JP4019870B2 - Post-processing apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a post-processing apparatus that stacks, aligns, and saddle-stitches an image-formed creased sheet on a chevron-shaped stacking unit, and an electrophotographic copying machine and printer integrally including the post-processing apparatus The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Saddle stitching with a metal needle driven by a saddle stitching means (stapler) composed of a needle hitting means (stitcher) and a needle receiving means (clincher) on the central portion of a sheet on which an image has been formed and stacked on an appropriate member However, a processing apparatus configured to discharge the sheet bundle outside the apparatus in the form of a folded booklet is known.
[0003]
For example, a plurality of feeders are provided along the longitudinal direction of a conveying means called a gathering chain, and creased sheets are stacked on the respective feeders, and in synchronization with the rotation of the gathering chain, A configuration in which sheets are sequentially dropped and stacked on a chain and then stapled is operated to perform saddle stitching is known as a part of a bookbinding apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0004]
In addition, the bookbinding function is configured such that the sheets after image formation are folded one by one on the conveyance path, and these sheets are finally folded in a chevron shape and stacked on the support member in a saddle stitched state. Also known is a copier equipped with (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
[0005]
Furthermore, the paper after image formation is folded one by one on the transport path, dropped onto the mountain-shaped stacking means and loaded, and the loaded paper is slid on the stacking means and placed at the stapler position. The bundle of sheets after binding is returned to the initial position (center portion), pushed up through the fold of the sheet at the lowest position by the blade member, and conveyed to the next process by a pair of rollers functioning as a folding means. An automatic on-line signature finishing apparatus configured as described above is known (for example, see Patent Document 3).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-227358 (paragraph numbers 0005, 0007, 0025, FIGS. 8, 9, and 13)
[0007]
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-60-254165 (upper right column on page 5, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 6)
[0008]
[Patent Document 3]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-179262 (paragraph numbers 0020 to 0031, FIGS. 4 to 13)
However, the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 not only increases the size of the apparatus from the need to install a plurality of feeders along the longitudinal direction of the gathering chain, but also in order to drop the signature in synchronization. It was difficult to control the alignment of the paper, and the feeder structure was complicated.
[0009]
Furthermore, since the stapling process (binding process) is performed in a state where signatures are stacked on the chain, it is difficult to drive a needle on the line of the crease, and the sheet bundle as a booklet looks very good. It was not a thing.
[0010]
Further, the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 2 is configured such that the sheets are sequentially stacked on two guide plates, and the guide plates are aligned after the two sides of the sheets are brought into contact with the wall plate by a width-adjusting roller. Is rotated around the supporting shaft on the opposite end side, forming a mountain shape, straddling the top of the support member located between the guide plate ends on the supporting shaft side, and saddle stitching. The control until stacking is complicated, and at the same time, there is a concern that misalignment occurs between the sheets during the operation of stacking the sheets on the support member by the rotation of the guide plate.
[0011]
Furthermore, the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 3 is specially designed to apply a load to the sheets because the sheets stacked on the stacking means are moved during saddle stitching, and to discharge the bundle of sheets after saddle stitching from the stacking means. The use of a space was wasted because a new member had to be attached.
[0012]
In addition, the top of the stacking unit is positioned directly below the folding roll, and the buckling of the paper is used to sandwich the paper in the folding roll so that the crease is formed. For alignment purposes, paddle wheels had to be rotatably provided on both outer sides of the chevron-shaped stacking means.
[0013]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and a main object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily align sheets that have already been folded on a stacking means having a chevron shape with a simple configuration. It is to provide a processing apparatus.
[0014]
Another object is to provide a post-processing apparatus that can efficiently perform alignment in the width direction of a sheet.
[0015]
Another object is to have the above-described post-processing device integrally so that operations from image formation on a sheet to a booklet state can be continuously performed and functions can be expanded. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing the above.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The object according to the present invention can be achieved by the following constitution.
[0017]
  (1) The sheets on which the image is formed are folded one by one by the folding means, sequentially stacked on the mountain-shaped stacking means provided in the saddle stitching section, and then stapled by the saddle stitching means to produce a booklet. In the aftertreatment device
  Of the paper stacked on the stacking means, a push-up member is provided to push the paper through the fold of the lowest paper.The
  A pressing member is disposed opposite to the push-up member with a predetermined interval across a space for stacking sheets, and the press member is provided so as to reciprocate in the same direction as the movement direction of the push-up member.A post-processing device.
[0019]
  (2) The stacked sheets are clamped by the push-up member and the pressing member during the needle punching process by the saddle stitching means.1) Post-processing apparatus.
[0020]
  (3) In the depth direction of the stacking unit on which sheets are stacked, the push-up member and the pressing member are positioned in the vicinity of the saddle stitching unit.1) Or the above (2) Post-processing apparatus.
[0025]
  (4) (1)Thru (3An image forming apparatus comprising the post-processing device according to any one of 1).
[0026]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An example of an embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0027]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus including a digital copying machine, which has a sheet post-processing apparatus integrally.
[0028]
In the figure, the image forming apparatus main body includes an automatic document feeder 1, an image reading device 2, an image processing unit C, an image forming unit 3, a paper storage unit D, a paper feeding unit 4, a reverse paper ejection / refeeding unit 5, and The reversing conveyance unit 6 is provided.
[0029]
The automatic document feeder 1 is a device that feeds documents one by one, conveys the documents to an image reading position, and discharges the document after image reading to a predetermined location.
[0030]
The automatic document feeder 1 includes a document placing table 11 on which a document is placed, a document separating unit 12 that separates a document placed on the document placing table 11, and a plurality of documents that are transported by the document separating unit 12. A document conveying means 13 including a plurality of rollers, a document discharging means 14 for discharging a document conveyed by the document conveying means 13, a document discharging table 15 for placing a document discharged by the document discharging means 14, and The document reversing unit 16 includes a pair of reversing rollers for reversing the front and back of the document in the duplex copying mode.
[0031]
A plurality of documents (not shown) placed on the document table 11 are separated one by one by the document separating means 12 and conveyed by the document conveying means 13 via the image reading position.
[0032]
The original reading position is provided below the original conveying means 13 so that the original image can be read through the slit 21 of the image reading apparatus 2.
[0033]
The document whose image has been read is discharged onto the document discharge table 15 by the document discharge means 14.
[0034]
On the other hand, when reading images on both sides of a document, the document once read on one side is guided to the document reversing means 16, and the rear end of the document is sandwiched between a pair of reversing rollers constituting the document reversing means 16. In this state, the reversing roller pair is rotated in the reverse direction to reverse the front and back of the document, and is transported again by the document transporting unit 13, thereby reading the image on the other surface (second surface) at the document reading position. it can.
[0035]
Such a process is repeated for the number of documents placed on the document table 11.
The automatic document feeder 1 is configured to be retractable. The automatic document feeder 1 is raised to open the platen glass 22 and place the document directly on the platen glass 22 for copying. It is configured so that it can be performed.
[0036]
The image reading device 2 is a device for reading an image of a document to obtain image data, and integrally includes a lamp 231 that irradiates the document through the slit 21 and a first mirror 232 that reflects reflected light from the document. The second mirror unit 24 formed by integrating the first mirror unit 23, the second mirror 241 that reflects the light from the first mirror 232, and the third mirror 242, and the second mirror unit 24. An image forming lens 25 that forms an image of the reflected light on a CCD (described later) that is an image pickup device, and a line-shaped CCD 26 that photoelectrically converts the light image formed by the image forming lens 25.
[0037]
The photoelectrically converted analog signal is subjected to A / D conversion after analog processing, and is subjected to appropriate image processing such as shading correction, filter processing, or γ correction in the image processing unit C to be converted into image data. These are stored in a memory (not shown).
[0038]
In a mode in which the document fed by the automatic document feeder 1 is read by the image reading device 2, the first mirror unit 23 and the second mirror unit 24 are fixed at positions as shown in the figure.
[0039]
In an aspect in which an image of a document placed directly on the platen glass 22 is read, the first mirror unit 23 and the second mirror unit 24 are moved along the platen glass 22 while maintaining the optical path length. This is done by moving it.
[0040]
The image forming unit 3 is a part for forming an image using an electrophotographic process, and uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 having a photoconductive photosensitive layer as an image carrier, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 31. A charger 32, which is operated based on image data after image processing, exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 to form an electrostatic charge latent image and forms an electrostatic charge latent image, and a laser writing system 33, the photosensitive drum 31. A developing device 34 that reversely develops the electrostatic charge latent image formed thereon to form a toner image, a transfer pole 35 that transfers the visualized toner image onto the paper, and a back surface of the paper on which the toner image is transferred. Known image shapes such as a static eliminator 36 that performs AC corona discharge and promotes separation of the sheet from the photosensitive drum 31, and a cleaning means 37 for cleaning the photosensitive drum 31 after the transfer process is completed. It has the means.
[0041]
A conveyance belt 38 conveys the separated paper toward a heating roller type fixing device 39.
[0042]
The fixing device 39 includes a heating source H, and includes a fixing processing unit including a fixing upper roller 390 that rotates independently around the heating source H and a fixing lower roller 393 that rotates while being in pressure contact with the fixing upper roller 390. .
[0043]
A fixing discharge roller 51, a switching unit 52, and a discharge roller 53, which are components of the reverse discharge / refeed unit 5, are provided downstream of the fixing device 39.
[0044]
Note that W shown in the fixing device 39 is a cleaning web provided in contact with the surface of the fixing upper roller 390, for example, little by little on the winding core shown on the left side of the drawing at an appropriate time interval during operation of the device. It is designed to be wound up.
[0045]
In the image formation on the paper using the above configuration, the photosensitive drum 31 rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow is sequentially charged by an appropriate driving unit by the charger 32, and then the original is printed by dot exposure by the laser writing system 33. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image is formed, the electrostatic latent image is formed as a toner image by the developing device 34, and then the sheet P is fed by the rotation of the registration roller 46 as the second paper feeding means. In addition, the transfer is achieved through the action of the transfer electrode 35.
[0046]
In actuality, the image formation is started in a state where the paper P has reached the registration roller 46, and the toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 31 in synchronization with the paper feeding accompanying the start of rotation of the registration roller 46. To start the process to form.
[0047]
For this purpose, the distance from the exposure section to the transfer pole and the distance from the registration roller to the transfer pole are set to be the same so that the toner image and the paper overlap in the transfer area where the transfer pole 35 is located, and the photosensitive drum. 31, the linear speeds of the registration roller 46 and the pre-transfer roller 47 are set to be the same.
[0048]
The sheet after the transfer is separated from the photosensitive drum 31 by the action of the static eliminator 36, is subjected to the heating / pressurizing action of the fixing device 39, and is then discharged toward the post-processing device.
[0049]
On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 31 that has passed the transfer region continues to rotate, and the residual toner is removed by the cleaning means 37 to prepare for the next image formation.
[0050]
Returning to the description of the configuration, in the paper storage portion D, paper feed trays D1, D2, and D3 for storing the paper P in a stacked state are arranged in the vertical direction (the paper P is shown only in the paper feed tray D1). .
[0051]
Each of the paper feed trays includes a dedicated paper feed roller 40, 41, 42, which is an element constituting the paper feed unit 4, and a pair of separation rollers 403, 413, 423 that are separation means for preventing multi-layering. It can be pulled out.
[0052]
In addition to the paper feed rollers and the like, the paper feed unit 4 is a transport roller pair (hereinafter referred to as a transport unit) for transporting the paper P from each of the paper feed trays D1, D2, and D3 to the image forming unit 3. R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, and the aforementioned registration roller 46, pre-transfer roller 47, and the like.
[0053]
Reference numeral 45 denotes a transport roller provided downstream of the transport roller R6 in the transport direction of the paper P. The transport roller 45 feeds paper through a reverse transport unit 6 to be described later, and feeds paper from the paper feed tray D1, for example. Is provided at the junction with the sheet conveyance path.
[0054]
The reverse discharge / refeed unit 5 is an area for reversely discharging the sheet P after transfer / fixing, or for refeeding the sheet P in accordance with the double-sided image formation mode, and is discharged by the fixing discharge roller 51. When the sheet P is discharged out of the machine as it is, when it is discharged after being turned upside down, the sheet P is re-directed toward the registration roller 46 in order to form an image on the back surface (second surface) of the sheet P. There is a switching means 52 for switching the conveyance path when feeding paper.
[0055]
When discharging the image-formed paper P as it is, that is, with the transferred image surface facing upward, the switching means 52 is held at the position indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in the drawing, and the image-formed paper is used. When discharging the paper with the front and back sides of P reversed, transporting rollers 55 and 57 are attached to the sheet P transported by the fixing and discharging roller 51 while holding the switching means 52 at the position indicated by the solid line in the figure. By feeding into the conveyance path and stopping the operation of the roller group at the timing when the rear end reaches the position before the conveyance roller 55, and then rotating the rotation direction of the conveyance roller 55 in the opposite direction to the above. Then, it passes through the left side of the switching means 52 and is discharged out of the machine via the discharge roller 53.
[0056]
Further, in the double-sided image forming mode in which an image is formed on the second side of the paper P following the first side, the paper that is conveyed by the fixing discharge roller 51 while holding the switching means 52 at the position indicated by the solid line in the drawing. Is fed to the reverse conveyance unit 6 through the respective conveyance rollers 55 and 57 of the reverse paper discharge / refeed unit 5 driven by the paper discharge motor, and the reverse conveyance unit 6 reverses the front and back of the paper P. Then, the toner is fed toward the registration roller 46.
[0057]
The process for obtaining the transfer image on the second surface of the paper P is the same as described above, and the paper P after the fixing process is discharged according to any one of the forms described above.
[0058]
The reversing conveyance unit 6 feeds the paper P conveyed by the conveyance roller 57 further in the right direction, and the conveyance roller is driven and controlled to rotate in the reverse direction after stopping the rotation at the timing of pinching the rear end. A pair 60 is provided, and the sheet is conveyed along a conveyance path extending in the right direction after an arc is drawn upward from the middle of conveyance in the left direction due to the reverse rotation of the conveyance roller pair 60.
[0059]
Reference numerals 61, 62, 63, 64, 65 including the conveyance roller pair 60 are conveyance roller pairs provided on the conveyance path of the reversal conveyance unit 6.
[0060]
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the post-processing apparatus.
The post-processing device 7 according to the present embodiment is provided on the paper feed path, a take-in port 70 for taking in the image-formed paper P discharged from the image forming apparatus main body by the paper discharge roller 53 in FIG. Further, the first folding means 71, the first conveying means 72 made of an air adsorption method, the saddle stitching section 73, the second conveying means 74 made of a pair of belts, the third conveying means 75 made of a roller and a belt, the cutting part 76, the stacking part. 77, a cover sheet feeder 78, and a tray 79.
[0061]
A detailed description of the configuration according to the present invention will be given later.
Arrows F1, F2, F3, and F4 indicate four transport paths of the paper, F1 is a transport path of the paper that is transported based on a saddle stitching instruction, and F2 is transported via the transport path F1, A conveyance path of a sheet to be a cover of a bundle of sheets stacked on the saddle stitching unit 73, F3 is a conveyance path for conveying a sheet that does not require saddle stitching to the tray 79, and F4 is integrated with the post-processing device. This is a sheet conveyance path that requires post-processing in another post-processing apparatus (not shown) that can be connected to the sheet. A large number of conveyance roller pairs (without reference numerals) are provided on these conveyance paths.
[0062]
Reference numeral 700 denotes a switching unit that selectively releases (uses) one of the transport path F1 and the transport path F3, and the other switching unit 703 includes the transport path F3 and the transport path F4. The operation is controlled according to the contents of the work command so as to selectively release any of the above.
[0063]
By the way, a thin plate or knife provided in the center folding portion 71 provided on the transport path F1 to push the paper in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction (horizontal left direction in the present embodiment). A pressing member 710 made of a plate-like plate material, an upper roller 713 for pressing and sandwiching the paper pressed by the pressing member 710, and a lower roller 715, and the paper in the forward direction (in the transport direction according to the transport path, In this case, the transport roller 717 that rotates while being pressed against the lower roller to transport in the direction from the top to the bottom) is positioned downstream of the position where the roller group is located, and is inserted into and removed from the transport path. A possible stopper 719 is provided.
[0064]
As can be understood from the above, the push-in member 710, the upper roller 713, and the lower roller 715 function as a middle folding means (a middle folding member) that creases in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction.
[0065]
The center folding operation or the center folding process is performed based on the following control.
That is, the stopper 719 faces a position in the conveyance path corresponding to half from the nip position in the height direction of the upper roller 713 and the lower roller 715 with respect to the size in the conveyance direction of the paper to be used. After the leading edge of the paper taken in from the take-in port 70 reaches the stopper 719, the forward rotation of the roller group is stopped.
[0066]
Next, the sheet is pushed between the upper roller 713 and the lower roller 715 by the pushing member 710 to make a crease, and then the roller group is rotated in the forward direction again toward the saddle stitching portion 73. Send out the paper.
[0067]
In other words, the overlapped portion of the sheet after being creased is conveyed to the right side through the nip portion of both rollers, and the leading end portion is conveyed downward.
[0068]
When the crease is released from the nip, the paper is continuously conveyed in an open state (no overlap).
[0069]
Prior to this, the stopper 719 and the push-in member 710 are retracted from the transport path.
[0070]
The roller group may be configured to rotate backward only for a short time such as several tens of milliseconds in accordance with the pushing operation of the pushing member 710, and the power transmission system of the conveying roller 717 A one-way clutch may be interposed so that the conveying roller 717 rotates idly when rotating in the reverse direction as described above, or the conveying roller 717 is separated from the lower roller 715. It may be configured.
[0071]
The first conveying means 72 includes a rotatable belt 720 provided with a number of holes, and a suction box 723 provided inside the rotatable belt 720 and connected to the suction means S via a duct. Yes.
[0072]
Reference numeral 725 denotes a rotatable separating member made of a wire such as a wire, and a belt around which a leading end of a sheet conveyed in an attracted state on the lower surface of the rotatable belt 720 by the action of the suction means S is stretched. In the region near the left end of the sword, it has a function of forcing and separating from the inside (upper side in the figure). M is a drive motor for the separating member 725.
[0073]
However, the separating member 725 can be omitted when the suction force on the lower surface of the rotatable belt 720 decreases toward the left end and the paper can be automatically separated before reaching the left end.
[0074]
Note that the sheet conveying surface of the first conveying unit 72 is installed so as to rise as it goes downstream. This is because of the ease of control when loading sheets on a chevron-shaped stacking unit, which will be described later, and This is intended to reduce the size of the device.
[0075]
The saddle stitching portion 73 includes a stacking unit that stacks sheets conveyed through the first conveying unit 72. The stacking unit in the present embodiment is a first sheet receiving unit provided on the upstream side. The main element is a guide member 730 and a second guide member 733 for receiving paper provided on the downstream side.
[0076]
The first and second guide members 730 and 733 are each made of a plate material arranged at a predetermined angle with respect to a vertical plane, for example, an acute angle of about 45 degrees, and the overall shape is a chevron shape. ing.
[0077]
Moreover, the edge part located in the top area | region (The summit is not included, the meaning of the vicinity vicinity of a summit.) Of both guide members is comprised so that it may oppose with a predetermined space | interval.
[0078]
In other words, in the drawing, the first guide member 730 has a predetermined length in the depth direction and descends in the first direction at a predetermined angle from the top end, and the first guide member in the depth direction. The second guide member 730 has the same length as that of the first guide member 730 and has the same angle as the inclination of the first guide member 730 from the top upper end portion having a predetermined distance from the top upper end portion of the first guide member 730. The second guide member 733 descending in the direction constitutes a mountain-shaped stacking means.
[0079]
In the present specification, the chevron shape refers to a shape made by arranging both guide members so as to intersect with each other on an extension line on the top side.
[0080]
However, the inclinations of the guide members with respect to the vertical plane may be the same or different, and are not restricted by the present embodiment, but are preferably the same angle in terms of handling and the like.
[0081]
The top end of the second guide member 733 has a position higher than the position in the height direction of the top end of the first guide member 730.
[0082]
Further, the central portion 733-1 divided in the depth direction of the second guide member 733 is configured to reciprocate by a predetermined distance from the illustrated position toward the upper right and obliquely upward.
[0083]
This allows the leading end to enter the fold of the sheet at the bottom of the sheet bundle after the saddle stitching process is finished, and pushes it between the belts of the second conveying means 74 in the form of a two-fold booklet. Because.
[0084]
As described above, since the sheet bundle is discharged from the stacking means by using a part of the second guide member, there is no need to provide a dedicated discharging means.
The (configuration) can be simplified, and waste of space can be eliminated.
[0085]
Although the configuration of the second guide member is shown in FIG. 3 as a schematic diagram, a well-known method can be appropriately employed for the power system for rotating the support rods with screws, and the illustration is omitted.
[0086]
A needle receiving means 735 is fixed at a height position at a central position sandwiched between the first and second guide members 730 and 733, and is movably provided in a depth direction (front and back direction of the paper surface). The part is located in the gap in the top region of both guide members.
[0087]
Above the needle receiving means 735, a needle hitting means 736 is attached so as to be swingable about a shaft 737 with a predetermined gap and movable in the depth direction.
[0088]
In the present embodiment, as described above, the height position of the top side end of the first guide member 730 is determined from the physical factors such as the shape and size of the needle receiving means 735 and the intention of downsizing the apparatus. Although it is lower than that of the second guide member 733, as a matter of course, the first guide member 730 and the second guide member 733 may be configured symmetrically if it is not necessary to make them untargeted. it can.
[0089]
The stapler composed of the needle hitting means 736 and the needle receiving means 735 has the ability to bind 100 sheets, and two staplers are prepared with appropriate intervals in the depth direction of the figure.
[0090]
In this embodiment, a booklet in which 50 sheets are folded in half can be obtained.
[0091]
FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the relationship between the guide member in the saddle stitching portion 73 and the needle receiving means.
[0092]
In the figure, reference numeral 731 denotes an auxiliary guide member, and the leading end of the conveyed paper P enters a gap formed between the top side end of the first guide member 730 and the upper portion of the needle receiving means 735, Alternatively, it has a function of preventing the upper portion of the stacked paper on the first guide member 730 side from being damaged by the shape of the needle receiving means 735, and the guide surface has an upper portion from the upper portion of the auxiliary guide member. A flexible film sheet (without reference numerals) is stuck so as to protrude.
[0093]
Further, the height position of the projecting leading end (free end) of the film sheet is set higher than the height position of the second guide member so as not to hinder the conveyance of the sheet.
[0094]
L1 shown in relation to the second guide member 733 indicates the movement range of the central portion 733-1 described above.
[0095]
Reference numeral 738 denotes a regulating member arranged in parallel with the second guide member 733 with a gap. The regulating member 738 has an arc area at the top on the paper entrance side, and the sheet fed to the saddle stitching portion 73 is loaded. 739, which is provided so as to be easily dropped on the first and second guide members 730 and 733, which are integrated with the restriction member 739, is a stopper for controlling the leading end position of the sheet. L2 indicates the movement range of the stopper 739.
[0096]
In other words, when the size of the paper to be used is detected by appropriate means, the stopper accordingly has a predetermined position, for example, a position having a distance slightly longer than the length from the front end to the crease in the paper transport direction. And is held in a fixed state.
[0097]
This configuration can promote alignment based on the crease of the sheet. That is, when the leading edge of the conveyed paper abuts against the stopper 739, the paper is bent and bending stress is generated.
[0098]
For example, if the sheet is then released from the conveyance of the first conveyance unit 72, the sheet forms the stacking unit while being pushed back to the first guide member 730 side by the reaction of the accumulated bending stress. It falls on the first and second guide members, and the position of the fold is set to a predetermined position on the stacking means, that is, a position corresponding to the top (in this embodiment, the center of the mountain shape in the figure) (On position) can be easily aligned.
[0099]
Alternatively, the folds of the succeeding sheets can be easily overlapped with the folds of the already loaded sheets, and alignment can be achieved.
[0100]
In this way, it is possible to align and stack sheets with a simple configuration.
Control relating to the first conveying means 72 and the like can be easily achieved by a control means comprising a computer (not shown) for controlling the image sequence or another computer (not shown) capable of communicating with the computer.
[0101]
The lengths of the first and second guide members 730 and 733 or the lower end position of the guide members are the lengths from the end of the maximum size paper P to be used to the half-folded position ( For example, it has a sufficient length with respect to a half length of the sheet) or a position sufficiently lower than the end of the stacked sheets.
[0102]
The post-processing apparatus according to the present embodiment further includes the following configuration for aligning the sheet folds at the top position of the stacking means or aligning in the sheet width direction.
[0103]
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration, function, and the like of the alignment means (alignment mechanism). In the figure, reference numeral 8 denotes alignment means, 80 denotes a push-up member having a head 800 with a wedge shape (roof shape), and 83 denotes an eccentric cam fixed on the rotating shaft 830.
[0104]
The eccentric cam 83 raises and lowers the push-up member via a cam follower 803 provided at the lower end of the push-up member 80.
[0105]
Reference numeral 85 denotes a pressing member, and the push-up member 80 rises to move the central portion of the paper stacked on the first and second guide members 730 and 733 (the fold of the paper stacked in contact with the guide member). Then, the paper is pushed upward, and then, when the push-up member 80 is lowered, the paper is pushed together while being pushed down, and then returned to the initial position.
[0106]
In other words, the paper to be pushed up is easily aligned with the top of the head due to the wedge effect of the push-up member 80. However, when the push-up member 80 is lowered, it is likely to float up, and the folding angle alignment is spoiled. It might be.
[0107]
In order to suppress the occurrence of such a problem, a good alignment state can be maintained by adopting a configuration in which the pressing member 85 is lowered while pressing the sheet in cooperation with the push-up member 80.
[0108]
The alignment of the sheet using the push-up member as described above is nothing but an effect that can be achieved because the sheet being conveyed is already creased.
[0109]
The push-up member 80 and the pressing member 85 constituting the aligning means 8 are configured to operate each time a sheet is fed, and the sheet is clamped (pressed) by both during the saddle stitching process. ) Can be controlled by the control means.
[0110]
Note that the stroke, the moving speed, and the like of the push-up member 80 can be determined as appropriate through experiments, for example.
[0111]
As described above, more reliable sheet alignment processing can be achieved by the alignment means having a very simple configuration.
[0112]
FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the positional relationship between the stapler and the alignment means. As shown in FIG. 6, the push-up member 80 and the pressing member 85 constituting the aligning means 8 are positioned on the inner side or the outer side close to the stapler moving region including the needle receiving means 735 and the needle hitting means 736, or on both sides thereof. It can be attached opposite to the area.
[0113]
In the present embodiment, alignment means are provided on both sides of the stapler, and the saddle stitching process is performed in a state where the floating of the sheet near the staple portion is suppressed, so that a booklet having a beautiful finish can be obtained.
[0114]
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of a regulating member (hereinafter, referred to as a width regulating member for convenience of explanation) for achieving alignment in the width direction of the paper. FIG. 7A is a plan view and FIG. FIG.
[0115]
In the figure, reference numerals 90 and 91 denote first and second width regulating members provided on both sides in the width direction of the first guide member 730 and the second guide member 733, both of which are slightly smaller than the width size of the paper used. The movement is controlled in the width direction as shown by the arrows so that the gap is larger, and the sheet can be lightly contacted with its side.
[0116]
At this time, the second width restricting member 91 is configured to include a restricting portion 913 made of an elastic thin plate (plate spring) and a holding for holding the restricting portion so that the sheet is not damaged by contact with the side of the sheet. It is comprised with the board (fixed part with respect to a control part) 910. FIG.
[0117]
The restricting portion 913 is weak so that it escapes to the outside due to the contact of the side of the conveyed paper, and the spring force accumulated at that time presses the paper against the first width restricting member 90 and aligns at the time of return. A structure that exhibits elasticity is sufficient.
[0118]
Further, the height positions of the first and second width regulating members 90 and 91 are the fold lines of the paper stacked on the first and second guide members 730 and 733, or the crease vicinity region including or not including the folds. It has a height position in contact with the side portion.
[0119]
This height position is more effective when the width regulating member is in contact with the side portion of the paper whose rigidity is increased by the crease than the side portion of the paper which is weak. This is because it is possible to suppress the damage of the as much as possible.
[0120]
The height position in contact with the vicinity of the fold here is based on the premise that it has a predetermined width in the height direction and should not be specifically limited by a numerical value. To a height of about 5 to 6 cm in contact with the side portion of the paper can be provided, and thereby good regulation can be performed regardless of the width of the paper and the thickness of the paper.
[0121]
In the present embodiment, the upper part of the front and back sides of the first and second guide members are notched, and the first and second width regulating members 90 and 91 are positioned in the notches 750 and 751. is there.
[0122]
The first and second width restricting members 90 and 91 have a portion extending in the direction along the slope of the first guide member 730 and a portion extending in the horizontal direction subsequently, and the restricting portion 913 is also included therein. Although it is configured in a conforming shape, it may be a rectangle extending in the horizontal direction as a whole.
[0123]
Instead of the restricting portion 913, the holding plate 910 can be elastically provided by a spring member to be a second width restricting member, or a plate member that replaces the leaf spring can be elastically constituted by a spring member. .
[0124]
Returning to FIG. 2, the sheet bundle that has been subjected to the saddle stitching process by the above-described configuration is pushed upward to the right by a part of the second guide member 733, and gradually takes the form of a booklet to the second conveying means 74. After being delivered and folded firmly by the action of the second conveying means and the third conveying means 75, the cut edge is cut by the cutting section 76 and discharged to the stack section 77.
[0125]
The stack portion 77 is sequentially lowered in accordance with the loading amount, and a predetermined amount can be stacked.
[0126]
By the way, when binding the sheet bundle with a cover, after the image-formed sheets are stacked on the stacking means of the saddle stitching portion 73, the cover sheet feeder 78 is operated to feed out one cover sheet, and the sheet The binding process is performed after detecting that the sheet is placed on the bundle by appropriate detection means.
[0127]
In that case, after the cover sheet is sent downward by the paper feeding means 100 and the leading edge is fed onto the conveying path indicated by F4, this time, the end portion that is the trailing edge in the conveying direction is used as the leading edge, and the folding portion 71 Then, after being folded in the same manner as the paper, it is placed on the stacked paper and integrated by the above-described needle driving.
[0128]
【The invention's effect】
  Claims 1 to3According to the invention relating to the above, it is possible to obtain the alignment of the folds of the sheet with a simple configuration, to achieve satisfactory finishing of the saddle stitching and to expect the saddle stitching portion to be made compact.
[0131]
  Further claims4According to the invention related to the above, it is possible to continuously perform from image formation to booklet production.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus including a digital copying machine that integrally includes a sheet post-processing apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a post-processing apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a second guide member.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a relationship between a guide member in a saddle stitch portion and a needle receiving means.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining alignment means (alignment mechanism).
FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view illustrating an example of a positional relationship between a stapler and an alignment unit.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining a configuration of a regulating member that achieves alignment in the width direction of a sheet.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Automatic document feeder
2 Image reading device
3 Image forming unit
4 Paper feeder
5 Reverse paper discharge / re-feed section
70 intake port
71 Folding part
72 1st conveyance means
73 Saddle Stitch
74 Second conveying means
75 Third conveying means
76 Cutting Department
77 Stack part
78 Cover sheet feeder
79 trays

Claims (4)

A post-processing apparatus that folds image-formed sheets one by one by means of a saddle-folding means, and sequentially stacks them on a chevron-shaped stacking means provided in a saddle-stitched portion, and then produces a booklet by punching with a saddle-stitching means In
Among the sheets to be stacked on said stacking means, setting a member push-up pushing up the sheet through the fold of the lowest sheet,
A presser member is disposed opposite to the push-up member with a predetermined interval across a space for stacking sheets, and the presser member is provided so as to be capable of reciprocating in the same direction as the movement direction of the push-up member. Post-processing device to do. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stacked sheets are clamped by the push-up member and the pressing member during the needle punching process by the saddle stitching unit. 3. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the push-up member and the pressing member are positioned in the vicinity of the saddle stitching unit in a depth direction of the stacking unit on which sheets are stacked. . An image forming apparatus comprising the post-processing device according to claim 1 as an integral unit.

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