JPS597668A - Sorter having reversing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce space and automatically sort sheets in a both-sided copying mchine by disposing a paper tansport path on only one side of storing bin group and providing a device for selectively turning a sheet inside out and reversing the sheet. CONSTITUTION:A sheet A which is fed into a main transport path 15 with the surface positioned on left side is sequentially soted with the surface down in a storing bin 6a or 6b of the upper group by separating fingers 4a, 4b operated by solenoids 8a, 8b and a pair of rollers 1a, 2a or 1b, 2b. In case of stacking sheets on storing bins 6d, 6e of the lower group, all the transport rollers 1a, 2a- 1e-2e are rotated in the direction of transporting the sheet downward. When a sensor 18 detects that a sheet B is brought into contact with a stopper 17, rollers 1d, 2d, 1e, 2e of the lower group are reversed, and a separating finger 4d or 4e is operated, so that the sheet, the trailing end of which is clamped between the rollers 1e, 2e, is sent back to be sequentially stored in the storing bin 6d or 6e with the surface up. The thus constructed sorter is connected to a both-sided copier to automatically sort the sheets.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention This invention is connected to a copying machine, etc., and selectively reverses the front and back of the paper as necessary when sorting or collating paper discharged from the copying machine, etc. The present invention relates to a sorter having a reversing device capable of discharging into a storage bin.

When creating a document by copying or printing (hereinafter referred to as copying) from a large number of manuscripts or originals using a copying machine or printing machine, the so-called "copying" method, in which each copy is stacked in page order one by one, is arranged one by one. Collaborative work is required. This work is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and often results in errors such as missing pages. Therefore, in order to perform this process automatically, the printer is connected to a copying machine and one copy of each original is delivered to each storage bin (shelf) provided in multiple stages. , a sorter that completes collation at the same time as copying is now in use. Also, when inserting insert pages, photos, color copies, etc. made with other copying machines or printing machines as part of the document, eject each copy corresponding to each original into a separate storage bin and stack them. Then, collate it by applying it to the collator. In any of the above cases, if the front and back sides of the sheets change within a single bin or from bin to bin, misprints may occur.

Conventionally, copying machines have normally made single-sided copies, and in that case, the sorter uses a separating claw to change the direction of copies that are conveyed in one direction through a paper ejection path provided on one side of a multi-stage bin in response to a signal. This was done by discharging and stacking them into corresponding storage bins with their backs facing up.

There are various ways to set up the separation claw and how to operate it, but usually a separation claw and a solenoid for displacing the separation claw are provided for each bin, and the solenoid corresponding to the bin from which copies are to be ejected is activated in response to a signal. At the time, the separation claw, which was held in a position to allow the paper to pass through the paper transport path, was moved to a position where it guided the paper so as to deflect it towards the bin, and the paper was ejected into the bin. The inertial mass of the parts is small, making it suitable for high-speed processing.

Recently, double-sided copying machines that can selectively copy on one or both sides of a sheet of paper have come into use, but in the case of double-sided copying, after copying is done on the front side of the paper, the front and back sides are reversed in the copying machine. The originals are stacked on the duplex tray, the originals are turned over or replaced, the sheets stacked in the duplex tray are fed, the back side is copied, and the copy is ejected from the copying machine. When the paper is discharged into each storage bin, the front and back sides of the paper on which the double-sided copy has been made are reversed to those on the single-sided copy, which causes an inconvenience.

To solve this problem, conventional sorters have been proposed in which a group of storage bins are lined up horizontally in two rows, and a paper conveyance device is installed on each side. and are conveyed through mutually opposing conveyance paths, one with the front side facing the bin group, and the other side with the back side facing the bin group, and discharged in a deflected manner to a predetermined bin, so that the front and back sides are aligned. A similar system has been proposed, but it has the disadvantage that it requires a large space because the bins are arranged in two horizontal rows and conveying devices are provided on both sides.

In view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of conventional sorters that can be used by connecting to a double-sided copying machine, this invention provides a paper conveyance path only on one side of a group of storage bins, and further selectively reverses the front and back of the paper. Paper that has been copied on one side is directly ejected to the storage bin using the separation claw and stacked, and paper that has been copied on both sides is ejected and stacked in the bin on the rear side with the front and back reversed. To provide a sorter which has a simple configuration and does not require a large space, and which can also collate pages in the reverse order of the copied originals if necessary.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on drawings showing embodiments thereof.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall general configuration of an embodiment of a sorter according to the present invention, in which copy paper A discharged from a copying machine (not shown) with a back reference or center reference is collected by receiving rollers 31 and 32 of a sorter 100. 34, are brought to the reference block on the front side as seen from the operator by the diagonal rollers 33, are conveyed by a pair of intermediate rollers 35 and 36, and are placed at a constant interval in the vertical direction by the curved part guide 8i37. Paper storage bin groups 6a and 6b provided in multiple stages.
... is guided to a main conveyance path 15 extending vertically on one side. The main conveyance path 15 is provided corresponding to each storage bin 6a, 6b, etc., as shown in detail in FIG. Separation claws 4ae, 4b, .
... main conveyance path side guide surface and guide plates 15a, 15b
It is formed by being sandwiched between...

The above-mentioned separation claws 4a, 4b... are fixed to shafts 19a, 19b..., which are supported by the machine frame, respectively, and these shafts are connected to rotary arms i4a fixed to the ends thereof. ,
14b..., a spring 12a attached to one end thereof
, 12b... through the solenoids 8a, 8b.
·····It is connected to the. Normally, the separation claw 4a.

4b... are rotating eclipses 14a, 14b,...
Spring 10a, 10b, etc. attached to the other end
When the plunger is held in a non-operating position by the action of ..., and the plunger is energized by an electrical command to the solenoid corresponding to a certain bin, the shaft is rotated via the spring and rotating arm to correspond to that bin. The separation claw is moved to the operating position and guides the paper conveyed along the main conveyance path to the bin. Separating claws 4a, 4 sandwiching the main conveyance path 15
A pair of conveyor rollers 1a, lbw 2 are located near the tip of b.
There are songs a, 2b*.

Now, in the present invention, the storage bin group is divided into two groups, upper and lower, as shown in FIG. Although the number of storage bins is shown as one, in reality, the number of storage bins is usually several 10 or more.) Upper group storage bin 6a
, 6b, in the operating position, the separation claws 4ae and 4b are shaped to be suitable for deflecting the paper conveyed downward from the main conveyance path 15'ff: soil into the storage bins 6a and 6b, and their leading ends are The transport roller pairs 1a, 2b, 2b provided in the area are adapted to rotate only in a manner that transports the paper downward from the soil. On the other hand, separation claws 4d and 4 corresponding to the lower group storage bins 6d and 6e
e is a pair of transport rollers 1d, 2d, which are shaped to be suitable for deflecting paper transported from below through the main transport path to the storage bins 6d, 6e in the operating position, and are provided within the range of their tips; le and 2e are selectively rotatable in either direction.

Note that a pair of rollers 1c is provided between rollers lb, 2b and ld, 2d.

2c is provided, but it may not necessarily be provided.

The main conveyance path 15 extends further beyond the lowest conveyance roller 1ev2e to form an inversion section 16'iz, and a stopper 17 whose position can be changed according to the paper size is provided at the tip of the inversion section 16'iz. . The length tl from the nip part of the roller pair 1e, 2e to the cyst flange 17 can be adjusted to be shorter than the length of the paper, so that the front edge of the paper
When the trailing edge of the paper is in contact with F7, it is still in contact with roller pair le.
It is held between e 2f and does not hang on the tip of the separation claw 4e.

Since this device is constructed as described above, paper A inserted into the pair of receiving rollers 31 and 32 with its surface facing toward the ground is
The surface facing the right side in the figure is fed into the main conveyance path 15. Therefore, depending on the signal, the storage bins 6a, 6 of the upper group
The solenoid 8a or 8b corresponding to b is activated and the separation claw 4
When a or 4b is brought into the operating position, the paper is discharged by the roller pair 1a, 2a or lb, 2b with the surface facing downward as indicated by N into the storage bin 6a or 6b, and the paper that has entered earlier is discharged into the storage bin 6a or 6b. The front side of the next sheet of paper overlaps with the soil on the back side and is stacked.

When stacking paper in the storage bins 6d*6e of the lower group, all transport roller pairs 1a, 2b;
) le.

2e is rotated in a manner that conveys the paper downward from the soil, and the paper B is conveyed through the main conveyance path 15 until the front end abuts against the stopper 17. When the sensor 18 detects that the front end of the paper has reached the stopper 17, the lower group roller pair idt 2d
As the Hlee 2e rotates in reverse, the separation claw corresponding to the bin to be ejected is operated by a solenoid, and the paper whose rear end is held between the pair of ejection rollers lee 2e is sent in the opposite direction and guided by the separation claw to the bin 6d or 60, the paper is discharged with the soil surface of the receiving rollers 31 and 32 facing the soil, as shown in the figure, and the next paper is stacked with the bottom surface of the previous paper overlapping the soil surface of the previous paper.

Therefore, by using the upper group of bins for collating single-sided nude copies and using the lower group of bins for collating double-sided copies, the pages can be arranged in the order of pages.

Also, when making copies of the same original with dirt on the back side, use the bottles in the upper group, and when making copies on the front side with dirt, use the bottles in the lower group.

As described above, according to the present invention, the paper transport and separation device is provided only on one side of the paper storage bin group, and the paper can be selectively reversed and discharged into another storage bin.
It can be connected to a double-sided copying machine for automatic collation, and requires less space than conventional sorters with this function. Although an embodiment connected to a double-sided copying machine has been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention can also be used in a sorter that collates double-sided printed sheets.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the general overall structure of a sorter according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing details of the division reversing section thereof. la, 2a + lbt 2b"・"'-la vs. 4a
, 4b...Separation claws 6a, 6b...Paper storage bin 15...Main conveyance path 16...Reversing section 17-...Stock tumbler

Claims (1)

[Claims] A sorter that is connected to a copying machine, etc., and sorts or collates paper discharged from the copying machine, etc., and includes paper storage bins provided in multiple stages at intervals in the vertical direction, and one side of the storage bins. A main conveyance path that extends vertically and conveys paper discharged from a copying machine, etc., an active position that guides the paper conveyed through the main conveyance path to each storage bin, and an inoperable position that allows the paper to pass through the main conveyance path. a sorter having a separation claw attached to each storage bin so as to be switchable between positions; and a pair of rollers for transporting sheets from a main conveyance path to each storage bin via a guide surface of the separation claw in an operating position. , the storage bin group is divided into an upper group and a lower group, and each separation claw corresponding to the upper group storage bin is in the operating position to guide the paper being conveyed downward from the ground on the main conveyance path to the storage bin. The roller pair for this is provided as a pair of rollers that sandwich the main conveyance path, and rotates in the direction of conveying the paper from top to bottom, and corresponds to the lower group storage bin. Each separating claw has a shape suitable for guiding the paper conveyed from below toward the soil through the main conveyance path to the storage bin in the operating position, and the roller pair corresponding thereto is provided as a pair of rollers that sandwich the main conveyance path. , selectively rotates in either direction, and the main conveyance path is arranged such that at least the trailing edge of the sheet is held between the roller pair at the lowest position and the tip of the separation claw at the lowest position. A sorter that has a reversing section with a stopper that prevents the front edge of the paper from moving in a fragile state.