JPH05139615A - Paper sheet processing device of sorter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a paper sheet processing device of a sorter capable of inhibiting a door from opening during the paper sheet processing while stopping the paper sheet processing and opening the door only in replenishing a staple. CONSTITUTION:In a paper sheet processing device for a sorter which gives the paper sheet process to transfer paper having a formed image transferred thereon, sequentially sorted and ejected onto a bin 16, there are provided a paper sheet processing means 28 for giving a predetermined process to the transfer paper ejected onto the bin 16, a door capable of opening and closing to screen the interior of the device, a lock means 182 for locking the door and a lock controlling means for operating the lock means 182 only during the paper sheet process.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and more particularly to a sheet processing apparatus for a sorter which performs stapling or other predetermined processing on a transfer sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, in image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, ones having a function of transferring the same original document onto a plurality of transfer papers and sorting these transfer papers into respective bins have become widespread. Particularly in recent years, an image processing apparatus having a function of further stapling the sheets on the sorted bin has been used.

In this apparatus, when the door of the apparatus is opened to check the presence or absence of a needle during sheet processing, the operation is stopped to prevent danger.

[0004]

However, when the door of the apparatus is opened during the processing of the sheet and the stapler is stopped halfway, the door is closed, and the sheet which is being processed immediately before is stapled. There is a case where an erroneous operation occurs such that the operation is repeated or a next operation is performed without stapling. In addition, the stapler may malfunction so that stapling becomes impossible and maintenance work for the stapler unit may be required. In particular, a type of sheet processing device of the sorter that can perform sheet processing on an arbitrary position of the sheet is conceivable. However, the occurrence of the malfunction in this type of device further deteriorates the workability.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and prohibits the opening of the door during the paper processing, stops the paper processing only when the needle is replenished, and processes the paper of a sorter that can open the door. The purpose is to provide a device.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a sheet processing apparatus of a sorter for performing sheet processing on transfer sheets to which formed images have been transferred, and which are sequentially sorted into a bin and discharged. Paper processing means for performing a predetermined processing on the transfer paper discharged to the bin, an openable / closable door for shielding the inside of the apparatus, a locking means for locking the door, and a lock for operating the locking means only during the paper processing. And a control means (claim 1).

Further, in the sheet processing apparatus of the sorter according to claim 1, the sheet processing means is a stapler,
A staple detecting unit that detects the presence or absence of the remaining amount of staples of the stapler, a stop unit that stops the sheet processing when the remaining amount of the staple is detected, and a lock unit of the lock unit when the remaining amount of the staple is detected. A lock release control means for releasing the operation is provided (claim 2).

Further, the lock release control means moves the stapler to the staple replenishment position when it is detected that there is no remaining amount of staples, and releases the operation of the lock means after the stapler reaches the staple replenishment position. (Claim 3).

[0009]

According to the present invention, the lock control means operates the lock means during the paper processing by the paper processing means,
The door is locked.

Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, when the staple detecting means detects that the stapler of the stapler has no remaining amount, the stopping means stops the sheet processing and the lock release controlling means operates the locking means. Is released. And
You will be able to open the door and supply needles.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the staple detecting means detects that the stapler has no remaining amount, the stopping means stops the sheet processing, and the lock release controlling means replenishes the stapler. The locking means is deactivated after being moved to the position. Then, you can open the door and easily replenish the needles.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a sorter sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 21 is an external view showing the entire image forming apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied. The image forming apparatus 1 has a first housing 2, and a contact glass (not shown) is provided at the center of the upper surface of the first housing 2.

Inside the first housing 2, an optical system for optically scanning an original, an image forming means having a photosensitive drum and members for image formation disposed around the photosensitive drum, and a transfer unit. Each component such as a paper transport system is arranged. The original to be copied is placed on the contact glass with its copy surface facing downward, and the original surface is optically scanned by the optical system. Then, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum by the image forming means based on the light reflected from the document surface, and further developed into a toner image. The developed toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper and fixed on the transfer paper at the fixing section.

Reference numeral 3 denotes an automatic document conveying means for automatically conveying a document, which is provided with a document placing section 4, a document carrying-in section 5, a document conveying section 6, and a document unloading section 7. The originals placed on the original placing portion 4 are automatically moved one by one from the original carrying-in portion 5 to a predetermined position on the contact glass by the original feeding portion 6 and temporarily stopped, and after the copying is completed, the original feeding portion 7 Be delivered to.

Cabinets 9, 10 and 11 for accommodating transfer papers are provided so that papers of different sizes can be set therein. An operation panel 12 includes a copy switch, a copy number instruction switch, and the like. 1
Reference numeral 3 denotes a selection key for switching the mode of the sorter and paper processing such as stapling and punching.

Reference numeral 14 is a second housing, the internal structure of which will be described later. In addition, the second housing 1
4 has an opening / closing panel 14a, and by opening the opening / closing panel 14a, a sheet processing unit 30 described later can be drawn out. Reference numeral 15 is a sorter, a plurality of bins 16 are provided in a stepped shape, and 17 is a paper discharge unit. The transfer paper is sequentially discharged to the bin 16 when being sorted, and is discharged to the paper discharge unit 17 when not being sorted.

Next, referring to FIG. 1, the second housing 14
The internal configuration of will be described. FIG. 1 is a side view showing the internal configuration of the second housing 14. 20, 21, 2
Reference numeral 2 denotes a first pin, a second pin, and a third pin, which are arranged on both the left and right sides of the bin 16 in the width direction of the paper so as to partially project, and have a pair structure. ing.
Each of the bottles 16 has a pair of first pins 20 provided on the left and right side plates in a groove provided on the left and right side plates with a slight inclination in the right direction in the figure, and second pins 21 provided upright on both left and right sides. Column 23
By being fitted in the spiral groove 24 cut in the above, it is supported so as to be able to move up and down. The third pin 22 is provided on the right side of the second pin 21 in the drawing with a predetermined minute interval.

Further, the bin 16 connects the stopper 25 for regulating and aligning the rear end of the sheet, the flat plate portion 26, and the stopper 25 and the flat plate portion 26, and a spring or the like is engaged with the connecting shaft to reverse the stopper 25. It is composed of a connecting portion 27 that urges clockwise.

Each bin 16 is a cylinder 23 driven by a motor (not shown).
By rotating the sheet by 360 °, the sheet is moved stepwise upward or downward in synchronization with the transfer paper discharge timing. When copying and sorting are completed and each transfer sheet is subjected to a predetermined process described later, the bin to be processed is moved up and down one step to a specific position therefor, and the bin 16 at the specific position is moved. Is moved backward (rightward in the figure) by a predetermined distance along the inclination.

Reference numeral 28 is a paper processing device for performing a predetermined process on the transfer paper sorted in the bin 16, and 29 is the paper processing device 2
8 is a support frame on which 8 is mounted. Reference numeral 30 is a paper processing unit, 31 is a belt provided on the paper processing unit 30, and 32 is a motor for driving the belt 31. The support frame 29 is placed on a belt 31, and is made to reciprocate in the width direction of the bin, that is, the width direction of the paper by rotating the belt 31 from a motor 32 through a gear. The bottle 16 is moved forward by a predetermined distance in the inclination direction (to the left in the drawing) to approach the transfer sheet side, and processing can be performed on any position of the transfer sheet. The lock mechanism 182 is composed of a solenoid or the like and prevents the open / close panel 14a from opening. The lock mechanism 182 is set to a locked state or an unlocked state in response to an on / off instruction from the control device 180 described later.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the second housing 14 showing the arrangement position of the lock mechanism 182. 3A and 3B are schematic configuration diagrams showing the lock mechanism 182. FIG. 3A is an unlocked state, and FIG. 3B is a locked state. Open / close panel 14a
Is designed to open with the shaft 183 as a fulcrum. When the lock mechanism 182 is on, the rod 182a
Enter and the key portion 182b engages with the panel member 14b of the open / close panel 14a, and when the lock mechanism 182 is off, the rod 182a protrudes to project the key portion 182b and the panel member 1.
4b is disengaged. The rod 182a and the key portion 182b are rotatably connected, and one of the connecting holes is a long hole.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the control system of the sorter sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention. Control device 18
Reference numeral 0 controls the operation of this device, which is composed of a microcomputer, and includes a selection key 13 and a first sensor 6 to be described later.
1, the second sensor 62, the third sensor 78, the fourth sensor 91, the fifth sensor 148, the sixth sensor 137, the needle sensor 181, receives signals from the motor 3 to be described later.
2, motor 43, motor 51, motor 72, motor 81
The punch 40 and the stapler 41 described later are driven to rotate.
Is operated to perform the sheet processing, and the lock mechanism 182 is operated during the sheet processing. Reference numeral 33 denotes a display unit disposed at an appropriate place outside the image forming apparatus 1 or the sorter 15, and when the absence of the remaining amount of the staples 191 described later is detected, the fact is notified.

Next, the movement of the transfer paper side, that is, the bin 16 when performing paper processing will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a sheet moving mechanism.
5A is a plan view and FIG. 5B is a side view. 51 is a motor for moving the bottle 16 in the front-rear direction, 52 is a worm wheel, 53, 54, 55, 56 are gears, and these wheels 53, 54, 55, 56 have a chain wheel 57.
Is hung. The rotational force of the motor 51 is transmitted to the gear 53 through the worm wheel 52 and further transmitted to each gear through the chain wheel 57.

Reference numeral 58 is a chain wheel 57 and a connecting portion 5
9 is a working plate connected by 9. The action plate 58 moves the bin 16 in the front-rear direction when the sheet is subjected to a predetermined process, as described later, and the second pin 21 causes the second groove 21 to have a spiral groove 24 during the sorting process.
It also has the function of controlling so that it will not be detached from.

Reference numeral 60 is a guide rail for guiding the moving direction of the working plate 58. Reference numerals 61 and 62 denote a first sensor and a second sensor which are configured by a photo interrupter or the like and detect the presence or absence of the action plate 58 and regulate the movement range thereof. With this configuration, the action plate 58 reciprocates within a predetermined distance range according to the rotation of the motor 51.

Reference numeral 71 is a fourth pin that partially projects from the bin 16 and is pushed by an eccentric cam 75, which will be described later, to stop the stopper 25.
To cancel. Reference numeral 72 is a motor for rotating the stopper 25 in the clockwise direction to release it, 73 is a worm wheel, 74 is a gear, 75 is an eccentric cam, and 76 is a chain hung between the gear shafts of the gear 74 and the eccentric cam 75. It's a wheel. In this way, the rotational force of the motor 72 is transmitted to the eccentric cam 75 via the chain wheel 76.

Reference numeral 77 is a pulse plate which rotates integrally with the gear 74, and reference numeral 78 is a third sensor which is composed of a photo interrupter or the like for detecting the rotation amount of the gear 74 by the pulse plate 77. The release amount of the stopper 25 is set to a predetermined amount by the third sensor 78.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG.
A cutout portion 251 is formed on one side of the leading end of the cutout 5 for the reason described below.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a mechanism for pressing the paper. The paper pressing mechanism has an arrangement relationship as shown in FIG. 10, and is for fixing the transfer paper sorted in the bin 16 to the flat plate portion 26 of the bin 16 immediately before releasing the stopper 25.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 81 is a paper pressing drive motor, and 82, 83, 84 and 85 are gears, and the rotational force of the motor 81 is transmitted to the gears 84 and 85 through the gears 82 and 83. There is. Reference numeral 86 is a paper retainer that presses and fixes the transfer paper, and 88 is a link rod that connects the gear 85 and the paper retainer 86. The upper end of the link rod 88 is rotatably attached to the side surface of the gear 85 at an eccentric position. Reference numeral 89 is a guide rail for guiding the moving direction of the connection point 92 between the link rod 88 and the paper retainer 86, and 87 is a spring attached between the connection point and the paper retainer 86, which is used to transfer the sorted transfer paper. A suitable pressing force is given according to the number of sheets.

Reference numeral 90 denotes a pulse plate that rotates integrally with the gear 84, and reference numeral 91 denotes a fourth sensor composed of a photo interrupter or the like for detecting the rotation amount of the gear 84 by the pulse plate 90.

Next, the operation of the paper moving mechanism and the pressing mechanism will be described. First, the transfer paper moving mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5B shows the forward (original) position, and FIG. 7 shows the retracted position.

The motor 51 rotates to rotate the worm wheel 5
When the gear 53 starts to rotate through 2, the gears 53, 5
The chain wheel 57 hung on 4, 55, 56 rotates counterclockwise. By the rotation of the chain wheel 57, the action plate 58 connected by the connecting portion 59 starts to move backward (to the right in the drawing) along the guide rail 60.

At this time, the action plate 58 has the third pin 22.
By pressing, the movement of the action plate 58 moves the bin 16 provided with the third pin in the backward direction. When the action plate 58 reaches the position of the second sensor 62, the motor 51 is stopped by detecting it. In this way, the transfer paper is moved by a predetermined distance by the backward movement of the bin 16.

FIG. 7 is a view showing the state after the sheet is moved, in which the action plate 58 is stopped at the position detected by the second sensor 62.

Next, the forward movement operation for returning to the original will be described. At this time, the motor 51 is rotated in the reverse direction, and the chain wheel 57 is rotated in the reverse direction. By the rotation of the chain wheel 57, the action plate 58 starts to move forward (to the left in the drawing) along the guide rail 60.

By the movement of the action plate 58, the second pin 21 is pushed to the left in the drawing, and the bin 16 moves in the forward direction. When the action plate 58 reaches the position of the first sensor 61, it is detected and the motor 51 stops.

Next, the operation of the paper pressing mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. The motor 81 rotates and the gears 82, 83
When the gears 84 and 85 start rotating through
Rotation of the paper presser 86 linked by the link rod 88
Moves down along the guide rail 89 and presses the sheet against the flat plate portion 26 by the force of the spring 87. And the gear 84
The rotation amount of the pulse plate 90 that rotates integrally with the fourth sensor 9
1 is detected and the motor 81 is stopped at a predetermined position to press and fix the paper.

On the other hand, when releasing the paper retainer, the motor 81 is further rotated and the gear 85 is rotated just once, so that the paper retainer 86 connected by the link rod 88 rises along the guide rail 89. Return to the position.

Next, the operation of releasing the stopper 25 so that the predetermined processing can be performed on the pressed and fixed sheet will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 shows the state before the release, and FIG. 8 shows the state after the release.

With the bin 16 in the retracted position shown in FIG. 8, the motor 72 rotates to rotate the worm wheel 73.
When the gear 74 rotates clockwise through the chain wheel 76, the chain wheel 76 rotates clockwise and the eccentric cam 7 rotates.
Rotate 5 clockwise. Due to the rotation of the eccentric cam 75, the peripheral surface of the eccentric cam 75 contacts the fourth pin 71, and a rotational force in the clockwise direction is generated in the fourth pin 71. When the eccentric cam 75 further rotates, the connecting portion 27
The fourth pin 71 is rotated in the clockwise direction against the urging force of the inner spring, and the stopper 25 is rotated in the clockwise direction with the connecting portion 27 as a fulcrum, and the stopper 25 is released. By releasing this, predetermined processing can be performed on the sheet.

The pulse plate 7 rotating integrally with the gear 74
The rotation amount of 7 is detected by the third sensor 78, and the motor 72 is stopped at a predetermined position.

When the stopper 25 is returned to its original position, the motor 72 is further rotated and the worm wheel 7 is rotated.
3, the eccentric cam 75 is rotated clockwise through the gear 74 and the chain wheel 76, and the eccentric cam 7 is rotated.
The clockwise rotation of 5 causes the stopper 25 to return to its original position by the urging force of the spring in the connecting portion 27.

The position for processing the paper is
In the case of one corner of the paper, that is, the cutout portion 251.
When the value is within the range, the above-mentioned release of the stopper 25 is not performed.

Next, the structure of the sheet processing unit 30 will be described. The sheet processing device 28 is attachable to and detachable from the support frame 29. The configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13.

FIG. 9 is an external view showing a schematic structure of the support frame 29 with the sheet processing device 28 removed. Figure 10
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view mainly showing the structure of the support frame 29 as seen from the side surface. Further, FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a punch 40 as an example of the sheet processing apparatus 28. Further, FIG. 12 shows a schematic configuration of a stapler 41 as another example of the sheet processing device 28, (a) is a perspective view,
(B) is a side view. The drive mechanism and the like are omitted in FIGS. 11 and 12.

Reference numeral 31 is a belt which is horizontally arranged on the upper side of the sheet processing unit 30 over the left and right sides, and can be reciprocated by a motor 32. The support frame 29 includes a slide base 42 and a mounting base 44.

The slide base 42 is adapted to reciprocate the support frame 29 in the left-right direction by the rotation of the belt 31. The mounting base 44 is configured to move the sheet processing device 28 forward and backward along the inclination by the rotation of the motor 43 via a gear or the like.

Gears 140, 141, 142 and 143 are provided coaxially with the gears 141 and 142.
Is generated and transmitted. 144
Is a pulse plate that rotates together with the gear 143, and 145 is a cylindrical body. Reference numeral 146 denotes a connecting rod that is rotatably attached to the eccentric position on the upper surface of the pulse plate 144 and the lower portion of the cylindrical body 145, and connects the pulse plate 144 and the cylindrical body 145. Reference numeral 147 denotes a cylindrical guide rod attached to the slide base 42 side, and has the same inclination as the guide rail 60 for guiding the backward movement of the bin 16.

The cylindrical body 145 is penetrated by the guide rod 147, and reciprocally slides along the guide rod 147 by the rotation of the pulse plate 144. 14
Reference numeral 9 is a notch provided in the mounting base 44, which is the cylindrical body 145.
Contacts the edge of the cutout 149 to move the mounting base 44 in the front-back direction.

Reference numeral 148 is a fifth sensor composed of a photo interrupter or the like for detecting the rotation amount of the pulse plate 144.

Reference numerals 100 and 101 are rollers provided so that the slide base 42 can smoothly move with respect to the sheet processing unit 30 corresponding to the stationary side. Also, 102,10
Reference numerals 3, 104 and 105 are rollers provided so that the mounting base 44 moves smoothly with respect to the slide base 42 corresponding to the stationary side when the mounting base 44 moves.

First, the mounting structure of the punch 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. Reference numeral 106 denotes a T-shaped metal fitting screwed at two points, which is adapted to assist in fixing the punch 40 through a slit 107 provided at the bottom of the punch 40. Reference numerals 108 and 109 denote connectors for connecting signal lines for controlling the operation of the punch 40, and two holes 1 for inserting pins (not shown) for assisting fixing.
10 is provided.

Reference numeral 150 is a perforating blade for making a hole in the paper.
Reference numeral 1 is a table on which sheets are set when punching. Stand 1
Auxiliary bases 1 that prevent the paper from hanging down on both sides of 51
52 is provided. An inclined portion 151 for smoothing paper setting is provided at each tip of the table 151 and the auxiliary table 152.
a and 152a are provided respectively. That is, the inclined portions 151a and 152a are provided for scooping up the leading edge of the sheet to be processed when the leading edge of the sheet to be processed hangs down due to the release of the stopper 25 and to set the sheet at the setting position.

In the punch 40, the T-shaped metal fitting 106 is passed through the slit 107, the connectors 108 and 109 are connected, and the hole 1
Screw through 11 and 112 at one place. Note that hole 1
12 can be adjusted in the direction of contact and separation with the paper.

Next, the mounting structure of the stapler 41 will be described with reference to FIGS. Reference numeral 113 is a U-shaped metal fitting screwed at two points.
It is designed to be inserted from both sides to assist in fixing the stapler 41. 114 and 115 are the stapler 4
1 is a connector for connecting a signal line or the like for operation control, and has two holes 116 for inserting pins (not shown) for assisting fixing.

Reference numeral 153 denotes a staple binding unit for binding sheets with the staples 191 and 154 is a table on which sheets are set when stapling.

The stapler 41 has a cutout portion 251.
Since the stopper 25 is not released when stapling to the position of, the auxiliary table is unnecessary, and when stapling to the position where the stopper 25 is released, the table 15 of the punch 40 is used.
1 and the auxiliary table 152 serve as the auxiliary table of the stapler 41, and further, the hanging paper is also drawn up. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the auxiliary table or the inclined portion. Note that the above configuration is sufficient if it is provided on at least one of the punch 40 and the stapler 41.

The stapler 41 is pinched from both sides by the elastic force of the U-shaped metal fitting 113, and the connectors 114, 115 are inserted.
Are connected and screwed through the holes 117 and 118 at one place.

Next, the means for detecting the staples 191 will be described with reference to FIG. 13A and 13B show the positions where the staples and the staple sensors are arranged. FIG. 13A is a plan view showing a case where the staples have a sufficient remaining amount, and FIG. 13B shows a case where the staples have a small remaining amount. A plan view and (c) are perspective views of main parts.

The staple needle 191 is the staple feeding belt 19
It is placed on the sheet No. 2, and the needle supply belt 192 is moved in the direction of arrow B by the rotational driving of a motor (not shown) so that the staple supply belt 192 is supplied to the staple position. The staple sensor 181 detects the staples 191 and is composed of a photo interrupter or the like, and is disposed so as to face a part of the staples 191 at a proper position slightly before the staple position. When the remaining amount of the staples 191 is sufficient as shown in FIG. 13A, the reflected light from the staples 191 is received, and the remaining amount of the staples 191 is shown as shown in FIG. 13B. When it becomes scarce,
By stopping receiving the reflected light, the staple 19
The remaining amount of 1 is detected and a signal is output. The position of the staple sensor 181 may be closer to the stapling position, and for example, a signal indicating that the staples 191 are present may be output until the staples 191 are all used.

The sheet processing unit 30 is attachable to and detachable from the second housing 14, the configuration of which will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. 14
1 shows a state in which the support frame body 29 from which the sheet processing device 28 is removed is placed on the sheet processing unit 30, FIG.
It is a schematic block diagram seen from the arrow A direction. In addition, FIG.
FIG. 4 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of the inside of the second housing 14 from which the sheet processing unit 30 is removed.

Reference numeral 130 is a roller, and a rectangular kerf 131 is provided at a corresponding portion of the second housing 14. Reference numerals 132, 133, 134, 135 and 136 are gears, and the belt 31 is provided with gears 134, 135 and 136.
Is hung on.

Reference numeral 137 denotes a sixth sensor which is composed of a photo interrupter or the like and detects the initial position of the slide base 42. The initial position is set on the front side of the second housing 14, and the sliding base 42 does not move when stapling to a position facing the cutout portion 251 of the sheet.

The front side of the sheet processing unit 30 is longer than the width of the bin 16 by, for example, the dimension length of the punch 40. Therefore, when the maintenance and inspection work is performed on the outer sheet processing device 28, that is, the punch 40, it is only necessary to open the panel of the second housing 14.

When the sheet processing unit 30 is pulled out to the front side, the roller 130 comes into contact with the front edge 131a of the rectangular kerf 131 and temporarily stops. The roller 130 and the kerf 131 are set at the temporarily stopped position so that the support frame 29 is pulled out from the second housing 14 to the front side. Therefore, in this state, maintenance and inspection work can be performed on the inner sheet processing device 28, that is, the stapler 41.

When the sheet processing unit 30 is further pulled out, it can be pulled down slightly to release the engagement between the roller 130 and the edge 131a, and can be easily pulled out by the roller 130.

With respect to the movement operation of the slide base 42 and the mounting base 44 in the above-mentioned structure, FIG. 9, FIG. 10 and FIG.
4 will be described.

First, the movement operation of the slide base 42 will be described. When the motor 32 rotates and the gear 134 starts to rotate through the gears 132 and 133, the belt 31 rotates and the slide base 42 moves in the left-right direction, that is, in the direction parallel to the width direction of the sheet that is pressed and fixed. To do. The control of the moving distance of the slide base 42 is performed based on the operating time of the motor 32 or the number of motor drive pulses with reference to the initial position and the like.

When the sliding base 42 is returned to the initial position, the motor 32 is rotated in the reverse direction, and when the sixth sensor 137 detects the sliding base 42, the motor 32 is stopped.

Next, the movement operation of the mounting base 44 will be described. The motor 43 rotates to rotate the gears 140, 141, 1
When the pulse plate 144 starts rotating through 42 and 143, the cylinder 145 is moved forward through the connecting rod 146, and integrally with this, the mounting base 44 is moved forward along the inclination toward the paper side. ..

Then, the rotation amount of the pulse plate 144 is detected by the fifth sensor 148, and the motor 43 is stopped at a predetermined position. As a result, the sheet is set on the table 151 of the punch 40 and the auxiliary table 152 or the table 154 of the stapler 41.

When the mount 44 is returned to the initial position, the motor 43 is further rotated in the same direction to move the fifth sensor 148.
When it is detected that the mounting base 44 has returned to the initial position, the motor 43 is stopped.

Here, an operation procedure for actually carrying out sheet processing will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when performing paper processing. When the position and type of paper processing are selected with the selection key 13, the paper processing operation is started.

First, the position for paper processing is determined (step S1). When processing is performed on only one corner of the sheet processing device 28 on the initial position side (YES in step S1).
S), the process proceeds to step S2 in order to perform the process (hereinafter, referred to as a specific mode), and when the position where the sheet processing is performed is not only one corner on the initial position side of the sheet processing device 28, or the other one or more positions are processed. (Step S1
NO), the process proceeds to step S3 to perform the process (hereinafter, referred to as a normal mode).

First, the processing procedure in the specific mode will be described. FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing an operation procedure in the specific mode, that is, when the stapling process is performed only at one corner of the paper.

First, the bin 16 on which the sheets to be stapled are placed is moved toward the stapler 41 and retracted to a predetermined position (step S11). When the backward movement is completed, the paper is pressed and fixed by the paper retainer 86 (step S12).

Next, the mounting table 44 is moved forward at the initial position to set a sheet on the table 154 of the stapler 41 (step S13). Since the notch 251 is formed in the stopper 25 at this one corner, the operation of releasing the stopper 25 is unnecessary. Then, the stapler 41 is operated to bind the sheets by the stapling operation (step S14).

When the stapling operation is completed, the mounting base 44
Is retracted to retract the stapler 41 from the sheet and return it to its original position (step S15). Next, the paper retainer 86 is released (step S16), and the bin 16 for which stapling processing has been completed is advanced to return it to its original position (step S17).

Next, it is determined whether or not the stapling process has been performed on all the stages of the bin 16 on which the sheets are placed. If not completed (NO in step S18), the bin 16 is moved to the first stage. Only (step S19). At this time, if the stapling process is started from the lower side of the bin 16, the stapling process is increased by one step, and in the opposite case, the stapling process is decreased by one step. Then, the processes of steps S11 to S18 are repeated for the newly moved bin 16. On the other hand, if the stapling process is completed for all the required bins (YES in step S18), this process ends.

Next, the processing procedure in the normal mode will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the normal mode, for example, when punching at two positions symmetrical with respect to the width direction of the sheet. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the movement of the punch 40 and the punching position of the sheet at the retracted position.

First, the punch 40 is moved forward from the initial position (a) in the width direction of the sheet and stopped at the position (a) facing the first punch position (c) (step S21). Next, the bin 1 on which the sheet to be punched is placed
6 is retracted to a predetermined position (step S22). Subsequently, the paper is pressed and fixed by the paper retainer 86 (step S
23). When the pressing and fixing of the paper is completed, the stopper 25 of the bin 16 is released (step S24). Since the paper is already fixed in step S23, the stopper 2
The paper does not slip off even if the setting of 5 is canceled.

Next, by moving the mounting table 44 forward, the sheets are set on the table 151 of the punch 40 and the auxiliary table 152 (step S25). And punch 40
Is operated to open a hole in the paper (step S26).
When the punching to the first punch position (c) is completed, the punch 40 is continuously moved in the forward movement direction and stopped at the second punch position (d) (step S27). Then, the punch 40 is operated to open a hole in the paper (step S28). Then, when drilling is completed, the mounting base 4
By retracting 4 the punch 40 is retracted to the position (e) and retracted from the sheet (step S29).

Then, the stopper 25 of the bottle 16 is returned from the released state to the set state (step S30), and further,
The paper retainer 86 is released (step S31). Then, the punched bin 16 is advanced and returned to the original position (step S32).

Next, it is determined whether or not the punching process has been performed for all the stages of the bin 16 on which the sheets are placed, and if not completed (NO in step S33), the bin 16 is determined.
Is moved by one step (step S35). At this time,
If punching is started from the lower side of the bin 16,
It goes up one step at a time, and goes down one step at the opposite.

Further, the punch 40 is moved back from the position (e) in the width direction of the sheet and stopped at the position (a) facing the first punch position (c) (step S36). Then, for the newly moved bin 16, step S22
~ The process of S33 is repeated.

On the other hand, if the punching process is completed for all the required bins (YES in step S33), step S
In step 34, the punch 40 is returned to the initial position (A), and this processing ends.

The method of moving the punch 40 is not limited to the above method. For example, step S3
Position (e) without returning from position (e) to position (a) at 6
Stop at. Then, for the next sheet, a hole is made first from the second position (D). Then, a hole is opened at the first position (c) and the hole is retracted to the position (a). In this way, the order in which the holes are formed in the first position (c) and the second position (d) can be alternately changed every time the sheets are replaced.

Although the punching process has been described here, the stapling process can also be performed by similar control. In this case, since the stapler 41 is placed adjacent to the punch 40, the initial position is different, and therefore the position control in the reciprocating direction of the slide table 42 is required by that distance.

Further, here, the control in the case where there are two processing positions has been described, but the same control can be performed when there are more processing positions and the processing can be performed for any desired setting position. Can be applied.
It is also possible to set the initial position to the rear surface side of the image forming apparatus 1. In this case, the opening / closing panel 14a for maintenance and inspection is provided on the rear surface of the second housing 14.

Next, the operation of the lock mechanism 182 during sheet processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, it is determined whether or not the sheet processing operation is being performed, that is, whether or not the sheet processing operation is on (step S41). If the sheet processing is not being performed, the lock is released (step S48). (Step S42), it is determined from the signal from the staple sensor 181 whether the staple needle 191 is present (step S43).
It ends in the locked state.

On the other hand, when there is no remaining staple staple 191 (NO in step S43), the stapler 41 is moved toward the initial position so that the staples of the second housing 14 can be easily replenished (step S43). S44), if it reaches the initial position (YES in step S45), it is stopped (step S46), and a needleless display is performed (step S4).
7) The lock is released (step S48), and the process ends.

As described above, the open / close panel 14 is operated during paper processing.
By locking a and detecting the staples 191 and when the remaining amount is exhausted, the stapler 41 is moved to the initial position and the lock is released, so that the opening / closing panel 14a can be opened during the sheet processing operation. It is possible to prevent the stapling failure.

In the present embodiment, the punch 40 and the stapler 41 are described as an example of the sheet processing device 28, but the present invention is not limited to these, and any other device such as a printing device or the like for processing a sheet may be used. It should be noted that the mounting portion of the device can be easily replaced by having the same configuration as other devices.

In the above-described embodiment, when the sheet processing device 28 is positioned at the processing position with respect to the sheet, the rotation amount of the motor 43 is controlled, but the invention is not limited to this. A paper presence / absence detection switch that detects the presence of paper and turns on may be provided near the processing unit 28, and the positioning of the motor 43 may be controlled by turning on / off the switch.

By thus providing the paper presence / absence detection switch, for example, when the paper is removed from the bin 16 after the sort processing and before the paper processing operation, this switch remains off. Paper processing device 2
It is possible to prevent the idle operation of 8.

[0097]

As described above, according to the present invention, the formed image is transferred,
In a paper processing device of a sorter for sequentially performing paper processing on transfer papers sorted into a bin and discharged, a paper processing means for performing a predetermined process on the transfer papers discharged to the bin, and an openable / closable device that shields the inside of the device. Since the door, the lock means for locking the door, and the lock control means for operating the lock means only during the paper processing are provided, the door cannot be opened during the paper processing operation, and the operation of the paper processing means. Defects can be prevented.

Further, when a stapler is used as the paper processing means, the paper processing is stopped and the operation of the locking means is released when the staples of the stapler run out. Needles can be easily replenished.

Further, since the stapler is moved to the staple replenishing position by the lock release control means, the staple can be replenished more easily.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an internal configuration of a second housing.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a second housing showing a disposition position of a lock mechanism.

3A and 3B are schematic configuration diagrams showing a lock mechanism, where FIG. 3A is an unlocked state and FIG. 3B is a locked state.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control system of the sheet processing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a paper moving mechanism, in which (a) is a plan view;
(B) is a side view.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a paper pressing mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the sheet is in the retracted position.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state after the stopper of the bottle is released.

FIG. 9 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of a support frame body with a sheet processing device removed.

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view mainly showing the structure of the support frame, seen from the side surface.

FIG. 11 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of a punch.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a stapler, (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a side view.

13A and 13B are views showing the arrangement positions of the staples and the staple sensors, FIG. 13A is a plan view showing a case where there is a sufficient remaining amount of staples, and FIG. 13B is a case where the remaining amount of staples is very small. The plan view shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state in which a support frame is placed on a sheet processing unit.

FIG. 15 is an external view showing a schematic configuration inside a second housing.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation when performing paper processing.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an operation in a specific mode.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an operation in a normal mode.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing movement of a punch.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the operation of the lock mechanism during sheet processing.

FIG. 21 is an external view showing the entire image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 12 Operation panel 13 Selection key 14 Second housing 14a Open / close panel 14b Panel member 15 Sorter 16 Bin 20 First pin 21 Second pin 22 Third pin 23 Cylindrical 24 Groove 25 Stopper 26 Flat plate 27 Connection Part 28 Paper processing device 29 Support frame 30 Paper processing unit 31 Belt 32 Motor 33 Display part 40 Punch 41 Stapler 42 Sliding table 43 Motor 44 Mounting table 51 Motor 52 Worm wheel 53, 54, 55, 56 Gear 57 Chain wheel 58 Working plate 59 Connection part 60 Guide rail 61 First sensor 62 Second sensor 71 Fourth pin 72 Motor 73 Worm wheel 74 Gear 75 Eccentric cam 76 Chain wheel 77 Pulse plate 78 Third sensor 81 Motor 82, 83, 4,85 Gear 86 Paper retainer 87 Spring 88 Link rod 89 Guide rail 90 Pulse plate 91 Fourth sensor 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 Roller 106 T-shaped metal fitting 107 Slit 108, 109 Connector 110 Hole 111, 112 Hole 113 U-shaped metal fitting 114,115 Connector 116 Hole 117,118 Hole 130 Roller 131 Cut groove 131a Edge 132,133,134,135,136 Gear 137 Sixth sensor 140,141,142,143 Gear 144 Pulse plate 145 Tube Body 146 Connecting rod 147 Guide rod 148 Fifth sensor 149 Notch portion 150 Drilling blade 151 unit 151a Inclined portion 152 Auxiliary table 152a Inclined portion 153 Staple binding portion 154 unit 180 Control device 181 Needle sensor 182 Lock mechanism 182a Rod 182b Key part 183 Shaft 191 Staple needle 192 Needle supply belt 251 Notch part

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A sheet processing apparatus for a sorter, which performs sheet processing on transfer sheets, to which transfer of formed images is sequentially sorted and discharged to a bin, and sheet processing for performing a predetermined process on the transfer sheets discharged to a bin. A sheet processing apparatus for a sorter, comprising: a means, an openable and closable door that shields the interior of the apparatus, a locking means that locks the door, and a lock control means that activates the locking means only during sheet processing. .. 2. The paper processing apparatus for a sorter according to claim 1, wherein the paper processing means is a stapler, and a staple detection means for detecting the presence or absence of remaining staples of the stapler and A sheet processing apparatus for a sorter, comprising: stop means for stopping sheet processing when detected, and lock release control means for releasing operation of the lock means when it is detected that there is no remaining amount of staples. 3. The lock release control means moves the stapler to a staple replenishment position when it is detected that there is no remaining staple, and releases the operation of the lock means after the stapler reaches the staple replenishment position. The sheet processing device for a sorter according to claim 2.