JP2771370B2 - Sorter paper processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer, and more particularly to a sheet processing apparatus of a sorter for performing staple, punch and other predetermined sheet processing on sheets.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as copiers and printers having a sorter for transferring the same original to a plurality of transfer papers and sorting the transfer papers into bins have become widespread. In particular, recently, a sorter having a function of further performing predetermined sheet processing by a stapler on sheets on the sorted bins is used.

[0003] In such a conventional sorter, the stapler reciprocates in the direction of approaching and separating from the bin to perform processing.
Staple processing is performed only on one corner of the fixed sheet.

[0004]

Recently, there has been an increasing need for a sorter capable of performing staples, punches, and other types of sheet processing at arbitrary positions in the sheet width direction.

In such a sorter, a paper processing device such as a stapler or a punch should be arranged side by side on one support frame, and these paper processing devices should be integrally movable in the width direction of the bin to process paper. After retracting the bin from the other bins, the paper placed on the bin is pressed by the paper pressing mechanism and the rear end of the bin is opened,
Thereafter, the supporting frame may be moved to a required position and advanced toward the bin to perform required processing.

However, in the above-described configuration, the paper is moved forward to the paper processing apparatus which does not perform the processing in accordance with the advance of the support frame. Also requires the use of a large motor, resulting in an increase in the size of the paper processing apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to solve the above problem and to provide a sorter paper processing apparatus capable of reducing the load on the motor and reducing the size.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, first and second papers arranged in a width direction of a bin and performing predetermined paper processing on paper on the bin are described. Processing means; reciprocating means for integrally reciprocating the first and second sheet processing means in the width direction of the bin;
One or more of the first and second sheet processing means for moving the sheet processing means independently of each other in the direction of contacting and separating with the bin, and the first and second sheet processing means when performing sheet processing. And a process selecting means for selecting

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the first and second contact / separation moving means are provided so that the first and second sheet processing means can be moved independently of each other in the direction of contact / separation with respect to the bin. First and second arranging means, an extruding means for extruding one of the sheet processing means selected by the processing selecting means toward the bin, and a sheet processing means extruded by the extruding means from the bin side. And separating means for separating.

[0010]

According to the sorter sheet processing apparatus of the first aspect, the first and second sheet processing means are integrally reciprocated in the bin width direction by the reciprocating means.
One of the sheet processing means selected by the processing selection means is moved in the direction of contact and separation with respect to the bin by the contact / separation moving means on the side of the sheet processing means, whereby a predetermined sheet processing is performed on the paper on the bin.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, one of the sheet processing means selected by the processing selecting means is pushed out by the pushing means and is moved to the bin side along the arranging means. On the other hand, while moving, the paper processing means moved to the bin side is separated from the bin side by the separating means, and returns to the original position along the arranging means.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of a sheet processing apparatus for a sorter according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 20 is an external view showing the entire image forming apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied. The image forming apparatus 1 has a first housing 2, and a contact glass (not shown) is provided at the center of the upper surface of the first housing 2.

Inside the first housing 2, an optical system for optically scanning a document, an image forming means having a photosensitive drum and members around the photosensitive drum for forming an image, and a transfer. Each component such as a paper transport system is provided. The document to be copied is placed on a contact glass with its copy surface facing down, and the document surface is optically scanned by the optical system. Then, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum by the image forming means based on the light reflected from the document surface, and further developed into a toner image. The developed toner image is transferred onto a transfer sheet, and is fixed on the transfer sheet by a fixing unit.

Reference numeral 3 denotes an automatic document feeder which automatically feeds a document, and includes an original placing section 4, an original loading section 5, an original transport section 6, and an original discharging section 7. The originals placed on the original placing section 4 are automatically moved one by one from the original carrying-in section 5 to a predetermined position on the contact glass by the original carrying section 6 and temporarily stopped. To be carried out.

Reference numerals 9, 10, and 11 denote cabinets for accommodating transfer paper, which are capable of setting sheets of different sizes. An operation panel 12 includes a copy switch, a switch for indicating the number of copies, and the like. 1
Reference numeral 3 denotes a sorter mode switching key and a sheet processing selection key such as stapling or punching.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a second housing, the internal structure of which will be described later. Also, the second housing 1
4 has an opening / closing panel 14a, and by opening the opening / closing panel 14a, a sheet processing unit 30 described later can be pulled out. Reference numeral 15 denotes a sorter, in which a plurality of bins 16 are provided in a stepped manner, and reference numeral 17 denotes a paper discharge unit. The transfer paper is sequentially discharged to the bin 16 when sorting is performed, and discharged to the paper discharge unit 17 when sorting is not performed.

Next, referring to FIG.
Will be described. FIG. 1 is a side view showing the internal configuration of the second housing 14. 20, 21, 2
Reference numeral 2 denotes a first pin, a second pin, and a third pin which are disposed on both left and right sides of the bin 16 in the width direction of the paper so that a part of the bin 16 protrudes. ing.
Each bin 16 has a pair of first pins 20 provided in a groove provided inside the left and right side plates with a slight inclination to the right in the drawing, and second pins 21 provided upright on both left and right sides. Column 23
It is supported so as to be able to ascend and descend by being fitted into a spiral groove 24 cut into a rectangular shape. The third pin 22 is provided on the right side of the second pin 21 in the figure with a predetermined minute interval.

The bin 16 connects the stopper 25 and the flat plate 26 with the stopper 25 for regulating and aligning the trailing edge of the sheet, and engages the spring with the connecting shaft to disengage the stopper 25. It is composed of a connecting portion 27 that urges clockwise.

The lower end of the column 23 is connected to a drive motor 230 via a timing belt 231, bevel gears 232, 233 and a timing belt 234. When the drive motor 230 is driven to rotate,
The driving force is the timing belt 234, the bevel gears 233, 2
The light is transmitted to the column 23 via the timing belt 231 and the timing belt 231 to rotate the column 23. In addition, the cylinder 2
A pulse plate 235 for detecting the rotation angle of the cylinder 23 and a rotation sensor 236 are disposed at an appropriate position below the position 3.

Each of the bins 16 is rotated by the drive motor 230 to rotate the cylinder 23 by 360 °.
The transfer paper is moved upward or downward by one step in synchronization with the discharge timing of the transfer paper. Further, when copying and sorting are completed, and when predetermined paper processing such as stapling or punching is performed on each transfer paper, the cylinder 23 is rotated by the drive motor 230 and stopped at a predetermined stop angle. Each bin on which paper processing is performed is moved up and down one step at a specific position for that purpose. In this state, an opening surface of a guide rail 60 to be described later and a groove 24 of the cylinder 23 face each other, and the bin 16 at the specific position retreats by a predetermined distance along the inclination of the guide rail 60 (rightward in the figure). ).

Reference numeral 28 denotes a sheet processing device such as a punch 40 and a stapler 41 for performing predetermined processing such as punching and stapling on the transfer papers sorted into the bins 16, and 29 denotes a support frame on which a plurality of sheet processing devices 28 are mounted. Body. Reference numeral 30 denotes a sheet processing unit, 31 denotes a belt provided on the sheet processing unit 30, and 32 denotes a motor for driving the belt 31. The support frame 29 is placed on a belt 31 and the bin 1 is rotated by rotating the belt 31 through a gear from a motor 32.
6 in the width direction of the paper (in the drawing, the direction penetrating the paper surface), that is, in the width direction of the transfer paper, and one of the paper processing devices 28 is moved by a predetermined distance in the inclination direction of the bin 16. By moving forward (to the left in the drawing) and approaching the transfer paper side, a desired process can be performed on an arbitrary position of the transfer paper.

Next, the movement of the transfer paper side, that is, the movement of the bin 16 when performing paper processing will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a paper moving mechanism.
2A is a plan view, and FIG. 2B is a side view. 51 is a motor for moving the bin 16 in the front-rear direction, 52 is a worm wheel, 53, 54, 55 and 56 are gears, and these gears 53, 54, 55 and 56 are chain wheels 57.
Is hung. The torque of the motor 51 is transmitted to the gear 53 through the worm wheel 52 and further transmitted to each gear through the chain wheel 57.

Reference numeral 58 denotes a chain wheel 57 and a connecting portion 5.
9 are working plates connected at 9. The action plate 58 causes the bin 16 to move in the front-rear direction when performing a predetermined process on a sheet as described later, and the second pin 21 engages with the spiral groove 24 during the sorting process.
It also serves to regulate so as not to be detached.

Reference numeral 60 denotes a guide rail for guiding the second pin 21 to guide the moving direction of the operation plate 58. 6
Reference numerals 1 and 62 denote a first sensor and a second sensor configured by a photo interrupter or the like, which detect the presence / absence of the action plate 58 and regulate the movement range. With this configuration, the action plate 58 reciprocates within a predetermined distance range according to the rotation of the motor 51.

Reference numeral 71 denotes a fourth pin which partially protrudes from the bin 16 and is pushed by an eccentric cam 75 described later to
Cancel. 72 is a motor for rotating the stopper 25 clockwise to release it, 73 is a worm wheel, 74 is a gear, 75 is an eccentric cam, 76 is a chain hung between the gear shaft of the gear 74 and the eccentric cam 75. Wheel. In this way, the rotational force of the motor 72 is transmitted to the eccentric cam 75 via the chain wheel 76.

Reference numeral 77 denotes a pulse plate that rotates integrally with the gear 74, and reference numeral 78 denotes a third sensor, such as a photo interrupter, that detects the amount of rotation of the gear 74 by the pulse plate 77. The release amount of the stopper 25 is set to a predetermined amount by the third sensor 78.

Note that, as shown in FIG.
A cutout portion 251 is formed on one end of the front end 5 for a reason to be described later.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a mechanism for pressing a sheet. The paper pressing mechanism is arranged as shown in FIG. 7 and is for pressing and fixing the transfer paper sorted in the bin 16 to the flat plate portion 26 of the bin 16 immediately before the stopper 25 is released.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 81 denotes a motor for driving the paper press, and reference numerals 82, 83, 84, and 85 denote gears. The rotational force of the motor 81 is transmitted to the gears 84 and 85 through the gears 82 and 83. I have. 86 is a paper presser for pressing and fixing the transfer paper, and 88 is a link bar connecting the gear 85 and the paper presser 86. The upper end of the link rod 88 is rotatably attached to an eccentric position on the side surface of the gear 85. Reference numeral 89 denotes a guide rail that guides the direction of movement of a connection point 92 between the link rod 88 and the paper presser 86. Reference numeral 87 denotes a spring provided between the connection point and the paper presser 86. A suitable pressing force is applied according to the number of sheets.

Reference numeral 90 denotes a pulse plate which rotates integrally with the gear 84, and reference numeral 91 denotes a fourth sensor which detects the amount of rotation of the gear 84 by the pulse plate 90 and comprises a photo interrupter or the like.

Next, the operation of the paper moving mechanism and the pressing mechanism will be described. First, the transfer paper moving mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2B shows a state of the forward (original) position, and FIG. 4 shows a state of the retracted position.

When the motor 51 rotates, the worm wheel 5
When the gear 53 starts rotating through the gear 2, the gears 53, 5
The chain wheel 57 hung around 4, 55, 56 rotates counterclockwise. By the rotation of the chain wheel 57, the action plate 58 connected by the connecting portion 59 starts to retreat (to the right in the drawing) along the guide rail 60.

At this time, the operation plate 58 is connected to the third pin 22
The bin 16 provided with the third pin is moved in the retreating direction by the movement of the action plate 58. Then, when the action plate 58 reaches the position of the second sensor 62, it is detected and the motor 51 stops. In this way, the transfer paper is moved by a predetermined distance by the backward movement of the bin 16.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the state after the sheet has been moved. The action plate 58 is stopped at the position detected by the second sensor 62.

Next, a description will be given of a forward operation for returning to the original state.

At this time, the motor 51 is rotated in the opposite direction, and the chain wheel 57 is rotated in the opposite direction. By the rotation of the chain wheel 57, the action plate 58 starts to move forward (to the left in the drawing) along the guide rail 60.

By the movement of the action plate 58, the second pin 21 is pushed to the left in the drawing, and the bin 16 moves in the forward direction. Then, when the action plate 58 reaches the position of the first sensor 61, it is detected and the motor 51 stops.

Next, the operation of the paper holding mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. The motor 81 rotates, and the gears 82 and 83
When the gears 84 and 85 start rotating through the gear 85,
, The paper presser 86 connected by the link rod 88
Moves down along the guide rail 89 and presses the sheet between the flat plate portion 26 by the force of the spring 87. And the gear 84
The rotation amount of the pulse plate 90 integrally rotating with the fourth sensor 9
1 and the motor 81 is stopped at a predetermined position to press and fix the sheet.

On the other hand, when the paper presser is released, the motor 81 is further rotated to rotate the gear 85 exactly once, and the paper presser 86 connected by the link rod 88 rises along the guide rail 89 to return to the original position. Return to the position.

Next, the operation of releasing the stopper 25 so that a predetermined process can be performed on the paper fixed by pressing will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 shows a state before the release, and FIG. 5 shows a state after the release.

When the bin 16 is in the retracted position shown in FIG. 5, the motor 72 rotates to rotate the worm wheel 73.
When the gear 74 rotates clockwise through the shaft, the chain wheel 76 rotates clockwise, and the eccentric cam 7 rotates.
5 is rotated clockwise. Due to the rotation of the eccentric cam 75, the peripheral surface of the eccentric cam 75 comes into contact with the fourth pin 71 to generate a clockwise rotation force on the fourth pin 71. When the eccentric cam 75 further rotates, the connecting portion 27
The fourth pin 71 is rotated clockwise against the urging force of the inner spring, and the stopper 25 is rotated clockwise about the connecting portion 27 as a fulcrum, and the stopper 25 is released. With this release, a predetermined process can be performed on the sheet.

The pulse plate 7 that rotates integrally with the gear 74
7 is detected by a third sensor 78, and the motor 72 is stopped at a predetermined position.

When returning the stopper 25 to the original position, the motor 72 is further rotated, and the worm wheel 7 is rotated.
3, the eccentric cam 75 is rotated clockwise through the gear 74 and the chain wheel 76.
By the clockwise rotation of 5, the stopper 25 returns to the original position by the urging force of the spring in the connecting portion 27.

It should be noted that the position at which processing is performed on a sheet is
In the case of one corner of the paper, ie, the notch 251
Is within the range, the above-described release of the stopper 25 is not performed.

Next, the configuration of the sheet processing unit 30 will be described. The sheet processing device 28 is detachable from the support frame 29. 6 to 9 for the configuration.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of the support frame 29 with the sheet processing device 28 removed. FIG.
Is a partial cross-sectional view mainly showing the structure of the support frame 29 as viewed from the side. FIG. 8 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of a punch 40 which is the sheet processing device 28. Further, FIG.
3 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of a stapler 41 which is the sheet processing device 28. FIG. Note that a drive mechanism and the like are omitted in FIGS. 8 and 9.

Reference numeral 31 denotes a belt horizontally arranged on the left and right sides of the upper portion of the sheet processing unit 30 and is reciprocally movable by a motor 32. The support frame 29 includes a slide table 42 and mounting tables 441 and 442.

The slide table 42 is fixed on the belt 31, and the support frame 29 is reciprocated in the left-right direction by the rotation of the belt 31. Mounting bases 441, 4
Reference numeral 42 denotes a punch on which the punch 40 and the stapler 41 are fixed independently of each other.
2, a stapler 41 is fixed, and a punch 40 is fixed to a mounting table 441 on the back side. Accordingly, when performing maintenance such as replenishing the stapler 41 with the staple 41 by opening the opening / closing panel 14a, the punch 40 does not interfere. In addition, the stapler 41 may perform a process on one corner of the sheet, but even in such a case, the punch 40 does not protrude to the open / close panel 14a side, and the space in the housing 14 can be saved.

On the lower surfaces of the mounting tables 441 and 442,
The guide rails 441a and 442a are respectively extended in the inclined direction, and the guide rails 441a and
Fixed rail 42 arranged to face 442a
1 and 422, the mounting tables 441 and 4
42 is guided. That is,
The guide rail 441a and the fixed rail 421 constitute an arranging means for arranging the punch 40 independently of the stapler 41 so as to be movable toward and away from the bin 16, and the guide rail 442a and the fixed rail 422 Stapler 4
An arrangement means for arranging 1 so as to be movable independently of the punch 40 in the direction of approaching and separating from the bin 16 is constituted.

The mounts 441 and 442 are connected to the cam member 1.
40, link members 141 and 142, arm 143, pushing members 144 and 145, and springs 146 and 147 move the slide table 42 in the direction of approaching and separating from the bin 16.

That is, the cam member 140 is rotated left or right by a predetermined angle by a motor or the like (not shown), and according to the rotation, one of the contact surfaces 140a, 140b corresponds to the corresponding link member 141, The link members 141 and 142 are pushed forward by contacting one of the link members 142.

The arm 143 has a fulcrum 143
a, and is rotatably supported by a
4 and 145 are rotatably connected to shafts 143b and 143c, respectively. Also, the arm 143
The other end of each of the link members 141 and 142 is located between the fulcrum 143a and the pushing members 144 and 145, respectively.
It is rotatably connected via d and 143e. The other ends of the pushing members 144 and 145 are respectively attached to the mounting bases 441 and 4.
42 for pushing the rear end.

One end of each of the springs 146 and 147 is attached to the mounting base 44.
1 and 442, respectively, and the other end is fixed to an appropriate position of the slide table 42, respectively.
1, 442 are urged in the retreating direction.

Then, as shown in FIG.
When the cam member 40 is rotated clockwise, the cam member 14 is rotated.
0 pushes the link member 142 to rotate the arm 143 clockwise, whereby the mounting table 442 is pushed forward through the pushing member 145, and the stapler 41 on the mounting table 442 is advanced toward the bin 16. You. On the other hand, when the cam member 140 is rotated counterclockwise as shown in FIG.
41 is pushed and the arm 143 is rotated counterclockwise,
As a result, the mounting table 441 is pushed forward through the pushing member 144, and the punch 40 on the mounting table 441 is
Is advanced towards

As described above, by rotating the cam member 140 rightward or leftward, either the punch 40 or the stapler 41 can be advanced toward the bin 16. That is, the cam member 140, the link member 14
1, 142, arm 143 and push members 144, 145
Constitutes the pushing means of the stapler 41 by rotating the cam member 140 in the clockwise direction.
Are rotated counterclockwise to constitute a pushing means for the punch 40. Further, the spring 147 constitutes a separating means of the stapler 41 for separating the stapler 41 moved to the bin 16 side from the bin 16 side and returning to the original position, and the spring 146 serves as a punch moved to the bin 16 side. 40
The punch 40 is separated from the bin 16 and returns to the original position. That is, stapler 4
The disposing means, the pushing means, and the separating means of (1) constitute the moving means of the stapler 41, and the disposing means, the pushing means, and the separating means of the punch 40 constitute the moving means of the punch 40. .

The link members 141 and 142 may be connected to the cam member 140, and the pushing members 144 and 145 may be connected to the rear ends of the mounts 441 and 442. In this case, the link members 141 and 142 and the pushing member 1
Adjust dimensions such as 44, 145.

Further, as another embodiment of the contact / separation moving means, it may be configured as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the configuration of the arrangement means of the punch 40 and the stapler 41 is the same as that of the previous embodiment, but the configurations of the pushing means and the separation means of the punch 40 and the stapler 41 are different.
That is, the pushing means and the separating means of the punch 40 and the stapler 41 are connected to the discs 148a and 148b which are respectively connected to two motors (not shown) and driven to rotate, and connected to appropriate places on the periphery of the discs 148a and 148b. And disk 14
The link members 149a and 149b convert the rotational force of the rotary members 8a and 148b into a reciprocating motion in the direction of contact and separation with the bin 16. One end of each of the link members 149a and 149b is connected to the rear end of each of the mounts 441 and 442 so as to move the mounts 441 and 442 in the front-rear direction.

Then, the disk 148a is moved from the position shown in FIG.
When rotated by 80 °, the link member 149a
Is pushed forward, the mounting table 441 is pushed forward, and the punch 40 on the mounting table 441 is advanced toward the bin 16. Then, when the disk 148a is further rotated by 180 °, the link member 149a is returned to the rear along with this, and returns to the illustrated position. On the other hand, when the disk 148b is rotated by 180 ° from the position shown in the drawing, the link member 149b is pushed forward, and the mounting table 442 is pushed forward, and the stapler 41 on the mounting table 442 is moved to the bin 16. It is advanced toward. And the disk 148a is further 180
When rotated, the link member 149a is returned backward and returns to the position shown in FIG.

That is, the disk 148a and the link member 14
9a means a pushing means of the punch 40 by moving the link member 149a to the bin 16 side, and separating means of the punch 40 by separating the link member 149a from the bin 16 side and returning to the original position. Is configured. The disc 148b and the link member 149b constitute a pushing means of the stapler 41 by moving the link member 149b to the bin 16 side, and the link member 149b separates from the bin 16 side and returns to the original position. By doing so, the separation means of the stapler 41 is configured.

In this embodiment, the mounting tables 441, 4
42 can be driven independently, so that the punch 40
In addition to moving either one of the stapler 41 and the stapler 41 in the direction of contact and separation with respect to the bin 16, the punch 40 and the stapler 41 can be simultaneously moved in the direction of contact and separation with the bin 16. Therefore, when performing punching and stapling processing at a plurality of positions on one bin 16, the punch 4
The sheet processing can be performed at each processing position by simultaneously moving the stapler 41 and the stapler 41 forward.

Reference numerals 100 and 101 denote rollers provided so that the slide table 42 smoothly moves with respect to the sheet processing unit 30 corresponding to the stationary side.

First, the mounting structure of the punch 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. Reference numeral 106 denotes a T-shaped fitting having two points screwed therein, which passes through a slit 107 provided at a lower portion of the punch 40 to assist in fixing the punch 40. The punch 40 is connected to a connector (not shown) provided on the mounting base 441 to control the operation.

Reference numeral 150 denotes a punching blade for making a hole in the paper.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a table on which sheets are set when punching. Stand 1
On both sides of 51, an auxiliary table 1 for preventing the paper from hanging
52 are provided. An inclined portion 151 for smoothing the sheet setting is provided at each end of the table 151 and the auxiliary table 152.
a and 152a are provided. In other words, the inclined portions 151a and 152a are used to scoop up the leading end of the sheet to be processed when the leading end of the sheet is hung by the release of the stopper 25 and to set the sheet at the set position.

The punch 40 is fixed to the mounting base 441 by passing the T-shaped bracket 106 through the slit 107, connecting a connector, and further screwing it.

Next, the mounting structure of the stapler 41 will be described with reference to FIGS. Reference numeral 113 denotes a U-shaped fitting having two points screwed, and the elastic force of the U-shaped fitting sandwiches the stapler 41 from both sides to assist in fixing the stapler 41. Further, the stapler 41 is connected to a connector (not shown) provided on the mounting base 442 and is controlled in operation.

Reference numeral 153 denotes a staple binding unit that binds sheets with staples. Reference numeral 154 denotes a table on which sheets are set when stapling.

The stapler 41 has a notch 251
When the stapling is performed at the position where the stopper 25 is not released, the auxiliary table is unnecessary.
1 and the auxiliary table 152 serve as an auxiliary table for the stapler 41, and also perform the pumping of the hanging paper, so that there is no need to particularly provide the auxiliary table or the inclined portion. It is sufficient that the above configuration is provided on at least one of the punch 40 and the stapler 41.

The stapler 41 is clamped from both sides by the elastic force of the U-shaped bracket 113, a connector is connected thereto, and the stapler 41 is fixed to the mounting base 442 by further screwing.

The sheet processing unit 30 is detachable from the second housing 14, and the structure thereof will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
FIG. 1 shows a state in which the support frame 29 from which the sheet processing device 28 has been removed is placed on the sheet processing unit 30.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram viewed from the arrow A direction of FIG. FIG.
FIG. 2 is an external view showing a schematic configuration inside the second housing 14 from which the sheet processing unit 30 is removed.

Reference numeral 130 denotes a roller, and a rectangular cut groove 131 is provided at a position corresponding to the second housing 14. 132, 133, 134, 135 and 136 are gears, and the belt 31 is gears 134, 135 and 136.
It is hung on.

Reference numeral 137 denotes a sixth sensor for detecting the initial position of the slide table 42, which is constituted by a photo interrupter or the like. The initial position is, for example, the second housing 1
4 is set in front of the inner cutout 251 of the sheet.
When the stapling is performed at the position facing, the slide table does not move.

The paper processing unit 30 is configured such that its front side is longer than the width of the bin 16 by, for example, about the dimension length of the stapler 41. Therefore, when maintenance is performed on the outer sheet processing device 28, that is, the stapler 41, it is only necessary to open the open / close panel 14a of the second housing 14.

When the paper processing unit 30 is pulled out to the near side, the roller 130 comes into contact with the front edge 131a of the rectangular cut groove 131 and stops temporarily. At this temporary stop position, the rollers 130 and the cut grooves 131 are set so that the support frame 29 is pulled out substantially toward the front from the second housing 14. Therefore, maintenance can be performed on the inner sheet processing device 28, that is, the punch 40 in this state.

When the paper processing unit 30 is further pulled out, it can be pulled down slightly to disengage the roller 130 from the edge 131a, and the paper processing unit 30 can be easily pulled out.

The moving operation of the slide table 42 in the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7 and 10.

When the motor 32 rotates, the gears 132, 13
3, when the gear 134 starts rotating, the belt 31
Is rotated, and the slide table 42 moves in the left-right direction, that is, the direction parallel to the width direction of the sheet being pressed and fixed. In addition,
The control of the moving distance of the slide table 42 is performed based on the operation time of the motor 32 or the number of motor drive pulses with reference to the initial position and the like.

When the slide table 42 is returned to the initial position, the motor 32 is rotated in the opposite direction, and when the sixth sensor 137 detects the slide table 42, the motor 32 is stopped.

Next, the configuration of a control system for controlling the processing of the sheet processing device 28 will be described with reference to FIG.
This control system includes a memory 160 and a control unit 161. The memory 160 includes a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and stores processing positions such as staples and punches standardized into a plurality of types, control programs, and the like.

The control section 161 controls the sheet processing device 28 such as the contact / separation moving means, the punch 40 and the stapler 41 to perform the required sheet processing at each processing position on the sheet set by the sheet processing selection key 13. To control.
Note that the sheet processing selection key 13 is
While constituting a position selecting means for selecting a position where the sheet processing is performed, a processing selecting means for selecting one of the punch 40 and the stapler 41 is constituted.

Here, the operation procedure when actually performing paper processing will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure when performing the sheet processing. When the position where the paper processing is performed and the type of the paper processing are selected by the selection key 13, the operation of the paper processing is started.

First, the position where the paper processing is performed is determined (step S1). When processing is performed only at one corner of the initial position side of the sheet processing device 28 (YE in step S1)
S), the process proceeds to step S2 to perform the process (hereinafter referred to as a specific mode), and the process is performed when the position where the sheet processing is performed is not only one corner on the initial position side of the sheet processing device 28 or at one or more other positions. (Step S1
NO), the process proceeds to step S3 to perform the process (hereinafter, referred to as a normal mode).

First, the processing procedure in the specific mode will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure in the specific mode, that is, when staple processing is performed only at one corner of a sheet.

First, the bin 16 on which the sheets to be stapled are placed is moved backward to a predetermined position toward the stapler 41 (step S11). When the backward movement is completed, the paper is pressed and fixed by the paper presser 86 (step S12).

Next, the support frame 29 is moved forward from the initial position in the width direction of the sheet, and the stapler 41 is stopped at the position facing the notch 251 of the bin 16.
Is rotated clockwise to advance the mounting table 442, whereby the sheet is set on the table 154 of the stapler 41 (step S13). At this time, the operation of releasing the stopper 25 is unnecessary. Then, the stapler 41 is operated to bind the sheets by the stapling operation (step S).
14).

When the stapling operation is completed, the cam member 1
The stapler 41 is retracted from the sheet by returning the mounting table 442 by rotating the counterclockwise direction of the stapler 41, and is returned to the original position (step S15). Next, the paper presser 86 is released (step S16), and the bin 16 on which the stapling process has been completed is advanced to return to the original position (step S17).

Next, it is determined whether or not the stapling process has been performed on all the stages of the bin 16 on which the sheets are placed, and if not completed (NO in step S18), the bin 16 is moved to the first stage. (Step S19). At this time, if the staple process has been started from the lower side of the bin 16, the staple process is raised by one stage, and vice versa. Then, the processing of steps S11 to S18 is repeated for the newly moved bin 16. On the other hand, if the stapling process has been completed for all the required bins (YES in step S18), the support frame 29 is moved back to the initial position, and the process ends.

Next, the processing procedure in the normal mode will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the normal mode, for example, when punching two places symmetrical in the width direction of the paper P. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the movement of the punch 40 and the punch position of the sheet P at the retracted position.

First, the punch 40 is moved forward in the width direction of the sheet P from the initial position (A) and stopped at the position (A) facing the first punch position (C) (step S21).
Next, the bin 16 on which the sheet P to be subjected to the punch processing is placed is retracted to a predetermined position (step S2).
2). Subsequently, the paper P is pressed and fixed by the paper presser 86 (step S23). When the pressing and fixing of the paper P is completed,
Release the stopper 25 of the bin 16 (step S2
4). Since the sheet P has already been fixed in step S23, even if the stopper 25 is released, the sheet P does not slip down.

Next, the cam member 140 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction to advance the mounting table 441, whereby the punch 4 is rotated.
The sheet P is set on the No. 0 stand 151 and the auxiliary stand 152 (step S25). Then, the punch 40 is operated to make a hole in the sheet P (step S26). When the drilling at the first punch position (c) is completed, the mounting base 441 is opened.
Without moving backward, the punch 40 is continuously moved in the forward movement direction and stopped at the second punch position (D) (step S27). Then, the punch 40 is operated to make a hole in the sheet P (step S28). And
When the drilling is completed, the cam member 140 is rotated clockwise to retreat the mounting table 441, and the punch 4
0 is retracted to the position (e) and retracted from the sheet P (step S29).

Next, the stopper 25 of the bin 16 is returned from the released state to the set state (step S30).
The paper presser 86 is released (step S31). Then, the punched bin 16 is advanced and returned to the original position (step S32).

Next, it is determined whether or not the punching process has been performed on all the stages of the bin 16 on which the paper P is placed.
If not completed (NO in step S33), bin 1
6 is moved by one step (step S35). At this time, if the punching process is started from the lower side of the bin 16, the punching process is raised by one stage, and conversely, the punching process is lowered by one stage.

Further, the punch 40 is moved back from the position (E) in the width direction of the sheet P, and stopped at the position (A) facing the first punch position (C) (step S36). Then, step S2 is performed on the newly moved bin 16.
2 to S33 are repeated.

On the other hand, if the punching process is completed for all the required bins (YES in step S33), the process proceeds to step S33.
Proceeding to 34, the support frame 29 is moved back to return the punch 40 to the initial position (A), and this processing ends.

Although the punching process has been described here, the stapling process can be similarly controlled and performed. Further, even when a plurality of types of processing such as punch processing and stapling processing are performed on the paper P placed on one bin 16, the same control can be performed.

Although the control in the case where the number of processing positions is two has been described, the control can be performed in the case where there are more processing positions, and the processing can be performed for any desired set position. Can be applied. Further, the initial position can be set to the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1 and the standby position can be set to the front side of the image forming apparatus 1. In this case, the open / close panel 14a for maintenance is provided on the rear side of the second housing 14. Is provided.

In this embodiment, the punch 40 and the stapler 41 have been described as examples of the paper processing device 28. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and any printing device or any other device that performs processing on paper may be used. The attachment portion of the device can be easily replaced by having the same configuration as other devices.

In the above-described embodiment, the position of the sheet processing device 28 at the processing position with respect to the sheet is controlled by controlling the rotation amount of the motor 43. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A paper presence / absence detection switch that detects the presence of paper and turns on near the processing unit 28 may be provided, and the position of the motor 43 may be turned on and off by turning on and off the switch.
In this case, for example, after the sorting process and before the sheet processing operation,
If the paper is removed from the bin 16, this switch remains off, so that the idle operation of the paper processing device 28 can be prevented.

[0098]

As described above, the first aspect of the present invention provides
First and second sheet processing means disposed in the width direction of the bin and performing predetermined sheet processing on sheets on the bin;
Reciprocating means for integrally reciprocating the sheet processing means in the width direction of the bin, and first and second means for independently moving the first and second sheet processing means in the direction of approaching and separating from the bin. And a processing selecting means for selecting one of the first and second paper processing means when performing paper processing, so that only necessary paper processing means is connected to the bin. As a result of being able to move in the separating direction, the load on the motor for the movement can be reduced, and a small-sized motor can be employed, whereby the size of the sheet processing apparatus can be reduced.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that
First and second arranging means for arranging the first and second sheet processing means so as to be movable independently of each other in the direction of approaching and separating from the bin; and Since there is provided an extruding unit for extruding one of the sheet processing units selected by the selecting unit to the bin side, and a separating unit for separating the sheet processing unit extruded by the extruding unit from the bin side, necessary paper is provided. Only the processing means can be reliably moved in the direction of approaching and separating from the bin.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an internal configuration of a second housing.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing a paper moving mechanism, wherein FIG.
(B) is a side view.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a sheet pressing mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a sheet is at a retracted position.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state after a bin stopper is released.

FIG. 6 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of a support frame in a state where a sheet processing apparatus is removed.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view mainly showing the structure of the support frame as viewed from a side.

FIG. 8 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of a punch.

FIG. 9 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of a stapler.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a state in which a support frame is placed on a sheet processing unit.

FIG. 11 is an external view showing a schematic configuration inside a second housing.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a control system for controlling paper processing.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when performing paper processing.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in a specific mode.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation in a normal mode.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation in a normal mode.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view showing the operation of the contact / separation moving means.

FIG. 18 is a schematic view showing the operation of the contact / separation moving means.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the contact / separation moving means.

FIG. 20 is an external view illustrating the entire image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 image forming apparatus 14 second housing 14a open / close panel 15 sorter 16 bin 28 paper processing apparatus 29 support frame 32, 43 motor 40 punch 41 stapler 140 cam member 141, 142, 149a, 149b link member 144, 145 extrusion member 146 , 147 Spring 148a, 148b Disk 160 Memory 161 Control unit 441, 442 Mounting base P Paper

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B65H 39/00-39/16 B65H 37/00-37/06 G03G 15/00 530 G03G 15/00 534

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first which is arranged in the widthwise direction of the bin performing predetermined sheet processing to the sheet on said bin, a second sheet processing means, said first, of the second sheet processing means bottle Reciprocating means for integrally reciprocating in the width direction ;
The paper processing means are independent from each other in the direction of approaching and separating from the bin.
First and second contact / separation moving means for moving the paper, and paper processing
Any one of the first and second sheet processing means when applying
A sheet processing apparatus for a sorter, comprising: a processing selecting unit for selecting one of the sheets. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and second contact / separation moving means include:
The direction in which the first and second sheet processing means are moved toward and away from the bin.
First and second arrangements movably arranged independently of each other
Means and one of the sheets selected by the processing selecting means
Extruding means for extruding the processing means toward the bin,
The paper processing unit extruded by the step is separated from the bin side.
2. A detaching means for disengaging the same.
The sheet processing apparatus of the sorter according to the above .