JP2002003077A - Sheet distributing-storing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To miniaturize a device while avoiding the complication of the device structure and the degradation of post-processing quality by a post-processing unit such as a stapler. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a sheet carrying passage installed in a housing 1 for carrying a recording sheet 4 toward a sheet distributing stage S1, a moving bin tray 6 installed on one side of the housing 1, a post- processing unit 7 installed in a form capable of post-processing under the sheet carrying passage within the housing 1 and with respect to the direction perpendicular to the carrying direction of the record sheet 4 for executing post- processing to one-side edge part of the record sheet 4 stored in the moving bin tray 6 moved to a post-processing stage S2 in the post-processing stage S2 formed under the sheet distributing stage S1, and a gripper extensibly attached on the post-processing unit 7 side and provided for the post-processing by the post-processing unit 7 after the record sheet 4 in the bin tray 4 positioned at the post-processing stage S2 is drawn out to the post-processing unit 7 side.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet distributing and accommodating apparatus for distributing and accommodating recording sheets discharged from an image recording apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and more particularly to stapling after distributing and accommodating recording sheets. The present invention relates to an improvement in a sheet distributing and accommodating apparatus which enables post-processing such as punching, binding, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, as a sheet distributing and accommodating apparatus called a sorter, a sheet conveying path is formed in a housing, and conveying rollers are appropriately arranged along the sheet conveying path. While conveying the recording sheet discharged from the sheet discharge port of the image recording apparatus to a preset sheet distribution stage, on one side of the housing, a plurality of bin trays are disposed in a vertical direction,
In some cases, each bin tray is sequentially moved to the above-mentioned sheet distribution stage in accordance with the distribution timing of recording sheets, and recording sheets are sequentially distributed and accommodated in each bin tray. In many cases, post-processing such as stapling is usually performed on the recording sheets distributed and stored in the sorter described above. A post-processing unit such as a stapler is incorporated in the sorter, and the post-processing is automatically performed in the sorter. There is a request to make it happen. As a sorter in response to such a request, for example, those described in JP-A-63-41360,
JP-A-63-252872 and JP-B-64-302 are already known.

[0003]

Problems to be Solved by the Invention
In the type of the 1360 publication, the post-processing by the stapler is performed after the recording sheet bundle distributed and stored in the bin tray is stored in the post-processing tray again. Separately, a post-processing tray must be provided, and a conveying means for conveying the recording sheet bundle to the post-processing tray must be provided, which not only complicates the sorter configuration but also increases the post-processing tray. When transferring the recording sheet bundle to the tray side, there is a possibility that the recording sheet bundle once aligned in the bin tray may vary, and there is a technical problem that post-processing by the stapler tends to be useless.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-252872, Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 64-3
In the type of No. 02 publication, a stapler is arranged near the sheet distribution stage that does not interfere with the sheet conveying member,
Since the post-processing by the stapler (the stapling processing for one corner of the recording sheet bundle stored in the bin tray) is performed on the recording sheet bundle stored in the bin tray, the technical type in the former type is used. Although the problem can be avoided, there is a technical problem that a dual stapling process of stapling one side edge of the recording sheet bundle at two locations cannot be performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, and it is possible to reduce the size of the apparatus while avoiding the complexity of the apparatus configuration and the deterioration of the post-processing quality by a post-processing unit such as a stapler. Another object of the present invention is to provide a sheet distributing and accommodating apparatus which realizes post-processing by a post-processing unit such as a stapler along one side edge of a recording sheet bundle without limitation.

[0006]

That is, the present invention provides:
For example, as shown in FIG. 1, in a sheet distributing and storing apparatus for distributing and storing recording sheets 4 on which images are recorded by the image recording apparatus 2, the recording sheet 4 is provided above the housing 1, A sheet conveyance path for conveying the discharged recording sheet 4 toward a preset sheet distribution stage S1, and a plurality of vertically arranged stages on one side of the housing 1 are provided.
A moving bin tray 6 for sequentially distributing and accommodating the recording sheets 4 by vertically moving toward 1; and a moving bin tray 6 in the housing 1 below the sheet conveying path and in a direction orthogonal to the recording sheet conveying direction. The recording sheet 4 accommodated in the moving bin tray 6 moved to the post-processing stage S2 at a post-processing stage S2 provided below the sheet distribution stage S1 so as to be capable of post-processing.
A post-processing unit 7 for performing post-processing on one side edge of
A gripper which is attached to the post-processing unit 7 so as to be extendable and retractable, pulls out the recording sheet 4 in the movable bin tray 6 located on the post-processing stage S2 to the post-processing unit 7 side, and then performs the post-processing by the post-processing unit 7 (see FIG. (Not shown)).

In such technical means, the sheet conveying means 5 provided in the sheet conveying path may be appropriately designed and modified as long as the recording sheet 4 can be conveyed to the sheet distribution stage S1 through the discharge position. Absent. In this case, from the viewpoint of facilitating the handling of the discharged recording sheet 4 when the sorting process is unnecessary, differently from the sheet transport path and the bin tray 6,
A second sheet transport path is provided to guide the recording sheet 4 discharged from the sheet discharge port 3 of the image recording apparatus 2 to a second discharge position provided above the discharge position to the sheet distribution stage S1. It is preferable to provide a fixed tray (sheet storage tray) for storing the recording sheet 4 discharged to the second discharge position via the second sheet conveyance path.

Further, regarding the number of the bin trays 6,
The bin tray 6 can be appropriately selected in accordance with the required sorting capacity. The configuration of the bin tray 6 needs to be capable of accommodating the discharged recording sheet 4 at a predetermined position. The design can be changed as appropriate, for example, by forming a positioning flange on the housing 6 itself, or by using a vertical wall or the like of the housing 1 as a positioning portion. Further, in order to align the recording sheets 4 accommodated in the bin tray 6 at a predetermined position, it is preferable to provide a sheet aligning means for aligning the recording sheets 4 with the positioning unit at predetermined timing.

The bin tray 6 is moved by a sheet distribution stage S.
1 can be changed as appropriate as long as the bin trays can be sequentially moved. However, from the viewpoint of shortening the height dimension of the housing 1, each bin tray is not hindered in the sorting processing and the post-processing. It is preferable to set the gap between 6 as narrow as possible.

Further, the post-processing unit 7 may be disposed at a position below the sheet conveying path leading to the discharge position to the sheet distribution stage S1, and the bin tray 6 facing the post-processing unit 7 is positioned at the post-processing stage. S2. Normally, the post-processing unit 7 is configured to record at the bin tray 6 position (post-processing stage S2) lower than the bin tray 6 position (sheet distribution stage S1) facing the second discharge position among the plurality of bin trays 6. The sheet 4 is targeted for post-processing, but from the viewpoint of avoiding unnecessary movement of the bin tray 6 when shifting from the sorting processing to the post-processing, the post-processing stage S2 and the sheet distribution stage S1 are arranged close to each other. Is preferred.

The post-processing unit 7 can be appropriately selected from a stapler, a puncher, a binder, and the like as long as it can perform post-processing on one side edge of the recording sheet 4. In this case, the post-processing unit 7 may be retracted to a retreat position which does not interfere with the vertical movement of the bin tray 6 when post-processing is not performed, or may advance to the post-processing execution position when post-processing is performed, or 6 is fixedly arranged at a position where it does not interfere with the vertical movement of the tray 6, and when the post-processing is executed, the target bin tray 6 in the post-processing stage S2 is advanced toward the post-processing unit 7 to perform post-processing. The design can be changed as appropriate.

In the former type, the post-processing unit 7 which has advanced to the post-processing execution position and the target bin tray 6 in the post-processing stage S2 are designed so as not to interfere with each other during the post-processing. It is necessary as a specific means, for example, in a type in which a notch is formed in a bin tray 6 portion corresponding to a post-processing execution position, and a gap between the bin trays 6 is set as narrow as possible, By devising the moving means of the bin tray 6,
It can be appropriately selected, for example, by enlarging the gap between the target bin tray 6 and the upper and lower bin trays 6. Further, in the latter type, it is necessary to design the recording sheets 4 accommodated in the bin tray 6 so as not to damage the alignment state. And the upper tray is connected to the post-processing unit 7 by a drawer supporting means provided on the post-processing stage S2.
The recording sheet 4 stored in the upper tray is subjected to post-processing, or a post-processing unit 7 is provided with an extendable gripper. After the recording sheet 4 is pulled out to the post-processing unit 7, the post-processing can be performed on the recording sheet 4 as appropriate.

When a stapler is used as the post-processing unit 7, the stapling may be performed in the following manner.
In general, there are a type in which stapling is performed at two locations on one side edge of the recording sheet 4 and a type in which stapling is performed at one location at a corner portion of the recording sheet 4. It is preferable to design such that a dual stapler for performing the former stapling and a corner stapler for performing the latter stapling are provided. The dual stapler may be provided with two fixed stapling positions. However, from the viewpoint of optimizing the stapling positions, two stapling positions are required depending on the size of the recording sheet. Is preferably designed so that the stapling position interval can be variably set.

The post-processing by the post-processing unit 7 may be performed on all bin trays that have been subjected to the sorting process.
In the case where the recording sheet 4 is extracted from
From the viewpoint of eliminating useless post-processing operations by the post-processing unit 7, the recording sheets 4
It is preferable that a sheet presence / absence detecting means for detecting whether or not the sheet exists is designed to be attached to the post-processing unit 7.

The post-processing control means 8 causes the post-processing unit 7 to perform predetermined post-processing.
After setting the target bin tray 6 to the post-processing stage S2,
It controls the post-processing unit 7 alone, or controls the post-processing unit 7 and its associated mechanism (in the case of the bin tray movable type, bin tray pull-out means, etc.). In this case, each control function of the post-processing control means 8 can be appropriately selected according to the function to be realized.

For example, an image recording apparatus is an ADF (Auto Doc).
ument Feeder).
In the F use mode, post-processing by the post-processing unit 7 is started when the copying of the final document by the ADF is completed, or the post-processing unit 7 is provided with a sheet presence / absence detecting means. When the sheet presence / absence detection means detects that the recording sheet 4 does not exist,
The post-processing operation for the recording sheet 4 in the target bin tray is canceled and the next target bin tray is immediately moved to the post-processing stage S2, or the post-processing unit 7 is configured to include a dual stapler and a corner stapler. In this case, any one of the staplers selected by the selection means can be appropriately selected, for example, as a control target.

According to the technical means as described above, in a mode in which the sorting process is performed, the recording sheets 4 discharged from the image recording apparatus 2 are sequentially conveyed to a sheet distribution stage S1 through a sheet conveying path. Each bin tray 6
Is sequentially distributed and accommodated in the inside. When the sorting process of the recording sheet 4 is completed, the post-processing unit 7 provided below the sheet conveying path is used for recording the sheet stored in the target bin tray 6 (post-processing stage S2) facing the post-processing unit 7. After the sheet 4 is pulled out by the gripper, predetermined post-processing is sequentially performed on a portion along one side edge of the pulled out recording sheet 4.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail based on an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. Table of Contents I. Outline of device II. Equipment components (1) Sheet transport system (2) Bin tray (2-a) Basic configuration (2-b) Bin tray moving system (3) Sheet alignment mechanism (4) Stapler (4-a) Basic stapler configuration (4- b) Stapler advance / retreat system (4-c) Sheet presence detection system (5) Device control system III. Device operation (1) Sorting process (2) Stapling process IV. Modifications of device (1) Puncher (2) Binder

I. Outline of Apparatus FIGS. 2 and 3 show an ADF (Auto Document Feede) not shown.
r) is provided with a sheet distributing and accommodating device (hereinafter, referred to as a sorter in this embodiment) 20 to which the present invention is applied, attached to a copying machine main body 10 attached with r). In FIG.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a housing of the sorter 20, which is movable by casters. A recess 23 having a U-shaped cross section is formed along the vertical direction on the opposite side of the copying machine body 10 of the housing 21, and the inside of the housing 21 is formed on the side of the copying machine body 10 of the recess 23. Opening 24 leading to
Has been established. A plurality of (in this embodiment, 20) bin trays 40 are disposed at positions facing the recesses 23 so as to be vertically movable, and the projecting ends of the bin trays 40 project from the recesses 23. It is supposed to be.
On the other hand, on the top of the housing 21, a non-sorting tray 25 used when a sorting process is unnecessary is arranged. Further, a sheet inlet 26 is provided in the housing plate 21a corresponding to the sheet outlet 11 of the copying machine main body 10, and the sheet inlet 26 is provided.
The recording sheet 12 introduced from each of the bins 40 or the non-sort tray 25 via the sheet transport system 30
To be transported to either of them. Furthermore,
A sheet aligning mechanism 70 is disposed near the bin tray 40. The sheet aligning mechanism 70 aligns the recording sheets 12 in the bin tray 40 at a predetermined timing interval during the sorting process, and sets the recording sheets 12 in the stapling process. The recording sheet 12 is pressed down.
A stapler 100 is disposed below the sheet transport system 30 and in a space inside the housing 21 along the width direction of the sheet transport system 30. A portion facing the stapler 100 is subjected to post-processing. It is set as stage S2. And the stapler 100 is
One side edge of the recording sheet 12 accommodated in the bin tray 40 located on the post-processing stage S2 is dual stapled, or a corner of the recording sheet 12 is stapled.

II. Configuration of Each Part of the Apparatus (1) Sheet Conveying System In FIG. 3, the sheet conveying system 30 has a common sheet conveying path 31 extending from the sheet introduction port 26 into the housing 21. A first sheet conveying path 32 directed downward and a second sheet conveying path 33 directed upward are branched, and the first sheet conveying path 32 is connected to a sheet distribution stage (a target bin tray 4 in which the recording sheets 12 are stored).
0), while the second sheet transport path 33 leads to the non-sort tray 25 position. In the middle of the first and second sheet conveying paths 32 and 33, an appropriate number of conveying rollers 34 and 35 are provided.
Are provided at predetermined intervals, and each sheet conveying path 32,
Discharge rollers 36 and 37 are provided at the distal end of 33, respectively. In addition, immediately before the discharge roller 36 in the first sheet conveying path 32, a sheet exit sensor (hereinafter, sometimes abbreviated as EXIT SNR) 38 that outputs a high-level signal when the recording sheet 12 passes is disposed. Has been established. Reference numeral 39 denotes a switching gate disposed in the common sheet conveying path 31 for selecting one of the sheet conveying paths 32 and 33.

(2) Bin Tray (2-a) Basic Configuration In FIGS. 2 to 4, the bin tray 40 is arranged obliquely downward at a predetermined angle toward the opening 24 side of the recess 23, and has a width. A flat plate-shaped tray base 41 that is slightly inclined toward the front side (corresponding to the width direction of the sheet conveying path 32), and a positioning flange 42 that stands upright on an edge of the tray base 41 on the opening 24 side. The stapler 1 formed at three places (two places sandwiching a corner and a center) on the side edge of the opening 24 of the tray base 41.
Notch 43, 44, 4 for stapling process by 00
5, a notch 46 for gripping the recording sheet 12 cut out at a substantially central portion of one side edge located on the front side in the width direction of the tray base 41, and a positioning flange 42 on the back side in the width direction of the tray base 41. And a substantially triangular tamper opening 47 formed closer to the opening. In addition, as a configuration of the bin tray 40, a reinforcing flange may be formed at one end edge or the like located on the inner side of the tray base 41 adjacent to the positioning flange 42 to increase the rigidity of the bin tray 40. The housing plate defining the front side portion of the recess 23 of the housing 21 is the bin tray 40.
The recording sheet 12 functions as a positioning wall 48 of the recording sheet 12 accommodated therein. Note that at least the edges 46a, 47a of the gripping notch 46 and the tamper opening 47 on the protruding direction side of the bin tray 40 are formed so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the width direction of the bin tray 40. Care is taken so that the edge of the notch 46 or the opening 47 is not blocked when the 12 enters the bin tray 40.

(2-b) Bin tray moving system In FIGS. 4 to 6, a pair of engaging pins 51, 5 are provided on both sides in the width direction near the positioning flange 42 of the bin tray 40.
2, a V-shaped support arm 54 is attached to one side in the width direction near the protruding direction of the bin tray 40,
An engagement pin 53 projects from the lower end of the support arm 54. Cam screws 55 to 57 are rotatably provided on the housing 21 located on both sides in the width direction of the recess 23 corresponding to the engaging pins 51 to 53, respectively. Each cam screw 55-
57 are engaged with the cam grooves 55a to 57a. In this embodiment, the pitch of each of the cam grooves 55a to 57a is not constant, and the pitch of the portion corresponding to the sheet distribution stage S1 and the post-processing stage S2 is set to be sufficiently larger than the pitch of the other portions.

More specifically, in this embodiment, the bin trays 40 located on the sheet distribution stage S1 and the post-processing stage S2 are in a continuous positional relationship, and the bin tray 40 located on the sheet distribution stage S1 and its upper side And the gaps g2 between the bin tray 40 located on the post-processing stage S2 and the bin trays 40 located above and below it are sufficiently larger than the gap g0 between the other bin trays 40. Is set to Here, the gaps g1, g
2 is set within a range that does not hinder the sorting process, and the gap g0 is set within a range where the bin tray 40 does not contact. In addition, each of the cam screws 55 to 57
The drive system includes a bin drive motor (stepping motor in this embodiment) 58 that can be rotated forward and backward, and a drive pulley 59 that is fixed to an output shaft of the bin drive motor 58.
, Driven pulleys 60 to 62 attached to the lower ends of the cam screws 55 to 57, a driving belt 63 laid between the driving pulley 59 and the driven pulley 62, and laid between the driven pulleys 60 to 62. And a timing belt 64 for transmitting the driving force from the bin driving motor 58 to each of the cam screws 55 to 57 at the same timing. In this embodiment, when each of the cam screws 55 to 57 has made one rotation, each bin tray 40 moves up or down by one pitch. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 65 denotes an upper limit position detection sensor for detecting that the uppermost bin tray 40 has reached the upper limit position, and 66 denotes that the lowermost bin tray 40 has reached the lower limit position. This is a lower limit position detection sensor to be detected.

(3) Sheet Alignment Mechanism In FIG. 7, a sheet alignment mechanism 70 is formed by connecting a flat tamper 71 penetrating through the tamper opening 47 of each bin tray 40 and upper and lower ends of the tamper 71. A pair of movable support mechanisms 72 and 73 for supporting the tamper 71 so as to be able to advance and retreat along the width direction of the bin tray 40, and a sheet alignment drive system 80 for driving the movable support mechanisms 72 and 73.
And In this embodiment, the movable support mechanisms 72 and 73 rotatably support a ball screw shaft 75 between a pair of bearing brackets 74 (one not shown), and screw a nut 76 onto the ball screw shaft 75. The nut 76 is secured to the upper and lower ends of the tamper 71. The sheet alignment drive system 80
Is a tamper drive motor (stepping motor in this embodiment) 81, two drive pulleys 82 and 83 fixed to the output shaft of the tamper drive motor 81, and ball screw shafts 75 of the movable support mechanisms 72 and 73. Driven pulleys 84 and 85 fixed to the drive pulleys 82 and 83
And timing belts 86 and 87 which are respectively stretched between the driven pulleys 84 and 85. The nut 76 of the lower movable support mechanism 73 has a projecting piece 77 for position detection.
When the projecting piece 77 reaches a position of a home position sensor 78 (in this embodiment, a transmission type optical sensor in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are arranged facing each other) corresponding to the home position, For example, a low level signal is output from the home position sensor 78 to detect that the tamper 71 has reached the home position.

(4) Stapler (4-a) Basic configuration of the stapler In this embodiment, the stapler 100 is fixedly disposed at a position facing the cutouts 44 and 45 of the bin tray 40, and includes one set of the recording sheet 12 bundle. A pair of dual staplers 100 for stapling two locations along a side edge
a and 100b, and a corner stapler 100c which is fixedly disposed at a position facing the notch 43 and staples a corner portion of the recording sheet 12 bundle. In this embodiment, the corner stapler 100c is used.
Are arranged in a state of being inclined by 45 degrees on a horizontal plane with respect to the dual staplers 100a and 100b. And
The basic configuration of the stapler 100 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 8A, a base end of a movable arm 102 is rotatably supported on a lower case 101a as a support base by a pivot 103, and the movable arm 102 is mounted on the movable arm 102. And an upper case 101b which is urged toward the movable arm 102 by an urging spring (not shown).
A staple storage unit 104 is provided in 01b,
A driving mechanism 106 for driving a staple 105 is provided at the tip of the movable arm 102, and the driving force of a stapler driving motor 107 is controlled by a belt 108a, a cam 108b,
By transmitting the driving force to the movable arm 102 via the driving force transmission mechanism 108 including the link arm 108c, the movable arm 102 is swung downward during the stapling operation, and as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C, With the bundle of recording sheets 12 held between the lower case 101a and the upper case 101b, the staple 105 is driven into the bundle of recording sheets 12 by the driving mechanism 106 which descends together with the movable arm 102.

(4-b) Staple advance / retreat system The advance / retreat system of the stapler 100 is, as shown in FIG. 9 (a), mounted on a support bracket 111 with a guide rail 112 along the advance / retreat direction of the stapler 100. A movable plate 113 on which the stapler 100 is installed is movably supported on a guide roller 114 on the base 112, and a drive motor 115 for forward / backward movement is provided on the support bracket 111, and the drive motor 115 for forward / backward movement is provided.
A cam arm 116 extending in the radial direction of the output shaft is fixed to the output shaft of
6, an engaging pin 117 is protruded from a free end, and an engaging plate 118 having an engaging slit 119 extending in a vertical direction is fixed to the movable plate 113. The engaging pin 117 is movably engaged with 119. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9A, the stapler 100 is disposed at a retreat position B where the stapler 100 does not interfere with the bin tray 40 during the vertical movement of the bin tray 40. At the stage of rotation, FIG. 9 (b)
As shown in FIG.
Pushes the engagement plate 118 toward the bin tray 40 while sliding along the engagement slit 119, the movable plate 113 advances to a predetermined position, and the stapler 100 is set to the stapling execution position A. The stapler 100 located at the stapling execution position A is turned on again as shown in FIG.
To the evacuation position B shown in FIG.
The reciprocating operation of the stapler 100 is repeated every time the 15 rotates half a turn. Also, on the support bracket 111,
Position detection sensors 121 and 122 for detecting that the stapler 100 is located at one of the stapling execution position A and the retreat position B are provided. Each of the position detection sensors 121 and 122 is a transmission type optical sensor in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are arranged to face each other. For example, a projecting piece 123 protruding from a part of the movable plate 113 has one of the position detection sensors 121 and 122. The position detection is performed by blocking the optical path 122. In the present embodiment,

As described later, an extensible gripper is attached to the stapler 100 as a post-processing unit, and the recording sheet 12 in the target bin tray 40 is pulled out to the stapler 100 by this gripper. ,
Post-processing may be performed on the recording sheet 12.

(4-c) Sheet presence / absence detection system In this embodiment, two systems of sheet presence / absence detectors 130 and 135 are provided to determine whether or not the stapling process is required. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the sheet presence detector 130 has a light emitting element 131 and a light receiving element 132 disposed above and below the recess 23 corresponding to the corner notch 45 of each bin tray 40. If the recording sheet 12 is present in any of the bin trays 40, the optical path between the light emitting element 131 and the light receiving element 132 is blocked, whereby the presence or absence of the recording sheet 12 is detected. As shown in FIG. 8, the other sheet presence / absence detector 135 includes a support base (lower case) 1.
01a is a reflection-type sensor (a sensor in which a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element are juxtaposed) buried at the tip end of the recording sheet 12 when the recording sheet 12 is placed on a support (lower case) 101a. Irradiation light is taken into the light receiving element and outputs, for example, a high level signal, thereby detecting the presence or absence of the recording sheet 12.

(5) Apparatus control system The apparatus control system in this embodiment is constituted by a microcomputer system as shown in FIG. In the figure, a microcomputer system is a CPU 1
51, a ROM 152 and a RAM 153.
52, a sorting processing program (FIG. 11,
12 and a program for stapling processing (see FIGS. 16, 17, 18, and 19) are stored in advance, and the CPU 151 executes each program and executes R
By performing input data processing while appropriately exchanging data with the AM 153, a predetermined control signal is generated. In such a system,
Sheet exit sensor 38, upper limit position detection sensor 65, lower limit position detection sensor 66, sheet presence detectors 130, 13
5, home position sensor 78, position detection sensor 12
1, 122, start switch 1 for stapling processing
71, signals from the stapling mode selection switch 172 and the like are sent to the CPU via the input interface 154.
151 is input as input data, and each control signal from the CPU 151 drives each roller of the sheet conveying system 30 via the output interface 155.
73, a solenoid 174 for driving the switching gate 39, a bin driving motor 58, a tamper driving motor 81,
Stapler drive motor 107, advance / retreat drive motor 115
, Etc., and are appropriately controlled. In this embodiment, data communication is performed between the main body CPU 160 provided on the copying machine main body 10 and the CPU 151, and the size of the original, the number of original copies by the ADF, etc. Are taken in by the CPU 151.

III. Operation of Apparatus (1) Sorting Processing Outline of Processing It is assumed that the copying machine body 10 has been operated to copy a predetermined number of originals at a time using the ADF and sort the originals. At this time, a sorting selection signal is taken into the CPU 151 from the main body side CPU 160, and the sorting processing program is executed. Then, first, the switching gate 39 selects the first sheet conveyance path 32 by driving the solenoid 174, and the conveyance rollers 34, 35 and the discharge rollers 36, 37 are driven by driving the feed motor 173. In this state, the recording sheet 12 discharged from the sheet discharge port 11 of the copying machine body 10 is sequentially conveyed from the common sheet conveying path 31 to the sheet distribution stage S1 through the first sheet conveying path 32, It is sequentially distributed and accommodated in the bin tray 40 that moves sequentially to S1.

FIG. 11 shows a flow of controlling the movement of the bin tray 40 during the sorting process. In FIG.
After the copy is started on the side, the CPU 151 raises each bin tray 40 by one pitch by driving the bin driving motor 58 at a unit when the sheet exit sensor 38 changes from ON to OFF (step [hereinafter referred to as ST and ST). It is checked whether or not the final copy of the job, that is, the copy job for each page of the document has been completed (ST3). Next, if the final copy of the job has not been completed, the processing from ST1 to ST3 is repeated, and at the stage when the final copy of the job has been completed, whether or not all jobs, that is, the copy job of the entire original has been completed. Is checked (ST4). Further, if all the jobs have not been completed, the sheet exit sensor 38 is turned on.
At the stage of turning off, the bin drive motor 58 is unit-driven to lower each bin tray 40 by one pitch (ST5, 6), and it is checked whether the final copy of the job has been completed (ST7). If the final copy of the job has not been completed, the processing from ST5 to ST7 is repeated, and when the final copy of the job has been completed, the bin home sensor (lower position detection sensor 66)
Was checked (ST8).
Then, it is checked whether all jobs have been completed (ST
9). At this time, if it is determined in ST9 that all the jobs have not been completed, the process returns to ST1 again to perform a series of subsequent processes. In such a process, ST
If it is determined in step 4 or ST9 that all jobs have been completed, a series of sorting processing ends. Note that ST8
If it is determined that the bin home sensor 66 is not turned on, a FAIL display is performed (ST10).

FIG. 12 shows a flow of controlling the movement of the tamper 71 during the sorting process. 13, the CPU 151 fetches the size information of the recording sheet 12 from the main body side CPU 160 (ST1), and drives the tamper drive motor 81 in the forward rotation according to the motor signal (R1 area) shown in FIG. As shown in (a), the tamper 71 located at the home position indicated by the solid line is moved and set to the size-specific reference position indicated by the alternate long and short dash line (a position slightly larger than the storage position of the recording sheet 12) (ST2). Thereafter, the number of discharged recording sheets 12 is counted by counting the ON signal of the sheet exit sensor 38 (ST).
3) It is checked whether or not the final copy of the job, that is, the copy job for each page of the document has been completed (S).
T4) If it is determined that the final copy of the job has not been completed, the processing of ST3 and ST4 is repeated. If it is determined in ST4 that the final copy of the job has been completed, the tamper drive motor 81 is rotated forward and reverse within a predetermined range according to the motor signal (R2 area) shown in FIG. As shown in b), the tamper 71 positioned at the size-specific reference position indicated by the solid line is moved to the edge position of the recording sheet 12 (indicated by a dashed line),
After the recording sheet 12 is pressed against the positioning wall 48 and aligned, it is returned to the size-specific reference position again (ST5). Thereafter, it is checked whether or not all copy jobs have been completed (ST6). If it is determined that all copy jobs have not been completed, the processing from ST3 to ST6 is repeated. If it is determined in ST6 that all copy jobs have been completed, the motor signal (R3 area) shown in FIG.
13B, the tamper 71 located at the reference position by size indicated by the solid line is returned to the home position indicated by the two-dot chain line as shown in FIG. 13B (ST7). At this stage, the tamper operation in the sorting process ends. Incidentally, whether or not the home position has been returned is determined as shown in FIG.
The determination is made when the home position sensor 78 changes from a low level to a high level signal.

Specific Example of Sorting Process Now, it is assumed that k documents are copied n sheets at a time using the ADF, and the copies are sorted. At this time, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5A, first, the first document copy recording sheet 12 (1) is distributed and accommodated in the uppermost bin tray 40 (1) located at the sheet distribution stage S1, and then, as shown in FIG.
(b) As shown in (c), after the second bin tray 40 (2) is set on the sheet distribution stage S1, the recording sheets 12 (1) are distributed and stored in the bin tray 40 (2). , Bin trays 40 (3)... 40 (n) from the third stage to the nth stage
The recording sheets 12 (1) are sequentially distributed and accommodated. Next, 2
When the copy operation of the first document is started, the second document copy recording sheet 12 (2) is sequentially placed in the sheet distribution stage S1.
Transported to Then, as shown in FIG. 15D, first, the recording sheets 12 (2) are distributed and stored in the n-th bin tray 40 (n) located at the sheet distribution stage S1, and then, as shown in FIG. As shown in (f), after the (n-1) th bin tray 40 (n-1) is set on the sheet distribution stage S1, the recording sheets 12 (2) are distributed and stored in the bin tray 40 (n-1). Thereafter, the recording sheets 12 (2) are sequentially distributed and stored in bin trays 40 (n-2)... 40 (1) from the (n-2) th stage to the top stage. Thereafter, the same operation is repeated until the k-th document copy is completed. In such a series of copy jobs, the tamper 71 is set to the size-specific reference position at the start of copying, as shown in FIGS. Is moved to the edge position of the recording sheet 12 in each bin tray 40, and the recording sheets 12 are aligned.

(2) Stapling process Basic control of stapling The basic control flow of the bin tray 40 and the stapler 100 during the stapling process is shown in FIGS. Referring to FIG.
Based on the information from U160, the copier body 10
It is checked whether the operation mode is the use mode (ST1). If the operation mode is the ADF use mode, it is checked whether the last document copy by the ADF is completed (ST2). Are determined to have been completed (ST3). The copier body 1
If 0 is not the ADF use mode, it is checked whether or not the manual start switch 171 at the start of the stapling process is on (ST4). If the start switch 171 is on, it is determined that all the sorting processes have been completed. A decision is made (ST3). Thereafter, the first sheet presence / absence detector 13
It is checked whether or not the stapling process is required according to the output of 0 (ST5). If it is determined that the stapling process is required, the bin tray 40 is moved down by one pitch, and the uppermost bin tray 40 or The bin tray 40 is set at the initial stapling position such that the bin tray 40 of the number of stages corresponding to the sorting number is located at the post-processing stage S2 (ST6). Thereafter, it is checked whether the stapling mode is the dual mode according to the information from the mode selection switch 172 of the stapling mode (ST7). If the stapling mode is the dual mode, a pair of dual staplers 100a and 100b is selected (ST7). S
T8) On the other hand, if the mode is not the dual mode, it is determined that the mode is the corner mode, and the stapler 100c for the corner is selected (S8).
After T9), the basic stapling operation is performed (ST1).
0). Thereafter, it is checked whether or not the stapling target is the last bin tray 40 (ST11). If not, the bin tray 40 is moved up or down by one pitch to move the next bin tray 40 to be stapled. Set to post-processing stage S2 (ST
12) After that, the stapling target is the last bin tray 4
The processing from ST10 to ST12 is repeated until the value becomes 0. Then, at the stage where the stapling process has been performed on the last bin tray 40, it is determined that the stapling process has been completed (ST13). If it is determined in ST5 that the stapling process is not required (the output of the light receiving element 132 of the sheet presence / absence detector 130 is at a high level), or if it is determined in ST13 that the stapling process has been completed, In preparation for the next sorting process, each bin tray 40 was returned to the sorting initial position so that the uppermost bin tray 40 was placed on the sheet distribution stage S1 (ST14).
Thereafter, a series of processing ends.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show basic stapling operation flows in such a process. FIG. 18 is an operation flow of the stapler 100. In FIG.
The PU 151 first starts the stapling execution position A (FIG. 9).
(See (b)) The stapler 100 (specifically, the dual stapler 10 selected by the mode selection switch).
0a, 100b or the corner stapler 100c) is advanced (ST1), and it is checked whether or not a stapling operation is required based on information from the sheet presence / absence detector 135 (ST2). When it is determined that the stapling operation is required, the stapling operation is performed (ST3), and then the stapler 100 is moved to the retreat position B (FIG. 9).
(See (a))) (ST4). On the other hand, if it is determined that the stapling operation is not required, the stapler 100 is immediately moved backward to the evacuation position (ST4), and the basic operation of the stapler 100 ends. .

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of the tamper 71. In the figure, the CPU 151 first sets the tamper 71 to move to the size-specific reference position (see FIG. 13A) (ST1), and then sets the stapler 100 to the stapling execution position based on information from the position detection sensor 121. A (ST2), and if it is determined that the stapler 100 is at the stapling execution position A, the tamper 71 is moved to the sheet holding position as shown in FIG. 13B (ST3). Next, it is checked whether or not the stapler 100 is at the retreat position B based on the information from the position detection sensor 122 (ST4). When it is determined that the stapler 100 is at the retreat position B, as shown in FIG. The tamper 71 located at the sheet holding position
Is moved to the reference position for each size (ST5). Then, before the stapling process is performed on the last bin tray 40, it is determined that the stapling basic operation is completed with the tamper 71 set to the reference position for each size and the stapling process on the last bin tray 40 is performed. ST6) After the tamper 71 is returned to the home position (ST7), the basic stapling operation ends.

A specific example of the stapling process Now, it is assumed that, for example, k originals are copied n sheets at a time using the ADF, sorted, and further, dual stapling is performed. At this time, assuming that the number k of originals is an even number, as shown in FIG.
Each bin tray 40 is arranged at a sorting initial position where (1) is located on the sheet distribution stage S1. In this state, as shown in FIG. 20 (b), first, each bin tray 40 moves down by one pitch, and the uppermost bin tray 40 (1) is set to the post-processing stage S2.
After the tamper 71 of the sheet aligning mechanism 70 is set to move from the dotted home position to the solid sheet size reference position, the uppermost bin tray 40 (1) is operated by the dual staplers 100a and 100b selected by the mode selection switch 172. The staples 105 are driven into two places on one side edge of the recording sheet 12 with respect to. During the driving operation of the staplers 100a and 100b, since the tamper 71 presses the recording sheet 12, there is no possibility that the recording sheet 12 is unnecessarily scattered. Then, FIG.
(c) As shown in (d), the bin tray 40 is sequentially moved up by one pitch, and the bin trays 40 (2).
0 (n) is sequentially set to move to the post-processing stage S2, and the dual staplers 100a and 100b are provided at two locations on one side edge of the recording sheet 12 with respect to the bin trays 40 (2)... 40 (n) to be stapled. When the staples 105 are sequentially driven into the bins 40 and the stapling for the final bin tray 40 (n) is completed, a series of stapling processes is completed, and as shown in FIG.
Returns to the sorting initial position and the tamper 71
Also returns to the home position. If the number of documents k is an odd number, at the stage when the sorting process is completed,
The n-th bin tray 40 (n) is located at the sheet distribution stage S1. In this case, the stapling process first moves each bin tray 40 downward by one pitch, and moves the n-th bin tray 40 (n) is a post-processing stage S2
The bin tray 40 is moved downward by one pitch at a time.
Stapling is sequentially performed on recording sheets 12 of 0 (n-1)... 40 (1).

IV. Modification of Apparatus (1) Puncher FIGS. 21 and 22 show a dual puncher for making two holes. In the figure, a puncher 200 is provided with a movable plate 20 which can move forward and backward with respect to a support bracket (not shown).
21. When punching is not executed, it is on standby at a retreat position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 21, and when punching is executed, the sheet advances to a punching execution position indicated by a two-dot chain line, and one side of a bundle of 12 recording sheets. The edge is punched. The basic configuration of the puncher 200 has a pair of sheet mounting tables 202 having a U-shaped cross section.
In addition, a pair of driving rods 204 are disposed in the through hole 203 so as to be able to move up and down. Then, the drive system of the driving rod 204 is incorporated on the movable plate 201, and as a specific configuration thereof,
For example, a puncher drive motor 205 and an eccentric cam 206
And the driving force of the puncher drive motor 205 is
6, a driving force transmission mechanism such as a transmission belt, a pulley, etc.
07, and a swing arm 208 having one end connected to the driving rod 204, which swings in accordance with the state of engagement with the eccentric cam 206, and which moves the driving rod 204 up and down. In this modification, the puncher 20 is used.
Notches 44 and 45 similar to those in the embodiment are formed at one side edge of the bin tray 40 corresponding to the pair of driving rods 204 so as not to hinder the driving operation by the puncher 200.

(2) Binder FIGS. 23 and 24 show a binder for tape binding one side edge of the recording sheet. In the figure, a binder 220 is always in an upright state, falls down during the binding process, sandwiches one side edge of the bundle of target recording sheets 12 at two places, and pulls out and transports the sandwiched recording sheets 12. It has a gripper 221 and a gate 222a that can be opened and closed.
And the belt gripper 2
A guide plate 224 that forms a sheet transport path between the tape feeder 21 and the tape base 222, and a feed roller 2 that is disposed in the middle of the sheet transport path by the guide plate 224.
25, and a sticking roller 226 that is disposed below the tape base 222 and sticks the tape 223 set when the gate 222a is opened to one side edge of the bundle of recording sheets 12.
, A tape supply roller 227 that continuously supplies the tape 223, a tape feed roll 228 that transports the tape 223 from the tape supply roller 227 to a tape base 222, and cuts the supplied tape 223 into predetermined dimensions. A cutter 229 and a cutter driving mechanism 230 such as an eccentric cam for adjusting the cutting timing of the cutter 229 are provided. Reference numerals 231 and 232 denote gripper sensors for detecting the up / down state of the belt gripper 221. Reference numeral 233 denotes a tip of the bundle of recording sheets 12 on the tape base 222.
This is a gate opening / closing sensor that detects that the vehicle has reached the gate.
On the other hand, notches 43 and 44 similar to those in the embodiment are formed on the side edge of the positioning flange 42 of the bin tray 40 corresponding to the belt gripper 221 so as not to interfere with the belt gripper 221 that has fallen.

The binding process in such a modification is performed, for example, as follows. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 25, the CPU 151 first causes the belt gripper 221 to fall down from the upright state to sandwich the recording sheet 12 corresponding to the notches 43 and 44 of the bin tray 40, and at this stage After lowering the target bin tray 40 by １ ／ pitch, the bundle of recording sheets 12 is pulled out by the belt gripper 221, and the bundle of recording sheets 12 is fed by the feed roller 225 to the tape base 222.
To be pressed. At this time, the tape table 22
A tape 223 cut to a predetermined size is set on the tape 2, and the edges of the bundle of recording sheets 12 are pressed against the surface of the tape 223 on the tape base 222. Then, as shown in FIG.
3 based on the information from
a is opened, and a tape 223 is attached to the edge of the bundle of recording sheets 12.
The tape 223 is bound to one side edge of the bundle of the recording sheets 12 by moving the recording sheet 12 to the sticking roller 226 side and passing the sticking roller 226 in a state where the sheet is adhered. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 27, the feed roller 225 and the belt gripper 221 are rotated in the reverse direction, the bundle of recording sheets 12 on which the tape binding is completed is returned to the original target bin tray 40 position, and
/ 2 pitches downward, and the binding operation ends. Thereafter, the respective bin trays 40 are sequentially moved to the post-processing stage S2, and the same binding operation is performed on the recording sheets 12 in the respective bin trays 40, thus ending a series of binding processes.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, the post-processing unit is provided so as to be capable of performing post-processing in a direction below the sheet conveying path toward the bin tray and in a direction perpendicular to the recording sheet conveying direction. As a result, the width direction of the position of the post-processing unit depends on the presence of the sheet transport path (corresponding to the direction in which the sheet distribution and storage device is arranged with the image recording device)
Is not restricted. Therefore, the width of the device is not unnecessarily increased, and the width of the device can be reduced in size.
In particular, in a mode in which the second sheet conveyance path is provided above the sheet conveyance path toward the bin tray side and the corresponding fixed tray is provided, the presence of the second sheet conveyance path inevitably causes the aforementioned Although the space above the sheet transport path is reduced, the post-processing unit can be provided without any restrictions on the second sheet transport path. That is, even when a post-processing unit is provided, each sheet conveyance path can be simplified and minimized as much as possible without unnecessarily lengthening each sheet conveyance path, and sheet conveyance such as jamming can be performed. Trouble can be prevented beforehand. Further, according to the present invention, since the sheet conveying path is disposed above the post-processing unit, even when the post-processing unit is provided with, for example, a stapler, the staple which has been damaged without any special measures is taken. It is possible to reliably prevent troubles in the sheet conveying system caused by the staples and the like.

Further, a post-processing unit such as a stapler, a puncher, a binder, and the like is disposed at a position facing one side edge of the recording sheet on which the sorting process has been completed, and a predetermined post-processing is performed on the one side edge of the recording sheet. Since processing can be performed, post-processing such as stapling, punching, and binding along one side edge of the recording sheet becomes possible, compared to the case where only post-processing of the corner part of the recording sheet was possible in the past. Thus, the range of post-processing can be greatly expanded. In particular, in the present invention, a telescopic gripper is provided on the post-processing unit side and post-processing is performed on one side edge of the recording sheet after the recording sheet is pulled out by the gripper. There is no need to make the entire structure releasable. Further, there is no need to separately provide a tray dedicated to post-processing, or to provide a conveying unit for conveying the bundle of recording sheets to the tray dedicated to post-processing, thereby making it possible to avoid a complicated apparatus. In addition, when the recording sheet bundle is transferred to the tray dedicated to the post-processing, the recording sheet bundle does not fluctuate, and accordingly, the deterioration of the post-processing quality by the post-processing unit can be effectively avoided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a sheet distribution and storage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a sheet distribution and storage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an end view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2;

4 is a view as seen from an arrow IV in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing details of a bin tray moving system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing details of a bin tray moving system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating details of a sheet alignment mechanism according to the embodiment;

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are schematic diagrams illustrating details of the stapler according to the embodiment;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are explanatory diagrams showing an operation state of the stapler according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a device control system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of a bin tray during a sorting process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of a sheet alignment mechanism during a sorting process according to the embodiment;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are explanatory views showing details of the operation process of the sheet alignment mechanism.

FIG. 14 is a timing chart illustrating an example of a drive signal for a sheet alignment mechanism.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating a specific operation example of a bin tray and a sheet alignment mechanism in a sorting process according to the embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a stapling process in the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a stapling process in the embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a stapler control process during a basic stapling operation.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a tamper control process during a basic stapling operation.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating a specific operation example of the bin tray and the stapler in the stapling process according to the embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a modification of the apparatus similar to FIG. 4 using a puncher as a post-processing unit.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a puncher.

FIG. 23 is a modified example of an apparatus using a binder as a post-processing unit.

24 is a view as seen from the direction of the line XXII in FIG.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory view showing an operation example of a binder.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation example of a binder.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation example of a binder.

[Explanation of symbols]

S1: Sheet distribution stage, S2: Post-processing stage, 1 ...
Housing, 2: image recording device, 3: sheet discharge port, 4
... Recording sheet, 5 ... Sheet conveying means, 6 ... Bin tray,
7 post-processing unit, 8 post-processing control means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masaki Osuga 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shigeki Yamazaki 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.F-term ( Reference) 3F049 AA10 DA12 EA24 LA02 LA13 LA14 LB03 3F050 BD03 BD07 BE01 LA02 LA05 LA07 LB03 3F054 AA01 AC02 BA02 BA03 BA08 BB05 BD02 BG04 BJ04 DA01

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A sheet distribution and accommodation device for distributing and accommodating recording sheets on which images have been recorded by an image recording device, wherein a recording sheet disposed in a housing and discharged from a sheet discharge port of the image recording device is preset. A sheet conveying path for conveying the sheet to the set sheet distribution stage, and a plurality of vertically arranged stages on one side of the housing,
A moving bin tray for distributing and storing recording sheets by sequentially moving the recording sheets in the vertical direction toward the sheet distribution stage; and in the housing, below a sheet conveyance path and in a direction orthogonal to the recording sheet conveyance direction. The post-processing stage is disposed so as to be capable of post-processing, and is provided at a post-processing stage provided below the sheet distribution stage with respect to one side edge of the recording sheet accommodated in the moving bin tray moved to the post-processing stage. A post-processing unit that performs post-processing; and a recording sheet in a movable bin tray that is attached to the post-processing unit so as to be extendable and retractable, and that is drawn out to the post-processing unit and then subjected to post-processing by the post-processing unit. A sheet distribution and storage device comprising a gripper.