JPH02263695A - Sorter equipped with finisher - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To certainly perform treatment without wastefulness with a proper number of times by a method wherein the sheet bundle fed to a staple part is matched by reciprocally moving a matching member and energizing the same in the longitudinal and lateral directions with respect to a reference position and the matching number of times of said sheet bundle is set corresponding to the number of sheets of the sheet bundle and the thickness of said bundle. CONSTITUTION:Sheets are sent in a staple tray 201 by drive rollers 68, 69 and fall freely to be received therein in such a state that the lower ends of the sheets are brought to the contact state with a stopper 202. Herein, air is sent from a fan 208 to press a sheet bundle P to a base plate 206 and the thickness of the sheet bundle P is detected by a sensor SE 8. Then, the matching part 205b of a matching plate 205 advances into the upper part of the tray 201 to fall in the direction shown by an arrow (b) and the sheet bundle P is arranged in an up-and-down direction by said matching part and the stopper 202. A matching plate 204 is moved in the direction shown by an arrow A and the sheet bundle P is arranged in a lateral direction by the matching part 204b of said matching plate 204 and a reference plate 203. Herein, the matching number of times is altered corresponding to the number of sheets of the sheet bundle P preliminarily detected by a sorter and the thickness of the sheet bundle detected by the sensor SE8.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Keijojo Ω Gonagi! The present invention relates to a sorter with a finisher that distributes sheets discharged from a copying machine or the like in a sorter section and staples them using a stapling means, and particularly to a control means thereof.

In recent years, due to the demand for automation of paper handling in copying machines, various options such as automatic document feeders and sorters for sorting and grooving copied sheets have been developed and put into practical use. As one of the final forms, a sorter with a finisher that automatically staples and stacks the sheets distributed and accommodated in the sorter is in high demand, and has already been put into practical use in some large copying machines.

Incidentally, the sheets conveyed to the stapling section are stacked in the thickness direction and are biased and aligned in the longitudinal and lateral directions by reciprocating the alignment member. Conventionally, the number of alignment operations by the alignment member was constant regardless of the amount of sheets, but with this, if the number of sheets was small, extra alignment operations would be repeated, slowing down the processing speed, and if the number of sheets was large, alignment would be insufficient. There is a problem in that the stapling process is performed without any change. On the other hand, even if the number of sheets is the same, if the thickness of each sheet is thin, the sheets themselves will be weak and alignment will be difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to enable a sorter with a finisher to reliably align sheets at a stapling portion an appropriate number of times according to the number and thickness of a bundle of sheets without waste.

In order to solve the above problems, the sorter with a finisher according to the present invention has the following features: (a) A sorter with a finisher according to the present invention has the following features: (b) means for detecting the number of sheet bundles to be stapled; (c) means for detecting the thickness of the sheet bundle to be stapled; and (d) detected sheets. and a control means for setting the number of alignment operations by the alignment member according to the number and thickness of the alignment member.

In other words, in the above configuration, the sheet bundle conveyed to the stapling section is biased and aligned in the vertical and lateral directions with respect to the reference position by reciprocating the alignment member. The number of times of alignment is set depending on the number and thickness of the sheet bundle. That is, if the number of sheets increases, the number of alignments is increased, and even if the number of sheets is the same, if the sheets are thin, the number of alignments is increased.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a sorter with a finisher according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Overall Structure Cosorter unit (100)', as shown in FIG. )
A finisher unit (200) capable of stapling sheets is installed below. The copying machine body (1) also includes an automatic document feeder (30) (hereinafter referred to as ADF).
) is attached.

The copying machine main body (1) forms an image on a sheet by a well-known electrophotographic method, and a charger (3) is mounted on a photosensitive drum (2) which is rotated in the direction of arrow (a). ), and the optical system (4) scans in the direction of arrow (b), resulting in A D F (3
At step 0), the original set at a predetermined position on the original platen glass (29) is exposed to slit light. In this way, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum (2) is turned into a toner image by a magnetic brush type developing device (5), and then transferred to a transfer charger (6).
The image is transferred onto the paper using the .

Copying sheets are selectively fed one by one from either the Nilebate type or cassette type automatic paper feeder (10>, (11) in the copying machine main body (1>), and are fed to the timing roller pair (19). The sheet is sent to the transfer section at a predetermined timing.The sheet after the transfer is sent to the fixing device (21) by the conveyor belt (20), where the toner image is fixed, and then the sheet is transferred to the pair of discharge rollers (22). ) to the sheet conveyance unit (50
), and at this time, its passage is detected by a photosensor (SEI'). Additionally, a paper refeeding device (25) for double-sided copying and composite copying is built into the copying machine main body (1), and a paper conveyance switching claw (26) for this purpose is located in front of the ejection roller pair <22). ) has been installed.

On the other hand, the photoreceptor drum (2) continues to rotate in the direction of the arrow (a) even after the transfer, and the remaining toner is wiped off by the blade-type cleaning device (7), and the eraser lamp (8)
) to erase residual charges and prepare for the next copy operation.

A D F (30) is well known in itself, and feeds the original placed on the original tray (31) to the paper feed roller pair (3).
2), the documents are fed one by one and placed in a predetermined position on the document table glass (29) by the rotation of the conveyor belt (34). After the 0 image exposure, the document is reversed by the rotation of the conveyor belt (34). It is discharged onto a discharge tray (36) through a conveyance path (35).

[Configuration and operation of sheet conveyance unit] As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet conveyance unit (50) includes guide plates (51), (52), Drive roller (53)
and a driven pinch roller (54), a passage switching claw (55),
Non-sort tray (61), passage switching lever (70)
, a roller (62), a guide plate (72), etc. that constitute the machine feeding path.

The switching pawl (55) can be rotated by a solenoid around a support shaft (56), and when this solenoid is turned off, it is set to the position indicated by the dotted chain line in Fig. 2, and the sheet is transferred to the non-sort tray (61). guide you in the direction of At this time, the sheet is attached to the top surface of the switching claw (55) and the guide plate (
57) and (58), and is guided by the discharge roller (59).
), from the driven pinch roller (60) to the non-sort tray (
61) It is discharged to the top. On the other hand, when the sorting mode or grouping mode is selected, the solenoid is turned on, and the switching claw (55) moves to the solid line position in FIG.
00).

The conveyance path for feeding the sheets to the sorter unit (100) or the finisher unit (200) includes a switching lever (70), a drive roller (62) and a driven ball (63) that contacts the top thereof, a drive roller (64), (6
5).

(66), (67), (6g), (69), guide plate (72), (73), (74).

(75). Also, a roller (64),
Immediately after (65), a photosensor (SE2) is installed to detect the sheet being conveyed. This conveyance path conveys the sheets discharged from the copying machine main body (1) one by one to the sorter unit (100), and also conveys the sheets discharged from the copying machine main body (1) one by one to the sorter unit (100). It has a function of conveying the sheet taken out from the finisher unit (102) to the finisher unit (200). Therefore, the switching lever (7o) is made rotatable about the support shaft (71) by a solenoid, and is set to the solid line position in FIG. 2 when the solenoid is turned off. At this time, the seat is switched to the switching lever (7).
0) top surface (70a) and guide plates (72), (73)
The guide is completed and the paper is transported to the sorter unit (100).

On the other hand, the drive rollers (62), (64) to (67) can be switched between forward and reverse rotation using a clutch using the driving force from the transport motor, and are distributed and housed in each bin (102) as detailed below. When the loaded sheet is taken out, the sheet is driven in the reverse direction so as to be conveyed to the right in FIG. At this time, the sheet is completely conveyed to the right by the upper surface (70a) of the switching lever (70) and the guide plates (72) and (73), and when the rear end of the sheet in the conveyance direction is detected by the sensor (SEA). , the drive rollers (62), (64), and (65) are switched to normal rotation, and the solenoid is turned on, thereby moving the switching lever (70) to the position indicated by the dotted chain line in FIG. Drive row 5 on the lower surface (70b)
(6g) and (69) to the finisher unit (200).

[Structure and operation of sorter unit] As shown in FIG. 2, the sorter unit (Zoo) is a pin assembly (1) consisting of 15 bins (102) for distributing and storing sheets. It conveyance path (
110), a switching claw (1
20), discharge rollers (125), (126), sheet take-out means (130), and bin assembly (101).
It is composed of vertical moving means.

The sheet receiving section includes a passage switching lever (131) that also serves as sheet ejecting means (130) and a guide plate (109).
It is made up of. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of switching levers (131'') are fixed to a support shaft (132), and a solenoid ( SLI) is connected and biased in the direction of arrow (d) by a coil spring (135).When the solenoid (SLI) is turned off, the switching lever (131) The sheet is set at the position indicated by the solid line in the figure.At this time, the sheet is guided by the lower surface (131b) of the switching lever (131) and the guide plate (109), and is fed into the vertical conveyance path (110).

As shown in Fig. 2, the vertical conveyance path (110) includes a vertical guide frame (Ut), a guide plate (112), five conveyance rollers (115), and a pinch roller (116) that is in pressure contact with the rollers and rotates as a result. , a switching claw (120) and a guide plate (124) installed corresponding to each bin (102).
It consists of a discharge roller (125) and a pinch roller (126) that is in pressure contact with the discharge roller and rotates as a result. Further, a transmission type photosensor (SE3) detects the sheet immediately before being stored in each bin (102), and a transmission type photosensor (SE5) detects the presence or absence of a sheet stored in each bin (102). is set up.

The switching claws (120), except for the one facing the bottom bin (102), are connected to the spindle (
121) as a fulcrum, and when each solenoid is turned off, it can be set to the solid line position in Figure 2.
As shown in FIG. 6, the sheet is guided downward by the vertical surface (120a) and the vertical guide frame (110). The sheet is conveyed in the longitudinal direction by a conveyance roller (115).

The conveyance is completed at (116). On the other hand, the switching claw (120)
When each solenoid is turned on, the seat is switched as shown by the dashed-dot line in the uppermost row of FIG. 2 or as shown in the lower row of FIG.
The waste is discharged from the guided discharge rollers (125) and (126) to each bin (102). The switching operation of the switching claw (<120) is performed at the timing when the rear end of the sheet is detected by the sensor (SE3), and the number of copies (number of copies) is switched sequentially starting from the finishing stage, and the sheet is moved to the first stage. from the bin (102) to the lower bin (102). It should be noted that when the grouping mode is selected, the sheets of number bones are stored in the same bin (102), so the switching claw (120) is switched in response to the completion of copying of the number bones. Further, the switching claw (120) at the lowest stage (155th stage) is fixed at a position where its curved surface (120b) guides the sheet to the lowest bin (102).

[Bin assembly configuration and operation The cobin assembly (101) has 15 stages of bins (102)
Each bin (102) has a stopper (102a) and a notch (102b) at its tip for preventing sheet backflow, and is designed to maintain a constant interval in the vertical direction. As shown in the figure, the shafts (103) and (104) provided at both ends of each bin (102) are connected to the moving frame (105).
) are held by being engaged with and transferred to the guide grooves (106) and (107). Also, the front shaft (10
3) protrudes from the guide groove (106) and attaches to the fixed frame (
140) is engaged with a guide groove (141) provided in the guide groove (140).

The moving frame (105) can be moved up and down by a bin moving motor. The guide groove (141) is located in two places at the top (
Xi), (X2) (see Figure 3) are bent at intervals corresponding to the bin spacing, (x2) is the sheet take-out position, and (XI) is the position where sliding movement to the sheet take-out position (X2) starts. corresponds to When distributing and storing sheets,
Moving frame (105) and pin assembly J (101
) is located at the lowest position as shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, and is moved upward after the sorting operation is completed.

At this time, the movement locus of each bin (<102) is as shown by the dashed line (A) in FIG.
Xl) toward the sheet take-out position (X2). In this movement, the shaft (103) is guided by the inclined part (141a) of the guide groove (141), and the shaft (103), (104>) is guided by the slope part (141a) of the guide groove (141).
, (107), in this position (x2) the sheet ejecting means (130) described below
At , the sheets on each bin (102) are removed.

On the other hand, the photo sensor (S
E4) is installed, and a notch (108) corresponding to each bin (102) is formed in the movable frame (105) at a position crossing the optical axis of the sensor (SE4). Each bottle (1
02) moves to the sheet take-out position (x2), the sensor (SE4) detects this notch (108), and stops the upward movement of the bin assembly (101) by the bin moving motor for a certain period of time. A sheet is removed from above the bin (102). Also, sorter unit (100)
A photosensor (SE6) is installed at the bottom of the bin assembly (101) to detect whether or not the bin assembly (101) is set at the lowest home position.

[Configuration and operation of sheet take-out means] As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the sheet take-out means (130) includes a take-out roller (136) attached to the tip of the aforementioned switching lever (131). , and another take-out roller (13B) attached to the tip of a lever (137) installed directly above it.

The take-out roller (136) is connected to the sheet conveying unit (5).
It can be rotated in the direction of the arrow (f) using the transport motor 0). The lever (137) is swingably attached to the support shaft (139) and biased in the direction of arrow (c) in FIG. 4 by a torsion spring (139a). This torsion spring (139a) has one end locked to a lever (137), the other end locked to a vertical guide frame (111), and further has a lever (137) locked to a vertical guide frame (111).
37) is provided with a bottle (139b) to prevent rotation. As mentioned above, the switching lever (131) is swingable by the solenoid (SLI) about its supporting shaft (132), and when the solenoid (SLI) is off, the switching lever (131)
It is set at the solid line position in the figure. In this position, the sheets conveyed from the sheet conveyance unit (50) are sorted by the lower surface (120b) and the guide plate (109) at the sorter section (
100).

In the above configuration, the bin moving motor is turned on, the pin assembly 1 (101) moves upward, and the notch (10B)
) is detected by the sensor (SE4), that is, the bin (
102) reaches the sheet take-out position (X2), the bin moving motor is turned off and the solenoid (
SLI') is turned on. Just before this, Bin (102
) The top surface of the end of the sheet (P) stored on
8) moves slightly upward together with the lever (137) (see Figure 4). Thereafter, the switching lever (131) swings upward by turning on the solenoid (SLI), and the lower take-out roller (136) moves into the notch (10) of the bin (102).
2b) and comes into contact with the lower surface of the sheet (P).

That is, the end of the sheet (P) is the take-out roller (136).

(138). Take-out roller (
136) continues to move upward until the solenoid (134) finishes operating, and the end of the sheet (P) is moved up by the take-out roller (1
36), (138) and the bottle (102)
) is lifted to a position beyond the stopper (102a) of the sheet conveying unit (50) (see Figure 5).
) starts driving, and the take-out roller (13
6), (138) and drive rollers (62), (64
) to (69) rotate to switch the seat (P) and press the lever (
131) and the guide portion (137a) of the lever (137) while being guided by the sheet conveying unit (50).

The conveyance of the sheet for stapling processing in the sheet conveyance unit (50) is as described above. (SE2), the switching lever (70) switches to the dashed line in FIG. 2, and the drive rollers (62), (64), (
The rotational direction of 65) is switched, the rollers are switched back, and the rollers are sent from the drive rollers (68) and (69) to the finisher unit <200).

[Configuration and operation of the initiator unit] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the initiator unit (200) has an upper end opening facing the drive rollers (68) and (69). Vertically installed staple tray (201)
, a stopper (202) that can open and close the lower end of this tray (201), and an alignment reference plate (202) that regulates one side of the sheet.
203), an alignment plate (204) regulating the other side of the sheet;
), an alignment plate (205) that can move forward and backward and up and down above the tray (201), and an electric stapler (220).

The staple tray (201), as shown in FIG. be accommodated. The cover plate (207) includes a blower fan (208) and a reflective photo sensor (S
E7) and a reflective photosensor (SE8) for detecting the thickness of the sheet bundle (P) are installed. Thickness detection sensor (
SE8) consists of the circuit shown in Fig. 11, in which light from a light emitting diode (LED) is reflected by a sheet, the reflected light enters a phototransistor (PQ), and a phototransistor is activated according to the amount of incident light. Transistor (PQ) turns on and off. Resistance (R1 ) and (R2). The output voltage of the phototransistor (PQ) is input to the comparator (IC), where the resistor (R3), (
It is compared with the reference voltage divided by R4), and the result is output to the terminal (T). This output signal is sent to the matching plate (204) with the number of sheets counted by the sheet number counter in advance during sorting.

(205) is used as a reference value to determine the number of matches.

The fan (208) has blades (2
09) to the cover plate (207) in the direction of the arrow (h).
The wind is sent through the slit (207a) of the sheet bundle (
P) against the base plate (206).

With this, the sheet bundle (P) detected by the sensor (SE8) is
accuracy in detecting the thickness of sheets, especially sheet bundles (P)
Erroneous detection is prevented when the number of sheets is small.

By the way, the sheet is attached to the driving rollers (68) and (69).
) into the staple tray (201), and is housed in a state where the lower end is in contact with the stopper (202) as it falls freely. Here, the alignment plate (205) is connected to the support shaft (205
The alignment part (205b) enters the upper part of the tray (201) by rotating counterclockwise in FIG. 2 using a) as a fulcrum,
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7, it descends in the direction of arrow (b) and aligns the sheet bundle CP in the vertical direction with the stopper (202). Further, the alignment plate (204) moves in the direction of arrow (a),
The sheet bundle (204b) and the reference plate (203)
P) are aligned horizontally. I! matching plate 204), (20
5) are each driven by a stepping motor. Each matching part (204b), (205b) is shown in (A) in Figure 7.
, (B) is detected by a sensor (not shown). Matching plate (204
).

(205) is moved from the home positions (A), (B') to alignment reference positions (Pa), CPb) corresponding to the paper size (A4, B5 horizontal feed) by driving a stepping motor.

The number of times of alignment here can be changed depending on the number and thickness of the sheet bundle (P). That is, as the number of sheets increases, the resistance force between the sheets increases, so the number of alignments is increased. Further, even if the number of sheets is the same, if the thickness per sheet is thin, the sheets are weak and alignment is difficult, so the number of alignments is increased. This point will be specifically explained later with reference to a flowchart.

On the other hand, the matching plates (204) and (205) have matching parts (20
4b).

(205b) is the sheet alignment reference position (Pa)
The sheet bundle (P) is moved slightly inward to ensure alignment of the sheet bundle (P). In this case, the stepping motor moves to the alignment reference position (Pa) until the alignment parts (204b) and (205b) come into contact with the edge of the sheet.
It is driven at a low frequency (high torque) until reaching (Pb), and thereafter it is driven at a high frequency (low torque). This type of stepping motor has a characteristic that the torque is inversely proportional to the driving frequency, as shown in FIG. Therefore, in this embodiment, the matching section (204b).

(205b) comes into contact with the edge of the sheet, the drive is switched to high frequency and low torque, thereby making it easier for the stepping motor to cause distortion due to the resistance of the sheet bundle (P), and damaging the sheet. is prevented.

Note that the specific control procedure will be explained later with reference to a flowchart.

As shown in Fig. 10, the stapler (22G) has a motor output shaft (221') fixed, and an arm (224) that can freely swing around a bin (223) as a fulcrum to attach the peripheral part of a cam (222). The head (225) is connected to the head (225), and when the cam (222) is rotated in the direction of the arrow (g) by the motor, the head (225) moves in the direction of the arrow (i) via the arm (224).
the staples (226) move toward the tray (20
1) Bind the aligned sheet bundle. Staple needle (
226) is housed in a cartridge (227),
It is sent to the head section by a conveyor belt (22g) that is rotationally driven from the motor output shaft (221).A stapler motor rotation speed detection sensor (SE9) is installed in this stapler (220). (SE9) is configured to detect a notch (209a) in a disc (229) fixed to the motor output shaft (221).

When the alignment and stapling of the sheets are completed as described above, the stopper <202> rotates slightly clockwise in FIG. 2 about its spindle (2 ozm) to open the lower part of the tray (201). . With this, the sheet is guided by the guide plate (211) and the paper output stacker (
210).

The above-described sheet take-out process to finish process can be repeated for the number of copies inputted in advance.

[Operation Panel Control In this embodiment, the operation panel is as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.
As shown in Fig. 15, the copying machine panel (320) and A
They are installed at three locations: the DF panel (340) and the sorter panel (350).

The copier panel (320) has a print key (
321), interrupt key (322) for temporarily interrupting multi-copy operation, clear/stop key (323) for stopping copy operation or canceling the set number.
, a group of numeric keys (324) for inputting numbers for multi-copy operations, etc., a display section (325) for displaying the input number of copies and the status of the copying machine body (1), setting the copy density. Up-down keys for (326)
, (327) and its display, ED group (32B), sheet selection key (3) for selecting copy sheet size
29) and its display LED group (330), a magnification selection key group <331) for selecting the copy magnification, and its display LED group (332), etc. are provided.

The ADF panel (340) is provided with only a start key (341) for starting the ADF operation. When this start key (341) is turned on, the originals on the original tray (31) are automatically moved one after the other onto the original platen glass (2).
9) The paper is transported upward and the copying operation is started.

The sorter panel (350) has a sorter mode selection key (3
51) and its display section, the non-sort mode display L E
D (352) and sort mode display LED (353)
and the grouping mode display LED (354), the finish mode selection key (355) and its display section which displays the finish mode ED (357), the finish start key (358), and the removal of sheets from the bin (102). An LED (360) is provided to display a warning. Each time the sorter mode selection key (351) is pressed, it switches sequentially to non-sort mode, sort mode, and grouping mode, and the corresponding L E
D (352), (353), and (354) light up. Each time the finish mode selection key (355) is pressed, the finish mode is selected or canceled, and the corresponding LED (357) lights up when the finish mode is selected.

Each time the finish start key (358) is pressed, it outputs the start of finish processing and its cancellation.

[Control Circuit] FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the control circuit, and the microcomputer (CPU') includes a copying machine panel (320), a
The DF panel (340) and sorter panel (350) are connected, and the copy process means (370) and AD
The F process means (371') is connected, and the sorter process means (372) and finisher process means (373) are also connected to exchange their respective signals.

FIG. 17 shows the main part of the control circuit, and the input/output port of the microcomputer (CPU) is connected to the transfer unit (50
), a transport motor (Ml) capable of forward and reverse rotation that drives the sheet transport system and take-out roller (136) in the sorter unit (<100), and a bin moving motor (M2) capable of forward and reverse rotation that raises and lowers the bin (102). , a fan motor (M3) that drives the fan (208), and a staple motor (M
4) Stepping motors (M5) and (M6) capable of forward and reverse rotation to move the alignment plates (204) and (205)
, a solenoid (S) that drives the switching lever (131), etc.
LI) ~ (Sl4), a solenoid (Sl5) that drives the switching pawl (120) corresponding to the 1st to 14th bins ~
(SEI8), sensors that detect sheets, etc. at each location (
SEI) ~ (SE9), print switch (321)
, ADF start switch (341) and its built-in display LEDs (380), (381), Sorter panel (350) switches (351), (35)
2), (358) and each display L E D (352)
... etc. are not connected.

[Control Procedure] Next, the 18th control procedure based on the above control circuit will be explained.
This will be explained with reference to the figures below. By the way, in the following explanation, on-edge means that a switch, sensor, signal, etc. switches from an off state to an on state, and off-edge means that a switch, sensor, signal, etc. switches from an on state to an off state. means.

FIG. 18 shows the main routine of the microcomputer (CPU).

The microcomputer (CPU) is reset,
When the program starts, in step (Sl), the random access memory is cleared, various registers are initialized, and initial settings are made to put each device into the initial mode.Next, in step (S2), the internal timer is started. . This internal timer determines the time required for the main routine, and its value is set in advance at the initial setting of step (Sl).

Next, in steps (B3) to (S7), each subroutine described in detail below is sequentially called, and when the processing of all subroutines is completed, in step (B8), the end of the internal timer is waited for, and step ( Return to B2).

The time length of one routine is used to count various timers in each subroutine.

FIG. 19 shows the input processing subroutine executed in step (B3).

First, in step (510), a set number (A) is input using the numeric keypad group (324) on the copier panel (320).
The selected sheet size (S) is input in step (511), and it is determined in step (512) whether use of the ADF (30) has been selected. If use has been selected, step ( The ADF mode flag is set to "1" in step 513), and if it is not selected, the ADF mode flag is reset to "0" in step (514).

Next, in step (515), a subroutine for setting the sort mode is executed, in step (516), a subroutine for setting the finish mode is executed, and in step (517), a subroutine for setting the finish mode is executed.
It is determined whether the sort mode flag is "1" or not. If the sort mode flag is "0", sorting and stapling processing will not be executed, so step (52
Move to 2), and if it is "1", enter the number of bins (a) installed in the sorter (40) in step (518),
In step (519), the set number (A) and the number of bins (a) are compared. If the number (A) is less than or equal to the number of bins (a), the sort mode can be executed, and in step (520) it is determined whether the finish mode flag is "1". If the finish mode flag is “0”, step (5)
22), and if it is ``1'', step (521)
The sheet size (
It is determined whether the S size is A4 size or B5 size. In this embodiment, the sheet size that can be stapled is A4 or B5, and if YES, step (52
2) executes other input processing.

Furthermore, in step (523), the print switch (32
1) is turned on, and if it is turned on, the copy flag is set to "1" in step (524),
Enables copy processing. Also, if it is not turned on, the ADF start switch (341) is turned on in step (525).
) is turned on, and if it is turned on, the step (524) is executed, and if it is not turned on, this subroutine is ended.

On the other hand, in the step (519), the set number (A) is changed to the number of bins (
If it is determined that it is larger than a), step (526)
Set the warning flag (Fl) to "1" in step (
527) to prohibit system operation. This warning flag (
Fl) is for displaying that the distribution number is the first bar of the bin number. Next, step (528),
At (536), similarly to steps (523) and (525), it is determined whether the print switch (321) is turned on and whether or not the ADF start switch (341) is turned on. This step (528) or (5
If YES in step 36), that is, the operator's intention to execute the copy even if a warning is issued, is confirmed, the non-sort mode flag is set to "1" in step (529) and processing is performed in non-sort mode. , the warning flag (Fl) is reset to "0" in step (530), the inhibition of system operation is canceled in step (530a), and the copy flag is set to "11" in step (537).

Further, if it is determined in step (521) that the sheet size (S) is other than A4 size or B5 size,
Since stapling processing is not possible, step (531)
Set the warning flag (F2) to "1" and step (
532) to prohibit system operation. This warning flag (F2) is used to indicate that the selected sheet size is incompatible. Next, step (533)
), (538) in the steps (523), (52
Similarly to 5), it is determined whether the print switch (321) is turned on and whether the ADF start switch (341) is turned on. If YES in this step (533) or (538), that is, the operator's intention to execute the copy even if a warning is issued, is confirmed,
In step (534), the finish mode flag is set to "0".
” to prohibit stapling and step <
535) to reset the warning flag (F2) to r□,
In step (535a), the prohibition of system operation is canceled,
In step (539), the copy flag is set to "r'1".

FIG. 20 shows the sort mode setting subroutine executed in step (515).

In this subroutine, it is determined in step (540) whether the sorter mode selection key (351) has been switched from off to on, and if it has not been switched, this subroutine is immediately ended. When the key (351) is switched on, step (541).

At (543), it is determined whether the non-sort mode flag and the sort mode flag are rl, respectively. If the non-sort mode flag is set to "1", step (5
42) sets the sort mode flag to "1". If the sorting mode flag is set to "1", the grooving mode flag is set to "11" in step (544). If both the non-sort mode flag and the sort mode flag are reset to "0", step (5)
45) sets the non-sort mode flag to "1".

FIG. 21 shows a subroutine for setting the finish mode that can be executed in step (516).

First, in step (550), it is determined whether the finish mode selection key (355) has been switched from off to on, and if it has not been switched, this subroutine is immediately ended. When the key (355) is turned on, it is determined in step (551) whether the finish mode flag is r□, and if it is reset to "O", the finish mode flag is set in step (552). "
1" and set the permissible staple number (Cb) in step (553).0 Next, step (554")
The permitted stapling sizes are set to A4 and B5 in step (555), and the sort mode flag is set to "1" to permit processing in sort mode.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (551) that the finish mode flag is set to "1", the finish mode flag is reset to r□ in step (556), and the staple is Cancels the setting of the allowable number of sheets (Cb). Next, step (558)
to cancel the stapling permission size setting, and then proceed to step (5).
In step 59), the sort mode flag is reset to "0" to prohibit processing in sort mode.

Figures 22a and 22b show the main routine steps (
The display processing subroutine executed in step S4) is executed.

First, in step (560), the ADF mode flag is set to "1".
”, and if it is “1”, step <561a
) to turn off the copy start display LED (380) in a mode where ADF (30) is not used, and turn off the ADF start display LED (381) in step (sstb).
) lights up. If the ADF mode flag is "0", the LED (380) is turned on in step (562a), and the LED (381) is turned off in step (S62b).

Next, in steps (563) and (565), it is determined whether the non-sort mode flag and the sort mode flag are each "1". If the non-sort mode flag is 1°, the non-sort mode is displayed L in step (S64Jl).
Turn on E D (352) and proceed to step (S64b)
, (S64c) L E D (353), (35
4) Turn off the light. If the sort mode flag is "1", the LED<352) is turned off in step (566a), and the sort mode display LED (
353), and in step (S66c)
(354) is turned off. Also, if both the non-sort mode flag and the sort mode flag are "0", step (
567a), L E D (352) in (S67b)
, (353) is turned off, and the grouping mode display LED (354) is turned on in step (S67c). Next, in step (568) it is determined whether or not the finish mode flag is "1", and if it is "1", the finish mode is displayed in step (569).
57). Furthermore, if the finish mode flag is "0", L E D (3
57) is turned off.

Next, in step (573), it is determined whether the warning flag (Fl) is "1" or not, and if it is "1", step (57
In step 3a), the display unit (325) displays that the number of bins is over, and if it is "0", this display is turned off in step (S73b). In step (574), it is determined whether the warning flag (F2) is "11" or not. If it is "1", in step (574a), the display section (325) displays that the sheet size is unsuitable, and "O ”, then step (
This display is turned off in S74b). Step (575)
Then, it is determined whether the warning flag (F3) is "1" or not.
”, in step (575a), the display unit (325) displays that the finish mode is not possible, and the display shows “0”.
If so, this display is turned off in step (S75b).

In step (576), it is determined whether the warning plug (F4) is "1" or not. If it is "1", in step (576a), the display section (325) displays that the document is empty, and "O ”, this display is turned off in step (S76b). At step (577), the warning flag (F5) is
is "1" or not, and if it is "1", step (5
77a) displays on the display section (325) that the finish capacity is over, and if it is "0", the step (S
77b) to turn off this display. In step (579), it is determined whether the warning flag (Fil) is "1" or not.
．． If so, in step (579a) L E D (36
0) lights up to indicate that it is necessary to remove the sheet from the bin (102), and if it is "0", step (S7
9b) to turn off this display.

Next, in step (580), it is determined whether the copy flag is "1" or not, and if it is "1", in step (ssoa>),
If it is "0", the number of copies or the number of remaining copies is displayed on the display section (325) in step (S80b). Subsequently, other display processing is executed in step (581), and this subroutine is ended.

FIG. 23 shows a subroutine of copy system processing executed in step (S5) of the main routine.

First, in step (590), the ADF mode flag is set to "1".
”, and if it is “1”, step (591)
It is determined whether the copy flag is "1" or not, and if it is "1", copy processing is permitted, so step (
At step 595), the ADF control subroutine is executed, and the process moves to step (597). Further, if it is determined in the step (590) that the ADF mode flag is "0", the copy flag is set to "1" in step (596).
It is determined whether or not it is "1", and if it is "1", the process moves to step (597). If it is determined that the copy flag is "0" in both steps (591) and (596), the process returns to the main routine.

Next, in steps (597) and (5100), the non-sort mode flag and sort mode flag are set to "1", respectively.
Determine whether or not. The non-sort mode flag is
1”, the subroutine for non-sort mode processing is executed in step (599), and the sort mode flag is set to “1”.
”, a subroutine for sort mode processing is executed in step (5101). Further, if both the non-sort mode flag and the sort mode flag are r□, a subroutine for grouping mode processing is executed in step (5104). Subsequently, in step (5105), a copy processing subroutine is executed, and in step (5106), other processing subroutines are executed.

Note that the steps (595), (599), (5
The subroutine executed in step 104) is the same procedure as the conventional one, and its details will be omitted.

FIGS. 24a and 24b show the subroutine of the sort mode process executed in the step (Slot).

First, in step (5140), it is determined whether the sheet size is the same as the sheet size (Sx) selected at the start of the copy process and stored in the RAM.

If the sheet sizes are the same, step (514) is executed immediately.
Move on to 8). If the sheet sizes are different, set the warning flag (F3) to "1" in step (5141).
'', preparations are made to display that the finish mode cannot be executed, and in step (5142) the copy flag is reset to ``0'' to prohibit the copy operation. Thereafter, in step (5143) the print switch (321) is turned on or in step (514)
If it is confirmed in step 4) that the ADF start switch (340) is turned on, that is, if the operator's intention to execute copying even if a warning is issued, the finish mode is activated in step (5145). Set the flag to “O”
”, and in step (5146) set the warning flag (
F3) to "0", and step (514
Set the copy flag to 11 in step 7), and then set the copy flag to 11 in step 5
148). That is, finish mode is canceled and copy processing in sort mode is permitted.

Next, in step (514B>), it is determined whether the sheet ejection sensor (SEI) of the copying machine main body (1) is on-edge.In other words, after waiting for the leading edge of the sheet to reach the ejection sensor (SEI>), step (5149B> ) with the transport motor (Ml)
Turn on. In this way, the sheet is transported within the transport unit (50) toward the sorter unit (100). continue,
In step (5150), the bin switching solenoids (SL5) to (SLlB) indicated by the bin counter
＞Sequentially turn on. Here the sheet is 1 in the bin (102)
Sheets are stored one by one, and step (5151)
It is determined whether or not the bin storage sheet detection sensor (SE3) is off-edge. That is, the sensor at the rear end of the sheet (SE3'
) When the sheet passes the detection point, it is assumed that the sheet is stored in the bin (102), and if the sheet is off-edge, the bin switching solenoids (SL5) to (SLlB) are turned off in step (5152), and the pin counter is incremented in step (5153). In step (5154), the conveyance motor timer is started. Further, in step (5155), the sheet number count is incremented, in step (5156), the transfer motor timer is waited for to end, and in step (5157), normal rotation of the transfer motor is turned off. Next, step (51
In step 58), it is determined whether or not the sheet conveyed earlier is the last sheet, and if it is not the last sheet, step (5160) is performed.
If it is the last sheet, step (5159'
), the pin counter is set to "1" and the process moves to step (5160).

Next, in step (5160), it is determined whether the finish mode flag is "1." If it is "rl", the number of sheets per bin (M) is calculated in step (5161), and in step (5162) Then, calculate the number of sheets per bin (M) and the allowable number of stapling sheets (cb) [Step (55
3) Reference]. Number of sheets per bottle (M
) exceeds the permissible number of staples (Cb), step (51) is performed to prevent staple failure.
In step 63), the warning flag (F5) is set to "1" and a display indicating that the finisher capacity is exceeded is prepared. Furthermore, in step (5164), the copy flag is reset to rOl, and in step (5165), the print switch (321) is reset.
is turned on, and in step (5166) it is determined whether the ADF start switch (341) is turned on. If either is turned on, that is, copying is executed even if a warning is issued. When the operator's intention to do so is confirmed, the finish mode flag is reset to r□ in step (5167), and the finish mode flag is reset to r□ in step (S168).
) Reset the warning flag (F5) to ``O'', and
In step (5169), the copy flag is set to 11'' to enable execution in sort mode, and this subroutine ends.

If you want to end the copy operation and perform finish processing when the finisher capacity over warning is issued by executing steps (5162) and (5163), turn on the finish start switch (358). [See step (5202)].

FIG. 25 shows the copy processing subroutine executed in step (5105).

First, in step (5190), it is determined whether the optical system (4) has scanned the number of copies, and if YES, the scan end flag is set to 11'' in step (5191), and if NO, step ( 5192), a copy process processing subroutine is executed. This subroutine is a routine for executing a normal copying process by the copying machine main body (1), and its details will be omitted.

Next, in step (5193), the scan end flag is set to “
1", reset the scan end flag to "O" in step (5194), and proceed to step (5194).
The copy flag is reset to "0" in step 5195), and other processing subroutines are executed in step 5196.

FIG. 26 shows a subroutine for finish processing executed in step (S6) of the main routine.

Here, the finish process refers to the sorter unit (10
0), the sheets distributed and housed in each bin (102) are taken out from each bin (102), transported onto a staple tray (201) by a transport unit (50), aligned, and stapled by a stapler (220). This refers to a series of operations in which the paper is stored in the discharge stacker (210).

The finish processing flag used below is set to "1" while the above series of operations continues.

First, in step (5200), it is determined whether the finish mode flag is "1" or not. If it is "0", step (5200) is performed.
5212), and if it is “1”, step (520
In step 1), it is determined whether or not the copy process is finished. If the copy process has not been completed, the process immediately returns to the main routine, and if it has been completed, it is determined in step (5202) whether or not the finish start switch (358) is on-edge. If it is on-edge, it is determined in step (5204) whether the number of sheets (M) per bin is one. That is,
Number of sheets distributed and accommodated in each bin (60) (M>
If there is only one sheet, there is no need to staple. Therefore, if it is determined in step (5204) that the number of sheets per bin is 1, the warning flag (F3) is set to "1" in step (5205), and preparations are made to display that the finish mode is not possible. Then, in step (5206), the finish mode flag is reset to 10'' to cancel the finish mode, and the process moves to step (5212).

On the other hand, if the number of sheets (M) per bin is not 1, the finish processing flag is set to "
1'', and in step (5208) set the bin movement request flag to r'1'', and in the following steps (5209).
), the bin movement processing subroutine, step (5210
), the subroutine for sheet retrieval processing, step (52
In step 11), each stapling subroutine is processed, and the process moves to step (5212).

Furthermore, even if the determination in step (5202) is No, if the finish process flag is determined to be "1" in step (5203), that is, if the finish process has already been continued, then step (5209),
The subroutines (5210) and (5211) are processed. If the finish processing flag is r□, the process moves to step (5212).

In step (5212), the presence or absence of a sheet in the bin (102) is determined by turning on or off the sheet detection sensor (SEA) in the bin (102). If there is a sheet, step (
5213) to determine whether the bin (102) is descending;
If it is not descending, the pin assembly 1 (101) is at the home position and is set at the lowest position (see FIGS. 1 and 2), so this subroutine ends. Thereafter, the process moves from step (5203) to step (5209) to execute finish processing.

Further, if it is determined in step (5212) that there is no sheet in the bin (102), step (5214) is performed.
Turn sensor (SE6) on and off with pin assembly 1.
It is determined whether or not the bar 101) is set to the lowest home position. If the home position has not been set completely, step (5215) will move the bin moving motor (
M2) is turned on in reverse. As a result, the bin (102) is lowered, and subsequently, in step (5216), the bin movement request flag is reset to "O". Said step (5213)
When it is determined that the bin (102) is descending, the process also moves to step (5214>.The sensor (SE6) is turned on, and in this step (5214), the bin assembly (
101) is set to the home position, in step (5217) the bin moving motor (M2)
Turn off.

FIG. 27 shows a subroutine for bin movement processing that can be executed in step (5209).

First, in step (5230), the presence or absence of a sheet in the bin (102) is determined by turning on and off the sensor (SE5),
In step (5231), it is determined whether the bin transfer request flag is "1". If either of them is No, this subroutine is immediately terminated, and if both are Yes, it is determined in step (5232) whether or not the bottle removal position detection sensor (SE4) is on-edge. Step (5233) to raise the bottle (102) if it is not on edge.
Turn on the bin moving motor (M2) in normal rotation.

With this, the bottle (102) rises and the sensor (SE4)
At the timing when becomes on-edge [step (5)
232), the bin moving motor (M2) is turned off in step (5234). Next, step (523
In step 5), the bin movement request flag is reset to "10", and in step (5236), the takeout processing counter is set to "1". This take-out processing counter is used to instruct the taking out of a sheet and its loading into the staple tray (201) in the next subroutine of sheet take-out processing.

FIG. 28 shows the subroutine of the sheet take-out process executed in step (5210'').

First, in step (5240), it is determined whether the count value of the take-out processing counter is "1" or not. If it is "1", the pick-up solenoid (SLI) is activated in step (5241).
Turn on the transport motor (Ml) in step (5242).
Turn on the reverse. With this, the leading edge of the sheet on the bin (102) set at the take-out position (X, >
136), (13B), and the roller (
136).

It is taken out from the bottle (102) by the rotation of (138),
The driving rollers (62) and (64) to (69) are reversely rotated to return the sheet to the sheet conveying unit (50).

Next, in step (5243), the sheet transport unit (5243)
0) determines whether or not the sheet detection sensor (SE2) is off-edge. If the sheet is off-edge, that is, when the trailing edge of the sheet passes the detection point of the sensor (SE2), the pickup solenoid (SLI) is turned off in step (5244), and the conveyance motor (Ml) is rotated forward in step (5245). switch to the solenoid (S) in step (5246).
L3) is turned on, and the switching lever (70) is switched to the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. With this, the sheet is switched back and sent from the drive rollers (68) and (69) to the finisher unit (200). Subsequently, in step (5247), the takeout counter is set to "2".

Next, when it is determined in step (5248) that the count value of the takeout counter is "2", step (524
In step 9), it is determined whether the sheet detection sensor (SE7) in the staple tray (201) is on-edge, and if it is on-edge, that is, the sheet is in the staple tray (201).
If it has been fed into the interior, turn off the transport motor (block) in step (5250), turn off the solenoid (SL3) in step (5251) and return the switching lever (70), and return the switch lever (70) in step (5252). Set the takeout counter to “
0" and ends this subroutine.

FIGS. 29a and 29b show the stapling subroutine executed in step <5211).

First, in step (5260), the sheet detection sensor (SE
7) is on-edge. If it is on-edge, that is, when the sheet is fed into the staple tray (201), the number of sheets is determined to be 10 based on the count value of the sheet number counter in step (5261). Whether it is less than or equal to
In step (5263'), it is determined whether the number of sheets is 20 or less. If it is 10 or less, set the number counter to "1" in step (5262), if it is 20 or less, set it to "2" in step (5264), and if it is 21 or more, in step (5265). Set it to "3". This counter is used to set the number of times the sheet bundle is aligned by moving the alignment plates (204) and (205).The more sheets there are, the more difficult it is to align, so the number of times the alignment is increased. .

Next, in step (5269) the thickness detection sensor (SE8
) is turned on or off to determine whether the thickness of the sheet bundle is below a certain value, and if it is below the certain value, "1" is added to the number counter at step (5270). Even if the number of sheets is the same, alignment is difficult if the sheets are thin, so the number of alignments is increased by one.

Next, in step (5271), the matching plate (204), (
205) to align the sheet bundle, and in step (5272) the number counter is decremented. Then, in step (5273), it is determined whether the count value of the number of times counter has been reset to "0", and "O" is determined.
If it has not been reset, this subroutine ends. The second alignment process is determined as No in step (5260), and in step (5266) it is determined that the sheet detection sensor (SE7) is turned on and there is a sheet in the staple tray (201), and in step (5267) it is determined that there is a sheet in the staple tray (201). After confirming that the count value of is not reset to "0", the process can be executed in step (5271).

If it is determined in step (5273) that the count value of the number of times counter has been reset to "O", step (5273) is performed.
274), the staple motor (M4) is turned on and the sheet bundle is stapled. The motor (M4) rotates once and steps (5)
If it is determined that the motor rotation detection sensor (SE9) is on-edge in step 275), the staple motor (M4) is turned off in step (5276). Next, the solenoid (
SL4) is turned on and the stopper (202) is opened. Now, the bound sheet bundle is placed in the staple tray (20
1). Next, in step (5278), when the discharge of the sheet bundle is detected by the off-edge of the sheet detection sensor (SE7), the stopper solenoid (SL4) is turned off in step (5279), and step (5280)
), the bin movement request flag is set to "1", and preparations are made to raise the next bin (102) to the take-out position (X, ).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (5267) that the count value of the number of times counter is "0", step (526
In step 8), it is determined whether the staple motor (M4) is turned on. If it is on, step (5275)
If it is turned off, the process moves to step (5277).

FIG. 30 shows a subroutine for matching processing that can be executed in step (5271).

First, check the sheet size in step (5290), and if it is A4 size, in step (5291), the stepping motor (MS) is turned on at a low frequency of 100 pps so that the alignment part (205b) of the alignment plate (205) is aligned with the A4 size sheet. Drive the number of pulses (A4y) necessary to move to the lateral reference position (Pb), and then in step (5292) switch the motor (MS) to drive at a high frequency of 200 pps and drive 20 pulses. , step (529
In 3), the matching part (204b) of the matching plate (204) is A4 at a low frequency of 100 pps.
Drive the number of pulses (A4x) required to move the size sheet to the longitudinal reference position (Pa), then step (
5294), the motor (MS) is switched to drive at a high frequency of 200 pps and driven for 20 pulses. As shown in Fig. 12, the matching plates (204) and (205) are 100p.
When it is fully driven by PS, it has high torque that overcomes the resistance of the sheet bundle, and moves the uneven sheets to the reference position (P
a), (Pb).

In this embodiment, in order to improve consistency, a matching plate (204), (
205) slightly inward from the reference positions (Pa), (Pb), but at this time the motor (MS), (
MS) at 200pps and low torque. With this, when a high load occurs due to sheet resistance, the motor (MS)
), (MS) can eliminate the risk of step-out and damage to the seat.

If the sheet size is B5 [N in step (5290)
O] also performs similar control in steps (s295) to (s298).
) and process it.

When the alignment plates (204) and (205) complete forward movement,
In step (5299), the motors (MS) and (MS) are reversed to return to the home position.

The above matching operation is executed for the number of times counted by the number counter that appeared in the subroutine of step (5270).

[Other Embodiments] The sorter with a finisher according to the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention.

For example, the copying machine main body (1), the sheet conveyance unit (50
), 7-9 units) (100), and finisher units (200) can be combined with various types. In particular, in addition to the transport motor (Ml) that drives the sheet transport system of the transport unit (50) and the sorter unit (100), there are also take-out rollers (136) and (138).
A take-out motor is separately installed to drive the drive roller (62) in the conveying unit (50), and the take-out motor is used to drive the drive roller (62) in the conveyance unit (50) as appropriate via a clutch means during finishing processing.

(64), (65), etc. may be rotated in forward and reverse directions. According to this configuration, the rollers (53) and (59) for conveying sheets to the non-sort tray (61) can be driven independently of the finishing process. Therefore, copy processing in non-sort mode is possible in parallel with finish processing.

Further, the number of times the sheets are aligned in the staple tray (201) may be changed as appropriate using means such as a dip switch, and it would be convenient if the number of times the sheets are aligned can be adjusted according to paper quality, temperature, humidity, etc.

Furthermore, if the thickness of the sheet bundle is detected in stages by installing a plurality of sensors (SE8) with different detection values, the number of alignments can be controlled more precisely. As the detection means, in addition to the non-contact type sensor, it is also possible to use a contact type sensor or switch having an actuator. Alternatively, the thickness of the sheet bundle may be detected at a location other than the tray (201), for example, on the bin (102) or on the conveyance unit (
50).

Note that control to switch the driving frequency of the stepping motors (M5) and (M6) for driving the matching plates (204) and (205) to a higher value midway through the process to make the motors more likely to step out is not necessarily required in the present invention. It's not something.

Simply move the alignment plates (204) and (205) to the reference positions (Pa) and (Pb) corresponding to the sheet size (see Figure 7).
Especially when the number of sheets is small (several sheets), the load is too light and the motor (f
15), (M6) may not step out and the sheet may be damaged, so move the alignment plates (204) and (205) to the reference position (Pa).

It is preferable to stop with (Pb).

As is clear from the above explanation, according to the present invention, the number of alignments of the sheet bundle conveyed to the stapling section is automatically set according to the number and thickness of the sheet bundle. , it is possible to reliably perform appropriate alignment processing according to the number and thickness of sheets without waste.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of a sorter with a finisher according to the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration including the main body of a copying machine, FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of the sorter with a finisher, and FIG.
The figure is a perspective view of the sheet take-out section, FIGS. 4 and 5 are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the sheet take-out means, FIG. 6 is a front view showing the sheet distribution switching section to the bin, and FIG. 7 is a view of the inside of the staple tray. 8 is a sectional view of the bottom of the staple tray, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the fan, FIG. 10 is a front view of the stapler, FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of the thickness detection sensor, and FIG. 12 is a stepping diagram. Graph showing motor characteristics, Figure 13,
Figures 14 and 15 are plan views of various operation panels, Figures 16 and 17 are control circuit diagrams, and Figures 18 and 19.
20, 21, 22a, 22b, 23, 24a, 24b, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29a, Figure 29b, 3rd
FIG. 0 is a flowchart showing each control procedure. (1) Copying machine main body, (50> Sheet transport unit, <100) Sorter unit, (102)
... Bin, (Zoo) ... Finisher unit,
(201)... Staple tray, (202)...
Stapler, (204), (205)... matching plate,
(210)... Paper discharge stacker, (SE8)... Sheet bundle thickness detection sensor.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A sorter unit that receives sheets discharged from a copying machine or the like and distributes them to a plurality of bins, and a stapling unit that has a stapling unit that aligns and staples the sheets conveyed from each bin. In a sorter with a finisher equipped with a stack section that stacks and accommodates stapled sheets, an aligning member that biases and aligns sheet bundles conveyed to the stapling section and stacked in the thickness direction in the longitudinal and lateral directions. a means for detecting the number of sheet bundles to be stapled; a means for detecting a thickness of the sheet bundle to be stapled; and a number of alignment operations performed by the alignment member according to the detected number and thickness of the sheets. A sorter with a finisher, comprising: a control means for setting;