JP3494481B2 - Sorter - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sorter for distributing and storing sheets in bins arranged in multiple stages. 2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 8 is a simplified structural view of a conventional sorter, and FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of the same. In these figures, reference numeral 1 denotes a copying machine main body provided with a discharge roller 2 in a paper discharge section;
Is a sorter body arranged so that the entrance 4 faces the paper discharge section of the copier body 1, 5 is a pair of transport rollers, 6 is a pair of paper discharge rollers, 7 is a paper transport path, and 8 is each paper discharge roller. The deflecting claw is paired with the pair 6, and deflects the sheet to each of the bins arranged in multiple stages. In such a configuration, the sheet carried into the sorter 3 is transported in the transport path 7 by the transport roller pair 5, and is transported in the vertical transport section of the transport path 7 by the paper discharge roller pair 6. The sheet is discharged to the bin 9 corresponding to the deflection claw 8 by the action of the rotation of the deflection claw 8. [0003] In the conventional sorter described above, as shown in FIG. 8, a single transport path (a substantially horizontal portion at the lower portion of the sorter) is provided from the entrance 4 to each bin. And a vertical portion that rises at a substantially right angle from this portion), and the sheets are sequentially fed one by one through this one transport path, and the next sheet is discharged after the discharge to one bin is completed. The paper is ejected to the bin. for that reason,
There is a problem in that it takes time to convey the paper and stack it in each bin, and in some cases, the CPM of the copier body may be reduced due to the limitation on the number of sheets processed by the sorter. It should be noted that Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
Although a configuration in which two transport paths for guiding paper to the bin are provided is shown, the discharge of the next paper cannot be performed unless the movement of the bin is completed after the discharge to the bin and the stack are completed. ,
After all there was a problem with productivity. [0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a sorter in which the operation time of the sorter is reduced and the productivity is improved. [0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet classifying section having a large number of bins, and a branching claw for switching a transfer path of the transfer sheet at a location where the transfer sheet is received. In a sorter which can sort and accumulate sheets by the sheet discharging means provided respectively, a plurality of transport paths are configured between the branching claws and the sheet sorting section,
Further, the transport path and the sheet discharging means are formed in an endless loop shape, and the sheet passing through the branch claw is formed.
Sheet detecting means for detecting a sheet which has been conveyed from the image forming apparatus main body and passed through the branch claw.
When the detection is performed by the informing means, the branching claw is switched and the next
Successively conveying the sheet to another transport route, before Symbol sheet classification unit
It is achieved by means of output high to the bottle. According to the above means, the image forming apparatus is transported from the image forming apparatus main body.
By switching the branch claw for each sheet fed,
Can be discharged to the
The next sheet can be discharged to another bin even if the discharge to the bin is not completed.
Therefore, the work time of the sorter is shortened and the productivity is improved.
I do. An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sorter according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a detailed configuration diagram near a vertical transport path, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where a sheet is passed through an upper transport path, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a similar view when a sheet is passed through a side conveyance path. The same parts as those in the conventional example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. [0008] As shown in these figures, the entrance portion 4 has:
A branch claw 10 that is rotated and switched is provided. 11
Is a reversing entrance roller provided adjacently above the branch claw 10. The paper transport path faces an upper transport path 12 from the branch claw 10 to the uppermost bin 9-1, a lower transport path 13 from the branch claw 10 to the lowermost bin 9-n, and a bin base. Thus, a vertical transport path 14 connecting the upper transport path 12 and the lower transport path 13 is formed in a loop. In the vertical transport path 14, as shown in FIG.
In correspondence with the number n of the bins 9, a unit including a discharge roller pair 6 including a driving roller 6a and a driven roller 6b, and a unit including a deflecting claw 8 are provided. 14 is transported in the ascending or descending direction. Note that, depending on the paper transport direction, the pair of paper discharge rollers 6
It is needless to say that the rotation direction can be switched. When the sheet is conveyed to just before the bin to be discharged, the leading end thereof is regulated by the rotating and displacing deflection claw 8, and the sheet is turned in a substantially right-angle direction and discharged onto the bin. . Next, how the paper is passed through the upper transport path or the lower transport path will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. When the upper conveyance path mode is selected, as shown in FIG. 3, the branch claw 10 is driven by a solenoid (not shown) to rotate so as to open the upper conveyance path 12 side and close the lower conveyance path 13 side. . Accordingly, the paper P is passed through the upper transport path 12, passes through the vertical transport path 14, and passes through the bin 9-
1 to 9-n. On the other hand, when the lower conveyance path mode is selected, as shown in FIG. 4, the branching pawl 10 rotates in the opposite direction, and the paper P passes through the lower conveyance path 13 to the bins 9-1 to 9-.
n. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sorter showing an example in which a paper sensor is provided near the branch claw. As shown in FIG. 5, paper sensors 15, 15 such as reflection-type photosensors, are disposed in the upper transport path 12 and the lower transport path 13 near the downstream side of the branch claw 10. Is detected. FIGS. 6 and 7 are explanatory views showing the manner of switching the transport path based on the detection of the trailing edge of the sheet by the sheet sensor. As shown in FIG.
When the trailing edge of the _first sheet P1 is detected by the sheet sensor 15, the branch claw 10 is switched by this signal,
The second sheet P ₂ passes through the lower transport path 13. Also,
When the second sheet of the trailing edge of the sheet P ₂ is detected by the paper sensor 15, the branching claw 10 is switched again, as shown in FIG. 7, the sheet P ₃ of the third sheet to the upper feeding path 12 passed Is done. In the examples shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the number of bins is set to 10, and the upper transport path 12 is used for discharging paper from the first bin 9-1 to the fifth bin 9-5. -6 to the tenth bin 9-10, the lower transport path 1
3, paper is alternately discharged to upper and lower bin groups. For this reason, it is possible to discharge sheets to a plurality of bins simultaneously. In the present invention, the number of bins is not limited to 10, but may be any number, and the transfer route of the transfer paper (upward → lower or lower → upper) depends on the specifications and requirements. Software may be set as appropriate. In the above-described embodiment, the sheet classifying section having a large number of bins 5, the branching claw 10 for switching the transfer path (12, 13) of the transfer paper to a place where the transfer paper is received are provided. In a sorter which can sort and accumulate sheets by sheet discharging means respectively arranged facing these bins 5, a plurality of transport paths (12, 13, 14) are provided between the branching claw 10 and the sheet sorting section. Further, the transport paths (12, 13, 14) and the sheet discharging means are configured in an endless loop shape, and transfer paper transferred from the image forming apparatus main body is transported in the same transport path (12, 1).
3, 14) or a plurality of transport paths (12, 13, 14)
The transfer paper conveyed from the main body of the copying machine can be simultaneously discharged to a plurality of bins 5, and the pre-transfer paper is discharged to a certain bin. Even if the transfer is not completed, the next transfer paper can be discharged to another bin, so that the operation time of the sorter is shortened and the productivity is improved. According to the first aspect of the present invention, an image is formed.
Switch the branch claw for each sheet conveyed from the machine body
Ete, it is possible to output discharge into a plurality of bins, further,
Even if the previous sheet is not completely discharged to a certain bin, the next sheet can be discharged to another bin, so that the work time of the sorter is shortened and the productivity is improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sorter according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a detailed configuration diagram near a vertical transport path of the sorter according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a sheet of a sorter according to an embodiment of the present invention is passed through an upper conveyance path. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which sheets of a sorter according to an embodiment of the present invention are passed through a lower conveyance path. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sorter showing an example in which a paper sensor is provided near a branch claw. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state of switching a conveyance path based on detection of a trailing edge of a sheet by a sheet sensor. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state of switching a conveyance path based on detection of a trailing edge of a sheet by a sheet sensor. FIG. 8 is a simplified configuration diagram of a sorter according to a conventional example. FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of a sorter according to a conventional example. [Description of Signs] 9 Bin 10 Branch Claw 12 Upper Transport Path 13 Lower Transport Path 14 Vertical Transport Path

Claims (1)

(57) [Claim 1] A sheet classifying unit having a large number of bins, and a branching claw for switching a transfer path of the transfer sheet at a position for receiving the transfer sheet are provided, each of which is disposed facing the bin. In a sorter capable of sorting and accumulating sheets by the provided sheet discharging means, a plurality of transport paths are configured between the branching claw and the sheet sorting section, and further, the transport path and the sheet discharging means are endless. Sheet detecting means configured to detect a sheet that has been formed in a loop and has passed through the branch claw.
And a sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus main body and passed through the branch claw.
When the sheet is detected by the sheet detecting means, the branch
Sorter, characterized in that by switching pawl sequentially conveys the next sheet to another transport path, and out exhaust Previous Stories sheet classification of the bottle.