JP3533347B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer for forming an image by an electrophotographic method, and more particularly to a stapling function for stapling a plurality of sheets on which an image has been formed together with staples. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is commercially available a staple processing apparatus which collects a predetermined number of sheets on which images are formed by an image forming apparatus and staples them. As shown in FIG. 17, the conventional staple processing apparatus 2 is configured to be attached to the left side or the right side of the image forming apparatus main body 1. The paper on which the image is formed in the image forming apparatus main body 1 is
The sheet is reversed in the switchback path 3 and carried into the staple processing apparatus 2, where the staple processing is performed and the sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 4.

[0003]

In the conventional configuration, when the paper is jammed in the image forming apparatus main body 1 and the paper is unjammed, as shown in FIG. It was necessary to displace it so as to separate it from the forming apparatus main body 1. However, when the staple processing apparatus 2 is separated from the image forming apparatus main body 1 as shown in FIG. 18, the image forming apparatus main body 1 tends to fall down.

In order to solve such a problem, it is known that the staple processing apparatus 2 is not directly attached to the image forming apparatus main body 1 but an attachment base 5 is used as shown in FIG. However, in the configuration using the mounting base 5, when the height of the image forming apparatus main body 1 is changed, for example, by stacking paper cassettes on the lower portion thereof, the height of the staple processing apparatus 2 must be changed. . For this reason, it is necessary to make the mounting base 5 capable of adjusting the height, and there is a problem that it becomes expensive.

Further, when the sheet is conveyed from the image forming apparatus main body 1 to the staple processing apparatus 2, if the sheet is inverted and conveyed by the switchback path 3 as described above, it takes a long time to convey the sheet. There is also a problem that the processing speed is slow when an image is formed on a large number of sheets and a stapling process is performed. Furthermore, FIG.
19 and the configuration of FIG. 19, since the staple processing device 2 is connected to the side portion of the image forming apparatus main body 1, there is a problem that the installation area of the entire apparatus becomes large.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a main object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having a novel structure having a staple processing function.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which does not require a large installation space, is easy to perform jam processing, and has a staple processing function. A further object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having a staple processing function, which has a high image forming and staple processing speed for a large number of sheets.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming portion for forming a toner image, a transfer portion for transferring the formed toner image onto a sheet,
A fixing unit for fixing the toner image transferred to the paper,
And an image forming apparatus having a main body housing in which a conveyance path for conveying a sheet so that a toner image is transferred and fixed is built in, in the main body housing,
It has a built-in staple processing unit for binding a predetermined number of sheets of paper after the images have been fixed together by stapling.
On the main body housing, the housing
The image that entered inward from the outer surface of the
The paper stack space where the paper after fixing is discharged is shaped.
Is formed on the main body housing and protrudes to one side.
A paper receiving tray is provided and stapled
A bundle of paper consisting of a specified number of sheets is discharged to the paper receiving tray.
Paper that has not been stapled
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that it is discharged into a space .

[0008]

[0009] invention 請 Motomeko second aspect, to form a toner image
Image forming unit for transferring the formed toner image to paper
Transfer unit for fixing the toner image transferred to the paper
For fixing the toner image, and the toner image is transferred and fixed.
Book with a built-in transport path for transporting paper
In an image forming apparatus having a body housing, the main body
Place a specified number of sheets of paper after the image is fixed in the housing.
The staple processing unit for stopping and binding with staples
It is stored in the main body housing in the vertical direction.
Enter the center of the housing from the outer surface to the inside in a horizontal direction.
Paper that is ejected after the image has been fixed
A stack space is formed, the main body housing is provided with a paper receiving tray projecting from a housing side surface below the paper stack space, and a stapled sheet bundle of predetermined sheets passes through the sheet stack space. a picture <br/> image forming apparatus you characterized in that it is discharged to the sheet receiving tray Te.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the stapling section is built in a main body housing located above the sheet stack space, and a sheet bundle conveying means for sending the stapled sheet bundle to the sheet stack space. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The invention according to claim 4 forms a toner image.
Image forming unit for forming, transfer the formed toner image to paper
Transfer unit for copying, fixing toner image transferred to paper
To fix the toner image, and transfer and fix the toner image.
It has a built-in transport path for transporting paper
In the image forming apparatus having a main body housing,
After the image is fixed in the main body housing, specify the paper
Staple processing unit for binding sheets together with staples
Built-in, the main body housing, upper and lower
Inward from the outer surface of the housing in a horizontal direction in the middle part
The paper that has entered the and is fixed after the image is fixed is ejected.
A sheet stack space is formed , a sheet receiving tray is provided on the upper surface of the main body housing, and the stapled sheet bundle is discharged to the sheet receiving tray on the upper surface.
Paper that has not been stapled
Is images forming device you characterized in that it is discharged to.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, a toner image is formed.
Image forming unit for transferring the formed toner image to paper
Transfer unit for fixing the toner image transferred to the paper
For fixing the toner image, and the toner image is transferred and fixed.
Book with a built-in transport path for transporting paper
In an image forming apparatus having a body housing, the main body
Place a specified number of sheets of paper after the image is fixed in the housing.
The staple processing unit for stopping and binding with staples
It is stored in the main body housing in the vertical direction.
Enter the center of the housing from the outer surface to the inside in a horizontal direction.
Paper that is ejected after the image has been fixed
A stack space is formed, the stapling section is provided in association with the paper stack space,
The have rows stapled on a predetermined sheet bundle to be stacked on the paper stack space, the stapling unit is provided in the back of the sheet stack space, the tray loading the predetermined number of the sheet bundle to be stapled has, after stapling, it is images forming device you wherein sending the sheet bundle to the stack space.

According to the present invention , since the staple processing section is built in the main body housing, the staple processing section is integrated with the main body housing. Therefore, the installation space of the entire apparatus can be reduced as compared with the conventional configuration in which the staple processing apparatus is externally attached to the main body housing. Further, when the paper jams in the main body housing, the main body housing can be opened to eliminate the paper jam, and it is not necessary to remove the staple processing unit from the main body housing. Therefore, during the jam clearance processing, there is no concern that the balance of the main body housing becomes unbalanced and the main body housing easily falls.

By incorporating the staple processing unit in the main body housing, it is possible to freely design the transport path for guiding the sheet on which the toner image is fixed to the staple processing unit, and it is possible to improve the transport efficiency. Therefore, when forming an image on a large number of sheets and performing stapling processing, the apparatus can have a high processing speed .

Further, according to the present invention , the main body housing is provided with the sheet stack space, and the sheet which is not stapled is discharged into the sheet stack space. on the other hand,
The stapled paper is discharged to the paper receiving tray protruding from the main body housing, so that the stapled paper bundle and the non-stapled paper are discharged to different discharge portions, which is convenient. Furthermore this
In the invention , since the stapled sheet bundle is discharged to the sheet stack space, the sheet receiving tray that receives the sheet bundle projects from the main body housing. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide an empty space around the image forming apparatus, and the installation space for the image forming apparatus may be small.

In particular, according to the structure of claim 4 , since the stapled sheet bundle is sent to the sheet receiving tray on the upper surface of the main body housing, the sheet receiving tray does not project from the main body housing, and the overall shape is neat. Image forming apparatus. In the configuration of claim 5 , since the staple processing is performed on the sheets stacked in the sheet stack space, it is not necessary to provide a space for stacking the sheets in the main body housing, and the overall size of the apparatus can be reduced. You can

Furthermore, it can be done better stapling a small paper or the like in size, yet because the paper which has been stapled is accumulated to the sheet stack space may be a user-friendly device.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1
1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a copying machine 10 as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the outer shape of the copying machine 10 is partitioned by a main body housing 11. A stack space 12 is formed in the main body housing 11 at an intermediate portion in the up-down direction, the stack space 12 entering from the outer surface of the housing inward in a substantially horizontal direction. For this reason,
The main body housing 11 has a lower housing 11D, an upper housing 11U and a connecting housing 11C.

A reading mechanism for reading a document is built in the upper housing 11U. An operation panel 13 is provided on the front side of the upper housing 11U. Further, in this embodiment, a document feeding device 14 for automatically transporting a document is provided above the upper housing 11U.
Is installed. The lower housing 11D has a built-in paper tray and a built-in conveyance path for taking out the paper from the paper tray and carrying the paper. Furthermore, an image forming unit for forming a toner image and a transfer unit for transferring the formed toner image to a sheet are also incorporated. Further, a fixing portion for fixing the toner image transferred to the paper is built in a portion connecting the lower housing 11D to the connecting housing 11C.

On the left side surface of the main body housing 11,
A sheet receiving tray 15 from which a stapled sheet bundle, which will be described later, is discharged is projected. A feature of the copying machine 10 according to this embodiment is that the main body housing 11 has a built-in staple processing section 16 for binding a predetermined number of sheets of paper on which images have been fixed together by stapling. By incorporating the staple processing unit 16 in the main body housing 11, the staple processing unit 16 does not protrude much from the main body housing 11, and the copying machine 10 with good installation stability can be obtained. Further, the external structure of the copying machine 10 can be made neat.

2A and 2B are views showing a characteristic configuration of the copying machine 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. A is a plan view showing the internal configuration and B is a front view showing the internal configuration. Figure 2B
In the main body housing 11 of the copying machine 10,
A document reading mechanism 17 is provided at the top. Further, a paper cassette 18 is provided below the main body housing 11.
Is provided. The sheets accommodated in the sheet cassette 18 are fed one by one by the feeding roller 19.
The lower portion of the left side surface of the main body housing 11 is provided with an openable / closable manual paper feed tray 20, and the sheets set in the manual paper feed tray 20 are also fed out one by one by a feeding roller 21.

An image forming unit 22, a laser scanning unit 23, a transfer roller 24, and a fixing device 25 are built in the main body housing 11. The image forming unit 22 includes a photosensitive drum 2 for forming an electrostatic latent image.
6. The main charger 27 for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 26 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 26 are exposed by the laser scanning unit 23 to form an electrostatic latent image, and then the electrostatic latent image is developed with toner. It has a developing device 28 for cleaning and a cleaner 29 for cleaning the surface of the photosensitive drum 26 after the toner image is transferred. The papers fed one by one from the paper cassette 18 or the manual paper feed tray 29 are adjusted in conveyance timing by the registration rollers 30 and conveyed between the photosensitive drum 26 and the transfer roller 24. As a result, the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 26 is transferred to the paper. The sheet on which the toner image is transferred is sent to the fixing device 25 and the toner image is fixed.
The fixing device 25 has a heat roller 31 and a pressure roller 32, and heats and pressurizes the sheet with the pair of rollers to fix the toner image.

On the downstream side of the fixing device 25 (the downstream side when viewed in the sheet conveying direction, that is, the upper side in FIG. 2B), the sheet discharge switching claw 3 is provided.
3 is provided. The switching claw 33 guides the sheet sent from the fixing device 25 to the stack space 12 of the main body housing 11 by being switched to the broken line state. On the other hand, when the switching claw 33 is switched to the solid line state, it guides the sheet sent from the fixing device 25 to the staple processing unit 16. The stapling section 16 includes a sheet stack tray 34 and a stopper 3 for aligning the rear ends of the sheets.
5, a front aligning member 36 for aligning the paper along the stopper 35, a width adjusting member 3 for adjusting the width of the paper
7, 38, a branch lever 39, and a stapler 40 are provided.

FIG. 3 shows the staple processing section 16 shown in FIG.
6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of FIG. Next, the operation of the staple processing unit 16 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. When the staple processing unit 16 is not operated, the paper discharge switching claw 33 is switched so as to guide the paper on which the image is formed to the stack space 12. The branch lever 39 is in the state shown in FIG. 3A.

In this state, when the setting for stapling is made by the operation panel 13 (see FIG. 1), the standby state shown in FIG. 3B is set. In the standby state, the branch lever 39 is rotated so that the sheet on which the image is formed can be discharged to the tray 34. The branch lever 39
With the above switching, the paper discharge switching claw 33 is also switched so as to guide the paper to the staple processing unit 16. Then, the paper P discharged from the fixing device 25 is discharged onto the tray 34 by the discharge roller 51 as shown in FIG. 3C. Paper P
When the paper is discharged to the tray 34, the front shifting member 36 pushes the front end of the paper and the rear end of the stopper 3 as shown in FIG.
Align so as to hit 5 (Fig. 3D).

Further, the width adjusting member 37 built in the inner side of the main body housing 11 is operated to bring the paper P to the front side of the main body housing 11. Then, the sheet P is applied to the front side width adjusting member 38, and the sheet P is moved to the position where the staple is possible by the width adjusting member 38.
Are set (FIG. 3E). Every time the paper P on which the image is formed is discharged, the processing of C, D and E in FIG. 3 is repeated. As a result, the sheet bundle on the tray 34 is set to a position where stapling is possible (FIG. 3F).

Then, the stapler 40 (not shown in FIG. 3) is operated to staple the sheets P in units of the number of sheets input in advance. Then, in order to eject the stapled sheet bundle P, the stopper 35 is rotated and the branch lever 39 is also rotated. Then, the pressing roller 41 is displaced and cooperates with the discharge roller 51,
The bundle of sheets can be conveyed (FIG. 3G). Then, the discharge roller 51 is rotated, the sheet bundle P is conveyed in the direction opposite to the discharge direction, and is discharged onto the paper receiving tray 15 (FIG. 3H, I).

In this embodiment, each time the paper is discharged to the tray 34, the width adjusting member 37 is activated and the paper is set to a position where stapling is possible. Then, after being stapled by the stapler 40, the sheet width stacking member 38 on the front side returns the sheet bundle to the back side. After that, the stack of paper is discharged. However, FIG.
In A, the stopper 35 may be tilted so that the sheet bundle can be moved leftward while the sheet is set at the front side stapleable position. At this time, the front moving member 3
The sheet bundle may be sent to the left side by a desired amount by 6, the sheet bundle may be temporarily stopped, and the stapler 40 may be operated. By doing this, it is possible to perform stapling at a plurality of points on the sheet bundle.

That is, one stapler 40 is built in the main body housing 11. The stapler 40 is fixedly arranged. On the other hand, the discharged sheet bundle is movable with respect to the stapler 40. Then, by changing the relative position between the stapler 40 and the sheet bundle, one fixedly arranged stapler may be able to staple a plurality of portions of the sheet bundle. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a characteristic configuration of a copying machine 101 according to another embodiment of the present invention.
A is a plan view showing the internal structure, and B is a front view showing the internal structure. A feature of the copying machine 101 shown in FIG. 4 is that the sheets stapled by the staple processing unit 16 are discharged to the stack space 12 formed in the main body housing 11.

Further, the staple processing section 1 of this embodiment
6 is provided with a front shifting paddle 42 and a transfer plate 43. Since other configurations are similar to those shown in FIG. 2, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 5 shows a copying machine 1.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the staple processing unit 16 in 01. Next, the operation of the staple processing unit 16 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

The sheet sent from the fixing device 25 is discharged onto the tray 45 by the discharge roller 44. Tray 4
Reference numeral 5 is a tray provided in the stack space 12 (see FIG. 1). When the paper is discharged onto the tray 45, the front shifting paddle 42 is rotated, the rear end of the discharged paper is pulled leftward, and the rear end position is aligned with the stopper (FIGS. 5A and 5B). Next, the back side width adjusting member 37 is moved to the front side, and the front side side of the sheet is aligned with the front side width adjusting member 38. In this embodiment, the front side width adjusting member 38 is fixedly arranged and does not move.

By repeating the operations of B and C in FIG. 5 for a predetermined number of sheets, a desired number of sheets are stacked on the tray 45 (FIG. 5D). The stacked sheets are in a position where they can be stapled by the stapler 40 (see FIG. 4). Then, the stapler 40 performs stapling (FIG. 5E). Next, the transfer plate 43 is moved to the right, and the sheets on the tray 45 are discharged to the stack tray 46. The stack tray 46, as described above,
The main body housing 1 is provided in the stack space 12.
1 is visible from the outside, and the user can take out the bundle of sheets discharged to the stack tray 46 by extending the hand. This embodiment is effective, for example, when an image is formed on a JIS standard A4 size paper (non-large size paper).

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a characteristic configuration of a copying machine 102 according to still another embodiment of the present invention, A is a plan view showing the internal configuration, and B is a front view showing the internal configuration. . Also in the copying machine 102, the same or corresponding parts as those in the configuration described with reference to FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Copy machine 102
Is characterized in that both the stapled paper and the non-stapled paper are discharged to the stack space 12.
The sheets discharged to the stack space 12 are stapled, and the stapled sheet bundle is discharged not to the stack space 12 but to the sheet receiving tray 15 provided on the front side surface in the sheet discharge direction. That is.

Incidentally, in FIG. 6, 42 is a front paddle,
43 is a transfer plate. FIG. 7 shows the copying machine 102 shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the staple processing unit 16 of FIG. Next, the operation of the staple processing unit 16 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. The sheets sent from the fixing device 25 are discharged one by one to the tray 4 by the discharge roller 44.
5 is discharged. The tray 45 is a tray for receiving the discharged sheets formed in the stack space 12.

Each time one sheet of paper is discharged to the tray 45, as shown in FIG. 7B, the front paddle 42 is rotated so that the rear end of the paper is brought into contact with the stopper and aligned. Then, the width adjusting member 37 provided on the back side of the main body housing 11 is moved to the front side, and the sheets are aligned by the stapler 40 at a stapleable position (FIG. 7C). By repeating the operations of FIGS. 7B and 7C a predetermined number of times, a predetermined number of sheets of paper to be stapled are aligned on the tray 45 at the stapable position. The sheets are stapled by the stapler 40 (see FIG. 7).
E).

Then, the transfer plate 43 is operated to send the stapled sheet bundle to the right side on the tray 45,
The paper is sent out to the paper receiving tray 15 provided on the outside of the main body housing 11 (FIGS. 7F and 7G). In this embodiment, the non-stapled paper is discharged onto the tray 45, and the user takes out the paper. Figure 8
6A and 6B are views for explaining a characteristic configuration of a copying machine 103 according to still another embodiment of the present invention, where A is an internal plan view and B is an internal front view.

The structural feature of the copying machine 103 shown in FIG. 8 is that the stapled sheet bundle is discharged onto the tray 45 in the stack space 12 and the tray 4
That is, the staple processing unit 16 is provided above the sheet 5. The stapling section 16 has a conveyance path 47 for feeding the sheets to be stapled to the right side of the main body housing 11. The transport path 47 is built in above the tray 45. Then, the sheets to be stapled are stacked on the tray 48. Around the tray 48, the width adjusting members 37 and 38, the stopper 35, and the front aligning member 49.
Is provided, and the sheets are stapled by the stapler 4
Positioned at 0. In this embodiment, part of the stapler 40 is housed in a state of protruding from the main body housing 11 in relation to the paper size.

The sheet stapled by the stapler 40 is sent by the transfer plate 43 and discharged onto the tray 45 in the stack space 12. 9A and 9B are views showing a characteristic configuration of a copying machine 104 according to still another embodiment of the present invention, where A is a plan view showing the internal structure and B is a front view showing the internal structure. Further, FIG. 10 is an illustrative view seen from the right side surface of the copying machine 104 shown in FIG. The copying machine 104 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is characterized in that sheets ejected to the stack space 12 of the main body housing 11 can be stapled, and the stapled sheets are ejected to the front side of the main body housing 11. Is to be done. As a result, the paper receiving tray 15 does not project to the left and right sides of the main body housing 11 and the main body housing 1
It is not necessary to provide an empty space on both the left and right sides of 1, so that the copying machine can efficiently use the space.

Further, in this embodiment, one stapler 40 is configured so that stapling processing can be performed at a plurality of positions of the sheet bundle. A tray 45 is provided in the stack space 12 of the main body housing 11, and the paper on which the image is formed is discharged onto the tray 45 one by one. The ejected paper is positioned by the front aligning member 36 so that its rear side is along the stopper 35, and further, the front side of the paper is set by the back side width adjusting member 37 to the front side width adjusting member 3.
Positioned along 8

This is repeated for each sheet to be ejected, and a predetermined number of sheet bundles are positioned at a position where stapling is possible. Then, the stapler 40 staples the bundle of sheets. Next, the front side width adjusting member 38 is tilted down, and the rear side width adjusting member 37 pushes the back side side of the sheet bundle toward the front side. Then, when the sheet bundle is shifted to a predetermined position, the sheet bundle is once stopped and the stapler 40 is operated again, so that stapling can be applied to a plurality of positions of the sheet bundle.

Finally, when the rear side width adjusting member is displaced to the frontmost position, the sheet is discharged to the sheet receiving tray 15 provided on the front side of the stapled main body housing 11. FIG. 11 is a front view showing the internal structure of the copying machine 105 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of FIG.

The configuration of the copying machine 105 shown in FIG. 11 is as shown in FIG.
The configuration is similar to that of the copying machine 10 shown in FIG. The difference is that
The paper that has been stapled by the staple processing unit 16 is
Instead of being discharged to the left of the main body housing 11,
That is, the stapled sheet bundle is reversed and discharged to the tray 45 in the stack space 12. In the copying machine 105, the same or corresponding parts as those of the copying machine 10 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 12, a paper discharge switching claw 33 is provided for switching whether the paper sent from the fixing device 25 is guided to the tray 45 or the staple processing unit 16. The sheet guided to the staple processing unit 16 is discharged onto the tray 34 by the discharge roller 51. Further, a pressing roller 41 for conveying the stapled paper on the tray 34 is provided. Pressing roller 41
Is capable of swinging around a fulcrum 52, and can convey a sheet bundle with a relatively thick sheet bundle sandwiched between it and the discharge roller 51. The stopper 35 positions the rear end of the sheets to be stapled, and rotates to the state of the broken line when the bundle of sheets is conveyed. Further, a guide 53 for reversing the sheet bundle by 180 degrees is provided.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the copying machine 105 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. As shown in FIG. 13A, when the stapling process is not performed, the switching claw 33 causes the sheets sent from the fixing device 25 to be discharged one by one onto the tray 45 of the stack space 12 via the discharging rollers. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13B, during the stapling process, the switching claw 33 is switched, the sheet advances from the fixing device 25 upward, and is ejected onto the tray 34 by the ejection roller 51. And every time the paper is ejected,
The sheet is positioned at a position where stapling can be performed by the front shifting member 36 and the width adjusting members 37 and 38. When a predetermined number of sheets are stacked, the stapler 44 staples them.

Then, the stopper 35 is tilted, the pressing roller 41 is displaced, the sheet bundle is sandwiched by the discharge roller and the pressing roller, the sheet bundle is guided by the guide 53, and the tray in the stack space 12 is guided. It is discharged to 45. If the sheet bundle is thick, it may be difficult for the sheet bundle to pass between the discharge rollers. Therefore, it is preferable that the discharge roller is formed by a roller whose width can be displaced. 14 is an internal front view for explaining a characteristic configuration of a printer 106 according to still another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is FIG.
4 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 4, and FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the operation. The features of the printer 106 shown in FIGS. 14 to 16 are that the staple processing unit 16 is built in the main body housing 11, and the paper stapled by the staple processing unit 16 is discharged to the upper surface of the main body housing 11. Paper that is not stapled is discharged to the stack space 12 formed inside the main body housing 11.

For this reason, the sheet conveying path can be switched by the configuration shown in FIG. In FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, 33 is a discharge switching claw, 35 is a stopper, 4
Reference numeral 1 is a pressing roller, which has the same structure as that described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 16A, when the stapling process is not performed on the sheet on which the image is formed, the switching claw 33 guides the sheet to the tray 45 in the stack space 12.

On the other hand, when stapling the sheet on which the image is formed, the switching claw 33 is switched and the sheet is guided to the tray 34 of the stapling section 16. In this case, the claw 54 is in the state shown by the solid line in FIG. After a predetermined number of sheets of paper are stacked on the tray 34 and staple processing is performed, the pressing roller 41 is displaced to sandwich the staple-processed sheet bundle with the discharge roller, and the stopper 35 is rotated. Further, the claw 54 is switched to the broken line state. Then, by rotating each roller, the stapled sheet bundle is discharged to the sheet receiving tray 55 on the upper surface of the main body housing 11.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a copying machine 10 as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a characteristic configuration of a copying machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which A is a plan view showing an internal configuration;
B is a front view showing an internal configuration.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the staple processing unit 16 shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a copying machine 101 according to another embodiment of the present invention.
3A and 3B are diagrams showing a characteristic configuration of the above, where A is a plan view showing the internal configuration, and B is a front view showing the internal configuration.

5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the staple processing unit 16 in the copying machine 101. FIG.

6A and 6B are diagrams showing a characteristic configuration of a copying machine according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, in which A is a plan view showing the internal configuration and B is a front view showing the internal configuration.

7 is a staple processing unit 1 of the copying machine 102 shown in FIG.
It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of 6.

8A and 8B are diagrams showing a characteristic configuration of a copying machine 103 according to still another embodiment of the present invention, where A is a plan view showing the internal configuration and B is a front view showing the internal configuration.

9A and 9B are diagrams showing a characteristic configuration of a copying machine 104 according to still another embodiment of the present invention, where A is a plan view showing the internal configuration and B is a front view showing the internal configuration.

10 is an illustrative view seen from a right side surface of the copying machine 104 shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing an internal structure showing a configuration of a copying machine 105 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the copying machine 105 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

FIG. 14 is an internal front view for explaining a characteristic configuration of a printer according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG.

16 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the printer 106. FIG.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a connection relationship between a conventional staple processing apparatus 2 and an image forming apparatus main body 1.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a state of the staple processing apparatus 2 when jam processing is used in the image forming apparatus main body 1.

FIG. 19 is a front view showing a state where the staple processing apparatus 2 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 1 using the attachment base 5.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Copier (image forming device) 11 body housing 12 stack space 16 Staple processing section 22 Image forming unit 23 Laser scanning unit (LSU) 24 Transfer roller 25 Fixing device 33 Paper output switching claw 44 discharge roller 15,55 Paper tray

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Ippei Miyadaira 1-2-2 Tamatsukuri, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Keiji Okumura 1-2-2 Tamatsukuri, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka No. 28 in Mita Industry Co., Ltd. (56) Reference JP-A-11-116131 (JP, A) JP-A-10-177282 (JP, A) JP-A-11-160941 (JP, A) JP-A-4- 189255 (JP, A) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-230653 (JP, A) Actual Development No. 2-52872 (JP, U) US Patent 6353727 (US, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB) Name) B65H 31/24 B65H 37/04 G03G 15/00 534 G03G 15/00 550

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image forming unit for forming a toner image, a transfer unit for transferring the formed toner image to a sheet, a fixing unit for fixing the toner image transferred on the sheet, and a toner image transfer. And an image forming apparatus having a main body housing in which a conveyance path for conveying a sheet so as to be fixed is incorporated, in which a predetermined number of sheets after the image is fixed are stapled together in the main body housing. It has a built-in staple processing unit, and the main body housing has a housing
The image that has entered inward from the outer surface of the ging in a substantially horizontal direction.
Paper stack space where paper is ejected after the image is fixed
The main body housing is provided with a paper receiving tray that protrudes to one side.
A bundle of sheets that is provided with a ray and is stapled
Paper that has been discharged to the paper receiving tray and has not been stapled is stored in the paper stack space.
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that it is discharged to 2. An image forming unit for forming a toner image,
The transfer unit for transferring the formed toner image to the paper
The fixing unit and the fixing unit for fixing the transferred toner image.
Transport the paper so that the toner image is transferred and fixed on the
Image having a main body housing with a built-in transport path for
In the image forming apparatus, the sheet after the image is fixed is placed in the main body housing.
Staple processing for binding specified sheets together with staples
The main body housing has a built-in processing section, and a housing
The image that has entered inward from the outer surface of the ging in a substantially horizontal direction.
Paper stack space where paper is ejected after the image is fixed
The main body housing is provided with a paper receiving tray protruding from the side surface of the housing below the paper stack space, and a stapled bundle of paper consisting of a predetermined number of sheets passes through the paper stack space and images forming device you characterized in that it is discharged to the paper receiving tray. 3. The staple processing section is built in a main body housing located above the sheet stack space, and is provided with a sheet bundle conveying means for sending the stapled sheet bundle to the sheet stack space. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. An image forming unit for forming a toner image,
The transfer unit for transferring the formed toner image to the paper
The fixing unit and the fixing unit for fixing the transferred toner image.
Transport the paper so that the toner image is transferred and fixed on the
Image having a main body housing with a built-in transport path for
In the image forming apparatus, the sheet after the image is fixed is placed in the main body housing.
Staple processing for binding specified sheets together with staples
The main body housing has a built-in processing section, and a housing
The image that has entered inward from the outer surface of the ging in a substantially horizontal direction.
Paper stack space where paper is ejected after the image is fixed
A sheet receiving tray is provided on the upper surface of the main body housing, the stapled sheet bundle is discharged to the sheet receiving tray on the upper surface, and the unstapled sheet is discharged to the stack space.
Images forming device you wherein the issued. 5. An image forming unit for forming a toner image,
The transfer unit for transferring the formed toner image to the paper
The fixing unit and the fixing unit for fixing the transferred toner image.
Transport the paper so that the toner image is transferred and fixed on the
Image having a main body housing with a built-in transport path for
In the image forming apparatus, the sheet after the image is fixed is placed in the main body housing.
Staple processing for binding specified sheets together with staples
The main body housing has a built-in processing section, and a housing
The image that has entered inward from the outer surface of the ging in a substantially horizontal direction.
Paper stack space where paper is ejected after the image is fixed
There are formed, the staple processing section, said provided in connection with the paper stack space, have rows staple processing for a given sheet bundle to be stacked on the paper stacking space, the stapling process Section behind the paper stack space
And stack a predetermined number of sheets of paper to be stapled.
Having a lei, stack the paper stack after stapling
An image forming apparatus characterized by sending to space.