JP2932616B2 - Sorter - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sorter, and more particularly to a sorter for sequentially distributing sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a laser printer to a plurality of bins.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various sorters have been provided as options in copiers in order to improve the versatility and functionality of paper handling. This type of sorter can normally be operated in a sort mode in which one copy of a document is sequentially distributed to each bin for each copy and the pages are aligned.

By the way, conventionally, if a sort mode is selected when a plurality of original groups are continuously copied, a group of copy sheets is removed from each bin each time copying of one original group is completed.
Copying had to start for another manuscript group. For this reason, as described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-15466,
After the copying of one group of originals, a sorter that copies another succeeding group of originals while holding one group of copy sheets in each bin, and stores another group of copy sheets in the remaining empty bins Are known. However, this sorter has a problem that it cannot be processed if the number of empty bins is smaller than the set number of sheets set for the subsequent another group of copy sheets. In addition, there is a limit in automatically sorting.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to continuously arrange a plurality of sheet groups,
Another object of the present invention is to provide a sorter that can automatically sort and that is easy to use.

In order to solve the above problems, a sorter according to the present invention comprises: (a) a plurality of bins for storing sheets; and (b) sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus main body. (C) means for automatically removing the accommodated sheets from each bin while conveying along the entrance side and distributing the bins to the bins in a predetermined order; and (d) empty space in which no sheets are accommodated. Means for storing the number of bins; (e) means for comparing the set number of sorts and the number of empty bins stored in the storage means when starting a sort process on a group of sheets; When it is determined by the comparing means that the set number of sheets is larger than the number of empty bins, after operating the sheet removing means to remove the sheets stored in the bins,
First control means for distributing sheets to bins by the sheet conveying means; and (g) when the comparing means judges that the number of empty bins is equal to or larger than the set number of sorts, And second control means for distributing the sheets.

In the sorter having the above configuration, when a plurality of groups of documents are continuously copied, if the sorter mode is selected for one group of documents, copy sheets are stored in bins in a predetermined order for each document, Alignment is performed. At this time, the sort set number and the current number of empty bins of the sorter are compared before the sorting process is started for the group of copy sheets. If the number of empty bins is equal to or greater than the set number of sheets, the bins already containing sheets are kept as they are, and copy sheets are sequentially stored in empty bins for each document.

Conversely, if the number of empty bins is less than the set number of sorts,
By automatically operating the sheet removing means, the sheets contained in the bins are sequentially removed to empty all the bins.
Thereafter, copy sheets are sequentially stored in each bin for each document.

Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of a sorter according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, a sorter having a sort mode and a non-sword mode will be described. However, the present invention can be applied to a sorter having a grouping mode.

[Overall Configuration] As shown in FIG. 1, a sorter (40) as an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a side of a copying machine (1).
The copier (1) has an automatic document feeder (30) (hereinafter ADF)
The sheet storage device (60) is provided adjacent to the sorter (40).

The copying machine (1) is based on a well-known electrophotography method. First, a fixed electrification is applied by a charging charger (3) on a photosensitive drum (2) driven to rotate in the direction of an arrow (a). Then, the original set at a predetermined position by the ADF (30) is subjected to slit exposure by the optical system (4) scanning in the direction of the arrow (b). As a result, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum (2) is converted into a magnetic brush type developing device (5).
Is transferred to a toner image by the transfer charger (6).

The copy sheet is selectively fed one by one from one of the elevator type and cassette type automatic paper feeders (10) and (11) in the copying machine (1), and a timing roller pair (19)
At a predetermined timing. After the transfer, the sheet is sent to the fixing device (21) by the conveyor belt (20), where the toner image is fixed, and then sent to the sorter (40) from the discharge roller pair (22). Also,
The copying machine (1) has a built-in re-feeding device (25) for performing double-sided copying and composite copying, and has a discharge roller pair (22).
A sheet conveyance switching claw (26) is provided in front of this.

On the other hand, the photosensitive drum (2) continues to rotate in the direction of the arrow (a) even after the transfer, and the blade type cleaning device (7)
The residual toner is wiped off by the, and the residual charge is erased by the eraser lamp (8) to prepare for the next copy operation.

The ADF (30) is a well-known device and has a document tray (3
1) The original placed on the upper side is fed one by one to the feed roller pair (32), and is set at a predetermined position on the original table glass (29) by rotation of the transport belt (34). After the image exposure, the document is discharged onto the discharge tray (36) through the reversing conveyance path (35) by the rotation of the conveyance belt (34).

[Schematic Configuration and Operation of Sorter] As shown in FIG. 1, the sorter (40) is, for example, a bin (50) of ten stages for sorting copy sheets.
The first bin (50) at the top is also used as a non-note tray for stacking and storing sheets as they are discharged from the copying machine (1). The sheet passing path is as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 1, and in the case of the non-sort mode, the sheet is discharged from the receiving roller pair (45) to the uppermost first bin (50) through the discharging roller (48). You. When executing the sort mode, the sheet is turned by the deflection claw (46) and is conveyed downward by the conveying roller pair (47).
The direction is appropriately changed by a deflection claw (not shown) provided opposite to each of the discharge roller pairs (48), and the bins (50) are sequentially moved upward from the tenth bin (50) at the lowermost stage through the discharge roller pairs (48). Will be contained. The rotation angles of the uppermost deflecting claw (46) and the second to ninth deflecting claws (not shown) are switched by solenoids, and the sheet guiding direction is set. However, the tenth (lowest) deflection claw is fixed at a position for guiding the sheet to the discharge roller pair (48).

The sheet storage device (60) is connected to each bin (5
0) has a tray (61) for collectively storing the sheets stored in the tray (61), and the tray (61) is attached to the chain (62). The chain (62) is connected to sprockets (6) disposed at the upper and lower portions of the sheet storage device (60).
3), (64). Sprockets (6
The tray (61) attached to the chain (62) moves up and down by 4) being rotated by a stepping motor (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 2, the bin (50) has a support shaft (51) inserted into the sorter (40) mounting side to the sorter (40) main body, and a front side (not shown) and a rear side plate (52). , And is supported rotatably around the support shaft (51). A torsion coil spring (53) is attached to both ends of the support shaft (51) (a torsion coil spring on the near side is not shown). Each bin (50) is held at the tilt angle shown in FIG. 3 while supporting the weight. A plunger of a solenoid (54) is connected to the side surface of each bin (50) near the support shaft (51). The solenoids (54) are alternately arranged on the near side and the far side of the bin (50) to prevent mutual contact. In the figure, the solenoid arranged on the back side is omitted. When each solenoid (54) is turned on, the plunger retreats downward, and the bin (50) tilts downward as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the solenoid (54) is turned off, the bin (50) returns upward by the spring force of the spring (53). Further, a light-emitting element (55) and a light-receiving element (56) are mounted on the sorter (40) body at the upper and lower portions at the center of the mounting side of the bin (50). These elements (5
5) and (56) detect whether sheets are stored in the bin (50). Therefore, each bin (50) has a hole (50a) at the position where the optical axis of the elements (55) and (56) passes.
Has been opened.

Next, the operation of the sorter (40) having the above configuration will be described.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which a group of copy sheets (P) discharged from the copying machine (1) are sorted into each bin (50) of the sorter (40). The group of sheets (P) is sequentially stored from the lower bin (50) to the upper bin (50) for each document, and the pages are aligned. At this time, before starting the sorting process on the group of sheets (P), the sort set number input by the operator on the operation panel (120) described below and the current number of empty bins (50) are set. Are compared, and if the number of empty bins is equal to or larger than the set number of sorts, each bin (50) already containing the sheet (P) is kept as it is. Then, the group of sheets (P) is sequentially stored from the lower empty bin (50) to the upper empty bin (50) for each document, and the pages are aligned.

Conversely, if the number of empty bins (50) is less than the set number of sorts, first, as shown in FIG. 4, current is applied to a solenoid (not shown) attached to the tenth bin (50) at the bottom. Is flown and turned on. The plunger of the solenoid is retracted downward, the tenth bin (50) is pivoted about the support shaft (51), and the tenth bin (50) is inclined downward to the right as shown in FIG. become. The sheet (P) stored in the tenth bin (50) slides down from the tenth bin (50) and is stored on the tray (61) of the sheet storage device (60). Next, the sheet (P) stored in the ninth bin (50) in the second row from the bottom is similarly stored on the tray (61) of the sheet storage device (60). At this time, the tray (61) controls the ninth bin (50) by controlling the stepping motor.
Is lifted to a position where it can easily receive the sheet (P) that has slid down. Hereinafter, the sheets (P) stored in the lower bin (50) are sequentially removed, and all the bins (50) are emptied. Whether or not all the bins (50) are empty is detected by the light receiving element (56) of the light emitting element (55). When all bins (50) are empty, the supply of current to the solenoid (54) is stopped and each bin (50) returns to its original position as shown in FIG. Therefore, since the current flows in a short time in the solenoid (54) attached to the upper bin (50), a smaller one can be used as the upper solenoid (54) and the cost is reduced. On the other hand, the tray (61) of the sheet storage device (60) also descends to its original position. Next to the sorter (40) where all the bins (50) are empty, a group of sheets
10 bins (50) are sequentially stored in the upper bin (50).

In this way, when a plurality of sheet groups are sorted, the operator does not need to remove sheets from the sorter for each group of sheets as in the related art, and continuous and automatic sorting can be performed.

[Operation Panel] As shown in FIG. 5, the operation panel (120)
0) The print key (121) for starting the copy operation when not used, the interrupt key (122) for temporarily suspending the multi-copy operation, and the clear / key for stopping the copy operation or canceling the numerical value. Stop key (12
3), a numeric keypad group (124) for setting the number of multi-copy, etc., a display unit (125) for displaying the number of copies and the state of the copier (1), and an up / down key (125) for setting the copy density. 126), (127) and their display LEDs (1
28) Sheet selection key (129) for selecting copy sheet size and its display LED group (130), magnification selection key group (131) for selecting copy magnification and its display LED group (132), non-sort A mode selection key (133) for selecting one of the mode and the sort mode, and display LEDs (134) and (135) thereof are provided.

[Control Circuit] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control circuit configuration of a copying machine (1) including the sorter according to the present invention.

The operator inputs necessary copy information to the CPU (200) of the copier (1) by using a group of keys on the operation panel (120).
Number of copies and copy machine (1) sent from CPU (200)
Information such as the state of the device is known from the display LED of the operation panel (120). The CPU (200) exchanges signals with the copy process (202) to control the copy process (202). This C
The PU (200) exchanges signals with the CPU (203) of the sorter (40). Further, the CPU (203) transmits and receives signals to and from the sorter process (204) and the sheet storage device process (205), and controls these processes.

[Control Procedure] Next, the copier (1) and the sorter (4
The control procedure (0) will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11. By the way, in the following description, on-edge means that switches, sensors, signals, and the like are switched from off to on, and off-edge is that switches, sensors, signals, and the like are switched from on to off. Means

Fig. 7 shows the CPU (203) of the sorter (40), which is the center of control.
The main routine of FIG.

When the CPU (203) is reset and the program starts, in step (S1), the random access memory is cleared, various registers are initialized, and initial settings for setting each device to the initial mode are performed. Next, the internal timer is started in step (S2). This internal timer determines the time required for the main routine, and its value is set in advance in the initial setting of step (S1).

Next, in steps (S3) to (S6), subroutines to be described in detail below are sequentially called, and when processing of all subroutines is completed, in step (S7), the end of the internal timer is awaited. Return to S2). Various timers in each subroutine are counted using the length of time of this one routine.

FIG. 8 shows a subroutine of the numerical comparison executed in the step (S3).

First, in step (S10), it is determined whether the copy start switch (121) of the copying machine (1) is on edge.
This is from the CPU (200) of the copier (1) to the CP of the sorter (40).
The determination is made based on the signal transmitted to U (203). If it is determined that the switch (120) is on-edge, it is determined in step (S11) whether or not the operator has selected the sword mode with the mode selection key (135). If the sword mode has not been selected, the sheet discharge flag is reset to "0" in step (S16). When the sheet discharge flag is set to "1", it instructs a process for removing the sheet (P) from each bin (50) of the sorter (40).
If the sort mode is selected, whether or not the sheet (P) is present in the bin (50) is detected by the light-emitting element (55) and the light-receiving element (56) in step (S12). If it is determined that there is no sheet (P) in step (S1)
In step 3), the sheet discharge flag is reset to "0", the value of the discharge bin counter is set to "10" in step (S14), and the value of the number of used bins is set to "0" in step (S15).
Reset to. The discharge bin counter is for specifying the bin (50) for discharging sheets from now on.
For example, if it is set to “10”, the 10th bin (5
Specify to accommodate the sheet in 0). The number of used bins means the number of bins in which sheets (P) are currently stored,
The value obtained by subtracting the number of used bins from “10” is the number of empty bins. Next, the CPU (203) transmits a copy permission signal to the CPU (200) of the copying machine (1) in step (S19). The CPU (200) having received the transmission controls the copying process (202) to start copying.

If it is determined in step (S12) that there is a sheet (P) in the bin (50), in step (S17) the operator compares the number of sorts set by the numeric keypad group (124) with the current number of empty bins. I do. Therefore, if the number of empty bins is equal to or larger than the set number of sheets, the sheet discharge flag is reset to "0" in step (S18), and the copy permission signal is sent to the CPU (200) of the copying machine (1) in step (S19). Send.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (S17) that the set number of sheets is larger than the number of empty bins, the sheet discharge flag is set to "1" in step (S20) in order to remove the sheet (P) in each bin (50). , And transmits a copy inhibition signal to the CPU (200) of the copying machine (1) in step (S21). The CPU (200) that has received the transmission waits without transmitting a copy start signal to the copy process (202).

When it is determined in step (S10) that the copy start switch (121) is not on-edge, and when the sheet discharge flag is determined to be off-edge in step (S22), that is, once the sheet discharge is performed in step (S20). After the flag is set to “1”, when it is determined that the sheet discharge subroutine of step (S4) described later has been executed (the sheet (P) has been removed from all the bins (50)), Move to step (S17). Step (S
When it is determined in step 22) that the sheet discharge flag is not off-edge, that is, the sheet discharge subroutine has not been completely executed (the sheet (P) has not yet been output from all bins (50)).
Is not removed), the process returns to the main routine, and the step (S4) is executed again.

FIG. 9 shows a sheet discharging subroutine executed in step (S4) of the main routine.

First, in step (S30), the sheet discharge flag is set to "1".
It is determined whether or not the bin solenoid (54) is set to "1". In step (S31), a current is supplied to the bin solenoid (54) indicated by the value of the inclined bin counter, and the bin solenoid (54) is turned on for a predetermined time. . This inclined bin counter is used to designate a bin (50) from which a sheet (P) is to be removed, and "10" is input as an initial value. Therefore,
First, the solenoid (54) attached to the 10th bin (50) at the bottom is turned on first, the 10th bin (50) is inclined, and the accommodated sheet (P) slides down and the sheet (P) slides down. It is stored on the tray (61) of the storage device (60).

Next, in step (S32), it is determined whether the bin inclined in step (S31) is the last bin to be inclined. This determination is made by detecting whether or not all the bins (50) are empty by the light emitting element (55) and the light receiving element (56). If it is determined that the bin is not the last bin, a value obtained by subtracting "1" from the value of the inclined bin counter is set in step (S33). That is, the bin to be tilted next is controlled so as to be the next higher bin. Next, step (S3
In step 4), the storage tray (62) is raised by one hin to prepare for storage of the next sheet (P) to be slid down. Step again (S3
Returning to 1), the above operation is repeated until it is determined in step (S32) that the inclined bin is the last bin to be inclined, that is, until all the bins (50) are empty.

In step (S32), if it is determined in step (S31) that the inclined bin is the last bin to be inclined, the current supply to all bin solenoids (54) is stopped in step (S35). The bin solenoid (54) is turned off, and each bin (50) returns to its original position. Subsequently, in step (S36), the value of the inclined bin counter is set to “10”.
And the sheet discharge flag is reset to "0" in step (S37). Further, in step (S38), the numerical value of the discharge bin counter is set to "10", and step (S38)
In step 39), reset the number of bins used to “0”. As a result, the first bin for sorting becomes the tenth bin.

If it is determined in step (S30) that the sheet discharge flag is "0", the process immediately returns to the main routine.

FIG. 10 shows a sheet accommodation subroutine executed in the step (S5).

In step (S40), it is determined whether or not the sort mode has been selected. If so, the sheet (P) discharged from the discharge roller (22) of the copying machine (1) in step (S41) is discharged. It is stored in the bin (50) indicated by the value of the pin counter. Next, in step (S42), it is determined whether or not all the sheets (P) for the set number of copies of the copying machine (1) have been accommodated in each bin (50). The information for the determination is the CPU (200) and the sorter (40) of the copying machine (1) shown in FIG.
Communication with the CPU (203). If all the sheets (P) for the set number of copies are accommodated in each bin (50), the number of bins (50) used in step (S43) is stored, and in step (S44), the mathematical operation of the discharge bin counter is performed. It returns to the number of the sort start bin (50) that has just been executed, and prepares for the subsequent copying operation of the original belonging to the same group. Step (S4
In 2), all sheets (P) for the set number of copies are stored in each bin (5
If it is determined that it is not stored in (0), step (S4
In step 5), the value of the discharge bin counter is reduced by “1”. That is, the bin (5) from which the next sheet (P) is discharged
0) is controlled to be the bin (50) one level higher.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (S40) that the sort mode has not been selected, the sheet (P) discharged from the copying machine (1) is transferred to the first bin (50) as a non-sort tray in step (S46). The processing for accommodating in the storage is performed.

FIG. 11 shows a subroutine for sorting end check executed in step (S6) of the main routine.

First, it is checked in step (S50) whether or not the sorting process for one document group has been completed. When sorting is finished,
That is, when the set number of copies of the copying machine (1) is cleared (or changed), or when the original tray (3
1) When all the originals placed on the upper side have been supplied, in step (S51), the value of the output bin counter is changed to the empty bin (50).
Is set to the same numerical value as the bottom bin number. For example, when the copy sheets (P) of one document group are sorted into the tenth to eighth bins (50), the numerical value of the discharge bin counter is set to the same numerical value as the number of the seventh bin (50). Therefore, the subsequent copy sheets (P) of another original group are sorted from the seventh bin (50).

If it is determined in step (S50) that the sorting of one document group has not been completed, the process immediately returns to the main routine and continues the sorting process.

[Other Embodiments] The sorter according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be variously modified within the scope of the gist.

The sheet accommodating device (60) is for accommodating the sheet (P) slid down from the bin (50) with good consistency. Therefore, when the consistency of the sheet (P) is not a problem, the tray is placed on the floor below the bin (50) without using the sheet storage device (60), and the sheet (P) is placed on the tray. May be accommodated.

In addition, the method of taking out the sheet (P) from the bin may be a method of retracting the bin in the horizontal direction and dropping the sheet (P) directly below.

Furthermore, when the sheets (P) are slid down or dropped from the bins, the bins may be alternately displaced left and right (or back and forth) so that the accommodated sheets (P) are sorted for each bin. .

Effects of the Invention As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the sort set number and the current empty bin number are compared when starting the sort process on a group of sheets, and the sort set number is empty. If the number of bins is larger than the number of bins, the sheet removing unit is operated to remove the sheets stored in the bins, and then distribute the sheets to the bins. Even if a selection is made, the operator does not need to frequently remove sheets from the bin of the sorter as in the prior art, so that a sorter can be continuously and automatically sorted, and a user-friendly sorter can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 shows an embodiment of a sorter according to the present invention, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the entire structure including a copying machine, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of a bottle, and FIG. 3 and FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view of an operation panel, FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of a copying machine and a sorter, FIG. 7, FIG.
FIG. 10, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are flowcharts showing the control procedure. (1) Copier (40) Sorter (45) Receiving roller pair (46) Deflection claw (47) Transport roller pair (50) Bin (53) ) …… Torsion coil spring, (5
4) Solenoid (55) Light-emitting element (56)
Light receiving element, (200), (203) ... CPU, (P) ... copy sheet.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-63-179370 (JP, A) JP-A-63-267667 (JP, A) JP-A-59-77458 (JP, A) JP-A-62 12571 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B65H 39/11 B65H 31/30

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A plurality of bins for accommodating sheets; sheet conveying means for distributing sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus main body along predetermined positions while conveying the sheets along an entrance side of the bins; Means for automatically removing the accommodated sheets from each bin; means for storing the number of empty bins in which no sheets are accommodated; and setting a sort set number when starting a sort process on a group of sheets. Means for comparing the number of empty bins stored in the storage means, and when the comparison means determines that the set number of sheets is larger than the number of empty bins, the sheet removing means is operated to accommodate the bins. A first control unit for distributing the sheets to the bins by the sheet conveying unit after removing the sheets that have been removed; and a case where the number of empty bins is determined to be equal to or larger than the set number of sorts by the comparing unit. Sorter, characterized in that it comprises a second control means for distributing the sheets into empty bottles, by chromatography preparative conveying means.