JPH06156853A - After-treatment device for recording paper - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the accommodation performance for a special sheet by forming the center part of the sheet placing part of an OHP tray and accommodating the special sheet such as OHP sheet nearly conically, as for a sorter connected with an electronic photograph cooying machine, etc. CONSTITUTION:As for an OHP tray 20 arranged on a sorter, high projecting ribs 26 and 27 are projected at the center part of a tray plate 21, and arranged in parallel in the shift direction of a sheet, and a plurality of low ribs 25,... are arranged in parallel on both the sides. A sheet P1 accommodated in the OHP tray 20 is shifted in a sliding state with the top part Pa on the sheets P which are accommodated already, and piled in a nearly top shape on the sheets which are piled already, in the state where the rear edge part of the sheet is discharged from a nip position by a discharge roller. The OHP tray is used as a tray which is exclusively used for the OHP sheet as object, among the trays for the sorter, and the mode where common paper, etc., are not accommodated into the tray is set.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tray of a sorter, which is disposed at a recording paper discharge section and accommodates the recording paper, and more particularly,
When accommodating a special sheet such as an OHP sheet, a sheet that is newly accommodated is ejected in a substantially line contact state with respect to an already accommodated sheet, and then it can be accommodated in a substantially mountain shape. The present invention relates to a tray having a supporting mechanism of.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus such as an electronic copying machine or a printer, a recording paper is discharged to a discharge tray provided in the main body of the apparatus, and a sorter is connected to a recording paper discharging section of the apparatus. A means for sorting and storing the recording paper in the sorter tray is used. As the sorter, a sorter provided for a large-sized apparatus that produces a large number of recording sheets includes a sorter tray provided at a fixed position as shown in JP-A-56-143455. It is configured to carry the paper by carrying the paper by the carrying means. In the conventional device,
While the recording paper is being conveyed by the conveying means, the recording means is configured to be branched and accommodated in the designated tray by using the branching means.

On the other hand, in a sorter connected to a relatively small-sized image forming apparatus, as shown in JP-A-64-34855, a sheet discharging section of the sorter is provided at a fixed position of the apparatus. In some cases, a tray that is vertically movable is used. In the sorter shown in the above-mentioned conventional example, the tray is moved to the paper discharge section to perform a sorting operation, and the uppermost one of the trays is configured as a non-sort tray. The recording paper that does not need to be sorted is discharged toward the uppermost tray.

In addition to the above-mentioned conventional example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-1
In the sorter disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 88372, the paper path of the main body of the sorter is divided into two paths via the branching means provided in the recording paper introducing section. In the above-mentioned conventional example, one paper path is configured as a path for discharging the recording paper that is not sorted toward the non-sort tray, and the other paper path is for transporting the recording paper corresponding to the sorting tray. It is arranged. Then, for the control device provided in the sorter, when the sorting mode is selected,
When the mode in which the sorting is not performed is selected, the sheet path is selected by using the switching member arranged in the recording sheet introducing section, and the operation of storing the recording sheet is performed.

A conventionally used sorter is generally constructed as shown in FIG. 12. In an image forming apparatus 1 such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a toner image is transferred onto a sheet, The image is fixed through the fixing device 2 and discharged toward the sorter 10 through the discharge roller device 3. The sorter 1
In FIG. 0, a conveying roller device is arranged at a portion where the recording paper is introduced, and following the roller device, an upper conveying path 14 for guiding the recording paper and a conveying path 11 arranged in a substantially linear shape are provided. It is provided. Then, a switching gate 13 is arranged at a branch portion of the upper and lower conveying paths, and the recording paper is sorted through the gate 13 according to the sorting mode for the recording paper. Further, discharge rollers 12 and 12a are arranged at the discharge portions of the upper and lower transport paths 11 and 14, respectively, to configure a mechanism for sending the recording paper toward the tray. Also,
The sorter has a mechanism for discharging the sheets that need to be sorted toward the sorting trays T1, T2 ... Through the transport path 11 and the discharge roller device 12. When the sort mode of the paper is set to the sorter, the paper is discharged from the discharge roller device 12 through the transport path 11, but each of the trays T1, T2, ... Of the sort tray 17 has the sort mode. Accordingly, the sheet is moved to the position of the discharge roller so that the sheet can be stored.

For a copy that does not require sorting, a defective copy, and the like, when a processing signal for the sheet is input to the control device of the image forming apparatus, the copy is guided toward the upper conveying path 14 through the gate 13. Then, the sheet is discharged toward the non-sort tray 15. Furthermore, if a copy is created using a special sheet such as an OHP sheet,
By inputting a signal that the paper is special to the control device, a mode in which even a copy that does not require sorting is stored in the tray 16 through the transport path 11 is set. Therefore, in the sorter 10, OH
When a copy is made using the P sheet, the tray 16 is automatically moved to the discharge portion of the transport path 11 by the signal of the copy mode, and the OHP sheet can be accommodated. Further, except for the case of copying by the special sheet, sheets such as thick paper that may cause a trouble when discharged through the curved conveyance path are discharged toward the tray 16. Therefore, in the sorter shown in FIG. 12, the set button or the like provided on the control panel of the image forming apparatus is used to input the accommodation information of the copy to eject the copy to the designated tray. The post-processing work can be easily performed.

[0007]

In the conventional sorter as described above, the tray for accommodating the special sheet such as the OHP sheet has the same structure as the other trays, and is shown in FIG. 13, for example. As described above, the flat tray plate 6 having the ribs 8 projecting in the transport direction at predetermined intervals on the surface thereof is used as an OHP tray. When storing a copy in the OHP tray 5,
As shown in FIG. 14, the newly accommodated copy P1 is placed on the already accommodated copy P. However, the copy P1 ejected onto the tray by the ejection roller device 12 is accommodated in a state where the sliding portion Pa at the leading end of the copy P1 scrapes over the already accommodated copy P. Therefore, if the copy is an OHP sheet,
The problem is that the leading edge of the hard sheet rubs strongly against the image surface of the already stored copy.

When a full-color copy is formed by using a special sheet such as an OHP sheet, the amount of toner is 5 to 10 times that of a copy made by using black toner on plain paper. Therefore, since the image density becomes very high, the electrostatic charge amount may increase. Further, in the case of an OHP sheet, due to the characteristics of the sheet itself, if the sheet is slid on the guide plate when being conveyed in the sheet conveying path, the electrostatic charge amount becomes extremely large. Then, when such a special sheet is stored in the tray, static electricity charged in the sheet and static electricity generated by friction between the sheets affect the storability of the sheet.

Therefore, when the special sheet is accommodated in the discharge tray, there is a problem in that the sheets are not properly aligned and accommodated due to static electricity, and accommodation failure occurs. Furthermore, when stacking sheets on the tray and storing them,
After the rear end of the sheet is discharged from the discharge roller, the sheet slides on the accumulated sheet, and the rear end is not regulated by the rear regulation plate 7 and is housed in a random manner.
In some cases, an inconvenient state may occur in which a sheet to be accommodated later stops at a portion of the discharge roller, and a succeeding sheet causes a discharge failure, which may cause a jam.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of conventional trays. The tray is provided with guiding means so that the sheets to be accommodated in the tray can be accommodated in a substantially mountain shape. A means for preventing the sheets to be contained from being strongly rubbed against the sheets already contained, and also to provide a means capable of exhibiting excellent containability even with statically charged sheets and the like. Is intended.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a sorter is connected to a sheet discharging section of an image forming apparatus such as an electronic copying machine or a printer to perform post-processing on a sheet discharged as a recording sheet, and The present invention relates to an apparatus in which an image forming apparatus can create a recording sheet by using a special sheet such as an OHP sheet. In the present invention, the tray for storing the special sheet of the post-processing apparatus is provided with the supporting means that makes the accommodated special sheet substantially mountain-shaped in the width direction.
Further, the supporting means provided on the tray can be configured as a rib that protrudes to a high level, and the rib that has a height of about 10 to 20 mm is provided at the center of the sheet to be accommodated. It can be arranged and configured in a state in which it does. Further, the tray of the present invention can be configured so that the central portion of the tray plate is raised to have a substantially mountain shape.

With the above-described structure, in the tray of the present invention, when a special sheet such as an OHP sheet is stored, the sheet can be bent into a substantially chevron shape and can be stored later. The sliding sheet slides on the deposited sheet in a substantially linear contact, so that no excessive friction occurs. Then, even when the sheets are charged with static electricity, there is no possibility of defective accumulation due to static electricity, and the sheets can be accommodated in a state of being aligned on the tray.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A post-processing apparatus for recording paper according to the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrated example. The example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 shows a case where an OHP tray is arranged on the sorting tray of the sorter as shown in FIG. The OHP tray 20 of the present invention shows the same one as the OHP tray 16 in the sorter of FIG. 12, and in the state viewed from the side of FIG. 1, the OHP tray 20 is slightly curved upward with respect to the tray plate 21. Then, a high protruding rib 26 is projected on the sheet accommodation surface. Further, at the rear end of the tray 20 (on the side of the discharge roller), the rear side regulation plate 2
2 is provided so as to project upward, and the rear end portion of the ejected sheet is locked to the rear side regulation plate 22 so that the sheets can be aligned and accommodated.

The tray 20 is constructed as shown in the plan view of FIG. 2. For example, the tray 20 is configured to be capable of accommodating A3 size sheets, and is approximately in the center of an A4 longitudinally fed sheet. The two high protruding ribs 26 and 27 are arranged so as to support the sheet, and the high protruding ribs are arranged in parallel to the moving direction of the sheet with a predetermined interval. In addition to the high protruding ribs, in the tray of the present invention, a plurality of low ribs 25 are provided so as to protrude in parallel with the high protruding ribs. However, the low ribs 25 are provided in the same number as in a normal tray. A mechanism is provided which is provided so as to project at a height of mm and guides the paper so as not to slide directly on the flat tray plate 21.

Further, the tray 20 is provided with an opening 24 on the reference line side (the lower direction of the drawing) so that the stored sheets can be taken out from the side portion. In addition to the above-described configuration, in the tray of the present invention, in order to mount the tray on the frame of the sorter, the shaft support members 23 and 23a are arranged on both side portions in the width direction of the tray, and the shaft support members are interposed therebetween. In this way, the work of attaching / detaching to / from the frame of the sorter can be easily performed. Note that the OHP tray 20 of the present invention can be configured integrally with the tray plate and the rib by using a plastic material, similarly to the tray of the conventional sorter, and can also be configured by using a metal material. .

The tray constructed as described above is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, high protruding ribs and low ribs are arranged, and the sheet P can be accommodated in a state where the central portion of the sheet P is raised and both side portions hang down toward the tray plate. To be done. As shown in FIG. 3, with respect to the sheets P already accumulated on the tray 20, the sheet P1 accommodated later slides at the center of the sheet as a linear contact portion Pa. While moving. Then, with the newly accommodated sheet placed on the already accommodated sheet, the portions on both sides of the sheet are deposited so as to hang down by its own weight.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, high protruding ribs 26,
Since 27 is projected by the height a, the rigidity of the discharged OHP sheet and the feeding action of the discharge roller are received even when the position of the high protruding rib is offset with respect to the discharged sheet. In this state, the sheet is delivered while maintaining its substantially flat shape. After that, when the trailing edge of the sheet leaves the nip position of the discharge roller, both sides of the sheet hang down due to the weight of the sheet, and the sheet is accommodated in a substantially mountain shape as illustrated.

On the other hand, when plain paper is stored in the OHP tray 20, copies are deposited in the state shown in FIG. In the state where copies are stored in the tray 20, even in the case of plain paper, the paper itself has a relatively large rigidity, so that the parts on both sides of the central part supported by the high protruding ribs are It does not sag under its own weight. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
Since the sheet is accommodated while being inclined to one side while being placed on the rib having a high f, there is a problem that the sheet is not easily accommodated. That is, the OHP tray 20 of the present invention is a dedicated tray for accommodating sheets such as special sheets,
Applicable when equipped on a sorter.

In addition to the OHP trays shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, it is also possible to use a tray having the configuration shown in FIG. In the tray 30 shown in FIG. 5, the central portion of the tray plate 31 is the highest, the inclined portions are provided on both sides, and the cross section in the width direction is formed in a substantially mountain shape. In the tray 30, unlike the above-described embodiment, high protruding ribs are not provided at the central portion in the width direction, but low ribs 33 ... Are provided in parallel to the paper discharge direction with a predetermined interval, and both sides are further provided. The side plate 34 is arranged so as to protrude from the side portion of. And
In the tray, when accommodating the special sheets, the sheets can be accumulated in a state as shown in FIG.
Even if the sheet is laterally displaced, the sheet is prevented from falling to the side of the tray.

OHP of the present invention constructed as described above
In the tray 20, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 11, the operation of accommodating sheets is performed. 6 to 8
The example shown in FIG. 9 shows the state seen from the side of the tray, and the examples shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 show the state seen from the front of the tray. In the state shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of sheets P are accommodated on the OHP tray 20, and in the state where the sheets are accumulated, as shown in FIG. 9, high protruding ribs 26, 27 are provided. Thus, the central portion is housed in a substantially mountain shape. When the sheet P1 is newly fed from the discharge roller 12 onto the sheet P accumulated in such a state, the sheet P1
The leading end of the sheet is guided to the highest portion of the sheet P while sliding locally. In addition, the sheet P1 to be accommodated
Moves on the tray in a state where it slides on the top of the sheet P where only the central portion is deposited, as seen in FIG. Note that, as described above, when the sheet is nipped by the discharge roller 12, the sheet is discharged while maintaining a substantially planar shape due to the rigidity of the sheet.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the rear end of the sheet P1 discharged onto the tray is the discharge roller 1
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, when the nip position by the roller device is released from the nip position by 2, the nip by the roller device is released, but the both sides do not immediately hang down and the slippage on the accumulated sheet P occurs. While sliding toward the rear side regulation plate. At that time, as shown in FIG. 10, the portions on both sides of the newly stored sheet P1 gradually hang down, and at the position where the rear end portion of the sheet abuts on the rear side regulation plate, the sheet is shown in FIG. As described above, the sheet P is aligned and stopped while being positioned on the sheet P. The front view of the state shown in FIG. 8 is as shown in FIG. 11, and the sheet P1 to be accommodated later is accommodated in an overlapping state on the sheet P already accommodated. .
Then, as described above, the discharge roller 12 causes the O
The sheet P1 discharged onto the HP tray 20 is deposited in a substantially mountain shape on the tray, and it is possible to maintain the sheet in a good state.
It is possible to prevent the sheets from being disturbed on the tray.

In addition to the OHP tray constructed as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tray of the present invention includes:
As shown in FIG. 5, it is also possible to use a means in which the OHP tray is formed in a substantially mountain shape and the sheets are deposited according to the shape of the OHP tray. When the tray plate having the shape shown in FIG. 5 is constructed, the stacking action on the sheets can be exerted similarly to the case of the tray shown in FIGS. 6 to 11. Therefore, by allowing a special sheet having rigidity, such as an OHP sheet, to be accommodated in a state where the central portion of the sheet is projected to the upper side, the accommodability of the sheet can be favorably maintained.
However, the tray of the present invention cannot store paper such as plain paper and thick paper in a good condition, and therefore, among the plurality of trays provided in the sorter,
Equipping the sorting tray can lead to many obstacles.

[0022]

According to the present invention, the OH configured as described above is used.
By using the P tray, when a special sheet such as an OHP sheet is accommodated, the sheet can be curved and accommodated in a substantially mountain shape, and the sheet to be accommodated later can be stored above the accumulated sheet. Since it slides in a state of substantially linear contact, no extra friction occurs. Then, even when the sheets are charged with static electricity, there is no possibility of defective accumulation due to static electricity, and the sheets can be accommodated in a state of being aligned on the tray. Furthermore, when a copy is made using a special sheet, the OHP tray is designated and ejected, whereby the work of accommodating the special sheet in the sorter can be performed well.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a configuration of a discharge tray of the present invention.

2 is a plan view of the tray of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a state in which a special sheet is deposited on the tray of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which plain paper is stored.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration of the OHP tray of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a sheet is discharged to an OHP tray, as seen from a side surface.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a state in which the rear end of the sheet is separated from the discharge roller.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which discharged sheets are accumulated on a sheet that has already been stored.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the state shown in FIG.

10 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 7. FIG.

FIG. 11 is a front view corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a general sorter.

FIG. 13 is a front view of a conventional tray.

FIG. 14 is a side view showing a state in which sheets are stored in a conventional tray.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 electronic copying machine, 10 sorter, 11 transport path, 12 discharge roller, 13 switching gate, 1
4 Upper transport path, 15 to 17 trays, 20 O
HP tray, 21 tray plate, 22 rear regulation plate, 25 low rib, 26/27 high protruding rib, 30 OHP tray.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A sorter is connected to a sheet discharging unit of an image forming apparatus such as an electronic copying machine or a printer to perform post-processing on a sheet discharged as a recording sheet, and the image forming apparatus is a special sheet such as an OHP sheet. In a device capable of producing recording paper using sheets, a support means for providing a special sheet of the post-processing device with a tray in which the stored special sheets have a substantially mountain shape in the width direction is provided. Post-processing device for characteristic recording paper.