JP2734788B2 - Sheet distribution and storage device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet distributing and accommodating apparatus for distributing and accommodating recording sheets discharged from an image recording apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and more particularly to stapling after distributing and accommodating recording sheets. The present invention relates to an improvement of a sheet distributing and accommodating apparatus that enables post-processing such as punching and punching.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, as a sheet distributing and accommodating apparatus called a sorter, a sheet conveying path is formed in a housing, and conveying rollers are appropriately arranged along the sheet conveying path. While conveying the recording sheet discharged from the sheet discharge port of the image recording apparatus to a preset sheet distribution stage, on one side of the housing, a plurality of bin trays are disposed in a vertical direction,
In some cases, each bin tray is sequentially moved to the above-mentioned sheet distribution stage in accordance with the distribution timing of recording sheets, and recording sheets are sequentially distributed and accommodated in each bin tray.

[0003] Post-processing such as stapling is often performed on the recording sheets distributed and accommodated in the sorter described above, and a post-processing unit such as a stapler is incorporated in the sorter. There is a request that the processing be performed automatically.

[0004] As a sorter responding to such a request,
For example, those described in JP-A-63-41360 and JP-A-63-252
No. 872, the one in Japanese Patent Publication No. 64-302 is already known.

However, in the former type (JP-A-63-41360), post-processing by a stapler is performed after a recording sheet bundle distributed and stored in a bin tray is stored again in a post-processing tray. Inevitably, a post-processing tray must be provided separately from the bin tray, and transport means for transporting the recording sheet bundle to the post-processing tray must be provided. Not only is the recording sheet bundle complicated, but also when the recording sheet bundle is transferred to the post-processing tray side, the recording sheet bundle once aligned in the bin tray may vary, and post-processing by the stapler tends to be useless. There was a problem.

The latter (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-252872,
No. 64-302), a stapler is provided near the sheet distribution stage that does not interfere with the sheet transport member, and post-processing by the stapler is performed on the bundle of recording sheets stored in the bin tray (stored in the bin tray). Stapling processing at one corner of the recording sheet bundle), so that the technical problem of the former type can be avoided, but one side edge of the recording sheet bundle is formed at two positions. However, there is a problem that dual stapling processing of stapling cannot be performed.

For this reason, the inventors of the present application have previously proposed a sheet distribution and accommodation device having the following configuration.

That is, a sheet conveying means disposed in the housing for conveying the recording sheet discharged from the sheet discharge port of the image recording apparatus to a preset sheet distribution stage; A bin tray, which is arranged in stages and sequentially moves to the sheet distribution stage in accordance with the distribution timing of the recording sheets, and a space in the housing located below or above the sheet conveying means and extending in the width direction of the sheet conveying means. One post-processing unit to be provided, position moving means for movably supporting the post-processing unit over at least the width direction of the sheet conveying means, and a predetermined post-processing stage different from the sheet distribution stage. After moving and setting the post-processing unit to the post-processing target position, the post-processing unit Cormorant a sheet distribution and storage apparatus having a post-processing control means for sequentially perform a predetermined post-processing by the post-processing unit to a plurality of locations.

In the above configuration, there is provided sheet presence / absence detecting means for detecting whether or not a recording sheet is stored in the bin tray. The processing operation is canceled, and the next target bin tray is moved to the post-processing stage.

With such a configuration, post-processing (such as stapling) at a plurality of locations along one side edge of the recording sheet bundle stored in the bin tray can be performed. After the sorting process,
Assuming a case where the recording sheet is extracted from the bin tray before performing the post-processing, it is detected whether or not the recording sheet is present in the target bin tray.
Post-processing is immediately performed on the recording sheet in the next bin tray to eliminate useless post-processing operations.

[0011]

However, the above arrangement is effective when the recording sheet is completely removed from the bin tray. However, once the recording sheet is removed, the recording sheet is rotated by 90 °, for example. Assuming a case where the settings are reset, the post-processing is performed because the recording sheet exists, and the post-processing to an unscheduled position causes a problem of causing unnecessary work such as re-recording an image. occured.

For example, when dual stapling (two-position binding) is performed, when an A4 landscape orientation is replaced with an A4 portrait orientation, only one unplanned side edge is left. As a result, it is necessary to redo the image recording process itself, or to perform useless work such as removing staples.

Further, even in a configuration in which a post-processing mode (for example, single stapling, dual stapling, or the like) is selected by button selection or the like after sorting is completed, the same problem as described above due to a selection error or the like occurs. May occur. Furthermore, when the paper to be post-processed is curled (upward) or when the bin tray is bent due to the weight of the paper, there is a possibility that a stapling error may be caused, resulting in a wasteful operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet distributing and accommodating apparatus capable of preventing post-processing to an unscheduled position in the above case. It is to provide.

[0015]

For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a recording sheet 4 disposed in a housing 1 and discharged from a sheet discharge port 3 of an image recording apparatus 2 is set in advance. A sheet conveying means 5 for conveying the sheet to the sheet distribution stage S1, a bin tray 6 which is arranged in a plurality of stages vertically on one side of the housing 1, and moves to the sheet distribution stage S1 according to the distribution timing of the recording sheets 4; One post-processing unit 7 located below or above the sheet conveying means 5 and disposed in the space inside the housing 1 across the width direction of the sheet conveying means 5.
And a position moving means 8 for movably supporting the post-processing unit 7 at least over the width direction of the sheet conveying means 5.
After the post-processing unit 7 is moved and set to a predetermined post-processing target position in a post-processing stage S2 different from the sheet distribution stage S1, a position along one side edge of the recording sheet 4 in each bin tray 6 And a post-processing control unit 9 for sequentially performing predetermined post-processing by the post-processing unit 7.

The recording sheet 4 is provided at the post-processing target position at the leading end of the post-processing unit 7 on the bin tray 6 side.
Sheet presence / absence detecting means 7a for detecting whether or not the sheet is present is provided integrally, along one side 6a which is a reference in the width direction of the bin tray 6 regardless of the size and orientation of the recording sheet 4 to be stored. A sheet aligning means 8a for aligning the recording sheets 4 is provided. When post-processing is performed on a plurality of places on the recording sheets 4 stored in one bin tray 6, the sheet aligning means 8a On the other hand, if the post-processing is performed in order from the far side to the near side, and the sheet detection unit 7a detects that the recording sheet 4 does not exist at the corresponding post-processing target position, the corresponding bin tray 6 The post-processing control means 9 is configured to stop the post-processing for the recording sheet 4 accommodated therein.

Further, when the post-processing for the recording sheets 4 stored in the bin tray 6 is stopped, the fact is displayed on the operation panel of the housing 1.

[0018]

According to the above technical means, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the recording sheet 4 discharged from the image recording apparatus 2 is sequentially conveyed to a sheet distribution stage S1 by a sheet conveying means 5, and They are sequentially distributed and stored in each bin tray 6.

When the sorting of the recording sheets 4 is completed, the post-processing control means 9 is operated in conjunction with the sorting or by pressing a post-processing start button provided on the operation panel of the housing 1. Is activated.

The post-processing control means 9 sequentially sets the target bin tray 6 on the post-processing stage S2, while the sheet aligning means 8a is operated, and the recording sheets 4 stored in the bin tray 6 are moved in the width direction of the bin tray 6. Are aligned along one side 6a, which is a reference for (1). Next, the post-processing control means 9 activates the position moving means 8 to move the post-processing unit 7 to the post-processing target position furthest to the one side 6a which is the reference in the width direction of the bin tray 6 (see FIG. 2). Inside, M
2), and in this state, the detection result by the sheet presence / absence detection means 7a is determined. If the recording sheet 4 is present at the corresponding position, predetermined post-processing is performed, and Sequentially moving along one side edge, detecting,
And performing post-processing in predetermined cases.

If the result of detection by the sheet presence / absence detecting means 7a at the relevant post-processing target position indicates that the recording sheet 4 is absent, post-processing for the recording sheet 4 stored in the corresponding bin tray 6 is stopped, and This is indicated on the panel.

According to the structure of the present invention, the recording sheets 4 are aligned along one side 6a serving as a reference of the bin tray 6 by the sheet aligning means 8a, and are far from the one side 6a serving as the reference. Since the post-processing is performed while sequentially detecting the presence or absence of the recording sheet 4 toward the side closer to the post-processing target position on the side, the recording sheet 4 is once extracted from the bin tray 6 and, for example, in the recording sheet discharging direction. When a recording sheet that has been accommodated as its longitudinal direction (hereinafter, referred to as a horizontal direction) is rotated 90 ° and reset in the bin tray 6, or after a sorting operation, a button operation is performed. In the case where the post-processing mode is selected, if the same result as described above is caused due to a selection error or the like, one side unit 6 serving as a reference is used.
A part of the recording sheet 4 does not exist at the post-processing target position on the side farther from “a”, and no post-processing is performed on the recording sheet 4 stored in the bin tray 6.

When the post-processing is stopped as described above,
Since the fact is displayed on the operation panel, the operator or the like can perform appropriate post-processing by changing the setting direction of the recording sheet 4 or changing the mode selection according to the display.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

Table of Contents I. Outline of device II. Components of the machine (1) Sheet transport system (2) Bin tray (2-a) Basic configuration (2-b) Bin tray moving system (2-c) Bin tray holding mechanism (3) Sheet alignment mechanism (4) Stapler (4- a) Basic stapler configuration (4-b) Stapler advance / retreat system (4-c) Stapler processing position moving system (4-d) Sheet presence detection system (5) Equipment control system III. Equipment operation (1) Sorting processing ( 2) Stapling processing

I. 3 and 4 show an ADF (Auto Document Feede) not shown.
r) a copying machine body 10 with a sheet distributing and accommodating device (hereinafter referred to as a sorter in this embodiment) 20 to which the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 21 denotes a housing of a sorter 20, which is movable by casters 22. A recess 23 having a U-shaped cross section is formed along the vertical direction on the opposite side of the copying machine body 10 of the housing 21, and the inside of the housing 21 is formed on the side of the copying machine body 10 of the recess 23. An opening 24 leading to the opening is provided.

A plurality of (in this embodiment, 20) bin trays 40 are vertically movably arranged at the locations facing the recesses 23, and the projecting ends of the bin trays 40 are located within the recesses 23. It is arranged to protrude from. On the other hand, at the top of the housing 21, a non-sorting tray 25 used when sorting processing is not required is arranged, and although not shown, an operation panel having operation buttons, a display, and the like is arranged. Is provided.

Further, a sheet inlet 26 is provided in the housing plate 21a corresponding to the sheet outlet 11 of the copying machine body 10, and the recording sheet 12 introduced from the sheet inlet 26 is fed to the sheet transport system 30. Through the bin tray 40 or the non-sorting tray 25.

Further, a sheet aligning mechanism 70 is provided near the bin tray 40. The sheet aligning mechanism 70 aligns the recording sheets 12 in the bin tray 40 at a predetermined timing interval during a sorting process. The recording sheet 12 is pressed down during the stapling process.

A stapler 100 is provided in a space inside the housing 21 which is located below the sheet conveying system 30 and extends in the width direction of the sheet conveying system 30. Are set as the post-processing stage S2. The stapler 100 performs dual stapling on one side edge of the recording sheet 12 stored in the bin tray 40 located at the post-processing stage S2, or
The second corner is stapled.

II. Configuration of Each Part of Apparatus (1) Sheet Conveying System In FIG. 4, the sheet conveying system 30 has a common sheet conveying path 31 extending from the sheet introduction port 26 into the housing 21. One sheet transport path 32 and an upward second sheet transport path 33 are branched, and the first sheet transport path 32 is connected to a sheet distribution stage (a target bin tray 4 in which the recording sheets 12 are stored).
0), while the second sheet conveying path 33 communicates to the non-sorting tray 25 position.

In the middle of the first and second sheet conveying paths 32 and 33, an appropriate number of conveying rollers 34 and 35 are disposed at predetermined intervals, and the respective sheet conveying paths 32 and 3 are provided.
Discharge rollers 36 and 37 are disposed at the distal end of 3 respectively. In addition, immediately before the discharge roller 36 in the first sheet conveying path 32, a sheet exit sensor (hereinafter, sometimes abbreviated as EXIT SNR) 38 that outputs a high-level signal when the recording sheet 12 passes is disposed. Has been established.

Reference numeral 39 denotes the common sheet conveying path 31.
And a switching gate for switching and selecting one of the sheet conveying paths 32 and 33.

(2) Bin Tray (2-a) Basic Structure In FIGS. 3 to 5, the bin tray 40 is
3 is a flat plate-shaped tray base that is obliquely arranged obliquely downward at a predetermined angle toward the opening 24 side, and is slightly obliquely arranged toward the width direction (corresponding to the width direction of the sheet conveying path 32). 41 and the opening 2 of the tray base 41
Stapling by a stapler 100 formed at three locations (one corner portion and a central portion sandwiching the corner portion) of the tray base 41 at the opening 24 side edge portion and the positioning flange 42 erected at the four side edges. Processing notches 43, 44,
45, a notch 46 for gripping the recording sheet 12 cut out at a substantially central portion of one side edge located on the front side in the width direction of the tray base 41, and a positioning flange 42 on the back side in the width direction of the tray base 41. And a substantially triangular tamper opening 47 formed closer to the opening. The bin tray 40
As a configuration, a reinforcing flange may be formed at one end edge or the like located on the inner side of the tray base 41 adjacent to the positioning flange 42 to increase the rigidity of the bin tray 40.

The housing plate that defines the front side of the recess 23 of the housing 21 functions as a positioning wall 48 for the recording sheet 12 stored in the bin tray 40.

The notch 46 for gripping and the opening 4 for tamper are used.
7 at least in the protruding direction edge 46 of the bin tray 40.
a and 47a are formed so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the width direction of the bin tray 40. When the recording sheet 12 enters the bin tray 40 during the sorting process, the recording sheet 12 is blocked by the notch 46 or the edge of the opening 47. It is considered so that it cannot be done.

(2-b) Bin Tray Moving System In FIGS. 5 to 7, a pair of engaging pins 51 and 52 are provided on both sides in the width direction near the positioning flange 42 of the bin tray 40.
A V-shaped support arm 54 is attached to one side of the bin tray 40 in the width direction near the protruding direction of the bin tray 40, and an engagement pin 53 is protruded from the lower end of the support arm 54.

Cam screws 55 to 57 are rotatably provided on the housing 21 located on both sides in the width direction of the recess 23 corresponding to the engaging pins 51 to 53, respectively. 53 are the respective cam screws 55
To 57 cam grooves 55a to 57a.

In this embodiment, each of the cam grooves 55a to 55a
The pitch of 7a is not constant, and the pitch of the portion corresponding to the sheet distribution stage S1 and the post-processing stage S2 is set to be sufficiently larger than the pitch of the other portions.

More specifically, in this embodiment, the bin trays 40 located on the sheet distribution stage S1 and the post-processing stage S2 have a continuous positional relationship, and the bin tray 40 located on the sheet distribution stage S1 is located above the bin tray 40. The gap g ₁ between the bin tray 40 and the gap g ₂ between the bin tray 40 located on the post-processing stage S2 and the bin trays 40 above and below the bin tray 40 are sufficiently larger than the gap g ₀ between the other bin trays 40. It is set to be. Here, the gaps g ₁ and g
₂ is set in a range not interfering with the sorting processing and stapling processing, also, the gap g ₀ is set within a range in which the bin tray 40 are not in contact.

The drive system of each of the cam screws 55 to 57 includes a bin drive motor (stepping motor in this embodiment) 58 which can be rotated forward and backward, and a bin drive motor 58
Drive pulley 59 fixed to the output shaft of the cam screw 55, driven pulleys 60 to 62 attached to the lower ends of the cam screws 55 to 57, the drive pulley 59 and the driven pulley 62
And a timing belt 64, which is wound between the driven pulleys 60 to 62 and transmits the driving force from the bin drive motor 58 to the cam screws 55 to 57 at the same timing. It is configured.

In this embodiment, when each of the cam screws 55 to 57 rotates once, each bin tray 4
0 moves up or down by one pitch.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 65 denotes an upper limit position detection sensor for detecting that the uppermost bin tray 40 has reached the upper limit position, and 66 denotes the lowermost bin tray 40 has reached the lower limit position. This is a lower limit position detection sensor that detects that the operation has been performed.

(2-c) Bin Tray Holding Mechanism Bin tray holding mechanism 200 shown in FIGS. 31, 32, and 33
Is attached to a support bracket 111 (FIGS. 12 to 14) adjacent to the stapler 100 described later, and is moved and stopped by the processing position moving system 125 together with the stapler 100.

In FIG. 31, the bin tray holding mechanism 20
Reference numeral 0 denotes a gripper 201 and a clamper 202 rotatably provided on a support bracket 111 by a member (not shown). These components are interlocked by segment gears 203 and 204, and are provided by a solenoid 206 provided on a lever 205. It is supposed to work. When the solenoid is not energized, the gripper 201 and the clamper 202 are open, and when the solenoid is energized before a basic stapling operation described later, the gripper 201 is released.
Rotates in the direction of the arrow x, and the bin tray 40 and the recording sheet 1
2 to a certain height, and at the same time
2 rotates in the direction of the arrow y, and presses the recording sheet 12 and the bin tray 40 against the gripper 201. As a result, the recording sheet 12 and the stapler 10 are always
Since the vertical position of 0 is constant, stapling errors can be prevented.

As described above, since the bin tray 40 is provided with the stapling notches 43, 44, and 45, the rigidity of the bin tray 40 is reduced, the bin tray 40 is bent, and the vertical positional relationship with the stapler 100 is disturbed.
Staple mistakes will occur. Therefore, the above-described bin tray holding mechanism 200 is required.

FIGS. 32 and 33 show a bin tray holding mechanism 200.
In this example, the stapler 100 operates the gripper 201 and the clamper 202 in conjunction with the operation of the stapler 100 moving to the stapling execution position A (FIG. 13) by the advance / retreat movement system for the stapling process. is there.

The gripper 201 and the clamper 202 are made of one end portions 201a and 202a by members (not shown).
Are rotatably supported by the support bracket 1 of the stapler 100, respectively.
11 and their intermediate portions 201b,
Slots 201c and 202c are formed in 202b, respectively. Slide pins 207 and 208 attached to the stapler 100 are engaged with these long holes 201c and 202c, and slide in the long holes 201c and 202c.

The solid line position in FIG. 32 (the position in FIG. 33) is when the stapler 100 is moving to the stapling execution position, the gripper 201 supports the bin tray 40 from below, and the clamper 202 The bin tray 40 is pressed down, and the vertical positional relationship between the recording sheet 12 and the stapler 100 can be kept constant as in the example of FIG.

When the stapling is completed, the stapler 100 returns to the retreat position B (FIG. 12), but this operation causes the gripper 201 and the clamper 202 to retreat to the position shown by the imaginary line in FIG.

(3) Sheet Alignment Mechanism In FIG. 8, a sheet alignment mechanism 70 is formed by connecting a plate-shaped tamper 71 penetrating through the tamper opening 47 of each bin tray 40 and upper and lower ends of the tamper 71. A pair of movable support mechanisms 72 and 73 for supporting the tamper 71 so as to be able to advance and retreat along the width direction of the bin tray 40, and a sheet alignment drive system 80 for driving the movable support mechanisms 72 and 73.
And

In this embodiment, the movable support mechanism 7
2 and 73 rotatably support a ball screw shaft 75 between a pair of bearing brackets 74 (one not shown), screw a nut 76 onto the ball screw shaft 75, and
6 is fixed to the upper and lower ends of the tamper 71.

The sheet alignment drive system 80 includes a tamper drive motor (stepping motor in this embodiment) 8
1; two drive pulleys 82 and 83 fixed to the output shaft of the tamper drive motor 81; driven pulleys 84 and 85 fixed to the ball screw shafts 75 of the movable support mechanisms 72 and 73; Timing belt 8 which is stretched between the driven pulleys 82 and 83 and the driven pulleys 84 and 85, respectively.
6,87.

The nut 7 of the lower movable support mechanism 73
6 is provided with a projecting piece 77 for position detection, and this projecting piece 77 is provided corresponding to the home position. At the time of reaching the (sensor) position, for example, a low-level signal is output from the home position sensor 78 to detect that the tamper 71 has reached the home position.

(4) Stapler (4-a) Basic configuration of the stapler In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Numeral 0 is set so as to be moved to the corona stapling position P0 and the dual stapling positions P1 and P2 corresponding to the notches 43, 44 and 45 of the bin tray 40 by the processing position moving system 125. In this case, the stapler 10 set to the corus stapling position P0
0 is arranged in a state of being inclined by 45 ° on the horizontal plane as compared with the case where the dual stapling positions P1 and P2 are set.

The basic structure of the stapler 100 is as follows.
For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a base end of a movable arm 102 is rotatably supported on a lower case 101a as a support base by a pivot 103.
02, and an upper case 101b urged toward the movable arm 102 by an urging spring (not shown),
A staple storage unit 10 is provided in the upper case 101b.
4 and a driving mechanism 106 for driving a staple 105 at the end of the movable arm 102, so that the driving force of the stapler driving motor 107 is applied to the belt 1.
When the stapling operation is performed, the movable arm 102 swings downward by transmitting the movable arm 102 to the movable arm 102 via a driving force transmission mechanism 108 including a cam 08b, a cam 108b, and a link arm 108c, as shown in FIGS. In the state where the bundle of recording sheets 12 is held between the lower case 101a and the upper case 101b,
Staple 1 by the driving mechanism 106 that descends with
05 is applied to a bundle of 12 recording sheets.

(4-b) Stapler Advancing / Retracting System As shown in FIG. 12, a stapler 100 advancing / retracting system mounts a guide rail 112 on the support bracket 111 along the advance / retreat direction of the stapler 100, and places the guide rail 112 on the guide rail 112. Supports a movable plate 113 on which the stapler 100 is installed via a guide roller 114 so as to be movable, and on the support bracket 111, an advancing / retracting drive motor 115 is provided.
A cam arm 116 extending in the radial direction of the output shaft is fixed to the output shaft of
6, an engaging pin 117 is protruded from a free end, and an engaging plate 118 having an engaging slit 119 extending in a vertical direction is fixed to the movable plate 113. The engaging pin 117 is movably engaged with 119.

In this embodiment, the stapler 10
As shown in FIG. 12, reference numeral 0 denotes a retracted position B which does not interfere with the bin tray 40 while the bin tray 40 is moving up and down. Since the engaging pin 117 of the cam arm 116 slides along the engaging slit 119 to push the engaging plate 118 toward the bin tray 40, the movable plate 113 advances to a predetermined position, and the stapler 1
00 is set as the stapling execution position A.

The stapler 100 located at the stapling execution position A returns to the retreat position B shown in FIG. 12 again when the advance / retreat drive motor 115 makes a further half turn, and thereafter, the advance / retreat drive motor 115 makes a half turn. Each time the stapler 100 moves forward and backward.

On the support bracket 111,
Position detection sensors 121 and 122 for detecting that the stapler 100 is located at any of the stapling execution position A and the retreat position B are provided. Each of the position detection sensors 121 and 122 is a transmission type optical sensor in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are arranged to face each other. The position detection is performed by blocking the optical path 122.

(4-c) Stapler processing position moving system In FIGS. 14 to 16, the processing position moving system 125 of the stapler 100 includes a guide rail 126 for regulating the movement path of the stapler 100 and the guide rail 126.
Trolley 131 for moving stapler 100 along
And a stop position detecting device 145 for detecting the stop position of the movable carriage 131.

In this embodiment, the guide rail 1
26 is a rising flange 42 of the bin tray 40.
A linear guide 127 extending along the bin tray 4
The guide rail 126 is formed with a notch groove 129 along the longitudinal direction. The notch groove 129 is formed in the guide rail 126 along the longitudinal direction. Is provided with a rack 130.

The movable carriage 131 is formed by attaching guide rollers 133 to both sides of a rectangular movable plate 132, and is movably disposed on the upper surface of the guide rail 126 along the cut groove 129. I have.

At one end of the movable plate 132, the support bracket 111 of the above-mentioned stapler 100 is bent downward in a substantially L-shape through the cut groove 129. The stapler 100 is installed via a stapler moving system. At the other end of the movable plate 132, a substantially inverted L-shaped support bracket 134 is formed to be bent downward through the cut groove 129. Drive motor (stepping motor in this embodiment) 13
5, a pinion 136 meshing with the rack 130 is rotatably supported on the movable plate 132, and a drive pulley 137 fixed to an output shaft of the drive motor 135 and the pinion 136 are coaxially fixed. A transmission belt 139 is stretched between the driven pulley 138 and the driven pulley 138. Reference numeral 140 denotes the movable plate 13
2 is a guide pulley rotatably supported by the guide groove 2 and engaged with one side edge of the cut groove 129 opposite to the rack 130.

Further, in this embodiment, the stop position detecting device 145 includes a position detecting sensor 146 for installing the stapler 100 at the corona stapling position P0,
Stapler 1 at dual stapling positions P1 and P2
00 for position detection sensors 147 and 148
And a protruding piece 149 that protrudes outward from one side edge of the movable plate 132. Each of the position detection sensors 146 to 148 has a light emitting element and a light receiving element opposed to each other at upper and lower portions of a U-shaped case, and the protruding piece 149 reaches any of the position detection sensors 146 to 148. When blocking the sensor light path between the light emitting element and the light receiving element,
It changes from high level to low level.

Further, in FIG. 17, reference numeral 150 denotes a short-circuit switch for short-circuiting the drive motor 135, and when the output of any of the position detection sensors 146 to 148 changes from the high level to the low level, the drive motor 13 is turned off.
5 is short-circuited, and the drive motor 135 is immediately stopped by the braking action. Reference numeral 151 denotes a motor driver for sending a drive signal to the drive motor 135.

(4-d) Sheet Presence / Absence Detecting System In this embodiment, two systems of sheet presence / absence detectors 16 are used to determine whether or not the stapling process is required.
0,165 are provided.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, one sheet presence / absence detector 160 has a light emitting element 161 and a light receiving element 162 above and below the recess 23 corresponding to the corner notch 45 of each bin tray 40. If the recording sheet 12 exists in any of the bin trays 40, the light emitting element 1
The optical path between the light receiving element 61 and the light receiving element 162 is blocked, so that the presence or absence of the recording sheet 12 is detected.

The other sheet presence / absence detector 165 is
As shown in FIG. 9, a lower case 101a as a support base
Is a reflection-type sensor (a sensor in which a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element are provided side by side) provided at the tip of the light-receiving element. And outputs a high-level signal, for example, to detect the presence or absence of the recording sheet 12 at the stapling position.

(5) Device control system The device control system in this embodiment is constituted by a microcomputer system as shown in FIG.

In the figure, the microcomputer system comprises a CPU 171, a ROM 172, and a RAM 173. The ROM 172 has a sorting processing program (see FIGS. 19 and 20) and a stapling processing program (see FIGS. 25 to 29). Are stored in advance, and the CPU 171 executes each program and
A predetermined control signal is generated by performing input data processing while appropriately exchanging data with the M173.

In such a system, the sheet exit sensor 38, the vertical position detection sensor 65, the lower limit position detection sensor 66, the sheet presence / absence detection sensors 160 and 165, the tamper home position sensor 78, the stapler position detection sensors 121 and 122, Ring position detection sensor 146, dual stapling position detection sensors 147 and 148, stapling processing start switch 181, stapling mode selection switch 18
2 are input to the CPU 171 via the input interface 174 as input data.
Each control signal from 71 outputs a feed motor 183 for driving each roller of the sheet conveying system 30 via an output interface 175, a solenoid 184 for driving a switching gate 39, a bin driving motor 58, a tamper driving motor 8
0, the stapler drive motor 107, the stapler advance / retreat drive motor 115, the processing position moving drive motor 135, the short-circuit switch 150, and other control devices are sent to control the respective control devices as appropriate.

In this embodiment, the copying machine body 1
The main body side CPU 176 provided on the 0 side and the CPU 17
1, and various information such as the document size and the number of copies of the document by the ADF is taken into the CPU 171.

III. Operation of the Apparatus (1) Sorting Processing Outline of Processing It is assumed that the copying machine body 10 has operated to copy a predetermined number of originals at a time using the ADF and sort the originals.

At this time, a sorting selection signal is taken into the CPU 171 from the main body side CPU 176, and the sorting processing program is executed.

Then, first, the switching gate 38 selects the first sheet conveying path 32 by driving the solenoid 184, and the conveying rollers 34 and 35 and the discharging rollers 36 and 37 are driven by driving the feed motor 183. You. In this state, the recording sheet 12 discharged from the sheet discharge port 11 of the copying machine main body 10 is sequentially conveyed from the common sheet conveying path 31 to the sheet distribution stage S1 through the first sheet conveying path 32. It is sequentially distributed and accommodated in the bin tray 40 that moves sequentially to S1.

Movement Control of Bin Tray FIG. 19 shows a flow of movement control of the bin tray 40 during the sorting process.

In the figure, after the copy is started on the main body 10 side of the copying machine, the CPU 171 drives the bin driving motor 58 as a unit at the stage when the sheet exit sensor 38 changes from ON to OFF, thereby causing each bin tray 40 to be driven. 1
Ascend by pitch (step [hereinafter abbreviated as ST]) 1,
2) It is checked whether or not the final copy of the job, that is, the copy job for each page of the document has been completed (ST3).

Next, if the final copy of the job has not been completed, the processing from ST1 to ST3 is repeated.
At the stage where the final copy of the job has been completed, it is checked whether or not all jobs, that is, the copy job of the entire document has been completed (ST4).

Further, when all the jobs have not been completed, when the sheet exit sensor 38 has changed from ON to OFF, the bin drive motor 58 is unit-driven to lower each bin tray 40 by one pitch ( ST5
6) It is checked whether the final copy of the job has been completed (ST7).

If the final copy of the job has not been completed, the processing from ST5 to ST7 is repeated.
At the stage where the final copy of the job has been completed, it is checked whether or not the bin home sensor (corresponding to the lower limit position detection sensor 66) has been turned on (ST8), and then it is checked whether or not all the jobs have been completed (ST9). . At this time, ST9
If it is determined that all the jobs have not been completed, the process returns to ST1 to perform a series of subsequent processes.

In such a process, if it is determined in ST4 or ST9 that all jobs have been completed,
A series of sorting processing ends.

In ST8, the bin home sensor 6
If it is determined that No. 6 is not turned on, a FAIL display is performed (ST10).

FIG. 20 shows a flow of controlling the movement of the tamper 71 during the sorting process.

In the figure, the CPU 171 has a main body C
The size information of the recording sheet 12 is fetched from the PU 176 (ST1), and the tamper drive motor 80 is driven to rotate forward in accordance with the motor signal (RA area) shown in FIG. Of the tamper 71 is set to the reference position for each size (a position slightly larger than the storage position of the recording sheet 12) indicated by the alternate long and short dash line (ST2).

Thereafter, by counting the ON → OFF signal of the sheet discharge sensor 38, the number of discharges of the recording sheet 12 is counted (ST3), and the job, that is, the final copy of the copy job for each page of the original is completed. It is checked whether or not the job has been completed (ST4). If it is determined that the final copy of the job has not been completed, the processes of ST3 and ST4 are repeated.

If it is determined in ST4 that the final copy of the job has been completed, the tamper drive motor 80 is rotated in a predetermined range in accordance with the motor signal (R2 area) shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 22, the tamper 7 located at the reference position for each size indicated by the solid line.
1 is moved to the edge position of the recording sheet 12 (indicated by a dashed line), the recording sheet 12 is pressed against the positioning wall 48, aligned, and then returned to the size-specific reference position (ST).
5).

Thereafter, it is checked whether or not all copy jobs have been completed (ST6). If it is determined that all copy jobs have not been completed, the processing from ST3 to ST6 is repeated.

If it is determined in ST6 that all copy jobs have been completed, the tamper drive motor 80 is driven to rotate in reverse according to the motor signal (R3 area) shown in FIG. As described above, the tamper 71 located at the reference position for each size indicated by the solid line is returned to the home position indicated by the two-dot chain line (ST7), and at this stage, the tamper operation in the sorting process is terminated.
It is determined whether the tamper home sensor 78 has returned to the home position by changing the tamper home sensor 78 from a low level to a high level signal, as shown in FIG.

Specific Example of Sorting Process (See FIG. 24) It is now assumed that k documents are copied n sheets at a time using the ADF and are sorted.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 24A, first, the first original copy recording sheet 12 (1) is placed on the uppermost bin tray 40 located at the sheet distribution stage S1.
After the bin tray 40 (2) is set on the sheet distribution stage S1 as shown in FIGS. 24B and 24C, the bin tray 4
Recording sheets 12 (1) are distributed and stored at 0 (2), and thereafter, bin trays 40 (3).
In (n), the recording sheets 12 (1) are sequentially distributed and accommodated.

Next, when the copying operation of the second document is started, the second document copy recording sheet 12 (2) is sequentially conveyed to the sheet distribution stage S1. Then, Figure 2
4 (d), first, the sheet distribution stage S1
The recording sheets 12 (2) are distributed and stored in the bin tray 40 (n) of the n-th stage located at the position shown in FIG.
As shown in (f), the bin tray 40 (n
After -1) is set on the sheet distribution stage S1,
The recording sheet 12 (2) is placed on the bin tray 40 (n-1).
Are stored in the bin trays 40 (n-2)... 40 (1) from the (n-2) th stage to the top stage.
(2) is sequentially distributed and accommodated.

Thereafter, the same operation is repeated until the k-th original copy is completed.

In such a series of copy jobs,
As shown in FIGS. 24A to 24F, the tamper 71 is set to the reference position for each size at the start of copying, and each bin tray is set in turn from the first sheet to the end of each original copy job. The recording sheet 12 is moved to the edge position of the recording sheet 12 within 40 and the recording sheet 12 is aligned.

(2) Stapling process Basic control of stapling FIG. 25 shows a basic control flow of the bin tray 40 and the stapler 100 during the stapling process.

In the figure, the CPU 171 firstly executes the copying machine main body 10 on the basis of information from the main body side CPU 176.
Check whether or not is in the ADF use mode (ST1).
In the DF use mode, it is checked whether or not the last original copy by the ADF has been completed (ST2). At the stage where the last original copy by the ADF has been completed, it is determined that all the sorting processes have been completed (ST3). If the copying machine body 10 is not in the ADF use mode, it is checked whether or not the manual start switch 181 at the start of the stapling process is on (ST4). If the start switch 181 is on, the sorting process is started. It is determined that all the operations have been completed (ST3).

Thereafter, it is checked whether or not the stapling process is required according to the output of the first sheet presence / absence detector 160 (ST5). If it is determined that the stapling process is required, the bin tray 40 is set to one. The bin tray 40 is moved down by the pitch, and the bin tray 40 is set at the initial stapling position so that the bin tray 40 at the uppermost stage or the bin tray 40 corresponding to the sorting number is located at the post-processing stage S2 (ST6).

Thereafter, it is checked whether or not the stapling mode is the dual mode according to the information from the stapling mode selection switch 182 (ST7).
If the mode is the dual mode, the dual stapling process is executed (ST8). On the other hand, if the mode is not the dual mode, the mode is determined to be the corner mode, and the corner stapling process is executed (ST9).

Then, at the stage when a series of stapling processing is completed, or when it is determined in ST5 that stapling processing is not required (the output of the light receiving element 162 of the sheet presence / absence detector 160 is high),
As preparation for the next sorting process, each bin tray 40 is returned to the sorting initial position so that the uppermost bin tray 40 is arranged on the sheet distribution stage S1 (ST10), and a series of processes is ended.

デ ュ ア ル Dual stapling processing FIG. 26 shows the processing of ST8 in FIG.

In the figure, the CPU 171 first drives the drive motor 135 to drive the movable carriage 131
Is moved, the drive motor 135 is stopped based on the information from the position detection sensor 148, and the stapler 100 is set at the dual stapling position P2 farther from the positioning wall 48 (one side serving as a reference of the bin tray) ( S
T1).

At this stage, the basic stapling operation is performed (ST2), and it is checked whether or not the stapling is normally performed (ST3). If the stapling is normally performed, the drive motor 135 is driven again. Then, the movable carriage 131 is moved, the drive motor 135 is stopped based on the information from the position detection sensor 147, and the stapler 100 is set at the dual stapling position P1 (ST4).

At this stage, the basic stapling operation is performed (ST5), and it is checked whether or not the stapling has been normally performed (ST6). If the stapling has been normally performed, the stapling target is the last bin tray 40. Is checked (ST7). Last bin tray 4
If it is not 0, the bin tray 40 is moved down or up by one pitch, and the next bin tray 40 to be stapled is set on the post-processing stage S2 (ST8). Steps ST8 to ST8 are repeated.

If it is determined in ST7 that the object to be stapled is the last bin tray 40, the movable carriage 131 is moved by driving the drive motor 135, and the drive motor 135 is driven based on the information from the movement detection sensor 146. Is stopped, the stapler 100 is returned to the corona stapling position (the initial position in this embodiment) P0 (ST9), and it is determined at this stage that the stapling process is completed (ST10).

If it is determined in ST3 or ST6 that stapling has not been performed normally, that is, if the sheet presence / absence detector 165 has detected that the recording sheet 12 does not exist at the stapling position, ST11 is executed. In the above, the fact that there is an abnormality is displayed on the operation panel on the upper surface of the housing 20, the operator or the like is notified of the fact, ST9 and ST10 are executed, and this processing ends. After the execution of ST11, the process may proceed to ST7 to continue the stapling process on the bin tray 40 thereafter.

FIG. 27 shows the processing of ST9 in FIG.

In the figure, the CPU 171 first checks whether or not the stapler 100 is located at the corona stapling position (initial position) P0 (ST1). 131, the drive motor 135 is stopped based on the information from the position detection sensor 146, and the stapler 100 is set at the corona stapling position P0 (S
T2).

Then, when it is confirmed that the stapler 100 is at the corona stapling position P0, the basic stapling operation is performed (ST3), and it is checked whether or not the stapling is normally performed (ST3).
4) If it is performed normally, it is checked whether the stapling target is the last bin tray 40 (S).
T5). If not the last bin tray 40, the bin tray 40
Is moved up or down by one pitch to move the next bin tray 40 to be stapled to the post-processing stage S2.
(ST6), and thereafter, the processes from ST3 to ST6 are repeated until the stapling target becomes the final bin tray 40. If it is determined in ST4 that stapling has not been performed normally, that is, if the sheet presence / absence detector 165 has detected that the recording sheet 12 does not exist at the stapling position P0, the process proceeds to ST4.
7, an abnormality is displayed on the operation panel on the upper surface of the housing 20 and the operator is notified of the abnormality.
Proceed to T8.

Then, at the stage where the stapling process has been performed on the last bin tray 40 or at the stage where an abnormal display has been made, it is determined that the stapling process has been completed (ST8). After the execution of ST7, ST
5, the stapling process may be continued on the bin tray 40 thereafter.

Basic Stapling Operation (Stapler) The operation flow of the stapler 100 during the basic stapling operation is shown in FIG.

In the figure, the CPU 171 first moves the stapler 1 to the stapling execution position A (see FIG. 13).
00 (ST1), and the sheet presence detector 16
It is checked whether or not a stapling operation is required based on the information from Step 5 (ST2). That is, it is detected whether or not the recording sheet 12 exists at the target stapling position, and it is determined that the stapling operation is required only when the recording sheet 12 exists.

When it is determined that the stapling operation is required, the stapling operation is executed (ST3).
Thereafter, the stapler 100 is moved backward to the evacuation position B (see FIG. 12) (ST4). On the other hand, if it is determined that the stapling operation is not required, the stapler 100 is immediately moved backward to the evacuation position (ST4). Stapler 100
The basic operation of is ended.

Basic stapling operation (tamper) FIG. 29 shows an operation flow of the tamper 71 during the basic stapling operation.

In the figure, the CPU 171 first sets the tamper 71 to move to the reference position for each size (see FIG. 21) (ST1), and then the stapler 100 sets the stapling execution position based on information from the position detection sensor 121. A (ST2), and if it is determined that the stapler 100 is at the stapling execution position A, the tamper 71 is moved to the sheet holding position as shown in FIG.
Is moved (ST3).

Next, it is checked whether or not the stapler 100 is at the retreat position B based on the information from the position detection sensor 122 (ST4). When it is determined that the stapler 100 is at the retreat position B, as shown in FIG. Then, the tamper 71 located at the sheet holding position is moved to the size-specific reference position (ST5).

Before the final stapling operation is performed, the tamper 7 is returned to the reference position for each size.
When the basic stapling operation is completed with 1 being set, and it is determined that the final stapling operation has been performed (ST6), the tamper 71 is returned to the home position (ST7), and then the basic stapling operation is completed. I do.

Specific Example of Stapling Process (FIG. 30) It is now assumed that, for example, k originals are copied n sheets at a time using the ADF, sorted, and further dual stapling is performed.

At this time, assuming that the number of originals k is an even number, as shown in FIG. 30A, when the sorting process is completed, the uppermost bin tray 40 (1) is positioned at the sheet distribution stage S1. The bin trays 40 are arranged at the sorting initial position where the stapling is performed.
00 is set to the corona stapling position (initial position) P0.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 30B, first, each bin tray 40 is moved down by one pitch, and the uppermost bin tray 40 (1) is set to the post-processing stage S2, and the mode is selected. By selecting the dual mode with the switch 182, the stapler 100 is set at the dual stapling position P2 farther from the positioning wall 48, and the staple 105 is driven. Next, as shown in FIG.
0, the stapler 100 is set to the dual stapling position P1 on the side closer to the positioning wall 48, the staple 105 is driven in, and one side edge of the recording sheet 12 in the uppermost bin tray 40 (1). , Two staples 105 are driven.

Next, as shown in FIG. 30 (d), the bin tray 40 is sequentially moved up by one pitch, and the bin trays 40 (2)... 40 (n) of the second stage are sequentially moved to the post-processing stage S2. 30 (b) and (c), the stapler 100 staples the stapling at two places on one side edge of the recording sheet 12 in the bin trays 40 (2)... 40 (n) to be stapled. 105 are sequentially driven.

Then, all the target bin trays 40 (1)
When the stapling process for... 40 (n) is completed, a series of stapling processes is completed, and each bin tray 40 returns to the sorting initial position, and the stapler 100 also returns to the corona stapling position (initial position) P0. I do.

If the number of documents k is an odd number, the bin tray 40 (n) of the n-th stage is located at the sheet distribution stage S1 when the sorting process is completed. In the ring processing, first, each bin tray 40 is moved down by one pitch, the n-th bin tray 40 (n) is set on the post-processing stage S2, and staples 105 are driven into two places in the same manner as described above. Then, the bin trays 40 are moved downward by one pitch, and stapling is sequentially performed on the recording sheets 12 of the bin trays 40 (n-1)... 40 (1).

In the above embodiment, the case where the stapler is employed as the post-processing unit has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two holes are formed on the recording sheet. It can be configured using a dual puncher.

[0125]

Since the present invention is configured as described in detail above, the post-processing mode is selected by selecting a button or the like after the horizontal recording sheet is replaced vertically in the bin tray or after the sorting is completed. If the same situation as above occurs due to a selection error in such a configuration, post-processing is not performed on the recording sheets stored in the corresponding bin tray, and post-processing may be performed at an unexpected position. In addition, there is an effect that it is possible to reduce useless work that has occurred with this.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing an outline of a sheet distribution and storage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a movement state of a post-processing unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a sheet distribution and storage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line aa in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an arrow view as viewed from a direction b in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a front view showing details of a bin tray moving system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing details of a bin tray moving system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating details of a sheet alignment mechanism according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating details of a stapler according to an example.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating details of a stapler according to an example.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating details of a stapler according to an example.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an advancing and retracting operation state of the stapler according to the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an advance / retreat operation state of the stapler according to the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory plan view illustrating details of a stapling processing position moving system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a view as viewed in the direction of arrow c in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along line dd in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a circuit diagram illustrating a principle of stopping a drive motor of a stapler processing position moving system.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a device control system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of a bin tray during a sorting process in the embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of a sheet alignment mechanism during a sorting process in the embodiment.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram illustrating details of an operation process of the sheet alignment mechanism.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram illustrating details of an operation process of the sheet alignment mechanism.

FIG. 23 is a timing chart showing an example of a drive signal for the sheet alignment mechanism.

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing a specific operation example of a bin tray and a sheet alignment mechanism in a sorting process in the embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a stapling process in the embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure at the time of dual stapling.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure at the time of a corpus stapling.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a stapler control process during a basic stapling operation.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating a tamper control process during a basic stapling operation.

FIG. 30 is a schematic view showing a specific operation example of the bin tray and the stapler in the stapling process in the embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram of a bin tray holding mechanism according to the embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a schematic view of another bin tray holding mechanism according to the embodiment.

FIG. 33 is a schematic view showing the plane of FIG. 32;

[Explanation of symbols]

 S1 Sheet distribution stage S2 Post-processing stage 1 Housing 2 Image recording device 3 Sheet discharge port 4 Recording sheet 5 Sheet transport means 6 Bin tray 6a One reference side 7 Post-processing unit 7a Sheet presence / absence detecting means 8 Position moving means 8a Sheet alignment Means 9 Post-processing control means

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A sheet conveying means for conveying a recording sheet discharged from a sheet discharge port of an image recording apparatus to a preset sheet distribution stage, and sequentially moves to the sheet distribution stage according to a recording sheet distribution timing. Duplicate
A sheet distributing and storing apparatus having a number of bin trays, a post-processing unit disposed below or above the sheet conveying means, and a position moving means for moving the post-processing unit at least in the width direction of the sheet conveying means. in, provided integrally with the post-processing unit, and the sheet presence detecting means for detecting whether the recording sheet in a predetermined post-processing object position is present, the recording sheets stored in each bin tray when subjected to post-treatment in a plurality of locations, and carried out sequentially workup toward near side from the far side of the width direction with respect to the width direction of the base <br/> quasi become one side of the bin tray, and, When the sheet detecting means detects that the recording sheet does not exist at the corresponding post-processing target position, the post-processing for the recording sheet stored in the corresponding bin tray is stopped. To control the
Sheet dispensing housing and wherein the post-processing control unit, by comprising the that. 2. The sheet distributing and accommodating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
There, the size of the recording sheet to be accommodated, the bi regardless of the orientation
The recording sheet along one side of the
That sheet alignment means for aligning
Characteristic sheet distribution and storage device. 3. A sheet distribution and storage device according to claim 1 or 2, when the stops post-processing on recording sheets stored in the bin tray applicable, and to display to that effect on the operation panel A sheet distributing and storing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 4. A sheet conveying means for conveying a recording sheet discharged from a sheet discharge port of an image recording apparatus to a preset sheet distribution stage, and sequentially moves to the sheet distribution stage according to a recording sheet distribution timing. Duplicate
A sheet distributing and storing apparatus having a number of bin trays, a post-processing unit disposed below or above the sheet conveying means, and a position moving means for moving the post-processing unit at least in the width direction of the sheet conveying means. A bin tray holding mechanism adjacent to the post-processing unit, for holding the recording sheet and the bin tray during predetermined post-processing by the post-processing unit and holding the bin tray at a predetermined position in the height direction with respect to the post-processing unit A sheet distributing and storing device, comprising: