JP2006298580A - Paper post-treatment device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper post-treatment device capable of realizing delivery of sheet without separating it from an image formation device even when a punch hole formation device is failed. <P>SOLUTION: In an upper conveying route P, a first delivery port 26 is provided in an upstream side of the punch hole formation device 8 and a second delivery port 28 is provided in a downstream side. A second conveying passage 23 for guiding the sheet from the first conveying passage 11 to the first delivery port 26 not via the punch hole formation device 8 and a third conveying passage 24 for guiding the sheet passing through the punch hole formation device 8 from the first conveying passage 11 to the second delivery port 28 are provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus that performs sheet sorting processing, stapling processing, and the like after image formation, and more particularly to a sheet post-processing apparatus that includes an upper conveyance path that performs punching processing on a sheet.

  For example, there are cases where it is desired to perform a binding process (hereinafter referred to as a staple process) or a punching process (hereinafter referred to as a punch process) on a relatively large number of sheets onto which an image has been transferred by an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer. In this case, it is convenient to use a so-called finisher, a sheet post-processing device that automatically performs predetermined post-processing such as stapling and punching.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a post-processing apparatus provided with a sheet conveying path for conveying a sheet other than the processing tray after passing through the punch hole forming apparatus as shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, a sheet post-processing apparatus 1 includes, for example, a processing tray 2 that is detachably connected to a sheet discharge side of an image forming apparatus (not shown) such as a copying machine and can store a plurality of sheets S. . When stapling is performed on a sheet bundle sequentially discharged from the image forming apparatus, each sheet S is temporarily stored in the processing tray 2. A carry-in roller pair 3 is provided in the upper right portion of the processing tray 2, and the paper P discharged from the image forming apparatus is conveyed into the paper post-processing apparatus 1 through the carry-in roller pair 3.

  8 is a punch hole forming apparatus for punching a sheet. When punch hole formation is instructed, a punch hole is formed at a predetermined position of the sheet, and when punch hole formation is not instructed, punch hole formation is performed as it is. It passes through the device 8 and is conveyed to the branching section 4. When the stapling process is not performed, the downward path in the branching unit 4 is blocked, so that the sheet travels upward in the branching unit 4 and is discharged out of the apparatus from the discharge roller 5a and stacked on the discharge tray 6a. The On the other hand, when the stapling process is performed, the upward path is blocked in the branching section 4, so that the sheet travels downward in the branching section 4 and is conveyed onto the processing tray 2 from the carry-in entrance 7.

  The processing tray 2 is provided with a bundle tip alignment hook 9 that can move up and down along the processing tray 2. The bundle leading edge aligning hook 9 stands by at the lower end of the processing tray 2 when the sheets are carried in, and one end in the conveying direction of the sheets S sequentially loaded onto the processing tray 2 from the pair of the conveying rollers 3 is the bundle leading edge aligning hook 9. Supported. An end binding stapler 10 is provided in the vicinity of the standby position of the bundle tip alignment hook 9. The end binding stapler 10 performs a stapling process on a set of sheets S whose ends in the transport direction are aligned by the bundle leading edge alignment hooks 9. The sheet S for which the staple processing has been completed is conveyed along the processing tray 2 to the upper portion of the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 by the bundle leading edge aligning hook 9, and is discharged to the bundle discharge tray 6b through the bundle discharge roller 5b.

  In such a paper post-processing device, when the punch hole forming device 8 breaks down, the sheet conveyance path from the carry-in roller pair 3 to the discharge roller 5a or the processing tray 2 is blocked, and a repair by a serviceman is awaited. Otherwise, there was a problem that the post-processing apparatus could not be used. That is, the staple processing by the end binding stapler 10 cannot be performed, and even when the sheet is discharged without performing the punching process and the stapling process, the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 must be separated from the image forming apparatus. After the repair of the punch hole forming device 8 was completed, it was necessary to attach it to the image forming device again.

Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a sorter (post-processing device) in which two sheet transport paths for transporting sheets other than the processing tray are provided, and a discharge tray is provided at the transport destination of each transport path. However, the configuration of Patent Document 2 does not include a punch hole forming device, and the above-described problems are not taken into consideration at all.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-45538 JP-A-10-139268

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus capable of discharging a sheet without being separated from the image forming apparatus even when the punch hole forming apparatus fails.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a sheet post-processing apparatus including a punch hole forming apparatus that performs a hole punching process on a sheet, and a first conveyance path that guides the sheet to the punch hole forming apparatus. The first and second discharge ports that are disposed above the hole forming device and discharge the sheet to the outside of the device, and guide the sheet from the first conveyance path to the first discharge port without passing through the punch hole forming device. And a third conveyance path for guiding the sheet that has passed through the punch hole forming device from the first conveyance path to the second discharge port.

  In the sheet post-processing apparatus having the above-described configuration, the present invention is characterized in that a sheet can be selectively discharged from the first discharge port or the second discharge port.

  According to the present invention, in the sheet post-processing apparatus having the above-described configuration, a mail box can be attached to the first discharge port and the second discharge port. Here, the mailbox is a detachable sorter that sorts and discharges sheets by a plurality of bins.

  According to the present invention, in the sheet post-processing apparatus having the above-described configuration, the first discharge port and the second discharge port are provided by a first position where the sheets discharged from the first discharge port are stacked, and a built-in sheet conveyance path. A movable discharge tray that is selectively disposed at a second position that communicates with the outlet is provided.

  According to the present invention, in the sheet post-processing apparatus having the above-described configuration, a stapling apparatus that performs a binding process on a sheet bundle, and a staple conveyance path that guides the sheet to the staple apparatus are provided. Is characterized in that the sheet is guided to the stapling apparatus without going through the punch hole forming apparatus.

  According to the first configuration of the present invention, the sheet can be guided from the first conveyance path to the first discharge port via the second conveyance path without passing through the punch hole formation apparatus. Even if the printer fails, the sheet can be discharged without disconnecting the sheet post-processing apparatus from the image forming apparatus. In addition, since sheets can be discharged from the two locations of the first and second discharge ports, the number of sheets that can be stacked on the tray provided at each discharge port can be added, and the number of sheets that can be stocked increases. To do.

  Further, according to the second configuration of the present invention, in the sheet post-processing apparatus having the first configuration, the sheet can be selectively discharged from the first discharge port or the second discharge port. Alternatively, if a sheet discharge destination tray is selected for each user, it becomes easy to sort discharged sheets.

  Further, according to the third configuration of the present invention, in the sheet post-processing apparatus having the first or second configuration, a plurality of mailboxes can be attached to the first discharge port and the second discharge port. Sheets can be sorted for a greater number of uses, such as for each user or for each sheet size. Furthermore, by attaching the mailboxes so as to face each other, the sheets can be discharged in a face-up or face-down state.

  According to the fourth configuration of the present invention, in the paper post-processing apparatus having any one of the first to third configurations, a movable discharge tray having a built-in sheet conveyance path is provided and discharged from the first discharge port. When the punch hole forming device fails by being selectively arranged at the first position where the stacked sheets are stacked and the second position where the sheet conveyance path communicates the first discharge port and the second discharge port. Even if it exists, it becomes possible to discharge the sheet from both the first discharge port and the second discharge port.

  According to the fifth configuration of the invention, in the paper post-processing apparatus having any one of the first to fourth configurations, the stapling apparatus that performs the binding process on the sheet bundle, and the sheet is guided to the stapling apparatus. A stapling conveyance path that guides the sheet to the stapling apparatus without going through the punch hole forming apparatus, so that the sheet can be fed to the stapling apparatus even if the punch hole forming apparatus fails. It can guide and perform a binding process.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Portions common to FIG. 8 of the conventional example are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. In FIG. 1, a sheet post-processing apparatus 1 includes an upper conveyance path P that conveys a sheet after image formation to a punch hole forming apparatus 8, an end binding unit E, or a saddle stitching / center folding unit C, and a processing tray 2. An end binding unit E for aligning the ends of the sheet bundle stacked on the sheet and performing a stapling process; And.

  The upper conveyance path P is disposed above the sheet post-processing apparatus 1, and a sheet on which an image is formed in an image forming apparatus (not shown) is a pair of carry-in rollers provided on the upper right side of the sheet post-processing apparatus 1. 3, proceeds to the left in the first conveyance path 11, passes through the punch hole forming device 8, and then is discharged to the main tray 12 as it is when the stapling process is not performed. When stapling is performed, the staple is conveyed to an end binding unit E or a saddle stitching / center folding unit C arranged below the upper transport path P.

  The end binding unit E disposed below the upper conveyance path P includes a processing tray 2, a first carry-in port 13 that carries paper into the processing tray 2, a second carry-in port 14, an end-binding stapler 10, and the like. Yes. Sheets of a predetermined size (here, A4 size) or less are stacked on the processing tray 2 from the first carry-in port 13, and sheets larger than the predetermined size are loaded on the processing tray 2 from the second carry-in port 14. The sheet bundle stacked on the processing tray 2 is aligned by the bundle front end aligning hook 9, moved to the end binding stapler 10, bound at the lower end, and then moved upward along the processing tray 2 again. It is discharged to the main tray 12 via the discharge roller 5b.

  The saddle stitching / folding unit C disposed below the end binding unit E includes a saddle stitching stapler 15, a folding device 16, a paper guide 17, and the like. The saddle stitching stapler 15 staples the central portion of the sheet bundle stacked in the paper guide 17. The sheet bundle stapled by the saddle stitching stapler 15 is folded around the staple portion by the center folding device 16 to form a booklet, and then discharged to the booklet tray 18.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the upper conveyance path P in FIG. Portions common to those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The structure of the upper transport path P will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The upper conveyance path P includes a punch hole forming device 8, a first branching portion 19, a second branching portion 20, a first discharge roller 21, a second discharge roller 22, a second transfer path 23, a third transfer path 24, and the like. Has been.

  When neither punching nor stapling is performed, the path switching means 25a provided in the first branching section 19 closes the straight path in response to a control signal from an image forming apparatus (not shown). The sheet carried into the upper transport path P travels upward in the first branch portion 19, passes through the second transport path 23 and the first discharge roller 21, and is discharged from the first discharge port 26 to the outside of the apparatus. It is stacked on a sub-tray 27 provided on the upper surface of the apparatus.

  When the punching process and / or the stapling process are performed, the path switching unit 25a blocks the upward path, so that the sheet travels straight through the first transport path 11 and is transported to the punch hole forming device 8. When the punch hole formation is instructed, the punch hole is formed at a predetermined position of the sheet. When the punch hole formation is not instructed, the punch hole forming apparatus 8 is directly passed to the second branching unit 20. .

  When only the punching process is performed and the stapling process is not performed, the path switching unit 25b provided in the second branching unit 20 blocks the downward path, so that the sheet travels upward through the second branching unit 20 and the third conveyance is performed. The paper passes through the path 24 and the second discharge roller 22, is discharged from the second discharge port 28 to the outside of the apparatus, and is stacked on the main tray 12. On the other hand, when stapling is performed, the path switching unit 25b blocks the upward path, so that the sheet travels downward through the second branching section 20 and the edge binding unit E or the saddle stitching / center folding unit C (both shown in the figure). 1).

  In the present invention, the first discharge port 26 is provided on the upstream side of the punch hole forming device 8, and the second discharge port 28 is provided on the downstream side, so that the first discharge port 11 does not pass through the punch hole forming device 8. A second conveyance path 23 for guiding the sheet to the outlet 26 and a third conveyance path 24 for guiding the sheet that has passed through the punch hole forming device 8 from the first conveyance path 11 to the second discharge port 28 are provided. It is said.

  With this configuration, when the punch hole forming device 8 breaks down, the sheet can be discharged from the first discharge port 26 onto the sub-tray 27 using the second conveyance path 23 and the first discharge roller 21. The sheet can be discharged without separating the processing apparatus 1 from the image forming apparatus. Further, since sheets can be discharged to two locations of the main tray 12 and the sub-tray 27, the number of sheets that can be stocked increases. Further, if the user can select a tray as a sheet discharge destination, sorting of discharged sheets becomes easy.

  Here, the first discharge roller 21 is provided in the second conveyance path 23, and the sheet is discharged onto the sub-tray 27 using the first discharge roller 21 as a pair of conveyance rollers. The conveyance roller pair is not necessarily provided, but when the second conveyance path 23 is long, that is, when the conveyance distance from the carry-in roller pair 3 to the first discharge port 26 is long, the conveyance of the sheet is not provided unless the conveyance roller pair is provided. Becomes unstable. Therefore, it is preferable to provide one or more transport roller pairs in the second transport path 23 as in the present embodiment.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, if mail boxes 31a and 31b having a plurality of bins 30 can be attached to the first outlet 26 and the second outlet 28, for each of a plurality of users, Alternatively, sheets can be sorted for a number of uses, such as for each sheet size.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, by attaching the mail boxes 31a and 31b in the direction in which the bins 30 face each other, the sheet conveyed with the image surface facing upward (face-up state) remains face-up. If the user wants to discharge the sheet with the second conveyance path 23 to the first discharge port 26, the sheet should be discharged to the mail box 31a. If the sheet is discharged with the image surface facing downward (face-down state), the sheet Is guided from the third conveyance path 24 to the second discharge port 28, and the sheet is reversed and discharged to the mail box 31b.

  In the sheet post-processing apparatus of the present embodiment, the sheet conveyed through the first conveyance path 11 as described above passes through the punch hole forming apparatus 8 and then passes from the second branching unit 20 to the end binding unit E or It is conveyed to the saddle stitching / folding unit C. Therefore, when the punch hole forming device 8 breaks down and the first conveyance path 11 is blocked, the end binding unit E and the saddle stitching / center folding unit C cannot be used.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, apart from the end binding conveyance path 32 that conveys the sheet to the end binding unit E, the saddle stitching / medium binding that conveys the sheet from the first branch portion 19 to the saddle stitching / folding unit C is performed. By providing a path switching means 25c that distributes sheets to the folding conveyance path 33, the first conveyance path 11, and the saddle stitching / interfolding conveyance path 33, the punch hole forming device 8 breaks down and the first conveyance path 11 becomes Even when the sheet is closed, the sheet can be conveyed to the saddle stitching / folding unit C, and the sheet bundle can be subjected to the saddle stitching / folding process, which is preferable.

  Here, the saddle stitching / center folding conveyance path 33 is configured not to pass through the punch hole forming device 8, but similarly, instead of the saddle stitching / center folding conveyance path 33, the punch hole forming device 8 is passed through. If the end binding conveyance path 32 is provided without any failure, the sheet can be conveyed to the end binding unit E even when the punch hole forming device 8 breaks down, and the end binding processing of the sheet bundle can be performed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, if the end binding conveyance path 32 is branched from the middle of the saddle stitching / center folding conveyance path 33 and the path switching means 25d is provided at the branch portion, a punch hole forming apparatus is provided. 8, both the end binding conveyance path 32 and the saddle stitching / center folding conveyance path 33 can be provided. Therefore, even if the punch hole forming device 8 breaks down, the sheet can be conveyed to both the edge binding unit E and the saddle stitching / center folding unit C, and the edge binding process or the saddle stitching / center folding process of the sheet bundle is performed. It becomes possible.

  6 and 7 are enlarged views of the vicinity of the upper conveyance path P of the paper post-processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a movable discharge tray 34 with a built-in sheet conveyance path 35 a is provided on the sub-tray 27. Since the configuration of other parts is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  The movable discharge tray 34 is rotatable in the direction of arrow AA ′ in FIG. When a sheet is discharged from the first discharge port 26 onto the sub-tray 27, as shown in FIG. 6, the movable discharge tray is placed at a position (hereinafter referred to as a first position) where the sheets are stacked together with the sub-tray 27. 34 is arranged.

  The movable discharge tray 34 is rotated in the direction of arrow A from the state shown in FIG. 6, and the sheet conveying path 35a communicates with the first discharge port 26 and extends from the second discharge port 28 in the horizontal direction as shown in FIG. When arranged at a position (hereinafter referred to as a second position) that communicates with the provided sheet conveyance path 35b, a fourth conveyance path that communicates the first discharge port 26 and the second discharge port 28 through the sheet conveyance paths 35a and 35b. 37 is formed. That is, the sheet guided upward by the path switching means 25a sequentially passes through the second transport path 23, the first discharge roller 21, the fourth transport path 37, and the second discharge roller 22, and passes through the punch hole forming device 8. It is discharged onto the main tray 12 without going through.

  Accordingly, by selectively disposing the movable discharge tray 34 at the first position and the second position, even if the punch hole forming device 8 fails, it can be placed on either the main tray 12 or the sub-tray 27. It becomes possible to discharge. For example, when discharging a small-sized sheet, the user places the movable discharge tray 34 in the first position in advance, and discharges the discharged sheet onto the sub-tray 27 on the upper surface of the apparatus which is easy to see and take out. When discharging a sheet, the movable discharge tray 34 can be disposed at the second position and discharged onto the main tray 12 that can accommodate a large sheet.

  In addition, a driving unit for driving the movable discharge tray 34 is provided, and for example, when the number of sheets stacked on the main tray 12 or the sub-tray 27 reaches an allowable limit, a control signal from the image forming apparatus causes the sheet to be discharged. It is also possible to automatically switch the discharge destination to the other tray. Furthermore, if it is possible to automatically switch the tray as the discharge destination for each user or for each sheet size, it becomes easier to sort discharged sheets.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, if the mail box as shown in FIG. 3 can be attached to the first outlet 26 and the second outlet 28, the sheets can be sorted for a larger number of uses. . Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, either one or both of the end binding conveyance path 32 and the saddle stitching / center folding conveyance path 33 are configured not to pass through the punch hole forming device 8. The end binding unit E and / or the saddle stitching / center folding unit C can be used regardless of the failure of the punch hole forming device 8.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the mail boxes 31a and 31b are attached to both the first discharge port 26 and the second discharge port 28. However, the mailbox is only provided to either the first discharge port 26 or the second discharge port 28. Can be attached.

  In the above-described embodiment, the paper post-processing apparatus including the upper conveyance path P, the edge binding unit E, and the saddle stitching / center folding unit C has been described. The present invention can be applied in exactly the same manner to a sheet post-processing apparatus provided with only one of the binding and half-folding units C or a sheet post-processing apparatus provided with only the upper transport path P.

  The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus including a punch hole forming apparatus that performs a hole punching process on a sheet and a first conveyance path that guides the sheet to the punch hole forming apparatus, and is disposed above the punch hole forming apparatus. A first discharge port for discharging the sheet to the outside of the apparatus, a second transport path for guiding the sheet from the first transport path to the first discharge port without going through the punch hole forming apparatus, and a punch hole forming apparatus. And a third transport path for guiding the sheet that has passed through the first transport path to the second discharge port.

  Accordingly, since the sheet can be discharged from the first discharge port via the second conveyance path without passing through the punch hole formation device from the first conveyance path, even if the punch hole formation device fails. It is possible to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus capable of discharging a sheet without being separated from the image forming apparatus. Further, since sheets can be discharged onto two trays provided at the first discharge port and the second discharge port, the number of sheets that can be stocked increases.

  Further, since the sheets can be selectively discharged from the first discharge port or the second discharge port, for example, by selecting a sheet discharge destination tray for each user, it becomes easy to sort discharged sheets. If a mailbox can be attached to the first discharge port and the second discharge port, sheets can be sorted for a larger number of uses such as for each of a plurality of users or for each paper size. Further, by attaching each mailbox so as to face each other, it is possible to switch between face-up and face-down when the sheet is discharged.

  A movable discharge tray having a built-in sheet conveyance path, a first position for stacking sheets discharged from the first discharge port, and a second position for communicating the first discharge port and the second discharge port. Therefore, even if the punch hole forming device fails, the sheet can be discharged from either the first discharge port or the second discharge port.

  Further, if the sheet is guided to the edge binding unit or the saddle stitching unit that performs the binding process on the sheet bundle without going through the punch hole forming device, the binding is performed even when the punch hole forming device fails. Processing can be performed.

These are side surface sectional drawings which show the whole structure of the paper post-processing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. These are principal part sectional drawings which show the upper conveyance path periphery of the paper post-processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment. These are principal part sectional drawings which show the state which attached the mailbox to the paper post-processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment. These are principal part sectional drawings which show the example which changed the path | route of the saddle stitching and center folding conveyance path in the paper post-processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment. These are principal part sectional drawings which show the example which changed the path | route of the conveyance path for edge binding, and the conveyance path for saddle stitching and center folding in the paper post-processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment. These are principal part sectional drawings which show the upper conveyance path | route periphery of the paper post-processing apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. These are principal part sectional drawings which show the state which has arrange | positioned the movable discharge tray in the 2nd position in the paper post-processing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. These are side surface sectional drawings which show the whole structure of the conventional paper post-processing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Paper post-processing apparatus 8 Punch hole forming apparatus 10 Stapler for end binding (stapling apparatus)
11 First conveying path 12 Main tray 15 Saddle stitch stapler (staple device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 1st discharge roller 22 2nd discharge roller 23 2nd conveyance path 24 3rd conveyance path 25a-25d Path | route switching means 26 1st discharge port 27 Subtray 28 2nd discharge port 31a, 31b Mail box 32 End binding conveyance path ( Staple transport path)
33 Saddle Stitching / Folding Conveying Path (Staple Conveying Path)
34 Movable discharge trays 35a, 35b Sheet conveyance path 37 Fourth conveyance path P Upper conveyance path E End binding unit C Saddle stitching / folding unit

Claims (5)

In a paper post-processing apparatus comprising: a punch hole forming device that performs a hole punching process on a sheet; and a first conveyance path that guides the sheet to the punch hole forming device.
First and second discharge ports disposed above the punch hole forming device and discharging the sheet to the outside of the device, and the sheet from the first conveying path to the first discharge port without passing through the punch hole forming device. And a third transport path for guiding the sheet that has passed through the punch hole forming device from the first transport path to the second discharge port. .   The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet can be selectively discharged from the first discharge port or the second discharge port.   The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a mail box can be attached to the first discharge port and the second discharge port.   The first position where the sheets discharged from the first discharge port are stacked and the second position where the first discharge port and the second discharge port communicate with each other by a built-in sheet conveyance path are selectively arranged. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a movable discharge tray.   A stapling apparatus that performs a binding process on a sheet bundle, and a stapling conveyance path that guides the sheet to the stapling apparatus are provided, and the stapling conveyance path does not pass through the punch hole forming apparatus. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is guided to the apparatus.

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