JP2007168966A - Paper post-processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper post-processing apparatus capable of reducing stacking collapse or the like when discharging stapled papers.

SOLUTION: The paper post-processing apparatus comprises an alignment means having a pair of alignment plates for aligning a plurality of papers conveyed from an image forming device from both sides and capable of moving the pair of alignment plates by the predetermined distance in the direction orthogonal to the paper conveying direction, and a staple means having a stapler movable along edges in the conveying direction of the plurality of aligned papers, and capable of moving the stapler to the alignment position changing according to the movement of the alignment plate, and stapling the conveyed papers at a plurality of parts at each alignment position. By successively discharging the stapled papers at each alignment position, the stapling position of paper bundles stacked in a paper discharge tray is deviated from each other for upper and lower stages.

COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention is a copying machine or a printer, to a sheet post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing of sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus such as MFP.

Recently, in the image forming apparatus, or sorting the sheets after image formation, or to perform post-processing of a sheet stapling process or the like, adjacent the sheet post-processing apparatus to the discharge unit of the image forming apparatus main body there is provided Te. For example, in the paper post-processing apparatus that performs staple processing is so aligned by alignment means a plurality of sheets (sheet bundle) subjected to staple processing, sequentially stacked on the paper discharge tray and conveyed to the paper discharge tray .

The stapling processing structure, for example, there is an example described in Patent Document 1. In Patent Document 1, the recording and binding means for binding the recording sheet ejected from the image forming apparatus, a moving means for moving the stitching means along a plurality of stapling positions of the recording paper, the final binding position of the current recording sheet follows and a position control means for controlling the position of the moving means so as to start binding position of the paper.

In Patent Document 1, although it is possible to reduce the moving distance and moving time of the binding means, when successively discharging paper stapled recording sheets, since the binding position is the paper discharge overlap, the discharge tray on in will be raised when the recording paper is loaded, it is necessary to limit the number of stacked sheets. Further, when the subsequent sheet bundle stapled is discharged, there is a drawback of extruding a sheet bundle discharged already on the tray.
Patent No. 2879969 Publication

As a conventional sheet post-processing apparatus, there are those that enable stapling process, when the recording paper to the paper discharge tray are stacked is discharged, or the number of stacked sheets is limited because the stapling position overlaps are stapled there is a disadvantage that the sheet bundle in the sheet discharge tray is lost is pushed by the succeeding paper bundle.

The present invention aims to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus with a reduced loading collapse like when discharging the stapled treated paper.

The present invention according to claim 1, to align the plurality of sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus, and a post-processing device for discharging subjected to staple processing, a plurality of sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus and can be placed processing tray; a plurality of sheets placed on the processing tray includes a pair of aligning plates for aligning the flanks along the conveying direction, the pair of alignment plates, the first matching position, and a matching means is movable between a second matching position which is moved by a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction; move along the plurality of transport direction edges of the sheet aligned by the alignment means includes the possible stapler, following the change in the alignment position to move the stapler, the first, respectively the second aligning position, to staple a plurality of positions relative to the conveyed sheet stapler Means;; and a, the first alignment position and at the second alignment position by directing the discharge tray to sequentially discharge the sheet which has been stapled respectively, of the sheet bundle stacked on the paper discharge tray stapling position is characterized in that as offset from each other in each upper and lower.

Further, the present invention according to claim 2, aligned multiple sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus, and a post-processing device for discharging subjected to staple processing, a plurality of which are conveyed from the image forming apparatus and can be placed processing tray the sheets; includes a pair of alignment plates that align the plurality of sheets placed on the processing tray from both sides along the conveying direction, the pair of alignment plates, the first matching position and to reciprocate between the second aligning position by a predetermined distance in the first direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, aligning means and for aligning the plurality of sheets at each alignment position; said alignment means along the conveying direction edges of a plurality of sheets which are aligned with the stapler movable by; controlling said stapler, following the change in the alignment position of the alignment means moves the staple position cyclically, wherein When the engagement means is in the first alignment position moves the stapler in the first direction, subjected to staple processing in the sheet at a plurality of locations in the moving process, said when in the second alignment position the stapler is moved in a first direction and reverse direction, the paper to staple control means and at a plurality of locations in the moving process; are stapled respectively by the first alignment position and the second alignment position characterized by comprising a; and discharge means for guiding the sheet discharge tray discharging the paper.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the loading collapse or the like of when the discharge staple processed sheet, it is possible to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus convenient.

It will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of the present invention. Incidentally, with the same reference numerals are given to the same portions in the respective drawings, duplicate description is omitted.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a top view of the main part of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is the invention it is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a sheet post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the. Further, FIGS. 4 to 11 are diagrams for explaining the configuration of each part of the sheet post-processing apparatus.

1, specific configuration and operation of each unit 2 is going to successively clear in the description of FIG. 4 and subsequent figures, firstly the processing of paper in the sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention, mainly 3 used will be described.

Paper P having an image formed by the image forming apparatus 5 such as a copying machine, are discharged from the pair of sheet discharging rollers 6, it is conveyed to the sheet post-processing device 7. Sheet post-processing apparatus 7, as shown in Figure 3, chromatic waiting tray 10, the processing tray 12, a stapler 14, a first discharge tray 16, a second paper discharge tray 18, the fixed tray 19, a gate G, etc. are doing.

Paper P coming is discharged from the pair of sheet discharging rollers 6 of the image forming apparatus 5 is received by a pair of entrance rollers 22 provided in the vicinity of the entrance of the sheet post-processing apparatus 7. Inlet roller 22 consists of an upper roller and a lower roller. Inlet roller 22 is driven by the inlet roller motor 26 (FIG. 1).

Downstream of the inlet roller 22, a gate G for branching the paper P received in the inlet roller 22 into two paths (flow) is provided. The gate G is the cross-sectional shape forms the wedge-shaped, pointed portion of the wedge is facing rolling surface near the inlet roller 22. The gate G is rotatably supported by the side wall of the sheet post-processing apparatus 7. Pointed portion of the wedge takes a first position pointing to the upper side of the inlet roller 22 to the second position pointing the lower entrance roller 22.

That is, the first position is a case of selecting a path in the case that requires post-processing on the sheet P, the second position, the path may not require post-processing on the sheet P it is intended to select.

When the gate G is in the first position, the sheet P is fed to the first feed roller 24 and sent to the stand-by tray 10 from the first feed roller 24. Paper path ceiling 36 for guiding the sheet P to the first paper feed roller 24 between the entrance rollers 22 to the standby tray 10 (FIG. 1) is provided. The first feed roller 24 on feed roller, composed of the lower feed roller.

Below the standby tray 10, the processing tray 12 are arranged for stacking the sheets P dropped supplied from above standby tray 10. Processing tray 12, while stapling the sheets P by the stapler 14 is a processing mechanism which performs post-processing, for aligning supports the sheet P to be stacked.

When the sheet of a predetermined number of sheets is accumulated in the waiting tray 10, as shown in FIG. 7, the tray member 10a by the waiting tray motor 34 (FIG. 1), 10b is open arrow n, the m direction, the paper P is its weight dropped onto the processing tray 12 by, it is supplied to the stapler 14.

Stapler 14 is positioned to slide u direction by a staple driving portion 49 as shown in FIG. 4, performs staple processing. Incidentally, the stapler 14 is composed of only one, and shows a state before and after a slide which slides in Fig. Position processing tray 12 to align in the longitudinal direction is a conveying direction a plurality of sheets of paper P dropped supplied from the standby tray 10, FIG. 5, the upper longitudinal alignment vertical pair shown in FIG. 6 the roller 38a and the lower longitudinal aligning and a roller 38b.

Vertical longitudinal alignment rollers 38a, 38b is to pinch the sheet bundle T after staple processing completion, also serves as a bundle conveying roller is taken out from the stapler 14. Upper vertical alignment roller 38a is driven by the longitudinal alignment on roller motor 40, the lower longitudinal aligning roller 38b is driven by the longitudinal alignment lower roller motor 42.

Also the position where the sheet P rear end is dropped when the sheet P is dropped and supplied to the processing tray 12 is rotatable paddle for aligning the uppermost sheet P in the vertical direction is placed on the processing tray 12 44 are disposed.

Paddle 44 is aligned receiving portion 44a of the sheet P to be dropped and supplied into the processing tray 12 on as shown in FIG. 6, Knock Off sheet P on the processing tray 12 slapping portion 44b, the sheet P on the processing tray 12 It has a feed portion 44c, driven by the paddle motor 46. Paddle 44 has a resilient made of rubber material.

At the end of the stapler 14 side of the processing tray 12, a stopper 45 for regulating the rear end position of the sheet P rear contact is provided. The substantial center of the processing tray 12, the staple processing, the upper and lower longitudinal aligning roller 38a, conveying belt 50 for conveying the sheet bundle T taken out from the stapler 14 by 38b until the first or second paper discharge tray 16 or 18 It is provided. The conveyor belt 50, feed pawl 50a for hooking the rear end of the sheet bundle T is attached.

Waiting tray 10, while it is possible to drop supplying sheets P on the processing tray 12, can also be used to convey the paper P to the first or second paper discharge tray 16 or 18 direction, the paper discharge tray 16, 18 transport the sheet P in the direction is carried out by contacting the waiting tray roller 28 for alignment of the sheet P to the sheet P on the standby tray 10. Waiting tray roller 28 is controlled to move up and down by the standby tray roller driving source 30 is driven to rotate by a waiting tray roller motor 32 (FIG. 2).

As shown in Figure 3, the standby tray 10 is arranged so that an inclination angle θ1 in order to support the sheet P in a state in which the leading end of the sheet P is higher than the rear end. First or second paper discharge tray 16 and 18 are moved up and down by the paper discharge tray driving unit 52, one is selected. The first or second sheet discharge tray 16 or 18 is moved up and down in substantially the same height as the stand-by tray 10 or the processing tray 12 during the loading of the paper P, thereby achieving a consistent improvement of the paper P discharged. The first or second sheet discharge tray 16 and 18 are arranged so that an inclination angle θ2 in order to support the sheet P in a state in which the leading end of the sheet P is higher than the rear end.

Waiting tray 10 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a pair of tray members 10a formed so as to protrude from the wall surface, provided with 10b, both sides of the receiving sheet P to the paper while sliding to the width of the paper P the support. Tray member 10a, the 10b standby stoppers 10c for regulating the trailing edge of the sheet P, 10d are provided.

Waiting tray 10 is slid by the standby tray motor 34 (FIG. 2). Between the waiting tray 10 until it reaches the processing tray 12, when dropping supplying sheets P on the standby tray 10 to the processing tray 12, the sheet P is prevented from disturbance in the lateral direction perpendicular to the conveying direction to perform the lateral alignment Te, lateral alignment plates 47a, 47b are provided as shown in FIG. Lateral alignment plates 47a, 47b is by the lateral alignment motor 48 a can slide in the v direction to fit the width of the paper P, it is possible to change the alignment position.

When the gate G as shown in Figure 3 in a second position, the sheet P does not require post-processing is supplied to the second paper feed roller 60, further fed to the third feed roller 61. The second paper feed roller 60, respectively the third sheet feeding roller 61 is composed of the upper feed roller and the lower feed roller. The sheet P conveyed from the third feed roller 61 is fed to the fixed tray 19 provided on the upper surface of the sheet post-processing device 7.

Note that, the motor 26,34,40,42,46,48 driving various mechanisms described above, the drive unit 49 and 52 is driven and controlled by a control circuit (not shown).

Next will be described along the action of the sheet post-processing device 7 the flow of the paper. When the sheet P from the sheet discharging rollers 6 is an image formed by the image forming apparatus 5 is supplied, the sheet post-processing apparatus 7, if no post-processing (1) the sheet P, the post-processing (2) paper P a case where, when the preceding sheet P has finished post-treatment, (3) a case where the post-processing of the sheet P, when the preceding sheet P is executing a post-process, the different operating I do.

First, in the case where no post-processing, pointed portion of the wedge-shaped gate G is generally a second position pointing the lower entrance roller 22b (1). Sheet P supplied from the inlet roller 22 is supplied to the second paper feed roller 60, further fed to the third feed roller 61. The sheet P fed from the third feed roller is discharged to the fixed tray 19 of the top surface.

Then in the case of performing post-processing (stapling) of (2) will be described when there is no sheet P that precedes onto the processing tray 12. At this time, the waiting tray 10, the tray member 10a, 10b and slid in the arrow m direction or the arrow n direction to the position shown by the dotted line in each Figure 11, opens the falling supply path of the paper P. Matayoko aligning plates 47a, 47b in order to align the lateral direction of the paper P dropped from the paper feed roller 24, the lateral alignment plates 47a, between 47b are arranged to be the same width as the substantially sheet P. Thus, the paper P to be fed by the sheet feeding roller 24, without being obstructed conveyance by waiting tray 10, is dropped and supplied directly to the processing tray 12.

When dropped supply, the upper vertical alignment roller 38a have been retracted upward, the receiving portion 44a of the paddle 44 receives the paper P rear. Both sides of the sheet P, the lateral alignment plates 47a, and falls while contacting the 47b, are aligned transverse. Then the paddle 44 is rotated in the arrow o direction in FIG. 6, to drop the sheet P from the rear end receiving portion 44a, dropping slapping the beating section 44b onto the processing tray 12.

Further paddle 44 sends the sheet P in the arrow q direction by a feeding unit 44c, completing the vertical alignment of the sheet P to the paper P rear in contact with the stopper 45. Incidentally, the vertical alignment of the sheets P on the processing tray 12, may be performed by the upper longitudinal alignment roller 38a on the longitudinal aligning roller 38a each time vertically to.

In this way, while sequentially aligned in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction the sheet P on which an image is formed, is stacked on the direct processing tray 12 from the first feed roller 24. When the paper P reaches the predetermined number, the stapler 14 to form a sheet bundle T by the bundle by stapling the sheets P on the processing tray 12 at a desired position. Thereafter, the sheet bundle T is held between the lower longitudinal aligning roller 38b which rotates in a vertical alignment roller 38a and the direction of arrow s on rotating in the direction of arrow r, as shown in FIG. 6, the bundle to the first paper discharge tray 16 direction to transport.

Trailing end of the sheet bundle T is vertical longitudinal alignment roller 38a, passes through the 38b, out bundle on the first sheet discharge tray 16 is hooked on the feed pawl 50a of the conveyor belt 50 which is rotated in the arrow t direction in FIG. 5 It is.

The first paper discharge tray 16 are arranged so that the inclination angle is .theta.2, since the leading edge of the sheet is higher than the rear end, is put flux on the first paper discharge tray 16 in advance is not the paper P is pushed by the contact with the leading edge of the succeeding sheet bundle T. Further, the preceding sheet bundle T even produced a slight positional deviation by a subsequent sheet P, since there is a tilt angle .theta.2, the sheet bundle T to fall by its own weight, in the first paper discharge tray 16 on stacked in alignment with the back end are aligned to complete the stapling of the sheet P.

Such is sequentially sheets stacked to over the first sheet discharge tray 16. The first paper discharge tray 16 are arranged so that the inclination angle is .theta.2, since the leading edge of the sheet is higher than the rear end, for example, the first sheet discharge in a state where the sheet P is curled Nari mountain even if they are discharged onto the tray 16, prior to the sheet P that is placed on the first sheet discharge tray 16 will not be pushed out by contact with the leading end of the succeeding paper P. That is, the discharged paper P is placed on the order as soon as the first sheet discharge tray 16 without order is mad.

Next (3) in the case where a stapling process, prior to on the processing tray 12 will be described when there is still paper P running stapling process. At this time In the waiting tray 10, the tray members 10a, 10b may be slid with each arrow m direction opposite direction or the direction of arrow n in the opposite direction from the position shown by the dotted line in FIG. 11, a solid line in FIG. 11 has become capable of supporting the sheet P is in the position shown. Moreover, waiting tray roller 28 is retracted to the stand-by tray 10 upward so as not interfere with the sheet P. Sheet P supplied by the discharge feed roller 24 from the image forming apparatus 5 is once placed on the waiting tray 10 in order to wait for the processing tray 12 becomes available.

Placed on the sheet P to the waiting tray 10, the standby tray roller 28 which is rotated in a direction opposite the direction of arrow f descent to Figure 3 on the standby tray 10 is sent standby stoppers 10c, and 10d direction, after the sheet P the end standby stoppers 10c, are longitudinally aligned in contact with 10d. Further standby tray 10 be arranged so that the inclination angle is .theta.1, since the leading edge of the sheet is higher than the trailing edge, the sheet P is waiting stopper 10c of the rear end by its own weight, vertical in contact with 10d consistent.

Supplied sheet P is placed on sequentially standby tray 10 without order is mad. Further, as the preceding paper P occurs somewhat positional deviation is pushed by the succeeding paper P also, since there is inclination angle .theta.1, the paper P until the position which the rear end by its own weight abuts against the standby stoppers 10c, 10d fall and are stacked in alignment with the back end are aligned in standby tray 10 above.

When the preceding paper P during this period the processing tray 12 on is discharged processing tray 12 is empty on the side the first sheet discharge tray 16, waiting tray 10, the position shown tray member 10a, and 10b by the solid line in FIG. 11 via a position indicated by a chain line in FIG 11 slides in each direction of the arrow m or the direction of arrow n to the position shown by the dotted line in FIG. 11.

Thus standby tray 10 sheet P two example had been waiting on the tray member 10a, the 10b reaches the position indicated by the chain line in FIG. 11, the tray member 10a, from between 10b processing tray 12 on It is dropped and supplied. In this case lateral alignment plates 47a, 47b both intervals are arranged to be substantially the same width as the sheet P. Thus the paper P dropped from the waiting tray 10 is restricted on both sides lateral alignment plates 47a, to 47b, are aligned transverse.

Paper P of the lower of the two sheets P dropped onto the processing tray 12 is sent in the direction of arrow q by the lower longitudinal alignment roller 38b is rotated in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow s in FIG. 6, after the paper P completing the vertical alignment of the sheet P abuts the end with the stopper 45. Upper sheet P of the two sheets P dropped onto the processing tray 12 is sent in the direction of arrow q by the longitudinal alignment rollers 38a on which is rotated in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow r, the stopper 45 and the sheet P rear complete vertical alignment of the sheet P abuts against the upper longitudinal alignment rollers 38a thereafter is retracted upward.

Sheet P 3 and subsequent sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus 5 tray member 10a without waiting on the waiting tray 10, is dropped and supplied directly to the processing tray 12 upward from between 10b. Sheet P 3 and subsequent sheets thereafter are sequentially aligned on the sheet P stacked on the previously processing tray 12 on the paddles 44.

When the sheet P stacked on the processing tray 12 reaches a predetermined number, the sheet bundle T is stapled by the stapler 14 is formed. Thereafter the sheet bundle T is vertical longitudinal alignment roller 38a, is bundle conveyed to the first paper discharging tray 16 direction by 38b, further rear end hooked to the feed pawl 50a of the conveyor belt 50, a first discharge tray 16 is out bundles above, to complete the stapling process of the paper P.

Above, but is for explaining the overall operation of the sheet post-processing device 7, then the configuration of the staple processing section which is a feature of the present invention will be described.

Generally, the stapling process in the case of binding the corner portions of the sheet, there is a case of binding a plurality of locations along the edge of the paper (for example, two places), especially when binding a plurality of locations was stapled when discharging the sheet bundle, the sheet bundle T is stacked on the paper discharge tray 16 as shown in FIG. 12, and since the rise overlap stapling position ST, by succeeding sheet bundle T is discharged, which may cause collapse already ejected sheet bundle T on the tray 16 is pushed out.

Sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention is to reduce the swelling due to such staple position overlaps, it is characterized in that to prevent the loading collapse or the like of the sheet bundle.

Figure 13 is a diagram for explaining the movement of the stapler 14. Stapler 14 is slidable in the u direction by a staple driving portion 49 as shown in FIG. 4, when binding the corner portion of the sheet P, stapling process moves to a position shown by a solid line or a dashed line in FIG. 13 I do. In the case of binding a plurality of locations along the edge of the sheet P (for example, two places) is to staple ST moves at positions indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 13.

Figure 14 is a diagram for explaining was how stapling of the present invention shows a case where binding the two places along the edge of the sheet P, the stapler 14 and lateral alignment plates 47a, the movement of the 47b will be described it is intended.

FIG. 14 (a) shows a state where the sheet P is aligned lateral alignment plates 47a, by 47b at the first alignment position. In this state, the sheet P in the width direction aligned wings along the conveying direction, lateral alignment plates 47a, 47b is in the position indicated by each b1, b2.

On the other hand, the stapler 14 is slid in the u direction along the edge of the paper P by the staple driving section 49, performs staple processing is stopped at the first stapling position a1. Then the stapler 14 is slid further arrow A1 direction along the edge of the sheet P, it performs staple processing is stopped at the second stapling position a2. Thus the stapler 14 performs a stopped stapling at a plurality of locations in the moving process. First, the stapling process in the second stapling position is completed, the sheet P is conveyed to the discharge tray 16 (or 18) by the conveyor belt 50. Note that the first stapling position a1 spacing L1 of the second stapling position a2 is about 120 mm.

Thus the staple processed sheet bundle is discharged, lateral alignment plates 47a, 47b, as shown in FIG. 14 (b), in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the sheet slightly with respect to the first alignment position It moved, the paper P conveyed next is the width direction aligned by the lateral alignment plates 47a, 47b after the movement, are aligned in a second alignment position. In this state, lateral alignment plates 47a, 47b is in the position indicated by c1, c2, respectively.

Further, the stapler 14, the second stapler position a2 previous, lateral alignment plates 47a, to 47b is the direction that has moved (the arrow A2 direction) moves by a predetermined distance L2, and stops at the stapling position a3, stapling do. Then the stapler 14 is moved along the edge of the paper P in the reverse direction (arrow A3 direction) by a distance L1, it performs staple processing is stopped in the fourth stapling position a4. Thus the stapler 14 is stopped at a plurality of locations even in the reverse direction of the moving process to staple. Since the lateral alignment plates 47a, is 47b is also aligned position by the sheet P distance traveled displaced, the stapling position of the sheet P is always kept at the proper position.

Third, the stapling process in the fourth stapling position is completed, the sheet P is conveyed to the discharge tray 16 (or 18) by the conveyor belt 50, lateral alignment plates 47a, 47b is again first aligning position b1 , back to b2, then align the sheet P which is conveyed, the stapler 14 is slid by the staple driving section 49, it returns to the first stapling position a1. Then sequentially performed staple processing in the same motion or less.

In the movement of the stapler 14 described above, the distance from the first stapling position to the second staple position, and the distance L1 from the third staple position to the fourth stapling position is determined by the binding space of the paper, about 120mm Although set to the movement distance L2 from the second stapling position a2 to the third staple position a3, the distance to the extent that the stapling position ST in the first alignment position and the second alignment position does not overlap, for example, distance shifted about 15mm may be moved. Similarly moving distance from the fourth stapling position a4 to the first stapling position a1 L2 also may be moved a distance which is offset, for example, about 15 mm.

Thus stapler 14, aligning plates 47a, in accordance with the change in the alignment position by 47b, the stapling position a1 → a2 → a3, also cyclically moved to a3 → a4 → a1, the moving distance L2, for example by setting the L1 / 2 within, it is possible to reduce the moving distance of the stapler 14, the time involved in moving can be reduced, high-speed processing is possible.

Figure 15 is stapled by the sheet bundle T, it shows the manner in which successively sheet discharge to the discharge tray 16, (a) has a stapling position ST of the sheet bundle T offset alternately in the upper and lower It indicates that the discharge, (b) shows the overlapping state of the stapling position ST of the sheet bundle T. As shown in (b), the stapling position is shifted alternately, the height H1 of the overlapping portion is reduced. Accordingly, the sheet bundle T on the paper discharge tray 16 is also loaded, it is possible to reduce the swelling. Also be succeeding sheet bundle T be discharged, already reduced phenomenon ejected sheet bundle T on the tray 16 is pushed out.

Figure 15 (c) shows the overlapping state of the sheet bundle T reference by conventional stapling. In this case, since the stapling position is the same, the height H2 of the overlap portion becomes higher (H2> H1), which leads to collapse of the sheet bundle or the like.

Thus the working example of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the collapse or extrusion of the sheet when stacked by the sheet discharged is stapled on the discharge tray 16 (or 18). Therefore without lowering the efficiency of the image forming apparatus, convenience good sheet post-processing device can be obtained for the user.

Incidentally, not limited to the above description, and various modifications are possible within the scope without departing from the scope of the appended claims. For example stapler 14 has been described an example of stapling at two places in the moving process, it may be stapled at three places.

Perspective view showing a main part of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Top view showing a main part of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment. Schematic diagram illustrating a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment. Perspective view of the stapler of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment. Perspective view of a longitudinal alignment roller of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment. Explanatory view showing a paddle sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment. Schematic perspective view showing a waiting tray and the processing tray sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment. Top view showing the stand-by tray and the processing tray sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment. Schematic perspective view of a lateral alignment plate and the conveyor belt of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment. Explanatory view showing a state where the sheet on standby tray or output tray of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment is pushed out. Explanatory view showing a movement of a waiting tray of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment. Diagram depicting operation after staple processing by a general sheet finisher. Operation explanatory diagram for explaining the basic operation of the stapler in a sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention. Operation explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of stapling the sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention. Operation explanatory diagram for explaining a discharging operation after the stapling process in the sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS

5 ... The image forming apparatus 7 ... sheet post-processing apparatus 10 ... waiting tray 12 ... processing tray 14 ... stapler 16, 18 ... discharge tray 19 ... fixed tray 22 ... inlet roller 24 ... feed roller 45 ... stopper 47a, 47b ... horizontal aligning plates 48 ... lateral alignment motor 49 ... staple driver 50 ... conveyor belt P ... paper

Claims (6)

1. And aligning the plurality of sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus, and a post-processing device for discharging subjected to staple processing,
   And it can be placed processing tray a plurality of sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus,
   Includes a pair of aligning plates for aligning the flanks along a plurality of sheets placed on the processing tray in the transport direction, the pair of alignment plates, the first alignment position, and a direction perpendicular to the transport direction and aligning means which is movable between a second matching position which is moved by a predetermined distance,
   Includes a movable stapler along the conveying direction edges of a plurality of sheets aligned by said aligning means, following the change in the alignment position to move the stapler, in the first, second alignment position respectively; and a staple unit to staple a plurality of positions relative to the conveyed sheet,
   By directing the sequentially discharged to the discharge tray paper that has been stapled respectively by the first alignment position and the second alignment position, stapling position for each upper and lower sheet bundle stacked on the paper discharge tray sheet post-processing apparatus is characterized in that as offset from each other.
2. And aligning the plurality of sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus, and a post-processing device for discharging subjected to staple processing,
   And it can be placed processing tray a plurality of sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus,
   Includes a pair of aligning plates for aligning the flanks along a plurality of sheets placed on the processing tray in the transport direction, the pair of alignment plates, the first perpendicular to the first alignment position and the transport direction and aligning means to reciprocally move between a second matching position which is a predetermined distance in the direction, aligning the plurality of sheets at each alignment position of,
   And stapler which is movable along the conveying direction edges of a plurality of sheets aligned by said aligning means,
   Controlling said stapler, following the change in the alignment position of the alignment means moves the staple position cyclically, the stapler when said matching means is in the first alignment position to said first direction the moved, subjected to staple processing in the sheet at a plurality of locations in the moving process, when in the second alignment position moves the stapler in the first direction and the opposite direction, said at a plurality of locations in the moving process and control means to staple the sheet,
   Sheet post-processing apparatus is characterized in that anda discharge means leading to the discharge tray to discharge the sheet which has been stapled respectively by the first alignment position and the second alignment position.
3. Wherein said control means controls to match the position of the stapler to a change in the alignment position,
   In the first alignment position by moving the stapler in the first direction, subjected to staple processing in the sheet at a first position and a second position along the movement direction, said aligning means said second when moving to the aligning position is moved to a third position spaced a predetermined distance said stapler further said first direction than the second position,
   Wherein in the second alignment position by moving the stapler in the first direction and the reverse direction, subjecting said third staple processing on the sheet at the fourth position along the movement direction and position of the aligning means the first in returning to the matching position of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the moving the stapler in the first position is further at a predetermined distance from the position of the fourth.
4. The first, when the distance between the stapling position by the stapler in a second alignment position as L1, and the predetermined distance which the stapler is moved with the movement of the aligning position of said aligning means and L2, L2 <L1 / 2 and then the sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a was.
5. The matching means, a plurality of sheets placed on the processing tray in addition to the pair of aligning plates for aligning the flanks along the conveying direction, the aligning the edge portion of the conveyance direction of the plurality of sheets sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a second matching means.
6. It said second matching means, the sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a stopper for receiving the edge portion of the conveyance direction of the sheet is provided in the stapler.

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