JP3021929B2 - Paper handling equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bin which can be connected to a main body of an apparatus for forming an image and in which paper discharged from the main body of the apparatus is placed, and at least two types of paper loaded in the bin. The present invention relates to a paper processing apparatus having a paper processing unit that enables paper processing, and a control unit that automatically executes paper processing in a selected paper processing mode in accordance with image formation. The present invention relates to a paper processing apparatus capable of performing paper processing on paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, there has been proposed a sorter having a so-called sheet processing unit for performing a sheet process on a sheet discharged to each bin of a sorter connected to a sheet discharge side of an image forming apparatus with a stapler or a punch. I have.

Recently, there has been an increasing need for an apparatus that can manually set paper in a bin and perform paper processing on the paper using a paper processing unit such as the stapler or punch.

In this case, in addition to a key for selecting the type (mode) of paper processing provided on the image forming apparatus main body in consideration of operability, a key for selecting a paper processing mode in a paper processing unit, It is also conceivable to provide a key or the like for instructing execution of paper processing.

[0005]

However, if the above configuration is employed, it is necessary to provide a paper processing mode selection key, an execution instruction key, and its wiring for the paper processing mode. The number of various keys increases, which complicates. For this reason, there is a possibility that various keys may be operated by mistake.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and provides a paper processing apparatus which is simple and inexpensive by reducing the number of keys for paper processing, and which prevents erroneous designation of a paper processing mode. The purpose is to:

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, an image is formed in response to a start instruction and can be connected to an apparatus main body having a paper processing mode selection operation unit. A sort bin on which sheets discharged from the apparatus main body are sequentially stacked; a sheet processing unit for performing at least two types of sheet processing on the sheets stacked on the sort bin; A sheet processing apparatus having control means for automatically executing sheet processing in a mode, an instruction operation section for instructing execution of a sheet processing mode selected by a selection operation section of the apparatus main body, and a sheet manually fed onto the sort bin. Detecting means for detecting that the sheet has been placed, wherein the control means provides an instruction from the instruction operation unit on condition that the paper is placed on the sort bin. It is characterized in that the sheet placed on the sort bins depending those subjected to sheet processing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display unit for displaying the sheet processing mode selected by the selection operation unit.

[0009]

According to the paper processing apparatus of the first aspect, when a start instruction is issued from the apparatus main body in a state where the paper processing mode is selected by the selection operation section of the apparatus main body, the image is formed and formed. After the transferred image is transferred to a sheet, it is sequentially discharged to a sort bin. Then, according to the selected paper processing mode, one or a required number of processings of at least two or more types of paper processing such as stapling and punching are performed on the paper discharged from the apparatus main body. On the other hand, irrespective of image formation, when paper processing is desired, a desired paper processing mode is selected by a selection operation section of the apparatus main body, and then paper is placed on a sort bin before or before the mode selection. When the sheet is detected by the detecting means, the sheet processing apparatus receives an instruction from an instruction operation unit of the sheet processing apparatus, and performs the same process as the sheet processing performed along with the image formation to remove the sheet placed manually. Paper processing is also performed.

Further, according to the paper processing apparatus of the second aspect,
Since the selected paper processing mode is displayed on the display unit of the paper processing apparatus, it is easy to confirm the selected paper processing mode.

[0011]

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an entire image forming apparatus 2 to which a sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied. The image forming apparatus 2 includes an automatic document feeder 3, cabinets 9, 10, 11 and the like in addition to an image forming unit. The sorter 1 includes a bin unit 15 and a paper processing unit described below, a paper discharge unit 17 at an upper part, and an operation panel 14 at an upper front part.

The image forming apparatus 2 is provided with a contact glass (not shown) at the center of the upper surface, and an optical system for optically scanning an original, a photosensitive drum, and an image forming apparatus provided around the photosensitive drum. And other components such as an image forming means having transfer members and a transfer paper transport system. The document to be copied is placed on a contact glass with its copy surface facing down, and the document surface is optically scanned by the optical system. Next, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum by the image forming means based on the reflected light from the document surface, and further developed into a toner image. The developed toner image is transferred onto a transfer sheet, and is fixed on the transfer sheet by a fixing unit, and the fixed transfer sheet is discharged to the sorter 1.

The automatic document feeder 3 automatically feeds a document, and includes a document placing section 4, a document loading section 5, a document transport section 6, and a document loading section 7. Then, the original placed on the original placing section 4 is automatically moved one by one from the original loading section 5 to a predetermined position on the contact glass by the original transport section 6 and temporarily stopped. 7
To be carried out. The cabinets 9, 10, and 11 are for storing transfer paper, and are capable of setting paper of different sizes.

At the upper front of the image forming apparatus 2, operation panels 12, 13 and the like are provided. Operation panel 12
The operation panel 13 includes a copy switch, an instruction switch for indicating the number of copies, etc., and a display unit for displaying setting contents.
Are provided with sheet processing selection keys 13a and 13b (FIG. 4) for selecting each processing position (sheet processing mode) such as stapling and punching standardized into a plurality of types. The sheet processing selection key 13a is a key capable of cyclically selecting three types of staple processing on the operation panel 13.

The paper discharge section 17 discharges transfer paper when sorting is not performed.

As shown in FIG. 5, the operation panel 14 has a display section 14a and a sheet processing execution key 14b. The display section 14a includes display lamps 141a and 142a and the like. Displays the paper processing mode selected. For example, when the staple processing is selected as the paper processing mode, the display lamp 141a is turned on, and when the punch processing is selected, the display lamp 142a is turned on. When the sheet processing mode in which the staple process and the punch process are performed is selected, the display lamps 141a and 142a are turned on. The paper processing execution key 14b is for instructing execution of the selected paper processing mode.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the inside of the sorter 1, which is provided with a bin unit 15, a column 23, a sheet processing device 28 and the like. The bin unit 15 is provided with a plurality of bins 16 for discharging sorted transfer paper in a stepped manner.

At the upper end and the lower end of the bin unit 15, a paper sensor 18 such as a photo interrupter comprising a light emitting portion 18a and a light receiving portion 18b is provided. There are formed through holes (not shown) through which the light passes through. When a sheet is placed on the bin 16, the light from the sheet sensor 18 is shut off, whereby the sheet sensor 18 detects the sheet on the bin 16.

The cylinder 23 raises and lowers the bin 16, and is arranged upright on both sides of the bin unit 15. A spiral groove 24 is formed on the peripheral surface. Column 23
The lower end of is a timing belt 231, bevel gear 232,
233 and a timing belt 234 to the drive motor 230. A pulse plate 23 for detecting the rotation angle of the cylinder 23 is provided at an appropriate position below the cylinder 23.
5 and a rotation sensor 236 are provided. When the drive motor 230 is driven, the driving force is transmitted to the cylinder 23 via the timing belt 234, the bevel gears 233, 232, and the timing belt 231.
3 is driven to rotate.

The bin 16 is provided such that a first pin 20, a second pin 21, and a third pin 22 project outward on both sides in the width direction. The first pin 20 is fitted into a groove (not shown) provided with a slight inclination in the right direction in the drawing with respect to the inside of the left and right side plates of the bin unit 15, and the second pin 21 is And is supported in a vertically movable manner. Third
The pin 22 is provided at a predetermined interval on the right side of the second pin 21 in the drawing.

Each of the bins 16 has a column 23
By rotating by degrees, the transfer paper is moved upward or downward one by one in synchronization with the discharge timing of the transfer paper. In addition, when the sheet processing such as stapling or punching is performed on each transfer sheet after the sorting is completed, the cylinder 23 is rotated and stopped at a predetermined stop angle, so that each bin on which the sheet processing is performed is performed. Are raised and lowered one by one to a specific position for that purpose. In this state, when the third pin 22 is pushed by the driving means (not shown), the third pin 22 is retracted to the position of the sheet processing device 28 along the inclination of the guide rail (not shown). Further, after the paper processing, the second pin 21 is pushed by the driving means, so as to advance to the groove 24 of the cylinder 23 along the guide rail.

The bottle 16 is made of synthetic resin or the like.
It is provided at the flat plate portion 26 on which the paper is placed and at the rear end thereof,
A stopper 25 regulates and aligns the rear end of the sheet. The stopper 25 is rotated downward by rotating means (not shown) to open the rear end of the bin 16 when performing the paper processing.

The paper processing device 28 is a punch 4 for performing processing such as punching and stapling on the transfer paper placed in the bin 16.
The support frame 29 is mounted on the support frame 29 with a stapler 41 or a stapler 41 or the like. The support frame 29 has a shaft 3 on the front end side.
The support frame 29 is slidably supported on a rail 31 by a roller 29a disposed at the rear end of the support frame 29. The shaft 30 and the rail 31 extend in the width direction of the bin unit 15, that is, the bin 16
The support frame 29 reciprocates on the shaft 30 and the rail 31 so that the paper processing device 28 can perform paper processing at an arbitrary position on the rear end side of the transfer paper. It has become. Also, the support frame 29
Is fixed by a wire 29b, which is connected to a pulley 32a of a motor 32 via a roller 29c.

Then, the wire 29b is driven by the motor 32.
Is driven, the support frame 29 is reciprocated. The sheet processing device 28 is detachable from the support frame 29. Also, punch 4
The punch waste from 0 is stored in the storage box 19.

Next, the configuration of a paper processing control system will be described with reference to FIG. This control system includes a memory 160 and a control unit 161. The memory 160 is a ROM, R
AM, etc., staples standardized in multiple types,
Each processing position of a punch or the like, a control program, and the like are stored.

The control section 161 is connected to the main body control section 162 for controlling the optical system and image forming means of the image forming apparatus 2, and detects the detection result of the sheet sensor 18, the sheet processing execution key 14b and the sheet processing selection key. The punch 4 and the sheet processing device 28 of the stapler 41, the motor 230, and the like are controlled so as to perform required sheet processing according to the operation contents of 13a and 13b. The control unit 161 controls the display on the display unit 14a in accordance with the detection result of the paper sensor 18 and the operation of the paper processing execution key 14b and the like.

Next, the operation of the control section 161 when performing sheet processing on the transfer sheets stacked in the bin 16 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the case of only the transfer (copy) process, the transfer process and sorting are performed immediately after the copy switch is operated after the number of copies is instructed by the operation panel 12.

In the flowchart of FIG. 6, first, it is determined whether or not the paper processing selection keys 13a and 13b of the image forming apparatus 2 are operated to select a mode to be processed (step S1). 13b
(Step S1: NO).

Then, the paper processing selection keys 13a, 13b
When, for example, punch processing is selected (step S
(YES at 1), it is determined whether or not the number of copies is instructed by the operation panel 12 and the copy switch is operated (step S2). At this time, if the copy switch or the like is operated (YES in step S2), the original is transferred to the transfer paper by the image forming apparatus 2 and discharged to the sorter 1, and is sequentially sorted into each bin 16 in order to perform the copy processing. (Step S3).

On the other hand, if the copy switch or the like is not operated in step S2 (NO in step S2), bin 1
It is determined whether the paper sensor 18 has detected the paper in order to perform the paper processing on the paper that has been manually inserted into the sheet 6 (step S4). At this time, if no paper is set in the bin 16 (NO in step S4), the display unit 14
A is displayed, indicating that a is not lit, blinking, or that no paper is set (step S5). Thereafter, the process returns to step S4.

On the other hand, if paper is set in the bin 16 in step S4, the paper is detected by the paper sensor 18 (YES in step S4), and the paper processing selection key 13
The display lamps 141a and 142a are turned on in accordance with the paper processing mode selected by a and 13b (step S).
6). Thus, the selected paper processing mode can be confirmed.

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the paper processing execution key 14b is operated (step S7), and the process waits until the paper processing execution key 14b is operated (step S7).
NO). When the sheet processing execution key 14b is operated (YES in step S7), the sheet processing in the sheet processing mode (for example, punching) selected by the sheet processing selection keys 13a and 13b is performed (step S7).
8).

As described above, the paper processing mode is selected on the operation panel 13 of the image forming apparatus main body even during manual feeding, and the selected paper processing mode is confirmed on the display unit 14a on the paper processing unit side. Since the paper processing in the selected paper processing mode is performed by operating the processing execution key 14b, erroneous operation can be prevented. Also, since the key on the paper processing unit is only the paper processing execution key 14b, the number of components of the sorter 1 can be reduced.

[0034]

According to the present invention, since the execution of the paper processing mode selected by the selection operation unit of the apparatus main body is instructed by the instruction operation unit of the paper processing unit, various keys for paper processing can be reduced and simplified. In addition, the configuration can be reduced.

Also, since the selected paper processing mode is displayed, the selected paper processing mode can be confirmed, and erroneous designation of the paper processing mode can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an entire image forming apparatus and a sorter.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing an internal configuration of a sorter.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the sorter.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an operation panel of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an operation panel of the sorter.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when performing paper processing on transfer paper on a bin.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 sorter 2 image forming apparatus 13 operation panel 13a, 13b paper processing selection key 14 operation panel 14a display unit 14b paper processing execution key 16 bin 18 paper sensor 40 punch 41 stapler 160 memory 161 control unit 162 main body control unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Toru Himegi 1-2-2, Tamazo, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi Inside Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Yoshio Sugishima 1-2-28, Tamazo, Chuo-ku, Osaka Mita Kogyo (72) Inventor Shinwa Otsuka No. 1-2-28 Tamazo, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi Inside Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takatoshi Nishimura 1-2-28 Tamatsuzo, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd. 72) Inventor Kenichi Honda 4-1-1, Sachimachi, Sachi-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture (72) Inventor Shoichiro Tajima 3481-3, Kamizuruma, Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture 2 (72) Inventor Keiichi Asano 7, Higashi Oizumi 7, Nerima-ku, Tokyo JP-A-2-123074 (JP, A) JP-A-63-139873 (JP, A) JP-A-2-56368 (JP, A) JP-A-1-236164 (JP) , A) Open flat 2-38265 (JP, A) JP flat 4-43092 (JP, A) JP flat 2-23155 (JP, A)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a sorting bin configured to form an image in response to a start instruction, to be connected to an apparatus main body having a paper processing mode selection operation unit, and to sequentially stack sheets discharged from the apparatus main body; In a paper processing apparatus having a paper processing unit that can perform at least two types of paper processing on paper stacked in a sort bin, and a control unit that automatically performs paper processing in a selected paper processing mode with image formation. A single operation unit for instructing execution of the paper processing mode selected by the selection operation unit of the apparatus main body; and a detection unit for detecting that a sheet is manually placed on the sort bin. The control means performs a sheet process on the sheet placed on the sort bin in accordance with an instruction from the instruction operation unit, on condition that the sheet is placed on the sort bin. A sheet processing apparatus characterized in that it is a paper processing apparatus. 2. The paper processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
A sheet processing apparatus comprising: a display unit for displaying a sheet processing mode selected by the selection operation unit.