JPH10101262A - Transfer paper stacking device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make the tip of a transfer paper bundle being discharged afterward so as not to be damaged by the staple of a transfer paper bundle being earlier discharged, in the case where the transfer paper bundle subjected to stapling is stacked on a stack tray. SOLUTION: A projected guide member 382 having two inclines 326a and 327a becoming an upgrade at the side of a discharge port 382 of a transfer paper bundle, and also two inclines 326b and 327b becoming a downgrade at the opposite side of this discharge port 382, is installed on a stack tray 32. In addition, this transfer paper stacking device is provided with a driving means shifting these projected guide members 326 and 327 in such a direction as contacting or separating to or from the discharge port 382, and guide position controlling means which shifts these projected guide members 326 and 327 in a direction of coming close to the discharge port 382 when length of the transfer paper bundle to be discharge out of the discharge port 382 is short, but when it is longer, shifting these projected guide members 326 and 327 in a direction separated from the discharge port 382, respectively.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a transfer paper stacking apparatus for stacking, on a tray, a transfer paper bundle formed by an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, transfer paper discharged from a main body of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer is conveyed to a plurality of bins which can be moved up and down in a sorter and sorted, and is also accumulated in each bin. The transfer paper bundle is subjected to paper processing such as stapling, and the transfer paper bundle on each bin on which this paper processing has been performed is discharged onto the same tray via the transport path and collected in order from bottom to top. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a transfer paper stacking device that performs the above operation.

[0003]

However, in the transfer paper stacking apparatus as described above, the transfer paper bundle discharged onto the tray is located at the position where the paper processing is performed on the leading end side in the discharge direction of the transfer paper bundle. 12, when the sheet processing is the stapling processing, as shown in FIG. 12, the transfer sheet bundle discharged later on the staple S at the edge of the transfer sheet bundle P1 discharged earlier. There has been a problem that the tip of P2 may be caught, and the tip may be damaged or the tip may be damaged.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when stacking transfer-processed transfer paper bundles on the same tray, even if the paper processing is a staple process, the transfer paper bundle is stapled by the previously discharged transfer paper bundle. It is an object of the present invention to provide a transfer paper stacking device in which the leading end of the transfer paper bundle discharged from the printer is not likely to be damaged.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transfer paper stacking apparatus in which a transfer paper bundle discharged from a discharge port of a transport path is provided below the discharge port. In a stacking device on a tray, a guide portion for pointing the discharge direction of the leading end of the transfer paper bundle discharged from the discharge port upward relative to the mounting surface on which the leading end of the transfer paper bundle is placed is provided. The above-mentioned tray is provided.

In the transfer paper accumulating apparatus according to the first aspect,
After the discharge direction of the front end of the transfer paper bundle discharged from the discharge port by the guide portion is directed upward relative to the mounting surface on which the front end of the transfer paper bundle is mounted, the front end is directed downward. Is changed, and the leading end of the transfer paper bundle is placed on the placement surface on which the transfer paper bundle is placed, and in this state, the transfer paper bundle is sequentially accumulated on the tray.
For this reason, even if the stapling process is performed on the leading end side of the transfer paper bundle, the leading end of the transfer paper bundle discharged later does not catch on the staple of the transfer paper bundle discharged earlier.

Further, the transfer paper accumulating apparatus according to claim 2 is
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the guide portion is a convex guide member having an inclined surface on the discharge port side, which is inclined upward with respect to the transfer paper bundle to be discharged.

In the transfer paper accumulating apparatus according to the second aspect,
When the leading end of the transfer paper bundle discharged from the discharge port slides on the upwardly inclined surface of the convex guide member, the discharge direction of the leading end of the transfer paper bundle is set on the mounting surface on which the leading end of the transfer paper bundle is placed. Turned upwards. Then, the leading end of the transfer paper bundle that has slid over the inclined surface and climbs over the convex guide member changes its direction downward and is placed on the placement surface on which the leading end of the transfer paper bundle is placed.

Further, the transfer paper accumulating apparatus according to claim 3 is
In the device according to claim 2, the convex guide member is
It is characterized in that it can be moved in a direction approaching and separating from the discharge port.

In the transfer paper accumulating apparatus according to the third aspect,
The convex guide member is moved in the direction of contacting and separating from the discharge port according to the transfer paper size of the transfer paper bundle discharged from the discharge port. It is possible to glide on the uphill slope of the member and change direction after climbing over its convex guide member.

Further, the transfer paper stacking device according to claim 4 is
According to a third aspect of the present invention, a stopper that regulates a leading end position of the transfer paper bundle discharged from the discharge port is provided at a position of the convex guide member opposite to the discharge port.

In the transfer paper stacking device according to the fourth aspect,
The leading end of the transfer paper bundle slides on the inclined surface of the convex guide member, and comes into contact with the stopper after climbing over the convex guide member. This prevents the transfer paper bundle from moving to the leading end of the tray more than necessary.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transfer paper stacking apparatus.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the stopper is formed integrally with the convex guide member.

In the transfer paper accumulating apparatus according to the fifth aspect,
The stopper moves in the same direction as the convex guide member as the convex guide member moves.

[0015]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a copying machine as an example of an image forming apparatus to which a transfer paper accumulating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. In this figure, the copying machine includes a copying machine main body 1, a paper feeding unit 2 provided on the right side of the copying machine main body 1, and a sorter 3 provided on the left side of the copying machine main body 1. I have.

The main body 1 of the copying machine has a housing 4, a contact glass (not shown) is provided at the center of the upper surface of the housing 4, and an automatic document feeder 5 is provided above the glass. . The automatic document feeder 5 includes a document placement unit 6 and a document discharge unit 7, and automatically transports a plurality of documents placed on the document placement unit 6 onto the above-mentioned contact glass automatically. It is configured to be discharged to the discharge unit 7.

An optical system for optically scanning an original on a contact glass, an image forming section having respective components such as a photosensitive drum and a developing section, and a toner image are fixed on a transfer paper inside the housing 4. Each component (not shown) such as a fixing unit to be transferred and a transfer paper transport system is provided.

An operation panel 8 is provided on the upper part of the housing 4. The operation panel 8 includes a start switch 9, a copy number setting key 10, a mode selection key 11 of the sorter 3, a transfer paper size designation. Various keys such as a key 12 are provided, and a display 1 for displaying setting contents and the like.
3 are provided.

The paper feed unit 2 feeds the transfer paper to the image forming unit side of the copying machine main body 1 via a transport system, and can store transfer papers of different sizes.

The sorter 3 includes a housing 30. The sorter 3 is disposed on the inner front end side (left side in the figure) of the housing 30, and sorts the transfer paper conveyed from the copier main body 1. A stack tray 32 that is disposed below the bin unit 31 and that receives and stacks transfer paper bundles subjected to sheet processing such as stapling and punching, and a stack tray 32 above the bin unit 31. It is provided with a non-sort tray 33 which is disposed and in which transfer paper when sorting is not performed is discharged and accumulated.

In the above copying machine, when the original is conveyed onto the contact glass by the automatic original conveying section 5, the original image is read by the optical system and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum of the image forming section. This electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image. This toner image is transferred onto a transfer sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit 2 via a transport system, and is fixed by a fixing unit. The transfer paper on which the toner image is fixed is discharged from the transfer paper discharge port of the housing 4 to the adjacent sorter 3 side, and the transfer paper is sorted by the sorter 3 as necessary.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the sorter 3. In this figure, in the housing 30 of the sorter 3, in addition to the bin unit 31, the stack tray 32, and the non-sort tray 33, sheets for performing predetermined sheet processing such as stapling and punching on a transfer sheet bundle are provided. A processing unit 35, a carry-in port 36 that guides the transfer paper discharged from the copying machine body 1 to the sorter 3 side into the housing 30, and a first transport that transports the transfer paper loaded from the transport entrance 36 to the bin unit 31. Path 37, a second transport path 38 for transporting the transfer paper bundle subjected to the predetermined paper processing in the paper processing unit 35 to the stack tray 32 side, and transferring the transfer paper carried in from the carry-in port 36 to the non-sort tray 33. And a third transport path 39 for transporting.

The bin unit 31 includes a plurality of bins 40 arranged at predetermined intervals in a vertical direction, and a pair of side plates 41 (only one is shown in the drawing) opposed to both sides in the width direction of each bin 40. , And each bin 40 is raised and lowered by lifting means 50 described later.

Each bin 40 has a flat plate portion 42 on which transfer papers are placed and stacked, and a rear end side (right side in the drawing) of the flat plate portion 42.
And a substantially L-shaped stopper 43 disposed at the center.
On both sides in the width direction at the front end side (left side in the drawing) of the flat plate portion 42, first pins 46 are formed to protrude outward.
The second pin 47 and the third pin
A pin 48 is formed to protrude outward. This first pin 4
6 is fitted in a guide groove 49 of a side plate 41 described later, and the second pin 47 is fitted in a groove 51 of a spiral cam 52 described later. The stopper 43 regulates the transfer paper discharged from the first conveyance path 37 from falling from the rear end side of the flat plate portion 42 and aligns one end of the discharged transfer paper. In order to perform predetermined sheet processing such as staple processing and punching processing on one end side of the transfer paper bundle accumulated in the flat paper section 42, the flat paper section 42 is connected to the flat plate section 42 through connection pins 44 which are pivotal fulcrums on both sides in the width direction. It is rotatably mounted.

A notch (not shown) is formed at the rear end of the flat plate portion 42 and a notch (not shown) is formed at the front end of the stopper 43. Are formed. When each bin 40 descends and reaches a position facing the carry-in port 381 of the second transport path 38, a lever 150 described later provided in the carry-in port 381 is inserted into the through hole. Has become. The stopper 43 normally closes the rear end of the flat plate portion 42, but when the bin 40 retreats toward the paper processing unit 35, the stopper 43 turns downward with the connection pin 44 as a fulcrum due to its own weight. By moving, the rear end of the flat plate portion 42 is opened.

The inner side of the side plate 41 is formed with a guide groove 49 having a downward slope on the right side in the figure in which the first pin 46 of each bin 40 is slidably fitted.
0 is inclined to the right side in the figure at a predetermined angle. As a result, the transfer paper discharged from the first transport path 37 to the bin 40 slides toward the rear end of the flat plate portion 42 and
3 so that one end side of the transfer paper is aligned. The side plate 41 has a pin (not shown) protruding inward at a position facing the second pin of the bin 40 in the upper portion thereof, and the pin is formed in a groove of a spiral cam 52 described later similarly to the second pin of the bin 40. 51, and is moved up and down together with each bin 40 by elevating means 50 described later.

At the rear end side of the bin unit 31 in the housing 30, the above-described elevating means 5 for elevating each bin 40 is provided.
0 is provided. This elevating means 50 is provided for each bin 40
And a pair of cylinders (hereinafter referred to as a spiral cam, only one of which is shown in the figure) 52 having spiral grooves 51 formed at a predetermined pitch on the outer peripheral surface thereof, while being erected on both sides in the width direction. And a drive motor (spiral cam drive motor) 53 for rotating the pair of spiral cams 52 in both forward and reverse directions.
And a driving force transmitting means 54 for transmitting the driving force of the driving motor 53 to the spiral cam 52.

The second pin 47 of each bin 40 is fitted in the groove 51 of the spiral cam 52, and the drive motor 53
Rotates, the helical cam 52 via the driving force transmitting means 54
Rotates, and every time the spiral cam 52 rotates 360 °, the bin 40 moves up or down by one step according to the rotation direction of the spiral cam 52. The lifting and lowering of the bin 40 is performed in synchronization with the operation of discharging the transfer paper from the copying machine main body 1, whereby the transfer paper carried in from the copying machine main body 1 is sorted.

After the sorting is completed, each bin 40
When performing a sheet process such as a stapling process or a punching process on the transfer sheet bundle accumulated in the printer, the spiral cam 52 rotates, and after all the bins 40 have once moved upward,
The bin 40 on which the paper processing is performed is lowered one by one to a position facing the paper processing unit 35. In this state, the opening of a guide rail (not shown) disposed between the bin 40 and the paper processing unit 35 and the groove 51 of the spiral cam 52 face each other, and the bin 40 is added to the third pin 48. The sheet can be retracted to the position of the sheet processing unit 35 along the inclined surface of the guide rail (not shown) by the driving force. During the retreat of the bin 40, the stopper 43 is rotated to open the rear end of the flat plate portion 42, and the edge of the transfer paper bundle located at the rear end of the flat plate portion 42 , The sheet processing is performed on the transfer sheet bundle. After the sheet processing is performed, the bin 40 is returned to the predetermined position by the reverse operation.

A moving mechanism (not shown) is provided on the side surface of the bin 40 to retreat the bin 40 toward the paper processing unit 35 and to advance the bin 40 after the paper processing is completed to return to the original position. The operation plate provided in the moving mechanism is interposed between the second pin 47 and the third pin 48 of the bin 40 and presses the third pin 48 to retreat the bin 40 and move the bin 40 toward the paper processing unit 35. By moving the bin 40 and pressing the second pin 47, the bin 40 on which the paper processing has been performed by the paper processing unit 35 is advanced and returned to the original position. Further, a paper pressing mechanism (not shown) is provided in the bin 40. When the bin 40 is moved by the moving mechanism, the pressing member presses the transfer paper bundle on the bin 40 to cause the bin 40 to move.
And the stopper 43 is rotated to prevent the transfer paper bundle on the bin 40 from shifting or dropping when the rear end side of the flat plate portion 42 is released. Has become.

The stack tray 32 has an inclined surface having a downward slope on the right side in the figure, and a partition member 321 is formed upright at a base end portion, and the rear side of the partition member 321 (right side in the figure). Can be intermittently moved up and down within a predetermined moving range by means of the lifting means 65 disposed in the moving section.

The elevating means 65 includes a vertically arranged rack 651, a pinion 652 meshed with the rack 651, and a drive motor (tray drive) for intermittently rotating the pinion 652 in both forward and reverse directions. Motor) 653
It is composed of The stack tray 32 has its rear end locked to the upper portion of the rack 651 by a locking member 654. Thus, when the drive motor 653 rotates intermittently, the stack tray 32 intermittently moves up or down according to the direction of rotation.

A tray transfer paper sensor 322 composed of a reflection type photo sensor or the like is provided on the upper side of the stack tray 32 in the above-mentioned movement range, and an optical signal is transmitted from the tray transfer paper sensor 322 to the partition member 321. The light is transmitted in the horizontal direction through a slit (not shown) formed in the vertical direction. When there is a transfer sheet bundle accumulated on the stack tray 32 in the front in the horizontal direction, the optical signal is reflected, and the tray transfer sheet sensor 322 receives the reflection signal to detect the presence of the transfer sheet bundle. You. Then, when the presence of the transfer paper bundle is detected, the drive motor 653 rotates to lower the stack tray 32 by one pitch, and the stack of the transfer paper bundles already has a problem in the accumulation of the next transfer paper bundle. Not to be.

Even if an optical signal is transmitted from the tray transfer paper sensor 322, if the transfer paper bundle is not integrated to that height, the tray transfer paper sensor 322 does not receive a reflection signal, so the stack tray 32 Remains stopped at that position. That is, the stack tray 32 is lowered by one pitch every time one or more new transfer paper bundles are stacked on the stack tray 32, and the stack tray 3
The upper surface of the stack of transfer papers stacked on the sheet 2 is always kept at a constant height with respect to the discharge port 382 of the second conveyance path 38.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the stack tray 32 has a pair of upper and lower sides penetrating right and left sides in the discharge direction of the transfer sheet bundle discharged from the discharge port 382 of the second transport path 38. Slits 324, 325 are formed, and each of the slits 324, 325 has a convex guide member 326, 327 projecting from the upper surface of the stack tray 32.
Are arranged so as to be able to move in a direction of coming and going with respect to the discharge port 382.

The convex guide members 326 and 327 cause the discharge direction of the leading end of the transfer paper bundle discharged from the discharge port 382 to rise relatively to the mounting surface on which the leading end of the transfer paper bundle is placed. The guide portion is configured to be directed, and the side close to the discharge port 382 (the upstream side of the transfer paper bundle discharged from the discharge port 382) with each apex as a boundary is an upward slope (hereinafter, referred to as an upward slope). .) 326a, 327a, and the discharge port 38
2 (the downstream side of the transfer paper bundle discharged from the discharge port 382) has a shape that becomes a downwardly inclined surface (hereinafter, referred to as a downwardly inclined surface) 326b, 327b.

That is, the convex guide members 326, 3
27, as shown in FIG. 5A, the leading end of the transfer paper bundle P discharged from the discharge port 382 has an upwardly inclined surface 326a, 32.
7a, the discharge direction of the tip is once directed upward, and as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the tip descends after climbing over the tops of the convex guide members 326, 327. Is placed on the downward inclined surfaces 326b and 327b. That is, in this embodiment, the descending inclined surface 3 of the convex guide members 326 and 327 is used.
26b and 327b are placement surfaces on which the leading end of the transfer paper bundle is placed. The upwardly inclined surfaces 326a and 327a are formed to have a gentle gradient so that the transfer paper bundle P can easily slide on the upwardly inclined surfaces 326a and 327a. In addition, down slopes 326b, 327b
May be a slope that is steeper than shown, or may be formed vertically.

The above-mentioned convex guide members 326, 327
Are connected and integrated by a connecting member 328 extending in the lateral direction on the lower surface of the stack tray 32, and slide guides 329 and 330 formed at positions facing the slits 324 and 325 on the lower surface of the stack tray 32.
The connection member 328 is slid on the top.
The driving means 331 attached to the
4, 325 along the direction of coming into contact with and separating from the discharge port 382. This driving means 331 is
A pair of pulleys 332 and 333 disposed on the lower surface of the stack tray 32 along the discharge direction of the transfer paper bundle, a timing belt 334 bridged over the pair of pulleys 332 and 333, and one pulley 332 are fixed. And a drive motor (guide drive motor) 335 that rotates in both reverse directions.

A guide position sensor 336 such as a transmission type photo sensor is provided beside one of the convex guide members 327 at the home position, which is the position furthest away from the discharge port 382 of the convex guide members 326 and 327. Is provided, and a detection piece 337 is formed on the side of one of the convex guide members 327 so as to protrude outward.
37 detects the presence of the convex guide members 326 and 327 at the home position by blocking the optical path of the guide position sensor 336. As a result, the convex guide members 326 and 327 move toward the discharge port 382 by a predetermined distance according to the length (transfer sheet size) in the discharge direction of the transfer sheet bundle discharged from the discharge port 382 with the home position as a base point. To stop at a predetermined position corresponding to the transfer paper size.

The non-sort tray 33 includes the housing 30
The transfer paper discharged from the copying machine main body 1 when sorting is not performed (that is, in the non-sorting mode) is attached to the non-sort tray 33.
It is designed to be discharged upward.

Returning to FIG. 2, the paper processing unit 35
It has a stapler for stapling and a punch for forming a punch hole on one end side of the stack of transfer paper discharged and accumulated to 0, and is attached to the support frame 70.
The support frame 70 is mounted via a roller 72 on a guide rail 71 disposed in the width direction (the depth direction in the drawing) of the transfer paper bundle, and includes a driving motor (paper processing driving motor) 73 and a driving mechanism. 74. As a result, the sheet processing unit 35 moves along the width direction of the transfer sheet bundle, and performs a sheet process on a predetermined position of the edge of the transfer sheet bundle that has receded toward the sheet processing unit 35 together with the bin 40.

When the transfer pin bundle of each bin 40 is subjected to sheet processing and the second pin 47 of each bin 40 returns to the groove 51 of the spiral cam 52, each bin 40 is sequentially rotated by the rotation of the spiral cam 52. The sheet is moved to the carry-in port 381 side of the second transport path 38 below the sheet processing section 35. Carry-in entrance 38 of second conveyance path 38
1 is provided with a lever 150 as described later, the leading end of the lever 150 enters through a through hole (not shown) at the rear end of the bin 40 to lift up the transfer paper bundle, and The transfer paper bundle slides over the upper end edge of the stopper 43 and slides down to the carry-in port 381 of the second transport path 38 as it descends.

The transfer paper bundle is transported to the entrance 381 of the second transport path 38.
, The lever 150 pivots downward and retreats from the movement path of the bin 40, and the bin 40 further descends. Thereafter, the lever 150 rotates to the original position above and repeats the above operation, and the transfer paper bundle of the next bin 40 slides down to the carry-in port 381 of the second transport path 38 in order.

A transfer roller pair 140 is provided at the carry-in port 36 side of the sorter 3 in order to feed the transferred transfer paper to either the first transfer path 37 or the third transfer path 39.
And a direction switching plate 141 are provided. That is,
The direction switching plate 141 shuts off the third conveyance path 39 to form the first conveyance path 37 (the position indicated by the solid line in the drawing), and shuts off the first conveyance path 37 to perform third conveyance. It is switchably attached to a second position (a position indicated by a chain line in the figure) forming the path 39.

The direction switching plate 141 is driven by a direction switching section 141a (FIG. 6) which is a driving means composed of a solenoid or the like. Further, a plurality of transport roller pairs 140 are provided at predetermined intervals along the axial direction, and the leading end of the direction switching plate 141 is configured to enter between the rollers so that the transport direction of the transfer paper is changed. It can be switched reliably.

The first transport path 37 is disposed between the direction switching plate 141 and the discharge port 371 for discharging the transfer paper to the bin 40 as described above.
4 and a pair of transport rollers 145 at an intermediate position.
Are arranged.

The second transport path 38 includes a carry-in port 381 into which a transfer paper bundle subjected to predetermined sheet processing in the sheet processing section 35 is carried in below the sheet processing section 35, and a carry-in port 3
The transfer paper bundle 81 is disposed between the transfer tray bundle and a discharge port 382 for discharging the transfer paper bundle onto the stack tray 32. This second
As described above, the lever 150 is rotatably attached to the pin 151 serving as a fulcrum at the carry-in entrance 381 of the transport path 38. The lever 150 is formed in a substantially L-shape, and is turned around a pin 151 by a lever switching portion 150a (FIG. 6) which is a driving means including a solenoid or the like. A plurality of pairs of transport rollers 152 to 154 are disposed at an intermediate position of the second transport path 38, and a discharge roller pair 155 is disposed at the discharge port 382.

The third transport path 39 is disposed between the direction switching plate 141 and the discharge port 391 for discharging the transfer paper carried into the carry-in port 36 to the non-sort tray 33, and the transport roller pair 156 is provided at an intermediate position. Are disposed, and a discharge roller pair 157 is disposed at the discharge port 391.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a main control configuration of the sorter 3 according to the present invention. The control unit 160 includes a CPU 161 for performing predetermined arithmetic processing, a ROM 162 for storing a predetermined program, a RAM 163 for temporarily storing processing data, and the like. Control behavior.

That is, the CPU 161 receives signals from the start switch 9, the copy number setting key 10, the sorter mode selection key 11, the transfer paper size designation key 12, the tray transfer paper sensor 322, and the guide position sensor 336. To control the spiral cam drive motor 53, the sheet processing drive motor 73, the guide drive motor 335, and the tray drive motor 653, respectively, and the direction switching unit 141a and the lever switching unit 15 each composed of a solenoid or the like.
1a are respectively driven and controlled.

The copying machine constructed as described above operates as follows. That is, a plurality of documents are placed on the document placing portion 6 of the automatic document feeder 5 of the copying machine body 1, the number of copies is set by the copy number setting key 10 of the operation panel 8, and the transfer paper size is designated. The transfer paper size is designated by the key 12, and the mode selection key 11 is
When the user selects a sorting mode in which the stapled transfer paper bundle is subjected to stapling and is stacked on the stack tray 32 and the start switch 9 is pressed, the original placing unit 6 is pressed.
The originals placed on the sheet are sequentially fed onto the contact glass to read the original image, and the original image is copied onto the transfer paper fed from the paper feeding unit 2.
The transfer paper on which the document image has been copied is discharged to the sorter 3 side.

On the other hand, when the above-mentioned keys of the operation panel 8 are pressed and the predetermined conditions are set, the bin unit 31 causes the bin 40 at the top of the sorter 3 to move to the discharge roller pair 144 of the first transport path 37. It moves so as to be located at a position corresponding to the disposed outlet 371. Further, the stack tray 32 moves up to the highest position in the movement range. Also,
The convex guide members 326 and 327 of the stack tray 32
The pulse corresponding to the transfer paper size is supplied to the guide drive motor 335 so that the discharge port 382 is moved from the home position.
Side and stops at a predetermined position corresponding to the specified transfer paper size. Further, the direction switching plate 141 moves to the first position. Further, the lever 150 of the second conveyance path 38 moves to a position retracted from the movement path of the bin 40.

In this state, when the transfer paper discharged from the copying machine main body 1 is carried into the carry-in port 36, the transfer paper is sequentially fed to the first transport path 37 by the transport roller pair 140, It is transported to the discharge port 371 by the pair 145. The transfer paper conveyed to the discharge port 371 is discharged onto the bin 40 by the discharge roller pair 144. Each bin 40
Rises one step at a time in synchronism with the discharge of the transfer paper, and a plurality of transfer papers on which the same original image is copied are stored in different bins 4.
It is sequentially discharged to zero. When the transfer paper on which the next original image has been copied is conveyed, each bin 40 descends by one step, and the transfer paper is sequentially discharged onto the transfer paper on which the previous original image has been copied. Each bin 40 repeats the above elevating operation until the transfer paper on which the last document image is copied is discharged.

When the transfer paper on which the last original image has been copied is discharged to the bin 40, the bin unit 31 temporarily stops.
The lowermost bin 40 from which the transfer paper is discharged rises so as to be located at a reference position above the paper processing unit 35, and then each bin 40 descends to a position facing the paper processing unit 35 in order. . The bin 40 that has descended to a position facing the paper processing unit 35 retreats to the paper processing unit 35 side. Then, the stapling process is performed on the transfer paper bundle, and the bin 40 advances thereafter and returns to the original position. The bin 40 that has returned to the original position descends sequentially as the subsequent bin 40 descends to a position facing the paper processing unit 35, and moves to a position facing the entrance 381 of the second transport path 38.

On the other hand, when the staple processing in the paper processing section 35 is started, the lever 150 of the second transport path 38 which has been retracted from the path of movement of the bin 40 moves to a substantially upright position. The transfer paper bundle is transferred to the entrance 3 of the second transport path 38.
81 so that it can be carried out. Therefore, when the bin 40 moves to a position opposed to the carry-in port 381 of the second conveyance path 38, the tip of the lever 150 enters the through hole of the bin 40 to lift the transfer paper bundle, and at the same time, lifts the lifted transfer paper. The bundle is slid out of the bin 40 with the side on which the stapling process is performed first, and is carried out to the second conveyance path 38 because the inclination angle of the bin 40 is increased.

The transfer paper bundle delivered to the second transport path 38 is
The sheet is conveyed to the discharge port 382 by the conveying roller pairs 152 to 154, and is discharged onto the stack tray 32 by the discharge roller pair 155 of the discharge port 382, with the side on which the stapling process is performed first. Bin 40 to which the transfer paper bundle has been carried out
Is further lowered, and the transfer paper bundle on the next bin 40 is sequentially moved to the second
The sheet is carried out to the transport path 38 and discharged onto the stack tray 32.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in which the transfer paper bundle is discharged onto the stack tray 32. That is, as shown in FIG. 7A, the transfer paper bundle P discharged onto the stack tray 32 has the leading end where the staple S is present due to the discharge force of the discharge roller pair 155 of the discharge port 382 and the convex guide member 3.
26, 327 slides on the upward inclined surfaces 326a, 327a, the leading end thereof is directed upward, passes above the downward inclined surfaces 326b, 327b, and once moves to the leading end side of the stack tray 32. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7B, the transfer paper bundle P slides on the inclined surface of the stack tray 32, moves to the partition member 321 side, and stops in a state of contacting the partition member 321. At this time, the leading end of the transfer paper bundle P descends, and as shown in FIG.
b, 328b.

Subsequently, the discharged transfer paper bundle P is shown in FIG.
As shown in (c), the upwardly inclined surface 32 of the convex guide members 326, 327 from above the previously discharged transfer paper bundle P.
6a and 327a, the discharge direction of the tip is directed upward, passes above the downward inclined surfaces 326b and 327b, and temporarily moves to the tip side of the stack tray 32. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7D, the stack member 32 slides on the inclined surface of the stack tray 32 and moves to the partition member 321 side.
It stops in a state where it is in contact with 21. At this time, the transfer paper bundle P
7 are accumulated on the stack tray 32 with their tips descending and being placed on the descending inclined surfaces 326b and 327b as shown in FIG. 7D. The above behavior is
This process is repeated until the transfer of the transfer paper bundle on each bin 40 is completed.

As described above, the transfer paper bundle P discharged from the discharge port 382 is raised by the discharge force of the discharge roller pair 155 and the upwardly inclined surfaces 326a, 326 of the convex guide members 326, 327.
27a, and passes over the descending inclined surfaces 326b and 327b, the leading end of the transfer paper bundle P discharged later is the leading end of the previously discharged transfer paper bundle P existing on the descending inclined surfaces 326b and 327b. As a result, the leading end of the transfer paper bundle P discharged later is not damaged by the staple S of the transfer paper bundle P discharged earlier.

As described above, the transfer paper bundle is
When the uppermost transfer paper bundle reaches the predetermined height position (the position of the tray transfer paper sensor 322) and is sequentially stacked on the tray 2, the tray transfer paper sensor 322 detects it, and the stack tray 32 moves by one pitch. Descend. Further, when the transfer paper bundle is accumulated and the uppermost transfer paper bundle reaches the predetermined height position, the tray transfer paper sensor 322 detects this, and the stack tray 32 is further lowered by one pitch. This lowering is performed every time the tray transfer paper sensor 322 detects the presence of transfer paper. As a result, the position at which the transfer paper bundle falls from the discharge port 382 to the stack tray 32 is maintained substantially constant, and the transfer paper bundle is accurately discharged to a predetermined position on the stack tray 32.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,
Although the pair of convex guide members 326 and 327 are arranged to be movable in the pair of slits 324 and 325, respectively, the pair of convex guide members 326 and 327 are provided.
It is also possible to use a wide one convex guide member 7 so as to be movable in one slit.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,
Although the convex guide members 326 and 327 are automatically moved in the direction of coming into contact with and separating from the discharge port 382 in accordance with the size of the transfer paper, a configuration in which they are manually moved may be employed. Further, when the transfer paper size is constant, the convex guide members 326 and 327 can be configured to be immovable.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,
The leading end of the transfer paper bundle discharged onto the stack tray 32 has the downward inclined surfaces 326b, 326b of the convex guide members 326, 327.
The guide members 326, 3
27 is set, but the upward slopes 326a, 326a, 3
The leading end of the transfer paper bundle moves over the convex guide members 326 and 327 and moves to the leading end side of the stack tray 32 by setting the inclination angle of 27a to, for example, 45 ° or increasing the discharge force of the discharge roller pair 155. By doing so, as shown in FIG. 8, the convex guide member 32 in which the leading end of the previously discharged transfer paper bundle P1 has passed the downward inclined surfaces 326b and 327b.
The positions of the convex guide members 326 and 327 may be set so as to be mounted on the mounting surface set on the downstream side from the mounting surfaces 6 and 327.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,
Since there is no obstacle to the discharged transfer paper bundle on the downstream side of the convex guide members 326 and 327, the transfer paper bundle discharged from the discharge port 382 has its leading end discharged by the discharge roller pair 155. The convex guide member 32 according to the force or the like
6 and 327, and moves to the leading end side of the stack tray 32 after passing above the downward inclined surfaces 326b and 327b.
As shown in (5), upright stoppers 338 and 339 may be provided at positions near the convex guide members 326 and 327 on the downstream side of the convex guide members 326 and 327.

The stoppers 338 and 339 are formed integrally with the convex guide members 326 and 327 on the lower surface of the stack tray 32 so as to protrude from the upper surface of the stack tray 32 through the slits 324 and 325. is there.
When the stoppers 338 and 339 are provided in this manner, the leading end of the transfer paper bundle discharged from the discharge port 382 comes into contact with the stoppers 338 and 339.
It is no longer necessary to pass over the upper side of the stack trays 32b and 327b and move to the leading end side of the stack tray 32.
The discharged transfer paper bundle can be quickly accumulated on the stack tray 32.

Further, a stopper 33 as shown in FIG.
8, 339, the convex guide members 326, 32
7, and are not formed integrally with each other, but the convex guide members 326, 327
And can be independent. In this case, the stoppers 338 and 339 may be attached to, for example, the timing belt 334 of the driving unit 331. When the stoppers 338 and 339 as shown in FIG. 9 are provided, the transfer paper bundle discharged from the discharge port 382 does not move to the leading end side of the stack tray 32 more than necessary. , Or even if the stack tray 32 is arranged in a horizontal state, the transfer paper bundle can be accurately accumulated at a predetermined position on the stack tray 32.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,
The convex guide members 326, 3 serve as guide portions that direct the discharge direction of the leading end of the transfer paper bundle discharged from the discharge port 382 upward with respect to the mounting surface on which the leading end of the transfer paper bundle is placed.
27, but this guide part is formed by the convex guide member 3.
Instead of 26 and 327, a configuration as shown in FIG. That is, in the configuration shown in FIG. 10, a concave groove portion 340 having a downwardly curved inclined surface is provided on the upper surface on the distal end side of the stack tray 32, and the inflection portion 341 which is a boundary portion between the plane of the stack tray 32 and the curved surface Is a guide portion.

In this configuration, the leading end of the transfer paper bundle P discharged from the discharge port 382 has a concave groove 34 as shown by a chain line.
0, and once moved to the leading end side of the stack tray 32, slides down the inclined surface of the stack tray 32, and becomes a concave groove portion 340 serving as a mounting surface on which the leading end of the transfer paper bundle is mounted.
Placed on As described above, the inflection portion 34 serves as a guide portion.
1, the discharge direction of the leading end of the transfer paper bundle discharged from the discharge port 382 is directed relatively upward with respect to the concave groove portion 340 which is the mounting surface on which the leading end of the transfer paper bundle is placed. After that, the leading end of the transfer paper bundle is discharged and the leading end of the transfer paper bundle is discharged first. The staple S on the leading end side of the transfer paper bundle is not caught. As shown in FIG. 11, if a stopper 342 that protrudes upward is provided downstream of the concave groove 340, the leading end of the transfer paper bundle discharged from the discharge port 382 may be unnecessarily advanced to the leading end of the stack tray 32. Will not move.

[0069]

As described above, according to the transfer paper stacking device of the first aspect, the discharge direction of the front end of the transfer paper bundle discharged from the discharge port is set on the mounting surface on which the front end of the transfer paper bundle is mounted. The guide portion is directed upwards relative to the stack, so that even when stacking the stapled transfer paper bundle on the tray, it is discharged later by the staple of the transfer paper bundle discharged earlier. It is possible to prevent the end of the transferred transfer paper bundle from being damaged.

Further, according to the transfer paper stacking device of the second aspect, the guide portion has a slope on the discharge port side of the transfer paper bundle where the guide surface has an inclined surface which becomes an upward slope with respect to the transfer paper bundle to be discharged. Therefore, the configuration of the guide section is simplified.

According to the transfer paper stacking device of the third aspect, since the convex guide member is movable in the direction of coming and going with respect to the discharge opening of the transfer paper bundle, the size of the transfer paper is reduced. The transfer paper ejected later by the staple of the transfer paper bundle discharged regardless of the size of the transfer paper by moving the convex guide member in the direction of coming and going with respect to the discharge opening of the transfer paper bundle according to It is possible to prevent the tip of the bundle from being damaged.

According to the transfer paper stacking device of the fourth aspect, the stopper for regulating the leading end position of the transfer paper bundle discharged from the discharge port is provided at a position opposite to the discharge port of the convex guide member. This makes it possible to quickly accumulate the transfer paper bundle at a predetermined position on the tray.

According to the transfer paper accumulating apparatus of the fifth aspect, since the stopper is formed integrally with the convex guide member, the stopper can be linked with the movement of the convex guide member. Become.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a copying machine to which a transfer paper collecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a sorter of the copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a stack tray illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a stack tray shown in FIG.

5A and 5B are views for explaining the operation of the convex guide member of the stack tray shown in FIG. 2; FIG. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the transfer paper bundle is directed upward, and FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the leading end of the transfer paper bundle is placed on the downward inclined surface of the convex guide member.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a main control configuration of a sorter.

7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating a state of discharging a transfer sheet bundle in a stack tray illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a discharge state of a transfer sheet bundle discharged first; FIGS. FIG. 6D is a diagram illustrating a discharge state of a transfer paper bundle discharged later.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a leading end position of a transfer sheet bundle on a stack tray according to another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a stack tray according to another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a stack tray according to still another embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a modification of the stack tray of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a transfer sheet bundle is discharged on a stack tray in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copier main body 2 Paper feed unit 3 Sorter 31 Bin unit 32 Stack tray (tray) 33 Non-sort tray 35 Paper processing unit 36 Carry-in port 37 First conveyance path 38 Second conveyance path 39 Third conveyance path 40 Bin 155 Discharge roller Pair 160 Control part (guide position control means) 324,325 Slit 326,327 Convex guide member 328 Connection member 329,330 Slide guide 331 Drive means 332,333 Pulley 334 Timing belt 335 Guide drive motor 382 Discharge port 326a, 327a Up slope 326b, 327b Down slope

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A transfer paper stacking device for stacking transfer paper bundles discharged from a discharge port of a transport path on a tray provided below the discharge port, wherein a leading end of the transfer paper bundle discharged from the discharge port is provided. A transfer portion for stacking the transfer paper bundle, the guide portion of which is directed upward with respect to a mounting surface on which the leading end of the transfer paper bundle is mounted. 2. The transfer sheet according to claim 1, wherein the guide section is a convex guide member having an inclined surface on the discharge port side, which slope is inclined upward with respect to the transfer sheet bundle to be discharged. Integrated device. 3. The transfer paper accumulating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said convex guide member is movable in a direction of coming and going with respect to said discharge port. 4. The transfer paper stacking device according to claim 3, wherein a stopper for regulating a front end position of the transfer paper bundle discharged from the discharge port is located at a position of the convex guide member opposite to the discharge port. A transfer paper stacking device, comprising: 5. The stopper according to claim 4, wherein the stopper is formed integrally with the convex guide member.
The transfer paper accumulating apparatus according to the above.