JP2008297098A - Sheet processor and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet processor capable of improving loading efficiency of a bookbinding bundle bound by a binding means, and an image forming device. <P>SOLUTION: The bookbinding bundle is made to fall in a bookbinding bundle loading tray 103, while sorting the falling directions for every bookbinding bundle, so that a binding part may be an opposed side of a binding part of the bookbinding bundle 81a loaded previously. The bookbinding bundle 81b which is made to fall, while sorting the falling direction, is made to abut on a sheet bundle regulating plate 102. Regions except a binding implement in the bookbinding bundle 81b are constituted to be successively piled up. As a result, the loading efficiency of the bookbinding bundle in the bookbinding bundle loading tray 103 can be improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a discharge mechanism in a bookbinding bundle after bookbinding processing.

  Conventionally, in a sheet processing apparatus, punch holes are made at the end of a sheet image formed by an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, and sheets are sequentially accumulated to generate a bundle. On the other hand, there is a book binding with a ring type binder.

  However, many of the ring-type binders protrude in the vertical direction from the thickness of the sheet bundle when binding the sheet bundle into a bookbinding bundle. Accordingly, for example, when a plurality of bookbinding bundles are stacked at a position where the ring-type binder overlaps, the inclination of the bookbinding bundle becomes steep as the number of stacked books increases. Therefore, it is difficult to stack a plurality of bookbinding bundles bound by a ring-type binder in an aligned state, and the stackability is low.

  As described above, since the stackability of the bookbinding bundle on the stacking tray is low, the loading space is wasted, that is, the speed of full loading when a plurality of bookbinding bundles are stacked on the stacking tray is increased. Furthermore, when the bookbinding bundle is fully loaded on the stacking tray, it becomes necessary to move the bookbinding bundle that has been fully loaded to another, which causes an increase in downtime (non-operation time).

  In order to solve such a problem, when a bookbinding bundle bound by a ring-type binder is stacked, the ring portion is shifted to the transport direction side for each bundle with respect to the already stacked bookbinding bundle. The thing is proposed (refer patent document 1). Further, there has been proposed one that controls the inclination of the surface of the stacking tray so that the uppermost surface of the stacked bookbinding bundle is horizontal (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2005-138549 A JP 2005-239429 A

  However, in the sheet processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, even if the ring portions are shifted and stacked on a stacking tray on the stacking tray, the ring portions partially overlap with the ring portions of the bookbinding bundle stacked in the front and back. For this reason, there arises a problem that the stacking posture is inclined as more bookbinding bundles are stacked.

  Further, in the sheet processing apparatus shown in Patent Document 2, the inclination of the surface of the stacking tray is controlled so that the stacked uppermost sheet is always horizontal. There is a problem that the loading posture is inclined because the parts are stacked.

  Therefore, in the sheet processing apparatuses disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the number of bundles that can be stacked is smaller than the stacking space of the stacking tray, and the stacking efficiency of bookbinding bundles is poor. Although this problem can be solved by increasing the loading space, it causes an increase in the size of the apparatus and an increase in cost.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus capable of improving the stacking efficiency of bookbinding bundles.

  The sheet processing apparatus of the present invention for stacking a bookbinding bundle whose ends are bound by the binding means, the stacking means for stacking the bookbinding bundle, and the ends bound by the binding means are stacked on the stacking means first. And a means for stacking the bookbinding bundle on the stacking means so as to be on the opposite side of the end bound by the binding means in the uppermost bookbinding bundle.

  Further, the present invention allows the bookbinding bundle to be dropped by the sorting means positioned above the loading means onto the loading means while sorting the dropping direction, and the bookbinding bundle that has been dropped while sorting the dropping direction is brought into contact with the aligning means, The bookbinding bundle is configured so that the areas excluding the portion bound by the binding means are sequentially stacked.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the stacking efficiency of the bookbinding bundle.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus 1 including a sheet processing apparatus 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming apparatus main body 2 and a sheet processing apparatus 3. The image forming apparatus main body 2 includes an image reader 6 that reads an image from a document, and a printer 7 that forms an image read by the image reader 6 on a sheet. Note that the sheet processing apparatus 3 may be configured to be detachably attached to the image forming apparatus body 2 as an option, for example, or may be integrated into a frame (not shown) of the image forming apparatus body 2. May be. Further, the sheet processing apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment has a discharge sheet stacking unit 5 on the outside for discharging and stacking sheets formed by the image forming apparatus main body 2.

  On the upper part of the image reader 6, a document feeder 9 for feeding documents set on the document tray 9a one by one is mounted. Further, the image reader 6 includes a platen glass 10, a scanner unit 11 provided below the platen glass 10, and a lamp 12 that irradiates a document reading surface provided in the scanner unit 11. Furthermore, mirrors 13, 15, 16 for reflecting / transmitting light reflected from the original by the lamp 12, a lens 17, an image sensor 19 for reading the lens 17, and the like are provided.

  The printer 7 includes a sheet feeding device 50 that feeds a sheet such as recording paper, and an image forming unit 20 that forms an image on the sheet P fed from the sheet feeding device 50.

  The sheet feeding device 50 includes an upper cassette 22 and a lower cassette 23 that are sheet feeding cassettes, pickup rollers 25 and 26, and separation roller pairs 27 and 29. The sheets P in the upper cassette 22 and the lower cassette 23 are separated and fed one by one by the action of the pickup rollers 25 and 26 that move up and down at a predetermined timing and the separation roller pairs 27 and 29. It has become. The sheet P fed from the sheet feeding device 50 is sent to a conveyance path, and a registration roller 30 is disposed in the conveyance path.

  The image forming unit 20 is of an electrophotographic system, and includes an exposure control unit 31 that outputs laser light for forming an image and a photosensitive drum 32 that is an image carrier. The exposure control unit 31 includes a laser. A polygon mirror 31a for scanning light is provided. Further, the image forming unit 20 includes a developing unit 35 that supplies a developer to the photosensitive drum 32, a transfer unit 33 that transfers the developer on the photosensitive drum 32 onto a sheet, and the like. A fixing unit 36 is disposed on the downstream side of the conveyance path from the transfer unit 33, a flapper 40 that switches the sheet traveling direction further downstream of the fixing unit 36, and an image-formed sheet outside the image forming apparatus main body 2. A discharge roller 37 for discharging is disposed.

  Next, the operation of each part of the image forming apparatus main body 2 having the above-described configuration will be described.

  The document feeder 9 mounted on the image reader 6 feeds the documents set upward on the document tray 9a one by one from the first page to the left in front view. The fed original is flowed from the left on the platen glass 10 through a curved path, conveyed to the right through the reading position, and then discharged toward the external paper discharge tray 39. When the original passes through the sink reading position on the platen glass 10 from the left to the right, the original image is read by the scanner unit 11 disposed at the sink reading position. This reading method is generally called document scanning. Then, when the original passes through the flow reading position, if the reading surface of the original is irradiated with the light of the lamp 12 in the scanner unit 11, the reflected light from the original passes through the mirrors 13, 15, 16 to the lens 17. It is guided. The light that has passed through the lens 17 forms an image on the imaging surface of the image sensor 19.

  In the above-described document flow scanning, document reading scanning is performed in which the main scanning direction is a direction orthogonal to the document conveyance direction and the conveyance direction is the sub-scanning direction. That is, when the original passes through the flow reading position, the entire original image is sequentially read by conveying the original in the sub-scanning direction while reading the original image by the image sensor 19 line by line in the main scanning direction. The document image optically read as described above is converted into image data by the image sensor 19 and output. Image data output from the image sensor 19 is input as a video signal to the exposure control unit 31 of the printer 7.

  When reading a document without using the document feeding device 9, the document feeding device 9 is lifted so as to be tilted about a hinge (not shown) provided on the rear side in FIG. Then, the document is placed on the platen glass 10, and the document feeder 9 is returned to the original state and closed again. From this state, the document can be read by scanning the scanner unit 11 from left to right. This reading method is generally called fixed original reading.

  On the other hand, the exposure control unit 31 in the printer 7 modulates and outputs the laser beam based on the video signal input from the image reader 6. The laser light is irradiated onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 32 while being scanned by the polygon mirror 31a. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the scanned laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 32 that has been charged in advance. Here, the exposure control unit 31 outputs a laser beam so that a directly-facing image (an image that is not a mirror image) is formed during document fixed reading. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 32 is visualized as a developer image by the developer supplied from the developing device 35.

  Further, the sheet fed from the upper cassette 22 or the lower cassette 23 in the printer 7 by the pickup rollers 25 and 26 is conveyed to the registration roller 30 by the separation roller pair 27 and 29. When the leading edge of the conveyed sheet reaches the registration roller 30, the registration roller 30 is driven at an arbitrary timing, and the photosensitive drum 32 and the transfer unit 33 are driven at a timing synchronized with the start of laser irradiation of the exposure control unit 31. Carry between. Here, the developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 32 is transferred onto the conveyed sheet P by the transfer unit 33. The sheet on which the developer image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 36, and the fixing unit 36 fixes the developer image on the sheet by heating and pressing the sheet. The sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 36 is discharged from the printer 7 to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 2 through the flapper 40 and the discharge roller 37.

  Here, in order to eject the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus main body 2 from the printer 7 in a state where the image forming surface faces downward (so-called face down), processing using the reverse path 41 is performed. . This is because the sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 36 is once guided into the reversing path 41 by the switching operation of the flapper 40, and after the rear end of the sheet has passed through the flapper 40, the sheet is switched back and the discharge roller 37 performs the printer. 7 is discharged. This paper discharge form is generally called reverse paper discharge. This reverse discharge is used when images are formed in order from the first page, such as when a document is read from the document feeder 9 to form an image, or when an image output from a computer is formed. This is done, and the sheets are discharged in the same page order.

  When performing double-sided recording in which image formation is performed on both the front and back sides of the sheet, the sheet is guided to the reverse path 41 by the switching operation of the flapper 40. Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed to the duplex conveyance path 42 and the sheet guided to the duplex conveyance path 42 is controlled to be fed again between the photosensitive drum 32 and the transfer unit 33.

  Further, when an image is formed on a hard sheet such as an OHP sheet, the sheet is fed from the manual sheet feeding unit 43 provided on the right side of the image forming apparatus main body 2 as viewed from the front. When an image is formed on a sheet fed from the manual sheet feeding unit 43, the sheet is discharged from the discharge roller 37 with the image forming surface facing upward (so-called face up) without guiding the sheet to the reverse path 41. Will be.

  Next, a control system of the image forming apparatus main body 2 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the image forming apparatus main body 2.

  That is, this control system has a CPU circuit unit 45 as shown in FIG. Further, this control system includes a document feeding device control unit 46, an image reader control unit 47, an image signal control unit 49, a printer control unit 50, and an operation display device control unit which are electrically connected to the CPU circuit unit 45. 51 and a sheet processing apparatus control unit 52.

  The CPU circuit unit 45 includes a CPU (not shown), a ROM 53, and a RAM 55. The ROM 53 includes a document feeding device control unit 46, an image reader control unit 47, an image signal control unit 49, an external I / F 56, a printer control unit 50, an operation display device control unit 51, and a sheet processing device control unit 52. This is a storage device for storing a control program to be controlled. The RAM 55 is a storage device used as a temporary storage area for control programs and control data referred to in the control program, and a work area for arithmetic processing accompanying control of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The document feeder control unit 46 drives and controls the document feeder 9 (see FIG. 1) based on a command from the CPU circuit unit 45. The image reader control unit 47 performs drive control on the scanner unit 11 and the image sensor 19 shown in FIG. 1 based on a command from the CPU circuit unit 45, and performs image signal control on the analog image signal output from the image sensor 19. Forward to unit 49.

  The image signal control unit 49 converts the analog image signal from the image sensor 19 into a digital image signal, performs various image processing (correction processing, etc.), converts the digital image signal into a video signal, and converts the digital image signal into a printer control unit 50. Output to. Further, the image signal control unit 49 performs various image processing after converting an analog image signal input from the external computer 57 via the external I / F 56 into a digital image signal, and converts the digital image signal into a video signal. And output to the printer control unit 50. The printer control unit 50 drives the exposure control unit 31 (see FIG. 1) based on the video signal input from the image signal control unit 49. Note that these processing operations in the image signal control unit 49 are controlled based on a command from the CPU circuit unit 45.

  The operation display device control unit 51 controls input / output of various information data between the operation display device 59 (see FIG. 1) and the CPU circuit unit 45. The operation display device 59 includes a plurality of keys for setting various functions relating to image formation, a display unit for displaying information indicating a setting state, and the like. The operation display device 59 outputs a key signal corresponding to the operation of each key to the CPU circuit unit 45, and displays information corresponding to the signal from the CPU circuit unit 45 on the display unit.

  The sheet processing apparatus control unit 52 is mounted on the sheet processing apparatus 3 as a control board, for example, and performs drive control of the entire sheet processing apparatus 3 by inputting and outputting information data to and from the CPU circuit unit 45. Details of the control of the sheet processing apparatus control unit 52 will be described later.

  Next, the configuration of the sheet processing apparatus 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the internal configuration of the sheet processing apparatus 3.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet processing apparatus 3 has a conveyance path a for conveying the sheet P discharged and received from the image forming apparatus main body 2 to the discharged sheet stacking unit 5. Further, the sheet processing apparatus 3 has a conveyance path b that performs a part of the bookbinding process on the sheet P received from the image forming apparatus main body 2 and conveys it to a stacking tray 60 described later.

  At the upstream end in the conveyance direction of the conveyance paths a and b, a conveyance roller pair 61 that conveys the sheet P discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 2 to the inside of the sheet processing apparatus 3 is disposed. A switching flapper 62 that switches the traveling direction of the sheet P conveyed by the conveyance roller pair 61 to the conveyance path a or the conveyance path b is disposed at the branch point of the conveyance paths a and b. The switching flapper 62 is switched by a solenoid (not shown). When the switching flapper 62 is not switched, all the sheets P conveyed by the conveying roller pair 61 are introduced into the conveying path a. On the other hand, when the switching flapper 62 is switched and driven as shown in FIG. 3, the sheet P conveyed by the conveying roller pair 61 is introduced into the conveying path b.

  In the conveyance path a, conveyance roller pairs 63, 65, 66, and 67 are sequentially arranged. Each of the conveyance roller pairs 63, 65, 66, and 67 discharges the sheet P introduced into the conveyance path a. Transport to the stacking unit 5. Further, in the transport path b, a transport roller pair 69, a punch trailing edge sensor 71, a transport roller pair 70, a paper discharge sensor 77, and a paper discharge roller 76 are arranged along the transport path b. A sheet punch portion A is disposed between the punch trailing edge sensor 71 and the conveyance roller pair 70 in the conveyance path b. The sheet P punched by the sheet punching section A is subsequently subjected to bookbinding processing by a sheet stacking section B and a bookbinding section C described later. The bound sheets P are bound as a bookbinding bundle, and then stacked on the bookbinding bundle stacking section E after passing through the bookbinding discharge section D.

  The sheet punch portion A includes a punch unit 72 that punches a sheet, a receiving portion 73 that receives the punch unit 72, and a punch waste box 75 that stores punch scraps after punching.

  The sheet stacking unit B includes a stacking tray 60 disposed on the downstream side in the sheet discharge direction of the sheet discharge roller 76, a width alignment member 80 provided on the stacking tray 60, and sheets stacked on the stacking tray 60. It has a plate-like abutting member 79 that supports one end (downwardly inclined downward side). The bookbinding section C has a gripper (sorting means, holding means) 82 for gripping the sheet bundle 81 sent from the sheet stacking section B, and a binding tool conveying section 83 for mounting the binding tool on the sheet bundle 81. A bookbinding process for attaching a binding tool to the sheet bundle 81 is performed.

  A bookbinding discharge section D that guides the bookbinding bundle 81a that has been bound in the bookbinding section C to the bookbinding stack stacking section E is disposed on the left side of the bookbinding section C shown in FIG. The bookbinding discharge portion D is located above the booklet bundle stacking portion E. The bookbinding bundle stacking section E receives the bookbinding bundle 81a discharged from the bookbinding discharge section D and stacks it on a bookbinding bundle stacking tray (stacking means) 103 described later.

  Next, the sheet processing apparatus control unit 52 that controls the sheet processing apparatus 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the sheet processing apparatus control unit 52 is configured to include a CPU 89, a ROM 90, and a RAM 91, and the CPU 89 performs overall control of various controls using resources of the ROM 90 and the RAM 91 as appropriate. The ROM 90 is a storage device that stores a control program that comprehensively controls each control unit described below. The RAM 91 is a storage device used as a temporary storage area for control programs and control data referred to in the control program, and a work area for arithmetic processing accompanying control of the sheet processing apparatus 3.

  In addition, the CPU 89 executes and controls the control units of the transport control unit 92, the punch control unit 93, the stacking control unit 95, the binding tool control unit 96, and the paper discharge control unit 97. The conveyance control unit 92 performs drive control of sheet conveyance by each of the conveyance roller pairs 61, 69, 70, the paper discharge roller 76, and the like, and the punch control unit 93 performs drive control of the sheet punch unit A. The stacking control unit 95 controls the driving of the sheet stacking unit B, and the binding control unit 96 controls the driving of the bookbinding unit C. Further, the paper discharge control unit 97 performs drive control of the bookbinding discharge unit D that discharges the booklet bundle to the booklet bundle stacking unit E and the booklet bundle stacking unit E that loads the booklet bundle on the booklet bundle stacking tray 103.

  The sheet processing apparatus control unit 52 executes and controls bookbinding processing by exchanging data and the like via a CPU circuit unit 45 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 2 and a communication IC (not shown). In the sheet processing apparatus control unit 52, various programs stored in the ROM 90 are executed based on instructions from the CPU circuit unit 45 in the image forming apparatus main body 2, and the sheet processing apparatus 3 is driven and controlled.

  Although the above-described CPU 89 is described as being mounted on the sheet processing apparatus control unit 52 in the sheet processing apparatus 3, the CPU 89 may be mounted on a control board provided in the image forming apparatus main body 2 or the like. Further, it may be a CPU in an information device such as a separate personal computer, and the CPU that performs control processing of the sheet processing apparatus 3 does not necessarily have to be provided in the sheet processing apparatus 3 itself. As described above, when the CPU is provided in a separate information device, signals are transmitted and received via a communication line or the like (whether wired or wireless), and various control processes are performed. In addition, this aspect is the same not only for the CPU described above but also for other RAMs and ROMs.

  Next, the operation of the sheet processing apparatus 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between the punch trailing edge sensor 71 and the stopped sheet P.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet processing apparatus 3 conveys the sheet P discharged by the discharge roller 37 in the image forming apparatus main body 2 into the sheet processing apparatus 3 by the conveyance roller pair 61. When conveying the conveyed sheet P to the discharged sheet stacking unit 5, the sheet processing apparatus 3 switches and drives the switching flapper 62 by a solenoid (not shown) so as to guide the sheet P to the conveyance path a. The sheet P guided to the conveyance path a is further conveyed by the conveyance roller pairs 63, 65, 66, and 67 and is discharged to the discharge sheet stacking unit 5.

  On the other hand, in the sheet processing apparatus 3, when the bookbinding process is performed on the sheet P conveyed from the image forming apparatus main body 2, the switching flapper 62 is switched to the state shown in FIG. 3 so that the sheet P is guided to the conveyance path b. It is done. When the sheet P is guided to the conveyance path b, the following punching process is performed by the sheet punch unit A.

  The sheet P sandwiched between the conveyance roller pair 69 is conveyed downstream in the conveyance direction, and is further conveyed downstream by the conveyance roller pair 70. At this time, when the trailing edge of the sheet P is detected by the punch trailing edge sensor 71, the conveying roller pair 70 conveys the sheet P from the detection position by a predetermined distance L in the sheet conveying direction indicated by the arrow S in FIG. And stop. As shown in FIG. 5, the predetermined distance L is a fixed distance L1 from the detection position of the punch rear end sensor 71 to the center position of the punch unit 72, and the punch hole from the rear end (bound side) Pe of the sheet P. This is a difference from the variable distance L2 to the center position of H. In other words, the center position of the punch unit can be moved from the rear end Pe to a desired position on the sheet P by transporting the sheet P by a predetermined distance L from the detection position of the punch rear end sensor 71 and stopping it.

  The punch unit 72 is driven downward by a punch motor (not shown) toward the sheet P stopped at a position conveyed by a predetermined distance L from the punch trailing edge sensor 71. Accordingly, the punch unit 72 sandwiches the sheet P between the receiving unit 73 and punches the sheet P. After this drilling process, punch scrap generated by the processing is stored in the punch scrap box 75, and the punch unit 72 is driven to rise again from the receiving portion 73.

  When the punching process for the sheet P is completed and the punch unit 72 is driven upward, the sheet processing apparatus 3 resumes the stopped conveyance of the sheet P by the conveyance roller pair 70. After that, when the trailing edge Pe of the sheet P is detected by the sheet discharge sensor 77 disposed on the upstream side in the transport direction of the sheet discharge roller 76, the sheet discharge roller 76 switches to a predetermined speed V and stacks the sheet P. The paper is discharged to the tray 60. In the present embodiment, the speed V is set to 300 mm / s, for example. In addition, when the sheet P is discharged to the stacking tray 60 and its speed is considerably slower than the speed V, the rear end Pe of the sheet P leans against the discharge roller 76. Can occur. On the contrary, when the speed is considerably higher than the speed V, a state may occur in which the sheets P are stored in the stacking tray 60 and are not stationary. Accordingly, the speed at which the sheet P is discharged by the paper discharge roller 76 is always the predetermined speed V as described above.

  Next, the sheet P conveyed from the sheet punching section A described above is processed in the sheet stacking section B as follows.

  The sheet P discharged from the discharge roller 76 onto the stacking tray 60 is discharged at the predetermined speed V described above, so that the sheet P does not lean against the discharge roller 76 and is not stacked. Land on top. As shown in FIG. 3, the stacking tray 60 is provided so that the height in the vicinity of the paper discharge roller 76 is lowered as a whole. As a result, the sheet P discharged from the discharge roller 76 and landing on the stacking tray 60 moves to the upstream side in the discharge direction (downward right in the front view in FIG. 3) by its own weight and moves to the abutting member 79. Since they abut, the end portions of the sheet bundle 81 on which a plurality of sheets P are stacked are aligned.

  Further, on the stacking tray 60, a plate-like width aligning member 80 protruding from the bottom surface 60a allows the sheet P to be discharged from the discharge roller 76 from the left and right sides (front side and front side in FIG. 3). It is arranged to be movable in the width direction so as to be sandwiched. When the leading edge of the sheet P being conveyed by the conveyance roller pair 70 reaches the paper discharge roller 76, the width alignment member 80 is located on the left and right sides of the position where the sheets P of the stacking tray 60 are stacked. Each of them moves to a position of 10 mm outside and stands by.

  Then, when the sheet P discharged by the discharge roller 76 lands on the stacking tray 60, the width alignment member 80 moves inward 10 mm so as to sandwich the sheet P from the standby position. As described above, since the alignment operation as described above is repeated every time one sheet P is discharged onto the stacking tray 60, the positions of the left and right end portions and the front and rear end portions of the sheet bundle 81 are reliably aligned. It will be.

  Whether or not the sheet P has landed on the stacking tray 60 is determined by measuring the elapsed time from the time when the trailing edge of the sheet P has passed through the paper discharge roller 76 with a timer (not shown). The timing at which the trailing edge of the sheet P passes through the sheet discharge roller 76 is easily determined based on the conveyance speed and conveyance distance of the sheet discharge roller 76 after the sheet discharge sensor 77 detects the trailing edge of the sheet P. It is possible.

  Next, the sheet P conveyed from the sheet stacking unit B described above is subjected to the following processing in the bookbinding unit C. The operation of the bookbinding unit C will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the sheet bundle 81 of the sheets P stacked and aligned on the stacking tray 60 is gripped by the gripper 82 on the stacking tray 60, and the arrow moves upward from the sheet stacking unit B to the bookbinding unit C. The bundle is moved in the direction of T1. As shown in FIG. 7, the sheet bundle 81 moved to the upper side of the bookbinding portion C is held by the gripper 82 and is bound by the binding tool (binding means) R (see FIG. 8). That is, the sheet bundle 81 is rotated in the direction of the arrow T2 so that the end on the rear end Pe side of the sheet bundle 81 faces downward.

  When the sheet bundle 81 is moved in this manner, the rear end Pe of the sheet bundle 81 faces the binding tool transport unit 83, that is, a state where the sheet bundle 81 overlaps the back side of the binding tool transport unit 83 (see FIG. 7). From the state, the binding tool R is mounted by the binding tool transport unit 83. Specific mounting operation of the binding tool R will be described with reference to FIGS. The binding tool R described above is a metal spiral binder. The helical binder may be plastic other than metal, and the material is not particularly limited as long as it has the hardness and flexibility required for bookbinding.

  When the sheet bundle 81 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 7 in the bookbinding unit C, the binding tool R is next attached. The attaching operation of the binding tool R in the bookbinding portion C will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

  Here, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the binding tool transporting unit 83 in the bookbinding unit C includes a binding tool transporting roller 85 that moves the binding tool R, a motor (not illustrated) that drives the binding tool R, and a binding that holds the binding tool R. It consists of a tool insertion shaft 86. The binding tool insertion shaft 86 has an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter in front view of the binding tool R, and a helical groove having the same pitch as the binding tool R is formed on the surface thereof. The binding tool insertion shaft 86 is fixed and does not rotate or move even when the binding tool transport roller 85 rotates and the binding tool R is transported.

  In order to transport the binding tool R, as shown in FIG. 9, the cylindrical outer surface of the binding tool transport roller 85 is brought into contact with the binding tool R set on the binding tool insertion shaft 86 from the outside of the spiral shape. From this state, when the binding tool transport roller 85 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow X1 by a motor (not shown), power is transmitted to the binding tool R set in the groove of the binding tool insertion shaft 86. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the binding tool R starts to be transported in the direction of the arrow Y2 along the groove of the binding tool insertion shaft 86, and the binding tool transport unit 83 moves the binding tool R toward the sheet bundle 81. It will be sent out sequentially from the tip.

  When the sheet bundle 81 is moved to the bookbinding position above the bookbinding unit C by the gripper 82, the binding tool R starts to be conveyed by the binding tool conveyance unit 83 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, the binding tool conveyance unit 83 sequentially passes the binding tool R through the punch holes H of the sheet bundle 81 held by the gripper 82 while rotating the binding tool R. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the binding tool transport unit 83 ends the transport of the binding tool R when the binding tool R passes through all punch holes H in the sheet bundle 81.

  When the binding tool R is attached to the sheet bundle 81 by the binding tool conveyance unit 83, the bookbinding bundle 81a is translated in the direction of the arrow T3 while being held by the gripper 82, as shown in FIG. It is moved to the bookbinding discharge section D above the stacking section E.

  Next, the bookbinding bundle stacking portion E, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  The bookbinding bundle stacking section E includes a bundle guide (sorting means, sorting member) 101, a sheet bundle regulating plate (alignment means) 102, and a bookbinding bundle stacking tray 103.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the bundle guide 101 is fitted to the motor 105, and is disposed so as to be able to rotate forward and backward in the directions of arrows R <b> 1 and R <b> 2 by transmitting the rotation from the motor 105 to the shaft 101 a. Further, in the vicinity of the motor 105, a motor (not shown) and a pinion portion fitted to the motor are disposed. A rack portion extending in the left-right width direction in front view of FIG. 13 is engaged with the pinion portion, and a rack and pinion mechanism is configured by the pinion portion and the rack portion.

  The motor 105 is fixed to the rack portion described above and is slidably supported by a guide member 106 formed along the rack portion. Accordingly, when the rotation from the motor (not shown) is transmitted, the motor 105 is given power for movement through the rack and pinion, and is driven to move along the guide member 106 in the left-right width direction as viewed from the front in FIG. Will be. The motor 105 and the guide member 106 described above are not shown in FIGS. 14 to 21 and FIG. 25 described later.

  The bookbinding bundle 81a that has been moved to the bookbinding discharge section D is distributed in the direction of dropping when it is dropped onto the bookbinding bundle stacking tray 103 by rotating the bundle guide 101 in the two directions indicated by arrows R1 and R2. Here, a range including the punch hole H from the rear end Pe on which the binding tool R is mounted in the bookbinding bundle 81a is a binding portion (portion bound by the binding means) Ra (see FIG. 15), and the binding portion Ra is For example, it is assumed that the booklet bundle stacking tray 103 shown in FIG. In this case, the bundle guide 101 is rotated (in the direction of the arrow R1) until one end portion thereof is directed to the lower right, and guides the bookbinding bundle 81a dropped from the bookbinding discharge section D. Further, when the binding portion Ra is stacked so as to face the left side in front view shown in FIG. 13 of the bookbinding bundle stacking tray 103, the bundle guide 101 is rotated to a state where one end portion thereof is directed to the lower left (arrow R2). Direction) to guide the direction in which the bookbinding bundle 81a falls.

  On the other hand, the bundle guide 101 has a home position (initial position) immediately below the bookbinding discharge portion D. The bundle guide 101 is located at this home position when guiding the dropping direction of the bookbinding bundle 81a discharged from the bookbinding bundle discharge portion D. However, after the bookbinding bundle 81a is guided, the bookbinding bundle 81a is stacked on the bookbinding bundle stacking tray 103 so as to be laid down, so that the bookbinding bundle 81a is moved left and right from the home position by the rack and pinion mechanism (not shown).

  The sheet bundle restricting plate 102 increases the consistency of the bookbinding bundle 81a loaded on the bookbinding bundle stacking tray 103, so that the stacked bookbinding bundle 81a does not spread in the left-right direction when viewed from the front in FIG. Regulate the edge. The sheet bundle restricting plate 102 can be moved in the left-right direction (in the direction of arrows S1 and S2) in FIG. 13 by a motor (not shown), depending on values such as the size of the bookbinding bundle to be stacked and the diameter of the binding tool. It is moved to the determined position (standby position).

  The bookbinding bundle stacking tray 103 is movable in a vertical direction (in the directions of arrows U1 and U2) in front view of FIG. 13 by a motor (not shown). Further, the bookbinding bundle stacking tray 103 is moved and controlled by the operation of the motor based on the detection of a paper surface detection sensor (not shown) so that the uppermost surface of the stacked bookbinding bundle 81a is always at a fixed position.

  Next, operations from the bookbinding bundle creation process (bookbinding process) in the bookbinding unit C to the booklet bundle discharge process in the bookbinding bundle stacking unit E after the bookbinding process will be described in detail. A series of processing units from the bookbinding process in the bookbinding unit C to the booklet bundle discharge process in the booklet bundle stacking unit E (unit process for generating and discharging a set of bookbinding bundles) is hereinafter referred to as a bookbinding job.

  FIG. 13 shows a state of the bookbinding bundle stacking section E before the bookbinding job is started. As shown in FIG. 13, the bundle guide 101 is disposed at a home position directly below the bookbinding bundle discharge portion D, and no booklet bundle is loaded on the bookbinding bundle stacking tray 103. 103 is in the most elevated state. The sheet bundle regulating plate 102 is moved toward the standby position calculated according to the size of the bookbinding bundle conveyed from the image forming apparatus main body 2 (see arrows S1 and S2), and the first bookbinding bundle 81a is sent to the bookbinding discharge section D. Finish moving before being transported.

  The size of the bookbinding bundle is selected and set by the user from the selection value displayed on the operation display device 59 of the image forming apparatus main body 2 according to the sheet on which the image is to be formed. The selection values displayed on the operation display device 59 are stored in advance in the ROM 90 of the sheet processing apparatus control unit 52 as table data of general sheet standard values, and these values are displayed when the image is formed. Displayed on the device 59. The above-described standby position is calculated by the paper discharge control unit 97 based on the selected sheet size. Although the sheet size has been described as being selected and set by the user, an apparatus capable of measuring the sheet size value may be disposed in the sheet processing apparatus 3 to be detected. Is not particularly limited.

  Here, how to calculate the standby position in the sheet bundle regulating plate 102 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the standby position of the sheet bundle regulating plate 102 arranged on the left and right sides in the front view is assumed to be a distance W in the width of the bookbinding bundle 81a in an overlapped state. FIG. 22 shows the sizes of the sheet bundle 81 and the binding tool R before bookbinding. The left and right widths in the conveying direction of the sheet bundle 81 are the distance X, the diameter of the binding tool R is the distance Y, and the sheet bundle 81. A distance Z is defined from the rear end Pe to the adjacent edge of the punch hole H. The diameter of the punch hole H is a distance Hd.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 23, the size of the bookbinding bundle 81a after bookbinding is the edge of the punch hole H on the opposite side from the rear end (right end in front view) of the binding tool R (left end in front view). ) Is a distance M. Further, the distance N from the rear end of the binding tool R after bookbinding to the end of the bookbinding bundle 81a on the side opposite to the rear end (small edge referred to as a book) is defined as a distance N. Based on the above assumptions, the distance M and the distance N are expressed by the following equations.

X + Y−Z−Hd ≦ N ≦ X + Y−Z (1)
Y ≦ M ≦ Y + Hd (2)
W = M + N (3)

  In the above formula (1), the distance N is minimum when the binding tool R is moved most inside the bookbinding bundle 81a (the center in the left-right width direction in FIG. 23) inside the punch hole H. . On the other hand, the distance N is maximum when the binding tool R is closest to the outside of the bookbinding bundle 81a (the right end side in the left-right width direction in FIG. 23) inside the punch hole H. In practice, the movable range of the binding tool R is limited by the thickness of the sheet bundle 81 and the inner diameter of the binding tool R, but is ignored in the present embodiment.

  When a plurality of bookbinding bundles 81a are stacked on the bookbinding bundle stacking tray 103, the binding portions Ra of the plurality of bookbinding bundles 81a are alternately arranged on the left and right sides in order to improve the stacking efficiency (that is, to save the stacking space). It is good to load it in the state that is suitable for. As a result, the stacking efficiency of the bookbinding bundle 81a can be improved. Further, the binding portion Ra of the bookbinding bundle 81a loaded first and the edge portion on the edge side of the bookbinding bundle 81a loaded later do not come into contact with each other, and the edge portion on the edge edge side of the bookbinding bundle 81a loaded earlier and the latter are loaded later. It is desirable that the binding portion Ra of the bound bookbinding bundle 81a is not in contact. This is a case where the distance W takes the maximum value in the above equation (3).

Here, the distance W takes the maximum value in the equation (3) when the distance N takes the maximum value in the equation (1) and the distance M takes the maximum value in the equation (2). At this time, the distance W is
W = X + 2Y−Z + Hd (4)
It becomes. From this result, as the standby position of the sheet bundle restricting plate 102, the distance between the sheet bundle restricting plates 102 arranged on the left and right sides may be moved to the position of the distance W described above. Therefore, a motor (not shown) is provided in the bookbinding bundle stacking section E in the present embodiment so that the sheet bundle regulating plate 102 can be changed to the position of the distance W.

  By the way, the bookbinding bundle 81a gripped by the gripper 82 and conveyed to the bookbinding discharge section D is moved to the bookbinding stack stacking section E by releasing the gripping (holding) of the gripper 82 as shown in FIG. Fall.

  At this time, the dropped bookbinding bundle 81a abuts against the bundle guide 101 positioned below the booklet bundle 81a, and the bundle guide 101 is inclined to the lower right side when viewed from the front. Will be guided to the right side of the front view. As shown in FIG. 16, the bookbinding bundle 81a guided to the right side of the bookbinding bundle stacking tray 103 is guided downward while the binding portion Ra is in contact with the sheet bundle regulating plate 102. Drops onto the loading tray 103.

  When the binding portion Ra drops and comes into contact with the right end of the bookbinding bundle stacking tray 103 as viewed from the front in FIG. 17, the bundle guide 101 is shown by an arrow W1 in FIG. 17 from the state in which the rear end portion of the bookbinding bundle 81a leans. Move in the direction. Thus, the bundle guide 101 stacks the bookbinding bundle 81a on the bookbinding bundle stacking tray 103 while the binding portion Ra of the bookbinding bundle 81a is positioned in the vicinity of the sheet bundle regulating plate 102 (see FIG. 18). When the bookbinding bundle 81a is stacked, the bookbinding bundle stacking tray 103 is moved in the direction of arrow G shown in FIG. 19 so that the uppermost surface of the bookbinding bundle 81a is at a predetermined height position by a paper surface detection sensor (not shown). Driven down.

  After the stacking of the first bookbinding bundle 81a is completed, the bundle guide 101 moves in the direction of the arrow W2 as shown in FIG. 19 to the above-described home position (position just below the bookbinding discharge section D). Return. Then, as shown in FIG. 20, in order to change the binding portion Ra of the bookbinding bundle 81 b falling next from the bookbinding discharge section D to the left side of the bookbinding bundle stacking tray 103, the bundle guide 101 is It rotates around the shaft 101a so that the left side when viewed from the front faces downward.

  When the second bookbinding bundle 81b is bound and conveyed to the bookbinding discharge section D by the gripper 82, the gripping of the gripper 82 is released and the bookbinding bundle 81b is bound to the bookbinding bundle stacking section E as in the first case. Fall into As shown in FIG. 20, the bookbinding bundle 81b is guided to the left side of the bookbinding bundle stacking tray 103 when the binding portion Ra hits the bundle guide 101 rotated in the arrow R2 direction. Then, the bookbinding bundle 81 b falls onto the bookbinding bundle stacking tray 103 while being in contact with the left sheet bundle regulating plate 102.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 21, the bundle guide 101 moves from the state in which the rear end portion of the bookbinding bundle 81b leans against the right side (in the direction of arrow W2) as opposed to the first case. . As a result, the bookbinding bundle 81b is stacked on the bookbinding bundle 81a on the bookbinding bundle stacking tray 103 in a state in which the portion bound by the binding tool R is opposite to the bookbinding bundle 81a. That is, the end portion of the bookbinding bundle 81b bound by the binding tool is located on the side opposite to the end portion bound by the binding tool in the uppermost bookbinding bundle 81a loaded on the bookbinding bundle stacking tray 103 first. The bookbinding bundle 81b is loaded. Further, the bookbinding bundle 81a and the bookbinding bundle 81b are in a state where the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet portions excluding the binding portion Ra are in contact with each other and stacked, so that the stacking efficiency of the bookbinding bundle 81a can be improved. After the bookbinding bundle 81b is completely stacked, the bookbinding bundle stacking tray 103 is moved in the direction of the arrow G so that the uppermost surface of the bookbinding bundle 81b is at a predetermined height position as in the case of the first bookbinding bundle 81a. Descend.

  After completing the loading of the second bookbinding bundle 81b, the bundle guide 101 returns to the home position described above in the direction of arrow W1 (see FIG. 17). Then, in order to change the leading end of the bookbinding bundle falling from the bookbinding discharge section D to the opposite side of the bookbinding bundle stacking tray 103, the bundle guide 101 has the right side of the bundle guide 101 in front view facing downward. It rotates about the shaft 101a so as to be in a state.

  As described above, in the sheet processing apparatus 3, the above-described operation is repeated, and the formed bookbinding bundle is efficiently stacked and stacked on the bookbinding bundle stacking tray 103. For example, FIG. 25 shows a state of the bookbinding bundle stacking section E when 10 bundles are stacked.

  In the present embodiment, it has been described that the falling direction of the binding portion Ra of the bookbinding bundle 81a is distributed by changing the angle around the axis 101a of the bundle guide 101. However, in addition to this, for example, a motor for rotating the gripper 82 may be provided, and the gripper 82 may be rotated while the bookbinding bundle 81 a is held by the gripper 82 to change the dropping direction. In the present invention, the mechanism and structure relating to the sorting of the bookbinding bundle 81a in the dropping direction are not particularly limited.

  Further, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 described in the present embodiment is an example of a general image forming apparatus, and it is needless to say that the image forming apparatus 1 may include other attached devices. is there.

  Moreover, although the binding tool R was demonstrated as a metal helical binder, it may be in a ring shape or a comb shape, and the shape is not particularly limited.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the bookbinding bundle 81a is distributed to the bookbinding bundle stacking tray 103 while sorting the dropping direction by the gripper 82 and the bundle guide 101 positioned above the bookbinding bundle stacking tray 103. Drop it. Then, the bookbinding bundle 81a dropped while the dropping direction is distributed is brought into contact with the sheet bundle regulating plate 102. As a result, since the region excluding the binding portion Ra in the bookbinding bundle 81a is configured to be stacked sequentially, the stacking efficiency of the bookbinding bundle on the bookbinding bundle stacking tray 103 can be improved.

  Further, since the gripper 82 drops the bookbinding bundle 81a with the rear end Pe side of the bookbinding bundle 81a facing downward, the posture when the bookbinding bundle 81a is dropped is stabilized and landed from the rear end Pe side. . Thereby, it becomes possible to prevent the side edge of the bookbinding bundle 81a from being broken or damaged.

  Further, since the gripper 82 and the bundle guide 101 can distribute the direction in which the bookbinding bundle 81a falls, the bookbinding bundle 81a can be efficiently stacked on the bookbinding bundle stacking tray 103 with a simple configuration.

  As described above, the sheet processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention are useful for a sheet processing apparatus that performs a bookbinding process using a binding tool, and in particular, a sheet process that needs to improve the stacking efficiency of a bookbinding bundle. Suitable for the apparatus and the image forming apparatus.

1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus including a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the image forming apparatus main body. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an outline of an internal configuration of a sheet processing apparatus. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the sheet processing apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of the punch rear end sensor and the stopped sheet. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 1st state of the bookbinding process in a bookbinding part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 2nd state of the bookbinding process in a bookbinding part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 3rd state of the bookbinding process in a bookbinding part. It is a schematic sectional drawing of a binding tool conveyance part. It is the schematic which shows the initial state of the binding tool mounting | wearing by a binding tool conveyance part. It is the schematic which shows the progress state of the binding tool mounting | wearing by a binding tool conveyance part. It is the schematic which shows the completion | finish state of binding tool mounting | wearing by a binding tool conveyance part. It is the schematic diagram which showed the outline of the bookbinding bundle stacking part. It is the schematic diagram which showed operation | movement of the bundle guide. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 1st state of the stacking process in a bookbinding bundle stacking part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 2nd state of the stacking process in a bookbinding bundle stacking part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 3rd state of the stacking process in a bookbinding bundle stacking part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 4th state of the stacking process in a bookbinding bundle stacking part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 5th state of the stacking process in a bookbinding bundle stacking part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 6th state of the stacking process in a bookbinding bundle stacking part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 7th state of the stacking process in a bookbinding bundle stacking part. It is explanatory drawing which shows each part dimension of a sheet | seat bundle and a binding tool. It is explanatory drawing which shows each part dimension of a bookbinding bundle. It is explanatory drawing which shows the dimension of the left-right width | variety of the state in which the bookbinding bundle was piled up. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the bookbinding bundle loading part in which ten bookbinding bundles were loaded.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 3 Sheet processing apparatus 20 Image forming part 81 Sheet bundle 81a Bookbinding bundle 82 Sorting means, holding means (gripper)
101 Sorting means, sorting member (bundle guide)
102 Alignment means (sheet bundle regulating plate)
103 Stacking means (bookbinding stack stack tray)
H Punch hole P Sheet Pe The bound side (rear end)
R Binding means (binding tool), binding tool Ra Portion bound by binding means

Claims (8)

In a sheet processing apparatus for stacking a bookbinding bundle whose ends are bound by a binding means,
A loading means on which the bookbinding bundle is loaded;
The bookbinding bundle is stacked on the stacking means such that the end bound by the binding means is on the opposite side of the end bound by the binding means in the uppermost bookbinding bundle previously stacked on the stacking means. And a sheet processing apparatus. A stacking unit on which the bookbinding bundle bound by the binding unit is stacked; a sorting unit which is positioned above the stacking unit and drops the bookbinding bundle onto the stacking unit while sorting the dropping direction;
Alignment means for abutting the bookbinding bundle that has fallen while the drop direction is distributed toward the stacking means and aligning the bookbinding bundle;
A sheet processing apparatus configured to sequentially stack the bookbinding bundles that have been dropped after the dropping direction is sorted on the stacking unit in an area excluding a portion bound by the binding unit.   The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the binding unit includes a spiral binding tool attached to a punch hole formed in the sheet bundle.   The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sorting unit drops the bookbinding bundle with the bound side of the bookbinding bundle facing downward. The sorting means is
Holding means for holding the formed bookbinding bundle, releasing the holding of the bookbinding bundle above the stacking means, and dropping the bookbinding bundle;
A sorting member which is provided between the stacking means and the holding means, and abuts the falling bookbinding bundle and distributes the falling direction of the bookbinding bundle by changing an angle of contact with the falling bookbinding bundle. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2.   The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the position of the aligning unit can be changed according to the size of the bookbinding bundle to be formed. A stacking unit on which a bookbinding bundle whose ends are bound by the binding unit is stacked;
And a means for sequentially stacking the bookbinding bundle on the stacking means in an area excluding the portion bound by the binding means. An image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a sheet processing apparatus that processes a sheet on which an image is formed in the image forming unit.
An image forming apparatus, wherein the sheet processing apparatus is the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1.

Images