JPS63180632A - Automatic original feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To switch over to handling of the next original bundle at once without being hindered by the preceding original as well as to make improvements in operation efficiency, by installing a regulating member, regulating admission of a processed original into an original separate control part, and also a changeover means for this regulating member. CONSTITUTION:The sheet original S housed in an original mount 2 is separated piece by piece by an original separating-feeding part 6, fed to an image forming device A and processed. And, in such a way that a processed sheet original Sa is again delivered to the original mount 2 and housed therein, it is circulated and processed at the specified frequency between the image forming device A and the original mount 2. At the time of final circulation, a regulating member 22 is changed over to a position regulating admission of an unprocessed sheet original Sb into the original separating-feeding part 6, and the processed sheet original Sa is partitioned off from this unprocessed sheet original Sb, while its admission into the original separating-feeding part 6 is regulated, and at the time when the circulation process is over, it is rehoused in the original mount 2 without being left behind in the original separating-feeding part 6.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (a) Industrial Application Field The present invention relates to an automatic document feeder installed in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printing machine, or a laser beam printer.
In particular, the present invention relates to a circulation-type automatic document feeding device that feeds a sheet-shaped original stored on a document mounting table to a predetermined position such as an image reading section of an image forming apparatus, and then returns it to the original document mounting table.

(B) Conventional technology Conventionally, in a circulation-type automatic document feeder installed in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, the document to be stored on the document tray is separated one by one by a document separation and feeding unit. There is an image forming apparatus that circulates the original between the image reading section and the document mounting table so that the document is fed to the image reading section of the image forming apparatus and then returned to the original document mounting table. The automatic document feeder is 1
Since the automatic document feeder has only two document placement tables, when the automatic document feeder is used to continuously process documents, only one bundle of documents can be processed.

Therefore, if the next operator attempts to set a document while one batch of documents is being processed, he or she must wait until the processing of the previous batch of documents is completed. Also, if you leave the place without waiting and then come back after a certain period of time and try to process it, there will be a loss of time between the end of the previous batch of documents and the start of processing the next batch of documents, which will cause the device to become unavailable. could not be utilized.

Therefore, as a method to overcome these drawbacks, it is possible to create an original document processing apparatus that has M number of original document mounting tables and sequentially processes a plurality of document bundles.

←→ Problems to be Solved by the Invention By the way, in a circulation-type automatic document feeder that circulates a stack of documents between a document placement table and an image reading section of an image forming apparatus, during the layered circulation process, A part of the document stack always enters the document separation and feeding section, and even when the document processing device is used, a part of it remains in the document separation and feeding section, and when the next document stack is processed. It gets in the way.

In particular, when considering a circulating automatic document feeder equipped with multiple document placement tables, when processing a document stack on one document placement table is finished, a portion of the document stack remains in the document separation and feeding section. If so, it is not possible to immediately move on to processing the next batch of originals on the document mounting table, making it difficult to process a plurality of batches of originals in succession.

(b) Means for Solving the Problems The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems by separating the processed sheet originals to be carried out and stored on the original document tray again from the unprocessed sheet 1 - originals, and The present invention includes a regulating member capable of regulating entry into the document separating and feeding section, and a switching means for switching the regulating member to a position that restricts or allows entry of sheet documents into the document separating and feeding section. This is a characteristic feature.

(e) Operation Based on the above-described configuration, the original document stored in the original fA [mounting table] is separated one by one by the document separation and feeding section, and is fed to a predetermined position of the image forming apparatus for processing. Then, the sheet originals that have been processed at the predetermined position are carried out and stored again from the predetermined position to the document placing table, and the sheet originals stored in the document placing table are sequentially moved to the predetermined positions of the image forming apparatus. The document is circulated a predetermined number of times with the document table.

Then, during the final circulation, the regulating member is switched to a position that restricts the sheet original from entering the original separation and feeding section, and the processed sheet original is separated from the unprocessed sheet original, and the original sheet separation and feeding section When the circulation process is finished, the documents are stored again on the document table without remaining in the document separation and feeding section.

(f) Example Embodiments of the present invention will be described below along with the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the stacking automatic feeding device 1 includes a reservation device B and an automatic document feeding device C, each of which has a plurality of movable document placement tables 2, and is used for image formation in a copying machine or the like. placed in device A. A paper feed roller 5 is disposed in the automatic document feeder C facing the document feed port 3, and a separation bell is placed adjacent to the paper feed roller 5. - A document separation and feeding section 6 consisting of a document feeder belt 6a and a paper feed belt 6b is provided, and the document stack S... stored on the document placement table 2 that has been moved to the document feed port 3 is separated one by one from the lower order. send out. Then, the document separation and feeding section 6
A paper feed path 7 is disposed downstream of the paper feed path 7, which transports the original #14S through the feed roller 9 to the platen glass 10 of the image forming apparatus A.
lead in a direction. Further, a platen feed belt 13 is disposed above the platen glass 10 and is suspended by a driving roller 11 and a driven roller 12 to cover the entire surface of the platen glass 10. It is sent and placed on the glass 10, and then discharged from above the platen glass 10. On the other hand, a paper discharge path 15 is provided above the document separation and feeding section 6, and the paper discharge path 15 guides the original fat S from the platen glass 10 along the left side of the large roller 16 in the figure. Then, the document is discharged onto the document table 2 from the document discharge port 19 via the discharge roller 17 . Further, a reversing path 20 is provided which branches off from the paper ejection path 15 and joins the paper feed path 7 from the right side of the large roller 16 in the figure. The double-sided layer is guided to the reversal path 20 by a deflector 21 that is displaced in height, and is reversed and placed on the platen glass 10. Further, as shown in detail in FIG. 2, the document placing table 2 is moved such that its leading end 2b stands up with respect to the main body 2a or is placed in a horizontal position, and the document stack S to be stored therein is placed. During feeding, the leading end 2b is moved to a horizontal position to serve as a document guide, and when a stack is not being fed, it is moved to an upright position to restrict movement of the stack of originals S to be stored.

On the other hand, the reservation device B is provided with a partition member 22 constituting a regulating member, and as shown in FIG. Above the placing table 2, the original document (hereinafter referred to as a processed original) Sa, which is carried out from the document ejection port 19 and re-stored on the document placing table 2, is arranged at a position where it always jumps over the trailing edge.

Furthermore, the partition member 22 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in detail in FIG. 3, which is a view from the arrow, the original (hereinafter referred to as an unprocessed original) Sb is placed on the original document (hereinafter referred to as an unprocessed original) that is stored in the original document mounting table 2 and is waiting for circulation processing, and the processed original isa is placed on the unprocessed original isa. Separate from manuscript sb. Moreover, the partition member 22 is provided with one end 22a that stands up, and the processed raw material f14 S a
entry into the document separation and feeding section 6 is restricted. Further, the partitioning member 22 is rotatably attached to an output shaft 23a of a partition remoter 23, and a rotary lever 25 constituting a switching means is fixed to the output shaft 23a. The partition member 22 is pushed up by a rotating lever 25 that rotates as the partition motor 23 rotates, and rotates around the output shaft 23a of the partition motor to separate the unprocessed documents Sb.
Get on top. Further, a partition detection sensor 26 is arranged below the partition motor 23, and detects the partition member 22 rotating downward. In the initial state, the partition member 22 rotates under its own weight and remains stationary at a downward position, as shown in FIG.
. It is pushed up by the lever 25, rotates, and rides on the document stack S... stored on the document placement table 2. Therefore,
The stacks of originals S... stored on the original mounting table 2 are separated sheet by sheet in order from the lowest one and fed onto the platen glass 10 of the image forming apparatus A, and then the original stack S...
It is cycled back up. At this time, the processed original Sa returned onto the original placing table 2 is placed on the upper side of the partition member 22, and is distinguished from the unprocessed original sb that will be fed to the platen glass 10 from now on.

When circulating the document bundle S stored on the document table 2, the rotary lever 25 is stopped at the position shown in FIG. 3, and when all the unprocessed documents Sb are fed,
These unprocessed originals 1! The partition member 22 that was on top of J4Sb freely falls and rotates, and is displaced to the position shown in FIG.
moves in the direction of the document separation and feeding section 6. Further, the partition member 22 is detected by the partition detection sensor 26, and the completion of one circulation of the document bundle S... stored on the document mounting table 2 is N?
:ifi is done. Further, in response to the next circulation start signal, the partition motor 23 and the rotation lever 25 rotate in the forward direction in the same manner as described above, and the partition member 22 is rotated upward again to ride on the unprocessed originals Hsb, and these unprocessed originals sb are sequentially circulated.

Then, when the final circulation (if one circulation occurs, that cycle) is reached, the partition motor 23 and the rotary lever 25 rotate the partition member 22 onto the unprocessed document Sb in response to the final circulation start signal. The rotating lever 25 rotates in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow in the figure, and the partition member 22 resting on the unprocessed document Sa is supported from below and stopped, as shown in FIG.

Therefore, even if all the unprocessed raw material ri4Sb is fed, the partition member 22 is supported by the rotary lever 25 and prevented from rotating downward. Therefore, the processed original 1Jllsa sitting on the upper side of the partition member 22 does not immediately fall freely, and its movement in the direction of the document separation and feeding unit 6 is restricted by the upright end 22a of the partition member. When the circulation is completed a predetermined number of times, the document is prevented from entering the document separation and feeding section 6 and does not remain in the document separation and feeding section 6.

This embodiment has an imaginary configuration, so the document bundle S.
When a predetermined welfare platform 2 that accommodates . On the other hand, the partition member 22
is rotated by the document circulation start signal and the document bundle S.
...get on top of it. Then, these document bundles S... are moved from the document placement table 2 to the document separation and feeding section 6 by the paper feed rollers 5.

Therefore, the document bundle S... is separated sheet by sheet in order from the lowest one in the document separation and feeding section 6, conveyed through a sheet feeding path 7 via a conveying roller 9, and then further conveyed by a platen conveying belt. 13, the image forming apparatus is conveyed and placed on the platen glass 10 of the image forming apparatus A. The original r14S that has been read and processed on the platen glass 10 is then transferred to the platen conveyor belt 1.
The paper is ejected from the platen glass 10 by
At step 7, the original document is carried out from the document discharge port 19 onto the original document N table 2. Further, if the original transported and placed on the platen glass 10 is a double-sided original, when the original is ejected from the platen glass 10, the original is transferred to the reversing path 20.
The reverse path 20 is guided by the deflector 21 displaced to the side.
The document is returned, inverted and placed on the platen glass 10, and after the reading process is carried out from the document discharge port 19 onto the original document placement table 2 in the same manner as described above.

The processed original fats that are carried out onto the original document mounting table 2 and re-stored therein are placed above the unprocessed original documents Sb that are waiting to be circulated and processed, with their rear ends connected to the partition member 22. It rests on the upper side and is placed on one end 2.2a of the partition member that stands up so that its movement in the direction of the document separation and feeding section 6 is regulated, and is located at the lower side without entering the document separation and feeding section 6. Separate from the unprocessed manuscript Sb. Then, when all the unprocessed raw material [Sb is fed,
The partition member 22 rotates downward, and the existing partition member 22
The processed original Sa, whose movement in the direction of the original separation and feeding section 6 has been restricted by this, moves to the original separation and feeding section 6 and becomes an unprocessed original Sb. Then, when the partition member 22 is placed on top of the unprocessed originals Sb in response to a signal to start the next circulation, these unprocessed originals sb are sequentially circulated from the lowest to the lowest as described above, and are circulated a predetermined number of times. Then, in the final circulation, the cutting member 22 placed on the unprocessed document sb is supported from below by the rotating lever 25 rotated in the opposite direction.

Then, the unprocessed originals sb stored on the original document mounting table 2 are fed, all the unprocessed originals sb are stored again on the upper side of the partition member 22 of the original document placing table 2, and the circulation process of the originals is completed. The tip portion 2b of the document mounting table 2 is displaced to the upright position. Therefore, when the rotary lever 25 that supports the partition member 22 from below rotates in the forward direction and releases the support of the partition member 22, the partition member 22 rotates downward and is re-stored above the partition member 22. Original bundle S
... moves in the direction of the tip 2b of the original table 2, and the receiver is stopped at the tip 2b which stands up, and is stored on the document table 2. Next, the next document placement table 2 is moved to the document feed port 3 in its place, and the document stack S... stored on the document placement table 2 is circulated a predetermined number of times in the same manner as described above. The stacks of originals S... stored on the original placing table 2 are processed one after another.

In the above embodiment, the partition member 22 is rotatably attached to the output shaft 23a of the partition motor 23, but the partition member 22 is not limited to this.
It may be fixed to the output shaft 23a of No. 3 and rotated by the rotational force of the partition motor 23.

(g) As described in detail, according to the present invention, processed sheet originals to be transferred and stored again on the original document tray are separated from unprocessed sheet originals and are prevented from entering the original separation and feeding unit. The control member is provided with a control member and a switching means for switching the control member to a position that restricts or allows entry of the sheet document into the document separation and feeding section, and the document is separated when the document circulation process is completed. Since it is prevented from entering the feeding section and remaining behind, it is possible to immediately move on to processing the next batch of documents without being disturbed by the previous document with a simple configuration, improving work efficiency. You can do it. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a circulating automatic document feeder equipped with a plurality of document stacks at a low cost because it has a simple configuration and can move on to processing the next document stack without being disturbed by the previous document. It is possible to further improve work efficiency by reducing the amount of time workers have to wait for their turn.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side view of an automatic document feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the vicinity of the partition member, and FIG. 4 and 5 are diagrams showing the states of the partition member and the rotating lever. 1. Automatic document feeder, 2... Document placement table, 6
...Document separation and feeding section, 22...Restriction member (partition member), 25...Switching means (rotary lever), S.
・・Sheet originals to be stored on the document tray (a stack of documents to be stored in the document tray), Sa ・・Processed sheet manuscripts (
Processed manuscript), Sb...Unprocessed sheet manuscript (unprocessed manuscript).

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A document placement table and a document separation/feeding unit are provided, and the sheet documents stored in the document placement table are separated one by one and fed to a predetermined position of the image forming apparatus, and then returned to the document placement table. In an automatic document feeder that performs circulation processing a predetermined number of times to carry out and store, processed sheet documents to be carried out and stored again on the document mounting table are separated from unprocessed sheet documents and are also transferred to a document separation and feeding section. An automatic document feeder comprising: a regulating member capable of regulating entry; and a switching means for switching the regulating member to a position that regulates or permits entry of sheet documents into the document separation and feeding section. Device.