JPH11189365A - Image forming after processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent copy productivity from degrading without spoiling operability by prohibiting stapling without stopping image forming motion after judging to be unsuitable for stapling, and controlling to discharge recording paper on the staple part to a paper discharge tray. SOLUTION: A document feed signal is transmitted from a copying machine main body control part to start a document feed means, to prepare for an image forming means (S4). Whether an after processing mode is a staple mode or not, is judged (S5), and in the case of the after processing mode being the staple mode, copy process is executed, and a discharge destination branching means is operated (S6), to send copied recording paper sheets to a staple tray. When the after processing mode is not a staple mode, copy process is executed, and the discharge destination branching means is operated to discharge copied recording paper sheets to a paper discharge tray (S7). When the image forming process is completed, the copied document is discharged, to prepare for next document feed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement in a post-processing apparatus for stapling recorded recording paper discharged from an image forming apparatus in a stacked state.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A post-processing apparatus (a finisher or a stapler) connected to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and stapling discharged recording papers in a bundled state in accordance with the recent increase in functions and productivity. The connection of sorters with functions is increasing. In pursuit of a better staple mode, various operation modes have been proposed.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-86568 discloses that when the number of originals counted by the means for counting the number of originals is one, control is exercised so that a staple signal is not generated by a commanding means. An invention is disclosed that avoids the uselessness of stapling copies.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 3-174556 discloses that when the stapling mode is selected, if the number-of-documents set detecting means of the automatic document feeder detects that the number of sheets is one, the copier main body is controlled not to perform the copying operation. Thus, there is disclosed an invention in which the problem of stapling one copy is prevented.

[0005] These inventions have been devised on the premise of a sorter with a staple function as a post-processing device as an embodiment. When a sorter with a stapler function and a finisher are considered as the post-processing device, the method of exchanging the original and the method of discharging the recording paper to the post-processing device are different even in the same copy mode, so that stapling of one copy is prevented. In order to control the system optimally for the finisher and the sorter, it is necessary to perform different controls for the above-mentioned problems.

On the other hand, a post-processing device which is connected to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and staples discharged recording paper sheets in a bundled state is a circulating automatic document feeder provided on the image forming apparatus side. By combining with an apparatus (hereinafter referred to as RDH), it is possible to automatically and appropriately obtain a plurality of groups of copies from one document bundle.

The maximum number of staples to be stapled in the post-processing apparatus is determined. If stapling is performed with the maximum number of staples, in the worst case, the staples are stitched in the middle of the recording paper bundle. Succumbing to incomplete binding,
The motor that drives the stapler is overloaded, causing locks and other problems. In order to prevent staples exceeding the maximum number of stapled sheets, it is necessary for the operator to count the number of documents in advance and determine whether or not to select the staple mode. An operator who performs the above operation is rare, and requesting such an operation depending only on the attention of the operator causes a decrease in ease of use of the apparatus and a reduction in commercial value.

[0008] As a countermeasure when the recording paper fed to the post-processing device exceeds the maximum number of stapled sheets,
The following technologies are available. a. When the number of recording sheets sequentially copied corresponding to the originals sequentially fed by the RDH and sent to the post-processing device exceeds the maximum number of stapled sheets, the operations of the RDH and the image forming apparatus are stopped. The post-processing device is switched to the sort mode, the stapling of the recording paper bundle deposited on the staple portion is prohibited, and the recording paper bundle is discharged onto the discharge tray. After the discharge is completed, the operations of the RDH and the image forming apparatus are restarted. Then, control is performed so that the recording paper thereafter is discharged onto the discharge tray in the sort mode (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
169875).

B. Switching the mode when the number of staples is exceeded (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-1161)
No. 67).

C. When the number of staples is exceeded, the mode is switched, and the recording paper is not discharged in a state where the sheets are sorted into a single discharge tray.
To solve the inconvenience of subsequent handling, RD
H, when the recording sheets sequentially copied corresponding to the originals sequentially fed by H and sent to the post-processing apparatus exceed the maximum number of stapled sheets, the operation of the RDH and the image forming apparatus is stopped, The post-processing device is switched to the sort mode, the stapling of the recording paper bundle deposited on the staple portion is prohibited, and the recording paper bundle is discharged onto the discharge tray. After the discharge is completed, the operations of the RDH and the image forming apparatus are restarted. Control method so that recording paper thereafter is discharged to the discharge tray in the sort mode (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-16).
9875).

In these techniques, in particular, in the technique disclosed in the above c, when the number of staples is exceeded, R
Although the operation of the DH and the image forming apparatus is stopped, this is during the document handling of the RDH (while the document bundle circulates once), so that the normal repeat interval (1
A certain time is required at a timing different from (interval from the end of the tour to the start of the next tour = interval between cycles). This time is a time required to completely discharge the stack of documents in a stacking state in which staples are prohibited on the placement tray, that is, a special waiting time until processing of the remaining documents is resumed, and is a copy waiting time. Is a factor that lowers productivity.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a recording apparatus which is connected to an image forming apparatus for generating image information on image recording paper from an image information output means for repeatedly outputting image information corresponding to the image recording paper. It is an image forming post-processing device that processes paper, and it is meaningless to apply staples (1 sheet)
Alternatively, when stapling is impossible (exceeding the maximum number of stapled sheets), it is possible to provide an image forming post-processing apparatus capable of minimizing a decrease in copy productivity without impairing operability. With the goal.

[0013]

The present invention has the following configuration to achieve the above object.

(1) After image formation for processing the recorded recording paper connected to an image forming apparatus for generating image information on the recording paper from an image information output means for repeatedly outputting image information corresponding to the recording paper A post-processing device having a staple unit for receiving and recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus into a staple tray prepared for stapling, and a staple unit for performing stapling;
A switching claw that switches the transport direction of the recording paper for each transport path is operated to staple the recording paper deposited on the staple tray, and the bundle of recording paper deposited on the staple tray is transferred to a discharge tray provided in the post-processing device. An image forming post-processing apparatus having a post-processing mode switching unit capable of selectively switching at least two modes of a staple mode for discharging and a sort mode for sorting and discharging received recording paper to the discharge tray by the switching claw. In, the provision of staple processing aptitude determination means for determining the suitability of the staple, inappropriateness, after the staple processing aptitude determination means, after determining that the staple is inappropriate,
Without stopping the image forming operation, the staple is prohibited, and control is performed to discharge the recording paper of the staple portion onto a discharge tray.

(2) In the image forming post-processing apparatus described in (1), the stapling processing suitability judging means judges that one sheet of recording paper has been sent to the post-processing apparatus. When the staple mode is selected and the copy operation based on the image information from the image information output unit is completed for one cycle, the discharge recording sheet one sheet discrimination unit discharges the sheet to the post-processing device. When it is determined that the number of recording sheets is one, the staple mode is continued to cause the recording paper to be ejected to the staple tray, and after the ejection of the recording paper to the staple tray is completed, the stapling process is prohibited and the staple processing is immediately stopped. A discharge process is performed on a discharge tray, and the subsequent recording paper is switched to a mode other than the staple mode by the post-processing mode switching unit. It was to be controlled so as to discharge the sheet discharge tray (claim 2).

(3) In the image forming post-processing apparatus according to (2), in a mode other than the staple mode switched by the post-processing mode switching means, the recording paper received by the post-processing apparatus is switched by the switching claw. A non-sort mode in which paper is discharged without being sorted into a paper discharge tray is set (claim 3).

(4) In the image forming post-processing apparatus according to (1), the stapling processing suitability judging means is sequentially copied corresponding to the image information output from the image information output means, and Staple MAX detecting means for detecting that the number of recording sheets fed to the post-processing device exceeds the maximum number of stapleable recording sheets, and sequentially copying in accordance with image information output from the image information output means. A staple tray loading MAX (maximum) detecting means for detecting that the number of recording sheets sent to the post-processing device exceeds the maximum number of recording sheets that can be stacked on the staple tray of the post-processing device; For each cycle of a set of originals on which recording paper is sequentially copied in accordance with the image information output from the means and sent to the post-processing device. It was decided to include the final discharge recording sheet detecting means for detecting that a terminal elimination recording paper (claim 4).

(5) In the image forming post-processing apparatus described in (4), the staple mode is selected, and the staple MAX is selected from the staple MAX detector and the staple tray loaded MAX detector.
If only the detecting means detects that the number of staples that can be stapled has been exceeded, the staple mode is controlled so that the staple mode is continued and the recording paper is continuously discharged to the staple tray. ).

(6) In the image forming post-processing apparatus described in (5), the staple tray loading MAX detection means detects that the maximum number of recording sheets that can be loaded on the staple tray has been exceeded, or that the last discharged recording paper has been detected. Means that the recording paper fed to the post-processing device is detected as the last discharged recording paper in each cycle of the set of originals, and stapling of the recording paper bundle deposited on the staple tray is prohibited. Then, the recording paper bundle is controlled to be discharged to the discharge tray (claim 6).

(7) In the image forming post-processing apparatus described in (6), after the recording paper bundle corresponding to the recording paper bundle deposited on the staple tray is discharged to the paper discharge tray, the current post-processing mode switching means causes the current post-processing mode switching means to change the current state. The staple mode is switched to the sort mode, and control is performed so that the subsequent recording paper is discharged onto the discharge tray in the sort mode.

(8) In the image forming post-processing apparatus described in (5), (6) or (7), the control is performed in the first cycle of the image information output by the image information output means. Claim 8).

(9) (1), (2), (3), (4),
(5) In the image forming post-processing apparatus according to (6), (7) or (8), the image information output means outputs image information of the original in the course of circulating the original. It is a paper feeder or a means for calling page information from a memory.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Example 1 FIG. This example is based on claims 1-3, 9
Corresponding to FIG. 19 shows an image forming post-processing apparatus (hereinafter, simply referred to as a post-processing apparatus) A of the present invention, an image forming apparatus B connected to the post-processing apparatus A, and reading of image information of the original during the course of circulating the original. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a circulating automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as RDH) 80. In this example, the image forming apparatus B is a copying machine, and the RDH 80 is mounted on the contact glass 100. Although the RDH 80 is exemplified as the image information output means, as another example, instead of the RDH 80, an information reading means capable of repeatedly calling up page information from a memory may be used.

When the copy start button (not shown) is turned on with the mode changeover switch on the operation unit (not shown) set to the post-processing mode, the RDH 80 takes out the originals one by one from the original bundle on the original table 101, and Paper is fed onto the contact glass 100. This document temporarily stops on the contact glass 100. The scanning optical system 81 scans the stopped document surface. When the information reading means is used as the image information output means,
Instead of the roughness optical system 81, a laser scanning optical system using a laser beam, an LED, or the like can be used.

By this scanning, the reflected light of the original is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 82 to form an electrostatic latent image. A toner is electrostatically attached to the electrostatic latent image by a developing device (not shown) to form a toner image. On the other hand, the recording paper (hereinafter, also simply referred to as paper) sent from any of the plurality of paper feed trays 84 is supplied to a transfer unit provided at a lower portion of the periphery of the photoconductor drum 82 at a predetermined timing, so that a photoconductor is provided. The toner image on the drum 82 is transferred to recording paper. The transfer paper P after the transfer is fixed by the fixing device 83. The recording paper on which the fixing has been completed is discharged to the post-processing apparatus A via the paper discharge unit 102.

Referring to FIG. 20, which shows the structure of control means for performing control according to the present invention, a copying machine main body control unit 2 is shown.
10 is an RDH control unit 200 for controlling the RDH 80
And post-processing device control section 220 for controlling post-processing device A
And a serial port (not shown) for serial communication. Thereby, the copying machine main body control unit 210 can know various operation requests to the RDH 80 and the post-processing device A, and sensor information and status of the RDH 80 and the post-processing device A through the serial communication connection.

The RDH control unit 200 includes a document absence detecting unit 201, a document partitioning process unit 202, and a document feeding unit 20.
3, a document transport unit 204, a document discharge unit 205, and the like. The document absence detecting unit 201 is detected by a document end sensor (not shown) provided in the document feeding unit 105 shown in FIG. The document partitioning processing unit 202 performs a drawing operation of a document bundle by a document claw or the document feeding unit 105 (not shown) for distinguishing a processed document group from an unprocessed document group. The document feeder 203 sequentially feeds the documents set on the document table 101 shown in FIG. Document conveying means 204, document discharging means 2
Reference numeral 05 denotes a document which is fed to the contact glass 100 shown in FIG. 19 and is discharged onto the document table 101 from the document discharge unit 104 via the reversing path 103 after being scanned.

The copier main body control unit 210 includes an RDH control unit 211, a paper supply unit 212, an image forming processing unit 213, an operation unit processing unit 214, a mode setting unit 215, a post-processing control unit 216, and a final discharge recording paper detection unit. 217 and the like. The RDH control unit 211 instructs the RDH 80 to perform a document partitioning process, supply / discharge, conveyance, and sheet feeding operation. The paper feeding means 212 is provided with the paper feeding tray 84 in FIG.
Is fed at a predetermined timing.

The image forming means 213 forms an original image on the contact glass 100 as an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 82, and attaches toner from the developing device to the electrostatic latent image. This is for forming a toner image. The operation unit processing unit 214 performs reception / display processing using a start key or various mode setting keys of an operation unit (not shown). The mode setting means 215 stores a mode obtained from an operation unit (not shown), and performs a mode combination determination process, a number determination process, and the like. The post-processing control unit 216 issues a mode instruction (switching between staple mode / sort mode / stack mode / non-sort mode) of the post-processing apparatus A, a sheet ejection instruction, and a tray shift instruction.

Therefore, the post-processing control means 216 is a post-processing mode switching means. The final discharged recording paper detecting means 217 is a means for detecting the last recording paper sent in the post-processing apparatus A in the cycle, and determines from the detection information that the total number of the cycle is also one. can do. The stapling is meaningless and unsuitable for one sheet. However, since this is also discriminated, the final discharged recording sheet detecting means 217 is a means for discriminating one sheet of discharged recording paper in the stapling process. It is also a means. The recording sheet one sheet detecting means 217 can be provided as a part of the post-processing device control section 220.

The post-processing device control unit 220 includes a discharge destination branching unit 221, a discharge tray elevating unit 223, a discharge tray shift unit 223, a paper alignment unit 224, and a stapling unit 22.
5, paper discharging means 226 and the like. The discharge destination branching unit 221 switches the discharge destination of the sheet to one of a staple tray for performing stapling and a discharge tray. The discharge tray raising / lowering means 222 is for raising and lowering the discharge tray according to the number of discharged recording sheets to keep the recording sheet discharge surface height constant when the recording sheets are discharged to the discharge tray. is there.

The paper discharge tray shift means 223 sorts the recording paper bundle by shifting the paper discharge tray in the sort mode. The paper aligning unit 224 aligns the staple recording paper bundle on the staple tray. The stapling unit 225 performs a stapling process on a bundle of recording sheets in a staple tray. The paper discharge unit 226 discharges the recording paper bundle in the staple tray to a discharge tray.

In FIG. 20, staple MAX
The detecting means 227 and the staple tray loaded MAX detecting means 228 are used in the case of Example 2 described later, and are not necessary in this example.

The RDH 80 will be described. In FIG. 19, originals set on an original table 101 are sequentially fed by an original feeding unit 105. Contact glass 1
The original fed at 00 is scanned, and then,
03 and the document table 10 from the document discharge unit 104 again.
It is discharged on 1.

In order to separate the group of originals that have been circulated and returned to the original table 101 again from the group of unprocessed originals, the recirculated original bundle and the unprocessed originals are separated by a not-shown partitioning claw or the operation of pulling in the original bundle by the original feeding unit 105. The configuration is such that the bundle of processed documents can be identified. For example, when a start key (not shown) is pressed, a document separating claw (not shown) moves above the document bundle. Alternatively, a document bundle is pulled in by the document feeder 105 (process a).

Next, a paper feeding operation is sequentially performed by the original RDH 80, and the processed original is discharged to the original table 101 again as described above. The document discharged at this time is discharged onto the separating claw, and is distinguished from the unprocessed document bundle. Alternatively, since the position of the unprocessed document bundle and the position of the processed document bundle are shifted by the operation of pulling in the document bundle by the document feeding unit 105, the document bundle can be identified. When the document is cycled by the RDH 80 and the last document is fed, the absence of the document in the unprocessed document bundle is detected by a document end sensor (not shown) provided in the document feeding unit 105.

When the final document is discharged to the document table 101, if a subsequent document circulation is required, a process a for re-identifying the processed and unprocessed document groups is performed, and then the next cycle is performed. Original processing is performed.

As described above, it is necessary to wait until the last original is discharged to the original table 101 at the end of the circulation cycle of the original, which is longer than the normal original exchange time (the processing of originals other than the last original). There are cases where it takes time. In addition, since the number of originals is indeterminate during the first round of originals,
Since the process for checking the document end is included, there is a possibility that the document replacement process may be delayed. This means that the timing for feeding the transfer paper from the paper feed tray 84 may be delayed. As will be described later, at the end of a cycle (at the end of one round of a document), such as when the output tray is shifted at the end of a cycle or when the shift operation is completed,
A wait state is likely to occur.

The post-processing apparatus A will be described in detail. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the post-processing apparatus A, FIGS. 2 and 3 show the operating state of the switching claw portion, FIG. 4 shows the paper ejection tray up / down mechanism, FIG. 5 shows the paper surface sensor, FIG. FIG. 7 shows the shift mechanism, FIG. 8 shows the main part of the paper ejection tray shift mechanism, FIGS. 9 and 10 show the operation state of the paper ejection tray shift mechanism, FIG. 11 shows the paper alignment mechanism, and FIG. 12, a staple moving mechanism in FIG. 13, a release belt mechanism in FIG. 14, a main part of the release belt mechanism in FIG. 15, a discharge unit drive mechanism in FIG.
FIG. 17 shows the discharge unit drive mechanism, and FIG. 18 shows the overall control means of the post-processing apparatus according to the present invention.

In these figures, reference numeral 1 denotes an inlet roller, reference numeral 2 denotes an upper conveying roller group, reference numeral 3 denotes a discharge roller serving as discharging means, reference numeral 4 denotes a lower conveying roller group, reference numeral 5 denotes a return roller, and reference numeral 6 denotes a brush. Roller, reference numeral 7 is a shifting roller, reference numeral 8 is a switching claw, reference numeral 9 is a jogger fence, reference numeral 1
Reference numeral 11 denotes a stapler, reference numeral 12 denotes a discharge tray (hereinafter, referred to as a tray), reference numeral 13 denotes a paper lever, reference numeral 14 denotes a shift cam, reference numeral 15 denotes a back fence, and reference numeral 16 denotes a pin. , Reference numeral 17 denotes a release claw, reference numeral 18 denotes a vertical actuator, reference numeral 1
9 is a rear end fence, 21 is a transport motor, 22 is a discharge motor, 23 is a vertical motor, 24 is a shift motor, 25 is a discharge motor, 26 is a jogger motor, 27 is a stapler moving motor, and 27 is a stapler moving motor. 29 is a branch solenoid, 30 is a return solenoid, 31 is an upper limit switch, 32 is a first paper surface sensor, 33 is
Is a second paper surface sensor, numeral 34 is a lower limit sensor, numeral 35
Is a shift sensor, reference numeral 36 is an entrance sensor, reference numeral 37 is a discharge sensor, reference numeral 38 is a discharge sensor, reference numeral 39 is a paper presence sensor, reference numeral 40 is a release claw home position sensor, reference numeral 41 is a stapler home position sensor, and reference numeral 45 is a reference numeral. Main transport belt, reference numeral 46 is an upper transport belt, reference numeral 47
Is a lower transport belt, reference numeral 48 is a vertical lift belt, reference numeral 4
Reference numeral 9 denotes a jogger belt, reference numeral 50 denotes a stapler moving belt, reference numeral 51 denotes a stapler unit, reference numeral 52 denotes a discharge roller, and reference numeral 53 denotes a staple tray.

Based on the detection information of the recording paper by the entrance sensor 36, the paper discharge sensor 37, and the paper presence sensor 39, and the information that the last document is received from the document end sensor of the RDH 80, the copier main body control unit 210 (or later). Processing device A)
Detects that the recording paper fed to the post-processing apparatus A is the last discharged recording paper for each cycle of the document bundle set on the document table 101. Therefore, the document sensor end sensor (not shown) provided in the entrance sensor 36, the paper ejection sensor 37, the paper presence sensor 39, and the RDH 80, and the copying machine main body control unit 210 determine that the final ejection recording paper is one. Therefore, the final discharge recording paper detecting means 21
Numeral 7 is also a single sheet of recording paper discrimination means.

The post-processing apparatus A will be described in detail. Figure 1,
This will be described below with reference to FIGS. The recording paper discharged from the copying machine B is guided to the stapler unit 51 side by the switching claw 8 and is conveyed to the discharge rollers 52 by the lower conveying roller group 4. The recording paper conveyed to the discharge roller 52 is discharged to the staple tray 53 by the discharge roller 52. The copies (image-recorded recording papers) corresponding to the number of originals set on the RDH 80 are stacked on the staple tray 53 of the stapler unit 61.

After stacking, the copy is stapled by the stapler 11. After stapling, release belt 1
0 to drive the stapler 1
1 conveys a bundle of stapled recording papers to a discharge roller 3. The bundle of recording paper conveyed to the discharge roller 3 is discharged to the tray 12 by the discharge roller 3.

Each unit will be described. (1) Switching Claw (See FIGS. 2 and 3) The switching claw 8 is connected to the branch solenoid 2 via the arm 70.
9, and the path can be changed by turning on and off the branch solenoid 29. Reference numerals 71 and 72 denote springs that hold the switching claw 8 on one path side by turning the branch solenoid 29 on and off. Branch solenoid 2
9 is turned off (see FIG. 2), and when turned on (see FIG. 3), the recording paper is sent to the lower conveying path.

(2) Tray lifting mechanism (FIGS. 4, 5, and 6)
The tray 12 is suspended by a vertical lift belt 48. The vertical lift belt 48 is driven by a vertical motor 23 via a gear train and a timing belt, and is raised and lowered by forward and reverse rotation of the vertical motor 23. You. The home position of the tray 12 and the height of the tray during operation are detected by the paper surface lever 13 and the first paper surface sensor 32 or the second paper surface sensor 33 shown in FIG. Paper lever 1
Reference numeral 3 is pivotally supported by a shaft 73, and is detected by the first paper surface sensor 32 or the second paper surface sensor 33 when the paper surface lever 13 rotates. In FIG. 5, the state detected by the first paper surface sensor 32 is shown by a solid line, and the state detected by the second paper surface sensor 33 is shown by a broken line.

The fact that the tray 12 is full is detected by the lower limit sensor 34 detecting the vertical actuator 18. As shown in FIG.
5 and is supported by an arm 74
The upper limit switch 31 is turned on and off by the rotation of 4. In FIG. 6, a state where the upper limit switch is turned on is indicated by a solid line, and a state where the upper limit switch is turned off is indicated by a broken line. When the shift roller 7 is pushed up by the tray 12 when the tray 12 is raised, the arm 74 rotates to the position shown by the solid line, and the upper limit switch 31 is turned off.
3 is turned off. Thereby, the tray 12
To prevent machine damage due to overrun.

(3) Tray Shift Mechanism (See FIGS. 7 to 10) The tray 12 is slidably assembled as described above, and the back fence 15 is slid by the shift motor 24 to synchronize with the slide. The tray 12 is configured to enter the back fence 15 as shown in FIG. A pin 16 is fixed to the back fence 15 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and the pin 16 moves along the cam surface 14 a of the shift cam 14 so that the shift cam 1 is moved.
4 is changed to a linear motion, and the back fence 15 is slid in the direction shown by the arrows in FIGS.
The shift cam 14 has a shape that makes one reciprocation per rotation, and during a shift, a half rotation is detected by the shift sensor 35 and stops. The operation piece 76 is provided on the shift cam 14 and operates the shift sensor 35 every half rotation.

(4) Paper Alignment Mechanism (See FIGS. 11 and 12) In FIG. 11, the jogger fences 19, 19 are jogger belts driven by a jogger motor 26. It is driven through 49 and makes a sliding motion in the direction of the black arrow or the direction of the white arrow. Thus, the recording paper is aligned. The return roller 5 is configured to perform a pendulum motion via the arm 77 when the return solenoid 30 is turned on and off. When the return roller 5 is turned on, the recording roller is hit back to return downward, and as shown in FIG. 19, and the recording paper is vertically aligned.

When the staple mode is selected, the jogger fences 9, 9 move from the home position and wait at a position 7 mm on one side with respect to the width of the recording paper. When the recording paper is sent to the lower conveyance path and the trailing edge of the recording paper passes the paper ejection sensor 37, the jogger fences 9 and 9 jog inward by 5 mm. Further, by the passage, the return solenoid 30 is turned on after a predetermined pulse.

The return solenoid 30 is turned on for a predetermined time, and the vertical alignment of the paper is completed by the jogger fences 9 and 9.
Upon detecting that the return solenoid 30 has been turned off, the jogger fences 9 and 9 move by 2 mm, temporarily stop, and the horizontal alignment ends. The jogger fences 9, 9 then return by 7 mm and wait for the next recording paper to be discharged to the staple tray 53. This operation is repeated until the last page. On the last page, jogging is performed again to hold the sheet bundle and prepare for the stapling operation.

(5) Stapler moving mechanism (see FIG. 13) The stapler mode is selected by the main body, and when this mode is started, the stapler 11 causes the stapler moving motor 27 to move the stapler moving belt 50 through the stapler moving belt 50 to change the size of the recording paper and the binding. Is moved to an appropriate position according to the number of sheets. During the paper alignment, the apparatus waits on the spot, and when the paper alignment of the last page is completed, the stapling operation is performed. When the paper alignment is completed, the stapler home sensor 41 is returned to the home position.

(6) Discharge Belt Mechanism (See FIGS. 14 to 16) The discharge belt 10 is driven by a discharge motor 25. The discharge belt 10 is provided with a discharge claw 17, and the home position of the discharge claw 17 is detected by a home position sensor 40 shown in FIG. This release belt 1
0 is driven, the sheet bundle P is sent to the sheet discharge roller 3, and is discharged to the tray 12.

The operation of the release belt mechanism will be described. When the stapling is completed, the discharge belt 10 is driven, and the sheet bundle P is sent to the discharge roller 3 and discharged to the tray 12. At this time, the discharge belt 10 first starts lifting the paper bundle P in the low-speed mode of the two-unit control mode, then enters the high-speed mode, temporarily stops near the highest position, and then returns to the home position in the low-speed mode. . The discharge roller 3 starts to be driven by the discharge motor 22 simultaneously with the guidance of the discharge belt 10, and stops when the sheet bundle is completely discharged. As shown in FIG. 16, the discharge belt 25 is driven by the discharge motor 25, the jogger belt 49 is driven by the jogger motor 26, and the stapler moving belt 50 is driven by the stapler moving motor 27. I have. As shown in FIG. 17, a main transport belt 45 and an upper transport belt 46 are stretched around the side of the apparatus.

FIG. 18 is an overall control block diagram of the post-processing apparatus. The CPU 60 is electrically connected to the copying machine B (see FIG. 19) via an interface 61 composed of an optical fiber. Motor 22, vertical motor 23, shift motor 24, branch solenoid 29,
A command is output to the return solenoid 30 and the like. In addition, commands are output to the ejection motor 25, the jogger motor 26, the stapler moving motor 27, the staple motor 63, and the like via the I / O 62, and further, a signal is input from the sensor switch group 64.

The post-processing apparatus A includes a staple mode for stapling the recording paper deposited on the staple tray 53, a sorting mode for sorting the received recording paper and discharging the recording paper to the discharge tray 12, and a sorting mode for the received recording paper. It is possible to select and switch between the three modes of the non-sort mode in which the sheet is discharged to the sheet discharge tray without being used. Also provided are separate transport paths for each mode, switching claw 8 for switching the transport direction of the recording paper for each transport path, and a single discharge tray 12 for receiving the recording paper discharged in both modes. I have.

In the staple mode, the document is sequentially copied by the RDH 80 in accordance with the fed document and sent to the post-processing apparatus A. To work. When the last page is aligned, a stapling operation is performed, and the stapled sheet bundle is discharged to the discharge tray 12 by the above-described discharge belt mechanism.

On the other hand, in the sort mode, a sheet on which an image is sequentially formed corresponding to a document sequentially fed by the RDH 80 is sent to the post-processing apparatus A, and is discharged by the switching claw 8 to the discharge tray 12 without being stapled. Will be. When the document is cycled by the RDH 80 and the final recording paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 12, the arrangement tray 12 is shifted in the horizontal direction by the above-described tray shift mechanism to prepare for the discharge of the next set of recording paper. This operation is repeated for a predetermined number of copies.

Further, in the non-sort mode, the RDH80
The document is sequentially copied in accordance with the document sequentially fed, and sent to the post-processing apparatus A, and is discharged by the switching claw 8 to the discharge tray 12 without being stapled.
Even if the document is cycled by the RDH 80 and the final recording paper is discharged to the discharge tray 12, the discharge tray 12 is not shifted in the horizontal direction by the tray shift mechanism as in the sort mode. As a result, the recording paper is stocked at the same discharge tray position by the number of copies designated in advance.

(7) Post-processing procedure This will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 21 and 22. First, a description will be given with reference to a flowchart of FIG. Step S1: Pre-processing before start is performed. The setting of the copy mode, the setting of the post-processing mode, the setting of the number of copies, and the process of determining these set values are performed by an operation unit (not shown). Step S2: When the start key of the operation unit is pressed, the process proceeds to step S3. Step S3: Variable (cC) for managing the number of copies
cycle) is initialized to 1. The following steps S4 to S12 are processing performed on all the originals set on the original table 101 of the RDH 80. Step S4: A document feed signal is transmitted from the copying machine main body control unit 210 to the RDH control unit 200, and the document feed unit 203 is transmitted.
Is activated to feed the original and prepare for the image forming operation.

Step S5: It is determined whether or not the post-processing mode is the staple mode. If the staple mode, the process proceeds to step S6. If not, the process proceeds to step S7.
Proceed to. Step S6: If the post-processing mode is the staple mode, copy processing is executed and the output destination branching means 221 (FIG. 2)
0) to send the copied recording paper to the staple tray 53. Step S7: If the post-processing mode is not the stapling mode, copy processing is executed and the discharge destination branching unit 221 (FIG. 20) is operated to discharge the copied recording paper to the paper discharge tray 12.

Step S8: When the image forming process is completed in step S6 or step S7, the copied original is discharged to prepare for the next copy operation, and the next original is fed.

Step S9: It is determined whether or not the processing has been completed for all the originals set on the original table 101 of the RDH 80. If there is still a document to be processed, the process returns to step S4 to execute the processing of steps S4 to S4 to S12. On the other hand, if there is no original to be processed, the flow advances to step S10 to determine whether copying for one cycle has been completed. Normally, if it is determined in step S9 that there is no next original, one cycle is completed and the process proceeds to step S12. In step S10, for example, when the cover is designated as a blank in the cover / cover mode (a mode in which a cover is automatically added before the first page), even if the original is a single document, the copy of the original is performed. After the operation is completed, there is a case where a process (step S11) of feeding paper from a cover tray (for example, an arbitrary paper feed tray 84 shown in FIG. 19 containing the cover paper) and attaching a blank cover even without the next original is performed. Therefore, the determination includes whether or not such processing is completed.

Step S12: A stapling process check is performed to determine whether or not to perform stapling on the recording paper bundle at the end of one cycle (the contents will be described later with reference to FIG. 22). Step S13: It is determined whether or not copying for the designated number of copies has been completed. If the specified number of copies have been completed, the process proceeds to step S1. If copying for the specified number of copies has not been completed, the value of the variable (Cycle) for managing the number of copies is incremented by one in step S14 to prepare for the next cycle after step S4.

The subroutine of step S12 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 21, this processing is executed at each cycle end (each cycle break). First, in steps S31 and S32, the post-processing mode and the number of discharged recording sheets are checked. Then, different operations are performed for the following three patterns.

Pattern 1 (when in non-staple mode): This is a case where "No" is determined in step S31, that is, it is determined that the post-processing mode is not the staple mode. In this case, in step S5 and step S7 Since the recording paper has been discharged to the paper discharge tray 12, the process returns.

Pattern 2 (when the staple mode and one sheet of discharged recording paper): "Yes" in step S32
, That is, when it is determined that the recording paper discharged from the staple tray is the last discharged recording paper. In this case, no stapling is performed on the single recording paper discharged to the staple tray. Therefore, the stapling operation is prohibited in step S33, and the sheet is forcibly discharged to the sheet discharge tray 12. Further, since the number of discharged recording sheets is one after the second round,
Staple operation is prohibited. Therefore, since the discharge of the staple tray itself is meaningless, the post-processing mode is switched to the non-sort mode in step S35 in order to directly discharge the paper to the discharge tray 12. This eliminates the need for sorting because one sheet of recording paper is used, so that the stapling operation is prohibited, the recording paper is discharged to the discharge tray 12, and non-sorting can be realized.

Pattern 3: (Staple mode and two or more output recording papers): This is a case where the post-processing mode is the staple mode and "No" is determined in step S32, and the staple tray is determined in step S34. The stapling process is performed on the bundle of recording papers inside, and the stapled recording paper is discharged to the discharge tray 12.

As described above, since the number of recording sheets discharged to the post-processing apparatus A is not known until one cycle is completed, the post-processing is executed in the staple mode set by the operator. However, the number of original documents completed and the number of output recording paper sheets are determined, and it is determined that the number of recording paper sheets to the post-processing apparatus is one. After the point of time determined at 217 (when “Yes” is determined at step S32), it is meaningless to apply stapling to one sheet of recording paper discharged to the staple tray 53. The stapling process is prohibited, and the paper is forcibly discharged to the paper discharge tray 12. Further, since the stapling process is prohibited, the discharge itself to the staple tray 53 becomes meaningless even in the second and subsequent rounds. Therefore, the discharge destination is the discharge tray 12 directly.

As described above, even when the number of sheets of recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus and stored in the staple tray is one without considering the number of originals, it is possible to reduce the copy productivity as much as possible. Can be prevented. The first document cycle is executed in the staple mode set by the operator because the number of documents and the number of recording sheets discharged to the post-processing apparatus in one cycle are unknown. However, if the number of original sheets completed and the number of output recording paper sheets are determined and the number of recording paper sheets discharged to the post-processing device is one, even if one sheet of recording paper discharged to the staple tray is stapled, no stapling is performed. This means that staples are prohibited from the staple tray, and the staples are forcibly discharged to the paper discharge tray. Furthermore, since staples are prohibited in the second and subsequent rounds, the staple tray discharge itself is meaningless. Therefore, the discharge destination is the discharge tray directly, which eliminates the necessity of performing the stack operation in the staple tray 53 and the forced discharge operation from the staple tray 53 to the discharge tray 12 in the second and subsequent rounds. In this case, the stapling operation) and the conveyance for the post-processing are not required, and unnecessary time loss for these operations is eliminated, so that the productivity of the image forming apparatus can be prevented from lowering.

The output destination can be switched when the number of original documents is determined and the number of output recording papers is determined. However, (1) if the post-processing apparatus does not support the change of the output destination, this is not possible. Possible (2) Timing design must be made in time for changing the discharge destination of the post-processing apparatus. (3) Recovery processing is required when switching of the post-processing apparatus cannot be performed in time due to delay in document response. It was not adopted because of the configuration.

In this embodiment, after one recording sheet is discharged to the discharge tray, the staple mode is switched to the non-sort mode, and the subsequent recording sheets are discharged to the discharge tray in the stack mode. As described above, since the discharged recording paper is one per cycle, switching to the non-sort mode eliminates extra paper alignment processing for sorting and sorting (specifically, shifting the discharge tray). In addition, it is possible to provide an efficient sheet discharge mode in accordance with the number of discharge recording sheets while improving the efficiency.

Example 2 This example corresponds to claims 4 to 9. (1) Configuration of Apparatus and the Like As for the mechanical configuration, the configuration described with reference to FIGS. As the control means, the configuration described in Example 1 with reference to FIG. 20 can be used. Note that the recording sheet one sheet detection means 217 is necessary in the case of Example 1, but is not necessary in this example. FIG.
0, the staple MAX detecting means 227 for detecting whether the number of recording paper stacks in the staple tray has exceeded the allowable number of staples that can be stapled or not reached in the post-processing device control unit 220; And a staple tray loaded MAX detecting means 228 for detecting whether or not the number of recording paper stacks has reached the staple tray loaded MAX number (specification value).

These staple MAX detecting means 227,
The staple tray loaded MAX detection unit 228 and the last discharged recording paper detection unit 229 constitute an example of a staple processing suitability determination unit in the present embodiment. In this example, the last discharged recording paper detecting means 229 functions as one means for determining whether or not it is the last discharged recording paper, rather than the function as the single recording paper detecting means.

(2) Post-processing procedure This will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 23, 24 and 25. First, a description will be given with reference to a flowchart of FIG. Steps PS1 and PS2 are pre-processes before the start, in which an operation unit (not shown) determines a copy mode, a post-processing mode, a copy number setting value, and the like. When the start key of the operation unit is pressed, a flag (fsta) for determining whether the number of recording paper stacks in the staple tray 53 has exceeded the stapleable number in step PS3.
pleMAX), a flag (fStrayTrayMa) for determining whether the number of recording paper stacks in the staple tray 53 has exceeded the number of sheets that can be stacked in the staple tray 53
x) is initialized and ready for these stacks. Also, a variable (cCycle) for managing the number of copies is initialized to one. Further, in step S4, the document partitioning means (202) performs a document partitioning process for distinguishing between the processed document group and the unprocessed document group. This process is executed every cycle of document circulation.

Steps PS5 to PS12 and step P
S16 is a process performed on all the originals set on the original table 101 of the RDH 80. First, in step PS5, a document feed signal is transmitted to the copier main body control unit 210 to activate the document feed means 203 to feed the document, and prepare for an image forming operation.

In steps PS6, PS7 and PS8, the discharge destination to the post-processing apparatus A is switched by the discharge branching means 221 depending on whether the post-processing mode is the staple mode. In the case of the staple mode, the copy destination is operated and the discharge branching means 221 is operated to discharge the copied recording paper to the staple tray 53. At this time, the staple MAX detecting means 227 continues at step PS9.
And the staple tray loading MAX detection means 228 performs “staple MAX processing” and “staple tray loading MA”.
X processing ”is performed (the contents will be described later). On the other hand, in the sort mode, the copy process is performed, and the discharge destination branching unit 221 is operated to discharge the copied recording paper to the paper discharge tray 12.

When the image forming process is completed in steps PS7 and PS8, the next copied original is discharged in step PS10 to prepare for feeding the next original. In step PS11, it is determined whether the processing has been completed for all the originals set on the original table 101 of the RDH 80. If there is still an original to be processed, the processing of steps PS5 to PS12 and step PS16 is executed.

On the other hand, if there is no next original, step PS1
In step 2, it is determined whether copying for one cycle is completed. Normally, one cycle is completed without the next original, and step PS13
Will move to This determination in step PS12 is made, for example, when the cover is designated as a blank in both cover modes (a mode in which the front and back sides of the copy sheet are respectively attached), and after the copy operation of the last sheet is completed, there is no next document. However, there is a case where a process (step PS16) of feeding paper from a cover tray (for example, an arbitrary paper feed tray 84 shown in FIG. 19 storing the cover paper) and attaching a blank cover is performed. Also includes determination of completion.

At step PS13, a stapling process check is performed to determine whether or not to perform stapling on the recording paper bundle after one cycle. Details of the content of step PS13 will be described later.

At step PS14, it is determined whether or not copying for the designated number of copies has been completed. If copying of the designated number of copies has not been completed, a variable (cCycle) for managing the number of copies is incremented by +1 in step PS15 to prepare for the next cycle.

The subroutine of step PS8 will be described with reference to FIG. In step PS21, it is determined by the staple MAX detecting means 227 (see FIG. 20) whether or not "the allowable number of staples is exceeded". In step PS23, the staple tray loaded MAX detecting means 228 (see FIG. 20) performs the staple loading. Is determined.

Here, if it is determined that the allowable number of staples is exceeded by checking the "excess number of staples" in step PS21, the process proceeds to step PS22.
To determine whether the number of recording paper stacks in the staple tray 53 has exceeded the stapleable number (fSta).
pleMAX), and proceeds to step PS23. The flag (fStapleMA
X) and the flag (fStapletrayMAX) set in step PS24 described later are shown in FIG.
3 is referred to in step PS13. If it is determined in step PS21 that the allowable number of staples has not been exceeded, the process proceeds to step PS23 without performing the flag setting in step PS22. In step 23, it is checked whether or not the number of staple tray stacked MAX has been reached.

If it is determined that the number of the staple trays has been reached, the flag (fStrayTrayMax) is set in step PS24. Further, since the number of recording papers stacked on the staple tray 53 has reached the maximum number of sheets (a value on the specification determined as a value that can be stacked on the tray), the copy interruption processing is performed in step PS25 to avoid further stacking. Do. In the copy suspension process, a series of copy operations and the paper supply operation by the paper supply unit 212 are temporarily suspended. In step PS26, the sheet discharging means 2
26, the recording sheet bundle of the staple tray 53 is discharged to the discharge tray 12. Here, the bundle of recording paper is placed on the tray 12.
The reason why the copy interruption process is performed in step PS25 when the sheet is ejected to the printer is that if the sheet feeding operation is performed at a normal sheet feeding timing, the recording sheet is not printed within the time from the sheet feeding to the next sheet feeding. The discharge process may not be able to be performed temporally, so that this is avoided beforehand.

When the recording sheet bundle discharge processing in step PS26 is completed, in step PS27, the post-processing mode is switched from the current staple mode to the sort mode. This means that if you continue the same staple mode,
In the next cycle, it is apparent that the number of recording paper stacks in the staple tray 53 similarly reaches the maximum number of staple trays stacked, so the same situation (copy interruption processing, recording paper discharge processing from the staple tray, etc.). To prevent a time loss from occurring. In the next cycle and thereafter, the feeding from the first recording paper to the staple tray 53 is stopped, the paper is sorted onto the paper output tray 12 and discharged (sort mode). It is.
After the mode is changed to the sort mode in step PS27, copy restart processing is performed in step PS28, and subsequent post-processing is executed in the sort mode.

The subroutine of step PS13 in FIG. 23 will be described with reference to FIG. This process is executed at the end of each cycle corresponding to one round of the document (each cycle break), as can be seen from the fact that it is performed after step PS12 in FIG. The processing contents in FIG. 25 realize the contents shown in Table 1 below.

[0086]

[Table 1]

In Table 1, case 1 corresponds to the flow following steps PS30, 31, 32, 33, and 35 in FIG. Similarly, in case 2, step PS30
Corresponds to No. Case 3 as well
Corresponds to the flow following steps PS30, 31, 32, and.

When the number of recording sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus and stored in the staple tray 53 exceeds the allowable number of staples of the stapler 11, that is, in FIG. 24, the staple mode is selected and the staple mode is selected. When only the staple MAX detecting means of the MAX detecting means and the staple tray loaded MAX detecting means detects that the staple tray loaded MAX number has been exceeded (Yes in step PS21, step PS2
In the case of No in 3), the staple mode is continued at this stage, so that the discharge of the recording paper to the staple tray is continued. As described above, the number of recording sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus and stored in the staple tray is the allowable number of staples (the maximum number of staples to be stapled).
Is exceeded, the operation of the image forming apparatus still in the copying operation is not immediately stopped. After the completion of the cycle (step PS12), the recording sheet bundle is discharged from the staple tray to the discharge tray in step PS33.

In this respect, in the prior art, even if the number of staples exceeds the allowable number of staples even during the cycle, the operation of the image forming apparatus is immediately stopped, the copying operation is interrupted, and the discharging operation of the recording paper bundle is performed. There was a loss of time due to waiting for the discharge of waste.

In the present embodiment, the copying operation is not interrupted when the staple tray has exceeded the maximum number of staple trays and there is still room for the maximum number of staple trays. The discharge of the recording paper from the staple tray is performed at the end of the cycle. As a result, due to the completion of the ejection of the recording paper,
It is possible to avoid a decrease in productivity in the middle of a cycle related to the stop of the operation of the image forming apparatus.

On the other hand, if the number of staple trays exceeds the maximum number of stacked sheets, problems such as alignment and mechanical damage may occur. Stop (Step P
S25) The recording paper is discharged from the staple tray 53 (step PS26). Then, after discharging the recording paper bundle to the paper discharge tray 12, the staple mode is switched to the sort mode (step PS27), and the subsequent recording paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 12 in the sword mode. When the last recording paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 12 by switching to the sort mode, the sorting process (specifically, the paper discharge tray 12 shifts) is performed to prepare for the second or subsequent document cycle. Then, the sort mode is repeated for the number of copies designated in advance.

As a result, even when the number of staples exceeds the allowable number, the sheets are sorted in the page order in the sort mode and for each recording sheet bundle. Further, in a cycle after the cycle in which the recording paper bundle is discharged to the paper discharge tray 12, the recording paper is not stacked on the staple tray 53 but is discharged directly to the paper discharge tray 12, so that unnecessary processing is omitted. Shortened transport path eliminates time loss,
Productivity can be improved.

As described above, when the staple mode is selected and the staple MAX detecting means and the staple tray loading MAX detecting means are the staple MA,
Only the X detection means detects that the number of staples that can be stapled has been exceeded, and further detects that the maximum number of recording sheets that can be stacked on the staple tray has been detected by the staple tray stacking MAX detection means, or final discharge recording. Either the paper detection means detects that the recording paper sent to the post-processing device is the last discharged recording paper per cycle for the set of originals, and staples the recording paper bundle deposited on the staple tray. Then, control is performed so as to discharge the recording paper bundle to the discharge tray (claim 6).

In the above case, the allowable number of staples <
This is the case where the maximum number of staple trays loaded is smaller than the number of discharged recording papers, and the number of sheets processed in the cycle exceeds the maximum number of staple trays loaded. The copying operation must be interrupted even during the cycle. However, the frequency of occurrence of this case is low, and therefore, according to this example, productivity is generally improved.
Considering the relationship between the maximum number of staple trays loaded and the allowable number of staples, the stacking at the staple portion will be defective unless the following relationship is satisfied.

The maximum number of staple trays> the maximum number of staples The specification of the image forming apparatus including the RDH and the finisher is such that the maximum number of RDH originals that can be stacked> = the maximum number of staples, but extremely the maximum number of RDH single-concave stacks Rarely exceed the allowable number of staples.

In consideration of the above, and also in consideration of the actual specification state, even if the recording paper exceeding the allowable number of staples is discharged to the staple tray, the maximum number of staple trays loaded = the actual number of RDH originals loaded It can be said that the frequency of occurrence of the relationship of (final discharge recording paper number)> acceptable staples or the actual number of RDH originals loaded (final discharge recording papers)> maximum number of staple trays loaded> allowable staples is high. This high-frequency case corresponds to the above-described case. At the end of the cycle, there is still room for storing sheets in the staple tray. Strictly speaking, the discharge processing of the recording paper bundle is performed at a break of the cycle (after one round of the original is completed) in this example.

The merit of performing at the break of the cycle is that various waiting times generally generated at the break of the cycle can absorb the time of the discharge processing of the recording paper, and it occurs only for the discharge processing. The point is that no time loss occurs. An example of a process which causes a waiting time which is generally assumed to occur at a break between cycles will be described.

(1) When a document makes one round by RDH and the last document is fed, the absence of a document in the unprocessed document bundle is detected by a document end sensor (not shown) provided in the document feeding unit. When the final document is discharged to the document table, if the subsequent document circulation is required, a process for identifying again a processed document group and an unprocessed document group is performed, and then the next cycle of document processing is performed. As described above, it is necessary to wait until the last original is discharged to the original table at the end of the original circulation cycle, which may take a longer time than a normal original exchange time (processing of originals other than the last original). is there. Further, since the number of originals is indeterminate in the first round of the original (it cannot be understood unless the result is actually counted), a process of checking the end of the original is included, so that there is a possibility that the original exchange process may be delayed. This means that the timing of feeding the recording paper from the paper feed tray may be delayed.

(2) In the sort mode, the discharge tray is shifted at the end of a cycle. If the operation of the discharge tray is slow with respect to the discharge repeat interval, a wait state occurs until the discharge tray is completed. there is a possibility.

Even if the ejection of the recording paper bundle is not completed within the waiting time due to the above factors, if the ejection of the recording paper is performed at the end of the cycle, the processing that causes the above waiting time is not performed. At the same time, the recording paper discharging process is also performed, so that it is only necessary to wait for ([recording paper discharging process]-[waiting time due to the following (1) and (2) factors]) for the simple calculation. Will be. Therefore,
If you discharge the recording paper at the break of the cycle,
This is advantageous in terms of productivity.

In this embodiment, as described above, after the recording sheet bundle deposited on the staple tray 53 is discharged to the discharge tray 12, the current staple sort mode is switched to the sort mode by the post-processing mode switching means. Is controlled to be discharged to the discharge tray 12 in the sort mode. By switching to the sort mode in this way, when the final recording paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 12, the paper discharge tray 12 is shifted, the paper bundle is shifted in cycle units, and the paper bundle is sorted, and the original is processed. Is provided for the second and subsequent rounds. Then, the sort mode is repeated for the number of copies designated in advance. As a result, even when the number of staples exceeds the allowable number, the sheets are sorted in the page order in the sort mode and for each recording sheet bundle. Further, since the mode is changed to the sort mode, in the cycle after the cycle in which the recording paper bundle is discharged to the paper discharge tray 12, the recording paper is not stacked on the staple tray 53 but is discharged directly to the paper discharge tray 12. , Wasteful processing is omitted, and the transport path is shortened.
Increase productivity.

Further, in this example, the staple tray loading M
One cycle of the image information output from the image information output means (RDH80 or a means for retrieving page information from a memory) is performed by the detection by the AX detection means, the staple MAX detection means, the final discharged paper detection means and the like and the control based on these detections. Eye (between the first cycle and the next cycle). In the first cycle of document circulation, the number of documents is unknown, and a process for constantly detecting the end of the document is included in order to determine the number of documents. Therefore, the waiting time in the first cycle and the second cycle of the document circulation requires more time than the waiting time in the cycle break after the second cycle. Therefore, it is more effective from the viewpoint of productivity to discharge the recording paper bundle at a place where the waiting time at the cycle break is longer.

[0103]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is meaningless to perform stapling (one sheet) or cannot be stapled according to the determination by the stapling processing suitability determination means (the maximum number of stapled sheets is exceeded). ), It is possible to prevent the copy productivity from decreasing as much as possible without impairing the operability.

According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, the number of recording sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus and stored in the staple tray is reduced to one without considering the number of documents by the operator.
In the case of a single sheet, the subsequent processing is switched to a mode other than the staple mode, so that a single sheet of paper that does not need to be stapled is not sent to the staple tray, and the processing time and the transport path pass time are reduced. Thus, it is possible to prevent a decrease in productivity of image formation.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the basic configuration of the stapling processing suitability judging means for detecting the stapling impossible state is clarified, and the productivity of image formation can be increased.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the operation of the image forming apparatus is not stopped during the image formation (copy operation).
It is possible to prevent a decrease in productivity in the middle of a cycle related to the stop of the operation of the image forming apparatus.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to avoid damage to the staple section due to an excessive number of recording sheets at the staple section, and to set a timing for discharging the excessive number of recording sheets at the staple section at a cycle break. Thus, the time for the discharge is doubled to the waiting time for other processing inevitably occurring at the break of the cycle, and the extra processing time is minimized, thereby reducing the productivity of image formation. Can be increased.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the staple mode is switched to the sort mode after the non-staplable recording paper bundle is discharged to the paper discharge tray, so that the recording paper is not stacked on the staple tray in the subsequent processing. Since the recording paper is sent directly to the staple tray, unnecessary processing can be omitted and time loss can be eliminated.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, in the first cycle (between the first cycle and the next cycle) having a long waiting time due to the processing for determining the number of originals, the excess number of recording sheets that cannot be stapled is processed. Therefore, the reliability of the processing can be improved, and a decrease in productivity of image formation can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an operation state of a branch claw.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing an operation state of a branch claw.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a tray raising and lowering mechanism.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a tray raising and lowering mechanism.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a tray raising and lowering mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a tray shift mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a main part of a tray shift mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram illustrating an operation state of a tray shift mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram illustrating an operation state of a tray shift mechanism.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a paper alignment mechanism.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a main part of a paper alignment mechanism.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a stapler moving mechanism.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a discharge belt mechanism.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a main part of a discharge belt mechanism.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a discharge unit drive mechanism.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a discharge unit drive mechanism.

FIG. 18 is an overall control block diagram of the post-processing device.

FIG. 19 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the image forming post-processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a single recording sheet that does not require stapling.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a single sheet of recording paper that does not require stapling.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating processing of an excessive number of recording sheets that cannot be stapled.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of processing of an excessive number of recording sheets that cannot be stapled.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart relating to processing of an excessive number of recording sheets that cannot be stapled.

[Explanation of symbols]

 8 Switching Claws 12 Discharge Tray 53 Staple Tray 217 Single Recording Paper Detector 227 Staple MAX Detector 228 Staple Tray Loading MAX Detector 229 Final Discharge Recording Paper Discriminator

Claims (9)

[Claims] An image forming post-process for processing a recorded recording sheet connected to an image forming apparatus for generating image information on the recording sheet from image information output means for repeatedly outputting image information corresponding to the recording sheet. A post-processing device having a staple unit that receives and staples the recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus into a staple tray prepared for stapling; and A staple for stapling recording paper deposited on the staple tray by operating a switching claw for switching a transport direction for each transport path, and discharging a bundle of recording paper deposited on the staple tray to a discharge tray provided in the post-processing device And at least two sort modes in which the received recording paper is sorted into the discharge tray by the switching claw and discharged. An image forming post-processing apparatus having a post-processing mode switching unit capable of selectively switching a mode, further comprising a staple processing suitability determining unit for determining whether or not the staple is appropriate. An image forming post-processing apparatus, comprising: controlling the stapling without stopping the image forming operation and discharging the recording paper of the staple section onto a discharge tray without stopping the image forming operation after determining that the recording sheet is inappropriate. 2. An image forming post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said stapling processing suitability judging means judges that one sheet of recording paper has been sent to said post-processing apparatus. When the staple mode is selected and the copy operation based on the image information from the image information output unit is completed in one cycle, the discharge recording sheet to the post-processing device is used by the discharge sheet one sheet discrimination unit. If it is determined that the number of sheets is one, the staple mode is continued to cause the recording paper to be ejected to the staple tray, and after the ejection of the recording paper to the staple tray is completed, the stapling process is prohibited and the ejection is immediately performed. A discharge process is performed on a paper tray, and the subsequent recording paper is switched to a mode other than the staple mode by the post-processing mode switching means. Image forming post-processing apparatus and controls so as to discharge onto the Kihaishi tray. 3. The image forming post-processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein in the mode other than the staple mode switched by the post-processing mode switching means, the recording paper received by the post-processing apparatus is ejected by the switching claw. An image forming post-processing apparatus, wherein the apparatus is in a non-sort mode in which paper is discharged without being sorted into a paper tray. 4. The image forming post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stapling processing suitability determining means is sequentially copied in accordance with the image information output from the image information output means, and is copied to the post-processing apparatus. Staple MAX detecting means for detecting that the fed recording paper has exceeded the maximum stapleable recording paper number of the post-processing device; and sequentially copying in accordance with the image information output from the image information output means. A staple tray loading MAX (maximum) detecting means for detecting that the number of recording sheets fed to the post-processing device exceeds a maximum number of recording sheets that can be stacked on the staple tray of the post-processing device; and the image information output means. The recording paper is sequentially copied in accordance with the output image information and sent to the post-processing device. An image forming post-processing apparatus comprising a final discharged recording paper detecting means for detecting the last discharged recording paper. 5. The image forming post-processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said staple mode is selected, and said staple MAX detecting means and said staple tray loading M are provided.
When only the staple MAX detection unit of the AX detection units detects that the number of staples that can be stapled exceeds the allowable number of staples, the staple mode is continued, and the recording paper discharge to the staple tray is continued. An image forming post-processing apparatus characterized by controlling. 6. The image forming post-processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the staple tray stacking MAX detection unit detects that the maximum number of recording sheets that can be stacked on the staple tray has been exceeded, or the final discharge recording sheet detection unit. Detecting that the recording paper fed to the post-processing device is the last discharged recording paper for each cycle of the set of originals,
The image forming post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein stapling of the stack of recording sheets stacked on the staple tray is inhibited and the stack of recording sheets is discharged to the discharge tray. 7. The post-processing device according to claim 6, wherein the post-processing mode switching means switches the current staple after discharging the recording paper bundle for the recording paper bundle deposited on the staple tray to the discharge tray. An image forming post-processing apparatus, wherein a mode is switched to the sort mode, and control is performed so that subsequent recording sheets are discharged onto the discharge tray in the sort mode. 8. An image forming post-processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control is performed in a first cycle of the image information output by the image information output means. apparatus. 9. The method of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8.
In the image forming post-processing apparatus described above, the image information output unit is a circulating automatic document feeder that outputs image information of the document in a process of circulating the document, or a unit that calls up page information from a memory. An image forming post-processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.