JPH07165364A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify distinguishment of an effective copying paper from an unnecessary copying paper and to simplify disposal of the unnecessary copying papers by a method wherein matching collating processing is applied on the effective copying papers and the collating matching processing is not applied on the unnecessary copying papers. CONSTITUTION:It is discriminated at a timing, at which exposure of a document M is started after the starting of copying, by a document conveying device 30 whether jamming of the document M occurs. When jamming of the document M occurs, it is decided that the document M is not properly positioned in the given position of an exposure glass 3. A copy paper S corresponding to the document M is processed as an ineffective paper sheet and discharged to a staple compiler 46 without applying collating operation on the copy paper S. When jamming does not occur to the document M, the copy paper S collated by collating plate after copying and discharged as an effective paper to the staple compiler 46. Thus, the effective paper and an ineffective paper sheet are discharged in a way that a discharge position of the ineffective one is shifted in a direction crossing a paper conveying direction and distinguishment is made easy.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying machine, and more particularly to an automatic document feeder and a so-called post-processing having a function of stapling a copied sheet, gluing to an end of the sheet, punching, and a paper folding function. And an electrophotographic copying machine provided with the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in order to automate operations such as stapling or punching on a sheet on which an image is copied, a sheet post-processing apparatus having such a processing function is provided in the copying apparatus main body. This type of conventional certificate stamp post-processing apparatus does not perform a predetermined post-processing on a sheet that has been transferred from the copying apparatus main body after copying is completed, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-269370. A discharge tray for discharging sheets and a post-processing pedestal for performing post-processing are individually provided. In such a copying machine, the ratio of the apparatus for post-processing is large, and the copying machine as a whole is considerably large-scaled.

On the other hand, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 5-147825, a tray for ejected paper is also used, and a portion for performing post-processing and a part of a tray for storing a bundle of sheets after the post-processing are provided. It also serves as the discharge part in the post-treatment.

For example, its structure is shown in FIGS. In the non-post-processing mode in which no post-processing is performed on the paper in this paper post-treatment device, as shown in FIG. 26, for example, the paper S discharged from the copying apparatus main body (not shown) is the paper. It is carried into the inside of the apparatus through the guides 101 and 102, and is sent out toward the paper discharge roller 106 by the carrying rollers 103 and 104. After that, the paper S passes between the paper discharge roller 106 and the pressure roller 105 that is brought into pressure contact with the paper discharge roller 106, and is discharged onto the stacking tray 107 by their conveying force.

On the other hand, in the post-processing mode in which the stapling process is performed on the paper, as shown in FIG.
05 moves to the information together with the paper guide, and the pressure roller 105
An opening-shaped sheet discharging unit 109 is formed between the sheet discharging roller 106 and the sheet discharging roller 106. In this state, when the paper S sent out by the transport rollers 103 and 104 is separated from the transport rollers 103 and 104, the paper S falls on a staple processing tray (catchboard) 110 provided in an inclined shape and is stacked on this. It At this time, the movement of the sheet S to the rear end stopper 111 is A
Assisted by the rotation of the rubber blade 112 in the direction. Also, the alignment plate 1 in which the width direction of the paper S moves in the paper width direction
Aligned by 13. When the above-described operation is repeated and a predetermined number of sheets S are placed on the staple processing tray (catchboard) 110, the stapler 114 performs the staple processing on the sheets on the staple processing tray 110. After that, the paper pushing member 115 moves in the C direction, so that the paper P on the staple processing tray 110 is discharged onto the stacking tray 107 through the discharging unit 109.

[0006]

However, according to the conventional post-processing device, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-147815, compared with Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-269370, a pedestal for discharging for post-processing. Since it partially serves as the stacking tray in the non-post-processing mode, it is advantageous in that the post-processing device can be downsized and the space can be simplified.

However, in order to perform the post-processing, it is necessary to discharge the paper S to the receiving tray for the post-processing, and the receiving tray and the stacking tray for stacking the sheet bundle after the post-processing straddle each other. The discharged paper P is discharged. Therefore, in the jam on the main body of the copying machine, the paper in the copying machine is treated as a post-processing tray (support) 11 if the transport system is not broken.
It is necessary to discharge the copy paper to 0, and if the copy paper has been normally copied, there is no problem, but the paper that has not been copied is also discharged at the same time. When the staple and the staple are performed, wasteful copy sheets are stapled.

In particular, if the copying machine is equipped with an automatic document feeder, it is not a jam caused by sheet conveyance for forming an image in the copying machine body, but a jam on the automatic document feeder side. There are sheets on which images are all formed and sheets on which no image has been formed are present during conveyance, and the sheets normally operate as a sheet conveyance path. Therefore, in the case of the paper conveying system of the copying machine, when the original conveying device is jammed, the paper conveying system is continuously driven as it is, and the discharging operation is performed. At this time, since the normal copy paper and the unnecessary paper, that is, the paper on which the image is not normally formed, are ejected together, the stapled tray including the unnecessary paper is stapled.

From the above, it is necessary to remove unnecessary copying paper from valid copying paper, but since they are discharged to the same receiving tray, they cannot be distinguished.

Such a problem is that another discharge tray is provided at a position completely different from the post-processing tray 110 and the discharge path is switched to prevent discharge of unnecessary paper to the tray 110. Although it is possible, it cannot be processed when the tray 110 or the like is shared for the purpose of downsizing.

In addition to the jam of the automatic document feeder as described above, copy paper is generated in the copying machine as a copying machine. For example, while doing double-sided copying,
A key for clearing the copying operation upon knowing that the double-sided copying has been mistaken is provided, but the operation of the key causes an emergency stop of the operation of the copying apparatus. After the image is formed on the paper being copied by operating this key,
The copying operation is stopped. In this case, why is there a sheet that has been subjected to single-sided copying, such as an intermediate tray for performing double-sided copying? If there is paper in this intermediate tray, the copying machine cannot be restarted. Therefore, the paper in the intermediate tray becomes unnecessary, and it becomes impossible to distinguish the paper from the paper for which double-sided copying has been completed.

Moreover, the post-processing device has a limit for processing, and if the post-processing of paper exceeding the limit is performed,
In addition to impairing the function of the post-processing device, it may be damaged. In this case, it is not possible to distinguish between the paper that exceeds the limit and the paper that can be processed. Also,
There is a sense of distrust on the part of the user due to the lack of post-processing, and the same operation is repeated on the part of the user.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size of the post-processing device by setting the length of the post-processing device in the carrying direction to the minimum length that can be post-processed without making it longer than the maximum sheet size. In order to save space by
In the post-processing mode, even if a condition that does not allow post-processing occurs, the paper is discriminated from invalid (unnecessary) paper and valid paper.
Based on this, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can easily distinguish effective copy paper from unnecessary copy paper and can easily process the unnecessary copy paper.

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is an automatic document feeder and a document image conveyed by the automatic document feeder. In an image forming apparatus having a copying apparatus main body on which an image is copied and a post-processing apparatus for post-processing a plurality of sheets of paper on which images have been formed by the copying apparatus main body, the post-processing apparatus conveys a copy sheet to a first position. After that, it has a sheet aligning means for aligning and moving it to the second position and a post-processing means for post-processing the aligned sheet bundle at the second position. And a means for discriminating between an unnecessary copy sheet and a valid copy sheet which has already completed image formation in response to the signal for stopping the image formation on the copy sheet, and the valid copy sheet. With unnecessary copy paper At the sheet aligning means to valid copy sheet by discharging to the post-processing apparatus said discriminating means second
It is characterized in that it has a sheet conveyance control means for aligning the sheet at the position (1) and discharging the invalid sheet to the first position.

In addition, it is not the conveyance failure of the copying apparatus body,
The signal relating to the stop of image formation on the copy sheet is a jam detection signal by the automatic document feeder. Alternatively, it is a signal for stopping the copying operation on the way. Alternatively, it is a signal output when the number of sheets that can be processed by the post-processing device is exceeded.

In particular, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is characterized by claim 3.
As described in (1), the document feeder, the copying machine body for copying the document image carried by the automatic document feeder onto the paper, and the plurality of paper sheets image-formed by the copying machine body In an image forming apparatus having a post-processing device for processing, the post-processing device aligns a pedestal on which a discharged copy sheet is placed and a copy sheet on the cradle to a position for post-processing. Means, post-processing means for performing post-processing after alignment, and a discharge tray for forming a part of the receiving table by arranging the stack of copying papers post-processed by the post-processing means by extending the receiving table. And a means for switching the copy paper discharged according to the post-processing mode or the non-post-processing mode to the tray or the discharge tray. A valid copy sheet for which image formation has been completed in the copying apparatus main body in the post-processing mode, and a determination section for determining a sheet existing in the copying apparatus without forming a normal document image as an unnecessary copy sheet; and the copying apparatus. The copying paper inside the sheet is discharged to the cradle of the post-processing device, while the above-mentioned judgment means performs the matching processing for the valid copying paper and does not perform the matching processing for the unnecessary copying paper. Is characterized by.

[0017]

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the operation may be temporarily stopped instead of the abnormality in the sheet conveying system in the copying apparatus main body. For example, when a document jam occurs during document transportation in an automatic document feeder, an image cannot be formed from the jammed document. Therefore, on the copying apparatus main body side, it is possible to determine that the sheet corresponding to the jammed original is an unnecessary sheet, and that the copy sheet on which the image of the original that is not jammed is formed is an effective copy sheet. In this case, if there is no jam in the transport system of the copying apparatus main body, the paper in the copying apparatus main body can be carried out to the post-processing apparatus side, and the transporting operation can be continued.

Therefore, although the paper on the main body side of the copying apparatus is discharged to the post-processing device, in this case, in the post-processing mode, it is discharged at a position for post-processing, for example, on a receiving table. The copy sheet is ejected in the aligned or non-aligned state by the operation of the aligning means based on the judgment of validity or invalidity. That is, if it is an effective copy sheet, the aligning means operates to align the ejected copy sheet. In the case of unnecessary copy paper, alignment processing is not performed even if it is ejected.
It is possible to distinguish effective copy paper and unnecessary copy paper on the receiving table. Therefore, the unnecessary copy paper can be easily processed, that is, removed.

Further, even if a cancellation signal for canceling the post-processing mode is generated during double-sided copying using the intermediate tray or the like as unnecessary copying paper, one side of the sheet It is possible to easily distinguish between the copy paper on which the image is formed and the paper copied on one side. Therefore, the processing after the unnecessary copying paper (single-sided copying paper) and the effective copying paper can be easily performed. Further, in this case, when the copying operation is to be stopped urgently, the processing after inputting the copying conditions can be immediately performed when the copying conditions are wrong.

Further, as a measure for the number of undesired copy sheets exceeding the limit by the post-processing device, it is possible to distinguish between the number of sheets that can be processed and the remaining copy sheets that cannot be processed. In this case, by displaying the number of sheets and the state in which post-processing is not possible, it is possible to easily refer to subsequent processing, for example, to recognize the number of documents that can be post-processed, etc., and input the copy conditions based on this recognition. Greatly useful.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image forming apparatus having an automatic document feeder and a post-processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the essential parts of a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an overall block diagram of the sheet post-processing apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a copying machine equipped with a sheet post-processing device, FIG. 4 is a layout diagram of each sheet detection switch in an offset mode of the sheet post-processing device, and FIG. 5 is a sheet post-processing device. 6 is a block diagram of the control section, FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operation process of the sheet post-processing apparatus in the offset mode, and FIG. 8 is a staple ( 9 is a flowchart showing an operation process in the (single) mode, FIG. 9 is a flowchart when ejecting a sheet, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing output characteristics of a stepping motor, and FIGS.
16A is a flowchart showing an operation process in the staple (multi) mode of the sheet post-processing apparatus, FIG.
(B) and (c) are explanatory views showing a sheet conveying operation on the post-processing conveying path in the staple (multi) mode, respectively.

First, a general copying machine equipped with a post-processing device will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, this copying machine has a copying machine main body 1 for copying an image of a document M onto a sheet S. The copying machine main body 1 has an upper portion formed at an upper end portion of the copying machine main body 1. Document feeder 30 for feeding the document M to the exposure unit 2
Is provided.

The copying machine main body 1 has an exposure unit 2 on the upper portion thereof.
The exposure glass 3 that forms the optical system 9 is disposed below the exposure glass 3, and an optical system 9 including a light source lamp 4, mirrors 5, 6, 7 and a lens 8 is disposed below the exposure glass 3.
The document M transported by the document transport device 30 to the exposure unit 2 is optically scanned by the irradiation light from the light source lamp 4, and the reflected light is passed through the mirrors 5, 6, 7 and the lens 8 to form a photoconductor. By irradiating the exposure point A on the surface of the drum 10, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image of the document M is formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 10.

Around the tourist drum 10, a main charger 11 for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 to a predetermined potential, a developing device 12, and a transfer charger 13 are provided.
And a peeling charger 14 are provided, and the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 10 is transferred to the developing device 12
Is developed into a toner image by the transfer charger 13, the toner image is transferred to the sheet S by the transfer charger 13, and then the transferred sheet S is peeled off from the photosensitive drum 10 by the peeling charger 14.

A sheet conveying path 15 for conveying the sheet S for transferring the toner image is provided below the photosensitive drum 10. On the upstream side of the sheet conveying path 15, there are provided a paper feed table 19 including paper feed rollers 16, 17, and 18, a paper feed cassette 20, and a paper feed deck 21, respectively. The sheet S placed or accommodated in these is fed to the photosensitive drum 10 through the sheet conveying path 15. On the other hand, on the downstream side of the sheet conveying path 15,
Conveyor belt 2 for conveying the sheet S on which the toner image is transferred
2 and a fixing device 23 for fixing the toner image on the sheet S.

On the downstream side of the fixing device 23, a deflector 24 is provided which branches the sheet S conveying direction into a sheet post-processing device 40 and a re-conveying path 25. The re-conveyance path 25 forms a circulation path for re-conveying the sheet S on which the toner image has been transferred by the photoconductor drum 10 to the photoconductor drum 10, and an intermediate tray 26 is disposed in the middle of the path to convey the sheet S to the sheet S. It enables double-sided copying.

The document feeder 30 has a document feed path 31 for feeding the document M to the exposure section 2 formed on the upper end surface of the copying machine body 1 and a document discharge path 31a for returning the document from the exposure section 2 to the document tray. Have The document transport path 31 and the document discharge path 31a form a circulation path, and in the path, a document tray 32 for stacking the document M and a document M stacked on the document tray 32 are sequentially arranged. A feeding belt 33 that feeds the exposure unit 2, and an exposure glass 3 that forms the exposure unit 2.
A conveyance belt 34 that is provided in contact with the exposure glass 3 to form a conveyance path for the original M and a discharge roller 31b for discharging the original M to the original tray are provided.

Then, the document feeder 30 feeds the document M on the document tray 32 to the exposure unit 2 by the feeding belt 33, and at the same time, exposes the exposure glass 3 by the feeding belt 34.
By positioning the document M at a predetermined upper position, the document M is arranged in a state in which it can be optically scanned by the light source lamp 4.

The sheet post-processing device 40 is for performing a stapling operation on a sheet after copying,
It is connected to the downstream side of the sheet conveying path 15 in the copying machine body 1.

This sheet post-processing device 40 is shown in FIGS.
As described above, a post-processing conveyance path 41 for conveying the sheet S conveyed from the copying machine main body 1 in the post-processing apparatus main body 40a,
A sheet receiving stand 46 for temporarily storing the sheets S from the transport path 41; a post-processing section 45 for aligning the sheets S on the sheet receiving stand 46 and performing a bookbinding process with staples;
A sheet discharge unit 51 that discharges the bound sheets S from the inside of the post-processing apparatus main body 40a and a discharge tray 56 that stacks the sheets S discharged by the sheet discharge unit 51 are provided.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the post-processing conveyance path 41 is formed at one end with a carry-in port 41a for carrying in the sheet S carried from the copying machine main body 1. Also,
The transport path 41 is bifurcated in the middle of the route to form a two-tiered bypass 41b and a main path 41c, and a pair of upper and lower transport rollers 42 and 43 are arranged at each end. At the branch point between the bypass 41b and the main path 41c, a deflector 44 serving as a path switching unit that is rotatable in the B ₁ -B ₂ direction (see FIG. 2) is provided, and the conveyance path of the sheet S is bypassed by the bypass 41b. Alternatively, the main path 41c is switched to either one of the paths.

Further, the post-processing conveyance path 41 is a sheet detection switch SW ₁ , SW ₂ for detecting the sheet S in the middle of each of the bypass 41b and the main path 41c.
Are arranged respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the post-processing section 45 conveys the sheet S from the post-processing conveyance path 41 and a width side plate 47 for aligning the sheets S accumulated in the sheet receiving tray 46 in the width direction. A stapler 49 for binding the aligned sheet S with staples and binding the aligned sheet S with staples
It consists of and.

The sheet pedestal 46 is disposed below the post-processing conveyance path 41 with one end thereof being arranged near the discharge port 40b and the other end being inclined downward as compared with the one end. There is. Further, in the center of the side portion of the sheet receiving stand 46,
A reference guide 47a for positioning the side portion of the sheet S is attached, and a stopper 50 for positioning the lower end portion of the sheet S is attached to the lower end portion of the sheet receiving stand 46.

The width plate 47 is provided with the reference guide 47a.
And is arranged so as to be able to move forward and backward in the width direction of the sheet S. The paddler 48 is a post-processing device body 40a.
2 is rotatably supported in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 2, and its blade portion is in contact with the upper surface of the sheet receiving base 46 on the lower end side. The staples 49 are arranged laterally of the paddler 48 and on the side of the lower end of the sheet receiving stand 46.

The sheet discharging section 51 is a sheet receiving stand 46 as a discharging section, an extruding means 52 for advancing and retreating along the sheet receiving stand 46 for pushing out the sheet S, and a discharging section of the post-processing apparatus main body 40a. It is composed of discharge rollers 53 and 54 arranged near the outlet 40b.

The pushing means 52 is provided with the stopper 50.
It consists from the rear and a pair of pushing piece 52a which is a retractable to D ₁ -D ₂ directions, a drive unit which is arranged below the seat pedestal 46 to drive the pushing piece 52a.

The extruding piece 52a is flat and is moved along the long hole of the sheet receiving stand 46. The drive unit includes an endless belt 52c attached to the base of the extruding piece 52a and wound around a pair of rollers 52b, and one roller 5b.
2b and a stepping motor 52d for rotating the gear 2b via a gear or the like. The stepping motor 52d
Is provided separately from the drive unit (motor) of the other components.

The discharge roller 53 has a rotating shaft 53a.
Is rotatably disposed on the upper end of the sheet receiving table 46. On the other hand, the rotation axis 54a of the discharge roller 54 is pivotally supported on one end side of the arm member 55, and the other end side of the arm member 55 is F _{1 about the} fulcrum E.
It is rotatable in the −F ₂ direction.

In the staple mode, the discharge roller 53 assists the alignment of the sheets S stacked on the sheet receiving table 46 in the conveying direction by rotating in the G ₂ direction, while rotating in the G ₁ direction by the rotation. The bound sheet S is discharged to the discharge tray 56.

In the offset mode, the discharging roller 54 rotates the discharging roller 53 in the G ₁ direction in accordance with the rotation of the discharging roller 53 in the F ₂ direction, so that the sheet S is formed between the discharging roller 54 and the discharging roller 53. The sheet S is directly discharged from the post-processing conveyance path 41 to the discharge tray 56 while sandwiching the sheet.

A sheet detection switch SW ₃ is arranged on the discharge roller 54, and this sheet detection switch SW 3
₃ , the sheet S is detected when the discharge rollers 53 and 54 contact each other in the offset mode, as shown in FIG.

The discharge tray 56 is attached to the main body 40a of the post-processing device below the discharge roller 53, and an elevator unit 57 and a shift unit 58 arranged in the vicinity of the attachment portion make the discharge tray 56 in the vertical direction. It is movable in the _1- H ₂ direction and the direction orthogonal to the discharge direction. As a result of these movements, the bound sheet S having the highest value on the discharge tray 56 is always kept at a constant distance from the discharge roller 53, and the bound sheets S are alternately shifted without overlapping at the same position. The tray positions are adjusted so that they overlap.

Further, the copying machine main body 1 and the post-processing device 40
70 comprising a microcomputer for controlling
Is provided in the copying machine main body 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the microcomputer 70 controls according to a control program stored in the ROM 71 in advance. RAM7
Reference numeral 2 is used as a buffer memory, a flag required for copy control, and other calculation areas.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 73 denotes a signal input device for detecting signals such as a key switch and a copy paper switch.
The signal is transferred to the CPU 75 via the interface circuit 74. That is, from the copying machine main body 1, a signal for detecting the sheet conveyance position, a signal for detecting the position of the photoconductor 10 and the like are sent to the CPU 75 via the interface circuit 74.

Reference numeral 76 denotes a driver array for displaying the copy magnification and other display circuits and each load of the copying machine main body 1. Reference numeral 77 denotes an interface circuit for the driver array 76, which receives control signals from the CPU 75.
Have transferred to. Therefore, the drive of the copying machine main body 1 is
The microcomputer 70 drives and controls them in association with each other.

The ROM of the microcomputer 70
In 71, an offset mode in which the sheets S conveyed from the copying machine main body 1 in the post-processing apparatus 40 are sequentially discharged one by one to the discharge tray 56 without being subjected to post-processing, and the sheet 71 is conveyed from the copying machine main body 1. After performing the post-binding process on the coming sheets S, the staple (single) mode in which only one sheet S bound to the sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 56, and the sheet S conveyed from the copying machine main body 1 is subjected to the binding process. A program for executing a staple (multi) mode for sequentially discharging a plurality of bookbinding sheets S to the discharge tray 56 after the post-processing is stored.

Then, the microcomputer 70 executes each mode in response to the sheet detection signals from the sheet detection switches SW ₁ , SW ₂ , SW ₃ and the sheet detection switch (not shown) provided on the sheet receiving base 46. Regarding the rotation operation of the transport roller 43,
Control is also performed temporally by a timer (not shown).

Further, when the number of sheets to be stapled is input, the microcomputer 70 receives this and stores it in the RAM 72, and the number of rotations of the stepping motor 52d (which drives the extruding piece 52a according to the number of staples) ( It has a function of controlling the drive by changing the discharge speed of the sheet S).

This drive control function determines whether the number of staples is larger or smaller than the speed change set number, and the number of staples is determined from the two-step rotation speed pattern of the stepping motor 52d which is input and set in the microcomputer 70 in advance. If it is large, a pattern with a small number of rotations is selected, and if it is small, a pattern with a large number of rotations is selected.

This is because the optimum torque is selected from the load applied to the stepping motor 52d according to the output characteristic of the stepping motor 52d, and the bookbinding sheet S after staple is discharged efficiently. That is, when the number of staples is large, the weight of the bookbinding sheet S is heavy and the load applied to the stepping motor 52d is large.
It is necessary to increase the torque and reduce the rotation speed. When the number of staples is small, the weight of the binding sheet S is light,
Since the load applied to the stepping motor 52d is small, the torque is small and the number of rotations is increased to increase the seat S.
Increase the discharge rate of.

In the above configuration, in the offset mode, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, when the offset number is input, the microcomputer 70 receives the offset number (S1) and sets the offset number (S2). Next, when the post-processing device 40 receives the start signal from the microcomputer 70 (S3), the start process in the offset mode is performed (S4),
The number of processed sheets is cleared (S5).

The sheet S on which the image of the original M is copied by the copying machine main body 1 passes through the carry-in port 41a and the post-processing apparatus main body 4
0a, the sheet detection switch SW ₂ is turned on when passing through the main path 41c (S6), and the main path 41c
The conveyance in is detected. Then, the discharge rollers 53, 5
When passing between the 4 sheet detection switch SW ₃ is turned on (S7), the sheet detection switch SW ₃ when it is discharged to the discharge tray 56 is turned off (S8), the process number is counted up (S9).

Next, it is judged whether or not the processed number counted up as described above matches the offset number (S10). When the number of processed sheets does not match the number of offset sheets, the process returns to S6 again, and the conveyance of the sheet S on the main path 41c is detected. If the processed number matches the offset number, the processed number is cleared (S11).
Lowering of the discharge tray 56 (S12), offset (S1
3) and rising (S14) are sequentially performed.

When the copying is completed, the microcomputer 70 outputs a copy end signal (S1).
5) When the post-processing device 40 receives the end signal, end processing is performed (S16), and the offset mode as described above is ended. If the copying is not completed, the post-processing device 40 does not receive the completion signal and the process returns to S6 again.

Next, in the staple (single) mode, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, when the number of staples is input, the microcomputer 70 receives the number of staples (S21) and sets the number of staples (S22). Next, when the post-processing device 40 receives the start signal from the microcomputer 70 (S23),
Start processing in the staple (single) mode is performed (S24), and the number of processed sheets is cleared (S2).
5).

Then, the sheet SF on which the image of the original M is copied by the copying machine main body 1 is carried into the post-processing apparatus main body 40a through the carry-in port 41a and passes through the main path 41c.

[0059] In this case, the main path 4 by the on (S26) and off the sheet detection switch SW ₂ (S27)
The size of the sheet S is detected by the conveyance time at 1c and the ON time, and the sheet S is ejected onto the sheet receiving tray 46 so as to be accommodated over the ejection tray 56 by the ejection roller 43. As a result, the timer of the post-processing device 40 is cleared and the timer is started (S28), and the number of processed sheets is counted up (S29). When a predetermined time has passed (S30), it is determined that the sheet S has been discharged onto the sheet receiving tray 46, and the sheet S on the sheet receiving tray 46 is aligned in the width direction by the width board 47 (S3).
1).

Next, it is judged whether or not the number of processed sheets counted up as described above matches the number of staples (S32). If the number of processed sheets does not match the number of stapled sheets, the process returns to S26 again and the main path 41 of the sheet S is returned.
The conveyance at c is detected. When the number of processed sheets matches the number of stapled sheets, the number of processed sheets is cleared (S33), and then the sheet S on the sheet tray 46 rotates in the C direction of the paddler 48 and in the G ₂ direction of the discharge roller 53. The rotation causes the lower end of the stapler 50 to come into contact with the stopper 50 and be aligned in the transport direction, and the staples of the staple 49 are stapled and stapled (S34).

The bookbinding sheet S, which has been stapled as described above, is pushed out by the extruding piece 52a of the extruding means 52 abutting against the lower end of the bookbinding sheet S and moving the extruding piece 52 in the D ₁ direction.

At this time, the microcomputer 70
It is determined whether the number of staples is larger or smaller than the speed change set number, and the preset stepping motor 52d is input.
A rotational speed pattern corresponding to the number of staples is selected from the two types of rotational speed patterns, and a drive signal is output to the stepping motor 52d. As a result, the stepping motor 52d is driven at the determined rotation speed, and the discharging speed of the bookbinding sheet S by the extrusion piece 52a is set according to the rotation speed.

[0063] For example, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, the rotational speed pattern shown in FIG. 10 R ₀ (4rp
m) and R ₁ (6 rpm) in two stages and the speed change set number is 30 sheets, the number of rotations of the stepping motor 52 d is R ₀ because the number is larger than the set number when the number of staples is 30 or more. , The torque was T ₀ ; 6 kg · cm, and the bookbinding sheet S was discharged at a discharge speed v ₀ (413 mm / s).

When the number of staples is 2, the number is smaller than the set number, so the rotation speed of the stepping motor 52d is R ₁ , the torque is T _1, 4 kg · cm, and the bookbinding sheet S is discharged at the discharge speed v ₁ It is discharged at (620 mm / s).

In accordance with this, G of the discharge roller 53 is also adjusted.
_When the bookbinding sheet S is rotated in _one direction, the binding sheet S
Is discharged to. (S35).

After the discharge tray 56 is adjusted (S36), the post-processing device 40 receives the copy end signal from the microcomputer 59 (S37), and the end processing is performed (S38). The staple (single) mode as described above is ended.

Next, in the staple (multi) mode, as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 11 to 15, when the number of staples is input, the microcomputer 70 receives the number of staples (S41) and sets the number of staples (S42). ). Next, when the post-processing device 40 receives the start signal from the microcomputer 70 (S43), the start process in the staple (multi) mode is performed (S44), and the number of processed sheets is cleared (S45).

After that, the sheet S on which the image of the document M is copied by the copying machine main body 1 is carried into the post-processing apparatus main body 40a through the carry-in port 41a, and when the main path 41c is passed, the sheet detection switch SW ₂ is turned on. When turned on (S46), the conveyance on the main path 41c is detected. Next, it is determined whether or not the sheet detection switch SW ₂ is turned off (S4).
7). If the seat detection switch SW _{2 is} still on,
As shown in FIG. 12, it is determined whether or not the bookbinding sheet S has been discharged from the sheet receiving table 46 (S48).

The binding sheet S is still on the sheet cradle 46.
If the sheet is not ejected, the bookbinding sheet S is ejected at the ejecting piece 52a at the ejection speed set according to the number of staples.
Is pushed out by the movement in the direction D ₁ . In accordance therewith, the binding roller S is rotated in the G ₁ direction to eject the bookbinding sheet S onto the ejection tray 56 (S49), and returns to S47 for the next sheet S to be loaded.

When the bookbinding sheet S is discharged from the sheet receiving tray 46, it is determined whether the discharge tray 56 has been adjusted (S50). If the discharge tray 56 has been adjusted, the process directly returns to S47. If the discharge tray 56 has not been adjusted, the discharge tray 56 is adjusted (S51), and S
Return to 47.

When the sheet detection switch SW ₂ is turned off, the size of the sheet S is detected and the timer of the post-processing device 40 is cleared (S52).
The number of processed sheets S is counted up (S5
3).

Next, it is determined whether or not the number of processed sheets counted up as described above is the first sheet (S5).
4). If the number of processed sheets is not the first, the discharge roller 43
Thus, the sheet S is discharged to the sheet receiving tray 46, and the process proceeds to S66 described later. When the number of processed sheets is the first, it is determined whether or not the preparation of the sheet receiving tray 46 is OK (S).
55).

When the sheet receiving tray 46 is prepared, the sheet S is transferred to the sheet receiving tray 4 by the discharge roller 43.
6 is discharged, and the process proceeds to S66. When the sheet receiving tray 46 is not prepared, the rotation of the discharge roller 43 is stopped and the conveyance of the first sheet S is stopped (S5).
6) Also, the deflector 44 is rotated in the B ₁ direction,
The conveyance path of the sheet S is switched to the bypass 41b (S57).

Next, whether or not the second sheet S is conveyed to the bypass 41b is determined by the sheet detection switch SW.
It is determined by ₁ (S58). Sheet detection switch S
When W ₁ is not turned on yet, as shown in FIG.
It is determined whether or not the bookbinding sheet S has been discharged from the sheet receiving tray 46 (S59).

The bookbinding sheet S is still on the sheet pedestal 46.
If the sheet is not ejected, the bookbinding sheet S is ejected to the ejection tray 56 by the pushing means 52 and the ejection roller 53 according to the number of stapled sheets S (S6).
0), and returns to S58 again. When the bookbinding sheet S is discharged from the sheet receiving tray 46, it is determined whether the discharge tray 56 has been adjusted (S61). If the discharge tray 56 has been adjusted, the process directly returns to S58. Output tray 56
If is not adjusted, the discharge tray 56 is adjusted (S62) and the process returns to S58.

When the sheet S passes the bypass 41b, the sheet detection switch SW ₁ is turned on, and when the sheet S passes by, the sheet detection switch SW ₁ is turned off (S
63). The deflector 44 is rotated in the B ₂ direction and the conveyance path of the sheet S is switched to the main path 41c (S6
4) Further, the transport roller 43 is rotated, and the transport of the first sheet S in the main path 41c is restarted (S6).
5). At this time, the second sheet S conveyed to the bypass 41b is discharged by the discharge roller 42, and the first sheet S and the second sheet S are simultaneously discharged onto the sheet receiving tray 46.

Then, the process returns to S52 again, and the post-processing device 40
The timer is cleared (S52), the number of processed sheets is counted up (S53), and when it is determined that the number of processed sheets is not the first sheet (S54), the sheet S is discharged from the sheet receiving tray by the discharge roller 43. Is discharged to FIG.
As described above, it is determined whether or not the predetermined time set by the timer has elapsed (S66). Then, after a lapse of a predetermined time, the sheets S on the sheet receiving tray 46 are aligned in the width direction by the widthwise plate 47 (S67), and then it is determined whether or not the number of processed sheets S matches the number of staples. (S68).

If the number of processed sheets does not match the number of staples, the process returns to S46 to detect the conveyance of the sheet S on the main path 41c. On the other hand, if the number of processed sheets matches the number of stapled sheets, the number of processed sheets is cleared (S69).
Next, the sheet S on the sheet cradle 46 is attached to the paddler 48.
When the sheet S is rotated in the C direction and the discharge roller 53 is rotated in the G ₂ direction, the lower end portion of the sheet S is brought into contact with the stopper 50 and aligned in the transport direction, and is stapled by the staple needle of the staple 49 to perform the staple processing. Is performed (S70), and then the process returns to S46 to detect the conveyance of the sheet S on the main path 41c.

When the sheet S is no longer detected by the sheet detection switch SW _2, it is determined whether or not the bookbinding sheet S has been discharged as shown in FIG. 15 (S71).
If the bookbinding sheet S has not been ejected from the sheet receiving tray 46, the bookbinding sheet S is ejected to the ejection tray 56 by the pushing means 52 and the ejection roller 53 according to the number of staples of the sheet S (S72). , S again
Return to 46. When the bookbinding sheet S is discharged from the sheet receiving tray 46, it is determined whether the discharge tray 56 has been adjusted (S73).

If the discharge tray 56 has not been adjusted, the discharge tray 56 is adjusted (S7) and the process returns to S46. When the discharge tray 56 has been adjusted, it is determined whether the post-processing device 40 has received the copy end signal from the microcomputer 70 (S75).

If the end signal has not been received, S
Return to 46. When the end signal is received, the end processing is performed (S76), and the staple (multi) as described above is performed.
The mode ends.

Further, the sheet post-processing apparatus 40 of this embodiment
Then, in the staple (multi) mode, when the sheet detection switch SW is not detected to be turned on (S58) within a predetermined time from the timer clear (S52), the rotation of the conveyance roller 43 is automatically restarted to Only the first sheet S is discharged onto the sheet receiving tray 46 without waiting for the simultaneous discharge with the first sheet S.

As described above, the sheet post-processing device 40 performs a predetermined bookbinding process on the first sheet S on the sheet receiving stand 46, as shown in FIG. While the sheet S ₁ is being conveyed, the next first sheet S ₁ conveyed from the copying machine main body 1 side is conveyed by the main path 41c, and thereafter, the rotation of the conveying roller 43 is stopped, so that the sheet S ₁ Stop the transportation. Next, as shown in FIG. 16B, the deflector 44 is switched to convey the _second sheet S ₂ to the bypass 41b.

When the binding process and the discharge of the first copy are completed, the rotation of the transport roller 43 is restarted to
The conveyance of the _first sheet S ₁ is restarted, and as shown in FIG. 16C, the first sheet S ₁ and the second sheet S ₂ are synchronously discharged onto the sheet receiving stand 46. To do. For this reason,
Since the next sheet is effectively conveyed even when the sheet on the sheet receiving tray 46 is stapled, the post-processing work can be speeded up.

Further, the bookbinding sheet S on the sheet cradle 46
When the number of the bound sheets S is larger than the set number at the time of discharging, the rotation speed of the stepping motor 52d is decreased to increase the torque, and the thick bound sheets S can be discharged. Further, when the number of bound sheets S is smaller than the speed change set number, the number of rotations of the stepping motor 52d is increased and the discharge speed is increased with a small torque.

Therefore, the small stepping motor 52d is not replaced with a motor having a large motor power.
When the number of sheets S is large and a large torque is required by effectively utilizing the motor power of the stepping motor 5,
By reducing the number of rotations of 2d, it is possible to surely convey. Further, when the number of sheets S is small and large torque is not required, the discharging speed of the bookbinding sheet S can be increased by increasing the rotation speed of the stepping motor 52d.

As described above, since the discharged sheets are discharged so as to be stored in the sheet receiving tray 46 across the discharge tray 56, the post-processing apparatus can be downsized. However, although the following problems occur,
The present invention solves the problem and will be described in detail according to each embodiment for solving the problem.

(Embodiment 1) Here, in the staple mode, a sheet cradle (hereinafter referred to as a staple compiler) 46 and a sheet discharge path are commonly used.
Although the structure of the post-processing device can be easily reduced in size, when invalid paper (unnecessary paper) is generated during the copying operation, the invalid paper cannot be discharged separately from the valid paper, and the same tray, that is, the stapler compiler 46 cannot be discharged. Both are discharged. In particular, if invalid paper is discharged to the staple compiler 46 and aligned by the aligning plate 47, it becomes impossible to distinguish between invalid paper and valid paper, resulting in confusion for the user, and eventually even valid paper is disposed. Occur.

Here, the conditions under which invalid paper occurs will be described.

Normally, the conveyance timings of the original M and the sheet S should be copied before the completion of the positioning of the original M at a predetermined position on the exposure glass 3 for the purpose of increasing the job speed. -Transport of the paper has started.

Therefore, when the document jam occurs before the completion of the positioning of the document M, the sheet to be copied has already started to be conveyed and becomes invalid paper. Must be discharged. In this case, the document M is a jam in the transport path portion and not a transport system for the copy paper, and is ejected by continuously driving the transport system of the copying apparatus main body as it is. At this time, when the paper is discharged to the staple compiler 46 in the staple mode, the unnecessary paper is also discharged similarly. Note that the copy paper corresponding to the image of the jam original is determined as unnecessary paper, and the copy paper corresponding to the image that is not the jam original is a valid paper in the copying machine main body, for example, when passing through the fixing area. It is determined and ejected onto the staple compiler 46 and the alignment operation is performed, but in the case of unnecessary paper, the alignment operation is not performed. here,
It is unlikely that effective paper will follow unnecessary paper.

In the present invention, the post-processing mode (in this embodiment,
In the staple mode), when such invalid paper is generated, the invalid paper is discharged on the staple compiler 46 without being aligned by the aligning plate 47 in order to distinguish it from the valid paper.

At both ends in the width direction of the staple compiler 46, as shown in FIG. 17, alignment devices 60 as alignment means are provided. This aligning device 60 is
A reference guide 47a as a sheet matching member that is erected in a fixed state on one side in the width direction of the pull compiler 46.
And a matching plate 47 as a sheet matching member driven in the width direction of the staple compiler 46.

As shown in FIG. 17, the alignment plate 47 is provided on a support plate 62 which is guided by a guide rail 61 and is movable in the width direction of the staple compiler 46. On this support plate 62, a matching plate rotating motor 63 and gears 64 and 65 as a matching plate driving means are provided. A rack gear 67 is formed on the side edge of the support plate 62, and a support plate drive motor (stepping motor) is attached to the rack gear 67.
) 47b is transmitted through the pulley 68, the belt 69a and the pinion gear 69b to drive the matching plate 47 in the width direction of the staple compiler 46,
The sheet S is adapted to be aligned with the reference position set by the reference guide 47a.

As shown in FIG. 18, the matching plate 47 has a support plate 62 by a connecting plate 66 formed at the lower end.
Parallel to the upper surface of the staple compiler 46, that is, in FIG.
It is pivotally connected 7 and J ₁ -J ₂ direction in FIG. 18. Gears are formed on the side edges of the connecting plate 66, and the power of the matching plate rotating motor 63 capable of forward and reverse rotation is transmitted to the gears via the gears 64 and 65. When the matching plate 47 is rotated parallel to the upper surface of the staple compiler 46 in the vicinity of the sheet S on the staple compiler 46 by the power of the matching plate rotation motor 63, both ends of the matching plate 47 are rotated. Alternately come into contact with the side surface of the sheet S many times to ensure that the sheet S is aligned with the reference position set by the reference guide 47a. As means for rotating the matching plate 47 in parallel with the upper surface of the staple compiler 46, other than the matching plate rotating motor 103 capable of forward and reverse rotation,
For example, it is also possible to configure by a motor and a cam mechanism that can rotate only in one direction.

In addition, the aligning operation by the aligning plate 47 is performed by controlling the support plate driving motor 47b and the aligning plate 47 rotating motor 63 by a control device (not shown). Corresponding to the width of. The rotation direction of the matching plate rotating motor 63 is switched by the controller each time the end of the matching plate 47 contacts the sheet S.

At the rear position of the reference guide 47a in the aligning device 60, the stopper 50 side of the seat S aligned by the staple compiler 46 and the reference guide 4 are arranged.
A stapler 49 for binding the corner of 7a is provided.
The staple compiler 46 shown in FIG. 17 shows a state in which valid paper (S1) and invalid paper (S2) are discharged. According to FIG. 17, the invalid paper S2 is placed in a non-aligned state on the aligned valid paper S1,
The sheets S1 and S2 can be easily distinguished.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart at the time of sheet discharge in the post-treatment mode of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

After the start of copying, at the timing (n101) when the exposure of the original M is started, it is determined whether or not the original M is jammed in the original conveying device 30 (n102). If the document M is jammed, the document M is exposed to the exposure glass 3
, The copy sheet corresponding to the original M is invalid paper, and the alignment plate 4
The sheet matching operation by 7 is not performed and the sheet is discharged to the staple compiler 46 (n103). In this case, the copy sheet S corresponding to the jammed original is simply judged as invalid paper, and if the copy sheet on which the image corresponding to the original M is formed is processed in the copying apparatus main body as staple paper and stapled. Matching processing is performed on the compiler.

If the original M is not jammed in step n102, the sheets are aligned by the aligning plate 47 after copying and discharged to the staple compiler 46 as effective paper (n104).

Therefore, valid paper (S1) and invalid paper (S2)
Since the discharge position is shifted in the direction orthogonal to the sheet transport direction and the discharge is performed, it can be easily distinguished as shown in FIG. 17, and the invalid paper can be removed by the staple compiler 46. Becomes very easy.

(Embodiment 2) In Embodiment 1, the invalid paper (S2) is discharged to the staple compiler 46 while being distinguished from the valid paper, and is removed by a message or the like. Can be easier. Especially effective paper (S1)
Is surely aligned by the operation of the aligning plate on the compiler, but the invalid paper (S2) is not aligned so that it can be distinguished from the effective paper. Not necessarily.

Therefore, a counter for counting the number of invalid sheets is provided, and when the invalid sheet is generated, the number of sheets to be removed is notified from the staple compiler 46 by a message, so that the number of invalid sheets to be removed can be grasped. After that, reliable removal can be performed.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart of the second embodiment of the present invention, showing a case where invalid paper is generated in staple mode.

The counter-X is a counter for counting invalid paper.

At the start of copying, the counter X is initialized to 0 (n201), and it is determined whether or not the discharge sheet is valid paper (n202). This judgment of validity or invalidity is shown in FIG.
As described in 9, the sheet corresponding to the unfinished original is selected depending on whether or not the exposure of the original M is completed due to the occurrence of a jam during the transportation of the original M.
It can be judged as invalid. Therefore, if the ejected sheet is an effective sheet, the sheet is ejected to the staple compiler 46 by the aligning plate 47 (n203), alignment is performed, and the end of copying is determined (n206). If the discharge sheet is not a valid sheet (invalid sheet), the sheet by the aligning plate 47 is not aligned and is discharged to the staple compiler 46 (n204), and the content of the counter X is set to X + 1 (n2).
05), it is determined whether all the sheets in the copying apparatus have been discharged (n206). In this case, a normal image is formed during image formation by the original document M which is not a jam, for example, during passage at the transfer position or passage through the fixing unit, and therefore the copy control is executed. If all the sheets in the copying machine are not discharged by the control, the process returns to n202, and if it is finished, the content of the counter X is determined (n207).

If the content of the counter X is not 0, the invalid paper has been discharged to the staple compiler 46, so a message indicating how many invalid papers to remove is displayed (n20).
8).

Therefore, the user can easily recognize how many invalid sheets should be removed.

(Third Embodiment) According to the above-described embodiment, the image forming operation on the copying apparatus main body side due to a jam on the original conveying apparatus 30 side is temporarily suspended. After all, unnecessary paper on which a regular image is not formed is generated in the main body of the copying apparatus. Not limited to this, a situation occurs in which the copying apparatus main body is temporarily suspended.

That is, during the copying operation by the staple mode, and when the sheet is stored in the intermediate tray 26, a release key (clear key) for releasing the staple mode is provided. When pressed, for example, when performing double-sided copying, the sheet contained in the intermediate tray 26 must be treated as unnecessary paper. For example, during the copying operation in the post-processing mode, when the setting of the copying conditions such as the number of copies, the magnification or the image density is wrong, the above key is operated and the image forming operation of the copying apparatus is temporarily suspended. Regarding this interruption, the operation of forming an image on a copy sheet is stopped when the normal image formation is completed.

In the present embodiment, in the staple mode, and when the sheet is stored in the intermediate tray 26, the staple sheet is processed for the purpose of processing the invalid paper produced by the operation of the clear oak key. -The copy sheet on the pull compiler 46 is stapled, and the extruded piece 52 discharges it to the discharge tray 56,
The discharge roller 5 is set to the position of the offset mode 55.
3 and the discharge roller 54 sequentially discharge all sheets in the intermediate tray 26 to the discharge tray 56.

Therefore, even if the staple mode is released by the operation of the clear oak during the copying operation by the staple mode, the sheet in the copying machine main body (intermediate tray) is moved to the outside of the copying machine main body. Since the sheet is discharged, it is possible to easily shift to the copy mode in the next copy operation. in this case,
The copy sheet remaining in the intermediate tray 26 and the copied sheet already discharged onto the staple compiler 46 can be distinguished by completing the stapling.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart of the third embodiment of the present invention.

After the copying operation by the staple mode is started,
When the clear oul key is operated (n301), the
It is determined whether or not the sheet exists on the pull compiler 46 (n302). This determination is made by the presence / absence detection switch of the paper on the staple compiler 46, and can be determined by the detection condition of this switch.

Therefore, if the sheet exists on the staple compiler 46, the sheet on the staple compiler 46 is aligned by the aligning plate 47 and stapled, and then ejected by the extruded piece 52. The sheet is ejected to the paper tray (n303). After the completion of discharging the stapled sheet bundle (n30
4) It is determined whether or not there is a sheet in the intermediate tray 26 (n
305). If there is a sheet in the intermediate tray 26,
Switch the post-processing device to the offset mode and set the gate 5
With the position 5 as the offset mode position, all the sheets in the intermediate tray 26 are sequentially discharged to the discharge tray 56 by the discharge rollers 53 and 54 (n306), and the process ends (n307). As a result, unnecessary sheets that are not stapled are discharged so as to be stacked on the previously stapled sheet bundle.

If there is no sheet in the intermediate tray 26, the process ends. If there is no sheet on the staple compiler 46 in n302, the process proceeds to n305.

Therefore, when the clear oul key is operated during the copying operation by the staple mode, the sheet in the copying machine main body (intermediate tray) is discharged to the outside of the copying machine main body. It is possible to easily shift to the copy mode with the next copy operation, reduce the burden on the user and improve the copy efficiency.

Note that the staple compiler 46 is executed at n303.
The same effect can be obtained by aligning the sheet with the aligning plate without discharging the upper sheet and then discharging the sheet to the sheet discharge tray by the push-out piece 52.

(Fourth Embodiment) In the third embodiment, the sheets on the staple compiler 46 are discharged by performing the stapling at the time of the operation of the clear key. Since it has been stapled, it is necessary to remove the staple or copy from the beginning when using the stapled sheet, and the sheet is discharged to the staple compiler 46. It becomes difficult to effectively utilize the sheet.

Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, the sheet on the staple compiler 46 is used so that the sheet on the staple compiler 46 can be effectively utilized even during the operation of the clear okey.
The sheet is discharged to the discharge tray without being stapled.

In the fourth embodiment, in the staple mode, the sheets in the intermediate tray 26 which have become invalid due to the operation of the clear oul key are discharged without being aligned on the stapler compiler 46. .

Therefore, the user can utilize the sheets discharged on the staple compiler 46, and further, the completed (double-sided copy) sheet group at the lower part and the sheet group at the upper part can be utilized. Since the sheet group of unfinished sheets (single-sided copy) discharged from the intermediate tray 26 shifted in the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction can be easily discriminated, they can be used separately.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

After the copying operation by the staple mode is started,
When the clear key is operated (n401), it is determined whether or not a sheet exists in the intermediate tray 26 (n4).
02). If there is no sheet in the intermediate tray 26, the process ends. If there is a sheet in the intermediate tray, it is judged whether or not there is a sheet on the staple compiler 46 (n40).
3). If there is no sheet on the staple compiler 46, the sheet in the intermediate tray 26 is sequentially moved by the discharge roller 53 and the discharge roller 54 with the gate 55 as the position of the offset mode. All are discharged to the discharge tray 56 (n40
5, n406). When there is a sheet on the staple compiler 46, all the sheets in the intermediate tray are sequentially transferred to the staple compiler 46 without performing the matching operation by the matching plate 47 on the staple compiler 46. Eject (n4
04, S406).

Therefore, since the sheet which has already been accommodated in the staple compiler 46 and which is used for double-sided copying is aligned by the plywood 47, the lower sheet where double-sided copying is being performed. The group and the upper sheet group where one-sided copying is performed can be easily distinguished.
Group can be effectively utilized.

(Fifth Embodiment) In the fourth embodiment, when a sheet is present on the staple compiler 46 when the clear key is operated, the transfer to another copy mode is not possible. Only possible after removing this sheet.

Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, the clear oval key is used.
After the operation, the message for removing the sheet on the staple compiler 46 is displayed, and the ready lamp is turned off until the sheet is removed, so that the processing procedure is easy to understand and erroneous operation can be prevented.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

After the copying operation by the staple mode is started,
When the clear key is operated (n501), the presence or absence of the sheet in the intermediate tray 26 is determined (n502), and then the presence or absence of the sheet on the staple compiler 46 is determined (n503, n508). ). When there is a sheet in the intermediate tray 26 and there is no sheet on the staple compiler 46, the gate 55 is set as the position of the offset mode and the discharge roller 53 and the discharge roller 53. The sheet 54 in the intermediate tray 26 is sequentially discharged to the discharge tray 56 by the line 54, and the process ends (n506, n507). When there are sheets both in the intermediate tray 26 and on the staple compiler 46, all the sheets in the intermediate tray 26 are aligned with the alignment plate 47.
The matching operation is not performed, and all are sequentially discharged to the staple compiler 46 (n505).
Display the message to remove the sheet of staple compiler 46 until the sheet on 6 is removed,
The ready lamp is turned off (n509, n510). After that, when the sheet on the staple compiler 46 is removed, the ready lamp is turned on, the transition to the next mode is permitted, and the process is terminated (n511). If there is no sheet in the intermediate tray 26 and there is a sheet on the staple compiler 46 in n502, the process proceeds to n509.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation after the clear-key operation and to easily understand the processing procedure of the unnecessary sheet, and to effectively use the sheet which is only one-sided copied. It is possible to improve the copy efficiency.

Example 6 On the other hand, in the post-processing apparatus,
For example, there is a possible number of sheets that can be stapled. For this reason, the stacks stored in the staple compiler 46 are
If the number of sheets that can be stapled is exceeded, the stapling operation cannot be performed. Therefore, when a document is copied by the document feeding device 30, the number of copy sheets may exceed the staple allowable number depending on the selected copy mode.

For example, when the number of originals is 60 and the allowable number of staples is 50, the number of copy sheets becomes 30 in the S → D mode (a mode for performing double-sided copying from a single-sided original). It can be stapled. However, in the S → S mode (a mode in which one-sided copying is performed from a one-sided original), the number of copies to be copied is 60, and 10 sheets exceeds the allowable number of staples. As a result, processing cannot be executed.

In the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the excess of the allowable number of staples is treated as unnecessary paper as in the first and third and fourth embodiments, and the alignment plate 47 does not align the stapled paper. By discharging the sheet to the pull compiler 46, it is possible to easily recognize the amount exceeding the allowable number of staples and reduce the number of originals or change the copy mode. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the stapler from overloading and eliminate factors such as a failure.

In particular, in the case where the originals are automatically circulated by the original conveying device to make copies one by one in order, it is possible to recognize whether or not stapling is possible at the time when one copy is made. When copying the second copy, reduce the number of originals,
It is possible to change the copy mode (such as changing from the single-sided copy mode to the double-sided copy mode).

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

At the start of copying by the staple mode, the contents of the counter-X for counting the number of sheets discharged to the staple compiler 46 are initialized to 0,
(N601), the timing at which the sheet is discharged to the staple compiler 46 is judged (n602), and the number X of sheets discharged to the staple compiler 46 and the step
The pull allowable number A is compared (n603). Count X
If the content of A is less than A, the sheet is aligned by the alignment plate 47 to bring the sheet to the staple position (n604), the content of the counter-X is set to X + 1 (n605), and a part of When stapling is requested due to the end of copying (n608),
The sheets on the staple compiler 46 are stapled and discharged to the discharge tray 56 (n609), the contents of the counter X are initialized to 0 (n610), and this operation is performed until the desired copying is completed. Continue (n611). n60
In step 3, if the number of sheets discharged onto the staple compiler 46 exceeds the allowable number of staples, the aligning plate 47 aligns the sheets discharged thereafter. The sheet is discharged without being distinguished, and a sheet which has already been discharged and is aligned is distinguished (n606). Further, during automatic circulation copying of originals by the original conveying device, a flag is set to complete copying only a part (n607), and when partial copying is completed, the copying is ended (n612).

Here, the flag n607 is a flag for completing only a part of the document in the document automatic circulation copying by the document conveying device, and the CPU completes only a part of the document by this flag and performs the copying operation. Stop.

Therefore, it is possible to easily know how many sheets exceed the allowable number of staples, reduce the number of originals, and change the copy mode (single-sided copy mode). Mode to double-sided copy mode, etc.)
Can respond promptly and accurately.

(Seventh Embodiment) In the sixth embodiment, a sheet which exceeds the allowable number of staples is staple compiler 4
6 exists, it must prompt the user for processing.

Therefore, according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, when the number of stapled sheets exceeds the allowable number, the copying operation is stopped after partially completing. At the same time as this stop, a message "A
You cannot staple more than one sheet. This is the page where the shifted sheet on the staple compiler is exceeded.
Remove the sheet from the staple compiler. Is displayed and the ready lamp is turned off until it is removed to prevent accidental operation.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart of the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

At the start of copying by the staple mode, the contents of the counter X for counting the number of sheets discharged to the staple compiler 46 are initialized to 0,
(N701), the timing at which the sheet is discharged to the staple compiler 46 is judged (n702), and the number X of sheets discharged to the staple compiler 46 and the step
The pull allowable number A is compared (n703). Count X
If the content of A is less than A, the sheet is aligned by the alignment plate 47 to bring the sheet to the staple position (n704), the content of the counter-X is set to X + 1 (n705), and a part of When stapling is requested by the end of copying (n708),
The sheets on the staple compiler 46 are stapled and discharged to the discharge tray 56 (n709), the contents of the counter X are initialized to 0 (n710), and this operation is performed until the desired copying is completed. Continue (n711). n70
In step 3, if the number of sheets discharged onto the staple compiler 46 exceeds the allowable number of staples, the aligning plate 47 aligns the sheets discharged thereafter. Instead, the sheet is discharged, and a sheet that has already been discharged and is aligned is distinguished (n706). Further, during automatic original circulation copying by the original conveying apparatus, a flag is set to complete copying only a part (n707), and when partial copying is completed (n712), on the tape compiler 46. Until the sheet is removed (n713), a message is displayed (n714), the ready lamp is turned off (n715),
Avoid extra copying. When the sheet on the staple compiler 46 is removed, the ready lamp is turned on to allow the next copying operation (n716).

Here, the n607 flag is a flag for completing only a part of the original in the automatic circulation copying of the original by the original feeding device, and the CPU completes only a part of the copying by this flag to perform the copying operation. Stop.

Therefore, the user can recognize the sheet processing method by a message, and reduce the number of originals more than the allowable number of staples for copying or change the copy mode ( For example, changing from one-sided copy mode to double-sided copy mode) can be dealt with swiftly and accurately.

As described in each of the above embodiments, according to the present invention, the copying apparatus main body is generated when the copying operation is temporarily stopped due to some reason, not the defective conveyance of the copying paper in the copying apparatus main body. Valid copy paper in
This is to distinguish unnecessary copy sheets that cannot be image-formed on the same discharge tray. Therefore, when there is a sheet to be processed as unnecessary except when the jam is caused by the above-described document feeding device 30, the operation of the clear key for stopping the operation, or when the number of post-processable sheets is exceeded, the present invention is directly applied. Applicable.

[0146]

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the tray is post-processed in an apparatus that is equipped with an automatic document feeder and performs post-processing of copy sheets after copying by the sheet post-processing apparatus, for example, a stapler. When part of the output tray to be discharged later also serves as unnecessary paper, when unnecessary paper is generated, it is possible to distinguish the unnecessary paper from the effective paper that has been discharged first. Processing is easy.
In this case, as the post-processing device, it is not necessary to separately provide a sheet conveying path, so that a large conveying path is not required, which contributes to downsizing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a main part of a sheet post-processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the entire sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the structure of the entire copying machine equipped with the sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an arrangement of each sheet detection switch in an offset mode in the sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the arrangement of each sheet detection switch in the staple mode in the sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control system of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation process of the sheet post-processing device in an offset mode.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation process in the staple (single) mode of the sheet post-processing device.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart when a sheet is discharged.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an output characteristic of a stepping motor.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation process of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention in a staple (multi) mode.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation process of the sheet post-processing device in the staple (multi) mode.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation process of the sheet post-processing device in the staple (multi) mode.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation process of the sheet post-processing device in staple (multi) mode.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation process of the sheet post-processing device in the staple (multi) mode.

16 (a), (b) and (c) are explanatory views showing the sheet conveying operation in the post-processing conveying path at each staple (multi) mode.

FIG. 17 is a top view showing a sheet alignment state by the staple compiler according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing an example of sheet alignment on the staple compiler of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart in Example 1 relating to the sheet alignment of the invention.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of Example 2 according to the sheet alignment of the invention.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of Example 3 according to the sheet alignment of the invention.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of Example 4 according to the sheet alignment of the invention.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of Example 5 according to the sheet alignment of the invention.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of Example 6 according to the sheet alignment of the invention.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of Example 7 according to the sheet alignment of the invention.

FIG. 26 is a schematic front view showing the operation of the conventional sheet post-processing apparatus in the non-staple mode.

FIG. 27 is a schematic front view showing the operation in the staple mode of the conventional sheet post-processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Copying Machine Main Body 26 Intermediate Tray 30 Original Conveying Device 40 Sheet Post-Processing Device 45 Post-Processing Unit 46 Staple Compiler (Seat Cradle) 47 Alignment Plate 47a Reference Guide 47b Support Plate Driving Motor 49 Sta Plastic 53 Eject roller 56 Eject tray M Original S Sheet S1 Effective paper S2 Invalid paper

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An automatic document feeder, a copying apparatus main body for copying an original image conveyed by the automatic original feeding apparatus onto a sheet, and a post-processing for post-processing a plurality of sheets image-formed by the copying apparatus main body. In the image forming apparatus having the apparatus, the post-processing apparatus conveys the copy sheet to the first position,
It has a sheet aligning means for aligning and moving it to the second position and a post-processing means for post-processing the aligned sheet bundle at the second position. A means for receiving a signal for temporarily stopping the image formation on the copy sheet and determining the valid copy sheet which has already completed the image formation according to the signal and the unnecessary copy sheet, and the valid copy sheet and the unnecessary copy sheet Second copy sheet is ejected to the post-processing device, and the valid copy sheet is discriminated by the discriminating means.
The image forming apparatus, which has a sheet conveyance control unit that aligns the sheet at position 1 and discharges the invalid sheet to the first position. 2. A signal indicating that the image forming on the copy sheet is not a defective conveyance of the copying apparatus and the image formation is stopped, a jam detection signal by the automatic document feeder, a copying operation stop signal, or the number of sheets that can be processed by the post-processing apparatus The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal is any one of the signals output when the signal exceeds. 3. An automatic document feeder, a copying machine body for copying an original image carried by the automatic document feeder onto a sheet, and a post-processing for post-processing a plurality of sheets image-formed by the copying machine body. In an image forming apparatus having a device, a post-processing device includes a receiving table on which discharged copy sheets are placed, an aligning unit that moves the copy sheets on the receiving table to a position where the post-processing is performed, and an aligning unit. After that, post-processing means for carrying out post-processing, and the copy sheet bundle post-processed by the post-processing means are discharged to a discharge tray which is arranged by extending the pedestal and constitutes a part of the pedestal. It is composed of a discharging means and a means for switching the copy paper discharged according to the post-processing mode or the non-post-processing mode to a receiving tray or a discharge tray.
A valid copy sheet for which image formation has been completed in the main body of the copying apparatus in the post-processing mode, and a determination section for determining a sheet existing in the copying apparatus without forming a normal document image as an unnecessary copy sheet; The image forming apparatus includes a sheet conveyance control unit that discharges the copy sheets in the post-processing device to the receiving tray of the post-processing device, and performs the matching process on the valid copy sheets by the determination unit and does not perform the alignment process on the unnecessary copy sheets. apparatus.