JPH01285959A - Copying device with inter-sheet function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surely bind inter-sheets of size different from transfer sheets by determining a binding position based on the size of the transfer sheet or inter- sheet, whichever is less. CONSTITUTION:In a binding unit 45, two binders 50 are arranged movably on a frame 60, and are designed to vary the binding interval according to paper size. Even if the size of the transfer sheet onto which an image is transferred is different from that of the inter-sheet, the latter is supplied, and the binding position is determined according to the size of the transfer sheet or inter-sheet, whichever is less. The copying device with an inter-sheet function can surely bind inter-sheets of any size.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a copying apparatus that inserts an intersheet into every few sheets of copied paper and finally binds the intersheet.

(Background of the Invention) Recently, copying machines using electrophotographic processes have tended to become faster and more multifunctional, or they automatically feed a set of multiple originals in sequence, A copying machine that automatically returns the original to its original position, feeds it again, and circulates it to automatically produce the desired number of copies, and each set of copies is stapled at the end. has been proposed (for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 12201/1982).

On the other hand, in order to separate multiple copies of paper that are ejected to the same paper ejection unit, a so-called intersheet is inserted that has a different color or size from the copy paper (hereinafter referred to as an "intersheet"). A copying machine with an intersheet function is known (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 190139/1983).

Copying machines equipped with the above-mentioned binding function and intersheet function usually use the same size of copy paper and intersheet for the binding process, but if the user selects the wrong copy paper size. In other cases, it may be desired to intentionally insert an intersheet of a size different from the copy paper size, and in such cases, it is necessary to perform the binding process without fail.

(Objectives and Structure of the Invention) The present invention has been made with a strong focus on two points, and is designed to be able to securely bind even if the size of intersheet 1~ is different from the size of the copy paper. In order to achieve this objective, even if the size of the copy paper to be copied and the size of the intercee I~ are different, the intercee 1~ is supplied, and the copy paper Jl, the copy paper The binding position is determined based on the smaller size of the intersheet and the intersheet, whichever is smaller.

(Example) The present invention will be explained below based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a copying apparatus according to the present invention.

The copying device consists of a copying device main body l that forms images through an electrophotographic process, an automatic document feeding mechanism 2 disposed above the main body l that automatically circulates and feeds originals to be copied, and copy paper and an interface. Paper feed unit 3 that stores paper to sheet 1
and a processing unit 4 for binding and slicing copy sheets. The paper feed unit 3 and the processing units 1 to 4 are configured to be separated and coupled to the main body 1 of the copying apparatus at positions indicated by broken lines A and B, respectively.

The automatic document feeding mechanism 2 is installed on a glass plate 10 provided on the - side of the main body 1 of the copying apparatus, and feeds a plurality of originals G to be copied onto a document placement plate 21 with them facing upward. The pages are stacked one on top of the other in the order of page 1, page 2, and so on. It is detected that the original G has been placed on the original placing plate 21''2,
When the copy button provided on the operation panel of the copying apparatus main body 1 is pressed, the entire document G is pushed forward (rightward in the figure), and the leading edge of the document is detected.

When a document feed signal is outputted from the main body 1 of the copying apparatus at a predetermined timing, the roller 22 rotates and feeds out the lowest document. The sent original advances along the guide plate 26, its leading edge is detected by the timing sensor R3, and is taken over by the conveyor belt 23 and moves at a predetermined speed over the glass plate 10 of the copying apparatus main body l. A scanning exposure optical system 11 consisting of a lamp for irradiating the original, a reflecting mirror, etc. is provided below the glass plate IO, and the original is exposed by the scanning exposure optical system 11 while moving. When the document leading edge detection signal from the timing sensor R3 is sent to the copying apparatus main body 1, copy paper feeding starts within the copying apparatus main body 1 as will be described later. The exposed original is conveyed, circulated, and placed on the remaining originals placed on the original placing plate 21.

Feeding of the second document starts when the trailing edge of the first document is detected by the timing sensor RS.

3 sheets] - 1, 4 sheets [1, .
Partial document feeding is completed.

In synchronization with the above-mentioned operation of the automatic document feeding mechanism 2, the following electrophotographic process is performed within the main body 1 of the copying apparatus.

The scanning exposure optical system 1 passes through the glass plate 10.1 of the copying apparatus main body 1 at a constant speed synchronized with the rotational speed of the photoreceptor.
1, the reflected light from the original is reflected by the mirror 12.
, a lens 13, and a mirror 14 onto a photoreceptor 15. Since the surface of the photoreceptor 15 is uniformly charged by the charging device 16, an electrostatic latent image is formed when reflected light from the original is projected onto the surface of the photoreceptor 15. The electrostatic latent image is developed into a visible image by the developing device 17, and the paper feed cassette 18.1 is housed in the paper feed unit 3 in synchronization with the automatic document feeding operation.
The image is transferred by the transfer device H30 onto a copy sheet fed from any one of 9.20.

The paper feed cassettes 18, 19, and 20 store intersheets of a specific size and copy sheets of different sizes, which can be selected using the size selection button provided on the operation panel of the copying machine main unit or automatically selected. Copy paper of a size corresponding to the original size detected by the size detection means is delivered from one of the paper feed cassettes to the feed roller 18.
a.

19a or 20a, and is fed by paper feed roller 27 toward the transfer position. The fed copy paper is stopped for one day by the registration rollers 28 just before the transfer position, and then sent to the transfer position by the registration rollers 28 in synchronization with the rotation of the photoreceptor 15.

The copy paper on which the visible image has been transferred is separated from the photoreceptor 15 by a separating device 31 and conveyed by a conveyor belt 32.
The sheet is fixed by the fixing device 33 and sent from the apparatus main body l to the processing unit 4 by the sheet discharge roller 34. 36 is a cleaning device for removing toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 15 after separation of the transfer paper, and MS is a paper ejection microswitch for detecting the ejection of copy paper.

The processing unit 4 is called a stacker, and has a conveyance roller 41 that outputs the copies F that have been copied and wasted in the copying apparatus main body as they are onto a paper discharge tray 40, and a path switching gate 42 for binding and binding. A transport roller 44 that transports the copies F stored in the stacker 43 to the intermediate tray 43, a binding unit 45 that binds the copies F corresponding to one copy stored in the stacker 43 into one, and a binding unit 45 that binds the bound copies F into a final one. An example of the binding unit 45 is shown in FIG.

The binding unit 45 has two binding machines 50 movably arranged on a frame 60, and the binding machines can freely change the binding interval depending on the paper size, etc. . Since the two binding machines 50 have exactly the same structure, only one of them will be explained.

On the frame 60, two sliding members 61a and 61b having teeth formed on the longitudinal side edges facing each other are provided in parallel, and a sliding member 61a, A gear (not shown) that meshes with the teeth of 61b is provided, and this gear or the motor (stitcher drive motor) M
It is rotated forward or reverse by l. Sliding members 61a, 61
A fixing plate (not shown) for attaching a binding machine is fixed near the end of b, and when the sliding members 61a and 61b move in the direction of the arrow due to the rotation of the motor M, the fixing plate or the frame 60 The first stitching machine 5 is guided by the guide 1 to the rail 62 provided above and moves from side to side, and is fixed thereto.
0 or move in the direction of lateral force.

The binding machine 50 is a motor (first binding machine driving motor)
The rotation of M2 is transmitted to an eccentric crank (not shown) via gears 51, 52 and converted into a slow linear reciprocating motion of lever 53. When the lever 53 reciprocates, the V-shaped lever 54 rotates around the fulcrum C, causing the lever 55 to rotate. When the lever 55 is lowered, the spring 56 is compressed via the U-shaped push-down piece 57, whereby the thin plate 58 is pushed down along the guide 59. As a result, one of the binding metals loaded in the cartridge 70 is attached to the thin plate 58.
The pieces of paper (a plurality of copies) that are separated and further pressed and placed on a binding table 63 are stapled.

Such a stapler 50 is installed on the frame 60 by fixing a mounting plate 50a cut into the bottom surface of the stapler 50 to a fixed plate. A Bauhm position sensor 63 is provided at one end of the frame 60 to detect that the stapler 50 is at a reference position (referred to as a home position). This sensor 64 has a light emitting element on one of two opposing arms and a light receiving element on the other, and when a protrusion 50b extending horizontally from the side plate of the binding machine 1 enters between the two arms. This is an optical sensor that is shielded from light and can detect the position of the binding machine.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of a control circuit of a copying apparatus according to the present invention, and the microcomputer 7 includes a CPU 71, a ROM 72, a RAM 73, and an input/output interface 74.
It is equipped with 5. Here, the CPU 71 receives commands given from the operation panel of the copying apparatus main body l according to a program stored in the ROM 72 and is detected by various sensors 80 including the timing sensor R3 of the automatic document feeding mechanism 2 and the paper discharge microswitch MS. A main body control unit 91 for performing precalculation processing based on information and controlling the optical system etc. via the input/output interface 74, and paper feed rollers 18a to 2.
0a etc., the document feeding control section 93 for controlling the automatic document feeding mechanism 2, the binding device drive motor M of the processing unit 4, and the binding device. It controls the processing unit control section 94 for controlling the drive of the machine drive motor M2.

Next, among the operations of the copying apparatus according to the present invention, the intersheet mode according to the present invention will be explained.

For example, a yellow intersheet P1 is stored in the paper feed cassette 18 of the paper feed unit 3, and white copy sheets P2 and P'r of different sizes are stored in the other two paper feed cassettes 19 and 20.
Suppose that it is stored. The size of intersheet P is copy paper P2. P: shall be different from the size of l.

The intersheet mode is set by performing a predetermined operation on the operation panel of the copying apparatus main body 1. Setting operations are performed using a dedicated intersheet selection button provided on the operation panel or using a specific combination of ten keys for setting the number of copies.

By performing a predetermined operation to enter the interseat mode, an interseat setting routine shown as a flowchart in FIG. 4 is activated.

11° chip (1-1) is copying interrupt (interrupt button ON)
If interrupt copying is in progress, proceed to step (F-2), display a warning message on the display section of the operation panel to the effect that intersheet mode cannot be used, and end this routine. do.

Next, in step (F-3), it is determined whether the cover of the automatic document feeding mechanism 2 is closed or not. If it is open and the cover is not in automatic document feeding mode, the process proceeds to step (F-4) and the display section is displayed. Displays a warning message to close the cover.

Next, in step (F-5), it is determined whether or not there is an intersheet in the paper feed cassette 18.

If there is no intersheet in the paper feed cassette 18, the process advances to step (F-6), where a warning message to set an intersheet in the paper feed cassette 18 is displayed on the display section, and this routine ends.

If there is an intersheet in the paper feed cassette 18, the process advances to the next step (F-7), and it is determined whether or not there is copy paper in another paper feed cassette 19. If there is no paper, the process advances to step (F-8) and it is determined whether there is copy paper in the other paper feed cassette 20. Which paper cassette 19
, 20 also has no copy paper, a warning to that effect is displayed on the display (F-9).

If there is copy paper in the paper feed cassette 19, the paper feed cassette 19 is selected (F-10), and if there is copy paper in the paper feed cassettes 1 to 20, the paper feed cassette 20 is selected (F-11).

Next, in step (F-12), the insertion page of the intersheet in the intersheet mode is inputted.

That is, a message indicating that the insertion page setting is accepted is displayed on the display section, the insertion page is input using the numeric keys, and this is stored in the memory. Thereafter, control is transferred to an intersheet operation routine to be described later, and a copying operation in intersheet mode is started.

Here, to explain the operation procedure for setting the insertion page of the intersheet in Intersheet mode using a more specific example, for example, when copying multiple copies of a document with pages 1 to 30,
When inserting an intersheet after page 5, after page 10, and after page 20 of each part, use the numeric keypad to set the insertion page to 5, 10, or 20.

Next, when the copy button is pressed, control shifts to an intersheet operation routine to be described later, and the intersheet mode copying operation is started.

Next, the intersheet operation routine shown as a flowchart in FIG. 5 will be explained.

In step (S-1), the number of copies N, which is set separately, is
Load. In step (S-2), the count value P of the number of pages is
Initialize to 0.

Next, in step (S-3), a count value C of the number of copies is initialized to 0.

Next, in step (S-4), it is determined whether the count value P of the number of pages matches either the insert page setting value set in the above-mentioned intersheet setting routine and stored in the memory.

If they do not match, step (S-4) to step (S
-5) to operate the automatic document feeding mechanism 2 and set the document. If there is no original, go to the next step (S-6)
If there is a document, then steps (S-7) to (s-io) are completed based on the determination that the number of copies to be copied is NI! +11 & return to copy.

That is, in step (S-7), the paper feed roller 19a or 20a is operated to feed copy paper from the paper feed cassette 19 or 20, in step (S-8), exposure is performed, and in step (S- In step 9), the discharge roller 34 is operated to send the paper to the processing unit 4. And step (s
-io), the copy count value C is incremented by 1. Then, in step (S-11), the number of copies is counted by the IC.
It is determined whether or not the number of copies has reached the set copy number N, and if it has not, the process returns to step (S-7) to repeat the copying operation for the same original. In this case, the copied sheets are sequentially fed into the processing unit 4.

When the set copy number N of copies is completed, step (S-1
The process advances from step 1) to step (S-12), increments the page count value P by l, and then returns to step S-3.

When the count value P of the number of pages becomes, for example, 5, step (S
-4) If the count value P matches the setting value of the insert page, step (S-4) is performed to insert the intersheet.
4), proceed to step (S-21).

In step (S-21), the cassette for feeding paper is switched to the paper feeding cassette 18 for intersheets.

Next, steps (S-22) to (S-24) are repeated N times for the set number of copies to insert the intersheet. That is, in step (S-22), the paper feed roller 18a is operated to feed the intersheet P1 from the paper feed cassette 18, and in step (S-23), the paper discharge roller 34 is operated to feed the intersheet P1 without exposing it to light. Paper is ejected without recording. Then, in step (S-24), the copy count value C is incremented by l. Then, in step (S-25), it is determined whether or not the count value C of the number of copies has reached the set number of copies N. If it has not reached the set copy number N, the process returns to step (S-22) and the insertion into InterCee 1 is performed. Repeat.

When the insertion of the set copy number N of intersheets is completed,
Proceed from step (S-25) to step (S-26) and change the cassette for paper feeding back to the original paper feeding cassette 19 or 2.
0, set the copy count value C to 0 in step (S-27), return to step (S-5), set the next original by automatic document feeding mechanism 2, and resume normal copying operation. return.

Now, in the processing unit 4, when a copied copy sheet is fed from the copying apparatus main body 1, if the binding mode is selected, the sheet is conveyed by a conveying roller 44 to a stacker 43, where it is kept on standby.

When a set of copied copy sheets and intersheets are conveyed and stacked in the stacker 43, the processing unit 4
starts the binding operation. That is, the stapler drive motor M1 of the stapler unit 45 rotates by the number of rotations according to the copy paper size signal from the CPU 71 of the copying apparatus main body 1, and the stapler 50 is moved from both sides of the copy paper to a predetermined position. Move to a position within the distance. When the stapler 50 reaches a predetermined position, the stapler drive motor M2 starts rotating, and the set of copied sheets is stapled by the above-described operation.

The binding operation described above is performed when the size of the copied copy paper and the size of the intersheet are the same, or if they are different, the CPU 71 determines the smaller of the two sizes (for example, the size of the intersheet), The smaller size signal is sent to the processing unit 4. The stapler drive motor M rotates based on this size signal, and moves the stapler 50 to a position a predetermined distance inside from both side edges of the small-sized intersheet. Thereafter, the fastener drive motor M2 rotates to perform the binding, as in the case described above.

In this way, when the sizes of the copy paper and the intersheet are different, the binding position is determined based on whichever is smaller, so the binding can always be secured.

(Effects of the Invention) - As explained above, in the present invention, even if the size of the copy paper to be copied and the size of the intersheet are different, the intersheets 1 to 1 are supplied, and the intersheets between the copy paper and the intersheet are Since the binding position is determined based on the smaller size, it is possible to securely staple the intersheets even if the intersheets of any size are used in intersheets 1 to functional copying machines.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a copying device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a binding unit of the copying device according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an overall diagram of the copying device according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the operation control circuit, FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the intersheet setting routine, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the intersheet operation routine. l...Copying device main body, 2--Automatic document feeding mechanism, 3
... Paper feeding unit, 4... Processing unit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a copying machine with an intersheet function that inserts an intersheet of a different type from the copy paper into each set of copied copy sheets and binds the set of copy sheets together with the intersheet, the size of the copy paper and the A copying machine with an intersheet function, characterized in that it is provided with means for determining a binding position based on whichever is smaller of sheet sizes.