JPH06234458A - Output paper processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an output paper processor for an image forming device convenient in taking out a sheet by providing a means in which a processor containing a saddle stitcher and a staple has a plurality of kinds of processing mechanisms to discharge output paper or an output paper sheaf, finishing an output paper process, from the same discharge port of the processor. CONSTITUTION:In the case of performing a different output paper process in a sheet processed with an image by an image forming device, where the sheet to be obtained comes from is not easily understood by a user, to provide inconvenience. Accordingly, in a plurality of processing mechanisms of an output paper processor, for instance, one of the mechanisms (stapler) is arranged in a main conveying route over acceptance and discharge ports, and the other processing mechanism (for instance, Z-folder, saddle stitcher, etc.) is arranged in a bypass route branched from the main conveying path to return to a predetermined conveying path. In this way, output paper/output paper sheaf, output paper processed by a plurality of the processing mechanisms, can be discharged from a single discharge port. Accordingly, the desired sheet can be taken out by the user.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to discharging an output paper or an output paper bundle on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an output sheet or an output sheet bundle on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus is processed by various output sheet processing apparatuses downstream of the image forming apparatus. Some of the output paper processing apparatuses are provided with a plurality of types of processing mechanisms, for example, one in which a stapler, a saddle stitcher, etc. are provided in one main body (FIGS. 36 and 37).

[0003]

In the output paper processing apparatus described above, the output paper processed is discharged from a plurality of discharge ports (three in this example) as shown in the figure because of the constitutional space. . However, with this configuration, it is difficult for the user to know from which outlet the desired one comes out.

The present invention provides an output paper processing apparatus of an image forming apparatus which is capable of discharging an output paper / output paper bundle from one discharge port, while being an output paper processing apparatus having a plurality of processing mechanisms. That is the purpose.

[0005]

According to the present invention, in an output paper processing apparatus of an image forming apparatus, the processing apparatus has a plurality of kinds of processing mechanisms, and the output paper or the output paper bundle which has undergone the output paper processing is processed. It is characterized in that it has means for discharging from the same discharge port of the apparatus.

Further, the processing apparatus includes a saddle stitcher and a stapler.

[0007]

According to the present invention, a plurality of processing mechanisms of the output paper processing apparatus, for example, one of them (for example, a stapler) is arranged in the main transport path extending over the receiving port and the discharging port, and another processing mechanism (for example, Z). (Folding, saddle stitcher, etc.) are disposed in a bypass path that branches from the main transport path and returns to the local transport path.

As a result, the output paper / output paper bundle processed by the plurality of processing mechanisms can be discharged from one discharge port.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an overall view of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention and an output paper processing apparatus connected thereto.

In FIG. 1, a sheet feeding section and a reader section above the sheet feeding section are provided on the left side of the drawing. Paper feed unit frame 1
102 is configured independently of the main body frame 1101. Reference numerals 1103 and 1104 denote paper feed trays containing a large number of sheets as transfer sheets, 1107 denotes a sheet conveyance path, and 14
Is a sheet feeding roller for feeding the sheet, and 15 is a conveying roller. Reference numeral 11 denotes a pressure plate that presses the document against the platen glass, and 12 denotes an optical system as a reader that optically reads the document.

A photosensitive drum 21 as an image forming unit is arranged on the downstream side of the paper feeding unit. Reference numeral 35 denotes an optical image based on image information from the optical system 12 and the photosensitive drum 21.
A laser scanner 23 for irradiating the toner, 23 a pre-charger, 24 a developing device for forming a toner image, 26 and 27 registration rollers, 25 a transfer roller for transferring the toner image to a sheet to be fed, 22 a cleaner, 29 Is a conveyance belt, and 30 is a fixing roller for fixing the transferred toner image.

In the finisher 71, 61 is a first intermediate tray provided on the downstream side of the sheet conveying path, 62 is a second intermediate tray, and 63 is a stapler for binding sheets. Further, 55 is a stitcher tray, 56 is a stitcher (stapler), 57 and 58 are folding rollers, and 59 is a path for guiding a sheet to the stitcher tray.

The stacker 73 represents a device for storing output paper.

<Description of Sheet Conveying Device (Sorter)> Twin carriage bundle conveying device, which is larger than the size of the paper stored in the bin.

When the sheets are conveyed in a bundle, if the carriages 76 and 77 (FIG. 2) move independently, they will "pass through".
I can't. Therefore, it is necessary to move simultaneously when a bundle is conveyed, and when the sheets are a bundle, there is a space between the sheets, so that the productivity of the apparatus does not decrease. For small paper thickness, conventional "slip through" ensures productivity.

<Description of Output Paper Processing Device> In the output paper processing device of the present invention, (1) a pair of rollers 209 described in the saddle stitcher and (2) 2 described in Z-folding.
The pair of rollers 14 and 215 are both longer than the paper width (see FIG.
It has (l _G > l _p ), and has a large pressure contact force.

According to FIG. 1 according to the present invention, the two rollers are also used as the folding roller 58 to save space.

When LGL and LTR are mixed, LGL is LTR
Match by folding to size. This is performed using a Z-folding folding roller. In addition, it is performed by using a saddle stitcher folding roller.

These are the stoppers 204,
This is done by adjusting the positions of 213, 216, etc.

Next, the structure of the saddle stitcher will be described.

After passing through the paper guide plate 201, the transfer paper P (FIG. 7) exits the discharge roller 202 and is stacked on the stitcher tray 203. A stapler 206 is prepared in advance at a position of half (= l / 2) of the length l of the transfer paper P regulated by the paper stopper 205 and the paper aligning plate 205 that aligns and stacks the paper by moving in the direction of the arrow 205x. And stapled to the position shown in FIG.

After that, the stitcher tray 203 is indicated by the arrow 2
It moves in the direction of 03x, and the half position of the transfer paper P (the position where the staple is applied) comes just below the saddle knife 207 (FIG. 9). The saddle knife 207, the folding roller 208, and the folding roller 209 are as shown in FIG. 10. The folding roller 209 is a rubber roller arranged in the shape of a ball, and the saddle knife 207 can be inserted in a place without the rubber. Yes (temporary folding). Further, the folding roller 209 has a rubber portion having a width equal to or larger than the width of the paper, and the pressing force of the folding roller 208
Much larger than this, the transfer paper P
Fold the saddle.

Next, the structure of Z-folding will be described.

The transfer paper P coming in from the arrow 210x of FIG. 11 (FIG. 12 is the rotation direction of the roller) is 211, 212.
After passing through the pair of rollers (for the purpose of explanation, it is assumed here that A3 paper is Z-folded onto A4 paper), it is conveyed until it hits a stopper 213. Then on the pass 211
In the space of A3 transfer paper P begins to form a loop (the distance between rollers 211 and 212 and stopper 213 is A3 length l
= Shorter than 420, 214, 215 again
The roller pair is set so that the length of A3 is 3/4).

The transfer paper P is as shown in FIG.
It touches the roller pair 215. Here, the transfer paper P is pulled by the rollers 214 and 215, and when it leaves this roller, A
The 3 transfer paper P'is folded 1/4 of its length.

Further forward, the transfer sheet P'is struck by the stopper 216 and becomes the transfer sheet P "Z-folded by the pair of rollers 214, 215 in the same manner as described above (FIG. 14).

At this time, the folding rollers of 214, 215, 217 have rubber portions of 214 and 215, 214 and 217 for investigation of paper width or more, and the press contact force is sufficiently large to fold the transfer paper P with this roller. .

<Description of Transfer Paper Conveying and Processing Device> A plurality of copy paper processing devices (staplers / binders / binders / connected to the main body of the image forming unit such as a copying machine or a printer).
By aligning the heights of the inlet and the outlet of the transfer paper / transfer paper stack of the stacker / sorter / sorter) to the same height, it becomes possible to freely combine the respective devices. In addition, by combining the heights of the discharge ports of the main body of the image forming unit, it becomes possible to combine the main body (including the main body and the stacker, the main body and the sorter, etc.).

Similarly, the transfer sheet feeding device can be freely connected by matching the heights of the receiving port and the discharging port, and the same height as that of the transfer sheet receiving port of the image forming apparatus. By doing so, any combination is free.

In the figure, the finisher, the binder, the stacker, and the sorter are copy paper processing devices each having an independent frame, and the height of the entrance and exit of each device is the same, so that there is no binder, for example. It is possible to combine a stacker, a stacker, and no sorter. The same applies to the paper feeding device.

<Description of Output Paper Processing Device Trimmer> Up to now, tab paper as shown in FIG. 15 having tabs in advance was required to put sorting paper in a copying machine or printer.

Further, the length of the tab portion is fixed (see FIG. 15).
If there are few sorts, tab paper that is unnecessary is wasted (if there are three sorts, the remaining two are unnecessary). By providing cutters 1 and 2 that can move up and down as shown in FIG. 16 in the output paper processing apparatus, it is possible to make sort papers of various tab lengths, prepare tab papers in advance, or waste tab papers. Never throw away.

Next, a specific example of the trimmer will be described.

Transfer paper P passing through a pair of entrance rollers 401
Is advanced by being restricted by the skew feeding roller 402 to the stopper 403, and is advanced to the retractable stopper 404. The transfer sheet P has replaceable blades 406a on cutter stands 406 and 407 which are movable in the directions of arrows 405x.
And 407a, the transfer paper P becomes a sorting paper having a tab portion. (The cutter table for 406 and 407 is indicated by arrow 410.
It can move in the x direction and press-cuts the transfer paper between it and a pedestal (not shown). ) After cutting, the stopper 404
Is retracted under the paper guide 408, and is again conveyed by the roller 402 and the exit roller 409.

<Stapler Unit of Output Paper Processing Device> The transfer paper P sent from the arrow 501x in FIG. 20 is stacked on the stack tray 503 by the entrance roller 502. At this time, the skew feed roller 504 regulates the width direction of the paper by an abutting guide (not shown). When a desired number of pages are stacked on the tray, the stopper 505 retreats around 505a as a rotation center, and the stacked paper is sent to the stapler 506 by the roller 504 and stapled.

Even when stapling, if output paper is sent, there is no place to store it, so the tray is
It has more than one step. Further, if arranged as shown in FIG. 21, both of the two trays are connected to the stapler simply by rotating the tray.

At this time, since the tray position on the tray entrance roller side does not change, the output paper can be continuously stored. Also,
With this configuration, even when an abnormality occurs after this stapling (JAM or the like), one of the trays can be used as the escape tray because there are two trays. In other words, by sending accumulated paper etc. to this escape tray,
It is possible to reduce processing points and time during AM processing.

<Description of the gluing device of the output paper processing device> The sheet bundle sent to the gluing device is sent in parallel (FIG. 22). However, it is easy to perform the gluing in the vertical direction, and therefore, the unbound output paper bundle must be changed in the direction of 90 ° (horizontal → vertical). Further, when ejecting from the gluing device, it is better to perform in the direction of FIG. 23 for the adjacent stacker or the like, so it is necessary to rotate again 90 ° (vertical → lateral).

Next, the sizing unit will be described.

The unstitched output sheet bundle P sent from the arrow 702x in FIG. 24 is nipped by the conveyor belt pair 702 whose spacing can be freely changed, and hits the stopper 703 retractable in the arrow 703x direction. 702 stops moving. The belt pair 702 is pressed with an appropriate force in the arrow 702x direction by a pressing mechanism (not shown). Illustration of the belt pair 702 and the like is omitted.

A link mechanism or a hinge mechanism is used in FIG.
The output sheet bundle P changes its direction from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction. At this time, the belt pair is further pinched in the direction of 702x ', and at the same time, the stopper 7
03 is retracted and the belt is rotated in the direction of arrow 702y.

Guided by the guide 704, the glue tape 705 (the upper surface is glue and the lower surface is paper) is pushed in the guide direction 706, and the belt is further rotated to land on the heater 707. When the tape has melted and the belt pair 702 has been reversed, and the output sheet bundle P has been returned to its original position, the sheet returns to the position shown in FIG. 24, and the output sheet bundle is fed in the direction of the arrow 701.

<Description of Sheet Storage Device (Stacker)> In FIG. 26, FIG. 27, and FIG. 28, when there is one sheet, the sheet is offset by an oblique feed roller, and when there are a plurality of sheets, the discharge roller is moved in the thrust direction. Offset.

If the two are made to be the same, (1) if there is a thickness, offset cannot be performed by the skew feed roller. (2) When the number of sheets is one, if the discharge roller is moved to the thrust, it will not be in time.

Therefore, a means for switching the offset means is necessary.

<Description of Stack Conveying / One-sheet Conveying Path of Stacker> FIG. 29 shows one sheet conveying, and FIG. 30 shows a bundle conveying. When the bundle is conveyed, the guide and the like move together with the roller. If the roller is a large roller, the original transport path becomes wide, which is an obstacle when transporting one sheet.

<Description of Connection Path> FIG. 32 shows
The connecting path which conveys a sheet to a sheet sorting device is shown. The connecting path has a plurality of transport paths for sorting sheets (transfer paper) into a plurality of bins, and the central transport path has
A straight path 708 is provided. This straight path 708 has a roller pair and a conveyor belt,
Connect to the sort path that has the highest bundle carrying capacity.

<Description of Registration Mechanism> FIGS. 33 to 35 are views relating to registration.

In FIG. 33, the transfer paper 1001 is fed from the direction of the arrow in the figure. The transport roller pair 1002 is
It is supported by the frame 1011 and the supporting plate 1010. The sensor 100 is provided in front of the pair of transport rollers 1002.
3 and 1004 are arranged at right angles to the transfer paper conveyance direction. On the supporting plate 1010, the motor 1006 has a screw 1
It is locked via 006A. A gear 1009 is attached to one end of the pair of conveying rollers 1002 and meshes with the gear of the motor 1007.
It is rotationally driven by 007.

At the other end of the roller 1002, the roller 110
2, the bearing 1012 is attached so that there is almost no play in the thrust direction. The bearing 1012 is connected to the motor 1008 via a screw 1008A. The transfer paper 1 is provided on the downstream side of the roller 1002.
CCD sensor 1 for detecting the sheet at the edge of 001
005 is provided.

The operation of the transfer paper 1001 will be described with reference to FIG. 34. The inclination of the leading end of the transfer paper 1001 is detected by the descriptions 1003 and 1004. In accordance with the tilt calculated by a calculation mechanism (not shown), the motor 1006 rotationally moves around a rotation center (not shown) so that the nip line of the roller pair 1002 is tilted until it is parallel to the leading edge of the transfer sheet. (This operation is naturally performed on the transfer paper 1001.
Is performed before entering the nip line of the roller 1002).

After the transfer paper 1001 has entered the nip into the roller 1002, the motor 1006 is rotationally driven and rotated so that the nip line of the roller 1002 is perpendicular to the transfer paper conveyance direction. Since the roller 1002 sandwiches the transfer paper, the transfer paper is also perpendicular to the transport direction. Depending on the direction in which the roller is rotated, it is necessary to pull the transfer paper in the transport direction. At that time, the transfer paper may be loosened by slightly lowering the rotation speed of the roller.

When the transfer paper 1001 further advances, the sensor 1005 detects the position of the edge of the transfer paper 1001.
The sensor 1005 is preferably a CCD or the like. The shift amount of the roller 1002 is calculated by a calculation mechanism (not shown) according to the detected position of the transfer paper, and the motor 100
8 is driven. The screw 1008A rotates by driving the motor 1008, and the bearing 1012 and the roller 100
Move 2 in the thrust direction. As a result, the thrust position of the transfer paper is corrected.

Further, the shift of the transfer paper conveying direction with respect to the image formed by the image forming unit (not shown) is calculated according to the timing at which the front end of the transfer paper crosses the sensor 1005, and the rotation speed of the motor 1007 is appropriately adjusted. The deviation can be corrected by adjusting the amount.

These series of operations can be performed without stopping the rotation of the roller pair 1002. Therefore, it is particularly effective for a machine that has a high-speed transfer paper feed, a machine having a digital optical signal image forming means (laser, LED element array), and a transfer paper feed mechanism with a short interval between transfer papers.

FIG. 35 shows another embodiment, in which the roller pair for correcting the inclination of the transfer sheet and the roller pair for correcting the thrust position downstream of the roller pair are separately formed. By forming in this way, it becomes easy to apply this registration mechanism to a machine that feeds a short transfer paper in the carrying direction at a high speed.

<Description of Image Forming Apparatus> In FIG. 1, the main body frame 1101 and the paper feed unit frame 1102 are independent. The paper feed unit frame 1102 includes transfer paper transport paths 1107 and 1108 together with the paper feed unit.

When a paper jam occurs, the operator
By pulling out the paper feed unit frame integrally from the main body, the transfer paper staying in the paper feed unit is intensively processed.

Further, referring to FIG. 11-2, the sheet feeding unit frame 1
Reference numeral 102 is divided into an upper frame body 1109 and a lower frame body, each of which has a structure that can be pulled out / stored in the paper feed unit frame body.

In each structure, each paper feed tray 110
The three units 1106 can be independently withdrawn / stored.

<Description of Processing Apparatus in Multiple Steps of Output Paper> FIGS. 36 to 38 show a processing apparatus for processing output paper in a plurality of steps.

FIG. 36 shows a conventional apparatus having a plurality of processes for a sheet image-processed by the image forming apparatus, for example, a plurality of processing mechanisms of a stapler and a saddle stitcher in one processing apparatus. FIG. 37 shows a schematic diagram of FIG. 36. As shown in the figure, the processing device is generally configured such that the saddle stitcher and the stapler have different sheet discharge ports (three including the inserter in the above example).

With the above configuration, when different output paper processing is performed, it is difficult for the user to know where the sheet to be obtained comes from, which is inconvenient.

FIG. 38 is a schematic view of an output paper processing apparatus in which the arrangement of a plurality of processing mechanisms is improved. By arranging the Z-folding device, saddle stitcher, stapler, inserter, etc. as shown in FIG. 38, the sheet can be discharged from one outlet, and the sheet can be taken out conveniently.

[0066]

As described above, according to the present invention,
For example, one of a plurality of processing mechanisms of the output paper processing apparatus is arranged in the main transport path extending over the receiving port and the discharge port, and the other processing mechanism is branched from the main transport path and returned to the local transport path. Since it is arranged in the bypass path, the output paper / output paper bundle processed by the plurality of processing mechanisms can be discharged from one discharge port.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view of an image forming apparatus and an output paper processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the carriage of the sorter (post-processing device) section.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a roller pair of a paper folding unit.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a sheet to be folded.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a sheet to be folded.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a sheet to be folded.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the saddle stitcher portion.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a stapled sheet.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the saddle stitcher.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a saddle stitcher.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the Z-folded portion.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the Z-folded portion.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the Z-folded portion.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the Z-folded portion.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a tab sheet

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a sorting paper and a cutter.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a trimmer device.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the trimmer.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the trimmer.

FIG. 20 is a side view of the stapler section.

FIG. 21 is a side view of the stapler section.

FIG. 22 is a side view of an output sheet bundle.

FIG. 23 is a side view of the gluing device section.

FIG. 24 is a side view of the gluing part.

FIG. 25 is a side view of the gluing part.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a leading edge / side regulating member of a sheet.

FIG. 27 is a side view of the stacker.

FIG. 28 is a side view of the stacker.

FIG. 29 is a side view of the transport rollers of the stacker.

FIG. 30 is a side view of the transport rollers of the stacker.

FIG. 31 is a side view of the transport rollers when transporting a stack of stackers.

FIG. 32 is a side view of a connecting path portion of a sorter (post-processing device).

FIG. 33 is a plan view of a registration device.

FIG. 34: Action diagram of registration

FIG. 35 is a plan view showing another embodiment of the registration device.

FIG. 36 is a side view of a conventional output paper processing apparatus including a plurality of output paper processing units.

FIG. 37 is a schematic diagram of FIG. 36.

FIG. 38 is a schematic diagram of an output paper processing apparatus according to the present embodiment that includes a plurality of output paper processing units.

[Explanation of symbols]

 21 Photosensitive Drum (Image Forming Section) 51 Stitcher (Stapler) 52 Stapler Unit 54 Trimmer Unit 55 Stitcher Tray 56, 57 Folding Roller 59 Path 61 First Intermediate Tray 62 Second Intermediate Tray 63 Stapler 71 Finisher 72 Binder 73 Stacker 75 Sorter (Sheet sorter) 76, 77 Sorter carriage 208, 209 Folding rollers 406a, 407a Cutter 503 Stacking tray 506 Stapler 702 Conveying belt for holding sheet bundle 705 Tape with glue 707 Heater 708 Sheet conveying means for connecting path 1002 Conveying roller pair (Registration roller pair) 1006, 1007, 1008 Motors 1103, 1104 Paper feed base (transfer paper placement part) 1107 Transfer paper transport path 1101 Main body frame 1102 Paper feed The frame

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yuji Takahashi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Shinichi Tanada 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Incorporated (72) Inventor Yoshikuni Toyama 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An output paper processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus, wherein the processing apparatus has a plurality of types of processing mechanisms, and the output paper or output paper bundle subjected to output paper processing is discharged from the same discharge port of the processing apparatus. An output paper processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus, which comprises a means. 2. An output paper processing apparatus of an image forming apparatus, wherein the processing apparatus of claim 1 includes a saddle stitcher and a stapler.