JPS6341364A - Sorter having finisher - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To previously prevent the excessive staple processing by prohibiting the copying operation and transmitting an alarm if a sheet is left in a bin, when the finishing mode for carrying out the staple processing is selected. CONSTITUTION:When the finish mode for the staple processing is selected by a switch 155, in the sort mode by a switch 151, a CPU judges the existence of a sheet in a bin. When a sheet is left in the bin, it is judged if the copy processing is started or not, and in case of start, a copy removal display LED 160 is lighted up, and an alarm is transmitted, and the system operation is prohibited. Thus, the trouble that the excessive sheet left in the bin is staple- processed can be prevented beforehand.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field 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 to a control means thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 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 grouping copied sheets have been developed and put into practical use. As one of the final forms, a sorter with a finisher that automatically staples and stacks the sheets distributed and accommodated in the sorter is in high demand, and has already been put into practical use in some large copying machines.

By the way, in this type of sorter with a finisher, when the finishing mode for performing stapling processing is selected, if there are already distributed sheets remaining in the bin, such sheets will be newly distributed. There is a problem in that the stapling process is performed together with the attached sheets.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the sorter with a finisher according to the present invention detects the presence or absence of sheets in the bin when a finishing mode for performing stapling processing is selected, The present invention is characterized in that it includes a control means that prohibits the copying operation and issues a warning if a sheet is present.

In other words, in the above configuration, if it is detected that there are sheets remaining in the bin when the finish mode is selected, the copying operation is prohibited and a warning is issued. With this,
This prevents the problem of stapling even extra sheets.

[Hereinafter referred to as gold and white] Example [Overall configuration] The soak (40) with Fico/Sha according to the present invention is the first
As shown in the figure, it is attached to the side of the copying machine (1), and the copying machine (1) has an automatic paper feeder (15) and an automatic document feeder (30) (hereinafter referred to as ADF). It is attached.

The copying machine (1) uses a well-known electrophotographic method, and a photosensitive drum (2), which is rotated in the direction of arrow (a), is first given a certain electric charge by a charger (3). Then, the optical system (4) scans in the direction of the arrow (b), whereby the original set at a predetermined position at the ADF (30) is exposed to slit light. Thereby, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum (2) is separated into a toner image by a magnetic brush type developing device 5), and transferred onto a sheet by a transfer charger 6).

Sheets are stored in the nilevate-type and cassette-type automatic paper feeders (10), (11) inside the copying machine (1), or in the three-stage paper feeder cassette (1) of the automatic paper feeder (15) installed outside the machine.
6), (17), and (1B) 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), where the toner image is fixed. Immediately before (22), eject switch (SW3) (second
(see figure), its passage is 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 away 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 feeds the original placed on the original tray (31) to the paper feed roller pair (3).
The sheets are fed one by one in step 2) and set at a predetermined position on the document table glass (29) by rotation of the conveyor belt (34). After the image is exposed, the document is discharged onto the discharge tray (36) through the reversing photographing path (35) by rotation of the conveyor belt (34).

As shown in FIG. 2, the sorter 40) includes a sorter section (41) that distributes sheets into bins (60), and a stapler section (90) that has a stapler (100) that staples the sheets.
and a stacking section (110) for stacking and accommodating stapled sheets.
The stack section (110) is disposed at the bottom of the sorter section 41), and the stack section (110) is disposed at the bottom of the staple section (90).

[Structure and operation of sorter section As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cobin (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 matching, bin <
60) is restricted in the vertical direction. In addition, each bin <60) is supported in a stacked state on a bin holder (62), and the trunnion (61) is shifted 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 FIG. 3, the sheet conveying section (42) includes an upper unit (52) having a guide surface (52a), a lower unit (43) having a guide surface (43a), and a feed roller (47). , pinch rollers (55), and the sheet passes between the guide surfaces (52a) and (43a) to be sent from the 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 the rail part (65b) provided on the guide unit (65) through 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 a guide member (66), so that it can be slid in the horizontal direction.

The spindle (44) has a plurality of feed rollers (47).
A roller shaft (47a) to which is fixed is rotatably mounted,
A swing plate (48) is suspended on the stiff roller shaft (47a). The rocking plate (48) is connected by a rond (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 (X,) as shown in FIG. ).

(SW2). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the lower unit (43) has a bottle (51
An actuator (51) that is rotatable about a) and a photosensor (Sel) that is turned on and off when the actuator (51) contacts and rotates the sheet being conveyed are installed.

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 equipped with a sheet static elimination brush (56) which is rotatably mounted and can be conveyed through the 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) is installed in this sorter unit (41), and is used to transfer sheets to 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 conveyance section (42) is moved upward. floating cam (
50) is located at the bottom bin position (Xl) shown in FIG. 7 when the sort mode is selected, and gradually moves upward from this position to widen the intervals between the bins (60). The sheet ejected from the copying machine (1) is placed on the guide surface (
52a) and (43a), and the feed roller (
47) and pinch rollers (55), each bin (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) i 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 in which each copy of one document is distributed to each bin (60) and page alignment is performed, and the second is a sort mode in which copies of each document are distributed to each bin (60). It is in grooving mode. The third is one bin (
60) is a non-sort mode.

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

As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, the fix cam 70〉 has a spiral groove (7
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, by rotating normally in the direction of arrow (e), the fix cam (70) moves the trunnion (61) of the bin (60), which has been shifted to the bottom bin position (X,) by the floating cam (50), into a spiral groove. (70a) to lower the sheet 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 is
, ) are provided with a take-out roller (75), a pinch roller (76) that presses against it under its own weight, and a sheet guide 78>. Also, between the bottom bin position (X,) and the take-out position (Xl), as shown in Figure 2,
A sheet backflow prevention guide (79) is installed. As shown in Fig. 8, the sheet guide (78) has an upper guide surface (78a) slightly higher than the sheet backflow prevention claw (60a) of each bin (60) which is tilted down to the take-out position x. It is set up so that it will. As shown in FIG. 2, the pinch roller (76) is connected to the support shaft (7) via the arm (77).
7a), and can be moved toward and away from the take-out roller (75) by turning on and off a solenoid (not shown).

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 the gear (87a) are integrally fixed, and the gear (87a)
meshes with the gear (87c) via the gear (87b), so that the disk (88) can rotate integrally with the gear (87c). A notch (not shown) is formed in the disc (88), and the photo sensor (Se2) detects this notch, thereby making it possible to control the rotation speed of the fix cam (70).

As shown in FIG. 2, the conveyance section (80)
5>, (76), and conveyance rollers (81a), (81b
) ~(83a).

(83b), guide plate (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 a sponge material and is capable of absorbing the thickness of the stacked 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 arrow (e). With this, the trunnion (61> of the bottle (60) in the bottom bin position (X+) is guided by the spiral groove (70a), and the
and is held by a receiving member 72).

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

(76), and the sheet is transported by the rollers (75) and (76) to the transport roller (81a).
), (81b). At this time, even if the sheet is curled downward, it is guided by the guide (78) and take-out roller (75), so that it can reliably pass over the backflow prevention claw (60a) and the guide plate (84a), (84b).
).

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), since the solenoid (not shown) is turned off in the initial state, it retracts upward from above the take-out roller (75), and as described above, B〉-<60) reaches the take-out positionff. (Xs), the solenoid is turned on and the take-out roller (75)
Sandwich the sheet with the . Here, take out the roller (75
), conveyance roller (81a), (81b>, (82
a), (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, at the time of taking out, the floating 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 rotation is intermittently reversed in the direction opposite to the arrow (d), and the trunnions (61) are sequentially fed into the fix cam (70). In this embodiment, the bottom bin position (X+) and the take-out position fill'(xa ), in other words,
The stroke of the bin (60) that moves between these areas is set to be large. Therefore, the trunnion (
The torque of the fix cam (70) when the fix cam (70) moves up and down is reduced as much as possible. And floating cam (5
By holding the trunnion (61) [indicated by A> in FIG. 6] just before being fed into the fix cam (70) at
70) 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 degrees and rotating the fixing cam (70) three times, each pink 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 pink 60) that has descended to the take-out position (xm)
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 accommodated, the fix cam (70> is aligned with the arrow (e). is rotated in the opposite direction and the bloating cam (50> is driven forward in the direction of arrow (d), thereby returning upward.

[Structure and operation of staple unit] As shown in FIG. 2, the staple unit <90) includes a staple tray (91) and a motor that vibrates the staple tray (93).
It consists of 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). The sheets sent from the conveyance section by vibration are regulated and aligned by a guide plate (95) and a 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), and when the cam (102) is rotated in the direction of the arrow (g>) by the motor, the head <105) moves upward via the arm (104).
The staple (106) staples the aligned sheets on the tray (91). The staples (106) are housed in a cartridge (107), and a conveyor belt (108) is rotationally driven from the motor output shaft (101).
is sent to the head section.

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
The empty detection photosensor <5e3) of 06) and the rotation speed detection sensor (Se4) of the staple motor are installed.The sensor (Se3) directly detects the staple (106), and the sensor (Se4) is connected to the motor output shaft. (10
1) Notch (109a) of disk (109) fixed to
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 conveyed from the conveyance section (8o) onto the staple tray (91) is transported by the motor (9o).
As the tray (91) vibrates based on the rotation of step 3), it is properly aligned with the guide plate (95) and the stopper (96), the motor (93) is stopped, and the staple motor is no longer driven. It is bound. 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 (6o) is lowered to the take-out position (X,) by the fix cam (70) and the sheet is conveyed onto the staple tray (91).

[Configuration of stack section] The star/removal section (110) is a stack tray (111).
, and the sheets stapled by the stapler (100) are finally loaded and accommodated. Stack tray, <1
11>, as shown in FIG. 12, has a notch (lla) formed in the stapled portion of the sheet (S), that is, the portion where the portion 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
), ADF panel (140), and sorter panel (150)
It has been installed in three locations.

The copying machine panel (120) includes a print key (121) for starting a copy operation when the ADF (30) is not in use, an interrupt key (122) for temporarily suspending a multi-copy operation, and a copy key (122) for starting a copy operation when the ADF (30) is not in use. Clear/stop key for stopping or canceling the setting value <1
23), a group of ten keys (124) for setting the number of multi-copies, a display section (125) for displaying the number of copies and the status of the copier 1), up-down keys (125) for setting the copy density; 126), <127> and its display LED group (128), a sheet selection key (129) for selecting the copy sheet size and its display L E DR (130), a group of magnification selection keys for selecting the copy magnification <131) and its display LED group (
132) etc. are provided.

ADF panel (140) c. Only a start key (141) for starting the ADF operation is provided. When the start key (141) is turned on, the originals on the original tray (31) are automatically conveyed one after another onto the original platen glass (29), and the copying operation can be 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),
Finishing mode selection key (155) and its display section, non-finishing mode display LED (156),
! :Finish mode display LED (157)
, Finish Motorgee (158) and its display L E
D (159) is provided, and this L E D (15
9) By flashing the staple tray (91)
Display a warning to remove the copy from. Also, a bottle (6
o) Display a warning to remove the sheet from L E D
(160), an LED (161) that indicates that the staple (106) is empty, and an LED (162) that indicates that the stapler (100) is set incorrectly. Each time the sorter mode selection key (151) is pressed, it switches sequentially to non-sort mode, sort mode, and grouping mode, and the corresponding L E D (15
2), (153), and (154) light up. Finishing mode selection key (155) 'b Each press switches between non-finishing mode and finishing mode, and the corresponding LEDs (156), (1
57) lights up. Finisshu Motorgi (158)
Each time the button is pressed, it outputs the start and cancellation of the finish operation, and at the start, the L E D
(159) lights up.

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

A D F panel (140), '/- taper panel (15o) are connected, and lobby process means (1
70), three ADF professional means (171) are connected, and a sorter process means (172) and a finisher process means (173) are connected, and their respective signals are exchanged.

The 17th section shows the main parts of the control circuit, and the input/output board of the microcomputer (CPtJ) includes a print switch, ADF start switch, and built-in displays LED (180) and (181), and a sorter panel. (150) each selection switch and each display LED (15
2) etc. are connected.

[Control Procedure] Next, the 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 7 (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 (slo), the number (A) is fully input using the numeric keypad group (124) on the copying machine panel (120).
It is determined whether or not the sheet size (S) selected in step (511) has been inputted, and the use of the ADF (30) has been selected in step (512). If use has been selected, step ( In step 513), the ADF mode flag is set to "1", and if it is not selected, the ADF mode flag is reset to "0" 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 "rO", sorting and stapling processing will never be completed, so step (52
2), "If it is IJ, enter the number of bins (a) in step (518), and enter 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 r□, the process moves to step (522), and if it is "1", it is determined in step (521) whether the sheet size (SX) is A4 size or B5 size. In this embodiment, the sheet size that can be stapled is A4 or B5, and if YES, step (
522), other input processing is executed.

Furthermore, in step (523) it is determined whether or not the print switch is turned on, and if it is turned on, the print switch (
524) to set the copy flag to 11. to enable copy processing. Also, if it is not turned on, it is determined in step <525) whether or not the ADF start switch is turned on, and if it is turned on, it is determined in step <524).
is executed, and if it is not turned on, this subroutine ends.

On the other hand, in the step (519), the set number (A) is changed to the number of bins (
If it is determined that it is larger than a), step (S26)
Set the warning flag (Fl) to "1" in step (
527) to prohibit system operation. This warning flag (
Fl) is used to indicate that the number of distributions exceeds the number of bins. Then step <528),
(536) said Ste Nobu (523), (525)
Similarly, whether the print switch is turned on or not, and
Determine whether the ADF start switcher 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 11'' in step (S29) to switch to non-sort mode processing, and the process is switched to non-sort mode in step (530). ) to reset the warning flag (Fl) to 10'', and step (53
7) sets the copy flag to "1".

Also, in the step (521), the sheet size (S work)
If it is determined that the size is other than A4 size or B5 size, stapling processing is impossible, so step (531
), set the warning flag (F2) to 11" and step 7 (
532) to prohibit system operation. This warning flag (
F2) is for displaying that the selected sheet size is incompatible. Next, step (S33)
, (5313> and the step <523), (52
Similarly to 5), check whether the print switch is turned on or not.
Then, it is determined whether the ADF start switch is turned on. YE in this step (533) or (538)
S, i.e., if the operator's intention to perform the copy despite the warning is confirmed, step (534)
In step (535), the finish mode flag is reset to "rO" to prohibit stapling, and in step (535), the warning flag (F2) is reset to "0.", and in step (539)
Set the copy flag to 11.

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

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

In (544), it is determined whether the non-sort mode, sort mode, or grooving mode is selected, and if selected, each step (541).

<543), non-sort mode flag in (S45),
Sorting mode flag and grouping mode flag to 11
Set to °.

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 is selected. If it is not selected, this subroutine is immediately terminated. If it is selected, the finish mode flag is set to "1", and in step (552) set the allowable number of stapled sheets (
Cb). The permissible number of staples here (Cb
) refers to the value obtained by multiplying the allowable number of stapled sheets of the stapler (100) by the number of bins (A) used. Therefore, as a result, the capacity per pin is specified.

Next, in step (553), the stapling permission size is set to A.
4, B5, and in step 7 (554) 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 11.
, '1. If so, ADF mode display L
E D (180) is lit, and whether it is "1" or "0", the 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 11'', and if it is ``rl'', the finish mode display LED (157) is lit.

Next, the steno knob (565) determines whether the warning flag (Fl) is "rl", 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), the warning flag (
It is determined whether or not F2) is 11'', and if rl, then in step (568) a message that the sheet size is unsuitable is displayed on the display unit (125). In step (569), it is determined whether or not the warning flag (F3) is 11'', and if it is 1, then in step (570>) the display unit (125) displays that the finish mode is not possible. 7bu (57
In 1), the warning flag (F4) is 11. Determine whether or not
If it is '1°, the display part (125) is displayed in step (572).
indicates that the original is empty. Step (
573), it is determined whether the warning flag (F5) is ``rl'', and if it is ``1'', the display section (12
5) indicates that the finish capacity is over. In step (575), the warning flag (F6) is set to 11.
”, and if “1.”, step (576)
The display unit (125) displays the need to remove the sheet from the staple tray (91). Step (
585), it is determined whether the warning flag (Fil) is "1.", and if it is "11", L E D is executed in step (586).
(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. If rl", in step (582), "
O”, in step (583) each display section (1
25) displays the number of copies or the number of remaining copies. Subsequently, other display processing is executed in step (584), 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 '1', step (591)
It is determined whether the copy flag is rl or not, and if it is '1', copy processing is allowed, so step (
At step 595), the ADF control subroutine is executed, and the process moves to step (597). Further, in the step (590), the ADF mode flag is set to "o.

If it is determined that the copy flag is "11", the step knob (596) determines whether or not the copy flag is "rl", and if it is "rl", the process moves to step (597). Step (591), (59
6) -r If it is determined that the copy flag is "0.", 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 "rl", step (599), (Slot), (51
04), each subroutine of non-sort mode processing, sort 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 executed in steps (599) and (5104) are the same as conventional procedures, and the details thereof will be omitted.

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

First, in step (5120), it is determined whether there is a document in the document tray (31) by turning the sensor on or off. If there is, in step (5133), the warning flag <F4) is set to
．． Determine whether or not. This warning flag (F4) is set to "1" in step (5131) described below, but if it is "rl", it is reset to "10" in step (5134). Then, in step (5121), a document feeding process subroutine, in step (5122), a document size detection subroutine, and in step (5123), a document transporting process subroutine is executed. If there is no manuscript, step (
5130), it is determined whether the document count is "0" or not, and r
O”, set the warning flag (F4) in step (5131).
) is set to r'1'' to prepare a document empty display, and in step (5132) the copy flag is reset to r□, and the process returns 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 11''. Then, in step (5126), the scan end flag is set to 11.
After confirming that this is the case, the scan end flag is reset to "o" in step (5127), and step (51
28) executes the document ejection processing subroutine, and
In step (5129), other processing subroutines are executed.

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.

Figures 25a and 25b show a subroutine for sort mode processing that can be executed in step (5101). In this subroutine, the operation of the sorter bin (60) is made different depending on whether the finish mode is selected or not. This corresponds to the fact that the order in which sheets are taken out from the bin (60) is different 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 (
9o), the sheets are distributed from the lower bin (60), and when all sheets are not selected, the sheets are distributed from the upper bin (60) to make it easier for the operator to directly take out the sheets.

Specifically, in step (5140) it is determined whether the finish mode flag is rl, and if it is "rl", in step (5141) the sensor (5e5 ) is on or off, and if there is no sheet, a warning flag (Fil
) is 11''. This warning flag (Fil
) is the step (5158) described below, (516
It is set to 11° in step 1), but if it is “1”, it is reset to “0” in step (5185). Then, in step (5142), the bottom bin detection switch (SWI) is
) is on, that is, whether the bin (60) is located at the bottom bin position (XI), which is the home position when the finish mode is selected, and sheet distribution in the finish mode is possible. Therefore, if YES, the process directly proceeds to step <5148), and the rotation direction flag is reset to '0' in order to reverse the bin operation for performing the sorting operation, that is, the floating cam motor (not shown). . If NO, execute the following steps (5143) to (5147) to clear the bin (
60) to the bottom bin position (X, ).

That is, in step (5143) the floating cam (5
0) is rotated in the forward direction, and a sorter weight is applied in step (5144). Sorter weight melting bottle (60)
This means that the copying operation is prohibited so that the sheets will not be fed into the sorter section (41) while the sheets are being moved. Then, in step (5145), the bottom bin detection switch (
After confirming that SWI) is turned on, proceed to step (51).
46), the motor of the floating cam (50) is turned off, the sorter weight is released in step (5147), and the floating cam rotation direction flag is reset to 'OJ' in step (5148).
50), the rotation direction 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 (SW2) is on or not in step (STSO), that is, whether the top bin detection switch (SW2) is on or not.
) is located at the top bin position (X, ), which is the home position in the non-finish mode, and it is determined whether or not sheet distribution in the non-finish mode is possible.

Therefore, if YES, proceed to step (5156).
, and set the floating cam rotation direction flag to "1.
to allow normal rotation of the floating cam (50). If NO, follow the steps (5151) to (s
t55) to move the bin (60) to the top bin position (X, ). That is, step (5151)
to reverse the floating cam (50) motor, apply the sorter weight in step (5152), confirm that the top bin detection switch (SW2) is turned on in step (5153), and then rotate the floating cam (50) in step (5154). Turn off the motor (50). 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 is a sheet in pink 60), it is determined in steps (5157) and (5160) whether or not the number of copies is 10. 0. If so, step (5
158).

At step (5161), the warning flag (Fll) is set to 1"1" to prepare to light up the copy removal display LED (160), and at step (5159), (5162)
prohibits system operation.

Next, in step (5163), it is determined whether the ejection switch (S%j3) of the copying machine (1) is on-edge. That is, after waiting for the leading edge of the sheet to reach the discharge switch <Sν3), the sorter conveyance motor is turned on in step (5164), and the sorter discharge sensor (Sel) is turned on in 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
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. Subsequently, 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 reset to "0" in step (5171). If it is not the last sheet, in order to continue the sorting operation,
Check the floating cam rotation direction flag in step <5172), and if "rO", step <5173
), the floating cam motor is reversely rotated, and if it is '1', forward rotation is turned on in step (5174). That is, in the finish mode, the motor is reversed to move the bin (60) in which sheets are distributed from the lower stage to the upper stage, and in the non-finish mode, the motor is rotated in the forward direction to move the bin (60) into which sheets are distributed. Move from the top to the bottom.

Next, in step (5175), it is determined whether the finish mode flag is "1" or not, and if "1.", step (
5176), the sheet count (N) is compared with the staple permissible number (Cb) [see step (552)]. If the sheet number count (N) is greater than or equal to the stapling allowable sheet number (Cb), in order to prevent staple failure from occurring, the warning flag (F5) is set to rl in step (5177), and a display of finisher capacity over is prepared. do.

Furthermore, in step (5178) the copy flag is set to r□,
It is determined in step (5179) whether or not the print switch is turned on, and in step (5180)
In step (5181), it is determined whether the ADF start switch is turned on or not. Set the traffic mode flag to 10. , reset the warning flag (F5) to 10'' in step (5182), and reset the warning flag (F5) to 10'' in step (5182).
5183) sets the copy flag to "rl" to enable execution in sort mode, and ends this subroutine.

Note that if you want to end the copy operation and perform finish processing when the finisher capacity exceeds warning is issued by executing steps (5176) and (5177), it is sufficient to turn on the finish start switch. [See step (5205)].

FIG. 26 shows the 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 (5192), a copy process processing subroutine is executed. This subroutine is a routine for executing a normal copying process by the copying machine (1), and its details will be omitted.

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

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

First, in step (5200) it is determined whether the finish mode flag is 11'', and if it is 0, it will end immediately. If it is '1', then in step (5201) it is determined whether the finish mode is prohibited. If it is prohibited, the staple tray (9
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 sent onto the tray (91) from now on, which may cause the inconvenience or stapling process tolerance. Step (5) may result in exceeding the number of pages to be bound.
In step 203), the warning flag (F6) is set to 11'' to prepare for displaying a warning to remove the sheet from the staple tray (91>), and in step 5204, the finishing 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). is rl
, and if it is '1', step (S201
b) Reset to rO' in step (520
In step 5), it is determined whether the finish start switch has been turned on. If it is on, step (5206)
The finish processing flag is set to 11'' in step (5207), the number of sheets per bin (M) is calculated, and in step (5208) it is determined whether the number of sheets per bin (M> is 1 or not). That is, each bin (6
If the number (M) of sheets distributed and accommodated in 0) is one, there is no need to staple. Therefore, step (5
208), if it is determined that the number of sheets per bin is 1, a warning flag (F3) is set in step (5209).
11. is set to 10'' to prepare to display finish mode disabled, and in step (5210) the finish mode flag is reset to 10'' to cancel finish mode.

If the number of sheets (M) per bin is not 1, the warning flag (F3) is set to 11 in step (S208a).
If it is '1', step (S208b
) to reset it to “O”. 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)
214), each subroutine for stapling processing 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 "OJ.

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>).The finishing process is restarted in the finishing mode. This may be done automatically via a timer after the prohibition is released, or may be done 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, it is determined in step (5221) whether the bottom bin detection switch (SWI) is on. If the switch (SIJI) is not on (if so, step () is required to move the floating cam (50) to the bottom bin position (Xl).
In step 5222), the motor of the floating cam (50) is rotated forward, 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). In these steps (5222), (5223), and (5224), the floating cam (50) is at the bottom bin position (
You can continue until you move to Xl).

The floating cam (50) is in the bottom bin position (
xl), 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) in x,) is at the sheet removal position t(xn
), the bin counter is incremented using the step knob (S227), and step (5228) is reached.
) to turn off the fix cam motor.

Next, in step (5229), the pin counter changes to the set number (A
) [see step (510)]. 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 (xm). 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 (Xl).

This step (5230), (5231).

(5232) 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 sheet take-out processing that can be executed in step (5213). This subroutine executes the bin (
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.
Step 242) turns on the solenoid of the pinch roller (76), and step (5243) starts the pinch roller solenoid timer. 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)
When the solenoid in 60) is turned on, the sheet is pinched between the take-out roller rough 75) and the pinch roller <76) at the sheet take-out position (X, ).

Next, in step (5244), it is determined whether the fix cam rotation detection soil sensor (5e2) is on-edge, in other words, whether the bin (60) has completed its descent to the sheet take-out position (Xl). 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 be transported to the staple tray (91). When the end of the pinch roller solenoid timer is confirmed in step (5246), the pinch roller solenoid is turned off in step (5247). 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 e(xs) before the next bin (60) starts descending from the bottom bin position (X+), and the sheets distributed and accommodated in the bin (60) are This is to prevent interference.

Next, in step (5248), the stave relay tray (9
When the sensor (Se6) of 1) is turned on and it is confirmed that the sheet is stored in the tray (91), the sheet take-out motor is turned off in step (5249), and this subroutine ends.

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

First, in step <5251) the staple tray (9
1) Determine whether the sensor is on-edge.

This sensor is turned on when a sheet is conveyed onto the tray (91). Therefore, if it is on-edge, the step <
Align the sheets on the tray (91>) by turning on the vibration motor (93) at step <5252).
Start the vibration motor timer at 3>. On the other hand, if the stem knob (5251) determines that the sheet is not on-edge, and the stem knob (5254) determines that the sensor is on, that is, the sheet is already on the tray (91), then step (5255) ).

Next, when the end of the vibration motor timer is confirmed in step (5255), the vibration motor is turned off in step (5256), 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 Step <5260) turns off the staple motor, and step (5262) turns on the stopper solenoid.

As a result, the stopper (96) is retracted from above the tray (91), and the sheet slides down from the tray (91) and is completely accommodated on the stack tray (111).

Next, in step (5263) the staple tray (91
) sensor (Se6) is determined to be an oshitsuji,
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, if the finish mode is selected in the sort mode processing subroutine (see FIGS. 25a and 25b), [step (514)
0): YES], determines the presence or absence of sheets in the bin (60) [Step 7 (5141)], and if there are sheets remaining in the bin (60), determines whether copy processing will start from now. [Step (5157)], and if the start is about to be completed, a copy removal display is displayed and E D (160) is lit to notify the user [Step (5158)].

(585), (586)], and prohibits system operation (5159)]. With this, the bottle (6
This will prevent the problem of stapling even the extra sheets remaining in the paper sheet 0).

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above explanation, according to the present invention, when the finish mode is selected, the presence or absence of a sheet in the bin is detected, and if a sheet is present, the copying operation is prohibited and a warning is issued. As a result, it is possible to prevent sheets remaining in the bin from being subjected to extra stapling processing, and it is possible to improve usability.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, in which the first section is a schematic diagram of the entire copying machine, the second section is an internal configuration diagram of a sorter with a finisher, the third section is a vertical sectional view of the sorter section, and the fourth section 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 L (40)...Sorter with finisher, (41)...Sorter section, (50)...
Floating cam, (60)...bin, (61)...
...Trunion, <70>...Fix cam, (90
)... Staple part, <100)... Stapler,
(110)...Stack part, (X,)...Bottom bin position, (Xt)...Top bin position,
(X,)... Sheet take-out 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 equipped with a finisher, when a finish mode for performing stapling processing is selected, the sorter with a finisher is equipped with a stack section for stacking and accommodating sheets, which detects the presence or absence of sheets in the bin, and if there are sheets, performs a copy operation. A sorter with a finisher characterized by comprising a control means for prohibiting and warning.