Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
VERY HIÇH SPEED DUPLICATOR WITH FINISHING FUNCTION
This invention relates to an improved reproduction system having
an improved finishing s~ation for use in such system.
With the advent of higher speed and more sophisticated copy
producing machines, printing presses, and the like, considerations as to how
the mass of copies generated can best and most effectively be handled has
assumed increasing importance. One way has been to provide a reproduc~ion
system with an inpu~ device in the form of a recirculating document handling
apparatus. In this system, a document sheet is removed from a collated set of
document sheets, placed on an exposure pla~en for exposure at the rate of one
exposure for each document sheet, and returned to the top of the set in the
document handling apparatus until the set of document sheets has been com-
pletely circul~ted through the apparatus~ and a copy set has been produced.
The set of document sheets is then recycled for the reproduction of a second
copy set, and so on. After each copy set is produced and collected at a collec-
tion station, a finishing device such as a stitcher or s~apler is activated to bind
the set. These systems are of the precollation type wherein the document
sheets are precollated in the document handling apparatus prior to commence-
ment of a reproduction run. The output for the reproductlon machine will
likewise be precolklted in sets corresponding to the sequenced numbered doc-
ument set in the document handling apparatus. The copy sheets are collected
in collated sets as they are sequentially produced so that binding may be
effected without the interacton oE additonal devices. Such systems are
described in U.S. patent No. 4,134,672.
One of the disadvantages in these systems having continuous
document recirculation to produce each bound copy set is that for compilation
of each copy set ancl eventual stapling or stitching, many rnoving parts have
been required and have added to the risks of unscheduled maintenance. In
addition, generally, in providing for the stapling or stitching step, one or more
machine pitches are lost thereby reducing throughput for the system.
In order to achieve still higher rates of production of finished copy
sets, the present invention contemplates the concept of utilizing a cornpilationstation which includes the stapler or stitcher heads in order to avoid the use of
copy set transport devices and permit continuous compilation of successive
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copy sets.
Present day machines on the market, such as the
Xerox* duplication machine labeled the 9400* Duplicator
marketed by Xerox Corporation of Stamford, Connecticut,
utilizes a document handler as an input device which exposes
as many copies of a single document sheet at a time as
is appropriate before starting on the next document sheet.
The present invention, however, contemplates utilizing
a recirculating type of document handling apparatus such
as of the general type disclosed in the above referred
to U.S. Patent No. 4,134,672. Any other suitable recirculat-
ing type of document handler may also be used in conjunction
with the processor for the 9400* Duplicator.
It is therefore an object of an aspect of the present
invention to produce bound sets or stacks of copies of a multi-
page document at the highest speed possible for a reproduction
machine.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention
to maintain ull productivity in a reproduction/finishing
system by eliminating those machine copy cycle pitches
which are wasted during some machine operating steps.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention
to minimize the number of moving parts in a finishing
station for a vexy high speed copying machine and thereby
minimize service calls and down time for the machine.
An aspect of the invention is as follows:
In a reproduction system having a document handling
apparatus adapted to transport individual document sheets
from a supply stack to an exposure station and effecting
an exposure o each of the document sheets before returning
the same to the supply stack, and a processor for reproducing
copy sheets of the exposed document sheets, the combination
of:
a finishing apparatus adapted to receive collated
sets of copy sheets of a set of document sheets and to bind
! the same, said apparatus including a binding device having
a binding position whereat binding of an edge of a set is
* trade marks
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provided durin~ a binding operation,
said finishing apparatus including a compiling
station whereat collated copy sheets axe collected and
having a support member reciprocably movable in a generally
horizontal plane and upon which sheets are supported during
collection in a set prior to binding,
said support member being movable to one position
for guiding each copy sheet to said binding position during
compiling of a set and during binding thereof and movable
to a second position out from under a collected set to allow
dropping of the set out of the compiling station.
By way of added explanation, the present invention in
one aspect includes a finishing apparatus for binding
copy sheets received in succession at a sheet compilation
station. The compilation station is defined by a movable,
horizontally arranged plate upon which sheets are collected,
and the stapling heads for two or more stapling apparatus.
When the last sheet of a set to be bound is collected,
the plate is quickly retracted from the set in timed sequence
with the clamping of the stapling heads whereupon the
rear edge of the set lowers to carry the set downwardly
upon a set collecting, vertically movable tray. A set
kicker may be employed to facilitate quick removal of
the stapled edge out of the stapling heads. As the stapled
set is lowered, the compiling plate is repositioned into
its compilation position to catch the first sheet of the
succeeding copy set. The collecting plate reciprocates,
that is, moves from a collecting position to a retracted
position and back to its collection position at a cycle
rate approximately equal to the rate of production of
the processor for the copying machine so that there is
no loss of productivity. In other words, the time during
which the plate 102 reciprocates is approximately equal
to the pitch time for the machine or that time for a copy
sheet to move a distance from
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the leading edge of one copy sheet to the leading edge of a succeeding sheet
regardless of where the sheets are in the system.
In the U.S. Patent No. 4,134,672, a system is disclosed wherein copy
sheets are collected in an inclined tray and requires a set transport device for5 removal to a set collecting point after a stitching operation. Many moving
parts are employed for the finishing step and related timing is critical for allof these parts. In the U.S. Paten~ No. 3,719,2669 copy sheets are collected in avertically arranged tray for copy set separation. Another arrangement which
collects copy sheets in a vertically inclined collecting tray is disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. 4,029,309. After collection in the tray, a set of copy sheets is
clamped and moved to a stapling position.
Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the ensuing
description and drawings in which:
Figure I is a schematic illustration of a configuration of an
15 electrostatographic printing~finishing system employing the present invention;
Figure 2 is an isometric view of the finishing station utilized in the
system of Figure l;
For a general understanding of a reproduction machine with which
~he present invention may be incorporated, reference is made to Figure 1
20 wherein components of a typical electrostatic printing system are illustrated.
The printing system is preferably of the xerographic type as one including a
xerographic processor 11, and a recirculating type document handling apparatus
12. Preferably, the processor 11 is the same as the processor in the commercial
embodiment of the Xerox duplicator 9400~, which utilizes flash, full frame
25 exposure for very high speed production. Document sheet exposure, image
processing and copy sheet transport/handling are under control by a machine
programrner and are effected in timed seqence, and in accordance with the
program~ an operator has preset in the machine. Further details in this regard
are not necessary since the Xerox 9400~Duplicator operates in this manner
30 and is well known. Details of the timing relationships and related structure
and events are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,790,270; 3,796,486; and
3,917,396, commonly assigned ~ It will
be understood that most any other type of xerographic processor and document
handling apparatus may be utili~ed. Operating in conjunction with the
35 processor 11 and apparatus 12 is a finishing station 13 and thereby forms the reproduction system shown in Figure 1.
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The system comprising the processor 11 and the document handling
apparatus 12 is under con~rol of a programmer P which permits an operator
various options: to turn the entire system ON or OFF; to program the
reproduction system for a desired number of reproductions to be made of each
original document sheet or set; to select whether simplex or duplex copies are
to be made; to select a desired output arrangement9 that is, sets mode or
stacks mode, stapled or unstapled; to select one of a plurality of paper trays;
to condition the machine for the type of document, that is, whether one sided
or two sided, to select a copy size reduction mode? and other desirable
functions. The programmer ~ also includes a controller which provides all
operational timing and synchronization between the processor 11 and all of its
xerographic processing functions, and system control functions, the automatic
events to be described hereinafter. The controller may include any suitable
microprocessor having a CPU and the appropriate machine clock7 but prefer-
ably the microprocessor is one similar to the Intel 8080 Microprocessor
manufactured by the Intel Corporation, Santa Clara7 California, and haYing
suEficient ROM's and RAM's for all of the necessary functions in the
reproduction system.
The document handling appar~tus 12 serves to feed one document
sheet at a time from a supply of document sheets of a document D into
copying position on the platen 14 where a single exposure of each document
sheet is made per document set and during sequential operation. Following
exposure, each document sheet Is automatically returned to the document
supply and the next document sheet, if any, is brought into the exposure
position on platen 14. Document sheets returned to the supply stack may be
recycled by the apparatus 12 in the event additional copy sets are to be
produced, or simply removed by the user when the copying program is
cornpleted.
While the apparatus 12 has been described as being of the recircula-
ting type, it will be understood that dual mode apparatus may also be utili~ed,
that is, those which circulate documents to effect collated and noncollated
copy sets, such as of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent No~ 4,078,787. Fur~her
details of the document handling apparatus are not necessary to understand
the principles of the present invention.
For either the simplex or duplex modes of operation, copy sheets
exiting through the exit slot 50 positioned at one end of the housing for the
xerographic processor 11 are directed to the finishing s tation 13 which
comprises a compiling station, a stapler apparatus, and an output elevator
system. After leaving the processor 119 as shown in Figure 2, each sheet is
positioned upon a transport 92 to be further conveyed generally along the same
S horizontal plane as its previous path to a fixed receiving point or station 93.
The transport includes a movable endless transport belt 94 upon which each
sheet is placed and a plurality of loosely retained rotatable balls 95 which rest
on and along the belt 9~ by gravity and which coact with the belt to convey
sheets therebetween. The belt 9~ is driven by a mo~or and suitable gearing
13 and pulleys (not shown) at a velocity slightly greater than the processing speed
of the processor 11 in order to add more working space between the sheets and
to ensure that the final handling of copy sheets does not impede the
throughput of the entire system as determined by the process speed of the
processor 11~ The rate at which the sheets arrive at the station 93 neverthelessis the same as the process speed or reproduction rate of the processor.
It will be noted that the axis of the belt 94 is at a slight angle to
the direction of the movement of the copy sheets. This arrangernent drives
each sheet of copy slightly laterally against a side registration edge 97 which
is parallel to and offset from the centerline of the incoming path of sheet
movement. As viewed in Figure 2, the sheet S as can be seen through a sheet
clearance opening 98 formed in the top plate of the transport 92. In this
orientation, the sheets are positioned so that their toner image side is down,
for the sirnplex mode, or an odd numbered page is down for the duplex copying
mode, and the top oE each sheet is along the edge 97.
At the exit slot 50, a sheet contacting switch S-l is positioned to
be actuated as each sheet enters the transport 92 of the finishing station 13.
The circuit for this switch is connected to the logic in the programmer P and
serves to reset the machine clock for the finishing function so that zero time
for the sheet commences when the sheet is at the station 93 which serves as
the system reference point.
At the receiving station 93, there is positioned a pair of contacting
transport rollers or a set of corrugating rollers 100 which receive each copy
sheet within the nip for directing a sheet onto a compiling receiving plate 102
located at a compiling station which includes this plate. The plate 102 is
suitably mounted for horizontal reciprocable movement between the position
showing in Figure 2 whefeat copy sheets are compiled to form a set C just
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prior to a staplirl~ operation to it~ retracted po~ition
shown ~n Figure 3. A pneuma~ic cylind~3r 10~ having a~ electro~
magnetic actuable valva 105 ls suitably connected to the
plate to provide very ast reciprocable movement upon logic
control ln the programmer P. ~he ~ralve 105 is anergized
5 by means of a time s~gnal from ~he pxograIrunsr logic to drive
the plate to the collec:~ing o:r compiling position of Flgure
1 or to retract ~e plate to t:he posit~on shown in Figure 3O
The ra~e at which the plate 102 makes a compl~te
reciprocable cycle is approximately equal to the ra~e of
10 product~ on of the processor, or i~s pitch per unit o~ time .
For example, if the production rate for the processor is
120 copies per minute, it~ pltch ls one sheet plus one space
be~ween sheets per one-half secorld and ~he cycle ~ime for
rect procation o~ the plate wtll be approximately one-half
~ 15 second~
Al~o poRitioned along the ~ar edge of ~he compiler
station is an ~ndividually-operable, dual stapler apparatus
.110 which providles a stapling fu~ction either with a ~ingle
s~aple or wi~h ~o staples, both being adapted to be applied
at variable positions along the long edge of a set C of
copy sheets. 5tapling is achieved by way of two identical
mechanisms, e~ch of which provides the funct1ons of copy
set clamping, ~taple drivlng and staple clinching. Preferably,
the apparatu~ utilizes two commercial type stapler heads
112, such as the Bostitch staple heAd indicated as the 64-E
manufactured by the Bostit~h Divislon o~ the Textron Corporation
o~ Providence, Rhode I91and. The stapling apparatus 110 may be
identical to that disclosed in detall In commonly assigned co-
pending Canadian application Serial No. 380,401, filed June 23,
1981.
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The stapling apparatus may be of a type in which
logic timed control signals are imparted to two electromag-
netic clutches and one solenoid in order to ac~uire copy
set clamping along the edge of the copy set to be stapled;
5 staple driving which separates a staple from a supply and
drives it through the set; and clinching wherein the staple
legs are bent to secure the copy sheets. Since further
details of the apparatus does not determine the present
invention, further description thereof is unnecessary.
])uring the compiling operation, the receiving
plate 102 is in the position shown in Figure 1 wherein its
far edge is adjacent the clamping
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position for the stapling apparatus. As sheets are conveyed past the reference
point 93 by the rollers 100, they are directed upon the plate 102 and into
clamping positions relative to the s~apler heads 112. As the sheets are being
directed into their prestapling position, they enga~e and become registered
against corner registration members 114, 115. The member 114 is positioned
between the heads 11~ and in spatial arrangement so that when all sheets of a
set are against the member, the now aligned edge of the set is in proper
positiorl to be clamped and stapled by the stapling heads.
After a stapling operation, a stapled copy set is dropped onto an
elevator device 118 which is utilized to collect into a pile stapled or unstapled
sets or stacks of copy sheets ~or delivery to an operator. The elevator
comprises a tray 11~ mounted in cantilever fashion at the upper ends o a pair
of vertically arranged, drive screws 120 threadedly received in threaded
members 121 secured one to each side corner of the tray 119, so that upon
rotation of the drive screws 126, the tray 119 is moved vertically in the up or
down directions. A reversible motor M-l is operatively connected to the
mernber 121 for imparting rotation to the same in~ either direction. Elevator
height of piled sets or stacks is controlled by an optical sensor SR-I which
"looks" across the pile and effects the energization of the motor M-l and
lowering of the tray 119 until the pile is at or below the sensor.
A typical reproduction run will now be described in order to
illustrate the sequence of events which occur during operation of the system
of Figure 1. For this run, it will be assumed the operator programmed the
system to produce twenty copy sets of a five sheet document set, in the
simplex mode. This program is manually preset in the programmer P and the
five document sheets placed in the document handler 12 in precollated
arrangement. ~Ipon activation of the system, each page or sheet of the
document set is placed upon the plate 14 Eor exposure, removed ~herefrom and
returned to the stack of document sheets, and so on until the set of five
document sheets has been recycled in the document handling apparatus twenty
times.
Corresponding copy sheets are produced in collated arrangement in
the processor 11 and exited at the slot 50 in succeeding order in accordance
with the production rate for the processor. Since the present invention is
arranged so that there will be no skipped pitches in the production run, the
copy sheets will be evenly spaced throughout processing, for all twenty times
five, or one hundred sheets set to be produced. The first five copy sheets,
corresponding to the first complete cycling of the document apparatus 12 are
transported by way of the transpor~ 92, through the reference point 93 and
into the compiling station to be collected for a stapling opera-tion. Each of
these sheets is conveyed to and upon the top surface of the plate 102 and into
the clamping position for the stapling heads 112, ~he leading edges of the sheets
being registered by the devices 11~,115. At the instant the fifth sheet is so
positioned, so as to complete the collection of the first copy set, the clampingclutches for stapling heads are activated to clamp the adjacent edge of the
collected set. Simultaneous with this action, the compiling plate 102 is
retracted to permit the lowering of the opposite or trailing edge of the set, asshown in Figure 3O This plate is returned immediately to its compiling position
as shown in Figure I so as to be in position to receive the first sheet of the
second set of five copy sheets being transported. Immediately after the
leading edge of the first set was clamped, the ciutch for providing the force todrive staples through this edge and the clinching solenoid are activated in
timed sequence to produce a stapled set. 1he forward registration device 114
may be suitably connected to a kicker driving mechanism and timed in its
actuation to kick the stapled edge out of ~he stapling posi~ions of the heads 112
at the instant before the plate 102 is returned. With the far portions of the
stapled set already in position below the level of the plate 102 and dropping,
the final kick of the set causes immediate lowering oE the set and out of the
return path of the plate.
The timing sequences provided in the logic for the prograrnmer P
for the activations enumerated above: clamping by the stapling heads,
retraction of the plate 102, staple driving and clinching, final kicking of a
completed copy set, and return of the plate 102. Final kicking of a completed
copy set is such that the compiling plate 102 is returning ~o the compiling
station as the first copy sheet of a succeeding copy set being produced. The
logic will determine when these actions are to occur by way of operator~
manipulation of the programmer P during prese~ting of the desired reproduc-
tion run. As the stapled sets are produced, one by one they fall upon the
elevator tray 119 which lowers in accordance with the sensed height of the
topmost set thereon.
From the foregoing it will be apparent that an electrostatographic
system with finishing station has been described which will produce stapled
collated sets at a high production rate without loss of throughput, in fact, at a
rate in accordance with the full processing speed of the copy processing
machine. Furthermore, it will be apparent that the present invention
accomplishes high speed stapling or stitching with a minimurn of parts
5 especially a minimum of moving parts thus minimizing maintenance calls and
down time.
While the invention has been disclosed with reference to the
structure disclosed, it is not confined to the details set forth but is intended to
cover such modifications or changes as may come within the scope of the
10 following claims.
