JP2007031162A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance versatility and convenience by achieving reversal and postprocessing of the obverse and reverse of paper by a simple and serviceable mechanism. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming device has a device body 10 forming an image on a reverse surface of the paper P by recarrying the paper P carried out of a carrying-out port 31 of a side surface and carried in from its lower carrying-in port 32 to a carrying passage R1 via a recarrying passage R2 by forming the image on one surface by carrying the paper P called out of paper cassettes 11a to 11c to an image forming unit 13 in the carrying passage R1 crossing in the upward oblique direction, a switchback device 40 carrying the paper P carried out of the carrying-out port 31 in the carrying-in port 32 by reversing the obverse and reverse by switching back the paper and carrying out the switch-backed paper P to the opposite side of the device body 10, and a finisher device 60 loading the paper P in page order by sorting and delivering the paper P carried out of the switchback device 40 to paper delivery trays 62a to 62n. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and in particular, relates to an apparatus capable of performing reversal of the front and back of a sheet on which an image is formed, paper discharge, and the like with a simple and lean mechanism.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an apparatus for forming an image by recording received image data on a conveyance sheet using a recording medium such as toner. Such an image forming apparatus is applied to, for example, a printer device, a copier, It can also be installed in a facsimile machine to perform post-processing at the time of paper discharge, such as image formation on both sides of a sheet, formation of a color image using a recording medium of multiple colors, and sorting of sheets on which images are formed. Many things are devised.

  For example, in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 6, the paper cassette 101 is set in the lower part of the apparatus main body 100 and the paper P stacked thereon is guided into the transport path R1 so as to be reversed and then reversed again. The paper P in the paper cassette 101 is ejected by a call roller 103 that is in pressure contact with the leading end side, and the conveying roller pair 104, the fixing roller pair 105, and the like are ejected. After that, the paper is delivered to the paper discharge roller pair 106 and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 102.

  The paper P is fed to the recording unit formed by the photosensitive drum 107 by the conveying roller pair 104, whereby the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 107 is transferred to the upper surface, and the fixing roller pair 105 is heated and pressed. As a result, the transferred image is fixed, and the sheet P on which the image is formed on one side is guided by the switching claw 108 on the downstream side of the fixing roller pair 105 in the re-conveying path R2. Thus, the image can be transferred and fixed (formed) on the back side by feeding again to the recording unit by the photosensitive drum 107. In the re-conveying path R2, the switching claw 108 reverses the conveying direction of the paper P by the driving roller 109 and the pair of driven rollers 110 and 111 and then reverses the paper P. Then, the switching claw 108 reverses the conveying direction and switches back. The sheet P can be fed in the recording portion of the photoconductive drum 108 by being reversed through the transport path R1.

  However, in such a conventional image forming apparatus, in order to realize image formation on both sides of the sheet P, the sheet P on which the image is formed on one side is switched back below the photosensitive drum 107. Since the re-transporting route R2 is constructed, the space S above the paper cassette 101 is occupied, which hinders the case of adding paper cassettes of different sizes and the like. There was a problem that it might become too high.

  In particular, in order to meet the recent demand for color images without enlarging the apparatus main body 100, when the photosensitive drums of the respective colors are arranged on the transport path R1, the paper P is switched back in the apparatus main body 100. There is a problem that it is difficult to secure the space S to be secured.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus connects the finisher device, for example, when forming an image on a plurality of sheets of paper, performs post-processing such as stacking and discharging the sheets in the page order, and at this time image forming In some cases, it may be adjusted whether the sheet P is discharged with its surface facing up or down, but it is also necessary to construct a mechanism in the finisher device that switches the sheet P back and reverses the front and back. For this reason, there existed a solution subject that the same mechanism would overlap and it would become uselessly expensive. Further, even when the finisher device is connected, it is necessary to make it possible to easily open the transport path R1 when a jam or the like occurs on the paper P on the calling side from the paper cassette 101. was there.

  Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to switch back the paper in a compact manner without occupying the space in the main body of the apparatus, and to allow the paper to be used as a part of another mechanism. It is an object of the present invention to provide a versatile and convenient image forming apparatus that realizes reversal and post-processing by a simple and lean mechanism.

  A first invention that solves the above-described problem is a paper transporting unit that calls out the paper stacked from the paper cassette and transports the paper so as to cross the inside of the apparatus main body, and then unloads the paper from the side surface of the apparatus main body. Image forming means for forming an image on the upper surface of the transport paper, and receiving the paper formed with the image and transported from the side surface of the apparatus body, guiding it downward, and then transporting the paper out of the apparatus by reversing the transport direction Switchback means.

  According to the present invention, the switchback means is provided for the apparatus main body that, after traversing the inside of the apparatus main body, forms an image on the upper surface of the paper called from one end side of the paper cassette, and then carries it out of the apparatus from the outlet on the opposite side surface. (Device) receives the paper from the carry-out port of the device main body, guides it downward and carries it out of the device by reversing its transport direction, that is, after switching the image-formed paper up and down It can be carried into the apparatus main body or carried out (discharged) out of the apparatus. Therefore, without providing a space for switching back the paper in the apparatus main body, the front and back of the paper can be reversed by performing a compact switchback in the vertical direction by a device outside the main body connected to the apparatus main body. Sheets with images formed on the upper surface while traversing the inside can be discharged out of the apparatus in the page order and stacked. In addition, it is possible to secure a space that allows the expansion of the paper cassette and the parallel arrangement of the photosensitive drums without increasing the size, and the switchback means is connected to the opposite side of the calling side of the paper cassette. Therefore, the opening of the conveyance path is not complicated.

  In addition to the specific matters of the first invention, the second invention for solving the above-mentioned problem is to take out the paper carried out by the switchback means and perform post-processing associated with paper discharge, and then remove the paper from the apparatus. The post-processing means for discharging the paper is arranged.

  In this invention, the switchback means reverses the front and back sides of the paper carried out from the apparatus main body and adjusts the upper and lower sides of the image surface, so that the post-processing means (apparatus) is on the opposite side of the apparatus main body from the switchback means. The paper that is carried out (discharged) to the printer can be subjected to post-processing such as receiving and sorting as it is, and discharged out of the apparatus. Therefore, the post-processing apparatus can perform post-processing without discharging the paper and discharge the paper, and can reduce the cost by omitting the construction of the switch-back mechanism.

  According to a third invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, in addition to the specific matters of the first or second invention, the switchback means provides a path for discharging the sheet carried out from the carry-out port on the side surface of the main body to the outside as it is. It is characterized by having.

  In the present invention, the sheet carried out from the apparatus main body can be discharged (discharged) out of the apparatus as it is without switching back. Therefore, for example, a sheet that is weak to a load such as when it is bent or a sheet that does not need to be post-processed can be discharged and stacked outside the apparatus without unnecessarily applying a load at the time of reversal.

  According to a fourth invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, in addition to the specific matters of any of the first to third inventions, the apparatus main body carries in the paper that is unloaded from the carry-out port on the side of the main body and opens below the carry-out port. While having a paper re-conveying means that receives from the mouth and delivers it to the paper conveying means from the upstream side of the image forming means, the switchback means receives the paper carried out from the carry-out port on the side of the main body and guides it downward. Thereafter, the paper is transported in the direction of reversing the direction of transporting the paper into the carry-in port on the side of the main body.

  In this invention, the paper that has been called from the paper cassette and image-formed on one side is carried out of the apparatus main body from the carry-out port on the side opposite to the call and switched back and back, and then the carry-out port It can be delivered to the lower carry-in entrance so as to form an image on the back surface. Therefore, it is possible to form images on both sides of the paper without providing a mechanism for reversing the front and back of the paper in the apparatus main body. Further, by arranging the carry-out port and the carry-in port so that the paper circulation paths do not intersect, continuous processing can be performed without opening a large paper gap at the front and rear ends of the paper.

  According to a fifth invention for solving the above-mentioned problem, in addition to the specific matters of any of the first to fourth inventions, the switchback means guides the paper received from the carry-out port of the apparatus main body downward, and then The present invention is characterized in that the discharge ports for reversing the sheet conveyance direction and discharging the sheet to the outside of the apparatus are arranged at a plurality of positions spaced apart in the vertical direction.

  In the present invention, after the paper carried out from the apparatus main body is switched back, it can be discharged (discharged) from any of the discharge ports spaced apart in the vertical direction. Therefore, the discharge port can be switched according to the type of image recorded and formed on the paper. For example, the image is discharged and stacked according to whether the image is received by printout, copy, or facsimile reception. You can change the place.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problem, in addition to the specific matter of the fifth aspect, the apparatus main body includes a paper calling means for transferring the paper called from the paper cassette to the upper paper conveying means together with the paper cassette. Post-processing for stacking the arranged mechanisms so that paper cassettes can be added and for taking out the paper carried out by the switchback means and performing post-processing associated with paper discharge, and then discharging the paper outside the apparatus And a paper discharge port of the switchback means is arranged so as to correspond to the paper inlet of the post-processing means even when the paper cassette additional mechanism is stacked. .

  In this invention, even when the paper cassette expansion mechanism is stacked, after the paper carried out from the apparatus main body is switched back, the paper is discharged (carrying out) from the discharge port corresponding to the carry-in port of the post-processing means. It can be carried in, and the paper can be post-processed and discharged. Therefore, the sheet cassette can be added only on the apparatus main body side, and the post-processing apparatus is not disabled.

  According to the present invention, since the image is formed on the upper surface of the paper traversing the inside of the apparatus main body, even when the paper is carried out of the apparatus main body with the image surface facing upward, the compact in the vertical direction is provided. The front and back of the paper can be reversed by a simple switchback. For this reason, it is possible to realize image formation on both sides of the paper by constructing a paper re-transport path without having a switchback mechanism in the apparatus main body, and after sorting and discharging the paper outside the apparatus. The processing apparatus can also be stacked by adjusting the page order of sheets without having a switchback mechanism. Therefore, a plurality of paper cassettes can be set and a color image forming unit can be constructed without occupying the space in the apparatus main body by the switchback mechanism. The omission of the switchback mechanism for realizing the above can be realized.

  By disposing the paper discharge path out of the apparatus as it is without switching back the paper carried out from the apparatus main body, it is possible to discharge and stack the paper without applying a load unnecessarily. The quality can be improved without damaging the paper.

  Further, by disposing the carry-in port below the carry-out port for the paper on which images are formed on both sides, the paper can be continuously processed without widening the gap between the papers, and productivity (processing capacity) can be improved. it can.

  Furthermore, by disposing a plurality of switched-out paper discharge ports at the top and bottom, even if a post-processing mechanism is not provided, it is possible to arbitrarily change the position where paper is discharged and stacked, thereby improving usability. In addition, by having such a configuration, even when the paper cassettes are stacked and added while connecting the post-processing devices, the paper that is switched back from the discharge port corresponding to the carry-in port of the processing device is then used. The post-processing apparatus can be used effectively if it is discharged.

  As a result, a compact paper switchback mechanism that does not occupy space in the apparatus main body and can also be used as a post-processing apparatus can be realized, improving the versatility and convenience of the image forming apparatus. be able to.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 are views showing an example of a printer apparatus to which the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is applied.

  In FIG. 1, a printer apparatus discharges a sheet P sent via the switchback device 40, and a switchback device 40 that reverses the front and back by switching back an image-formed conveyance sheet P to the apparatus body 10. The finisher device 60 that performs post-processing at the time of the printing is detachably connected, and the paper P on which an image is formed by calling from any of the paper cassettes 11a to 11c is discharged to the paper discharge tray 12, the switchback of the device main body 10. The paper is discharged to one of the paper discharge tray 42 of the apparatus 40 or the paper discharge trays 62a to 62n of the finisher apparatus 60.

  The apparatus main body 10 is detachably mounted with an image forming unit 13 that can form a monochrome or color image on the transport paper P and a fixing unit 14 that fixes the formed image on the paper P. FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming unit 13 forms a transport path R1 so that the carrier belt 15 transports the paper P obliquely upward (transverse direction), and along the carrier belt 15, yellow, magenta, The writing unit 16 scans the laser beam r on the peripheral surfaces of the photosensitive drums 17Y, 17M, 17C, and 17B arranged in parallel in the order of cyan and black, writes and forms an electrostatic latent image, and develops the units 18Y and 18M. , 18C and 18B develop the toner on the electrostatic latent image and transfer the toner image onto one side of the paper P conveyed by the carrier belt 15, while the fixing unit 4, the toner image on the paper P received from the carrying belt 15 is fixed by pressing and pressing the pressure roller 19 heated by the built-in heater against the endless belt 20 to form an image on the paper P. It is like that. The writing unit 16 irradiates the two-stage polygon scanner 16a with laser light L emitted from a laser diode (not shown) based on the received image data for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Polarization by the group 16b scans the photosensitive drums 17Y, 17M, 17C, and 17B and writes an electrostatic latent image.

  The paper P is called by the calling roller 21 on the front end side (right side in the drawing of the apparatus main body 10) of the paper cassettes 11a to 11c for stacking and storing plain papers and OHP films of different sizes, and the separation paper feed roller pair 22 is set to 1. By separating and feeding the sheets one by one, the image is transferred to the registration roller pair 25 in front of the image forming unit 13 via the conveying path R1 by the conveying roller pair 23 and the converging roller pair 24. Then, after the image is formed through the fixing unit 14, the image is formed immediately before by being transferred to the paper discharge roller pair 27 at the upper part of the apparatus main body 10 via the conveyance path R <b> 1 by the branch roller pair 26 and the conveyance roller pair 23. The front and back sides of the image are turned upside down so that the image plane faces downward and the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 12 and stacked. The paper P from the paper cassette 11c is delivered from the converging roller pair 24 to the registration roller pair 25 using a converging roller pair 29 described later. The apparatus main body 10 is provided with an openable / closable manual feed tray on the right side surface in the drawing, from which paper P can be directly supplied to the registration roller pair 25, and the open / closed tray is opened below the manual feed tray. A door is provided so that the jammed paper P can be removed when calling.

  Further, the apparatus main body 10 is connected to the converging roller pair 24 and the resist of the transport path R1 through the re-transport path R2 including the transport roller pair 28 and the converging roller pair 29 arranged in parallel below the support belt 15. By transferring to the roller pair 25, the paper P can be conveyed again to the image forming unit 13 to form an image, and an image can be formed on one side by the image forming unit 13 in the re-conveying path R2. The unloading claw (not shown) arranged on the downstream side of the branch roller pair 26 switches the transport direction of the paper P on which the sheet P is formed, so that the unloading roller pair 30 opens on the left side surface of the apparatus main body 10 in the drawing. The paper P is carried out from the switch 31 to the switchback device 40, which is an external device, and the paper P, which is turned upside down by the switchback device 40, is placed under the carry-out port 31. It adapted to receive the pair of conveying rollers 28 by loading from the loading opening 32 which is open to.

  Therefore, the paper P that has been transported from any of the paper cassettes 11 a to 11 c to the image forming unit 13 and has formed an image on one side thereof can be re-transported to the image forming unit 13 with the switchback device 40 turned upside down. The image can be formed on both sides by forming an image on the back surface of the paper P without inverting the front and back of the paper P in the apparatus main body 10. Thus, by eliminating the need for a switchback mechanism for reversing the front and back of the paper P in the apparatus main body 10, the photosensitive drums 17Y to 17B can be arranged in parallel and the paper cassettes 11b and 11c can be arranged. A manual feed tray and an opening / closing cover (not shown) can be disposed on the front end side of the cassettes 11a to 11c. At this time, the image of the even page (for example, the second page) is formed on one side of the paper P, and then the image of the odd page (for example, the first page) is formed on the back surface of the paper P, thereby The paper P to be discharged to the upper 10 discharge roller pair 27 can be stacked in the page order.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the switchback device 40 guides the sheet P carried out from the carry-out port 31 of the apparatus body 10 so that the upper reversing roller pair 43 receives the paper P and descends downward from the leading end. After conveying the reversing path R3 transferred to the lower reversing roller pair 44, the lower reversing roller pair 44 reverses and switches back to the timing when the rear end of the paper P is nipped, and the conveying direction is switched by a branching claw (not shown). As a result, the carry-in roller pair 46 can transfer the paper P with the front and back sides reversed from the carry-out port 31 of the apparatus main body 10 to the conveyance roller pair 28 in the re-conveyance path R2. Therefore, the front and back of the paper P can be reversed and returned to the inside of the apparatus main body 10 by a compact switch back in the vertical direction by the switchback apparatus 40 connected to the outside of the apparatus main body 10. At this time, the paper P carried out from the carry-out port 31 of the apparatus main body 10 via the carrying route R1 may be carried into the re-carrying route R2 located below the carrying route R1 from the carry-in port 32 opened downward. Therefore, the conveyance route of the paper P to be circulated does not intersect, and the carry-out of the next paper P from the carry-out port 31 can be started before the carry-in of the paper P to the carry-in port 32 is completed. It is possible to continuously carry out and carry in the paper P without opening a large gap (between papers) between the preceding and succeeding papers P.

  The switchback device 40 reverses the timing at which the upper reversing roller pair 43 pinches the trailing edge of the paper P and switches it back, and switches the transport direction with a branching claw (not shown) so that the paper P with the front and back reversed is placed. The carry-in roller pair 47 is carried into the interior from the carry-in port 63 of the finisher device 60, and the finisher device 60 receives the paper P carried from the carry-in port 63 when the carry roller pair 64 receives it. Depending on the designated post-processing, for example, the paper P is reversely reversed by the switchback device 40 when the paper discharge roller pairs 65a to 65n are discharged to the paper discharge trays 62a to 62n after sorting by the number of print copies. Can be loaded in the page order. Therefore, it is possible to stack the paper P in the page order on the paper discharge trays 62a to 62n without constructing a mechanism for switching the paper P back to the finisher device 60 and reversing the front and back.

  Further, the switchback device 40 switches the conveyance direction of the paper P carried out from the carry-out port 31 of the apparatus main body 10 to the conveyance path R4 above the reversing roller pair 43 by the branching claw 48 and directly changes to the discharge roller pair 49. By delivering, the paper P can be discharged and stacked on the paper discharge tray 42 with the surface on which the image has been formed facing up without being reversed. Therefore, for example, when manually feeding OHP or the like, by designating the paper discharge tray 42 as a paper discharge destination, the quality of the image formed on the surface is deteriorated without applying a load when curving and reversing. The sheet P can be discharged and stacked.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the space in the apparatus main body 10 is not occupied by the mechanism for switching the paper P back and reversing the front and back, and the front and back of the paper P are compactly reversed by the vertical switch back. The switchback device 40 can be used by both the device main body 10 and the finisher device 60, and a plurality of types of paper P are called from the paper cassettes 11a to 11c and conveyed across the device main body 10 while being arranged in parallel. The photoconductive drums 17Y to 17B can form color images on both sides of the paper P, and the paper P can be arbitrarily placed in the page order and discharged and stacked at any position. . Therefore, the versatility and convenience of the printer apparatus can be improved without unnecessarily increasing the size of the entire apparatus.

  In the present embodiment, the upper reverse roller pair 43 and the lower reverse roller pair 44 of the switchback device 40 and the carry roller pair 46 are driven by separate drive motors, respectively. The carry-in of the next sheet P from the carry-out port 31 can be started before the carry-in to the carry-in port 32 is completed, and a one-way clutch is built in the carry-in roller pair 46, 47. Thus, after the conveyance roller pair 28 of the apparatus main body 10 and the conveyance roller pair 64 of the finisher device 60 are nipped by the paper P that has passed through the reversing roller pair 43, 44, the driving direction of the reversing roller pair 43, 44 is changed to the paper. The paper P can be continuously carried out and carried in by being driven in a direction opposite to the carrying direction of P. Further, the switchback device 40 makes a difference between the conveyance speed when the paper P is carried out from the carry-out port 31 of the apparatus body 10 and the conveyance speed when the paper P is carried in from the carry-in port 32. By setting the conveyance speed of the paper P to be higher than the conveyance speed from the carry-out port 31 of the apparatus main body 10 and slower than the carry-in speed to the carry-in port 32, the stop time of the paper P is not increased. A large interval (inter-paper) can be generated between the preceding and succeeding sheets P, and the leading and trailing edges of the sheet P can be reliably detected.

  Next, FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a printer apparatus to which the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is applied. Since the present embodiment is configured in substantially the same manner as the above-described embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and characteristic portions will be described (the same applies to the third embodiment described below). .

  In FIG. 4, the apparatus main body 10 passes the paper P, which is called and separated and fed from the paper cassette 11a by the calling roller 21 and the separation paper feed roller pair 22, into the slit 33 that opens on the mounting surface of the paper cassette 11b. The sheet cassette 11d is stacked together with the calling roller 21 and the separation sheet feed roller pair 22 by opening a slit 34 on the bottom surface on which the sheet cassette 11a is placed. Can be done.

  In the switchback device 40, when the paper cassette 11d is added to the apparatus body 10, the carry-in roller pair 47 does not correspond to the carry-in port 63 of the finisher device 60, so the lower reverse roller pair 44 pinches the rear end of the paper P. The paper P with the carry-in roller pair 50 turned upside down can be carried into the finisher device 60 from the carry-in entrance 63 by switching the conveyance direction with a branching claw (not shown) while reversing the timing to switch back. It is like that.

  As described above, in this embodiment, in addition to the effects of the above-described embodiment, even if the paper cassettes 11d are stacked and added, the paper P with the front and back reversed can be delivered to the finisher device 60. The sheets P in the page order can be discharged and stacked on the trays 62a to 62n. Therefore, the finisher device 60 is not disabled due to the addition of the sheet cassette 11d to the apparatus main body 10.

  Next, FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a printer apparatus to which the third embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is applied.

  In FIG. 5, the switchback device 40 is provided with discharge trays 53 and 54 for loading the unloaded paper P at the carry-out ports (discharge ports) 51 and 52 from which the carry-in roller pairs 47 and 50 carry out the paper P, respectively. Even when the finisher device 60 is not connected, for example, the paper P with the front and back reversed can be discharged onto arbitrary paper discharge trays 53 and 54 according to the type of image.

  As described above, in the embodiment, in addition to the operation and effect of the above-described embodiment, for example, the paper discharge trays 53 and 54 are switched according to the request source of the image to be printed, or combined with a copier, a facsimile machine, or the like. In this case, the paper P printed out and the paper P copied or received by facsimile can be distinguished and discharged and stacked. Therefore, usability can be improved and convenience can be improved.

1 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and is a front perspective view illustrating a schematic overall configuration thereof. It is a partially expanded perspective view which shows the internal structure. It is a partially expanded perspective view which shows the principal part structure. It is a figure which shows 2nd Embodiment of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this invention, and is front perspective drawing which shows the schematic whole structure. It is a figure which shows 3rd Embodiment of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this invention, and is a partially expanded perspective view which shows the principal part structure. It is a front perspective view which shows the schematic whole structure of the prior art.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Apparatus main body 11a-11d Paper cassette 12 Discharge stand 13 Image forming unit 14 Fixing unit 15 Carrier belt 16 Writing unit 17Y, 17M, 17C, 17B Photosensitive drum 21 Calling roller 22 Separation paper feed roller pair 27, 49, 65a ˜65n paper discharge roller pair 30 carry-out roller pair 31, 51 carry-out port 32, 63 carry-in port 33, 34 slit 40 switchback device 42, 53, 54, 62a-62n paper discharge tray 43 upper reversing roller pair 44 lower reversing roller pair 46, 47, 50 Carry-in roller pair 60 Finisher device R1 Conveyance path R2 Reconveyance path R3 Reverse path

Claims (2)

In an apparatus that can be attached to and detached from a side surface of the apparatus main body, and that receives paper on which an image is formed by an image forming unit from the apparatus main body,
An apparatus characterized in that the post-processing means can be attached and detached, and a plurality of paper discharge ports for discharging paper to the post-processing means are provided in the vertical direction.   An image forming apparatus comprising the apparatus according to claim 1.

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