JP2974186B2 - Sheet post-processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to, for example, a method in which sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a laser beam printer, a printing machine and the like are classified and stored in respective bins (sheet trays) and designated number of sheets. More specifically, the present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus for creating a bundle, in which the created sheet bundle is conveyed to a separately provided tray and the bins are emptied so that a sheet bundle of a number equal to or greater than the number of the bins can be created. To a sheet conveying means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various sheet post-processing apparatuses have been proposed which are disposed on a discharge section side of an image forming apparatus and sort and store discharged sheets in respective bins (sheet trays) to form a sheet bundle. .

In some of the proposed sheet post-processing apparatuses, a sheet bundle having more than the number of bins can be created by providing a sheet conveying means. In this type of apparatus, sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus are sorted and stored on all bins, and first, a sheet bundle of the number of bins is produced. Next, the sheet conveying means discharges these sheet bundles, empties the bins, and sorts and stores the sheets again on the empty bins.

Some examples of sheet conveying means used in the above apparatus will be briefly described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 19, a sheet bundle is placed and each bin B
A sheet conveying means including a slide member 917 that slides on the sheet is disclosed. The slide member 917 has a sheet placing portion that slides in contact with the bottom surface of the bin, and an upright portion that stands up from the placing portion. The slide member 917 is provided for each bin B. Is provided. The bin B is movably supported up and down, and a push member 918 for pushing out a slide member 917 of the bin B is provided at a position facing the bin B having a predetermined height. A grip conveyor 914 and a stack tray 910 are provided on the side from which the slide member 917 is extruded, and the grip conveyor 914 grips the end of the sheet bundle placed and extruded on the slide member 917. The grip conveyor 914 is configured to place the sheet bundle on the stack tray 910.

FIG. 20 shows an L-shaped arm member 9.
5 shows a sheet conveying means provided with 51. The arm member 95
Numeral 1 is disposed outside the bin B, and is configured to be driven to rotate around a rotation center 953 by a driving unit (not shown). Note that the bin B is
Is bent downward to have an inclined portion, and a cutout portion 960 is formed so as to cover the inclined portion. That is, the arm member 9
The leading end portion 952 attached to the leading end of the bin 51 and protruding toward the bin B (downward) enters the cutout 960 without interfering with the end B ′ of the bin, and the sheet S on the bin B Is pushed out toward the stack tray 401 (for details, refer to the description of FIG. 8 ′ in the embodiment).
Further, the bin B is configured to move up and down by a pair of lead cams 40 provided on the left and right (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 3 and the like), and when the bin B moves up and down. Since the arm member 951 waits outside the bin B as shown in FIG. 20, interference with the bin B is avoided. Further, the first alignment member 38 is provided with the notch 9
60 is provided with an alignment rod 36 that swings inside the alignment rod 60.
The swinging movement of the sheet 6 aligns the ends of the sheets S placed on the bin B. Further, the arm member 951 passes through the inside of the rotation of the alignment rod 36 in order to avoid interference with the first alignment member 38.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 22, the position of the rotation center 953 of the arm member 951 is provided as close to the bin B as possible near the center of the bin in the sheet conveying direction (arrow 931 in the figure). There is a method of realizing the downsizing of the arm member 951 and the securing of the movement amount 950 of the sheet S, for example. This method is considered to be advantageous for improving the positional accuracy of the leading end 952, and also in that the moving direction of the leading end 952 is substantially the same as the sheet conveying direction (the direction of the arrow 931).

[0008]

However, the prior art has the following problems.

That is, in the sheet post-processing apparatus shown in FIG. 19, there is a problem that the cost increases because the slide member 917 is provided for each bin B. In addition, since the configuration is complicated, there are problems in reliability, durability and the like. Further, the distance between the bins must be increased by an amount corresponding to the provision of the slide member 917, so that there is a problem that the number of bins cannot be increased.

In the sheet post-processing apparatus shown in FIG. 20, the rotation center 953 of the arm member 951 must be provided at the position shown in FIG. Sheet S placed on top
Away from Therefore, the arm member 9
During the rotation of 51, a shift (angle α) occurs between the moving direction 930 of the leading end 952 and the moving direction 931 of the sheet S, and the moving amount of the sheet S is smaller than the moving amount of the leading end 952.

Further, it is necessary to secure a certain amount or more of the sheet S to be conveyed, and also to secure a certain amount or more of the movement of the arm member 951 from the standby position to the conveying position. Length (958, 9
59) is difficult to reduce. Therefore, the notch 960 of the bin B is also very large,
, The moment of inertia of the arm member 951 increases, and the position where the tip portion 952 stops in the notch 960 after rotation (ie, the position where the sheet S is pushed out) becomes inaccurate. There was a problem. Further, as the size of the arm member 951 increases, the size of the first alignment member 38 also increases.

Further, when the arm member 951 becomes longer,
It is also difficult to keep the position of the tip 952 in the height direction at a predetermined height. Therefore, to prevent interference, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the distance 963 between the arm member 951 and the bin Bc, the distal end portion 952 of the arm member 951 and the bin Bc
, And the distance 965 between the arm member 951 and the upper bin Bd, and these distances need to be increased. The interval 966 between the bins, the bin step 967, and the like increase, and the entire apparatus becomes It becomes large.

Further, as shown in FIG. 22, if the position of the rotation center 953 of the arm member 951 is provided near the center of the bin in the sheet conveying direction (arrow 931 in the figure), interference with other devices will occur. May occur. Therefore, for example, the lead cam 40 'on the back side cannot be provided at a position symmetrical to the lead cam 40 on the near side (position 955 in the drawing), and as shown in FIG.
Lead cam 4 in front and back to prevent interference with
0, 40 'has an offset form.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to reduce the size of the sheet post-processing apparatus and to improve the positional accuracy of the sheet conveying means by making the sheet conveying means compact with an appropriate link mechanism. And

[0015]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and is directed to a sheet post-processing apparatus having at least one sheet receiving tray on which discharged sheets are placed. actuating arm having an extrusion unit which abuts against the side edge of the sheet placed on the sheet receiving tray, together with the actuating arm supporting the actuating arm so as to be movable along said seat pan, the actuating arm
Rotary drive means for driving the sheet conveying means having a front
The operating arm is formed on the sheet tray,
And inner, a guide portion for defining the moving locus of the operating arm,
It is characterized by having.

In this case, the operating arm has a standby position outside the sheet tray, a pressing section which enters along the sheet tray and presses a side edge of the sheet, and the guide portion is A notch formed in the sheet tray, and the operating arm may engage with the guide only in the pressing section.

Further, a regulating member may be provided which engages with the operation arm at the standby position and positions the operation arm.

[0018]

According to the above construction, when a sheet is discharged, the sheet is placed on a sheet tray. After the sheet is placed on the sheet tray, when the rotation driving means is started based on a predetermined signal, the operation arm is driven . Then, the actuation arm moves while Accordingly being guided by the guide portion to move the placed sheets in the sheet receiving tray.

[0019]

[0020]

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

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of a copying apparatus 101 and a sheet post-processing apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a "sorter") 1 according to the present invention. The copying apparatus 101 includes a copying apparatus main body 102 and an automatic document feeder 103. First, these components will be briefly described.

The copying apparatus main body 102 has a photosensitive drum 102b at the center thereof.
Is rotatably supported by the apparatus main body 102 and is configured to be rotationally driven in a direction of an arrow by a driving unit (not shown). Around the photosensitive drum 102b, a primary charging device b1 for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 102b, and toner adheres to an electrostatic latent image (described later) formed on the photosensitive drum 102b. A developing device b2 for forming a toner image by transferring the toner image to a fed sheet S (described later);
And a cleaning device b5 for removing toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 102b, a static eliminator b7 for removing static from the photosensitive drum 1, and the like. The photosensitive drum 102b
It is configured to form a toner image thereon.

Also, on the side of the copying apparatus main body 102,
A deck 102a containing a large number of sheets S is provided, and a pickup roller R1, a feeding roller R2, a registration roller R3, and the like are provided between the deck 102a and the photosensitive drum 102b. The sheets S are fed one by one between the photosensitive drum 102b and the transfer device b3 by the pickup rollers R1 and the like. Further, the transfer device b3
A transport device R5, a fixing device 102c, a discharge roller R6, and the like are disposed on the downstream side (left side in FIG. 1), and the sheet S on which the transfer has been completed is further transported to the downstream side, and then the fixing is performed. And is discharged to the outside of the copying apparatus main body 102.

Further, an exposure device 102d is provided above the photosensitive drum 102b.
2d, the light corresponding to the original image
b to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 102b.

On the other hand, the copying apparatus main body 10 having the above configuration
An automatic document feeder 103 is provided above the document feeder 2, and the automatic document feeder 103 includes a document tray 105 on which a document E is placed. Then, the document tray 10
The document E placed on the document No. 5 is separated from the lower part in order and placed on the platen glass 106 of the copying apparatus main body 102 in the path 1.
07, is read by the exposure device 102d, and after the reading is completed, is discharged from the platen glass 106 through the path 109 onto the document E placed on the document tray 105. ing.

A folding device 600 is provided on the downstream side of the copying machine main body 102 (the side opposite to the deck 102a), and a sorter 1 is provided on the further downstream side of the folding device 600. I have.

Next, the structure of the sorter 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of the sorter 1 in detail, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the sorter 1.

The sorter 1 has a sorter body 6.
The sorter body 6 has a pair of side plates 3 (one side is not shown), a base plate 5, and a cover 4, as shown in FIG. Guide rails 7 are formed on the pair of side plates 3 along the upper and lower sides, respectively, and the bin unit 9 is attached so as to be vertically movable. The bin unit 9 has a number of bins (sheet trays) B. These bins B are configured to sequentially sort and store sheets S on which images are formed by the copying apparatus 101. I have.

The sorter main body 6 is connected to the folding device 6.
00, and a carry-in port 10 is formed in the sorter body 6 at a position facing the discharge port of the folding device 600 (FIG. 2). A first sheet conveying path 11 is formed from the carry-in entrance 10 toward the bin unit 9, and a second sheet conveying path 12 is formed by branching off from the first sheet conveying path 11. Have been. Further, an upper discharge roller pair 13 for discharging non-sorted sheets (unsorted sheets) is provided downstream of the first sheet conveyance path 11, and a sort sheet (discharged sheet) is provided downstream of the second sheet conveyance path 12. A lower discharge roller pair 15 for discharging the sheets to be sorted) is arranged (FIG. 2).

A pair of carry-in rollers 16 and a deflector 17 are arranged at a branch portion of the first and second sheet conveying paths 11 and 12, and the deflector 17 operates in a non-sort mode (a mode in which sheets are not sorted). ) Is selected, the sheet S is displaced so as to be guided to the first sheet conveying path 11, and a sort mode (a mode in which sheets are classified) is selected.
Is selected, the sheet S is displaced so as to guide the sheet S to the second sheet conveying path 12.

On the other hand, a sheet sensor (not shown) for detecting the sheet S is provided in the vicinity of the sheet discharge section of the second sheet conveying path 12.
A reed switch with a built-in photointerrupter or a transmission sensor is used. The sheet S discharged from the copier main body 102 is
In this embodiment, it is possible to measure the passage time of the sheet S and the interval (sheet interval) between the sheet S and the next sheet S. The arithmetic circuit incorporated in the copier main body 102 issues a signal for discharging the sheet S and a signal between sheets, and transmits the signal to the microcomputer in the sorter main body 6.

Next, the structure of the bin unit 9 is shown in FIG.
It is explained along. Here, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of the bin unit 9.

The bin unit 9 has a bin frame 19, and the bin frame 19 is provided with the pair of side plates 3
And a pair of upright portions 19a. A slit 41 is formed in each of the pair of upright portions 19 a, and the slit 41 is configured to extend along the guide rail 7. The pair of upright portions 19
a bottom 19b is protruded from the lower end of a.
The upright portion 19a and the bottom portion 19b form a pair of frame structures. In addition, the pair of bottom portions 19b
A pair of bin sliders 20 are attached to the ends of the pair so as to be upright so as to be parallel to the pair of upright portions 19a. Further, the upper end of the upright portion 19a and the upper end of the bin slider 20 have A bin cover 21 is attached.

Further, at a position on the lower rear side of the bin frame 19, a support plate 23 is horizontally mounted on the upright portion 19a and the bottom portion 19b, and between the support plate 23 and the bin cover 21 is provided. A first alignment member 38 is swingably interposed. The first alignment member 38 has a center bar 27, and the upper end of the center bar 27 is
And the lower end of the center bar 27 is rotatably supported by the support plate 23, respectively. A lower arm 26 extends from a lower end of the center rod 27, and a sector gear 31 is attached to the lower arm 26. An upper arm 25 extends from the upper end of the center rod 27.
An alignment rod 36 is interposed between the distal ends of the reference numerals 5 and 26.
Notches 35 are formed in each of the bins B, and the alignment rod 36 penetrates the notches 35 over all the bins B. Further, a gear 33 is rotatably supported on the support plate 23 while being meshed with the sector gear 31.
Is driven by a pulse motor 32 to swing the alignment rod 36 via the sector gear 31.

A second alignment member 155 is provided in parallel with the first alignment member 38, and the second alignment member 155 is
An upper arm 151 is rotatably supported by the bin cover 21 via a rotation center shaft 153. On the lower side of the bin frame 19, a lower arm 152 is rotatably supported via a rotation center shaft 154. An alignment rod 150 is provided between the distal ends of these arms 151 and 152.
Is interposed. Notches 157 are formed in each of the bins B, and the alignment rods 150 are formed.
Penetrates the notches 157 over all the bins B. Further, the alignment rod 150 is swung by a driving unit (not shown) so as to align the end faces of the bundle of sheets S placed on all the bins B.

On the other hand, the bins B ... stored in the bin unit 9 have one end thereof movably mounted on a comb-like groove (not shown) of the bin slider 20, and both sides of the base end. The trunnion 30 penetrating the slit 41
Are rotatably supported (FIG. 4). Here, the support structure of the trunnion 30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 shows that the trunnion 30 on one side is
The pin 140 is protruded from the base end of the bottle B as is apparent from the drawing. The trunnion 30 is attached to the pin 140 via an O-ring 141 as a cushioning material, and the trunnion 30 is slidably supported by the guide rail 7. Note that the trunnions 30 of the other bins B are also supported by the guide rails 7 similarly.
The lowermost trunnion 30 (in this configuration, the uppermost and lowermost trunnions do not have a bin) is a lower guide roller rotatably supported by an upright portion 19a of the bin frame 19 (the back side is not shown). 42 (FIG. 4) and the uppermost trunnion 30 is
By contacting the upper guide rollers 43 (FIG. 4) rotatably supported by the bins 9a, the bins B are supported by the bin unit 9 so that the bin interval is kept equal to the diameter of the trunnion 30. The bin unit 9 fits the upper guide roller 43 and the guide roller 42 into the guide rail 7 and can move up and down along the guide rail 7. In addition, a tension spring is stretched between the metal fitting fixed to the bin unit 9 and the side plate 3 so that the bin unit 9 is pulled up by its elasticity.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, a cam shaft holder 47 is attached to each of the left and right side plates 3 so as to be substantially the same height as the lower discharge roller pair 16.
The camshaft holder 47 has a lead cam (screw cam means) 4.
0 are rotatably supported. The lead cam 40 has a spiral-shaped spiral cam surface, and the trunnion 33 is configured to move on the spiral-shaped cam surface as shown in detail in FIG.

A lead cam shaft 50 as a rotating shaft of the lead cam 40 extends downward, and the lower end of the lead cam shaft 50 is connected to a stay 41 via a bearing 41, as shown in detail in FIG. 100 rotatably supported. A motor 52 is attached to the stay 100, and the driving force of the motor 52 is configured to be transmitted to the lead cam 40 via a belt 53, a pulley 51, the lead cam shaft 50, and the like. . That is,
When the lead cam 40 rotates in the forward and reverse directions by the motor 52, the trunnion 33 moves up or down along the groove of the lead cam 40 and the guide rail 7,
The bins B are configured to move up and down accordingly. For example, as shown in FIG.
In one rotation in the direction of arrow A, the trunnion 30d is moved to the position 30c in the figure of the lead cam 40, and is moved to the position 30b in the figure by another rotation. And one more
The rotation is performed to the position 30a in FIG. Further, in this embodiment, the lead cam 40 is formed in a so-called three-row type, which can be expanded between the bins B at three positions of the expanded portions X, X ', X "(FIG. 5).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, an electric stapler 200 for binding the sheet bundle discharged to the bin Bc is disposed near the lower discharge roller pair 15, and the electric stapler 200 is not shown. Is configured to be able to advance and retreat in the direction of arrow C by the driving means. That is, the electric stapler 200 is retracted to the position of 200a so as not to interfere with the bin B that moves up and down when the sheet S is discharged, and when the sheet S on the bin B is stapled, 200b Is configured to move to the position. After the binding is completed, the electric stapler 200 moves to the retreat position 200a again. As shown in FIG. 7, the electric stapler 200 is provided at two positions (200A, 200B) at right angles to the sheet S carrying direction.

The electric stapler 200 performs a stapling operation by rotation of a motor (not shown). When binding the sheets S of the plurality of bins B, the bin unit 9 moves one bin after detecting the stapling end signal of the sheets S of one bin B, and the electric stapler 200 moves
The sheet S stored in the next bin B facing the electric stapler 200 is bound. Here, bin B
As shown in detail in FIG. 5, cutout portions 160 are provided at portions where the electric stapler 200 enters, respectively.
It does not interfere with the electric stapler 200. Since the electric stapler 200 is located at two places as described above, 200A and 200A are selected by the operator.
B is operated independently (binding at one place),
Both 0A and 200B can be operated (bind binding).

Next, with respect to the sheet bundle taking-out means,
This will be described with reference to FIGS.

The sorter body 6 includes the electric stapler 2.
In a position (height) opposite to the bin Bc for performing the sheet binding at 00, the sheet take-out device (sheet conveying means) 3
00 is provided (FIGS. 7, 9, and 10), and the sheet take-out device 300 is configured to further push out the sheet S once placed on the bin B from the bin B.

The sheet take-out device 300 includes a support plate 38.
8 (see FIG. 8), and the support plate 388 is provided with a regulating member 377 having an L-shaped cross section. A rotation center shaft 301 is rotatably supported by the support plate 388, and an arm 303 'is rotatably supported by the rotation center shaft 301 (see FIG. 8). The arm 303 '
Is a motor ( rotation driving means) 37 via a gear 374 or the like.
The arm 303 ′ is rotatably supported by the arm 303 ′ via a rotation center shaft 370. Thus, the arm 3003 is supported rotatably along the bin B. The arm 303 has two positioning members 375 and 376. These positioning members 375 and 376 are rotatably supported by the arm 303, respectively, and have a small-diameter portion 375a and a central portion at the center.
It has a shape having 376a. The arm 3
An extruding rod 302 is attached to a tip end of the reference numeral 03.

As shown in detail in FIG. 10, if the diameters of the small diameter portions 375a and 376a are φd and the diameters of the large diameter portions other than the small diameter portions 375a and 376a are φD, then φd <φD. . On the other hand, assuming that the thickness of the regulating member 377 is t ₁ , the vertical width of the small-diameter portions 375 a and 376 a is t ₂ , and the thickness of the bin B is t ₃ , these t ₁ , t ₂ , and t ₃
Is set to be t ₂ > t ₁ , t ₃ .

The arm 303 and the arm 30
A spring 371 is provided between the arm 3 and the arm 3 ′, and the arm 303 is urged in a direction indicated by an arrow 372.

FIG. 8 shows the positional relationship when the arms 303 and 303 'are at the standby position.
3 shows a state in which the positioning member 3 is pressed against the regulating member 377 by the force of the spring 371, and the groove 376a of the positioning member 376 is positioned in contact with the regulating member 377. In this state, since the regulating member 377 and the groove 376a of the positioning member 376 are engaged, the movement of the sheet take-out device 300 in the direction of the arrow 379 (vertical direction) is regulated.

The sheet take-out device 300 is
The bin unit 9 always faces the bin Bc that performs sheet binding irrespective of the vertical movement of the bin unit 9, and is held at the standby position so as not to interfere with the bin unit 9 when the bin unit 9 moves up and down. I have. When the sheet is taken out, the arms 303 and 303 'are rotated, and the arms 3 and 303' are placed in the widened portion X wider than between the other bins.
03 moves so as not to interfere with the upper and lower bins Bb and Bc,
The sheet S is configured to have a pressing section for pressing the side edge. The displacement from the standby position to the pressing section is changed according to the size of the sheet S. Here, the standby position and the pressing section (maximum pushing position) are indicated by a solid line 300a and a two-dot chain line 300b in FIG. 10, respectively.

Next, the shape of the bin Bc and the engagement with the sheet take-out device 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line QQ of FIG.

At the end of the bin Bc opposed to the sheet take-out device 300, as shown in FIG.
The bin Bc is formed with a mounting surface 310 of the sheet S and an end surface 312 lower than the mounting surface 310 by a height “Z”. In addition, in bottle B,
A notch 35 through which the alignment rod 36 of the first alignment member 38 penetrates is formed, and the notch 35 is formed over the mounting surface 310 and the inclined portion 313. Then, as the arm 303 moves, the positioning member 376 and the like attached to the arm 303 enter the notch 35 without interfering with the bin Bc. Note that the cutout portion 35 is not formed at the bin end 314 due to the strength of the bin Bc. Further, the positioning member 375 has the groove 375 a formed at the edge (guide portion) 9 of the notch 35.
61 to be engaged (see FIG. 7).

Further, as shown in detail in FIG. 11, the lower end surface 311 of the push rod 302 attached to the tip of the arm 303 has a position "Y (where Y <
Z) ", and is guided to the notch 35 provided in the bin Bc by the above-described operation, and the above-described distance Y
While pushing out the sheet S.

As shown in detail in FIG. 10, a pair of grip rollers 351 and 352 are rotatably supported at the position of the leading end 320b of the moved sheet S. It is configured to be driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow in the figure. Then, based on the rotation, the sheet S is conveyed in the W direction in the drawing,
The stacker 400 is configured to be stacked on the stack tray 401. Note that the upper roller 352 is
Usually, it is located at the upper standby position 352a, and when the leading end of the sheet is detected by the detecting means K, it is lowered to the grip position 352b by the driving means (not shown) and grips the sheet S together with the lower roller 351. Have been. (The state of the sheet S is 354). The tray 401 is configured to be movable in the direction of the arrow 355 according to the stacked state of the sheets.
It can be moved (shifted) in 56 directions by a rack and a pinion.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

An image is formed in the copying apparatus main body 102, and the discharged sheet S is carried into the folding apparatus 600, and is fed through the carry-in port 10 into a non-sort mode (a mode in which sheets are not sorted) or a sort mode (a sheet). (See FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) by being guided by the deflector 17 which is displaced in the first sheet conveying path 11 or the second sheet conveying path 12.

When the non-sort mode is selected, the sheet S passes through the first sheet conveying path 11 and is discharged onto the bin cover 21 which is the first bin of the bin unit 9 by the upper discharge roller pair 13. Is stored.

On the other hand, when the sort mode is selected,
In the bin unit 9, the trunnions 30 are sequentially moved by the spiral cam of the lead cam 40 by the rotation of the lead cam 40, and three enlarged portions X, X ′, X ″ are formed at a position facing the lower discharge roller pair 15. At the same time, the upper guide roller 43 or the lower guide roller 42 is pushed and moved by the moving trunnion 30. Then, the sheet S passes through the second sheet conveying path 12 and is moved by the lower discharge roller pair 15 to the second position. The next bin B opened in order from the first bin B _1
2 , B ₃ ,... Are discharged and stored.

Then, for example, when the sheet S is discharged to the bin Bb moved to a position facing the lower discharge roller pair 15, the sheet S is disposed with the rear end stopper ST (FIG. 2) inclined downward. Rear end stopper ST on the bin Bb
Move towards.

The second alignment member 155 is moved from the standby position 155b to the reference position 155a of the sheet end surface by the motor and gear train driving means before the sheet stacking on the bin B is started. (FIG. 7) Further, the alignment rod 36 of the first alignment member 38 is moved by a predetermined amount in the direction of arrow E from the standby position 38a by the pulse motor 32 rotating based on a pulse signal corresponding to the sheet size, and the sheet S The side end is pressed against the alignment rod 150 of the second alignment member 155 (FIG. 7). After the first alignment member 38 has moved by a predetermined amount, it returns to the standby position 38a in preparation for discharging the next sheet S. At the time of such alignment work, the sheet S has been discharged from the copying apparatus main body 102 onto the bin B of the sorter 1 with reference to the line 330 on the near side (the discharge position on the near side of the sheet is constant). Just move and be aligned. At this time, even if the first alignment member 38 described above is used as the reference side and the second alignment member 155 is moved from the standby position to the alignment position in accordance with the sheet loading on the bin B and aligned, May be moved to the above-mentioned position for alignment. The above operation is repeated, and a plurality of sheets S...
55 and the rear end thereof is aligned with the rear end stopper ST of the bin B.

The alignment bar 36 of the first alignment member 38 penetrates all the bins B, and the sheets S stored in the other bins B are also aligned in the same manner.

The binding of the sheets S discharged and stored in bins B can be selected, and if the binding mode is not selected, the operation of the sorter 1 is temporarily terminated here.

When the binding mode is selected, the electric stapler 200 moves from the standby position 200a to 200b in response to a binding start signal from control means (not shown), and moves to the binding position shown by a solid line in FIG. I do.

At this time, the head portion 210 of the electric stapler 200 is, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, as shown in FIG. The anvil portion 211 enters the lower expansion portion X ″ and moves to the binding position.

When the electric stapler 200 moves to the binding position, a stapling permission signal is output from a control means (not shown), the electric stapler 200 is driven, and the sheets S are bound.

When the binding operation is completed, the electric stapler 200 is returned to the position 200a, and the binding stop for one bin is completed.

In the binding operation of a plurality of bins B, it is most efficient if the binding is sequentially performed from the last bin B in which sheets are discharged and stored. At this time, a series of operations of the electric stapler 200 are performed based on the bin shift completion signal, and the next bin shift operation is performed according to the series of operation completion signals of the electric stapler 200, and the binding stop operation is automatically performed by repeating this operation. Complete.

Now, the operator operates the bin unit 9
Has specified the creation of a bundle of copies of a number equal to or greater than the number of bins B provided in the copying apparatus 1 as described above.
02 and the sorter 1 first create a sheet bundle for the number of bins B. Then, a sheet removal signal is output from the control means, and the sheet removal operation is started.

Next, the sheet removing operation will be described.

First, the bin Bc from which a sheet is taken out moves and faces the sheet take-out device 300. Then, the second alignment member 155 rotates from the alignment reference position 155a to the standby position 155b where the second alignment member 155 does not interfere with the sheet S when being taken out.

As described above, when the bin unit 9 is moved up and down, the sheet take-out device 300 is held at the standby position 300a. At this time, the positioning is performed by the engagement between the groove 376a of the positioning member 376 and the regulating member 377.

Next, when the motor 373 is started, the arm 303 'rotates. However, the arm 303 has a spring 3
Since the groove portion 376a is urged in the direction of 372 by 71, the groove portion 376a moves while being in contact with the regulating member 377. When the arm 303 further rotates in this state, the positioning member 375 moves to the bin B side. At this time, since the inclined portion 313 is formed at the end of the bin B and the cutout portion 35 is formed at the inclined portion 313, the positioning member 375 and the like are cut without interfering with the bin Bc. It moves into the notch 35.

When the arm 303 moves further, the groove 375a of the positioning member 375 and the edge 961 of the notch 35 are newly engaged (see FIG. 7). At this time, since the arm 303 is urged by the spring 371, the groove 375a moves along the edge of the notch 35. Also, the relationship between the width t ₂ and the thickness t ₃ of the bottle Bc of the groove 375a for a t _2> t _3, the form is restricted to vertical position 379. Note that arm 3
Numeral 03 moves to a predetermined position (300b) while increasing the angle β with the arm 303 'with the central axis 370 as a fulcrum.
Further, the positioning member 375 is configured to be disengaged from the regulating member 377 after the positioning member 375 is engaged with the edge 961 of the notch 35. Groove 376
a does not come off the edge 961. Then, the sheet removing device 300 moves from the standby position 300a to a predetermined pushing position 300b corresponding to the paper size.

When the arm 303 moves in this manner, the far end 360 of the sheet S on the bin Bc is
2 and the side edge 360 is in the initial alignment position 3
It is moved from 60a to a take-out position 360b (see FIGS. 7 and 10). In FIG. 7, a solid line 320 a indicates a front end position of the sheet before movement, and is indicated by a one-dot chain line 3.
20b indicates the position after the movement. At this time, since the sheet S moves while being guided by the rear end stopper ST at the rear end of the sheet S, the sheet S does not shift on the bins B. After moving a predetermined amount of sheets, the sheet take-out device 3
00 is returned to the initial standby position 300a.

A pair of grip rollers 351 and 352 are waiting at the position of the leading end 320b of the moved sheet S, and the upper roller 352 is normally at the upper standby position 3
When the leading end of the sheet is detected by the detecting means K, the driving means moves down to the grip position 352b and the urging means grips the sheet together with the lower roller 351. Thereafter, the rollers 352 and 351 rotate in the direction of the arrow, and the sheet S is conveyed in the direction of the arrow W,
00 (the sheet S is 354).
State). The tray 401 is configured to be movable in the direction of arrow 355 according to the stacked state of sheets, and is also movable (shifted) in the direction of arrow 356 by a rack and a pinion in order to sort sheets by one bin.

Then, a new sheet S is discharged to the empty bin B where the sheet bundle is moved onto the tray 401, and a sheet bundle is created.

With the above operation, the sheet removal for one bin is completed. In the sheet taking-out work of a plurality of bins B, the sheets S are discharged and unbound when not bound.
It is most efficient if the sheets are taken out from the last bin B in which the sheets are stored, and in the case of binding, the sheets are sequentially taken out from the last bin B where the sheets S are stapled. At this time, based on the bin shift completion signal, a series of operations of the sheet take-out device 300 and the stacker 400 are performed, the next bin shift operation is performed according to the series of operation completion signals, and by repeating this, the sheet is automatically taken out. The stacking operation on the stacker is completed. Here, of course, the bin shift may be performed during sheet removal.

When the bin is moved up and down, if at least one of the first alignment member 38 and the second alignment member 155 is at the sheet alignment position, and is aligned with the movable alignment rod after the shift is completed, unbound binding is performed. Sheets do not shift on the bin.

As a result, the leading end (push rod 302) of the sheet take-out device 300 is moved up and down (in the direction of arrow 379) by the positioning members 375 and 376 when entering the bin Bc and after entering the bin Bc. Since the arm 303 is restricted, it hardly moves in that direction even when the arm 303 moves, and therefore, the bins Bb and Bc
The gap between them can be minimized.

The bin B of the sheet take-out device 300
Since the trajectory after entering c is determined by the shape of the edge 961, the trajectory of the push rod 302 can be arbitrarily determined (such as a linear shape).

Further, the positioning member 375 is urged to the edge 961 by a spring 371,
Since it does not move in nine directions (FIG. 7), the size of the notch 35 can also be minimized, and the reduction in the strength of the bin B can be minimized.

Further, the lead cam 40 is provided outside a hatched area (an area surrounded by a stackable sheet width G1 and a stackable height G2) provided in the bin in the sheet taking-out direction shown in FIG. Therefore, the sheet bundle can be taken out by a simple method while being guided by the rear end stopper ST of the bin B as described above.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a second aligning member 155 is provided on the bin frame 19 of the bin unit 9 and a first aligning member 38 including an aligning rod 36 for aligning a sheet is mounted on the bin unit 9. Therefore, the sheets S in the bin B can be surely aligned. Further, the alignment of the sheet is performed by moving the alignment rod 36 penetrating through the cut-out portion 35 provided in all the bins B... The sheet S can be aligned by moving the alignment rod 36 during the bin shift as well as after the sheet is discharged. That is, the sheet S is aligned at any time except when the sheet S is entering the bin B.

Further, in this embodiment, since the first and second alignment members 38 and 155 are moved about the rotation axis and the rotation axis is arranged integrally with the bin unit 9, the apparatus is always stable. It is possible to align the adjusted sheets.

Since the electric stapler 200 is provided with three expansion portions X, X ', X "at positions opposite to the arrangement position, the head of the electric stapler 200 is used when the electric stapler 200 stops binding sheets. Part 210 and anvil part 2
11 can easily move to the binding stop position, and the sheets can be securely bound without interfering with the sheets S stored in the lower bin B.

As described above, the above-described sheet aligning means on the bin at the time of reference to one side on the front side has been described. However, even if the sheet has a reference on the back side or is loaded onto the bin with a sheet width distribution centered on the center line. Of course it doesn't matter.

Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
It is explained along. The same parts as those in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The aligning member (sheet conveying means) 455 includes an aligning rod 456, an arm C (operation arm) 459, and an arm D
451, etc., and the arm C459 is provided with an arm D
451 are supported rotatably about a rotation center shaft 452. The arm C459 is provided with a spring 45.
4 is urged in the direction of arrow 460. The arm D451 is provided with a rotation center shaft 4 provided on the bin frame 19.
It is configured to be rotatable around a center 53 by driving means (not shown). The alignment rod 456 is attached to the tip of the arm C459, and is installed so as to penetrate the notch 470 provided in each bin B over all bins (sheet trays). An alignment reference plate 458 is provided on the opposite side of the alignment member 455 across the sheet S.

With this configuration, the alignment rod 456 of the alignment member 458 is connected to the end face (guide portion) 4 of the bin notch 470.
When the arm D 451 is rotated counterclockwise (in the direction of the arrow 462 in the figure) by the driving means (not shown), the alignment rod 456 is guided by the bin notch end surface 457 and the arrow 461 is formed. ., The sheets S on the bins B are pressed against the alignment reference plate 458, and the sheets S on all the bins B are aligned in the same manner as described above.

As a result, the cutout portions 470 of the bins B ...
Can be minimized as described above, and the shape of the bin notch end surface 457 allows the sheet S to be pushed in an arbitrary shape such as a straight line instead of the conventional circular motion.
Sheet alignment is also improved.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show a further modified embodiment, in which the alignment rod 456 of the alignment member 455 is not the notched end surface of the bin B but the end surface of the guide member 476 provided on the bin frame 19 (FIG. In this case, the guide rod 475 is guided to move the alignment bar 456 as described above. In this case, the cutout portion 470 of the bin B is slightly larger than that of the above-described embodiment, but pushes the sheet S. The direction can be set to any shape, and the matching can be performed efficiently.

In the above-described modified embodiment, the description has been given of the case where the alignment member is provided only on one side.

In the above-described embodiment, a bin moving type sorter using a lead cam has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a type in which the bins are opened and closed by a link 1000 shown in FIG. No. 58-17063), a Geneva-type sorter shown in FIG. 17 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-223768), a bottle fixed type, and a finisher having only one tray (Jpn.
No. 2-20046) and the sorter unit 9 shown in FIG.
The same effect can be obtained by using a limitless sorter 903 (Japanese Patent Application No. 2-332688) for a post-processing station section or the like that has two 00s and alternately moves between the sort station 901 and the post-processing station 902.

Further, it is a matter of course that post-processing means such as punching and gluing may be provided instead of the stapler, or a sorter or the like which does not have post-processing means such as a binding device may be used.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the movement trajectory of the operating arm is defined by the guide. Therefore, the movement amount of the operating arm can be secured by optimizing the movement locus of the operating arm and the direction in which the operating arm is driven by the rotary drive unit. For this reason, even if the rotary drive unit is arranged at a position distant from the sheet tray to some extent to avoid interference with other devices and the operating arm is made compact to some extent, it is necessary to use the sheet placed on the sheet tray. The amount of movement can be secured.

In addition, since the sheet conveying means can be provided outside the sheet tray as described above, even in a sheet post-processing apparatus having a plurality of sheet trays, the sheet tray can be moved up and down by a method. The sheets placed on each of the sheet trays can be moved by one sheet transporting means with the sheet transporting means facing all the sheet trays. Therefore, the structure of the entire apparatus becomes relatively simple, and the reliability and durability are improved. At the same time, the distance between the sheet trays becomes smaller,
A high-performance device having a large number of sheet trays can be obtained.

Further, the vertical movement of the second arm member is restricted by engagement with the guide portion, so that the distance between the upper and lower sheet trays when the second arm member moves can be reduced. Can be smaller.

Further, as described above, the second arm member and the like can be made compact, the movement trajectory of the second arm member can be regulated by the guide portion, and the first arm member and the second arm Since the members are linked, the movement trajectory of the second arm member is minimized. Therefore, even if a cutout portion is formed in the sheet receiving tray, and a pushing member attached to the second arm member is made to enter the cutout portion and push out the sheet, the cutout portion is required to be a minimum. The sheet transportability can be improved without impairing the strength of the sheet tray.

Since the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention has the above-described configuration, it is possible to obtain an excellent sheet aligning apparatus while ensuring the strength of the bin.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of a copying apparatus and a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a bin unit.

FIG. 5 is a detailed explanatory view of a lead cam.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a supporting structure of the bottle.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a bin unit.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a sheet take-out device.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a movement locus of the sheet take-out device.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line QQ in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a cross-sectional view taken along the line QQ of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing another embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing still another embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing a bin expanding mechanism.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing a bin expanding mechanism.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory view showing a bin expanding mechanism.

FIG. 19 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a first conventional example including a slide member.

FIG. 20 is a plan view showing a second conventional example.

FIG. 21 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a second conventional example.

FIG. 22 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a third conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 sheet post-processing device (sorter) 7 guide rail 15 lower discharge roller pair 30 trunnion 35 cutout portion 40 lead cam 200 electric stapler 300 sheet conveying means (sheet takeout device) 302 pushout portion (pushout rod) 303 operating arm (arm) 303 'Arm 351 Grip roller 352 Grip roller 373 Rotation driving means (motor) 375 Positioning member 376 Positioning member 377 Restriction member 400 Stacker 401 Stack tray 455 Sheet transport means (Alignment member) 456 Alignment rod 961 Guide portion (edge) B Sheet tray (bottle)

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A sheet post-processing apparatus comprising at least one sheet tray on which a discharged sheet is placed, comprising: an extruding portion which abuts a side edge of a sheet placed on the sheet tray. arms, together with the actuating arm supporting the actuating arm so as to be movable along said seat pan, a sheet conveying means including a rotary driving means, for driving the working arm, are formed on the sheet receiving tray Te, the operating arm
Guided, a guide portion for defining the moving locus of the operating arm, with a sheet post-processing apparatus, characterized in that. 2. The operating arm has a standby position outside the sheet tray, and a pressing section that enters along the sheet tray and presses a side edge of the sheet, and the guide section includes: 2. The sheet post-processing device according to claim 1, wherein the operation arm is a notch formed in the sheet tray, and the operation arm is engaged with the guide only in the pressing section. 3. 3. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a regulating member that engages with the operation arm at the standby position to position the operation arm.