JPH0615980A - Image forming apparatus and sheet post-treatment apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable stapling at the optimum stapling position by making the stapling position changeable by a sheet post-treatment apparatus corresponding to the form selected by a selection means selecting whether a manuscript is a vertical or lateral writing manuscript. CONSTITUTION:An automatic manuscript feed apparatus 300 placing the first page of a manuscript S on the single side of platen glass 101 and placing the second page thereof on the opposite side of the platen glass 101 and a sheet post-treatment apparatus 400 classifying, receiving and stapling the sheet materials discharged from an image forming apparatus 100 are provided. In the image forming apparatus, a selection means selects whether the manuscript is a vertical or lateral writing manuscript and a control means makes a stapling position changeable corresponding to the form selected by the selection means by the sheet post-treatment apparatus 40. As a result, stapling can be performed at the optimum stapling position corresponding to that the form of the manuscript is a vertical or lateral writing form.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is attached to an image forming apparatus, and a first page of an original is placed on one side of a platen glass and a second page is opposite to the first page of the platen glass. An automatic document feeder that can be placed on the side,
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus equipped with a sheet post-processing apparatus for classifying, storing, and stapling sheet materials discharged from the image forming apparatus.

[0002]

[Prior art]

<Prior Art 1> Conventionally, it is possible to place the first page of an original on one side of the platen glass and the second page of the original on the opposite side of the platen glass. In an image forming apparatus equipped with an automatic document feeder attached to the forming apparatus and a sheet post-processing apparatus for classifying, storing and stapling sheet materials discharged from the image forming apparatus,
The staple position of the stapler of the sheet post-processing device was fixed. <Prior Art 2> Conventionally, a sheet bundle placed on a sheet post-processing apparatus is stapled and closed by a binding means (electric stapler). This type of electric stapler apparatus inserts a sheet bundle into the openings of the lower jaw 51 and the upper jaw 52 as shown in FIG.
The upper jaw and the lower jaw swing in the direction of the arrow so that the sheet bundle is stapled.

The lower jaw 51 and the sheet bundle contacting surface of the upper jaw facing the lower jaw 51 are formed in a single plane.

Therefore, the electric stapler is attached to a sorting device that has one or more bins (hereinafter referred to as bin tray) and sorts the sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus, and staples a bundle of sheets on the bin tray. When performing, the bin tray is provided with a notch near the stopper so as not to interfere with the swinging of the lower jaw 51 and the upper jaw 52 and the driving of the needle (FIG. 33).

<Prior Art 3> Conventionally, in this type of electric stapler, for example, a needle which has been bent in advance into an "opening" shape is positioned at a predetermined position by a biasing means such as a spring, and the leading end of each staple is A structure in which staples are used to bind to sheets or the like, or a single needle at the tip of unbent needles connected in a belt shape is formed into an "opening" shape, and the tip of the needle penetrates the sheets or the like. After this, the tip is further bent in a "folded" shape by the facing anvil.

[0006]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

<Problem of the First Invention> In the apparatus of <Prior Art 1> described above, the position of the stapler of the sheet post-processing apparatus is
Since it was fixed, it was not possible to staple at the optimum stapling position depending on the sheet material on which images were formed from the vertical document and the horizontal document, respectively.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of stapling at an optimum stapling position depending on whether the original format is vertical writing or horizontal writing. <Problem of the second invention> However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, since the notch for moving and stapling the automatic stapling device is provided at the rear end of the bin tray (near the stopper), the strength of the bin tray (section coefficient) is increased. 34, and there is a problem that the bin tray bends downward as shown in FIG. 34 due to the weight of the sheets when the sheets are stacked (the two-dot chain line is the state before the stacking).

Further, when the sorting device is a so-called bin tray moving type, the bin tray vibrates greatly as the bin tray moves, causing poor stacking and alignment of sheets.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus which prevents the reduction of the rigidity of the bin tray and improves the stackability and alignment of the sheets. <Problem of the third invention> However, in the above-mentioned conventional example,
When the sheet to be stapled is not present at a predetermined position for staple driving in the electric stapler, when the clinch operation is performed, the staple is pushed out by the driving means and bent in a "folded back" shape (hereinafter referred to as "folded"). This is referred to as a "blank stapling needle") and falls to an unspecified position inside or outside the electric stapling device. Here, when the above-mentioned blank needle enters the inside of the device, there is a risk that the device may be broken or ignited by being dropped onto the electric board or being attracted into the electromagnetic motor.

Further, the electric stapling apparatus is a copying machine,
Even when used by connecting to a finisher that is automatically attached to a printer or a sorter with automatic stapler, etc., there is a risk that the blanking needle may cause malfunction or failure of the finisher or sorter with automatic stapler. Have sex

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus in which a blank stapling needle is surely stored in a storage container and the adverse effects of the blank stapling needle on the image forming apparatus are prevented. is there.

[0012]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

<Means of the First Invention> The present invention is an automatic document feeder capable of placing the first page of a document on one side of a platen glass and the second page on the opposite side of the platen glass. And an image forming apparatus having a sheet post-processing apparatus for classifying, storing, and stapling sheet materials discharged from the image forming apparatus, and selecting means for selecting whether the document is a vertical document or a horizontal document. The sheet post-processing apparatus has a control unit for changing the position at which the sheet is stapled according to the format selected by the selection unit. <Means of Second Invention> According to the present invention, a conveying means for conveying a sheet material, at least one bin tray for separating and accommodating the conveyed sheet material, and a retractable needle for advancing and retracting with respect to the bin tray. Binding means in which at least one of a discharge port for discharging and an anvil for bending the binding needle discharged from the discharge port is projected as compared with each holding member,
The sheet post-processing apparatus has a closing opening at a position facing the anvil of the bin tray during the sheet binding operation of the binding unit. Sheet post-processing device. <Means of Third Invention> The present invention is a storage unit for storing binding needles, a feeding unit that feeds the binding needles one by one, and a driving unit that folds the fed binding needles into the sheet bundle and then folds them back. In a sheet post-processing apparatus having a driving unit for driving the conveying unit and a driving unit, a storage container capable of storing an empty punching needle bent in a folded shape without being driven into the sheet bundle, To do.

[0013]

[Action]

<Operation of First Invention> As the original placed on the platen glass, the vertical writing original or the horizontal writing original is selected by the operation of the selecting means. The original is placed on the platen glass by the automatic document feeder with the first page on one side and the second page on the side opposite to the first page on the platen glass.
According to the selection result of the selection means, K, the first page,
The second page is placed on each of the left and right sides of the platen glass, and after a series of copying procedures, the image-formed sheet material is stapled at an optimum position according to the selection result of the selection means. <Operation of Second Invention> When the sheet bundle is placed on the bin tray, the binding means that can advance and retract with respect to the bin tray advances to the binding position of the sheets. At the time of the sheet binding operation of the binding means, a closed opening is provided at a position facing the anvil, and the binding operation of the binding means is performed without any trouble. Since the opening for avoiding the binding means is composed of the bound opening, it is possible to prevent the strength (section modulus) of the bin tray from being reduced, thereby maintaining the sheet stackability and the consistency on the bin tray. can do. <Operation of Third Invention> When the binding means performs the binding operation, if there is no sheet, the blanking is performed and a blank needle is generated. The idle needle is securely stored in the storage container by the guiding means. As a result, it is possible to prevent the dropping of the blank needle into the inside of the device and the occurrence of a failure of the electric component or the like due to the drop.

[0014]

【Example】

<First Embodiment of First Invention> Next, a first embodiment of the first invention.
Will be described. A. Main Body (100) In the main body 100 of FIG. 1, 101 is a platen glass on which an original is placed, 103 is an illumination lamp (exposure lamp) that illuminates the original, and 105, 107, and 109 are scanning mirrors that change the optical path of the original. (Scanning mirror), 111 is a lens having focusing and zooming functions, and 113 is a fourth reflecting mirror (scanning mirror) that changes the optical path. Reference numeral 115 denotes an optical system motor 117, 119, 12 for driving the optical system.
1 is a sensor, respectively.

131 is a photosensitive drum, 133 is a main motor for driving the photosensitive drum 131, 135 is a high voltage unit, 137 is a blank exposure unit, 139 is a developing device,
140 is a developing roller, 141 is a transfer charger, 143 is a separation charger, and 145 is a cleaning device.

Reference numeral 151 is an upper cassette, 153 is a lower cassette, 171 is a manual paper feed port, 155 and 157 are paper feed rollers, and 159 is a registration roller. Also, 161
Is a conveyor belt that conveys the image-recorded paper feed to the fixing side,
Reference numeral 163 is a fixing device for fixing the conveyed recording paper by thermocompression bonding, and 167 is a sensor used for double-sided recording.

The surface of the above-mentioned photosensitive drum 131 is composed of a photoconductor and a seamless photosensitive member using a conductor, and the drum 131 is rotatably supported and responds to the pressing of a copy start key which will be described later. By the operating main motor 133,
The rotation starts in the direction of the arrow in this figure. Then, drum 1
When the predetermined rotation control and potential control processing of 31 (the above-mentioned processing) is completed, the original placed on the platen glass 101 is
Illumination lamp 1 integrated with first scanning mirror 105
And the reflected light of the original is illuminated by the first scanning mirror 105, the second scanning mirror 107, and the third scanning mirror 10.
An image is formed on the drum 131 via the lens 9, the lens 111, and the fourth scanning mirror 113.

The drum 131 is corona charged by the high voltage unit 135. After that, the image (original image) irradiated by the illumination lamp 103 is slit-exposed to form the upper electrostatic image of the drum 131 by the known Carlson method.

Next, the electrostatic image on the photosensitive drum 131 is
It is developed by the developing roller 140 of the developing device 139 and visualized as a toner image, and the toner image is transferred to the transfer charger 14.
1, the image is transferred onto the transfer paper as described later.

That is, the transfer paper in the upper cassette 151 or the lower cassette 153 or the manual feed port 171.
The transfer paper set on the paper feed roller 155 or 1
57 and the registration roller 159.
Is sent to the photosensitive drum 131 with accurate timing, and the leading edge of the latent image and the leading edge of the transfer paper are aligned.
After that, the transfer sheet passes between the transfer charger 141 and the drum 131, so that the toner image on the drum 131 is transferred onto the transfer sheet.

After the completion of the transfer, the transfer paper is separated from the drum 131 by the separation charging device 143, and the transfer belt 161.
It is guided to the fixing device 163 by the fixing unit 163, and is fixed by pressing and heating. Then, it is discharged to the outside of the main body 100 by the discharging roller 165 and is stacked on the discharge tray 430 shown in the figure.

After the transfer, the drum 131 continues to rotate, and the surface thereof is cleaned by the cleaning device 145 including a cleaning roller and an elastic blade. B. Pedestal (200) The pedestal 200 of FIG. 1 has a deck 201 that can be separated from the main body 100 and can accommodate 2,000 sheets of transfer paper, and an intermediate tray 203 for double-sided copying. Also, the deck 201 that can store 2,000 sheets
The lifter 205 rises according to the amount of transfer paper so that the transfer paper always contacts the paper feed roller 207. Also, 2
Reference numeral 11 is a paper discharge flapper that switches between a double-sided recording side or multiple recording side path and a discharge side path, 213 and 215 are conveyance belt conveyance paths, and 217 is an intermediate tray weight for pressing the transfer paper. 211, and the transport path 21
The transfer paper that has passed through the sheets 3, 215 is turned over and stored in the double-sided copy intermediate tray 203.

Reference numeral 219 denotes a multiple flapper for a double-sided recording and a multiple recording path. The multiple flapper is arranged between the conveying paths 213 and 215 and rotates upward to guide the transfer sheet to the multiple recording conveying path 221. A multiple paper ejection sensor 223 detects the end of the transfer paper passing through the multiple flapper 219. A sheet feeding roller 225 feeds the transfer sheet to the drum 131 side through the path 227. A discharge roller 229 discharges the transfer paper to the outside of the machine.

In double-sided recording (double-sided copying) or multiplex recording (multiplexing copying), first, the paper discharge flapper 211 of the main body 100 is raised to information, and the copied transfer paper is fed to the conveying paths 213 and 215 of the pedestal 200. And stores it in the intermediate tray 203. At this time, the multiple flapper 219 is lowered during double-sided recording, and the multiple flapper 219 is raised during multiplex recording. The intermediate tray 203 can store, for example, up to 99 copy sheets. The transfer sheet stored in the intermediate tray 203 is pressed by the intermediate tray weight 217.

During the next reverse recording or multiple recording, the transfer papers stored in the intermediate tray 203 are operated one by one from the bottom by the paper feed roller 225 and the weight 217, and the main body 100 passes through the path 227. Registration roller 1
Guided to 59. C. RDF (Circulating Automatic Document Feeder) (300) As shown in detail in FIG. 3, the RDF 300 has a stacking tray 310 as a first document tray on which a document stack S is set.
And a stacking tray 350 as a second document tray for setting the document bundle SS.

Further, the stacking tray 310 side is equipped with a sheet of paper which constitutes one part of the document feeding means. This feeding means includes a half-moon roller 331, a separation / conveyance roller 332, a separation belt 333, and a separation motor SPR.
MTR, registration roller 335, and full belt 33
6, a belt motor BELTMTR, a large conveyance roller 338, a conveyance motor FEEDMTE, and a discharge roller 3
40, flapper 341, and recycle lever 342
A sheet feed stopper 343, a sheet feed sensor ENTS, a reversal sensor TRNS, a sheet discharge sensor EJTS, and the like.

Here, the half-moon roller 331, the separation / conveyance roller 332, and the separation belt 333 are separated by a separation motor SPRMT.
By rotating by R, the originals are separated one by one from the lowermost part of the original bundle S on the stacking tray 310.

Further, the registration roller 335 and the entire surface belt 336 rotate the belt motor BETMTR to separate the separated document through the sheet paths a and b to the exposure position (sheet path c) on the platen glass 101. Transport. Further, the conveyance large roller 338 is a conveyance motor FEEDM.
The document on the platen glass 101 is rotated by TR and is conveyed from the sheet path c to the sheet path e. The document conveyed to the sheet path e is returned to the document stack S of the stacking tray 310 by the discharge roller 340.

The recycle lever 342 detects one circulation of the original document. When the original document feeding is started, the recycle lever 342 is placed on the upper part of the original document stack S, the original documents are sequentially fed, and the trailing edge of the final original document is placed. When the recycle lever 342 exits, it falls due to its own weight to detect the circulation of the document.

In the above-mentioned feeding means 330, when a two-sided original is used,
The original is once guided from the sheet path a, b to c, then the large conveyance roller 338 is rotated, and the flapper 341 is switched to the dotted line position shown in FIG.
Then, the sheet is passed through the sheet path b by the registration roller 335, and then the original is conveyed by the full-face belt 336 onto the original table glass 101 and stopped to reverse the original. That is, the document is reversed on the path of the sheet paths c-d-b.

It should be noted that the originals of the original bundle S are passed through the sheet paths a to b to c to d to the recycle lever 34 one by one.
The number of originals can be counted by transporting the sheet until it is detected that the sheet has made one circulation in step 2.

Further, on the right side of the main body of the RDF 300, the sheet document S after the image reading on the platen 101 is discharged to the side opposite to the carrying-in direction to the platen 101, and the document stack S on the document tray 310 is discharged. A second document discharge path (sheet path g) that is carried out to the uppermost part is configured. A first transport roller 343 and a second transport roller 344 for transporting the sheet document S are arranged in the sheet path g, and a second paper discharge roller 345 is provided downstream of the sheet path g. , The sheet bundle S conveyed through the sheet path g
Is discharged to the uppermost part of the document bundle S on the document tray 310.

Above the sheet path g, the document discharge cover 3 is provided.
46 is disposed, and a third document discharge path (sheet path n) is branched from near the downstream side of the full-face belt 336 to the sheet path n. A paper discharge flapper 35 for switching the conveyance path is provided at a branch portion between the sheet path c and the sheet path n.
5 is arranged and the discharge flapper solenoid RFLA
The path is switched by swinging between the solid line position and the broken line position in the figure by turning PSL ON / OFF.
A third paper discharge roller 362 is provided downstream of the sheet path n, and discharges the sheet document S conveyed through the sheet path n onto the document discharge cover 346.

In the sheet path g, the sheet document S in the paper discharge path
A second paper discharge sensor LOOPEJTS, which is a transmissive optical sensor for detecting the front end and the rear end of the sheet, is arranged.

On the right side surface of the main body of the RDF 300, an original carry-in path (sheet path 1) for receiving a sheet original from the outside of the main body is opened, and an original carry-in path for joining the sheet path 1 to the sheet path g. Is configured.

Next, the swinging operation of the document tray 310 will be described. The motor output shaft of the tray swing motor TRAYMTR is coupled to the tray swing arm shaft 348. A tray swing roller 347 is coupled to the lower surface of the document tray 310. The tray swing roller 347 is the tray swing arm 3
The tray swing arm 349 is provided at the tip end of the tray 49, and the opposite side of the tray swing arm 349 is fixed to the tray swing arm shaft 348. As the tray swing arm shaft 348 rotates, the tray swing arm 349 forms a solid line and a broken line in the figure. The document tray 310 is swung between the positions, and the document tray 310 is swung around the swing center between the solid line position and the broken line position.

TRAYUPLMTSW is an original tray 31
0 is an upper limit switch for detecting that 0 has reached the upper position (solid line position), and TRAYDOWNLMTSW is a lower limit switch for detecting that the document tray 310 has reached the lower position (broken line position). TRAYMTR controls rotation by detecting upper and lower limit switches.

Further, the stacking tray 350 side is also equipped with a feeding means which constitutes the other part of the document feeding means.
This feeding means includes a half-moon roller 351, a separation / conveyance roller 352, a separation belt 353, and a registration roller 354.
, The transport motor RFEEDMTR, and the paper feed stopper 35
9, reserved paper feed sensor RENTS, document detection sensor R
It is composed of an EMPS and a paper discharge roller 362.

Here, when the conveyance motor RFEEDMTR is turned on, the half-moon roller 351 and the separation conveyance roller 352.
Then, the separation belt 353 rotates to separate the originals one by one from the lowermost part of the original bundle SS on the stacking tray 350.

When the conveyance motor RFEEDMTR is turned on to rotate the registration roller 354, and the belt motor BELTMTR is turned on in reverse to rotate the entire belt 336 in the reverse direction, the originals separated from the original bundle SS are passed through the sheet paths k and c. Can be transported to.

The belt motor BELTMTR is normally turned on to rotate the entire surface belt 336 in the normal direction, and the reserved transport motor RFEEDMTR is turned on in reverse to discharge the paper discharge roller 362.
By reversing, the document on the platen glass 101 can be discharged onto the upper cover 346 from the sheet path c through the sheet path n.

FIG. 21 shows an arrangement configuration example of the operation panel provided on the main body 100 described above. The operation panel has a key group 600 and a display group 700 as described later. D. Sheet Post-Processing Device (400) The sorter will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. In the figure, the sorters 400 and 401 are composed of a machine body 402 and a bin unit, and the machine body 402 is provided with a carry-in roller pair 405 near the carry-in entrance 404. A flapper 409 for switching the sheet conveyance direction to the conveyance path 406 or 407 is disposed downstream of the carry-in roller pair 405. One of the transport paths 406 extends in a substantially horizontal direction, and the transport roller pair 410 is arranged downstream thereof, and the other transport path 406 extends in the downward direction, and the transport roller pair 411 is located downstream thereof. A stapler 412 is disposed near the roller pair 411.

A pair of carry-in rollers 405 and a pair of carry rollers 41
0 and 411 are driven by a conveyance motor 413 (see FIG. 7). A non-sort path sensor S401 that detects the passage of a sheet is provided on the transport path 406, and a sort path sensor S402 is provided on the transport path 407. Further, a bin unit including a large number of bins B is arranged on the downstream side of the pair of transport rollers 410 and 411. One end of the bin unit 403 is engaged with a hook 416 of the bin unit 403 and the other end of the bin unit 403 is attached to the machine body 402. By holding the overlap with the fixed spring 415, the bin unit 403 is supported so as to be movable up and down.

Guide rollers 417 and 419 are rotatably supported on the upper and lower portions of the base side of the bin unit.
The guide rollers 417 and 419 are configured to roll in a guide groove 420 provided in the machine body 402 so as to extend in the vertical direction and guide the bin unit.
Further, a shift motor 421 is arranged on the machine body 402. A lead cam 423 and a sprocket 425 are fixed to a rotary shaft 422 pivotally supported by the machine body 402.
A chain 426 is stretched around the sprocket 425 and the output shaft of the shift motor 421 so that the rotation of the motor 421 is transmitted to the rotary shaft 422 via the chain 426.

Further, the bottle unit includes a bottom frame 427 having an inclined portion and a vertical portion, and the bottom frame 4
The unit main body 431 includes a pair of frames 429 vertically provided on the front side and the back side of the tip 27, and a cover 430 supported by the frame 429. The sheet P is on the front side of the unit main body 431.
A reference plate 455 is provided which is in contact with and aligned with (see FIG. 6). Then, a lower arm 433 rotated by an alignment motor 432 is provided on the inner side of the base end of the bottom frame 427.
Are rotatably supported (see FIG. 7). Further, an upper arm 435 is fixed to a position of the cover 430 facing the lower arm 433 on a shaft 436 rotatably supported by the cover 430. The rotation center of the upper arm 435 and the lower arm 433 are fixed. A shaft 437 is installed at the center of rotation of the.

A matching rod 439 is installed between the tip of the lower arm 433 and the tip of the upper arm 435, and the aligning rod 439 is configured to be rotated by the aligning motor 432. The alignment motor 432 is a stepping motor, and the position of the alignment rod 439 can be accurately controlled by the number of pulses given to the stepping motor. Further, reference numeral S403 is a matching rod home sensor for detecting the position of the matching rod 439.
The position of can be controlled by the number of pulses applied to the matching rod home sensor and the matching motor 432.

As shown in FIG. 6, the bin B has engagement plates 440 formed on the front side and the back side of the tip, respectively. The engagement plate 440 engages with a support plate (not shown) provided inside the frame 429, so that the front end side of the bin B is supported. A support shaft 441 is fixed to the front and rear sides of the base end of the bin B, and a roller 442 is rotatably supported on the support shaft 441.

Further, in the bin B, a long hole 443 which is longer than the rotation distance of the alignment rod 439 and is sufficiently wider than the width of the alignment rod 439 is formed at a predetermined distance from the shaft 437. The base end portion Ba of the bin B stands upright with respect to the sheet storage surface Bb. The front end of the bin B is inclined upward by a predetermined angle with respect to the machine body 402, and this inclination causes the sheet P to slide on the sheet storage surface Bb and the rear end thereof to the base end portion B.
It comes into contact with a and is aligned in the front-back direction.

The alignment rod 439 is fitted in the long holes 443 of the bins B1, B2 ...
9 is configured to rotate in the long hole 443 to bring the sheet P into contact with and align with the alignment reference plate 455. Also,
The lead cam 423 has a groove 423a which is slightly wider than the roller 442 and is engaged with the roller 442 by spirally engraving. The rotation of the lead cam 423 causes the roller 4 to rotate.
42 is configured to move up and down along the groove 423a. In addition, one rotation of the lead cam 423 is equivalent to one rotation of the lead cam 42.
3 is detected by a lead cam sensor S404 arranged near the position 3. The position of the bin unit 403 is detected by the bin home position sensor S405.

A double stay 445 is provided at the bottom of the bin B.
Is provided. Like the bin B, the double stay 445 rotatably supports the roller 442 and further supports the double pass unit 446. The 2-pass unit 446 is the second sorter 4
The sheet P is conveyed to 01, and the lead cam 4
23 is rotated to move the double pass unit 446 to a position facing the second pair of rollers 411, and the sheet P is conveyed by the double pass motor 447 (not shown). P can be stored in the second row. In the non-sort mode, the paper is discharged to the non-sort tray 430 located at the bottom of the bin B. Then, the sheet P of the non-sort tray 430
Presence / absence of the presence of the non-sort tray paper presence detection sensor S4
09 can detect.

The presence of the sheet P on the sort bin B can be detected by a sort tray paper presence / absence detecting sensor (sheet post-processing position selecting means) S407.

The staplers 412 and 480 are electric staplers. These staplers are swung in the direction of the single arrow in FIG. 6 by the swing motors 450, 481 not shown to move to the position shown by the solid line, are stapled by solenoids 440, 482 not shown, and swing again. It is swung by the motors 450 and 481 to retract from the bin B and move to the position shown by the dotted line in FIG.

The stapler 480 can be moved in both directions of the arrow according to the size of the discharged paper, and can be stapled to the edge of the transfer paper.

The selection of the staplers 412 and 480 will be described later.

The staplers 412 and 480 thus bind the sheets P in the bin B, and then shift motor 42
The bin B is moved one bin by 1 and the sheets P stacked in the next bin B are bound. Note that S406 is a manual stapling key, and when the manual stapling key S406 is pressed after the sorting is completed, the stapling operation is performed. E. Key group (600) In FIG. 21, an asterisk (*) key 601 is used when the operator (user) sets a binding margin amount or a mode such as a size setting for erasing a document frame.
An all reset key 606 is pressed when returning to the standard mode. Reference numeral 602 denotes a preheat key, which is pressed to bring the machine of the main body 100 into a preheat state and release the preheat state. The key 602 is also pressed when returning from the auto shaft off state to the standard mode.

Reference numeral 605 denotes a copy start key (copy start key), which is pressed to start copying.

A clear / stop key 604 has the function of a clear key during standby (standby) and a stop key during copy recording. This clear key is pressed to cancel the set number of copies. See also * (asterisk)
It is also used when canceling the mode. The stop key is pressed when interrupting continuous copying. After the copying at the time of pushing is completed, the copying operation is stopped.

Reference numeral 603 is a ten-key pad which is pressed to set the number of copies. Also used when setting the * (asterisk) mode. A memory key 619 allows the user to register modes that are frequently used. Here, four types of registration of M1 to M4 can be performed.

Reference numerals 611 and 612 denote copy density keys,
Press to adjust the copy density manually. An AE key 613 is pressed when the copy density is automatically adjusted according to the density of the original, or when the AE (automatic density adjustment) is canceled and the density adjustment is switched to manual. 607 is a cassette selection key, which is the upper cassette 1
51, interruption cassette 153, lower paper deck 201
Press to select. When a document is placed on 300, APS (automatic paper selection) can be selected with this key 607. When APS is selected, a transfer paper cassette having the same size as the original is automatically selected.

Reference numeral 610 denotes a unity size key, which is pressed to make a unity size (actual size) copy. An automatic scaling key 616 is pressed to automatically reduce or enlarge the image of the original according to the designated transfer paper size. Zoom keys 617 and 618 are pressed to specify an arbitrary magnification between 64% and 142%. Reference numerals 608 and 609 denote fixed-size variable keys, which are pressed to specify reduction / enlargement of fixed-size.

Reference numeral 626 denotes a double-sided key, which is pressed to make a double-sided copy from a single-sided original, a double-sided copy from a double-sided original, or a single-sided copy from a double-sided original. A binding margin key 625 can create a binding margin of a designated length on the left side of the transfer sheet. A photo key 624 is pressed when copying a photo original. A multiple key 623 is pressed when creating (combining) images from the two originals on the same surface of the transfer paper.

Reference numeral 620 denotes an original frame erasing key which is pressed when the user uses the frame erasing of a standard size original document, and the original size at that time is set by the asterisk key 601.

Reference numeral 621 denotes a sheet frame erasing key, which is pressed to erase the frame of the original in accordance with the size of the cassette.

Reference numeral 622 denotes a page continuous shooting key, which is pressed when the left and right pages of the original are separately copied on different sheets.

Numeral 614 is a paper discharge method (stapling, sorting,
Group) selection key, if a stapler that can staple the printed sheets with staples is connected, staple mode or sort mode can be selected or released, and a sorting tray (sorter) is connected Can select or cancel sort mode or group mode.

Reference numeral 615 denotes a paper folding selection key, which allows selection and cancellation of Z-folding in which a recorded sheet of A3 or B4 size is folded into a Z-shaped cross section and half-folding in half.

Reference numeral 627 denotes an interrupt key, and when pressed during copying, the copying is interrupted and a new copying (hereinafter referred to as interrupt copying) becomes possible. If the button is pressed while the interrupt copy mode is set, the interrupt enable state is canceled.

A reservation key 628 can be used to register / cancel reservation copying. When the reservation key 628 is pressed, a copy mode different from the copy mode already set can be set. Here, the copy mode to be registered is set, and when the setting is completed, the reservation setting key 629 is pressed. As a result, the set copy mode is stored in the 805 RAM.

Reference numeral 630 denotes a 2 in 1 mode key, which is used to place a plurality of originals on the platen glass and to display the images of the plurality of originals as one copy.
It is possible to select or cancel the 2 in 1 mode in which an image is formed on a sheet of transfer paper.

Reference numeral 632 is a horizontal writing vertical writing original selection key according to the present invention, which can select the stacking order of a plurality of originals when the 2in1 mode is designated by the 2in1 mode key. It becomes a choice.

Reference numeral 634 denotes an odd-even input key, which can be pressed to inform the copying machine of the number of originals when the total number of originals is odd. F. Display Group (700) In FIG. 21, reference numeral 701 denotes an LCD (liquid crystal) type message display, which displays information relating to copying. For example, 5 × 7 dots form one character, 40 character messages, and a fixed form change. The magnification ratios 608 and 609, the equal magnification key 610, and the zoom keys 617 and 618 can display the copy magnification set. The display 701 is a semi-transmissive liquid crystal and uses two colors for the backlight. Normally, the green backlight is lit, and the orange backlight is lit when there is an abnormality or the copying is impossible.

Reference numeral 706 denotes a unity-magnification display, which lights up when the unity-magnification is selected. Reference numeral 703 denotes a color developing device display, which lights up when the sepia developing device is set. A copy number display 702 displays the number of copies or a self-diagnosis code. Reference numeral 705 denotes a used cassette indicator, which includes the upper cassette 151, the interruption cassette 153, and the lower deck 201.
Is displayed. 704 is A
It is an E indicator and lights up when AE (automatic density adjustment) is selected by the AE key 613. Reference numeral 709 denotes a preheat indicator, which is a two-color LED of green and orange, which lights up green when ready (when copying is possible) and lights up orange when waiting (when copying is not possible).

Reference numeral 708 denotes a double-sided copy display, which lights up when either double-sided copy from double-sided original or double-sided copy from single-sided original is selected.

When the RDF 300 is used in the standard mode, the number of copies is 1, the density AE mode, automatic paper selection, normal magnification, single-sided copy to single-sided copy are set. In the standard mode when the RDF 300 is not used, the number of copies is one, the density manual mode is set, and the setting is set to single-sided copying from a single-sided original. The difference between when the RDF 300 is used and when it is not used is determined by whether or not a document is set on the RDF 300.

A power lamp 710 is turned on when the power switch is turned on.

Reference numeral 711 denotes an interrupt indicator, which lights up when the mode of interrupt copying is set and during interrupt copying.

Reference numeral 712 denotes a reservation registration display, which lights up when reservation copying is registered. G. Main Unit Control Device (800) FIG. 4 shows a circuit configuration example of the control device 800 of the embodiment of FIG. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 801 is a central processing unit (CPU) that performs arithmetic control for executing the present invention, and is, for example, an NE.
Microcomputer V50 manufactured by C (NEC Corporation)
To use. Reference numeral 803 denotes a read-only memory (ROM) in which a control procedure (control program) as shown in FIG. 28 and subsequent figures is stored in advance, and the CPU 801 controls each constituent device connected via a bus according to the control procedure stored in the ROM. Control. A random access memory (RAM) 805 is a main storage device used as a storage area for input data, a work storage area, and the like.

Reference numeral 807 denotes a C load applied to the main motor 133 and the like.
An interface (I / O) that outputs a control signal from the PU 801; an interface 809 that inputs an input signal from the image sensor 121 or the like and sends it to the CPU 801;
Is an interface for controlling input / output of the key group 600 and the display group 700. These interfaces 807, 809, 811 use the input / output circuit port uPD8255 of NEC, for example.

Further, a known communication IC (for example, uPD8251) is connected via a bus, and the communication IC
Is further connected to the RDF and a communication IC on the sorter side, and sequentially transmits and receives control data necessary for mutual control of the copying machine main body, the RDF, and the sorter.

The data transmitted from the main body of the copying machine to the RDF includes a paper feed signal for prompting the feeding of the originals stacked on the RDF, a discharge signal for prompting the discharge of the originals on the platen glass 101, and a reserved original. This is a paper feeding / discharging mode that determines the form of paper feeding / discharging of the original, and the data transmitted from the copying machine main body to the sorter are the image forming mode, the mode of storing in the sorter, the size of sheets to be stored, timing signals, etc. . H. RDF control device (900) FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the control device (900) of the circulating type automatic document feeder of this embodiment. The control circuit is a one-chip microcomputer (ROM, RAM, etc. built-in). CPU) 901 is mainly configured,
Signals from various sensors are input to the input port of the microcomputer 901. Each load is connected to the output port 1 of the microcomputer 901 via a driver, and control data is exchanged with the main body of the copying machine via a communication IC 903. The data transmitted from the RDF to the main body of the copying machine is a paper feed completion signal or the like indicating the completion of feeding the original onto the platen glass. (Reservation) Next, the reservation copying operation will be described. Here, the reserved copy is a second copy mode which is set after the copy is completed and the second copy mode different from the first mode which has already been set and is waiting for the start of copying or is being copied is set. It is a copy by. When the copy start waiting state or the copy operation reservation key 628 is pressed, a display different from the display screen of the first copy mode that has already been set (hereinafter referred to as the main screen) is displayed (hereinafter, the reservation screen). Called)). At this time, the first copy mode which has already been set is stored in the memory M1.

When the reservation screen is displayed, the second copy mode can be set regardless of whether the copy operation is in progress. The setting of the second copy mode is completed by pressing the reservation setting key 629. At this time, the display screen returns to the main screen, and the set second copy mode is stored on the main M2.
The document to be copied by reserved copying is set on the reserved tray 350 with the front side facing up.

A description will be given of a case where the reservation copy registration is performed during the single-sided mode copy in which the original is set on the RDF 300. When the paper discharge process of the final document is completed by the normal copy L work, a paper discharge command is transmitted to perform the reservation preparation paper discharge process. When the reservation preparation and paper ejection processing is completed, a document transfer command is transmitted and the reservation tray 3
The document bundle SS on 50 is transferred to the document tray 310. In the main body, in the copying operation in the first copy mode, when the discharge of the paper is completed and the main motor is stopped, the display screen displays the set second copy mode, and the memory M1 is stored in the memory M.
The contents of No. 2 are stored, and it becomes the first copy mode. Then, it becomes possible to newly make a reservation copy registration.

Documents are transferred from the reserved tray 350 to the document tray 3
When everything is transferred to the upper part 10, copying in the set copying mode is started. I. Sorter control device (1000) Further, as shown in FIG. 27, the sorter 1 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1001, a read-only memory (RO).
M) 1002, random access memory (RAM) 10
03, an output port 1004, an input port 1005, and the like, a control device 1000 is stored in the ROM 1002, and input data and work data are stored in the RAM 1003. The output port 1004 is connected to various motors such as the shift motor 416 described above and solenoid driving means, and is connected to the input port 1004.
5, sensors and switches from S401 to S406, such as the non-sorted path sensor S401, are connected, and CP
U1001 controls each unit connected via the bus according to the control program stored in ROM002. Further, the CPU 1001 has a serial interface function, performs serial communication with the CPU of the main body of the copying machine, controls each part by a signal from the main body of the copying machine, and outputs an operation signal to the next sorter.

The alignment rod 439 is fitted in the elongated holes 443 of the bins B1, B2 ...
9 is configured to rotate in the long hole 443 to bring the sheet P into contact with and align with the alignment reference plate 455. Also,
The lead cam 423 has a groove 423a which is slightly wider than the roller 442 and is engaged with the roller 442 by spirally engraving. The rotation of the lead cam 423 causes the roller 4 to rotate.
42 is configured to move up and down along the groove 423a. In addition, one rotation of the lead cam 423 is equivalent to one rotation of the lead cam 42.
3 is detected by a lead cam sensor S404 arranged near the position 3. The position of the bin unit 403 is detected by the bin home position sensor S405.

A double stay 445 is provided at the bottom of the bin B.
Is provided. Like the bin B, the double stay 445 rotatably supports the roller 442 and further supports the double pass unit 446. The 2-pass unit 446 is the second sorter 4
The sheet P is conveyed to 01, and the lead cam 4
23 is rotated to move the double pass unit 446 to a position facing the second pair of rollers 411, and the sheet P is conveyed by the double pass motor 447 (not shown). P can be stored in the second row.

In the non-sort mode, the paper is discharged to the non-sort tray 430 located at the top of the bin B. The presence or absence of the sheet P on the non-sort tray 430 is determined by the non-sort tray paper presence detection sensor S409.
Can be detected by

The presence of the sheet P on the sort bin B can be detected by a sort tray sheet presence / absence detecting sensor (sheet post-processing position selecting means) S407.

The stapler 412 is an electric stapler. This stapler 412 is swung in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 25 by a swing motor 450 (not shown) and moved to the position shown by the solid line. The stapler 412 is stapled by the illustrated city solenoid 440 and swung again by the swing motor 450. Then, it is withdrawn from the bin B and moved to the position indicated by the dotted line in FIG.

In this way, the stapler 412 is in the bin B.
The inner sheets P are bound, the bin B is moved one bin by the shift motor 421, and the sheets P stacked in the next bin B are bound. Note that S406 is a manual stapling key, and when the manual stapling key S406 is pressed after the sorting is completed, the stapling operation is performed. (Single-sided mode Small document No document count 2i
n1 mode) FIG. 9 shows a control flow in the embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of. In STEP 1, the original is set, and in STEP 2, the mode key 616 is operated from the operation unit.
Select the single-sided copy mode with the 2in1 mode key 6
The 2 in 1 mode is selected by 30, and the copy start key 707 is pressed in STEP 3 to start the copy process.

In STEP 5, if the result of selection by the document vertical writing / horizontal writing selecting means is vertical writing, RDF3
A normal order paper feeding command for sequentially feeding the originals on the original document tray 00 from the bottom one by one is transmitted to the RDF 300 (S
6), in order to place the document at both the position A in FIG. 10 (hereinafter referred to as the left mounting position) and the position B (hereinafter referred to as the right mounting position), place the 2 in 1 document left and right on the RDF 300. A command is transmitted (S8), the completion of sheet feeding is waited (S9), and then the document left / right placement response from the RDF 300 (S9 ').
Is an affirmative response, copy processing 1 described later is performed (S
10).

After the end of the copy process 1, it is determined whether or not the document is the final document (S11).
Proceeding to TEP12, the reverse order discharge command for changing the order of the two originals placed on the platen glass and discharging the original,
A normal order paper feed command for feeding the next original is transmitted (S1).
2) Wait for the completion of the paper discharge process (S13), and then ST
Return to EP10 and repeat the process.

If a positive determination is made in STEP 11, the process proceeds to STEP 14, in which the reverse order paper ejection command for rearranging the order of the originals and ejecting the originals is transmitted, and after the completion of the original ejection (S15), the entire copying process is performed. finish.

If a negative determination is made in STEP 9, the process proceeds to STEP 10 to execute a copy process 2 described later (S10 ').

After the end of the copy process 2, it is determined whether or not the document is the final document (S11 '). If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to STEP12, and one document is placed on the platen glass. A normal-order paper discharge command for discharging the paper and a normal-order paper feed command for feeding the next original are transmitted (S12 '), and after waiting for the completion of the paper discharge processing (S13), the process returns to STEP10. repeat.

If an affirmative judgment is made in STEP 11 ', the process proceeds to STEP 14', a normal order paper ejection command for ejecting the originals in order is transmitted, and the completion of ejection of the originals is awaited (S1).
5 '), the copying process ends.

If a negative determination is made in STEP 5, the process proceeds to STEP 20, where a reverse sheet feeding command for feeding the originals on the original tray of the RDF 300 one by one in reverse order from the bottom is sent to the RDF 300, and the originals are left and right. To place
A 2 in 1 original left / right placement command is transmitted to the RDF 300 (S
22), wait for completion of sheet feeding (S23), and then RDR30
If the original left / right placement response (S23 ') from 0 is affirmative, copy processing 1 to be described later is performed (S24).

After the completion of the copy process 1, it is judged whether or not the document is the final document (S25).
Proceeding to TEP 26, a normal-order paper discharge command for discharging the two originals placed on the platen glass in order and a reverse-order paper feed command for changing the order of the next original and feeding the same are transmitted,
Waiting for the completion of the discharged paper feeding process (S27), STEP
Return to 24 and repeat the process.

If a negative determination is made in STEP 23 ', the process proceeds to STEP 24', and a copy process 3 described later is performed.
Is executed (S24 '), and the process proceeds to STEP25.

If an affirmative decision is made in STEP 25, the operation proceeds to STEP 28, in which a normal-order paper ejection command for ejecting the originals in order is transmitted (S 28), and the completion of paper ejection is waited for (S 29). The process ends. (Copy Process 1) This copy process 1 is a known image forming process and will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In STEP 1, when the optical system starts the forward scan and the image tip is detected by the image tip sensor (S
2) After exposure of the A document, formation of a document image is performed for the length of the A document (S3, 4), and after scanning for a predetermined sheet interval (S5), the B document is exposed and the document is exposed in the same manner as the A document. An image is formed for the length of the B document (S6, 7).

After that, the motor of the optical system is turned off (S
8) The back scan is started (S9), the predetermined back scan control is executed, and the optical system is returned to the predetermined home position (S10, 11, 12, 13), and the copy process is ended. (Copy Process 2) This copy process 2 is a known image forming process and will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

At STEP 1, the optical system starts the forward scan, and when the image tip is detected by the image tip sensor (S
2) The exposure of the A document is performed and the document image is formed for the length of the A document (S3, 4), then the motor of the optical system is turned off (S8), the back scan is started (S9), and the predetermined back is performed. By executing the scan control and returning the optical system to the predetermined home position (S10, 11, 12, 13), the copy process is ended. (Copy Process 3) This copy process 3 is a known image forming process, and will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In STEP 1, the optical system starts the forward scan, and when the image tip is detected by the image tip sensor (S
2) A blank scan for A document length is performed (S4), and after scanning for a predetermined paper interval is finished (S5), B document is exposed and a document image is formed for B document length (S6, 7). ),
After that, the motor of the optical system is turned off (S8), the back scan is started (S9), the predetermined back scan control is executed, and the optical system is returned to the predetermined home position (S1).
0, 11, 12, 13), and the copy process ends. (Control Flow According to the Present Invention) Next, the staple position selection processing according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 14 shows that the positional relationship between the first page and the second page placed on the platen glass and the transfer paper to be ejected change depending on the selection result of the portrait original / landscape original selecting means. It is a figure. That is, in the case of a portrait original, the first
Is placed on the left side of the platen glass, and the first side of the transfer paper is on the right side. In the case of a horizontal document, the first page is placed on the right side of the platen glass and the transfer paper is
The first page is on the right.

When stapling according to this,
The stapling positions are as shown in FIG. 14 for both the vertical document and the horizontal document.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of the staple position selection processing.

At STEP 1, it is determined whether the staple mode is set. If it is the staple mode, proceed to STEP 2, otherwise return.

At STEP 2, it is determined whether the document format is a horizontal document or a vertical document. This is the vertical writing horizontal writing selection key 63
Judge from the result of 2. In the case of a horizontal document, the stapler 412 of FIG. 6 staples it, and in the case of a vertical document, the stapler 480 staples it. <Second Embodiment> In the first embodiment, the staple position can be made variable by having a plurality of staplers.

In this embodiment, one stapler is used and the stapler is moved to make the staple position variable.

Referring to FIG. 16, the stapler 412 can be moved in both directions of the arrow and can be swung in the direction of the arc single arrow.

The operation will be described with reference to FIG. 17. In STEP 1, it is determined whether the staple mode is set. If it is the staple mode, proceed to STEP 2, otherwise return.

At STEP 2, it is determined whether the document format is a horizontal document or a vertical document. This is the vertical writing horizontal writing selection key 63
Judge from the result of 2. In the case of a horizontal document, the stapler 412 in FIG. 16 is moved to the position A, swung, and stapled. In the case of a vertical document, the document is moved to the position B, rocked, and stapled.

This embodiment has the advantage that only one stapler is required. <Embodiment 1 of the Second Invention> An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 19 shows an embodiment of the present invention, 1 is an image forming apparatus, 2 is a sorting apparatus having at least one bin tray 9, and 3 is an automatic document feeder.

The operation modes of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described below. In the automatic document feeder 3, the document 5 placed on the document table 4 with the image side facing upward is fed from the last page to the platen glass 6 of the image forming apparatus 1 through the path A from the last page. After the document is stopped at a predetermined position, an optical system (not shown) is activated to start image formation.

After the transfer and the fixing, the sheet is delivered to the sorting device 2 through the sheet ejection roller.

On the other hand, the original on the platen glass 6 has a pass B
And is discharged to the uppermost surface of the document 5. However, a partition lever (not shown) is interposed between the copied document and the uncopied document so that the originals can be distinguished. The sheets transferred to the sorting apparatus 2 are properly bin tray 9 according to the input transfer processing mode, the number of copies, sorting, non-sorting, etc.
Is stored in. The above operation is repeated for the number of documents.

In the sorting apparatus 2, the first transporting means 10 for non-sorting, the second transporting means 11 for sorting, and the bin tray 9 are moved up and down, and the bin tray 9 is widely opened for further discharging sheets. The automatic stapler device 7 is provided at the positions of the spiral cam 12, the switching means 13 for switching the sheet feeding direction to the first conveying means 13 and the second conveying means, and the second conveying means.

The bin tray 9 ...
Alignment member 14 for aligning the sheets stored above
(FIG. 20), and a drive means (not shown) for swinging the alignment member 14 (for example, a stepping motor and a gear combination) are attached. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the aligning member 14 normally has a home position 14a.
(Standing at the broken line in the figure) When the operator turns on the copying operation switch, the sheet size signal is received from the image forming apparatus 1 to a position separated from the sheet side edge by a distance L from the input sheet size. Move (two-dot chain diagram).

Each time the sheet is stored in the bin tray 9, the aligning member 14 pushes the sheet side edge to the sheet reference member, so that the side edge of the sheet is supported by the sheet reference member 15 and the rear edge is supported by the stopper 9a. Be consistent. That is,
The aligning member 14 moves the sheet a distance L (14
b → 14c) Move (solid line in the figure). The aligning member 14 penetrates all the bin trays so that the sheets stored in all the bin trays 9 can be aligned. This operation is repeated every time a sheet is stored in the bin tray 9.

At the position of the second transport means, two automatic stapler devices 20 are attached to the movable table 16, and drive means for reciprocating the movable table 16 (a pinion gear 18 provided around a shaft of a motor 17 and , An engagement position with the rack gear 19 fixedly mounted on the moving table 16), an operating position (FIG. 21) where the automatic stapler device 20 staples, and a standby position (FIG. 22) that does not hinder the vertical movement of the sheet path and the bin tray 9a. You can move. The bin tray 9 is provided with a hole 9b so that the automatic stapler device can perform staple binding.
Since there is no notch near the stopper 9a, the bottle strength (section modulus) is substantially the same as that when the hole 9b is not provided.
Further, when the "stapling" signal is sent, the automatic stapler device 20 performs stapling by the rotation of a motor 30 described later, and when binding a plurality of bins, after detecting a staple end signal,
The bin tray of the sorting device 2 moves up or down one bin,
The next sheet on the bin tray is stapled.

Next, the structure of the automatic stapler device 20 will be described. Reference numeral 21 in FIG. 23 denotes a base that supports the entire automatic stapler apparatus, and the moving base 16 shown in FIGS.
It is fixed to. 22 is a lower jaw, and the bent portion 22
The shaft 22a fitted to c can be rotated about a fulcrum. Incidentally, 22a is pivotally supported on the base 1. And
An anvil 29 for bending the needle in a folded shape is attached to the tip of the lower jaw 22. Further, the lower jaw 22 has a recessed shape except for the anvil 29 and the bent portion 22c (recessed portion 22d). The base 21 and the body 28, which will be described later, are recessed at a position facing the recess 22d (recess 21a).

Further, the end 22b of the lower jaw 22 has a grooved cam shape, and the caulking shaft portion 23 of the upper unit 23 is formed.
engaged with b. Further, the upper unit 23 has the hinge shaft 2
It has a fulcrum at 4 and can swing. The crank arm 25 is rotatably supported at a portion of the base 21 at the end 22b, and is pivotally supported at the other end by a support shaft 26 so that the stapler gear 27 and the crank arm 25 are fitted inside. When the stapler gear 27 rotates once, the crank arm 25 also rotates around the support shaft 26. At this time,
Since the base 21 is fixed and the distance between 25b and 26 is also constant, the upper unit 23 rotates about the hinge shaft 24 with respect to the base 21. At this time, the body 28 is also pushed by the head unit 105a of the driver mounted on the body from the upper unit, and rotates in the X direction about the hinge shaft 24. (The body 28 is also rotatably supported by the hinge shaft 24.) At the same time, the caulking shaft 23b of the upper unit 23.
Lower jaw groove cam portion 22b engaged with the lower jaw, lower jaw 2
2 also rotates in the Y direction around 22a.

As shown in FIG. 24, a motor 30 as a drive source of the stapler mechanism is attached to the upper part of the upper unit 23, and a stapler gear 2 is provided via a motor gear 31.
Drive is transmitted to 7. When the motor 30 starts to rotate, the body 28 swings in the arrow X direction and the lower jaw 22 swings in the arrow Y direction to be in a needle-stitching state (see FIG. 25). At this time,
A space 40 is formed by the recess 22d and the recess 21d.
Further, the rotation of the motor 30 progresses and the stapler gear 7 moves to 1
When it rotates, one needle striking process ends.
Reference numeral 32 shown in FIG. 4 denotes a one-revolution micro switch for detecting one revolution (one stroke) of the stapler, which is the stapler gear 7
One rotation of the sensor cam 33, which is integrated with, is detected.

Next, the needle feeding and needle striking mechanism will be described. FIG. 26 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the needle feeding and needle bending portion, which is housed in the body 28 so as not to project from the space 40 (see FIG. 25).

Reference numeral 101 denotes a stapler, which has individual staples adhered to each other at its central portion, has a continuous strip shape, and is housed in a cartridge 102. Reference numeral 103 is a needle retainer of a leaf spring fixed to the cartridge, which holds and guides a continuous belt-like needle with an appropriate pressure contact force. Reference numeral 105 denotes a driver, which separates the adhered band-shaped needle and pushes it out to the bent portion. As described above, the head portion 105a of the driver 105 is in contact with the upper unit 23, and when the upper unit 23 rotates, the driver head portion 105a is pushed in the downward direction of FIG. 26X ₁ . At this time, the tip end portion 101 a of the band-shaped needle is held at the center by the needle bending block 109. At the same time when the driver head portion 105a is pushed down, the U-shaped bending block 110 of the needle is simultaneously lowered, and the blocks 110 hit both ends of the needle to bend the needle into a U-shape. When the driver head portion 105a is further pushed in, the protrusion 110a of the U-shaped bending block 110 distorts the needle feed member as shown by the alternate long and short dash line. Then, the needle feed claw 104a moves in the direction opposite to the needle feed direction. However, at this time, since the needle 101a at the tip is already bent in a U shape, the needle does not move backward, and only the feed claw moves in the opposite direction to prepare for the next needle feed. After that, when the driver head portion 105a is further moved downward, the block pushing claw 105b of the driver 105 is configured to come off the top of the block 110, and only the driver 105 comes down. Then, the tip 105a of the driver reaches the taper portion of the needle bending block 109, and when it goes further downward, it pushes the needle bending block 109 in the direction of the alternate long and short dash line and, together with the needle cutting member 108, turns from a band-shaped needle into a U-shape. The needle 101a is driven into the paper while cutting one bent needle. When the driving is completed, the driver head portion 105
When a is returned upward, the projection 110a is disengaged from the member 104, and the needle feed claw 104a returns to the original position. At this time, the needle advances. In the above process, needle feeding and needle driving are performed.

The operation will be described below. When the operator turns on the operation start switch of the image forming apparatus 1, the image-formed sheets are stacked on the appropriate bin tray 9 corresponding to the processing mode while being aligned by the aligning member 14. At this time, since the holes 9 of the bin tray 9 are provided so that the strength (section modulus) of the bin tray does not substantially decrease, the bin tray 9 does not vibrate to the extent that it adversely affects the stackability and alignment of the sheets, and the bin tray 9 is also loaded. Almost no rearward bending occurs, and the sheets are stacked without shifting (FIG. 27). When the processing mode is a mode in which stapling is performed, stapling is performed by the operation described below after image formation of all sheets and storage in the bin tray.

First, the automatic stapling apparatus 20 (FIG. 28) standing by at the standby position is driven by the motor 17 in the direction of arrow K ₁ and the moving table 16 is moved in the direction of arrow M. Is moved in the direction of the bin tray 9 on which is loaded. When the automatic stapling device 20 reaches the operating position for stapling, the motor 17 is turned off, and the automatic stapling device 20 stops there (FIG. 29). Continuing with FIG.
As described in 3, 24, the automatic stapling apparatus 20 rotates the stapler gear 27 by driving the motor 30, and swings the lower jaw 22 (Y direction) and the upper unit 23 (X direction) to load the sheet. Strike the needle (Fig. 30). At this time, since the holes 9b are provided at the staple tray positions of the bin tray, the staple needles punched by the driver 105 are bent by the anvils 29 of the lower jaw facing each other, and the sheets are stapled reliably.

The stopper portion 9a of the bin tray 9 is surrounded by the space 40 formed by the concave portion 22d and the concave portion 21a provided in the automatic stapler device 20, so that the stopper portion 9a does not interfere with stapling. . The stapler gear 27 continues to rotate, and the lower jaw 22 (Y 'direction)
Also, the sheet bundle is released by swinging the upper unit 23 (X 'direction). Next, the automatic stapling device 20 that has stopped is
By driving the motor 17 in the direction of arrow K _2, it moves in the direction of arrow N and returns to the standby position (FIG. 31). In addition, when there are a plurality of sheet bundles to be stapled, after the above operation is completed,
The bin tray 9 of the sorting device 2 moves up or down, and the sheet bundle on the next bin tray is stapled in the same manner as the above-mentioned operation. <Other Embodiments> In this embodiment, since the automatic stapler device is configured to be capable of reciprocating only in the sheet discharge direction, the place where staples are made is constant and the available sheet size is limited. Other examples that can be applied to various sheet sizes will be described below. As shown in FIG. 35, the basic structure is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and the movable table 16 of the automatic stapler device 20 is movable in a direction orthogonal to the sheet discharge direction according to various sheet sizes.
(Engagement of the rack gear 54 provided on the moving table 16 and the pinion gear 56 provided on the pulse motor 55).

On the other hand, the bin tray is provided with closed openings 50, 51, 52 and 53 corresponding to various sheet sizes. The distance K ₁ between the openings 50 and 52, the opening 5
Interval K ₃ intervals K _2, 2 two automatic stapler 20 1, 52 is are set equal. For example, A, A4 (horizontal) B
When binding four sheets at two locations, the pulse motor 55 is driven to align the two automatic staplers 20 with the openings 51 and 53, and staple binding is performed in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

Further, in the case of binding two sheets of A4 (vertical) and B5 sheets, the pulse motor 55 is driven by a predetermined amount and the two automatic staplers 20 are aligned with the openings 50 and 52, and the above-mentioned embodiment is used. Perform staple binding in the same manner as. When binding one place on each sheet, the pulse motor 55 is driven by a predetermined amount to align the two automatic staplers 20 with the openings 50 and 52, and the front automatic stapler 20
It is only necessary to bind only a. The openings 50 and 51 and the opening 5 of the other embodiment shown in FIG.
Closed openings 57 and 5 in which 2, 53 are continuously formed
It may be eight. <Embodiment 1 of the third invention> An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 37 is a side view of the stapler device, and FIG. 38 is a front view thereof. The basic structure and operation are the same as those described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-146674, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

Reference numeral 501 in FIG. 37 is a base that supports the entire stapler apparatus and is fixed. Reference numeral 502 denotes a lower jaw, which together with the upper unit 503 are driven by the electromagnetic motor 507 and a gear train 507a connected to the upper unit 503, respectively, so that the X jaws are respectively moved.
And swings in the Y direction. An anvil 509 is attached to the tip of the lower jaw 502 to bend the needle "backward" by the swing. Further, near the anvil 509, an empty needle storage box 504 is stored at a position where it does not hinder the swinging. A magnetic member 506 is attached to the bottom of the blank needle storage box 504. The stapling apparatus described above is provided with a detection unit (not shown) for identifying whether a sheet to be stapled is present in the space 508 between the lower jaw 502 and the upper unit 503.
When it is detected that the sheets are present, the stapling operation is permitted by the control device. However, if the sheets are pulled out from the space portion 508 for some reason after the stapling operation is started, the sheets are folded into a “folded back” shape and the destination A lost needle is generated. However, this idle needle is attracted by the magnetic action of the magnetic member 506 provided in the vicinity, and is reliably stored in the empty needle storage box 504 (FIG. 39). <Other Embodiments> Although the stapler having the configuration of the above embodiment can be effectively used in a general electric stapler,
For example, it may be used by connecting to a finisher or a sorter with an automatic stapler, which is attached to a copying machine, a printer, a printing machine, etc. and automatically performs a stapling operation, and an example will be described below.

FIG. 40 is an overall view in which a sorting device 512 for sorting sheets discharged to an image forming device 511 such as a copying machine and an automatic document feeder 513 for automatically circulating an original document are attached. Since the image forming operation and the sorting operation of the sorting device 512 having the above-described configuration are well known, the description of the operation will be omitted.

The sheet forming device 512 includes the image forming device 51.
1 has a bin tray 514 for receiving the sheet discharged from the sheet No. 1, and the bin tray 514 is arranged with an inclination so that the sheet comes into contact with the stopper 514a by its own weight (see FIG. 40). Further, in the sorting device 512, an electric stapler device 515 that staples sheets is installed in parallel with the inclination of the bin tray 514 at a position facing the bin tray 514. Below the electric stapler device 515, an electric board 516 for controlling the overall operation of the sorting device 512 is located. Therefore, in the case where a blank stapling needle is generated in this kind of automatic stapler sort device, the blank stapling needle easily enters the inside of the electromagnetic motor of the electric stapling apparatus or the electric board 516, so that the electric stapler apparatus 515 is shown in FIG. As shown (the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 37 indicate the same members), the empty needle storage box 50
4 is provided in the anvil 509 and the electromagnetic motor 507, or in the intermediate portion of the sorting device 512, a further effect can be obtained.

The empty needle storage box 504 is guided by the rail member 505 of the lower jaw 2 so that it can be slid from the back surface to the front surface in FIG.
In the above, by attaching the magnetic member 506 to the position facing the bottom surface of the blank needle storage box 504, when the stored blank needle is discarded, the blank needle storage box 504 is pulled out (at this time, the magnetic member It can be easily processed only by separating from 506 as well.

In addition, the above-mentioned blank needle is the blank needle storage box 50.
4, the lower jaw 502 and the anvil 509 may be provided with tapered portions 502a and 509a directed toward the needle storage box 504, respectively (see FIG. 42). Guide members 526 may be provided at both ends of the tapered portion 502a of the jaw 502 (see FIG. 43).

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the magnetic member is used as the means for pulling the empty needle into the storage box, but a suction means such as air suction which is a well-known technique may be used.

[0137]

【The invention's effect】

<Effect of the First Invention> According to the present invention, the first page of the original is placed on one side of the platen glass, and the second page is placed on the side opposite to the first page of the platen glass. In an image forming apparatus equipped with an automatic document feeder that can perform sheet feeding and a sheet post-processing device that sorts, stores, and punches sheet materials discharged from this image forming apparatus, determine whether a document is a vertical writing document or a horizontal writing document. The selection unit for selection makes it possible to change the position at which the sheet post-processing device staples according to the selected format. <Effect of the Second Invention> According to the present invention, a conveying unit that conveys a sheet, at least one bin tray that sorts and stores the sheet, and a needle that is capable of advancing and retracting and ejecting each needle one by one. In the sheet post-processing means having the discharge port, the binding means in which at least one of the anvil for bending the discharged needle is projected from the respective holding means, and the drive means for performing the above operation, the bin tray at the time of the sheet binding operation of the binding means. By providing an opening bound to the anvil part of the bin, the strength (section modulus) of the bin tray can be maintained, and as a result, vibration and bending that adversely affect the stackability and integrity of the sheets can be achieved. Can be prevented. <Effect of the Third Invention> According to the present invention, a storage box for storing the blank ejection needles and a guiding means for guiding the blank ejection needles to the storage box are provided at predetermined positions of the binding means (electric stapling device). As a result, the blank needle can be reliably stored in the storage box, so that various dangers due to scattering of the blank needle can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional side view of an image forming apparatus according to a first invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the operation unit and the display unit.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional side view of the automatic document feeder.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram also showing the system.

FIG. 5 is a vertical side view of the sheet post-processing device portion.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a bin tray and a binding unit portion of the same.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the sheet post-processing device.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram related to control of the sheet post-processing apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the control of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing control of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing how a document is placed.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of copy processing.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of copy processing.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of copy processing.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing the relationship of the original tray discharged paper.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of staple selection processing.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a bin tray and a binding unit.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of staple position selection processing.

FIG. 19 is a vertical sectional side view of the sheet post-processing device according to the second invention.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the sheet post-processing apparatus.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of the bin tray and the automatic stapler unit.

FIG. 22 is a plan view of the bin tray and the automatic stapler unit.

FIG. 23 is a side view of the stapler.

FIG. 24 is a front view of the stapler.

FIG. 25 is a side view of the same stapler.

FIG. 26 is a side view of the needle striking portion.

FIG. 27 is a side view of the bin tray portion.

FIG. 28 is an action diagram of the stapler.

FIG. 29 is an action diagram of the stapler.

FIG. 30 is an action diagram of the stapler.

FIG. 31 is an action diagram of the stapler.

FIG. 32 is a side view of a conventional stapler.

FIG. 33 is a plan view of the bin tray and the stapler portion of the same.

FIG. 34 is a side view of the same bin tray.

FIG. 35 is a plan view of the bin tray and the stapler section according to the second embodiment of the second invention.

FIG. 36 is a plan view of the bin tray and the stapler portion.

FIG. 37 is a side view of the stapler according to the third invention.

FIG. 38 is a front view of the stapler.

FIG. 39 is a side view of the stapler.

FIG. 40 is a vertical cross-sectional side view of the sheet post-processing device also provided with the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 41 is a side view of the stapler and the storage container portion.

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the storage container portion.

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the storage container portion.

[Explanation of symbols]

4 Storage Container 6 Guide Means (Magnetic Member) S Sheet (Sheet Bundle) 9 Bin Tray 9b Closed Opening 10, 11 Sheet Conveying Means 20 Stapling Means (Stapler) 21 Base 29 Anvil 30 Motor (Drive Means) 61, 61a Binding Stapler 100 image forming apparatus 101 platen glass 300 automatic document feeder S document 400 sheet post-processing device 412 binding device (stapler) 480 binding device (stapler) 630 2in1 mode key 632 horizontal writing, vertical writing original selection key (selecting means) 1001 control Department

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location G03G 15/00 114 7369-2H 302

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An automatic document feeder capable of placing a first page of a document on one side of a platen glass and a second page on the side opposite to the platen glass, and an image forming apparatus. In an image forming apparatus equipped with a sheet post-processing device for sorting, storing, and stapling discharged sheet materials, a selection unit for selecting whether a document is a vertical document or a horizontal document, and a format selected by the selection unit. According to the above, the image forming apparatus is characterized by further comprising: control means for varying a position at which the sheet post-processing device makes a stylus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet post-processing device is provided with one set of binding devices for stapling, and the stapling positions are variable by moving the binding devices. Forming equipment. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet post-processing device is provided with a plurality of binding devices and the stapling position is made variable by selecting the stapling device. Forming equipment. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the automatic document feeder mounts the first page on either side of the platen glass and does not mount the second page. . 5. A conveying means for conveying a sheet material, at least one bin tray for separating and accommodating the conveyed sheet material, a discharge port for advancing and retracting with respect to the bin tray and discharging a binding needle. In a sheet post-processing apparatus having binding means, at least one of which is an anvil that bends the binding needle discharged from the discharge port and is projected as compared with each holding member, in the bin tray of the bin tray during the sheet binding operation of the binding means. A sheet post-processing apparatus having a closing opening at a position facing the anvil. 6. An accommodating portion for accommodating binding needles, a feeding means for feeding the binding needles one by one, a driving portion for driving the fed binding needles back into the sheet bundle and folding back the conveying means and the driving portion. A sheet post-processing apparatus having a driving source for driving the sheet post-processing apparatus, comprising: a storage container capable of storing an empty stapling needle that is folded into a folded shape and is not driven into the sheet bundle. 7. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a guiding unit that guides the blanking needle into the storage container. 8. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the storage container is arranged between the driving section and the driving source.