JP7562294B2 - Aftertreatment Device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a post-processing device that performs staple processing.

Conventionally, there are known post-processing devices that can be connected to image forming devices such as copiers and printers, and that perform post-processing such as stapling on a sheet stack discharged from the image forming device. Some of these post-processing devices have a function for stapling a sheet stack discharged from the image forming device, and a function for stapling a sheet stack inserted by a user from outside the post-processing device (hereinafter also referred to as manual stapling).

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that when performing manual stapling, the post-processing device changes the guide width that guides the sheets.

JP 2012-203011 A

However, even if the guide width was changed in the post-processing device, it was not possible to prevent the misalignment of the sheet stack after it was loaded onto the tray.

The invention of this application was made in consideration of the above situation, and aims to prevent misalignment of the sheet stack after it has been stacked.

In order to achieve the above object, a post-processing device connectable to an image forming device includes a tray on which sheets are loaded, an alignment means for aligning a sheet stack loaded on the tray, a staple means for stapling the sheet stack loaded on the tray, and a discharge means for discharging the stapled sheet stack via a discharge opening, and is switchable between a first mode in which a sheet stack transported from the image forming device to the tray is stapled and a second mode in which a sheet stack inserted into the tray from outside is stapled via the discharge opening. The post-processing device is characterized in that it has a switch button for switching between the first mode and the second mode, a staple instruction button for instructing the stapler to perform stapling, and, when switching from the first mode to the second mode using the switch button and performing stapling in the second mode, control means for controlling whether the stapler performs stapling by the stapling means after aligning the sheet stack by the aligning means , or whether the stapler performs stapling by the stapling means without aligning the sheet stack by the aligning means, depending on a pressing time of the staple instruction button .

The configuration of the present invention can suppress misalignment of the stack of sheets after stacking.

Schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus 100 and a post-processing apparatus 901. A top view of the post-processing device 901 A top view of the post-processing device 901 FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a system configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 and a post-processing apparatus 901. Hardware configuration diagram of post-processing control unit 303 A flowchart showing the operation of the post-processing control unit 303 when performing manual stapling processing. A flowchart showing the operation of the post-processing control unit 303 when performing manual stapling processing. A top view of the post-processing device 901 FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a system configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 and a post-processing apparatus 901. Hardware configuration diagram of post-processing control unit 303 A flowchart showing the operation of the post-processing control unit 303 when performing manual stapling processing. Display diagram

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment does not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiment are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

First Embodiment
1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus 100 and a post-processing device 901. In the following, the post-processing device 901 and the image forming apparatus 100 will be described as separate units as an example, but the post-processing device 901 and the image forming apparatus 100 may be configured as an integrated unit (image forming system).

Figure 1 shows the configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 and a post-processing device 901 in this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 is an electrophotographic color laser beam printer. The image forming apparatus 100 includes photosensitive drums 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K, which are formed by applying an organic photoconductive layer to the outer periphery of an aluminum cylinder, for each station arranged in a row for the number of developing colors. Here, Y represents yellow, M represents magenta, C represents cyan, and K represents black. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish colors, reference symbols may be used without the English letters Y, M, C, and K at the end. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a charger 7, a laser scanner 10, a developer 8, a toner cartridge 11, an intermediate transfer belt 12, a primary transfer roller 6, a secondary transfer roller 9, and a fixing device 13.

When the printing operation starts, the photosensitive drum 5 is rotated counterclockwise (in the direction of the arrow in the figure) by a drive motor (not shown). The charger 7 has a charging sleeve 7S to charge the photosensitive drum 5. The surface of the photosensitive drum 5 charged by the charging sleeve 7S is exposed by a laser scanner 10. The laser scanner 10 exposes the photosensitive drum 5 based on input image data and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 5. The developer 8 has a developing sleeve 8S to visualize the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 5. The developing sleeve 8S supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 5 to visualize the electrostatic latent image as a toner image.

The intermediate transfer belt 12 is an endless belt stretched by a drive roller 18a and driven rollers 18b and 18c. The intermediate transfer belt 12 is rotated in a clockwise direction (indicated by an arrow in the figure) by the drive roller 18a while in contact with the photosensitive drum 5. Toner images are then transferred sequentially onto the intermediate transfer belt 12 by the primary transfer roller 6 (hereinafter also referred to as primary transfer). The toner images of each color are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 12 in an overlapping manner, forming a color image on the intermediate transfer belt 12.

A sheet 1 (recording material), for example, paper, is placed on the paper feed cassette 2 or the multi-tray 3. The paper feed roller 4 feeds the sheet 1 from the paper feed cassette 2 or the multi-tray 3 to the transport path 25. The sheet 1 fed to the transport path 25 is transported by the transport roller 24 toward the registration sensor 19. When the registration sensor 19 detects the leading edge of the sheet 1, the sheet 1 is transported further by a certain amount and abuts against the registration roller 23, which is stopped. This forms a flexure (also called a loop) in the sheet 1. The registration roller 23 re-transports the stopped sheet 1 toward the secondary transfer roller 9 so as to match the timing with the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 12. The sheet 1 is sandwiched and transported between the intermediate transfer belt 12 and the secondary transfer roller 9, and the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 12 is transferred to the sheet 1 all at once (hereinafter also referred to as secondary transfer). When secondary transfer is performed, the secondary transfer roller 9 moves to the position shown by the solid line and contacts the intermediate transfer belt 12. When secondary transfer is not performed, the secondary transfer roller 9 moves to the position shown by the dotted line and is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 12.

The fixing device 13 fixes the transferred toner image onto the sheet 1 while transporting the sheet 1 towards the fixing section transport sensor 22. The fixing device 13 has a fixing roller 14 that heats the sheet 1, and a pressure roller 15 that presses the sheet 1 against the fixing roller 14. The fixing roller 14 and the pressure roller 15 are hollow, and heaters 16 and 17 are disposed inside, respectively. The cleaning device 21 cleans the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 12. The cleaned toner is stored in a cleaner container of the cleaning device 21.

The post-processing device 901 receives the sheet 1 conveyed from the image forming device 100 and performs a predetermined post-processing on the received sheet 1. Examples of post-processing performed by the post-processing device 901 include stapling, bookbinding, and shifting. Stapling is a process in which a predetermined number of sheets 1 are stacked and then bound near a specific end of the sheet 1. Bookbinding is a process in which a predetermined number of sheets 1 are stacked and then center-folded or center-stitched. Shifting is a process in which the position of the sheet 1 is shifted in the width direction of the sheet 1 (the direction perpendicular to the discharge direction in the figure). The post-processing device 901 can also perform stacking, which discharges the sheet 1 conveyed from the image forming device 1 without any processing.

The post-processing device 901 includes a pair of conveying rollers 915, a staple tray 912, a pair of paper discharge rollers 916, and stacking trays 910 and 911 that are arranged downstream of the pair of paper discharge rollers 916 and can move up and down. The pair of conveying rollers 915 receives the sheet 1 conveyed from the image forming device 100 and conveys it toward the staple tray 912. The staple tray 912 temporarily stacks the sheet 1 in order to perform shift processing and staple processing. When stacking the sheet 1 on the staple tray 912, the pair of paper discharge rollers 916 is rotated forward to receive the sheet 1, and when the rear end of the sheet 1 leaves the pair of conveying rollers 915, the pair of paper discharge rollers 916 and the pull-in roller 917 are rotated in reverse. This sends the sheet 1 to the staple tray 912, and aligns the sheet 1 in the conveying direction of the sheet 1.

The jogger unit 919, which serves as an alignment means, is parallel to the stacking surface on which the sheets 1 received on the staple tray 912 are stacked, and aligns the sheets 1 stacked on the staple tray 912 in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction of the sheets 1, i.e., in the width direction of the sheets 1. When performing shift processing, the jogger unit 919 not only aligns the sheets 1 stacked on the staple tray 912, but also operates to shift the position of the sheets 1 in the width direction.

The staple unit 913 as a stapling means has a staple cartridge 914 in which staples used for stapling are collected, and performs stapling on a plurality of sheets 1 stacked on a staple tray 912. The stack of sheets 1 stapled by the staple unit 913 is discharged to the discharge tray 910 or the discharge tray 911 by a pair of discharge rollers 916 as a discharge means through the discharge outlet 940 (discharge outlet) of the post-processing device 901. Hereinafter, this stapling function is also referred to as automatic stapling.

The paper discharge port 940 functions to discharge the stapled sheet stack to the paper discharge tray 910 or 911 during automatic stapling, and functions as a setting section for setting the sheet stack on the staple tray 912 during manual stapling. The paper discharge port 940 is opened and closed by a paper discharge port cover 918. When manual stapling is not performed, the paper discharge port cover 918 is closed, and when manual stapling is performed, the paper discharge port cover 918 is opened. Details of manual stapling will be described later.

Figure 2 is an overhead view of the post-processing device 901. The alignment operation for aligning the sheet stack 902 in the staple tray 912 will be described with reference to Figure 2. The jogger unit 919 has a reference side jogger 919A and an alignment side jogger 919B for aligning the sheet stack 902 in the width direction. When the sheet stack 902 is loaded on the staple tray 912, the reference side jogger 919A and the alignment side jogger 919B are stopped at a position with a slight margin in the width direction compared to the size of the sheets, as shown in Figure 2 (a). This position is also called the home position. At the home position, they are designed not to interfere with the transport of the sheet 1 to the staple tray 912.

When the sheet 1 is conveyed to the staple tray 912, the sheet detection sensor 204 detects the sheet 1. When the sheet 1 is stacked on the staple tray 912, the reference side jogger 919A moves in the direction of the arrow X and the alignment side jogger 919B moves in the direction of the arrow X' from the home position by a predetermined distance according to the sheet size. This causes the sheet stack 902 stacked on the staple tray 912 to be aligned in the width direction. After alignment, the next sheet 1 moves back to the home position in preparation for being conveyed to the staple tray 912. Then, when a predetermined number of sheets 1 are stacked on the staple tray 912 to form the sheet stack 902, the jogger unit 919 is moved to a position according to the sheet size position and stopped in that state, as shown in FIG. 2B. This fixes the position of the sheet stack 902 in the width direction, and the staple unit 913 performs stapling.

Figure 3 is an overhead view of the post-processing device 901. Next, with reference to Figures 1 and 3, manual stapling processing, in which a sheet stack 902 inserted by a user from outside the post-processing device 901 is stapled, will be described. The post-processing device 901 is provided with a manual staple transition button 201 as a switching means, and a manual staple execution button 202 as a stapling instruction means. The post-processing device 901 in this embodiment is configured to perform manual stapling by the user inserting the sheet stack 902 from outside the post-processing device 901 into the staple tray 912 through the paper discharge port 940.

When the user presses the manual staple transition button 201 and selects a mode for performing manual stapling processing, the post-processing device 901 moves the paper outlet cover 918 to the open position to open the paper outlet 940. In addition, the paper outlet roller pair 916 and the pull-in roller 917 move to the dotted line position and separate from each other. This prevents the paper outlet roller pair 916 and the pull-in roller 917 from interfering with the user's insertion of a stack of sheets into the staple tray 912.

The jogger unit 919 also serves as a sheet guide section that guides the sheet stack 902 to the staple tray 912. The reference side jogger 919A and the alignment side jogger 919B of the jogger unit 919 can be moved toward or away from each other. By changing their respective positions and the distance between them, they can function as a sheet guide section according to the size of the inserted sheets. The sheet stack 902 inserted from the outside through the paper discharge port 940 along the jogger unit 919 is detected by the sheet detection sensor 204. When the sheet detection sensor 204 detects the sheet stack 902, the post-processing device 901 enters a state waiting for manual stapling to be performed.

When the user presses the manual staple execution button 202, the post-processing device 901 performs alignment processing on the sheet stack 902 using the jogger unit 919 and staple processing using the staple unit 913. After the manual staple processing is completed, the post-processing device 901 moves the pair of discharge rollers 916 and the pull-in roller 917 in FIG. 1 to the position shown by the solid line to abut against the sheet stack 902, and then rotates them in the forward direction to discharge the sheet stack 902 to the sheet discharge tray 911.

Figure 4 is a block diagram for explaining the system configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 and the post-processing apparatus 901. The controller 301 communicates with an external device 300 such as a host computer to receive print data. The controller 301 also controls the image forming apparatus 100 and the post-processing apparatus 901 in an integrated manner, and the engine control unit 302 controls the image forming apparatus 100, performs image formation processing on a sheet 1, and performs conveying processing toward the post-processing apparatus 901. The post-processing control unit 303 controls the post-processing apparatus 901, and performs post-processing on the sheet 1 conveyed from the image forming apparatus 100. Alternatively, it performs post-processing on a sheet stack 902 inserted from the outside by a user.

The serial signal line 304 is a signal line that transmits a command signal from the controller 301 to the engine control unit 302. The serial signal line 305 is a signal line that transmits a command signal from the controller 301 to the post-processing control unit 303. The serial signal line 306 is a signal line that transmits status data from the engine control unit 302 to the controller 301 in response to the command signal. The serial signal line 307 is a signal line that transmits status data from the post-processing control unit 303 to the controller 301. The controller 301 performs control by receiving status data from the engine control unit 302 and the post-processing control unit 303. When multiple devices are connected and operated in this way, the controller 301 centrally manages the control and status of each device and maintains the consistency of operation between each device. The controller 301 and the engine control unit 302 are provided in the image forming device 100, and the post-processing control unit 303 is provided in the post-processing device 901.

The post-processing control unit 303 conveys and post-processes the sheets in response to a command signal from the controller 301. When performing automatic stapling, the post-processing control unit 303 controls the jogger unit 919 to align the stack of sheets 1 (sheet stack 902) conveyed from the image forming apparatus 100, and controls the staple unit 913 to perform stapling. When performing manual stapling, the post-processing control unit 303 determines whether the manual stapling mode has been switched to by pressing the manual stapling transition button 201. Stapling is performed by pressing the manual stapling execution button 202. The post-processing control unit 303 controls the operation of the jogger unit 919 and the staple unit 913 based on the input signal from the sheet detection sensor 204, the manual staple button function allocation unit 308, and the determination result of the manual staple button pressing time measurement unit 309. With these, the post-processing control unit 303 controls the alignment process and staple process execution for the sheet stack 902 in manual stapling, and controls the release of the manual stapling mode.

Figure 5 is a hardware configuration diagram of the post-processing control unit 303 in this embodiment. The post-processing control unit 303 has a CPU 400 and communicates with the controller 301 via serial communication means 427. The serial communication means 427 connects the CPU 400 and the controller 301 using multiple signal lines including serial signal lines 305 and 307. When print data 428 is notified to the controller 301 from the external device 300, the controller 301 notifies the CPU 400 of a paper discharge operation start signal 422 and sheet size information 423 via the serial communication means 427. In addition, the controller 301 notifies the CPU 400 of a manual staple function allocation signal 424. Also, the CPU 400 notifies the controller 301 of a paper discharge operation execution state 425 and a manual staple mode transition state 426 via the serial communication means 427.

Motor drivers 410 and 411 are connected to the output terminals of the CPU 400. The motor driver 410 drives the discharge motor 401. When the discharge motor 401 rotates, the discharge roller pair 916 and the pull-in roller 917 rotate, and the sheet 1 is discharged to the discharge tray 910 or 911. The motor driver 411 drives the separation motor 402. When the separation motor 402 rotates forward, the discharge roller pair 916 and the pull-in roller 917 can be brought into contact with each other. When the separation motor 402 rotates reversely, the discharge roller pair 916 and the pull-in roller 917 can be separated from each other. The sheet detection sensor 204 uses a pull-up resistor 413 and inputs the sensor state (ON signal or OFF signal) to the CPU 400 via a buffer 414. The manual staple transition button 201 and manual staple execution button 202 input the button press state (ON signal or OFF signal) to the CPU 400.

The output terminal of the CPU 400 is connected to a jogger motor drive signal 412 of the jogger unit 919 and a staple motor drive signal 415 of the staple unit 913. The input terminal of the CPU 400 is connected to a home position sensor signal 416 of the staple unit 913. When performing an alignment operation, the CPU 400 drives a jogger motor (not shown) in the jogger unit 919 via the jogger motor drive signal 412 to perform alignment processing. When performing a staple operation, the CPU 400 drives a staple motor (not shown) in the staple unit 913 via the staple motor drive signal 415 to perform staple processing. Then, depending on the input value of the home position sensor signal 416, the staple motor is stopped via the staple motor drive signal 415.

The manual staple function assignment signal 424 is a signal that instructs the post-processing control unit 303 whether to assign the button for instructing the alignment operation to the manual staple execution button 202 or to the manual staple transition button 201. When the post-processing control unit 303 is instructed by the controller 301 to assign the button for instructing the alignment operation to the manual staple execution button 202, the post-processing control unit 303 performs alignment processing according to the pressing time of the manual staple execution button 202. For example, when the manual staple execution button 202 is pressed for longer than a predetermined time, the alignment processing is performed by the jogger unit 919. Then, the system goes into a state waiting for manual staple execution. When the manual staple execution button 202 is pressed for a time equal to or shorter than the predetermined time, the staple processing is performed by the staple unit 913.

Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the post-processing control unit 303 when performing manual stapling in this embodiment. Note that control related to the manual stapling is performed based on a program stored in the ROM or the like of the CPU 400 mounted on the post-processing control unit 303.

In S501, when the user presses the manual staple transition button 201, the post-processing control unit 303 notifies the controller 301 via the serial communication means 427 that the mode has been switched to manual staple mode. In S502, when the controller 301 receives the notification that the mode has been switched to manual staple mode, it notifies the post-processing control unit 303 of the sheet size information 423 via the serial communication means 427.

In S503, the post-processing control unit 303 separates the pair of discharge rollers 916 and the pull-in roller 917. Furthermore, in order to open the discharge outlet 940, the post-processing control unit 303 moves the discharge outlet cover 918 to the open position. In S504, when the discharge outlet 940 is opened, the post-processing control unit 303 moves the jogger unit 919 to a position according to the size based on the received sheet size information 423 so that the jogger unit 919 functions as a guide unit for the sheet stack 902 to be inserted. Then, the post-processing control unit 303 waits for the user to insert the sheet stack 902 into the staple tray 912.

In S505, the post-processing control unit 303 determines whether the sheet stack 902 has been detected by the sheet detection sensor 204. If the sheet stack 902 has not been detected, the process waits for the user to insert the sheet stack 902. If the sheet stack 902 has been detected, the process proceeds to S506. In S506, the post-processing control unit 303 determines whether the manual staple execution button 202 has been pressed. If the manual staple execution button 202 has not been pressed, the process waits for the user to press the manual staple execution button 202. If the manual staple execution button 202 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S507.

In S507, the post-processing control unit 303 measures the time that the manual staple execution button 202 is pressed. In this example, if the pressing time is equal to or shorter than a predetermined time, it is determined that the binding mode has been selected, and the process proceeds to S508. On the other hand, if the pressing time is longer than the predetermined time, it is determined that the alignment mode has been selected, and the process proceeds to S512.

In S508, the post-processing control unit 303 executes stapling by the staple unit 913. In S509, the post-processing control unit 303 determines whether the sheet stack 902 on which the staple process has been executed is detected by the sheet detection sensor 204. If the sheet stack 902 is detected, the post-processing control unit 303 waits for the sheet stack 902 to be pulled out by the user. If the sheet stack 902 is not detected, it determines that the sheet stack 902 has been pulled out, and proceeds to S510. In S510, the post-processing control unit 303 abuts the pair of sheet discharge rollers 916 and the pull-in roller 917. Then, in order to close the sheet discharge port 940, the post-processing control unit 303 moves the sheet discharge port cover 918 to the closed position. In S511, the post-processing control unit 303 notifies the controller 301 that the manual staple mode has ended, and ends the manual staple mode.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S507 that the alignment mode has been selected, then in S512 the post-processing control unit 303 executes the alignment operation using the jogger unit 919. Once the alignment operation has been executed, the process returns to S506, where the post-processing control unit 303 waits again for the manual staple execution button 202 to be pressed. Then, when the manual staple execution button 202 is pressed and the binding mode is selected, the processes of S508 to S511 are executed, and the manual staple mode ends.

In this way, it is now possible to select to perform an alignment operation on the sheet stack 902 before performing staple processing in the manual staple mode. By performing an alignment operation before performing staple processing, it is possible to perform staple processing after suppressing sheet misalignment in the sheet stack 902, and it is possible to improve the quality of the stapled sheet stack 902.

In this embodiment, as an example, when the manual staple execution button 202 is pressed for a shorter time than a predetermined time, it is determined that the binding mode has been selected, and when it is pressed for a longer time, it is determined that the alignment mode has been selected. However, this is not limited to this. For example, when the manual staple execution button 202 is pressed for a longer time than a predetermined time, it may be determined that the binding mode has been selected, and when it is pressed for a shorter time, it may be determined that the alignment mode has been selected. Furthermore, the selection of the mode is not limited to the pressing time. For example, the mode may be determined based on how many times the manual staple execution button 202 is pressed within a predetermined time. When the manual staple execution button 202 is pressed for a number of times equal to or less than a predetermined number of times, it may be determined that the binding mode has been selected, and when it is pressed for a larger number of times, it may be determined that the alignment mode has been selected. Furthermore, when the manual staple execution button 202 is pressed for a number of times equal to or more than a predetermined number of times, it may be determined that the binding mode has been selected, and when it is pressed for a smaller number of times, it may be determined that the alignment mode has been selected. Furthermore, although one alignment is performed in one alignment mode as an example, it may be determined that multiple alignments are performed in one alignment mode.

Second Embodiment
In the first embodiment, the mode is selected by the manual staple execution button 202. In this embodiment, a configuration is described in which the mode is selected by the manual staple transition button 201. Note that detailed description of the same configuration as the first embodiment, such as the image forming apparatus, will be omitted in this embodiment.

Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the post-processing control unit 303 when performing manual stapling in this embodiment. Note that control related to the manual stapling is performed based on a program stored in the ROM or the like of the CPU 400 mounted on the post-processing control unit 303.

In S601, when the user presses the manual staple transition button 201, the post-processing control unit 303 notifies the controller 301 via the serial communication means 427 that the mode has been switched to manual staple mode. In S602, when the controller 301 receives the notification that the mode has been switched to manual staple mode, it notifies the post-processing control unit 303 of the sheet size information 423 via the serial communication means 427.

In S603, the post-processing control unit 303 separates the pair of discharge rollers 916 and the pull-in roller 917. Furthermore, in order to open the discharge outlet 940, the post-processing control unit 303 moves the discharge outlet cover 918 to the open position. In S604, when the discharge outlet 940 is opened, the post-processing control unit 303 moves the jogger unit 919 to a position according to the size based on the received sheet size information 423 so that the jogger unit 919 functions as a guide unit for the sheet stack 902 to be inserted. Then, the post-processing control unit 303 waits for the user to insert the sheet stack 902 into the staple tray 912.

In S605, the post-processing control unit 303 determines whether the sheet stack 902 has been detected by the sheet detection sensor 204. If the sheet stack 902 has not been detected, the process waits for the user to insert the sheet stack 902. If the sheet stack 902 has been detected, the process proceeds to S606. In S606, the post-processing control unit 303 determines whether the manual staple transition button 201 has been pressed. If the manual staple transition button 201 has not been pressed, the process waits for the user to press the manual staple transition button 201. If the manual staple transition button 201 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S607.

In S607, the post-processing control unit 303 measures the time that the manual staple transition button 201 is pressed. In this example, if the pressing time is equal to or shorter than a predetermined time, it is determined that the binding mode has been selected, and the process proceeds to S608. On the other hand, if the pressing time is longer than the predetermined time, it is determined that the alignment mode has been selected, and the process proceeds to S613.

In S608, the post-processing control unit 303 determines whether the manual staple execution button 202 has been pressed. If the manual staple execution button 202 has not been pressed, the process waits for the user to press the manual staple execution button 202. If the manual staple execution button 202 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S609. In S609, the post-processing control unit 303 executes stapling using the staple unit 913. In S610, the post-processing control unit 303 determines whether the sheet stack 902 on which staple processing has been performed is detected by the sheet detection sensor 204. If the sheet stack 902 has been detected, the process waits for the user to pull out the sheet stack 902. If the sheet stack 902 has not been detected, the process determines that the sheet stack 902 has been pulled out, and the process proceeds to S611. In S611, the post-processing control unit 303 abuts the pair of discharge rollers 916 and the pull-in roller 917. Then, the paper outlet cover 918 is moved to the closed position to close the paper outlet 940. In S612, the post-processing control unit 303 notifies the controller 301 that the manual staple mode has ended, and ends the manual staple mode.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S607 that the alignment mode has been selected, then in S613 the post-processing control unit 303 executes the alignment operation using the jogger unit 919. Once the alignment operation has been executed, the process returns to S606, where the post-processing control unit 303 waits again for the manual staple transition button 201 to be pressed. Then, when the manual staple transition button 201 is pressed and the binding mode is selected, the process of S608 to S612 is executed, and the manual staple mode ends.

In this way, it is now possible to select to perform an alignment operation on the sheet stack 902 before performing staple processing in the manual staple mode. By performing an alignment operation before performing staple processing, it is possible to perform staple processing after suppressing sheet misalignment in the sheet stack 902, and it is possible to improve the quality of the stapled sheet stack 902.

In this embodiment, as an example, when the pressing time of the manual staple transition button 201 is shorter than a predetermined time, it is determined that the binding mode is selected, and when it is longer, it is determined that the alignment mode is selected. However, this is not limited to this. For example, when the pressing time of the manual staple transition button 201 is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, it may be determined that the binding mode is selected, and when it is shorter, it may be determined that the alignment mode is selected. Furthermore, the selection of the mode is not limited to the pressing time. For example, the mode may be determined based on how many times the manual staple transition button 201 is pressed within a predetermined time. When the number of times the manual staple transition button 201 is pressed is equal to or less than a predetermined number of times, it may be determined that the binding mode is selected, and when it is more than a predetermined number of times, it may be determined that the alignment mode is selected. Furthermore, when the number of times the manual staple transition button 201 is pressed is equal to or more than a predetermined number of times, it may be determined that the binding mode is selected, and when it is less than a predetermined number of times, it may be determined that the alignment mode is selected. Furthermore, although one alignment is performed in one alignment mode as an example, it is also possible to perform multiple alignments in one alignment mode.

Third Embodiment
In this embodiment, a configuration of a post-processing device 901 having a dedicated button for selecting a binding mode or an alignment mode will be described. Note that detailed description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, such as the image forming device, will be omitted in this embodiment.

Figure 8 is an overhead view of the post-processing device 901 in this embodiment. Note that the configuration is similar to that of Figure 3 of the first embodiment, except that a manual staple alignment button 203 is newly installed. The post-processing device 901 is provided with a manual staple transition button 201 and a manual staple execution button 202. The post-processing device 901 in this embodiment is configured to perform manual stapling by the user inserting a sheet stack 902 from outside the post-processing device 901 into the staple tray 912 through the paper discharge port 940.

When the user presses the manual staple transition button 201 and selects a mode for performing manual stapling processing, the post-processing device 901 moves the paper outlet cover 918 to the open position to open the paper outlet 940. In addition, the paper outlet roller pair 916 and the pull-in roller 917 move to the dotted line position and separate from each other. This prevents the paper outlet roller pair 916 and the pull-in roller 917 from interfering with the user's insertion of a stack of sheets into the staple tray 912.

The jogger unit 919 also serves as a sheet guide section that guides the sheet stack 902 to the staple tray 912. The reference side jogger 919A and the alignment side jogger 919B of the jogger unit 919 can be moved toward or away from each other. By changing their respective positions and the distance between them, they can function as a sheet guide section according to the size of the inserted sheets. The sheet stack 902 inserted from the outside through the paper discharge port 940 along the jogger unit 919 is detected by the sheet detection sensor 204. When the sheet detection sensor 204 detects the sheet stack 902, the post-processing device 901 enters a state waiting for manual stapling to be performed.

When the user presses the manual staple alignment button 203, the jogger unit 919 performs alignment processing on the sheet stack 902. When the manual staple execution button 202 is pressed, the post-processing device 901 performs staple processing using the staple unit 913. After the manual staple processing is completed, the post-processing device 901 moves the pair of discharge rollers 916 and the pull-in roller 917 in FIG. 1 to the position shown by the solid lines to abut against the sheet stack 902, and then rotates them in the forward direction to discharge the sheet stack 902 to the sheet discharge tray 911.

Figure 9 is a block diagram for explaining the system configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 and the post-processing apparatus 901. Note that detailed explanations of configurations similar to those explained in Figure 4 of the first embodiment will be omitted here.

When performing manual stapling, the post-processing control unit 303 determines whether the manual stapling mode has been switched to by pressing the manual stapling transition button 201. Stapling is also performed by pressing the manual stapling execution button 202. Alignment operation is also performed by pressing the manual staple alignment button 203 as an alignment instruction means. Also, the operation of the jogger unit 919 and staple unit 913 is controlled based on an input signal from the sheet detection sensor 204. In this way, alignment processing for the sheet stack 902 during manual stapling, execution of stapling processing, and cancellation of the manual stapling mode are controlled.

Figure 10 is a hardware configuration diagram of the post-processing control unit 303 in this embodiment. Note that detailed explanations of configurations similar to those described in Figure 5 of the first embodiment will be omitted here.

When print data 428 is sent from the external device 300 to the controller 301, the controller 301 sends a paper discharge operation start signal 422 and sheet size information 423 to the CPU 400 via the serial communication means 427. The CPU 400 also sends a paper discharge operation execution state 425 and a manual staple mode transition state 426 to the controller 301 via the serial communication means 427. The manual staple alignment button 203 inputs the button press state (ON signal or OFF signal) to the CPU 400.

Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the post-processing control unit 303 when performing manual stapling in this embodiment. Control related to manual stapling is executed based on a program stored in the ROM or the like of the CPU 400 mounted on the post-processing control unit 303. Note that detailed explanations of operations similar to those in the flowchart of Figure 6 in the first embodiment will be omitted here.

The operations from S701 to S705 are the same as those from S501 to S505 in FIG. 6 in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. In S706, the post-processing control unit 303 judges whether the manual staple alignment button 203 has been pressed. If the manual staple alignment button 203 has not been pressed, the post-processing control unit 303 waits for the user to press the manual staple alignment button 203. Note that, as an example, control for waiting for the manual staple alignment button 203 to be pressed is described here, but if it is determined that the manual staple alignment button 203 has not been pressed within a predetermined time, for example, control may be such that the process proceeds to S708. If the manual staple alignment button 203 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S707.

In S707, the post-processing control unit 303 executes an alignment operation using the jogger unit 919. In S708, the post-processing control unit 303 determines whether the manual staple execution button 202 has been pressed. If the manual staple execution button 202 has not been pressed, the process waits for the user to press the manual staple execution button 202. If the manual staple execution button 202 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S709. From here on, S709 to S712 are the same as S508 to S511 in FIG. 6 in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

In this way, it is now possible to select to perform an alignment operation on the sheet stack 902 before performing staple processing in the manual staple mode. By performing an alignment operation before performing staple processing, it is possible to perform staple processing after suppressing sheet misalignment in the sheet stack 902, and it is possible to improve the quality of the stapled sheet stack 902.

In this embodiment, the manual staple alignment button 203 is defined as a physical button as an example, but this is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, a display 990 provided in the image forming apparatus 100 or the post-processing apparatus 901 can be used. A manual staple transition button 201, a manual staple execution button 202, and a manual staple alignment button 203 are displayed on the display 990. Then, an alignment operation can be performed by the user pressing the manual staple alignment button 203. Also, although one alignment is performed in one alignment mode as an example, multiple alignments may be performed in one alignment mode.

901 post-processing device 912 staple tray 913 staple unit 919 jogger unit

Claims (6)

A post-processing device connectable to an image forming device,
A tray on which sheets are loaded;
an alignment means for aligning the sheet stack loaded on the tray;
a stapler for stapling the sheet stack loaded on the tray;
a discharge means for discharging the stapled sheet stack through a discharge port,
A post-processing device capable of switching between a first mode in which a sheet stack conveyed from the image forming device to the tray is stapled and a second mode in which a sheet stack inserted from outside into the tray through the discharge port is stapled,
A switching means for switching between the first mode and the second mode;
a stapling execution button for instructing execution of stapling by the stapling means;
A post-processing device characterized in that, when switching from the first mode to the second mode by the switching means and executing stapling in the second mode, the alignment means aligns the sheet stack in accordance with the pressing time of the staple execution button , and then the staple means performs stapling. A post-processing device connectable to an image forming device,
A tray on which sheets are loaded;
an alignment means for aligning the sheet stacks stacked on the tray;
a stapler for stapling the sheet stack loaded on the tray;
a discharge means for discharging the stapled sheet stack through a discharge port,
A post-processing device capable of switching between a first mode in which a sheet stack conveyed from the image forming device to the tray is stapled and a second mode in which a sheet stack inserted from outside into the tray through the discharge port is stapled,
A switching means for switching between the first mode and the second mode;
a stapling execution button for instructing execution of stapling by the stapling means;
a stapler that staples a sheet stack by aligning the sheet stack with the alignment means in accordance with the number of times the staple execution button is pressed, and then staples the sheet stack by stapling means when the stapling means switches from the first mode to the second mode by the switching means and stapling is performed in the second mode. 2. The post - processing device according to claim 1, wherein when the time during which the staple execution button is pressed is longer than a predetermined time, alignment is performed by the alignment means, and when the time is equal to or shorter than the predetermined time, stapling is performed by the staple means. 2. The post - processing device according to claim 1, wherein, when the time during which the staple execution button is pressed is shorter than a predetermined time, alignment is performed by the alignment means, and when the time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, stapling is performed by the staple means. 3. The post - processing device according to claim 2, wherein when the number of times the staple execution button is pressed is greater than a predetermined number, alignment is performed by the alignment means, and when the number of times is equal to or less than the predetermined number, stapling is performed by the staple means. 3. The post - processing device according to claim 2, wherein when the number of times the staple execution button is pressed is less than a predetermined number of times, alignment is performed by the alignment means, and when the number of times is equal to or more than the predetermined number of times, stapling is performed by the staple means.

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