JPH0485085A - Sorter equipment with stapling mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the interference of a distribution means during the return movement toward a standby position and the stapler moving toward the first distribution bin by a method wherein a distribution means is moved at the first speed so as to be returned to a standby position when the distributing operation of the distribution means is completed and a stapler is moved toward the first distribution bin from its standby position at the second speed lower than the first speed. CONSTITUTION:The first control means intermittently moves a distribution means 13 in the first direction separating from the first distribution bin 2 being the arranging direction of distribution bins 2 and the second direction approaching the first distribution bin 2 so that a plurality of the sheets having the same image formed thereto continuously sent in from an image forming apparatus are distributed to the distribution bins 2 one by one. The second control means moves the distribution means 13 at the first speed so as to return the same to the standby position thereof when the distributing operation of the distribution means is completed by the movement in the first direction and moves a stapler unit 30 toward the first distribution bin 2 from the standby position thereof at the second speed lower than the first speed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention provides a plurality of distribution bins, a distribution means for distributing sheets to the distribution bins while moving along the plurality of distribution bins, and a distribution means for distributing sheets to the distribution bins while moving along the plurality of distribution bins. The present invention relates to a sorter with a step ring mechanism, which is equipped with a stapler that steps and staples sheets on a distribution bin while moving.

[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 type is known in which the dispensing means moves over the ends of a plurality of dispensing bins while discharging sheets into the dispensing bins.

On the other hand, some sorters are equipped with a step ring mechanism that steps and stitches sheets stored in distribution bins.

As this step ring mechanism, a step ring is movably provided along one side of the plurality of distribution bins,
Methods for stepping sheets are known (see U.S. Pat.

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

Therefore, in a sorter in which the distribution means moves the end of the distribution bin and discharges sheets into the distribution bin, it is the same as the present application that the stapler is provided so that the end of the distribution bin can be moved in the same way as the distribution means. A request has been made by the applicant (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 edge of the distribution bin, the home position (standby position) of the distribution means is at a position opposite to the distribution bin 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.

An object of the present invention is to provide a sorter in which both a dispensing means and a stapler are moved along the edge of a distribution bin, in which the stapler is moved in parallel with the dispensing means returning to its home position after the dispensing operation is completed. To provide a sorter with a step ring mechanism in which a distribution means and a stapler do not interfere when moving toward a distribution bin at which operation starts.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.

That is, the present invention provides distribution bins arranged in multiple stages for storing sheets fed from an image forming apparatus, and a standby position facing a first distribution bin located at one end in the arrangement direction of the distribution bins. a distributing unit distributing sheets from the first distributing bin to the distributing bins in sequence by moving along the arranging direction; and a standby position thereof is at the other end of the distributing bins in the arranging direction. a stapler provided near the final distribution bin located therein, and staples the sheets distributed from the first distribution bin onto the distribution bin by moving in the arrangement direction; The dispensing means is arranged in a first direction away from the first dispensing bin and in a first direction away from the first dispensing bin so as to dispense a plurality of sheets having the same image formed thereon to one distributing bin. a first control means for intermittently moving the dispensing means in a second direction approaching a first dispensing bin; and when the dispensing means completes the dispensing operation by moving in the first direction, the dispensing means is placed in the standby position. and control means for moving the stapler back toward the position at a first speed, and moving the stapler from its standby position toward the first distribution bin at a second speed less than or equal to the first speed. It is composed of

[Operation] In the present invention, when the dispensing means completes the dispensing operation by moving in the first direction away from the first dispensing bin, the dispensing means is returned to its standby position at the first speed, and , moving the stapler from its standby position toward the first dispensing bin at a second speed that is less than or equal to the first speed.

[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 sheets, 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 end of the conveyance path 6 is connected to the dedicated bin 4, while in the middle of the conveyance path 6 there is a switching claw 9 that can freely swing up and down to select whether to send the sheet to the dedicated bin 4 or the distribution bin 2. It is provided.

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 20.
, a shaft 21, a helical gear 22, a worm gear 231, and a gear 232.
It is connected to the pinion 25 of No. 4. Clutch mechanism 23
is for connecting and disconnecting the driving 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
9 is to inspect whether there is a sheet on the guide member 3 when pulling the guide member 3, which is movably provided with respect to the distribution bin 2, to the step ring position of the stapler 55, as described later. is also possible.

A stapler unit 30 is provided to move up and down the up and down area of the distribution means 13. This stapler unit 30 includes a stapler 55, sheet pressing means 26, and guide member pulling means 57, which will be described later (see FIG. 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, shaft 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 30 is detected by the slit disk 43.44 and photoelectric sensor 45.46 provided integrally with the dispensing bin 2 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 the distribution bin 2 located at one end in the arrangement direction of the distribution bins 2.
(the first distribution bin 2 in the sheet distribution order). Further, the home position of the stapler unit 30 is set near the distribution bin 2 located at the other end in the arrangement direction of the distribution bins 2.

The first distribution bin in the sheet distribution sequence is also the distribution bin at which the stepper unit 30 starts the step ring operation.

Note that the sheet distribution order in the present invention means that in the sorting mode of the sorter, the first set of copy sheets that are recollected and copied from the same original in the image forming apparatus and sent to the sorter side are placed in each distribution bin 2. This refers to the order in which the distribution bins 2 are discharged one by one in the order in which they are arranged.

Furthermore, in the group mode of the sorter, when the copy sheets are all discharged to each distribution bin 2 in the order in which they are arranged, it refers to the order of the distribution bins 2 in which the bundle of copy sheets for each document is discharged.

The distributing means 13 is arranged in the arrangement direction of the distributing bins 2 and in the first distributing bin so that one sheet of the plurality of sheets on which the same image is formed, which are continuously sent from the image forming apparatus, is distributed to one distributing bin 2. CP to be moved intermittently in a first direction away from the first distribution bin 2 and in a second direction towards the first distribution bin 2.
A first control means (not shown) such as U is provided.

Further, when the dispensing means 13 completes the dispensing operation by moving in the first direction, the dispensing means 13 is returned to its standby position at the first speed, and the stapler unit 30
from its standby position at a second speed less than or equal to the first speed.
A second control means (not shown) such as a CPU is provided to move the distribution bin 2 toward the distribution bin 2 .

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, and the belt 59 is stretched between a pair of pulleys 60, one of which is connected to a belt 59.
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 square 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 bow gathering 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 Cutout portions 81a and 81b in which are located are 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 pins 75a of the lock members 75 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 to the square shaft 62, a rack 90 is meshed with the pinion 89, a support frame 91 is integrally provided with the rack 90, and the support frame 91
is adapted to move back and forth along the guide shaft 92.

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, and this guide pin 98 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 sheets lowered by the conveyor belt 11 are transferred to the distribution bin 1
It is peeled off from the conveyor belt 11 and guided to the distribution bin 2 by the peeling guide members 131a and 131b of No.3.

For example, if a condition is set on the copying machine (image forming device) to copy three copies of a set of three originals using the automatic document feeder in sword mode, the copying machine first copies the first Three copies of the original document are successively made, 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 first distribution bin 2, and discharges the sheet.

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.

When the sheet sensor 29 confirms that the sheet has been discharged to the first distribution bin 2, the motor 24 is driven by a predetermined amount to control the movement of the distribution means 13 to a position facing the adjacent lower distribution 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. The first of the three copies that are continuously conveyed to the sorter side 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.

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 third original (the final original), and when the distribution is completed, the distributing means 13
3 will be positioned opposite the third dispensing bin 2 from the top, and then the dispensing means 13 will rise at a first speed to return towards its home position.

Further, based on the end of the distribution operation of the distribution means 13, the clutch 23 for the distribution means is disengaged, the clutch 39 for the stapler unit is connected, the motor 24 is driven, and the stapler unit 30 is activated. From the home position shown in FIG. 1, the robot starts to ascend toward the first distribution bin 2 (the uppermost distribution bin) at a second speed that is lower than the first speed. Then, it moves to a position opposite to the distribution bin 2 on the uppermost stage and stops.

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.
It stops at either of the notches 81a and 81b to enable stepping of the center or end portions in the width direction of the sheet.

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

A pressing means 56 projects forward.

Next, the pressing means 56 presses the sheets on the guide member 3 from above.

Next, when the motor 67 is driven, the pulling means 57 draws the guide member 3 toward the step schnitte 30 side. 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 3o 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 stepper unit 3o is moved to the adjacent distribution bin 2, and the above operation is repeated.

The sorter described above provides the following effects.

(1) After the dispensing means 13 completes its dispensing operation in the direction away from its home position, the dispensing means 13 is returned and raised toward its home position at the first speed, and the stapler unit 3o is moved from its home position as described above. It is raised towards the first distribution bin 2 at a second speed less than or equal to the first speed.

Therefore, the dispensing means 13 returning and rising toward the home position after the completion of the dispensing operation and the stapler unit 30 rising toward the first distribution bin 2 do not interfere with each other.

(2) Since there is a difference between the return rising speed of the distribution means 13 and the rising speed of the stapler unit 30, the home position of the stapler unit 30 is set to the distribution bin 2.
Since it can be set near the distribution bin 2 located at the other end in the arrangement direction, the overall height of the device can be reduced and the device can be made more compact.

(3) The lightweight distribution means 13 is set at a position facing 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.

(4) 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.

(5) 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.

(6) 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 there is a sheet on the guide member 3 or not.

(7) 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.

(8) 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 pressure is applied at 0, the sheet can be reliably pulled together with the guide member 3, and the sheet bundle, which is curled and separated, is compressed and can be easily stepped.

(9) Since one end of the sheet is aligned with the regulating portion 80 of the guide member 3 and the sheet is not pressed against the guide member 3 from above by the pressing means 56, the guide member 3 is moved toward the stapler 55. It is possible to minimize variations in the step-ring sheet during movement.

(10) Together with the stapler 55, the sheet pressing means 56 and the pulling means 57 of the guide member 3 are raised and lowered together as the same stapler unit 30. Compared to the case where the means 57 is provided for each distribution bin, the mechanism of the step ring system can be simplified.

(11) Since the pulling means 57 engages with both left and right sides of the guide member 3 to pull it closer to each other, the guide member 3 can be pulled closer to the guide member 3 stably.

(12) By moving the stepper 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.

(13) Since the sheet pressing means 56 is moved integrally with the stapler 55 along the width direction of the guide member 3, even when the stapler 55 is moved along the width direction of the sheet, the stapler 55 is The sheet bundle can be compressed by the pressing means 56 in the vicinity to ensure stepping.

(14) The pressing means 56 and the bow 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, after the dispensing means completes its dispensing operation in the direction away from its standby position, the dispensing means is moved back toward its standby position at the first speed, and the stapler is moved. from the standby position to a second speed less than or equal to the first speed.
towards the first distribution bin at a speed of .

Therefore, it is possible to prevent interference between the dispensing means, which is returning to the standby position after the dispensing operation is completed, and the stapler, which is moving toward the first dispensing bin.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

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/Press means 57: Pulling means

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] Distribution bins arranged in multiple stages for storing sheets sent from an image forming apparatus, and a standby position thereof facing a first distribution bin located at one end in the arrangement direction of the distribution bins. a distributing unit distributing sheets from the first distributing bin to the distributing bins in sequence by moving along the arranging direction; and a standby position thereof is at the other end of the distributing bins in the arranging direction. a stapler provided near the final distribution bin located therein, and staples the sheets distributed from the first distribution bin onto the distribution bin by moving in the arrangement direction; The dispensing means is arranged in a first direction away from the first dispensing bin and in a first direction away from the first dispensing bin so as to dispense a plurality of sheets having the same image formed thereon to one distributing bin. a first control means for intermittently moving the dispensing means in a second direction approaching a first dispensing bin; and when the dispensing means completes the dispensing operation by moving in the first direction, the dispensing means is placed in the standby position. second control means for moving the stapler back toward the position at a first speed and moving the stapler from its standby position toward the first dispensing bin at a second speed less than or equal to the first speed; A sorter with a step ring mechanism.