阅读说明：本技术 后处理装置以及图像形成系统 (Post-processing apparatus and image forming system ) 是由 丰泉辉彦 渡边政行 峰英纪 于 2020-04-03 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明有效地活用裁剪废料的废料箱的容量,改善伴随着裁剪废料的除去的生产性的降低。在具备对所输送的纸张进行裁剪的裁剪部、收纳由裁剪部的裁剪动作产生并从裁剪部落下的裁剪废料的废料箱、以及在废料箱内的深度方向上的规定的位置检知裁剪废料的传感器的后处理装置中,在传感器检知到裁剪废料的情况下(步骤S3；是),根据传感器检知到裁剪废料时的裁剪模式,设定规定值(步骤S6),并且从传感器开始检知到裁剪废料起,对裁剪部的裁剪次数进行计数(步骤S7),通过计数的裁剪次数达到规定值这一情况(步骤S8；是),而检测到废料箱为满箱状态(步骤S11)。(The present invention effectively utilizes the capacity of a waste box of cutting waste and improves the reduction of productivity accompanying the removal of the cutting waste. In a post-processing apparatus including a cutting section for cutting a conveyed sheet, a waste box for storing a cut waste generated by a cutting operation of the cutting section and dropped from the cutting section, and a sensor for detecting the cut waste at a predetermined position in a depth direction in the waste box, when the sensor detects the cut waste (step S3; YES), a predetermined value is set in accordance with a cutting mode when the sensor detects the cut waste (step S6), and the number of times of cutting by the cutting section is counted from the start of detection of the cut waste by the sensor (step S7), and when the counted number of times of cutting reaches the predetermined value (step S8; YES), it is detected that the waste box is in a full box state (step S11).)

1. An aftertreatment device is provided with:

a cutting unit that cuts the conveyed sheet;

a cutting control unit for controlling the cutting action of the cutting unit according to the cutting mode;

a waste box for receiving the cutting waste generated by the cutting operation of the cutting unit and falling from the cutting unit;

a sensor for detecting the cut waste at a predetermined position in the depth direction in the waste bin;

a setting unit for setting a predetermined value according to a cutting mode when the sensor detects that the waste material is cut;

a counting unit for counting the cutting times of the cutting unit from the detection of the sensor to the cutting waste; and

and a full-bin state detection unit configured to detect that the waste bin is in a full-bin state by the counting unit counting that the number of cuts has reached the predetermined value.

2. The aftertreatment device of claim 1,

the post-processing apparatus includes, as the sensor, a first sensor and a second sensor provided at different positions in a conveying direction of the sheet,

the setting unit further sets the predetermined value based on the detection conditions of the first sensor and the second sensor.

3. The aftertreatment device of claim 2,

the setting unit sets the predetermined value to be smaller when both the first sensor and the second sensor detect the cut waste than when either one of the first sensor and the second sensor detects the cut waste.

4. The aftertreatment device of any one of claims 1-3,

the cutting control means determines the cutting mode based on the size, type, or basis weight of the sheet.

5. The aftertreatment device of any one of claims 1-4,

the number of times of cutting counted by the counting unit is the number of sheets cut by the cutting unit or the number of times of cutting operation by the cutting unit.

6. The aftertreatment device of any one of claims 1-5,

the cutting control unit changes the cutting position of the sheet according to the cutting mode.

7. The aftertreatment device of any one of claims 1-6,

the cutting control unit changes the shape or size of the waste material to be cut according to the cutting mode.

8. The aftertreatment device of any one of claims 1-7,

the cutting unit may be provided at a plurality of positions on a conveying path of the sheet.

9. An image forming system includes:

an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet; and

the aftertreatment device of any one of claims 1-8.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a post-processing apparatus and an image forming system.

Background

Conventionally, a post-processing apparatus has been used which performs a cutting process of cutting an edge of a sheet or dividing the sheet into a plurality of regions on the sheet on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus. In the post-processing device, a waste bin for storing cutting waste generated by cutting is arranged below the cutting unit.

If the amount of the cutting waste in the waste bin exceeds the allowable amount, there may be a problem that the cutting waste flows backward or the cutting waste is attached to the product produced by the cutting treatment and discharged. Therefore, there is a sheet cutting apparatus provided with a sensor for detecting a full state of a waste box, and when a cut waste is stacked to a predetermined height, a cutting process is stopped (see patent document 1). If the user removes the trim scrap from the scrap box and sets the scrap box again, the trim process is restarted.

Further, there has been proposed a cutting apparatus capable of relatively displacing a position where a cutting waste is dropped from a cutting unit and a position where the cutting waste is stored in a waste box (see patent document 2). In this device, by moving the cutting unit or the waste box, the cutting waste is prevented from being intensively accumulated at a specific position of the waste box.

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2000-198613

Patent document 2: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2011-126647

However, in the post-processing apparatus for performing the cutting process, since the shape of the waste to be cut is different depending on the cutting unit used, the cutting amount (cutting width), and the like, if it is determined that the waste bin is in the full state at the time when the sensor provided in the waste bin detects the cutting waste, there is a case where the waste bin is actually left, and there is a fear that the capacity of the waste bin cannot be effectively used. If the apparatus is stopped before the waste bin is fully filled, there is a problem that productivity is lowered.

In FIG. 9, the basis weight is 81.4g/m²When the sheet is cutThe sensor detects the number of sheets to be fed when the cutting waste is detected, when 500 sheets are fed from the sensor, or when a failure occurs (first and second times). The first and second times when the failure occurred are the results of the same experiment in two trials, respectively. In practice, after 1850 sheets, if the full-box state is determined at the time when the sensor detects the trimming waste, the trimming process is stopped although the trimming process can be performed. Although it is sufficient to dispose a sensor for detecting the cut waste on the uppermost surface of the waste bin, the sensor needs to be disposed at a position lower than the uppermost surface of the waste bin in consideration of the restrictions on the apparatus, the stability of the state from the dropping of the cut waste to the stacking, and the like.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to effectively utilize the capacity of a waste box of the cut waste and to improve the reduction of productivity accompanying the removal of the cut waste.

In order to solve the above problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a post-processing apparatus including: a cutting unit that cuts the conveyed sheet; a cutting control unit for controlling the cutting action of the cutting unit according to the cutting mode; a waste box for receiving the cutting waste generated by the cutting operation of the cutting unit and falling from the cutting unit; a sensor for detecting the cut waste at a predetermined position in the depth direction in the waste bin; a setting unit for setting a predetermined value according to a cutting mode when the sensor detects that the waste material is cut; a counting unit for counting the cutting times of the cutting unit from the detection of the sensor to the cutting waste; and a full-box state detection unit for detecting that the waste box is in a full-box state by the counting unit when the cutting frequency reaches the predetermined value.

The invention described in claim 2 is the post-processing apparatus described in claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a first sensor and a second sensor that are provided at different positions in a transport direction of the sheet, and the setting unit further sets the predetermined value based on detection states of the first sensor and the second sensor.

An invention described in claim 3 is the post-processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the setting means makes the predetermined value smaller when both the first sensor and the second sensor detect the cut waste than when either one of the first sensor and the second sensor detects the cut waste.

The invention described in claim 4 is the post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cutting control means determines the cutting mode based on a size, a type, or a basis weight of the sheet.

The invention described in claim 5 is the post-processing device described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the number of times of cutting counted by the counting means is the number of sheets cut by the cutting means or the number of times of cutting operation by the cutting means.

The invention described in claim 6 is the post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cutting control means changes a cutting position of the sheet in accordance with the cutting mode.

The invention described in claim 7 is the post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cutting control means changes the shape or size of the waste material to be cut, in accordance with the cutting mode.

The invention described in claim 8 is the post-processing apparatus described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cutting unit is provided at a plurality of positions on a transport path of the sheet.

The invention described in claim 9 is an image forming system including: an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet; and the post-processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

According to the present invention, the capacity of the waste bin of the trim waste can be effectively utilized, and the reduction in productivity accompanying the removal of the trim waste can be improved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2A is a clipping example in the four-side clipping mode.

Fig. 2B is a cutting example in a multiple cutting mode in which a sheet of a4 size is divided into two in the FD direction.

Fig. 2C shows an example of cutting in the multiple cutting mode for card production.

Fig. 2D shows an example of cutting in the multiple cutting mode for creating a business card.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image forming system.

Fig. 4 shows an example of data configuration of the predetermined value correspondence table.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the first waste bin full detection process.

Figure 6A is a top sectional view of a waste bin in a second embodiment.

Fig. 6B is a front sectional view of the waste bin in the second embodiment.

Fig. 7A shows an example of data configuration of the predetermined value correspondence table.

Fig. 7B shows an example of data configuration of the predetermined value correspondence table.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the second waste bin full detection process.

Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining a problem point in the related art.

Description of reference numerals: 10 … image forming device, 11 … CPU, 17 … image forming part, 18 … operation display part, 19 … communication I/F, 20 … post-processing device, 21 … CPU, 22 … ROM, 23 … RAM, 24 … storage part, 25 … paper conveying part, 26 … cutting part, 26a, 26b … FD cutting part, 26c … CD cutting part, 27 … sensor, 28 … communication I/F, 29 … waste bin, 31 … first sensor, 32 … second sensor, 100 … image forming system.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the examples of the figures.

[ first embodiment ]

Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The image forming system 100 includes an image forming apparatus 10 that forms an image on a sheet of paper, and a post-processing apparatus 20 that performs a cutting process on the sheet of paper on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus 10.

The image forming apparatus 10 forms an image on a sheet in accordance with an operation instruction input from the operation display unit 18 or an image forming instruction received from a PC (Personal Computer) or the like via a communication network. The image forming apparatus 10 carries out the sheet after image formation to the post-processing apparatus 20.

The image forming apparatus 10 includes a paper feed unit 15, an image reading unit 16, an image forming unit 17, an operation display unit 18, and the like.

The paper feed unit 15 includes a plurality of paper feed trays T1 to T3 capable of storing paper sheets of different sizes, types (paper types), basis weights, and the like, and supplies the paper sheets stored in the designated paper feed trays T1 to T3 to the image forming unit 17.

The image reading unit 16 reads a document and generates image data. Specifically, the image reading unit 16 reads reflected light that is irradiated from a light source and reflected by the document by a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or the like.

The image forming section 17 forms an image on a sheet. The image forming section 17 charges the photoreceptor by a charging section, forms an electrostatic latent image by exposing and scanning the photoreceptor with a laser beam emitted from an exposure section based on image data, develops the electrostatic latent image with toner by a developing section, transfers a toner image to paper by a transfer section, and fixes the toner image to paper by a fixing section.

The operation Display unit 18 includes a Display unit configured from an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and displaying various screens, and an operation unit configured from a touch panel and various keys laminated on the Display unit. The operation display Unit 18 outputs an operation signal input by a touch operation or a key operation to the CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 (see fig. 3).

The post-processing device 20 is a cutting machine that performs cutting processing on paper. The post-processing apparatus 20 performs a cutting process on the sheet carried in from the image forming apparatus 10 as necessary, and discharges the resultant product produced by the cutting process to the sheet discharge tray T11, T12, or the card tray T13.

The post-processing apparatus 20 includes a conveyance path D1, a cutting section 26, a sensor 27, a waste box 29, and the like.

The conveyance path D1 is provided with a long paper conveyance path D2 branching from the conveyance path D1 and merging downstream thereof. The long sheet transport path D2 is used as a buffer when transporting a long sheet.

The cutting section 26 performs cutting processing for cutting the conveyed paper. The cutting section 26 includes FD cutting sections 26a and 26b and CD cutting section 26c at a plurality of positions in the paper conveyance path D1.

The FD cutting sections 26a and 26b are slitter machines that cut the sheets along the Feed Direction (Feed Direction). The FD cutting section 26a is a vertical slitter that cuts the end (the back side and the front side) of the sheet in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. The FD cutting section 26b is a slit slitter that cuts the margins between the products adjacent to each other in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the sheet.

The CD cutting unit 26c is a guillotine for cutting the sheet in a Direction (Cross Direction) orthogonal to the conveying Direction.

Whether or not to use the FD cutting units 26a and 26b and the CD cutting unit 26c is determined according to the cutting mode. The cutting mode is a cutting control method determined according to the type of cutting, the size, the type, the basis weight, and the like of the paper.

Here, a clipping mode in which the clipping types are classified according to the clipping types will be described with reference to fig. 2A to 2D.

Fig. 2A is a clipping example in the four-side clipping mode. The four-side cutting mode is a mode in which the end portions of the four sides of the paper sheet are cut, respectively, and a single fruit is produced from a single paper sheet. Specifically, both ends (the back end and the near-front end) of the sheet in the CD direction are cut by the FD cutting section 26 a. The CD cutting unit 26c cuts the front end and the rear end of the sheet in the FD direction.

Fig. 2B to 2D show examples of clipping in the multiple clipping mode. The multiple cutting mode is a mode in which a sheet is cut at one or more positions in the FD direction or the CD direction in addition to the edges of the four sides of the sheet, and a plurality of finished products are produced from one sheet.

In the multiple cutting mode shown in fig. 2B in which a sheet of a4 size is cut into two in the FD direction, both ends (the back end and the near-front end) of the sheet in the CD direction are cut by the FD cutting unit 26 a. The CD cutting unit 26c cuts margins between the front end and the rear end of the sheet in the FD direction and the products adjacent to each other in the FD direction.

In the multiple cutting mode for card production shown in fig. 2C, both ends (the back end and the near-front end) in the CD direction of the sheet are cut by the FD cutting section 26 a. In addition, the margin between the products adjacent in the CD direction of the sheet is cut by the FD cutting section 26 b. The CD cutting unit 26c cuts margins between the front end and the rear end of the sheet in the FD direction and the products adjacent to each other in the FD direction.

In the multiple cutting mode for producing business cards shown in fig. 2D, both ends (the back end and the near-front end) of the sheet in the CD direction are cut by the FD cutting unit 26 a. In addition, the margin between the products adjacent in the CD direction of the sheet is cut by the FD cutting section 26 b. The CD cutting unit 26c cuts margins between the front end and the rear end of the sheet in the FD direction and the products adjacent to each other in the FD direction.

The FD cut portions 26a and 26b and the CD cut portion 26c constituting the cut portion 26 may be modularized and attachable to and detachable from the main body of the post-processing apparatus 20. In this case, the arrangement order of the modules can be changed.

The sensor 27 detects the cut waste at a predetermined position in the depth direction (Z direction shown in fig. 1) in the waste bin 29, and outputs the detection result to the CPU21 (see fig. 3). That is, the sensor 27 detects the amount of the cut waste accumulated in the waste bin 29 to some extent.

The waste box 29 is provided below the cutting section 26, and stores the cutting waste that is generated by the cutting operation of the cutting section 26 and falls from the cutting section 26. The user opens the door of the post-processing device 20 to remove the waste bin 29 and discards the trim waste in the waste bin 29.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image forming system 100.

The image forming apparatus 10 includes a CPU11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (random access Unit) 13, a storage Unit 14, a paper feed Unit 15, an image reading Unit 16, an image forming Unit 17, an operation display Unit 18, a communication I/F (InterFace) 19, and the like. The functional units already described will not be described.

The CPU11 reads out and expands the program stored in the ROM12 in the RAM13, and controls the operations of the respective sections of the image forming apparatus 10 in cooperation with the expanded program.

The ROM12 is configured by a nonvolatile semiconductor memory or the like, and stores a system program, various processing programs executable on the system program, various data, and the like.

The RAM13 is configured by a volatile semiconductor memory or the like, and forms a work area for temporarily storing programs read out from the ROM12, input or output data, parameters, and the like in various processes executed by the CPU 11.

The storage unit 14 is configured by an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, or the like, and stores various data.

The communication I/F19 is configured by an NIC (Network Interface Card) or a modem, and transmits and receives data to and from the post-processing device 20 or the PC.

The post-processing apparatus 20 includes a CPU21, a ROM22, a RAM23, a storage unit 24, a paper conveying unit 25, a cutting unit 26, a sensor 27, a communication I/F28, and the like.

The CPU21, ROM22, and RAM23 are the same as the CPU11, ROM12, and RAM13, except that the control target of the CPU21 is the post-processing device 20.

The storage unit 24 is configured by an HDD, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, or the like, and stores various data. For example, the storage unit 24 stores a predetermined value correspondence table 241.

Fig. 4 shows an example of data configuration of the predetermined value correspondence table 241. In the predetermined value correspondence table 241, predetermined values are associated with the cutting patterns classified by the cutting type. The predetermined value is used as the number of times of cutting by the cutting section 26 from when the sensor 27 starts detecting the cut waste to when the waste box 29 is detected to be in the full box state.

The paper transport unit 25 transports the paper carried in from the image forming apparatus 10 until the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray T11, T12, or the card tray T13.

The communication I/F28 is configured by a NIC, a modem, and the like, and transmits and receives data to and from the image forming apparatus 10.

The CPU21 controls the cutting operation of the cutting section 26 according to the cutting mode. That is, the CPU21 functions as a clipping control unit.

The CPU21 decides the cutting mode based on, for example, the size, kind, or basis weight of the paper.

The CPU21 changes the cutting position for the sheet according to the cutting mode. For example, as shown in fig. 2A to 2D, the position at which the sheet is cut in the FD direction or the CD direction differs depending on the cutting mode (type of cutting).

The CPU21 changes the shape or size of the cutting waste according to the cutting mode. For example, as shown in fig. 2A to 2D, the margin shapes and sizes of the end portions and the products of the paper cut in the FD direction or the CD direction are different depending on the cutting mode (cutting type).

The CPU21 sets a predetermined value based on the cutting mode when the sensor 27 detects that the scrap is cut. That is, the CPU21 functions as a setting unit.

The CPU21 counts the number of times of cutting by the cutting unit 26 from the time when the sensor 27 starts detecting the cutting waste. That is, the CPU21 functions as a counting unit. Here, the counted number of times of cutting is the number of times of cutting operation of the cutting section 26. The sum of the number of cutting operations of each of the FD cutting units 26a, 26b and the CD cutting unit 26c may be counted as the number of cutting operations. The number of sheets cut by the cutting section 26 may be counted as the number of cuts.

The CPU21 detects that the waste bin 29 is in a full bin state by detecting from the sensor 27 that the number of cuts counted from the time of cutting the waste has reached a predetermined value. That is, the CPU21 functions as a full-box state detection unit.

Next, the operation in the first embodiment will be described.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the first waste-bin-full detection process performed by the post-processing apparatus 20. This processing is realized by software processing based on cooperation of the CPU21 with a program stored in the ROM 22.

When the image forming system 100 performs the trimming process, the trimming setting information related to the trimming process is included in the operation instruction input from the operation display unit 18 of the image forming apparatus 10 or the image forming instruction received from the PC or the like via the communication network. The cutting setting information includes information (size, type, basis weight, and the like) on the paper to be cut, a cutting direction, a cutting position, and the like. The CPU11 of the image forming apparatus 10 transmits the trimming setting information to the post-processing apparatus 20 via the communication I/F19.

The CPU21 of the post-processing apparatus 20 receives the trimming setting information from the image forming apparatus 10 via the communication I/F28, and decides the trimming mode based on the trimming setting information (step S1). Specifically, the CPU21 determines the cutting mode based on the paper size, the paper type, the paper basis weight, the cutting direction, the cutting position, and the like. The CPU21 determines whether or not to use the FD cutting units 26a and 26b and the CD cutting unit 26c, respectively, according to the cutting mode.

Next, the CPU21 controls the cutting unit 26 to perform a cutting operation on the sheet fed from the image forming apparatus 10 (step S2). At this time, the CPU21 controls the cutting unit 26 to perform the cutting operation at the position corresponding to the cutting mode using the cutting means ( FD cutting units 26a and 26b, CD cutting unit 26c) corresponding to the cutting mode.

Next, the CPU21 determines whether the sensor 27 detects a trim scrap based on the output result of the sensor 27 (step S3). That is, the CPU21 determines whether the cut waste is accumulated at a predetermined position (depth) in the waste bin 29.

If the sensor 27 does not detect the trimming waste (step S3; no), the CPU21 clears the count value (step S4) and determines whether the trimming process is completed (step S5).

If the clipping process is not completed (step S5; no), the process returns to step S2 and repeats.

In step S3, when the sensor 27 detects that the cutting scraps have been cut (step S3; yes), that is, when the cutting scraps are stacked at a predetermined position (depth) in the waste box 29, the CPU21 sets a predetermined value according to the current cutting mode (step S6). Specifically, the CPU21 acquires a predetermined value corresponding to the cutting mode (cutting type) from the predetermined value correspondence table 241 stored in the storage unit 24, and sets the value.

Next, the CPU21 increments the count value by 1 (step S7). Since the count value is cleared in step S4, the count value is 0 when the sensor 27 is in a state where the cutting waste is not detected to a state where the cutting waste is detected. That is, the CPU21 counts the number of times of cutting by the cutting section 26 from the start of detection by the sensor 27 to the cutting waste.

Next, the CPU21 determines whether the count value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (step S8).

In the case where the count value is smaller than the prescribed value (step S8; no), the CPU21 determines whether the clipping process is ended (step S9).

If the cutting process is not completed (step S9; no), the CPU21 controls the cutting unit 26 to perform a cutting operation on the paper fed from the image forming apparatus 10 (step S10), and returns to step S7 to repeat the process.

If the count value is equal to or greater than the predetermined value in step S8 (step S8; yes), CPU21 detects that waste bin 29 is in a full bin state (step S11). For example, the CPU21 transmits information indicating that the waste bin 29 is in a full bin state to the image forming apparatus 10 via the communication I/F28. In the image forming apparatus 10, the CPU11 causes the operation display unit 18 to display a message notifying that the waste bin 29 is in the full bin state, a message urging discard of the cut waste, and the like, based on the information received from the post-processing apparatus 20.

When the trimming process is ended in step S5 (step S5; yes), when the trimming process is ended in step S9 (step S9; yes), or after step S11, the first waste-bin-full detection process is ended.

After step S11, the user discards the trim scrap in the scrap box 29, and sets the scrap box 29 from which the trim scrap is removed to the post-processing apparatus 20. Thereafter, the CPU21 restarts the image forming process and the trimming process in the image forming system 100.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the predetermined value corresponding to the cutting mode is set, and the full state of the waste box 29 is detected when the number of times of cutting by the cutting unit 26 reaches the predetermined value, so that the capacity of the waste box 29 of the cut waste can be effectively utilized, and the reduction in productivity accompanying the removal of the cut waste can be improved.

In the first embodiment, the case where the predetermined value is associated with the cutting mode classified by the cutting type in the predetermined value correspondence table 241 has been described, but the predetermined value may be associated with the cutting mode classified by the size, the type, and the basis weight of the paper in advance, and the predetermined value corresponding to the size, the type, and the basis weight of the paper may be used.

By preparing predetermined values in advance for each cutting mode classified according to the type of cut, the size, the type, the basis weight, and the like of the paper, it is possible to urge the discard of the cut waste in a state where the waste bin 29 is close to the full-bin state. This can avoid interrupting the cutting process until the full box state is reached.

[ second embodiment ]

Next, a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be explained.

The image forming system according to the second embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the image forming system 100 according to the first embodiment, and therefore, the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted with reference to fig. 1 and 3. The following describes the characteristic configuration and processing of the second embodiment.

In the second embodiment, the post-processing apparatus 20 includes a first sensor 31 and a second sensor 32 provided at different positions in the sheet conveying direction as the sensor 27 for detecting the cut waste at a predetermined position in the depth direction in the waste bin 29.

Here, the positions of the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32 provided in the waste bin 29 will be described with reference to fig. 6A and 6B. Fig. 6A is a top sectional view of the waste bin 29, and fig. 6B is a front sectional view of the waste bin 29. In fig. 6A and 6B, the sheet is conveyed from right to left.

The first sensor 31 is disposed at an upstream position in the sheet conveying direction than the second sensor 32.

The first sensor 31 includes a light emitting portion 31a and a light receiving portion 31b, and detects the presence of the cutting waste between the light emitting portion 31a and the light receiving portion 31b based on whether or not the light emitted from the light emitting portion 31a is received at the light receiving portion 31 b. Specifically, the first sensor 31 detects that there is no cutting debris between the light emitting portion 31a and the light receiving portion 31b when the light receiving portion 31b receives the light emitted from the light emitting portion 31a, and detects that there is cutting debris between the light emitting portion 31a and the light receiving portion 31b when the light receiving portion 31b does not receive the light emitted from the light emitting portion 31 a.

The second sensor 32 includes a light emitting portion 32a and a light receiving portion 32b, and detects the presence of the cutting waste between the light emitting portion 32a and the light receiving portion 32b based on whether or not the light emitted from the light emitting portion 32a is received at the light receiving portion 32 b.

The storage unit 24 stores predetermined value correspondence tables 242 and 243.

Fig. 7A and 7B show an example of data configuration of the predetermined value correspondence tables 242 and 243.

In the predetermined value correspondence table 242 shown in fig. 7A, a predetermined value is associated with a combination of the cutting mode classified by the cutting type and the detection conditions of the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32. For example, in the four-side cutting mode, the predetermined value when both the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32 detect the cut waste is "100", and the predetermined value when either one of the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32 detects the cut waste is "300".

In the predetermined value correspondence table 243 shown in fig. 7B, the predetermined value is associated with a combination of the cutting mode classified by sheet size and the detection conditions of the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32.

The CPU21 sets a predetermined value based on the detection conditions of the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32 in addition to the cutting mode when the first sensor 31 or the second sensor 32 detects the cut waste.

When both the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32 detect the cut waste, the CPU21 sets the predetermined value to be smaller than when either one of the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32 detects the cut waste.

Next, the operation in the second embodiment will be described.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the second waste-bin-full detection process performed by the post-processing apparatus 20. This processing is realized by software processing based on cooperation of the CPU21 and a program stored in the ROM 22.

First, the CPU21 receives the cropping setting information from the image forming apparatus 10 via the communication I/F28, and determines the cropping mode based on the cropping setting information (step S21).

Next, the CPU21 controls the cutting unit 26 to perform a cutting operation on the sheet fed from the image forming apparatus 10 (step S22).

Next, the CPU21 determines whether any one of the sensors detects a trim waste based on the output results of the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32 (step S23).

In the case where neither of the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32 detects the cutting waste (step S23; no), the CPU21 clears the count value (step S24) and determines whether the cutting process is finished (step S25).

If the clipping process is not completed (step S25; no), the process returns to step S22 and repeats.

In step S23, if any one of the sensors detects a cut waste based on the output results of the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32 (step S23; yes), the CPU21 sets a predetermined value based on the current cutting mode and the detection state of the cut waste in the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32 (step S26). Specifically, the CPU21 acquires a predetermined value corresponding to a combination of the cutting mode and the sensor detection status classified according to the type of cutting or the size of the paper from the predetermined value correspondence table 242 or the predetermined value correspondence table 243 stored in the storage unit 24, and sets the value.

Next, the CPU21 increments the count value by 1 (step S27). That is, the CPU21 counts the number of times of cutting by the cutting section 26 from the start of detection by the first sensor 31 or the second sensor 32 to the start of cutting of the waste material.

Next, the CPU21 determines whether the count value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (step S28).

In the case where the count value is smaller than the prescribed value (step S28; no), the CPU21 determines whether the clipping process is ended (step S29).

If the cutting process is not completed (step S29; no), the CPU21 controls the cutting unit 26 to perform a cutting operation on the sheet fed from the image forming apparatus 10 (step S30).

Next, the CPU21 determines whether the detection status of the sensors has changed based on the output results of the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32 (step S31).

If the detection state of the sensor has not changed (step S31; no), the process returns to step S27 and repeats.

If the sensing status of the sensor is changed in step S31 (step S31; yes), the CPU21 clears the count value (step S32), and resets the predetermined value based on the current cutting mode and the sensing statuses of the cut waste in the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32 (step S33). Then, the CPU21 returns to step S27 to repeat the processing. That is, the CPU21 counts the number of times of cutting by the cutting unit 26 since the detection state of the first sensor 31 or the second sensor 32 has changed.

If the count value is equal to or greater than the predetermined value in step S28 (step S28; yes), CPU21 detects that waste bin 29 is in a full bin state (step S34).

When the trimming process is ended in step S25 (step S25; yes), when the trimming process is ended in step S29 (step S29; yes), or after step S34, the second full-tank detection process is ended.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the predetermined value corresponding to the cutting mode and the detection state of the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32 is set, and the full state of the waste box 29 is detected when the number of times of cutting by the cutting section 26 reaches the predetermined value, so that the capacity of the waste box 29 of the cut waste can be effectively used, and the reduction in productivity accompanying the removal of the cut waste can be improved.

Further, when both the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32 detect the cut waste, it is considered that the waste box 29 is close to the full box state as compared with the case where either one of the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32 detects the cut waste, and therefore, the predetermined value is made small, and therefore, a trouble caused by the waste box 29 being in the full box state can be avoided.

The above description of the respective embodiments is an example of the post-processing apparatus and the image forming system of the present invention, and is not limited thereto. The detailed configuration and detailed operation of each part constituting the apparatus can be changed as appropriate within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, the classification method of the clipping mode is not limited to the above example.

In the above embodiments, the case where paper is used as the sheet has been described, but the material of the sheet is not limited to paper, and may be a sheet-like resin or the like.