JP4211442B2 - Sheet processing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus that processes a sheet (sheet) discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine, and more particularly to a sheet processing apparatus including a sheet (sheet) setting mechanism.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, sheet processing apparatuses that receive recorded paper (sheets) discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine and perform predetermined post-processing have been widely used. This is because online production of the image forming apparatus and the high productivity of recording by the image forming apparatus have progressed, and post-processing means such as stapling, punching (round perforation), paper folding, etc. for the recording paper after image formation This is because image forming apparatuses that ensure high productivity while being equipped with the image forming apparatus have become common.
[0003]
As such a post-processing device, for example, there is a technique for performing an outer tri-fold process (Z fold) on a recorded sheet and stacking and aligning the Z-folded sheets on a staple tray (compile tray) (for example, (See Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 7-49350 (page 2-5, FIG. 2)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the Z-folded paper is stronger than the folding process. For this reason, when a new sheet (Z-folded sheet) is ejected onto a group of sheets that have already been aligned on the compilation tray, the new sheet strikes the topmost sheet on the compilation tray and compiles. There is a possibility that the paper alignment of the paper group on the tray may be disturbed. Such a technical problem is not limited to the case where the Z-folded paper is discharged to the compile tray, and may occur when, for example, a heavy thick paper is discharged to the compile tray.
[0006]
The present invention has been made to solve the above technical problems, and the object of the present invention is already aligned on the compile tray by a sheet (sheet) newly supplied on the compile tray. This is to prevent the sheet bundle (sheet bundle) from being disturbed.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the present invention, when supplying a new sheet on the compile tray, by pressing the sheet already aligned on the compile tray, the sheet already aligned on the compile tray is hardly displaced, Suppresses disturbance of the sheet bundle. That is, the sheet processing apparatus of the present invention sequentially collects supplied sheets to form a single sheet bundle, a sheet aligning unit that aligns the sheets supplied to the compile tray, and a stack on the compile tray. A pressing member that is disposed so as to be able to advance and retreat in the thickness direction of the sheet to be pressed, and presses the sheet that is already accumulated in the compile tray and aligned in the sheet aligning portion when a new sheet is supplied to the compile tray. It is out.
[0008]
Here, the pressing member can be characterized in that the pressing member is disposed so as to be able to advance and retreat between an advance position for pressing the sheet on the compilation tray and a retracted position that does not prevent the discharge of the sheet on the compilation tray. The retracting position and the advance position of the pressing member can be changed based on the thickness of the sheets accumulated on the compilation tray.
[0009]
In addition, a guide member that is arranged so as to be interlocked with the pressing member and guides a sheet that is newly supplied to the compilation tray can be further provided. Further, the advancing / retreating operation of the pressing member can be performed by whether or not the sheet newly supplied to the compile tray is folded, whether the sheet is newly supplied to the compile tray, or the sheet newly supplied to the compile tray. It can be characterized in that it differs depending on the thickness. Furthermore, the holding member holds the sheets accumulated before the leading edge of the new sheet supplied to the compilation tray comes into contact with the sheets already accumulated on the compilation tray, and the trailing edge of the new sheet is on the compilation tray. It can be characterized in that it is separated from the previously accumulated sheets before being discharged.
[0010]
From another point of view, the sheet processing apparatus of the present invention sequentially collects supplied sheets to form a single sheet bundle, and a sheet aligning unit that aligns the sheets supplied to the compile tray. When the new sheet, which is disposed so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the compile tray and comes into contact with the uppermost sheet already accumulated in the compile tray, comes into contact with the uppermost sheet. And a biasing member that biases in a direction opposite to the direction. Here, the biasing member can be characterized by comprising a paddle member that is rotatably arranged.
[0011]
From another point of view, the sheet processing apparatus of the present invention sequentially collects the supplied sheets to form a single sheet bundle, and a sheet aligning unit that aligns the sheets supplied to the compile tray. When the new sheet that is arranged so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the compile tray and comes into contact with the uppermost sheet that is already accumulated in the compile tray, And a gripping member that grips a plurality of sheets. Here, the gripping member may be characterized in that it grips an end portion in the conveyance direction of one or a plurality of sheets stacked on the compilation tray.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
—Embodiment 1—
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a sheet processing apparatus to which the exemplary embodiment is applied. A sheet processing apparatus (paper processing apparatus) 2 is connected to an image forming apparatus 1 such as a printer or a copying machine that forms a color image by an electrophotographic method, and is used as a post-processing apparatus. The sheet processing apparatus 2 includes a transport unit 3 connected to the image forming apparatus 1, a folding unit 4 that performs a folding process on a sheet (paper) captured by the transport unit 3, and the folding unit 4. A finisher 5 that performs predetermined final processing on the passed sheet, an interposer 6 that supplies slip sheets such as a cover of a booklet, and a control unit 7 that controls each mechanism unit of the sheet processing apparatus 2 are provided. Although the control unit 7 is provided in the casing of the finisher 5 in FIG. 1, it can be provided in the casing of another unit. Further, all the control functions can be integrated in the main body of the image forming apparatus 1.
[0013]
When the sheet processing apparatus 2 configured by each of these units is divided by function, the finisher 5 is provided in the finisher 5 and is provided in the staple function unit 10 and the finisher 5 for generating a sheet bundle and performing stapling. A saddle stitch bookbinding function unit 30 that performs saddle stitching and a folding unit 4 is provided in the folding unit 4, and performs an inner tri-fold (C-fold) and an outer tri-fold (Z-fold) on the sheet, for example, the finisher 5. An interleaving function that is provided with a punch function unit 70 that punches (punches) 2 holes or 4 holes and an interposer 6 and supplies interleaving paper such as cardboard and window empty paper used for the cover of a sheet bundle Part 80.
[0014]
Next, the staple function unit 10 which is a characteristic configuration in the present embodiment will be described in detail.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating the staple function unit 10. The staple function unit 10 includes conveyance guides 101 and 102 that guide a sheet to be conveyed, a compile exit sensor 103 that detects a sheet and outputs a signal for controlling the operation of each mechanism unit, and the conveyance guides 101 and 102. A conveyance roller pair 104 that discharges (conveys) the paper conveyed through the sheet, and a compile tray 105 that stacks the paper discharged by the conveyance roller pair 104 are provided. A discharge tray 109 for discharging the stapled booklet is provided. The compile tray 105 is provided with a vertical reference wall (an end wall 151 described later) serving as a reference wall for vertical alignment (paper conveyance direction alignment) in a direction opposite to the paper discharge direction. The compile tray 105 is provided with a horizontal reference wall (not shown) serving as a reference wall that is aligned in the horizontal direction (a direction orthogonal to the paper conveyance direction), for example, on the front side (front side) of the apparatus.
[0015]
In addition, as a mechanism unit that executes each function, a sheet feeding direction (longitudinal aligning unit 110 that performs sheet aligning in the vertical direction (sheet conveying direction) and a sheet conveying direction (longitudinal aligning unit 110) ( The vertical alignment assisting unit 120 for assisting the paper alignment in the (vertical direction), in order to improve the alignment of the paper bundle, presses the paper bundle during the staple binding, and discharges the paper bundle after the staple binding is completed. The sheet bundle support / discharge unit 130 and the sheet fed to the compile tray 105 are arranged in a horizontal direction aligning unit 140 that performs sheet alignment in a direction (horizontal direction) orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction. An end wall 151 including a wall for aligning paper and having a mechanism for driving the end wall 151; a staple; Includes a staple mechanism unit 160 that staples a bundle of sheets supplied to the compilation tray 105, and a shelf 171 that is a guide for supporting the sheets in the compilation tray 105, and a mechanism for driving the shelf 171. The shelf mechanism unit 170 is provided.
[0016]
First, the vertical alignment unit 110 will be described.
The vertical alignment unit 110 sequentially compiles the supplied paper against the end wall 151 against the compile tray 105, the compile paddle 111, the compile paddle up / down solenoid 112 that moves the compile paddle 111 up and down (retract / advance operation), and compile Links 113 and 114 that rotate and slide in conjunction with the paddle up / down solenoid 112, and regulation guides 115 and 116 for assisting paper alignment, such as pressing paper with strong curl, are provided. The compile paddle 111 is formed of, for example, EPDM, and about three blades are attached to one compile paddle 111. With these blades, the trailing edge of the sheet supplied to the compilation tray 105 is pressed against the end wall 151. By this pressing, the rear end (vertical direction) of the paper is aligned.
[0017]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining each mechanism of the vertical alignment unit 110. Here, the regulation guide 115 is omitted in consideration of the visibility of the drawing, but actually, a plurality of (for example, three) coaxial guides 111 are provided coaxially. A spring 117 is provided on the axis of the compile up / down solenoid 112. When the compile paddle up / down solenoid 112 and the spring 117 move the axis of the compile paddle up / down solenoid 112 in the direction (A) in the figure, the link 113 rotates in the direction (B), and the link 114 (C ) Slide in direction. By the movement of the links 113 and 114, the compile paddle 111 can be moved up and down at a necessary timing based on, for example, the number of sheets to be stacked, the thickness of the sheet bundle, and the like. On the other hand, the regulation guide 116 rotates in the (D) direction in conjunction with the operation of the link 114 in the (C) direction. As a result, the trailing edge of the strongly curled paper can be pressed down.
[0018]
Next, the vertical alignment assisting unit 120 will be described.
The vertical alignment assisting unit 120 shown in FIG. 2 sub-paddles 121 that assist the operation of pressing the paper supplied to the compile tray 105 against the end wall 151, for example, when the number of sheets reaches a predetermined number (50 sheets). The sub paddle up / down solenoid 122 that moves the sub paddle 121 up and down (retract / advance operation), such as raising the position of 121, and links 123 and 124 that move the sub paddle 121 up and down in conjunction with the sub paddle up / down solenoid 122. I have. The sub paddle 121 is formed of, for example, EPDM, similarly to the compiled paddle 111, and about three blades are attached to one sub paddle 121. These blades assist the vertical alignment of the paper supplied to the compilation tray 105.
[0019]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining each mechanism of the vertical alignment assisting unit 120, and FIG. 5 is a side view of the vertical alignment assisting unit 120. The perspective view shown in FIG. 4 shows a view of the vertical alignment auxiliary section 120 from the rear side (IN side) of the apparatus, and FIG. 5 shows the vertical alignment auxiliary section from the front side (OUT side) of the apparatus. The figure which looked at 120 is shown. The vertical alignment assisting unit 120 discharges the paper in order to shorten the paper alignment time and not to disturb the paper alignment of the paper already aligned on the compile tray 105 by the newly discharged paper. The sub-paddle clutch 127 that receives the drive of the paddle motor 129 that is rotating based on the timing is operated, and a first gear 127a that is provided coaxially with the sub-paddle clutch 127, and the first gear 127a A second gear 127b provided to mesh with the second gear 127b and a link 128 having a shaft 128a offset and attached to the second gear 127b. The sub-paddle 121 attached to the link 128 is linked to the link 126. It is designed to move (up and down). A sub-paddle drive belt 125a that rotates the sub-paddle 121 is attached to the gear 125 that receives the drive of the paddle motor 129 that performs the rotation operation via a shaft and a gear (not indicated).
[0020]
By this vertical movement, when the sheets are discharged from the compile tray 105, the sub paddle 121 is controlled to move to the position of the top stop point that does not hinder the discharge of the sheet bundle, and a conveying force is required for aligning the sheets. Sometimes, in order to increase the conveying force, the sub paddle 121 is controlled to move to the position of the bottom stop point at a necessary timing.
[0021]
The vertical alignment assisting unit 120 sucks the sub-paddle up / down solenoid 122 when the number of sheets discharged to the compilation tray 105 exceeds, for example, 50 sheets. By the suction of the sub-paddle up / down solenoid 122, the link 123 is rotated in the direction (G) in the figure around the center 123a, and the whole including the link 124 and the sub-paddle 121 is upward (the direction (F) in the figure). ). Also, by opening the sub-paddle up / down solenoid 122, the link 123 rotates in the direction (H) in the figure around the center 123a, and the entire link 124 and the sub-paddle 121 move downward. The sheet discharged to the compilation tray 105 moves to a height corresponding to 1 to 50 sheets. By adjusting the height between the sub paddle 121 and the sheet stacking surface in this manner, the conveyance force by the sub paddle 121 can be maintained in a substantially constant state even when the sheet stacking amount is different. Further, a sheet surface regulation guide 126a as a guide member is provided below the link 126 of the vertical alignment assisting unit 120, and a case where a conveyance force more than expected is applied to the sheet by the sub paddle 121. However, the sheet is configured not to buckle.
[0022]
Next, the sheet bundle support / discharge unit 130 will be described.
The paper bundle support / discharge unit 130 shown in FIG. 2 is pressed against the opposing roll 139 to hold down the vicinity of the eject roll 131 that supports the paper and discharges the paper bundle, for example, the vicinity of the folded portion of the Z-folded paper. A roll 132 is provided. The pressing roll 132 is provided on the compiling direction side (opposite to the paper discharge direction) with respect to the eject roll 131. For example, when the A3 size paper (A3SEF) is folded into a Z shape and becomes A4 size, It is comprised so that the folding part vicinity can be pressed down. The eject roll 131 and the pressing roll 132 rotate about the rotation center 137.
[0023]
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining each mechanism of the sheet bundle supporting / discharging unit 130. The sheet bundle support / discharge unit 130 includes an eject clamp motor 134 that moves the eject roll 131 and the pressing roll 132 up and down, and an eject motor 135 that rotates the eject roll 131. The pressing roll 132 is supported by a leaf spring 133. The link 136 is rotated by the rotation of the eject clamp motor 134, and the eject roll 131 and the pressing roll 132 are lowered / raised in the direction (I) shown in FIG. 5 around the rotation center 137 shown in FIG.
[0024]
The eject motor 135 rotates the eject roll 131 to discharge the paper after being stapled by the staple mechanism unit 160 in the discharge direction. In addition, the eject motor 135 to which the present embodiment is applied has a compile direction opposite to the discharge direction at the timing when the sheet is first conveyed to the empty compile tray 105 after the sheet bundle is discharged. The eject roll 131 is rotated in the reverse direction so that the sheet is conveyed toward the front.
[0025]
Further, the sheet bundle supporting / discharging unit 130 presses the sheet with a predetermined pressing force by the spring 138. At this time, the compression / extension direction of the spring 138 (direction (J) in the figure) and the movement direction of the eject roll 131 (direction (I) in the figure) do not coincide with each other. The change of the pressure concerning 131 is relieved. As a result, it is possible to prevent the pressing force of the eject roll 131 against the paper from greatly changing depending on the amount of paper loaded.
[0026]
Next, the horizontal direction alignment unit 140 will be described.
The horizontal direction aligning unit 140 shown in FIG. 2 slides in a direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction, and the paper that is loaded into the compile tray 105 is horizontally aligned, for example, from the rear side to the front side of the apparatus. A tamper 141 that performs the reciprocating operation, a tamper motor 142 that is a driving source for reciprocating the tamper 141, and a belt 143 that transmits the driving force of the tamper motor 142 to the tamper 141.
[0027]
FIG. 7 is a perspective view for explaining each mechanism of the horizontal alignment unit 140. The horizontal alignment unit 140 includes a tamper home sensor 144 that is a photosensor that detects the home position of the tamper 141. At the home position detected by the tamper home sensor 144, the tamper 141 is in a standby state. The home position of the tamper 141 is on the rear side of the apparatus, and the tamper 141 functions to press the side edge of the sheet toward a horizontal reference wall (not shown) on the front side of the apparatus. This standby position is close to the front side when the paper size is small, regardless of the position of the tamper home sensor 144. In such a case, the standby position is determined by stepping control of the tamper motor 142. In the horizontal alignment, the tamper motor 142 rotates in accordance with the timing of paper conveyance with respect to the compilation tray 105, and the tamper 141 moves from the standby position corresponding to the paper size in the direction (K) in the figure as the belt 143 rotates. Moving. By this moving operation, it is possible to perform horizontal alignment with respect to the paper carried into the compilation tray 105. More specifically, the paper is aligned with a lateral reference wall (not shown) by pressing a wall portion 141a that is a pressing surface provided on the tamper 141 against a side edge of the paper.
[0028]
Next, the end wall unit 150 will be described.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view for explaining each mechanism of the end wall section 150. The end wall unit 150 includes an end wall 151 serving as a reference for vertical alignment, and aligns sheets at a staple binding reference position (vertical direction). Further, the end wall unit 150 includes an end wall motor 152 that is a stepping motor serving as a driving source when the end wall 151 is retracted (opened), a belt 153 that transmits the driving force of the end wall motor 152, and the end wall 151. The end wall home sensor 154 that is a photo sensor that detects the closed state, the end wall open sensor 155 that is a photo sensor that detects the open state of the end wall 151, and the opening and closing of the end wall 151 upon receiving driving from the belt 153. A shaft 156 to be performed, a central shaft 157 serving as a rotation center of the ceiling portion 151b of the end wall 151, and a spring 158 provided on the wall portion 151a and returning the opened ceiling portion 151b to the original state are provided.
[0029]
Here, for staple binding, a single (one-point binding) mode for stapling one corner of a stacked sheet bundle and a dual (two-point) mode for stapling a plurality of locations can be selected. In this single (one-point binding) mode, the end wall 151 is not retracted. In the dual (two places) mode, the stapling operation and the end wall 151 interfere with each other, so that the end wall 151 needs to be retracted from the stacking surface of the compile tray 105. When the end wall 151 rotates for retraction, the ceiling portion 151 b is pushed by the sheet bundle, and the ceiling portion 151 b is opened via the central shaft 157. When contact with the sheet bundle is lost, the spring 151 returns the wall 151a and the ceiling 151b forming the L shape to the original state, and the wall 151a, the ceiling 151b, and the bottom 151c form a U-shape. can do. In this state, by returning the end wall 151 to the original position, it becomes possible to accept a sheet that needs to be compiled next.
[0030]
Next, the stapling mechanism unit 160 will be described.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view for explaining the stapling mechanism section 160. The staple mechanism unit 160 moves the staple head 161 that actually performs staple binding, the base 162 that supports the staple head 161, the rail 163 that is formed on the base 162, and forms the path of movement of the staple head 161, and the staple head 161. A staple move motor 164 that is a stepping motor, a staple move home sensor 165 that detects the home position of the staple head 161, and a staple center position sensor 166 that detects the center position of the staple head 161 are provided.
[0031]
When performing the above-described single (one-point binding), the staple head 161 stays at the first home position detected by the staple move home sensor 165, and sequentially executes staple binding at a necessary timing. To do. On the other hand, when performing dual (two places), first, it stands by at the second home position position detected by the staple center position sensor 166. After that, a group of sheets are stacked on the compile tray 105 and the end wall 151 is opened. Then, the staple move motor 164 is driven to move the staple head 161 to the staple position, thereby stapling at two locations. is doing.
[0032]
Next, the shelf mechanism unit 170 will be described.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view for explaining the shelf mechanism unit 170. The shelf mechanism unit 170 receives the driving force from the shelf 171 that is a guide for supporting the paper in the compilation tray 105, the stepping motor that drives the shelf 171, and the shelf motor 172. N) a rack and pinion mechanism 173 that slides in a direction, and a shelf home sensor 174 that is a photosensor that detects the home position of the shelf 171 are provided.
[0033]
The shelf 171 needs to have a predetermined length in the paper transport direction (paper discharge direction) in order to support the paper in the compilation tray 105. If the tip of the compile tray 105 having the predetermined length is used as a discharge port as it is, the discharge tray 109 shown in FIG. 2 protrudes greatly from the sheet processing apparatus 2. Therefore, when the sheet bundle is discharged, the shelf 171 is retracted in the direction opposite to the sheet discharging direction. As a result, the entire apparatus can be reduced in size.
[0034]
Next, a series of operations of the staple function unit 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 will be described with reference to these drawings.
A sheet (sheet) on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus 1 passes between the conveyance guides 101 and 102 shown in FIG. 2 and is supplied to the compile tray 105 by the conveyance roller pair 104. The supplied paper is brought to the end wall 151 which is the vertical reference wall by the compile paddle 111 of the vertical direction aligning unit 110 and the sub paddle 121 of the vertical alignment assisting unit 120 constituting the sheet aligning unit. At this time, the tamper 141 of the horizontal alignment unit 140 constituting the sheet alignment unit is brought close to a horizontal reference wall (not shown) provided, for example, on the front side of the compilation tray 105. By repeating this operation, the sheets are neatly collected on the upper surface of the compile tray 105.
[0035]
In the vertical alignment unit 110, as shown in FIG. 2, the compile paddle 111 is always rotated, abutting against the upper surface of the paper supplied to the compile tray 105, and the rear end edge (rear edge) of the paper at the end wall 151. At this time, as described above, when the sheets stacked on the compile tray 105 exceed a predetermined thickness (for example, exceeding 50 sheets), the compile paddle up / down solenoid 112 is operated to compile By raising the paddle 111, the conveyance force by the compiled paddle 111 is maintained in an appropriate state.
[0036]
On the other hand, as described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, in the vertical alignment assisting unit 120, each time a sheet is supplied, the sub paddle (pressing member, urging member) 121 is positioned at the upper stop point (retraction position). To the bottom stop position (advance position). The sub paddle 121 is always rotating in the clockwise (clockwise) direction shown in FIG. 2, and assists the vertical alignment of pressing the paper against the end wall 151 in accordance with the movement to the bottom stop position. At the same time, the sub-paddle 121 presses the paper group loaded on the compile tray 105, thereby preventing the paper group already loaded on the compile tray 105 from being disturbed by the newly supplied paper. is doing. Further, when the number of sheets loaded on the compile tray 105 exceeds a predetermined thickness (for example, exceeding 50 sheets), the sub paddle up / down solenoid 122 is operated to set the bottom stop point of the sub paddle 121. By raising the position, the conveyance force by the sub paddle 121 is maintained in an appropriate state.
[0037]
Here, FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the vertical alignment assisting unit 120 when the number of sheets stacked on the compile tray 105 is 50 sheets or less. FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating the sub paddle 121 at the upper stop point (retraction position). (B) shows the time when the sub paddle 121 is at the bottom stop position (advance position). The present embodiment is characterized in that the upper and lower stopping points of the sub paddle 121 in the state shown in FIG. 11 are different from the upper and lower stopping points of the sub paddle 121 in the state shown in FIG. . In the figure, the height T50 when 50 sheets are stacked on the compilation tray 105 (shelf 171) is virtually shown.
[0038]
In a state in which no new paper is supplied to the compile tray 105, the sub paddle 121 is at the upper end as shown in FIG. 11A and is not in contact with the paper stacked on the compile tray 105, that is, the sub paddle 121. It is retracted to a position where the movement trajectory of the tip portion does not contact the virtual line indicating the height T50.
[0039]
When a new sheet S is supplied to the compile tray 105, the sub-paddle 121 moves to the bottom stop point as shown in FIG. (50 sheets), that is, the position where the movement trajectory of the tip of the sub-paddle 121 and the stacking surface of the compile tray 105 come into contact. In FIG. 11B, the movement trajectory of the sub-paddle 121 passes through the compile tray 105, but actually, the sub-paddle 121 is deformed by the elastic force, and the trajectory is along the surface of the paper loaded on the compile tray 105. It becomes. The sub-paddle 121 moves to the bottom stop point and presses the sheet group before the leading edge of the new sheet S supplied to the compilation tray 105 comes into contact with the sheet group already stacked on the compilation tray 105. Thus, the new paper S is prevented from colliding with the paper group already loaded on the compilation tray 105, thereby disturbing the paper alignment of the paper group. In particular, in the present embodiment, the sub-paddle 121 rotates in the clockwise direction in the drawing, and the uppermost sheet in the group of sheets stacked on the compilation tray 105 faces the supply direction of the new sheet S. It is biased in the direction (end wall 151 side) to prevent the paper alignment from being disturbed. Further, the sub paddle 121 is separated from the sheet group at the timing before the trailing edge of the new sheet S falls on the compile tray 105, and the new sheet S together with the sheet group on the compile tray 105. It doesn't interfere with the alignment.
[0040]
On the other hand, FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the vertical alignment assisting unit 120 when 51 to 100 sheets are stacked on the compilation tray 105. FIG. (B) shows when the sub paddle 121 is at the bottom stop (advance position). In the figure, in addition to the height T50 when 50 sheets are stacked on the compilation tray 105, the height T100 when 100 sheets are stacked is virtually shown.
[0041]
In a state where no new paper is supplied to the compile tray 105, as shown in FIG. 12A, the sub paddle 121 is at the upper end and does not contact the paper loaded on the compile tray 105, that is, the sub paddle 121. It is retracted to a position where the moving locus of the tip portion does not contact the virtual line indicating the height T100.
[0042]
When a new sheet S is supplied to the compile tray 105, the sub paddle 121 moves to the bottom stop point as shown in FIG. 12B, and the sheets (51 to 51) stacked on the compile tray 105 are displayed. 100 positions), that is, a position where the movement trajectory of the tip of the sub paddle 121 and the stacking surface of the compile tray 105 come into contact. Accordingly, in this case as well, as in the case of 1 to 50 sheets, when a new sheet S is supplied, the sheet alignment of the sheet group already loaded on the compile tray 105 is disturbed. Can be prevented.
[0043]
Here, when the paper is supplied, the horizontal alignment unit 140 constituting the horizontal alignment unit stands by at a size position positioned further back than the back edge of the supplied paper. As described above, the standby position is not limited to the home position shown in FIG. 7, but a sheet having a short length in the main scanning direction (the length in the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction) is conveyed. If it is, the position is closer to the front side than the home position. After the trailing edge of the sheet is discharged by the conveying roller pair 104, the tamper 141 moves in the horizontal reference wall direction and stops at a position where “distance from the horizontal reference wall to the tamper 141 ≦ length in the main scanning direction”. Then, it returns to the size position again. By repeating this operation every time a sheet is supplied to the compile tray 105, it is possible to perform horizontal alignment.
[0044]
Thereafter, after the necessary number of sheets for forming the sheet bundle are stacked and aligned, the eject clamp motor 134 (see FIG. 6) of the sheet bundle supporting / discharging unit 130 is operated, and the pressing roll 132 and the eject roll 131 are lowered. Then, it abuts on the sheet surface and supports the sheet bundle by pressing it. Further, the sub paddle 121 (see FIG. 5) is retracted to the top stop point and is separated from the sheet bundle. In the single (single place binding) mode, a staple motor (not shown) provided in the staple head 161 is operated to staple the sheet bundle. Thereafter, the eject motor 135 (see FIG. 6) rotates and the eject roll 131 rotates in the discharge direction, whereby the sheet bundle (booklet) is discharged toward the discharge tray 109. At this time, the shelf mechanism unit 170 operates the shelf motor 172 shown in FIG. 10 to slide the shelf 171 in the retracting direction.
[0045]
On the other hand, in the dual (two places) mode, after the pressing roll 132 and the ejecting roll 131 are lowered and the sheet bundle is pressed and supported, the end wall motor 152 (see FIG. 8) of the end wall section 150 is operated. Operate. As a result, the end wall 151 is rotated and the end wall 151 is retracted from the compilation tray 105. Here, in the dual (two locations) mode, the staple head 161 stands by at the position of the staple center position sensor 166 (see FIG. 9), but after the end wall 151 is retracted, the staple mover of the staple mechanism unit 160 is moved. The motor 164 (see FIG. 9) is driven, the staple head 161 is moved to the staple position, and staple binding is performed at two locations. Thereafter, the sheet bundle (booklet) is discharged to the discharge tray 109 in the same manner as in the single (one-point binding) mode.
[0046]
In this embodiment, the sub-paddle 121 is moved up and down each time a sheet is supplied, so that the sheet group already stacked on the compile tray 105 is pressed. However, the sheet alignment is disturbed. It is a strong paper such as folded paper or thick paper. Therefore, the sub paddle 121 may be pressed only when the newly supplied sheet to the compilation tray 105 is a stiff sheet. Specifically, for example, when folding processing is designated by the user, “thick paper” is stored as tray information of a paper tray (not shown) designated by the user among a plurality of paper trays. Is stored, there is a case where the user designates thick paper as the paper.
[0047]
-Embodiment 2-
The present embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment, but instead of the sub paddle 121, a sheet bundle gripping portion 180 shown in FIG. 13 is used to hold sheets already stacked on the compile tray 105. Is. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0048]
The sheet bundle gripping portion 180 is disposed on the side of the compile tray 105 near the lateral reference wall (not shown) on the front side of the apparatus. The sheet bundle gripping portion 180 swings around a lever 181 having a claw 181a disposed so as to be movable back and forth with respect to the compile tray 105 and a shaft 182a. One end of the paper bundle gripping portion 180 is attached to the elongated hole 181b of the lever 181 and the like. The end has a link 182 attached to the lever up / down solenoid 183, a spring 184 attached to the lever up / down solenoid 183, and a guide 185 for guiding the lever 181 in the vertical direction.
[0049]
In the sheet bundle gripping unit 180, the lever 181 can be raised to the upper limit position (retreat position) via the link 182 by attracting the lever up / down solenoid 183. When the suction of the lever up / down solenoid 183 is stopped, the link 182 moves to the position indicated by the broken line in the drawing by the biasing force of the spring 184, and the lever 181 is lowered to the lower limit position (advance position). Can do. That is, the lever 181 moves up and down between the ranges Q. At the upper limit position, even when 100 sheets are stacked on the compile tray 105, the sheet group and the lever 181 are not in contact with each other.
[0050]
When a new sheet is supplied to the compile tray 105, the lever 181 moves toward the lower limit position, and advances to a position where it comes into contact with the sheet group loaded on the compile tray 105. Note that the lever 181 stops before the lower limit position according to the number (thickness) of sheets stacked on the compilation tray 105. The lever 181 moves to the lower limit position before the leading edge of a new sheet supplied to the compile tray 105 contacts the sheet group already stacked on the compile tray 105 to press the sheet group. Therefore, the new paper S is prevented from colliding with the paper group already loaded on the compile tray 105, thereby disturbing the paper alignment of the paper group. In particular, in the present embodiment, the sheet group already loaded on the compile tray 105 is firmly held between the lever 181 and the compile tray 105, and further prevents the sheet alignment from being disturbed. be able to. The lever 181 is separated from the paper group at a timing before the trailing edge of the new paper S falls on the compile tray 105, and the new paper S together with the paper group on the compile tray 105. It doesn't interfere with the alignment.
[0051]
Therefore, also in the present embodiment, by providing the sheet bundle gripping portion 180, it is possible to prevent the sheet group already loaded on the compile tray 105 from being disturbed by the sheet newly supplied to the compile tray 105. Can do.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the sheet bundle already aligned on the compile tray from being disturbed by the sheet newly supplied onto the compile tray.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a sheet processing apparatus to which the exemplary embodiment is applied.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a staple function unit.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining each mechanism of a vertical alignment portion.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining each mechanism of a vertical alignment assisting portion.
FIG. 5 is a side view for explaining each mechanism of the vertical alignment assisting portion.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating each mechanism of a sheet bundle support / discharge unit.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view for explaining each mechanism of a horizontal alignment portion.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view for explaining each mechanism of the end wall portion.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view for explaining a stapling mechanism.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view for explaining a shelf mechanism.
FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the vertical alignment assisting unit according to the first embodiment.
FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the vertical alignment assisting unit in the first embodiment;
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining each mechanism of a sheet bundle gripping unit according to the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 2 ... Sheet processing apparatus, 5 ... Finisher, 7 ... Control part, 10 ... Staple function part, 103 ... Compile exit sensor, 104 ... Conveying roller pair, 105 ... Compile tray, 110 ... Vertical alignment part 111 ... Compiled paddle, 120 ... Vertical alignment assisting part, 121 ... Sub paddle, 130 ... Paper bundle support / discharge part, 131 ... Eject roll, 140 ... Horizontal alignment part, 141 ... Tamper, 150 ... End wall part, 151 ... End wall 160 ... Staple mechanism section 161 ... Staple head 170 ... Shelf mechanism section 180 ... Paper bundle gripping section

Claims (8)

A compilation tray that sequentially collects the supplied sheets to form one sheet bundle;
A sheet aligning section for aligning sheets supplied to the compilation tray;
The thickness of the sheet stacked on the compile tray at the downstream side in the supply direction of the new sheet from the position where the leading edge of the new sheet supplied to the compile tray is in contact with the sheet stacked on the compile tray. disposed for advancing and retracting direction, before the leading end of the new sheet to be supplied to the compile tray contacts the sheets aligned by and are already stacked on the compile tray the sheet aligning unit, the aligning A sheet processing apparatus including: a pressing member that moves to an advance position for pressing a prepared sheet and moves to a retracted position away from the aligned sheets before the trailing end of the new sheet is discharged to the compilation tray.   The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the retracting position and the advance position of the pressing member are changed based on the number of sheets stacked on the compilation tray.   The sheet processing according to claim 1, further comprising a guide member that moves in conjunction with the pressing member and guides the new sheet to the compilation tray when the pressing member moves to the advanced position. apparatus.   The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing member applies a force in a direction opposite to a supply direction of the new sheet to be supplied to the aligned sheets at the advance position. A compilation tray that sequentially collects the supplied sheets to form one sheet bundle;
A sheet aligning section for aligning sheets supplied to the compilation tray;
Arranged so that the leading edge of a new sheet supplied to the compile tray can move forward and backward with respect to the compile tray on the downstream side in the supply direction of the new sheet from the position in contact with the sheet accumulated on the compile tray. the tip of the new sheet to be supplied to the compile tray, prior to contacting the sheets aligned by and are already stacked on the compile tray the sheet aligning unit, in contact with the collated sheets A biasing member that biases the aligned sheets in a direction opposite to the supply direction of the new sheet and separates from the aligned sheets before the rear end of the new sheet is discharged to the compilation tray A sheet processing apparatus.   The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the biasing member is a paddle member that is rotatably disposed. A compilation tray that sequentially collects the supplied sheets to form one sheet bundle;
A sheet aligning section for aligning sheets supplied to the compilation tray;
The leading edge of the new sheet supplied to the compile tray is downstream of the new sheet in the supply direction with respect to the sheet stacked in the compile tray with respect to the sheet stacked in the compile tray. movably disposed Te, before the leading end of the new sheet to be supplied to the compile tray contacts the sheets are aligned at the compile tray already integrated and the sheet aligning unit, the compile tray And a gripping member that moves to a retracted position that does not grip the aligned sheet before the rear end of the new sheet is discharged to the compilation tray. Including sheet processing apparatus.   The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the gripping member grips an end portion in a direction orthogonal to a transport direction of the aligned sheets.

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