U.S. patent application number 11/085256 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-28 for sheet finishing apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Tomomi Iijima, Yoshiaki Sugizaki, Hiroyuki Taki, Yasunobu Terao, Hajime Yamamoto.
Application Number | 20060214343 11/085256 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37034400 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060214343 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Terao; Yasunobu ; et
al. |
September 28, 2006 |
Sheet finishing apparatus
Abstract
A sheet finishing apparatus of the present invention is composed
of, in horizontal matching on a standby tray, a horizontal matching
damper portion for mitigating a shock to the side of each of the
sheets of paper and a horizontal matching member composed of a
horizontal matching plate portion which supports the horizontal
matching damper portion and is connected to it via a connection
portion having elastic force. Even if the horizontal matching
damper portion receives force in the direction of the width of the
sheets of paper, it intends to return to its original position, so
that smooth horizontal matching can be executed.
Inventors: |
Terao; Yasunobu;
(Shizuoka-ken, JP) ; Yamamoto; Hajime;
(Shizuoka-ken, JP) ; Iijima; Tomomi;
(Shizuoka-ken, JP) ; Sugizaki; Yoshiaki;
(Shizuoka-ken, JP) ; Taki; Hiroyuki;
(Shizuoka-ken, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY AND LARDNER LLP;SUITE 500
3000 K STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20007
US
|
Assignee: |
TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
|
Family ID: |
37034400 |
Appl. No.: |
11/085256 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
270/58.08 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2801/27 20130101;
B65H 31/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
270/058.08 |
International
Class: |
B65H 39/00 20060101
B65H039/00 |
Claims
1. A sheet finishing apparatus for post-processing sheets of paper
after image forming comprising: a pair of paper supply rollers for
receiving and conveying sheets of paper ejected from an image
forming apparatus, a standby tray for making said sheets of paper
ejected from said paper supply rollers stand by, a processing tray
arranged under said standby tray for loading said sheets of paper
dropped and supplied from said standby tray and/or said sheets of
paper ejected from said image forming apparatus not via said
standby tray, a processing mechanism for post-processing said
sheets of paper loaded on said processing tray, a paper ejection
tray for loading said post-processed sheets of paper ejected from
said processing tray, and a horizontal matching member for matching
horizontally said sheets of paper ejected from said paper supply
rollers to said standby tray, wherein: said horizontal matching
member is composed of a horizontal matching damper portion, when
horizontally matching said sheets of paper, for mitigating a shock
to a side of each of said sheets of paper and a horizontal matching
plate portion which supports said horizontal matching damper
portion and is connected to it via a connection portion having
elastic force.
2. A sheet finishing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: said
horizontal matching plate portion, except said connection portion,
is hollowed out in an inner peripheral shape almost similar to an
outer peripheral shape of said horizontal matching damper
portion.
3. A sheet finishing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: said
horizontal matching damper portion is positioned one step higher
than said horizontal matching plate portion.
4. A sheet finishing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: a part
of said horizontal matching plate is made elastic.
5. A sheet finishing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: said
horizontal matching plate portion is composed of a rigid body and
said horizontal matching damper portion is composed of an elastic
body.
6. A sheet finishing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: both
said horizontal matching plate portion and said horizontal matching
damper portion are composed of an elastic body.
7. A sheet finishing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: said
horizontal matching damper portion and said horizontal matching
plate portion are molded and connected so as to be provided with
elastic force.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a sheet finishing apparatus
for post-processing sheets of paper ejected from an image forming
apparatus such as a copier, a printer, or a composite device.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In recent years, there has been an image forming apparatus
used in which to perform a post process of sorting and stapling
sheets of paper after image forming, a sheet finishing apparatus is
installed adjacent to the paper ejection unit of the image forming
apparatus body. In such a sheet finishing apparatus, after the end
of the post process of a preceding sheet of paper, the post process
is performed for a succeeding sheet of paper. To make the
succeeding sheet of paper ejected from the image forming apparatus
body like this stand by, there is an apparatus having a shifting
path such as a standby tray installed halfway down the path leading
to the stapler.
[0005] When temporarily loading a plurality of sheets of paper on
the standby tray until the process by the processing tray ends, the
sheets of paper are matched horizontally and the members necessary
for horizontal matching are composed of, for example, a horizontal
matching plate, a horizontal matching damper, and a spring.
Therefore, a simple constitution including very few members
necessary for horizontal matching is required.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the essential section
of the sheet finishing apparatus relating to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the essential section of the
sheet finishing apparatus relating to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the sheet
finishing apparatus relating to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the stapler of the
sheet finishing apparatus relating to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the vertical matching
roller relating to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 6 is an illustration showing the paddle relating to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing the standby
tray and processing tray relating to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a top view showing the standby tray and processing
tray relating to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing the
horizontal matching plate and conveying belt relating to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 10 is an illustration showing the condition that a
sheet of paper on the standby tray or paper ejection tray relating
to an embodiment of the present invention is pressed out.
[0016] FIG. 11 is an illustration showing the movement of the
standby tray relating to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 12 is an illustration showing the standby tray guide
and assist arm relating to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 13 is an illustration showing an arrangement example of
the standby tray guide and assist arm relating to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0019] FIGS. 14A and 14B are illustrations showing the consistency
of the posture of a sheet of paper positioned by the standby tray
guide and assist arm on the standby tray.
[0020] FIG. 15 is an illustration showing the horizontal matching
plate relating to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Throughout this description, the embodiments and examples
shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on
the apparatus of the present invention.
[0022] Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present invention will be
explained in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0023] Further, in each drawing, to the same parts, the same
numerals are assigned and duplicated explanation will be omitted.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the essential section of a
sheet finishing apparatus 7 relating to an embodiment of the
present invention, and FIG. 2 is a top view showing the essential
section of the sheet finishing apparatus relating to an embodiment
of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram
showing the sheet finishing apparatus 7 arranged adjacent to an
image forming apparatus 5 such as a copier.
[0024] The sheet finishing apparatus 7 is basically composed of a
standby tray 10, a processing tray 12, a stapler 14, a first paper
ejection tray 16, and a second paper ejection tray 18.
[0025] A sheet of paper P, which an image is formed thereon by the
image forming apparatus 5 such as a copier and ejected from a pair
of paper ejection rollers 6, is received by a pair of inlet rollers
22, is supplied to a pair of paper supply rollers 24, and is sent
from the paper supply rollers 24 to the standby tray 10. The inlet
rollers 22 are driven by an inlet roller motor 26. Between the
inlet rollers 22 and the standby tray 10, a paper path ceiling 36
for leading the sheet of paper P to the paper supply rollers 24 is
installed. The inlet rollers 22 are composed of an upper inlet
roller 22a and a lower inlet roller 22b. The paper supply rollers
24 are also composed of an upper paper supply roller and a lower
paper supply roller. The standby tray 10 temporarily loads a
plurality of sheets of paper P until the processing tray 12
finishes to process the sheets of paper.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 12, on the standby tray 10 on the rear end
side of the sheet of paper P, a standby tray guide 11 is arranged.
The standby tray guide 11 controls the movement and position of
sheets of paper P sent from the paper supply rollers 24 to the
standby tray 10.
[0027] Generally, when a sheet of paper P printed on one side
thereof is set with the printed side down, since ink is shrunk, the
sheet of paper P is curled upward. Therefore, the standby tray
guide 11 is born rotatably on the side of the standby tray 10 and
the front end thereof is rounded so as to crush the upward curl of
the sheet of paper P.
[0028] Furthermore, an assist arm 13 in a lever shape is born
rotatably by the mounting shaft of the paper supply rollers 24. The
assist arm 13, to prevent the rear end side of a sheet of paper P
conveyed powerfully from the paper supply rollers 24 from rising,
presses it to the standby tray. The side of the assist arm 13 in
contact with the sheet of paper P is formed slightly heavily so as
to surely prevent the sheet of paper P from unexpected
movement.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 13, the standby tray guide 11 is composed
of 11a and 11b which are arranged right and left almost in
accordance with the width of the sheet of paper P. Further, the
assist arm 13 composed of four assist arms 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d
are installed and arranged between the standby tray guides 11a and
11b in the drawing. Further, to prevent the assist arms 13 from
variations in movement, the adjacent assist arms 13b and 13c may be
connected.
[0030] Under the standby tray 10, the processing tray 12 for
loading sheets of paper P dropped and supplied from the standby
tray 10 is arranged.
[0031] The processing tray 12, while sheets of paper P are stapled
by the stapler 14 which is a processing mechanism for performing
the post process, matches and supports the sheets of paper P to be
loaded.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 7, when a predetermined number of sheets of
paper is stored in the standby tray 10, standby tray parts 10a and
10b are opened in the horizontal direction in the drawing by a
standby tray motor 34 and the sheets of paper P are dropped on the
processing tray 12 by their own weight.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the stapler 14 is positioned by a
stapler driving unit 49 and the stapling process is controlled. The
processing tray 12 has a pair of matching rollers, upper vertical
matching roller 38a and lower vertical matching roller 38b shown in
FIG. 5 for matching a plurality of sheets of paper P dropped and
supplied from the standby tray 10 in the vertical direction which
is the conveying direction. The upper and lower vertical matching
rollers 38a and 38b serve as bundle conveying rollers for clamping
a sheet bundle T after the end of the stapling process and taking
it out from the stapler 14. The upper vertical matching roller 38a
is driven by a vertical matching upper roller motor 40 and the
lower vertical matching roller 38b is driven by a vertical matching
lower roller motor 42.
[0034] When sheets of paper P are dropped and supplied onto the
processing tray 12, at the position where the rear end of each
sheet of paper P is dropped, a paddle 44 rotatable for matching the
uppermost sheet of paper P loaded on the processing tray 12 in the
vertical direction is arranged. The paddle 44, as shown in FIG. 6,
has a receiver 44a for receiving sheets of paper P dropped and
supplied onto the processing tray 12, a tapping portion 44b for
tapping down sheets of paper P onto the processing tray 12, and a
feeder 44c for matching sheets of paper P on the processing tray 12
and is driven by a paddle motor 46. The paddle 44 is made of rubber
and is elastic.
[0035] When temporarily loading a plurality of sheets of paper P on
the standby tray until the process by the processing tray ends, a
sheet of paper loaded first must be prevented from being pressed
out by a succeeding sheet of paper ejected. Further, when a sheet
of paper P is curled upward, the paddle 44 runs idle.
[0036] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, to retain the rear end of
the first sheet of paper P at the downstream side part of the
standby tray 10, a chuck 15 is installed so as to be positioned
between the lower paper supply roller 24 and the paddle 44.
[0037] At the end of the processing tray 12 on the side of the
stapler 14, a stopper 45 for making contact with the rear end of
each sheet of paper P and controlling the rear end position is
installed. Almost at the center of the processing tray 12, a
conveying belt 50 for conveying a sheet bundle T which is stapled
and taken out from the stapler 14 by the upper and lower vertical
matching rollers 38a and 38b to the first or second paper ejection
tray 16 or 18 is installed. To the conveying belt 50, a feeding
pawl 50a for catching the rear end of the sheet bundle T is
attached.
[0038] The standby tray 10 can drop and supply sheets of paper P to
the processing tray 12 and also can convey the sheets of paper P
toward the first or second paper ejection tray 16 or 18. Conveying
of the sheets of paper P toward the paper ejection trays 16 and 18
is executed by a standby tray roller 28 for matching sheets of
paper P making contact with the sheets of paper P on the standby
tray 10.
[0039] The standby tray roller 28 is controlled to move up and down
by a standby tray roller driving source 30 and is driven to rotate
by a standby tray roller motor 32.
[0040] The standby tray 10 is arranged at an angle of inclination
of .theta.1 so as to support sheets of paper P in a state that the
front end of each sheet of paper P is positioned higher than the
rear end thereof. The first or second paper ejection tray 16 or 18
is moved up and down by a paper ejection tray driving unit 52 and
either of them is selected. The first or second paper ejection tray
16 or 18, when loading sheets of paper P, is moved up or down at an
almost same height as that of the standby tray 10 or the processing
tray 12 so as to improve the consistency of the posture of sheets
of paper P ejected. Further, the first or second paper ejection
tray 16 or 18 is arranged at an angle of inclination of .theta.2 so
as to support sheets of paper P in a state that the front end of
each sheet of paper P is positioned higher than the rear end
thereof.
[0041] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the standby tray 10 has the pair
of tray members 10a and 10b formed so as to project from the wall
surface thereof, receives each sheet of paper P by sliding in
accordance with the width of the sheet of paper P, and supports
both sides of the sheet of paper P. On the tray members 10a and
10b, standby stoppers 10c and 10d for controlling the rear end of
each sheet of paper P are installed.
[0042] The standby tray 10 is slidden and moved by the standby tray
motor 34. Between the standby tray 10 and the processing tray 12,
when dropping and supplying sheets of paper P from the standby tray
10 onto the processing tray 12, horizontal matching plates 47a and
47b, shown in FIG. 9, for horizontally matching the sheets of paper
P to prevent them from being disordered in the horizontal direction
perpendicular to the conveying direction are installed. The
horizontal matching plates 47a and 47b are formed so as to slide in
the direction v in accordance with the width of the sheets of paper
P by a horizontal matching motor 48.
[0043] By referring to FIG. 15, the horizontal matching plate 47a
will be explained in detail. The horizontal matching plate 47b has
the same constitution as that of the horizontal matching plate 47a.
The horizontal matching plate 47a is composed of a horizontal
matching damper portion 47c, when horizontally matching sheets of
paper P, for mitigating a shock to the side of each of the sheets
of paper P and a horizontal matching plate portion 47e which
supports the horizontal matching damper portion 47c and is
connected to it via a connection portion 47d having elastic force.
Therefore, even if the horizontal matching damper portion 47c
receives force in the direction of the width of the sheets of paper
P, it intends to return to its original position, so that smooth
horizontal matching can be executed.
[0044] The horizontal matching plate portion 47e, except the
connection portion 47d, is hollowed out in an inner peripheral
shape almost similar to the outer peripheral shape of the
horizontal matching damper portion 47c. The reason is that at the
time of horizontal matching, the horizontal matching damper portion
47c prevents unexpected movement.
[0045] A surface 47f of the horizontal matching damper portion 47c
is positioned one step higher than a surface 47g of the horizontal
matching plate portion 47e. The reason is that each sheet of paper
P makes contact earlier with the horizontal matching damper portion
47c.
[0046] A part of the horizontal matching plate 47a is preferably
made elastic. For example, the horizontal matching plate portion
47e may be composed of a rigid body and the elastic horizontal
matching damper portion 47c may be composed of an elastic body.
Further, both horizontal matching plate portion 47e and horizontal
matching damper portion 47c may be composed of an elastic body. In
this case, the horizontal matching damper portion 47c and the
horizontal matching plate portion 47e can be molded and connected
by the connection portion 47d having elastic force.
[0047] Next, the operation of the invention will be described. When
an image is formed by the image forming apparatus 5 and a sheet of
paper P is supplied from the paper ejection rollers 6, the sheet
finishing apparatus 7 performs a different operation depending on
execution of the post process of the sheet of paper P or no
execution thereof, or during execution of the post process of the
preceding sheet of paper P or end of the post process.
[0048] When the post process is not performed, for example, the
first paper ejection tray 16 slides and moves to the position
indicated by the dotted line shown in FIG. 3 and can load sheets of
paper ejected from the standby tray 10 in consistent good posture.
When the post process is not performed, sheets of paper P conveyed
from the inlet roller 22 via the paper path ceiling 36 to the paper
supply rollers 24 are supplied to the standby tray 10 by the paper
supply rollers 24. Then, the sheets of paper P are conveyed by the
standby tray roller 28 moved down onto the standby tray 10 and
rotated in the direction of the arrow f and are ejected to the
first paper ejection tray 16.
[0049] In this way, sheets of paper are sequentially loaded on the
first paper ejection tray 16. At this time, the first paper
ejection tray 16 is arranged at an angle of inclination of .theta.2
and the front end of each sheet of paper is positioned higher than
the rear end thereof, so that for example, even if a sheet of paper
P is ejected onto the first paper ejection tray 16 in a state that
it is curved convexly as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 10, the
sheet of paper P precedingly loaded on the paper ejection tray 16
is not pressed out by contact with the front end of the succeeding
sheet of paper P. Namely, the ejected sheet of paper P is
sequentially loaded on the first paper ejection tray 16 unless the
order is disturbed. Further, even if the preceding sheet of paper P
is slightly shifted by being pressed by the succeeding sheet of
paper P, the angle of inclination .theta.2 is provided, so that the
sheet of paper P drops by its own weight and is matched and loaded
on the first paper ejection tray 16 in the state that the rear end
is properly arranged, and the ejection process of the sheets of
paper P is completed.
[0050] Next, a case that the stapling process which is the post
process is to be performed and there is no preceding sheet of paper
P during execution of the stapling process on the processing tray
12 will be described. At this time, the standby tray 10 slides and
moves the tray members 10a and 10b respectively up to the positions
indicated by the dotted lines shown in FIG. 11 in the direction of
the arrow m and the direction of the arrow n and opens the drop and
supply path of sheets of paper P. Further, the horizontal matching
plates 47a and 47b, to horizontally match sheets of paper P dropped
from the paper supply rollers 24, are arranged so that the interval
between the horizontal matching plates 47a and 47b becomes almost
equal to the width of the sheets of paper P. By doing this, the
sheets of paper P supplied from the paper supply rollers 24 are
directly dropped and supplied onto the processing tray 12 unless
the conveyance is interrupted by the standby tray 10.
[0051] At the time of drop and supply, the upper vertical matching
roller 38a is shifted upward and the receiver 44a of the paddle 44
receives the rear end of each sheet of paper P. The sheet of paper
P drops in a state that both sides thereof are in contact with the
horizontal matching plates 47a and 47b and is matched horizontally.
Then, the paddle 44 rotates in the direction of the arrow o and the
rear end of the sheet of paper P drops from the receiver 44a and is
tapped down onto the processing tray 12 by the tapping portion 44b.
Furthermore, the paddle 44 sends the sheet of paper P in the
direction of the arrow q by the feeder 44c, and the rear end of the
sheet of paper P makes contact with the stopper 45, and the
matching of the sheet of paper P in the vertical direction is
completed. Further, the vertical matching of sheets of paper P on
the processing tray 12 may be executed by the upper vertical
matching roller 38a by moving it up and down each time.
[0052] In this way, the sheets of paper P with an image formed
thereon are sequentially matched in the horizontal direction and
vertical direction and are loaded directly on the processing tray
12 from the paper supply rollers 24. When the sheets of paper P
reach a predetermined number of sheets, the stapler 14 staples and
bundles the sheets of paper P on the processing tray 12 at a
desired position to form a sheet bundle T. Hereafter, the upper
vertical matching roller 38a moves down on the sheet bundle, and
the sheet bundle T is clamped by the upper vertical matching roller
38a rotating in the direction of the arrow r and the lower vertical
matching roller 38b rotating in the direction of the arrow s and is
conveyed toward the first paper ejection tray 16. When the rear end
of the sheet bundle T passes the upper and lower vertical matching
rollers 38a and 38b, it is caught by the feeding pawl 50a of the
conveying belt 50 rotating in the direction of the arrow t and the
bundle is sent onto the first paper ejection tray 16.
[0053] At this time, the first paper ejection tray 16 slides and
moves from the position indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 3 to
the position indicated by the solid line. Further, the first paper
ejection tray 16 is arranged at an angle of inclination of .theta.2
and the front end of each sheet of paper is positioned higher than
the rear end thereof, so that the sheets of paper P of the bundle
precedingly sent onto the first paper ejection tray 16 are not
pressed out by contact with the front end of the succeeding sheet
bundle T. Further, even if the preceding sheet bundle T is slightly
shifted by the succeeding sheets of paper P, the angle of
inclination .theta.2 is provided, so that the sheet bundle T drops
by its own weight and is matched and loaded on the first paper
ejection tray 16 in the state that the rear ends are properly
arranged, and the stapling process of the sheets of paper P is
completed.
[0054] Next, a case that the stapling process which is the post
process is to be performed and a preceding sheet of paper P during
execution of the stapling process remains on the processing tray 12
will be described. At this time, the standby tray 10 slides and
moves the tray members 10a and 10b from the positions indicated by
the dotted lines shown in FIG. 11 respectively in the opposite
direction of the direction of the arrow m and the opposite
direction of the direction of the arrow n and can support the
sheets of paper P in the positions indicated by the solid lines
shown in FIG. 11. Further, the standby tray roller 28 is shifted
upward not to disturb the sheets of paper P. Sheets of paper P
which are ejected from the image forming apparatus 5 and supplied
by the paper supply rollers 24 are loaded once on the standby tray
10 to wait for the processing tray 12 to become empty.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 14A, sheets of paper P conveyed powerfully
from the paper supply rollers are stiff, so that the assist arm 13
and the standby tray 11 are rotated and moved upward (in the
clockwise direction in the drawing). Therefore, the sheets of paper
P move forward so as to be conveyed as linearly as possible. When
the rear end of a sheet of paper P comes off the paper supply
rollers 24, as shown in FIG. 14B, the paddle 44 rotates and assists
dropping of the rear end of the sheet of paper P. Then, with
respect to the assist arm 13 and the standby tray guide 11, the
heavy front ends are in contact with the sheet of paper P, so that
the rear end of the sheet of paper P is immediately pressed against
the standby tray 11. As a result, the rear end of the first sheet
of paper P is retained surely by the chuck 15.
[0056] The second and subsequent sheets of paper P loaded on the
standby tray 10, by the standby tray roller 28 which moves down on
the standby tray 10 and rotates in the opposite direction of the
direction of the arrow f, are sent toward the standby stoppers 10c
and 10d and are vertically matched in a state that the rear end of
each sheet of paper P is in contact with the standby stoppers 10c
and 10d. Furthermore, the standby tray 10 is arranged at an angle
of inclination of .theta.1 and the front end of each sheet of paper
is positioned higher than the rear end thereof, so that the rear
end of each sheet of paper P makes contact with the standby
stoppers 10c and 10d and the sheets of paper are vertically
matched.
[0057] Since the sheets of paper P are matched accurately on the
standby tray 10 like this, even if a sheet of paper P is supplied
from the paper supply rollers 24 in the state that it is curved
convexly and supplied onto the standby tray 10, the sheet of paper
P precedingly loaded on the standby tray 10 is not pressed out by
contact with the front end of the succeeding sheet of paper P.
Namely, the supplied sheet of paper P is sequentially loaded on the
first paper ejection tray 16 unless the order is disturbed.
[0058] When the preceding sheet of paper P on the processing tray
12 is ejected on the side of the first paper ejection tray 16 and
the processing tray 12 becomes empty, the standby tray 10 slides
and moves the tray members 10a and 10b respectively in the
direction of the arrow m and the direction of the arrow n from the
positions indicated by the solid lines shown in FIG. 11 via the
positions indicated by the alternate long and short dash lines
shown in FIG. 11 up to the positions indicated by the dotted lines
shown in FIG. 11. By doing this, for example, two sheets of paper P
waiting on the standby tray 10, when the tray members 10a and 10b
reach the positions indicated by the alternate long and short dash
lines shown in FIG. 11, are dropped and supplied onto the
processing tray 12 through the interval between the tray members
10a and 10b. At this time, the interval between the horizontal
matching plates 47a and 47b is made almost equal to the width of
the sheets of paper P. Therefore, the sheets of paper P dropped
from the standby tray 10 are matched horizontally with both sides
controlled by the horizontal matching plates 47a and 47b.
[0059] The lower side sheet of paper P of the two sheets of paper P
dropped on the processing tray 12 is sent in the direction of the
arrow q by the lower vertical matching roller 38b rotating in the
opposite direction of the direction of the arrow s, and the rear
end of the sheet of paper P makes contact with the stopper 45, and
the vertical matching of the sheet of paper P is completed. The
upper side sheet of paper P of the two sheets of paper P dropped on
the processing tray 12 is sent in the direction of the arrow q by
the upper vertical matching roller 38a rotating in the opposite
direction of the direction of the arrow r, and the rear end of the
sheet of paper P makes contact with the stopper 45, and the
vertical matching of the sheet of paper P is completed, and
hereafter the upper vertical matching roller 38a is shifted
upward.
[0060] The third and subsequent sheets of paper P ejected from the
image forming apparatus 5 are directly dropped and supplied onto
the processing tray 12 from the interval between the tray members
10a and 10b unless they wait on the standby tray 10. Hereafter, the
third and subsequent sheets of paper P are sequentially matched on
the sheets of paper P loaded on the processing tray 12 before the
paddle 44.
[0061] When sheets of paper P loaded on the processing tray 12
reach a predetermined number of sheets, the sheets of paper P are
stapled by the stapler 14 and a sheet bundle T is formed.
Hereafter, the sheet bundle T is conveyed toward the first paper
ejection tray 16 by the upper and lower vertical matching rollers
38a and 38b, and moreover the rear end thereof is caught by the
feeding pawl 50a of the conveying belt 50, and the bundle is sent
onto the first paper ejection tray 16, and the stapling process of
the sheets of paper P is completed.
[0062] In this embodiment structured like this, there is no need to
install an exclusive path for sheets of paper requiring no post
process, so that the cost of the sheet finishing apparatus can be
decreased. Further, the horizontal matching member is structured
simply and sure horizontal matching can be realized. Furthermore,
the time up to paper ejection can be shortened compared with paper
ejection via the processing tray.
[0063] Further, in the present invention, the post process
performed for sheets of paper loaded on the processing tray is the
stapling process. However, the post process is not limited to the
stapling process and for example, the post process such as a hole
punching (hole boring) process performed for sheets of paper is not
questionable. In this case, one sheet of paper instead of a
plurality of sheets of paper may be loaded unquestionably on the
processing tray. Further, needless to say, for a post processing
apparatus having such a post processing mechanism, the present
invention produces an effect.
[0064] 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.
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