U.S. patent application number 12/339970 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-02 for sheet finishing apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba. Invention is credited to Ken Iguchi, Yasunobu Terao, Mikio Yamamoto.
Application Number | 20090166946 12/339970 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40797216 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090166946 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Iguchi; Ken ; et
al. |
July 2, 2009 |
SHEET FINISHING APPARATUS
Abstract
According to an aspect of the invention, a shifter shifts sheets
before stapling in a continuous stapling mode. A bundle of sheets
is immediately discharged from the shifter after the stapling. In a
sorting mode, the bundle of sheets is discharged from the shifter
while the bundle of sheets is shifted in a direction perpendicular
to a discharge direction of the bundle of sheets. A friction force
applied to a bundle of sheet T in the discharging is distributed in
the discharge direction and a direction perpendicular to the
discharge direction.
Inventors: |
Iguchi; Ken; (Shizuoka,
JP) ; Terao; Yasunobu; (Shizuoka, JP) ;
Yamamoto; Mikio; (Shizuoka, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATTERSON & SHERIDAN, L.L.P.
3040 POST OAK BOULEVARD, SUITE 1500
HOUSTON
TX
77056
US
|
Assignee: |
Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
Tokyo
JP
Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
40797216 |
Appl. No.: |
12/339970 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61016933 |
Dec 27, 2007 |
|
|
|
61024530 |
Jan 29, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
270/58.08 ;
270/58.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 31/10 20130101;
B65H 2301/4219 20130101; B65H 2801/27 20130101; B65H 2701/18292
20130101; B65H 2701/1932 20130101; B65H 2801/31 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
270/58.08 ;
270/58.01 |
International
Class: |
B65H 39/00 20060101
B65H039/00 |
Claims
1. A sheet finishing apparatus comprising: a processing tray which
stacks a plurality of sheets; a processing member which finishes
the sheets; a receiving member which receives the plurality of
sheets discharged from the processing tray in a discharge
direction; and a sheet transporting member which transports the
plurality of sheets from the processing tray to the receiving
member while shifting the plurality of sheets in a direction
perpendicular to the discharge direction.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet
transporting member transports a first plurality of sheets from the
processing tray to the receiving member while shifting the first
plurality of sheets in a first direction, and transports a second
plurality of sheets from the processing tray to the receiving
member while shifting the second plurality of sheets in a second
direction opposite to the first direction.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first direction
and the second direction are perpendicular to the discharge
direction.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing
member includes a shifter which shifts the sheets supplied to the
processing tray in the direction perpendicular to the discharge
direction.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the shifter includes
a transverse alignment member which aligns ends of the plurality of
sheets stacked on the processing tray in the direction
perpendicular to the discharge direction.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing
member includes a stapler which staples the plurality of sheets
stacked on the processing tray.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet
transporting member shifts the sheets having a size longer in the
discharge direction than a predetermined size, and does not shift
the sheets having a size shorter in the discharge direction than
the predetermined size.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet
transporting member shifts the sheets having weight lighter than a
predetermined basis weight in the direction perpendicular to the
discharge direction and does not shift the sheets having a weight
heavier than the predetermined basis weight in the direction
perpendicular to the discharge direction.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet
transporting member includes a travel member and a transverse
alignment member.
10. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming member
which forms an image on a sheet; a processing tray which stacks a
plurality of the sheets supplied from the image forming member; a
processing member which finishes the sheets; a receiving member
which receives the plurality of sheets discharged from the
processing tray; and a sheet transporting member which transports
the plurality of sheets from the processing tray to the receiving
member while shifting the plurality of sheets in a direction
perpendicular to the discharge direction.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the sheet
transporting member transports a first plurality of sheets from the
processing tray to the receiving member while shifting the first
plurality of sheets in a first direction, and transports a second
plurality of sheets from the processing tray to the receiving
member while shifting the second plurality of sheets in a second
direction opposite to the first direction.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first
direction and the second direction are perpendicular to the
discharge direction.
13. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the processing
member includes a shifter which shifts the sheets supplied to the
processing tray in the direction perpendicular to the discharge
direction.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the shifter
includes a transverse alignment member which aligns ends of the
plurality of sheets stacked on the processing tray in the direction
perpendicular to the discharge direction.
15. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the processing
member includes a stapler which staples the plurality of sheets
stacked on the processing tray.
16. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the sheet
transporting member shifts the sheets, which has a size longer in
the discharge direction than a predetermined size, in the direction
perpendicular to the discharge direction.
17. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the sheet
transporting member shifts the sheets having a size longer in the
discharge direction than a predetermined size, and does not shift
the sheets having a size shorter in the discharge direction than
the predetermined size.
18. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the sheet
transporting member includes a travel member and a transverse
alignment member.
19. A sheet finishing method comprising: stacking sheets in a
processing tray; discharging the plurality of sheets stacked in the
processing tray from the processing tray, while shifting the sheets
in a direction perpendicular to a discharge direction of the
sheets; and stacking the plurality of sheets discharged from the
processing tray.
20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising: shifting
the sheets supplied to the processing tray in the same direction as
a shift direction in the discharging.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from provisional U.S. Applications 61/016,933 filed on
Dec. 27, 2007 and 61/024,530 filed on Jan. 29, 2008, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a sheet finishing apparatus
capable of finishing sheets on which an image is formed by an image
forming apparatus of a copier, a printer, or a multi-functional
peripheral.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A sheet finishing apparatus capable of sorting sheets
supplied from an image forming apparatus to staple the sheets is
known.
[0004] As the sheet finishing apparatus, an apparatus which shifts
sheets for preventing a plurality of needles from overlapping in a
stapling mode to discharge the sheets after stapling of the sheets
is disclosed in JP-A-2-23150, for example. Moreover, JP-A-2-23150
discloses the apparatus capable of shifting every group of sheets
in a placing table and discharging a bundle of sheets in a sorting
mode.
[0005] However, in the known apparatus, discharging the bundle of
sheets is started late, since the bundle of sheets is discharged
after stapling of the sheets or shifting of the group of sheets
placed in the placing table. In order to shift the bundle of heavy
plural sheets, a shift mechanism having large driving torque is
necessary. In the sorting mode, a problem may occur in that sheets
which are longitudinal in a discharge direction or are weak in
resilience (no restoration property) are curved in the discharge
direction when discharged and thus it is difficult to discharge the
sheets.
[0006] Accordingly, it is preferable to devise a sheet finishing
apparatus capable of improving an image forming performance and a
sheet finishing performance by allowing discharging of sheets not
to be started late in discharging of the bundle of sheets and
suppressing an increase in the torque of a shift mechanism.
SUMMARY
[0007] According to an aspect of the invention, a performance for
discharging a bundle of sheets is improved and alignment of the
bundle of sheets in the discharging is improved.
[0008] According to the aspect of the invention, a sheet finishing
apparatus includes: a processing tray which stacks a plurality of
sheets supplied from a predetermined position; a processing member
which finishes the sheets; a receiving member which receives the
plurality of sheets discharged from the processing tray; and a
sheet transporting member which transports the sheets from the
processing tray to the receiving member while shifting the
plurality of sheets in a direction perpendicular to a discharge
direction of the sheets.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration
of a finisher connected to a copier according to a first
embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration
of the finisher according to the first embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram explaining a waiting tray
according to the first embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a
processing tray when viewed from the waiting tray according to the
first embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the
processing tray and a transport mechanism when viewed from a
stacking tray according to the first embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating a
driving system of longitudinal alignment according to the first
embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating a
driving system of the transport mechanism according to the first
embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating
discharge of a bundle of sheets by ejectors and discharge rollers
according to the first embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating
discharge of the bundle of sheets by a binding claw and discharge
rollers according to the first embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating a
driving system of a transverse alignment plate according to the
first embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a
stapler according to the first embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating a
driving system of the stapler according to the first
embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of
a finisher according to the first embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 14 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating
operations in a continuous stapling mode according to the first
embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 15 is a timing chart illustrating driving timing in the
continuous stapling mode and driving timing according to a first
comparative example according to the first embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 16 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating
operations in a sorting mode according to the first embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 17 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating
receiving of the bundle of sheets to the stacking tray in the
sorting mode according to the first embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 18 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating the
bundle of sheets aligned on the basis of a center reference
according to a second embodiment; and
[0027] FIG. 19 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating the
bundle of sheets aligned on the basis of a front reference
according to the second embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] Hereinafter, a first embodiment will be described in detail
with reference the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic
diagram illustrating the configuration of a copier 100 as an image
forming apparatus and a finisher 7 as a sheet finishing apparatus
which is connected to the copier 100 according to the first
embodiment.
[0029] The copier 100 includes a placing table 112 of documents D
in the upper surface. An automatic document feeder (ADF) 107 which
feeds each of the documents D to the placing table 112 is disposed
above the placing table 112. The documents D are loaded in the ADF
107 and image forming conditions (for example, an operation or
non-operation of stapling, details of the stapling, a copy number
of sheets, and the size of the sheets) are set. When copying is
started, the ADF 107 allows the documents D to travel across a lead
glass 112a of the placing table 112 and then a scanner unit 104
reads an image of each of the documents D.
[0030] The copier 100 includes the scanner unit 104, a printer unit
106 which is an image forming member, and a sheet feeding unit 108.
A charging unit 130, a development unit 146, a transfer removing
charger 148, and a drum cleaner 131 are disposed in the vicinity of
a photoconductive drum 144 of the printer unit 106. A laser
exposure unit 141 radiates exposure light between the charging unit
130 and the development unit 146 in the vicinity of a
photoconductive drum 144. The laser exposure unit 141 oscillates
exposure light on the basis of information on the image of the
document D read by the scanner unit 104. When the exposure light is
radiated, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the
photoconductive drum 144. The development unit 146 supplies toner
to the photoconductive drum 144 in order to form a toner image by
developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the
photoconductive drum 144.
[0031] The sheet feeding unit 108 includes first to third sheet
feeding cassettes 152, 153, and 154 which receive sheets P, a
large-capacity sheet feeding mechanism 155, and a manual sheet
feeding mechanism 156. The sheet feeding unit 108 feeds each of the
sheets P to a location of the transfer removing charger 148 in
synchronization with the toner image on the photoconductive drum
144. The transfer removing charger 148 transfers the toner image on
the photoconductive drum 144 onto the sheets P and separates the
sheets P from the photoconductive drum 144. The sheets P having the
toner image are fixed by a fixing unit 160. After the fixing, the
sheets P are transported to discharge rollers 161 or a re-transport
unit 162. The sheets P are supplied from the discharge rollers 161
to the finisher 7. The sheets P are re-transported from the
re-transport unit 162 to the location of the transfer removing
charger 148.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the finisher 7 includes entrance rollers
10 accepting the sheets P on which an image is formed by the copier
100 and which are discharged from the discharge rollers 161. The
sheets P accepted by the entrance rollers 10 are discharged to a
fixing tray 12 by first exit rollers 11. The sheets P accepted by
the entrance rollers 10 are supplied to a processing mechanism 14
by second exit rollers 13. A gate flap 16 distributes the sheets P
accepted by the entrance rollers 10 in a direction of the first
exit rollers 11 or a direction of the second exit rollers 13.
[0033] The processing mechanism 14 includes a processing tray 17
which is a processing tray in which the plurality of sheets P
supplied from the second exit rollers 13 are placed, a transverse
alignment plate 18 which may be a processing member and a shifter
shifting the sheets P placed in the processing tray 17, a stapler
20 which is a processing member and a staple member stapling the
sheets P placed in the processing tray 17, a stacking tray 21 which
is a receiving member receiving the sheets P discharged from the
processing tray 17, and a transport mechanism 24 which is a sheet
transporting member transporting a bundle of sheets as plural
sheets on the processing tray 17 to the stacking tray 21.
[0034] A waiting tray 22 in which the sheets P supplied from the
second exit rollers 13 temporarily wait is disposed above the
processing tray 17. The waiting tray 22 waits for a previous bundle
of sheets on the processing tray 17 to be finished. During
finishing of the previous bundle of sheets, a subsequent bundle of
sheets is able to be discharged to the waiting tray 22.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, the waiting tray 22 includes a front
buffer tray 22a and a rear buffer tray 22b. When the previous
bundle of sheets on the processing tray 17 is transported, the
front buffer tray 22a is slid to a front side and the rear buffer
tray 22b is slid to a rear side. The sheets P on the waiting tray
22 drop to the processing tray 17. The front buffer tray 22a and
the rear buffer tray 22b are slid through a timing belt 23a by a
buffer tray guide motor 23.
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the processing tray 17 includes a
platform 17a on which the sheets P dropping from the waiting tray
22 are placed and stacked. The platform 17a has an inclination
which is higher on a side of the stacking tray 21 in a transport
direction of the sheets P. Rear end stoppers 17b and longitudinal
alignment rollers 17c are provided on a rear end side in the
transport direction of the sheets P on the platform 17a. Discharge
rollers 27 are provided on a front end side in the transport
direction of the sheets P on the platform 17a. As shown in FIG. 6,
a paddle 26 is disposed above the rear end side in the transport
direction of the sheets P on the platform 17a. The paddle 26 is
driven by a paddle motor 26a.
[0037] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the longitudinal alignment rollers
17c are driven by a longitudinal alignment motor 28. A timing belt
28a is suspended between a shaft 17d of the longitudinal alignment
rollers 17c and a shaft 27a of the discharge rollers 27. The
discharge rollers 27 are driven through the timing belt 28a by the
longitudinal alignment motor 28. A bundle of sheets T stacked in
the platform 17a is regulated in a rear portion thereof in the
transport direction by the rear end stoppers 17b and is subjected
to longitudinal alignment in succession by the longitudinal
alignment rollers 17c, the discharge rollers 27, and the paddle
26.
[0038] The transport mechanism 24 includes a pair of ejectors 24a
protruding from the rear end surface of the platform 17a, a binding
nail belt 30 between the pair of ejectors 24a, and the discharge
rollers 27. The ejectors 24a push the bundle of sheets T from the
platform 17a. The binding claw belt 30 includes a binding claw 31.
As shown in FIG. 7, the binding claw belt 30 is driven by a binding
claw motor 32. An ejector clutch 33 is connected in order to
deliver the driving of the binding claw motor 32 to the ejectors
24a. The binding claw belt 30, the binding claw 31, and the
discharge rollers 27 form a travel member.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 8, the bundle of sheets T on the platform
17a starts to be discharged in a direction of an arrow m by the
ejectors 24a and the discharge rollers 27, after the sorting or the
stapling. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 9, the binding claw 31
passes the ejectors 24a ahead to receive the bundle of sheets T.
Subsequently, the bundle of sheets T is discharged to the stacking
tray 21 by the binding claw 31 and the discharge rollers 27. When
the binding claw 31 discharges the bundle of sheets T, the ejector
clutch 33 is switched and then the ejectors 24a are returned in a
direction of an arrow n by a spring force.
[0040] The transverse alignment plate 18 includes a front alignment
plate 18a and a rear alignment plate 18b. The transverse alignment
plate 18 prevents the sheets P from scattering in a transverse
direction perpendicular to a supply direction of the sheets P. As
shown in FIG. 10, the front alignment plate 18a is driven by a
front alignment motor 36a and the rear alignment plate 18b is
driven by a rear alignment motor 36b. The transverse alignment
plate 18 includes a front home position sensor 37a and a rear home
position sensor 37b. The front home position sensor 37a detects
that the front alignment plate 18a is at a front home position fh
of the front alignment plate 18a. The rear home position sensor 37b
detects that the rear alignment plate 18b is at a rear home
position rh of the rear alignment plate 18b.
[0041] The stapler 20 is disposed on a rear end side in the
transport direction of the bundle of sheets T on the platform 17a.
The stapler 20 can staple various positions of sheets. For example,
the stapler 20 moves to staple one portion on a front side corner
of the sheets, one portion on a rear side corner of the sheets and
two portions in the middle of the sheets P according to staple
types. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the stapler 20 is supported by
a stapler unit 20a and driven by a stapler shifting motor 40. The
stapler shifting motor 40 is a stepping motor, for example. The
stapler 20 is driven through a timing belt 41 suspended between a
driving pulley 41a and a driven pulley 41b by the stapler shifting
motor 40. The stapler 20 reciprocates along rails 42. The stapler
20 staples the bundle of sheets T by drive of a stapler motor
43.
[0042] Next, a control system will be described focusing on supply
and discharge of the sheets P to and from the finisher 7. As shown
in FIG. 13, a CPU 210 of a control system 200 of the finisher 7
communicates with the copier 100 through an interface 211. The
copier 100 includes a control panel 170 which inputs a setting
condition of the finisher 7 or displays the state of the finisher
7. A group of sensors 220 such as the front home position sensor
37a or the rear home position sensor 37b is connected to an input
terminal of the CPU 210. The buffer tray guide motor 23, the paddle
motor 26a, the longitudinal alignment motor 28, the binding claw
motor 32, the ejector clutch 33, the front alignment motor 36a, the
rear alignment motor 36b, the stapler shifting motor 40, the
stapler motor 43, and the like are connected to an output terminal
of the CPU 210.
[0043] Next, operations of the control system will be described.
Various operations of the finisher 7 are input through the control
panel 170, for example, when an image formation condition is set in
the copier 100.
(1) (In Non-Sorting and Non-Stapling)
[0044] When the sheets P supplied from the copier 100 are not
subjected to either sorting or stapling, the sheets P discharged
from the discharge rollers 161 are distributed in a direction of
the first exit rollers 11 by the gate flap 16 to be discharged to
the fixing tray 12.
(2) (In Stapling of One Bundle of Sheets)
[0045] When just one bundle of the sheets P supplied from the
copier 100 is subjected to the stapling, the sheets P are aligned
at an intermediate position, and stapled. The intermediate position
may be a position of that a center of the sheets P matches up with
a center of the processing tray 17. The sheets P discharged from
the discharge rollers 161 are distributed in a direction of the
second exit rollers 13 by the gate flap 16 to be supplied to the
processing mechanism 14. When the preceding sheets P are not
present in the processing tray 17, the sheets P are directly
supplied from the second exit rollers 13 to the platform 17a. When
the preceding sheets P are being processed in the processing tray
17, the sheets P are supplied from the second exit rollers 13 to
the waiting tray 22. After the sheets P are discharged from the
processing tray 17, the sheets P on the waiting tray 22 drop to the
platform 17a.
[0046] Even when just one bundle of the sheets P supplied from the
copier 100 is subjected to the stapling, the sheets P may be
supplied to the processing mechanism 14 through the waiting tray
22. Moreover, even when the preceding sheets P are not present in
the processing tray 17, the sheets P may be supplied from the
second exit rollers 13 to the platform 17a through the waiting tray
22.
[0047] The transverse alignment plate 18 aligns the sheets P
supplied to the platform 17a in a transverse direction of the
sheets P. The transverse alignment plate 18 aligns the sheets P to
the intermediate position. The front alignment plate 18a of the
transverse alignment plate 18 stays at the front home position fh
detected by the front home position sensor 37a. As indicated by an
arrow f of FIG. 10, the rear alignment plate 18b aligns the sheets
P to the intermediate position in such a manner that the rear
alignment plate 18b is reciprocated in a width direction by the
rear alignment motor 36b.
[0048] The sheets P are stacked in succession on the platform 17a
and regulated in the rear ends thereof in the transport direction
by the rear end stoppers 17b. The longitudinal alignment rollers
17c and the discharge rollers 27 rotate in a direction of an arrow
q of FIG. 6 and the paddle 26 rotates in a direction of an arrow r.
The longitudinal alignment rollers 17c, the discharge rollers 27,
and the paddle 26 longitudinally align the sheets P. During the
aligning, the stapler 20 is slid in a direction of an arrow s or a
direction of an arrow u of FIG. 12 in accordance with the staple
types by the stapler shifting motor 40. The stapler 20 staples the
bundle of sheets T on the platform 17a.
[0049] After the stapling, the ejector clutch 33 is connected and
the ejectors 24a are slid in a direction of an arrow m by the
binding claw motor 32. The ejectors 24a are brought into contact
with the rear end in the transport direction of the bundle of
sheets T to push the bundle of sheets T in the direction of the
arrow m. The binding claw 31 passes the ejectors 24a ahead to push
the rear end of the bundle of sheets T and transports the bundle of
sheets T to the stacking tray 21. The ejector 24a is returned in
the direction of the arrow n. The discharge rollers 27 rotate in a
direction of an arrow o of FIG. 6, transport the bundle of sheets T
to the stacking tray 21, and receive the bundle of sheets T in the
stacking tray 21.
(3) (In Continuous Stapling Mode)
[0050] When the sheets P supplied from the copier 100 are
continuously subjected to the stapling, the bundles of sheets T are
alternatively shifted in every stapling. The sheets P are shifted
before the stapling. A direction of the shifting is perpendicular
to the supply direction of the sheets P. An amount of the shifting
corresponds to a width of a staple needle, for example.
[0051] The sheets P are supplied to the platform 17a directly or
via the waiting tray 22 to be stapled to form the bundle of sheets
T as described in (2). However, the transverse alignment plate 18
and the stapler 20 work as follows. As shown in FIG. 14, {circle
around (1)} in stapling of a first bundle of sheets, the sheets are
shifted from the intermediate position as indicated by two-dot
chain line toward the rear side by .alpha. (for example, 5 mm) to
be transversely aligned. The rear alignment plate 18b stays at the
position where the rear alignment plate 18b is shifted from the
rear home position rh toward the rear side by .alpha.. The front
alignment plate 18a is reciprocated in the width direction by the
front alignment motor 36a to shift the sheets P toward the rear
side and transversely align the sheets P. The sheets P are
regulated by the rear end stoppers 17b and longitudinally aligned
by the longitudinal alignment rollers 17c, the discharge rollers
27, and the paddle 26. When a predetermined stapling number of
sheets P gathers, the stapler 20 staples a first bundle of sheets
T1 on the platform 17a.
[0052] For stapling two portions in the middle of the sheets P, for
example, the stapler 20 is moved to a location A' during stacking
the first bundle of sheets T1 in the platform 17a. First, the
staple needle A is driven at the location A'. {circle around (2)}
Next, the stapler 20 is moved to a location B' and a staple needle
B is driven. After the stapling of the two portions, the ejector
clutch 33 is connected and the ejectors 24a are slid in a direction
of an arrow m by the binding claw motor 32. The ejectors 24a are
brought into contact with the rear end in the transport direction
of the first bundle of sheets T1 to push the first bundle of sheets
T1 in the direction of the arrow m. The binding claw 31 passes the
ejectors 24a ahead to push the rear end of the first bundle of
sheets T1 and transports the first bundle of sheets T1 to the
stacking tray 21. The ejector 24a is returned in the direction of
the arrow n. {circle around (3)} The discharge rollers 27 rotate in
a direction of an arrow o of FIG. 6, transport the first bundle of
sheets T1 to the stacking tray 21, and receive the first bundle of
sheets T1 in the stacking tray 21.
[0053] {circle around (4)} Next, in stapling of a second bundle of
sheets, the sheets are shifted from the intermediate position
toward the front side by .beta. (for example, 5 mm) to be
transversely aligned. The front alignment plate 18a stays at the
position where the front alignment plate 18a is shifted from the
front home position toward the front side by .beta.. The rear
alignment plate 18b is reciprocated in the width direction by the
rear alignment motor 36b to shift the sheets P toward the front
side and transversely align the sheets P. The sheets P are
regulated by the rear end stoppers 17b and longitudinally aligned
by the longitudinal alignment rollers 17c, the discharge rollers
27, and the paddle 26.
[0054] The stapler shifting motor 40 shifts the stapler 20 toward
the front side by the width of the staple needle during the
longitudinal alignment of the sheets P. The second bundle of sheets
T2 on the platform 17a is stapled. While the second bundle of
sheets T2 are stacked on the platform 17a, the stapler 20 is moved
from the location B' indicated by a two-dot chain line to a
location B''. The staple needle B is driven at the location B''.
{circle around (5)} Next, the stapler 20 is moved to a location A''
and the staple needle A is driven. After the stapling of the two
portions in the middle of the sheets P, the ejector clutch 33 is
connected and the ejectors 24a are slid in a direction of an arrow
m by the binding claw motor 32. The ejectors 24a are brought into
contact with the rear end in the transport direction of the second
bundle of sheets T2 to push the second bundle of sheets T2 in the
direction of the arrow m. The binding claw 31 passes the ejectors
24a ahead to push the rear end of the second bundle of sheets T2
and transports the second bundle of sheets T2 to the stacking tray
21. The ejector 24a is returned in the direction of the arrow n.
{circle around (6)} The discharge rollers 27 rotate in a direction
of an arrow o of FIG. 6, transport the second bundle of sheets T2
to the stacking tray 21, and receive the second bundle of sheets T2
in the stacking tray 21. The first bundle of sheets T1 and the
second bundle of sheets T2 are shifted by (.alpha.+.beta.) on the
stacking tray 21.
[0055] In each stapling of a third bundle of sheets, a fourth
bundle of sheets, etc., the rear-side shifting and the front-side
shifting are alternatively performed on the platform 17a to staple
the sheets. In the rear-side shift, when the rear alignment plate
18b is shifted toward the rear side and stays, the rear of the
bundle of sheets T is brought into contact with the rear alignment
plate 18b and aligned. In the front-side shift, when the front
alignment plate 18a is shifted toward the front side and stays, the
front of the bundle of sheets T is brought into contact with the
front alignment plate 18a and aligned. During performing {circle
around (1)} to {circle around (5)} described above, the stapler 20
is moved in an order of
A'.fwdarw.B'.fwdarw.B''.fwdarw.A''.fwdarw.A'.fwdarw.B' . . . to
drive the staple needles. When the stapler 20 is moved in an order
of A'.fwdarw.B'.fwdarw.B''.fwdarw.A''.fwdarw.A'.fwdarw.B' . . .
during performing {circle around (1)} to {circle around (5)}, a
movement distance of the stapler 20 becomes very short.
[0056] In the continuous staple mode, the bundles of sheets T on
the stacking tray 21 are alternatively shifted toward the front
side and the rear side. In this way, it is possible to prevent the
staple needles from overlapping at the same location and thus
protruding. Moreover, the bundle of sheets T is shifted before the
stapling. That is, after the stapling, the bundle of sheets T is
able to be discharged from the platform 17a without delay.
Moreover, it is possible to quickly supply the sheets P next
subjected to the stapling by the platform 17a. A shift amount of
the bundle of sheets in the continuous stapling mode is not
limited. The shift amount may be determined so as to prevent a
failure in binding sheets due to protrusion of the staple needle or
prevent a failure in receiving the subsequent bundle of sheets,
when several bundles of sheets are received in the stacking tray
21.
[0057] In the continuous stapling mode, driving timing of a first
comparative example in which the bundle of sheets T is shifted
after the stapling is compared to driving timing of this embodiment
in which the bundle of sheets T is stapled after the shifting. In
the stapling, as shown in FIG. 15, the transverse alignment plate
18 shifts the sheets P at t2, while the preceding sheets P wait at
t1 in the waiting tray 22 according to this embodiment. After the
transverse alignment plate 18 shifts the sheets P, the sheets P are
supplied to the platform 17a. When the previous bundle of sheets
reaches a predetermined staple number at t3, the shifting of the
bundle of sheets is finished. Between t4 to t5, the stapler 20 is
moved to stapling two portions in the middle of the sheets P. The
previous bundle of sheets immediately starts to be discharged
simultaneously with after the stapling at t5. Subsequent sheets P
can wait in advance in the waiting tray 22 at timing of t6.
[0058] After the stapling at t5, the discharging proceeds for
certain time and then the staple 20 is moved to a subsequent
stapling location at t7. The discharging of the previous bundle of
sheets is finished at t8. The transverse alignment plate 18 is
moved to a subsequent shift location at t9 before the finish of the
discharging, since the transverse alignment plate 18 is able to
shift the sheets P when the bundle of sheets is not present on the
platform 17a. After the transverse alignment plate 18 shifts the
sheets P to a subsequent shifting location, subsequent sheets P are
supplied to the platform 17a. When the bundle of sheets reaches a
predetermined staple number at t10, after the shifting of the
subsequent bundle of sheets is finished. The stapling starts at
t11.
[0059] According to the first comparative example, the sheets P is
not shifted while the previous bundle of sheets reaches a
predetermined staple number in the platform 17a at c1 and c2 with
respect to t1 to t11 of this embodiment. After the previous bundle
of sheets reaches the predetermined staple number at c2, the
stapling is start at c3. The previous bundle of sheets starts to be
shifted simultaneously with the finishing of the stapling at c4.
After the stapling at c4, the previous bundle of sheets starts to
be discharged simultaneously with after the shifting at c5.
Subsequent sheets P can wait in advance in the waiting tray 22 at
timing of c6.
[0060] The discharging of the previous bundle of sheets is finished
at c7. After the bundle of sheets is discharged from the platform
17a, the subsequent sheets P which are not shifted are supplied to
the platform 17a. When a subsequent bundle of sheets reaches the
predetermined staple number at c8, the stapling is start at c9. In
the first comparative example, the bundle of sheets at the time of
the stapling at c3 is not shifted. Accordingly, during c4 to c9,
position movement of the stapler 20 is not required.
[0061] According to this embodiment, the sheets P are shifted
during t1 to t3 in which the sheets P are supplied to the platform
17a. According to this embodiment, the bundle of sheets can be
discharged simultaneously with the finishing of the stapling. In
comparison to this embodiment, according to the first comparative
example, the sheets P are not shifted during the sheets P are
supplied to the platform 17a. The shifting starts simultaneously
with after the stapling. After the shifting, the bundle of sheets
is discharged. In comparison to the first comparative example, the
discharging can start earlier, that is, supply timing of the
subsequent sheets P to the waiting tray 22 can be advanced by
.DELTA.t in this embodiment. In comparison to the first comparative
example, a processing period of time in the continuous stapling
mode can be shortened in this embodiment.
(4) (In Sorting Mode)
[0062] When the sheets P supplied from the copier 100 are sorted,
first shifting is first performed on the platform 17a in every
sorting. When the bundle of sheets T is discharged to the platform
17a, second shifting is also performed. A direction of each
shifting is perpendicular to the supply direction of the sheets P.
The first shifting and the second shifting are performed in the
same direction.
[0063] The sheets P are supplied to the platform 17a directly or
via the waiting tray 22 to be stapled to form the bundle of sheets
T as described in (2). The transverse alignment plate 18 and the
stapler 20 work as described in (3) to load the sheets P on the
platform 17a in shifted position. When a first bundle of sheets T3
is shifted toward the rear side to be aligned, as shown in FIG. 16,
{circle around (1)} the rear alignment plate 18b is shifted from
the rear home position rh as indicated by two-dot chain line toward
the rear side by .alpha. (for example, 5 mm). And the rear
alignment plate 18b is stayed. The first bundle of sheets T3 is
aligned as the first shifting by the rear of the first bundle of
sheets T3 is brought into contact with the rear alignment plate
18b, which is shifted from the rear home position rh by .alpha. and
aligned. When the first bundle of sheets T3 reaches a sorting
number of sheets, the first bundle of sheets T3 is discharged from
the platform 17a to be received in the staking tray 21.
[0064] When the discharging of the bundle of sheets T3 from the
platform 17a, the first bundle of sheets T3 is discharged in the
direction of the arrow m oriented toward the stacking tray 21 and
simultaneously shifted in a direction of an arrow w oriented toward
the rear side perpendicularly to the direction of the arrow m.
[0065] The first bundle of sheets T3 is discharged in the direction
of the arrow m by the ejectors 24a as described in (2), the binding
claw 31, and the discharge rollers 27. The first bundle of sheets
T3 is shifted in the direction of the arrow w by the transverse
alignment plate 18. {circle around (2)} During the first bundle of
sheets T3 is discharged in the direction of the arrow m, the rear
alignment plate 18b of the transverse alignment plate 18 is further
shifted toward the rear side by .alpha.' (for example, 5 mm) as the
second shifting from the location where is shifted from the rear
home position rh toward the rear side by .alpha. (for example, 5
mm). The rear alignment plate 18b is shifted toward the rear side
by .alpha.+.alpha.'=10 mm from the rear home position rh. The front
alignment plate 18a is reciprocated by the front alignment motor
36a in the width direction to transversely align the sheets, during
the shifting of the first bundle of sheets T3 in the direction of
the arrow w. {circle around (3)} The first bundle of sheets T3 is
slid on the platform 17a in a direction of an arrow x of FIG. 16 to
be received in the stacking tray 21.
[0066] A second bundle of sheets T4 is shifted toward the front
side to be aligned and sorted. As shown in FIG. 16, {circle around
(4)} the front alignment plate 18a is shifted from the front home
position fh indicated by a two-dot chain line by .beta. (for
example, 5 mm), and stays. The second bundle of sheets T4 is
aligned as the first shifting by the front of the second bundle of
sheets T4 is brought into contact with the front alignment plate
18a, which is shifted from the front home position fh by .beta.,
and aligned. When the second bundle of sheets T4 reaches a sorting
number of sheets, the second bundle of sheets T4 is discharged from
the platform 17a.
[0067] When discharging the second bundle of sheets T4 from the
platform 17a, the second bundle of sheets T4 is discharged in the
direction of the arrow m oriented toward the stacking tray 21 and
simultaneously shifted in a direction of an arrow y oriented toward
the front side perpendicularly to the direction of the arrow m.
{circle around (5)} During the second bundle of sheets T4 is
discharged in the direction of the arrow m, the front alignment
plate 18a of the transverse alignment plate 18 is further shifted
toward the front side by .beta.' (for example, 5 mm) as the second
shifting from the location where is shifted from the front home
position fh toward front side fh by .beta.. The front alignment
plate 18a is shifted toward the front side by .beta.+.beta.'=10 mm
from the front home position fh. The rear alignment plate 18b is
reciprocated by the rear alignment motor 36b in the width direction
to transversely align the sheets during the shifting of the second
bundle of sheets T4 in a direction of an arrow y. {circle around
(6)} The second bundle of sheets T4 is received in the stacking
tray 21, during sliding on the platform 17a in a direction of an
arrow z of FIG. 16.
[0068] In each sorting of a third bundle of sheets, a fourth bundle
of sheets, etc., the two step rear-side shifting and the two step
front-side shifting are alternatively performed to sort the bundle
of sheets T. In the two step rear-side shifting, in a first step,
when the rear alignment plate 18b is shifted by .alpha. toward the
rear side and stays, the bundle of sheets T is brought into contact
with the rear alignment plate 18b and subjected to the first
shifting. In a second step, when the rear alignment plate 18b is
further shifted by .alpha.' toward the rear side and stays, the
bundle of sheets T is brought into contact with the rear alignment
plate 18b and subjected to the second shifting to be aligned,. In
the two step front-side shifting, in a first step, when the front
alignment plate 18a is shifted by .beta. toward the front side and
stays, the bundle of sheets T is brought into contact with the
front alignment plate 18a and subjected to the first shifting. In a
second step, when the front alignment plate 18a is further shifted
by .beta.' toward the front side and stays, the bundle of sheets T
is brought into contact with the front alignment plate 18a and
subjected to the second shifting to be aligned. The bundle of
sheets T is shifted by (.alpha.+.alpha.'+.beta.+.beta.'=20 mm) on
the stacking tray 21. Moreover, in the sorting mode, the shift
amounts of plural bundles of sheets T are not limited to the amount
described above, but a shift amount may be determined as long as a
bundle of sheets is apparently sorted.
[0069] In the sorting, during the discharging of the bundle of
sheets T, the bundle of sheets T may be shifted in the direction of
the arrow w or the direction of the arrow y perpendicular to the
direction of the arrow m simultaneously with the discharging in the
direction of the arrow m. A friction force applied to the bundle of
sheets T is distributed in the direction of the arrow m and the
direction of the arrow w or in the direction of the arrow m and the
direction of the arrow y. In this embodiment, the friction force in
the direction of the arrow m which is applied to a front end of the
bundle of sheets T in the direction of the arrow m can be reduced,
compared to a case where the bundle of sheets T is discharged only
in the direction of the arrow m in the discharging from the
platform 17a. As indicated by a full line in FIG. 17, the bundle of
sheets T is received in the stacking tray 21 without bending in the
discharging from the platform 17a. For example, when the friction
force in the direction of the arrow m is focused on the front end
of the bundle of sheets T, some brakes are applied over the front
end of the bundle of sheets T. The bundle of sheets T is bent
because of the friction force as indicated by a dotted line of FIG.
17. Thereby the aligning of the bundle of sheets T is
disturbed.
[0070] In the sorting mode, the bundle of sheets T may be
selectively discharged from the platform 17a. For example, as for
the bundle of sheets T which is easy to be bent, the bundle of
sheets T is shifted in the direction of the arrow w or in the
direction of the arrow y during the discharging of the bundle of
sheets T in the direction of the arrow m in the discharging. As for
the bundle of sheets T which is difficult to be bent, after the
bundle of sheets T is shifted by the whole shift amount on the
platform 17a, the bundle of sheets T may be discharged in the
direction of the arrow m without the shifting in the width
direction in the discharging. The bundle of sheets easy to be bent
in the discharging may be a bundle of sheets T having a long size
in the discharge direction or a bundle of sheets T formed by thin
sheets P having weak resilience. The type of the sorting mode is
selected through the control panel 170.
[0071] The operations for the bundle of sheets in the sorting mode
are not limited to the operations described above. The shifting may
not be divided into the two steps, that is, the first shifting and
the second shifting, when the bundle of sheets T is shifted toward
the rear side or the front side. However, the bundle of sheets T is
just shifted while the bundle of sheets T is discharged from the
platform 17a. For example, the bundle of sheets T is aligned on the
platform 17a of the intermediate position. When the discharging of
the bundle of sheets T from the platform 17a, the plural bundles of
sheets T may be moved alternatively in the direction of the arrow x
or in the direction of the arrow z shown in FIG. 16 and then
sorted.
[0072] In the continuous stapling mode, when the number of the
bundles of sheets T to be stapled is small, the bundle of sheets T
may be just shifted during the discharging of the bundle of sheets
T from the platform 17a. For example, the bundle of sheets T is
shifted on the shift support surface 17a to be stapled of the
intermediate position. The bundles of sheets T which is stapled are
discharged from the platform 17a and received in the stacking tray
21, during alternative movement in the direction of the arrow x or
the direction of the arrow z as shown in FIG. 16. The staple
needles of sheets T are alternatively shifted, and then the bundles
of sheets T are received in the stacking tray 21. In this case, the
number of the bundles of sheets T is limited to a small number of
the bundles of sheets T which do not give a large load to the
transverse alignment plate 18 in the shifting after the
stapling.
[0073] According to the first embodiment, the bundle of sheets T is
shifted to be stapled in the continuous stapling mode. The bundle
of sheets T is discharged simultaneously with the finishing of the
stapling. Accordingly, it is not necessary to shift the bundle of
sheets T after the finishing of the stapling. After the finishing
of the stapling, supply timing of the subsequent sheets P can be
accelerate. Processing time in the continuous stapling mode can be
shortened. According to the comparative example in which the bundle
of sheets T is shifted after the stapling, it is necessary to
increase the driving torque of the transverse alignment plate 18
shifting the bundle of sheets T, when the number of the bundles of
sheets T is much. However, according to this embodiment, the sheets
P supplied from the copier 100 are shifted in succession to be
stacked on the platform 17a. According to this embodiment, it is
possible to shift the sheets P with small driving torque. The front
alignment motor 36a of the front alignment plate 18a and the rear
alignment motor 36b of the rear alignment plate 18b can be
miniaturized and manufactured with low cost.
[0074] According to the first embodiment, when the bundle of sheets
T is discharged from the platform 17a in the sorting mode, the
bundle of sheets T is discharged during the shifting of the bundle
of sheets T in the direction which is perpendicular to the
discharge direction. The friction force applied to the front end of
the bundle of sheets T in the discharging can be distributed in the
discharge direction and the direction which is perpendicular to the
discharge direction. The friction force applied to the front end of
the bundle of sheets T in the discharge direction can be reduced.
Even when the size of the sheets P in the discharge direction is
large or rigidity of the sheets P is weak, it is possible to
prevent the bundle of sheets T from being bent since the front end
of the bundle of sheets T is applied some brakes. According to the
first embodiment, it is possible to prevent the sheets from skewing
due to abrupt shifting, since a distance shifted one time can be
reduced by shifting the sheets several times, as in the first
shifting on the platform 17a and the second shifting in the
discharging in the sorting mode.
[0075] Next, a second embodiment will be described. According to
the second embodiment, an alignment location of the bundle of
sheets is adjusted in accordance with the size of the sheets in the
stapling in the first embodiment described above. Other details can
be the same as explained in the first embodiment. In the second
embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same
constituent elements as described in the first embodiment, and the
detailed description is omitted.
[0076] The stapler 20 of the finisher 7 staples one portion on a
front side corner of the sheets, one portion on a rear side corner
of the sheets, or two portions in the middle of the sheets P. The
stapler 20 rotates to staple the sheets upon stapling one portion
on the front side corner or one portion on the rear side corner, as
shown in FIG. 11. The stapler unit 20a needs a space for the
rotational motion of the stapler 20 and a space for maintenance. In
the maintenance, for example, a staple needle may be supplemented.
According to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, a home
position (HP) of the stapler 20 is on the front side. The home
position (HP) has a space for maintenance.
[0077] The transverse alignment plate 18 of the finisher 7 needs a
reciprocation width for alignment. For example, in FIG. 10, when
the front alignment plate 18a is stayed, the rear alignment plate
18b reciprocates, as indicated by an arrow f, transversely to align
the sheets P. The finisher 7 needs to ensure a space for the
stapling and the transverse alignment, and the size and weight of
the finisher 7 needs to be reduced. The second embodiment satisfies
these requirements.
[0078] According to the second embodiment, the alignment location
of the bundle of sheets T is adjusted in accordance with the size
(sheet width) of the sheets P in a direction perpendicular to the
supply direction, and driving the stapler 20 is controlled in
accordance with the adjustment of the alignment location. When the
sheet width is smaller than a predetermined size, a center
reference .theta. of the platform 17a, which is indicated by chain
line of FIG. 18, serves as the center of the location where the
bundle of sheets T is aligned. When the transversely aligning of
the bundle of sheets T, as shown in FIG. 18, the front alignment
plate 18a stays at a first position (f1). When the front of the
bundle of sheets T is brought into contact with the first position
(f1) and the bundle of sheets T is transversely aligned, the center
of the bundle of sheets T matches with the center reference
.theta.. The bundle of sheets T is transversely aligned on the
basis of a center reference in which the center of the bundle of
sheets T matches with the center reference .theta. by reciprocating
the rear alignment plate 18b in a width direction indicated by an
arrow g. The front home position is detected by the front home
position sensor 37a shown in FIG. 10.
[0079] When the sheet width is equal to or larger than the
predetermined size, a front reference k indicated by chain line of
FIG. 19 serves as the center of the alignment location of the
bundle of sheets T. The front reference k is a location where the
bundle of sheets is shifted by a shift amount .lamda. from the
center reference .theta. of the platform 17a toward the front side.
When transversely aligning the bundle of sheets T, as shown in FIG.
19, the front alignment plate 18a is shifted from a second position
(f2) indicated by a chain line by the shift amount .lamda. toward
the front side. The second position (f2) is a position where the
front alignment plate 18a stays upon transversely aligning the
bundle of sheets T on the basis of the center reference in which
the center of the bundle of sheets T matches with the center
reference .theta.. The bundle of sheets T is transversely aligned
by staying the front alignment plate 18a at the location where-is
shifted by the shift amount .lamda. from the second position (f2).
When the front of the bundle of sheets T is brought into contact
with the front alignment plate 18a to transversely align the bundle
of sheets T, the center of the bundle of sheets T matches with the
location of the front reference k. The bundle of sheets T is
transversely aligned on the basis of a front reference in which the
center of the bundle of sheets T matches with the front reference
k, by reciprocating the rear alignment plate 18b in the width
direction indicated by the arrow g.
[0080] The sheet width of the predetermined size refers to a width
obtained by reducing (the shift amount .lamda. of the transverse
alignment plate 18) from (the maximum sheet width capable of the
stapling). That is, when (a sheet width L)<{(the maximum sheet
width capable of the stapling)-(the shift amount .lamda. of the
transverse alignment plate)}, the bundle of sheets T is aligned on
the basis of the center reference.
[0081] When (the sheet width L).gtoreq.{(the maximum sheet width
capable of the stapling)-(the shift amount .lamda. of the
transverse alignment plate)}, the bundle of sheets T is aligned on
the basis of the front reference.
[0082] In order to ensure a reciprocation space of the rear
alignment plate 18b for the transverse alignment, the alignment
location of the bundle of sheets T is adjusted. The maximum
rear-side movement limit of the stapler 20 for stapling one portion
on the rear side corner may be moved by the shift amount .lamda. of
the transverse alignment plate toward the front side.
[0083] For example, on the assumption that the maximum sheet width
capable of the stapling is the length (297 mm) of the JIS standard
A4 transversal size, the shift amount .lamda. of the transverse
alignment plate 18 is set to 20 mm. In this case, the sheets P
having the sheet length of 277 mm or more may have an A4
transversal size or A3 size of the JIS standard or the letter or
ledger size of a US standard. When the bundle of sheets T having
the above size is stapled in the one portion on the rear side
corner, the bundle of sheets T is aligned on the basis of the front
reference. In addition, the bundle of sheets T having a size less
than 277 mm is aligned on the basis of the center reference.
[0084] For example, when the bundle of sheets T having the sheet
length of a predetermined size (for example, 277 mm) or more is
aligned on the basis of the center reference to staple the bundle
of sheets T in the one portion on the rear side corner, the stapler
20 needs a space on the rear side and thus has to move up to a
location indicated by a chain line SP of FIG. 19. When the bundle
of sheets T having the sheet length of the predetermined size (for
example, 277 mm) or more is aligned on the basis of the front
reference, the maximum movement location of the stapler 20 is
reduced up to a location indicated by a full line RP of FIG. 19.
The maximum movement location RP of the stapler 20 on the rear side
becomes closer by the shift amount .lamda. (20 mm) from the
dotted-line SP toward the front side. As for the bundle of sheets T
having the sheet length less than the predetermined size (277 mm),
the reciprocation space of the rear alignment plate 18b can be
sufficiently ensured, even when the bundle of sheets T is aligned
on the basis of the center reference. Moreover, the stapler 20 can
move up to the location indicated by the full line RP on the front
side.
[0085] When the alignment location of the bundle of sheets is
adjusted, the maximum sheet width capable of the stapling or the
shift amount of the transverse alignment plate is not limited. When
the home position (HP) of the stapler is provided on the rear side,
the alignment location of the bundle of sheets which having the
sheet width of a predetermined size or more may be shifted on the
rear side.
[0086] According to the second embodiment, when the stapling of one
portion on a rear side corner of the sheets by the stapler 20, the
alignment location of the bundle of sheets T having the sheet width
of the predetermined size or more is shifted on the front side.
Even in the bundle of sheets T having the sheet width of the
predetermined size or more, a reciprocation width g of the rear
alignment plate 18b can be sufficiently ensured. The maximum
movement location of the stapler 20 on the rear side can be shifted
on the front side. The size of the finisher 7 in the sheet width
direction can be reduced. It is possible to design the lightweight
finisher 7. Moreover, when the movement distance of the stapler 20
stapling the bundle of sheets is shortened, a noise occurring due
to the movement can be reduced and movement time can be
shortened.
[0087] The invention is not limited to the above-described
embodiments, but may be modified into various forms within the
scope of the invention. For example, the image forming apparatus
includes apparatuses such as a color copier. The shape of the
processing tray or the structure of the sheet transporting member
is not limited. Functions of the processing member are not limited
to the sorting function and the stapling function. A function of
punching sheets or a function of folding sheets may be arbitrarily
included.
* * * * *