JPH05229727A - Recording papersheet folder and folding of recording papersheet - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To form a simple envelop by automatically folding a specified recording papersheet into two, and by inserting and placing a recording papersheet that is not folded into two, into the folded papersheet. CONSTITUTION:A recording papersheet folder is provided with a bin 3 serving as a plurality of recording papersheet storing means for sorting, a proof tray 5 serving as a recording papersheet storing means for non-sorting, a sorter route 7b serving as a first guiding route for guiding the recording papersheet discharged out of the side of an image formation device to the bin 3, a proof route 7a serving as a second guiding route for guiding the recording papersheet discharged out of the side of the image formation device to the proof tray 5, first, third folding rollers 13a, 13c serving as folding means for preferentially switching between the proof route 7a and the sorter route 7b and for folding the recording papersheet into two, and a turning guide 15, while the carrier direction of the recording papersheet is chosen by the turning guide 15, and when the recording papersheet is reversed, it is folded into two at the center part of the recording papersheet by the first and the third folding rollers.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique relating to post-processing for processing an image-formed recording sheet attached to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser printer. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording paper folding apparatus that can form a simple envelope by sandwiching an image-formed normal recording paper in a cover recording paper that is folded in half and a method therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Paper post-processing apparatuses for sorting sheets on which images are formed, binding them by stapling, and punching holes by punching have been known. As a post-processing device of this type, for example, JP-A-1-236151
The technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication is known. According to this technique, a sheet post-processing apparatus is provided with a sheet carrying-in port at a position facing a sheet discharging port of a host device, and a sheet carried into the sheet carrying-in port is carried to a sheet processing section by a sheet carrying means. Timing detecting means for detecting the timing at which the sheet can be pulled out from the host device, sheet conveying speed varying means for varying the sheet conveying speed by the sheet conveying means, and the sheet conveying speed varying means are operated based on the detection signal of the timing detecting means. And a sheet conveying speed increasing means for increasing the sheet conveying speed, and is intended to perform the sheet processing at a high speed.

Another example is Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 64-3837.
There is a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4 publication. This known technique uses an intersheet mode in a recording apparatus having an intersheet mode in which a separator sheet of recording sheets discharged in the same sheet discharge section in page order of originals is fed and inserted into a separator sheet feeding section. And an insert page setting means for setting the insert page of the separator sheet in the above, and a separator sheet inserting means for inserting the separator sheet into the corresponding page of the recording paper according to the set value of the insert page, and further, a predetermined setting operation Is designed to insert a separator sheet in front of the first page of the recording paper and insert a separator sheet as a cover sheet in front of the first page of the discharged recording paper to improve usability. It is a thing.

By the way, in the former known technique, the sheets are sorted and conveyed to the sorting bin at a high speed, and a bundle of sheets is bound by, for example, a stapler. In the latter known technique, the sorting bin is not used. Instead, an intersheet, that is, a so-called interleaf sheet is inserted into a copy and divided into each bundle.

[0005]

In these known techniques, sheets on which images are formed are sorted by a sort bin or an intersheet. And
After being sorted, bound and put together, they will be divided into the people who need it.

On the other hand, in general, one of the communication between departments within a company is delivery of a copied document or a printed out document. At the time of this delivery, the documents may be delivered directly between familiar departments, but when delivering this means between remote departments, these documents are once stored in envelopes, files, etc. It is often delivered in the form of in-house mail by filling out the cover page. However, there is a troublesome point in delivering by envelope or file like this. This troublesome thing is that you have to pay each time you deliver a copied document or a printed document to an envelope, file, etc., enter the recipient name on the cover page, or a specific format with the recipient name The paper must be attached to the front cover, and if there are multiple recipients of the document, these operations must be repeated. That is, even if the copied documents and the printed out documents are efficiently sorted and sorted as in the above-mentioned conventional example, it is necessary to put them in an envelope or file them. ..

The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances of the prior art as described above, and an object thereof is to automatically fold a predetermined recording paper into two and insert a recording paper which is not folded into two into it. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording paper folding device capable of stacking and forming a simple envelope and a method for folding the recording paper.

[0008]

To achieve the above object, a first means is a plurality of sort recording paper accommodating means,
The non-sorting recording sheet accommodating unit, the first guide path for guiding the recording sheet ejected from the image forming apparatus side to the sorting recording sheet accommodating unit, and the recording sheet ejected from the image forming apparatus side A second guide path for guiding to the non-sorting recording paper accommodating means,
The first and second guide paths are selectively switched and a recording paper folding unit that folds the recording paper in half is provided.

The second means guides the plurality of sorting recording paper accommodating means, the non-sorting recording paper accommodating means, and the recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus side to the sorting recording paper accommodating means. A first guide path, a second guide path for guiding the recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus side to the non-sorting recording paper accommodating means, and a second guiding path for folding and reversing the recording paper. It has a structure including sheet folding / reversing means for performing on a road.

The third means guides the plurality of sort recording paper accommodating means, the non-sort recording paper accommodating means, and the recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus side to the sort recording paper accommodating means. A first guide path, a second guide path for guiding the recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus side to the non-sorting recording paper accommodating means, and a recording paper for guiding the recording paper to the second guide path. And three rotating rollers that rotate in one direction.

The fourth means guides the plurality of sort recording paper accommodating means, the non-sorting recording paper accommodating means, and the recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus side to the sorting recording paper accommodating means. A first guide path, a second guide path for guiding the recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus side to the non-sorting recording paper accommodating means, and a direction for reversing the recording paper in the second guide path. It is configured to include three rotating rollers that rotate.

A fifth means is a locking means for locking the recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus side and being conveyed and stopping the conveyance state of the recording paper, and a substantially middle portion of the recording paper. A sheet folding means for folding the sheet using a rotating body, and a locking timing setting means for setting the locking timing of the locking means according to the size of the recording paper.

In the sixth means, the locking means in the fifth means is composed of a pair of rotating bodies for conveying the recording paper, and the rotating bodies are stopped at the timing set by the locking timing setting means. It is configured.

In the seventh means, the locking means in the fifth means is composed of a guide member arranged along the conveyance path of the recording paper, and is a guide member according to the timing set by the locking timing setting means. It is configured to sandwich the recording paper.

The eighth means has an envelope creating mode for creating an envelope and a sheet folding mode for folding the recording paper from the middle to two, and the recorded recording paper is discharged from the image forming apparatus side and conveyed. When the recording surface is upward, the locking timing setting means in the fifth means is configured to set the locking timing slightly earlier in the envelope creating mode than in the sheet folding mode.

The ninth means has an envelope creation mode for creating an envelope and a sheet folding mode for folding the recording paper from the middle to two, and the recorded recording paper is discharged from the image forming apparatus side and conveyed. When the recording surface is downward, the locking timing setting means in the fifth means is configured to set the locking timing slightly later in the envelope creating mode than in the sheet folding mode.

The tenth means is constructed so that the timing set by the locking timing setting means in the eighth and ninth means is changed according to the size of the recording paper.

The eleventh means is a first conveying means for guiding the recording paper that has been discharged from the image forming apparatus and is carried in, and the recording paper guided by the first conveying means is nipped and conveyed. By the first and second rotating bodies, the first and third rotating bodies that sandwich and convey the recording paper subsequently to the first and second rotating bodies, and the first and third rotating bodies. Second conveying means for guiding the conveyed recording paper,
A third conveying unit that reverses the first and third rotating bodies and guides the recording sheet in a direction different from that of the second conveying unit, and a recording sheet conveying unit that is disposed along the third conveying unit. And the first and second rotating bodies are reversed, the recording paper stopped by the stopping means is folded, and the folded recording paper is conveyed from the first conveying means to the third conveying means. It is configured to include a fourth conveying means.

A twelfth means is in contact with a first rotating body which rotates in the first direction and is in contact with the first rotating body at a first position, and is in a second direction opposite to the first rotating body. A second rotating body that rotates in the second direction, and a third rotating body that contacts the first rotating body at a second position downstream of the first position in the rotation direction of the first rotating body and rotates in the second direction. The conveying step of conveying the recording sheet by the rotating body, the reversing step of reversing the recording sheet conveyed in the conveying step by reversing the first, second, and third rotating bodies, and the recording reversed in the reversing step. A stopping step of restricting and stopping the progress of the paper in the reversing direction and a folding step of folding the substantially central portion of the recording paper stopped in the stopping step at the first position of the first and second rotating bodies in the reverse state. It consists of and.

[0020]

In the first means, the first and second guide paths are switched to select the discharge destination as either the sorting recording paper accommodating means or the non-sorting recording paper accommodating means, whereby the sorting recording is carried out. The recording paper is stored in the paper storage means or the non-sorting recording paper storage means. Further, the folding of the recording paper is performed by the recording paper folding means which also serves as a means for switching the guide path.

In the second means, the recording paper is folded in two along the second guide path for guiding the non-sorting recording paper accommodating means, inverted and conveyed to the first guide path side, and the recording for sorting is carried out. It is discharged to the paper accommodating means.

In the third means, the recording paper is guided to the second guide path by one pair of three rotating rollers and conveyed to the non-sorting recording paper accommodating means side. By restricting the progress, the sheet is folded in half by being reversed by the other pair, and is discharged from the first guide path into the sorting recording sheet accommodating means.

In the fourth means, the recording paper is guided to the second guide path by one pair of three rotating rollers and conveyed to the non-sorting recording paper accommodating means side. By restricting the progress, the sheet is reversed by the other pair and discharged from the first guide path to the sorting recording sheet accommodating means.

In the fifth means, the recording sheet ejected from the image forming apparatus is stopped and stopped by the locking means at an arbitrary point in the course of being conveyed to the recording sheet accommodating apparatus side. From this stopped state, the recording paper is folded in half at a substantially middle portion of the recording paper. The sheet folding means is composed of a rotating body, and the folded portion is sandwiched and folded in the nip in the process of conveying the pair of rotating bodies. The position of the folded portion is arbitrarily set according to the timing set by the formation timing setting unit according to the size of the recording paper.

In the sixth means, the locking means in the fifth means is composed of a pair of rotating bodies used directly for conveying the recording paper, and the recording paper is stopped by stopping this rotating body. The stop timing is set by the lock timing setting means.

In the seventh means, the locking means in the fifth means is composed of a guide member provided along the conveying path of the recording paper, and when the recording paper is stopped, the guide member is operated to move the recording paper. It is performed by sandwiching it in the transport path.
This stop timing is also set by the locking timing setting means.

In the eighth and ninth means, the envelope making mode in which only the recording paper corresponding to the front cover is folded in two at the substantially central portion of the recording paper, and the predetermined recording paper is changed from the middle to two. In the envelope creating mode, the recording sheets are stacked and sandwiched between the notation recording sheets, and therefore folding in the middle makes it difficult to mechanically open.

Therefore, in order to open one cover portion, it is folded in two at a position slightly displaced from the center. Therefore, if the recording surface of the recording paper is facing upward, it is necessary to form an image from the last page of the document and stack the recording paper on the cover recording paper in order from the last page to the youngest page. And eject the cover recording sheet. Therefore, the timing of folding the recording paper is set slightly earlier than in the sheet folding mode. On the other hand, when the recording surface of the recording paper is facing down, the image is formed from the first page of the document, and the recording paper is placed in the order from the first page to the oldest page so that the recording surface of the paper is on the outside. And eject the cover recording sheet. Therefore, the timing of folding the recording paper is set slightly later than in the sheet folding mode.

In the tenth means, since the timing set by the locking timing setting means is deflected to the proper timing depending on the size of the recording paper, the folding position can be always properly set according to the size of the recording paper.

In the eleventh means, the recording paper is sandwiched between the first conveying means and the nip between the first and second rotating bodies, and is guided to the second conveying means side so as to be guided to the first and third rotating bodies. To be delivered to. Then, it is sandwiched by the nip of the first and third rotating bodies, sent to the side of the second transport means, and transported along the second transport means. Then, the first and third rotating bodies are reversed to reverse the recording paper to the third conveying means side,
It is conveyed along the third conveying means. When the predetermined amount is conveyed along the third conveying means, the stopping means obstructs the conveyance of the recording paper and stops the conveyance. However, the rotation of the first and third rotating bodies is continued, whereby the recording paper is guided to the first and second nip sides, and after the folds are formed by both rotating bodies, the recording medium side is moved to the fourth conveying means side. Is guided to return to the third conveying means from the fourth conveying means, and the sheet is discharged.

In the twelfth means, the recording sheet is conveyed by the first, second and third rotating bodies in the conveying step, and the recording sheet is reversed in the reversing step. Conveyance of the recording sheet reversed in the reversing step is regulated in the stopping step, and in the folding step, the recording sheet stopped due to the regulation is folded in half by the first and second rotating bodies.

[0032]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are illustrated up to the first, second and third embodiments, and the configurations and operations are different depending on each embodiment. It shows in.

1. First embodiment 1.1. Schematic configuration 1.2. Operation 1.2.1. In case of normal paper discharge using proof path 1.2.2. In the case of paper discharge using the sorter path 1.2.3. Sheet folding and sorting 1.3. Control system 1.4.1. Overall control procedure 1.4. Proof tray discharge control 1.4.1. When discharging the recording paper to the proof tray 1.4.2. When folding the cover recording paper and discharging it to the sorter bin 1.3.3. Emission control to sorter 2. Second embodiment 2.1 Schematic configuration of sheet folding / reversing mechanism 2.2 Operation 2.3 Control circuit 2.4. Control procedure 2.4.1. Control when discharging to proof tray 2.4.2. Control for folding the cover recording sheet and discharging it to the sorter 2.4.3. When ejecting normal recording paper onto the cover paper that is folded in half Third embodiment 3.1. Schematic configuration 3.2. Operation 3.2.1. In the case of normal paper output using the proof path 3.2.2. In the case of reversing paper discharge using the sorter path 3.2.3. In the case of a paper feeding path using the sorter path 3.2.4. When folding and sorting sheets 3.3. Operation control 3.4. Control procedure 3.4.1. When discharging to proof tray 3.4.2. When folding the cover recording sheet and discharging it to the sorter section 3.3.3. When ejecting normal recording paper into the cover paper that is folded in half 4. Folded sheet lift mechanism 4.1. Outline of operation 4.2. Lift bar drive mechanism 1. First embodiment 1.1. Schematic Configuration FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic internal structure of a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. In the figure, a post-processing apparatus 1 includes a 20-stage bin 3, a proof tray 5, and a sheet conveying path 7, and a sheet receiving port 9 formed on the side surface of the main body is a copying machine as an image forming apparatus (not shown). It is attached to the copying machine so as to face the paper discharge port.

A sheet discharged from a sheet discharge roller provided at a sheet discharge port of the copying machine is carried into the receiving port 9, and an inlet guide plate 11 is provided at the inlet thereof. Three folding rollers 13a, 13b, 13c are provided on the most downstream side of the entrance guide plate 11 in the sheet conveying direction, and a turn guide for further switching the sheet conveyance is provided on the downstream side of these folding rollers 13a, 13b, 13c. 15 are provided. When the turn guide 15 is at the position indicated by the solid line in the drawing, the sheet is conveyed to the upper part of the conveyance path 7 (hereinafter referred to as the proof path 7a), and when it is at the position indicated by the dotted line, it is below the conveyance path 7. The sheet is conveyed to a portion (hereinafter referred to as a sorter path 7b).

In the proof path 7a, a stop roller 17, which stops the conveyance of the conveyed sheet by sandwiching the conveyed sheet at an arbitrary timing, a conveyance roller 19, and a discharge roller 21 are sequentially arranged from the upstream side in the conveyance direction to guide plates. Sheets that are sequentially provided along the position 16 up to the position where the proof tray 5 is disposed and are conveyed by the conveying rollers 19 are discharged to the proof tray 5 by the discharge rollers 21. In the sorter path 7b, the skew rollers 23 and 25 for skewing the sheet in a predetermined direction to align the discharge positions, and the transport roller 2
7 and 29 are sequentially provided along the guide plate 31 up to the sheet deflection unit 33.

In the drawing of the deflecting unit 33, 20 stages of bins 3a and 3b are arranged from above along a deflection path 35 extending vertically upward.
... 3t (generally, a bin is indicated by reference numeral 3 below) is provided, and the deflection section discharge rollers 37a, 37b ... 37t (hereinafter, referred to as a follower roller) including driven rollers are provided on the opening side of each bin 3a to 3t. A deflecting section discharge roller is generally indicated by reference numeral 37) and deflecting claws 39a, 39b ... 39t (hereinafter, the deflecting claws are generally indicated by reference numeral 39) are respectively provided. Further, on the opening side of each bin 3, a lift bar 40a as an opening interval expanding means for opening the cover recording sheet,
40b ... 40t (hereinafter, a lift bar is generally indicated by reference numeral 40) are provided. The stop roller 17 is driven independently of the other rollers by a drive motor (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the bin portion showing the bin 3, stapler 41, chuck 43 and jogger 45 of the post-processing apparatus 1. The jogger 45 is provided with a jogger rod 47 penetrating all the stages of the bottle 3, and a chuck 43 is shown in the drawing.
The chuck 4 is a known device that aligns papers in a certain direction.
Reference numeral 3 is a known stapler which aligns the sheets by the jogger 45, grasps the bundle of sheets, pulls it out to the stapling position by the stapler 41, staples it at the pulled-out position, and then returns it to its original position. Four
Since 1 is a known one for binding the sheet bundle that has been pulled by the chuck 43, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

As shown in the side view of the slanted portion in FIG. 3, the slanting rollers 23 and 25 are slantingly connected to the rotary shafts 23a and 2a of the rollers.
5a is provided and the sheet is conveyed on the basis of the guide 49 by deflecting the sheet toward the guide 49 side. Similarly, detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

1.2. Operation Next, the operation of the post-processing device will be described. In general,
Sorter to be attached to the discharge side of the copier (post-processing device 1)
, The sheet discharge path is switched at the branch portion between sorting (sort path) and normal sheet discharge (proof path). In this embodiment, the branch portion is also used as the sheet folding section. ..

Here, an outline of each paper discharge pattern will be described. 1.2.1. In the case of normal paper discharge using the proof path After fixing in the copying machine, a paper discharge roller 75 (not shown in FIG.
The sheet discharged from 3) is guided into the sorter by the entrance guide plate 11 and pulled by the folding rollers 13a (left rotation) and the folding roller 13b (right rotation). The tip is guided to the proof path and the stop roller 17
Will be sent to. The angle θ between the tangent line S of the folding rollers 13a and 13b and the wall surface of the proof path 7a is about 60 degrees (FIG. 5A).

Further, the folding roller 1 is arranged so that the leading edge of the sheet reaches the stop roller 17 before the trailing edge of the copyable minimum size sheet passes through the folds 13a and 13b.
The distance L from the contact points 3a and 13b to the stop roller 102 is set shorter than the width of the minimum size sheet that can be copied (FIG. 5B).

1.2.2. In the case of paper discharge using the sorter path The sheet discharged from the copying machine is pulled by the folding roller 13a (left rotation) and the folding roller 13b (right rotation), and the sheet is rotated depending on the inclination angle of the tangent line S of the folding rollers 13a and 13b. The tip goes to the proof path 7a.
At this time, the leading edge of the sheet is the folding roller 13a.
5b and 13b, they are moved to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 5 (a), directed downward along the waiting turn guide 15, and guided to the sorter path 7b by the folding rollers 13b and 13c.

1.2.3. When Folding and Sorting Sheets The sheet discharged from the copying machine is pulled by the folding rollers 13a (left rotation) and the folding rollers 13b (right rotation), and the sheet tip ends depending on the inclination angle of the tangent line S of the folding rollers 13a and 13b. Are guided to the proof 7a path. When the leading edge of the sheet further advances, stop roller 1
When the folded portion of the sheet (substantially the middle portion in the sheet length direction) reaches the folding rollers 13a and 13b, the stop roller 17 stops its rotation by turning off a drive motor (not shown). At this time, since the folding rollers 13a, 13b, 13c continue to rotate, the folded portion of the sheet bends downward and is gripped by the folding rollers 13b and 13c. While being folded in half, the folded portion becomes the sheet leading end and becomes the sorter path 7b. Be led to. The timing of stopping the rotation of the stop roller at this time changes according to the sheet size detected by a sensor (not shown). The position of the folded portion can be arbitrarily changed by selecting the stop timing of the stop roller.

For example, in normal sheet folding, the sheet is folded in half, but in the package mode, the stop roller stop timing is set earlier than in the normal mode in the case of front surface discharge, and in the case of back surface discharge. The stop timing of the stop roller is delayed compared to the normal mode. In this way, the upper part of the folded sheet is slightly lengthened on the discharge tray, and a part (folding margin) on which the lift bar 40 for expanding the sheet interval is caught is provided. It is desirable that this folding allowance is as small as possible because it is due to the deviation between the front cover and the back cover during simple packaging. Therefore, the stop timing of the stop roller is finely adjusted so that the folding margin also changes according to the sheet size detected as described above. An example is shown below.

In the case of front surface discharge (A3): The stop roller 17 is stopped earlier than in the passing mode,
In addition, the stop roller is stopped in Xsec after the sheet front end is detected by a predetermined sensor.

Folding margin: A mm (Fig. 42)
(A)) In the case of front surface discharge (B4): The stop timing of the stop roller 17 is set earlier than in the normal mode, and the stop roller is stopped at Ysec after the sheet front end is detected by a predetermined sensor.

Folding margin: B mm (Fig. 42)
(See (b)) By adjusting the stop timing of the stop roller in this way, one stop roller can be used in place of the sheet stoppers that were required in the past depending on the sheet size.

In the present invention, since the sheet is discharged from the copying machine on the back side, the copy surface is on the outer side after being folded in two.

The details of the above-described schematic operation will be described below. In this post-processing apparatus 1, the cover recording sheet CS and the normal recording sheet CY are handled differently. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the cover sheet recording sheet CS discharged from the sheet discharge roller of the copying machine.
Is carried into the post-processing apparatus 1 from the sheet receiving port 9, is sandwiched by the nip of the folding rollers 13a and 13b which constantly rotate in the arrow direction along the inlet guide plate 11, and is conveyed.
At this time, the turn guide 15 is on standby at the position indicated by the solid line, and the front end of the cover sheet recording paper CS conveyed by the folding rollers 13a and 13b is directed upward when being fed out from the folding rollers 13a and 13b. This is
As shown in, the tangent line S at the nip between the folding rollers 13a and 13b forms an acute angle θ with respect to the side wall of the proof path 7a, and when the leading edge of the recording sheet hits the side wall, the cover sheet recording sheet CS is bent upward. It is sent to the roller 17.
At this time, the turn guide S that drives the turn guide 15
The OL 67 is off, and the turn guide 15 is retracted from the transport path.

The stop roller 17 is stopped by turning off a driving motor (not shown) at a predetermined timing according to the size of the cover sheet CS. Even if the stop roller 17 stops rotating, the folding rollers 13a and 13b continue to rotate, so that the cover sheet CS is bent as shown in FIG. When the cover sheet CS is bent in this manner, the bent portion is held by the folding rollers 13b and 13c, and is folded into two and conveyed to the lower conveyance section 7b.

The force with which the stop roller 17 holds the cover sheet CS is determined by the folding rollers 13b and 13c.
When the folding rollers 13b and 13c grip the cover recording sheet CS, the cover recording sheet CS is pulled in, and the cover recording sheet CS slips at the nip portion of the stop roller 17 so that the cover recording sheet CS slips. Be transported to. It is folded in two by the folding rollers 13b and 13c, and the lower conveyance unit 7
The cover recording sheet CS conveyed to the sheet b is an oblique roller 23,
The sheet is moved from the center reference to the end face reference on the front side by 25 and is conveyed to the conveying roller 27.

The cover sheet recording sheet CS that has been conveyed to the conveying roller 27 is conveyed from the conveying roller 27 to the conveying roller 29, and further, the conveying roller 29 causes the sheet deflecting unit 33.
And is conveyed to the deflection path 35. The cover sheet recording paper CS conveyed to the deflection path 35 by the conveyance roller 29 is deflected by the deflection section discharge roller 37 arranged along the deflection path 35 and the driven roller arranged on the opposite side thereof.
Is conveyed upward. Then, during this conveyance, the cover recording sheet CS is discharged to the designated bin 3 by driving the deflecting claw 39 designated by a solenoid (not shown). It should be noted that each of the deflecting claws 39 is individually provided with a solenoid so that the deflecting claws can be independently operated, and each of the deflecting claws 39 is opened and closed by the solenoid according to a designated mode condition. The image-formed sheet including the cover recording sheet CS is guided to the bin 3, ejected, and stacked on the bin 3.

In this way, the cover recording sheets CS are copied and sorted by the designated number of copies, and after being folded in two, they are conveyed to the designated bin 3 and discharged. The cover sheet CS conveyed to the bin 3 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
Is driven, and the copy surface CSu on the upper side of the cover sheet CS that has been folded in half is lifted. This operation is executed after the cover recording sheets CS for the designated number of copies are completely discharged to the bin 3.

After the copy surface CSu on the upper side of the cover recording sheet CS is opened in this way, the processing of the normal recording sheet to be inserted into the cover recording sheet CS is started. This normal recording paper C
After Y is copied by the copying machine, it is not transported to the proof route 7a but directly transported to the sorter route 7b and guided to the bin 3. That is, the normal recording paper CY is carried into the post-processing apparatus 1 from the sheet receiving port 9 after the image formation, and the entrance guide plate 1
1, the nip position of the folding rollers 13a and 13b is reached. At this time, the turn guide 15 is advanced to the position indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 1, and the normal recording paper CY conveyed by the folding rollers 13a and 13b is guided to the side surface of the turn roller 15 and guided to the nip between the folding rollers 13b and 13c. He is then guided to the sorter route 7b.

The normal recording paper CY which has been carried into the sorter path 7b is covered by the diagonal rollers 23 and 25 to cover the recording paper C.
Similar to S, the sheet is conveyed from the center reference to the front end face reference and is conveyed to the conveyance roller 27. The normal recording paper CY that has been transported to the transport roller 27 is further transported to the transport roller 29 by the transport roller 27, and the deflection path 35
Be transported to. The normal recording paper CY that has been conveyed to the deflection path 35 by the conveyance roller 29 is moved along the deflection path 35 in the same manner as the cover recording paper CS by the deflection section discharge roller 37 arranged in the deflection section 33 and the driven roller on the opposite side. Is conveyed and discharged by the drive of the deflecting claw 39 to the designated bin 3. As a result, the normal recording paper CY is sequentially inserted into the cover recording paper CS. As described above, by the number of copies set in advance in the operation unit (not shown) of the copying machine,
By performing the above-described operation, a sheet bundle in which the normal recording papers CY are stacked in the cover recording paper CS is formed.

In this way, when the preset number of normal recording sheets CY are stacked in the cover recording sheet CS and a predetermined number of copies are prepared, as shown in FIG. 8, the lift bar 40 is moved to the deflecting section discharge roller 37 side. Move to. As a result, the copy surface CSu on the upper side of the folded cover recording sheet CS, which has been sandwiched so far, falls on the normal recording sheet CY group that is stacked apart from the lift bar 40, and becomes the upper surface by the cover recording sheet CS. A bundle of normal recording paper CY whose lower surface is covered is formed.

When all the above operations are completed, the stapler 41 performs the stapling process on the normal recording paper CY bundle covered by the cover recording paper CS stacked in the bin 3 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the staples 51 are bound. As a result, a bag-bound sheet bundle as shown in FIG. 11 can be created. When the group of recording sheets is bound in this way, it becomes a simple envelope, and if the address is copied on the front cover part, it can be put in the mail as it is. As a result, it is possible to omit the conventional work of putting the recording sheet group in the envelope and writing the address. If the fold is cut, it can be used as a material with a front cover and a back cover as shown in FIG. The binding direction may be perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the sheet bundle as shown in FIG. 11 or may be parallel as shown in FIG. Further, the stapler 41 is attached downward so that the overlapping portion of the staples does not come to the cover side as shown in FIG.

This operation will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, a cover sheet recording paper C having an image G formed on its lower surface
S is discharged by the discharge roller 75 on the copying machine side, and the cover recording sheet C is carried into the post-processing apparatus 1 from the sheet receiving port 9.
The S is conveyed from the folding rollers 13a and 13b to the proof path 7a (FIG. 14). Then, the position of the cover sheet CS is regulated by the stop roller 17 in FIG. 15, and the rotation is continued in the same direction as described above.
As shown in 6, the image forming surface is outwardly folded in two,
It is guided to the sorter path 7b as shown in FIG. 17, and is sent to the deflection path 35 side by the transport roller 17 as shown in FIGS. The cover recording sheet CS conveyed upward in the conveying path 35 is discharged to the uppermost bin 3a (see FIG. 2).
0), and the sheets are further discharged in order from the top to a predetermined number of bins 3 (FIG. 21). When the discharge of a predetermined number of sheets is completed, the lift bar 40 opens the cover sheet CS (FIG. 22), the turn guide 15 advances into the conveyance path by turning on the turn guide SOL67 (FIG. 23), and the image G is formed on the lower surface. The conveyance direction of the normal recording paper CY is regulated, so that the normal recording paper CY is
Is conveyed to the sorter path 7b side by the folding rollers 13a, 13b, 13c (FIG. 24).

Then, through the transport path 35 (FIG. 25,
26), the sheets are discharged in order from the first-stage bin 3a into the cover recording paper CS (FIG. 27), and all the normal recording paper CPs are discharged into the cover recording paper CS and accumulated in all the bins. Then (FIG. 28), the restriction position of the lift bar 40 is released, and the upper cover recording sheet CSu is closed (FIG. 29).

1.3. Control System The control system of the post-processing apparatus, which is roughly configured and operates as described above, will be continuously described. FIG. 30 shows a control block diagram of the post-processing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. The sheet post-processing apparatus 1 is equipped with a dedicated CPU 53 for controlling each load. The CPU 53 is interfaced with the main body control CPU of the copying machine through a serial communication line. By exchanging control commands / status signals and the like through this serial communication line, it is possible to integrally control the entire copying system including the post-processing device 1.

Entrance sensor 5 provided at the sheet receiving opening 9
Reference numeral 5 detects sheets such as the cover recording sheet CS and the normal recording sheet CY ejected from the main body of the copying machine 1. By controlling the stop timing of the stop roller drive motor 57 that drives the stop roller 17 based on this signal, the folding margin can be freely set according to the sheet size. The paper discharge sensor 58 provided in the vicinity of the upstream side of the paper discharge roller 21 in the conveying direction is the proof tray 5.
The sheet discharged to the sheet is detected, and is used for detecting a paper jam and detecting a job end in the proof tray discharge mode.

The first bin inlet sensor 59 discharges sheets to the first to 10th bins (3a to 3j), and the second bin inlet sensor 61 discharges sheets to the 11th to 20th bins (3k to 3t). Each sheet is detected, and switching control of the deflecting claw SOL63 is performed based on the detection timing of the sheet trailing edge. It should be noted that these bin inlet sensors 59 and 61 are configured by light-transmitting photo sensors.

The post-processing apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as a sorter) 1 according to the embodiment includes a main drive motor 65 and a stop roller drive motor 57 as a sorter drive motor. The main drive motor 65 drives the transport rollers / rollers other than the stop roller 17. As the main drive motor 65, an AC synchronous motor excellent in constant speed rotation is adopted. The stop roller drive motor 57 independently drives only the stop roller 17. As the stop roller drive motor 57, a stepping motor having excellent position controllability is adopted, and the stop timing of the stop roller 17 at the time of sheet folding is controlled with high accuracy. Further, even when the stop roller 17 is stopped, the motor winding is excited to generate a holding torque and hold the cover sheet CS. The peripheral speed of the stop roller 17 can be set to the same speed as the paper discharge speed from the main body of the copying machine 300 mm / s, and the folding position of the cover sheet CS can be controlled only by the stop timing of the stop roller drive motor 57. I am trying.

The turn guide SOL67 is the turn guide 1
The turn guide 15 is driven between the two positions of the solid line position and the dotted line position by the on / off operation thereof.

The deflecting claws SOL63b to 63t are the second to the twentieth.
It is provided in the bin and drives the deflecting claws 39b to 39t of the respective bins 3b to 3t. In the sort mode, the deflection claws SOL63b to SOL6b are provided for each sheet of recording paper.
3t is sequentially turned on, and the sheets are distributed to the bins 3. The deflection claw SOL of the first bin on the most downstream side in the deflection path 35 is omitted.

Here, the overall control to individual control will be described in order. 1.3.1. Overall Control Procedure First, FIG. 31 shows a control flow of the entire copying system in the simple envelope mode in which the normal recording sheet CY is covered by the cover recording sheet CS. When a simple envelope mode key (not shown) provided on the operation panel is pressed, the simple envelope mode is selected (step S1). At this time, first, the recording paper size of the paper feed cassette set in the copying machine is checked. If all the recording papers have the vertical feed size (step S2) or all the horizontal feed size (step S3), the simple envelope mode is released (step S4). That is, the simple envelope mode is not accepted.

Next, the combination of recording papers is checked.
The area ratio is 2: 1 like A3 portrait and A4 landscape, and it is checked whether there is a combination of vertical feed for large size recording paper and horizontal feed for small size recording paper (step S5). If not present, the simple envelope mode is canceled (step S4). That is, the simple envelope mode is not accepted.

Next, in the check of the combination of the recording papers in step S5, the area ratio is 2: 1 like A3 length and A4 width.
If there is a combination of vertical feed for large size recording paper and horizontal feed for small size recording paper, APS is performed in step S6.
It is checked whether or not it is the (automatic paper selection) mode, and if it is not the APS mode, the normal recording paper size is selected (step S7). In the simple envelope mode, the area ratio between the cover recording sheet CS and the normal recording sheet CY is always 2: 1.
Therefore, if either the cover recording sheet CS or the normal recording sheet CY is designated, the other is uniquely determined. It is checked whether or not the selected normal recording paper CY is vertically fed (step S8), and if it is vertically fed, the copy prohibited state is set (step S9).

In this embodiment, when the normal recording paper CY is selected, the double-size cover recording paper CS is automatically selected. The two-size normal recording paper CY may be automatically selected. In this case, when the selected cover sheet CS is laterally fed, the copy inhibition state is set.

If the normal recording sheet CY is the lateral feed size in step S8, the size of the cover recording sheet CS is set, that is, the size of the normal recording sheet CY is set to twice (step S10), and then the cover sheet. If the paper out state is detected on either the recording paper CS or the normal recording paper CY (step S
11 and 12 (N), the no-paper display is turned on, and the copy prohibited state is set (step S13).

If both the cover recording sheet CS and the normal recording sheet CY are printed in step S11 and step S12, ON / OFF of the start key is checked (step S14), and if the start key is pressed, a copying operation is performed. To start. Then, it is checked whether the APS mode is set (step S15). If the APS mode is set, first, the cover document size and direction are detected and the cover recording sheet size is set (step S16). In this subroutine, when the detected cover original is vertically placed, the cover recording sheet CS uses the same paper size, and when it is horizontally placed, the cover recording sheet CS automatically selects the double size. When the process of step S16 is completed, the normal recording paper size is set (step S17). As the normal recording paper size, 1/2 size recording paper is automatically selected for the cover recording paper CS (step S18). In this selection operation, for example, when the cover original is A3 portrait or A4 landscape, A3 portrait is selected for the cover recording sheet CS and A4 landscape is selected for the normal recording sheet CY, and when the cover original is B4 portrait or B5 landscape, the cover recording sheet CS is selected. Is B4
Select B5 landscape for portrait and normal recording paper CY.

When the paper-out condition is detected in either the cover recording paper CS or the normal recording paper CY in steps S19 and S20, the paper-out display is turned on and the copying operation is interrupted (step S21).

As the first stage of the copying operation, first, the copying operation of the cover original is performed. At this time, the installation direction of the cover original is checked (step S22), and the copy operation for the cover recording sheet CS is switched. If the cover original is placed vertically, a copy image is formed on the entire surface of the cover recording sheet CS as in the normal copy mode (step S23 ... FIG. 3).
2). On the contrary, when the cover original is placed horizontally, the ON timing of the resist CL is advanced as compared with the normal copy mode to form a copy image on the latter half of the cover recording sheet CS (step S24 ... FIG. 33, FIG. 33). 34). Since the technique of shifting the copy image with respect to the recording paper has been established as the conventional binding margin creation mode, detailed description thereof will be omitted. Even when the cover document is installed in a direction different from that of the cover recording sheet CS, as shown in FIG.
The cover copy image can be positioned in front of the page. The copying machine main body in the present embodiment assumes that the recording paper is ejected with the image side facing downward (reverse paper ejection) and is copied from the last page of the original.

In this embodiment, since the usable cover recording sheet size is A3 portrait and B4 portrait, it is not possible to copy an A4 portrait document in the APS / actual size mode.
As another embodiment, in the case where the main body is of a type having an image rotating copy function such as a digital copying machine, when the detected cover original is placed vertically and the size is not copyable, the original image is automatically displayed. ° It is also possible to perform image rotation processing to form an image on copyable size recording paper (Fig. 3).
6).

When the process of step S23 or step S24 is completed, the cover sheet CS is folded in two at the folding / reversing portion in step S25, and is discharged to each bin 3 as described above.

When the discharge of all cover recording sheets CS to the sorter is completed (step S26), the seat lift SOL6
9 is turned on to raise the lift bar 40, and the cover recording sheet C
The upper surface of S is lifted (step S27). At this time, the sheet lift detecting means 71a to 71t detect whether or not the cover sheet CS can be normally lifted in each bin 3 (step S28).

Next, as the second stage of the copying operation, the copying operation of the normal original is started. First, the normal document size is detected (step S29). If the original is placed vertically, the original orientation incorrect display is turned on and the copy operation is interrupted (steps S30 and S31). In this embodiment, a general analog copying machine is assumed as the copying machine on the main body side.
As another embodiment, in the case where the main body side is equipped with an image rotation copying function such as a digital copying machine, when the detected normal document size is portrait, the 90 ° image rotation process of the document image is automatically performed. It is also possible to perform image formation on the lateral feed recording paper.

When the original is placed horizontally, the copy operation on the normal recording paper is started (steps S30 and S32).
When the sheet lift operation can be normally performed in all the bins 3 from which the cover sheet CS has been discharged, the same control as the conventional sorter is performed (steps S33, S3).
4). That is, the turn guide SOL67 is turned on to guide the normal recording paper to the lower conveyance path, in other words, from the sorter path 7b to the deflection path 35, and the normal recording paper is deflected by the deflection claw S one by one.
Switching control of OL63b-63t is performed.

On the other hand, when the sheet lift operation of the cover sheet CS is not normally performed in some of the bins, the turn guide SOL67 is switched to the bin 3 in which the abnormality is detected. The corresponding normal recording paper CY is discharged to the proof tray 5 (steps S33, S35).

When the processing of step S34 or step S35 is completed, and the copying of the predetermined number of sheets for all the normal originals is completed in step S36, and there is no next original (step S37), lift bar release SOL7.
3 is turned on to release the lift bar 40 (step S3
8) Then, the cover sheet that has been lifted is dropped and a stapling operation is performed (step S39). Finally, turn off the seat lift SOL69 and lift bar release SOL73.
Then, the lift bar 40 is lowered and returned to the original position (step S40).

The simple envelope mode of the present invention can be easily developed to the designated sheet magnification mode (AMS). For the cover original, the maximum magnification may be automatically selected within the range where the original image is not missing (FIG. 37). For a normal document, the same control as in the conventional AMS mode may be performed, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, a cover sheet is prepared by preparing a cover document and copying it. As another embodiment, a digital copying machine having image information storage means such as a memory card is used as a copying machine on the main body side, and a fixed destination format etc. previously stored in the memory card is image-formed on a cover recording sheet. It is easily conceivable to configure the above.

1.4. Proof tray discharge control 1.4.1. When discharging the recording paper to the proof tray When the sorter function is not used, the recording paper on which the image is formed (cover recording paper CS, normal recording paper CY) is discharged to the proof tray 15 without being discharged to the bin 3. . FIG. 38 shows a control procedure in this case, and FIG. 39 shows a timing chart.
Are shown respectively. When the sheet is discharged to the proof tray 5, after the leading edge of the recording sheet is detected by the entrance sensor 55, the stop roller drive motor 57 is activated while slowing it up (steps S51 and S52). At this time, the turn guide SOL67 is kept OFF as shown in the timing chart of FIG. Depending on the number of times the entrance sensor 55 is turned on, the number of sheets of recording paper entered can be determined by turning on the discharge sensor 58.
The number of discharged recording sheets is counted according to the number of times. When the number of ejected sheets and the number of entered sheets are equal, it is determined that the ejection of the final recording sheet is completed, the stop roller drive motor 57 is stopped (steps S53 and S54), and the ejection operation to the proof tray 15 is completed.

1.4.2. When the cover sheet is folded and discharged to the sorter bin, the image-formed cover sheet CS is folded and conveyed to the bin 3 side. The control procedure at this time is shown in FIG. 40, and its timing chart is shown in FIG. In this processing, when the leading edge of the cover sheet CS is detected by the entrance sensor 55 (step S61), the stop roller drive motor 57 is started while slowing down as can be seen from the timing chart of FIG. 41 (step S62). At the same time, T1 is set in a timer (not shown) with a built-in CPU and the timer is started (step S63). At this time, turn guide SOL67
Is turned off. T ₁ is a value determined by the recording paper length and the folding margin length, and is calculated by T ₁ = {(recording paper length + fold margin length) / 2 + entry sensor to paper folding position} / recording paper conveyance speed. As shown in FIGS. 42 (a) and 42 (b), the folding margin length is set to 6 mm in A3 length and 4 mm in B4 length. Therefore, T ₁ corresponding to each sheet is as follows. A3 vertical: T ₁ = {(420 + 6) / 2 + 40} / 300
= 843 ms B4 length: T ₁ = {(364 + 4) / 2 + 40} / 300
= 747 ms Then, when the timer counts up, it is determined that the paper folding timing has been reached (steps S64, S61, S6).
5) The stop roller drive motor 121 is stopped (step S66). This is repeated for each cover recording sheet CS.

The deflecting pawls SOL63-2 to 63-20 are all in the OFF state and stand by until the folded cover sheet recording sheet CS is conveyed to the sorter section. When the first bin inlet sensor 59 detects the trailing edge of the first cover recording sheet CS (steps S61, S65, S67), the deflection claw SOL6.
3-2 is turned on (step S68). When the rear edge of the next cover recording sheet CS is detected (steps S64, S61, S6)
5, S67), the deflecting claw SOL63-2 is turned off, and the deflecting claw SOL63-3 is turned on (step S68). This operation is repeated for each cover sheet CS. When the discharging of the final sheet is completed, the folding / sorting discharging operation is completed.

1.4.3. Discharge control to sorter Cover recording paper CS folded and stored in bin 3 of sorter
The normal recording paper CY is discharged so as to be sandwiched between the sheets. The control procedure at this time is shown in FIG. Also, normal recording paper C
FIG. 44 shows a timing chart when the sheet lift operation for ejecting Y into the cover recording sheet CS is normally performed, and FIG. 45 shows a timing chart when the sheet lift operation is abnormal.

In this control procedure, when the entrance sensor 55 detects the front end of the normal recording paper CY and the bin for ejecting the recording paper CY is a normal seat lift, the turn guide SOL is used.
67 is turned on (steps S71, S72, S73), and if the seat lift is abnormal, the turn guide SOL67 is turned off (steps S72, S74).

When the entrance sensor 55 detects the leading edge of the recording paper corresponding to the abnormal seat lift bin, the stop roller drive motor 57 is started while slowing it up (step S75). When the trailing edge of the last sheet of recording paper discharged to the proof tray 5 is detected by the paper discharge sensor 58 (step S
76) and stop roller drive motor 57 is stopped (step S77).

The deflecting claw SOL63 is the first normal recording paper C.
Only the bin 3a that discharges Y is turned on, and the other bins 3b to 3t
Is in the OFF state, and normally waits until the recording paper CY is conveyed to the sorter section. However, when the normal recording paper CY is discharged to the first bin 3a, all the deflection claws SOL
Turn off 63. Normal recording paper C with the bin inlet sensor 55
When the Y rear end is detected, the deflecting claw SOL1 that is currently ON
32 is turned off, and the deflecting claw SOL13 of the bin to be discharged next is
2 is turned on (steps S78 and S79). At this time, the bin that detects the seat lift abnormality is skipped. Each time the trailing edge of the normal recording paper CY is detected, the deflecting claw SOL is similarly switched (steps S80, S71, S76, S).
78, S79). The sorter discharging operation is completed when the discharging of the final sheet is completed.

2. Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, a folding roller 13a also serving as a conveyance roller,
The configuration is such that 13b and 13c are always rotated in the same direction to carry and fold the sheet to create a simple envelope. In addition to this, the copying machine includes folding rollers 13a and 13b. , 13c, another transport path for transporting the recording sheet may be provided to similarly make a simple envelope. The second embodiment will be described below. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and the duplicated description will be omitted.

2.1 Schematic Configuration of Sheet Folding / Reversing Mechanism FIG. 46 shows an outline of the sheet folding / reversing mechanism according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, a first path 81 for guiding a sheet to a discharge bin between a discharge section of a copying machine main body and a discharge path.
And a second pass 83 having a pass interval of about 2 mm for guiding the sheet in a direction different from the first pass 81 (a direction perpendicular to the first pass 81) is further provided. A sheet guide 85 rotatable by 180 degrees is provided at a branch point with respect to the path 83. In the non-sheet folding mode, the sheet guide 85 is located at the position a in FIG. 47, which shows the sheet folding / reversing mechanism in more detail, and closes the second path 83 and opens the first path 81. At times, before the leading edge of the sheet reaches the sheet guide 85, the sheet is guided to the second path 83 by moving the first path 81 to the position b that crosses the first path 81 at an angle of about 45 °. Then, when the entry of the sheet into the second path 83 is stopped, the sheet is retracted to the c position and the sheet is guided to the sheet folding step.

In the second path 224, simple sheet stoppers 87a, 87b, 87c (hereinafter, generally referred to as reference numeral 87).
Is shown). These sheet stoppers 87
47, 48, and 49, a, 87b, and 87c are installed rotatably about an axis in the middle of the paper path of the second path 83. These sheet stoppers 87a, 87b, 87c are the central L-shaped plate members 87-2.
And the stopper release bars 87-1 at both ends are integrated, and when the sheet front end pushes the stopper release bar 87-1 when the sheet enters the second path 83, the sheet stopper 87 rotates and L The letter-shaped plate material 87-2 is retracted from the paper path. Also, the tip of the sheet is the stopper release bar 87-1.
If is not pressed, the front end of the sheet abuts against the L-shaped plate member 87-2 and the second path 83 cannot be further entered. However, since the sheet conveying operation by the conveying rollers 89 is continued, the sheet is bent near the sheet guide 85 by being retracted to the folding roller 91 side (point c) at a proper timing, and is guided to the folding roller 91. ..

When the curved portion of the sheet reaches the folding roller 91, it is sandwiched between the folding rollers 91 and folded, and the folded portion serves as the leading end and is conveyed to the paper discharge path. At this time, the proof route 7a and the sorter route 7b are selected by the paper discharge route guide 93.
Is switched by.

The intervals between the stopper release bars 87-1 at both ends of the sheet stopper 87 are set to the sheet stoppers 87a and 8a.
Approximately 190 mm, 220 mm, 2 for 7b and 87c, respectively
Unlike 70 mm, the stopper functions or is released depending on the sheet size (FIG. 49).

For example, when an A4 size sheet having a width of 210 mm enters the second pass 83, the leading edge of the sheet pushes the stopper release bar 87a-1 of the sheet stopper 87a, so that the L-shaped plate member 87a-2 is moved from the sheet passing path. The sheet is retracted, and the leading edge of the sheet reaches the sheet stopper 87b. However, in the sheet stopper 87b, the leading end of the sheet is the stopper release bar 87b.
Since -1 cannot be pushed, the leading edge of the sheet advances to the sheet folding step without further advancing. However, the width is 297m
When the A3 size sheet of m enters the second path 83, the sheet front end pushes the stopper release bar 87a-1 of the sheet stopper 87a in the same manner as described above.
In a-2, the sheet passing path is saved, and the leading edge of the sheet further advances toward the sheet stopper 87b. The sheet stoppers 87b and 87c also operate in the same manner as 87a, the leading edge of the sheet reaches the end portion of the second path 83, and the sheet folding process starts.

By the way, instead of the sheet stoppers 87a, 87b, 87c in the above description of sheet folding, FIG.
The sheet stopper 95 provided with an elastic member having a large friction coefficient as shown in FIG.
In 87c, the sheet front end is protruded onto the conveyance path at the same timing as the sheet front end impedes entry into the second path 83 according to each sheet size, and the sheet conveyance on the front end side from the folding portion is stopped. In this way, the sheet can be folded. The sheet can be surely stopped by providing an elastic member having a large friction coefficient also at the facing position of the sheet stopper 95 when the sheet stopper 95 is projected and making the friction coefficient larger than that of the paper discharge roller 89.

[0097] The distance from the main body of the paper discharge roller 89 to the folding roller 91: L _b and the distance from the second path 83 to the folding rollers 91: L _a is a length in the conveyance direction of the smallest size sheet to be folded Letting c be the length of the maximum size sheet that can be folded in the transport direction, the relationship is L _b ≦ c / 2 and L _a ≦ d / 2. Specifically, since the B5 length of the smallest size sheet that can be folded is 257 mm, L _b ≦ 1
The maximum size sheet that can be folded is 28 mm and is A
Since 3 vertical is 420mm, L _a ≦ 210mm
Becomes As a result, normal sheet conveyance (first pass 8
The sheet folding and conveying using the first path 1) and the second path 83 can be performed by the conveying force of the sheet discharge roller 89 on the main body side.

2.2 Operation FIGS. 51 to 55 are explanatory views showing the operation in the second embodiment.

The cover sheet recording sheet CS discharged from the sheet discharging roller 91 of the copying machine is brought into contact with the sheet guide 85 at the position a and introduced into the second path 83, and a driving means (not shown) at a predetermined timing according to the sheet size. Is turned on, the sheet stopper 95 advances, and presses the cover recording sheet CS. When the cover sheet CS is pressed, as shown in FIG. 52, the cover sheet CS is sent by the discharge roller 89 of the copying machine, the cover sheet CS is bent, and the bent portion is folded in half by the folding roller 91. To be done. The cover sheet CS that has been folded in half is fed to the first path 81 by the folding roller 91.
53, and is conveyed into the sorter 1 through the paper discharge route guide 93 to the sorter route 7b as shown in FIG.

The cover sheet recording sheet CS conveyed to the sorter path 7b is conveyed to the bin 3 side by the conveying rollers 27 and 29 in a folded state as shown in FIG. Bottle 3
The cover recording sheets CS discharged to the side are sorted in the same manner as in the first embodiment (see FIGS. 20 to 26), and the cover recording sheets CSu on the upper side are lifted by the lift bar 40, and as described above in each bin 3. As shown in FIG. 55, the normal recording paper CY is stored in each cover recording paper CS. When the normal recording paper CY is conveyed, as described above, the sheet guide 8
No. 5 falls toward the copying machine side (position in FIG. 47a), and the second pass 8
The normal recording paper CY does not fit in the area 3.

2.3 Control Circuit FIG. 56 shows a control block diagram of the post-processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. Since most of the constituent elements of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 30, only different constituent elements will be described.

In this control block diagram, a sheet guide drive motor 97 in place of the stop roller drive motor 57 in FIG. 30, a sheet discharge path guide SOL99 in place of the turn guide SOL67, and a sheet guide 8 are shown.
A sheet guide home position sensor 101 is provided for driving the vehicle 5. The other components and functions are the same as those in FIG.

The sheet guide drive motor 97 drives the sheet guide 85. A stepping motor is adopted as the sheet guide drive motor 97, and the sheet guide 85 can be held at an arbitrary angle. The sheet guide HP sensor 101 is used to detect the home position (position a) of the sheet guide 85. Paper ejection route guide S
The OL 99 drives the paper discharge path guide 93. The paper discharge path guide SOL99 is turned on when the recording paper is discharged to the bin 3 side to advance into the paper passage path, and guides the recording paper to the sorter path 7b as described above.

2.4. Control procedure 2.4.1. Control when discharging recording paper discharged from the copying machine to the proof tray 5 is shown in FIG. 57, and a timing chart at that time is shown in FIG. 58. In this process, when the entrance sensor 55 detects the entrance of the recording paper (step S91), the sheet guide 85 is kept waiting at the position a (step S92), and when the discharging of the final paper is completed, the proof tray discharging operation is performed. Complete (step S9
3). When the sheet guide 85 is made to stand by at the position a in step S92, the sheet guide drive motor 97 is made to stand by at that position, and the sheet discharge path guide SOL99 is set.
Is turned off, and the discharge path guide 93 opens the proof path 7a side to guide it to the proof tray 5 side. Then, the number of sheets of recording paper that has entered is counted by the number of times the entrance sensor 55 is turned on, and the number of sheets of recording paper that is discharged is counted by the number of times the paper ejection sensor 58 is turned on. Then, it is determined in step S93 that the discharge of the final recording sheet is completed when the counted number of the entered sheet number and the counted number of the discharged sheet number match.

2.4.2. Control when Folding Cover Recording Paper to Flush to Sorter The cover recording paper CS ejected from the copying machine is folded in two into the bin 3 on the sorter side and discharged to create a simple envelope as shown in FIG. 59. Also, the timing chart at that time is shown in FIG. In this process, after the entrance sensor 55 detects the leading edge of the cover sheet CS, the sheet guide drive motor 97 is rotated to move the sheet guide 85 to the position b (steps S101 and S102), and the sheet discharge path guide SOL99 is turned on. .. At the same time, T2 is set and started in a timer with a built-in CPU (not shown) (step S10).
3). T2 is a value determined by the recording paper size, and is calculated by T2 = [entrance sensor to sheet stopper position] / recording paper transport speed. Therefore, T2 corresponding to each sheet is as follows: A3 vertical: T2 = 197/300 = 657 ms B4 vertical: T2 = 170/300 = 567 ms.

When the timer counts up (steps S104, S101, S105), the sheet guide drive motor 97 is further rotated to move the sheet guide 85 to the c position (step S106). Next cover chart C
When the entry of S is detected, the sheet guide drive motor 121
Is reversely rotated to return the sheet guide 225 to the b position (steps S101 and S102), and the CPU built-in timer T2 is started (step S103). The above operation is repeated for each cover recording sheet.

With all the deflecting claws SOL63b to 63t turned off, the cover sheet CS folded in two is placed in the sorter unit 2.
Wait until it is transported to. When the bin entrance sensor 59 detects the trailing edge of the first cover sheet CS (step S107), the deflecting claw SOL63b is turned on (step S108). When the trailing edge of the next cover recording sheet CS is detected (step S107), the deflecting claw SOL123-2 is turned off.
F, the deflection claw SOL123-3 is turned on (step S1).
08). This operation is repeated for each cover sheet CS. When the discharging of the final sheet is completed, the folding / sorting discharging operation is completed.

2.4.3. When normal recording paper is ejected from the folded cover recording paper The normal recording paper CY ejected from the copying machine is ejected into the folded cover recording paper CS of the bin 3 on the sorter side to form a simple envelope. FIG. 61 shows a processing procedure in the case of creating, and FIGS. 62 and 63 show timing charts at that time. 62 is a timing chart when the seat lift is normal, and FIG. 63 is a timing chart when the seat lift is abnormal.

In this process, first, the sheet guide 85 is kept waiting at the position a by the sheet guide drive motor 97 (step S111). Entrance sensor 5
When the leading edge of the normal recording paper CY is detected in step 5 and the bin 3 for ejecting the recording paper is normal in the sheet lift, the paper discharge path guide SOL99 is turned on (steps S113 and S11).
4) If the seat lift is abnormal, the paper discharge path guide SOL
99 is turned off (steps S113 and S115).

The deflecting claw SOL63 is the first normal recording paper C.
With only the bins 3 for ejecting Y turned on and all other bins 3 turned off, the normal recording paper CY waits until it is conveyed to the sorter unit 2. However, when the normal recording paper CY is discharged to the first bin 3a, all the deflecting claws SOL63 are OF
F When the bin entrance sensor 55 detects the trailing edge of the normal recording paper CY, the deflecting claw SOL63 that is currently turned on is turned off, and the deflecting claw SOL132 of the bin to be discharged next is turned on (steps S116, S112, S117, S11).
8). At this time, the bin that detects the seat lift abnormality is skipped. Each time the trailing edge of the normal recording paper CY is detected, the deflecting claw SOL63 is similarly switched. The sorter discharging operation is completed when the discharging of the final sheet is completed.

When the sorter discharging operation is completed, the stapler 41 binds the stapler 41 as described above to form a simple envelope.

3. Third embodiment 3.1. Schematic Structure An example in which the portion to be folded is changed from the first example is shown in FIGS. 64 and 65, respectively. In this embodiment, in the structure shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the folding rollers 13a, 13b and 13c are replaced by folding / reversing rollers 103a,
In 103b and 103c, the turn guide 15 is replaced with the turn guide 105, and a new path is provided on the downstream side of the turn guide 105 in the recording paper conveyance direction.

That is, the first path 109 is provided on the downstream side of the sheet discharge rollers of the copying machine, and the three folding / reversing rollers 1 are provided.
The second path 111 serving as a proof path, the fourth path 115 serving as a folding / reversing path, and the third path 113 serving as a sorter path are located on the downstream side in the transport direction of 03a, 103b, and 103c. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to the respective parts that can be regarded as equivalent to those of the above-described first embodiment and second embodiment, and duplicate description will be omitted.

3.2. Operations The folding, discharging, and reversing operations by the folding / reversing rollers 103a, 103b, and 103c will be described below with reference to FIGS. 66 to 82.

3.2.1. Normal paper discharge using the proof path The normal recording paper CY discharged from the copying machine is the first pass 10
9 (FIG. 66) (first) folding roller 103a
It is pulled by (left rotation) and (second) folding roller 103b (right rotation). Then, the folding roller 103a and the (third) folding roller 1 are arranged so that the front end of the normal recording paper CY is wound around the folding roller 103a by the turn guide 105 (shaded portion) that is rotated from the fixed position to the dotted line portion.
The sheet is pulled by 03c (clockwise rotation), guided to the second path 111 (FIG. 67), and discharged to the proof tray 5 by the conveyance roller 19. The turn guide 105 returns to the fixed position when the leading edge of the sheet enters the second path 111.

3.2.2. In the case of reverse sheet discharge using the sorter path 3.2.1. As described above, the leading edge of the recording paper is conveyed to the proof path 7a (second pass 111), and the trailing edge of the recording paper is folded. When the reversing rollers 103a and 103b are removed, the folding / reversing rollers 103a and 103b are reversed.
At this time, since the turn guide 105 has returned to the fixed position, the trailing edge of the recording sheet up to that point becomes the sheet leading edge and is turned upside down, and further passes through the third pass 113 (FIGS. 68 and 6).
9), it is conveyed to the bin 3 on the sorter unit 2 side by the stop roller 117.

3.2.3. In the case of the sheet passing path using the sorter path The recording paper discharged from the copying machine is folded / reversed by the roller 10
3a (rotation to the left) and the folding / reversing roller 103b (rotation to the right) pulls the sheet leading edge to the upper right by the inclination angle of the tangent line S of the folding / reversing rollers 103a and 103b. And than on the extension of the tangent line S,
The third pass 11 along the curved surface of the paper passing path located above
3 is guided to the sorter unit 2 by the stop roller 117.
It is transported to the bin 3.

The angle θ ₁ between the tangent line S and the paper path,
θ ₂ and θ ₃ are as shown in FIG. All of θ ₁ to θ ₃ shown here are set to 60 degrees or less, so that the leading end of the recording paper can be smoothly moved without being caught on the wall surface of the paper passage. Note that θ ₁ , θ ₂ , θ
_The angle represented by ₃ is as follows.

Θ ₁ : Folding rollers 103a and 103b
Tangent S ₁ and, the angle of the curved wall of the third path 113 theta _2: tangent of folding rollers 103a and 103c S
₂ and the curved wall surface of the turn guide 105 θ ₃ : The angle between the tangent line S ₁ of the folding rollers 103a and 103b and the curved wall surface of the fourth pass 115 3.2.4. When folding a sheet for sorting 3.2.1. The front end of the cover sheet CS is conveyed to the proof path 7a (the second path 111, and the rear end of the cover sheet CS has the folding / reversing rollers 103a and 103b in a pattern similar to
Folding / reversing rollers 103a, 103b,
Reverse 103c (FIG. 68). At this time, since the turn guide 105 has returned to the fixed position, the trailing edge of the sheet thus far becomes the leading edge of the sheet and passes through the third pass 113 (see FIG. 6).
9), reaches the stop roller 117. Then, immediately after the folding portion of the cover sheet CS passes the folding rollers 103a and 103b, the rotation of the stop roller 117 is stopped.

At this time, since the transport roller 19 and the folding / reversing rollers 103a to 103c continue to rotate, the folding portion of the cover sheet CS is curved downward and is held by the folding / reversing rollers 103a and 103b to be folded in half. (FIG. 70). Then, the folded portion is the leading end and passes through the fourth path 115 and is conveyed to the bin 3 on the sorter portion 2 side by the stop roller 117 (FIGS. 71 and 72). In this embodiment, the sheet discharge from the copying machine is the surface discharge, so that the copy surface comes to the outside folded in two.

The cover recording paper CS conveyed to the bin 3 has its upper copy surface lifted by the lift bar 40 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, during which the recording paper becomes the first copy paper as described in 3.2.3. It is conveyed from the 3rd path 113 along the sorter path 7b without being inverted, and is discharged into the cover recording sheet CS as described with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28 described above as shown in FIG.

3.3. Operation Control FIG. 74 shows a control block diagram for controlling the operation of this embodiment. This figure is similar to FIG. 3 in the first embodiment described above.
To the control block diagram of No. 0, an intermediate sensor 119 and a folding / reversing roller drive motor 121 are added to
A turn guide SOL123 for driving the turn guide 105 is provided in place of the turn guide SOL67 for driving five.

The stop roller drive motor 57 independently drives only the stop roller 17. As the stop roller drive motor 17, a stepping motor having excellent position controllability is adopted, and the stop timing of the stop roller 17 at the time of sheet folding is controlled with high accuracy. Also,
Even when the stop roller is stopped, the motor winding is excited to generate a holding torque and hold the cover sheet CS. The turn guide SOL 123 is driven by the turn guide 1015, and is turned on when the recording paper is discharged to the proof tray 5 and when it is folded and discharged to the sorter unit 2 side, and guides the recording paper to the second path 111.

The folding / reversing roller drive motor 121 drives the folding / reversing roller 103 and the conveying roller 19. A DC motor is adopted as the folding / reversing roller drive motor 121, and the rollers can be rotated in the normal and reverse directions when the paper is folded. In the intermediate sensor 119, the cover recording sheet CS
The leading edge is detected, and the stop timing of the stop roller drive motor 121 during paper folding is controlled based on this signal. 3.4. Control Procedure The control procedure in this embodiment will be described below.

3.4.1. When Discharging to Proof Tray The control procedure in this processing is shown in FIG. 75 and the timing chart in this case, respectively. In this process, after the leading edge of the recording paper is detected by the entrance sensor 55, the folding / reversing roller drive motor 121 is activated while slowing it up (steps S121 and S122). At the same time, the turn guide SOL142 is turned on (step S12).
3). The number of sheets of recording paper entered is counted by the number of times the entrance sensor 55 is turned on, and the number of sheets of recording paper discharged is counted by the number of times the paper ejection sensor 58 is turned on. When the number of ejected sheets and the number of entered sheets are equal, it is determined that the ejection of the final recording sheet is completed, and the folding / reversing roller drive motor 121 is stopped (step S124,
In step S125, the turn guide SOL123 is turned off (step S126), and the proof tray ejection operation is completed.

3.4.2. When the cover recording sheet is folded and discharged to the sorter section FIG. 77 shows a control procedure in this processing, and FIG. 78 shows a timing chart at that time. In this process, after the entrance sensor 55 detects the leading edge of the cover sheet CS,
The folding / reversing roller drive motor 121 is activated in the forward direction (steps S131 and S132), the stop roller drive motor 57 is activated (step S133), and the turn guide S is activated.
The OL 123 is turned on (step S134). When the trailing edge of the cover sheet CS is detected, the turn guide SOL 142 is turned off (steps S135, S131, S136, S13).
7) At the same time, T3 is set in a timer with a built-in CPU (not shown) to start (step S138). T3 is a fixed value that does not depend on the recording paper size, etc., and is set to T3 = 200 ms.

When the timer T3 counts up, it is determined that the recording paper reversal timing has been reached, and the folding roller drive motor 143 is rotated in the reverse direction (steps S135 and S13).
1, S136, S139, S140). Intermediate sensor 20
When the leading edge of the recording paper is detected in 5, the timer is set to T4 and started (steps S135, S131, S13).
6, S139, S141, S142). T4 is a value determined by the recording paper length and the folding margin length, and is calculated by T4 = {([recording paper length] + [folding margin length]) / 2- [intermediate sensor to paper folding position]} / recording paper conveyance speed Be done. The paper folding position in this formula means the nip between the folding / reversing rollers 103a and 103b. As shown in FIG. 42, the folding margin length is A3 length: 6 mm, B4 length:
It is set to 4 mm. Therefore, the T corresponding to each paper
4 is A3 vertical: T4 = {(420 + 6) / 2-150} / 30
0 = 210 ms B4 length: T4 = {(364 + 4) / 2-150} / 30
It becomes like 0 = 113 ms.

When the timer counts up, it is determined that the paper folding timing has been reached, and the stop roller drive motor 57 is stopped (steps S135 and S13).
1, S136, S139, S141, S143, S14
4). Cover recording paper CS folded by the intermediate sensor 119
When the leading edge of is detected, the stop roller drive motor 57 is restarted (steps S135, S131, S13).
6, S139, S141, S143, S145, S14
6). The above operation is repeated for each cover recording sheet.

With all the deflection claws SOL63 turned off,
It waits until the cover sheet CS folded in half is conveyed to the bin 3 of the sorter unit 2. 1 at the bin entrance sensor 59
When the trailing edge of the first cover recording sheet CS is detected, the deflection claw SOL
63 is turned on (steps S135, S131, S13
6, S139, S141, S143, S145, S14
7, S148). When the trailing edge of the next cover recording sheet is detected, the deflecting claw SOL63b is turned off and the deflecting claw SOL63c is turned on.
(Steps S135, S131, S136, S13
9, S141, S143, S145, S147, S14
8). This operation is repeated for each cover recording sheet. When the discharge of the final sheet is completed, the driving of the folding / reversing roller drive motor 121 is stopped (step S149), and the stop roller drive motor 57 is stopped (step S1).
50) The folding / sorting operation is completed.

3.4.3. When normal recording paper is discharged into the folded cover recording paper The normal recording paper CY discharged from the copying machine is discharged into the folded cover recording paper CS of the bin 3 on the sorter side to form a simple envelope. 79 shows the processing procedure in the case of creation, and FIGS. 80 and 81 show timing charts at that time. 80 is a timing chart when the seat lift is normal, and FIG. 81 is a timing chart when the seat lift is abnormal.

In this process, first, after the entrance sensor 55 detects the leading edge of the normal recording paper CY, the folding / reversing roller drive motor 121 is activated (steps S162 and S16).
3). Each time the leading edge of the normal recording paper CY is detected, if the bin 3 for ejecting the recording paper is normal for the sheet lift, the turn guide SOL123 is turned off (steps S164, S).
165), if the seat lift is abnormal, turn guide SO
L142 is turned on (steps S164 and S166).

The deflecting claw SOL63 is the first normal recording paper C.
With only the bin 3 for discharging Y turned on and all the other bins 3 turned off, the normal recording paper CY is on standby until it is conveyed to the sorter unit 2. However, normal recording paper CY
When ejecting, all the deflection claws SOL63 are turned off. When the bin entrance sensor 59 detects the trailing edge of the recording paper, the deflecting pawl SOL63 that is currently turned on is turned off, and the deflecting pawl SOL63 of the bin to be discharged next is turned on (step S16).
7, S163, S168, S169). At this time, the bin that detects the seat lift abnormality is skipped. Each time the trailing edge of the recording paper is detected, the deflecting claw SOL is similarly switched. When the discharge of the final sheet is completed, the folding / reversing roller drive motor 121 is stopped (steps S167 and S17).
0), the sorter discharging operation is completed.

4. Folded sheet lift mechanism 4.1. Outline of operation The cover recording paper CS discharged into each bin 3 of the sorter unit 2 after being folded in two becomes a so-called simple envelope as described above, but during this folding, the contents of the simple envelope are sequentially discharged. You have to put in the regular recording paper that will be printed. For that purpose, it is necessary to open the origami paper sufficiently so that the contents can be surely put therein. This opening mechanism is the lift bar 4
It is a folded sheet lift mechanism using 0.

FIG. 82 briefly shows the folded sheet lift mechanism. In this figure, the cover recording sheet CS discharged into the bin 3 is discharged into the bin 3, the copy surface CSu above the cover recording sheet CS is opened, and the normal recording sheet CY is opened in the opening.
Is sequentially discharged, the upper copy surface CSu of the cover recording sheet CS is closed, and finally the bag binding is performed. The details are as follows.

(A) Half-folded sheet stacking step As shown in FIG. 82 (a), the cover sheet CS which is a folded simple envelope is discharged to the bin 3 (at this time,
The lift bar 40 engages with the upper side of the cover sheet CS to bring up the copy surface CSu for raising the height).

(B) Sheet Interval Enlargement Process As shown in FIG. 82 (b), the lift bar 40 operates upward to lift the upper copy surface CSu of the cover recording sheet CS, and the rear surface of the bin 3 on the upper side thereof. 4 and the lift bar 40 grip the copy surface CSu.

(C) Normal Recording Paper Stacking Process As shown in FIG. 82 (c), the normal recording paper CY on which the image is formed is sequentially discharged into the opening of the cover recording paper CS and folded in two. The notation recording sheets CS are inserted and stacked.

(D) Sheet Interval Reduction Step As shown in FIG. 82 (d), the lift bar 40 is separated from the back surface 4 of the upper bin 3 and the copy surface CSu is lowered. At this time, the lift bar 40 is retracted from the bin so as not to hinder the recovery of the copy surface CSu.

(E) Binding step As shown in FIG. 82 (e), the copy surface CSu is closed and the lift bar 40 is returned to its original position. This allows the binding operation.

(F) Completion of bag binding As shown in FIG. 82 (f), a bag-like recording sheet bundle B is formed.
A staple envelope 124 is created by binding the opening side of the cover sheet CS with the staples 124.

4.2. Drive Mechanism of Lift Bar The lift bar 40 is a copy surface CS above the cover recording paper CS.
When u is pushed up and opened, the normal recording paper CY is kept in the opened state, and when the copy surface CSu is closed, the copy surface CSu is retracted so as not to hinder the return. I need to put it. Hereinafter, this mechanism will be described.

FIG. 83 schematically shows the drive mechanism of the lift bar 40.
FIG. 84 is a perspective view and FIG. 84 is an explanatory view of individual configurations. This mechanism includes a lift bar 40, a lift bar guide member 127, and a lift bar actuating member 129.
And a lift bar operating SOL 131 that operates the lift bar operating member 129. As shown in FIG. 84, the lift bar 40 includes a shaft member 133 and a cylindrical rotating member 135 rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the shaft member 133. Lift bar guide members 12 provided on both sides of the bin 3
The guide groove 137 is loosely inserted. Rotating member 135
Is for reducing the frictional force between the lift bar 40 and the seat at the time of lifting the seat. Since the lift trajectory of the lift bar 40 is an arc, it has a function of preventing the problem of pulling the seat to be lifted during the lift. Have. Further, at least a part of the seat lift peripheral surface of the rotating member 135 of the lift bar 40 is constituted by the conductive member 145, and whether or not the paper is certainly lifted when the folded cover recording paper CS is gripped after being lifted. Lift detection can be performed. That is, when lifted, the recording paper is pressed against the back surface 4 of the bin 3 to grip the recording paper as described above, but at this time, the bottom of the bin 3 made of a conductive member (the conductive member of the lift bar is It is possible to determine whether or not the recording paper is gripped by conducting a conductivity check between the corresponding at least part) and the lift bar 40. In other words, when the paper cannot be lifted, the insulator is not present, so that conduction occurs between the two, and when the paper is lifted, the insulator is present, so that there is no conduction, which causes a detection state.

As shown in FIG. 86, the guide groove 137 has a lower first inclined portion 139 inclined in the recording sheet discharging direction and an upper second inclined portion 141 inclined in the opposite side to the recording sheet discharging direction.
And a bent portion 143 that connects the two.

As shown in FIG. 87, the bin 3 is provided with a lift bar storage groove 147 on the most upstream side (base end portion of the bin) in the sheet ejection direction of the bin 3 in the direction orthogonal to the sheet ejection direction. Sheet gripping part 14 on the back side 4 of the
9 is formed. The lift bar storage groove 147 is set to a depth such that it does not project from the surface of the bin 3 when the lift bar 40 is stored, and the sheets housed in the bin 3 are aligned with the end fence 151 as shown in FIG. 88. You can do it. As shown in FIG. 89, the opening width of the lift bar storage groove 147 in the sheet ejection direction is set to be equal to or smaller than the folding margin width of the folded notation recording paper CS. That is, when a = fold width of cover recording sheet b = lift bar storage groove, the dimensions are such that a ≧ b is satisfied. This is because when the lift bar 40 operates, it is necessary to lift only one sheet on the surface of the folded cover sheet.

At least a part of the sheet gripping portion 149 is made of an elastic member, which increases frictional resistance and secures a grip force. Furthermore, if the peripheral surface of the lift bar 40 is also formed of an elastic member, a more effective grip force can be obtained. As shown in FIG. 86, the angle formed by the guide groove with respect to the horizontal direction from the grip point of the cover sheet CS is θ1, and the angle formed by the bottom of the bin with respect to the horizontal direction from the grip point of the cover sheet CS is θ. When _2, must be in the relationship of θ _2> θ _1. This is the shape regulation required when the lift bar 40 releases the contact state from the grip point.

As shown in FIG. 90, the lift bar 40 has lift claws 153 projecting from the side surface of the lift bar actuating member 129 so as to correspond to each bin 3, and the lift bar actuating SOL 131.
The seat lift operation can be performed by moving the seat up and down. That is, the lift bar 40 is attached to each lift claw 1.
The lift lever actuating member 12 is received by both ends by 53.
By operating 9 upward, the lift bar 40 is moved along the guide groove 137 as shown in FIG.
The above-mentioned copy surface CSu is lifted and the lift bar 40 is pressed against the gripping portion 149 on the back surface 4 of the bin 3 to copy the copy surface C between the gripping portion 149 and the lift bar 40.
The Su state is held by sandwiching Su.

At this time, the lift bar 40 is located at the bent portion 143 of the guide groove 137 as described above. Then, when binding the copy surface CSu, the lift bar 40 is further pushed up from the position of the bent portion 143 to move the lift bar 40 to the second inclined portion 141 side. As a result, the end of the copy surface CSu of the cover sheet CS is disengaged from the lift bar 40 and falls downward by its own weight to bind the opening. In order to operate in this way, as shown in FIG. 91, the relationship between the maximum sheet movement direction moving distance D of the guide groove 137 and the horizontal length d of the lift pawl 153 is d ≧ D.

[0148]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention configured as described above has the following effects.

A plurality of sorting recording paper accommodating means, a non-sorting recording paper accommodating means, and a first guide path for guiding the recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus side to the sorting recording paper accommodating means. , A second guide path for guiding the recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus side to the non-sorting recording paper accommodating means, and selectively switching the first and second guide paths and dividing the recording paper into two. According to the invention of claim 1, further comprising a recording paper folding means for folding, the recording paper folded in two by the recording paper folding means is conveyed to the sorting recording paper accommodating means via the first guide path. A simple envelope that is folded in two can be created by simply storing the recording paper that has been folded in two and switching the guide path between the recording papers that are folded in two and feeding the recording paper that is not folded in two.

A plurality of sorting recording paper accommodating means, a non-sorting recording paper accommodating means, and a first guide path for guiding the recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus side to the sorting recording paper accommodating means. A second guide path for guiding the recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus side to the non-sorting recording paper accommodating means, and a sheet folding / folding operation in which the recording paper is folded in half and the reversing operation is performed in the second guide path. According to the invention of claim 2, further comprising a reversing means, the recording paper is folded in two along a second guide path for guiding the non-sorting recording paper accommodating means, inverted, and conveyed to the first guide path side. Then, by ejecting the sorting recording paper into the storing means, it is possible to create a simple envelope that is folded in two.

A plurality of sorting recording paper accommodating means, a non-sorting recording paper accommodating means, and a first guide path for guiding the recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus side to the sorting recording paper accommodating means. A second guide path for guiding the recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus side to the non-sorting recording paper accommodating means, and one for guiding the recording paper to the second guide path and folding the sheet in two. According to the invention described in claim 3, which comprises three rotating rollers that rotate in one direction, the recording paper is guided to the second guide path by one pair of three rotating rollers, and the non-sorting recording paper is guided. It is possible to form a simple folded envelope by conveying the sheet to the accommodating means side, folding it in half while conveying it by another pair, and discharging it from the first guide path to the sorting recording sheet accommodating means. it can.

A plurality of sorting recording paper accommodating means, a non-sorting recording paper accommodating means, and a first guide path for guiding the recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus side to the sorting recording paper accommodating means. , A second guide path for guiding the recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus side to the non-sorting recording paper accommodating means, and a unidirectional rotation for reversing the recording paper in the second guide path 3
According to the invention described in claim 4, which is provided with one rotating roller, the recording paper is conveyed from the second guide path to the non-sorting recording paper accommodating means side by one pair of the rotating rollers, and another recording paper is conveyed during the conveyance. A pair of simple envelopes can be created by reversing the pair of sheets and discharging the sheet from the first guide path to the sorting recording sheet storage means.

The recording medium discharged from the image forming apparatus side is locked by a locking means for locking the recording paper being conveyed and stopping the conveying state of the recording paper, and a substantially intermediate portion of the recording paper using a rotating body. According to the invention as set forth in claim 5, further comprising a sheet folding means for folding and a locking timing setting means for setting the locking timing of the locking means according to the size of the recording paper. At any point in the course of being conveyed to the side, the conveyance state is obstructed by the locking means and stopped, and from this stopped state the folding part is sandwiched in the nip during the conveyance process of the pair of rotating bodies, and the middle of the recording paper By folding in two, you can create a simple envelope that folds in half.

The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the locking means in claim 5 is composed of a pair of rotating bodies for conveying the recording paper, and the rotating bodies are stopped at the timing set by the locking timing setting means. According to this, the rotating body is stopped at the timing set by the locking timing setting means to regulate the conveyance state of the recording sheet, and thus the simple envelope folded in two can be accurately prepared.

The locking means in claim 5 comprises a guide member arranged along the conveyance path of the recording paper, and the guide paper holds the recording paper at the timing set by the locking timing setting means. According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the conveyance state of the recording paper is regulated by the guide member according to the timing set by the locking timing setting means, whereby the simple folded envelope can be created with high accuracy.

There are an envelope creating mode for creating an envelope and a normal sheet folding mode for folding the recording paper in half from the middle,
When the recording surface of the recorded recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus side and conveyed is upward, when the locking timing setting means in the fifth embodiment is in the envelope creating mode, it is slightly earlier than in the sheet folding mode. According to the invention of claim 8 in which the locking timing is set, since the upper part of the recording sheet to be folded in two is slightly projected from the lower part, it is folded in two. The recording paper can be surely opened and the recording paper which is not folded in two can be laminated therein, and a simple envelope that is folded in two can be surely created.

There are an envelope creating mode for creating an envelope and a normal sheet folding mode for folding the recording paper from the middle into two,
When the recording surface of the recorded recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus side and conveyed is downward, the locking timing setting means in claim 5 is slightly slower in the envelope creating mode than in the sheet folding mode. According to the invention of claim 9 in which the locking timing is set, since the upper part of the recording sheet to be folded in two is slightly projected from the lower part, it is folded in two. The recording paper can be surely opened and the recording paper which is not folded in two can be laminated therein, and a simple envelope that is folded in two can be surely created.

According to the invention of claim 10, wherein the timing set by the locking timing setting means in claims 8 and 9 is changed according to the size of the recording paper. The recording paper that is folded in two is changed so that the upper part of the recording paper slightly protrudes from the lower part. It can be stacked inside and you can surely make a simple folded envelope.

First conveying means for guiding the recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus and carried in, and first and second conveying means for nipping and conveying the recording paper guided by the first conveying means. The rotating body, the first and third rotating bodies that sandwich and convey the recording paper subsequently to the first and second rotating bodies, and the recording paper conveyed by the first and third rotating bodies. Along the third conveying means and the third conveying means for guiding the recording sheet in a direction different from that of the second conveying means by reversing the second conveying means for guiding and the first and third rotating bodies. Stop means for preventing the recording paper from being conveyed,
And a fourth conveying unit that reverses the second rotating body, folds the recording sheet stopped by the stopping unit, and conveys the folded recording sheet from the first conveying unit to the third conveying unit. According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the recording paper guided from the first transporting means to the second transporting means includes the first and third recording papers.
By reversing the rotating body of the first rotating body to the side of the third conveying means, and when a predetermined amount is conveyed along the third conveying means, the rotation of the first and third rotating bodies is continued. Nevertheless, the conveyance of the recording paper is hindered by the stop means, whereby the recording paper is guided to the first and second nip sides, and after the folds are formed by both rotating bodies, the recording paper is guided to the fourth conveying means side. , A simple envelope that is folded in two is created by stacking recording paper that is not folded in half between the discharged recording paper that is folded in two from the fourth conveying means to the third conveying means. be able to.

The first rotating body which rotates in the first direction and the second rotating body which contacts the first rotating body at the first position and rotates in the second direction opposite to the first rotating body. The rotary body and the first position at the second position downstream of the first position in the rotation direction of the first rotary body
Of the recording medium by the third rotating body that contacts the rotating body of the first rotating body and rotates in the second direction, and the first, second, and third rotating bodies are reversed, and the conveying process is performed. The reversing step of reversing the recording paper, the stopping step of restricting the progress of the reversing direction of the recording paper reversed in the reversing step to stop, and the substantially central portion of the recording paper stopped in the stopping step in the reversing state. According to the invention of claim 12, comprising a folding step of folding the first and second rotating bodies at the first position, the recording carried by the first, second and third rotating bodies in the carrying step. The paper is reversed in the reversing process, the transport is regulated in the stopping process, the recording paper is folded in half by the first and second rotating bodies in the folding process, and the recording paper that is not folded in half is folded between the two folded recording papers. Create a simple envelope that is folded in two by stacking Rukoto can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an internal structure of a post-processing apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a bottle, a jogger, a stapler and a shifting device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the tilting device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a state when a cover recording sheet is conveyed to the proof path side in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory view showing a state of a folding roller in the vicinity of a branch portion in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view showing a folding operation in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a state where the cover recording sheet is opened in the bin in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a state in which normal recording sheets are stacked inside a cover recording sheet and closed in the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory view showing a state in which the stapler is bag-stitched to form a simple envelope in the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a state in which a simple envelope is created by bag binding with a stapler in the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which a simple envelope is created by bag binding with a stapler in the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which a double-folded portion of a cover recording sheet is separated from a state in which a simple envelope is created by bag-stitching with a stapler in the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing a procedure for creating a simple envelope using a recording sheet having an image formed on the lower surface side thereof in the first embodiment, before introducing the cover recording sheet from the copying machine to the folding roller. The process is shown.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure of creating a simple envelope using a recording paper on which an image is formed on the lower surface side in the first embodiment, and showing a step of introducing the simple envelope into a proof path by a folding roller.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for creating a simple envelope using a recording sheet having an image formed on the lower surface side thereof in the first embodiment, in which conveyance of the cover recording sheet is restricted by a stop roller in a proof path. The process is shown.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing a procedure for creating a simple envelope using a recording paper on which an image is formed on the lower surface side in the first embodiment, showing a step of folding in two by a folding roller that always rotates in the same direction. Indicates the initial state.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing a procedure for creating a simple envelope using a recording paper on which an image is formed on the lower surface side in the first embodiment, which is folded in two by a folding roller which always rotates in the same direction, The process of carrying out to a route is shown.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for creating a simple envelope using a recording paper on which an image is formed on the lower surface side in the first embodiment, which is folded in two by a folding roller and one end by a diagonal roller. The change process is shown in the division standard.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for creating a simple envelope using a recording sheet having an image formed on the lower surface side in the first embodiment, in which the first cover recording sheet is conveyed to the bin side. A process in which the second cover recording sheet is conveyed to the proof path while being continuously processed is shown.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure of creating a simple envelope using a recording sheet having an image formed on the lower surface side in the first embodiment, in which the cover recording sheet folded in two is the first bin. The process of discharging is shown in FIG.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory view showing a procedure for creating a simple envelope by using a recording paper having an image formed on the lower surface side in the first embodiment, and stores the folded cover cover recording paper in all predetermined bins. Shows the state of being done.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory view showing a procedure of creating a simple envelope using a recording paper having an image formed on the lower surface side in the first embodiment, and showing a step of opening the cover recording paper stored in the bin.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for creating a simple envelope by using a recording sheet on which an image is formed on the lower surface side in the first embodiment, and a normal recording image-formed on the lower surface on an open cover recording sheet. 1 illustrates an initial process for transporting paper through a sorter path.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory view showing a procedure for creating a simple envelope using a recording paper on which an image is formed on the lower surface side in the first embodiment, which is deflected by a turn guide and enters a sorter path for conveyance. The process is shown.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory view showing a procedure for creating a simple envelope by using a recording paper having an image formed on the lower surface side in the first embodiment, in which the normal recording paper is changed to one standard by a diagonal roller. A process of carrying the sheet by the following steps is shown.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory view showing a procedure for creating a simple envelope by using a recording paper on which an image is formed on the lower surface side in the first embodiment, in which the normal recording paper corrected to one standard is used as a sorter section. The process of conveying is shown.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure of creating a simple envelope using recording paper having an image formed on the lower surface side in the first embodiment, in which normal recording paper is sorted in order on open notation recording paper. The process is shown.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory view showing a procedure for creating a simple envelope by using a recording paper having an image formed on the lower surface side in the first embodiment, in which normal recording paper is stored in the cover recording paper of all bins. The state is shown.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory view showing a procedure for creating a simple envelope by using a recording paper having an image formed on the lower surface side in the first embodiment, in which normal recording paper is stored in the cover recording paper of all bins. And shows a closed state.

FIG. 30 is a block diagram of a control circuit that controls the control in the first embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in the first embodiment.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the cover original and the image-formed notation recording paper.

FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a cover original and an image-formed notation recording paper.

FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a cover original and an image-formed notation recording paper.

FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the cover original and the image-formed notation recording paper.

FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the cover original and the image-formed notation recording paper.

FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the cover original and the image-formed notation recording paper.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for discharging the proof tray in the first embodiment.

FIG. 39 is a timing chart showing timings in the control of FIG. 38.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a cover recording sheet folding operation and a sorter discharging operation in the first embodiment.

41 is a timing chart showing timings in the control of FIG. 40.

FIG. 42 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the size of a folding margin.

FIG. 43 is a flow chart showing a control procedure for sorting the normal recording paper into the opened cover recording paper in the first embodiment.

44 is a timing chart showing the timing in the control of FIG. 43, showing the timing when all the bins are normal.

45 is a timing chart showing the timing in the control of FIG. 43, showing the timing when an abnormal bin exists.

FIG. 46 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an outline of a sheet folding / reversing mechanism according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 47 is a configuration diagram showing details of a main part of the sheet folding / reversing mechanism according to the second example.

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of a sheet stopper used in the second embodiment.

FIG. 49 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a selected state of the sheet size of the sheet stopper in FIG. 48.

FIG. 50 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example in which another sheet stopper is used.

FIG. 51 is an operation explanatory view of the second embodiment, showing a state in which the cover recording sheet comes into contact with the sheet guide and enters the second pass.

FIG. 52 is an operation explanatory view of the second embodiment, showing a state where the cover recording sheet is regulated by the sheet stopper and folded in half.

FIG. 53 is an operation explanatory view of the second embodiment, showing a state in which the cover sheet that has been folded in half is brought into contact with the discharge path guide and guided to the oblique portion of the sorter path.

FIG. 54 is an explanatory view of the operation in the second embodiment, in which the cover recording sheet folded in two is guided to the bin side by the deflecting unit discharge roller of the sorter section, and the next cover recording sheet comes into contact with the sheet guide. The state of entering the second pass is shown.

FIG. 55 is an operation explanatory diagram of the second embodiment, showing a state where the cover recording sheet folded in half is accommodated in the bin and the normal recording sheet is conveyed to the sorter section in the opened state.

FIG. 56 is a block diagram of a control circuit that controls control in the second embodiment.

FIG. 57 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of proof tray discharge in the second embodiment.

FIG. 58 is a timing chart showing the timing in the control of FIG. 57.

FIG. 59 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a cover recording sheet folding operation and a sorter discharging operation in the second embodiment.

FIG. 60 is a timing chart showing timings in the control of FIG. 59.

FIG. 61 is a flow chart showing a control procedure for sorting normal recording paper within the opened cover recording paper in the second embodiment.

FIG. 62 is a timing chart showing the timing in the control of FIG. 61, showing the timing when all the bins are normal.

63 is a timing chart showing timings in the control of FIG. 61, showing timings when an abnormal bin exists.

FIG. 64 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an outline of a sheet folding / reversing mechanism according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 65 is a configuration diagram showing details of a main part of a sheet folding / reversing mechanism according to a third example.

FIG. 66 is an operation explanatory view of the third embodiment, showing a state in which the cover recording sheet has entered the first pass from the copying machine side.

FIG. 67 is an operation explanatory view of the third embodiment, showing a state in which the cover recording sheet has been guided by the turn guide and has entered the second pass.

FIG. 68 is an operation explanatory diagram of the third embodiment, showing a state in which the cover recording sheet is reversed and enters the third pass.

FIG. 69 is an operation explanatory view of the third embodiment, and shows a state in which the cover recording sheet is reversed and further enters the third pass from the state of FIG. 68.

FIG. 70 is an operation explanatory diagram of the third embodiment, showing a state in which the cover recording paper is restricted from being conveyed in the third pass by the stop roller and the half-folding is started.

FIG. 71 is an operation explanatory view of the third embodiment, showing a state in which the cover sheet is folded in two by the folding / reversing roller and is conveyed in the fourth pass.

FIG. 72 is an operation explanatory view of the third embodiment, showing a state in which a cover recording sheet folded in two is conveyed to a sorter unit and at the same time, the next cover recording sheet enters the first pass.

FIG. 73 is an operation explanatory view of the third embodiment, showing a state where the cover recording sheet folded in two is accommodated in the bin and the normal recording sheet is conveyed to the sorter section in the opened state.

FIG. 74 is a block diagram of a control circuit that controls control in the third embodiment.

FIG. 75 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of proof tray discharge in the third embodiment.

76 is a timing chart showing timings in the control of FIG. 75.

FIG. 77 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a cover recording sheet folding operation and a sorter discharging operation in the third embodiment.

78 is a timing chart showing timings in the control of FIG. 77.

FIG. 79 is a flow chart showing a control procedure for sorting normal recording paper within the opened cover recording paper in the third embodiment.

80 is a timing chart showing the timing in the control of FIG. 79, showing the timing when all the bins are normal.

81 is a timing chart showing the timing in the control of FIG. 79, showing the timing when an abnormal bin exists.

FIG. 82 is an operation explanatory view showing the operation of the folded sheet lift mechanism.

FIG. 83 is a perspective view showing an outline of a drive mechanism of a lift bar.

FIG. 84 is a perspective view of a lift bar.

FIG. 85 is a front view of relevant parts showing the relationship between the bin, the lift bar guide member, and the guide groove.

FIG. 86 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the guide groove and the gripping portion on the back surface of the bottle.

FIG. 87 is a perspective view showing the detailed structure of the bottle.

FIG. 88 is an enlarged view of a main part showing the relationship between the lift bar storage groove and the lift bar stored in the storage groove.

FIG. 89 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the dimensional relationship of the opening width of the lift bar storage groove in the sheet discharge direction.

FIG. 90 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a drive mechanism of a lift bar.

FIG. 91 is a main-portion configuration diagram showing a relationship between a guide groove and a lift pawl.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Post-processing device 2 Sorter section 3, 3a, ..., 3t Bin 5 Proof tray 7 Conveyance path 7a Proofing path 7b Sorter path 13a, 13b, 13c Folding roller 15 Turn guide 17 Stop roller 19, 27, 29 Conveyor roller 21 Ejection Paper roller 33 Sheet deflection section 35 Deflection path 37, 37a, ..., 37t Deflection section discharge roller 39 Deflection claws 40, 40a, ..., 40t Lift bar 53 CPU 63 Deflection claw SOL 65 Main drive motor 67 Turn guide SOL 69 Sheet lift SOL 73 Lift bar release SOL 81 1st pass 83 2nd pass 85 Sheet guide 87 Sheet stopper 89 Paper ejection roller 91 Folding roller 93 Paper ejection path guide 95 Sheet stopper 97 Sheet guide drive motor 99 Paper ejection path guide SOL 103a, 1 3b, 103c Folding / reversing roller 105 Turn guide 109 First pass 111 Second pass 113 Third pass 115 Fourth pass 117 Stop roller 121 Folding / reversing roller drive motor 123 Turn guide SOL 127 Lift bar guide member 129 Lift bar actuating member 131 Lift bar Working SOL 149 gripping part

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] November 30, 1992

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Fig. 31

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

FIG. 31

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yukitaka Nakazato 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Stock company (72) Inventor Hiroomi Motohashi 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Shares Within Ricoh Company (72) Inventor Fumio Kurizumi 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within Ricoh Company, Ltd.

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A first guide for guiding a plurality of sorting recording paper accommodating means, a non-sorting recording paper accommodating means, and a recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus side to the sorting recording paper accommodating means. A path, a second guide path for guiding the recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus side to the non-sorting recording paper accommodating means, and the first and second guide paths are selectively switched and the recording paper is switched between the two. A recording paper folding device including a recording paper folding unit that folds into one. 2. A first guide for guiding a plurality of sorting recording paper accommodating means, a non-sorting recording paper accommodating means, and a recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus side to the sorting recording paper accommodating means. A path, a second guide path for guiding the recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus side to the non-sorting recording paper accommodating means, and a sheet for folding and reversing the recording paper in the second guide path. A recording paper folding device including a folding / reversing unit. 3. A first guide for guiding a plurality of sorting recording paper accommodating means, a non-sorting recording paper accommodating means, and a recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus side to the sorting recording paper accommodating means. A path, a second guide path for guiding the recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus side to the non-sorting recording paper accommodating means, a recording paper for guiding the recording paper to the second guide path, and two sheets. A recording paper folding device including three rotating rollers that rotate in one direction of folding. 4. A first guide for guiding a plurality of sorting recording paper accommodating means, a non-sorting recording paper accommodating means, and a recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus side to the sorting recording paper accommodating means. A path, a second guide path for guiding the recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus side to the non-sorting recording paper accommodating means, and three rotating in one direction for reversing the recording paper in the second guide path And a recording paper folding device including a rotating roller. 5. A locking unit that locks a recording sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus side and conveyed and stops the conveyance state of the recording sheet, and a rotating body at a substantially middle portion of the recording sheet. A recording paper folding device comprising: a sheet folding unit that is folded using the locking unit; and a locking timing setting unit that sets the locking timing of the locking unit according to the size of the recording paper. 6. The locking means according to claim 5, wherein the locking means is a pair of rotating bodies that convey the recording paper, and is set to stop the rotating bodies at the timing set by the locking timing setting means. Recording paper folding device. 7. The locking means is a guide member arranged along a conveyance path of the recording paper, and is set such that the guide paper holds the recording paper at the timing set by the locking timing setting means. The recording paper folding device according to claim 5. 8. An envelope forming mode for forming an envelope and a sheet folding mode for folding the recording paper from the middle into two, wherein the recording surface of the recorded recording paper discharged and conveyed from the image forming apparatus side is 6. The recording paper folding apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, when facing upward, the locking timing setting means sets the locking timing slightly earlier in the envelope creating mode than in the sheet folding mode. 9. An envelope forming mode for forming an envelope and a sheet folding mode for folding a recording sheet from the middle to two, wherein a recording surface of a recorded recording sheet discharged and conveyed from the image forming apparatus side is 6. The recording paper folding apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the locking timing setting means sets the locking timing slightly slower in the envelope creating mode than in the sheet folding mode when it is facing downward. 10. The recording paper folding device according to claim 8, wherein the timing set by the locking timing setting means is changed according to the size of the recording paper. 11. A first conveying unit that guides a recording sheet that has been discharged from an image forming apparatus and is carried in, and a first and a first conveying unit that sandwiches and conveys the recording sheet guided by the first conveying unit. 2 rotators, 1st and 3rd rotators that sandwich and convey recording paper subsequently to these 1st and 2nd rotators, and recordings conveyed by the 1st and 3rd rotators A second conveying unit that guides the paper, a third conveying unit that reverses the first and third rotating bodies, and guides the recording paper in a direction different from that of the second conveying unit, and a third conveying unit. Stop means for preventing the conveyance of the recording paper and the first and second rotating bodies are reversed, the recording paper stopped by the stopping means is folded, and the folded recording paper is A fourth transport means for transporting from the transport means to the third transport means. Recording paper folding device. 12. A first rotating body that rotates in a first direction, and a first rotating body that comes into contact with the first rotating body at a first position and that rotates in a second direction opposite to the first rotating body. 2 rotors, 1st
A conveyance step of contacting the first rotating body at a second position downstream of the position of the first rotating body in the rotation direction and conveying the recording paper by the third rotating body rotating in the second direction, The first, second, and third rotating bodies are reversed, and the reversing step of reversing the recording sheet being conveyed in the conveying step and the progress of the reversing direction of the recording sheet reversed in the reversing step are restricted and stopped. A method of folding a recording sheet, comprising: a stopping step; and a folding step of folding a substantially central portion of the recording sheet stopped in the stopping step at the first position of the first and second rotating bodies which are in reverse rotation.