JP2010072041A - Paper processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To assure transporting of paper from a paper pre-processing apparatus to a paper post processing apparatus or else to a paper relay apparatus existing between the paper pre-processing apparatus and the paper post processing apparatus, in a configuration in which the paper post processing apparatus and the paper relay apparatus are removably installed in a space of the paper pre-processing apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A projection member 20 provided on a punch unit P pushes in an acting unit t1a of a switching means T, a switching claw member t1 of the switching means T is evaded from a branching path M in a vertical transporting path, a paper transporting path is automatically switched in a direction always guiding the paper S to a pair of reversal rollers 6 and the paper is transported from a paper receiving unit Pa into the punch unit P when the paper post processing apparatus F with the punch unit P, the paper reversal unit R and a staple as the paper post processing apparatus is attached to the space D in an image forming apparatus as the paper pre-processing apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper processing system including a paper processing device in which a space is provided in the apparatus main body as a paper discharge unit, and a paper post-processing device or a paper relay device that is detachably installed in the space. It is.

  In recent image forming systems, there is an increasing demand for paper post-processing for punching, binding, and sorting paper after image formation. However, the sheet post-processing apparatus that performs such processing is configured to be connected to the outer side surface of the image forming apparatus with respect to the image forming apparatus of the type in which the sheet is discharged from the side surface of the apparatus body. This has been a cause of increasing the installation space of the image forming system.

  On the other hand, in an image forming apparatus of a type that has a space portion inside the installation area of the image forming apparatus (inside the apparatus main body) and paper is discharged into this space portion, various types of paper post-processing are performed in the space portion. Some devices are mounted (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  In addition, the image forming apparatus includes a plurality of conveying units for forming an image on one or both sides of the sheet, and a switching unit for appropriately switching the conveying unit used according to the processing mode. Yes.

  Hereinafter, a conventional image forming apparatus having a configuration in which various types of paper post-processing apparatuses can be mounted in the space and double-sided image formation is possible will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a front view showing an external configuration of a conventional image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a paper feeding unit A, an image forming unit B, and an image reading unit C. Is provided with a space portion D in which the paper subjected to the image forming process in the image forming portion B is discharged and stored, and in the lower portion of the space portion D, the paper is sequentially discharged and stacked. Part D1 is installed.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the internal configuration and operation of the sheet conveyance path of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 4, and the conveyance that constitutes the first sheet conveyance path for conveying the sheets S stacked on the sheet feeding unit A. The conveying roller pairs 1 and 2 as means, the conveying roller pairs 5, 7, 8, and 9 constituting the second sheet conveying path (reversing path), and the image transfer section 3 of the image forming section B that forms an image on the sheet. A pair of paper discharge rollers 4 for discharging the paper onto the paper discharge portion D1 of the space D, a pair of reversing rollers 6 that rotate forward and backward to reverse the paper when double-sided image formation is performed on the paper, A paper discharge tray E that is detachably mounted so as to protrude, a pair of paper discharge rollers 10 that discharge paper to the paper discharge tray E, and a switching unit that switches a paper conveyance path to be used. It is comprised from the switching claw member t1-t3 provided in the branch path.

  The operation when an image is formed on one side of the sheet in the apparatus of FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b).

  First, image information is acquired from the outside or the image reading unit C, and image information processing is performed in the image forming unit B. Then, as shown in FIG. 6A, the sheet S is conveyed from the sheet feeding unit A to the image transfer unit 3 of the image forming unit B by the conveying rollers 1 and 2 in the first sheet conveying path. I do. After that, as shown in FIG. 6B, the sheet S1 on which an image is formed on one side is guided by the switching claw member t1 and discharged by the discharge roller pair 4 in the discharge path. Discharged to the top.

  Next, the operation when images are formed on both sides of a sheet will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, an image is formed on the sheet S1 conveyed from the sheet feeding unit A by the image transfer unit 3 of the image forming unit B, and then the sheet S1 is vertically conveyed by the switching claw member t1. As shown in FIG. 7B, the sheet is conveyed to the reverse path by the conveyance guide of the conveyance roller pair 5 and the switching claw member t2. The sheet S continues to be conveyed by the pair of reversing rollers 6, but as shown in FIG. 7C, when the rear end of the sheet passes the switching claw member t2, the switching claw member t2 is switched, and FIG. As shown, the reversing roller pair 6 reverses and the sheet S1 is switched back to start transporting to the right transport path. Thereafter, the sheet n is conveyed to the vertical reversal path by the switching claw member t3, and the sheet S1 is continuously conveyed by the conveying roller pair 7, 8, 9 and again passes through the conveying roller pair 2 as shown in FIG. 7 (e). The image transfer unit 3 forms an image on the other side of the sheet. Thereafter, the sheet S1 is sent to the sheet discharge path by the switching claw member t1, and is discharged to the sheet discharge section D1 in the space D by the sheet discharge roller pair 4.

  Next, the operation when the paper discharge tray E is mounted and the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray E will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, an image is formed on the sheet S1 conveyed from the sheet feeding unit A by the image transfer unit 3 of the image forming unit B, and is sent to the vertical conveyance path by the switching claw member t1 and conveyed. It is once transported to the reverse path by the transport guide of the roller pair 5 and the switching claw member t2. Although the sheet S1 continues to be conveyed by the reverse roller pair 6, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the rear end of the sheet passes the switching claw member t2, the switching claw member t2 is switched, and further, the reverse roller pair. 6 reverses and the sheet S1 is switched back and started to be conveyed to the right conveying path. Then, as shown in FIG. 8C, the sheet S1 passes through the switching claw member t3 and is discharged from the sheet discharge tray E. 10 are sequentially stacked on the paper discharge tray E with the image side down.

  FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram when the additional paper discharge unit is mounted. The additional paper discharge unit U includes a pair of paper discharge rollers 13 and an additional stacking tray D2. The additional stacking tray D2 is a space of the image forming apparatus. The reversing roller pair 6 in the part D can be added to the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction.

  As a result, when the paper is reversed during duplex printing and when discharged to the paper discharge tray E, the reverse roller pair 6 and the paper discharge roller pair 13 perform the same operation to receive the paper S on the additional stacking tray D2. The paper can be reversed. Further, by setting the paper discharge destination to the additional paper discharge unit U, the additional stacking tray D2 can be set and used as a paper discharge destination different from the paper discharge unit D1, which is a normal paper discharge destination. It becomes.

  A case where the post-processing device is attached to the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 10A, the paper discharge unit D1 of the space D can be removed, and the space of the space D can be secured to the maximum. A paper post-processing device that performs post-processing on the paper can be mounted in the space D. Since the paper discharge unit D1 also has a cover function for covering the inside of the image forming unit B, after removing the paper discharge unit D1, the image is covered by a partition plate D3 as shown in FIG. The inside of the forming part B is protected.

  Here, in order to mount the paper post-processing apparatus in the space D, as shown in FIG. 10C, the paper reversal for receiving and guiding the paper discharged from the reversing roller pair 6 of the image forming apparatus at the time of paper reversal. The unit R is mounted so that the paper reversing operation is not hindered even if the space D is blocked by the post-processing device. Then, as shown in FIG. 10D, the sheet post-processing device F is mounted on the downstream side of the sheet reversing unit R in the sheet conveyance direction.

  The sheet reversing unit R includes two transport paths, and the switching claw member t4 performs switching to each transport path. In addition, the conveyance path is provided with a pair of conveyance rollers 11 and 12 as conveyance means to support conveyance of the paper.

  Further, the sheet post-processing apparatus F includes a conveyance path, a conveyance unit, an alignment unit, a binding unit, a stacking unit, and the like, and has a configuration capable of performing post-processing on an image-formed sheet. .

  The operation when the paper post-processing apparatus F is mounted and the paper is post-processed will be described below.

  First, an operation when a sheet on which a single-sided image is formed is post-processed will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the sheet S on which the image has been formed by the image transfer unit 3 of the image forming unit B is guided to the reversing path by the switching claw members t1 and t2, and the conveying roller pair 5 and the reversing roller. It is conveyed by the pair 6 and conveyed into the sheet reversing unit R without being reversed. Next, as shown in FIG. 11B, the sheet S is conveyed to the sheet post-processing apparatus F by the switching claw member t4 and the conveying roller pair 11 in the sheet reversing unit R, and as shown in FIG. 11C. After the post-processing, the sheets are sequentially stacked on the stacking tray.

  The operation when the double-side printed paper is post-processed will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, the sheet S1 formed on the entire surface by the image transfer unit 3 is guided by the switching claw members t1 and t2 to the reversing path by the conveying roller pair 5 and the reversing roller pair 6. As shown in FIG. 12B, the sheet is conveyed into the sheet reversing unit R. At this time, the sheet S1 is conveyed by the switching claw member t4 of the sheet reversing unit R into a reversing path different from the conveying path to the sheet post-processing apparatus F. When the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the switching claw member t2, the switching claw member t2 is switched, and the reversing roller pair 6 is reversely rotated to switch back the sheet S1 as shown in FIG. The sheet S1 is conveyed to the right conveyance path and the vertical inversion path in B. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12D, the image transfer unit 3 forms an image on the other side of the sheet S1, and as shown in FIG. 12E, it is conveyed again to the sheet reversing unit R and switched. The claw member t4 is switched and the sheet S1 is conveyed into the sheet post-processing apparatus F.

  Next, a paper discharge operation when the paper discharge tray E is mounted will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 (a), 12 (b), and 12 (f).

  As in the case of double-sided image formation, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the sheet S1 on which the image is formed by the image transfer unit 3 of the image forming unit B is the switching claw member t1 and the conveying roller pair 5. , Through the switching claw member t2 and conveyed to the reversing path in the paper reversing unit R by the reversing roller pair 6.

  When the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the switching claw member t2, the switching claw member t2 is switched, the reversing roller pair 6 is reversed, and the sheet S1 is switched back as shown in FIG. The paper is transported to the right transport path in the forming portion B, and sequentially stacked on the paper discharge tray E with the image surface facing down by the paper discharge roller 10 of the paper discharge tray E through the switching claw member t3.

If the paper post-processing device F is configured to be mounted in the space portion (in-body space) D of the image forming apparatus as described above, the image forming system including the paper post-processing device is almost the same as the image forming apparatus alone. The installation area is sufficient, and it is possible to achieve a significant space saving as compared with the image forming system in which the sheet post-processing apparatus is connected to the outside of the image forming apparatus.
JP 2006-206271 A Japanese Patent No. 3898358

  However, in the prior art, usually, the image forming apparatus side is provided with conveying means that constitutes at least two sheet conveying paths, and the sheet post-processing apparatus is installed in the cylinder space in the image forming apparatus having such a configuration. When mounted, the paper discharge port of the conveying means on the image forming apparatus side may be blocked by the mounting of the paper post-processing device. For this reason, when the paper is transported via the paper post-processing device, the paper transport path to the paper receiving portion of the paper post-processing device is surely switched in order to reliably deliver the paper to the paper post-processing device. Must be done.

  Conventionally, switching of the paper transport path has been performed by operating switching means such as a switching claw member by manual operation or setting operation by an operator. For this reason, switching errors sometimes occur, causing troubles in paper conveyance.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and in a configuration in which a paper post-processing device and a paper relay device are detachably installed in a space portion of a paper pre-processing device, It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet processing system in which the sheet is reliably conveyed from the sheet to the sheet post-processing apparatus or to the sheet relay apparatus interposed between the sheet pre-processing apparatus and the sheet post-processing apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to a sheet pre-processing unit, a paper discharge unit for discharging processed paper from the paper pre-processing unit, and the paper discharge unit. A paper processing apparatus comprising transport means for forming at least two paper transport paths for transporting paper, and having a space portion installed in the apparatus main body as the paper discharge section, and a detachable attachment to the space section of the paper pre-processing apparatus In a paper processing system including a paper post-processing device that can be installed, a switching unit that switches between the paper transport paths provided and used in the paper pre-processing device and the paper post-processing device. A paper receiving unit connected to any one of the paper transport paths of the paper pre-processing device; and a paper receiving unit provided in the paper post-processing device, wherein the switching means is installed when the paper post-processing device is mounted in the space. Operate for the above And an operating means for enabling the paper transport path connected to the paper receiving portion of the post-processing device. With this configuration, when the paper post-processing device is mounted, Since the paper path is automatically switched from the processing device to the paper post-processing device, there is no need to switch manually depending on whether or not the paper post-processing device is mounted, eliminating a switching error and performing reliable switching. it can.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet preprocessing unit, a paper discharge unit that discharges processed paper from the paper preprocessing unit, and at least two sheets that convey the paper to the paper discharge unit A sheet processing apparatus including a conveying unit that configures a sheet conveying path and having a space in the apparatus main body as the paper discharge unit; and a sheet relay that is detachably installed in the space of the sheet pre-processing apparatus In the paper processing system comprising the apparatus, a switching means for switching the paper transport path provided and used in the paper pre-processing device, and the paper transport of the paper pre-processing device provided in the paper relay device A paper receiving unit connected to any one of the paths; and provided in the paper relay device, and operating the switching means when the paper relay device is mounted in the space, so that the paper receiving device of the paper relay device Connected to Operating means for enabling the paper transport path to be usable. With this configuration, when the paper post-processing device is mounted, the paper relay device is automatically installed from the paper pre-processing device. Therefore, there is no need to switch manually depending on whether or not the paper post-processing device and the paper relay device are mounted, so that switching errors can be eliminated and reliable switching can be performed. it can.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the paper processing system according to the first or second aspect, the paper pre-processing device is an image forming device.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the paper processing system according to the first aspect, the paper post-processing device is any one of a paper punching device, a paper binding device, and a paper sorting device.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the paper processing system according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, the paper relay device connects the paper pre-processing device and the paper post-processing device. And

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the paper processing system according to the first aspect, the switching means is provided so as to be able to appear and rotate with respect to the branch path in the paper conveyance path.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the paper processing system according to the first aspect, the actuating means is a projecting member projecting on the side of the apparatus main body for operating the switching means.

  According to the present invention, in a configuration in which a paper post-processing device and a paper relay device are detachably installed in the space portion of the paper pre-processing device, when the paper post-processing device is mounted in the space portion, Since the paper path is automatically switched from the processing device to the paper post-processing device or the paper relay device, there is no need to switch manually depending on whether or not the paper post-processing device is installed. Therefore, with such a simple configuration, the sheet can be transferred from the sheet pre-processing device to the sheet post-processing device or to the sheet relay device interposed between the sheet pre-processing device and the sheet post-processing device. A paper processing system in which conveyance is performed reliably is realized.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIGS. 1A and 1B are configuration diagrams for explaining the configuration and operation of the paper processing unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In addition, in the following description, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the member corresponding to the member demonstrated in FIGS. 4-12, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  1A and 1B, in the present embodiment, a pair of conveying rollers 1 and 2 which are conveying means constituting a first sheet conveying path for conveying sheets S stacked in a sheet feeding unit A, and , A pair of conveying rollers 5, 7, 8, and 9 constituting a second sheet conveying path (reversing path), an image transfer unit 3 of the image forming unit B that forms an image on the sheet, and a sheet discharging unit of the space D A pair of paper discharge rollers 4 for discharging the paper onto D1, and a reverse roller that rotates forward and backward to reverse the paper when performing double-sided image formation on the paper, and that rotates forward to transport the paper toward the paper post-processing device. A pair 6, a paper discharge tray E that is detachably mounted so as to protrude to the side of the apparatus main body, a paper discharge roller pair 10 that discharges paper to the paper discharge tray E, and a switching of a paper conveyance path to be used And switching claw members t1 to t3 which are switching means for performing the above.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, the switching claw member t1, which is the switching means T, extends the other end so as to be able to appear and disappear in the branch path M of the first and second paper transport paths. The operation portion t1a is provided, and the intermediate portion is pivotally supported so as to be rotatable.

  In this embodiment, as described with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the paper discharge unit D1 of the space D in the image forming apparatus is removed, and the bottom of the space D is separated from the partition plate. Covered with D3. In this example, a punch unit P, a paper reversing unit R, and a paper post-processing device F that perform punch processing on paper as a post-processing device are mounted in the space D in this state.

  The punch unit P is provided with a protruding member 20 as an operating member that presses the operating portion t1a and rotates the switching means T.

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 1B, in the state where the punch unit P, the paper reversing unit R, and the paper post-processing device F are mounted, the protruding member 20 of the punch unit P The switching claw member t1 of the switching means T is pushed away from the branch path M of the vertical conveyance path, and the sheet conveyance path is automatically switched to the direction in which the sheet S is always guided by the reverse roller pair 6. Can be set to

  Therefore, when punching is performed on a sheet in this state, image formation is performed in the image transfer unit 3 of the image forming unit B on the sheet S conveyed from the sheet feeding unit A by the conveying roller pairs 1 and 2. After that, the sheet S is sent to the vertical conveyance path by the switching means T, and conveyed to the reverse path by the switching claw member t2 through the conveyance roller pair 5. Here, when the reversing roller pair 6 rotates in the forward direction, the sheet S is conveyed from the sheet receiving portion Pa of the punch unit P to the inside, and after the punching process is performed, the sheet reversing unit R and the sheet post-processing device F. As a result, predetermined sheet post-processing is executed.

  FIGS. 2A and 2B are configuration diagrams for explaining the configuration and operation of the sheet processing unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, a sheet post-processing apparatus including a staple processing unit and the like is illustrated. This is a configuration example in which a protrusion member 21 as an operation member that presses the operation portion t1a and rotates the switching claw member t1 is provided on F. As shown in FIG. 2B, the switching operation of the protruding member 21 is the same as that of the protruding member 20 in the first embodiment, and the sheet is reliably conveyed from the sheet receiving portion F of the sheet post-processing apparatus F to the inside. Is done.

  FIGS. 3A and 3B are configuration diagrams for explaining the configuration and operation of the paper processing unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the paper conveyed to the paper post-processing device F is shown. This is a configuration example in which a projecting member 22 as an operating member that presses the operating portion t1a and rotates the switching means T is provided on a paper reversing unit R as a paper relay device that relays and also serves as a reversing path. . As shown in FIG. 3B, the switching operation of the protruding member 22 is the same as that of the protruding member 20 in the first embodiment, and the sheet is reliably conveyed from the sheet receiving portion Ra of the reversing unit R to the inside. .

  In the present invention, a paper post-processing device such as a paper punch processing device, a paper binding device, or a paper sorting device, or a paper relay device is provided in a space provided in a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, or a multi-function machine thereof. It is effective when applied to a paper processing system installed detachably.

(A), (b) is a block diagram for demonstrating a structure and operation | movement of Embodiment 1 of the paper processing unit of this invention. (A), (b) is a block diagram for demonstrating a structure and operation | movement of Embodiment 2 of the paper processing unit of this invention. (A), (b) is a block diagram for demonstrating a structure and operation | movement of Embodiment 3 of the paper processing unit of this invention. Front view showing an external configuration of a conventional image forming apparatus FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration and operation of a sheet conveyance path of the conventional image forming apparatus in FIG. (A), (b) is an operation explanatory diagram when an image is formed on one side of a sheet in the apparatus of FIG. FIGS. 5A to 5E are explanatory diagrams of operations when images are formed on both sides of the sheet in the apparatus of FIG. FIGS. 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams of operations when paper is discharged onto a paper discharge tray in the apparatus of FIG. Configuration diagram when the additional paper discharge unit is installed in the apparatus of FIG. (A)-(d) is explanatory drawing in the case of mounting | wearing with a post-processing apparatus in the apparatus of FIG. FIGS. 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams of operations when a sheet on which a single-sided image is formed is post-processed in the apparatus of FIG. (A)-(e) is operation explanatory drawing when the paper by which double-sided printing was carried out is post-processed in the apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

A Paper feeding part B Image forming part D Space part D1 Paper discharge part D3 Partition plate E Paper discharge tray F Paper post-processing device P Punch unit R Paper reversing unit Fa, Pa, Ra Paper receiving part M Branch T Switching means S Paper 1, 2 Conveying roller pair 3 Image transfer unit 4 Discharge roller pair 5, 7, 8, 9 Conveying roller pair 6 Reverse roller pair 10 Discharge roller pair 20, 21, 22 Protruding members t1 to t3 Switching claw member t1a Actuating unit

Claims (7)

A paper pre-processing unit, a paper discharge unit that discharges processed paper from the paper pre-processing unit, and a transport unit that forms at least two paper transport paths for transporting the paper to the paper discharge unit. A sheet processing apparatus comprising a space in the apparatus main body as the paper discharge unit,
And a paper processing system comprising a paper post-processing device detachably installed in the space of the paper pre-processing device,
Switching means for switching the paper transport path provided to the paper pre-processing device to be used,
A paper receiving unit provided in the paper post-processing device and connected to any one of the paper transport paths of the paper pre-processing device;
Provided in the paper post-processing device, the switching means is operated when the paper post-processing device is mounted in the space, and the paper transport path connected to the paper receiving portion of the paper post-processing device is used. A sheet processing system comprising an actuating means for enabling the sheet. A paper pre-processing unit, a paper discharge unit that discharges processed paper from the paper pre-processing unit, and a transport unit that forms at least two paper transport paths for transporting the paper to the paper discharge unit. A sheet processing apparatus comprising a space in the apparatus main body as the paper discharge unit,
And a paper processing system comprising a paper relay device detachably installed in the space of the paper pre-processing device,
Switching means for switching the transport path to be used provided in the paper pre-processing device;
A paper receiving unit provided in the paper relay device and connected to any one of the paper transport paths of the paper pre-processing device;
Provided in the paper relay device, when the paper relay device is mounted in the space portion, activates the switching means to enable the paper transport path connected to the paper receiving portion of the paper relay device. And a sheet processing system.   3. The paper processing system according to claim 1, wherein the paper pre-processing device is an image forming device.   2. The paper processing system according to claim 1, wherein the paper post-processing device is one of a paper punch processing device, a paper binding device, and a paper sorting device.   5. The sheet processing system according to claim 2, wherein the sheet relay apparatus connects the sheet pre-processing apparatus and the sheet post-processing apparatus.   2. The sheet processing system according to claim 1, wherein the switching means is provided so as to be able to appear and rotate with respect to a branch path in the sheet conveyance path.   2. A sheet processing system according to claim 1, wherein said actuating means is a projecting member projecting on the side of the apparatus main body for operating said switching means.

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