JPH0485084A - Sorter equipment with stapling mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To increase the speed of a stapling process by starting the movement of a stapler based on the point of time when the distributing operation of a distribution means is completed and moving the stapler at high speed when there is no danger of the collision with the distribution means. CONSTITUTION:The home position of a distribution means 13 is set to the opposed position of the distribution bin 2 positioned at one end of the arranging direction of distribution bins 2 and the home position of a stapler unit 30 is set in the vicinity of the distribution bin 2 positioned at the other end of the arranging direction of the distribution bins 2. The first control means of the distribution means 13 intermittently moves the distribution means 13 in the first direction separated from the opposed position of the distribution bin 2 positioned at one end of the arranging direction of the distribution bins 2 and the second direction approaching the opposed position. The second control means thereof starts the movement of the stapler unit 30 at the first speed when the distribution means 13 completes distributing operation by the movement in the first direction and starts the movement of the stapler unit 30 at speed higher than the first speed when the distribution means 13 completes distributing operation by the movement in the second direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to distribution bins arranged in multiple stages for storing sheets sent from an image forming apparatus, and a system that moves along the arrangement direction of the distribution bins. The present invention relates to a sorter with a stepping ring mechanism, which includes a distributing means for distributing sheets to distributing bins, and a stapler that moves along the arrangement direction of the distributing bins to staple the sheets distributed on the distributing bins.

[Prior Art] In general, a sorter is connected to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, and sorts sheets ejected from the image forming apparatus by storing the pages in a plurality of distribution bins using a distributing means. It is.

This sorter can be classified into various types depending on the method of distributing sheets into distribution bins. One of the known types is one in which the distribution means moves along the arrangement direction of a plurality of distribution bins to distribute sheets to the distribution bins.

On the other hand, some sorters are equipped with a step ring mechanism for binding sheets stored in distribution bins.

As this step ring mechanism, there is a known mechanism in which a stepper moves along one side of a plurality of distribution bins to staple the sheets distributed on the distribution bins (see Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 1853/1983). , see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-281258).

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the method described above in which the stapler is moved along one side of a plurality of distribution bins, there is a problem that the stapler protrudes to one side of the sorter. .

Therefore, in a sorter in which the distribution means moves along the arrangement direction of the distribution bins to discharge the sheets to the distribution bins, the present application proposes that the stapler is provided so that the ends of the distribution bins can be moved in the same way as the distribution means. The application has been filed by applicant A (unpublished).

According to this, the stapler does not protrude to one side of the sorter, and the sorter as a whole can be made smaller.

By the way, in the sorter in which the distribution means and the stapler are both moved along the edges of the distribution bins, the home position (standby position) of the distribution means is set at a position facing the distribution bins located at one end in the arrangement direction of the distribution bins. It has been considered to set the home position of the stapler near the distribution bin located at the other end in the arrangement direction.

Further, the distributing operation of the distributing means is to distribute sheets to the distributing bins while moving in a first direction away from the opposing position of the distributing bins located at one end in the arrangement direction of the distributing bins, and conversely to approach the opposing position. Distributing sheets while moving in the second direction has been considered in order to speed up the dispensing operation.

An object of the present invention is to speed up the movement of the stapler after the distribution operation by the distribution means in a sorter in which both the distribution means and the stapler are moved along the edge of a distribution bin, thereby increasing the processing speed of the device. An object of the present invention is to provide a sorter with a step ring mechanism.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes distribution bins arranged in a plurality of stages for storing sheets sent from an image forming apparatus, and a standby position of the distribution bins arranged in a direction in which the distribution bins are arranged. a distributing means provided at a position facing the distributing bin located at one end and distributing sheets to the distributing bin by moving along the arranging direction; a stapler that is provided near the distribution bin located at the end and binds the sheets distributed on the distribution bin by moving along the arrangement direction; and a stapler that is provided with the same image continuously fed from the image forming apparatus. The dispensing means is arranged in the arrangement direction of the dispensing bins in a first direction away from the facing position and in a second direction approaching the facing position so as to distribute one sheet having a plurality of sheets formed thereon to one distributing bin. a first control means for intermittently moving the stepper in the first direction; and a first control means for starting the stapler to move at a first speed based on the end of the dispensing operation when the dispensing means finishes the dispensing operation by moving in the first direction. , second control means for starting the stapler to move at a speed greater than the first speed when the dispensing means ends the dispensing operation by moving in the second direction, based on the end of the dispensing operation; Configured with the necessary features.

The distributing means moves in a first direction away from a position facing the distributing bin located at one end in the arrangement direction of the distributing bins to distribute sheets to the distributing bin, and conversely moves in a second direction approaching the opposing position. A distribution method is being considered in which the sheets are distributed by moving to

In this distribution method, depending on whether the number of originals is odd or even, there are cases in which the distribution means ends the distribution operation by moving in the first direction, and cases in which the distribution device ends the distribution operation by movement in the second direction. There is.

This will be explained using an example.

When the sorting mode is set with an odd number of originals, for example, three, and five copies, the copying machine makes five copies of the first original and sends the copies one by one to the sorter. In the sorter, the distribution means moves and distributes the copies to the first to fifth distribution bins. Fifth
The distributing means stopped at a position opposite to the distributing bin in the fifth stage discharges the first copy of the second document to the distributing bin in the fifth stage, and then the dispensing means discharges the first copy of the second document into the distributing bin in the fifth stage. , copies of the second original are sequentially discharged to the first stage distribution bin. Next, the distributing means sequentially discharges copies of the third document from the first to fifth distribution bins, and when the copies are discharged to the fifth distribution bin, the distributing operation ends.

On the other hand, if the sort mode is set with an even number of originals, for example 2, and 5 copies, the copying machine will make 5 copies of the first original and send these copies one by one to the sorter. . In the sorter, the distribution means moves and distributes the copies to the first to fifth distribution bins. The dispensing means stopped at a position opposite to the distribution bin of the fifth stage discharges the first copy of the second original to the distribution bin of the fifth stage, and then the dispensing means stops at the position opposite to the distribution bin of the fifth stage, and then the dispensing means disposes the first copy of the second document into the distribution bin of the fifth stage. Copies of the second document are sequentially discharged to the second and first stage distribution bins, and the distribution operation ends when the copies are discharged to the first stage distribution bin.

In this way, when there is an odd number of documents, the dispensing means completes the dispensing operation by moving in the first direction away from the opposing position of the distributing bin located at one end in the arrangement direction of the distributing bins. If there is an even number of documents, the dispensing means completes the dispensing operation in the second direction, approaching the facing position.

When the dispensing means completes the dispensing operation by moving in the first direction, it is then necessary to move the dispensing means back in the opposite direction toward the opposing position.

When the dispensing means completes the dispensing operation by moving in the first direction, the speed of the stapler must be suppressed so that the moving stapler does not collide with the dispensing means that is in the process of return movement. However, if the dispensing means ends the dispensing operation by moving in the second direction, such consideration is unnecessary.

Therefore, in this invention, the stepler starts moving based on the end of the dispensing operation of the dispensing means, but when there is no risk of collision with the dispensing means, the stepler is moved at a high speed, thereby increasing the speed of the step ring process. We tried to process it.

[Effect] The invention operates as follows.

When the dispensing means finishes the dispensing operation by moving in the first direction away from the opposing position of the dispensing bins located at one end in the arrangement direction of the dispensing bins, the stapler starts moving at the first speed based on the end of the dispensing operation. .

On the other hand, when the distributing means finishes the dispensing operation by moving in the second direction approaching the opposing position, the stapler starts moving at a speed higher than the first speed based on the time of the dispensing operation.

[Example] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a longitudinal section of this sorter.

Referring to FIG. 1, the sorter is attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus (the path shown in the figure) such as a copying machine on the right side of the figure.

A plurality of distribution bins 2 are arranged vertically within a frame 1 of this sorter. A guide member 3 is movably attached to the sheet input end side of the distribution bin 2.

A dedicated bin 4 is provided above the distribution bin 2 for storing sheets in a non-sort mode in which sorting is not performed.

A guide roller 5 and a conveyance path 6 are provided to guide sheets such as copy sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus into the sorter. A sheet sensor 7 is provided at the entrance to detect the presence or absence of a sheet, and when the sheet sensor 7 detects the introduction of a sheet in the sort mode, the guide roller 5, conveyance belt 11, and suction means 12 are driven.

The terminal end of the conveyance path 6 is connected to the dedicated bin 4.

On the other hand, in the middle of the conveyance path 6, a switching pawl 9 for selecting whether to send the sheet to the dedicated bin 4 or the distribution bin 2 is provided so as to be vertically swingable.

The conveyance direction of the sheet is switched by the entry of the switching claw 9 into the conveyance path 6, and the sheet is sent to each distribution bin 2 via a conveyance means and a distribution means to be described later.

The conveyance means conveys the sheet downward while sucking the sheet. This conveyance means includes a conveyor belt 11 with suction holes stretched between upper and lower pulleys 10, and a conveyor belt 11 with suction holes stretched between upper and lower pulleys 10.
1 and a suction means 12 such as a fan for adhering the sheet to the sheet.

The distribution means 13 separates the sheet from the conveyance means and discharges the sheet into a selected distribution bin. This distribution means 13 includes a peeling guide member 13 that peels the sheet from the conveyor belt 11 and guides the sheet to the distribution bin 2.
1 a, 13 l b, and this peeling guide member 131a
, 131b, and a discharge roller 14 for forcibly conveying the sheet toward the distribution bin. Further, the distribution means 13 is fixed to a pair of left and right lifting timing belts 16 stretched between upper and lower pulleys 15.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the pulley 15 below the distribution means 13 is connected by a connecting shaft 17. A pulley 18 provided on this connecting shaft 17 has a belt 19 and a pulley 2
0, a shaft 21, a helical gear 22, a worm gear 231, and a gear 232. The clutch mechanism 23 is connected to a pinion 25 of a motor 24. Clutch mechanism 2
3 is for connecting and disconnecting the drive connection between the pinion 25 of the motor 24 and the helical gear 22.

The distribution means 13 is guided along a guide rail 28 via rollers 27 on both sides thereof. This guide rail 28 also serves as a guide for a stapler unit 30, which will be described later.

A photoelectric sheet sensor 29 consisting of a pair of light emitting elements and light receiving elements is installed at the height of the upper and lower ends of the lifting area of the distribution means 13 and the stapler unit 30. This is to detect the passage of the sheet discharged into the second position. This seat sensor 2
As described later, when the guide member 3, which is movably provided with respect to the distribution bin 2, is pulled into the step ring position of the stapler 55, it is also possible to detect whether or not there is a sheet on the guide member 3. It is possible.

A stapler unit 30 is provided to move up and down the lifting area of the distribution means 13. This stapler unit 30 includes a stapler 55, sheet pressing means 26, and guide member pulling means 57 (to be described later).
(See Figure 3).

The Stepler unit 30 is coupled to a pair of left and right lifting timing belts 32 stretched between upper and lower pulleys 31 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The lower pulley 31 is connected by a connecting shaft 33.

A pulley 34 provided on this connecting shaft 33 has a belt 35,
Pulley 36, pongee 37, helical gear 38, worm gear 3
The pinion 25 of the motor 24 is connected to the pinion 25 of the motor 24 via a clutch mechanism 39 having a gear 392 and a gear 392 . The clutch mechanism 39 connects and disconnects the pinion 25 of the motor 24 and the helical gear 38 .

The stapler unit 30 is guided along the guide rail 28 via rollers 41 on both sides thereof.

The clutch mechanism 23.39 selects whether or not to drive the distribution means 13 and stapler unit 30. Also, each worm gear 231.391
The vertical movement of the dispensing means 13 and stapler unit 3o is detected by the slit disk 43.44 and photoelectric sensor 45.46 provided integrally with the distributing means 13 and the stapler unit 3o to accurately feed each distributing bin 2 up and down. ing.

As shown in FIG. 1, the home position of the distribution means 13 is set at a position opposite to the distribution bins 2 located at one end in the arrangement direction of the distribution bins 2.

In addition, the home position of the Stepra unit 30 is
It is set near the distribution bin 2 located at the other end in the arrangement direction of the distribution bins 2.

The distribution means 13 includes a CPU that moves intermittently in a first direction away from a position facing the distribution bins located at one end in the arrangement direction of the distribution bins 2 and in a second direction approaching the facing position.
A first control means such as the following is provided.

Further, when the dispensing means 13 finishes the dispensing operation by moving in the first direction, the stapler unit 30 starts moving at the first speed, and the dispensing means 13 starts the dispensing operation by moving in the second direction. When you finish Stepra Unit 3
0 starts moving at a speed greater than the first speed C
A second control means such as a PU is provided.

A positioning means is provided for positioning the sheet discharged onto the distribution bin 2 with approximately the center of the distribution bin 2 as a reference. As shown in FIG. 2, this positioning means is connected to a pulley 49 on one side of the uppermost distribution bin 2 via a pulley 47 and a belt 48, and is connected to a pulley 51 via this pulley 49 and a belt 50. A pair of left and right positioning members 52 are coupled to the belt 50 so as to face each other. As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of left and right positioning members 52 are connected to each distribution bin 2 via a connecting shaft 53, as shown in FIG.

That is, by rotating the belt 50 in the forward and reverse directions, the positioning members 52 are moved toward and away from each other, and push the sheets from the left and right to position the sheets distributed in the distribution bins based on the center of the distribution bin 2. ing.

3 is a plan view of the stapler unit 30 and the guide member 3, and FIG. 4 is a rear view of the stapler unit 30 with some parts omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the stapler unit 30
A stapler 55 and sheet pressing means 56 are integrally provided on a base 54 so as to be movable in the width direction of the guide member 3, and pulling means 57 for the guide member 3 are provided at the left and right ends of the base 54. There is.

A pressing means 56 is integrally provided on the side of the stapler 55. Then, the stepping roller 55 has a running wheel 58.
is provided and connected to a belt 59, the belt 59 is stretched between a pair of pulleys 60, and one pulley 6
0 is connected to a motor 61.

That is, the rotation of the motor 61 causes the stapler 55 and the pressing means 56 to be horizontally moved in the width direction of the guide member 3 via the belt 59.

A square shaft 62 is supported on the base 54 via a bearing 63.
This square shaft 62 is passed through the pressing means 56 and the pulling means 57, and a pulley 64 provided on this nine-sided shaft 62 is connected to a motor 67 via a belt 65 and a pulley 66. The forward and reverse rotation of the square shaft 62 causes the pressing means 56 and the pulling means 57 to advance and retreat with respect to the guide member 3 via a pinion rack mechanism described later.

That is, by forward and reverse rotation of the motor 67, the pressing means 56 and the pulling means 57 are moved forward and backward with respect to the guide member 3 through the forward and reverse rotation of the square shaft 62.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pulling means 57 and the guide member 3;
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pressing means 56, and FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the stapler 55.

The attracting means 57 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5.

A pinion 68 is fitted onto the square shaft 62, a rack 69 is meshed with the pinion 68, and a support frame 70 is integrally provided with the rack 69. Support frame 7
A pin 72 of a locking member 75 is engaged with an elongated hole 71 formed at 0, and this locking member 75 is swingably fixed to a support frame 70 about a fulcrum shaft 74. A biasing spring 76 is interposed between the support frame 70 and the lock member 75 to bias the lock member 75 downward.

On the other hand, a guide shaft 77 is fixed to the base 54, and a support frame 70 and a lock member 75 are slidably provided on the guide shaft 77.

That is, by forward and reverse rotation of the square shaft 62, the pinion 68
, the rack 69, and the locking member 7 via the support frame 70.
5 is adapted to move back and forth along a guide shaft 77.

A pin 78 provided integrally with the lock member 75 and an elongated hole 79 provided in the support frame 70 are connected to the lock member 75.
The movement range in the front and back direction is restricted. 75a is a lock pin that engages with the guide member 3.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, the guide member 3
Explain.

The guide member 3 is provided movably with respect to the distribution bin 2 at the sheet input end side of each distribution pin 2 .

A regulating portion 80 for aligning and regulating one end of the sheet is erected at the sheet input end of the guide member 3, and the guide member 3 is pulled into the step ring position of the stapler 55 during stepping, when the stapler 55 and the pressing means 56 A notch 81a181b, where the cutout is located, is formed at the center in the width direction and at one end.

Guide member 3 and base 5 of the stapler unit 30
4 respectively have through holes 82.4 for the beams of the sheet sensors 29.
83 is formed, and the guide member 3 is a step schnitte 3.
When pulled toward the 0 side, both through holes 82 and 83 overlap, allowing the beam of the sheet sensor 29 to pass when there is no sheet on the guide member 3, but when there is a sheet on the guide member 3, the beam passes through. cut off. Thereby, the presence or absence of a sheet on the guide member 3 is detected, and the drive control of the stapler 55 is performed so that stepping is performed only when there is a sheet.

Guide plates 84 are provided at the left and right ends of the guide member 3, and can be smoothly moved back and forth by rollers 86 provided on the side frames 85. side frame 8
A return spring 87 is interposed between the guide member 5 and the guide member 3 to return the guide member 3 that has been pulled out.

Lock portions 88 are provided on the left and right sides of the guide member 3 to engage the lock pin 75a of the lock member 750 of the pulling means 57.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, the pressing means 5
6 will be explained.

A pinion 89 is fitted into the corner $11162, a rack 90 is meshed with this pinion 89, a support frame 91 is integrally provided with this rack 90, and this support frame 91 moves back and forth along a guide shaft 92. It looks like this.

A solenoid 93 is provided at the upper part of the support frame 91, and a link 95 that swings back and forth around a fulcrum shaft 94 is connected to a lever 93a of this solenoid 93, and this link 95 is connected to the fulcrum shaft via a buffer spring 96. It is connected to a link 97 that swings up and down about 94. The tip of this link 97 is connected to a guide pin 98, which is moved up and down along an elongated hole 99 and is connected to a sheet pressing member 100.

A pressing member 1 is provided between the link 97 and the support frame 91.
A return spring 101 is interposed to separate 00 from the seat.

That is, the square shaft 62 is rotated in the normal direction to advance the pressing member 100 via the pinion 89, rack 90, and support frame 91, and the solenoid 93 attracts the lever 93a to close the link 95, buffer spring 96, link 97, and guide pin. A pressing member 100 is lowered via a lever 98 to press the sheet from above.

The stapler 55 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 7.

The stepper 55 is a known one, and includes a motor 102,
It is roughly composed of a gear 103 that is rotated forward and backward by this motor 102, a bracket 104 that swings up and down by this gear 103, an anvil 105 that steps together with this bracket 104 across a sheet bundle, and a needle storage section 106. has been done.

The sorter configured as described above operates as follows.

When the sheet sensor 7 detects that a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus enters the sorter, the guide roller 5 is driven and the sheet is conveyed through the conveyance path 6.

In the sorting mode, the sheet is sent downward via the switching claw 9 that enters the conveyance path 6.

At this time, the conveying belt 11 of the conveying means conveys the sheet downward while sucking the sheet. The sheet lowered by the conveyor belt 11 is transferred to the peeling guide member 131a of the distribution bin 13,
131b, the distribution bin 2 is separated from the conveyor belt 11.
will be guided to.

If a condition is set on the copying machine (image forming device) to use the automatic document feeder to copy an odd number of sheets, for example, three copies of a set of nine originals, in sword mode, the copying machine will: First, three copies are successively made of the first document, and these copies are sequentially fed into the conveyance path 6 of the sorter.

At the home position shown in FIG. 1, the distribution means 13 peels off the first of the three copies from the conveyor belt 11, guides the sheet to the distribution bin 2, and discharges it.

The sheet sensor 2 indicates that the sheet has been discharged to the distribution bin 2.
9, the motor 24 is driven by a predetermined amount to move the dispensing means 13 to a position facing the adjacent lower dispensing bin 2.

Then, the second copy is discharged into the distribution bin 2.

When the third copy has been ejected to a predetermined distribution bin (the third distribution bin from the top (not shown)), the distribution bin 13 is controlled to stop at that position, and the copying process for the second original is stopped. Out of the three copies that are continuously conveyed to the sorter side, the first copy is first discharged to the distribution bin, and then the motor 24
by reversing the dispensing means 13 to the adjacent upper dispensing bin 2.
Control the movement to the opposite position. The distributing means 13 is sequentially raised to eject the second and third copies.

The same control as described above is repeated for the third to ninth sheets of the original.

Then, the distributing means 13 descends in the order of the first, second, and third distributing bins 2 in order to eject a copy of the ninth original (the final original), and when the distribution is completed, the distributing means 13
3 will be located opposite the third distribution bin 2 from the top, and will then ascend to return to its home position (a position opposite the distribution bin at one end in the arrangement direction of the distribution bins).

Then, based on the end of the distribution operation of the distribution means 13,
The Stepler unit 30 is started to move from the home position shown in FIG. 1 at a first speed. The first speed of the stapler unit 30 is set so as not to collide with the distributing means 13 during the returning upward movement.

On the other hand, on the copying machine side, an even number of documents, for example, a set of 10 documents, is printed 3 times.
Assume that the conditions are set to copy the same copy in Sword mode.

Then, the distributing means 13 moves up to the third, second, and first distributing bins 2 in order to eject a copy of the tenth original (the final original), and when the dispensing is completed, the distributing means 13 moves up to It will be located at the home position shown in Figure 1.

The sheet discharged onto the distribution bin 2 slides down due to its own weight along the slope of the distribution bin 2, and one end of the sheet is aligned with the regulating portion 80 of the guide member 3. Further, by rotating the belt 50 of the positioning means in the forward and reverse directions, the positioning members 52 are moved in directions toward and away from each other, and the sheet is pushed from the left and right to be positioned approximately at the center of the distribution bin 2.

Then, based on the end of the distribution operation of the distribution means 13,
Start moving the Stepler unit 30 from the home position shown in FIG. 1 at a speed higher than the first speed,
It is stopped at a position opposite to the topmost distribution bin 2.

Next, the motor 61 is driven to integrally move the stapler 55 and the pressing means 56 in the width direction of the guide member 3, and stop them at either the notch 81a or 81b, or at the center of the width direction of the sheet. The ends can be stepped.

Next, by driving the motor 67, the pulling means 57 projects forward and engages with the guide member 3.

A pressing means 56 projects forward.

Next, the solenoid 93 of the pressing means 56
When 3a is pulled in, the sheet pressing member 100 presses the sheet on the guide member 3 from above.

Next, the pulling means 57 is moved rearward by driving the motor 67 to pull the guide member 3 toward the step schnitte 30 side.

The pressing member 100 of the pressing means 56 also retreats while pressing the sheet.

When the guide member 3 is bent into the step schnit 30 side, the through holes 82 and 83 between the guide member 3 and the base 54 of the stepler unit 30 overlap, making the photoelectric sheet sensor 29 operable. .

When the sheet sensor 29 is ON (when the light receiving element receives light from the light emitting element), it is determined that there is no sheet on the guide member 3, and the guide member 3 is returned to its original position without executing step ring. and moves the stapler unit 30 to the next distribution bin 2.

On the other hand, when the sheet sensor 29 is OFF (when the light receiving element does not receive light from the light emitting element), it is determined that a sheet is present, and the stapler 55 steps the sheet.

After the step ring is completed, the solenoid 9 of the holding means 56
3 is turned OFF (de-energized state) and the return spring 101
The holding member 100 is separated from the sheet by the action of.

Next, when the stapler unit 30 is slightly raised, the engagement between the guide member 3 and the pulling means 57 is released, and the guide member 3 is returned by the return spring 87.

Next, the stapler unit 30 is moved to the adjacent lower distribution bin 2, and the above operation is repeated.

The sorter described above provides the following effects.

(1) When the dispensing means 13 completes the dispensing operation by moving in the first direction away from the opposing position of the dispensing bins located at one end in the arrangement direction of the distributing bins 2, the stapler unit 30 is Start moving at the first speed. When the distributing means 13 finishes the dispensing operation by moving in the second direction approaching the opposing position, the dispensing means 1
Since there is no risk of collision with 3, the Stepra unit 30
starts moving at a speed greater than the first speed.

Therefore, the stepping operation time of the stepper unit 30 can be shortened, and the processing speed of the apparatus can be increased.

(2) The lightweight distribution means 13 is set at a position opposite to the uppermost distribution bin 2, and the heavy stapler unit 30
is set below the lowest dispensing bin 2, so the stability of the device is good.

(3) Since the stapler 55 is arranged to move up and down in the same area as the area in which the distribution means 13 moves up and down, the sorter can be made smaller.

(4) Since the stapler 55 is arranged to move up and down in the same area as the lifting area of the distribution means 13, the sorter does not protrude in the width direction due to the arrangement of the stapler 55.

(5) A pair of photoelectric sheet sensors 29 placed above and below the common lifting area of the distribution means 13 and stapler 55 detect that the sheet has passed through the distribution means 13 and draw it toward the stapler 55. It is possible to detect whether or not there is a sheet on the guide member 3.

(6) Guide member 3 movably provided in distribution bin 2
Since the sheet is stepped by moving only the sheet along with the sheet to a position where it can be stepped, the driving force can be reduced and the drive system can be made smaller compared to the case where the entire distribution bin 2 is moved to the stapler 55 side. can.

(7) When pulling the guide member 3 and when stepping the guide member 3, the member 10 holds down the sheet on the guide member 3.
Since the sheet is pressed by 0, the sheet can be reliably pulled together with the guide member 3, and the curled and separated sheet bundle can be compressed to facilitate stepping.

(8) Since one end of the sheet is aligned with the regulating portion 80 of the guide member 3 and the sheet is pressed against the guide member 3 from above by the pressing means 56, the guide member 3 is moved toward the stapler 55, so that the step Dispersion of the sheet to be ringed during movement can be minimized.

(9) Along with the stapler 55, the sheet pressing means 5
6 and the pulling means 57 of the guide member 3 are integrally raised and lowered as the same stapler unit 3o.
The step ring system can be simplified compared to a case where a pressing means 56 and a pulling means 57 are provided for each distribution bin separately from the step ring 55.

(10) Since the pulling means 57 engages with both left and right sides of the guide member 3 and pulls them together, the guide member 3 can be drawn stably.

(11) By moving the stapler 55 along the width direction of the guide member 3, stepping can be performed at a plurality of locations in the width direction of the sheet or at an arbitrary position.

(12) To move the sheet pressing means 56 along the width direction of the guide member 3 integrally with the stapler 55,
Even when the stapler 55 is moved along the width direction of the sheets, the means 5 presses the sheet bundle in the vicinity of the stapler 55.
6 allows for reliable stepping.

(13) The pressing means 56 and the pulling means 57 can be moved forward and backward by one motor 67, and the drive mechanism for the pressing means 56 and the pulling means 57 can be simplified.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications can be made.

(1) In the above embodiment, the home position of the dispensing means is set above and the home position of the stepler is set below, but the home position of the distributing means is set below and the home position of the stepler is set above. You may.

(2) In the above embodiment, the sheet is pushed toward the stapler side by pressing the sheet against the guide member provided at the front end of the distribution bin, but it is also possible to pull the entire distribution bin 2 toward the stapler 55 side. (See FIG. 8), only sheets from the distribution bin 2 are nipped by the gripping means 107 and drawn to the stapler 55 (see FIG. 9), or even if the stapler 55 is moved to the distribution bin 2 side. Good (see Figure 10)
.

[Effects of the Invention] In the invention described above, the end time is determined when the dispensing means ends the dispensing operation by moving in the first direction away from the opposing position of the dispensing bins located at one end in the arrangement direction of the dispensing bins. The stapler is started to move at the first speed based on the reference, and when the dispensing means finishes the dispensing operation by moving in the second direction approaching the opposing position, the stapler is moved at the first speed based on the time of completion. Start moving at a higher speed.

Therefore, the stepping operation time of the stepper can be shortened, and the processing speed of the apparatus can be increased.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 7 are diagrams showing one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the entire sorter. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the distribution bin, guide and stapler unit. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the guide member and stapler unit. FIG. 4 is a rear view of the stapler unit. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pulling means and the guide member. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pressing means. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the stapler. 8 to 10 are longitudinal sectional views of other embodiments. 2: Distribution bin 11: Conveyor belt 12: Suction section 13: Distribution means 16/timing belt 30 Nippon puller unit 32: Timing belt 55 Nippon puller 56: Holding means 57: Pulling means

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] Distribution bins arranged in a plurality of stages for storing sheets sent from an image forming apparatus, and a standby position thereof facing the distribution bin located at one end in the arrangement direction of the distribution bins. a distributing means distributing sheets to the distribution bins by moving along the arrangement direction; a standby position thereof is provided near the distribution bin located at the other end of the distribution bin in the arrangement direction; a stapler that moves along the arrangement direction to staple the sheets distributed on the distribution bin; and a stapler that stitches the sheets distributed on the distribution bin by moving along the arrangement direction; and a stapler that binds the sheets on which the same image is formed, which are continuously fed from the image forming device, into one distribution bin. a first control means for intermittently moving the dispensing means in the arrangement direction of the dispensing bins in a first direction away from the opposing position and in a second direction approaching the opposing position so as to dispense one sheet; , when the distribution means finishes the distribution operation by moving in the first direction, the stapler starts moving at a first speed based on the time of completion, and the distribution means starts moving in the second direction. A sorter with a step ring mechanism, characterized in that the sorter is equipped with a second control means for starting the movement of the stepper at a speed higher than the first speed based on the time when the distribution operation is completed by movement.