JPH0286555A - Sheet handler with postprocessing function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make only the number of required copies possible for after- treatment as well as to improve the operability of a device by installing a manual operating means which starts a process in operating a sheet by an operator after receiving it in a bin, and at this manual operation, installing a control means executing the after-treatment as much as the number of inputted copies. CONSTITUTION:In this device, there is provided with a manual operating means 235 which starts after-treatment of a sheet by an operator after receiving it in a bin. The number of sheet numbers subject to the after-treatment by this manual operation is inputted by an input means 302. Next, at the time of manual operation, only the number of these inputted sheets are subjected to the after-treatment by a control means 300.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention allows post-processing of sheets received in a plurality of bins. The present invention relates to sheet handling devices with post-processing functions for copying machines, facsimile machines, printers, etc.

2. Description of the Related Art Sorters for collating or sorting sheets into a plurality of bins, which are used in JL copying machines and the like, are conventionally known.

and after performing such collation or sorting.

It would be convenient to perform post-processing such as stapling (inserting staples into bundles) and punching (perforating holes with a punch) the bundles of sheets stored in each bin as needed. It is hoped that a handling device will emerge.

Sheet handling equipment such as the one mentioned above has a sorter equipped with a post-processing unit that has a stapling function.

A conceivable device is one that moves a post-processing unit to the position of a bin in which a bundle of sheets to be post-processed is placed, and staples the bundle of sheets automatically or manually.

In the case where post-processing is performed manually in the above, a device that post-processes the sheet bundles of all bins into which sheets are received during the operation can be considered, but in such a device,
If you want to post-process only the sheet bundles in some bins,
This is inconvenient in handling, as it is necessary to remove the sheet bundle that is not to be post-processed in advance.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above problem, and an object of the invention as claimed in claim 1 is to provide a sheet handling device with a post-processing function that allows the number of copies to be post-processed to be specified and has improved operability. In addition to the above, in the invention of 2, if the specified number of copies to be post-processed is greater than the number of bins in which the sheet bundle is located, the post-processing is performed immediately after the post-processing of the sheet bundles in all the bins in which the sheet bundle is located. The operation can be interrupted without repeating and the post-processing operation can be continued when the sheet is readmitted into the bin. The object of the present invention is to provide a sheet handling device with a post-processing function that has improved efficiency and eliminates unnecessary operations.

In addition to the problem of the invention of claim 1, the invention of claim 3 provides a simple operation in which there is no need to specify the number of copies to be post-processed when all sheet bundles in a bin containing sheet bundles are post-processed. An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet handling device with a post-processing function.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a sheet handling device with a post-processing function capable of post-processing sheets received in a plurality of bins.
a manual operation means for starting post-processing by receiving sheets into the bin; a copy number input means for inputting the number of sheets to be post-processed by the manual operation; In the invention according to claim 2, further comprising: a control means for executing the processing, in addition to the above, a sheet detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a sheet in the bin; a comparison means for comparing the detected number of copies (the number of bins with sheets) and the input number of sheets; and if the input number of sheets is greater than the number of bins with sheets detected by the sheet detection means, The invention according to claim 3, further comprising: a control means for controlling the post-processing operation to be interrupted after post-processing only the sheets in the bins containing the bins, In addition, a detection means for detecting the presence or absence of sheets in the bin, and when the number of sheets to be post-processed is not input, post-process all the sheets in the bins that have sheets detected by the sheet detection means. It is characterized by having a control means.

1 Particularly in Figure 12 and the following block passage <Explanation of the operation of the invention>
As exemplarily explained in .

In the first aspect of the invention, post-processing is performed for the number of sheet copies input during manual operation, so only the required number of copies can be post-processed.

In the invention of claim 2, when the input number of sheet copies is greater than the number of bins containing sheets, the operation is interrupted after post-processing the sheets in the bins containing the sheets, so that unnecessary post-processing operations are not performed. In addition to preventing the inconvenience of post-processing more copies than the total number of bins, if you want to post-process more copies than the total number of bins, you can continue post-processing by receiving the sheet bundle into the bin again, and input -degrees to continue post-processing. It becomes possible to post-process the number of copies, and in the invention of claim 3, when manual operation is performed without specifying the number of copies, all sheets in the bin that receives the sheets are post-processed.

In such a case, it is not necessary to input the number of bins to be post-processed.

First, an example of the overall configuration of a copying apparatus, which is an example of a sheet handling apparatus to which the present invention is applied, will be described based on the side view shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes the fourth mirror of the exposure optical system;
is a dustproof glass to prevent toner stains on lenses, mirrors, etc., 3 is an ADF (automatic document feeder), 4 is a contact glass, 5 is an eraser (erase lamp), 6
7 is an electrostatic charger, 7 is a photoconductor drum using a selenium photoconductor, 8 is a drum thermistor that detects the surface temperature of the photoconductor drum 7, 9 is a static elimination lamp, 10 is a lens, 11 is a quenching charger (after cleaning)・12 is a cleaning unit, 13 is a bias roller, 25 is an FCC (charger before cleaning), 1
4 is an exposure lighting unit consisting of a halogen lamp, etc.; 1;
Reference numeral 5 indicates a first scanning mirror 16 which forms a first carriage together with the illumination unit 14, etc. Reference numeral 17 indicates a second mirror and a third mirror which form a second carriage. Reference numeral 18 indicates a fixing mirror that fixes the toner image transferred to the transfer paper. 19 is a reversing unit that controls the ejection direction and ejection surface of the transfer paper after fixing in the fixing unit 18, and 20 is a sorter (20) that sorts the transfer paper after it has been ejected.
(with post-processing function), 26 is a separation claw, and 21 is a conveyor belt. The post-processing function refers to processing such as stapling and punching.

Further, 22, 23, 24, and 33 are trays for stocking and supplying transfer paper, 22 is a double-sided paper feeding tray, and 23 is a tray for stocking and supplying transfer paper.
is the first paper feed tray, 24 is the second paper feed tray, and 33 is the third paper feed tray.
Paper feed tray, 29 is a paper feed roller unit, 30 is a vertical paper transport unit, 32 is a horizontal paper transport unit, 31 is a paper dust removal roller for removing paper dust from transfer paper, 27 is a separation charger, 28 is a transfer unit charger, 35 is a registration roller, 34 is a developer collection container for collecting old developer when replacing developer, 36 is P
TC (pre-transfer charger) 38 is a drum heater for increasing the temperature of the photosensitive drum 7.

37 is a developing unit, 39 is a toner cartridge for replenishing consumed toner, and 40 is a drum shaft that rotatably supports the photosensitive drum 7.

Next, the operation of the copying apparatus having the above configuration will be briefly described. The photosensitive drum 7 is rotatably supported by a drum shaft 40 and rotates counterclockwise in response to a copy command or the like. Simultaneously with the rotation of the photoreceptor drum 7, a static eliminating lamp 9, PT
C36° separation charger 27, transfer charger 28. The eraser 5, cleaning unit 12, bias roller 13, PCC 25, and quenching charger 11 are driven. Cleaning unit 12 and static elimination lamp 9
After passing through, the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 7 becomes zero.

The photosensitive drum 7 is driven by a main motor (not shown). At this time, the leading edge of the image is determined by the control section to be the part after the position passing the cleaning unit 12.

When the photosensitive drum 7 has rotated to the fixed position, the ADF 3
The original placed on the contact glass 4 by
Scanning is performed by a first carriage integrated with a scanning mirror 15, an illumination unit 14, etc. The reflected light image is transmitted to the first scanning mirror 15, the second mirror 16, the third mirror 17. An image is formed on the photosensitive drum 7 via the lens 10, the fourth mirror 1, and the dustproof glass 2.

After the photosensitive drum 7 is charged by the charger 6, an eraser, that is, an erase lamp 5, illuminates unnecessary areas to create an image frame suitable for the transfer paper or the projected image, and then one reflected light image is applied to the photosensitive drum A latent image is formed on 7. At this time, in order to obtain a same-sized image, the photosensitive drum 7 and the first carriage are driven at the same speed.

The latent image on the photosensitive drum 7 is visualized as a toner image by the developing unit 37. In this case, the developing unit 37
A dark or light image can be obtained by applying a potential to.

On the other hand, one double-sided paper feed tray 22, the first paper feed tray 2
3. The transfer paper stocked in the second paper feed tray 24 or the third paper feed tray 33 is fed by the paper feed roller unit 29 until a paper detection (not shown) is activated.

Next, the paper feed roller unit 29 is operated again at the paper feeding timing, and the transfer paper is sent through the vertical paper transport section 30 or the horizontal paper transport section 32 to the registration rollers 35 that have been stopped in advance, and the toner image on the photoreceptor drum 7 is The registration roller 35 is driven at the timing when the leading edge of the transfer paper matches the leading edge of the transfer paper.

The toner image on the photosensitive drum 7 is transferred to a transfer paper by a transfer charger 28. At this time, the surface of the photoreceptor 7 is very smooth, and therefore the adhesion between the photoreceptor drum 7 and the transfer paper is large. Decreases adhesion to transfer paper. Next, the transfer paper is separated from the photoreceptor drum 7 by the separation claw 26, and the transfer paper thus separated is transferred to the fixing section 1 by the conveyor belt 21.
Send to 8. The transfer paper sent to the fixing section 18.

Here, heat and pressure are applied to the toner, thereby fixing the toner image on the transfer paper, and then the transfer paper is discharged to the sorter 20 via the reversing section 19. When performing double-sided copying or the like, the paper is discharged to the double-sided paper feed tray 22 via the reversing unit 19.

Since a small amount of toner image remains on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 7 after transfer, the FCC 25 is activated and the surface is cleaned with the cleaning brush and cleaning blade in the cleaning unit 12, and the next quenching charger 11 and static electricity removal are performed. The lamp 9 makes the surface potential constant.

These control timings are obtained mainly from pulses generated in synchronization with the rotation of the photoreceptor drum 7 or reference pulses for driving the photoreceptor drum 7.

Next, the configuration of the sorter 20 of this embodiment will be explained based on FIGS. 2 to 8.

As shown in FIG. 2, an entrance guide plate 43 is provided at the receiving opening for copies discharged from the copying machine, followed by upper and lower conveyor belts 44, 42 for conveying the copies upward.
, a switching pawl 46, and switching guide plates 45, 47 are provided. A pair of paper ejection rollers 48 are provided in the upper path by the switching claw 46.
．． 49 and a paper output tray 54 are provided, and the lower path by the switching claw 46 is along the copy insertion side of a bin 55 that holds a plurality of sheets (20 sheets in the example shown) provided vertically parallel to the bottom. Continuing with the copy vertical feed path.

A pair of rollers including a deflection claw 64, a conveyance roller 62, and a discharge roller 63 are provided at a position corresponding to each bin on the vertical feed path, and a plurality of roller pairs provided at appropriate intervals of the conveyance roller 62 are used for copying. Driven roller 65 across the vertical feed path
are in pressure contact. The above-mentioned transport belts 44, 42, paper ejection rollers 48, 49, transport roller 62. The discharge roller 63 is driven by the drive motor 41.

Shafts provided with two pulleys 53 and 69, respectively, at the upper and lower sides of the bin group are supported by the machine frame, and the lower shaft is connected to a motor 68 for moving the post-processing unit. upper and lower 2
A post-processing unit moving belt 66 is passed between the pair of pulleys, and a chuck unit 60 and a post-processing unit 61 are attached to these belts via a guide unit 51. In order to guide the guide unit 51, a guide rail 67 is provided on the side of the bin group in the vertical direction over the entire height of the sorter.

A copy discharged from the copying machine is inserted through the entrance guide plate 43, sandwiched between a pair of conveyor belts 42 and 44, and conveyed to the upper part.

Now assuming that the mode is 1 normal paper ejection mode (a mode in which paper is ejected to the paper ejection tray 54), the switching claw 46 is lowered, and the copying is carried out along the switching guide plate: upper 47 by the paper ejection roller pair 48.
．． 49, the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 54.

Also, now sort mode (mode to collate into pages)
In the stack mode (a mode in which pages are sorted), the switching claw 46 is raised and the copies are conveyed downward along the lower switching guide plate 45. The male children transported by the transport roller 62 and the driven roller 65 are discharged into the bin 55 at the location where the deflection claw 64 is operating. The deflection claw 64 performs a movement appropriate to the mode (sort or stack).

In the sorting mode, the deflection claw 64 of the first bin operates and the second copy of the first page is ejected to the first bin 55, and the deflection claw of the second bin operates and the second copy of the first page is ejected to the second bin 55. to be discharged. Further, the first page of the second page is discharged to the first bin 55, and the second page is discharged to the second bin 55. In this way,
When in sort mode, 1, 2, 3, etc. are stored in one bin.・
...is output to pages like this.

When in stack mode, all copies of the first page are
The deflection pawl 64 operates to cause the copy of the second page to be ejected into the second bin.

In this way, in the stack mode, copies of the same page are ejected into one bin and sorted by page.

Also, during sort mode or stack mode, the deflection claw 6
If a copy jams near 4, there is a function to eject the copies in front of the switching claw 46 from the sorter after the jammed copy. In this case, the switching claw 46 is switched in the event of a jam, and the subsequent copy is ejected onto the paper ejection tray 54 without causing a jam. The copies discharged to the paper discharge tray 54 can be placed into a predetermined bin from the manual feed table 52 by the manual feed roller 5o after the jam is removed.

In addition, even in cases other than jams, when copies are inserted from the manual feed table 52, the copies can be ejected to each bin and sorted according to the mode. Regarding the post-processing function that performs post-processing on copies sorted in this way,
This will be explained below.

The post-processing unit 61 means a stapler, puncher, etc. In order to move the post-processing unit to a position corresponding to each bin, the post-processing unit motor 68 is rotated, and the post-processing unit moving belt 66 is moved up and down via the pulleys: lower 69 and upper 53, and the guide The unit 51 is moved up and down. The guide unit 51 has a car and is adapted to move along a guide rail 67.

The chuck unit 60 is a device that transports the copy bundle to the position of the post-processing unit 61 and returns it to its original position after performing post-processing.

In FIG. 2, the home sensor 5 is detected by the home detection piece 57.
6 is turned on, and post-processing can be performed on the copy of the first bin.

When post-processing is executed from this state, the post-processing unit moving motor 68 is turned on after the post-processing unit 61 is moved down, and the bin position sensor 58 is turned on by the second bin position detection piece 59.

The post-processing unit moving motor 68 is turned off to stop the post-processing unit 61. Then, post-processing for the second bin is performed. When the execution of the post-processing for the copy of a predetermined bin is completed, the post-processing unit 6 is moved to the home position. In this way, post-processing of a plurality of copy bundles can be performed.

FIG. 3 is a view from the opposite side of FIG.

In FIG. 3, things that could not be expressed in FIG. 2 will be explained.

The sorter of this embodiment is a 20-bin sorter, and is divided into two blocks of 0 bins each, with a bin sensor 76, 79 and a paper discharge sensor 77 in the upper block.
．． 78, and the bottom block has a bin sensor 81.84
and paper discharge sensors 80 and 83. In addition, the paper output tray 5
4 also has a paper discharge sensor 98.99. These sensors are transmissive optical detection sensors consisting of LEDs and phototransistors. Paper ejection sensors 77, 78, 80° 83, 98. detect whether or not a copy has been ejected.
99, and the bin sensor 76.79°81.84 determines whether there is a copy in the bin. Such a bin sensor makes it possible to use the lower block if there is a copy on the upper block.

In order to post-process the copies, the copies must be aligned, so the sorter of the present invention is equipped with a jogger as described below.

A jogger drive belt 86 is rotated by the jogger moving motor 82 via a pulley 85, and a drive shaft 96 is rotated. As a result, the jogger moving belts 73 and 88 move via the pulleys 74 and 87, and the shaft fixing unit 72 and alignment shaft drive unit 9 that are fixed thereto move.

Then, the size detection sensor 93 detects the minus of the predetermined size detection piece 92, and the jogger drive motor 82 stops. When the copy is ejected to the bin, the paper ejection sensor 77
．． 78 or 80 and 83 is detected, the alignment shaft drive unit 95 is activated, and the alignment plate 70 is moved by the alignment shaft 71 to align the copies. After finishing the post-processing, the jogger moving motor rotates in reverse and stops at the position where the home sensor 91 is turned on by the home detection piece 94. This position is the position for maximum size. In this way,
Each time a copy is ejected, it is aligned and prepared for post-processing operations.

FIG. 4 is a view from above of FIG.

The bin 55 has a notch so that the alignment shaft 71 can be moved to a position where minimum size copy alignment is possible. Also,
The alignment plate 70 rotates as shown by the arrow to align the copies.

At this time, an end face pressing plate 97 is provided to hold the other end of the copy in a fixed position.

This end face pressing plate 97 is adapted to move in accordance with the movement of the chuck unit 6°. The bin sensor 124 is a bin sensor 76 provided every 10 bins in FIG.
．． 79, 81, and 84 are provided for each bottle at the same position, and are attached to the stay 123.

FIG. 5 is a view from the right side of FIG. 2.

The alignment shaft drive unit 9 is moved by the jogger moving belt 88.
5 moves in the direction of the arrow and can be stopped at the size detection piece 92 according to each copy size. Also, for rightward movement, the home sensor 91 is adjusted to the maximum copy size.

This is up to the position activated by the home detection piece 94.

FIG. 6 is a detailed diagram of the chuck unit 6o.

The chuck unit 60 grabs the stack of copies on the bin 55 and transfers it to a post-processing unit (not shown in FIG. 6).
61 and after finishing the post-processing, it returns to the same state as when it was discharged onto the bin 55 again.

First, when the motor 107 rotates in the H direction, the worm gear 100 rotates and the gear 101 moves in one direction, and then the spiral shaft 106 rotates.

Moving rod (this has a spiral hole) 10
5, the moving plate 113 and the chuck upper 109:
The lower part 110 and the push plate 112 move in the B direction. When moving in direction B, the position detection piece 103 causes the home sensor 102 to turn ONL and stop the motor 107.

Conversely, when the motor 107 rotates in the G direction, gear 1
01 in the J direction, moving rod 105, moving plate 113
, Chuck; top 109. : The lower part 110 and the push plate 112 move in the A direction. When moving in the direction of 1 position detection piece 1
03 turns on the tip position sensor 104, and the motor 10
Stop 7.

Then, when the solenoid 114 is turned on, the chuck upper 1
09 is lowered in the direction D by the pull rod 108 and grabs a bundle of copies (not shown).

At this time, the end face presser plate 97 is lowered in the F direction by the presser plate 112 so that it does not interfere with the movement of the copy bundle.

Then, when the motor 107 rotates in the H direction, the copy bundle is brought in the B direction. When the push plate 112 returns to direction B, the end face press plate 97 attempts to return to its original position due to the spring 111, but since the copy stack is already on top, it stops at the copy stack. When the moving board reaches the home position, the motor 10
7 is stopped, then the post-processing unit 61 is activated, and after the post-processing is completed, the motor is rotated in the G direction again.
When the copy bundle is returned to the direction A, the position detection piece 103 turns on the tip position detection sensor 104 again, the motor 107 stops, and the solenoid 114 is set to ○FFL, and the coil spring 115 raises the chuck: upper 109 and removes the copy bundle. returns to its original position, and the end face presser plate 97 also returns to its original position. Then, the motor 107 rotates in the H direction, returns the moving plate 113 to the home position, and stops. In this way, the chuck unit 60 carries the copy bundle discharged onto the bin 55 to the post-processing device and returns it to its original position.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the post-processing unit 61.

A stapler will be illustrated and explained as an example.

When the motor 116 is turned on by an electric signal, this stapler staples the staples 11 in the cartridge 117.
9 can be pressed and bent.

The staples 119 are tied together in a strip with thin tape and rolled into the cartridge 117. Also,
When the end of the staple passes a near-end sensor (reflective sensor that reads optically) 118, a near-end signal is output.

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the alignment shaft drive unit 95 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG.

When the motor 120 rotates once, the alignment plate 70 rotates the cam 12.
1. It rotates in a fan shape in the force direction of arrow AB via the lever 122 and the alignment shaft 71. In this manner, motor 120 rotates once each time a copy is ejected into a bin to align the copies.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a control system according to the present invention.

This control is centered around the CPU 300, ROM 301, RA
M302. IN port 303. OUT boat 304. I
This is a microcomputer system composed of 10 ports 305. By using the ROM 301 in which the program is written, the IN port 301 can be used while using the RAM 302 at any time.
The copying machine and the sorter are controlled by receiving various input signals from the copying machine 304 and outputting controlled signals to the OUT port 304. The control of the sorter also includes post-processing operations (such as stapling operations) after sorting copies. Further, a control section of the ADF 3 is connected to the CPU 10 port 305, and exchanges signals with the CPU 300. The ADF 3 feeds the document onto the contact glass according to a signal from the CPU, and discharges the document after exposure is completed. In addition, in double-sided original mode (double-sided single-sided mode, double-sided duplex mode), after the exposure of the first side is completed, the original is reversed and fed onto the contact glass again, and when the exposure of the second side is completed, it is reversed. Paper is now ejected. Also, R.A.
A backup battery 306 is connected to M302 and serves as a non-volatile memory.

FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged view of the case where bin sensors 76, 79, 81° 84 are provided in each bin.

The bin sensor is a transmission type optical detection sensor consisting of an LED and a phototransistor, and has one light emitting part 124 and one light receiving part 125.
It is supported by a stay 123 and detects the presence or absence of a stack of copy sheets in each bin.

FIG. 9 shows a part of the operation section of the above-mentioned copying machine.

Reference numeral 201 is a start key for instructing to start copying;
202 is a numeric keypad for inputting the number of copies, etc.;
203 is a clear/stop key for instructing to clear the set number and stop copying; 204 is a set number display for displaying the number of copies set; 205 is a set number display for displaying the set number;
206 is a copy number display that displays the number of copies, 206 is an original number display that displays the number of originals, 207 is a paper size display that displays the copy paper size set in each tray, and 208 is a copy paper size display that is set in each tray. The remaining paper amount indicator 209 displays the remaining amount of copy paper automatically based on the original size information, etc.

Displays that the mode for selecting the most suitable copy paper (automatic paper selection mode) is set.

21o is an automatic paper selection mode display; 21o is a paper key for selecting copy paper; 211 is a paper size selection display 21 for displaying which copy paper size is selected;
2 is a please wait indicator that indicates that the copier is preparing, 213 is a copy ready indicator that indicates that the copier is ready, and 214 is an indicator that indicates the sort mode and cancels the sort mode. A sort mode key 215 indicates that the sort mode is set; a stack mode key 216 indicates stack mode and causes stapling to be performed by canceling the stack mode;
17 is a stack mode display that shows that the stack mode is set, and 218 is an automatic document feeder (A
219 is a DF mode display that indicates that automatic document feeder (ADF) mode is set; 220 is a staple key for instructing stapling mode; 221 222 is the single-sided/duplex mode key for instructing to make one double-sided copy from two single-sided originals. 223 is the staple mode indicator that indicates that the staple binding mode is set. A single-sided/duplex mode indicator 224 indicates that the mode is set, a duplex/single-sided mode key 224 is used to instruct two single-sided copies to be made from one double-sided original, and 225 is set to the double-sided/single-sided mode. Double-sided/single-sided mode display to display things.

226 is a duplex duplex mode key for instructing to make one duplex copy from one double-sided original, 227 is a duplex duplex mode indicator that indicates that duplex duplex mode is set, and 228 is a sorting turbine. Sorter turbine paper forgotten indicator, which warns that there is copy paper left in the machine, 229
warns of a jam in the sorter. A sorter jam indicator 230 warns of a jam within the copier body, etc.
Jam indicator 231 warns that the selected copy paper is out, paper replenishment indicator 232 warns that there is no staple, staple replenishment indicator 233
234 is a staple limit display that warns that stapling is not possible; 235 is a manual stapling mode that instructs to start stapling the copy paper on the sorting turbine; A key 236 is a manual stapling mode indicator that indicates that the manual stapling mode is in progress.

<Description of operation of the invention> Next, an example of the operation of the invention will be explained using a stapler as a post-processing device.
This will be explained using an example.

When a user staples a stack of copy sheets in the manual stapling mode after copying has finished in the normal sort mode or stack mode and there are copy sheets on the sorter bin, or when copy sheets are placed on the sorter bin by hand and the user staples the copy sheets in the manual staple mode. In some cases, it may not be desirable to staple a stack of copy sheets on all bins. In such cases, it would be convenient if the number of copies to be stapled could be specified.

Therefore, in the present invention, the number of copies to be stapled is entered using the numeric keypad.
(See FIG. 10) etc. from the operation unit, and then presses the manual stapling mode key 235 which instructs to start manual stapling, thereby performing the stapling operation for the specified number of copies.

Furthermore, when it is desired to staple all copy sheet bundles without specifying the number of copies, stapling can be performed without inputting from the numeric keypad 2.

Further, if the number of stapled copies is inputted to the copy sheet 1 on the sorting turbine by mistake or as necessary, the stapling operation is interrupted after the number of copies of the bin in which the copy sheet exists is stapled.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of software necessary for the present invention.

The manual stapling mode process is one of the subroutines that is called during standby, for example, when a copying machine with a rear drive device is waiting for an instruction to start copying.

First, the number of copies inputted using the numeric keypad 2 or the like (in this case, the designated number of copies) is stored in the RAM 302 (see FIG. 10), and if a numeric input is made, a numeric set flag is set (12-1).

Next, the manual staple mode key 235 is turned on, and if the manual stable mode SET flag is O, the same flag is set (12-2). The manual stable mode SET flag is reset when the manual staple mode key 235 is turned off. In other words,
This flag is a key rise detection flag for passing the following processing only once.

When the manual staple mode key 235 is activated, the stapler 61 is moved to the home position (12-3).
. The stapler 61 turns on the home sensor 56 using the home detection piece 57 and stops at the home position (12-
3). Here, since the stapler 61 is located in the first bin, the bin position counter is set to 1 and the staple counter is set to 0.
(12-4).

Next, the presence or absence of a copy sheet is detected by the bin sensors 124 and 125, and if the sheet is in the bin, a stapling operation is performed (12-5). When a stapling operation is performed, the staple counter is incremented, and the bin position counter is incremented every time after checking the bin sensors 124 and 125 (12-6).

Next, if the set number set flag is set, the staple counter (actually the number of copies that have been stapled) is compared with the set number (specified number of copies), and when both are equal, the stapling process ends (12-7 ). When the specified number is not input or when the staple counter has not reached the specified number, the bin sensor 124 is activated until the bin position counter reaches 21, that is, until all bins have been checked.
゜Repeat the check and stapling operation processing at 125 (
12-8).

When all the bins have been checked and the bin position counter reaches 21, the bin position counter is set to 1 (12-9). However, although this process is better when the stapling device is moved in another subroutine, it is not necessarily necessary here.

Even after checking all bins, if the set number is not the same as the number of copies for which stapling has been completed and the set number is greater, the stapling operation is interrupted in this state.

This prevents the same operation from being repeated because the copy sheets in all the bins containing copy sheets have already been stapled, and also prevents the copy sheets from being stapled again when they are received in the bin again. This is to enable the stapling process to be restarted simply by pressing the manual stapling mode key 235 without any input.

As described above, according to the present invention, in the invention of claim 1, since the operator can specify the number of copies to be post-processed, only the necessary number of copies can be post-processed, and the operability of the apparatus is improved. In the invention of claim 2, in addition to the above, if the specified number of copies is greater than the number of bins in which the sheet is located, the operation is interrupted after post-processing the sheet in the bin in which the sheet is located. The problem of post-processing twice can be prevented, and when sheets are received into the bin again, post-processing can be continued by manual operation without inputting the number of copies to be post-processed. In the invention of claim 3, In addition to the effect of claim 1,
When post-processing sheet bundles in all bins containing sheet bundles, there is no need to input the number of copies to be post-processed, so post-processing can be performed with a simple operation.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing the overall configuration of a copying system to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of the sorter, and FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of the sorter. 4 is a partially cutaway top view, FIG. 5 is a side view of the sorter seen from the right side of FIG. 2, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the chuck unit 1-. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the post-processing unit, FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the alignment shaft drive unit 1, FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a part of the operation panel of the copying machine, and FIG. The figure is a block diagram of the control system.
FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the state of attachment of the bin sensor, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart of manual stapling mode processing 7 positive number input processing. 2... Numeric keypad (number of copies input means) 55... Bin 61... Post-processing unit 124.125... Bin sensor (sheet detection means) 235... Manual stapling mode key (manual operation means) 300.・CPU (control means, comparison means) 302・
・・RAM (copies input means) Figure cylinder 3 Figure Figure 7

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A sheet handling device with a post-processing function capable of post-processing sheets received in a plurality of bins, comprising: a manual operating means for starting post-processing when the bins are operated to receive and receive sheets; and the manual. A sheet handling device with a post-processing function, comprising a copy number input means for inputting the number of sheets to be post-processed by an operation, and a control means for performing post-processing for the input number of sheet copies during the manual operation. (2) a sheet detection means for detecting the presence or absence of sheets in the bin; a comparison means for comparing the number of sheet copies detected by the sheet detection means (the number of bins with sheets) and the input number of sheets; and the input control means for performing control to interrupt the post-processing operation after post-processing only the sheets in the bins containing sheets, if the number of sheet copies detected by the sheet detection means is greater than the number of bins with sheets; A sheet handling device with a post-processing function according to claim 1, characterized in that the sheet handling device has a post-processing function. (3) a detection means for detecting the presence or absence of sheets in the bin; and when the number of sheets to be post-processed is not input, post-processing all the sheets in the bin with sheets detected by the sheet detection means; The sheet handling device with a post-processing function according to claim 1, further comprising a control means.