JP2005162494A - Sheet handling device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet handling device, stapling a sheaf of sheets with high reliability by improving the stacking performance on a staple tray and the aligning accuracy of the sheaf of sheets. <P>SOLUTION: A trailing end fence 19 is provided with an elastic guide pressing member 431 for directing the ends of sheaf of sheets to a fixed part 11a of a stapler 11. The trailing end fence 10 is provided with a cutout part 432 formed from the lower end, and the guide pressing member 431 is disposed rather closer to one end of the cutout part 432, whereby in stapling operation of the stapler 11, a movable part 11b is passed through a portion rather closer to the other end of the cutout part 432. The sheaf of sheets is previously put aside to the fixed part 11a of the stapler 11 and pressed by the guide pressing member 431. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet that is connected to a paper discharge unit of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile, and that processes a sheet that is discharged, or a sheet that is processed from a paper discharge unit of a built-in image forming apparatus. The present invention relates to a processing apparatus.

  Copied sheets (paper sheets) sent from the sheet processing apparatus outside or in the built-in image forming apparatus are received and stacked on the staple tray, and stapled by a staple unit into a predetermined number of sheet bundles. In a sheet processing apparatus that discharges paper to a paper discharge tray, in order to staple the sheet accurately at a predetermined position, the sheet conveying direction, that is, the rear end portion is aligned (vertically aligned) by the rear end fence, and the jogger fence is used. The ends in the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction are aligned (horizontal alignment). Then, a sheet processing apparatus of a type in which the stapling apparatus is moved to a predetermined position at the rear end portion of the sheet to execute one-point binding or two-point binding has been widely proposed.

  By the way, the staple tray for stacking the sheet bundle is not arranged in the horizontal direction but arranged at a certain angle so as not to increase the size of the sheet processing apparatus. When the staple tray is angled as described above, the weight is not sufficiently applied in the thickness direction of the sheet, and the weight is applied in the longitudinal direction. When the weight is applied in the longitudinal direction, the sheet is buckled in the vicinity of the rear end fence and the alignment becomes poor. In addition, in an apparatus with a large number of sheets that can be aligned and stapled, play in the thickness direction of the sheet increases in the jogger fence and the trailing edge fence when a small number of sheets are stacked, and curling (the trailing edge of the sheet is not stacked along the reference plane). 22) and buckling (bending in a mountain shape in the direction away from the staple tray slightly above the trailing edge of the sheet: the state shown in FIG. 22) is likely to occur and alignment is poor.

  FIG. 22 is a view showing a state in which the sheet is buckled in the rear end fence, and FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the sheet bundle stapled with the end portion shifted. The stapling apparatus 11 includes a fixed portion 11a and a movable portion 11b that is separated from and in contact with the fixed portion 11a, and sandwiches and presses the sheet bundle between the fixed portion 11a and the movable portion 11b to fix the fixed portion 11a or the movable portion. The staple needle built in 11b is driven to bind the sheet bundle.

  In the case of a sheet with low waist or a sheet curled back in the conveying direction, as shown in FIG. 22, the sheet bundle is arranged on one side of the rear end fence 19, that is, in this case, away from the fixing portion 11a of the stapling apparatus 11. The end faces of are stacked. If the stapling process is performed in this state, as shown in FIG. 23, the end face of the bound sheet is inclined (deviation amount X), and the alignment accuracy is deteriorated.

  In the sheet processing apparatus, after the sheet passes through the discharge roller 6 and is discharged to the staple tray, the sheet is guided to a bending guide portion formed by bending the rear end fence 19 and stacked in the rear end fence 19. The The distance between the discharge roller 6 and the rear end fence 19 is determined by the size of the stapling device. The larger the stapling device, the greater the distance between the two. Furthermore, if the stapling device has an oblique binding function, a space must be secured so that the stapling device can be rotated with respect to the binding position, so that the distance between the discharge roller 6 and the upper end of the rear end fence 19 is further increased. If the bending height (the height of the guide portion) of the rear end fence 19 is not increased if the distance is increased, the sheet cannot be guided. If the bending height is high, the position accuracy is difficult to be obtained. Further, since the width of the trailing edge fence 19 does not extend over the entire width of the sheet conveyance path, as the distance between the discharge roller 6 and the trailing edge fence 19 increases, it becomes difficult to guide the sheet. Further, since the staple tray is inclined, the vector component toward the staple tray surface of the gravity of the sheets stacked on the staple tray is reduced, and the sheets are not easily stacked, that is, the stackability is deteriorated. There is also a problem.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus capable of performing highly reliable stapling processing by improving stackability on a staple tray and sheet bundle alignment accuracy.

  The above-described problems include: a conveying unit that conveys a sheet; a staple tray that stacks the conveyed sheets; and a staple unit that performs a staple process on the sheet bundle while sandwiching the sheet bundle stacked on the staple tray. In the sheet processing apparatus, the first means having an elastic sheet guide member for guiding the sheet to the staple position in the staple means while pressing the lower surface of the sheet stacked on the staple tray is solved.

  In the sheet processing apparatus according to the first means, the front stapling means includes a fixed portion in which one is fixed and a movable portion in which the other is movable, and the fixed portion is attached to the staple tray. This is solved by the second means arranged on the lower surface side of the stacked sheets.

  The above-described problems include a staple tray that receives and stacks sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus, a rear end fence that aligns the sheets by abutting an end portion in the conveyance direction of the sheets stacked on the staple tray, And a stapling unit that performs stapling on the end of the sheet bundle aligned by the rear end fence. The rear end fence includes a butting surface that abuts a sheet and sheet stacking of the staple tray. A first opposing surface that faces the surface, and is inclined to either the sheet stacking surface of the staple tray or the first opposing surface as the vicinity of the end of the sheet to be aligned by the rear end fence is pressed. This is solved by the third means provided with the elastic sheet guide member arranged in this manner.

  In the sheet processing apparatus according to the third means, the stapling means includes a fixed portion in which one is fixed and a movable portion in which the other is movable, and the staple unit is interposed between the fixed portion and the movable portion. A stapler is provided for stapling the sheet bundle by moving the movable part with the sheet bundle on the staple tray being sandwiched, and the elastic sheet guide member is provided with a fixing part of the stapler. This is solved by the fourth means for pressing the sheet bundle on the staple tray in the direction in which the sheet is placed.

  In the sheet processing apparatus described in the first or third means, the above problem is solved by the fourteenth means in which the image forming apparatus is built in the apparatus.

  The above problem is solved by the fifteenth means in which the image forming apparatus is provided outside the apparatus in the sheet processing apparatus described in the first or third means.

  According to the present invention, the elastic sheet guide member guides the sheet to the staple position in the staple unit while pressing the lower surface of the sheet stacked on the staple tray, so that the sheet end is shifted by the lower part in the staple unit. Therefore, it is possible to improve the binding alignment accuracy and improve the reliability during stapling.

  According to the present invention, the elastic sheet guide member moves the sheet end portion to the fixed portion side of the stapler in advance, so that when the sheet is stapled, the movable portion of the stapler does not move and move the sheet. It is possible to improve the reliability during stapling by improving the binding alignment accuracy without shifting the end of the sheet bundle.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 is a configuration diagram of the entire sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a driving mechanism for a jogger fence and a return roller, FIG. 3 is an enlarged configuration diagram in the vicinity of a rear end fence portion, and FIG. Is a perspective view centering on the stapling apparatus, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the bundle of sheets after binding is discharged by the discharge belt, and FIG. 6 is a block of the electrical system of the sheet processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

  In FIG. 1, C is a copier as an image forming apparatus, and F is a sheet post-processing apparatus connected to the copier C. A sheet discharge sensor 36, an entrance roller 1, and a branch claw 8 are provided at the entrance of the sheet discharge conveyance path for receiving a sheet from the copying machine C. The branch claw 8 allows the sheet to go in the direction of the sheet discharge tray 12 and the stapling device. (Staple unit) Sheets going in the 11 direction are divided. On the side of the transport path in the direction of the paper discharge tray 12, a plurality of upper transport roller pairs 2, a paper discharge sensor 38, a paper discharge tray discharge roller pair 3, and a moving roller 7 that brings the sheets stacked on the paper discharge tray 12 to one side. By detecting the position of the paper lever 13 and the paper lever 13 that move up and down in contact with the upper surface of the paper discharge tray 12 or the uppermost surface of the sheets stacked on the paper discharge tray 12, the stacking sheets on the paper discharge tray 12 are detected. Paper surface sensors 32 and 33 for detecting the height of the uppermost surface are arranged, and a plurality of lower conveyance roller pairs 4, a paper discharge sensor 37, a paper feed roller 6a as a discharge roller, A fur brush roller 6b disposed coaxially with the paper feed roller 6a is disposed. The lower conveyance roller pair 4 is driven by a conveyance motor 54 described later, and the paper discharge tray 12 is appropriately moved up and down (up and down direction in FIG. 1) and left and right (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1) by a vertical motor 51 and a shift motor 52 described later. In a direction perpendicular to the sheet discharge direction to the sheet discharge tray 12). As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the stapling device 11 is provided below the staple tray 21 arranged in an inclined manner, and aligns the sheets discharged onto the staple tray 21 in the vicinity of the staple tray 21. The jogger fence 9 is movable in the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction (sheet width direction) and the upper surface of the sheet discharged onto the staple tray 21, and the sheet is conveyed downward to be described later. As shown in FIG. 3, the return roller 5 that abuts against the rear end fence 19, the discharge belt 10 that discharges the bound sheet bundle on the staple tray 21 to the discharge tray 12, and the jogger fence 9 below the sheet A rear end fence 19 for abutting the end is disposed. Reference numeral 39 denotes a discharge belt home sensor for detecting the home position of the discharge belt 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the jogger fence 9 is reciprocated in the width direction of the sheet by the jogger motor 26 via the jogger belt 49, and the return roller 5 is in contact with and separated from the upper surface of the sheet by the return solenoid 30. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sheet is moved counterclockwise and conveyed to the trailing edge fence 19 when it contacts the upper surface of the sheet. As shown in FIG. 3, the discharge roller 6a and the brush roller 6b are rotated counterclockwise by the brush roller belt 47 shown in FIG. A rear end fence 19 having a reference surface (abutment surface) W for abutting and vertically aligning the rear end of the sheet is provided below the jogger fence 9. That is, the rear end fence 19 is bent substantially parallel to the reference surface W extending substantially perpendicularly from the lower end of the staple tray 21 and the sheet placement surface 21a of the staple tray 21 from the upper end of the reference surface W. And a bending guide portion 19A formed by bending in a direction away from the upper portion. The lower end of the sheet conveyed downward by the bending guide portion 19 </ b> A is guided into the rear end fence 19.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the stapling apparatus 11 is driven by the stapler moving motor 27 via the staple belt 50 and moves in the sheet width direction indicated by the arrow L. Although the sheet width direction of the stapling apparatus 11 is not shown in the drawing, strictly speaking, one pulley of the discharge belt 10 is disposed below the central portion of the staple tray 21. The stapler 11 is moved down in the width direction of the sheet. The rear end fence 19 has fixed pieces 19a and 19b whose positions are fixed and movable pieces 19c and 19d that move together when the stapling apparatus 11 moves. The fixed pieces 19a and 19b are connected to the staple tray. 21 is arranged at the center of the lower end with a gap, and the movable pieces 19c and 19d are arranged at both ends, respectively. Reference numeral 22 denotes a stapler home sensor for detecting the home position of the stapling apparatus 11.

  By the way, even if the sheet discharge sensor 37 issues an ON command to the return solenoid 30 and operates the return roller 5 immediately after detecting the rear end of the sheet, the return roller 5 can hit the rear end of the sheet at that timing. It is arranged at such a position.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the sheet bundle bound by the stapling device 11 has a rear end locked to a discharge claw 10 a provided on the discharge belt 10, and is driven by a discharge motor 57. The sheet is conveyed upward by rotation and discharged toward the sheet discharge tray 12.

  Here, the electrical system of the sheet processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, signals from switches and sensors in the sheet processing apparatus are input to the CPU 70 via the I / O interface 60. In accordance with the input signal, the CPU 70 moves the vertical motor 51, shift motor 52, branch solenoid 53, return solenoid 30, transport motor 54, paper discharge motor 55, staple motor 56, discharge motor 57, stapler moving motor 27, jogger. The motor 26 and the drive motor 116 are driven. The pulse signal generated by driving the carry motor 54 is input to the CPU 70 and counted, and the return solenoid 30 is controlled according to this count. The sheet alignment control means is configured by the CPU 70 and various operation programs that operate the CPU 70.

  Next, in the above embodiment, the operation when the non-staple mode in which stapling is not performed is selected by the selection button on the operation panel (not shown) of the copier C will be described. The sheet discharged from the copying machine C is received by the entrance roller 1, guided to the transport path in the direction of the paper discharge tray 12 by the branch claw 8, sent by the upper transport roller pair 2, and discharged from the discharge tray pair. 3 is discharged onto the discharge tray 12. Then, the sheet is moved in the direction opposite to the sheet discharge direction by the shift roller 7, and the sheet discharge direction is aligned and stacked on the sheet discharge tray 12. The sheet discharge tray roller pair 3 is decelerated when the sheet discharge sensor 38 detects the trailing edge of the sheet, and can prevent the sheet from popping out, thereby improving stackability. Further, as the copied sheets are sequentially ejected, the paper surface lever 13 is raised (swings clockwise in FIG. 1), which is detected by the paper surface sensor 33, and is ejected by the driving of the vertical motor 51. The paper tray 12 is lowered and always kept at an appropriate height. In the sort and stack modes, the sheet discharge tray 12 is shifted left and right (direction perpendicular to the discharge direction: direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 1) by the shift motor 52 in accordance with a partition signal output from the control panel of the apparatus main body. And sort until the end of the job. At the end of the job, the sheet discharge tray 12 is lowered about 30 millimeters so that the sheet bundle can be easily removed from the sheet discharge tray 12.

  Next, a case where the staple mode is selected by a selection button on an operation panel (not shown) of the copying machine C will be described. When the staple mode is selected, as shown in FIG. 2, the jogger fences 9 and 9 move from the home position, and stand by at a standby position that is 7 mm away from the sheet side edge of the selected or detected sheet size. To do. The sheet discharged from the copying machine C is received by the entrance roller 1, guided to the transport path in the direction of the stapling apparatus 11 by the branch claw 8, and transported by the lower transport roller pair 4 (driven by the transport motor 54). . When the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the paper discharge sensor 37 (at this time, the leading edge of the sheet is inserted between the jogger fences 9 and 9), the jogger fences 9 and 9 are inside 5 mm from the standby position, that is, both sides of the sheet. Each is moved in a direction approaching the end and stopped (this position is referred to as a temporary alignment position). Further, the paper discharge sensor 37 detects this when the sheet trailing edge passes, and inputs the signal to the CPU 70. The CPU 70 counts the pulse signal generated by driving the conveyance motor 54 from the time of receiving this signal, After the predetermined pulse signal is counted, the return solenoid 30 is turned on. When the return solenoid 30 is turned on and off, the support arm makes a pendulum movement. When the return roller 5 is turned on, the support roller is brought into contact with the sheet and conveyed downward, and the lower end (rear end) of the sheet is returned to the rear end fence 19. Abutting against the reference surface W, the sheets are aligned vertically (alignment in the sheet conveyance direction). Each time a sheet stored in the staple tray 21 passes through the entrance sensor 36 (or the paper discharge sensor 37), the signal is input to the CPU 70, and the number of sheets is counted. When the return roller 5 conveys the sheet downward, both side edges of the sheet are slightly guided by the jogger fences 9 and 9 because the gaps are slightly 2 mm from the jogger fences 9 and 9. After a predetermined time has elapsed after the return solenoid 30 is turned off, the jogger fences 9 and 9 are further moved inward by 2 mm from the temporary alignment position by the jogger motor 26, and then temporarily stopped. Alignment in the orthogonal direction) ends. Thereafter, the jogger fences 9 and 9 return 7 mm away from the sheet side end and wait for the next sheet. This operation is performed up to the last page. On the last page, jogging (sheet alignment) is performed again inward by 7 millimeters, and the jogger fences 9 and 9 hold the both ends of the sheet bundle and prepare for the stapling operation.

  Thereafter, after a predetermined time, the stapling apparatus 11 is operated and the binding process is performed. At this time, if a plurality of bindings are designated, the staple movement motor 27 is driven after the binding process at one place is completed, and the stapling apparatus 11 is moved along the sheet rear end to the appropriate position, and the second place. A binding process is performed.

  When the binding process is completed, the discharge motor 57 is driven to drive the discharge belt 10. At this time, the discharge motor 55 is also driven, and the discharge roller pair 3 starts to rotate to receive the sheet bundle lifted by the discharge claw 10a. At this time, the jogger fence 9 is controlled so that the operation differs depending on the size and number of sheets stacked on the staple tray 21. For example, when the number of sheets to be bound is less than a predetermined number or the sheet size is smaller than a predetermined size, the trailing edge of the sheet bundle is hooked and conveyed by the discharge claw 10a while the sheet bundle is pressed by the jogger fence 9. Then, according to the detection result of the discharge belt home sensor 39, the jogger fence 9 is retracted by 2 millimeters after a predetermined pulse, and the restraint of the sheet by the jogger fence 9 is released (this predetermined pulse is applied to the discharge claw 10a at the rear end of the sheet bundle. It is set after passing the tip of the jogger fence 9 after the collision). If the number of sheets to be bound is larger than the predetermined number or the sheet size is larger than the predetermined size, the jogger fence 9 is retracted in advance by 2 millimeters and discharged. In any case, when the sheet bundle finishes passing through the jogger fence 9, the jogger fence 9 further moves 5 millimeters and returns to the standby position to prepare for the next sheet. Further, the restraining force of the sheet can be adjusted by the distance between the side edge of the sheet and the jogger fence 9. The above series of operations is repeated until the last job.

  Here, the vertical mechanism of the paper discharge tray 12 will be described. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the vertical mechanism of the paper discharge tray. As shown in FIG. 7, the paper discharge tray 12 is supported by two vertical lift belts 48. The vertical lift belt 48 is driven by a vertical motor 51 via a gear train and a timing belt, and the paper discharge tray 12 is raised or lowered by normal rotation or reverse rotation of the vertical motor 51. The home position of the paper discharge tray 12 and the height at the time of movement are detected by a paper surface lever 13 that can be rotated in the vertical direction, and paper surface sensors 32 and 33 that detect the position of the paper surface lever 13, and according to the detection result. Thus, the paper discharge tray 12 is moved to a predetermined position. Further, when the sheets on the paper discharge tray 12 reach the maximum stacking capacity, this is detected by the lower limit sensor 34. Further, when the shift roller 7 is pushed up by the paper discharge tray 12 when the paper discharge tray 12 is raised, the upper limit switch 31 is turned off, and the upper and lower motors 51 stop rotating so that the paper discharge tray 12 is driven by overrun. System damage is prevented.

  Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, the restriction pressing member will be described. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a staple tray to which the first embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIGS. 9A and 9B are views as seen from the sheet pressing surface of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram viewed from the side surface (H direction) of FIG. 9B, and FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing each stop position in the first control operation of the first embodiment. It is. The restriction pressing member 100 is substantially T-shaped when viewed from the side as shown in FIG. 10 and has a width enough to be inserted into the gap between the fixing pieces 19a and 19b shown in FIG. 4 (see FIG. 8). . The leading end portion of the regulation pressing member 100 is provided with a sheet regulation pressing surface 100a substantially parallel to the sheet stacking surface 21a (see FIG. 8) of the staple tray 21, and further at the upper end thereof in a direction away from the sheet stacking surface 21a. An inclined inclined sheet guide surface 100b is provided. Further, the guide arm portions 100d, 100d,... Protrude from both sides of the restriction pressing member 100, and the guide arm portions 100d, 100d,... Are attached to the bracket 115 as shown in FIGS. Guided by the shafts 125, 125, the regulating pressing member 100 is supported so as to be movable in the axial direction of the guide shaft 125, that is, in the left-right direction (arrow M direction) in FIG. 9B. The restricting pressing member 100 has one end hooked on the hooking portion 122 of the bracket 115 and the other end hooked on the hooking portion 123 of the restricting pressing member 100, ie, the left direction of FIG. Thus, it is biased toward the staple tray 21.

  A drive motor 116 capable of rotating forward and backward is attached to the bracket 115, and the driving force of the drive motor 116 is transmitted to the timing pulley 118 via the timing belt 117 as shown in FIG. 9B. A boss 119 protrudes upward from the timing pulley 118, and the boss 119 rotates around the rotation center of the timing pulley 118. The boss 119 changes its position as it rotates. The abutting portion 100 c formed on the restricting pressing member 100 is always pressed against the boss 119 in the direction of the staple tray 21 by the urging force of the tension spring 120.

  The timing pulley 118 rotates counterclockwise, the displacement of the boss 119 in the X-axis direction becomes negative (that is, moves to the left in FIG. 9B), and the urging force of the tension spring 120 causes the regulating pressing member 100 to The boss 119 moves to the displaced position. That is, the restricting pressing member 100 also moves in the left (or right) direction of FIG. 9B while the contact portion 100c of the restricting pressing member 100 is pressed in accordance with the displacement of the boss 119 by the urging force of the tension spring 120. When the timing pulley 118 rotates the boss 119 in the counterclockwise direction (forward direction) from the state of FIG. 9B by 120 °, the boss 119 is displaced to a position where the restriction pressing member 100 contacts the sheet stacking surface 21 a of the staple tray 21. To do. Further, the position in contact with the sheet stacking surface 21a of the staple tray 21 is maintained during the range in which the boss 119 is rotated by 60 °. In other words, the position where the regulating pressing member 100 is in contact with the sheet stacking surface 21a of the staple tray 21 by the urging force of the tension spring 120 with the boss 119 separated from the contact portion 100c is maintained. Next, when the boss 119 is rotated clockwise (reverse direction) within a range of 120 ° to the home position, the boss 119 comes into contact with the contact portion 100c and resists the biasing force of the tension spring 120 as shown in FIG. The restriction pressing member 100 is moved to the right in (B), and returns to the home position shown in FIG. 9 (B).

  In addition, since the contact portion (guide groove) 100c into which the boss 119 of the restriction pressing member 100 enters is not restricted in the rightward movement of the restriction pressing member 100 in FIG. 9B, the restriction pressing member 100 is The position is regulated by the boss 119 until it comes into contact with the sheet bundle, but the sheet bundle is pressed by the urging force of the tension spring 120 when it comes into contact with the upper surface of the lower end of the sheet bundle. Then, after performing the pressing operation, the restricting pressing member 100 is returned to stop positions A1, A2, and A3 described later before the next sheet P is discharged by the rightward movement of the boss 119 in FIG. 9B. It is. The alignment state of the sheets P on the staple tray 21 is improved by the alignment operation and the pressing operation of the series of sheets P in the thickness direction.

  Here, pressing (pressing) of the rear end of the sheet bundle in the present invention and an appropriate sheet guide mechanism to the rear end fence 19 will be described. The guide when the sheet discharged to the staple tray 21 falls downward is performed before the trailing edge of the sheet arrives at the trailing edge fence 19, and the sheet bundle is pressed after the sheet discharged to the staple tray 21. This is performed after arriving at the end fence 19 and before the stapling operation.

  Next, the stop (guide) position of the restriction pressing member 100 will be described. When the distance between the discharge roller 6a and the fan brush roller 6b and the leading end of the bending guide portion 19A formed by bending the rear end fence 19 is increased, the sheet P is curled or dropped as shown in FIG. The trajectory is not guided inside the bending guide portion 19 </ b> A of the rear end fence 19, but falls over the bending guide portion 19 </ b> A and falls outside the rear end fence 19. Therefore, the regulating pressing member 100 located between the discharge roller 6a and the front end portion of the bending guide portion 19A of the rear end fence 19 is applied. As described above, the inclined sheet guide surface 100b of the regulating pressing member 100 has a gradient, and the inclined sheet guide surface 100b guides the falling sheet P into the rear end fence 19. As shown in FIG. 11, the sheet restricting pressing surface 100 a of the restricting pressing member 100 and the inclined sheet guide surface 100 b connected thereto are formed over almost the entire area between the discharge roller 6 a and the fan brush roller 6 b and the rear end fence 19. . That is, it is disposed over the entire area in the transport direction at the lower portion of the staple tray 21 so as to cover the space between the discharge roller 6a and the brush brush roller 6b and the rear end fence 19.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the restriction pressing member 100 is switched to the stop (guide) positions indicated by A1, A2, and A3. When the sheet processing apparatus becomes movable and the sheet is discharged onto the staple tray 21 by the discharge roller 6a, the restriction pressing member 100 (the sheet restriction pressing surface 100a) is in a first stop (guide) position indicated by A1 ( The position where the boss 119 is rotated 90 ° from the home position), the second stop (guide) position indicated by A2 (the position where the boss 119 is rotated 60 ° from the home position), and the third stop (guide) indicated by A3 The position is sequentially moved to the position (home position of the boss 119) according to the number of stacked sheets. Then, the sheet P falling on the staple tray 21 is guided by both the inclined sheet guide surface 100b and the sheet regulation pressing surface 100a. When the number of stacked sheets is small (for example, less than 35 sheets), the restricting pressing member 100 takes the first stop (guide) position A1 that is the closest to the bottom surface of the staple tray 21, and the first stop ( The second stop (guide) position A2, which is a distance from the guide position A1 to the bottom surface of the staple tray 21, is set when the number of stacked sheets is medium (for example, 35 sheets or more and less than 70 sheets). Further, the third stop (guide) position A3 having the longest distance from the bottom surface of the staple tray 21 is set when the number of stacked sheets is large (for example, from about 70 to about 100).

  After the sheet P is guided to the trailing edge fence 19 at each stop (guide) position, the restriction pressing member 100 is advanced by a predetermined amount (moved in a direction approaching the staple tray 21), and the sheet restriction pressing surface 100a forms the sheet bundle. The top surface is pressed to improve the stackability of the sheet. Since the stop (guide) position of the restricting pressing member 100 is switched according to the number of stacked sheets, the time required for the pressing operation can always be kept constant regardless of the number of stacked sheets, like a small size paper. Even if the CPM is fast, it is possible to cope with each sheet. Further, since the stop (guide) position of the restricting pressing member 100 is switched depending on the number of stacked sheets, the sheet stack direction distance (length) L (see FIG. 11) at the bottom of the rear end fence 19 is always set regardless of the size. An appropriate sheet guide width according to the number of stacks can be obtained.

  The restriction pressing member 100 is switched to the stop (guide) positions indicated by A1, A2, and A3 by using a stepping motor (in this embodiment, a stepping motor) as the drive motor 116 and rotating the timing pulley 118. The angle may be controlled, or the position of the restricting pressing member 100 may be detected by a sensor to control the drive motor.

  The regulating pressing member 100 functions as a regulating pressing member that regulates and presses by each control operation described later, or a regulating member that performs regulation only, or a pressing member that performs only pressing. Are called according to the function.

  Next, a first control operation for regulating and pressing in the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 14 and FIG. 17 (A). FIG. 14 is a flowchart relating to the control of the restriction pressing member. The sheet discharge signal of the main body is counted, and the restriction (guide) position and the pressing position of the restriction pressing member 100 are controlled by the number of stacks. In the first control operation, since the maximum number of sheets to be loaded is 100, the restriction position is controlled in three stages.

  This will be specifically described below. First, the presence / absence of a main body discharge signal is checked (S1). If there is no main body discharge signal (NO in S1), the process returns. If there is a main body discharge signal (YES in S1), the number of sheets conveyed through the conveyance path is counted by the discharge sensor 37 (S3), and less than 35 sheets are discharged to the staple tray 21 (S4). NO), and if it is the first sheet (YES in S5), the drive motor 116 is driven to rotate the boss 119 from the home position in the forward direction by 90 ° to move the regulating pressing member 100 from the home position HP to the first. At the regulation (guide) position A1 (see FIGS. 11 and 17A) (S6). In the second and subsequent sheets (NO in S5), the restricting pressing member 100 is kept at the position A1 by an operation described later, and therefore the process of S6 is not performed. Then, the sheet is discharged from the discharge roller 6a to the staple tray 21 while being guided by the restriction pressing member 100 at the first restriction (guide) position A1. As described above, the sheet is guided in the direction of the trailing edge fence 19 by the brush roller 6b and conveyed in the direction of the trailing edge fence 19 by the return roller 5 even if the trailing edge has a curl or the like. The fence 19 hits the reference plane W of the fence 19 and is vertically aligned. Next, if the paper discharge is completed, for example, after a predetermined time has passed since the paper discharge sensor 37 detected the sheet trailing edge (YES in S7), the drive motor 116 is driven to further move the boss 119 from the home position. The restriction pressing member 100 is moved in the direction of the sheet upper surface of the staple tray 21 by being rotated by 90 ° in the direction and moved to the first pressing position R1 (see FIG. 17A). A pressing operation is performed on the upper surface of the rear end of the sheet discharged to the staple tray 21 (S8), and then the restricting pressing member 100 is moved in the reverse direction (away from the upper surface of the sheet) by rotating the boss 119 in the reverse direction by 90 ° from the home position. Direction) and wait at the first restriction (guide) position A1 (S9). If the job is not completed (NO in S10), the process returns. If the job is completed (YES in S10), the process moves to the home position HP and waits (S2).

  In other words, until less than 35 sheets are discharged to the staple tray 21 (NO in S4), the sheet is guided to the rear end fence 19 by the restriction pressing member 100 which is kept waiting at the first restriction (guide) position A1. The sheet is moved from the first restriction (guide) position A1 to the first pressing position R1 (see FIG. 17A), and the pressing operation on the sheet is repeated (S1 to S10).

  If the number of sheets is 35 or more and less than 70 sheets (YES in S4, NO in S11), a predetermined time elapses after the discharge end of the sheet is detected by the discharge sensor 37, for example, at the 35th sheet after discharge is completed After that (YES in S12), the boss 119 is rotated 90 ° in the forward direction to perform the pressing operation on the upper surface of the rear end of the sheet with the regulating pressing member 100 (S13), and then the boss 119 is rotated 120 ° in the reverse direction. As a result, the restricting pressing member 100 is moved in the reverse direction (in the direction away from the upper surface of the sheet) to stand by at the second restricting (guide) position A2 (see FIGS. 11 and 17A) (S14). If the number is 36 or more and less than 70, the boss 119 is rotated 90 degrees in the forward direction to perform a pressing operation on the upper surface of the rear end of the sheet by the regulating pressing member 100, and then the boss 119 is moved in the reverse direction by 90. By rotating, the restricting pressing member 100 is moved in the reverse direction to return to the second restricting (guide) position A2. Similarly, the sheet is guided to the rear end fence 19 at the second restriction (guide) position A2. If the job is not completed (NO in S10), the process returns. If the job is completed (YES in S10), the process moves to the home position HP and waits (S2).

  When the number of sheets is 70 or more and less than 100 sheets (YES in S11, NO in S15), for example, when the number of sheets is 70, the sheet discharge sensor 37 detects the trailing edge of the sheet after a predetermined time has elapsed (S16). YES), by rotating the boss 119 by 90 ° in the forward direction, the restricting pressing member 100 performs a pressing operation on the upper surface of the rear end of the sheet (S17), and then by restricting the boss 119 by rotating by 150 ° in the reverse direction. The pressing member 100 is moved in the reverse direction (the direction away from the upper surface of the sheet), and the regulating pressing member 100 is put on standby at the third regulating (guide) position A3 (see FIGS. 11 and 17A) (S18). If the number is 71 or more and less than 100, the restricting pressing member 100 performs a pressing operation on the upper surface of the rear end of the sheet by rotating the boss 119 by 90 ° in the forward direction, and then the boss 119 is moved in the reverse direction by 90. By rotating, the restricting pressing member 100 is moved in the reverse direction to return to the third restricting (guide) position A3. Similarly, the sheet is guided to the rear end fence 19 at the third restriction (guide) position A3. If the number of stacks exceeds 100 (YES in S15), the stack is prohibited (S19) and the process returns.

  Note that these regulation (guide) positions A1, A2, and A3 are set such that the distance from the sheet placement surface 21a is A1 <A2 <A3, and the pressing positions are also set to R1 <R2 <R3.

  Next, the second control operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 15 and FIG. In the second control operation, it functions as a regulating member that performs only regulation.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the second control operation of the restricting member. In this example, the restriction position of the restriction member 100 is changed in two stages, and control is performed so that the value is suitable for the number of stacks. The presence / absence of the main body discharge signal is checked (S21). If there is no discharge signal (NO in S21), the process returns. . If there is a paper discharge signal (YES in S21), as described above, the sheet is carried into the post-processing apparatus, so the number of sheets is counted by the paper discharge sensor 37 (S23), and then the number of sheets is 50 sheets. It is determined whether or not this is the case (S24). If it is less than 50 sheets (NO in S24), the restriction member 100 (jogger fence 9, rear end fence 19) is moved from the home position HP to the first restriction (guide) position A1 (see FIG. 17B). If the job is not completed (NO in S26), the process returns. If the job is completed (YES in S26), the process moves to the home position HP and waits (S22). If it is 50 sheets or more (YES in S24), the restricting member 100 (jogger fence 9, rear end fence 19) is moved away from the sheet stacking surface of the staple tray 21 from the first restricting (guide) position A1. If the job is not completed (NO in S26), the process returns to the home position HP if the job is completed (YES in S26). S22) Return. Therefore, the sheet can be guided by the regulating member 100 according to the number of stacked sheets. The number of 50 is not necessarily limited to this. Further, the restriction position of the restriction member 100 may be set in three stages as in the first control operation, or may be set in more stages.

  Next, the third control operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 16 and FIG. In this third control operation, it functions as a pressing member that performs only pressing.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a third control operation of the pressing member. In this example, the pressing position of the pressing member 100 (distance from the sheet stacking surface 21a of the staple tray 21) is changed in two stages so as to operate until the sheet bundle is pressed. As shown in FIG. 13B, the pressing member 100 is provided with a springback mechanism, and the pressure position is changed by changing the pressing (pressing) position according to the number of stacks. The presence / absence of the main body discharge signal is checked (S31), and if there is no discharge signal (NO in S31), the process returns. If there is a paper discharge signal (YES in S31), as described above, the sheet is carried into the post-processing apparatus, so the number of sheets is counted by the paper discharge sensor 37 (S33), and then the number of sheets is 50 sheets. It is determined whether or not this is the case (S34).

  If it is less than 50 sheets (NO in S34), the pressing member 100 (jogger fence 9, rear end fence 19) is moved from the home position HP to the first pressing position R1 (see FIG. 17C), and the sheet bundle is moved. Is pressed (S35). Thereafter, the vehicle is retracted to the home position HP (S32) and the process returns. Therefore, this operation (S31 to S35) is repeated in the range of less than 50 sheets. If the number of sheets is 50 or more (YES in S34), the pressing member 100 (jogger fence 9, rear end fence 19) is moved from the home position HP to the second pressing position R2 (see FIG. 17C). The bundle is pressed (S36). Thereafter, it is retracted to the home position HP (S32). This operation is repeated. The number of 50 is not necessarily limited to this. Further, the pressing position of the pressing member 100 may be set in three stages as in the first control operation, or may be set in more stages.

  In the first embodiment, only the center of the sheet is restricted and pressed. However, a modification of the first embodiment shown by the alternate long and short dashed lines in FIGS. 13A and 13B and FIG. As an example. In this modified example, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the upper portion of the sheet regulating pressing surface 100a is extended to a position exceeding the fixed pieces 19a and 19b, and is further orthogonal to the sheet stacking surface. It extends substantially in parallel and is formed in a substantially T shape as shown in FIG. Reference numeral 100e denotes an inclined sheet guide surface similar to 100b, and 100f denotes an upper sheet restriction pressing surface formed flush with the sheet restriction pressing surface 100a. This modification is arranged on the staple tray 21 as shown in FIG. 8, and the configuration added in the present modification to the first embodiment is shown by a one-dot chain line. In such a modified example, the areas of the sheet guide portion, the sheet regulating portion, and the sheet pressing portion are further increased in addition to the first embodiment, so that the sheets are correctly stacked and accurately To be aligned.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the regulating member that regulates (presses) the sheet bundle to the sheet stacking surface 21a (see the same reference numeral portion shown in FIG. 4 and the like) is the sheet thickness direction (arrow A, FIG. 18). The function is achieved by the rear end fence 19 which can be moved in the (B direction). That is, the rear end fence 19 has a fixed reference fence 211 having a reference surface (abutment surface) W for abutting and vertically aligning the rear end of the sheet, and a notch formed by cutting out the central portion of the reference fence 211. The sheet stacking surface 21a of the staple tray 21 (the same reference numerals shown in FIG. 4 and the like) are arranged so as to be moved toward one end of the sheet tray and movable in the sheet thickness direction (arrows A and B in FIG. 18). A movable rear end fence portion 210 having a base portion 210b bent toward the staple tray 21 at the lower end of the first opposite surface 210a and the lower surface of the first opposite surface 210a. The movable rear end fence portion 210 of the rear end fence 19 is guided by the guide rod 213 below the base portion 210b, and moves in the A and B directions in conjunction with the movement of the timing belt 215 driven by the motor 214. It has become. The upper surface of the base 210b of the movable rear end fence section 210 is disposed lower than the reference plane W of the reference fence 211 so that the movable rear end fence section 210 can move smoothly without contacting the rear end of the sheet. It has become. The thickness t of the sheet bundle 212 stacked on the reference fence 211 varies depending on the number of sheets. However, when the number of sheet bundles 212 is small, the movable rear end fence portion 210 of the rear end fence 19 is attached to the guide rod 213. Guided and moved in the A direction in conjunction with the movement of the timing belt 215 driven by the motor 214. Since the movable rear end fence portion 210 is formed with a first opposing surface 210a that is in surface contact with the upper surface of the sheet bundle, the sheet opposing surface 212a is pressed in the thickness direction by the first opposing surface 210a in the process of moving in the A direction. Then, it can be pressed against the sheet placement surface 21a (see FIG. 4) of the staple tray 21. When the number of sheet bundles 212 is increased by counting the number of sheets detected by the paper discharge sensor 37, the motor 214 rotates reversely so that the movable rear end fence section 210 moves in the B direction. The movable rear end fence section 210 may move stepwise with respect to the thickness t of the sheet bundle 212, and retracts by pressing the sheet bundle 212 by the first facing surface 210a one by one or several sheets. It may be driven as such, or a combination thereof.

  Although detailed description of the control operation is omitted, even in the second embodiment, the movable rear end fence portion 210 of the rear end fence 19 is connected to the restriction pressing member 100 in the first embodiment. Similarly, by performing the first to third control operations of FIGS. 14 to 17, the movable rear end fence portion 210 is regulated and pressed as in the first embodiment, Or it can be made to function as a control member which performs only control, or a press member which performs only press.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the regulating member that guides and accepts the conveyed sheet or regulates the sheet stacked on the staple tray 21 in the thickness direction is the sheet thickness direction (arrow in FIG. 19). The function is achieved by a jogger fence 309 moving in the A or B direction). As shown in FIG. 19, the jogger fence 309 also has a second facing surface 309a (having a thickness from a solid line to a broken line; see FIG. 2) facing the sheet stacking surface of the staple tray and facing the top surface of the sheet. Have. Reference numeral 309b denotes an abutting surface that abuts the side edge of the sheet. The jogger fence 309 is guided by the first guide rod 321 and the guide roller 322 and reciprocates in the depth direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 19), and the lateral width direction of the sheet bundle 212 (perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction). Direction). A jogger fence drive unit 320 that reciprocates the jogger fence 309 in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle 212 is separated from and connected to the staple tray 21 (see FIG. 1). The jogger fence drive unit 320 includes a slider 323, a first guide rod 321, a guide roller 322, a slider 323, a second guide rod 324, a timing belt 325, and a motor 326, and the slider 323 has a first guide rod 321. A jogger fence 309 is attached via a guide roller 322. That is, as the slider 323 moves in the direction of arrow A or B, the jogger fence 309 is also moved in the same direction. The slider 323 is guided by a second guide rod 324 and supported so as to be movable in the direction of arrow A or B. A timing belt 325 is coupled to the slider 323. Therefore, the slider 323 is moved in the arrow A or B direction by the motor 326 via the timing belt 325. In this way, the jogger fence drive unit 320 is configured. The sheet P is fed into the jogger fence 309 by the discharge roller pair 327. When the number of sheets P is small, the difference between the distance L between the staple tray 21 and the second facing surface 309a of the jogger fence 309 and the thickness t of the sheet bundle 212 is large, and the sheet tray 21 is curled. And the second opposing surface 309 a of the jogger fence 309 are not smoothly inserted and are not correctly stacked on the staple tray 21. In this case, in order to change the distance L according to the thickness t of the sheet bundle 212, the slider 323 is moved. When the thickness t of the sheet bundle 212 is small, the slider moves in the direction of arrow A. When the thickness t of the sheet bundle 212 is large, the arrow The jogger fence 309 is moved in the B direction. Although a detailed description of the control operation is omitted, even in the third embodiment, the second facing surface 309a of the jogger fence 309 is formed in the same manner as the regulating pressing member 100 in the first embodiment. By performing the control operation of FIG. 15, the jogger fence 309 functions as a restricting member that only restricts, as in the first embodiment.

  Further, the restriction pressing member 100 in the first embodiment, the restriction position and the pressing position of the movable rear end fence part 210 in the second embodiment, the second of the jogger fence 309 in the third embodiment. The operation of changing the restriction position of the facing surface 309a according to the thickness (number of sheets) of sheets stacked on the staple tray 21 is performed by counting the number of stacked sheets of the staple tray 21 based on a discharge signal from the image forming apparatus.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 20 is an explanatory view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing the fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the rear end fence 19 is provided with an elastic guide pressing member 431 for directing the end portion of the sheet bundle toward the fixing portion 11 a of the stapling apparatus 11. Further, a notch 432 is formed from the lower end of the rear end fence 19, and a guide pressing member 431 is disposed near one end of the notch 432, and near the other end of the notch 432 during stapling of the stapling apparatus 11. The movable portion 11b is disposed so as to pass through this portion.

  By this guide pressing member 431, the sheet bundle is preliminarily moved and pressed in the direction of the fixing portion 11 a of the stapling apparatus 11. Therefore, when the movable portion 11b of the stapling apparatus 11 staples the sheet bundle, the trouble of rotating in the direction of arrow b in FIG. 20 and stapling while moving the sheet bundle can be eliminated. Staples can be accurately stapled without any deviation. In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, the example in which the movable portion 11b of the stapling apparatus 11 is arranged on the left side has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the stapling apparatus 11 includes The present invention can also be applied to the movable portion 11b on the right side and the fixed portion 11a on the left side. In this case, the guide pressing member 431 is disposed on the side of the rear end fence 19 facing the sheet placement surface 21a of the staple tray 21. Set up.

  In the first embodiment that performs the second control operation, the staple tray 21 that receives and stacks sheets discharged from the copying machine C, and the conveyance of the sheets stacked on the staple tray 21 are provided. In a sheet processing apparatus comprising a rear end fence 19 for aligning sheets by abutting an end in a direction, and a stapling device 11 for performing stapling processing on the end of a sheet bundle aligned by the rear end fence 19; A regulating member 100 that is movable in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle stacked on the staple tray 21 and that can change the distance from the sheet stacking surface 21 a of the staple tray 21 for guiding the sheet to the trailing edge fence 19. Because it is provided, the restriction member 100 restricts the sheet in the thickness direction so that a large capacity sheet can be stored. Have a distance between the fence of the tray 21, without the trailing edge of the sheet curling, because surely strike the reference plane W of the rear end fence 19, the sheet is correctly stacked, they are exactly aligned. Therefore, a stack of sheets can always be stacked along the reference plane W from the time of stacking a small number of sheets to the time of stacking a large number of sheets, and since the alignment state is good, it is possible to reliably staple without unevenness and reliability during stapling processing. Can be increased.

  In the first embodiment in which the third control operation is performed, the staple tray 21 that receives and stacks sheets discharged from the copying machine C, and the conveyance of the sheets stacked on the staple tray 21. In a sheet processing apparatus comprising a rear end fence 19 for aligning sheets by abutting an end in a direction, and a stapling device 11 for performing stapling processing on the end of a sheet bundle aligned by the rear end fence 19; A press that is movable in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle stacked on the staple tray 21 and presses the upper surface of the sheet in the vicinity of the trailing edge fence 19 each time a predetermined number of sheets are discharged to the staple tray 21. Since the member 100 is provided, it is possible to store a large capacity sheet by pressing the sheet in the thickness direction by the pressing member 100. Have a distance between the fence Purutorei 21, without the trailing edge of the sheet curling, because surely strike the reference plane W of the rear end fence 19, the sheet is correctly stacked, they are exactly aligned. Therefore, a stack of sheets can always be stacked along the reference plane W from the time of stacking a small number of sheets to the time of stacking a large number of sheets, and since the alignment state is good, it is possible to reliably staple without unevenness and reliability during stapling processing. Can be increased.

  In the first embodiment in which the first control operation is performed, the staple tray 21 that receives and stacks sheets discharged from the copying machine C, and the conveyance of the sheets stacked on the staple tray 21. In a sheet processing apparatus comprising a rear end fence 19 for aligning sheets by abutting an end in a direction, and a stapling device 11 for performing stapling processing on the end of a sheet bundle aligned by the rear end fence 19; The sheet bundle stacked on the staple tray 21 can be moved in the thickness direction, and the distance from the sheet stacking surface 21a of the staple tray 21 for guiding the sheet to the trailing edge fence 19 can be changed. Regulation that presses the upper surface of the sheet near the rear end fence 19 each time a predetermined number of sheets are discharged to the tray 21 Since the pressure member 100 is provided, the rear end fence 19 is used even in an apparatus that uses a large stapling apparatus 11 that has a large distance between the discharge roller 6a and the rear end fence 19 and has an oblique binding function and requires a large space. It is not necessary to make the bending guide portion 19A higher, the sheet can be guided to the rear end fence 19, and the positional accuracy of the rear end fence 19 can be maintained, so that the stackability and vertical alignment of the sheet bundle can be improved. . Further, since the sheet bundle discharged to the staple tray 21 is pressed by the restriction pressing member 100, the stackability and vertical alignment of the sheet bundle can be improved.

  Further, in the second embodiment, the rear end fence 19 has the abutting surface (reference surface W) that abuts the sheet and the first opposing surface 210 a that opposes the sheet stacking surface 21 a of the staple tray 21. A movable rear end fence part 210 having a restriction member, a pressing member or a restriction by making the first opposing surface (movable rear end fence part 210) movable in the thickness direction of the sheets stacked on the staple tray 21. Since it is configured as a pressing member, the above-described effects can be obtained by using the rear end fence 19, and the number of parts can be reduced and the space can be saved.

  Further, in the third embodiment, the jogger fence 309 is provided that aligns the sheets by being separated from and contacting the side end in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the sheets stacked on the staple tray 21, The jogger fence 309 has a contact surface 309 b that contacts the side edge of the sheet and a second facing surface 309 a that faces the sheet stacking surface 21 a of the staple tray 21, and the second facing surface 309 a is placed on the staple tray 21. Since the restricting member is configured by allowing the stacked sheets to move in the thickness direction, the sheets are correctly inserted onto the staple tray 21 and stackability can be improved.

  In the first embodiment in which the first and third control operations are performed, the pressing member or the restricting pressing member 100 is pressed according to the thickness of the sheet bundle stacked on the staple tray 21. Therefore, the alignment accuracy can be further improved by varying the amount of pressing (compression) and the amount of regulation according to the thickness of the sheet bundle.

  In the second embodiment in which the first, second, and third control operations are performed, the sheet bundle 212 of the movable rear end fence section 210 of the rear end fence 19 according to the thickness of the sheet bundle 212. Since the control for changing the moving amount in the thickness direction is performed, the pressing amount and the regulating amount are further changed according to the thickness of the sheet bundle (for example, the number of sheets stacked on the staple tray 21). Alignment accuracy can be improved. In the first embodiment in which the first and second control operations are performed, the regulating member or the regulating pressing member 100 is a staple tray according to the thickness of the sheet bundle stacked on the staple tray 21. For example, the thickness of the sheet bundle is the number of sheets stacked on the staple tray 21, and the regulating member or the regulating pressing member 100 regulates (guides) according to the number of sheets. Since the positions A1, A2 and A3 are changed, the restriction pressing member 100 is positioned at the restriction (guide) position corresponding to the thickness of the sheet bundle, so that a good guide interval and sheet delivery to the rear end fence 19 can be achieved. Therefore, the alignment state is improved. Further, since the restricting (guide) positions A1, A2, and A3 of the restricting member or the restricting pressing member 100 are switched according to the number of stacked sheets, the pressing operation time can always be kept constant regardless of the number of sheets.

  In the first embodiment in which the first and second control operations are further performed, the restricting member or the restricting pressing member 100 includes a discharge unit (discharge roller 6 a) that discharges the sheet to the staple tray 21. An inclined sheet guide surface 100b is provided between the rear end fence 19 and inclined toward the staple tray 21 from the discharge means (discharge roller 6a) side to the rear end fence 19 side. 100b is configured to guide the rear end of the sheet discharged onto the staple tray 21 to the rear end fence 19 even when the distance from the staple tray 21 is the smallest, so a large stapler is used, Because of having an oblique binding function, a wide space is required, and the distance between the discharge roller 6a and the front end portion of the bending guide portion 19A of the rear end fence 19 is Even in a device that is far away, there is no need to raise the bending guide portion 19A of the rear end fence 19, the sheet can be guided to the rear end fence 19, and the positional accuracy of the rear end fence 19 can be maintained. Stackability and vertical alignment can be improved. Further, since the sheet bundle discharged to the staple tray 21 is pressed by the restriction member or the restriction pressing member 100, the stackability and the vertical alignment of the sheet bundle can be improved.

  Further, in the first embodiment in which the first and second control operations are performed, the regulating member or the regulating pressing member 100 is a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheets stacked on the staple tray 21. Since the sheet is formed over almost the entire width of the sheet that can be stacked on the staple tray 21, the sheet is guided in the direction of the trailing edge fence 19 over almost the entire area between the discharge roller 6a and the trailing edge fence 19. Furthermore, the reliability of the alignment performance can be improved.

  In the first embodiment in which the first, second, and third control operations are performed, the restricting member or the pressing member or the restricting pressing member 100 is provided on the plurality of sheet abutting surfaces of the rear end fence 19. Since the sheet bundle can be moved in the thickness direction of the stack of sheets stacked on the staple tray 21 as it is inserted therebetween, the restricting member, the pressing member, or the restricting pressing member 100 is positioned at a position corresponding to the thickness of the sheet bundle. Therefore, a good guide interval and sheet delivery to the rear end fence 19 can be performed, and therefore the alignment state is improved.

  In the first embodiment in which the first, second, and third control operations are performed, the sheet guide surface 100b on the sheet receiving side of the regulating pressing member 100 is set higher than the discharge roller 6a from the staple tray 21. In addition, since the rear end fence 19 side is moved within the range lower than the bending guide portion 19A of the rear end fence 19 at the restriction (guide) position of the restriction pressing member 100, the thickness of the sheet bundle is reached. Since the pressing member 100 is positioned at a position, a good guide interval and sheet delivery to the rear end fence 19 can be achieved, and therefore the aligned state is improved. In addition, since the restriction (guide) position of the pressing member 100 is switched according to the number of sheets stacked, the pressing operation time can always be kept constant regardless of the number of sheets.

  In the fourth embodiment, the staple tray 21 that receives and stacks sheets discharged from the copier C, and the end in the conveyance direction of the sheets stacked on the staple tray 21 are abutted against each other. In a sheet processing apparatus including a trailing edge fence 19 that aligns sheets and a stapling device 11 that performs stapling processing on the end of a sheet bundle aligned by the trailing edge fence 19, the trailing edge fence 19 holds sheets. The sheet stacking surface of the staple tray 21 has a first facing surface facing the sheet stacking surface 21a of the staple tray 21 and the butting surface to be pressed, and presses the vicinity of the end of the sheet to be aligned by the rear end fence 19. 21a and the first opposing surface are provided with an elastic sheet guide member 431 which is inclined and disposed, The Togaido member 431, so regulating the advance sheet edge in a predetermined direction, without the sheet bundle edge is shifted, it is possible to improve the reliability at the time of stapling by improving the binding alignment accuracy.

  Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, the stapling apparatus 11 includes a fixed portion 11a, one of which is fixed, and a movable portion 11b, the other of which is movable, between the fixed portion 11a and the movable portion 11b. The stapler 21 has a stapler for stapling the sheet bundle by moving the movable part 11b with the sheet bundle on the staple tray 21 being sandwiched therebetween, and the elastic sheet guide member 431 is provided with a stapler fixing part 11a. In order to press the sheet bundle on the staple tray 21 in the moving direction, the elastic sheet guide member 431 moves the end of the sheet bundle to the fixed portion 11a of the stapler in advance, so that the movable portion 11b is used when stapling the sheet bundle. Does not move the end of the sheet bundle and moves the end of the sheet bundle. It is possible to improve the reliability during Puru process.

  The sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied to a type in which an image forming apparatus is built in the apparatus or a type in which an image forming apparatus is provided outside the apparatus.

1 is a configuration diagram of an entire sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the drive mechanism of a jogger fence and a return roller. It is an enlarged block diagram of the rear end fence part vicinity. It is a perspective view centering on a stapling apparatus. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a bound sheet bundle is discharged by a discharge belt. 1 is a block diagram of an electrical system of a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a discharge tray up / down mechanism. It is a perspective view which shows the staple tray to which the 1st Embodiment of this invention is applied. (A), (B) is the explanatory view seen from the sheet | seat press surface (regulation) surface of 1st Embodiment, and the top view which shows 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing seen from the arrow H direction of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows each stop position in the 1st control action of a 1st Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that a sheet | seat gets over the guide part of a rear-end fence. (A), (B) is the explanatory view seen from the sheet | seat press surface (regulation) surface of the modification of 1st Embodiment, and the top view which shows the modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a 1st control operation. It is a flowchart which shows a 2nd control operation. It is a flowchart which shows a 3rd control operation. (A), (B), (C) is explanatory drawing which shows typically each position of the 1st-3rd control action. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that the sheet | seat is buckling within the rear-end fence. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a sheet bundle that is stapled in a state in which an end portion is shifted.

Explanation of symbols

5 Return roller 6a Discharge roller (discharge means)
6b Brush roller 10 Release belt 11 Staple device (staple unit)
12 Discharge tray 19 Rear end fence 19A Bending guide portion 21 Staple tray 37 Discharge sensor 210 Movable rear end fence portion 210
210a First opposing surface piece 211 Reference fence 212 Sheet bundle 213 Guide rod 214 Motor 215 Timing belt 309 Jogger fence 309a Second opposing surface 309b Abutting surface 321 First guide rod 322 Guide roller 323 Slider 324 Second guide rod 325 Timing belt 326 Motor 327 Discharge roller pair 328 Base 431 Guide pressing member A1, A2, A3 Restriction (guide) position R1, R2 Press position W Reference surface (butting surface)

Claims (6)

Conveying means for conveying the sheet;
A staple tray for stacking conveyed sheets; and
Stapling means for stapling the sheet bundle in a state where the sheet bundle stacked on the staple tray is sandwiched;
In a sheet processing apparatus comprising:
A sheet processing apparatus comprising: an elastic sheet guide member that guides the sheet to a staple position in the staple unit while pressing a lower surface of the sheet stacked on the staple tray. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The stapling means includes a fixed portion in which one is fixed and a movable portion in which the other is movable, and the fixed portion is disposed on the lower surface side of the sheets stacked on the staple tray. Sheet processing device. A staple tray for receiving and stacking sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus;
A rear end fence for aligning sheets by abutting an end portion in a conveyance direction of the sheets stacked on the staple tray;
Stapling means for stapling the end of the sheet bundle aligned by the trailing edge fence;
In a sheet processing apparatus comprising:
The rear end fence has a first abutting surface that abuts a sheet and a sheet stacking surface of the staple tray.
The elastic sheet guide member is provided so as to be inclined to one of the sheet stacking surface and the first opposing surface of the staple tray each time the vicinity of the end portion of the sheet to be aligned by the rear end fence is pressed. A sheet processing apparatus. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 3.
The stapling means is composed of a fixed part fixed on one side and a movable part movable on the other side, and the movable part is arranged with the sheet bundle on the staple tray sandwiched between the fixed part and the movable part. Having a stapler for stapling the sheet bundle by moving it;
The sheet processing apparatus, wherein the elastic sheet guide member presses a sheet bundle on the staple tray in a direction in which a fixing portion of the stapler is disposed. 4. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image forming apparatus is built in the apparatus.   4. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image forming apparatus is disposed outside the apparatus.

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