[0001] The present invention relates to a sorter, and more specifically, it relates to a
sorter or sorting apparatus which incorporates a stapler capable of stapling a stack
of sheets, as defined in the preamble of claim 1 (US-A-4 385 827).
[0002] A conventional copying machine may have a sorter for stacking the sheets from its
image-developing process in a given order. One type of sorter includes a stapler for
stapling each stack of sheets.
[0003] Japanese Patent Publication JP-A-231757/1989 discloses one of the conventional sorters
which has a stapler. The sorter has a plurality of bins for receiving sheets so as
to sort them into a given order. The bins are disposed vertically and capable of moving
vertically. A discharger is provided near the lowest end of the bins for the transport
of sheets from the copying machine into the bins. A stapler for stapling the stacks
of sheets stored in each bin is provided in the discharger.
[0004] In the conventional sorter, there is a predetermined gap between respective adjacent
bins through which sheets are transported from the discharger into the bins. The stack
of sheets stored in each bin is stapled by the stapler. The stapler can be rotated
through a predetermined angle such that the stapler is located either in a drawn position,
allowing the bins to pass, or in the stapling position, in which the stapling operation
is performed.
[0005] Japanese Patent Publication JP-A-23154/1990 discloses another sorter which has a
plurality of bins each of which is immovable. Sheets from a copying machine are transported
by a transport mechanism which includes claws provided to correspond to the bins.
In the sorter is a stapler which is vertically movable.
[0006] The stapling operation of the sorter is performed as follows: the stapler is moved
vertically; a pincher draws the stack of sheets in a bin into a stapling position;
the stapler staples the stack of sheets; and the pincher moves the stack back into
the bin.
[0007] In the sorter disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication JP-A-231757/1989, the stapler
is disposed in the discharger, wherein the stapler is an obstruction to bins moving
vertically. Consequently, a mechanism to rotate the stapler between the stapling position
and the drawn position must be provided, complicating the structure. In the sorter
disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication JP-A-23154/1990, a device for drawing a stack
of sheets out from a bin and moving the stack back into the bin must be provided in
addition to the stapler, thus also complicating the structure of the sorter.
[0008] The above-described sorters, however, cannot accommodate any number of stacks of
stapled sheets greater than the number of bins. Therefore, when a larger number of
copies are to be produced, an operator must empty the stapled sheets from the bins
in order to allow succeeding sheets to pass into the bins. A plurality of sorters
could be provided, in order to process a larger number of copies, but they would occupy
a greater amount of space.
[0009] Japanese Patent Publication JP-A-165270/1988 discloses a sorter consisting of a sorting
portion and a stacking portion. When sheets are to be stapled by the sorter, the stacks
formed in the sorting portion are transported to the stacking portion, and then a
stapler provided in the stacking portion staples the stacked sheets. Accordingly,
the sorter can handle a number of copies larger than the number of bins provided in
the sorting portion.
[0010] In the sorter, however, the stacks of sheets formed in the sorting portion become
disarranged while they are transported toward the stacking portion, making it difficult
to rearrange the stacks of sheets in the stacking portion before stapling.
[0011] Japanese Patent Publication JP-A-179756/1985 discloses a sorter in which each bin
is sloped, positioning the sheet-forward ends higher than the opposite ends, whereby
the stacks of stapled sheets can then be readily discharged into a storing portion.
In the sorter, a sheet fed from the discharging portion of the copying machine automatically
slides by its own weight down to a stop located at an end of each bin. However, sheets
of smaller size may easily stick in the middle of a bin. In such a case, the ends
of all of the sheets cannot be arranged evenly, and the stapling operation cannot
be performed satisfactorily. When the length of the sheets is much shorter than that
of the bins, the leading edge of one sheet may knock against the trailing edge of
the preceding sheet, or one sheet may be transported under the preceding sheet. This
results in a stapling of inferior quality at times.
[0012] The United States Patent US-4,385,827 discloses a finishing station associated with
a copying machine. Copied sheets are fed with their leading edge into the upper ends
of substantially vertically arranged bins. The copied sheets slide with their leading
edge coming to rest against a stop at the lower end of the sloped bins. Pincher means
transport the stacks of sheets from the bins by means of a pivotal arm to a stapler,
which is disposed apart from the lower ends of the bins.
[0013] The United States patent US-4,928,150 discloses a copying machine for carrying out
various types of copying operations according to a selected mode. A sorter with bins
can be optionally provided for receiving discharged sheets. Furthermore, the sorter
can be replaced by other sheet handling devices such as a stapler.
[0014] An object of the present invention is to provide a sorting apparatus including a
stapling function, wherein the transportation of copied sheets to the storage bins
can be performed efficiently even for sheets of different size. A further object is
to provide a sorting apparatus by which sheets can be efficiently stapled while in
the bins, the apparatus having an improved discharge mechanism for discharging the
stapled sheets from the bins.
[0015] According to the present invention, a sorting apparatus is provided as defined in
Claim 1. Embodiments of the sorting apparatus are given in Claims 2 to 16.
[0016] The paper storages store supplied sheets and are disposed such that they are movable
in the vertical direction. In each paper storage, the forward end portion, against
which the leading edge of a sheet is positioned, is higher than the back end portion,
on which the trailing edge of a sheet is located, and the back end portion includes
a rotatable stop for retaining sheets. The stapler is an apparatus for stapling the
stacks of sheets stored in the paper storages. The rotating mechanism rotates the
stop, whereby a stapled stack of sheets is discharged from the paper storage when
the paper storage is positioned at a predetermined location. The stocker receives
stacks of sheets which drop from the paper storages.
[0017] In the sorter,the supplied sheets of paper are stored in the paper storages in a
given order. After a predetermined number of sheets are stored in the paper storages,
the stapler staples each stack of paper from the respective paper storage.. Since
the paper storages slope, a sheet stack will abut on the stop provided in the back
end portion of a paper storage. Accordingly, when a paper storage is moved so as to
be positioned in the predetermined location, the stop rotates to allow the stack of
sheets to slide down along the slope of the paper storage. The stack of sheets drops
from the paper storage into the stocker.
[0018] Consequently, more sheet stacks than the number of paper storages can be handled
in the sorting and stapling operations, thus the sorting and stapling operations of
a great number of sheets can be carried out in a short period of time. Additionally,
since a stapled stack of sheets drops into the stocker through its own weight when
the stopper is rotated, the sorter does not require any sort of complex mechanism
in order to discharge the stacks of sheets.
[0019] In the sorter, sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus are preferably
supplied to the sorting part via the transportation path which arranges them in a
given order in the sorting part. The stapler staples stacks of sheets stored in the
sorting part and then they are moved into the stocker below the transportation path.
[0020] Consequently, the sorter is capable of performing its operation, including stapling,
in accordance with a number of sheet stacks which may be greater than the number of
sheet storages provided in the sorting part. Furthermore, since the stocker is preferably
located in an open space below the transportation path which has previously not been
used effectively, the sorter remains compact.
[0021] In a further embodiment, a position changer reverses the orientation of the sheet
storages such that the forward end portion is positioned lower than the back end portion.
Thus, a stapled stack of sheets is discharged from the forward end portion of a sheet
storage. The stocker receives the stack of sheets discharged from the sheet storage.
[0022] In the sorter, the sheet storages slope such that their forward end portions are
located higher than their back end portions. Consequently, sheets discharged from
the image forming apparatus are arranged so that the trailing edges of the sheets
are even with one another, and the leading edge of any one sheet does not abut the
trailing edge of the preceding sheet. As a result, the stored sheets in the sheet
storages are properly arranged. The stacks of sheets stored in the sheet storages
are stapled by the stapler.
[0023] The stacks of sheets remain in the sheet storages even after they have been stapled.
Then, the position changer changes the position of the sheet storages so that the
back end portions of the storages are positioned higher than the forward end portions.
As a result, stapled stacks of sheets drop from the second end portion of the sheet
storages by their own weight, and the stocker receives the stacks of sheets.
[0024] Accordingly, since the sheets are stored in the sheet storages with their ends even,
are stapled by the stapler, and then are dropped toward the stocker by means of shifting
the position of the sheet storages, the sorter does not require any complicated mechanisms
for discharging the stacks of sheets from the sheet storages.
[0025] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more fully
apparent from the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026]
Fig. 1 is a schematic section view of a copying machine equipped with a sorter incorporating
a stapler according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a schematic section view of the sorter shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a section view taken along the line III-III of Fig. 2;
Figs. 4A and 4B are partial section views showing a shutter mechanism of the sorter
in operation;
Figs. 5A and 5B are partial section views showing the shutter mechanism in operation;
Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a sorter controller;
Fig. 7 is a flow chart describing sorter operation;
Figs. 8A, 8B and 8C are plan views for showing lateral guides in operation;
Fig. 9 is a schematic section view showing a copying machine equipped with a sorter
incorporating stapler according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 10 is a front partial view showing the driving mechanism to the bin retainer
in the sorter;
Fig. 11 is a partial plan view showing a bin and a cam;
Fig. 12 is a partial front view showing a screw cam for vertically moving bins;
Figs. 13A and 13B are section partial views showing the sorter in operation;
Fig. 14 is a schematic sectional view showing a sorter incorporating a stapler according
to the third embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 15 is a partial plan view showing the sorter;
Figs. 16A to 16E are partial section views showing the sorter in operation; and
Figs. 17A and 17B are flow charts describing the operation of the sorter.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment
[0027] Fig. 1 shows a copying machine equipped with a sorter which incorporates a stapler
according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] Referring to Fig. 1, the copying machine includes a main body 1, a paper feeding
unit 2 fixed on the right side of the body 1 in the figure, and a sorter 3 located
on the left side of the body 1. The body 1 has a case 4, an image forming part 5 disposed
in a central portion of the case 4, an original scanner 6 disposed above the image
forming part 5, and a paper-transport path 7 for feeding and discharging paper to
and from the image forming part 5.
[0029] The image forming part 5 has a photoconductive drum disposed at the center, and a
charger, a developing unit, a transfer unit, a detach unit, and a cleaning unit disposed
surrounding the photoconductive drum.
[0030] The original scanner 6 has an optical exposure system 8 disposed above the image
forming part 5, an original retainer 9 disposed over the optical exposure system 8,
and an automatic original-transport device 10 provided on the original retainer 9.
The automatic original-transport device 10 has an original-receiving portion 11 in
an upper surface of its case, and an original transporting unit 12 consisting of an
original-transport belt and related elements disposed inside the case.
[0031] The paper-transport path 7 includes a paper feeding path provided between the paper
feeding unit 19 and the image forming part 5, and a paper discharging path provided
beyond the image forming part 5. A fixing unit 14 is provided in the paper discharging
path. Between the fixing unit 14 and the sorter 3, there are discharge rollers 20
for discharging paper to the sorter 3, and a reversing device 15 for reversing the
paper.
[0032] Provided in a lower portion of the case 4 is a lower transport path 16 which transports
paper from the reversing device 15 so that it may be stored, a turning unit 17 for
turning round the paper transported through the lower transport path 16, a temporary
storage tray 18 for temporary storage of the paper, and a paper refeeding part 19
for transporting the paper from the tray 18.
[0033] Referring to Fig. 2, the sorter 3 includes primarily a transport path 22 provided
on the right side of a partition frame 21, a plurality of bins 23 arranged vertically
on the left side of the partition frame 21, a bin driving system 24 for driving the
bins 23, a stapler 25 for stapling stacks of sheets sorted into the respective bins
23, a pair of lateral guides 261 and 262 located at essentially the same level as
the stapler 25, and a stocker 27 disposed under the transport path 22 for storing
stapled stacks of sheets.
[0034] The transport path 22 discharges sheets sent by the discharge rollers 20 from the
body 1 of the copying machine (shown in Fig. 1) into the respective bins 23. This
transport path 22 includes transport rollers 28, discharge rollers 29, a transport
motor 30, a belt 31 extending around the rollers 28, 29 and the transport motor 30,
and a pair of guide plates 32 for guiding the transported paper. A paper detection
switch 33 which detects incoming paper is provided near the transport rollers 28.
[0035] The paper storage bins 23, and the lateral guides 261 and 262 which abut both sides
of the paper while conveying it, will be described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3.
[0036] Each of the bins 23 has a main tray 35, and a slidable tray 36 provided along the
entrance side of the main tray 35. The dimension of the slidable tray 36 in the width
direction (vertical direction in Fig. 3) is made less than the minimum size of paper
which can be handled in the sorter 3. The slidable tray 36 is coupled to the main
tray 35 by means of a rod 37 provided at the paper-incoming end of the main tray 35
so as to be movable in the width direction of the paper. The slidable tray 36 is driven
toward the rear of the apparatus (or upwards in Fig. 3) by a spring 38 fitted over
the rod 37, wherein it is centered along the width of the discharged paper when the
tray is free. The plurality of bins 23 thus constructed are arranged vertically at
prescribed intervals. Together the bins 23 as a battery are vertically movable along
guide slots formed in a main frame 39. As shown in Fig. 2, each bin 23 is sloped such
that the end corresponding to the leading edge of a fed sheet is positioned higher
than the end corresponding to the trailing edge of a fed sheet.
[0037] The slidable tray 36 of each bin 23 includes a paper stop 40 along the side of the
tray adjacent to the discharge rollers 29. The paper stop 40 is rotatable between
a paper stop position, wherein it stands at essentially a right angle to the paper-retaining
surface of the slidable tray 36, as shown in Fig. 4A, and a paper discharge position,
wherein it is in the same plane as the paper-retaining surface of the slidable tray
36, as shown in Fig. 4B. The paper stop 40 is impelled clockwise in Fig. 4A by means
of a spring not shown. When the paper stop 40 is located in the paper stop position,
the sheets of paper abut against the paper stop 40 due to their weight, whereby the
trailing edges of the sheets are evenly aligned with each other. When the paper stop
40 rotates and is located in the paper discharge position, the paper stop 40 serves
as a guide plate for smoothly guiding a stack of paper into the stocker 27. In the
end of the slidable tray 36 adjacent to the discharge rollers 29 is a cutout 36a,
so that when the tray slides by the stapler 25, the tray does not interfere with the
stapler 25.
[0038] Lateral guides 261 and 262 are provided on either side of the slidable tray 36, forming
a pair as shown in Fig. 3. The lateral guides 261 and 262 have contact surfaces 261a
and 262a which abut the sides of the sheets stored in a bin 23, and guide portions
261b and 262b which guide the lateral guides 261 and 262 in their movement along the
width direction of the sheets. The guide portions 261b and 262b are disposed to extend
past each other perpendicular to the paper feeding direction. The guide portions 261b
and 262b have guide slots 261c and 262c into which guide pins 41 fixed in the main
frame 39 are inserted whereby the guide portions 261b and 262b are slidable on the
guide pins 41. The guide portions 261b and 262b have racks 261d and 262d in opposed
portions. Each of the respective racks 261d and 262d is engaged by a pinion 42 of
a pair disposed between the guide portions 261b and 262b. Both pinions 42 are connected
to corresponding motors 43 (indicated in Fig. 2) which are controlled independently
of one another. Although only one of the motors 43 is shown in Fig. 2, two motors
43 are provided, corresponding to the two pinions 42.
[0039] Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the stapler 25 is located in a position over the lateral
guide 262 such that it is neither an obstacle to the discharging of sheets, nor to
the vertical movement of the bins 23.
[0040] As shown in Fig. 2, the bin driving system 24 includes sprockets 50 and 51 provided
in the upper and lower portions of the main frame 39, respectively, a chain 52 extending
around the sprockets 50 and 51, and a motor 53 for driving the sprocket 51. The battery
consisting of the bins 23 together is vertically conveyed by the bin driving system
24.
[0041] As shown in Fig. 2, the partition frame 21 has an opening 45 located under the stapler
25 and above the stocker 27 for the discharge of stacks of sheets from the bins 23
into the stocker 27. A stack guide 46 for guiding stacks of sheets from the opening
45 into the stocker 27 is provided on the partition frame 21 under the opening 45.
Provided at the opening 45 is a shutter mechanism 55 as shown in Figs. 4A, 4B, 5A,
and 5B. The shutter mechanism 55 includes a shutter 56 in the form of a comb which
blocks the opening 45, a solenoid 57 for opening the shutter 56, and a spring 58 for
forcing the shutter 56 to close. The shutter 56 is connected rotatably to a support
59 provided on the main frame 39. When the shutter 56 closes the opening 45 as shown
in Fig. 4A, the stop 40 cannot rotate because the upper end of the paper stop 40 abuts
the shutter 56.
[0042] The sorter 3 has a control unit 60, shown in Fig. 6. The control unit 60 is connected
to a control unit 61 of the copying machine body 1, and has a microcomputer which
includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The control unit 60 is connected with a paper detection
switch 33, bin storage sensors 62 for detecting the storage of paper in the bins 23,
a bin discharge sensor (photo sensor) 63 for detecting the discharge of stapled stacks
of sheets from the bins 23 into the stocker 27, and miscellaneous inputs. The control
unit 60 is further connected with a transport motor driver 64 for driving the transport
motor 30, a motor driver 65 for driving the lateral guide motors 43, a shutter driver
66 for driving the solenoid 57 of the shutter mechanism 55, and a bin driver 67 for
driving the bin drive motor 53.
[0043] Operation of the sorter 3 will be described with reference to the flow chart of Fig.
7.
[0044] When the main switch of the body 1 of the copying machine is turned on, the components
therein are initialized to prescribed conditions, and the sorter is also initialized,
by moving the bins 23 to initial positions, for instance. If a staple mode is selected
as a discharge mode by an operator through an operation panel on the copying machine
body 1, the procedure shown in the flow chart of Fig. 7 is executed.
[0045] When sheets are successively discharged from the copying machine body 1, the sorting
operation is carried out at step S1. First, the uppermost bin 23 is positioned at
the level of the discharge rollers 29 so that the first sheet is discharged into the
bin 23. When the sheet is received into the bin 23, at step S2 the lateral guide motors
43 drive the lateral guides 261 and 262 such that they approach each other until the
distance between the guides 261 and 262 corresponds to the paper size which was transferred
from the control unit 61 of the copying machine body 1 to the control unit 60 of the
sorter 3. Thus, the contact surfaces 261a and 262a of the lateral guides 261 and 262
abut both sides of the sheet, centering it in the width direction.
[0046] At step S3, it is determined whether the bins 23 have received a preset number of
copies. If for example there are twenty bins 23 and the preset number of copies is
forty, the preset number calculated for the determination is twenty and sorting and
stapling processing is to be performed in two cycles (= 40/20). At step S3, when the
number of received sheets is smaller than the preset number, the program proceeds
to step S4. At step S4, the bins 23 are raised by the bin driving system 24, so that
the next bin 23 is positioned at the level of the discharge rollers 29. Then, the
program returns to step S1, and steps S1 to S4 are executed repeatedly until the preset
number of sheets are stored in the bins 23 in a given order.
[0047] When the preset number of sheets has been received in the bins 23, the program proceeds
from step S3 to step S5. At step S5, it is determined, based on a signal from the
control unit 61 of the copying machine body 1, whether all originals have been copied.
If all originals have not been copied, the program proceeds to step S6 to provide
a signal for reversing the conveyance direction of the bins 23. Subsequently, the
program returns to step S1. Steps S1 to S6 are then executed repeatedly until all
originals have been copied.
[0048] When the preset number of sheets for all originals has been received in the bins
23, the program proceeds from step S5 to step S7. At step S7, the lowermost or uppermost
bin 23 is moved into the position where the stapler 25 operates. Whether the battery
of bins 23 is located above or under the stapler 25 at the end of the sorting operation
depends upon whether the number of originals is an odd number or an even number.
[0049] At step S8, a stack of sheets is inserted into the stapler 25 at a stapling position
P by the lateral guides 261 and 262. This procedure is shown in Figs. 8A to 8C.
[0050] For example, if the paper is A3 size as shown in Fig. 8A, the lateral guide motors
43 drive the lateral guides 261 and 262 bring them into abutment on both sides of
A3-size sheets. Then, the guides 261 and 262 retaining the stack of sheets move so
that the corner of the stack closest to the stapler 25 is inserted into the stapler
25 at the position P. If the paper is A4 size or B5 size, as shown in Figs. 8B and
8C respectively, the distance by which the lateral guides 261 and 262 move is controlled
according to the paper size, A4 or B5, whereby the corner of the stack closest to
the stapler 25 is moved into the stapling position P of the stapler 25. When the lateral
guides 261 and 262 are moved by a large amount as shown in Figs. 8B and 8C, the contact
surface 261a of the lateral guide 261 abuts the rear end of the slidable tray 36 to
move the slidable tray 36 in opposition to the spring 38. Thus, the slidable tray
36 is moved together with the stack of sheets, as the tray retains the trailing end
of the stack.
[0051] When the corner of the stack is located into the stapling position P of the stapler
25 at step S8, the program proceeds to step S9. At step S9, the stapler 25 operates
to staple the stack of sheets in the bin 23. At step S10, it is determined whether
all the stacks of sheets stored in the bins 23 have been stapled. If all of the stacks
of sheets in the bins 23 have not been stapled, the program proceeds to step S11.
At step S11, the next bin 23 is conveyed by the bin driving system 24 to the position
wherein the stapler 25 is located, and steps S7 to S9 are executed again.
[0052] The operations at steps S7 to S11 are thus repeated until all of the stacks in the
bins have been stapled, and then the program proceeds from step S10 to S12.
[0053] At step S12, the lowermost or uppermost bin 23 is conveyed before the opening 45.
At step S13, the solenoid 57 is activated to move the shutter 56 downward, whereby
the opening 45 is unblocked. This unblocked state is shown in Figs. 4B and 5B. Therefore
the paper stop 40 automatically rotates by 90°, clockwise in Fig. 4A, to be in the
same plane as the paper placing surface of the slide tray 36, since when the shutter
56 is located in the opening 45 the paper stop 40 is impelled against the partition
frame 21 by the spring as described previously. Consequently, the paper stop 40 is
released, and the stack of sheets stored in the bin 23 falls by its own weight along
the stack guide 46 into the stocker 27.
[0054] Provided in the vicinity of the opening 45 is a bin discharge sensor 63 (not shown
in Figs. 4A and 4B) for detecting a stack of sheets passing through the opening 45
and falling into the stocker 27. When it is determined at step S14 that the stack
of sheets has fallen into the stocker 27, the program proceeds to step S15. At step
S15, the solenoid 57 is deactivated. As a result, the shutter 56 is moved upward by
the spring 58, closing the opening 45.
[0055] At step S16, it is determined whether all of the stapled stacks of sheets have been
discharged from the bins 23. If all of them have not been discharged, the program
proceeds to step S17 in order to convey the next bin 23 into the position before the
opening 45, and the program returns to step S12. The operations at steps S12 to S17
are then repeated until all of the stapled stacks have been discharged from the bins
23. Discharging all of the bins 23 completes one sorting, stapling and discharging
cycle.
[0056] If there are twenty bins 23 and the preset number of copies is forty as described
above, the procedure shown in Fig. 7 is executed in two cycles, corresponding to the
first and second calculated numbers of sheets.
[0057] In the above-described embodiment, sorting and stapling of a given number of sheets
greater more than the number of bins 23 can be performed in a short time without need
of handling by the operator.
[0058] Since a stack is moved into the stapling position by means of the lateral guides
261 and 262, no other particular means is required for moving paper into the stapling
position, and thus the structure of the sorter is simplified. In addition, since the
stacks are moved into the stapling position, the stapler 25 can be provided in a location
such that it is not an obstacle to the discharging operation nor to the bin conveying
operation, and the stapler 25 does not require any driving mechanism.
[0059] The means of moving the stacked sheets into the stapling position by the lateral
guides 261 and 262 retaining the sheets on either side is such that it prevents the
sheets from becoming disarranged or irregularly raised while they are moved.
[0060] In addition, since the stacks of sheets automatically fall by their own weight from
the bins 23 into the stocker 27, the mechanism for discharging the sheets from the
bins 23 is made simple.
[0061] In addition, since the stocker 27 is provided in a portion under the transport path
22 which has been "dead" space in the conventional apparatus, it is possible to utilize
effectively the space whereby a compact sorter is provided.
Second Embodiment
[0062] Fig. 9 shows a copying machine equipped with a sorter having a stapler according
to the second embodiment of the present invention. The copying machine body 1 is of
the same construction as that of the first embodiment.
[0063] A sorter 70 includes chiefly a main frame 71, a bin retainer 72, a plurality of bins
73 for receiving sheets in a given order, a stapler 74 for stapling the stacks of
sheets in the bins 73, and a bin conveying mechanism 75 for vertically conveying the
ends of the bins 73 upon which the trailing edges of the fed sheets are placed. The
stapler 74 is movable in the paper width direction in order to correspond to the paper's
size.
[0064] The main frame 71 has a right side portion 80, a left side portion 81, and a bottom
portion 82, forming an approximate "U". The left side portion 81 has transport rollers
83 and 84 for transporting stacks of sheets, and a stack transport path 87 consisting
of guide plates 85 and 86 for guiding the transported paper. The bottom portion 82
has a stocker 88 for storing stacks of sheets supplied through the stack transport
path 87. In the right side portion 80, a transport path 89 for transporting sheets
discharged from the discharge rollers 20 into the bins 73 is provided at a position
corresponding to the discharge rollers 20.
[0065] The bin retainer 72 retains first ends, or sheet-receiving ends, and second ends,
or sheet-discharging ends, of the bins 73 and it is movable vertically in the space
between the right side portion 80 and left side portion 81. A driving mechanism for
vertically moving the bin retainer 72 includes, as shown in Fig. 10, a rack 90 formed
vertically in the right side portion 80, a motor 91 fixed to a base portion of the
bin retainer 72, and a pinion 92 fixed to a shaft of the motor 91 and engaging with
the rack 90. The driving mechanism as described above is provided on either of the
two sides (rear and front with respect to an operator) of the bin retainer 72.
[0066] The bin retainer 72 is provided with lateral guides 93 for adjusting the stacks of
sheets stored in each bin 73 in the sheet width direction as shown in Fig. 9 and in
Fig. 11. A pair of lateral guides 93 are provided opposingly in the front and rear
sides of the sorter. Both lateral guides 93 include an L-shaped bar, of which the
base portion is rotatably supported by a projecting portion 72a of the bin retainer
72, and a gear 94 fixed to their base portions. A motor 95 is fixed onto the projecting
portion 72a on either side of the bin retainer 72, and a gear 96 fixed to the motor
95 is engaged with the gear 94. The lateral guides 93 are rotated by the motors 95
so as to abut either side of the sheets in the width direction, whereby the sheets
are arranged in proper stacks.
[0067] The forward end of each bin 73, whereon the leading edge of a sheet is located, is
supported by the bin retainer 72, and the back end of each bin 73, whereon the trailing
edge of a sheet is located, is inserted into the right side portion 80. The bins 73
slope such that their forward ends are located higher than their back ends. As shown
in Fig. 11, a paper stop 73a for checking the trailing edges of stored sheets is provided
in the back end of each bin 73. A trunnion 97 is provided on each of two sides of
the back ends of the bins widthwise. The trunnions 97 are guided in vertically extending
guide grooves 98a in a frame 98 on the right side portion 80 whereby they move vertically.
Trunnions 97 adjacent to the respective vertically disposed bins 73 are in contact
with each other.
[0068] The bin conveying mechanism 75 is provided inside the right side portion 80 of the
main frame 71. The bin conveying mechanism 75 includes, on either side of the back
end portion of the bins 73, a first screw-cam mechanism 100 for increasing the spacing
between adjacent bins 73, and a second screw-cam mechanism 101 for changing the position
of the bins 73 from the state inclined as shown in Fig. 9 to an oppositely-inclined
state. These first and second screw-cam mechanisms 100 and 101 are driven by a motor
and a gear mechanism not shown. The first and second screw-cam mechanisms 100 and
101 are spaced in such a way as to allow all of the bins 73 to be located therebetween.
In order to staple the stacks of sheets after they have been stored into all of the
bins 73 in a given order, a stapler 74 is provided at the lower end of one of the
second screw-cam mechanisms 101.
[0069] The first and second screw-cam mechanisms 100 and 101 consist of a cylinder having
a spiral groove (100a and 101a respectively), as shown in Fig. 12. The trunnions 97
of the bins 73 engage with the grooves 100a and 101a such that the back ends of the
bins 73 may be moved vertically.
[0070] The operation of this embodiment will now be described.
[0071] When the staple mode is selected in the copying machine body 1, the bins 73 are moved
vertically, whereby the sheets are sorted to form stacks, and then the stacks of sheets
are stapled by the stapler 74. In this description, the preset number of copies given
to be sorted and stapled is larger than the number of bins 73.
[0072] In the initial condition, all the bins 73 are located under the first screw-cam mechanism
100 as shown in Fig. 9. Then, sheets are successively discharged by the discharge
rollers 20, so as to be stored in the bins 73 through the transporting path 89. When
a sheet is received in the uppermost bin 73, the bin retainer 72 is then moved upward
to engage the trunnions 97 of the uppermost bin 73 with the grooves 100a of the first
screw-cam mechanism 100. Then, the first screw-cam mechanism 100 is rotated by the
driving system not shown, whereby the back end of the uppermost bin 73 is conveyed
toward the upper end of the first screw-cam mechanism 100. Consequently, a space corresponding
to the height of the first screw-cam mechanism 100 is formed between the uppermost
bin 73 and the following bin 73 such that the succeeding sheet discharged from the
copying machine body 1 is easily received into the next bin 73.
[0073] The same operation is repeated until the preset number of copies is made or a sheet
is stored into the lowermost bin 73. Then, the first original is replaced by the second
original. In the copy process of the second original, the first-copied sheet is stored
into the last bin 73 at which the first copy process was terminated. Then, while the
bin retainer 72 is lowered by one bin, the first screw-cam mechanism 100 is driven
in the opposite direction to that described above, whereby the bins 73 are successively
lowered as the sheets are stored in the given order. Thus, the sheets are successively
stored in the respective bins 73 while the bins 73 are conveyed upward or downward
by the first screw-cam mechanism 100.
[0074] After the sheets are received and stored in each bin 73, the pair of lateral guides
93 rotate from the position indicated by the partially dotted lines into the position
indicated by the solid lines in Fig. 11, so as to form properly stacked sheets.
[0075] When the sheets corresponding to all of the originals are stored into the bins 73,
the bins 73 will be located either under or above the first screw-cam mechanism 100,
depending on whether the number of originals is odd or even.
[0076] The bins 73, starting from the uppermost, are then raised successively into the stapling
position, wherein each stack of sheets in the bins 73 is stapled by the stapler 74.
The stapler 74 is capable of taking both a stapling position, as shown in Fig. 9,
and a drawn position in which it does not interfere with the vertical movements of
the bins 73. In a stapling operation, the stapler 74 is moved along the paper's width
to correspond to the paper size. Fig. 13A shows the stapler 74 having begun to staple.
[0077] After each stack of sheets in the bins 73 is stapled, the bin retainer 72 is moved
upward, whereby the trunnions 97 of the bin 73 engage with the grooves 101a of the
second screw-cam mechanism 101. The second screw-cam mechanism 101 is driven by the
driving system not shown, and the trunnions 97 move upward along the grooves 101a
of the second screw-cam mechanism 101. As a result of the upward movement of the trunnions
97, the bins 73 slope such that their back ends become located higher than their forward
ends, as shown in Fig. 13B. Thus, the stapled stack of sheets stored in each bin 73
drops into and through the stack transporting path 87 in the left side portion 81
and is stored in the stocker 88.
[0078] After all of the stapled stacks of sheets in the bins 73 are stored into the stocker
88, the bin retainer 72 is lowered and the cam mechanisms 101 and 100 are driven in
the opposite direction to that described above, whereby all the bins 73 are returned
to the initial state shown in Fig. 9. Subsequently, the operation as described above
may be repeated cyclically until the preset number of copies are furnished.
[0079] In the sorting operation according to this embodiment, the bins 73 initially are
sloped with the back ends being located lower than the forward ends. Accordingly,
the trailing edge of a sheet having passed through the paper discharging portion will
abut on the paper stop 73a located under the discharging portion, thereby permitting
various sizes of sheets to be sorted and stapled with minimal possibility of error.
[0080] After the stacks of sheets are stapled, the bins 73 have their back ends raised higher
than their forward ends, whereby the stapled stack of sheets in each bin is discharged
into the stack transporting path 87 by its own weight. Thus, no special device for
drawing the stacks out of the bins 73 is necessary, and the structure of the sorter
is simplified.
[0081] Another means for changing the position of the bins 73, another structure employing
cylinders for example, may be used in lieu of the screw-cam mechanism 101.
[0082] The sheets may be arranged in the bins 73 with respect to one side of the sheets,
instead of to the center line of the sheets. In this case, a lateral guide may be
provided in the rear side of the sorter and a paper regulator plate may be provided
on the front side of each bin. In order to facilitate maintenance, the stapler is
disposed in the front side of the sorter. Movement of the stapler along the paper's
width direction is not necessary, since in this case the sheets are properly stacked
by the lateral guide and the paper regulator plate on the front side portion of each
of the bins 73.
Third Embodiment
[0083] Fig. 14 shows a copying machine equipped with a sorter incorporating a stapler according
to the third embodiment of the present invention.
[0084] This copying machine includes a main body 1, a sorter 111 incorporating a stapler,
a paper folding unit 112 disposed between the body 1 and the sorter 111, and a transport
path 113 disposed over the paper folding unit 112. The copying machine body 1 is of
the same structure as that of the above-described embodiments.
[0085] The sorter 111 has a plurality of bins 114 for temporarily storing sorted sheets.
These bins 114 slope with their forward or left, ends, being located higher than the
back or right, ends. The bins 114 are moved by an elevating unit 115 between a home
position, indicated by solid lines in Fig. 14, and an uppermost position, indicated
by partially dotted lines. There is provided, alongside the lower end of the bins
114, a stapler 116 for stapling sheets sorted into the bins 114. A punching unit 117
for punching the sheets is provided below the stapler 116. The sorter 111 has an outlet
118 in a position corresponding to the lowermost one of the bins 114 when located
in their uppermost position. The outlet 118 has the same slope as that of the bins
114 so as to be continuous with the paper retaining surface of the corresponding bin
114. The sorter 111 further has a feed opening 119 above the back end of the uppermost
of the bins 114 located in the home position. Discharge rollers 120 for transporting
paper are provided at the exit of the feed opening 119. Sheet-detection switches 121
and 122 are provided in the outlet 118 and the feed opening 119, respectively.
[0086] A scraper 125 for scraping out the stack of sheets from the bin 114 into the outlet
118 is provided in an end portion of the outlet 118 along the bins 114. The scraper
125 is formed of a flexible plate such as a rubber plate and fixed to a shaft 126,
as shown in Fig. 15. The shaft 126 is rotatably driven by a motor 127. Each bin 114
has cuts 114a enabling the scraper 125 to pass therethrough. A cutout 114b is formed
at the forward end, or free end, of each bin 114 so that the operator can easily remove
the paper.
[0087] The transporting path 113 is within a housing 130. The upper portion of the housing
130 constitutes a stocker 131 for storing paper. The stocker 131 has essentially the
same slope as that of the bins 114 and the outlet 118. Stacks of sheets discharged
through the outlet 118 are stored into the stocker 131.
[0088] Inside the housing 130, there are provided a first transport path 132 for directly
discharging sheets from the discharge rollers 20 into the stocker 131, a second transport
path 133 for transporting sheets from the discharge rollers 20 toward the paper folding
unit 112 or toward the sorter 111, a third transport path 134 for transporting sheets
from the second transport path 133 to the paper folding unit 112, a fourth transport
path 135 for transporting sheets from the second transport path 133 to the sorter
111, and a fifth transport path 136 for transporting sheets from the paper folding
unit 112 to the sorter 111. Each of the transport paths is provided with transport
rollers 137, and branching portions of the transport paths are provided with levers
138 and 139 capable of changing the directions of sheet transport. Switches 140 and
141 for detecting transported sheets are provided at exits of the first and fourth
transport paths 132 and 135, respectively.
[0089] Operation of the foregoing will now be described.
[0090] Copy-processed sheet in the copying machine body 1 are successively transported through
the transporting path 113, and the bins 114 of the sorter 111 are conveyed from the
home position shown in Fig. 14 upward and back downward repeatedly, whereby the sheets
are sorted and stored into the respective bins 114. After a sorting operation is complete,
the stacks of sheets in the bins 114 are stapled by the stapler 116. The stapled stacks
of sheets are subsequently punched as required by the punching unit 117.
[0091] The bins 114 then move upward into the position indicated by the partially dotted
lines in Fig. 14, whereupon the motor 127 is activated to start rotating the scraper
125. As the scraper 125 rotates, the trailing end of the stack in the bin 114 located
opposite the outlet 118 is lifted by the scraper 125, and the stack of sheets is introduced
into the outlet 118, as shown in Figs. 16A to 16E. Since the bins 114 have their forward
ends located higher than their back ends, the stacks of sheets are discharged into
the stocker 131 by their own weight. The bins 114 are successively lowered while the
discharging operation is repeated, whereby all the stapled stacks of sheets in the
bins 114 are stored into the stocker 131.
[0092] When the bins 114 are moved downward and returned to the home position indicated
in Fig. 14, the aforedescribed procedure may be repeated. Thus, even if the number
of copies preset in the copying machine body 1 is larger than the number of bins 114,
the full sorting operation can be performed without any inconvenience. In an instance
in which copy-processed sheets in the copying machine body 1 are folded by the folding
unit 112, the sheets are transported from the body 1 through the folding unit 112
to the sorter 111, whereby the folded sheets are sorted in the same manner.
[0093] The control operation of this embodiment will hereinafter be described with reference
to the flow charts in Figs. 17A and 17B.
[0094] First, at step S101, it is determined whether the copy mode is normal. If it is the
normal mode, the program proceeds to step S102. At step S102, the position of the
lever 138 is shifted so as to discharge sheets from the copying machine body 1 through
the first transporting path 132 directly into the stocker 131.
[0095] If a sorting mode, a stapling mode or a punching mode is selected, it is determined
at step S101 that it is not the normal mode (NO) and the program proceeds to step
S103. At step S103, it is determined whether the bins 114 are returned to their home
position. This determination is made depending upon a switch (not shown) which is
activated when the bins 114 are in their home position. If the bins 114 are not in
their home position, the program proceeds to step S104, where the elevating unit 115
is driven to return the bins 114 to their home position, and then the program proceeds
to step S105. If it is determined at step S103 that the bins 114 are in their home
position, the program skips step S104 and proceeds to step S105. At step S105, a paper
transport motor (not shown) is driven.
[0096] At step S106, it is determined whether the paper folding mode has been selected.
If the paper folding mode has been selected, the program proceeds to step S107 to
determine whether Z-folding mode (wherein fold a sheet is folded in three, hence in
the form of the letter Z) is selected as the paper folding mode. If the Z-folding
mode is selected, the program proceeds to step S108 to produce a "Z" fold in the sheet.
If folio mode (wherein a sheet is folded in two) is selected, NO is determined at
step S107 and the program proceeds to step S109 to fold the sheet in two. If the paper
folding mode is not selected, the program proceeds from step S106 to step S110 of
Fig. 17B.
[0097] At step S110, it is determined whether the sorting mode has been selected or not.
If the sorting mode has been selected, the program proceeds to step S112 to sort the
sheets. In this process, the bins 114 are successively raised, whereby the sheets
are received by the respective bins 114. When the sorting process is complete, the
transporting motor is temporarily halted at step S113. If the sorting mode has not
been selected, NO is determined at step S110, and the program proceeds to step S111
to deliver sheets into the uppermost bin 114 through the feed opening 119.
[0098] At step S114, it is determined whether an automatic stapling mode for automatically
stapling the sheets stored in the bins 114 has been selected. If the automatic stapling
mode has been selected, the program proceeds to step S115 for the stapling process
in which the sheets stored in the bins 114 are stapled by the stapler 116. Then, at
step S116, the bins 114 are raised to the position shown by the partially dotted lines
in Fig. 14. At step S117, the stapled stacks of sheets are successively discharged
from the bins 114 into the stocker 131 by the scraper 125. At step S118, it is determined
whether the aforementioned process is complete for the preset number of copies. If
the process is not complete, the program returns to step S104 in order to repeat the
operation as aforedescribed.
[0099] If the automatic stapling mode is not selected at step S114, the bins 114 are not
moved into the uppermost position, in order to prevent unstapled sheets in the bins
114 from being discharged into the stocker 131. Consequently, if the automatic stapling
mode is not selected, the operator may manually remove the stacks of sheets stored
in the bins 114.
[0100] The aforementioned respective modes are selected through a keyboard provided in the
copying machine body 1.
1. A sorting apparatus for sorting and stapling sheets discharged from an image forming
apparatus (5), comprising:
- a sorter (3, 70, 111) having a plurality of sheet storages (23, 73, 114) arranged
vertically and sloping so that forward ends thereof are higher than respective back
ends thereof;
- a transport path (7, 22, 89, 113) disposed between the image forming apparatus (5)
and the sorter (3, 70, 111), for transporting sheets to the sorter (3, 70, 111);
- a stapler (25, 74, 116) for stapling stacks of sheets;
- means (55) for discharging the stacks of sheets from the sheet storages (23, 73,
114); and
- a stocker (27, 88, 131) for storing the stacks of sheets discharged by the sheet
discharging means;
characterized in that
the transport path (7, 22, 89, 113) is adapted to transport the sheets with the leading
edges being placed on the forward higher ends of the sheet storages (23, 73, 114)
while the trailing edges of the sheets are placed on the back lower ends of the sheet
storages (23, 73, 114),
the stapler (25, 74, 116) is provided directly adjacent to the back ends of the sheet
storages (23, 73, 114) and is adapted to staple stacks of sheets while said sheets
are stored in the sheet storages (23, 73, 114), and .
sheet stops (40, 73a) are provided at the back ends of the sheet storages (23, 73,
114) and rotatable between a sheet stop position, in which the stops (40, 73a) contact
the trailing edges of the sheets, and a sheet discharge position, in which the stops
(40, 73a) allow the sheets to drop into the stocker (27, 88, 131), wherein the sheet
discharging means (55) rotates the sheet stops (40, 73a) to discharge the stacks in
the downward sloping direction of the sheet storages (23, 73, 114) into the stocker
(27, 88, 131).
2. The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the stocker (27, 88, 131) is located beneath
the transport path (7, 22, 89, 113).
3. The apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, further comprising a partition frame (21)
disposed between the sorter (3) and the transporting path (22), against which the
upper end of the sheet stops (40) is able to contact, the partition frame (21) having
openings (45) which permit the rotation of the sheet stops (40).
4. The apparatus according to Claim 3, further comprising:
a shutter (56) which shuts the openings (45) in the partition frame (21); and
means (55) for driving the shutter (56) to unblock and shut the opening.
5. The apparatus according to Claim 3 or 4, further comprising stack guides (46) disposed
under the openings (45) to guide the stacks of sheets dropping from the sheet storages
(23) into the stocker (27).
6. The apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 5, further comprising means (24) for
driving the sheet storages (23) to move vertically.
7. The apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the stapler (25) is located
above the stocker (27).
8. The apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the sheet discharging means
includes a position changing mechanism for changing the position of the sheet storages
(23, 73) in order to locate the forward ends lower than the back ends, and thereby
permitting the stacks of sheets in the sheet storages (23, 73) to be discharged from
the forward ends thereof, and wherein alternatively the sheet stops (73a) are non-rotatably
held in the sheet stop position at the back ends of the sheet storages (23, 73).
9. The apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein the sorter (70, 111) has a main frame
(71, 98), a retainer (72) for retaining the sheet storages (73), and a conveyance
mechanism (75) for vertically conveying the back ends of the sheet storages (73).
10. The apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein the main frame (71) includes a first side
portion (80) extending vertically adjacent to the back ends of the sheet storages
(23, 73, 114), a second side portion (81) extending vertically adjacent to the forward
ends of the sheet storages (73), and a bottom portion (82) interconnected with the
lower portions of the first and second side portions (80, 81).
11. The apparatus according to Claim 10, further comprising:
a stack transport path (87) provided in the second side portion (81) for transporting
the stacks of sheets discharged from the sheet storages (73) downward; and
a stocker (88) provided in the bottom portion (82) of the main frame (71) for storing
the stacks of sheets from the stack transport path (87).
12. The apparatus according to any of Claims 8 to 11, wherein the position changing mechanism
includes:
trunnions (97) provided on either side of one end of the sheet storages (73); and
screw-cams (100, 101) having outer surfaces provided with helical grooves (100a, 101a)
into which the trunnions (97) engage, and which by their rotation vertically convey
the back ends of the sheet storages (73).
13. The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the stocker (131) is located above the
transport path (113).
14. The apparatus according to Claim 13, wherein the sheet discharging means includes:
- a discharge path (132) provided in the wall of the sorter (111) adjacent to the
transport path (113) and sloping in parallel with the sheet storages (114); and
- a scraper (125) for scraping out a stack of sheets from each of the sheet storages
(114) into the discharge path (132) by lifting the stack.
15. The apparatus according to Claim 13 or 14, wherein the sheet discharging means operates
only when the stacks of sheets in the sheet storages (114) have been stapled.
16. The apparatus according to Claim 13 or 14, further comprising a sheet folding device
(112) located under the transport path (113).
1. Sortiervorrichtung zum Sortieren und Heften von Blättern, die aus einer Bilderzeugungseinrichtung
(5) ausgetragen werden, umfassend:
- eine Sortiervorrichtung (3, 70, 111) mit einer Vielzahl von Blattablagen (23, 73,
114), die vertikal und geneigt angeordnet sind, so daß ihre vorderen Enden höher sind
als ihre jeweiligen hinteren Enden,
- eine Transportbahn (7. 22, 89 113), die zwischen der Bilderzeugungseinrichtung (5)
und der Sortiervorrichtung (3, 70, 111) angeordnet ist, um Blätter zu der Sortiervorrichtung
(3, 70, 111) zu transportieren,
- einen Hefter (25, 74, 116), um Blattstapel zu heften,
- eine Einrichtung (55), um die Blattstapel aus den Blattablagen (23, 73, 114) auszutragen,
und
- eine Lagereinrichtung (27, 88, 131), um die von der Blattaustragseinrichtung ausgetragenen
Blattstapel zu lagern,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Transportbahn (7, 22, 89, 113) dazu geeignet ist, die Blätter derart zu transportieren,
daß die Vorderkanten an den vorderen höheren Enden der Blattablagen (23, 73, 113)
angeordnet werden, während die Hinterkanten der Blätter an den hinteren unteren Enden
der Blattablagen (23, 73, 114) angeordnet werden,
daß der Hefter (25, 74, 116) direkt benachbart den hinteren Enden der Blattablagen
(23, 73, 114) vorgesehen und dazu geeignet ist, Blattstapel zu heften, während die
Blätter in den Blattablagen (23, 73, 114) abgelegt sind,
und daß Blattanschläge (40, 73a) an den hinteren Enden der Blattablagen (23, 73, 114)
vorgesehen und zwischen einer Blattanschlagstellung, in der die Anschläge (40, 73a)
mit den Hinterkanten der Blätter in Berührung stehen, und einer Blattaustragsstellung
drehbar sind, in der die Anschläge (40, 73a) es ermöglichen, daß die Blätter in die
Lagereinrichtung (27, 88, 131) fallen, wobei die Blattaustragseinrichtung (55) die
Blattanschläge (40, 73a) dreht, um die Stapel in der nach unten geneigten Richtung
der Blattaufnahmen (23, 73, 114) in die Lagereinrichtung (27, 88, 131) auszutragen.
2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1,
wobei die Lagereinrichtung (27, 88, 131) unterhalb der Transportbahn (7, 22, 89, 113)
angeordnet ist.
3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2,
die ferner einen Trennrahmen (21) aufweist, der zwischen der Sortiereinrichtung (3)
und der Transportbahn (22) angeordnet ist, mit dem die oberen Enden der Blattanschläge
(40) in Kontakt kommen können, wobei der Trennrahmen (21) Öffnungen (45) aufweist,
die die Drehung der Blattanschläge (40) ermöglichen.
4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3,
die ferner folgendes aufweist:
einen Verschluß (56), der die Öffnungen (45) in dem Trennrahmen (21) verschließt,
und
eine Einrichtung (55), um den Verschluß (56) zum Freigeben und Schließen der Öffnung
anzutreiben.
5. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3 oder 4,
die ferner Stapelführungen (46) aufweist, die unter den Öffnungen (45) angeordnet
sind, um die Blattstapel zu führen, die aus den Blattablagen (23) in die Lagereinrichtung
(27) fallen.
6. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5,
die ferner eine Einrichtung (24) aufweist, um die Blattablagen (23) anzutreiben, so
daß sie sich senkrecht bewegen.
7. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß der Hefter (25) oberhalb der Lagereinrichtung (27) angeordnet ist.
8. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7,
wobei die Blattaustragseinrichtung einen Stellungsänderungsmechanismus aufweist, um
die Stellung der Blattablagen (23, 73) zu ändern, um die vorderen Enden niedriger
als die hinteren Enden anzuordnen und es dadurch zu ermöglichen, daß die Blattstapel
in den Blattablagen (23, 73) von deren vorderen Enden aus ausgetragen werden, und
wobei die Blattanschläge (73a) alternativ nicht-drehbar in der Blattanschlagsstellung
an den hinteren Enden der Blattablagen (23, 73) gehalten sind.
9. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 8,
wobei die Sortiereinrichtung (70, 111) einen Hauptrahmen (71, 98), einen Halter (72)
zum Halten der Blattablagen (72) und einen Fördermechanismus (75) aufweist, um die
hinteren Enden der Blattablagen (73) senkrecht zu fördern.
10. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 9,
wobei der Hauptrahmen (71) einen ersten Seitenbereich (80), der sich senkrecht benachbart
zu den hinteren Enden der Blattablagen (23, 73, 114) erstreckt, einen zweiten Seitenbereich
(81), der sich senkrecht benachbart zu den vorderen Enden der Blattablagen (73) erstreckt,
und einen unteren Bereich (82) aufweist, der mit den unteren Bereichen der ersten
und zweiten Seitenbereiche (80, 81) verbunden ist.
11. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 10,
die ferner folgendes aufweist:
eine Stapeltransportbahn (87), die in dem zweiten Seitenbereich (81) vorgesehen ist,
um die Blattstapel, die von den Blattablagen (73) aus ausgetragen worden sind, nach
unten zu transportieren, und
eine Lagereinrichtung (88), die in dem unteren Bereich (82) des Hauptrahmens (71)
vorgesehen ist, um die Blattstapel von der Stapeltransportbahn (87) zu lagern.
12. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 8 bis 11,
wobei der Stellungsänderungsmechanismus folgendes aufweist:
Zapfen (97), die an beiden Seiten von dem einen Ende der Blattablagen (73) vorgesehen
sind, und
Mitnehmerschnecken (100, 101) mit Außenflächen, die mit schraubenförmigen Nuten (100a,
101a) versehen sind, in welche die Zapfen (97) eingreifen und die durch ihre Drehung
die hinteren Enden der Blattablagen (73) vertikal transportieren.
13. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1,
wobei die Lagervorrichtung (131) oberhalb der Transportbahn (113) angeordnet ist.
14. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 13,
wobei die Blattaustragseinrichtung folgendes aufweist:
- eine Austragsbahn (131), die in der Wand der Sortiereinrichtung (111) benachbart
der Transportbahn (113) angeordnet und parallel zu den Blattablagen (114) geneigt
ist, und
- einen Auswerfer (125), um einen Blattstapel aus jeder der Blattablagen (114) durch
Anheben des Stapels in die Austragsbahn (132) auszuwerfen.
15. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 13 oder 14,
wobei die Blattaustragseinrichtung nur dann in Betrieb ist, wenn die Blattstapel in
den Blattablagen (114) geheftet worden sind.
16. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 13 oder 14,
die ferner eine Blattfalteinrichtung (112) aufweist, die unter der Transportbahn (113)
angeordnet ist.
1. Appareil de tri pour trier et agrafer des feuilles déchargées d'un appareil de prise
de vues (5), comprenant:
- une trieuse (3, 70, 111) comportant un certain nombre d'emplacements d'emmagasinage
de feuilles (23, 73, 114) disposés verticalement et inclinés de façon que les extrémités
avant de ces derniers soient plus élevées que leurs extrémités arrière respectives
;
- une voie de transport (7, 22, 89, 113) disposée entre l'appareil de prise de vues
(5) et la trieuse (3, 70, 111), pour transporter des feuilles à la trieuse (3, 70,
111);
- une agrafeuse (25, 74, 116) pour agrafer des piles de feuilles ;
- un moyen (55) pour décharger les piles de feuilles des emplacements d'emmagasinage
de feuilles (23, 73, 114) ; et
- un récipient de stockage (27, 88, 131) pour stocker les piles de feuilles déchargées
par le moyen de déchargement de feuilles ,
caractérisé en ce que
la voie de transport (7, 22, 89, 113) est apte à transporter les feuilles ayant leurs
bords avant placés sur les extrémités avant plus élevées des emplacements d'emmagasinage
de feuilles (23, 73, 114) alors que les bords arrière des feuilles sont placés sur
les extrémités arrière plus basses des emplacements d'emmagasinage de feuilles (23,
73, 114);
l'agrafeuse (25, 74, 116) est prévue au voisinage immédiat des extrémités arrière
des emplacements d'emmagasinage de feuilles (23, 73, 114) et est apte à agrafer des
piles de feuilles pendant que lesdites feuilles sont emmagasinées dans les emplacements
d'emmagasinage (23, 73, 114); et
des butées à feuilles (40, 73a) sont prévues aux extrémités arrière des emplacements
d'emmagasinage de feuilles (20, 73, 114) et peuvent tourner entre une position d'arrêt
de feuilles où les butées (40, 73a) sont en contact avec les bords arrière des feuilles,
et une position de déchargement de feuilles où les butées (40, 73a) permettent aux
feuilles de tomber dans le récipient de stockage (27, 88, 131) du fait que le moyen
de déchargement de feuilles (55) fait tourner les butées à feuilles (40, 73a) pour
décharger les piles, dans le sens de la pente descendante des emplacements d'emmagasinage
de feuilles (23, 73, 114), dans le récipient de stockage (27, 88, 131).
2. Appareil selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le récipient de stockage (27, 88, 131)
est disposé au-dessous de la voie de transport (7, 22, 89, 113).
3. Appareil selon la revendication 1 ou 2, comprenant en outre un cadre formant cloison
(21) disposé entre la trieuse (3) et la voie de transport (22) et avec lequel l'extrémité
supérieure des butées à feuilles (40) peut venir en contact, le cadre formant cloison
(21) présentant des ouvertures (45) qui permettent la rotation des butées à feuilles
(40).
4. Appareil selon la revendication 3, comprenant en outre :
un volet (56) qui ferme les ouvertures (45) dans le cadre formant cloison (21) ; et
un moyen (55) pour entraîner le volet (56) afin de dégager ou fermer l'ouverture.
5. Appareil selon la revendication 3 ou 4, comprenant en outre des guides de piles (46)
disposés sous les ouvertures (45) pour guider les piles de feuilles tombant depuis
les emplacements d'emmagasinage de feuilles (23) dans le récipient de stockage (27).
6. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant en outre
un moyen (24) pour permettre aux emplacements d'emmagasinage de feuilles (23) de se
déplacer verticalement.
7. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'agrafeuse
(25) est disposée au-dessus du récipient de stockage (27).
8. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le moyen
de déchargement de feuilles comprend un mécanisme de changement de position pour changer
la position des emplacements d'emmagasinage de feuilles (23, 73) afin de placer les
extrémités avant plus bas que les extrémités arrière, et de permettre ainsi aux piles
de feuilles dans les emplacements d'emmagasinage de feuilles (23, 73) d'être déchargées
des extrémités avant de ces derniers, et dans lequel à titre de variante des butées
à feuilles (73a) sont retenues, sans pouvoir tourner, dans la position d'arrêt des
feuilles aux extrémités arrière des emplacements d'emmagasinage de feuilles (23, 73).
9. Appareil selon la revendication 8, dans lequel la trieuse (70, 111) comporte un bâti
principal (71, 98), une structure de retenue (72) destinée à retenir les emplacements
d'emmagasinage de feuilles (73), et un mécanisme de transport (75) pour déplacer les
extrémités arrière des emplacements d'emmagasinage de feuilles (73) verticalement.
10. Appareil selon la revendication 9, dans lequel le bâti principal (71) comprend une
première partie latérale (80) s'étendant verticalement au voisinage des extrémités
arrière des emplacements d'emmagasinage de feuilles (23, 73, 114), une seconde partie
latérale (81) s'étendant verticalement au voisinage des extrémités avant des emplacements
d'emmagasinage de feuilles (73), et une partie inférieure (82) reliée aux portions
inférieures des première et seconde parties latérales (80, 81).
11. Appareil selon la revendication 10, comprenant en outre :
une voie de transport de piles (87) prévue dans la seconde partie latérale (81) et
destinée à transporter les piles de feuilles déchargées des emplacements d'emmagasinage
de feuilles (73) vers le bas ; et un récipient de stockage (88) prévu dans la partie
inférieure (82) du bâti principal (71) et destiné à stocker les piles de feuilles
provenant de la voie de transport de piles (87).
12. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 11, dans lequel le mécanisme
de changement de position comprend :
des supports (97) disposés des deux côtés d'une extrémité des emplacements d'emmagasinage
de feuilles (73) ; et des cames hélicoïdales (100, 101) présentant des surfaces extérieures
munies de rainures hélicoïdales (100a, 101a) dans lesquelles les supports (97) s'engagent,
et qui, par leur rotation, déplacent les extrémités arrière des emplacements d'emmagasinage
de feuilles (73) verticalement.
13. Appareil selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le récipient de stockage (131) est
disposé au-dessus de la voie de transport (113).
14. Appareil selon la revendication 13, dans lequel le moyen de déchargement de feuilles
comprend :
une voie de déchargement (132) prévue dans la paroi de la trieuse (111) au voisinage
de la voie de transport (113) et inclinée parallèlement aux emplacements d'emmagasinage
de feuilles (114) ; et
une racle (125) pour faire passer une pile de feuilles de chacun des emplacements
d'emmagasinage de feuilles (114) dans la voie de déchargement (132) par soulèvement
de la pile.
15. Appareil selon la revendication 13 ou 14, dans lequel le moyen de déchargement de
feuilles fonctionne seulement lorsque les piles de feuilles dans les emplacements
d'emmagasinage de feuilles (114) ont été agrafées.
16. Appareil selon la revendication 13 ou 14, comprenant en outre un dispositif de pliage
de feuilles (112) disposé au-dessous de la voie de transport (113).