JPS6341367A - Sorter equipped with finisher - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To previously prevent trouble by prohibiting the copying operation and outputting an alarm if the sheet size is other than the size which permits the staple processing when the finish mode for carrying out the staple processing is selected. CONSTITUTION:When the finish mode for carrying out the staple operation is selected by a switch 155, and the sheet size selected by a sheet selecting key 129 for the copying treatment is the size other than A4 or B5 which can be staple-processed, in other words, A3 and B4 lamps of the display LED130 light up, the size improperness is alarmed, and the succeeding copying operation is prohibited. When the execution of the copying processing is input by the print key 121 operation by an operator, the finish mode is released, and copying operation is permitted. Thus, the generation of disorder in the staple processing and clogging of paper 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.

Arrival techniques and their problems 7. .

In recent years, due to the demand for automation of paper handling in copying machines, various options such as automatic document transport devices and sorters for sorting and grouping 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, the sheet sizes that can be stapled are limited, so if sheets of a size that cannot be stapled are conveyed to the stapling section, problems such as paper jams may occur. This has the problem that this occurs.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the sorter with a finisher according to the present invention provides a sorter with a finisher that when a finishing mode for performing stapling processing is selected, sheets selected for copy processing are The present invention is characterized in that it includes a control means that prohibits the copying operation and issues a warning if the size is not one that can be stapled.

In other words, in the above configuration, if a sheet of a size that cannot be stapled is selected for copying at the same time as the finishing mode is selected, copying is prohibited and a warning is issued. As a result, sheets of a size that cannot be stapled are not completely conveyed to the stapling section, and troubles such as poor stapling and paper jams are prevented.

[Example: Overall configuration] A 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), 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) is based on the well-known electrophotographic method, and a photosensitive drum (2), which is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow (a), is first given a certain electric charge by a charging mechanism (3). The original set at a predetermined position at A D F <30) is subjected to slit exposure by scanning the optical system (4) in the direction of arrow (b). With this, the static IUA image formed on the photoreceptor drum (2) is turned into a toner image by a magnetic brush type developing device (5), and then transferred to a transfer charger (6).
The image is transferred to a sheet using

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 (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 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 ejection 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 a 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).
2), the sheets are fed one by one and set at a predetermined position on the document table glass (29) by rotation of the conveyor belt (34). After image exposure, the original is discharged onto a discharge tray (36) through a reversing conveyance path (35) by rotation of a conveyance belt (34).

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 in a stacked state on a bin holder (62), and the trunnion black 1) is shifted in accordance with the rotation of the floating cam (50), which will be explained below, to widen the bin interval. It has become.

The sorter unit (41) is a pair of ejection 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 roller rough 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 FIG. 2, by engaging the rail portion (65b) provided on the guide unit 1-(65) through the collar (45), the copying machine (1) can swing vertically. A bin (46) provided on the side is supported by a guide member (66) so as to be able to slide in the horizontal direction.

The spindle (44) has a plurality of feed rollers (47).
A fixed roller 11Ik (47a) is rotatably mounted, and a swing plate (48) is suspended from this roller N (47a). The rocking plate (48) is connected with a rond (49), and the lower part is connected to the backflow prevention claw (60a) of the bottle (60).
) is located between. 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 rotated intermittently 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. The floating cam (50) can be moved up and down from the bottom bin position (Xl) to the top bin position (Xl) as shown in FIG. 7, and each position has a detection switch (SWI).

(SW2) allows detection. As shown in Figure 3, the lower unit (43) has a bottle (51).
An actuator (51) that is rotatable about a) and an odometer sensor (Set) that is turned on and off when the actuator (51) comes into contact with the conveyed sheet and rotates are installed.

On the other hand, the upper unit (52) is swingable in the vertical direction by the engaging piece (53) on the side of the bottle (60) engaging with the rail portion (65b), and the upper unit (52) is vertically swingable.
The bin (54) provided on the side is connected to the top cover (
By engaging with a guide member (6B) provided in 67), it is possible to slide in the horizontal direction. A pinch roller (55) is attached to the support shaft (55a) on this upper unit <53).
) 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) is installed in this sorter unit (41>), and a transmission type photosensor (Se5) (see Fig. 2) is installed to 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 (X,) (not shown in FIG. 7) when the sorting mode has been selected, and from this position it sequentially moves upward and widens 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 spaced apart by a floating cam (50).
They are distributed and accommodated in order from the bottom (pink 60) to the top.

Further, by rotating the floating cam (50) in the direction of arrow (d), each bin <60> can be 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) to perform page alignment, and the second is a sort mode in which copies of each document are distributed to each bin (60). Grouping mode. The third is one bin (
60) is a non-sort mode.

[Structure 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 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, 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 (Xl) by the floating cam (50), into the spiral groove ( 70a) to lower the sheet to the sheet take-out position H(xs).

On the other hand, at the sheet take-out position (X,), as shown in FIG. The trunnion (61) is elastically held when the trunnion (61) is lowered to the take-out position (X,
I) is equipped with a take-out roller (75), a pinch roller (76) that presses against it under its own weight, and a sheet guide (78>).In addition, between the bottom bin position (X,) and the take-out position (X,), As shown in Figure 2,
The sheet backflow prevention guide (79) has been installed. As shown in FIG. 8, the upper guide surface (78a) of the sheet guide (78) is slightly higher than the sheet backflow prevention claw (60a) of each bin (60) tilted down to the take-out position (X8). It is set up like this. 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 driving 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 plate 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 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 the sheets, the fix cam (70) is rotated three times in the direction of the arrow (e). With this, the trunnion (61) of the bottle <60) in the bottom bin position (X, ) is completely guided by the spiral groove (70a), and the take-out position (X, )
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 (78a) of
), the leading edge of the sheet passes through 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, the guide (78) and take-out roller (
75) to ensure that the guide plates (84a) and (84b) cross the backflow prevention claw (60a).
transported between.

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

(84b) The conveyance is completed during the interval.

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 above the take-out roller (75), and the bin (60) is moved to the take-out position (Xs) as described above. When reaching , the solenoid is turned on and the sheet is sandwiched between the take-out roller ruff 75). Here, take out roller (75)
, transport 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, at the time of taking out the floating cam (50), as shown in FIG.
The trunnion (
61) and rotate 180° at this position (X, ).
The rotation is intermittently reversed in the direction opposite to the arrow (d), and the trunnion (61) is sequentially fed into the fix cam (70). In this embodiment, in order to increase the inclination angle of the bin (60) that has been lowered to the take-out position (X,) so that the sheet can easily slide out under its own weight, the bottom bin position (XI) and the take-out position (X,) are In other words, the stroke of the bin (60) that moves between this interval is set large. Therefore, the torque of the fix cam (70) when the trunnion (61) moves up and down is reduced as much as possible by making three turns of the spiral groove (70a) carved on the outer periphery of the fix cam (70). (50) holds the trunnion (61) [indicated by (A) in FIG. This prevents it from being fed into the spiral groove (70a) during the third rotation.

As described above, each bin (60) is lowered one step at a time to the take-out position (X,) by reversing the floating cam (50) by 180° and rotating the fixing cam (70) three times.
The sheets that have been distributed and housed in each bin (60) are transported to the transport section (80).
) and is conveyed onto the staple tray 1' (91).

In addition, each bottle (60) that has been lowered to the take-out position (xl)
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 to the upper position by being driven in the reverse direction and by being driven in the forward direction in the direction of arrow (d).

[Structure and operation of stapling unit As shown in FIG. 2, the stapling unit (90) consists of a staple tray (91) and a motor (93) that vibrates it.
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). Due to this vibration, the sheets sent from the conveying section are aligned while being regulated by the guide plate (95) and the 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 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). Staple i+ (106) is housed in a cartridge (107) and is sent to the head section by a conveyor belt (108) that is rotationally driven from the motor output shaft (101).

The stopper (96) is rotatable about a support shaft (97) by a solenoid (not shown), 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) photo sensor for empty detection (Se3),
A staple motor rotation speed detection sensor (Se4) is installed, and the sensor (Se3) detects the staple needle (106).
The sensor (Se4) directly detects the motor output shaft <1
Notch (109a) of disk (109) fixed to
) is detected.

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 conveying section (8o) 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 (Xl) 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 (111a) is formed in the stapled part of the sheet (S), that is, in the part where the part bound with the staple (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. will be prevented, and the amount of public debt that can be carried will be increased.

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

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the copying machine panel <120
), ADF panel (140), and sorter panel (150)
It is installed in three locations.

The copying machine panel (120) includes a print key (121) for starting the copying operation when the ADF (30) is not in use, an interrupt key (122) for temporarily interrupting the multi-copying process, and a copying key (122) for starting the copying operation when the ADF (30) is not in use. Clear/stop key (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 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 LED group (130), a group of magnification selection keys for selecting the copy magnification ( 131) and its display LED group (13
2) etc. 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 originals on the original tray
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 F display L E D (15
7), finish start key <158) and its display, E D (159) are provided, and this L E
A warning to remove the copy from the staple tray (91) is displayed by blinking D (159). It also displays a warning to remove sheets from the bin (60).
E D (160), LED (161) that indicates that the staple <106> is empty, LED (162) that indicates that the stapler (100) is set incorrectly.
) is provided. Sorter mode selection key <151)
Each time you press , the mode switches to non-sort mode, sort mode, and grouping mode in sequence, and the corresponding L
E D (152), (153), and (154) light up. The finish mode selection key (155) is also 1
Each press switches between non-finish mode and finish mode, and the corresponding LED (156
), (157) lights 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] Figure 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)
is connected and further includes a copy process means (170)
, the two ADF processor means (171) are connected, and the two-tab a process means (t7z>) and finisher process means (173) are connected, and their respective signals are exchanged.

Figure 17 shows the main parts of the control circuit, and the input/output board of the microcomputer (CPtJ) includes a print switch, ADF start switch, displays built into them (LED (180) and (181)), and a sorter panel. (150) each selection switch and each display LED (
152)... etc. are connected.

[Control Procedure] Next, the control procedure based on the copy m(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 (CPtJ).

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 an 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 can be set in advance by initializing the step (Sl).

Next, in steps (53) 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), the number (A) is fully input using the numeric keypad group (124) on the copier panel (120).
Sheet size selected in step (511')<SX
) is input, and in step (512>) A D F (3
0) is selected. If use is selected, use the ADF in step (513).
The mode flag is set to ``1'', and if it is not selected, the ADF mode flag is reset to 10J in step (514).

Next, in step (515), a subroutine for setting the seat mode is executed, in step (516), a subroutine for setting the vignette mode is executed, and in step (517), a subroutine for setting the seat mode is executed.
It is determined whether the sort mode flag is "1" or not. If the sort mode flag is "O", sorting and stapling processing will not be executed, so step (52
2), if '1', input 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 set number (A) is less than or equal to the number of bins (,), 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 example, the sheet sizes that can be stapled are A4 and 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, step (523) is performed.
24) sets the copy flag to 11'' 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 (
If it is determined that it is larger than a), step (526)
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. Next, step (528),
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 the copy even if a warning is issued is confirmed, the non-sort mode flag is set to 11'' in step (529) to switch to non-sort mode processing, and step (530) ) to reset the warning flag (Fl) to rO'' and step (53
7) Set the copy flag to "1".

Further, if it is determined in step (521) that the sheet size (S) is other than A4 size or B5 size,
Since stapling processing is not possible, step (531)
Set the warning flag (F2) to 1'' in step (5).
32) prohibits system operation. This warning flag (F
2) is for displaying that the selected sheet size is incompatible. Next, step (533),
(538) in the step (523), (525)
Similarly, whether the print switch is turned on or not, and
Determine whether the ADF start switch is turned on. If YES in this step (533) or (538), that is, the operator's intention to execute copying even if a warning is issued, is confirmed, the finish mode flag is reset to "rO" in step (534). Staple processing is prohibited, and a warning flag (F
2) is reset to 10'', and the copy flag is set to 11'' in step (539).

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

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

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

(543), (545) non-sort mode flag,
Set the sorting mode flag and grouping mode flag to “1”.
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" in step (551). ”, and in step (552) set the permissible number of sheets to be stapled (C
Set b). Allowable number of staples here (cb)
is the value obtained by multiplying the allowable number of stapled sheets of the stapler (100) by the number of bins used (A). Therefore, as a result, the storage capacity per bottle is regulated. Next, in step (553), the stapling permission size is set to A4.
．． B5, and in step (554) the sort mode flag is set to ``1'' to permit processing in sort mode.

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

First, in step (560) the ADF mode flag is set to 11.
', and if '1', ADF mode display L
ED (180) is turned on, rl 10 is displayed in step (562) in either case L E D <152),
(153).

(154) is lit to display the selected sorter mode. In step (563), it is determined whether the finish mode flag is "1", and if it is '1', the finish mode display LED (157) is lit.

Next, in step (565), 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), the warning flag (
It is determined whether F2) is "11" or not, and if it is "1", a message that the sheet size is unsuitable is displayed on the display section (125) in step (568). In step (569), it is determined whether the warning flag (F3> is 11'' or not. If it is 1, then in step (570') the display section (125) displays that the finish mode is not possible. Step (5
71), it is determined whether or not the warning flag (F4) is "11", and if it is "1", the display section (125) is displayed in step (572).
) indicates that the original is empty. In step (573), it is determined whether the warning flag (F5) is "rl", and if it is "rl", then in step (574) the display section (1
25) indicates that the finish capacity is over. In step (575), the warning flag (F6) is set to 1.
1", and if "1.", step (576
) to display on the display section (125) that the sheet needs to be removed from the staple tray (91). In step (585), it is determined whether the warning flag (FIL) is "11" or not, and if it is "1", L E is set in step (586).
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 rl, and if it is '1', then in step (582)
0. If so, 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 copy system processing subroutine that can be executed in step (S5) of the main routine.

First, in step (590) the ADF mode flag is set to 11.
, and if it is '1', step <591)
It is determined whether the copy flag is "1" or not, and if it is "rl", copy processing is permitted, so step (
At step 595), the ADF control subroutine is executed, and the process moves to step <597). Also, if it is determined in step (590>) that the ADF mode flag is 10, the lobby flag is set to ``rl'' in step (596).
It is determined whether or not, and if it is '1', the process moves to step (S97). If it is determined that the copy flag is "0" in both steps (591) and (S96), 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), <5lot), (51
04), each subroutine of non-sort mode processing, sort mode processing, and grooving 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 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 (Si20), W is placed on the document tray (31).
, determine whether there is a document by turning the sensor on or off, and if there is, the warning flag (F4) is set to rl in step <5133).
, determine whether or not. This warning flag (F4) is set to 11'' 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 (S'123), a document conveying process subroutine is executed. If there is no original, it is determined in step (5130) whether the original count is "0" or not.
10”, the warning flag (F
4> is set to "11" to prepare the document empty display, and in step (5132) the copy flag is reset to "0", 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 Z step (5126), check that the scan end flag is "1", and in step (5127) reset the scan end flag to "OJ", and in step (51
28) executes the document ejection processing subroutine, and
In step 7 (5129), other processing subroutines are executed.

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

FIGS. 25a and 25b show the subroutine of the sort mode process 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) 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 the finish mode flag is '1. It is determined by turning on or off (Se5), and if there is no sheet, the 7 warning flag (Fil
) is 11''. This warning flag (Fil
) is the step <5158), (516
1), but if it is rl, it is reset to rO 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 (Xl), 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 moves to step (5148>) and the rotation direction flag is reset to r□ 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 set the bin (
60) to the bottom bin position (Xl).

That is, in step (5143) the floating cam (5
0) is rotated in the normal direction, and a sorter weight is applied in step (5144). Sorter weight dissolving bin (60)
means that the copy operation is prohibited so that the sheets are not fed into the sorter unit (41) during movement.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 r□ in step (5148).
50), the rotation direction is reversed.

On the other hand, if the 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, 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 below
155) to move pink 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). Read,
In step (5155), the sorter weight is released, and in step (5156), the floating cam rotation direction flag is reset to 11'', and subsequent floating cams (5
The rotation direction of 0) is normal rotation.

Further, if it is determined in the steps (5141>, (5149) that there are sheets in the bin (60), it is determined in steps (5157) and (5160) whether the number of copies is rO, '0'', step (5
158).

At step (5161), the warning flag (Fil) is set to 11'' to prepare for lighting up the copy removal indicator LED (160), and at 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),
In step (5165), it is determined whether the sorter discharge sensor (Set> 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 the sheet conveyed earlier is the last sheet, and if it is the last sheet, the floating cam rotation direction flag is reset to J in step (5171). 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). 5174) to turn on forward rotation. That is, in the finish mode, the morph is reversed to move the bin (60) to which sheets are distributed from the lower stage to the upper stage, and in the non-finish mode, the morph is rotated forward to move the bin (60) to which sheets are distributed. Move from the top to the bottom.

Next, in step (5175), the finish mode flag is set to 11. If it is '1', step (
5176), the sheet count (N) is compared with the staple permissible number (Cb) [see step (552)]. If the sheet count (N) is greater than or equal to the stapling permissible sheet count (Cb), in order to prevent staple failure from occurring, the warning flag (F5) is set to 11'' in step (5177), and preparation is made to display that the finisher capacity is over. do.

Furthermore, in step (5178) the copy flag is set to "rO".
It is determined in step (5179) whether or not the print switch is turned on, and in step (5180)
It is determined whether the ADF start switch is turned on or not, and if either is turned on, that is, the operator's intention to execute copying even if a warning is issued is confirmed. Use the knob (stgl) to reset the finish mode flag to "OJ" and step (5182).
7 Rough (F5) wo'O'i,: ') 77 toshi, and set the copy flag to ``1'' in step (5183).
．． is set to enable execution in sheet mode, and this subroutine ends.

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. If YES, the scan end flag is set to 11" in step (5191), and if NO, step <5192), the 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 r□J in step (5194), and proceed to step (5194).
The copy flag is reset to "0" in step 5195), and other processing subroutines are executed in step 5196.

FIG. 27 shows the finish processing subroutine executed in step (56) of the main routine.

First, in step (5200) it is determined whether the finish mode flag is ``1.'' If it is ``0.'', the finish mode is immediately terminated. If it is ``1'', finish mode is prohibited in step (5201). If the staple tray (9) is prohibited, step (5202) is performed.
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, which may cause the inconvenience or stapling process tolerance. There is a risk of exceeding the number of lines, so please do not set the step (
In step 5203), a warning flag (F6) is set in rIJ to prepare for displaying a warning to remove the sheet from the staple tray (91), and in 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). is 11
．． If it is "rl", step (5201
b) to reset to 10. Next, step (520
In step 5), it is determined whether the finish start switch has been turned on. If it is on, step (5206)
sets the finish processing flag to rl, calculates the number of sheets per bin (M) in step (5207), and determines whether the number of sheets per bin (M) is 1 in step (5208). Determine whether 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).
is set to "1" 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 <5208a).
If it is "rl", step (S208b
) to reset to 10. Next, step (5211
), the sensor (Se6) is turned on and off to check the presence or absence of a sheet on the staple tray (91) again, and if there is a sheet, the step described above is carried out in order to staple an unnecessary sheet or to prevent staple defects as described above. (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 (7) sheets in the bin (60) is determined in step (5215), and the presence or absence of (7) sheets on the staple tray (91) is determined in step (5216).・Determine whether there are 7 editions or not, and if there are none, step (
5217), the finish processing flag is reset to "0".

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 10'' in step (5201b>).The finishing process is then 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 a subroutine for bin movement processing that can be 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 bi'z (60) immediately after copying is completed. If there is a sheet, it is determined in step (5221) whether the bottom bin detection switch (SWI) is on. If the switch (SWI) is not on (if so, step <5 to move the floating cam (50) to the bottom bin position (X,).
222), the motor of the floating cam (50) is rotated in the forward direction, and when the off-edge of the floating cam rotation detection switch is confirmed in step (5223), step (
5224), the motor is turned off. In this step (5222), (5223), and (5224), the floating cam (50) is at the bottom bin position (X
, ).

The floating cam (50) is in the bottom bin position (
XI), 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 xl) is the sheet take-out position (L)
The bin counter is incremented in step (5227), and the fix cam motor is turned off in step (5228).

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 (xl). That is, in step (5230) the floating cam motor is reversely rotated, and 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).

(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 removal position is
,), the sensor (Se5) is turned on in the bin (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> starts 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 roller lenoid 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)
When the solenoid in 60) is turned on, the sheet is pinched between the take-out roller (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 sensor (Se2) 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 (X,) before the next bin (60) starts descending from the bottom bin position (X,), and the sheets distributed and accommodated in the bin (60) This is to prevent interference with the

Next, in step (5248) the staple tray (91
) sensor (Se6) is turned on to confirm that the sheet has been 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 turns on when the sheet is completely conveyed onto the tray (91). Therefore, if it is on-edge, step (
Align the sheets on the tray (91) by turning on the vibration motor (93) in step (5252), and proceed to step (525).
3) Start the vibration motor timer. On the other hand, in step (5251) it is determined that the device is not on-edge, and in step (5254) the sensor is on, that is,
If it is determined that there is already a sheet on the tray (91), the process moves to 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 The staple motor is turned off in step (5260), and the stopper solenoid is turned on in step (5262).

As a result, 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 (5264').
91) Allow return to above and end this subroutine.

That is, in this embodiment, if the finish mode is fully selected in the input processing subroutine (see FIG. 19) [YES in step (520)], the finish mode is selected for copy processing. If the sheet size (S) is other than A4 or B5, which is a size that can be stapled (+Ia) [Step (521) No], a warning that the sheet size is incompatible [Step (531),
567), (568), and subsequent copy operations are prohibited [step (532)]. This prevents stapling defects from occurring. On the other hand, when the operator inputs a key operation to execute the copy process [YES in step (523), <525), the copy operation is enabled [steps (524), (533)]
].

In this case, finish mode is canceled and [Step (
5181) ], copy processing itself and sorter section (41)
User-friendliness will be improved as it will be possible to use the

In this embodiment, the sizes that can be stapled are A4 and B5, but the size is not limited to these.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above explanation, according to the present invention, when the finish mode is selected, if the sheet selected for copy processing is of a size other than that which can be stapled, the copy operation is prohibited. As a result, sheets of a size that cannot be stapled are not sent to the stapling unit, and troubles such as poor stapling and paper jams can be prevented.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, and 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 horizontal cross-sectional view of the feed roller portion of the sorter section, FIG. 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 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 the stack. FIGS. 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. be. <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, (X+>...Bottom bin position, (XZ)...Top bin position, (X
3)... 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 that is equipped with a stack section that stores and accommodates copied sheets, when the finish mode for stapling is selected, if the sheet selected for copy processing is of a size other than that which can be stapled, A sorter with a finisher, comprising: a control means for prohibiting a copy operation and issuing a warning.