JP3296136B2 - Image forming system and finisher - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming system and an image forming system.
The present invention relates to a finisher , particularly to an image forming system and a finisher in which an image forming main body such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a laser printer is combined with a finisher for sorting and binding sheets discharged from the main body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, various finishers have been provided for sorting a desired number of copies of an image-formed sheet discharged from a copying machine or performing stapling. Further, in recent years, with the diversification of processing contents, a paper folding process of folding a sheet in two and performing bag binding or Z-folding the sheet has been proposed. In a finisher in which the conventional sheet folding process and the stapling process are combined, the stapling process is performed regardless of whether the sheet is a sheet that has been folded.

[0003]

By the way, when the paper folding process is performed, even if the same number of sheets are not folded in the stapling process, the thickness is about twice as large in the case of the double folding, and the Z-folding is performed. In this case, the thickness becomes about three times. On the other hand, the stapler has a fixed allowable number of staples, but it is necessary to determine the allowable number of sheets based on the actual thickness of the sheet bundle in consideration of not only the number of sheets but also the form of the sheet folding process when performing the sheet folding process. That is, simply determining whether to permit or prohibit the stapling process based only on the number of sheets causes a sheet bundle that is folded and has a substantially large thickness to be subjected to the stapling process. Or stapler operation failure.
Further, in the case of adopting the mode of transporting the sheet bundle, the thick sheet bundle is always in improper contact with the transport guide member, and a transport failure / inability such as skew or deviation of the sheet occurs.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system capable of reliably performing stapling processing on a sheet that has been subjected to a sheet folding process and not causing a problem in the conveyance of a sheet bundle.
And a finisher .

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming system and a finisher according to the present invention provide a sheet folding means for folding a sheet and a stapling means for stapling a sheet bundle. A first processing mode in which the stacked sheet bundle is bound by the stapling means without performing the sheet folding process, and a second processing mode in which the stacked sheet bundle is subjected to the sheet folding process by the stapling means.
Processing mode and paper that has not been folded
A third process in which the stacked sheets are mixed and bound by stapling means.
And a setting means for selectively setting the allowable number of sheets for stapling processing. This setting means sets a predetermined allowable number when the first processing mode is executed, and sets a smaller allowable number when the second processing mode is executed than when the first processing mode is executed. When the third processing mode is executed
Set the same allowable number of sheets as when executing the second processing mode.
You. Further, an image forming system according to the present invention includes an image forming apparatus main body and the finisher.

According to the present invention, the allowable number of staples is set to a smaller number when the sheet folding process is performed than when the sheet folding process is not performed. Processing does not become defective / impossible, and does not hinder conveyance of the sheet bundle. In particular, in the case where the folded sheet and the non-folded sheet are mixed, the thickness (permissible number) of the sheet bundle actually changes depending on the number of the folded sheets. The thickness of the sheet bundle varies depending on the humidity and the state of folding. However, in the present invention, if at least one sheet that has been folded is mixed, the allowable number of staples is set to the same allowable number as when the second processing mode in which the sheet folding is performed is executed. Staple processing can be performed, and transport failure / impossibility of a bundle of sheets can be prevented.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image forming system and a printer according to the present invention will be described.
An embodiment of the finisher will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. (Copying System) FIG. 1 shows a copying system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It comprises a copying machine 10 and a finisher 40. The copier 10 forms an image on a sheet by a well-known electrophotographic method, and discharges the copied sheets one by one from the sheet discharging unit 11 with the image forming surface facing upward. An automatic document feeder 20 (hereinafter, referred to as ADF) is mounted on the upper part of the copying machine 10. The ADF 20 feeds a group of documents set on the tray 21 one by one onto a platen glass (not shown) of the copying machine 10, and after completion of image reading, transfers the documents to the tray 22.
Discharge / load on top. The image of the document set on the platen glass automatically by the ADF 20 or manually by the operator is read by an image reader (not shown) built in the copier 10, converted into digital data, and converted into digital data. Is stored in the memory. The copy operation is executed by reading out the image data and adding necessary editing. In particular, the control unit performs a process of copying a document by changing the page order thereof, an image inversion process of rotating a document image by 180 ° to copy, a process of arranging and copying two document images on one sheet, Double-sided copying or the like for copying on the front and back sides is possible.

(Schematic Configuration of Finisher) As shown in FIG. 1, the finisher 40 includes a non-sort tray 401 for stacking and storing sheets discharged from the copying machine 10, and a processing unit 41 for stacking and stapling the sheets. And a storage section 46 for storing a bundle of sheets after stapling, and a copying machine 1
Paper transport unit 4 that selectively transports the paper discharged from the paper tray 0 to the non-sort tray 401, the processing unit 41, or the storage unit 46
7. The paper transporting section 47 is provided with a paper folding mechanism 30 described in detail below.

(Paper Conveying Unit) As shown in FIG. 2, a paper conveying unit 47 receives a paper from the paper discharging unit 11 of the copying machine 10 and conveys the paper downward, and reverses the front / back / front / back of the paper. A switchback transport path 49 for transporting the paper, a transport path 50 for transporting the paper to the non-sort tray 401, and a transport path 50.
Conveying path 51 for branching from and conveying the sheet to the processing section 41
And a transport path 52 that branches off from the transport path 50 and transports the sheet to the storage unit 46.

As shown in FIG. 3, the transport path 48 includes a pair of transport rollers 481 and 48 that rotate forward in the paper transport direction (arrow c).
2, a guide plate 483, 484, and a sheet detection sensor SE1. Switchback transport path 49
Is a transport roller 49 capable of rotating forward / reverse in the directions of arrows a / b.
1, a driven roller 492 that rotates in contact with the roller 491, a pair of transport rollers 493 that transports the switched-back sheet in the direction indicated by the arrow d, and a guide plate 49.
4 and a sheet detection sensor SE2.
A flexible resin sheet 497 is provided at the bent portion of the guide plate 483.
Is affixed.

The paper conveyed along the conveyance path 48 in the direction of arrow c passes through the resin sheet 497 and is guided to the switchback conveyance path 49. The rear end of the sheet is a sensor SE
When a predetermined time elapses after the detection at 2, that is, when the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the resin sheet 497, the roller 491 is switched to reverse rotation, and the sheet is conveyed in the direction of arrow d. At this time, the resin sheet 497 functions so that the sheet does not return to the transport path 48.

As shown in FIG. 4, the transport path 50 includes a pair of transport rollers 501 and 50 for transporting a sheet in a direction indicated by an arrow e.
2, 503, 504 and a discharge roller pair 505, guide plates 506, 507, and sensors SE3, SE for sheet detection.
4. In the transport path 50, a punch mechanism 90 for forming a punch hole at the leading end or the trailing end of the sheet during sheet transport is provided. The punch mechanism 90
Is omitted.

The transport path 51 includes a switching claw 511 for switching the transport destination of the paper, a transport roller pair 512 and a discharge roller pair 513 for transporting the paper in the direction of arrow f, guide plates 514 and 515, and a paper detection And the sensor SE5. The transport path 52 includes a switching claw 521 for switching the transport destination of the paper, a transport roller pair 522, 523 and a discharge roller pair 524 for transporting the paper in the direction of arrow g.
, Guide plates 525, 526, and 527, and a sheet detection sensor SE6.

The switching claws 511 and 521 are respectively provided on the support shafts 5.
11a and 521a can be pivoted by a solenoid (not shown) using the switchback transport path 49 as a fulcrum.
Is transported by the switching claw 521 to one of the transport paths 50 and 52. The sheet conveyed along the conveyance path 50 is conveyed as it is through the conveyance path 50 by the switching claw 511 or introduced into the conveyance path 51 in the middle of the sheet. The paper is sent from the discharge roller pair 505 to the non-sort tray 401 and from the discharge roller pair 513 to the processing unit 4.
1 and is fed from the discharge roller pair 524 to the storage section 46. The rotation speed of each of the discharge roller pairs 505, 513, and 524 is reduced immediately after the trailing edge of the sheet is detected by each of the sensors SE4, SE5, and SE6. .

(Paper Storage Unit) As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 46 includes a storage tray 475, a driving mechanism 476 for raising and lowering the tray 475, a sensor SE7 for detecting the amount of paper stored, and a tray 475 and a sensor SE8 for detecting the lower limit position. Tray 475
During the mass copying, a sheet bundle is stapled by the processing unit 41 one sheet at a time or a bundle of sheets stapled by the processing unit 41 as described below. Each time the sheet stored / loaded on the tray 475 is detected by the sensor SE7, the tray 475 is lowered by a certain amount by the driving mechanism 476. When the sensor SE8 detects that the tray 475 has dropped to the lower limit, the tray 475 is full at this time, and the subsequent copy operation is interrupted.

The structure of the driving mechanism 476 for lowering the tray 475 by a predetermined amount for accommodating a large capacity is well known, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Paper Folding Mechanism) The paper folding mechanism 30 is provided immediately below the transport section 47, and has a function of folding an image-formed sheet into two at the center in the transport direction. Function to make a fold in the center and Z
It has the function of folding. The Z-fold refers to a form in which the sheet is bent twice with the image forming surface up, as shown in FIG.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the paper folding mechanism 30 includes a first transport path 31 for receiving a sheet from the switchback transport path 49 and transporting the sheet downward for the first folding; A second conveyance path 32 for performing folding of two,
A paper folding section 35 for performing several types of paper folding, and a third transport path 33 for transporting the folded paper further downstream.
And a fourth transport path 34 for inverting (switching back) the sheet back and forth / front and back and sending the sheet to the transport path 50.

The paper folding section 35 includes three folding rollers 351,
352, 353, the main folding roller 35
Reference numeral 2 denotes a forward / reverse drive, and an auxiliary folding roller 35 is provided.
The reference numerals 1 and 353 are in contact with the folding roller 352 and are driven to rotate. The paper folding operation by the folding rollers 351, 352, 353 will be described below. The first transport path 31 is located on the right side of the paper folding section 35 and can be driven forward and reverse to rotate.
13 and guide plates 314, 315, 316, 317. The regulating plate 313 is the first for folding the paper.
The first sheet folding position is determined by regulating the leading edge of the sheet fed into the conveyance path 31. The lower part of the first conveyance path 31 can be moved up and down by a stepping motor (not shown). The position (height) of the regulating plate 313 is changed according to the form of folding (folding in two or Z-folding) and the sheet size. The switching claw 312 is driven by a solenoid (not shown), and switches between transporting the paper fed to the first transport path 31 directly to the paper folding section 35 and temporarily transporting the paper to a lower portion of the first transport path 31.

The second transport path 32 is located immediately above the paper folding section 35, and includes a paper passing direction switching claw 321 and a paper regulating plate 322.
And guide plates 323 and 324. The regulating plate 322 regulates the leading edge of the sheet fed into the second conveying path 32 to determine the second sheet folding position. In the upper part of the second conveying path 32, a solenoid (not shown) moves the sheet in the sheet conveying direction. Can be switched between the two positions. The switching claw 321 is driven by a solenoid (not shown), and feeds the paper that has passed between the folding rollers 351 and 352 to the second transport path 32 or directly passes between the folding rollers 352 and 353 through the second transport path 32. Switch.

The third transport path 33 includes guide plates 331 and 33
2, and transports the paper sent from the folding rollers 352 and 353 to the fourth transport path 34. Fourth transport path 3
Reference numeral 4 denotes a transport roller pair 341 which is located on the left side of the paper folding section 35 and which can be driven forward and reverse, a vertical portion of the guide plates 331 and 332 and a guide plate 345, and a transport roller pair 342 which transports a sheet upward. 343 and 344. The upper end of the fourth transport path 34 is connected to the transport path 50. A flexible resin sheet 333 is attached to the bent portion of the guide plate 332 on the exit side of the third transport path 33. The sheet conveyed through the third conveyance path 33 passes through the resin sheet 333 and is conveyed downward through the fourth conveyance path 34 by the reverse rotation of the conveyance roller pair 341. When the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the resin sheet 333, the pair of conveying rollers 341 is switched to the normal rotation, and the sheet is transferred to the fourth conveying path 3
4 is transported upward. The resin sheet 333 functions so that the sheet does not return to the third transport path 33 during the switchback.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the paper folding mechanism 30 is integrally housed in a casing 36 to form a unit, and can be pulled out to the front side of the finisher 40. This drawer is finisher 4
The rotation is performed by rolling a roller provided on the casing 36 on a rail (not shown) provided at 0. Paper folding mechanism 3
By making 0 detachable from the finisher 40, maintenance, inspection, and paper jam clearance of the paper folding mechanism 30 are facilitated.

(Paper folding operation) Here, the operation of the paper folding mechanism 30 will be described. The paper folding mechanism 30 has four modes in which the first mode is Z-fold, the second mode is two-fold, the third mode is creased, and the fourth mode is to simply pass a sheet without folding. Have. These modes are selected by an operator on an operation panel (not shown) of the copying machine.

The first mode, Z-folding, is a process for folding large-size paper (A3, B4) into a Z-shape as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the paper P is sent from the transport path 49 to the first transport path 31 by the transport rollers 491 and 492, and is transported downward toward the regulating plate 313 by the transport roller pair 311. The regulating plate 313 is set at a position corresponding to the Z-fold mode according to the size of the sheet P. When the leading edge of the sheet P contacts the regulating plate 313, the sheet P
Is curved toward the nip side of the folding rollers 351 and 352 by the conveying force applied from the conveying roller pair 311. Then, the curved portion of the sheet P is bitten by the nip portions of the folding rollers 351 and 352, and the first folding is performed. Folding roller 35
1, 352 and 353 are driven to rotate forward in the direction of arrow a when the sensor SE2 detects the leading end of the sheet P.

The sheet P on which the first folding is completed as described above
Is transported to the second transport path 32 while being guided by the switching claw 321 with the first fold Pa first. The regulating plate 322 located on the second transport path 32 is set at a position corresponding to the second folding in the Z-folding mode according to the size of the sheet P. As shown in FIG. 7, when the first fold Pa of the paper P comes into contact with the regulating plate 322, the paper P is folded by the folding rollers 351 and 351.
The folding rollers 352, 35
3 is bent toward the nip portion side, and this bent portion is
The second fold is performed by being bitten by the nip portion of 2,353.

The sheet P that has been Z-folded as described above passes through the third transport path 33 and the fourth transport path 34 as shown in FIG.
And is transported downward by the reverse rotation of the transport roller pair 341 in the direction of the arrow b. When the rear end of the paper P passes through the resin sheet 333, the transport roller pair 341 is switched to the normal rotation. The paper P is switched back here, and FIG.
As shown in the figure, the conveying roller pair 341, 342, 343,
The sheet 344 is conveyed upward through the fourth conveyance path 34 and sent to the conveyance path 50.

The reason why the Z-folded sheet is switched back in the fourth transport path 34 is so as not to disturb the alignment when the sheet is discharged onto the tray 401, 411 or 475. When the Z-folded sheet P is discharged onto the non-sort tray 401 without being switched back in the fourth transport path 34 (the same applies to the other trays 411 and 475), as shown in FIG. It is placed facing. When the next sheet is ejected thereon, the leading end of the next sheet gets under the second fold Pb of the sheet P. In order to prevent such misalignment, the paper P
Switch back. As a result, the paper P is
As shown in (c), the tray 40 is folded with the fold Pb facing down.
1 and the next sheet is correctly aligned and accommodated on the preceding sheet P.

The second mode, folding in two, is a process of folding a sheet at the center in the transport direction. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the regulating plate 313 of the first transport path 31 is set at a position where the sheet P is bent at the center according to the size of the sheet P. As described with reference to FIG. 6, the leading end of the sheet P conveyed through the first conveying path 31 abuts on the regulating plate 313, and the central portion thereof is curved and bites into the nip portions of the folding rollers 351 and 352. It is. The sheet P folded at the center is guided by the switching claw 321 with the fold Pc first, and sent to the nip portion of the folding rollers 352 and 353 (see FIG. 11). Then, the paper P is sent to the fourth conveyance path 34 through the third conveyance path 33, and is switched back by switching the conveyance roller pair 341 from the reverse rotation in the direction of arrow b to the normal rotation as described in FIG. The sheet is transported upward through the fourth transport path 34 (see FIG. 12), and the transport path 50
Sent to

In the third mode, the crease is a process of forming a crease in advance in the center of the sheet in the transport direction in order to bind the center of the sheet with the staple unit 441 described below. Paper P conveyed through the first conveyance path 31
In contrast, as described with reference to FIG. 10, the front end is regulated by the regulating plate 313, and the center portion is engaged with the nip portion of the folding rollers 351 and 352. As shown in FIG. 13, when the central portion of the sheet P is engaged with the nip portion of the folding rollers 351 and 352 by a predetermined amount, the transport roller pair 311
And the folding rollers 351 and 352 are driven to rotate in the reverse direction in the direction of arrow b. The timing of switching to the reverse rotation is when a timer started when the sensor SE2 detects the rear end of the sheet P has counted for a predetermined time. By this reverse rotation, the sheet P is folded in the first transport path 31 while the folded portion is extended.
Is transported upward, and is sent back to the transport path 49. On the other hand, the transport rollers 491 and 492 are also switched to reverse rotation at substantially the same timing as the transport roller pair 311, and the sheet P is guided from the transport path 49 by the resin sheet 497 and sent to the transport path 50. This crease mode is executed only when the saddle stapling process is performed on the sheet.
Is discharged from the transport path 51 onto the processing tray 411 of the processing unit 41.

The fourth mode, which is the paper passing mode, simply performs the paper folding mechanism 30 without folding the paper.
Is a process of passing through. The paper P is transferred from the transport path 49 to the first
When the sheet P is conveyed to the conveyance path 31, as shown in FIG.
The switching pawl 321 is set at a position for guiding the sheet P to the folding rollers 352 and 353. Accordingly, the sheet P passes through the nip between the folding rollers 351 and 352 and the nip between the folding rollers 352 and 353, and is transported to the third transport path 33 (see FIG. 16). Thereafter, as described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 12, the sheet P is switched back by switching the pair of transport rollers 341 from reverse rotation to normal rotation in the direction of arrow b, and is transported upward through the fourth transport path 34 (see FIG. 8). 17), and is sent to the transport path 50.

(Staple Processing Unit) Next, the staple processing unit 41 will be described. The staple processing unit 41
As shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, it is composed of a paper stacking section 410 and a staple section 440. Paper accumulation unit 410
Is a stacking tray 411 installed at an angle, a tip stopper 412 installed at the tip of the tray 411, a sheet side alignment plate 413, and a first and a second sheet gripping / releasing sheet side. Second chuck means 415 and 416 are provided.

The stacking tray 411 temporarily stacks / contains sheets discharged from the conveyance path 51 with the image forming surface facing downward for stapling. Tip stopper 41
2 is the leading edge of the sheet discharged onto the tray 411 (tray 4
11 when viewed from the discharge direction to the sheet 11, and aligns the sheet in the direction of conveyance (arrow h) to the staple unit 440. The side alignment plate 413 can reciprocate in a direction (arrow i) orthogonal to the transport direction,
Align horizontally on top. The first chuck means 415 is installed on the front side of the tray 411, and the second chuck means 416
Are installed on the back side of the tray 411, and alternately grip the side portions of the respective sheets to prevent the sheets from floating. Also,
The first chuck means 415 also has a function of gripping the sheet bundle and sending it to the staple unit 440.

(Side Alignment Plate) As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the side alignment plate 413 has a height L ₁ higher than the maximum height of the sheet bundle that can be stored on the stacking tray 411. It is provided at a position facing the alignment reference plate 414 attached to one chuck means 415. The alignment plate 413 is installed on a spiral shaft 530 located on the back side of the tray 411 so as to be able to reciprocate in the direction of an arrow i based on the rotation thereof, and the spiral shaft 530 is driven by a stepping motor M1 to rotate forward and reverse. The alignment plate 413 waits at the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 20, and advances by the forward rotation of the motor M1 to an alignment position corresponding to the size of the sheet P (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 20). At this time, the other side of the sheet P is
4 and aligned. The fact that the alignment plate 413 is at the home position means that the light shielding plate 53 fixed to the alignment plate 413
1 is detected by entering the optical axis of a sensor SE9 provided on the back side of the tray 411. The distance L2 to advance to the alignment position is determined by controlling the number of pulses for driving the stepping motor M1 according to the size of the sheet P.

The sheet is conveyed through the conveying section 47 with reference to the center.
11 (see a two-dot chain line in FIG. 20). When a predetermined period of time from when the trailing edge of the sheet is detected by the sensor SE5 to when the sheet is completely stored on the tray 411 has elapsed, the stepping motor M1 is driven to rotate forward. When one sheet is aligned between the alignment plate 413 and the reference plate 414, the motor M1 is reversed, and the alignment plate 413 moves backward to the home position. That is, the alignment plate 413 advances in the direction of the arrow i each time one sheet of paper is stored on the tray 411, makes the paper contact the reference plate 414, and performs alignment on the tray 411 on one side basis.

(First Chuck Means) As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the first chuck means 415 includes friction plates 417a and 418a made of an elastic material and a support plate 4 for supporting the friction plates.
19a and 420a, a solenoid SL1a for vertically moving the friction plate 417a, and a support plate 422 for holding these members. The plunger 433a of the solenoid SL1a has the spring member 421a and the lever 4
When the solenoid SL1a is turned on, the friction plate 417a moves down together with the support plate 419a, and the side of the sheet bundle on the accumulation tray 411 is elastically moved between the friction plate 418a and the friction plate 418a. Grip it.

The friction plates 417a and 418a are retracted from the chucking position shown in FIG. 22 in the direction of arrow i, that is, at positions off the side of the paper P aligned on the stacking tray 411 shown in FIG. Is set. To move the friction plates 417a and 418a and their support plates 419a and 420a in the direction opposite to the arrow i to the chucking position, a solenoid SL2 is provided on the bracket 424. The plunger 434 of the solenoid SL2 is
7 is connected to a link 436 that is rotatable around a fulcrum, and the tip of the link 436 is connected to support plates 419a and 420a. This link 436 is urged clockwise in FIG. 22 by a spring 435 wound around a pin 437. When the solenoid SL2 is off, the plunger 43
4 is retracted, and the friction plates 417a and 418a are
a and 420a together with the sheet P. This retraction is to prevent the friction plate 417a and the support plate 419a from interfering with the sheet when the sheet is stored on the tray 411. On the other hand, when the solenoid SL2 is turned on, the plunger 434 advances and the link 436 rotates counterclockwise, and the friction plates 417a and 418a move together with the support plates 419a and 420a in the direction opposite to the arrow i. Set to the chucking position.

Further, the first chucking means 415 holds the sheet bundle while holding the side of the sheet bundle.
It can reciprocate in the direction of arrow h in order to carry it to zero.
For this movement, a nut member 425 fixed to the bracket 424 is screwed to the spiral shaft 426.
The spiral shaft 426 is rotatably mounted on a frame 427, and is rotated forward / reversely by a motor M2 via a drive transmission unit 428 including a gear and a belt. That is, the motor M
By the forward rotation of 2, the spiral shaft 426 rotates forward, the first chuck means 415 advances in the transport direction h, and moves backward by the reverse rotation of the motor M2. The fact that the first chuck means 415 is at the home position H ₁ means that the light shielding plate 430 fixed to the bracket 424
It is detected by entering the optical axis of E10.

A disk 431 having a large number of small holes formed in a peripheral part is fixed to the output shaft of the motor M2, and the sensor SE11 detects the small holes based on the rotation of the disk 431. As a result, a pulse signal is generated. By counting the number of pulses output from the sensor SE11, the amount of movement of the first chucking means 415 can be detected. When the predetermined number of pulses have been counted, the motor M2 is turned off. The movement amount can be controlled accurately. On the other hand, the collecting tray 4
A long hole 411a is formed in 11 (see FIG. 20), and the friction plates 417a and 418a can hold the sheet bundle and can move in the transport direction h.

As shown in FIG. 24, the spiral shaft 426
Is extended to a position Y near the staple section 440, and the first chuck means 415 moves to this position Y. At this time, the leading end of the sheet bundle gripped by the friction plates 417a and 418a is sandwiched between the conveying rollers 469 and 470 in the staple unit 440, and the sheet bundle is thereafter conveyed by the conveying rollers 469 and 470. Accordingly, the distance L ₉ between the position Y to the nip portion of the roller 469, 470 is set shorter than the minimum size sheet (B5Y).

(Tip Stopper) As shown in FIG. 25, the tip stopper 412 is rotatably mounted on the back side of the tip of the stacking tray 411 with the pin 711 as a fulcrum. 710
As a result, the sheet rotates in the counterclockwise direction, and the leading end protrudes above the tray 411 to regulate the leading end of the sheet. The stopper 412 has a comb-like shape and protrudes upward from a concave portion 411c at the tip of the tray 411 as shown in FIG.
The lever 713 fixed to the bracket 424 of the first chucking means 415 with respect to the upper end inclined surface of the cam 712.
Is in contact.

As described above, one set of sheets stacked on the stacking tray 411 is gripped by the first chuck means 415, and is conveyed in the direction of arrow h by the forward rotation of the motor M2 (spiral shaft 426). At this time, the lever 71
26 also moves in the direction of arrow h integrally with the first chuck means 415, and rotates the cam 712 clockwise as shown in FIG. At the same time, the tip stopper 412 is also
, And retreats to the back side of the tray 411. While the sheet bundle is conveyed, i.e., while the first chuck means 415 is in the forward position from the home position H _1, the tip stopper 412 cam 712 lever 7
By being pressed by 13, the sheet is held on the back side of the tray 411, and the sheet can be transported. Stopper 41
When the stopper 412 is in the retracted state, the leading end 412a of the second sheet 412 is located on substantially the same plane as the tray 411, and guides the lower side of the conveyed sheet bundle. As a result, the delivery of the sheet bundle from the tray 411 to the staple unit 440 becomes smooth.

When the sheet bundle is transferred to the staple unit 440, the solenoid SL1a is turned off and the friction plate 417 is turned off.
a, 418a release the sheet bundle, and at the same time, the motor M
2 the first chuck means 415 is reversed to retract to the home position H _1. When the first chuck means 415 is returned to the home position H _1, the lever 713 cams 71
2 is released, and the leading end stopper 412 rotates upward to prepare for accommodation of the next set of sheets.

(Second Chuck Means) As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the second chuck means 416 includes friction plates 417b and 418b made of an elastic material and a support plate 4 for supporting the friction plates.
It comprises a solenoid SL1b for moving the friction plates 19b and 420b and the friction plate 417b up and down, and a support plate 724 for holding these members. The solenoid SL1a has a plunger 433b having a spring 421b and a lever 423b.
Is connected to the support plate 419b through the solenoid SL1.
By turning on b, the friction plate 417b is moved to the support plate 419.
b together with the friction plate 418b.
11 is elastically gripped on the side of the sheet bundle. This configuration is the same as that of the first chuck means 415.

[0044] Further, conveying direction h the second chuck means 416 from the home position H ₂ indicated by the solid line in FIG. 20
Can be reciprocated in a direction (arrow i) orthogonal to the above to a position where the side of the sheet P can be gripped. For this movement, a nut member 725 fixed to the support plate 724 is screwed to the spiral shaft 726. The spiral shaft 726 is rotatably mounted on the frame 727, and is rotated forward / reversely by a motor M3 via a drive transmission unit 728 including a gear and a belt. That is, the spiral shaft 726 also rotates forward by the forward rotation of the motor M3, the second chuck means 416 advances in the direction of the arrow i, and moves backward by the reverse rotation of the motor M3. Second
The chuck means 416 is at the home position H _2, the light shielding plate 730 is a frame fixed to the support plate 724 7
The light is detected by entering the optical axis of the sensor SE12 provided at 27.

A disk 731 having a number of small holes regularly formed around the output shaft of the motor M3 is fixed, and the sensor SE13 detects the small holes based on the rotation of the disk 731. As a result, a pulse signal is generated. The amount of movement of the second chuck means 416 can be detected by counting the number of pulses output from the sensor SE13. When the predetermined number of pulses is counted, the motor M3 is turned off, so that the second chuck means 416 The movement amount can be controlled accurately. On the other hand, the collecting tray 4
11, a slot 411b is formed (see FIG. 20), and the friction plates 417b and 418b can hold the sheet bundle and can move in the direction of arrow i.

The size of the sheets stored in the stacking tray 411 varies from a minimum B5Y to a maximum A3T. Like the side alignment plate 413, the second chuck means 416 uses the alignment plate 413 and the reference plate 414 according to the size of the sheet transmitted from the control unit of the copying machine 10 to the control unit of the finisher 40. The sheet is advanced to a position where the side of the aligned sheet can be gripped.

(Chuck Operation) In this embodiment, the first
The chuck means 415 operates in three modes described below. In the first mode, the sides of the sheets accommodated / aligned on the stacking tray 411 are held one by one by the second chucking means 4.
Hold alternately with 16. This alternate chuck operation is executed when the paper folding mode is selected. If stapling processing folding that are not paper, first chuck means 415 is waiting at the home position H _1. For alternate chuck operation, the first chuck means 415 regardless of the magnitude of the paper size, as shown in FIG. 20, a position Q opposite from the home position H ₁ and the second chuck means 416
The motor M2 is moved by rotating the motor M2 forward. At this position Q, the solenoids SL1a and SL2 are turned off, and the friction plates 417a and 418a are retracted outside the alignment reference line A of the reference plate 414 in a state where the friction plates 417a and 418a are opened up and down. The second chuck means 416 also has the home position H _2.
Waiting at.

The paper P is transferred from the transport path 51 to the collecting tray 4
When the sheet P is discharged to the position S11, the alignment plate 413 advances from the home position by a predetermined amount in the direction of the arrow i based on the sheet trailing edge detection signal from the sensor SE5, and aligns the sheet P with the reference plate 414. Next, the solenoid SL2 is turned on based on the advance completion signal of the matching plate 413, and the friction plates 417a,
418a advances to a position where the side of the aligned paper P is sandwiched. At this time, the solenoid SL1a is turned on, and the friction plates 417a and 418a grip the side of the sheet P. When the chucking operation is completed, the alignment plate 413 returns to the home position.

When the next sheet is discharged to the tray 411,
Wherein Similarly alignment plate 413 moves forward a predetermined amount, the second chuck means 416 in synchronization with this, a predetermined amount forward from the home position H ₂ in the direction of arrow i. Next, the solenoid SL1b is turned on based on the advance completion signal of the matching plate 413,
The friction plates 417b and 418b hold the side of the sheet. At about the same time, the alignment plate 413 returns to the home position, and the solenoid S of the first chucking means 415
L1a is turned off, and the friction plates 417a and 418a release the sheet. Thereafter, the solenoid SL2 is turned off, and the friction plates 417a and 418a are retracted outside the sheet. Further, when the next sheet is stored, the second chuck means 416 releases the sheet bundle and retreats, and the first chuck means 4.
15 grips the sheet bundle.

Each time one sheet of paper is fed onto the tray 411, the chucking means 415 and 416 alternately advance / retreat to the chucking position to hold the sheet bundle. By the operation in the first mode, it is possible to prevent the paper from being lifted up, and it is possible to set the stacking amount of the stacking tray 411 to be large. In particular, this is effective when a sheet folded in two or Z is folded as described above.

In the second mode, the first chuck means 415 holds the sheet bundle on the stacking tray 411 at the home position H _1.
In gripping, to convey the sheet bundle L ₄ only in the arrow h direction (see FIG. 20). This is for setting the leading end of the sheet bundle to the staple position X (X indicates the staple position in the transport direction, see FIG. 24) in order to staple the leading end of the sheet bundle.

In the second mode, when one set of sheets is aligned on the tray 411, the second chuck means 41
In a state in which 6 is waiting at the home position H _2, the first chuck means 415 grips the sheet bundle at the home position H _1, to the distance L ₄ forward by the forward rotation of the motor M2. At this time, as described above, the leading end stopper 412 rotates downward to release the leading end regulation, and after the leading end of the sheet bundle is detected by the sensor SE18 (see FIG. 33) of the staple section 440, a predetermined time has elapsed. After elapse, the normal rotation of the motor M2 is turned off. For the distance L ₄ conveyed sheet bundle staples are driven into the distal end.

After the stapling process is completed, the first chuck means 415 further moves in the direction of arrow h by rotating the motor M2 in the state of holding the sheet bundle, and transfers the sheet bundle to the transport rollers 469 and 470. Add The first here
The stop of the chuck means 415 is controlled based on a pulse signal from the sensor SE11. Then, the first chuck means 415, together with solenoid SL1a, SL2 is turned off, returns to the home position H ₁ by reversing the motor M2.

In the third mode, the first chuck means 415 holds the sheet bundle on the stacking tray 411 at the home position H _1.
, And the leading end of the sheet bundle is transported by rollers 469 and 4.
Until sandwiched 70, a distance L ₃ is conveyed in the arrow h direction (see FIG. 20). This is for stapling the central portion of the sheet bundle or for stapling the rear end portion of the sheet bundle.

In the third mode, when one set of sheets is aligned on the tray 411, the second chuck means 416
There in a state of waiting at the home position H2, the first chuck means 415 grips the sheet bundle at the home position H _1, to the distance L ₃ advanced by the forward rotation of the motor M2.
At this time, the tip stopper 412 rotates downward to release the tip regulation as described above. Stop at a distance L ₃ of the first chuck means 415 is controlled based on the pulse signal from the sensor SE11. Then, the first chuck means 415, together with solenoid SL1a, SL2 is turned off, returns to the position H ₁ by reversing the motor M2. The sheet bundle is transport rollers 469 and 4
The sheet is further conveyed in the direction of the arrow h by 70 to perform stapling, which will be described later.

(Staple Unit) As shown in FIGS. 24 and 29, the staple unit 440 is provided with a staple unit 44.
1, a unit moving unit 454, and a sheet bundle conveying unit 465.

(Stapling Unit) As shown in FIGS. 29, 30, and 31, the staple unit 441 includes a staple cartridge 442, a staple driving portion 443, and a staple receiving portion 4.
44, and a connecting portion 445 that connects the needle driving portion 443 and the needle receiving portion 444.

The staple cartridge 442 is detachable with respect to the staple driving portion 443, and is a well-known staple 603. The staples 603 are formed by arranging wires one by one and bonding them in a plate shape with an adhesive, and are housed in a state wound in a needle cartridge 442. The needle driving portion 443 includes a needle feeding member 535, a needle cutting member 536, and a needle bending member 537 on the bracket 450, and
6 can be pivoted. The staple driving portion 443 rotates clockwise in FIG. 29 with the support shaft 446 as a fulcrum, thereby cutting / separating the staples 603 one by one, folding the staples 603 into a U shape, and driving the staples 603 into a sheet bundle. The needle feed member 535 rotates intermittently in conjunction with this needle driving operation,
The staple 603 is sent out one pitch at a time. The stapling section 443 has a sensor (not shown) for detecting the presence or absence of the staple 603 in the staple cartridge 442.

Further, the stapling section 443 is provided with paper pressing members 479 on both sides, so that the stapling section 443 is synchronized with the stapling operation and slightly earlier than the time when the staple 603 comes into contact with the sheet bundle. It presses against a sheet bundle inserted between the 443 and the needle receiving portion 444 to prevent the sheet bundle from shifting. The paper pressing member 479 is a support shaft 552.
, And is pressed against a cam 551 that is driven to rotate by a needle driving motor (not shown) by a spring 553, and the sheet bundle is pinched with the needle receiving portion 444 based on the rotation of the cam 551. After the stapling, the stapling portion 443 is retracted after the stapling. In addition, the stapling part 443
Is well known, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The staple receiving portion 444 includes a staple receiving member 448 for bending the staple 603 punched out of the sheet bundle inward, and a support plate 449 for reducing the impact of the staple driving operation by the staple driving portion 443. It is configured.

(Connecting Portion) The connecting portion 445 is composed of first and second support plates 451 and 453. First support plate 4
51 is installed integrally with the bracket 450 of the stapling section 443. The second support plate 453 has the needle receiving portion 444 attached to the front end, and the rear end is connected to the first support plate 451 via the support shaft 452.

Further, as shown in FIG. 32, the connecting portion 445 is arranged such that the connecting portion 452a by the support shaft 452, the staple driving portion 443 and the staple receiving portion 444 are perpendicular to the sheet bundle conveying direction (arrow h). They are staggered. FIG.
A position H indicated by a solid line is a home position of the staple unit 441. At the home position H, the coupling portion 452a is located outside the paper passage path, and the staple driving portion 443 and the staple receiving portion 444 are located at the corners of the sheet bundle. Is set at the position where the is bound.

As shown in FIG. 24, the distance L ₅ between the support shaft 452 and the staple position X is set slightly longer than 最大 of the maximum sheet passing length (corresponding to the A3T size), and is conveyed to the staple unit 440. In addition to the processing for binding the leading end of the sheet bundle, the processing for binding the center of the sheet bundle is also possible. Further, in the case of a sheet bundle having a length equal to or less than の of the maximum sheet passing size, a process of binding the rear end of the sheet bundle can be performed. In the case of the rear end binding mode, the stacking tray 411 is empty at the time of the stapling process, so that it is possible to immediately start storing the next set of sheets in the tray 411,
As a whole, copy / staple processing can be efficiently executed.

The distance L ₆ between the staple position X and the leading end stopper 412 is set longer than the distance L ₇ between the staple position X and the rear end of the sheet fed to the staple unit 440 at this time. This prevents the stopper 412 from interfering with the trailing edge of the sheet when binding the trailing edge of the sheet.

(Moving section of staple unit) The unit moving section 454 reciprocates the staple unit 441 in a direction (arrow i) orthogonal to the sheet bundle conveying direction h in order to drive staples into the sheet bundle at a plurality of positions. It is for. This moving section 454 is similar to that shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 7, a spiral shaft 455 provided orthogonal to the transport direction h, and a motor M which is a drive source and is capable of forward / reverse rotation.
4 and a drive transmission unit (not shown) for transmitting the rotation of the motor M4 to the spiral shaft 455. The staple unit 441 has the bracket 450 screwed onto the spiral shaft 455, and moves in the direction of the arrow i and in the direction opposite thereto, based on the forward / reverse rotation of the spiral shaft 455. The spiral shaft 455 extends over the maximum sheet passing width (corresponding to A3T and A4Y), and the front side (the left side in FIG. 32) extends to the vicinity of the exterior frame 458.
Sensors SE15 and SE16 are installed on a frame 460 that supports the spiral shaft 455, and a light shielding plate 463 attached to a bracket 450 of the staple unit 441 can move forward and backward with respect to the optical axis of the sensors SE15 and SE16. The fact that the staple unit 441 is at the home position H indicated by a solid line in FIG. 32 is detected when the light shielding plate 463 enters the optical axis of the sensor SE15. Further, the staple unit 441 is further on the front side (left side).
, The light shielding plate 463 enters the optical axis of the sensor SE16. This position is a staple replacement position, and the operator can replace the staple cartridge 442 by opening the small door 459 of the exterior frame 458.

A disk 464 having a number of notches formed regularly around the output shaft of the motor M4 is fixed, and the sensor SE17 detects the notch based on the rotation of the disk 464. As a result, a pulse signal is generated. The amount of movement of the staple unit 441 can be detected by counting the number of pulses output from the sensor SE17. When the predetermined number of pulses is counted, the motor M4 is turned off, and the staple unit 44 is turned off.
The movement amount of 1, that is, the staple position can be controlled with high accuracy. This stapling position (stop position) will be described later. The return of the staple unit 441 to the home position H and the movement to the staple replacement position are detected by detection signals from the sensors SE15 and SE16.
The drive of the motor M4 is turned off by this detection signal.

(Staple mode) Basically, three types of staple modes can be set. The first mode is a process for binding the leading end of the sheet bundle in the transport direction, and is further divided into a mode for binding a corner portion and a mode for binding a plurality of portions of the leading end. The second mode is a process of binding the rear end portion of the sheet bundle in the transport direction, and is further divided into a mode of binding a corner portion and a mode of binding a plurality of portions of the rear end portion. The third mode is a process of binding the central portion of the sheet bundle at a plurality of locations.

The movement of the staple unit 441 during the staple mode processing will be described later.

(Sheet Bundle Conveying Unit) As shown in FIG. 33, the conveying unit 465 includes a guide plate 466 fixed inside the support plate 451 and a support shaft 452 inside the support plate 453.
Guide plate 468 that is rotatably mounted around a fulcrum.
And a transport roller 46 that is rotationally driven in the transport direction of the sheet bundle.
9,470, and a sensor SE18 for detecting a sheet,
SE19. The transport roller 469 can be brought into contact with and separated from the transport roller 470 by a solenoid (not shown). The sheet bundle is nipped and transported by the transport roller 470.

The sheet bundle transported by the transport section 465 is
The sheet is fed into the above-described conveyance path 52, and is sent out to the storage tray 475 while being decelerated from the discharge roller pair 524 through the conveyance roller pair 474.

(Front-end binding mode) This is a mode for binding the leading end of a sheet bundle. When binding the corners, the staple unit 441 moves to the staple position _R0 before the sheet bundle reaches the staple unit 440, as indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. At this time, the staple unit 4
41 slightly passes the staple position R _0, and then stop the staple position R ₀ by returning to the stapling position R _0.

After the binding operation for the sheet bundle is completed, the staple unit 441 returns to the home position H. The sheet bundle is maintained in a state of being held by the first chuck means 415, is conveyed in the direction of arrow h by the first chuck means 415, and is transferred to the conveyance rollers 469 and 470. Meanwhile, the staple unit 440, the connecting portion 445 to the distal end P _L of the sheet bundle so as not to interfere, has a following configuration.

L ₁₁ / V ₁ <L ₁₂ / V ₂ V ₁ : Moving speed of the staple unit V ₂ : Transport speed of the sheet bundle L ₁₁ : Distance from R ₀ to H L ₁₂ : From the leading end of the sheet bundle to the connecting portion On the other hand, when binding at a plurality of locations, as shown in FIG.
First, the stapling unit 441 is stapling position R ₁ before the leading end P _L of the sheet bundle reaches the staple unit 440
Move to. At this time, the staple unit 441 starts moving from the home position H, after passing through the position R ₁ slightly returns to the position R _1. After stapling operation at positions R _1, the stapling unit 441 executes the stapling operation while temporarily stopped at the staple position R _2, R _n, and returns to the home position H. The conveyance of the sheet bundle after the completion of the stapling process is the same as in the corner staple mode.

[0074] Staple unit 440, as connecting portion 445 does not interfere with the sheet bundle tip P _L, and has a following configuration. L ₁₃ / V ₁ <L ₁₂ / V ₂ L ₁₃ : distance from R _n to H By the way, in the present embodiment, the sheet bundle passes through the inside of the staple unit 441, and
If the needle 43 and the needle receiving portion 444 are completely separated from each other, it is extremely difficult to position the needle driving portion 443 and the needle receiving portion 444. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the two are integrally connected by supporting plates 451 and 453 along the conveyance path of the sheet bundle.
Alignment can be performed reliably, and stapling errors are prevented. Then, in the leading edge binding mode, the staple unit 441 is moved to the staple position R ₀ or R ₁ farthest from the home position H before the sheet bundle arrives, and the staple unit 441 is moved from a position far from the home position H to a position closer to the staple position. By performing the stapling operation, the time required for stapling processing is reduced. Further, since the connecting portion 445 of the staple unit 441 is displaced outward from the side of the sheet bundle, the timing to disclose the conveyance of the sheet bundle can be advanced. Moreover, the stapling operation can be performed without moving the stapling unit 441 even at the home position H, and the conveyance of the sheet bundle can be started immediately after the stapling operation.

(Rear End Binding Mode) This is a mode for binding the rear end of the sheet bundle. The sheet bundle is stored in the first chuck unit 415.
Are transported to the transport rollers 469 and 470, and further transported by the transport rollers 469 and 470. When the trailing end reaches the stapling position X according to the sheet size after the leading end of the sheet bundle is detected by the sensor SE19, the rotation of the transport rollers 469 and 470 is stopped.

When binding a corner, the staple unit 441 performs the binding operation without moving from the home position H, as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the stapling at a plurality of positions, as shown in FIG. 37, moves to the stapling unit 441 is first stapling position R ₁ (movement mode is the same as the tip stapling mode), the stapling operation, then staple position R _{2. The} binding operation is performed while temporarily stopping at R _n , and returns to the home position H.

After the stapling process is completed, when the standby time T corresponding to the size of the sheet bundle has elapsed, the transport rollers 469,
By restarting the rotation of 470, the staple unit 44
Sent from 0. The standby time is calculated by the control unit such that (L ₁₂ / V ₂ ) + T> L ₁₃ / V ₁ . Note that the distance L
_12, L ₁₃ may See Figure 37.

(Saddle stitching mode) In this mode, the center of the sheet bundle is stapled at a plurality of positions. The sheet bundle is transported to the transport rollers 469 and 470 by the first chuck means 415, and further transported by the transport rollers 469 and 470. When the center of the sheet bundle reaches the staple position X according to the sheet size after the leading end of the sheet bundle is detected by the sensor SE19, the rotation of the transport rollers 469 and 470 is stopped.

The movement of the staple unit 441 is shown in FIG.
This is the same as the movement mode shown in FIGS. 35 and 37. The control unit also calculates the standby time T until the conveyance of the sheet bundle by the conveyance rollers 469 and 470 is restarted after the stapling process is completed, so that (L ₁₂ / V ₂ ) + T> L ₁₃ / V _1. . (Staple Position and Shape of Guide Plate) In the staple processing described above, the staple position orthogonal to the transport direction can be arbitrarily set by controlling on / off of the motor M4. However, usually, the staple position is preset according to the staple mode and the paper size.

FIG. 39 shows stapling positions for transversely passing sheets when stapling processing is performed on sheets of all sizes on one side basis. Or binding the corner portion of the x ₁ or x ₄ is at the tip stapling mode, binding the two places x _2, x _3. Or binding the corner portion of the x ₅ or x ₈ in the rear end binding mode, binding the two places x _6, x _7. X in saddle stitch mode
Binding the two places of _9, x _10.

As shown in FIG. 40, the guide plates 466 and 468 have a large number of concave portions 466a and 468a.
The recesses 466a, 468a correspond to the stapling position x ₁ ~x ₁₀ shown in FIG. 39, the staple in transporting the sheet bundle stapled guide plates 466, 468
To prevent contact. If the staples come into contact with the guide plates 466 and 468, conveyance failure / impossibility such as skew of the sheet bundle and paper jam occurs.

On the other hand, FIG. 41 shows that the sheets are sent to the staple unit 440 on the stacking tray 411 while being aligned on the basis of the center.
Indicates the stapling position when performing stapling processing. Correspondingly, concave portions 466a and 468a are formed in guide plates 466 and 468, as shown in FIG. Further, the transport rollers 469 and 470 are also moved to the staple position x.
It is of course disposed out on the conveying path of ₁ ~x ₁₀ (see FIG. 37).

(Permissible Number of Staples) When the staple unit 440 performs the staple processing, there is a limit to the number of sheets in the bundle. When permissible number of when the paper is not folded paper to A _1, the allowable number in the case of stapling a two-folded sheet bundle A ₂ corresponding to 1/2 of A ₁
, And the allowable number in the case of stapling a Z-folded sheet bundle is A _3, which corresponds to 1/3 of A _1.

If the number of sheets exceeds the allowable number, insertion into the staple unit 441, poor / impossible stapling operation, and poor / impossible conveyance due to contact with the guide plates 466, 468 and the like occur. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the number of originals exceeds the allowable number, the mode is changed to a processing mode that does not cause a problem, or a warning is issued. Further, in this embodiment, when the sheet subjected to the paper not subjected to folding processing are mixed, set into A ₂ if clamshell an allowable number,
If the Z-folding was to set to A _3. Note that these control procedures will be described later in detail.

(Paper Passing Modes in Various Processing Modes) Next, the sheet passing modes in the various processing modes (non-sort mode, paper folding mode, staple mode) by the finisher 40 will be described.

(Non-Sort Mode) In the non-sort mode, sheets are discharged / stacked on the non-sort tray 401. In the non-sort mode, the switching claws 511 and 521 are set so that the paper advances along the transport path 50. Paper P ₁ discharged from the copier 10
(The image forming surface faces upward) is guided to the conveyance path 48 (see FIG. 43), and once conveyed to the conveyance path 49, is switched back by reversing the rollers 491 and 492, and is conveyed to the conveyance path 50. (See FIGS. 44 and 45).
Then, also guided to the conveying path 48 the second sheet P _2, which is discharged from the copying machine 10 (see FIG. 45). First sheet P ₁
Is conveyed as the conveying path 50 upward, the paper P ₂ of the second sheet is fed is switchback conveyance path 49 to the conveying path 50 (see FIG. 46). Then, the sheet P ₁ is discharged while being decelerated toward the discharge roller pair 505 to the image forming surface down to the non-sort tray 401 above (FIG. 47, FIG. 4
8). Further, the sheet P _{2 is} also discharged from the pair of discharge rollers 505 onto the non-sort tray 401 with the image forming surface facing downward while being decelerated (see FIGS. 49 and 50).

(Non-sorting Mode, Sheet-passing Form in Mass Discharge) The sheet stacking capacity of the non-sort tray 401 is limited. For this reason, in this embodiment, when the non-sort tray 401 becomes full, the subsequent sheets are stored in the tray 475 of the storage unit 46.
To be discharged to That is, as shown in FIG. 51, the sheets P _{1 to} P _n−1 are discharged onto the non-sort tray 401,
The next sheet _Pn is conveyed through the conveyance path 50, and the sheet _{Pn + 1 is} further conveyed.
Is in the transport path 49. The non-sort tray 401 becomes full when the paper _Pn is discharged. Whether it is full or not is determined by reading the count value of the copy number counter by the control unit of the copying machine 10. In this case, when the trailing edge of the sheet _Pn passes the branch point of the transport paths 50 and 52 (detection of the trailing edge of the sheet by the sensor SE3), the switching claw 521 is driven to transport the sheet so as to advance to the transport path 52. Switch routes.

The sheet P _n is conveyed through the conveying path 50 and discharged onto the non-sort tray 401, and the sheet P _{n + 1} is fed into the conveying path 52 by the switching claw 521, and the image is output from the discharge roller pair 524 onto the tray 475. It is discharged with the forming surface facing downward (see FIGS. 52 and 53). The next sheet _{Pn + 2} is also sent from the transport path 48 to the transport path 52 via the transport path 49, and discharged / stacked on the tray 475 (FIGS. 53 to 5).
6). As described above, the tray 475 moves down one step at a time as the stacking amount of sheets increases.

(Non-Sort Mode, Paper-Sending Form in Mixed Size Paper) Next, a case where sheets of different sizes are discharged to the non-sort tray 401 will be described. Here, the copy original is A4Y size (Y means that the short side of the original or paper is parallel to the transport direction) and A3T
A case where the size is one (T means the case where the long side of the document or paper is parallel to the transport direction) and the number of copies is 1 will be described.

[0090] for the first sheet of A4Y size paper P ₁ image reversal process is performed by the control unit of the copying machine 10, the sheet passing form is similar to the sheet P ₁ as shown in FIGS. 43 to 48. Copier 1 for the _second A3T size paper P2
Image inversion processing is performed by the control unit of 0, and is discharged onto the non-sort tray 401 above through the conveyance path similar to the sheet P _1. The state in which the two sheets P ₁ and P ₂ are stored on the tray 401 is as shown in FIG. 57. By performing the image reversing process, the images are aligned in a state where different size sheets are stacked on the tray 401. Become like

(Paper-passing state in non-sort / Z-fold mode) The process of Z-folding the sheet carried into the finisher 40 is as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, and the Z-folded sheet P is The sheet is discharged onto the non-sort tray 401 with the image forming surface facing down and stacked (see FIG. 58). (Paper Passing Form in Non-Sort / Half-Fold Mode) The processing for folding the paper conveyed to the finisher 40 into two is as shown in FIGS. Folded paper P
Are discharged and stacked with their folds facing upstream in the discharge direction (see FIG. 59).

(Paper Passing Mode in Leading Edge Binding Mode)
Creates two sets of copies from two originals and
Will be described. First set of paper P₁, P_TwoBut
FIG. 43 to FIG.
As shown in FIG.₁, P_TwoIs the switching claw 52
1 to the conveyance path 51, and the discharge roller pair 513
Is discharged onto the collecting tray 411 while being decelerated
(See FIGS. 60 to 63). The first sheet of the second set
P₁’Is the last sheet P of the first set_TwoThen, the paper P₁,
P_TwoCopy processing is performed at the same interval as
(See FIG. 60). This paper P₁’Is the transport path 49
From the paper folding mechanism 30 to be folded.
(See FIGS. 61 and 62 and FIGS. 15 to 17)
See). Also, the second sheet P of the second set_Two’Is also the paper
P₁, P _Two, P₁’And the copy path is processed at the same interval as
48 (see FIG. 61). Paper P₁’Is the third
Switched back in the fourth transport path 34 through the transport path 33
Paper P_Two’Is a switch
The paper is fed back to the transport path 50 (see FIG. 62).

As described above, the leading end of the sheet P ₁ ′ conveyed on the fourth conveyance path 34 and the end P ₂ ′ conveyed on the conveyance path 50 are overlapped at the junction of the two conveyance paths (see FIG. 63). ). At this time, the image forming surfaces of the sheets P ₁ ′ and P ₂ ′ both face the left side in FIG. Thereafter, the sheets P ₁ ′ and P ₂ ′ are superimposed on each other, and
Is transported (see FIG. 64).

On the other hand, the leading end of the first set of sheets P ₁ and P ₂ already ejected / aligned on the stacking tray 411 is fed into the staple section 440 by the first chucking means 415, and the staple unit 441 performs stapling processing. Is performed (see FIG. 65). At this time, the second set of sheets P ₁ ′ and P ₂ ′ also reaches the discharge roller pair 513. After the stapling process is completed, the sheets P ₁ and P ₂ are stored in the first chucking device 4.
15 and the conveying rollers 469 and 470
5 is conveyed and sent to the storage tray 475 through the conveyance path 52 (see FIGS. 66 to 68).

The second set of sheets P ₁ ′, P ₂ ′ is discharged / aligned onto the accumulation tray 411 while the preceding sheets P ₁ , P ₂ are being transported through the transport section 465 (see FIG. 66), and the first chuck Means 4
15 to the staple unit 440 (FIG. 67).
), And staple processing is performed by the stapling unit 441 (see FIG. 68). Then, the paper P ₁ ′,
P ₂ ′ is transported through the transport section 465 (see FIG. 69) and is sent to the storage tray 475 through the transport path 52 (FIG. 7).
0, see FIG. 71).

As described above, when a plurality of copies are processed in the leading edge binding mode, the first sheet of the second set and the subsequent sheets are bypassed by the paper folding mechanism 30 and the second sheet is set in the middle of the transport path 50. And the sheet bundle of the previous set is positioned on the stacking tray 411 during the stapling process, there is no need to wait for the copying process by the copying machine 10, and the entire copy is performed. / The stapling time can be reduced.

(Paper Passing Mode in Rear End Binding Mode) A case where two sets of copies are created from two originals and the rear end binding is performed in the same manner as in the front end binding mode will be described. The manner in which the first set of sheets P ₁ , P ₂ is conveyed in the finisher 40 is the same as in the above-described front end binding mode, and the second set of sheets P ₁ ′, P ₂ ′ are superimposed and conveyed on the conveyance path 50. This is also the same (see FIGS. 60 to 64).

The first set of sheets P ₁ and P ₂ ejected / aligned on the stacking tray 411 first are stored in the first chucking means 415.
At the time when the rear ends of the sheets P ₁ and P ₂ reach the staple position by the transport rollers 469 and 470, and are stapled by the staple unit 441 (see FIG. 72). ). At this time, since the accumulation tray 411 is empty, the second set of sheets P ₁ ′ and P ₂ ′ is discharged / aligned on the tray 411. After stapling,
The sheets P ₁ and P ₂ are transported by the transport unit 465 by the transport rollers 469 and 470 (see FIG. 73), and sent to the storage tray 475 through the transport path 52 (see FIG. 74).

[0099] 2 sets of paper P ₁ ', P _2' when the previous sheet P _1, P ₂ is unloaded from the transport unit 465, the first chuck means 415, its rear end portion by the conveying rollers 469, 470 The sheet is transported until the staple position is reached, and stapling is performed by the staple unit 441 (see FIG. 74). After the stapling process is completed, the sheets P ₁ ′ and P ₂ ′ are transported through the transport section 465 by the transport rollers 469 and 470 (see FIG. 75), and are sent to the storage tray 475 through the transport path 52 (see FIG. 76).

(Paper Passing Mode in Z-Fold / Rear End Binding Mode)
The paper passing form when the paper is Z-folded is as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9. After the Z-folding processing, the paper is discharged from the transport path 51 onto the accumulation tray 411, and a predetermined number of papers P ₁ to P ₁ are printed. P _n
Are accommodated / aligned on the tray 411 (see FIG. 77).
The Z-folded sheets P _{1 to} P _n are sent to the staple section 440 by the first chucking means 415, further conveyed by the conveying rollers 469 and 470, and stopped once when the rear end of the sheet reaches the stapling position. The stapling process is performed by the stapling unit 441 (see FIG. 78). After the stapling process is completed, sheets P _{1 to} P _n
Is transported along the transport section 465 and the transport path 52 by the transport rollers 469 and 470 and the transport roller pair 474 (FIG. 79).
(See FIG. 80).

(Paper Passing Mode in Half-Folding Mode / Rear-End Binding Mode) FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, after the two-folding process, the sheets are discharged from the transport path 51 onto the stacking tray 411, and a predetermined number of sheets P _{1 to Pn} are stored in the tray 411.
It is aligned (see FIG. 81). Folded paper P _1-
Pn is stapled by the first chuck means 415.
The sheet is further conveyed by the conveying rollers 469 and 470, temporarily stopped when the trailing edge of the sheet reaches the stapling position, and is stapled by the stapling unit 441 (see FIG. 82). After the stapling process is completed, the sheets P _{1 to} P _n are transported by the transport rollers 469 and 4.
The sheet is conveyed through the conveyance section 465 and the conveyance path 52 by the conveyance roller 70 and the conveyance roller pair 474 (see FIG. 83).
5 (see FIG. 84).

(Rear-End Binding Mode, Passing Form in Mixed Size Paper) Here, a case where the copy original is A4Y and A3T each and the number of copies is 1 will be described. In this case, A
3T paper is Z-folded to match the size of A4Y. The first sheet (A4Y) P ₁ is on transport path 4
9 and is transported along the transport path 50 (FIG. 8).
5, see FIG. 86 and FIG. 87), and are discharged onto the accumulation tray 411 from the transport path 51 (see FIG. 88 and FIG. 89). The second sheet (A3T) P ₂ is conveyed to the conveying path 48 is followed the paper P _1, is Z-folded by the folding mechanism 30 (FIGS. 85 to FIG 88
(See FIG. 89). Thereafter, Z-folded sheet P ₂ is discharged from the transport path 51 onto the stacking tray 411 are aligned on the sheet P ₁ (FIG. 9
0, see FIG. 91). Next, the sheets P ₁ and P ₂ are fed into the staple unit 440 by the first chucking means 415,
The sheet is further conveyed by the conveying rollers 469 and 470, and is temporarily stopped when the rear end of the sheet reaches the staple position (see FIG. 92). Here, the stapling process is performed on the rear ends of the sheets P ₁ and P ₂ . After completion of the stapling process, the sheets P ₁ and P ₂ are transported through the transport section 465 and the transport path 52 by the transport rollers 469 and 470 and the transport roller pair 474 (see FIG. 93), and sent to the storage tray 475 (see FIG. 94). .

(Saddle Stitching Mode) The paper fed into the finisher 40 is creased by the paper folding mechanism 30. Creasing process 13, it is as shown in FIG. 14, the first sheet P ₁ is discharged / aligned onto the stacking tray 411 in a state of being creased in the center (Figure 9
5). At this time, the second sheet P ₂ is also folded by the sheet folding mechanism 3.
It is creased at 0 and reaches the transport path 50. Further, the sheet P ₂ is discharged / aligned onto the stacking tray 411 through the conveying path 51 (see FIG. 96, FIG. 97).

Next, the sheets P ₁ and P ₂ are held in the first chucking device 4.
The sheet is fed to the staple unit 440 by the staple 15, and is further conveyed by the conveying rollers 469 and 470, and is temporarily stopped when the central portion of the sheet reaches the staple position (see FIG. 98). Here, stapling is performed on the folds of the sheets P ₁ and P ₂ . After the stapling process is completed, the sheets P ₁ and P ₂ are transported through the transport section 465 and the transport path 52 by the transport rollers 469 and 470 and the transport roller pair 474 (see FIG. 99), and are sent to the storage tray 475 (see FIG. 100). .

(Finish of Copy) Next, the finished state of copy according to the present embodiment will be described. First, AD
In F20, as shown in FIG. 101, the document D is set on the paper feed tray 21 with the image facing upward and the stapling position left. In the case of corner binding, the operator selects which of the corners v and w of the document D is to be bound. The document D is set on the platen glass of the copying machine 10 by the ADF 20 with the image facing downward as shown in FIG. At this time, the leading edge of the original D is scale 1
01 is set at the exposure position.

The copy finish in the paper size and the processing mode is as follows. When a small-size document is placed horizontally on the platen glass with respect to the scale 101 (a state in which the short side of the document is orthogonal to the scale 101), a state when the document is discharged from the copier 10, the accumulation tray 41
1 and the state when stapled and accommodated in the accommodation tray 475 are shown in FIG.
The state shown in FIG. At this time, the control unit of the copying machine 10 forms an image on the sheet without performing the image reversing process and binds the rear end of the sheet bundle stored on the stacking tray 411. FIG. 103A shows a case where the original is written vertically, and FIG. 103B shows a case where the original is horizontally written.

A small-size original is placed vertically on the platen glass with respect to the scale 101 (the long side of the original is
(Refer to a state orthogonal to 1), each step of the processing and the finish are in the state shown in FIG. Also,
Each step and the finish of the processing of the large-size original (in this case, the portrait) are in the state shown in FIG. In both cases, the control unit of the copying machine 10 performs an image reversal process and binds the leading end of the sheet bundle stored on the stacking tray 411.

Each step and finish when the sheet is Z-folded are as shown in FIG. 104 (c). At this time, the image reversing process is not performed, and the rear end of the sheet bundle is bound. For saddle stitch mode, when there are n sheets of documents, as shown in FIG. 105, the image D _n is the first sheet of the surface of the sheet P _1, D ₁ are formed, the image D _n on the back _-1 and D ₂ are formed. Further, images D _n−2 and D ₃ are formed on the front surface of the _second sheet P ₂ , and an image D
_n-3, D ₄ is formed. Hereinafter, an image is formed in a similar procedure.

The sheets P ₁ and P ₂ on which the images have been synthesized and copied on both sides are creased at the center by the paper folding mechanism 30 and discharged / aligned on the stacking tray 411. (See FIGS. 95 to 100). Assuming that there are eight originals, the original is finished in the state shown in FIG. In the case of the binding mode, as shown in FIG.
Images D ₁ and D _{2 on} the _first sheet P ₁ , images D ₃ and D _{4 on} the _second sheet P ₂ , and so on. Is formed in a state where the top and bottom are inverted at the time of discharging. Paper P _1, P ₂ is folded in two in the folding mechanism 30 is discharged / aligned onto the stacking tray 411, the staple processing is performed in the rear end portion (see FIG. 77 to FIG 80). Assuming that there are four originals, the document is finished in the state shown in FIG.

(Operation Panel) FIG. 109 shows an operation panel 220 installed on the copying machine 10. Operation panel 2
20, a liquid crystal touch panel 221, a numeric keypad 22
2. Copy start key 223, staple mode selection key 241, paper folding mode selection key 242, corner binding mode display 231, edge binding mode display 232,
Stapling mode display 233, saddle stitching mode display 23
4, a Z-fold mode display 235, a two-fold mode display 236, and the like are provided.

Each time the staple mode selection key 241 is turned on once, the indicators 231 to 234 are sequentially turned on, and the corresponding staple mode is selected. Each time the paper folding mode selection key 242 is turned on once, the indicators 235 and 236 are displayed.
Are sequentially lit, and the corresponding paper folding mode is selected.

(Control Unit) FIG. 110 shows a control unit of the copying system, which mainly comprises a CPU 201 for controlling the copying machine 10 and a CPU 202 for controlling the finisher 40. CPU 202 is a ROM 2 storing control information.
A control signal is output to loads such as various motors and solenoids, and a detection signal is input from detection means such as a sheet detection sensor.

(Control Procedure) FIG. 111 shows the main routine of the copying system. In step S1, an internal timer is set, and in step S2, a processing mode is determined based on information input from the operation panel 220. Next, in step S3, the ADF 20 is operated to make the document go around once, the number of documents is counted, and it is also determined whether or not stapling is possible in relation to the processing mode. Next, step S
In step S4, the copier 10 is operated to perform a copy process. In step S5, the finisher 40 is operated to process a sheet in a predetermined mode. When the count-up of the internal timer is confirmed in step S6, the process returns to step S1.

FIG. 112 shows a step S2 in the main routine.
3 shows a subroutine of the input process indicated by. Here, after confirming that the copying machine 10 is not copying in step S11, an input from the operation panel 220 is accepted in step S12, and various processing modes are set based on the input information in step S13. Next, in step S14, it is determined whether or not the half-fold mode is selected. If it is, the allowable number of staples is set to A in step S15.
Set to ₂ (for example, 30). If the two-fold mode has not been selected, it is determined whether or not the Z-fold mode has been selected in step S16. If the two-fold mode has been selected, the allowable number of staples is set to A ₃ (for example, 20) in step S17. If none of the above modes are selected,
That is, if the paper folding process is not performed, step S
In step 18, the allowable number of staples is set to A ₁ (for example, 60).

As described above, in this embodiment, the allowable number of staples is changed according to the type of the paper folding mode. When the folding mode is selected, the allowable number of staples is reduced when the folding mode is selected. ing. In particular, when the paper-folded paper and paper-folded not the paper are mixed, it sets the staple permissible number of paper folding mode to A ₂ or A _3. For example, when the original is in the A3T size and the A4Y size, and the Z-folding / staple mode is selected, the Z-folding process is performed on the A3T size copy sheet, but the A4Y size copy sheet is executed. The sheet is directly discharged onto the stacking tray 411 without performing the sheet folding process. Even in such a case, if at least one Z-fold copy sheet is mixed, the allowable number of staples is set to A in the Z-fold mode.
Set to ₃ . Document has a mix of A3T size and A4Y size, even if you select Folded / stapling mode, similarly sets a staple permissible number of sheets A _2.

When the operator manually sets the original on the platen glass and copies without using the ADF 20, the staple mode is selected in advance, and the folding mode is set for one large size original. Alternatively, the Z-fold mode may be selected. In this case as well, the mode input is accepted in step S12, and the corresponding allowable number A _{2 in} step S15 or S17.
Or it is set to A _3.

FIG. 113 shows a step S3 in the main routine.
3 shows a subroutine of document processing indicated by. Here,
The ADF 20 to count the number of originals
Good. Alternatively, input the number of originals on operation panel 220
You may do it. The control unit obtains the number of originals
Then, the Z-fold mode is selected in step S21.
It is determined whether or not the original is selected.
The number of manuscripts is the allowable number A _ThreeIs determined.
Number> A_ThreeIf so, release the Z-fold mode in step S23.
And set the mode to not fold paper.

[0118] Further, the bag binding mode is judged whether it has been selected at step S24, determines whether the number of documents exceeds the permissible number A ₂ at step S25 if it is selected. If number> A ₂ set by releasing the staple mode in step S26 in doubling mode, an instruction to discharge the sheet to the non-sort tray 401 in step S27.

[0119] Further, it is determined whether or not the number of documents exceeds the allowable number of A ₁ in step S28, to cancel the staple mode in step S29 if the number> A _1, non-sort tray 401 sheets in Step S30 To be discharged. FIG. 114 shows a step S4 in the main routine.
2 shows a subroutine of the main processing shown by. Here, first, in step S31, the sheets stored in the sheet feeding unit of the copying machine 10 are fed one by one to the image transfer unit. Next, if it is confirmed in step S32 that the paper has been fed,
At 33, the sheet feeding counter in the control unit is counted up.

[0120] Next, it is determined the count value of the paper feeding counter whether exceeds the allowable number of A _1, A ₂ or A _3, which is set at this time at step S34. If exceeded, step S
A warning process is performed in step S35, and subsequent sheet feeding is prohibited in step S36. The processes in steps S34, S35, and S36 are executed when a document is manually set on the platen glass without using the ADF 20.
Alternatively, in a copying system in which the ADF 20 is not mounted, the processing here deals with an excess of the number of sheets in the staple mode.

Further, in step S37, other processes in the copying machine 10 necessary for copying are executed. Fig. 115
Indicates a subroutine of the warning process shown in step S35. Here, first, at step S41, it is displayed on the operation panel 220 that the number of fed sheets has exceeded the allowable number of staples. Next, in step S42, the collecting tray 41
1 to determine whether or not to execute the stapling process on the sheet currently accommodated on the sheet. If so, the stapling process is performed in step S43, and the sheet bundle is discharged to the storage tray 475 in step S44.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a copying system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a finisher shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view showing a conveyance path in the finisher.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view showing another conveyance path in the finisher.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the finisher.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view for explaining the operation (Z-fold mode) of the paper folding mechanism.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view for explaining the operation (Z-fold mode) of the paper folding mechanism.

FIG. 8 is an elevation view for explaining the operation (Z-fold mode) of the paper folding mechanism.

FIG. 9 is an elevation view illustrating the operation of the paper folding mechanism (two-fold mode).

FIG. 10 is an elevation view illustrating the operation (folding mode) of the paper folding mechanism.

FIG. 11 is an elevation view for explaining the operation (folding mode) of the paper folding mechanism.

FIG. 12 is an elevation view illustrating the operation (folding mode) of the paper folding mechanism.

FIG. 13 is an elevation view illustrating the operation (folding mode) of the paper folding mechanism.

FIG. 14 is an elevation view illustrating the operation (folding mode) of the paper folding mechanism.

FIG. 15 is an elevation view illustrating the operation of the paper folding mechanism (paper passing mode).

FIG. 16 is an elevation view for explaining the operation (paper passing mode) of the paper folding mechanism.

FIG. 17 is an elevation view for explaining the operation (paper passing mode) of the paper folding mechanism.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a Z-folded sheet and a discharge state on a tray.

FIG. 19 is a front view showing a staple processing unit.

FIG. 20 is a plan view showing an accumulation tray.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view showing an accumulation tray.

FIG. 22 is a front view showing first chuck means.

FIG. 23 is a side view showing the first chuck means.

FIG. 24 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a staple processing unit.

FIG. 25 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the operation of the tip stopper (during regulation).

FIG. 26 is a partial sectional view showing the operation of the tip stopper (at the time of restriction release).

FIG. 27 is a front view showing a second chuck means.

FIG. 28 is a side view showing the second chuck means.

FIG. 29 is a front view showing a staple unit.

FIG. 30 is a front view showing the internal structure of the staple unit.

FIG. 31 is a view as viewed in the direction of the arrow Y in FIG. 29.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram showing a moving state of the staple unit.

FIG. 33 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a sheet bundle transport unit.

FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram showing a front end corner binding process.

FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram showing a multi-tip binding process.

FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram showing a rear end corner binding process.

FIG. 37 is an explanatory view showing a rear end multiple binding process.

FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram showing saddle stitching processing.

FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram showing staple positions for various types of sheets, and shows a case of one-side reference sheet passing.

FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram of a guide plate of a sheet bundle transport unit, showing a case of one-side reference sheet passing.

FIG. 41 is an explanatory diagram showing stapling points for various types of paper, and shows a case of center reference paper passing.

FIG. 42 is an explanatory view of a guide plate of a sheet bundle transport unit, showing a case of center reference sheet passing.

FIG. 43 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in a non-sort mode.

FIG. 44 is an explanatory view showing a paper passing mode in the non-sort mode, and is a continuation of FIG. 43.

FIG. 45 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in the non-sort mode, and is a continuation of FIG. 44.

FIG. 46 is an explanatory view showing a paper passing mode in the non-sort mode, and is a continuation of FIG. 45.

FIG. 47 is an explanatory view showing a paper passing mode in the non-sort mode, and is a continuation of FIG. 46.

FIG. 48 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in the non-sort mode, and is a continuation of FIG. 47.

FIG. 49 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in the non-sort mode, and is a continuation of FIG. 48.

FIG. 50 is an explanatory view showing a paper passing mode in the non-sort mode, and is a continuation of FIG. 49;

FIG. 51 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in a non-sort mode and a large amount of paper ejection.

FIG. 52 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in a non-sort mode and a large amount of paper ejection, and is a continuation of FIG. 51.

FIG. 53 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in a non-sort mode and a large amount of paper ejection, and is a continuation of FIG. 52.

FIG. 54 is an explanatory view showing a paper passing mode in a non-sort mode and a large amount of paper ejection, and is a continuation of FIG. 53.

FIG. 55 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in a non-sort mode and a large amount of paper ejection, and is a continuation of FIG. 54.

FIG. 56 is an explanatory view showing a sheet passing mode in a non-sort mode and a large amount of sheet ejection, and is a continuation of FIG. 55.

FIG. 57 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in a non-sort mode and mixed paper of different sizes.

FIG. 58 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in a non-sort / Z-fold mode.

FIG. 59 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in a non-sort / two-fold mode.

FIG. 60 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in the leading edge binding mode.

FIG. 61 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in the leading edge binding mode;
60 is continued.

FIG. 62 is an explanatory view showing a paper passing mode in the leading end binding mode;
The continuation of FIG.

FIG. 63 is an explanatory view showing a paper passing mode in the leading end binding mode;
FIG. 62 is continued.

FIG. 64 is an explanatory view showing a paper passing mode in the leading end binding mode;
Continuation of FIG.

FIG. 65 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in the leading end binding mode;
FIG. 64 is continued.

FIG. 66 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in the leading end binding mode;
FIG. 65 is continued.

FIG. 67 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in the leading end binding mode;
FIG. 66 is continued.

FIG. 68 is an explanatory view showing a paper passing mode in the leading end binding mode;
Continuation of FIG.

FIG. 69 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in the leading end binding mode;
Continuation of FIG.

FIG. 70 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in the leading end binding mode;
Continuation of FIG.

FIG. 71 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in the leading edge binding mode;
FIG. 70 is continued.

FIG. 72 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in the rear end binding mode.

FIG. 73 is an explanatory view showing a paper passing mode in the rear end binding mode;
FIG. 72 is continued.

FIG. 74 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in the rear end binding mode;
FIG. 73 is continued.

FIG. 75 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in the rear end binding mode;
FIG. 74 is continued.

FIG. 76 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in the rear end binding mode;
75 is continued.

FIG. 77 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in the Z-folding / rear-end binding mode.

FIG. 78 is an explanatory view showing a sheet passing mode in the Z-folding / back end binding mode, continued from FIG. 77;

FIG. 79 is an explanatory view showing a sheet passing mode in the Z-folding / back end binding mode, continued from FIG. 78;

FIG. 80 is an explanatory view showing a sheet passing mode in the Z-folding / rear end binding mode, continued from FIG. 79;

FIG. 81 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in the double-folding / rear-end binding mode.

FIG. 82 is an explanatory view showing a sheet passing mode in the double-folding / rear-end binding mode, continued from FIG. 81;

FIG. 83 is an explanatory view showing a paper passing mode in the double-fold / rear-end binding mode, continued from FIG. 82;

FIG. 84 is an explanatory view showing a paper passing mode in the double-folding / rear-end binding mode, continued from FIG. 83;

FIG. 85 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in the rear end binding mode and mixed paper of different sizes.

FIG. 86 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in the trailing end binding mode and mixed paper of different sizes, and is a continuation of FIG. 85.

FIG. 87 is an explanatory view showing a paper passing mode in the trailing end binding mode and mixed paper of different sizes, and is a continuation of FIG. 86.

FIG. 88 is an explanatory view showing a paper passing mode in the rear end binding mode and mixed paper of different sizes, and is a continuation of FIG. 87.

FIG. 89 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in the trailing end binding mode and mixed loading of different size sheets, and is a continuation of FIG. 88.

90 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in the trailing end binding mode and mixed loading of different size sheets, and is a continuation of FIG. 89.

FIG. 91 is an explanatory view showing a paper passing mode in the trailing end binding mode and mixed paper of different sizes, and is a continuation of FIG. 90;

FIG. 92 is an explanatory view showing a paper passing mode in the trailing end binding mode and mixed paper of different sizes, and is a continuation of FIG. 91.

FIG. 93 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in the trailing end binding mode and mixed paper of different sizes, and is a continuation of FIG. 92;

94 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in the trailing end binding mode and mixed paper of different sizes, and is a continuation of FIG. 93.

FIG. 95 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in the saddle stitching mode.

FIG. 96 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in the saddle stitching mode, continued from FIG. 95;

FIG. 97 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in the saddle stitching mode, continued from FIG. 96;

FIG. 98 is an explanatory view showing the paper passing mode in the saddle stitching mode, continued from FIG. 97;

FIG. 99 is an explanatory view showing the paper passing mode in the saddle stitching mode, continued from FIG. 98;

FIG. 100 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper passing mode in the saddle stitching mode;
Continuation of FIG.

FIG. 101 is a perspective view showing a state where a document is set on an ADF.

FIG. 102 is a plan view showing a document setting state on a platen glass of the copying machine.

FIG. 103 is an explanatory diagram showing a state during copy processing and a state of finish.

FIG. 104 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in the middle of a copy process and a finished state.

FIG. 105 is an explanatory diagram showing a copy state in the saddle stitching mode.

FIG. 106 is a perspective view showing a finished state in the saddle stitching mode.

FIG. 107 is an explanatory diagram showing a copy state in the binding mode;

FIG. 108 is a perspective view showing a finished state in the bag binding mode.

FIG. 109 is a plan view showing an operation panel.

FIG. 110 is a block diagram showing a control unit.

FIG. 111 is a flowchart showing a main routine of a control procedure.

FIG. 112 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of an input process.

FIG. 113 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of document processing.

FIG. 114 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of main processing.

FIG. 115 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a warning process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 copying machine 30 paper folding mechanism 35 paper folding unit 40 finisher 41 staple processing unit 201, 202 CPU 241 staple mode selection key 242 paper folding mode selection key 351 352 353 folding roller 411 Stacking tray 440: staple unit 441: staple unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65H 37/04 B65H 37/06 B65H 45/16

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus main body; a sheet folding means for folding a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus main body; and performing a stapling process on a sheet bundle. Stapling means; a first processing mode in which sheets are stacked by the paper folding means without being subjected to paper folding processing and bound by the staple means; paper sheets are subjected to paper folding processing by the paper folding means and stacked;
The second processing mode in which the sheets are bound by the stapling unit;
Paper sheets are stacked together and bound by the staple means.
A third processing mode; setting means for setting the allowable number of sheets for stapling ; this setting means sets a predetermined allowable number of sheets when the first processing mode is executed, and the second processing mode is executed. When the third processing mode is executed, a smaller allowable number is set than when the first processing mode is executed.
Set the same allowable number as when executing the management mode. 2. The folding means according to claim 1, wherein said folding means comprises a folding mode and a Z folding mode.
2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system is operable in a folding mode, and wherein the setting unit sets a smaller allowable number of staples in the Z-folding mode than in the two-folding mode. 3. 3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein when the number of sheets in the Z-fold mode exceeds the allowable number, the Z-fold mode is canceled. 4. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the stapling mode is canceled when the number of sheets in the folding mode exceeds the allowable number. 5. A finisher, comprising: a sheet folding unit for folding a sheet; a stapling unit for performing a stapling process on a sheet bundle; and performing a sheet folding process on the sheet by the sheet folding unit. A first processing mode in which sheets are stacked and bound by the staple means; sheets are folded by the paper folding means and stacked;
The second processing mode in which the sheets are bound by the stapling unit;
Paper sheets are stacked together and bound by the staple means.
A third processing mode; setting means for setting the allowable number of sheets for stapling ; this setting means sets a predetermined allowable number of sheets when the first processing mode is executed, and the second processing mode is executed. When the third processing mode is executed, a smaller allowable number is set than when the first processing mode is executed.
Set the same allowable number as when executing the management mode. 6. The paper folding means includes a folding mode and a Z-folding mode.
6. The finisher according to claim 5 , wherein the finisher is operable in a folding mode, and wherein the setting unit sets a smaller number of staple processing sheets in the Z-folding mode than in the two-folding mode. 7. The finisher according to claim 5, wherein the Z-fold mode is canceled when the number of sheets in the Z-fold mode exceeds the allowable number. 8. The finisher according to claim 5, wherein the stapling mode is canceled when the number of sheets in the folding mode exceeds the allowable number.