JP2013068785A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To share a medium supplying device to an ejecting device and a medium supplying device to an apparatus body in common to reduce unnecessary components.SOLUTION: In an image forming apparatus, when a second medium supplying device (U4) is arranged on the upstream side of an ejecting device (U5), and a medium conveying unit (UH2) is arranged between an apparatus body (U3) and the second medium supplying device (U4), a medium (S) in a second storage unit (201) can be supplied to the ejecting device (U5); and when the medium conveying unit (UH2) is arranged between a first medium supplying device (U2) and the second medium supplying device (U4), the medium (S) in the second storage unit (201) can be supplied to the apparatus body (U3).

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, regarding an inserter that is a device for inserting a medium such as a partition sheet or a cover that does not require image formation between image-formed media in the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus, a so-called insert sheet, the following Patent Document 1, The technique described in 2 is known.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-126646 as Patent Document 1 is arranged between the apparatus main body (101A) and the finisher (301), and between the sheets conveyed from the apparatus main body (101A) to the finisher (301). An inserter (201) for inserting an insert sheet is described. In the inserter (201) of Patent Document 1, the insert sheets stacked on the insert tray (202) are joined to the conveyance path from the apparatus main body (101A) to the finisher (301). Further, when it is determined that the insert sheet is an index sheet with a heading at the rear end in the transport direction and the binding process is executed by the finisher (301), the rear end of the insert sheet and the bundle of sheets in the transport direction. In order to staple the sheet, the index sheet is conveyed to the reversing unit (205) to reverse the heading back and forth, and then merged into the conveyance path.

  In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-261240 as Patent Document 2, an image forming unit (1) that forms an image on a sheet (S) and a binding process or the like are performed on a bundle of sheets (S) on which images have been formed. A sheet processing unit (11), a sheet conveying unit (10C) extending between the image forming unit (1) and the sheet processing unit (11), and extending below the sheet conveying unit (10C). An inserter (9a) that is arranged and joins the insert sheet (S1) to the sheet conveyance path (Pa) of the sheet conveyance unit (10C) is described. Further, on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the image forming unit (1) of Patent Document 2, two sheet conveyance units (10A, 10B) configured in the same manner as the sheet conveyance unit (10C) are sequentially arranged in the conveyance direction. The two sheet feeding units (4b, 4c) are arranged below each sheet conveying unit (10A, 10B) to join a new sheet (S) to each sheet conveying path (Pa, Pa). Is arranged. In Patent Document 2, the sheet feeding unit (4b, 4c) and the inserter (9a) are configured in the same manner, and when the insert process is unnecessary, the upstream sheet conveying unit (10B) and the sheet feeding unit are arranged. A technique is described in which the sheet conveying unit (10C) and the inserter (9a) are mounted on the further upstream side of the unit (4c), and the inserter (9a) is used as a third sheet feeding unit.

Although not a technique related to an inserter, a technique described in Patent Document 3 below is known regarding a medium supply apparatus added to an image forming apparatus.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-137581 as Patent Document 3 describes a supply tray (80, 100) to be added to the image forming apparatus (10). Patent Document 3 discloses a first supply tray (80) installed adjacent to the upstream side of the image forming apparatus (10) in the conveyance direction, and a conveyance unit (150) installed above the first supply tray (80). ), A second supply tray (100) installed adjacent to the upstream side of the first supply tray (80) and the conveyance unit (150) in the conveyance direction, and an upper part of the second supply tray (100) A manual feed tray (102) is described. In Patent Document 3, the recording paper (12) from the first supply tray (80) is conveyed along the conveyance path inside the first supply tray (80) and reaches the image forming apparatus (10). Further, the recording paper (12) from the second supply tray (100) and the manual feed tray (102) is conveyed in the order of the second supply tray (100), the conveyance unit (150), and the first supply tray (80). It is conveyed along the path and reaches the image forming apparatus (10).

JP 2009-126646 A (“0018” to “0021”, “0034” to “0039”, FIGS. 1 and 5) JP 2003-261240 A (“0041” to “0044”, “0048” to “0057”, FIGS. 1 to 8) JP 2007-137581 (“0073”, “0084”, FIG. 5)

  It is a technical object of the present invention to reduce a wasteful configuration while sharing a medium supply device to a discharge device and a medium supply device to a device main body.

In order to solve the technical problem, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is provided.
An apparatus main body having a main body carrying-in section into which a medium is carried in, and an image forming section for forming an image on the medium;
A discharge unit from which the medium is discharged, and a discharge carry-in unit that is disposed at a position corresponding to a delivery port through which the medium on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit is delivered, and into which the medium delivered from the delivery port is carried in And a discharge device supported detachably with respect to the device main body,
A first storage path for storing a medium, and a first supply path for supplying a medium in the first storage section to the apparatus main body, with a downstream end portion in the transport direction disposed at a position corresponding to the main body carry-in section And a first carry-in portion into which the medium carried from the upstream side in the carrying direction is carried in, and the first carry-in disposed at a position adjacent to the first carry-in portion of the first supply path. A first medium supply unit that is detachably supported with respect to the apparatus main body,
A second storage section that stores the medium; a second supply path in which a downstream end portion in the transport direction is disposed at a position corresponding to the discharge and carry-in section and the medium of the second storage section is supplied; A second carry-in unit into which a medium carried from the upstream side in the carrying direction is carried in, and a position adjacent to the second carry-in unit in the second supply path; A second medium supply device that is detachably supported with respect to the discharge device;
The upstream end in the transport direction is disposed at a position corresponding to the downstream end of the delivery port and the second supply path, and the downstream end in the transport direction is the second carry-in part and the first transport part. A medium conveyance unit having a connection path disposed at a position corresponding to the carry-in unit, and detachably supported with respect to the apparatus main body and each medium supply apparatus;
With
When the second medium supply device is disposed upstream of the discharge device and the medium transport unit is disposed between the device main body and the second medium supply device, the outlet and the connection An upstream end of the path is connected, a downstream end of the connection path and the second carry-in part are connected, a downstream end of the second supply path and the discharge carry-in part are connected, and The medium in the second storage part can be supplied to the discharge device,
The second medium supply device is disposed upstream of the first medium supply device in the conveyance direction, and the medium conveyance unit is disposed between the first medium supply device and the second medium supply device. When arranged, the downstream end of the second supply path and the upstream end of the connection path are connected, the downstream end of the connection path and the first carry-in section are connected, and the feed An outlet and the discharge / carry-in unit are connected, and the medium in the second storage unit can be supplied to the apparatus main body.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect,
A reversing path for reversing the front and back of the medium of the second feeding path to join the second feeding path;
A switching member that is arranged at a preset branch position at the upstream end of the reversing path in the transport direction and can switch the transport destination of the medium between the second supply path and the reversing path;
It is provided with.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect,
The main body carrying-out unit from which an image medium, which is a medium having an image forming surface that is an image-formed surface in the image forming unit, is carried out;
The second medium supply device is disposed on the upstream side of the discharge device, the medium transport unit is disposed between the device main body and the second medium supply device, and an insertion medium which is an insertion medium is provided. The second accommodating portion to be accommodated;
An identification information storage means for storing identification information for identifying the insertion order and front and back of the insertion medium set in advance;
A forming order setting unit that sets a forming order that is an order of forming an image based on an image order that is a preset order of images, and the insertion order is transported first based on the identification information. Corresponding to the bottom surface of the medium stored in the ascending order in which the page number increases as it advances from the insertion medium to the last transported insertion medium, or stored in the absence of the insertion order A discriminating surface, which is a preset one surface of the second supply path, matches a surface as a surface corresponding to the first image forming surface of the image medium in the insertion medium conveyed to the branch position The image order is set in the ascending order in which image formation is performed from the first image, and the page number is changed as the insertion order proceeds from the insertion medium transported first to the insertion medium transported last. small Or a back surface as a surface corresponding to the back surface of the first image forming surface of the insertion medium that is stored when there is no insertion order and is stored in the insertion medium that is conveyed to the branch position. The forming order setting means for setting the forming order in descending order in which the image order forms an image from the last image when they match,
Switching control means for controlling the switching member, based on the identification information, when the insertion order is stored in ascending order, and the determination surface and the back surface of the insertion medium conveyed to the branch position, When the insertion order is stored as descending order, and the discrimination surface and the surface of the insertion medium conveyed to the branch position coincide with each other, and the formation order is set in ascending order and conveyed to the branch position. When the non-image forming surface of a single-sided printing image medium coincides with the discrimination surface, and when the forming order is set in descending order and the image forming surface of the single-sided printing image medium transported to the branch position The switching for switching the medium conveyance destination to the reversing path when the surface coincides, and when the last image forming surface of the double-sided image medium conveyed to the branch position coincides with the determination surface control And the stage,
It is provided with.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect,
A hole forming member disposed upstream of the reversing path in the transport direction and penetrating in the thickness direction of the image medium to form a hole in the image medium;
The reversing path for reversing the front and back of the medium in a state where the front and rear in the transport direction of the medium of the second supply path are reversed;
A rear end aligning portion that contacts and aligns the rear end of the medium bundle, which is a bundle of a plurality of stacked media, and a side that aligns side edges in the width direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the stacked medium bundle An edge aligning member; and
A means for storing identification information for holes for storing identification information for holes for identifying whether or not to form holes in a preset image medium;
A hole formation control means for controlling the hole forming member based on the identification information for the hole, and stored when the hole is formed in the image medium and the image medium transport destination is set in the reverse path In addition, when the hole is formed at the front end portion in the transport direction of the image medium and the hole is formed in the image medium, the image medium is stored when the transport destination of the image medium is set to the second supply path. The hole formation control means for forming a hole in the rear end of the conveying direction of
It is provided with.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect,
The discharge unit having a binding member that is arranged at a position corresponding to the rear end of the stacked medium bundle in the transport direction and binds the medium bundle with a binding needle;
A binding identification information storage unit for storing binding identification information for identifying whether or not to bind a preset medium bundle;
Binding control means for controlling the binding member based on the binding identification information, and binding the rear end portion in the transport direction of the medium bundle of the discharge unit;
It is provided with.

The invention according to claim 6 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
The second medium supply device is disposed upstream of the first medium supply device in the conveyance direction, and the medium conveyance unit is disposed between the first medium supply device and the second medium supply device. The second storage unit that is disposed and stores a medium for image formation;
Predetermined identification information, which stores the identification information for identifying a target surface that is a target surface on which image formation of an image forming medium is performed and a non-target surface that is a back surface of the target surface. A means for storing identification information;
Switching control means for controlling the switching member, wherein the second supply path corresponding to the image forming surface that is the surface on which the image is formed in the image forming unit is preset based on the identification information When the discrimination surface which is one surface matches the target surface, the conveyance destination of the image forming medium is switched to the second supply path, and the discrimination surface and the non-target surface match. And the switching control means for switching the transport destination of the image forming medium to the reversing path;
It is provided with.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects,
An additional storage unit for storing a medium; and an additional supply unit that is disposed at a position corresponding to the first carry-in unit and the second carry-in unit and supplies the medium in the additional storage unit to the apparatus main body. A medium supply unit supported detachably with respect to each of the medium supply devices,
It is provided with.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the second medium supply device is used as a medium supply device to the discharge device, the connection path conveys the medium from the apparatus main body to the second medium supply device, and When the second medium supply device is used as a medium supply device to the apparatus main body, the connection path does not have a medium conveyance unit for conveying the medium from the second medium supply device to the first medium supply device. In comparison, a wasteful configuration can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reverse the front and back of the medium that has been transported to the branch position and whose transport destination has been switched to the reverse path.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the page numbers of the medium bundles stacked on the discharge unit can be arranged in order.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the hole of the image medium can be arranged on the rear end side in the transport direction in contact with the rear end aligning portion, and the image medium is formed with the hole formed in the rear end portion in the transport direction. As compared with the case where the medium is not stacked on the discharge portion, the holes of the medium bundle can be easily aligned.
According to the invention described in claim 5, the position where the hole is formed and the position where the hole is bound with the binding needle can be matched.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, an image can be formed on the target surface of the image forming medium.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the second medium supply device is used as a medium supply device to the discharge device, the additional supply portion and the first carry-in portion are connected, and the additional storage portion When the second medium supply device is used as a medium supply device to the apparatus main body, the additional supply unit and the second carry-in unit are connected to each other. The medium from the additional storage unit can be conveyed to the second medium supply device.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is an overall explanatory diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of a paper feeding device and an apparatus main body. FIG. 3 is an overall explanatory view of FIG. 2 and is an explanatory view of the sheet feeding device and the post-processing device. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram when the sheet supply apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment is used as an expansion sheet supply apparatus. FIG. 4A illustrates a sheet supply apparatus connected to the upstream side of the sheet supply apparatus via a second connection unit. FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the post-processing device is connected to the downstream side of the first connection unit. FIG. 5 is a functional diagram, so-called block diagram, of the control unit of the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an apparatus information setting image according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an identification information setting image according to the first embodiment, FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram of an insertion identification information setting image according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 7B is an image forming identification information according to the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of these setting images. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the determination surface of the first embodiment, and FIG. 8A is a determination surface in a state where the sheets in the lower sheet feeding tray of the sheet supply apparatus are conveyed to the second connection path and the sheets on each tray. FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship with the lower surface, and FIG. 8B is an enlarged view of a main part of the front end portion in the sheet conveying direction at the branch position. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the standby time according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart of the forming order setting process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart of the second supply control process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart of the insertion switching control process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart of switching control processing for image formation according to the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is an operation explanatory view of the first embodiment, and is an explanatory view showing a relationship between a conventional sheet supply apparatus and a second connection unit. FIG. 14A is an explanatory view of a state in which the sheet supply apparatus functions as an inserter. FIG. 14B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the sheet supply device functions as an additional sheet feeding device. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the first embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of an example of a bundle of insert sheets and image-formed sheets stacked on each tray of the post-processing apparatus when the job is single-sided printing. 15A is an explanatory diagram relating to sheets on each tray of the sheet feeding device, the sheet feeding device, and the post-processing device when the stack of insert sheets is stacked so that the stacking order is ascending order and the uppermost surface is the front surface, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing regarding the sheet | seat on each tray when an insertion sheet | seat bundle is loaded so that a stacking order may be descending order and an uppermost surface may turn into a back surface. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the first embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of an example of a bundle of insert sheets and image-formed sheets stacked on each tray of the post-processing apparatus when the job is duplex printing. 16A is an explanatory diagram relating to sheets on each tray of the sheet feeding device, the sheet feeding device, and the post-processing device when the stack of insert sheets is stacked so that the stacking order is ascending order and the uppermost surface is the front surface. FIG. It is explanatory drawing regarding the sheet | seat on each tray when an insertion sheet | seat bundle is loaded so that a stacking order may be descending order and an uppermost surface may turn into a back surface. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the first embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of an example of a bundle of insert sheets and image-formed sheets stacked on each tray of the post-processing apparatus when the job is single-sided printing. 17A is an explanatory diagram relating to sheets on each tray of the sheet feeding device, the sheet feeding device, and the post-processing device when the stack of insert sheets is stacked so that the stacking order is descending and the uppermost surface is the front surface. FIG. It is explanatory drawing regarding the sheet | seat on each tray when an insertion sheet | seat bundle is loaded so that a stacking order may be an ascending order and the uppermost surface may become a back surface. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the first embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of an example of a bundle of insert sheets and image-formed sheets stacked on each tray of the post-processing apparatus when the job is duplex printing. 18A is an explanatory diagram relating to sheets on each tray of the sheet feeding device, the sheet feeding device, and the post-processing device when the stack of insert sheets is stacked so that the stacking order is descending and the uppermost surface is the front surface. FIG. It is explanatory drawing regarding the sheet | seat on each tray when an insertion sheet | seat bundle is loaded so that a stacking order may be an ascending order and the uppermost surface may become a back surface. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the first embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of an example of a bundle of insert sheets and image-formed sheets stacked on each tray of the post-processing apparatus when the job is single-sided printing. 19A is an explanatory diagram regarding sheets on each tray of the sheet feeding device, the sheet supply device, and the post-processing device when the insert sheet bundle is stacked so that the uppermost surface of the insert sheet bundle is out of order, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing regarding the sheet | seat on each tray at the time of stacking | stacking so that the uppermost surface of the insert sheet bundle which has no order may become a back surface. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the first embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of an example of a bundle of insert sheets and image-formed sheets stacked on each tray of the post-processing apparatus when the job is duplex printing. 20A is an explanatory diagram relating to the sheets on each tray of the sheet feeding device, the sheet feeding device, and the post-processing device when the uppermost surface of the insert sheet bundle having no stacking order is the front surface, and FIG. 20B is a stacking diagram. It is explanatory drawing regarding the sheet | seat on each tray at the time of stacking | stacking so that the uppermost surface of the insert sheet bundle which has no order may become a back surface. FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment, and is a diagram for explaining a state when a curled sheet is supplied from the sheet feeding tray. FIG. 21A shows a sheet bundle loaded on the sheet feeding tray of the sheet feeding device. FIG. 21B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the sheet bundle of FIG. 21A is reversed and stacked on the sheet feeding tray of the sheet feeding device. . FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of a third connection unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 22A is an explanatory diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 according to the first embodiment, and is a third diagram when the sheet feeding apparatus according to the second embodiment is used as an inserter. FIG. 22B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the second connection unit and the sheet supply device are connected to the downstream side of the connection unit, and FIG. 22B is an explanatory diagram corresponding to FIG. 4B of the first embodiment, and illustrates the sheet supply device of the second embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the state in which the post-processing apparatus was connected to the downstream of the 3rd connection unit, when using it as an additional paper feeder. FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram corresponding to FIG. 5 of the first embodiment and is a block diagram of a control unit of the printer of the second embodiment. FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart of hole formation control processing according to the second embodiment. FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the second embodiment, and is a diagram for explaining a sheet in which punch holes are formed and a sheet bundle stacked on a compile tray. FIG. 25A is a sheet in which punch holes are formed in the front end portion. FIG. 25B is an explanatory diagram until a sheet having punch holes formed at the rear end is stacked on the compile tray without being inverted.

Next, specific examples of embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as examples) will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, The direction indicated by Z and -Z or the indicated side is defined as the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, the lower side, or the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, and the lower side, respectively. In the figure, “•” in “○” means an arrow heading from the back of the page to the front, and “×” in “○” is the front of the page. It means an arrow pointing from the back to the back. In the following description using the drawings, illustrations other than members necessary for the description are omitted as appropriate for easy understanding.

(Description of Image Forming Apparatus U of Example 1)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an overall explanatory diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of a paper feeding device and an apparatus main body.
FIG. 3 is an overall explanatory view of FIG. 2 and is an explanatory view of the sheet feeding device and the post-processing device.
1 to 3, a large-sized printer U as an example of an image forming apparatus includes an operation unit U1 for operating the printer U, a sheet feeding device U2 as an example of a first medium supply device, an apparatus main body U3, A sheet supply device U4 as an example of a second medium supply device and a post-processing device U5 as an example of a discharge device are provided.
The operation unit U1 includes a display unit U1a for displaying information and an input button U1b for performing various settings of the image forming apparatus.

(Description of Paper Feeding Device U2 of First Embodiment)
In FIG. 2, the sheet feeding device U2 supplies a sheet S as an example of a medium accommodated therein to the apparatus body U3. In FIG. 2, the paper feeding device U <b> 2 includes a first storage unit 101 disposed on the left side, a first supply unit 102 disposed adjacent to the right side of the first storage unit 101, and a first supply unit 102. A first mounting unit 103 disposed on the upper left side of the supply unit 102, and a manual feed unit 104 as an example of a medium supply unit is mounted on the first mounting unit 103.

  The first accommodating portion 101 is provided with a pair of left and right guide rails GR1 as an example of a guide member, and the guide rail GR1 has a paper feed tray TR11 as an example of a first stacking portion. TR12 is supported so as to be able to enter and exit in the front-rear direction. The sheet S as an example of an image forming medium accommodated in the paper feed trays TR11 and TR12 is taken out by a pickup roll Rp1 as an example of a sending member and separated one by one by a separation roll Rs1 as an example of a separating member. Is done. In the first exemplary embodiment, the lower sheet feed tray TR11 has a smaller amount of sheets S than the upper sheet feed tray TR12.

  The manual feed unit 104 includes a unit main body 104a that can be attached to and detached from the first mounting portion 103 as an example of an additional supply unit, and a manual feed tray TRt that is supported to the left of the unit main body 104a as an example of an additional storage unit. And have. The unit main body 104a is provided with a manual pickup roll Rpt and a manual separation roll Rst configured in the same manner as the pickup roll Rp1 and the separation roll Rs1. As a result, the sheets S accommodated in the manual feed tray TRt are taken out by the manual pickup roll Rpt and separated one by one by the manual separation roll Rst.

  The first supply unit 102 is connected to the sheet supply path SH2 at a position corresponding to the upstream end in the conveyance direction of a sheet supply path SH2 as an example of a medium carry-in path of the apparatus main body U3. Supply carrying-out part B1 is arrange | positioned. The first supply / unload section B1 according to the first exemplary embodiment is disposed above the pickup roll Rp1 of the lower feed tray TR11 and below the pickup roll Rp1 of the middle feed tray TR12. The first supply / unload section B1 includes a downstream end of a first lower supply path SH11 extending from the lower sheet feed tray TR11 and a first middle supply path SH12 extending from the intermediate sheet supply tray TR12. The downstream end is connected. In addition, a first joining position 105 as an example of a first joining part is disposed at the upstream end of the first middle supply path SH12, and a first joining path extending from the first mounting part 103 is disposed. SH13 joins. In the first combined flow path SH13 of the first embodiment, a first supply carry-in portion 106 as an example of a first carry-in portion is disposed at the upstream end portion, and a first merge position 105 is provided at the downstream end portion. Has been placed.

Accordingly, the sheet S supplied from the lower sheet feed tray TR11 is conveyed through the first lower sheet supply path SH11, and the sheet S supplied from the middle sheet supply tray TR12 is conveyed through the first middle sheet supply path SH12. Then, it is supplied from the first supply / unloader B1 to the apparatus main body U3. Further, the sheet S supplied from the upper manual feed unit 104 is conveyed through the first combined flow path SH13 and the first middle supply path SH12, and is supplied from the first supply carry-out section B1 to the apparatus main body U3.
The first lower supply path SH11 and the first middle supply path SH12 constitute the first supply path SH11 + SH12 of the first embodiment.

(Description of the apparatus body U3 of the first embodiment)
In FIG. 2, the apparatus main body U3 includes a control unit C that controls the printer U, a laser drive circuit D as an example of a drive circuit of a latent image forming apparatus controlled by the control unit C, a power supply circuit E, and the like. doing. The laser drive circuit D, the operation of which is controlled by the control unit C, creates image information of each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black based on the image information transmitted from the information terminal PC, and generates drive signals corresponding to the image information. At a predetermined time, the images are output to the latent image forming devices ROSy, ROSm, ROSc, and ROSk of the visible image forming devices UY, UM, UC, and UK of the respective colors. The visible image forming apparatuses UY, UM, UC, UK of the respective colors are supported so as to be movable between a drawing position pulled out in front of the apparatus main body U3 and a mounting position mounted inside the apparatus main body U3. ing.

In the black visible image forming apparatus UK, a charger CCk, a developing device Gk, an image carrier cleaner CLk, and the like are disposed around the image carrier Pk.
Further, around the image carriers Py, Pm, and Pc of the other visible image forming apparatuses UY, UM, and UC, the same chargers CCy, CCm, CCc, and developing units Gy as those around the image carrier Pk, respectively. , Gm, Gc, image carrier cleaner CLy, CLm, CLc and the like are arranged.
In FIG. 2, the image carriers Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk are uniformly charged by the chargers CCyCCm, CCc, and CCk, respectively, and then the latent images output from the latent image forming devices ROSy, ROSm, ROSc, and ROSK. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the writing light Ly, Lm, Lc, Lk. The electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the image carriers Py to Pk are developed into yellow, magenta, cyan, and black color visible images, so-called toner images, by developing units Gy to Gk. When the developing devices Gy to Gk are consumed by the development, the developer is supplied from the developer supply device U3a disposed on the upper portion of the apparatus main body U3. A developer supply container (not shown), a so-called toner cartridge, is supported on the developer supply device U3a so as to be detachable and replaceable.

A visible image on the surface of the image carrier Py, Pm, Pc, Pk is transferred to an intermediate transfer belt B as an example of an intermediate transfer member by a primary transfer member T1y, T1m, T1c, T1k as an example of a primary transfer unit. A multi-color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt B by sequentially transferring the images onto the intermediate transfer belt B. The multicolor image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B is conveyed to the secondary transfer area Q4.
In the case of only a single color image, only the black: K image carrier Pk and the developing device Gk are used, and only a black visible image is formed.
After the primary transfer, residues on the surface of the image carriers Py to Pk are removed and cleaned by image carrier cleaners CLy to CLk.

The intermediate transfer belt B includes an intermediate transfer member driving member Rd, a tension generating member Rt, a meandering prevention member Rw, a plurality of driven members Rf, a backup roll T2a as an example of a secondary transfer counter member, and the primary transfer member T1y. To T1k so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow Ya. In the first embodiment, the members Rd, Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a, and T1y to T1k are configured by so-called roll-shaped members.
A secondary transfer unit Ut is disposed below the backup roll T2. A secondary transfer roll T2b as an example of a secondary transfer member of the secondary transfer unit Ut is disposed so as to be able to contact and separate from the backup roll T2a with the intermediate transfer belt B interposed therebetween, and the secondary transfer roll T2b is A secondary transfer region Q4 is formed by the region in pressure contact with the intermediate transfer belt B. In the first embodiment, a contact roll T2c as an example of a contact power supply member is in contact with the backup roll T2a. The contact roll T2c is contacted with a predetermined time from a power supply circuit E controlled by the control unit C. A secondary transfer voltage having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the developer is applied.
The secondary transfer counter member T2a, the secondary transfer roll T2b, and the contact roll T2c constitute the secondary transfer device T2 of Example 1, and the primary transfer members T1y to T1k, the intermediate transfer belt B, the secondary The transfer device T1y to T1k + T2 + B of Example 1 is configured by the transfer device T2.

Below the intermediate transfer belt B, the sheet supply path SH2 is disposed. The sheet S supplied from the sheet feeding device U2 is disposed at the upstream end of the sheet supply path SH2 in the conveyance direction, and is carried in from the main body carry-in portion 151 connected to the first supply carry-out portion B1. It is transported to a transport roll Ra as an example, and transported to a registration roll Rr as an example of a paper feed timing adjusting member.
The sheet S conveyed to the registration roll Rr passes through the pre-transfer upstream medium guide member SGr and the pre-transfer downstream medium guide member SG1 in time for the multicolor image to be conveyed to the secondary transfer region Q4. It is conveyed to the next transfer area Q4.
The multicolor image on the intermediate transfer belt B is transferred to the sheet S by the secondary transfer device T2 when passing through the secondary transfer region Q4. In the case of a multi-color image, the toner images primarily transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B are secondarily transferred onto the sheet S all at once.
The intermediate transfer belt B after the secondary transfer is cleaned by an intermediate transfer body cleaner CLB. The secondary transfer roll T2b and the intermediate transfer body cleaner CLB are arranged so as to be in contact with and separated from the intermediate transfer belt B. When a multicolor image is formed, the final color unfixed visible. The image is separated from the intermediate transfer belt B until the image is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt B.

The sheet S on which the unfixed visible image is secondarily transferred is transported to the fixing device F through the post-transfer medium guide member SG2 and the medium transport member BH. The fixing device F includes a heating roll Fh as an example of a heating member and a pressure roll Fp as an example of a pressure member, and a fixing region in which the pair of fixing members Fh and Fp are in contact with each other under pressure. The sheet S is conveyed to Q5. The unfixed visible image on the sheet S is heated and fixed by the fixing device F when passing through the fixing region Q5.
The latent image forming devices ROSy to ROSk, the visible image forming devices UY to UK, the transfer devices T1y to T1k + T2 + B, the fixing device F, and the like constitute the image forming units ROSy to ROSK + UY to UK + T1y to T1k + T2 + B + F of Example 1. ing.
On the downstream side of the fixing device F, a main body switching gate G1 as an example of a main body switching member is provided. The main body switching gate G1 selectively switches the sheet S conveyed through the sheet supply path SH2 and heated and fixed in the fixing region Q5 to either the discharge path SH3 or the main body reversing path SH4. A discharge roll Rh as an example of a medium carry-out member is disposed at the downstream end of the discharge path SH3, and an image-formed sheet S as an example of an image medium on the discharge path SH3 is discharged to the discharge roll Rh. Is carried out from the main body outlet 152 as an example of the main body outlet to the first connection unit UH1. A sheet detection sensor SN1 as an example of a medium detection member that detects the sheet S carried out from the apparatus main body U3 is disposed at the main body carry-out port 152 according to the first embodiment.

A circulation path SH5 is connected to the main body reversing path SH4, and a transport direction regulating member G2 is provided at the connecting portion. The conveyance direction regulating member G2 once passes the sheet S conveyed to the main body reversing path SH4 as it is, conveys the passed sheet S in the reverse direction, and conveys it to the circulation path SH5 side. The sheet S conveyed to the circulation path SH5 is retransmitted to the transfer area Q4 through the sheet supply path SH2.
A medium transport path SH is constituted by the elements indicated by the symbols SH2 to SH5. Further, a medium transport unit SU is constituted by the elements indicated by the symbols SH, Ra, Rr, Rh, SG1, SG2, SGr, BH, G1, and G2.

(Description of the first connection unit UH1 of the first embodiment)
In FIG. 3, the first connection unit UH1 according to the first embodiment is disposed adjacent to the right side of the apparatus main body U3. The first connection unit UH1 has a first outlet as an example of a delivery port at the upper right end from the first connection carry-in portion 161 arranged at the lower left end and at a height corresponding to the main body carry-out port 152. A first connection path SHt extending obliquely upward to the right to the connection carry-out portion 162 is formed. That is, the sheet S carried out from the main body carry-out port 152 of the discharge path SH3 is carried in from the first connection carry-in unit 161 and carried out from the first connection carry-out unit 162.
In the first embodiment, the height of the first connection carry-out portion 162 is disposed at a height corresponding to the first supply carry-in portion 106 of the first combined flow path SH13.

(Description of the second connection unit UH2 of the first embodiment)
In FIG. 3, a second connection unit UH2 as an example of a medium transport unit is disposed adjacent to the upper right side of the first connection unit UH1. The second connection unit UH2 of the first embodiment includes a second connection path SHu extending in the left-right direction from the second connection carry-in portion 171 at the left end to the second connection carry-out portion 172 at the right end. The connection carry-in part 171 is arranged at a height corresponding to the first connection carry-out part 162. That is, the sheet S carried out from the first connection carry-out unit 162 of the first connection path SHt is carried in from the second connection carry-in unit 171 and carried out from the second connection carry-out unit 172.
In Example 1, the height of the second connection carry-out portion 172 is arranged at a height corresponding to the first supply carry-in portion 106 of the first combined flow path SH13.

(Description of Sheet Feeding Device U4 of Example 1)
In FIG. 3, the sheet supply apparatus U <b> 4 is loaded with the image-formed sheet S carried out from the second connection carry-out unit 172 of the second connection path SHu. The sheet supply device U4 is disposed below the second connection unit UH2 and is disposed on the right side of the left first connection unit UH1, and the second connection unit UH2 and the second storage. A second supply unit 202 disposed adjacent to the right side of the unit 201; and a second connection unit UH2 disposed in the upper left portion of the second supply unit 202 and configured similarly to the first mounting unit 103. And a second mounting portion 203 mounted.
The second storage unit 201 according to the first exemplary embodiment is configured in the same manner as the first storage unit 101, and includes a pair of left and right guide rails GR2 and sheet feeding as an example of a second stacking unit. There are trays TR21 and TR22, a pickup roll Rp1, and a separation roll Rs1.

The second supply unit 202 according to the first embodiment has a second supply / conveyance as an example of a second carry-in unit at the upper left end disposed at a height corresponding to the second connection / conveyance unit 172. A second connecting path SH20 extending rightward from the portion 211 to the second supply / unloading portion B2 at the upper right end disposed at a height corresponding to the first supply / loading portion 106 is formed. In addition, the second supply unit 201 has an upper right obliquely upward from a lower sheet feed tray TR21 to a second merge position 212 as an example of a second merge unit set in the middle of the second connection path SH20. A second lower-stage supply path SH22 that extends and a second middle-stage supply path SH22 that extends obliquely upward to the right from the middle-stage sheet feed tray TR22 to the second merge position 212 are formed.
The second connection path SH20, the second lower supply path SH21, and the second middle supply path SH22 constitute second supply paths SH20 to SH22 of the first embodiment.

  In the second connecting path SH20, a branch position B3 is preset on the downstream side of the second joining position 212. The inversion is branched from the second connecting path SH20 and extends downward at the branch position B3. The upstream end of the branch path SH23 is connected. The reverse branch position B4 set at the upper end of the reverse branch path SH23 branches from the reverse branch path SH23, and the reverse junction position is set between the branch position B3 and the second supply carry-out section B2. An inversion joining channel SH24 that joins B5 is formed. A switching member G3 for switching whether or not the conveyance destination of the sheet S is the reverse branch path SH23 is disposed at the branch position B3. The switching member G3 according to the first exemplary embodiment moves between the connection guide position for guiding the sheet S to the second connection path SH20 and the reverse guide position for guiding the sheet S to the reverse branch path SH23, thereby conveying the sheet S to the conveyance destination. Is switched among the second connection path SH20, the connection guide position, and the reverse branch path SH23. Moreover, the conveyance direction control member G4 comprised by the elastic thin film-like member is arrange | positioned at the inversion branch position B4. Further, a reversing roll Rb as an example of a reversing conveying member capable of forward / reverse rotation is arranged downstream of the reversing branch path SH23 from the conveying direction regulating member G4.

In Embodiment 1, when the sheet S is conveyed to the reverse branch path SH23 by switching the switching member G3, the sheet S is conveyed downstream of the reverse branch path SH23 by the normal rotation of the reverse roll Rb. As a result, the sheet S passes while being elastically deformed so as to push away the conveyance direction regulating member G4. Then, the reverse roll Rb rotates reversely before the rear end in the transport direction passes through the reverse roll Rb, and the sheet S is guided to the reverse joining flow path SH24 by the transport direction regulating member G4, toward the reverse joining position B5 in the reverse direction. Be transported. That is, the seat S is switched back.
The inversion path SH23 + SH24 of the first embodiment is configured by the inversion branch path SH23 and the inversion merge path SH24.

  Therefore, in Example 1, the sheet S carried out from the second connection carry-out unit 172 and carried in from the second supply carry-in unit 211 is not conveyed from the branch position B3 to the reversal branch path SH23 when not reversed. To the downstream side of the second connecting path SH20 and discharged from the second supply / unload section B2. Further, when the sheet S is reversed, the switching member G3 is controlled to be conveyed to the reversal branch path SH23 and discharged from the second supply / conveyance section B2 in a state where the front and back in the conveyance direction are reversed and reversed. Is done. In addition, when a sheet S as an example of an insertion medium accommodated in the paper feed trays TR21 and TR22, that is, a so-called slip sheet: insert sheet is inserted while the sheet S from the apparatus main body U3 is carried in, The sheet is taken out from the paper trays TR21 and TR22 and discharged from the second supply / unload section B2 in the same manner as the sheet S on which the image has been formed.

(Description of post-processing body U5 of Embodiment 1)
In FIG. 3, the post-processing apparatus U5 carries in the sheet S carried out from the second supply carry-out section B2 of the second supply connection path SH23. The post-processing device U5 is disposed adjacent to the right side of the sheet supply device U4, and a discharge / carry-in unit 251 for loading the sheet S is disposed on the upper left side. In Example 1, the height of the discharge / carry-in part 251 is such that the first supply / carry-in part 106 of the first combined flow path SH13, the first connection / carry-out part 162 of the first connection path SHt, and the second connection. The second connection carry-in section 171 and the second connection carry-out section 172 of the path SHu and the second supply carry-out section B2 of the second connection path SH20 are disposed at a corresponding height. The sheet S carried in from the discharge carry-in section 251 is changed to a top switching path SH6 extending to the upper right or a first post-processing conveyance path extending downward by switching a first switching gate G5 as an example of a first switching member for discharging. It is conveyed to one of SH7. The second post-processing transport path SH8 is connected to the first post-processing transport path SH7, and the sheet S is fed by a second switching gate G6 as an example of a second switching member for discharge disposed at the connecting portion. Is transported to either the first post-processing transport path SH7 or the second post-processing transport path SH8.

The sheet S conveyed to the upper end discharge path SH6 is discharged from the upper end discharge port 252 to a stacker tray STR as an example of a carry-out unit without being subjected to post-processing.
An end binding device HTS as an example of a binding member is disposed on the downstream side of the first post-processing conveyance path SH7. The edge binding device HTS has a compile tray CTR as an example of a discharge unit that stacks and aligns a plurality of sheets S, and has a U-shape at the rear end in the transport direction of a bundle of sheets S stacked on the compile tray CTR. The edge binding process is performed in which the needles are driven into the recording paper bundle and bound, or are aligned and discharged without binding.
A saddle stitching device NTS is disposed downstream of the second post-processing conveyance path SH8. The saddle stitching device NTS stacks and aligns a plurality of sheets S and binds the central portion of the recording paper bundle with a U-shaped needle and then folds it in two, or folds it without folding and discharges it in half. The saddle stitching process is executed.
The edge stitching device HTS and the saddle stitching device NTS are conventionally known, and are described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-089462 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-069748. To do.

(Description of a configuration in which the sheet supply device U4 according to the first exemplary embodiment is used as an additional sheet feeding device)
In the first exemplary embodiment, the first mounting unit 103 of the paper feeding device U2 can be mounted with the second connection unit UH2 by removing the manual feed unit 104. In the first exemplary embodiment, the second mounting unit 203 of the sheet feeding device U4 is configured in the same manner as the first mounting unit 103, and the manual connection unit 104 is mounted by removing the second connection unit UH2. It is possible to do. That is, the units 104 and UH2 can be attached to and detached from the paper feeding device U2 and the sheet supply device U4.
For the configuration in which the units 104 and UH2 are attached to and detached from the sheet feeding device U2 and the sheet supply device U4, various conventionally known configurations as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-234671 can be adopted. Therefore, illustration and detailed description are omitted.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram when the sheet supply apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment is used as an expansion sheet supply apparatus. FIG. 4A illustrates a sheet supply apparatus connected to the upstream side of the sheet supply apparatus via a second connection unit. FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the post-processing device is connected to the downstream side of the first connection unit.
In the first exemplary embodiment, the sheet feeding device U2, the apparatus main body U3, the first connection unit UH1, the sheet supply device U4, and the post-processing device U5 are detachably supported, so that the arrangement can be changed. It is possible. 4A, the sheet feeding device U4 according to the first exemplary embodiment is disposed adjacent to the left side of the paper feeding device U2. The second connection unit UH2 is attached to the first attachment unit 103 of the sheet feeding device U2, and the manual feed unit 104 is attached to the second attachment unit 203 of the sheet supply device U4.

In the first embodiment, the height of the second supply / conveyance section B2 of the second connection path SH20 of the sheet supply apparatus U4 and the second connection / conveyance section 171 of the second connection path SHu of the second connection unit UH2 are used. The height of the second connection carry-out section 172 of the second connection path SHu and the height of the first supply carry-in section 106 of the first combined flow path SH13 of the paper feeder U2 It corresponds. As a result, the second connecting path SH20 can be connected to the first combined path SH13 via the second connecting path SHu.
In FIG. 4B, the post-processing device U5 according to the first embodiment is arranged adjacent to the right side of the first connection unit UH1. In the first embodiment, the height of the first connection carry-out portion 162 of the first connection path SHt of the first connection unit UH1 corresponds to the height of the discharge carry-in portion 251 of the post-processing device U5. As a result, the first connection path SHt can be connected to the upper end discharge path SH6 and the first post-processing transport path SH7 via the discharge / carry-in section 251.

(Description of the control part of Example 1)
FIG. 5 is a functional diagram, so-called block diagram, of the control unit of the printer according to the first embodiment.
In FIG. 5, the control unit C includes an input / output interface I / O for inputting / outputting signals from / to the outside, a ROM storing a program and information for performing necessary processing, a read-only memory, a necessary RAM for temporarily storing data: Random access memory; CPU for performing processing according to the program stored in the ROM: Central processing unit; Small information processing apparatus having an oscillator, etc., so-called microcomputer Therefore, various functions can be realized by executing a program stored in the ROM.

(Signal output element connected to the control unit C of the first embodiment)
The control unit C receives an output signal from a signal output element such as the operation unit U1 and the sheet detection sensor SN1.
The operation unit U1 includes a display unit U1a, an input button U1b, a device information setting button U1c, an identification information setting button U1d, and the like.
The sheet detection sensor SN1 detects a sheet S that passes through the main body outlet 152 and is carried out from the apparatus main body U3.

(Controlled element connected to the control unit C of the first embodiment)
The control unit C is connected to a laser drive circuit D, a main motor drive circuit D1, which is an example of a drive circuit for a main drive source, a power supply circuit E, and other control elements (not shown). Output.
The laser driving circuit D drives the latent image forming devices ROSy to ROSk to form latent images on the surfaces of the photoreceptors Py to Pk.
A main motor drive circuit D1 as an example of a drive circuit of the main drive source rotates and drives the photoreceptors Py to Pk, the intermediate transfer belt B, and the like via a main motor M1 as an example of a main drive source.
E: Power Supply Circuit The power supply circuit E includes a developing power supply circuit Ea, a charging power supply circuit Eb, a transfer power supply circuit Ec, and a fixing power supply circuit Ed.
The developing power supply circuit Ea applies a developing voltage to the developing roll R0 of the developing units GY to GK.
The charging power supply circuit Eb applies a charging voltage to the chargers CCy to CCk.
The transfer power supply circuit Ec applies a transfer voltage to each roll T1y to T1k, T2c of the transfer device T1 + B + T2 + CLB.
The fixing power supply circuit Ed applies heating power to a heater as an example of a heating member of the heating roll Fh of the fixing device F.

(Function of the control unit C of the first embodiment)
The control unit C has the following function realizing means by a program for controlling the operation of each controlled element D, D1, E according to the output signal of each signal output element U1, SN1.
C1: Job control means The job control means C1 as an example of the control means for the image forming operation is a latent image forming device ROSy to ROSk, a visible image forming member UY + GY to UK + GK, according to image information received from the information terminal PC. The transfer devices T1y to T1k + T2 + B, the fixing device F, the medium transport device SU, and the like are controlled to execute a job as an example of an image forming operation.
C2: Main motor control means The main motor control means C2 as an example of the drive control means of the main drive source controls the rotation of the main motor M1 via the main motor drive circuit D1, and the photoreceptors Py to Pk, the developing device. The rotational driving of the developing roll R0 of GY to GK, the heating roll Fh of the fixing device F, the transport roll Ra, and the like is controlled.

C3: Power Supply Control Unit The power supply control unit C3 includes a development voltage control unit C3A, a charging voltage control unit C3B, a transfer voltage control unit C3C, and a fixing power source control unit C3D. By controlling the operation, voltage application and power supply to each member are controlled.
The developing voltage control means C3A controls the developing power supply circuit Ea to control the developing voltage applied to the developing roll R0 of the developing devices GY to GY.
The charging voltage control means C3B controls the charging power supply circuit Eb to control the charging voltage applied to the chargers CCy to CCk.
The transfer voltage control means C3C controls the transfer power supply circuit Ec to control the transfer voltage applied to each of the rolls T1y to T1k, T2c of the transfer device T1 + B + T2 + CLB.
The fixing power supply control means C3D controls the fixing power supply circuit Ed to control the temperature of the heater of the heating roll Fh of the fixing device F, that is, the fixing temperature.
C4: Latent image formation control means The latent image formation control means C4 controls the latent image forming devices ROSy to ROSk via the laser drive circuit D to form electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the photoreceptors Py to Pk.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an apparatus information setting image according to the first embodiment.
C5: Device Information Setting Image Display Unit As shown in FIG. 6, the device information setting image display unit C5 displays a device information setting image 301 for setting device information related to the sheet feeding device U4 on the display unit U1a. To do. The device information setting image display unit C5 of the first embodiment displays a device information setting image 301 when the device information setting button U1c is selected.
In FIG. 6, the apparatus information setting image 301 according to the first embodiment includes an inserter button 301a as an example of an insertion setting unit indicating that the sheet supply apparatus U4 is used as an inserter for supplying an insert sheet to the post-processing apparatus U5. And an additional paper supply button 301b as an example of an additional setting unit indicating that the sheet supply device U4 is used as an additional paper supply device of the paper supply device U2.
C6: Device Information Storage Unit The device information storage unit C6 stores the device information. The apparatus information storage unit C6 according to the first exemplary embodiment stores the apparatus information that uses the sheet supply apparatus U4 as an “inserter” when the inserter button 301a is selected, and the additional sheet feeding button 301b is selected. In this case, the apparatus information for using the sheet supply apparatus U4 as the “additional sheet feeding apparatus” is stored.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an identification information setting image according to the first embodiment, FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram of an insertion identification information setting image according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 7B is an image forming identification information according to the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of these setting images.
C7: Identification Information Setting Image Display Unit The identification information setting image display unit C7 includes an insertion identification information setting image display unit C7A and an image forming identification information setting image display unit C7B. 7A and 7B, identification information setting images 302 and 303 for setting the identification information of the sheets S stacked on the sheet feeding trays TR21 and TR22 of the sheet supply apparatus U4 are displayed on the display unit U1a. To do.
C7A: Insertion Identification Information Setting Image Display Means In the identification information setting image display means C7A, the identification information setting button U1d is selected, and “inserter” is stored in the device information storage means C6. If it is, the setting image 302 of the identification information for insertion shown in FIG. 7A is displayed.

  In FIG. 7A, the setting information 302 of the identification information for insertion in the first embodiment is from the highest stacking order as an example of the insertion order of the insert sheets stacked on the paper feed trays TR21 and TR22 of the sheet supply apparatus U4. An ascending order radio button 302a as an example of an ascending order selection unit for selecting that the page number is “ascending order” of page 1, page 2,. Further, the setting information 302 of the identification information for insertion selects that the page number is n pages,..., 2 pages, 1 page “descending order” as the stacking order proceeds from the top to the bottom. For example, a descending order radio button 302b as an example of a descending order selection unit, and an unordered radio button 302c as an example of an no order selection unit for selecting that the loading order is not set. In the first embodiment, it is set in advance so that any one of the radio buttons 302a to 302c is selected.

Further, the setting image 302 of the identification information for insertion includes a “front surface” in which the uppermost surface of the stacked insert sheets corresponds to the first image forming surface of the image-formed sheet S from the sheet feeding device U2. ”Is a surface radio button 302d as an example of a surface setting unit indicating“ The setting image 302 of the identification information for insertion includes a back radio button as an example of a back surface setting unit indicating that the uppermost surface is a “back surface” as a surface corresponding to the back surface of the first image forming surface. 302e. In the first embodiment, it is set in advance so that one of the radio buttons 302d and 302e is selected.
The insertion identification information setting image 302 includes a setting button 302f as an example of an identification information setting unit for setting the stacking order and the front and back set by the radio buttons 302a to 302e as identification information. .

C7B: Image forming identification information setting image display means The image forming identification information setting image display means C7B has the identification information setting button U1d selected, and the apparatus information storage means C6 displays “addition for expansion”. When “paper feeder” is stored, the setting image 303 of identification information for image formation shown in FIG. 7B is displayed.
In FIG. 7B, the image forming identification information setting image 303 according to the first embodiment is an object in which the upper surface of the sheet S stacked on the sheet feeding trays TR21 and TR22 of the sheet feeding device U4 is the surface of the image forming object. Target surface button 303a as an example of a target surface setting unit that indicates a surface, and non-target as an example of a non-target surface setting unit that indicates that the upper surface is a non-target surface as a non-target surface for image formation And a surface button 303b.

C8: Identification Information Storage Unit The identification information storage unit C8 includes an identification information storage unit C8A for insertion and an identification information storage unit C8B for image formation, and stores the identification information.
C8A: Insertion Identification Information Storage Unit The insertion identification information storage unit C8A includes a stacking order storage unit C8A1 and a front / back storage unit C8A2, and when the setting button 302f is selected, the insert sheet is stacked. Identification information having order and front / back information is stored.
C8A1: Loading order storage means The loading order storage means C8A1 stores that the loading order is “ascending order” when the setting button 302f is selected with the ascending order radio button 302a selected, and the descending order radio button 302b When the setting button 302f is selected in the selected state, it is memorized that the stacking order is “descending order”, and when the setting button 302f is selected while the unordered radio button 302c is selected, the loading order is stored. Remember that it is “none”.
C8A2: Front / back storage means The front / back storage means C8A2 stores that the front and back of the uppermost surface of the insert sheet is “front” when the setting button 302f is selected in a state where the front surface radio button 302d is selected. When the setting button 302f is selected while the radio button 302e is selected, it is stored that the front and back of the uppermost surface of the insert sheet are “back”.

  In Example 1, when the stacking order of the insert sheets is stored as identification information as “ascending order” and the front and back of the uppermost surface are stored as “front”, the upper surface moves from the uppermost to the lowermost, It is identified that the insert sheet bundle is stacked on the sheet feed trays TR21 and TR22 in the order of the first “front surface”, the second “front surface”,..., The nth “front surface”. If the loading order is “descending order” and the front and back are “back” as the identification information, the upper surface becomes the nth “back” as it progresses from the top to the bottom. It is identified that the insert sheet bundle is stacked in the order of “back side” of the eyes and “back side” of the first sheet.

Also, in the first embodiment, when the stacking order is “descending order” and the front and back are “surface” as the identification information, the top surface becomes the nth “surface” as it proceeds from the top to the bottom. ,... It is identified that the insert sheet bundle is stacked in the order of the “front surface” of the second sheet and the “front surface” of the first sheet. Further, when the stacking order is “ascending order” and the front and back sides are stored as “back side” as the identification information, the top side becomes the first “back side” and the second side as it advances from the top to the bottom. It is identified that the insert sheet bundle is stacked in the order of “back surface”,..., N-th “front surface”.
Further, in the first embodiment, when the loading order is “none” and the front and back are “front” as the identification information, there is no loading order from the top to the bottom, and the top surface is aligned with “front”. In the state, the insert sheet bundle is identified as being stacked. Also, if the loading order is “None” and the front and back are “Back” as the identification information, the insert sheet that has no loading order from the top to the bottom will be in the state where the top is aligned with “Back”. The insert sheet bundle is identified as being stacked.

C8B: Image formation identification information storage means The image formation identification information storage means C8B is a sheet S stacked on the paper feed trays TR21 and TR22 of the sheet supply device U4 when the target surface button 303a is selected. And the identification information that sets the upper surface as the “non-target surface” when the non-target surface button 303b is selected.

C9: Formation Order Setting Unit The formation order setting unit C9 includes a formation order setting unit C9A for insertion, a formation order setting unit C9B for image formation, and a resetting unit C9C for image order, and a job is started. In this case, the order of forming images is set. The formation order setting unit C9 according to the first exemplary embodiment sets the formation order to “ascending order” in which the order of the image information is from the first image to the last image, or the image from the last image to the first image. Set to “descending order”, which is the reverse order of the order.
Here, in the first embodiment, “image order” is the order of pages in a plurality of pages of image information created and stored by the information terminal PC, and “formation order” is received by the printer U. This means the order in which each page of the image information is actually printed on the sheet S. For example, when the image order of the received image information is 1 page, 2 pages,..., N pages and the formation order is “ascending order”, printing is performed in the order of 1 page, 2 pages,. When the formation order is “descending order”, printing is performed in the order of N pages,..., 2 pages, and 1 page.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the determination surface of the first embodiment, and FIG. 8A is a determination surface in a state where the sheets in the lower sheet feeding tray of the sheet supply apparatus are conveyed to the second connection path and the sheets on each tray. FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship with the lower surface, and FIG. 8B is an enlarged view of a main part of the front end portion in the sheet conveying direction at the branch position.
C9A: Insertion order setting means Insertion order setting means C9A is configured so that when the job is started and “inserter” is stored in the device information storage means C6, the insert sheet stacking order is “ When “ascending order” is stored, the forming order is set to “ascending order”, and when the loading order is stored as “descending order”, the forming order is set to “descending order”. Further, when the insert sheet stacking order is stored as “None”, the insertion order setting means C9A inserts into the trays STR and CTR of the post-processing device U5 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. The determination surface Sa as the surface of the second supply paths SH20 to SH22 corresponding to the lower surface S1 of the stacked sheets S, and the “front surface” of the sheets S supplied from the sheet supply trays TR21 and TR22 of the sheet supply device U4 Are matched, the forming order is set to “ascending order”, and when the discrimination surface Sa and the “back surface” of the sheet S match, the forming order is set to “descending order”.

Here, in Embodiment 1, as shown in FIG. 8A, the lower surface S2 of the sheets S stacked on the sheet feeding trays TR21 and TR22 is conveyed while facing downward to the branch position B3. For this reason, the determination surface Sa of the first embodiment corresponds to the lower surfaces S1 and S2 of the sheet S on each tray STR, CTR, TR21, and TR22. When “front side” is stored in the front / back storage unit C8A2, the “front side” which is the lower surface S2 of the sheet S on the paper feed trays TR21 and TR22 coincides with the determination surface Sa, and the front / back storage unit In the case where “front surface” is stored in C8A2, the “rear surface” serving as the lower surface S2 of the sheet S coincides with the determination surface Sa.
As a result, the forming order setting unit C9A for insertion of the first embodiment has the case where the stacking order of insert sheets is stored in the ascending order in the storage unit C8A for the identification information for insertion, and the stacking order is When “none” is stored and the top surface is stored as “back surface”, the formation order is set to “ascending order”. The forming order setting means C9A for insertion sets the forming order when “descending order” is stored, and when the loading order is stored as “none” and the topmost surface is stored as “surface”. Set to "descending order".

C9B: Formation Order Setting Unit for Image Formation The formation order setting unit C9B for image formation is formed when a job is started and “addition sheet feeding device” is stored in the device information storage unit C6. Set the order to "Ascending".
C9C: Image Order Reset Unit The image order reset unit C9C resets the image order of the image information transmitted from the information terminal PC and received by the printer U. The image order resetting means C9C according to the first embodiment is configured so that when the image order is in descending order, that is, N pages,..., Two pages, one page, ascending order, that is, one page, two pages. ,... The image order is rearranged in the order of N pages.

C10: Supply Timing Setting Unit The supply timing setting unit C10 includes a supply timing setting unit C10A for insertion and a supply timing setting unit C10B for image formation, and a paper feed tray TR11 of the paper feeding device U2. , TR12, the first supply time ta, which is the supply time of the sheet S from TR12, and the second supply time tb, which is the supply time of the sheet S from the paper feed trays TR21 and TR22 of the sheet supply device U4.
C10A: Insertion Supply Timing Setting Unit The insertion supply timing setting unit C10A includes a first supply timing setting unit C10A1 and a second supply timing setting unit C10A2, and is stored in the device information storage unit C6. When “inserter” is stored, the first supply time ta and the second supply time tb are set.

C10A1: First supply time setting means The first supply time setting means C10A1, which is an example of the supply timing determination means of the first medium supply device, calculates backward from the transfer timing tc when the toner image reaches the secondary transfer region Q4. The first supply time ta is set. In the job control unit C1 according to the first exemplary embodiment, the insertion information is information indicating that an insert sheet is inserted between the image-formed sheets S included in the image information transmitted from the information terminal PC. The transfer timing tc of the next sheet S after the insert sheet is set with a delay of one sheet based on the formation order set by the formation order setting means C9.

  Specifically, as an example, the insertion information of the first embodiment is “0th sheet” when inserted before the first sheet of the image-formed sheet S, and when inserted after the first sheet. Is composed of information including “first sheet” and “M-th sheet” when inserted after the last M-th sheet. Therefore, in the job control unit C1 according to the first exemplary embodiment, for example, when the insertion information is “first sheet” and the formation order is “ascending order”, the second sheet next to the first sheet S is used. The transfer time tc of S is set to a time delayed by one sheet. If the formation order is “descending order”, the transfer time tc of the first sheet S next to the second sheet S is set to a time delayed by one sheet. That is, image formation is not performed when the insert sheet is inserted, and an image of the next sheet S is formed with a delay of one sheet. For this reason, in the first supply timing setting means C10A1 of the first embodiment, the supply timing ta of the sheet S supplied to the post-processing device U5 next to the insert sheet is set delayed by one sheet.

C10A2: Second supply time setting means The second supply time setting means C10A2, which is an example of the supply time determination means of the second medium supply device, is based on the insertion information and the formation order. The time when the standby times t1 and t1 ′ preset according to the paper feed trays TR21 and TR22 have elapsed from the detection time td when the front end of the sheet S is detected by the sheet detection sensor SN1 is set as the second supply time tb. To do. For example, when the insertion information is “first sheet” and the formation order is “ascending order”, the second sheet supply timing setting unit C10A2 of the first embodiment uses the sheet detection sensor SN1 as the front end of the first sheet S. If detected, the second supply time tb is set. If the formation order is “descending order”, the second supply time tb is set when the front end of the second sheet S is detected by the sheet detection sensor SN1. .

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the standby time according to the first embodiment.
In Example 1, the conveyance time t2 from the detection time td to the passage time te when the trailing end of the sheet S in the conveyance direction passes the branch position B3, and the first time when the insert sheet front end reaches the branch position B3 from the passage time te. The interval time t3 between the sheets S up to 2 arrival time tf is set in advance by experiments or the like. In the first embodiment, the second arrival times t4 and t4 ′ until the insert sheet reaches the branch position B3 from the sheet feeding trays TR21 and TR22 are also set in advance by experiments or the like. Therefore, the standby times t1 and t1 ′ corresponding to the paper feed trays TR21 and TR22 of the first embodiment are the total time t2 + t3 of the transport time t2 and the interval time t3 and the second arrival time t4 as shown in FIG. , T4 ′, and the difference time t2 + t3-t4, t2 + t3-t4 ′, and t1 = t2 + t3-t4, t1 ′ = t2 + t3-t4 ′ is established in advance.

C10B: Image Forming Supply Time Setting Unit The image forming supply time setting unit C10B determines whether the identification information stored in the image forming identification information storage unit C8B is “non-target surface”. When the “additional sheet feeding device” is stored in the device information storage unit C6, the first supply timing ta and the first supply timing ta of the image forming sheet S are included. 2 Supply timing tb is set. In the first embodiment, the first supply is performed according to setting information of the user interface UI and supply information designating each of the paper feed trays TR11 to TR22 that supplies the sheet S included in the image information transmitted from the information terminal PC. Similarly to the timing setting means C10A1, supply timings ta and tb calculated backward from the transfer timing tc are set for each of the paper feed trays TR11 to TR22 to which the sheet S is supplied.
In the sheet supply device U4 according to the first exemplary embodiment, the sheet S from the sheet feeding trays TR21 and TR22 passes through the reversing path SH23 + SH24 and the connected supply times t5 and t5 ′ that reach the secondary transfer region Q4 without being inverted. The inversion supply times t6 and t6 ′ for reaching the secondary transfer area Q4 are set in advance by experiments or the like. Therefore, in the configuration of the first embodiment, when the identification information is stored as “target surface”, the timing before the linked supply times t5 and t5 ′ from the transfer timing tc is set as the second supply timing tb and the identification is performed. When the information is stored as “non-target surface”, the time before the linked supply time t6, t6 ′ from the transfer time tc is set as the second supply time tb.

C11: Supply Control Unit The supply control unit C11 includes a control unit C11A for the sheet feeding device and a control unit C11B for the sheet supply device, and is based on the supply timings ta and tb set by the supply timing setting unit C10. The sheet S is controlled by the sheet feeding device U2 and the sheet feeding device U4.
C11A: Control Unit for Paper Feeding Device The control unit C11A for the paper feeding device as an example of the control unit for the first medium feeding device controls the paper feeding device U2 when it is determined that the first supply time ta has come. Then, the sheet S for image formation is supplied from the paper feed trays TR11 and TR12.
C11B: Control Unit of Sheet Feeding Device The control unit C11B of the sheet feeding device as an example of the control unit of the second medium feeding device controls the sheet conveying device U4 when it is determined that the second feeding timing tb has come. Then, the sheet S is supplied from the paper feed trays TR21 and TR22.

C12: Switching Control Unit The switching control unit C12 includes a switching control unit C12A for insertion and a switching control unit C12B for image formation, and moves the switching member G3 between the connection guide position and the reverse guide position. By controlling, the conveyance destination of the sheet S conveyed to the branch position B3 is switched between the second connection path SH20 and the reverse branch path SH23.
C12A: Insertion Switching Control Unit The insertion switching control unit C12A includes a single-sided printing determination unit C12A1 that determines whether or not “single-sided printing” is performed based on image information transmitted from the information terminal PC; A case in which formation order determination means C12A2 for determining whether or not the formation order set by the formation order setting means C9 is "ascending order" and "inserter" is stored in the device information storage means C6 Next, the switching member G3 is controlled.

  In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the first switching time t7 before the front end of the sheet S reaches the branching position B3 from the main body outlet 152, and the front end of the sheet S from the respective paper feed trays TR21 and TR22. The second switching times t8 and t8 ′ before reaching B3 are set in advance by experiments or the like. Therefore, the switching control means C12A for insertion of the first embodiment switches the switching member G3 at the first switching time tg when the first switching time t7 has elapsed from the time when the front end of the sheet S in the conveyance direction is detected by the sheet detection sensor SN1. And the conveyance destination of the sheet S from the sheet feeding device U2 is switched. Further, the switching control means C12 controls the switching member G3 at the second switching timing th when the second switching times t8 and t8 ′ have elapsed from the second feeding timing tb, and transports the sheet S from the sheet feeding device U4. Switch the destination.

  When the formation order is “ascending order”, the switching control unit C12A for insertion according to the first exemplary embodiment has the first image forming surface arranged in order to load the trays STR and CTR of the post-processing device U5 in the same page order. The switching member G3 is controlled so as to be supplied from each of the devices U2 and U4 in a so-called face-down state, loaded in a downward direction. Further, when the forming order is “descending order”, the switching control means C12A for insertion loads the trays STR and CTR in the same page order. The switching member G3 is controlled so that the pages are stacked in the face-up state so that they are stacked in the upward direction, and are supplied from each of the apparatuses U2 and U4 in the face-down state if “double-sided printing” is performed. To do.

  Specifically, when the sheet S of the sheet supply device U4 is conveyed to the branch position B3, when the stacking order of the insert sheet bundle is “ascending order” and “surface”, or the stacking order is “descending order” and In the case of “back side”, the conveyance destination is switched to the reverse branch path SH23. Further, when the sheet S carried out from the apparatus main body U3 is conveyed to the branch position B3, when “single-sided printing” and the formation order are “ascending order” and the non-image forming surface and the determination surface Sa match, The transport destination is switched to the reverse branch path SH23. Further, when “single-sided printing”, the formation order is “descending order”, and the image forming surface matches the determination surface Sa, the conveyance destination is switched to the reverse branch path SH23. Further, when the last image forming surface of “double-sided printing”, that is, the second surface of “double-sided printing” and the determination surface Sa match, the transport destination is switched to the reverse branch path SH23.

Further, the insertion switching control unit C12A according to the first embodiment is configured in the case other than the above, that is, when the stacking order of the insert sheets from the sheet feeding device U4 is “descending order” and “surface”, or the stacking order. Is “ascending order” and “back side”, or when the loading order is “none”, the transport destination is switched to the second connecting path SH20. Further, for the sheet S from the sheet feeding device U2, when “single-sided printing” and the forming order are “ascending order” and the image forming surface and the determination surface Sa match, “single-sided printing” and the forming order are “descending order” and When the non-image forming surface matches the determination surface Sa, or when the first side of “double-sided printing” matches the determination surface Sa, the transport destination is switched to the second connection path SH20.
Therefore, in the configuration of the first embodiment, when the sheet control unit C12A for insertion inserts the sheet S from the sheet supply apparatus U4, the conveyance destination is set to the reversal branch path SH23 only in the “ascending order”. In other cases, the transport destination is switched to the second connection path SH20. Further, when the sheet S is supplied from the sheet feeding device U2, the conveyance destination is switched to the reverse branch path SH23 only when “single-sided printing” and the forming order is “ascending order”. The destination is switched to the second connecting path SH20.

C12B: switching control means for image formation The switching control means C12B for image formation has a target surface discriminating means C12B1 similar to the target surface discriminating means C10B1, and stores “addition paper feed” in the device information storage means C6. When the “device” is stored, the switching member G3 is controlled. The image forming switching control unit C12B according to the first exemplary embodiment controls the switching member G3 so that an image is formed on the “target surface” of the sheet S after the job starts. Specifically, when the identification information is “non-target surface”, that is, when the upper surface of the sheet S stacked on the paper feed trays TR21 and TR22 is “non-target surface”, the secondary transfer region Q4 of the apparatus main body U5. An image determination surface Sb as an example of a determination surface as a surface of the second supply paths SH20 to SH22 corresponding to the upper surface of the sheet S conveyed to the image forming surface, and a sheet feed tray TR21 of the sheet supply device U4. , TR22 coincides with the “target surface” of the sheet S supplied from TR22, so that the conveyance destination is switched to the reverse branch path SH23. Further, when the identification information is “target surface”, that is, the upper surface is “target surface”, the transport destination is switched to the second connection path SH20.

(Explanation of flowchart of Example 1)
Next, a flow of control in the printer U according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart, a so-called flowchart.
Regarding the device information setting process, when the device information setting button U1c is selected, the device information setting image 301 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed, and when the inserter button 301a is selected, the device information is set to “ “Inserter” is stored, and when the additional paper feed button 301b is selected, only “additional paper feeder” is stored in the device information.

  Also, regarding the setting processing of identification information for insertion, when the identification information setting button U1d is selected and the device information is stored as “inserter”, the setting image 302 for identification information for insertion shown in FIG. When the setting button 302f is selected, the stacking order corresponding to the radio buttons 302a to 302c and the front and back corresponding to the radio buttons 302d and 302e are only stored. Further, regarding the setting processing of the identification information for image formation, when the identification information setting button U1d is selected and the apparatus information is stored as “additional sheet feeding apparatus”, the image formation identification information shown in FIG. 7B is displayed. When the identification information setting image 303 is displayed and the target surface button 303a is selected, “target surface” is stored in the identification information, and when the non-target surface button 303b is selected, “non-target surface” is displayed. It only remembers the “target surface”.

  As for the transfer control process executed in parallel with the second supply control process of the sheet supply apparatus U4, the transfer timing tc of the next sheet S of the insert sheet is based on the apparatus information, the insertion information, and the forming order. In this case, it is set to a time delayed by one sheet, and in the case of other transfer timings tc of the sheet S, it is set for each predetermined period according to the size and type of the medium to be used. Only. In the first supply control process of the sheet feeding device U2, after the job is started, the first supply time ta calculated backward from the transfer time tc is set according to the supply information, and at the first supply time ta. When it is determined that the sheet has reached, the rolls Rp1, Rs1, and Ra1 are rotated and only the sheet S is supplied from the sheet feeding trays TR11 to TR12. Therefore, for simplification of explanation, illustration and detailed explanation of these processes are omitted.

(Explanation of Flowchart of Forming Order Setting Processing in Embodiment 1)
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart of the forming order setting process according to the first embodiment.
The processing of each step ST in the flowchart of FIG. 10 is performed according to a program stored in the control unit C of the printer U. This process is executed in parallel with other various processes of the printer U.
The flowchart shown in FIG. 10 is started when the image forming apparatus U is turned on.
In ST101 of FIG. 10, it is determined whether or not the job has been started. If yes (Y), the process transfers to ST102, and, if no (N), ST101 is repeated.

In ST102, it is determined whether or not the image order included in the image information transmitted from the information terminal PC is in descending order, that is, N pages,..., 2 pages, 1 page. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST103, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST104.
In ST103, the image order is rearranged in ascending order, that is, page 1, page 2, ..., page N. Then, the process proceeds to ST104.
In ST104, it is determined whether or not the device information is stored as “inserter”. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST105, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST107.

In ST105, it is determined whether or not the stacking order of insert sheets is stored as “ascending order” as identification information. If no (N), the process moves to ST106, and if yes (Y), the process moves to ST107.
In ST106, it is determined whether or not the stacking order of the insert sheets is stored as “none” and the front and back surfaces are stored as “rear surface” as the identification information. It is determined whether or not. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST107, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST108.

In ST107, the formation order is set to “ascending order”. Then, the process proceeds to ST109.
In ST108, the formation order is set to “descending order”. Then, the process proceeds to ST109.
In ST109, it is determined whether or not the job is finished. If yes (Y), the process returns to ST101, and if no (N), ST109 is repeated.

(Description of Flowchart of Second Supply Control Process of Embodiment 1)
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart of the second supply control process according to the first embodiment.
The processing of each step ST in the flowchart of FIG. 11 is performed according to a program stored in the control unit C of the printer U. This process is executed in parallel with other various processes of the printer U.
The flowchart shown in FIG. 11 is started when the image forming apparatus U is turned on.
In ST201 of FIG. 11, it is determined whether or not the job has been started. If yes (Y), the process transfers to ST202, and, if no (N), ST201 is repeated.
In ST202, it is determined whether or not the device information is stored as “inserter”. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST203, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST209.
In ST203, it is determined whether or not the sheet detection sensor SN1 has detected the front end of the sheet S in the transport direction. If yes (Y), the process transfers to ST204, and, if no (N), ST203 is repeated.

In ST204, whether or not the front end of the sheet S before the insert sheet is detected by determining whether or not the number of sheets S that have passed is the order before the insertion information based on the insertion information and the forming order. Determine whether or not. For example, when the insertion information is “first sheet” and the formation order is “ascending order”, it is determined whether or not the front end of the first sheet S is detected. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST205, and, if no (N), the process returns to ST203.
In ST205, the time when the standby times t1 and t1 ′ corresponding to the paper feed trays TR21 and TR22 have elapsed from the detection time td when the front edge of the sheet S is detected is set as the second supply time tb. Then, the process proceeds to ST206.
In ST206, it is determined whether or not the second supply time tb has come. If yes (Y), the process transfers to ST207, and, if no (N), ST206 is repeated.
In ST207, the rolls Rp1, Rs1, and Ra1 are rotationally driven to supply the sheet S from the paper feed trays TR21 to TR22. Then, the process proceeds to ST208.
In ST208, it is determined whether or not the job is finished. If no (N), the process returns to ST203, and if yes (Y), the process returns to ST201.

In ST209, it is determined whether or not the upper surface in the secondary transfer region Q4 matches the non-target surface by determining whether or not the identification information is “non-target surface”. If no (N), the process moves on to ST210, and if yes (Y), the process moves on to ST211.
In ST210, based on the supply information, a time before the first supply times t5 and t5 ′ corresponding to the paper feed trays TR21 and TR22 is set as the second supply time tb based on the transfer time tc. Then, the process proceeds to ST212.
In ST211, based on the supply information, a time before the second supply time t6, t6 ′ corresponding to the paper feed trays TR21, TR22 is set as the second supply time tb based on the transfer time tc. Then, the process proceeds to ST212.
In ST212, it is determined whether or not the second supply time tb has come. If yes (Y), the process transfers to ST213, and, if no (N), ST212 is repeated.
In ST213, the rolls Rp1, Rs1, and Ra1 are rotationally driven to supply the sheet S from the paper feed trays TR21 to TR22. Then, the process proceeds to ST214.
In ST214, it is determined whether or not the job is finished. If yes (Y), the process returns to ST201, and if no (N), the process returns to ST212.

(Description of Flowchart of Insertion Switching Control Processing in Embodiment 1)
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart of the insertion switching control process according to the first embodiment.
The processing of each step ST in the flowchart of FIG. 12 is performed according to a program stored in the control unit C of the printer U. This process is executed in parallel with other various processes of the printer U.
The flowchart shown in FIG. 12 is started when the image forming apparatus U is powered on.
In ST301 in FIG. 12, it is determined whether or not the job is started. If yes (Y), the process transfers to ST302, and, if no (N), ST301 is repeated.
In ST302, it is determined whether or not the device information is stored as “inserter”. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST303, and, if no (N), the process returns to ST301.

In ST303, it is determined whether or not the insert sheet is carried into the branch position B3 by determining whether or not the second sheet feeding timing tb has been reached. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST304, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST313.
In ST304, it is determined whether or not the stacking order of the insert sheets is “ascending order” and the uppermost surface is “front surface”, or the stacking order is “descending order” and the uppermost surface is “back surface” as identification information. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST305, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST309.
In ST305, it is determined whether or not the switching member G3 has moved to the reverse guide position. If no (N), the process moves on to ST306, and, if yes (Y), the process moves on to ST324.
In ST306, the timing of the second switching times t8 and t8 ′ corresponding to the paper feed trays TR21 and TR22 is started. Then, the process proceeds to ST307.
In ST307, it is determined whether or not the second switching time th has been reached by determining whether or not the second switching time t8, t8 ′ has elapsed. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST308, and, if no (N), ST307 is repeated.
In ST308, the switching member G3 is moved to the reverse guide position, and the conveyance destination of the sheet S is switched from the second connecting path SH20 to the reverse branch path SH23. Then, the process proceeds to ST324.

In ST309, it is determined whether or not the switching member G3 has moved to the connection guide position. If no (N), the process moves on to ST310, and if yes (Y), the process moves on to ST324.
In ST310, the timing of the second switching times t8 and t8 ′ corresponding to the paper feed trays TR21 and TR22 is started. Then, the process proceeds to ST311.
In ST311, it is determined whether or not the second switching time th has been reached by determining whether or not the second switching time t8, t8 'has elapsed. If yes (Y), the process transfers to ST312, and, if no (N), ST311 is repeated.
In ST312, the switching member G3 is moved to the connection guide position, and the conveyance destination of the sheet S is switched from the reverse branch path SH23 to the second connection path SH20. Then, the process proceeds to ST324.

In ST313, it is determined whether or not the sheet S from the apparatus body U3 is carried into the branch position B3 by determining whether or not the sheet detection sensor SN1 has detected the front end of the sheet S. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST314, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST324.
In ST314, based on the image information transmitted from the information terminal PC, it is determined whether or not the detected sheet S is “single-sided printing”. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST315, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST320.
In ST315, it is determined whether or not the formation order is set to “ascending order”. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST316, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST320.

In ST316, it is determined whether or not the switching member G3 has moved to the reverse guide position. If no (N), the process moves to ST317, and if yes (Y), the process moves to ST324.
In ST317, timing of the first switching time t7 is started. Then, the process proceeds to ST318.
In ST318, it is determined whether or not the first switching time tg has elapsed by determining whether or not the first switching time t7 has elapsed. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST319, and, if no (N), ST318 is repeated.
In ST319, the switching member G3 is moved to the reverse guide position, and the conveyance destination of the sheet S is switched from the second connection path SH20 to the reverse branch path SH23. Then, the process proceeds to ST320.

In ST320, it is determined whether or not the switching member G3 has moved to the connection guide position. If no (N), the process proceeds to ST321, and if yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST324.
In ST321, timing of the first switching time t7 is started. Then, the process proceeds to ST322.
In ST322, it is determined whether or not the first switching time tg is reached by determining whether or not the first switching time t7 has elapsed. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST323, and, if no (N), ST322 is repeated.
In ST323, the switching member G3 is moved to the connection guide position, and the conveyance destination of the sheet S is switched from the reverse branch path SH23 to the second connection path SH20. Then, the process proceeds to ST324.
In ST324, it is determined whether or not the job is finished. If no (N), the process returns to ST303, and if yes (Y), the process returns to ST301.

(Description of Flowchart of Switching Control Processing for Image Formation in Embodiment 1)
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart of switching control processing for image formation according to the first embodiment.
13 is performed according to a program stored in the control unit C of the printer U. This process is executed in parallel with other various processes of the printer U.
The flowchart shown in FIG. 13 is started when the image forming apparatus U is powered on.

In ST401 of FIG. 13, it is determined whether or not the job has been started. If yes (Y), the process transfers to ST402, and, if no (N), ST401 is repeated.
In ST402, it is determined whether or not the device information is stored as “additional sheet feeding device”. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST403, and, if no (N), the process returns to ST401.
In ST403, it is determined whether or not the upper surface in the secondary transfer region Q4 matches the non-target surface by determining whether or not the identification information is “non-target surface”. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST404, and, if no (N), the process returns to ST406.

In ST404, it is determined whether or not the switching member G3 has moved to the reverse guide position. If no (N), the process moves on to ST405, and if yes (Y), the process moves on to ST408.
In ST405, the switching member G3 is moved to the reverse guide position, and the conveyance destination of the sheet S is switched from the second connection path SH20 to the reverse branch path SH23. Then, the process proceeds to ST408.
In ST406, it is determined whether or not the switching member G3 has moved to the connection guide position. If no (N), the process proceeds to ST407, and, if yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST408.
In ST407, the switching member G3 is moved to the connection guide position, and the conveyance destination of the sheet S is switched from the reverse branch path SH23 to the second connection path SH20. Then, the process proceeds to ST408.
In ST408, it is determined whether or not the job is finished. If no (N), the process returns to ST403, and if yes (Y), the process returns to ST401.

(Operation of Example 1)
In the printer U according to the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, when a configuration in which an insert sheet such as a partition sheet or a cover sheet that does not require image formation is inserted between the sheets S on which an image is formed is necessary, as shown in FIG. In addition, the second connection unit UH2 can be mounted on the second mounting portion 203 of the sheet supply apparatus U4 in a state where the sheet supply apparatus U4 is disposed between the first connection unit UH1 and the post-processing apparatus U5. Yes.

In this case, the first connection carry-out section 162 of the first connection path SHt connected to the main body carry-out port 152 of the apparatus main body U3 and the second connection carry-in section 171 of the second connection path SHu are connected. . In addition, the second connection carry-out unit 172 of the second connection path SHu and the second supply carry-in part 211 of the second connection path SH20 are connected. And the 2nd supply carrying-out part B2 of 2nd connection path SH20 and the discharge | emission carrying-in part 251 of post-processing apparatus U5 are connected.
As a result, the sheets S from the sheet feeding trays TR21 and TR22 of the sheet supply apparatus U4 can be supplied to the post-processing apparatus U5, and are fed from the sheet feeding trays TR11 and TR12 of the sheet feeding apparatus U2 and from the apparatus body U3. The unloaded sheet S can be supplied to the post-processing device U5 via the connection units UH1 and UH2.
Therefore, in the case of the apparatus configuration shown in FIG. 3, the sheet supply apparatus U4 can function as an inserter.

  Further, in the printer U, for example, an inserter is necessary when the printer U is introduced. Thereafter, when the inserter is not necessary and a configuration for continuous printing on a large number of sheets S is necessary, the sheet supply device U4. Can be arranged on the paper feeding device U2 side. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the first sheet feeding device U2 is arranged in the state where the sheet supply device U4 is arranged on the left side of the sheet feeding device U2 and the first connection unit UH1 is arranged on the left side of the post-processing device U5. The second connection unit UH2 can be attached to the attachment portion 103, and the manual feed unit 104 can be attached to the second attachment portion 203 of the sheet supply apparatus U4.

In this case, the second supply carry-in part 211 of the second coupling path SH20 and the unit main body part 104a of the manual feed unit 104 are connected. Further, the second supply / unload section B2 of the second connection path SH20 and the second connection / load section 171 of the second connection path SHu are connected. Further, the second connection carry-out portion 172 of the second connection path SHu and the first supply carry-in portion 106 of the first combined flow path SH13 are connected. And the 1st connection carrying-out part 162 of 1st connection path SHt and the discharge | emission carrying-in part 251 of post-processing apparatus U5 are connected.
As a result, the sheet S from the sheet feeding trays TR21 and TR22 of the sheet supply apparatus U4 can be supplied to the apparatus main body U3 via the second connection unit UH2 and the sheet feeding apparatus U2.
Therefore, in the case of the apparatus configuration shown in FIG. 4, the sheet supply apparatus U4 can function as an additional sheet feeding apparatus.
As a result, in the first exemplary embodiment, the second medium supply device U4 can be used in common as an inserter or an additional paper feeding device, and flexibly responds to the needs of the user of the printer U, that is, the user. The manufacturing cost of the printer U can be reduced.

FIG. 14 is an operation explanatory view of the first embodiment, and is an explanatory view showing a relationship between a conventional sheet supply apparatus and a second connection unit. FIG. 14A is an explanatory view of a state in which the sheet supply apparatus functions as an inserter. FIG. 14B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the sheet supply device functions as an additional sheet feeding device.
Here, when the sheet feeding device and the inserter have the same configuration as in Patent Document 2, as shown in FIG. 14A, when the sheet feeding device 01 is functioned as an inserter, the first feeding device 01 supported above the sheet feeding device 01 is used. The second connection unit 02 requires a second connection path 02a to which the apparatus main body 03 is connected. Therefore, in the connection unit 05 supported by the sheet feeding device 04 having the same configuration as that of the sheet feeding device 01, a connection path 05a whose upstream end is connected to nowhere is provided.

As shown in FIG. 14B, even when the sheet supply device 01 functions as an extension paper supply device, the sheet supply device 01 and the second connection unit 02 connected upstream of the paper supply device 04 The upstream end of the second connection path 02a is not connected anywhere.
Therefore, in the conventional configuration described in Patent Document 2 in which the sheet supply device 01 can function as either an inserter or an additional sheet feeding device, each connection path of the units 05 and 02 arranged on the upstream side. There is a problem that a portion that is not used in 05a and 02a occurs, resulting in waste.

On the other hand, in the printer U according to the first exemplary embodiment, the mounting units 103 and 203 of the sheet feeding device U2 and the sheet supply device U4 are configured in the same manner, and have a second connection path SHu inside. The connection unit UH2 is detachable in common with the sheet feeding device U2 and the sheet supply device U4.
Therefore, when the sheet supply device U4 functions as an inserter, as shown in FIG. 3, the second connection unit UH2 is mounted above the sheet supply device U4, and the connection paths SHt of the connection units UH1 and UH2 are connected. , SHu, the apparatus main body U3 and the sheet supply apparatus U4 are connected. Further, when the sheet supply device U4 functions as an additional sheet feeding device, as shown in FIG. 4, the second connection unit UH2 is mounted above the sheet feeding device U2, and the second connection path SHu is connected. Through this, the sheet supply device U4 and the paper feeding device U2 are connected.
Therefore, in the configuration described in Patent Document 2, the unnecessary connection paths 02a and 05a are indispensable in order for the sheet supply device 01 to have the functions of both the inserter and the extension sheet feeding device. However, in the printer U of the first embodiment, the generation of useless conveyance paths that are not used when the common second connection unit UH2 is attached or detached is reduced. As a result, the printer U according to the first embodiment can suppress parts and costs for forming the unnecessary connection paths 02a and 05a.

In the embodiment, not only the second connection unit UH2 but also the manual feed unit 104 can be attached to and detached from the sheet feeding device U2 and the sheet supply device U4.
Therefore, when the sheet supply device U4 functions as an inserter, as shown in FIG. 3, the manual feed unit 104 can be mounted above the paper supply device U2, and the sheet supply device U4 functions as an additional paper supply device. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the manual feed unit 104 can be mounted above the sheet feeding device U4.
Therefore, in the first exemplary embodiment, the manual feed unit 104 can be installed using the accommodation space above the devices U2 and U4 to which the second connection unit UH2 is not mounted. Even if it changes between devices, it becomes possible to use effectively the accommodation space which was vacated after the 2nd connection unit UH2 was removed.

In the printer U according to the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, the reversing path SH23 + SH24 that branches from the branch position B3 of the second connecting path SH20 is provided in the sheet supply apparatus U4, and is conveyed to the branch position B3. The formed sheet S is configured so that it can be reversed. Therefore, in the first embodiment, when the sheet supply device U4 functions as an inserter, the switching control process for insertion shown in FIG. 12 is executed, the switching member G3 is controlled, the insert sheet from the sheet supply device U4, The sheet S unloaded from the apparatus main body U3 is unloaded to the post-processing apparatus U5 with the front and back reversed.
In the insertion switching control process according to the first exemplary embodiment, the insert sheet from the sheet supply device U4 has the stacking order “ascending order” and the topmost surface “front”, or the stacking order “descending order” and topmost. The transport destination is switched to the reverse branch path SH23 only when the front side is “back side”, and the transport destination of the sheet S from the paper feeding device U2 is reversed only when “single-sided printing” and the formation order is “ascending order”. It is switched to the branch path SH23.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the first embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of an example of a bundle of insert sheets and image-formed sheets stacked on each tray of the post-processing apparatus when the job is single-sided printing. 15A is an explanatory diagram relating to sheets on each tray of the sheet feeding device, the sheet feeding device, and the post-processing device when the stack of insert sheets is stacked so that the stacking order is ascending order and the uppermost surface is the front surface, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing regarding the sheet | seat on each tray when an insertion sheet | seat bundle is loaded so that a stacking order may be descending order and an uppermost surface may turn into a back surface.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the first embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of an example of a bundle of insert sheets and image-formed sheets stacked on each tray of the post-processing apparatus when the job is duplex printing. 16A is an explanatory diagram relating to sheets on each tray of the sheet feeding device, the sheet feeding device, and the post-processing device when the stack of insert sheets is stacked so that the stacking order is ascending order and the uppermost surface is the front surface. FIG. It is explanatory drawing regarding the sheet | seat on each tray when an insertion sheet | seat bundle is loaded so that a stacking order may be descending order and an uppermost surface may turn into a back surface.
15 and 16 exemplify the case where the image-formed sheets S and the insert sheets are alternately stacked for the sake of simplification of the description. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The same applies to the configuration in which the sheet S is inserted at insertion positions that are set every several sheets S.

  Here, for example, when a bundle of commercially available insert sheets with the page order is purchased, the stacking order of the insert sheet bundle is “ascending order” of the first sheet, the second sheet,. It is natural to be. Further, for example, when the sheets S printed on both sides by the printer U of the first embodiment are used as insert sheets, the bundles of sheets S are stacked in “ascending order” in a face-down state. Therefore, as shown by the broken lines in FIGS. 15A and 16A, when these insert sheet bundles are stacked such that the uppermost surface is the “surface”, the setting image of the identification information for insertion shown in FIG. 7A In 302, the stacking order is set to “ascending order” and the uppermost surface is set to “surface”. Also, as shown by the broken lines in FIGS. 15B and 16B, when the stack of insert sheets is reversed so that the uppermost surface is the “back surface”, the stacking order is “descending order” and the uppermost surface. Is set to “Back”.

When the stacking order of the insert sheet bundle is “ascending order” and the topmost surface is “front surface”, the insert sheet is reversed and the “front surface” is turned downward as shown by the broken lines in FIGS. 15A and 16A. It is loaded on each tray STR, CTR of the processing unit U5.
In the first exemplary embodiment, when the stacking order of the insert sheet bundle is “ascending order” and the uppermost surface is “front surface”, the forming order of the sheets S from the sheet feeding device U2 is set to “ascending order”. . Therefore, in this case, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 15A, the sheet S for “single-sided printing” is reversed on the reversing path SH23 + SH24 and stacked on the trays STR and CTR with the image forming surface facing downward. Further, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 16A, the sheet S for “double-sided printing” is reversed by the main body reversing path SH4 and is carried out in a state where the second side is printed, and each tray STR, It is loaded on the CTR.

As a result, in the printer U of Example 1, when the stacking order is “ascending order”, “front side”, and “single-sided printing”, the surface of the insert sheet and the image forming surface of the sheet S coincide downward. Further, in this case, the sheets S from the sheet feeding device U2 are stacked in descending order with the number of pages decreasing from the top to the bottom, and the insert sheets from the sheet supply device U4 are also stacked in descending order. Is done. Similarly, when the stacking order is “ascending order”, “front surface”, and “double-sided printing”, the front surface of the insert sheet and the first surface of the sheet S coincide downward, and the sheet S and the insert sheet are stacked in descending order. Is done.
Therefore, in the printer U according to the first embodiment, when the stacking order of the insert sheet bundle is “ascending order” and the uppermost surface is “front surface”, the image-formed sheets S and insert sheets stacked on the respective trays STR and CTR. The page order is aligned with the bundle of faces down.

  When the stacking order of the insert sheet bundle is “descending order” and the uppermost surface is “back surface”, the insert sheet is reversed and the “front surface” is upward as shown by the broken lines in FIGS. 15B and 16B. To be loaded on each tray STR and CTR. Further, in this case, the forming order is set to “descending order”, and the sheet S of “single-sided printing” is not reversed and the trays STR and CTR are not reversed and the image forming surface is facing upward, as shown by the solid line in FIG. To be loaded. Further, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 16B, the “double-sided printing” sheet S is reversed by the main body reversing path SH4 and is carried out in a state where the second side is printed, and the tray STR, It is loaded on the CTR. That is, the first page having the number of pages larger than the second page is stacked in a downward state.

As a result, in the printer U according to the first embodiment, when the stacking order is “descending order”, “back side”, and “single-sided printing”, the front surface of the insert sheet and the image forming surface of the sheet S coincide upward. Further, in this case, the sheets S from the sheet feeding device U2 are stacked in ascending order in which the number of pages increases as the sheet moves from the top to the bottom, and the insert sheets from the sheet supply device U4 are stacked in ascending order. Is done. When the stacking order is “descending order”, “back side”, and “double-sided printing”, the front surface of the insert sheet and the second side of the sheet S are aligned upward, and the sheet S and the insert sheet are stacked in ascending order. .
Therefore, in the printer U according to the first embodiment, when the stacking order is “descending order” and “back side”, the bundle of image-formed sheets S and insert sheets stacked on the trays STR and CTR is face-up. The page order can be aligned.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the first embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of an example of a bundle of insert sheets and image-formed sheets stacked on each tray of the post-processing apparatus when the job is single-sided printing. 17A is an explanatory diagram relating to sheets on each tray of the sheet feeding device, the sheet feeding device, and the post-processing device when the stack of insert sheets is stacked so that the stacking order is descending and the uppermost surface is the front surface. FIG. It is explanatory drawing regarding the sheet | seat on each tray when an insertion sheet | seat bundle is loaded so that a stacking order may be an ascending order and the uppermost surface may become a back surface.
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the first embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of an example of a bundle of insert sheets and image-formed sheets stacked on each tray of the post-processing apparatus when the job is duplex printing. 18A is an explanatory diagram relating to sheets on each tray of the sheet feeding device, the sheet feeding device, and the post-processing device when the stack of insert sheets is stacked so that the stacking order is descending and the uppermost surface is the front surface. FIG. It is explanatory drawing regarding the sheet | seat on each tray when an insertion sheet | seat bundle is loaded so that a stacking order may be an ascending order and the uppermost surface may become a back surface.
In the following description, for simplification of explanation, FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 are used, and similarly to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, image-formed sheets S and insert sheets are stacked alternately. Will be described.

Further, for example, when the sheet S printed on one side by the printer U of Example 1 is used as an insert sheet, when no special setting is performed at the time of single-sided printing, the bundle of sheets S is n in a face-up state. The first sheet is loaded in the “descending order”. Therefore, as shown by the broken lines in FIG. 17A and FIG. 18A, when this insert sheet bundle is stacked such that the uppermost surface is “surface”, the stacking order is “descending order” and the uppermost surface is “surface”. "Is set. Also, as shown by the broken lines in FIGS. 17B and 18B, when the stack of insert sheets is stacked upside down and the uppermost surface is “back”, the stacking order is “ascending order” and the uppermost surface Is set to “Back”.
When the stacking order of the insert sheet bundle is “descending order” and the uppermost surface is “surface”, the insert sheet is not inverted and the “surface” is facing upward as shown by the broken lines in FIGS. 17A and 18A. It is loaded on each tray STR, CTR. Further, in this case, the formation order is set to “descending order”, and the sheet S of “single-sided printing” is not reversed and the trays STR and CTR are not reversed and the image forming surface is facing upward as shown in FIG. To be loaded. Further, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 18A, the “double-sided printing” sheet S is reversed on the main body reversing path SH4 and stacked on the respective trays STR and CTR with the first page having a page number larger than the second page facing down. The

As a result, when the stacking order is “descending order”, “surface” and “single-sided printing”, the surface of the insert sheet and the image forming surface of the sheet S coincide upward, and the sheet S and the insert sheet are stacked in ascending order. Is done. When the stacking order is “descending order”, “front surface”, and “double-sided printing”, the surface of the insert sheet and the second surface of the sheet S coincide upward, and the sheet S and the insert sheet are stacked in ascending order. .
Therefore, in the printer U according to the first exemplary embodiment, when the stacking order is “descending order” and “front side”, a bundle of image-formed sheets S and insert sheets stacked on the trays STR and CTR is face-up. The page order can be aligned.

Further, when the stacking order of the insert sheet bundle is “ascending order” and the uppermost surface is “back surface”, the insert sheet is not inverted and the “front surface” is directed downward as shown by the broken lines in FIG. 17B and FIG. 18B. In this state, it is loaded on each tray STR and CTR. Further, in this case, the forming order is set to “ascending order”, and the “single-sided printing” sheet S is reversed by the reversing path SH23 + SH24 and the image forming surface is directed downward as shown by the solid line in FIG. 17B. It is loaded on STR and CTR. Further, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 18B, the “double-sided printing” sheet S is reversed by the main body reversing path SH4 and stacked on the respective trays STR and CTR with the first side facing downward.
As a result, when the stacking order is “ascending order”, “back side”, and “single-sided printing”, the front surface of the insert sheet and the image forming surface of the sheet S coincide downward and the sheet S and the insert sheet are stacked in descending order. Is done. Similarly, when the stacking order is “ascending order”, “back side”, and “double-sided printing”, the front side of the insert sheet and the first side of the sheet S coincide downward, and the sheet S and the insert sheet are stacked in descending order. Is done.
Therefore, in the printer U according to the first exemplary embodiment, when the stacking order is “ascending order” and “back side”, the bundle of image-formed sheets S and insert sheets stacked on the trays STR and CTR is face down. The page order can be aligned.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the first embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of an example of a bundle of insert sheets and image-formed sheets stacked on each tray of the post-processing apparatus when the job is single-sided printing. 19A is an explanatory diagram regarding sheets on each tray of the sheet feeding device, the sheet supply device, and the post-processing device when the insert sheet bundle is stacked so that the uppermost surface of the insert sheet bundle is out of order, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing regarding the sheet | seat on each tray at the time of stacking | stacking so that the uppermost surface of the insert sheet bundle which has no order may become a back surface.
FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the first embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of an example of a bundle of insert sheets and image-formed sheets stacked on each tray of the post-processing apparatus when the job is duplex printing. 20A is an explanatory diagram relating to the sheets on each tray of the sheet feeding device, the sheet feeding device, and the post-processing device when the uppermost surface of the insert sheet bundle having no stacking order is the front surface, and FIG. 20B is a stacking diagram. It is explanatory drawing regarding the sheet | seat on each tray at the time of stacking | stacking so that the uppermost surface of the insert sheet bundle which has no order may become a back surface.
In the following description, for simplification of description, the image-formed sheets S and the insert sheets are alternately stacked using FIGS. 19 and 20 as in FIGS. Will be described.

Further, for example, when a commercially available insert sheet without page order is purchased, in the setting image 302 of the identification information for insertion, the topmost surface in which the stacking order of the insert sheet bundle is set to “none” When loaded with “front”, the loading order is set to “None” and “Front”, and when loaded with the topmost surface set to “Back”, the loading order is “None” "And" Back ".
As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, when the stacking order of the insert sheet bundle is “none”, as in the case where the stacking order shown in FIGS. Sheets S and insert sheets are stacked on the trays STR and CTR.

  That is, when the stacking order is “none”, “front surface”, and “single-sided printing”, the surface of the insert sheet and the image forming surface of the sheet S coincide upward and the sheets S are stacked in ascending order. When the stacking order is “none”, “front surface”, and “double-sided printing”, the front surface of the insert sheet and the second surface of the sheet S coincide upward and the sheets S are stacked in ascending order. Further, when the stacking order is “descending order”, “back side”, and “single-sided printing”, the front surface of the insert sheet and the image forming surface of the sheet S coincide downward and the sheets S are stacked in descending order. When the stacking order is “descending order”, “back side”, and “double-sided printing”, the front surface of the insert sheet and the first surface of the sheet S coincide downward and the sheets S are stacked in descending order.

Therefore, in the printer U according to the first embodiment, when the stacking order is “none” and “front surface”, the bundle of the image-formed sheets S and insert sheets stacked on the trays STR and CTR is face-up. The page order of the sheets S is aligned. Further, when the stacking order is “none” and “back side”, the page order of the sheets S is aligned with the bundle of the image-formed sheets S and insert sheets stacked on the trays STR and CTR face down.
As a result, in the printer U according to the first embodiment, the sheet feeding tray TR21 of the sheet feeding device U4,
Based on the stacking order of the insert sheet bundle stacked on TR22 and the identification information in which the front and back sides are set, it is possible to align the page order of the image-formed sheets S and insert sheets stacked on the respective trays STR and CTR. It has become.

In the first exemplary embodiment, when the sheet supply device U4 functions as an additional sheet feeding device, the reversing path SHSH23 + SH24 is disposed inside the sheet supply device U4, and the image formation switching control process illustrated in FIG. 13 is performed. This is executed to control the switching member G3. Therefore, the sheet S for image formation is configured to be reversible depending on the stacked state of the sheets S accommodated in the sheet supply device U4.
In the switching control process for image formation according to the first exemplary embodiment, the sheet S from the sheet supply device U4 is switched to the reverse branch path SH23 only when the uppermost surface is the “non-target surface”.

  Here, in the configuration of the first embodiment, when the sheets S are stacked on the sheet feeding trays TR11 to TR12 of the sheet feeding device U2, the sheet S is supplied to the secondary transfer region Q4 with the target surface facing upward. In order to do so, it is necessary to load the target surface to be the upper surface. At this time, for example, when the sheet S is a single-side coated paper, the thermal expansion coefficient and the water absorption expansion coefficient of the coat layer are different from those of the paper. There is a possibility that a curve, so-called curl, is formed. Therefore, for example, when the storage location is low temperature or high humidity, the single-sided coated paper may have a downwardly convex curl along the conveying direction with the coated surface as the target surface facing upward. There is sex. In addition, for example, when the sheet S is a single-sided printed paper, that is, when so-called back-side printing is performed on the non-image forming surface of the sheet S, the single-sided printed paper is subjected to heat fixing during single-sided printing. There is a possibility that a convex curl is formed downward along the transport direction with the non-image forming surface as the target surface facing upward.

FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment, and is a diagram for explaining a state when a curled sheet is supplied from the sheet feeding tray. FIG. 21A shows a sheet bundle loaded on the sheet feeding tray of the sheet feeding device. FIG. 21B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the sheet bundle of FIG. 21A is reversed and stacked on the sheet feeding tray of the sheet feeding device. .
As a result, as shown in FIG. 21A, the bundle of sheets S stacked on the sheet feeding trays TR11 to TR12 of the sheet feeding device U2 may have a downwardly convex curl along the conveying direction. There is a possibility that the right end, which is the front end in the conveyance direction of the stacked sheets S, extends obliquely upward to the right.
In the first embodiment, the uppermost sheet S is taken out in a state where the bundle of sheets S is pressed from above by the pickup roll Rp1 disposed above the bundle of sheets S, and the front end of the sheet S is easily conveyed upward. It has become.

As a result, when the front end of the curled sheet S is taken out by the pick-up roll Rp1, the front end of the sheet S reaches the upper end portion of the downstream separating roll Rs1, and a so-called region where the separating roll Rs1 sandwiches the sheet S, so-called There is a possibility that the sheet S is jammed without being conveyed to the nip area, that is, a so-called jam occurs.
In this case, as shown in FIG. 21B, the occurrence of a jam is reduced if a sheet bundle in a downwardly convex state is turned upside down and stacked to be in an upwardly convex state. Since it is necessary to stack the sheets so as to be the upper surface, there is a problem that the target surface does not become the upper surface when the sheet bundle is stacked in a convex state.

  On the other hand, in the sheet supply apparatus U4 according to the first exemplary embodiment, whether the uppermost surface of the bundle of sheets S stacked on the paper feed trays TR21 and TR22 is the “target surface” or the “non-target surface”. Accordingly, the reverse of the sheet S by the reversing path SH23 + SH24 is automatically controlled. That is, the sheet S is automatically reversed and supplied to the apparatus body U3 when the target surface is stacked so that the lower surface is the lower surface, and the sheet S is reversed when stacked so that the target surface is the upper surface. The sheet S is supplied to the secondary transfer region Q4 with the target surface facing upward.

Therefore, in the sheet supply device U4, when a convex curl is formed downward along the conveyance direction with the target surface facing upward, the sheet S is automatically reversed upside down, Even when the target surface faces downward and the bundle of sheets S is stacked in a convex state, the sheet S can be supplied to the secondary transfer region Q4 with the target surface facing upward.
Further, in the sheet supply device U4, for example, a single-side coated paper is stored in a high-temperature or low-humidity environment, and a convex curl is formed along the conveyance direction with the target surface facing upward. When jamming is unlikely to occur, the target surface is the upper surface, and a bundle of sheets S is stacked in a convex state so that the single-side coated paper can be supplied to the secondary transfer region Q4 without being inverted.
As a result, the printer U according to the first exemplary embodiment has a jam at the time of supplying a sheet as compared with the case where the reversing path SH23 + SH24 in the sheet feeding apparatus U4 does not automatically reverse the front and back according to the “target surface” of the sheet S. It is possible to reduce the occurrence of this.

  On the other hand, in the sheet supply apparatus U4 according to the first exemplary embodiment, whether the uppermost surface of the bundle of sheets S stacked on the paper feed trays TR21 and TR22 is the “target surface” or the “non-target surface”. Accordingly, the reverse of the sheet S by the reversing path SH23 + SH24 is automatically controlled. That is, the sheet S is automatically reversed and supplied to the apparatus body U3 when the target surface is stacked so that the lower surface is the lower surface, and the sheet S is reversed when stacked so that the target surface is the upper surface. The sheet S is supplied to the secondary transfer region Q4 with the target surface facing upward.

Therefore, in the sheet supply device U4, when the target surface is directed upward and a convex curl is formed downward along the conveyance direction and the jam is likely to occur, the target surface is directed downward and the bundle of sheets S is formed. Even if the sheets are stacked in an upwardly convex state, the sheet S is automatically reversed so that the sheet S can be supplied to the secondary transfer region Q4 with the target surface facing upward.
Further, in the sheet supply device U4, for example, a single-side coated paper is stored in a high-temperature or low-humidity environment, and a convex curl is formed along the conveyance direction with the target surface facing upward. When jamming is unlikely to occur, single-sided coated paper loaded with the target surface as the upper surface and a bundle of sheets S protruding upward can be supplied to the secondary transfer region Q4 without being inverted.
As a result, the printer U according to the first exemplary embodiment has a jam at the time of supplying a sheet as compared with the case where the reversing path SH23 + SH24 in the sheet feeding apparatus U4 does not automatically reverse the front and back according to the “target surface” of the sheet S. It is possible to reduce the occurrence of this.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of a third connection unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 22A is an explanatory diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 22B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the second connection unit and the sheet supply device are connected to the downstream side of the connection unit, and FIG. 22B is an explanatory diagram corresponding to FIG. 4B of the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the state in which the post-processing apparatus was connected to the downstream of the 3rd connection unit, when using it as an additional paper feeder.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the second embodiment, components corresponding to the components of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. To do.
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment in other points.

(Description of the third connection unit UH3 of the second embodiment)
In FIG. 22, the third connection unit UH3 is disposed adjacent to the right side of the first connection unit UH1 of the second embodiment. The third connection unit UH3 according to the second embodiment includes a third connection path SHv extending in the left-right direction from the third connection carry-in portion 181 at the left end to the third connection carry-out portion 182 at the right end. The connection carry-in part 181 is arranged at a height corresponding to the first connection carry-out part 162. That is, the sheet S carried out from the first connection carry-out unit 162 of the first connection path SHt is carried in from the third connection carry-in unit 181 and carried out from the third connection carry-out unit 182.
The height of the third connection carry-out unit 182 is the same as the first supply carry-in unit 106, the first connection carry-out unit 162, the second connection carry-in unit 171, the second connection carry-out unit 172, and the second connection carry-out unit 172. Are arranged at a height corresponding to the supply / unloader B2 and the discharge / loader 251.

In FIG. 22A, when the sheet supply apparatus U4 according to the second embodiment is used as an inserter, the second connection unit UH2 attached to the sheet supply apparatus U4 is disposed adjacent to the right side of the third connection unit UH3. . Therefore, in Example 2, since the height of the 3rd connection carrying-out part 182 and the height of the 2nd connection carrying-in part 172 respond | correspond, 3rd connection path SHv becomes 2nd connection path SHu. Connection is possible.
In FIG. 22B, when the sheet supply apparatus U4 is used as an additional sheet feeding apparatus, the post-processing apparatus U5 is arranged adjacent to the right side of the third connection unit UH3. Therefore, in Example 2, since the height of the 3rd connection carrying-out part 182 and the height of the 2nd connection carrying-in part 172 respond | correspond, 3rd connection path SHv is connected via the discharge | emission carrying-in part 251. The upper end discharge path SH6 and the first post-processing conveyance path SH7 can be connected.

(Description of Punch Unit PU of Example 2)
In addition, a punch unit PU that forms a hole in the sheet S, that is, a so-called punch hole, is disposed as an example of a hole forming member above the central portion in the transport direction of the third connection path SHv. In addition, about the structure of punch unit PU, since well-known various structures as described in Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2011-013489, Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2011-042483 etc. are employable, illustration and Detailed description is omitted.
A punch sensor SN2 as an example of a hole medium detection member that detects the sheet S carried into the punch unit PU is disposed on the left side, which is the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the punch unit PU.

(Description of Control Unit of Example 2)
FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram corresponding to FIG. 5 of the first embodiment and is a block diagram of a control unit of the printer of the second embodiment.
In FIG. 23, an output signal from the punch sensor SN2 is input to the control unit C of the second embodiment. The punch sensor SN2 detects the sheet S that passes through the third connection carry-in portion 181 and is carried out to the punch unit U2.
Further, a hole formation control means C13, a discharge control means C14, an alignment control means C15, and an end binding control means C16 are newly added to the control unit C of the second embodiment. A storage means C8C for identifying information for holes, a storing means C8D for identifying information for alignment, and a storing means C8E for binding identification information are newly added to the storing means C8.

C8C: Hole Identification Information Storage Unit The hole identification information storage unit C8C is a preset hole identification information that identifies whether or not to form a hole in the sheet S carried out from the apparatus body U3. Remember. The hole identification information storage means C8C according to the second embodiment stores the hole identification information included in the image information transmitted from the information terminal PC and received by the printer U. Specifically, either “with holes” indicating that holes are to be formed or “without holes” indicating that holes are not to be formed is stored.
C8D: Alignment Identification Information Storage Unit Alignment identification information storage unit C8D unloads the sheet S carried out from the apparatus body U3 to the compile tray CTR of the post-processing apparatus U5 to align the bundle of sheets S. In addition, preset identification information for alignment for identifying whether to stack the sheets S to the stacker tray STR without aligning them is stored. The alignment identification information storage means C8D according to the second embodiment stores the binding identification information included in the image information transmitted from the information terminal PC and received by the printer U. Specifically, either “alignment” indicating that the bundle of sheets S is aligned or “no alignment (no post-processing)” indicating that the bundle of sheets S is not aligned is stored.

C8E: Binding identification information storage means The binding identification information storage means C8E is a compilation tray of the post-processing device U5 when the alignment identification information storage means C8D is stored as “alignment”. Preliminary binding identification information for identifying whether or not to perform the edge binding process on the sheet S carried out to the CTR is stored. The binding identification information storage unit C8E according to the second embodiment stores the binding identification information included in the image information transmitted from the information terminal PC and received by the printer U. Specifically, either “end binding” indicating that end binding processing is performed or “no end binding (alignment only)” indicating that end binding processing is not performed is stored.

C13: Hole formation control means The hole formation control means C13 determines whether or not “there is a hole” is stored in the hole identification information storage means C8C, and stores the device information. The apparatus information determination means C13B for determining whether or not “inserter” is stored in the means C6, and the insertion switching control means C12A controls the switching member G3 to convey the sheet S from the sheet feeding apparatus U2. And inversion determination means C13C for determining whether or not to switch to the inversion branch path SH23. The hole formation control means C13 controls the punch unit PU to form holes in the sheet S based on the identification information for holes. The hole formation control means C13 of Example 2 controls the punch unit PU to form holes in the sheet S when the hole identification information is stored as “having holes”, and “no holes”. Is not stored in the sheet S.

When the hole formation control means C13 is “having a hole”, the apparatus information is stored as “inserter”, and the conveyance destination of the sheet S carried out from the apparatus main body U3 is set to the reverse branch path SH23. First, the punch unit PU is controlled to form a hole in the front end portion of the sheet S. That is, when the sheet supply device U4 functions as an inserter, the sheet S from the sheet feeding device U2 is “single-sided printing”, and the formation order is “ascending order”, a hole is formed in the front end portion of the sheet S. Specifically, when a preset waiting time t11 for the front end elapses after the punch sensor SN2 detects the front end of the sheet S, the conveyance of the sheet S is stopped to form a punch hole.
Further, the hole formation control means C13 determines that the apparatus information is stored as “additional sheet feeding apparatus” when “having holes”, or the transport destination of the sheet S carried out from the apparatus body U3 is the first. When the second connecting path SH20 is set, the punch unit PU is controlled to form holes in the rear end portion of the sheet S. Specifically, when the preset waiting time t12 for the trailing edge has elapsed after the punch sensor SN2 detects the trailing edge of the sheet S, the conveyance of the sheet S is stopped to form a punch hole.

C14: Discharge Control Unit The discharge control unit C14 controls the switching gates G5 and G6 and stores the sheet S discharge destination in the compile tray CTR when the alignment identification information is stored as “aligned”. At the same time, when “no alignment (no post-processing)” is stored, the first switching gate G5 is controlled to switch the discharge destination of the sheet S to the stacker tray STR.
C15: Alignment Control Unit The alignment control unit C15 is a tamper as an example of a main paddle (not shown) or an example of a side edge alignment member as an example of a medium alignment member when the identification information for alignment is stored as “alignment”. The CTR 2 is controlled to align the bundle of sheets S stacked on the compilation tray CTR.
C16: End Binding Control Unit The end binding control unit C16 as an example of the binding control unit controls the end binding device HTS based on the identification information for binding. The end binding control unit C16 according to the second exemplary embodiment controls the end binding device HTS and stores the sheets S stacked on the compile tray CTR when the identification information for binding is stored as “with end binding”. When the end binding process is performed on the bundle and “no end binding (alignment only)” is stored, the end binding process is not performed.

(Explanation of flowchart of Example 2)
Next, the flow of control in the printer U according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart, a so-called flowchart.
Regarding the discharge control process, when the alignment identification information included in the image information transmitted from the information terminal PC is stored as “with alignment”, the switching gates G5 and G6 are controlled to control the sheet. When the S discharge destination is switched to the compile tray CTR, and “no alignment (no post-processing)” is stored, the first switch gate G5 is controlled to switch the sheet S discharge destination to the stacker tray STR. It is. The alignment control means only controls the main paddle and tamper CTR2 to align the bundle of sheets S stacked on the compile tray CTR when the alignment identification information is “aligned”. As for the end binding control processing, when the binding identification information included in the image information transmitted from the information terminal PC is “end binding”, the end binding device HTS is controlled and loaded on the compile tray CTR. In addition, the edge binding process is performed on the bundle of sheets S, and the edge binding process is not performed in the case of “no end binding (only alignment)”. Therefore, for simplification of description, illustration and detailed description of these processes are omitted.

(Description of Flowchart of Hole Formation Control Process of Example 2)
FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart of hole formation control processing according to the second embodiment.
The processing of each step ST in the flowchart of FIG. 24 is performed according to a program stored in the control unit C of the printer U. This process is executed in parallel with other various processes of the printer U.
The flowchart shown in FIG. 24 is started when the image forming apparatus U is powered on.
In ST501 of FIG. 24, it is determined whether or not the job is started. If yes (Y), the process transfers to ST502, and, if no (N), ST501 is repeated.
In ST502, it is determined whether or not the identification information for holes is stored as “having holes”. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST503, and, if no (N), the process returns to ST501.
In ST503, it is determined whether or not the sheet S is unloaded from the apparatus body U3 by determining whether or not the sheet detection sensor SN1 has detected the front end of the sheet S. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST504, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST514.
In ST504, it is determined whether or not the device information is stored as “inserter”. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST505, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST510.

In ST505, it is determined whether or not the detected transport destination of the sheet S is switched to the reverse branch path SH23. That is, it is determined whether or not the detected sheet S is “single-sided printing” and the formation order is “ascending order”. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST506, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST510.
In ST506, it is determined whether or not the punch sensor SN2 has detected the front edge of the sheet S. If yes (Y), the process transfers to ST507, and, if no (N), ST506 is repeated.
In ST507, timing of the preset waiting time t11 for the front end is started. Then, the process proceeds to ST508.
In ST508, it is determined whether or not the standby time t11 for the front end has elapsed. If yes (Y), the process transfers to ST509, and, if no (N), ST508 is repeated.
In ST509, the following processes (1) and (2) are executed, and the process proceeds to ST514.
(1) The conveyance of the sheet S is stopped.
(2) The punch unit PU is controlled to form a punch hole in the front end portion of the sheet S.

In ST510, it is determined whether or not the punch sensor SN2 has detected the trailing edge of the sheet S. If yes (Y), the process transfers to ST511, and, if no (N), ST510 is repeated.
In ST511, timing of the preset standby time t12 for the rear end is started. Then, the process proceeds to ST512.
In ST512, it is determined whether or not standby time t12 for the rear end has elapsed. If yes (Y), the process transfers to ST513, and, if no (N), ST512 is repeated.
In ST513, the following processes (1) and (2) are executed, and the process proceeds to ST514.
(1) The conveyance of the sheet S is stopped.
(2) The punch unit PU is controlled to form a punch hole at the rear end portion of the sheet S.
In ST514, the conveyance of the sheet S is resumed. Then, the process proceeds to ST515.
In ST515, it is determined whether or not the job is ended. If no (N), the process returns to ST503, and if yes (Y), the process returns to ST501.

(Operation of Example 2)
In the printer U according to the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 22A, a third connection unit UH3 is disposed between the first connection unit UH1 and the sheet supply device U4 that functions as an inserter. Yes. Further, a punch unit PU is provided inside the third connection unit UH3, and when the hole identification information included in the image information transmitted from the information terminal PC is “having a hole”, the hole shown in FIG. The formation control process is executed, the punch unit PU is controlled, and punch holes are formed in the sheet S carried out from the apparatus main body U3.
In the hole formation control process of the second embodiment, when the sheet S from the paper feeding device U2 causes the sheet supply device U4 to function as an inserter and the conveyance destination is set to the reverse branch path SH23, that is, the device information is “ A punch hole is formed at the front end only when the “inserter”, “single-sided printing”, and the formation order are “ascending order”, and in other cases, a punch hole is formed at the rear end.

FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the second embodiment, and is a diagram for explaining a sheet in which punch holes are formed and a sheet bundle stacked on a compile tray. FIG. 25A is a sheet in which punch holes are formed in the front end portion. FIG. 25B is an explanatory diagram until a sheet having punch holes formed at the rear end is stacked on the compile tray without being inverted.
Further, when a punch hole is formed in the front end portion of the sheet S from the sheet feeding device U2, as shown in FIG. 25A, the sheet S is conveyed to the reversing path SH23 + SH24, and the front and rear in the conveying direction are reversed. Is reversed. Accordingly, the sheet S is stacked on the respective trays STR and CTR of the post-processing device U5 in a state where the punch holes are arranged at the rear end portion of the sheet S. In addition, when a punch hole is formed in the rear end portion of the sheet S from the paper feeding device U2, the sheet S is not inverted as shown in FIG. The sheets S are stacked on the trays STR and CTR in a state where the punch holes are arranged. Therefore, regardless of whether a punch hole is formed in the front end portion of the sheet S from the sheet feeding device U2 or a punch hole is formed in the rear end portion, the punch hole is formed on the rear end side in the transport direction of each tray STR and CTR. Is loaded in a state where it is arranged.

Here, when the identification information for alignment included in the image information is “aligned”, the sheet S is carried out to the compilation tray CTR, the main paddle and the tamper CTR2 are controlled, and the bundle of sheets S is aligned. In this case, the rear end of the bundle of sheets S is abutted against an end wall CTR1 as an example of a rear end aligning unit, and the bundle of sheets S is aligned.
As a result, in the printer U of the second embodiment, the punch holes formed in the sheet S from the sheet feeding device U2 are stacked in a state of being arranged on the end wall CTR1 side, and the punch holes of the bundle of sheets S are also stacked. Aligned.

Here, when the punch holes are stacked with the punch holes arranged on the opposite side of the end wall CTR1, the punch holes may not be aligned depending on individual differences in the length of the sheet S in the transport direction. There is a problem that it takes time and effort for the user as a user to rearrange after being discharged to the tray STR.
However, in Example 2, punch holes are arranged on the end wall CTR1 side, and the punch holes are easily aligned. Therefore, in the printer U of the second embodiment, the punch holes of the bundle of sheets S discharged to the stacker tray STR are easily aligned, and the workability of binding to a binding string or a binder is improved.

In the configuration of the second embodiment, the end binding device HTS is provided on the end wall side, and the binding identification information included in the image information transmitted from the information terminal PC is “end binding”. The staple needle is bound to the end wall side.
Therefore, in the printer U according to the second embodiment, it is possible to match the side edges that are the targets of punch hole formation and end binding.
As a result, in the printer U of the second embodiment, when “having holes” and “having end binding”, it is possible to perform end binding to the end wall side where punch holes are formed, and the punch holes are aligned. It is possible to perform end binding on a bundle of sheets S stacked in a stacked state. Therefore, for example, in the distribution material, it is bound with a staple needle at the time of distribution to make a simple bundle, and after the distribution, the distributor removes the staple needle and binds the punch hole with a binder or the like so that it can be easily combined with other materials. Therefore, when both the punch hole and the end binding are required, the distribution material provided with both the punch hole and the end binding can be automatically created.
In addition, the printer U according to the second embodiment has the same effects as the printer U according to the first embodiment.

(Example of change)
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is performed within the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim. It is possible. Modification examples (H01) to (H08) of the present invention are exemplified below.
(H01) In each of the above-described embodiments, the printer U is illustrated as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Further, the image forming apparatus is not limited to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and can be applied to an image forming apparatus of an arbitrary image forming system such as an ink jet recording system, a thermal head system, or a lithographic printer. Further, the image forming apparatus is not limited to a multi-color developing image forming apparatus, and may be configured by a monochromatic, so-called monochrome image forming apparatus.

(H02) In the above-described embodiment, when the sheet supply device U4 functions as an inserter, the insert sheets stacked on the sheet feeding trays TR21 and TR22 are not limited to a rectangular sheet, and for example, a rectangular sheet It is also possible to use an index sheet with an index tag attached to the edge. When the index sheets are stacked on the paper feed trays TR21 and TR22, it is necessary to prevent the index tag protruding from the edge from being hindered by being caught on the conveyance path. It is necessary to arrange so as to be on the downstream side.
(H03) In the above-described embodiment, when the sheet supply device U4 functions as an inserter, the medium loaded on the paper feed trays TR21 and TR22 is not limited to the insert sheet as a paper medium. When inserting a transparent medium for use, it is possible to load a transparent medium constituted by a flexible member such as an OHP sheet or a film. In the embodiment, the medium stacked on the paper supply trays TR11 and TR12 of the paper supply device U2 is not limited to a paper medium, and a transparent medium such as an OHP sheet can be stacked. In order to prevent sticking, an insert sheet as a paper medium from the sheet supply device U4 can be inserted between the OHP sheets.

(H04) In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22A, when the sheet supply apparatus U4 functions as an inserter, the third connection unit UH3 is disposed between the first connection unit UH1 and the sheet supply apparatus U4. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, it may be arranged between the sheet supply device U4 and the post-processing device U5. In this case, the second connection path SH20, the third connection path SHv, and the discharge / carry-in portion 251 are connected to form not only a punch hole for the sheet S from the sheet feeding device U2, but also the sheet supply device U4. It is also possible to form punch holes in the insert sheet. In this case, the sheet S having the “single-sided printing” and the formation order “ascending order” passes through the reversing path SH23 + SH24 and is reversed in the front and back direction in the conveying direction and is carried into the third connection path SHv. Therefore, as in the case of “double-sided printing” and when the formation order is “descending order”, if punch holes are formed in the rear end portion of the sheet S, punch holes on the end wall CTR1 side as in the second embodiment. Can be arranged.

(H05) In the above-described embodiment, when the sheet supply apparatus U4 functions as an additional sheet supply apparatus, one sheet supply apparatus U4 is disposed on the upstream side of the sheet supply apparatus U2. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to arrange a plurality of sheet supply apparatuses U4 as necessary.
(H06) In the embodiment, the reversing path SH23 + SH24 capable of reversing the sheet S conveyed to the branch position B3 on the second connecting path SH20 is provided in the sheet feeding device U4. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as with each of the connection units UH1 to UH3, the reversing path SH23 + SH24 may be detachable as an independent unit. In this case, the connection unit in which the reversing path SH23 + SH24 is disposed can be disposed on the downstream side of the sheet supply device U4 or can be removed as necessary.

(H07) In the second embodiment, the punch unit PU is provided on the third connection path SHv of the third connection unit UH3. However, the position at which the punch unit PU is disposed is not limited to this. For example, It is also possible to provide on the discharge path SH3 of the apparatus main body U3, on the first connection path SHt of the first connection unit UH1, or on the first post-processing transport path SH7 of the post-processing apparatus U3. Further, for example, when the sheet supply device U4 functions as an inserter, the sheet supply device U4 can be provided on the second connection path SH20 of the sheet supply apparatus U4, or can be attached / detached as an option on the second connection path SHu of the second connection unit UH2. It is also possible to have a configuration in which it is installed. In this case, it is possible to omit the third connection unit UH3 in which the punch unit PU is provided.
(H08) In the embodiment, the first connection unit UH1 is provided on the downstream side of the apparatus main body U3. The height of the main body carry-out port 152 is set to the height of the second connection carry-in portion 171 and the discharge carry-in portion 251. By making it correspond, it is also possible to omit the first connection unit UH1.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 ... 1st accommodating part, 104 ... Medium supply unit, 104a ... Additional supply part, 105 ... 1st confluence | merging part, 106 ... 1st carrying-in part, 151 ... Main body carrying-in part, 162 ... Sending-out port, 171 ... Connection The upstream end of the path, 172... The downstream end of the connection path, 201... The second accommodating part, 211... The second carry-in part, 212 ... the second merging part, 251 ... the discharge carry-in part, B1. Downstream end of the supply path, B2 ... downstream end of the second supply path, B3 ... branch position, C8 ... storage means for identification information, C8C ... storage means for identification information for holes, C8E ... identification information for binding Storage means, C9 ... formation order setting means, C12 ... switching control means, C13 ... hole formation control means, C16 ... binding control means, CTR, STR ... discharge part, CTR1 ... rear end alignment part, CTR2 ... side edge alignment Member, G3 ... Switching member, HTS ... Binding member, PU ... Hole shape Member, ROSy-ROSK + UY-UK + T1y-T1k + T2 + B + F ... Image forming unit, S ... medium, Sa, Sb ... discrimination surface, SH11 + SH12 ... first supply path, SH20-SH22 ... second supply path, SH23 + SH24 ... reversing path, SHu ... Connection path, TRt ... additional storage unit, U ... image forming apparatus, U2 ... first medium supply device, U3 ... device main body, U4 ... second medium supply device, U5 ... discharge device, UH2 ... medium transport unit.

Claims (7)

An apparatus main body having a main body carrying-in section into which a medium is carried in, and an image forming section for forming an image on the medium;
A discharge unit from which the medium is discharged, and a discharge carry-in unit that is disposed at a position corresponding to a delivery port through which the medium on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit is delivered, and into which the medium delivered from the delivery port is carried in And a discharge device supported detachably with respect to the device main body,
A first storage path for storing a medium, and a first supply path for supplying a medium in the first storage section to the apparatus main body, with a downstream end portion in the transport direction disposed at a position corresponding to the main body carry-in section And a first carry-in portion into which the medium carried from the upstream side in the carrying direction is carried in, and the first carry-in disposed at a position adjacent to the first carry-in portion of the first supply path. A first medium supply unit that is detachably supported with respect to the apparatus main body,
A second storage section that stores the medium; a second supply path in which a downstream end portion in the transport direction is disposed at a position corresponding to the discharge and carry-in section and the medium of the second storage section is supplied; A second carry-in unit into which a medium carried from the upstream side in the carrying direction is carried in, and a position adjacent to the second carry-in unit in the second supply path; A second medium supply device that is detachably supported with respect to the discharge device;
The upstream end in the transport direction is disposed at a position corresponding to the downstream end of the delivery port and the second supply path, and the downstream end in the transport direction is the second carry-in part and the first transport part. A medium conveyance unit having a connection path disposed at a position corresponding to the carry-in unit, and detachably supported with respect to the apparatus main body and each medium supply apparatus;
With
When the second medium supply device is disposed upstream of the discharge device and the medium transport unit is disposed between the device main body and the second medium supply device, the outlet and the connection An upstream end of the path is connected, a downstream end of the connection path and the second carry-in part are connected, a downstream end of the second supply path and the discharge carry-in part are connected, and The medium in the second storage part can be supplied to the discharge device,
The second medium supply device is disposed upstream of the first medium supply device in the conveyance direction, and the medium conveyance unit is disposed between the first medium supply device and the second medium supply device. When arranged, the downstream end of the second supply path and the upstream end of the connection path are connected, the downstream end of the connection path and the first carry-in section are connected, and the feed An image forming apparatus, wherein an outlet and the discharge / carry-in section are connected, and the medium in the second storage section can be supplied to the apparatus main body. A reversing path for reversing the front and back of the medium of the second feeding path to join the second feeding path;
A switching member that is arranged at a preset branch position at the upstream end of the reversing path in the transport direction and can switch the transport destination of the medium between the second supply path and the reversing path;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The main body carrying-out unit from which an image medium, which is a medium having an image forming surface that is an image-formed surface in the image forming unit, is carried out;
The second medium supply device is disposed on the upstream side of the discharge device, the medium transport unit is disposed between the device main body and the second medium supply device, and an insertion medium which is an insertion medium is provided. The second accommodating portion to be accommodated;
An identification information storage means for storing identification information for identifying the insertion order and front and back of the insertion medium set in advance;
A forming order setting unit that sets a forming order that is an order of forming an image based on an image order that is a preset order of images, and the insertion order is transported first based on the identification information. Corresponding to the bottom surface of the medium stored in the ascending order in which the page number increases as it advances from the insertion medium to the last transported insertion medium, or stored in the absence of the insertion order A discriminating surface, which is a preset one surface of the second supply path, matches a surface as a surface corresponding to the first image forming surface of the image medium in the insertion medium conveyed to the branch position The image order is set in the ascending order in which image formation is performed from the first image, and the page number is changed as the insertion order proceeds from the insertion medium transported first to the insertion medium transported last. small Or a back surface as a surface corresponding to the back surface of the first image forming surface of the insertion medium that is stored when there is no insertion order and is stored in the insertion medium that is conveyed to the branch position. The forming order setting means for setting the forming order in descending order in which the image order forms an image from the last image when they match,
Switching control means for controlling the switching member, based on the identification information, when the insertion order is stored in ascending order, and the determination surface and the back surface of the insertion medium conveyed to the branch position, When the insertion order is stored as descending order, and the discrimination surface and the surface of the insertion medium conveyed to the branch position coincide with each other, and the formation order is set in ascending order and conveyed to the branch position. When the non-image forming surface of a single-sided printing image medium coincides with the discrimination surface, and when the forming order is set in descending order and the image forming surface of the single-sided printing image medium transported to the branch position The switching for switching the medium conveyance destination to the reversing path when the surface coincides, and when the last image forming surface of the double-sided image medium conveyed to the branch position coincides with the determination surface control And the stage,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: A hole forming member disposed upstream of the reversing path in the transport direction and penetrating in the thickness direction of the image medium to form a hole in the image medium;
The reversing path for reversing the front and back of the medium in a state where the front and rear in the transport direction of the medium of the second supply path are reversed;
A rear end aligning portion that contacts and aligns the rear end of the medium bundle, which is a bundle of a plurality of stacked media, and a side that aligns side edges in the width direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the stacked medium bundle An edge aligning member; and
A means for storing identification information for holes for storing identification information for holes for identifying whether or not to form holes in a preset image medium;
A hole formation control means for controlling the hole forming member based on the identification information for the hole, and stored when the hole is formed in the image medium and the image medium transport destination is set in the reverse path In addition, when the hole is formed at the front end portion in the transport direction of the image medium and the hole is formed in the image medium, the image medium is stored when the transport destination of the image medium is set to the second supply path. The hole formation control means for forming a hole in the rear end of the conveying direction of
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: The discharge unit having a binding member that is arranged at a position corresponding to the rear end of the stacked medium bundle in the transport direction and binds the medium bundle with a binding needle;
A binding identification information storage unit for storing binding identification information for identifying whether or not to bind a preset medium bundle;
Binding control means for controlling the binding member based on the binding identification information, and binding the rear end portion in the transport direction of the medium bundle of the discharge unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: The second medium supply device is disposed upstream of the first medium supply device in the conveyance direction, and the medium conveyance unit is disposed between the first medium supply device and the second medium supply device. The second storage unit that is disposed and stores a medium for image formation;
Predetermined identification information, which stores the identification information for identifying a target surface that is a target surface on which image formation of an image forming medium is performed and a non-target surface that is a back surface of the target surface. A means for storing identification information;
Switching control means for controlling the switching member, wherein the second supply path corresponding to the image forming surface that is the surface on which the image is formed in the image forming unit is preset based on the identification information When the discrimination surface which is one surface matches the target surface, the conveyance destination of the image forming medium is switched to the second supply path, and the discrimination surface and the non-target surface match. And the switching control means for switching the transport destination of the image forming medium to the reversing path;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: An additional storage unit for storing a medium; and an additional supply unit that is disposed at a position corresponding to the first carry-in unit and the second carry-in unit and supplies the medium in the additional storage unit to the apparatus main body. A medium supply unit supported detachably with respect to each of the medium supply devices,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

Images