JPH0692538A - Aftertreatment device for sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To sort and store the number of sheet sheaves more than the number of bins by adjusting and stacking plural sheaves of sheets on one bin. CONSTITUTION:An aftertreatment device for sheets is provided with a conveyor means 23 for moving sheets on bins B, and a reference means 32 with which the moved sheets come into abutment. The reference means 32 moves from a first group to a second group and so on, but from the second group on, the sheets are sprung out to collide with the reference means 32. Since sheets can be sorted into groups more than the number-of-bins of one sorter, there is no need to use a multiple stage sorter. The device can be thereby made compact.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus, and more particularly, to a sheet member such as a copy sheet discharged after image formation from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printing machine or a laser beam printer. Sequential saucer (hereinafter "bin tray")
The sheet post-processing apparatus having a post-processing function after being classified and stored in ().

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a sheet post-processing device (hereinafter referred to as a "sorting device") installed on the discharge side of an image forming apparatus has a limited number of bin trays. It was impossible to sort and store. The following are examples devised to solve this problem. The sheets once stored in the bin tray are stacked on a stack tray different from the bin tray via the transporting means, and the bin tray is emptied, so that the sheets newly discharged from the image forming apparatus are sorted and sorted. It can be stored. By repeating the transfer from the bin tray to the stack tray, the number of sheets exceeding the number of bin trays is stacked. In a combination of a finisher having a bin tray that can move vertically and vertically with respect to the sheet transport direction and an automatic document feeder that can automatically circulate documents, the bin tray position is set to the transport orthogonal direction for each one cycle (one copy) of a document. By moving (shifting) and providing a step between the front and rear sheet bundles, a large number of sheets are sorted and stacked on one bin tray. By connecting multiple sorters, the number of bin trays is increased, and a large number of sheet bundles are sorted and stacked.

[0003]

However, in the configuration of the above-mentioned conventional example, the stack tray must be provided separately from the bin tray, and the size of the apparatus becomes large.
In particular, it is not suitable when the image forming apparatus main body is small.
In addition, there is a problem that the price increases as the size of the device increases.

In the construction, the entire device for supporting the bin tray has to move and the device becomes complicated. Further, every time one copy of a document is copied, it must be circulated by the automatic document feeder, and if the number of copies to be made is large, the document will be damaged.

In the configuration, since the sorter has two or three stations, the space for installing the apparatus must be large and the cost becomes high.

[0006]

Means (and Action) for Solving the Problems
It is an object of the present invention to solve the problems that the above-mentioned conventional device has, and an object thereof is to provide a small-sized and inexpensive sort device that can sort and store the number of sheets that is more than the number of bin trays. And

[0007]

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

In FIG. 1, a copying machine 200 is provided with a copying machine main body 201, an automatic document feeder 202 arranged above the copying machine 201, and a sheet discharging side of the copying machine main body 201. The folding device 203 and the sorter 1 arranged downstream of the folding device 203.

Then, the originals 206 placed on the original placing table 205 of the automatic original feeding device 202 are sequentially separated from the lower side, and are fed onto the platen glass 207 of the copying machine main body 201 via a path 209 to be copied. The platen glass 2 is read by the optical system 210 of the machine body 201, and after the reading is completed.
The sheet is discharged from 07 to the uppermost surface on the document table 205 via a pass. The sheet S is fed from the deck 212, image-formed by the image forming unit 213, fixed by the fixing unit 215, generally passed through the folding device 203, and conveyed to the sheet carry-in port 10 of the sorter 1. It has become.

The sorter 1 is, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,
It has a sorter body 6 consisting of a pair of front and rear side plates 3, a base 5 and a cover 2, and accommodates 20 bin trays B and can move up and down along guide rails 7 provided on the sorter body 6, respectively. A bin unit 9 is provided.

The sorter body 6 has a copy machine body 2
A carry-in port 10 for carrying in the sheet S discharged from 01 and a carrying roller 16 are provided, and a first sheet carrying path 11 is constructed from the carrying-in port 10 toward the bin unit 9 and the first sheet carrying path 11 is formed. A second sheet conveyance path 12 is formed by branching from the sheet conveyance path 11, and an upper ejection roller pair 13 for ejecting non-sorted sheets (sheets that are not classified) is provided on the downstream side of the first sheet conveyance path 11. ,Also,
A lower discharge roller pair 15 for discharging sort sheets (sheets to be sorted) is arranged on the downstream side of the second sheet conveying path 12.

The sorting of the sheets S into the sheet conveying paths 11 and 12 is performed by the displacement of the deflector 17.

As shown in detail in FIG. 4, the bin unit 9 has a pair of frame frames 19 having an upright portion 19a and a bottom portion 19b on the front side and the back side thereof.
A bin slider 20 is attached to the tip of the bottom portion 19b of the bin frame 19, and the upright portion 1 of the bin frame 19 is further attached.
9a and the bin slider 20 are fixed to each other by a bin cover 21 at their tip portions.

A support plate 22 is fixedly provided on the rear side of the base end portion of the bin frame 19, and upper and lower arms rotatable about a rotation axis 25 provided on the support plate 22 and the bin cover 21. Alignment member 23c is provided at the tips of 23a and 23b.
Are vertically fixed to form the matching means 23.

Then, the aligning member 23c is penetrated through the notch 27 provided in each bin tray B to align the sheet S on the bin tray B to the front side.

A fan-shaped gear 29 is rotatably disposed on the support plate 22 about the rotation axis 25,
The lower arm 23b is fixed to the fan-shaped gear 29.
A pinion 30 meshing with the fan-shaped gear 29 is attached to a pulse motor 31 fixed to the lower side of the support plate 22. In this way, the alignment means 23 is configured to be movable between the retracted position (b), the first alignment position (c), and the second alignment position (d) shown in FIGS.

The upper arm 3 pivotally supported by a vertical shaft on the lower side of the bin cover 21 and the left side of the bin frame 19.
Alignment reference member 3 perpendicular to the tips of 2a and lower arm 32b
2c is fixed to form the alignment reference means 32, the notch 26 of each bin tray B is penetrated, and the alignment reference means 32 is driven by the drive means (not shown), as shown in FIG.
8, the retracted position (a), the first alignment reference position (a),
It is configured to be movable between the second alignment reference positions (C).

The bin tray B housed in the bin unit 9 has one end movably mounted in the comb-shaped groove of the bin slider 20, and as shown in FIG.
A trunnion 33 is rotatably inserted into the base end portion thereof, and a bottle 35 is fixedly provided in front of and behind the base end portion. The bin 35 penetrates through slits 36 provided in the front and rear upright portions (bin support plates) 19a, respectively, and an O-ring 37 is interposed between the bin 35 and the trunnion 33 as a cushioning material. . The trunnion 33 is fitted so as to be stacked on the guide rail 7 as shown in FIG. Then, the lowest trunnion 33 comes into contact with the lower guide roller 39 rotatably supported by the upright portion 19a (the rear side is not shown) of the bin frame 19 shown in FIG. 4, and each bin tray B is attached to the bin unit 9. The bin spacing is kept constant so as to be equal to the diameter of the trunnion 33 (in this configuration, the uppermost and lowermost trunnions 33 do not have a bin tray (trunnion only)). The bin tray B is supported so as to be inclined so that one end thereof is upward, and a stopper B'is provided at the lowermost base end portion. And, the bin unit 9 is the upper guide roller 40,
The lower guide roller 39 is fitted in the guide rail 7 and can move up and down along the guide rail 7.

On the other hand, in the vicinity of the lower discharge roller pair 15, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, two electric staplers 100 for binding the sheets S stored in the bin tray Bc are bound.
a and 100b are arranged at positions orthogonal to the sheet S carrying-in direction so that they can be moved back and forth in the direction of arrow C by the driving means.
Normally, the bin tray B is retracted to a position so that it does not interfere with the vertical movement of the bin tray B, and when binding the bundle of sheets S on the bin tray B, it moves to the position key to bind the bundle of sheets S. To do. After binding and finishing, this electric stapler 1
00a and 100b are returned to the position by driving means (not shown).

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, camshaft holders 41 are arranged on the front and rear side plates 3 facing the staplers 100a and 100b and the lower discharge roller pair 15, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 3, a bearing 43 is provided on the motor base 42, a lead cam shaft 45 is supported by the cam shaft holder 41 and the bearing 45, and a lead cam 46 is fixed to the lead cam shaft 45. A pulley 47 is fixed to the shaft 45, and a shift motor 50 that drives the pulley 47 via a belt 49 is attached to the lower surface of the motor base 42 (see FIG. 2).

Further, the lead cam 46 is positioned so as to face the lower discharge roller pair 15, and the trunnions 33a ... 33d of the bin trays Ba ... Bd are connected to the lead cam 4 as shown in FIG.
6 is placed in the thread groove 46a, and the bin trays Bd ... Bd.
The width X between them is widened so that the sheet S can be easily received from the lower discharge roller pair 15 and the electric staplers 100a and 100b can be easily operated.

Further, the guide rail 7 is bent so that, for example, the bin tray Bc projects toward the front side, which has the same purpose.

Since the present embodiment has the above-described structure, the sheets S discharged from the copying machine main body 201 are in the non-sort mode (the mode in which the sheets are not classified) or the sort mode (the sheets are sorted) from the carry-in port 10. The sheet is guided by the deflector 17 that is displaced in the classification mode) and is introduced into the first sheet conveying path 11 or the second sheet conveying path 12.

When the non-sort mode is selected, the sheet passes through the first sheet conveying path 11 and is discharged / stored in the bin cover 21 which is the first bin tray of the bin unit 9 by the upper discharge roller pair 13. It

When the sort mode is selected and the number of copies is smaller than the number of bin trays, the bin unit 9
6, the trunnion 33 is sequentially moved by the screw groove 46a of the lead cam 46 by the rotation of the lead cam 46, and as shown in FIG. 6, between the position facing the lower discharge roller pair 15 and the bin tray B facing the stapler. While forming three openings X wider than the space of the bin tray B,
The upper guide roller 40 or the lower guide roller 39 is pushed and moved by the moving trunnion 33. Then, the sheet S passes through the second sheet conveyance path 12 and is discharged and stored by the lower discharge roller pair 15 to the next bin tray B opened sequentially from the first bin tray B1.

Then, for example, when the sheet S is discharged to the bin tray Bb which has been moved to a position facing the lower discharge roller pair 15, the sheet S is arranged with the rear end stopper B'downward. The bin tray Bb is moved by its own weight toward the rear end stopper B '.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the alignment reference means 32 has already been moved from the standby position (a) to the alignment reference position (a) of the sheet S by the drive means (not shown). Based on the pulse signal corresponding to the size of the sheet S, the means 23 moves from the standby position (b) in the arrow E direction by a predetermined amount (to the position (c)) by the pulse motor 31 shown in FIG. The side end is aligned with the reference member 32c.
Press on. Then, the aligning means 23 sets the next sheet S.
Return to the standby position (b) in preparation for discharging. The above-described operation is repeated so that a plurality of sheets S are aligned on one bin tray B by contacting the side end with the alignment reference means 32 and the rear end with the rear end stopper B ′ of the bin tray B.

Further, the aligning member 23c penetrates through all the bin trays B, and the sheets S stored in other bin trays B are similarly aligned.

Then, the binding of the sheets S discharged / stored in the bin tray B can be selected, and when the binding mode is not selected, the operation of the sorter 1 ends here.

When the binding mode is selected, the electric staplers 100a and 100b are bound by a chain double-dashed line from the position C as shown in FIGS. Move to the position key and move the needle 1
13 is driven in, the position is returned to the position again, and the binding is completed.

In the binding operation of the plurality of bin trays B, it is most efficient to perform the binding operation sequentially from the last bin tray B from which the sheets have been discharged and stored. At this time, based on the bin shift completion signal, the electric stapler 1
00a, 100b, and a series of operation completion signals of the electric staplers 100a, 100b
The next bin shift operation is performed, and the binding operation is automatically completed by repeating this operation.

In this embodiment, since the alignment reference means 32 is provided on the bin frame 19 of the bin unit 9 and the alignment means 23 is attached to the bin unit 9, the bin tray B
The sheets S in the inside can be surely aligned. Further, the sheet aligning is performed by moving the aligning member 23c penetrating the notches 27 provided in all the bin trays B, and aligning means 2
Since 3 is mounted on the bin unit 9, the sheet S can be aligned by moving the aligning means 23 not only after the sheet is discharged into the bin tray B but also during the shift of the bin tray. That is, the sheet S is always aligned except when the sheet S is entering the bin tray B.

Next, when the number of copies, which is the main feature of the present invention, is larger than the number of bin trays, the operation will be described, for example, assuming that the number of bin trays of the sorter is 20, and the number of copies to be image-formed is 30.

As shown in FIG. 1, an automatic document feeder 202
In the above, the document stack placed on the document mounting table 205 with the image surface facing upward is separated from the final page by copying from the final page to the copying apparatus 200 (photosensitive drum, developing device, transfer electrode, conveying belt, fixing unit, which is a known technique). (Including a container 215) and is fed through a platen glass 207 through a path, and after the document is stopped, the optical system 210 is activated to start image formation. After the transfer and fixing, the sheet S has a pair of discharge rollers 21 of the copying apparatus 200.
5 ′, from the carry-in port 10 of the sorter body 6 shown in FIG. 2 to the second sheet conveying path 12 and the discharge roller pair 15 and then to the first bin tray B1 (down to the position facing the discharge roller pair 15). Is being discharged). The sheet S discharged to the bin tray B1 is moved by its own weight on the bin tray arranged with the rear stopper B ′ inclined downward, and the rear end stopper B ′.
Move towards.

Further, by the pulse motor 31 which rotates based on the pulse signal corresponding to the discharged sheet size,
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the aligning means 23 waiting at the standby position (b) starts to move by the set amount in the direction of arrow E, and after the side edge of the sheet S comes into contact with the other side of the sheet S. It moves until the side end contacts the alignment reference member 32 (moving from the standby position (A) to the reference position (A)). Then, the aligning member 23 prepares for the next sheet and prepares for the standby position (b).
Return to.

The above is the flow of stacking one sheet S on the bin tray B, and thereafter, by rotating the lead cam 46, each bin tray is aligned with the position of the discharge roller pair 15.
The discharging operation to each bin tray B is the same as that described above, and the transfer sheet S of the final page of the original document on all the bin trays B has the side end as the alignment reference member 32c and the rear end as the rear end stopper B '. Abutting and aligned.

When all the 20 pages of the last page of the original have been transferred, the original on the platen 207 passes through the path and is ejected to the uppermost surface of the original stack on the original table 205. However, a partition lever (not shown) is interposed between the copied document and the uncopied document to distinguish between them.

Next, in the second cycle, the original document at the lowest position at present is fed again to a predetermined position on the platen glass 207, and the sheet transferred and fixed by the copying apparatus 200 is discharged by the discharge roller pair 15. First, the paper is discharged to the 20th bin tray B20 stopped at the position. The alignment operation is the same as that described above, and the rotation of the lead cam 46 causes the bin tray B to move.
And lower the tray to align and stack the second sheet on each bin tray.

The above operation is repeated for the number of originals, 2
Align and stack 0 copy sheets. In the current state, the document stack is completely circulated by the automatic document feeder 205, and the first page is the top surface, and the discharge roller pair 15 of the sorter 1 and the first bin tray B1 are aligned. Yes (when the number of originals is even).

Next, the stacking operation for the remaining 21st to 30th copies will be described.

Similar to the above description, after the final page of the original stack placed on the original placing table 205 is fed to the predetermined position of the platen glass 207, it is transferred by the copying apparatus 200.
The fixed sheet S ₂ is ejected onto the first set of sheet bundle S ₁ placed on the first bin tray B1.
At this time, as shown in FIG. 8C, the alignment reference member 32 is moved from the position (a) to the driving unit (motor) so that the side edge of the sheet S is moved from the position (f) to the position (g). ), The alignment reference member 32C is moved to the position (C) so as to reach the position (G) separated from the side end (F) of the sheet bundle of the first copy by the predetermined amount k. Figure 8 (a)
(B) shows the state up to the 20th copy.

Then, the aligning means 23 is swung by the pulse motor 31 which rotates in the same manner as when a stack of 20 or less sheets is aligned and stacked. At this time, the same bin tray B
The above-described swing of the sheet S of the 21st copy or more, which corresponds to the second copy, is up to a position (d) reduced by a predetermined amount h as compared to the swing of aligning and stacking the sheet bundle of the 20th copy or less. That is, the aligning member 23C does not contact the side end position (S) of the first set of sheet bundles on the same bin tray B, and the second set of sheets S and the 21st set of sheets S on the same bin tray B are not contacted. It is conveyed on the bin tray B. At this time, the alignment member 2
The distance between 3C and the alignment reference member 32C is larger than the width of the sheet S, and the alignment member 23C contacts the sheet S at a sufficient speed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the sheet S is aligned with the alignment member 23C.
After being flipped off by, it is received by the alignment reference member 32C. At this time, the aligning member 23C does not come into contact with the sheet bundle of the first copy, so that the sheet bundle of the first copy does not collapse.

Further, since the surface of the alignment reference member 32C that receives the repelled sheet S on the contacting side of the sheet S is constituted by the cushioning member 55, the sheet S does not bounce from the cushioning member 55, and the cushioning member 55 does not bounce. 55 is aligned and stacked on the surface of 55. In this way, the first sheet bundle S
_On the bin tray B1 on which ₁ is aligned and stacked, the sheet bundle S ₂ of the 21st copy is offset from the sheet bundle of the 1st copy by k and is divided into spaces.

After the paper is discharged to the bin tray B1 and the alignment is completed,
The tenth bin tray B10 is aligned and stacked while the bin tray B is raised by the rotation of the lead cam 46 (a state in which one sheet is offset and stacked on the previously aligned and stacked sheet bundle from the bin trays B1 to B10). ). After the document is replaced by the automatic document feeder 202, the transferred and fixed sheet S of the replaced document (the second page from the last page) is discharged to the bin tray B10 again. Here, similarly to the previous time, by swinging the alignment member 23,
The sheets S are flipped off, received by the alignment reference member 32, and aligned and stacked. After that, when the lead cam 46 is rotated and the alignment member 23 is rocked to be aligned and stacked on the bin tray B, and the document is exchanged by the automatic document feeder 202, the same operation is repeated, so that a stack of 30 sheets is obtained. Sorting and loading is performed on the sorter 1 which has 20 bin trays. That is, a stack of two sheets is aligned and stacked on the bin trays B1 to B10.
It means that a sheet bundle of one copy is aligned and stacked in B20.

This embodiment has been described by using the configuration having two alignment reference positions. However, if more alignment reference positions are provided, within the range of the number of sheets that can be stacked on one bin tray. It goes without saying that it is possible to perform a sorting operation for a plurality of sets on one bin tray.

Further, in this embodiment, 20 bin trays B are used.
Although the explanation has been made by using the sorter provided with, the present invention can be applied to the one provided with 20 or more bin trays B.
It goes without saying that it can be applied to the ones of 0 or less.

(Other Embodiments) FIG. 10 shows a matching operation in the second embodiment.

Also in this embodiment, the basic structure is the first.
This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, and only the matching means and the matching reference means are different from the first embodiment. The operation until the copying apparatus discharges the sheet S to the bin tray B is also the same as that in the first embodiment.

When the sheet S is discharged onto the bin tray B, in the present embodiment, the alignment motor 66a is rotated via the motor gear 65 by the pulse motor 60 which rotates in response to the pulse signal corresponding to the discharged sheet size. And 66b
To rotate. Alignment arms 61c and 61d are swingably mounted on the alignment gears 66a and 66b. Alignment members 61a, 6 are provided on the other ends of the alignment arms 61c, 61d.
1b are attached respectively. Pulse motor 60
Is rotated clockwise (F direction), the alignment gear 66a,
66b rotates counterclockwise. Then, the rotational movement of the alignment gear is converted into a linear movement by the alignment arms 61c and 61d and guides 63a and 63b provided on the sorter main body (not shown), and the linear movement is waited at the standby positions (b) and (b '). The aligning members 61a and 61b are moved in the arrow E direction.
The aligning members 61a and 61b push the sheet S in the arrow E direction after contacting the sheet S discharged to the discharge position (S).
The position where the sheet S reaches the first alignment position (SI), that is, the position where the side end of the sheet S where the alignment member 61 is not in contact is in contact with the alignment reference member 62 in the first alignment reference position (A). The aligning member 61 moves to (d) (see FIG. 10).
(B)). Subsequently, the pulse motor 60 starts rotating counterclockwise, and the aligning members 61a and 61b respectively return to the standby positions (b) and (b ') in preparation for the ejection of the next sheet.

Thereafter, 20 bin trays B can be raised and lowered while aligning in the same manner, and a total of 20 sheet bundles can be obtained, one copy for each bin tray B.

When trying to obtain a sheet bundle for the 21st set,
Similar to the first embodiment, the sheet S is discharged onto the bin tray B1 on which the first set of sheet bundles are aligned and stacked. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10 (c), the alignment reference member 62 is moved by the solenoid 64 from the side end position (f) of the sheet bundle of the first copy by a predetermined amount k to the second alignment reference position (c).
Be moved to. Then, the aligning member 61 is operated by the pulse motor 60 that rotates in the same manner as when the sheet bundle of the 20th set or less is aligned and stacked, but the operating distance to the side end of the sheet S of the 21st set or more is 20 sets or less. Up to the position of (e), which is decreased by h as compared with the operating distance with respect to the side edge of the sheet bundle. That is, the aligning member 61 conveys the 21st sheet S on the bin tray B without touching the 1st sheet bundle. At this time, the distance between the alignment member 61 and the alignment reference member 62 is larger than the width of the sheet S, and the alignment member 61 contacts the sheet S at a sufficient speed, so that the sheet S is repelled by the alignment member 61. The repelled sheet S is received by the alignment reference member 62. On the other hand, since the sheet bundle of the first copy does not contact the aligning member 61,
The sheet bundle does not collapse. That is, the sheet bundle of the 21st copy is offset from the sheet bundle of the 1st copy by k, and is divided into spaces.

Below, by the same operation of raising and lowering the bin tray as in the first embodiment and the operation of the matching member of the present embodiment,
It is possible to create a sheet bundle of 21 or more with 20 bin trays. As in the present embodiment, the alignment operation on the bin tray is performed by the linear movement by the alignment members of the two rods, and the alignment reference member is a surface having a certain width so that stable alignment can be performed. it can.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment in which post-processing of a sheet bundle offset on the bin is performed.

In the present embodiment, the electric stapler 100
Can be moved in the direction of arrow G along a rail 70 installed along the end of the bin tray B by a driving means (motor), and can move in the direction of arrow F toward the bin tray B when binding is stopped. It is possible. When a part of the sheet bundle is stored in one bin tray, the sheet bundle on the opposing bin tray B can be freely moved to a position such as (K), (S) or (T) that does not interfere with the stopper B ′. However, it is possible to bind at least one place. When binding a bundle of sheets on a plurality of bin trays B, when the binding of the first bin tray B1 is completed, the electric stapler 100 is set to the standby position (H), or
(H) is retracted to an arbitrary position parallel to the G direction, the bin tray B is moved by the lead cam as in the first embodiment,
The electric stapler 100 and the second bin tray B2 are opposed to each other. Then, the electric stapler 100 is moved to bind the sheet bundle in the same manner as when the first bin tray B1 is used. Below, the third and fourth sheets ... Bin tray B3,
The sheet bundle on B4 is bound by the same operation.

When making two bundles of bound sheet bundles on one bin tray, such as when making a bundle of bundled sheets that is equal to or larger than the number of bin trays, first of all, As in the above embodiment, the sheet S is image-formed by the copying apparatus 200 and is discharged onto the bin tray B by the discharge roller pair 15. And the matching unit 2
By the operation of 3 and the alignment reference member 32, the alignment is performed at the position (h) on the bin tray B. After the alignment of the first copy on each bin tray B is completed, the discharge alignment operation of the sheet S is temporarily stopped. Then, the electric stapler 100 waiting at the standby position (H) moves in the F direction to the first binding position (K), and binds the first set of sheet bundles. After that, “the electric stapler 100 returns to the standby position (H). The bin tray B moves. The electric stapler 100 moves to the first binding stop position (K) to perform the binding.”, And all the bin trays B are repeated. Bind the upper sheet bundle.

After the binding of the sheet bundle on all the bin trays B is completed, the discharge of the sheet S by the discharge roller pair 15 is restarted. The sheet S is repelled by the alignment member 23 and abutted against the alignment reference member 32.
It is similar to the embodiment of. At this time, the first alignment position (h)
From a position offset by a sufficient amount k for binding, that is, a position where the staple does not hit the lower sheet bundle even if binding is performed at that position as the second alignment reference The alignment reference member 32 is moved and fixed in (T). When the alignment stacking of the sheet bundle of the second copy is completed, the electric stapler 100 moves to the second binding position (U), and binds the sheet bundle of the second copy. The second stapling position is an amount corresponding to the offset amount k of the electric stapler from the first stapling position (K) along the rail 70 to the second aligning position from the first aligning position of the alignment reference member. The position is moved by k, and the relative position of the binding stop with respect to the paper is constant between the first copy and the second copy. Also,
It is more efficient if the electric stapler 100 is moved to the second binding position (U) or its vicinity during the aligned stacking. Further, when stacking three or more bound sheet bundles on the same bin tray, the same process can be performed as long as the size of the bin tray and the offset of the alignment reference position are allowed.

As shown in FIG. 12, even when the stopper B'is provided at the leading end of the sheet S in the discharging direction, and the electric stapler 100 is provided near the stopper B ', the present invention is also applicable. Applicable.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the electric stapler 100 may be provided facing the sheet conveying direction or a side surface different from the side surface having the stopper B '. At this time, the electric stapler 100 can be moved to the positions (r), (r) and (r) by the drive system (pinion rack or plunger). The sheet bundle of the first copy is the alignment reference member 32.
And the aligning section 23 aligns and stacks at the first aligning position (h). The electric stapler 100 moves from the standby position (re) to the first binding stop position (d) to perform the first binding, and then returns to the standby position (re) again. The same operation is performed by moving the bin tray B, and binding is performed on all the sheet bundles on the bin tray B.

After performing the first binding for all the sheet bundles on the bin tray B, the second set of sheet bundles are aligned at the second alignment position (tsu) by the alignment reference member 32 and the alignment portion 23. Loaded. The electric stapler 100 moves from the standby position (re) to the second binding stop position (le), performs the second binding stop, and then returns to the standby position (re) again. Second
The binding position (L) is a position offset from the first binding position in the H direction by the offset amount k of the sheet bundle. The same operation is performed by moving the bin tray B, and binding is performed on all the sheet bundles on the bin tray B.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, since the offset upper side sheet bundle is operated so as to be in front of the operator of the apparatus main body, the rear side aligning member 23 is used. It is needless to say that even if the offset-aligned sheet bundle is pushed out, the sheets on all bin trays are pushed out to the front side of the operator in a batch, and the offset sheet bundles are pushed out without overlapping.

Further, depending on the case, the sheet bundle on the offset upper side, that is, in the opposite direction to the above-described embodiment, may be offset to the inner side of the operator of the apparatus main body. In this case, as shown in FIG.
Is used as the matching reference means 123, and the conventional matching reference means 32 is used as the matching means 132 to perform the matching. The sheet S is discharged to the discharge position (f). The alignment reference means 123 moves from the standby position (W) to the first alignment reference position (Y). The side edge of the sheet S is pushed by the aligning means 132, and the aligning reference means 1
It moves to the first alignment position (M) abutted against 23 (FIG. 15B). After that, the aligning means 132 returns to the standby position (C) and stands by until the next sheet S is discharged. By the same operation, the sheets S are sequentially aligned, and the first sheet bundle is aligned and stacked. When the second sheet bundle is aligned and stacked, the alignment reference unit 123 moves to the position (a), and the alignment unit 132 waits for the sheet S to be discharged at the standby position (m). When the sheet S is ejected, the aligning unit 132 moves to a position (m) apart from the sheet bundle aligned and stacked at the first aligning position (m) by i and pushes the sheet S (FIG. 15C). ). At this time, the aligning means 132 pushes the sheet S at a sufficiently high speed, so that the sheet S continues to move even after leaving the aligning means 132, and the first aligning position (R) is reached.
At a second alignment position (L) which is separated by j from, it abuts on the alignment reference means 123 at the second alignment reference position (LA) and stops. On the other hand, since the first sheet bundle does not come into contact with the aligning means 132, the first sheet bundle does not collapse. That is, the second set of sheet bundles are aligned and stacked at the second alignment position (Y).

Further, as shown in FIG. 16, it has two sorter units 302 and 303.
The present invention is also applicable to a sorter of the type having a post-processing station 305 between 2,303. In this case, when an attempt is made to obtain a bundle of sheets that is bound in a number larger than the total number of bin trays, the alignment and stacking is completed in the upper sorter unit 302, and the sheet is moved to the post-processing station 305 to perform the binding operation. The lower sorter unit 303 can be aligned and stacked, and vice versa.
Since it is possible to align and stack the sheets on the upper sorter unit 302 during the binding work of No. 3, more efficient sheet post-processing can be performed.

Further, although the embodiment has exemplified the sorter in which the bin tray is moved by the lead cam, the present invention can be applied to a sorter in which the bin tray interval is switched by the link 300 as shown in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 18, the Geneva mechanism 3
The present invention can be applied to a sorter in which the bin tray interval is switched by 01.

The present invention can also be applied to a bin tray fixed type sorter as disclosed in JP-A-63-262373. In a bin tray fixed sorter equipped with a stapler, the usage state of the bin tray is divided into at least two, and while the sheet bundle is aligned and stacked on one bin tray, the sheet bundle on the other bin tray for which the aligned stack is completed is bound. If it is stopped, it is possible to perform sheet post-processing as efficiently as a sorter having two bin tray units.

[0066]

As described above, since it is possible to align and stack a plurality of sheet bundles on a single bin tray, it is possible to classify and store a number of sheet bundles equal to or larger than the number of bin trays, which is small and inexpensive. A sheet post-processing device can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional side view of a copying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view of a sorter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sorter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a bin unit of a sorter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a vertical plan view showing the relationship between the lead cam and trunnion of the sorter according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing how the bin is moved by the lead cam of the sorter according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an operating state of the sorter according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a matching operation of the sorter according to the embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a matching operation of a sorter according to another form of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a matching operation of a sorter according to still another form of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional side view of a sorter according to still another form of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a matching operation of a sorter according to still another form of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a plan view (a) showing a matching operation of a sorter according to still another form of the present invention, and a BB sectional view (b) in FIG. 14 (a).

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a matching operation of a sorter according to still another form of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a vertical sectional side view of a sorter according to still another form of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a vertical sectional side view of a sorter according to still another form of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a vertical sectional side view of a sorter according to still another form of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 B Bin tray S Sheet 1 Sorter 23 Alignment part 32 Alignment reference part 100 Electric stapler

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. At least one sheet tray for storing a sheet, sheet discharging means for discharging the sheet to the tray, and a sheet stored in the sheet tray by pressing one side end of the sheet on the tray. A sheet rear having a sheet conveying means for conveying the sheet and a movable sheet positioning means for abutting the other end side of the pressed portion of the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying means to perform positioning on the tray. In the processing device, the positioning means is configured to be movable between a first stop position for positioning the sheet and at least one other stop position that is moved from the first stop position by a predetermined amount in the sheet conveying direction. When forming a plurality of sheet bundles of at least two sheets on the sheet tray, the positioning member is provided with a first stop position for each sheet bundle. Moved to Luo predetermined stop position,
A sheet post-processing apparatus, characterized in that the sheet is conveyed and positioned by the sheet conveying means, and the sheet bundle is offset on one tray so as to be divided into spaces. 2. When a plurality of sheet bundles are formed on one tray, the moving range of the sheet conveying means after the second bundle is a range in which the pressing side sheet side end of the first bundle is not contacted. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The sheet tray comprises a plurality of sheets, and when the number of sheets forming the sheet bundle exceeds the number of sheet trays, the sheets are offset and stacked in the same sheet tray. The sheet post-processing device described. 4. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the abutting portion of the sheet positioning means with the sheet is made of a shock absorbing material.