JP4106671B2 - Sheet post-processing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus for post-processing a sheet conveyed from an image forming unit such as a copying machine or a printer, and more particularly to a sheet post-processing apparatus having a stacking tray that can move up and down to stack a bundle of sheets. The present invention also relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus that processes a sheet bundle according to the up-and-down movement of the stacking tray.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional sheet post-processing apparatus places sheets formed and conveyed from an image forming apparatus as a bundle on a processing tray, aligns the bundled sheets, staples, punches, clips, and the like. A device that executes processing and accumulates and stores in a stacking tray is known. Also, such a sheet post-processing apparatus is known that has one or a plurality of stacking trays and is configured to move up and down according to the stacking state of the stacking trays. The elevation is lowered each time the sheet bundle is stacked on the stacking tray, or is raised when the sheet bundle is taken out in the middle, and the height for receiving the sheet bundle discharged thereafter is adjusted. To do. In addition, in the case of one having a plurality of stacking trays, when one stacking tray is full and it is difficult to stack further, it is raised or lowered to stack and store subsequent sheet bundles by other stacking trays. In addition, there is also known one configured to switch the stacking tray to be used.
[0003]
Here, conventionally, when the stacking tray is moved up and down, the discharge of the subsequent sheet to the processing tray is prohibited, and the processing such as staple binding of the sheet is also stopped, and the post-processing device after the lifting and lowering of the stacking tray is finished. Since the series of processing operations were restored and restarted, the overall processing time was increased.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made paying attention to such a problem. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to perform the subsequent processing as a whole without stopping a series of processing operations as much as possible even when the stacking tray is raised and lowered. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus that can speed up the process.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Therefore, the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention is arranged on the downstream side of the processing tray on which the sequentially loaded sheets are stacked in a predetermined stacking position at a predetermined stacking position, and a plurality of sheet bundles from the processing tray are arranged. A stackable tray that can be moved up and down, a conveying unit that conveys a sheet bundle on the processing tray to the accumulation tray, a post-processing unit that performs predetermined processing on the sheet bundle on the processing tray, A sheet post-processing apparatus having a lifting and lowering operation and a control means for controlling the transporting operation of the transporting means, wherein the control means moves the stack of sheets on the processing tray when the stacking tray is moved up and down. From the loading position, the post-processing means and the post-processing means The position immediately before carrying out the sheets to the stacking tray in the direction of The stacking tray is moved to a position that does not hinder the up-and-down movement of the stacking tray. In addition to accepting or stacking sheets by the processing tray, or instead, the sheet bundle is made to wait at a predetermined position when the stacking tray is moved up and down by the conveying means, thereby improving the efficiency of subsequent processing. Plan.
[0006]
Further, the conveying means conveys the sheet bundle during the up-and-down movement of the stacking tray within a range that does not hinder the up-and-down movement of the stacking tray. The process necessary for discharging to the stacking tray is completed in advance, and the subsequent processing is shortened. For example, the conveying unit takes over a first bundle conveying unit that grasps and conveys a sheet bundle on the sheet processing tray, and discharges the sheet bundle to the stacking tray by inheriting the sheet bundle grasped and conveyed from the first grasping and conveying unit. In the case of the second gripping and transporting unit gripping and transporting to the position, the first gripping and transporting unit waits for the completion of the movement of the stacking tray while gripping the sheet bundle on the processing tray. Further, when the movement of the stacking tray is an up-and-down movement within a range that does not interfere with the transport path of the transporting unit, the transporting unit transports the sheet bundle to a discharge position for discharging the sheet bundle to the stacking tray. As a result, the necessary processing thereafter can be greatly shortened, and the sheet can be continuously placed on the sheet processing tray.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
First, a sheet post-processing apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as “post-processing apparatus”) that performs processing such as stapling by aligning a plurality of sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus to a sheet processing tray, and a sheet bundle after the processing The entire sheet processing apparatus including the stacking processing apparatus which receives and discharges and stacks on a predetermined sheet discharge tray (hereinafter referred to as “stacking tray”) will be described with reference to the drawings, and a specific embodiment of the present invention will be described. Details of the embodiment will be described.
[0008]
1 to 3, the sheet processing apparatus 1 includes a post-processing apparatus main body 20 and an integrated processing apparatus main body 50, each of which includes an independent casing.
[0009]
As shown in FIG. 3, the post-processing apparatus main body 20 stores the image-formed sheets S sequentially discharged from the copying machine 2 on the stacking tray 3 when there is no post-processing and on the processing tray when there is post-processing. A first-stage conveyance unit 5 that conveys the sheet S in a sortable manner, an alignment unit 6 that aligns a plurality of sheets S received on the processing tray 4, and a first grip that grips and conveys the aligned sheet bundle S ′. Means 7, a stapler 8 for stapling the sheet bundle S ′ held by the first gripping means 7, and an auxiliary tray positioned above the processing tray 4 and below the pre-stage conveying means 5 as shown in FIG. 4. 13.
[0010]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the post-processing apparatus main body 20 includes a vertical wall 20 a serving as a storage reference surface of the sheet S with respect to the processing tray 4, an opening 20 b through which the sheet S is discharged, an alignment member 30 and a holding member described later. 34 from the rail grooves 20c and 20d allowing the movement of 34, the rail groove 20e allowing the movement of the first gripping means 7, and the processing tray 4 of the sheet bundle S ′ after being stapled and stapled by the first gripping means 7. Opening 20f that allows cooperative movement to the two-stage stacking trays 9A and 9B (Outlet for unloading the sheet bundle to the stacking tray; the same applies hereinafter) (FIG. 1) is formed.
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 1, the opening 20f is parallel to the processing tray 4 and also to the stacking trays 9A and 9B. Accordingly, the sheet bundle S ′ moves in parallel from the processing tray 4 to the stacking trays 9A and 9B, whereby the consistency of the sheet bundle S ′ stacked on the stacking trays 9A and 9B is maintained well.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 3, the stacking apparatus main body 50 stacks up and down stacking trays 9 </ b> A and 9 </ b> B for stacking the sheet bundle S ′ that has been bound by the stapler 8 and the first gripping unit 7. The second gripping means 10 that inherits and holds the sheet bundle S ′ conveyed toward the trays 9A and 9B and conveys the sheet bundle S ′ to a predetermined position on the stacking trays 9A and 9B, and the stacking tray as shown in FIGS. The sheet height detection means (paper surface detection sensor) 11 for detecting the height of the sheet bundle S ′ accumulated on the sheets 9A and 9B and the sheet bundle on the collection trays 9A and 9B are collected by the operator. An intermediate take-out sensor 14 that detects that all or part of the sheet bundle has been removed, elevating means 12 that elevates the accumulation trays 9A and 9B, and elevating and lowering the accumulation trays 9A and 9B as shown in FIGS. And a shutter 15 for interlocking.
[0013]
In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the stacking apparatus main body 50 includes a vertical wall 50 a for positioning and alignment on which one side of the sheet bundle S ′ conveyed to the stacking trays 9 </ b> A and 9 </ b> B abuts, and a second gripping unit 10. A horizontal opening 50b allowing horizontal movement and a vertical opening 50c communicating with the horizontal opening 50b and allowing vertical rotation of the second gripping means 10 are formed.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 3, the stacking tray 3 is formed by inclining the upper part of the outer frame of the post-processing apparatus main body 20, and its upstream side is positioned downward and its downstream side is positioned upward. A vertical wall 3a is formed from the upstream end of the stacking tray 3, and a discharge opening 3b is provided above the vertical wall 3a.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 4, the pre-stage conveying means 5 has a conveyance port 21 opened on one side surface of the post-processing apparatus main body 20 on the rear side, and this conveyance port 21 is connected to a discharge port (not shown) of the copying machine 2. It is matched. A flapper 23A is disposed downstream of the conveyance port 21 to switch the conveyance path of the sheet S between a path 24A on the upper stacking tray 3 side and a path 24B on the lower processing tray 4 side following the conveyance roller pair 22. Yes. The transport path 24A is provided with transport roller pairs 25A and 25B, and the transport path 24B is provided with discharge rollers 26A and 26B and the sensor 17. Further, a reversing path 24C is provided between the transport paths 24A and 24B, and when the sheet is reversed and discharged to the processing tray 4, the sheet trailing edge passes through the reversing flapper 23B provided on the transport path 24A. The roller rotation of the pair of conveying rollers 25A and 25B is reversed, the sheet conveying direction is reversed, and the sheet is supplied to the reversing path 24C. A sensor 23C is attached to the inversion flapper 23B.
[0016]
The processing tray 4 is located below the stacking tray 3 and is inclined in parallel with the stacking tray 3. In order to be bound by the stapler 8, a series of sheets S are sequentially conveyed to the processing tray 4 in the discharge direction A by the discharge rollers 26 </ b> A and 26 </ b> B at the end of the path 24 </ b> B. As shown in FIG. 3, the processing tray 4 is formed such that an inclined lower end portion rises in a direction perpendicular to the tray surface, and one side of the sheet S extending in the front-rear direction perpendicular to the discharge direction A is in contact with the processing tray 4. It becomes the wall 20a.
[0017]
The aligning means 6 aligns a plurality of sheet bundles S ′ stored on the processing tray 4 by contacting the reference surface 4a of the processing tray 4 before and after the discharging direction, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the right and left of the discharge direction are aligned by an alignment member 30 disposed on both sides of the processing tray 4 and a shutter-type reference plate 31 that can be moved up and down.
[0018]
As the moving mechanism of the alignment member 30, a rail 32 extending in the width direction is provided at the lower portion of the processing tray 4, and a holding member 34 that supports the alignment member 30 so as to be able to travel by the conical roller 33 is disposed inside the rail 32. Further, a belt 36 is hung between the pair of pulleys 35 </ b> A and 35 </ b> B, and a part of the holding member 34 is fixed to the middle of the belt 36. One pulley 35B is driven by the alignment motor 37 (see FIG. 17), and the alignment member 30 moves.
[0019]
As a result, while the sheets S are sequentially conveyed in the discharge direction A, the alignment member 30 is in the retracted open position. After receiving a predetermined number of sheets S, the alignment member 30 moves forward and presses against the reference plate 31 for alignment. Do.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 16, the reference plate 31 includes a fixed plate 311 fixed to the inner wall of the post-processing apparatus main body 20, a shutter solenoid 312 held by the fixed plate 311, and a connection provided at the tip of the shutter solenoid 312. The plate 313, a pair of arms 314 having one end connected to the connection plate 313, and connection pins 316 and 317 that convert the rotational movement of the arm 314 into linear movement by a guide groove 315 formed in the fixed plate 311. And a shutter plate 318 connected to the other end of the arm 314. The shutter solenoid 312 discharges the sheet S, which is the basis of the next sheet bundle S ′, onto the processing tray 4 in the process in which one sheet bundle S ′ is conveyed from the processing tray 4 to the stacking trays 9A and 9B. When this happens, the arm 314 is rotated so that the shutter plate 318 comes into contact with the upper surface of the sheet bundle S ′ that is in the process of conveyance in order to enable alignment of the sheet S as a base.
[0021]
The first gripping means 7 sandwiches the rear end portion of the sheet bundle S ′ aligned on the processing tray 4 from the vertical direction and conveys it in the conveyance direction B orthogonal to the discharge direction A. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the first gripping means 7 is provided with an upper and lower clamping lever 41 that opens and closes on the moving frame 40, and a detailed mechanism is not shown, but with the operation of the bundle pressing solenoid 43. Grip one side of the sheet bundle S ′. Note that the forward and backward movement of the clamping lever 41 is performed by driving the clamping lever motor 42 in FIG.
[0022]
Above the processing tray 4, a flat auxiliary tray 13 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 14 is disposed between the pair of discharge rollers 26 rotated by driving of the transport motor 19. The auxiliary tray 13 is shorter and narrower than the processing tray 4 and is provided so as to be able to advance and retract toward the reference position side of the processing tray 4. That is, both ends of the auxiliary tray 13 are slidably supported by the upper and lower guide rollers 45, the pinion gear 47 is engaged with the central rack 46, and is slid by the drive of the pinion gear 47 interlocked with the drive of the auxiliary tray motor 48. The In the illustrated state, the auxiliary tray 13 is moving forward.
[0023]
The auxiliary tray 13 advances before the next series of sheets S is conveyed while the sheet bundle S ′ is aligned in a state where the series of sheet bundles S ′ are discharged onto the processing tray 4. By operating and receiving the next sheet S, the sheet bundle S ′ being conveyed (stapling) is separated.
[0024]
Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the auxiliary tray 13 has a return function for conveying the sheet S in the return direction C opposite to the discharge direction A when the sheet S is placed on the auxiliary tray 13. This return function includes a discharge roller 26A and a discharge roller 26B that elastically contacts the discharge roller 26A. The diameter of the discharge roller 26B is larger than that of the discharge roller 26A and is made of a soft material. The outer peripheral surface of the discharge roller 26B comes into light contact with the sheet S on the auxiliary tray 13 so that the leading end of the sheet S comes into contact with the contact plate 20a. It sends out in the return direction C.
[0025]
Since only about one or two sheets S are placed on the auxiliary tray 13, a mechanism corresponding to the thickness change of the sheet S is unnecessary. Further, the advance / retreat timing of the auxiliary tray 13 is arranged on the upstream side in the discharge direction of the sheet S by the discharge rollers 26A and 26B as discharge means, and the leading edge of the sheet discharged by the discharge rollers 26A and 26B is on the processing tray 4. Alternatively, the detection is performed based on the detection result of the detection sensor 17 in FIG.
[0026]
In other words, a plurality of rail grooves 20c, 20d, and 20e are extended in the processing tray 4 in a direction perpendicular to the sheet S conveyance direction, as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the sheets S are not stacked on the processing tray 4, if the first sheet S is directly discharged to the processing tray 4, the leading edge of the sheet S is buckled along with the height of the processing tray 4. Alternatively, the above-described rail grooves 20c, 20d, and 20e may be caught. Further, even when the sheets S are stacked on the processing tray 4, the leading edge of the next sheet S may abut against the previous sheet S and buckle. Furthermore, the above-described sheet bundle S ′ and the next sheet S must be separated.
[0027]
Accordingly, the detection sensor 17 detects the leading edge of the sheet S to advance the auxiliary tray 13, and the detection sensor 17 detects the trailing edge of the sheet S to retract the auxiliary tray 13 to solve the above-described problem. The
[0028]
At this time, it is conceivable that the sheet S has a plurality of sheet sizes mixed in a set of sheet bundles S ′. Therefore, the retraction timing of the auxiliary tray 13 by the auxiliary tray motor 48 based on the sheet size information output from the copying machine 2 and the sheet detection result by the detection sensor 17, and the sheet size information output from the copying machine 2 is large. By increasing the size, the buckling can be prevented according to the sheet size. Even when the sheet sizes are not mixed, the retraction timing may be earlier as the size becomes larger than an arbitrary sheet size (for example, A4 landscape).
[0029]
When the sheet bundle S ′ on the lower processing tray 4 is conveyed to the stacking trays 9A and 9B, the auxiliary tray 13 is immersed substantially simultaneously with the completion of the transport to the stacking trays 9A and 9B. Actuated, the sheet S on the auxiliary tray 13 is dropped onto the processing tray 4.
[0030]
FIG. 14 shows a state in which a relatively large sheet S is conveyed to the processing tray 4, and the sheet S on the auxiliary tray 13 in this case is supported so as to hang down from the auxiliary tray 13 onto the processing tray 4. Has been. Further, when a small-sized sheet S is conveyed, it can be placed only by the auxiliary tray 13.
[0031]
The stapler 8 binds the vicinity of the end of the sheet bundle S ′ with staples (binding needles), and is disposed in the vicinity of the front end of the vertical wall 20a of the processing tray 4 on the stacking processing apparatus main body 50 side.
[0032]
The binding position and the number of bindings of the sheet bundle S ′ to be bound by the stapler 8 are performed as the first gripping means 7 and the second gripping means 10 are conveyed. That is, when binding at one place, it is held by the first gripping means 7, stopped in a state where the predetermined position is conveyed along with the stapler 8, and binding is performed. When binding at two locations, the first gripping means 7 grips and conveys, and after the first position is aligned with the stapler 8, the second position is changed to the second gripping means 10 and then the second position is set to the stapler 8. It is bound to match. The stapler 8 may be provided so as to be movable in the discharge direction A so that the position where the stapler 8 is bound by staples can be changed.
[0033]
The stacking trays 9A and 9B are arranged in parallel with being shifted in front of the processing tray 4, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction A, and recessed portions 9C and 9D for taking out are formed in the edge measuring portion on the upper surface. Each stacking tray 9A, 9B is provided with paper presence / absence detection sensors 9E, 9F.
[0034]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the stacking trays 9 </ b> A and 9 </ b> B are provided so as to move up and down on the side walls 50 </ b> L and 50 </ b> R of the stacking processing apparatus main body 50. It is a surface. The position of this accumulation reference plane is set to be shifted from the position of the vertical wall 4a in the processing tray 4 by a distance d (see FIG. 10) in the discharge direction A.
[0035]
Both end portions in the width direction of the stacking trays 9A and 9B are fixedly supported on the side walls 50L and 50R of the U-shaped lifting frame 52, and the lifting frame 52 has vertical grooves provided with rollers 53 on both sides on the side walls 50L and 50R. 54 is guided so as to move up and down.
[0036]
The upper frame 62 and the lower frame 63 on the back side of the integrated processing apparatus main body 50 are provided with pulleys 55 and 56, and a belt 57 is hung between the upper and lower pulleys 55 and 56, The fixed driven gear 58 meshes with the drive gear 59 of the integrated tray motor 60, and the upper pulley 55 is rotationally driven. The elevating frame 52 is fixed to the middle of the belt 57 by a fixing tool 52a, and moves up and down as the belt 57 travels.
[0037]
Further, a spring 65 is attached between the elevating frame 52 and the upper frame 62, and an upward carrying force is obtained by the urging force of the spring 65, so that the weight of the sheet bundle S ′ on the processing tray 4 is the accumulation tray. The mitigation mechanism prevents the motor 60 from acting excessively.
[0038]
The elevating frame 52 is provided with a transmissive upper tray position detection sensor 61 and a lower tray position detection sensor 64, and depending on whether or not the light is shielded by the light shielding plate 66 to which the side wall 50R is attached. The position 9B can be detected.
[0039]
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the second gripping means 10 is held by the first gripping means 7 and conveyed so as to be pushed out from the processing tray 4 onto the stacking tray 9 </ b> A or 9 </ b> B. The second gripping means 10 has upper and lower clamping levers 71 and 72 for pressing and clamping the upper surface and the lower surface of the sheet bundle S ′ in a plane, and grips and releases the sheet bundle S ′ by an opening / closing mechanism. At the same time, the held sheet bundle S ′ is transported in the transport direction B orthogonal to the discharge direction A by the transport mechanism. Further, the gripping portion of the sheet bundle S ′ gripped in an inclined state is configured to move slightly toward the stacking trays 9A and 9B at the same time as the swinging mechanism swings horizontally.
[0040]
First, the upper clamping lever 71 is pivotally supported by the first shaft 74 so that the base end portion is pivotable with respect to the swing frame 73, and the lower sandwiching lever 72 is pivotable to the swing frame 73 by the second shaft 75. It is pivotally supported by. A first arm 76 is pivotally supported on the first shaft 74 so as to rotate integrally with the partial gear 77, and a tip pin 76 a of the first arm 76 engages with a groove 71 a of the upper clamping lever 71 to open and close. . Similarly, a second arm 78 is pivotally supported on the second shaft 75, and its tip pin 78 a engages with the groove 72 a of the lower clamping lever 72 to open and close, and the second arm 78 has a gear portion on the pivot portion. 79 is provided, and the gear portion 79 meshes with the partial gear 77 of the first arm 76, and the upper clamping lever 71 and the lower clamping lever 72 are rotated as the arms 76 and 78 rotate together. It is provided to move.
[0041]
A pinion gear 80 supported by the swing frame 73 meshes with the other part of the partial gear 77, and a driving gear of the opening / closing motor 83 in which the swing frame 73 is attached to an intermediate gear 81 that rotates integrally with the pinion gear 80. 82 is meshed to constitute an opening / closing drive mechanism. Note that the open / closed state of the upper and lower clamping levers 71 and 72 is detected by a sensor (not shown) of the operating piece 84 that rotates together with the upper clamping lever 71.
[0042]
When the second gripping means 10 is opened and closed, the diameter of the partial gear 77 of the upper clamping lever 71 is large and the diameter of the gear portion 79 of the lower clamping lever 72 is small, so that the opening angle of both is different. The lower clamping lever 72 opens downward by about 90 °, while opening by about 0 ° (see FIG. 13).
[0043]
The lower end of the swing frame 73 is pivotally supported on the moving frame 87 by a swing shaft 85. A rotary gear 89 is supported on a shaft 88 parallel to the swing shaft 85 in the moving frame 87, and an eccentric position of the rotary gear 89 and a rear portion above the swing shaft 85 of the swing frame 73 are connected by a link 90. As the rotary gear 89 rotates, the swing frame 73 is swung between the retracted position in FIG. 12 and the protruding position in FIG.
[0044]
A pinion gear 91 pivotally supported in a direction orthogonal to the swing shaft 85 meshes with the outer peripheral gear portion of the rotation gear 89, and is attached to the movement frame 87 with an intermediate gear 92 integral with the pinion gear 91. The drive gear 93 of the swing motor 94 is engaged to form a swing mechanism.
[0045]
In the transport mechanism of the moving frame 87, a traveling member 95 protruding left and right before and after the moving frame 87 is engaged with a guide groove (not shown) extending in the front and rear direction formed in the guide frame 100 fixed to the main body side. The moving frame 87 is supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction (conveying direction B).
[0046]
Inside the guide frame 100, a pulley 102 is pivotally supported by a pulley shaft 101 (one is not shown) in the front and rear, and a belt 103 is hung. The moving frame 87 is fixed to a part of the belt 103 by the clamp member 104, the driven pulley 105 is fixed to the end of one pulley shaft 101, and the drive shaft of the conveyance motor 108 attached to the lower part of the guide frame 100 is driven. A drive belt 106 is hung between the pulley 107.
[0047]
Then, the moving frame 87 moves forward or backward in the transport direction B together with the second gripping means 10 by forward or reverse drive of the transport motor 108. The initial position (home position) of the second gripping means 10 is a receiving position close to the processing tray 4 side, and is moved to this receiving position, an intermediate stop position bound by the stapler 8, and a most advanced discharge position. The opening / closing operation of the second gripping means 10 is performed at the initial position and the discharge position, and swinging is performed at the discharge position.
[0048]
Further, such a transport mechanism, an opening / closing mechanism of the second gripping means 10 and a swing mechanism are arranged in the cover of the integrated processing apparatus main body 50, the moving range is covered, and a slit-like horizontal opening 50b is formed in the upper part of the cover. Opened, the second gripping means 10 moves along the horizontal opening 50b while holding the sheet bundle S ', and the upper and lower clamping levers 71 and 72 that swing at the discharge end protrude.
[0049]
As shown in FIG. 5, the seat height detecting means 11 has a rotation detecting body 110 having an arcuate tip portion pivoted on the frame of the fixed portion, and the rotation detecting body 110 is operated by the actuator 112. Accordingly, it is provided so as to be able to move in and out via a spring 111. The tip of the rotation detector 110 can contact the upper surface of the sheet bundle S ′ on the stacking trays 9A and 9B, and the position of the upper surface of the sheet bundle S ′ on the processing tray 4 is detected by the amount of rotation. Controls the up and down movement.
[0050]
The operation of each mechanism is linked and controlled by the control unit, and the number of sheets, the number of sets, the presence / absence of staples, the staple position, etc. are set by the operator on the control panel, and the drive of each part is controlled based on this setting.
[0051]
When the stacking tray 9A passes through the horizontal opening 50b, the shutter 15 prevents the sheet bundle S ′ on the stacking tray 9A from being caught in or entering the horizontal opening 50b as the stacking tray 9A is inclined. A shutter plate 16 that opens and closes the horizontal opening 50b and a drive unit 18 that moves the shutter plate 16 up and down are provided.
[0052]
As shown in FIG. 9, the shutter plate 16 is provided with elongated holes 16A on the upper and lower sides, and is supported by pins 16B provided on the side walls 50L and 50R so as to be movable up and down as shown in FIG. . Further, the shutter plate 16 is provided with a horizontal opening 16C and openings 16D to 16F.
[0053]
As shown in FIG. 9, the opening 16D is covered with a movable plate 16J that is supported by a shaft 16H by a long hole 16G and rotates, and is pushed out by the rotation of the second gripping means 10 as shown in FIG. Yes.
[0054]
In the opening 16E, an elevating plate 16K is supported on both sides by a guide 16L so as to be movable up and down, and is pushed down by the rotation of the second gripping means 10 as shown in FIG. The return is performed by the spring 16M. Therefore, when the second gripping means 10 does not rotate, the movable plate 16J and the lift plate 16K are closed and safe.
[0055]
The opening 16F is a hole through which the rotation detectors 110 and 14A of the sensor 11 and the sensor 14 enter and exit.
[0056]
The shutter plate 16 is provided with a rack 16N, an open position detection lever 16P, and a close position detection lever 16Q.
[0057]
On the other hand, a support frame 18A is horizontally mounted between the side walls 50L and 50R, and a drive unit 18, a sensor 18B for detecting the open position detecting lever 16P, and a sensor 18C for detecting the closed position detecting lever 16Q are provided. ing.
[0058]
The drive unit 18 includes a pulse motor 18D, a timing pulley 18E, a timing belt 18F, a timing pulley 18G, and a pinion 18H that meshes with the rack 16N.
[0059]
The shutter plate 16 is lowered when the copying operation is started, and the horizontal opening 16C is opened in conformity with the horizontal opening 50b, and is raised and closed when the set number of copying operations is completed.
[0060]
By the way, as shown in FIG. 17, in the various drive systems described above, the parallel I / O 122 is driven and controlled by input / output signals from the CPU 120 and storage means 121 such as ROM and RAM.
[0061]
Next, the post-processing process of the sheet S will be described with reference to FIGS. In the flowcharts of FIGS. 18 and 19 and the timing chart of FIG. 20 showing a series of post-processing steps, two sheets (the same size) of sheets S are stapled and stacked as a sheet bundle S ′. In addition, the numbers attached to the reference sign M in the figure indicate the operation classification of each unit or its operation time.
[0062]
Depending on the state of the presence / absence detection sensors 9E and 9F and the tray position detection sensors 61 and 64 in the stacking trays 9A and 9B, one of the two trays 9A and 9B is moved to the discharge port. When the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 2 is started, the motor 18D is driven, the shutter plate 16 is lowered, and when the sensor 18B detects the open position detection lever 16P, the motor 18D is stopped. In this state, the horizontal opening 50b and the horizontal opening 16C of the shutter plate 16 coincide with each other, and the opening 50b is opened as shown in FIG.
[0063]
In the flowchart, as an initial setting, the number N of conveyed sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus 2 is set to 0, and the sheet alignment flag is set as F0 = 0 (the alignment of the previously conveyed sheet is completed). Alignment complete) (S1, S2). The sheets S are sequentially discharged from the image forming apparatus 2 (S3). At this time, the auxiliary tray 13 is protruded and conveyed here, N is promoted, and a series of a plurality of (two) sheets S are stacked ( S4, S5, S6), N = 0 is set for the next conveyance (S7). Assuming that the sheets are aligned (S8), the auxiliary tray 13 is immersed and the sheet bundle S ′ is dropped and stored on the processing tray 4 (S9, S10). The left and right directions are aligned in contact with the reference surface 4a (M1: operation of a paper discharge sensor and a transport motor (not shown)). Subsequently, the alignment member 30 is moved, and the rear side of the sheet S is pressed and the front side is pressed against the reference plate 31 to align the front and rear directions of the sheet S (S11, M2: alignment). The auxiliary tray 13 protrudes when the next series of sheets S is carried in (F0 = 1) during alignment of the sheet S (M3), and the sheet S is being aligned / conveyed below. The sheet S is held for separation (S11 to S14).
[0064]
In FIG. 21, the sheet bundle S ′ is transferred from the first gripping means 7 to the second gripping means 10 when the sheet bundle S ′ is transported from the processing tray 4 toward, for example, the stacking tray 9A (left direction in FIG. 21). It shows the process until it is inherited. (A), (b), and (c) of FIG. 5 respectively show the state in which the conveyance of the sheet bundle S ′ proceeds in sequence, and the second gripping means 10 and the stapler 8 are moved during the moving stroke. In a fixed position.
[0065]
When the alignment is performed, the first gripping means 7 moves to the initial position (indicated by the solid line in FIG. 10) (S15, M4). At this time, the second gripping means 10 is in the initial position (indicated by the solid line in FIG. 10) (S16). Here, a flag indicating whether or not the sheet bundle S ′ is being transferred is set to F1 = 0 (not being transferred) (S17). In the aligned state, the rear side of the sheet bundle S ′ is gripped (nip) by the first gripping means 7 (S18, S19, M5, indicated by a chain line in FIG. 21A).
[0066]
After the reference plate 31 (shutter) is raised (S20, M6), a new transfer of the sheet bundle S ′ is awaited (F1 = 1, S21), the sheet bundle S ′ is made movable in the transport direction B, The first gripping means 7 is driven forward to move forward by a predetermined amount, and the sheet bundle S ′ is moved to the first stapling position in the direction of the stacking tray 9A intersecting the discharge direction A (S22, M7, FIG. 21 (a) is indicated by a solid line), and the first place is bound by the stapler 8 (S23, M8). When the reference plate 31 is raised, the reference plate 31 is lowered immediately after the sheet bundle S ′ enters, but in this lowered state, the sheet bundle S ′ is lightly pressed to allow the passage thereof.
[0067]
Subsequently, the first gripping means 7 further moves forward and stops at the second staple position (S24, M9, (b) in FIG. 21, solid line state in FIG. 3). At this time, the second gripping means 10 stops at the initial position on the processing tray 4 side (the solid line position in FIGS. 10 and 11), swings to the retracted position in FIG. 12, and stops the first gripping means 7. After waiting, the second gripping means 10 continues and grips one side of the inclined sheet bundle S ′ on the reference position side in the stopped state (S25, M10).
[0068]
After the above gripping by the second gripping means 10, the gripping of the first gripping means 7 is released (S26, M11, (c) of FIG. 21), and the first gripping means 7 is moved to the next sheet bundle S ′. Is moved to a clamping position (indicated by a solid line in FIG. 10) (S27), and the next sheet bundle S ′ can be transferred (S28). Then, the second place is bound by the stapler 8 (S29, M12). Each staple position is set with a transfer amount for the first gripping means 7 based on an instruction from the operator.
[0069]
Subsequently, the second gripping means 10 moves to the forward discharge position (the chain line position in FIGS. 10 and 11), ends the transport to the transport B, and stops (S30, M13). At this release position, the second gripping means 10 is swung from the backward swinging position shown in FIG. 12 to the protruding position shown in FIG. 13, and the gripping state by the second gripping means 10 becomes a horizontal state and the transport direction. It is moved in the direction orthogonal to B (S31, M14). When the second gripping means 10 swings from the backward swing position of FIG. 12 to the protruding position of FIG. 13, the second gripping means 10 rotates the movable plate 16J and lowers the lifting plate 16K. .
[0070]
When the end position that matches the reference position on the processing tray 4 is gripped and conveyed by the second gripping means 10 as shown in FIG. 12 and swings to the state shown in FIG. 13, the end of the gripped sheet bundle S ′ is It is moved to the stacking tray 9A side. The moved position is substantially coincident with the reference surface 50a in the stacking tray 9. With this movement, the gripped sheet end becomes horizontal (M14), and the upper and lower clamping levers 71 and 72 are opened as indicated by chain lines (S32, M15). And stacked on the sheet bundle S ′ that has already been collected on the collecting tray 9.
[0071]
At that time, the end of the sheet bundle S ′ does not greatly deviate from the end of the sheet bundle S ′ stacked below, and the end of the falling sheet bundle S ′ is at the staple position of the lower sheet bundle S ′. Stack without locking.
[0072]
With the second gripping means 10 opened, the swing frame 73 is retracted (S33, M16), and then the second gripping means 10 returns to the initial state toward the rear along the transport direction B. It is moved (S34, M17). At that time, even if the next sheet bundle S ′ is sent out, the upper holding levers 71 and 72 are sufficiently opened, so that the sheet bundle S ′ does not interfere with the upper holding levers 71 and 72 and continues to be initial. In the position, it is possible to grip the next sheet bundle S ′ by closing the operation.
[0073]
When the second gripping means 10 is swung in the horizontal state as described above (M14), the actuator (bundle pressing solenoid) 112 is operated, and the rotation detector 110 is in the sheet bundle pressing state (S35). The height is detected (S36), the operation of the actuator 112 is subsequently released, and the pressed state is released (S37, M18). If it is higher than the predetermined position, the stacking tray 9A is lowered to a predetermined level by the operation of the elevating means 12 (S38, M19). Further, when the sheet bundle S ′ accumulated in the middle is taken out by the operator, the sheet bundle S ′ is raised in accordance with the detection of the halfway taking sensor 14.
[0074]
Since the second gripping means 10 is moved within the cover when transported in the front-rear direction, the second gripping means 10 and its transport mechanism interfere with an operator who wants to take out the sheet bundle S ′ on the stacking tray 9A. There is nothing. Further, since the sheet bundle S ′ is conveyed while being held, the alignment state of the sheet bundle S ′ is not disturbed during conveyance. Here, for example, when the sensor 11 detects that a predetermined number of sheets or more are stored in the stacking tray 9A, the motor 60 shown in FIG. 5 is driven to raise the lifting frame 52 and the lower tray 9B is stored. Stops when moved to position. At this time, the shutter 15 is closed, and the sheet on the stacking tray 9A does not enter the horizontal opening 50b. Thereafter, the sheet bundle is similarly stacked on the stacking tray 9B.
[0075]
In the above-described embodiment, the first gripping means 7 and the second gripping means 10 are constituted by a clamping lever that is pressed and held in a planar shape. It may be. The transport mechanism of each part can be changed, and the actuator can be changed to a known mechanism.
[0076]
In the above embodiment, an example in which the image forming unit is applied to the copying machine 2 is shown. However, the copying machine 2 is applied to both a digital method and an analog method, and a printing machine (laser printer is used). Of course, the present invention can be applied to various image forming means (image recording apparatus) such as a facsimile machine.
[0077]
Next, the sheet placement operation on the processing tray 4, the sheet bundle gripping and transporting operation by the first gripping means 7 and the second gripping means 10, and the control of the up and down movement of the stacking trays 9A and 9B will be described in further detail. To do.
[0078]
As already described, when the sensor 11 detects that a predetermined number of sheets or more are placed on either one of the stacking trays 9A or 9B, the subsequent sheet bundle is stacked on the other stacking tray 9B or 9A. The stacking trays 9A and 9B are moved up and down by the motor 60 shown in FIG. Further, even if the paper tray presence / absence detection sensors 9E and 9F and the tray position detection sensors 61 and 64 are in the state of the stacking trays 9A and 9B, the two trays 9A and 9B are moved up and down so as to be positioned at the discharge port To do. Further, when the operator removes all or a part of the sheet bundle while collecting the sheet bundle on the accumulation trays 9A and 9B, the halfway takeout sensor 14 detects this fact, and the accumulation tray 9A, 9B moves up and down so as to be in an appropriate position. Thus, the up-and-down movement of the stacking trays 9A and 9B is controlled according to the state of sheet placement on the trays. Further, the stacking trays 9A and 9B are selected depending on the type of sheet that the image forming unit 2 such as a copying machine forms and discharges, for example, the type of printed sheet by copying or the type of printing sheet by facsimile. The stacking trays 9A and 9B are controlled to move up and down so that the sheets formed and sent from the image forming means 2 are placed for each type of sheet.
[0079]
On the other hand, an operation for conveying and placing a sheet from the image forming unit 2 onto the processing tray 4, a sheet conveying operation by the first holding unit 7 and the second holding unit 10, and an up and down movement operation of the stacking trays 9A and 9B Is finally controlled by the CPU 120 so that the movements are organically linked so that a bundle of sheets is appropriately stacked on the predetermined stacking trays 9A and 9B.
[0080]
Here, when the stacking trays 9A and 9B for discharging the sheets are switched, or when the sheet bundle discharged onto the stacking trays 9A and 9B is taken out on the way, the description is continued as described in FIGS. Unlike the case where the sheets sent in this order are sequentially discharged onto the stacking trays 9A and 9B as a sheet bundle, the stacking trays 9A and 9B perform a greater up-and-down movement. Therefore, after waiting for the movement, the subsequent sheet is discharged onto the processing tray 4, the sheet bundle is aligned on the processing tray 4, and the sheet holding / conveying by the first holding unit 7 or the second holding unit 10 is performed. As a result, the performance of the entire process is degraded. Accordingly, in accordance with the up / down movement control of the stacking trays 9A and 9B, various drive controls such as sheet discharge, alignment, and conveyance to the processing tray 4 at the preceding stage are performed.
[0081]
The processing flowchart shown in FIG. 22 is processing when it is detected in advance that one of the sheets discharged onto the stacking trays 9A and 9B is full due to discharge of the N-th bundle (N: integer). An example is shown. Here, in the present invention, when a plurality of processing trays are provided, it is generally preferable to stack the sheet bundle sequentially from the bottom to the top. As a result, when the stack of sheets is full in the stacking tray, the entire stacking tray may be lowered in order to discharge the stack of sheets to the stacking tray in the upper stage. The driving energy required for the operation can be reduced. Accordingly, in the following description, an example will be described in which the lower stacking tray 9B is moved downward to use the upper stacking tray 9A when the lower stacking tray 9B is full.
[0082]
Referring to FIG. 22, first, when the (N-1) th bundle is discharged to the lower stacking tray 9B (S101), the CPU 120 recognizes that the stacking tray 9B is full by the next discharge (S103). Then, the N-th bundle is discharged to the stacking tray 9B (S105), and when the second gripping means 10 returns to the original initial position, the stacking trays 9A and 9B are triggered by the return timing of the second gripping means 10. And the process of lowering the upper stacking tray 9A to the sheet bundle discharge position, that is, the discharge port is started (S107). At this time, although not shown, when the CPU 120 recognizes that the first gripping unit 7 has already returned to the original position and the next sheet can be discharged from the image forming unit 2 onto the processing tray 4, the stacking is performed. Even during the movement of the trays 9A and 9B, the sheet is discharged onto the processing tray 4. Then, the CPU 120 waits until all sheets in the (N + 1) th bundle are conveyed onto the processing tray 4 (S109). When the CPU 120 recognizes that the sheets are collected as a sheet bundle, the CPU 120 first raises and lowers the stacking trays 9A and 9B. Subsequent processing (hereinafter, sheet bundle processing) of the (N + 1) th sheet bundle is started according to the movement position (S111).
[0083]
Here, the sheet bundle processing means sheet alignment, grip conveyance by the first gripping means 7 and the second gripping means 10, sheet bundle processing processing such as stapling processing, and further on the final stacking tray. Refers to sheet bundle discharge. In the individual sheet bundle processing, whether or not each processing is possible is determined according to the up and down movement operation of the stacking trays 9A and 9B.
For example, in the switching operation from the lower stage to the upper stage of the stacking trays 9A and 9B according to this example, the upper stacking tray 9A is in that position until it passes through the horizontal opening 50b (see FIG. 1). Prevent the sheet bundle from protruding from the opening (carrying outlet) 20f. .
Accordingly, the sheet bundle processing by the CPU 120 is determined by whether or not the stacking tray 9A has passed through the horizontal opening 50b or whether or not the switching to the stacking tray 9A has been completed. Specifically, sheet alignment on the processing tray 4 is performed regardless of whether or not the stacking tray 9A has moved through the horizontal opening 50b.
Further, the first gripping means 7 is a position immediately before delivering the sheet bundle to the second gripping means 10 while gripping the sheet bundle. (Position immediately before reaching the opening (transport outlet) 20f) And it waits in the position which does not prevent the movement of the stacking tray 9A.
After the stacking tray 9A has moved through the horizontal opening 50b, the movement and the transport of the sheet bundle do not interfere with each other, so the CPU 120 executes the remaining sheet bundle processing. Needless to say, processing for processing a sheet bundle such as stapling differs depending on the content of the operator's instruction from the control panel, the sheet size to be handled, and the like.
[0084]
Returning to the description of the flowchart of FIG. 22, immediately after the sheet bundle processing is started, the next N + 2 bundle sheet cannot be discharged onto the processing tray 4 yet. The sending of sheets to the tray 4 is prohibited (S113). Next, it is determined whether or not the switching of the stacking trays 9A and 9B has been completed (S115). This determination can be made by the tray position detection sensors 61 and 64, but a new sensor may be provided so that the positions of the stacking trays 9A and 9B can be determined in more detail. In addition, the completion of switching between the stacking trays 9A and 9B is used as a determination element. Instead, the determination is made that the upper tray 9A to be used later among the stacking trays 9A and 9B has passed through the horizontal opening 50b. Also good.
[0085]
When it is recognized that the tray switching between the stacking trays 9A and 9B has been completed, it is next determined whether or not a predetermined sheet processing has been completed (S117). The predetermined processing here is processing that becomes an obstacle when the next sheet is conveyed from the image forming unit 2 and discharged onto the processing tray 4. Specifically, the predetermined processing is performed on the processing tray 4. The sheet alignment state and the sheet gripping state by the first gripping means 7. As described above, the CPU 120 performs the sheet bundle processing step of the (N + 1) th sheet bundle in step S111 according to the position of the moving stack trays 9A and 9B. Accordingly, when the tray switching of the stacking trays 9A and 9B is completed and the predetermined processing is completed, the sheet corresponding to the next N + 2 bundle can be discharged onto the processing tray 4, and therefore the sheet Discharge on the processing tray 4 is permitted (S119). The subsequent procedure follows the normal sheet processing already described (S121).
[0086]
Next, processing when a sheet bundle is taken out from the collection tray 9A or 9B collecting the sheet bundle will be described. When the sheet is taken out from the stacking tray 9A or 9B after the Nth sheet bundle is discharged to the stacking tray 9A or 9B by the normal processing described with reference to FIG. Detects the removal (S203). Then, the stacking trays 9A and 9B start to move upward by the thickness of the taken-out sheet bundle (S205). At this time, the next (N + 1) th bundle sheet is conveyed from the image forming means 2 such as a copying machine onto the processing tray 4 and placed thereon. Then, it waits whether all the sheet bundles are discharged onto the processing tray 4 (S207). When it is confirmed that all the sheet bundles have been discharged onto the processing tray 4, the CPU 120 starts execution of the sheet bundle processing for the sheet bundle placed on the processing tray 4 (S209). In the same manner as described with reference to FIG. 22, the sheet bundle processing is performed by aligning sheets, gripping and conveying by the first gripping means 7 and the second gripping means 10, sheet bundle processing processing such as stapling processing, and final stacking. The sheet bundle discharge onto the tray. In the individual sheet bundle processing, whether or not each processing is possible is determined according to the up and down movement operation of the stacking trays 9A and 9B. Here, when the sheet bundle is taken out in the middle, the stacking trays 9A and 9B do not require switching of the tray, and if the uppermost sheet of the sheets remaining on the tray or all the sheet bundles are taken out, The stacking trays 9A and 9B do not cross the horizontal opening 50b because it is only necessary to move up so that its own position is in a predetermined relationship with the discharge port. Accordingly, the processable sheet bundle processing in this case includes all processes from sheet alignment to sheet bundle discharge, and is not affected by the movement of the stacking trays 9A and 9B. Needless to say, processing for processing a sheet bundle such as stapling differs depending on the content of the operator's instruction from the control panel, the sheet size to be handled, and the like.
[0087]
Next, the process waits for the completion of the (N + 1) th bundle (S211), and when the sheet bundle process is completed, the next N + 2 bundle is discharged onto the processing tray 4 (S213). Note that the determination in step S211 is made based on whether or not all the sheet bundle processing has been completed, but the N + 1 bundle of sheet bundles on the processing tray 4 is aligned and gripped by the first gripping means 7, The second gripping means 10 may be used as a trigger for continuing to step S213 until the first gripping means 7 returns to the position based on the first gripping means 10 and does not prevent the sheet from being discharged onto the processing tray 4.
[0088]
Next, it is determined whether all the sheets of the (N + 2) th bundle have been discharged onto the processing tray 4 (S215). Here, depending on the processing state of the (N + 1) th bundle that has already started the sheet bundle processing in step S209, the subsequent (N + 2) th bundle cannot be processed. As the next process discharged on the processing tray 4, it is determined whether or not the sheet bundle process of the (N + 2) th bundle can be performed (S217). If it is determined that the sheet can be processed, the sheet bundle processing is started (S219). However, at the stage of step S217, the (N + 1) th bundle of sheets has already been transferred to the second gripping means 10, and the (N + 2) th bundle of sheets can be processed on the processing tray 4. Therefore, regardless of the determination in step S217, the N + 2th bundle may be aligned and the sheet holding standby on the processing tray 4 by the first holding unit 7 may be performed.
[0089]
Here, immediately after the processing of the sheet bundle is started, the next N + 3 bundle sheet cannot be discharged onto the processing tray 4 yet, so that the sheet is transferred from the image forming means 2 such as a copying machine to the processing tray 4. Transmission is prohibited (S221). Next, it is determined whether or not the switching of the stacking trays 9A and 9B has been completed (S223). Note that this determination can be made by the tray position detection sensors 61 and 64 as described with reference to FIG.
[0090]
Recognizing that the tray switching between the stacking trays 9A and 9B has been completed (S223), and among the sheet bundle processing, a predetermined process that can discharge the sheet corresponding to the next N + 3 bundle onto the processing tray 4 has been completed. If it is determined (S225), the discharge of the sheet onto the processing tray 4 is permitted (S227). The subsequent procedure follows normal sheet processing (S229).
[0091]
As described above, using the example of switching of the stacking trays 9A and 9B and taking out the sheet bundle in the middle, the relationship between the lifting and lowering movement of the stacking trays 9A and 9B and the processing of the sheet bundle is shown. However, the processing necessary for each of the sheet bundles has been described. Even if the stacking trays 9A and 9B move up and down suddenly or in response to a request from the outside, the same applies. From the technical point of view, the object of the present invention can be achieved.
[0092]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, when the stacking tray is moved up and down, the stacking tray is moved up and down by continuing to place the sheet on the processing tray 4 and holding the sheet by the first gripping unit and waiting. After that, since the gripping conveyance and the staple processing by the second gripping means can be performed immediately, the performance of the entire processing is improved. In addition, when the stacking tray moves up and down, for example, when the sheet is picked up halfway, the range in which the stacking tray moves up and down does not overlap with the path through which the second gripping unit transports the sheet bundle, that is, the horizontal opening. Since the sheet bundle can be moved to the final discharge position by the second gripping means, and the subsequent sheets can be stacked on the processing tray, the processing delay can be further prevented and the overall processing performance can be improved. Can do.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a front appearance of a sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a rear external perspective view of the sheet processing apparatus.
FIG. 3 is an external perspective view in which a part of the sheet processing apparatus is broken.
FIG. 4 is a side view in which a part of the post-processing apparatus main body is broken.
FIG. 5 is a side internal structural view of the integrated processing apparatus main body.
FIG. 6 is a front internal structural diagram of the integrated processing apparatus main body.
FIG. 7 is a front external view of the integrated processing apparatus main body.
FIG. 8 is a backside structural view of the shutter 15;
9 is a side view showing the mechanism of the shutter 15. FIG.
FIG. 10 is a plan sectional view of the sheet processing apparatus.
FIG. 11 is a schematic front view of the sheet processing apparatus.
FIG. 12 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the main part of the second gripping unit in the initial state in the sheet processing apparatus.
FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a side surface of the second gripping unit in the sheet processing apparatus when the sheet bundle is dropped.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an auxiliary tray in the sheet processing apparatus.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of an auxiliary tray in the sheet processing apparatus.
FIG. 16 is an enlarged front view of a reference plate in the sheet processing apparatus.
FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a control system of the sheet processing apparatus.
FIG. 18 is a first half flowchart illustrating a post-processing step of the sheet processing apparatus.
FIG. 19 is a latter half flowchart illustrating a post-processing step of the sheet processing apparatus.
FIG. 20 is a timing chart showing post-processing steps of the sheet processing apparatus.
FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing, in time series, (a) to (c) steps of transferring a sheet bundle from a processing tray to a stacking tray in a post-processing step of the sheet processing apparatus.
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing sheet processing when switching the stacking tray to be used.
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing sheet processing when a sheet bundle is taken out from the stacking tray.
[Explanation of symbols]
S ... sheet
1. Sheet processing apparatus
2. Copier (image forming means)
4 ... Processing tray
6 ... Alignment means

Claims (7)

A processing tray for stacking sheets sequentially fed from the image forming apparatus in a bundle at a predetermined stacking position;
A stacking tray that is disposed on the downstream side of the processing tray and that can stack up and down to stack a sheet bundle from the processing tray; and
Conveying means for conveying the sheet bundle on the processing tray to the stacking tray;
Post-processing means disposed between the stacking position of the processing tray and the stacking tray;
Control means for controlling the raising and lowering operation of the stacking tray and the conveying operation of the conveying means;
A sheet post-processing apparatus having
When the control means moves up and down the stacking tray,
The sheet bundle on the processing tray is moved from the stacking position to a position immediately before the sheet is carried out to the stacking tray in the direction of the post-processing means and does not hinder the lifting and lowering movement of the stacking tray. A sheet post-processing apparatus. When the control means moves up and down the stacking tray,
The sheet bundle on the processing tray is moved from the stacking position to the position immediately before carrying out the sheets to the stacking tray in the direction of the post-processing means , and does not interfere with the up-and-down movement of the stacking tray. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a sheet post-processing apparatus. The conveying means is
First gripping and conveying means for gripping a sheet bundle on the processing tray and transferring it to the post-processing means;
A second gripping and conveying means that inherits the sheet bundle from the first gripping and conveying means and grips and conveys the sheet bundle to the stacking tray;
3. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the stacking tray is moved up and down, the control unit waits in a state in which the sheet bundle is gripped by the first gripping and transporting unit. The conveying means is
First gripping and conveying means for gripping a sheet bundle on the processing tray and transferring it to the post-processing means;
The second gripping and conveying means that inherits the sheet bundle from the first gripping and conveying means and grips and conveys the sheet bundle to the stacking tray,
The control means includes
When carrying out the sheet bundle to the stacking tray by the second gripping and conveying means,
4. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus are stacked and accommodated in the processing tray. 5. 5. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the post-processing unit performs a post-processing operation on the sheet bundle when the control unit moves the stacking tray up and down. . The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the post-processing unit includes an aligning unit that aligns sheets at a stacking position on the processing tray. A processing tray for stacking sheets sequentially fed from the image forming apparatus in a bundle at a predetermined stacking position;
A stacking tray that is disposed on the downstream side of the processing tray and that stacks a bundle of sheets from the processing tray.
Conveying means for conveying the sheet bundle on the processing tray to the stacking tray;
Post-processing means disposed between the stacking position of the processing tray and the stacking tray;
Control means for controlling the raising and lowering operation of the stacking tray and the conveying operation of the conveying means;
A sheet post-processing apparatus having
The control means includes
A sheet post-processing apparatus, wherein when the stacking tray is moved up and down, the sheet bundle on the processing tray is transported to a standby position from the stacking position to a discharge position for carrying it out to the stacking tray.

Images