JP4582069B2 - Paper stacking apparatus and bookbinding apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper stacking apparatus for stacking and storing a booklet created by binding one side of a sheet bundle with a binding component, and a bookbinding apparatus including the paper stacking apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a paper processing apparatus called a post-processing apparatus or the like that creates a booklet by binding sheets conveyed from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine with binding components such as staples has been proposed.

  Such a paper processing apparatus is provided with a stacking mechanism that discharges a created booklet to a tray and loads the booklet on the tray (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, a technique using a ring-shaped member called a coil as a binding component of a booklet has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 2).

  In a booklet bound with such a ring-shaped binding component, a plurality of punch holes are formed in a sheet, and a bundle of sheets is bound by passing the ring through each punch hole.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-231092 (FIG. 1) JP 2002-337474 A (FIG. 1)

  A booklet bound with a binding component such as a staple or a ring has an increased thickness on the bound side. Therefore, when the booklet is stacked on a tray, the height of the bound side increases. As a result, if the number of booklets loaded on the tray increases, the balance of the booklets loaded on the tray will be lost, and the booklet will be damaged due to the collapse of the loaded booklet, the booklet being greatly warped, etc. was there.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a paper stacking device that can prevent the booklet loaded on the tray from being damaged, and a bookbinding device including the paper stacking device. And

In order to solve the above-described problem, the paper stacking apparatus of the present invention has a paper discharge unit , and discharges a booklet created by binding one side of a bundle of paper with a binding component to one side bound by the binding component and the paper discharge. A paper discharge means for discharging the paper from the discharge section in an intersecting direction, a tray on which a booklet discharged from the discharge section is stacked, a lifting means for raising and lowering the tray along the stacking direction of the booklet, and a paper discharge means in controlling the sheet discharge speed of the booklet is discharged to the tray, and control means for stacking on the tray by shifting the position of the component binding each booklet discharge section in the width direction of the left and right with respect to the sheet discharge direction It is characterized by having a bending means for curving the booklet and discharging it to the tray .

In the paper stacking apparatus of the present invention, the paper discharge means discharges a booklet created by binding one side of the paper bundle with a binding component to the tray, and stacks the booklet on the tray. The control means switches between high and low discharge speeds of the booklets discharged to the tray by the paper discharge means, and loads the booklets on the tray so that the positions of the binding parts are shifted. The bending means of the discharge unit curves the booklet in the left and right width directions with respect to the discharge direction, and discharges it to the tray.

The bookbinding apparatus of the present invention is a bookbinding apparatus that creates a booklet by binding a plurality of sheets with binding components, and includes a binding unit that generates a booklet by binding one side of a sheet bundle with a binding component, and a paper discharge unit. , A paper discharge means for discharging the booklet created by the binding means from the discharge portion in a direction in which the one side bound by the binding component and the paper discharge direction intersect, and a tray on which the booklet discharged from the discharge portion is stacked And lifting / lowering means that raises and lowers the tray along the stacking direction of the booklet, and controlling the discharge speed of the booklet that is discharged to the tray by the discharge means, so that each booklet is stacked on the tray by shifting the position of the binding parts And a discharge unit, wherein the discharge unit includes a bending unit configured to bend the booklet in the left and right width directions with respect to the discharge direction and discharge the booklet to the tray .

In the bookbinding apparatus of the present invention, the binding means creates a booklet by binding one side of the sheet bundle with a binding component. The paper discharge means discharges the booklet created by the binding means to the tray and loads the booklet on the tray. The control means switches between high and low discharge speeds of the booklets discharged to the tray by the paper discharge means, and loads the booklets on the tray so that the positions of the binding parts are shifted. The bending means of the discharge unit curves the booklet in the left and right width directions with respect to the discharge direction, and discharges the booklet to the tray.

  According to the paper stacking apparatus of the present invention, since the booklet bound by the binding component can be stacked by shifting the position of the binding component, the binding component of each booklet is overlapped, and the booklet is not inclined greatly on the tray. It is possible to prevent damage caused by collapse of the loaded booklet or large warpage of the booklet.

  According to the bookbinding apparatus of the present invention, the number of booklets loaded on the tray can be increased without damaging the booklets by including the above-described paper stacking device. Further, even if the booklet to be created is thin, it can be stacked on the tray without damaging the booklet.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a paper stacking apparatus and a bookbinding apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Configuration example of sheet stacking apparatus and bookbinding apparatus of this embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a bookbinding apparatus provided with a paper stacking apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 illustrates an outline of an internal configuration of the bookbinding apparatus. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a sheet stacking apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The sheet stacking apparatus 1A according to the present embodiment is incorporated in, for example, the bookbinding apparatus 2A and stacks and stores the booklet 100C created by the bookbinding apparatus 2A.

  The bookbinding apparatus 2A includes a first conveyance path 3 that conveys the sheet 100A, a second conveyance path 4 that branches from the first conveyance path 3, a punch processing unit 5 that forms a hole in the sheet 100A, and a hole formation. A binder unit 6 that forms a booklet by binding a bundle of sheets 100B in which a plurality of sheets are aligned, a discharge processing unit 7 that transports the bound booklet 100C, and the booklet that is discharged from the discharge processing unit 7. A paper discharge stacker 8 for storing 100C and the like is provided.

  The first transport path 3 is disposed in the upper part of the bookbinding apparatus 2A, and includes a plurality of feed rollers 30a that are rotationally driven, a plurality of guide rollers 30b that face the feed rollers 30a, a guide member (not shown), and the like.

  The bookbinding apparatus 2 </ b> A includes a paper feed port 31 a that is connected to the first transport path 3 on one side surface of the housing 20, and a discharge port 31 b that is connected to the first transport path 3 on the other side surface of the housing 20. The first transport path 3 constitutes a substantially horizontal and linear transport path for transporting paper between the paper feed port 31a and the discharge port 31b.

  The first transport path 3 includes a switching blade 32 that switches the transport direction on the downstream side in the transport direction A from the paper feed port 31a toward the discharge port 31b, and is connected to the first transport path 3 and the second transport path. A branch portion 33 with the path 4 is formed. In addition, a reverse holding part 34 is formed between the first transport path 3 and the discharge port 31 b on the downstream side of the branch part 33.

  The second transport path 4 branches downward from the first transport path 3 at the branching section 33, and is rotationally driven a feed roller 40a, a plurality of guide rollers 40b facing the feed roller 40a, and a guide member (not shown) Etc.

  The second conveyance path 4 branches in the opposite direction to the conveyance direction A in the first conveyance path 3, and communicates with the reverse holding unit 34 by the operation of the switching blade 32.

  The switching blade 32 is rotationally driven to move between a position retracted from the first transport path 3 and a position protruding into the first transport path 3.

  Assuming that the switching blade 32 is at a position where it is retracted from the first transport path 3, the paper 100A transported in the transport direction A from the paper feed port 31a through the first transport path 3 passes through the switching blade 32 and is reversely held. It is conveyed to the unit 34.

  On the other hand, when the switching blade 32 is positioned to protrude into the first conveyance path 3, the conveyance direction is reversed, and the sheet 100A conveyed in the conveyance direction B from the reverse holding unit 34 in the first conveyance path 3 is reversed. Is sent from the first transport path 3 to the second transport path 4 by the guide of the switching blade 32.

  As a result, the second transport path 4 transports the paper 100A transported in the transport direction A from the paper feed port 31a side to the discharge port 31b side in the first transport path 3 in the transport direction by the reverse holding unit 34. A transport path that reverses in the direction B and switches back downward from the first transport path 3 is configured.

  The first transport path 3 includes a sheet detection sensor 35 in the reverse holding unit 34. The paper detection sensor 35 detects whether or not the rear end of the paper 100 </ b> A transported in the transport direction A on the first transport path 3 has been transported to a position that passes through the switching blade 32.

  In the first transport path 3 and the second transport path 4, the guide roller is attached to a guide member (not shown) so that the guide member can be opened and closed, so that the paper can be removed when the paper is jammed. It can be easily done.

  The punch processing unit 5 is disposed in the second conveyance path 4 and has a butting shutter 50 for aligning the leading end of the sheet 100A in the conveyance direction, a width adjusting mechanism 51 for aligning the sheet 100A in the left-right direction, A punch blade 52 or the like for punching the paper 100A is provided.

  The abutting shutter 50 protrudes into the second conveyance path 4 and a position where the sheet 100A sent to the punch processing unit 5 abuts, and a position where the sheet 100A can retreat and pass through the second conveyance path 4. And the punch processing unit 5 is opened and closed. When the abutting shutter 50 protrudes into the second conveyance path 4, the leading edge of the paper 100A conveyed along the second conveyance path 4 is abutted, and the leading edge of the paper 100A is regulated at a predetermined position.

  The width adjusting mechanism 51 includes a width adjusting guide on one of the left and right sides with respect to the conveyance direction of the paper 100A, and a reference guide on the other side. The width adjusting guide moves in a direction in which the width adjusting guide approaches and separates from the reference guide. The sheet 100A sent to the punch processing unit 5 is configured to abut against the reference guide.

  The punch blade 52 is configured to reciprocate in the direction orthogonal to the surface of the paper 100A conveyed through the second conveyance path 4, and the paper 100A is aligned by the abutment shutter 50 and the width adjusting mechanism 51. When the punch blade 52 is reciprocated, a predetermined hole is opened in the paper 100A.

  Note that a punch and waste stacker 53 is provided at the lower portion of the punch processing unit 5 in order to collect punch dust generated by punching holes in the paper 100 </ b> A with the punch blade 52.

  The binder unit 6 is an example of a binding unit. The binder unit 6 is arranged on the downstream side of the punch processing unit 5. The binder aligning unit 60 aligns and stacks a plurality of sheets having holes punched by the punch processing unit 5. A binding component stacker 61 that stores the components 101 and a binding unit 62 that binds the sheet bundle 100B that is aligned and collected by the paper alignment unit 60 with the binding component 101 are provided.

  The paper aligning unit 60 pushes the paper into the temporary storage unit 60a, an abutting shutter 60b that aligns the leading edge of the paper in the conveyance direction, a width adjusting mechanism 60c that aligns the paper in the left-right direction, and a paper. A paddle mechanism 60d that abuts against the contact shutter 60b and a clamp mechanism 60e that holds booklets such as the sheet bundle 100B and the booklet 100C are provided.

  The abutting shutter 60b protrudes into the temporary holding unit 60a and moves between a position where the paper fed into the paper aligning unit 60 abuts and a position where the booklet can be retreated from the temporary holding unit 60a. The temporary holding unit 60a is configured to open and close.

  The width adjusting mechanism portion 60c includes a width adjusting guide on one of the left and right sides with respect to the sheet conveyance direction, and a reference guide on the other side. The width adjusting guide moves in a direction in which the width adjusting guide approaches and separates from the reference guide. It has a configuration in which the paper fed into the unit 6 is abutted against the reference guide.

  The paddle mechanism portion 60d includes a plurality of tongue pieces arranged in the circumferential direction, and includes a paddle roller that is rotationally driven. The paddle mechanism portion 60d scrapes the paper fed into the paper aligning portion 60 and protrudes into the temporary holding portion 60a. It has the structure which abuts against the abutting shutter 60b. The rotation axis of the paddle roller is inclined in the guide direction on the fixed side of the width adjusting mechanism 60c, and the paddle roller is fixed to the fixed side of the width adjusting mechanism 60c with respect to the sheet fed to the paper aligning unit 60. It also gives the force to hit the guide direction.

  The clamp mechanism 60e is fed to the paper aligning unit 60, holds the paper bundle 100B aligned by the butting shutter 60b, the width adjusting mechanism 60c, and the paddle mechanism 60d, and holds the held paper bundle 100B. It has a configuration for moving to a predetermined processing position.

  The binding component stacker 61 has a configuration in which a plurality of binding components 101 are stacked and accommodated in the vertical direction, a binding port for the binding components 101 is provided at the lower portion, and the binding components 101 are fed out one by one in cooperation with the binding unit 62. Have The binding component 101 has, for example, a configuration including a plurality of ring forming members corresponding to the number of holes formed in the paper 100A and a back portion that connects the ring forming members.

  The binding unit 62 includes a binding mechanism unit 62a that takes out and binds the binding component 101 stored in the binding component stacker 61, and rotates around the rotation fulcrum 62b by being driven to rotate, so that the binding mechanism unit 62a is rotated. It moves between the binding component take-out position facing the binding component stacker 61 and the paper binding position facing the paper alignment unit 60.

  The binding mechanism unit 62 a takes out and holds the binding component 101 from the binding component stacker 61 at a position facing the binding component stacker 61, and aligns and holds the paper at the position facing the paper alignment unit 60. The bundle 100B is bound by the binding component 101.

  The binder unit 6 includes a paper detection sensor 63 on the transport path from the paper aligning unit 60 to the discharge processing unit 7. The paper detection sensor 63 includes a booklet 100C that is aligned by the paper aligning unit 60 and bound by the binding component 101, or a booklet such as the paper bundle 100B that is aligned by the paper aligning unit 60 and is not bound by the discharge processing unit 7. It is detected whether it was passed to.

  The discharge processing unit 7 is an example of a paper discharge unit, and is disposed on the downstream side of the binder unit 6, receives booklets from the binder unit 6, reverses the transport direction, and discharges the paper to the paper discharge stacker 8.

  The discharge processing unit 7 receives the booklets from the binder unit 6, receives the booklets from the first paper discharge transport path 10 that switches the transport direction and reverses the booklet, and the paper discharge stacker 8. A second paper discharge conveyance path 11 and the like are provided.

  The first discharge conveyance path 10 includes a belt conveyance mechanism 70 that conveys booklets, a main guide member 71 that is a first main guide member that guides conveyance of booklets, and a sub-guide that is a first sub guide member. A guide member 72 and the like are provided.

  In the belt conveyance mechanism 70, an endless conveyance belt to which a receiver 70a is attached is hung between a pair of pulleys that are rotationally driven.

  The main guide member 71 includes a belt conveyance mechanism 70 on the back side of a guide surface 71a for guiding booklets. The belt conveyance mechanism 70 extends along the conveyance direction of the booklet guided by the guide surface 71a, and in this example, two belt conveyance mechanisms 70 are provided on the left and right with respect to the conveyance direction.

  The receiver 70 a of the belt conveyance mechanism 70 has a shape that supports the end face side of the booklet guided by the guide surface 71 a of the main guide member 71. When the belt conveyance mechanism 70 is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction, the receiving tool 70a protrudes from the guide surface 71a and moves in the conveyance direction along the guide surface 71a.

  The main guide member 71 is pivotally supported by a frame attached to the housing 20 via a first rotation fulcrum 73a at one end along the booklet transport direction.

  The first paper discharge conveyance path 10 is rotated around the first rotation fulcrum 73a by the main guide member 71 having the belt conveyance mechanism 70 being rotated by the conveyance path movement mechanism 73, and the binder unit. 1 is moved between a paper receiving position shown by a broken line in FIG. 1 that forms a transport path from 6 and a paper discharge position shown by a solid line in FIG. 1 that forms a transport path to the second paper discharge transport path 11.

  Here, in this example, the first rotation fulcrum 73 a that is the rotation axis of the main guide member 71 and the rotation axis of one pulley 70 b of the belt transport mechanism 70 are arranged coaxially, and together with the main guide member 71. A driving force can be transmitted to the rotating belt conveyance mechanism 70 with a simple configuration.

  The sub guide member 72 extends along the conveyance direction of the booklet guided by the main guide member 71, and the lower end side which is one end side along the conveyance direction of the booklet is the second rotation fulcrum 72a. Is pivotally supported by the main guide member 71.

  The auxiliary guide member 72 is urged in the direction of the main guide member 71 about the second rotation fulcrum 72 a by an urging means such as a spring (not shown), and the booklet is placed against the guide surface 71 a of the main guide member 71. Opposite substantially parallel with a predetermined interval through.

  The sub guide member 72 is moved from the paper receiving position to the paper discharging position in conjunction with the movement of the main guide member 71 about the first rotation fulcrum 73a to move from the paper receiving position to the paper discharging position. Move to. On the other hand, when a load that resists movement to the paper discharge position is applied to the sub guide member 72, the sub guide member 72 is retracted with respect to the main guide member 71 by rotating around the second rotation fulcrum 72a. To do.

  Here, in this example, the second rotation fulcrum 72a that is the rotation shaft of the sub guide member 72 and the rotation shaft of one pulley 70a of the belt conveyance mechanism 70 are arranged coaxially.

  The sub guide member 72 includes a delivery guide 72b on the upper end side, which is the other end side in the booklet conveyance direction. The delivery guide 72b is pivotally supported by the sub guide member 72 via the rotation fulcrum 72c, and the distal end side of the sub guide member 72 opens and closes with respect to the main guide member 71 by rotating about the rotation fulcrum 72c.

  The delivery guide 72b is urged in the direction of the main guide member 71 by an urging means such as a spring (not shown), and faces the guide surface 71a of the main guide member 71 substantially in parallel with a predetermined interval through which the booklet passes. To do.

  The delivery guide 72b has an abutting piece 72d formed at the end on the rotation fulcrum 72c side. The auxiliary guide member 72 is formed in the binder unit 6 (not shown) formed in the binder unit 6 when the first discharge conveyance path 10 rotates about the first rotation fulcrum 73a and moves to the sheet receiving position together with the main guide member 71. The abutting piece 72d is abutted against the abutting portion.

  When the abutting piece 72d is pushed by the movement of the first paper discharge conveyance path 10 to the paper receiving position, the delivery guide 72b rotates about the rotation fulcrum 72c, and the leading end side is relative to the main guide member 71. open.

  As a result, when the first discharge conveyance path 10 moves to the paper receiving position, the leading end side serving as a transfer portion for the binder unit 6 opens from the binder unit 6 to the main guide member 71. A guide to delivery.

  On the other hand, when the first discharge conveyance path 10 moves to the paper discharge position, the sub guide member 72 moves the guide piece 72d away from a not-shown abutting portion, thereby guiding the guide surface 71a of the main guide member 71. To the second paper discharge transport path 11 so as to be substantially parallel to each other.

  The second discharge conveyance path 11 includes a belt conveyance mechanism 74 that conveys booklets, a main guide member 75 that is a second main guide member that guides the conveyance of booklets, and a sub-guide member that is a second sub guide member. A guide member 76 and the like are provided.

  In the belt conveyance mechanism 74, an endless conveyance belt to which a receiving tool 74a is attached is hung between a pair of pulleys that are rotationally driven.

  The main guide member 75 is fixed to the frame and includes a belt conveyance mechanism 74 on the back side of the guide surface 75a for guiding booklets. The belt conveyance mechanism 74 extends along the conveyance direction of the booklet guided by the guide surface 75a, and in this example, two belt conveyance mechanisms 74 are provided on the left and right with respect to the conveyance direction.

  The holder 74 a of the belt conveyance mechanism 74 has a shape that supports the end face side of the booklet guided by the guide surface 75 a of the main guide member 75. When the belt transport mechanism 74 is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction, the receiving tool 74a protrudes from the guide surface 75a and moves in the transport direction along the guide surface 75a.

  Here, in the belt conveyance mechanism 74, the pulley 74b on the first paper discharge conveyance path 10 extends to a position where the pulley 74b enters the first paper discharge conveyance path 10 and moved to the paper discharge position. A booklet can be delivered between the paper discharge conveyance path 10 and the second paper discharge conveyance path 11.

  The sub guide member 76 is fixed to the housing 20 and the frame body, and faces the guide surface 75a of the main guide member 75 substantially in parallel with a predetermined interval through which the booklet passes.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a discharge unit of the paper stacking apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3A is a partially broken side view of the discharge unit 75c, and FIG. 3B is a discharge unit 75c. FIG.

  The main guide member 75 includes a lower waisting member 75d protruding from the guide surface 75a at the discharge portion 75c. The lower waist member 75d is an example of a bending means, and is a convex member extending along the booklet conveyance direction, and is inclined in a direction in which the protrusion amount increases as it goes toward the discharge portion 75c. In addition, the lower waisting member 75d is fixed to the main guide member 75, and is disposed outside the left and right belt conveyance mechanisms 74 in this example.

  The auxiliary guide member 76 includes an upper waisting member 76a in the discharge portion 75c. The upper waist member 76a is an example of a bending means. In this example, the upper waist member 76a is located near the center of the booklet conveyed between the main guide member 75 and the sub guide member 76 inside the left and right lower waist members 75d. Placed in. The upper waist member 76a extends along the booklet transport direction, and an end portion in the direction opposite to the discharge portion 75c is pivotally supported by the sub guide member 76 via the rotation fulcrum 76b.

  The upper waist member 76a is urged in the direction of the main guide member 75 by the spring 76c, and inclines in a direction in which the amount of protrusion increases as it goes toward the discharge portion 75c, and protrudes from the sub guide member 76. As a result, when the booklet is conveyed between the main guide member 75 and the sub guide member 76, the upper waist member 76a is pushed up by the booklet and rotates around the rotation fulcrum 76b. It is a convex member provided with a retracting means whose amount of protrusion changes according to the thickness.

  Returning to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the paper discharge stacker 8 is an example of a paper stacking apparatus, and is disposed on the downstream side of the discharge processing unit 7 and includes a stacking stage 80. The loading stage 80 includes a tray 81 that can be pulled out toward the front of the apparatus, and has a configuration in which it is moved up and down by a stage elevating mechanism 80a as an example of elevating means.

  The tray 81 has an inclined surface inclined in a direction in which the side on which one side bound by the binding component 101 of the booklet 100C to be stacked is placed is lowered, so that the space on which the thick side of the booklet 100C is stacked becomes wider. Many booklets 100C can be loaded.

  The paper discharge stacker 8 includes a stacking guide surface 80 b that extends along the vertical direction of the tray 81 on the lower side along the inclination of the tray 81. The stacking guide surface 80b is loaded obliquely along the inclination of the tray 81, and is bound to the side of the booklet 100C that slides in the direction of the stacking guide surface 80b. The position of the booklet 100C is restricted. Further, the stacking guide surface 80b functions as a guide when the tray 81 moves up and down.

  The paper discharge stacker 8 includes a tray height detection sensor 82, a stack top surface attitude sensor 83, a tray lower limit position detection sensor 84, and a stack position detection sensor 85.

  The tray height detection sensor 82 is an example of a height detection unit. In this example, the tray height detection sensor 82 includes a pair of optical sensors whose optical axes are blocked by a height detection lever 82a that extends and rotates on the stacking stage 80. .

  The tray height detection sensor 82 is loaded on the tray 81 or the tray 81 based on the presence or absence of the height detection lever 82a pushed up by the booklet loaded on the tray 81 or the tray 81 when the stacking stage 80 moves up. The upper limit position of the printed booklet is detected.

  The loading top surface attitude sensor 83 is an example of an attitude detection unit. In this example, the loading top surface attitude sensor 83 is composed of a pair of optical sensors whose optical axes are blocked by booklets stacked on the tray 81, and is used for raising the loading stage 80. From the output of the tray height detection sensor 82 and the output of the loading top surface attitude sensor 83, the loading state of the booklets on the tray 81 is detected.

  The tray lower limit position detection sensor 84 is an example of a lower limit position detection unit. In this example, the tray lower limit position detection sensor 84 includes a pair of optical sensors whose optical axes are blocked by the stacking stage 80 lowered to a predetermined position, and the stacking stage 80 is lowered to the lower limit position. Detect that

  The loading position detection sensor 85 is an example of a loading position detection unit. In this example, the loading position detection sensor 85 includes a pair of optical sensors whose optical axes are blocked by a position detection member 85a that protrudes and rotates from the loading guide surface 80b.

  The stacking position detection sensor 85 is located on one side of the booklet 100C that is stacked obliquely along the inclination of the tray 81 and bound by the binding component 101, in this example, the binding component 101 hits the stacking guide surface 80b, and the position detection member The position of the booklet 100C stacked on the tray 81 along the direction of paper discharge from the paper discharge section 75c is detected depending on whether or not it is in a position to press 85a.

  As described above, in the bookbinding apparatus 2A having the switchback type conveyance path, a booklet such as a booklet 100C in which a plurality of sheets 100A are stacked and bound, or a sheet bundle 100B in which a plurality of sheets 100A are stacked, A desired conveyance path can be configured by a combination of linear or large-diameter curved conveyance paths without providing a curved curved conveyance path.

<Control Configuration Example of Paper Loading Device and Bookbinding Device of the Present Embodiment>
FIG. 4 is a control block diagram illustrating an example of a control system of the bookbinding apparatus 2A including the paper stacking apparatus 1A, and FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating an outline of the relationship between the control system and the configuration of the paper stacking apparatus 1A.

  In the bookbinding apparatus 2A, in response to an operation of an operation unit (not shown) or the like, the control unit 90 as a control unit performs the first conveyance path 3, the second conveyance path 4, the punch processing unit 5, the binder unit 6, and the paper stacking device. The discharge processing unit 7 and the paper discharge stacker 8 which are 1A are controlled.

  The first conveyance path 3 and the second conveyance path 4 are a conveyance motor 91a that rotates the feed roller 30a shown in FIG. 1, a conveyance motor 91b that rotates the feed roller 40a, and a conveyance that drives the switching blade 32. The path switching motor 91c and the like are controlled by the control unit 90 in accordance with the presence / absence of paper binding processing and the output of the paper detection sensor 35.

  The punch processing unit 5 includes a shutter opening / closing motor 92 a that drives the butting shutter 50, a width adjusting motor 92 b that drives the width adjusting mechanism 51, and a punching motor 92 c that drives the punch blade 52. It is controlled by the control unit 90 according to the output of various sensors such as a sheet detection sensor (not shown) provided.

  The binder unit 6 includes a shutter opening / closing motor 93a for driving the butting shutter 60b of the paper aligning unit 60, a width adjusting motor 93b for driving the width adjusting mechanism 60c, a paddle motor 93c for driving the paddle mechanism 60d, and a clamp. A clamp mechanism drive motor 93d or the like that drives the mechanism unit 60e is controlled by the control unit 90 in accordance with the output of various sensors such as a sheet detection sensor (not shown) provided in the binder unit 6.

  The binder unit 6 includes a binding unit moving motor 93e that rotates the binding unit 62, a binding mechanism drive motor 93f that drives the binding mechanism unit 62a of the binding unit 62, and the like according to outputs of various sensors (not shown). Controlled by the control unit 90.

  The discharge processing unit 7 includes a paper discharge motor 94 a that rotationally drives the belt conveyance mechanism 70 of the first paper discharge conveyance path 10 and a paper discharge motor 94 b that rotationally drives the belt conveyance mechanism 74 of the second paper discharge conveyance path 11. Then, the control unit 90 controls the transport path moving motor 94c that drives the transport path moving mechanism 73 to rotate the first paper discharge transport path 10.

  For example, the control unit 90 determines from the output of the paper detection sensor 63 whether or not the booklet 100C bound by the binder unit 6 or the booklet such as the unbound paper bundle 100B has been normally delivered to the discharge processing unit 7. to decide. Then, the control unit 90 controls the transport path moving motor 94c, the paper discharge motor 94a, and the paper discharge motor 94b in accordance with whether or not the booklet has been normally delivered from the binder unit 6 to the discharge processing unit 7. Then, discharge processing or jammed paper removal processing is performed.

  In addition, the control unit 90 determines whether or not the booklet conveyed through the first paper discharge conveyance path 10 has been normally delivered to the second paper discharge conveyance path 11 and the second paper discharge conveyance path 11. It is determined from the output of the discharge sensor 94d whether the conveyed booklet has been normally discharged to the paper discharge stacker 8, and discharge processing or error processing is performed.

  Further, the control unit 90 determines the position of the booklet 100C stacked on the tray 81 from the output of the stacking position detection sensor 85, and controls the paper discharge motor 94a and the paper discharge motor 94b according to the stacking position of the booklet 100C. The sheet discharge speed of the booklet 100C is switched between high and low.

  The discharge stacker 8 is controlled by the controller 90 such as a stage elevating motor 95a that drives the stage elevating mechanism 80a to elevate the stacking stage 80.

  For example, the control unit 90 determines the booklet stacking amount and the booklet stacking state on the tray 81 from the outputs of the tray height detection sensor 82, the stack top surface attitude sensor 83, and the tray lower limit position detection sensor 84. The sheet binding process and the discharge process are stopped according to the booklet loading amount and loading state.

<Operation example of sheet stacking apparatus and bookbinding apparatus of this embodiment>
Next, an operation example of the bookbinding apparatus 2A provided with the sheet stacking apparatus 1A will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The bookbinding apparatus 2A is connected to a copying machine (not shown) and the like, and a sheet 100A on which a predetermined process such as printing has been performed is fed from the sheet feeding port 31a one by one.

  When binding a sheet with the bookbinding apparatus 2A according to a predetermined operation mode selected by operating an operation unit (not shown) by an operator, a conveyance process for conveying the sheet 100A to the punch processing unit 5 is performed, and the punch processing unit 5 performs punching. After performing the processing, alignment processing is performed in the binder unit 6.

  FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating an example from a conveyance process to an alignment process in the bookbinding apparatus 2A.

  In the transport process for transporting the paper 100A to the punch processing unit 5, the control unit 90 controls the transport motor 91a to rotationally drive the feed roller 30a of the first transport path 3, and the paper 100A in the first transport path 3 is driven. Rotates the feed roller 30a in the forward rotation direction in which the sheet is conveyed in the conveyance direction A.

  As a result, the paper 100A fed to the first transport path 3 is sandwiched between the feed roller 30a and the guide roller 30b that are driven to rotate in the forward rotation direction by the transport motor 91a, and is guided by a guide member (not shown). Then, the first transport path 3 is transported in the transport direction A from the paper feed port 31a toward the discharge port 31b.

  The trailing edge of the paper 100A conveyed in the conveyance direction A in the first conveyance path 3 is detected by the paper detection sensor 35, and the paper detection that the paper 100A has passed through the switching blade 32 and has been conveyed to the reverse holding unit 34. If it judges from the output of the sensor 35, the control part 90 will stop the conveyance motor 91a and will stop conveyance of the paper 100A temporarily.

  After temporarily stopping the conveyance of the sheet 100A, the control unit 90 controls the conveyance path switching motor 91c to rotationally drive the switching blade 32 to open the conveyance path from the reverse holding unit 34 to the second conveyance path 4. Switch the transport direction.

  When the control unit 90 rotationally drives the switching blade 32 to switch the transport direction to the second transport path 4, the control unit 90 controls the transport motor 91a to rotationally drive the feed roller 30a. The feed roller 30a is rotated in the reverse rotation direction that is conveyed in the conveyance direction B. Further, the feed motor 40 b is controlled to rotate the feed roller 40 a of the second transport path 4, and the feed roller 40 a is rotated in the direction in which the paper 100 A is transported to the punch processing unit 5 in the second transport path 4. .

  As a result, the paper 100A temporarily held by the reverse holding unit 34 is conveyed in the conveyance direction B with the conveyance direction reversed, guided by the switching blade 32, and sent from the first conveyance path 3 to the second conveyance path 4. It is done.

  The sheet 100A sent to the second conveyance path 4 is sandwiched between a feed roller 40a and a guide roller 40b that are rotationally driven by a conveyance motor 91b, and is guided by a guide member (not shown) to be second conveyance path. 4 is conveyed to the punch processing unit 5.

  In the punch processing unit 5, in order to perform a punching process for making a hole in the paper 100A, the control unit 90 controls the shutter opening / closing motor 92a to project the abutting shutter 50 into the conveyance path of the paper 100A and the width adjusting motor 92b. And the width adjusting mechanism 51 is driven.

  As a result, the sheet 100A conveyed to the punch processing unit 5 is aligned with the leading end abutted against the abutting shutter 50 and the side end abutted against a reference guide (not shown).

  When positioning the paper 100A, the control unit 90 controls the punching motor 92c to drive the punch blade 52 to open a predetermined hole in the paper 100A, and then controls the shutter opening / closing motor 92a to make contact. Open the shutter 50. When the abutting shutter 50 is opened, the paper 100 </ b> A having the holes punched by the punch processing unit 5 is conveyed to the binder unit 6.

  In the binder unit 6, first, in order to perform an alignment process for accumulating and aligning a predetermined number of sheets of paper 100 </ b> A with holes, the control unit 90 controls the shutter opening / closing motor 93 a to temporarily hold the butting shutter 60 b. The width adjusting motor 93b is controlled to drive the width adjusting mechanism 60c, and the paddle motor 93c is controlled to drive the paddle mechanism 60d.

  As a result, the paper 100A which has been punched by the punch processing unit 5 and conveyed to the binder unit 6 has its leading end abutted against the abutting shutter 60b and its side end abutted against a reference guide (not shown) for alignment. Is done.

  When the position of the sheet 100A is adjusted, the control unit 90 controls the clamp mechanism drive motor 93d to close the clamp mechanism unit 60e. When the clamp mechanism portion 60e is closed, the aligned paper 100A is held and held by the clamp mechanism portion 60e without causing a positional shift.

  The above-described transport process, punching process, and alignment process are repeated until a predetermined number of sheets 100A are aligned and stacked in the temporary storage unit 60a.

  When the paper 100A with holes is sequentially conveyed to the temporary storage unit 60a and a predetermined number of sheets 100A are aligned and held by the clamp mechanism unit 60e, the control unit 90 performs a series of conveyance processing, punching processing, and alignment processing. To stop.

  7 and 8 are operation explanatory views showing an example of a binding process in the bookbinding apparatus 2A. FIG. 7 shows an operation of taking out the binding component 101 from the binding component stacker 61. FIG. The operation | movement which binds 100B is shown.

  In the binder unit 6, the binding unit 62 is waiting at the binding component take-out position, and then the control unit 90 performs the binding mechanism driving motor 93 f to perform a binding process for binding a predetermined number of sheets 100 </ b> A with the binding component 101. The binding mechanism 62a is driven by the control. The binding mechanism 62a grips the binding component 101 stored in the binding component stacker 61 by a predetermined operation, and takes out and holds one binding component 101 from the binding component stacker 61 as schematically shown in FIG. .

  When the binding component 101 is taken out from the binding component stacker 61, the control unit 90 controls the binding unit moving motor 93e to rotationally drive the binding unit 62, and as shown in FIG. 8, the binding unit 62 is moved to the rotation fulcrum 62b. The shaft is rotated and moved to the paper binding position.

  Next, the control unit 90 controls the clamp mechanism drive motor 93d to drive the clamp mechanism unit 60e, moves the aligned and held sheet bundle 100B to a predetermined processing position, and controls the binding mechanism drive motor 93f. The binding mechanism unit 62a is driven to bind the sheet bundle 100B with the binding component 101. Thus, a booklet 100C in which the sheet bundle 100B is bound by the binding component 101 is created.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a booklet 100C, and FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating an example of a booklet 100C according to a difference in the number of bindings. The booklet 100C is a bundle of sheets 100B in which a plurality of sheets with holes 102 are stacked, and is bound with a binding component 101. The binding component 101 has a configuration in which a plurality of ring portions 101a are connected by a back portion 101b. is there.

  The booklet 100 </ b> C is created by inserting a ring forming member in an open form of the binding component 101 into the hole 102 of the sheet bundle 100 </ b> B and binding it in a ring shape to form the ring portion 101 a.

  Here, the same type of binding component 101 can cope with the difference in the number of sheets to be bound, and as shown in FIG. 10A, a sheet bundle 100B1 (for example, 100 sheets) having a large number of sheets, As illustrated in FIG. 10B, it is possible to create a booklet 100 </ b> C by binding a sheet bundle 100 </ b> B <b> 2 (for example, 50 sheets) with a small number of sheets with the same type of binding component 101.

  FIGS. 11 to 15 are operation explanatory views showing an example of the paper discharge process in the bookbinding apparatus 2A, and FIG. 11 shows the operation of moving the first paper discharge conveyance path 10 of the discharge processing unit 7 to the paper receiving position. FIG. 12 shows an operation of receiving the booklet 100 </ b> C through the first discharge conveyance path 10. 13 shows the operation of moving the first paper discharge conveyance path 10 to the paper discharge position, FIG. 14 shows the operation of conveying the booklet 100C by the discharge processing unit 7, and FIG. 15 shows the operation of moving the booklet 100C. The operation of discharging to the paper discharge stacker 8 is shown.

  When the sheet bundle 100B is bound by the binding component 101 in the binder unit 6 and the booklet 100C is created, the control unit 90 controls the binding unit moving motor 93e to discharge the booklet 100C. 62 is driven to rotate, and the binding portion 62 is rotated about the rotation fulcrum 62b to move to the binding component take-out position.

  Next, the conveyance path moving motor 94c is controlled to rotationally drive the first discharge conveyance path 10, and the first discharge conveyance path 10 is rotated about the first rotation fulcrum 73a as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG.

  FIG. 16 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a paper discharge process in the discharge processing unit 7 and shows a state where the first paper discharge conveyance path 10 has been moved to the paper receiving position.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 16, in the first paper discharge conveyance path 10, the main guide member 71 and the sub guide member 72 move to the paper receiving position in conjunction with each other, and the main guide member 71 and the sub guide member 72 The transport path formed between the binder unit 6 and the temporary storage unit 60a is opposed to the temporary storage unit 60a.

  Further, when the first paper discharge conveyance path 10 is moved to the paper receiving position, the delivery guide 72b of the sub guide member 72 hits an abutting portion (not shown) formed in the binder unit 6 by the abutting piece 72d, and the rotation fulcrum 72c. And the tip end side opens with respect to the main guide member 71.

  When the control unit 90 moves the first discharge conveyance path 10 to the sheet receiving position, the control unit 90 controls the clamp mechanism drive motor 93d to open the clamp mechanism unit 60e. When the clamp mechanism 60e is opened, the booklet 100C held in the temporary storage 60a by the clamp mechanism 60e is formed between the main guide member 71 and the sub guide member 72 as shown in FIG. Fall by its own weight on the path.

  Here, the delivery guide 72b of the sub guide member 72 is open to the main guide member 71 at the front end side serving as a delivery portion from the binder unit 6, and the booklet 100C falling from the temporary storage portion 60a is removed from the main guide member 71. And the auxiliary guide member 72. Accordingly, even a curled booklet 100C can be guided between the main guide member 71 and the sub guide member 72, and the occurrence of jam can be suppressed.

  The control unit 90 detects that the trailing edge of the booklet 100C falling from the temporary storage unit 60a is detected by the paper detection sensor 63, and that the booklet 100C is normally conveyed to the first paper discharge conveyance path 10 by the paper detection sensor 63. When judged from the output, the conveyance path moving motor 94c is controlled to rotationally drive the first discharge conveyance path 10, and as shown in FIG. 13, the first discharge conveyance path 10 is moved to the first rotation fulcrum 73a. The shaft is rotated and moved to the paper discharge position.

  In the state where the booklet 100C is normally conveyed from the binder unit 6, the first paper discharge conveyance path 10 moves from the paper receiving position to the paper discharge position, and the sub guide member 72 moves to the paper discharge position. A load serving as a resistance is not applied, and the sub guide member 72 moves in conjunction with the main guide member 71 to the paper discharge position, so that a conveyance path to the second paper discharge conveyance path 11 is formed.

  Further, when the first paper discharge conveyance path 10 is moved to the paper discharge position, the delivery guide 72b of the sub guide member 72 moves the guide surface of the main guide member 71 by separating the abutting piece 72d from the abutting portion (not shown). Opposite substantially parallel to 71a, it becomes a conveyance guide to and from the second paper discharge conveyance path 11.

  In this way, the delivery guide member 72b opens and closes by an operation in which the first paper discharge conveyance path 10 moves between the paper receiving position and the paper discharge position, so that no driving means is required, and the configuration is simple. One guide member can be provided with a function of receiving a booklet from the binder unit 6 and a guide of transferring the booklet to the second paper discharge conveyance path 11.

  When the control unit 90 moves the first paper discharge conveyance path 10 to the paper discharge position, the control unit 90 controls the paper discharge motor 94a to rotationally drive the belt conveyance mechanism 70. When the belt conveyance mechanism 70 is driven to rotate, the first paper discharge conveyance path 10 supports the booklet 100C and moves in the direction of the second paper discharge conveyance path 11 to move the booklet 100C to the second paper discharge conveyance path 10. The paper is conveyed to the paper discharge conveyance path 11.

  When the booklet 100C is transported to the delivery position with the second paper discharge transport path 11, the control unit 90 stops the paper discharge motor 94a and controls the paper discharge motor 94b to control the second paper discharge transport. The belt conveyance mechanism 74 of the path 11 is rotationally driven.

  When the belt conveyance mechanism 74 is driven to rotate, the second paper discharge conveyance path 11 is, as shown in FIG. 14, a booklet 100C supported by the holder 70a of the first paper discharge conveyance path 10 as a receiver 74a. Receive at. The holder 74 c that has received the booklet 100 </ b> C supports the booklet 100 </ b> C and moves in the direction of the paper discharge stacker 8, and conveys the booklet 100 </ b> C to the paper discharge stacker 8.

  Here, the delivery guide 72b of the sub guide member 72 faces the guide surface 71a of the main guide member 71 substantially in parallel, and the booklet 100C transported through the first paper discharge transport path 10 is replaced with the second. The paper is guided between the main guide member 75 and the sub guide member 76 in the paper discharge conveyance path 11.

  When the holder 74a moves to a predetermined position in the second paper discharge conveyance path 11, the booklet 100C conveyed through the second paper discharge conveyance path 11 is discharged from the discharge portion 75c to the paper discharge stacker as shown in FIG. 8 is discharged.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of a paper discharge process of the booklet 100C in the paper stacking apparatus 1A. FIG. 18 is an operation explanatory diagram of the paper stacking apparatus 1A showing an operation example of switching the paper discharge speed of the booklet 100C. The operation of discharging the booklet 100C to the paper discharge stacker 8 according to the stacking position of the booklet 100C will be described. Here, in FIG. 18, a tray height detection sensor or the like for detecting the stacking state of the booklet 100C on the tray is not shown.

  Step SA1: As described above, until the binding process is performed by the binder unit 6, the control unit 90 waits for the operation of the paper discharge process in the discharge processing unit 7, and the discharge processing unit 7 starts from the control unit 90. Wait for instructions for the paper discharge operation.

  Step SA2: When the binding process of one booklet 100C is completed in the binder unit 6, the control unit 90 instructs the discharge processing unit 7 to start the discharge operation. As described above, the discharge processing unit 7 receives the booklet 100 </ b> C from the binder unit 6 in accordance with a discharge operation instruction from the control unit 90, and performs a discharge operation of discharging the booklet 100 </ b> C to the discharge stacker 8.

  Step SA3: When the booklet 100C is discharged to the discharge stacker 8, the control unit 90 instructs the discharge processing unit 7 to stop the discharge operation. The discharge processing unit 7 ends the paper discharge operation for one book in response to an instruction to stop the paper discharge operation from the control unit 90.

  Step SA4: When the booklet 100C is discharged to the discharge stacker 8, the control unit 90 monitors the output of the stack position detection sensor 85 and binds the booklet 100C stacked obliquely along the inclination of the tray 81. It is determined whether or not the component 101 hits the stacking guide surface 80b and is in a position to press the position detection member 85a.

  Step SA5: The control unit 90 can control the paper discharge motor 94a and the paper discharge motor 94b to switch the paper discharge speed in two stages, for example. Then, as shown in FIG. 18A, the binding component 101 of the uppermost booklet 100C stacked on the tray 81 hits the stacking guide surface 80b and pushes the position detection member 85a, whereby the stacking position detection sensor 85 is moved. When the booklet 100C is detected, the control unit 90 sets the discharge speed to be increased (increased) in the discharge operation of the next booklet 100C.

  Step SA6: As shown in FIG. 18B, the binding component 101 of the uppermost booklet 100C stacked on the tray 81 is separated from the stacking guide surface 80b, and the position detection member 85a is biased by a biasing means (not shown). When the stacking position detection sensor 85 does not detect the booklet 100C by rotating the control unit 90, the control unit 90 causes the paper discharge speed to be slow (lower) in the paper discharge operation of the next booklet 100C. Set.

  When the uppermost booklet 100C stacked on the tray 81 is stacked at the position where the binding component 101 abuts against the stacking guide surface 80b in the process of step SA5 described above, in the discharge operation of the next booklet 100C, the sheet is discharged. Increases speed. When the paper discharge speed of the booklet 100C is increased, the booklet 100C to be discharged next is a binding component 101 in which the binding component 101 jumps over the binding component 101 of the already loaded booklet 100C and is bound between the stacked booklets. The position of 101 is shifted along the paper discharge direction.

  When several booklets 100C are discharged with the paper discharge speed increased, the booklet 100C leaves the binding component 101 away from the stacking guide surface 80b, and the stacking position detection sensor 85 does not detect the booklet 100C.

  Then, when the bound component 101 of the stacked booklet 100C is separated from the stacking guide surface 80b in the process of step SA6 described above, the next booklet 100C is reduced by reducing the discharge speed in the discharge operation of the next booklet 100C. Is stacked at a position where the binding component 101 abuts against the stacking guide surface 80b.

  As described above, when the distance between the binding component 101 of the booklet 100C stacked on the tray 81 and the stacking guide surface 80b approaches, the paper discharge speed is increased, and when the distance between the binding component 101 and the stacking guide surface 80b increases, the discharge is increased. By controlling the paper speed to be slow, as shown in FIG. 18C, the stacking position of the booklets 100C is shifted along the paper discharge direction, and the binding components 101 of the booklets 100C are stacked so as not to overlap. .

  Therefore, when the number of booklets loaded on the tray 81 is small, the number of booklets that can be loaded on the tray 81 can be increased without the load being deteriorated and the balance being lost.

  In particular, as shown in FIG. 10B, in a booklet with a small number of sheets to be bound, the diameter of the ring portion 101a of the binding component 101 is relatively large with respect to the thickness of the booklet 100C. However, by stacking the booklet 100C by shifting the position of the binding component 101, the booklet 100C can be stacked on the tray 81 without being damaged regardless of the thickness of the booklet 100C.

  In the above-described embodiment, the paper discharge speed of the booklet 100C is switched according to the stacking position of the booklet 100C detected by the stacking position detection sensor 85. However, one or more booklets 100C are placed on the tray 81. The paper discharge speed may be switched every time paper is discharged.

  As an example of such another embodiment, the control unit 90 has a setting for controlling the paper discharge motor 94a and the paper discharge motor 94b to switch the paper discharge speed in three or more stages, for example, five stages. First, after performing a paper discharge operation at a predetermined first speed, the next booklet performs a paper discharge operation at a second speed that is faster than the first speed.

  The next booklet performs a paper discharge operation at a third speed that is faster than the second speed, the next booklet performs a paper discharge operation at a fourth speed that is faster than the third speed, and the next booklet The paper discharge operation is performed at a fifth speed higher than the fourth speed.

  Then, the next booklet performs the paper discharge operation again at the first speed, and thereafter performs the paper discharge operation while sequentially switching the paper discharge speed.

  As another example of another embodiment, the control unit 90 has a setting for switching the paper discharge speed in two stages by controlling the paper discharge motor 94a and the paper discharge motor 94b. First, after performing a paper discharge operation at a predetermined first speed, the next booklet performs a paper discharge operation at a second speed that is faster than the first speed.

  The next booklet performs the paper discharge operation again at the first speed, and thereafter performs the paper discharge operation while alternately switching the paper discharge speed.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the stacking position of the booklet 100C can be shifted along the paper discharge direction without the stacking position detection sensor 85, and the binding components 101 of the booklets 100C can be stacked so as not to overlap. In the above example, the paper discharge speed is switched for each book, but may be switched for a plurality of books.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a stacking process of the booklet 100C and the like in the sheet stacking apparatus 1A, FIG. 20 is an operation explanatory diagram of the sheet stacking apparatus 1A illustrating an operation example of detecting the stacking amount of the booklet 100C, and FIG. Next, an operation for loading the booklet 100C on the paper discharge stacker 8 in accordance with the stacking state of the booklet 100C will be described. Here, in FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, a stack position detection sensor for detecting the stack position of the booklet 100C on the tray is not shown.

  Step SB1: As described in the flowchart shown in FIG. 17 described above, when the binding process is performed by the binder unit 6, the booklet 100C is discharged to the discharge stacker 8 one by one.

  Step SB2: When the paper discharge operation from the discharge processing unit 7 to the paper discharge stacker 8 is completed, after a predetermined time has elapsed considering the time for which the booklet 100C is stacked on the tray 81, the control unit 90 moves the stage lift motor 95a. The tray 81 is lowered after a predetermined time (for example, 1000 ms).

  Step SB3: When the stage elevating motor 95a is reversely rotated, the control unit 90 monitors the output of the tray lower limit position detection sensor 84 and determines whether or not the tray 81 has been lowered to the lower limit position within a predetermined time (for example, 1000 ms). .

  Step SB4: When the control unit 90 determines that the tray 81 is not detected within a predetermined time by the tray lower limit position detection sensor 84 and the tray 81 does not descend to the lower limit position by the determination in step SB3, the control unit 90 stops the stage elevating motor 95a. To do.

  That is, the height of the tray 81 varies depending on the amount of booklets 100C loaded (the number of books). When the amount of booklets 100C loaded is small, the tray 81 is at a high position and the booklet 100C loaded. As the amount increases, the position of the tray 81 is lowered.

  Thereby, when the amount of booklets 100C loaded is small, the tray 81 does not descend to the detection position of the tray lower limit position detection sensor 84 within a predetermined time as shown in FIG. Therefore, it can be determined that the amount of booklets on the tray 81 is small because the tray lower limit position detection sensor 84 does not detect the tray 81 within a predetermined time after the tray 81 starts to descend.

  Step SB5: The control unit 90 stops the stage elevating motor 95a, and then normally rotates the stage elevating motor 95a to raise the tray 81.

  Step SB6: When the stage elevating motor 95a is rotated forward, the control unit 90 monitors the output of the tray height detection sensor 82 and determines whether or not the uppermost booklet 100C on the tray 81 has been raised to the upper limit position. .

  Step SB7: The controller 90 detects that the booklet 100C on the tray 81 is pushed up by the height detection lever 82a when the tray 81 is raised, and the tray height detection sensor 82 detects the uppermost booklet 100C on the tray 81. If it is determined that the position has been raised to the upper limit position, the stage elevating motor 95a is stopped.

  Step SB8: When the control unit 90 raises the uppermost booklet 100C on the tray 81 to the upper limit position, the control unit 90 monitors the output of the stacking top surface attitude sensor 83 and moves the uppermost booklet 100C on the tray 81 to the stacking top. It is determined whether or not it is detected by the surface orientation sensor 83.

  The position at which the booklet 100C is detected by the loading top surface attitude sensor 83 is different from the position at which the booklet 100C is detected by the tray height detection sensor 82, and the booklet 100C is detected depending on the loading state of the booklet 100C on the tray 81. The height of the detected position is different.

  Therefore, when the uppermost booklet 100C on the tray 81 is in the upper limit position and the uppermost booklet 100C is detected by the stacking top surface attitude sensor 83, as shown in FIG. The booklet 100C is stacked in a form along the inclination of the tray 81, and the control unit 90 determines that the booklet 100C is in a state where it can be continuously stacked, and returns to step SB1 described above.

  Here, in a state where the uppermost booklet 100C on the tray 81 is at the upper limit position, a space for receiving the next booklet 100C is secured on the tray 81, and the subsequent paper discharge operation is possible.

  Step SB9: When the control unit 90 determines that the uppermost booklet 100C on the tray 81 is in the upper limit position and does not detect the uppermost booklet 100C by the stacking top surface attitude sensor 83, as determined in step SB8. Then, it is determined that the stacking state of the booklet 100C has become a full state unsuitable for subsequent stacking, and the subsequent paper discharge operation is stopped.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 21B, when the booklets 100C are stacked in a warped form due to factors such as the thinness of the booklets 100C, or the thickness on the side bound by the binding component 101 increases. When the upper booklet 100 </ b> C is stacked in a form inclined in the direction opposite to the inclination of the tray 81, the booklet 100 </ b> C does not reach the detection position by the loading top surface attitude sensor 83.

  Accordingly, when the uppermost booklet 100C on the tray 81 is in the upper limit position and the uppermost booklet 100C is not detected by the stacking top surface attitude sensor 83, the uppermost booklet is not used regardless of the amount of the booklet 100C. From the inclination of 100C, it can be determined that the loaded state of the booklet 100C has become a fully loaded state that is not suitable for loading.

  Therefore, after the booklet 100C is unsuitable for subsequent stacking, the booklet 100C is not continuously loaded, the loaded booklet 100C is collapsed, the booklet 100C is greatly warped, etc. Can prevent damage.

  When the next booklet binding process is performed in parallel, the booklet 100C for several books is continued so that the paper discharge operation can be stopped after the next booklet 100C is discharged. It is advisable to allow enough time for paper discharge.

  Step SB10: When the control unit 90 determines in step SB3 that the tray 81 is detected within a predetermined time by the tray lower limit position detection sensor 84 and the tray 81 is lowered to the lower limit position, the control unit 90 stops the stage elevating motor 95a. .

  That is, when the amount of booklets 100C loaded is large, the tray 81 is lowered to the detection position of the tray lower limit position detection sensor 84 within a predetermined time, as shown in FIG. Therefore, it can be determined that the booklet amount on the tray 81 is large by detecting the tray 81 within a predetermined time by the tray lower limit position detection sensor 84 after the tray 81 starts to descend.

  Step SB11: The control unit 90 stops the stage elevating motor 95a, and then normally rotates the stage elevating motor 95a to raise the tray 81.

  Step SB12: When the stage elevating motor 95a is rotated forward, the control unit 90 monitors the output of the tray height detection sensor 82 and determines whether or not the uppermost booklet 100C on the tray 81 has been raised to the upper limit position. .

  Step SB13: The control unit 90 detects the booklet 100C on the tray 81 by pushing up the height detection lever 82a when the tray 81 is raised, and the uppermost booklet 100C on the tray 81 is detected. If it is determined that the position has been raised to the upper limit position, the stage elevating motor 95a is stopped.

  Step SB14: The control unit 90 determines that the booklet amount on the tray 81 is large and the booklet 100C is fully loaded, and stops the subsequent paper discharge operation.

  As described above, by stopping the discharge of the booklet 100C according to the stacking state of the booklet 100C stacked on the tray 81, the stacking state is poor when the number of booklets stacked on the tray 81 increases. Thus, the stacking can be stopped before the balance is lost, and the booklet can be prevented from being damaged even if the number of booklets loaded on the tray 81 is increased.

  FIG. 22 is an operation explanatory view showing an example of a paper discharge process in the discharge unit 75c of the paper stacking apparatus 1A. FIG. 22A is a partially broken side view of the discharge unit 75c during the paper discharge process. FIG. 7B is a front view of the discharge unit 75c during the paper discharge process.

  In the discharge portion 75 c of the second discharge conveyance path 11, the lower waist member 75 d protrudes from the main guide member 75, and the upper waist member 76 a protrudes from the sub guide member 76. In this example, the lower waist member 74d is arranged outside each upper waist member 76a, and the booklet 100C that passes through the discharge portion 75c is positioned in the transport direction as shown in FIG. The shape is curved in the left-right direction, and a so-called waist that is difficult to bend in the transport direction is provided.

  Further, the lower waist member 74a and the upper waist member 76a are inclined in a direction in which the protruding amount increases toward the discharge portion 75c along the conveyance direction of the booklet 100C, and the booklet passes through the discharge portion 75c. As shown in FIG. 22A, 100C is discharged from the discharge portion 75c in a state where the waist is gradually attached.

  Thereby, the booklet 100C discharged from the discharge unit 75c is stacked on the tray 81 of the discharge stacker 8 without buckling.

  Here, the interval of the lower waist member 75d and the interval of the upper waist member 76a are arranged different from the pitch of the ring portion 101a of the binding component 101. Further, the thickness of the lower waist member 75d and the thickness of the upper waist member 76a are configured to be narrower than the interval between the adjacent ring portions 101a.

  As a result, the booklet 100C passing through the discharge portion 75c can sit on the paper portion without the ring portion 101a of the binding component 100C riding on the lower waist member 75d and the upper waist member 76a.

  The upper waist member 76a is configured to rotate about the rotation fulcrum 76b, and is pushed up according to the thickness of the booklet 100C that passes through the discharge portion 75c to be spaced from the guide surface 75a of the main guide member 75. Changes.

  Therefore, in the discharge portion 75c having a configuration for sitting on the booklet 100C, the difference in the thickness of the booklet 100C and the diameter of the ring portion 101a of the binding component 101 due to the difference in the number of sheets to be bound as shown in FIG. Absorbed. When the booklet 100C passes through the discharge portion 75c, the pushed up upper waist member 76a returns to its original position by the urging force of the spring 76c.

  FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 are operation explanatory views showing an example of processing at the time of abnormal conveyance in the bookbinding apparatus 2A. FIG. 25 is an operation explanatory diagram showing an example of processing at the abnormal time of conveyance in the paper discharge processing unit 7. An example of the operation of the bookbinding apparatus 2A provided with the sheet stacking apparatus 1A at the time of abnormal conveyance will be described with reference to each drawing.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the delivery operation of the booklet 100C from the binder unit 6 to the discharge processing unit 7 causes a conveyance abnormality such as the booklet 100C being jammed between the temporary holding unit 60a and the first paper discharge conveyance path 10. Then, the paper detection sensor 63 does not detect the passage of the rear end of the booklet 100C.

  When the control unit 90 determines such a conveyance abnormality of the booklet 100C from the output of the paper detection sensor 63, the control unit 90 controls the conveyance path moving motor 94c to rotationally drive the first paper discharge conveyance path 10 and to perform the first discharge. The paper transport path 10 is rotated about the first rotation fulcrum 73a and moved to the paper discharge position.

  In the state where the booklet 100C is jammed between the first paper discharge conveyance path 10 and the temporary storage unit 60a due to a conveyance abnormality, the sub-guide member 72 moves from the paper receiving position to the paper discharge position. As a result, the sub guide member 72 is subjected to a load that becomes resistance to movement to the paper discharge position.

  As a result, as the first paper discharge conveyance path 10 moves to the paper discharge position, the sub guide member 72 rotates around the second rotation fulcrum 72a as shown in FIGS. It remains at the paper receiving position and retracts and opens with respect to the main guide member 71.

  When the main guide member 71 moves to the paper discharge position and the sub guide member 72 remains at the paper receiving position, the work space for pulling out and removing the booklet 100C in which the conveyance abnormality has occurred in the conveyance direction below the temporary storage unit 60a. Is secured.

  Accordingly, by displaying guidance on the occurrence of a conveyance abnormality and a removal procedure on an operation unit (not shown) or the like, the operator or the like can easily remove the booklet 100C in which the conveyance abnormality has occurred.

  As described above, in the operation of removing the booklet 100C in which the conveyance abnormality has occurred, the operation of manually opening the guide member is not required, and the operation of the operator or the like is simplified, so that the operability is improved.

  In the above description, the operation example of discharging the booklet 100C bound by the binding component 101 has been described. However, the aligned sheet bundle 100B not bound by the binding component 101 is conveyed by the discharge processing unit 7 and discharged. An operation of stacking on the paper stacker 8 may be performed.

  The present invention is applied to a bookbinding apparatus used by being connected to a copying machine or the like.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a bookbinding apparatus including a paper stacking apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the paper stacking apparatus of this Embodiment. It is a block diagram showing an example of a discharge unit of the paper stacking apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a control block diagram illustrating an example of a control system of a bookbinding apparatus provided with a paper stacking apparatus. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating an outline of a relationship between a control system and a configuration of a sheet stacking apparatus. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating an example from a conveyance process to an alignment process in the bookbinding apparatus. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows an example of the binding process in a bookbinding apparatus. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows an example of the binding process in a bookbinding apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows an example of a booklet. It is a side view which shows the form example of a booklet by the difference in the number of bindings. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a paper discharge process in the bookbinding apparatus. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a paper discharge process in the bookbinding apparatus. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a paper discharge process in the bookbinding apparatus. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a paper discharge process in the bookbinding apparatus. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a paper discharge process in the bookbinding apparatus. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a paper discharge process in a discharge processing unit. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a booklet discharge process in the sheet stacking apparatus. FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory diagram of the paper stacking apparatus showing an operation example for switching a booklet discharge speed. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of booklet stacking processing in the sheet stacking apparatus. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram of the sheet stacking apparatus showing an example of an operation for detecting a booklet stacking amount. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram of the paper stacking apparatus showing an example of operation for detecting a booklet stacking state. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a paper discharge process in a discharge unit of the paper stacking device. FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating an example of processing when a conveyance abnormality occurs in the bookbinding apparatus. FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating an example of processing when a conveyance abnormality occurs in the bookbinding apparatus. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows an example of the process at the time of conveyance abnormality in a discharge process part.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A ... Paper stacking apparatus, 2A ... Bookbinding apparatus, 3 ... 1st conveyance path, 4 ... 2nd conveyance path, 5 ... Punch processing part, 6 ... Binder unit, 7 ... discharge processing unit, 8 ... discharge stacker, 10 ... first discharge conveyance path, 11 ... second discharge conveyance path, 75c ... discharge section, 75d ... Lower seat member 76a Upper seat member 76b Rotation fulcrum 76c Spring 80 Loading stage 80a Stage lifting mechanism 81 Tray 82 ... Tray height detection sensor, 82a ... Height detection lever, 83 ... Loading top surface attitude sensor, 84 ... Tray lower limit position detection sensor, 85 ... Loading position detection sensor, 90 ..Control part

Claims (8)

A sheet discharge portion, a discharge of the booklet created by binding at the component binding to one side of the sheet bundle, the binding side of stapled by the component and the discharge direction is discharged from the discharge section in a direction intersecting Means,
A tray on which a booklet discharged from the discharge unit is loaded;
Elevating means for elevating the tray along the stacking direction of the booklet;
Control means for controlling the paper discharge speed of the booklet discharged to the tray by the paper discharge means and shifting the position of each binding booklet and stacking it on the tray ;
The sheet discharge device, wherein the discharge unit includes a bending unit that bends a booklet in a width direction on the left and right sides with respect to a discharge direction and discharges the booklet to the tray . A loading position detecting means for detecting a position along a paper discharge direction of the booklet loaded on the tray;
The paper stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls a paper discharge speed according to a booklet position detected by the stacking position detection unit. The tray is inclined in a direction in which the side on which the binding parts of the booklet to be loaded is placed is lowered,
The loading position detection means is provided below the tray along the inclination, and detects the presence or absence of a booklet on the loading guide surface against which the booklet loaded on the tray abuts.
The control unit switches the paper discharge speed in at least two stages according to the presence or absence of a booklet on the stacking guide surface detected by the stacking position detection unit, and when the distance between the stacking guide surface and the booklet approaches, The booklet discharge speed is increased when the discharge speed of the booklet discharged to the tray by the discharge means is increased and the distance between the stacking guide surface and the booklet is increased. Paper loading device. The control means switches the paper discharge speed sequentially at three or more different paper discharge speeds each time one or more booklets are discharged to the tray by the paper discharge means. The paper stacking device described. 2. The control means switches the paper discharge speed alternately at two different paper discharge speeds each time one or a plurality of booklets are discharged onto the tray by the paper discharge means. The paper stacking device described. The bending means includes a convex member that is inclined in a direction in which the amount of protrusion increases along the paper discharge direction of the booklet at at least one position of the pair of guide members that guide the discharge of the booklet, The opposed convex members are arranged with their positions shifted in the width direction of the booklet, and either one of the opposed convex members is provided with a retracting means for retracting according to the thickness of the booklet. The paper stacking apparatus according to claim 5 . The paper stacking apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the binding component includes a plurality of ring portions that bind the paper bundle, and the convex members are arranged at intervals passing between the ring portions. In a bookbinding device that creates a booklet by binding multiple sheets with binding components,
A binding means for binding a side of a sheet bundle with a binding component to create a booklet;
A paper discharge unit that has a paper discharge unit, and discharges the booklet created by the binding unit from the discharge unit in a direction in which the paper discharge direction intersects one side bound by the binding component;
A tray on which a booklet discharged from the discharge unit is loaded;
Elevating means for elevating the tray along the stacking direction of the booklet;
Control means for controlling the paper discharge speed of the booklet discharged to the tray by the paper discharge means and shifting the position of the binding parts to each booklet and stacking them on the tray ;
The bookbinding apparatus , wherein the discharge unit includes a bending unit that bends a booklet in a lateral direction with respect to a paper discharge direction and discharges the booklet to the tray .

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