JPH09208118A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To previously prevent defective stapling by carrying out stapling only when the number of stacked paper sheets is the number suitable for stacking of all the paper sheets when a size of stacked paper sheets is different from a size of followingly discharged paper sheets. SOLUTION: It is determined whether the length of followingly discharged paper sheet is longer than that of stacked paper sheet (S703). If it is longer, it is determined whether the number of the already stacked paper sheets is larger than the specified number, for example five, or not (S706). If the number of the stacked paper sheets is smaller, copying is carried out directly, while no stapling is carried out. If the number of the stacked paper sheets is larger than the specified sheet number, a jogger fence is jogged so as to collate all the paper including the discharged paper (S707, 708). Finally, stapling is carried out after all the discharged paper sheets are collated (S709).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer and a facsimile, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having a staple processing function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, as a post-process in a copying system apparatus, a stapling process is known in which a stack of transfer-processed copy paper (hereinafter referred to as "paper") is bound by a stapler. In this stapling process,
If the size of the paper is changed during the copying process, if the paper is bound as it is, a staple jam or a staple error will occur due to misalignment.

Therefore, conventionally, when the size of the paper is changed during the copying process, the stapling process is stopped,
The staple jam is prevented by stopping the copying process.

As the above technique, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-32 is known.
The ones disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3703 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-233468 are known.

[0005]

However, if the stapling process or the copying process is stopped as described above,
There is a problem that the efficiency of copy processing is reduced.

On the other hand, as described in JP-A-62-239171, when the size of the paper is changed during copying,
A technique is also known in which the efficiency of copy processing is improved by ejecting sheets of different sizes to another sorting tray. However, if the paper is discharged to another tray, it takes a lot of time to search for a copy, so that there is an insufficient problem to improve the work efficiency. In particular, this is a problem in a copying machine having a large number of trays.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to prevent defective stapling processing and improve the efficiency of copying processing by improving the handling when the size of the paper is changed during copying processing.

[0008]

An image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus having a staple processing device for aligning discharged sheets and binding the sheets.
If the size of the next discharged paper is different from the size of the already stacked paper, the number of stacked papers matches all the papers including the next discharged paper. If the number of sheets is smaller than the possible number, the constitutional feature is to continue the copying process and the stapling process.

Particularly, the image forming apparatus according to claim 2 is
In the above image forming apparatus, the size of the sheet to be discharged next in the direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction is the same as the size of the sheet already stacked in the direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction, and the next sheet is discharged. When the size of the formed paper in the feed direction is longer than the size of the stacked paper in the feed direction, the copying process and the stapling process are continued as they are.

When the number of sheets already stacked is larger than a predetermined number, a sheet having a different size, for example, a sheet having a long size in the feeding direction is discharged (claim 2).
In the case of), the long portion protrudes from the stacked sheets and hangs down. Even if an attempt is made to mechanically align a sheet having such a hanging portion, the sheet is bent, and as a result, it becomes difficult to align all the discharged sheets. On the other hand, if the copy process is stopped and the user or the like aligns all the sheets again, the efficiency of the copy process decreases.

Therefore, even when the size of the sheet to be discharged next is different from the size of the sheet already stacked, when the number of sheets already stacked is the number which can align all the sheets. ， The copy process and the stapling process are continued. Therefore, the efficiency of copy processing is improved. Further, since the stapling process is performed only when all the sheets can be aligned, the defective stapling process can be prevented.

An image forming apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus having a staple processing device for aligning discharged sheets and binding the sheets, wherein the size of the sheet to be discharged next is already stack. If the size of the stacked paper is different and the number of stacked papers is
When the total number of sheets including the sheets to be discharged next is larger than the number of sheets that can be aligned, only the stapling process is not continued and the copy process is performed as it is.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the size of the sheet to be ejected next in a direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction is substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction of already stacked sheets. Is the same size as
And, the size of the next discharged sheet in the feeding direction is
When the size of the stacked sheets is longer than the size in the feeding direction, the stapling process is not continued, and the copying process is performed as it is.

Similarly to the above, when the number of sheets already stacked is larger than the predetermined number, it becomes difficult to align all the discharged sheets as described above, so that the stapling process is continued. I decided to stop. Therefore, defective stapling can be prevented in advance. On the other hand, we decided not to cancel the copy process, but to continue it. Therefore, the efficiency of copy processing does not decrease.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third or fourth aspect of the present invention, the number of stacked sheets is the same as the next sheet to be discharged. When the total number of included sheets is larger than the number of sheets that can be aligned, the copy process is interrupted, and the fact that the interruption is performed is displayed.

As described above, when it becomes difficult to align all the sheets as a result, the copying process may be interrupted to display the interruption. This is because if the user is informed by the display that the copy processing has been interrupted, the efficiency of the copy processing can be improved as a result by prompt action by the user.

An image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus having a staple processing device that aligns discharged sheets and binds the sheets, the angle being substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction of the sheet to be discharged next. If the size in the direction is larger than the size in the direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction of the already stacked paper, a jogger fence for performing the alignment in the substantially perpendicular direction is installed in the direction substantially perpendicular to the paper discharged next. The feature of the configuration is that it is expanded according to the size, the stapling process is not continued, and the copy process is performed as it is.

As described above, if the jogger fence is expanded in accordance with the size of the next sheet to be ejected in a substantially right-angled direction and the sheets are temporarily stacked, jamming or the like during sheet conveyance can be prevented. As a result, copy processing becomes efficient.

If the size of the sheet to be ejected next in the direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction is larger than the size of the sheet already stacked in the direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction, the sheet is pushed out and all the sheets are ejected. Since it is no longer possible to align the sheets, it was decided to stop the stapling process. Therefore, defective stapling can be prevented in advance. On the other hand, since the copy process is performed as it is, the efficiency of the copy process does not decrease.

An image forming apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus having a staple processing device for aligning discharged sheets and binding the sheets, the angle being substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction of the sheet to be discharged next. When the size in the direction is smaller than the size in the direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction of the already stacked sheets, the jogger fence that performs the alignment in the substantially perpendicular direction is not moved, and only the stapling process is not continued and the copy process is performed. Is characterized in that it is performed as it is.

As described above, when the size of the sheet to be ejected next in the direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction is smaller than the size of the sheet already stacked in the direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction, the jogger fence is It cannot be moved so as to be smaller than the size of the sheet because of being blocked by the already stacked sheets. In this case, all the sheets cannot be aligned as a result, so the continuation of the stapling process is stopped. Therefore, defective stapling can be prevented in advance. On the other hand, since the copy process is performed as it is, the efficiency of the copy process does not decrease.

An image forming apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the image forming apparatus, all the sheets are discharged to the same sheet discharging means regardless of whether or not the sheets have been stapled. It is what

That is, even if the stapling process is not performed because the paper sizes are different, the papers having the different sizes are not discharged to the separate paper discharging means (for example, the discharge tray), so that the trouble of searching for the papers is required. I can omit it. Therefore, the efficiency of copy processing is improved.

[0024]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to these examples.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a copying system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The copying system 100 includes a copying machine 110 for copying a document and a copying machine 110.
The post-processing device 120 performs post-processing such as stapling on the copy conveyed from the printer. 121 is
It is a sheet entrance for discharging the copy-processed transfer sheet (hereinafter referred to as “sheet”) from the copying machine 110 side and conveying the sheet to the post-processing apparatus 120 side.

The post-processing device 120 includes the stapling device 1
1 is provided inside and a discharge tray 12 is provided outside.

The stapling device 11 is provided below the staple tray 21. Further, the staple tray 21 is provided with a jogger fence 9 and a return roller 5 for aligning the sheets. Furthermore,
A discharge belt 10 for discharging the bundle of sheets bound by the stapling device 11 is provided behind the jogger fence 9.

The discharge tray 12 can be moved vertically and horizontally by a vertical motor 51 (see FIG. 6) and a shift motor 52 (see FIG. 6) which will be described later.

Further, the post-processing device 120 is provided with a paper ejection sensor 36, an entrance roller 1, and a branching claw 8 in this order from the paper ejection conveyance path entrance 121 side. The branch claw 8 separates the paper sheet going toward the paper discharge tray 12 and the paper sheet going toward the stapling device 11.

A conveying path 11 in the direction of the stapling device 11
A lower conveyance motor 4, a paper discharge sensor 37, and a paper feed roller (brush roller) 6 are arranged at a. The lower transport roller 4 is driven by a transport motor 54 (see FIG. 6) described later.

On the other hand, the transport path 1 in the direction of the discharge tray 12
An upper conveying roller 2, a paper discharge sensor 38, a discharge roller 3, a shift roller 7, a paper surface lever 13 and a paper surface sensor 33 are arranged at 2a.

Next, the jogger fence 9 and the stapling device 11 will be described with reference to FIG. The jogger fence 9 is driven by a jogger motor 26 via a jogger belt 49. Further, the return roller 5 is vibrated by a pendulum by the solenoid 30.

As shown in FIG. 3 (FIG. 1), below the jogger fence 9, a trailing edge fence 19 for attaching sheets is provided.

Further, the paper discharge sensor 37 detects the trailing edge of the paper. When the paper discharge sensor 37 detects the trailing edge of the paper, the solenoid 30 causes the return roller 5 to vibrate pendulum to align the paper. The paper discharge sensor 37
Are arranged outside the operating range of the return roller 5.

As shown in FIG. 4, the stapling apparatus 1
1 is laterally moved by being driven by a stapler moving motor 27 via a staple belt 50.

FIG. 5 is a circuit configuration diagram showing the circuit configuration of the copying system 100. The signals from the switches and various sensors (e.g., paper ejection sensor 36) arranged on the control panel (not shown) of the copying system body are I
It is input to the CPU 70 via the / O interface 60.

The CPU 70 has a vertical motor 51, a shift motor 52, a branch solenoid 53, a solenoid 30, a conveyance motor 54, and a paper discharge motor 5 according to the input signal.
5, the staple motor 56, the ejection motor 57, the jogger motor 26, and the stapler moving motor 27 are driven.
The pulse signal of the carry motor 54 is input to the CPU 70 and counted, and the solenoid 3 is responsive to the count.
0 is controlled.

The matching control means (not shown) is the CPU 7
0, an operation program for moving the CPU 70.

Next, the operation when the stapling process is not performed will be described. When the stapling process is not performed, the non-staple mode is selected on the control panel.

In this case, the paper carried in from the paper entrance 121 is the entrance roller 1, the upper carrying roller 2,
The paper is conveyed by the discharge rollers 3 and discharged to the paper discharge tray 12. Subsequently, the ejected sheets are vertically aligned by the shifting roller 7 and stacked on the sheet ejection tray 12. Here, when the paper discharge sensor 38 detects the trailing edge of the paper, the shifting roller 7 decelerates in order to improve the stackability of the paper.

When the paper is sequentially discharged, the paper surface sensor 33 which is interlocked with the paper surface lever 13 detects this and moves the discharge tray 12 downward. As a result, the paper can be properly ejected. Further, in the sort and stack modes, the discharge tray 12 is shifted by a partition signal from the control panel, and sorting is performed until the end of the job.

When the job is completed, the discharge tray 12
Will fall about 30 mm.

Next, the operation when performing the stapling process will be described. When performing the stapling process, the staple mode is selected on the control panel.

When the staple mode is selected, the jogger fence 9 moves from the home position and stands by at a position 7 mm away from one side of the paper width.

Subsequently, the paper carried in from the paper entrance 121 is carried by the lower carrying roller 4 (driven by the carrying motor 54). When the trailing edge of the sheet passes the sheet ejection sensor 37, the jogger fence 9
Performs jogging (reciprocating movement in the direction of the arrow) 5 mm inward from the standby position.

Further, the paper discharge sensor 37 detects the passage of the rear end of the paper and sends the signal to the CPU 70. Subsequently, the CPU 70 counts the transmission pulse from the carry motor 54 from the time when the signal is received, and turns on the solenoid 30 after transmitting a predetermined pulse. Solenoid 3
When 0 is turned on, the return roller 5 starts oscillating the pendulum and strikes the discharged sheet to return the sheet downward. As a result, the paper is abutted against the trailing edge fence 19, and the paper is aligned in the vertical direction. The number of sheets stacked on the staple tray 21 is counted when the sheets pass through the entrance sensor 36 (or the sheet ejection sensor 37).

Next, when the solenoid 30 is turned off and a predetermined time has passed, the jogger fence 9 moves inward by 2 mm and temporarily stops. As a result, the lateral alignment of the sheets is performed.

After that, the jogger fence 9 returns to the outside by 7 mm and waits for the next sheet. Then, the above operation is repeated until the last sheet of paper is ejected. On the last sheet of paper, jog again for 7 mm to hold both edges of the sheet.

Then, when all the sheets are gathered, the stapling device 11 performs a binding process. At this time, if plural bindings are designated, the stapling apparatus 11 is moved to an appropriate position after the binding processing at one location is completed, and the binding processing at the second location is performed.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the stapling process is completed, the ejection motor 57 drives the ejection belt 10. The release belt 10 is provided with a release claw 10a for hooking a bundle of sheets.

When the discharging belt 10 is driven, the discharging claw 10a hooks and lifts the sheet bundle. At this time,
The discharge roller 3 is also driven, and the discharge roller 3 receives the lifted sheet bundle and discharges the sheet bundle to the sheet discharge tray 12.

Next, when the discharge claw 10a makes one round and is detected by the discharge belt home sensor 39, the discharge belt 10a
Stops driving.

Further, the jogger fence 9 retreats 2 mm after a predetermined pulse and releases the restraint of the paper. The predetermined pulse is set during the time when the ejection claw 10a collides with the rear end of the sheet bundle and the front end of the jogger fence 9 is removed. In addition,
The jogger fence 9 operates differently depending on the size and the number of bound sheets. For example, when the number of sheets to be bound is smaller than the set number, or when the size of the sheets is smaller than the set size, the rear end of the sheet bundle is hooked and lifted by the ejection claw 10a while the sheet bundle is held by the jogger fence 9. .

If the number of sheets of paper to be bound is larger than the set number, or if the size of the paper is larger than the set size, the jogger fence 9 is retracted by 2 mm in advance for ejection.

Next, when the bundle of sheets passes through the jogger fence 9, the jogger fence 9 moves further 5 mm to the outside and returns to the standby position to prepare for the next sheet. It is also possible to adjust the restraint force of the sheet by adjusting the distance of the jogger fence 9 to the sheet. Then, the series of operations described above is repeated until the last job.

Next, the case where the size of the already stacked paper and the size of the paper to be discharged next are different will be described.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operation up to stapling of all sheets.

In step S701, it is determined whether or not the size of the next discharged paper is the same as the size of the already stacked paper. If not, step S7
Go to 02. If they are the same, the process proceeds to step S707.

In step S702, it is determined whether or not the width of the next discharged paper is the same as the width of the already stacked paper. If the widths are the same, step S70
If not, go to step S704.

In step S703, it is determined whether or not the length of the next discharged sheet is longer than the size and the length of the sheets already stacked. If it is longer, the process proceeds to step S705. If it is short, the process proceeds to step S707.

In step S704, it is determined whether or not the width of the next discharged paper is larger than the width of the already stacked paper. If the width is large, step S70
Go to 5. If the width is small, continue stacking the discharged paper. However, in such a case, the copying process is continued, but the stapling process is stopped to prevent a defective stapling process. In addition, jogger fence 9
Is not moved. This is because even if the jogger fence 9 is moved according to the paper having a small width, it is blocked by the already stacked paper.

In step S705, the jogger fence 9 is moved to the outside in accordance with the width of the ejected paper to surely stack the paper. This can prevent staple jams and the like. Also, in such a case,
Copy processing is performed, but staple processing is not performed. This is because when the width of the paper is large, it becomes difficult to align all the paper and the stapling process becomes defective.

In step S706, it is determined whether or not the number of sheets already stacked is more than a predetermined number, for example, five sheets. If the number is small, the process proceeds to step S707. If the number is large, the copy process is performed as it is, but the stapling process is not performed. This is because, when the number of stacked sheets is more than the predetermined number (five), the part of the ejected sheets that protrudes from the stacked sheets hangs down, and it becomes difficult for the return roller 5 to align the sheets.

In step S707, all the sheets including the ejected sheet are aligned. Matching is performed by jogging the jogger fence 9 as described above.

In step S708, the above step S7 is performed.
The processes from 01 to S707 are sequentially performed on all the discharged sheets.

In step S709, the above-mentioned stapling process is carried out (excluding the case where the above-mentioned stapling process is not carried out) when all the ejected sheets have been aligned.

As described above, in the copying system 100 of the present invention, when the size of the already stacked paper and the size of the paper to be ejected next are different, the number of the stacked papers is the stack of all the papers. The stapling process is performed only when the number of sheets is appropriate (only when the number of sheets is sufficient for all sheets to be aligned). For this reason, the sheets can be sufficiently aligned, and defective staple processing such as staple jam can be prevented.

Furthermore, the width of the next discharged paper is the same as the width of the already stacked paper, and
Even if the length of the next ejected sheet is longer than the length of the already stacked sheets, the copying process and the stapling process are continued without interrupting the copying process, so that the efficiency of the copying process is improved. Become.

On the other hand, when the width of the next discharged paper is larger than the width of the already stacked paper, the jogger fence 9 is expanded according to the width of the paper so that the paper can be smoothly stacked. I chose For this reason, a jam does not occur during the conveyance of the sheet and the copy process can be continued, so that the efficiency of the copy process does not decrease. In such a case, the stapling process is not performed because the alignment of all sheets cannot be performed. Further, even if the paper size changes during the copying process, another paper output tray 12
Since the sheets are discharged to the same discharge tray 12 without being discharged to the first sheet, the problem of not knowing where the copy is can be solved.

[0070]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention (claims 1 to 4), the size of the paper to be discharged next is different from the size of the paper already stacked. In the case (especially, the size in the direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction is the same and the size in the feeding direction is long), and the number of stacked sheets is less than the number that can align all sheets, copy as it is. The processing and stapling processing are continued. Therefore, the efficiency of copy processing is improved. Further, since the stapling process is performed only when all the sheets can be aligned, the defective stapling process can be prevented.

An image forming apparatus of the present invention (claim 5)
According to the above, when the number of stacked sheets is larger than the number of sheets that can be aligned with all sheets, the copy process is interrupted and the interruption is displayed. By notifying the user that the copy process has been interrupted by such a display, the efficiency of the copy process can be improved by the user's prompt action.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention (Claim 6), the jogger fence is expanded in accordance with the size of the sheet to be discharged next in a substantially right angle direction, and the sheet is temporarily stacked. I did it. For this reason, no jam occurs during transportation. Further, when the large-size paper in the substantially right-angled direction is ejected, the paper protrudes and all the papers cannot be aligned. Therefore, the continuation of the stapling process is stopped. Therefore, defective stapling can be prevented in advance. On the other hand, since the copy process continues as it is, the efficiency of the copy process does not decrease.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention (Claim 7), when the size in the substantially right angle direction is small contrary to the above (Claim 6), all the sheets cannot be aligned by the jogger fence. Stopped the stapling process. Therefore, defective stapling can be prevented. On the other hand, since the copy process continues as it is, the efficiency of the copy process does not decrease.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention (Claim 8), even when the stapling process is not performed because the size of the paper is different as described above, the paper of different size is ejected by a separate paper ejecting means (for example, Do not discharge to the discharge tray)
The sheets are discharged to the same sheet discharging means. Therefore, the trouble of searching for the paper is saved, and the efficiency of copy processing is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a copying system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a structure of a jogger fence or the like.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a structure of a rear end fence or the like.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the stapling apparatus.

5 is a circuit configuration diagram showing a circuit configuration of the copying system of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for discharging a bundle of sheets.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation until stapling processing is performed on all sheets.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 Copying System 110 Copying Machine 120 Post-Processing Device 121 Paper Entrance 1 Inlet Roller 2 Upper Conveying Roller 3 Ejecting Roller 4 Lower Conveying Motor 5 Returning Roller 6 Paper Feeding Roller 7 Moving Roller 8 Branching Claw 9 Jogger Fence 10 Discharging Belt 11 Staple Device 11a Conveyance path 12 Paper ejection tray 12a Conveyance path 13 Paper surface lever 19 Rear end fence 21 Staple tray 26 Jogger motor 27 Stapler movement motor 30 Solenoid 33 Paper surface sensor 36 Paper ejection sensor 37 Paper ejection sensor 38 Paper ejection sensor 49 Jogger belt 50 Staple belt 51 Vertical motor 51 52 Shift motor 53 Branch solenoid 54 Conveyor motor 55 Paper discharge motor 56 Staple motor 57 Ejection motor 60 I / O interface 70 CPU

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. In an image forming apparatus having a staple processing device for aligning discharged sheets and binding the sheets, the size of the sheet to be discharged next is different from the size of the sheets already stacked. In this case, when the number of stacked sheets is smaller than the number of sheets that can align all sheets including the sheet to be discharged next, the copying process and the stapling process are continued. Image forming apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a size of a sheet to be ejected next in a direction substantially perpendicular to a feeding direction is a size of a sheet already stacked in a direction substantially perpendicular to a feeding direction. When the size of the sheets to be discharged next is the same in the feed direction and is the same as the size of the stacked sheets in the feed direction, the copying process and the stapling process are continued as they are. Image forming apparatus. 3. In an image forming apparatus having a staple processing device for aligning discharged sheets and binding the sheets, the size of the sheet to be discharged next is different from the size of already stacked sheets. In this case, when the number of stacked sheets is larger than the number of sheets that can align all sheets including the sheet to be discharged next, the stapling process is not continued and the copy process is performed as it is. An image forming apparatus characterized by the above. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a size of a sheet to be ejected next in a direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction is a size of a sheet already stacked in a direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction. If the size of the sheet to be ejected next in the feed direction is longer than the size of the stacked sheets in the feed direction, the stapling process is not continued and the copy process is performed as it is. A characteristic image forming apparatus. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the number of stacked sheets is larger than the total number of sheets including all the sheets to be discharged next. In this case, the image forming apparatus is characterized in that the copying process is interrupted and that the interruption is displayed. 6. An image forming apparatus having a staple processing device for aligning discharged paper sheets and binding the paper sheets, wherein a size of a paper sheet to be discharged next is approximately stacked in a direction substantially perpendicular to a feeding direction. If the size of the paper is larger than the size of the paper in the direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction, the jogger fence for aligning the paper in the direction of the perpendicular is expanded according to the size of the paper discharged next to the paper in the direction of the perpendicular, and staple processing is performed. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the copying process is performed as it is without continuing the above. 7. In an image forming apparatus having a staple processing device for aligning discharged sheets and binding the sheets, a size of a sheet to be discharged next in a direction substantially perpendicular to a feeding direction is already stacked. If the size of the paper is smaller than the size of the paper in the direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction, the jogger fence for performing the alignment in the direction substantially perpendicular is not moved, only the stapling process is not continued, and the copy process is performed as it is. Image forming apparatus. 8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 6 and 7, irrespective of whether or not the sheet has been stapled.
An image forming apparatus that discharges all sheets to the same sheet discharge unit.