JP3619666B2 - Paper processing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a paper processing apparatus including post-processing means such as binding processing, and particularly, when there is a paper in a storage means for performing post-processing, the front end of the paper in the discharge direction straddles the paper discharge unit. The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When there is a large size paper in the staple unit, there is a paper processing apparatus of a system in which the leading end of the stapled paper in the discharge direction straddles the paper discharge unit.
FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a problem of the prior art.
Inside the housing of the paper processing apparatus, there is a staple unit 11 installed obliquely, and there is a paper discharge tray 12 on the side of the housing. As described above, when the large size paper P1 is present in the staple unit 11, the leading end of the staple unit 11 straddles the paper discharge unit (paper discharge means) and further reaches the paper discharge tray 12.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, when large-size paper is fed into the staple unit for stapling, the paper discharge means is blocked at the leading end. As a result, the following problems occur.
1. During the alignment and binding of large size paper, the paper discharge means is blocked by the large size paper, so interrupt paper discharge (interrupt copying, facsimile, printer, etc.) cannot be performed.
2. It is possible to discharge the interrupt sheet (interrupt copy, facsimile, printer, etc.) after finishing the large-size sheet binding, but it is necessary to wait until the end of the binding operation, resulting in a time loss.
3. It is possible to provide paper discharge means dedicated to the binding bundle and the non-binding bundle (including interrupt sheets), but in this case, the number of parts increases, the configuration becomes complicated, and the cost also increases.
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a paper processing apparatus capable of discharging interrupt paper onto a paper discharge tray even during post-processing such as alignment and binding of large size paper.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above-described problem is that the sheets sequentially sent from the image forming apparatus are received by the storage means and post-processed by the post-processing means and then discharged from the discharge means to the discharge tray, or the sent sheets are left as they are. Paper is discharged from the discharge means through a direct conveyance path, and the discharge direction leading edge of the paper stored in the storage means straddles the discharge means and closes the discharge means. In the processing apparatus, a first sheet retracting unit that moves the sheet stored in the storage unit across the discharge unit in a direction in which the sheet is retracted from the discharge unit so as not to straddle the discharge unit. It is solved by the means.
The above problem is that, in the first means, the post-processing means is a binding means for performing binding processing on paper, and the paper retracting means is positioned at an upstream end when discharging the bundle of paper after binding from the storage means. This is solved by a second means that moves the aligning means in a direction away from the discharge means to retract the sheet straddling the discharge means.
The above-described problem is that the sheets sequentially sent from the image forming apparatus are received by the storage means and post-processed by the post-processing means and then discharged from the discharge means to the discharge tray, or the sent sheets are left as they are. Paper is discharged from the discharge means through a direct conveyance path, and the discharge direction leading edge of the paper stored in the storage means straddles the discharge means and closes the discharge means. In the processing apparatus, the processing device includes a paper retracting unit that moves the paper stored in the storage unit across the discharging unit in a direction in which the paper is retracted from the discharging unit, and the post-processing unit performs a binding process on the paper. In the binding means, the sheet retracting means is an alignment means located at an upstream end when discharging the bundle of sheets after binding from the storage means, and the alignment means moves away from the discharge means. So moved, so as to retract the paper that extends over the discharge means, said aligning means to the size of the paper is solved by third means having a rest position of the at least two places.
The above-mentioned problem is solved by the fourth means in which the position of the aligning means is automatically switched by the size of the paper and the system mode in the third means.
Above described problems is the third means, is solved by the fifth means in the said binding means during operation of said aligning means so as to retract from the sheet shifting area.
The above-described problem is that the sheets sequentially sent from the image forming apparatus are received by the storage means and post-processed by the post-processing means and then discharged from the discharge means to the discharge tray, or the sent sheets are left as they are. Paper is discharged from the discharge means through a direct conveyance path, and the discharge direction leading edge of the paper stored in the storage means straddles the discharge means and closes the discharge means. In the processing apparatus, the processing device includes a paper retracting unit that moves the paper stored in the storage unit across the discharging unit in a direction in which the paper is retracted from the discharging unit, and the post-processing unit performs a binding process on the paper. In the binding means, the sheet retracting means is an alignment means located at an upstream end when discharging the bundle of sheets after binding from the storage means, and the alignment means moves away from the discharge means. So moved, so as to retract the paper that extends over the discharge means, is solved for each size of paper, and by the cutting switched sixth means position automatically the alignment means by the system modes.
The above-described problem is that the sheets sequentially sent from the image forming apparatus are received by the storage means and post-processed by the post-processing means and then discharged from the discharge means to the discharge tray, or the sent sheets are left as they are. Paper is discharged from the discharge means through a direct conveyance path, and the discharge direction leading edge of the paper stored in the storage means straddles the discharge means and closes the discharge means. In the processing apparatus, the processing device includes a paper retracting unit that moves the paper stored in the storage unit across the discharging unit in a direction in which the paper is retracted from the discharging unit, and the post-processing unit performs a binding process on the paper. In the binding means, the sheet retracting means is an alignment means located at an upstream end when discharging the bundle of sheets after binding from the storage means, and the alignment means moves away from the discharge means. So moved, so as to retract the paper that extends over the discharge means, is solved by the seventh means that the binding means during operation of said aligning means so as to retract from the sheet shifting area.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front view of the entire image forming system, and FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of a sheet post-processing apparatus.
As shown in FIG. 1, a paper post-processing device 2 is connected to a paper discharge unit of the image forming apparatus 1.
As shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the staple unit 11 and the paper discharge tray 12, there is an entrance guide plate 13 at the entrance, and a branching claw 14 at the downstream side. The paper is switched between the non-staple conveyance path 15 side and the staple unit 11 side by the branching claw 14. The paper discharge unit includes a paper discharge guide plate 16 and a paper discharge roller 17. The staple unit 11 has a stapler 21. 53 is a discharge belt, and a bundle of sheets on the staple unit 11 is driven by the discharge belt 53 and hooked and conveyed at the lower end (rear end) of the sheet by a discharge claw (not shown) of the discharge belt 53 to the discharge tray 12. discharge. The paper discharge tray 12 can be moved up and down, and can also be shifted in a direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 2, so that paper can be divided and stacked on the paper discharge tray 12.
[0007]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the staple unit, and FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state in which sheets are stored in the staple unit.
As shown in FIG. 3, the staple unit 11 includes a stapler 21, a pair of jogger fences 22 and 23 (one jogger fence may be referred to as a side fence), a rear end fence 24, and a closing roller 25. The stapler 21 is assembled to the jogger fence 23. The jogger fences 22 and 23 are each moved in the width direction by a motor (not shown). A transport roller group is driven by the transport motor 26.
As shown in FIG. 4, the sheet discharged into the staple unit 11 by the roller is dropped until the trailing edge of the sheet hits the trailing edge fence 24 by the returning operation of the alignment roller 25. Thereafter, the paper is aligned in the width direction by the jogger fences 22 and 23, and the stapler 21 performs the binding process as soon as these operations are completed for the designated number of sheets.
[0008]
FIG. 5 is a front view showing how the paper transport direction is switched in the staple mode, and FIG. 6 is a front view showing how the paper transport direction is switched in the non-staple mode.
As shown in FIG. 5, in the staple mode, the solenoid 31 is turned on and the branching claw 14 rotates counterclockwise to close the non-staple conveyance path 15, so that the paper is guided into the staple unit 11. .
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, in the non-staple mode, the solenoid 31 is turned off, the branching claw 14 is rotated clockwise by the force of the spring, and the non-staple conveyance path 15 is opened, whereby the paper is not stapled. It is sent to the conveyance path 15.
[0009]
7 is a front view of the main part of the staple unit according to the first embodiment, FIG. 8 is a rear view of the staple unit, and FIG. 9 is a front view showing a state immediately after large-size paper has entered the staple unit. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a large-size sheet is retracted from a sheet discharge unit due to a downward movement of a rear end fence.
The rear end fence 24 is movable with respect to the base of the staple unit 11 in the direction of a double arrow A in FIG. 7 (a direction parallel to the paper discharge direction).
That is, as shown in FIG. 8, a longitudinally long groove 24a is formed in the center of the rear end fence 24, and the guide pins 32 are fitted by fitting the two guide pins 32 on the base side into the grooves 24a. The rear end fence 24 can move within the range of the length of the groove 24a, and can be stopped at a plurality of positions according to the paper size.
[0010]
Next, the operation of the rear end fence 24 will be described with reference to FIGS.
As described above, when the large-size paper P1 is stored in the staple unit 11, the leading end of the large-size paper P1 blocks the paper discharge unit as shown in FIG.
In the present invention, when the large-size paper P1 enters the staple unit 11, the rear end fence 24 is lowered by a manual operation. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the leading edge of the large size paper P1 is retracted from the paper discharge guide plate 16 and the paper discharge roller 17, so that the non-staple paper P2 at the time of interruption can be discharged to the paper discharge tray 12. It becomes.
[0011]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 11 is a front view of a main part of the staple unit according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart of processing for automatically moving the rear end fence when stapling large-size paper.
In this embodiment, the rear end fence 24 is automatically retracted by a motor.
A rack 33 is attached and fixed to the rear surface of the rear end fence 24. When the rack 33 is engaged with the pinion 34a of the motor 34 with a pinion, the rear end fence 24 is automatically moved downward by the motor 34. Can do.
[0012]
Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the paper size is determined (S1). The paper size is determined by receiving a signal based on selection of the paper size by the operation button of the image forming apparatus, receiving a signal detecting the paper size, or pressing a selection button for inputting the paper size to the paper post-processing apparatus. Alternatively, the paper size may be detected during conveyance on the paper post-processing apparatus side or on the staple unit 11. In the case of large size paper (Y in S1), alignment is performed (S2), and then it is determined whether there is an interruption of non-staple paper (S3). If interrupt copy, facsimile, or printer mode is selected on the image forming apparatus 1 side and there is an interrupt (Y in S3), the pinion motor 34 is driven (S4), and the position shown in FIG. The rear end fence 24 is moved downward (S5). In this state, as in FIG. 10, the leading end of the large-size paper that has blocked the paper discharge unit is retracted from the paper discharge unit, so that non-staple paper is discharged from the paper discharge unit via the non-staple conveyance path 15. it can. Then, the non-staple paper is conveyed and discharged (S6), and the process returns to S2.
If there is no interruption (N in S3), that is, when the non-staple paper has been transported and discharged, the large-size paper is bound (S8), and if there is no repeat (N in S9), the process ends and repeats. If there is (Y in S9), it returns to before S1 again.
When the paper size is a small size paper (N in S1), it is aligned (S7), and binding is performed as it is (S8). If there is no repeat (N in S9), the process ends. If there is a repeat (Y in S9), the process returns to S1 again.
In the above control operation, the rear end fence 24 moved downward when there is an interruption causes the rear end fence 24 to reversely drive the pinion motor 34 when the large-size paper alignment and binding process is resumed. 24 is moved upward to the state shown in FIG.
[0013]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the main part of the staple unit according to the third embodiment, FIG. 14 is an assembly view as seen from the direction B in FIG. 13, and FIG. 15 is a state in which the stapler is retracted from the area where the paper moves. It is a perspective view shown.
The jogger fence (side fence) 23 is assembled to the bracket 41, and the bracket 41 also moves together with the jogging operation of the jogger fence 23. Reference numeral 42 denotes a motor with a pinion 42a. Reference numeral 43 denotes a rack, and the rack 43 is assembled to the stapler 21.
As shown in FIG. 14, the stapler 21 has a hook portion 21a, and the stapler 21 can be moved along the long hole 41a by being hooked in the long hole 41a of the bracket 41. The motor 42 with a pinion is assembled to the bracket 41, and the pinion 42a and the rack 43 are engaged with each other.
When the trailing edge fence 24 automatically moves, as shown in FIG. 15, the pinion motor 42 is operated, and the stapler 21 is automatically retracted from the path (area) in which the paper in the staple unit 11 moves. . Although not specifically described in the third embodiment, the rear end fence 24 of the second embodiment is retracted. The stapler 21 is retracted from the sheet moving area and the rear end fence 24 is retracted. The sheet is lowered without any trouble by the downward movement. Therefore, before the operation of the second embodiment is performed, the stapler 21 can be retracted from the sheet moving area while the end surface of the sheet is regulated by the jogger fence 23. Therefore, the stored sheet is aligned once. Even if the sheet is moved before the binding process, the sheet is not disturbed, and the aligned state can be maintained.
[0014]
The sheet processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied to only a sheet post-processing apparatus or an apparatus in which a sheet post-processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus are integrated.
[0015]
In such an embodiment, the paper sequentially sent from the image forming apparatus 1 is received by the storage means (11) and subjected to post-processing by the post-processing means (21), and then the discharge means (17). The paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 12 or the discharged paper is discharged as it is from the discharge means (17) through a direct conveyance path, and the paper stored in the storage means (11) is discharged. In the sheet post-processing device 2 of the type in which the leading end in the discharge direction straddles the discharge means (17) and closes the discharge means (17), the discharge means (17) straddles the discharge means (17) and is stored in the storage means (11). Since the paper retracting means (24) for moving the paper that has been removed in the direction of retreating from the ejecting means (17) is provided, the interrupt paper (interrupt copy) is not waited until the post-processing is completed even during the post-processing of the paper. ,facsimile, Printer, etc.) are immediately be discharged, it is possible to eliminate the time loss.
In the first embodiment, the post-processing means is the stapler 21 that performs binding processing on the paper, and the paper retracting means is positioned at the upstream end when the post-binding paper bundle is discharged from the staple unit 11. The rear end fence 24 is moved in the direction away from the paper discharge roller 17 so that the paper straddling the paper discharge roller 17 is retracted. In addition, since the rear end fence 24 has at least two stationary positions, an interrupt sheet (interrupt copy, facsimile, printer, etc.) can be obtained without waiting until the end of the binding operation even when large-size paper is being aligned and bound. It can be discharged immediately and time loss can be eliminated.
In the second embodiment, since the position of the rear end fence 24 is automatically switched for each paper size and depending on the system mode, the interruption paper is discharged without bothering the operator. This can improve operability and productivity.
In the third embodiment, since the stapler 21 is retracted from the sheet moving area when the rear end fence 24 is operated, the stored sheets are once aligned before discharging the interrupt sheets. Thereafter, even if the sheet is moved before the binding process, the sheet is not disturbed, and the aligned state can be maintained.
[0016]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the leading edge of the paper is retracted from the paper discharge portion in order to discharge the interrupt paper when the large size paper blocks the paper discharge portion, However, interrupt paper (interrupt copy, facsimile, printer, etc.) can be discharged immediately without waiting for the end of post-processing, and time loss can be eliminated.
According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, even during paper alignment and binding processing, interrupt paper (interrupt copy, facsimile, printer, etc.) can be discharged immediately without waiting for the end of the binding operation, resulting in time loss. Can be eliminated.
According to the fourth and sixth aspects of the invention, it is possible to improve the operability and productivity by discharging the interrupt sheet without bothering the operator.
According to the inventions of claims 5 and 7 , even if the stored sheets are aligned once and then moved before the binding process before the interruption sheets are discharged, the sheets are not disturbed and aligned. Can be maintained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of an entire image forming system.
FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of a sheet post-processing apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a staple unit.
FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating a state in which a sheet is stored in a staple unit.
FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating a state of switching a paper conveyance direction in a staple mode.
FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating a state of switching a paper conveyance direction in a non-staple mode.
FIG. 7 is a front view of main parts of the staple unit according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a rear view of the same.
FIG. 9 is a front view showing a state immediately after large-size paper has entered the staple unit.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a large-size sheet is retracted from a sheet discharge unit due to a downward movement of a rear end fence.
FIG. 11 is a front view of main parts of a staple unit according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of processing for automatically moving the trailing edge fence when stapling large size paper.
FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of main parts of a staple unit according to a third embodiment.
14 is an assembly view as seen from the direction B in FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the stapler is retracted from an area in which a sheet moves.
FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a problem of a conventional technique.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Paper post-processing apparatus 11 Staple unit 12 Paper discharge tray 13 Entrance guide plate 14 Branch claw 15 Non-staple conveyance path 16 Paper discharge guide plate 17 Paper discharge roller 21 Staplers 22, 23 Jogger fence 24 Rear end fence 24a Groove 25 Roller roller 26 Conveyance motor 31 Solenoid 32 Guide pin 33 Rack 34 Motor with pinion 41 Bracket 42 Motor with pinion 43 Rack

Claims (7)

The paper sequentially sent from the image forming apparatus is received by the storage means and subjected to post-processing by the post-processing means and then discharged from the discharge means to the paper discharge tray, or the sent paper is directly passed through the conveyance path. The paper is discharged from the discharge means via
In a paper processing apparatus of a type in which the leading end in the discharge direction of the paper stored in the storage means straddles the discharge means across the discharge means,
Paper having a paper retraction means for moving the paper stored in the storage means across the discharge means in a direction of retreating from the discharge means so as not to straddle the discharge means Processing equipment. 2. The post-processing unit according to claim 1, wherein the post-processing unit is a binding unit that performs binding processing on a sheet, and the sheet retracting unit is an alignment unit that is positioned at an upstream end when discharging the bundle of sheets after binding from the storage unit. The sheet processing apparatus is characterized in that the aligning means is moved in a direction away from the discharging means to retract the sheet straddling the discharging means. The paper sequentially sent from the image forming apparatus is received by the storage means and subjected to post-processing by the post-processing means and then discharged from the discharge means to the paper discharge tray, or the sent paper is directly passed through the conveyance path. In the sheet processing apparatus of the type in which the discharge means discharges from the discharge means, and the discharge direction leading edge of the paper stored in the storage means straddles the discharge means and closes the discharge means.
A sheet retracting unit that moves the sheet stored in the storing unit across the discharging unit in a direction in which the sheet is retracted from the discharging unit;
The post-processing unit is a binding unit that performs binding processing on a sheet, and the sheet retracting unit is an alignment unit that is positioned at an upstream end when discharging the bundle of sheets after binding from the storage unit, and the alignment unit Is moved in a direction away from the discharge means so that the paper straddling the discharge means is retracted,
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the aligning means has at least two stationary positions in accordance with a sheet size. In claim 3 Symbol mounting, the sheet processing apparatus characterized by switching the position of the automatically the alignment means for each size of paper, and the system mode. In claim 3 Symbol mounting, the sheet processing apparatus being characterized in that the said binding means during operation of said aligning means so as to retract from the sheet shifting area. The paper sequentially sent from the image forming apparatus is received by the storage means and subjected to post-processing by the post-processing means and then discharged from the discharge means to the paper discharge tray, or the sent paper is directly passed through the conveyance path. In the sheet processing apparatus of the type in which the discharge means discharges from the discharge means, and the discharge direction leading edge of the paper stored in the storage means straddles the discharge means and closes the discharge means.
A sheet retracting unit that moves the sheet stored in the storing unit across the discharging unit in a direction in which the sheet is retracted from the discharging unit;
The post-processing unit is a binding unit that performs binding processing on a sheet, and the sheet retracting unit is an alignment unit that is positioned at an upstream end when discharging the bundle of sheets after binding from the storage unit, and the alignment unit Is moved in a direction away from the discharge means so that the paper straddling the discharge means is retracted,
A sheet processing apparatus, wherein the position of the aligning means is automatically switched for each sheet size and according to a system mode. The paper sequentially sent from the image forming apparatus is received by the storage means and subjected to post-processing by the post-processing means and then discharged from the discharge means to the paper discharge tray, or the sent paper is directly passed through the conveyance path. In the sheet processing apparatus of the type in which the discharge means discharges from the discharge means, and the discharge direction leading edge of the paper stored in the storage means straddles the discharge means and closes the discharge means.
The paper stored in the storage means straddling the discharge means is retracted from the discharge means. Paper retraction means for moving in the direction to be
The post-processing unit is a binding unit that performs binding processing on a sheet, and the sheet retracting unit is an alignment unit that is positioned at an upstream end when discharging the bundle of sheets after binding from the storage unit, and the alignment unit Is moved in a direction away from the discharge means so that the paper straddling the discharge means is retracted,
A paper processing apparatus, wherein the binding means is retracted from a paper movement area during operation of the alignment means.

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