JP7467952B2 - Paper conveying device and image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a paper transport device and an image forming device.

Image forming devices that form images on paper are known. In the image forming devices, the paper stacked on a paper stacking section such as a paper output tray can become misaligned or jam due to paper being misaligned.

In particular, in a post-processing device that performs a cutting process (see FIG. 13) in which the main body cuts the paper PA on which an image has been formed in the FD direction or CD direction to create small-sized deliverables P such as business cards or cards, multiple deliverables P (four in FIG. 13) are created per row, so the paper stacking section needs to be able to accommodate all of the deliverables P. From the perspective of usability, the paper stacking section also needs to ensure a certain degree of alignment and prevent adjacent deliverables P from being mixed together. For this reason, a configuration is used in which the paper stacking section 23 is provided with a partition plate 232 for separating the deliverables P in the width direction (see FIG. 14).

Therefore, a configuration has been disclosed in which ribs are provided on the partition plate in order to reduce the contact area between the product and the partition plate and reduce frictional forces (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-124157 A

However, in the conventional technology, it is difficult for a user to remove the deliverables from the paper stacking section without interrupting production of the deliverables, and in particular, it is difficult to remove the bundle of deliverables from the paper stacking section while keeping it in an orderly manner.
If the production of the deliverables is interrupted in order for a user to remove the deliverables from the paper stacking section, there is a risk of productivity decreasing.
In addition, since the loading capacity of the paper stacking section is fixed, it is not possible to continue discharging and stacking the finished products on the paper stacking section without discharging the finished products from the paper stacking section, so production of the finished products has to be interrupted, resulting in reduced productivity.
When a stack of products loaded on the paper stacking section is discharged from the paper stacking section, it is desirable to deliver the products to a user while maintaining their alignment.

The present invention aims to provide a paper transport device and an image forming device that can improve productivity while maintaining the quality and alignment of the loaded products.

A paper transport device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a transport section that transports paper, a paper discharge section that discharges paper transported by the transport section, a first paper stacking section that is provided below the paper discharge section and that stacks paper discharged by the paper discharge section, and a second paper stacking section that is provided below the first paper stacking section and that receives and stacks paper that has fallen from a bottom of the first paper stacking section, and the first paper stacking section has a support member that is disposed at the bottom of the first paper stacking section and supports paper, a closed position that supports paper, and an open position that supports the paper. A bottom opening/closing device is provided which operates between an open position where the paper is released and an open position where the paper falls , a guide member is provided in an intermediate section corresponding to between the first paper stacking section and the second paper stacking section which regulates the side edge of the paper and guides the paper from the first paper stacking section to the second paper stacking section, and a regulating member is provided in the second paper stacking section which regulates the same side edge of the paper as the side edge regulated by the guide member, the guide member and the regulating member are separate members, and the second paper stacking section is made removable.

The present invention makes it possible to improve productivity while maintaining the quality and alignment of the loaded deliverables.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a control structure of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of a component including first and second paper stacking units according to the embodiment; FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of components including first and second paper stacking units according to the embodiment, showing a scene following FIG. 3 . 5 is a front cross-sectional view of components including first and second paper stacking units according to the embodiment, showing a scene following FIG. 4 . 6 is a front cross-sectional view of components including first and second paper stacking units according to the embodiment, showing a scene following FIG. 5 . 7 is a front cross-sectional view of components including first and second paper stacking units according to the embodiment, showing a scene following FIG. 6. 8 is a front cross-sectional view of components including first and second paper stacking units according to the embodiment, showing a scene following FIG. 7 . FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a second paper stacking section according to the embodiment; 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a transmission mechanism between two shutters in the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a control operation of a paper discharge process and opening and closing of a shutter. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion extending from a lower end of a guide member to an upper end of a regulating member as viewed in an X direction. FIG. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an example of a state in which a cutting process has been performed on a sheet of paper. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a configuration in which a partition plate is provided in a paper stacking section according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

The following describes in detail the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

[Overview of the image forming apparatus]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is configured to include a main body 10, a relay unit RU, a post-processing device 20 serving as a paper transport device, and a finisher FS.

The main body 10 forms a color image by electrophotography based on image data obtained by reading an image from a document or image data received from an external device. The paper on which the image has been formed is discharged to the relay unit RU by a paper discharge roller R1.
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the main body 10 is configured to include an operation unit 11, a display unit 12, a document reading unit 13, an image forming unit 14, a paper feeding unit 15, an image forming control unit 16, a memory unit 17, a controller IF (Interface) 18, and an image processing unit 19.

The operation unit 11 includes a touch panel formed to cover the display screen of the display unit 12, as well as various operation buttons such as numeric buttons and a start button, and outputs an operation signal based on a user's operation to the image formation control unit 16.

The display unit 12 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and displays various screens according to the instructions of a display signal input from the image formation control unit 16.

The document reading unit 13 includes an ADF (automatic document feeder), a scanner, etc., and outputs image data obtained by reading an image of a document to the image formation control unit 16.

The image forming unit 14 forms an image on a sheet of paper supplied from the paper feed unit 15 based on the image data that has been image-processed by the image processing unit 19 .
The image forming unit 14 is configured to include photosensitive drums 141Y, 141M, 141C, and 141K corresponding to each of the colors yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), an intermediate transfer belt 142, a secondary transfer roller 143, and a fixing unit 144.

After being uniformly charged, the photoconductor drum 141Y is scanned and exposed by a laser beam based on yellow image data to form an electrostatic latent image, and then yellow toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 141Y to develop it.
The photoconductor drums 141M, 141C, and 141K are similar to the photoconductor drum 141Y except for the colors they handle, and therefore descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The toner images of each color formed on the photoconductor drums 141Y, 141M, 141C, and 141K are successively transferred (primary transfer) onto the rotating intermediate transfer belt 142. That is, a color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 142 in which the toner images of the four colors are superimposed.
The color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 142 are transferred all at once onto a sheet of paper by a secondary transfer roller 143 (secondary transfer).

The fixing unit 144 includes a heating roller that heats the paper onto which the color toner image has been transferred, and a pressure roller that pressurizes the paper, fixing the color toner image to the paper by applying heat and pressure.

The paper feed unit 15 includes paper feed trays T11 to T13, and supplies paper to the image forming unit 14. Each of the paper feed trays T11 to T13 stores paper of a paper type and size that is predetermined for that paper feed tray.

The image forming control unit 16 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a memory.
The CPU reads out various processing programs stored in the ROM and, in accordance with the programs, performs centralized control of the operations of the various components of the main body 10. In addition, when post-processing is to be performed on the output paper, the CPU issues an instruction to the post-processing device 20 to execute a predetermined post-processing.
The ROM is configured from a non-volatile semiconductor memory or the like, and stores various processing programs, parameters and files required for executing the programs, and the like.
The memory is configured with a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or the like, and temporarily stores various data such as programs and image data related to various image processes.

The storage unit 17 is a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or semiconductor memory that stores various data such as programs and image data. The storage unit 17 stores data such as program data and various setting data in a manner that allows the image formation control unit 16 to read and write the data.

The controller IF18 receives image data input from an external device.

The image processing unit 19 performs necessary image processing on the image data stored in the memory unit 17, the image data obtained by reading an image from a document using the document reading unit 13, and the image data input from an external device, and transmits the image data after image processing to the image forming unit 14. Image processing includes gradation processing, halftone processing, color conversion processing, etc. Gradation processing is a process that converts the gradation value of each pixel of the image data into a corrected gradation value so that the density characteristics of the image formed on the paper match the target density characteristics. Halftone processing is an error diffusion process, a screen process using an ordered dither method, etc. Color conversion processing is a process that converts each RGB gradation value into each CMYK gradation value.

The relay unit RU is installed between the main body 10 and the post-processing device 20, and has the function of synchronizing with the transport speed of the paper transported from the main body 10.

The post-processing device 20 is a device that performs post-processing as necessary on the paper output from the relay unit RU. Examples of post-processing include slitter processing, gutter slitter processing, CD cutting processing, crease processing, and FD/CD perforation processing. Post-processing is not essential, and the post-processing device 20 performs it only when instructed to do so by the main body unit 10. If no post-processing is required, the post-processing device 20 transports the transported paper directly to the finisher FS.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the post-processing device 20 is configured to include a conveying section 21, post-processing modules M1 to M4, a paper discharge roller (paper discharge section) 22 that discharges the finished product (hereinafter simply referred to as paper) cut to business card/card size by the post-processing modules M1 to M4 to a buffer 23, a buffer (first paper stacking section) 23 that is provided below the paper discharge roller 22 and temporarily stacks the paper discharged by the paper discharge roller 22, a tray (second paper stacking section) 24 that is provided below the buffer 23 and to which the paper temporarily stacked in the buffer 23 is transferred, a purge tray 25 that stacks the paper to be purged from the post-processing device 20, a post-processing control section 26, and a bottom opening/closing device 27.

The transport unit 21 transports the paper transported from the relay unit RU to the post-processing modules M1 to M4, and transports the paper that has been post-processed in the post-processing modules M1 to M4 to various trays (tray 24, purge tray 25) or the finisher FS.

The post-processing modules M1 to M4 perform post-processing on the transported paper.
In this embodiment, the most upstream post-processing module M1 is a slitter, the post-processing module M2 is a creaser for performing a crease (creasing) process on the paper, the post-processing module M3 is a gutter slitter for cutting (cutting the gutter) the paper in the center in the CD direction (width direction), and the most downstream post-processing module M4 is a CD cutter for cutting the CD.
In this embodiment, in particular, the slitter (post-processing module M1), the gutter slitter (post-processing module M3), and the CD cutter (post-processing module M4) function as the cutting unit of the present invention. The paper discharge rollers 22 are disposed immediately after the cutting unit (post-processing module M4) located furthest downstream in the conveying direction.

[Paper loading details]
1 and 2 as well as 3 to 12, the stacking of sheets on the buffer (first sheet stacking section) 23 and further on the tray (second sheet stacking section) 24 will be described. In the drawings, three orthogonal axes are shown, with the X axis representing the conveying direction of the sheet P by the conveying section 21, the Z axis representing the vertical direction, and the Y axis representing the direction perpendicular to the X and Z directions.
The buffer 23 is a first paper stacking section that temporarily stacks the paper P cut to the size of a business card/card by the post-processing device 20. The bottom surface of the buffer 23 is provided with double-door shutters 231a and 231b that open to the upstream and downstream sides of the transport direction X of the paper P, and the paper P falls from the bottom of the buffer 23 when the shutters 231a and 231b are opened. The tray 24 is a second paper stacking section that receives and stacks the paper P that has fallen from the bottom of the buffer 23. A series of operations for stacking paper from the paper discharge roller 22 to the tray 24 are shown in Figures 3 to 8. A guide plate G1 is provided between the buffer 23 and the tray 24 to regulate the movement of the paper P in the Y direction when it falls and guide the paper to the tray 24.

The buffer 23 has an upper opening that serves as an inlet for the paper P, and has shutters 231a, 231b at the bottom. The partition plate 232 is a regulating member that regulates the two side edges of the paper P along the transport direction X. There are multiple partition plates 232 in the width direction Y, the number of which is the number of papers P lined up in the Y direction when discharged from the paper discharge section (22) plus one. Multiple ribs 233 extending only in the vertical direction Z are provided in some areas on the opposing surfaces of the partition plates 232.

The guide plate G1 is provided in the intermediate portion G between the buffer 23 and the tray 24, and is a guide member that regulates the side edges of the paper P and guides the paper P from the buffer 23 to the tray 24. The guide plate G1 regulates the two side edges of the paper P along the transport direction X.

The tray 24 has a structure with a bottom member 241 and an upper opening that accepts paper P, and is removable. Regulating plates 242 are provided as regulating members that regulate the two side edges of paper P along the transport direction X. There are also multiple regulating plates 242 provided in the width direction Y, the number of which is equal to the number of papers P lined up in the Y direction when discharged from the paper discharge section (22) plus one. A schematic plan view of the tray 24 corresponding to the schematic plan view of the buffer 23 in FIG. 14 is shown in FIG. 9. The position of the paper storage section of the upper buffer 23 and the position of the paper storage section of the lower tray 24 are aligned vertically.

A partition plate 232, a guide plate G1, and a regulating plate 242 are arranged in this order from the top directly below the area between the sheets of paper P that are lined up in the Y direction when discharged from the paper discharge section (22). The partition plate 232 and the guide plate G1 are formed as an integrated plate. A part of the rib 233 of the partition plate 232 is continuous with the rib G1a of the guide plate G1. The guide plate G1 and the regulating plate 242 are separate to enable the tray 24 to be removed. A plurality of ribs 243 extending only in the vertical direction Z are also provided in a partial area on the opposing surfaces of the regulating plates 242.
When the paper P discharged from the paper discharge section (22) falls, the partition plate 232, the guide plate G1, and the regulating plate 242 function as members that regulate the two side edges of the paper P in the transport direction X.
During the falling movement of the paper P discharged from the paper discharge section (22), the members that regulate the two side edges of the paper P along the Y direction are the two side members 236 arranged opposite to each other in the X direction of the buffer 23, the two side members 246 arranged opposite to each other in the X direction of the tray 24, and further, in the intermediate section G, the shutters 231a, 231b that open.

(Details of bottom opening and closing device)
The bottom opening/closing device 27 for opening and closing the shutters 231a and 231b will now be described in detail.
The shutters 231a and 231b correspond to support members disposed at the bottom of the buffer 23 and supporting the paper P. The shutters 231a and 231b only need to support the paper P, and therefore do not need to have an area large enough to block the entire bottom surface of the buffer 23.
The bottom opening/closing device 27 operates the shutters 231a, 231b between a closed position (FIGS. 3 and 8) where the sheet P is supported from below and an open position (FIG. 7) where the support is released and the sheet P is allowed to fall.

In this embodiment, the support member at the bottom of the first paper stacking section is composed of two support members, i.e., two shutters 231a, 231b, which rotate around support shafts 234a, 234b arranged parallel to each other on both sides of the bottom of the buffer 23 facing the conveying direction X.
Therefore, in the intermediate portion G, the opening shutters 231a, 231b can regulate the two side edges of the paper P along the Y direction, and the position of the paper P in the X direction can be maintained within a predetermined range, allowing the paper P to be transported from the buffer 23 to the tray 24.

The shutter 231a is disposed on the upstream side of the conveying direction X. The shutter 231b is disposed on the downstream side of the conveying direction X. The support shaft 234a is disposed on the upstream side of the conveying direction X and is parallel to the Y direction. The support shaft 234b is disposed on the downstream side of the conveying direction X and is parallel to the Y direction. The shutter 231a is fixed to the support shaft 234a and opens and closes by the rotation of the support shaft 234a. The shutter 231b is fixed to the support shaft 234b and opens and closes by the rotation of the support shaft 234b. The rotation directions of the support shaft 234a and the support shaft 234b during the opening and closing operations are opposite to each other.

The shafts 234a and 234b are power-coupled with each other at a rotation ratio of 1:1 by a transmission mechanism 235 as shown in Fig. 10. The power of a stepping motor is transmitted to one of the shafts 234a and 234b, and is then transmitted to the other of the shafts 234a and 234b via the transmission mechanism 235 at a rotation ratio of 1:1.
With the above-described mechanism, the bottom opening/closing device 27 operates the two shutters 231a, 231b while maintaining the opening ratio of the two shutters 231a, 231b at one to one.
Therefore, the two side edges of the paper P along the Y direction can be evenly regulated by the opening shutters 231a, 231b, and tilt of the paper P about the Y axis when it falls can be suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the shutters 231a and 231b are in the open position, they are retracted from the range vertically below the paper P stacked in the buffer 23 when viewed vertically (as viewed in the Z direction).
Therefore, an opening is ensured that allows the paper P to fall horizontally onto the tray 24.

As shown in FIG. 7, the opening width WXa of the shutters 231a, 231b when in the open position is smaller than the X-direction width WXb of the upper end opening of the tray 24 when viewed vertically (in the Z direction), and falls within the X-direction width WXb of the upper end opening.
Therefore, even if the paper P that falls away from the lower ends of the shutters 231a, 231b in the open position is misaligned in the X direction, it is easily captured within the upper opening of the tray 24, improving the reliability of storing and stacking the paper P on the tray 24.

The bottom opening/closing device 27 has a fixing means for holding the shutters 231a and 231b in the open position. The fixing means is, for example, a magnetic catch 237 that abuts against and locks the outer surface of the shutter 231a. Another fixing means may be to operate an electromagnetic brake of a stepping motor that drives the shutters 231a and 231b by the number of steps corresponding to the open position of the shutters 231a and 231b.
By providing such fixing means, the position of the shutters 231a, 231b, which act as regulating members (guiding members) when the paper P falls onto the tray 24, can be repeatedly maintained with high accuracy, and the paper P can be stably guided to the tray 24.

In this embodiment, the post-processing control unit 26 controls the bottom opening and closing device 27 .
The post-processing control section 26 controls the shutters 231a and 231b to the open position when a predetermined number of sheets P are stacked in the buffer 23. This will be described in detail with reference to the flow chart of Fig. 11. For the operation state, refer to Figs. 3 to 8.
The post-processing control unit 26 maintains the shutters 231a and 231b in the closed position as shown in FIG. 3, executes the paper discharge process from the paper discharge unit (22) to the buffer 23, and counts the number of discharged sheets (step S1).
When the count reaches a predetermined number (YES in step S2), the post-processing control unit 26 prohibits discharge from the discharge unit (22) to the buffer 23, opens the shutters 231a and 231b, moves the paper P from the buffer 23 to the tray 24 (FIG. 4 → FIG. 5 → FIG. 6 → FIG. 7), and resets the count (step S3). When the paper P falls onto the tray 24, the shutters 231a and 231b are closed (FIG. 8, step S4).
If there is more paper to be discharged (NO in step S5), the process returns to step S1 and the above process is repeated. Note that a sensor that detects whether or not there is paper P in the tray 24 and further the amount of paper P loaded may be used to determine and control whether or not to open the shutters 231a and 231b before step S4.

(Details of the guide member (regulating member) after passing through the buffer)
Further, the guide plate G1 and the regulating plate 242 which are the guide members (regulating members) after passing through the buffer will be described.
As described above, the guide plate G1 is provided in the intermediate portion G between the buffer 23 and the tray 24, and is a guide member that regulates the side edges of the paper P and guides the paper P from the buffer 23 to the tray 24. The guide plate G1 regulates two side edges of the paper P in the transport direction X.
This guide plate G1 can guide the paper P from the buffer 23 to the tray 24 while maintaining the uniformity of the position in the Y direction.

The guide plate G1 has members only in a central region G12 corresponding to a central region P12 between an upstream region P11 and a downstream region P13 in the transport direction X of the side edge of the paper P along the transport direction X (see FIG. 6). In the intermediate portion G, the regions G11 and G13 corresponding to the upstream region P11 and the downstream region G13 have an open structure.
Therefore, the upstream portion P11 or the downstream portion P13 of the paper P is prevented from contacting the guide plate G1 and tilting the paper P around the Y axis, and the guide plate G1 can guide the paper P to the tray 24 with good alignment in the Y direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the maximum width WX2 of the regulating plate 242 of the tray 24 is wider than the maximum width WX1 of the guide plate G1.
Therefore, the width of the regulating plate 242 can be made wide without being restricted by the maximum width WX1 of the guide plate G1, and the alignment of the sheets P in the tray 24 can be maintained satisfactorily.

As described above, the guide plate G1 and the restricting plate 242 are separate members.
Therefore, while the guide plate G1 is integrated with the partition plate 232, the tray 24 can be removed while the regulating plate 242 remains integrated with the tray 24.

The lower end of the guide plate G1 and the upper end of the restriction plate 242 are vertically spaced apart from each other.
Therefore, the user can easily remove and install the tray 24.

The upper end of the regulating plate 242 is narrower than the width WX1 of the lower end of the guide plate G1.
This can reduce the likelihood of paper P, which falls away from the lower end of guide plate G1, entering tray 24 and coming into contact with regulating plate 242. In this embodiment, the upper end of regulating plate 242 is pointed upward and is sufficiently narrower than width WX1. In this embodiment, the width (X-direction dimension) of guide plate G1 is constant.

When viewed vertically (when viewed in the Z direction), the upper end of the regulating plate 242 is located below the range of width WX1 of the lower end of the guide plate G1.
Therefore, in the X direction, the upper end of the regulating plate 242 can be positioned within a range overlapping with the guide plate G1, and similarly to the guide plate G1, tilt of the paper P contacting the regulating plate 242 about the Y axis can be suppressed.

The restricting plate 242 has a shape that gradually becomes wider from the upper end toward the lower end.
The width of the regulating plate 242 gradually increases from the upper end downward, reaching a maximum width WX2 at the lower end. As the paper P falls, the contact area between the paper P and the regulating plate 242 gradually increases.
Therefore, the paper P falls smoothly into the tray 24, and the alignment of the paper P in the tray 24 can be ensured. The position where the maximum width WX2 is achieved does not have to be the bottom end.

As shown in FIG. 12, the thickness TY2 at the upper end of the regulating plate 242 is smaller than the thickness TY1 at the lower end of the guide plate G1.
When viewed in the Z direction, the upper end of the regulating plate 242 can be contained within the range of the lower end of the guide plate G1, so that paper P falling away from the lower end of the guide plate G1 is less likely to collide with the upper end of the regulating plate 242, and can be easily accommodated in the tray 24.
The thickness includes ribs, if any. In this embodiment, the thickness (dimension in the Y direction) of the guide plate G1 is constant.

As shown in FIG. 12, the upper end of the regulating plate 242 is provided with a guide gradient α that narrows the dimensions (WY2, WY3) that regulate the width of the paper P toward the lower position.
The relationship between the restricted width WY1 by the adjacent guide plates G1, G1, the restricted width WY2 by the upper ends of the adjacent restricting plates 242, and the minimum restricted width WY3 by the restricting plate 242 is as follows.
WY1<WY2, WY3<WY2
The limiting plate 242 has a minimum thickness TY2 at the top end. When the limiting plate 242 is observed from the top end downward, the plate-like portion gradually becomes thicker and when it reaches its maximum thickness, the rib 243 begins to rise, and the rib 243 gradually becomes higher until the limiting plate 242 reaches its maximum thickness TY3 at the position where the rib 243 is at its maximum protrusion. Below that, the thickness is constant at maximum thickness TY3.
Because the regulating plate 242 has the above-described guide gradient α, the paper P that falls away from the lower end of the guide plate G1 is captured within the tray 24 and falls smoothly, and is again regulated within the narrow range WY3, thereby ensuring alignment of the paper P within the tray 24.
In Figure 12, the inclination angle of the guide gradient α is constant regardless of the height position, but if there is a tendency for the dimensions (WY2, WY3) that regulate the width of the paper P to be narrower at lower positions, the inclination angle does not need to be constant, and the guide gradient may be one whose inclination angle changes, such as a curved one.

[Summary of effects, etc.]
According to the paper conveying device of the above embodiment, a user can remove the end product (P) along with the tray 24 without interrupting production of the end product (P), and in particular can remove a stack of the end product (P) while keeping it neatly arranged in the tray 24.
There is no need to interrupt production of the product (P) in order for a user or the like to remove the product (P) from the tray 24, and there is no risk of productivity decreasing.
By having a user or a machine remove the finished product (P) together with the tray 24 and set an empty tray 24, it is possible to continue discharging and stacking the finished product in the buffer 23, thereby improving the productivity of the finished product (P).
By holding a stack of the deliverables (P) in the tray 24, the deliverables (P) can be handed over to a user or the like while maintaining their alignment.
The action of the shutters, guide plates, regulating plates, etc. described above allows stacks of deliverables (P) to be stacked in good order in the tray 24. The deliverables (P) are not stacked in an incorrect posture or position, so the quality of the deliverables (P) is maintained. Contact of the guide plates G1 and regulating plates 242 with the corners of the falling deliverables (P) is avoided as much as possible, so the quality of the deliverables (P) is maintained.
Therefore, according to the paper transport device of this embodiment, it is possible to improve productivity while maintaining the quality and alignment of the loaded deliverables (P).

In the above embodiment, the post-processing device 20 is described as an example of a paper transport device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the image forming device 1 is configured only as the main body unit 10 (not including the post-processing device 20, relay unit RU, or finisher FS), the paper discharge roller R1 can be used as the paper discharge unit, and first and second paper stacking units (23, 24) having the same configuration as in the embodiment can be newly provided below the paper discharge roller R1, thereby making the image forming device 1 (main body unit 10) the paper transport device of the present invention.

In addition, the detailed configuration and operation of each device constituting the image forming apparatus may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Reference Signs List 1 Image forming apparatus 10 Main body 11 Operation unit 12 Display unit 13 Document reading unit 14 Image forming unit 15 Paper feeding unit 16 Image forming control unit 17 Storage unit 18 Controller IF
19 Image processing unit 20 Post-processing device (paper conveying device)
21 conveying section 22 paper discharge roller (paper discharge section)
23 Buffer (first paper stacking section)
231a, 231b shutter 232 partition plate (regulating member)
233 Rib 24 Tray (second paper stacking section)
242 Regulating plate (regulating member)
25 Purge tray 26 Post-processing control unit (rotation control unit)
27 Bottom opening/closing device M1, M3, M4 Post-processing module (cutting section)
M2 Post-processing module G1 Guide plate (guide member)
RU Relay Unit FS Finisher

Claims (9)

A conveying unit that conveys paper;
a paper discharge section that discharges the paper conveyed by the conveyance section;
a first paper stacking section provided below the paper discharge section and configured to stack the paper discharged by the paper discharge section;
a second paper stacking section provided below the first paper stacking section for receiving and stacking the paper that has fallen from a bottom portion of the first paper stacking section;
Equipped with
The first paper stacking section is provided with a bottom opening/closing device that operates a support member that is disposed at the bottom of the first paper stacking section and supports the paper between a closed position in which the paper is supported and an open position in which the support is released and the paper is allowed to fall ,
a guide member that regulates a side edge of a sheet and guides the sheet from the first sheet stacking section to the second sheet stacking section is provided in an intermediate section between the first sheet stacking section and the second sheet stacking section;
a regulating member for regulating the same side edge of the paper as the side edge regulated by the guide member is provided in the second paper stacking section;
The guide member and the regulating member are separate members,
The second paper stacking section is removable from the paper transport device. The paper transport device according to claim 1, wherein the support member is composed of two support members that rotate around a support shaft arranged parallel to each other on opposite sides of the bottom of the first paper stacking section. The paper transport device according to claim 2, wherein the two side portions face each other in the direction in which the paper is transported by the transport unit. The paper transport device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the bottom opening/closing device operates the two support members while maintaining a 1:1 opening ratio between the two support members. The paper transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, when viewed vertically, the support member in the open position is retracted from a range vertically below the paper loaded on the first paper loading section. The paper transport device according to claim 5, wherein the opening width of the support member when in the open position is smaller than the upper end opening of the second paper stacking section when viewed vertically and is contained within the upper end opening. The paper transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the bottom opening/closing device has a fixing means for holding the support member in the open position. A control unit for controlling the bottom opening and closing device,
8. The paper transport device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the support member to an open position when a predetermined number of papers are loaded on the first paper stacking unit. an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet;
The paper transport device according to claim 1 , which transports a paper sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images