JPS63165268A - Sorter with finisher - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform staple processing of the necessary number of sheets and to improve facility, by a method wherein when a release means is motioned during processing in a finish mode, after completion of finish processing under execution, a subsequent finish processing is prohibited. CONSTITUTION:When a finish mode is selected and processing is started, after it is confirmed by a sensor that a sheet is absent on a staple tray 91, bins 60 are orderly lowered to a sheet take-out position X3. The sheets are carried onto a staple tray 91 by means of a take-out roller 75 and a pinch roller 76, and staple processing is effected by means of a stapler 100. when a finish start switch is switched OFF during execution of finish processing, finish processing under execution is prohibited. Staple processing is made on the necessary number of sheets of the sheets contained in the bins 60 of a sorter part 41, and processing on the remaining sheets is limited to sorting. This constitution improves facility.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a sorter with a finisher that distributes sheets discharged from a copying machine or the like and staples them using a stapling means, and particularly relates to a control means thereof.

71. In recent years, due to the demand for automation of paper handling in copying machines, various options such as automatic document feeders and sorters for sorting and grooving copied sheets have been developed and put into practical use. As one of the final forms, there is a demand for a sorter with a finisher that automatically staples and stacks the sheets distributed and accommodated in the sorter, and this has already been put into practical use in some large copying machines.

By the way, in this type of sorter with a finisher, no consideration is given to canceling the finishing process in the middle of stapling. Therefore, when the number of copies is divided into those that require only sorting and those that require stapling, it is complicated to select the mode separately and perform copying. Further, if a finishing mode for performing stapling processing is selected and, during execution, it is realized that stapling is not necessary for a certain portion or more, the operation of the entire system must be stopped, which is extremely troublesome.

In order to solve the above problems, the finish sorter according to the present invention includes: (a) a canceling unit for canceling the execution of finish processing; and (b) the finishing process canceling unit operates. The present invention is characterized by comprising a control means for prohibiting subsequent finish processing after the finish processing being executed is completed.

In other words, in the above configuration, when the release means is operated while the finish processing is being executed in the finish mode, the subsequent finish processing will be executed after the finish processing being executed at that time is completed. is prohibited. This makes it possible to staple only the required number of sheets distributed and housed in the sorter section, and leave the remaining copies as they are, thereby improving usability.

[Overall configuration] The sorter with a finisher (40) according to the present invention has a first
As shown in the figure, it is attached to the side of the copying machine (1). It is fully equipped.

The copying machine (1) is based on the well-known electrophotographic method, and a photosensitive drum (2), which is rotated in the direction of arrow (a), is first charged with a certain amount of charge by charging (3). The optical system <4) scans in the direction of arrow (b), thereby completing the slit exposure of the document set at a predetermined position at ADF (30). Thereby, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum (2) is converted into a toner image by a magnetic brush type developing device (5), and is transferred onto a sheet by a transfer charger (6>).

Sheets are stored in the automatic paper feeder (10) and cassette (10), (11) inside the copying machine (1), or in the three-stage paper feeder cassette (15) of the automatic paper feeder (15) installed outside the machine.
6), (17), and (18) are selectively fed one by one, and sent to the transfer section at a predetermined timing by a pair of timing rollers (19). The sheet after the transfer is sent to the fixing device (21) by the conveyor belt (20), where the toner image is fixed, and then sent from the ejection roller pair (22) to the sorter (40), and then the ejection roller pair Immediately before (22), eject switch (SW3) (second
(see figure), its passage can be detected. In addition, a copying machine (1
) has a built-in paper refeeding device (25) for double-sided copying and composite copying, and a sheet conveyance switching claw (26) for this purpose is installed in front of the discharge roller pair (22).

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

A D F <30) is well known in itself, and the original placed on the original tray (31) is fed by
The documents are fed one by one in step 2) and set in a predetermined position on the document table glass (29) by the rotation of the conveyor belt 34).After the 0 image exposure, the document is reversely conveyed by the rotation of the conveyor belt (34). It is discharged through the channel (35) onto the discharge tray (36).

As shown in FIG. 2, the sorter (40) includes a sorter section (41) that distributes sheets to each bin (60), and a stapler section (90) that has a stapler (100) that staples the sheets.
and a stack section (110) for stacking and accommodating stapled sheets.
90) is arranged below the sorter section (41), and the stack section (110) is arranged below the staple section (90).

[Structure and operation of sorter section] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bin (60) has a claw (60a) on the sorter section (41) side that prevents sheets from flowing backward;
The trunnion (61) is provided with a trunnion (61) projecting laterally, and this trunnion (61) is engaged with a groove (65a) extending in the vertical direction formed in a guide unit (65) attached to the frame of the sorter (40). By combining the bins (
60) is restricted in the vertical direction. In addition, each bin (60) is supported while being loaded on a bin holder (62), and the trunnion (61) is shifted in accordance with the rotation of a floating cam (50), which will be explained below, to widen the bin interval. It has become.

The sorter unit (41) is configured to handle a pair of discharge rollers (2) of the copying machine (1).
The sheet conveying section (42) and the bin (60) facing the copying machine (2) move relative to each other in the vertical direction.
The sheets discharged from step 1) are distributed and stored in each bin (60). As shown in the third rXJ, the sheet conveying section (42) includes an upper unit (52) having a guide surface (52a), a lower unit (43) having a guide surface (43a), a feed roller (47), The sheet is composed of a pinch roller (55) and a guide surface (52a), (43a).
) and are conveyed from rollers (47) and (55) to each bin (60).

The lower unit (43) has both ends of a support shaft (44) provided at the end on the bin (60) side perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction [arrow (c)] as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As shown in Figure 2, by engaging with the rail portion <65b) provided on the guide unit (65) via the collar (45), it is possible to swing vertically and also to move toward the copying machine (1) side. The provided bottle (46) is supported by the guide member (66>), thereby being able to slide in the horizontal direction.

The spindle (44) has a plurality of feed rollers <47).
A fixed roller shaft (47a) is rotatably mounted,
A swing plate (48) is suspended on this roller shaft (47g). The rocking plate (48) is connected by a rod (49), and the lower part thereof is located between the backflow prevention claws (60a) of the bottle (60). Further, on both ends of the support shaft (44), there are shown the lines shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, a floating cam (50) having notches (50a), (50a) formed at 180° intervals on its outer circumference is fixed. This floating cam (50) is intermittently rotated by 180° by a drive source different from the feed roller (47), and the lower unit (
43) and a trunnion (61) on the outer periphery.
The rear end of the bottle (60) is also supported by this contact. Furthermore, the floating cam (50) can move up and down from the bottom bin position (X, ) to the top bin position (Xt) as shown in FIG. .

(SW2). Furthermore, as shown in the third (!I), the lower unit (43) is equipped with a bottle (!I).
The actuator (51a) is rotatable around the fulcrum (51a).
) and a photosensor (Sel) that is turned on and off when the actuator (51) contacts and rotates the sheet being conveyed.

On the other hand, the upper unit (52) is swingable in the vertical direction by engaging the engaging piece (53) on the bin (60) side with the rail portion (65b), and also allows the upper unit (52) to swing in the vertical direction.
The bin (54) provided on the side is connected to the top cover (
By engaging with a guide member (68) provided at 67>, it is possible to slide in the horizontal direction. This upper unit (53) has a pinch roller (55) attached to a support shaft (55a).
) is provided with a static electricity removal brush (56) for sheets that is rotatably mounted and conveyed via a pinch roller (55).
) is in pressure contact with the delivery roller (47) by its own weight and can be driven to rotate.

In addition, a transmission type photosensor (Se5) (see Fig. 2) whose optical axis is located at the rear end of each bin (60) can be installed in this sorter unit (41), and it is possible to insert sheets into each bin (60). It is designed to detect the presence or absence of distribution and accommodation.

In the above configuration, the floating cam (50) is rotated 180° in the opposite direction to the arrow (d) to cut out the trunnion (61) that slides on the outer circumference (5
0a), moves upward by itself, and shifts the taken-in trunnion (61) downward to come into sliding contact with the next trunnion (61). By repeating this operation, each bin (60) is shifted downward one step at a time, and the conveying section (42) is moved upward. floating cam (
When the sort mode is selected, the copying machine (50) is located at the bottom bin position (xl) shown in FIG. The sheet ejected from 1) is placed on the guide surface (
52a) and (43a), and the feed roller (
47) and pinch rollers (55), each bottle (60) is separated by a floating cam (50).
The bottles are distributed and stored in order from the bottom bin (60) to the top.
Further, by rotating the floating cam (50) forward in the direction of arrow (d), each bin (60) is sequentially shifted upward and moved downward together with the conveyance section (42).

The sorter section (41) having the above configuration can accommodate sheets in three modes. The first is a sort mode that distributes each copy of one document to each bin (60) and performs page alignment, and the second is a sort mode that distributes each copy of the document to each bin (60). It is in grooving mode. The third is one bin (
60) is a non-sort mode.

[Structure and operation of fix cam] Next, the fix cam (70) and conveying section (80) for conveying the sheets distributed and accommodated in each bin (60) to the staple tray (91) described below will be explained. .

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the fix cam (70) has a spiral groove (7) on its outer periphery that can be engaged with the trunnion (61).
0a) is carved three times, and can be rotated in forward and reverse directions by a motor (not shown) via a support shaft (71) - that is, the fix cam (70) can be rotated forward in the direction of arrow (e). Accordingly, the trunnion (61) of the bin (60) shifted to the bottom bin position (XI>) by the floating cam (50) is guided by the spiral groove (70a) and lowered to the sheet take-out position (X,).

On the other hand, at the sheet take-out position (X,), as shown in FIG. The trunnion (61) is installed in the removed state and elastically holds the trunnion (61) that has been lowered to the take-out position (X,). This removal position (X
, ) are provided with a take-out roller (75), a pinch roller (76) and a sheet guide (78) that are pressed against the take-out roller (75) by their own weight. Furthermore, a sheet backflow prevention guide (79) is installed between the bottom bin position (X,) and the take-out position (X,), as shown in the second I5g.

As shown in Fig. 8, the sheet guide (78) has a guide surface (78a) on the upper surface slightly higher than the sheet backflow prevention claw (60a) of each bin (60) that is tilted down to the take-out position (X,). It is set up as expected. Pinch roller (76
) is rotatably supported by a support shaft (77a) via an arm (77), as shown in FIG. 2, and the take-out roller (75
) can be attached to and detached from the top.

Further, at the lower end of the support shaft (71) of the fix cam (70), there is a drive pulley (86) as shown in FIG.
and gear (87g) are integrally fixed, and gear (87a)
meshes with the gear (87c) via the gear (87b), and the disk (88>) can rotate integrally with the gear (87c).A notch (not shown) is formed in the disk (88). By detecting this notch with the photosensor (Se2), the rotation speed of the fix cam (70) can be controlled.

As shown in FIG.
5), (76), and conveyance rollers (81a), (81b)
) ~(83a).

(83b), guide plates (84a), (84b),
(85a) and (85b). The conveyance rollers (81a), (82a), (83a) are made of rubber material, and the conveyance rollers (81b), (82b), (
83b) is made of sponge material and is capable of absorbing the thickness of the laminated sheets.

In the above configuration, when the sorter section (41) finishes distributing sheets, the fix cam (70) is rotated three times in the direction of the arrow (e). The trunnion (61) of ) is guided by the spiral groove (70a) and reaches the take-out position
and is held by the receiving member (72).

At this take-out position (X,), the bin (60) is tilted at a larger angle than at the bottom bin position (X,), and the sheets being distributed and accommodated are guided by their own weight (78).
The take-out roller (75), which exerts a sliding force while being guided by the guide surface of
), the leading edge of the sheet passes through the roller (75).

(76), and the sheet is conveyed by the rollers (75) and (76).
), (81b). At this time, even if the sheet is curled downward, it is guided by the guide (78) and take-out roller (75) to ensure that it passes over the backflow fat stopper claw (60a) and passes through the guide plates (84a) and (84).
b) conveyed between.

Moreover, even if the sheet curls upward, it is guided by the backflow prevention guide (79) and the guide plate (84a).

(84b).

The pinch roller (76) is a sheet roller (81a),
(81b), the solenoid (not shown) is turned off in the initial state, so that the bottle (60) is retracted upward from the take-out roller (75), and the bin (60) is moved to the take-out position (x ha) as described above. When you reach
The solenoid turns on and the sheet is sandwiched between the take-out roller (75) and the take-out roller (75).
Conveyance rollers (81a), (81b>, (82a)
, (82b), (83a).

(83b) are rotationally driven, and the sheet is transported as shown by the arrow (f) in FIG.
b) onto the staple tray (91).

On the other hand, the 70-ting cam (50) is located at a position corresponding to the bottom bin position (X,) as shown in FIG.
The trunnion (
61) and 180″ at this position (X+)
The trunnion (61) is intermittently reversed in the direction opposite to the arrow (d) by 0 to feed the trunnion (61) into the fix cam (70) one by one.
In this embodiment, in order to increase the inclination angle of the bin (60) that has descended to the take-out position (X,) to make it easier for the sheet to slide out under its own weight, the bottom bin position (X,) is
In other words, the stroke of the bottle (60) that moves between this interval is set to be large. Therefore, the spiral groove (70a) carved on the outer periphery of the fix cam (70) is rotated three times, and the trunnion (61)
The torque of the fix cam (70) when it moves up and down is reduced as much as possible. Then, by holding the trunnion (61) [indicated by (A) in Fig. 6] just before it is fed into the fix cam (70) with the floating cam (50), this trunnion (61) is transferred to the fix cam (70).
It is prevented from being fed into the spiral groove (70a) during the second and third rotations.

As described above, by reversing the floating cam (50) by 180° and rotating the fixing cam (70) three times, each bin (60) is lowered one step at a time to the take-out position (X,).
The sheets distributed and housed in each bin (60) are transported to the transport section (80).
) and onto the staple tray (91>).

In addition, each bottle (60) that has descended to the take-out position (X,)
is held in an upwardly biased state by the receiving member (72), and after the sheets are taken out from all the bins (60) in which the sheets are distributed and stored, the fix cam (70) moves in the direction indicated by the arrow (e). The floating cam (50) returns upward by being reversely driven in the opposite direction and by being driven forward in the direction of arrow (d).

[Structure and operation of staple unit] As shown in FIG. 2, the staple unit (90) includes a staple tray (91) and a motor (93) that vibrates the staple tray.
, a guide plate (95), a stopper (96), and a stapler (100). The staple tray (91) is swingably installed around a support shaft (92), and is vibrated by the centrifugal force of the weight (94) by rotating an eccentric weight (94) with a motor (93). Due to this vibration, the sheets sent from the conveying section are aligned while being regulated by the guide plate (95) and stopper (96).

As shown in FIG. 11, the stapler (100) has a motor output shaft (101) fixed, and an arm (104) that can swing freely around a bin (103) as a fulcrum to connect the peripheral part of a cam (102) and the head. (105) The head (105) moves upward via the arm (104) when the cam (102) is rotated in the direction of arrow (g) by the motor.
A staple (106) staples the sheets aligned on the tray (91). The staple (106) is housed in a cartridge (107), and the motor output shaft (
101) and is sent to the head section by a conveyor belt (108) which can be rotated.

The stopper (96) is rotatably installed using a solenoid (not shown) about a support shaft (97) as a fulcrum, and is normally positioned above the lower end of the staple tray (91) to position the leading edge of the sheet. This stopper (96) retracts downward when the solenoid is turned on, releasing the positioning of the seat.

This stapler (100) also has staple needles (1
06) empty detection photosensor (Se3) and staple motor rotation speed detection sensor (Se4) are installed, the sensor (Se3) directly detects the staple (106), and the sensor (Se4) is connected to the motor output shaft. (10
Notch (109a) of disk <109) fixed to 1)
It is designed to detect.

Further, this stapling unit (90) is equipped with a photosensor (Se6) that detects the presence or absence of a sheet on the staple tray (91), and a switch (SW4) that detects attachment/detachment of the stapler (100). .

In the above configuration, the sheet transported from the transport section (80) onto the staple tray (91) is transported by the motor (9
As the tray (91) vibrates based on the rotation of step 3), it is regulated and aligned by the guide plate (95) and stopper (96), the motor (93) is stopped, and the staple motor is driven to perform the binding. It will be done. When the solenoid is turned on, the stopper (96) moves the bound sheets to the tray (9).
1) By retracting from above, it slides down from above the tray (91), is guided by the guide plate (98), and is accommodated on the stack tray (111). Such stapling processing is repeated each time the bin (60) is lowered to the take-out position (X,) by the fix cam (70) and a sheet is conveyed onto the staple tray (91).

[Configuration of Stack Unit] The stack unit (110) is configured of a stack tray (111), and ultimately stores and stores sheets bound by the stapler (100). Stack tray (111
), as shown in FIG. 12, a notch (lla) is formed in the stapled part of the sheet (S), that is, in the part where the part bound with the staples (106) is located. With this, when sheets bound with the stapler (100) are stacked and stored on the tray (111), the stapled part will sag into the notch (lla) due to its own weight, and only the stapled part will become bulky. This will prevent this, and the loading capacity will increase accordingly.

[control panel] In this embodiment, the operation panel is as shown in FIG.

As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the copying machine panel (120
) and ADF panel (140) and tosotahanel (15o)
It is installed in three locations.

Copy machine panel (120) c, print +-( to start copying operation when ADF (30) is not in use
121), interrupt key (122) for temporarily interrupting the multi-flip operation, clear/stop key (123) for stopping the copy operation or canceling the set number.
, a group of ten keys (12
4) A display section (125) for displaying the number of copies and the status of the copying machine (1), up/down keys (126) and (127) for setting the copy density, and a group of display LEDs (128). , sheet selection key (129) for selecting copy sheet size and its display LED
A group (130), a group of magnification selection keys (131) for selecting a copy magnification, a group of display LEDs (132), and the like are provided.

The ADF panel (140) is provided with only a start key (141>) for starting the ADF operation. When this start key (141) is turned on, the documents on the document tray (31) are automatically sequentially moved. Place the original platen glass (2
9) After the paper has been conveyed upward, the copying operation is started.

The sorter panel (150) has a sorter mode selection key (1
51) and its display section, the non-sort mode display L E
D (152) and sort mode display L E D (1
53) and grouping mode display LED (154>
, the finish mode selection key (155) and its display section, the non-finish mode display LED (1
56) and finish mode)' display section E D (15
7) A finish start key (15g) and its display LED (159) are provided. This L
E D (159) lights up to indicate that finishing processing is in progress, and blinks to display a warning to remove copies from the staple tray (91). Additionally, there is an LED (160) that displays a warning to remove sheets from the bin (6o), and a stapler (106).
LED (161) indicates that the stapler (100) is empty, and LED (161) indicates that the stapler (100) is set incorrectly.
162) is provided. Sorter mode selection key (1
51) switches sequentially to non-sort mode, sort mode, and grouping mode each time it is pressed, and the corresponding L E D (152), (153).

(154) lights up. Finishing mode selection key (
155) also switches between non-finish mode and finish mode each time you press it, and the corresponding L
E D (156) and (157) light up. Each time the finish start key (158) is pressed, it outputs the start and cancellation of the finish operation, and the LED (159) lights up at the time of start.

[Control Circuit] FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the control circuit, and the microcomputer (CPU) includes a copying machine panel (120).

ADF panel (140), sorter panel (150)
are connected to the copy process means (170),
An ADF process means (171) is connected, and a sorter process means (172) and a finisher process means (173) are also connected to exchange their respective signals.

Figure 17 shows the main parts of the control circuit, and the input/output board of the microcomputer (CPU) includes a printed switch,
The ADF start switch and the display LEDs (180), (181) built into them, the selection switches of the sorter panel (150), and the display LEDs (1
52)... etc. are connected.

[Controller M] Next, a control procedure based on the copying machine (1), the sorter (40), and the control circuit described above will be explained with reference to FIG. 18 and subsequent figures.

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

The microcomputer (CPU) is reset,
When the program starts, in step (Sl), the random access memory is cleared, various registers are initialized, and initial settings are made to put each device into the initial mode.Next, in step (B2), an internal timer is started. This internal timer determines the time required for the main routine, and its value is set in advance at the initial setting of step (Sl).

Next, in steps (B3) to (B8), each subroutine described in detail below is sequentially called, and when the processing of all subroutines is completed, the end of the internal timer is waited for in step (B9), and step ( Return to B2).

This long time of one routine is used to count various timers in each subroutine.

FIG. 19 shows the input processing subroutine executed in step (B3).

First, in step (510), a set number (A) is inputted using a group of ten keys (124) on the copier panel (120).
Sheet size (B8) selected in step (511)
is input, and in step (512) A D F (30
) is selected. If use has been selected, the ADF mode flag is set to "1" in step (513), and if not, the ADF mode flag is reset to 'O' in step (514>).

Next, in step (515), a subroutine for setting the sort mode is executed, in step (516), a subroutine for setting the finish mode is executed, and in step (517), a subroutine for setting the finish mode is executed.
It is determined whether the sort mode flag is "1" or not. If the sort mode flag is "O4", sorting and stapling processing will not be executed, so step (52)
2), enter the number of bins (a) in step (518), and input the number of bins (a) in step (519).
A) and the number of bins (a) are compared.

If the number (A) is less than or equal to the number of bins (a), the sort mode can be executed, and in step (520) it is determined whether the finish mode flag is "1". If the finish mode flag is "0", the process moves to step (522), and if it is "1", it is determined in step (521") whether the sheet size <Sl) is A4 size or B5 size. . In this embodiment, the sheet size that can be stapled is A4 or B5, and if YES, other input processing is executed in step (522).

In step (523), it is determined whether the print switch is turned on or not, and if it is turned on, step (523) is performed.
In step 24), the copy flag is set to "1" to enable copy processing. Also, if it is not turned on, step (
At step 525), it is determined whether or not the ADF start switch is turned on. If it is turned on, the step (524) is executed, and if it is not turned on, this subroutine is ended.

On the other hand, in the step (519), the set number (A) is changed to the number of bins (
a), step (526)
Set the warning flag (Fl) to "1" in step (
527) to prohibit system operation. This warning flag (
Fl) is for displaying that the number of distributions exceeds the number of bins.First step, step (52B),
In (536), as in steps (523) and (525), it is determined whether the print switch is turned on or not, and
Determine whether the DF start switch is turned on.
YES in this step (528) or (536).

That is, when the operator's intention to execute copying even if a warning is issued is confirmed, the non-sort mode flag is set to "1" in step (529) to switch to non-sort mode processing, and step (529) is performed. 530), reset the warning flag (Fl) to ``0'' and proceed to step (53
0a) to cancel the prohibition of system operation, and proceed to step (53).
7) sets the copy flag to "1".

Also, in the step (521), the sheet size (5)
If it is determined that the size is other than A4 size or B5 size, stapling processing is impossible, so step (531
) sets the warning flag (F2) to 11'' and prohibits system operation in step (532). This warning flag (F2) is used to indicate that the selected sheet size is incompatible. Next, step (533)
), (538) in the steps (523), (52
Similarly to 5), it is determined whether the print switch is turned on and whether the ADF start switch is turned on. YES in this step (533) or (538)
That is, when the operator's intention to perform copying even if a warning is issued is confirmed, the finishing mode flag is reset to "rO" in step (534) to prohibit the stapling process, and in step (535) Reset the warning flag (F2) to "0." and proceed to step (535a).
The inhibition of system operation is canceled in step (539), and the copy flag is set to "1".

FIG. 20 shows the sort mode setting subroutine executed in step <515).

In this subroutine, each step (540), (5
42).

In step (544), it is determined whether the non-sort mode, sort mode, and grouping mode are all selected, and if they are selected, each step (541) is performed.

(543), (545) non-sort mode flag,
Set the sorting mode flag and grooving mode flag to “1”.
”.

FIG. 21 shows the finish mode setting subroutine executed in step (516).

First, in step (550), it is determined whether or not the finish mode has been selected. If the finish mode has not been selected, this subroutine is immediately terminated. If it has been selected, the finish mode flag is set to "1" in step (551). ”, and in step (552) set the permissible number of sheets to be stapled (C
b'). Next, in step (553), the stapling permission size is set to A4. Set to BS, step (55
In step 4), the sort mode flag is set to "1" to permit processing in sort mode.

FIG. 22 executes a display processing subroutine that can be executed in step (S4) of the main routine.

First, in step (560), the ADF mode flag is set to "1".
．． Determine whether or not, and if rl, ADF mode display L
Turn on E D (180) and display "1. or "0. In either case, display L E D (15
2), (153).

(154) is lit to display the selected sorter mode. In step (563), it is determined whether the finish mode flag is "1" or not, and if it is "1", the finish mode display LED is turned on in step (564).
(157) lights up.

Next, in step (SaS), it is determined whether the warning flag (Fl) is "1" or not, and if it is "1", step (56
In step 6), the display unit (125) displays that the number of bins is over. In step (567''), it is determined whether the warning flag (F2) is rl or not, and if it is ``1'', in step (568), the display section (125) displays that the sheet size is unsuitable. . In step <559>, it is determined whether the warning flag (F3) is "1" or not. If it is "1", in step (570), the display unit (125) displays that the finish mode is not possible. Step (
571), it is determined whether the warning flag (F4) is "11" or not, and if it is "1", the display section (12) is displayed in step (572).
5) indicates that the original is empty. In step <573), it is determined whether the warning flag (F5) is 1"1", and if it is 1", then in step (574) the display unit 125 displays that the finish capacity is over. At step (575), the warning flag (F6) is
is 11”, and if it is “1”, step (5
76) and the staple tray (91) on the display section (125).
Indicates that the sheet needs to be removed from the In step (585), it is determined whether the warning flag (FIL) is "1", and if it is "1", then in step (586)
E D (160) is illuminated to indicate that a sheet needs to be removed from the bin (60).

Next, in step (581), it is determined whether the copy flag is "1" or not, and if it is "1", in step (582), "
0”, in step (583) each display section (1
25) displays the number of copies or the number of remaining copies. l
! Then, in step <584>, other display processing is executed, and this subroutine is ended.

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

First, in step (590), the ADF mode flag is set to "1".
”, and if it is “1”, step (591)
It is determined whether the copy flag is "11" or not, and if it is "1", copy processing is permitted, so step (
At step 595), the ADF control subroutine is executed, and the process moves to step (597). Further, if it is determined that the ADF mode flag is "O4" in step (590), the copy flag is set to "1" in step (596).
It is determined whether or not it is "1", and if it is "1", the process moves to step (597). If it is determined that the copy flag is "0" in both steps (591) and (596), the process returns to the main routine.

Next, steps (597), (5100), (51
02) are the non-sort mode flag and sort mode flag, respectively.

After confirming that the grouping mode flag is "1", step (599), (5101), <51
04), each subroutine of non-sheet mode processing, sorting mode processing, and grouping mode processing is executed. Further, in step (5105), a copy processing subroutine is executed, and in step (5106), other processing subroutines are executed.

Note that the subroutines that can be executed in steps (599) and (5104) are the same as the conventional procedure, and the details thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 24 shows the ADF executed in step (595).
Shows the control subroutine.

First, in step (5120), it is determined whether there is a document in the document tray (31) by turning the sensor on or off, and if there is, in step (5133), the warning flag (F4) is set to rl,
Determine whether or not. This warning flag (F4) is set to rl in step (5131) described below, but if it is "1", it is reset to "0" in step (5134). Then, in step (5121), the document feeding process subroutine, in step (5122), the document size detection subroutine, and in step (5123), the document conveying process subroutine is executed.If there is no ex document, step (5
130), it is determined whether the document count is r□, and rO
”, set the warning flag (F4) in step (5131)
rl, to prepare a document empty display, reset the copy flag to "0" in step (5132), and return to the main routine.

On the other hand, in step (5124), it is determined whether the optical system (4) has scanned one copy, and if it has scanned, the scan end flag is set to "1". Then, in step (5126), the scan end flag is set to "1.
After confirming that , step step (5128
) executes a document discharge processing subroutine, and at the same time executes other processing subroutines in step (5129).

Note that this ADF hunter subroutine has the same procedure as the conventional one, and includes steps (5121) to (512).
3), details of (5128) are omitted.

25a and 25b show a subroutine for sort mode processing that can be executed in the step (Slot). In this subroutine, the operation of the sorter bin (60) is made different depending on whether or not the finish mode is selected. This corresponds to the fact that the order in which sheets are taken out from the bin (60) differs depending on whether or not finish mode is selected.
This is because the order of distribution to 0) is different. If finishing mode is selected, the sheet will be attached to the staple section (
If the sheet is not selected, the sheet is dispensed from the upper bin (60) to facilitate the operator's direct removal of the sheet.

Specifically, in step (5140), it is determined whether there is a sheet in the bin (60) in the finish mo step (5141) by turning on or off the sensor (Se5), and if there is no sheet, the step (5184) is performed. ) to set the warning flag (Fi
l) is “1.” This warning flag (Fi
l) includes steps (5158), (51
61) is set to ``1'', but if it is ``1'', it is reset to ``0'' in step (5185), and step (5185) is set to ``1''.
5185a) to cancel the inhibition of system operation. Then, in step (5142), the bottom bin detection switch (S
WI) is on, that is, the bin (60) is located at the bottom bin position (X+>, which is the home position when finishing mode is selected, and sheet distribution in finish mode is possible. Therefore, if YES, the process directly proceeds to step (5148), and the rotation direction flag is reset to 10'' in order to reverse the bin operation for performing the sorting operation, that is, the floating cam motor (not shown). .

If NO, follow the steps (5143) to (Si20
) to move the bin (60) to the bottom bin position <
+). That is, in step (5143), the motor of the floating cam (50) is rotated in the normal direction, and in step (st44), a sorter weight is applied. Sorter weight means that while the bin (60) is moving, the sheet is being moved to the sorter section (41).
This means that copy operations are prohibited so that it is not sent to the Then, after confirming that the bottom bin detection switch (SWI) is turned on in step (5145), in step (5146), the floating cam (51
) is turned off, the sorter weight is released in step (5147), and the floating cam rotation direction flag is reset to rOj in step (5148), so that the subsequent rotation direction of floating cam 50) is reversed.

On the other hand, when finish mode is not selected,
The sensor (Se5) is turned on in step (5149).

Check the presence or absence of sheets in the bin (60) when turning off,
If there is no sheet, check whether the top bin detection switch (Sν2) is on or not in step (5150), that is, whether the top bin detection switch (Sν2) is on or not
) The top bin position is the home position in the finish mode (located at and sets the floating cam rotation direction flag to 11'' to allow normal rotation of the floating cam (50).If NO, follow the steps (5151) to (51).
55) to move the bin (60) to the top bin position (X, ). That is, in step (5151), the motor of the floating cam (50) is reversed, in step (5152), a sorter weight is applied, and in step (5152), the motor of the floating cam (50) is reversed.
After confirming that the top bin detection switch (S$J2) is turned on in step (5153), the motor of the floating cam (50) is turned off in step (5154). continue,
The sorter weight is canceled in step (5155), the floating cam rotation direction flag is reset to "1" in step (5156), and the subsequent floating cam (5
0> rotation direction is normal rotation.

Furthermore, if it is determined in steps (5141) and (5149> that there are sheets in the bin (60), it is determined in steps (5157> and (5160) whether or not the number of copies is 0. , if “O”, step (5
15g).

In step (5161), the warning flag (Fil) is set to "1" to prepare for lighting up the copy removal indicator LED (160), and in steps (5159) and (5162), system operation is prohibited.

Next, in step (5163), it is determined whether the ejection switch (SW3) of the copying machine (1) is on-edge. That is,
Waiting for the leading edge of the sheet to reach the discharge switch (SW3), turn on the sorter conveyance motor in step (5164),
Sorter discharge sensor (Sel) at step <5165)
Determine whether or not is off-edge. That is, when the trailing edge of the sheet passes the discharge sensor (Set>), it is considered that the sheet is stored in the bin (60), and if the sheet is off-edge, step (516) is executed.
6) Start the sorter transport motor timer. Then, in step (5167), the sheet number count is incremented, in step (5168), the sorter conveyance motor timer is waited for to end, and in step (5169), the sorter conveyance motor is turned off. l! Then, in step (5170), it is determined whether or not the sheet conveyed earlier is the last sheet, and if it is the last sheet, the floating cam rotation direction flag is reversed in step <5171>. That is, if the floating cam rotation direction flag is "0", it is set to "1", and if it is "1", it is reset to "0". In order to continue the sorting operation if it is not the last sheet, the floating cam rotation direction flag is checked in step (5172), and if it is "0", step (5173) is performed.
The floating cam motor is turned on in reverse rotation in step (5174), and if it is "1", it is turned on in forward rotation in step (5174). That is, the sheets are distributed back and forth from the lower bin (60) to the upper bin (60) and from the upper bin (60) to the lower bin (60).

Next, in step (5175), it is determined whether the finish mode flag is "1" or not, and if it is "work", step (
In step S175 &), the number of sheets per bin (M) is calculated, and in step (5176), the number of sheets per bin (M) and the allowable number of stapling sheets (Cb) [step (55
2) Compare with the reference. Number of sheets per bottle (M
) is greater than or equal to the staple permissible number (cb), step (5177
) to set the warning flag (F5) to "1" and prepare to display that the finisher capacity is exceeded. Furthermore, in step (5178), the copy flag is reset to 10'', in step (5179) it is determined whether the print switch has been turned on, and in step (stso>) it is determined whether the ADF start switch has been turned on. , if any of them is turned on, that is, if the operator's intention to execute the copy even if a warning is issued is confirmed, step (5) is executed.
Step 181) resets the finish mode flag to "r", and step (5182) resets the warning flag (F5) to r.
At the same time, in step (5183), the copy flag is set to "1" to enable execution in sort mode, and this subroutine ends.

Note that if you execute steps (5176) and (5177) and want to end the copy operation and perform finish processing when the finisher capacity exceeds warning is issued, all you need to do is turn on the finish start switch. (5205) Reference.

No. 261150 indicates a copy processing subroutine executed in step (5105).

First, in step (5190), it is determined whether the optical system (4) has scanned one copy, and if YES, the scan end flag is set to 11 in step (5191>), and if NO, step At step (5192), a copy process subroutine is executed.This subroutine is a routine for executing a normal copy process by the copying machine (1), and its details will be omitted.

Next, in step (5193), the scan end flag is set to “
1", reset the scan end flag to "0" in step (5194), and proceed to step (5194).
In step 5195), the copy flag is reset to 10'', and in step 5196, other processing subroutines are executed.

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

First, in step (5200), it is determined whether the finish mode flag is ``1'', and if it is ``0'', the process immediately ends. '1', it is determined in step (5201) whether the finishing mode is prohibited, and if it is prohibited, the allowable number of sheets to be stapled is set to 9 in step (5202).
1> The presence or absence of a sheet is checked by determining whether the upper sheet detection sensor (Se6) is on or off. If the sheet detection sensor (Se6) is turned on and it is determined that there is a sheet on the tray (91), the existing sheet will be stapled together with the sheet that will be fed into the tray (91) from now on. There is a risk that the number of pages to be bound will be exceeded, so step (5)
At step 203), the warning flag (F6) is set to "1" to prepare for displaying a warning to remove the sheet from the staple tray (91), and at step (5204), the finish mode is prohibited.

On the other hand, if it is confirmed in step (5201) that the finish mode is not prohibited or that there is no sheet on the tray (91) in step (5202), the warning flag (F6) is set in step (S201a). "1
', and if '1', step (5201
In b), reset to r□, and in step (S201c) cancel the prohibition of finish mode.Next, in step (5205), reset the finish start switch (15g
) is turned on. If it is on, set the finish processing flag to "1" in step (5206).
The number of sheets (M) per bin is calculated in step (5207), and it is determined in step (5208) whether the number of sheets (M) per bin is one. That is, if the number (M) of sheets distributed and accommodated in each bin (60) is one, there is no need to staple the sheets. Therefore, if step (5208) determines that the number of sheets per bin is 1, step (5209) prepares to display a warning flag (F3) ``1'' indicating that the finish mode is not possible. and step (5210
) to reset the finish mode flag to "0",
Cancel finish mode.

If the number of sheets (M) per bin is not 1, the warning flag (F3) is set to "1" in step (S208a).
If it is "1", step (S208b
) to reset it to “0”. Next, step (5211
), the presence or absence of a sheet on the staple tray (91) is checked again by turning the sensor (Se6) on and off. <5203>
, (5204) to issue a warning and cancel finish mode. If there is no sheet, finish processing is executed. That is, step (5212
), the bin movement processing subroutine, step (5213
), the subroutine for sheet removal processing, step (5)
At step 214>, each stapling processing subroutine is executed. After these processes are completed, the presence or absence of sheets in the bin (60) is determined in step (5215), and the presence or absence of sheets on the staple tray (91) is determined in step (5216).
) to reset the finish processing flag to "0".

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (5215) that there are still sheets remaining in the bin (60), that is, if it is necessary to continue the stapling process, step (521
In step 8), it is determined whether the finish start switch (158) is turned off. If it remains on, the process returns to the main routine and continues this finish processing subroutine. This switch (158
) is turned off, that is, when the operator's intention not to staple subsequent sheets is confirmed, the finish processing flag is set to r in step (5217).
o" and end the finish process.

In addition, in this finish processing subroutine,
To cancel the finish mode prohibition, step (5202)
) detects that the sheet has been removed from the staple tray (91), and resets the warning flag (F6) to rO, in step (5201b). F[ of the finish process may be performed automatically via a timer after the finish mode prohibition is canceled, or may be performed by inputting a finish start switch.

FIG. 28 shows the subroutine of the bin movement process executed in step (5212).

First, in step (5220), the sensor (Se5) is turned on.

The presence or absence of a sheet in the bin (60) is determined when the process is turned off, and if there is no sheet, the process immediately ends. Although such a situation cannot occur in practice, it can occur if the operator removes the sheet from the bin (60) immediately after copying is complete. If there is a sheet, turn the bottom bin detection switch (SWl) at step <5221).
Determine whether or not is on. If the switch (SIJI) is not on, step (
5222), the motor of the floating cam (50) is rotated in the normal direction, and when the off-edge of the floating cam rotation detection switch is confirmed in step (5223), the motor is turned off in step (5224''). ), (5223), (5224)
continues until the floating cam (50) moves to the bottom bin position (X,).

The floating cam (50) is in the bottom bin position (
X,), i.e., the step (5221)
When it is determined that the bottom bin detection switch (SWI) is turned on, the fix cam motor is rotated forward in step (5225), and it is determined in step (5226) whether the fix cam rotation detection sensor (Se2) is on-edge.

If it is on-edge, this will set the bottom bin position (
The bin (60) located at the sheet take-out position (X,)
), the bin counter is incremented in step (5227), and step (5228'
) to turn off the fix cam motor.

Next, in step (5229), the bin counter is set to the number (A
) [Step (510) Determine whether it is equal to the reference value. If the pin counter is smaller than the set number (A), a process is executed to move the next bin (60) to the sheet take-out position (X,). That is, the floating cam motor is reversed in step (5230), and the floating cam motor is reversed in step (5231).
), when the off-edge of the floating cam rotation detection sensor is confirmed, the floating cam motor is turned off in step (5232). This causes the next bin (60) to move to the bottom bin position (X, >).

This step (5230), (5231), (523
Step 2) is repeated until the pin counter becomes equal to the set number (A).

When the pin counter becomes equal to the set number (A), the stapling process is completed, and after confirming that there are no sheets in the bin (60) in step (5233), the subroutine for resetting the bin position is executed in step (5234). Execute.

FIG. 29 shows a subroutine for the sheet retrieval process executed in step (5213).
60) to the staple tray (91) via the conveying means (80).

First, in step (5240), the sheet take-out position (X
, ), the sensor (Se5) is turned on for the bottle (60) that has descended to the bottom.

In the off state, it is determined whether or not there is a sheet, and if there is no sheet, an appropriate warning is displayed (not shown in the flowchart) and the process moves to step (5246). When the presence of the sheet is confirmed, in step (5241) it is determined whether the fix cam rotation detection sensor (Se2) is off-edge, in other words, whether the fix cam (70) has started to rotate normally. When it is determined that the sheet is off-edge, that is, when the fix cam (70) starts normal rotation and the bin (60) begins to descend to the sheet take-out position (X,), step (5) is performed.
At step 242), the solenoid of the pinch roller (76) is turned on, and at step (5243), the pinch rotary tenlenoid timer is started. When the sheet on the bin (60) starts to descend based on the normal rotation of the fix cam (70), the sheet on the bin (60)
60), the sheet can be completely pinched between the take-out roller (75) and the pinch roller (76) at the sheet take-out position (Xl).

Next, in step (5244), it is determined whether the fix cam rotation detection sensor (Se2) is on-edge, in other words, whether the bin (60) has completed its descent to the sheet take-out position (X,). , if it is determined that the sheet is on-edge, the sheet take-out motor is turned on in step (5245). The sheet is now on the roller (75).

<76), (81a), <81b), etc., to the staple tray (91), and when the end of the pinch roller solenoid timer is confirmed in step (S246), the pinch roller solenoid timer is conveyed in step (5247). -Turn off lanrenoid. With this pinch roller (76)
is retracted upward from the take-out roller (75). This causes the pinch roller (76) to be retracted from the take-out position (X,) before the next bin (60) starts descending from the bottom bin position (xl), and the sheets distributed and accommodated in the bin (60) are This is to prevent interference.

Next, in step (5248) the staple tray (91
) sensor (Se6) is turned on to confirm that the sheet is stored in the tray (91), the sheet take-out motor is turned off in step <5249), and this subroutine is ended.

FIG. 30 shows the stapling subroutine executed in step (5214).

First, in step (5251) the staple tray (91
) is on-edge. This sensor (Se6) turns on when the sheet is completely conveyed onto the tray (91). Therefore, if it is on-edge, the sheet on the tray 91) is aligned by turning on the vibration motor (93) in step (5252),
Step <5253) starts the vibration motor timer. On the other hand, in the step (5251), it is determined that it is not on-edge, and in step <5254), Senna (S
e6) is on, that is, if it is determined that there is already a sheet on the tray (91), step (5255)
to move to.

Next, when the end of the vibration motor timer is confirmed in step (5255), the vibration motor is turned off in step ($256), and the staple motor is turned on in step (5257). Then, when it is determined in step (5259) that the rotation detection sensor (Se4) of the staple motor is on-edge, that is, when the head (105) moves and the sheets are stapled with the staples (106), step The staple motor is turned off in step (5260), and the stopper solenoid is turned on in step (5262).

With this, the stopper (96) is retracted from above the tray (91), and the sheet slides off the tray (91) and is stored on the stack tray <111>.

Next, in step (5263) the staple tray (91
) sensor (Se6) is determined to be off-edge,
That is, when it is determined that the sheet has been discharged to the stack tray (111), the stopper solenoid is turned off in step (5264) and the stopper (96) is moved to the tray (9).
1) Return to the top and end this subroutine.

That is, in this embodiment, the finish mode is selected in the finish processing subroutine (see FIG. 27), and the finish start switch (1
58) is turned on [step (5200), (
5205) and confirm that there are no sheets on the staple tray (91) [Step < 5211)
Execute the finish processing for No. 1 and -1 at steps (5212), (5213), (5214),
Then, after confirming that there are still sheets remaining in the bin (60) at the time when these finishing processes are completed, the operator selects YES in step (5215) and turns off the finish start switch (158). and [YES in step (5218)], subsequent finish processing is prohibited. With this, each bin (
Of the sheets distributed and housed in the storage area 60), only the necessary number of copies can be stapled, and the remaining copies can be left as they are. Furthermore, when the canceling means is operated, the operation is not stopped during the finishing process that is currently being executed.

Note that as a means of canceling execution of finish processing,
In this embodiment, the finish start switch (158)
Although the off signal was used as a release signal using , a dedicated release switch may be installed separately.

As is clear from the above explanation, according to the present invention, if the release means stops operating while processing in the finish mode is being executed, the subsequent finish processing will be disabled after the finish processing is completed. Since finishing processing is prohibited, it is possible to staple only the necessary number of sheets distributed and housed in each bin of the sorter section, and to limit the remaining number of copies to sorting only, improving usability.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the entire copying machine, Fig. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of a sorter with a finisher, Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the sorter section, and Fig. 4 is a diagram of the sorter. 5 is a perspective view of the conveyance section, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the floating cam and fixed cam, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the floating cam, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the sheet take-out position. Fig. 9 is a plan view showing the engagement relationship between the trunnion and the fix cam, Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view showing the rotation detection part of the fix cam, Fig. 11 is a plan view of the stapler, and Fig. 12 is a plan view of the stack tray. 13, 14 and 15 are plan views of the operation panel, FIGS. 16 and 17 are control circuit diagrams, and FIGS. 18 to 30 are flowcharts showing control procedures. (1) Copy machine, (40) Sorter with finisher, (41) Sorter section, (50) Floating cam, (60) Bin, (61)・
Trunnion, (70)... Fix cam, (90)
... Staple part, (100) ... Stapler, (1
10)...Stack part, (158)...Finish start switch, (X+)...Bottom bin position, (X,)...Top bin position, (X,)
...Sheet removal position.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A sorter unit that receives sheets discharged from a copying machine or the like and distributes them to a plurality of bins, a stapling unit that has stapling means that staples the sheets conveyed from each bin, and a stapling process. In a sorter with a finisher, the sorter is equipped with a stack unit for stacking and accommodating finished sheets, and a release means for canceling the execution of finish processing, and when the finish processing release means is operated, subsequent processing is performed after the finish processing in progress is completed. A sorter with a finisher, comprising: a control means for prohibiting finishing processing; and a sorter with a finisher.