post-processing device 40. For this reason,
The compile tray 51 is swingably supported around a hinge shaft 68. The compile tray 51 has a spring 69 at a predetermined position to the left of the hinge shaft 68.
, And is supported on the lower surface by the cam roller 70. Below the compile tray 51, a motor 71 for driving the cam roll 70 and a torque transmitting unit 72 for transmitting the torque of the motor 71 are arranged.
The cam roller 70 is an eccentric cam, and the position at which the compile tray 51 is supported moves up and down by the rotation of the cam roll 70. These cam roll 70 and motor 71
In addition, the rotational force transmitting section 72 constitutes means for forcibly changing the inclination angle of the compile tray 51.

When the stapling operation is performed on the sheets S stored in the compile tray 51, first, the compile tray 51 is raised by rotating the cam roll 70 so that the sheets S stored in the compile tray 51 are lifted. The distance between the upper surface of the stapler 54 and the needle receiver 56 of the stapler 54 is reduced. The rotation amount of the cam roller 70, that is, the rising amount of the compile tray 51, is determined according to the number of sheets stored in the compile tray 51. This allows
The lifting amount of the sheet S by the needle driving section 55 is reduced.

FIGS. 4 to 8 show a perforation processing device provided inside the above-mentioned post-processing device. In this punching apparatus, two types of punching processes, a two-hole punching process and a three-hole punching process, can be selectively executed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the perforation processing device 46 is disposed inside the post-processing device 40 on the upstream side of the transport path 43 for performing post-processing on the sheet S.
As shown in FIG. 4, the perforation processing device 46 includes a chute frame 76 including an upper chute 74 and a lower chute 75, and a sheet S is provided between the upper chute 74 and the lower chute 75. A slit-like passage 77 for passing therethrough is formed.

In the punching device 46, the sheet S
A first perforation mechanism 78 for perforating holes and a second perforation mechanism 79 for perforating three holes are provided integrally. The first drilling mechanism 78 includes a two-hole drilling blade 80.
And a two-hole cam 8 for driving these two-hole drilling blades 80.
1 and a compression spring 82 for pressing the upper end of the two-hole drilling blade 80 against the two-hole cam 81. The two-hole punching blade 80 is arranged at a position symmetrical with respect to the center line of the sheet S at a predetermined distance in a direction orthogonal to the sheet S conveying direction. The second drilling mechanism 79 includes a three-hole drilling blade 83, a three-hole cam 84 for driving the three-hole drilling blade 83, and a three-hole cam 84.
And a compression spring 85 that urges in the direction. The three-hole piercing blade 83 is larger than the two-hole piercing blade 80 at a position corresponding to the center line of the sheet S and a position symmetrical with respect to the center line in a direction orthogonal to the sheet S conveying direction. A total of three are arranged at positions separated by a distance.

The two-hole piercing blade 80 and the three-hole piercing blade 83
As shown in FIG. 7, can move up and down through a chute frame 76 composed of an upper chute 74 and a lower chute 75. The upper chute 74 and the lower chute 75 are formed with through holes 86 and 87 corresponding to the diameters of the two-hole piercing blade 80 and the three-hole piercing blade 83, respectively. A receiving blade for the blades 80 and 83 is configured. The upper chute 77 is provided with a drilling blade guide member 88 for guiding the receiving blade. The sheet S passes through the passage 67 between the upper chute 64 and the lower chute 65 in the direction of arrow A. When the sheet S is in a stationary state, the perforation blades 80 and 83 penetrate and protrude from the sheet conveying surface. Thus, a perforation process is performed.

The two-hole piercing blade 80 and the three-hole piercing blade 8
As shown in FIG. 3, the punch waste of the sheet S subjected to the punching process by the punch 3 is such that the two-hole punching blade 80 and the three-hole punching blade 83 pass through the through hole 87 of the lower chute 75. Thus, the waste is collected in the punch waste collection box 50.

The two-hole cam 81 and the three-hole cam 84 are
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, they are attached to a common camshaft 90. The two-hole cam 81 and the three-hole cam 84 are each formed in a substantially elliptical shape. As shown in FIG. 7, the shape of the two-hole cam 81 and the shape of the three-hole cam 84 are the same, but the mounting position with respect to the cam shaft 90 is 180.
Different degrees. That is, the phase with respect to the rotation of the camshaft 90 is different by 180 degrees.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cam shaft 90 is rotatably supported by a bearing member 91 provided on the upper chute 75. A pulley 92 is attached to one end of the camshaft 90, and the rotation of the drive motor 93 is transmitted to the pulley 92 via a timing belt 94. In this embodiment, the drive motor 93
A DC motor or a pulse motor capable of normal rotation and reverse rotation is used. Also, one end of the cam shaft 90 is
As shown in FIG. 7, a light-shielding plate 95 that protrudes in the radial direction from the center of the cam shaft 90 is attached. A cam home sensor 96 and a cam position sensor 97 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the cam shaft 90. When the light blocking plate 95 faces the cam home sensor 96 or the cam position sensor 97, the cam home sensor 96 or the cam position sensor 97 Turns on.

In the punching device 46, by rotating the camshaft 90 in directions different from each other by 180 degrees,
The two-hole punching process and the three-hole punching process can be selectively executed, and the five-hole punching process can also be executed by rotating the cam shaft 90 by 360 degrees.

Further, a paper sensor 98 for detecting the entry of the sheet S is provided on the paper inlet side of the chute frame 74, as shown in FIG.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are explanatory views showing sheet hole detecting means provided in the post-processing apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 9, the sheet hole detecting means 100 is disposed near the downstream side of the carry-in roll 42 in the post-processing device 40. The sheet hole detecting means 100
10, a plurality of sensors 101a to 101a arranged along a direction orthogonal to the sheet S transport direction as shown in FIG.
01g. The plurality of sensors 101a-1
01g denotes sensors 101a and 101b for detecting two holes.
And three-hole detection sensors 101c, 101d, 101
e, 4-hole detection sensors 101a, 101b, 10
1f, 101g, and a sensor 10 for detecting two holes.
Reference numerals 1a and 101b also serve as sensors for detecting four holes. The sensor 101c also functions as a sensor that detects that the sheet S has been sent to the post-processing device 40. In this embodiment, the A4 horizontal feed 2,
Although the description has been made on the assumption that there are three or four holes, it goes without saying that it is possible to easily cope with various sheet sizes and hole modes by changing the position and number of the sensors or the type thereof.

When the sheet S is discharged from the image forming apparatus, a carry-in roll 42 is passed through the carry-in port 41 of the post-processing apparatus 40.
And is sent into the post-processing device 40.
When the sheet S passes through the sheet hole detecting means 100, the sensors 101a to 101 of the sheet hole detecting means 100
Based on g, whether or not there is a hole in the sheet S and the position and number of holes are detected. In this case, the sensors 101a to 101a
The rough hole diameter can be recognized from the time when 1 g has detected the hole and the sheet feeding speed. Since the diameter of the hole previously formed in the sheet S is determined to be, for example, φ6 mm or φ8 mm, the true hole diameter can be easily estimated based on the recognition result. Since the presence or absence of holes on the sheet S, the number of holes, the hole position, and the hole diameter can be determined from the detection result when the sheet is sent in S and passes the sensors 101a to 101g, the result is compared with the job mode, and the result is compared with the job mode. It is configured to control the punching process in response.

The sheet hole detecting means 100 may be provided not in the post-processing apparatus 40 but in the image forming apparatus (for example, upstream of the fixing device 13) as shown in FIG. The function is obtained. Although the sensor here is a reflection sensor, a transmission sensor in which a light emitter and a light receiver are vertically separated may be used.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing another sheet hole detecting means.

The sheet hole detecting means 100 is provided with an EL (electric luminescence) plate which is a light emitting means 102 on one side in a sheet conveying path in the image forming apparatus or the post-processing apparatus 40, and is opposed to the EL plate. Detection means 10
3 is provided so as to provide a contact type sensor. The detecting means 103 may be a general means used as a facsimile reading means or the like, and can cover the entire width (about 300 mm) of the sheet S, and detects all the various hole modes of various sheet sizes with one sensor. Is what you can do.

The light emitting means 102 and the light receiving means 103
Is an upper conveyance guide 104 that forms a conveyance path for the sheet S.
The light emitting means 102 is attached to the attachment member 106 so as to face up and down via the lower transport guide 105 and the light receiving means 103 is attached to the attachment member 1.
07. The sheet S formed by the upper transport guide 104 and the lower transport guide 105
An elastic member 108 for preventing the sheet S from being lifted is provided inside the conveyance path, so that holes in the sheet S can be detected with high accuracy.

The light emitting means 102 is the same as the above EL.
Anything other than a plate can be used. Further, a CCD sensor may be used as the detection means 103. However, since the CCD sensor is usually about 1 inch wide, one CCD sensor cannot cover the entire width of the sheet.
However, even when a CCD sensor or the like is used, it is possible to cover the entire width of the sheet by continuously arranging a plurality of sheets. If it is not necessary to cover the entire width of the sheet, it is needless to say that a plurality of fixed holes may be provided as described above.

FIGS. 12 to 15 show other examples of recognition means for recognizing whether or not a punch hole has already been formed in a sheet.

FIG. 12 shows a display section 110 of a control panel of the image forming apparatus. The display section 110 of the control panel presses a corresponding function according to a display screen to perform an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus. This specifies the post-processing operation in the post-processing device.
When the sheet set on the paper feed tray is pre-punched paper or the like having a punched hole, the display unit 110 of the control panel sets the hole information of the sheet S, and as a result, the sheet It has a function as a recognizing means for recognizing whether or not a punched hole has already been formed in S and the number of holes, the hole position, and the hole diameter.

Next, a specific setting procedure will be described with reference to FIGS. First, "basic" in FIG.
Selection is made by pressing the “specialty” screen with a finger from the “application” and “specialty” screens. Thereafter, the tray set in FIG. 13 is selected. Although FIG. 1 shows only one paper feed tray, a plurality of paper feed trays (for example, four paper feed trays) are actually mounted, and each paper feed tray has a size and a pre-punch. Sheets S of different types, such as paper, can be set.

Here, NO. The case where one tray is selected will be described as an example. Next, as shown in FIG. 1
Set the sheet information to be set on the tray. here,
The size of the set sheet and the presence or absence of holes (information on the pre-punched sheet) can be set. If the number of holes is not set, it is determined that the sheet has no holes. When the number of holes is set, as shown in FIG. 15, the hole diameter (φX.
X) The screen moves to a selection screen. Here, the hole diameter is set. By selecting other buttons in addition to the preset hole diameter, an arbitrary hole diameter can be input using a ten-key (not shown) provided on the control panel. . By performing the setting on this screen, the hole information of the sheet S is recognized by the image forming apparatus.

Incidentally, the sheet hole detecting means 100 may be provided in the sheet feeding tray. Here, the case where the sheet hole detecting means 100 is provided in the tray will be briefly described. The same method as described above can be used for the sheet hole detecting means 100. In the methods shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, basically, the arrangement of the detecting means substantially coincides with the hole position, so that the hole diameter cannot be determined, and only the presence or absence of the hole is detected. On the other hand, FIG.
In the case of using the method 1, it is possible to determine not only the presence or absence of a hole but also the diameter of the hole, thereby enabling higher-level control. This selection is made based on the design concept of the image forming system.

FIG. 16 shows the means for identifying the punching apparatus mounted on the post-processing apparatus.

In the image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG.
A dip switch 115 for identifying a punching means is provided on the control board. This setting is normally set at the time of shipment from the factory, but is appropriately changed later when a change occurs. From this 3-bit information, the presence / absence of the perforation processing device 46 and the perforable hole mode are recognized.

FIG. 17 is a principle block diagram of an electric circuit for controlling the operation of the image forming system.
In this embodiment, an electric circuit for controlling the operation of the post-processing device 40 is provided inside the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the image forming apparatus and the post-processing apparatus 40
Are electrically connected to each other via a control code (not shown). However, the present invention is not limited to this. Needless to say, an electric circuit for controlling the operation of the post-processing device 40 may be provided in the post-processing device 40 itself.

The control panel 120 is for inputting various instructions including the setting of the operation mode of the post-processing apparatus 40 to the image forming apparatus, and for displaying the input information and the operation state of the image forming apparatus. It is. From the control panel 120, an instruction as to whether or not to operate the perforation processing device 46 in the post-processing device 40, that is, an instruction as to whether or not to set the punch mode, whether to operate the perforation processing device 46 in the two-hole mode or as a three-hole operation The instruction to operate in the mode S, the discharge mode of the sheet S, the non-sort mode, the sort mode,
An instruction for selecting a stack mode is input.

The signal from the control panel 120 is
It is supplied to the microprocessor 121 together with input signals from the cam home sensor 96, the cam position sensor 97, the paper sensor 98, the sheet hole detecting means 100 and the like. Information on whether the punch mode has been set, information on whether the mode is the two-hole mode or the three-hole mode, information on the sheet discharge mode, and the like are stored in the RAM or the like in the microprocessor 121.

The microprocessor 121 controls the start and stop of the rotation of the punch motor 93 via the punch motor control circuit 122 and the direction of rotation in accordance with these input signals. To control the paper transport motor 124. Paper transport motor 124
Drives the rolls 42, 45, 47, 48, 62 and the like to rotate.

In the image forming system according to this embodiment having the above-described configuration, in the punching apparatus for punching a sheet as described below, it is determined whether or not a punch hole is already formed in the sheet. By controlling the perforation processing in the perforation processing apparatus, a so-called "
By performing perforation processing on the "pre-punched paper", it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that filing is difficult or a desired sheet is not perforated.

That is, in the image forming system provided with the punching device, first, the content of the image forming operation to be performed and the content of the post-processing operation are set on the control panel 120 of the image forming device. In the image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1, a desired image is formed on one or both sides of the sheet S fed from the sheet feeding tray. The sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus is carried into the post-processing apparatus 40 from the sheet entrance 41 as shown in FIG.

At this time, the microprocessor 121 of the image forming apparatus recognizes whether or not there is a hole in the sheet S based on the detection result of the sheet hole detecting means 100 as shown in FIG. 101). Then, the microprocessor 121 controls the sheet hole detecting means 100.
It is determined whether there is a hole in the sheet S based on the detection result (step 102). If there is no hole in the sheet S, the job set on the control panel including the punching process is executed (step 102). Step 103).

On the other hand, the microprocessor 121
If there is a hole in the sheet S, the set job mode is confirmed (step 104), and it is determined whether or not the punching process is included (step 105). The job set on the control panel 120 is executed (step 103), and when punching is included, the punching is prohibited (step 106).

As described above, by controlling the perforation processing in the perforation processing device 46 depending on whether or not a punch hole has already been formed in the sheet S, the so-called “pre-punched paper” is perforated. As shown in 19,
It is possible to avoid the inconvenience that filing becomes difficult or a desired sheet is not subjected to the perforation processing.

FIG. 20 shows a modification of the first embodiment.

In this modification, first, the contents of the image forming operation to be performed and the contents of the post-processing operation are set on the control panel 120 of the image forming apparatus. And
In the image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1, holes are already formed in the sheets S in all the sheet feeding trays according to the type of the sheet S fed from the sheet feeding tray set on the control panel 120. It is confirmed whether or not the pre-punched paper set is set (step 201). Then, the microprocessor 121 determines whether or not there is a tray with a hole setting (step 202). If there is no tray with a hole setting, the job set on the control panel 120 including the punching process is performed. Is executed (step 203).

On the other hand, the microprocessor 121
If there is a tray set with holes, the set job mode is confirmed (step 204), and it is determined whether or not punching processing is included (step 205). Executes the job set on the control panel 120 (step 20).
3) If a punching process is included, it is determined whether or not the sheet on the tray to be used has holes (step 20).
6). If the sheet on the tray to be used does not have a hole, the job set on the control panel 120 is executed (step 203), and if the sheet on the tray to be used has a hole, the punching process is prohibited. Or a warning is issued on the display section of the control panel to stop the punching process (step 207).

FIG. 21 shows another modification of the first embodiment.

In this modification, the sheet hole detecting means is provided in the sheet feeding tray, and the presence or absence of a hole in the sheet S is detected by the sheet hole detecting means provided in the sheet feeding tray. The control is performed in the same manner as in the example shown.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 22 shows another embodiment of the present invention.
The same parts as those in the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, if there is a difference between the detection result by the detection means and the perforable mode,
The configuration is such that the setting of the perforation processing mode is enabled.

Further, in the second embodiment, there is provided comparison means for comparing the detection result of the detection means with the positional relationship of the punched hole with the perforable mode. Only when the condition is satisfied, the punching process is enabled.

That is, in the second embodiment, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the presence or absence of a hole in the sheet S is detected by the setting of the control panel 120 (step 30).
1). Next, the microprocessor 121 determines whether or not there is a hole in the sheet S (step 302).
If there is no hole, the setting of the punching process is permitted (step 303).

On the other hand, the microprocessor 121
If it is determined that there is a hole in the sheet S, it is determined whether or not the number of holes in the sheet S is two (step 304). If the number of holes in the sheet S is two, a setting process is performed. Mode 2
It is determined whether it is a hole or not (step 305). If the processing mode to be set is two holes, the setting of the punching process is prohibited (step 306). If the processing mode to be set is not two holes, the setting of the punching process is permitted (step 3).
03).

Here, it is desirable to determine whether the processing mode to be set matches the number of holes as follows.

A method of determining the perforation prohibition mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 23 and 24.

Basically, the determination is made based on whether or not the recognized sheet hole 130 and the selected punching mode are substantially the same. However, there is a case where this is not enough, and the judgment is actually made in consideration of this. Specifically, "the holes do not overlap each other, but if the distance between the holes is small, there is a possibility that they will be broken and connected". In this case, there is a very possibility that filing will be hindered. Get higher. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 24, a perforation processing prohibition area 131 is further set outside the detected hole 130. Here, the detection hole 13
This is an example in which a 5 mm prohibited area 131 is provided on the entire outer circumference of 0. The microprocessor 121 uses the prohibited area 1
When the punching process is performed in the punching mode set to 31, it is determined whether or not there is an overlap. If there is an overlap, the selection of the process itself is prohibited or the execution of the process is prohibited.

Next, the microprocessor 121
If it is determined in step 304 that the number of holes in the sheet S is not two, it is determined whether the number of holes in the sheet S is three or not (step 307). In the case of, it is determined whether or not the processing mode to be set is three holes (step 308). If the processing mode to be set is three holes, the setting of the punching processing is prohibited (step 3).
06) If the processing mode to be set is not three holes, setting of the punching processing is permitted (step 303).

On the other hand, the microprocessor 121
If it is determined in step 307 that the number of holes in the sheet S is not three, it is determined whether the number of holes in the sheet S matches the set processing mode (step 309).
If the number of holes in the sheet S matches the processing mode to be set, the setting of the punching process is prohibited (step 306), and if the processing mode to be set is not three holes, the setting of the punching process is permitted (step 306). 303).

As described above, in the second embodiment, even if there is a hole in the sheet S, it is possible to meet the needs of a user who wants to perform another punching process on the sheet S. It is configured to determine whether or not the number of holes in the sheet S matches the number of holes in the set punching process mode, and if the two do not match, permit the punching process. In addition,
Even when the number of holes in the sheet S does not match the number of holes set in the perforation processing mode, a message asking the user whether or not to perform perforation processing is displayed on the control panel 120, and the user is confirmed. You may comprise so that a perforation process may be performed above.

The other configuration and operation are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Third Embodiment FIG. 25 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and described. A recognition unit for recognizing whether or not a punch hole has already been formed in a sheet, and a perforation processing mode is accepted. Based on the recognition result of the recognition unit after image formation is started, it is determined that the perforation processing is not to be performed. And control means for controlling to continue the image forming operation until a predetermined break, pass the sheet without performing the punching process, and temporarily stop the image forming operation at a predetermined timing. I have.

Here, the case where the punching process is not performed is, for example, the case where the recognition result of the punch hole of the sheet by the recognition means substantially matches the punch hole information in the punching process mode.

The predetermined section for continuing the image forming operation is, for example, one set of sheets on which an image is formed.

That is, in the third embodiment, FIG.
As shown in (1), the microprocessor 121 determines whether or not the mode is the punching mode (step 401). If the mode is not the punching mode, the designated job is executed (step 402). On the other hand, in the case of the perforation processing mode, the microprocessor 121 performs the image forming processing (Step 403), and then determines whether or not the sheet S has a hole (Step 404). Next, if there is no hole in the sheet S, the microprocessor 121 executes the designated job (Step 402).

On the other hand, the microprocessor 121
If it is determined that there is a hole in the sheet S, it is determined whether or not the number of holes in the sheet S is two (step 405). If the number of holes in the sheet S is two, a setting process is performed. Mode 2
It is determined whether it is a hole or not (step 406). Then, when the processing mode to be set is two holes, after the punching processing is canceled (step 407), a predetermined break, for example,
After the image forming operation is performed up to one set of sheets on which the image is to be formed, the operation is stopped (step 408). that time,
The control panel 120 displays that fact.

Next, the microprocessor 121
If it is determined in step 405 that the number of holes in the sheet S is not two, it is determined whether the number of holes in the sheet S is three (step 409), and the number of holes in the sheet S is three. In the case of, it is determined whether or not the processing mode to be set is three holes (step 410). If the processing mode to be set is three holes, after the punching processing is canceled (step 407), the image forming operation is performed up to a predetermined break, for example, up to one set of sheets on which image forming is performed, and then stopped. (Step 408). If the number of holes in the sheet S is not three, the designated job is executed (step 402).

On the other hand, the microprocessor 121
If it is determined in step 409 that the number of holes in the sheet S is not three, it is determined whether the number of holes in the sheet S matches the processing mode to be set (step 411).
If the number of holes in the sheet S matches the set processing mode, the punching process is canceled (step 407),
The image forming operation is performed up to a predetermined section, for example, up to one set of sheets on which the image is to be formed, and then stopped (step 408). If the number of holes in the sheet S does not match the set processing mode, the designated job is executed (step 402).

As described above, in the third embodiment, it is determined whether or not the number of holes in the sheet S matches the number of holes in the set punching processing mode. Only the image forming operation is executed, and the user is made to determine the subsequent processing.

In the present embodiment, at the time of determining whether or not the punching process is possible, the job has already been started, and a plurality of sheets are flowing between the apparatuses. In other words, since shutting down the apparatus has a problem in operation, it is conceivable to continue the job ignoring the cycle. Since the apparatus of this embodiment is basically an operation error (setting error), it is necessary to confirm again the operator's intention to continue the job, but in reality, the same output as that set is obtained. That is to say.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, one set is completed, and these are output as a completed product, so that there is an advantage that waste of paper can be eliminated.

The other configuration and operation are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

[0108]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In a punching apparatus that performs a punching process on a sheet, by controlling the punching process in the punching apparatus based on whether or not a punch hole is already formed in the sheet, the punching process is performed on a so-called “pre-punched paper”. Thus, it is possible to provide a perforation processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus using the perforation processing capable of avoiding inconvenience that filing becomes difficult or a desired sheet is not perforated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus used in combination with an image forming system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a sheet reversing mechanism of the image forming apparatus used in combination with the image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a post-processing device used in combination with the image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a punching apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a punching apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a driving mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a perforation processing apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram illustrating a detection unit.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram illustrating a main part of a post-processing apparatus.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing sheet hole detection means.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a sheet hole detecting means.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a display unit of a control panel.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a display unit of a control panel.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a display unit of a control panel.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a display unit of a control panel.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a recognition mechanism of a punching means of the punching apparatus.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a control circuit.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an erroneous perforation state of a sheet.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image forming system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a recognition state of a sheet hole.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing a recognition state of a sheet hole.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image forming system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

46: punching device, 100: sheet hole detecting means (recognizing means), 121: microprocessor (control means),
S: Sheet.

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── of the front page continued (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ identification mark FI theme Court Bu (reference) G03G 15/00 534 G03G 15/00 534 9A001 21/00 370 21/00 370 376 376 (72) inventor Sato Ryuichi 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture F-Xerox Co., Ltd. HH34 JJ35

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A perforating apparatus for perforating a sheet, comprising: a recognizing means for recognizing whether or not a punch hole has already been formed in the sheet; Control means for controlling a punching process in the device. 2. The perforation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit prohibits the perforation processing when the recognition unit recognizes that a punch hole is already formed in the sheet. . 3. The perforation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recognizing means comprises a detecting means for detecting a punch hole formed in the sheet. 4. The perforation processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the detecting means detects at least one of the number, position, and hole diameter of the punch holes formed in the sheet. 5. An image forming system capable of forming a desired image on a sheet and setting a perforation processing mode for performing a perforation process on the sheet on which the image is formed. An image forming system comprising: a recognition unit that recognizes whether or not a punch hole is opened; and a control unit that controls a punching process in the punching processing device based on a recognition result of the recognition unit. 6. The recognizing means includes setting means for setting a type of a sheet fed from a sheet feeding tray. Based on a result set by the setting means, the recognizing means determines whether a sheet fed from the sheet feeding tray has already been set. 6. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein whether or not a punch hole is opened is recognized. 7. The image forming system according to claim 6, wherein the setting unit can set at least one or more of the number, position, and hole diameter of punch holes formed in the sheet. . 8. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the setting of the perforation processing mode is not accepted when a punch hole is already formed in the sheet on which the image is to be formed. 9. A warning is issued when a punching mode is set when a punch hole is already formed in a sheet on which the image is to be formed.
The image forming system as described in the above. 10. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein said recognizing means comprises a detecting means for detecting a punch hole formed in the sheet. 11. The image forming system according to claim 10, wherein when there is a difference between a result of detection by said detection means and a mode in which punching is possible, setting of a punching processing mode is enabled. 12. A comparison device for comparing a detection result of the detection device and a positional relationship of a punched hole with a punchable mode, and only when a predetermined condition is satisfied as a result of the comparison by the comparison device. The image forming system according to claim 11, wherein processing is enabled. 13. The image forming system according to claim 12, wherein the predetermined condition is that punch holes do not overlap and are separated by a predetermined value or more. 14. An image forming system capable of forming a desired image on a sheet and setting a perforation processing mode for performing a perforation process on the sheet on which the image has been formed. A recognition means for recognizing whether or not a punch hole is opened, and a perforation processing mode are accepted. Based on the recognition result of the recognition means after the start of image formation, it is determined that the perforation processing is not to be performed. Control means for controlling the image forming operation to continue until the break, pass the sheet without performing the punching process, and temporarily stop the image forming operation at a predetermined timing. . 15. The case where the perforation process is not performed is as follows.
15. The image forming system according to claim 14, wherein the recognition result of the punch hole of the sheet by the recognition unit substantially matches the punch hole information in the punching processing mode. 16. The image forming system according to claim 14, wherein the predetermined section for continuing the image forming operation is a set of sheets on which an image is formed. 17. An image forming system capable of forming a desired image on a sheet and setting a perforation processing mode for performing a perforation process on the sheet on which the image has been formed. A recognizing means for recognizing whether or not a punched hole is opened; and a recognizing result of the recognizing means, wherein when the perforation processing mode is different, the specified perforation processing mode can be executed. Forming system.