JP2734925B2 - Sorter with paper handling function - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sorter, and more particularly, to a sorter having a paper processing function disposed on a side of an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in the field of image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, sorters for sorting sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus main body have become widespread. Particularly recently, a sorter having a function of performing a stapling process on sorted sheets has been used. As a conventional sorter with this type of staple function, there is, for example, an apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-223157. In this apparatus, a plurality of bins for sorting and storing sheets discharged from a copying machine are movable vertically. Then, the paper is discharged to the bin that has been sequentially moved to the paper introduction unit. Further, the stapling device is provided in the paper introduction unit, and can be turned within a certain angle range so that it can take a retracted position that does not hinder the bin movement and a stapling position where stapling is performed. .

[0003]

The sorter disclosed in the above-mentioned conventional publication requires a mechanism for turning the stapling apparatus, and the structure becomes complicated. In addition, in order to stapling the rear end of the paper while the paper is stored in the bin, a space for placing a stapling device between the paper introduction section of the sorter and the rear end of the bin is required. There is a problem that the length in the direction becomes long.

[0004] For this reason, the applicant of the present application has already introduced an apparatus in which sheets sorted in a bin are guided below a sheet introduction section by a hand mechanism, and stapling is performed by a stapling apparatus arranged below the introduction section. Has been proposed (Japanese Patent Application No. 4-111935). Further, in this apparatus, the staple-processed sheet is taken out to the front side of the apparatus through an opening formed in a side portion of the sorter.

On the other hand, in order to omit the hand mechanism and the like, a configuration is conceivable in which the bin itself is drawn into a stapling device provided below the introduction section. On the other hand, in order to be able to take out the sheet from the sorter to the front side, an opening for taking out the sheet is required in the sorter side plate as described above. Therefore, in order to allow the bin to be drawn into the stapling apparatus side while providing such an opening and keeping the tip of the bin from coming off the sorter frame, the amount of movement of the bin is further increased from the opening toward the tip of the bin. A long frame for supporting the tip of the bin is required. For this reason, there is a problem in that the size of the sorter side plate and, consequently, the entire sorter in the sheet transport direction becomes large.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a sorter capable of pulling out a sheet to the front side, and to stapling a bin by pulling the bin upstream in a conveying direction without increasing the size of a frame side plate.

[0007]

A sorter with a sheet processing function according to the present invention is arranged at a side of an image forming apparatus, and can take out sheets at a front side of the image forming apparatus. The apparatus includes a processing unit, a first moving unit, a guide unit, a guide member, and a second moving unit. Each of the plurality of bins is capable of accommodating a sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus and supporting an upstream end in the sheet conveyance direction.
Pivotable between holding position to hold and open position to open
It has a paper holding member and moves vertically including the processing target position.
It is movable and the vertical position is the processing target position.
Can be moved in the paper transport direction when The processing unit is between the image forming apparatus and the plurality of bins ,
Orientation position is opposite to the bin located at the processing target position.
Then , the paper in the bin is processed. The first moving means moves the bin whose vertical position is located at the processing target position between a sort position where the bin can be moved up and down and a processing position when the processing is performed by the processing means. The guide means is disposed along the bin on the side of the bin moved by the first moving means, and determines the sorting position of the bin.
Guides movement to and from the logical position . Guide member is processed
The bin located at the target position is sorted by the first moving means.
As the paper is moved to the loading and processing position.
The material is guided to the holding position and the release position. The second moving means moves the bin in a vertical direction.

[0008]

In the sorter with a sheet processing function according to the present invention, a plurality of bins are movable in the sheet conveying direction, are moved to a processing position on the upstream side in the conveying direction, and are moved by a processing means such as a stapling apparatus or the like. The paper is processed. At this time, the first
Guide means for guiding the movement of the bin in the transport direction is arranged on the side of the bin moved by the moving means. For this reason, only by providing this guide means, a large opening can be formed and the tip of the bin drawn toward the image forming apparatus can be supported. Therefore, the side plate of the sorter frame becomes unnecessary, and the weight of the sorter can be reduced. Further, since there is no component on the side of the frame (front side of the apparatus), it is easy to take out the sheet even when a sheet take-out device is provided on the front side of the sorter.

[0009]

Shows the overall construction of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention to the examples overall configuration and copying machine body FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 1, this copying machine is a copying machine body 1.
And a staple sorter (hereinafter simply referred to as a sorter) 2 disposed on the left side of the copying machine body 1 and a sheet take-out device (hereinafter referred to as a multi-stacker) disposed in front of the sorter 2 (operator side). And 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, a copying machine main body 1 includes a case 5 and an image forming section 6 arranged at the center of the case 5.
A document scanning unit 7 disposed above the image forming unit 6;
The image forming section 6 includes a sheet conveying device 8 that supplies a sheet to the image forming section 6 and discharges the sheet from the image forming section 6.
The image forming unit 6 includes a photosensitive drum disposed in the center, and a charging device, a developing device, a transfer device,
It has a paper separating device and a cleaning device. The original scanning unit 7 includes an optical system 9 disposed above the image forming unit 6.
A document table 10 disposed above the optical system 9; and an automatic document feeder 11 provided on the document table 10. The automatic document feeder 11 has a document placement section 12 provided on the upper surface of the case, and a document transfer section 13 including a document moving belt and the like arranged inside the case. The paper transport device 8 has a paper supply path disposed upstream of the image forming unit 6 in the paper transport direction and a paper discharge path disposed downstream, and a fixing device is provided in the middle of the paper discharge path. An apparatus 14 is provided.

Further, a discharge roller 15 for discharging paper to the sorter 2 side and a reversing device 16 for reversing the paper are provided downstream of the fixing device 14. In the lower part of the case 5, an intermediate transport path 17 for transporting the paper passing through the reversing device 16 and an intermediate tray 18 for temporarily storing the paper are provided. Below the intermediate tray 18, a plurality of paper feed cassettes 19 are arranged in a vertical direction. In addition, a paper feed deck 20 for continuously supplying paper is disposed at a lower right portion of the case 5. A manual paper feed path 21 is disposed above the paper feed deck 20.

[0012] sorter sorter 2, the bin unit 27 including a driving unit 26 for driving a plurality of bins 25 and these bins 25 vertically disposed between the copying machine main body 1 and the bin unit 27 copying It has a transport unit 28 for transporting paper from the machine body 1 to the bin unit 27, and a processing unit 29 disposed below the transport unit 28 on the upstream side of the bin unit 27 (on the side of the copying machine body 1). The bin unit 27 has a support frame 30 that supports the leading ends of the plurality of bins 25 on the paper discharge side.

As shown in the plan view of FIG. 3, each bin 25 is formed of a plate-like member. A notch 25a for taking out a sheet is formed from the leading end side in the discharge direction to the inside. On the rear side (rear side of the apparatus), a width-adjusting hole 25b penetrating in the up-down direction for moving a width-adjusting member 31 for width-adjusting the paper forward.
Are formed. The hole 25b extends in the direction in which the bin 25 can move along the sheet conveyance direction (the lateral direction of the apparatus, also referred to as the horizontal direction), and the width shifting member 31 can move in the front-rear direction of the apparatus. So that it extends in that direction. On both sides of the paper introduction side (copier body 1 side) end of the bin 25, trunnions 32 projecting outward are respectively provided.
Is provided, and the trunnion 32 is engaged with the groove 33 a of the spiral cam 33 constituting the drive section 26. Further, on both sides of the discharge-side tip of the bin 25, a projecting portion 34 projecting outward is formed.
Are locked to a holder 30a formed on the support frame 30. In this way, the bin 25 is supported such that the leading end in the discharge direction is supported by the support frame 30 and the introduction side is supported by the spiral cam 33, and is inclined such that the leading end on the discharge side is located upward as shown in FIG. It is arranged.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an L-shaped stopper 3 is provided at the end of the bin 25 on the copying machine main body 1 side.
5 is attached. The stopper 35 is rotatably supported at both ends of the bin 25 by pins 36.
And a retracted position indicated by a dashed line. At the restricting position, the upright wall portion 35a of the stopper 35 contacts the rear end of the paper in the bin 25 to prevent the paper from dropping. A guide roller 37 is rotatably attached to the upper end of the upright wall 35a of the stopper 35, as shown in FIGS. The stopper 35
In a normal state, is maintained at a regulated position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 4 by an urging member such as a spring (not shown).

The driving unit 26 of the bin unit 27
5 has a pair of spiral cams 33 arranged at the front and rear ends on the side of the copying machine main body 1 so as to face the respective trunnions 32. The spiral cam 33 has a spiral groove 33a on its surface, and is arranged vertically from the upper part to the lower part of the sorter 2. The upper end and the lower end of each spiral cam 33 are rotatably supported by the frame 2a of the sorter 2, and as shown in an enlarged manner in FIG.
A pulley 40 is fixed to a lower end. A drive pulley 41 is fixed to the lower end of the spiral cam 33 provided on the rear side of the device among the pair of spiral cams 33.
A drive motor 43 (see FIG. 2) is connected to the drive pulley 41 via a belt 42 and the like.

The spiral grooves 33a formed on the outer surface of the spiral cam 33 are formed at substantially the same pitch in the upper and lower portions, but the other two pitches in the portion (substantially the center portion) facing the processing unit 29 are different. The pitch is formed wider than the pitch. Thus, a wider space is formed above and below the bin 25 facing the processing unit 29 as compared with other portions.

As shown in FIG. 7, a bin upper frame 27a is provided at the upper end of the bin unit 27, and a bin lower frame 27b is provided at the lower end thereof at substantially the same inclination as the bin 25. Further, a guide bin 27c is provided on the side of the bin 25 corresponding to the processing unit 29. As will be described later, the guide bin 27c serves as a bin movement guide when the bin 25 is pulled into the copying machine main body 1 side. The tip of each bin frame 27a, 27b is fixed to the support frame 30, and a pin is provided at the end on the copying machine main body 1 side.
The pin b engages with the groove of the spiral cam 33 (see FIG. 6), and the pin of the upper bin frame 27a is inserted into the trunnion guide groove 2b (see FIG. 3) of the frame to support the bin unit 27. Further, the base end of the guide bin 27c is fixed to the tip of the sorter frame 2a. The guide bin 27c extends to the leading end side in the sheet discharging direction along the inclination of the bin 25, and a guide member 45 having a guide groove 45a is fixed to the leading end. In addition, the upper and lower bin frames 27a and 27b are provided at the end portions on the paper introduction side, respectively.
A pair of photo sensors 46a and 46b for detecting whether or not there is a sheet in the bin 25 is provided.

Further, the sorter 2 is provided with a bin moving mechanism 50 for moving the bin 25 moved to the processing position to the processing unit 29 on the side of the copying machine main body and returning the bin 25 to the original position. This moving mechanism 50 is shown in FIG. The bin moving mechanism 50 is provided on the sorter frame 2a,
A connecting portion 51 with the bin 25 and the bin 2 through the connecting portion 51
5 is provided with a driving unit 52 for moving. The connecting portion 51 has a connecting member 53. The connecting member 53 is provided on the inner side of the device of the bin 25, and has a locking piece 53a.
Is inserted between the trunnion 32 and a pin 54 provided on the side of the trunnion 32. The connecting member 53 is provided with a connecting portion 53b, and the connecting portion 51 and the driving portion 52 are connected by the connecting portion 53b. Drive unit 52
Are connected to a motor 55, a worm gear 56 fixed to a shaft of the motor 55, a worm wheel 57 meshing with the worm gear 56, a sprocket 58 rotating integrally with the worm wheel 57, and a chain 59 connected to the sprocket 58. And a sprocket 60. Then, the connecting portion 53 of the chain 59 and the connecting member 53
b are connected. In such a configuration, the motor 5
5, the bin 25 is moved to the guide member 61.
Along the paper discharge direction. The guide rail 61 is fixed to the sorter frame 2a.

Here, the bin 25 is drawn into the processing unit 29 for processing. Since the guide bin 27c is provided at this time, there is no need to provide the support frame 30 as a guide member. Therefore, bin 2
A large opening can be provided on the front and rear sides of the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the sorter 2 has a paper pressing mechanism 65 for pressing the paper on the bin 25 that extends and contracts at a position facing the processing unit 29. The paper pressing mechanism 65 moves integrally with the bin 25, and is disposed on the sorter frames 2a on both sides of the bin 25.

The paper pressing mechanism 65 has a driving section 66 and a pressing section 67. The driving unit 66 includes a driving motor 71, a worm gear 72, a worm wheel 73a meshing with the worm gear 72, and a sprocket 73.
b, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78. A chain 79 is bridged between the sprockets 73b and 74 to 78. The chain 79 includes a fitting portion 53c formed on the connecting member 53 of the bin moving mechanism 50 and a guide portion 53d.
It is arranged to pass between. In addition, chain 7
9, a shaft 81a is provided between the sprockets 74 and 76 above the bin 25 via a connecting member 80, and the pressing member 81 is supported on the shaft 81a.

An arm 75a, one end of which is rotatably supported, is connected to the sprocket 74. A sprocket 75 is rotatably connected to the tip of the arm 75a. For this reason, the sprocket 75 is swingable around the sprocket 74 and is urged clockwise in FIG. 9 by a spring 75b connected between the sprocket 75 and the arm 75a. The sprocket 77 is vertically movable and is urged downward, so that a predetermined force is applied to the chain 79 so that the meshing position between each sprocket and the chain 79 does not shift. ing.

With such a configuration, the connecting member 80 can take the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 9 and the position shown by the dashed line in FIG. At the sheet pressing position indicated by the dashed line, the shaft 81a is fitted between the fitting portion 53c and the guide portion 53d. In the state where the shaft 81a is fitted to the connecting member 53, the shaft 81a extends and retracts with the movement of the bin 25. The pressing member 81 is urged against the upper surface of the bin 25 by an urging member (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 10, the sorter frame 2a is provided with a guide member 85 for releasing the stopper 35 of the bin 25 that has moved to the sheet processing position. The guide member 85 is a guide roller 3 of the stopper 35.
7 are provided in a downward direction, and are provided facing each other in the front-rear direction. The guide member 85 includes an upper rail 85a and a lower rail 85b, and an opening 85c is formed at a tip end.

In such a configuration, the guide roller 37 of the bin 25 drawn into the processing unit 29 moves downward with the guide roller 37 being guided by the guide member 85, whereby the stopper 35 rotates downward. Expose the trailing edge of the paper.
In this state, it is possible to process the rear end of the paper on the bin 25. In the state shown in FIG. 10, since the paper on the bin 25 is pressed by the paper pressing member 81, the paper does not drop from the bin 25 to the processing unit 29 side.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the processing unit 29 includes a fixed frame 90 and the fixed frame 9.
The base table 91 is slidable with respect to 0 and can be pulled out toward the front of the apparatus, and a movable table 92 that is movable with respect to the base table 91. On the moving table 92, a stapling device 93 and a punching device 94 are arranged.

A motor 95 for moving the table is fixed to the lower surface of the base table 91 on the rear side of the apparatus. On the other hand, a gear pulley 9
The gear pulley 96 and the motor 95 are fixed.
A timing belt 98 is stretched between a gear pulley 97 fixed to the tip. This timing belt 9
8 includes a connecting portion 92 formed on the lower surface of the moving table 92.
a, and the moving table 92 moves on the base table 91 by the circulation of the timing belt 98. A bearing 99 is fixed to the lower surface of the moving table 92 as shown in FIG.
Guide shaft 1 arranged on base table 91 in the front-rear direction
It is possible to move along 00. A plurality of guide rollers 101 are provided on the side of the moving table 92, and the guide rollers 101 are attached to the base table 9.
It is guided by one support portion 91a.

As shown in FIG. 11, a detection plate 102 is fixed to the lower surface of the front end of the moving table 92.
At a reference position of the base table 91, a photo sensor 103 for detecting a home position is fixed. FIG. 12 shows a schematic configuration of the stapling device 93. The stapling device 93 includes a lower jaw member 110, an upper jaw member 111 rotatably mounted on the lower jaw member 110, a driving unit 112 for lowering the upper jaw member 111, and the upper jaw member 111 in the initial position. And a return mechanism 113 for returning. The lower jaw member 110 is rotatable within a predetermined range with one end serving as a fulcrum with respect to the support member 114 fixed on the moving table 92. Thus, the position of the entire stapling device 93 can be adjusted in the vertical direction within a predetermined range.

In this sorter 2, the support frame 3
An opening 120 (see FIG. 7) is provided between the front and the rear of the sorter frame 2a (see FIG. 13). A fixed reference plate 121 for shifting the width and an elevating reference plate 122 are provided at the front end of the sorter frame 2a on the front side of the apparatus. These reference plates 121 and 122 are arranged adjacent to the spiral cam 33 on the leading end side in the sheet discharging direction. The lifting reference plate 122 is a fixed upper reference plate 1.
22a and a vertically movable lower reference plate 122b functioning as a shutter member. The lower reference plate 122b can assume a closed position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 7 and an open position indicated by a dashed line in FIG. When the lower reference plate 122b is open, the side of the lower bin 25 corresponding to the processing unit 29 is opened.

As shown in FIG. 13, an elevating mechanism 125 for elevating the lower reference plate 122b is provided at the tip of the sorter frame 2a. The lifting mechanism 125 is mounted on the mounting frame 1 provided at the tip of the sorter frame 2a.
26, a motor 127 fixed to the mounting frame 126, and a gear train 128 rotatably supported in the mounting frame 126. The gear train 128 is driven by a motor 127, and its output pinion 128a is connected to a rack 12 fixed to a lower reference plate 122b.
9 is engaged.

With this configuration, the lower reference plate 122 moves up and down together with the rack 129 by driving the motor 127. Note that the lower reference plate 122b is guided by a slide guide 130 fixed to the sorter frame 2a to move up and down. Here, the spiral cam 33 is arranged on the paper front end side (downstream in the transport direction) from the upright wall 35a of the stopper 35. Therefore, the reference plates 121 and 1 for width adjustment are provided near the spiral cam 33.
Even when the sheet 22 is arranged, a portion close to the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the sheet can be brought into contact with the reference plates 121 and 122.
Since the spiral cam 33 and the reference plates 121 and 122 can be arranged close to each other, it is not necessary to extend the sorter frame 2a for covering them to the leading end side of the sheet, and the size of the sorter frame 2a can be reduced. In addition, the elevating reference plate 122b is located at the end of the sorter frame 2a, and the elevating mechanism 125 for driving the elevating reference plate 122b can be arranged at the end of the sorter frame 2a. For this reason, sorter 2
The whole can be reduced in size.

As shown in FIG. 2, the transport unit 28 of the sorter 2 has an introduction part 28a, a sort introduction path 28b branched from the introduction part 28a, and a non-sort introduction path 28c. I have. The introduction section 28a is provided with an introduction roller 131 and a branch claw 132. In addition, the sorting carry-in path 28b is provided between the introduction section 28a and the bin 2 for sorting.
5, and guides the paper onto the bin 25 whose vertical gap is widened by the spiral cam 33. The non-sorting carry-in path 28c is provided between the non-sorting bin 133 disposed above the sorter 2 and the branching unit 28a, and guides sheets to the non-sorting bin 133 in the non-sort mode.

Multi-stacker FIGS. 14 and 15 show the overall configuration of the multi-stacker 3. FIG. FIG. 14 is a front view of the multi-stacker 3, and FIG.
15 is a side view of the multi-stacker 3 as viewed from the direction of arrow Z in FIG. The multi-stacker 3 has a case 3a, and a stacker hand mechanism 150 for gripping the processed paper in the bin 25 located at the take-out position and drawing the processed paper into the paper take-out device 3, and a front side of the apparatus by the stacker hand mechanism 150. Mechanism 151 for discharging the sheet attracted to the printer and the stack unit 1 for storing the discharged sheet
52 and the sheet taken out of the bin 25
52, and a paper transport path 153 for guiding to the paper transport path 52.

The stacker hand mechanism 150 includes a base plate 159, a moving plate 160 that moves laterally on the base plate 159, as shown in FIGS. First hand mounting plate 161 provided on moving plate 160 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction of the device.
And the second hand mounting plate 162 and each hand mounting plate 16
The first hand 163 and the second hand 164 attached to the first and second hands 163 and 162, the first driving mechanism 165 for moving the hands 163 and 164 in the front-rear direction, and the first hand 165 for moving the moving plate 160 in the horizontal direction. And a two-drive mechanism 166. The first hand mounting plate 161 is prohibited from moving laterally on the moving plate 160, while the second hand mounting plate 162
Can move laterally on the moving plate 160.

The base plate 159 is arranged to be inclined at substantially the same angle as the bin 25. As shown in FIG. 17, a roller 167 is provided at an end of the moving plate 160 on the front side of the apparatus, and a guide 168 for sliding is horizontally arranged at the other end. The moving plate 160 is connected to the second driving mechanism 16.
6 moves to the copying machine main body 1 side. A stopper roller 169 is provided at the end of the sorter 2 on the side of the copying machine main body 1.
Is provided. The stopper roller 169 has a second
The hand mounting plate 162 is configured to abut. Rollers 170 are provided below the hands 163, 164 and the second hand mounting plate 162, and move on the moving plate 160 in the front-rear direction of the device. A slide guide 171 having a guide groove in the lateral direction is fixed to the second hand mounting plate 162. The first hand mounting plate 161 has a locking portion that locks to the slide guide 171.

Each of the hands 163 and 164 has a hand frame 175. Roller 170 is hand frame 17
5 is provided at the lower end. Hand frame 175
Can move up and down along a vertical slide guide 172 provided on each of the hand mounting plates 161 and 162. The movable plate 160 is provided with a guide member 177 for hand retreat. The guide member 177 guides the rollers 170 of the retreated hands 163 and 164 downward, so that the upper portions of the hands 163 and 164 can retreat inside (downward) of the sheet transport path 153. The second hand mounting plate 162 has the first hand 1
A sensor 178 is fixed to detect that the 63 is separated from the second hand 164 and both are at a predetermined interval.

Each of the hands 163 and 164 has the configuration shown in FIG.
As shown by, a pair of upper and lower gripping portions 180 and 181 are provided. Each of the grips 180 and 181 is rotatably supported by the hand frame 175 by a pin 182.
Gears that mesh with each other are formed below the support of the upper grip 180 and above the support of the lower grip 181. The rear end of the upper grip 180 is urged by a spring 183 in the opening direction. One end of a spring 184 is locked to the rear end of the lower grip 181, and the other end is connected to a solenoid 185 mounted on the hand frame 175.
Of the plunger. With such a configuration, when the solenoid 185 is turned off, the upper grip 180 is opened upward by the spring 183, and accordingly, the lower grip 181 is also opened downward. On the other hand, when the solenoid 185 is turned on and the plunger retracts, the lower grip 181 is rotated in the closing direction by the spring 184, and the upper grip 180 is moved in the closing direction against the urging force of the spring 183. Rotate.

The first drive mechanism 165 includes a motor 190
And a gear pulley 19 fixed to the shaft end of the motor 190.
1, a plurality of gear pulleys 193 fixed to the connecting member 192 of the first mounting plate 161, and a timing belt 194 bridged between the gear pulleys. Thus, when the motor 190 rotates, the timing belt 19 is rotated.
4, the connecting member 192 is moved, and the hand mounting plate 16 is moved.
The two hands 163 and 164 move in the front-rear direction via 1 and 162.

On the other hand, the second drive mechanism 166 is
59, a gear train 196 (see FIG. 17) including a motor 195 fixed to the lower surface, a plurality of gear pulleys, and a timing belt 197. The timing belt 197 has a locking member 1 fixed to the lower surface of the moving plate 160.
98 are connected. In addition, on the base plate 159,
Photo interrupter 19 for detecting the position of the moving plate 160
9,200 are provided at predetermined intervals. Further, the moving plate 160 is provided with a photo interrupter 201 for detecting that each of the hands 163 and 164 is located at the home position.

The discharge mechanism 151 includes two pairs of roller devices 20.
5, 206 and a roller drive mechanism 207 for driving the roller devices 205, 206. As shown in FIG. 17, the roller devices 205 and 206 include a driving roller 208 and a driven roller 209 arranged along the sheet conveyance path 153. Both rollers 20
Between belts 8 and 209, a belt 210 for transporting the processed paper is stretched. And each roller 2
Above 08 and 209, a pressing roller 211 is arranged. The pressing roller 211 is rotatably attached to the tip of the support member 212. Support member 212
Is rotatably attached to a cover 3 a that covers the upper part of the multi-stacker 3.

The roller drive mechanism 207 includes a motor 213
And the gear pulley 21 attached to the shaft end of the motor 213
4, a rotating shaft 215 connecting the respective driving rollers 208 of the roller devices 205 and 206, a gear pulley 216 fixed to the tip of the rotating shaft 215,
And a timing belt 217 spanned between the two.

The paper transport path 153 includes a lower guide 220,
It has an upper guide 221 and an upright wall 224 formed by ribs formed on the lower surface of the cover 3a. The cover 3 a can be freely opened and closed by a pin 222 with respect to a lower frame constituting the upright wall portion 224. Lower guide 220
Paper path 15 constituted by the upper guide 221
In 3, a resin film 223 as an elastic member is provided on the lower guide 220 in a downward curved portion immediately after passing through the roller devices 205 and 206. The upstream end of the elastic member 223 is fixed to the lower guide 220, and guides the sheet conveyed along the sheet conveying path 153 so as to hit the vertical wall portion 224 to reduce the speed of dropping the sheet. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the side wall 225 of the paper transport path 153 is inclined along the side surface of the transported paper (the rear end surface of the paper in the bin 25). That is, it is attached at an angle substantially orthogonal to the inclination of the bin 25. Note that a photo interrupter 230 for detecting paper jam is provided downstream of the driven roller 209.

The stack portion 152 is provided below the case 3a and has a side wall 225 that forms the paper transport path 153.
Has a bottom wall 226 substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall. The bottom wall 226 extends rearward of the apparatus and is inclined upward as shown in FIG. As is apparent from FIG. 1, the stack portion has a side opening 227 for taking out.

In such a multi-stacker 3, the stacker hand mechanism 151 is provided inside the paper transport path 153 between the bin 25 at the paper take-out position and the stack section 152.
Is arranged. Therefore, the bin 25 and the stack 1
52 can be effectively used, and the height can be suppressed as compared with the case where the stacker hand mechanism 151 is disposed above the paper transport path 153.

Since the hands 163 and 164 can move in the horizontal direction, the spiral cam 3
3, the paper can be easily taken out to the front side of the apparatus even if the paper is stored so that the rear end of the paper is located on the copying machine body 1 side. Therefore, the lateral length of the sorter 2 can be reduced. Furthermore, since the opening 227 for taking out is provided on the side of the stack part 152,
The sheet discharged from the stack unit 152 during the sheet discharging operation can be taken out. In particular, when a large amount of copy processing is performed, the operation of each unit temporarily stops when the stack unit 152 is full of paper. However, here, a large amount of paper is removed from the stack unit 152 during processing, and a large number of continuous operations are performed. be able to.

Control Unit As shown in FIG. 1, an operation panel 250 for operating the copier main body 1 is provided on the front side of the upper surface of the copier main body 1. The operation panel 250 includes a key for specifying a sort / non-sort mode, a key for specifying a staple / non-staple mode, a punch /
A key for designating a non-punch mode, a key for designating a staple and punch position, a numeric keypad for setting the number of copies, and other keys are provided.

An operation panel 251 for inputting a command directly to the sorter 2 by an operator is arranged at the upper end of the front surface of the sorter 2. The operation panel 251 is provided with a multi key or the like for performing staple and punch processing and processing for removing paper from the bin in parallel. By pressing this multi key,
It is also possible to forcibly discharge the paper in the bin 25 to the stack unit 152.

FIG. 18 is a schematic control block diagram of the copying machine. The copying machine body 1 has a copying machine body control unit 255 for controlling the copying operation in the copying machine body 1 and the operation of the automatic document feeder 11, and the sorter 2 has a sorter control unit 256.
, And the multi-stacker 3 has a multi-stacker control unit 257. Each control unit 255, 256, 257
Is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM. Each control unit 255, 256, 25
The units 7 are connected to each other via a bus, and various types of information can be exchanged between the control units.

The above-mentioned operation panel 250, image forming section 249, and other input / output sections are connected to the copying machine main body control section 255. The sorter control unit 256 includes the above-described operation panel 251, various sensors 258, and the sheet transport unit 2.
59, bin horizontal moving unit 2 for moving bin 25 in the horizontal direction
60, a paper pressing unit 261 for pressing the paper in the bin 25, a staple and punch processing unit 262, and a bin vertical moving unit 263 for moving the bin in the vertical direction.
And other input / output units are connected. The multi-stacker control unit 257 includes various sensors 264, a first hand driving unit 265, a second hand driving unit 266, a hand front / rear moving unit 267 for moving the hands 163 and 164 in the front / back direction, A hand lateral moving unit 268 for laterally moving the hand, a roller device driving unit 269, and other input / output units are connected.

Operation of Copying Machine Body On the copying machine body 1 side, in step S1 of FIG.
Initial settings such as setting the number of copies to “1” are performed. In this initial setting, non-sort mode,
The non-staple mode and the non-punch mode are set. Next, in step S2, condition input processing such as receiving an input for setting the number of copies is performed. Step S
In 3, a mode selection process described later is performed. Step S4
Then, a copy start command by a print button is received. When a copy start command is issued, a copy operation is performed by controlling the image forming unit and the automatic document feeder 11. During this copying operation, after the paper is conveyed from the paper cassette 19 or the paper deck 20 to the image forming unit 6, the toner image is transferred to the paper in the image forming unit 6, and after being fixed by the fixing device 14, The sheet is guided to the introduction section 28 of the sorter 2 by the discharge roller 15. The processing for the sheet guided into the sorter 2 will be described later. Upon completion of the copy process in the step S4, the process returns to the step S2.

FIGS. 20 and 21 show the details of the mode selection processing in step S3. 20, it is determined whether or not the sort key has been pressed in step S5, whether or not the staple key has been pressed in step S6, and whether or not the multi key has been pressed in step S7 in FIG. . If the sort key is pressed, step S
Then, the process proceeds from Step 5 to Step S6. If the sort mode has already been set, the process proceeds to step S7, and the sort mode is released. On the other hand, if the sort mode is not set, the process moves from step S6 to step S8.
In step S8, it is determined whether or not the set number of copies exceeds the total number of bins (here, 20). If so, the flow shifts to step S9 to automatically set the multi mode. If the number of copies is equal to or less than 20, the process proceeds from step S8 to step S10, and the sort mode is set.

If the staple key has been pressed, the process moves from step S6 to step S11. Step S1
At 1, it is determined whether the staple mode has already been set. If already set, step S1
The process proceeds to step 2 to release the staple mode. On the other hand, if the staple key is pressed in a state where the staple mode is not set, the process proceeds from step S11 to step S1.
Move to 3. In step S13, the set number of copies is 2
It is determined whether or not the number has exceeded zero. If it exceeds, the process moves to step S14 to set the multi mode. If the set number of copies is equal to or less than 20, the process proceeds from step S13 to step S15, and the staple mode is set.

If the multi key has been pressed, the process proceeds from step S7 to step S16. Step S1
In 6, it is determined whether or not the multi mode has already been set, and if it has been set, the process proceeds to step S17. In step S17, the multi mode is canceled.
If the multi mode has not been set, the process shifts from step S16 to step S18 to set the multi mode. Sorter Operation In the sorter 2, initialization is performed in step P1 of FIG. Here, processing such as disposing the stapling device and the punching device at the initial position, setting the branch claw 132 on the non-sorting bin 133 side, and the like are performed.

In step P2, various modes are reset. As a result, the non-sort mode is set for the sort / non-sort mode, the non-staple mode is set for the staple / non-staple mode, and the non-punch mode is set for the punch / non-punch mode. Next, in step P3, it is determined whether or not processing condition information such as the number of processed sheets and the contents of the setting mode has been sent from the copying machine main body 1 side. If there is an input of a processing condition, the process shifts to Step P4 to set an operation mode according to the condition.

In step P5, it is determined whether the mode is the non-sort mode. In step P6, it is determined whether the mode is the sort mode. In step P7, it is determined whether the mode is the staple mode. It is determined whether or not the mode is the multi mode. Further, in step P9, it is determined whether or not the multi key on the operation panel of the sorter 2 is pressed.

In the case of the non-sort mode, step P5
Then, the process shifts to Step P10 to execute the non-sort processing. If the sort mode is set, the process shifts from step P6 to step P11 to execute the sort processing. If the staple mode has been set, the process proceeds from step P7 to step P12 to execute the staple process, and if the multi mode has been set, the process proceeds from step P8 to step P13 to execute the multi process. . When the multi key is pressed, the process shifts from step P9 to step P14 to forcibly discharge the paper in the bin 25.

Sorting When the sorting mode is selected, the sorting shown in FIG. 23 is executed. In this case, first, step P2
A sort transport process is performed at 0. That is, the branch pawl 132 is switched so that the sheets from the copying machine main body 1 are sorted into the sorting carry-in path 2.
8b, the motor 43 is driven to drive the bin unit 2
The paper is discharged while sequentially moving each bin 25 of No. 7 up and down.

Next, at step P21, the width adjusting member 31
Is moved forward to perform the width adjustment operation. Thus, the paper placed in the bin 25 comes into contact with the reference plates 121 and 122 on the front side of the apparatus, and the width adjusting operation is performed.
Next, in step P22, it is determined whether or not the sheet introduced into the sorter 2 is the last sheet. If it is not the last sheet, the program shifts to Step P23. In Step P23, it is determined whether or not a stop signal described later has been transmitted from the multi-stacker control unit 257. If so, the program shifts to step P24 to wait for the stop signal to be released. This stop signal is sent to the stack 152
Is output when the paper is fully loaded in the stack unit 152. When the paper in the stack unit 152 is removed, a release signal is output. When the release signal is output, the process shifts from Step P24 to Step P25. Further, even when the stop signal has not been sent, Steps P23 to P25
Move to

In step P25, it is determined whether or not the moving direction of the bin needs to be changed. If all the bins are moving upward or downward from the position where paper is introduced, it is necessary to change the moving direction. In this case, the process shifts from step P25 to step P26 to change the moving direction of the bin unit 27. If no change is required, the process shifts from step P25 to step P27 to move the bin 25 by one bin in the same direction. Upon completion of the processing of the steps P26 and P27, the process returns to the step P20, and the above processing is repeatedly executed. When the sheets are sorted into the bins 25 and become the final sheets in this way, the process proceeds from Step P22 to Step P28. In Step P28, the introduction unit 28 of the sorter 2
The drive of a is stopped. Then, the flow shifts to Step P29, where a sort completion signal is sent to the copier main body controller 255 and the multi-stacker controller 257.

Staple (Punch) Processing When the staple mode is selected, the processing shown in FIG. 24 is executed. Since the stapling process and the punching process have the same control, the stapling process will be described here. First, in step P30, all bins 25 are moved to an initial position when stapling is performed. Next, in step P31, a process for holding the sheets sorted in the bin 25 by the sheet pressing mechanism 65 is executed. That is, in this case, the motor 7
1 rotates, whereby the worm wheel 73a rotates and the timing belt 79 circulates. As a result, the connection member 80 located at the position shown by the solid line in FIG.
Move to side 5. Then, the shaft 81a supported by the connection member 80 is locked to the connection member 53, and presses the paper stacked on the bin 25 from above.

Next, at step P32, the processing unit 2
The bin 25 located at the position facing 9 is drawn into the processing position in the processing unit 29. That is, by rotating the driving motor 55, the timing belt 59 is circulated, and the connecting member 53 is moved to the processing unit 29 side via the connecting portion 53b. Thereby, the bin 25 locked with the connecting member 53 is drawn into the processing unit 29 side. At this time, the guide roller 37 provided above the stopper 35 of the bin 25 is guided downward by the guide member 85. As a result, the stopper 35 of the bin 25 rotates downward as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 10, and is moved to the stapling position of the stapling device 93 with the rear end of the sheet exposed.

Next, in step P33, a stapling process described later is executed. In step P34, the bin 25 is returned to the sorting position, and in step P35, the pressing of the sheet by the sheet pressing mechanism 65 is released. These are performed by operations completely opposite to those described above. In Step P36,
It is determined whether all the staple processes for the sorted sheets have been completed. If not, the process shifts to Step P37. In Step P37, it is determined whether or not the stop signal is output from the multi-stacker control unit 257. If output, step P38
Move to In Step P38, the control waits until the stop signal is released. If the stop signal has not been output and if the stop signal has been released, the program shifts to Step P39. In Step P39, the bin is moved by one stage, and the process returns to Step P31. When all the staple processing for the sorted sheets is completed, YES is determined in step P35, and the process exits from the staple processing subroutine.

FIG. 25 shows the specific control of the stapling process P33. First, in step P40, it is determined whether or not stapling is performed at one location. If one stapling process is designated, the program shifts to Step P41 to execute the stapling process with the stapling device 58 fixed at the home position, that is, the processing reference position. On the other hand, if the stapling process is to be performed at two places, NO is determined in the step P40, and the routine goes to a step P42. In Step P42, the stapling apparatus is moved to the first position. Then, in Step P43, a stapling process is executed at the first position. Next, in step P44, the stapling apparatus is moved to the second position, and the stapling process is executed in step P45. If the stapling process has been performed at two places, the stapling apparatus is returned to the home position in step P46, and the flow shifts to step P34 in FIG.

Multi Processing When the multi mode is set, the multi processing shown in FIG. 26 is executed. In the multi process, first, a sort process is executed in Step P50. This sorting process is the same as the process from step P20 to step P29 shown in FIG.

When the sorting process is completed, step P51
Then, all the bins 25 are moved to the initial position at the time of stapling. Further, the lifting reference plate 122 is lowered.
Then, in a step P52, a stapling process is executed.
The stapling processing is the same as the processing in steps P31 to P39 and steps P40 to P46 shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 described above.

Next, in step P53, it is determined whether or not the bin can be moved (down). The determination is YES for the first bin 25 without any problem, but for the second and subsequent stages, the determination is made based on whether or not the paper has been removed from the bin 25 at the removal position. Next, in step P54, the bin 25 is lowered by one stage. Then, in step P55, a movement completion signal is sent to the multi-stacker control unit 257. Thus, in the multi-stacker 3, a process of taking out the paper from the bin 25 is executed.

In Step P56, it is determined whether or not the sheets have been taken out from all the bins 25 on which the stapled sheets have been placed. If sheets still remain in the bin 25, the program shifts to Step P57. In Step P57, it is determined whether the stapling process has been completed for all the bins 25 on which the sheets have been transferred. If the processing has not been completed, the process returns to Step P52, and the processing from Step P52 to Step P56 is repeatedly executed. If the stapling process is completed for all the sheets, the process proceeds to Step P53,
The processing of steps P53 to P55, that is, the processing of lowering the last bin by one stage is executed.

When all the sheets stored in the sorter are taken out to the multi-stacker 3 side, the process shifts from step P56 to step P58, where the elevation reference plate 122 is moved.
To rise. Next, in Step P59, it is determined whether or not the sorting process, the stapling process, and the removal process for the set number of copies have been completed. If not, the process returns from step P59 to step P50. In other words, when the number of copies is set to be equal to or larger than the number of bins, the sorting process and the stapling process are executed for all the bins, and after the paper removal process is performed, the same process is repeated for the remaining number of copies. Run. When the process is completed for all the set number of copies, YES is determined in the step P59, and the process shifts to a step P60. Step P60
Then, an end signal is sent.

[0068] shows a control flowchart of the multi-stacker 3 to the control diagram 27 of a multi-stacker. In step Q1, initialization is performed. In this initial setting, processing such as setting the first and second hands 163 and 164 to the retracted position and moving the movable plate 160 to the home position is performed. Next, in step Q2, it is determined whether or not a movement completion signal has been sent from sorter control section 256, or whether or not the multi-key on the operation panel of sorter 2 has been pressed. When a movement completion signal is sent or the multi key is pressed, the process proceeds from step Q2 to step Q3. In step Q3, both hands 16
3, 164 are projected from the retracted position shown in FIG. At this time, the lower reference plate 122 on the sorter 2 side
b is in a state of being lowered and opened. Both hands 163, 16
When the moving table 160 moves, the hands 163 and 164 move the stopper roller 1.
Move to 69 side. Then, it stops at the C position. In step Q4, it is determined whether or not the hands 163 and 164 have reached the C position, that is, the take-out position. Both hands 16
Wait until 3,164 comes to the take-out position and step Q
Move to 5. In step Q5, the hands 163, 16
4 is further projected toward the bin 25 and moved to the D position. In each of the hands 163 and 164, the solenoid is turned off in the initial state, and the upper and lower gripping members 180 and 181 are open (the position shown by the dashed line in FIG. 17).

Next, in step Q6, the solenoid 185 of the first hand 163 is turned on to grip the side end of the sheet.
Then, by moving the movable plate 160 in step Q7, the first hand 163 is moved in the sheet discharging direction (the direction away from the copying machine main body 1). In step Q8, it is determined whether the first hand 163 has been separated from the second hand 164 by a predetermined distance. This is because sensor 178 is the first
The determination is made based on whether or not the hand 163 is turned on. At this time, the first hand mounting plate 161 that moves together with the first hand 163 is in contact with the groove end of the slide guide 171 fixed to the second hand mounting plate 162. At this time, the trailing edge of the sheet is in contact with the fixed reference plate 121. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the trailing edge of the sheet from moving toward the front side of the apparatus, thereby preventing the sheet from being inclined.

If YES is determined in the step Q8, the process shifts to a step Q9. In step Q9, the movement of the movable plate 160 is temporarily stopped. Then, in step Q10, the solenoid 185 of the second hand 164 is turned on to hold the trailing edge of the sheet. Next, in step Q11, the moving plate 1
The movement of the hand 60 is resumed.
It is determined whether 63, 164 has come to the pull-out position, that is, the position E in FIG. When it is detected that each of the hands 163 and 164 has reached the position E, the process proceeds to step Q13, and the movement of the movable plate 160 is stopped. Step Q1
In step 4, both hands 163, 164 are moved to the front side of the apparatus to take out the paper from the bin 25, and the roller devices 205, 206 are driven at a low speed synchronized with the moving speed of the hands 163, 164. Next, in step Q15, it is determined whether or not the hands 163 and 164 have come to the position where the grip of the sheet is released. This grip release position is a position where the side edge of the paper is gripped by the driven rollers 209 of the roller devices 205 and 206, and the amount of movement of each of the hands 163 and 164 (detected by pulse detection of the motor 190 of the first drive mechanism 165). To do). This determination may be made using the photo interrupter 230 for jam detection. When the hands 163, 164 come to the grip release position, the process proceeds to step Q16, where each hand 163, 1
The 64 solenoids 185 are turned off to release the gripping of the sheet. Then, the roller devices 205 and 206 are turned off.

From this state, the hands 163 and 164 are further moved.
To the front of the device. Then, each hand 163,
The guide roller 170 attached to the lower end of the guide 164 is guided downward along the guide member 177, and the hand retreats inside the paper transport path 153. In step Q17,
It is determined whether each of the hands 163 and 164 has moved to the evacuation position indicated by the solid line in FIG. Each hand 163, 164
Then, the process goes to step Q18 after waiting for evacuation. In step Q18, the roller devices 205 and 206 are turned on again, and the rollers are rotated at a higher speed than at the time of taking out the sheet, and the sheet is discharged to the stack unit 152 side. At this time,
The sheet is guided to a sheet transport path 153 and is stacked
Although guided to the side, the sheet abuts on the vertical wall 224 of the transport path 153 by the elastic member 223, and the falling speed thereof is suppressed. Further, the side surface 225 of the paper transport path 153 is
As shown in FIG. 4, it is inclined along the paper conveyance posture,
Further, the bottom surface 226 of the stack section 152 is also inclined so that the end face of the conveyed paper is uniformly hit. For this reason, the impact due to the collision when the sheet falls to the stack portion 152 is reduced, and the end face of the sheet can be prevented from being damaged.

In step Q19, the paper is
It is determined whether or not the vehicle has passed over the area No. 3,164. After passing, the process proceeds to step Q20. In step Q20, it is determined whether or not an end signal has been sent from sorter control section 256. If sheets still remain in the bin 25 on the sorter 2 side, the process moves from step Q20 to step Q21 in FIG. In step Q21, it is determined whether or not the stack section 152 is full of sheets. If the sheets are full on the stack section 152 and it is difficult to store the sheets any more, the process proceeds from step Q21 to step Q22. In step Q22, a signal for displaying a message to that effect is sent to operation panel 250 of copying machine main body control section 255. And step Q
23, the sorter control unit 256 and the copier main body control unit 2
A stop signal is sent to 55. As a result, the operation of each unit temporarily stops. Next, in step Q24, the sheet is removed from the stack section 152, and the apparatus waits for the release signal to be sent. If the release signal is output, the process returns to step Q2 in FIG. Also, when YES is determined in the step Q21, the process returns to the step Q2 and the same processing is repeatedly executed.

When all of the sheets stored in the bin on the sorter 2 side are taken out, an end signal is output from the sorter control unit 256. When the multi-stacker control unit 257 receives the end signal, YES is determined in step Q20, and the multi-processing is ended. By executing such multi-processing, the processed sheet can be taken out of the sorter 2 into the stack section 152 on the front side of the apparatus.

Here, as described above, the hand 163,
Since the 164 moves in both the horizontal direction and the front-back direction, even if the bin 25 is arranged so that the trailing end of the sheet is located closer to the copying machine body 1 than the spiral cam 33, the sheet can be smoothly taken out from the bin 25. it can. Further, when the paper is taken out of the bin 25, the rear end of the paper is separated from the upright wall portion 35a of the stopper 35, so that the paper is easily inclined when the paper is pulled forward. However, here two hands 16
Since the side of the sheet is gripped by 3,164, the inclination of the sheet at the time of discharge can be reduced. Moreover, since the rear end of the sheet is gripped by the second hand 164 before the rear end of the sheet separates from the fixed reference plate 121, the inclination of the sheet can be further suppressed.

When the paper is discharged, the hands 163, 16
Since the roller devices 205 and 206 are rotated at a high speed after the retracting of the hand 4, the start timing of the hands 163 and 164 to the next cycle can be advanced. Therefore, the overall processing time can be reduced. Further, a cover 3a constituting a part of the paper transport path 153 is openable and closable, and a pressing roller 211 is mounted on the cover 3a. For this reason, even when a jam occurs in the sheet transport path 153, the jam can be easily removed.

Since the stack 152 has an opening 227 for taking out the side, the stack 15
Even if the number of copies exceeds the capacity of 2,
When the operator takes out the sheet discharged from the stack unit 152 on the way, the multi-processing can be continuously performed without temporarily stopping the operation. When the number of copies equal to or less than the number of bins is set and the multi mode is not set, the operation ends with the processed paper left in the bin 25. In this case, the operator By pressing the multi key provided on the operation panel 251 of FIG.
52 can be taken out.

[Other Embodiments] (a) In the above embodiment, the spiral cam 33 is used as the drive mechanism of the bin 25, but another configuration may be used. (B) The number of hands is not limited to two. (C) In the paper transport path 153, the elastic member 223 is fixed to the lower guide 220.
May be fixed to the upper guide 221 and the same effect is obtained.

[0078]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a sorter configured so that paper can be taken out to the front of the apparatus and the bin can be moved in the paper transport direction, the bin at the position facing the processing means is provided. Since the guide means for moving in the transport direction is provided, an opening for taking out the sheet is formed, and the leading end of the moving bin can be reliably supported. Therefore, there is no need to provide the side plate portion of the sorter frame, and the weight of the sorter can be reduced. In addition, when the sheet take-out device is provided in front of the sorter, the sheet can be easily taken out.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a copying machine employing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional configuration diagram of the copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a bin used in a sorter of the copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the bottle.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the bottle.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a mechanism for driving the bin.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional partial view of the sorter.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a bin moving mechanism of the sorter.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a paper pressing mechanism of the sorter.

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view of the sorter.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing a moving mechanism of a processing unit of the sorter.

FIG. 12 is a front view of a processing unit of the sorter.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a drive unit of a paper reference plate used in the sorter.

FIG. 14 is a schematic vertical sectional front view of a multi-stacker of the copying machine.

FIG. 15 is a sectional side view of the multi-stacker.

FIG. 16 is a partial sectional front view of the multi-stacker.

FIG. 17 is a partial sectional side view of the multi-stacker.

FIG. 18 is a control block diagram of the copying machine.

FIG. 19 is a control flowchart of the copying machine main body.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a mode selection process of the copying machine main body.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a mode selection process of the copying machine main body.

FIG. 22 is a control flowchart of the sorter.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of the sorter sorting process.

FIG. 24 is a control flowchart of a stapling process of the sorter.

FIG. 25 is a specific control flowchart of a stapling process.

FIG. 26 is a control flowchart of multi-processing of the sorter.

FIG. 27 is a control flowchart of the multi-stacker.

FIG. 28 is a control flowchart of the multi-stacker.

FIG. 29 is a plan view of a hand mechanism for explaining a sheet removing process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copier main body 2 Sorter 25 Bin 26 Bin drive part 27 Bin unit 27c Guide bin 29 Processing unit 33 Spiral cam 50 Bin moving mechanism

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A sorter with a sheet processing function disposed on a side of an image forming apparatus and capable of discharging sheets to a front side of the image forming apparatus, the sorter being capable of accommodating sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus. That supports the upstream end of the paper in the paper transport direction
Paper holder that can rotate between the open position and the open position to open
Material and can be moved up and down including the processing target position.
Paper when the vertical position is the position to be processed.
A plurality of bins , which are movable in the transport direction, between the image forming apparatus and the plurality of bins ,
The downward position is opposed to the bin located at the processing target position.
Processing means for performing processing on the paper in the bin, a bin position whose vertical position is located at the processing target position, a sort position capable of moving up and down, and processing when processing is performed by the processing means. A first moving means for moving between the positions, a bin being arranged along the bin on a side of the bin moved by the first moving means, and a sorting position and processing of the bin
A guide means for guiding movement between the position and a bin located at the processing target position is provided to the first movement means;
As it is moved to more sorting position and processing position,
A guide for guiding the paper holding member of the bin to the holding position and the open position
A sorter with a sheet processing function , comprising: a guide member; and a second moving unit configured to move the bin in a vertical direction.