JP2015000785A - Sheet processing device and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent sheet bundles of different sheet size from being placed in a mixed manner on a saddle tray.SOLUTION: A sheet processing device C includes a first processing part C1 which applies a first processing (stitch binding) to sheets after image formation, a stack tray 51 on which sheets from the first processing part C1 are stacked after the first processing, a second processing part C2 which, to the sheets after image formation, selectively applies either a second processing (stitch binding) after which sheet size remains as it is or a third processing (saddle stitching) after which the sheet size is smaller than after the second processing, a saddle tray 52 on which the sheets from the second processing part C2 are stacked after the third processing, a third transportation path P3 for introducing sheets from the second processing part C2 to the first processing part C1, and a CPU which selects the saddle tray 52 or the stack tray 51 for discharge destination of sheets after the second processing at the second processing part C2.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming system that perform a binding process by using a sheet bundle on which an image has been formed.

  In recent years, sheet processing apparatuses capable of performing side-stitching and saddle-stitching are used as an option in image forming apparatuses such as printers and copying machines (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In such a sheet processing apparatus, generally, the saddle stitch bookbinding and the saddle stitch bookbinding are performed by different staplers disposed at different places, and the sheet bundle after the stapling is discharged onto different trays.

  Further, the stapler used for the saddle stitch bookbinding is capable of binding a sheet bundle having a higher binding performance and a larger number of sheets than the stapler used for the saddle stitch bookbinding. For this reason, when a sheet bundle with a small number of sheets is bound with a stapler for flat stitch binding, the binding needle becomes larger than necessary, and the sheet bundle cannot be bound satisfactorily. In such a case, the sheet is easily damaged.

  In view of this, there has also been proposed an apparatus that uses a stapler for saddle stitching to perform sheet binding for a sheet bundle having a small number of sheets.

JP 2004-262590 A

  However, when flat stitch binding is performed using a stapler for saddle stitch binding, there is a problem that sheet bundles having different sheet sizes are mixedly loaded on the same tray.

  That is, for example, when an A3 size sheet bundle is side-stitched and bound, the size of the sheet bundle after side-stitch binding is A3 size, whereas when an A3 size sheet bundle is saddle-stitched, The sheet bundle after saddle stitching has an A4 size which is half of the A3 size. For this reason, when both the saddle stitch binding and the saddle stitch binding are performed by the stapler for saddle stitch binding, sheet bundles having different sizes are mixedly loaded on the same tray.

  There is also a problem that the stacking ability of sheet bundles after saddle stitching on the tray decreases due to the mixed loading of sheet bundles of different sizes.

  The present invention provides a sheet processing apparatus that prevents mixed stacking of sheet bundles having different sheet sizes on a stacking unit (tray), and prevents a decrease in stacking capability of the sheet bundle after saddle stitching in the stacking unit, It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming system.

  The sheet processing apparatus of the present invention can perform a plurality of different processes on a sheet after image formation. The first processing unit that performs a first process on the sheet after image formation; A first stacking unit that stacks sheets discharged from the first processing unit after one process, and a second process in which the processed sheet size remains the same as the processed sheet size on the sheet after image formation. A second processing unit that selectively performs one of the third processings smaller than the second processing, a second stacking unit that stacks sheets discharged from the second processing unit after the third processing, and the second processing unit. A transport path for guiding the sheet from the second processing section to the first processing section, and a discharge destination of the sheet after the second processing by the second processing section as the second stacking section or via the transport path Selecting means for selecting whether to use the first stacking unit; Was, it is characterized in that.

  An image forming system of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, and a sheet processing apparatus that processes a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus, and the sheet processing apparatus includes the sheet processing described above. It is a device.

  The sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a selection unit that selects whether a discharge destination of the sheet after the second processing by the second processing unit is the second stacking unit or the first stacking unit through the conveyance path. Therefore, the discharge destination can be the first stacking unit based on the selection unit. For this reason, it is possible to prevent mixed loading of sheet bundles having different sheet sizes in the second stacking unit. Further, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the stacking capacity of the sheet bundle having a small sheet size in the second stacking unit.

An image forming system according to the present invention includes an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, and a sheet processing apparatus that processes a sheet after image formation, and has different sheet sizes in a second stacking unit based on a selection unit. The mixed loading of bundles can be prevented.
Further, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the stacking capacity of the sheet bundle having a small sheet size in the second stacking unit.

1 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a sheet processing apparatus. It is a front view which shows the structure of a sheet processing apparatus. 2 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a control block diagram of a sheet processing apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control flow of the sheet processing apparatus. 6 is a flowchart at the time of job reception in FIG. 5. It is a flowchart at the time of tray use judgment in FIG. It is a flowchart at the time of the process part use judgment in FIG.

  Hereinafter, an image forming system A and a sheet processing apparatus C according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[Image forming system A]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing the configuration of the image forming system A. In addition, the “front” in the front view is a side where the user operates the image forming system A, and refers to the side where the operation panel (operation unit, see FIG. 3) 210 is disposed.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image forming system A includes an image forming apparatus B and a sheet processing apparatus C. An image is formed on the sheet P by the image forming apparatus B, and the sheet P after the image formation is transferred to the sheet processing apparatus C. In the sheet processing apparatus C, the delivered sheet P is subjected to processing such as binding processing, and the processed sheet P (sheet bundle) is processed into a stack tray (first stacking unit) 51 or a saddle tray (second stacking unit). Eject to 52 and load.

[Image forming apparatus B]
The image forming apparatus B includes a sheet feeding / conveying unit 1, an image forming unit 2, an image reading unit 3, and an ADF (automatic document feeder) 4 in order from the lower side.

  The sheet feeding / conveying unit 1 has sheet feeding trays 10a and 10b on the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction (arrow K1 direction). In the paper feed trays 10a and 10b, sheets P of different sizes are stored in a stacked state. For example, an A4 size sheet P is stored in the paper feed tray 10a with its long side perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction, while an A3 size sheet P is stored in the paper feed tray 10b. The short side is stored in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction. The sheet feeding / conveying unit 1 takes out the sheet P stored in the sheet feeding tray 10 a or the sheet feeding tray 10 b by the pickup roller 11, conveys the sheet P along the feeding path 13 by the conveying roller 12, and images by the registration roller 14. Supply to forming unit 2. Further, the sheet feeding / conveying unit 1 conveys the sheet P on which the image is formed in the image forming unit 2 along the sheet discharge path 16 by the conveyance roller 15 and discharges the sheet P from the sheet discharge port 18 by the sheet discharge roller 17. To the sheet processing apparatus C. Further, when forming an image on the back side of the sheet P, the sheet feeding / conveying unit 1 also reverses the sheet P on which the image has been formed on the front side with the reverse path 19 and again through the refeed path 20. , And supplied to the image forming unit 2. Then, the image forming unit 2 forms an image on the back surface of the sheet P, and thereafter, the image is discharged from the discharge roller 17 and supplied to the sheet processing apparatus C.

  The image forming unit 2 includes a photosensitive drum 21, a charger 22, a laser exposure device 23, a developing device 24, a transfer charger 25, and a fixing device 26 disposed around the photosensitive drum 21. The photosensitive drum 21 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow R1, and the drum surface is uniformly charged by the charger 22. The charged drum surface is exposed by the laser exposure unit 23, and the charge in the exposed portion is removed to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image is developed as a toner image with toner attached thereto by the developing device 24. The toner image is conveyed to the transfer charger 25 by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 21 in the direction of the arrow R1, and is transferred to the sheet P supplied from the registration roller 14 described above. The sheet P on which the toner image has been transferred is fixed by the developing device 24. The sheet P after the toner image is fixed is supplied to the sheet processing apparatus C by the paper discharge roller 17 described above.

  The image reading unit 3 includes a platen glass 31, a scanner unit 32, a reflection mirror 33, an imaging lens 34, a CCD (charge imaging device) 35, and an image processing unit 36. The image reading unit 3 scans the image surface of the original G placed on the platen glass 31 with the image surface facing downward by the scanner unit 32 by the ADF 4 described later, and reflects the reflected light through the reflection mirror 33 and the imaging lens 34. Then, it is electrically read by the CCD 35. The image processing unit 36 digitally processes the image information electrically read by the CCD 35 to generate a video signal, and controls the above-described laser exposure unit 23 on / off based on the video signal.

  The ADF 4 includes a document table 41 on which a document G is set, a document transport roller 42, and a document transport belt 43. The ADF 4 feeds the original G set on the original placement table 41 one by one, conveys it in the direction of the arrow K2 by the original conveying roller 42, conveys it by the original conveying belt 43, and carries it on the platen glass 31. . The image surface of the loaded original G is read by the image reading unit 3 described above. The ADF 4 also carries out the original G after reading from the platen glass 31.

  The image forming apparatus B is provided with an operation panel 210 (see FIG. 3) as an operation unit on the front side. The user can select the sheet size of the sheet P related to image formation, image forming conditions, sheet processing conditions, and the like from the operation panel 210. For example, the user selects A4 / A3 for the sheet size, and single-sided / double-sided printing, enlarged / reduced printing, monochrome / color printing, etc. for the image forming conditions. Further, the user selects a sheet processing condition from “print-out mode”, “binding finish mode”, “booklet finishing mode (saddle-stitched bookbinding)”, and the like. Here, the printout mode is a mode in which processing is not performed on the sheet P after image formation. The binding finishing mode is a mode in which one or a plurality of ends of a sheet bundle made up of a plurality of sheets P are bound in a flat binding manner. Further, the booklet finishing mode is a mode in which a plurality of positions at the center of the front and rear ends of the sheet bundle are bound and then folded in half from the center, that is, a saddle stitch bookbinding mode.

[Sheet Processing Device C]
The sheet processing apparatus C is disposed so as to be adjacent to the left side surface of the image forming apparatus B, and includes a casing (exterior cover) 50. The sheet processing apparatus C includes a first processing unit C1 on the upper side inside the casing 50, and a second processing unit C2 on the lower side. Further, the sheet processing apparatus C includes a stack tray (first stacking unit) 51 corresponding to the first processing unit C1 on the upper left side of the casing 50, and corresponds to the second processing unit C2 on the lower side. A saddle tray (second stacking unit) 52 is provided.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the sheet processing apparatus C shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the first processing unit C <b> 1 includes a first transport path P <b> 1, a processing tray 53, and a first stapler 54.

  The first transport path P1 has a carry-in port 55 that faces the paper discharge port 18 of the image forming apparatus B described above, and is configured to extend to the left from the carry-in port 55. Along the first transport path P1, from the upstream side (right side in FIG. 2) to the downstream side (left side in FIG. 2), a carry-in roller 56, a switching member 57, a sensor S1, a punch unit 58, a switching member 59, A sensor S2, a first discharge roller 60, and the like are disposed. Further, a second discharge roller 61 that can be brought into contact with and separated from is disposed downstream of the first discharge roller 60.

  The processing tray 53 is disposed below the first discharge roller 60, and one end portion (left end portion in FIG. 2) is positioned in the vicinity of the second discharge roller 61, and the other end portion (in FIG. 2). Is inclined so that the right end portion thereof is located obliquely below. The processing tray 53 regulates one end (rear end) along the transport direction of the sheet P stacked on the stacking surface of the processing tray 53, and regulates a side end. And a side end regulating member 64 for positioning. The processing tray 53 stacks the sheets P sequentially discharged from the first discharge roller 60 and aligns them as a sheet bundle.

  The first stapler 54 is configured to be movable along the rear end of the sheet bundle on the processing tray 53, and is configured to be movable in the width direction of the rear end (direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction). One end or a plurality of ends are stitched (hereinafter referred to as “first process”). The sheet bundle after the first processing is discharged and stacked on the stack tray 51 by the second discharge roller 61.

  In the second processing section C2, a second transport path P2, a stacking guide 70, a second stapler 71, a thrust plate 72, a folding roller pair 73, and a trimmer unit 74 are disposed.

  The second transport path P2 is branched from the first transport path P1 and extends downward immediately downstream of the carry-in roller 56. Conveying rollers 75 and 75 are disposed in the first conveying path P2.

  The stacking guide 70 is disposed substantially vertically in the downstream side of the second transport path P2, and a leading end regulating member 76 that regulates and positions the leading end of the sheet P is disposed on the lower end side. ing. The stacking guide 70 aligns the sheets P sequentially transported from the second transport path P2 to form a sheet bundle.

  The second stapler simultaneously staples a plurality of locations (for example, two locations) at the rear end of the sheet bundle aligned by the stacking guide 70 (hereinafter referred to as “second processing”), or moves the leading end regulating member 76. Thus, a plurality of intermediate positions (for example, two positions) between the front end and the rear end of the sheet bundle are simultaneously saddle-stitched (hereinafter referred to as “third process”). After the third processing, the sheet bundle is aligned at the leading and trailing ends by the trimmer unit 74, and then discharged from the discharge port 78 onto the saddle tray 52 by the discharge roller 77 and stacked. Yes.

  Note that the sheet bundle after the second processing described above is selectively discharged to one of the saddle tray 52 and the stack tray 51, as will be described later.

  Between the above-described first transport path P1 of the first processing unit C1, a third transport path (transport path) P3 that is connected to the second transport path P2 of the second processing unit C2 is provided. The third transport path P3 is used (also used) as a buffer unit for waiting the subsequent sheet P when the sheet bundle is processed on the processing tray 53 (during the first processing). Further, the third transport path P3 is also used as a path for discharging the sheet bundle that has been third processed by the second processing unit C2 to the stack tray 51.

The above-described sheet processing apparatus C can perform the following processing on the sheet P supplied from the image forming apparatus B.
(1) The supplied sheet P is guided to the first transport path P1 by switching the switching member 57, and is discharged onto the stack tray 51 without performing any processing.
(2) Similarly, the sheet is guided to the first transport path P1, punched by the punch unit, and then discharged onto the stack tray 51.
(3) Similarly, after leading to the first transport path P1 and performing the first process on the processing tray 53, the sheet is discharged onto the stack tray 51.
(4) The supplied sheet P is guided to the second transport path P2 by switching the switching member 57, and after the second processing, the stack tray is placed via the saddle tray 52 or the third transport path P3. 51 is discharged.
(5) Similarly, after guiding to the second transport path P2 and performing the third process, the sheet is discharged onto the saddle tray 52.

  FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus B. The image forming system A is controlled by the CPU 201. In the CPU 201, there are provided a ROM 202 that stores a sequence of each unit, that is, a control procedure, and a RAM 203 that temporarily stores various information as necessary. The document feeder control unit 204 controls the document feeding operation of the ADF 4. The image reader control unit 205 controls reading of a document by controlling an illumination system and the like. The image signal control unit 206 receives the read information of the image reader control unit 205 or the image information sent from the external computer 207 via the external I / F 208, processes the information, and processes the printer control unit 209. The processing signal is sent to. The printer control unit 209 controls the photosensitive drum 21 and the like based on the image processing signal from the image signal control unit 206 so that an image can be formed on the sheet P.

  The panel (operation unit) 210 can input sheet size information when the user uses the image forming system A, what kind of processing is performed on the sheet P, for example, information on stapling processing, and the like. ing. Further, the operation panel 210 can display information such as operation states of the image forming apparatus B and the sheet processing apparatus C. The finisher control unit 211 controls the operation in the sheet processing apparatus C. The FAX control unit 212 controls the image forming apparatus B so that the image forming apparatus B can be used as a fax, and can exchange signals with other faxes.

  FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the sheet processing apparatus C. The sheet processing apparatus is controlled by the CPU 300. The CPU 300 operates using a sequence in the program ROM 301 and a work RAM 302 in which various information is temporarily stored as necessary. The CPU 300 communicates with the image forming apparatus B through the interface controller 304 and receives data such as a sheet size. Further, the CPU 300 receives the sensor information using the I / O 305 (inside the CPU or by an external IO), and drives the conveyance motor and the tray lifting / lowering motor via the driving unit 303 to perform the sheet processing work. To be able to do. The CPU 300 selects whether the discharge destination of the sheet P (sheet bundle) being second processed by the second processing unit C2 is the saddle tray 52 or the stack tray 51 via the third transport path P3. Acts as a means. This point will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8 described later.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the control flow of the sheet processing apparatus C. Hereinafter, as the sheet P processed by the sheet processing apparatus C, the A4 size sheet P stored in the sheet feed tray 10a of FIG. 1 and the A3 size sheet P stored in the sheet feed tray 10b are used. A case will be described as an example. Here, the A3 size sheet P is referred to as a large size, and the A4 size sheet P is referred to as a small size.

  First, the process starts at S101 (S101), and a JOB is received (S103). Thereafter, the tray use determination is performed (S105), the processing unit use determination is performed (S107), and JOB is performed (S109).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart at the time of JOB reception of the sheet post-processing apparatus in FIG. It starts (S201) and determines whether it is the third process. If it is the third processing (YES in S203), the second processing section C2 uses the stacking tray, the second stapler 71, the pushing plate 72, the folding roller pair 73, the saddle tray 52, and the like to perform the third processing. (S205). If it is not the third process (NO in S203), it is determined whether it is non-sorting (S207), whether binding is to be performed (S209), and whether single binding is to be performed (S211). If any of these is true (if any of S207, S209, and S211 is YES), the first processing unit C1 performs the first process. That is, using the processing tray 53, the first stapler 54, the stack tray 51, and the like, one side or a plurality of side bindings of the sheet bundle are performed (S213, S217). On the other hand, if the determination is non-sorting (S207), binding is performed (S209), and single-binding is performed (S211), if both are NO, the second processing unit C2 should perform the second process. The process proceeds to tray use determination (FIG. 7) (S215).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart at the time of tray use determination in FIG. The process is started (S301), and it is determined whether or not the JOB executed immediately before is the third process (S303). If it is the third process (YES in S303), it is confirmed whether or not there is a sheet stacking state, that is, whether there is a sheet P (sheet bundle) on the saddle tray 52 (S305). When there is a sheet P in the saddle tray 52 (YES in S305), the use of the saddle tray 52 is not permitted (S307), and the first processing is performed using the first processing unit C1 and the stack tray 51 (S311). (S315). On the other hand, if it is not the third process in S303 (NO in S303) or if there is no sheet P in the saddle tray 52 (NO in S305), permission to use the saddle tray 52 is given (S309), and the process The process proceeds to the part use determination flow (S313).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart when determining use of the processing unit in FIG. Start (S401) and confirm the sheet size (sheet information) (S403). If the sheet size is a small size (YES in S403), the number of sheets constituting one copy (sheet information) is confirmed (S405). If the number of sheets is N or less (a predetermined number or less) (YES in S405), the number of sheets (sheet information) is confirmed (S407). If the number of copies is M or less (YES in S407), the use permission of the saddle tray 52 is given, and the saddle tray 52 is used (S409) to perform JOB (S413).

  On the other hand, when the size is not small in S403 (NO in S403), the number of sheets exceeds N (predetermined number) in S405 (NO in S405), or the number of copies exceeds M in S407 ( In S407, NO) is as follows. The stack tray 51 is used (S411), and JOB is performed (S413). That is, in the second processing unit C2, the sheet bundle subjected to the second processing is discharged onto the stack tray 51 through the third transport path P3.

  The number of sheets N and the number of copies M are determined by the performance of the second stapler 71 of the second processing unit C2, the shape and stacking capacity of the saddle tray 52, and the like.

  The sheet processing apparatus C and the image forming system A described above include a CPU (selection unit) 300. The CPU 300 uses the saddle tray (second stacking unit) 52 as the discharge destination of the sheet bundle after the second processing by the second processing unit C2, or the stack tray (second stack) via the third transport path (transport path) P3. 1 loading part) 51 is selected. Therefore, the discharge destination can be the stack tray 51 based on the CPU 300. For this reason, mixed loading of sheet bundles having different sheet sizes in the saddle tray 52 can be prevented. Further, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the stacking capacity of a sheet bundle having a small sheet size (for example, an A4 size sheet bundle) in the saddle tray 52.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the image forming apparatus B is an electrophotographic printer, a fax machine, and a copier is described as an example. However, instead of this, other image forming methods, for example, an ink jet method are used. It is also possible to use a single function unit.

  In the example described above, the CPU 300 is provided in the sheet processing apparatus C, and the sheet processing apparatus C is controlled by the CPU 300. Alternatively, the operations of the image forming apparatus B and the sheet processing apparatus C may be controlled by the CPU 201 provided in the image forming apparatus B.

  A ... an image forming system, B ... an image forming apparatus, C ... a sheet processing apparatus, C1 ... a first processing unit, C2 ... a second processing unit, P ... a sheet, P1 ... a first transport pass, P2 ... a second transport pass, P3: third transport path (transport path, buffer unit), 51: stack tray (first stacking unit), 52: saddle tray (second stacking unit), 54: first stapler, 71: second stapler, 300 ... CPU (selection means).

Claims (6)

In a sheet processing apparatus capable of performing a plurality of different processes on a sheet after image formation,
A first processing unit that performs a first process on a sheet after image formation;
A first stacking unit that stacks sheets discharged from the first processing unit after the first processing;
A second processing unit that selectively performs one of a second process with the processed sheet size as it is and a third process in which the processed sheet size is smaller than the second process on the sheet after image formation;
A second stacking unit for stacking sheets discharged from the second processing unit after the third processing;
A conveyance path for guiding a sheet from the second processing unit to the first processing unit;
Selecting means for selecting whether the second stacker or the first stacker via the transport path is a sheet discharge destination after the second processing by the second processor; The
A sheet processing apparatus. The selection means includes
Selecting the discharge destination based on the sheet stacking status in the second stacking unit and the sheet information on the sheet related to the second processing;
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1. The first processing unit includes:
A first stapler that performs a side-stitching process on one or a plurality of locations of a bundle of sheets composed of a plurality of sheets as the first processing;
The second processing unit includes:
A second stapler that performs a side stitching process for simultaneously binding a plurality of portions of the sheet bundle as the second process, and a saddle stitching process for the sheet bundle as the third process;
The selection means includes
Selecting the discharge destination for the sheet bundle that has been staple-stitched by the second stapler in the second processing unit;
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet processing apparatus is a sheet processing apparatus. When performing a side stitching process on a plurality of locations of a sheet bundle, if the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle is equal to or less than a predetermined number, the second stapler of the second processing unit performs, and if the number exceeds a predetermined number, Performed by the first stapler of the first processing unit;
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 3. The first processing unit includes a buffer unit that waits for a subsequent sheet when the first processing is performed,
The buffer unit also serves as the transport path;
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet processing apparatus is a sheet processing apparatus. An image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet; and a sheet processing apparatus that processes a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus.
The sheet processing apparatus is the sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
An image forming system.

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