U.S. patent application number 14/408739 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-23 for sheet post-processing apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is GRADCO JAPAN LTD.. Invention is credited to Kuniaki Kimura, Kenichi Watanabe.
Application Number | 20150203321 14/408739 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47890523 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150203321 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kimura; Kuniaki ; et
al. |
July 23, 2015 |
SHEET POST-PROCESSING APPARATUS
Abstract
[Problem]A sheet bundle can be stacked with no displacement, a
stacking property of the sheet bundle is improved, and sheet
receiving time is shortened, which allows improvement of
productivity. [Solving Means]A sheet post-processing apparatus 1
includes sheet conveying means 10 for conveying a sheet 100
discharged by an image forming apparatus to a stacking tray 3,
jogger and stack means 30 including a pair of left and right
joggers 31 that stacks the sheet 100 discharged by the sheet
conveying means 10 while supporting and jogging the sheet 100, and
a support 20 that is able to be progressed and retreated, and
supports a rear end portion of the sheet 100 discharged by the
sheet conveying means 10 at a progressing position. In the sheet
post-processing apparatus 1, the jogger and stack means 30 is
arranged above the stacking tray 3, the support 20 is arranged
between the stacking tray 3 and the jogger and stack means 30, the
sheet 100 discharged by the sheet conveying means 10 is supported
by the pair of left and right joggers 31, the rear end portion of
the sheet 100 is placed on and jogged by the support 20 located at
the progressing position to form a sheet bundle 110, the pair of
left and right joggers 31 is opened to drop the jogged sheet bundle
110 on the stacking tray 3, the support 20 is retreated, and the
rear end portion of the sheet bundle 110 placed on the support 20
is dropped and stacked on the stacking tray 3.
Inventors: |
Kimura; Kuniaki;
(Shinagawa-ku, JP) ; Watanabe; Kenichi;
(Shinagawa-ku, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GRADCO JAPAN LTD. |
Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
47890523 |
Appl. No.: |
14/408739 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
December 18, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2012/082733 |
371 Date: |
December 17, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
270/58.13 ;
271/221 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 31/24 20130101;
B65H 31/20 20130101; B65H 2301/4213 20130101; B65H 37/04 20130101;
B65H 31/38 20130101; B65H 39/00 20130101; B65H 2405/332 20130101;
B65H 2801/27 20130101; B65H 31/26 20130101; B65H 33/08 20130101;
B65H 31/3018 20130101; B65H 2405/11151 20130101; B65H 2405/1134
20130101; B65H 33/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65H 37/04 20060101
B65H037/04; B65H 39/00 20060101 B65H039/00; B65H 31/38 20060101
B65H031/38; B65H 33/06 20060101 B65H033/06; B65H 31/20 20060101
B65H031/20; B65H 31/26 20060101 B65H031/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 2, 2012 |
JP |
2012-148448 |
Claims
1. A sheet post-processing apparatus comprising: sheet conveying
means for conveying a sheet discharged by an image forming
apparatus to a stacking tray; jogger and stack means including a
pair of left and right joggers that stacks the sheet discharged by
the sheet conveying means while supporting and jogging the sheet;
and a support that is able to be progressed and retreated, and
supports a rear end portion of the sheet discharged by the sheet
conveying means at a progressing position, wherein the jogger and
stack means is arranged above the stacking tray, the support is
arranged between the stacking tray and the jogger and stack means,
the sheet discharged by the sheet conveying means is supported by
the pair of left and right joggers, the rear end portion of the
sheet is placed on and jogged by the support located at the
progressing position to form a sheet bundle, the pair of left and
right joggers is opened to drop the jogged sheet bundle on the
stacking tray, and the support is retreated to drop and stack the
rear end portion of the sheet bundle placed on the support on the
stacking tray.
2. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the support supports an inside in a width direction of the
rear end portion of the sheet.
3. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the pair of left and right joggers supports and jogs a
leading end side portion and a leading end bottom portion of the
sheet discharged by the sheet conveying means, and the pair of left
and right joggers is opened to drop a leading end side of the
jogged sheet bundle on the stacking tray.
4. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the pair of left and right joggers is horizontally movable
with respect to a sheet discharge center position, operation to
move the sheet bundle in one of the horizontal directions while the
sheet bundle is jogged at the sheet discharge center position, open
the pair of left and right joggers at a stacking position, and
retreat the support to drop and stack the sheet bundle on the
stacking tray, and operation to move the sheet bundle in the other
of the horizontal directions while the sheet bundle is jogged at
the sheet discharge center position, open the pair of left and
right joggers at the stacking position, and retreat the support to
drop and stack the sheet bundle on the stacking tray are repeated,
and the sheet bundle is stacked on the stacking tray while
alternately displaced.
5. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the pair of left and right joggers is horizontally movable
with respect to a sheet discharge center position, operation to
move the sheet bundle in one of the horizontal directions while the
sheet bundle is jogged at the sheet discharge center position, open
the pair of left and right joggers at the stacking position, and
retreat the support to drop and stack the sheet bundle on the
stacking tray is repeated, and the sheet bundle is stacked on the
stacking tray while not alternately displaced.
6. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1,
further comprising stapling means for stapling the sheet bundle
jogged by the pair of left and right joggers, wherein the pair of
left and right joggers is opened to drop the leading end side of
the sheet bundle stapled by the stapling means on the stacking
tray, only the rear end portion of the sheet bundle is placed on
the support, and the support is retreated to drop and stack the
rear end portion the sheet bundle placed on the support on the
stacking tray.
7. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 6,
wherein the pair of left and right joggers is horizontally movable
with respect to a sheet discharge center position, operation to
move the sheet bundle in one of the horizontal directions while the
sheet bundle is jogged at the sheet discharge center position, and
staple the sheet bundle at a stapling position using the stapling
means, operation to move and open the pair of left and right
joggers at one of stacking positions, and retreat the support to
drop and stack the sheet bundle on the stacking tray, operation to
move the sheet bundle in one of the horizontal directions while the
sheet bundle is jogged at the sheet discharge center position, and
staple the sheet bundle at a stapling position using the stapling
means, and operation to move and open the pair of left and right
joggers at the other of stacking positions, and retreat the support
to drop and stack the sheet bundle on the stacking tray are
repeated, and the sheet bundle is stacked on the stacking tray
while alternately displaced.
8. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 6,
wherein the pair of left and right joggers is horizontally movable
with respect to a sheet discharge center position, operation to
move the sheet bundle only in one of the horizontal directions
while the sheet bundle is jogged at a sheet discharge center
position, and staple the sheet bundle at a stapling position using
the stapling means, and operation to move and open the pair of left
and right joggers at one of stacking positions, and retreat the
support to drop and stack the sheet bundle on the stacking tray are
repeated, and the sheet bundle is stacked on the stacking tray
while not alternately displaced.
9. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 6,
wherein a sheet bundle holder is arranged at a position where the
sheet bundle jogged by the pair of left and right joggers is
stapled, and the sheet bundle holder acts as a holding member for
the sheet bundle to be stapled, and as a cover covering the
stapling means.
10. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the sheet post-processing apparatus is arranged above the
image forming apparatus, and the sheet conveying means conveys the
sheet sent from an upper portion of the image forming apparatus to
the stacking tray.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing
apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus such as a copying
machine and a printer.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Conventionally, there is well-known a sheet post-processing
apparatus that performs a jogger and stack process and a stapling
process to a sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus such
as a copying machine and a printer. For example, in some sheet
post-processing apparatuses, the sheets discharged from the image
forming apparatus are stapled by stapling means, and a sheet bundle
stapled by the stapling means is dropped and stacked on a stacking
tray by opening jogger and stack means, and the subsequent sheets
are discharged on the stacked sheet bundle by sheet conveying means
while overlapped with the sheet bundle, and the next sheet bundle
is formed by the jogger and stack means (e.g., refer to Patent
Literature 1).
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0003] Patent Literature 1: JP 8-225227A
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0004] Sometimes the sheet discharged from the image forming
apparatus such as the copying machine and the printer is curled
around a conveying direction due to a structure of a conveying
system of the image forming apparatus, and there is a risk of
displacing the sheet bundle due to the curled sheet during the
jogger and stack process.
[0005] The sheet bundle is dropped and stacked on the stacking
tray, and the next sheet is discharged and stacked on the stacked
sheet bundle. In dropping the sheet bundle on the stacking tray,
there is no means of escape of air between the sheet bundles, and
sometimes the stacked sheet bundle is displaced by the air.
[0006] The invention is made in view of above-described problem,
and an object of the invention is to provide a sheet
post-processing apparatus that can stack the sheet bundle with no
displacement to improve a stacking property of the sheet bundle and
shorten sheet receiving time to improve productivity.
Solution to Problem
[0007] In order to solve the above problems to achieve the object,
the present invention is configured as follows.
[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, a sheet
post-processing apparatus includes: sheet conveying means for
conveying a sheet discharged by an image forming apparatus to a
stacking tray; jogger and stack means including a pair of left and
right joggers that stacks the sheet discharged by the sheet
conveying means while supporting and jogging the sheet; and a
support that is able to be progressed and retreated, and supports a
rear end portion of the sheet discharged by the sheet conveying
means at a progressing position. At this point, the jogger and
stack means is arranged above the stacking tray, the support is
arranged between the stacking tray and the jogger and stack means,
the sheet discharged by the sheet conveying means is supported by
the pair of left and right joggers, the rear end portion of the
sheet is placed on and jogged by the support located at the
progressing position to form a sheet bundle, the pair of left and
right joggers is opened to drop the jogged sheet bundle on the
stacking tray, and the support is retreated to drop and stack the
rear end portion of the sheet bundle placed on the support on the
stacking tray.
[0009] According to a second aspect of the invention, in the sheet
post-processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the
invention, the support supports an inside in a width direction of
the rear end portion of the sheet.
[0010] According to a third aspect of the invention, in the sheet
post-processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the
invention, the pair of left and right joggers supports and jogs a
leading end side portion and a leading end bottom portion of the
sheet discharged by the sheet conveying means, and the pair of left
and right joggers is opened to drop a leading end side of the
jogged sheet bundle on the stacking tray.
[0011] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the sheet
post-processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the
invention, the pair of left and right joggers is horizontally
movable with respect to a sheet discharge center position,
operation to move the sheet bundle in one of the horizontal
directions while the sheet bundle is jogged at the sheet discharge
center position, open the pair of left and right joggers at a
stacking position, and retreat the support to drop and stack the
sheet bundle on the stacking tray, and operation to move the sheet
bundle in the other of the horizontal directions while the sheet
bundle is jogged at the sheet discharge center position, open the
pair of left and right joggers at the stacking position, and
retreat the support to drop and stack the sheet bundle on the
stacking tray are repeated, and the sheet bundle is stacked on the
stacking tray while alternately displaced.
[0012] According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the sheet
post-processing apparatus, the pair of left and right joggers is
horizontally movable with respect to a sheet discharge center
position, operation to move the sheet bundle in one of the
horizontal directions while the sheet bundle is jogged at the sheet
discharge center position, open the pair of left and right joggers
at the stacking position, and retreat the support to drop and stack
the sheet bundle on the stacking tray is repeated, and the sheet
bundle is stacked on the stacking tray while not alternately
displaced.
[0013] According to a sixth aspect of the invention, the sheet
post-processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the
invention further comprising stapling means for stapling the sheet
bundle jogged by the pair of left and right joggers. At this point,
the pair of left and right joggers is opened to drop the leading
end side of the sheet bundle stapled by the stapling means on the
stacking tray, only the rear end portion of the sheet bundle is
placed on the support, and the support is retreated to drop and
stack the rear end portion the sheet bundle placed on the support
on the stacking tray.
[0014] According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the sheet
post-processing apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the
invention, the pair of left and right joggers is horizontally
movable with respect to a sheet discharge center position,
operation to move the sheet bundle only in one of the horizontal
directions while the sheet bundle is jogged at the sheet discharge
center position, and staple the sheet bundle at a stapling position
using the stapling means, operation to move and open the pair of
left and right joggers at one of stacking positions, and retreat
the support to drop and stack the sheet bundle on the stacking
tray, operation to move the sheet bundle in one of the horizontal
directions while the sheet bundle is jogged at a sheet discharge
center position, and staple the sheet bundle at a stapling position
using the stapling means, and operation to move and open the pair
of left and right joggers at the other of stacking positions, and
retreat the support to drop and stack the sheet bundle on the
stacking tray are repeated, and the sheet bundle is stacked on the
stacking tray while alternately displaced.
[0015] According to an eighth aspect of the invention, in the sheet
post-processing apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the
invention, the pair of left and right joggers is horizontally
movable with respect to a sheet discharge center position, the pair
of left and right joggers repeats operation to move the sheet
bundle in one of the horizontal directions while the sheet bundle
is jogged at the sheet discharge center position, and staple the
sheet bundle at a stapling position using the stapling means, and
operation to move and open the pair of left and right joggers at
one of stacking positions, and retreat the support to drop and
stack the sheet bundle on the stacking tray, and the sheet bundle
is stacked on the stacking tray while not alternately
displaced.
[0016] According to a ninth aspect of the invention, in the sheet
post-processing apparatus according to any one of the sixth to
eighth aspects of the invention, a sheet bundle holder is arranged
at a position where the sheet bundle jogged by the pair of left and
right joggers is stapled, and the sheet bundle holder acts as a
holding member for the sheet bundle to be stapled, and as a cover
covering the stapling means.
[0017] According to a tenth aspect of the invention, in the sheet
post-processing apparatus according to any one of the first to
ninth aspects of the invention, the sheet post-processing apparatus
is arranged above the image forming apparatus, and the sheet
conveying means conveys the sheet sent from an upper portion of the
image forming apparatus to the stacking tray.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0018] Thanks to the above configuration, the invention has the
following advantageous effects.
[0019] In the first aspect of the invention, the jogger and stack
means is arranged above the stacking tray, the support is arranged
between the stacking tray and the jogger and the stack means, the
sheet discharged by the sheet conveying means is supported by the
pair of left and right joggers, and the rear end portion of the
sheet is placed on and jogged by the support located at the
progressing position, so that the sheet bundle can smoothly be
formed without displacing the sheet. Additionally, the pair of left
and right joggers is opened to drop the jogged sheet bundle on the
stacking tray, and the support is retreated, and the rear end
portion of the sheet bundle placed on the support is dropped and
stacked on the stacking tray. Therefore, the sheet bundle can
smoothly and quickly be dropped on the stacking tray, and the
stacked sheet bundle is not displaced by the air because the air
escapes to the rear end side of the sheet bundle.
[0020] In the second aspect of the invention, the support supports
the inside in the width direction of the rear end portion of the
jogged sheet bundle. Therefore, the displacement of the sheet can
be reduced even if the sheet is curled around the conveying
direction due to the structure of the conveying system of the image
forming apparatus.
[0021] In the third aspect of the invention, the pair of left and
right joggers supports and jogs the leading end side portion and
the leading end bottom portion of the sheet discharged by the sheet
conveying means, and the pair of left and right joggers is opened
to drop the leading end side of the jogged sheet bundle on the
stacking tray. Therefore, the stacked sheet bundle is not displaced
by the air because the air escapes to the rear end side from the
leading end side of the sheet bundle.
[0022] In the fourth aspect of the invention, the sheet bundle is
stacked on the stacking tray while alternately displaced, but the
stacked sheet bundle is not displaced by the air when the sheet
bundle is dropped and stacked on the stacking tray.
[0023] In the fifth aspect of the invention, the sheet bundle is
stacked on the stacking tray while not alternately displaced, but
the stacked sheet bundle is not displaced by the air when the sheet
bundle is dropped and stacked on the stacking tray.
[0024] In the sixth aspect of the invention, the pair of left and
right joggers is opened to drop the leading end side of the sheet
bundle stapled by the stapling means on the stacking tray, only the
rear end portion of the sheet bundle is placed on the support, and
the support is retreated to drop and stack the rear end portion of
the sheet bundle placed on the support on the stacking tray.
Therefore, a staple used to staple the sheet bundle can be
prevented from being caught on the pair of left and right joggers,
but the sheet bundle is not displaced by the catch of the
staple.
[0025] In the seventh aspect of the invention, the stapled sheet
bundle is stacked on the stacking tray while alternately displaced,
the staple used to staple the sheet bundle can be prevented from
being caught on the pair of left and right joggers, but the sheet
bundle is not displaced by the catch of the staple.
[0026] In the eighth aspect of the invention, the sheet bundle is
stacked on the stacking tray while not alternately displaced, the
staple used to staple the sheet bundle can be prevented from being
caught on the pair of left and right joggers, but the sheet bundle
is not displaced by the catch of the staple.
[0027] In the ninth aspect of the invention, the sheet bundle
holder is arranged at the position where the sheet bundle jogged by
the pair of left and right joggers is stapled, the sheet bundle
holder holds the sheet bundle to be stapled, and the sheet bundle
can be stapled without displacing the sheet bundle. Additionally,
the sheet bundle holder covers stapling means, so that a user can
be prevented from inserting a finger in the position where the
sheet bundle is stapled.
[0028] In the tenth aspect of the invention, the sheet
post-processing apparatus is arranged above the image forming
apparatus, and the sheet sent from the upper portion of the image
forming apparatus can be conveyed to the stacking tray.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sheet post-processing
apparatus.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a front view of the sheet post-processing
apparatus.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a side view of the sheet post-processing
apparatus.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sheet post-processing
apparatus.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the sheet
post-processing apparatus.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the sheet post-processing
apparatus.
[0035] FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) are views illustrating actuation of a
support.
[0036] FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a stack and a jogger.
[0037] FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) are views illustrating stacking of a
sheet bundle.
[0038] FIGS. 10(a) to 10(c) are views illustrating a jogger and
stack state.
[0039] FIGS. 11(a) to 11(c) are views illustrating a stapling
state.
[0040] FIG. 12 is a view illustrating actuation of the case that
stapling is not performed.
[0041] FIG. 13 is a view illustrating actuation of the case that
stapling is not performed.
[0042] FIG. 14 is a view illustrating actuation of the case that
stapling is performed.
[0043] FIG. 15 is a view illustrating actuation of the case that
stapling is performed.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT
[0044] Hereinafter, a sheet post-processing apparatus according to
an embodiment of the invention will be described. The embodiment
illustrates the best mode of the invention, but the invention is
not limited to the embodiment.
(Configuration of Sheet Post-Processing Apparatus)
[0045] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sheet post-processing apparatus,
FIG. 2 is a front view of the sheet post-processing apparatus, FIG.
3 is a side view of the sheet post-processing apparatus, FIG. 4 is
a perspective view of the sheet post-processing apparatus, and FIG.
5 is a configuration diagram of the sheet post-processing
apparatus.
[0046] In a sheet post-processing apparatus 1 of the embodiment, an
apparatus body 2 includes a stacking tray 3, a support 20, jogger
and stack means 30, stapling means 40, and sheet conveying means
10. In a bottom portion of the apparatus body 2, registration
members 90 are provided at right and left ends while protruded
downward. The sheet post-processing apparatus 1 is arranged while
the registration members 90 are inserted in the upper portion of
the image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a
printer, and a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus is
sent in the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 from below. The sheet
conveying means 10 is configured so as to convey the sheet sent
from the upper portion of the image forming apparatus to the
stacking tray 3. The jogger and stack means 30 and the stapling
means 40 perform a jogger and stack process and a stapling process,
and the processed sheet bundle is stacked on the stacking tray
3.
[0047] FIGS. 6 to 9 illustrate actuation of the sheet
post-processing apparatus. FIG. 6 is a control diagram of the sheet
post-processing apparatus, FIG. 7 illustrates actuation of a
support, FIG. 7(a) illustrates a state in which the support is
retreated, FIG. 7(b) illustrates a state in which the support is
progressed, FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a stack and a
jogger, FIG. 9 illustrates stacking of a sheet bundle, FIG. 9(a) is
a view illustrating a state in which a leading end side of the
jogged sheet bundle is dropped on a stacking tray, and FIG. 9(b) is
a view illustrating a state in which a rear end side of the jogged
sheet bundle is dropped on the stacking tray.
[0048] The sheet conveying means 10, the support 20, the jogger and
stack means 30, and the stapling means 40 are arranged in the
apparatus body 2 of the embodiment. The sheet conveying means 10
includes a conveying guide 11 and a conveying roller 12, and
conveys a sheet 100 discharged from the image forming apparatus
onto the stacking tray 3 from a position below the apparatus body
2. For example, the conveying roller 12 is driven by conveyance
driving means 200 including power transmission means such as a
motor, a belt, and a gear. The conveyance driving means 200 drives
the conveying roller 12 to convey the sheet 100.
[0049] The three supports 20 are horizontally arrayed at positions
above the stacking tray 3, for example. The support 20 can be
progressed and retreated in a sheet discharge direction with
respect to the apparatus body 2, a rear end portion of the sheet
100 discharged from the sheet conveying means 10 is supported at a
progressing position of the support 20, and the sheet is dropped at
a retreating position. For example, the support 20 is driven by a
support driving means 201 including power transmission means such
as a motor and a cam. The support 20 is progressed and retreated by
the support driving means 201.
[0050] The jogger and stack means 30 includes a pair of left and
right joggers 31 that perform stack and jogger. In the apparatus
body 2, the pair of left and right joggers 31 can horizontally be
moved with respect to a sheet discharge center position. The pair
of left and right joggers 31 having a U-shape in section includes a
lower guide 31a, an upper guide 31b, and a coupling guide 31c. The
pair of left and right joggers 31 stacks and jogs the sheet
discharged from the sheet conveying means 10 while supporting both
side end portions and both side bottom portions at a leading end of
the sheet.
[0051] The pair of left and right joggers 31 is provided in a
moving body 38 with a slide lever 32. In jogging, and opening and
closing the pair of left and right joggers 31, the pair of left and
right joggers 31 is driven by jogger moving means 202 including
power transmission means such as a motor and an actuation shaft. In
horizontally moving the pair of left and right joggers 31, the pair
of left and right joggers 31 is driven by jogger movement driving
means 203 including power transmission means such as a motor, a
gear, and a belt. The sheets 100 are jogged by the pair of left and
right joggers 31.
[0052] The jogger and stack means 30 is arranged above the stacking
tray 3, and the supports 20 are arranged between the stacking tray
3 and the jogger and stack means 30. Therefore, a leading end side
of the sheet 100 discharged by the sheet conveying means 10 is
supported by the pair of left and right joggers 31 of the jogger
and stack means 30, and the rear end portion is stacked and jogged
on the supports 20 located at the progressing positions, thereby
forming a sheet bundle 110. At this point, the supports 20 support
an inside in a width direction of the rear end portion of the sheet
100, and support the inside in the width direction of the rear end
portion of the sheet bundle 110 jogged by the supports 20, so that
displacement of the sheet bundle 110 can be reduced even if the
sheet 100 is curled around a conveying direction due to a structure
of a conveying system of the image forming apparatus.
[0053] The leading end side of the jogged sheet bundle 110 is
dropped on the stacking tray 3 by opening the pair of left and
right joggers 31, and only the rear end portion of the sheet bundle
110 is placed on the support 20. Then, the supports 20 are
retreated to drop the rear end portion of the sheet bundle 110
placed on the supports 20 on the stacking tray 3.
[0054] In stacking the sheet 100, the pair of left and right
joggers 31 having the U-shape in section includes the lower guide
31a, the upper guide 31b, and the coupling guide 31c, and supports
both the side end portions and both the side bottom portions at the
leading end of the sheet 100. Therefore, the leading end portion of
the jogged sheet bundle 110 is dropped on the stacking tray 3 by
opening the pair of left and right joggers 31. The rear end portion
of the sheet bundle 110 is placed on the supports 20, the support
20 is arranged between the stacking tray 3 and the jogger and stack
means 30, the support 20 is located below the pair of left and
right joggers 31, and the rear end portion of the sheet bundle 110
stacked on the support 20 is dropped and stacked on the stacking
tray 3 by retreating the support 20. Therefore, the sheet bundle
110 can smoothly and quickly be dropped on the stacking tray 3.
Additionally, the stacked sheet bundle 110 is not displaced by air
because the air escapes from the leading end side to the rear end
side of the sheet bundle 110 when the sheet bundle 110 is
dropped.
[0055] The pair of left and right joggers 31 is arranged above the
stacking tray 3, the support 20 is arranged between the stacking
tray 3 and the pair of left and right joggers 31, and the support
20 is located below the pair of left and right joggers 31.
Therefore, the support 20 is retreated to drop and stack the sheet
bundle 100 on the stacking tray 3 in a short time, the next sheet
100 can be received by the pair of left and right joggers 31, and
the receiving time can be shortened to improve the
productivity.
[0056] The stapling means 40 is arranged on the right side of the
apparatus body 2 while incorporated in the apparatus body 2, and
the sheet bundle 110 jogged by the jogger and stack means 30 is
stapled. In the stapling, a corner portion at a rear end of the
jogged sheet bundle 110 is closed with a staple by a well-known
method.
[0057] FIGS. 10(a) to 10(c) are views illustrating the jogger and
stack state, and FIGS. 11(a) to 11(c) are views illustrating the
stapling state. On the right side of the apparatus body 2, a sheet
bundle holder 50 is arranged at a position where the sheet bundle
110 jogged by the jogger and stack means 30 is stapled. The sheet
bundle holder 50 acts as a holding member for the sheet bundle 110
to be stapled, or as a cover covering the stapling means 40.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 10, the pair of left and right joggers 31
of the jogger and stack means 30 is located at the jogger and stack
position, the sheet bundle holder 50 acts as the cover covering the
stapling means 40, and a user is prevented from inserting a finger
in the stapling position. In the state of FIG. 10, a protrusion 33
formed in a slide lever 32 supporting the right jogger 31 is
located at the position where an arm 34 is not actuated. In the arm
34, when an end portion 36a of a link 36 is depressed through an
auxiliary lever 35, an end portion 36b depresses a contact 37a of a
safety switch 37 to turn off the safety switch 37.
[0059] When the pair of left and right joggers 31 of the jogger and
stack means 30 is located at the jogger and stack position, because
the protrusion 33 formed in the slide lever 32 supporting the right
jogger 31 is located at the position where the arm 34 is not
actuated, the arm 34 does not depress the end portion 36a of the
link 36 through the auxiliary lever 35, and the link 36 is not
actuated. Therefore, the safety switch 37 is in an off state in
which current is not passed, and the actuation of the stapling
means 40 is prohibited.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 11, the pair of left and right joggers 31
of the jogger and stack means 30 is moved to the stapling position
to perform the stapling. At the stapling position, the protrusion
33 formed in the slide lever 32 supporting the right jogger 31
actuates the arm 34, the arm 34 depresses the end portion 36a of
the link 36 through the auxiliary lever 35, the link 36 is
actuated, the end portion 36b depresses the contact 37a of the
safety switch 37 to put the safety switch 37 into an on state in
which the current is passed, and the stapling means 40 is actuated
to perform the stapling.
(Actuation of Sheet Post-Processing Apparatus)
[0061] A control device 300 receives a command of the number of
sheets 100 to be jogged from a control device of the image forming
apparatus, drives the conveyance driving means 200, the support
drive 201, the jogger driving means 202, and the jogger movement
driving means 203, and performs shift stacking actuation and
one-way stacking actuation in the case that the stapling is not
performed and the shift stacking actuation and the one-way stacking
actuation in the case that the stapling is performed.
[0062] [Shift Stacking Actuation in the Case that Stapling is not
Performed]
[0063] The actuation in the case that the stapling is not performed
will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. The pair of
left and right joggers 31 can horizontally be moved with respect to
a sheet discharge center position K1, and the right and left end
faces of the sheet 100 are jogged by the actuation of the pair of
left and right joggers 31 based on the sheet discharge center
position K1 at which the sheet 100 is conveyed. The rear end
portion of the sheet 100 is supported by the support 20 located at
the progressing position (Step a11).
[0064] After the right and left end faces of the sheet 100 are
jogged, the right and left end faces of the sheet bundle 110 are
moved rightward from the sheet discharge center position K1 while
sandwiched by the pair of left and right joggers 31, and the sheet
bundle 110 is moved to a stacking position K2 separated from the
sheet discharge center position K1 by a distance L1 (Step a12).
[0065] At the stacking position K2, the pair of left and right
joggers 31 is opened, the leading end side of the jogged sheet
bundle 110 is dropped on the stacking tray 3, and only the rear end
portion of the sheet bundle 110 is placed on the support 20. At
this point, the support 20 is retreated to drop and stack the rear
end portion of the sheet bundle 110 placed on the support 20 on the
stacking tray 3 (Step a13). When the sheet bundle 110 is dropped on
the stacking tray 3, the air escapes from the leading end side to
the rear end side of the dropped sheet bundle 110. Therefore, the
stacked sheet bundle 110 is not displaced by the air.
[0066] Then, the pair of left and right joggers 31 is moved to the
sheet discharge center position K1, the right and left end faces of
the next-sent sheet 100 are jogged by the actuation of the pair of
left and right joggers 31 based on the sheet discharge center
position K1, and the rear end side of the sheet 100 is supported by
the support 20 located at the progressing position (Step a14).
[0067] After the right and left end faces of the sheet 100 are
jogged, the right and left end faces of sheet bundle 110 are moved
leftward from the sheet discharge center position K1 while
sandwiched by the pair of left and right joggers 31, and the sheet
bundle 110 is moved to a stacking position K3 separated from the
sheet discharge center position K1 by a distance L2 (Step a15).
[0068] At the stacking position K3, the pair of left and right
joggers 31 is opened, the leading end side of the jogged sheet
bundle 110 is dropped on the stacking tray 3, and only the rear end
portion of the sheet bundle 110 is placed on the support 20. At
this point, the support 20 is retreated to drop and stack the rear
end portion of the sheet bundle 110 placed on the support 20 on the
stacking tray 3 (Step a16). When the sheet bundle 110 is dropped on
the stacking tray 3, the air escapes from the leading end side to
the rear end side of the dropped sheet bundle 110. Therefore, the
stacked sheet bundle 110 is not displaced by the air.
[0069] Thus, the operation to move the sheet bundle 110 in one of
the horizontal directions while the sheet bundle 110 is jogged at
the sheet discharge center position K1, open the pair of left and
right joggers 31 at the stacking position K2, and retreat the
support 20 to drop and stack the sheet bundle 110 on the stacking
tray 3, and the operation to move the sheet bundle 110 in the other
of the horizontal directions while the sheet bundle 110 is jogged
at the sheet discharge center position K1, open the pair of left
and right joggers 31 at the stacking position K3, and retreat the
support 20 to drop and stack the sheet bundle 110 on the stacking
tray 3 are repeated, and the sheet bundle 110 is stacked on the
stacking tray 3 while alternately displaced L3 (Step a17).
[0070] [One-Way Stacking Actuation in the Case that Stapling is not
Performed]
[0071] Steps a11 to a13 described in the shift stacking actuation
in the case that the stapling is not performed are repeatedly
performed, but actuation from Step a14 is not performed. Thus, the
operation to move the sheet bundle 110 in one of the horizontal
directions while the sheet bundle 110 is jogged at the sheet
discharge center position K1, open the pair of left and right
joggers 31 at the stacking position K2, and retreat the support 20
to drop and stack the sheet bundle 110 on the stacking tray 3 is
repeated, and the sheet bundle 110 is stacked on the stacking tray
3 while not alternately displaced.
[0072] [Shift Stacking Actuation in the Case that Stapling is
Performed]
[0073] The actuation in the case that the stapling is performed
will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. The pair of
left and right joggers 31 can horizontally be moved with respect to
the sheet discharge center position K1 at which the sheet 100 is
conveyed, and the right and left end faces of the sheet 100 are
jogged by the actuation of the pair of left and right joggers 31
based on the sheet discharge center position K1. The rear end
portion of the sheet 100 is supported by the support 20 located at
the progressing position (Step a21).
[0074] After the right and left end faces of the sheet 100 are
jogged, the right and left end faces of the sheet bundle 110 are
moved rightward from the sheet discharge center position K1 while
sandwiched by the pair of left and right joggers 31, and the sheet
bundle 110 is stapled at a stapling position K4 using the stapling
means (Step a22). After the stapling, the right and left end faces
of the sheet bundle 110 are moved leftward while sandwiched between
the pair of left and right joggers 31, and the sheet bundle 110 is
returned to the stacking position K2 (Step a23).
[0075] At the stacking position K2, the pair of left and right
joggers 31 is opened, the leading end side of the stapled sheet
bundle 110 is dropped on the stacking tray 3, and only the rear end
portion of the sheet bundle 110 is placed on the support 20. At
this point, the support 20 is retreated to drop and stack the rear
end portion of the sheet bundle 110 placed on the support 20 on the
stacking tray 3 (Step a24).
[0076] Then, the pair of left and right joggers 31 is moved to the
sheet discharge center position K1, the right and left end faces of
the next-sent sheet 100 are jogged by the actuation of the pair of
left and right joggers 31 based on the sheet discharge center
position K1, and the rear end portion of the sheet bundle 110 is
supported by the support 20 located at the progressing position
(Step a25).
[0077] After the right and left end faces of the sheet 100 are
jogged, the right and left end faces of sheet bundle 110 are moved
rightward while sandwiched by the pair of left and right joggers
31, and the stapling means performs the stapling at the stapling
position K4 (Step a26). After the stapling, the right and left end
faces of the sheet bundle 110 are moved leftward while sandwiched
between the pair of left and right joggers 31, and the sheet bundle
110 is returned to the stacking position K3 (Step a27).
[0078] At the stacking position K3, the pair of left and right
joggers 31 is opened, the leading end side of the stapled sheet
bundle 110 is dropped on the stacking tray 3, and only the rear end
portion of the sheet bundle 110 is placed on the support 20. At
this point, the support 20 is retreated to drop and stack the rear
end portion of the sheet bundle 110 placed on the support 20 on the
stacking tray 3 (Step a28).
[0079] Thus, the operation to move the sheet bundle 110 in one of
the horizontal directions while the sheet bundle 110 is jogged at
the sheet discharge center position K1, and staple the sheet bundle
110 at the stapling position K4 using the stapling means 40, the
operation to move and open the pair of left and right joggers 31 at
the stacking position K2, and retreat the support 20 to drop and
stack the sheet bundle 110 on the stacking tray 3, the operation to
move the sheet bundle 110 in one of the horizontal directions while
the sheet bundle 110 is jogged at the sheet discharge center
position K1, and staple the sheet bundle 110 at the stapling
position K4 using the stapling means 40, and the operation to move
and open the pair of left and right joggers 31 at the stacking
position K3, and retreat the support 20 to drop and stack the sheet
bundle 110 on the stacking tray 3 are repeated, and the sheet
bundle 110 is stacked on the stacking tray 3 while alternately
displaced L3 (Step a29).
[0080] [One-Way Stacking Actuation in the Case that Stapling is
Performed]
[0081] Steps a21 to a24 described in the shift stacking actuation
in the case that the stapling is performed are repeatedly
performed, but the actuation from Step a25 is not performed. Thus,
the operation to move the sheet bundle 110 in one of the horizontal
directions while the sheet bundle 110 is jogged at the sheet
discharge center position K1, and staple the sheet bundle 110 at
the stapling position K4 using the stapling means 40, and the
operation to move and open the pair of left and right joggers 31 at
the stacking position K2, and retreat the support 20 to drop and
stack the sheet bundle 110 on the stacking tray 3 are repeated, and
the sheet bundle 110 is stacked on the stacking tray 3 while not
alternately displaced.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0082] The invention is applied to the sheet post-processing
apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus such as the
copying machine and the printer, the sheet bundle is stacked while
not displaced, the stacking property of the sheet bundle is
improved, and the sheet receiving time can be shortened to improve
the productivity.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0083] 1 sheet post-processing apparatus [0084] 2 apparatus body
[0085] 3 stacking tray [0086] 10 sheet conveying means [0087] 11
conveying guide [0088] 12 conveying roller [0089] 20 support [0090]
30 jogger and stack means [0091] 31 pair of left and right joggers
[0092] 31a lower guide [0093] 31b upper guide [0094] 34c coupling
guide [0095] 32 slide lever [0096] 33 protrusion [0097] 34 arm
[0098] 35 auxiliary lever [0099] 36 link [0100] 37 safety switch
[0101] 38 moving body [0102] 40 stapling means [0103] 50 sheet
bundle holder [0104] 100 sheet [0105] 110 sheet bundle [0106] 200
conveyance driving means [0107] 201 support driving means [0108]
202 jogger driving means [0109] 203 jogger movement driving means
[0110] 300 control device
* * * * *