JP2007197178A - Sheet registering device, sheet processor and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To sort a sheet member without arranging a mechanical sorting mechanism. <P>SOLUTION: This sheet registering device has a paper ejecting tray 4 loading the sheet member, a paper ejecting roller 3b ejecting the carried-in sheet member on the paper ejecting tray 4, a return roller 5 moving paper ST ejected on the paper ejecting tray 4, and a rear end fence 7 registering the carrying direction of the paper ST by allowing the paper rear end moved to the upstream side in the carrying direction of the paper ST to abut on the paper rear end by the return roller 5; and sorts the sheet member being a sorting object by being projected from the other sheet member by controlling the return roller 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet aligning device that acts on an end portion of a sheet member to align a sheet member or a bundle of sheet members, a sheet processing device including the sheet aligning device, and an image forming apparatus including the sheet aligning device or the sheet processing device. Relates to the device.

  When discharging the image-formed recording material to the discharge tray, a shift unit provided in the conveyance path and sandwiching and conveying the recording material is used to shift the recording material in a direction parallel to the rotation axis. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228707 discloses a technique for sorting recording materials by moving the recording material in a moving direction.

This technique is arranged in a width direction orthogonal to the recording material conveyance direction, a pair of conveyance members that sandwich and convey the recording material, a shift unit that moves the conveyance member in the width direction, and the conveyance member And a discharge tray for receiving the recording material conveyed by the recording medium, and selectively driving the shift means to move the conveying member in the width direction to change the discharge position of the recording material with respect to the discharge tray. In the material post-processing apparatus, the shift unit is configured to displace the transport member on both sides in the width direction with respect to a reference position at which the transport member receives the recording material. A shaft that is slidably supported in the width direction and supports the conveying member, and the shaft is selectively moved in the width direction for each set number of sheets to move the conveying member to a shift position on both sides of the reference position. Let Composed of a shift drive unit. With this configuration, it is possible to sort with a small number of strokes on both sides of the reference position, and the size can be reduced accordingly.
JP 2002-187667 A

  By the way, when the sheet member post-processing apparatus is reduced in size, adding a mechanism only for sorting requires other functions, which is an obstacle to downsizing. However, the elimination of the sorting function for miniaturization leads to deterioration of the performance of the machine, and it cannot be said that it meets the user's request.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and an object thereof is to enable sorting of sheet members without providing a mechanical sorting mechanism.

  In order to achieve the object, the first means includes a stacking means for stacking sheet members, a discharge means for discharging the loaded sheet members onto the stacking means, and a sheet discharged onto the stacking means. In the sheet aligning apparatus, comprising: a return unit that moves the member; and a rear end stop unit that abuts the trailing end of the sheet member moved to the upstream side in the sheet member conveying direction by the returning unit and aligns the sheet member conveying direction. Control means for performing sorting by controlling the return means is provided.

  The second means performs sorting by controlling the return amount of the return means relative to the trailing edge stopping means for the first sheet of the sheet member group to be sorted by the control means in the first means. It is characterized by.

  According to a third means, in the first means, the control means performs sorting by controlling the return amount of the return means relative to the trailing edge stopping means with respect to the last sheet of the sheet member group to be sorted. It is characterized by.

  The fourth means is characterized in that, in the second or third means, the return amount is a positive or negative amount.

  The fifth means is characterized in that in the first means, the control means performs sorting by not driving the return means for the first sheet member of the sheet member group to be sorted.

  The sixth means is characterized in that in the first means, the control means performs sorting by not driving the return means for the final sheet member of the sheet member group to be sorted.

  The seventh means is characterized in that the sheet processing apparatus includes the sheet aligning apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth means.

  The eighth means is characterized in that the image forming apparatus includes the sheet aligning apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth means.

  The ninth means is characterized in that the image forming apparatus includes the sheet processing apparatus according to the seventh means.

  In the embodiment described later, the sheet member is the paper ST, the stacking unit is the discharge tray 4, the discharge unit is the discharge roller 3b, the return unit is the return roller 5, and the rear end stop unit is the rear end fence. 7, the control means corresponds to the CPU 60.

  According to the present invention, the sheet members can be sorted using the sheet return function without providing a mechanical sorting mechanism.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. This system includes an image forming apparatus 1 main body and a sheet member post-processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a sheet processing apparatus) 2. Yes. The sheet processing apparatus 2 is attached to the side surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, and an image-formed sheet member, here, paper is carried into the sheet processing apparatus 2 from a paper discharge port on the side surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, and predetermined processing is performed. Is given. Hereinafter, the sheet member will be described as “paper”.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the sheet processing apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the sheet processing apparatus 2 basically includes an entrance roller 3a, a discharge roller 3b, a discharge tray 4, a return roller 5, a jogger 6, a rear end fence 7, a stapler 8, and a pair of discharge links 9. Has been. The entrance roller 3 a receives the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus 1, and the paper discharge roller 3 b discharges the paper received from the entrance roller 3 a to the paper discharge tray 4. The trailing edge fence 7 is provided substantially vertically from the stacking unit 11 on the upstream side of the stacking unit 11 on which the sheets are stacked, and has a function of aligning the sheet transporting direction by contacting the trailing end of the sheet. Further, the upper portion of the rear end fence 7 is connected to an upper guide 10 provided substantially parallel to the stacking portion 11, and the upper guide 10 is bent to guide the sheet from the image forming apparatus 1. This constitutes the side guide plate.

  The return roller 5 is supported by an arm 5b and a roller 5a for carrying paper, and a part of the arm 5b can be swung with a rocking fulcrum 5c. One end of the discharge link 9 is swingably supported by a swinging support shaft (swinging center) (not shown) that can freely rotate, and the other end is a hook-like shape that can press the sheet stacking surface on the paper discharge tray 4. It becomes the holding | suppressing part 9a shape | molded by this. The entrance roller 3a, the paper discharge roller 3b, and the roller 5a are each driven by a stepping motor, and the arm 5b is swung by a solenoid. The discharge link 9 is driven to swing by a link mechanism (not shown).

  A pair of joggers 6 are provided at positions parallel to the paper transport direction of the stacking unit 11 (front and rear as apparatuses), and each includes a vertical unit 6a that acts on the sheet end surface and a stacking unit 6b that stacks sheets. The stapler 8 is notched so as not to interfere with the end portion of the trailing edge fence 7, and a staple is driven into a desired position at the trailing end portion of the sheet to bind the sheet bundle.

  The sheet processing apparatus configured generally as described above operates as shown in FIGS. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the paper ST is carried into the sheet processing apparatus 2 from the image forming apparatus 1 by the entrance roller 3 and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 4 by the paper discharge roller 3b. At this time, the roller 5a of the return roller 5 is in a position away from the sheet discharge tray 4, that is, in a retracted position. When the paper ST is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 4 by the paper discharge roller 3b in this way, the rear end of the paper ST leaves the nip of the paper discharge roller 3b as shown in FIG. The tray 4 and the jogger 6 are placed on the placement portion 6 b or between the tray 4 and the loading portion 11 of the rear end fence 7.

  From this state, the return roller 5 is driven by a solenoid, and as shown in FIG. 4, the roller 5a comes into contact with the paper ST on the paper discharge tray 4, and the paper ST is conveyed toward the rear end fence 7 by the rotation of the roller 5a. Then, the rear end of the sheet ST is brought into contact with the rear end fence 7 to align the rear end of the sheet. When the sheet ST hits the rear end fence 7, the return roller 7 returns to the retracted position away from the discharge tray 4 as shown in FIG. Next, the jogger 6 that has been waiting at a preset distance is operated, and the side surface of the paper ST is pushed to perform an alignment operation in a direction (width direction) orthogonal to the paper transport direction of the paper ST. These operations are repeated for the number of sheets of one job, and the sheet bundle STB is stacked on the stacking unit 11 of the rear end fence 7.

  When the sheets ST for one job are stacked on the stacking surface 11 as the sheet bundle STB in this way, the discharge link 9 starts to move from the rear side of the rear end fence 7 as shown in FIG. Push the rear end back onto the paper discharge tray 4. In FIG. 6, the discharge link 9 moves the entire sheet bundle STB away from the trailing edge fence 7 and moves it onto the sheet discharge tray 4, and the hook-shaped pressing portion 9a of the discharge link 9 holds the upper surface of the trailing end of the sheet bundle STB as it is. It shows the state. A link mechanism (not shown) drives the discharge link 9 along a trajectory that allows the upper surface of the sheet bundle STB to be pressed by the lower surface of the pressing portion 9a after the sheet bundle STB is pushed back onto the paper discharge tray 4.

  The above-described operation is the same in the case of performing the binding process or in the case of the non-binding process. However, in the case of performing the binding process, after the alignment operation in the vertical and horizontal directions of the sheet bundle STB is completed, the stapler 8 Move to the binding position and perform one-point binding or two-point binding. Therefore, when the binding process is performed, the bound sheet bundle STB is discharged to the paper discharge tray 4.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure for transporting and stacking the sheets ST to the stacking unit 11 for stapling. When stacking the sheets ST, first, an entrance sensor (not shown) provided on the upstream side of the entrance roller 3a is turned on (step S101), and it is detected that the sheet ST is carried into the sheet processing apparatus 2. Then, the driving of the conveyance motor for driving the inlet roller 3a and the paper discharge roller 3b is started (step S102). When the inlet sensor is turned off and the paper ST passes through the inlet (step S103), the conveyance motor is driven by the designated pulse. It is determined whether or not it has been done (step S104).

  If it is determined in step S104 that the sheet has been driven by the designated pulse, it is assumed that the paper ST has been discharged onto the paper discharge tray 4, the return roller solenoid is turned on, the roller 5a is brought into contact with the paper ST, and the return roller motor is driven. (Step S105) At the time of driving for the designated pulse (Step S106), the return roller solenoid is turned off to separate the roller 5a from the paper ST, and the return roller motor is stopped (Step S107). As a result, the trailing edge of the sheet is aligned.

  Next, the jogger motor is driven to rotate forward by a specified number of pulses to push the side surface of the paper ST, and the paper ST is aligned in the width direction (step S108). When the jogger motor is stopped and the aligning operation is finished (step S109), the jogger motor is driven in reverse by a designated pulse (step S110), and when the jogger motor is stopped, the aligning operation for one sheet ST is finished.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure for performing the stapling process on the aligned sheet bundle STB. This processing starts stapling when the jogger motor stops in step S109, that is, with the jogger 6 holding the side surface of the paper ST with respect to the operation procedure shown in FIG. 7 (step S109-1). After confirming that the jogger motor is stopped (step S109-2), the jogger 6 is moved away from the side surface of the paper ST and returned to the home position (steps S110 and S111), and the discharge link motor is driven to release. The link 9 is driven to move the sheet bundle STB to the discharge tray 4 side (step S112). Then, after returning the sheet bundle STB to a predetermined position, the discharge link motor is stopped, and the process is terminated when the discharge link motor stops (step S113).

  As a result, the stapled sheet bundle STB is fed onto the sheet discharge tray 4. This operation is repeated for a predetermined number of copies of one job, and the total number of one job is stacked on the paper discharge tray 4. Other steps that are not particularly described are the same as those in the flowchart of FIG.

  Note that the control including the control procedures of FIGS. 7 and 8 and FIG. 9 described later and FIGS. 11 to 16 is executed by the CPU 360 of the control circuit 350 shown in FIG. That is, the CPU 60 of the control circuit 50 provided in the sheet processing apparatus 2 executes various controls by using a RAM (not shown) as a work area of a program stored in a ROM (not shown). The CPU 60 transmits / receives control information to / from the image forming apparatus 1 and controls solenoids, DC motors, and stepping motors by various drivers, and further, sensor input is performed via the I / O 70 and the motors are also controlled. .

  The alignment with the sheet bundle STB is performed according to the flowchart of FIG. 7 and when the binding operation is performed according to the flowchart of FIG. 8. In the first embodiment, the sorting operation is performed by controlling the return roller 5. It is. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when sorting is performed, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state of the sorted paper ST.

  In the present embodiment, steps S105-1, S105-2, and S105-3 are inserted instead of step S105 in FIG. 7, and step S111-1 is inserted after step S111. That is, when the transport motor is driven by the designated pulse in step S104 and the sheet ST is discharged to the discharge tray 4, it is checked whether the discharged sheet ST is a sorted sheet (step S105-1). If it is not paper (step S105-1: NO), the return solenoid is turned on and the return roller motor is driven by A pulses (step S105-2), the rear end of the paper is brought into contact with the rear end fence 7, and the alignment operation is performed. After performing, it stops (step S106) and transfers to step S107. On the other hand, if it is a sorting sheet (step S105-1: YES), the return solenoid is turned on and the return roller motor is driven by B pulses (step S105-3) before the rear end of the sheet comes into contact with the rear end fence 7. Stop (step S106), the process proceeds to step S107. Then, after each of the processing from step S107 to step S111, it is checked whether or not there is a next paper ST (step S111-1). If there is, the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray (steps S112 and S113), and the process is completed. Here, the A pulse has a number of steps sufficient to bring the trailing edge of the sheet into contact with the trailing edge fence 7 and the B pulse protrudes from the leading edge of another sheet without contacting the trailing edge of the sheet. The number of steps is set respectively. The number of steps is preset according to the paper size, and sorting is possible regardless of the paper size. Other steps that are not particularly described are the same as those in the flowchart of FIG.

  The sheet bundle STB sorted at this time is in one of the states shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, for example. 10A shows an example in which the sorting sheet is the first sheet of the set, and FIG. 10B shows an example in which the sorting sheet is the last sheet of the set.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in the second embodiment. In the first embodiment, it is determined in step S105-1 whether or not the sheet is a sorting sheet. If the sheet is a sorting sheet, the sheet is sorted into one of the states shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. In this embodiment, the sorting sheet is the first sheet for sorting. In the second embodiment, instead of step S105-1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 9, it is checked whether or not the sorting sheet is the first sheet for sorting (step S105-4), and the first sheet to be sorted is used. When ST (leading sheet) has been conveyed, the drive pulse of the return roller 5 is set to stop the trailing edge of the leading sheet at a position 10 mm before the trailing edge fence 7 (step S105-3). As a result, the sheet protrudes 10 mm from the other sheet ST in the transport direction, and sorting can be performed in the state shown in FIG.

  Note that the B pulse in step S105-3 is the number of pulses that stops the trailing edge of the paper 10 mm before the trailing edge fence 7. This stop position is set to 10 mm in this embodiment, but this stop position can be set as appropriate according to specifications, operability, paper size, and the like. Other processes are the same as those in the flowchart of FIG. 9 of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according to the third embodiment. In the second embodiment, it is checked in step S105-4 whether or not it is the first paper for sorting, and the first paper is used as the sorting paper. However, in this third embodiment, the final paper of the set is used as the sorting paper. When step S105-4 in FIG. 11 is replaced with step S105-5, and the last sheet ST (final sheet) to be sorted is conveyed, the drive pulse of the return roller 5 is set and the final sheet ST (last sheet) is conveyed. The trailing edge of the paper is stopped at a position 10 mm before the trailing edge fence 7. Accordingly, the sheet protrudes 10 mm from the other sheet ST in the conveyance direction, and sorting can be performed in a state as shown in FIG.

  Note that the B pulse in step S105-3 is the number of pulses that stops the trailing edge of the paper 10 mm before the trailing edge fence 7. This stop position is set to 10 mm in this embodiment, but this stop position can be set as appropriate according to specifications, operability, paper ST size, and the like. Other processes are the same as those in the flowcharts of FIG. 9 of the first embodiment and FIG. 11 of the second embodiment.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according to the fourth embodiment. In the second embodiment, it is checked in step S105-4 whether or not it is the first sheet for sorting, and the first sheet is used as the sorting sheet. However, in the fourth embodiment, the first sheet ST (first sheet) for sorting is used. When the sheet is conveyed, the return roller 5 is not operated and is left in a free fall state. As a result, the sheet protrudes from the other sheet ST in the conveyance direction, and sorting can be performed in a state as shown in FIG. That is, in step S105-4 in FIG. 13, it is checked whether or not it is the first sheet for sorting. If it is the first sheet (step S105-4: YES), the processing in steps S105-2, S106, and S107 (return roller operation) ) Is entered (step S108), and if it is not the leading sheet (step S105-4: NO), the driving pulse of the return roller 5 is set and the trailing edge of the sheet ST is set to the trailing edge. The sheet is brought into contact with the fence 7 and the rear end of the paper (paper conveyance direction) is aligned (steps S105-2, S106, S107). As in the previous embodiments, the number of pulses is sufficient to cause the A pulse in step S105-2 to contact the trailing edge fence 7 and align the trailing edge of the sheet. Other processes are the same as those in the flowchart of FIG. 9 of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in the fifth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, when the first sheet ST (first sheet) to be sorted is conveyed, the return roller 5 is left in a free-fall state without being operated, and the alignment operation is performed for the other sheets ST. In this embodiment, when the last sheet ST to be sorted is conveyed, the free fall without moving the return roller 5 is performed. Leave it in the state. As a result, the sheet protrudes from the other sheet ST in the conveyance direction, and sorting can be performed in a state as shown in FIG. That is, it is checked in step S105-5 in FIG. 14 whether or not it is the final paper for sorting. If it is the final paper (step S105-5: YES), the processing in steps S105-2, S106, and S107 (return roller operation) ) Is skipped to enter the paper side alignment operation (step S108), and if it is not the final paper (step S105-5: NO), the drive pulse of the return roller 5 is set and the rear end of the paper ST is set to the rear end fence. 7 and the alignment operation of the trailing edge of the sheet (paper conveying direction) is executed (steps S105-2, S106, S107). Note that the number of pulses is sufficient to cause the A pulse in step S105-2 to contact the trailing edge fence 7 and align the trailing edge of the sheet. Other processes are the same as those in the flowchart of FIG. 9 of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in the sixth embodiment. In the second embodiment, it is checked in step S105-4 whether or not it is the leading sheet for sorting, and the leading sheet is used as a sorting sheet and sent to a position where the trailing edge of the sheet does not come into contact with the trailing edge fence 7 to sort other sheets ST. However, in the sixth embodiment, when the first sheet ST (leading sheet) to be sorted is conveyed, the return roller 5 is reversed so that the trailing edge of the sheet hits the trailing edge fence 7. It was made not to touch. As a result, the sheet protrudes from the other sheet ST in the conveyance direction, and sorting can be performed in a state as shown in FIG. That is, in step S105-4 in FIG. 15, it is checked whether or not it is the leading sheet for sorting. If it is the leading sheet (step S105-4: YES), the reverse driving pulse of the return roller 5 is set to the B pulse. The sheet ST is stopped at a position where the trailing edge of the sheet does not come into contact with the trailing edge fence 7 (step S105-7). Accordingly, a predetermined amount protrudes from the other paper ST in the transport direction side, and sorting can be performed in a state as shown in FIG. This stop position can be appropriately set according to specifications, operability, paper ST size, and the like.

  Note that the number of pulses is sufficient for the A pulse in step S105-6 to contact the trailing edge fence 7 and to align the trailing edge of the paper. Other processes are the same as those in the flowchart of FIG. 9 of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according to the seventh embodiment. In the third embodiment, it is checked in step S105-5 whether or not it is the final sheet for sorting, and the final sheet is used as a sorting sheet and sent to a position where the trailing edge of the sheet does not come into contact with the trailing edge fence 7 to sort other sheets ST. However, in the seventh embodiment, when the last sheet ST (last sheet) to be sorted is conveyed, the return roller 5 is reversed so that the trailing edge of the sheet does not contact the trailing edge fence 7. It is what I did. As a result, the sheet protrudes from the other sheet ST in the conveyance direction, and sorting can be performed in a state as shown in FIG. That is, in step S105-5 in FIG. 16, it is checked whether or not it is the leading sheet for sorting. If it is the leading sheet (step S105-5: YES), the reverse driving pulse of the return roller 5 is set to the B pulse. The sheet ST is stopped at a position where the trailing edge of the sheet does not come into contact with the trailing edge fence 7 (step S105-7). Accordingly, a predetermined amount protrudes from the other sheet ST in the transport direction side, and sorting can be performed in a state as shown in FIG. This stop position can be appropriately set according to specifications, operability, paper ST size, and the like.

  Note that the number of pulses is sufficient for the A pulse in step S105-6 to contact the trailing edge fence 7 and to align the trailing edge of the paper. Other processes are the same as those in the flowchart of FIG. 9 of the first embodiment.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
1) Since the paper ST is sorted only by controlling the returning operation of the sorted paper, the paper ST can be easily sorted without adding a new mechanism.
2) Since the paper ST is sorted only by controlling the return operation of the sorted paper, the sorting operation can be easily performed without requiring a configuration, complicated control, and time for sorting the paper ST.
3) Since the paper ST is freely dropped and sorted, the amount of the paper ST that becomes a mark for sorting becomes large and the separation is easy to see.
4) Since it is not necessary to add a new mechanism, the sheet processing apparatus or image forming apparatus provided with the sorting function can reduce the number of parts, simplify the configuration, reduce the weight, and reduce the cost.
There are effects such as.

1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement at the time of discharge of the paper ST in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the return operation | movement of the paper ST in embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state immediately after the end of the alignment operation of the sheet trailing edge in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state during a sheet bundle movement operation according to the embodiment of the present invention. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure for transporting and stacking sheets ST to a stacking unit for stapling according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure for transporting sheets ST to a stacking unit for stapling and performing a stapling process on aligned sheet bundles STB in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure in the case of classifying in Example 1. It is a figure which shows the state of the paper ST currently sorted. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in the fourth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in the fifth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in Embodiment 6. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in Embodiment 7. It is a block diagram which shows the control structure in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Sheet processing apparatus (sheet member post-processing apparatus)
3b paper discharge roller 4 paper discharge tray 5 return roller 6 jogger 7 rear end fence 8 stapler 9 discharge link 50 control circuit 60 CPU
ST Paper ST
STB paper bundle STB

Claims (9)

A stacking means for stacking sheet members;
A paper discharge means for discharging the loaded sheet member onto the stacking means;
Return means for moving the sheet member discharged onto the stacking means;
A trailing edge stopping means that abuts the trailing edge of the sheet member moved to the upstream side in the conveying direction of the sheet member by the returning means, and aligns the conveying direction of the sheet member;
In the sheet aligning apparatus provided with
A sheet aligning apparatus comprising control means for controlling the return means to perform sorting.   2. The sheet according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sorts the first sheet member of the group of sheet members to be sorted by controlling a return amount of the return unit with respect to the rear end stop unit. Alignment device.   2. The sheet according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs sorting by controlling a return amount of the return unit with respect to the rear end stop unit with respect to a final sheet member of a sheet member group to be sorted. Alignment device.   4. The sheet aligning apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the return amount is a positive or negative amount.   2. The sheet aligning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sorts the first sheet member of the group of sheet members to be sorted by not driving the return unit.   2. The sheet aligning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs sorting by not driving the return unit with respect to a final sheet member of a sheet member group to be sorted.   A sheet processing apparatus comprising the sheet aligning apparatus according to claim 1.   An image forming apparatus comprising the sheet aligning device according to claim 1.   An image forming apparatus comprising the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 7.

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