JP6548706B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus that performs post-processing on a sheet bundle in which a plurality of sheets, such as paper, on which an image is formed are stacked in an image forming system such as a copying machine or a multifunction machine.

A sheet processing apparatus that receives a plurality of sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus into a processing tray and performs alignment processing to combine sheets into a sheet bundle, binding processing for binding a predetermined portion of a sheet bundle, and post processing such as punching processing (post processing apparatus: finisher )It has been known. In the post-processing function of the sheet processing apparatus, the number of sheets of the sheet bundle that can be post-processed is restricted due to factors such as the opening height limit of the binding portion of the stapler, for example.
On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus, before reading of all pages is completed by the document reading apparatus, image formation is sequentially started from the document which has been read, and the sheet after image formation is promptly output. That is, the sheet processing apparatus receives sheets with the page configuration (for example, the number of sheets) of the sheet bundle to be post-processed being undetermined.

For example, if it is determined that the post-processing upper limit is exceeded during formation of the sheet bundle, the sheet processing apparatus does not post-process the sheet bundle so as not to interrupt the operation of the apparatus, and all of the sheet bundle The sheet is discharged to the loading tray even if the sheets are not complete.
However, in this case, the sheet bundle (exception bundle) which has not been post-processed beyond the upper limit number is discharged at the same position as the sheet bundle (normal bundle) discharge position where the post-processing is normally completed. Therefore, there is a problem that it is not possible to distinguish each bundle discharged forward and backward.

  To address this problem, there is an image forming system disclosed in Patent Document 1. The image forming system disclosed in Patent Document 1 employs a loading tray (shift tray) capable of shift operation. As a result, when discharging a sheet bundle which can not be post-processed as an unprocessed bundle, the loading position is shifted, and each bundle discharged in the front and rear direction is divided.

JP 2000-16683 A

However, the sheet processing apparatus having a small open space such as an inner finisher installed in the space between the printer unit and the reader unit of the image forming apparatus has the following problems.

For example, even if an exceptional bundle occurs during execution of a job for which “back binding process” is specified to perform post-processing at the back position as viewed from the front of the image forming apparatus, these are placed on the paper discharge tray Position is the back position. Therefore, in the inner finisher where the open space is small, when the user checks the sheet bundle discharged to the stacking tray, the visibility thereof is reduced .

  The main object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus in which the visibility of a sheet bundle discharged without post-processing is improved.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises an original reading unit for reading an original, an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet based on image data obtained by reading the original by the original reading unit, the original reading unit, and the image formation. Binding means provided in a space between the means and performing a binding process on a sheet bundle comprising a plurality of sheets received from the image forming means, and a width orthogonal to the conveying direction of the sheets received from the image forming means A shift unit for shifting in a direction and (1) the binding processing is specified to be performed, and the sheet bundle subjected to the binding processing by the binding processing unit is discharged to a first discharge position, (2) the binding Even though the processing is specified, the binding processing by the binding processing unit is not performed because the number of sheets per copy exceeds the predetermined number. Control means for controlling the shift means so that the transfer bundle is discharged to a second discharge position different from the first discharge position in the width direction, the second discharge position being An image forming apparatus characterized by being shifted in a direction from the binding processing means toward the front of the image forming apparatus in the width direction.

  According to the present invention, the sheet bundle (exception bundle) exceeding the number of sheets that can be post-processed by the sheet processing means is discharged after being shifted to the second discharge position different from the first discharge position. Thereby, the visibility of the sheet bundle discharged without post-processing can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an image forming system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structural example of a sheet processing apparatus. FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are top views of the sheet processing apparatus showing how a plurality of sheets are aligned, bundled, and bound, and then conveyed. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of a control circuit of the sheet processing apparatus. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the sheet processing apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Device overall configuration]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an image forming system 1000 according to the present embodiment. The image forming system 1000 includes an automatic document reader 100, an image forming apparatus 300, a sheet processing apparatus 400 as an example of a post-processing apparatus, and an operation apparatus 600.
As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet processing apparatus 400 includes a processing tray 46 on which sheets are stacked for post-processing, and a stacking tray 47 on which sheets discharged from the processing tray 46 are stacked.

The automatic document reading apparatus 100 is installed at the upper part of the image forming apparatus 300, and automatically feeds a document placed on a document tray onto a document table glass (not shown), and the read document It is configured to include an image reader (not shown) to read. Automatic document reading apparatus 100 outputs image data obtained by reading a document to image forming apparatus 300. The image forming apparatus 300 forms an image on a sheet (for example, a sheet) based on image data received from the automatic document reader 100 and image data received from an external apparatus connected via a network. The sheet on which the image is formed is discharged from the discharge unit 301 which is a discharge port.
If the sheet processing apparatus 400 is not installed in the image forming apparatus 300 shown in FIG. 1, the sheet on which the image is formed is the automatic document reader 100 as a reader unit and the image forming apparatus as a printer unit. It is loaded in a space K between 300 and 300. The stacked sheets are taken out of the image forming apparatus 300 through the opening 302 provided in the space K.

The sheet processing apparatus 400 receives a sheet discharged from the discharge unit 301 of the image forming apparatus 300 through the sheet feeding port 48, processes to arrange a plurality of sheets and bundle them, and a process to close a predetermined portion of the bundled sheets. Perform post processing such as (stapling process).
As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet processing apparatus 400 according to this embodiment can be installed in the space K between the automatic document reading apparatus 100 as a reader unit and the image forming apparatus 300 as a printer unit. It is a finisher type post-processing device. Therefore, the visual recognition from above by the automatic document reader 100 is limited. For example, when the user checks a sheet on the stacking tray 47 from the opening 302, the space around the sheet processing apparatus 400 is narrow, and the back side is difficult to see. Details of the configuration of the sheet processing apparatus 400 will be described later.
The operation device 600 receives operation instructions from the user to the automatic document reading device 100, the image forming device 300, and the sheet processing device 400, and provides the user with information such as processing status. The operation device 600 has a GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen (not shown), and the user performs setting operations of various jobs such as designation of a post-processing mode described later via this screen.

[Sheet processing apparatus]
FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration example of the sheet processing apparatus 400. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a top view of the sheet processing apparatus 400 showing how a plurality of sheets are arranged, bundled, stapled, and then conveyed. The specific configuration and post-processing operation of the sheet processing apparatus 400 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

  The sheet processing apparatus 400 includes a conveyance roller pair 40, a sheet return paddle 41, an alignment plate 42, a stapler 44, a sheet bundle push-out rack unit 45, a processing tray 46, a stacking tray 47, and a sheet feeding port 48. The sheet return paddle 41 is raised or lowered by a vertical drive mechanism (not shown).

  The sheet processing apparatus 400 receives the sheets discharged from the sheet discharge port of the image forming apparatus 300 for each sheet via the sheet supply port 48 and rotates the inside of the apparatus along the conveyance path by the conveyance roller pair 40 which is rotationally driven. Pull in and transport. Then, by lowering the sheet return paddle 41 rotating in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction, the sheet drawn into the apparatus is guided to the processing tray 46, and the sheet is stacked on the processing tray 46. The sheet processing apparatus 400 further presses the sheet return paddle 41 against the vicinity of the end portion of the sheet of the processing tray 46 for a predetermined time. As a result, the sheet end opposite to the end to which the sheet return paddle 41 is pressed is abutted against the sheet bundle push-out rack portion 45 which also serves as the rear end regulating plate. Hereinafter, the sheet end portion abutting on the sheet bundle push-out rack portion 45 is referred to as a sheet rear end. Further, a bundle of sheets stacked on the processing tray 46 is referred to as a sheet bundle.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the sheet bundle push-out rack portion 45 includes a rack portion 45a and a rear end regulating portion 45b. The rack portion 45a is formed so as to be movable in the transport / discharge direction indicated by the arrow in the drawing, and is driven by a pushing mechanism (not shown). Thus, the sheet bundle on the processing tray 46 can be pushed toward the stacking tray 47 and discharged from the processing tray 46. The rear end restricting portion 45b is a fixing member with which the rear end of the sheet abuts. Thereby, the trailing end of the sheet bundle is aligned.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the alignment plate 42 is configured to include an alignment plate 42a at the upper front side (apparatus rear side) and an alignment plate 42b at the lower front side (apparatus front side). Each of the alignment plate 42a and the alignment plate 42b is formed so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the transport / discharge direction indicated by the arrow in the drawing, and is driven by an alignment mechanism (not shown). The aligning plate 42a and the aligning plate 42b press and align both side ends of the sheet bundle in which the sheet rear end is aligned. The sheet bundle S (FIG. 3B) is formed by repeating these operations for each sheet. That is, the sheet bundle push-out rack portion 45, the alignment plate 42, and the like function as a bundle forming unit.
For example, when the “binding mode” for binding the sheet bundle S is selected in the operation device 600, the formed sheet bundle S is subjected to the binding process by the stapler 44. Thereafter, the sheet bundle S after the binding process is pushed out by the pushing rack unit 45 a and stacked on the stacking tray 47.
In the present embodiment, the direction (extraction direction) in which the sheet bundle S stacked on the stacking tray 47 is taken out by the user is taken out from the front side to the front side of the image forming system 1000 shown in FIG. I will explain as a thing. The takeout direction can be determined in accordance with the arrangement of the sheet processing apparatus 400 in the image forming system 1000.

[Control circuit configuration of sheet processing apparatus]
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of a control circuit of the sheet processing apparatus 400.
The CPU circuit unit 800 of the sheet processing apparatus 400 includes a CPU 801, a ROM 802, and a RAM 803. The CPU circuit unit 800 is a type of computer that controls the sheet processing apparatus 400 by the CPU 801 executing a predetermined program stored in the ROM 802. The RAM 803 temporarily or permanently stores various data required for processing.

The post-processing device control unit 805 cooperates with the CPU circuit unit 800 to execute a stapler motor 853 for operating the stapler 44, a front alignment motor 854 for operating the alignment plate 42a, and a rear alignment motor 855 for operating the alignment plate 42b. Control the start or stop of the drive of the
The stapler HP (home position) sensor 850 detects whether the stapler 44 stands by at a predetermined standby position (HP). The pre-alignment HP sensor 851 detects whether the alignment plate 42a is in a standby state at a predetermined standby position (HP). The post-alignment HP sensor 852 detects whether the alignment plate 42b is in a standby state at a predetermined standby position (HP). The post-processing device control unit 805 controls the operation of each unit related to the post-processing of the sheet bundle S based on the detection results of each of the stapler HP sensor 850, the pre-alignment HP sensor 851, and the post-alignment HP sensor 852.

The loading device control unit 806 starts or stops driving of the tray motor 862 for operating the loading tray 47 in cooperation with the CPU circuit unit 800 and driving of the pushing motor 863 for operating the sheet bundle pushing rack unit 45. Control.
The tray HP sensor 860 detects whether the stacking tray 47 is in a standby state at a predetermined standby position (HP). The push-out HP sensor 861 detects whether or not the push-out rack unit 45 is in a standby state at a predetermined standby position (HP). The loading device control unit 806 controls the operation of each unit related to loading of the sheet bundle S based on the detection results of the tray HP sensor 860 and the push-out HP sensor 861.

The paper conveyance device control unit 807 starts or stops driving of the conveyance motor 872 for operating the conveyance roller pair 40 and the paddle motor 873 for operating the sheet return paddle 41 in cooperation with the CPU circuit unit 800. Control.
The conveyance sensor 870 detects the presence or absence of a sheet to be conveyed. The paddle HP sensor 871 detects whether the sheet return paddle 41 is in a standby state at a predetermined standby position (HP). The paper conveyance device control unit 807 controls the operation of each unit related to conveyance of a sheet or the like based on the detection results of the conveyance sensor 870 and the paddle HP sensor 871.

  The image forming apparatus control unit 810 controls exchange of various information with the image forming apparatus 300. The operation control unit 811 controls exchange of various information with the operation device 600.

[Post-processing operation mode]
The position on the processing tray 46 at which the sheet bundle S is formed differs depending on the job mode input via the operating device 600. The position on the processing tray 46 that forms the sheet bundle S is realized by changing the alignment position when aligning with the alignment plate 42. Hereinafter, the difference between the alignment positions will be described by taking “shift sort mode” and “staple mode” as an example of the post-processing mode of the present embodiment.

In the shift sort mode, for example, the formation position (alignment position) is controlled so as to be displaced each time a sheet bundle is formed. When the “shift sort mode” is selected as the post-processing mode, the sheet processing apparatus 400 controls as follows. For example, the sheet processing apparatus 400 moves the alignment plate 42b on the near side 50 mm from the center P0 (FIG. 3A) in the width direction orthogonal to the transport / discharge direction as viewed from the front of the image forming system. The aligning plate 42a is driven to align the side edge of the sheet so as to abut the aligning plate 42b. As a result, the sheet bundle S is formed at a position based on the front side 50 mm from the main body discharge center P0. Then, the reference position of the alignment plate 42b is offset, for example, by 20 mm on the back side or on the front side for each predetermined bundle. Thereby, the position where the sheet bundle S is formed and the position where the sheet bundle is discharged are shifted. As a result, it is easy to distinguish the sheet bundle S stacked on the stacking tray 47.
The moving distance of the alignment plate 42b for offsetting can be arbitrarily determined in consideration of, for example, the productivity of the image forming system 1000.

In the staple mode, control is performed such that the stapler 44 performs a binding process on a predetermined binding portion of the formed sheet bundle S. When the “stapling mode” is selected as the post-processing mode, the sheet bundle S is formed at a predetermined binding position in order to execute the binding process. For example, a position at which a binding location is disposed in an opening of a stapler 44 described later is taken as a binding position, and the sheet bundle S is formed there. Alternatively, the sheet bundle S is formed at a position different from the binding position, which is convenient for alignment, and thereafter, the alignment plate 42 is configured to move the bundle to the binding position (post-processing position) You can also. Then, the sheet bundle S after the binding process is discharged to the stacking tray 47 by the pushing rack unit 45.
Alternatively, the sheet bundle S after the binding process may be discharged after being bundle-moved. In this case, if the moving distance of the bundle movement is large, the productivity of the image forming system 1000 is affected only by the time involved in the movement. Taking these into consideration, the movement distance of any bundle movement is set.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, in the present embodiment, the stapler 44 is disposed at the back of the image forming system 1000. Hereinafter, for convenience, the binding position by the stapler 44 deployed in this manner is referred to as a back binding position, and a staple mode in which the binding processing is performed at the back binding position is particularly referred to as a back binding mode.

The sheet processing apparatus 400 causes the sheet bundle S to be bundle-moved so that a predetermined portion of the sheet bundle S configured of, for example, the number of sheets that can be bound can be inserted into the opening of the stapler 44, as illustrated in FIG. The normal binding discharge reference position P1 shown in FIG. Then, after the binding process is performed on the sheet bundle S transferred to the back binding position, the sheet bundle after the binding process is discharged. The position where the sheet bundle S after the binding process is discharged in this manner is referred to as a first discharge position in this embodiment.
FIG. 3B is a view showing the positional relationship between the sheet bundle S, the stapler 44, and the alignment plate 42 when the sheet bundle S is moved to the back-stitching position. The sheet bundle S after the binding process is pushed out in the transport / discharge direction indicated by the arrow in the drawing by the push-out rack unit 45a, and placed at the position indicated by the broken line of the stacking tray 47 in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, the sheet processing apparatus 400 sets the exception bundle to the exception bundle discharge reference position on the front side of the image forming system 1000 as shown in FIG. Evacuate after coming to P2. The position where the exceptional bundle is discharged in this manner is referred to as a second discharge position in this embodiment. The second discharge position is a position in which the operator can stand at the front of the image forming apparatus with better visibility of the sheet bundle than the first discharge position. FIG. 3C shows the positional relationship among the exceptional bundle, the stapler 44, and the alignment plate 42 in this case.
Further, when discharging a plurality of exception bundles, the offset of the discharge reference position described above can facilitate identification of each exception bundle. In FIG. 3C, the placement position P3 in the case of being offset to the rear side of the apparatus is indicated by a broken line. The position at which the exceptional bundle is discharged toward the mounting position (for example, the mounting position P3) offset in this manner is referred to as a third discharge position in the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the sheet processing apparatus 400. Operation control in the case where the back binding mode is selected will be described using FIG. 5.
It is assumed that the necessary initial settings and the like have already been performed for each component of the image forming system 1000.
The CPU 801 sets the value of the page number n representing the number of sheets stored in the RAM 803 to 0 and the copy number m representing the number of copies of the formed sheet bundle, triggered by the start of the back binding job (start of back binding post processing). The value is initialized to 1 (S1001). The CPU 801 instructs each of the conveyance roller pair 40, the return paddle 41, and the alignment plate 42 to start driving. Then, by controlling the return paddle 41 and the alignment plate 42, the sheet after image formation discharged from the image forming apparatus 300 is stacked at a predetermined alignment position on the stacking tray 47 (S1002).

The predetermined alignment position may be the above-described binding position, and may be the same position as the first ejection position.
Further, the CPU 801 receives job information related to the sheet from the operation device 600 at almost the same time as the sheet after image formation is discharged from the image forming apparatus 300. The job information includes, for example, a flag (bundle final sheet flag) indicating whether or not the discharged sheet is the final sheet in the sheet bundle S in the process of being loaded. The job information further includes binding mode designation information, a page number, a copy number, a flag indicating whether or not it is the last bundle in the job, and the like. The reception of the job information may be configured to be received via another device such as the image forming apparatus 300.

  The CPU 801 adds 1 to the value of the page number n stored in the RAM 803 (S1003). Thus, it is possible to manage the number of stacked sheets. The management of the number of loaded sheets may be a number counter by the RAM 803. Also, storage management of page numbers based on the acquired job information may be performed.

The CPU 801 determines, based on the value of the page number n, whether the number of sheet bundles S in the process of stacking is equal to or smaller than the number of sheets permitted to be bound, that is, the number of sheets that can be bound (S1004). The value of the allowable number of sheets for binding is stored in advance in the RAM 803, for example, as one of the initial settings or for accepting an input from the user via the operation device 600. When the value of the page number n indicates the same value as the binding allowable number, the bundle final sheet flag is further referred to. As a result, when the bundle is not the final sheet, it can be determined that the number of sheets of the sheet bundle S clearly exceeds the allowable number of sheets to be bound. Therefore, the sheet bundle is a sheet bundle which is not subjected to post-processing because the number of sheets exceeds the post-processing allowable number.
In addition to the management based on information such as the page number, it is possible to determine whether or not the number of sheets permitted to be bound is exceeded by using a known flag type sensor or the like that detects overstacking when the flag member contacts the sheet. Also good.

When the CPU 801 determines that the number of sheets in the sheet bundle S does not exceed the allowable number of sheets for binding (S1004: Yes), whether the sheet of the nth page is the last sheet (bundle final sheet) constituting the sheet bundle S It is determined whether or not it is (S1005). When the CPU 801 determines that the sheet of the n-th page is the final sheet of the bundle (S1005: Yes), the sheet bundle S is bundle-shifted to the first discharge reference position by drive control of the alignment plate 42 (S1005) S1006). Moreover, when that is not right (S1005: No), it returns to the process of step S1002.
Needless to say, if the predetermined alignment position in the process of step S1002 is the same as the first discharge position, this process can be omitted.

The CPU 801 instructs driving of the stapler 44, and executes the binding process of the sheet bundle S (S1007). After that, the sheet bundle S after the binding process is discharged onto the stacking tray 47 by controlling the drive of the pushing-out rack portion 45a (S1008).
The CPU 801 determines whether the sheet bundle S discharged in the process of step S1009 is the final bundle in the job and the bundle final sheet (S1009). If it is determined that the bundle is the final bundle and the bundle final sheet (S1009: Yes), the back-stitching job is ended. If not (S1009: No), it is determined whether or not it is a bundle final sheet (S1010).

  When the CPU 801 determines that the sheet is not the bundle final sheet (S1010: No), the process returns to the process of step S1002. If it is determined that the sheet is a bundle final sheet (S1010: Yes), 1 is added to the value of the copy number m stored in the RAM 803, the value of the page number n is initialized (S1011), and then step S1002 Return to processing. Similar to the page number n, the information management of the part number m may be a sheet number counter by the RAM 803. In addition, storage management of the department number based on the acquired job information may be used.

Next, the process in the case where the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle S is a bundle exceeding the allowable number of sheets for binding will be described.
If the CPU 801 determines that the number of sheets in the sheet bundle S exceeds the number of sheets permitted to be bound in the process of step S1004 (S1004: No), the CPU 801 moves to the process of step S1020. The processes in steps S1020 to S1024 are a series of processes for the exception bundle described above.

  The CPU 801 determines whether or not the received nth page is a bundle final sheet, or whether or not the nth page has been received and the predetermined number of divided discharged sheets has been reached (S1020). Here, the predetermined number of divided discharged sheets is, for example, a number such that no sheet misalignment occurs with the sheet bundle formed thereafter even if the sheet is discharged as an exceptional bundle. Or, when discharging an exceptional bundle, it is the number of sheets or the like that can prevent the occurrence of an operation failure such as a sheet discharge jam. In the present embodiment, these functions are referred to as a split bundle shift function. Note that the value of the divided discharge sheet number is stored in advance in the RAM 803, for example, as one of the initial settings, or by receiving an input from the user via the operation device 600.

  If the CPU 801 determines that the sheet of the nth page is not the bundle final sheet and that n has not reached the predetermined number of divided discharged sheets (S1020: No), the process returns to step S1002. When it is determined that the nth sheet is the bundle final sheet, or when it is determined that n has reached the predetermined number of divided discharged sheets (S1020: Yes), the value of the set number m of the sheet bundle is used. get. If the value of the acquired part number m is an odd number (S1021: Yes), the CPU 801 controls the alignment plate 42 to bundle shift the exceptional bundle (S1022). That is, the bundle shift is performed at the time when the predetermined divided sheet ejection number is reached. As a result, the occurrence of an operation failure or the like due to an excess load is avoided, and the exceptional bundle is discharged to a second discharge position on the near side of the apparatus, for example, which is highly visible to the user. That is, the direction in which the exception bundle is shifted is shifted in the same direction as the predetermined take-out direction. Therefore, in the user, the visibility of the exceptional bundle is improved and can be easily taken out.

  When the value of the acquired part number m is an even number (S1021: No), the exceptional bundle is bundle-shifted from the second ejection position to a third ejection position offset to the rear of the apparatus by, for example, 20 mm (S1024). ). As a result, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of an operation failure or the like due to an excess load and to easily identify each exception bundle.

As described above, in the sheet processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the exceptional bundle exceeding the allowable number of sheets to be ejected is a discharge position (for example, the front side of the apparatus) having good visibility different from the discharge position of the sheet bundle Can be discharged. Thereby, the visibility of the sheet bundle (exception bundle) discharged without being able to be post-processed can be improved.
In the present embodiment, each bundle is offset like the second discharge position and the third discharge position. It goes without saying that the second discharge position and the third discharge position may be the same. Further, a plurality of discharge positions different from the second discharge position and the third discharge position may be further provided.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a configuration example has been described in which the sheet bundle is bundle-shifted to the first discharge position and then the binding process is performed. Alternatively, the sheet bundle may be formed at the binding position and the binding process may be performed, and then the bundle may be shifted to a discharge position different from the binding position and then discharged. The stapler 44 can be movably disposed by a drive mechanism (not shown), and the binding process can be performed at a plurality of binding positions. Thereby, a plurality of binding modes can be set according to the binding position.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the number of sheets that can be post-processed is set as the allowable number of sheets, but the basis for allowing the post-processing is not limited to the post-processing function itself, and the reason is the viewpoint of sheet integrity and stackability. May be a restriction. For example, if it is assumed that the number of stacked sheets such as 30 sheets of plain paper, which is an example of a sheet, and about 2 sheets of thick paper can maintain consistency, the upper limit of the allowable number of sheets is also 30 sheets of plain paper and 2 sheets of thick paper good.

In addition to the stapler 44 of the present embodiment, another post-processing unit, for example, a needleless stapler that performs pressure fastening processing can be provided so that multiple types of post-processing can be performed. When the number of processable sheets is different depending on the post-processing unit, the execution of the post-processing unit having a smaller number of sheets that can be post-processed may be designated as compared with the largest one. In this case, it may be possible to discharge the front position of the bundle exceeding the number of sheets that can be post-processed by limiting to the designated post-processing unit. That is, the near position discharging is performed even if the number of post-processing units for which the number of post-processing possible sheets is maximum has not been reached.
Furthermore, in the configuration having a plurality of post-processing functions, when the allowable number of sheets is exceeded in one post-processing function, another post-processing function can be substituted. Alternatively, it is possible to select either of the alternative post-processing and the discharging of the exception bundle without performing the post-processing.

  The embodiments described above are for more specifically describing the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples.

  40 ... conveying roller pair 41 ... seat back paddle, 42 (42a, 42b) ... aligning plate, 44 ... stapler, 45 (45a, 45b) ... sheet bundle extruding rack, 46- · · Processing tray, 47 · · · Loading tray, 48 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · , 400: sheet processing device, 600: operating device, 1000: image forming system, K: space, S: sheet bundle.

Claims (9)

An image forming apparatus,
Document reading means for reading a document;
An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on image data obtained by reading a document by the document reading unit;
A binding processing unit provided in a space between the document reading unit and the image forming unit and performing a binding process on a sheet bundle consisting of a plurality of sheets received from the image forming unit;
Shift means for shifting the sheet received from the image forming means in the width direction orthogonal to the transport direction;
(1) It is specified that the binding process is performed, and the sheet bundle subjected to the binding process by the binding process unit is discharged to the first discharge position.
(2) The sheet bundle for which the binding process has not been performed by the binding processing unit is the first one because the number of sheets per set exceeds a predetermined number even though the binding process is specified. Control means for controlling the shift means to discharge to a second discharge position different in the width direction from the discharge position of
Have
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second discharge position is closer to the front of the image forming apparatus in the width direction than the first discharge position.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the binding processing unit performs the binding processing using a needle.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit counts the number of sheets received from the image forming unit, and determines whether the number of sheets exceeds the predetermined number by the binding processing unit. apparatus.   The binding processing means is provided in the space such that the takeout direction when taking out the sheet through the opening of the image forming apparatus is the same as the direction of the shift by the shift means. 4. An image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 3. A pair of alignment members abutting on both side ends in the width direction of the sheet received from the image forming unit;
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the shift means shifts the sheet received from the image forming means in the width direction by moving the alignment member. .   The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the shift unit shifts the sheet to be subjected to the binding processing by the binding processing unit to a predetermined binding position. The image forming apparatus further includes a stacking tray on which sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus are stacked,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first discharge position and the second discharge position are positions on the stacking tray. Has an operation means for receiving instructions from the operator,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the operation unit is provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus,
Document reading means for reading a document;
An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on image data obtained by reading a document by the document reading unit;
Binding processing means for performing binding processing on a sheet bundle consisting of a plurality of sheets received from the image forming means;
Shift means for shifting the sheet received from the image forming means in the width direction orthogonal to the transport direction;
(1) It is specified that the binding process is performed, and the sheet bundle subjected to the binding process by the binding process unit is a first one of the stacking trays provided between the document reading unit and the image forming unit. Discharged to the discharge position,
(2) The sheet bundle for which the binding process has not been performed by the binding processing unit is stacked when the number of sheets per set exceeds the predetermined number even though the binding process is specified. Control means for controlling the shift means so as to be discharged to a second discharge position different in the width direction from the first discharge position of the tray;
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second discharge position is closer to the front of the image forming apparatus in the width direction than the first discharge position.