WO2008013258A1

WO2008013258A1 - Sheet handling device

Info

Publication number: WO2008013258A1
Application number: PCT/JP2007/064753
Authority: WO
Inventors: Naoki Kojima; Naoki Kurosaki; Chizuo Sano
Original assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-07-27
Filing date: 2007-07-27
Publication date: 2008-01-31

Abstract

A sheet handling device in FIG. 2 has sensors (S101, S102-S402, S501) arranged at different positions in a sheet route and detecting a sheet, a flash memory (18) for storing conditions of the sensors when the power source is turned off, and a control section (17) for executing control of a sheet clogging detection and processing step by detection signals from the sensors. The control section (17) determines, from the sensor conditions stored in the flash memory (18) when the power is turned on, whether conditions of the device when the power source is normal, whether there a sheet remaining in the device, or whether the device is clogged with a sheet. When there is a sheet remaining in the device, the control section (17) executes sheet discharge processing. When the device is clogged with a sheet, the control section (17) displays an error message. When the power source is interrupted during operation of the device, a sheet remaining in the device is automatically discharged when the electricity in conducted in the next time, eliminating manpower for removing the remaining sheet.

Description

Specification

Paper processing device

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper processing apparatus that performs a binding process and a stapling process on paper discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printing machine. It relates to a paper processing device that eliminates the trouble of paper removal.

[0002] A paper processing apparatus connected to a copying machine, a printing machine, or the like for post-processing paper is stapled as seen in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-185869 and Japanese Patent No. 3705761. Various specifications are known, such as those that perform binding processing and those that perform punching processing of punch holes. In addition, as seen in JP-A-2005-138549, a post-processing device for continuously binding a book by attaching a ring binder to a printed material after punching the printed material discharged from the copying machine. There is also a proposal.

[0003] Image forming apparatuses, paper processing apparatuses, and the like are generally configured so that sensors are arranged at various points in a paper path, and based on these sensors, sequence control of processing steps, error detection, and the like are performed. The control unit determines whether the sensor is operating normally or abnormally from the on / off timing of the sensor or the on / off duration. If a paper jam occurs while the paper processing unit is in operation, the sensor number indicating the abnormality identifies the location where the paper jam occurred, stops the operation of the mechanism, and causes the paper jam and the paper jam on the display. A message is displayed.

[0004] If a paper jam message is displayed, open the service door of the paper handling unit to remove the jammed paper, and then close the service door, the control unit will detect and display the failure recovery. A message indicating that the start is possible is displayed in the section, and the work can be resumed.

By the way, in this type of paper processing apparatus, when the power is turned on, the control unit first reads the state of each sensor, confirms that each sensor indicates the initial state, and then enters the standby state. It may happen that a power failure or a power plug is accidentally pulled out, the paper processing device in operation stops, and paper remains inside the paper processing device. this In this way, if the power is turned off when there is paper in the paper processing device, the sensor detects the paper inside the paper processing device when the power is turned on next time, and the location where the paper jam occurred and the paper jam message are displayed. Is displayed and the internal paper must be removed. That is, even when the paper is simply stopped in the internal paper path without being jammed, it is necessary to remove the paper as in the case of the paper jam, which is troublesome.

[0006] In addition, according to the paper processing apparatus that operates in cooperation with the image forming apparatus, when a paper jam or failure occurs in the built-in paper feed mechanism, stapler, punch unit, bind unit, etc. It is equipped with a sensor that detects an abnormality and a control means that stops the operation of the entire mechanism in response to the abnormality detection signal of the sensor.

[0007] When an abnormality occurs, an abnormality detection signal is transmitted to the control unit of the copier to which the paper processing device is connected, the entire system is stopped, and the fault location and countermeasures are displayed on the display panel of the copier. The If there is a paper jam or shortage of consumables (stable, ring binder, etc.), the ability to resume copying and post-processing immediately by removing the jammed paper or replenishing consumables. If a failure that requires repairs or replacement of parts by a service person occurs in the punch section or bind section, it will not be abnormal until the repair is completed, and the copier cannot be used.

[0008] However, in daily copying operations, it is not always necessary to perform punching or binding processing, and in many cases only copying is not performed. In this case, the paper discharged from the copying machine remains as it is. By the pass-through function of the paper processing device, it is transported to the other post-processing device connected to the paper discharge port of the paper processing device, the force discharged through the paper processing device. Therefore, if there is a problem with the punch or bind section of the paper processing device, the copy-through function of the paper processing device of the paper processing device can be used as a vital force to continue the copying operation with the copier. It is possible to avoid a stagnation.

[0009] Further, in the paper processing apparatus that performs the binding process, when the number of sheets to be bound and the ring size of the ring binder are incompatible, the process is interrupted and the ring binder is replaced on the display unit of the operation panel of the copier. An error message prompting you is displayed. In this case, open the service door of the paper handling device, take out the binder cartridge, replace it with a binder cartridge containing a ring binder of the appropriate size, and bind it. If the bundle of sheets sent to the paper alignment table of the copy is removed, the copying and binding process can be resumed. To remove paper, force S, which is a necessary measure for resetting the detection value of the paper thickness sensor on the paper alignment table, must be copied again with the same contents, and a printed paper bundle for one volume It will be useless.

Disclosure of the invention

A sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention is a sheet processing apparatus that performs at least post-processing including punch processing or punch processing and ring binder mounting processing on a sheet supplied from an image forming apparatus. A plurality of sensors arranged in various places of the paper path for detecting the paper, a nonvolatile memory for storing the state of the sensor when the power is turned off, and a paper jam detection and processing step by detection signals of the plurality of sensors Control means for executing the control of the sheet processing apparatus, wherein the control means determines from the sensor state data stored in the non-volatile memory when the power is turned on whether the state of the paper processing apparatus when the power is turned off is normal or remains of the paper. It is determined whether there is a paper jam. When the state is a paper remaining state, a paper discharge process is executed, and when it is a paper jam condition, an error message display process is executed. It is intended to.

[0011] According to this paper processing device, the nonvolatile memory that stores the state when the sensor that detects the paper in the paper path in the paper processing device is turned off is stored in the non-volatile memory when the power is turned on. The sensor status data is read, and if the paper is not jammed! /, The paper discharge process is executed. Therefore, if the power is turned off while the paper processing unit is in operation, the remaining paper in the paper processing unit is automatically discharged at the next energization, eliminating the need to manually remove the residual paper. Improves.

[0012] The sheet processing apparatus includes a conveyance unit that takes in sheets supplied from the image forming apparatus, and a post-processing unit including a punch unit and a binding unit, and is connected to or built in the image forming apparatus. A paper processing apparatus that performs post-processing including at least punching processing or punching processing and binder mounting processing on paper after an image forming process, and includes sensors disposed in various portions of the conveyance unit and the post-processing unit; Control means for performing operation sequence control and abnormality detection according to the output signal of the sensor. The control means includes an operation mode in which post-processing is performed on paper supplied from the image forming apparatus, and the control unit performs the post-processing without performing post-processing. Two functions are selectable: a subsequent finisher through the transport section or a pass-through mode for sending to the outside. The control means stops the entire operation when it detects an abnormality in the transport unit, stops the operation other than the transport unit when it detects an abnormality other than the transport unit, and places it in a location other than the transport unit. When an abnormality occurs, the pass-through mode is executed.

[0013] Further, in the paper processing apparatus, the control unit displays an abnormality occurrence location and an available operation function on a display unit of the paper processing apparatus or the image forming apparatus.

[0014] According to this sheet processing apparatus, a pass-through function is provided in which the sheet supplied from the image forming apparatus is not subjected to post-processing and is sent to the subsequent finisher as it is. Even if a part other than the transport unit fails, unlike the conventional product, the pass-through function can be used without stopping the entire device, so copying and printing by the image forming device can continue. It is possible to avoid the stop of the entire copying, printing and post-processing system.

In addition, the sheet processing apparatus includes a conveyance unit that takes in sheets supplied from the image forming apparatus, and a post-processing unit including a punch unit and a binding unit, and is connected to or built in the image forming apparatus. A paper processing apparatus for performing punch processing and ring binder mounting processing on paper after forming process, the ring size sensor for detecting the ring size of the ring binder in the cartridge mounted on the binding unit, and the binding Compare the detection value of the paper thickness sensor with the detection value of the ring size sensor and detect the thickness of the paper bundle loaded on the table of the Control means for interrupting the operation when the ring size of the ring binder is incompatible. The control means sequentially compares the detection value of the paper thickness sensor and the detection value of the ring size sensor even after the operation is interrupted, detects the ring size of the replaced ring binder, enters a restart standby state, and operates the start button. The special feature is that the bind loading process is executed for the sheet bundle on the table by the resuming operation.

[0016] Further, the sheet processing apparatus further includes a door opening / closing sensor that detects an opening / closing state of a service door that covers a component chamber including the binding unit and the binder cartridge unit, and the control unit includes a door of the door opening / closing sensor. When the closing signal is a restart operation signal, In the restart waiting state, a bind operation is performed on a sheet bundle on the table by a restart operation signal when the service door is closed.

[0017] According to this paper processing apparatus, when the number of sheets sent from the image forming apparatus exceeds the ring size of the ring binder loaded in the paper processing apparatus, the binding process is stopped appropriately. If you replace the ring binder with a ring size that is appropriate, the operation can be resumed from the state when the operation stopped. Therefore, unlike the conventional type, there is no waste of paper that does not require removal of the paper sent to the binding unit. In addition, the binding process can be automatically restarted when the service door is closed after replacing the ring binder, which greatly simplifies the operation.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a sheet processing apparatus 1 according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an electric circuit of the sheet processing apparatus 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of sheet feed speed control of the sheet processing apparatus 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of paper feed speed control as a comparative example.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of residual sheet diagnosis of the sheet processing apparatus 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an error processing example of the sheet processing apparatus 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of checking the ring size compatibility of the sheet processing apparatus 1; BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention provides a sheet processing apparatus capable of eliminating the trouble of removing the remaining sheet at the next energization when the power is turned off with the sheet inside the sheet processing apparatus. The first purpose.

[0020] It is a second object of the present invention to provide a paper processing apparatus that can continue a copying operation, a printing operation, etc. even when a trouble occurs in a paper processing apparatus connected to a copying machine or the like.

[0021] It is a third object of the present invention to provide a paper processing apparatus in which a printed paper bundle is not wasted when the size of the ring binder is not matched.

Hereinafter, a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A sheet processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 performs a punching process and a ring binder mounting process. The mechanical configuration of the paper processing apparatus 1 is such that the above processing is performed on the paper that is connected to the copying machine 21 and discharged from the copying machine 21, and is optionally provided on the downstream side of the paper processing apparatus 1. Use force S to connect finisher 31 and sorting tray units.

[0024] The conveyance unit 2 disposed horizontally in the upper part of the sheet processing apparatus 1 is composed of first to fourth feed roller devices 3, 4, 5, and 6 arranged in series, and the pass-through mode is used as an operation mode. When the mode is selected, the sheet fed from the copying machine 21 passes through the four feeding roller devices 3, 4, 5, 6 and is discharged to the optional finisher 31 at the subsequent stage.

[0025] When the bind processing mode is selected, the sheet is stopped by the fourth feed roller device 6 and then the direction switching flap (see FIG. 5) disposed between the third feed roller device 5 and the fourth feed roller device 6. The fourth feed roller device 6 is driven in reverse, and the paper is placed diagonally downward from the fourth feed roller device 6 (! /, Right in the figure)! Switchback is sent to the transfer section 7.

[0026] A punch unit 8 is disposed at the tip of the switchback conveying unit 7 having a feed roller (not shown). The punched paper is punched, and the paper is fed after the punching process. It is sent to the paper alignment table 10 in the binding unit 9 by the roller.

[0027] The node section 9 includes a binder cartridge 11 and a binder mounting mechanism 12. When one sheet of punched paper is stored on the paper alignment table 10, the binder mounting mechanism 12 is moved from the binder cartridge 11 to the same position. Take out the ring binder of the book, and the upper end holding the ring binder rotates backward (left in the figure) and attaches the ring binder to the paper on the paper alignment table 10. The paper with the ring binder attached falls to the discharge unit 13, is sent toward the upper rear by the belt compressors 14 and 15 of the discharge unit 13, falls into the stat force 16 and is stacked.

[0028] The paper sensors S101, S102, S103 arranged in the transport unit 2, the paper sensors S201, S202 of the switchback transport unit 7 and the punch unit 8, the paper sensor S301 of the bind unit 9, and the paper thickness sensor S302 , Binder cartridge 11 ring size sensor S303, binder remaining amount sensor S304, paper sensor S401, S402 of discharge unit 13, door open / close sensor S501 for detecting opening / closing of service door (not shown), etc. As shown in Fig. 2, each sensor is a paper processing device 1 Is connected to the control unit 17.

[0029] The control unit 17 shown in FIG. 2 communicates with the control unit of the copying machine 21, and according to the operation mode set on the operation panel of the copying machine 21, the transport unit 2, the switchback transport unit 7, and the punch unit 8 The binder unit 9 and the discharge unit 13 are controlled to execute processing in the pass-through mode or the bind processing mode.

[0030] In executing the process, the sequence of each process such as feeding, punching, and binding is controlled based on the signals of the sensors S101 to S501, and the timing of turning on or off the sensors S101 to S501 is determined. Alternatively, if the sensor signal indicates an abnormality due to the duration of OFF, etc., an error code is transmitted to the control unit of the copying machine 21 and the operation of the sheet processing apparatus 1 is stopped.

[0031] The control unit of the copier 21 displays an error code, an error occurrence location, an error content (paper jam, jamming of the punch unit and the bind unit 9 and a shortage of consumables) and countermeasures on the operation panel display unit ( (Not shown).

In addition, the control unit 17 outputs a discharge completion signal from a sensor S00X for detecting paper discharge, which is disposed in the vicinity of the paper discharge port, among various sensors S001 to S00X provided in the copying machine 21. Received from the control unit of the copying machine 21 to control the feed speed of the first feed roller device 3 of the transport unit 2

[0033] For example, if one copy document is set in the automatic document feeder of the copying machine 21 and the start key is pressed, the copied document is fetched page by page onto the glass table in the copying machine 21. The copied paper is sent to the paper processing device 1.

[0034] As described above, when the pass-through mode is selected when the copy original is set, the paper is transferred to the subsequent optional finisher 31 by the four feed roller devices 3, 4, 5, 6 of the transport unit 2 as it is. When it is sent out and the bind processing mode is selected, it is sent from the transport unit 2 to the switchback transport unit 7, punched by the punch unit 8, and sent to the paper alignment table 10 in the bind unit 9.

[0035] Further, when the power is turned off when each of the sensors S101 to S501 indicates the initial state after the normal binding process is completed, data indicating that each mechanism unit is in the initial state is stored. Is done. On the other hand, a paper jam is detected by sensors S101 to S302 and S401 to S402 and stopped. When the power is turned off in such a state, data indicating the paper jam at that time is saved, and when the power is turned on next time, the paper jam continues and the location of the paper jam is recognized. In addition, if the paper processing device 1 is operating normally and there is paper inside and the power is cut off due to a power failure or malfunction, the status data of each sensor S101 to S302, S401 to S501 at that time In other words, data indicating that paper is remaining but not jammed is saved.

[0036] In this example, when an error occurs in the transport unit 2, the operation of the entire sheet processing apparatus is stopped in the same manner as in the conventional product. In the present invention, the start and stop is performed according to the error occurrence location. When an error occurs in a location other than the transport unit 2, the transport unit 2 can be used and the pass-through function can be used.

Subsequently, an example of feed speed control of the first feed roller device 3 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of feed speed control of the first feed roller device 3.

[0038] In this embodiment, before the paper is taken in and at the time of taking in the paper, the feeding speed of the paper transport unit 2 is controlled to be equal to the feeding speed on the copier 21 side, and the paper feeding is detected by the sensor S101 for detecting paper pulling When the completion is detected, the controller 17 includes a controller 17 that increases the feed speed of the conveyor 2 and conveys it to a punching process. The controller 17 includes a sensor S00X that is provided on the copier 21 side and that is used to complete the paper discharge. When the discharge completion signal is received, the feeding speed of the transport unit 2 is increased.

[0039] In addition, the sheet processing apparatus 1 has a switching function in the control unit 17, and when the sensor S101 detects completion of sheet drawing, the sheet processing apparatus 1 increases the feeding speed of the conveying unit 2 and carries it to punch processing or the like. And control to increase the feeding speed of the transport unit 2 when receiving the discharge completion signal from the sensor S00X for paper discharge completion provided on the copier 21 side.

[0040] Further, the control unit 17 communicates with the control unit of the copying machine 21, and detects the completion of the drawing by the sensor S101 for detecting the drawing-in according to the presence / absence of the paper discharge completion signal communication function of the copying machine 21. At this point, the transport speed of the transport unit 2 is increased and transported to punch processing. Further, the control unit 17 automatically switches the control for increasing the feeding speed of the conveyance unit 2 when receiving the discharge completion signal of the sensor S00X for paper discharge completion provided on the copier 21 side. To be made. Also, the flash memory 18 (nonvolatile memory) is connected to the control unit 17, and error status data derived from the state of each sensor S101 to S501 at the time when the control unit 17 detects power off is written. The data is saved until the next power-on.

In this example, in step 101 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, each mechanism unit is activated by receiving the activation signal of the copying machine 21 from the standby state. In step 102, the feed roller of the first feed roller device 3 is driven to rotate at the same peripheral speed as the feed roller of the copying machine 21. Needless to say, if the feed speed on the sending side (copier) does not match the feed speed on the receiving side (first feed roller device 3), the paper may be pulled and damaged. Is

Yes

[0042] The paper is pulled in at the same speed as the feeding speed of the copying machine 21 until it passes through the paper discharge detection sensor S00X of the copying machine 21. When the trailing edge of the sheet passes the sheet discharge detection sensor S 00X of the copying machine 21, the control unit 17 receives the discharge completion signal of the sensor S00X in step 103. Then, the process proceeds from step 103 to step 104, and the feed speed of the first feed roller device 3 is switched to high speed. As a result, the paper is delivered to the second feed roller device 4 and subsequent ones having a high feed speed and conveyed to the punch section in a short time.

Also, when the first feed roller device 3 delivers the paper to the second feed roller device 4, the process returns from step 105 to step 102, and is decelerated to the same peripheral speed as the feed roller of the copying machine 21. Wait for the next paper supply. The paper feed completion detection means of the first feed roller device 3 measures the component force for detecting passage of the rear end of the paper by the sensor, and the rotation speed of the feed roller of the first feed roller device 3 after receiving the paper, thereby measuring the length of the paper. If the feed length is equal to the length of the paper, the paper feed will be considered complete.

As described above, according to the sheet processing apparatus 1, the feeding speed of the first feeding roller apparatus 3 is changed at a high speed when the trailing edge of the sheet is separated from the feeding roller of the copying machine 21. In the above-described example, the feeding speed of the transport unit is increased when a discharge completion signal is received from the sensor S00X for paper discharge completion provided on the copying machine 21 side. As a result, after the trailing edge of the paper is completely drawn into the paper processing apparatus 1, the speed is changed earlier than the conventional machine that speeds up the first feed roller device 3.

That is, from the time when the trailing edge of the paper is separated from the feeding roller of the copying machine 21, it enters the paper processing apparatus. The shift timing is advanced by the amount of time until it is completely pulled in, so that the interval between the next paper to be fed can be widened, and there is a time margin for punch processing, etc., and the processing speed is high. Copier 21 can also be supported.

In the speed control example described above, the force S, which is based on the premise that the signal of the paper discharge detection sensor S00X of the copying machine 21 can be transmitted to the paper processing apparatus 1, is a copy without the sensor S00X. In some cases, the paper processing apparatus 1 has no function of transmitting a paper discharge detection signal to the paper processing apparatus 1, and / or the paper processing apparatus 1 is connected to the copying machine. In this case, like the conventional machine, the feed speed control must be performed based on the paper passage signal of the sensor S101 disposed in the vicinity of the paper inlet of the paper processing device 1, and these two types of control are performed as necessary. If the mode can be selected, the above two types of copying machines can be handled.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of feed speed control of the first feed roller device 3 when the copying machine as a comparative example does not have a paper discharge detection signal transmission function. The content of the control is the same as that of the sheet processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 3, and only the step 103 is different from the control flowchart of FIG.

[0048] First, in step 201, the control unit 17 receives an activation signal of the copying machine 21 from the standby state, and each mechanism unit is activated. The feed roller of the first feed roller device 3 is rotationally driven at step 202 at the same peripheral speed as the feed roller of the copying machine 21. The paper is pulled in at the same speed as the feeding speed of the copying machine 21 until it passes the sensor S101 in the vicinity of the paper inlet in step 203.

When the trailing edge of the sheet has passed the sensor S101, the process proceeds from step 203 to step 204, and the feed speed of the first feed roller device 3 is switched to a high speed. As a result, in step 205, the sheet is delivered to the second feed roller device 4 and later having a high feed speed, and is conveyed at high speed to the punch unit 8. When the first feed roller device 3 delivers the paper to the second feed roller device 4, the process returns from step 205 to step 202, where the first feed roller device 3 is decelerated to the same peripheral speed as the feed roller of the copying machine 21 and the next paper is fed. Wait for supply.

[0050] When the sheet processing apparatus 1 is connected to the copying machine 21, the control unit 17 of the sheet processing apparatus 1 communicates with the control unit of the copying machine 21, and whether or not the sheet discharge detection signal transmission function of the copying machine 21 exists. Depending on the situation, the control mode of FIG. 3 or the control mode of FIG. 4 may be automatically selected. Next, the residual sheet diagnosis routine at the time of power-on in the sheet processing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, a plurality of sensors S101 to S103, S201, S202, S301 to S303, S401, and S402 that detect papers arranged at various points in the paper path are used. Equipped with a flash memory 18 (non-volatile memory) and a control unit 17 for storing the sensor state when the power is turned off when controlling processing steps and detecting paper jams!

Yes

The control unit 17 determines from the sensor state data stored in the flash memory 18 when the power is turned on whether the state of the paper processing apparatus 1 when the power is turned off is normal, paper remaining, or a paper jam. If this state is a paper remaining state, paper discharge processing is executed, and if the paper is jammed, an error message is displayed. In this way, when the power is turned off while there is a sheet inside the sheet processing apparatus, the trouble of removing the remaining sheet at the next energization can be eliminated.

In this example, when the power is turned on in step 301 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 17 reads the error status of each sensor S101 to S402 stored in the flash memory 18 in step 302. In step 303, if the status of each sensor S101 to S302, S401 to S402 is off or the paper thickness is zero on the paper table, etc. Then, the process proceeds from step 303 to step 306, where each part is initialized, enters a standby state, and waits for the copying machine 21 to start.

[0055] In step 302, if one or more of the sensors S101 to S302, S401 to S402 indicate a paper jam, the process proceeds from step 303 to step 304, where a paper jam occurrence location and a paper jam message appear on the display unit. Is displayed, and the mechanism is maintained in the start-stop state. In this case, if the jammed paper is removed by opening the service door of the paper processing apparatus 1 and the service door is closed, a start ready message is displayed on the display unit, and the work can be resumed.

[0056] In step 302, if one or more of the sensors S101 to S302, S401 to S402 is “paper present” and there is no paper jam! /, The case (power failure or! / If the power is turned off during the operation), the process proceeds from step 303 to step 305 and the control unit 17 turns off the power. The paper is ejected according to the current processing mode.

That is, when the power is turned off during the operation in the pass-through mode and the sheet remains in the transport unit 2, the sheet is discharged to the option finisher 31 at the subsequent stage in step 305. If the power is turned off during operation in the bind processing mode and the paper remains in the transport unit 2 or the switch knock transport unit 7 or the like, the paper is punched in step 305 and bound to the punch unit 8 in step 305. The paper is discharged into the stat force 16 through the part 9 and the discharge part 13, and in either case, after the paper is discharged, the standby state is set at step 306.

[0058] As described above, when the power is turned off while the paper processing apparatus 1 is in operation and paper remains in the paper processing apparatus, the residual paper is automatically discharged at the next energization. This eliminates the need to remove residual paper.

Next, the error processing routine of the sheet processing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, sensors S101 to S103, S201, S202, S301 to S303, S401, S402, and S501 are arranged at various points in the transport unit 2 and the post-processing unit, and these sensors S101 to S103, S201, S202 are arranged. , S301 to S303, S401, S402, and S501, the control system is configured to perform operation sequence control and abnormality detection according to the output signals.

At the same time, the sheet processing apparatus 1 performs an operation mode in which the paper supplied from the copying machine 21 is post-processed, and a pass-through that is sent to the subsequent finisher or the outside through the transport unit 2 without performing the post-processing. Two functions, mode, can be selected.

The control unit 17 stops the entire operation when detecting an abnormality in the transport unit 2 and stops the operation other than the transport unit 2 when detecting an abnormality other than the transport unit 2. When an abnormality occurs in a location other than the transport unit 2, the pass-through mode can be used, so that even if a location other than the transport unit 2 breaks down, copying, printing, etc. by the copier 21 Achieved the goal of being able to continue.

In this example, the routine is started by turning on the power in Step 401 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, and the state of the sensors S101 to S501 is read in Step 402. If all of the sensors are in the normal state, the process proceeds to step 403 and becomes standby. In the pass-through mode, paper is fed from the copier 21 according to the mode setting of the paper processing device 1 on the copier 21 side. Drive the four feed roller devices 3, 4, 5, and 6 Send to the optional finisher 31 at the rear.

[0063] If the state of one or more sensors indicates an abnormality in step 402, the process proceeds from step 402 to step 404. If a paper jam occurs in the transport unit 2 in step 404 and the statuses of the sensors S101 to S103 of the transport unit 2 indicate an abnormality, it is impossible to receive paper from the copying machine 21. The whole operation is stopped and the error code is transmitted to the control unit of the copier 21.

[0064] If an abnormality occurs in a place other than the transport unit 2 and the state of the sensors S201 to S402 other than the sensors S101 to S103 indicates an abnormality in step 404, the process proceeds from step 404 to step 406. The control unit 17 stops the operations of the switchback transfer unit 7, the punch unit 8, the bind unit 9, and the discharge unit 13 after the transfer unit 2. The transport unit 2 enters a usable standby state and transmits an error code to the control unit of the copier 21. The copying machine 21 determines from the error code that copying and printing can be continued, and displays a message that the copying work can be executed in pass-through mode along with the error code and error location on the display. In this case, for example, if the copy mode is selected on the operation panel of the copying machine 21 and the start button is pressed, the sheets copied in the copying machine 21 are sequentially sent to the sheet processing apparatus 1 and the conveyance unit 2 is activated. Then, the sheet is taken in and conveyed to the finisher 31 at the subsequent stage.

Next, a ring size compatibility check routine in the bind processing mode in the sheet processing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, a ring size sensor S303 that detects the ring size of the ring binder in the binder cartridge, and a paper thickness sensor that detects the thickness of the stack of paper stacked on the paper alignment table 10 of the bind unit 9 Equipped with S302!

[0067] The control unit 17 compares the detection value of the paper thickness sensor S302 with the detection value of the ring size sensor S303, and interrupts the operation when the ring binder ring size is incompatible with the thickness of the paper bundle. . The controller 17 successively compares the detection value of the paper thickness sensor S302 and the detection value of the ring size sensor S303 even after the operation is interrupted, and detects the ring size when the ring binder is replaced with a ring binder of an appropriate ring size. Then, it will be in a standby state.

[0068] The control unit 17 executes a bind mounting process on the stack of sheets on the table by a restart operation using a start button or the like. As a result, when the ring binder size is not compatible, The objective of keeping the printed paper stack on the table in the handheld section 9 from being wasted is achieved.

In this example, at step 501 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, when the binder cartridge is loaded into the binding unit 9 of the paper processing device 1, the control unit 17 of the paper processing device 1 also outputs the output force of the ring size sensor S303. Detects the size of the ring binder in the binder cartridge.

When copying is started by setting the bind processing mode in the copying machine 21, in step 502, the sheet is transferred from the copying machine 21 via the transport unit 2, the switchback transport unit 7, and the punch unit 8, and the binding unit 9. Each time a punched sheet is fed into the paper alignment table 10, the paper thickness sensor S302 force is passed through a paper thickness detector (not shown) that contacts the surface of the paper on the paper alignment table 10. The thickness of the paper bundle is measured.

[0071] Then, when all the copy documents set in the automatic document feeder of the copying machine 21 are copied in step 503 and the last sheet is fed to the paper alignment table 10, the process starts from step 503. Proceeding to step 504, the ring size of the ring binder in the binder cartridge is compared with the thickness of one sheet of paper on the paper alignment table 10.

At this time, if the paper thickness matches the ring size of the ring binder, the process proceeds to step 508 and the bind process is executed by the bind unit 9. In other words, if a ring binder for 100 sheets is loaded in the binder cartridge and the paper strength to be bound is 100 sheets or less, or a ring binder for 50 sheets is loaded in the binder cartridge and should be bound. If there are 50 sheets or less, the bind process is executed by the bind unit 9 in step 508. The booklet with the ring binder attached is sent to the discharge unit 13 after the binding process is completed in step 509 and loaded on the stat force 16.

[0073] On the other hand, if the ring binder ring size is not suitable in step 504, that is, if a 50-sheet ring binder is loaded in the binder cartridge and the paper on the paper alignment table 10 is 5 mm or more, In step 505, the operation is stopped, an error code is transmitted to the control unit of the copying machine 21, and an error message is displayed on the display unit of the copying machine 21.

[0074] In this case, when the service door of the paper processing device 1 is opened and replaced with a binder cartridge containing a 100-sheet ring binder, the binder size detection sensor S3 In step 506, the ring binder ring size in the binder cartridge is detected in step 03, and it is determined that the ring size is suitable. At this time, the error display is also canceled.

[0075] Step 507 is a step for waiting for the service door to close. When the service door is closed, the process proceeds to Step 508, where the binding process is executed by the binding unit 9, and the booklet with the ring binder attached is processed by the binding process. After completion, in step 509, it is sent to the discharge unit 13 and loaded on the stat force 16.

[0076] As described above, when the ring size of the ring binder is incompatible, the binding process is automatically resumed by replacing the binder cartridge with a compatible size binder binder and closing the service door. As a result, the printed paper bundle without having to remove the paper on the paper alignment table is not wasted, and the labor of copying again can be saved.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the technical scope of the present invention. In the above embodiment, the example of the paper processing apparatus 1 that performs the punch and binder mounting process has been described. However, the present invention may be applied to a punch processing machine or a paper processing apparatus of another type (such as a staple processing machine). Naturally, this invention extends to those modifications.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the binder mounting process is executed by a restart operation with the force that the binder mounting process is automatically executed when the service door is closed after the binder cartridge is replaced. You may comprise as follows.

[0079] In addition, for example, a staple cartridge replaceable staple processing machine that can selectively use a plurality of staples according to the thickness of a booklet to be bound is provided with a sensor for detecting the booklet thickness and consumables. By applying the configuration of the present invention consisting of a sensor for detecting the size, it is possible to prevent bookbinding defects at the time of staple size incompatibility, and this invention naturally extends to those modified ones.

Industrial applicability

The present invention is extremely suitable when applied to a paper processing apparatus that performs automatic binding processing and automatic stapling processing on paper ejected from image forming apparatuses such as black and white and color copying machines and printing apparatuses. It is.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A sheet processing apparatus that performs at least a punching process or a post-processing including a punching process and a ring binder mounting process on a sheet supplied from an image forming apparatus, and is disposed at various positions in a sheet path. A plurality of sensors for detecting paper;

A non-volatile memory for storing the state of the sensor when the power is turned off;

Control means for executing detection of paper jam and control of processing steps by detection signals of the plurality of sensors,

The control means includes

From the sensor status data stored in the non-volatile memory when the power is turned on, it is determined whether the state of the paper processing apparatus is normal, paper remaining or paper jam when the power is turned off. Execute the discharge process,

A paper processing apparatus that performs error message display processing when a paper jam occurs.

[2] The control means includes

Two functions are selectable: an operation mode in which post-processing is performed on the paper supplied from the image forming apparatus, and a pass-through mode in which the post-processing is not performed and the finisher is sent to the outside through the transport unit. And

When performing abnormality detection and operation sequence control according to the output signal of the sensor,

When an abnormality in the transport unit is detected, the entire operation is stopped. When an abnormality other than the transport unit is detected, the operation other than the transport unit is stopped.

2. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pass-through mode is executed when an abnormality occurs in a portion other than the transport unit.

[3] The control means includes

2. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an abnormality occurrence location and an available operation function are displayed on the display unit of the sheet processing apparatus or the image forming apparatus.

[4] a binding unit that applies a ring binder mounting process to the paper supplied from the image forming apparatus; A ring size sensor for detecting a ring size of a ring binder in a binder cartridge portion attached to the binding portion;

A paper thickness sensor that detects the thickness of a stack of paper stacked on the table of the binding unit,

The control means includes

Compare the detection value of the paper thickness sensor with the detection value of the ring size sensor, and if the ring binder does not match the ring bundle thickness, stop the operation,

Even after the operation is interrupted, the detection value of the paper thickness sensor and the detection value of the ring size sensor are compared one after another, the ring size of the replaced ring binder is detected, and a restart standby state is established, including a start button operation. 2. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the binding mounting process is executed on the sheet bundle on the table by the restart operation.

[5] A door opening / closing sensor for detecting an opening / closing state of a service door covering a parts chamber including the binding unit and the binder cartridge unit is provided.

The control means includes

When the door closing signal of the door open / close sensor is a restart operation signal, a node loading process is executed on a paper bundle on the table by the restart operation signal when the service door is closed in the restart standby state. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1.