US20100219576A1 - Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing method - Google Patents
Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20100219576A1 US20100219576A1 US12/782,087 US78208710A US2010219576A1 US 20100219576 A1 US20100219576 A1 US 20100219576A1 US 78208710 A US78208710 A US 78208710A US 2010219576 A1 US2010219576 A1 US 2010219576A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- sheets
- stapler
- processing
- sheet
- stopper
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
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
- 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
- B65H9/00—Registering, e.g. orientating, articles; Devices therefor
- B65H9/10—Pusher and like movable registers; Pusher or gripper devices which move articles into registered position
- B65H9/101—Pusher and like movable registers; Pusher or gripper devices which move articles into registered position acting on the edge of the article
-
- 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
- G03G15/6538—Devices for collating sheet copy material, e.g. sorters, control, copies in staples form
-
- 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
- G03G15/6538—Devices for collating sheet copy material, e.g. sorters, control, copies in staples form
- G03G15/6547—Shifting sets of sheets in the discharge tray
-
- 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
- B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
- B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
- B65H2301/42—Piling, depiling, handling piles
- B65H2301/421—Forming a pile
- B65H2301/4213—Forming a pile of a limited number of articles, e.g. buffering, forming bundles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2404/00—Parts for transporting or guiding the handled material
- B65H2404/10—Rollers
- B65H2404/11—Details of cross-section or profile
- B65H2404/111—Details of cross-section or profile shape
- B65H2404/1114—Paddle wheel
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2408/00—Specific machines
- B65H2408/10—Specific machines for handling sheet(s)
- B65H2408/12—Specific machines for handling sheet(s) stapler arrangement
- B65H2408/122—Specific machines for handling sheet(s) stapler arrangement movable stapler
- B65H2408/1222—Specific machines for handling sheet(s) stapler arrangement movable stapler movable transversely to direction of transport
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2801/00—Application field
- B65H2801/24—Post -processing devices
- B65H2801/27—Devices located downstream of office-type machines
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2801/00—Application field
- B65H2801/24—Post -processing devices
- B65H2801/31—Devices located downstream of industrial printers
-
- 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
- G03G2215/00556—Control of copy medium feeding
- G03G2215/00561—Aligning or deskewing
- G03G2215/00565—Mechanical details
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus and a sheet processing method for performing post-processing for sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a multifunction peripheral (MFP).
- an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a multifunction peripheral (MFP).
- MFP multifunction peripheral
- JP-A-2003-118928 a sheet post-processing apparatus is described.
- a structure that makes it possible to move an alignment position and a stapler according to a sheet size is extremely complicated.
- the present invention provides a sheet processing apparatus that can appropriately align sheets to be subjected to post-processing according to a size of the sheets.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main part of the sheet processing apparatus of the invention.
- FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a roller for vertical alignment of the sheet processing apparatus of the invention.
- FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a paddle of the sheet processing apparatus of the invention.
- FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a standby tray and a processing tray of the sheet processing apparatus of the invention.
- FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the standby tray and the processing tray of the sheet processing apparatus of the invention.
- FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a horizontal aligning plate of the sheet processing apparatus of the invention.
- FIG. 8A is a schematic perspective view showing a stapler of the sheet processing apparatus of the invention.
- FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an operation of the stapler of the sheet processing apparatus of the invention.
- FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control system for the sheet processing apparatus of the invention.
- FIGS. 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams for explaining operations of alignment and stapling of sheets in the sheet processing apparatus of the invention.
- FIGS. 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams for explaining operations of alignment and stapling of sheets of a large size in the sheet processing apparatus of the invention.
- FIGS. 12A and 12B are explanatory diagrams for explaining a stapling operation in another embodiment of the sheet processing apparatus of the invention.
- FIGS. 13A and 13B are explanatory diagrams for explaining a stapling operation for large-size sheets in still another embodiment of the sheet processing apparatus of the invention.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a sheet post-processing apparatus 2 arranged adjacent to an image forming apparatus 1 such as a copying machine.
- a sheet P having an image formed thereon by the image forming apparatus 1 is discharged from discharge rollers 4 and conveyed to the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 .
- the discharge rollers 4 include an upper roller 4 a and a lower roller 4 b.
- the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 has a standby tray 10 , a processing tray 12 , a stapler 14 , a first sheet discharge tray 16 , a second sheet discharge tray 18 , and a fixed tray 20 .
- the sheet P discharged by the discharge rollers 4 of the image forming apparatus 1 is received by inlet rollers 22 provided near a delivery port of the sheet processing apparatus 2 .
- the inlet rollers 22 include an upper roller 22 a and a lower roller 22 b and are driven by a motor (not shown).
- Sheet feeding rollers 24 are provided on a downstream side of the inlet rollers 22 .
- the sheet P received by the inlet rollers 22 is sent to the standby tray 10 via the sheet feeding rollers 24 .
- a paper path 23 for guiding the sheet P to the sheet feeding rollers 24 is provided between the inlet rollers 22 and the standby tray 10 .
- the sheet feeding rollers 24 include an upper roller 24 a and a lower roller 24 b.
- the processing tray 12 for stacking the sheet P, which has fallen from the standby tray 10 is arranged below the standby tray 10 .
- the standby tray 10 stacks the sheet P and has an openable structure. When a predetermined number of sheets P are accumulated, the standby tray 10 opens and the sheets P falls to the processing tray 12 because of an own weight of the sheets P.
- the processing tray 12 aligns and supports the sheets P while the sheets P are stapled by the stapler 14 serving as a post-processing mechanism.
- the sheets, which have fallen in the processing tray 12 are guided to the stapler 14 by rollers 28 and subjected to staple processing.
- the rollers 28 include an upper roller 28 a and a lower roller 28 b .
- the staple processing is performed, the plural sheets P, which have fallen from the standby tray 10 to the processing tray 12 , are subjected to the staple processing after being aligned in the vertical direction, which is a conveying direction, and aligned in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the conveying direction.
- a rotatable paddle 40 is arranged in a position to which the trailing end of the sheet P falls when the sheet P falls to the processing tray 12 .
- the paddle 40 is attached to a rotating shaft 26 .
- the paddle 40 pats down the sheet P falling from the standby tray 10 onto the processing tray 12 and sends the sheet P in a direction of the stapler 14 . Details of the paddle 40 are shown in FIG. 4 and described later.
- a stopper 45 that regulates the trailing end position of the sheet P is provided at an end on the stapler 14 side of the processing tray 12 .
- a conveyor belt 50 that conveys the sheets P, which are subjected to sort processing or staple processing, to the first sheet discharge tray 16 or the second sheet discharge tray 18 .
- the conveyor belt 50 is suspended between pulleys 36 and 38 .
- a pawl member 50 a that hooks the trailing end of the sheets P and sends the sheets P is attached to the conveyor belt 50 .
- the lower roller 28 b of the rollers 28 is arranged coaxially with the pulley 38 . The rollers 28 rotate in opposite directions when the rollers 28 guide aligned sheets in the direction of the stapler 14 and when the rollers 28 discharge the sheets P subjected to the staple processing.
- the pulley 36 is attached to a shaft 34 .
- Plural discharge rollers 30 are rotatably attached to this shaft 34 .
- the sheets P conveyed by the conveyor belt 50 are discharged to the first sheet discharge tray 16 or the second sheet discharge tray 18 from a discharge port 100 .
- the first sheet discharge tray 16 and the second sheet discharge tray 18 are lifted and lowered by a driving unit (not shown) and receive the sheets P.
- the sheets P stacked on the standby tray 10 may be discharged to the first sheet discharge tray 16 or the second sheet discharge tray 18 without being subjected to the staple processing.
- the sheets P are discharged by a roller 32 without being caused to fall to the processing tray 12 .
- a conveying path is provided to guide the sheets P to the fixed tray 20 .
- the conveying path is not shown in the figure.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 and is a diagram of the main part viewed from an arrow x direction in FIG. 1 .
- the shaft 34 is arranged orthogonal to the conveying direction of the sheets P.
- the pulley 36 is attached to the middle of the shaft 34 .
- the belt 50 is looped around this pulley 36 .
- the discharge rollers 30 are attached to the center and both the sides of the shaft 34 .
- the discharge rollers 30 are subjected to rotation control by the driving unit and rotate when the sheets P are discharged to the tray 16 or 18 .
- FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing structures of the rollers 28 for vertical alignment of the sheets P, the paddles 40 , and the conveyor belt 50 .
- the conveyor belt 50 is suspended between the pulleys 36 and 38 and driven to rotate by a motor 56 .
- the conveyor belt 50 cyclically rotates between the stapler 14 and the sheet discharge port 100 ( FIG. 1 ) along a discharge direction of sheets.
- the sending pawl 50 a that hooks the trailing end of a sheet bundle T is attached to the conveyor belt 50 .
- the sending pawl 50 a conveys the sheets P or the sheet bundle subjected to the post-processing to the discharge port 100 according to the rotation of the conveyor belt 50 .
- the conveyor belt 50 moves in an arrow t direction and the upper roller 28 a and the lower roller 28 b for vertical alignment rotate in an arrow r direction and an arrows direction in FIG. 4 .
- the upper roller 28 a for vertical alignment is driven to rotate by a motor 58 and the lower roller 28 b is driven to rotate by the motor 56 that drives the conveyor belt 50 .
- a plurality of the paddles 40 are attached to the rotating shaft 26 .
- the rotating shaft 26 is driven to rotate by a motor 54 .
- a rotational force of a motor may be transmitted to the rotating shaft 26 via a gear mechanism.
- FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a structure and an operation of the paddle 40 .
- an attachment member 44 is attached to the rotating shaft 26 .
- the attachment member 44 includes a receiving section 41 that receives the trailing end of the sheet P that is placed in the standby tray 10 , a patting section 42 that pats down the sheet P onto the processing tray 12 , and a sending section 43 that sends the sheet P on the processing tray 12 in the direction of the stapler 14 .
- the patting section 42 and the sending section 43 of the paddle 40 are made of a rubber material and have elasticity.
- the paddle 40 rotates in a y direction around the rotating shaft 26 , pats down the trailing end of the sheet P received by the receiving section 41 onto the processing tray 12 with the patting section 42 , and sends the sheet P in the direction of the stapler 14 with the sending section 43 .
- the plurality of the paddles 40 are attached to the rotating shaft 26 .
- a guide member 52 is provided in order to guide sheets to the processing tray 12 .
- the guide member 52 serves as a guide in pulling the trailing end of the sheet P conveyed into the stapler 14 side.
- FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams schematically showing the standby tray 10 and the processing tray 12 .
- the standby tray 10 includes a pair of tray members 10 a and 10 b .
- the tray members 10 a and 10 b receive the sheets P in a state in which the tray members 10 a and 10 b are slid to the width of the sheet P and support both the sides of the sheets P.
- Standby stoppers 10 c and 10 d that regulate the trailing end of the sheets P are provided in the tray members 10 a and 10 b.
- the standby tray 10 is slid in arrows m and n directions by a motor (not shown). Between the standby tray 10 and the processing tray 12 , when the sheets P on the standby tray 10 are dropped and supplied to the processing tray 12 , the sheets P may be disarranged in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the conveying direction.
- a horizontal aligning device 46 that prevents disarrangement of the sheets P is provided.
- the horizontal aligning device 46 has a pair of horizontal aligning plates 47 a and 47 b .
- the horizontal aligning plates 47 a and 47 b are slidable in a v direction by a motor 48 to be fit to the width of the sheets P. It is possible to change an alignment position with the motor 48 .
- the stoppers 45 that regulate a trailing end position of the sheets P are provided in the horizontal aligning device 46 .
- the stoppers 45 are slidable in the conveying direction of the sheets P (a direction orthogonal to the slide direction v of the horizontal aligning plates 47 a and 47 b ).
- a stopper control unit 72 (see FIG. 9 ) is provided in order to slide the stoppers 45 .
- the stopper control unit 72 adopts, for example, a stepping motor as a driving source and slides the stoppers 45 by a predetermined distance L 1 between a first position a 0 and a second positional.
- the stoppers 45 When the stoppers 45 regulate the trailing end position of the sheets P of a small size, the stoppers 45 are in the position a 0 shown in FIG. 7 . When the stoppers 45 regulate the trailing end position of the sheets P of a large size, the stoppers 45 are slid and moved to the second position a 1 as indicated by an alternate long and short dash line. The second positional is located in a depth direction opposite to the discharging direction of the sheets P.
- the sheets P of the small size are, for example, sheets of an A4 size and the sheets P of the large size are, for example, sheets of an A3 size.
- a position where the stoppers 45 receive sheets changes according to a sheet size.
- the stoppers 45 always return to the first position a 0 .
- the horizontal aligning device 46 can shift positions of sheets by controlling to slide the horizontal sliding plates 47 a and 47 b in the v direction.
- the horizontal aligning plates 47 a and 47 b are also used in sorting and discharging the sheets P.
- FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a structure of the stapler 14 .
- the stapler 14 is slidable in a u direction by the motor 49 . In stapling sheets, the stapler 14 moves along the trailing end of the sheets P and performs the staple processing in a predetermined position. Although there is only one stapler 14 , in FIG. 8A , the stapler before sliding is indicated by 14 and the stapler after sliding is indicated by 14 ′.
- FIG. 8B is a diagram for explaining the movement of the stapler 14 .
- the stapler 14 is slidable in the u direction by the motor 49 .
- the stapler 14 moves to a position indicated by a solid line or an alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 8B and performs the staple processing.
- plural places e.g., two places
- the stapler 14 moves to positions indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 8B , respectively, and applies staple processing ST to the sheets P.
- Driving units such as the motors 48 , 49 , 54 , 56 , and 58 that drive the various mechanisms described above are controlled to be driven by a control circuit.
- Sheets subjected to the post-processing are discharged to the sheet discharge tray 16 or 18 .
- the sheets are discharged to the sheet discharge tray 16 .
- the sheets P conveyed from the inlet rollers 22 via the paper path ceiling 23 are fed onto the standby tray 10 by the sheet feeding rollers 24 . Subsequently, the sheets P fall onto the processing tray 12 .
- the upper roller 28 a for vertical alignment is retracted upward and the receiving section 41 of the paddle 40 receives the trailing end of the sheets P. Both the ends of the sheets P fall in contact with the horizontal aligning plates 47 a and 47 b and alignment in the horizontal direction is performed.
- the paddles 40 rotate in the arrow y direction as shown in FIG. 4 , the trailing end of the sheets P falls from the receiving sections 41 , and the sheets P are patted down onto the processing tray 12 by the patting sections 42 . Moreover, the paddles 40 send the sheets P in an arrow q direction with the sending section 43 , bring the trailing end of the sheets P into contact with the stoppers 45 , and complete the alignment in the vertical direction of the sheets P.
- the sheets P having images formed thereon are guided from the sheet feeding rollers 24 to the processing tray 12 while being sequentially aligned in the horizontal and the vertical directions.
- the stapler 14 staples the sheets P on the processing tray 12 in a desired position and forms a sheet bundle. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4 , the sheet bundle is nipped by the upper roller 28 a , which rotates in the arrow r direction, and the lower roller 28 b , which rotates in the arrow s direction, and conveyed in the direction of the sheet discharge tray 16 .
- the sheet bundle is hooked by the sending pawl 50 a of the conveyor belt 50 , which is rotated in the arrow t direction, conveyed to the sheet discharge tray 16 , and thereafter discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 16 by the discharge rollers 30 .
- FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the control system that controls the post-processing apparatus 2 .
- reference numeral 60 denotes a control unit that performs control of the image forming apparatus 1 .
- the control unit is constituted by a microprocessor including a CPU.
- the control unit performs, for image formation, control of the respective units in response to operation of an operation unit 62 .
- the operation unit 62 has various keys 64 and a display unit 66 of a touch panel type.
- the user performs instructions for the number of copies and the like using the keys 64 and performs instructions for a sheet size, a sheet type, stapling, and the like by operating the touch panel of the display unit 66 .
- Reference numeral 70 denotes a main control unit that performs control of the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 .
- the main control unit 70 is constituted by a microprocessor including a CPU.
- the main control unit 70 performs transmission and reception of information to and from the control unit 60 of the image forming apparatus 1 and performs, for sheet post-processing, control of the respective units such that the operation of image formation and the operation of the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 cooperate with each other.
- the main control unit 70 performs control of a stopper control unit 72 , a horizontal-alignment control unit 74 , a vertical-alignment control unit 76 , a staple control unit 78 , a discharge control unit 80 , and the like.
- the stopper control unit 72 controls a position of the stoppers 45 .
- the horizontal-alignment control unit 74 drives the motor 48 to control positions of the horizontal aligning plates 47 a and 47 b .
- the vertical-alignment control unit 76 controls the rotation of the paddles 40 and the rotation of the rollers 28 a and 28 b to control a position in the vertical direction of the sheets P.
- the staple control unit 76 derives the motor 49 to control a position of the stapler 14 and carry out stapling by the stapler 14 .
- the discharge control unit 80 derives the motor 56 to control the movement of the conveyor belt 50 and control discharge of the sheets P.
- FIG. 10A shows a case in which sheets of a small size (e.g., the A4 size) are placed on the processing tray 12 . At least one of the horizontal aligning plates 47 a and 47 b is slid in the direction of the sheets P and the sheets P are held between the horizontal aligning plates 47 a and 47 b to perform alignment in a direction (the horizontal direction) orthogonal to the conveying direction from both the sides of the sheets P.
- FIG. 10A a state in which the horizontal aligning plate 47 a is slid in an arrow v 1 direction from a position of a dotted line to a position of a solid line is shown.
- the stoppers 45 regulate a position of a trailing end P 0 of the sheets P and aligns the sheets P in the conveying direction (the vertical direction).
- the stapler 14 applies stapling ST to the sheets P while moving in the arrow u direction from the position of the solid line. After the staple processing, the sheets P are discharged in a direction opposite to the q direction according to the rotation of the rollers 28 a and 28 b for vertical alignment and the movement of the conveyor belt 50 .
- FIG. 10B shows a case in which the sheets P of a large size (e.g., the A3 size) are placed on the processing tray 12 .
- the sheets P are held between the horizontal aligning plates 47 a and 47 b to perform alignment in the horizontal direction.
- a regulating position of the sheets P by the stoppers 45 is the same as that in FIG. 10A , a leading end P 1 of the sheets P is shaken and alignability is deteriorated. This is because an alignment position in the horizontal direction with respect to the sheets P of the large size is close to the trailing end P 0 of the sheets P.
- the position of the stoppers 45 is slid by a distance L 1 to the second positional further in a depth direction than the first position a 0 .
- the sheets P are conveyed to the second positional by the vertical-alignment control unit 74 . Consequently, since the vertical aligning plates 47 a and 47 b align a portion close to the center of the sheets P from both the sides thereof, it is possible to control disarrangement of the leading end P 1 of the sheets P.
- the stoppers 45 return to the first position a 0 by the stopper control unit 72 .
- the stapler 14 applies the stapling ST to the sheets P while moving in the arrow u direction.
- the sheets P are discharged in a direction opposite to the q direction by the discharge control unit 80 .
- the position of the stoppers 45 is controlled by the stopper control unit 72 when the user operates the operation unit 62 to select sheets of the large size and is slid to the second positional. After the horizontal alignment, the position of the stoppers 45 returns to the first position a 0 .
- FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams for explaining another embodiment of the invention.
- the stapler 14 is a stapler of a fixed type and the stapling ST is applied to only one place at a corner of the sheets P.
- FIG. 12A shows a state in which the sheets P of a small size (e.g., the A4 size) are placed on the processing tray 12 , the horizontal aligning plate 47 a is slid in the arrow v 1 direction from a position of a dotted line to a position of a solid line, and alignment of the sheets P in the horizontal direction is performed.
- the stoppers 45 regulate a position of the trailing end P 0 of the sheets P.
- the horizontal aligning plates 47 a and 47 b are moved in an arrow v 2 direction, the sheets P subjected to the horizontal alignment are moved by a distance L 2 in the direction of the stapler 14 , and the stapling ST is applied to the sheets P.
- the sheets P are discharged in a direction opposite to the q direction according to the rotation of the rollers 28 a and 28 b for vertical alignment and the movement of the conveyor belt 50 .
- FIG. 13A shows a case in which the sheets P of a large size (e.g., the A3 size) are stapled by the stapler 14 of the fixed type.
- a position of the stoppers 45 is slid to the second positional in a depth direction from the first position a 0 . Consequently, since the horizontal aligning plates 47 a and 47 b align a portion close to the center of the sheets P, it is possible to control disarrangement of the leading end P 1 of the sheets P.
- the stoppers 45 return to the first position a 0 from the second positional. After that, the horizontal aligning plates 47 a and 47 b are moved in the arrow v 2 direction. Consequently, the sheets P horizontally aligned move in the direction of the stapler 14 and the stapling ST is applied to the sheet P. After the staple processing, the sheets P are discharged in a direction opposite to the q direction.
- sort processing is performed, in the same manner, after a position of the stoppers 45 is controlled to perform accurate horizontal alignment processing according to a sheet size, the sort processing is performed using the horizontal aligning plates 47 a and 47 b and the sheets P are discharged.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Pile Receivers (AREA)
- Folding Of Thin Sheet-Like Materials, Special Discharging Devices, And Others (AREA)
- Collation Of Sheets And Webs (AREA)
Abstract
A sheet processing apparatus includes a stapler that applies post-processing to sheets conveyed from an image forming apparatus, a vertical aligning unit that conveys the sheets to the stapler and brings an edge of the sheets into contact with a movable stopper arranged in a conveying path for the sheets to align the sheets in a conveying direction, and a horizontal aligning unit that holds the sheets with a pair of movable aligning plates from both sides along the conveying direction to align the sheets in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. The sheet processing apparatus further includes a control unit that switches a position of the stopper according to a size of the sheets and controls the aligning plates to be located on both sides close to the center of the sheets when the sheets are brought into contact with the stopper. The stapler applies the post-processing to the sheets aligned.
Description
- This application is a Division of application Ser. No. 11/670,079 filed on Feb. 1, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus and a sheet processing method for performing post-processing for sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a multifunction peripheral (MFP).
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- In recent years, among image forming apparatuses, there is an image forming apparatus in which a sheet post-processing apparatus is provided adjacent to an image forming apparatus main body in order to perform post-processing such as processing for sorting sheets after image formation and processing for applying staple processing to the sheets.
- In JP-A-2003-118928, a sheet post-processing apparatus is described. In this example, a structure that makes it possible to move an alignment position and a stapler according to a sheet size is extremely complicated.
- The present invention provides a sheet processing apparatus that can appropriately align sheets to be subjected to post-processing according to a size of the sheets.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main part of the sheet processing apparatus of the invention; -
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a roller for vertical alignment of the sheet processing apparatus of the invention; -
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a paddle of the sheet processing apparatus of the invention; -
FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a standby tray and a processing tray of the sheet processing apparatus of the invention; -
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the standby tray and the processing tray of the sheet processing apparatus of the invention; -
FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a horizontal aligning plate of the sheet processing apparatus of the invention; -
FIG. 8A is a schematic perspective view showing a stapler of the sheet processing apparatus of the invention; -
FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an operation of the stapler of the sheet processing apparatus of the invention; -
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control system for the sheet processing apparatus of the invention; -
FIGS. 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams for explaining operations of alignment and stapling of sheets in the sheet processing apparatus of the invention; -
FIGS. 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams for explaining operations of alignment and stapling of sheets of a large size in the sheet processing apparatus of the invention; -
FIGS. 12A and 12B are explanatory diagrams for explaining a stapling operation in another embodiment of the sheet processing apparatus of the invention; and -
FIGS. 13A and 13B are explanatory diagrams for explaining a stapling operation for large-size sheets in still another embodiment of the sheet processing apparatus of the invention. - Throughout this description, the embodiments and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus of the present invention.
- Embodiments of the invention will be hereinafter explained in detail with reference to the drawings. In the respective figures, identical components are denoted by identical reference numerals and signs.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing asheet post-processing apparatus 2 arranged adjacent to animage forming apparatus 1 such as a copying machine. A sheet P having an image formed thereon by theimage forming apparatus 1 is discharged fromdischarge rollers 4 and conveyed to thesheet post-processing apparatus 2. Thedischarge rollers 4 include anupper roller 4 a and alower roller 4 b. - The
sheet post-processing apparatus 2 has astandby tray 10, aprocessing tray 12, astapler 14, a firstsheet discharge tray 16, a secondsheet discharge tray 18, and a fixedtray 20. - The sheet P discharged by the
discharge rollers 4 of theimage forming apparatus 1 is received byinlet rollers 22 provided near a delivery port of thesheet processing apparatus 2. Theinlet rollers 22 include anupper roller 22 a and alower roller 22 b and are driven by a motor (not shown). -
Sheet feeding rollers 24 are provided on a downstream side of theinlet rollers 22. The sheet P received by theinlet rollers 22 is sent to thestandby tray 10 via thesheet feeding rollers 24. A paper path 23 for guiding the sheet P to thesheet feeding rollers 24 is provided between theinlet rollers 22 and thestandby tray 10. Thesheet feeding rollers 24 include an upper roller 24 a and alower roller 24 b. - The processing tray 12 for stacking the sheet P, which has fallen from the
standby tray 10, is arranged below thestandby tray 10. The standby tray 10 stacks the sheet P and has an openable structure. When a predetermined number of sheets P are accumulated, thestandby tray 10 opens and the sheets P falls to theprocessing tray 12 because of an own weight of the sheets P. The processing tray 12 aligns and supports the sheets P while the sheets P are stapled by thestapler 14 serving as a post-processing mechanism. - The sheets, which have fallen in the
processing tray 12, are guided to thestapler 14 byrollers 28 and subjected to staple processing. Therollers 28 include anupper roller 28 a and alower roller 28 b. When the staple processing is performed, the plural sheets P, which have fallen from thestandby tray 10 to theprocessing tray 12, are subjected to the staple processing after being aligned in the vertical direction, which is a conveying direction, and aligned in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. - A
rotatable paddle 40 is arranged in a position to which the trailing end of the sheet P falls when the sheet P falls to the processing tray 12. - The
paddle 40 is attached to a rotatingshaft 26. Thepaddle 40 pats down the sheet P falling from thestandby tray 10 onto theprocessing tray 12 and sends the sheet P in a direction of thestapler 14. Details of thepaddle 40 are shown inFIG. 4 and described later. - A
stopper 45 that regulates the trailing end position of the sheet P is provided at an end on thestapler 14 side of theprocessing tray 12. There is also provided aconveyor belt 50 that conveys the sheets P, which are subjected to sort processing or staple processing, to the firstsheet discharge tray 16 or the secondsheet discharge tray 18. - The
conveyor belt 50 is suspended betweenpulleys pawl member 50 a that hooks the trailing end of the sheets P and sends the sheets P is attached to theconveyor belt 50. Thelower roller 28 b of therollers 28 is arranged coaxially with thepulley 38. Therollers 28 rotate in opposite directions when therollers 28 guide aligned sheets in the direction of thestapler 14 and when therollers 28 discharge the sheets P subjected to the staple processing. - The
pulley 36 is attached to ashaft 34.Plural discharge rollers 30 are rotatably attached to thisshaft 34. - The sheets P conveyed by the
conveyor belt 50 are discharged to the firstsheet discharge tray 16 or the secondsheet discharge tray 18 from adischarge port 100. The firstsheet discharge tray 16 and the secondsheet discharge tray 18 are lifted and lowered by a driving unit (not shown) and receive the sheets P. - The sheets P stacked on the
standby tray 10 may be discharged to the firstsheet discharge tray 16 or the secondsheet discharge tray 18 without being subjected to the staple processing. In this case, the sheets P are discharged by aroller 32 without being caused to fall to theprocessing tray 12. - It is also possible to discharge the sheets P not required to be subjected to post-processing to the fixed
tray 20. A conveying path is provided to guide the sheets P to the fixedtray 20. The conveying path is not shown in the figure. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the sheetpost-processing apparatus 2 and is a diagram of the main part viewed from an arrow x direction inFIG. 1 . - In
FIG. 2 , theshaft 34 is arranged orthogonal to the conveying direction of the sheets P. Thepulley 36 is attached to the middle of theshaft 34. Thebelt 50 is looped around thispulley 36. Thedischarge rollers 30 are attached to the center and both the sides of theshaft 34. Thedischarge rollers 30 are subjected to rotation control by the driving unit and rotate when the sheets P are discharged to thetray -
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing structures of therollers 28 for vertical alignment of the sheets P, thepaddles 40, and theconveyor belt 50. As shown inFIG. 3 , theconveyor belt 50 is suspended between thepulleys motor 56. Theconveyor belt 50 cyclically rotates between thestapler 14 and the sheet discharge port 100 (FIG. 1 ) along a discharge direction of sheets. - The sending
pawl 50 a that hooks the trailing end of a sheet bundle T is attached to theconveyor belt 50. The sendingpawl 50 a conveys the sheets P or the sheet bundle subjected to the post-processing to thedischarge port 100 according to the rotation of theconveyor belt 50. - In conveying the sheets P in the direction of the
sheet discharge trays conveyor belt 50 moves in an arrow t direction and theupper roller 28 a and thelower roller 28 b for vertical alignment rotate in an arrow r direction and an arrows direction inFIG. 4 . Theupper roller 28 a for vertical alignment is driven to rotate by amotor 58 and thelower roller 28 b is driven to rotate by themotor 56 that drives theconveyor belt 50. - A plurality of the
paddles 40 are attached to therotating shaft 26. The rotatingshaft 26 is driven to rotate by amotor 54. Alternatively, a rotational force of a motor may be transmitted to therotating shaft 26 via a gear mechanism. -
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a structure and an operation of thepaddle 40. In thepaddle 40, anattachment member 44 is attached to therotating shaft 26. Theattachment member 44 includes a receivingsection 41 that receives the trailing end of the sheet P that is placed in thestandby tray 10, apatting section 42 that pats down the sheet P onto theprocessing tray 12, and a sendingsection 43 that sends the sheet P on theprocessing tray 12 in the direction of thestapler 14. The pattingsection 42 and the sendingsection 43 of thepaddle 40 are made of a rubber material and have elasticity. - The
paddle 40 rotates in a y direction around the rotatingshaft 26, pats down the trailing end of the sheet P received by the receivingsection 41 onto theprocessing tray 12 with thepatting section 42, and sends the sheet P in the direction of thestapler 14 with the sendingsection 43. - When the sheet P on the
processing tray 12 is sent in the direction of the stapler 14 (an arrow q), theupper roller 28 a of theroller 28 rotates counterclockwise and thelower roller 28 b rotates clockwise. When the sheet P on theprocessing tray 12 is discharged, theupper roller 28 a rotates in the arrow r direction and thelower roller 28 b rotates in the arrow s direction. - As it is seen from
FIG. 2 , the plurality of thepaddles 40 are attached to therotating shaft 26. Aguide member 52 is provided in order to guide sheets to theprocessing tray 12. Theguide member 52 serves as a guide in pulling the trailing end of the sheet P conveyed into thestapler 14 side. -
FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams schematically showing thestandby tray 10 and theprocessing tray 12. Thestandby tray 10 includes a pair oftray members tray members tray members P. Standby stoppers tray members - The
standby tray 10 is slid in arrows m and n directions by a motor (not shown). Between thestandby tray 10 and theprocessing tray 12, when the sheets P on thestandby tray 10 are dropped and supplied to theprocessing tray 12, the sheets P may be disarranged in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. - Therefore, as shown in
FIG. 7 , a horizontal aligningdevice 46 that prevents disarrangement of the sheets P is provided. The horizontal aligningdevice 46 has a pair of horizontal aligningplates plates motor 48 to be fit to the width of the sheets P. It is possible to change an alignment position with themotor 48. - The
stoppers 45 that regulate a trailing end position of the sheets P are provided in the horizontal aligningdevice 46. Thestoppers 45 are slidable in the conveying direction of the sheets P (a direction orthogonal to the slide direction v of the horizontal aligningplates FIG. 9 ) is provided in order to slide thestoppers 45. Thestopper control unit 72 adopts, for example, a stepping motor as a driving source and slides thestoppers 45 by a predetermined distance L1 between a first position a0 and a second positional. - When the
stoppers 45 regulate the trailing end position of the sheets P of a small size, thestoppers 45 are in the position a0 shown inFIG. 7 . When thestoppers 45 regulate the trailing end position of the sheets P of a large size, thestoppers 45 are slid and moved to the second position a1 as indicated by an alternate long and short dash line. The second positional is located in a depth direction opposite to the discharging direction of the sheets P. - The sheets P of the small size are, for example, sheets of an A4 size and the sheets P of the large size are, for example, sheets of an A3 size. In this way, a position where the
stoppers 45 receive sheets changes according to a sheet size. When the staple processing is performed, thestoppers 45 always return to the first position a0. - The horizontal aligning
device 46 can shift positions of sheets by controlling to slide the horizontal slidingplates plates -
FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a structure of thestapler 14. Thestapler 14 is slidable in a u direction by themotor 49. In stapling sheets, thestapler 14 moves along the trailing end of the sheets P and performs the staple processing in a predetermined position. Although there is only onestapler 14, inFIG. 8A , the stapler before sliding is indicated by 14 and the stapler after sliding is indicated by 14′. -
FIG. 8B is a diagram for explaining the movement of thestapler 14. As shown inFIG. 8A , thestapler 14 is slidable in the u direction by themotor 49. When a corner portion of the sheets P is bound, thestapler 14 moves to a position indicated by a solid line or an alternate long and short dash line inFIG. 8B and performs the staple processing. When plural places (e.g., two places) along an edge of the sheets P are bound, thestapler 14 moves to positions indicated by dotted lines inFIG. 8B , respectively, and applies staple processing ST to the sheets P. - Driving units such as the
motors - An operation of the post-processing by the sheet
post-processing apparatus 2 will be explained according to a flow of sheets. Sheets subjected to the post-processing are discharged to thesheet discharge tray sheet discharge tray 16. - The sheets P conveyed from the
inlet rollers 22 via the paper path ceiling 23 are fed onto thestandby tray 10 by thesheet feeding rollers 24. Subsequently, the sheets P fall onto theprocessing tray 12. - When the sheets P fall, the
upper roller 28 a for vertical alignment is retracted upward and the receivingsection 41 of thepaddle 40 receives the trailing end of the sheets P. Both the ends of the sheets P fall in contact with the horizontal aligningplates - Subsequently, the
paddles 40 rotate in the arrow y direction as shown inFIG. 4 , the trailing end of the sheets P falls from the receivingsections 41, and the sheets P are patted down onto theprocessing tray 12 by the pattingsections 42. Moreover, thepaddles 40 send the sheets P in an arrow q direction with the sendingsection 43, bring the trailing end of the sheets P into contact with thestoppers 45, and complete the alignment in the vertical direction of the sheets P. - In this way, the sheets P having images formed thereon are guided from the
sheet feeding rollers 24 to theprocessing tray 12 while being sequentially aligned in the horizontal and the vertical directions. - In performing the staple processing, when the sheets P stacked on the
processing tray 12 reach a predetermined number, thestapler 14 staples the sheets P on theprocessing tray 12 in a desired position and forms a sheet bundle. Thereafter, as shown inFIG. 4 , the sheet bundle is nipped by theupper roller 28 a, which rotates in the arrow r direction, and thelower roller 28 b, which rotates in the arrow s direction, and conveyed in the direction of thesheet discharge tray 16. - When the trailing end of the sheet bundle passes the
rollers pawl 50 a of theconveyor belt 50, which is rotated in the arrow t direction, conveyed to thesheet discharge tray 16, and thereafter discharged onto thesheet discharge tray 16 by thedischarge rollers 30. - It is also possible to shift the sheets in the width direction by operating the horizontal aligning
plates - The operations of the entire sheet
post-processing apparatus 2 are explained above. A structure of an aligning unit for the sheets P, which is a characteristic part of the invention, will be explained. -
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the control system that controls thepost-processing apparatus 2. InFIG. 9 ,reference numeral 60 denotes a control unit that performs control of theimage forming apparatus 1. For example, the control unit is constituted by a microprocessor including a CPU. The control unit performs, for image formation, control of the respective units in response to operation of anoperation unit 62. - The
operation unit 62 hasvarious keys 64 and adisplay unit 66 of a touch panel type. For example, the user performs instructions for the number of copies and the like using thekeys 64 and performs instructions for a sheet size, a sheet type, stapling, and the like by operating the touch panel of thedisplay unit 66. -
Reference numeral 70 denotes a main control unit that performs control of the sheetpost-processing apparatus 2. For example, themain control unit 70 is constituted by a microprocessor including a CPU. Themain control unit 70 performs transmission and reception of information to and from thecontrol unit 60 of theimage forming apparatus 1 and performs, for sheet post-processing, control of the respective units such that the operation of image formation and the operation of the sheetpost-processing apparatus 2 cooperate with each other. - The
main control unit 70 performs control of astopper control unit 72, a horizontal-alignment control unit 74, a vertical-alignment control unit 76, astaple control unit 78, adischarge control unit 80, and the like. - The
stopper control unit 72 controls a position of thestoppers 45. The horizontal-alignment control unit 74 drives themotor 48 to control positions of the horizontal aligningplates alignment control unit 76 controls the rotation of thepaddles 40 and the rotation of therollers - The
staple control unit 76 derives themotor 49 to control a position of thestapler 14 and carry out stapling by thestapler 14. Thedischarge control unit 80 derives themotor 56 to control the movement of theconveyor belt 50 and control discharge of the sheets P. - Operations of the aligning processing and the staple processing for the sheets P will be explained with reference to
FIGS. 10A and 10B . In an example described below, stapling is applied to two places at the trailing end of the sheets P. -
FIG. 10A shows a case in which sheets of a small size (e.g., the A4 size) are placed on theprocessing tray 12. At least one of the horizontal aligningplates plates FIG. 10A , a state in which the horizontal aligningplate 47 a is slid in an arrow v1 direction from a position of a dotted line to a position of a solid line is shown. - When the sheets P are conveyed in the q direction, the
stoppers 45 regulate a position of a trailing end P0 of the sheets P and aligns the sheets P in the conveying direction (the vertical direction). Thestapler 14 applies stapling ST to the sheets P while moving in the arrow u direction from the position of the solid line. After the staple processing, the sheets P are discharged in a direction opposite to the q direction according to the rotation of therollers conveyor belt 50. -
FIG. 10B shows a case in which the sheets P of a large size (e.g., the A3 size) are placed on theprocessing tray 12. In this case, the sheets P are held between the horizontal aligningplates stoppers 45 is the same as that inFIG. 10A , a leading end P1 of the sheets P is shaken and alignability is deteriorated. This is because an alignment position in the horizontal direction with respect to the sheets P of the large size is close to the trailing end P0 of the sheets P. - Thus, as shown in
FIG. 11A , in the invention, when the sheets P of the large size is subjected to the staple processing, the position of thestoppers 45 is slid by a distance L1 to the second positional further in a depth direction than the first position a0. The sheets P are conveyed to the second positional by the vertical-alignment control unit 74. Consequently, since the vertical aligningplates - When the horizontal alignment is performed, the
stoppers 45 return to the first position a0 by thestopper control unit 72. In that position, thestapler 14 applies the stapling ST to the sheets P while moving in the arrow u direction. After the staple processing, the sheets P are discharged in a direction opposite to the q direction by thedischarge control unit 80. - The position of the
stoppers 45 is controlled by thestopper control unit 72 when the user operates theoperation unit 62 to select sheets of the large size and is slid to the second positional. After the horizontal alignment, the position of thestoppers 45 returns to the first position a0. - In this way, in the invention, it is possible to reduce disarrangement of the sheets of the large size when the sheets are horizontally aligned. The same effect is obtained if the position of the
stapler 14 is shifted to the second positional in advance. However, since thestapler 14 has a large shape, if the position of thestapler 14 is shifted to the second positional, the size of the entirepost-processing apparatus 2 is undesirably increased. -
FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams for explaining another embodiment of the invention. InFIGS. 12A and 12B , thestapler 14 is a stapler of a fixed type and the stapling ST is applied to only one place at a corner of the sheets P. -
FIG. 12A shows a state in which the sheets P of a small size (e.g., the A4 size) are placed on theprocessing tray 12, the horizontal aligningplate 47 a is slid in the arrow v1 direction from a position of a dotted line to a position of a solid line, and alignment of the sheets P in the horizontal direction is performed. When the sheets P are conveyed in the q direction in this state, thestoppers 45 regulate a position of the trailing end P0 of the sheets P. - When the stapling ST is applied to the sheets P, as shown in
FIG. 12B , the horizontal aligningplates stapler 14, and the stapling ST is applied to the sheets P. After the staple processing, the sheets P are discharged in a direction opposite to the q direction according to the rotation of therollers conveyor belt 50. -
FIG. 13A shows a case in which the sheets P of a large size (e.g., the A3 size) are stapled by thestapler 14 of the fixed type. When the sheets P of the large size are subjected to the staple processing, a position of thestoppers 45 is slid to the second positional in a depth direction from the first position a0. Consequently, since the horizontal aligningplates - As shown in
FIG. 13B , thestoppers 45 return to the first position a0 from the second positional. After that, the horizontal aligningplates stapler 14 and the stapling ST is applied to the sheet P. After the staple processing, the sheets P are discharged in a direction opposite to the q direction. - Therefore, even if the
stapler 14 is the fixed type, it is possible to surely perform the horizontal alignment and applies the staple processing to the sheets P. - When sort processing is performed, in the same manner, after a position of the
stoppers 45 is controlled to perform accurate horizontal alignment processing according to a sheet size, the sort processing is performed using the horizontal aligningplates - In this way, in the invention, it is possible to carry out accurate alignment, stapling, and sort without causing disorder of alignment regardless of whether sheets are sheets of a small size or sheets of a large size.
- The invention is not limited to the above explanation. Various modifications are possible in a range not departing from the scope of the claims. For example, in the above explanations, as sheet sizes, the sheets of the A4 and A3 sizes are processed. However, the invention is also applicable to a case in which sheets of other sizes are processed.
- Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes, modifications, or alterations to the invention as described herein may be made, none of which depart from the spirit of the present invention. All such changes, modifications, and alterations should therefore be seen as within the scope of the present invention.
Claims (2)
1. A sheet processing apparatus that applies post-processing to sheets conveyed from an image forming apparatus, comprising:
a processing tray on which it is possible to place the sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus;
a stapler of a fixed type that applies stapling to a corner of the sheets placed on the processing tray;
a first aligning unit configured to convey the sheets on the processing tray in a first direction toward the stapler and bring an edge of the sheets into contact with a movable stopper, which is arranged to be orthogonal to the first direction, to align the sheets in a vertical direction;
a second aligning unit configured to include a pair of movable aligning plates, which hold the sheets from both sides along the first direction, to align the sheets in a horizontal direction;
a control unit configured to discriminate a size of the sheets to be processed by the stapler on the basis of input information from an operation unit provided in the image forming apparatus and switches a position of the stopper according to a size of the sheets discriminated, and control the pair of aligning plates to be located on both sides close to a center of the sheets when the sheets are brought into contact with the stopper, and control the stapler to apply stapling to the sheets aligned, the control unit switches, when the corner of the sheets aligned in the vertical direction and the position of the stapler deviate from each other, the position of the stopper and control a position of the end of the sheets to coincide with the position of the stapler, and moves the pair of aligning plates of the second aligning unit and guides the sheets to the stapler; and
a sheet discharging unit configured to discharge the sheets stapled by the stapler.
2. A sheet processing method of applying post-processing to sheets conveyed from an image forming apparatus, comprising:
placing sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus on a processing tray;
conveying the sheets on the processing tray in a first direction toward a stapler of a fixed type that applies stapling to a corner of the sheets and brings an edge of the sheets into contact with a movable stopper, which is arranged to be orthogonal to the first direction, to align the sheets in a vertical direction;
holding the sheets from both sides along the first direction with a pair of movable aligning plates to align the sheets in a horizontal direction;
discriminating a size of the sheets to be processed by the stapler on the basis of input information from an operation unit provided in the image forming apparatus;
switching a position of the stopper according to a size of the sheets discriminated and controlling the pair of aligning plates to be located on both sides near a center of the sheets when the sheets are brought into contact with the stopper;
switching the position of the stopper, when the corner of the sheets aligned in the vertical direction and a position of the stapler deviate from each other, the position of the edge of the sheets is controlled to coincide with the position of the stapler;
moving the pair of aligning plates to guide the sheets to the stapler;
discharging the sheets stapled by the stapler.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/782,087 US20100219576A1 (en) | 2007-02-01 | 2010-05-18 | Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing method |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/670,079 US7747212B2 (en) | 2007-02-01 | 2007-02-01 | Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing method |
US12/782,087 US20100219576A1 (en) | 2007-02-01 | 2010-05-18 | Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing method |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/670,079 Division US7747212B2 (en) | 2007-02-01 | 2007-02-01 | Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing method |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20100219576A1 true US20100219576A1 (en) | 2010-09-02 |
Family
ID=39676300
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/670,079 Expired - Fee Related US7747212B2 (en) | 2007-02-01 | 2007-02-01 | Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing method |
US12/782,087 Abandoned US20100219576A1 (en) | 2007-02-01 | 2010-05-18 | Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing method |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/670,079 Expired - Fee Related US7747212B2 (en) | 2007-02-01 | 2007-02-01 | Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing method |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US7747212B2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4891929B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101234713B (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120146279A1 (en) * | 2010-12-09 | 2012-06-14 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Sheet processing apparatus, image forming system, and sheet processing method |
US20120153556A1 (en) * | 2010-12-15 | 2012-06-21 | Ricoh Company, Limited | Sheet Processing Apparatus, Image Forming System, And Sheet Processing Method |
US20130113154A1 (en) * | 2011-11-04 | 2013-05-09 | Tomohiro Furuhashi | Sheet Processing Apparatus, Image Forming System, And Sheet Processing Method |
US9415560B2 (en) | 2013-07-01 | 2016-08-16 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Sheet processing apparatus, image forming system, and image forming apparatus |
US10696084B1 (en) * | 2019-02-20 | 2020-06-30 | Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha | Sheet processing device and image processing system |
Families Citing this family (33)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP3242760B2 (en) * | 1993-07-22 | 2001-12-25 | 富士写真フイルム株式会社 | Rod for coating equipment |
JP4746946B2 (en) * | 2005-09-15 | 2011-08-10 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing method |
US7747212B2 (en) * | 2007-02-01 | 2010-06-29 | Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha | Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing method |
JP4646008B2 (en) * | 2008-06-30 | 2011-03-09 | 株式会社沖データ | Medium conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus |
JP4885293B2 (en) * | 2009-09-11 | 2012-02-29 | キヤノンファインテック株式会社 | Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus |
WO2011047980A1 (en) * | 2009-10-23 | 2011-04-28 | Oce-Technologies B.V. | Sheet processing apparatus |
JP5348077B2 (en) * | 2010-06-09 | 2013-11-20 | 富士ゼロックス株式会社 | Paper processing apparatus and image forming system |
US8180232B2 (en) * | 2010-07-29 | 2012-05-15 | Eastman Kodak Company | Apparatus for making combination prints with pleasing appearance |
JP5733006B2 (en) * | 2011-05-02 | 2015-06-10 | 株式会社リコー | Sheet processing apparatus, image forming system, and sheet acceptance control method |
JP6261233B2 (en) | 2012-09-20 | 2018-01-17 | キヤノン株式会社 | Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus |
JP6537585B2 (en) * | 2012-09-20 | 2019-07-03 | キヤノン株式会社 | Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus |
JP6075838B2 (en) * | 2012-09-20 | 2017-02-08 | キヤノン株式会社 | Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus |
JP2014091621A (en) * | 2012-11-05 | 2014-05-19 | Canon Inc | Sheet processing apparatus, control method therefor, and program |
JP6087606B2 (en) * | 2012-12-07 | 2017-03-01 | キヤノン株式会社 | Sheet processing apparatus, control method thereof, and program |
JP2014118295A (en) * | 2012-12-19 | 2014-06-30 | Gradco Japan Ltd | Sheet post-processing device |
KR101410456B1 (en) * | 2013-06-21 | 2014-06-25 | (주)케이알디씨 | Paper finisher |
JP6198490B2 (en) * | 2013-07-05 | 2017-09-20 | キヤノン株式会社 | Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus |
JP6360285B2 (en) | 2013-07-12 | 2018-07-18 | キヤノンファインテックニスカ株式会社 | Sheet processing apparatus and image forming system provided with the same |
JP6262525B2 (en) * | 2013-12-27 | 2018-01-17 | キヤノンファインテックニスカ株式会社 | Sheet processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image forming system |
JP6215184B2 (en) * | 2013-12-27 | 2017-10-18 | キヤノンファインテックニスカ株式会社 | Binding processing apparatus and image forming apparatus including the same |
JP6047510B2 (en) * | 2014-02-13 | 2016-12-21 | 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 | Post-processing apparatus and image forming apparatus |
JP6582541B2 (en) * | 2014-06-16 | 2019-10-02 | 株式会社リコー | Sheet processing apparatus and image forming system |
JP6314887B2 (en) * | 2015-03-30 | 2018-04-25 | 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 | Sheet post-processing apparatus and image forming system including the same |
JP6668837B2 (en) * | 2016-03-10 | 2020-03-18 | 富士ゼロックス株式会社 | Print control program, information processing apparatus and print system |
JP6758082B2 (en) | 2016-04-28 | 2020-09-23 | 株式会社東芝 | Sheet post-processing device |
EP3509851B1 (en) * | 2016-09-09 | 2024-05-29 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Printed media stack alignment apparatus, corresponding non-transitory readable medium, and method for printed media stack alignment |
US10189664B1 (en) * | 2018-02-23 | 2019-01-29 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Sheet processing apparatus and image forming system |
JP7211226B2 (en) * | 2019-04-09 | 2023-01-24 | コニカミノルタ株式会社 | Paper stacking device and image forming system |
JP7334471B2 (en) * | 2019-05-28 | 2023-08-29 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Media alignment device, media handling device, and recording system |
JP6879630B2 (en) * | 2019-11-25 | 2021-06-02 | キヤノンファインテックニスカ株式会社 | Sheet binding processing device and image forming system equipped with this |
US11505423B2 (en) * | 2020-04-02 | 2022-11-22 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Medium loading device and post-processing device |
JP2022011338A (en) * | 2020-06-30 | 2022-01-17 | キヤノンファインテックニスカ株式会社 | Sheet conveyance device |
JP7095036B2 (en) * | 2020-08-17 | 2022-07-04 | 株式会社東芝 | Sheet post-processing device |
Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH01261163A (en) * | 1988-04-07 | 1989-10-18 | Konica Corp | Recording paper processing unit |
US5442432A (en) * | 1992-07-01 | 1995-08-15 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Recording apparatus with a finisher having multiple bind modes |
JPH1029761A (en) * | 1996-05-13 | 1998-02-03 | Nisca Corp | Sheet distributing device equipped with stapler |
US6022011A (en) * | 1996-11-01 | 2000-02-08 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Sheet finisher including binding, folding and stacking |
US6102385A (en) * | 1997-03-12 | 2000-08-15 | Minolta Co., Ltd. | Finisher |
US6430382B1 (en) * | 1999-07-23 | 2002-08-06 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image forming apparatus which pre-prepares for sheet processing |
US20070075482A1 (en) * | 2005-09-13 | 2007-04-05 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Sheet processing apparatus |
US7300046B2 (en) * | 2004-04-16 | 2007-11-27 | Canon Finetech Inc. | Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus having the same |
US7413176B2 (en) * | 2004-08-20 | 2008-08-19 | Konica Minolta Business Technologies Inc. | Sheet finisher |
US7747212B2 (en) * | 2007-02-01 | 2010-06-29 | Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha | Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing method |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2003002519A (en) * | 2001-06-20 | 2003-01-08 | Fuji Xerox Co Ltd | Paper after treatment system for image forming device |
JP3785077B2 (en) | 2001-10-15 | 2006-06-14 | 富士ゼロックス株式会社 | Sheet post-processing apparatus and image forming apparatus including sheet post-processing apparatus |
JP4158662B2 (en) * | 2003-09-25 | 2008-10-01 | コニカミノルタビジネステクノロジーズ株式会社 | Paper post-processing apparatus and image forming system |
-
2007
- 2007-02-01 US US11/670,079 patent/US7747212B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2008
- 2008-01-21 JP JP2008010783A patent/JP4891929B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2008-02-01 CN CN2008100060933A patent/CN101234713B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2010
- 2010-05-18 US US12/782,087 patent/US20100219576A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH01261163A (en) * | 1988-04-07 | 1989-10-18 | Konica Corp | Recording paper processing unit |
US5442432A (en) * | 1992-07-01 | 1995-08-15 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Recording apparatus with a finisher having multiple bind modes |
JPH1029761A (en) * | 1996-05-13 | 1998-02-03 | Nisca Corp | Sheet distributing device equipped with stapler |
US6022011A (en) * | 1996-11-01 | 2000-02-08 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Sheet finisher including binding, folding and stacking |
US6102385A (en) * | 1997-03-12 | 2000-08-15 | Minolta Co., Ltd. | Finisher |
US6430382B1 (en) * | 1999-07-23 | 2002-08-06 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image forming apparatus which pre-prepares for sheet processing |
US7300046B2 (en) * | 2004-04-16 | 2007-11-27 | Canon Finetech Inc. | Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus having the same |
US7413176B2 (en) * | 2004-08-20 | 2008-08-19 | Konica Minolta Business Technologies Inc. | Sheet finisher |
US20070075482A1 (en) * | 2005-09-13 | 2007-04-05 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Sheet processing apparatus |
US7747212B2 (en) * | 2007-02-01 | 2010-06-29 | Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha | Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing method |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120146279A1 (en) * | 2010-12-09 | 2012-06-14 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Sheet processing apparatus, image forming system, and sheet processing method |
US8496239B2 (en) * | 2010-12-09 | 2013-07-30 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Sheet processing apparatus, image forming system, and sheet processing method |
US20120153556A1 (en) * | 2010-12-15 | 2012-06-21 | Ricoh Company, Limited | Sheet Processing Apparatus, Image Forming System, And Sheet Processing Method |
US8485514B2 (en) * | 2010-12-15 | 2013-07-16 | Ricoh Company, Limited | Sheet processing apparatus, image forming system, and sheet processing method |
US20130113154A1 (en) * | 2011-11-04 | 2013-05-09 | Tomohiro Furuhashi | Sheet Processing Apparatus, Image Forming System, And Sheet Processing Method |
US8770569B2 (en) * | 2011-11-04 | 2014-07-08 | Ricoh Company, Limited | Sheet processing apparatus, image forming system, and sheet processing method |
US9415560B2 (en) | 2013-07-01 | 2016-08-16 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Sheet processing apparatus, image forming system, and image forming apparatus |
US10696084B1 (en) * | 2019-02-20 | 2020-06-30 | Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha | Sheet processing device and image processing system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20080187383A1 (en) | 2008-08-07 |
US7747212B2 (en) | 2010-06-29 |
CN101234713B (en) | 2010-12-15 |
JP4891929B2 (en) | 2012-03-07 |
CN101234713A (en) | 2008-08-06 |
JP2008189470A (en) | 2008-08-21 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US7747212B2 (en) | Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing method | |
US7690637B2 (en) | Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing method | |
US8485514B2 (en) | Sheet processing apparatus, image forming system, and sheet processing method | |
US8770569B2 (en) | Sheet processing apparatus, image forming system, and sheet processing method | |
US7866647B2 (en) | Sheet post-processing apparatus | |
US20120025442A1 (en) | Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing method | |
US8876107B2 (en) | Sheet stacking device, image forming system, and sheet stacking method | |
US20070138731A1 (en) | Sheet post-processing apparatus | |
US9028189B2 (en) | Booklet stacker, ring-binding device, ring-binding system, and booklet stacking method | |
US20080150228A1 (en) | Sheet processing apparatus | |
JP4758243B2 (en) | Paper post-processing device | |
US20070138729A1 (en) | Sheet post-processing apparatus and sheet post-processing method | |
US7762541B2 (en) | Sheet processing apparatus | |
US20140023417A1 (en) | Image forming apparatus that discharges sheets to post-processing apparatus, and image forming system | |
US20080203647A1 (en) | Sheet post-processing apparatus | |
JP2008254932A (en) | Sheet post-processing device | |
CN1321870C (en) | Paper sheets handling apparatus and paper sheets handling method | |
US20080211164A1 (en) | Sheet post-processing apparatus | |
JP5226113B2 (en) | Paper post-processing apparatus and paper post-processing method | |
JP3680409B2 (en) | Sheet post-processing device | |
JP4914076B2 (en) | Paper post-processing apparatus and paper post-processing method | |
JP2005194105A (en) | Sheet post-processing device | |
JP6191946B2 (en) | Sheet storage device, post-processing device using the same, and image forming system | |
JP4758242B2 (en) | Paper post-processing device | |
JP4135722B2 (en) | Sheet post-processing device |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA, JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:YAMAMOTO, MIKIO;REEL/FRAME:024401/0287 Effective date: 20070109 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO PAY ISSUE FEE |