JP2016109833A - Image formation device, image formation system and image formation method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve efficiency of jamming release works when the jamming occurs.SOLUTION: In an image formation device 100 comprising: a stacker 61 loading a sheet; and a staple processing unit 62 performing staple processing to a sheet bundle loaded in the stacker 61, when jamming occurs halfway through conveyance of a sheet bundle P1 undergoing the staple processing in the stacker 61, residual sheets P2 to P8 remaining in the image formation device 100 are conveyed to the stacker 61 to collect sheets to be taken out by users in the stacker 61. Further, the staple processing may be executed to a bundle of the residual sheets P2 to P8 by the staple processing unit 62. The user can collectively take out the sheet bundle P1 and the residual sheets P2 to P8 from the stacker 61.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and an image forming method.

  In general, an image forming apparatus uses an automatic discharge function that forcibly discharges paper remaining in the apparatus when a jam occurs during conveyance of the paper. Specifically, a function that automatically discharges residual paper that can be discharged before removing the paper that caused the jam, and a function that automatically discharges the residual paper after removing the paper that caused the jam. There is.

  For example, when a jam occurs in an apparatus with multiple sheets, depending on the position of the transfer paper in order to reduce the risk of user load and equipment damage in the jam release process and shorten the recovery process time There has been proposed an image forming apparatus that determines a conveyance path and automatically discharges a residual transfer sheet that can be automatically discharged before the jam is cleared (see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, a copying machine has been proposed in which after a copy sheet that has caused a paper jam is removed, a subsequent copy sheet is automatically discharged by operating a conveyance system in a conveyance path (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2008-52125 A JP-A-8-40635

  However, in an image forming apparatus having an automatic discharge function, when a jam occurs during execution of a job involving paper processing such as stapling processing or bookbinding processing, paper that is not discharged remains in the stacker used for paper processing. In this case, it is necessary for the user to remove the residual paper from both the paper discharge tray and the stacker from which the residual paper is discharged, which is complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to improve the efficiency of a jam clearing operation when a jam occurs.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an invention according to claim 1 includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, a conveying unit that conveys the sheet, and a sheet processing unit that performs predetermined sheet processing on the sheet. A stacker for stacking paper for the predetermined paper processing; and when a jam occurs, the transport unit is controlled to transport the residual paper remaining on the transport path to a predetermined transport destination A control section that controls the transport section when there is a sheet that needs to be removed in the stacker when a jam occurs during execution of a job involving the predetermined sheet processing. The image forming apparatus controls all the remaining sheets to be transported to the stacker.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the predetermined sheet processing is a bundle process in which a plurality of sheets are processed in a bundle.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the control unit is configured to control the paper even when the number of remaining sheets in the stacker reaches a preset number in the bundle processing. Without carrying out the bundle processing by the processing unit, the transport unit is controlled to further transport the remaining paper to the stacker.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second or third aspect, the control unit is configured so that the number of remaining sheets in the stacker reaches the upper limit number that allows the bundle processing. Control processing is performed to control the transport unit and transport the remaining paper to the stacker.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the control unit includes a selection unit for selecting whether or not to execute the control process.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the bundle process is a staple process, and the control unit performs the conveyance regardless of a preset number of sheets in the staple process. A control process for causing the sheet processing unit to perform the stapling process on the bundle of remaining sheets in the stacker after the remaining section is transported to the stacker by controlling the section.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the control unit includes a selection unit for selecting whether or not to execute the control process.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth or seventh aspect, the control unit keeps the bundle of residual paper subjected to the staple processing in the stacker.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, the control unit sets the upper limit number of sheets that can be stapled to the number of remaining sheets in the stacker. If it exceeds, the stapling process for the bundle of residual paper in the stacker by the paper processing unit is prohibited.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the control unit is configured such that the number of remaining sheets in the stacker reaches an upper limit number of stackable sheets of the stacker. In this case, the conveyance unit is controlled to stop the conveyance of the remaining paper to the stacker, and the remaining paper exceeding the stackable upper limit number is conveyed to a conveyance destination different from the stacker.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, the control unit controls the transport unit to leave a different size from the paper in the stacker. The paper is transported to a transport destination different from the stacker.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, when the jam occurs during the execution of the job involving the predetermined sheet processing, the control unit When there is usable paper in the stacker, the transport unit is controlled to transport the remaining paper to a transport destination different from the stacker.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, the control unit causes the jam to occur during execution of the job involving the predetermined sheet processing. When there is no paper in the stacker, the transport unit is controlled to transport the remaining paper to a transport destination different from the stacker.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, a jam that occurs during execution of a job involving the predetermined paper processing is performed after the predetermined paper processing. This jam is caused by the conveyance of a certain sheet of paper or a jam caused by the occurrence of an abnormality during the execution of the predetermined sheet processing.

  The invention according to claim 15 is an image forming system comprising a paper feeding unit that supplies paper and a paper processing unit that performs predetermined paper processing on the paper, and the image forming unit that forms an image on the paper A sheet that remains in the conveyance path by controlling the conveyance unit when a jam occurs, a conveyance unit that conveys the sheet, a stacker that stacks sheets for the predetermined sheet processing, A control unit that transports the remaining paper to a predetermined transport destination, and the control unit needs to be removed from the stacker when a jam occurs during execution of a job that involves the predetermined paper processing. Is present, the transport unit is controlled to transport all remaining sheets to the stacker.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, a conveying unit that conveys the sheet, a sheet processing unit that performs predetermined sheet processing on the sheet, and the predetermined sheet processing. A stacker for stacking sheets of paper, and a control unit for controlling the transport unit to transport the residual paper remaining on the transport path to a predetermined transport destination when a jam occurs. In the image forming method in the forming apparatus, when a jam occurs during execution of the job involving the predetermined paper processing, the conveyance unit performs the conveyance when there is paper that needs to be removed in the stacker. And a step of controlling all of the remaining paper to the stacker.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the efficiency of the jam release operation | work at the time of jam generation can be improved.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a residual paper conveyance process. It is a flowchart which shows a residual paper conveyance process. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example when a jam occurs when a staple-processed sheet bundle is conveyed. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which residual paper is conveyed to the stacker from the state of FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example when the number of remaining sheets exceeds the stackable upper limit number of sheets of a stacker. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where a jam occurs when a sheet that has undergone half-folding processing is conveyed to a subsequent stacking stacker. It is a figure which shows the state in which the residual paper was conveyed by the stacker from the state of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example in case the residual paper in a stacker is available. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which residual paper is conveyed to a paper discharge tray when the residual paper in the stacker is available. It is a figure which shows the example when there is no residual paper in a stacker. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which residual paper is conveyed to a paper discharge tray when there is no residual paper in the stacker.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described. The present invention is not limited to the illustrated example.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 100.
The image forming apparatus 100 includes an operation unit 10, a display unit 20, an image reading unit 30, an image forming unit 40, a paper feeding unit 50, a paper processing unit 60, and the like.

  The operation unit 10 includes a touch panel formed so as to cover the display screen of the display unit 20 and various operation buttons such as numeric buttons and a start button, and an operation signal based on a user operation is transmitted to the control unit 71 (see FIG. 2). ).

  The display unit 20 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays various screens according to instructions of display signals input from the control unit 71.

  The image reading unit 30 includes an ADF (automatic document feeder), a scanner, and the like, and outputs image data obtained by reading an image of the document to the control unit 71.

  The image forming unit 40 forms an image on the paper supplied from the paper feeding unit 50 based on the image data read by the image reading unit 30 or image data received from an external device.

  The paper feed unit 50 includes a plurality of paper feed trays T <b> 1 to T <b> 5 and supplies paper to the image forming unit 40. In each of the paper feed trays T1 to T5, paper of a paper type and size predetermined for each paper feed tray is stored.

  The paper processing unit 60 includes a stacker 61, a staple processing unit 62, a post inserter 63, paper discharge trays T11 and T12, and the like. The paper processing unit 60 performs paper processing such as sorting processing, stapling processing, punch punching processing, folding processing, and bookbinding processing on the paper on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit 40 as necessary. The paper processing unit 60 discharges the paper to the paper discharge tray T11 or the paper discharge tray T12.

The stacker 61 stacks sheets for staple processing by the staple processing unit 62.
The staple processing unit 62 performs a staple process on the sheet bundle loaded on the stacker 61.
The post inserter 63 accommodates various types of paper such as tab paper and color sheets, and can feed paper between papers conveyed from the image forming unit 40.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 100.
As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an operation unit 10, a display unit 20, an image reading unit 30, an image forming unit 40, a paper feeding unit 50, a paper processing unit 60, a control unit 71, a storage unit 72, a communication unit. Section 73, transport section 74, paper detection section 75, and the like. Note that description of the functional units already described is omitted.

  The control unit 71 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The CPU reads out various processing programs stored in the ROM in response to an operation signal input from the operation unit 10 or an instruction signal received by the communication unit 73, expands the program in the RAM, and displays an image according to the expanded program. The operation of each part of the forming apparatus 100 is centrally controlled.

  The storage unit 72 is configured by a hard disk, a flash memory, or the like, and stores various data.

  The communication unit 73 transmits / receives data to / from an external device connected to a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The transport unit 74 includes a transport roller for transporting the paper, and transports the paper in the image forming apparatus 100.

  The paper detection unit 75 includes a plurality of sensors that detect the paper conveyance path and the presence or absence of paper provided in the stacker 61.

  The control unit 71 detects the occurrence of a jam and the position thereof based on the output result of each sensor of the paper detection unit 75. Specifically, when the control unit 71 does not detect that the sheet has reached one downstream sensor even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the sheet has passed through one sensor on the transport path, Detect as jam.

  When a jam occurs, the control unit 71 controls the transport unit 74 to transport the remaining paper, which is the paper remaining on the transport path, to a predetermined transport destination (purge function). The purge function includes a function of transporting the remaining paper to a transportable destination (so-called pre-purge function) before the jam-caused paper that caused the jam is removed, and a residual after the jam-caused paper is removed. And a function of transporting paper to a transportable destination.

When a jam occurs during execution of a job involving predetermined paper processing, the control unit 71 has paper in the stacker 61 based on the output result of the sensor of the paper detection unit 75 provided in the stacker 61. Determine whether or not. When there is a sheet in the stacker 61, the control unit 71 determines whether the sheet present in the stacker 61 is a sheet that needs to be removed.
The “paper that needs to be removed” is paper that cannot be used as an output of a job executed by the image forming apparatus 100 and is paper that is manually removed by the user. Examples of the “paper that needs to be removed” include paper that is not jammed paper, or paper other than jammed paper when a jam occurs in the stacker 61, and is not used later.

  The control unit 71 controls the transport unit 74 to remove all remaining sheets when there is a sheet that needs to be removed from the stacker 61 when a jam occurs during execution of a job involving predetermined sheet processing. It is conveyed to the stacker 61.

  A jam that occurs during execution of a job involving predetermined paper processing is a jam due to the conveyance of the paper after the predetermined paper processing, or a jam due to the occurrence of an abnormality during execution of the predetermined paper processing.

  The predetermined sheet processing includes bundle processing for processing a plurality of sheets in a bundle. Examples of the bundling process include a side stitching process, a saddle stitching process, a case binding process, a bookbinding process using a ring binder, a cutting process after a binding process, and a corner spine forming process.

  When the control unit 71 transports the remaining sheets to the stacker 61, the sheet processing is performed even if the number of remaining sheets in the stacker 61 reaches a preset number (the number of copies) in the bundle processing included in the job. The bundle processing by the unit 60 is not performed, and the conveyance unit 74 is controlled to further convey the residual paper to the stacker 61. The number of copies in the bundle process is received by the communication unit 73 as setting information included in the job, or is set from the operation unit 10 by the user.

  When the control unit 71 transports the remaining paper to the stacker 61, the control unit 71 controls the transport unit 74 even if the number of residual paper in the stacker 61 reaches the upper limit number that can be bundled in the job. Then, the first control process for transporting the residual paper to the stacker 61 is executed. The upper limit number of sheets that can be bundled is stored in the storage unit 72 in advance, and differs depending on the type of bundle processing.

However, the number of remaining sheets in the stacker 61 does not exceed the upper limit number of stackable sheets of the stacker 61. The upper limit number of sheets that can be stacked is the maximum number of sheets that can be stacked on the stacker 61 and is stored in the storage unit 72 in advance.
In the first control process, the number of remaining sheets in the stacker 61 satisfies the following relationship.
The maximum number of stackers that can be stacked ≥ The number of sheets remaining in the stacker> The maximum number of sheets that can be bundled

  Whether or not to execute the first control process is selected in advance by a user's operation from the operation unit 10 (selection unit), and the selection result (first control process ON / OFF) is stored in the storage unit 72. Has been.

When the control unit 71 transports the remaining paper to the stacker 61, the control unit 71 controls the transport unit 74 to transport the residual paper to the stacker 61 regardless of the number of sheets set in advance in the stapling process. The second control process is executed to cause the stapling process to be performed on the remaining sheet bundle in the stacker 61.
Whether or not to execute the second control process is selected in advance by a user's operation from the operation unit 10 (selection unit), and the selection result (second control process ON / OFF) is stored in the storage unit 72. Has been.

  The control unit 71 controls the transport unit 74 to keep the bundle of residual paper subjected to the stapling process in the stacker 61 without discharging it to the outside of the apparatus.

  When the remaining paper in the stacker 61 exceeds the upper limit of the number of sheets that can be stapled when the residual paper is transported to the stacker 61, the control unit 71 applies the remaining paper in the stacker 61 to the stacker 61. Prohibits stapling.

  When the number of remaining sheets in the stacker 61 reaches the stackable upper limit number of sheets, the control unit 71 controls the transport unit 74 to stop transporting the remaining sheets to the stacker 61 and to stack the upper limit of stackable sheets. The remaining paper exceeding the number of sheets is transported to a transport destination different from the stacker 61.

  The control unit 71 controls the transport unit 74 to transport residual paper having a different size from the paper in the stacker 61 to a transport destination different from the stacker 61.

If a jam occurs during execution of a job involving predetermined paper processing and the usable paper is present in the stacker 61, the control unit 71 controls the transport unit 74 to remove the remaining paper as the stacker 61. Is transported to another transport destination.
“Available paper” is paper that can be used as an output of a job executed by the image forming apparatus 100. “Available paper” is not paper caused by jamming, but is paper that is not disposed of in the jam clearing operation.

  When a jam occurs during execution of a job involving predetermined paper processing and the paper does not exist in the stacker 61, the control unit 71 controls the transport unit 74 to separate the remaining paper from the stacker 61. Transport to destination.

Next, the operation in the image forming apparatus 100 will be described.
FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the remaining sheet conveyance process executed in the image forming apparatus 100. This process is realized by software processing in cooperation with the CPU of the control unit 71 and the program stored in the ROM.

  First, the control unit 71 determines whether or not a jam has occurred during execution of a job involving paper processing based on the output result of the paper detection unit 75 (step S1). If a jam occurs during execution of a job involving paper processing (step S1; YES), the control unit 71 determines whether or not the jam-caused paper needs to be removed before the purge operation (automatic conveyance of the remaining paper). Is determined (step S2). For example, the control unit 71 determines that it is necessary to remove the jammed paper before the purge operation when the presence of the jammed paper hinders the conveyance of the remaining paper. On the other hand, if the remaining paper can be transported without removing the jammed paper, the control unit 71 determines that it is not necessary to remove the jammed paper before the purge operation.

  If it is necessary to remove the jammed paper before the purge operation (step S2; YES), the control unit 71 displays a message to remove the jammed paper on the display unit 20, and the user removes the jammed paper. (Step S3). The user opens the front door of the image forming apparatus 100, pulls out the unit where the jammed paper is present, and removes the jammed paper. Thereafter, the user returns the unit that has been pulled out to the original state and closes the front door.

  In step S2, when it is not necessary to remove the jammed paper before the purge operation (step S2; NO), or after step S3, the control unit 71 controls the transport unit 74 to start the purge operation ( Step S4).

  Next, the control unit 71 determines whether there is a sheet in the stacker 61 based on the output result of the sensor of the sheet detection unit 75 provided in the stacker 61 (step S5). When there is a sheet in the stacker 61 (step S5; YES), the control unit 71 determines whether the sheet existing in the stacker 61 is a sheet that needs to be removed (step S6).

  If no paper is present in the stacker 61 in step S5 (step S5; NO), or if the paper existing in the stacker 61 is not required to be removed in step S6 (step S6; NO), that is, When the sheet in the stacker 61 is a sheet that can be used later, the control unit 71 controls the conveyance unit 74 to transfer the remaining paper to a conveyance destination other than the stacker 61 (for example, a discharge tray). T12 etc.) (step S7).

  In step S6, when the sheet existing in the stacker 61 is a sheet that needs to be removed (step S6; YES), the control unit 71 determines whether or not the remaining sheet can be conveyed to the stacker 61. (Step S8). Here, in the paper transport direction, the residual paper located immediately before the branch point between the stacker 61 and the other transport destination is set as the processing target.

  Specifically, the control unit 71 determines that the number of remaining sheets in the stacker 61 is less than the maximum stackable number even if the number of remaining sheets in the stacker 61 has reached the number of sheets set in the bundle processing. For example, it is determined that the remaining paper can be conveyed to the stacker 61.

  Further, when the control unit 71 selects to continue transporting the remaining paper to the stacker 61 even if the remaining paper in the stacker 61 has reached the upper limit number of sheets that can be bundled, the control unit 71 (first If the number of remaining sheets in the stacker 61 is less than the maximum stackable number, it is determined that the remaining sheets can be conveyed to the stacker 61.

  Further, the control unit 71 determines whether or not the number of remaining sheets in the stacker 61 has reached the upper limit number of stackable sheets of the stacker 61, and the number of remaining sheets in the stacker 61 is less than the upper limit number of stackable sheets of the stacker 61. In this case, it is determined that the remaining paper can be conveyed to the stacker 61, and if the remaining number of sheets in the stacker 61 reaches the stackable upper limit number of sheets, the remaining paper is conveyed to the stacker 61. Judge that it is not possible.

  Further, the control unit 71 determines whether or not the residual paper to be processed is the same size as the paper in the stacker 61, and the residual paper to be processed is the same size as the paper in the stacker 61. In this case, it is determined that the residual paper can be conveyed to the stacker 61, and when the residual paper to be processed is different in size from the paper in the stacker 61, it is determined that the residual paper cannot be conveyed to the stacker 61.

  When the residual paper can be conveyed to the stacker 61 (step S8; YES), the control unit 71 controls the conveyance unit 74 to convey the residual paper to the stacker 61 (step S9).

  On the other hand, if the remaining paper cannot be transported to the stacker 61 in step S8 (step S8; NO), the control unit 71 controls the transport unit 74 to transfer the remaining paper to a transport destination other than the stacker 61 (for example, It is conveyed to the paper discharge tray T12 and the like (step S10).

  After step S9 or step S10, the control unit 71 determines whether there is any remaining paper in the transport path (step S11). If there is residual paper in the transport path (step S11; YES), the process returns to step S8 and the process is repeated.

  In step S11, when there is no remaining paper in the transport path (step S11; NO), the process proceeds to FIG. 4, and the control unit 71 determines whether or not stapling can be performed in the stacker 61 (step S11). S12). Specifically, the control unit 71 has a function (staple processing unit 62) that allows the image forming apparatus 100 to execute a staple process on the paper in the stacker 61, or whether staple staple breakage has occurred. Then, it is determined whether or not the staple processing unit 62 has failed.

  When the stapling process is possible in the stacker 61 (step S12; YES), the control unit 71 determines whether or not the number of remaining sheets in the stacker 61 is equal to or less than the upper limit number that can be stapled. (Step S13).

  When the number of remaining sheets in the stacker 61 is equal to or less than the upper limit number of sheets that can be stapled (step S13; YES), the control unit 71 determines whether or not the execution of the staple process for the remaining sheets is selected in advance. Judgment is made (step S14).

  When execution of stapling on the remaining paper has been selected in advance (second control processing ON) (step S14; YES), the control unit 71 controls the stapling processing unit 62 to leave the remaining paper in the stacker 61. A stapling process is executed on the image (step S15).

  If the stapling process is not possible in the stacker 61 in step S12 (step S12; NO), the remaining number of sheets in the stacker 61 exceeds the upper limit number capable of stapling in step S13 (step S13; NO), if execution of stapling on the remaining paper is not selected in advance in step S14 (second control process OFF) (step S14; NO), the remaining paper is conveyed after step S15 or after step S7. The process ends.

  In the residual paper transport process, it is determined in step S8 whether or not each residual paper can be transported to the stacker 61, but the transport destination is determined based on the number of residual paper in the stacker 61. With respect to the determination to determine the remaining paper, once it is determined to be a transport destination other than the stacker 61, all remaining residual paper may be transported to a transport destination other than the stacker 61 without performing the determination in step S11.

[Specific Example 1]
Next, a specific example will be described in the case where it is necessary to remove the paper in the stacker 61 when a jam occurs during execution of a job involving bundle processing in the image forming apparatus 100.

Examples of jams that have occurred during execution of a job involving bundle processing and that require removal of the paper in the stacker 61 include the following.
(1) When a jam occurs because the sheet bundle cannot be discharged out of the apparatus after the bundle processing is performed on the sheet bundle.
(2) When the bundle processing is not normally performed on the bundle of sheets having the required number of sheets (when the machine operation for the bundle processing is not performed due to a mechanical failure, a motor abnormality, a conveyance jam, or the like). For example, staple staple breakage (stop operation due to detection of no staple), staple empty shot (failed to strike staple staple when no staple detected), jam in paper processing after saddle stitch booklet creation (during saddle stitch booklet transport) Jam, jams due to occurrence of abnormalities during the execution of the cutting process and the spine forming process for the saddle stitch booklet).
(3) When the door of the paper processing unit 60 is opened during the job.

  FIG. 5 shows a case where a jam occurs when the stapled paper bundle P1 is conveyed in the stacker 61 as an example of a jam that requires removal of the remaining paper in the stacker 61. Residual sheets P2 to P8 remain in the image forming apparatus 100.

  In the paper processing unit 60 (flat stitching machine), even if the stapled paper bundle P1 that is jammed paper is present in the stacker 61, the residual papers P2 to P8 can be conveyed (step S2; NO), the purge operation of the remaining sheets P2 to P8 is started without the user removing the jammed sheets (step S4).

The stapled paper bundle P1 is present in the stacker 61 (step S5; YES), and this paper bundle P1 needs to be removed later (is discarded as unavailable) (step S6; If YES, if the remaining sheets P2 to P8 can be conveyed to the stacker 61 (step S8; YES), the remaining sheets P2 to P8 are conveyed to the stacker 61 (step S9). FIG. 6 shows a state in which the residual papers P2 to P8 are conveyed to the stacker 61 from the state of FIG. 5 (purge completion).
The user can remove the sheet bundle P1 and the remaining sheets P2 to P8 from the stacker 61 at a time.

  Further, stapling can be performed in the stacker 61 (step S12; YES), the number of remaining sheets in the stacker 61 is equal to or less than the upper limit number of sheets that can be stapled (step S13; YES), and stapling for the remaining sheets is performed. Is selected in advance (step S14; YES), the staple processing unit 62 executes the stapling process on the remaining sheets P2 to P8 shown in FIG. 6 (step S15). Even if the number of remaining paper bundles is larger than the number set in the job, if the number of sheets that can be stapled is sufficient, the staple processing is executed on the remaining paper bundle.

  However, after the stapling process, the stapled paper bundle is not discharged out of the apparatus. In the case of a jam at the time of conveyance of a sheet bundle as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, since the sheet bundle P1 which is a jam-derived sheet exists in the stacker 61, the bundle of residual sheets P2 to P8 can be discharged in the first place. Impossible.

FIG. 7 shows an example where the number of remaining sheets exceeds the stackable upper limit number of sheets of the stacker 61 in the same state as in FIG.
If a jam occurs during the transport of the stapled paper bundle P11 in the stacker 61, the remaining paper P12 up to the maximum stackable number is transported to the stacker 61 (step S9), but the amount exceeding the maximum stackable number is reached. The remaining paper P13 is conveyed to the paper discharge tray T12 (step S10).

  Similarly, in the case where papers having different sizes are mixed in the residual paper, the residual paper having a different size from the paper in the stacker 61 is transported to a transportable transport destination other than the stacker 61. Specifically, when the residual paper is transported to the stacker 61, the paper in the stacker 61 and the residual paper are compared. If the size of the residual paper is different from the paper in the stacker 61, the residual paper is discharged. It is conveyed to the tray T12.

[Specific Example 2]
Next, a specific example will be described in the case where it is necessary to remove the paper in the stacker 61 when a jam occurs during execution of a job involving paper processing for each sheet in the image forming apparatus 100.

The following are examples of jams that need to be removed from the stacker 61 in a job for executing sheet processing for each sheet.
(1) When a jam occurs in the middle of transporting a sheet that has been processed to the stacking stacker in a state where the stacking stacker is connected to the subsequent stage of the sheet processing unit 60.
(2) In the state where the stacking stacker is connected to the subsequent stage of the paper processing unit 60, the paper processing is not normally performed.

  FIG. 8 shows, as an example of a jam that needs to remove residual paper in the stacker 61, a case where a jam has occurred when a sheet that has undergone half-folding processing is conveyed to the subsequent stacking stacker.

  The paper processing unit 60 further includes a half-folding processing unit 64 that performs a half-folding process (two-fold) on the paper. Further, a stacking stacker 80 is connected to the downstream side of the paper processing unit 60 in the paper transport direction. During the middle folding process, the sheets subjected to the middle folding process by the middle folding processing unit 64 are conveyed one by one to the stacking stacker 80 and stacked on the stacking stacker 80.

  In FIG. 8, a jam occurs when the paper P <b> 21 that has undergone the middle folding process is transported in the stacker 61, and residual papers P <b> 22 to P <b> 28 remain in the image forming apparatus 100. In the paper processing unit 60 (the half-folding machine), even if the paper P21 that has been subjected to the half-folding process, which is the jam-caused paper, is present in the stacker 61, the remaining sheets P22 to P28 can be conveyed (step S2; NO), the purge operation of the remaining sheets P22 to P28 is started without the user removing the jammed sheets (step S4).

Since the sheet P21 that has been subjected to the folding process is present in the stacker 61 (step S5; YES), the sheet P21 needs to be removed later (step S6; YES). Therefore, the remaining sheets P22 to P28 on the stacker 61. Can be conveyed (step S8; YES), the remaining sheets P22 to P28 are conveyed to the stacker 61 (step S9). FIG. 9 shows a state in which the residual papers P22 to P28 are conveyed to the stacker 61 from the state of FIG. 8 (purge completion).
The user can collectively remove the paper P21 and the residual papers P22 to P28 from the stacker 61.
In addition, the sheet bundle P29 that has been subjected to the half-fold processing and is stacked on the stacking stacker 80 is used as an output product of the job.

[Specific Example 3]
Next, a specific example in the case where it is not necessary to remove the paper in the stacker 61 when a jam occurs during the execution of a job involving bundle processing in the image forming apparatus 100 will be described.
When the remaining paper existing in the stacker 61 can be used when a jam occurs, a purge operation for transporting the residual paper to a transport destination different from the stacker 61 is executed.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of a jam when the remaining paper in the stacker 61 is available. A jam occurs in the middle of transporting the paper P31, and in the image forming apparatus 100, there are available paper bundles P32 and residual papers P33 to P38.

  Here, if the paper P31 that is jam-caused paper remains in the transport path, the remaining papers P33 to P38 cannot be transported (step S2; YES). Therefore, after the paper P31 is removed by the user (step S3). ) The purge operation of the remaining sheets P33 to P38 is started (step S4).

Although there is a sheet bundle P32 in the stacker 61 (step S5; YES), this sheet bundle P32 is usable and does not need to be removed (step S6; NO), and is shown in FIG. As described above, the remaining sheets P33 to P38 are conveyed to the sheet discharge tray T12 (step S7).
The user removes the remaining sheets P33 to P38 from the sheet discharge tray T12.
Further, the sheet bundle P32 stacked on the stacker 61 is subjected to sheet processing as necessary, and is used as a job output.

[Specific Example 4]
Next, another specific example in the case where it is not necessary to remove the paper in the stacker 61 when a jam occurs during the execution of a job involving bundle processing in the image forming apparatus 100 will be described.
If there is no residual paper in the stacker 61 when a jam occurs, a purge operation is performed to transport the residual paper to a transport destination different from the stacker 61.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of a jam when there is no residual paper in the stacker 61. A jam occurs during the conveyance of the sheet P41, and the remaining sheets P42 to P47 remain in the image forming apparatus 100.

  Here, if the paper P41 that is jammed paper remains in the transport path, the remaining papers P42 to P47 cannot be transported (step S2; YES), and therefore after the paper P41 is removed by the user (step S3). ) The purge operation of the remaining sheets P42 to P47 is started (step S4).

Since there is no sheet in the stacker 61 (step S5; NO), as shown in FIG. 13, the remaining sheets P42 to P47 are conveyed to the sheet discharge tray T12 (step S7).
The user removes the remaining sheets P42 to P47 from the sheet discharge tray T12.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 100, when a jam occurs during execution of a job involving predetermined paper processing, if there is a paper that needs to be removed in the stacker 61, all the remaining paper is present. Is transported to the stacker 61, the user only needs to remove the paper from the stacker 61, and the efficiency of the jam clearing operation when a jam occurs can be improved.

For example, when a jam occurs during execution of a job that involves bundling processing, the image forming apparatus 100 can transport the remaining paper into the stacker 61 where there is a paper that needs to be removed.
Further, since a larger number of remaining sheets can be conveyed to the stacker 61 in the bundle process, the remaining sheets can be collected in the stacker 61 regardless of the number set in the bundle process.
Further, since the remaining sheets more than the upper limit number of sheets that can be bundled can be conveyed to the stacker 61, the remaining sheets can be collected on the stacker 61 regardless of the upper limit number of sheets that can be bundled.

Further, by performing the stapling process on the bundle of residual paper conveyed into the stacker 61, it becomes easy to remove the residual paper from the stacker 61.
Further, when the number of remaining sheets in the stacker 61 exceeds the upper limit number of sheets that can be stapled, the stapling process for the bundle of remaining sheets is prohibited, so that the staple processing unit 62 can be prevented from malfunctioning.

  In addition, since it is possible to select whether to execute the first control process or whether to execute the second control process, it is possible to realize the process desired by the user.

Further, since the remaining sheets exceeding the maximum stackable number are transported to a transport destination different from the stacker 61, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems due to the stacker 61 being overloaded.
Further, since the remaining paper having a different size from the paper in the stacker 61 is transported to a transport destination different from the stacker 61, the size of the paper transported to the stacker 61 can be made uniform.

Further, when there is a usable paper in the stacker 61, the remaining paper is transported to a transport destination different from the stacker 61. Therefore, the usable paper and the unusable paper are transported separately. Can do.
Further, when there is no paper in the stacker 61, the residual paper is transported to a transport destination different from the stacker 61, so that the residual paper can be easily removed.

  The description in the above embodiment is an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this. The detailed configuration and detailed operation of each part constituting the apparatus can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, whether or not the number of remaining sheets in the stacker 61 has reached a preset number in the stacking process, whether or not the number of remaining sheets in the stacker 61 has reached an upper limit number that can be bundled, When it is determined whether or not the number of remaining sheets in the sheet 61 has reached the maximum stackable number, if jammed sheets remain in the stacker 61, the number of jammed sheets is set as necessary. The determination may be made based on the combined number.

  In the above embodiment, the upper limit of the remaining sheets that can be stacked in the stacker 61 is determined based on the number of sheets. However, it may be determined based on the weight.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 includes the paper feeding unit 50 and the paper processing unit 60. However, the paper feeding unit 50 and the paper processing unit 60 are independent devices. An image forming system connected to the apparatus may be configured.

  In the above description, an example in which a ROM is used as a computer-readable medium storing a program for executing each process is disclosed, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As other computer-readable media, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory and a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM can be applied. A carrier wave may be applied as a medium for providing program data via a communication line.

40 image forming unit 50 paper feeding unit 60 paper processing unit 61 stacker 62 staple processing unit 71 control unit 72 storage unit 74 conveyance unit 75 paper detection unit 100 image forming apparatuses T1 to T5 paper feeding trays T11 and T12 paper discharge tray

Claims (16)

An image forming unit for forming an image on paper;
A transport unit for transporting paper;
A paper processing unit that performs predetermined paper processing on paper;
A stacker for loading paper for the predetermined paper processing;
A control unit that controls the transport unit when a jam occurs, and transports residual paper, which is paper remaining in the transport path, to a predetermined transport destination;
With
The control unit controls the conveyance unit to control all the remaining sheets when there is a sheet that needs to be removed in the stacker when a jam occurs during execution of a job involving the predetermined sheet process. An image forming apparatus that conveys the image to the stacker.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined sheet processing is a bundle process that processes a plurality of sheets in a bundle.   The control unit does not perform the bundle processing by the sheet processing unit even when the number of remaining sheets in the stacker reaches a preset number in the bundle processing, and controls the transport unit, The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein residual paper is conveyed to the stacker.   The control unit controls the transport unit and further performs a control process for transporting the remaining paper to the stacker even when the number of remaining papers in the stacker reaches the upper limit number of sheets that can be bundled. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a selection unit configured to select whether the control unit executes the control process. The bundle process is a staple process,
Regardless of the number of sheets set in advance in the staple processing, the control unit controls the transport unit to transport the residual paper to the stacker, and then causes the paper processing unit to bundle the residual paper in the stacker. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a control process for causing the staple process to be performed is executed.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a selection unit configured to select whether the control unit executes the control process.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit keeps a bundle of residual paper subjected to the stapling process in the stacker.   The control unit prohibits the stapling process on the bundle of remaining sheets in the stacker by the sheet processing unit when the number of remaining sheets in the stacker exceeds an upper limit number of sheets that can be stapled. The image forming apparatus as described in any one of -8.   When the number of remaining sheets in the stacker reaches the stackable upper limit number of sheets, the control unit controls the transport unit to stop the transport of the remaining sheets to the stacker, so that the stacking is possible. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the remaining paper exceeding the upper limit number is transported to a transport destination different from the stacker.   11. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the transport unit to transport residual paper having a size different from that of the paper in the stacker to a transport destination different from the stacker. Image forming apparatus.   When a jam occurs during execution of a job involving the predetermined paper processing and the usable paper is present in the stacker, the control unit controls the transport unit to remove residual paper from the stacker. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is transported to another transport destination.   When a jam occurs during execution of a job involving the predetermined paper processing and the paper does not exist in the stacker, the control unit controls the transport unit to separate the remaining paper from the stacker. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is transported to a transport destination.   The jam that occurs during execution of a job involving the predetermined paper processing is a jam due to conveyance of the paper after the predetermined paper processing or a jam due to occurrence of an abnormality during execution of the predetermined paper processing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. An image forming system including a paper supply unit that supplies paper and a paper processing unit that performs predetermined paper processing on the paper,
An image forming unit for forming an image on paper;
A transport unit for transporting paper;
A stacker for loading paper for the predetermined paper processing;
A control unit that controls the transport unit when a jam occurs, and transports residual paper, which is paper remaining in the transport path, to a predetermined transport destination;
With
The control unit controls the conveyance unit to control all the remaining sheets when there is a sheet that needs to be removed in the stacker when a jam occurs during execution of a job involving the predetermined sheet process. An image forming system for conveying the image to the stacker. An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, a transport unit that transports the sheet, a sheet processing unit that performs predetermined sheet processing on the sheet, a stacker that stacks sheets for the predetermined sheet processing, and a jam An image forming method comprising: a control unit that controls the transport unit to transport residual paper that remains on the transport path to a predetermined transport destination when the ink occurs. ,
When a jam occurs during execution of a job involving the predetermined paper processing, the control unit controls the transport unit to control all the remaining paper when there is a paper that needs to be removed in the stacker. An image forming method including a step of transporting the stacker to the stacker.

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