JP2837999B2 - Sheet post-processing apparatus and image forming apparatus including the same - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus provided with the apparatus, and more particularly to the transfer of a sheet bundle from a collating means to a sheet bundle placing means in the sheet post-processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some conventional image forming apparatuses include a sheet post-processing device that sorts sheets discharged from an image system and receives and stacks the sorted sheet bundle. The sheet post-processing apparatus includes a collating unit that sorts the sheets discharged from the image system, and a sheet bundle placing unit that receives and stacks the sheet bundles sorted by the collating unit.

[0003]

However, in such a conventional sheet post-processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus provided with the apparatus, processing is very difficult when storing the sheet in a sheet bundle mounting means, for example. At one time, there is a problem that there is no means for regulating the processing operation when the processing is not desired.

Further, if a failure occurs in the sheet bundle conveying operation, the entire system must be stopped. If the sheet bundle conveying means frequently causes paper jam for some reason, the downtime becomes extremely long. There was a problem of getting it.

[0005] Further, there is a disadvantage that the alignment of the sheets is lost when the sheet bundle on which the sheets of different sizes are mixed and stacked is transferred to the sheet bundle placing means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus in which it is possible to select whether or not to store a sheet bundle in sheet bundle placing means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image without stopping the entire system even if a sheet bundle is jammed in the sheet bundle placing means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus in which a sheet bundle in which sheets having different sizes are mixed is prohibited from being transferred to a sheet bundle placing means.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a collating means for sorting discharged sheets into a plurality of sheet stacking means;
Binding means for binding a sheet bundle stacked on the sheet stacking means, and sheet bundle placement means for receiving and stacking a sheet bundle on the sheet stacking means sorted by the collating means and bound by the binding means. Moving means for moving the sheet stacking means and the sheet bundle mounting means relatively one by one, and stacking the sheet bundles of the sheet stacking means in order on the sheet bundle mounting means; Determining whether or not there is a command to prohibit placement on the sheet bundle placement unit in a state before the sheet bundle on the sheet stacking unit is placed on the sheet bundle placement unit;
After storing the sheet in the sheet stacking unit, the first mode in which the sheet bundle is not stacked on the sheet bundle mounting unit, or stacking on the sheet bundle mounting unit after storing the sheet in the sheet stacking unit. And a mode selecting means for selecting a second mode to be performed.

Further, according to the present invention, in the sheet post-processing apparatus, there is provided a jam detecting means for detecting occurrence of a jam when the sheet bundle is conveyed to the sheet bundle placing means, and when the jam detecting means detects the jam, The mode selecting means may select a first mode in which the conveyance of the sheet bundle to the sheet bundle placing means is prohibited.

The present invention also provides a sheet post-processing apparatus, comprising a prohibited state display means for displaying a prohibited state of the sheet bundle conveyance, wherein the stacking of the sheet bundle on the sheet bundle placing means is prohibited. In the first mode, a prohibition display is performed by the prohibition state display means.

Further, according to the present invention, when sheets of different sizes are included in the sheet bundle processed by the collating means, the mode selecting means may convey the sheet bundle to the sheet bundle placing means. Is selected in a first mode in which is prohibited.

[0013]

The sheets on which images have been formed are sorted into a plurality of sheet stacking means by the collating means, and the sheet bundle on the sorted sheet stacking means is bound by the binding means.

For example, the number of sheets to be set at the time of image formation (the number of sheets set by the operator), the number of documents, the number of sheets discharged to the collating means, whether or not the mixed mode is set, the number of sheets stored in the sheet bundle placing means, the sheet bundle If a command to prohibit the conveyance of the sheet bundle to the sheet bundle placement unit is issued based on the occurrence of a jam when the sheet bundle is conveyed to the placement unit, the first mode is selected, and the first mode is selected. Is not conveyed to the sheet stacking means, but is mounted and held on the sheet stacking means in a state of being stapled.

If the above-mentioned prohibition command is not issued,
When the second mode is selected, the sheet stacking means moves one step relative to the sheet stacking means, and the sheet bundle on the sheet stacking means corresponding to the sheet stacking means is sequentially moved by the shifting means. The sheet is conveyed and placed on the sheet bundle placing means.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, a first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram thereof. 1 and 2, a main body (100), a pedestal (200), a circulation type automatic document feeder (30
0), a sorter (400), and a stacker (500). A. Main Body (100) In the main body 100 of FIG. 2, reference numeral 101 denotes a platen glass on which a document is placed, 103 denotes an illumination lamp (exposure lamp) for illuminating the document, and 105, 107, and 109 denote scanning mirrors for respectively changing the optical path of the document. (Scanning mirror), 111 is a lens having focusing and zooming functions, and 113 is a fourth reflecting mirror (scanning mirror) for changing the optical path. An optical system motor 115 drives an optical system.
1 is a sensor.

Reference numeral 131 denotes a photosensitive drum; 133, a main motor for driving the photosensitive drum 131; 135, a high-pressure unit; 137, a blank exposure unit; 139, a developing device;
140 is a developing roller, 141 is a transfer charger, 143 is a separation charger, and 145 is a cleaning device.

Reference numeral 151 denotes an upper cassette, 153 denotes a lower cassette, 171 denotes a manual paper feed port, 155 and 157 denote paper feed rollers, and 159 denotes a registration roller. 161
Is a transport belt that transports the image-recorded paper feed to the fixing side,
Reference numeral 163 denotes a fixing device for fixing the conveyed recording paper by thermocompression bonding, and 167 denotes a sensor used for double-sided recording.

The surface of the photosensitive drum 131 is made of a photoconductor and a seamless photosensitive member using a conductor. The drum 131 is rotatably supported by a shaft and responds to pressing of a copy start key described later. By operating main motor 133,
The rotation starts in the direction of the arrow in the figure. Then drum 1
When the predetermined rotation control and potential control processing (the above processing) of 31 is completed, the document placed on the platen glass 101 is
Illumination lamp 1 integrated with first scanning mirror 105
03, the reflected light of the original is reflected by the first scanning mirror 105, the second scanning mirror 107, and the third scanning mirror 10
9, an image is formed on the drum 131 via the lens 111 and the fourth scanning mirror 113.

The drum 131 is corona-charged by the high-pressure unit 135. After that, the image (original image) irradiated by the illumination lamp 103 is subjected to slit exposure, and an upper electrostatic image of the drum 131 is formed by a known Carlson method.

Next, the electrostatic image on the photosensitive drum 131 is
The toner is developed by the developing roller 140 of the developing device 139 and visualized as a toner image.
1, the image is transferred onto a transfer sheet as described later.

That is, the transfer paper or the manual paper feed port 171 in the upper cassette 151 or the lower cassette 153
The transfer paper set in the paper feed roller 155 or 1
57, and is sent into the main unit by the registration rollers 159
Is sent in the direction of the photosensitive drum 131 with more accurate timing, so that the leading end of the latent image and the leading end of the transfer paper coincide.
After that, the transfer paper passes between the transfer charger 141 and the drum 131, so that the toner image on the drum 131 is transferred onto the transfer paper.

After the completion of the transfer, the transfer paper is separated from the drum 131 by the separation charger 143, and the transfer belt 161
Then, the toner is fixed to the fixing device 163 by pressurizing and heating, and then discharged out of the main body 100 by the discharge roller 165 and stacked on the discharge tray 430 shown in the figure.

After the transfer, the drum 131 continues to rotate, and its surface is cleaned by a cleaning device 145 including a cleaning roller and an elastic blade. B. Pedestal (200) The pedestal 200 of FIG. 2 has a deck 201 which can be separated from the main body 100 and can store 2,000 sheets of transfer paper, and an intermediate tray 203 for double-sided copying. Also, the deck 201 that can store 2,000 sheets
The lifter 205 rises according to the amount of transfer paper so that the transfer paper always contacts the paper feed roller 207. Also, 2
Reference numeral 11 denotes a discharge flapper for switching a path between a double-side recording side or multiple recording side path and a discharge side path; 213 and 215, a conveyance path of a conveyance belt; 217, an intermediate tray weight for holding a transfer sheet; 211 and the transport path 21
The transfer paper passing through 3,215 is turned over and stored in the intermediate tray 203 for double-sided copying.

Reference numeral 219 denotes a multiplex flapper for a double-sided recording and a multiplex recording path. The flapper 219 is disposed between the conveyance paths 213 and 215, and guides the transfer paper to the multiplex recording conveyance path 221 by rotating upward. Reference numeral 223 denotes a multiple discharge sensor for detecting the end of the transfer paper passing through the multiple flapper 219. A paper feed roller 225 feeds the transfer paper to the drum 131 through a path 227. A discharge roller 229 discharges the transfer paper to the outside of the apparatus.

During double-sided recording (double-sided copying) or multiple recording (multiplexed copying), first, the discharge flapper 211 of the main body 100 is raised to information, and the copied transfer paper is transported through the transport paths 213 and 215 of the pedestal 200. To the intermediate tray 203. At this time, the multiplex flapper 219 is lowered during double-side recording, and the multiplex flapper 219 is raised during multiplex recording. The intermediate tray 203 can store, for example, up to 99 copy sheets. The transfer paper stored in the intermediate tray 203 is pressed by the intermediate tray weight 217.

At the time of the next backside recording or multiplex recording, the transfer paper stored in the intermediate tray 203 is transferred one by one from below from the main body 100 via the path 227 by the action of the paper feed roller 225 and the weight 217. Registration roller 1
It is led to 59.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the arrangement of the operation panel provided on the main body 100 described above. The operation panel has a key group 600 and a display group 700 as described later. C. RDF (Circulating Automatic Document Feeder) (300) As shown in detail in FIG. 4, a loading tray 310 as a first document tray on which the document bundle S is set is set in the RDF 300.
And a stacking tray 350 (see FIG. 2) as a second document tray for setting the document bundle SS.

Further, on the stacking tray 310 side, a feeding means constituting one part of the document feeding means is provided. This feeding means includes a half-moon roller 331, a separation conveyance roller 332, a separation belt 333, a separation motor 371.
, A registration roller 335, an entire belt 336,
Belt motor 372, large conveying roller 338, conveying motor 380, paper discharge roller 340, flapper 341
, Recycle lever 342, paper feed stopper 343
Paper feed sensor ENTS, reversing sensor 373,
5 and so on.

Here, the half-moon roller 331, the separation conveyance roller 332, and the separation belt 333 are rotated by the separation motor 371 to separate the originals one by one from the lowermost part of the original bundle S on the stacking tray 310.

The registration roller 335 and the full-surface belt 336 rotate the separated document rotated by the belt motor BETMTR to the exposure position (sheet path c) on the platen glass 101 via the sheet paths a and b. Transport. The large conveying roller 338 is rotated by the conveying motor 380 to move the original on the original platen glass 101 to the sheet path c.
To the sheet path e. The original conveyed along the sheet path e is returned to the original bundle S on the stacking tray 310 by the discharge rollers 340.

The recycle lever 342 detects one cycle of the original. When the original is fed, the recycle lever 342 is placed on the upper part of the original bundle S, and the originals are sequentially fed. One cycle of the document is detected by falling under its own weight when passing through the recycle lever 342.

In the feeding means 330, when a two-sided original is
The document is once guided from sheet paths a and b to c, and then the large conveying roller 338 is rotated to switch the flapper 341 to the dotted line position shown in FIG.
Then, the original is passed over the sheet path b by the registration roller 335, and thereafter the original is conveyed onto the original platen glass 101 by the entire surface belt 336 and stopped, thereby inverting the original. That is, the original is reversed on the sheet paths c to d and b.

The recycle lever 34 passes the originals of the original bundle S one by one through the sheet paths a to b to c to d to e.
By transporting the document until it is detected that one cycle has been performed by 2, the number of documents can be counted.

Further, on the right side of the main body of the RDF 300, the sheet original S after the completion of the image reading on the platen 101 is discharged in a direction opposite to the direction of loading into the platen 101, and the original bundle S on the original tray 310 is discharged. A second document discharge path (sheet path g) to be conveyed to the uppermost portion is configured. A first conveyance roller 343 and a second conveyance roller 344 for conveying the sheet document S are arranged in the sheet path g, and a second discharge roller 345 is provided downstream of the sheet path g. , The sheet bundle S conveyed along the sheet path g
To the top of the document bundle S on the document tray 310.

A document discharge cover 346 is arranged above the sheet path g.

In the sheet path g, a second paper discharge sensor 376 which is a transmission type optical sensor for detecting the front end and the rear end of the sheet document S in the discharge path is arranged.

Next, the swinging operation of the document tray 310 will be described. The motor output shaft of the tray swing motor 387 is coupled to the tray swing arm shaft 348. A tray swing roller 347 is connected to the lower surface of the document tray 310. The tray swing roller 347 is provided at the tip of the tray swing arm 349, and the opposite side of the tray swing arm 349 is fixed to the tray swing arm shaft 348, and the tray swing arm shaft 348 rotates to rotate the tray swing roller 347. The swing arm 349 swings between the solid line and the broken line position in the figure, and swings the document tray 310 between the solid line position and the broken line position around the swing center.

TRAYUPLMTSW 377 is an upper limit switch for detecting that the document tray 310 has reached the upper position (solid line position).
SW 379 indicates that the document tray 310 is at the lower position (the position indicated by the broken line).
, The tray swing motor 387 controls the rotation based on the detection of the upper and lower limit switches. D. Sorter (400) The sorter will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7. FIG. In the figure, a sorter 400 serving as a collating means includes a body 402 and a bin unit 403, and the body 402 has a carry-in roller pair 405 near a carry-in entrance 404.
A flapper 409 that switches the sheet conveyance direction to a conveyance path 406 or 407 downstream of the carry-in roller pair 405.
Are arranged. One of the transport paths 406 extends substantially in the horizontal direction, and a pair of transport rollers 408 is disposed downstream of the transport path 406. The other transport path 406 extends downward and a transport roller pair 411 is located downstream of the transport path 406. And a stapler 41 at a position near the roller pair 411.
2 are provided.

The carry-in roller pair 405 and the carry roller pair 40
8, 411 are driven by a transport motor (not shown). The transport path 406 has a non-sort path sensor S401 for detecting the passage of a sheet, and the transport path 407 has a sort path sensor S402. On the downstream side of the transport roller pairs 408 and 411, a bin unit having a number of bins B is arranged. One end of the bin unit 403 is engaged with the hook 416, and the other end of the bin unit 403 is connected to the machine body 402. By holding the weight with the fixed spring 415, the bin unit 403 is supported to be able to move up and down.

Guide rollers 417 and 419 are rotatably supported at the upper and lower portions on the base end side of the bin unit.
The guide rollers 417 and 419 are configured to roll in a guide groove 420 provided in the machine body 402 so as to extend in the vertical direction to guide the bin unit.
Further, a shift motor 421 is provided on the body 402. A lead cam 423 and a sprocket 425 are fixed to a rotating shaft 422 pivotally supported by the body 402.
A chain 426 is stretched between the sprocket 425 and the output shaft of the shift motor 421, whereby the rotation of the motor 421 is transmitted to the rotation shaft 422 via the chain 426.

Further, the bin unit 403 is supported by a bottom frame 427 comprising an inclined portion and a vertical portion, and a pair of frames 429 and 429 provided vertically at the front and rear ends of the bottom frame 427. Unit body 431 constituted by covered cover 430
have. A reference plate 455 is provided on the front side of the unit main body 431 so as to be in contact with and align with the sheet S (see FIG. 8).

The lower arm 4 pivoted by the alignment motor 432a is located at the reference depth side of the bottom frame 427.
33a is rotatably supported (see FIG. 7). Further, an upper arm 435a is fixed to a pivotally supported shaft 436a of the cover 430 at a position facing the lower arm 433a of the cover 430.
A shaft 437a is provided between the center of rotation of 35a and the center of rotation of the lower arm 433a. The lower arm 433a
Of the upper arm 435a and the tip of the upper arm 435a.
The alignment rod 439a is configured to rotate by an alignment motor 423a, and aligns the sheet S on the bin B to the near side.

Similarly, a lower arm 433b, which is rotated by an alignment motor 432b, is rotatably supported behind the bottom end of the bottom frame 427 (see FIG. 7). Further, an upper arm 435b is fixed to a shaft 436b rotatably supported by the cover 430 at a position facing the lower arm 433b of the cover 430. A matching rod 439b is provided between the tip of the lower arm 433b and the tip of the upper arm 435b.
Reference numeral 9b is configured to be rotated by an alignment motor 432b so as to align the sheet S on the bin B to the back side.

The matching motors 432a and 432b are stepping motors, and the positions of the matching rods 439a and 439b can be accurately controlled by the number of pulses applied to the stepping motor. Also, S403a shown in FIGS. 7 and 12,
S403b is a matching rod home sensor for detecting the positions of the matching rods 439a and 439b.
The positions of a and 439b can be controlled by the number of pulses given to the matching rod home sensor and the matching motors 432a and 432b.

As shown in FIG. 8, the pin B has an engaging plate 440 formed at the front and rear ends thereof. When the engagement plate 440 is engaged with a support plate (not shown) provided inside the frame 429, the bin B is supported on the tip side. Further, a support shaft 441 is fixed to the front and rear sides of the base end of the bin B, and a roller 442 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 441.

Further, a long hole 443a longer than the rotation distance of the alignment rod 439a and sufficiently wider than the width of the alignment rod 439a is provided in the bin B at a predetermined distance from the shaft 437a.
And the alignment rod 439b at a predetermined distance from the shaft 436b.
A long hole 443b that is longer than the rotation distance of and is sufficiently wider than the width of the alignment rod 439b is provided.

The base end Ba of the bin B rises perpendicular to the sheet storage surface Bb. The bin B has a front end inclined upward at a predetermined angle with respect to the body 402, and the inclination causes the sheet P to slide on the sheet storage surface Bb and abut on the rear end to the base end Ba to be aligned in the front-rear direction. It has become so.

In bin B, staplers 412a and 412a
Notches BC1 and BC2 are provided in a portion where the 12b enters, so as not to interfere with the staplers 412a and 412b.

Then, the long holes 443a of the bottles B1, B2,.
The alignment bar 439a is inserted into the slot 443. The alignment bar 439a is configured to rotate in the elongated hole 443a to align the sheet P on the bin B to the near side.

Similarly, the long holes 443b of the bottles B1, B2.
The alignment rod 439b is inserted into the slot 443. The alignment rod 439b is configured to rotate in the elongated hole 443b to align the sheet P on the bin B to the back side.

The lead cam 423 has a groove 423a, which is slightly wider than the roller 442, spirally cut and engaged with the roller 442. The rotation of the lead cam 423 causes the roller 442 to move up and down along the groove 423a. It is configured to be. One rotation of the lead cam 423 is detected by a lead cam sensor S404 arranged near the lead cam 423. In addition, bin unit 40
The position of No. 2 is detected by the bin home position sensor S405.

The presence of the sheet S on the sort bin B can be detected by a sort tray paper presence / absence detection sensor (sheet post-processing position selecting means) S407.

In the vicinity of the lower sheet discharge roller pair 411, two electric staplers 412a and 412b for binding and stopping the sheet S stored in the bin B can be advanced and retracted by a driving means to a position orthogonal to the sheet S carrying direction. It is disposed at a position a so as not to interfere with the vertical movement of the bin B. When the bundle of sheets S on the bin B is stapled, the sheet is moved to the position b and the sheet is moved. The bundle of S is bound. At this time, the electric stapler 412a, 412b is configured to be independently movable. After completion of the binding, the electric stapler returns to the position A by a driving unit (not shown).

The electric stapler 412a, 412b
Perform stapling operation by rotation of a motor (not shown) to stap sheets S in a plurality of bins B.
After the stapling operation of the sheet S of one bin B is completed, the bin unit 403 moves to a predetermined bin position, and the bin B
Is stapled.

The electric stapler 412a, 4132
Since two b's are provided, either one (one-point binding) or both (two-point binding) can be operated by the operator's selection. Stapler 412
The selection of a and 412b will be described later.

Note that S406 is a manual staple key.
When 406 is pressed, a stapling operation is performed.

The bin unit 403 on the back side of the sorter 400
An L-shaped arm 450b is rotatably supported on a vertical shaft 450a provided at the center thereof, and a downwardly directed push rod 450c is fixed to the tip of the arm 450b to form a push-out member 450. The position of the sheet bundle on a predetermined bin is pushed forward, and can be changed. E. FIG. Stacker 500 Next, referring to FIG. 9, a description will be given of the stacker 500 that is a sheet bundle stacking unit that forms a sheet post-processing apparatus together with a sorter. The sheet bundle received from the sorter 400 is transported by bundle transport rollers 501 and 502. The bundle conveying rollers 501 and 502 are pivotally connected to the swing arm 503.
And the swing arm 503 includes pulleys 504 and 505
And swings up and down by an arm swing motor 507 via a timing belt 506. The position of the swing arm 503 indicated by a solid line in the drawing is a transfer position for performing bundle transfer, and the position is detected by the bundle transfer sensor 508. A position indicated by a broken line is a receiving position for receiving a sheet bundle, and the position is detected by a bundle receiving position sensor 509.

The bundle transport roller 502 is driven by a bundle transport motor (not shown) to transport a bundle of sheets. Note that this bundle transport motor has an encoder, and can measure the amount of movement. A bundle detection sensor 510 detects a sheet bundle conveyed by the bundle conveyance roller and detects a jam. A bundle stacking tray 511 is supported by the tray support 512. A tray moving motor 513 moves the bundle stacking tray 511 via the timing belt 514, the pulley / pinion gear 515, and the rack 516. The tray movement motor 513 has an encoder (not shown) and can measure the movement amount. A tray home position sensor 517 detects the home position of the bundle stacking tray 511. The position of the bundle stacking tray is detected by the output of the tray home position sensor 517 and the output of the encoder of the tray moving motor 513. The tray support 512 is fixed to the wire 519 by stoppers 518a and 518b. The wire 519 is wound around the pulleys 520a, 520b, 520c and the driving pulley 521.

Reference numeral 522 denotes a driving shaft of a driving pulley, which is driven by a tray elevating motor
12 is moved up and down. The drive shaft 522 is connected to a drive pulley (not shown) on the rear surface, and a tray elevating mechanism using a wire is also provided on the rear surface.
Is supported at four points. 524 is a paper surface detection sensor,
This is a potentiometer that outputs the height of the paper surface input by the sensor arm 525 as an analog signal.
The tray raising / lowering motor 523 controls the height of the tray support 512 in accordance with the output of the paper surface detection sensor 524.

The operation of the stacker 500 will be described with reference to FIG. The detector 510 detects that the sheet bundle A has been inserted. The opening of the upper swing arm 503 and the lower transport roller 502 is closed as the arm swing motor 507 starts rotating, and the sheet bundle A is pressed against the upper transport roller 501 and the lower transport roller 502. When an appropriate pressure is applied between the upper transport roller 501 and the lower transport roller 502,
The arm swing motor 507 stops, then the bundle transport motor is started, and the upper transport roller 501 and the lower transport roller 502 rotate at a constant speed to transport the sheet bundle A.

When the detector 510 detects the trailing end of the sheet bundle A, the rotation of the bundle conveying motor is stopped, and then the arm swing motor 507 is rotated, so that the rotation between the upper conveying roller 501 and the lower conveying roller 502 is stopped. Release pressure. By starting the tray moving motor 513 in a state where the rear end of the sheet bundle A in the middle of the conveyance is in contact with the lower conveyance roller and the front end is in contact with the bundle stacking tray 511, the bundle stacking tray 511 is activated. In the transport direction, and stops after the discharge of the sheet bundle is completed. This makes it possible to offset the sheet bundle on the stack. Further, the switching operation of the storage position of the sheet bundle for each job can be performed.

The height of the tray support 512 is controlled by driving the tray elevating motor 523 based on the input from the paper surface detection sensor 524. F. Key Group (600) In FIG. 3, reference numeral 601 denotes an asterisk (*) key.
It is used when the operator (user) sets a binding margin, or sets a mode such as setting a size for erasing a document frame. 60
Reference numeral 6 denotes an all reset key, which is pressed when returning to the standard mode. A preheating key 602 is pressed when the machine of the main body 100 is set to the preheating state and when the preheating state is released. The key 602 is also pressed when returning from the auto shaft off state to the standard mode.

Reference numeral 605 denotes a copy start key (copy start key) which is depressed to start copying.

Reference numeral 604 denotes a clear / stop key, which has a clear key function during standby (standby) and a stop key function during copy recording. This clear key is pressed to cancel the set number of copies. Also * (asterisk)
Also used to release the mode. The stop key is pressed to interrupt continuous copying. After the copying at the time of pressing is completed, the copying operation is stopped.

Reference numeral 603 denotes a numeric keypad, which is pressed when setting the number of copies. Also used when setting * (asterisk) mode. A memory key 619 can register a mode frequently used by the user. Here, four types of registration, M1 to M4, can be performed.

Reference numerals 611 and 612 denote copy density keys.
Press to manually adjust the copy density. An AE key 613 is depressed when automatically adjusting the copy density in accordance with the density of the document or when canceling the AE (automatic density adjustment) and switching the density adjustment to manual (manual). Reference numeral 607 denotes a cassette selection key.
51, interruption cassette 153, lower paper deck 201
Press to select. When a document is placed on 300, APS (automatic paper selection) can be selected with this key 607. When the APS is selected, a transfer paper cassette having the same size as the original is automatically selected.

Reference numeral 610 denotes an equal-size key, which is depressed when making a copy of the same size (original size). An automatic scaling key 616 is pressed when automatically reducing or enlarging the image of the original according to the size of the specified transfer sheet. Reference numerals 617 and 618 denote zoom keys which are pressed to specify an arbitrary magnification between 64% and 142%. Reference numerals 608 and 609 denote fixed size scaling keys, which are pressed when designating reduction / enlargement of the fixed size.

Reference numeral 626 denotes a double-sided key which is depressed to make double-sided copying from a single-sided original, double-sided copying from a double-sided original, and single-sided copying from a double-sided original. A binding margin key 625 can create a binding margin of a designated length on the left side of the transfer sheet. A photo key 624 is pressed when copying a photo document. A multiple key 623 is pressed when an image is created (combined) on the same side of the transfer paper from two originals.

Reference numeral 620 denotes a document frame erasing key, which is pressed when the user uses the frame erasing of a fixed-size document.

Reference numeral 621 denotes a sheet frame erasing key, which is pressed when erasing a document frame in accordance with the size of a cassette.

Reference numeral 622 denotes a page continuous shooting key, which is depressed when copying the right and left pages of a document separately on separate sheets.

Reference numeral 614 denotes a sheet discharging method (staple, sort,
When a stapler that is a group) selection key and that can staple printed paper is connected, staple mode and sort mode can be selected or canceled, and a sorting tray (sorter) is connected. Can select or cancel the sort mode or group mode.

A paper folding selection key 615 is used to select and cancel a Z-fold that folds a recorded sheet of A3 or B4 size into a Z-shaped cross-section and a half-fold that folds it in half.

Reference numeral 627 denotes an interrupt key. When pressed during copying, the copying is interrupted, and a new copy (hereinafter referred to as interrupt copying) is enabled. If the button is pressed during the interrupt copy mode setting, the interruptable state is released.

Reference numeral 628 denotes a reservation key for registering and canceling reservation copying. When the reservation key 628 is pressed, a copy mode different from the copy mode already set can be set. Here, the copy mode to be registered is set, and when the setting is completed, the reservation setting key 629 is pressed. As a result, the set copy mode is stored in the 805 RAM.

Reference numeral 630 denotes a 2 in 1 mode key for placing a plurality of originals on a platen glass and
The 2in1 mode for forming an image on a sheet of transfer paper can be selected and canceled.

Reference numeral 632 denotes a horizontal / vertical writing original selection key according to the present invention, which can select a placing order of a plurality of originals when the 2 in 1 mode key is designated by the 2 in 1 mode key. Be a choice.

Reference numeral 634 denotes an odd / even input key. When the total number of original bundles is an odd number, pressing this key informs the copying machine of the number of originals.

Reference numeral 640 denotes a staple mode selection key, which can select one staple or two staples.

Reference numeral 642 denotes a stacker selection key for selecting use / non-use of the stacker. G. FIG. Display Group (700) In FIG. 3, reference numeral 701 denotes an LCD (liquid crystal) type message display for displaying information relating to copying. For example, 5 × 7 dots form one character, and a message of 40 characters is formed. The copy magnification set by the magnification keys 608 and 609, the equal magnification key 610, and the zoom keys 617 and 618 can be displayed. The display 701 is a semi-transmissive liquid crystal and uses two colors for a backlight. Normally, a green backlight is turned on, and an orange backlight is turned on in an abnormal state or in a copying disabled state.

Reference numeral 706 denotes an equal-magnification display, which is turned on when equal-magnification is selected. Reference numeral 703 denotes a color developing device display, which lights when a sepia developing device is set. A copy number display 702 displays the number of copies or a self-diagnosis code. Reference numeral 705 denotes a used cassette display, which includes an upper cassette 151, a suspended cassette 153, and a lower deck 201.
Displays whether any of is selected. 704 is A
This is an E display, which lights when AE (automatic density adjustment) is selected by the AE key 613. Reference numeral 709 denotes a preheating indicator, which is a two-color LED of green and orange. The green LED lights when ready (when copying is possible), and the orange lights when waiting (when copying is impossible).

Reference numeral 708 denotes a double-sided copy display which is turned on when one of double-sided copy from a double-sided original and double-sided copy from a single-sided original is selected.

When the RDF 300 is used in the standard mode, the number of copies is set to one, the density AE mode is selected, the auto paper is selected, the original size is set, and the one-sided original is set to the one-sided copy. In the standard mode when the RDF 300 is not used, the number of copies is set to one, the density manual mode is set to the same size, and one-sided original to one-sided copy is set. The difference between when the RDF 300 is used and when it is not used depends on whether or not a document is set on the RDF 300.

A power lamp 710 is turned on when a power switch is turned on.

Reference numeral 711 denotes an interrupt indicator which lights when an interrupt copying mode is set and during interrupt copying.

Reference numeral 712 denotes a reservation registration display, which lights when a reservation copy is registered. H. Main Body Control Device (800) FIG. 11 shows an example of a circuit configuration of the control device 800 of the first embodiment in FIG. In FIG. 11, reference numeral 801 denotes a central processing unit (CPU) for performing arithmetic control for executing the present invention, for example, using a microcomputer V50 manufactured by NEC (NEC Corporation). Reference numeral 803 denotes a read-only memory (ROM) in which a control procedure (control program) as shown in FIG.
Each component connected via the bus is controlled according to a control procedure stored in the OM. Reference numeral 805 denotes a random access memory (RAM) which is a main storage device used as storage for input data, a work storage area, and the like.

Next, the manual stapling operation will be described with reference to FIG. Manual stapling is a mode for stapling a bundle of paper inserted by a user into a bin, and staples only one bin. First, Step8
01 moves the stapler to the stapling position. Upon completion of the movement, the staple paper sensor a near the stapler a determines whether or not there is paper in the portion of the stapler a (S803). If there is paper, the program is Ste
Proceed to p805 and perform stapling with stapler a. Ste
If it is determined in p803 that there is no paper in the portion of the stapler a, or after the stapling by the stapler a is completed in step 805, the program proceeds to step 807. In Step 807, the staple paper sensor b determines whether or not there is paper in the stapler b. If there is a sheet, the program proceeds to Step 809 and performs stapling with the stapler b. If it is determined in Step 807 that there is no paper in the stapler b,
After the stapling by the stapler b is completed in 809, the program proceeds to Step 811 to move the stapler to the evacuation position and end the processing.

The stacker operation will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the sheet bundle detection sensor detects a sheet bundle in Step 2001, the process proceeds to Step 2003, and the arm swing motor is turned on. When the bundle conveyance sensor detects the arm, the arm swing motor is stopped (S200).
5, S2007). Next, the bundle conveying motor is turned on (S2
009) The sheet bundle is conveyed until the sheet bundle detection sensor detects the rear end of the sheet bundle. Then, when the sheet bundle detection sensor detects the trailing end of the sheet bundle, the bundle conveying motor is stopped (S2011, S2013), the stacking of the sheet bundle on the stacking tray is completed, and the subsequent sheet bundle is discriminated. The bundle stacking tray is offset so that it can be performed (S2015). Then, the arm swing motor is turned on so that the sheet bundle can be stored again, and when the bundle receiving position sensor detects the arm, the arm swing motor is turned off (S2017, S2019, S2021). Here, a stacker storage completion signal indicating that the storage operation of the sheet bundle is completed is output to the sorter (S202).
3) Return the process to Step 2001.

Next, the details of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in Step 1105, the stack limit number, which is an arbitrary value, is compared with a set counter that counts the number of stacked units. If the set counter is larger than the stack limit number, it is determined that the use of the stacker is prohibited, and Step 1105 is performed.
The process moves to p1103. If the number counter is not larger than the stacker limit number, the flow shifts to step 1106 to compare the stack limit number of sheets, which is an arbitrary value, with the number of sheets of the job. If the number of originals is larger than the stack limited number of originals, it is determined that the use of the stacker is prohibited, and the process proceeds to Step 1103. If the number of originals is not larger than the stacker-limited original number, the process proceeds to Step 1107, where a comparison is made between the stack-limited stored number and the stored number counter that counts the stored number. If the storage number counter is larger than the stack limit storage number, it is determined that stacker use is prohibited and
The process moves to p1103. Step 11 if not big
At 01, it is determined whether or not the stacker is full. If the stacker is full, no more stacking is possible, so the program proceeds to Step 1103, sets the stacker prohibition flag, and ends the processing. Step
If it is determined in step 1101 that the stacker is not in the full loading state, subsequent stacking is possible, and the stacker prohibition flag is reset and the process ends.

Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, it is determined in Step 1108 whether or not the mode is the mixed loading mode. In the case of the mixed loading mode, it is determined that the use of the stacker is prohibited, and the process proceeds to Step 1111. If the mode is not the mixed mode, the process shifts to Step 1109 to determine whether or not the mode is the jam recovery mode. If the mode is jam recovery mode, it is determined that stacker use is prohibited and St
The process moves to ep1111. If it is not the jam recovery mode, it is determined in step 1113 whether the stacker is in the full load state.
The process advances to step 1111 to set the stacker prohibition flag, and ends the process. If it is determined in Step 1113 that the stacker is not in the full loading state, subsequent stacking is possible, so the stacker prohibition flag is reset, and the process ends.

Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, if the stacker use prohibition switch that can arbitrarily set the use or non-use of the stacker is set in Step 1116, the stacker use prohibition is determined, and the process proceeds to Step 1119. If stacker use prohibition is not set, Step
The process proceeds to 1117, where it is determined whether or not the stacker is in the full load state. If the stacker is in the full state, no more loading is possible, so the program proceeds to Step 1119.
Then, the stacker prohibition flag is set, the stacker use prohibition is displayed, and the process ends. If it is determined in Step 1118 that the stacker is not in the full load state, subsequent stacking is possible, so the stacker prohibition flag is reset to clear the stacker use prohibition display, and the process ends.

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Since the same applies to FIGS. 1 to 12 and the present embodiment in each of the embodiments described above, illustration and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the stacker use prohibition determination. First, in Step 1101, it is determined whether or not the stacker is in the full load state. If the stacker is in the full state, no more stacking is possible, so the program proceeds to Step 1105, sets the stacker prohibition flag, and ends the processing. I do. If it is determined in Step 1101 that the stacker is not in the full loading state, the program proceeds to Step 1102, and determines whether there is a jam signal. If there is a jam signal, the subsequent stacker operation is prohibited, so the process proceeds to Step 1105 to set a stacker prohibition flag. Only when it is determined in Step 1102 that there is no jam signal, the stacker prohibition flag is reset to permit the process, and the stacker use prohibition determination process ends.

The stacker operation will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the sheet bundle detection sensor detects a sheet bundle in Step 2001, the process proceeds to Step 2003, and the arm swing motor is turned on. When the bundle conveyance sensor detects the arm, the arm swing motor is stopped (S200).
5, S2007). Next, the bundle conveying motor is turned on (S2
009) A jam detection timer for detecting a jam is set (S2010), and the sheet bundle is conveyed. Then, the sheet bundle detection sensor waits for the rear end of the sheet bundle (S
2011), before the trailing edge of the sheet bundle can be detected, it is checked whether the jam time increases (S2012).
If the trailing end of the sheet bundle can be detected before the timer is up, the bundle conveying motor is stopped (S2013), the stacking of the sheet bundle on the stacking tray is completed, and the offset of the stacking tray is distinguished from the succeeding sheet bundle. (S201
5). Then, the arm swing motor is turned on so that the sheet bundle can be stored again, and when the bundle receiving position sensor detects the arm, the arm swing motor is turned off (S2017, S2019, S2021). Here, a stacker storage completion signal indicating that the storage operation of the sheet bundle has been completed is output to the sorter (S2023), and St is output.
The process returns to ep2001. If the time is up before detecting the trailing edge of the sheet bundle in Step 2012, it is detected that a jam has occurred, and the program proceeds to Step 202.
In step S2027, a jam signal is output, the bundle conveying motor is turned off (S2027), and then the absence of a sheet bundle waiting for jam clearance is detected (S2029). When the jam is cleared, the program returns to Step 2001.

In the above embodiment, the means for inhibiting the stacker has been described. However, the image forming system becomes extremely difficult to use unless the operator knows the state of inhibiting the use of the stacker. Therefore, by providing the prohibited state display means for displaying the prohibited state, it is possible to provide a more user-friendly system. For example, in the above-described embodiment, this can be realized by displaying that the use of the stacker is prohibited on the message display when the use of the stacker is selected.

Next, such a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. It should be noted that FIGS. 1 to 12 in each of the above-described embodiments are the same in the present embodiment, and therefore, illustration and description thereof are omitted.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the stacker use prohibition determination. First, in Step 1110, it is determined whether or not the sheet bundle on the tray of the sheet paper post-processing apparatus is mixedly loaded. If the sheet bundle is the mixedly loaded sheet sheet bundle, the process proceeds to Step 1103. If the stacking is not performed, it is determined in Step 1101 whether or not the stacker is in the full load state. If the stacker is in the full load state, no more stacking is possible.
Proceeding to 1103, the stacker prohibition flag is set, and the process ends. If it is determined in Step 1101 that the stacker is not in the full loading state, subsequent stacking is possible, and the stacker prohibition flag is reset, and the process ends.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the stacker use prohibition determination according to another embodiment. First, St
At ep1101, it is determined whether or not the stacker is full. If the stacker is full, no more stacking is possible, so the program proceeds to step 1105, sets the stacker prohibition flag, and ends the processing.
If it is determined in Step 1101 that the stacker is not in the full loading state, subsequent stacking is possible, and the stacker prohibition flag is reset (S1103), and the process ends.

The operation of the stacker will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the sheet bundle detection sensor detects a sheet bundle in Step 2001, the process proceeds to Step 2003, and the arm swing motor is turned on. When the bundle conveyance sensor detects the arm, the arm swing motor is stopped (S200).
5, S2007). Next, the bundle conveying motor is turned on (S2
009) A jam detection timer for detecting a jam is set (S2010), and the sheet bundle is conveyed. Then, the sheet bundle detection sensor waits for the rear end of the sheet bundle,
(S2011) It is checked whether the jam timer is up before the trailing edge of the sheet bundle can be detected (S201).
2) If the trailing end of the sheet bundle can be detected before the timer is up, the bundle conveying motor is stopped (S2013), and a count valid signal for validating the count is output because the sheet bundle is normally loaded on the stacker (S2014). ), The stacking of the sheet stack on the stack stacking tray is completed, and the stack stacking tray is offset so that the subsequent sheet stack can be distinguished (S2015). Then, the arm swing motor is turned on so that the sheet bundle can be stored again, and when the bundle receiving position sensor detects the arm, the arm swing motor is turned off (S2017, S2019, S2021). Here, a stacker storage completion signal indicating that the storage operation of the sheet bundle is completed is output to the sorter (S202).
3) Return the process to Step 2001. Step201
If the timer is up before detecting the trailing end of the sheet bundle in step 2, the program detects that a jam has occurred and the program proceeds to St.
In step Ep2025, the bundle conveying motor is turned off.
At step p2027, a count invalidation signal for invalidating the count is output, then, at step 2029, a jam signal is output to the sorter, and the absence of a sheet bundle waiting for jam release is detected (step 2031). Turn off the jam signal that was being output (Step
p2033). Thereafter, the program returns to Step 2001.

The image forming apparatus counts the number of discharged sheets in advance, and controls whether to add or not add the count value counted to the total counter depending on whether a count valid signal or a count invalid signal is received. It is possible to count the entire image forming system.

The operation in the above-described sort mode will be described with reference to FIG. First, the presence / absence of a “bin initial signal” for storing sheets from the top bin is checked (S301).
Step 305, if there is, go to Step 303. St
At ep303, the bin unit is lowered to the non-sort home position as bin initialization. Step3
At 05, the transport motor is turned on, then the path sensor is turned on,
An off check (S307) is performed. If the path sensor is not turned on in Step 307, the process proceeds to Step 323. If the path sensor is turned on, in Step 309, the aligning unit is retracted in order to perform the aligning operation on the discharged sheet later. Thereafter, when the path sensor is detected to be off (S311), 1 is added to the sheet discharge counter (S312), and the sheet is aligned (S313). And Ste
At p315, the matching unit is retracted (S317) according to the presence or absence of the shift direction inversion signal, and one bin shift (S319) and inversion processing (S321) are performed. Here, the reversal process is a process of reversing the subsequent bin shift direction, and does not perform the bin shift operation. If the "sorter start signal" is turned on in step 323, the process returns to step 307. If the "sorter start signal" is turned off, the transport motor is stopped in step 325, and the sorting process is terminated.

Next, the operation of the above-described group mode will be described with reference to FIG. First, the presence / absence of a “bin initial signal” for storing sheets from the uppermost bin is checked (S401). If there is no “bin initial signal”, the process proceeds to Step 405, and if there is, the process proceeds to Step 403. In Step 403, the bin unit is lowered to the non-sort home position as bin initialization. S
In step 405, the transport motor is turned on, and then the on / off check of the path sensor is performed (S407). Step
If the path sensor is not turned on at 407, Step 42
If the switch is turned on, the alignment unit is retracted in Step 409 to perform the alignment operation on the discharged sheet later. Thereafter, when the off of the path sensor is detected (S411), 1 is added to the sheet discharge counter (S41).
2) Then, an alignment operation for the sheet is performed (S413). If there is a bin shift signal in step 415 depending on the presence or absence of the bin shift signal, the matching unit is retracted (S417) and one bin shift (S4
Step 19) is performed, and if not, the process proceeds to Step 421. If the "sorter start signal" is turned on in step 421, the process returns to step 407. If the "sorter start signal" is turned off, the transport motor is stopped in step 423, and the sorting process ends.

Next, the operation in the above-described stack mode will be described with reference to FIG. First, it is checked whether there is a “bin initial signal” for storing sheets from the highest bin (S501). If there is no “bin initial signal”, the process proceeds to Step 505, and if there is, the process proceeds to Step 503. In Step 503, the bin unit is lowered to the non-sort home position as bin initialization. S
In step 505, the transport motor is turned on, and then the on / off check of the path sensor is performed (S507). Step
If the path sensor is not turned on in Step 507, Step 52
If it is turned on, the alignment unit is retracted in Step 509 to perform the alignment operation on the discharged sheet later. Thereafter, when the off of the path sensor is detected (S511), 1 is added to the sheet discharge counter (S51).
2) The sheet is aligned (S513). If the number of stored bins in the stored bins has not reached the upper limit number in Step 515, Step 521 is performed. If the bins have reached the maximum number, the matching unit is retracted (S517) and one bin shift (S51).
Perform 9). Then, if the "sorter start signal" is on in Step 521, the process returns to Step 507, and if the "sorter start signal" is off, S is executed.
At step 523, the transport motor is stopped, and the stacking process ends.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of the stacker process. In the stacker process, bin positions are initialized for a series of stack processes in Step 701. The bin position to be initialized is the one at the top or bottom bin in use that is closest to the current bin position. When the movement is completed, the shift direction is set to be lower for the upper position, and the shift direction is set to be upper for the lower position. Next, the use prohibition of the stacker is determined (S703), and Step70 is performed.
In 5, it is determined whether or not use is prohibited by the stacker prohibition flag set in Step 703. If there is no stacker prohibition flag, the program proceeds to Step 707, and pushes the sheet bundle using the arm 450b. Here, the stacker performs a stack operation, and after completion, notifies the completion of stacker storage via the serial communication described above. The sorter waits for this signal (S709), and when the stacker completes storing, clears the paper discharge counter (S710; n = 0) and returns the bundle pushing arm 450b (S711). The program proceeds to Step 713, and determines whether or not the stacked bundle is the final bundle, and if it is the final bundle, ends the stacker process. If it is determined in Step 713 that the bundle is not the final bundle, the program proceeds to Step 715, shifts one bin, returns to Step 703, and continues the processing. If the stacker prohibition flag is present in Step 705 and the stack operation is prohibited, the program proceeds to Step 717, outputs a stack prohibition alarm to the copying machine body, and ends the processing.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart of the stacker use prohibition determination. First, in Step 1101, it is determined whether or not the stacker is full, and specifically, the number of sheets stored in the stacker up to that time: Nt and the upper limit number of stacker storage: Nu are compared. If the stack is full, no more stacking is possible, so the program proceeds to Step 1103, sets the stacker prohibition flag, and ends the processing. If it is determined in Step 1101 that the stacker is not in the full loading state, subsequent stacking is possible, and the stacker prohibition flag is reset, and the process ends.

The stacker operation will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the sheet bundle detection sensor detects a sheet bundle in Step 2001, the process proceeds to Step 2003.
If not detected in Step 2001, the presence or absence of a sheet bundle on the stacker is checked (S2025). If detected, the process returns to Step 2001. If not detected (that is, the sheet bundle on the stacker is removed). In such cases, the stacker storage number is cleared (S2027;
Nt = 0). In Step 2003, the arm swing motor is turned on, and when the bundle transport sensor detects the arm, the arm swing motor is stopped (S2005, S200).
7). Next, the bundle conveying motor is turned on (S2009), and the sheet bundle is conveyed until the sheet bundle detecting sensor detects the rear end of the sheet bundle. Then, when the sheet bundle detection sensor detects the trailing end of the sheet bundle, the bundle conveying motor is stopped (S2011, S2013), the stacking of the sheet bundle on the stacking tray is completed, and the subsequent sheet bundle is discriminated. The stacking tray is offset so that it can be performed (S201).
5). Then, the arm swing motor is turned on so that the sheet bundle can be stored again, and when the bundle receiving position sensor detects the arm, the arm swing motor is turned off (S2017, S2019, S2021). Here, the newly stored number is added as the number stored in the stacker (S2022; Nt = Nt + n). Then, a stacker storage completion signal indicating that the storage operation of the sheet bundle has been completed is output to the sorter (S2023), and St is output.
The process returns to ep2001. In this other embodiment, the system is stopped when overloading is detected. At this time, it is not determined whether the overloading state is the sheet post-processing device or the sheet bundle storage device. It is clear. For such a case, the display unit may have a portion for displaying the overloaded device.

This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, it is determined whether a signal indicating overload is output (S2101). If there is no signal, reset of each overload display is performed in Step 2109. Step2101
If yes, the process proceeds to Step 2103, where it is checked whether the overload signal is from the sorter, and if the signal is from the sorter, the sorter overload is displayed (S210).
5). If the signal is not from the sorter, the signal is from the stacker, which is the sheet bundle storage device, and the stacker overload is displayed (S2107).

By performing the same determination, even if there are a plurality of sheet bundle storage devices and a plurality of sheet post-processing devices, by providing a display unit corresponding to each of them, any of the devices may be overloaded. Can be clarified.

In the other embodiment, the system is stopped when the overload is detected. However, when it is detected that the overload is stopped, the image forming is stopped. It is also possible to perform an operation.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of the stacker use prohibition determination 2. First, in Step 2201, it is determined whether or not the stacker is full, and more specifically, the number of sheets stored in the stacker until then; Nt and the upper limit number of stacker storage; Nu, are compared. If the stack is full, no more stacking is possible, so the program proceeds to Step 2203, sets the stacker prohibition flag, and ends the processing. If it is determined in Step 2201 that the stacker is not in the full loading state, the subsequent stacking is also possible, and the stacker prohibition flag is reset (S220).
2205) Then, the stacker prohibition alarm output to the main body is canceled (S2207), and the process ends. Here, by releasing the alarm to the main body, the main body can be operated continuously, and unnecessary reduction in the success rate of image formation can be avoided.

[0116]

As described above, according to the present invention, the sheet stacking means of the collating means and the sheet stacking means are relatively moved to sequentially shift the sheet bundle on the corresponding sheet stacking means. Since the sheet bundle is conveyed and placed on the sheet bundle placing means, the transfer of the sheet bundle can be performed smoothly and reliably.

Further, when the sheet bundle on the sheet stacking means is larger than the capacity of the sheet bundle placing means, or when there is a problem such as a jam occurring when the sheet bundle is transferred to the sheet bundle placing means, the sheet bundle Is prohibited from being transported to the sheet stacking means, and the sheet bundle is kept in a state of being stored on the sheet stacking means.
Disturbance in the placement of the sheet bundle on the sheet bundle placement means can be prevented in advance, and the handling of the sheet bundle becomes convenient, and downtime due to the stoppage of the entire system is reduced, thereby improving the sheet processing efficiency. be able to.

Further, even when the first mode in which the sheet bundle is not conveyed to the sheet stacking means is selected, the binding operation of the sheet bundle by the binding means can be performed. The sorted and stapled sheet bundle can be held, the desired sheet processing operation is almost completed, and the operator can simply take out the sheet bundle from each sheet stacking unit. Is enough.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an entire image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a vertical side view of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the operation panel.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional side view of the circulating automatic document feeder.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal side view of the same sorter.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the same sorter.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bin unit.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the bin unit.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the sheet stacking device.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing the operation of the sheet bundle stacking device.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a system of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the sorter control device.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a manual stapling process.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the stacker operation.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a stacker use prohibition determination process.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a stacker use prohibition determination process.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a stacker use prohibition determination process.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a stacker use prohibition determination process.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the stacker operation.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a stacker use prohibition determination process according to the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a stacker use prohibition determination process.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a stacker use prohibition determination process.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of a sorting process.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a group process.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a stack.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of the same stack.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart of stacker use prohibition determination processing.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart of a stack.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart of overload display control.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of stacker use prohibition determination processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 image forming apparatus (main body) 300 circulating automatic document feeder 400 sorter (collating means) 412 a, 412 b electric stapler (binding means) 500 stacker (sheet bundle mounting means) 600 key group 800 main body control apparatus 900 RDF (automatic Document feeder) controller 1001 controller (CPU) B bin (sheet stacking means)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Mitsushige Murata 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. In-company (56) References JP-A-1-181678 (JP, A) JP-A-1-214578 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B65H 39/11

Claims (12)

(57) [Claims] A plurality of sheet stackers for discharging the discharged sheets;
The collating means for sorting into stages and the sheet stacking means
A binding unit that binds the stacked sheet bundle; and the binding unit that is sorted by the collating unit and bound by the binding unit.
In the sheet post-processing apparatus having a sheet bundle stacking means for receiving and stacking the sheet bundle on over preparative stacking means, and said sheet stacking means and the sheet bundle stacking means and is moved relatively one step by with the Moving means for sequentially stacking the sheet bundle of the sheet stacking means on the sheet bundle mounting means; and a sheet bundle mounting rod for stacking the sheet bundle on the sheet stacking means.
In the state before stacking on the stack, the sheet bundle
Determines whether there is a prohibition command of placing, after receiving the sheet on said sheet stacking means, the first mode is not performed the loading of the sheet bundle to the sheet bundle stacking means, or the sheet
And a mode selecting means for selecting a second mode in which the sheets are stacked on the sheet bundle mounting means after being stored in the sheet stacking means . 2. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mode selection unit selects the first or second mode based on the number set at the time of image formation. 3. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mode selection means selects the first or second mode based on the number of documents at the time of image formation. Wherein said mode selection means, prior to the time of image formation
Based on the number of sheets discharged to the collating means, the first or second
2. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first mode is selected. 5. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mode selection unit selects the first or second mode based on whether or not a mixed mode at the time of image formation. . 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mode selection unit is configured to determine whether the first mode is a jam recovery mode during image formation.
Or selecting the second mode.
A sheet post-processing device according to the above. 7. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mode selection means selects the first or second mode based on the number of sheets stored in the sheet bundle placement means. 8. A sheet post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises means for displaying the mode selected among said first and second modes. 9. have jam detection means for detecting a jam during the sheet bundle conveyance to the sheet bundle stacking means, when detecting a jam caused by the jam detecting means, wherein
2. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mode selection unit selects the first mode in which conveyance of the sheet bundle to the sheet bundle placement unit is prohibited. 10. have a disabled state display means for displaying the disabled state of the sheet bundle conveying, loading of the sheet bundle to the sheet bundle stacking means is inhibited
10. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein in the first mode, a prohibition display is performed by the prohibition state display unit. 11. A sheet bundle processed by the collating means, if it contains a different size sheets, before
2. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the mode switching unit selects a first mode in which conveyance of the sheet bundle to the sheet bundle placing unit is prohibited. 12. An image forming apparatus comprising the sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1. Description: