JPH05119564A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate extraction of paper for work in the work after sorting and to improve operability by sorting the paper with the copied images formed on them into separate sorter bins for each size of an original. CONSTITUTION:A sorting CPU is provided to control a sorting device 7 so that comparison of the total number of the sorter bins 79 and the copied number of pieces is carried out, and when there is any opening in the sorter bins 79, the paper with the copy formed on it is sorted to a separate sorter bin according to the original size detected by a size sensor 66, etc. Thus only the necessary paper for each work can be extracted as a batch when carrying out work such as hole punching or folding of the paper after the paper is sorted, and the work is facilitated and the operability is improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement in an image forming apparatus having a sort device for sorting sheets on which images are formed by a copying machine, a printer or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, which has a sort device for sorting sheets after image formation, the sheet is uniformly formed regardless of the size of the image formed sheet. It was divided using the same sorter bin.

[0003]

In the conventional sorter, even if the paper size is different, the sorter is uniformly divided into the same sorter bins, and different sorter bins are selected according to the paper size. It did not have the function of performing classification by using it. For this reason, when it is necessary to perform work such as punching holes, folding paper, or imprinting after sorting, the work is different depending on the size of the paper, so that For example, only a large size paper has to be taken out from the inside, and there is a problem that operability is deteriorated.

Therefore, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of improving the operability by performing the sorting in different sorter bins according to the sheet size and facilitating the work after the sorting operation. To aim for things.

[0005]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is provided in an apparatus main body having a document table, an automatic document feeder for supplying a document to the document table, and in the apparatus body. An image forming means for forming an image corresponding to a document on the platen on an image support, and the image support provided on an extension of a discharge section for discharging the image support in the apparatus main body. A plurality of collecting means for collecting
Sorting means provided between the discharge section and the plurality of stacking means for sorting and transporting the image-formed image support to the plurality of stacking means, and a document provided on a document transport path of the automatic document feeder. Control means for detecting the size, and control for controlling the sorting means so as to divide the image support according to the detection result by the detection means according to the size of the original document and divide it into arbitrary positions of the plurality of accumulating means. And means.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is directed to an apparatus main body having a document table, and image formation for forming an image corresponding to a document on the document table provided in the apparatus body on an image support. Means, a plurality of accumulating means for accumulating the image formed image supports provided on the extension of the ejecting part for ejecting the image supporting body in the apparatus main body, between the ejecting part and the accumulating means Sorting means for sorting and conveying the image-formed image support to the plurality of stacking means, and detection for detecting the document size of a document placed near the document table and placed on the document table Means and
Control means for controlling the sorting means is provided so as to divide the image support according to the detection result of the detection means according to the size of the original document and divide the image support into arbitrary positions of the plurality of stacking means.

[0007]

The present invention is constructed as described above, and different sorters are provided according to the document size detected by the detecting means.
By dividing the paper into bins, it is no longer necessary to pull out only the paper that requires work from the uniform work regardless of the size for the work to be performed after the work is done. It is reduced and its operability is improved.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows the image forming apparatus 100 as a whole, including an apparatus main body 1 having an image forming means 2, an automatic duplexer 4, a large-capacity feeder 5 and the like, and an original table 3 on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 1.
Automatic document feeder 6 for automatically feeding a document to 0, a sorter 7 for sorting a sheet P as an image support discharged from the apparatus main body 1, and first to third sheets P for storing the sheet P. The sheet feeding cassette device 9a to 9c is configured to include a sheet feeding unit 9 that is detachably supported.

A drum-shaped photoconductor 10 is provided in a substantially central portion of the apparatus main body 1, and the periphery of the photoconductor 10 is sequentially exposed by a charging device 11 and an exposure device 12 along the rotation direction thereof. Part 12a, developing device 13, transfer peeling char
The image forming means 2 is provided with a jar 14, a cleaning device 16, and a static eliminator 17.

An infrared light emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as an LED) is provided at each of two positions on the front side and the center of the first carriage 52 on which the exposure lamp 50 and the first mirror 51 of the exposure device 12 are mounted. ) 53a, 54a and first and second reflection type photo interrupters 53, 54 which are detection means composed of photodiodes 53b, 54b for receiving the reflected light from the LED reflected by the document D. There is. The first and second reflection type photo interrupters 53 and 54 reflect the respective reflections at the positions T to Z in accordance with the scanning of the first carriage in the direction of arrow r shown in FIG. 2 when the document size is detected before the copy operation is started. Type photo interrupter 5
The output level from each of the sheets 3 and 54 is detected, and the detection result is compared with the identification data shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, ∘ indicates a state in which the photodiodes 53b and 54b receive reflected light and the original D exists, and x indicates a state in which the photodiodes 53b and 54b do not receive reflected light and the original D does not exist. ing. Reference numeral 55 is a second carriage.

On the right side of the apparatus main body 1, a manual paper feed table 1
8b and a large-capacity feeder 5 are provided.

Then, in the main body 1 of the apparatus, a manual paper feed table 1
8b, the paper P picked up by the pickup rollers 20b, 4a, 5a from the automatic double-sided device 4 or the large-capacity feeder 5 is a paper discharge unit provided on the left side of the apparatus main body 1 via the photoconductor 10. A transport path 22 leading to the mouth 1a is formed.

First and second separation rollers 23a and 23b and a registration roller 24 are arranged on the upstream side of the photoconductor 10 in the transport path 22, and the transport belt 2 is located on the downstream side.
6, a fixing roller 27 which is a fixing unit, a conveyance roller 19,
A sheet discharge roller 28, and a gate 29 for guiding the sheet P to either the sheet discharge roller 28 side or the automatic duplexer 4 side are arranged.

An operation panel 8 is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus body 1. On the operation panel 8, a copy key 8a for supporting the start of copy operation, a numeric keypad 8b for setting the number of copy copies, a paper selection key 8c, a density adjustment key 8d, a magnification key 8e, a so-called Software for instructing sorting by the device 7.
An operation unit 81 including a keypad 8f and a sorter key 8g for instructing a sorter to sort into sorter bins 79a to 79n, which are classified according to the paper size when sorting, and a display. Panel 8j, message panel 8k,
In addition, a display unit 82 having an LED or the like is provided.

Next, the automatic document feeder 6 provided on the apparatus main body 1 will be described.

The automatic document feeder 6 includes a document tray 6
Pick-up roller 61a from 0, judgment roller 61a
b, the original document D conveyed through the aligning roller 61c
The conveyor belt 63 that is hung between the belt rollers 62.
Is supplied to the original table 30 by means of, and after the copying is completed, it is discharged to the paper discharge section 68 side by the conveyor belt 63 via the reverse roller 64a and the paper discharge roller 64b. And while it reaches the conveyor belt 63 from the aligning roller 61c,
A size sensor 66 for detecting the size of the original by detecting the leading edge and the trailing edge of the original D is provided. 6
Reference numeral 7 designates a document D for conveying a belt 63 or a discharge roller 64b.
It is a flapper that switches to which of the following: 6
Reference numeral 8 is an empty sensor having an actuator 68a for detecting the presence or absence of the document D on the document tray 60.

Next, the sort device 7 will be described. The sort device 7 collects the paper P discharged from the paper discharge port 1 a of the device main body 1 by a conveyance switching device 71 that switches the conveyance depending on whether or not the paper P is conveyed, and the paper P conveyed by the conveyance switching device 71. And an accumulating device 72.

The transfer switching device 71 has a first
Has a paper path switching flapper 74 that is rotated by the transport roller 73a and the first solenoid 74a, and does not sort the paper P taken in from the take-in port 71a adjacent to the paper ejecting port 1a. The second transfer roller 7 below for transporting to the discharge port 71b or for sorting.
It is adapted to be conveyed to the salt discharge port 71c via 3b. Incidentally, 76a is a paper pressing solenoid for moving the paper pressing roller 76, 77a is a non-sort path paper sensor, and 77a.
Reference numeral b is a sort path paper sensor. On the other hand, in the stacking device 72, a non-sort tray 72a for stacking the sheets P discharged from the non-sort discharge port 71b is provided on the upper side thereof. Below the non-sort tray 72a, a stacking means which is moved up and down by a drive motor (not shown) which constitutes a sorting means together with the transfer switching device 71 and a timing belt 78 which is driven by this drive motor. Is provided with a plurality of sorter bins 79a-79n.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus 100. The main CPU 101 of the apparatus main body 1 is connected to the document feeding CPU 103 of the automatic document feeding device 6 via the first interface 102a, and the second CPU Interface 1
It is connected to the sort CPU 104 of the sort device 7 via 02b.

A ROM 99 for storing the identification data shown in FIG. 3 is connected to the main CPU 101, and an operation section 81 such as a copy key 8a on the operation panel 8 and sheets in the conveyance path 22 are connected. Signals are input from various switches / sensors 105, etc. for detecting P, feeding timing, toner density, etc., and further, the photoconductor 10 of the image forming means 2, the developing device 13, the conveyor belt 26, etc. A motor driver 107 that drives various motors 106 of the apparatus main body 1 or a display unit 82 on the operation panel 8 is controlled.

A signal from a document switch / sensors 108 such as a size sensor 66 for detecting the feed timing of the document D and size detection is input to the document feeding CPU 103, and an automatic document such as a pickup roller 61a and a conveyor belt 63 is inputted. A motor driver 111 that drives each motor 110 of the feeding device 6, a solenoid that drives the flapper 67, and other driving devices 112 are controlled.

Further, a soot CPU 104 as a control means
Is a sort device 7 such as each roller and timing belt 78.
Motor driver 114 for driving each motor 113 and solenoid 7 for driving paper path switching flapper 74
4a, etc. and other drive devices 116 are controlled.

This sort CPU 104 is a sort device 7
The paper P is controlled to be classified and the case is not classified. On the other hand, when the paper P is classified, even if the size of the paper P is different, it is uniformly classified into the same sorter bins 79a to 79n. If the sort and the size of the paper are different, the sorter bins 79a ...
It is controlled by a classification sort that is classified into 79n.

Next, the operation will be described. If sorting is not performed after the copy operation is completed, the operator will use the key-8f.
Further, without operating the sort key 8g, other necessary copy conditions such as the number of copies and the copy magnification are input, and the originals are directly placed on the original tray 60 of the automatic original feeder 6 or the original table 30. Set D, turn on copy key 8a, and start copying.

At this time, in the sort device 7, the paper path switching flapper 74 is set to rotate in the direction of arrow s and convey the paper P in the direction of the non-sort tray 72a. When the copy operation is started, when the document D is supplied from the automatic document feeder 6, each motor 1
By driving 10, the document D is placed on the document table 30 by the conveyor belt 63 via the pickup roller 61a, the separating roller 61b, and the aligning roller 61c. At this time, when the size of the document D is detected by the passage of the size sensor 66 of the document D, the main CPU 101 causes the large-capacity feeder 5 and the first to third sheet feeding cassette devices 9a to 9c.
From any of the above, the paper P corresponding to the document size and the copy magnification is selected.

When the document D is placed directly on the document table 30, the first carriage 52 and the second carriage 55 are moved by the arrow r to detect the document size before the scanning for image formation is started. Scanned in the direction. Then, the first and second reflective photo interrupters 5 on the first carriage 52.
3 and 54, detection results of presence / absence of document D, and ROM 9
Since the document size is detected by comparing the identification data in 9 with each other, the main CPU 101 causes each of the sheet feeding cassette devices 9a to operate in the same manner as when the document is fed by the automatic document feeder 6.
9c or the like, the paper P having an appropriate size is selected.

On the other hand, in the apparatus main body 1, the photoconductor 10
In accordance with the rotation, the image forming means 2 sequentially performs the steps of charging, exposing and developing, a toner image is formed on the surface thereof, and reaches the transfer peeling charger 14.

In synchronism with this, the paper P is fed from any of the first to third paper feed cassette devices 9a to 9c, the manual paper feed tray 18b or the large-capacity feeder 5, and the paper is fed onto the photoconductor 10. The toner image on the photoconductor 10 is transferred to the transfer peeling charger 14 at the timing when the leading edge of the toner image is aligned. Thereafter, the sheet P having the toner image transferred thereto is peeled from the photoconductor 10, conveyed by the conveyance belt 26, sent to the fixing roller 27 to fix the image, and the conveyance switching device 71 from the sheet discharge port 1a. Intake port 71a, non-source
The sheets are stacked on the non-sort tray 72a through the sheet discharge port 71b. After the transfer, the photoconductor 10 is made ready for the next copy through the cleaning device 16 and the static eliminator 17, and the copy operation and the conveyance operation of the paper P by the image forming means 2 are performed until the required number of copies is reached. By repeating the above steps, the sheets P having the copy image are accumulated on the non-sort tray 72a.

Next, a case in which the sheet P is divided after the copying is completed by using the sort device 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the apparatus main body 1 is ready for copying, the operator places the original on the original tray 60 of the automatic original feeder 6 in step 170, and proceeds to step 180. Then in step 180, copy
The number of copies is input from the numeric keypad 8b together with image forming conditions such as magnification and image density. Here, if the number of copies input is 1/2 or more of the total number of sorter bins [n], even if there are only two types of originals, a different source is created for each original size. Since the sorter bins 79 are insufficient for dividing into the bins and sorting, and the sorting sort for sorting according to the paper size cannot be performed, the main CPU is thus provided.
Reference numeral 101 recognizes that the sort device 7 is unable to sort. Therefore, even if the classification sort key 8g is turned on in this state, the classification sort key 8g cannot be accepted. At this time, the sort key 8f is turned on to carry out a normal sort for uniformly sorting into the same sorter bin 79 regardless of the difference in sheet size.

On the other hand, if the number of copies is less than 1/2 of the total number of sort bins [n], the classification sort key 8g can be accepted, and the sort sort key 8g is turned on. A sorting sort mode is set in the sorting device 7.

After inputting all the copy conditions, when the copy key 8a is turned on in step 190, the sort key 8f or the classification sort key 8g is selected in step 200.
Is turned on, and if neither is turned on, the sort device is set to perform the above-mentioned non-sort operation, and if it is turned on, a step for sorting is performed. Proceed to 203.

When the sort key 8f or the sort sort key 8g is turned on, in the sort device 6, the paper path switching flapper 74 is rotated in the direction of arrow t, and the paper P is fed. It is controlled so as to be taken in in the direction of the second transport roller 73b. Further, in the stacking device 72, the respective sorter bins 79 are sequentially copied from the first sorter bin 79a to the sort discharge port 71c by a driving motor (not shown).
It is controlled to move to the position. Then, in step 203, the automatic document feeder 6 is driven and the document D is conveyed from the document tray 60, passes the position of the size sensor 66, and is placed on the document table 30. During this time, the size sensor 66 detects the document size.

On the other hand, in the sort CPU 104, the first
Start the sort from the sorter bin 79a of the
The bin number, which is the sorter bin number
In addition, since the original is the first original, the number of original sizes, which is the number of original sizes, is set to 1, and a different numerical value for each original size {Original size setting value [Original size number]}
The document size detected by the size sensor 66 is set as.

Next, in step 204, the copying operation is performed on the main body 1 of the apparatus in the same manner as the above-mentioned non-sort copying. And when the copy image is completed on the first sheet of paper,
The sheet P is conveyed from the sheet discharge port 1a in the direction of the intake port 71a of the conveyance switching device 71, and is conveyed by the paper path switching flapper 74 rotated in the direction of arrow t to the second conveyance roll.
It is conveyed to the sort discharge port 71c through the la 73b and accumulated in the first sorter bin 79a which is already located there.

Next, in step 205, it is compared whether or not the number of remaining copies, which is the number of copies remaining, is larger than 1. If it is 2 or more, the process proceeds to step 206 to decrease the number of remaining copies by 1 and increase the bin number by 1. Then, the process returns to step 204 to start copying and sorting the second copy. As a result, the copy operation of the second copy is repeated in the main body 1 of the apparatus, while in the sort apparatus 7, the second copy is performed at the sort discharge port 71c.
The second sorter bin 79b is positioned, and the second set of sheets P is accumulated in the second sorter bin 79b. In this way, when the copying of the number of copies set at the start of copying is repeated and the copying of the final number of copies is finished, the remaining number of copies at that time is 1, so the process proceeds from step 205 to step 207.

At step 207, the empty sensor 68 is
Based on the output from, the presence or absence of the next original on the original tray 60 is compared, and if there is no original, all copy operations are terminated and the image forming apparatus 100 is set to the ready state.
On the other hand, if there is the next original, the process proceeds to step 208.
In step 208, it is compared whether or not the sorting sort is possible. If the sorting sort is not possible due to lack of sort bin 79, the process proceeds to step 209, the bin number is set to 1 and the next original is set. Even if the original size of the original is different from the original size of the preceding original, the
Are returned to the first sorter bin 79a in which the data have already been accumulated, and the sorting is set to start sequentially from the first sorter bin 79a into the same sorter bin.

Then, in step 210, the remaining number of copies is reset to the total number of copies, and the automatic document feeder 6 supplies the next document to the document table 30 and detects the document size, and then returns to step 204. .. Therefore, the paper P on which a copy image of a new original is formed is the same as the sort destination of the preceding paper P, regardless of the size of the original and the size of the paper. 79
Will be accumulated in sequence. If the sort bin 79 is empty and the sort sort is possible, step 20 is performed.
From 8 to step 211. In step 211,
The new original size detected by the size sensor 66 is set as the new size setting value while the next new original D is conveyed from the original tray 60 to the original table 30 by the drive of the automatic original feeder 6 and is placed on the original table 30. On the other hand, the variable i is set to 1.

Next, in step 212, it is compared whether {original size setting value [original size number] = new size setting value}, and the new original size is compared with any of the previously detected original sizes. Whether or not they are the same is sequentially compared from the first document size. If they are the same, the process proceeds to step 213, and the bin number is [copy number x ((copies) x (copies) x) so that the sheets are sorted into the same sorter bin 79 in which sheets of the same size are already stored. i-1) +
1] is set to move the sorter bin, the remaining number of copies is reset to the total number of copies, and the process returns to step 204 for copying and sorting with a new original.

If the document sizes do not match in step 212, it is compared in step 214 whether or not the number of document sizes is larger than the variable i, and if larger, the process proceeds to step 216 to add 1 to the variable i. , Step 2 again
Returning to step 12, the size is compared with other document sizes already sorted. Then, the comparison with all the document sizes is completed, and when i becomes equal to the number of document sizes which is the number of all document sizes in step 214, the process proceeds to step 217.

In step 217, there is a vacancy in the sorter bin 79, and in order to compare whether or not a sort sort can be newly performed, {(total number of sorter bins) ≧ Copy number × (original size number + 1)}, and if the sorter bin is insufficient, the bin number is set to 1 through step 219, and the sort number is set even though the document size is different. Without sorting, the sheets are sequentially sorted from the first sorter bin 79a used for sorting different size sheets.

Then, the process proceeds to step 220, and the remaining number of copies is reset to the total number of copies, and then the process returns to step 204 to copy and sort by a new original.

On the other hand, if there is a vacancy in the sorter bin in step 217, the process proceeds to step 218.

At step 218, the bin number (copy number) is set in order to set the sorter bin next to the sorter bin already used as the sorter bin for starting the sort sort. × original size number + 1) sorter bin is moved to the sort outlet 71c, and the number of original sizes is incremented by 1, while the new size set value, which is the numerical value of the previous new original size, is newly added. Is set to {original size setting value [original size number]} and the process proceeds to step 220. In step 220, the remaining number of copies is reset to the total number of copies, and the process proceeds to step 204, in which the sheet on which the copy image is formed is sorted and sorted into a new sorter bin.

When the copying of all the originals D is completed in this way, the image forming apparatus 100 is set in the ready state.

Next, an actual example of classification based on the above flow chart will be described. [Example 1] The total number of sorter bins 79 is set to 20, and [A.
When copying 12 copies of each of the 4] size and [A3] sizes, at the start of copying, after placing the document on the document tray 60, the copy is performed on the operation panel 8 together with the image forming conditions. -Enter the number of copies. Since the number of copy sets input at this time is 12 which is more than 1/2 of all sort bins, it is judged in step 180 that the sorting sort cannot be performed, and there is a difference in document size. Instead, the same sorter bin is used to perform a normal sort for uniform division. That is, since the classification key 8g cannot be accepted, the operator turns on the key 8f and then copies.
The key-8a is turned on to start the copy operation.

Next, through step 200, when the document size is detected as [A.4] when the document is fed by the automatic document feeder 6 in step 203, in the apparatus main body 1, the paper corresponding to the document size is detected. On the other hand, the sorting apparatus is set to start sorting from the first sorter bin 79a, and the number of originals is set to 1 in the sorting apparatus.
[A-4] Set the size to the size setting value [1]. Then, during the copy operation, steps 204 to 206 are repeated, and every time one copy is made, the sheets P are sequentially divided into the first to twelfth sorter bins, while the remaining copy number is sequentially determined. Decrease. After this, when the copying of the first original is completed, the empty sensor 68 detects that there is the next original on the original tray 60, and proceeds to step 208. However, since the classification sort is not possible, the process proceeds to step 209, and the division of the copy by the second original is performed similarly to the copy by the first original. The first sorter bin 79a is positioned at the sort outlet 71c so as to start from the bin 79a. Further, the remaining copy number is returned to 12, and the copy operation for the second original is started. At this time, in the sort device 7, although the first and second originals have different sizes, the same sorter as the sorter bin in which the paper P of the first original is stored. The sheets of the second original will be sequentially sorted in the turbine.

Then, the above operation is repeated until there is no original on the original tray 60. When it is detected in step 207 that there is no document, all the copy operations are completed, and the image forming apparatus 100 stands by in the ready state.

Therefore, in the sort device 7, the paper P is uniformly divided into the same sorter bin regardless of the size of the original, and after the copying is completed, the paper P is as shown in FIG. It will be divided.

[Example 2] As in [Example 1], when three copies of the originals of [A.3] size and [A.4] size are copied, it is possible to sort in step 180. It is judged that the
When the copy key 8g is accepted and the copy key 8a is turned on, the copy operation by the sorting sort is started through step 200.

That is, when the document size is detected as [A.4] when the document is fed by the automatic document feeder 6 in step 203, the sheet according to the document size is selected in the apparatus main body 1 while the sheet size is selected. The first sorter
It is set to start sorting from the bin 79a, the number of document sizes is set to 1, and the [A.4] size is set to the size setting value [1].

Then, a copy operation is performed, and step 204
Each time a copy is made, the sheets P are sequentially sorted into the first to the third sorter bins 79a to 79c, and the remaining copy number, which is the remaining copy number, is reduced by one.

Then, after the copying of the first original is completed,
When the empty sensor 68 detects the next document on the document tray 60, the process proceeds to step 208. Since the sorting sort is possible, the process proceeds to step 211, the next original is supplied to the original table 30, and the original size [A.3] is detected, and the [A.3] size is set as a new size. Set as a value. Further, the variable i is set to 1, and at step 212, the original size setting value [1] [A.4] and the new size setting value [A.3] are compared, and since both sizes are different, the routine proceeds to step 214. .. In step 214, the size number of the original document is compared with the variable i. However, since both are 1, the process proceeds to step 217. In step 217, the number of sorter bins (3 × 2) used for the classification sort is compared with the total number of sort bins of 20, and since classification sort is possible, the process proceeds to step 218. As the sorter bin for performing the sort sort, the fourth sorter bin (3 × 1 + 1) is set,
The number of manuscript sizes is incremented by 1 to 2, and the new size setting value [A.3] is set to the manuscript size setting value [2]. Then, the process proceeds to step 220, and the number of copies on the message panel 8k is changed from 1 to 1. By resetting to 3, and repeating steps 204 to 206, the copy operation and the sorting operation of the second original having the [A.3] size are performed.

At the time of sorting, the copied paper P is
It will be sequentially divided into the 4th to 6th sorter bins.

In this way, when all the originals on the original tray 60 are copied and it is detected in step 207 that the originals are exhausted, all the copying operations are ended, and the image forming apparatus 100 is in the ready state. Be waited for.

Therefore, in the sort device 7, the sheets P are sorted by using different sort bins for each original size, and after the copying is completed, the sheets P are sorted as shown in FIG. Will be done.

According to this structure, the sorter can be used for sorting.
If there is room in the bin 79, it is possible to divide into different sorter bins according to the size of the original, so that it is necessary to perform work such as punching or bending after sorting. You can easily take out only the size paper from the sorter bin. Therefore, unlike the conventional case, it is not necessary to take out only a large size paper from a plurality of sizes of papers sorted together, and the workability is improved by reducing the work after the classification.

Further, the original size detection can utilize the photo interrupters 53 and 54 and the size sensor 66 which have been used to select the paper size in the conventional image forming operation, and it is not necessary to provide a new device for the paper size detection. There is no fear of increasing the cost.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be changed within the scope of the invention, for example, the number of sorter bins, the size of the original, etc. are arbitrary. However, the method of detecting the document size and the like are also arbitrary.

[0060]

As described above, according to the present invention, the image supports can be divided into different accumulating means according to the size of the original, and therefore, the punching or bending work can be performed according to the paper size after the division. When performing the above, it is possible to take out only the papers that perform the same work all at once, and the taking-out work can be reduced and the operability can be improved. Moreover, the conventional detection means can be used to detect the document size without providing a new device, and no new parts are required for the sorting sort, so that the function can be performed without increasing the cost. Can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of detecting a document size on a document table according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram logically showing identification data stored in a ROM according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control of the sort device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a sorting state by a normal sort according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a classification state by a classification sort according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Device body 6 ... Automatic document feeder 7 ... Sort device 53, 54 ... Photo interrupter 66 ... Size sensor 79 ... Sorter bin

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus main body having a document table, an automatic document feeder for supplying a document to the document table, and an image provided in the apparatus body and corresponding to a document on the document table on an image support. Image forming means for forming, and a plurality of accumulating means for accumulating the image-formed image supports provided on an extension of a discharge section for discharging the image supports in the apparatus main body,
Sorting means provided between the discharge section and the plurality of stacking means for sorting and transporting the image-formed image support to the plurality of stacking means, and a document provided on a document transport path of the automatic document feeder. Control means for detecting the size, and control for controlling the sorting means so as to divide the image support according to the size of the document according to the detection result by the detection means and divide the image support into arbitrary positions of the plurality of accumulating means. An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. An apparatus main body having a document table, image forming means provided in the apparatus main body for forming an image corresponding to a document on the document table on an image support, and the image supporting unit in the apparatus main body. A plurality of accumulating means for accumulating the image-formed image support provided on an extension of a discharging part for discharging a body, and the image-formed image provided between the discharging part and the plurality of collecting means Sorting means for sorting and transporting the support into the plurality of stacking means, detection means provided in the vicinity of the document table for detecting a document size of a document placed on the document table, and a detection result by the detection means. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus is provided with a control means for controlling the sorting means so as to divide the image support according to the size of the original document and divide it into arbitrary positions of the plurality of stacking means.