JP6197694B2 - Finisher, ejection method, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to post-processing of paper on which an image is printed.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed a technique for producing a set of printed documents by stacking a plurality of sheets (sheets) on which images are printed one after another. These sheets need to be aligned when bundled.

  The sheet processing apparatus described in the cited document 1 includes a first stacking unit that stacks sheets to be conveyed, an alignment unit that aligns a sheet bundle stacked on the first stacking unit in the sheet width direction, A bundle transporting unit configured to push the end of the sheet bundle stacked on the first stacking unit on the sheet conveying direction side and transport the bundle; and a second stacking unit configured to stack the sheet bundle discharged by the bundle transporting unit; . The sheet bundle discharged onto the second stacking unit when the aligning unit moves in the sheet bundle direction before or during conveyance of the sheet bundle by the bundle transfer unit is perpendicular to the sheet bundle conveyance direction. To offset.

JP 2003-276935 A

  If all the sheets of the printed document are ready, if they can be transported quickly to the next transport destination (for example, the paper tray or stack tray), the processing of the paper for the next printed document (bundle) can be started quickly. Productivity of printed documents can be improved.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to carry a printed document composed of a plurality of sheets in a shorter time than before.

  A finisher according to an aspect of the present invention is a finisher that bundles M sheets (where M ≧ 2) on which images are printed by a printing unit, and discharges the sheets to a predetermined location. A storage unit that stacks and stores the discharged sheets each time the sheet is discharged from the printing unit, and the first to Nth sheets of the M sheets stored in the storage unit (however, , M> N), a first aligning means for aligning a first end perpendicular to a discharge direction from the storage toward the predetermined location, and the one sheet stored in the storage Shift means for shifting sheets from the first sheet to the Nth sheet in the discharge direction, and a second end parallel to the discharge direction of each of the M sheets stored in the storage is aligned. Matching means and the shift means. The first to Nth sheets are shifted, the Mth sheet among the M sheets is stored in the storage, and the second alignment means causes the second end to be moved to the second end. And discharging means for discharging the M sheets by pushing them in the discharging direction after being aligned.

  Preferably, the N is 1 less than the M.

  Or it has a raising means for raising the storage, and the discharge means pushes out the M sheets after the storage is raised by the raising means.

  Alternatively, the discharge means is constituted by an extrusion member and a drive means, and the drive means pushes the M sheets by moving the extrusion member in the discharge direction.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to carry a printed document composed of a plurality of sheets in a shorter time than before.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance of an image forming apparatus. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a print unit. It is a perspective view which shows the example of a structure of a post-processing apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the example of a structure of a post-processing apparatus. It is sectional drawing when it cuts in the surface parallel to the front surface which shows each state before a raise of a post-processing apparatus and after a raise. It is a figure which shows the example of the positional relationship of a back alignment board and an extrusion board. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of post-processing when not matching operation is omitted. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a post-processing flow when staple binding is included. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of post-processing in the case of omitting a part of matching operation. It is a figure which represents typically the example of the state of the post-processing apparatus at the time of seeing from an upstream. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the method of adjusting the speed of movement of an extrusion board. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a paper size or the number of sheets stacked and a shift distance. FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the print unit 2. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the post-processing device 3. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the post-processing device 3.

  An image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an image processing apparatus generally called an MFP (Multi Function Peripherals) or a multifunction peripheral, and is an apparatus that integrates functions such as a copy, a network print, a fax, a scanner, and a document server. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 1 or 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a main CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10a, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 10b, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 10c, a mass storage device 10d, a NIC (Network Interface Card) 10e, modem 10f, touch panel display 10g, operation key panel 10h, scan unit 10i, print unit 2, and post-processing device 3.

  The ROM 10c or the large-capacity storage device 10d stores an operating system for controlling the entire image forming apparatus 1 and applications for realizing the above functions. Furthermore, software for transmitting data related to post-processing described later to the post-processing device 3 is also stored.

  Programs constituting these software are loaded into the RAM 10b as necessary and executed by the main CPU 10a. A hard disk drive, SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like is used as the mass storage device 10d.

  The NIC 10e communicates with other devices via a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet using a protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

  The modem 10f communicates with other devices via a telephone line using a protocol such as G3.

  The touch panel display 10g displays a screen for giving a message to the user, a screen showing a result of processing, a screen for the user to input an instruction to the image processing apparatus 1, and the like. Further, the touched position is detected, and the position is notified to the CPU 10a.

  The operation key panel 10h includes keys for inputting commands such as a start key, a stop key, and a function key.

  The scan unit 10i includes an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), a scanner, platen glass, and the like. The ADF sends out the set original sheets one by one to the scanner. The scanner reads an image such as a document, a photograph, a picture, or a chart recorded on a sheet sent from the ADF, and generates image data of the document. The scanner can also read the image of the paper set on the platen glass and generate image data of the document.

  Hereinafter, of the four side surfaces of the image forming apparatus 1, the surface on which the touch panel display 10g and the operation key panel 10h are provided is assumed to be the front surface, and the position or direction of each part is represented.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the print unit 2 includes a paper feed tray 20, a delivery roller 21, a development unit 22, a print head unit 23, a toner cartridge 24, a primary transfer roller 25, a transfer belt 26, a timing roller 27, and a secondary transfer roller. 28, a fixing device 29, and a discharge roller 2A.

  The paper feed tray 20 stores a plurality of sheets on which nothing is printed, that is, blank sheets. The sending roller 21 sends the sheets from the sheet feeding unit 20 one by one to the timing roller 22.

  The developing unit 22 is provided for each of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black colors, and forms an image of each color. Hereinafter, the development units 22 for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black may be described separately as “development unit 22Y”, “development unit 22M”, “development unit 22C”, and “development unit 22K”.

  The developing unit 22 includes a charging charger 22a, a photoreceptor 22b, a developing device 22d, and the like. The charging charger 22a charges the surface of the photoreceptor 22b to a uniform potential.

  The print head unit 23 forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating each photoconductor 22b whose surface is uniformly charged with light corresponding to the color image of each photoconductor 22b. For example, a yellow electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiating the photoconductor 22b of the developing unit 22Y with light corresponding to the yellow image.

  The developing device 22d electrostatically attracts toner to the portion of the photoreceptor 22b where the electrostatic latent image is formed.

  The toner cartridge 24 (24Y, 24M, 24C, 24K) is provided for each of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black colors, and supplies toner of each color to the developing device 22d. For example, the toner cartridge 24Y supplies yellow toner to the developing device 22d of the developing unit 22Y.

  The primary transfer rollers 25 (25Y, 25M, 25C, and 25K) are provided for each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, and transfer the toner adsorbed to each photoreceptor 22b to the transfer belt 26 (primary transfer). )

  The timing roller 27 temporarily stops the paper conveyed from the delivery roller 21. Then, the toner transferred to the transfer belt 26 is sent out at a timing so that the secondary transfer roller 28 transfers the toner to a predetermined position on the sheet.

  The secondary transfer roller 28 transfers (secondary transfer) the toner transferred to the transfer belt 26 to the paper transported from the timing roller 27. Then, this sheet is sent to the fixing device 29.

  The fixing device 29 heats the sheet sent from the secondary transfer roller 28 to fix the toner on the sheet, and sends it to the discharge roller 2A.

  Then, the discharge roller 2 </ b> A sends the paper sent from the fixing device 29 to the post-processing device 3. Hereinafter, the paper on which the image is printed by the print unit 2 is referred to as “paper 4”. At this time, the lower surface of the paper 4 is the printing surface.

  As the print unit 2, a known tandem and electrophotographic printing apparatus is used.

  Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the post-processing device 3 staples a set of print documents 5 in which a plurality of sheets 4 generated by the print unit 2 are bundled, or mixes each set of print documents 5. Sort and discharge so that there is no. That is, the post-processing device 3 is a finisher (FNS) that performs post-processing.

  As shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, the post-processing device 3 includes a front end alignment plate 301, a rear end alignment plate 302, a front alignment plate 303, a rear alignment plate 304, an extrusion plate 305, a stapler 32, an alignment tray 33, an attachment It comprises a plate 34, a paper tray 35, and the like. Further, in order to control these, the FNS CPU 30a, RAM 30b, ROM 30c, front end alignment plate drive unit 371, rear end alignment plate drive unit 372, front alignment plate drive unit 373, push plate drive unit 375, stapler drive unit 376, And an alignment tray driving unit 377 and the like.

  The ROM 30c stores post-processing programs 30P and 31P (see FIGS. 8 and 10) for post-processing such as stapling and sorting described above.

  The post-processing programs 30P and 31P are loaded into the RAM 30b and executed by the FNS CPU 30a.

  Hereinafter, the role of each part of the post-processing device 3 shown in FIG. 4 or FIG.

[Main functions of each part]
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the post-processing device 3 before and after the elevation, when taken along a plane parallel to the front. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the positional relationship between the back alignment plate 304 and the extrusion plate 305.

  The alignment tray 33 stores the paper 4 discharged from the discharge roller 2A. In order to perform post-processing on a set of printed documents 5 composed of a plurality of sheets 4, these sheets 4 are stored. Hereinafter, a case where the sizes (areas) of these sheets 4 are the same will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, an elevating member 3771 is provided under the alignment tray 33. The alignment tray driving unit 377 moves the alignment tray 33 up and down by moving the other end up and down around one end of the elevating member 3771.

  The leading edge alignment plate 301, the trailing edge alignment plate 302, the front alignment plate 303, and the back alignment plate 304 adjust the position of the paper 4 and move the paper 4.

  The leading end alignment plate drive unit 371, the rear end alignment plate drive unit 372, and the front alignment plate drive unit 373 move the front end alignment plate 301, the rear end alignment plate 302, and the front alignment plate 303, respectively.

  The stapler 32 binds the print document 5 with staples. The stapler driving unit 376 drives the stapler 32.

  The extrusion plate 305 pushes the printed document 5 that has been post-processed to the paper tray 35. The extrusion plate driving unit 375 drives the extrusion plate 305.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7A, a protrusion 305a is provided on the upstream side of the extrusion plate 305. Before the alignment tray 33 is raised, the protrusion 305 a contacts the inner surface of the inner alignment plate 304. Therefore, as the push plate 305 is moved to the near side by the push plate driving unit 375, the back alignment plate 304 is also moved to the near side. And if the extrusion board 305 returns to the back side, the back alignment board 304 will return to the back side by the force of a spring.

  In this way, the back alignment plate 304 is moved integrally with the extrusion plate 305 by the extrusion plate driving unit 375.

  After the alignment tray 33 is raised, the protrusion 305a moves above the back alignment plate 304 as shown in FIG. Therefore, even if the pushing plate 305 is moved to the near side by the pushing plate driving unit 375, the back alignment plate 304 does not move.

  For example, a motor is used as each driving unit of the leading end alignment plate driving unit 371 to the alignment tray driving unit 377. Some of the plurality of driving units may be realized by sharing one motor. Further, the leading end alignment plate driving unit 371 to the alignment tray driving unit 377 are controlled by the FNS CPU 30a based on the post-processing programs 30P and 31P.

  Next, the operation of each unit when the print document 5 is post-processed will be described with reference to a flowchart and the like.

[When no matching operation is omitted]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the flow of post-processing when no matching operation is omitted. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the flow of post-processing when staple binding is included.

  Post-processing mainly consists of the following three phases. In the first phase, the sheet 4 discharged from the discharge roller 2A is stored in the alignment tray 33, and the sheets 4 that overlap each other are aligned. Hereinafter, this arrangement is referred to as “matching”.

  The second phase is a phase in which the printed document 5 is stapled or moved to a position for sorting as necessary.

  The third phase is a phase in which the print document 5 is discharged from the alignment tray 33 to the paper tray 35.

  Incidentally, a part of the matching operation can be omitted. First, a case where post-processing is performed without omitting any matching operation will be described.

  The FNS CPU 30a is notified of the timing at which the paper 4 is discharged from the discharge roller 2A from the main CPU 10a or the print unit 2. Then, the FNS CPU 30a controls the leading edge alignment plate driving unit 371 to the alignment tray driving unit 377 based on the notified timing and the post-processing program 30P. As a result, the leading end alignment plate driving unit 371 to the alignment tray driving unit 377 operate as shown in FIG.

  Before the first sheet 4 is discharged from the discharge roller 2A, the leading end alignment plate driving unit 371 to the alignment tray driving unit 377 are arranged in advance at predetermined positions (# 701 in FIG. 8).

  When the sheet 4 is discharged from the discharge roller 2 </ b> A, it falls into a substantially constant range of the alignment tray 33 according to the size and type of the sheet 4. Hereinafter, this range is referred to as a “falling range”. Further, the length of the front side of the paper 4 is described as “length Ly”, and the length of the upstream side is described as “length Lx”.

  Therefore, the tip alignment plate driving unit 371 moves the tip alignment plate 301 in the vicinity of the upstream end of the drop range.

  The rear end alignment plate driving unit 372, the front alignment plate driving unit 373, and the rear alignment plate driving unit 374 move the rear end alignment plate 302, the front alignment plate 303, and the rear alignment plate 304 to the home position, respectively. .

  The home position of the rear end alignment plate 302 is a position further upstream than the position of the attaching plate 34. The home position of the front alignment plate 303 is the front end of the alignment tray 33. The home position of the back alignment plate 304 is the end on the back side of the alignment tray 33.

  The extrusion plate driving unit 375 and the alignment tray driving unit 377 move the extrusion plate 305 and the alignment tray 33 to the home position, respectively.

  The home position of the extrusion plate 305 is a position before the print document 5 is pushed out, that is, the rear end of the alignment tray 33. The home position of the alignment tray 33 is a position completely lowered as shown in FIG.

  When stapling is not performed (No in # 702), the leading edge alignment plate driving unit 371 to the alignment tray driving unit 377 perform the following processing every time the paper 4 is discharged from the discharge roller 2A.

  When the sheet is conveyed from the discharge roller 2A (Yes in # 703), the leading end alignment plate driving unit 371 moves the leading end alignment plate 301 to the downstream position by the length Ly from the abutting plate 34, and returns to the original position. Return to the position (# 704). As a result, the sheet 4 hits the attaching plate 34 and alignment in the transport direction is performed.

  If the sheet 4 is the top (first sheet) of the print document 5 (Yes in # 705), the process returns to step # 703 and waits for the next sheet 4 to be conveyed.

  When the sheet 4 is not the head of the printed document 5 (No in # 705), the front alignment plate driving unit 373 and the back alignment plate driving unit 374 are respectively set so that the distance between the front alignment plate 303 and the back alignment plate 304 is the same. It approaches to a predetermined position where the length is Lx and returns to the original position (# 706). As a result, the sheet 4 hits the rear end alignment plate 302 and the front alignment plate 303, and alignment in the front and back directions is performed.

  If the paper 4 is not the end of the printed document 5 (No in # 707), the process returns to step # 703 to wait for the next paper 4 to be conveyed.

  If the paper 4 is the last of the printed document 5 (Yes in # 707), the alignment has been completed for all the papers 4, that is, the first phase has been completed. The units 371 to the rear alignment plate driving unit 374 perform processing for moving the print document 5 to a position for sorting the print documents 5 as follows.

  The leading edge alignment plate driving unit 371 moves the leading edge alignment plate 301 to the downstream end of the print document 5, and the trailing edge alignment plate driving unit 372 moves the trailing edge alignment plate 302 to the upstream end (# 708). ). As a result, the print document 5 is sandwiched between the leading edge alignment plate 301 and the trailing edge alignment plate 302.

  The front alignment plate driving unit 373 moves the front alignment plate 303 from the front end of the printed document 5 to a position on the near side by several millimeters (for example, 2 mm), and the back alignment plate driving unit 374 304 is moved from the back side edge of the printed document 5 to the back side position by a few millimeters (# 709). Thereby, a guide for moving the print document 5 is formed.

  The leading edge alignment plate driving unit 371 and the trailing edge alignment plate driving unit 372 respectively move the leading edge alignment plate 301 and the trailing edge alignment plate 302 to the downstream side until the print document 5 moves to a position for sorting (#). 710). This completes the second phase. Then, the leading end alignment plate driving unit 371 through the back alignment plate driving unit 374 return the leading end alignment plate 301 through the back alignment plate 304 to their original positions (# 711).

  The alignment tray drive unit 377 raises the alignment tray 33 as shown in FIG. 6B (# 712).

  The pusher plate driving unit 375 moves the pusher plate 305 to the near side of the alignment tray 33 in the near direction (# 713). As a result, the print document 5 is pushed out from the alignment tray 33 to the paper tray 36.

  Then, the alignment tray driving unit 377 lowers the alignment tray 33 as shown in FIG. 6A, and the extrusion plate driving unit 375 returns the extrusion plate 305 to the inner end of the alignment tray 33 (# 714).

  On the other hand, when stapling is performed (Yes in # 702), processing is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG.

  The processing in the first phase is the same as when stapling is not performed. That is, each unit performs the same processing as steps # 703 to # 707 in FIG. 8 (# 761 to # 765).

  When the first phase is completed (Yes in # 765), the front alignment plate drive unit 373 and the back alignment plate drive unit 374 set the distance between the front alignment plate 303 and the back alignment plate 304 to the length Lx, respectively. The printed document 5 is sandwiched between the front alignment plate 303 and the back alignment plate 304 (# 766). Then, the front alignment plate 303 and the rear alignment plate 304 are set to the front / back so that the coordinates of the front / back direction of the position where the staple should be placed on the printed document 5 and the coordinates of the position where the stapler 32 hits the staple match. The direction is moved (# 767).

  The leading edge alignment plate driver 371 moves the leading edge alignment plate 301 to the downstream end of the print document 5 (# 768). The front alignment plate drive unit 373 forms a guide by moving the front alignment plate 303 to a position several millimeters away from the print document 5 (# 769). Note that the back alignment plate 304 may also be moved to a position several millimeters away from the print document 5 by the back alignment plate drive unit 374. The trailing edge alignment plate driving unit 372 moves the trailing edge alignment plate 302 to the upstream end of the print document 5 (# 770).

  The leading edge alignment plate driving unit 371 and the trailing edge alignment plate driving unit 372 move the leading edge alignment plate 301 and the trailing edge alignment plate 302 until the printing document 5 moves to the position where the printing document 5 is stapled, respectively (#). 771).

  The stapler driving unit 376 drives the stapler 32 so as to staple the printed document 5 (# 772).

  The leading edge alignment plate driving unit 371 and the trailing edge alignment plate driving unit 372 respectively move the leading edge alignment plate 301 and the trailing edge alignment plate 302 until the print document 5 moves to a position corresponding to the discharge position on the paper tray 36. Is moved (# 773). This completes the second phase. Then, the leading end alignment plate driving unit 371 through the back alignment plate driving unit 374 return the leading end alignment plate 301 through the back alignment plate 304 to their original positions (# 774).

  The processing in the third phase is the same as when stapling is performed. That is, each unit performs the same processing as steps # 712 to # 714 in FIG. 8 (# 775 to # 777).

[When a part of the matching operation is omitted]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the flow of post-processing when part of the matching operation is omitted. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the state of the post-processing device 3 when viewed from the upstream side.

  Next, a case where post-processing is performed with a part of the matching operation omitted will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The FNS CPU 30a is notified of the timing at which the paper 4 is discharged from the discharge roller 2A from the main CPU 10a or the print unit 2 as in the case where no alignment operation is omitted.

  Then, the FNS CPU 30a controls the leading end alignment plate driving unit 371 to the alignment tray driving unit 377 based on the notified timing and the post-processing program 31P. As a result, the leading end alignment plate driving unit 371 to the alignment tray driving unit 377 operate as shown in FIG.

  As in the case where no alignment operation is omitted, before the first sheet 4 is discharged from the discharge roller 2A, the leading end alignment plate driving unit 371 to the alignment tray driving unit 377 put each unit in a predetermined position in advance. They are arranged (# 721 in FIG. 10).

  When stapling is performed (Yes in # 722), each unit performs post-processing in the procedure described with reference to FIG. 9 without omitting any alignment operation (# 723).

  On the other hand, when stapling is not performed (No in # 722), the leading end alignment plate driving unit 371 to the alignment tray driving unit 377 perform the following processing every time the paper 4 is discharged from the discharge roller 2A.

  When the sheet is conveyed from the discharge roller 2A (Yes in # 724), the leading end alignment plate driving unit 371 moves the leading end alignment plate 301 to the downstream position by the length Ly from the abutting plate 34, and returns to the original position. Return to the position (# 725). As a result, the sheet 4 hits the attaching plate 34 and alignment in the transport direction is performed.

  If the sheet 4 is the head of the print document 5 (Yes in # 726), the process returns to step # 724 and waits for the next sheet 4 to be conveyed. However, if the number of sheets 4 constituting the print document 5 is two, the process proceeds to step # 730.

  If the paper 4 is neither the beginning nor the end of the printed document 5 (No in # 726, No in # 727), the front alignment plate driving unit 373 and the back alignment plate driving unit 374 are the front alignment plate 303 and the back alignment plate, respectively. The plate 304 is moved closer to the length Lx until the distance between the two reaches the original position (# 728). As a result, the sheet 4 hits the rear end alignment plate 302 and the front alignment plate 303, and alignment in the front and back directions is performed.

  When the sheet 4 is the first sheet from the end of the printed document 5 (Yes in # 729), the back alignment plate driving unit 374 moves the back alignment plate 304 forward by a predetermined distance (for example, 20 mm). (# 730). As a result, the bundle of sheets 4 stacked so far is shifted (shifted) forward by a predetermined distance. In this case, in step # 728, only the front alignment plate 303 may be returned to the original position, and the back alignment plate 304 may be kept waiting at the position for processing in step # 729.

  The shift of the bundle can be completed before the last sheet 4 is conveyed. Therefore, even if the bundle is shifted, the start of processing for the last sheet 4 is not delayed.

  If the paper 4 is the last of the printed document 5 (No in # 726, Yes in # 727), the front / back alignment is skipped and the process proceeds to step # 731.

  With the above processing, the first phase is completed. According to the first phase, the sheets 4 are arranged as follows. All the sheets 4 are aligned in the transport direction (upstream / downstream direction) by the front end alignment plate 301 and the rear end alignment plate 302. Therefore, the edges of all the sheets 4 are aligned in the transport direction. Further, after aligning the first sheet 4 from the last, the sheets 4 stacked so far are shifted to the near side, and the alignment of the last sheet 4 in the front and back directions is skipped. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11A, only the last sheet 4 is slightly shifted in the back direction with respect to the other sheets 4. It should be noted that the distance to be shifted in step # 730 is preferably about several millimeters to 10 centimeters so that the end on the back side of the last sheet 4 is bent too much and does not stick to the bottom of the alignment tray 33.

  When the first phase is completed, the leading edge alignment plate driving unit 371 and the trailing edge alignment plate driving unit 372 perform processing for moving the printing document 5 to a position for sorting the printing document 5 as follows.

  The leading edge aligning plate driving unit 371 and the trailing edge aligning plate driving unit 372 are arranged so that the leading edge aligning plate 301 and the trailing edge aligning plate 302 are arranged on the downstream side of the print document 5, as in the case where no alignment operation is omitted. Move to the end and the upstream end (# 731). As a result, the print document 5 is sandwiched between the leading edge alignment plate 301 and the trailing edge alignment plate 302.

  The leading edge aligning plate driving unit 371 and the trailing end aligning plate driving unit 372 are arranged so that the leading edge aligning plate is moved until the print document 5 is moved to the sorting position, as in the case where no alignment operation is omitted. 301 and the rear end alignment plate 302 are moved (# 732). This completes the second phase. Then, the leading end alignment plate driving unit 371 through the back alignment plate driving unit 374 return the leading end alignment plate 301 through the back alignment plate 304 to their original positions (# 733).

  The processing in the third phase is basically the same as in the case where no matching operation is omitted. That is, each unit performs the same processing as steps # 712 to # 714 in FIG. 8 (# 734 to # 736). However, as shown in FIG. 11B, the last sheet 4 (the uppermost sheet) is stacked on the alignment tray 33 in a state shifted in the depth direction. Therefore, when the push-out plate 305 moves in the front direction (# 735), only the last sheet 4 is moved in the front direction and aligned with the other sheets 4. All sheets 4 are pushed out to the sheet tray 36.

  As described above, when the post-processing is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG. 10, the operation after the last sheet 4 is conveyed from the discharge roller 2 </ b> A, specifically, the front and back directions of the last sheet 4. Matching can be omitted. Therefore, the discharge of the print document 5 to the paper tray 36 can be accelerated. Furthermore, since the interval of discharging the paper 4 from the discharge roller 2A can be shortened, the productivity of printed matter can be improved.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an example of how to adjust the moving speed of the extrusion plate 305. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the sheet size or the number of sheets stacked and the shift distance.

  When the alignment of the last sheet 4 in the front / back direction is omitted, when the printed document 5 is pushed out to the sheet tray 36, the speed of the pushing plate 305 may be changed as shown in FIG.

  When the alignment tray 33 is raised, the push plate 305 is positioned at the home position as shown in FIG.

  The pusher plate driving unit 375 moves the pusher plate 305 in the forward direction at a high speed (for example, 400 millimeters / second) until it hits the last sheet 4 as shown in FIG. When it comes to the position where it hits the last sheet 4, it moves forward at a low speed (for example, 200 mm / table) until the last sheet 4 moves to the position of another sheet 4 as shown in FIG. .

  As shown in FIG. 12D, the extrusion plate driving unit 375 moves the extrusion plate 305 again at a high speed until a predetermined ratio (for example, 80%) of the printed document 5 comes out of the alignment tray 33. Move to the front. Then, the extrusion plate 305 is moved again at a low speed to the front end of the alignment tray 33 as shown in FIG.

  The two high speeds described above may not be the same speed. Similarly, the two low speeds described above need not be the same speed. Further, the position corresponding to the last sheet 4 may be detected by a sensor or may be an approximate position (a position on the back side by several centimeters from the bundle).

  By moving the extrusion plate 305 in this way, it is possible to prevent only the last sheet 4 from being skipped and to prevent the printed document 5 from jumping out from the sheet tray 36.

  In the present embodiment, the last sheet 4 is shifted by a predetermined distance, but the shifted distance may be changed according to the size of the sheet 4. Since the contact area between the last sheet 4 and the previous sheet 4 is small and the frictional force is small, the position where the last sheet 4 stops is unstable. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 13A, the smaller the size, the longer the shift distance.

  Alternatively, the shift distance may be changed according to the number of sheets 4 (stacked number) from the last to the previous one. Since the bundle is lower as the number of stacked sheets is smaller, the position where the last sheet 4 stops is unstable. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 13B, the smaller the number of stacked sheets, the longer the shift distance.

  In the present embodiment, the alignment in the front and back directions is omitted only for the last sheet 4, but several sheets 4 may be omitted.

  In this embodiment, in order to avoid an obstacle (for example, the front alignment plate 303) between the alignment tray 33 and the paper tray 36, the alignment tray 33 is raised and then the print document 5 is discharged to the paper tray 36. The printed document 5 may be discharged to the paper tray 36 after the obstacle is raised or lowered. In this case, the back alignment plate 304 may also serve as the extrusion plate 305. That is, the back alignment plate 304 is used for both the alignment in the front and back directions and the pushing out of the print document 5 to the paper tray 36.

  When the number of sheets 4 constituting the print document 5 is large, the print document 5 may be divided into a plurality of bundles and discharged. For example, the print documents 5 may be divided and discharged so that each bundle is 10 sheets or less.

  In the present embodiment, the present invention can be applied to a finisher that discharges to the left (downstream) as an example of a finisher that discharges the printed document 5 in the forward direction as the post-processing device 3. In such a finisher, the shift direction may be leftward.

  In addition, the entire image forming apparatus 1, print unit 2, post-processing apparatus 3, configuration of each unit, processing content, processing order, and the like can be changed as appropriate in accordance with the spirit of the present invention.

2 Print unit (printing unit)
3 Post-processing equipment (finisher)
33 Alignment tray (container)
34 Attaching plate (second alignment means)
36 Paper tray (predetermined location)
301 Tip alignment plate (second alignment means)
303 Front alignment plate (first alignment means)
304 Back alignment plate (first alignment means, shift means)
305 Extrusion plate (discharge means, extrusion member)
371 Tip alignment plate drive (second alignment means)
373 Front alignment plate driver (first alignment means)
374 Back alignment plate drive (first alignment means, shift means)
375 Extrusion plate drive (discharge means, drive means)
377 Alignment tray drive (lifting means)
4 paper 5 printed documents

Claims (12)

A finisher for bundling M sheets (where M ≧ 2) on which images are printed by a printing unit, and discharging them to a predetermined location,
A container that stacks and stores the discharged sheets each time the M sheets are discharged from the printing unit one by one;
The first to Nth sheets (where M> N) of the M sheets stored in the storage are orthogonal to the discharge direction from the storage to the predetermined location. A first alignment means for aligning the first ends;
Shift means for shifting the first to Nth sheets stored in the storage in the discharge direction;
A second aligning means for aligning a second end parallel to the discharge direction of each of the M sheets stored in the storage;
The first to Nth sheets are shifted by the shifting means, and the Mth sheet of the M sheets is stored in the storage, and the second alignment means is used to store the second sheet. Discharging means for discharging the M sheets by pushing them in the discharging direction after the edges of the sheets are aligned;
A finisher characterized by comprising: N is 1 less than M;
The finisher according to claim 1. Raising means for raising the enclosure,
The discharging means pushes out the M sheets after the container has been raised by the raising means;
The finisher according to claim 1 or 2. The discharge means is constituted by an extrusion member and a drive means, and the drive means pushes out the M sheets by moving the extrusion member in the discharge direction.
The finisher according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The drive means moves the pusher member at a first speed to an intermediate position until it hits the M sheets, and after passing the intermediate position, a second speed slower than the first speed. Moving the extruding member at a speed of
The finisher according to claim 4. The driving means moves the pushing member at a first speed until it hits the M sheets, and after hitting the M sheets, at a second speed faster than the first speed. Moving the extrusion member;
The finisher according to claim 4. The driving means moves the pushing member at a first speed to an intermediate position from when the M sheets hit the M sheets until the M sheets are pushed out of the storage, and past the intermediate position. And then moving the push member at a second speed that is slower than the first speed,
The finisher according to claim 4. The shift means shifts a longer distance as the area of the M sheets is smaller.
The finisher according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The shift means shifts a longer distance as the number of the M sheets is smaller.
The finisher according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The first aligning means aligns the first end each time one of the first to Nth sheets is stored in the storage,
The second aligning means aligns the second end each time one of the M sheets is stored in the storage.
The finisher according to any one of claims 1 to 9. A discharging method for discharging M sheets (where M ≧ 2) on which images are printed by a printing unit to a predetermined location in a bundle,
Each time the M sheets are discharged from the printing unit one by one, the discharged sheets are stacked and stored in a storage unit,
The first to Nth sheets (where M> N) of the M sheets stored in the storage are orthogonal to the discharge direction from the storage to the predetermined location. Align the first end,
Shifting the first to Nth sheets stored in the storage in the discharge direction;
Aligning a second end parallel to the discharge direction of each of the M sheets stored in the storage;
The first to Nth sheets are shifted, the Mth sheet of the M sheets is stored in the storage, and the second end is aligned, and then the M sheets The paper by pushing it out in the discharge direction,
A discharge method characterized by that. A storage unit that stacks and stores sheets on which images are printed by a printing unit, and a plurality of sheets stored in the storage unit that are orthogonal to a discharge direction from the storage unit toward a predetermined location. First alignment means for aligning edges, shift means for shifting the plurality of sheets stored in the storage in the discharge direction, and each of the plurality of sheets stored in the storage, Used for a finisher having second alignment means for aligning second ends parallel to the discharge direction, and discharge means for discharging the plurality of sheets stored in the storage device by pushing them in the discharge direction. A computer program,
When the M sheets (however, M ≧ 2) are discharged in a bundle, when the Nth sheet (where M> N) is stored in the storage, the first to Nth sheets are stored. Controlling the first aligning means to align the first edge of the sheet up to,
Controlling the shift means to shift the sheets from the first sheet to the Nth sheet;
When the M sheets up to the Mth sheet are stored in the storage, the second alignment unit is controlled to align the second end of the M sheets, and the M sheets are discharged. Controlling the discharging means;
A computer program characterized by the above.

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