JPH10236719A - Sheet processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately detect height of the uppermost part regardless of loading form, prevent a sheet bundle from collapsing, and effectively utilize the receiving capacity of a receiving part, by bringing an uppermost part height detecting means of a sheet bundle loaded/received in a receiving means into contact with the uppermost part of the sheet bundle, so as to detect the height. SOLUTION: In a carry means 4, a toothcomb tray 44 receives a bookbinding sheet bundle Sc from a gripper and moves on the receiving stacker 51 of a receiving part 5. The bookbinding sheet bundle Sc on the toothcomb tray 44 is brought down in the receiving stacker 51, and received by moving the toothcomb tray 44 in the direction separating from the receiving stacker 51. Detecting means 61, 62 detecting height of the uppermost part of the bookbinding sheet bundle Sc already loaded and received in the receiving part 5 are arranged on the underside of the toothcomb tray 44. The detecting means 61, 62 are contacted with the uppermost part of the bookbinding sheet bundle Sc so as to detect the height. Without being influenced from the sorts of the sheets, or difference of loading form of the sheet bundle Sc due to processes such as binding or folding, height of the uppermost part is detected correctly and surely, and the receiving capacity of the receiving part is effectively utilized at maximum.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus which conveys a sheet bundle on which predetermined processing such as binding has been performed, and stacks and stores the sheet bundle in a storage means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a sheet processing apparatus that conveys a sheet bundle subjected to predetermined processing such as binding and stacks and stores the sheet bundle in a storage unit, a storage unit such as a tray for stacking and storing the sheet bundle is arranged in a stacking direction. As shown in FIG. 17, the conveying unit 101 that receives the sheet bundle moves in the stacking direction of the sheet bundle and in a direction orthogonal thereto, and conveys the sheet bundle. Some of the parts 102 are loaded and stored.

In the latter apparatus, as means for detecting the height of the uppermost portion of the sheet bundle already stacked and stored in the fixed storage section 102, there is a means for detecting the height of the upper part of the fixed storage section 102 as shown in FIG. There is proposed a sensor which is detected by a distance measuring sensor 100 attached to the camera, or a sensor which is calculated by software based on the number of sheets of the sheet bundle.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional sheet processing apparatus, when a sheet bundle that has been subjected to predetermined processing such as binding is stacked and stored in a storage unit, for example, as shown in FIG. The binding portion side of the sheet bundle Sc bound with the binding staples gradually rises (upward to the right).
A phenomenon occurs or the Z-folded portion side (non-binding portion side) of the sheet bundle Sc including the sheet folded in a Z shape (hereinafter referred to as “Z-folding”) as shown in FIG. Rise) phenomenon occurred.

For this reason, in the devices shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, since a reflection type sensor is generally used as the distance measuring sensor 100, the distance measuring sensor 100 malfunctions due to the swelling of the sheet bundle Sc. As a result, the height of the uppermost portion of the sheet bundle already stacked and stored in the fixed storage portion 102 may not be accurately recognized and may be erroneously detected. Further, in an apparatus for calculating the height of the uppermost portion of the stacked sheet bundle based on the number of sheets, the same control is performed irrespective of the type of paper (thick paper, thin paper, etc.) used. The calculation must be performed in accordance with the type of paper in which the inclination and height of the sheet bundle are the largest according to the number of sheets, and therefore the accuracy is limited, and it is difficult to effectively utilize the storage capacity of the storage unit. There was a problem.

Further, in the above conventional example, the sheet bundle S
c is dropped by the transport unit 101 into the storage unit 102,
At this time, if the drop height is higher than a predetermined height due to the erroneous detection, there is a problem that the attitude of the spine portion of the sheet bundle collapses, and thus the detection accuracy of the height of the uppermost portion of the stacked sheet bundle is increased. Becomes important from the viewpoint of bookbinding quality.

Further, in the conventional apparatus, a plurality of jobs, such as creating five sheet bundles of 50 sheets and further creating 10 sheet bundles of 15 sheets, can be processed continuously. Although required, when stacking and storing the sheet bundles of the two or more types of continuous jobs in the same storage unit, the magnitude of the inclination of the sheet bundle stacked and stored in the storage unit changes. After the job has been completed, the user must empty the contents of the storage unit and then stack the sheet bundle of the next job.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to prevent the collapse of the stacked sheet bundle by detecting the height of the uppermost portion of the stacked sheet bundle with high accuracy regardless of the form of stacking the sheet bundle. It is to make the most of the storage capacity of the storage unit.

[0009]

A typical configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object is a conveying means for conveying a sheet bundle on which predetermined processing such as binding has been performed, and a sheet fed by the conveying means. Storage means for stacking and storing the stacked sheet bundles, and detection means for detecting the height of the uppermost portion of the sheet bundle already stacked and stored in the storage means, wherein the detection means is provided in the storage means. It is a contact-type detecting means for detecting the height by contacting the uppermost portion of a sheet bundle already stacked and stored.

According to the above arrangement, the detecting means for detecting the height of the uppermost portion of the sheet bundle already stacked and stored in the storing means directly contacts the uppermost portion of the stacked sheet bundle and detects the height. Since it is a contact-type detection unit, the height of the top of the stacking sheet bundle of the storage unit can be accurately and accurately determined without being affected by differences in the stacking state of the sheet bundle due to sheet types, binding, folding, and the like. The detection can be performed reliably, whereby the storage capacity of the storage means can be effectively utilized to the maximum.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a sheet processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] A sheet processing apparatus according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a bookbinding apparatus is exemplified as the sheet processing apparatus. FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a bookbinding apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a sheet conveying section for conveying a sheet S. The sheet transport section 1 includes a carry-in port 1a for carrying in the sheet S and a discharge port 1b for discharging the sheet S.
A pair of carry-in rollers 1c, a plurality of pairs of carry rollers 1d, and a pair of carry-out rollers 1e are provided from the upstream side along the sheet conveying path 1g. Further, a flapper 1f for selectively guiding the sheet S to the sheet conveying path 1g or the sheet conveying path 1h is provided near the downstream of the carry-in roller pair 1c.

A sheet aligning unit 2 stacks and aligns the sheets S. The sheet aligning section 2 includes an upper entrance guide 2a for guiding the upper surface of the sheet S at the entrance, a lower entrance guide 2b for guiding the lower surface of the sheet S at the entrance, a tray 2c for storing the sheet S, and a leading end of the sheet S. Stopper 2 to hit
d, a propeller 2e made of an elastic body that sweeps the sheet S toward the stopper 2d, an alignment fence 2f that aligns a side parallel to the sheet S transport direction, and the heater unit 3 while nipping the bundle of aligned sheets S. It is constituted by a gripper 2g to be conveyed.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a tape reel unit having a tape for binding the alignment sheet bundle. The tape sent out from the tape reel unit 6 is cut into a predetermined length (length of a sheet bundle) by a cutter (not shown).
It is supplied to the heater section 3. And this heater part 3
Then, the tape is heated and fixed to the alignment sheet bundle, and the alignment sheet bundle is bound. The tape reel unit 6 and the heater unit 3 constitute a sheet bundle binding unit.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a conveying means which receives the bound booklet sheet bundle bound as described above, conveys the bound booklet sheet bundle, and stacks and stores it in the storage section 5 as a storage means. The transport unit 4 is a transport unit that receives the bookbinding sheet bundle, and moves in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the sheet bundle and the stacking direction of the sheet bundle to transport the sheet bundle.

Next, the details of the conveying means 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the bookbinding apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of a conveying unit in the bookbinding apparatus.

In FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, reference numeral 41 denotes a frame which forms the skeleton of the conveying means 4, and a timing belt 42 is connected to the frame 41. The timing belt 42 is stretched around a timing pulley 43 and a driven pulley 43a, and is driven by a lifting / lowering motor M ₁ (see FIG. 4) such as a stepping motor connected to the timing belt 43, and 2, the sheet moves up and down in the direction of arrow A (the direction in which the sheet bundle is stacked). The four timing pulleys 43 are driven synchronously by a lifting motor, and the four timing belts 42 operate synchronously.
As shown in FIG. 3, the four timing belts 42
It is fixed to a timing belt fixing portion 41a protruding from the frame 41. Accordingly, the frame 41 moves up and down in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2 (the stacking direction of the sheet bundle) as the timing belt 42 operates.

Reference numeral 44 denotes a comb tray, which is movable with respect to the frame 41 in a direction indicated by an arrow B in FIG. 2 (a direction orthogonal to the sheet stacking direction). That is, the comb tray
The reference numeral 44 is sandwiched between the driven roller 45 and the driving roller 45a and between the driven roller 48 and the driven roller 47, and moves in the horizontal direction in FIG. The drive roller 45a is formed on a through shaft 45b, and is a drive motor M ₂ such as a stepping motor.
The driving force (see FIG. 4) is transmitted via the pulleys 50a and 45c and the timing belt 50c and is driven to rotate.

[0020] The conveying means 4, the comb teeth tray 44 receives the bookbinding sheet bundle from the gripper 2g, comb teeth tray 44 by driving the drive motor M ₂ is moved onto the stacker 51 of the storage section 5. Then, the conveying means 4 is lowered by the drive of the lifting motor M ₁ , and the bookbinding sheet bundle on the comb-tooth tray 44 is lowered in the storage stacker 51. And
Comb teeth tray 44 is moved away from the stacker 51 by the drive of the drive motor M _2, the bookbinding sheet bundle on the comb teeth tray 44 is housed in the stacker 51.

On the lower surface of the comb tray 44, detecting means 61 and 62 for detecting the height of the uppermost portion of the bundle of bookbinding sheets already stacked and stored in the storage section 5 are arranged.
The detecting means 61 and 62 are contact-type detecting means for detecting the height of the bookbinding sheet bundle already loaded and stored in the storage section 5 by contacting the uppermost part thereof. It is constituted by sensors 61b and 62b.

Then, as shown in FIG.
Based on the detection signals of 61 and 62, the control means 63
₁ and controls the driving of the drive motor M _2, which is to continue or discontinue receiving the bookbinding sheet bundle to the housing unit 5.

Next, the operation of the conveying means 4 for storing the bookbinding sheet bundle in the storage section 5 will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the transfer means 4 is provided with a receiving means as shown in FIG.
At the cutting position (initial position), the comb tray 44
The bundle of sheets Sc bound as described above is taken from the gripper 2g.
receive. Then, the bookbinding sheet bundle Sc is received.
Comb tray 44 is driven by drive motor M _TwoDrive driven by
As shown in FIG. 6, the storage roller 5 side (FIG.
It is moved a predetermined amount in the middle left direction).

Next, the transfer means 4 is provided with a lifting motor M ₁
7 descends in accordance with the operation of the timing belt 42 driven by. At this time, when the uppermost part of the bookbinding sheet bundle Sc already stored and stored in the storage stacker 51 of the storage part 5 is inclined upward to the right as shown in FIGS. The actuator 61 contacts the uppermost portion of the bookbinding sheet bundle Sc.
a rotates to a position 61c shown in FIG.

By detecting the movement of the actuator 61a by the photo sensor 61b, the height ST1 of the uppermost portion of the bookbinding sheet bundle Sc already stored and stored in the storage stacker 51 of the storage section 5 is detected (FIG. 7).

When the contact type detecting means 61 detects the height of the uppermost portion of the bookbinding sheet bundle Sc already stored and stored in the storage stacker 51, the control means 63 moves the conveying means 4 in the direction of arrow A. driving the lifting motor M ₁ for vertically moving is stopped. At this time, the height of the comb-tooth tray 44 (the distance a between the bookbinding sheet bundle Sc already stacked and stored in the storage unit 5 and the upper surface of the comb-tooth tray 44) is equal to the bookbinding sheet bundle Sc to be newly loaded. The height is set so that the stacked sheet bundle does not collapse even if it is dropped on the bookbinding sheet bundle Sc already stacked in the storage stacker 51. In the present embodiment, the distance a is set to about 20 mm.

[0028] Then, the comb teeth tray 44, a driving roller which is driven in reverse by the driving motor M ₂ as shown in FIG. 8
The bookbinding sheet bundle S is moved rightward in FIG.
c is dropped into the storage stacker 51 of the storage unit 5. At this time, the moving speed of the comb tray 44 needs to be about 100 mm / sec or more, and in this embodiment, it is about 300 mm / sec.
The speed is set to about c. FIG. 9 shows a state in which the comb tooth tray 44 is completely returned into the frame 41 and the bookbinding sheet bundle Sc is completely stored in the storage stacker 51 of the storage unit 5.

Thereafter, the transport means 4 is moved by the lifting motor M
_The belt is moved upward by a timing belt 42 driven by ₁ to return from the position shown in FIG. 9 to the receiving position (initial position) shown in FIG. 10, thereby completing one cycle of storing the booklet sheet bundle. And prepare for the next cycle.

Next, the operation of the conveying means 4 when the Z-folded sheet is included in the bookbinding sheet bundle Sc will be described with reference to FIGS.
Explanation will be given along 16. In this case, since the Z-folding unit side gradually rises to the left, the state of the bookbinding sheet bundle Sc stacked and stored in the storage unit 5 is as shown in each drawing.

[0031] First, in the receiving position shown in FIG. 11, the comb teeth tray 44 that has received the bookbinding sheet bundle Sc from the gripper. 2g, the storage section 5 as shown in FIG. 12 by the drive roller 45a which is rotated by a driving motor M ₂ Move a predetermined amount to the side (left direction in the figure).

Next, the transfer means 4 is provided with a lifting motor M ₁
And descends with the operation of the timing belt 42 driven by. At this time, the leading end of the actuator 62a comes into contact with the uppermost portion of the sheet bundle Sc already stacked in the storage section 5, and the actuator 62a rotates to the position 62c shown in FIG.

By detecting the movement of the actuator 62a by the photo sensor 62b, the height ST2 of the uppermost portion of the bookbinding sheet bundle Sc already stored in the storage stacker 51 of the storage section 5 is detected (FIG. 13).

When the contact type detecting means 62 detects the uppermost part of the bookbinding sheet bundle Sc already stored and stored in the storage stacker 51, the control means 63 moves the conveying means 4 up and down in the direction of arrow A. driving the lifting motor M ₁ is stopped.

[0035] Then, the comb teeth tray 44, a driving roller which is driven in reverse by the driving motor M ₂ as shown in FIG. 14
The bookbinding sheet bundle S is moved rightward in FIG.
c is dropped into the storage stacker 51 of the storage unit 5. Fig. 15
The figure shows a state in which the comb tooth tray 44 is completely returned into the frame 41, and the bookbinding sheet bundle Sc is completely stored in the storage stacker 51 of the storage unit 5.

Thereafter, the transport means 4 is provided with a lifting motor M
₁ is moved upward in the figure by the timing belt 42 driven by ₁ and returns from the position shown in FIG. 15 to the receiving position (initial position) shown in FIG. 16, thereby completing one cycle of storing the booklet sheet bundle. And prepare for the next cycle.

When the above-described series of operations are repeatedly performed, the height of the uppermost portion of the stacked sheet bundle detected by the contact type detecting means 61 and 62 is a predetermined height at which the stacking sheet bundle can be stacked and stored. When the uppermost height of the stacked sheet bundle is reached, it is determined that the storage unit 5 is full, and storage of the sheet bundle in the storage unit 5 is stopped.

As described above, the detecting means 61 for detecting the height of the uppermost portion of the sheet bundle already stacked and stored in the storage section 5,
62 is a contact-type detection unit that directly contacts the uppermost portion of the stacked sheet bundle and detects the height of the stacked sheet bundle. Therefore, the type (thickness and size) of the sheet and the stacking of the sheet bundle by processing such as binding and folding are performed. It is possible to accurately and reliably detect the height of the uppermost portion of the stack of stacked sheets in the storage unit 5 without being affected by the difference in form, thereby maximizing the storage capacity of the storage unit 5 effectively. Can be.

[Other Embodiments] In the above-described embodiment,
As a sheet processing apparatus, a bookbinding apparatus that binds an aligned sheet bundle with a tape to create a bookbinding sheet bundle has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The same effect can be obtained even if the present invention is applied to a stapling apparatus that binds a sheet bundle.

In the above-described embodiment, the contact-type detecting means is exemplified by an actuator and a photo sensor. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a similar effect can be obtained by using a microswitch. be able to.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the detection point of the uppermost height of the stacked sheet bundle, that is, the actuator
The horizontal positions of 61a and 62a are represented by H1 = 15 in FIG.
mm, H2 = 185 mm, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the location and number of the contact-type detecting means are as follows.
Adjustment is possible according to the type of stacking of the sheet bundle according to the type (size, etc.) of the sheet.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the detecting means for detecting the height of the uppermost part of the sheet bundle already stacked and stored in the storing means is a contact type detecting means for directly contacting the uppermost part of the stacked sheet bundle and detecting the height, It is possible to accurately and reliably detect the height of the uppermost portion of the stacked sheet bundle of the storage unit without being affected by the difference in the type of stacking of the sheet bundle due to processing such as sheet type, binding, and folding. Thereby, the storage capacity of the storage means can be effectively used to the maximum.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a bookbinding apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part of the bookbinding apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a lifting and lowering means of transport in the bookbinding apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a flow of an operation in which a sheet bundle is conveyed and stacked and stored in a storage unit.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a flow of an operation in which a sheet bundle is conveyed and stacked and stored in a storage unit.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a flow of an operation in which a sheet bundle is conveyed and stacked and stored in a storage unit.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a flow of an operation in which a sheet bundle is conveyed and stacked and stored in a storage unit.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a flow of an operation in which a sheet bundle is conveyed and stacked and stored in a storage unit.

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a flow of an operation in which a sheet bundle is conveyed and stacked and stored in a storage unit.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a flow of an operation in which a sheet bundle is conveyed and stacked and stored in a storage unit.

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a flow of an operation in which a sheet bundle is conveyed and stacked and stored in a storage unit.

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a flow of an operation in which a sheet bundle is conveyed and stacked and stored in a storage unit.

FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a flow of an operation in which a sheet bundle is conveyed and stacked and stored in a storage unit.

FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a flow of an operation in which a sheet bundle is conveyed and stacked and stored in a storage unit.

FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a flow of an operation in which a sheet bundle is conveyed and stacked and stored in a storage unit.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view of a conventional bookbinding apparatus.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional bookbinding apparatus.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional bookbinding apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

S: Sheet M ₁ : Lifting motor M ₂ : Driving motor 1: Sheet transport unit 1a ... Carry-in port 1b ... Discharge port 1c ... Carry-in roller pair 1d ... Carrier roller pair 1e ... Carry-out roller pair 1f ... Flapper 1g, 1h ... Sheet conveyance Path 2: Sheet aligning section 2a: Upper entrance guide 2b: Lower entrance guide 2c: Tray 2d: Stopper 2e: Propeller 2f: Alignment fence 2g: Gripper 3: Heater section 4: Transport means 5: Storage section 6: Tape reel section 41 … Frame 41a… Timing belt fixing part 42, 50c… Timing belt 43… Timing pulley 43a… Driving pulley 44… Comb tooth tray 45, 47, 48… Driving roller 45a… Drive roller 45b… Through shaft 45c, 50a… Pulley 51, 52: storage stacker 61, 62: contact type detection means 61a, 62a: photo sensor 61b, 62b: actuator 63: control means

Claims (6)

[Claims] A transport unit configured to transport a sheet bundle on which predetermined processing such as binding has been performed; a storage unit configured to stack and store the sheet bundle sent by the transport unit;
Detecting means for detecting the height of the uppermost part of the sheet bundle already stacked and stored in the storage means, wherein the detecting means contacts the uppermost part of the sheet bundle already stacked and stored in the storage means. A sheet processing apparatus, which is a contact-type detection unit that detects the height. 2. When the height of the uppermost part of the stack of stacked sheets detected by the detection means reaches the height of the uppermost part of a predetermined stack of stackable sheets that can be stacked and stored in the storage means, the sheet is transferred to the storage means. 2. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage of the sheet bundle is stopped. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detecting unit is disposed in the transporting unit, and a plurality of the detecting units are disposed at positions corresponding to processing positions such as binding of a bundle of sheets stacked and stored in the storing unit. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1. 4. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit includes a plurality of actuators and a photo sensor. 5. A conveying means for receiving a sheet bundle on which binding and other processing has been performed, moving the sheet bundle in a stacking direction of the sheet bundle and a direction orthogonal to the sheet stacking direction, and conveying the sheet bundle. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 6. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sheet processing apparatus includes sheet aligning means for aligning sheets, and sheet bundle binding means for binding a bundle of sheets aligned by said aligning means. Item 6. The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of items 5.