EP0517903B1 - Dispositif de finition modulaire pour appareil de reproduction - Google Patents

Dispositif de finition modulaire pour appareil de reproduction Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0517903B1
EP0517903B1 EP92903799A EP92903799A EP0517903B1 EP 0517903 B1 EP0517903 B1 EP 0517903B1 EP 92903799 A EP92903799 A EP 92903799A EP 92903799 A EP92903799 A EP 92903799A EP 0517903 B1 EP0517903 B1 EP 0517903B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
reproduction
tray
sets
housing
sheets
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP92903799A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0517903A1 (fr
Inventor
Robert Howard Shea
Frank Hacknauer
Steven Matthew Russel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Eastman Kodak Co
Original Assignee
Eastman Kodak Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US07/636,786 external-priority patent/US5080340A/en
Priority claimed from US07/636,785 external-priority patent/US5108082A/en
Priority claimed from US07/636,792 external-priority patent/US5108081A/en
Application filed by Eastman Kodak Co filed Critical Eastman Kodak Co
Priority to EP95106413A priority Critical patent/EP0676302B1/fr
Publication of EP0517903A1 publication Critical patent/EP0517903A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0517903B1 publication Critical patent/EP0517903B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H45/00—Folding thin material
    • B65H45/12—Folding articles or webs with application of pressure to define or form crease lines
    • B65H45/14—Buckling folders
    • B65H45/142—Pocket-type folders
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42B—PERMANENTLY ATTACHING TOGETHER SHEETS, QUIRES OR SIGNATURES OR PERMANENTLY ATTACHING OBJECTS THERETO
    • B42B4/00—Permanently attaching together sheets, quires or signatures by discontinuous stitching with filamentary material, e.g. wire
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42C—BOOKBINDING
    • B42C1/00—Collating or gathering sheets combined with processes for permanently attaching together sheets or signatures or for interposing inserts
    • B42C1/12—Machines for both collating or gathering and permanently attaching together the sheets or signatures
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H29/00—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles
    • B65H29/58—Article switches or diverters
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H31/00—Pile receivers
    • B65H31/04—Pile receivers with movable end support arranged to recede as pile accumulates
    • B65H31/08—Pile receivers with movable end support arranged to recede as pile accumulates the articles being piled one above another
    • B65H31/10—Pile receivers with movable end support arranged to recede as pile accumulates the articles being piled one above another and applied at the top of the pile
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H31/00—Pile receivers
    • B65H31/34—Apparatus for squaring-up piled articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H31/00—Pile receivers
    • B65H31/34—Apparatus for squaring-up piled articles
    • B65H31/36—Auxiliary devices for contacting each article with a front stop as it is piled
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H33/00—Forming counted batches in delivery pile or stream of articles
    • B65H33/06—Forming counted batches in delivery pile or stream of articles by displacing articles to define batches
    • B65H33/08—Displacing whole batches, e.g. forming stepped piles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H37/00—Article or web delivery apparatus incorporating devices for performing specified auxiliary operations
    • B65H37/04—Article or web delivery apparatus incorporating devices for performing specified auxiliary operations for securing together articles or webs, e.g. by adhesive, stitching or stapling
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H5/00—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines
    • B65H5/26—Duplicate, alternate, selective, or coacting feeds
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/65—Apparatus which relate to the handling of copy material
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/65—Apparatus which relate to the handling of copy material
    • G03G15/6582—Special processing for irreversibly adding or changing the sheet copy material characteristics or its appearance, e.g. stamping, annotation printing, punching
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/00362—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes relating to the copy medium handling
    • G03G2215/00367—The feeding path segment where particular handling of the copy medium occurs, segments being adjacent and non-overlapping. Each segment is identified by the most downstream point in the segment, so that for instance the segment labelled "Fixing device" is referring to the path between the "Transfer device" and the "Fixing device"
    • G03G2215/00417—Post-fixing device
    • G03G2215/00426—Post-treatment device adding qualities to the copy medium product
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/00362—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes relating to the copy medium handling
    • G03G2215/00535—Stable handling of copy medium
    • G03G2215/0054—Detachable element of feed path
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/00362—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes relating to the copy medium handling
    • G03G2215/00789—Adding properties or qualities to the copy medium
    • G03G2215/00822—Binder, e.g. glueing device
    • G03G2215/00827—Stapler
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/00362—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes relating to the copy medium handling
    • G03G2215/00789—Adding properties or qualities to the copy medium
    • G03G2215/00869—Cover sheet adding means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/00362—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes relating to the copy medium handling
    • G03G2215/00789—Adding properties or qualities to the copy medium
    • G03G2215/00877—Folding device
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/00362—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes relating to the copy medium handling
    • G03G2215/00886—Sorting or discharging
    • G03G2215/00894—Placing job divider sheet
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/00362—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes relating to the copy medium handling
    • G03G2215/00919—Special copy medium handling apparatus
    • G03G2215/00936—Bookbinding

Definitions

  • This invention relates in general to finishers for use with reproduction apparatus, and more particularly to a modular finisher which includes a stapling device and may optionally include any combination of auxiliary devices including a supplemental sheet insert tray, a Z-folding device, or a saddle stitcher.
  • reproduction apparatus such as electrostatographic copier/duplicators, electronic printers, or the like, have been significantly improved as to their sophistication of operation, ease of use, and speed.
  • handling of the original information to be reproduced and of the completed reproductions into completely finished sets so as to match overall reproduction output productivity with reproduction apparatus speed has assumed increased importance.
  • precollated reproduction sets has an additional advantage in that the sets are immediately available for further handling to provide desired completely finished reproduction sheet sets. This of course improves the overall productivity of the reproduction system.
  • a typical example of such further reproduction sheet set handling is stapling of the sheets in a set together to form the completely finished reproduction set. Finisher apparatus to carry out reproduction set stapling is shown in U.S. -A- 4,134,672.
  • a finisher apparatus is coupled in series with a copying apparatus.
  • the finisher is able to fold and to staple the incoming sheets into sheet sets.
  • finishers of the above type have beem very successful, they are limited in that they typically can effect only some types of finishing. Completed reproduction sets may require additional or other finishing operations, such as for example folding oversized sheets, saddle stitching the reproduction set to form a booklet, or insertion of supplemental sheets (e.g., covers).
  • supplemental sheets e.g., covers
  • auxiliary devices to accomplished these various ends are available in the industry today, although for the most part these devices are of the off-line type. That is to say, such auxiliary devices are not integrally associated with the reproduction apparatus (and basic finisher apparatus) and require either manual or mechanical intervention to bring reproduction sets to such devices in a form in which such auxiliary devices can perform the desired operation thereon. This adds expense to the overall reproduction process, and complexity to the total reproduction apparatus system, without adding to the efficiency or increasing the productivity of operation thereof.
  • the improved finisher apparatus comprises a receiver for receiving sheets of reproduction sets from the reproduction apparatus.
  • a first feed path extends from the receiver to a sheet collector where received sheets are directed. Collected sheets are stapled into finished reproduction sets.
  • a second feed path extends from the sheet collector to a set collector where finished reproduction sets are collected.
  • the finisher also includes at least one of the following devices: a Z-folder, a saddle stitcher, and an insert tray. Sheet transport paths are provided to any of the included devices.
  • Fig. 1 shows the improved modular finisher apparatus according to this invention, designated generally by the numeral 10.
  • the finisher apparatus 10 may be associated with an electrostatographic copier or copier/duplicator, a thermal or electronic printer, or a photographic printer, or any other like reproduction apparatus.
  • the reproduction apparatus of the illustrated embodiment, shown only in part in Fig. 1, is designated generally by the numeral 12.
  • the purpose of the modular finisher 10 is to efficiently finish reproduction sets from any conventional well known reproduction apparatus to form completely finished reproduction sets of a desired configuration at a speed which makes maximum use of the speed of the reproduction apparatus.
  • reproduction sheets refers to sheets bearing information reproduced in any well known manner by the reproduction apparatus or other sheets inserted into a reproduction set, such as for example blank sheets, cover sheets or tab stock; and the term “reproduction sets” refers to a plurality of reproduction sheets which when viewed together make up a copy corresponding to a multi-page original information bearing document.
  • the timing and control of the various operative components of the modular finisher apparatus 10 with respect to each other and to the reproduction apparatus are controlled by a logic and control unit C including a microprocessor for example.
  • the microprocessor receives input and timing signals from sensors (not shown) located at points in the paths of sheets through the finisher and associated with the components of the finisher. Based on such signals and a program for the microprocessor, the unit C produces signals to control the operation of the various components of the finisher.
  • the production of a program for commercially available microprocessors suitable for use with this invention is a conventional skill well understood in the art. The particular details of any such program would, of course, depend on the architecture of the selected microprocessor.
  • Typical high productivity reproduction apparatus reproduce information on individual sheets in a precollated manner so that the sheets upon exiting the apparatus (at chute 14 in the illustrated embodiment) may be readily grouped into reproduction sets.
  • the reproduction apparatus may include a recirculating document feeder of the type described in the aforementioned U. S. Patent No. 4,169,674, operating to recirculate document sheets from a document sheet stack seriatim from the stack of document sheets to an exposure station of a reproduction apparatus for copying and then returned to such stack, in order, a number of times equal to the desired number of reproductions to be made of such stack.
  • reproduction apparatus including a mechanism for capturing or creating information electronically, information can be electronically acquired and saved in a memory storage device to thereafter be recalled at a desired time to form the desired number of multiple precollated reproductions sets.
  • the finisher 10 constructed to provide a device in modular form which can accomplish the production of completely finished reproduction sets in a selectable variety of forms, includes an upper transport module 20, a stapling module 30, and an output hopper 50. Additionally, the finisher has provisions for optional auxiliary devices selected from the group including a Z-folder 70, a saddle stitcher 90, and an insert tray 150. By its unique construction, the modular finisher 10 according to this invention can readily accommodate any combination of the optional auxiliary devices.
  • the upper transport module 20 of the finisher 10 is incorporated in a self-contained housing 22 having a first transport path P1.
  • the transport path P1 is defined, for example, by wire-form or sheet metal guides and driven nip rollers located at appropriately spaced intervals with respect to the guides.
  • the upper transport module 20 is positioned such that the entrance E to the path P1 is adjacent to the chute 14 of the reproduction apparatus 12. In this manner, the information-bearing reproduction sheets of a reproduction set exiting the apparatus 12 are received seriatim in the path P1 and directed under normal operating circumstances to a sheet delivery station 24.
  • the sheet delivery station 24 (which may be for example of the type shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,765, issued June 5, 1990, in the name of Russel et al) directs the received sheets of a reproduction set to the stapling module 30.
  • the station 24 includes a selectively adjustable ramp which elevates at selected intervals to guide delivered sheets in a manner that assures that subsequently delivered sheets are directed to the top of a stack of sheets as they are collected in the stapler module 30 described hereinbelow. It is readily apparent that without such elevation of the delivery station ramp, there may be a condition where such subsequently delivered sheets jam into the previously delivered sheets.
  • the upper transport module 20 also includes a bypass transport path P 1A similarly defined by wire-form or sheet metal guides and spaced driven nip rollers.
  • path P 1A sheets are directed to a proof set hopper 26 readily accessible to an operator for retrieval and review.
  • a diverter 28 is normally positioned (solid line position of Fig. 1) to maintain transport of sheets along the path P1.
  • the diverter 28 is selectively moved by a solenoid actuator, for example, to a position (broken line position of Fig. 1) to direct sheets into the Path P 1A .
  • the reproduction apparatus may be programmed to produce an additional reproduction set to the desired number of reproduction sets.
  • the sheets constituting the first reproduction set are directed to the hopper 26 to form, in effect, a proof set for the desired review.
  • Production of the second set may then be delayed for a period of time sufficient to accomplish review of the proof set.
  • the diverter 28 is returned to its normal position so that sheets constituting the second reproduction set (and all subsequently produced reproduction sets) are directed to the sheet delivery station 24 to begin the finishing process.
  • the reproduction set is not in the desired condition, the operation of the reproduction apparatus 12 can be cancelled and reset to correct the condition of the set before repeating the reproduction process.
  • the stapling module 30 is incorporated in a self-contained housing 32.
  • the housing 32 serves to support the housing 22 of the upper transport module 20 at a desired vertical location relative to the sheet exit chute 14 of the reproduction apparatus 12.
  • the stapling module includes a tray 34 positioned to accept the sheets making up a full reproduction set from the sheet delivery station 24 of the upper transport module 20.
  • the sheets of the reproduction set, delivered seriatim through the station 24, are respectively corner registered on the tray 34 against a registration gate 36a selectively located to intercept the reproduction set travel path and an edge guide 36b at right angles to the gate.
  • Such corner registration may be effected for example by a rotating flexible disk jogger 38, or any other well known mechanism which can urge the individual sheets of the reproduction set in a direction perpendicular to sheet travel against the gate and edge guide.
  • a sheet S is moved in mutually perpendicular directions respectively by the jogger 38, rotating in the direction of its associated arrow, and under the influence of gravity, in the general direction of sheet travel.
  • the sheet S thus moves from its solid line position through its broken line position into the corner formed by gate 36a and edge guide 36b.
  • a stapling assembly 40 controlled by unit C is activated to place staples at a desired location (or plurality of locations) along the lead edge of the reproduction set registered against the gate 36a.
  • An exemplary stapling assembly is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,952, issued Feb. 27, 1990, in the name of Russel et al.
  • the stapling assembly 40, of the type disclosed in the Russel et al patent, is described herein only to the extent necessary for a complete understanding of the modular finisher 10 according to this invention.
  • Such stapling assembly includes a single staple unit 42 movable along rails relative to the lead edge of the registered reproduction set, and has an off-set pivotable clincher 44 operating in timed conjunction with a staple head 46 to effect stapling of such registered set.
  • the stapling assembly may be of any suitable construction, such as for example having a plurality of relatively fixed location staple heads, or having a pivotable staple head acting in conjunction with a relatively fixed location clincher.
  • the output hopper 50 is attached to the housing 32 adjacent to an external wall thereof.
  • An entrance slot 52 in the external housing wall provides for communication between the output hopper 50 and the stapling module 30.
  • stapled reproduction sets (or alternatively sets which pass directly through the stapling module without being stapled) are directed to the output hopper and stacked for ready operator retrieval.
  • a pair of foam rollers 54 urge the reproduction sets toward a tray 56 angled from the horizontal in an "up hill" direction relative to the path of the incoming reproduction sets.
  • the rollers 54 are of a relatively large diameter foam construction to enable the rollers to handle a wide variety of thicknesses of reproduction sets.
  • a pair of dangler arms 58a, 58b, formed of relatively light weight flexible material intercept the travel path of the incoming reproduction sets to urge the sets onto the tray 56.
  • a plurality of fingers 62 are movable under the control of unit C to a remote position (broken line) relative to the incoming reproduction sets as a set is being registered against the guide plate 60, and to a position (solid line) overlying the set stack once a set has been registered.
  • the fingers 62 are spring urged for example to apply a downward force on the stack of reproduction sets on the tray 56 to hold the set stack against the guide plate 60 thereby substantially preventing dishevelment of the stack.
  • the elevation of the tray 56 is controlled by an elevator mechanism 64 of any suitable type, such as for example a spring-urged support, a rotating screw thread, a chain drive or the like.
  • the tray 56 is lowered by the elevator mechanism 64 as reproduction sets are delivered and stacked on the tray.
  • a motor M connected to the output hopper 50 selectively reciprocates the hopper in a direction cross-track relative to the path of incoming reproduction sets delivered to the tray 56.
  • the timing of reciprocation of the output hopper is selected such that sequentially received reproduction sets are offset for ease of separation and removal from the tray by an operator.
  • the Z-folder 70 is for the express purpose of folding large individual sheets into a reduced overall size where the folded sheets can be included for example in a booklet or stack with other smaller sized sheets.
  • an 279mm x 432 mm (11"x17") sheet is folded so that its overall dimensions are 279mm x 216 mm (11"x8 1/2") (see Figs. 3a, 3b) for inclusion in a reproduction set with basic overall dimensions 279mm x 216mm of (11"x8 1/2").
  • the Z-folder 70 includes a driven cluster of rotating rollers 72 and sheet guide chutes 74 and 76 which cooperatively act on a sheet to achieve the desired folded configuration for the sheet.
  • the cluster of rollers 72 and guide chutes 74 and 76 are mounted on a frame 82 readily receivable in the housing 22 of the upper transport module 20 on cooperating slide guides 84 for example. In this manner, if it is desired to include a Z-folder in the finisher 10, a Z-folder module is merely slid into place in the finisher.
  • a diverter 78 When it is desired to effect folding of a sheet, such sheet is transported along the path P 1A and then directed by a diverter 78 into the path P 1B .
  • the diverter 78 is controlled for example by a solenoid actuator for movement to a position (solid line position of Fig. 1) for directing sheets along the path P 1A to the Z-folder 70 or to a position (broken line position of Fig. 1) for directing sheets to the proof set hopper 26.
  • a sheet Z in the path P is urged into the nip between rotating roller 72a, driven by a motor to become a driving roller, and idler roller 72b of the roller cluster 72 (see Fig. 4a).
  • the roller pair 72a, 72b urge the sheet into the upper chute 74 until the lead edge of the sheet engages an adjustable stop 74a (see Fig. 4b).
  • the adjustment of the stop 74a is selected such that the distance between the stop 74a and the first fold nip between the rollers 72a and 72c is substantially equal to the desired distance between the lead edge of the sheet and the first fold F1 (see also sheet S in Figs. 3a, 3b).
  • the stop 74a prevents the sheet Z from moving further into the chute 74, the urging of the sheet by the rollers 72a and 72b causes the sheet to buckle and be fed into the first fold nip between the rollers 72a and 72c (see Fig. 4c).
  • the first fold F1 is then formed by the rollers 72a and 72c, and the folded sheet is urged by such rollers into the lower chute 76 (see Fig. 4d).
  • the sheet Z continues to be driven into the chute 76 until such new lead edge engages the stop 76a (see Fig. 4e).
  • the stop 76a prevents the sheet from moving further into the chute 76.
  • the urging of the sheet Z by the rollers 72a and 72c thus causes the sheet to buckle and be fed into the second fold nip between the rollers 72a and 72d (see Fig. 4f).
  • the second fold F2 is then formed by the rollers 72a and 72d (see Fig. 4g), and the folded sheet is thereafter urged by such rollers in a direction out of the Z-folder opposite to its incoming direction (see Fig. 4h).
  • the distance between the stop 76a and the second fold nip between the rollers 72a and 72d is designed to assure that the distance between the second fold F2 and the initial lead edge of the sheet Z is substantially equal to the desired overall dimension of the sheet in the in track direction for the Z-folded sheet.
  • the Z-folded sheet is then directed by the rollers 72a and 72d to an area where the sheet overlies the sheet delivery station 24.
  • the sheet clears the driven roller cluster 72 of the Z-folder, it is urged by a dangler member 80 onto the station 24, and then, under the influence of gravity, changes its direction of travel.
  • the folded sheet can thus be delivered through the finisher 10 for any desired further operation thereon, just as any other delivered sheet.
  • a unique aspect of the Z-folder 70 is that it is constructed so as not to interfere with the bypass of sheets to the proof set hopper 26 even though it crosses the path P 1A thereto.
  • the upper chute 74 of the Z-folder has a slot 74b formed therein (see Fig. 1).
  • the slot 74b is aligned with the path P 1A so that a sheet traveling in such path can be directed without interference to the hopper 26.
  • This arrangement serves to enable the finisher 10 according to this invention to have its desired multi-functionality in a distinctly compact configuration
  • the module defining the optional saddle stitcher 90 of the modular finisher 10 according to this invention is for the purpose of providing the finisher with the capability of making center stapled and folded booklets.
  • the saddle stitcher 90 has five major components: a transport path P3, a stapling mechanism 92, a folding mechanism 94,an edge registration assembly 96, and a booklet-receiving output hopper 98.
  • the major components of the saddle stitcher are readily receivable in the finisher 10.
  • the major components are, for example, slidably receivable on cooperating slide guides 100 in the housing 32. In this manner, if it is desired to include a saddle stitcher module 90 in the finisher 10, the components of the saddle stitcher module are merely received in place in the finisher.
  • the transport path P3 for the saddle stitcher 90 is located such that it communicates with the path P1 of the upper transport module 20 downstream, in the direction of sheet travel, from the diverter 28.
  • a diverter 102, associated with the path P3, is movable for example by a solenoid actuator to a position (solid line position of Fig. 1) remote from the path P1, or to a position (broken line position of Fig. 1) intercepting the path P1 to direct sheets into the path P3.
  • Sheets received seriatim in the path P3 are aligned in the cross-track direction by a jogger mechanism 104 (similar for example to the jogger 38 associated with the stapling module 30).
  • the stapling mechanism 92 thereof is actuated by the control unit C to staple the reproduction set along the stapling line, substantially corresponding to the center line of the sheets in the sheet travel direction.
  • the gate 106 is pulled out of the path P3 by a solenoid actuator 106s enabling the stapled reproduction set to continue its travel in the path P3 under the influence of gravity for example.
  • the stapled reproduction set continues its travel until the lead edge thereof is registered against a second gate 108 located to intercept the path P3 downstream of the gate 106.
  • the folding mechanism 94 includes a knife blade 110 selectively actuatable into cooperative relation with a double set of folding nip rollers 112.
  • a complete stroke of the knife blade 110 contemplates travel of the blade a distance sufficient to urge the reproduction set being folded completely through the folding mechanism 94 and out of the nip roller pairs 112 where the formed booklet falls under the influence of gravity into the output hopper 98.
  • the hopper 98 is mounted in the housing 32 of the modular finisher 10 on slides 98a so as to enable the hopper to move to a convenient location, for example external to the housing, to facilitate operator retrieval of the folded booklets collected in the hopper.
  • the insert tray 150 is for the purpose of providing the modular finisher 10 according to this invention with the ability to selectively add additional sheets to a reproduction set.
  • the additional sheets may be preprinted cover sheets of the same or different stock characteristics to the sheets of the reproduction set, or may be sheets utilized within a reproduction set to separate distinct portions of the set.
  • the insert tray 150 includes a sheet receiving hopper 152 removably locatable in the top cover 154 for the finisher 10.
  • the hopper 152 has appropriate guides (not shown) for aligning a stack of sheets therein relative to a sheet feed device 156.
  • the sheet feed device 156 of any well known type such as a scuff feeder or a vacuum feeder for example, is activated by the control unit C when it is desired to selectively feed a single sheet from the hopper 152 to have such sheet inserted into a reproduction set being received by the finisher 10.
  • the sheet is fed into a transport path P4 communicating with the transport path P1 of the upper transport module 20 between the entrance E and the diverter 28. Accordingly, the additional sheet is selectively inserted into the path P1 at a desired time during the finishing of a reproduction set to be treated the same as any other sheet in the set during the finishing operation.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Folding Of Thin Sheet-Like Materials, Special Discharging Devices, And Others (AREA)

Abstract

Dispositif de finition modulaire amélioré (10) s'utilisant avec un appareil de reproduction (12) produisant des ensembles de reproduction, afin de constituer des ensembles de reproduction complètement finis. Le dispositif de finition amélioré comprend un système de réception (24) servant à recevoir les feuilles des ensembles de reproduction provenant de l'appareil de reproduction. Un premier circuit d'alimentation (R) s'étend entre le système de réception et un système collecteur de feuilles (34) vers lequel sont dirigées les feuilles reçues. Les feuilles rassemblées sont agrafées pour former des ensembles de reproduction finis. Un deuxième circuit d'alimentation s'étend entre le système collecteur de feuilles et un système collecteur d'ensembles (50) dans lequel sont recueillis les ensembles de reproduction finis. Le dispositif de finition comprend également au moins un des dispositifs suivants: un système de pliage en Z (70), un système de piqûre à cheval (90) et un plateau d'insertion (150). Des circuits de transport (P1a, P3, P4) servent à transporter les feuilles vers chacun des dispositifs.

Claims (9)

  1. Appareil modulaire (10) de finition destiné à former des ensembles totalement terminés de copies, destiné à être utilisé avec un appareil de copie qui donne des ensembles de copies en séries reproduites sur des feuilles, l'appareil modulaire de finition étant caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un premier boîtier (22), un couvercle (154) destiné au premier boîtier, un premier dispositif récepteur d'un mécanisme modulaire auxiliaire destiné à loger un mécanisme modulaire auxiliaire dans le couvercle, un dispositif (E) placé dans le premier boîtier (22) et destiné à recevoir les feuilles des ensembles de copies de l'appareil de copie (12), un dispositif placé dans le premier boîtier et destiné à délimiter un premier trajet d'alimentation (P₁) partant du dispositif récepteur, un second dispositif récepteur (84) d'un mécanisme modulaire auxiliaire destiné à loger un mécanisme modulaire auxiliaire dans le premier boîtier, un second boîtier (32) associé au premier boîtier, un dispositif (34) placé dans le second boîtier, communiquant avec le premier trajet d'alimentation (P₁) et formant un dispositif collecteur des feuilles provenant du dispositif délimitant le premier trajet d'alimentation, un dispositif (30) placé dans le second boîtier et destiné à agrafer les feuilles collectées en ensembles agrafés de copies, un dispositif (50) associé au second boîtier et destiné à collecter les ensembles agrafés de copies, un dispositif (52) placé dans le second boîtier et délimitant un second trajet d'alimentation du dispositif collecteur de feuilles vers le dispositif collecteur d'ensembles et destiné à diriger les ensembles agrafés de copies du dispositif collecteur de feuilles (34) au dispositif collecteur d'ensembles (50), un troisième dispositif récepteur (100) d'un mécanisme modulaire auxiliaire destiné à loger un mécanisme modulaire auxiliaire dans le second boîtier, un mécanisme modulaire auxiliaire au moins étant choisi dans le groupe d'une plieuse en Z (70), d'une agrafeuse (90) par chevauchement et d'un plateau (150) de pièces jointes, le mécanisme modulaire auxiliaire au moins choisi étant logé dans le premier, le second ou le troisième dispositifs récepteurs de mécanisme modulaire auxiliaire, et un dispositif formant des trajets de transport de feuilles (P1A, P₃, P₄) du dispositif délimitant le premier trajet d'alimentation (P₁) vers l'un quelconque des mécanismes modulaires auxiliaires choisis.
  2. Appareil modulaire de finition selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif collecteur d'ensembles de copies comporte une trémie (50) de sortie fixée au second boîtier (32) à l'extérieur de celui-ci, et une ouverture (52) formée dans le second boîtier, l'ouverture étant disposée afin qu'elle assure la communication entre le dispositif délimitant le second trajet d'alimentation et la trémie de sortie (50).
  3. Appareil modulaire de finition selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que la trémie de sortie (50) possède un plateau (56), un mécanisme élévateur (64) couplé au plateau afin qu'il soulève et abaisse sélectivement le plateau par rapport à l'ouverture (52) formée dans le second boîtier (32) et positionne le haut d'une pile d'ensembles de copies reçus sur le plateau à un niveau permettant la réception de l'ensemble suivant de copies sur la partie supérieure de la pile.
  4. Appareil modulaire de finition selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que la trémie de sortie (50) possède en outre un mécanisme (M) couplé au plateau (56) et destiné à déplacer sélectivement le plateau en direction transversale à la direction de déplacement d'un ensemble de copies lorsqu'il est reçu dans le plateau, et un dispositif destiné à commander le fonctionnement du mécanisme entre les réceptions des ensembles successifs de copies afin que les ensembles soient décalés les uns par rapport aux autres lorsqu'ils sont empilés sur le plateau.
  5. Appareil modulaire de finition selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que le plateau (56) de la trémie de sortie (50) est positionné par rapport à la direction de déplacement des ensembles de copies reçus au niveau du plateau en formant un certain angle avec le plan horizontal afin qu'il intercepte le trajet des ensembles reçus dans le plateau.
  6. Appareil modulaire de finition selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que la trémie de sortie (50) comporte en outre une plaque de guidage (60) placée par rapport au plateau (56) de manière que les bords avant des ensembles de copies reçus sur le plateau soient alignés, et un dispositif (62) destiné à appliquer une force à la pile d'ensembles de copies placée sur le plateau afin que la pile soit retenue en position alignée contre la plaque de guidage.
  7. Appareil modulaire de finition selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif (62) d'application de force comporte au moins un doigt monté afin qu'il se déplace vers une position de contact avec l'ensemble supérieur de la pile d'ensembles de copies placée sur le plateau et une position distante de la pile, et un dispositif destiné à déplacer sélectivement le doigt au moins vers sa position distante lorsqu'un ensemble est reçu sur la pile placée sur la plateau de manière que la réception de l'ensemble ne soit pas perturbée, puis à déplacer le doigt au moins vers la position de contact afin que la pile soit maintenue en position alignée contre la plaque de guidage (60).
  8. Appareil modulaire de finition selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le premier boîtier (22) comporte en outre un plateau collecteur (26), d'un ensemble de vérification, un dispositif destiné à délimiter un autre trajet d'alimentation (P1A) et communiquant avec le dispositif délimitant le premier trajet d'alimentation (P₁) et rejoignant le plateau collecteur d'un ensemble de vérification, et un dispositif (28) destiné à dévier sélectivement les feuilles du dispositif délimitant le premier trajet d'alimentation vers le dispositif délimitant l'autre trajet d'alimentation afin que les feuilles soient transmises au plateau de l'ensemble de vérification (26).
  9. Appareil modulaire de finition selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte en outre un dispositif de commande (C) destiné (1) à commander l'appareil de copie afin qu'il produise un ensemble supplémentaire de copies par rapport au nombre voulu d'ensembles de copies demandés, (2) à régler le dispositif de déviation afin qu'il dirige les feuilles comprenant le premier ensemble de copies vers le plateau de l'ensemble de vérification, et (3) à retarder la production du second ensemble et des ensembles suivants de copies pendant un temps suffisant pour que l'ensemble de copies dirigé vers le plateau de l'ensemble de vérification puisse être examiné.
EP92903799A 1991-01-02 1991-12-19 Dispositif de finition modulaire pour appareil de reproduction Expired - Lifetime EP0517903B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP95106413A EP0676302B1 (fr) 1991-01-02 1991-12-19 Brocheuse de selle pour appareil de finition modulaire

Applications Claiming Priority (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US07/636,786 US5080340A (en) 1991-01-02 1991-01-02 Modular finisher for a reproduction apparatus
US07/636,785 US5108082A (en) 1991-01-02 1991-01-02 Z-folder for a reproduction apparatus finisher
US07/636,792 US5108081A (en) 1991-01-02 1991-01-02 Saddle stitcher for a reproduction apparatus finisher
US636786 1991-01-02
US636792 1991-01-02
PCT/US1991/009526 WO1992012087A1 (fr) 1991-01-02 1991-12-19 Dispositif de finition modulaire pour appareil de reproduction
US636785 2003-08-08

Related Child Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95106413A Division EP0676302B1 (fr) 1991-01-02 1991-12-19 Brocheuse de selle pour appareil de finition modulaire
EP95106413.8 Division-Into 1991-12-19

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0517903A1 EP0517903A1 (fr) 1992-12-16
EP0517903B1 true EP0517903B1 (fr) 1996-04-03

Family

ID=27417599

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95106413A Expired - Lifetime EP0676302B1 (fr) 1991-01-02 1991-12-19 Brocheuse de selle pour appareil de finition modulaire
EP92903799A Expired - Lifetime EP0517903B1 (fr) 1991-01-02 1991-12-19 Dispositif de finition modulaire pour appareil de reproduction

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95106413A Expired - Lifetime EP0676302B1 (fr) 1991-01-02 1991-12-19 Brocheuse de selle pour appareil de finition modulaire

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (2) EP0676302B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP3269557B2 (fr)
DE (2) DE69130540T2 (fr)
WO (1) WO1992012087A1 (fr)

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US5449157A (en) * 1993-02-08 1995-09-12 Konica Corporation Recording sheet finishing apparatus
NL1000855C2 (nl) * 1995-07-20 1997-01-21 Oce Nederland Bv Inrichting voor het verzamelen van gevouwen en ongevouwen kopievellen.
FR2739846B1 (fr) * 1995-10-12 1997-12-19 C P Bourg Sa Machine de finition de livrets
US6003853A (en) * 1995-12-28 1999-12-21 Canon Aptex Kabushiki Kaisha Sheet folding apparatus
DE29819627U1 (de) 1998-11-04 1999-01-28 Bronst, Kullen, 22309 Hamburg Schleuse für Staubschutzgehäuse
US7450881B2 (en) * 2002-04-18 2008-11-11 Krdc Co., Ltd. Finishing apparatus of image forming apparatus
US7207557B2 (en) 2003-06-04 2007-04-24 Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc. Image forming system and single-sheet processing machine
CN102596772A (zh) 2009-08-26 2012-07-18 博莱沃创新工艺公司 包括工件进给路径绕行组件和工件进给路径分析器的工艺加工装置
JP5394863B2 (ja) * 2009-09-09 2014-01-22 ニスカ株式会社 シート折り装置及びこれを備えた画像形成システム

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0517903A1 (fr) 1992-12-16
EP0676302A2 (fr) 1995-10-11
EP0676302B1 (fr) 1998-11-25
WO1992012087A1 (fr) 1992-07-23
DE69118522D1 (de) 1996-05-09
JPH05505154A (ja) 1993-08-05
EP0676302A3 (fr) 1995-11-08
DE69118522T2 (de) 1996-10-31
DE69130540D1 (de) 1999-01-07
DE69130540T2 (de) 1999-06-17
JP3269557B2 (ja) 2002-03-25

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