JP5915357B2 - Paper processing apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming system.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an image forming system in which a sheet processing apparatus that performs post-processing such as stapling is connected to an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multi Function Peripherals), a copier, or a printer (for example, see Patent Document 1). ).
The stapling process is a process in which a predetermined number of sheets on which images have been formed are accumulated, a needle is driven into the accumulated sheet bundle, and the sheet bundle is bound to form a booklet. The stapled sheet bundle is discharged to the outside by the discharge mechanism.

Here, the outline of the operation of the discharge mechanism in the conventional paper processing apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
The discharge mechanism 90 is provided on the back side of the sheet stacking plate 91 that is inclined to stack the sheets, and protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the discharge belt 92. As the discharge belt 92 rotates, And a discharge claw 93 that rotates.
A predetermined number of sheets of paper P on which images have been formed are stacked on a paper stacking plate 91, and then subjected to a stapling process by a staple unit 94 provided below the paper stacking plate 91.
Thereafter, the discharge belt 92 is rotated, the lower end portion of the sheet bundle stapled by the discharge claw 93 of the discharge belt 92 is held, and the sheet bundle is pushed upward on the surface of the sheet stacking plate 91. It is held by the discharge roller pair 95 and discharged to the outside.

JP 2007-145528 A

However, in the mechanism described above, that is, a mechanism in which the lower end portion of the sheet bundle is pushed up by the discharge claw 93 of the discharge belt 92, the lower end portion of the sheet bundle often comes off from the discharge claw 93, resulting in poor conveyance. For example, in the case of a small number of paper bundles, the weight of the bundle is light, so that the paper bundle is lifted immediately after the stapling process, and the discharge claw 93 may swing under the paper bundle. Further, even when the end of the sheet bundle is curled, there is a case where the sheet is swung similarly.
In recent years, it has been desired to increase the conveyance speed of a sheet bundle from the trend of increasing the processing speed, and the frequency of occurrence of the above-described conveyance defects is increasing.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming system that can prevent a conveyance failure of a stapled sheet bundle and can stably convey the sheet bundle.

The invention described in claim 1
A stacking unit for stacking the sheets, a staple unit that performs stapling processing on the integrated sheet bundle to the stacking unit, the sheet processing apparatus and a control unit for controlling the stacking unit,
The stacking unit
A paper stacking plate for stacking the paper bundle in an inclined state;
A discharge mechanism for discharging the bundle of sheets stapled by the stapling means from the sheet stacking plate;
And a pressing member to suppress the sheet bundle stacked on the sheet stacking plate from the thickness direction,
The discharge mechanism is
A discharge belt disposed along a back surface of the sheet bundle loaded on the sheet collecting plate;
It is provided so as to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the discharge belt, and after the staple processing by the stapling means, contacts the lower end portion of the sheet bundle stapled by the operation of the discharge belt and moves the sheet bundle in the discharge direction. A discharge claw, and
The controller is
After stapling by the stapling means , the thickness of the sheet bundle stapled from the surface of the sheet bundle on which the suppression member has been stapled until the discharge claw contacts the lower end of the stapled sheet bundle. Further, it is controlled to stop at a position separated from the surface of the sheet stacking plate by a distance obtained by adding a preset value to the thickness .

The invention according to claim 2, in the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The controller is
In the stapling process by the stapling unit, the restraining member restrains the sheet bundle stacked on the sheet stacking plate, and controls the restraining member to move to the stop position after the stapling process.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the paper processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect ,
The controller is
Each time a sheet is stacked on the sheet stacking plate, the control member controls the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking plate to be tapped.

The invention according to claim 4 is the paper processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
A brush-like member is provided on a contact surface of the discharge claw with the sheet bundle.

The invention according to claim 5 is the paper processing apparatus according to claim 4 ,
The brush-like member is arranged such that a hair tip is directed toward a surface of the paper stacking plate when the discharge claw contacts the paper bundle.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system,
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on paper;
The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the sheet processing apparatus is connected to the image forming apparatus and performs post-processing on a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus.
It is provided with.

  According to the present invention, after the stapling process, the holding member is stopped at the stop position slightly spaced from the surface of the stapling paper bundle until the discharge claw contacts the lower end of the stapling paper bundle. As a result, the discharge claw does not dive under the sheet bundle. Therefore, the occurrence of a conveyance failure of the stapled sheet bundle can be prevented and the sheet can be stably conveyed.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows an example of an image forming apparatus. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a sheet processing apparatus. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming system. It is the schematic which shows an accumulation part. It is an expanded sectional view showing an accumulation part and a staple part. It is an expanded sectional view showing an accumulation part and a staple part. It is an expanded sectional view showing an accumulation part and a staple part. It is the figure which looked at the accumulation | stacking part from the arrow B direction of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline of operation | movement of the paper discharge mechanism of the conventional paper processing apparatus.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

First, the configuration of the image forming system A will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming system A includes an image forming apparatus B that forms an image on a sheet P, and a sheet processing apparatus C that performs predetermined post-processing (staple processing or the like) on the sheet P on which an image has been formed. And have.

  The image forming apparatus B and the sheet processing apparatus C are configured such that the sheet P transported from the image forming apparatus B is received by the receiving unit 90 of the sheet processing apparatus C and the sheet discharge roller 76 of the image forming apparatus B and the sheet processing apparatus. The position and height are adjusted so that the C receiving portion 90 matches.

The image forming apparatus B and the sheet processing apparatus C include a control unit B1 and a control unit C1, respectively. Under the control of the control unit B1 and the control unit C1, the communication unit B2 and the communication unit C2, respectively. Various information is exchanged via
For example, information relating to the post-processing of the paper set on the operation panel 9 of the image forming apparatus B is transmitted to the communication means C2 of the paper processing apparatus C through the communication means B2 under the control of the control unit B1, and the paper processing apparatus C performs post-processing based on the transmitted information related to post-processing under the control of the control unit C1.

Next, the configuration of the image forming apparatus B will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus B includes a document image reading unit 1 that reads a document image from a document S, an automatic document transport device 2 that transports the document S to the document image reading unit 1, and a document image reading unit 1. The image forming unit 3 that forms an image based on the document image information read by the above, the paper feeding unit 4 that supplies the paper P to the image forming unit 3, the fixing unit 5 that fixes the toner image on the paper P, and the display An operation panel 9 having means and operation switches, a control unit B1 for controlling these, and the like are provided.

The document image reading unit 1 includes, for example, a platen glass, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), a light source, and the like. Then, the original image reading unit 1 forms an image of reflected light of the light scanned on the original S supplied from the light source by the automatic original transport device 2 or the original set at a predetermined position by the CCD and performs photoelectric conversion. As a result, the image of the original is read as R, G, and B signals, and the read analog signal is output to the image processing unit Ca (see FIG. 4).
The image processing unit Ca performs various image processing such as A / D conversion, shading correction, and image compression processing on the input analog signal, and performs Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), K (Black) Digital image data of each color is output and output to the image forming unit 3.

  The automatic document feeder 2 conveys the documents S stacked on the paper feed tray 2a one by one to the document reading area of the document image reading unit 1. When the document S is a double-sided document, the automatic document feeder 2 reverses the front and back of the document S after one-sided reading of the document S and transports the document S to the document image reading unit 1 again. Further, the document S that has been read is discharged to the discharge tray 2b.

  The image forming unit 3 includes, for example, drum-shaped photoreceptors (hereinafter simply referred to as photoreceptors) 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K, charging devices 2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K, exposure devices 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K, Toner supply devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K, developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, intermediate transfer member 70, primary transfer rollers 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, cleaning means 7Y, 7M, 7C, 7K, secondary A transfer roller 75, a cleaning unit 77, and the like are provided.

The photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K corresponding to the colors Y, M, C, and K are uniformly charged by the charging devices 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K corresponding to the colors.
The exposure devices 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K corresponding to the respective colors form latent images on the charged photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K based on the digital image data output by the image processing unit Ca.

  The developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K are formed on the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K by receiving the toner of each color from the toner replenishing devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K for replenishing new toner. The latent image corresponding to each color is visualized.

The developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K and the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are arranged in tandem in the vertical direction. An intermediate transfer member 70 is disposed on the side of the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K.
The intermediate transfer body 70 is an endless belt-like member that is wound around rollers 71, 72, 73, and 74 so as to be rotatable, and has semiconductivity. The intermediate transfer body 70 is driven by a driving device (not shown) connected to the roller 71 by a roller 71.

The primary transfer rollers 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K corresponding to the respective colors are selectively operated according to the type of image by the control unit B1, and the intermediate transfer member 70 is respectively applied to the corresponding photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. Press.
In this manner, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are sequentially transferred onto the rotating intermediate transfer body 70 to become a combined color image.

  The photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K receive a cleaning process by the cleaning units 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K after transferring the toner image to the intermediate transfer body 70. The residual toner on the photoconductors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K is removed by the cleaning process.

The paper feed unit 4 includes, for example, a first paper feed cassette 41a, a second paper feed cassette 41b, and a third paper feed cassette 41c. A sheet P is accommodated in each sheet feeding cassette.
The stored paper P is separated one by one by the paper feed unit 42, and is conveyed to the secondary transfer region 75a through a plurality of intermediate rollers 43, 44, 45, 46 and the like and the resist roller 47.

The sheet P conveyed to the secondary transfer area 75a is subjected to secondary transfer by the intermediate transfer body 70 and the secondary transfer roller 75.
The secondary transfer roller 75 is urged toward the roller 72 only when the paper P passes through the secondary transfer region 75a and the secondary transfer is performed, and presses the paper P against the intermediate transfer body 70. As a result, the color image formed on the intermediate transfer body 70 is collectively transferred onto the paper P.

  Further, the intermediate transfer body 70 receives a cleaning process by the cleaning unit 77 after transferring the color image onto the paper P. By this cleaning process, residual toner on the intermediate transfer member 70 is removed. Further, the sheet P on which the color image is transferred is subjected to a fixing process by the fixing unit 5.

The fixing unit 5 includes a heating roller 51 including a heating source H and a pressure roller 52. The paper P is sandwiched by the cooperation of the heating roller 51 and the pressure roller 52, performs fixing processing, and conveys the paper P. .
The sheet P on which the fixing process has been performed is sandwiched between the sheet discharge rollers 76 and supplied to the sheet processing apparatus C from the discharge port.

  The operation panel 9 includes, for example, a display unit 9a (see FIG. 4) such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence (Electro-Luminescence: EL) display, and has various types according to the processing contents of the control unit C1 and the control unit B1. Display output. The operation panel 9 detects an input operation (for example, contact or proximity) to the display area of the display unit 9a, and outputs a detection signal indicating a position (coordinate) where the input operation is detected (FIG. 4). See). The control unit C1 and the control unit B1 accept an input operation by the user by associating the position indicated by the detection signal with the display content of the display unit 9a corresponding to the position. The operation panel 9 is not limited to the operation unit 9b, and may include switches and buttons for various inputs.

Next, the configuration of the sheet processing apparatus C will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the sheet processing apparatus C includes, for example, a receiving unit C3, a sheet transporting unit 110, a punching processing unit 120, a shift unit 130, a stacking unit 140, a stapling unit 160, a folding unit 170, and a final discharge unit. 180, a sheet feeding unit 190, a control unit C1, and the like.

  The receiving unit C3 receives the paper P, which is formed by the image forming apparatus B and discharged from the discharge port of the image forming apparatus B, into the paper processing apparatus C.

The paper transport unit 110 transports the paper P to each unit in the paper processing apparatus C.
The paper transport unit 110 includes a roller pair 111a that transports the paper P supplied from the image forming apparatus B to the punching processing unit 120, a roller pair 111b that transports the paper P subjected to the punching processing to the branch point Q, and a branch point Q. The roller pair 112 that conveys the paper P from the lower side, the roller pair 113 that conveys the paper P conveyed by the roller pair 112 to the stacking unit 140, the roller pair 114 that conveys the paper P from the branch point Q to the shift unit 130, etc. Have

The punching processing unit 120 performs punching processing for forming punch holes in the paper P.
The punching processing unit 120 includes a punch unit 121 on which a plurality of punch rods are mounted. When the paper P is conveyed to a predetermined position, the punch rod is lowered and raised again with respect to the punching position of the paper P. A punch hole is formed.

  The shift unit 130 performs a shift process of shifting the paper P that has traveled straight from the branch point Q in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction.

The stacking unit 140 includes a sheet stacking plate 141 that stacks the sheets P in an inclined state, pressing members 142 and 142 that suppress the sheet P or a bundle of sheets P stacked on the sheet stacking plate 141 from the thickness direction, and a stapling process. And a discharge mechanism 150 for discharging the bundle of sheets from the sheet stacking plate 141, and the like.
Note that the stacking unit 140 functions as a stacking unit together with the control unit C1.

Here, FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of the stacking unit 140, and FIGS. 6 to 8 show enlarged sectional views of the stacking unit 140 and the staple unit 160. 6-8, the stacking unit 140 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. Further, FIG. 9 shows a view of the stacking unit 140 seen from the direction of arrow B in FIG.
In the following description, the direction from the upper end to the lower end of the paper stacking plate 141 is defined as the X direction, and the direction from one side of the paper stacking plate 141 toward the other side is defined as the Y direction. A direction orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction is taken as a Z direction.

The paper stacking plate 141 is a plate that is installed so that the surface thereof is inclined at a predetermined angle, and after having been transported downward from the branch point Q, the paper that has reached the stacking unit 140 via the roller pairs 112 and 113 A predetermined number of Ps are stacked on the surface.
In the paper stacking plate 141, a gap 141a along the X direction is formed at the center in the Y direction (see FIGS. 5 and 9).
Further, stoppers 1411 and 1411 are provided on both sides of the lower end portion of the paper stacking plate 141 with the gap 141a interposed therebetween. In addition, movable portions 1412 and 1412 that are linearly movable in the X direction are provided in the gap 141a. The movable portions 1412 and 1412 are arranged at positions where a discharge claw 154 (described later) provided on the outer peripheral surface of the discharge belt 151 can pass therethrough.
A pair of width alignment members 143 are provided on both sides of the paper stacking plate 141 (see FIG. 6 and the like).

The stoppers 1411 and 1411 are provided so as to protrude in the Z direction from the surface of the paper stacking plate 141 at the lower end portion of the paper stacking plate 141, and stop the paper P descending on the surface of the paper stacking plate 141.
Specifically, when the paper P that has reached the stacking unit 140 is released from the nipping of the roller pair 113, the paper P is discharged into the space above the paper stacking plate 141, and is already on the paper stacking plate 141 or the paper stacking plate 141. After sliding up obliquely upward in contact with the upper surface of the stacked paper, it descends due to its own weight, and its lower end abuts against the stopper 1411 and stops.
When the plurality of sheets P are continuously conveyed to the stacking unit 140, the plurality of sheets P are stacked on the surface of the sheet stacking plate 141 in this way.
The stoppers 1411 and 1411 can be moved in the Y direction according to the size of the paper P stacked on the paper stacking plate 141.

Each of the movable portions 1412 and 1412 includes a stacking portion 1412a that is flush with the surface of the paper stacking plate 141, and a support portion 1412b that is flush with the surface of the stopper 1411, and is formed in an L shape in cross section.
The movable parts 1412 and 1412 are provided with a motor (not shown) for driving them, and can move linearly in the X direction to a predetermined position.
Specifically, the movable parts 1412 and 1412 are raised in the X direction to a predetermined position after the stapling process is performed on the bundle of sheets P stacked on the sheet stacking plate 141 (see FIG. 7). For this reason, since the support portion 1412b pushes up the lower end portion of the bundle of sheets P, the bundle of sheets P rises. At this time, since the stacking unit 1412a is flush with the surface of the paper stacking plate 141, the bundle of paper P smoothly moves upward on the surface of the paper stacking plate 141.
Here, the “predetermined position” is a position where the lower end portion of the bundle of sheets P subjected to stapling is above the lower end portion of the discharge belt 151 (described later).

  The holding members 142 and 142 are rectangular plates that are long in the X direction and have a rectangular shape in plan view. The upper end portion 142 a faces the lower end portion of the discharge belt 151 (described later), and the lower end portion 142 b is the stopper 1411. The dimensions and the installation position are set so as to be close to the stopper 1411 on the upper side.

The restraining member 142 performs an operation of restraining the sheet P or the bundle of sheets P stacked on the sheet stacking plate 141 in the thickness direction (Z direction) based on the control of the control unit C1.
Specifically, each time the sheet P is stacked on the sheet stacking plate 141, the holding member 142 taps the sheet P in the Z direction.
Further, when a predetermined number of sheets P are stacked on the sheet stacking plate 141 and the stapling process is performed, the holding member 142 stops to hold the bundle of sheets P to be stapled on the sheet stacking plate 141. After the stapling process, the holding member 142 moves to a stop position slightly separated from the surface of the bundle of sheets P subjected to the stapling process and stops (see FIG. 6).
Here, the “stop position” refers to the surface of the sheet stacking plate 141 by a distance obtained by adding a value (for example, 1 to 2 mm) preset in accordance with the thickness of the bundle of sheets P subjected to stapling processing. It is a position away from.
For example, when the thickness of the bundle of sheets P is 0.1 mm or more and less than 1 mm, the set value is 1 mm. When the thickness of the bundle of sheets P is 1 mm or more and less than 3 mm, the set value is set to 2 mm or the like. The

  The pair of width alignment members 143 are arranged in pairs so as to sandwich the paper stacking plate 141 from the side, and are movable in the Y direction. The pair of width aligning members 143 performs width alignment by tapping the side edges of the stacked sheets P after the sheets P descend on the sheet stacking plate 141 and stop.

  The discharge mechanism 150 includes a rotating discharge belt 151, two rollers 152 and 153 that stretch the discharge belt 151, and a discharge claw 154 provided so as to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the discharge belt 151. Is done.

  The discharge belt 151 is a belt member that is stretched between two rollers 152 and 153 on the inner side, and is disposed along the back surface of the bundle of sheets P stacked on the sheet stacking plate 141. That is, the discharge belt 151 is disposed on the back side of the paper stacking plate 141 such that the longitudinal direction located between the two rollers 152 and 153 substantially follows the inclination of the paper stacking plate 141.

  The two rollers 152 and 153 are provided with motors (not shown) for driving them. The two rollers 152 and 153 are rotated by the rotation of the motor according to the control of the control unit C1, and thereby the discharge belt 151 is rotated in the direction of arrow C in FIG.

As the discharge belt 151 rotates, the discharge claw 154 circulates along the position where the discharge belt 151 is disposed. Since the discharge claw 154 passes through a gap 141a (inside the movable parts 1412 and 1412) formed in the paper stacking plate 141, it does not come into contact with the paper stacking plate 141 even if its position is changed (see FIG. 9). ).
The discharge claw 154 contacts the lower end of the bundle of sheets P moved upward by the movement of the movable portions 1412 and 1412 after the stapling process, and pushes the bundle of sheets P further upward along the surface of the sheet stacking plate 141. Then, the stacking unit 140 is moved to the final discharge unit 180 (see FIG. 8).

Further, the discharge belt 151 can be rotated in the forward and reverse directions by the two rollers 152 and 153 rotating forward and backward according to the control of the control unit C1.
Such an operation is performed immediately after the sheet P descends and stops on the sheet stacking plate 141, so that the upper edge of the sheet P on which the discharge claws 154 of the discharge belt 151 are stacked is tapped. Alignment is to be performed.

Further, the contact surface of the discharge claw 154 with the lower end portion of the paper P is provided with a brush-like member 154a having a bristle length of about 1 to 2 mm.
The brush-like member 154a is provided so that the hair tip faces the surface direction of the paper stacking plate 141 when the discharge claw 154 comes into contact with the paper P. Thus, when the paper P is pushed up, It becomes difficult to shift from the discharge claw 154 and can be stably conveyed.

The staple unit 160 is disposed below the discharge belt 151.
As a stapling unit, the stapling unit 160 allows both ends of the “U” -shaped needles to pass through the paper P stacked on the paper stacking plate 141 of the stacking unit 140, and both ends of the penetrating needles are “C”. A stapling process (binding process) is performed in which a bundle of sheets P is bound by being folded toward the inside of the character shape.
The staple unit 160 includes a needle driving mechanism 161 that drives a needle into the paper P and a needle receiving mechanism 162 that bends the tip of the driven needle.
As described above, the stapled paper P is pushed up to a predetermined position by the movable unit 1412, further pushed up by the discharge claw 154, and conveyed toward the final discharge unit 180.

When the folding process is selected, the folding unit 170 performs a folding process in which the bundle of sheets P stapled by the staple unit 160 is folded at the center.
The folding unit 170 is provided below the stacking unit 140 and performs a folding process on the sheet P conveyed by the sheet stacking plate 141 moving downward.
The folded bundle of sheets P is discharged to a sheet discharge tray 171 provided so as to protrude downward outside the sheet processing apparatus C.

The final discharge unit 180 discharges the paper P, which has been moved upward by the discharge claw 154, to a lift paper discharge table 181 provided so as to protrude outside the paper processing apparatus C.
Specifically, the final discharge unit 180 includes, for example, a belt 184 stretched between two rollers 182 and 183, and a roller 185 that sandwiches and discharges a plurality of sheets P in cooperation with the roller 182. .
The roller 182 drives the belt 184 in cooperation with the roller 183. The belt 184 contacts the upper end of the paper P discharged from the stacking unit 140 by the discharge claw 154 and operates to guide the paper P toward the roller 182 and the roller 185. The paper P guided by the belt 184 is sandwiched between the rollers 182 and 185 and conveyed, and is discharged onto the lifting / lowering tray 181.
In addition, the final discharge unit 180 also discharges the paper P conveyed through the shift unit 130 to the lifting / lowering discharge table 181.
The lifting / lowering tray 181 can be moved up and down according to the weight of the bundle of stacked sheets P.

The paper feed unit 190 is disposed on the upper stage of the paper processing apparatus C, and includes a first paper feed tray 191, a second paper feed tray 192, and a fixed paper discharge tray 193.
When cover sheets are placed on the first paper feed tray 191 and the second paper feed tray 192 and booklet processing for attaching a cover to a bundle of paper P is selected, the first paper feed tray 191 is selected. Alternatively, the sheets taken out from the second sheet feeding tray 192 are conveyed to the stacking unit 140 and are combined as a cover sheet with the bundle of sheets P stacked by the stacking unit 140.
For example, the paper P for which no post-processing is selected is discharged to the fixed paper discharge tray 193. That is, when no post-processing is selected, the paper P is conveyed from the branch point Q toward the fixed paper discharge tray 193 and is collected on the fixed paper discharge tray 193.

The control unit C1 controls the operation of each unit of the sheet processing apparatus C.
The control unit C1 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 102, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, a storage unit 104, and the like. The CPU 101 stores storage devices such as the ROM 103 and the storage unit 104. The software and various data stored in the printer are read and processed, and various processes related to the operation of the sheet processing apparatus C are performed.

For example, the control unit C1 controls operations of the stacking unit 140, the discharge mechanism 150, the staple unit 160, and the final discharge unit 180, and executes the staple process and the discharge process of the bundle of sheets P that have been stapled.
In particular, the control unit C1 controls the operation of the suppressing member 142 so that the sheets P are properly stacked on the stacking unit 140 and the bundle of stapled sheets P is discharged without causing a conveyance failure. The control unit C1 functions as a stacking unit together with the stacking unit 140 by controlling the operation of the holding member 142.

Specifically, every time the paper P is stacked on the stacking unit 140, the control unit C1 performs control so that the paper P on which the holding member 142 is stacked is tapped.
At this time, the control unit C1 determines whether or not the stacked sheets P have reached a predetermined number by detecting the weight applied to the stacking unit 140, for example.
When the number of sheets P has not reached the predetermined number, the control unit C1 performs control so that the holding member 142 taps the sheet P and then returns to the initial standby position. On the other hand, when the number of sheets P has reached the predetermined number, the control unit C1 performs control so that the restraining member 142 stops in a state of restraining the stacked sheet bundle until the stapling process is completed.
Further, the control unit C1 performs control so that the holding member 142 moves to the stop position after the stapling process.

Further, the control unit C1 performs control so that the movable units 1412 and 1412 move to a predetermined position after the holding member 142 has moved to the stop position.
Further, the control unit C1 rotates the two rollers 152 and 153, and rotates the discharge belt 151 and thus the discharge claw 154.
Further, the control unit C1 performs control so that the holding member 142 is stopped at the stop position until the discharge claw 154 comes into contact with the lower end portion of the bundle of sheets P subjected to stapling.
Further, the control unit C1 controls the discharge claw 154 to come into contact with the lower end of the paper P at the timing when the movable parts 1412 and 1412 reach a predetermined position. It quickly moves upward and is conveyed to the final discharge unit 180.

  In addition to this, the control unit C1 controls the operations of the paper transport unit 110, the shift unit 130, the stacking unit 140, the stapling unit 160, the folding unit 170, the final discharge unit 180, and the paper feeding unit 190. Each process according to the setting is executed.

  Next, a series of operations until the paper P is collected and stapled and discharged in the paper processing apparatus C will be described. The following operation is executed under the control of the control unit C1.

First, the paper P conveyed to the stacking unit 140 by the roller pairs 112 and 113 is discharged into the space above the paper stacking plate 141 when the rear end portion is released from the nipping of the roller pair 113.
Next, the lower surface of the sheet P is lowered by its own weight after the lower surface of the sheet P slides obliquely upward in contact with the surface of the sheet stacking plate 141 or the surface of the sheet already stacked on the sheet stacking plate 141. It stops against the stopper 1411 and the support portion 1412b.
Next, both side edges of the paper P are tapped by the width alignment member 143, and the paper P is aligned in the width direction. Further, the upper end of the paper P is tapped by the discharge claw 154, and the paper P is aligned in the height direction.
Next, the lower portion of the sheet P is lightly hit in the thickness direction (Z direction) by the holding member 142, and the sheet P is brought into close contact with the surface of the sheet stacking plate 141.
As described above, the same operation is performed for each of the sheets P that are continuously conveyed. As a result, the bundle of sheets P does not float from the sheet stacking plate 141, and the sheets are stacked. It is loaded on the plate 141.

Next, when the number of sheets P stacked on the sheet stacking plate 141 reaches a predetermined number, the lower portion of the bundle of sheets P is pressed in the thickness direction (Z direction) by the holding member 142.
Next, the stapling process is performed on the bundle of sheets P by the stapling unit 160.
Next, the holding member 142 moves to a stop position slightly separated from the surface of the bundle of sheets P subjected to stapling, and stops (see FIG. 6).
Next, when the movable parts 1412 and 1412 move to a predetermined position, the bundle of sheets P is pushed upward (see FIG. 7).
Further, when the discharge belt 151 rotates, the discharge claw 154 comes into contact with the lower end portion of the bundle of sheets P when the movable parts 1412 and 1412 reach a predetermined position, and the bundle of sheets P comes from the support sections 1412b and 1412b. Passed to the discharge claw 154, the bundle of sheets P is pushed upward without stopping (see FIG. 8).
Next, the bundle of sheets P is discharged to the lifting / lowering tray 181 by the rotation of the roller 182 and the roller 185.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the sheet processing apparatus C, the stacking unit includes the sheet stacking plate 141 that stacks the bundle of sheets P in an inclined state, and the bundle of sheets P that are stapled by the staple unit 160. Is discharged from the paper stacking plate 141, a pressing member 142 that holds the bundle of sheets P stacked on the paper stacking plate 141 from the thickness direction (Z direction), and a control unit C1 that controls the operation of the pressing member 142. The discharge mechanism 150 includes a discharge belt 151 disposed along the back surface of the bundle of sheets P stacked on the sheet stacking plate 141, and a protrusion protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the discharge belt 151. After stapling by the unit 160, the bundle of sheets P moved in the discharge direction by contacting the lower end of the bundle of sheets P stapled by the operation of the discharge belt 151. The control unit C1 is a sheet on which the holding member 142 is stapled until the discharge claw 154 comes into contact with the lower end of the bundle of sheets P that have been stapled after the stapling process by the staple unit 160. Control is performed to stop at a stop position slightly separated from the surface of the bundle of P.
For this reason, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the surface of the bundle of sheets P on which the restraining member 142 is stapled until the discharge claw 154 comes into contact with the lower end of the bundle of sheets P after the staple process. Therefore, the discharge claw 154 does not dive under the bundle of sheets P. Accordingly, the occurrence of a conveyance failure of the bundle of sheets P subjected to stapling is prevented, and the sheet can be stably conveyed.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the stop position is a position separated from the surface of the sheet stacking plate 141 by a distance obtained by adding a preset value to the thickness of the bundle of stapled sheets P according to the thickness. It is.
For this reason, even when the bundle of sheets P is lifted after the stapling process, the restraining member 142 is stopped at a position that does not prevent the ejection claw 154 from pushing up the bundle of sheets while suitably suppressing the bundle of sheets P. it can.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the control unit C1 suppresses the bundle of sheets P stacked on the sheet stacking plate 141 during the stapling process by the stapling unit 160, and after the stapling process, the suppressing member 142 Control to move to the stop position.
For this reason, it is possible to fix the sheet bundle at the time of stapling, and to suppress the sheet bundle suitably after the stapling process, and to stop the member 142 at a position that does not hinder the pushing up of the sheet bundle by the discharge claw 154.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the control unit C <b> 1 performs control so that each time the paper P is stacked on the paper stacking plate 141, the holding member 142 taps the paper P stacked on the paper stacking plate 141.
For this reason, each time the paper P is stacked on the paper stacking plate 141, the paper P can be placed at an appropriate position.

Further, according to this embodiment, the contact surface of the discharge claw 154 with the bundle of sheets P is provided with the brush-like member 154a, and the brush-like member 154a is in contact with the bundle of sheets P of the discharge claw 154. At the time of contact, the hair tips are arranged so as to face toward the surface of the paper stacking plate 141.
For this reason, friction is generated between the contact surface of the discharge claw 154 with the bundle of sheets P and the lower end portion of the bundle of sheets P, and the bundle of sheets P can be prevented from being detached from the discharge claw 154. Stable conveyance can be performed.

  In addition, if the holding member 142 does not inhibit the operation | movement of the movable part 1412 and the discharge claw 154, there will be no restriction | limiting in particular in the width | variety and the number of installation.

A image forming system B image forming apparatus 1 document image reading unit 2 automatic document conveying device 3 image forming unit 4 sheet feeding unit 5 fixing unit 9 operation panel B1 control unit B2 communication means C sheet processing device 110 sheet conveying unit 120 punching processing unit 130 shift unit 140 stacking unit (stacking means)
141 Sheet collecting plate 1411 Stopper 1412 Movable part 1412a Stacking surface 1412b Support part 141a, 141b Gap 142 Suppression member 142a Upper end part 142b Lower end part 143 Width alignment member 150 Ejection mechanism 151 Ejection belt 152, 153 Roller 154 Ejection claw 154a Staple section (staple means)
161 Needle striking mechanism 162 Needle receiving mechanism 170 Folding portion 180 Final discharging portion 181 Lifting / discharging tray 182, 183, 185 Roller 184 Belt 190 Paper feeding portion C1 Control portion (stacking means)
C2 communication means C3 receiving part P paper

Claims (6)

A stacking unit for stacking the sheets, a staple unit that performs stapling processing on the integrated sheet bundle to the stacking unit, the sheet processing apparatus and a control unit for controlling the stacking unit,
The stacking unit
A paper stacking plate for stacking the paper bundle in an inclined state;
A discharge mechanism for discharging the bundle of sheets stapled by the stapling means from the sheet stacking plate;
And a pressing member to suppress the sheet bundle stacked on the sheet stacking plate from the thickness direction,
The discharge mechanism is
A discharge belt disposed along a back surface of the sheet bundle loaded on the sheet collecting plate;
It is provided so as to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the discharge belt, and after the staple processing by the stapling means, contacts the lower end portion of the sheet bundle stapled by the operation of the discharge belt and moves the sheet bundle in the discharge direction. A discharge claw, and
The controller is
After stapling by the stapling means , the thickness of the sheet bundle stapled from the surface of the sheet bundle on which the suppression member has been stapled until the discharge claw contacts the lower end of the stapled sheet bundle. The sheet processing apparatus is controlled to stop at a position separated from the surface of the sheet stacking plate by a distance obtained by adding a preset value to the thickness . The controller is
The stapler is configured to control the bundle of sheets stacked on the sheet stacking plate during stapling by the stapling means, and to control the restraint member to move to the stop position after the staple processing. Item 2. The sheet processing apparatus according to Item 1 . The controller is
3. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each time a sheet is stacked on the sheet stacking plate, the control member controls the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking plate to be tapped. 4. Wherein the contact surface between the sheet bundle discharge nails, sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claim 1 to 3, characterized in that the brush-like member is provided. The brush-like member, wherein when abutting with the sheet bundle of the ejection claw, to claim 4, bristles, characterized in that disposed as oriented in the direction of the surface of the sheet stacking plate Paper processing equipment. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on paper;
The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the sheet processing apparatus is connected to the image forming apparatus and performs post-processing on a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus.
An image forming system comprising:

Images