POST-PROCESSING APPARATUS
A post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a processing tray, a post-processing section, a sensor, and a control section. A sheet supplied from an image forming apparatus is led into the processing tray through a lead-in path. The post-processing section applies post-processing to the sheet sent from the processing tray. The sensor detects an object passing a detection space in the lead-in path. The control section controls operation of the post-processing section based on a time in which the sensor detects the object.
This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 16/507,070 filed on Jul. 10, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-229376, filed Dec. 6, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELDEmbodiments described herein relate generally to a post-processing apparatus.
BACKGROUNDA post-processing apparatus performs post-processing such as stapling on sheets (paper) discharged from an image forming apparatus. For example, the post-processing apparatus includes a processing tray and a stapling section. The post-processing apparatus leads a sheet supplied from the image forming apparatus into the stapling section from the processing tray. The stapling section staples a sheet bundle.
The post-processing apparatus includes a guide in front of the stapling section. Clearance between the processing tray and the guide is smaller than the thickness (the diameter) of a finger of a user. The guide improves safety of the post-processing apparatus by preventing the finger of the user from entering the stapling section.
If the clearance between the processing tray and the guide is small enough for disabling insertion of a slender finger of a child, the safety can be further improved. However, if the clearance is small, it is likely that the number of sheets stacked on the processing tray decreases and a maximum number of sheets to be stapled is insufficient. Therefore, it is demanded to sufficiently secure the number of post-processable sheets and improve safety.
An object of embodiments is to provide a post-processing apparatus that can sufficiently secure the number of post-processable sheets and is excellent in safety.
A post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a processing tray, a post-processing section, a sensor, and a control section. A sheet supplied from an image forming apparatus is led into the processing tray through a lead-in path. The post-processing section applies post-processing to the sheet sent from the processing tray. The sensor detects an object passing a detection space in the lead-in path. The control section controls operation of the post-processing section based on a time in which the sensor detects the object.
A post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment is explained below with reference to the drawings.
A post-processing apparatus 3 in an image forming system 1 according to an embodiment is explained with reference to
As illustrated in
The image forming apparatus 2 includes a control panel (an operation section) 5, a scanner section 6, a printer section 7, a paper feeding section 8, and a paper discharging section 9. The control panel 5 includes various keys, a touch panel, or the like that receives operation of a user. The control panel 5 receives an input concerning a type of post-processing for the sheet S. For example, with the control panel 5, it is possible to select a sort mode in which sorting is performed, a staple mode in which stapling is performed, or a non-sort mode in which the sorting and the stapling are not performed.
If the non-sort mode is selected, the control panel 5 receives selection concerning whether the sheet S is discharged to a fixed tray 14a of the post-processing apparatus 3 or the sheet S is discharged to a movable tray 14b of the post-processing apparatus 3. The image forming apparatus 2 sends, to the post-processing apparatus 3, information concerning a type of post-processing input from the control panel 5.
The scanner section 6 includes a reading section that reads image information of a copying target object. The scanner section 6 sends the read image information to the printer section 7. The printer section 7 forms an output image with a developer such as toner based on the image information transmitted from the scanner section 6 or an external apparatus. The printer section 7 applies heat and pressure to a toner image transferred onto the sheet S and fixes the toner image on the sheet S.
The paper feeding section 8 supplies the sheets S to the printer section 7 one by one according to timing when the printer section 7 forms a toner image. The paper discharging section 9 conveys the sheet S discharged from the printer section 7 to the post-processing apparatus 3.
The post-processing apparatus 3 is explained.
The post-processing apparatus 3 is disposed adjacent to the image forming apparatus 2. The post-processing apparatus 3 executes, on the sheet S conveyed from the image forming apparatus 2, post-processing designated through the control panel 5. For example, the post-processing is stapling, punching, folding, and bookbinding. In this embodiment, the stapling is adopted as the post-processing. Therefore, the post-processing apparatus 3 is a stapling apparatus.
The post-processing apparatus 3 includes a standby section 12, a processing section 13, a discharging section 14, and a post-processing control section 15. The standby section 12 temporarily holds up (buffers) the sheet S conveyed from the image forming apparatus 2. The standby section 12 includes a standby tray 17. For example, the standby section 12 puts a following plurality of sheets S on standby while post-processing of preceding sheets S is performed in the processing section 13. The standby section 12 is provided above the processing section 13. For example, the standby section 12 superimposes a preset plurality of sheets S and puts the plurality of sheets S on standby. If the processing section 13 is emptied, the standby section 12 drops the held-up sheets S toward the processing section 13.
The processing section 13 performs post-processing on the sheets S conveyed to the processing section 13. The processing section 13 includes a processing tray 18. The processing section 13 performs stapling, which is binding by a stapler, on the sheet bundle SS (see
As illustrated in
The post-processing control section 15 (see
The configurations of the sections of the post-processing apparatus 3 are explained in detail with reference to
In this embodiment, an “upstream side” and a “downstream side” respectively mean an upstream side (the image forming apparatus 2 side) and a downstream side (the fixed tray 14a side or the movable tray 14b side) in a conveying direction of the sheet S. A “front end portion” and a “rear end portion” respectively mean a “downstream side end portion” and an “upstream side end portion” in the sheet conveying direction. A direction substantially parallel to the plane of the sheet S (a sheet surface direction) and substantially orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction is referred to as sheet width direction W (see
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The post-processing apparatus 3 includes a second conveyance path 26c (see
The inlet rollers 20a and 20b are provided in the vicinity of the sheet supply port 26a. The inlet rollers 20a and 20b are disposed in parallel to each other. The inlet roller 20a is a driving roller disposed on the upper surface side of the conveyance path 26. The inlet roller 20b is a driven roller disposed on the lower surface side of the conveyance path 26. The inlet rollers 20a and 20b hold the sheet S in a nip. The inlet rollers 20a and 20b convey the held sheet S to the conveying direction downstream side.
The outlet rollers 21a and 21b are provided in the vicinity of the sheet discharge port 26b. The outlet rollers 21a and 21b are disposed in parallel to each other. The outlet roller 21a is a driven roller disposed on the upper surface side of the conveyance path 26. The outlet roller 21b is a driving roller disposed on the lower surface side of the conveyance path 26. The outlet rollers 21a and 21b hold the sheet S in a nip. The outlet rollers 21a and 21b convey the held sheet S to the conveying direction downstream side.
The standby section 12 is explained.
The standby section 12 includes the standby tray (a buffer tray) 17. The rear end portion of the standby tray 17 is located in the vicinity of the outlet rollers 21a and 21b. The rear end portion of the standby tray 17 is located below the sheet discharge port 26b of the conveyance path 26. The standby tray 17 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction to be gradually higher toward the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction. The standby tray 17 superimposes a plurality of sheets S and puts the plurality of sheets S on standby while the post-processing is performed in the processing section 13.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The processing section 13 is explained.
As illustrated in
The processing tray 18 is provided in a position lower than the standby tray 17. The processing tray 18 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction to be gradually higher toward the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction. For example, the processing tray 18 is substantially parallel to the standby tray 17. The processing tray 18 includes a conveyance surface 18a that supports the sheet S (i.e., on which the sheet S is placed).
A pair of lateral alignment plates 33 is provided to be opposed to both sides in the sheet width direction W (see
The rear end stopper 32 is provided at the end portion on the upstream side of the processing tray 18. The end on the upstream side of the sheet S placed on the processing tray 18 is brought into contact with the rear end stopper 32, whereby the rear end stopper 32 vertically aligns the sheet S.
As illustrated in
If the clearance C is decided based in the thickness (the diameter) of a finger of an adult, a slender finger of a child is likely to pass through the gap between the conveyance surface 18a and the guide 34. However, in the post-processing apparatus 3, as explained below, the stapler 35 stops if the finger of the user passes through the gap between the conveyance surface 18a and the guide 34 and reaches a detection space 40 (see
As illustrated in
The ejector 36 is capable of moving the sheet S toward the conveying direction downstream side. The ejector 36 advances the sheet bundle SS subjected to the stapling.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The sensor 37 is a transmission-type sensor. Therefore, compared with a reflection-type sensor, it is possible to surely detect an object on which surface reflection less easily occurs.
An example of the operation of the post-processing apparatus 3 is explained.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
If the sheet S deviates from the detection space 40 (i.e., if the sheet S passes the detection space 40), the intensity of the detection light L received by the light receiving section 39 returns to a value equal to or larger than the threshold. The detection value decreases to the base value (V1). A time t1 in which the detection value is V2 is a time in which the sensor 37 detects the sheet S. The sheet S passes the detection space 40 in a short time by a freefall. Therefore, the time t1 in which the sensor 37 detects the sheet S is short.
As illustrated in
The post-processing control section 15 (see
If the stapler 35 is stopped based on a result of the detection by the sensor 37, the stop of the stapler 35 due to the object detection by the sensor 37 may be displayed on, for example, a display of the control panel 5 (see
The sheets S placed on the conveyance surface 18a of the processing tray 18 are held up until the sheets S are stacked to form the sheet bundle SS of the number of sheets to be stapled. If the sheets S on the processing tray 18 form the sheet bundle SS of the number of sheets to be stapled, the stapler 35 performs stapling on the sheet bundle SS. The ejector 36 discharges the sheet bundle SS for which the stapling is ended.
If the stapler 35 is stopped based on the detection result by the sensor 37 (see
In the post-processing apparatus 3, since safety can be improved, it is unnecessary to dispose the guide 34 excessively low. Therefore, the number of sheets S of the sheet bundle SS sent from the processing tray 18 to the stapler 35 can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to sufficiently secure the number of sheets S that can be stapled.
In the embodiment explained above, the sheet S drops from the standby tray 17 to be led into the processing tray 18. However, a path through which the sheet is led into the processing tray is not particularly limited. For example, the sheet may be led into the processing tray through a conveyance path for conveying the sheet in the plane direction with one or a plurality of pairs of roller. In that case, the sensor can detect the sheet conveyed through the conveyance path.
In the embodiment explained above, the image formation on the sheet S and the stapling are continuously performed using the image forming apparatus 2 and the post-processing apparatus 3. As a modification of the embodiment, the user may staple the sheet bundle SS with manual operation without using the image forming apparatus 2.
In the embodiment explained above, the post-processing apparatus 3 is separate from the image forming apparatus 2. However, the post-processing apparatus may be integrated with the image forming apparatus.
The sensor is not limited to the transmission-type sensor. Sensors of other types may be used. For example, a reflection-type sensor including a light emitting section and a light receiving section that receives reflected light can be used. The sensor may detect an arm of the user.
According to at least one embodiment explained above, the post-processing apparatus includes the sensor that detects an object passing the detection space and the post-processing control section (the control section) that controls the operation of the stapler (the post-processing section) based on a time in which the sensor detects the object. Therefore, for example, if the finger of the user (in particular, the child) enters the detection space, the stapler can be stopped. Therefore, it is possible to secure safety.
According to at least one embodiment, since safety can be improved, it is unnecessary to dispose the guide excessively low. Therefore, it is possible to increase the number of sheets of the sheet bundle sent from the processing tray to the stapler. Therefore, it is possible to sufficiently secure the number of post-processable sheets.
The several embodiments are explained above. However, the embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in other various forms. Various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications of the embodiments are included in the scope and the gist of the invention and included in the inventions described in claims and the scope of equivalents of the inventions.
Claims
1. A post-processing apparatus, comprising:
- a processing tray into which a sheet supplied from an image forming apparatus is led through a lead-in path;
- a post-processing section configured to receive the sheet sent from the processing tray and apply post-processing to the sheet;
- a sensor comprising a transmission-type sensor including a light emitting section and a light receiving section that receives light emitted from the light emitting section, and the light emitting section and the light receiving section are arranged to face each other at intervals in the sheet width direction, the sensor configured to detect an object within a detection space formed in the sheet width direction of the lead-in path; and
- a control section configured to control operation of the post-processing section based on a result of the sensor detecting the object.
2. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control section is further configured to control operation of the post-processing section based on a time in which the sensor detects the object.
3. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lead-in path is a path through which the sheet is led into the processing tray by dropping from the image forming apparatus and gravity.
4. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the post-processing section comprises a stapling section that staples the sheet.
5. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a distance of the sensor from a conveyance surface of the processing tray is larger than a thickness of a sheet bundle of a maximum number of sheets that can be stapled.
6. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing tray receives sheets supplied from the image forming apparatus through a lead-in path and the post-processing section is configured to receive the sheets sent from the processing tray and apply post-processing to the sheets.
7. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the sheets form a sheet bundle on the processing tray.
8. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the post-processing section comprises at least one of a punching section, a folding section, and a bookbinding section.
9. A post-processing method, comprising:
- supplying a sheet from an image forming apparatus through a lead-in path to a processing tray;
- sending the sheet from the processing tray to a post-processing section and apply post-processing to the sheet;
- detecting an object within a detection space formed in a sheet width direction of a lead-in path a sensor comprising a transmission-type sensor including a light emitting section and a light receiving section that receives light emitted from the light emitting section, and the light emitting section and the light receiving section are arranged to face each other at intervals in the sheet width direction; and
- controlling operation of the post-processing section based on a result of the sensor detecting the object.
10. The post-processing method according to claim 9, further comprising:
- controlling operation of the post-processing section based on a time in which the sensor detects the object.
11. The post-processing method according to claim 9, further comprising:
- dropping the sheet from the image forming apparatus to the processing tray using gravity.
12. The post-processing method according to claim 9, wherein the post-processing section comprises a stapling section that staples the sheet.
13. The post-processing method according to claim 9, wherein a distance of the sensor from a conveyance surface of the processing tray is larger than a thickness of a sheet bundle of a maximum number of sheets that can be stapled.
14. The post-processing method according to claim 9, further comprising:
- supplying sheets from the image forming apparatus through a lead-in path and sending the sheets from the processing tray and applying post-processing to the sheets.
15. The post-processing method according to claim 14, wherein the sheets form a sheet bundle on the processing tray.
16. The post-processing method according to claim 9, wherein the post-processing section comprises at least one of a punching section, a folding section, and a bookbinding section.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 14, 2021
Publication Date: Mar 3, 2022
Inventor: Toshiaki Oshiro (Izu Shizuoka)
Application Number: 17/500,993