Abstract: A copy machine achieves a reduction in power consumption when performing a saddle-stitching operation. An image forming unit forms visible images on recording sheets in accordance with image data stored in a memory device. A post-processing unit collects the recording media on an individual copy basis to prepare a bundle of the recording sheets, and performs a saddle-stitching process and a center-folding process on the bundle of the recording sheets. The post-processing unit ejects the processed recording sheets onto a predetermined eject tray. A system control part determines whether or not a total number of the recording sheets corresponding to the image data is within a limit number for the saddle-stitching process. When the total number of the recording sheets exceeds the limit number for the saddle-stitching process, the recording sheets are ejected onto the at least one eject tray other than a predetermined eject tray.

Abstract: A sheet finisher for an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a conveying device for conveying a sheet and a punch unit for punching the sheet being conveyed by the conveying device. A sheet edge sensor senses the edge of the sheet, which is being conveyed by the conveying device, parallel to the direction of sheet conveyance. A drive source moves the sheet edge sensor in a direction perpendicular to the direction of sheet conveyance. Another drive source moves the punch unit in the direction perpendicular to the direction of sheet conveyance in accordance with information output from the sheet edge sensor. A controller controls the two drive sources by a preselected pulse ratio, thereby causing the punch unit to accurately punch the sheet.

Abstract: A sheet folding device for folding a sheet or a sheet stack conveyed thereto of the present invention includes a path along which the sheet or the sheet stack to be folded is conveyed. A fold plate is movable in a direction perpendicular to the above path for forming a fold in the sheet or the sheet stack. A pair of rotatable fold rollers face the fold plate and are positioned one above the other. Pressing members exerts, when the fold is to be formed, a pair of equal pressing forces on the fold rollers to thereby maintain the nip between the fold rollers on a line including the locus of movement of the fold plate.

Abstract: A sheet finisher of the present invention is included in an image forming system and folds a stack of sheets sequentially transferred from an image forming apparatus thereto. The sheet finisher includes a fold roller pair for holding the stack of sheets being conveyed via a nip thereof. A reinforce roller reinforces the fold of the folded sheet stack in cooperation with a guide plate. A drive mechanism causes the reinforce roller to move in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet conveyance. A shock absorbing member is located at a position where the reinforce roller and guide plate contact each other.

Abstract: A sheet finisher of the present invention includes jogger fences for jogging sheets sequentially stacked in a stapling section, and a stapler for stapling the sheets together. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) controls a jogger motor such that the jogger fences each move to a first position, a second position, and a third position in accordance with the width of sheets in a direction perpendicular to the direction of sheet conveyance. The first position is remote from the edge of a sheet stack in the direction of the width by a preselected amount. The second position is closer to the edge than the first position by a preselected amount and slightly overlaps the edge. At the third position, when the stapler staples the sheet stack, the jogger fence substantially contacts the edge in accordance with the width.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device of the present invention includes a sheet conveying mechanism for conveying a sheet, path selectors each for steering the sheet being conveyed by the sheet conveying mechanism in a particular direction, and a drive mechanism for causing the path selectors to move independently of each other. The path selectors are rotatable about a single axis and positioned parallel to each other in such a manner as to sandwich a plane of sheet conveyance.

Abstract: A sheet finisher for executing preselected processing with a sheet introduced thereinto from an image forming apparatus and then discharging the sheet is disclosed. The sheet finisher includes a stacking device configured to temporarily stack sheets sequentially delivered thereto. Jogger fences jog each sheet within the stacking device. A stapler staples the sheet stack jogged in the stacking device. The stapler is supported by a guide shaft such it is movable along the guide shaft in a direction perpendicular to the direction of sheet conveyance and angularly movable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of guide.

Abstract: A sheet finisher of the present invention includes a punching unit configured to punch a sheet handed over from an image forming apparatus to the sheet finisher. A scrap conveying unit conveys scraps produced from the sheet punched by the punching unit. A hopper stores scraps conveyed thereto by there scrap conveying unit. The hopper is mounted on the front side of the sheet finisher.

Abstract: A sheet finisher for performing preselected processing with a sheet or a sheet stack conveyed thereto of the present invention includes a cutter unit configured to cut the sheet or the sheet stack in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet conveyance. A guide member is positioned upstream of the cutter unit in the direction of sheet conveyance for guiding the sheet or the sheet stack being conveyed. A moving device moves the guide member in a direction parallel to the direction of sheet conveyance.

Abstract: A folding device of the present invention includes a fold plate and a fold roller pair for folding a sheet or a sheet stack conveyed thereto. A controller causes the fold roller pair to move back and forth while nipping the folded portion of the sheet or that of the sheet stack at its nip for thereby continuously exerting pressure on the folded portion. The fold roller pair is rotated in opposite directions for thereby sharpening the fold of the sheet or that of the sheet stack.

Abstract: A sheet finisher for an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a conveying device for conveying a sheet and a punch unit for punching the sheet being conveyed by the conveying device. A sheet edge sensor senses the edge of the sheet, which is being conveyed by the conveying device, parallel to the direction of sheet conveyance. A drive source moves the sheet edge sensor in a direction perpendicular to the direction of sheet conveyance. Another drive source moves the punch unit in the direction perpendicular to the direction of sheet conveyance in accordance with information output from the sheet edge sensor. A controller controls the two drive sources by a preselected pulse ratio, thereby causing the punch unit to accurately punch the sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image forming device and a post-processing device having a punching device that forms punch holes of a plurality of types to a paper ejected from the image forming device. The image forming apparatus also includes an indicator. The indicator indicates one of pictographs corresponding to each of punch hole types and indicates an indicated pictograph as a pictograph different from the previous pictograph when the indicated pictograph is selected. Or alternatively, the indicator indicates each of the punch hole types and also indicates a plurality of pictographs different from each other and indicates a pictograph corresponding to a selected punch hole type as a pictograph different from the previous pictograph when the punch hole type is selected.

Abstract: A sheet finisher for executing preselected processing with a sheet conveyed thereto of the present invention includes a first processing tray configured to temporarily store the sheet and deliver it. A first and a second path are positioned downstream of the first processing tray in a direction of sheet conveyance and configured to convey a first and a second sheet stack, respectively. The first path conveys the first sheet stack upward over the downstream portion of the first processing tray while the second path conveys it downward over the same. A switching device selects either one of the first and second paths. The sheet finisher of the present invention is low cost and highly productive and space saving.

Abstract: A sheet finishing apparatus including a sheet tray, a pair of jogging fences, and a case. The sheet tray stacks a plurality of sheets that have been sent from an image forming apparatus. The pair of jogging fences hold the sheets stacked in the sheet tray and jog the sheets in a transverse direction relative to a sheet transferring direction. The jogging fences are moved toward and away from each other. The case encloses the apparatus and includes a plate covering the sheet tray from an operator accessible side. The plate has an opening. When the pair of jogging fences is expanded to outward limits, one of the pair of jogging fences at the operator accessible side is passed by the plate through the opening and located at an outside position relative to the plate.

Abstract: A novel output sheet handling apparatus includes outlets, ejection trays, a tray switching mechanism, an outlet switching mechanism, and a controller. Each of outlets ejects a recording sheet. The outlets include at least one straight outlet configured to eject a recording sheet and to eject no stack of recording sheets processed in a complex finishing mode. The ejection trays, at least same plurality as the plurality of outlets, include at least one ejection tray configured to receive the recording sheet from at least two outlets among the outlets. The tray switching mechanism performs a tray switching operation for switching one of the ejection trays in operation to another. The outlet switching mechanism performs an outlet switching operation for switching one of the outlets in operation to another.

Abstract: A sheet finisher of the present invention includes jogger fences for jogging sheets sequentially stacked in a stapling section, and a stapler for stapling the sheets together. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) controls a jogger motor such that the jogger fences each move to a first position, a second position, and a third position in accordance with the width of sheets in a direction perpendicular to the direction of sheet conveyance. The first position is remote from the edge of a sheet stack in the direction of the width by a preselected amount. The second position is closer to the edge than the first position by a preselected amount and slightly overlaps the edge. At the third position, when the stapler staples the sheet stack, the jogger fence substantially contacts the edge in accordance with the width.

Abstract: A sheet stacking device of the present invention includes a receipt tray for stacking sheets sequentially driven out by an outlet roller. The outlet roller has a cylindrical portion and a conveying portion, which is contiguous with the end face of the cylindrical portion facing the center of the sheets, for exerting a conveying force on the sheets. The conveying portion has a circumference greater in diameter than the cylindrical portion and contacts the sheets at a position deviated from a staple bound the sheets.

Abstract: A sheet finishing apparatus including a sheet tray, a pair of jogging fences, and a case. The sheet tray stacks a plurality of sheets that have been sent from an image forming apparatus. The pair of jogging fences hold the sheets stacked in the sheet tray and jog the sheets in a transverse direction relative to a sheet transferring direction. The jogging fences are moved toward and away from each other. The case encloses the apparatus and includes a plate covering the sheet tray from an operator accessible side. The plate has an opening. When the pair of jogging fences is expanded to outward limits, one of the pair of jogging fences at the operator accessible side is passed by the plate through the opening and located at an outside position relative to the plate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image forming device; and a post-processing device having a punching device that forms punch holes of a plurality of types to a paper ejected from the image forming device. The image forming apparatus also comprises an indicator. The indicator indicates one of pictographs corresponding to each of punch hole types and indicates an indicated pictograph as a pictograph different from the previous pictograph when the indicated pictograph is selected, or alternatively, the indicator indicates each of the punch hole types and also indicates a plurality of pictographs different from each other and indicates a pictograph corresponding to a selected punch hole type as a pictograph different from the previous pictograph when the punch hole type is selected.