JP2671998B2 - Sheet processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus having a collating device and a stapling device for binding collated copy sheets.

(Prior art)

It has already been done to attach an automatic document feeder and a sorter, that is, a collating device to automatically collate a plurality of sets of copying papers, in order to improve the work efficiency of the copying machine. .

Recently, there has been proposed a copy paper processing apparatus in which a stapling device is further attached to a copying machine equipped with a sorter so that a collated copy paper can be bound.

As a sheet processing device of this type, a stapler is provided on one side of the bin and a bin moving device is provided on the other side of the bin so that when stapling, the bin is moved by the bin moving device to move the sheets to the stapler binding position and bind them. A device based on the above has been proposed. In this device, the stapler and the bin moving device are moved in synchronization with each other so that the sheets of each bin can be processed by a pair of devices, and a stapler is provided for each bin. No need.

However, in the above-mentioned sheet processing apparatus, each of the stapler and the bin moving device is provided with a drive device for moving along the arrangement direction of the bins, or is moved from one drive source via each drive transmission mechanism. . For this reason, since the drive transmission parts are arranged on both sides of the bin, there is a problem that the structure is complicated and a large installation space is required. Further, there is a fear that even if driven by one moving source, the stapler and the bin moving device cannot be aligned relative to each other depending on the accuracy of the parts.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and to provide a sheet processing apparatus that can staple sheets in each bin with one stapler and that has a simple structure and saves space.

To solve this problem, the present invention provides a sheet processing apparatus including a collating device having a plurality of bins and a stapler for binding sheets collated in the bin, in which the bin is pulled and the sheet on the bin is stapled. A pulling device for moving the stapler and the pulling device, and a supporting member that integrally supports the stapler and the pulling device.
A moving unit that moves along a direction in which the bins are arranged to a predetermined position corresponding to each bin, and the pulling device pulls the bins to bind the sheets on the bins by the stapler, and then the moving unit. And a control means for moving the support member to the next bin.

〔Example〕

 The details of the present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in the drawings.

An apparatus to which the present invention is applied has a sorter 3 attached to a plurality of machine main bodies 1 equipped with an automatic document feeder (ADF) as shown in FIG. 1, for example.

When the originals aligned in page order are set face down on the setting table 4 of the automatic document feeder (ADF), the required number of copies is set, and the print button is pressed, the first page of the original is placed on the contact glass 5 at the predetermined position. Image is formed on the photoconductor 7 by the reading of the optical system 6, the image is transferred to the copy paper fed from the paper feeding device 8, and is inverted in the conveyance path 9 with the image surface facing downward. Are sequentially discharged from the top of each bin 10. Next, the same is repeated for the second document and subsequent documents. At the time when all the copied documents are finished, the copies are stored in the bins having the number of copies initially set and arranged in page order. That is, the collation ends.

The sorter 3 is provided with a stapling device 11, for example, as shown in FIG. The stapling device 11 is a table as a support member that moves up and down so that it can be stopped at the position of each bin 10.
It has a stapler 13 set to 12. The table 12 is vertically moved by, for example, a drive screw shaft 14 as a moving means.

Each bin 10 can be formed as a tray on which copy paper 16 fed by feed rollers 15 is placed. The tray 10 has a stopper 17 provided on the side surface on the side of the stapler 13 and a pressing plate 18 that presses the copy paper 16 which is a sheet against the stopper 17 to perform a paper alignment operation.

Tray 10 holds stapler with copy paper 16
It is formed movably so as to send copy paper to 13 receiving trays 19,
Usually, it is held at the standby position by the spring 20.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the stapling device 11 has a stapler 13 and a pulling device 21 for pulling the tray 10 to set the copy paper 16 at the binding position of the receiving base 19 of the stapler 13. . The tensioning device 21 is installed on the table 12 and moves up and down together with the stapler 13. The tensioning device 21 has a solenoid 22 and a hook 24 fixed to a plunger 23 of the solenoid 22. The hook 24 is formed so as to engage with a shift pin 25 fixed to the tray 10.

When the solenoid 22 is energized, the hook 24 is retracted,
The pull pin 25 is pulled, and the tray 10 is pulled in the direction of the stapler 13 against the force of the spring 20. At this time, the corner portion of the copy paper 16 is placed on the receiving table 19 of the stapler 13.

The cradle 19 is provided with a stapler paper detection sensor (S13) 20, which detects the presence or absence of paper on the cradle 19.

When the solenoid 22 is deenergized, the tray 10 is
Is retracted, and the copy paper 16 is separated from the stapler 13.

The stapler 13 is formed so that a needle cartridge 27 accommodating a large number of needles 26 can be attached and detached. The needles in the needle cartridge 27 are fed by a feed belt 29 driven by a drive motor 28. The arm 30 is swung up and down by the drive motor 28, whereby the head 31 moves up and down and strikes the needle 26 against the cradle 19. The staples bind the copy paper 16 like stitches.

A needle end sensor (S12) 32 is provided at a position of a predetermined number of needles from the driving position of the head 31, and detects the presence or absence of a needle. The predetermined number is a bin coefficient, for example, 20 and 1
In consideration of the number of binding positions of one document, for example, a maximum of two positions, in this case, the number is set to a number larger than 40, for example, some of 70 to 100 stitches.

First, bind the stapler 13 to the copy paper in the top bin,
The table 12 is lowered by one bin, the tray 10 is pulled by the operation of the solenoid 22, the binding is performed by the stapler 13, the solenoid is deenergized, the tray 10 is returned, and the operation of lowering to the next bin is repeated. A sensor necessary for stopping the table 12 at a predetermined position for each bin, a drive control device for a drive screw shaft, and the like are provided.

As shown in FIG. 4, the stapler 13 is arranged on the bin 10 so as to be bound by a needle 26 at a predetermined position at one corner of the copy paper. Moreover, assuming that the first binding position is when the binding is performed with the staple 26 extending horizontally with respect to the vertically long copy paper as shown in FIG. 4, the first binding position (horizontal position) as shown in FIG. A second binding position (named position) B where the needle is stapled at a position inclined by about 45 ° with respect to A, and a third binding position (vertical position) C where the staple is stapled at an angle of 90 ° relative to the first binding position and extends vertically. Can be switchable between and.
In this case, the stapler 13 is pivoted about the central axis 33, and the angular position at 45 ° can be switched. The switching position is not limited to these three positions, and it may be possible to switch to an arbitrary angle position.

For adjusting the direction of the stapler 13, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the center supported rotatably via the bearing 35 with respect to the base 12 which can move up and down by the drive screw shaft 14 and the guide shaft 34. An auxiliary table 36 is fixed to the shaft 33, and the stapler 13 is fixed to the auxiliary table 36.

A gear 37 is fixed to the central shaft 33. The gear 37 is engaged with a drive gear 40 mounted on a motor (M3) 39 supported by a bracket 38 on the base 12 and rotated. The table 12 has a sensor at a predetermined switching position, for example, a horizontal position sensor (S4) 41 for a first binding position (horizontal), a slug position sensor (S6) 42 for a second binding position (oblique), A vertical position sensor (S5) 43 for the third binding position (vertical) is provided to detect that the stapler 13 has reached a predetermined position, stop the motor (M3) 39, and control the direction of the stapler 13.

The direction control of the stapler 13 may be configured to manually control the direction as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in contrast to the automatic control of FIGS. 6 and 7. In this case, the seventh
In the illustrated example, the gear 37, the motor 39, and the drive gear 40 are removed, and instead, a thumb screw 44 is rotatably or screwably mounted on the auxiliary base 36, and the thumb screw 44 is screwed into a predetermined position on the base 12. The position is fixed by screwing it into the hole 45 or pressing it against the table 12, and when switching the direction, the thumb screw 44 is loosened and the auxiliary table 36 is moved to tighten the thumb screw 44 at the desired position and fixed. In this example, the user can easily change the direction of the stapler 13. That is, a lever can be used instead of the screw 44. The number of switching positions can be selected as desired.

The stapler 13 can not only adjust the direction with respect to the copy paper as described above, but also adjust the position as shown in FIG.
That is, when the feed direction of the copy paper by the feed roller 15 is the X direction, the position can be adjusted in the X direction and the Y direction orthogonal to the X direction. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 11, an auxiliary table 36 or an auxiliary bracket for enabling the auxiliary table to be rotatable is formed on the table 12 so as to be fixed by screws 46.
Insert the screw 46 into the elongated hole 47 in the X direction of the auxiliary bracket 36 or. Thereby, the position of the stapler 13 in the X direction can be easily adjusted by hand. Further, the stapler 13 is formed on the auxiliary table 36 so as to be fixed with the screw 48, and the screw 48 is inserted into a long hole in the Y direction formed on the stapler 13. By loosening and tightening the screw 48, the stapler 13 can be manually and easily adjusted in the Y direction. The screws 46 and 48 can be changed to thumb screws or levers for easy operation.

If you want to adjust automatically, as shown in Figure 12,
The bracket 49 to which the stapler 13 is fixed is the guide bar 52
Guide bar 52 slides in the X direction.
The stapler 13 is fixed in the X direction by being fixedly instructed on a support 51 fixed to 50, and rotatably supported by the support 51 and screwing the movable table 50 to a feed screw 54 driven to rotate by a motor (M3) 53. Position can be adjusted automatically.

Similarly, the moving table is moved by the guide rod 55 fixed to the table 12.
50 is slidably guided in the Y direction, and when the moving table 50 is screw-engaged with a feed screw 56 rotatably supported by the table 12, the moving table 50 is rotated when the feed screw 56 is rotated by the motor (M5) 57. 50
Is moved in the Y direction, and the stapler 13 is also moved in the Y direction.

By controlling the rotation of the motor (M3) 53 and the motor (M5) 57, the position of the stapler 13 in the X and Y directions can be adjusted.

The position home sensor (S7, S8) is automatically provided for controlling the position of the stapler 13 in the X and Y directions. As the position home sensors (S7, S8), for example, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a transmission type photointerrupter 58 and a shielding plate 59 are used. The position home sensors (S7, S8) are arranged, for example, as shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. That is, Y
The transmission type photointerrupter 58a forming the position home sensor (S8) for direction control is fixed to the base 12, and the shielding plate 59a is fixed to the movable base 50. Further, the transmission type photo interrupter 58b forming the position home sensor (S7) for X direction control is fixed to the moving table 50, and the shielding plate 59b is fixed to the bracket 49.
The shielding plate 59 moves relative to the transmission type photointerrupter 58, and turns off when the shielding plate 59 blocks the light of the transmission type photointerrupter 58, and turns on when the shielding plate 59 is separated from the transmission type photointerrupter 58. Become. The reference position of the stapler 13 in the X and Y directions is detected by the position home sensors (S7, S8).

Motor (M3) so that the stapler 13 is at the reference position when the copier is in the standard state, for example, when the main switch is ON.
53 and the motor (M5) 57 are controlled.

By pressing the position adjustment switch placed on the operation unit, the motor (M3) 53 and the motor (M5) 57 are driven, and the stapler 13 is moved in the designated direction by the designated distance. In this case, the moving distance is controlled by the rotation time or the number of rotations of the motor (M3) 53 and the motor (M5) 57.

As described above, the stapler 13 can perform the position adjustment and the direction adjustment in the X direction and the Y direction.

An operation panel provided on the copying machine main body 2 can be configured as shown in FIG. 17, for example, and includes a key switch group and an LED group corresponding to the key switch. To check the mode.

A ten key (numeric keypad) 101 is a key for setting the number of copies, and the set value is displayed on the set number display section 102. The actual number of copies is displayed on the number-of-copies display section 113. The C / S key 103 is a key for returning the set number to 1, and has a function of a copy interrupt key. Print key 104
Is a copy start key, which is valid when the print enable display is ON, and invalid when the print disable display is ON.

The bin paper presence display 105 is lit when a staple mode (described later) is selected (automatically) and there is paper in the bin of the sorter. The reason is that the number of sheets to be stapled is limited (for example, it is set to 30 in this embodiment). When it is not clear how many sheets are in the bin, stapling is prohibited.

Well-known sort mode selection key for when selecting sorter
106 and LED display are provided.

For stapling, a binding mode selection key 107 is provided,
After completion of copying, the copied sheets in each bin of the sorter are automatically bound by the stapler 13 according to each staple condition on the right side of the operation panel.

When the manual key 108 is turned on while the above staple is selected, the staple can be performed offline.

The double-strike key 109 is for performing binding close to bookbinding. In this case, it is possible only when the horizontal instruction is given by the staple direction key 110. The staple direction key 110 allows the user to select the binding direction, and allows the user to select the vertical, horizontal, or sloping direction with respect to the corner of the sheet. The normal position is horizontal.

The staple position X key 111 and the Y key 112 are used to adjust the binding position, and the binding position from the end face of the sheet can be adjusted in each of the X and Y directions. It is possible.

The control block diagram of the copying machine is as shown in FIG. 18A.

CPU 115 is a well-known microcomputer, and ROM 11
6, RAM 117 and several I / O elements 118 to 122 are connected, and as communication with another control unit 123 such as an automatic document feeder (ADF), sequence control and arithmetic processing related to copying are executed. .

One I / O element 120 includes a key switch on the operation panel, a well-known key matrix 124 shown in FIG. 18B, and an LED matrix 12 shown in FIG.
5 signal lines are connected to perform input / output processing.

In the present embodiment, the signal group A126 and the load group A127 are respectively the 19th
Figure, connected as shown in Figure 20, I / O121,
Input / output processing is performed through 122.

The signal group B128 and the load group B129 are of the copying machine main body,
Description is omitted.

The ADF control unit 123 is a control unit of a well-known automatic document feeder (ADF), and only those parts of the control signals that need to be described in this embodiment are illustrated. In the present embodiment, the CPU 115 and the ADF control unit 123 communicate with each other by a serial communication method.

Each unit shown in FIG. 19 is connected as the signal group A126, for example.

S1 to S14 are all photosensors (LED and phototransistor), and perform various detections inside the sorter.

S15 is a switch that can be set according to a user's request.

As the load group A127, for example, each unit shown in FIG. 20 is connected.

M1 to M5 are DC motors, M1 controls rotation only in a certain direction, and M2 to M5 controls forward / reverse rotation.

 SOL1 is a solenoid.

The control of the sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to a flowchart.

In FIG. 21, when the copier is turned on,
The subroutine "input read" for reading data of various signal groups is executed. Based on the data, the load group B129 of the copying machine main body is operated and initialized. The display and the like are also initialized.

Next, the subroutine "SU10" is executed to initialize the sorter and stapling device "SU"
In "B10", as shown in Fig. 25, the subroutine "SUB01" ~
Perform "SUB04" processing to initialize each position of the stapler. In the subroutine "SUB01", the motor (M3) 39 is reversely driven until the direction home sensor (also the horizontal position sensor) (S4) 41 for setting the staple direction is turned on as shown in FIG. Subroutine "SU
B02 ”, as shown in FIG. 27, the process of returning the staple position in the Y direction to the home position is performed, and the position home sensor
S8, that is, a shield plate 59a fixed to the moving table 50 and a transmissive photo interrupter 58a fixed to the table 12, are controls for determining the home position. If the position home sensor S8 is ON, the motor (M5) 57 is normally turned ON, the position home sensor S8 is turned OFF once, and the motor (M5) 57 is rotated again to rotate the position home sensor S8. Turn off (M5) 57 and set the home position.

In the subroutine "SUB03", a process of returning the staple position in the X direction to the home position is performed.
2]. In this case, a transmission type photo interrupter 58b forming the motor (M4) 53 and the position home sensor S7 is used. In the subroutine "SUB04", control is performed to determine the home position of the stapler 13 in the vertical direction.
Until the sensor S2 is turned on, the motor M2 is reversely rotated for positioning. After the subroutine "SUB04", the counter [CNTM] and the flag [FBPE] are reset and the processing ends.

Next, "input reading" is executed again, and the key input of each staple mode on the operation panel is checked to set the mode and the LED display.

When the staple key 107 is turned on, the staple mode is selected, and the staple LED is turned on. At this time, the sort mode is automatically selected and the sort LED is turned on. Moreover, the tack LED
Turn off. Next, when the double hit mode is selected by the double hit key 109, the double hit LED is turned on, and at the same time, the horizontal stapling direction is automatically selected.

In the case of the double-strike mode, the vertical and the slug striking are automatically made horizontal because they cannot be stapled structurally.

If it is not double-strike, check whether the staple direction is vertical or vertical, turn the vertical LED on if the vertical is selected, and turn the naname LED on if the vertical is selected. If neither is selected, turn on the horizontal LED and set to horizontal mode. That is, the staple direction when the staple mode is selected is preferentially selected as the horizontal direction.

Next, the staple position, the X key 111, and the Y key 112 will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the staple position is the normal position for both X and Y at a position 6 mm from the end of the sheet.
Both directions can be adjusted in two steps, which are set by the X key 111 and the Y key 112. If the X key 111 is not turned on, the normal LED of the normal position display is turned on and the X key 111 is pressed once.
When turned on, first turn on the + 2mm LED and turn off the normal LED. When turned on twice, the + 2mm LED is turned off and the + 4mm LED is turned on. -2mm at the 3rd time and -4m at the 4th time
Switch the LED of m in the same way and turn it on 5 times. Normal LED
Turn ON and return to the original.

Next, similarly to the X key 111, the Y key 112 performs mode setting and selective lighting of the LED.

Next, a stapler-less check is performed by the needle end sensor (S12) 32. If there is a stapler, proceed to the next step. If there is no stapler, the staplerless display is turned on and the copy disabled flag is turned on.
I do.

Next, a saw turbine paper presence check is performed. If there is no paper, turn off the bin paper display LED and turn off the copy disabled flag.
F. If there is paper, the copy impossible flag is turned ON.

If the manual staple key 108 is not turned on, the bin paper present LED is turned on.

If there is paper and the manual staple key 108 is ON, the copy enable flag is turned ON and the staple operation subroutine "STPL2" is executed.

Here, if there is no paper in the sorter bin, the manual staple key 108 cannot be turned on, so that the staple operation when there is no paper can be prohibited, and staple mistakes can be prevented with the staple without paper.

Also, since auto staple copying when paper is present is prohibited, mistakes in binding the preceding copy paper together and stapling errors due to excessive paper are prevented.

Further, by enabling the manual stapling key in the state of paper, stapling can be performed off-line (for example, stapling can be performed by setting paper other than copy paper in the sorter bin).

In the subroutine "STPL2", as shown in FIG. 31,
First, the manual staple counter [CNTM] is checked. If the data is 0, the subroutine "PST1" of the positioning operation 1 is executed. If not, the positioning operation is not performed. This counter [CNTM] is usually 0, but manual staple is 1 as described later in detail.
Both stapling and continuous stapling can be performed, and when the staple is interrupted for each staple, the positioning operation 1 is not performed at the time of shifting to the next operation.

Subroutine "PST1" of positioning operation 1 is 32nd
As shown in the figure, first, a subroutine "SUB10" is executed. In "SUB10", the stapler unit is returned to the home position as described above.

Next, the subroutine "SUB100" is executed. In the subroutine "SUB100", as shown in FIG. 34, the vertical, horizontal, and horizontal position control selected in the above-described staple direction mode setting is performed. If the staple direction is vertical, check the vertical position sensor (S5) 43. If not, turn on the motor (M3) 39 in the forward direction.
When turned on, the motor (M5) 39 is turned off.

If it is horizontal, the motor (M3) 39 is reversely rotated until the horizontal position sensor (S4) 41 is turned on. If the horizontal position sensor (S4) 41 is ON when the horizontal position sensor (S6) 42 is not ON, the motor (M3) 39 is rotated forward, and then the horizontal position sensor (S6) 42 is turned ON. If the rotation is forward and the horizontal position sensor (S4) 41 is OFF, the motor (M3) 39 is reversely rotated to control the position so that the slant position sensor (S6) 42 is turned ON.

 Next, the subroutine "SUB200" is executed.

In the subroutine "SUB200", position adjustment control in the Y direction is performed as shown in FIG.

First, check whether the set value is 2 mm, and if yes, set the timer T1 to T1 = 100 ms. Alternatively, if the set value is 4 mm, the timer T1 is set to T1 = 200 ms. Setting value is 2
If neither mm nor 4 mm, this routine ends. After setting the timer, start the timer, and then check the direction or direction. If it is the direction, use the motor (M5) 57
To forward rotation, wait until the timer time is up, and turn off the motor (M5) 57. Similarly, if the direction is motor (M
5) Turn the motor (M5) 57 OFF after waiting for the timer to time out in the same way as the 57. Motor (M5) 5 as an example
By the drive of 7, the position control in the Y direction can be performed at a speed of 20 mm / S.

When the subroutine "SUB200" is completed, it is checked whether or not the mode is the double hit mode. If not in the double hit mode, the subroutine "SUB300" is executed.

The subroutine "SUB300" is almost the same as the subroutine "SUB200", is a position adjustment control in the X direction, and performs positioning by controlling the motor (M4) 53. In the double striking mode, after the motor (M4) 53 is normally turned on until the staple unit is turned on by the sensor S9, the subroutine "SUB300" is similarly executed and the subroutine "PST1" is ended.

Subroutine "PST" in subroutine "STPL2"
After executing "1", the subroutine "SUB400" is executed next. This subroutine is a routine for moving the bin to the staple position, executing the stapling operation, and returning the bin. In FIG. 37, SOL1 is turned ON first. solenoid
By driving SOL1, the bin moves to the staple position. After ON of SOL1, the timer T1 is set and started to T1 = 200 ms, and when the timer T1 times out, the stapler paper detection sensor S13 is checked. This stapler paper detection sensor is a paper presence / absence check sensor on the bin. When the bin is moved, if there is no paper, this subroutine ends without performing the next stapling operation. This is to ensure that the stapling operation can be completed after confirming that there is no more paper on the bin during manual stapling without knowing how many papers are present. Further, even when auto-stapling, if a sheet in a bin in the middle is taken out for some reason, the job can be transferred to the next bin without the stapling operation.

In FIG. 3, the stapler paper detection sensor (S13) 2
When 0 is OFF, set the bin paper no flag (FBPE) and set SO
Turn off L1. Stapler paper detection sensor (S13) 20 is ON
If so, the staple motor (M1) 28 is turned on next. When this motor is turned on, the staple drive unit operates to drive the sheet into the staple. After the motor (M1) 28 turns on, the stapler drive home sensor S11
Is turned off and the stapler drive home sensor S11 is turned on again, the motor (M1) 28 is driven and turned off. Then SOL1
Is turned off, the timer T1 is operated until the bin returns to the predetermined position, and this subroutine "SUB400" is ended.

When the subroutine "SUB400" is completed, the content of the manual staple counter [CNTM] is incremented by 1 and the process proceeds.

Next, check whether the manual staple key is ON or not.

If left ON, the bin paper pear flag (FBPE)
And if it is not "1", the subroutine "SUB500" is executed.

This content allows the manual stapling operation to be performed continuously if the manual stapling key is kept ON after one stapling operation is completed. In other words, if the manual stapling key is turned on until the stapling operation of an arbitrary bin is performed, an arbitrary number of copies of the copied paper can be stapled, and the rest can be stapled. Subroutine "SUB500" is the 38th
As shown in the figure, this is a subroutine for rotating the motor M2 forward for 700 ms and moving to the next bin position. As an example, when the distance between the bins is 35 mm, the moving speed of the stapler unit by the motor M2 is 50 mm / S. After moving the stapler unit to the next bin position (downward) by the subroutine "SUB500" as described above,
00 ", the staple operation and the movement of the staple unit are repeated. Then counter (CN
TM] continues to count up, and moves to the next step if the manual staple key is OFF. If the flag [FBPE] = 1 while the manual staple key is kept ON, there is no paper on the bin, so the process proceeds to the next step.

Next, the double strike mode is checked. If not, the subroutine "STPL2" ends. At the time of double hit, the flag [FBPE] is checked next. (FBPE)
If = 1, it is necessary to return the staple unit to the position of the previous bin (upward) since the last bin in the two-sided one-side mode was a paper pear.
B510]. The subroutine "SUB510" is a subroutine that moves the stapler unit upward by one bin, except that the rotation direction of the motor is different from that of the subroutine "SUB500" as shown in FIG.

After the execution of the subroutine "SUB510", the flag [FBPE] is reset and the process proceeds to the next step. Even if [FBPE] = 0 in the preceding [FBPE] check, the process proceeds to the next step.

 Next, the subroutine "PST2" is executed.

The subroutine "PST2" moves the stapler unit in the X direction as shown in Fig. 33, and the motor (M4)
53 is driven to the position where the sensor S10 is turned on. Sensor S10 is 2
This is the other position reference for the final shot. Turn on sensor S10
Thereafter, in the subroutine "SUB300", the position in the X direction is finely adjusted, and the subroutine "PST2" ends.

Next, a subroutine "SUB400" is executed to perform a stapling operation. After stapling, the counter [CNTM] is decremented by 1 to check whether [CNTM] is 0 or not. If it is not 0, the remaining sheets are present, so the subroutine "SUB510" is executed to move the stapler unit upward by one bin.
Thereafter, the subroutine "SUB400" is repeated, and when the counter [CNTM] becomes 0, all the double hits have been completed, and the subroutine "STPL2" is completed.

In the case of double stapling when the manual staple key 108 is not left on, the staple unit is moved in the X direction from the middle of the bin as described above, and the other two staples are similarly stapled. By continuing, double hitting of an arbitrary number of copies is possible.

Also, if the manual stable key 108 is not turned ON and two strokes are not made, this subroutine "ST
After finishing PL2, the next bin can be stapled. This is because the stapler is not initialized, that is, the subroutine "PST1" is not performed because the counter [CNTM] at the head of the subroutine "STPL2" is not 0.

Upon completion of the subroutine "STPL2", the process returns to the main routine. In FIG. 22, "input reading" is executed again, and another copy mode is set and processed. This is, for example, a variable power mode or a density adjustment, but is omitted in the present embodiment since there is no need for explanation.

Although the case where the staple selection check has been selected has been described with reference to FIG. 2, when the staple selection has not been selected, the operation jumps to A, and as shown in FIG. 22, the staple mode is canceled because the staple is not selected. That is, first, the subroutine "SUB10" is executed to initialize each position of the stapler unit, and then all the stapler-related LEDs are turned off.

After that, check the sorter key, turn on the sort mode LED for sort, and turn on the stack LED for stack.
If it is not selected, leave it as it is and turn off the display with bin paper.
Then, the copy impossible flag is turned off, the input reading of the above-described steps is performed, and the process proceeds to another copy mode setting process.

As described above, it is determined how to process the copied paper, and the process is performed. Thereafter, the copy routine is started as shown in FIG.

 First, the copy impossible flag is checked.

If there is paper on the saw turbine in the staple mode, the copy disable flag is set, so a check is made here, the print disable display is turned on, and the process returns to B. B is the 21st
As shown in the figure, input reading is started again, and if there is paper on the saw turbine in the staple mode, the display is continued, and the paper cannot be copied unless the paper is removed or the staple mode is released. Also, other conditions in the above-mentioned input reading, for example, when the temperature of the heat fixing device is not at a predetermined temperature, etc., the copy impossible flag is turned on, but will not be described in detail.

When the copy prohibition flag is cleared, the display shows
Turn ON and check the print key ON. If the print key is not turned on, the process returns to B.

When the print key 104 is turned on, the print permission display is turned off and the copy routine is started.

First, an ON check of the document set sensor S20 is performed to determine whether a document is set on the ADF. When OFF, normal platen mode copy is performed because it has nothing to do with the ADF.

If the document set sensor S20 is ON, a document feed ON signal is transmitted to the ADF, and a document feed completion signal is sent from the ADF, and then the document feed signal is turned OFF.

Next, the ON check of the ADF original set sensor S20 is performed again. If the original set sensor S20 is OFF, it is known that the number of originals set in the ADF is one. Therefore, if the staple mode is set in the next check, the staple mode and the sort If the mode is canceled or the sort mode is set, the sort mode is canceled. This means that stapling and sorting on a single document is not very meaningful, but rather closes to a mode mistake such as copying in the mode set by the previous operator.

If the document set sensor S20 is ON, it is known that the number of documents is two or more, so the above-described staple and sort check are not performed.

 Next, check the sort mode again.

In sort mode, staple automatic selection switch
Check if S15 is ON, and if it is ON, and the copy set number [CNTST] is "2" or more, release the sort mode, turn on the staple LED, turn on the staple horizontal direction LED, staple Normal position L at position X and Y
Turn on ED.

That is, the sort mode is switched to the standard position of the staple mode. In the sort mode, when the number of copies is two or more, the stapler is often stapled after copying in many cases, so that the auto stapling can be performed even if the stapler is not set. Since this mode is determined by the user's preference, a switch S15 is provided so that the user can select the automatic staple selection mode.

After the ADF original feeding is completed and various automatic switching operations are completed, the original counter [CNTOL] is cleared once, 1 is set, and the process proceeds to the next step.

In FIG. 24, first, the copy counter [CNTCP] is cleared.

Next, after performing a series of copy processes (not described in detail) such as document exposure, development, paper feeding, transfer, separation, and cleaning, the copy counter [CNTCP] is incremented by 1 and then sort or staple is selected. And the form is [CN
TCP] to the bin of the sorter corresponding to the number. When the sheets are not sorted or stapled, they are discharged to the same bin.

Next, the set counter and copy counter are [SNTST] ≠
If [CNTCP], the copy operation of the original is not completed, so the next copy process is executed, and [SNTST] = [CNT
CP] If [SNTST] = [CNTCP], then in the stack mode, the copy paper discharge port for the next document is set in the bin of the sorter with [+1] inside [CNTOL].

Next, the document set sensor S20 of the ADF is checked, and if the document set sensor S20 is ON, the next document exists, so the document discharge ON and the document feed ON are performed, and the document discharge and paper feed are completed. Waits for document ejection and paper feeding. Next, the document counter [CNTOL] is incremented by 1, and as a result, the document counter [CNTOL]
If not ≧ 31, the process returns to the copy routine again and repeats this.

After the above-mentioned repetition, when [CNTOL] ≧ 31, if the staple mode is selected, the staple mode is released and all the staple-related LEDs are turned off. Then, select the sort mode and turn on the sort LED.

This is because in the case of staple, the staple capacity is limited, and in the present embodiment, the limit is set to 30 sheets. Therefore, when the number of staples exceeds 30, the mode automatically shifts to the sort mode.

After the copying and document exchange are repeated as described above, when the ADF document set sensor is turned off, there is no next document, so the post-copy processing routine is executed. The post-copy processing routine is for turning off the copying machine drive motor, and will not be described in detail.

Thereafter, it is checked whether or not the mode is the staple mode. If not, the process returns to B and enters a standby state such as reception of the next copy condition.

In the staple mode, the staple operation subroutine "STPL1" is executed from here.

In the subroutine "STPL1", as shown in FIG.
First, the contents of the copy counter [CNTCP] are set in the staple counter [CNTSP]. Next, a stapler initialization subroutine "PST1" is executed.

Thereafter, a subroutine "SUB400" for stapling operation is executed.

Next, the counter [CNTSP] is decremented by 1 and the counter (CNTS
Check P) = 0. Since this counter matches the content of the copy counter, it becomes zero when stapling for the number of copies is performed. If it is not 0, the stapling operation is repeated after executing the subroutine "SUB500" for one bin downward in the staple unit.

When [CNTSP] becomes 0, it is checked whether or not double hit is performed. If not, the "STPL1" routine ends. 2
If it is a real hit, the subroutine "PS
T2 ”is executed to move and finely adjust the stapler unit to one position sensor S10 in the X direction.

Next, copy counter [CNTC] is again stored in counter [CNTSP].
P], the staple operation subroutine "S
UB400] and after counter [CNTSP] -1 [CNTS
After the check of [P] = 0, if it is not 0, the moving subroutine "SP510" for one bin above the stapler unit
And repeat the stapling operation.

After that, when [CNTSP] = 0, the subroutine "STPL
1 "is ended, the process returns to the main routine of FIG. 24, and then returns to B of FIG. 21 to enter a standby state.

The stapler 13 is provided with a needle end sensor (S12) 32 for detecting the absence of a needle. This needle end sensor (S1
2) Even if 32 needles are not detected, 70-100 needles still remain at that time.

The stapler-less check of the stapler 13 is performed only when the staple mode is selected, as shown in FIG. Therefore, there is a concern that it is not necessary to perform the needle pear check during staple operation, but as described above, even when the needle pear sensor operates, about 70 to 100 stitches remain,
In the present embodiment, the number of sorter bins is 20 or the number of sheets is 40 even in the double-punching mode, and no stapling is interrupted during the stapling operation of the copy paper, so that the staples are eliminated halfway. Don't worry. Therefore, even if the staple end sensor (S12) 32 detects the staple empty state during the stapling operation, the stapling of the job can be continued, and when all the staples for the discharged sheet are completed and the standby state is set, the sensor is activated. Is checked, the needle is not displayed and the next copy is prohibited.

The operation timing of each part during auto staple operation is
This is as shown in FIGS. 40 and 41. FIG. 40 shows the operation timing of single-punch staple, and FIG. 41 shows the operation timing of double-punch staple.

〔effect〕

According to the present invention, the support member integrally supporting the stapler and the tensioning device can be moved to the position corresponding to each bin by one moving means by the above-mentioned structure, and the structure is simple and space-saving. is there. Moreover, there is an advantage that the relative positions of the stapler and the tensioning device are not required when the stapler and the tensioning device are moved according to each bin.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic view of a copying machine to which the apparatus according to the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing the relationship between a bin of a sorter and a stapling apparatus, FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a stapler, FIG.
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the relationship between the bin, the stapler, and the copy paper, FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a change in the direction of the stapler,
6 is a plan view showing the automatic direction changing means of the stapler, FIG. 7 is a side view of FIG. 1, FIG. 8 is a side view showing the manual direction changing means of the stapler, and FIG. 9 is a plan view of FIG. FIG. 10 is a plan view for explaining stapler position adjustment, and FIG.
The figure shows a plan view of the stapler manual position adjustment means, twelfth
The figure is a perspective view showing the stapler automatic position adjusting means, and FIG.
14 is a front view showing the position detecting means, FIG. 14 is a side view of FIG. 13, FIG. 15 is a front view showing the arrangement of the position detecting means in the means of FIG. 13, and FIG. 16 is a side view of FIG. FIG. 17 is a plan view of the operation panel of the copying machine, and FIG. 18 is a control block diagram of FIG.
Is an overall view, B is a partial view of a key matrix, C is a partial view of an LED matrix, FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an example of a signal group A, FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing an example of a load group A,
21 to 39 are flowcharts showing the operation of the control, and FIG.
40 and 41 are timing charts of the auto stapling operation. 1 ... Automatic document feeder, 2 ... Copier body 3 ... Sorter, 10 ... Bin 11 ... Stapling device, 13 ... Stapler 19 ... Cradle

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Kawano 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-64-34864 (JP, A) JP-A-SHO 59-86551 (JP, A)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A sheet processing apparatus comprising a collating device having a plurality of bins and a stapler for binding sheets gathered in the bin, wherein the bin is pulled to bind the sheets on the bin to the stapler. A pulling device for moving to a position, a support member for integrally supporting the stapler and the pulling device, and moving the support member to a predetermined position corresponding to each bin along the arrangement direction of the bins. A moving unit; and a control unit that pulls the bin by the pulling device, binds the sheets on the bin by the stapler, and then moves the support member to the next bin by the moving unit. Sheet processing device.