JPH08127459A - Paper after-treating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To facilitate take-out of paper sheets, having all sizes, on a bin from a front. CONSTITUTION: In a paper after-treating device provided with a bin 111 to assort and collate image-formed paper sheets discharged from the paper discharge part of an image forming device, such as a duplicator, and constituted to pull out the paper sheets loaded on the bin 111, a fence 140 is provided to vertically extend through the bins 111 arranged in a multistage and move the paper sheets to the front through movement from the rear side to the front side.

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 connected to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a post-processing device for an image forming apparatus, sorting and collating are possible, and in order to save space in the system, the sheets stacked on the bin are placed in front (on the side where the operator stands; A sorter that can be pulled out to the front is known. The bin of the sorter is provided with a notch from the front side to the back side to take out the paper, and its size is designed to ensure the strength of the bin and take out the smallest size paper. Has been done.

[0003]

However, in a sorter designed to support large size paper such as A3 to small size paper such as A5, since the stacking size of the bin corresponds to A3, When the A5 size paper is taken out from the bin, there is a possibility that the paper may be pushed into the portion without the notch of the bin, which makes it difficult to take out the paper.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a state in which it is difficult to take out the paper, and as indicated by the one-dot chain line, A
If the 4 or A5 size paper is pushed all the way into the bin, the space between the upper and lower bins is narrow, for example, about 35 mm, so it is very difficult to remove the paper. In the drawings, the upper side is the rear side and the lower side is the front side. In the figure, the arrow indicates the take-out direction.

A first object of the present invention is to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus which can easily take out sheets of all sizes from the front side.

A second object of the present invention is that an operator can freely move the fence to easily move the fence to an arbitrary position where it is easy to take out the paper, and all sizes of paper can be easily moved from the front side. Another object of the present invention is to provide a paper post-processing device that can be taken out from the paper.

A third object of the present invention is that, at the end of the image forming operation, the fence is at a position (second position) where the paper on the bin can be taken out, and the paper is pushed inward when the paper is taken out. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet post-processing device that can prevent it from becoming difficult to take out.

A fourth object of the present invention is that at the end of the image forming operation, the fence is at a position where the paper on the bin can be easily taken out (third position), and paper of all sizes can be taken out from the front side easily. An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet post-processing device that can perform the above.

A fifth object of the present invention is that, at the start of the image forming operation, the fence is at a position (second position) where the paper on the bin can be taken out, and the paper is pushed into the back when the paper is taken out. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet post-processing device that can prevent it from becoming difficult to take out.

A sixth object of the present invention is to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus which can reduce the moving time of the fence after the image forming operation and can improve the productivity.

A seventh object of the present invention is to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus capable of constructing a system which does not hinder the next image forming operation.

[0012]

A first object of the present invention is to provide bins arranged in multiple stages for sorting and collating image-formed sheets discharged from a sheet discharge section of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine. In the paper post-processing device having a paper sheet loaded in this bin and being configured to be able to be pulled out to the front side, the multi-staged bins are vertically penetrated, and This is accomplished by the first means with a fence slidably disposed therebetween.

The second object is, in the first means,
This is achieved by the first means that allows the fence to be moved manually.

The third object is, in the first means,
The fence can prevent the discharge of the maximum size sheet that can be discharged and the first position that does not hinder the discharge of the sheet onto the bin and prevent the stacked sheets from being pushed into a position where it is difficult to take out the sheets. Achieved by a first means configured to be movable to and from a second position by a motor, and controlling the fence to move from the first position to the second position at the end of the image forming operation. To be done.

The fourth object is, in the first means,
The fence is configured to be movable by a motor between a first position that does not hinder the discharge of the maximum size sheet that can be discharged and a third position that allows the sheets stacked on the bin to be taken out. This is accomplished by the first means controlling the fence to move from the first position to the third position at the end of the image forming operation.

The fifth object is, in the first means,
The fence can prevent the discharge of the maximum size sheet that can be discharged and the first position that does not hinder the discharge of the sheet onto the bin and prevent the stacked sheets from being pushed into a position where it is difficult to take out the sheets. Achieved by a first means configured to be movable to and from a second position by a motor and controlling the fence to move from the first position to the second position at the start of an image forming operation. To be done.

The sixth object is, in the first means,
The fence can prevent the discharge of the maximum size sheet that can be discharged and the first position that does not hinder the discharge of the sheet onto the bin and prevent the stacked sheets from being pushed into a position where it is difficult to take out the sheets. A motor is configured to move between a second position and a third position where the sheets stacked on the bin can be taken out. When the image forming operation is started, the fence is moved to the first position. This is achieved by the first means controlling the fence to move from the second position to the second position, and at the end of the image forming operation, to move the fence from the second position to the third position.

A seventh object is that, in the third to sixth means, there is a detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the paper on the bin, and when the detecting means detects the absence of the paper after the image forming operation is completed. , A first means controlling the fence to move to the first position.

[0019]

According to the first means, the fence which penetrates the bins arranged in multiple stages and is movable in the front-back direction (the direction orthogonal to the paper discharge direction) is configured to move the paper in the process of moving from the rear surface side to the front surface. Move (sheet stack) to the front.

According to the second means, since the operator can freely move the fence, it is possible to easily move the fence to an arbitrary position where it is easy to take out the paper.

According to the third means, at the end of the image forming operation, the fence is at the position (second position) where the paper on the bin can be taken out. Therefore, when the paper is taken out, the paper is pushed inward and taken out. It's not difficult.

According to the fourth means, at the end of the image forming operation, the fence is located at the position (third position) where the paper on the bin can be easily taken out, so that the paper take-out property is improved.

According to the fifth means, when the image forming operation is started, the fence is located at a position (second position) where the paper on the bin can be taken out. Therefore, when the paper is taken out, the paper is pushed inward and taken out. It's not difficult.

According to the sixth means, at the start of the image forming operation, the fence is first moved to a position (second position) where the paper on the bin can be taken out, and at the end of the image forming operation, the paper is easily removed. The position (3rd position)
Therefore, at the end of the image forming operation, the moving time of the fence is shorter than when the fence is moved from the first position.

According to the seventh means, when the paper is completely removed from the bin, the fence is controlled so as to move to a position (first position) that does not prevent the discharge of the maximum size paper. The image forming operation is not disturbed.

[0026]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a front view of a sorter according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view showing a moving mechanism of a fence, FIG. 3 is a top view of a bin, and FIG. 4 shows three positions of a fence and a paper size. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a first example of fence movement control, FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a second example of fence movement control, and FIG. 7 is a third example of fence movement control. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing
9 is a flowchart showing a fourth example of fence movement control.

In these figures, 100 is a sorter main body and 200 is a copying machine main body. The paper discharged from the copying machine main body 200 is carried into the sorter main body 100 by the main body discharging roller 201, and the carried paper is guided by the entrance guide plates 140 and 141 to the entrance roller 101. The rollers 102, 10 are drawn in and are inserted between the "shi" -shaped guide wires 130, 131.
It is conveyed by 3, 104 and guided to the distribution unit. The sheet conveyed to the distribution unit is conveyed between the guide wire 132 extending in the vertical direction and the deflecting claw 120 by the conveying roller 107 and the roller 105, and is sorted.
When collating, the deflecting claw 1 of the corresponding bottle 111 is used.
20 are sequentially discharged to the bins 111 arranged in multiple stages.

In the proof mode, the paper discharge rollers 106 discharge the paper to the proof tray 110 provided above the uppermost bin 111.

The fence 140 vertically penetrates all the bins 111 so that the sheets stacked on the bins 111 can be moved to the front side (front side) of the apparatus. The bin sensors 113a and 113b are long-distance transmission type sensors that can detect the presence or absence of paper on the bin 111 through the through hole 112 (see FIG. 3) of the bin 111.

As shown in FIG. 2, the fence 140 has a timing belt 141a and pulleys 142b and 142d whose upper and lower points are suspended between pulleys 142a and 142c.
It is fixed by a timing belt 141b which is hung between them, and moves while keeping the vertical position vertical through a fence drive shaft 145 having pulleys 142c and 142d fixed to the upper and lower ends thereof.

As shown in FIG. 3, the bottle 111 is provided with a notch 111a extending in the longitudinal direction from the rear end side (the upper side in the figure) toward the front surface.
Are notches 111a of the bins 111 arranged in multiple stages.
Is provided so as to penetrate through the notch 111a.
It is possible to move in the front-back direction.

The fence 140 may be operated by a moving lever 148 attached to its tip. That is, the lever 148 is used for the proof tray 110.
It is on the top of the table and can be operated freely by the operator.

In this structure, the operator can move the fence 140 to an arbitrary position after the copying operation is completed, and can freely move the discharged paper to a position where it can be easily taken out. In addition, it is easy to take out a sheet that has been accidentally pushed into the inside of the bin 111.

The fence 140 may be driven by the motor 149. In this case, the fence 140 is driven by the motor 149 via the pulley 146 fixed to the fence drive shaft 145 and the timing belt 147.

The operation when the fence 140 is driven by the motor 149 will be described below. FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the three positions of the fence and the paper size. The fence 140 has three positions (stop positions) of first, second, and third. The first position of the fence 140 is a position that does not hinder the discharge of sheets of any size. In the case of the embodiment, the first position is 10 mm or more behind the discharge end face position of the maximum size A3 sheet, and is the home position of the fence 140. The second position of the fence 140 depends on the size,
It is a position about 10 mm from the end face of the relevant paper discharge, at a position where it does not hinder the ejection of the relevant paper and prevents the relevant paper from being pushed inward so that it cannot be taken out. The third position of the fence 140 depends on the size and is a position where the relevant paper can be easily taken out to the front side, and is a particularly effective position when using small size paper such as A5.

Next, a first example of fence movement control is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. In this flow, after the copy operation is completed (step 1-1), the fence 140 moves to the second position according to the size of the ejected paper (step 1-2), and the paper is pushed inward. Prevent it from getting lost. Then, the bin sensor 113
When it is detected that the paper on the bin 111 has been removed (step 1-3), the fence 140 moves to the first position (step 1-4) to prepare for the next operation.

Next, FIG. 5 shows a second example of the fence movement control.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. In this flow, after the copy operation is completed (step 2-1), the fence 140 moves to the third position (step 2-2) according to the size of the ejected paper, and moves to a position where it is easy to take out the paper. Let After that, when the bin sensor 113 detects that the paper on the bin 111 is removed (step 2-3), the fence 140 causes the fence 140 to move to the first position.
(Step 2-4) to prepare for the next operation.

Next, a third example of fence movement control will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. In this flow, at the start of copying (step 3-1), the fence 140 moves to the second position according to the size of the ejected paper (step 3-2) to prepare for ejection of the paper and to eject the ejected paper. To prevent it from being pushed into the back.
After the copy operation is completed (step 3-3), the bin sensor 1
When it is detected by 13 that the paper on the bin 111 has been removed (step 3-4), the fence 140 moves to the first position (step 3-5) to prepare for the next operation.

Next, a fourth example of fence movement control is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. In this flow, at the start of copying (step 4-1), the fence 140 moves to the second position (step 4-2) according to the size of the ejected paper to prepare for ejection of the paper. After the copy operation is completed (step 4-3), the fence 140 moves to the third position (step 4-4) and moves the relevant paper to a position where it is easy to take out the paper. Thereafter, when the bin sensor 113 detects that the paper on the bin 111 has been removed (step 4-5), the fence 1
40 moves to the first position (step 4-6),
Prepare for the next operation.

In the above-described embodiment, the image-formed sheets discharged from the sheet discharge section of the image forming apparatus such as a copying machine are arranged in multiple stages to sort and collate them. In a sheet post-processing device (100) having a bin 111 and configured so that the sheets stacked in the bin 111 can be pulled out to the front, the bins 111 arranged in multiple stages are vertically penetrated, Since the fence 140 slidably arranged between the inside and the front of the bin is provided, it is possible to prevent the paper discharged onto the bin 111 from being difficult to take out, or to move the paper to a position where it can be taken out easily. Paper of this size can be easily taken out from the front.

Further, in the above embodiment, the fence 1
Since the movement of 40 can be manually performed by the movement lever 148, the operator can freely move the fence 140, so that the fence 140 can be easily moved to an arbitrary position where the paper can be easily taken out.
Paper of all sizes can be easily taken out from the front.

In the above embodiment, the fence 1
Reference numeral 40 denotes a first position that does not hinder the discharge of the largest size sheet that can be discharged, and a first position that does not hinder the discharge of the sheet onto the bin 111 and that prevents the stacked sheets from being pushed into a position where it is difficult to remove. The motor 149 is configured to be movable between the second position and the second position, and at the end of the image forming operation, the fence 1
Since the 40 is controlled to move from the first position to the second position, at the end of the image forming operation, the fence 14
Since 0 is located at the position (second position) where the paper can be taken out from the bin 111, it is possible to prevent the paper from being pushed deep into the paper when the paper is taken out and becoming difficult to take out.

In the above embodiment, the fence 1
40 is configured to be movable by a motor 149 between a first position that does not prevent the discharge of the maximum size sheet that can be discharged and a third position that allows the sheets stacked on the bin 111 to be taken out. At the end of the image forming operation, the fence 140 is controlled to move from the first position to the third position. Therefore, at the end of the image forming operation, the fence 140 moves to a position where the paper on the bin 111 can be easily taken out (third position). Position), paper of all sizes can be easily taken out from the front side.

In the above embodiment, the fence 1
Reference numeral 40 denotes a first position that does not hinder the discharge of the largest size sheet that can be discharged, and a first position that does not hinder the discharge of the sheet onto the bin 111 and that prevents the stacked sheets from being pushed into a position where it is difficult to remove. The motor 149 is configured to be movable between the second position and the second position, and at the start of the image forming operation, the fence 1
Since the fence 40 is controlled to move from the first position to the second position, the fence 140 is in the position (second position) where the paper on the bin 111 can be taken out.
It is possible to prevent the paper from being pushed inward and becoming difficult to take out when removing the paper.

Further, in the above embodiment, the fence 1
Reference numeral 40 denotes a first position that does not hinder the discharge of the largest size sheet that can be discharged, and a first position that does not hinder the discharge of the sheet onto the bin 111 and that prevents the stacked sheets from being pushed into a position where it is difficult to remove. The motor 149 is configured to be movable between the position 2 and the third position where the sheets stacked on the bin 111 can be taken out, and when the image forming operation is started,
Move the fence 140 from the first position to the second position,
At the end of the image forming operation, the fence 140 is controlled to move from the second position to the third position.
Since it is moved to a position (second position) where the upper sheet can be taken out, and when the image forming operation is completed, it is moved to a position (third position) where the sheet can be easily taken out. , Fence 1 after image forming operation
The moving time of 40 can be shortened and productivity can be improved.

Further, in the above embodiment, the bin 111
When the bin sensor 113 detects the absence of paper after the image forming operation is completed, the fence sensor 140 is controlled to move to the first position. Since the fence 140 is controlled so as to move to a position (first position) that does not hinder the ejection of the maximum size paper when all of it is removed from above 111, a system that does not hinder the next image forming operation is constructed. can do.

[0047]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the paper discharged onto the bin from being difficult to take out,
Since it can be moved to a position where it is easy to take out,
Paper of all sizes can be easily taken out from the front.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since the operator can freely move the fence, the fence can be easily moved to an arbitrary position where it is easy to take out the paper, and the paper of all sizes can be obtained. Can be easily taken out from the front.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the fence is at the position (second position) where the paper on the bin can be taken out at the end of the image forming operation, the paper is pushed inward when taking out the paper. It is possible to prevent it from becoming difficult to take out.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the image forming operation is completed, the fence is located at a position (third position) where the paper on the bin can be easily taken out, so that all sizes of paper can be easily read from the front. You can take it out.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the fence is at the position (second position) where the paper can be taken out from the bin at the start of the image forming operation, the paper is pushed inward when taking out the paper. It is possible to prevent it from becoming difficult to take out.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the image forming operation is started, the fence is first moved to a position (second position) where the paper on the bin can be taken out, and at the end of the image forming operation, the fence is moved. Is moved to a position (third position) where the fence can be easily taken out, the moving time of the fence after the image forming operation is shortened, and the productivity can be improved.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the paper is completely removed from the bin, the fence is controlled to move to a position (first position) that does not hinder the discharge of the maximum size paper. It is possible to build a system that does not hinder the next image forming operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front configuration diagram of a sheet post-processing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a fence moving mechanism of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a bin of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a bin showing a relationship between three positions of a fence of a sheet post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and a sheet size.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a first example of fence movement control of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a second example of fence movement control of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a third example of fence movement control of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a fourth example of fence movement control of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a bottle for explaining the problems of the conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 Sorter Main Body 101 Inlet Roller 102, 103, 104 Roller 107 Conveying Roller 111 Bin 113 Bin Sensor 140 Fence 148 Moving Lever 149 Motor

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hiromasa Matsuura 2-28-24 Izumi, Higashi-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Yokota Building Ricoh Elemex Co., Ltd.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A multi-stage bin for sorting and collating image-formed sheets discharged from a sheet discharge section of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, and the sheets stacked in this bin. In a sheet post-processing apparatus configured to be able to pull out to the front, the multi-tiered bins are vertically penetrated, and a fence is provided that is slidably arranged between the back of the bin and the front of the bin. A paper post-processing device characterized by the above. 2. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fence can be manually moved. 3. The fence according to claim 1, wherein the fence does not prevent discharge of a maximum size sheet that can be discharged.
And a second position that does not hinder the discharge of the paper onto the bin and prevents the stacked paper from being pushed into a position where it is difficult to remove the paper. The sheet post-processing apparatus, wherein the fence is controlled to move from the first position to the second position at the end of the operation. 4. The first fence according to claim 1, wherein the fence does not prevent discharge of a maximum size sheet that can be discharged.
And a third position where the sheets stacked on the bin can be taken out by a motor, and when the image forming operation is completed, the fence is moved from the first position to the third position. The sheet post-processing apparatus is characterized in that the sheet post-processing apparatus is controlled so as to be moved to the position. 5. The first fence according to claim 1, wherein the fence does not prevent discharge of a maximum size sheet that can be discharged.
And a second position that does not hinder the discharge of the paper onto the bin and prevents the stacked paper from being pushed into a position where it is difficult to remove the paper. The sheet post-processing apparatus, wherein the fence is controlled to move from the first position to the second position at the start of operation. 6. The first fence according to claim 1, wherein the fence does not prevent discharge of a maximum size sheet that can be discharged.
Position, a second position that does not hinder the discharge of the sheets onto the bin and prevents the stacked sheets from being pushed into a position where it is difficult to remove, and the sheets stacked on the bin can be removed. A motor is configured to move between the third position and the third position, the fence is moved from the first position to the second position at the start of the image forming operation, and the fence is moved at the end of the image forming operation. A sheet post-processing apparatus, wherein the fence is controlled to move from the second position to the third position. 7. The method according to claim 3, further comprising a detection unit that detects the presence or absence of paper on the bin, and when the detection unit detects the absence of paper after the image forming operation, the fence is moved to the first position. A sheet post-processing apparatus, which is controlled so as to be moved to position 1.