JP2003081519A - Sheet processor and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify constitution and reduce the space of a device without degrading the operability of the device. SOLUTION: A sheet processor has an intermediate processing tray 23 with a substantially vertically designed sheet stacking surface on which sheets fed thereto are stacked, and a sheet butt reference wall 33 positioned at a substantially vertically lower end of the sheet stacking surface to form a butt reference for registering of the sheets on the sheet stacking surface. The sheets fed to the sheet stacking surface are butted to register against the reference wall 33 owing to the deadweight of the sheets.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus for selectively performing processing such as sheet alignment.
The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus used in an image forming apparatus including an image reading unit that reads an image and an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile, an image reading unit for reading an image of an object to be read such as a document is arranged at the upper part of the apparatus, and an image is formed below the image reading unit on a sheet such as paper. A device having a forming portion has been generally used.

However, in recent years, for the purpose of space saving, as shown in FIG. 10, a discharge space 103 for discharging the sheet is provided in the apparatus housing between the image reading section 101 and the image forming section 102, and the image forming section is provided. An image forming apparatus has been proposed in which a sheet is discharged onto the upper surface of the sheet 102 and is stacked in the apparatus casing.

Further, in the apparatus shown in FIG. 10, a sheet processing apparatus 111 for selectively performing processing such as stapling (stitching) and punching on a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 102 is provided on a side surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus. It is configured to be arranged at.

[0005]

However, as shown in FIG.
In the conventional example shown in (1), since the sheet processing apparatus 111 is arranged on the side surface of the image forming apparatus main body 100, there is a problem in terms of space saving. Further, for example, when considering a work space for jam processing when a paper jam occurs between the image forming apparatus main body 100 and the sheet processing apparatus 111, a space larger than the installation space is required, and thus the space saving described above is required. There was a problem in that respect.

Further, the image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. 10 may be used not only as a copying machine or a facsimile alone but also as a so-called multi-function machine having the functions of a copying machine, a facsimile and a printer in one device. Many,
In such a case, it is necessary to sort the printer output paper output on the discharge tray or the facsimile reception output paper from the output paper being copied.

Further, in recent years, an apparatus as shown in the figure is often used as a network printer, and it is necessary to sort output sheets for each user only by printer output.

However, in the conventional example shown in FIG.
The number of stacking trays (discharging trays 112) on which the sheets processed by the sheet processing apparatus are discharged and stacked is one, which is insufficient as an apparatus as a multifunction machine or a network printer.

Therefore, when a plurality of discharge trays are to be arranged in the conventional example shown in FIG. 10, it is conceivable to arrange the trays in the vertical direction (vertical direction). There is a possibility that the visibility of the stacked sheets from the operator and the operability of taking out the sheets may deteriorate.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is an image forming apparatus equipped with a sheet processing apparatus for selectively performing processing such as sheet alignment, and operability as a multi-function machine for performing facsimile output, network printer output, etc. by one unit. Without compromising
It is to realize space saving of the device.

[0011]

A typical structure of the present invention for achieving the above object is an intermediate processing tray having a sheet stacking surface configured to stack transported sheets and having a substantially vertical sheet stacking surface. The sheet stacking surface has a sheet abutting reference surface which is located at a lower end in a substantially vertical direction and serves as a abutting reference when aligning the sheets on the sheet stacking surface, and is conveyed onto the sheet stacking surface. The sheet is abutted against and aligned with the reference surface by its own weight.

According to the above structure, the sheet stacking surface of the intermediate processing tray is configured to be substantially vertical, and the reference surface serving as the abutting reference at the time of sheet alignment is provided at the lower end of the intermediate processing tray having the sheet stacking surface in the substantially vertical direction. Is arranged, and every time a sheet is carried into the intermediate processing tray, the carried-in sheet abuts against the reference surface by its own weight and is aligned and stacked, so that the configuration can be simplified and the apparatus can be simplified. It is possible to realize space saving of the device without impairing the operability of the device.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However,
The dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the component parts described in the following embodiments should be appropriately changed depending on the configuration and various conditions of the device to which the present invention is applied, and are particularly specific. Unless otherwise stated, the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited thereto.

[First Embodiment] An embodiment of a sheet processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, an image forming apparatus of a discharge type inside an apparatus housing including a sheet processing apparatus will be described as an example.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus of a discharge type inside an apparatus housing equipped with a sheet processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus has an image reading unit 1 for reading an image of an object to be read such as an original on the upper side of the apparatus, and an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet such as a sheet below the image reading unit 1. And a discharge space 3 for discharging a sheet in the apparatus housing between the image reading unit 1 and the image forming unit 2,
Sheets are discharged and stacked on the upper surface of the image forming unit 2.

Further, a sheet processing apparatus 11 for selectively performing processing such as alignment, binding, and punching of the sheets discharged from the image forming section 2 is provided above the image forming section 2.

In the image reading section 1, the originals placed on the original tray 9a in the automatic document feeder (ADF) 9 arranged above the image reading section 1 are separated and fed one by one by the separating roller 9b, and are read in the flow direction. Output tray 9 via the section 9c
It is discharged to d. Then, the original passing through the flow reading unit 9c is exposed by the optical system 47 in the flow reading unit 9c to capture image information into the photoelectric conversion element 50 via the mirror 48 and the lens 49, and perform data processing. . Alternatively, a manuscript is set on the platen glass 46 of the image reading unit 1, and the optical system 47 is exposed along the manuscript on the platen glass 46 while scanning in the direction of the arrow to expose the light via the mirror 48 and the lens 49. Image information is taken into the conversion element 50 and data processing is performed.

In the image forming section 2, the laser scanner 4 scans the photosensitive member 5 based on the data to form a latent image. The toner image developed on the photoreceptor 5 according to the latent image is fed from the feeding cassette 6 to the feeding roller 8
The images are transferred one by one onto the conveyed sheets, pass through the fixing device 7, and are fixed on the sheets.

For the sheet having passed through the fixing device 7, the first switching flapper 13 is rotated around the fulcrum 14 so that the conveying direction is selected in the arrow a direction or the arrow b direction.
It is conveyed in the arrow direction along the switching flapper 13 (see FIG. 1).
Indicates that the arrow b direction is selected).

The selection of the transport directions a and b is determined by the operator selecting the discharge tray in advance, and the selection of the discharge tray is connected to the operation section of the apparatus or this apparatus for each job. It may be performed from a host computer such as a personal computer, or may be set in advance depending on the type and content of the job.

For example, a facsimile output that is not frequently used is always discharged to the discharge tray 10 of the discharge space 3, the conveyance direction is set to a, and a copy or printer job requiring sorting is discharged onto the discharge tray 15 on the upper surface of the apparatus. Is selected and the transport direction is set to b.

Further, even in copy jobs, sorting is unnecessary.
In the case of copy copy, the discharge tray 10 of the discharge space 3 is set as the output destination in order to shorten the output time (the conveyance direction is
It is also possible to set).

2 to 6 are sectional views showing details of the periphery of the intermediate processing tray 23 having a substantially vertical sheet stacking surface in the sheet processing apparatus 11 according to this embodiment. The seat width direction described below is a direction intersecting the substantially vertical direction, and refers to the front / back direction of the apparatus in FIG. 1 when viewed from the operation section.

In the sheet processing apparatus 11, the sheet guided by the first switching flapper 13 in the direction of the arrow b and conveyed by the first conveying roller pair 25 as the sheet conveying means is next changed as the changing means depending on the presence or absence of processing. The transport direction can be switched by the second switching flapper 16.

That is, in the case of a job that does not require processing such as binding or punching, the second switching flapper 16 rotates about the fulcrum 24 to the solid line position shown in FIG. At this time, the bundle discharge roller 28 is supported by the swing guide 29 that swings about the fulcrum 30, and rotates to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. The sheet guided by the first switching flapper 13 in the direction of arrow b in FIG.
2 and is guided by the second switching flapper 16 in the solid line position shown in FIG. 2 to reach the second conveying roller pair 26, and the second conveying roller pair 26 causes the bundle discharging rollers 27, 28 as a bundle discharging means. The bundle discharge rollers 27, 2 that have been conveyed
The sheet 8 is discharged and stacked on the discharge tray 15 by 8.

In the non-sort mode, the sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 15 at the right end in FIG. 1, and in the sort mode, the discharge tray 15 shown in FIG. Each of them is discharged to the discharge tray 15 while being moved.

Next, in the case of a job that requires processing such as binding and punching, the second switching flapper 16 sets the fulcrum 2
It rotates about 4 from the two-dot chain line position shown in FIG. 3 to the solid line position. The sheet guided by the first switching flapper 13 in the direction of the arrow b in FIG.
Is carried by the second switching flapper 16 in the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 3, and is carried in toward the intermediate processing tray 23. At this time, the swing guide 29 that supports the bundle discharge roller 28 rotates about the fulcrum 30 and rotates.
7 and is retracted to the solid line position shown in FIG. 3 while the sheet is being carried into the intermediate processing tray 23 and during processing.

Since the bundle discharge roller 28 is retracted in this way, the leading edge of the sheet (the length in the substantially vertical direction) is set to the bundle discharge roller 2 during alignment and processing on the intermediate processing tray 23.
A processing operation can be performed even on a large-sized sheet exceeding 7.

After that, when the trailing edge of the sheet leaves the first conveying roller pair 25, the trailing edge of the sheet is moved toward the intermediate processing tray by switching the second switching flapper 16 to the position indicated by the alternate long and two short dashes line in FIG. Be guided. At this time, the first conveying roller pair 25 needs to have a sufficient rotation speed for kicking out the rear end of the sheet. Further, the second switching flapper 16 is shown in FIG.
As the timing for switching to the position indicated by the chain double-dashed line in (1), after the first conveying roller pair 25 kicks out the rear end of the sheet,
The sheet is switched at a position where the trailing edge of the sheet is sufficiently separated from the first conveying roller pair 25. This is because when the second switching flapper 16 is switched, the trailing edge of the sheet is the first transport roller pair 25.
This will prevent the sheet from getting scratched or jammed.

As shown in FIG. 4, each time a sheet is stacked on the intermediate processing tray 23, a pre-alignment means which constitutes a width aligning means for aligning the sheet width in the front / back direction of the apparatus intersecting the substantially vertical direction is formed. A plate 51 and a rear matching plate 52 are arranged.

The front aligning plate 51 and the rear aligning plate 52 are provided in the intermediate processing tray 23 so as to be capable of reciprocating in the sheet width direction. The front matching plate 51 and the rear matching plate 52 include
Each of the width matching racks 53 and 54 is integrally provided. The front aligning plate 51 and the rear aligning plate 52 are driven in forward and reverse directions by width aligning motors 59 and 60 having pinion gears meshing with the width aligning racks 53 and 54, respectively, so as to rotate in the seat width direction (see FIG. 4). The sheets stacked on the intermediate processing tray 23 are reciprocally moved in the vertical direction) to align the sheets in the width direction.

Further, the front aligning plate 51 and the rear aligning plate 52 are provided in the intermediate processing tray 23 so as to be able to reciprocate in the substantially vertical direction. The front aligning plate 51 and the rear aligning plate are integrally provided with bundling racks 55 and 56, respectively. The front aligning plate 51 and the rear aligning plate 52 are driven by the forward / reverse rotation drive of the delivering motors 57, 58 having pinion gears meshing with the delivering racks 55, 56, respectively.
It reciprocates in the substantially vertical direction (left-right direction in FIG. 4).

Further, at the lower ends of the front aligning plate 51 and the rear aligning plate 52 in the substantially vertical direction, there are provided abutting reference walls 33 which are abutting reference surfaces at the time of sheet alignment. However, a part of the butting reference wall 33 may be fixed to the intermediate processing tray 23.

Further, a stapling unit 70 for selectively stapling the sheet bundle temporarily stored on the intermediate processing tray 23 is provided. The stapling unit 70 is driven by a driving means (not shown) at the time of stapling.
It is configured to move and operate in the directions of arrows f and e, and is movably arranged so as not to block the conveyance path of the sheet bundle.

Although the staple unit is exemplified as the sheet processing means here, the sheet processing means is not limited to this, and for example, a punching mechanism such as a punch or a die is used as the sheet processing means. Is also good.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the sheets carried into the intermediate processing tray 23 are stacked by abutting against the abutting reference wall 33 located at the lower end of the intermediate processing tray 23 by its own weight.

Thereafter, the front aligning plate 51 and the rear aligning plate 52 reciprocate in the sheet width direction by the width aligning racks 53 and 54 and the width aligning motors 59 and 60, and align the sheets on the intermediate processing tray 23 in the width direction. I do.

The sheets sequentially discharged onto the intermediate processing tray 23 are aligned one by one as described above, and a predetermined number of sheets are stacked on the intermediate processing tray 23 to form a bundle.
For example, when a stapling process is instructed by an operation unit (not shown), the stapling unit 70 drives the stapling needles to staple the sheet bundle.
When the processing such as stapling is completed, the front aligning plate 51 and the rear aligning plate 52 are separated from each other by the stacking rack 5 as shown in FIGS.
5, 56 and the bundle feeding motors 57, 58 push the sheet bundle upward in the substantially vertical direction, and the sheet bundle after the above-described processing is at least formed by the reference wall 33 integrally provided with the front and rear aligning plates 51, 52. The sheet is conveyed until its tip reaches the bundle discharge roller 27.

Then, when the sheet bundle is pushed up by the reference wall 33 and the leading end of the sheet bundle passes the bundle discharge roller 27, the swing guide 29 is rotated from the solid line position shown in FIG. The bundle is bundle discharge rollers 27, 28
It is sandwiched by and is discharged and conveyed to the discharge tray 15.

Thereafter, the front aligning plate 51 and the rear aligning plate 52 move downward substantially in the vertical direction by the reverse rotation of the bundling motors 57 and 58, detect a predetermined position by a position sensor (not shown), and stop. Prepare for the next job.

The front matching plate 51 and the rear matching plate 52 are
Before the sheet to be processed is carried into the intermediate processing tray 23, a position that does not prevent the sheet from being carried into the intermediate processing tray 23 (for example, the sheet width depending on the width of the sheet to be processed is determined). It is configured to move to a position slightly wider than the seat width) with the center in the direction as the center.

The length in the sheet width direction of the abutting reference wall 33, which is an abutting reference for sheet alignment provided integrally on the front aligning plate 51 and the rear aligning plate 52, is at least from the top of the intermediate processing tray 23. It is good if the length does not fall off.

A plurality of discharge trays 15 above the image reading unit according to the present invention are arranged laterally (left and right in FIG. 1) as shown in FIG. 1, and an arrow 41 in FIG. Lead cam 39 with a spiral groove that rotates in the direction,
A guide rail 40 provided on a rear side plate of the apparatus is configured to move in the left-right direction.

That is, rollers 42 engaging with the grooves of the lead cam 39 are provided at the lower end portions of the front and rear ends of each discharge tray 15, and the rotation of the lead cam 39 moves the discharge tray 15 in the left-right direction in FIG. The tray position is detected by the position detection sensor shown in the figure, and the tray is stopped at a predetermined position.

Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, since the discharge tray 15 is arranged above the image reading section 1, the automatic document feeder 9 (or the automatic document feeder) which also functions as the original pressure plate is used as it is. In a device not provided, the original pressure plate cannot be opened upward, so the image reading unit 1 is lowered in the direction of arrow 46 in FIG.

Further details are shown in FIG. 7 (a),
(B) is a side view of the image forming apparatus main body as viewed from the left side.

In this embodiment, the automatic document feeder 9 is fixed to the apparatus housing and has an image reading section 1 having a scanning optical system.
Is configured to be rotatable around the hinge center 43 as a fulcrum,
In the normal state, the tension spring 44 pulls up and fixes it to the position shown in FIG.

When the user of the apparatus places an original on the platen glass 46 of the image reading unit 1 to read an image, the user holds the handle 4
By pushing down 5 downward, the state shown in FIG. 7B is obtained, and the original is set on the platen glass 46.

Then, the tension spring 44 is used again for the operation shown in FIG.
The original image on the platen glass 46 is scanned and read by the image reading section 1 while being pressed in the state of (a).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the sheet stacking surface of the intermediate processing tray 23 is configured to be substantially vertical, and the sheet is aligned at the lower end of the intermediate processing tray 23 having the sheet stacking surface in the substantially vertical direction. The reference wall 33 serving as the abutting reference is arranged, and every time a sheet is loaded into the intermediate processing tray 23, the loaded sheet abuts against the reference wall 33 by its own weight and is aligned and stacked. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide an aligning means for aligning the sheet ends, the configuration can be simplified, and the space saving of the device can be realized without impairing the operability of the device.

Second Embodiment A sheet processing apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.
In the present embodiment as well, as in the above-described embodiments, the image forming apparatus of the discharge type inside the apparatus housing including the sheet processing apparatus is illustrated. Among them, members having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 8 is an overall view of an image forming apparatus equipped with the sheet processing apparatus 11 according to the second embodiment, and FIG.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing details of the periphery of the intermediate processing tray 23 having a substantially vertical sheet stacking surface in the sheet processing apparatus 11 according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the sheet processing apparatus 11 includes an intermediate processing tray 23 for sequentially stacking and temporarily storing the sheets having passed through the fixing device 7, and the intermediate processing tray 23. Through conveyance path 81 which is a sheet conveyance path for directly ejecting a sheet to the ejection tray 15 without going through
And the discharge tray 1 of the discharge space 3 from the intermediate processing tray 23
0, a discharge path 82 for transporting / discharging a sheet bundle, a first transport roller pair 25, a second transport roller pair 26, a third transport roller pair 84, and a bundle discharge roller 2 for transporting sheets.
7 and 28 are provided.

Further, the sheet processing apparatus 11 includes a fixing device 7
Sheets that have passed through the tray are directly discharged to the discharge tray 1 in the space 3
The first switching flapper 13 that switches between discharging to 0 and discharging to the discharge tray 15 and a small size sheet to the intermediate processing tray 23, or passes through the through transport path 81 as it is and discharges to the discharge tray 15. Second switching flapper 16 as switching means for switching whether to perform
Further, like the second switching flapper 16, a third switching flapper 85 is also arranged as switching means for switching the discharge (conveyance direction) of a large size sheet.

At the lower end of the intermediate processing tray 23 in the substantially vertical direction, a reference wall 33 is provided, which serves as a reference for abutting the conveyed sheet in the vertical direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, each time a sheet is discharged to the intermediate processing tray 23, a front aligning plate 51 and a rear aligning plate 52 as width aligning means for aligning the sheet in the front / back direction. Are movably arranged.

The stapling unit 70 (see FIG. 4) for selectively stapling the temporarily stored sheet bundle is also movably arranged so as not to block the sheet bundle transport path.

Next, the movement according to the size of the sheet when the sheet is guided onto the intermediate processing tray will be described.

<Small Size Sheet> When the mode set in the image forming apparatus is the processing mode (staple mode), the sheet that has passed through the fixing device 7 is paired with the first conveying roller pair by the first switching flapper 13. It is guided to 25 and conveyed. Second switching flapper 1 as switching means
Although 6 is initially in the state of the alternate long and two short dashes line position shown in FIG. 9, the trailing edge of the sheet (the lower edge in the substantially vertical direction) passes through the second switching flapper 16, and the second conveying roller pair as the sheet conveying means. Just before the nip of 26, the second switching flapper 16 changes from the two-dot chain line position shown in FIG. 9 to the solid line position. At the same time, the second transport roller pair 26 rotates in the reverse direction. As a result, the lower end of the sheet is guided to the intermediate processing tray 23 as the leading end of the conveyed sheet. The lower end of the sheet guided to the intermediate processing tray 23 is abutted against the abutting reference wall 33 and stopped, and the sheets are aligned and stacked.

By repeating this operation for each conveyed sheet, it becomes possible to stack a vertically aligned sheet bundle in the intermediate processing tray 23.

<For Large Size Sheet> Fixing Device 7
When the mode set in the image forming apparatus is the processing mode, the sheet that has passed through is guided by the first switching flapper 13 to the first transport roller pair 25 and is transported. A second switching flapper 16 and a third switching flapper 8 as switching means.
5 is initially in the state of the chain double-dashed line position shown in FIG. 9, but the trailing edge of the sheet (lower edge in the substantially vertical direction) is the second switching flapper 16, the second conveying roller pair 26, and the third switching flapper 8.
5 and immediately before the nip of the third conveying roller pair 84 as the sheet conveying means, the third switching flapper 85
Changes from the two-dot chain line position shown in FIG. 9 to the solid line position.
At the same time, the third conveying roller pair 84 rotates in the reverse direction. As a result, the lower end of the sheet is guided to the intermediate processing tray 23 as the leading end of the conveyed sheet. Intermediate processing tray 2
The lower end of the sheet guided to No. 3 abuts on the matching wall 23.
It is struck against and stopped, and is aligned and loaded.

By repeating this operation for each conveyed sheet, it becomes possible to stack the vertically aligned sheet bundle in the intermediate processing tray 23.

<Sheet pressing> Further, the second switching flapper 16 and the third switching flapper 85 as the switching means are
The intermediate processing tray is configured to be movable to a position for pressing a sheet on the sheet stacking surface. Here, a description will be given of the case where the second switching flapper 16 holds the sheet bundle when the sheet size is the small size and the third switching flapper 85 holds when the sheet size is the large size.

As described above, in the case of the small size, when the sheet is conveyed to the intermediate processing tray 23, the second
The switching flapper 16 is switched to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 9. At this time, the second switching flapper 16 makes a conveyance path for the sheet to be conveyed to the intermediate processing tray 23, and at the same time, the sheet already conveyed to the intermediate processing tray 23. It works to hold down the bundle. In the case of large size, the third
The switching flapper 85 has a similar function. By adopting a configuration in which the switching flappers 16 and 85 press the sheet bundle already stacked on the intermediate processing tray 23, it is possible to prevent the already stacked sheet bundle on the intermediate processing tray 23 from buckling, and It becomes possible to convey the intermediate processing tray 23.

[Other Embodiments] In the above-described embodiment,
An abutting reference wall 33 that serves as an abutting reference during sheet alignment.
Although the structure is shown as being provided at the lower ends of the front and rear alignment plates 51, 52, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a part of the butting reference wall 33 is fixedly provided on the intermediate processing tray 23. The configuration may be different.

Alternatively, the abutting reference wall 33 may be fixedly provided at the lower end of the intermediate processing tray 23.
In this case, the front and rear aligning plates 51 and 52 are configured to be movable only in the sheet width direction to simplify the configuration, and a transport belt as shown in FIG. The sheet bundle may be conveyed to the discharge rollers 27 and 28 (or the conveyance belt may also function as the bundle discharge rollers).

The abutting reference wall 33 may be provided separately from the front and rear alignment plates 51 and 52 and the intermediate processing tray 23. Also in this case, the front and rear aligning plates 51 and 52 can be moved only in the sheet width direction to simplify the configuration, and the abutting reference wall 33 conveys the sheet bundle to the bundle discharge rollers 27 and 28. (Alternatively, the transport belt may also function as the bundle discharge roller).

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the image reading section 1
The image forming apparatus including the image forming section 2 and the sheet forming apparatus above the image reading section 1 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. A sheet processing apparatus having a substantially vertical intermediate processing tray may be provided above the image forming unit 2 without the image reading unit 1.

In the above-described embodiment, the front and rear aligning plates 51 and 52 are arranged to transfer the sheet bundle to the bundle discharge rollers 27 and 28 and then descend to prepare for the next operation.
The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the front and rear alignment plates 51 and 52 may also function as a bundle discharge roller as the bundle discharge means, and only the front and rear alignment plates 51 and 52 may be used without using the bundle discharge roller. Alternatively, the sheet bundle may be discharged to the discharge tray 15. In this case, after the sheet bundle is conveyed to the height of the discharge tray, the discharge tray 15 is set to the position shown in FIG.
Will move to the right side of and the sheet bundle will be delivered from the aligning plate.

[0071]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The sheet stacking surface of the intermediate processing tray is configured to be substantially vertical, and a reference surface that serves as an abutting reference during sheet alignment is arranged at the lower end of the intermediate processing tray having the sheet stacking surface in a substantially vertical direction. Each time a sheet is carried in, the carried-in sheet abuts against the reference surface by its own weight and is aligned and stacked, so that the configuration can be simplified and the operability of the apparatus is not impaired. Space saving of the device can be realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus of a discharge type inside an apparatus housing including a sheet processing apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a detailed configuration around an intermediate processing tray in the sheet processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a detailed configuration around an intermediate processing tray in the sheet processing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a partial front view showing a detailed configuration around an intermediate processing tray in the sheet processing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a detailed configuration around an intermediate processing tray in the sheet processing apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a partial front view showing a detailed configuration around an intermediate processing tray in the sheet processing apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an image forming apparatus of a discharge type inside an apparatus housing including the sheet processing apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus of a discharge type inside an apparatus housing including a sheet processing apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a detailed configuration around an intermediate processing tray in the sheet processing apparatus.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Image reading unit 2 ... Image forming unit 3 ... Discharge space 4 ... Laser scanner 5 ... Photoconductor 6 ... Feed cassette 7 ... Fixer 8 ... Feeding roller 9 ... Automatic document feeder 9a ... Document tray 9b ... Separation roller 9c ... Sink reading unit 9d ... Ejection tray 10 ... Ejection tray 11 ... Sheet processing apparatus 13 ... First switching flapper 14… Support point 15 ... Ejection tray 16 ... Second switching flapper 23 ... Intermediate processing tray 24… Support point 25 ... 1st conveyance roller pair 26 ... Second transport roller pair 27, 28 ... Bundle discharge roller 29 ... Swing guide 30 ... fulcrum 33… Abutment reference wall 39 ... Lead cam 40… Guide rail 42 ... 43 ... Center of hinge 44 ... tension spring 45 ... Handle 46 ... Platen glass 47 ... Optical system 48 ... Mirror 49 ... Lens 50 ... Photoelectric conversion element 51 ... Front matching plate 52 ... Rear matching plate 53, 54 ... Width matching rack 55, 56 ... Bundle rack 57, 58 ... Bundle motor 59, 60 ... Width matching motor 70 ... Staple unit 81 ... Through transport path 82 ... Discharge path 84 ... Third transport roller pair 85 ... Third switching flapper

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) B65H 83/00 B65H 83/00 G03G 15/00 534 G03G 15/00 534 (72) Inventor Junichi Mogi Tokyo 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Miki Mizuta 3-30-2 Shimomaruko Shiotamaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Hiromichi Tsujino Shimomaruko Ota-ku, Tokyo 3-30-2 Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Masaaki Inoo 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo 3-20-30 Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Toshimasa Suzuki 3-30 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo No. 2 Canon F-term (reference) 2H072 AB15 CB01 FB07 FB10 GA02 GA08 HB07 JA02 3F054 AA01 AB01 AC02 BA11 BB09 BB23 BE03 BG03 BH02 BJ04 DA0 1 3F100 AA02 BA24 CA03 CA14 EA03 EA17 3F108 GA02 GB01 GB07 HA02 HA32

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An intermediate processing tray having a substantially vertical sheet stacking surface for stacking conveyed sheets, and a substantially vertical lower end of the sheet stacking surface on the sheet stacking surface. And a sheet abutting reference surface which is an abutting reference at the time of aligning the sheet, and the sheet conveyed onto the sheet stacking surface is abutted and aligned with the reference surface by its own weight. Characteristic sheet processing device. 2. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sheet conveying path and a sheet conveying unit that guides and conveys the sheet adjacently in parallel with the sheet stacking surface. 3. The sheet conveying path is provided with switching means for switching between conveying the sheet along the sheet conveying path as it is or conveying the sheet toward the sheet stacking surface. 2. The sheet processing apparatus according to item 2. 4. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the switching unit is movable to a position for pressing a sheet on the sheet stacking surface. 5. The sheet conveying means is located in the vicinity of the switching means in the sheet conveying path and below the switching means in a substantially vertical direction, and the sheet conveying means moves from a substantially vertical direction to an upper side. The conveyed sheet is guided from the upper end side in the substantially vertical direction of the sheet toward the sheet stacking surface by the switching means, and when the lower end of the sheet is carried out from the sheet conveying means, the lower end of the sheet is moved by its own weight. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the sheet processing apparatus is abutted against and aligned with a reference surface. 6. The sheet conveying means is located in the vicinity of the switching means in the sheet conveying path and above the switching means in a substantially vertical direction, and the sheet conveying means moves from a substantially vertical direction downward to upward. The sheet to be conveyed is conveyed from the upper side to the lower side in the substantially vertical direction by the sheet conveying means when the lower end of the sheet in the substantially vertical direction passes through the switching means, and is moved from the upper side to the lower side in the substantially vertical direction by the sheet conveying means. The sheet conveyed toward the sheet is guided toward the sheet stacking surface from the lower end of the sheet in a substantially vertical direction by the switching unit, and when the upper end of the sheet is discharged from the sheet conveying unit, the sheet lower end is moved by its own weight. 4. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the sheet is abutted against and aligned with the reference surface. 7. An image reading unit for reading an image of an object to be read, an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet, and a sheet processing apparatus for selectively processing a sheet discharged from the image forming unit. Having, and arranging the image forming unit at a position below the image reading unit,
The sheet processing according to claim 1, wherein the sheet processing apparatus includes an ejection space for ejecting a sheet in an apparatus housing between the image reading unit and the image forming unit. An image forming apparatus comprising an apparatus, wherein the sheet processing apparatus is arranged above the image forming section and an intermediate processing tray of the sheet processing apparatus is arranged laterally of the image reading section. 8. An image reading unit for reading an image of an object to be read, an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet, and a sheet processing apparatus for selectively processing a sheet discharged from the image forming unit. Having, and arranging the image forming unit at a position below the image reading unit,
The sheet processing according to claim 1, wherein the sheet processing apparatus includes an ejection space for ejecting a sheet in an apparatus housing between the image reading unit and the image forming unit. A sheet processing apparatus, the sheet processing apparatus is arranged above the image forming section, and the intermediate processing tray of the sheet processing apparatus is arranged laterally of the image reading section, and the sheet processing apparatus further has a discharge tray at an upper portion. , Sheets are discharged and stacked one by one on the upper discharge tray,
Alternatively, the image forming apparatus is characterized in that a sheet bundle including a plurality of sheets is discharged and stacked. 9. An image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a sheet processing apparatus that selectively processes a sheet discharged from the image forming unit, wherein the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 is used as the sheet processing apparatus. The sheet processing apparatus is disposed above the image forming unit, the sheet processing apparatus further includes a discharge tray, and sheets are discharged and stacked one by one on the upper discharge tray.
Alternatively, the image forming apparatus is characterized in that a sheet bundle including a plurality of sheets is discharged and stacked.