JPH0785950B2 - Sheet distribution and storage device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet distribution / accommodation device for distributing and accommodating a recording sheet discharged from an image recording device such as a copying machine or a printer, and more particularly to a recording sheet. The present invention relates to an improvement of a sheet distribution / accommodation device capable of post-processing such as stapling, punching, and binding after distributing and accommodating sheets.

[Conventional technology]

Generally, as a sheet distribution / accommodation device called a sorter, a sheet conveyance path is formed in a housing, and a conveyance roller is appropriately arranged along the sheet conveyance path, so that a sheet distribution / accommodation apparatus of an image recording apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer is provided. The recording sheet discharged from the sheet discharge port is conveyed to a preset sheet distribution stage, while one side of the housing is
There is one in which a plurality of bin trays are arranged in the vertical direction, and each bin tray is sequentially moved to the above-mentioned sheet distributing stage in accordance with the distribution timing of the recording sheets so that the recording sheets are sequentially distributed and accommodated in each bin tray.

The recording sheets distributed and accommodated in the sorter described above are usually subjected to post-processing such as stapling, and a post-processing unit such as a stapler is incorporated in the sorter to automatically perform post-processing in the sorter. There is a request to do so.

As a sorter which meets such a request, for example, those described in JP-A-63-41360, JP-A-63-252872, and JP-B-64-302 are already known.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, in the former type (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-41360), the bundle of recording sheets distributed and stored in the bin tray is re-stored in the post-processing tray and then post-processing by the stapler is performed. Therefore, inevitably, a post-processing tray must be provided separately from the bin tray, and further, a transporting means for transporting the bundle of recording sheets must be provided on the post-processing tray, which complicates the sorter configuration. In addition to the above, when the recording sheet bundle is moved to the post-processing tray side, there is a risk that the recording sheet bundle once aligned on the bin tray may vary, and the post-processing by the stapler tends to be wasteful. There are specific challenges.

The latter (JP-A-63-252872, JP-B-64-302)
In this type, a stapler is arranged in the vicinity of the sheet distribution stage that does not interfere with the sheet conveying member, and the post-processing by the stapler is performed on the recording sheet bundle that is still stored in the bin tray (the recording sheet bundle stored in the bin tray is Since the stapling process is performed on one corner portion), the technical problem of the former type can be avoided, but one side edge of the recording sheet bundle is stapled at two locations. A technical problem arises in that the dual stapling process cannot be performed.

The present invention has been made to solve the above technical problems, and one side of a bundle of recording sheets while avoiding a complicated device configuration and a reduction in post-processing quality due to a post-processing unit such as a stapler. (EN) A sheet distribution / accommodation device capable of post-processing by a post-processing unit such as a stapler along an edge portion.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

That is, according to the present invention, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a recording sheet 4 disposed in a housing 1 and discharged from a sheet discharge port 3 of an image recording apparatus 2 such as a copying machine or a printer.
Sheet conveying means 5 for conveying the sheet to a preset sheet distributing stage S1 and a plurality of vertically arranged stages on one side of the housing 1 and sequentially moving to the sheet distributing stage S1 according to the distribution timing of the recording sheets 4. And the bin trays 6 for storing the recording sheets 4 in the bin trays 6 are sequentially distributed and housed, and are located below or above the sheet conveying means 5 and the sheet conveying means 5 is provided. When the sheet distribution / accommodation operation is completed with the post-processing unit 7 arranged in the space in the housing 1 across the width direction of the sheet distribution stage, the sheet is distributed into the bin trays 6 by the post-treatment stage S2 different from the sheet distribution stage S1. A post-processing control hand for sequentially performing predetermined post-processing by the post-processing unit 7 on a portion along one side edge portion of the recording sheet 4 in the accommodated state. And it is characterized in that it comprises a 8.

In such technical means, the sheet conveying means 5 is used.
As long as the recording sheet 4 can be conveyed to the sheet distribution stage S1, the design may be changed appropriately.
In this case, from the viewpoint of facilitating the handling of the discharged recording sheets 4 when the sorting process is unnecessary, a sheet accommodating tray is provided differently from the bin tray 6, and the recording sheets 4 are accommodated on the sheet accommodating tray side. It is preferable to design

Further, the number of the bin trays 6 can be appropriately selected according to the required sorting ability, and regarding the constitution of the bin trays 6, the ejected recording sheets 4 can be accommodated in a predetermined position. It is necessary to do so, and it is possible to appropriately change the design such as forming a positioning flange on the bin tray 6 itself or using the vertical wall of the sorter housing 1 as a positioning portion. Further, in order to align the recording sheets 4 accommodated in the bin tray 6 at a predetermined position, it is preferable to provide a sheet aligning unit that aligns the recording sheets 4 with the positioning portion at every predetermined timing.

Also, regarding the moving means of the bin tray 6,
Any design change may be made as long as the bin tray 6 can be sequentially moved to the sheet distribution stage S1.
From the viewpoint of reducing the height of the sorter housing 1, it is preferable to set the gap between the bin trays 6 as narrow as possible within a range that does not hinder the sorting process and the post-process.

Further, with respect to the post-processing stage S2, at least
It may be provided at a position different from the sheet distribution stage S1, but the bin tray 6 when shifting from sorting processing to post-processing
From the viewpoint of avoiding unnecessary movement, it is preferable to dispose the post-processing stage S2 and the sheet distribution stage S1 close to each other.

The post-processing unit 7 may be any post-processing unit that can perform post-processing on one side edge of the recording sheet 4.
A stapler, a puncher, a binder, etc. can be appropriately selected.

In this case, as the post-processing unit 7, the post-processing unit 7 retreats to a retreat position that does not interfere with the vertical movement operation of the bin tray 6 and advances to the post-processing execution position when the post-processing is performed, or the bin tray is always It is fixedly arranged at a position where it does not interfere with the vertical movement operation of 6, and when the post-processing is executed, the target bin tray 6 on the post-processing stage S2 is advanced to the post-processing unit 7 side so that the post-processing can be realized. The design can be changed as appropriate.

Here, in the former type, the post-processing unit 7 that has advanced to the post-processing execution position during the post-processing is executed.
It is necessary to design so as not to interfere with the target bin tray 6 in the post-processing stage S2. Specific means therefor is, for example, forming a notch in the bin tray 6 portion corresponding to the post-processing execution position, For the type in which the gap between the bin trays 6 is set as narrow as possible, the moving means of the bin tray 6 should be devised so that the gap between the target bin tray 6 and the upper and lower bin trays 6 can be appropriately selected. You can

Further, in the latter type, it is necessary to design so as not to impair the alignment state of the recording sheets 4 accommodated in the bin tray 6, and as a concrete means thereof, for example, the bin tray 6 may be used. The upper tray is pulled out to the post-processing unit 7 side by the pull-out supporting means provided in the post-processing stage S2 so as to perform the post-processing on the recording sheet 6 which is still contained in the upper tray. Alternatively, a stretchable gripper is attached to the post-processing unit 7 side, and the recording sheet 4 in the target bin tray 6 is pulled out to the post-processing unit 7 side by this gripper, and then the recording sheet 4
Can be appropriately selected, for example, post-treated.

Further, when a stapler is used as the post-processing unit 7, as a mode of stapling, a type of stapling is usually applied to two positions on one side edge of the recording sheet 4, and one corner part of the recording sheet 4 is used. There is a type of stapling on the stapling, and under the request to deal with any of these, a dual stapler for performing the former stapling and a corner stapler for performing the latter stapling should be provided respectively. It is preferable to design Regarding the dual stapler, two stapling positions may be fixedly provided, but from the viewpoint of optimizing the stapling position, two stapling positions may be provided depending on the size of the recording sheet. It is preferable to design so that the stapling position interval can be variably set.

Further, the post-processing by the post-processing unit 7 may be carried out for all the bin trays subjected to the sorting process, but in the case where the recording sheet 4 is pulled out from the bin tray 6, the post-processing unit 7 From the viewpoint of eliminating the unnecessary post-processing operation by 7, the sheet presence / absence detecting means for detecting whether or not the recording sheet 4 exists in the target bin tray 6 is provided as the post-processing unit 7.
It is preferably designed to be attached to the.

Further, the post-processing control means 8 causes the post-processing unit 7 to perform a predetermined post-processing. First, after setting the target bin tray 6 to the post-processing stage S2, only the post-processing unit 7 or the post-processing is performed. It controls the unit 7 and a mechanism associated with it (in the case of the movable bin tray type, a bin tray pulling-out means or the like).

In this case, each control function of the post-processing control means 8 can be appropriately selected according to the function to be realized.

For example, the image recorder is ADF (Auto Document Feeder)
In the case of an attached copier, in the ADF use mode, after finishing the copy of the final document by the ADF, the post-processing by the post-processing unit 7 is started, and the presence / absence of sheets in the post-processing unit 7 is set. In the type equipped with the detecting means, when the sheet presence detecting means detects that the recording sheet 4 does not exist, the post-processing operation for the recording sheet 4 in the target bin tray is canceled and the next target bin tray is immediately released. Is moved to the post-processing stage S2, or when the post-processing unit 7 is of a type including a dual stapler and a corner stapler, one of the staplers selected by the selection means is set as a control target. , Can be appropriately selected.

[Action]

According to the above-mentioned technical means, the recording sheet 4 discharged from the image recording apparatus 2 is sequentially conveyed to the sheet distribution stage S1 through the sheet conveying means 5, and is sequentially distributed and accommodated in each bin tray 6.

When the sorting process of the recording sheets 4 is completed, the post-processing control means 8 first sequentially sets the target bin trays 6 to the post-processing stage S2, and then the recording sheets 4 that are still stored in the target bin trays 6 are processed. Post-processing by the post-processing unit 7 is sequentially applied to a portion along the one side edge.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

Contents I. Overview of the device II. Configuration of each part of the device (1) Sheet transport system (2) Bin tray (2-a) Basic configuration (2-b) Bin tray moving system (3) Sheet alignment mechanism (4) Stapler (4- a) Basic structure of stapler (4-b) Advance / retreat movement system of stapler (4-c) Sheet presence / absence detection system (5) Machine control system III. Machine operation (1) Sorting process (2) Stapling process IV. Machine deformation Example (1) Puncher (2) Binder I. Outline of device Figures 2 and 3 show ADF (Auto Document Feede) not shown.
The sheet distribution and accommodating device to which the present invention is applied to the copying machine main body 10 with r) (hereinafter referred to as a sorter in this embodiment).
20 is attached.

In the figure, reference numeral 21 is a housing of the sorter 20,
It can be moved by casters 22. A recess 23 having a U-shaped cross section is formed on the side of the housing 21 opposite to the copying machine main body 10 along the vertical direction.
An opening 24 communicating with the inside of the housing 21 is opened on the side surface of the copying machine body 10 of 23.

A plurality of stages (20 stages in this embodiment) of bin trays 40 are vertically movably arranged at positions facing the recesses 23, and protruding ends of the bin trays 40 are arranged so as to project from the recesses 23. It is supposed to be done. On the other hand, on the top of the housing 21, a non-sort tray 25 used when the sorting process is unnecessary is arranged.

Further, a sheet introduction port 26 is formed in the housing plate 21a corresponding to the sheet ejection port 11 of the copying machine main body 10, and the recording sheet 12 introduced from this sheet introduction port 26
Are conveyed to either the bin tray 40 or the non-sort tray 25 via the sheet conveying system 30.

Furthermore, a sheet aligning mechanism is provided near the bin tray 40.
70 is provided, and the sheet aligning mechanism 70 aligns the recording sheets 12 in the bin tray 40 at a predetermined timing interval during the sorting process and presses the recording sheets 12 during the stapling process. .

Further, a stapler 100 is disposed in the space inside the housing 21 located below the sheet conveying system 30 and along the width direction of the sheet conveying system 30.
The part facing to is set as the post-processing stage S2. The stapler 100 is a recording sheet stored in the bin tray 40 located on the post-processing stage S2.
The one side edge of 12 is dual stapled, or the corner of the recording sheet 12 is stapled.

II. Parts of the apparatus (1) Sheet conveying system In FIG. 3, the sheet conveying system 30 has a common sheet conveying path 31 from the sheet introducing port 26 to the inside of the housing 21, and from the common sheet conveying path 31 to the lower side. The first sheet conveying path 32 heading toward and the second sheet conveying path 33 heading upward,
The first sheet conveying path 31 is a sheet distribution stage (a stage for disposing the target bin tray 40 in which the recording sheets 12 are stored) S1.
On the other hand, the second sheet conveying path 33 leads to the non-sort tray 25 position.

And, in the middle of the first and second sheet conveying paths 32, 33, an appropriate number of conveying rollers 34, 35 are arranged at predetermined intervals, and at the leading end of each sheet conveying path 32, 33. Discharge rollers 36 and 37 are provided respectively. In addition, immediately before the discharge roller 36 of the first sheet conveying path 33, the recording sheet 12
A sheet exit sensor (hereinafter, abbreviated as EXIT SNR in some cases) 38 that outputs a high-level signal when the sheet passes is provided.

Incidentally, reference numeral 39 is a switching gate which is disposed in the common sheet transporting path 31 and switches and selects one of the sheet transporting paths 32 and 33.

(2) Bin Tray (2-a) Basic Configuration In FIGS. 2 to 4, the bin tray 40 is arranged obliquely downward at a predetermined angle toward the opening 24 side of the recess 23, and its width direction. (Corresponding to the width direction of the sheet conveyance path 32) A flat plate-shaped tray base 41 that is slightly inclined toward the front side, and a positioning flange 42 that is erected on the opening 24 side edge of this tray base 41, Above tray base
Notches 43, 44, 45 for stapling processing by the stapler 80 formed at three locations on the edge of the opening 24 on the side of the opening 24 (two locations sandwiching the corner portion and the central portion), and the front side in the width direction of the tray base 41. For a gripping notch 46 of the recording sheet 12 that is cut out at a substantially central position of one side edge located on the side, and a substantially triangular tamper formed near the positioning flange 42 on the back side in the width direction of the tray base 41. And an opening 47. As a configuration of the bin tray 40, a reinforcing flange may be formed at one end edge or the like located on the back side of the tray base 41 adjacent to the positioning flange 42 to enhance the rigidity of the bin tray 40.

The housing plate that defines the front side portion of the recess 23 of the housing 21 functions as a positioning wall 48 for the recording sheet 12 accommodated in the bin tray 40.

Incidentally, at least the projecting direction side edges 46a, 47a of the bin tray 40 of the gripping notch 46 and the tamper opening 47 are the bin tray 4
It is formed so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the width direction of 0, and it is taken into consideration that the recording sheet 12 is not blocked by the edges of the notch 46 and the opening 47 when it enters the bin tray 40 during the sorting process. ing.

(2-b) Bin Tray Moving System In FIGS. 4 to 6, a pair of engaging pins 51 and 52 are directly provided on both sides in the width direction of the bin tray 40 near the positioning flange 42 so as to protrude from the bin tray 40 near the projecting direction. A V-shaped support arm 54 is attached to one side in the width direction, and an engagement pin 53 is provided at the lower end of the support arm 54 so as to project.

The cam screws 55 are respectively provided in the housing 21 portions located on both sides in the width direction of the recess 23 corresponding to the engagement pins 50 to 53.
To 57 are rotatably provided upright, and the engagement pins 51 to 53 are engaged with the cam grooves 55a to 57a of the cam screws 55 to 57, respectively.

In this embodiment, the pitches of the cam grooves 55a to 57a are not constant, and the pitches of the portions corresponding to the sheet distribution stage SI and the post-processing stage S2 are set sufficiently larger than the pitches of the other portions.

More specifically, in this embodiment, the bin trays 40 positioned on the sheet distribution stage S1 and the post-processing stage S2 are in a continuous positional relationship, and the bin tray 40 positioned on the sheet distribution stage S1 and the bin tray positioned on the upper side thereof. as each gap g ₂ between the bin tray 40 positioned bin tray 40 and on the upper and lower positioned in the gap g ₁ and post-processing stage S2 of between 40 becomes sufficiently larger than the gap g ₀ between other bin trays 40 It is set. Here, the gaps g ₁ and g ₂ are set in a range that does not interfere with the sorting process, and the gap g ₀ is set in a range that the bin tray 40 does not contact.

The drive system of each of the cam screws 55 to 57 includes a bin drive motor (stepping motor in this embodiment) 58 capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions, a drive pulley 59 fixed to the output shaft of the bin drive motor 58, and the cam screw. The driven pulleys 60 to 62 attached to the lower ends of 55 to 57, and the drive pulleys described above.
Drive belt 63 that is stretched between 59 and driven pulley 62
And a timing belt 64 that is stretched between the driven pulleys 60 to 62 and that transmits the driving force from the bin drive motor 58 to the cam screws 55 to 57 at the same timing.

And in this embodiment, each cam screw 55-57
When the tray has rotated once, each bin tray 40 moves up or down by one pitch.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 65 is an upper limit position detection sensor for detecting that the uppermost bin tray 40 has reached the upper limit position, and 66 is that the lowermost bin tray 40 has reached the lower limit position. It is a lower limit position detection sensor for detecting.

(3) Sheet Alignment Mechanism Referring to FIG. 7, the sheet alignment mechanism 70 is a flat plate-shaped tamper that is disposed through the tamper openings 47 of the bin trays 40.
71, the upper and lower ends of the tamper 71 are connected to each other, and a pair of movable support mechanisms 72, 73 for supporting the tamper 71 so as to move back and forth along the width direction of the bin tray 40, and drive the movable support mechanisms 72, 73. And a sheet alignment drive system 80 for performing sheet alignment.

In this embodiment, the movable supporting mechanisms 72, 73 rotatably support a ball screw shaft 75 between a pair of bearing brackets 74 (one of which is not shown), and the ball screw shaft 75 has a nut.
The nut 76 is fixed to the upper and lower ends of the tamper 71 by screwing 76 together.

Further, the sheet alignment drive system 80 includes a tamper drive motor (stepping motor in this embodiment) 81, two drive pulleys 82 and 83 fixed to an output shaft of the tamper drive motor 81, and movable support mechanisms 72. , 73 ball screw shaft 75
Driven pulleys 84 and 85 fixed to the drive pulleys 82 and 83
And timing belts 86 and 87 which are respectively stretched between the driven pulleys 84 and 85.

The nut 76 of the lower movable support mechanism 73 is provided with a projecting piece 77 for position detection, and the projecting piece 77 is provided at a home position sensor 78 corresponding to the home position (in this embodiment, the light emitting element is And a light receiving element are arranged to face each other (transmission type optical sensor), the home position sensor 78 outputs a low level signal, for example, and detects that the tamper 71 has reached the home position. There is.

(4) Stapler (4-a) Basic configuration of stapler In this embodiment, the stapler 100 is a bin tray 40.
A pair of dual staplers 100a, 100b fixedly disposed at positions facing the notches 44, 45 and stapling at two positions along one side edge of the bundle of recording sheets 12 and facing the notches 43. The recording sheet 12
Corner stapler for stapling the corners of a bundle
It consists of 100c. In this embodiment, the corner stapler 100c is arranged in a state of being inclined by 45 degrees on the horizontal plane with respect to the dual staplers 100a and 100b.

The basic configuration of the stapler 100 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 8 (a), the lower case 101a as a support rotatably supports the base end of a movable arm 102 by a pivot 103, and the movable arm 102 has a base end. An upper case 101b that is coaxial with the movable arm 102 and is urged toward the movable arm by an urging spring (not shown) is provided. A staple storage portion 104 is provided in the upper case 101b, and the tip of the movable arm 102 is provided. The driving mechanism 106 for driving the staple 105 into the
And the driving force of the stapler drive motor 107 is applied to the belt 108.
Drive force transmission mechanism 1 consisting of a, cam 108b, and link arm 108c
By transmitting to the movable arm 102 via 08,
During the stapling operation, the movable arm 102 is swung downward to move the lower arm 101a as shown in FIGS. 8 (b) and 8 (c).
A striking mechanism 106 that descends together with the movable arm 102 in a state where a bundle of 12 recording sheets is sandwiched between the upper arm 101b and the upper arm 101b.
The staples 105 are driven into a bundle of 12 recording sheets.

(4-b) Staple advancing / retreating movement system The advancing / retreating movement system of the stapler 100 has a guide rail 112 mounted on a support bracket 111 along the advancing / retreating direction of the stapler 100, as shown in FIG. A movable plate 113, on which a stapler 100 is installed, is movably supported via guide rollers 114, while a drive motor 115 for advancing and retreating is disposed on the support bracket, and an output shaft of the drive motor 115 for advancing and retracting. A cam arm 116 extending in the radial direction of the output shaft is fixedly attached to the movable plate 113, and an engaging pin 117 is projectingly provided at the rotation free end of the cam arm 116. Further, an engaging slit 119 extending in the vertical direction is provided on the movable plate 113. The formed engaging plate 118 is fixed, and the engaging pin 117 is movably engaged with the engaging slit 119 of the engaging plate 118.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9 (a), the stapler 100 is arranged at the retracted position B where it does not interfere with the bin tray 40 during the vertical movement of the bin tray 40,
When the advancing / retreating drive motor 115 makes a half rotation,
As shown in FIG. 2B, the engagement pin 1 of the cam arm 116 is
While the 17 slides along the engaging slit 119, the engaging plate 1
In order to push 18 to the bin tray 40 side, the movable plate 113 advances to a predetermined position, and the stapler 100 is set to the stapling execution position A.

And the stapler at the stapling execution position
When the advancing / retreating drive motor 115 further makes a half revolution, the 100 returns to the retracted position B shown in FIG. 9 (a) again, and thereafter, every time the advancing / retreating drive motor 115 makes a half revolution, the advancing / retreating operation of the stapler 100 is repeated. Be done.

Position detection sensors 121 and 122 for detecting whether the stapler 100 is located at the stapling execution position A or the retracted position B are disposed on the support bracket 111. The position detection sensors 121 and 122 are transmissive optical sensors in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are arranged to face each other,
For example, the protruding piece 1 provided on a part of the movable plate 113.
The position detection is performed by 23 blocking the optical path of one of the position detection sensors 121 and 122.

(4-c) Sheet Presence / Absence Detection System In this embodiment, two systems of sheet presence / absence detectors 130,
135 is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, one sheet presence detector 130 has a light emitting element 131 and a light receiving element 132 disposed above and below the recess 23 corresponding to the corner cutouts 45 of each bin tray 40. The recording sheet 12 in one of the bin trays 40
Is present, the optical path between the light emitting element 131 and the light receiving element 132 is blocked, whereby the presence or absence of the recording sheet 12 is detected.

The other sheet presence / absence detector 135 is, as shown in FIG. 8, a reflection type sensor (a sensor in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are arranged side by side) embedded in the front end portion of the support base 101. When the recording sheet 12 is placed on the 101, the irradiation light from the light emitting element is captured by the light receiving element to output, for example, a high level signal, whereby the presence or absence of the recording sheet 12 is detected. There is.

(5) Device control system The device control system in this embodiment is composed of a microcomputer system as shown in FIG.

In the figure, the microcomputer system is a CPU 15
1, ROM 152, RAM 153. The ROM 152 stores a sorting processing program (see FIGS. 11 and 12) and a stapling processing program (see FIGS. 16 and 17) in advance. The CPU 151 executes each program and performs input data processing while appropriately exchanging data with the RAM 153, thereby creating a predetermined control signal.

In such a system, the sheet exit sensor 38, the upper limit position detection sensor 65, the lower limit position detection sensor 66, the sheet presence / absence detection sensors 130, 135, the tamper home position sensor 78,
The signals from the stapler position detection sensors 121 and 122, the stapling process start switch 171, the stapling mode selection switch 172, etc. are taken in as input data to the CPU 151 via the input interface 154, and the control signals from the CPU 151 are output interface. A feed motor 173 for driving each roller of the sheet conveying system 30 via 155, a solenoid 174 for driving the switching gate 39, a bin drive motor 58, a tamper drive motor 80, a stapler drive motor 107,
It is sent to each control device such as the stapler advancing / retreating drive motor 115, and each control device is controlled appropriately.

In this embodiment, data communication is performed between the main body side CPU 160 provided on the copying machine main body 10 side and the CPU 151, and the document size, the number of document copies by the ADF, etc. Various information is taken in by the CPU 151.

III. Operation of the device (1) Sorting process ◎ Outline of the process It is assumed that the copying machine body 10 is used to copy a predetermined number of originals using the ADF and sort them.

At this time, the sorting selection signal from the CPU 160 on the main unit side is CP.
It is taken into U151 and the sorting processing program is executed.

Then, first, the switching gate 39 selects the first sheet conveying path 32 by driving the solenoid 174, and the conveying rollers 34, 35 and discharge rollers 36, 37 are driven by driving the feed motor 173. In this state, the recording sheet 12 discharged from the sheet discharge port 11 of the copying machine body 10
Is the common sheet conveyance path 31 to the first sheet conveyance path 32.
The sheets are sequentially conveyed to the sheet distribution stage S1 through the sheet distribution stage S1, and are sequentially distributed and accommodated in the bin tray 40 that is sequentially moved to the sheet distribution stage S1.

◎ Bin tray movement control Figure 11 shows the movement control flow of the bin tray 40 during the sorting process.

In the figure, after copying is started on the copying machine main body 10 side, the CPU 151 drives the bin drive motor 58 as a unit to move each bin tray 40 by one pitch when the sheet exit sensor 38 changes from ON to OFF. It is raised (step [abbreviated as ST hereinafter] 1, 2) and it is checked whether or not the final copy of the job, that is, the copy job of each page of the original document is completed (ST3).

Next, if the final copy of the job is not completed, repeat the processing from ST1 to ST3, and at the stage when the final copy of the job is completed, check whether all jobs, that is, copy jobs of the entire document are completed. Check (ST4).

Further, when all the jobs have not been completed, each bin tray 40 is lowered by one pitch by driving the bin drive motor 58 as a unit when the sheet exit sensor 38 changes from ON to OFF (ST5, 6 ), It is checked whether the final copy of the job is completed (ST7).

If the final copy of the job is not completed, ST5 to ST7 are repeated, and at the stage when the final copy of the job is completed, is the bin home sensor (corresponding to the lower limit position detection sensor 66) turned on? After checking whether or not (ST8), it is checked whether or not all jobs are completed (ST9). At this time, if it is determined in ST9 that all the jobs have not been completed, the process returns to ST1 again, and the subsequent series of processing is performed.

When it is determined in ST4 or ST9 that all jobs have been completed in such a process, a series of sorting processes is completed.

In ST8, when it is determined that the bin home sensor 66 is not turned on, a FAIL display is displayed (ST10).

◎ Tamper movement control Fig. 12 shows the movement control flow of the tamper 71 during the sorting process.

In the figure, the CPU 151 is a recording sheet from the main body side CPU 160.
By taking in the size information of 12 (ST1) and driving the tamper drive motor 80 in the normal rotation in accordance with the motor signal (R1 area) shown in FIG. 14, as shown in FIG. The tamper 71 located at the position is moved and set to the size-based reference position of the dashed-dotted line (a position slightly larger than the storage position of the recording sheet 12) (ST2).

After that, the number of discharged recording sheets 12 is counted by counting the ON signal of the sheet discharge sensor 38 (ST3),
Check whether the job, that is, the final copy of the copy job for each page of the manuscript is completed (ST4),
If it is determined that the final copy of the job is not completed, the processes of ST3 and ST4 are repeated.

Then, in ST4, when it is determined that the final copy of the job is completed, the tamper drive motor 80 is normally and reversely rotated within a predetermined range in accordance with the motor signal (R2 region) shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7B, the tamper 71 positioned at the size-based reference position indicated by the solid line is moved to the edge position of the recording sheet 12 (shown by the alternate long and short dash line), and the recording sheet 12 is pressed against the positioning wall 48 and aligned. After that, return to the size-specific reference position again (ST5).

After that, it is checked whether all copy jobs are completed (ST6), and if it is determined that all copy jobs are not completed, the processes of ST3 to ST6 are repeated.

Then, in ST6, when it is determined that the all copy job is completed, the tamper drive motor 80 is reversely driven according to the motor signal (R3 region) shown in FIG. As shown in, the tamper 71 located at the size-based reference position indicated by the solid line is moved back to the home position indicated by the alternate long and two short dashes line (ST7). At this stage, the tamper operation during the sorting process is completed. Whether or not the home position has been restored is determined by the tamper home sensor 78 changing from a low level to a high level signal, as shown in FIG.

◎ Specific example of sorting process It is now assumed that n sheets of k originals are copied using the ADF and the originals are sorted.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 15A, first, the first original copy recording sheet 12 (1) is placed on the sheet distribution stage S1.
The bin tray 40 (1) at the uppermost stage is distributed and housed, and then the second bin tray 40 (2) is set on the sheet distributing stage S1 as shown in FIGS. 15 (b) and (c). Later, the recording sheet 12 is put on this bin tray 40 (2).
(1) is distributed and accommodated, and thereafter, the recording sheets 12 (1) are sequentially distributed and accommodated in the bin trays 40 (3) ... 40 (n) from the third stage to the n-th stage.

Next, when the copy operation of the second original is started, the second original copy recording sheet 12 (2) is sequentially conveyed to the sheet distribution stage S1. Then, as shown in FIG. 15 (d), first, the recording sheet 12 (2) is distributed and stored in the n-th bin tray 40 (n) located on the sheet distribution stage S1, and then FIG. 15 (e). ) As shown in (f), n-1
The bin tray 40 (n-1) of the first stage is the sheet distribution stage S1.
The recording sheets 12 (2) are distributed and accommodated in the bin tray 40 (n-1) after being set in the bin tray 40 (n-1).
The recording sheets 12 (2) are sequentially distributed and stored in the bin trays 40 (n-2) ... 40 (1) up to the uppermost stage.

After that, the same operation is repeated until the copy of the kth document is completed.

In such a series of copy jobs, the tampering
As shown in FIGS. 15 (a) to 15 (f), is set to the size-based reference position at the start of copying, and in each bin tray 40 at the end of each original copy job in order from the first sheet. Move to the edge position of the recording sheet 12 of
Align the recording sheets 12.

(2) Stapling process ◎ Stapling basic control Fig. 16 shows a basic control flow of the bin tray 40 and the stapler 100 during the stapling process.

In the figure, the CPU 151 first checks whether or not the copying machine main body 10 is in the ADF use mode based on the information from the main body side CPU 160 (ST1). If it is the ADF use mode, the final document copy by the ADF is completed. Check whether or not (ST
2) When the final document copy by ADF is completed, it is judged that the sorting process is all completed (ST
3). If the copying machine body 10 is not in the ADF use mode, it is checked whether the manual start switch 171 at the start of the stapling process is on (ST4). If the start switch 171 is on, the sorting process is started. Judge that all is completed (ST3).

Then, it is checked whether or not the stapling process is necessary according to the output of the first sheet presence detector 130 (ST
5) If it is determined that the stapling process is required, the bin tray 40 is moved down by one pitch, and the uppermost bin tray 40 or the bin tray 40 of the number of stages corresponding to the sorting number is located at the post-processing stage S2. Set the bin tray 40 at the stapling initial position (ST6).

After this, the mode selection switch 17 for stapling mode
Check whether the stapling mode is the dual mode according to the information from 2 (ST7), if the dual mode, select the pair of dual staplers 100a, 100b (ST8), while if not the dual mode The corner mode was judged, and the corner stapler 100c was selected (ST
9) After that, basic stapling operation is performed (ST10).

Then, it is checked whether or not the stapling target is the final bin tray 40 (ST11). If it is not the final bin tray 40, the bin tray 40 is moved up or down by one pitch, and the next stapling target bin tray 40 is moved. The post-processing stage S2 is set (ST12), and thereafter, the processes from ST10 to ST12 are repeated until the stapling target is the final bin tray 40.

Then, when the stapling process is performed on the final bin tray 40, it is determined that the stapling process is completed (ST13).

Further, in ST5, when it is determined that the stapling process is not required (the output of the light receiving element 132 of the sheet presence / absence detector 130 is at a high level), or in ST13, when the stapling process is completed, In preparation for the next sorting process, the top bin tray 40
After the bin trays 40 are returned to the sorting initial positions so that the sheets are arranged on the sheet distribution stage S1 (ST14), the series of processes is completed.

The basic stapling operation flow in such a process is shown in FIGS. 17 (a) and 17 (b).

FIG. 17A is an operation flow of the stapler 100.

In the figure, the CPU 151 first moves the stapler 100 to the stapling execution position A (see FIG. 9B) (specifically, the dual staplers 100a and 100b or the corner stapler 100c selected by the mode selection switch).
Is moved forward (ST1), and it is checked whether or not the stapling operation is required based on the information from the sheet presence / absence detector 135 (ST2).

When it is determined that the stapling operation is required, the stapling operation is executed (ST3), and then the stapler 1
00 is retracted to the retracted position B (see FIG. 9 (a)) (ST4), while if it is determined that the stapling operation is not required, the stapler 100 is immediately retracted to the retracted position (ST4). , The basic operation of the stapler 100 is completed.

Further, FIG. 17B is an operation flow of the tamper 71.

In the figure, the CPU 151 first moves and sets the tamper 71 to the size-based reference position (see FIG. 13 (a)) (ST
1) After that, it is checked whether the stapler 100 is at the stapling execution position A based on the information from the position detection sensor 121 (ST2), and if it is determined that the stapler 100 is at the stapling execution position A, the 13th As shown in FIG. 3B, the tamper 71 is moved to the sheet pressing position (ST3).

Next, based on the information from the position detection sensor 122, it is checked whether the stapler 100 is in the retracted position B (ST
4) If it is determined that the stapler 100 is in the retracted position B,
As shown in FIG. 13 (b), the tamper 71 located at the sheet pressing position is moved to the size-specific reference position (ST5).

Then, before the stapling process for the final bin tray 40 is performed, it is determined that the stapling basic operation is finished with the tamper 71 set to the size-based reference position and the stapling process for the final bin tray 40 is performed ( ST6), after returning the tamper 71 to the home position (ST7), the stapling basic operation ends.

◎ Specific example of stapling process It is now assumed that, for example, n sheets of k originals are copied using the ADF, the n sheets are sorted, and further, the dual stapling is performed.

At this time, if the number k of originals is an even number, as shown in FIG. 18A, when the sorting process is completed, the uppermost bin tray 40 (1) is set to the sheet distribution stage.
Each bin tray 40 is arranged at the sorting initial position of being located at S1.

In this state, first, as shown in FIG. 18 (b),
Each bin tray 40 moves downward by one pitch, the uppermost bin tray 40 (1) is set to the post-processing stage S2, and the tamper 71 of the sheet aligning mechanism 70 moves from the dotted home position to the solid sheet size reference position. After being set to, the dual staplers 100a and 100b selected by the mode selection switch 172 are used to set the uppermost bin tray 4 above.
Staples 105 are driven in at two locations on one side edge of the recording sheet 12 with respect to 0 (1). This stapler 100a, 100b
Since the tamper 71 presses the recording sheet 12 during the driving operation of, the recording sheet 12 is not likely to be unnecessarily scattered.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 18 (c) and (d), the bin tray is
40 is sequentially moved up by one pitch, and the bin trays 40 (2) ... 40 (n) of the second and subsequent stages are sequentially set to be moved to the post-processing stage S2, and the staplers 100a and 100b for dual are used to set the target of each stapling target. Bin tray 40 (2) ... 40
Staples 105 are sequentially driven into two locations on one side edge of the recording sheet 12 with respect to (n), and the final bin tray 40 (n)
When the stapling for is completed, a series of stapling process is completed, and as shown in FIG. 18 (e),
Each bin tray 40 returns to the sorting initial position, and the tamper 71 also returns to the home position.

If the number k of originals is an odd number, the n-th bin tray 40 (n) will be located on the sheet distribution stage S1 when the sorting process is completed. First, each bin tray 40 is moved down by one pitch, and the bin tray 40 (n) of the nth stage is moved.
Is set on the post-processing stage S2 to perform stapling, and thereafter, each bin tray 40 is moved down by one pitch, and each bin tray 40 (n-1) ... 40 (1) recording sheet
Stapling is performed on 12 in sequence.

IV. Modified example of the device (1) Puncher FIGS. 19 and 20 show a dual puncher for drilling two holes.

In the figure, the puncher 200 is mounted on a movable plate 201 that can move back and forth with respect to a support bracket (not shown). When punching is not executed, the puncher 200 stands by at the retracted position shown by the solid line in FIG. At the time of execution, advance to the punching execution position indicated by the chain double-dashed line and
Punching is performed on one side edge of 12 bundles.

The basic configuration of the puncher 200 has a pair of sheet mounting bases 202 having a U-shaped cross section. The sheet mounting base 202 has a through hole 203 penetrating in the vertical direction and the through hole 2
In 03, a pair of driving rods 204 are arranged so as to be movable up and down.

The driving system of the driving rod 204 is the movable plate 2
The drive force transmission mechanism 207 including a puncher drive motor 205, an eccentric cam 206, and a transmission belt and a pulley for transmitting the drive force of the puncher drive motor 205 to the eccentric cam 206. And an oscillating arm 208, one end of which is connected to the driving rod 204 and which oscillates in accordance with the engagement state with the eccentric cam 206 to move the driving rod 204 up and down.

In this modification, at least one side edge of the bin tray 40 corresponding to the pair of driving rods 204 of the puncher 200 has a notch 44 similar to that of the embodiment so as not to hinder the driving operation by the puncher 200. , 45 are formed.

(2) Binder FIGS. 21 and 22 show a binder for tape-binding one side edge of the recording sheet.

In the figure, the binder 220 is always in the standing state, and falls down during the binding process to be the target recording sheet.
A pair of belt grippers for sandwiching one side edge of the 12 bundle at two places and pulling out and transporting the sandwiched recording sheet 12.
221, a tape base 222 having an openable and closable gate 222a, which is normally closed to set the tape 223, a guide plate 224 which forms a sheet conveying path between the belt gripper 221 and the tape base 222, The feed roller 225 disposed in the middle of the sheet conveying path by the guide plate 224, and the tape 223 disposed below the tape base 222 and set when the gate 222a is opened are provided at one side edge of the bundle of recording sheets 12 A sticking roller 226 for sticking, a tape supply roll 227 that continuously supplies the tape 223, a tape feed roll 228 that conveys the tape 223 from the tape supply roller 227 to the tape base 222, and the supplied tape 223. A cutter 229 that cuts the blade with a predetermined size, and a cutter driving mechanism 230 such as an eccentric cam that adjusts the cutting timing of the cutter 229 are provided.

Reference numerals 231 and 232 are gripper sensors for detecting the up and down state of the belt gripper 221, and 233 is a gate opening / closing sensor for detecting that the leading end of the bundle of recording sheets 12 has reached the tape base 222.

On the other hand, the bin tray 40 corresponding to the above-mentioned Helt gripper 221
Notches 43 and 44 similar to those of the embodiment are formed on the side edge of the positioning flange 42 so as not to interfere with the belt gripper 221 that has fallen.

The binding process in such a modified example is performed as follows, for example.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 23 (a), the CPU 151
First, the belt gripper 221 is tilted down from the upright state so that the recording sheet 12 corresponding to the notches 43 and 44 of the bin tray 40.
Insert the part in between, and at this stage, the target bin tray 40 above
The belt gripper 221 after lowering it by 1/2 pitch.
The 12 bundles of recording sheets are pulled out by and the 12 bundles of recording sheets are pressed against the tape base 222 by the feed roller 225.

At this time, the tape 223 cut into a predetermined size is set on the tape table 222, and the edge of the bundle of the recording sheets 12 is in pressure contact with the surface of the tape 223 on the tape table 222.

Then, as shown in FIG. 23 (b), the gate 222a of the tape base 222 is based on the information from the gate opening / closing sensor 233.
Open, and the tape 223 is attached to the edge of the bundle of the recording sheets 12 to the sticking roller 227 side, and by passing the sticking roller 227, the one edge of the bundle of the recording sheets 12 Bind tape 223.

After this, as shown in FIG. 23 (c), the feed roller 22
5 and the belt holder 221 are reversed, the 12 bundles of recording sheets for which the tape binding is completed are returned to the original target bin tray 40 position, and the target bin tray 40 is moved down again by 1/2 pitch, and the binding operation is completed.

Thereafter, each bin tray 40 is sequentially moved to the post-processing stage S2, the same binding operation is performed on the recording sheet 12 in each bin tray 40, and the series of binding processes is completed.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, a post-processing unit such as a stapler, a puncher, and a binder is arranged at a position facing one side edge of the recording sheet on which the sorting process is completed, and recording is performed. Since the predetermined post-processing can be performed on one side edge of the sheet, post-processing such as stapling, punching and binding along the one side edge of the recording sheet can be performed. Compared to the case where only post-processing for parts was possible,
The range of post-processing can be greatly expanded.

Furthermore, since the post-processing is performed while the recording sheets for which the sorting processing has been completed are accommodated in the bin tray, a tray dedicated for the post-processing is provided separately or a bundle of recording sheets is set in the tray dedicated to the post-processing. Since it is not necessary to provide a transporting means for transporting the sheet, it is possible to avoid complication of the apparatus by that amount, and there is a situation in which the recording sheet bundle fluctuates when the recording sheet bundle is transferred to the tray dedicated to the post-processing. Therefore, the deterioration of the post-processing quality due to the post-processing unit can be effectively avoided.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since the post-processing stage is arranged close to the sheet distribution stage, it is possible to reduce the span of movement of the bin tray when shifting to the post-processing from the time when the sorting process is completed. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the transition time from the time when the sorting process is completed to the post-process.

Further, according to the invention of claim 3, in the type in which the post-processing unit is provided with a unit element that advances to the bin tray side during the post-processing operation, while reliably avoiding the interference between the bin tray and the post-processing unit, Since the height of the entire multi-stage bin tray is minimized, the apparatus can be made compact within a range that does not hinder post-processing.

Furthermore, according to the invention described in claim 4, it is confirmed whether or not the recording sheet exists in the target bin tray, and when it is confirmed that the recording sheet does not exist, the post-processing operation for the target bin tray is canceled. Then, since the process immediately proceeds to the post-processing operation process for the next target bin tray, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the post-processing process in which the wasteful post-processing operation is not performed.

According to the invention described in claim 5, the dual stapler and the corner stapler are selectively used to realize dual stapling along one side edge portion of the recording sheet or stapling for the corner portion of the recording sheet. Since it is possible, the stapling mode can be freely selected according to the user's preference.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 is an explanatory view showing an outline of a sheet distribution / accommodation apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a sheet distribution / accommodation apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is III- in FIG. Fig. 5 is an end view taken along line III, Fig. 4 is a view seen from the direction IV in Fig. 2, and Fig. 5
6 and 6 are a front view and a perspective view showing details of a bin tray moving system according to the embodiment, FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing details of a sheet aligning mechanism according to the embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a stapler according to the embodiment. 9A and 9B are explanatory views showing the operating state of the stapler according to the embodiment, FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an apparatus control system according to the embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation process of the bin tray during the sorting process in the embodiment, FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation process of the sheet aligning mechanism during the sorting process in the embodiment, and FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b) are the sheet aligning mechanism. FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing details of the operation process, FIG. 14 is a timing chart showing an example of drive signals for the sheet aligning mechanism, and FIG. 15 is a specific example of the bin tray and the sheet aligning mechanism in the sorting process in the embodiment. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an operation example, FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing a stapling process in the embodiment, FIGS. 17 (a) and (b) are a flow chart showing a stapler and tamper control process at the basic stapling operation, and FIG. Is a schematic diagram showing a specific operation example of the bin tray and stapler in the stapling process in the embodiment, FIG. 19 is a modification of the device similar to FIG. 4 using a puncher as a post-processing unit, and FIG. 20 is a puncher. 21 is a schematic view showing an example, FIG. 21 is a modification of the apparatus using a binder as a post-processing unit, FIG. 22 is a view seen from the direction of the line XXII in FIG. 21, and FIGS. FIG. 7C is an explanatory diagram showing an operation example of the binder. [Explanation of reference symbols] S1 …… Sheet distribution stage S2 …… Post-processing stage 1 …… Housing 2 …… Image recording device 3 …… Sheet discharge port 4 …… Recording sheet 5 …… Sheet conveying means 6 …… Bin tray 7 …… ... Post-processing unit 8 ... Post-processing control means

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A sheet distribution stage (S1) in which a recording sheet (4) disposed in a housing (1) and discharged from a sheet discharge port (3) of an image recording device (2) is preset.
A plurality of sheet conveying means (5) for conveying up to and a plurality of vertically arranged stages on one side of the housing (1) and sequentially moving to the sheet distributing stage (S1) according to the distribution timing of the recording sheet (4). A sheet distribution / accommodation device including a bin tray (6) for sequentially accommodating and accommodating recording sheets (4) in each bin tray (6), which is positioned below or above the sheet conveying means (5) and A post-processing unit (7) arranged in a space in the housing (1) across the width of the sheet conveying means (5), and different from the sheet distribution stage (S1) at the time when the sheet distribution / accommodation operation is completed In the post-processing stage (S2), a predetermined post-processing by the post-processing unit (7) is performed on a portion along one side edge of the recording sheet (4) which is distributed and accommodated in each bin tray (6). Sheet dispensing housing apparatus characterized by and a sequentially performed to the post-processing control means (8). 2. The sheet distribution / accommodation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the post-processing stage (S2) is arranged close to the sheet distribution stage (S1). 3. A type according to claim 1, wherein the post-processing unit (7) is provided with a unit element that advances to the bin tray (6) side during the post-processing operation, and the moving means of each bin tray (6). Secures at least a gap between the bin tray (6) located on the sheet distribution stage (S1) and the bin tray (6) located above the bin tray (6), which allows the sheet distribution operation from the sheet conveying means (5). At the same time, a gap is secured between the post-processing target bin tray (6) located on the post-processing stage (S2) and the bin trays (6) located above and below the post-processing bin tray (6) to allow the advancing operation of the above-mentioned unit elements. (6) A sheet distribution / accommodation device characterized in that the interval is set as narrow as possible. 4. The sheet according to claim 1, wherein the post-processing unit (7) detects whether or not the recording sheet (4) exists in the target bin tray (6) of the post-processing stage (S2). The post-processing control means (8) includes the presence / absence detection means, and when the sheet presence / absence detection means detects the absence of the recording sheet (4), performs the post-processing operation on the recording sheet (4) in the target bin tray. A sheet distribution / accommodation device characterized by canceling and immediately moving the next target bin tray to a post-processing stage. 5. The dual processing stapler according to claim 1, wherein the post-processing unit (7) is a dual stapler for stapling two spaced apart portions of one side edge portion of the recording sheet (6). (6) A corner stapler for stapling the corner portion, and the post-processing control means (8) is characterized in that one of the staplers selected by the selection means is a control target. Sheet distribution and storage device.