JPH01214578A - Sorter with finisher - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable the prevention of improper sheet discharge by prohibiting a subsequent process when stapled sheets in a stacking part reach a storage capacity limit during the progress of a finish mode for a stapling process. CONSTITUTION:When copied sheets are stored in burn in each bin 60 of a sorter part 41 and the sheet of the last page is stored, each bin 60 comes down to a takeout position X3 in turn, stored sheet bundles are taken out by rollers 75 and 76, and fed onto a staple tray 91. The bundles are stapled with a stapler 100, discharged onto a stack tray 111 and stored. When a stack tray capacity detecting sensor Se8 detects that the stapled sheet bundles reach a storage capacity limit, a finish mode process or the lowering of each bin 60 to the takeout position X3 is prohibited. According to the aforesaid construction, it is possible to prevent the improper discharge of the stapled sheets to a stacking part 110.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sorter with a finisher that distributes sheets discharged from a copying machine or the like and staples them using a staple means, and particularly to a control means thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years, due to the demand for automation of paper handling in copying machines, various options such as automatic document feeders and sorters for sorting and grouping copied sheets have been developed and put into practical use. As one of the final forms, there is a demand for a sorter with a finisher that automatically staples and stacks the sheets distributed and accommodated in the sorter, and this has already been put into practical use in some large copying machines.

By the way, the stack section has a certain limit of sheet storage capacity. Therefore, in this type of sorter with a finisher, if the capacity of the stack section is exceeded while the finishing mode for stapling processing is selected and the copy processing is being executed, sheets will be ejected to the stack section from now on. There is a risk that it may become clogged during discharge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to reliably prevent stapled sheets from being ejected incorrectly to a stack section in a sorter with a finisher.

In order to solve more than just a means for solving the problem, the sorter with a finisher according to the present invention includes: (8) means for detecting whether the sheets that have been completely stored in the stack section have reached the storage capacity; b) a control means for prohibiting further processing in the finish mode when the detection means detects that the number of sheets in the stack section has reached the storage capacity while executing a finish mode for performing stapling processing; It is characterized by having the following.

In other words, in the above configuration, when the stack section reaches its storage capacity with stapled sheets while the finishing mode is selected and the process is being executed,
Thereafter, processing in the finish mode will be prohibited and the sheets will not be ejected to the stack section. This eliminates the problem that more sheets than the storage capacity are discharged to the stack section.

Note that when the capacity of the stack section is exceeded, a warning is issued to the outside if necessary, and when the sheet is removed from the stack section, the prohibition of processing in the finish mode is automatically canceled.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a sorter with a finisher according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Overall Configuration] As shown in Fig. 1, the sorter with finisher (40) is attached to the side of the copying machine (1).
) has an automatic paper feeder (15) and an automatic document feeder (30).
) (hereinafter referred to as ADF) is attached.

The copying machine 1) is based on the well-known electrophotographic method. A charger (3) first applies a certain electric charge to the photosensitive drum (2), which is rotated in the direction of the arrow (8). The original set at a predetermined position in the ADF (30) is exposed to slit light by scanning the optical system (4) in the direction of arrow (b). With this, the photoreceptor drum (2)
The electrostatic latent image formed on the top is transferred to a magnetic brush type developing device (5
) and transferred to a sheet by a transfer charger (6).

Sheets are stored in the nilevate-type and cassette-type automatic paper feeders (10), (11) inside the copying machine (1), or in the three-stage paper feeder cassette <1 of the automatic paper feeder (15) installed outside the machine.
6>, (17), and (18) are selectively fed one by one, and sent to the transfer section at a predetermined timing by a pair of timing rollers (19). The sheet after the transfer is sent to the fixing device (21) by the conveyor belt (20), where the toner image is fixed, and then sent from the ejection roller pair (22) to the sorter (40), and then the ejection roller pair The ejection switch (SW3) (second
(see figure), its passage can be detected. In addition, a copying machine (1
) has a built-in paper refeeding device (25>) for double-sided copying and composite copying, and a sheet conveyance switching claw (26>) for this purpose is installed in front of the ejection roller pair (22).

On the other hand, the photoreceptor drum (2) remains in the direction of arrow (a) = 4 even after the transfer.
- Continue rotating in the direction of the blade cleaning device (7
), residual toner is wiped off, and residual charges are erased using an eraser lamp (8), in preparation for the next copying operation.

A D F (30) is well known in itself, and feeds the original placed on the original tray (31) to the paper feed roller pair (3).
2), the sheets are fed one by one and set at a predetermined position on the document table glass <29) by rotation of the conveyor belt (34). After the image exposure, the original is discharged onto the discharge tray (36) through the reversing conveyance path (35) by rotation of the conveyance belt (34).

As shown in FIG. 2, the sorter (40) includes a sorter section (41) that distributes sheets into each bin (60), and a stapler section (9o) that has a stapler (100) that staples the sheets.
and a stack section (110) for stacking and accommodating stapled sheets.
90> is arranged below the sorter section (41), and the stack section (110) is arranged below the staple section (90>).

[Structure and operation of sorter section] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bin (60) has a claw (60a) on the sorter section (41) side that prevents sheets from flowing backward;
The trunnion (61) is provided with a trunnion (61) projecting laterally, and the trunnion (61) is engaged with a groove (65a) extending in the vertical direction formed in the guide unit (65) attached to the plate of the soak (40). By combining the bins (
60) is restricted in the vertical direction. In addition, each bin (60) can be fully supported while being loaded on the bin holder (62), and the trunnion (61) is shifted as the floating cam (50) rotates, which will be explained below, to widen the interval between the bins. It has become.

The sorter unit (41) is configured to handle a pair of discharge rollers (2) of the copying machine (1).
The sheet conveying section (42) and the bin (60) facing the copying machine (2) move relative to each other in the vertical direction.
The sheets discharged from step 1) are distributed and stored in each bin (60). As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet conveying section (42) includes an upper unit (52) having a guide surface (52a), a lower unit (43) having a guide surface (43a), and a feed roller (47). > , a pinch roller (55), and seas 1 to 1 are guide surfaces (52a) and (43a).
It passes between the rollers (47) and (55) and is conveyed to each bin (60).

The lower (111) unit (43) has both ends of a support shaft (44) provided at the end on the bin (60) side perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction [arrow (C)] as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As shown in the figure, the guide unit 1-(65) is connected through the collar (45).
By engaging with the rail portion (65b) provided on the side, it is possible to swing vertically, and the bottle (46) provided on the copying machine <1) side is not supported by the guide member (66). This allows it to be slid horizontally.

The spindle (44) has a plurality of feed rollers (47).
A fixed roller shaft (47a) is rotatably mounted,
A swing plate (48) is suspended from the roller shaft (47a). The rocking plate (48) is connected by a rond (49), and the lower part thereof is located between the backflow prevention claws (60a) of the bottle (60). Further, on both ends of the support shaft (44), there are shown the lines shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, the floating cam <50), which has notches (50a) <50a) formed at 180° intervals on its outer periphery, is not fixed. This floating cam (50) is intermittently rotated by 180° by a drive source different from the feed roller (47), and the lower unit (
43) and a trunnion (61) on the outer periphery.
The rear end of the bottle (60) is also supported by this contact. In addition, the floating cam (50) can move up and down from the bottom bin position (xl) to the top bin position (X, > as shown in Fig. 7, and each detection switch (SWI) is located at each position. .

(SW2) allows detection. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the lower unit (43) has a bottle (51
An actuator (51) that is rotatable about a) and a photo sensor (Sel) that turns on and off when the actuator (51) contacts and rotates the conveyed sheet are installed.

On the other hand, the upper unit 1-(52) is vertically swingable by engaging the engaging piece (53) on the bin (60) side with the rail portion (65b), and also allows the copying machine to 1
) side is slidably opened in the horizontal direction by engaging with a guide member (68) provided on the upper cover <67> of the sorter (40). On top of this (1
A pinch roller (55) is rotatably attached to the 1-L leek 1-(53) via a spindle (55a), and a brush (56) for removing electricity from the conveyed sheet is installed. ) is in pressure contact with the delivery roller (47) by its own weight and can be driven to rotate.

In addition, a transmission type photosensor (Se5) (see Fig. 2) whose optical axis is located at the rear end of each bin (6o) is installed in this sorter unit (41), and a transmission type photosensor (Se5) (see Fig. 2) is installed to It is designed to detect the presence or absence of distribution and accommodation.

In the above configuration, the floating cam (5o) rotates 180° in the opposite direction to the arrow (d), thereby cutting out the trunnion (61) that slides on the outer periphery of the floating cam (5o).
0a), moves upward by itself, and allows the taken-in trunnion black 1) to be shifted downward to come into sliding contact with the next trunnion (61). By repeating this operation, each bin <60> is shifted downward one step at a time, and the conveying section (42) is moved upward. floating cam (
50) is located at the bottom bin position (Xl) shown in FIG. 7 when the finish mode described in detail below is selected and sheets are sorted, and is sequentially moved upward from this position to sort each bin (60). ). The sheet ejected from the copying machine (1) is placed on the guide surface (5).
2a>, (43a), and the feed roller (4
7) and pinch rollers (55), and are sequentially distributed and housed on each bin (60) whose spacing is widened by a floating cam (50), starting from the lower bin (60). Further, by rotating the floating cam (50) in the direction of arrow (d), each bin (60) can be sequentially shifted upward, and moves downward together with the conveyance section (42).

The sorter section (41) having the above configuration can accommodate sheets in three modes. The first is a sort mode in which each copy of one document is distributed to each bin (60) to perform page alignment, and the second is a sort mode in which copies of each document are distributed to each bin (60). It is in grooving mode. The third is one bin (
60) is a non-sort mode.

[Configuration and operation of fix cam] Next, the fix cam (70) and the conveying section (80) for conveying the sheets distributed and accommodated in each bin (60) to the staple tray (91) described below will be explained. .

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the fix cam (70) has a spiral groove (7) on its outer periphery that can be engaged with the trunnion (61).
0a) is carved three times, and can be rotated in forward and reverse directions via a support shaft (71) using a morph (not shown). That is, by rotating normally in the direction of arrow (e), the fix cam (70) moves the trunnion (61) of the bin (60), which has been shifted to the bottom bin position (Xl) by the floating cam (50), into the spiral groove. 70a) and lower it to the sheet take-out position (X3).

On the other hand, at the sheet take-out position x3>, as shown in FIG. The trunnion (61) is installed in a state where the trunnion (61) has been lowered to the take-out position (XS) and is elastically held. This removal position (X
3), a take-out roller (75), a pinch roller (76) and a sheet guide (78) that are pressed against it by their own weight are installed. Also, between the bottom bin position (X,) and the take-out position (X,), as shown in Figure 2,
A sheet backflow prevention guide 79) is installed. As shown in FIG. 8, the upper guide surface (78a) of the sheet guide <78> is slightly higher than the sheet backflow prevention claw (60a) of each bin (60) tilted down to the take-out position (x3). It is set up like this. As shown in Fig. 2, the pinch roller (76) is attached to the support shaft (7
7a), and can be moved toward and away from the take-out roller (75) by turning on and off a solenoid (not shown).

Further, at the lower end of the support shaft (71) of the fix cam (70), there is a drive pulley (86) as shown in FIG.
and the gear (87a) are integrally fixed, and the gear (87a)
meshes with the gear (87c) via the gear (87b), and the disc (88) can rotate integrally with the gear (87c). A notch (not shown) is formed in the disc (88), and the photosensor (Se2) detects this notch, thereby making it possible to control the rotation speed of the fix cam <70).

As shown in FIG.
5), (76), and conveyance rollers (81a), (81b)
) ~(83a).

(83b), guide plate (84a), (84b),
(85a) and (85b). The conveyance rollers (81a), (82a), (83a) are made of rubber material, and the conveyance rollers (81b), (82b),
(83b) is made of sponge material and is capable of absorbing the thickness of the stacked sheets.

In the above configuration, when the sorter unit <41> finishes distributing the sheets, the fix cam (70) is rotated three times in the direction of the arrow (e). With this, the trunnion (61) of the bottle (60) in the bottom bin position (X,) is guided by the spiral groove (70a), and the trunnion (61) of the bottle (60) in the bottom bin position (X,) is guided to the spiral groove (70a), and the
and is held by a receiving member <72).

At this take-out position (X,), the bin (6o) is tilted at a larger angle than the bottom bin position (X+), and the sheets being distributed and accommodated are guided by their own weight (78).
A sliding force acts while being guided by the guide surface <78a). The take-out roller (75) overlaps the bin (6o), and the bin (60) is at the take-out position (X,
), the leading edge of the sheet passes through the roller (75).

The sheet is sandwiched between rollers (76) and conveyor rollers (81a) by rollers (75) and <76>.
), (81b>. At this time, even if the sheet is curled downward, it is guided by the guide (78) and take-out roller (75) to ensure that it passes over the backflow prevention claw (60a). guide plate (84g), (84b
).

Moreover, even if the sheet curls upward, it is guided by the backflow prevention guide (79) and the guide plate (84a).

(84b).

The pinch roller (76) is a sheet roller (81a),
(81b>, a solenoid (not shown) is activated), so that the take-out roller (75)
The initial state is evacuated upward from the top), and the bottle (6
0) reaches the take-out position (xi), the solenoid is turned on and the sheet is sandwiched between the take-out roller (75) and the take-out roller (75). Here, the take-out roller (75), m-feed roller (81a), (81b), (82a), (
82b), (83a), and (83b) are each driven to rotate, and the sheet is fed onto the staple tray (91) from the conveying rollers (83a) and (83b) as shown by the arrow (f) in FIG. .

On the other hand, when the floating cam (50) is taken out, the floating cam (50) is located at a position corresponding to the bottom bin position (xl), as shown in FIG.
The trunnion (
61) and rotate 180° at this position (Xl).
The trunnion (61) is intermittently reversed in the opposite direction to the arrow (d), and the trunnion (61) is sequentially fed into the fix cam (70). In this embodiment, in order to increase the inclination angle of the bin (60) that has descended to the take-out position (x3) and make it easier for the sheet to slide out under its own weight, the difference between the bottom bin position (Xl) and the take-out position (x8) is changed. The interval, in other words, the stroke of the bin (60) that moves during this interval is set large. Therefore, the torque of the fix cam (70) when the trunnion (61) moves up and down is reduced as much as possible by making three turns of the spiral groove (70a) carved on the outer circumference of the fix cam (70). Then, by holding the trunnion (61) [not shown in (A) in Figure 6] just before being fed into the fix cam (70) with the floating cam (50), this trunnion chrome 1) is transferred to the fix cam (70). This prevents it from being fed into the spiral groove (70a) during the second and third rotations.

As described above, by reversing the floating cam (50) through 180 degrees and rotating the fixed cam (70) three times, each bin (60) is lowered one step at a time to the take-out position (x3).
The sheets distributed and housed in each bin (60) are transported to the transport section (80).
) and onto the staple tray (91>).

In addition, each bottle (60) that has descended to the take-out position (X3)
is held in an upwardly biased state by the receiving member (72), and after the sheets are taken out from all the bins (60) in which the sheets are distributed and stored, the fix cam (70) moves in the direction indicated by the arrow (e). The floating cam (50) is rotated in the opposite direction and the floating cam (50) is rotated forward in the direction of arrow (d), thereby returning upward.

[Structure and operation of staple unit] As shown in FIG. 2, the staple unit (90) includes a staple tray (91) and a motor (93) that vibrates the staple tray.
It consists of a guide plate (95), a stopper (96), and a stapler (100).The staple tray (91) is swingably installed around a support shaft (92), and is driven by a motor (93). By rotating the eccentric weight (94), it vibrates due to the centrifugal force of the weight (94). Due to this vibration, the sheet sent from the conveying section is regulated by the guide plate (95) and the stopper (96). While doing = 1
6- Align.

As shown in FIG. 11, the stapler (100) has a motor output shaft (101) fixed, and an arm <104> that can freely swing around the bin (103) as a fulcrum to connect the peripheral part of the cam (102) and the head. (105), the head (105) moves upward via the arm (104) when the cam (102) is rotated in the direction of arrow (g) by the motor.
A staple (106) staples the sheets aligned on the tray (91). The staple (106) is housed in a cartridge (107), and the motor output shaft (
101) and is sent to the head section by a conveyor belt (108) that is rotationally driven.

The stopper (96) is rotatably installed using a solenoid (not shown) about a support shaft (97) as a fulcrum, and is normally positioned above the lower end of the staple tray (91) to position the leading edge of the sheet. This stopper (96) moves downward to release the positioning of the retracted seat when the solenoid is turned on.

This stapler (100) also has staple needles (1
The empty detection photosensor (Se3) of 06) and the staple motor rotation speed detection sensor (Se4) have been installed, the sensor (Se3) directly detects the staple (106), and the sensor (Se4) is connected to the motor output shaft ( 101) is detected.

Furthermore, this stapling unit (90) is equipped with a photosensor (Se6) that detects the presence or absence of a sheet on the staple tray (91), and a switch (SW4) that detects attachment/detachment of the stapler (100). .

In the above configuration, the sheet conveyed from the conveyance section (80) onto the staple tray (91) is transported by the motor (9
As the tray (91) vibrates based on the rotation of step 3), it is regulated and aligned by the guide plate (95) and stopper (96), and the motor (93) is stopped and the staple motor is fully driven and the stapler is finished. Known. When the solenoid is turned on, the stopper (96) moves the bound sheets to the tray (9).
1) By retracting from above, the tray (91) slides down and is guided by the guide plate (98) and stored on the stack tray (111).Such stapling processing is performed when the bin (60) is The fix cam (70) lowers the sheet to the take-out position X, and repeats this process each time the sheet is conveyed onto the staple tray (91).

Note that the empty detection of the staple (106) does not necessarily have to be based on the sensor (Se3). That is, during stapling operation, the sensor (Se4) detects the rotation speed of the stapling motor. Then, when the staple (106) runs out and the head (105) runs blank, the torque decreases and the rotational speed of the motor increases.

Therefore, it can be determined that the staple (106) is empty based on such an increase in the number of rotations.

[Configuration of Stack Unit] The stack unit (110) is configured of a stack tray (111), and ultimately stores and stores sheets bound by the stapler (100). This stack tray (1
As shown in FIG. 2, a reflective photosensor (Se7) is installed on the back side of the tray (11) to detect the presence or absence of a sheet on the tray (111). Also, above the stack tray (111) is a transmissive photo sensor (
Se8) is installed to detect whether or not the stapled sheets discharged and stacked onto the stack tray 11 have reached the storage capacity.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12, the stack tray (111) has a notch (lla) formed in the stapled portion of the sheet (S), that is, the portion where the stapled portion (106) is located. has been done. Now, the sheets stapled with the stapler (100) are placed in the tray (11).
1) When stacked and accommodated on top, the stapling section is prevented from hanging into the notch (lila) under its own weight and only the stapling section becomes bulky, and the loading capacity is increased accordingly.

Note that the same effect can also be achieved by providing a depression instead of the notch (lla).

[control panel] In this embodiment, the operation panel is as shown in FIG.

As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the copying machine panel (120
), ADF panel (140), and sorter panel (150)
It has been installed in three locations.

The copying machine panel (120) includes a print key (121) for starting a copy operation when the ADF (30) is not in use, an interrupt key (122) for temporarily suspending a multi-copy operation, and a copy key (122) for starting a copy operation when the ADF (30) is not in use. Clear/stop key (1
23), a group of numeric keys (124) for setting the number of multi-copies, a display section (125) for displaying the number of copies and the status of the copying machine (1), an up/down key (126) for setting the copy density. ), (127) and its display LED group (128), a sheet selection key (129) for selecting the copy sheet size and its display LED group (130), a magnification selection key group (131) for selecting the copy magnification ) and its display LED group <13
2) etc. are provided.

The ADF panel (140) is provided with only a start key (141) for starting the ADF operation. When this start key (141) is turned on, the originals on the original tray (31) are automatically moved one after another onto the original platen glass (2).
9) The paper is transported upward and the copying operation is started.

The sorter panel (150) has a sorter mode selection key (1
51) and its display section, the non-sort mode display L E
D (152) and sort mode display L E D (1
53) and grooving mode display LED (154
), the finish mode selection key (155) and its display section, the non-finish mode display LED (156).
) Tofininyu mode display L E D (157)
, Finish Start key (158) and its display L
E D (159) is provided. This L E
D (159) lights up to indicate that the finishing process is in progress, and blinks to display a warning to remove the copy from the staple tray (91) or stack tray <111>. Also, a bottle (60
) to display a warning to remove the sheet from
160), an LED (161) that indicates whether the staple (106) is empty, and an LED (162) that indicates that the stapler (100) is set incorrectly. Each time the sorter mode selection key (151) is pressed, it switches sequentially to non-sort mode, sort mode, and grouping mode, and the corresponding L E D (152
), (153), and (154) are lit. Pressing the finish mode selection key (155) once also switches between non-finish mode and finish mode, and the corresponding LEDs (156) and (157)
lights up. The finish start key (158) is 1
Each time you press it, it outputs the start of finish processing and its cancellation, and at the start, L E D (1
59) lights up.

[Control Circuit] FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the control circuit, and the microcomputer (CPU) includes a copying machine panel (120).

ADF panel (140), sorter panel (150)
is connected and further includes a copy process means (170)
, ADF processing means (171), sorter processing means (172), and finisher processing means (173) are connected, and their respective signals are exchanged.

No. 17'lyJ shows the main part of the control circuit, and the input/output port of the microcomputer (CPU) includes a print switch (121) and an ADF start switch (141).
) and their built-in display ED (180).

(181), each switch (1) of the sorter panel (150)
51).

(152), (15g) and each display L E D (1
52) etc. are not connected.

[Control Procedure] Next, a control procedure based on the above-described copying machine (1), sorter (40), and control circuit will be explained with reference to FIG. 18 and subsequent figures.

FIG. 18 shows the main routine of the microcomputer (CPU).

The microcomputer (CPU) is reset,
When the program starts, in step (Sl), the random access memory is cleared, various registers are initialized, and initial settings are made to put each device into an initial mode. Next, in step (S2), an internal timer is started. This internal timer determines the time required for the main routine, and its value is set in advance at the initial setting of step (Sl).

Next, in steps (S3) to (S8), each subroutine described in detail below is sequentially called, and when the processing of all subroutines is completed, the end of the internal timer is waited for in step (S9), and step ( Return to S2).

The time length of one routine is used to count various timers in each subroutine.

FIG. 19 shows a subroutine for input processing that can be executed in step (S3).

First, in step (510), a set number (A) is input using the numeric keypad group (124) on the copier panel (120).
Sheet size selected in step (511) <SX>
is input, and in step (512) it is determined whether or not the use of the ADF (30) is selected. If use is selected, the ADF mode flag is set to "1" in step (513), and if not all selections are made, the ADF mode flag is reset to "10" in step (514>).

Next, in step (515), a subroutine for setting the sort mode is executed, in step (516), a subroutine for setting the finish mode is executed, and in step (517), a subroutine for setting the finish mode is executed.
Determine whether the sort mode flag is "1." If the sort mode flag is "0.", the sorting and stapling processing will never be completed, so step
2), if rl, enter the number of bins (8) installed in the sorter (40) in step (518),
In step (519), the set number (A) and the number of bins (a) are compared. If the number (A) is equal to or less than the number of bins (a), the sort mode can be executed, and in step (520) it is determined whether the finish mode flag is "1°". Yo, that is a step (S
22), and if it is '1', then in step (521) the sheet size (S
It is determined whether X> is A4 size or B5 size. In this embodiment, the sheet size that can be stapled is A4 or B5, and if YES, step (52
2) executes other input processing.

Kira, in step (523) print switch (12
1) is turned on, and if it is turned on, the copy flag is set to 111 in step (524),
Enables copy processing. Also, if it is not turned on, the ADF start switch (141) is turned on in step (525).
) is turned on, and if it is turned on, the step (524) is executed, and if it is not turned on, this subroutine is ended.

On the other hand, in the step (519), the set number (A) is changed to the number of bins (
a), step <526).
Set the warning flag (Fl) to "1" and step (
527) to prohibit system operation. This warning flag (
Fl) is used to indicate that the number of distributions exceeds the number of bins. Next, step (528),
In (S36), similarly to steps (523) and (S25), it is determined whether the print switch (121) is turned on and whether the ADF start switch (141) is turned on. This step (528) or (5
If YES in step 36), that is, the operator's intention to execute the copy even if a warning is issued, is confirmed, the non-sort mode flag is set to 11'' in step (S29) to perform processing in the non-sort mode. At step (530), the warning flag (Fl) is reset to "ro", at step (5308), inhibition of system operation is canceled, and at step (537), the copy flag is set to "1".

Also, in the step (521), the sheet size (SX)
If it is determined that the size is other than A4 size or B5 size, stapling processing is impossible, so step <531
) sets the warning flag (F2) to 11'' and prohibits system operation in step (532). This warning flag (F2) is for displaying that the selected sheet size is incompatible. Then step <533
>, (538) in the steps (523), (52
Similarly to 5), it is determined whether the print switch (121) is turned on and whether the ADF start switch (141) is turned on. If yEs is confirmed in this step (S33) or (538), that is, the operator's intention to execute the copy even if a warning is issued,
Set the finish mode flag to 10 in step (S34).
” to disable stapling and step (
535) to reset the warning flag (F2) to 0,
In step (S35a), the prohibition of system operation is canceled,
In step (539), the copy flag is set to 11''.

FIG. 20 shows the sort mode setting subroutine executed in step (515).

In this subroutine, it is determined in step (540) whether the sorter mode selection key (151) has been switched from off to on, and if it has not been switched, the process immediately returns to the main routine. When the key (151) is turned on, the non-sort mode flag and the sort mode flag are set to 11 in steps (541) and (S43), respectively.
” is determined. Non-sort mode flag is 11"
If it is set to rl, the sort mode flag is set to rl in step (542).

If the sort mode flag is set to 1, the grouping mode flag is set to rl in step (544). If the non-sort mode flag and the sort mode flag are both reset to r□, step (544) is set.
545), the non-sort mode flag is set to "1".

FIG. 21 shows the finish mode setting subroutine executed in step (516).

First, in step (550), it is determined whether the finish mode selection key (155) has been switched from off to on, and if it has not been switched, the process immediately returns to the main routine. When the key (155) is switched on,
At step (551), the finish mode flag is set to rO.
If it is reset to '0', the finishing mode flag is set to '11' in step (552), and the permissible number of sheets to be stapled is determined in step (553).
Cb). Next, in step (554), the stapling permission size is set to A4, B5, and step (554) is performed.
555), the sort mode flag is set to 11'' to permit processing in the sort mode.

On the other hand, in step 1;' (551), the finish mode flag is set to 11. If it is determined that the finish mode flag is set to "rO" in step (556), the setting of the permissible staple number (Cb) is canceled in step (557). Then step <
558>, the stapling permission size setting is canceled, and in step (S59), the sort mode flag is reset to rO4, and processing in the sort mode is prohibited.

Figures 22a and 22b show the main routine steps (
Execute the display processing subroutine that is executed in (separately).

First, in step (560), the ADF mode flag is set to "1".
'1. If so, step (S61a
) to turn off the copy start display LED (180) in a mode where ADF (30) is not used, and turn off the ADF start display LED (180) in step (561b>).
181). If the ADF mode flag is "rO", the LED (180) is turned on in step (562a), and the LED (181) is turned on in the step (S62b).
) is turned off.

Next, in steps (563) and (565), it is determined whether the non-sort mode flag and the sort mode flag are respectively 11''. If the non-sort mode flag is 1°, the non-sort mode is displayed L in step (S64a).
Turn on E D (152), step (S64b),
(S64c) L E D (153), (154
) to turn off the light. If the sort mode flag is "1.", the LED (152) is turned off in step (S66a), and the sort mode is displayed in step (S66b).
53), and in step (S66c) LED D (
154) is turned off. Also, the non-sort mode flag,
If the sort mode flags are both r□, step (5
67a), L E D (152) in (S67b),
(153) is turned off, and the grooving mode display LED (154) is turned on in step (S67c).

Next, in step <568), it is determined whether the finish mode flag is "1.", and if it is "1.", then step (568)
69a) to display the non-finish mode display LED (156).
) is turned off, and the finish mode display LED (157) is turned on in step (S69b). Also, if the finish mode flag is 10, step (57
0a), turn on L E D (156), and step (
In S70b), the LED (157) is turned off. Next, in step (571), the finish processing flag is set to 1.
1”. The finishing process here means that the sorter unit (41) takes out the sheets distributed and accommodated in each bin (60) from each bin (60) and transports them to the conveyance unit 80).
This refers to a series of operations in which the sheets are transported onto the staple tray (91), aligned, stapled with the stapler (100), and stored in the stack tray (111). While the above series of operations continues, the finish processing flag is falsely set to '1'. Therefore, the finish processing flag is 11. If so, step (S72a
) to turn on the finish start display LED (159), and if it is '0', turn on the finish start display LED (159) in step (S72b).
59) is turned off.

Next, in step (573), the warning flag (Fl) is set to "
1”, and if rl, step (573
In a), the display unit (125) displays that the number of bins is over, and if it is '0', this display is turned off in step (S73b). In step (574), the warning flag (
F2) is "1." If it is '1, display that the sheet size is unsuitable on the display section (125) in step (S74a), and if it is "10", step (S74a) is executed.
74b) to turn off this display. In step (575), it is determined whether the warning flag (F3) is 11'' or not.
If so, a message indicating that the finish mode is not available is displayed on the display section (125) in step (S75a), and if it is ``rO'', this display is turned off in step (S75b). In step (576), it is determined whether the warning flag (F4) is "1" or not, and if it is "1", in step (S76a), the display unit (125) displays that the document is empty, and '0 ”, this display is turned off in step (S76b). In step (577), it is determined whether the warning flag (F5) is 11'' or not. That is step (57
7a), the display unit (125) displays that the finish capacity is over, and if it is 0.
Step 7b) turns off this display. In step (578), it is determined whether the warning flag (F6) is "1." If it is '1', L E D (159) is determined in step (578a).
blinks to indicate that it is necessary to remove the sheet from the staple tray (91), and if it is "0", this display is turned off in step (57sb). Step (57
In 9), it is determined whether the warning flag (Fil) is 11'', and if it is 1, L E D is set in step (S79a).
(160) to indicate that the sheet needs to be removed from the bin (60), and if the
This display is turned off in S79b). Step (580)
Then, determine whether the warning flag (F12) is “1°” and set r
l, then in step (S80a) L E D (1
59) blinks to indicate that the sheet needs to be removed from the stack tray (111), and if it is OJ, this display is turned off in step (S80b).Next, in step (581), the copy flag is Determine whether it is "1" or not,
'1', the number of copies or remaining copies is displayed in step (581a), and if 'OJ', the number of copies or remaining copies is displayed on the display section (125) in step (581b).Next, in step (582), other displays are displayed. Executes processing and ends this subroutine.

FIG. 23 shows a subroutine of copy system processing executed in step (S5) of the main routine.

First, in step (590), the ADF mode flag is set to "1".
”, and if “1.”, step (591)
It is determined whether the copy flag is ``1'' or not, and if it is ``1'', copy processing is allowed, so step (
In S95), an ADF control subroutine is executed, and the process moves to step S97. Further, if the ADF mode flag is determined to be "0°" in the step (590), the copy flag is set to "1" in the step (S96).
It is determined whether or not, and if it is '1', the process moves to step (S97). If it is determined that the copy flag is "O" in both steps (591> and (S96)), the process returns to the main routine.

Next, in steps (597) and (5100), the non-sort mode flag and sort mode flag are set to 11, respectively.
Determine whether or not. The non-sort mode flag is
1. If so, execute the subroutine for non-sort mode processing in step (599), and set the sort mode flag to "I".
If it is J, a subroutine for sort mode processing is executed in step (5101). Further, if both the non-sort mode flag and the sort mode flag are "O", a subroutine for grooving mode processing is executed in step (5104). Subsequently, in step (5105), a copy processing subroutine is executed, and in step (5106), other processing subroutines are executed.

Note that the subroutines executed in steps (599) and (5104) are the same as conventional procedures, and the details thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 24 shows the ADF executed in step (595).
The control subroutine is shown below.

=36- First, in step (5120), it is determined whether or not there is a document in the document tray (31) by turning the sensor on and off. If there is, in step (5133), the warning flag (F4) is set to "1.
Determine whether or not. This warning flag (F4) is activated when there is no document in the tray (31).
31), but if it is "1.", it is reset to "0" in step (5134). Then, in step (5121), a document feeding process subroutine, in step (5122), a document size detection subroutine, and in step (5123), a document transporting process subroutine is executed. If there is no original, it is determined in step (5130) whether the original count is "O" or not, and if it is '0', step (5130) is performed.
In step 5131), the warning flag (F4) is set to ``rl'' to prepare a document empty display, and in step 5132, the copy flag is reset to ``10'', and the process returns to the main routine.

On the other hand, in step <5124), the optical system (4) determines whether or not the number of copies has been scanned, and if it has scanned, sets the scan end flag to "1." Then, in step (5126), the scan ends. The flag is 11.”
After confirming that this is the case, in step (5127) the scan end flag is reset to "0.", and in step (51
At step 28), execute the original ejection processing subroutine, and
In step (5129), other processing subroutines are executed.

(7) The ADF control subroutine is the same as the conventional procedure, and the step (5121) is the same as the conventional one.

Details of (5122), (5123), and (5128) are omitted.

FIGS. 25a and 25b show the subroutine of the sort mode process executed in step (5101). In this subroutine, the operation of the sorter bin (60) is made different depending on whether the finish mode is selected or not. This corresponds to the fact that the order in which sheets are taken out from the bin (60) is different depending on whether or not the finish mode is selected.
This is because the order of distribution to 0) is different. If finishing mode is selected, the sheet will be attached to the staple section (
90>, the sheet is distributed from the lower bin (60), and when the sheet is not selected, it is distributed from the upper bin (60) to make it easier for the operator to take out the sheet directly.

Specifically, in step (5140) it is determined whether the finish mode flag is 11'', and if it is ``rl'', then in step <5141) the sensor (Se5) determines whether there is a sheet in the bin (60). ) is on or off, and if there is no sheet, a warning flag (Fi
1) is 11''. This warning flag (Fi
l) is set to "1" in steps (5158) and (5161) described below when the sheet is in the bin (60), but if it is "1", step (5141b>
In step (S141c), prohibition of system operation is canceled. Then, in step (514
In step 2), check whether the bottom bin detection switch (SWI) is on or not, that is, the bin (60) is located at the bottom bin position (xl), which is the home position when finish mode is selected, and sheet distribution in finish mode is determined. Determine whether it is possible. Therefore, YES in step (5142)
If so, the process directly proceeds to step (5148), and the rotation direction flag is reset to 10'' for the bin operation for performing the sorting operation, that is, for reversing the floating cam motor (not shown).

If NO in step (5142), follow the steps below (
5143) to (5147) are executed to move the bin (60) to the bottom bin position (X+). That is, in step <5143), the motor of the floating cam (50) is rotated in the normal direction, and in step (5144), a sorter weight is applied.

The sorter weight means that the copying operation is prohibited so that sheets are not fed into the sorter section (41) while the bin (60) is moving. And step (514
After confirming that the bottom bin detection switch (SWI > is turned on in step 5), turn off the motor of the floating cam (50) in step (5146), and then turn off the motor of the floating cam (50) in step (514).
7) to cancel the sorter weight and step (5148)
The floating cam rotation direction flag is reset to ``0'', and the rotation direction of the floating cam (50) thereafter is set to reverse.

On the other hand, when finish mode is not selected,
The sensor (Se5) is turned on in step (5149).

Check the presence or absence of sheets in the bin (60) when turning off,
If there is no sheet, check step (5150) to check whether the top bin detection switch (SW2) is on or not.
) is located at the top bin position (XZ), which is the home position in the non-finish mode, and it is determined whether or not sheet distribution in the non-finish mode is possible.

Therefore, if YES in step (5149), the process directly proceeds to step (5156), sets the floating cam rotation direction flag to "rl", and allows forward rotation of the floating cam 50). If No in step (5149), follow steps (5151) to (5155).
) to move the bin (60) to the top bin position (x
Move to 2). That is, in step (5151) the motor of the floating cam (50) is reversed, in step (5152) a sorter weight is applied, and in step (51
After confirming that the top bin detection switch (SW2) is turned on in step 53), the motor of the floating cam (50) is turned off in step (5154). Next, in step (5155), the sorter weight is canceled, and in step (5155), the sorter weight is canceled.
5156) to set the floating cam rotation direction flag to "1".
”, and the subsequent direction of rotation of the floating cam (50) is set to normal rotation.

Furthermore, if it is determined in steps (5141) and (5149) that there is a sheet in the bin (60), it is determined in steps (5157) and (5160) whether or not the number of copies is counted as "0". , “0゛, step (5
158).

<5161) sets the warning flag (Fit) to 11'' and prepares to light up the copy removal display LED (160), prohibits system operation in steps (5159) and (5162), and returns to the main routine. return.

Next, in step (5163), it is determined whether the ejection switch (SW3) of the copying machine (1) is on-edge. That is,
Waiting for the leading edge of the sheet to reach the discharge switch (SW3), turn on the sorter conveyance motor in step (5164),
Sorter discharge sensor (Sel) in step (5165)
Determine whether or not is off-edge. That is, when the trailing edge of the sheet passes the discharge sensor (Sel), it is considered that the sheet is stored in the bin (60), and if the sheet is off-edge, steps (5, 1) are performed.
66> starts the sorter conveyance motor timer. Then, in step (5167), the sheet number count is incremented, in step (5168), the sorter conveyance motor timer is waited for to end, and in step (5169), the sorter conveyance motor is turned off. Subsequently, in step (5170) it is determined whether the sheet conveyed earlier is the last sheet, and if it is the last sheet, the floating cam rotation direction flag is reversed in step (5171). That is, if the floating cam rotation direction flag is "10," it is set to "1." If it is "1.", it is reset to "0." If it is not the last sheet, in order to continue the sorting operation, step (5172) Check the floating cam rotation direction flag, and if it is "0", step (5173)
The floating cam motor is turned on in reverse rotation at step (5174), and if rl, the floating cam motor is turned on in forward rotation at step (5174). That is, the sheets are distributed from the lower bin (60> to the upper bin (60) and from the upper bin (60) to the lower bin (60), allowing for reciprocation.

Next, in step (5175), it is determined whether the finish mode flag is "1" or not, and if "1.", step (
5175a) calculates the number of sheets per bin (M), and in step (5176) calculates the number of sheets per bin <M) and the permissible number of stapling sheets (Cb) [step (55
3) Reference]. Number of sheets per bottle (M
) exceeds the staple permissible number (cb), step (51) is performed to prevent staple failure.
77) sets the warning flag (F5) to "rl" and prepares to display that the finisher capacity is exceeded. Furthermore, in step (5178), the copy flag is reset to "0", and in step (5179), the print switch (121) is reset.
It is determined whether the ADF start switch (141) is turned on or not in step (stso), and if either is turned on, that is, copying is executed even if a warning is issued. When the operator's intention to do so is confirmed, the finish mode flag is reset to "0" in step (5181), and
At step (5183), the warning flag (F5) is reset to "rO", and at step (5183), the copy flag is set to "rl" to enable execution in the sort mode, and this subroutine ends.

Note that if you want to end the copy operation and perform finish processing when the finisher capacity exceeds warning is issued by executing steps (5176) and (5177), press finish start switch 1 (158).
All you have to do is turn on [Step (5206).

(5207)].

FIG. 26 shows the copy processing subroutine executed in step (5105).

First, in step (5190), it is determined whether the optical system (4) has scanned the number of copies, and if YES, the scan end flag is set to 11'' in step (5191), and if NO, step ( 5192), a copy process processing subroutine is executed. This subroutine is a routine for executing a normal copying process by the copying machine (1), and its details will be omitted.

Next, in step (5193), the scan end flag is set to “
1. After confirming that this is the case, reset the scan end flag to 10 in step (5194).
In step 195), the copy flag is reset to "0", and in step 5196, other processing subroutines are executed.

Figures 27a and 27b show the main routine steps (
The subroutine of the finish processing executed in step S6) is shown.

First, in step (5200), the finish mode flag is set to 11. If it is '0', the process ends immediately. ``If it is 1yo, then in step (5201) the finish mode prohibition flag is determined as ``1yo or not, and 10''
If it is '1', the process moves to step (5206), and if it is '1', it is determined in step (5202) whether the sheet detection sensor (Se6) on the staple tray (91) is on or off. Check if there are any seats available. If the sheet detection sensor (Se6) is turned on and it is determined that there is a sheet on the tray (91), the existing sheet will be stapled together with the sheet that will be sent onto the tray (91) from now on. Since there is a risk of exceeding the number of sheets to be printed, a warning flag (
Set F6) to 11" and load the staple tray (91).
prepare to display a warning that the sheet should be removed from the
Terminate this subroutine.

On the other hand, in step (5202) the staple tray (91
), step (S
At step 202b), the presence or absence of a sheet on the stack tray (111) is checked by determining whether a sheet detection sensor (Se7) provided on the back surface of the stack tray (111) is on or off. When the sheet detection sensor (Se7) is turned on and it is determined that there is a sheet on the tray (111),
At this time, in order to avoid a problem in which the remaining stapled sheets are mixed with the stapled sheets that are to be ejected to the tray (111), the warning flag (F12) is set to "rl" in step (S202c). Preparations are made to display a warning that the sheet should be removed from the stack tray (111), and this subroutine ends.

Also, if the sensor (Se7) is off and the step (S202b
), when it is confirmed that there are no sheets on the stack tray (111), the finish mode prohibition flag is reset to 10'' in step (5203), and the warning flag (F6) is reset in step (5204). Determine whether or not it is "1", and if it is rl, reset the warning flag (F6) to 101 in step (S204a>).Furthermore,
In step (5205), the warning flag (F12) is set to 1.
'1.' If step (520
5a), reset the warning flag (F12) to 10''.

Next, in step (5206) it is determined whether the finish start switch <158> has been turned on.

If it is turned on, it is determined in step (5207) whether the finish processing flag is 101, and '1. If so, set the finish processing flag to 10 in step (5207a).
”. Also, the finish processing flag is set to 1.
0”, the sensor (Se6
) is turned on and off, the presence or absence of a sheet on the staple tray (91) is checked again, and if there is a sheet, an unnecessary sheet is stapled as described above, or a warning is issued in step (S207c) to prevent staple defects. Flag (F6
) is set to "rl", the finish mode prohibition flag is set to rIJ in step (S207d), the finish processing flag is reset to "0." in step (S207e), and this subroutine ends. In step S207f), the presence or absence of a sheet on the stack tray (111) is checked again by turning on and off the sensor (Se7), and if there is a sheet, a warning flag F12 is issued in step (S207g) to avoid mixing of sheets as described above.
), the finish mode prohibition flag is set to 11 in step (S207h), the finish processing flag is reset to 10 in step (S207i), and this subroutine ends.

Staple tray (91) and stack tray (111)
), the finish processing flag is set to 11'' in step (S207j).

Next, in step (5208), the number of sheets (M) per bin is calculated, and in step (5209), it is determined whether the number of sheets (M) per bin is one.

That is, if the number (M) of sheets distributed and accommodated in each bin (60) is one, there is no need to staple the sheets.

Therefore, if it is determined in step (5209) that the number of sheets per bin is one, step (5209a
) to set the warning flag (F3) to 11. , prepare to display finish mode disabled, and proceed to step (S20).
9b), reset the finish mode flag to r□, cancel the finish mode, and then press STEP (S209).
In c), reset the finish processing flag to 10.

If the number of sheets (M) per bin is not 1, it is determined in step (5210) whether the warning flag (F3) is "1", and if it is "1", a warning is issued in step (5211). Reset the flag (F3) to "0." Next,
In step <5213), the finish processing flag is set to rl.
If it is '1', finish processing is executed for the first time. That is, in step (5214), a subroutine for bin movement processing, in step (5215), a subroutine for sheet take-out processing, and in step (5216), a subroutine for stapling processing is executed, respectively.

After these processes are completed, step (521
In step 6a), by determining whether the capacity detection sensor (Se8) provided above the stack tray (111) is on or off, it is determined whether the sheets discharged and accommodated in the stack tray (111) have reached the capacity. Check. When the capacity detection sensor (Se8) is turned on and it is determined that the sheets of the tray (111) have reached the storage capacity, the step (5) described above is performed.
207g), (S207h), and (S207i) are executed to issue a sheet removal warning and prohibit further processing in the finish mode.

If the sheets in the stack tray (111) have not yet reached their storage capacity, the sheets in the bin (60>
At step (5218), the presence or absence of a sheet on the staple tray (91) is determined, and if there is no sheet on the staple tray (91), the finish processing flag is reset to "0" at step (5219).

By the way, in this finish processing subroutine, the prohibition of finish mode is canceled in step (52).
In step 02), it is detected that the sheet has been removed from the staple tray (91), or in step (S202b), it is detected that the sheet has been removed from the stack tray (111), and in step (5203), the finish mode prohibition flag is set. 10” and step (5204a
), (5205a) is the warning flag (F6).

This is done by resetting (F12) to "rO". The finishing process is restarted by inputting the finishing start switch (158).
This may be done automatically via a timer after the finish mode prohibition is canceled.

FIG. 28 shows the subroutine of the bin movement process executed in step (5214).

First, in step (5220), the sensor (Se5) is turned on.

The presence or absence of a sheet in the bin (60) is determined when the process is turned off, and if there is no sheet, the process immediately ends. Although such a situation cannot occur in practice, it can occur if the operator removes the sheet from the bin (60) immediately after copying is complete. If there is a sheet, it is determined in step (5221) whether the bottom bin detection switch (SWI) is on. If the switch (SWI > is not on), step <5 is required to move the floating cam (50) to the bottom bin position (xl).
222), the motor of the floating cam (50) is rotated forward, and when the off-edge of the floating cam rotation detection switch is confirmed in step (5223), step (
5224), the motor is turned off. And in this step (5222), ('5223), (5224), the floating cam (50> is at the bottom bin position (
You can continue until you move to xl).

The floating cam (50) is in the bottom bin position (
xl), i.e. the step (5221)
When it is determined that the bottom bin detection switch (SWI) is turned on, the fix cam motor is rotated forward in step (5225), and it is determined in step (S226') whether the fix cam rotation detection sensor (Se2) is on-edge. . If it is on-edge, this will move the bin (60) in the bottom bin position (X,) to the sheet take-out position (
It has descended to X, ), and step (S227)
Increment the bin counter in step (522
8) Turn off the fix cam motor.

Next, in step (5229), the pin counter changes to the set number (A
) [see step (510)]. If the pin counter is smaller than the set number <A), a process of moving the next bin (60) to the sheet take-out position (XS) is executed. That is, the floating cam motor is reversed in step (5230), and the floating cam motor is reversed in step (5231).
), when the off-edge of the floating cam rotation detection sensor is confirmed, the floating cam motor is turned off in step (5232). This causes the next bin (60) to move to the bottom bin position (X,).

This step (5230), (5231).

<5232> is repeated until the bin counter becomes equal to the set number (A).

When the pin counter becomes equal to the set number (A>), it means that all bin movement processing has been completed, and step (5233)
After confirming that there are no sheets in the bin (60), a subroutine for resetting the bin position is executed in step (5234).

FIG. 29 shows the subroutine of the sheet take-out process executed in step (5215). This subroutine executes the bin (
60) to the staple tray (91) via the conveying means (80).

First, in step (5240), the sheet take-out position (X
,) on the sensor (Se5) to the bin (60) that descends to the bottom.

In the off state, it is determined whether or not there is a sheet, and if there is no sheet, an appropriate warning is displayed (not shown in the flowchart) and the process moves to step (5246). Once the presence of the sheet is confirmed, in step (5241) it is determined whether the fix cam rotation detection sensor (Se2) is off-edge, in other words, whether the fix cam (70) has started to rotate normally. When it is determined that the sheet is off-edge, that is, when the fix cam (70) starts normal rotation and the bin (60) begins to descend to the sheet take-out position (X,), step (5) is performed.
Step 242) turns on the solenoid of the pinch roller (76), and step (5243) starts the pinch roller solenoid timer. When the sheet on the bin (60) starts to descend based on the normal rotation of the fix cam (70), the sheet on the bin (60)
When the solenoid in 60) is turned on, the sheet is pinched between the take-out roller (75> and the pinch roller (76)) at the sheet take-out position (X,).

Next, in step (5244), it is determined whether the fix cam rotation detection sensor (Se2) is on-edge, in other words, whether the bin (60) has completed its descent to the sheet take-out position (X8), If it is determined that the sheet is on-edge, the sheet take-out motor is turned on in step (5245). The sheet now rolls onto the roller (75).

<76>, (81a), (81b>, etc.) are carried to the staple tray (91).Then, when the end of the pinch roller solenoid timer is confirmed in step (5246), the pinch roller is transferred in step (5247). Turn off the roller solenoid.This will turn off the pinch roller (76).
is retracted upward from the take-out roller (75). This causes the pinch roller (76) to be retracted from the take-out position (X3) before the next bin (60) starts descending from the bottom bin position (X+), and to separate the sheets distributed and stored in the bin (60). This is to prevent interference.

Next, in step <5248) the staple tray (91
) sensor (Se6) is turned on and it is confirmed that the sheet is stored in the tray (91), the sheet take-out motor is turned off in step (5249) and this subroutine is ended.

FIG. 30 shows the stapling subroutine executed in step (5216).

First, in step (5251) the staple tray (91
) is on-edge. This sensor (Se6) is turned on when a sheet is conveyed onto the tray (91). Therefore, if it is an on-edge, the vibration motor (93) is turned on in step (5252), and the sheet on the tray (91) is turned on. align,
A vibration motor timer is started in step (5253). On the other hand, in step (5251) it is determined that the device is not on-edge, and in step (5254) the sensor (Se6
) is on, that is, if it is determined that there is already a sheet on the tray (91), the process moves to step (5255).

Next, when the end of the vibration motor timer is confirmed in step (5255), the vibration motor (
93) is turned off, and the staple motor is turned on in step (5257). Then, when the rotation detection sensor (Se4) of the staple motor is determined to be on-edge in step (5259), that is, when the head (105) moves and the sheets are stapled with the staples (106), step (5260) turns off the staple motor,
In step (S262), the stopper solenoid is turned on. As a result, the stopper (96) is retracted from above the tray (91), and the sheet slides off the tray (91) and is completely accommodated on the stack tray (111).

Next, in step (5263) the staple tray (91
) sensor (Se6) is determined to be off-edge,
That is, when it is determined that the sheet has been discharged to the stack tray (111), the stopper solenoid is turned off in step (5264) and the stopper (96) is moved to the tray (9).
1) Return to the top and end this subroutine.

That is, in this embodiment, in the finish processing subroutine (see FIGS. 27a and 27b), the capacitance detection sensor (
Se8) is turned on and off to determine whether the sheets stored in the stack tray (111) have reached the storage capacity [Step (S216a)] - Then, if the storage capacity has been reached, the sheets stored in the stack tray (111) are [Step (5207g>, (S80
a) ], and prohibits processing in finish mode [steps (S207h), (S207i)].

This prevents a situation in which the stack tray (111) exceeds its capacity and further sheets are not ejected, resulting in an ejection failure.

On the other hand, when the sheet is removed from the stack tray (111), a negative determination is made in both steps (5202) and (szozb), and the prohibition of the finish mode is canceled [step (5203)]. At the same time, the capacitance detection sensor (Se8) also returns to the off state.

In addition, in this example, the size that can be stapled is A4.
, B5, but is not limited to this.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above explanation, according to the present invention, when the number of sheets in the stack unit reaches the storage capacity while executing the finish mode, processing in the finish mode is prohibited thereafter. It is possible to reliably prevent a failure in ejecting stapled sheets to the stack section.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the entire copying machine, Fig. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of a sorter with a finisher, Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the sorter section, and Fig. 4 is a diagram of the sorter. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the conveyance section, Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the floating cam and fixed cam, Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the floating cam, and Figs. A perspective view of the position, FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the engagement between the trunnion and the fix cam, FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view showing the rotation detection part of the fix cam, FIG. 11 is a plan view of the stapler, and FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the stack tray, FIGS. 13, 14, and 15 are plan views of the operation panel, FIGS. 16 and 17 are control circuit diagrams, and FIGS.
Figures 9 and 20. FIGS. 21, 22a, 22b, and 23. FIGS. 24, 25a, 25b, and 26. Figures 27a, 27b, 28, and 29. FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing each control procedure. (1) Copy machine, (40) Sorter with finisher, (41) Sorter unit, (60) Bin, (90) Staple unit, (91) - Staple tray, (100)... Stapler, (110>
... Stack section, (111) ... Stack tray, (Xl) ... Bottom bin position, (X2) ...
- Top bin position, (x3)... Sheet take-out position, 6O- (Se8)... Stack tray capacity detection sensor.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A sorter unit that receives sheets discharged from a copying machine or the like and distributes them to a plurality of bins, a stapling unit that has stapling means that staples the sheets conveyed from each bin, and a stapling process. A sorter equipped with a finisher that includes a stack section for stacking and accommodating sheets that have been stacked, includes a means for detecting whether or not the sheets accommodated in the stack section have reached a storage capacity, and a finishing mode that performs stapling processing. A sorter with a finisher comprising: a control means for prohibiting processing in a finish mode from now on when the detection means detects that the sheets in the stack section have reached the storage capacity.