JP3330325B2 - Paper post-processing apparatus and image forming apparatus provided with paper post-processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus for post-processing transfer paper discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and an image forming apparatus provided with the sheet post-processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a sheet post-processing device, an intermediate tray for temporarily storing a plurality of transfer papers to which an image is copied (transferred) by an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and discharged to the outside, and an intermediate tray. A sheet processing unit that performs predetermined sheet processing such as stapling on a set of transfer sheets formed of a predetermined number of transfer sheets on a tray, and a stack that sequentially accumulates transfer sheet bundles discharged from the intermediate tray Some have trays.

In such a sheet post-processing apparatus, when a predetermined number of transfer sheets constituting a set of transfer sheet bundles are discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine onto an intermediate tray, the transfer sheet bundle is formed. Then, the sheet processing is performed, and the transfer sheet bundle subjected to the sheet processing is discharged from the intermediate tray and sequentially accumulated on the stack tray.

In this case, if the sheet processing is staple processing, even if each transfer sheet bundle is stacked at the same position on the stack tray, the separation of the transfer sheet bundle does not become unclear. In the case of (1) or when no paper processing is performed, if the transfer paper bundles are accumulated at the same position on the stack tray, it becomes difficult to distinguish the breaks of the transfer paper bundles forming a set.

For this reason, the sheet post-processing apparatus is provided with means for sorting the transfer paper bundle. When the staple process is not performed, each time the transfer paper bundle is discharged from the intermediate tray, the transfer paper bundle is orthogonal to the discharge direction. Sorting (offset) is performed alternately in the width direction, and the sorted state is stacked on a stack tray.

In some cases, a plurality of groups of originals are sequentially copied in units of the originals, and a transfer paper bundle corresponding to each of the copied originals is stacked and stacked on a stack tray. In the present invention, the copying operation in such a case for each document group is referred to as a job (JOB).

[0007]

In the above-described conventional paper post-processing apparatus, when the transfer paper bundle is sorted in the width direction, the transfer paper bundle which is the first set of the plurality of sets of transfer paper bundles of each job is used. Are always sorted in the same sorting direction. Therefore, when a plurality of sets of transfer sheets of the preceding job and a plurality of sets of transfer sheets of the subsequent job are stacked and stacked on the stack tray, the sorting direction of the uppermost transfer sheet set of the preceding job is If the sorting direction of the lowermost transfer paper bundle of the succeeding job is the same, the separation of the transfer paper bundle between each job becomes unclear.

For example, three copies of a first document group consisting of a predetermined number of previous jobs (first job) are arranged in a page order (so-called sort mode), and a subsequent job (second job) is copied. If two copies are copied in a state in which the second group of originals of a predetermined number of sheets of each job are arranged in page order, the transfer paper bundle of each job is sorted and stacked on the stack tray as shown in FIG. Will be integrated on top.

That is, the first set (first set) and the last set (third set) of the first job are both sorted on one side (the right side in the drawing) which is the initial position. , The middle set (second set) of transfer paper bundle is on the other side (left side in the figure)
Sorted into. Also, the first set (first set) of transfer papers of the second job is sorted to one side, which is the initial position, and the last set (second set) of transfer papers is sorted to the other side. . For this reason, the transfer sheet bundle of the last set (top row) of the first job and the transfer sheet bundle of the first set (bottom row) of the second job have the same sorting direction, and the transfer between the jobs is performed. The division of the paper bundle becomes unclear. Such a problem similarly occurs when a plurality of originals each having a predetermined number of sheets are copied for each page (so-called group mode), and a plurality of copies are made.

In the above-mentioned conventional paper post-processing apparatus, when the stapling process is performed on the transfer paper bundle, the transfer paper bundle is not sorted. For this reason, when a plurality of sets of transfer paper bundles of the first job and a plurality of sets of transfer paper bundles of the second job are stacked and stacked on the stack tray, the transfer paper bundle of each job is shown in FIG. ), And the separation of the transfer paper bundle between the jobs becomes unclear.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and when transfer paper bundles of a plurality of jobs are piled up and stacked on a stack tray, the separation of the transfer paper bundle between each job is always clearly defined. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus capable of performing the above-described processing and an image forming apparatus including the sheet post-processing apparatus.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transfer sheet bundle comprising a plurality of transfer sheets discharged from an image forming unit , wherein a plurality of sets of originals are provided.
Plural sets of the first job corresponding to the original document group in the group
Of the second job corresponding to the transfer paper bundle and the later original group
A stack tray capable of sequentially accumulating a set of transfer paper bundles; a sorting unit for sorting the transfer paper bundles stacked on the stack tray in a predetermined sorting direction ;
When an image formation start instruction is given, the stack tray
Whether or not the transfer sheet bundle of the first job exists on
A discriminating means for discriminating the first tray on the stack tray;
If the transfer paper bundle of the job does not exist, the transfer paper bundle
Sorting is performed in the preset sorting direction for
Control the sorting means so that
When said transfer paper stack of the first job is present, always sorting the row between the first set of the transfer paper stack of the first end of the set of transfer paper stack and the second job with job Control means for controlling the sorting means so as to be able to perform the sorting.

According to the configuration of the sheet post-processing apparatus, the first
When a plurality of sets of the transfer paper stack jobs and Ru is integrated to overlap the plurality of sets of the transfer paper stack and the gas on the tack tray of the second job, the last set of the transfer paper stack of the first job and the Sorting is always performed with the first set of transfer paper bundles of the second job. Accordingly, even when the transfer paper bundles of a plurality of jobs are stacked and stacked on the stack tray, the separation of the transfer paper bundles between the jobs becomes clear.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the control means includes the stack tray.
A direction discriminating unit for discriminating a sorting direction of the last set of transfer sheet bundles of the first job when a transfer sheet bundle of the first job exists on the first job; And a drive signal control means for controlling the drive of the sorting means for the first set of transfer paper bundles of the second job in accordance with the determination result.

According to the configuration of the sheet post-processing apparatus, the star
When the transfer paper bundle of the first job exists on the back tray
In the sorting direction determines the last set of the transfer paper stack of the first job, the first set of the transfer paper stack of the second job and the sorting direction of the last set of the transfer paper stack of the first job Sorted in the opposite direction. Accordingly, even when the transfer paper bundles of a plurality of jobs are stacked and stacked on the stack tray, the separation of the transfer paper bundles between the jobs becomes clear.

In a third aspect of the present invention based on the second aspect, the drive signal control means determines whether or not the sorting operation by the sorting means is the first sorting operation of the second job. Sorting operation determining means for determining whether the first set of transfer paper bundles of the second job is the last set of transfer paper bundles in the first job in the case of the first sorting operation. Drive signal output means for driving the sorting means so as to sort in the direction.

According to the configuration of the sheet post-processing apparatus, it is determined whether or not the sorting operation by the sorting unit is the first sorting operation of the second job. The sorter is driven by the drive signal output from the printer so as to sort the first set of transfer paper bundles of the second job in a direction opposite to the sorting direction of the last set of transfer paper bundles of the first job. Accordingly, even when the transfer paper bundles of a plurality of jobs are stacked and stacked on the stack tray, the separation of the transfer paper bundles between the jobs becomes clear.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming section for transferring an image to a transfer sheet , and a plurality of sets of original sheets comprising a transfer sheet bundle formed of a plurality of transfer sheets discharged from the image forming section.
A plurality of first jobs corresponding to the original group of manuscripts in the group of manuscripts
Of the second job corresponding to the set of transfer paper bundles and the later original group
A stack tray that can sequentially accumulate several sets of transfer paper bundles ,
Sorting means for sorting the transfer paper bundle accumulated on the stack tray in a predetermined sorting direction ;
When the image forming start instruction is given by
Whether or not the transfer paper bundle of the first job exists on the ray
Determining means for determining whether or not the
If there is no transfer paper bundle for one job, the transfer paper bundle
Sorting is performed on the bundle in a preset sorting direction.
So that the sorting means is controlled on the stack tray.
When said transfer paper stack of the first job is present, between the first set of the transfer paper stack of the <br/> first last set of the transfer paper stack and the second job jobs And control means for controlling the sorting means so that sorting is always performed.

[0019] The According to the configuration of the image forming apparatus, when the first plurality of sets of the transfer paper stack jobs and superimposed on the plurality of sets of the transfer paper stack and the gas on the tack tray second job Ru integrated Thus, the last set of transfer paper bundles of the first job and the first set of transfer paper bundles of the second job are always sorted. Accordingly, even when the transfer paper bundles of a plurality of jobs are stacked and stacked on the stack tray, the separation of the transfer paper bundles between the jobs becomes clear.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the control means includes the stack tray.
A direction discriminating unit for discriminating a sorting direction of the last set of transfer sheet bundles of the first job when a transfer sheet bundle of the first job exists on the first job; And a drive signal control means for controlling the drive of the sorting means for the first set of transfer paper bundles of the second job in accordance with the determination result.

[0021] According to the configuration of the image forming apparatus, stack
When the transfer sheet bundle of the first job exists on the tray, the sorting direction of the transfer sheet bundle of the last set of the first job is determined, and the transfer sheet of the first set of the second job is determined. The bundle is sorted in the direction opposite to the sorting direction of the last set of transfer paper bundles of the first job. Accordingly, even when the transfer paper bundles of a plurality of jobs are stacked and stacked on the stack tray, the separation of the transfer paper bundles between the jobs becomes clear.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, based on the fifth aspect, the drive signal control means determines whether or not the sorting operation by the sorting means is the first sorting operation of the second job. Sorting operation determining means for determining whether the first set of transfer paper bundles of the second job is the last set of transfer paper bundles in the first job in the case of the first sorting operation. And a drive signal output means for driving the sorting means so as to sort in the direction.

According to the configuration of the image forming apparatus, it is determined whether or not the sorting operation by the sorting unit is the first sorting operation of the second job. The sorter is driven by the output drive signal so as to sort the first set of transfer paper bundles of the second job in a direction opposite to the sorting direction of the last set of transfer paper bundles of the first job. Accordingly, even when the transfer paper bundles of a plurality of jobs are stacked and stacked on the stack tray, the separation of the transfer paper bundles between the jobs becomes clear.

[0024]

FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus provided with a sheet post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus includes a copying machine 1 as an image forming unit, and a sheet post-processing device (finisher) 3 as a sheet post-processing unit disposed on the left side of the copying machine 1.

The copying machine 1 includes a main body 5, a document reading section 7 provided above the main body 5, and an automatic document feeding section 9 provided above the document reading section 7. I have.

The main unit 5 includes an image reading unit 51, an optical unit 52, and an image forming unit 54 having a photosensitive drum 53.
, A fixing unit 55, and a transfer paper transporting unit 56.
An operation panel 57 is provided at a position on the upper front side of the main body 5, and a transfer paper discharge unit 58 is provided below the document reading unit 51.
Are arranged.

The original reading section 7 has a first contact glass 71 mounted on the top of the main body section 5 and a second contact glass 72 disposed on the left of the first contact glass 71. I have. This first contact glass 71
The second contact glass 7 forms a stationary original reading area for reading an image by scanning a stationary original with a scanner 512 of the original reading unit 51, which will be described later.
Reference numeral 2 denotes a conveyed document reading area for reading an image by moving the document with respect to the scanner 512 which is stationary at that position.

The automatic document feeding section 9 includes a document placing section 91,
Document discharge section 92, paper feed roller 93, transport roller 94
And a document transport section 95 having
The original set in 1 is fed out by the paper feed roller 93 and transported one by one to the position of the second contact glass 72 one by one by the original transport unit 95, and the original image is placed below the second contact glass 72. Scanner 5 located
The document read by the image reading unit 12 and having the image read out is discharged to a document discharge unit 92. The read document image is stored in a memory 114 described later. A document sensor SD is provided downstream of the document placement section 91 in the vicinity of the document placement section 91, and a detection signal is output each time a document placed on the document placement section 91 passes through the document sensor SD. It has become.

The automatic document feeder 9 is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the first contact glass 71 with a depth side end in the drawing as a pivot point. The configuration also serves as a presser for a document to be placed.

The document reading means 51 includes a guide rail 511 provided in the left and right direction, and a scanner 512 as image reading means provided reciprocally in the left and right direction along the guide rail 511. . Scanner 512
A light source including LEDs or the like for illuminating the original surface, an image reading unit including a CCD or the like, a mirror for guiding the original image to the image reading unit, and the like are provided. Usually, a first contact glass 71 and a second contact glass 72 are provided. Is to wait at a home position, which is an intermediate position of.

That is, when the original is placed on the first contact glass 71 and the start button is turned on, the scanner 512 drives the drive motor (not shown) to move the original from the home position to the leading end position of the original. (The right end in the figure). Then, the scanner 512 scans the original surface by moving from the leading end position to the trailing end position (left end in the drawing) of the original with the light source turned on, and reads an image line by line. The read image is subjected to predetermined data processing, converted into a digital signal, and stored in a memory 114 described later. When the reading of the document image is completed, the scanner 512 turns off the light source and returns to the home position.

The scanner 512 is connected to the original placing section 91.
When the original is set and the start button is turned on, the drive motor (not shown) is driven to move from the home position to the position of the second contact glass 72 while the original is transported by the original transport unit 95. Being second
When the original image passes through the contact glass 72, the original image 1
Read every line. The read image is stored in the memory 114 in the same manner as described above. Scanner 5
At 12, the image returns to the home position after the image reading of all the originals set on the original placing portion 91 is completed.

The optical unit 52 exposes the original image read from the memory 114 to the photosensitive drum 53, and converts a modulation signal generated based on the image data into a laser beam and outputs the laser beam. And a reflection mirror for reflecting the laser light from the light emitting section toward the photosensitive drum 53.

The image forming unit 54 is provided at the upper part of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 53, a developing unit provided at the downstream side of the charger, and provided at the downstream side of the developing unit. It has a cleaning unit and the like. The photoreceptor drum 53 is rotated in the direction of the arrow by the rotation of a drive motor (not shown), and an electrostatic area is formed at a position facing the charger. An electrostatic latent image is formed, and the electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image at a position facing the developing unit. A transfer roller is disposed at a position facing the photosensitive drum 53. The photosensitive drum 53 on which the toner image is formed transfers the toner image to transfer paper at a position facing the transfer roller, and is provided with a cleaning unit. The toner remaining on the surface at the opposing position is removed. The transfer paper on which the toner image has been transferred is fixed to the fixing unit 55.
Is heated and fixed.

The transfer paper transport section 56 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 561 each containing a stack of transfer papers P having different sizes, and a paper feed roller 562 for drawing out the transfer papers P in the paper feed cassette 561 to the outside. The transfer paper drawn from the paper feed cassette 561 is guided to the photosensitive drum 53,
The transfer paper on which the toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 53 is transferred to the paper post-processing device 3 or the transfer paper discharge unit 5 via the fixing unit 55.
8 is provided.

A transfer paper sensor SP is provided at a position downstream of the fixing unit 55 in the transfer paper transport path 563, and counts the number of copies. A bypass paper feed unit 564 is provided above the paper feed cassette 561. When transfer paper is set in the bypass paper feed unit 564, the transfer paper is sequentially fed out by the paper feed roller 565. It is conveyed to the photosensitive drum 53 side.

When only a part of the original placed on the first contact glass 71 or the original set on the original placing part 91 is copied, the copied transfer paper is transferred to the transfer paper discharge part 58. Is discharged. The transfer paper copied by selecting the sort mode or the group mode is supplied to the discharge port 59.
Is discharged to the sheet post-processing device 3 side. Here, the sort mode refers to a mode in which transfer sheets are aligned and discharged in the order of pages when a plurality of originals are copied in a plurality of copies, and the group mode refers to each page when a plurality of originals are copied in a plurality. This is a mode in which the number of copies is output for each copy.

Therefore, in the case of the sort mode, the number of transfer sheets constituting each set of transfer paper bundles is equal to the number of originals, and in the case of the group mode, each set of transfer paper bundles is constituted. The number of transfer papers is equal to the number of copies. Also, in the case of the sort mode, the number of sets of transfer paper bundles is equal to the number of copies, and in the case of the group mode, the number of sets of transfer paper bundles is equal to the number of documents.

The operation panel 57 includes a start button 571
A mode selection key 572 for selecting one of a sort mode and a group mode; a copy number setting key 573 including ten keys for setting the number of copies; a paper processing setting key 574 for specifying staple processing; Various setting keys 575 for setting the size and the like are provided, and a display unit 576 for displaying setting contents such as mode selection and the number of copies is provided.

The paper post-processing device 3 is provided with a discharge port 5 of the copying machine 1.
9, a transfer entrance 32 into which the transfer paper discharged from the transfer paper 9 is introduced, and a transfer paper transport unit 32 that transports the transferred transfer paper to the downstream side.
And an intermediate tray portion 34 for temporarily storing a plurality of transfer papers carried in from the carry-in entrance 31 and discharging a predetermined number of transfer paper bundles to the outside, and a lower end portion of the intermediate tray portion 34. The paper processing section 37 provided, the stack tray section 38 for accumulating the transfer sheet bundle discharged (transferred) from the intermediate tray section 34, and the conveyance for discharging the transfer sheet bundle of the intermediate tray section 34 to the stack tray section 38. An outlet 39 is provided.

The transfer paper transport section 32 transports the transfer paper carried in from the carry-in port 31 to the intermediate tray section 34, and includes a common transport path 321 and a main transport path 322 branched from the common transport path 321 and a bypass. And a transport path 323. The common transport path 321 includes a transport roller pair 324 that transports the transfer paper loaded from the transport entrance 31 to the downstream side,
A direction switching valve 325 for transporting the transfer paper transported by the transport roller pair 324 to one of the main transport path 322 and the bypass transport path 323 is provided.

The directional control valve 325 is switched by a solenoid (not shown) to one of a position indicated by a solid line and a position indicated by a chain line. Conveyance path 32
2, the transfer paper is fed to the bypass conveyance path 323 when it is switched to the position indicated by the chain line.

In the main transport path 322, four pairs of transport rollers 326, which are sequentially arranged from the upstream side to the downstream side,
327, 328, 329, and direction switching valves 330, 331, 332 disposed between each pair of transport rollers. Each of the direction switching valves 330, 331 and 332 is switched by a solenoid (not shown) to one of a position indicated by a solid line and a position indicated by a chain line. At that position, the sheet is discharged to the intermediate tray portion 34, and when the position is switched to the position indicated by the dashed line, the transfer sheet is further transported downstream.

In the bypass conveying path 323, the conveying rollers 3
33 are provided. The bypass conveyance path 323 is used when the sheet processing unit 37 performs the sheet processing on the transfer sheet bundle stored in the intermediate tray unit 34 or when the intermediate tray unit 3
This is selected while the transfer paper bundle No. 4 is being discharged to the stack tray section 38, and temporarily stores the transfer paper discharged from the copying machine 1 during the operation thereof. The stack of transfer sheets in the intermediate tray section 34 is
8, the transfer paper stored in the bypass conveyance path 323 is discharged to the intermediate tray unit 34.

The intermediate tray section 34 is disposed so as to be inclined such that the upper side is located on the stack tray section 38 side and the lower end side is located on the copying machine 1 side, and a predetermined number of sheets loaded from the copying machine 1 side are provided. An intermediate tray (tray main body) 341 for temporarily storing transfer paper, a transfer unit 342 for discharging a transfer paper bundle formed of a predetermined number of transfer papers stored on the intermediate tray 341 to the outside, and an intermediate tray 341 And a sorting unit 343 for sorting (offset) the transfer paper bundle stored in the printer in the left-right direction (the width direction orthogonal to the transfer paper conveyance direction). A discharge path 40 is provided above the intermediate tray 34, and a discharge roller pair 41 is provided at the end of the discharge path 40.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the intermediate tray section 34. That is, the conveying means 342 is bridged between the upper pulley 344 disposed at the upper end of the intermediate tray 341 and the lower pulley 345 disposed at the lower end thereof, and reaches the predetermined number of sheets. Intermediate tray 3
The stack of transfer paper bundles on the stack tray section 3
It has a transport belt 346 for discharging to the 8 side, and a transport belt drive motor 347 connected to the drive shaft of the lower pulley 345.

The transport belt 346 is provided at the center of the left belt 3 along the transfer paper transport direction (the direction of arrow A).
48 and a right belt 349. Each belt 34
8, 349 are arranged so as to surround the peripheral surface of the intermediate tray 341, and the portion existing on the surface side of the intermediate tray 341 is depressed in a vertical groove 350 formed on the surface of the intermediate tray 341. The portion that is provided and is present on the back side of the intermediate tray 341 is bridged over the tension roller 351 (FIG. 1).

The conveyor belt 346 has a hook-shaped receiving portion 352 for receiving the lower end surface of the transfer sheet at a position existing on the surface side of the intermediate tray 341.
The receiving portion 352 is rotatably driven by the conveyor belt drive motor 347 so as to move between a lower end position indicated by a solid line and an upper end position indicated by a chain line. That is, the receiving portion 352
When the transfer paper is discharged onto the intermediate tray 341, it is at the lower end position, which is the home position. When the transfer paper bundle on the intermediate tray 341 is discharged onto the stack tray 371, it is moved from the lower end position, which is the home position, to the upper end. Will move to the position.

The sorting means 343 is arranged on the left side of the intermediate tray 341 along the transfer paper transport direction, and is a long left-hand side for shifting the transfer paper bundle to the right side in the drawing with respect to the discharge direction. A width shifting member 353, left member moving means 354 for moving the left width shifting member 353 in the left-right direction (width direction),
An elongated right width shifting member 355 arranged on the right side of the intermediate tray 341 along the transfer paper transport direction and for shifting the transfer paper bundle to the left side in the drawing with respect to the discharge direction. Right member moving means 356 for moving the width shifting member 355 in the left-right direction (width direction).

The left width shifting member 353 is fitted with a left slide hole 358 formed in the intermediate tray 341 and extending in the left and right direction, with a support shaft 357 mounted vertically on the bottom surface.
It is movable between the left end and the center.

The left member moving means 354 is a rack 35 on which the support shaft 357 of the left width shifting member 353 is mounted on the upper surface.
9 and the pinion 360 meshed with the rack 359
And a left member drive motor 3 for driving the pinion 360
61, the left member driving motor 361 rotates in both the forward and reverse directions so that the rack 359
As a result of the movement along 58, the left width shifting member 353 reciprocates between the left end side and the center side.

A left member sensor SH is provided on the left edge of the intermediate tray 341 on the rear surface side, and a left width shifting member 353 is provided.
Detects the end of the rack 359 when it moves to the home position which is the leftmost position, and the left width shifting member 3 is determined based on the home position.
The movement distance of 53 is managed.

The right width shifting member 355 is fitted with a right slide hole 362 formed in the intermediate tray 341 and extending in the left and right direction, with a support shaft 362 mounted upright on the bottom surface.
It is movable between the right end and the center.

The right member moving means 356 is a rack 36 on which the support shaft 362 of the right width shifting member 355 is mounted on the upper surface.
4 and the pinion 365 meshed with the rack 364
And a right member drive motor 3 for driving the pinion 365
66, and the right member drive motor 366 rotates in both the forward and reverse directions, so that the rack 364 is moved to the right slide hole 3.
As a result of moving along 62, the right width shifting member 355 reciprocates between the right end side and the center side.

A right member sensor SM is disposed on the right side edge of the back side of the intermediate tray 341, and a right width shifting member 355 is provided.
Detects the end of the rack 364 when it moves to the home position, which is the position on the rightmost side.
55 movement distances are managed.

The paper processing section 37 includes an intermediate tray 34.
A pair of staplers 371 and 37 at a predetermined interval
2 for stapling the edges of the transfer sheet bundle discharged onto the intermediate tray 341. Note that the staplers 371 and 372 are provided with drive motors 373 and 374, respectively, and one stapler 371 (or the other stapler 372) is used to perform stapling on one edge of the transfer paper bundle. When the stapling process is performed on two edges of the transfer paper bundle, both staplers 371 and 372 are used.

Returning to FIG. 1, the stack tray section 38 includes a stack tray (tray main body) 381 and moving means 382 for reciprocating the stack tray 381 in the vertical direction (the direction of arrow B). The moving means 382 includes a moving belt 385 bridged over the upper roller 383 and the lower roller 384, and the moving belt 385
Moving belt drive motor 38 which is driven to rotate via 84
6 is provided.

At a position near the upper roller 383, for example, a position sensor ST for detecting whether or not the stack tray 381 is at the uppermost position, and an accumulation for detecting the accumulation height of the transfer paper bundle on the stack tray 381. A height sensor SS is provided. The integrated height sensor SS is constituted by, for example, a light reflection type photo interrupter, and includes a position sensor ST.
Is composed of, for example, a light transmission type photo interrupter.

That is, in a state where the transfer sheet bundle is not discharged onto the stack tray 381,
1 rises to the uppermost position (initial position) and stack tray 3
The light shielding plate attached to 81 blocks the optical path of the position sensor ST, so that it is detected that the stack tray 381 is at the uppermost position.

When the transfer sheet bundle is discharged onto the stack tray 381, the stacking height sensor SS detects that, and the moving belt drive motor 386 is driven in a direction to lower the stack tray 381. Accordingly, the distance between the upper surface of the transfer sheet bundle on the stack tray 381 and the outlet 39 is substantially equal to the distance between the upper surface of the stack tray 381 and the outlet 39 when the transfer sheet bundle is not discharged. , So that the transfer sheet bundle is reliably discharged from the intermediate tray 341. As described above, the lowering of the stack tray 381 forms an optical path of the position sensor ST which is blocked by the light blocking plate. As a result, it is determined that the transfer paper bundle is discharged onto the stack tray 381. Will be.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration centering on the operation of the sheet post-processing apparatus 3 according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a control unit 11 is provided on the copying machine 1 side, and performs a predetermined calculation or control process.
And a ROM 11 storing a predetermined processing program
1 and a RAM 112 for temporarily storing processing data. The control unit 13 is provided on the sheet post-processing device 3 side, and performs a predetermined calculation or control process.
PU 130, ROM 131 storing a predetermined processing program, and RAM temporarily storing processing data
132. These control units 11 and 13
Connected via respective input / output units 113 and 133,
By performing the bidirectional communication, the operations of the copying machine 1 and the sheet post-processing device 3 are controlled.

The CPU 110 of the control unit 11 includes a start button 571, a mode selection key 572, a copy number setting key 573, a paper processing setting key 574, a document sensor SD, a transfer paper sensor SP, a left member sensor SH, and a right member. While the sensor SM, the position sensor ST, and the integrated height sensor SS are connected and a predetermined signal is input,
The PU 131 is connected to the transport belt drive motor 347, the left member drive motor 361, the right member drive motor 366, the stapler drive motors 373, 374, and the moving belt drive motor 386, so that the transport belt 346, the left width shifting member 3
53, right width shifting member 355, staplers 371, 372
Each operation of the moving belt 385 is controlled.

The CPU 110 is connected to a rewritable memory 114 for storing a document image.
16, copy number counting means 117, bundle number determination means 1
18, a position determining unit 119, a bundle determining unit 120, and a set number counting unit 121.
The CPU 130 includes a sorting direction determining unit 134, a sorting operation determining unit 135, a width shifting member driving signal output unit 13.
6, each of which has the function realizing means of the conveying belt drive signal output means 137, the moving belt drive signal output means 138, and the stapler drive signal output means 139.

The sorting direction judging means 134 is provided with the first
, And a sorting operation determining unit 135 includes a first operation determining unit 143 and a second operation determining unit 144. Further, the width shifting member drive signal output unit 136 includes a first signal output unit 145 and a second signal output unit 146.
It has. Note that the first operation determining means 143 and the first
The signal output means 145 constitutes a first drive signal control means, and the second operation determination means 144 and the second signal output means 146 constitute a second drive signal control means.

Here, the paper processing determining means 115 determines whether or not the staple processing is set as the paper processing for the transfer paper bundle.
Reference numeral 16 denotes a unit for counting the number of originals placed on the original placing unit 91. A copy number counting unit 117 counts the number of copies made by the copying machine 1 from the first page to the last page for each set of transfer paper bundles. Is counted continuously up to the page.

The number-of-bundles discriminating means 118 determines whether or not the number of transfer sheets discharged from the intermediate tray 341 has reached the number of transfer sheets constituting the set of transfer sheets. Is to determine whether or not the transfer paper bundle is discharged onto the stack tray 381. Also,
The bundle determination unit 120 determines whether the transfer paper bundle discharged from the intermediate tray 341 is the last set of transfer paper bundles in the same job. It counts the number of sets of discharged transfer paper bundles.

The sorting direction determining means 134 determines whether the previous sorting direction by the sorting means 343 is one side (for example, the right side in FIG. 2) or the other side (for example, the left side in FIG. 2).
The first direction discriminating means 141 discriminates the sorting direction of the last set of transfer paper bundles of the previous job when the transfer paper bundle of the previous job exists on the stack tray 381. The second direction discriminating means 14
2, the sorting direction of the last set of transfer paper bundles of the job is determined to be the other side by the first direction determining unit 141;
The sorting operation to be performed is a first operation determining means 1
When it is determined that the sorting operation is not the first sorting operation (first sorting operation of the first set of transfer paper bundles) by 43, the previous sorting direction is determined.

The sorting operation determining means 135 determines whether or not the sorting operation is the first sorting operation (first sorting operation of the first set of transfer paper bundles) when the sorting means 343 sorts the transfer sheet bundle. The first operation determining unit 143 performs the first sorting when the first direction determining unit 141 determines that the sorting direction of the last set of transfer paper bundles of the previous job is the other side. The second operation determining unit 144 determines whether the sorting direction of the last set of transfer paper bundles of the previous job is not on the other side by the first direction determining unit 141. , One side) is determined as to whether it is the first sorting operation.

The width shifting member drive signal output means 136 outputs a drive signal for rotating the left member drive motor 361 and the right member drive motor 366 of the sorting means 343, and the first signal output means 145 outputs A drive signal for driving the left member drive motor 361 and the right member drive motor 366 in a direction for sorting the transfer paper bundle to one side when the first operation determination unit 143 determines that the transfer operation is the first sorting operation. Output. Further, the second signal output unit 146 controls the left member driving motor 3 in the direction of sorting the transfer paper bundle to the other side when the second sorting unit 142 determines that the previous sorting direction is one side.
A drive signal for driving the motor 61 and the right member drive motor 366 is output.

The conveyor belt drive signal output means 137 is provided with a conveyor belt drive motor 347 for driving the conveyor belt 346.
For outputting a drive signal for rotationally driving the transfer belt bundle in a direction in which the transfer paper bundle is discharged;
38 outputs a driving signal for rotating the moving belt driving motor 386 for driving the moving belt 385 in the direction in which the stack tray 381 is lowered, and the stapler driving signal output means 139 has stapler processing set. In this case, when the transfer paper bundle on the intermediate tray 341 reaches the number of transfer papers constituting the transfer paper bundle to form a set, a drive signal for rotating the drive motors 373 and 374 of the staplers 371 and 372 is output. Is what you do.

Next, an outline of the overall operation of the image forming apparatus provided with the sheet post-processing device configured as described above will be described. That is, in the copying machine 1, the operation panel 57
After selecting, for example, a sort mode by the mode selection key 572, a predetermined number of copies is set by the number-of-copies setting key 573, and after a first document group including a predetermined number of documents is placed on the document placing portion 91, The start button 571 is turned on. As a result, the scanner 512 moves from the home position to the position of the second contact glass 72, while the original fed by the paper feed roller 93 is sequentially conveyed onto the second contact glass 72 by the automatic original conveyance unit 95, The document image is read by the scanner 512 and stored in the memory 114. The document for which the image reading has been completed is discharged to the document discharge unit 92.

The original image stored in the memory 114 is read out from the memory 114 at a predetermined timing to form a toner image on the photosensitive drum 53, and the toner image is supplied from the paper cassette 561 to a predetermined position. It is transferred to a transfer paper of the size. The transfer paper on which this toner image has been transferred is
After being fixed by the fixing unit 55, the sheet is discharged from the discharge port 59 to the sheet post-processing device 3 side.

In the sheet post-processing apparatus 3, the direction switching valve 325 is switched to the position shown by the solid line at the initial stage, and the transfer paper carried in from the carry-in port 31 is transferred to the main transport path 3.
22. Therefore, the transfer paper discharged from the discharge port 59 of the copying machine 1 is transferred to the carry-in port 31.
From the main transport path 322
It is led to. In the main transport path 322, one of the direction switching valves 330 to 332 is switched to the position indicated by the solid line corresponding to the transfer paper size (the other direction switching valves are switched to the position indicated by the chain line). .), The transfer paper is discharged onto the intermediate tray 341 via the direction switching valve. During the operation of discharging the transfer paper onto the intermediate tray 341, the left and right width shifting members 353, 35 are arranged so that the transfer paper is discharged to the center of the intermediate tray 341 in the width direction.
5 have been moved to respective predetermined positions near the center.

Then, when the number of transfer papers constituting the transfer paper bundle forming a set of the transfer papers discharged onto the intermediate tray 341 reaches the number of transfer papers, the transfer paper bundles are shifted to the left and right width shifting members 353, 35.
After being sorted in the left and right direction on the intermediate tray 341 by 5, the sheet is conveyed upward by the conveyance belt 346, and is discharged to the stack tray section 38 side by the discharge roller pair 41 via the discharge path 40. These left and right width shifting members 3
The details of the sorting operation by the sorting means 343 having 53 and 355 will be described later.

During the discharging operation of the transfer sheet bundle by the transfer belt 346, the direction switching valve 325 is switched to the position shown by the dashed line, and the transfer sheet carried in from the carry-in port 31 is sent to the bypass conveyance path 323. The paper is temporarily stored in the bypass conveyance path 323. After the transport belt 346 returns to the home position, the transfer paper stocked in the bypass transport path 323 is transferred to the intermediate tray 3.
It is discharged on 41. For this reason, the copying operation in the copying machine 1 can be continued even during the discharging operation of the transfer sheet bundle by the transport belt 346.

A plurality of sets of transfer paper bundles sequentially discharged from the intermediate tray 341 are sequentially transferred onto the stack tray 381 and accumulated in a state where they are sorted in the left-right direction. Then, the first job is completed when a plurality of sets of transfer paper bundles corresponding to the number of copies are accumulated. The stack tray 381 is lowered by a predetermined distance each time the transfer paper bundle is discharged.

Subsequently, the predetermined number of copies is reset by the number-of-copies setting key 573 (if different from the number of copies of the first job), and the second document group consisting of a predetermined number of documents is placed in the document placing section 91. Start button 571
N. As a result, the copying operation is started, and the transfer sheet bundle of the second document group is sequentially transferred onto the transfer sheet bundle of the first job, and is stacked in a state of being sorted in the left-right direction. The second job ends when a plurality of sets of transfer paper bundles corresponding to the number of copies are accumulated. The stack tray 381 is lowered by a predetermined distance each time the transfer paper bundle is discharged.

When there is a document group following the second document group, the document group is sequentially copied following the second job, and each transfer sheet bundle of the document group is stacked on the stack tray 38.
The sheets are stacked in a state of being sorted on the transfer paper bundle of the previous job.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts for explaining the sorting operation of the transfer sheet bundle by the sorting means 343. That is, the start button 571 is turned on
Then, whether or not the job to be performed from now on is to perform the stapling process on the transfer paper bundle is determined based on the setting contents of the paper processing setting key 574 based on the paper processing determination unit 1.
15 (step S1).

If this determination is denied (that is, the paper processing setting key 574 is not turned on and the stapling processing is not performed on the transfer paper bundle), copying is subsequently started and the copying machine 1 The number of copies C is counted (step S3). This counting is performed by receiving an output signal from the transfer paper sensor SP, and by
6 and the count from the first page to the last page of the transfer sheets constituting the set of transfer sheet bundles is continuously counted for each set. This count value is updated and stored in the RAM 112 every time the copy number counting means 116 counts.

Next, the number-of-copies discriminating means 11 determines whether or not the number of copies C counted by the number-of-copies counting means 116 has reached the number of transfer papers constituting a set of transfer paper bundles.
8 (step S5). This determination is made by comparing the number of sheets of transfer paper constituting the set of transfer paper bundles. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step S3, and the subsequent operations are repeatedly performed.

As described above, the number of transfer papers constituting a set of transfer paper bundles is equal to the number of originals in the case of the sort mode, and is equal to the number of copies in the case of the group mode. . The number of sets of transfer paper bundles is
In the case of the sort mode, it becomes equal to the number of copies.
In the case of the group mode, it is equal to the number of documents. Therefore, in the case of the sort mode, the number of originals is counted by the original sensor SD, and the counted value is used as the number of transfer papers constituting a set of transfer papers as a set in the RAM 11.
When the number of copies is set by the copy number setting key 573, the set number is stored in the RAM 112 as the number of sets of transfer paper bundles. Also, in the case of the group mode, when the number of copies is set by the number-of-copies setting key 573, the number of copies is stored in the RAM 112 as the number of transfer papers constituting a set of transfer paper bundles. Is counted by the document sensor SD, and this count value is used as the number of sets of the transfer paper bundle in the RAM 11.
2 is stored.

When the determination is affirmative in step S5 (that is, when the number of copies C reaches the number of transfer papers constituting the set of transfer paper bundles), the number K of sets of transfer paper bundles is increased by the set number counting means. 121 (step S
7). This count value is updated and stored in the RAM 112.

Next, it is determined whether or not the transfer sheet bundle of the previous job (first job) exists on the stack tray 381 based on the output signals from the accumulation height sensor SS and the position sensor ST. The determination is made by the means 119 (step S9). If this determination is affirmative, it is determined whether the sorting direction of the last set of transfer paper bundles of the first job is on the other side or not.
(Step S1).
1). The sorting direction is determined by, for example, updating the signal output from the width shifting member drive signal output means 136 in the RAM 132 and reading out the signal stored in the RAM 132. Of course, it is also possible to directly detect the position of the last set of transfer paper bundles by a sensor. Note that the first job may or may not perform the stapling process on the transfer paper bundle.

If the determination in step S11 is affirmative, the sorting operation to be performed is the first sorting operation of the succeeding job (second job) (the first sorting operation of a plurality of sets of transfer paper bundles in the second job). The first operation determining unit 143 determines whether the operation is a sorting operation for a set of transfer paper bundles (step S13). This determination is performed, for example, by determining whether the number K of sets of the transfer paper bundle counted in step S7 is one or not. That is, when the number of sets K is 1, it is determined that this is the first sorting operation.

If the determination in step S13 is affirmative, the left member driving motor 360 and the right member driving motor move the left width shifting member 353 and right width shifting member 355 of the intermediate tray 341 to one side (for example, right side). A drive signal for driving 365 is output by the first signal output unit 145 (step S15). As a result, the member drive motors 360 and 365 are driven, and the transfer paper bundle P discharged to the center on the intermediate tray 341 shown in FIG.
Is moved to one side shown in FIG. 6B by the left and right width shifting members 353 and 355, and the transfer paper bundle P is sorted to one side.

Thereafter, a drive signal for driving the transport belt drive motor 347 to discharge the transfer paper bundle sorted on one side to the stack tray 381 is output by the transport belt drive signal output means 137 (step S1).
7). As a result, the transport belt 346 is driven to rotate, and the transfer paper bundle is transported upward, and is discharged to the stack tray 381 side. At this time, the discharge roller pair 40 is also driven to rotate in a direction to discharge the transfer paper bundle to the stack tray 381 side. When the discharge of the transfer paper bundle is completed, the transport belt drive motor 347 drives the transport belt 346 in the reverse direction to return to the home position. Also, left and right width shifting members 3
Reference numerals 53 and 355 also return to the original positions at which the transfer paper discharged from the copying machine 1 can be stored. As a result, the first set of transfer sheets in the second job is sorted in the opposite direction to the last set of transfer sheets in the first job.

Next, the count of the number of copies C is cleared (step S19), and subsequently, it is determined by the bundle determination means 120 whether or not the last set of transfer paper bundles (step S2).
1). This determination is based on the counted number K of sets of transfer paper bundles.
And the number of job sets stored in advance (corresponding to the number of copies in the case of the sort mode). If the determination is negative, the process returns to step S3, and the subsequent operations are repeatedly executed.

If the determination in step 11 is negative (that is, if the sorting direction of the last set of transfer paper bundles of the previous job is on one side), the sorting operation to be performed next is performed on the succeeding job (second job). First sorting operation (second job)
The second operation determining unit 144 determines whether or not the job is a sorting operation for the first set of transfer paper bundles of the plurality of sets of transfer paper bundles (step S23). This determination is performed by determining whether or not the number of sets K of the transfer paper bundle counted in step S7 is 1 as described above.

If the determination is affirmative in step S23, the left member driving motor 360 and the right member driving motor move the left width moving member 353 and the right width moving member 355 of the intermediate tray 341 to the other side (for example, the left side). A drive signal for driving 365 is output by the second signal output means 146 (step S25). As a result, the member drive motors 360 and 365 are driven, and the transfer paper bundle P discharged to the center on the intermediate tray 341 shown in FIG.
Is moved to the other side shown in FIG. 6C by the left and right width shifting members 353 and 355, and the transfer paper bundle P is sorted to the other side. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S17, and the subsequent operations are repeatedly executed. Thus, the first set of transfer paper bundles of the second job is sorted in the opposite direction to the last set of transfer paper bundles of the first job.

If the determination in step S13 is negative (ie, in the case of the sorting operation for the second and subsequent sets of transfer papers in the same job), it is determined whether the previous sorting direction in the same job is one side or not. 2 direction discriminating means 1
42 (step S27). If this determination is affirmed, the process moves to step S25 and the subsequent operations are repeatedly executed. If a negative determination is made in step S27, the process proceeds to step S15, and the subsequent operations are repeatedly performed. Thereby, 2 in the same job
The transfer paper bundle after the set is sorted in the opposite direction to the previous transfer paper bundle.

If the determination in step S23 is negative (that is, in the case of the sorting operation for the second and subsequent sets of transfer paper bundles in the same job), the flow shifts to step S27 to repeat the subsequent operations. Also in this case, the second and subsequent sets of transfer paper bundles in the same job are sorted in the opposite direction to the previous transfer paper bundle.

If the determination is negative in step S9 (that is, in the case of the first job), the process proceeds to step S13, and the subsequent operations are repeatedly executed. If the determination in step S21 is affirmative, the number K of sets of transfer paper bundles is cleared (step S29), and the job sorting operation ends.

That is, in the above-described sorting operation, in the second job, the first set of transfer paper bundles in the first job is always (ie, the first set of transfer paper bundles) in the first job. The sorting direction of the final set of transfer paper bundles is determined to be in the opposite direction (whether on one side or the other side), while the subsequent transfer paper bundles are sorted in the opposite direction. You. If the job is the first job (when the determination is negative in step S9),
The first set of transfer paper bundles is sorted to one side, which is the initial position, while the subsequent transfer paper bundles are sorted so as to be alternately in opposite directions.

On the other hand, if the sheet processing setting key 574 is turned on before the start button 571 is turned on and stapling processing is performed on the transfer sheet bundle, the determination is affirmative in step S1. Then, copying is started, and the number of copies C in the copying machine 1 is performed in the same manner as in step S3.
Is counted by the copy number counting means 116 (step S31).

Next, it is determined by the bundle number determining means 118 whether or not the counted number of copies C has reached the number of transfer papers constituting the transfer paper bundle to form a set (step S3).
3) If the determination is affirmative, the number of sets K of the transfer paper bundle is counted (step S35). When the number of transfer sheets constituting the set of transfer sheet bundles is reached, the stapler drive motor 37 is output by the stapler drive signal output means 139.
And a driving signal for rotationally driving 3,374 is output.
The stapler 371 or 372 operates to perform a stapling process on the transfer paper bundle.

When the stapling process is completed, it is determined by the position determining means 119 whether or not a transfer sheet bundle of the preceding job (first job) exists on the stack tray 381 (step S37). If this determination is affirmative, the first direction determination unit 141 determines whether the sorting direction of the transfer paper bundle that is the last set of the first job is on the other side (step S39). Note that the first job may or may not perform the stapling process on the transfer paper bundle.

If the determination is affirmative in step S39, the left member driving motor 360 and the right member driving motor move the left width shifting member 353 and right width shifting member 355 of the intermediate tray 341 to one side (for example, right side). A drive signal for driving 365 is output by the first signal output unit 145 (step S41). As a result, the respective member drive motors 360 and 365 are driven and the intermediate tray 34 is driven.
Job (second job) after being discharged to the central part on 1
Is moved to one side by the left and right width shifting members 353 and 355 (FIGS. 6A and 6B), and the transfer paper bundle is sorted to one side.

Thereafter, a drive signal for driving the transport belt drive motor 347 to discharge the transfer paper bundle sorted to one side to the stack tray 381 is output by the transport belt drive signal output means 137 (step S4).
3). As a result, the transport belt 346 is rotated and the transfer paper bundle is transported upward, and the transfer paper bundle is discharged to the stack tray 381 side. When the discharge of the transfer paper bundle is completed, the transport belt 346 is driven by the transport belt drive motor 347.
Is driven in the reverse direction to return to the home position. Also,
The left and right width shifting members 353 and 355 also return to the original positions where the transfer paper discharged from the copying machine 1 can be stored.

Next, the count of the number of copies C is cleared (step S45), and subsequently, the bundle discriminating means 120 determines whether or not it is the last set of transfer paper bundles (step S47). If this determination is denied, the process returns to step S31 and the subsequent operations are repeatedly executed, and the sorting operation for the next set of transfer paper bundles in the same job is performed. That is, when the stapling process is performed on the transfer sheet bundle in the second job, and the last set of transfer sheet bundles of the first job is sorted to the other side, each of the second job The transfer paper bundle is all sorted on one side.

If the determination in step S39 is negative (that is, the sorting direction of the last set of transfer paper bundles of the previous job is one side), the left width shifting member 3 of the intermediate tray 341 is set.
53 and the right width shifting member 355 to the other side (for example, the left side)
A driving signal for driving the left member driving motor 360 and the right member driving motor 365 to be moved to the second position is output by the second signal output means 146 (step S4).
9). As a result, the member driving motors 360 and 365 are driven, and the transfer paper bundle discharged to the central portion on the intermediate tray 341 is moved to the other side by the left and right width shift members 353 and 355 (FIG. 6A, (C)), the transfer paper bundle is sorted to the other side.

Thereafter, the flow shifts to step S43, and the subsequent operations are repeatedly executed. That is, in the second job, the stapling process is performed on the transfer paper bundle,
When the last set of transfer paper bundles of the second job is sorted on one side, all the transfer paper bundles of the second job are sorted on the other side.

If the determination is negative in step S37 (that is, in the case of the first job), the flow shifts to step S41, and the subsequent operations are repeatedly executed. If the determination in step S47 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S29, and the job sorting operation ends.

That is, in the above sorting operation, in the second job, the first set of transfer paper bundles in the first job is always (that is, the first set of transfer paper bundles) in the first job. The sorting is performed so that the sorting direction of the last set of transfer paper bundles is the opposite direction (whether on one side or the other side), while the subsequent transfer paper bundles are sorted in the same direction. . When the job is the first job (when the determination is negative in step S37), all the transfer paper bundles are sorted to one side which is the initial position.

The present invention is configured as in the above embodiment, so that even when a plurality of transfer paper bundles are stacked on the stack tray 381, the separation of the transfer paper bundle between the jobs is performed. Can be clarified. For example,
In a first job, a first document group consisting of a predetermined number of documents is copied in a sort mode without setting staple processing, and three copies are copied. In a subsequent second job, a second document group consisting of a predetermined number of documents is sorted. In the case where two copies are made without setting the stapling process in the mode, the transfer paper bundle of each job is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), the sheets are stacked on the stack tray 381 in a sorted state.

That is, the first set (first set) and the last set (third set) of the first job are both sorted on one side (right side in the drawing), which is the initial position. , The middle set (second set) of transfer paper bundle is on the other side (left side in the figure)
Sorted into. Further, the first set (first set) of transfer sheets of the second job is sorted on the other side in the direction opposite to the initial position, and the last set (second set) of transfer sheets is set on one side. Sorted into sides. For this reason, the sorting direction of the transfer paper bundle of the last set (top row) of the first job and the transfer paper bundle of the first set (bottom row) of the second job are opposite to each other. The separation of the transfer paper bundle becomes clear.

In the first job, the first original group is stapled in the sort mode and three copies are copied, and in the second job, the second original group is stapled in the sort mode. If two copies are made, the transfer paper bundle of each job is stacked on the stack tray 381 in a sorted state as shown in FIG. 7B.

That is, the respective transfer paper bundles of the first job are sorted on one side which is the initial position, and the respective transfer paper bundles of the second job are sorted on the other side which is in the opposite direction to the initial position. Therefore, the last set of the first job (top row)
And the transfer sheet bundle of the first set (bottom row) of the second job are sorted in opposite directions, so that the transfer sheet bundle is clearly separated between the jobs.

In the first job, three copies of the first document group are copied in the sort mode without stapling.
When the second original group is stapled in the sort mode and two copies are copied in the subsequent second job, the transfer paper bundle of each job is stacked and sorted as shown in FIG. 7C. Stacked on the tray 381.

That is, the first set (first set) and the last set (third set) of the first job are both sorted on one side, which is the initial position, and the middle set (2 The second set of transfer paper bundles is sorted on the other side. Further, each transfer sheet bundle of the second job is sorted on the other side in the direction opposite to the initial position. For this reason, the sorting directions of the transfer paper bundle of the last set (top row) of the first job and the transfer paper bundle of the first set (bottom row) of the second job are opposite to each other,
The break of the transfer paper bundle between each job becomes clear.

In the first job, the first original group is stapled in the sort mode and three copies are copied, and in the subsequent second job, the second original group is not stapled in the sort mode. When two copies are made, the transfer paper bundle of each job is stacked on the stack tray 381 in a sorted state as shown in FIG. 7D.

That is, each transfer paper bundle of the first job is sorted to one side which is an initial position. Further, the first set (first set) of transfer sheets of the second job is sorted on the other side in the direction opposite to the initial position, and the last set (second set) of transfer sheets is set on one side. Sorted into sides. For this reason, the sorting direction of the transfer paper bundle of the last set (top row) of the first job and the transfer paper bundle of the first set (bottom row) of the second job are opposite to each other. The separation of the transfer paper bundle becomes clear.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications as described below can be adopted.

(1) In the above embodiment, the sorting operation by the left and right width shifting members 353, 355 is performed by moving the left and right width shifting members 353, 355 to one side and the other side as shown in FIG. The transfer paper bundle accommodated in the central portion of the intermediate tray 341 is divided into one side position and the other side position separated from the center position, and the left and right width shifting members 353 and 355 are arranged. Can be moved only to one side or the other side to sort the central position, which is the storage position, and the position on one side or the other side.

That is, the transfer paper bundle stored in the center position of the intermediate tray 341 is discharged onto the stack tray 381 as it is (ie, without moving the transfer paper bundle to one side or the other side), and the subsequent one The transfer sheet bundle may be moved to one side or the other side by the left and right width shifting members 353 and 355, and then discharged onto the stack tray 381. When the sorting direction of the transfer paper bundle is alternately reversed in this manner, the left and right width shifting members 3
The operations of 53 and 355 can be shortened, and the sorting operation can be speeded up.

The state in which the transfer paper bundle is not moved to one side or the other side is a state in which neither the first signal output means 145 nor the second signal output means 146 outputs a drive signal. Even in such a case, the width shifting member drive signal output means 136 (first and second signal output means 14)
5, 146) means that the drive of the sorting means 343 is controlled.

(2) In the above embodiment, the sorting operation of the transfer paper bundle is performed by the sorting means 34 provided in the intermediate tray portion 34.
3, the sorting means can be provided on the stack tray section 38 side. For example, the entire stack tray section 38 is orthogonal to the discharge direction of the transfer paper bundle (the direction penetrating the paper surface in FIG. 1)
The slide mechanism is configured by a rack and a pinion or the like, and this slide mechanism is
1 can be realized by performing a sliding operation in the left and right direction in relation to the discharging operation of the transfer paper bundle from above. In this case, the CPU 130 or the like may be provided with a function realizing unit as a slide mechanism unit driving signal output unit instead of the width shifting member driving signal output unit 136.

(3) In the above embodiment, the function realizing means provided in the CPU for performing the sorting operation of the transfer paper bundle is the CPU 110 of the copying machine 1 and the CPU 110 of the sheet post-processing device 3.
130, the CPU 110 of the copying machine 1 and the CPU 1 of the sheet post-processing device 3 are provided.
It is also possible to provide only one of them. Further, even when the CPU 110 of the copying machine 1 and the CPU 130 of the sheet post-processing apparatus 3 are respectively provided with the sharing, the sharing can be appropriately changed.

(4) In the above embodiment, the sorting operation is performed in the steps shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5, so that the last set of the transfer paper bundle of the first job and the second
Although the sorting is always performed with the first set of transfer paper bundles of the job, it is not always necessary to perform the sorting operation in the steps shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. For example, when the transfer sheet bundle of the first job is not subjected to the stapling process (that is, when the transfer sheet bundles are sorted in opposite directions), whether the number of sets of the transfer sheet bundle of the first job is an odd number or not. If the number is odd, the sorting direction of the first set of transfer paper bundles of the second job is set to the opposite direction to the initial position, while if the number is not odd, the sorting is performed toward the initial position. It may be.

(5) In the above embodiment, a copying machine is used as an image forming unit for transferring an image to transfer paper, but a printer is used as an image forming unit for transferring an image to transfer paper. It is also possible.

[0121]

As described above, according to the paper post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a plurality of sets of transfer papers of the first job and a plurality of sets of transfer papers of the second job are provided. when the gas tap <br/> Ru are sequentially integrated on a Kutorei always sorting the row between the transfer paper stack of the last set of the first job and the first set of the transfer paper stack of the second job Control means for controlling the sorting means so that the transfer paper bundles of a plurality of jobs are stacked and stacked on the stack tray, so that the separation of the transfer paper bundles between the jobs is always clear. be able to.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus provided with the sheet post-processing device according to claims 4 to 6, a plurality of sets of transfer sheets of the first job and a plurality of sets of transfer sheets of the second job are provided. when the gas <br/> Ru are sequentially integrated on tack tray, the transfer paper stack of the last set of a first job and always sorting between the first set of the transfer paper stack of the second job row Control means for controlling the sorting means so that the transfer paper bundles of a plurality of jobs are stacked and stacked on the stack tray, so that the separation of the transfer paper bundles between the jobs is always clear. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus provided with a sheet post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view for explaining a configuration of an intermediate tray in the sheet post-processing device of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a control configuration centering on a sorting operation of a transfer paper bundle in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

4 is a flowchart for explaining a sorting operation for a transfer sheet bundle in a sheet post-processing apparatus of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

5 is a flowchart for explaining a sorting operation for a transfer sheet bundle in a sheet post-processing apparatus of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining a sorting operation for a transfer sheet bundle in the sheet post-processing device of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 6A illustrates a position of the transfer sheet bundle on an intermediate tray during storage; (B) is a diagram showing the position of the transfer paper bundle on the intermediate tray in a state of being sorted to one side, and (c) is a diagram showing the position of the transfer paper bundle on the intermediate tray in a state of being sorted to the other side.

7A and 7B are diagrams schematically illustrating a sorting state of a transfer sheet bundle on a stack tray that has been sorted by a sheet post-processing device of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating first and second jobs; (B) shows a case where both the first and second jobs are stapled, (c) shows a case where the first job is not stapled,
The second job shows a case where staple processing is performed.
(D) is a diagram illustrating a case where the first job is subjected to stapling and the second job is not subjected to stapling.

8A and 8B are diagrams schematically illustrating a sorting state of a transfer sheet bundle on a stack tray that has been sorted by a conventional sheet post-processing apparatus, and FIG. 8A illustrates a state in which staple processing is not performed for both the first and second jobs; FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating a case where stapling is performed for both the first and second jobs.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copier (image forming part) 3 Paper post-processing apparatus (paper post-processing part) 11, 13 Control part (control means) 134 Sorting direction discriminating means 135 Sorting operation discriminating means 136 Width-adjusting member drive signal output means 141 First Direction determination means (direction determination means) 142 Second direction determination means (direction determination means) 143 First operation determination means (drive signal control means) 144 Second operation determination means (drive signal control means) 145 First Signal output means (drive signal control means) 146 Second signal output means (drive signal control means) 341 Intermediate tray 343 Sorting means 381 Stack tray

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] Preceding of claim 1. A transfer paper stack consisting of a plurality of transfer sheets discharged from the image forming unit plural sets of originals
And a plurality of sets of transfer paper bundles of the first job corresponding to
Plural sets of transfer paper bundles of the second job corresponding to the later original group
DOO sequentially and integratable stack tray, and sorting means for sorting the transfer paper stack to be integrated onto the stack tray in a predetermined sorting direction, the image forming start in the image forming section
When the instruction is given, the
Judgment for judging whether or not a transfer paper bundle of one job exists
Means for transferring the first job on the stack tray.
If there is no paper bundle, the paper bundle is set in advance.
Sorting is performed so that sorting is performed in the specified sorting direction.
And controlling the first device on the stack tray.
If the transfer paper stack of job exists, to always sorting is performed between the first set of the transfer paper stack of the first end of the set of transfer paper stack and the second job with job Control means for controlling the sorting means. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is provided on the stack tray.
The first when the transfer paper stack of the first job is present in the 1
Direction discriminating means for discriminating the sorting direction of the last set of transfer sheet bundles of the job, and driving the sorting means for the first set of transfer sheet bundles of the second job in accordance with the discrimination result of the direction discriminating means. 2. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a drive signal control unit that controls the control of the sheet. 3. A sorting operation determining means for determining whether or not the sorting operation by the sorting means is the first sorting operation of the second job, and a case where the driving signal control means is the first sorting operation. Drive signal output means for driving the sorting means so as to sort the first set of transfer paper bundles of the second job in a direction opposite to the sorting direction of the last set of transfer paper bundles of the first job. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: 4. An image forming unit for transferring an image to transfer paper,
Pairs beyond the original group of the plurality of sets of originals A transfer paper stack consisting of a plurality of transfer sheets discharged from the image forming section
Corresponding to a plurality of sets of transfer paper bundles of the first job
A plurality of transfer paper bundles of the corresponding second job are sequentially accumulated
A stack tray that can be used, a sorting unit that sorts a stack of transfer papers stacked on the stack tray in a predetermined sorting direction, and an image forming start instruction is given in the image forming unit.
The first job on the stack tray
Determining means for determining whether or not a transfer paper bundle exists;
Transfer paper bundle of the first job exists on stack tray
If not, a pre-set sorting for the transfer paper bundle
Control the sorting means so that sorting is performed in the
And the transfer sheet of the first job is placed on the stack tray.
If the bundle is present, controlling said sorting means to always sorting is performed between the first set of the transfer paper stack of the first end of the set of transfer paper stack and the second job with job An image forming apparatus provided with a sheet post-processing device, comprising: 5. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is provided on the stack tray.
The first when the transfer paper stack of the first job is present in the 1
Direction discriminating means for discriminating the sorting direction of the last set of transfer sheet bundles of the job, and driving the sorting means for the first set of transfer sheet bundles of the second job in accordance with the discrimination result of the direction discriminating means. 5. An image forming apparatus provided with a sheet post-processing device according to claim 4, further comprising a drive signal control unit for controlling the image forming apparatus. 6. The sorting operation determining means for determining whether the sorting operation by the sorting means is the first sorting operation of the second job, and the driving signal control means being the first sorting operation. Drive signal output means for driving the sorting means so as to sort the first set of transfer paper bundles of the second job in a direction opposite to the sorting direction of the last set of transfer paper bundles of the first job. An image forming apparatus comprising the sheet post-processing device according to claim 5.