JP2780784B2 - Sheet post-processing control device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a post-processing control apparatus that staples sheets discharged from a copier and stacked for each copy of the same original with a stapler.

2. Description of the Related Art In order to sort sheets obtained by copying a plurality of copies of a multi-page document so that copies of the same document are collected in the same bin, the documents are fed to a document reading unit of a copying machine in the order of pages by an automatic document feeder. Then, a required number of copies are taken for each page, and the discharged copies are discharged to the respective bins of the sorter for the same original, respectively. This sorting method is called a stack mode.

A device that automatically staples a stack of copies ejected from a copying machine is known.
The stapler is activated regardless of the number of copies to be stapled. Problems such as dropping into the apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, the present invention is directed to a sheet post-processing apparatus that automatically staples sheets discharged from a copier and stacked for each copy of the same document. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet post-processing control device capable of solving a problem caused by performing a staple binding operation when the number of discharged sheets exceeds a stapler binding limit number.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an image forming means for forming an image of document information on a sheet, an image forming number designating means for designating the number of image forming for one document information, Sorting means for sorting sheets in a stack mode for discharging sheets on which the document information is image-formed to a plurality of bins for each of the same document information, and post-processing for post-processing the sheet bundle discharged to each bin Means,
A sheet post-processing control device having: a comparing unit that compares the number of image formations designated by the image formation number designation unit with a preset post-processing limit number; and the number of image formations exceeds the limit number. A warning unit for warning that the number of image formations is greater than the limit number of sheets, when the stack mode is selected, the comparison unit compares the number of image formations with the limit number of sheets before the start of image formation, and determines that the number of image formations exceeds the limit number of sheets. And control means for controlling the warning means to be activated when the warning is given.

When the comparison means detects that the designated copy number exceeds the limit number, the warning means is activated and a warning is issued, whereby the operator instructs a stapling operation by mistake. Is eliminated, so that the occurrence of stapling errors can be prevented.

Examples Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, an example of the overall configuration of a copying apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the side view shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a fourth mirror of the exposure system,
2 is a dust-proof glass for preventing contamination of the lens, mirror, etc. by toner, 3 is an ADF (automatic document feeder), 4 is a contact glass, 5 is an eraser (erase lamp), 6
Is a charged charger, 7 is a photosensitive drum using a selenium photoconductor, 8 is a drum thermistor for detecting the surface temperature of the photosensitive drum 7, 9 is a discharge lamp, 10 is a lens, and 11 is a quenching charger (charger after cleaning). ), 12
Is a cleaning unit, 13 is a bias roller, 25 is a PC
C (charger before cleaning), 14 is an exposure illumination unit including a halogen lamp or the like, 15 is a first scanning mirror integrally forming a first carriage with the illumination unit 14 or the like, 1
Reference numerals 6 and 17 denote second and third mirrors forming a second carriage, 18 denotes a fixing unit for fixing the toner image transferred to the transfer sheet, 19 denotes a discharge direction of the transfer sheet after fixing by the fixing unit 18 and A reversing unit that controls the discharge surface, 20 is a sorter (with a post-processing function) that sorts transfer paper after discharge, 26 is a separation claw, 21
Indicates a conveyor belt. The post-processing function refers to processing such as stapling or punching with a punch.

Further, 22, 23, 24, and 33 are trays for stocking and supplying transfer paper, 22 is a double-sided paper tray, 23 is a first paper tray, 24 is a second paper tray, and 33 is a third paper tray. Paper tray, 29 is a paper feed roller unit, 30 is a vertical paper transport unit, 32 is a horizontal paper transport unit,
31 is a paper dust removing roller for removing paper dust from the transfer paper, 27 is a separation charger, 28 is a transfer charger, 35 is a registration roller, and 34 is a developer collection container for collecting old developer when replacing the developer. And 36, a PTC (pre-transfer charger), 38, a drum heater for raising the temperature of the photosensitive drum 7, 37, a developing unit, 39, a toner cartridge for replenishing consumable toner, and 40, a photosensitive drum 7. 3 shows a drum shaft rotatably supported.

Next, the operation of the copying apparatus having the above configuration will be briefly described. The photosensitive drum 7 is rotatably supported by the drum shaft 40 and rotates counterclockwise in response to a copy command or the like. At the same time as the rotation of the photosensitive drum 7, the charge removing lamp 9 and the PTC 3 are used so that the toner attached to the photosensitive drum 7 and the uneven potential do not reach the charging charger 6 and the developing unit 37.
6, separation charger 27, transfer charger 28, eraser 5, cleaning unit 12, bias roller 13, PCC2
5. The quenching charger 11 is driven. After passing through the cleaning unit 12 and the neutralizing lamp 9, the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 7 becomes zero.

The photosensitive drum 7 is driven by a main motor (not shown). At this time, the leading end of the image is a portion after the position where the control unit has passed the cleaning unit 12.

When the photosensitive drum 7 is rotated to the home position, the original placed on the contact glass 4 by the ADF 3 is scanned by the first carriage integrated with the first scanning mirror 15, the illumination unit 14, and the like. The reflected light image is the first scanning mirror
The image is formed on the photosensitive drum 7 via the second mirror 16, the third mirror 17, the lens 10, the fourth mirror and the dustproof glass 2.

After the photosensitive drum 7 is charged by the charging charger 6, light is applied to an unnecessary portion by an eraser, that is, an erase lamp 5, to form an image frame suitable for a transfer paper or a projected image. 7, a latent image is formed. At this time, in order to obtain a 1: 1 image, the photosensitive drum 7 and the first carriage are driven at the same speed.

The latent image on the photosensitive drum 7 is visualized as a toner image by the developing unit 37. In this case, a dark or light image can be obtained by applying a potential to the developing unit 37.

On the other hand, the two-sided paper tray 22, the first paper tray 2
3. The transfer paper stocked in the second paper feed tray 24 or the third paper feed tray 33 is sent by the paper feed roller unit 29 until a paper detection (not shown) is activated.

Next, at the paper feed timing, the paper feed roller unit 29 is operated again, and the transfer paper is sent to the registration roller 35 stopped in advance through the vertical paper transport unit 30 or the horizontal paper transport unit 32, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 7 is transferred. The registration roller 35 is driven at the timing when the leading edge of the transfer paper and the leading edge of the transfer paper match.

The toner image on the photosensitive drum 7 is transferred to a transfer sheet by a transfer charger 28. At this time, the surface of the photoconductor 7 is very smooth, and therefore, the adhesion between the photoconductor drum 7 and the transfer paper is large. Decreases adhesion to transfer paper. Next, the transfer paper is separated from the photosensitive drum 7 by the separation claw 26, and the transfer paper thus separated is sent to the fixing unit 18 by the transport belt 21. The transfer paper sent to the fixing unit 18 is applied with heat and pressure to the toner here, whereby the toner image on the transfer paper is fixed on the transfer paper. Discharged to 20. When performing double-sided copying or the like, the sheet is discharged to the double-sided paper feed tray 22 via the reversing unit 19.

Since a small amount of the toner image remains on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 after the transfer, the PCC 25 is operated, and the cleaning unit 12 is operated.
The surface is cleaned with a cleaning brush and a cleaning blade inside, and the surface potential is made constant by the next quenching charger 11 and static elimination lamp 9.

These control timings are mainly determined by the photosensitive drum 7
Or a reference pulse for driving the photosensitive drum 7.

Next, the configuration of the sorter 20 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 2, an entrance guide plate 43 is provided at the entrance of the copy discharged from the copying machine, and subsequently, upper and lower transport belts 44 and 42 for transporting the copy upward, and a switching claw 46. , Switching guide plates 45 and 47 are provided. Switching claw 4
The upper path by 6 is provided with a pair of paper discharge rollers 48, 49 and a paper discharge tray 54, and the lower path by the switching claw 46 is a plurality of sheets provided in parallel with the up and down direction (example in the figure). Then 20
Of paper 55 along the copy vertical feed path along the copy insertion side of the bin 55.

At a position corresponding to each bin in the vertical feed path, a roller pair of a deflection claw 64, a transport roller 62, and a discharge roller 63 is provided, and a plurality of rollers provided at appropriate intervals of the transport roller 62 are copied. The driven roller 65 is in pressure contact with the vertical feed path. The transport belts 44 and 42, the discharge rollers 48 and 49, the transport roller 62, and the discharge roller 63 are driven by a drive motor 41.

Two pulleys 53 are provided on the upper and lower sides of the bin group, respectively.
The shaft provided with 69 is supported by the machine frame, and the lower shaft is connected to a motor 68 for moving the post-processing unit. A post-processing unit moving belt 66 is stretched over two pairs of upper and lower pulleys.
A chuck unit 60 and a post-processing unit 61 are attached to these belts via a guide unit 51.
To guide the guide unit 51, a guide rail 67 is provided on the side of the bin group in the vertical direction over almost the entire height of the sorter.

The copy discharged from the copying machine is inserted from the entrance guide plate 43, is sandwiched by the pair of transport belts 42 and 44, and is transported upward.

Now, assuming that the mode is a normal paper discharge mode (a mode in which the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 54), the switching claw 46 is lowered, and copying is performed along a switching guide plate: upper 47 and a paper discharge roller pair 48, 49.
Is discharged to the paper discharge tray 54.

Further, assuming that a sort mode (a mode in which pages are sorted in order) and a stack mode (a mode in which pages are sorted), the switching claw 46 is raised, and the sheet is conveyed downward along the copy switching guide plate: lower 45. You. The copy transported by the transport roller 62 and the driven roller 65 is discharged to the bin 55 where the deflecting claw 64 operates. The deflecting pawl 64 performs a movement according to the mode (sort or stack).

In the sort mode, the deflecting pawl 64 of the first bin operates to discharge to the first bin 55, and the second copy of the first page is operated by the deflecting pawl of the second bin to operate the second bin 55. To be discharged.
The first page of the second page is in the first bin 55, and the second page is in the second bin 55.
Each is discharged to the bin 55. In this way, in the sort mode, the bins are discharged to one bin in the order of pages, such as 1, 2, 3,....

In the stack mode, the deflecting pawl 64 operates so that all copies of the first page are discharged to the first bin and the copies of the second page are discharged to the second bin. In this way, in the stack mode, a copy of the same page is discharged to one bin and sorted for each page.

Also, deflected claws during sort mode or stack mode
In the case where a copy jam occurs near 64, there is a function of discharging the copy in front of the switching claw 46 from the sorter in the copy after the jam copy. In this case, the switching claw 46 is switched at the time of a paper jam, and the copy that comes later is discharged to the paper discharge tray 54 without being jammed. The copy discharged to the output tray 54 is removed from the manual feed table 52 after the jam is removed.
Can be put into a predetermined bin by the manual feed roller 50.

In addition to the jam, when a copy is inserted from the manual feed table 52, the copy can be discharged to each bin according to the mode and sorted. A post-processing function for performing post-processing on the copy sorted in this manner will be described below.

The post-processing unit 61 means a stapler, a puncher, or the like. In order to move the post-processing unit to a position corresponding to each bin, the post-processing unit motor 68 is rotated, and the post-processing unit moving belt 66 is moved up and down via the pulleys: lower 69 and upper 53, and the guide is accordingly moved. The unit 51 is moved up and down. Guide unit
51 has a car that moves along a guide rail 67.

Chuck unit 60 is a post-processing unit that
It is a device that carries it to the position 61 and returns it to the original position again after the execution of post-processing.

In FIG. 2, the home sensor 56
Is turned on, and post-processing can be performed on the copy of the first bin. When the post-processing is executed from this state, the post-processing unit 61 is lowered by turning on the post-processing unit moving motor 68 after the execution, and the bin position sensor 58 is turned on by the bin position detecting piece 59 of the second bin, so that the post-processing unit The moving motor 68 is turned off, and the post-processing unit 61 is stopped. Then, post-processing of the second bin is performed. Then, when the execution of the post-processing for the copy of the predetermined bin is completed, the post-processing unit 61 is moved to the home position.
In this way, post-processing of a plurality of copy bundles can be executed.

FIG. 3 is a view seen from the opposite side of FIG. In FIG. 3, description will be given of those which could not be expressed in FIG.

The sorter of this embodiment is a sorter of 20 bins, each of which is divided into two blocks of 10 bins, and the upper block has bin sensors 76, 79 and a paper ejection sensor 77, 78.
The lower block has sensors 81 and 84 and paper ejection sensors 80 and 83. The paper ejection tray 54 also has a paper ejection sensor. These sensors are transmissive optical detection sensors consisting of LEDs and phototransistors. The paper ejection sensors 77, 78, 80 and 83 detect whether or not the copy has been ejected.
Bin sensors 76, 79, 81 and 88 determine whether or not there is a copy in the bin. With such a bin sensor, it is possible to use the lower block if a copy is on the upper block.

In order to perform post-processing of the copy, the plurality of copies must be aligned. Therefore, the sorter of the present invention is provided with a jogger described below.

The jogger drive belt 86 is rotated by the jogger moving motor 82 via the pulley 85, and the drive shaft 96 is rotated. Jogger moving belt through pulley 74,87 thereby: Top 7
3: The lower 88 moves, and the shaft fixing unit 72 and the shaft drive unit 95 fixed thereto move. The size detection sensor 93 detects one of the predetermined size detection pieces 92, and the jogger drive motor 82 stops. Then, when the copy is discharged to the bin, the paper discharge sensors 77, 78 or 80, 83 detect it, and the aligning shaft drive unit 95 operates to move the aligning liquid 70 by the aligning shaft 71 to align the copies. After the post-processing is completed, the jogger moving motor rotates in the reverse direction,
It stops at the position where the home sensor 91 is turned on by 94.
This position is the position for the maximum size. In this way, each time a copy is ejected, it is aligned and prepared for a post-processing operation.

 FIG. 4 is a view as seen from above in FIG.

The bin 55 has a notch so that the alignment shaft 71 can be moved to a position where the minimum size copy alignment is possible. Further, the alignment plate 70 rotates as indicated by an arrow, and aligns the copies. At this time, there is an end face pressing plate 97 for keeping the other end of the copy at a fixed position. The end face holding plate 97 moves in response to the movement of the chuck unit 60.

 FIG. 5 is a view seen from the right side of FIG.

With the jogger moving belt 88, it moves like an arrow,
It can be stopped at the size detection piece 92 in accordance with each copy size. When moving to the right, the home sensor 91 that matches the maximum copy size is
Up to the position activated by 92.

 FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the chuck unit 60.

The chuck unit 60 grasps the bundle of copies on the bin 55 and sends it to the post-processing unit (not shown in FIG. 6) 61.
At the end of the post-processing, and returns to the same state as when it was discharged onto the bin 55 again.

First, when the motor 107 rotates in the H direction, the worm gear 100 rotates and the gear 101 moves in the I direction. Then, the spiral shaft 106 rotates, and the moving plate 113 and the chuck: upper 109, lower 110 and push plate 112 move in the B direction via the moving rod (there is a hole in the spiral) 105. I do. When moving in the direction B, the home sensor 102 is turned on by the position detecting piece 103, and the motor 107 is stopped.

Conversely, when the motor 107 rotates in the G direction, the gear 101
Move in the J direction, and the moving rod 105, the moving plate 113, the chuck: upper 109, the lower 110 and the push plate 112 move in the A direction. When moving in the direction A, the position detecting piece 103 turns on the front end position sensor 104 and stops the motor 107. And
When the solenoid 114 is turned on, the upper chuck 109 is pulled.
It is lowered in the direction D by 108 to grab a bundle of copies (not shown). At this time, the end face pressing plate 97 is lowered in the F direction by the pressing plate 112 so as not to hinder the movement of the copy bundle.

When the motor 107 rotates in the H direction, the copy bundle is brought in the B direction. When the pressing plate 112 returns in the direction B, the end face pressing plate 97 attempts to return to its original state by the spring 111, but stops at the copy bundle because the copy bundle is already on the upper side. When the moving plate reaches the home position, the motor 107 is stopped, and then the post-processing unit 61 is operated. After the post-processing is completed, the motor is rotated again in the G direction to return the copy bundle to the A direction. When the position detecting piece 103 turns on the tip position detecting sensor again, the motor 107 stops, the solenoid 114 turns off, and the chuck:
09 is raised, the copy bundle returns to the original position, and the end face holding plate 97 also returns to the original position. Then, the motor 107 rotates in the H direction, pushes the moving plate 113 to the home position, and stops.
Thus, the chuck unit 60 carries out the operation of transporting the copy bundle discharged onto the bin to the post-processing device and returning it to the original position.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the post-processing unit 61. As an example, a stapler will be illustrated and described.

In this stapler, the motor 116 is turned on by an electric signal.
When N is performed, the staples 119 in the cartridge 117 are pushed and bent. The staples 119 are connected in a strip shape with a thin tape, and are rolled up in the cartridge 117. When the end of the staple passes through a near-end sensor (reflective sensor for optically reading) 118, a near-end signal is output.

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the alignment shaft drive unit 95 shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.

When the motor 120 makes one rotation, the aligning plate 70 rotates fan-shaped in the direction of arrow AB via the cam 121, the lever 122, and the aligning shaft 71. In this way, each time a copy is discharged to a bin, the motor 120 makes one revolution to align the copies.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a control system in the present invention.

This control is based on CPU300, ROM301, RAM302, IN port
This is a microcomputer system including a 303, an OUT port 304, and an I / O port 305. I wrote the program
The ROM 301 allows the IN port 303 to be used while using the RAM 302 as needed.
, And outputs a controlled signal to the OUT port 304 to control the copier and the sorter.
The control of the sorter also includes a post-processing operation (such as a stapling operation) after sorting the copies. The control unit of ADF3 is connected to the I / O port 305,
Exchange signals with CPU300. The ADF 3 feeds the document onto the contact glass according to a signal from the CPU, and discharges the document when the exposure is completed. In the case of the screen original mode (double-sided single-sided mode, double-sided double-sided mode), after the exposure of the first side is completed, the document is reversed and fed again onto the contact glass.
After the exposure of the surface is completed, the sheet is inverted and discharged. In addition, a backup battery 306 is connected to the RAM 302 and is a nonvolatile memory.

 FIG. 9 shows a part of the operation unit of the above copying machine.

Reference numeral 201 denotes a start key for instructing a copy start, 2
02 is a numeric keypad for entering the number of copies, etc., 203
Is a clear / stop key for instructing clearing of a set number and a copy stop, 204 is a set number display for displaying the number of sets for displaying the number of copy sets, 205 is a number display for the number of copies for displaying the number of copies, and 206 is a copy number display for displaying the number of copies. A document number display 207 displays the number of documents, a paper size display 207 displays the copy paper size set in each tray, 20
8 is a paper remaining amount display that shows the remaining amount of copy paper set in each tray, and 209 is a mode (automatic paper selection mode) that automatically selects the optimal copy paper based on document size information etc. Automatic paper selection mode display to indicate that paper is being printed, 210 is a paper key for selecting copy paper, 211 is a paper size selection display that shows which copy paper size is selected, and 212 is copy Indicating that the machine is being prepared, please wait display, 213 indicates that the copier is ready, can be copied, 214 is a sort key for indicating the sort mode, 2
15 is a sort mode indicator that indicates that the sort mode is set, 216 is a stack key for indicating the stack mode, 217 is a stack mode indicator that indicates that the stack mode is set, and 218 is DF key for indicating the ADF mode, 219 for indicating the automatic document feeder (ADF) mode is set, 220 for indicating the staple binding mode A staple key 221 indicates that the staple binding mode is set. A staple mode indicator 222 indicates a one-sided duplex mode key for instructing to perform one-sided copying from two one-sided originals.
Is a single-sided duplex mode display that indicates that the single-sided duplex mode is set, 224 is a double-sided single-sided mode key for instructing two single-sided copies from one double-sided original, and 225 is a double-sided single-sided mode Is set, 226 is a two-sided duplex mode key for instructing to make one double-sided copy from one double-sided original, and 227 is a two-sided duplex mode set. 228 is a warning that there is copy paper left in the saw turbine, a saw turbine paper forgotten display, 229 is a warning of jam in the sorter, a sorter jam display, 330 warns of a jam in the body of the copying machine, etc., a jam indicator, 231 warns that there is no selected copy paper, a paper replenishment indicator, 232 warns that there is no staple (needle), S Puru supply indicator, 233 warns the inability staple, the staple can not display, 234 warns the staple limits, staple limit indicator.

Description of Operation and Control Flow Next, the operation and control of the sheet post-processing control device of the present invention will be described with reference to flowcharts.

(Explanation of Overall Operation) The overall operation flow will be sequentially described with reference to FIG.

In the set number input routine, the set number is input from the ten keys 202.

 Select sort or stack mode.

Set the original on ADF3. It is in a wait state until it is set.

It is in a wait state until the start key 201 is pressed.

Execute the subroutine initialization 1 by turning on the start key.

In the document feed of the subroutine ADF, a document feed signal is transmitted to the ADF 3 to set the copy position of the document on the contact glass.

Clears the copy number counter and the discharge number counter.

A copying operation is performed to make a copy according to the number of sets.

Control the ejection of the created copies according to the sort or stack mode.

Until the number of copies reaches the set number, the copying operation and the subsequent steps are repeated.

A document discharge signal is sent to ADF3, and the document on the contact glass is discharged.

If there is still an original, the next original is fed, and the above-described copying operation is repeated.

If there is no document, the conveyance drive motor is turned off after waiting for the document to be discharged to the sorter.

 Perform post-processing of stapling, and terminate.

Hereinafter, each subroutine will be described in detail.

(Explanation of Set Number Input) The set number input flow is shown in FIG.

It is checked whether the numeric keypad 202 has been pressed.

The pressed numeric key data is stored in the RAM 302.

Set number display 2 according to the set RAM data
Turn on 04.

In the stack mode, compare the number of sets and the maximum number of staples possible.If the number of sets is larger,
The stapling impossible display 233 is turned ON, and if the set number is smaller, the stapling impossible display 233 is turned OFF and the routine returns. If the mode is not the stack mode, the stapling impossible display 233 is turned off and the process returns.

(Description of Sorter Mode Set Flow) The sorter mode set flow is shown in FIG.

It is checked whether the sort key 214 or the stack key 216 has been pressed.

For a sort key.

 Check if you are already in sort mode.

If the mode is already the sort mode, the sort mode is reset, the sorter paper forget indicator 228 is turned off, and the routine returns.

If not, set sort mode and reset stack mode.

For a stack key.

 Check if you are already in stack mode.

If already in the stack mode, the stack mode is reset, the sorter paper forget indicator 228 is turned off, and the routine returns.

If not, set stack mode and reset sort mode.

Bin sensor: Check the upper part 76, and if there is no paper, turn on the deflection claw of the first bin, select the first bin discharge, and return.

If there is paper, check the bin sensor: If there is no paper, turn on the deflection claw of the 11th bin, select the 11th bin discharge, and return.

When both the upper and lower bin sensors detect the presence of paper, the sorter paper forgetter 228 is turned on and the routine returns.

(Explanation of Initial Setting 1 Flow) FIG. 14 shows the initial setting 1 flow.

 Turn on the transport drive motor.

Check if sort and stack mode,
If the mode is the sorting and stacking mode, the switching claw 46 is raised so that the copy is conveyed to the bin side. If the mode is not the sorting and stacking mode, the switching claw 46 is lowered so that the copy is discharged to the paper discharge tray side.

 To return.

(Explanation of ADF Document Feeding Flow) FIG. 15 shows the flow of ADF document feeding.

A document feed signal is output to ADF3 to feed the document, and the routine returns.

(Explanation of the paper discharge control flow) FIG. 16 shows the paper discharge control flow.

Check the sort mode, if it is (Fig. 17). If not in the sort mode, the stack mode is checked. If not, the discharge tray sensor is checked.

When the paper ejection sensor is turned on, the paper ejection counter is counted up.

In the stack mode, a check is made on the discharge sensor of the bin.

When the paper ejection sensor is turned on, the paper ejection counter is counted up.

Check whether the number of sheets set and the number of sheets are equal (check whether all copies for one document have been ejected). If the sheets have been ejected, the current bin deflection is performed for the next ejection operation. Turn off the claw, turn on the current bin deflection claw one bin below, and return.

(Flow in sort mode) 17 is shown in FIG.

In the sort mode, the discharge sensor of the bin is checked, and when turned on, the discharge counter is incremented by one.

Turn off the current bin deflection claw for the next discharge operation,
Turns off the current bin deflection claw one bin below.

A check is made to determine whether the number of copies is equal to the number of sheets to be ejected (check whether all copies for one document have been ejected). If ejected, the current bin deflection is performed for the next ejection operation Turn off the claw, turn on the bin deflection claw of the top bin of the block, and return.

(Description of Post-Processing Flow) The post-processing flow is shown in FIG.

In the case of the sorting and stacking mode, the stapling process is executed for each bin and the process returns.

If the mode is not the sort or stack mode, the process returns without executing the stapling process.

Effects As described above, according to the present invention, when a copy ejected from a copying machine is ejected to another bin for each copy of the same original, stacked, and automatically bound by a stapler, the copy designation for each original is designated. By issuing a warning when the number of sheets, in other words, the number of stacks per bin exceeds the stapler binding limit number, it is possible to prevent an operator from instructing a stapling operation by mistake, thereby preventing occurrence of mis-stapling. can do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing the overall configuration of a copying system having a sorter to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the sorter, FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a part of the sorter cut away, FIG. 5 is a side view of the sorter viewed from the right in FIG. 2, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the structure of the chuck unit, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the processing unit, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the alignment shaft driving unit, FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a part of the operation unit of the copier, and FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the overall operation flow of the sheet post-processing control device of the present invention, and FIGS.
The figures are flowcharts each showing the flow of the subroutine. 3 Automatic document feeding means 20 Sorter 55 Bin 61 Post-processing unit (staple binding means) 206 Document number display 216 Stack key 220 Staple key 233 Staple disabled Display 234 Staple limit display 300 CPU 301 ROM 302 RAM

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hideo Kikuchi 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Atsushi Komazawa 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroyasu Sumita 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hoshi, etc. 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Co., Ltd. Inside Ricoh Company (72) Inventor Masao Moriya 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Company Limited (56) References JP-A-63-116169 (JP, A) JP-A-63-41373 ( JP, A) JP-A-1-236164 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B65H 39/00-39/16 B65H 37/00-37/06 G03G 15 / 00 534

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An image forming means for forming an image of the document information on a sheet; an image forming number designating means for designating the number of image formations for one piece of document information; And a post-processing means for post-processing the sheet bundle discharged to each of the bins. Comparing means for comparing the number of image formations designated by the image formation number designation means with a preset post-processing limit number; warning means for warning that the image formation number exceeds the limit number; and the stack When the mode is selected, the number of image formations is compared with the limit number by the comparing means before the start of image formation. Control means for controlling to activate the warning means when it is determined that the number of sheets has exceeded the limit number of sheets.