JP2563701Y2 - Collating device - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

The present invention relates to a stencil printing machine, an electrophotographic copying machine, a printer or a facsimile, which is connected to an image forming apparatus, and the paper sent from the apparatus is automatically stored in a plurality of storage shelves. The present invention relates to a paper collating device that distributes and collates paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an integrated stencil printing apparatus has been developed which automates a stencil making operation which has been performed by an operator, and a very complicated stencil changing operation can be easily performed. For this reason, printing apparatuses that have been used for small-volume, large-volume printing have come to be used for large-volume, small-volume printing. Against this background, a collating device (sorter) used in a general copying machine has been connected to a stencil printing device, and has been used in offices and the like.

A sorter generally has two modes, a sort mode for performing a collating operation and a non-sort mode for not performing a collating operation. The sort mode is a mode in which print paper supplied from a printing apparatus or the like is sequentially distributed to a plurality of sort bins, and the non-sort mode is a mode in which print paper is sequentially discharged to one tray (hereinafter, referred to as a non-sort tray). . As a sorter device connected to a printing apparatus, there are a sort bin fixed system in which a sort bin is fixed and a conveying unit moves, and a sort bin moving system in which a conveying unit is fixed and a sort bin moves up and down as shown in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 1-166672. Yes, the former method generally employs the latter method because the equipment becomes large and expensive.

In general, a stencil printing apparatus uses ink, so that it takes some time until a printed image dries. However, in the sort mode, since the plate making operation is performed for each document, the printed image dries before the next sheet is discharged, so that there is no problem. However, in the non-sort mode, as shown in FIG. 13A, the printing paper A discharged by the paper transporting unit 117 is transferred to the non-sort tray 1.
Since the ink of the printing paper B stacked on the print paper 14 is discharged one after another while rubbing the printing image surface which is not dried, there is a problem that the ink is stained on the leading end and the back side of the printing paper. Further, as shown in FIG. 13B, the printing paper A is transferred to the non-sort tray 114 by the frictional force acting between the printing paper B stacked on the non-sort tray 114 and the discharged printing paper A. There is a problem that the sheet is not conveyed to the upper fixed position and stops on the way of the conveyance, so that the next printing paper is discharged and a jam occurs. Therefore, as shown in JP-A-60-148864 or FIG.
Ridges 15a gradually raised on both side edges near the end of
There has been proposed a system in which a printing paper 15b is provided, and the conveyed printing paper is curved into a U-shape so as to have rigidity and is discharged to the storage shelf unit.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art having a raised member in the paper transport means, if the print paper is curved into a U-shape in the sort mode, the interval between the sort bins is narrow, so that the print paper is narrow. However, there is a problem that the paper is not smoothly discharged to the sort bin and a jam occurs.

A sorter of the sort bin moving system is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, when the paper from the printing apparatus 113 is discharged to the lowermost stage of the sort bin 115 of the storage shelf unit 116 via the paper conveyance means 117, the storage shelf unit 11
6 must be raised to a height of 11H, which raises the problem that the height of the entire collation device 11H becomes high, the collation device becomes unstable, and a large space is required in the height direction.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and can reliably discharge the printing paper without jamming even in the sort mode, and does not require a wide space in the height direction, thereby stabilizing the sort bin. It is an object of the present invention to provide a collating device that can be held in a state.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage shelf which is connected to a discharge port of an image forming apparatus and has a non-sort tray and a plurality of sort bins for discharging sheets discharged from the discharge port. A sheet conveying unit disposed between a pair of side plates, and a lifting unit for moving the storage shelf unit up and down so that each of the sort bins is opposed to the sheet conveying unit; A first position facing the non-sort tray and a second position facing the sort bin between the side plates depending on the presence or absence of a collating operation; A collating device having a swing holding mechanism for selectively swinging and holding the position of the sheet and the second position, when the sheet conveying means is swung to the first position, the sheet conveying means Both edges near the end of Engaged, in which the wedge member which is raised gradually from said sheet conveying means for bending the sheet coming discharged from the discharge outlet provided at the side plate.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet which is connected to a sheet discharge port of an image forming apparatus and conveys a sheet discharged from the discharge port to a storage shelf unit having a non-sort tray and a plurality of sort bins. Transport means, and elevating means for raising and lowering the storage shelf unit so that each sort bin faces the paper transport means, wherein the paper transport means moves to the non-sort tray in accordance with the presence or absence of a collating operation. A first position opposite to the first position and a second position opposite to the sort bin;
A collating device having a swing holding mechanism for selectively swinging and holding the position and the second position, wherein the sheet conveying means bends the sheet at both side edges near the end of the sheet conveying means. A paper guide plate, wherein when the paper transport means is swung to the first position, the paper guide plate is gradually raised from the paper transport means, and the paper transport means is in the second position. When swung to the position, it is configured to be able to swing selectively between the above-mentioned sheet conveying means and a position on the same plane.

[0010]

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the paper transporting means is swingably held at a position facing the non-sort tray, the paper on the paper transporting means is lifted at both ends by the wedge-shaped member. The sheet is conveyed to the non-sort tray while being curved in the shape of a letter. When the paper transport means is swingably held at a position facing the sort bin, the paper is transported straight to the sort bin along the paper transport means.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the sheet conveying means is swingably held at a position facing the non-sort tray, the both ends of the sheet on the sheet conveying means are raised by the raised sheet guide plate. It is conveyed to a non-sort tray while being lifted and curved in a U-shape. When the sheet conveying means is swingably held at a position facing the sort bin, the sheet guide plate moves on the same plane as the sheet conveying means, and the sheet is conveyed straight to the sort bin along the sheet conveying means.

[0013]

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a collating device. The collating apparatus 1 is connected to a paper discharge port 11 of a stencil printing apparatus 3 as an image forming apparatus, and conveys the paper discharged from the paper discharge port 11 by paper colleting means. The storage shelf unit 6 includes a plurality of sort bins 5 for collating and storing sheets sequentially when sorting, a non-sort tray 4 for storing sheets when non-sorting, and elevating means 65 for moving the storage shelf unit 6 up and down. It is configured.

As shown in FIG. 2, the storage shelf unit 6 includes a non-sort tray 4, a pair of brackets 21a and 21b supporting the non-sort tray 4, and long holes formed in both the brackets 21a and 21b. A plurality of sort bins 5 are fitted between 66a and 66b so as to be vertically movable.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sort bin 5 has projections 5b formed on both sides of a leading end 5a on the paper entry side, and the projections 5b are fitted in the slots 21a and 21b so as to be vertically movable. Rollers 18 are respectively connected to the outer ends of both protrusions 5b.

As shown in FIG. 3, the elevating means 65 includes a pair of shafts 28a and 28b arranged at a predetermined interval, and
a, 28b provided on the lead cams 22a,
2b, pulleys 25a and 25b provided at the lower ends of the shafts 28a and 28b, a timing belt 24 stretched between the pulleys 25a and 25b, and a motor 23 connected to the pulley 25 via a belt. Is configured. Grooves 19 are formed on the peripheral surfaces of the lead cams 22a and 22b.
a and 19b are engraved, and the rollers 18 of the sort bin 5 are loosely fitted into the grooves 19a and 19b. When the motor 23 rotates in a predetermined direction, the pulleys 25b and 25
a, each lead cam 22a, 2
2b rotates. The rollers 18 fitted in the grooves 19a, 19b rise along the grooves 19a, 19b, and the spaces between the sort bins 5 are sequentially opened. Guide rails (not shown) for guiding the rollers 18 are provided on the upper surfaces of the lead cams 22a and 22b, and the rollers 18 rising along the grooves 19a and 19b are sequentially pushed up into the guide rails from below, and a storage shelf unit is provided. 6 is raised. Further, the storage shelf unit 6 is provided with a slit plate and a sensor (not shown) as upper and lower limit detecting means for regulating the upper and lower limits of the storage shelf unit 6. Such means for raising and lowering the storage shelf unit is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-136865.

As shown in FIG. 5, the sheet conveying means 7 is disposed between the pair of side plates 39a and 39b, is wound around the driving shaft 16 and the driven shaft 17, and has a plurality of openings 33a. An endless belt 33, a suction fan 32 that sucks air in the paper transporting means 7 and sucks the paper being transported onto the endless belt 33, and a first position 12 facing the non-sort tray 4 (see FIG. 1). ) And a second position 13 (a position shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1) facing the sort bin 5 so as to be swingable about the drive shaft 16, and the first position and the second position 13. And a rocking holding mechanism 20 for selectively rocking and holding the position 2.

The endless belt 33 is made of a member such as synthetic resin or rubber.

The swing holding mechanism 20 includes a pair of side plates 39a, 3
9b, and pinions 37a, 37b meshing with both racks 38a, 38b
And a shaft 26 connecting the pinions 37a and 37b;
The worm wheel 36 includes a worm wheel 36 provided on the shaft 26 and a worm 35 that meshes with the worm wheel 36. The racks 38a and 38b are formed in a fan shape centering on the drive shaft 16. The swing of the sheet conveying means 7 to the first position 12 and the second position 13 is such that a signal sent from the stencil printing apparatus 3 is input to a control means (not shown),
The operation is performed by inputting an output signal from the control means to a motor (not shown) connected to the worm 35.

Next, the operation of the collating apparatus will be described. In FIG. 6A, in the collating apparatus 1, the storage shelf unit 6 is at the lowest position, and the sheet conveying means 7 is swung to the first position 12 facing the non-sort tray 4. This state is set to the initial position.

When a document is set on the stencil printing apparatus 3 and the number of prints and the sort mode are set, the stencil printing apparatus 3 separates and discards the used master wound around the plate cylinder 8 by a stencil discharging device (not shown). The newly drilled master is then
And one sheet of paper is fed between the plate cylinder 8 and the press roller 9 at a predetermined timing, the sheet is pressed by the master, and the ink flows from the inner peripheral surface of the plate cylinder 8 through the hole of the master. Is transferred to the paper surface and printed. Thereafter, the paper is conveyed to the paper discharge port 11 by the paper discharge conveyance section 10 and conveyed to the non-sort tray 4 by the endless belt 33 of the paper conveyance means 7, and the so-called printing is completed. At this time, the sheet is conveyed while being adsorbed on the surface of the endless belt 33 because the air in the sheet conveying means 7 is sucked by the suction fan 32 from the opening 33a below the endless belt 33.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6B, a motor (not shown) of the swing holding mechanism 20 is driven to rotate the worm 35, and the worm wheel 36 meshing with the worm 35 and the shaft 26 , Pinion 37a, 3
7b rotates, and the sheet conveying means 7 swings about the drive shaft 16 to the second position 13 along the racks 38a and 38b.

The first sheet printed by the same operation as described above is inserted into the uppermost sort bin 5 by the sheet conveying means 7, and at the same time, the motor 23 of the elevating means 65 starts rotating and the lead cam 22a , 22b rotate,
The rollers 18 at both ends of the sort bin 5 fitted in the grooves 19a, 19b of the lead cams 22a, 22b rise, and the second-stage sort bin 5 is disposed at a position facing the sheet conveying means 7, and the second sheet The sheet is inserted into the second-stage sort bin 5. Thereafter, the set number of prints are sequentially performed by the same operation as the above operation, and the sheets are stored in each sort bin 5 one by one. When the printing of the set number of sheets is completed, the storage shelf unit 6 is lowered by the raising / lowering means 65 to the most lowered position, and the paper conveying means 7 swings from the second position 13 to the first position 12 facing the non-sort tray. The document is swung by the holding mechanism 20, and printing corresponding to the next document is performed as described above.

According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the paper holding means 7 is moved by the swing holding mechanism 20 between the first position facing the non-sort tray 4 and the position facing the sort bin 5. Since the swing unit can be swung, the rising width of the storage shelf unit 6 is reduced, the collating device is stabilized, and the space in the height direction is reduced.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 show another embodiment. The paper transporting means 70 shown in this embodiment includes a pair of side plates 27.
a and 27b so as to be swingable . In contrast to the embodiment shown in FIGS.
As shown in (a) and (b), when the paper is swung to the first position 12, the paper is engaged with both side edges 52a and 52b near the end of the paper transporting means 70 to bend the paper. Wedge-shaped member 5 gradually raised from sheet conveying surface 34 of conveying means 70
Only the configuration in which 1a and 51b are provided inside the side plates 27a and 27b is different. Note that the wedge-shaped member 51 of the paper transport surface 34
8 are provided on the side edge portions 52a and 52b with which the a and 51b are engaged.
As shown in the figure, the conveyed sheet is a wedge-shaped member 51a,
A step slightly lower than the sheet conveying surface 34 is formed so as not to be caught on the sheet 51b. Further, the interval between the sort bins 5 is very narrow, and the side edges 52a, 52b and the sheet transport surface 3
4, the leading end of the sheet hangs downward due to the step, and the sheet curves in an inverted U-shape. In the sort mode, the sheet may not be reliably conveyed to the sort bin 5, so that the sheet may be conveyed to the sheet conveying surface 34. It is preferable that the step between the edges 52a and 52b is small unless the paper is caught on the wedge-shaped members 51a and 51b. Only differences between the operation of this embodiment and the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 will be described. When plate printing is performed in the same operation as in the above-described embodiment and the non-sort mode is set, the sheet conveying means 70 is in the state shown in FIG.
In a state where the sheet is engaged with the wedge-shaped members 51a and 51b at the first position facing the sheet, the sheet is sucked onto the endless belt 33 by the suction fan 32 and is conveyed toward the non-sort tray 4. The paper is transported by the wedge-shaped member 5 while being conveyed.
When passing through the upper surfaces of 1a and 51b, as shown in FIG. 9A, the central portion of the sheet A is adsorbed on the endless belt 33, so that both ends of the sheet A are lifted upward, The sheet is bent in a U-shape to provide rigidity, and the sheet stacked on the non-sort tray 4 is conveyed to a predetermined position without rubbing.

When the sort mode is set,
The sheet conveying means 70 is swung to the second position shown in FIG. 7B, and the wedge-shaped members 51a and 51b are separated from the sheet conveying surface 34. The sheet A is adsorbed on the endless belt 33 as shown in FIG. 9B and is conveyed to the sort bin 5 substantially in parallel with the sheet conveying surface 34.

According to this embodiment, only when the sheet conveying means 70 is swung to the first position 12, the sheet conveying means 7
0 is engaged with the wedge-shaped members 51a and 51b, and the sheet A is bent into a U-shape to provide rigidity, so that the sheet stacked on the non-sort tray 4 is jammed to a predetermined position without rubbing. The paper A can be transported without any problem. In the sort mode, the paper A can be smoothly transported to the sort bin 5 substantially in parallel with the transport surface 34.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show still another embodiment.
The sheet conveying means 71 shown in this embodiment is different from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 in that the sheet conveying means 71 has a sheet guiding plate 53a which bends the sheet at both side edges near the end of the sheet conveying means 71. , 53b, and the sheet conveying means 71
When the paper guide plate 53a, 5
When the position 3b is gradually raised from the sheet conveying means 71 and the sheet conveying means 71 is swung to the second position 13,
The only difference is the configuration in which the paper conveying means 71 and the position on the same plane can be selectively swung. (A) of FIG.
As shown in (b), the paper guide plates 53a and 53b are swingable about shafts 64a and 64b provided at one end at the lower part thereof. Slots 54a, 54b are provided near the center of the lower part of the sheet guide plates 53a, 53b, and solenoids 62a, 62b are connected to the slots 54a, 54b through springs 63a, 63b. The swing of the paper guide plates 53a and 53b is performed by controlling the solenoids 62a and 62b based on a signal from a control unit (not shown).

With respect to the operation of this embodiment, only differences from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 will be described. When the printing operation is performed in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment and the non-sort mode is set, as shown in FIG. 10A and FIG. This is a first position facing the non-sort tray 4, and a signal from control means (not shown) is not sent to the solenoids 62a and 62b, and the paper guide plate 53 is provided by the springs 63a and 63b.
a, 53b are swung to a position gradually raised from the sheet conveying surface 34. The paper A is adsorbed on the endless belt 33 by the suction fan 32 and is conveyed to the non-sort tray 4. The paper A is transported on the paper guide plate 53
9A, the central portion of the sheet A is adsorbed on the endless belt 33 as shown in FIG. The portion is lifted upward, curved in a U-shape to give rigidity, and the paper stacked on the non-sort tray 4 is conveyed to a predetermined position without rubbing.

When the sort mode is set,
The sheet conveying means 71 is swung to the second position shown in FIG. 10B and FIG. 11B, and a signal from control means (not shown) is input to the solenoids 62a and 62b, and the sheets are fed by the solenoids 62a and 62b. The guide plates 53a and 53b are
The paper guide plate 53a is swung about 4a, 64b.
53b and the sheet conveying surface 34 are on the same plane. Paper A
Is adsorbed on the endless belt 33 and conveyed to the sort bin 5 substantially in parallel with the sheet conveying surface 34 as shown in FIG.

According to this embodiment, when the sheet conveying means 71 is swung to the first position 12, the sheet guide plate 53
a and 53b are swung to a position protruding from the sheet conveying surface 34, and the sheet A is curved in a U-shape to provide rigidity, so that the sheets stacked on the non-sort tray 4 can be rubbed without being rubbed. The sheet A can be transported to a predetermined position without jam. In the sort mode, the paper can be smoothly transported to the sort bin 5 substantially in parallel with the transport surface 34.

As described above, the present invention has been described by taking the stencil printing apparatus as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the stencil printing apparatus but may be applied to other image forming apparatuses.

[0034]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, only when the sheet conveying means is swung to the first position, the sheet conveying means is engaged with the wedge-shaped member, and the sheet is bent into a U-shape. The rigidity can be given, so that the paper stacked on the non-sort tray can be transported reliably without rubbing and without jamming to a predetermined position. In the sort mode,
Paper can be smoothly transported to the sort bin almost parallel to the transport surface.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the sheet conveying means is swung to the first position, the sheet guide plate is swung to a position raised from the sheet conveying surface, and the sheet is U-shaped. Since the rigidity is given by being curved by the mold, the paper stacked on the non-sort tray can be reliably transported without rubbing the paper to a predetermined position without rubbing. In the sort mode, the paper can be smoothly transported to the sort bin substantially in parallel with the transport surface.

[0036]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a stencil printing machine to which a collating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is connected.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a storage shelf unit in the collating apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing elevating means in the collating apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a sort bin in the collating apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a sheet conveying means and a swing holding mechanism in the collating apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the sheet conveying means in the collating apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is at a first position;
FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the sheet conveying unit in the collating apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 is at a second position.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention, in which a sheet conveying means is engaged with a wedge-shaped member, and FIG.
FIG. 8B is a perspective view showing a state in which the sheet conveying means shown in FIG. 7A is separated from the wedge-shaped member.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a side edge of the sheet conveying means shown in FIG. 7;

9A is a side view showing a state in which the sheet is conveyed by the sheet conveying means and the wedge-shaped member shown in FIG. 7A, and FIG.
FIG. 8B is a side view illustrating a state in which the sheet is conveyed by the sheet conveying unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view showing a further embodiment of the present invention, in which the sheet conveying means raises the sheet guide plate from the sheet conveying means, and FIG. 10B is a perspective view of FIG. (A)
3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the sheet conveying means shown in FIG. 1 swings the sheet guide plate on the same plane as the sheet conveying means.

11A is a sectional view of a main part showing a state in which a sheet guide plate in the sheet conveying means shown in FIG. 10A is raised from the sheet conveying means, and FIG. 11B is a sectional view of FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state in which a sheet guide plate in the sheet conveying means shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a stencil printing apparatus to which a conventional collating apparatus is connected.

13A is a cross-sectional view showing a state of sheets on a non-sort tray in the collating apparatus shown in FIG. 12, and FIG.
FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view illustrating another state of the sheets on the non-sort tray in the collating apparatus illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a sheet conveying means in a conventional collating apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 collating device 3 stencil printing device 4 non-sort tray 5 sort bin 6 storage shelf unit 7, 70, 71 paper transport means 12 first position 13 second position 20 swing holding mechanism 51a, 51b wedge-shaped member 53a, 53b paper Guide plate 65 Elevating means

Claims (2)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] An image forming apparatus is provided between a pair of side plates which is connected to a paper discharge port of an image forming apparatus and which conveys paper discharged from the paper discharge port to a storage shelf unit having a non-sort tray and a plurality of sort bins. Paper transporting means, and elevating means for raising and lowering the storage shelf unit so that each sort bin faces the paper transporting means. It is configured so that it can swing between the side plates between a first position facing the sort tray and a second position facing the sort bin, and selects the first position and the second position. A collating device having a rocking holding mechanism for rocking and holding the paper, wherein when the paper transporting means is rocked to the first position, it engages with both side edges near the end of the paper transporting means. ,
A collating device provided with a wedge-shaped member which is gradually raised from the paper conveying means for curving the paper discharged from the paper discharge port, inside the side plate. 2. A paper conveying means connected to a paper discharge port of an image forming apparatus and transporting a paper discharged from the paper discharge port to a storage shelf unit having a non-sort tray and a plurality of sort bins; Elevating means for elevating and lowering the shelf unit so that each of the sort bins faces the paper transport means, and wherein the paper transport means faces the non-sort tray in accordance with the presence or absence of a collating operation. And a second position facing the sort bin, and a swing holding mechanism that selectively swings and holds the first position and the second position. In the collating apparatus having the above, the sheet conveying means has sheet guide plates for curving the sheet at both side edges near the end of the sheet conveying means, and the sheet conveying means is swung to the first position. Sometimes the above paper When the inner plate is swung to the second position, the inner plate is selectively swung between a position where the inner plate is gradually raised from the sheet conveying unit and a position on the same plane as the sheet conveying unit. Collating device configured to be movable.