Leaf stacking and processing equipment as well as imaging equipment

Abstract

Sheet stacking device (540, 541, 542) comprising: a sheet stacking device (504) on which a first sheet with a length equal to or greater than a predetermined length in a sheet feed direction, and a second sheet with a width equal to the width of the first sheet in a sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet feed direction, and with a length shorter than the predetermined length in the sheet feed direction, supplied by a sheet feed device (508), can be stacked, wherein the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device (504) can be removed in a removal direction along the sheet width direction;a dislocation unit (541, 542) arranged to displace a sheet to be stacked on the sheet stacking device (504) in the sheet width direction, wherein the dislocation unit (541, 542) has a first alignment component (541) movable in the sheet width direction and touching one end of the sheet in the sheet width direction, and a second alignment component (542) movable in the sheet width direction and touching the other end of the sheet in the sheet width direction, and the dislocation unit (541, 542) confines the sheet in the sheet width direction through the first alignment component (541) and the second alignment component (542);and a control device (636) arranged to control the displacement unit (541, 542) on the basis of a length of the sheet in the sheet feed direction such that, when the first sheet, which has a first end in the withdrawal direction, is to be stacked on the sheet stacking device (504), the first sheet is stacked in a first position in the sheet width direction, and, when the second sheet, which has a second end in the withdrawal direction, is to be stacked on the sheet stacking device (504), the second sheet is stacked in a second position in the sheet width direction, wherein the second end of the second sheet, which is stacked in the second position, is offset further in the withdrawal direction than the first end of the first sheet, which is stacked in the first position.

Description

The invention relates to a sheet stacking device capable of sorting each of a predetermined number of sheets, and to a sheet processing device and an image generation device, each provided with the sheet stacking device. Description of the state of the art In the past, an image generation device of the internal output type was known, such as a copy machine, printer, fax machine, and the like. In this type, an image reader is arranged in an upper section of the main body of the image generation device, and an image output section for outputting an image is arranged between the image reader and the main body of the image generation device. Furthermore, an image generation device of the internal output type is known in which an image processing device for performing a post-processing operation, such as a stacking operation, a punching operation, or a sorting operation, is arranged upstream of a sheet being delivered to a sheet output section, thus improving process efficiency. However, with the image generation device of the inside-mounted delivery type, since the paper delivery section is located between the image reader and the main body of the image generation device, when a delivered sheet is visually detected, the user must identify the sheet itself by looking in the paper delivery section. Furthermore, if another sheet is delivered onto several sorted sheets, and the sorted sheets are covered by the other sheet, the user must visually identify the sorted sheet, for example, by removing the other sheets. To solve this problem, an image-generating device of the inside dispensing type is proposed which improves a visual recognition property of a sheet dispensed to a dispensing section by dispensing the sheet in a state in which the sheet is offset by a predetermined distance (space) in a sheet width direction that intersects a sheet dispensing direction, for a predetermined number of sheets (of a group) (see JP 2009 - 7 151 A). However, in the image-generating device described in JP 2009-7151A, a sheet is positioned and dispensed using a reference line on a proximal side (the side where the sheet is visually detected) as a reference, independent of the sheet size. Accordingly, if, for example, an A3 sheet is dispensed after an A4 sheet, it becomes difficult for a user who has detected the dispensing of the A4 sheet to visually recognize its presence, as the A4 sheet is obscured by the A3 sheet. Furthermore, because it is necessary to remove the A3 sheet from the A4 sheet or change its position to remove the A4 sheet, simple sheet removal is also made more difficult. Furthermore, if, for example, the A3 sheet is in an aligned state, the alignment of the A3 sheet will be canceled or changed by removing and repositioning the A3 sheet when taking out (removing) the A4 sheet.US 6,986,510 B2 discloses a sheet stacking device comprising a sheet stacking assembly on which a sheet of length equal to or greater than a predetermined length in a sheet feed direction and another sheet of length shorter than the predetermined length in the sheet feed direction, fed by a sheet feeder, can be stacked, wherein the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking assembly are removable from one side in a sheet width direction intersecting the sheet feed direction; and a displacement unit arranged to displace a sheet to be stacked on the sheet stacking assembly in the sheet width direction.and a control device arranged to control the displacement unit such that, when one sheet is to be stacked on the sheet stacking device, the one sheet is stacked in a first position in the sheet width direction, and, when the other sheet is to be stacked on the sheet stacking device, the other sheet is stacked in a second position which is closer to one end in the sheet width direction than the first position. Another sheet stacking device according to the state of the art is shown in US 2003 / 0 085 511 A1. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to provide a sheet stacking device that eliminates the visual recognition property problem, enables improved alignment of different sheet formats and easy removal of a dispensed sheet, and an image generation device with the sheet stacking device. The object of the invention is achieved by a sheet stacking device with the features of claim 1, by a sheet processing device with the features of claim 5, and by an image generation device with the features of claim 9 and claim 10. Advantageous further developments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims. According to the invention, a visual recognition property and a removal property of a dispensed sheet can be improved by aligning a sheet that has a length in the feed direction (conveying direction) that is shorter than the predetermined length in the sheet feed direction (sheet conveying direction) in a position that is offset on a removal opening side. Further features, advantages and effects of the present invention are evident from the following description of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFig. 1 is a sectional view schematically representing an image generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from a proximal side. Fig. 2 is a sectional view schematically representing a finishing device according to the embodiment. Fig. 3 is a top view schematically representing the finishing device according to the embodiment. Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a control device for the image generation device according to the embodiment. Fig. 5 is a block diagram of a finishing device control device for controlling the finishing device according to the embodiment. Figs. 6A to 6C are views showing a state in which a B5 sheet is being fed to a processing tray of the finishing device. Figs. 7A and 7B are views showing a state in which the B5 sheet is aligned in a sheet width direction on the processing tray.Figures 8A and 8B are views showing a state in which a B5 sheet bundle is conveyed from the processing tray to a stacking tray. Figures 9A to 9C are views showing a state in which a B5 sheet bundle is aligned on the stacking tray in a sheet conveying direction. Figures 10A and 10B are views showing a state in which a B5 sheet bundle is aligned in an offset state relative to a B5 sheet bundle being conveyed onto the stacking tray in the sheet width direction. Figures 11A and 11B are views showing a state in which a B4 sheet is aligned in an offset state relative to a B5 sheet bundle being stacked on the stacking tray in the sheet width direction. Fig. 12 is a view showing a state in which a B4 sheet, offset from a B4 sheet that is stacked on the stacking tray, is stacked on the stacking tray. Fig.Figure 13 is a flowchart that represents an alignment process performed by the finishing device when a printing operation of the image generation device is performed according to the embodiment. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLES OF EXECUTION An image generation device with a sheet processing device according to an embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the drawings. Each of the embodiments of the present invention described below can be used alone or as a combination of a plurality of the embodiments or their features, if necessary, or if the combination of the elements of the features of the individual embodiments in a single embodiment is desirable. The image generation device according to the embodiment of the invention is an image generation device with a sheet processing device, such as a photocopier, a printer, a fax machine, and its associated equipment, which aligns a sheet on which an image is formed and performs a predetermined post-processing process on the aligned sheet.In the embodiment described below, an image generating device of an internal delivery type (hereinafter referred to simply as "image generating device") 1, in which a reader is arranged on an upper section of an image generating device main body (hereinafter referred to simply as a "device main body"), is described as the image generating device. Furthermore, a position at which a user stands in front of an operating section (operating section) 601, through which the user performs various inputs and settings on the image generating device 1, is referred to as "a proximal side" of the image generating device 1, and a rear surface side of the image generating device 1 is referred to as "a distal side". The image generation device 1 according to the embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a sectional view that schematically represents the image generation device according to the embodiment of the invention when viewed from the proximal side. As shown in Fig. 1, the image generating device 1 comprises a reading device 100 for reading an image of an original, a device main body 200 for generating an image on a sheet, and a finishing device 500 as a sheet processing device for performing a finishing process, such as a sorting process and the like, on a sheet. The reader 100 is arranged on an upper section of the main body of the device 200 and comprises an original feeder 101 for automatically feeding the original and an original reading section 150 for reading the image of the original fed by the original feeder 101. The original feeder 101 has an original feed section 111 for feeding the original and a delivery tray 112 to which the original is delivered. The original reading section 150 has a document glass 102 on which the original is placed, and a scanner unit (scanning unit) 104 and an image sensor 109 for reading the image of the original. The main body of the device 200 comprises an image generation section 201 for generating an image and a feed section 230 for feeding a sheet to the image generation section 201. The image generation section 201 includes a light-sensitive drum 203, an exposure section 202 for generating an electrostatic latent image on the light-sensitive drum 203, and a developing device 205 for visually displaying the electrostatic latent image generated on the light-sensitive drum 203. The feed section 230 includes cassettes 231 to 234 in which sheets are held, a receiving roller 238 for feeding the received sheets, and a separating section 237 for successively separating (singling) the fed sheets. Originals placed on the original feed section 111 are fed sequentially, one after the other, from the top and conveyed onto the scanner glass 102 via a curved feed path. An original fed onto the scanner glass 102 is illuminated by a lamp in the scanning unit 104, and an image is captured by guiding the light reflected from the original through a first mirror 105, a second mirror 106, and a lens 107 to the image sensor 109. The original whose image has been captured is then delivered to the output tray 112. The image of the original, which has been read by the image sensor 109, is subjected to an image processing process and forwarded to the exposure section 202. A laser beam is emitted onto the light-sensitive drum 203, the surface of which is uniformly charged. The laser beam is reflected by a rotating polygon mirror and further reflected by a reflecting mirror, illuminating (irradiating) the light-sensitive drum 203. The laser beam illuminating (irradiating) the light-sensitive drum generates an electrostatic latent image on the light-sensitive drum 203, and the latent image is developed by the developing device 205. Parallel to the image generation process described above, sheets fed by the receiving roller 238 are selectively fed from cassettes 231 to 234, while these are separated (singled) one after the other by the separating section 237 (singling section 237) and conveyed to a transfer position synchronously with a rotation of the photosensitive drum 203. At the transfer position, a toner image generated on the photosensitive drum 203 is transferred to a sheet 211 via a transfer belt. The sheet onto which the toner image has been transferred is then fed to a pair of fusing rollers 206 and subjected to a heating and pressure process, thus fixing the toner image. The sheet, with its toner image now fixed, is then guided to the finishing unit 500 by a pair of delivery rollers 207. The finishing device 500 is described below with reference to Figures 2 and 3, in addition to Figure 1. Figure 2 is a sectional view schematically illustrating the finishing device 500 according to the exemplary embodiment. Figure 3 is a top view schematically illustrating the finishing device according to the exemplary embodiment. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the finishing device 500 has a delivery roller 508 as a sheet feeder for feeding a sheet, a tilting guide section 50 for tilting (swiveling) and guiding the sheet fed by the delivery roller 508, and a sheet processing section 51 for performing a post-processing operation on the sheet. Furthermore, the finishing device 500 has a stacking section 52 for stacking an aligned sheet. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the discharge roller 508 is arranged in a feed path 507, which is connected to the main body of the device 200, and feeds the sheet, which is guided within the finishing device 500, through the pair of discharge rollers 207 of the main body of the device 200. The discharge roller 508 is driven by and coupled to a feed motor M750 (Fig. 5), and the drive of the feed motor M750 is controlled based on a sheet detected by a sheet position sensor S770 (Fig. 5) arranged in the feed path 507. The tilting guide section 50 comprises a tilting arm 551, a tilting cam 554, and a tilting roller 550. The tilting arm 551 is arranged above the feed path 507 on a web-downward side of the delivery roller 508 in a sheet feed direction (hereinafter referred to simply as "web-downward") and is supported by a tilting shaft 552 so that it can tilt (pivot) upwards and downwards. Furthermore, the tilting arm 551 is fitted with a tension spring 555, which pushes the tilting arm 551 upwards and supports the tilting arm 551 as it tilts (pivots) downwards, enabling it to tilt (pivot) upwards. The rocker cam 554 is arranged above the rocker arm 551 and is supported by a camshaft 553 so that it can tilt (pivot) upwards and downwards. Furthermore, the camshaft 553 of the rocker cam 554 is driven by and coupled to a rocker arm drive motor M751 (Fig. 5). Driving the rocker arm drive motor M751 causes the rocker cam 554 to pivot (tilt) upwards and downwards around the camshaft 553. Tilting (pivoting) the rocker cam 554 in the upward and downward direction causes the rocker arm 551, which is arranged below it, to be pushed by the rocker cam 554 and pivot or tilt downwards. The tilting roller 550 is rotatably supported by a front end of the tilting arm 551. The tilting roller 550 is driven by a tilting roller drive motor M752 (Fig. 5) via a drive belt and a driven gear, and is coupled to this via the belt and gear, neither of which are shown. The tilting roller 550 is rotated by driving the tilting roller drive motor M752. Furthermore, the tilting roller 550 uses a position above the feed path 507, which does not contact a sheet being discharged by the delivery roller 508, as a home position, which is detected by a tilting arm home position sensor S771 (Fig. 5). The sheet processing section 51 comprises an intermediate processing tray 540, a return belt 560, a front end stop 562, a proximal alignment plate 541, and a distal alignment plate 542 as a pair of alignment components, and a stacking unit 510. It should be noted that in the exemplary embodiment, the intermediate processing tray 540, the proximal alignment plate 541, and the distal alignment plate 542 form a sheet stacking device. The proximal alignment plate 541 and the distal alignment plate 542 can be moved in the blade width direction perpendicular to the blade feed direction and align a blade by positioning (clamping, cramming) it between them, and they function as a displacement unit for moving a blade to a predetermined position in the blade width direction.It should be noted that in the exemplary embodiment, although the proximal alignment plate 541 and the distal alignment plate 542 are described as the dislocation unit, there is also a dislocation unit for moving, for example, a pair of rollers while the roller feeds (discharges) a sheet, or for moving a stacking tray before a sheet is stacked on it in the sheet width direction, as another dislocation unit. The intermediate processing tray 540 is located below the delivery roller 508 and temporarily stacks a sheet that has been delivered by the delivery roller 508 and is to undergo a post-processing operation. The return belt 560 is tensioned around a rotating shaft of the delivery roller 508 and a pulley 564 and rotates in contact with the sheet stacked on the intermediate processing tray 540 to feed the sheet to a web-upward side in the sheet-feed direction (hereinafter referred to simply as the "web-upward side"). Furthermore, the return belt 560 can be displaced (offset) in a sheet thickness direction in response to the number of sheets stacked on the intermediate processing tray 540.The rear end stop (stop for a rear end) 562 is arranged on an end section of the intermediate processing tray 540 on its web-upward side and causes a web-upward end of a sheet in the sheet feed direction (hereinafter referred to simply as "web-upward end"), which is fed to the web-upward side, to come into contact with the rear end stop 562 by the return belt 560 in order to align the sheet in the sheet feed direction. As shown in Fig. 3, the proximal alignment plate 541 and the distal alignment plate 542 are designed to move freely along the intermediate processing tray 540 in the sheet width direction, which intersects the sheet feed direction. Furthermore, the proximal alignment plate 541 is driven by and coupled to a proximal alignment plate motor M753 (Fig. 5), and the distal alignment plate 542 is driven by and coupled to a distal alignment plate motor M754 (Fig. 5), so that a sheet is aligned by pressing against both ends of the sheet in the sheet width direction by an alignment surface capable of applying pressure to both ends of the sheet in the sheet width direction. The proximal alignment plate 541 and the distal alignment plate 542 use positions where a sheet is not touched when the sheet is fed to the intermediate processing sheet tray 540 as home positions. These home positions are detected by a proximal alignment plate home position sensor S772 (Fig. 5) and a distal alignment plate home position sensor S773 (Fig. 5) and are thus the positions where the finishing device 500 is located when it is not in operation. Furthermore, when a sheet is fed through the tilting guide section 50 (Fig. 2), the proximal alignment plate 541 and the distal alignment plate 542 move to preset and predetermined ready positions in response to a sheet size (format) (length in the sheet feed direction and length in the sheet width direction). The stacking unit 510 is located at the end section of the intermediate processing tray 540 on its web-upward side and subjects a sheet bundle to a stacking process by driving a stacking clamping motor M760 (Fig. 5). Furthermore, the stacking unit 510 is designed to move freely in the sheet width direction and is moved in this direction by a stacking sliding motor M761 (Fig. 5). The stacking unit 510 also uses an end section in the sheet width direction as a home position, which is detected by a stacking home position sensor S360 (Fig. 5). It should be noted that the stacking unit 510 can also select stacking positions of a sheet bundle, such as a single stacking position and a double stacking position, and move to an actual stacking position depending on predefined settings, such as...It can be moved according to sheet size, stack position, and the like, and can perform stacking to a predetermined position. The stacking section 52 comprises a stacking tray 504 as a sheet stacking device, a rear end alignment wall 570, and a paddle 583. The stacking tray 504 is located on a web-down side of the sheet processing section 51, and a sheet (bundle of sheets) that has undergone a finishing process by the sheet processing section 51 is stacked on the stacking tray 504. The rear-end alignment wall 570 is arranged at an end section of the stacking tray 504 on the web-upward side and below the tilting roller 550, and is pivotably (tiltably) supported by an alignment shaft 572. Furthermore, a driven roller 571 is rotatably supported by an upper end of the rear-end alignment wall 570 and, when the tilting arm 551 is tilted downwards, the driven roller 571 forms a nip together with the tilting roller 550. It should be noted that the driven roller 571 and the tilting roller 550 form a moving device for moving a sheet (bundle of sheets) to the stacking tray 504. Furthermore, the rear end alignment wall 570 is attached to a tension spring 512, which is forced in a direction in which the rear end alignment wall 570 is tilted (pivoted) towards the track-upward side.Furthermore, the rear end alignment wall 570 is driven by and coupled to a rear end alignment wall tilting motor M755, which tilts or pivots the rear end alignment wall 570. It should be noted that the rear end alignment wall 570 uses a position shown in Fig. 2 as a home position, which is detected by a rear end alignment wall home position sensor S775 (Fig. 5). The paddle (arm, lever, element) 583 is arranged at an end section of the stacking tray 504 on its web-upward side. The paddle (arm, lever, element) 583 is elastically deformable and is connected to a rotary shaft 590 in one direction of rotation. A single counterclockwise rotation of the paddle (arm, lever, element) 583 around the rotary shaft 590 by rotating a paddle rotary motor M756 causes the sheet (sheet bundle) being fed to the stacking tray 504 to move towards the rear-end alignment wall 570 and be aligned in the sheet feed direction. It should be noted that the paddle (arm, lever, element) 583 uses a position shown in Fig. 2 as a home position, which is detected by a paddle home position sensor S774 (Fig. 5). A control unit 600 of the image generation device 1 is described below with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the control unit 600 of the image generation device 1 according to the exemplary embodiment. Fig. 5 is a block diagram of a finishing device control unit 636 for controlling the finishing device 500 according to the exemplary embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the control device 600 comprises a CPU circuit section 630, an original feeder control device 632, an image reading control device 633, an image signal control device 634, a printer control device 635 and a finishing device control device 636 as a control device. The CPU circuit section 630 comprises a CPU 629, a ROM 631, and a RAM 655. The CPU 629 controls the original feeder control unit (OMU) 632, the image reading control unit 633, the image signal control unit 634, the printer control unit 635, and the finishing control unit 636 according to a program stored in the ROM 631 and a setting entered by an operating section (OMU) 601. The RAM 655 is used as a region for temporarily storing control data and as a workspace for performing arithmetic operations required for control. The original feeder control unit 632 controls the original feeder 101, and the image reading control unit 633 controls the scanner unit (scanning unit) 104 for reading information from an original fed by the original feeder 101, the image sensor 109, and the like (see Fig. 1). The data from the original, which is read by the image reading control unit 633, is output to the image signal control unit 634. The printer control unit 635 controls the main unit 200. An external interface 637 connects an external computer 620 to the main unit 200 and converts print data, which is entered, for example, by the external computer (PC) 620, into an image and outputs the image to the image signal control unit 634. The image data output to the image signal control unit 634 is output to the printer control unit 635 and an image is generated by the image generation section 201. The finishing device control unit 636 is mounted in or on the finishing device 500, controls various drive motors and sensors shown in Fig. 5, while information is transmitted to and received from the CPU circuit section 630, and comprehensively controls the drive or operation of the finishing device 500. As shown in Fig. 5, the finishing device control unit 636 comprises a CPU 701, a RAM 702, a ROM 703, a network interface 704, a connection interface 706, a feeder control unit 707, an intermediate processing tray control unit 708, a stack control unit 709, and the like. An input port of an input / output section (I / O) 705 of the final processing device control unit 636 is supplied with a sensor signal from a system connected to the CPU 701, the network interface 704, the connection interface 706.In contrast, an output port of the input / output section (I / O) 705 is connected to the feed control unit 707, the intermediate processing discharge control unit 708 and the stack control unit 709 and outputs a predetermined signal to the respective drive systems of the feed control unit 707, the intermediate processing discharge control unit 708 and the stack control unit 709. The feed control unit 707 controls the sheet position detection sensor S770 and the feed motor M750 to perform a feed control of a sheet which is fed to the finishing unit 500. The intermediate processing stacking control unit 708 controls the drive of the respective home position sensors and motors to control the movement of the proximal alignment plate 541 and the distal alignment plate 542, controls the drive of the return belt 560, controls the tilting (swiveling) of the tilting arm 551, and controls the rotation of the tilting roller 550. The intermediate processing stacking control unit 708 also controls the tilting (swiveling) of the rear end alignment wall 570 and the rotation of the paddle (arm, lever, element) 583. The stacking control unit 709 controls the stack home position sensor S360, the stack clamping motor M760, and the stack sliding motor M761 to perform stack sliding control and stack clamping operation control.A sheet dispensing process performed by the finishing device 500 according to the exemplary embodiment is described below with reference to Figures 6A to 12. In the exemplary embodiment, the sheet dispensing process is described by operating a dispensing process to dispense a B4-format sheet (hereinafter referred to as the "B4 sheet"), which is used as a reference sheet, and a B5-format sheet (hereinafter referred to as the "B5 sheet") which has a length in the feed direction that is shorter than the B4 sheet. That is, in the exemplary embodiment, the sheet dispensing process is described by setting the length of the B4 sheet in the sheet feed direction as a predetermined length and by means of the B4 sheet and the B5 sheet, which is shorter than the predetermined length in the sheet feed direction.Typically, the operator (user) pulls a sheet stacked on the stacking tray 504 from a proximal side of the imaging device 1 (i.e., removes the sheet from the proximal side), facing the operating section 601 for performing various inputs / settings on the imaging device 1. The following description assumes that a proximal end face from both ends of the stacking tray 504, in the sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet feed direction, serves as a sheet removal opening (sheet removal access side). A sheet delivery unit for dispensing a bundle S1 of several B5 sheets (hereinafter referred to simply as a "B5 sheet bundle"), which have been aligned in a second position offset from a delivery position to the removal opening side by a first distance 1a, is described below with reference to Figures 6A to 6C to 9A to 9C. Figures 6A to 6C are views showing a state in which a B5 sheet S is fed to the intermediate processing tray 540 of the finishing device 500. Figures 7A and 7B are views showing a state in which the B5 sheet bundle S1 is aligned in the sheet width direction on the intermediate processing tray 540. Figures 8A and 8B are views showing a state in which a B5 bundle S1 is fed from the intermediate processing tray 540 to the stacking tray 504. Fig.9A to 9C are views that represent a state in which the B5 sheet bundle S1 is aligned on the stack tray 504 in the sheet feed direction. As shown in Fig. 6A, the B5 sheet S, dispensed from the main body of the device 200, is fed towards the stacking tray 504 by the dispensing roller 508 and a driven roller located in the feed path 507. Once the B5 sheet S has been dispensed by the dispensing roller 508, the tilting arm 551 is tilted (pivoted) counterclockwise around the tilting shaft 552 in Fig. 6A by driving the tilting arm drive motor M751. As shown in Fig. 6B, the counterclockwise pivoting of the tilting arm 551 causes the tilting roller 550 to move downwards, causing the B5 sheet S to fall downwards through the tilting roller 550 by pressing against a rear end section of the B5 sheet S. When the tilting roller 550 is moved downwards while the B5 blade S falls downwards, the tilting roller 550 forms the nip together with the driven roller 571 and the B5 blade S is held by the nip. As shown in Fig. 6C, the tilting roller 550 is rotated counterclockwise by driving the tilting roller drive motor M752. The tilting roller 550 is rotated until a trailing end of the B5 sheet S comes into contact with the return belt 560, and the B5 sheet S is drawn along a lower guide in the direction of the web-upward side. When the trailing end of the B5 sheet S comes into contact with the return belt 560, the return belt 560 causes the B5 sheet S to rest against the trailing end stop 562, thereby aligning the B5 sheet S in the sheet feed direction. The tilting roller 550 is then moved upwards again to its home position by tilting (swinging) the tilting arm 551 upwards to prepare for the delivery of a subsequent B5 sheet S. Upon completion of the alignment in the sheet feed direction on the intermediate processing tray 540, the B5 sheet S is aligned in the sheet width direction in a second position, offset from a first position, described below, to the discharge opening side (proximal side) A by the first distance 1a. As shown in Fig. 7A, when the B5 sheet S is discharged, the proximal alignment plate 541 and the distal alignment plate 542 are waiting in predefined and predetermined ready positions. As shown in Fig. 7B, the B5 sheet is aligned in the width direction by causing the proximal alignment plate 541 to wait in the position offset from the sheet delivery position to the removal opening side A by the first distance 1a, and by moving the distal alignment plate 542 to the removal opening side A and the distal alignment plate 542 bearing against the B5 sheet.During operation, the B5 sheet is aligned in the second position, which is offset from the sheet delivery position at the discharge opening side A by the first distance 1a. The alignment operations in the sheet feed direction and in the sheet width direction, as described above, are repeated each time a B5 sheet S is fed until the process is completed, thereby forming the B5 sheet bundle S1. As shown in Fig. 8A, when the B5 sheet bundle S1 has formed in the second position on the intermediate processing tray 540, the tilting arm 551 is tilted (pivoted) counterclockwise in Fig. 8A by driving the tilting arm drive motor M751, and the tilting roller 550 is moved downwards. The tilting roller 550 forms the nip together with the driven roller 551, and the B5 sheet bundle S1 is held by the nip. As shown in Fig. 8B, when the B5 sheet bundle S1 is held, the tilting roller 550 is rotated clockwise by driving the tilting roller drive motor M752, and the B5 sheet bundle S1 is advanced until its rear end reaches the vicinity of an upper end of the rear-end alignment wall 570, and is then stopped. This causes the tilting roller 550 to be removed from the B5 leaf bundle S1 and to return to its home position. As shown in Fig. 9A, when the tilting roller 550 has returned to its home position, the tilting roller 550 is tilted (pivoted) towards the web-upward side of the rear-end alignment wall 570 by driving the rear-end alignment wall tilting motor M755, causing a web-upward end of the B5 sheet bundle S1 to come into contact with an inclined surface of the rear-end alignment wall 570. As shown in Fig. 9B, when the web-upward end of the B5 sheet bundle S1 has come into contact with the inclined surface, the rear-end alignment wall 570 returns to its home position, so that the web-upward end of the B5 sheet bundle S1 is pressed against the rear-end alignment wall 570 in a substantially horizontal direction by returning to the rear-end alignment wall 570. During operation, as shown in Fig.As shown in Fig. 9C, the B5 sheet bundle S1 is stacked on the stacking tray 504 while the web-upward end of the B5 sheet bundle S1 is aligned. At that time, a single rotation of the paddle (arm, lever, element) 583 (relating to Fig. 9B) causes the B5 sheet bundle S1 to be pulled back towards the web-upward side, so that the B5 sheet bundle S1 rests against the rear-end alignment wall 570, and is pressed by the paddle (arm, lever, element) 583 against its upper surface to prevent the B5 sheet bundle S1 from being disturbed (relating to Fig. 9C). Below is a description of a sheet discharge operation for dispensing a B5 sheet bundle S2, which has been aligned in a third position offset from the sheet discharge position at the discharge opening side by a second distance 2a, which is shorter than the first distance 1a (in a state in which the B5 sheet bundle S2 has been sorted onto a B5 sheet bundle S1), with reference to Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B. Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B are views depicting a state in which a B5 sheet bundle S2 is aligned in a sorted state, with a B5 sheet bundle S1, which has been fed to the stacking tray 504, aligned in the sheet width direction.It should be noted that, since a feeder operation for a sheet that has been fed from the main body of the device 200 to the intermediate processing tray 540, and a discharge operation for a bundle of sheets formed on the intermediate processing tray 540, are identical to the tray discharge operation 504 as those operations of the B5 bundle of sheets S1 described above, their description has been omitted. To sort and align the B5 sheet bundle S2 onto or towards the B5 sheet bundle S1 shown in Fig. 10A at the second distance 2a, as shown in Fig. 10B, the proximal alignment plate 541 is first positioned in a location offset from the sheet discharge position on the discharge opening side by the second distance 2a. It should be noted that the distances from the sheet discharge position are fixed as follows: first distance 1a > second distance 2a. Furthermore, the second distance 2a is a predetermined distance and is selected such that when sheets of the same size (format), such as B5 sheets, are aligned in a sorted state, the second distance 2a is provided when, for example, a predetermined number of sheets (e.g., for each individual sheet) of the same size (format) are offset and ejected (discharged). Once the B5 sheet has been fed to the intermediate processing tray 540, it is aligned in the sheet width direction by moving the distal alignment plate 542 towards the discharge opening side. The alignment operation of the B5 sheet bundle S1 in the sheet feed direction is repeated each time a B5 sheet is fed until the last sheet of a process is fed, thus forming the B5 sheet bundle S2. The B5 sheet bundle S2 is then discharged to the stacking tray 504 by a sheet bundle discharge operation similar to that for the B5 sheet bundle S1. In this operation, the B5 sheet bundle S2, which is aligned in the third position, is stacked on the stacking tray 504, while it is sorted with respect to the B5 sheet stack S1, which is located in the second position closer to the removal opening side (one end side).Although the third position is farther from the withdrawal opening side (one end side) than the second position, it is closer to the withdrawal opening side (one end side) than the first position, as described below. The following describes a sheet delivery operation for delivering a B4 sheet with a length in the sheet feed direction equal to or longer than the reference sheet onto the B5 sheet bundles S1 and S2, which have been delivered onto the stacking tray 504, with reference to Fig. 11A and Fig. 11B. Fig. 11A and Fig. 11B are views depicting a state in which a B4 sheet bundle S3 is offset in the sheet width direction relative to a B5 sheet bundle S2, which is stacked on the stacking tray 504. It should be noted that, since the operation for feeding a sheet, which is fed from the main body of the device 200, onto the intermediate processing tray 540 and the operation for delivering a sheet, which is aligned on the intermediate processing tray 540, to the stack tray 504 are the same as those described above, their description has been omitted. Since the B4 sheet has a length in the sheet feed direction that is equal to or greater than that of the reference sheet, the B4 sheet is dispensed onto the stack tray 504 after being aligned in the first position, which is positioned between the second and third positions. To align a B4 sheet bundle S3 with respect to a B5 sheet bundle S1 and a B5 sheet bundle S2, as shown in Fig. 11A, in the first position, the proximal alignment plate 541 is first caused to wait in a predetermined position offset by a third distance 1A from the sheet dispensing position at the dispensing opening side.It should be noted that distances from the sheet delivery position to the withdrawal opening side are set as follows: first distance 1a > second distance 2a > third distance 1A, and the third distance 1A is a predefined distance that is provided when a sheet acting as the reference sheet, such as the B4 sheet of the exemplary embodiment, is aligned. Once the B4 sheet has been fed onto the intermediate processing tray 540, it is aligned in the width direction by moving the distal alignment plate 542 towards the proximal side. An alignment operation of the B4 sheet bundle S3 is performed repeatedly each time a B4 sheet is fed, until the last sheet of a process is fed and the B4 sheet bundle S3 is formed. The B4 sheet bundle S3 is then delivered to the stacking tray 504 by a sheet bundle delivery operation similar to or identical to that of the B5 sheet bundle S1. During this operation, the B4 sheet bundle S3 is delivered to the stacking tray 504 in a state where it is positioned within the B5 sheet bundles S1 and S2. Below is a description of a sheet dispensing operation for aligning a B4 sheet S4 in a fourth position, offset from the sheet dispensing position to the dispensing opening side by a fourth distance 2A, which is shorter than the third distance 1A (in a state where the B4 sheet bundle S2 has been sorted onto the B4 sheet bundle S3), and for dispensing the B4 sheet S4 with respect to Fig. 12, in addition to Fig. 11A and Fig. 11B. Fig. 12 is a view showing a state in which a B4 sheet S4, offset from a B4 sheet bundle S3 that is stacked on the stacking tray 504, is stacked on the stacking tray 504.It should be noted that, since an operation for feeding a sheet, which is fed from the main body of the device 200, onto the intermediate processing tray 540 and an operation for delivering a sheet, which is aligned on the intermediate processing tray 540, to the stack tray 504 are the same as those described above, their description has been omitted. To sort and align the B4 sheet S4 on and with respect to the B4 sheet bundle S3, as shown in Figs. 11A and 11B, at a fourth interval 2A, the proximal alignment plate 541 is first positioned in a predetermined location offset from the sheet discharge position on the proximal side by the fourth interval 2A. It should be noted that the intervals from the sheet discharge position are set as follows: first interval 1A > second interval 2A > third interval 1A > fourth interval 2A and third interval > fourth interval. Once the B4 sheet S4 has been fed onto the intermediate processing tray 540, the B4 sheet S3 is aligned in the sheet width direction by moving the distal alignment plate 542 at the discharge opening side A. The B4 sheet S4 is then delivered to the stacking tray 504 by a sheet bundle delivery operation, which is similar or the same as that for the B4 sheet bundle S3 (see Fig. 12). A sheet sorting operation performed by the image generator 1 according to the exemplary embodiment is described below, as shown in the flowchart in Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a flowchart depicting an alignment process performed by the finishing unit 500 when a printing operation is carried out by the image generator 1 according to the exemplary embodiment. It should be noted that in the following description, if the B4-size sheet (B4 format) is specified as a reference size sheet, a sheet with a length in the paper feed direction that is shorter than the B4 sheet is referred to as a small-format sheet, and a sheet with a length in the paper feed direction that is longer than the B4 sheet is referred to as a large-format sheet. For example, if the sorting process is selected at the operating section 601, as shown in Fig. 13, the image generation process (printing) described above is started (step S1) after an initialization operation of the image generation device 1 has been performed. Upon completion of the image generation process (printing), if an operation is an odd-numbered operation and the B5 size (small sheet) is determined by the operating section 601, an alignment is performed by causing the proximal alignment plate 541 to wait in a position offset from the sheet delivery position on the proximal side by the first distance 1a (steps S2 to S4).In contrast, if the operation is the even-numbered operation and the B4 size (large size) is determined by the operating section 601, the alignment is performed by causing the proximal alignment plate 541 to wait in a position offset from the sheet delivery position on the proximal side by the third distance 1A (steps S2, S3 and S5). Furthermore, if the operation is not an odd-numbered operation, i.e., an even-numbered operation and the B5 size is determined by operating section 601, the alignment is performed by causing the proximal alignment plate 541 to wait in a position offset from the sheet delivery position on the proximal side by the second distance 2a (steps S2, S6, S7). In contrast, if the operation is an even-numbered operation and the B4 size (large size) is determined by operating section 601, the alignment is performed by causing the proximal alignment plate 541 to wait in a position offset from the sheet delivery position on the proximal side by the fourth distance 2A (steps S2, S6, S8). If a dispensed sheet is the last sheet in a bundle, the bundle is placed on the stack tray 504. However, if the dispensed sheet is not the last sheet in the bundle, a subsequent print job is performed (steps S9, S10). This process is repeated until a final bundle is reached, and once the final bundle has been processed, the operation is completed (step S11). As described above, the finishing device 500 aligns a sheet shorter than a sheet of the predetermined reference size in the paper feed direction in a position offset from the discharge opening side by a predetermined distance, rather than a sheet equal to or longer than the length of the reference sheet in the paper feed direction. In other words, a short sheet or bundle of sheets in a paper feed direction is guided to be aligned in a position close to the discharge opening side. For example, the B5 sheet bundle S1 and the B4 sheet bundle S3 are aligned so that the end portion of a first end side of the B5 sheet bundle S1 is stacked on the proximal side of the stacking tray 504 in a position closer to one end side of the B4 sheet bundle S3 than the end portion of its one end side. Accordingly, even if, for example,If another leaf or bundle (e.g., the B4 leaf bundle) is larger than a leaf or bundle (e.g., the B5 leaf bundle) that was submitted earlier, the presence of the leaf can be easily detected visually. Furthermore, it can prevent a previously submitted leaf from being visually obscured by another leaf submitted later. As a result, the visual property for leaf detection can be improved. Furthermore, when a dispensed leaf or leaf bundle is removed, it can be removed by holding its offset section without removing another leaf or leaf bundle or changing its position. Accordingly, the removal property of a leaf or leaf bundle can also be improved. Moreover, it can be prevented at that time that the alignment property of the other leaf or leaf bundle is overridden or disturbed. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the spacing between multiple sheets is set such that, at the time the sheets are subjected to a sorting process, the spacing between sheets of different sizes (formats) is set larger than the spacing between sheets of the same size (format). Accordingly, even during a transfer process involving sheets of different sizes, the visual property for recognizing multiple sheets is prevented from being impaired by the fact that the multiple sheets are obscured by another sheet. Furthermore, performing the alignment process described above on the intermediate processing tray 540 allows the alignment operation described above to be performed without performing the alignment process, in which, for example, a pair of alignment components with respect to the stack tray 504 need to be newly provided, thereby reducing costs. Although the embodiment of the invention is described above, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. Furthermore, only the most advantageous effects or results resulting from the invention are described by way of example in the effects or results shown in the embodiment of the invention, and the effects or results according to the invention are not limited to those described in the embodiment. For example, in the embodiment described above, the case is used in which the B4 sheet, with its predetermined length in the paper feed direction, is set as the reference sheet, and the B4 sheet and the B5 sheet are dispensed, although the invention is not limited thereto. If, for example, the B4 sheet is set as the reference sheet, although the A3 sheet is aligned in the first position because it has a length in the paper feed direction that is longer than the B4 sheet, the A4 sheet is aligned in the second position because it has a length in the paper feed direction that is shorter than the B4 sheet. If, for example, the B4 sheet is set as the reference sheet, the A3 sheet is aligned in the second position because it has a length in the paper feed direction that is shorter than the B4 sheet.The A4 sheet is set as the reference sheet, although the A3 sheet and the B4 sheet are aligned in the first position because they have a length in the feed direction that is longer than the A4 sheet, the A5 sheet is aligned in the second position because it has a length in the sheet feed direction that is shorter than the A4 sheet. Furthermore, the embodiment described above describes the case in which the B4 sheet with a predetermined length in the sheet feed direction is used as the reference sheet, and the alignment of the first position and the second position is carried out, although the invention is not limited thereto. For example, several reference sheets with a predetermined length in the sheet feed direction can be defined, and different sorting positions can be defined for each of the defined multiple reference sheets. Furthermore, although the embodiment described above uses a blade that is arranged longitudinally parallel to the blade feed direction, the invention is not limited thereto. The invention can also be applied in a case where a blade is arranged longitudinally perpendicular to the blade feed direction. In this case, it is sufficient to align a smaller blade (a blade with a shorter length in the blade width direction perpendicular to the blade feed direction) in a position closer to the proximal side. Furthermore, although the exemplary embodiment has been described using the proximal alignment plate 541 and the distal alignment plate 542, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the tilting roller 550 can be designed to be movable in the blade width direction, thereby causing a blade to be offset in the blade width direction. Furthermore, although in the exemplary embodiment an aligned bundle of sheets is moved onto the stacking tray 504 after the sheets have been aligned on the intermediate processing tray 540, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the sheets can be placed directly onto the stacking tray 504 and aligned there. Although the exemplary embodiment described uses the image generation device with the sheet processing device integrated into the image generation device main body, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the sheet processing device can be detachably mounted on the image generation device main body. Furthermore, although in the exemplary embodiment the finishing device control unit 636 is mounted on the finishing device 500, which is controlled by the CPU circuit section 630 mounted in the device main body 200 and to which the finishing device 500 is connected online, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the finishing control unit 636 can be integrally mounted on the device main body 200 with the CPU circuit section 630, and the finishing device 500 can be controlled from the side of the device main body 200. A sheet processing device is disclosed, comprising an intermediate processing tray 540 on which a sheet fed by a delivery roller 508 is stacked, a proximal alignment plate 541 and a distal alignment plate 542 which move in a sheet width direction to align the sheet fed onto the intermediate processing tray, and an end processing device control device 636 for moving and controlling the proximal alignment plate and the distal alignment plate to align the sheet when a sheet with a length in the sheet feed direction that is shorter than a predetermined length in the sheet feed direction is fed, in a position that is closer to a discharge opening side A in the sheet width direction than a position in the sheet width direction where a sheet with a length in the sheet feed direction that is equal to or greater than a predetermined length in the sheet feed direction is fed.is aligned.

Claims

Sheet stacking device (540, 541, 542) comprising: a sheet stacking device (504) on which a first sheet with a length equal to or greater than a predetermined length in a sheet feed direction, and a second sheet with a width equal to the width of the first sheet in a sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet feed direction, and with a length shorter than the predetermined length in the sheet feed direction, supplied by a sheet feed device (508), can be stacked, wherein the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device (504) can be removed in a removal direction along the sheet width direction;a displacement unit (541, 542) arranged to displace a sheet to be stacked on the sheet stacking device (504) in the sheet width direction, wherein the displacement unit (541, 542) has a first alignment component (541) movable in the sheet width direction and touching one end of the sheet in the sheet width direction, and a second alignment component (542) movable in the sheet width direction and touching the other end of the sheet in the sheet width direction, and the displacement unit (541, 542) confines the sheet in the sheet width direction through the first alignment component (541) and the second alignment component (542);and a control device (636) arranged to control the displacement unit (541, 542) on the basis of a sheet length in the sheet feed direction such that, when the first sheet, which has a first end in the withdrawal direction, is to be stacked on the sheet stacking device (504), the first sheet is stacked in a first position in the sheet width direction, and, when the second sheet, which has a second end in the withdrawal direction, is to be stacked on the sheet stacking device (504), the second sheet is stacked in a second position in the sheet width direction, wherein the second end of the second sheet, which is stacked in the second position, is offset further in the withdrawal direction than the first end of the first sheet, which is stacked in the first position. Sheet stacking device (540, 541, 542) according to claim 1, wherein the sheet stacking device (504) is arranged such that the sheet width direction is substantially perpendicular to the sheet feed direction. Sheet stacking device (540, 541, 542) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control device (636) is arranged to control the displacement unit (541, 542) when the second sheets are stacked in a state in which the sheets are sorted one after the other to stack the sheets alternately in a third position and in the second position, wherein the second end of the second sheet stacked in the third position is positioned between the second end of the second sheet stacked in the second position and the first end of the first sheet stacked in the first position in the removal direction. Sheet stacking device (540, 541, 542) according to claim 3, wherein the control device (636) controls the displacement unit (541, 542) to stack the first sheet in the first position and in a fourth position, wherein the first end of the first sheet stacked in the first position is positioned further away in the removal direction than the first end of the first sheet stacked in the fourth position. Sheet processing device (500) comprising: a sheet processing section (51) with a tray on which sheets to be processed are stacked, and a pair of alignment components (541, 542) which move in a sheet width direction intersecting a sheet feed direction and align a sheet on the tray of the sheet processing section (51) by cramming the sheet in the sheet width direction between the alignment components (541, 542) in the sheet width direction;a sheet stacking device (504) arranged to receive and stack a first sheet having a length equal to or greater than a predetermined length in the sheet feed direction, and a second sheet having a width equal to the width of the first sheet in the sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet feed direction, and having a length shorter than the predetermined length in the sheet feed direction, wherein a stacked sheet that is stacked on the sheet stacking device (504) is removable in a removal direction along the sheet width direction;and a control device (636) arranged to control the pair of alignment components (541, 542) on the basis of a length of the sheet in the sheet feed direction such that, when the first sheet, which has a first end in the withdrawal direction, is to be stacked on the sheet stacking device (504), the first sheet is aligned in a first position in the sheet width direction, and that, when the second sheet, which has a second end in the withdrawal direction, is to be stacked on the sheet stacking device (504), the second sheet is aligned in a second position in the sheet width direction, wherein the second end of the second sheet, which is stacked in the second position, is further away in the withdrawal direction than the first end of the first sheet, which is stacked in the first position. Sheet processing device (500) according to claim 5, wherein the control device (636) is arranged to control the pair of alignment components (541, 542) when the second sheets are stacked in a state in which the sheets are sorted one after the other to stack the sheets alternately in a third position and in the second position, wherein the second end of the second sheet stacked in the third position is positioned between the second end of the second sheet stacked in the second position and the first end of the first sheet stacked in the first position in the removal direction. Sheet processing device (500) according to claim 6, wherein the control device (636) controls the pair of alignment components (541, 542) to stack the sheet in the first position and in a fourth position which is further away from one end in the sheet width direction than the first position, wherein the first end of the first sheet stacked in the first position is positioned further away in the removal direction than the first end of the first sheet stacked in the fourth position. Sheet processing device (500) according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising: a movement device (571, 550) arranged to move the sheet, which is aligned by the pair of alignment components (541, 542), from the sheet processing section (51) to the sheet stacking device (504). Image generating device (1) comprising: an image generating device (201) arranged to generate an image on a sheet; and the sheet stacking device (540, 541, 542) according to one of claims 1 to 4, which is arranged to stack the sheet on which the image has been generated by the image generating device (201). Image generating device (1) comprising: an image generating unit (201) arranged to generate an image on a sheet; and the sheet processing unit (500) according to one of claims 5 to 8, arranged to process the sheet on which the image has been generated by the image generating unit (201).

Images