SHEET POST-PROCESS APPARATUS

Abstract

A waiting tray is provided in a sheet-conveying path and holds sheets if the sheets need to be post-processed. A processing tray receives sheets conveyed from the waiting tray. It may receive sheets conveyed through the sheet-conveying path and coming not via the waiting tray, before the sheets are post-processed. A conveying mechanism is provided, which causes the sheets to fall, due to gravity, from the waiting tray onto a processing tray. A sheet-aligning mechanism aligns the sheets on the processing tray, at their transverse edges and longitudinal edges. On the processing tray, the sheets are post-processed, forming a bundle. The conveying mechanism conveys the bundle of sheets to a storage tray. The waiting trays have sidewalls, each having at least one part that is inclined outwards.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/008,294, filed Dec. 10, 2004, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Applications No. 2004-282204, filed Sep. 28, 2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a sheet post-process apparatus, such as a finisher, which is designed for installation at the outlet side of a multi-function periperal (MFP).

2. Description of the Related Art

An apparatus called “finisher” is known, which receives printed sheets supplied from an MFP and staple them together. In the finisher, the sheets supplied from the MFP are sequentially conveyed to a tray and stapled by a stapler, forming a bundle of sheets. The bundle of sheets is ejected from the apparatus onto a storage tray.

Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 6-99070 discloses a finisher. This finisher performs a post-process on sheets. In the post-process, a stapler staples sheets. To process the sheets at the same rate as the MFP processes them, it is necessary to reduce the speed at which sheets are conveyed in the finisher. The finisher therefore has a long sheet-conveying path.

Having a long sheet-conveying path, the finisher cannot be as small as desired.

Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 10-316299 discloses a mechanism that aligns sheets on the storage tray, more readily than before.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet post-process apparatus in which sheets can be readily conveyed from the waiting tray to the process tray.

A sheet post-process apparatus according to this invention comprises: a plurality of rollers which receive sheets from an MFP and convey the sheets forward; a waiting tray which is provided in a conveying path, which holds the sheets conveyed from the rollers, when the sheets need to be post-processed, and which has sidewalls, each having at least one part that is inclined outwards; a processing tray which holds the sheets conveyed from the waiting tray and the sheets conveyed via the conveying path without being conveyed to the waiting tray, before the sheets are post-processed; a conveying mechanism which causes the sheets to fall, due to gravity, from the waiting tray onto the processing tray; a sheet-aligning mechanism which aligns the sheets with one another on the processing tray, at transverse edge and longitudinal edge, thereby forming a bundle of sheets; a post-process mechanism which performs a post-process on the bundle of sheets on the processing tray; sheet-conveying means for conveying the bundle of sheets from the processing tray; and a storage tray which holds the bundle of sheets conveyed from the processing tray.

Preferably, the waiting tray may have a bottom that is inclined downwards.

The sheet post-process apparatus may further comprises a mechanism that changes the angle of inclination of the sidewalls of the waiting tray.

Preferably, the sidewalls of the waiting tray may have an upper end part each, which is inclined outwards.

In the apparatus, the waiting tray holds sheets to be post-processed. The conveying mechanism causes these sheets to fall, due to gravity, onto the processing tray. Hence, it suffices to provide a sheet-waiting section that is just as long as the waiting tray. This renders the sheet post-process apparatus small.

The waiting tray has sidewalls, each having at least one part that is inclined outwards. Hence, the sheets in the waiting trays sag and are collected at the center part of the waiting trays. This helps to align the sheets at the transverse edges at high efficiency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a post-process apparatus according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the post-process apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating how the waiting tray of the post-process apparatus performs its function;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view depicting the sheet-bundle conveying mechanism provided in the post-process apparatus, and explaining how sheets are aligned at longitudinal edges in the post-process apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the mechanism for aligning sheets at their transverse edges;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating how the stapler provided in the post-process apparatus performs its function;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the post-process apparatus, showing how the first sheet moves from the input rollers to the sheet-feeding roller;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the apparatus, explaining how the first sheet moves from the sheet-feeding roller to the waiting tray;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the apparatus, explaining how the second sheet moves from the sheet-feeding roller to the waiting tray;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the post-process apparatus, showing how the waiting-tray rollers operate;

FIG. 11 is another sectional view of the apparatus, illustrating how the waiting-tray rollers operate;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the apparatus, explaining how an active drop is carried out;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the apparatus, explaining how the third sheet is conveyed;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the apparatus, illustrating how the stapler operates;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the apparatus, explaining how a bundle of sheets move between the processing tray and the storage tray;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the apparatus, illustrating how sheets move from the waiting tray to the storage tray;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the apparatus, explaining how the position of the storage tray is changed;

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a configuration that the waiting tray may have in the apparatus;

FIGS. 19A and 19B are diagrams depicting another configuration that waiting tray may have in the apparatus;

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing still another configuration that the waiting tray may have in the apparatus;

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a waiting tray having rotatable sidewalls, which may be used in the apparatus;

FIGS. 22A to 22C are diagrams illustrating a mechanism that controls the inclination of sidewalls of the waiting tray; and

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing another mechanism that may be used to control the inclination of the sidewalls of the waiting tray.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of this invention will be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sheet post-process apparatus according to this invention. FIG. 2 is a top view of the post-process apparatus. As FIG. 1 shows, the post-process apparatus comprises a waiting tray 10, a processing tray 12, a stapler 14, a first storage tray 16, and a second storage tray 18.

The sheet post-process apparatus further comprises a pair of input rollers 22, a pair of sheet-feeding rollers 24, and an input-roller motor 26. The input rollers 22 receive a sheet 20 supplied from an MFP and convey the sheet 20 to the sheet-feeding rollers 24. The sheet-feeding rollers 24 convey the sheet 20 to the waiting tray 10. The input-roller motor 26 drives the input rollers 22.

One of the input rollers 22 is an upper input roller 22a, and the other input roller 22 is a lower input roller 22b. Likewise, one of the sheet-feeding rollers 24 is an upper sheet-feeding roller, and the other sheet-feeding roller 24 is a lower sheet-feeding roller.

The waiting tray 10 comprises two tray parts 10a and 10b. The tray parts 10a and 10b can move from left to right, and vice versa. When the tray parts 10a and 10b take a closed position, the waiting tray 10 can receive sheets. Waiting-tray rollers 28, a waiting-roller drive 30 and a waiting-roller motor 32 are provided. The waiting-tray rollers 28 align sheets on the tray parts 10a and 10b while both tray parts remain in the closed position. The waiting-tray rollers 28 can move up and down when they are driven and controlled by the waiting-roller drive 30. The waiting-roller motor 32 rotates the waiting-tray rollers 28.

When the number of sheets 20 stacked on the waiting tray 10 reaches a prescribed value, a waiting-tray motor 34 drives the waiting-tray parts 10a and 10b to an opened position as is illustrated in FIG. 3. The sheets 20 fall onto the processing tray 12, due to gravity. This event is known as “active drop.”

The sheet post-process apparatus has a paper guide 36, which guides sheets from the MFP to the waiting tray 10 and thence to the processing tray 12. The paper guide 36 has a paper-pass ceiling.

In the processing tray 12, the sheets are aligned at the longitudinal edges and the transverse edges. The sheets are aligned at their longitudinal edges by a longitudinal-alignment mechanism 38 as is illustrated in FIG. 4. More precisely, an upper longitudinal-alignment motor 40 drives the upper longitudinal-alignment rollers 38a of the mechanism 38, and a lower longitudinal-alignment motor 42 drives the lower longitudinal-alignment rollers 38b of the mechanism 38. Driven by the motors 40 and 42, the rollers 38a and 38b move the sheets until one longitudinal edge of every sheet abuts on a stopper 45. Paddles 44 are provided to facilitate the longitudinal alignment. A paddle motor 46 drives the paddles 44.

The sheets are aligned at their transverse edges, too, as is illustrated in FIG. 5. More specifically, the transverse alignment is performed by a transverse-alignment mechanism 47 and a transverse-alignment motor 48.

When the number of sheets thus aligned in the processing tray 12 reaches the prescribed value, the stapler 14 starts operating. The stapler 14 is positioned as depicted in FIG. 6 and controlled by a stapler-driving unit 49.

Controlled by the unit 49, the stapler 14 staples the sheets together, forming a bundle of sheets. As shown in FIG. 4, a transport mechanism 50 transports the bundle of sheets to the first storage tray 16. Either the first storage tray 16 or the second storage tray 18 is selected when a storage-tray driving unit 52 (FIG. 2) moves the tray 16 or 18 to a predetermined upper position.

How the post-process apparatus according to this invention operates will be explained with reference to FIGS. 7 to 17.

As FIG. 7 shows, a sheet 20 conveyed from the MFP is moved from the input rollers 22 to the sheet-feeding rollers 24, in the direction of the arrow.

As is illustrated in FIG. 8, the sheet 20, or the first sheet, is placed on the waiting tray 10. Then, the waiting-tray rollers 28 move down, in the direction of the arrow, aligning the trailing edge of the first sheet 20 at the rear (i.e., upstream) end 60 of the waiting tray 10.

As FIG. 9 depicts, the waiting-tray rollers 28 moves up to receive the second sheet 20a.

As FIG. 10 shows, the second sheet 20 is conveyed to the waiting tray 10. The waiting-tray rollers 28 move down, aligning the trailing edge of the second sheet 20a at the rear end 60 of the waiting tray 10. Thus, a bundle 20b of two sheets 20 and 20a is formed in the waiting tray 10.

As FIG. 11 shows, the waiting-tray rollers 28 move upwards. Then, the waiting-tray parts 10a and 10b move to the opened position as is illustrated in FIG. 3. The active drop is therefore performed as shown in FIG. 12. The bundle 20b is conveyed to the processing tray 12.

Thereafter, the third sheet 20c and some following sheets are conveyed from the sheet-feeding rollers 24 to the processing tray 12, not through the waiting tray 10. These sheets are laid, one after another, upon the bundle 20b of two sheets. A bundle 21, which consists of the prescribed number of sheets, is formed on the processing tray 12. As the sheets including the third sheet 20 are sequentially laid on the bundle 20b, the longitudinal-alignment rollers 38 and the transverse-alignment mechanism 47 align the sheets at their longitudinal edges and transverse edges.

The waiting tray 10 must be positioned so that its rear end 60 may lie downstream of the rear end (upstream-side) of the processing tray 12 when the sheets are laid on the bundle 20b. As shown in FIG. 13, the rear end 60 of the waiting tray 10 is therefore spaced from the rear end 62 of the processing tray 12, by distance L, in the transverse direction. This enables the bundle 20b to fall smoothly from the waiting tray 10 onto the processing tray 12. This also makes it easy for both alignment mechanisms 38 and 47 to align sheets. Thus, jamming of sheets can be prevented.

It is desired that the waiting tray 10 and the processing tray 12 be inclined, having their upstream ends at a lower position than their downstream ends. In other words, they should be so positioned that their rear ends 60 and 62 lie at the lowest position. If the trays 10 and 12 are so inclined, the sheets 20 are aligned, due to gravity, at the rear end 60 of the waiting tray 10, and the bundle 20b can be aligned, due to gravity, at the rear end 62 of the processing tray 12.

As seen from FIGS. 10 to 13, the sheet post-process apparatus has the following three characterizing features:

(1) The waiting tray 10 extends longer in the sheet-conveying direction than the length of sheets 20.

(2) The processing tray 12 extends shorter in the sheet-conveying direction than the length of sheets 20.

(3) Because of the feature (2), any sheet 20 that has fallen from the waiting tray 10 onto the processing tray 12 is supported not only by the processing tray 12, but also by the first storage tray 16.

These features (1), (2) and (3) reduce the size of the sheet post-process apparatus (i.e., finisher) in the sheet-conveying direction.

As FIG. 14 shows, the stapler 14 staples the bundle 21 of sheets. Then, the transport mechanism 50 transports the bundle 21 to the storage tray 16. Thus ends the post-process.

If the sheets need to undergo the post-process, they are not conveyed to the processing tray 12. They are ejected from the waiting tray 10 onto the first storage tray 16 as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. As FIG. 16 shows, the sheets supplied from the MFP are sequentially conveyed to the first storage tray 16 via the input rollers 22, sheet-feeding rollers 24 and waiting tray 10. The waiting-tray rollers 28 move down, serving to convey sheets 20. As depicted in FIG. 17, the storage-tray driving unit 52 lifts the first storage tray 16 a little and receives the sheets coming from the waiting tray 10.

The waiting tray 10 will be described in more detail, with reference to FIGS. 18 to 23.

As FIG. 18 shows, the waiting tray 10 comprises waiting-tray parts 10a and 10b. The waiting-tray part 10a comprises a bottom 70a and a sidewall 72a. The waiting-tray part 10b comprises a bottom 70b and a sidewall 72b. The sidewalls 72a and 72b incline outwards so that the waiting tray 10 may readily receive sheets 20. So shaped, the waiting tray 10 can align sheets 20 at their transverse edges, with high efficiency.

Preferably, the bottom of the waiting tray 10 has a slightly larger width than the sheets 20. Then, the waiting tray 10 can more readily align the sheets 20 at their transverse edges, and the sheets 20 can be more smoothly conveyed to the processing tray 12.

FIGS. 19A and 19B depict another configuration that waiting tray 10 may have in the post-process apparatus. As FIG. 19A shows, the waiting-tray part 10a and 10b have bottom parts 80a and 80b, respectively. Both bottom parts 80a and 80b are inclined downwards at angle α. When the waiting-tray part 10a and 10b are spaced apart in the direction of arrows in FIG. 19B, sheets 20 sag, each with its middle part lying at a lower level than any other part. The sheets 20 can therefore be aligned more readily, at their transverse edges. Since the sheets 20 sag, they can be more easily conveyed from the waiting tray 10 to the processing tray 12.

FIG. 20 shows still another configuration that the waiting tray 10 may have in the post-process apparatus. The sidewalls 72a and 72b have parts 74a and 74b, respectively. These parts 74a and 74b are inclined outwards. The waiting tray 10 is therefore shaped like a tulip. So shaped, the waiting tray 10 can reliably align sheets 20 at their transverse edges.

FIG. 21 shows another type of a waiting tray 10, which may be used in the post-process apparatus. The sidewalls 72a and 72b can rotate around shafts 76a and 76b, respectively. Thus, the sidewalls 72a and 72b can be inclined at any angle that has been selected in accordance with the size and type of sheets 20. Having the rotatable sidewalls, this waiting tray 1 can efficiently align the sheets 20 at their transverse edges.

FIG. 22A depicts a mechanism that controls the inclination of sidewalls 72a of the waiting tray 10. The mechanism comprises a lack 90, a leaf spring 92 and a solenoid 94. When assisted by the waiting-tray motor 34, the mechanism can change the angle of inclination of the sidewall 72a.

How the mechanism opens the sidewall 72a will be explained, with reference to FIG. 22B. The ram of the solenoid 94 moves down, contacting the inner side of the sidewall 72a. Then, the waiting-tray motor 34 drives the lack 90 in the direction of the arrow. The bottom 70a of the waiting tray 10 moves in the same direction as the lack 90. As the bottom 70 moves so, the sidewall 72a is rotated around the shaft 76a in the direction of the arrow. This is because the leaf spring 92 supports the sidewall 72a and the ram of the solenoid 94 abuts on the inner side of the sidewall 82a.

FIG. 22C explains how the mechanism closes the sidewall 72a. The ram of the solenoid 94 moves down, contacting the outer side of the sidewall 72a. Then, the waiting-tray motor 34 drives the lack 90 in the direction of the arrow. The bottom 70a of the waiting tray 10 moves in the same direction as the lack 90. As the bottom 70 moves so, the sidewall 72a is rotated around the shaft 76a in the direction of the arrow. This is because the ram of the solenoid 94 abuts on the outer side of the sidewall 82a.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing another mechanism that may be used to control the inclination of the sidewalls of the waiting tray 10. This mechanism comprises a motor 100, an idler gear 102, an encoder 104, and a sensor 106. These components 100, 102, 104 and 106 cooperate to change the angle of inclination of the sidewall 72a of the waiting tray 10.

When the shaft of the motor 100 rotates counter-clockwise, the idler gear 102 is rotated clockwise. Then, the gear 108 mounted on the shaft 76a is rotated counterclockwise. Secured to the gear 108, the sidewall 72a is rotated outwards. The sensor 72a detects the angle of rotation of the sidewall 72a, by receiving light beams coming through the slits made in the encoder 104. The sensor 106 generates a signal representing the angle of rotation. Thus, the angle of inclination of the sidewall 72a of the waiting tray 10 can be controlled in accordance with the signal supplied from the sensor 106. A value desired for the angle of inclination of the sidewall 72a can be set by operating the buttons provided on the MFP or the buttons provided on the finisher.

One embodiment of the invention has been described. The invention is not limited to the embodiment, nevertheless. The components described above may be replaced with other components that are identical in function.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A sheet handling apparatus, comprising:

a roller configured to convey a sheet in a conveying direction;

a first tray configured to support a part of the sheet and configured to move to left of the conveying direction;

a second tray configured to support the other part of the sheet supported by the first tray, and configured to move to right of the conveying direction;

a first wall configured to move together with the first tray, a top of the first wall inclining from vertical to the left of the conveying direction;

a second wall configured to move together with the second tray, a top of the second wall inclining from vertical to the right of the conveying direction; and

a third tray configured to receive the sheet fell off through a gap between the first tray and the second tray.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a mechanism configured to change an angle of inclination of the first wall.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a mechanism configured to change an angle of inclination of the second wall.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a first mechanism configured to change an angle of inclination of the first wall; and

a second mechanism configured to change an angle of inclination of the second wall.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a stapler configured to staple the sheet on the third tray.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first tray and the second tray have a gap therebetween when the first tray supports the part of the sheet and the second tray supports the other part of the sheet.

8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first tray inclines from horizontal so as to lower toward the gap.

9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second tray inclines from horizontal so as to lower toward the gap.

10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein both of the first tray and the second tray incline from horizontal so as to lower toward the gap.

11. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

an ejector configured to eject the sheet from the third tray.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the ejector ejects the sheet in a direction in parallel with the conveying direction in plane view.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

a storage tray configured to stack the sheet ejected by the ejector from the third tray.