JP4082637B2 - Paper post-processing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus used in combination with an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer. Specifically, the paper ejected from the image forming apparatus is temporarily stacked on the paper alignment tray, the post-processing means performs post-processing on the paper stack stacked on the paper alignment tray, and then the post-processing is performed by the processing means. The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus that discharges a sheet bundle onto a sheet discharge tray.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a sheet post-processing apparatus that is used in combination with this type of image forming apparatus, there is one that has been reduced in size to save space (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-144370).
In addition, there is a type in which a stapler is moved along a paper distribution path to distribute and discharge a bundle of sheets after the stapling process to each of multiple discharge trays (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-10364).
[0003]
In the former apparatus, the transport and discharge path when post-processing such as stipple processing is performed on the paper and the transport and discharge path when post-processing such as stipple is not performed on the paper are shared to reduce the size of the apparatus. ing.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the former temporarily stacks the paper on the paper alignment tray when post-processing the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus, so that the paper is transported onto the paper alignment tray so as not to disturb the stack. The guide member for guiding was not provided. For this reason, when the paper discharged on the paper alignment tray is discharged as it is onto the paper discharge tray without performing post-processing, there is a risk of causing a paper transport jam.
The latter has the disadvantage that the apparatus becomes large in size so that the stapler can move without interfering with other mechanisms.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a paper transport jam when a sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus onto a sheet alignment tray is discharged as it is onto a discharge tray without performing post-processing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus having a high reliability of sheet conveyance without causing a risk of occurrence of the sheet.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Accordingly, in the first aspect of the present invention, the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus is temporarily stacked on the paper alignment tray, and post-processing is performed on the paper stack stacked on the paper alignment tray by the post-processing means. Then, in a paper post-processing apparatus that discharges a bundle of paper after post-processing by the post-processing means onto a paper discharge tray,
A paper guide means for forming a paper conveyance path between the paper guide portions is provided,
When post-processing is performed on the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus, when the paper guiding means is retracted to a position that does not hinder the conveyance of the paper stacked on the paper alignment tray, and post-processing is not performed. has a structure in which a position guided to the paper guide means said sheet align tray on go to through the paper transportation path one sheet at a time discharge tray on.
[0007]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the sheet guide portion is constituted by a pair of guide plates.
[0008]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the sheet guiding means is provided so as to be freely rotatable between a retracted position and a moving position on the sheet aligning tray.
[0009]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the sheet guide means is provided so as to be movable in parallel between a retracted position and a moving position on the sheet alignment tray.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0011]
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention.
[0012]
The sheet post-processing apparatus 2 is attached to a side portion of an image forming apparatus indicated by reference numeral 1 in the drawing, for example.
[0013]
The paper post-processing device 2 includes a punch unit 3 that mainly performs punch processing, a proof tray 4 for stacking fax paper and interrupt paper, a paper alignment tray 5 for processing paper, a stapler 6, and a copy. A large-volume tray (discharge tray) 7 for stacking paper and a plurality of mailbox trays (discharge tray) 8 for stacking printer paper are configured.
[0014]
The paper discharged from the image forming apparatus 1 is conveyed in the horizontal direction by the entrance roller 10 and sent to the punch unit 3. The punch unit 3 is a rotary punch that is synchronized with the conveyance of the paper, and may or may not perforate the paper when selected by an operation panel (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 1. The paper is not stopped.
[0015]
The sheet that has passed through the punch unit 3 is conveyed by the conveying roller and reaches the branching claw 11. Here, according to the paper processing mode condition, the branching claw 11 is operated by a solenoid (not shown) to switch the conveyance path in two directions A and B. The transport path B is used when paper is not stapled in the printer mode and discharged to the mailbox tray 8. The conveyance path A is used when discharging paper to the proof tray 4, discharging to the large-capacity tray 7, and when stapling the paper.
[0016]
The paper that has advanced to the conveyance path A reaches the branching claw 12 and is switched between two directions: a conveyance path C that goes to the proof tray 4, and a conveyance path D that goes to the paper alignment tray 5 and the large quantity tray 7.
[0017]
The paper passing through the transport path C is stacked on the proof tray 4 by the paper discharge roller 13. The paper passing through the transport path D is transported differently in the stipple mode and in the non-stipple mode.
[0018]
In the non-stipple mode, as shown in FIG. 2, the sheet guide means 14 that forms a sheet transport path E with a pair of guide plates 14b and guide plates 14c serving as a sheet guide portion, The sheet is waiting in a state of being lowered to the center, and the sheet is fed into the sheet conveyance path E by the sheet discharge roller 32 and the driven roller 32a, and is discharged to the mass tray 7 by the sheet discharge roller 15 and the driven roller 16.
[0019]
In the stipple mode, as shown in FIG. 3, the sheet guide means 14 stands by with the fulcrum 14a raised upward, and the sheet is discharged by the discharge roller 32 and the driven roller 32a. The sheet passes through the lower side of the plate 14c and is temporarily stacked on the sheet alignment tray 5.
[0020]
The sheet guide means 14 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise around the fulcrum 14a by turning a gear attached to the fulcrum 14a by a drive motor.
[0021]
The paper guide means 14 may not be driven by a gear and a motor, and the paper guide means 14 may be rotated clockwise by a solenoid around a fulcrum 14a. In this case, a force is always required to rotate the paper guiding means 14 counterclockwise about the fulcrum 14a. As the force to be rotated, the weight of the sheet guiding unit 14 or a separate spring may be used. Similarly, the sheet guiding means 14 can be driven by a combination of a cam, a drive motor and a spring.
[0022]
Further, the sheet guiding means 14 may be translated up and down as shown in FIG. In this case, the sheet guiding means 14 can be efficiently driven using a mechanism such as a crank.
[0023]
The sheet aligning tray 5 is provided with a telescopic tray 17 in order to reduce the width of the apparatus. The telescopic tray 17 is provided at the center of the sheet alignment tray 5 in the depth direction. This is to prevent interference with the jogger mechanism that aligns the width of the sheet bundle.
[0024]
The telescopic tray 17 completes the operation of extending for a predetermined time after the sensor 31 detects the leading edge of the paper and waits for the paper to be stacked. At this time, the extension length of the telescopic tray 17 is adjusted according to the length of the conveyed paper. For example, if the A4 vertical size is passed, the front end position of the telescopic tray 17 extends to the A4 vertical front end position. If the A3 vertical size is passed, the leading end position of the extendable tray 17 extends to the stacked A3 vertical leading end position.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 1, the paper temporarily stacked on the paper alignment tray 5 is brought into contact with the stop member 35 by the brush roller 33 disposed on the same axis as the paper discharge roller 32 and the hitting roller 34. Are aligned, the jogger fence 36 is aligned in the horizontal direction, and the stapler 6 performs a stipple operation. In that case, the stapler 6 can be slid by the drive unit 361 and stippled to the instructed position.
[0026]
In the copy mode, the telescopic tray 17 is then stored in the sheet alignment tray 5 by the above-described mechanism. Thereafter, the sheet guiding unit 14 is lowered, and the sheet discharge driven roller 16 attached to the sheet guiding unit 14 pressurizes the sheet, and the sheet discharging unit 15 rotates and conveys the sheet to the large quantity tray 7.
[0027]
A predetermined number of sheets are successively ejected to the large-capacity tray 7 and the upper surface of the sheet is detected by the sensor 40 so that the stacked sheets are always stacked at a fixed position. When the transfer paper is full on the large-volume tray 7, it is detected by the lower limit sensor 41.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 6, the large-volume tray 7 is suspended from the vertical lift belt 42. The vertical lift belt 42 is driven by a vertical motor 43 through a gear train and a timing belt, and is lifted or lowered by normal rotation or reverse rotation of the vertical motor 43. If necessary, the large-volume tray 7 performs a shifting operation in a direction orthogonal to the paper discharge direction to sort the paper.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 1, when the stapled paper is discharged to the mailbox tray 8 in the printer mode, the stop member 35 and the stapler 6 are placed outside the paper side closer to the near side or the back side. Retreat to. At that time, the stop member 35 moves by engaging a part of the stapler 6 and following the slide operation.
[0030]
Next, the chuck arm pair 37 waiting at the rear end of the sheet rotates clockwise around the fulcrum 37a with the sheet bundle sandwiched by the operation of the cam 38, and drops the sheet bundle from the rear end side. When the chuck arm pair 37 reaches the one-dot chain line part, the chuck arm pair 37 is opened by the operation of the cam 38, and the rotational operation is accelerated while releasing the sheet bundle to take over the sheet bundle to the transport path F (sheet distribution path F).
[0031]
The sheet bundle that has advanced to the conveyance path F is conveyed downward by the driving roller 50 and the driven roller 51, and when the leading end side (upper side) of the sheet comes slightly below the branching claw 52 of the mailbox tray 8 to be discharged. Then, the conveyance of the sheet bundle is stopped. At that time, if it is a large-sized sheet or the mailbox tray 8 to be discharged is on the lower side, the sheet bundle is turned by the turn section 56 and conveyed upward.
[0032]
When the sheet bundle is stopped, the pressures of the driving roller 50 and the driven roller 51 are released by operating the connecting member (lever) 57 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The sheet bundle is conveyed (switched back) in the reverse direction as the sheet bundle is pushed out by the discharge claw 53.
[0033]
When the branch claw 52 of the mailbox tray 8 that discharges the sheet bundle is switched, the discharge claw 53 stops in front of the branch claw 52, and thereafter is conveyed by the paper discharge roller 77 and the driven roller 78 to transfer the sheet bundle to the mailbox. Discharge to tray 8.
[0034]
The sheet heading toward the conveyance path B enters the conveyance path F and is discharged from the leading end side of the sheet by switching the branching claw 52 of the mailbox tray 8 to be discharged. In this case, unlike the case of the stapled sheet bundle, the switchback operation is not performed.
[0035]
Since the branching claw 52 has to deflect the paper conveyed from the upper and lower directions to the mail box, it is divided into two parts from above and from below as shown in FIG. The two are engaged with each other by the gear portion 52a, and if one of them is deflected, the other can also be deflected. When the branching claw 52 is operated (in the state of the two-dot chain line in FIG. 7), the tips of the two claws intersect, but the two claws are comb-like to avoid interference.
[0036]
When paper is discharged to the mailbox tray 8, the paper presence / absence detection sensor 54 notifies the user of the presence / absence of mail on the personal computer, and when the discharged paper exceeds the allowable amount of the mailbox tray, the fullness is detected. The sensor 55 notifies the printout user and the image forming apparatus 1 of the fact.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
Therefore, in the paper post-processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The paper discharged from the image forming apparatus is temporarily stacked on the paper alignment tray, the post-processing means performs post-processing on the paper stack stacked on the paper alignment tray, and then the post-processing paper bundle is processed by the processing means. In a paper post-processing apparatus that discharges paper onto a paper discharge tray, a paper guide means that constitutes a paper conveyance path is provided between the paper guide portions , and when the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus is subjected to post-processing, the paper while retracted said sheet guiding means to a position that does not interfere with the conveyance of the sheet to be stacked on the alignment tray, when not subjected to post-treatment, the sheet transport to move the sheet guiding means to the sheet align tray on since a configuration of a position to guide the sheet onto the discharge tray one by one through the road, because it can be used depending on the application the conveyance path different space, paper transportable It can be reliable to provide a stable high-quality sheet post-processing apparatus is improved.
[0038]
In the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the second aspect, since the sheet guide portion is constituted by a pair of guide plates, a small-sized sheet post-processing apparatus can be provided at a low price.
[0039]
In the sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 3, since the sheet guiding means is rotatably provided at the retracted position and the moving position on the sheet alignment tray, the conveyance path is retracted in the rotating direction. As a result, the drive means for saving can be simplified, and a small sheet post-processing apparatus can be provided at a low price.
[0040]
In the paper post-processing apparatus according to claim 4, since the paper guide means is provided so as to be movable in parallel between the retracted position and the moving position on the paper alignment tray, a space for retracting movement can be reduced. A small paper post-processing apparatus can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing an embodiment of the present invention when discharging in a non-stipple mode.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing an embodiment of the present invention at the time of discharging in the staple mode.
FIG. 4 is a side view showing the mechanism of the embodiment of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a side view showing an embodiment when discharging a large amount of trays in the stipple mode of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a mass tray of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a side view showing the mechanism of the deflection claw according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Paper post-processing apparatus 5 Paper alignment tray 7 Large quantity tray (discharge tray)
8 Mailbox tray (output tray)
14 paper guide means
14b guide plate ( paper guide)
14c guide plate ( paper guide)
E paper transport path

Claims (4)

The paper discharged from the image forming apparatus is temporarily stacked on the paper alignment tray, the post-processing means performs post-processing on the paper stack stacked on the paper alignment tray, and then the post-processing paper bundle is processed by the processing means. In the paper post-processing device that discharges the paper onto the paper discharge tray,
A paper guide means for forming a paper conveyance path between the paper guide portions is provided,
When post-processing is performed on the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus, when the paper guiding means is retracted to a position that does not hinder the conveyance of the paper stacked on the paper alignment tray, and post-processing is not performed. if the configuration and to have a sheet post-processing apparatus to a position to guide into the sheet guide means said sheet align tray on go to through the paper transportation path one sheet at a time discharge tray on.   The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet guide unit is configured by a pair of guide plates. 2. The paper post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper guiding means is provided so as to be rotatable between a retracted position and a moving position on the paper alignment tray. 2. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet guiding means is provided so as to be movable in parallel between a retracted position and a moving position on the sheet alignment tray.

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