JPH089449B2 - A sorter with a finisher - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention distributes sheets discharged from a copying machine or the like,
The present invention relates to a sorter with a finisher that is bound by stapling means, and particularly to a control means thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various options such as an automatic document feeder and a sorter for sorting and grouping copied sheets have been developed and put into practical use in response to a demand for automation of paper handling of copying machines. As one of the final forms, there is a demand for a sorter with a finisher that automatically staples and stacks the sheets distributed and accommodated in the sorter, which has already been put to practical use in some large-sized copying machines.

By the way, in this type of sorter with a finisher, the main body of the copying machine, the sorter, and the stapler are controlled online, and it is not possible to meet the demand for using only the staple function alone. I have a problem.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, a sorter with a finisher according to the present invention is provided with (a) offline staple selecting means for independently performing stapling processing, and (b) a copying machine or the like. While the main body portion, the sorting means and the stapling means are operated in cooperation with each other, the control means for independently performing the stapling process when the off-line staple selecting means is operated is provided.

Operation That is, in the above configuration, when the main body of the copying machine, the sorting means, and the stapling means are normally controlled in cooperation with each other and the offline staple selecting means is operated, the stapling process is executed independently. To be done. With this,
Only the staple function can be used independently.

Embodiment [Overall Configuration] The sorter (40) with a finisher according to the present invention is
As shown in the figure, it is attached to the copy machine (1) side,
The copying machine (1) is provided with an automatic paper feeder (15) and an automatic document feeder (30) (hereinafter referred to as ADF).

The copying machine (1) is based on a well-known electrophotographic method. First, a constant charge is applied by a charger (3) onto a photosensitive drum (2) which is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow (a). Then, the optical system (4) scans in the direction of the arrow (b), so that the document set at a predetermined position by the ADF (30) is slit-exposed. As a result, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum (2) is developed by the magnetic brush type developing device (5).
Is converted into a toner image by a transfer charger (6) and transferred to a sheet.

Sheets are provided in the transfer machine (1) by the elevator type and cassette type automatic paper feeders (10), (11) or the automatic paper feeder (15) attached outside the machine, which is a three-stage paper feed cassette (16),
Sheets are selectively fed one by one from either (17) or (18) and sent to the transfer section at a predetermined timing by a timing roller pair (19). The transferred sheet is sent to the fixing device (21) by the conveyor belt (20), where the toner image is fixed, and then the sheet is sent from the discharge roller pair (22) to the sorter (40) and the discharge roller pair. Immediately before (22), the passage is detected by the discharge switch (SW3) (see FIG. 2). Further, the copying machine (1) has a built-in re-feeding device (25) for performing double-sided copying and composite copying, and a sheet conveyance switching claw (26) for that is provided in front of the discharge roller pair (22). is set up.

On the other hand, the photoconductor drum (2) continues to rotate in the direction of arrow (a) even after the transfer, and the blade type cleaning device (7)
The residual toner is wiped off and the residual charges are erased by the eraser lamp (8) to prepare for the next copying operation.

The ADF (30) is well known in itself and is used for document trays (3
1) The originals placed on the originals are fed one by one by a pair of paper feed rollers (32) and set at a predetermined position on the original glass (29) by rotation of a conveyor belt (34). After the image exposure, the document is discharged onto the discharge tray (36) through the reverse transport path (35) by the rotation of the transport belt (34).

As shown in FIG. 2, the sorter (40) has a sorter section (41) for distributing sheets into the bins (60), a staple section (90) having a stapler (100) for binding sheets, and a staple process. Stack section (11
0), the staple portion (90) is arranged below the sorter portion (41), and the stack portion (110) is arranged below the staple portion (90).

[Structure and operation of sorter part] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the bin (60) has a claw (60a) for preventing backflow of the sheet on the sorter part (41) side and a side protrusion. The trunnion (61) is provided, and the trunnion (61) engages with a vertically extending groove portion (65a) formed in the guide unit (65) attached to the frame of the sorter (40). The movement of the bottle (60) is restricted vertically. Further, each bin (60) is supported in a state of being loaded on the bin receiver (62), and the trunnion (6) is rotated as the floating cam (50) described below rotates.
1) is shifted to widen the bin interval.

The sorter section (41) is provided with a pair of discharge rollers (2) of the copying machine (1).
The sheet conveying section (42) and the bin (60) facing each other in 2) are moved relative to each other in the vertical direction, so that the copying machine (1)
The sheets discharged from the bins are distributed and stored in the bins (60).
As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet conveying section (42) includes an upper unit (52) having a guide surface (52a) and a guide surface (43).
lower unit (43) having a) and delivery roller (4)
7) and a pinch roller (55), the sheet passes between the guide surfaces (52a) and (43a), and the roller (47),
It is transported from (55) to each bin (60).

In the lower unit (43), both ends of a support shaft (44) provided at the end portion on the bin (60) side at right angles to the sheet conveying direction [arrow (c)] are shown in FIGS. As also shown in FIG. 6, by engaging with the rail portion (65b) provided on the guide unit (65) via the collar (45), the rail unit can be swung in the up-and-down direction and at the side of the copying machine (1). The bin (46) provided is supported by the guide member (66) so that it can slide in the horizontal direction.

A roller shaft (47a), to which a plurality of delivery rollers (47) are fixed, is rotatably mounted on the support shaft (44), and a swing plate (48) is suspended on the roller shaft (47a). .
The rocking plate (48) is connected by a rod (49), and the lower part is located between the backflow preventing claws (60a) of the bottle (60).
Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, notches (50a), (50) are formed at the outer periphery at both ends of the support shaft (44) at intervals of 180 °.
The floating cam (50) formed with a) is fixed. The floating cam (50) is intermittently rotated by 180 ° by a drive source different from that of the feed roller (47) to support the lower unit (43) and the trunnion (61) contacts the outer peripheral portion. By touching the bottle (60)
Also supports the rear end of the. Floating cams (50)
Can be moved up and down from the bottom position (X ₁ ) to the top bin position (X ₂ ) as shown in Fig. 7. Positions at each position are the detection switches (SW1), (SW
It is detected in 2). Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the lower unit (43) is provided with an actuator (51) rotatable about a bin (51a) as a fulcrum, and the actuator (51) is brought into contact with a conveyed sheet to rotate. A photo sensor (Se1) that turns on and off by moving is installed.

On the other hand, in the upper unit (52), the engagement piece (53) on the bottle (60) side engages with the rail portion (65b),
The bottle (54) provided on the copying machine (1) side is swingable in the vertical direction and is engaged with the guide member (68) provided on the upper lid (67) of the sorter (40), so that the bottle is horizontal. It can slide in any direction. A pinch roller (55) is rotatably mounted on the upper unit (53) via a support shaft (55a), and a static elimination brush (56) for a sheet to be conveyed is installed, and the pinch roller (55) is self-weighted. Then, it can be driven and rotated by being pressed against the delivery roller (47).

In addition, a transmission type photosensor (Se5) (see FIG. 2) whose optical axis is located at the rear end of each bin (60) is installed in this sorter part (41), and a sheet for each bin (60) is placed. It is designed to detect the presence or absence of distributed housing.

In the above structure, the floating cam (50) is rotated 180 degrees in the opposite direction to the arrow (d) to cut out the trunnion (61) that slides on the outer peripheral portion (50a).
The trunnion (61) that has been taken in is shifted to the lower side and slidably contacts the next trunnion (61). By repeating this operation, each bin (60) is shifted downward by one stage, and the transport section (42)
Moves upwards. When the sort mode is selected, the floating cam (50) is located at the bottom bin position (X ₁ ) shown in FIG. 7, and the space between the bins (60) is gradually increased while moving upward from this position. . The sheet discharged from the copying machine (1) passes between the guide surfaces (52a) and (43a), is sandwiched by the sending roller (47) and the pinch roller (55), and the space is kept by the floating cam (50). The bottles (60) in the lower stage are sequentially distributed and accommodated on the unfolded bottles (60). Further, the floating cam (50) is normally rotated in the direction of the arrow (d) to sequentially shift the bins (60) upward and move downward together with the transport section (42).

The sorter unit (41) having the above configuration can accommodate sheets in three modes. The first is a sort mode in which one copy is distributed to each bin (60) for each copy and page alignment is performed. The second is a copy mode in which each copy is distributed to each bin (60). It is a grouping mode. Third, one bottle (60) without distribution
It is a non-sort mode that is accommodated in.

[Configuration and Operation of Fix Cam] Next, the fix cam (70) and the transport unit (80) for transporting the sheets distributed and stored in each bin (60) to the staple tray (91) described below will be described. .

As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, the fix cam (70) has a spiral groove (70) on the outer periphery of which the trunnion (61) can be engaged.
(a) is engraved three times, and can be rotated forward and backward by a motor (not shown) via the support shaft (71). That is, the fix cam (70) is normally rotated in the direction of the arrow (e), and the trunnion (61) of the bin (60) shifted to the bottom bin position (X ₁ ) by the floating cam (50) is spirally grooved. Guide it with (70a) and lower it to the sheet removal position (X ₃ ).

On the other hand, at the sheet take-out position (X ₃ ), as shown in FIG. 8, the receiving member (72) is vertically movable on the support shaft (71) and is urged upward by the coil spring (73). Trunnion (61) installed in the installed condition and lowered to the take-out position (X ₃ )
Hold elastically. For this take-out (X ₃ ), the take-out roller (75) and the pinch roller (7
6) and seat guide (78) are installed. Also,
Between the bottom bin position (X ₁ ) and the take-out position (X ₃ ), as shown in FIG. 2, the sheet backflow prevention guide (7
9) is installed. As shown in FIG. 8, the sheet guide (78) has a guide surface (78a) on the upper surface at the take-out position (X
Sheet backflow preventing claw of each bin inclined drops ₃₎ (60) (6
It is installed slightly higher than 0a). As shown in FIG. 2, the pinch roller (76) is rotatably supported by a support shaft (77a) via an arm (77), and a take-out roller (75) is turned on by turning on and off a solenoid (not shown). ) It is possible to get on and off.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, a drive pulley (86) and a gear (87a) are integrally fixed to the lower end of the support shaft (71) of the fix cam (70), and the gear (87a) is Gear (87
The disc (88) can rotate integrally with the gear (87c) by meshing with the gear (87c) via b). Disc (88)
A notch (not shown) is formed in the photosensor (Se2), and the photosensor (Se2) detects the notch to control the rotation speed of the fix cam (70).

As shown in FIG. 2, the transport section (80) has the roller (7
5), (76), and transport rollers (81a), (81b) to (83
a), (83b) and guide plates (84a), (84b), (85
It consists of a) and (85b). Conveyor roller (81
a), (8da) and (83a) are made of a rubber material, and the transport rollers (81b), (82b) and (83b) are made of a sponge material, and are capable of absorbing the thickness of the laminated sheets.

In the above structure, when the sheet distribution is completed in the sorter section (41), the fix cam (70) is rotated in the direction of the three-rotation arrow (e). As a result, the trunnion (61) of the bottle (60) at the bottom bin position (X ₁ ) is guided by the spiral groove (70a), descends to the take-out position (X ₃ ), and is held by the receiving member (72). It At this take-out position (X ₃ ), the bin (60) is inclined at a larger angle than the bottom bin position (X ₁ ), and the sheets distributed and accommodated are guided by their own weight onto the guide surface (78 a) of the guide (78). The power to slide down while being guided works. Take-out roller (7
5) overlaps the bin (60) and the bin (6
When the (0) reaches the take-out position (X ₃ ), the leading end of the sheet is sandwiched between the rollers (75) and (76), and the sheet is set to the rollers (75) and (76). ), It is conveyed to the conveying rollers (81a) and (81b). At this time, even if the sheet is curled downward, the sheet is guided by the guide (78) and the take-out roller (75), so that the sheet reliably passes over the backflow prevention claw (60a) and the guide plates (84a), (84b). Transported in between. Even if the sheet is curled upward, it is guided by the backflow prevention guide (79), and the guide plate (84a),
It is transported between (84b).

The pinch roller (76) has a sheet roller (81a), (81
At the time of being nipped and conveyed to b), the solenoid (not shown) is turned off in the initial state, so that it retracts upward from above the take-out roller (75), and as described above, the bin (6
When (0) reaches the take-out position (X ₃ ), the solenoid is turned on and the sheet is nipped with the take-out roller (75). Here, the take-out roller (75) and the transport roller (81
a), (81b), (82a), (82b), (83a), and (83b) are rotationally driven, respectively, and the sheet is conveyed by the conveying rollers (83a) and (83b) as shown by the arrow (f) in FIG. ) To the staple tray (91). On the other hand, the floating cam (50) is located at a position corresponding to the bottom bin position (X ₁ ) as shown in FIG. ) The trunnion (61) is held, and at this position (X ₁ ), the trunnion (61) is intermittently reversed by 180 ° in the opposite direction to the arrow (d), and the trunnion (61) is sequentially fed into the fix cam (70). In this embodiment, the bottom bin position (X ₁ ) and the take-out position (X ₃ ) are set in order to increase the inclination angle of the bin (60) lowered to the take-out position (X ₃ ) so that the sheet can easily slip out by its own weight. ), In other words, the stroke of the bin (60) moving between them is set to be large. Therefore, the torque of the fix cam (70) when the trunnion (61) moves up and down is reduced as much as possible by rotating the spiral groove (70a) engraved on the outer periphery of the fix cam (70) three times. Then, the trunnion (61) immediately before being sent to the fix cam (70) by the floating cam (50).
By holding [indicated by (A) in FIG. 6], the trunnion (61) moves the second and third times of the fix cam (70).
It is prevented from being fed into the spiral groove (70a) at the turn of rotation.

As described above, each rotation of the floating cam (50) in 180 ° increments and the rotation of the fix cam (70) in three rotations (6)
The sheets 0) are lowered one by one to the take-out position (X ₃ ), and the sheets distributed and accommodated in each bin (60) are conveyed onto the staple tray (91) through the conveying section (80).

In addition, each bin (60) descended to the take-out position (X ₃ )
Is held in a state of being urged upward by the receiving member (72), and after the sheets are taken out from all the bins (60) in which the sheets are distributed and accommodated, the fix cam (70) is moved to the arrow (e).
When the floating cam (50) is reversely driven in the opposite direction to and the floating cam (50) is normally driven in the direction of the arrow (d), it returns upward.

[Structure and Operation of Staple Unit] The staple unit (90) includes a staple tray (91), a motor (93) for vibrating the staple tray (91), as shown in FIG.
Guide plate (95), stopper (96), stapler (10
0) and. The staple tray (91) is swingably installed with the support shaft (92) as a fulcrum, and by rotating the eccentric weight (94) on the motor (93),
It vibrates due to the centrifugal force of the weight (94). Due to this vibration, the sheet sent from the conveying section is regulated and aligned by the guide plate (95) and the stopper (96).

As shown in FIG. 11, the stapler (100) has a motor output shaft (101) fixed, and a swingable arm (104) around a pin (103) as a fulcrum to form a peripheral portion of a cam (102) and a head. (Ten
5) is connected, the head (105) moves upward through the arm (101) by the rotation of the cam (102) in the direction of the arrow (g) by the motor, and the staple (106) is moved to the tray. (91) Stitch the sheets aligned above. The staple (106) is housed in the cartridge (107), and the conveyor belt (1) is rotatably driven by the motor output shaft (101).
It is sent to the head in 08).

The stopper (96) is rotatably installed by a solenoid (not shown) with the support shaft (97) as a fulcrum, and is normally located on the lower end of the staple tray (91) to position the leading end of the sheet. When the solenoid is turned on, the stopper (96) retracts downward to release the positioning of the sheet.

In addition, this stapler (100) has a staple (10
6) A photo sensor (Se3) for empty detection and a rotation speed detection sensor (Se4) for the staple motor are installed. The sensor (Se3) directly detects the staple needle (106), and the sensor (Se4) is the motor output shaft ( Disc (109) fixed to 101)
The notch (109a) is detected.

Further, a photo sensor (Se6) for detecting the presence / absence of sheets on the staple tray (91), and a switch (SW4) for detecting attachment / detachment of the stapler (100) are installed in the staple section (90). .

In the above configuration, the sheet conveyed onto the staple tray (91) from the conveying section (80) is the motor (93).
By vibrating the tray (91) based on the rotation of
The guide plate (95) and the stopper (96) are regulated and aligned, the motor (93) is stopped, and the staple motor is driven and bound. The bound sheets slide down from the tray (91) when the solenoid is turned on and the stopper (96) retracts from the tray (91), and is guided by the guide plate (98) and stored on the stack tray (111). To be done. Such stapling, the bin (60) is lowered to the take-out position (X ₃₎ at Fikusukamu (70), the sheet is Kaee repeated each time conveyed onto the staple tray (91).

[Structure of Stack Part] The stack part (110) is composed of a stack tray (111), and finally stacks and stores the sheets bound by the stapler (100). Stack tray (111) is the first
2 As shown in Fig. 2, the staple processing part of the sheet (S),
That is, the notch (111a) is formed in the portion where the portion bound by the staple (106) is located. The sheets bound by the stapler (100) are now in the tray (1
11) When the sheets are stacked and stored on the upper side, the staple processing portion is prevented from sagging into the notch (111a) due to its own weight, and only the staple processing portion is prevented from becoming bulky, and the stacking and storing amount is increased accordingly.

[Operation Panel] In this embodiment, the operation panel is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 15, the copier panel (120), the ADF panel (140) and the sorter panel (150) are installed at three locations.

The copier panel (120) has a print key (121) for starting the copy operation when the ADF panel (30) is not used, an interrupt key (122) for temporarily suspending the multi-copy operation, and a stop of the copy operation. A clear / stop key (123) for setting or canceling the number of copies, a numeric keypad group (124) for setting the number of multi-copy, a display section (125 for displaying the number of copies and the status of the copying machine (1) ), Up / down keys (126) and (127) for setting the copy density and the display LED group (128), and a sheet selection key (129) for selecting the copy sheet size.
And a display LED group (130), a magnification selection key group (131) for selecting a copy magnification, a display LED group (132), and the like.

The ADF panel (140) is provided with only a start key (141) for starting the ADF operation. When the start key (141) is turned on, the document tray (31)
The upper originals are automatically conveyed to the original platen glass (29) in sequence and the copy operation is started.

The sorter panel (150) has a sorter mode selection key (15
1) and its non-sort mode display LED (15
2), sort mode display LED (153), grouping mode display LED (154), finish mode selection key (15
5) and its display, non-finish mode display LED
(156) and finish mode display LED (157), finish start key (158) and its display LED (159) are provided. The LED (159) lights up to indicate that the finishing process is in progress, and blinks to display a warning for removing a copy from the staple tray (91). In addition, the LED (160) that displays a warning to remove the sheet from the bin (60), the LED (161) that displays the empty staple needle (106), and the LED (162) that displays a defective setting of the stapler (100) It is provided. Each time the sorter mode selection key (151) is pressed, the sort mode is switched to non-sort mode, sort mode, and grouping mode, and corresponding LEDs (152), (153), (154)
Lights up. Finish mode selection key (155) is also 1
Each time it is pressed, it switches between non-finish mode and finish mode, and the corresponding LEDs (156), (15
7) lights up. Finish start key (158) is 1
Each time the button is pressed, the start of the finish operation and its cancellation are output, and the LED (159) lights up at the start.

In addition, the offline staple mode selection key (16
3) and its indicator LED (164) are provided. This LED
(164) lights up to indicate that the offline staple mode is selected, and blinks to display a warning that the offline staple mode is disabled. The offline stapling mode is a mode in which only the stapling process is executed independently.

[Control Circuit] FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a control circuit. A copying machine panel (120), an ADF panel (140) and a sorter panel (150) are connected to a microcomputer (CPU), and a copy process means (170). ), The ADF process means (171) is connected, and the sorter process means (172) and the finisher process means (173) are connected to exchange respective signals.

Fig. 17 shows the main part of the control circuit. The input / output port of the microcomputer (CPU) has a print switch, ADF
Start switch and indicator LED built in them
(180), (181), each selection switch of the sorter panel (150), each display LED (152), etc. are connected.

[Control Procedure] Next, a control procedure based on the copying machine (1), the sorter (40) and the control circuit described above will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 18 shows the main routine of the microcomputer (CPU).

Reset is applied to the microcomputer (CPU),
When the program starts, in step (S1), the random access memory is cleared, various registers are initialized and each device is initialized to the initial mode. Next, in step (S2), the internal timer is started. This internal timer determines the time required for the main routine, and its value is set in advance in the initial setting of step (S1).

Next, in steps (S2a) to (S8), each subroutine described in detail below is sequentially called, and when the processing of all the subroutines is completed, the end of the internal timer is awaited in step (S9) and the step ( Return to S2). Using the length of time of this one routine, various timers in each subroutine are counted.

FIG. 18a shows a subroutine of the offline stapling process executed in the step (S2a).

First, in step (S300), it is determined whether or not the offline staple switch (163) is turned on. If it is not turned on, this subroutine is immediately ended, and if it is turned on, the offline staple mode flag is set to "1" in step (S301), and the offline staple mode display LED (164) is turned on in step (S302). Next, in step (S303), it is determined whether or not the finish processing is in progress. If the finish processing is in progress, the warning flag (F10) is set to "1" in step (S309), and offline in the display unit in step (S310). Displays stapling mode disabled. Then, in step (S311), the offline staple mode flag is reset to "0", in step (S312) the offline staple mode display LED (164) is turned off, and this subroutine is finished.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (S303) that the finish processing is not in progress, it is determined in step (S304) whether the warning flag (F10) is "1", and if "0", the process proceeds to step (S307). If it shifts to "1", step (S30
In step 5), the warning flag (F10) is reset to "0", in step (S306) the indication that offline stapling mode is disabled is displayed on the display unit, and the process proceeds to step (S307). Next, in step (S307), it is determined whether or not there is a sheet on the staple tray (91) by turning the sensor (Se6) on and off. If there is a sheet, that is, to perform the stapling process offline. Sheets in the tray (9
1) When it is inserted above, in step (S214), a stapling subroutine, which will be described in detail below, is executed.

Then, in step (S308), it is determined whether or not the offline staple switch (163) is off, and this switch (1
The above stapling process continues until 63) is turned off. Offline staple switch (16
When 3) is turned off, the offline staple mode flag is reset to "0" at step (S311), and the offline staple mode display LED (164) at step (S312).
Is turned off to cancel this offline stapling process and return to the main routine.

FIG. 19 shows a subroutine of the input process executed in the step (S3).

First, in step (S10), the numeric keypad (124) on the copier panel (120) is used to input the numeral (A), the sheet size (S _X ) selected in step (S11), and the step ( In S12), it is determined whether the use of ADF (30) is selected. If the use is selected, the ADF mode flag is set to "1" in step (S13), and if not selected, the ADF mode flag is reset to "0" in step (S14).

Next, in step (S15), the sort mode setting subroutine is executed, in step (S16) the finish mode setting subroutine is executed, and in step (S17) it is determined whether the sort mode flag is "1". If the sword mode flag is "0", the sorting and stapling processes are not executed, so the process proceeds to step (S22), and if it is "1", the number of bins (a) is input in step (S18), In step (S19), the registered number (A) is compared with the bin number (a). Register number (A) is the number of bins (a)
In the following cases, the sort mode can be executed, and it is determined in step (S20) whether the finish mode flag is "1". If the finish mode flag is "0", the process proceeds to step (S22), and if the finish mode flag is "1", the process proceeds to step (S22).
In step 21), it is determined whether the sheet size (S _X ) is A4 size or B5 size. The sheet size that can be stapled in this embodiment is A4 or B5, and if YES, other input processing is executed in step (S22).

Further, in step (S23), it is determined whether the print switch is turned on, and if it is turned on, step (S2
In step 4), the copy flag is set to "1" to enable copy processing. If it is not turned on, step (S2
In 5), it is determined whether the ADF start switch is turned on. If it is turned on, the step (S24) is executed,
If it is not turned on, this subroutine is terminated.

On the other hand, when it is determined in the step (S19) that the register number (A) is larger than the bin number (a), the step (S26)
To set the warning flag (F1) to "1", and step (S2
Prohibit system operation in 7). This warning flag (F1)
Is for displaying that the number of distributions exceeds the number of bins. Next, in steps (S28) and (S36), it is determined whether or not the print switch is turned on and the ADF start switch is turned on, as in steps (S23) and (S25). If YES in step (S28) or (S36), that is, if the operator's intention to execute the copy is confirmed even if a warning is issued, the non-sort mode flag is set to "1" in step (S29). Switch to non-sort mode processing, and then step (S3
The warning flag (F1) is reset to "0" in 0), the prohibition of the system operation is released in step (S30a), and the copy flag is set to "1" in step (S37).

Also, in the step (S21), the sheet size (S _X ) is A
If it is determined that the size is other than 4 size or B5 size, the stapling process is impossible, so the warning flag (F2) is set to "1" in step (S31), and the system operation is prohibited in step (S32). . This warning flag (F2) is for displaying that the selected sheet size is incompatible. Next, in steps (S33) and (S38), it is determined whether the print switch is turned on and whether the ADF start switch is turned on as in steps (S23) and (S25). This step (S33) or (S
If YES in step 38), that is, if the operator's intention to execute copying is confirmed even if a warning is issued, the finish mode flag is reset to "0" in step (S34) to prohibit the stapling process. The warning flag (F2) is reset to "0" in (S35), and the step (S35)
The prohibition of system operation is released in a), and the copy flag is set to "1" in step (S39).

FIG. 20 shows a sort mode setting subroutine executed in the step (S15).

In this subroutine, each step (S40), (S4
In 2) and (S44), it is determined whether or not the non-sort mode, the sort mode, and the grouping mode are selected, and if they are selected, each step (S41), (S43),
In (S45), the non-sort mode flag, sort mode flag, and grouping mode flag are set to "1".

FIG. 21 shows the finish mode setting subroutine executed in step (S16).

First, in step (S50), it is determined whether or not the finish mode is selected, and if it is not selected, this subroutine is immediately ended, and if it is selected, the finish mode flag is set to "1" in step (S51). Set and set the allowable number of staples (Cb) in step (S52). Next, in step (S53), the staple permitted sizes are set to A4 and B5, and in step (S54), the sort mode flag is set to "1" to permit the processing in the sort mode.

FIG. 22 executes the subroutine of the display process executed in step (S4) of the main routine.

First, in step (S60), it is determined whether the ADF mode flag is "1". If it is "1", the ADF mode display LED (18
0) is lit, and in either case of "1" or "0", in step (S62), one of the display LEDs (152), (153), (154) is lit to display the selected sorter mode. . In step (S63), it is determined whether or not the finish mode flag is "1". If it is "1", the finish mode display LED (157) is turned on in step (S64).

Next, in step (S65), it is determined whether or not the warning flag (F1) is "1". If it is "1", step (S6)
In step 6), the display section (125) indicates that the number of bins is over. In step (S67), it is determined whether or not the warning flag (F2) is "1". If it is "1", step (S6)
In step 8), the display section (125) indicates that the sheet size is incompatible. In step (S69), it is determined whether or not the warning flag (F3) is "1". If it is "1", step (S7)
In 0), the display section (125) displays that the finish mode is not possible. In step (S71), the warning flag (F
It is determined whether or not 4) is "1". If it is "1", it is displayed in step (S72) that the original is empty on the display unit (125). In step (S73), it is determined whether or not the warning flag (F5) is "1". If it is "1", step (S7)
In step 4), the display section (125) indicates that the finish capacity is over. In step (S75), the warning flag (F
It is determined whether or not 6) is "1". If it is "1", it is displayed in step (S76) that the sheet needs to be removed from the staple tray (91) on the display unit (125). In step (S85), it is determined whether or not the warning flag (F11) is "1". If it is "1", the LED (160) is turned on in step (S86), and the sheet needs to be removed from the bin (60). Is displayed.

Next, in step (S81), it is determined whether or not the copy flag is "1". If it is "1", in step (S82),
If the value is "0", the display unit (12
The number of copies or the number of remaining copies is displayed in 5). Subsequently, other display processing is executed in step (S84), and this subroutine is finished.

FIG. 23 shows a subroutine of copy system processing executed in step (S5) of the main routine.

First, in step (S90), it is determined whether the ADF mode flag is "1". If it is "1", it is determined in step (S91) whether the copy flag is "1". If so, copy processing is allowed, so step (S95)
Execute the ADF control subroutine and move to step (S97). Also, in the step (S90), ADF
If it is determined that the mode flag is "0", it is determined in step (S96) whether the copy flag is "1",
If it is "1", the process proceeds to step (S97). If it is determined that the copy flag is "0" in both steps (S91) and (S96), the process returns to the main routine.

Next, in steps (S97), (S100), and (S102), after confirming that the non-sort mode flag, sort mode flag, and grouping mode flag are "1", respectively, steps (S99), (S101), In (S104), each subroutine of non-sort mode processing, sort mode processing, and grouping mode processing is executed. Further, in step (S105), a subroutine for copy processing is executed, and in step (S106), a subroutine for other processing is executed.

The subroutine executed in steps (S99) and (S104) has the same procedure as the conventional one, and its details are omitted.

FIG. 24 shows an ADF control subroutine executed in the step (S95).

First, in step (S120), it is determined whether or not there is a document in the document tray (31) by turning the sensor on and off. If yes, in step (S133) whether or not the warning flag (F4) is "1". To judge. The warning flag (F4) is set to "1" in step (S131) described below, but if it is "1", it is reset to "0" in step (S134). Then, in step (S121), the original document feeding process subroutine, in step (S122), the original size detection subroutine, and in step (S1
In step 23), the original conveyance processing subroutine is executed. If there is no document, it is determined in step (S130) whether or not the document count is "0". If it is "0", the warning flag (F4) is set to "1" in step (S131) to display the document empty display. Preparation is made, the copy flag is reset to "0" in step (S132), and the process returns to the main routine.

On the other hand, in step (S124), it is determined whether the optical system (4) has scanned the number of copies, and if so, the scan end flag is set to "1". And
After confirming that the scan end flag is "1" in step (S126), the scan end flag is reset to "0" in step (S127), and at the same time, the document discharge processing subroutine is executed in step (S128). Step (S12
In step 9), execute other processing subroutines.

This ADF control subroutine has the same procedure as the conventional one, and the steps (S121) to (S123),
Details of (S128) are omitted.

25a and 25b show a subroutine of the sort mode processing executed in the step (S101). This subroutine makes the operation of the sorter bin (60) different depending on whether the finish mode is selected or not. This is because the order of taking out the sheets from the bin (60) is different depending on whether the finish mode is selected or not, and the order of distribution to the bin (60) is different. When finish mode is selected, the sheet is distributed from the lower bin (60) for feeding to the staple section (90), and when it is not selected, it is easier for the operator to directly take out the sheet. Dispense from bottle (60).

Specifically, in step (S140), it is determined whether or not the finish mode flag is "1", and if it is "1", in step (S141), it is determined whether or not there is a sheet in the bin (60) by a sensor ( Se5) is turned on and off, and if there is no sheet, it is determined at step (S184) whether the warning flag (F11) is "1". This warning flag (F11) is set to "1" in steps (S158) and (S161) described below, but if it is "1", it is reset to "0" in step (S185), and then step (S185a). ) To release the prohibition of system operation. Then, in step (S142), whether or not the bottom bin detection switch (SW1) is turned on, that is, the bin (60) is located at the bottom bin position (X ₁ ) which is the home position when the finish mode is selected, It is determined whether sheet distribution is possible. Therefore, if YES, the process proceeds to step (S148) as it is, and the rotation direction flag is reset to "0" in order to perform the bin operation for performing the sorting operation, that is, the reverse rotation of the floating cam motor (not shown). . If NO the following steps (S143) ~ (S147) to move the bottle (60) to the bottom bin position (X _1). That is, the motor of the floating cam (50) is normally rotated in step (S143), and the sorter weight is applied in step (S144). The sorter weight means that the copy operation is prohibited so that the sheet is not sent to the sorter unit (41) while the bin (60) is moving. Then, after confirming that the bottom bin detection switch (SW1) is turned on in step (S145), the motor of the floating cam (50) is turned off in step (S146), and the sortaway is released in step (S147). In S148), the floating cam rotation direction flag is reset to "0", and the subsequent rotation direction of the floating cam (50) is reversed.

On the other hand, when the finish mode is not selected, the presence or absence of the sheet in the bin (60) is checked by turning the sensor (Se5) on and off in the step (S149), and if there is no sheet, the top is determined in the step (S150). Whether the bin detection switch (SW2) is on, that is, whether the bin (60) is located at the top bin position (X ₂ ), which is the home position in non-finish mode, and whether sheet distribution in non-finish mode is possible To determine. Therefore, if YES, the process proceeds to step (S156) as it is, and the floating cam rotation direction flag is set to "1" to allow the normal rotation of the floating cam (50). If NO the following steps (S151) ~ running (S155) to move the bottle (60) the top bin position (X _2). That is, the motor of the floating cam (50) is reversed in step (S151), the sorter weight is applied in step (S152), and it is confirmed that the top bin detection switch (SW2) is turned on in step (S153). At (S154), the motor of the floating cam (50) is turned off. Subsequently, the sorter weight is released in step (S155), and step (S156)
The floating cam rotation direction flag is reset to "1" by and the rotation direction of the floating cam (50) is set to the forward rotation.

In the steps (S141) and (S149), the bin (60)
If it is determined that there is a sheet inside, step (S157),
In (S160), it is determined whether or not the number of copies is "0". If it is "0", the warning flag (F11) is set to "1" in steps (S158) and (S161) to display the copy removal display. led
Prepare to turn on (160), then step (S159), (S
162) prohibits system operation.

Next, in step (S163), it is determined whether the discharge switch (SW3) of the copying machine (1) is on edge. That is, after waiting for the sheet leading edge to reach the discharge switch (SW3), the sorter transport motor is turned on in step (S164), and it is determined in step (S165) whether the sorter discharge sensor (Se1) is off edge. That is, the discharge sensor (Se1) at the trailing edge of the sheet
When passing, it is considered that the sheets are accommodated in the bin (60), and if it is an off edge, the sorter transport motor timer is started in step (S166). Then, in step (S167), the number of sheets is incremented, and in step (S168), waiting for the sorter transport motor timer to end, step (S169).
To turn off the sorter transport motor. Then, step (S1
In 70), it is determined whether or not the sheet conveyed previously is the last sheet. If the sheet is the last sheet, the floating cam rotation direction flag is reversed in step (S171). That is, if the floating cam rotation direction flag is "0", it is set to "1", and if it is "1", it is reset to "0". If it is not the last sheet, to continue the sorting operation,
In step (S172), the floating cam rotation direction flag is checked. If it is "0", the floating cam rotor is reversed in step (S173), and if it is "1", normal rotation is turned on in step (S174). That is, the sheet is reciprocally distributed from the lower bin (60) to the upper bin (60) and from the upper bin (60) to the lower bin (60).

Next, in step (S175), it is determined whether or not the finish mode flag is "1". If it is "1", step (S1)
In step 75a), the number of sheets per bin (M) is calculated, and in step (S176) the number of sheets per bin (M) is compared with the permissible number of staples (Cb) [see step (S52)]. If the number of sheets (M) per bin is equal to or more than the allowable number of staples (Cb), in order to prevent occurrence of staple failure, a warning flag (F5) is set in step (S177).
Set to “1” to prepare for the finisher capacity over display. Further, the copy flag is reset to "0" in step (S178), it is determined in step (S179) whether or not the print switch is turned on, and step (S180)
To determine whether the ADF start switch has been turned on,
If any of them is turned on, that is, if the operator's intention to execute the copy is confirmed even if the warning is issued, the finish mode flag is reset to "0" in step (S181), and the step (S182). To reset the warning flag (F5) to "0" and step (S183)
Then, the copy flag is set to "1" to enable execution in the sort mode, and this subroutine is finished.

If the steps (S176) and (S177) are executed and the finisher capacity over warning is issued, the copy operation is terminated and the finish processing is performed,
Turn on the finish start switch [see step (S205)].

FIG. 26 shows a subroutine of copy processing executed in the step (S105).

First, in step (S190), it is determined whether or not the optical system (4) has scanned the number of copies, and if YES, the scan end flag is set to "1" in step (S191), and NO.
If so, the subroutine of the copy process processing is executed in step (S192). This subroutine is a copy machine (1)
It is a routine for executing a normal copy process according to the above, and its details are omitted.

Next, after confirming that the scan end flag is "1" in step (S193), the scan end flag is reset to "0" in step (S194), and then step (S1
In step 95), the copy flag is reset to "0", and in step (S196), other processing subroutines are executed.

FIG. 27 shows a subroutine of finish processing executed in step (S6) of the main routine.

First, in step (S200), it is determined whether or not the finish mode flag is "1", and if it is "0", the process immediately ends. If it is "1", it is determined in step (S201) whether or not the finish mode is prohibited. If it is prohibited, in step (S202), the sheet detection sensor (Se6) on the staple tray (91) is turned on, The presence or absence of the sheet is checked by determining the off state. Sheet detection sensor (Se
If 6) is turned on and it is determined that there are sheets on the tray (91), the existing sheets will be stapled together with the sheets sent on these trays (91), or the allowable number of stapled sheets will be exceeded. Warning flag (F6) in step (S203).
Is set to "1" to prepare to display a warning to remove sheets from the staple tray (91), and the finish mode is prohibited in step (S204).

On the other hand, if it is confirmed that the finish mode is not prohibited in step (S201) or there is no sheet on the tray (91) in step (S202), the warning flag (F6) is set in step (S201a). If it is "1", it is reset to "0" in step (S201b), and the prohibition of the finish mode is released in step (S201c). Next, in step (S205), it is determined whether or not the finish start switch (158) is turned on. If it is turned on, the finish processing flag is set to "1" in step (S206), the number of sheets per bin (M) is calculated in step (S207), and the step (S2
At 08), it is determined whether or not the number of sheets (M) per bin is one. That is, if the number of sheets (M) distributed and accommodated in each bin (60) is one, it is not necessary to staple the sheets. Therefore, when it is determined in step (S208) that the number of sheets per bin is one, step (S209)
The warning flag (F3) is set to "1" to prepare to display that the finish mode is not possible, and the finish mode flag is reset to "0" in step (S210) to cancel the finish mode.

If the number of sheets (M) per bin is not one, it is determined in step (S208a) whether or not the warning flag (F3) is "1". If it is "1", it is determined in step (S208b) " Reset to "0". Next, in step (S211), when the sensor (Se6) is turned on and off, the staple tray (9
1) Check the presence or absence of the upper sheet, and if there is a sheet, execute the above steps (S203) and (S204) to staple unnecessary sheets and prevent staple failure as described above, issue a warning and finish. Cancel the mode. If there is no sheet, start the process and execute the finish process. That is, a bin moving process subroutine is executed in step (S212), a sheet take-out process subroutine is executed in step (S213), and a stapling process subroutine is executed in step (S214). After these processes are completed, it is determined in step (S215) whether or not there is a sheet in the bin (60) and in step (S216) whether or not there is a sheet on the staple tray (91).
In 17), the finish processing flag is reset to "0".

In the subroutine of this finish processing, the release of the finish mode prohibition is performed in step (S20
In 2), it is detected that the sheet is removed from the staple tray (91), and in step (S201b), the warning flag (F
6) is reset to "0". Then, the restart of the finish processing may be automatically performed through the timer after the release of the finish mode prohibition, or may be performed by the switch input at the finish start.

FIG. 28 shows a subroutine of the bin moving process executed in the step (S212).

First, in step (S220), the presence or absence of a sheet in the bin (60) is determined by turning the sensor (Se5) on and off, and if there is no sheet, the process immediately ends. In reality, this situation cannot occur,
This can occur if the operator removes the sheet from the bin (60) immediately after copying is completed. If there is a sheet, step (S22
In 1), determine whether the bottom bin detection switch (SW1) is on. If not switch (SW1) is turned on, to move the floating cam (50) to the bottom bin position (X _1), is rotated forward motor floating cam (50) in step (S222), step (S223) When the off edge of the floating cam rotation detection switch is confirmed at, the motor is turned off at step (S224). Then, the step (S222), (S223), (S224) is continued until the floating cam (50) is moved to the bottom bin position (X _1).

When the floating cam (50) moves to the bottom bin position (X ₁ ), that is, when it is determined in step (S221) that the bottom bin detection switch (SW1) is turned on, the fix cam motor is reset in step (S225). Then, in step (S226), it is determined whether or not the fix cam rotation detection sensor (Se2) is on edge. If it is on edge, this means that the bin (60) at the bottom bin position (X ₁ ) has descended to the sheet take-out position (X ₃ ), and the bin counter is incremented in step (S227), and then step (S228). To turn off the fix cam motor.

Next, in step (S229), the bin counter indicates the registered number (A).
It is determined whether or not it is equal to [see step (S10)].
If the bin counter is smaller than the number (A), the process for moving the next bin (60) to the sheet take-out position (X ₃ ) is executed. That is, in step (S230), the floating cam motor is rotated in the reverse direction, and when the off edge of the floating cam rotation detection sensor is confirmed in step (S231), the floating cam motor is turned off in step (S232). This causes the next bin (60) to move to the bottom bin position (X ₁ ). This step (S230),
(S231) and (S232) are repeated until the bin counter becomes equal to the register number (A).

When the bin counter becomes equal to the number of copies (A), the stapling process is completed, and it is confirmed in step (S233) that there is no sheet in the bin (60), and then in step (S234), a bin position reset subroutine. To execute.

FIG. 29 shows a subroutine of the sheet take-out process executed in the step (S213). This subroutine executes a process of transporting a sheet from the bin (60) lowered to the sheet take-out position (X ₃ ) to the staple tray (91) via the transport means (80).

First, in step (S240), the sheet take-out position (X ₃ )
It is determined whether or not the sensor (Se5) is on / off in the bin (60) that has descended to (1), and if there is no sheet, a warning is appropriately displayed (not shown in the flow chart) and the process proceeds to step (S246). When the presence of the sheet is confirmed, the fix cam rotation detection sensor (Se2) is detected in step (S241).
Is an off edge, in other words, it is determined whether or not the fix cam (70) has started to rotate forward. If it is determined to be off edge, that is, if the fix cam (70) starts forward rotation and the bin (60) begins to descend to the sheet take-out position (X ₃ ), the pinch roller (76) is operated in step (S242).
Turn on the solenoid and start the pinch roller solenoid timer in step (S243). The sheet on the bin (60) starts to descend due to the normal rotation of the fix cam (70), and the solenoid is turned on in the bin (60), so that the sheet is ejected at the sheet ejection position (X ₃ ) by the ejection roller (75). ) And a pinch roller (76).

Then, step (S244) on whether or not Fikusukamu rotation sensor (Se2) is on edge, in other words, the bin (60) determines whether it has completed the descent to the sheet take-out position (X ₃₎ If it is determined that the sheet is on-edge, the sheet take-out motor is turned on in step (S245). The sheets are now rollers (75), (76), (81a), (81b).
It is conveyed to the staple tray (91) at f, etc.
Then, when the end of the pinch roller solenoid timer is confirmed in step (S246), the pinch roller solenoid is turned off in step (S247). This causes the pinch roller (76) to retract upward from the take-out roller (75). This is retracted from the position taken out pinch rollers (76) before the next bin (60) starts to drop from the bottom bin position (X ₁₎ (X _3), are distributed accommodated in the bin (60) Sheet This is to prevent interference with.

Next, when the sensor (Se6) of the staple tray (91) is turned on in step (S248) and it is confirmed that the sheets are stored in the tray (91), the sheet take-out motor is turned off in step (S249). Finish the subroutine.

FIG. 30 shows a staple processing subroutine executed in the step (S214).

First, in step (S251), it is determined whether the sensor (Se6) of the staple tray (91) is on edge.
This sensor (Se6) turns on when a sheet is conveyed onto the tray (91). Therefore, if it is on edge, the sheets on the tray (91) are aligned by turning on the vibration motor (93) in step (S252), and the vibration motor timer is started in step (S253). On the other hand, if it is determined in step (S251) that the sheet is not the on-edge, and if it is determined in step (S254) that the sensor (Se6) is on, that is, there is already a sheet on the tray (91), the step ( S255).

Next, when the end of the vibration motor timer is confirmed in step (S255), the vibration motor is turned off in step (S256), and the staple motor is turned on in step (S257).
When it is determined in step (S259) that the rotation detection sensor (Se4) of the staple motor is on edge,
That is, when the head (105) moves and the sheets are bound by the staple (106), the staple motor is turned off in step (S260) and the stopper solenoid is turned on in step (S262). The stopper (96) is now in the tray (9
1) Retreating from the top, the sheets slide down from the tray (91) and are stored on the stack tray (111).

Next, in step (S263), it is determined that the sensor (Se6) of the staple tray (91) is off edge, that is,
When it is determined that the sheet has been discharged to the stack tray (111), the stopper solenoid is turned off in step (S264) to return the stopper (96) to the tray (91), and this subroutine is finished.

That is, in the present embodiment, when the offline staple mode is selected in the subroutine of the offline staple processing (see FIG. 18a) [step (S300)
YES], the sensor (Se6) is turned on / off to confirm that a sheet has been inserted on the staple tray (91) [YES in step (S307)], and staple processing is executed [step (S214)]. . That is, only the stapling process can be independently executed offline. Moreover, since such an offline single stapling process is not executed unless the offline stapling switch is turned on, the stapling process is not executed even if a sheet is mistakenly inserted in the staple tray (91).

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, when the offline staple selecting means is operated, the stapling process is performed independently. Therefore, only the stapling process function is used offline, so to speak. It is possible to further diversify the functions of the finisher installed as an option.

[Brief description of drawings]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the entire copying apparatus, FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of a sorter with a finisher, is a vertical sectional view of a sorter portion, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of a portion, and FIG.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the floating cam and the fix cam,
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a floating cam, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a sheet take-out position, FIG. 9 is a plan view showing an engagement relationship between a trunnion and a fix cam, and FIG. 10 is a vertical view showing a rotation detecting portion of the fix cam. Sectional view, FIG. 11 is a plan view of the stapler, FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the stack tray, and FIGS.
14 and 15 are plan views of the operation panel, FIGS. 16 and 17 are control circuit diagrams, and FIGS. 18 to 30 are flowcharts showing the control procedure. (1) …… Copier, (40) …… Sorter with finisher, (41) …… Sorter section, (50) …… Floating cam, (60) …… Bottle, (61) …… Trunnion, (70) …
... fix cam, (90) ... staple part, (100) ...
… Stapler, (110) …… Stack part, (163) …… Offline staple mode selection key, (164) …… Offline staple mode display LED, (X ₁ ) …… Bottom bin position, (X ₂ ) …… Top Bin position,
(X ₃ ) …… Sheet removal position.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A sorter with a finisher, comprising sorting means for receiving sheets discharged from a copying machine or the like and distributing the sheets to a plurality of bins, and stapling means for binding the distributed sheets. Offline staple selection means for operating the main body of the copying machine, etc., sorting means, and staple means in cooperation with each other, and control means for independently performing staple processing when the offline staple selection means is operated. And a sorter with a finisher.