Patent ID: 7497428

Claim:
A sheet bundle conveyance apparatus comprising: a discharge path operable to sequentially convey a sheet from a discharge outlet; one tray device arranged substantially horizontally below the discharge outlet for sequentially stacking the sheets, the tray device having a sheet stacking position where the sheets discharged from the discharge path are received and a sheet bundle conveyance position below the sheet stacking position and having drive means for rising or lowering the tray device between the sheet stacking position and the sheet bundle conveyance position; gripping conveyance means arranged below the discharge path, said gripping conveyance means receiving the sheets on the tray device at the sheet bundle conveyance position and turning for a predetermined angle so that the sheet bundle conveyed from the tray device is turned to a substantially vertical posture; finishing means arranged below the gripping conveyance means for finishing the sheet bundle turned substantially vertical by the gripping conveyance means; and sheet bundle conveyance means disposed separately from the tray device, the sheet bundle conveyance means being configured to lower from the sheet stacking position along with the tray device to the sheet bundle conveyance position and convey the sheet bundle to the gripping conveyance means while being separated from the tray device at the sheet bundle conveyance position.