JP4487670B2 - Staple processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a staple processing apparatus including a stapler unit that moves on a track including a needle discarding position and a plurality of staple processing positions and staples one place of a plurality of stacked sheets with staples.

  Conventionally, a staple processing apparatus as described above is known. Among such staple processing apparatuses, in the staple processing apparatus that performs the binding process with one type of staple (needle) regardless of the number of sheets to be bound, when the number of sheets to be bound is small, the leading end of the folded staples. There is a problem that it is too long and looks bad.

  In order to solve this problem, a staple processing apparatus has been proposed in which staples having different lengths are prepared and the staples are changed according to the number of sheets to be bound (for example, see Patent Document 1). There is a problem that the replacement work becomes complicated and the operability is poor.

In view of this, a stapler unit having a cutter for cutting off an excessive needle tip has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). The stapler unit having such a cutter is provided with a storage portion that temporarily stores the tip end of the needle that is cut during the staple processing performed by moving to the staple processing position on the track. The needle tip portion accommodated in the portion is discarded in a needle recovery box provided at a needle discarding position provided on the track.
JP 2001-334502 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-25931

  However, when the tip end of the needle housed in the housing portion is discarded in the needle collection box, the stapler unit must be once separated from the staple processing position, and the needle tip portion is prevented from overflowing in the housing portion. If the tip is discarded, the productivity is reduced. On the other hand, if the disposal of the needle tip portion is avoided as much as possible in order to increase the productivity, the storage portion may overflow.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a staple processing apparatus that can reduce the possibility of overflow of the needle tip portion in the accommodating portion and suppress the reduction in productivity as much as possible. Is.

A staple processing apparatus of the present invention that solves the above-described object is a stapler that moves on a track including a needle discarding position and a plurality of staple processing positions and staples one place of a plurality of stacked sheets with staples. In a stapling apparatus provided with a unit,
The above stapler unit
A staple unit that staples a plurality of stacked sheets;
A cutter portion for cutting the staple tip portion of the staple for binding the sheet;
An accommodating portion for accommodating a needle tip portion cut by the cutter portion,
Furthermore, this staple processing apparatus
A needle collection box that is disposed at the needle disposal position and collects the tip of the needle that is discarded from the storage unit;
A needle disposal mechanism for discarding the needle tip housed in the housing section from the stapler unit that has moved to the needle disposal position to the needle collection box;
One of the plurality of staple processing positions is the same position as the needle discarding position.

  According to the stapling apparatus of the present invention, since one of the plurality of stapling positions is the same as the staple discarding position, if the stapling process is performed at the staple processing position that coincides with the staple discarding position, the accommodation is performed. The tip of the needle housed in the part is discarded into the needle collection box. Therefore, in the staple processing device of the present invention, the needle tip can be discarded without reducing the productivity, reducing the possibility of overflow of the needle tip in the storage portion, and reducing the productivity. It is compatible to suppress as much as possible.

  In the staple processing apparatus of the present invention, the staple processing position, which is the same position as the needle discarding position, is stapled on the upper left side of a sheet in which a plurality of horizontally written character strings are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the A4 size sheet. It is preferable that the position is the staple processing position to be bound by.

  The staple processing position at the upper left of the paper is the most frequently used position as the staple processing position, and this position coincides with the needle discarding position, so that the needle tip can be frequently discarded. The possibility of overflow of the needle tip portion in the housing portion is further reduced.

Further, in the staple processing device of the present invention, the staple processing device performs the staple processing at one or more staple processing positions selected from the plurality of staple processing positions, and forms one or a plurality of sheet bundles. A sheet bundle is formed according to a job instructing to form,
If the job does not include an instruction to perform staple processing at the staple processing position that is the same position as the needle discarding position, a stapler that moves the stapler unit to the needle discarding position at the end of the job. It is also preferable to have a unit controller.

  According to this aspect, since the needle tip portion is discarded at least once before the next job starts, the possibility of overflow of the needle tip portion in the storage portion is further reduced.

Furthermore, in the staple processing apparatus of the present invention, a fullness detection sensor for detecting that the storage portion is filled with a needle tip portion;
Based on the detection result from the full detection sensor, it is an aspect including a stapler unit control unit that moves the stapler unit to the needle discarding position, or a counter that counts the number of times of staple processing,
A counter control unit for stopping the counting of the counter and resetting the count value when the staple processing is performed at the staple processing position that is the same position as the needle discarding position;
A fullness detection unit for detecting that the storage unit is filled with the tip of the needle when the count value of the counter exceeds a predetermined value;
It is also preferable to include a stapler unit control unit that moves the stapler unit to the needle discarding position based on the detection result from the full detection unit.

  In these aspects, overflow of the storage portion can be prevented.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the staple processing apparatus which made compatible the reduction of the possibility of overflow of the needle front-end | tip part in an accommodating part, and suppressing a fall of productivity as much as possible can be provided.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a sheet processing apparatus in which a staple processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is incorporated.

  A sheet processing apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 1 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, and an interposer 6 that supplies slip sheets such as cardboard as a cover of a booklet are provided. A staple processing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a finisher 5 among these units, and the sheet processing shown in FIG. 1 including the control of the staple processing apparatus 10 is included in the finisher 5. A control unit 7 that controls the entire apparatus 2 is provided.

  In the sheet processing apparatus 2 constituted by these units, the saddle stitching provided in the finisher 5 is performed in addition to the staple processing performed by the staple processing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment to staple a plurality of stacked sheets. The bookbinding function unit 30 performs a saddle stitching process for saddle stitching and binding a plurality of stacked sheets, and the folding function unit 50 provided in the folding unit 4 performs three inner folding (C (Folding) and outer three-folding (Z-folding), a punching function unit 70 provided in the finisher 5 and punching processing for punching (punching) two or four holes, and an interposer 6 and the like. The interleaving process for supplying interleaving paper such as thick paper and window vacant paper used for the cover of the sheet bundle, which is performed by the interleaving paper function unit 80, which is performed It is.

  Next, the staple processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment will be described in detail.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the staple processing apparatus of the present embodiment mounted on the finisher of the sheet processing apparatus shown in FIG.

  A staple processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 2 includes conveyance guides 101 and 102 that guide a conveyed sheet, and a compile exit sensor 103 that detects the conveyed sheet and outputs a signal for controlling the operation of each mechanism unit. The conveyance roller pair 104 sequentially feeds the sheets conveyed between the conveyance guides 101 and 102, and the compile tray 105 that stacks the sheets fed by the conveyance roller pair 104 in a stacked state. Further, the staple processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 2 includes a discharge tray 109 that stacks and stacks stapled sheet bundles (booklets). When stacking sheet bundles that have undergone stapling, the part of the sheet bundle that has undergone stapling will swell up, and eventually the stacked sheet bundle will collapse. For this reason, the maximum number of stacks of sheet bundles is set in the discharge tray 109 in order to prevent the sheet bundles from collapsing. Further, the compile tray 105 is provided with a vertical reference wall 151 serving as a reference wall for alignment in the vertical direction (alignment in the paper conveyance direction) on the side opposite to the paper discharge direction. Further, 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 transport direction), for example, on the front side (front side) of the apparatus.

  In addition, as a mechanism unit that executes each function, a sheet feeding direction (vertical direction) by a vertical direction aligning unit 110 that performs vertical sheet alignment (sheet conveying direction) and a vertical direction aligning unit 110 for sheets fed to the compilation tray 105. In order to improve the alignment of a plurality of sheets stacked on the compilation tray 105, the vertical alignment assisting unit 120 for assisting the sheet alignment in the direction), when performing staple binding, the sheets are pressed and staple binding is performed. A sheet bundle support / discharge unit 130 that discharges a sheet bundle after completion, and a lateral direction aligning unit that performs sheet alignment in a direction (horizontal direction) orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction with respect to the sheet supplied to the compilation tray 105 140 includes an end wall 151 that serves as a wall when aligning sheets in the vertical direction, and drives the end wall 151. And a end wall portion 150 having a mechanism for. Further, the shelf includes a stapler unit 160 that staples a plurality of sheets supplied to the compile tray 105, and a shelf 171 that is a guide for supporting sheets in the compile tray 105, and has a mechanism for driving the shelf 171. A mechanism unit 170 is also provided. Further, the staple processing apparatus 10 includes a rail member (not shown) here, and the stapler unit 160 moves on the rail member.

  First, the vertical alignment unit 110 will be briefly described. The vertical alignment unit 110 sequentially presses the supplied paper against the end wall 151 against the compile tray 105, a compile paddle 111 that moves the compile paddle 111 up and down (retract / advance operation), and a compile paddle 111. 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.

  Next, the vertical alignment assisting unit 120 will be briefly described. The vertical alignment assisting unit 120 assists the operation of pressing the sheet 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 position of the sub paddle 121 is changed. A sub-paddle up / down solenoid 122 that moves the sub-paddle 121 up and down (retract / advance operation), and links 123 and 124 that move the sub-paddle 121 up and down in conjunction with the sub-paddle up / down solenoid 122 are provided. 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.

  Next, the sheet bundle support / discharge unit 130 will be briefly described. The sheet bundle support / discharge unit 130 includes an eject roll 131 that presses against the opposing roll 139 and supports the sheet and discharges the sheet bundle, for example, a pressing roll 132 that presses the vicinity of the folded portion of the Z-folded sheet. is doing. 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 axis 137. A plurality of sheets that are stapled on the compile tray 105 to form a bundle of sheets are sandwiched between an eject roll 131 and a counter roll 139. The eject roll 131 is rotated by an unillustrated eject motor and discharges the sheet bundle toward the discharge tray 109. An eject motor (not shown) conveys a sheet in a compiling direction that is opposite to the ejecting direction at a timing when the sheet is first conveyed to an empty compile tray 105 after the sheet bundle is discharged. Thus, the eject roll 131 is rotated in the reverse direction.

  Next, the horizontal alignment unit 140 shown in FIG. 2 will be briefly described. The horizontal direction aligning unit 140 slides in a direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction, and performs horizontal alignment for each sheet fed to the compilation tray 105, for example, from the rear side to the front side of the apparatus. The tamper 141 is provided with a tamper motor 142 which is a driving source for reciprocating the tamper 141, and a belt 143 which transmits the driving force of the tamper motor 142 to the tamper 141.

  Next, the stapler unit 160 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a view showing a stapler unit placed on a rail member that has been omitted in the drawings.

  The stapler unit 160 shown in FIG. 3 moves on a rail member 180 that connects the staple discarding position and a plurality of staple processing positions. A staple center position sensor 166 that detects whether or not the stapler unit 160 is located at the center position is provided at the center position in the extending direction of the rail member 180. The rail member 180 is formed on the base 191 and includes a straight portion 1801 and R portions 1802 and 1803 connected to both ends of the straight portion 1801. FIG. 3 shows the stapler unit 160 located in the right R portion 1803. The position of the stapler unit 160 shown in FIG. 3 is a needle discarding position, which is a position outside the casing of the staple processing apparatus, that is, the finisher 5 shown in FIG. Here, it demonstrates using FIG. 4 with FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sheet processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with the front panel removed.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sheet processing apparatus as viewed from the front surface side facing the operator side, and the front side of the sheet is the front side. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the stapler unit 160 shown in FIG. 3 is located outside the housing frame 5 a of the finisher 5, that is, on the front surface side outside the housing of the staple processing apparatus 10. The stapler unit 160 shown in FIG. 4 is located at the needle discarding position, like the stapler unit 160 shown in FIG. The needle discarding position in the present embodiment is a position provided on the front surface side outside the housing and is the home position of the stapler unit 160. In order to stop the stapler unit 160 at a desired position, a sensor is necessary. However, since the needle discarding position and the home position coincide with each other in this way, the sensor can also be used, leading to cost reduction. The staple discarding position is also one staple processing position among a plurality of staple processing positions. Therefore, the sensor deployed at the needle disposal position can be further used as the sensor deployed at the staple processing position, leading to further cost reduction.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example in which horizontally written character strings are arranged on an A4 sheet and an example in which vertically written character strings are arranged.

  A left side A4 size sheet 910 shown in FIG. 5 has a plurality of horizontally written character strings arranged in the longitudinal direction of the sheet. In the case of such A4 horizontal paper, the most frequently used position for binding with the staple 900 is the position of the upper left corner, and the paper is directed to the staple processing apparatus 10 in the short direction as indicated by the arrow. Will be transported. In addition, the A4 size paper 920 on the right side shown in FIG. 5 has a plurality of lines of vertically written character strings arranged in the longitudinal direction of the paper. The most frequently used position is the upper right corner position, and the sheet is conveyed along the short direction to the staple processing apparatus 10 as indicated by the arrow. That is, whether the A4 horizontal paper 910 shown on the left side of FIG. 5 or the A4 vertical paper 920 shown on the right side is above the edge on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the paper conveyed to the staple processing device 10. The corner position is the most frequently used position as the staple processing position 10. In the staple processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment, the staple processing position with the highest use frequency is set as the needle discarding position. In other words, the staple processing position, which is the same position as the needle discarding position, is the position of the staple processing for binding the upper left of the A4 horizontal writing paper with the staple 900.

  The stapler unit 160 shown in FIG. 3 includes a staple unit 161 that actually performs stapling, a cutter unit 162 that cuts the staple tip end of the staple by an amount corresponding to the thickness or number of sheets to be formed, and a cutter unit 162. In addition to having a storage portion 163 for storing the cut needle tip portion, a staple move motor 164 which is a stepping motor as a driving source for movement of the stapler unit 160 on the rail member 180, and a staple portion 161 are the stapler. A staple move sensor 165 that detects that the moving operation has been performed is also provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the stapler unit 160 also includes a staple operation detection sensor 167 that detects that the staple unit 161 has performed a staple operation. The staple unit 161 is provided with a staple driving port for driving staples onto a plurality of stacked sheets, but is not shown because it is located on the opposite side of the staple unit 161 shown in FIG. The stapler unit 160 shown in FIG. 2 is a view of the stapler unit located on the linear portion 1801 of the rail member 180 shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from the extending direction side of the linear portion 1801, and the end wall 151 is a staple driving port. It is located in the vicinity. The accommodating portion 163 has a volume that is equal to or larger than the capacity for accommodating all the needle tip portions that are cut from the number of staples necessary to obtain the maximum number of sheet bundles defined in the discharge tray 109 shown in FIG. It is.

  The staple processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a duct shooter 181 and a needle collection box 182. The duct shooter 181 and the needle collection box 182 are provided at a needle disposal position, and the needle collection box is provided. 182 is removable. FIG. 3 shows a duct shooter 181, and FIG. 4 shows a duct shooter 181 located under the stapler unit 160 moved to the needle discarding position, and a needle collection box 182 located under the duct shooter 181. It is shown. The tip end of the needle housed in the housing section 163 is loaded from the stapler unit 160 moved to the needle discarding position into the loading port 1821 of the needle collection box 182 via the duct shooter 181. Since the needle discarding position where the needle recovery box 182 is deployed is outside the housing, the staple processing device 10 is provided when the needle tip stored in the storage unit 163 is discarded into the needle recovery box 182. It is possible to prevent the tip of the needle from being scattered inside the finisher 5 shown in FIG. In addition, the needle collection box 182 is provided on the front surface side and can be easily removed. In addition, the duct shooter 181 prevents the needle tip from being scattered outside the finisher 5.

  In addition, the storage portion 163, the duct shooter 181 and the needle collection box 182 are all made of a conductive member, and prevent the needle tip from being caught by static electricity. As a result, the degree of freedom of inclination applied to each of the members 163, 181, and 182 is widened, and the shape design of each member is facilitated.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state of disposal of the needle tip from the storage unit to the needle collection box.

  FIG. 6A shows the vicinity of the accommodation unit of the stapler unit at a position away from the needle discarding position, and FIG. 6B shows the vicinity of the accommodation unit of the stapler unit at the needle disposal position. Has been.

  A disposal port 1631 (see FIG. 6B) for discarding the needle tip portion accommodated is provided at the bottom of the accommodation unit 163, and an opening / closing lid 1632 that covers the disposal port 1631 with a hinge mechanism 1632a so as to be freely opened and closed. Is deployed. The opening / closing lid 1632 is urged in a direction to close the disposal port 1631 by a spring (not shown). The staple processing device 10 is provided with an engagement pin 185 that engages with an opening / closing lid 1632 provided in the housing portion 163 of the stapler unit 160 that moves toward the staple discarding position. Further, the opening / closing lid 1632 is provided with an engaging portion 1633 that engages with the engaging pin 185. When the stapler unit 160 moves to the vicinity of the needle discarding position, the engaging pin 185 comes into contact with the engaging portion 1633 provided on the opening / closing lid 1632. Further, when the stapler unit 160 moves toward the needle discarding position, the engaging portion 1633 is pushed by the engaging pin 185, and the opening / closing lid 1632 is shown in FIG. 6B against a biasing force by a spring (not shown). It starts to rotate in the direction of the arrow shown. That is, the opening / closing lid 1632 starts to open. When the stapler unit 160 reaches the needle disposal position, as shown in FIG. 6B, the opening / closing lid 1632 is fully opened, and the needle tip is discarded from the disposal port 1631. Therefore, the engaging mechanism between the engaging pin 185 and the engaging portion 1633 corresponds to an example of the needle discarding mechanism according to the present invention, and in the staple processing device 10 of the present embodiment, the stapler unit 160 reaches the needle discarding position. In this case, the accommodating portion 163 becomes empty. Further, as described above, in the staple processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the most frequently used position as the staple processing position coincides with the needle discarding position. Therefore, the needle tip portion is discarded without reducing the productivity. It can be performed frequently, and it is compatible to reduce the possibility of overflow of the needle tip portion in the accommodating portion 163 and to suppress the decrease in productivity as much as possible. Furthermore, since the needle discarding position is the home position, the needle tip portion stored in the accommodating portion 163 is discarded into the needle collecting box 182 every time, and the overflow of the accommodating portion 163 is unlikely to occur.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the disposal port 1631 of the housing portion 163 is provided at a position away from the hinge mechanism 1632a. This is a device for completely retracting the opening / closing lid 1632 from the dropping path of the needle tip portion discarded from the disposal port 1631.

  Here, the description will be continued using FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 together with FIG. The disposal port 1631 of the housing portion 163 included in the stapler unit 160 illustrated in FIG. 3 is located on the outer peripheral side of the R portion 1803 of the rail member 180. Further, a staple driving port of the staple unit 161 (not shown) is located on the inner peripheral side of the R portion 1803. That is, the staple unit 161 faces the inner peripheral side of the R portion 1803. For this reason, the stapler unit 160 that has moved from the straight portion 1801 to the R portion 1803 moves the rear portion where the disposal port 1631 is provided more greatly than the front side where the staple driving port (not shown) is provided, while moving the straight portion The posture changes to the posture shown in FIG. In other words, the stapler unit 160 is in a posture in which the portion of the disposal port 1631 is further inclined to the outside of the housing in a state where the stapler unit 160 is inclined substantially on the same line as the inclination of the compilation tray 105 at the needle discarding position.

  In addition, the duct chute 181 is fixedly arranged outside the housing as shown in FIG. 4, and the scattering prevention plate 1811 extending upward so as to cover the bottom of the accommodating portion 163 shown in FIG. 3 from the side. Have That is, the scattering prevention plate 1811 is located on the opposite side of the opening / closing lid 1632 of the housing portion 163, that is, on the opposite side of the hinge mechanism 1632 a of the opening / closing lid 1632. At the needle discarding position, the disposal port 1631 of the housing portion 163 is positioned between the open / close lid 1632 and the scattering prevention plate 1811, and the tip of the needle discarded from the disposal port 1631 jumps out to the side. This is prevented by the opening / closing lid 1632 and the scattering prevention plate 1811. The above-described engagement pin 185 is attached to the anti-scattering plate 1811 shown in FIG. The scattering prevention plate 1811 may be provided in the housing portion 163.

  The staple processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment described above forms a bundle of sheets stapled according to a job. The job referred to here is one or a plurality of sheet bundles in which a stapling process in which one place of a plurality of stacked sheets is stapled is performed at one or a plurality of stapling positions selected from a plurality of stapling positions. Is formed. This job is determined by an operator operating an operation panel prepared as a UI (user interface) of a system that combines the image forming apparatus and the sheet processing apparatus shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an initial screen of a liquid crystal touch panel prepared on the operation panel.

  In the following description, among the various buttons prepared on the liquid crystal touch panel, a hatched button is a pressed (selected) button, and a button indicated by a dotted line is an unselectable button.

  In the initial screen 510 shown in FIG. 7, various specifications such as paper size, image formation density, number of created parts (sheets), and the like are performed. Here, operation buttons for performing these specifications are omitted, and prepared at the lower left of the screen. Only the selected paper type selection button 511 is shown. The paper type selection button 511 is a button that does not require an operation when plain paper is desired as a sheet to be formed and conveyed to the sheet processing apparatus. That is, this button is operated when it is desired to use a sheet other than plain paper.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a paper type selection screen that switches from the initial screen when the paper type selection button shown in FIG. 7 is pressed.

  The operator selects a desired paper type from the paper types (thick paper, coated paper, coated paper thick paper, OHP sheet) displayed on the paper type selection screen 520 shown in FIG. 8, and puts on the selected paper type. The prepared paper type determination button 521 is pressed.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a basic setting screen that is switched from the paper type selection screen shown in FIG.

  The operator presses a desired button from among the basic copy button 531, application copy button 532, image quality adjustment button 533, and other buttons 534 in the basic setting screen 530 shown in FIG. 9. To perform stapling, the application copy button 532 is pressed.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an application copy selection screen that switches from the basic setting screen when the application copy button shown in FIG. 9 is pressed.

  The operator presses a desired button from among the folding processing button 541, the sorting / staple processing button 542, and the slip sheet processing button 543 in the application copy selection screen 540 shown in FIG. To perform the stapling process, the sorting / stapling button 542 is pressed.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a detail selection screen that switches from the application copy selection screen when the sorting / staple processing button shown in FIG. 10 is pressed.

  The operator selects and presses either the sort / staple button 551 or the stack button 552 in the detail selection screen 550 shown in FIG. To perform the stapling process, the sort / staple button 551 is pressed.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a staple necessity selection screen that switches from the detail selection screen when the sort / staple button shown in FIG. 11 is pressed.

  If it is necessary for the operator to perform staple processing, the operator presses the staple setting button 562 shown on the right side in the staple necessity selection screen 560 shown in FIG. Then, the staple setting unnecessary button 561 shown on the left side is pressed.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a staple position selection screen that switches from the staple necessity selection screen when the staple setting button shown in FIG. 12 is pressed.

  In the staple processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, one position of a corner and two positions along the edge are prepared as staple positions. In the single mode in which one corner is stapled, two staples are provided. Corresponds in position. That is, when the sheet icon button 571 shown at the leftmost end in the staple position selection screen 570 shown in FIG. 13 is pressed, the staple process is performed at the staple processing position that is the same position as the staple discarding position. The When the sheet icon button 574 shown second from the right in FIG. 13 is pressed, the front and back surfaces of the sheet being conveyed are reversed toward the compilation tray 105 shown in FIG. 2 is conveyed to the compile tray 105 shown in FIG. 2 with the edge that was the edge on the downstream side in the conveying direction being set as the edge on the upstream side in the conveying direction, and the stapling process is performed on the rail member 180 shown in FIG. The R portion 1830 is applied at the stapling position prepared.

  On the other hand, in the dual mode in which two places along the edge are stapled, the staple processing position differs depending on the sheet size. However, in the staple processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the linear portion of the rail member 180 shown in FIG. Two stapling positions prepared in 1801 correspond to each other. That is, the sheet icon button 572 shown second from the left in the staple position selection screen 570 shown in FIG. 13 and the sheet icon button 575 shown at the rightmost position are used for stapling the edge in the longitudinal direction of the sheet. It is a button for designating the application to two places along. When the icon button 575 shown in the rightmost end of FIG. 13 is pressed, the front and back surfaces of the sheet being conveyed are reversed so that the edge that has been the downstream edge in the conveyance direction so far is the upstream edge in the conveyance direction. When the sheet icon button 572 shown second from the left is pressed, the sheet being conveyed is conveyed to the compile tray 105 without inverting the front and back surfaces. Whichever button is pressed, the staple processing position is the same. On the other hand, an icon button 573 shown in the center of the staple position selection screen 570 shown in FIG. 13 is a button for designating that the staple processing is performed at two places along the edge in the short direction of the sheet. When is pressed, stapling is performed at two intervals that are narrower than the interval between the two stapling positions described above. In the single mode and the dual mode in which stapling is performed at a position along the longitudinal edge of the sheet, the sheet conveyed to the compile tray 105 is conveyed along the short direction of the sheet. In the dual mode in which stapling is performed at a position along the edge in the short-side direction, the sheet is conveyed along the longitudinal direction of the sheet. As described above, in the staple processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, by changing the sheet conveyance direction, stapling along either the longitudinal edge or the short edge is performed on the linear portion 1801 of the rail member 180. The two stapling positions prepared in (1) correspond to each other.

  A job is determined by performing an operation on each screen as described above. The control unit 7 that controls the entire sheet processing apparatus 2 including the control of the staple processing apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 acquires job information representing the content of the determined job, and executes the process described below. In the following description, for the sake of simplicity and clarity, a single mode in which one corner is stapled will be described as an example.

  The control unit 7 executes a needle tip number counting process in the storage unit 163.

  FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram illustrating a control unit when executing the needle tip number counting process in the housing unit.

  The control unit 7 shown in FIG. 14 includes a counter unit 701 that counts the number of stapling operations, a counter control unit 702 that stops the count of the counter 701 or resets the count value of the counter, and a count value of the counter 701. It has a full detection unit 703 that detects that the accommodation unit 163 is full due to the needle tip when exceeding a predetermined value, and a stapler unit control unit 704 that moves the stapler unit 160 and determines the position of the stapler unit. .

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the needle tip number counting process in the storage unit, which is executed by the control unit shown in FIG.

  The control unit 7 illustrated in FIG. 14 acquires job information and also acquires image formation start information on which image formation based on the acquired job is started in the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 7 receives this image formation start information and starts the needle tip number counting process shown in FIG.

  First, the stapler unit 160 is moved to the staple processing position based on the job information (step S1_1), and it is determined whether or not the moved staple processing position is the same staple processing position as the staple discarding position ( Step S1_2). The processing so far is performed by the function of the stapler unit control unit 704. Here, if the staple processing position is a position (No) different from the needle discarding position, when the staple operation of the staple unit 161 is detected by the staple operation detection sensor 167 shown in FIG. The number of times (the number of times of staple processing) is counted (step S1_3). This process is performed by the function of the counter control unit 702.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the count value of the staple processing count exceeds a predetermined value (step S1_4), and if it exceeds, the process proceeds to step S1_5. This series of flows is performed by the function of the full detection unit 703. The predetermined value here is the total number of staple processing operations that are performed until the needle tip portion is stored in the empty storage portion and the storage portion is filled with the needle tip portion. In step S1_5, the stapler unit 160 is once moved to the staple discarding position, and then returned to the staple processing position in which the stapler unit 160 is moved in step S1_1. This step S1_5 is performed by the function of the stapler unit control unit 704. The stapler unit 160 once discarded from the storage portion 163 of the stapler unit 160 that has moved to the staple disposal position and the storage portion 163 is empty returns to the previous staple processing position.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the job is finished based on the job information (step S1_6). If the job is continued (No), the process returns to step S1_1. If the job is finished (Yes), the function of the stapler unit control unit 704 is used. Then, the stapler unit 160 is moved to the needle discarding position, and the count value of the staple processing count is cleared by the function of the counter control unit 702 (step S1_7), and the needle tip number counting process is ended. In this way, by moving the stapler unit 160 to the needle discarding position at the end of the job, the accommodation unit 163 of the stapler unit 160 is always empty at the start of the job, and the accommodation unit 163 is full during the next job. This reduces the possibility of becoming.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1_2 that the staple processing position is the same position as the needle discarding position, the count value is cleared by the function of the counter control unit 702 (step S1_8), and this needle tip number counting process is performed. Exit. If the staple processing position is the same as the needle discarding position, the open / close lid 1632 shown in FIG. 6 is fully opened, and the cut needle tip is collected in the needle collection box 182 without accumulating in the storage portion 163. . For this reason, it is not necessary to count the number of needle tips, and the count value is cleared to prepare for the needle tip count processing in the next job.

  If it is determined in step S1_4 that the count value is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S1_6 for determining whether or not the job is finished.

  In the needle tip number counting process described above, if the job does not include an instruction to perform staple processing at the staple processing position that is the same position as the needle discarding position, the stapler unit is discarded at the end of the job. It is moved to the position, and the possibility of the overflow of the accommodating portion 163 is reduced. Further, when the count value exceeds a predetermined value, the possibility of overflow of the accommodating portion 163 is also reduced by moving the stapler unit 160 to the needle discarding position.

  Next, the stapling apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described. The staple processing apparatus of the second embodiment is provided with a sheet bundle thickness detection mechanism. Note that the same constituent elements as those of the staple processing apparatus of the first embodiment are denoted by the reference numerals used so far, and the drawings used so far are cited.

  In the stapling apparatus according to the second embodiment, when the eject roll 131 shown in FIG. 2 is rotated and the sheet bundle is discharged toward the discharge tray 109, the thickness of the sheet bundle is detected.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a sheet bundle thickness detection mechanism provided in the stapling apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  In addition to the rotation center shaft 137 shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 16 also shows an active gear 1371 attached to the rotation center shaft 137 and a passive gear 1372 engaged with the active gear 1371. Yes. A disc 1373 provided with a large number of slits 1373 a in the circumferential direction is attached to the rotating shaft of the passive gear 1372. A thickness detection sensor 1374 that detects the slit 1373a of the disk 1373 is also shown. In the thickness detection mechanism shown in FIG. 16, the disk 1373 is rotated by the gear drive accompanying the rotation of the rotation center shaft 137 by utilizing the change in the rotation amount of the rotation center shaft 137 depending on the thickness of the sheet bundle. The thickness of the sheet bundle is detected based on the number of slits 1373a provided in the disk 1373 that passes through the thickness detection sensor 1374.

  According to the staple processing apparatus 10 of the second embodiment, the control unit executes the needle tip number counting process in the storage unit 163 according to the detected thickness of the sheet bundle.

  FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram illustrating a control unit when executing the needle tip number counting process in the storage unit according to the thickness of the sheet bundle.

  The control unit 7 illustrated in FIG. 17 moves the staple waste counter unit 711 that counts the number of needle tip portions accommodated in the accommodation unit while increasing or decreasing the number according to the thickness of the sheet bundle to be formed, and the stapler unit 160. A stapler unit control unit 712 that determines the position of the stapler unit 160, a counter control unit 713 that causes the staple waste counter 711 to suspend or restart the count, and a thickness that acquires thickness information indicating the thickness of the conveyed paper. The information acquisition unit 714 and the fullness detection unit 715 that detects that the storage unit 163 is filled with the needle tip when the count value of the needle dust counter unit 711 exceeds a predetermined value.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the needle tip number counting process corresponding to the thickness of the sheet bundle, which is executed by the control unit shown in FIG.

  The control unit 7 shown in FIG. 17 also acquires job information as well as image formation start information. Upon receiving this image formation start information, the needle tip number counting process shown in FIG. 18 is started.

  First, the stapler unit 160 is moved to the staple processing position based on the job information (step S2_1), and it is determined whether or not the moved staple processing position is the same staple processing position as the staple discarding position ( Step S2_2). The processing so far is performed by the function of the stapler unit control unit 704. Here, if the staple processing position is the same position (Yes) as the staple discarding position (Yes), the number of times staple processing is performed by the stapler unit 160 when the staple operation of the staple unit 161 is detected by the staple operation detection sensor 167 shown in FIG. 1 × 0 is incremented to the count value (step S2_3). That is, in this step S2_3, the count value does not fluctuate, and the counter control unit 713 causes the needle dust counter unit 711 to stop counting. After execution of step S2_3, it is determined whether or not the count value of the number of stapling processes exceeds a predetermined value (step S2_4), and if it exceeds, the process proceeds to step S2_5. This series of flows is performed by the function of the full detection unit 715. The predetermined value here is the total number of staple processing operations that are performed until the needle tip portion is stored in the empty storage portion and the storage portion is filled with the needle tip portion. In step S2_5, the stapler unit 160 is once moved to the staple discarding position, and then returned to the staple processing position in which the stapler unit 160 is moved in step S2_1. This step S2_5 is performed by the function of the stapler unit controller 712. The stapler unit 160 once discarded from the storage portion 163 of the stapler unit 160 that has moved to the staple disposal position and the storage portion 163 is empty returns to the previous staple processing position. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the job is finished based on the job information (step S2_6). If the job is finished (Yes), the stapler unit 160 is moved to the staple discarding position by the function of the stapler unit control unit 712. In addition, the count value of the staple processing number is cleared by the function of the counter control unit 713 (step S2_7), the needle tip number counting process is terminated, and if the job is continued (No), the process returns to step S2_2. On the other hand, if the predetermined value is not exceeded in the determination in step S2_4 (if No), the process proceeds to step S2_6 for determining whether or not the job is finished.

  If it is determined in step S2_2 that the staple processing position is different from the staple discarding position (No), the thickness information indicating the thickness detected by the thickness information acquisition unit 714 is displayed. Acquired (step S2_8), and processing from step S2_9 to step S2_18 is performed by the function of the needle dust counter unit 711. That is, it is determined whether the thickness based on the thickness information is 10 mm or more (step S2_9). If 10 mm or more (Yes), the staple operation of the staple unit 161 is detected by the staple operation detection sensor 167 shown in FIG. At this point, the process proceeds to step S2_3 in which 0 is incremented to the count value, and conversely if it is less than 10 mm (No), the process proceeds to step S2_10. In step S2_10, it is determined whether the thickness based on the thickness information is 8 mm or more. If the thickness is 8 mm or more (Yes), the staple operation of the staple unit 161 is detected by the staple operation detection sensor 167 shown in FIG. Thus, the value of 1 × 0.2 is incremented to the count value of the number of staple processing (step S2_11), and the process proceeds to step S2_4, and if it is less than 8 mm (No), the process proceeds to step S2_12. In step S2_12, it is determined whether the thickness based on the thickness information is 6 mm or more. If the thickness is 6 mm or more (Yes), the staple operation of the staple unit 161 is detected by the staple operation detection sensor 167 shown in FIG. At that time, the value of 1 × 0.4 is incremented to the count value of the number of staple processing (step S2_13), and the process proceeds to step S2_4, and if it is less than 6 mm (No), the process proceeds to step S2_14. In step S2_14, it is determined whether or not the thickness based on the thickness information is 4 mm or more. If the thickness is 4 mm or more (Yes), the staple operation detection sensor 167 shown in FIG. Thus, the value of 1 × 0.6 is incremented to the count value of the number of staple processing (step S2_15), and the process proceeds to step S2_4, and if it is less than 4 mm (No), the process proceeds to step S2_16. In step S2_16, it is determined whether or not the thickness based on the thickness information is 2 mm or more. If 2 mm or more (Yes), the staple operation of the staple unit 161 is detected by the staple operation detection sensor 167 shown in FIG. Then, the value of 1 × 0.8 is incremented to the count value of the number of staple processing (step S2_17), and the process proceeds to step S2_4. If it is less than 2 mm (No), the staple operation detection sensor 167 shown in FIG. When the staple operation 161 is detected, the count value of the number of staple processes is incremented by 1 × 1.0 (step S2_18), and the process proceeds to step S2_4.

  According to the needle tip number counting process shown in FIG. 18, by counting the number of needle tips according to the thickness of the sheet bundle to be formed, it is possible to accurately cope with the amount of the needle tip portion that changes depending on the thickness of the sheet bundle to be formed. can do. In addition, the stapler unit 160 can be moved to the needle discarding position at a suitable timing, and a decrease in productivity can be minimized while reducing the possibility of overflow of the needle tip portion in the housing portion 163. Further, by moving the stapler unit 160 to the needle discarding position at the end of the job, the storage unit 163 becomes empty at the start of the next job, and the reduction in productivity can be further minimized.

  In the staple processing apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment, the control unit 7 also executes the needle tip number counting process in the needle collection box 182 according to the thickness of the sheet bundle.

  FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram illustrating a control unit when executing the needle tip number counting process according to the thickness of the sheet bundle in the needle collection box.

  The control unit 7 shown in FIG. 19 counts the number of needle tips stored in the needle collection box 182 while increasing or decreasing the number according to the thickness of the sheet bundle to be formed, and the needle waste counter 721. When the count value exceeds a predetermined value, the alarm unit 722 displays a message, the stapler unit 160 moves the stapler unit 160 and determines the position of the stapler unit 160, and the needle waste counter 721 interrupts the count. The counter control unit 724 for starting and resuming, the thickness information acquisition unit 725 for acquiring thickness information indicating the thickness of the conveyed paper, and the count value of the needle dust counter unit 721 has exceeded a predetermined value. It has a full detection unit 726 that detects that the collection box 182 is filled with the needle tip.

  Further, the needle collection box 185 has a limit number of needle tip portions (limit number) that can accommodate the needle tip portion, and a needle tip portion number (warning number) corresponding to 80% of the limit number. .

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the needle tip number counting process corresponding to the thickness of the sheet bundle in the needle collection box, which is executed by the control unit shown in FIG.

  Also in the needle tip number counting process shown in FIG. 20, the control unit 7 shown in FIG. 19 counts the needle tip number, and even if the needle tip number counting process is finished unless the count value is cleared. The count value is stored. In response to pressing of the staple setting button 562 on the staple necessity selection screen 560 shown in FIG.

  First, it is determined whether or not the stored count value exceeds the limit number by the function of the full detection unit 726 (step S3_1). A message is displayed by the function and the staple processing position selection operation is prohibited (step S3_2).

  FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a screen displayed by the process of step S3_2 shown in FIG.

  The screen 580 shown in FIG. 21 is similar to the staple position selection screen 570 shown in FIG. 13, but a message is displayed above it. In addition, the icon buttons 571 to 575 for each sheet for selecting the staple position cannot be selected. Therefore, the staple processing position selection operation is prohibited, and the staple processing cannot be performed. The needle collection box 185 is removable, and is removed when the needle tip is discarded. The staple processing apparatus 10 of the second embodiment is provided with a removal detection sensor for detecting the removal of the needle collection box 185, and the control unit 7 receives the removal of the needle collection box 185 from this sensor. Then, the screen 580 shown in FIG. 21 is switched to the staple position selection screen 570 shown in FIG. 13 and the count value is cleared.

  On the other hand, in step S3_1, if the count value does not exceed the limit number (if No), it is determined whether or not the count value does not exceed the warning number (step S3_3). If yes, a message is displayed (step S3_4), and the process proceeds to step S3_6. If not, the staple position selection screen 570 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed (step S3_5), and the process proceeds to step S3_6.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a screen displayed by the process of step S3_4 shown in FIG.

  A warning message is displayed above the screen 590 shown in FIG. Note that, unlike the screen 580 shown in FIG. 21, the icon buttons 571 to 575 of each sheet for selecting a staple position can be selected. Therefore, the staple processing can be performed.

  The following processes from step S3_6 to step S3-19 are the same as the processes in the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 and thus will not be described. However, in these processes, the increment value of the count value is set to the thickness of the sheet bundle. This is a process of counting the number of needle tips while changing according to.

  In step S3_20, it is determined whether or not the job is finished based on the job information. If the job is continued (No), the process returns to step S3_7. If the job is finished (Yes), the needle tip number counting process is finished. Therefore, the count value of the number of needle tips is not cleared, and the count value counted this time is used when this needle tip count processing is started next time.

  Also in the needle tip number counting process shown in FIG. 20, by counting the number of needle tips according to the thickness or number of sheets to be formed, the amount of needle tips varies depending on the thickness or number of sheets to be formed. It can respond accurately. Further, it is possible to notify that the needle tip portion is discarded from the needle collection box 182 at a suitable timing, and it is possible to minimize the decrease in productivity while reducing the possibility of overflow of the needle tip portion in the needle collection box 182. Can be suppressed. Here, productivity is given priority over overflow, and even if the count value reaches the limit number in the middle of the job, the job is continued.

  Next, the stapling apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described. Here again, the same constituent elements as those of the staple processing apparatus of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals used so far and the drawings used so far are cited.

  According to the staple processing apparatus 10 of the third embodiment, the needle tip number counting process in the storage unit corresponding to the difference in the paper type is executed. That is, the job information acquired by the control unit 7 includes information on the paper type selected on the paper type selection screen 520 shown in FIG. 8, and the control unit 7 uses this paper type information. The needle tip number counting process in the storage unit corresponding to the difference in the paper type is executed.

  FIG. 23 is a functional block diagram illustrating a control unit when executing the needle tip number counting process in the storage unit according to the difference in paper type.

  The control unit 7 shown in FIG. 23 moves the staple waste counter unit 731 that counts the number of needle tips stored in the storage unit while increasing or decreasing the number according to the number of sheets to be formed, and the stapler unit 160. A stapler unit control unit 732 for determining the position of the stapler unit 160, a counter control unit 733 for interrupting or resuming counting of the staple waste counter 731 or clearing the count value, and a storage unit based on the count value of the staple waste counter unit 731. A full detection unit 734 that detects that 163 is full due to the needle tip, a paper type information acquisition unit 735 that acquires paper type information indicating the paper type of the conveyed paper, and a A sheet number counter unit 736 that counts the number of sheets while increasing or decreasing based on the sheet type information acquired by the sheet type information acquiring unit 735 is provided. To.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart of the needle tip number counting process corresponding to the difference in paper type, which is executed by the control unit shown in FIG.

  Here, the control unit 7 shown in FIG. 23 acquires job information as well as image formation start information, and receives the image formation start information, and starts the needle tip number counting process shown in FIG.

  First, the stapler unit 160 is moved to the staple processing position based on the job information by the function of the stapler unit controller 732 (step S4_1). Next, when the compile exit sensor 103 detects that the sheet has been conveyed toward the compile tray 105, the sheet conveyed to the compile tray 105 is a thick sheet based on the paper type information included in the acquired job information. Is determined (step S4_2). This step S4_2 is performed by the function of the paper type information acquisition unit 735. Here, if it is not thick paper (if No), the count value for counting the number of sheets on the compilation tray 105 is incremented by 1 × 1.0 (step S4_3), and the process proceeds to step S4_5. On the other hand, if the sheet is thick (if Yes), the count value of the number of sheets is incremented by 1 × 2 (step S4_4), and the process proceeds to step S4_5. These processes following step S4_2 are performed by the function of the number counter 736.

  In step S4_5, it is determined whether or not the staple unit 161 has performed a staple operation by the staple operation detection sensor 167 shown in FIG. 2, that is, whether or not the stapler unit 160 has performed a staple process. Return to S4_2. On the other hand, when the staple process is performed, the function of the stapler unit control unit 732 determines whether the staple process position in the performed staple process is the staple process position at the same position as the staple discarding position. If it is determined (step S4_6) and the same position (Yes), the needle dust count value is set to a predetermined value by the function of the full detection unit 734 without incrementing the needle dust count value for counting the number of needle tip portions. Is determined (step S4_7). Here, the fact that the needle waste count value for counting the number of needle tip portions has not been incremented means that the counter control unit 733 has caused the needle waste counter unit 731 to stop counting. On the other hand, if the needle dust count value exceeds the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S4_8. The flow proceeding to step S4_8 is performed by the function of the full detection unit 734. The predetermined value here is the maximum number of needle tip portions that can be accommodated in the holding portion. In step S4_8, the stapler unit 160 is once moved to the staple discarding position, and then returned to the staple processing position in which the stapler unit 160 is moved in step S4_1. This step S4_8 is performed by the function of the stapler unit controller 732. The stapler unit 160 once discarded from the holding unit 163 of the stapler unit 160 that has moved to the staple discarding position and the holding unit 163 is empty returns to the previous staple processing position. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the job is finished based on the job information (step S4_9). If the job is finished (Yes), the stapler unit 160 is moved to the staple discarding position by the function of the stapler unit control unit 732, and the paper is The count value of the number of sheets is cleared and the needle waste count value is also cleared by the function of the counter control unit 733 (step S4_10), and this needle tip number counting process is ended. Conversely, if the job is continued (No), the process returns to step S4_2. If it is determined in step S4_7 that the waste count value does not exceed the predetermined value (No), the process proceeds to step S4_9 for determining whether or not the job is finished.

  If it is determined in step S4_6 that the position is different (No), it is determined whether or not the count value of the number of sheets is 70 or more (step S4_11). If the count value of the number of sheets is 70 or more (Yes), the process proceeds to step S4_7 without incrementing the count value of the needle tip. Again, the fact that the needle dust count value has not been incremented means that the counter control unit 733 has caused the needle dust counter unit 731 to stop counting. If the count value of the number of sheets is 70 or more, the staple tip end portion of the staple is not cut, so it is not necessary to count up the staple waste count value. On the other hand, if the count value of the number of sheets is less than 70 (No), the value of (70−count value of the number of sheets) / 68 is incremented to the staple waste count value (step S4_12), and the process proceeds to step S4_7. In this step S4_12, for example, when the count value of the number of sheets is 69, 0.01 is incremented to the staple waste count value, and when the count value of the number of sheets is 35, the staple waste count value is set to 0. 51 is incremented, and when the count value of the number of sheets is 2, the staple waste count value is incremented by 1.00. Such processing of step S4_12 is performed by the function of the needle dust counter unit 731.

  According to the needle tip number counting process shown in FIG. 24, the number of sheet bundles to be formed is counted in consideration of thick paper, thereby accurately corresponding to the amount of needle tip portions that changes depending on the number of sheet bundles to be formed. Can do. In addition, the stapler unit 160 can be moved to the needle discarding position at a suitable timing, and a decrease in productivity can be minimized while reducing the possibility of overflow of the needle tip portion in the housing portion 163. Further, by moving the stapler unit 160 to the needle discarding position at the end of the job, the storage unit 163 becomes empty at the start of the next job, and the reduction in productivity can be further minimized.

  In the staple processing apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment, the control unit executes the needle tip number counting process according to the difference in the paper type even in the needle collection box.

  FIG. 25 is a functional block diagram showing a control unit when executing the needle tip number counting process according to the paper type in the needle collection box.

  The control unit 7 shown in FIG. 25 includes a needle waste counter unit 741 that counts while increasing or decreasing the number of needle tip portions accommodated in the needle collection box 182 according to the number of sheets to be formed, and a needle waste counter unit 721. When the count value exceeds the predetermined value, a notification unit 742 that displays a message, a staple position determination unit 743 that determines the position of the stapler unit 160, and a staple waste counter 741 that suspends or restarts the count, or the count value A counter control unit 744 for clearing, a fullness detection unit 745 for detecting that the needle collection box 182 is filled with the needle tip from the count value of the needle dust counter unit 741, and the type of paper to be conveyed The paper type information acquisition unit 746 that acquires the paper type information to be expressed, and the number of sheets of paper conveyed are acquired by the paper type information acquisition unit 745. Having a number counter 747 for counting while increasing or decreasing on the basis of the species information.

  Further, the needle collection box 185 of the staple processing apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment also has a limit number of needle tips (limit number) that can accommodate the needle tips, and a needle tip corresponding to 80% of the limit number. The number of copies (number of warnings) is defined.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart of the needle tip number counting process corresponding to the difference in the paper type in the needle collection box, which is executed by the control unit shown in FIG.

  Also in the needle tip number counting process shown in FIG. 26, the control unit 7 shown in FIG. 25 counts the needle tip number, and this needle tip number counting process ends unless the needle dust count value is cleared. Even the needle dust count value is stored. In response to the staple setting button 562 being pressed on the staple necessity / unnecessity selection screen 560 shown in FIG. 12, the control unit 7 starts the staple tip number counting process.

  Since each process from step S5_1 to step S5_4 shown in FIG. 26 is the same as each process from step S3_1 to step S3_4 shown in FIG. 20, description thereof will be omitted, but these processes are stored. This is a process for displaying a message in accordance with the waste needle count value.

  Each process from step S5_6 to step S5-12 is the same as the process in the flowchart shown in FIG. 24, and thus the description thereof will be omitted here. In this process, the count value of the number of sheets is counted up while changing the increment amount, and the staple count value is obtained based on the count value of the number of sheets.

  In step S5_13, it is determined whether or not the job is finished based on the job information. If the job is continued (No), the process returns to step S5_6. If the job is finished (Yes), the needle tip number counting process is finished. Accordingly, the needle dust count value is not cleared, and the next time the needle tip portion count process is started, the needle dust count value counted this time is used.

  Also in the needle tip number counting process shown in FIG. 26, by counting the number of sheet bundles to be formed in consideration of thick paper, it is possible to accurately correspond to the amount of needle tip portions that changes depending on the number of sheet bundles to be formed. it can. Further, it is possible to notify that the needle tip portion is discarded from the needle collection box 182 at a suitable timing, and it is possible to minimize the decrease in productivity while reducing the possibility of overflow of the needle tip portion in the needle collection box 182. Can be suppressed.

  Next, a staple processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment will be described. Here again, the same constituent elements as those of the staple processing apparatus of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals used so far and the drawings used so far are cited.

  In the staple processing device in each of the embodiments described so far, the number of needle tip portions accommodated in the storage unit 163 is counted using the control unit 7. In the staple processing device of the present embodiment, the storage unit 163 is counted. In addition, a fullness detection sensor is provided for detecting that the accommodation portion 163 is filled with the tip of the needle.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a housing portion of the stapling apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

  A full detection sensor 1635 is shown inside the accommodating portion 163 shown in FIG. The full detection sensor 1635 includes a light projecting unit 1635a and a light receiving unit 1635b. The needle tip is stored in the housing 163, and the light from the light projecting unit 1635a is blocked by the needle tip so that the housing 163 It is detected that the needle tip is full. The control unit 7 moves the stapler unit 160 to the needle discarding position based on the detection result from the full detection sensor 1635.

  Next, the stapling apparatus according to the fifth embodiment will be described. Here again, the same constituent elements as those of the staple processing apparatus of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals used so far and the drawings used so far are cited.

  In the staple processing apparatus of the present embodiment, the discharge of the sheet bundle to the discharge tray 109 is counted by the rotation of the eject motor, and this staple processing apparatus has the number of copies of the sheet bundle stacked on the discharge tray 109. A restriction mode is provided in which the formation of subsequent sheet bundles is interrupted when the maximum number of stacks is reached. In addition, a restriction release mode is also prepared in which the formation of a sheet bundle is continued even when the number of sheets bundles stacked on the discharge tray 109 reaches the maximum number of stacked sheets. These modes are switched by operating a mode switching button (not shown) prepared on the initial screen 510 shown in FIG. By providing the restriction mode, it is possible to prevent the needle tip portion from overflowing in the accommodating portion 163, and by providing the restriction release mode, a reduction in productivity is suppressed. However, in the restriction release mode, the storage unit 163 overflows. Therefore, the control unit 7 monitors the staple operation of the staple unit 161 by the staple operation detection sensor 167 illustrated in FIG. When the processing is performed a predetermined number of times or more in one job, the stapler unit 160 is once moved to the needle discarding position after the sheet bundle is discharged and before the formation of the next sheet bundle is started. Return to the stapled processing position. Here, the predetermined number of times is the number of stapling processes necessary for obtaining the maximum number of stacks of paper bundles assumed in the dual mode. Even during such a job, the stapler unit 160 is temporarily moved to the staple discarding position while stapling is not performed until the next sheet is stored, thereby minimizing the decrease in productivity. While suppressing, possibility of the overflow of the accommodating part 163 is reduced. At this time, it is preferable to issue a message that prompts the user to remove the sheet bundle from the discharge tray 109.

  In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the smaller the paper size, the shorter the image forming interval, and the shorter the paper feeding interval of the conveying roller pair 104 shown in FIG. The job information includes paper size information indicating the paper size, and the control unit 7 uses the paper size information to send a paper having a size smaller than a predetermined size by the transport roller pair 104. Until the stapler unit 160 once moves to the staple discarding position and returns to the staple processing position due to the stapling process being performed a predetermined number of times or more during one job, the driving of the conveying roller pair 104 is controlled to The feeding timing of the first sheet of the sheet bundle is delayed. By doing so, the timing at which all sheets subjected to the staple processing are aligned coincides with the return timing of the stapler unit 160, and smooth stapling processing is performed. Note that the control unit 7 increases the image forming interval of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 so as to suppress the conveyance pitch in the image forming apparatus 1 and sets the feeding timing of the first sheet of the next sheet bundle. It may be delayed.

  Finally, various aspects of the staple processing apparatus other than those described so far will be described.

  The needle collection box 182 may also be provided with a full detection sensor as shown in FIG. 27, and a screen 580 shown in FIG. 21 may be displayed in response to the detection result of the full detection sensor. Further, a detection sensor may be provided below the full detection sensor, and a screen 590 shown in FIG. 22 may be displayed. Further, even when the detection sensor provided below the full detection sensor is turned on, the warning message is not displayed until the stapler unit 160 reaches the needle discarding position, and the stapler unit 160 is moved to the needle discarding position. At the time of arrival, a warning message may be displayed even during the job.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a sheet processing apparatus in which a staple processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is incorporated. It is a figure which shows the staple processing apparatus of this embodiment mounted in the finisher of the sheet processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the stapler unit mounted on the rail member which has been omitted until now. It is a perspective view which removes the front side panel and shows the sheet processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example in which the character string of horizontal writing and the character string of vertical writing were arranged in the A4 paper. It is a figure which shows the mode of discard of the needle front-end | tip part from an accommodating part to a needle | hook collection | recovery box. It is a figure which shows the initial screen of the liquid crystal touch panel prepared for the operation panel. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a paper type selection screen that switches from the initial screen when the paper type selection button shown in FIG. 7 is pressed. It is a figure which shows the basic setting screen switched from the paper type selection screen shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the application copy selection screen which switches from a basic setting screen, when the application copy button shown in FIG. 9 is pressed. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a detail selection screen that switches from an application copy selection screen when the sorting / staple processing button shown in FIG. 10 is pressed. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a staple necessity selection screen that switches from a detail selection screen when the sort / staple button shown in FIG. 11 is pressed. It is a figure which shows the staple position selection screen which switches from the staple necessity selection screen when the staple setting button shown in FIG. 12 is pressed. It is a functional block diagram showing the control part at the time of performing the needle tip part number count process in an accommodating part. It is a flowchart of the needle | hook tip part number count process in a accommodating part performed by the control part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the thickness detection mechanism of the sheet | seat bundle with which the staple processing apparatus of 2nd Embodiment is provided. It is a functional block diagram showing a control unit when executing a needle tip number counting process in a storage unit according to the thickness of a sheet bundle. 18 is a flowchart of a needle tip number counting process corresponding to the thickness of a sheet bundle, executed by the control unit shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram showing a control unit when executing a needle tip number counting process according to the thickness of a sheet bundle in a needle collection box. FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a needle tip number counting process according to the thickness of a sheet bundle in a needle collection box, which is executed by the control unit shown in FIG. 19. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed by the process of step S3_2 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed by the process of step S3_4 shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram showing the control part at the time of performing the needle | hook tip part number count process in the accommodating part according to the difference in paper type. 24 is a flowchart of a needle tip number counting process corresponding to a difference in paper type, which is executed by the control unit shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram showing the control part at the time of performing the needle | hook tip part number count process according to the difference in the paper type in a needle | hook collection box. FIG. 26 is a flowchart of a needle tip number counting process corresponding to a difference in paper type in a needle collection box, which is executed by the control unit shown in FIG. 25. It is a figure which shows the accommodating part of the staple processing apparatus of 4th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Staple processing apparatus 104 Conveying roller pair 109 Eject tray 131 Eject roll 139 Opposite roll 160 Stapler unit 161 Staple part 162 Cutter part 163 Storage part 1631 Disposal port 1632 Opening / closing lid 1633 Engaging part 1635 Full detection sensor 164 Staple move motor 180 Rail member 1801 Straight portion 1802, 1803 R portion 181 Duct shooter 1811 Splash prevention plate 182 Needle collection box 1821 Insertion port 185 Engagement pin 5a Housing frame 7 Control unit 701 Counter unit 702 Counter control unit 703 Full detection unit 704 Stapler unit control unit

Claims (5)

In a staple processing apparatus provided with a stapler unit that moves on a track including a needle discarding position and a plurality of staple processing positions and staples one place of a plurality of stacked sheets with staples,
The stapler unit is
A staple unit that staples a plurality of stacked sheets;
A cutter unit for cutting a staple tip portion of a staple for binding the sheet;
An accommodating portion for accommodating a needle tip portion cut by the cutter portion,
Furthermore, this staple processing apparatus
A needle collection box that is disposed at the needle disposal position and collects a needle tip that is discarded from the storage unit;
A needle discarding mechanism that discards the needle tip housed in the housing part from the stapler unit that has moved to the needle disposal position to the needle recovery box;
One of the plurality of staple processing positions is the same position as the needle discarding position.   The staple processing position, which is the same position as the needle discarding position, is a position for stapling that staples the upper left of a sheet in which a plurality of horizontally written character strings are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the A4 size sheet. The staple processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The staple processing device performs the staple processing at one or more staple processing positions selected from the plurality of staple processing positions, and forms a sheet bundle according to a job instructing to form one or a plurality of sheet bundles. That form
If the job does not include an instruction to perform stapling at the staple processing position that is the same position as the needle discarding position, the stapler that moves the stapler unit to the needle discarding position at the end of the job. The staple processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a unit control unit. A fullness detection sensor for detecting that the accommodation portion is full by the needle tip; and
The staple processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a stapler unit controller that moves the stapler unit to the staple discarding position based on a detection result from the fullness detection sensor. A counter for counting the number of times of the staple processing;
A counter control unit that stops the counting of the counter and resets the count value when the stapling process is performed at a staple processing position that is the same position as the needle discarding position;
A fullness detection unit for detecting that the storage unit is filled with a needle tip by the count value of the counter exceeding a predetermined value;
The staple processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a stapler unit control unit that moves the stapler unit to the staple discarding position based on a detection result from the fullness detection unit.

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