JP2022042858A - Sheet inserting device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a sheet inserting device capable of inserting an insertion sheet between sheets with formed images in a desired page order after reducing the processing time for insertion.SOLUTION: The sheet inserting device includes an insertion conveyance path located in the middle of conveying an insertion sheet supplied from insertion sheet supplying means for holding the insertion sheet toward the conveyance path of a recording medium. The insertion conveyance path includes a plurality of bypass conveyance paths that bypass the conveyance path of the insertion sheet from the insertion sheet supplying means, and insertion conveyance path switching means for switching the insertion conveyance path of the insertion sheet by selecting one of the plurality of bypass conveyance paths.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a sheet insertion device and an image forming device.

A sheet insertion device is known that allows a sheet material on which an image has not been formed to be inserted between bundles of sheet materials on which an image has been formed when the sheet material on which an image is formed is bundled and bound by an image forming device. There is. In the sheet insertion device, a sheet material on which an image is not formed (hereinafter referred to as "inserted paper") is loaded on a supply unit, and an image-formed sheet material (hereinafter referred to as "image-formed paper") is used. Has a configuration in which the insert paper is passed through different paths. Then, the insert paper supplied from the sheet insertion device is configured to be merged with the image-formed paper conveyed through the image-forming unit and discharged.

For example, in Patent Document 1, the inserted paper is inserted between the bundles of the image-formed paper by stacking and transporting the image-formed paper from the image forming apparatus main body and the inserted paper from the sheet inserting device in the vicinity of the confluence. A technique for shortening the processing time at the time of processing is disclosed.

In the sheet inserting device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the image-formed paper from the image forming device main body and the inserted paper from the sheet inserting device are overlapped in the vicinity of the confluence. Therefore, when the insert paper from the sheet insertion device is continuously stacked on the image-formed paper, there is a problem that the page order of the insert paper is limited so that the processing time at the time of insertion can be shortened.

An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet insertion device capable of inserting an insertion sheet between image-formed papers in a desired page order while shortening the insertion processing time.

In order to solve the above technical problem, one aspect of the present invention is a sheet insertion device that inserts an insertion sheet, which is another sheet medium, into a sheet bundle formed by laminating sheet-like recording media. It is provided with an insertion transport path located in the middle of transporting the insert sheet supplied from the insert sheet supply means for holding the insert sheet toward the transport path of the recording medium, and the insert transport path is from the insert sheet supply means. It is provided with a plurality of bypass transport paths for bypassing the transport path of the insertion sheet, and an insertion transport path switching means for selecting one of the plurality of bypass transport paths to switch the insertion transport path for the insertion sheet. It is characterized by.

According to the present invention, the insertion sheet can be inserted between the image-formed papers in a desired page order after shortening the insertion processing time.

The schematic diagram of the image formation system including the sheet insertion apparatus which concerns on this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the main part of the sheet insertion apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. A detailed view of the bypass transfer unit provided in the seat insertion device. Explanatory drawing which shows the state when the page order of the insert paper is not changed in the bypass transport part. Explanatory drawing which shows the state in the case of changing the page order of the insert paper in the bypass transfer part. The flowchart which shows the transport path determination process of the bypass transport part. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the page order of a paper insertion job. Explanatory drawing which shows the paper transport operation of the whole image formation system to which this invention was applied. Explanatory drawing which shows the paper transport operation of the whole image formation system to which this invention was applied. Explanatory drawing which shows the paper transport operation of the whole image formation system to which this invention was applied. Explanatory drawing which shows the paper transport operation of the whole image formation system to which this invention was applied. Explanatory drawing which shows the paper transport operation of the whole image formation system to which this invention was applied. Explanatory drawing which shows the paper transport operation of the whole image formation system to which this invention was applied. Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the discharge order to a post-processing apparatus and a paper spacing. Explanatory drawing which shows the main part of the sheet insertion apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the discharge order to a post-processing apparatus and a paper spacing.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the sheet insertion device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an overall image of an image forming apparatus including a sheet inserting apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which a printer 100, a sheet inserting device 200, a post-processing device 300, and a sheet supply device 400 are interlocked with each other. In the present embodiment, the "paper P" which is a sheet-like medium on which the printer 100 forms an image and the "insertion sheet" which is a medium inserted between the papers P are both assumed to be "paper media". is doing. However, the sheet-shaped medium to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to "paper", and may be any medium that can be conveyed or inserted in the process described later.

The printer 100 as an image forming means generates drawing information based on the input image data, and forms an image on paper P as a sheet-shaped recording medium based on the generated drawing information. The paper P is fed from the built-in feed sheet tray 110 as a paper feed unit or the feed sheet tray 410 of the sheet supply device 400. The sheet insertion device 200 executes a process of inserting a sheet (insertion sheet) such as a front cover, an inner cover, and a back cover between the image-formed paper P conveyed from the printer 100. The post-processing device 300 executes post-processing such as bookbinding, staples, punching, etc. on the paper P conveyed from the sheet insertion device 200.

[Overview of Printer 100]
The printer 100 mainly includes a document reading unit 101, an image processing unit 102, an image writing unit 103, an image forming unit 104, a feeding sheet tray 110 as a feeding sheet means, an operation panel 106 as a setting means, and the like. It includes a control unit 107. The main control unit 107 has a communication function that controls the overall operation of the configuration included in the image forming system and transmits / receives information to / from the control unit 250 described later provided in the sheet insertion device 200.

The operation panel 106 has a display screen for displaying a response status corresponding to an operation by the user, and when the user presses the "start key" provided on the operation panel 106, a printing process as an image forming process is performed. Is started. For example, in the printing process for copying a document placed on the document reading unit 101, first, the mounted document is optically read by the optical reading sensor of the document reading unit 101 and photoelectrically converted. Is output to the image processing unit 102. The read signal is stored in the image writing unit 103 after being subjected to analog processing, A / D conversion, shading correction, image compression processing, etc. in the image processing unit 102. Then, the semiconductor laser is driven to emit light based on the image data stored in the image writing unit 103, and the photoconductor drum of the image forming unit 104 is irradiated with the laser beam to form a latent image.

Then, the latent image is developed with toner by the image forming unit 104, and the image forming unit is used for the paper P supplied from the feeding sheet tray 110 built in the printer 100 and the feeding sheet tray 410 built in the sheet feeding device. At 104, the toner image is transferred. The paper on which the toner image is transferred is fixed by the fixing portion and then discharged to the sheet inserting device 200 connected to the subsequent stage. An image is formed on the paper P by the printing process as described above.

[First Embodiment of Sheet Inserting Device 200]
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of the sheet insertion device 200 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet insertion device 200 is an insertion sheet supply means and a first tray 201 as a first supply sheet section, and an insertion sheet supply means and a second tray as a second supply sheet section. 202 and a bypass transport unit 203 are provided. The bypass transfer unit 203 functions as an insertion transfer path for changing the page order of the insertion sheets loaded on the first tray 201 and the second tray 202. The insertion sheet transport path T2 of the insertion sheet supplied from the first tray 201 and the second tray 202 joins at the upstream portion of the bypass transport portion 203. Then, the insertion sheet transport path T2 branches into the first transport path 204 and the second transport path 205 in the bypass transport section 203 after merging. Further, the insertion sheet transport path T2 merges with the sheet transport path T1 of the image-formed paper (sheet bundle) discharged from the printer 100 after merging at the downstream side of the first transport path 204 and the second transport path 205. do.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the bypass transport unit 203 provided in the sheet insertion device 200. As shown in FIG. 3, a switching claw 206, which is an insertion transport path switching means, is arranged at a branch portion of the first transport path 204 and the second transport path 205 as the bypass transport path. The switching claw 206 opens either one of the first transport path 204 and the second transport path 205 at the timing when the detection sensor 207 arranged on the upstream side of the bypass transport unit 203 detects the arrival of the insertion sheet, and the other Operates to block. A plurality of transport rollers are arranged in the insertion sheet transport path T2. For example, the inlet-side transport roller 208a is disposed near the inlet of the bypass transport unit 203, and the outlet-side transport roller 208b is disposed near the outlet of the bypass transport unit 203. Further, a first transport roller 208c is disposed in the first transport path 204, and a second transport roller 208d is disposed in the second transport path 205.

[Replacement operation of bypass transport unit 203]
4 (a) to 4 (d) are explanatory views showing a state in which the page order of the first insertion sheet 210 and the second insertion sheet 211 is conveyed without being exchanged by the bypass transfer unit 203.

When the first insertion sheet 210 is supplied from the first tray 201 or the second tray 202 and the tip of the first insertion sheet 210 reaches the detection sensor 207, the position is switched to the position where the second transport path 205 is closed. Switch the claw 206. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4A, the first insertion sheet 210 is conveyed from the insertion sheet transfer path T2 to the first transfer path 204 of the bypass transfer section 203. The operation of the first transfer roller 208c is temporarily stopped while the first insertion sheet 210 is conveyed to the first transfer path 204. As a result, the first insertion sheet 210 temporarily stays in the first transport path 204.

When the second insertion sheet 211 is fed following the first insertion sheet 210, at the timing when the tip of the second insertion sheet 211 reaches the detection sensor 207, the position closes the first transport path 204. Switching claw 206 is switched. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4B, the second insertion sheet 211 is transported from the insertion sheet transport path T2 to the second transport path 205 of the bypass transport section 203. The operation of the second transfer roller 208d is temporarily stopped while the second insertion sheet 211 is conveyed to the second transfer path 205. As a result, the second insertion sheet 211 temporarily stays in the second transport path 205. When the second insertion sheet 211 is conveyed to the second transfer path 205, the first transfer roller 208c does not rotate and keeps the first insertion sheet 210 waiting in the first transfer path 204. There is.

After the rear end of the second insertion sheet 211 reaches the inside of the second transfer path 205, the rotation of the second transfer roller 208d is stopped. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4C, the first insertion sheet 210 and the second insertion sheet 211 stand by inside the bypass transport unit 203 until a predetermined insertion timing is reached.

Then, the rotation of the first transfer roller 208c and the second transfer roller 208d is restarted in accordance with the predetermined insertion timing. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4D, the first insertion sheet 210 and the second insertion sheet 211 are overlapped at the confluence portion on the downstream side of the bypass transport portion 203 and discharged to the insert sheet transport path T2. Bypass. Then, the first insertion sheet 210 and the second insertion sheet 211 after being discharged are conveyed to the downstream side of the insertion sheet transfer path T2 in a state of being overlapped as they are.

5 (a) to 5 (d) are explanatory views showing a state in which the page order of the first insertion sheet 210 and the second insertion sheet 211 is exchanged by the bypass transfer unit 203.

When the first insertion sheet 210 is fed from the first tray 201 or the second tray 202 and the tip of the first insertion sheet 210 reaches the detection sensor 207, the position where the first transport path 204 is blocked. Switch the switching claw 206 to. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5A, the first insertion sheet 210 is conveyed from the insertion sheet transfer path T2 to the second transfer path 205 of the bypass transfer section 203.

The second insertion sheet 211 is fed following the first insertion sheet 210, and when the tip of the second insertion sheet 211 reaches the detection sensor 207, the second transport path 205 is blocked. Switching claw 206 is switched. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5B, the second insertion sheet 211 is transported from the insertion sheet transport path T2 to the first transport path 204 of the bypass transport section 203, and during this time, the second transfer roller 208d rotates. Instead, the first insertion sheet 210 is made to stand by in the second transport path 205.

After the rear end of the second insertion sheet 211 reaches the inside of the first transfer path 204, the rotation of the first transfer roller 208c is stopped. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5C, the first insertion sheet 210 and the second insertion sheet 211 stand by inside the bypass transport unit 203 until a predetermined insertion timing is reached.

Then, the rotation of the first transfer roller 208c and the second transfer roller 208d is restarted in accordance with the predetermined insertion timing. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5D, the first insertion sheet 210 and the second insertion sheet 211 are overlapped at the confluence portion on the downstream side of the bypass transport portion 203 and discharged to the insert sheet transport path T2. Bypass. Then, the sheet medium (insertion sheet) in the state of being stacked as it is after being discharged is conveyed to the downstream side of the insertion sheet transfer path T2.

[Transport path determination process for bypass transport unit 203]
The sheet insertion device 200 is provided with a control unit 250 as a determination means for determining the transfer path of the bypass transfer unit 203 (see FIG. 1). The control unit 250 executes the transport path determination process at the timing when the tip of the insertion sheet supplied from the first tray 201 or the second tray 202 reaches the detection sensor 207. The transport path determination process is a process of determining which of the first transport path 204 and the second transport path 205 as the plurality of bypass transport paths of the bypass transport unit 203 is to be used. The control unit 250 does not necessarily have to be provided in the sheet insertion device 200, and for example, the main control unit 107 provided in the printer 100 may execute the transport path determination process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a transport path determination process by the control unit 250. As shown in FIG. 6, first, it is determined whether or not the front paper is supplied from the sheet insertion device 200 (S601). When the front paper is conveyed from the printer 100 instead of being inserted from the sheet insertion device 200 (S601: NO), the sheets cannot be overlapped, so the switching claw 206 is conveyed to the first transfer path 204. Switch to the direction (S605). On the other hand, in step S601, when the front paper is supplied from the first tray 201 or the second tray 202 of the sheet insertion device 200 and inserted (S601: YES), the process proceeds to step S602 and the front paper is the first transport path. It is determined whether or not the paper P is to be conveyed to 204.

In step S602, when the front paper is conveyed to the second transfer path 205 instead of the first transfer path 204 (S602: NO), the process proceeds to step S605 to use the first transfer path 204. On the other hand, in step S602, when the front paper is conveyed to the first transport path 204 (S602: YES), the process proceeds to step S603 to determine whether or not the front paper is the paper P in the same portion.

In step S603, when the front paper is not the paper P in the same portion (S603: NO), the bundle processing of the post-processing apparatus 300 cannot be performed when the paper P is stacked. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S605 to use the first transport path 204. do. That fact is notified via the operation panel as a notification means. On the other hand, in step S603, when the front paper is the paper P in the same portion (S603: YES), the process proceeds to step S604 to switch the switching claw 206 in the direction of transporting the switching claw 206 to the second transport path 205. That fact is notified via the operation panel as a notification means.

[Paper transfer operation of the entire image formation system]
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the page order of the paper insertion job. As shown in FIG. 7, the page numbers Pn1 to Pn7 are the paper fed from the feed sheet tray 110 of the printer 100 and the insertion sheet fed from the first tray 201 and the second tray 202 of the sheet insertion device 200. It is tied to. Hereinafter, the paper transfer operation executed by the entire image forming system to which the present invention is applied to the paper insertion job shown in FIG. 7 will be described in order with reference to FIGS. 8 to 13. In the following description, the paper P corresponding to each page number Pn1 to Pn7 shown in FIG. 7 is appropriately described as paper P1 to P7. Therefore, the paper P1 means the paper P corresponding to the page number Pn1, and the same applies hereinafter.

FIG. 8 shows a state in which the paper P1 is started to be fed from the feed sheet tray 110 of the printer 100, and then the paper P2 as an insertion sheet is started to be fed from the first tray 201 of the sheet insertion device 200. There is.

FIG. 9 shows a state in which the paper P3 as an insertion sheet is started to be fed from the second tray 202 of the sheet insertion device 200, and then the paper P4 is started to be fed from the feed sheet tray 110 of the printer 100. There is. At this time, the previously fed paper P2 is conveyed to the first transfer path 204 of the bypass transfer section 203, and the transfer is temporarily stopped at the standby position of the first transfer path 204.

FIG. 10 shows how the paper P5 as an insertion sheet is started to be supplied from the second tray 202 of the sheet insertion device 200. Further, FIG. 10 shows a state in which the supply of the paper P6 as the insertion sheet is started from the first tray 201 of the sheet insertion device 200 following the supply of the paper P5. Further, FIG. 10 shows a state in which the supply of the paper P7 is started from the supply sheet tray 110 of the printer 100, further following the supply of the paper P5 and the paper P6. At this time, the previously supplied paper P3 is transported to the second transport path 205 of the bypass transport section 203, and the transport is temporarily stopped at the standby position of the second transport path 205. Then, the paper P2 and the paper P3 waiting in the bypass transport unit 203 are resumed at the timing of inserting the insertion sheet into the paper P1 conveyed from the printer 100.

FIG. 11 shows how the paper P5 is transported to the first transport path 204 of the bypass transport section 203, and the transport is temporarily stopped at the standby position of the first transport path 204. At this time, the paper P2 and the paper P3 whose insertion timing has been set earlier are overlapped at the confluence portion on the downstream side of the bypass transport portion 203, and are discharged to the aftertreatment device 300 as they are.

FIG. 12 shows how the paper P6 is transported to the second transport path 205 of the bypass transport section 203, and the transport is temporarily stopped at the standby position of the second transport path 205. Then, the paper P5 and the paper P6 waiting in the bypass transport unit 203 are resumed at the timing of inserting the paper into the paper P4 conveyed from the printer 100.

FIG. 13 shows how the paper P5 and the paper P6, which have reached the insertion timing, are overlapped at the confluence portion on the downstream side of the bypass transport portion 203 and are discharged to the aftertreatment device 300 as they are. As a result, the papers P1 to P7 are ejected from the post-processing apparatus 300 in the order of superimposing the page numbers of the paper insertion jobs shown in FIG.

[Relationship between the order of ejection to the post-processing device 300 and the paper spacing]
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the discharge order to the post-processing device 300 and the paper spacing when the paper insertion job shown in FIG. 7 is executed by using the sheet insertion device 200 according to the first embodiment. ..

As shown in FIG. 14, the paper P2 is conveyed in the first transport path 204, the paper P3 is conveyed in the second transport path 205, and the paper P2 and the paper P3 are concatenated on the downstream side of the bypass transport unit 203. And transfer it to the post-processing device 300. As a result, the insertion processing time can be shortened. Further, the paper P5 is conveyed in the second transport path 205, the paper P6 is conveyed in the first transport path 204, and the paper P5 and the paper P6 are overlapped at the confluence portion on the downstream side of the bypass transport portion 203. It is transported to the aftertreatment device 300. As a result, the processing time for insertion can be shortened as well.

In this way, it is possible to shorten the insertion processing time for superimposing the paper P3 supplied from the second tray 202 on the paper P2 whose page order is supplied from the first tray 201. Further, in addition to this, it is also possible to shorten the insertion processing time for superimposing the paper P6 supplied from the first tray 201 on the paper P5 whose page order is supplied from the second tray 202. Therefore, the insertion processing time can be shortened as compared with the prior art.

It should be noted that the combination of the page order in which the insert sheets can be stacked and the paper feed tray (first tray 201 and second tray 202) as the sheet supply unit of the insert sheets may be limited. Therefore, when the user sets a job, it is determined whether or not the insert sheets can be overlapped, and if the insert sheets can be overlapped, the paper feed tray of the insert sheet corresponding to the page number is printed on the printer. The operation panel 106 and the like of 100 may be notified. In this way, it is possible to support the user's judgment so that the job can be started under the condition that the productivity is advantageous.

As described above, the sheet insertion device 200 according to the first embodiment includes an insertion sheet transfer path T2, a bypass transfer unit 203, and a switching claw 206. The insertion sheet transport path T2 is a transport path for transporting the insert sheets supplied from the first tray 201 and the second tray 202. The bypass transport unit 203 has a configuration in which the insertion sheet transport path T2 is branched into a first transport path 204 and a second transport path 205. The switching claw 206 has a configuration in which the transfer destination of the insertion sheet is switched to either the first transfer path 204 or the second transfer path 205.

With this configuration, the sheet insertion device 200 is not limited to the case where the page order inserts the insertion sheet supplied from the second tray 202 after the insertion sheet supplied from the first tray 201. That is, it is possible to handle the case where the insertion sheet supplied from the first tray 201 is inserted after the insertion sheet supplied from the second tray 202, and the insertion processing time can be shortened.

[Second Embodiment of Sheet Inserting Device 200]
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of the sheet insertion device 200 according to the second embodiment, and the parts corresponding to FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 15, in the sheet inserting device 200 according to the second embodiment, the paper P2 and the paper P3 transported to the first transport path 204 and the second transport path 205 of the bypass transport unit 203 are transferred to the bypass transport unit 203. The sheets are overlapped at the confluence on the downstream side of the insertion sheet and discharged to the insertion sheet transport path T2. Then, after being discharged to the insertion sheet transport path T2, the confluence portion 240 with the sheet transport path T1 on the downstream side thereof has a configuration capable of superimposing the paper P1 conveyed from the printer 100. Similarly, the paper P5 and the paper P6 subsequently transported to the first transport path 204 of the bypass transport section 203 and the second transport path 205 are overlapped at the confluence portion on the downstream side of the bypass transport section 203, and the insertion sheet transport path T2 is overlapped. Discharge to. Then, after being discharged to the insertion sheet transport path T2, the confluence portion 240 on the downstream side thereof has a configuration capable of superimposing the paper P7 conveyed from the printer 100.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the discharge order to the post-processing device 300 and the paper spacing when the paper insertion job shown in FIG. 7 is executed by using the sheet insertion device 200 according to the second embodiment. ..

As shown in FIG. 16, the paper P2 is conveyed in the first transport path 204, and the paper P3 is conveyed in the second transport path 205. Then, the paper P2 and the paper P3 are superposed at the confluence portion on the downstream side of the bypass transport portion 203. Further, the paper P1 transported from the printer 100 is superposed at the merging portion 240 with the sheet transport path T1 and transported to the post-processing apparatus 300.

Further, the paper P5 is conveyed in the second transport path 205, and the paper P6 is conveyed in the first transport path 204. Then, the paper P5 and the paper P6 are superposed at the confluence portion on the downstream side of the bypass transport portion 203. Further, the paper P1 transported from the printer 100 is superposed at the merging portion 240 with the sheet transport path T1 and then transported to the post-processing apparatus 300.

In this way, it is possible to shorten the insertion processing time when the paper P1 supplied from the first tray 201 and the paper P3 supplied from the second tray 202 are overlapped with each other in the page order. Further, in addition to shortening the insertion processing time, it is also possible to shorten the insertion processing time when the supply from the first tray 201 (paper P6) is overlapped after the supply (paper P5) of the second tray 202 in the page order. become. Moreover, since the paper spacing from the printer 100 is shortened, the insertion processing time can be significantly shortened.

[Third Embodiment of the sheet insertion device 200]
Next, a third embodiment different from the sheet insertion device 200 according to the first and second embodiments will be described. In the sheet inserting device 200 according to the first and second embodiments, the page order of the inserted sheets supplied from different trays (first tray 201 and second tray 202) of the sheet inserting device 200 is switched by the bypass transfer unit 203. The example configured in is explained.

However, the page order of the inserted sheets supplied from the same tray of the sheet inserting device 200 may be switched by the bypass transport unit 203. In this case, the control unit 250 may control the insertion sheets supplied from the same tray so as to be distributed to the first transport path 204 or the second transport path 205 according to the stacking order.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to each of the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the technical gist thereof, and the technical concept included in the claims is described. All of the matters are the subject of the present invention. Although each of the above embodiments shows suitable examples, those skilled in the art can realize various modified examples from the disclosed contents. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims.

100: Image forming apparatus 110: Paper feed tray 106: Operation panel 107: Main control unit 200: Sheet insertion device 201: First tray (insertion sheet supply means)
202: Second tray (insertion sheet supply means)
203: Bypass transport unit (bypass transport means)
206: Switching claw (transport path switching means)
207: Detection sensor 208c: Conveyor roller 208d: Conveyor roller 240: Confluence part 250: Control unit 300: Post-processing device T1: Sheet transfer path T2: Insert sheet transfer path P: Paper (insertion paper)

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-69723

Claims (7)

A sheet insertion device that inserts an insert sheet, which is another sheet medium, into a sheet bundle formed by laminating sheet-shaped recording media.
It is provided with an insertion transport path located in the middle of transporting the insert sheet supplied from the insert sheet supply means for holding the insert sheet toward the transport path of the recording medium.
The insertion transfer path is
A plurality of bypass transport paths that bypass the transport path of the insert sheet from the insert sheet supply means, and
Insertion transport path switching means for selecting one of the plurality of bypass transport paths to switch the insertion transport path of the insertion sheet, and
A sheet insertion device characterized by being equipped with. The insertion transport path switching means is provided at a confluence portion on the upstream side of the plurality of bypass transport paths.
The sheet insertion device according to claim 1. A transport roller is provided in each of the plurality of bypass transport paths.
Each transport roller stacks and discharges the insertion sheet from the confluence of the plurality of bypass transport paths.
The sheet insertion device according to claim 2. The insertion sheet supply means has a first supply sheet portion and a second supply sheet portion in which the insertion sheet is held.
The bypass transport path is provided on the downstream side of the confluence portion where the insertion sheet supplied from the first supply sheet portion and the insertion sheet supplied from the second supply sheet portion merge.
The sheet insertion device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A sheet supply means for supplying a sheet-shaped recording medium,
An image forming means for forming an image on the recording medium supplied from the feeding sheet means, and an image forming means.
A sheet transport path for transporting an image-formed recording medium that has passed through the image-forming means, and a sheet transport path.
The sheet insertion device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
Equipped with
An image forming apparatus characterized in that the insertion transport path and the transport path merge on the downstream side of the bypass transport path. The insertion sheet and the image-formed recording medium are overlapped and conveyed at the confluence of the insertion transfer path and the transfer path.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5. A setting means for setting a job using the insertion sheet from the sheet insertion device, and
Judgment means for determining whether or not it is possible to stack and transport the insertion sheets, and
A notification means for notifying the sheet supply unit corresponding to the page number when the inserted sheets can be stacked and conveyed.
Further equipped,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6.

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