JPH0485087A - Sorter equipment with stapling mechanism and stapling method therein - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To smooth the operation drawing the sheets on a distribution bin and the operation returning the same to the distribution bin and to prevent the shift of a stapling position by returning the sheets to the predetermined position on the distribution bin in such a state that a sheet matching means is spaced apart from the stapled sheets. CONSTITUTION:A distribution means 13 distributing sheets to a plurality of distribution bins 2, a stapler 55 stapling and binding the sheets on the distribution bins 2, a means 57 grasping the sheets received in the distribution bins 2 to draw the same to stapling position of the stapler 55 and a sheet matching means matching the sheets on the distribution bins 2 are provided. A control means allows the sheet matching means to be spaced apart from the sheets when the sheets are drawn to the stapling position by a drawing means 57 and brings the sheet matching means into contact with the sheets when the drawn sheets are stapled by the stapler 55 and allows the sheet matching means to be spaced apart from the sheets when the sheets are returned to the predetermined position on the distribution bins 2 after the completion of stapling.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention includes a plurality of distribution bins, a distribution means for distributing sheets to the plurality of distribution bins, and a step ring for distributing sheets stored in the distribution bins. The present invention relates to a sorter with a step ring mechanism and a step ring mechanism for binding.

[Prior Art] Generally, a sorter is connected to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, and sorts sheets ejected from the image forming apparatus by arranging the pages in a plurality of distribution bins and storing them.

Some of these sorters are equipped with a step ring mechanism that steps and binds sheets stored and stacked in a distribution bin.

For example, the sorter disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 1853/1983 includes a stapler and a distribution bin moving mechanism that are integrally provided so as to be movable up and down along a plurality of distribution bins. The moving mechanism stops and the distribution bin moving mechanism horizontally moves the entire distribution bin loaded with sheets to the step ring position of the stapler to perform stepping.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in this method, since the entire distribution bin is moved to the step ring position, the load on the drive system is large, and the drive system must be enlarged.

Therefore, in order to downsize the drive system, a sorter has been proposed in which the sheets on the distribution bin are pulled to the step ring position by means of a pulling means.

Furthermore, the present applicant has proposed that a sorter equipped with such a pulling means be provided with a sheet aligning means that aligns the sheets by reciprocating the sheets on the distribution bin in a direction perpendicular to the sheet pulling direction. .

In a sorter equipped with such a pulling means and sheet aligning means, the sheet aligning means does not become an obstacle when drawing sheets on the distribution bin to the step ring position and returning stepped sheets to the distribution bin. At the same time, it is necessary to prevent sheets to be stepped from becoming misaligned just before stepping.

An object of the present invention is to provide a sorter with a step ring mechanism that includes a pulling means for pulling sheets on a distribution bin to a step ring position and a sheet aligning means for aligning sheets on the distribution bin. The sheet aligning means can smoothly perform the operation of pulling the sheet to the ring position and the operation of returning the stepped sheet to the distribution bin without being an obstacle, and
To provide a stepping method for an eater with a step ring mechanism and a sorter with a step ring mechanism, which can prevent deviations in the position of the step ring by realigning sheets to be stepped immediately before the step ring. There is a particular thing.

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

(1) The invention described in claim 1 includes: a plurality of distribution bins; a guide member provided at an end of the distribution bin and movable with respect to the distribution bin; and each of the plurality of distribution bins. a stapler that steps and staples the sheets on the guide member; and a pulling means that draws the guide member together with the sheets stored in the distribution bin to a step ring position of the stapler. , a sheet aligning means that is provided so as to be able to reciprocate in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the sheets are pulled by the pulling means, and that aligns the sheets by coming into contact with the sheets on the distribution bin; a bow return means for pulling back the guide member in the direction of the distribution bin; and when the drawing means pulls the sheet to a step ring position, the sheet aligning means is separated from the sheet, and the drawn sheet is stepped by the stapler. The sheet aligning means is sometimes brought into contact with the sheet, and when the sheet is returned to a predetermined position on the distribution bin after stepping, the sheet aligning means is moved away from the sheet.

(2) The invention described in claim 2 includes: a plurality of distribution bins; a distribution unit that distributes sheets to each of the plurality of distribution bins; and a stapler that steps and staples the sheets on the distribution bins. , a pulling means for grasping the sheet stored in the distribution bin and pulling it to the step ring position of the stapler; and a pulling means that is provided so as to be movable back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the sheet is pulled by the pulling means, and is provided above the distribution bin. sheet aligning means for aligning the sheets by coming into contact with the sheet; and when the sheet is pulled to the step ring position by the pulling means, the sheet aligning means is moved away from the sheet, and the pulled sheet is moved to the step ring by the stapler. The sheet aligning means is brought into contact with the sheet when the step ring is completed, and the sheet aligning means is moved away from the sheet when the sheet is returned to a predetermined position on the distribution bin after stepping.

(3) The invention described in claim 3 includes: a plurality of distribution bins; a guide member provided at an end of the distribution bin and movable with respect to the distribution bin; and each of the plurality of distribution bins. a stapler that steps and staples the sheets on the guide member; and a puller that pulls the guide member together with the sheets stored in the distribution bin to a step ring position of the stapler. means, a sheet aligning means provided so as to be able to reciprocate in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the sheets are pulled by the pulling means, and for aligning the sheets by coming into contact with the sheets on the distribution bin; pulling back means for pulling back the guide member in the direction of the distribution bin, and with the sheet aligning means spaced apart from the sheet, the pulling means pulls the sheet to the step ring position, and then the sheet aligning means The pulled sheet is stepped by the stapler with the sheet in contact with the sheet, and then, with the sheet aligning means separated from the stepped sheet, the sheet is distributed by the pulling back means. Return to position on the bottle.

(4) The invention described in claim 4 includes: a plurality of distribution bins; a distribution means for distributing sheets to each of the plurality of distribution bins; and a stapler for stepping and binding the sheets on the distribution bins. , a pulling means for grasping the sheet stored in the distribution bin and pulling it to the step ring position of the stapler; and a pulling means that is provided so as to be movable back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the sheet is pulled by the pulling means, and is provided above the distribution bin. sheet aligning means for aligning the sheets by coming into contact with the sheet, and with the sheet aligning means spaced apart from the sheet, the drawing means pulls the sheet to the step ring position, and then the sheet aligning means The pulled sheet is stepped by the stapler while in contact with the sheet, and then, with the sheet aligning means separated from the stepped sheet, the sheet is moved by the pulling means to the distribution bin. Return it to the specified position above.

[Function] In this invention, the sheet is pulled to the step ring position by the pulling means with the sheet aligning means separated from the sheet, and then the pulled sheet is pulled to the step ring position with the sheet aligning means in contact with the sheet. and then returning the sheet to a predetermined position on the distribution bin with the sheet aligning means spaced apart from the stepped sheet.

[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.
1a, 131b and the peeling guide members 131a, 131
It is generally composed of a discharge roller 14 which is provided at b and forcibly conveys the sheet toward the distribution bin 2. moreover,
The distributing means 13 is fixed to a pair of left and right lifting timing belts 16 stretched across the 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.
4 pinion 25. 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 detects the passage of sheets discharged into the distribution bin 2. The sheet sensor 29 detects whether or not there is a sheet in the guide member 3 when the guide member 3, which is movably provided with respect to the distribution bin 2, is pulled to the step ring position of the stapler 55, as described later. It is also possible to do so.

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 56, 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, 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 drive connection between 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 up and down. In addition, each worm gear 231.3
The vertical movement of the distributing means 13 and stapler unit 30 is detected by the slit discs 43, 44 and photoelectric sensors 45, 46 integrally provided in the bin 91, so that each distributing bin 2 can be accurately fed up and down. I have to.

As shown in FIG. 1, the positions near the top and bottom distribution bins 2 are the home positions of the distribution means 13 and stapler unit 30, respectively.

A sheet aligning 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. This sheet aligning means includes a pulley 47 as shown in FIG.
, is connected to a pulley 49 on one side of the uppermost distribution bin 2 via a belt 48, and connected to a pulley 51 via this pulley 49 and a belt 50, with a pair of left and right positioning members 52 facing the belt 50. are combined. 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 in directions toward and away from each other, and push the sheets from the left and right to align the sheets distributed in the distribution bin 2 with reference to the center of the distribution bin 2. It has become.

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 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 56 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 to the square shaft 62, a rack 69 is engaged with the pinion 68, a support frame 70 is integrally provided with the rack 69, and a lock member 75 is fitted into an elongated hole 71 formed in the support frame 70. The lock member 75 is swingably fixed to the support frame 70 about a fulcrum shaft 74. Support frame 7
A biasing spring 76 is interposed between the locking member 75 and the locking member 75 to bias the locking 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 shaft 69, and the support frame 7
0, the mouth and hook member 75 is configured to move back and forth along a guide shaft 77. A pin 78 provided integrally with the locking member 75 and an elongated hole 79 provided in the support frame 70 restrict the movement range of the locking member 75 in the front-rear direction. 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 carrying-in end of the guide member 3, and during stepping when the guide member 3 is pulled into the step ring position of the stapler 55, the stapler 55 and the pressing means are erected. A notch 81a181b in which 56 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. As a result, the presence or absence of a sheet on the guide member 3 is checked, and the drive of the stapler 55 is controlled 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
5 and the guide member 3, a return spring 87 is provided as a pull-back means for returning the pulled-out guide member 3.
is interposed.

On the left and right sides of the guide member 3, there are lock portions 88 that engage the opening/lock pin 75a of the lock member 75 of the pulling means 57.
is provided.

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

A pinion 89t) is fitted onto the square shaft 62, a rack 90 is engaged with the pinion 89, a support frame 91 is integrally provided with the rack 90, and this support frame 91 is fitted along the guide shaft 92. It is designed to move back and forth.

A solenoid 93 is strongly provided on the upper part of the support frame 91, and the fulcrum shaft 9 of this solenoid 93 is
A link 95 that swings back and forth around the fulcrum shaft 94 is tightly connected to the link 95, and this link 95 is connected via a buffer spring 96 to a link 97 that swings up and down around the fulcrum shaft 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 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.

When the sheet is pulled to the stepping position by the drawing means 56, the sheet aligning means is separated from the sheet, and when the drawn sheet is stepped by the stapler 55, the sheet aligning means is brought into contact with the sheet, and after the stepping is completed, the sheet aligning means is moved away from the sheet. Sheet distribution bin 2f
A control means comprising, for example, a CPU (as shown in the figure) is provided for separating the sheet aligning means from the sheet when the sheet aligning means is returned to a predetermined position.

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, and the sheet lowered by the conveyor belt 11 is peeled off from the conveyor belt 11 by the distribution means 13 and guided to the distribution bin 2. .

If a condition is set on the copying machine to use the automatic document feeder to copy three copies of a set of 10 sheets in sort mode, the copying machine first copies the first copy of the original. Three copies are made in succession, and these copies are sequentially fed into the conveyance path 6 of the sorter.

The distribution means 13 is in the home position shown in FIG.
The leading copy of the sheets is peeled off from the conveyor belt 11, and the sheet is guided to the distribution bin 2 and discharged.

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. In addition, the belt 50 of the sheet aligning means is rotated forward and backward, the positioning members 52 are moved in the direction toward and away from each other, and the left and right sides of the sheet distributed on the distribution bin 2 are pushed multiple times to make the approximate center of the distribution bin 2 a reference point. Align the sheets.

Sheet sensor 2 indicates that the sheet has been discharged to 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.

Then, the sheet on the distribution bin 2 is pushed on the left and right sides of the sheet on the distribution bin 2 multiple times by the oven positioning member 52 of the sheet alignment means to align the sheet with approximately the center of the sheet distribution bin 2 as a reference.

In this manner, the sheet aligning means operates to align the sheets on the distribution bin 2 every time one sheet is distributed to the distribution bin 2, and the same control is performed thereafter.

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

The distribution operation for the third to tenth originals is also performed under the same control as above.

After distributing sheets to distribution bin 2, indexer 1
3 to the home position shown in FIG.

Next, the clutch 23 for the indexer is disengaged, the clutch 39 for the stapler unit is connected, and the motor 2
4 to move the stapler unit 30,
It stops at the selected distribution bin 2 position.

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 either the notch 81a or 81b is selected and stopped;
To enable step ringing of the widthwise center or edge of a sheet.

Next, as the motor 67 is driven, the locking member 75 of the pulling means 57 projects forward, and the locking pin 75a slides on the sloped portion of the locking portion 88 of the guide member 3, rises, and engages with it.

Furthermore, the pressing member 100 of the pressing means 56 protrudes forward.

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

Next, the positioning member 52 of the sheet aligning means is attached to the distribution bin 2.
When the guide member 3 is separated from the upper sheet, the motor 67 is driven so that the pulling means 57 pulls the guide member 3 into the step schnit 3.
Pull it to the 0 side. Holding member 100 of holding means 56
The vehicle also moves backwards while pressing the seat.

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 positioning of the sheet alignment means is performed without executing step ring. The guide member 3 is returned with the member 52 separated from the sheet, and the stapler unit 30 is moved 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 the sheet is present, and with the positioning members 52 of the sheet aligning means in contact with the left and right sides of the sheet, step The roller 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, with the positioning member 52 of the sheet aligning means separated from the sheet, the stapler unit 30 is slightly raised to release the engagement between the guide member 3 and the pulling means 57, and the guide member 3 is It is returned by a return spring 87.

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

The home position of the stepper unit 30 is located below the installation area of the distribution bin 2, as shown in FIG. However, even if step ring is executed for each distribution bin 2 while descending after moving to the topmost distribution bin 2, or vice versa, The step ring may be performed while ascending from the lower distribution bin 2.

The sorter described above provides the following effects.

(1) With the sheet aligning means separated from the sheet, the pulling means 57 pulls the sheet to the step ring position, and then, with the sheet aligning means in contact with the sheet, the pulled sheet is stepped by the stapler 55. Then, the sheet is returned to a predetermined position on the distribution bin 2 by the return spring 101 while the sheet aligning means is separated from the stepped sheet. Therefore, the operation of pulling the sheet on the distribution bin 2 to the step ring position and the operation of returning the stepped sheet to the distribution bin 2 can be performed smoothly, and the sheet to be stepped can be returned immediately before the step ring. It is possible to prevent misalignment of the step ring position by aligning the step ring.

(2) Guide member 3 movably provided in distribution bin 2
Since only the sheet is moved to a position where stepling is possible together with the sheet, the driving force can be reduced and the drive system can be made more compact compared to the case where the entire distribution bin 2 is moved to the stapler 55 side.

(3) Since the sheet is pressed against the guide member 3 with which one side of the sheet bundle is in contact, the pressed sheet bundle will not become uneven due to the pressing operation, regardless of the thickness of the sheet bundle.

(4) A means 56 for pressing the sheet on the guide member 3 when pulling the guide member 3 and when stepping the guide member 3.
Since the sheet is pressed by the guide member 3, 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.

(5) 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.

(6) Sheet pressing means 5 integrated with stapler 55
6 along the width direction of the guide member 3, even when the stapler 55 is moved along the width direction of the sheet, the sheet bundle is compressed by the pressing means near the stapler 55 to ensure that the stapler 55 is moved in the width direction of the guide member 3. can.

(7) Since the pulling means 57 engages with both left and right sides of the guide member 57 and pulls them together, the guide member 3 can be drawn in a stable manner.

(8) Along with the stapler 55, the sheet pressing means 5
6 and the pulling means 57 of the guide member 3 are raised and lowered together as the same stapler unit 30.
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.

(9) 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.

(10) 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 arrangement of the stapler 55 prevents the sorter from protruding in its width direction, and the entire sorter can be made smaller.

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

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

For example, in the above embodiment, the sheet is drawn to the step ring position and returned to the step ring position integrally with a guide member movably provided in the distribution bin, but as shown in FIG. The pulling means 107 grips it and pulls it to the stapler position, or the distribution bin 2
It may be arranged to return to a predetermined position.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the invention described above, in a sorter that pulls sheets stored in a distribution bin to a step ring position and performs step ring, the sheets that move back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the drawing direction of the sheets to the distribution bin are used. An alignment means is provided, and the sheet alignment means is separated from the sheet when drawing the sheet on the distribution bin to the step ring position and when returning the stepped sheet to the distribution bin, and aligning the sheet when stepping the drawn sheet. Bringing the means into contact with the sheet. Therefore, the operation of pulling sheets on the distribution bin to the step ring position and the operation of returning stepped sheets to the distribution bin can be performed smoothly, and the sheet to be stepped can be realigned just before the step ring. This can prevent misalignment of the step ring position.

[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, the guide member, and the stem sopra 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. FIG. 8 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of another embodiment. 2: Distribution bin 3. Guide member 13: Distribution means 30 Nippon pulley unit 47 Pulley 48: Belt 49: Pulley 50. Belt 51: Pulley 52: Positioning member 55 Nippon pulley 56. Holding means 57. 107: Attracting means return spring

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) a plurality of distribution bins; a guide member provided at an end of the distribution bin and movable with respect to the distribution bin; a distribution means for distributing sheets to each of the plurality of distribution bins; a stapler for stepping and binding sheets on a guide member; a pulling means for pulling the guide member together with the sheets stored in the distribution bin to a step ring position of the stapler; a direction in which the sheets are pulled by the pulling means; a sheet aligning means that is provided to be reciprocally movable in orthogonal directions and that aligns the sheets by coming into contact with the sheets on the distribution bin; and a sheet alignment means that pulls the guide member that has been drawn to the step ring position back toward the distribution bin. a pull-back means; when the pulling means pulls the sheet to a stepping position, the sheet aligning means is separated from the sheet; when the pulled sheet is stepped by the stapler, the sheet aligning means is brought into contact with the sheet; A sorter with a step ring mechanism, characterized in that the sorter comprises a control means for separating the sheet aligning means from the sheets when the sheets are returned to a predetermined position on the distribution bin after the step ring is completed. (2) a plurality of distribution bins, a distribution means for distributing sheets to each of the plurality of distribution bins, a stapler for stepling and binding the sheets on the distribution bins, and a stepper for stapling the sheets stored in the distribution bins; a pulling means that grips and pulls the sheet to the step ring position of the stapler; and a pulling means that is provided so as to be movable back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the sheet is pulled by the pulling means, and that aligns the sheet by coming into contact with the sheet on the distribution bin. a sheet aligning means; when the pulling means pulls the sheet to a stepping position, the sheet aligning means is separated from the sheet, and when the drawn sheet is stepped by the stapler, the sheet aligning means is brought into contact with the sheet; . A sorter with a step ring mechanism, comprising: a control means for separating the sheet aligning means from the sheets when the sheets are returned to a predetermined position on the distribution bin after the step ring is completed. (3) a plurality of distribution bins; a guide member provided at an end of the distribution bin and movable with respect to the distribution bin; and distribution means for distributing sheets to each of the plurality of distribution bins; a stapler for stepping and binding sheets on a guide member; a pulling means for pulling the guide member together with the sheets stored in the distribution bin to a step ring position of the stapler; a direction in which the sheets are pulled by the pulling means; a sheet aligning means that is provided to be reciprocally movable in orthogonal directions and that aligns the sheets by coming into contact with the sheets on the distribution bin; and a sheet alignment means that pulls the guide member that has been drawn to the step ring position back toward the distribution bin. pulling back means, with the sheet aligning means separated from the sheet, the sheet is pulled to the step ring position by the pulling means, and then, with the sheet aligning means in contact with the sheet, the sheet is pulled back. The stepped sheet is stepped by the stapler, and then, with the sheet aligning means separated from the stepped sheet, the sheet is returned to a predetermined position on the distribution bin by the pulling back means. Sheet step ring method in a sorter with a step ring mechanism. (4) a plurality of distribution bins, a distribution means for distributing sheets to each of the plurality of distribution bins, a stapler for stepling and binding the sheets on the distribution bins, and a stepper for stapling the sheets stored in the distribution bins; a pulling means that grips and pulls the sheet to the step ring position of the stapler; and a pulling means that is provided so as to be movable back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the sheet is pulled by the pulling means, and that aligns the sheet by coming into contact with the sheet on the distribution bin. sheet aligning means, with the sheet aligning means spaced apart from the sheet, the pulling means pulls the sheet to the step ring position, and then, with the sheet aligning means in contact with the sheet, pulling the sheet. The stepped sheet is stepped by the stapler, and then, with the sheet aligning means separated from the stepped sheet, the sheet is returned to a predetermined position on the distribution bin by the pulling means. A sheet step ring method for a sorter with a step ring mechanism.