JP5987507B2 - Post-processing apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

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

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus main body unit including a document reading unit, a main body tray, an image forming unit, and a paper feeding unit in order to provide a paper discharge device with improved stacking performance of discharged paper bundles. And an image forming apparatus including a sheet stacking unit including a sheet post-processing device and a shifter mechanism, and the sheet stacking unit functions as a sheet discharge device. Here, the sheet bundle stapled by the sheet post-processing device is alternately offset by a shifter mechanism at a discharge position left and right, that is, at a predetermined distance in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the discharge direction, and discharged to the second sheet stack tray. Is disclosed.

JP 2006-8370 A

  An object of the present invention is to stably stack a bundle of sheets on which a protruding portion is formed and subjected to binding processing.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a binding unit that binds the bundle of sheets while deforming a part of the bundle of sheets to form a protruding portion protruding from the bundle of sheets in the thickness direction of the bundle of sheets, and the binding by the binding unit A conveying unit that conveys the sheet bundle, a stacking unit that stacks the sheet bundle conveyed by the conveying unit, and a first support that supports the sheet bundle at a position where a binding process is performed by the binding unit. And at least a part of the sheet bundle falling from the first support means is supported above the stacking means, and an end portion of the sheet bundle conveyed by the conveyance means along the conveyance direction of the sheet bundle is provided. guiding a position to be mounted on the stacking means, the projecting portion of the sheet bundle to be the conveyed, with respect to the projecting portion of the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking means before the sheet bundle is the transported After reaching the position overlapping when beat, a post-processing apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a second supporting means for supporting so as to fall the at least a portion of the sheet bundle to be the transport.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the stacking unit stacks the sheet bundle while abutting and aligning another end portion different from the end portion of the sheet bundle on which the protruding portion is formed by the binding unit. 2. The second support unit according to claim 1, wherein the at least part of the sheet bundle is dropped in a state where the other end of the sheet bundle is abutted against the stacking unit. It is a post-processing device.
The invention according to claim 3 is provided on the downstream side of the second support means in the conveying direction of the sheet bundle conveyed by the conveying means, and the sheet conveyed while supporting the conveyed sheet bundle. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising guide means for guiding a downstream end portion of the bundle in a direction away from an upper surface of the stacking means .
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the binding means forms a tongue portion whose root is continuous with the sheet bundle by cutting the sheet bundle into a predetermined shape, and bends the tongue portion, thereby leading the tip of the tongue portion. And the second support means binds the sheet bundle along a direction connecting the root and the tip of the tongue portion with the sheet bundle protruding from the sheet bundle in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle. a post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that said dropping the at least a portion of the sheet bundle to be the conveyed while retracted from the conveying path.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a binding unit that binds the sheet bundle while deforming a part of the sheet bundle to form a protruding portion protruding from the sheet bundle in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle, and binding by the binding unit. A stacking unit that stacks the sheet bundle that has been fed, a transport unit that transports the sheet bundle bound by the binding unit toward the stacking unit, and the sheet that is transported by the transport unit and falls from the binding unit At least a part of the bundle is supported above the stacking unit, and the position of the end portion along the transport direction of the transported sheet bundle is guided to the position to be stacked on the stacking unit, and is transported by the transport unit. The sheet bundle loaded on the stacking means is held in a posture not to be caught before the sheet bundle and the end of the sheet bundle to be conveyed is loaded on the stacking means. A post-processing apparatus, characterized in that after guiding the position and a posture control means for canceling the retention of the posture to be.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, a sheet bundle forming unit that stacks a plurality of the sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit to form a sheet bundle, and the sheet bundle. A binding unit that binds the sheet bundle while forming a protruding portion protruding from the sheet bundle in a thickness direction of the sheet bundle by deforming a part of the sheet bundle formed by the forming unit, and being bound by the binding unit. A conveying means for conveying the sheet bundle, a stacking means for stacking the sheet bundle conveyed by the conveying means, and a first support means for supporting the sheet bundle at a position where the binding process is performed by the binding means. When, at least with a part of the support above said stacking means, the transport direction of the sheet bundle in the sheet bundle conveyed by said conveying means of said sheet bundle falls from the first support means Along the edge guides at a position to be mounted on the stacking means, the said projecting portion of the sheet bundle to be conveyed, the protruding portion of the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking means before the sheet bundle is the transported An image forming system comprising: a second support unit that supports the at least a part of the conveyed sheet bundle to drop after reaching a position that overlaps when the sheet is dropped.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided, it is possible to stably stack the sheet bundle in which the protruding portions are formed and subjected to the binding process.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the position of the sheet bundle from shifting after releasing the support for at least a part of the sheet bundle as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the stacking height of the sheet bundle can be suppressed as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the protrusion from being damaged as the support means retracts from the sheet bundle conveyance path, as compared with the case without this configuration.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to stably stack the sheet bundle on which the protruding portion is formed and the binding process is performed, as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to stably stack the sheet bundle on which the protruding portion is formed and the binding process is performed, as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the external unit periphery seen from upper direction. It is a schematic block diagram which shows a binding part. It is a schematic block diagram which shows a stapleless binding mechanism. It is explanatory drawing which shows the part bound by the stapleless binding mechanism. It is explanatory drawing which shows the aspect in which an intermediate support mechanism supports a sheet bundle. It is explanatory drawing which showed the hardware constitutions of the control part. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of stacking a sheet bundle on a stacking unit. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of stacking a sheet bundle on a stacking unit. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of stacking a sheet bundle on a stacking unit. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation | movement which stacks | stacks the sheet bundle on the stacking part in the modification of this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the binding part in the other modification of this Embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<Image forming system 1>
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming system 1 to which the exemplary embodiment is applied. An image forming system 1 shown in FIG. 1 performs post-processing on, for example, an image forming apparatus 2 such as a printer or a copier that forms an image by electrophotography, and a sheet S on which a toner image is formed by the image forming apparatus 2. And a sheet processing apparatus 3 to be applied.

<Image forming apparatus 2>
The image forming apparatus 2 includes a sheet supply unit 5 that supplies a sheet S on which an image is formed, and an image forming unit (image forming unit) 6 that forms an image on the sheet S supplied from the sheet supply unit 5. Further, the image forming apparatus 2 includes a sheet reversing device 7 that reverses the surface of the sheet S on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 6 and a discharge roll 8 that discharges the sheet S on which the image is formed. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 2 includes a user interface 9 that receives information related to the binding process from the user.

<Paper Processing Device 3>
The paper processing device 3 includes a transport device 10 that transports the paper S output from the image forming device 2 further downstream, a compile stacking unit 35 that collects and bundles the paper S, and a stapler 40 that binds the end of the paper S. The post-processing apparatus 30 including these is provided. In the illustrated example, the sheet processing apparatus 3 includes a control unit 80 that controls the entire image forming system 1.

  The conveyance device 10 of the paper processing apparatus 3 is configured to apply an inlet roll 11 that is a pair of rolls that receive the paper S output via the discharge roll 8 of the image forming apparatus 2 and the paper S received by the inlet roll 11. And a puncher 12 for drilling as necessary. Further, the transport device 10 further downstream of the puncher 12 includes a first transport roll 13 that is a pair of rolls for transporting the paper S to the downstream side, and a pair of transports the paper S toward the post-processing device 30. And a second transport roll 14 which is a roll.

  The post-processing device 30 of the paper processing device 3 includes a receiving roll 31 that is a pair of rolls that receive the paper S from the transport device 10. In addition, the post-processing device 30 is provided on the downstream side of the receiving roll 31 to stack the sheets S and form a bundle of sheets B, and a pair of sheets that discharge the sheets S toward the compile stacking section 35. And an exit roll 34 which is a roll. Here, the compiling stacking unit 35, which is an example of a sheet bundle forming unit, drops along the bottom 35 a that is provided so as to be inclined upward as it proceeds in the feeding direction of the sheet S by the exit roll 34. And an end guide 35b disposed so as to align the end of the leading end side of the sheet S to be moved.

  Further, the post-processing device 30 rotates the paper S that has been transported by the exit roll 34 and dropped (see the arrow S2 in FIG. 2) while sliding on the bottom 35a of the compile stacking unit 35 in the clockwise direction in the drawing. A paddle 37 that rotates to be pushed toward the end guide 35b of the compiling stacking unit 35 is provided. Further, the post-processing device 30 includes tampers 38 that are provided opposite to both ends of the sheet S in a direction that intersects the conveyance direction of the sheet S and that aligns the ends of the sheet S while pressing the sheet S.

  Furthermore, the post-processing device 30 is provided so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the compilation stacking unit 35, presses and rotates the sheet bundle B formed and accumulated in the compilation stacking unit 35, and rotates the sheet bundle. An eject roll 39 for conveying B is provided. An eject roll 39, which is an example of a conveying unit, is retracted at a location away from the compilation stacking unit 35 when the sheets S are stacked on the compilation stacking unit 35. The eject roll 39 approaches the sheet bundle B and contacts the sheet bundle B when discharging the sheet bundle B from the compilation stacking unit 35. Thereafter, the eject roll 39 rotates and conveys the sheet bundle B to the downstream side (see the third traveling direction S3 in FIG. 2). Further, the eject roll 39 has a registration function for aligning the sheet bundle B by, for example, stop / conveyance control of the sheet bundle B when delivering the sheet bundle B to an external unit 200 described later. .

  Further, the post-processing device 30 has a stapler 40 that binds the end of the sheet bundle B accumulated in the compilation stacking unit 35 using a stapler spelling needle (so-called staple needle). Furthermore, the post-processing apparatus 30 includes a housing 30A that accommodates the above-described components. An opening 69 for discharging the sheet bundle B to the outside of the post-processing device 30 by the eject roll 39 is formed in the housing 30A. Further, the post-processing device 30 includes an external unit 200 that is detachably attached to the post-processing device 30 and receives the sheet bundle B discharged from the opening 69.

  The post-processing device 30 also includes a stacking unit (stacking unit) that stacks the sheet bundle B that has been bound by the stapler 40 or the sheet bundle B that has been bound by the binding unit 100 (described later) of the external unit 200. ) 70. Further, the post-processing device 30 includes a sensor 81 that detects the sheet bundle B stacked on the stacking unit 70. As shown in FIG. 1, the stacking unit 70 is inclined so that the tip side is positioned above the root side. Further, when the sensor 81 detects that the sheet bundle B is stacked on the stacking unit 70, the stacking unit 70 is lowered by receiving a driving force from a motor (not shown), and is stacked on the stacking unit 70. The gap between the upper surface of B and the external unit 200 is set within a predetermined range.

  In the image forming system 1, when the binding process by the stapler 40 is switched to the binding process by the binding unit 100 (described later) of the external unit 200, the binding process by the binding unit 100 (described later) of the external unit 200 is also started. When switching to the binding process by the stapler 40, for example, image data formed in the control unit 80 is rotated by 180 °, and an image formed on the paper S by the image forming unit 6 is rotated by 180 °.

<External unit 200>
Next, the external unit 200 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Here, FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a structure around the external unit 200 as viewed from above. In FIG. 2, functional members such as the paddle 37 and the tamper 38 are omitted, and the lower side in the figure indicates the user side of the image forming system 1 and the front side of the sheet in FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 2, the movement of the sheet S around the compiling stacking unit 35 will be described. The sheet S supplied toward the compiling stacking unit 35 falls along the bottom 35a of the compiling stacking unit 35 (see the second traveling direction S2). Thereafter, the ends of the sheets S are aligned, and a sheet bundle B is formed. Then, the sheet bundle B moves up along the bottom 35a of the compiling stacking unit 35 with the traveling direction reversed (see the third traveling direction S3).

  In the following description, each end portion of the sheet bundle B is defined as follows (refer to FIGS. 9-1 and 9-2 for symbols of the end portions). In the sheet bundle B conveyed in the third advancing direction S3 in FIG. 2, the end on the downstream side in the conveyance direction is the front end BL, the end on the upstream side in the conveyance direction is the rear end BT, and the front end BL and the rear end. Of the ends sandwiched between the BT, the user side (lower side in FIG. 2) of the image forming system 1 is a first end BA, and the end facing the first end BA is a second end BB.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the external unit 200 is located downstream of the compiling stacking unit 35 in the transport direction of the sheet bundle B (see the third traveling direction S3 in FIG. 2) and above the stacking unit 70. Is provided. The external unit 200 includes a housing 200A provided to face the opening 69, and a binding unit 100 that is supported by the housing 200A and performs a binding process without using a staple while holding the sheet bundle B. And have. Although not shown, in order to allow the sheet bundle B that has been bound by the binding unit 100 (or the stapler 40) to be dropped onto the stacking unit 70, the conveyance direction of the sheet bundle B in the housing 200A and The central part and the lower part of the housing 200A in the intersecting (orthogonal) direction (the depth direction of the image forming system 1) are open.

<Binding section 100>
Here, the binding unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the binding unit 100 is arranged so as to be separated in the direction intersecting the third traveling direction S3 (the depth direction of the image forming system 1) and sandwich the conveyance path of the sheet bundle B. Part 100a and second binding part 100b. In the illustrated example, the first binding unit 100a is provided on the user side of the image forming system 1, and the second binding unit 100b is provided on the side facing the first binding unit 100a. In addition, the 1st binding part 100a and the 2nd binding part 100b are comprised similarly.

  The first binding unit 100a and the second binding unit 100b each include a stapleless binding mechanism 150 that performs a stapleless binding process, and a third traveling direction S3 in the transport path of the sheet bundle B more than the stapleless binding mechanism 150. An intermediate support mechanism 170 that temporarily supports the sheet bundle B being conveyed, and a cover member 190 that covers a part of the stapleless binding mechanism 150 and the intermediate support mechanism 170. Have. In the illustrated example, the stapleless binding mechanism 150, the intermediate support mechanism 170, and the cover member 190 are provided so as to be movable together.

  Moreover, the 1st binding part 100a and the 2nd binding part 100b each have the drive mechanism 151 containing a motor and a rail, for example. The first binding unit 100a is movable in a direction intersecting with the conveyance direction of the sheet bundle B by driving the driving mechanism 151 (see arrows C1 and C2). Further, the second binding unit 100b is movable in a direction intersecting with the conveyance direction of the sheet bundle B by driving the driving mechanism 151 (see arrows C3 and C4).

In the illustrated example, the first binding portion 100a is sequentially positioned in the direction from the center side in the direction intersecting the third traveling direction S3 in the conveyance path of the sheet bundle B toward the user side. , The second position Sa2 and the third position Sa3. In addition, the second binding unit 100b is sequentially positioned in the direction from the center side in the direction intersecting the third traveling direction S3 in the conveyance path of the sheet bundle B toward the side opposite to the user side, the first position Sb1, It can be arranged at three positions, the second position Sb2 and the third position Sb3.
In the illustrated example, the third position Sa3 and the third position Sb3 are home positions of the first binding portion 100a and the second binding portion 100b, respectively.

  Here, at the first position Sa <b> 1 and the first position Sb <b> 1, the first binding portion 100 a and the second binding portion 100 b are arranged in the conveyance path of the sheet bundle B, respectively. At the second position Sa2 and the second position Sb2, the intermediate support mechanism 170 is disposed in the conveyance path of the sheet bundle B, and the stapleless binding mechanism 150 is disposed outside the conveyance path of the sheet bundle B. At the third position Sa3 and the third position Sb3, the first binding portion 100a and the second binding portion 100b are arranged outside the conveyance path of the sheet bundle B, respectively.

  Note that the control unit 80 determines each of the first position Sa1, the second position Sa2, the third position Sa3, the first position Sb1, the second position Sb2, and the third position Sb3 according to the size and orientation of the paper S. The position can be changed. Further, the control unit 80 can change the positions of the first position Sa1 and the first position Sb1 according to the information regarding the binding process received from the user via the user interface 9 (see FIG. 1) or the like.

Next, the configuration of the binding unit 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the binding unit 100. Although the second binding portion 100b will be described here, the first binding portion 100a is similarly configured as described above.
As shown in FIG. 3, the stapleless binding mechanism 150 of the second binding portion 100b has a gap 155 formed at the end on the opening 69 (see FIG. 2) side in the third traveling direction S3 side. The leading edge BL (see FIGS. 9-1 and 9-2) of the sheet bundle B conveyed in the third advancing direction S3 is inserted into the gap 155, and the stapleless binding mechanism 150 is moved to the leading edge BL of the sheet bundle B. The binding process is performed on the sheet bundle B in a state of straddling (see FIGS. 9-1 and 9-2).

As shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate support mechanism 170, which is an example of a support unit and a posture control unit, includes a first support unit 171 and a second support unit 173 that support the sheet bundle B, a first support unit 171, A positioning side plate 175 that holds the second support portion 173 and determines the position of the sheet bundle B in a direction intersecting the third traveling direction S3.
First, the first support portion 171 is a plate-like member having an upper surface that supports the sheet bundle B. In the illustrated example, the upper surface of the first support portion 171 is provided along the upper surface of the stacking portion 70. More specifically, the first support portion 171 is provided to be inclined so that the downstream side in the third traveling direction S3 is upward. The first support portion 171 is in a state in which the rear end portion BT (see FIGS. 9-1 and 9-2) of the sheet bundle B discharged from the opening 69 is abutted against the stacking portion 70 as will be described later. Thus, the first support portion 171 is provided at a position where the front end portion BL (see FIGS. 9-1 and 9-2) of the sheet bundle B can be supported.

  The second support portion 173 is a plate-like member having an upper surface that supports the sheet bundle B, and is transported while being supported by the first support portion 171 on the downstream side of the first support portion 171 in the third traveling direction S3. It is arranged at a position where it can receive the bundle of sheets B. Further, the second support portion 173 is provided so as to be inclined so that the downstream side in the third traveling direction S3 is upward, and the inclination angle is larger than that of the first support portion 171. Furthermore, as shown in the drawing, the end portion of the second support portion 173 on the downstream side in the third traveling direction S3 (the side opposite to the first support portion 171) is covered with another member such as the cover member 190. Instead, the conveyed sheet bundle B can protrude from the second support portion 173.

  The positioning side plate 175 has a surface in contact with the first end BA or the second end BB (see FIGS. 9-1 and 9-2) along the transport direction of the sheet bundle B. In the illustrated example, the surface of the sheet bundle B that contacts the first end BA or the second end BB is arranged along the vertical direction. Further, the upper surface 175 a of the positioning side plate 175 is disposed at a position that supports the sheet bundle B inserted into the gap 155 of the stapleless binding mechanism 150. The first support portion 171 is provided below the upper surface 175a. Further, an inclined surface 175b is formed on the upper surface of the upper surface 175a in the third traveling direction S3. The inclined surface 175 b guides the sheet bundle B discharged from the opening 69 toward the gap 155 of the stapleless binding mechanism 150.

  The cover member 190 covers the side surface and the bottom surface on the downstream side in the transport direction of the sheet bundle B in the stapleless binding mechanism 150 and the intermediate support mechanism 170. The cover member 190 can prevent the user from touching the stapleless binding mechanism 150 and can suppress the stacking height of the sheet bundle B by pressing the sheet bundle B stacked on the stacking unit 70, for example.

<Needleless binding mechanism 150>
Next, the stapleless binding mechanism 150 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the needleless binding mechanism 150.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the stapleless binding mechanism 150 that is an example of a binding unit includes a stapleless binding motor M <b> 1 that is controlled by the control unit 80 and drives the stapleless binding mechanism 150. The needleless binding mechanism 150 is driven by the needleless binding motor M <b> 1 to rotate and transmit a driving force, and a spring 84 that applies a force opposite to the driving force transmitted by the cam 82. And have.

Here, as described above, the stapleless binding mechanism 150 deforms the sheets S forming the sheet bundle B without using staples, and performs a binding process. Specifically, the stapleless binding mechanism 150 is configured as follows.
The stapleless binding mechanism 150 includes a base 501 and a base 503 that are arranged to face each other. As shown in FIG. 4, the sheet bundle B is bound when the base portion 503 approaches the base 501 in the state where the sheet bundle B is sandwiched between the base 501 (direction F1 in the drawing).

  The base 501 includes a holding member 502 that is disposed so as to be substantially parallel to the base 501. The base 501 and the restraining member 502 are provided with the bottom 35a (see FIG. 1) of the compiling stacking unit 35 interposed therebetween, and the sheet bundle B on the compiling stacking unit 35 is composed of the base 501 and the restraining member 502. Between. As shown in FIG. 4, the base 501 has a protrusion 506 that extends toward the base 503 and is formed integrally with the base 501.

The base 503 includes a blade 504 that cuts into the sheet bundle B, and a punching member 505 that forms and bends a tongue 522 (described later) on the sheet bundle B and inserts the tongue 522 into the cut formed by the blade 504. Have.
The blade 504 is configured by a substantially rectangular plate-like member that extends toward the sheet bundle B sandwiched between the base 501 and the holding member 502. Specifically, the blade 504 has eye holes 504a on a substantially rectangular surface, and further has a tip 504b whose width decreases as the sheet bundle B is approached.

The punching member 505 is a member having an L-shaped bent portion. One end of the punching member 505 is a main portion 505a, and the other end is a sub-portion 505b.
The punching member 505 has a main portion rotation shaft 505r provided at an L-shaped bent portion. This punching member 505 is rotatable around a main portion rotation shaft 505r. When the punching member 505 rotates about the main portion rotation shaft 505r, the main portion 505a comes into contact with and separates from the blade 504. A gap is formed between the sub part 505b and the base part 503 so that the punching member 505 can rotate.

  Here, the main portion 505 a extends toward the base 501. Further, the main portion 505a has a blade portion 505c on the side opposite to the side where the main portion rotating shaft 505r is provided, that is, on the side facing the base 501. The blade portion 505c is configured by a blade that punches out the shape of the tongue portion 522. Note that no blade is formed on the side of the blade portion 505c that faces the blade 504, and the tongue portion 522 and the sheet S are configured to be continuous by a root 522a (described later). Further, the main portion 505 a has a protrusion 505 d extending toward the blade 504 on the side of the main portion 505 a that faces the blade 504.

<Operation of Needleless Binding Mechanism 150>
Here, the operation of binding the end portion of the sheet bundle B by the stapleless binding mechanism 150 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
Here, FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a portion bound by the stapleless binding mechanism 50. More specifically, FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the slit 521 and the tongue 522, and FIG. 5B shows the relationship between the slit 521 and the tongue 522 bound by the stapleless binding mechanism 150. FIG. 5C is an explanatory view showing the binding portion 51 bound by the stapleless binding mechanism 150.

  First, the needleless binding motor M1 that has received an instruction from the control unit 80 is driven to rotate the cam 82. As a result, the base portion 503 approaches the base 501 (direction F1 in FIG. 4), and the leading end portion 504b of the blade 504 and the blade portion 505c of the punching member 505 penetrate the sheet bundle B. Then, slits (cuts) 521 and tongues 522 from which the sheet S is punched out leaving the root 522a are formed on each sheet S constituting the sheet bundle B (see FIG. 5A).

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the cam 82 rotates and further presses down the base portion 503, the sub-portion 505 b of the punching member 505 hits the protruding portion 506 formed integrally with the base 501, and the punching member 505 is moved. 4 rotates about the main portion rotation shaft 505r in the clockwise direction in FIG. As a result, the main portion 505 a is inclined toward the blade 504, and the protrusion 505 d of the punching member 505 approaches the blade 504. Then, the protrusion 505d of the punching member 505 bends the tongue 522 and pushes it toward the eye hole 504a of the blade 504 (F2 direction in FIG. 4) as shown in FIG. 5B. In FIG. 5B, the punching member 505 is not shown.

Then, after the cam 82 further rotates and passes through the bottom dead center, the base 503 moves away from the base 501 while receiving the force of the spring 84 (see F3 in FIG. 4). As the base portion 503 moves, the tongue portion 522 moves while being caught in the eye hole 504a of the blade 504.
Then, as shown in FIG. 5C, the sheet bundle B is bound by inserting (weaving) the tongue 522 into the slit 521. At this time, a binding hole 523 is formed in the sheet bundle B where the tongue 522 is punched. In the present embodiment, a portion where the slit 521, the tongue portion 522, and the binding hole 523 are arranged is a portion (binding portion) 51 subjected to the binding process.

  Now, as shown in FIG. 5C, the tongue portion 522 of the binding portion 51 bound by the stapleless binding mechanism 150 intersects the direction in which the sheet bundle B is conveyed (third traveling direction S3). It is formed. In the sheet bundle B, a binding portion 51 is formed by a stapleless binding mechanism 150 included in each of the first binding portion 100a and the second binding portion 100b. As shown in FIG. 9B (described later), two binding portions 51 are formed at the leading end BL of the sheet bundle B. Further, the tongue portions 522 in the respective binding portions 51 are arranged so that the front ends 522b of the tongue portions 522 face the outside of the sheets S constituting the sheet bundle B.

  Here, the tongue portion 522 of the binding portion 51 is provided so as to protrude from the surface of the sheet bundle B. In addition, this tongue part 522 can be caught as a protrusion part. Further, the tongue 522 may be damaged by being caught by another member or the like as the sheet bundle B is conveyed.

<Mode for Supporting Sheet Bundle B>
Next, an aspect in which the intermediate support mechanism 170 supports the sheet bundle B will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 6. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing an aspect in which the intermediate support mechanism 170 supports the sheet bundle B. FIG. In FIG. 6, the cover member 190 is not shown. Although the second binding portion 100b will be described here, the first binding portion 100a also supports the sheet bundle B in the same manner.

The support of the sheet bundle B by the intermediate support mechanism 170 of the binding unit 100 can mainly take the following three modes.
First, as shown in FIG. 6A, in a state where the second binding portion 100b is disposed at the first position Sb1, the intermediate support mechanism 170 of the binding portion 100 supports the sheet bundle B by the upper surface 175a of the positioning side plate 175. To do. The sheet bundle B supported by the upper surface 175a is inserted (arranged) in the gap 155 of the stapleless binding mechanism 150.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, in the state where the second binding portion 100b is disposed at the second position Sb2, the intermediate support mechanism 170 of the binding portion 100 supports the sheet bundle B by the first support portion 171. . Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6C, in the state where the second binding portion 100b is disposed at the second position Sb2, the intermediate support mechanism 170 causes the first support portion 171 and the second support portion 173 to hold the sheet bundle B. To support.

  Here, the state shown in FIG. 6B is switched to the state shown in FIG. 6C in accordance with the length of the sheet bundle B discharged from the opening 69. In addition, when the length of the sheet bundle B discharged from the opening 69 is short, the sheet bundle B is first supported by the first support portion 171 as shown in FIG. Further, when the length of the sheet bundle B discharged from the opening 69 becomes longer, the sheet bundle B is supported by the first support portion 171 and the second support portion 173 as shown in FIG.

<Control unit 80>
Next, the control unit 80 that controls the entire image forming system 1 (see FIG. 1) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the hardware configuration of the control unit 80.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, the control unit 80 includes a processing unit 801 that executes a processing program, and a storage unit 802 that stores various programs, various tables, parameters, and the like.

Here, the storage unit 802 stores each of the first position Sa1, the second position Sa2, the third position Sa3, the first position Sb1, the second position Sb2, and the third position Sb3 according to the size and orientation of the paper. Memorize the arrangement.
In addition, the storage unit 802 stores the timing (described later) when the binding unit 100 evacuates from the conveyance path of the sheet bundle B according to the size and orientation of the sheet. For example, in a case where the binding unit 100 is withdrawn after a predetermined time has elapsed since the sheet bundle B has started to be ejected from the compilation stacking unit 35, the predetermined time is stored in the storage unit 802.

  The processing unit 801 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the storage unit 802 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

<Operation of the binding unit 100>
Next, referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9-1, and 9-2, the binding unit 100 binds the sheet bundle B and stacks the sheet bundle B subjected to the binding process. The operation of loading on the unit 70 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of stacking the sheet bundle B on the stacking unit 70. FIGS. 9A and 9B are explanatory diagrams illustrating an operation of stacking the sheet bundle B on the stacking unit 70. FIGS.

In the following description, as shown in FIG. 9A, a new sheet bundle B1 is loaded in a state where the sheet bundle B0 subjected to the binding process by the binding unit 100 is already stacked on the stacking unit 70. The operation to be performed will be described.
First, with the start of the operation of forming a new sheet bundle B1 by the image forming system 1, the first binding portion 100a disposed at the third position Sa3 that is the home position moves to the first position Sa1. Similarly, the second binding portion 100b disposed at the third position Sb3, which is also the home position, moves to the first position Sb1 (step 801).

  Then, the sheet bundle B1 formed by the compile stacking unit 35 (see FIG. 1) of the sheet processing apparatus 3 is discharged from the opening 69 by the eject roll 39 (see FIG. 1), and is conveyed in the third traveling direction S3. (Step 802). Then, the inclined surfaces 175b (see FIG. 3) of the first binding portion 100a and the second binding portion 100b guide the leading end portion BL of the sheet bundle B1 into the gap 155 of the stapleless binding mechanism 150.

  Then, at the timing when the sheet bundle B1 reaches a predetermined binding position, the rotation of the eject roll 39 (see FIG. 1) stops and the sheet bundle B1 stops (step 803). At this time, as shown in FIG. 9A, the leading end BL of the sheet bundle B1 is inserted into the gap 155 of the stapleless binding mechanism 150, and the upper surface 175a of the positioning side plate 175 supports the sheet bundle B1. .

Then, a binding process is performed on the leading edge BL of the sheet bundle B1 by the first binding portion 100a and the second binding portion 100b (step 804). As a result, two binding portions 51 are formed at the front end BL of the sheet bundle B1 (see FIG. 9-1 (b) described later).
Then, the first binding portion 100a and the second binding portion 100b move to the second position Sa2 and the second position Sb2, respectively (step 805).

  As the first binding portion 100a and the second binding portion 100b move in a direction away from each other, as shown in FIG. 9-1 (b), the sheet bundle B1 supported by the upper surface 175a falls (arrows). S5), the leading end BL of the sheet bundle B1 is supported by the first support 171. Further, the positioning side plates 175 of the first binding portion 100a and the second binding portion 100b are in contact with the first end portion BA and the second end portion BB of the sheet bundle B1, respectively. As a result, the position in the direction intersecting the transport direction (third traveling direction S3) of the sheet bundle B1 is determined. In other words, the positioning side plate 175 has a function (guide function) for guiding the position of the sheet bundle B1 in the direction (side registration direction) intersecting the transport direction of the sheet bundle B1.

  Next, as the eject roll 39 (see FIG. 1) rotates again, the conveyance of the sheet bundle B1 is resumed (step 806). At this time, the transported sheet bundle B1 moves while sliding on the upper surfaces of the first support portion 171 and the second support portion 173. By holding the sheet bundle B1 conveyed in this way by the first support portion 171 and the second support portion 173, the sheet bundle B1 is prevented from coming into contact with the binding portion 51 of the already stacked sheet bundle B0. The In other words, the first support portion 171 and the second support portion 173 hold the sheet bundle B1 being conveyed in a posture that does not catch on the binding portion 51 formed on the already stacked sheet bundle B0.

Then, as shown in FIG. 9C, when the discharge of the sheet bundle B by the eject roll 39 (see FIG. 1) is completed and the rear end BT of the sheet bundle B1 comes out of the opening 69, the rear end The part BT falls (see arrow S7, step 807).
The rear end BT of the sheet bundle B1 is in contact (landing) with the sheet bundle B0 on the stacking unit 70, and the stacking unit 70 is inclined, so that the rear end BT comes into contact with the housing 30A. . Thus, the position of the sheet bundle B1 in the stacking unit 70 is determined, and the sheet bundle B0 and the sheet bundle B1 already stacked on the stacking unit 70 are aligned. The rear end portion BT can be regarded as another end portion different from the end portion of the sheet bundle on which the protruding portion is formed by the binding means.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9-2 (c), the front end BL side of the sheet bundle B1 is maintained in a state of being held by the intermediate support mechanism 170. In the illustrated example, the tip portion BL protrudes from the second support portion 173 of the intermediate support mechanism 170. More specifically, the intermediate support mechanism 170 is supporting a portion other than the binding portion 51 formed on the sheet bundle B1.
As shown in FIG. 9C, the sheet bundle B1 is bent by supporting the leading end BL in the transport direction (third traveling direction S3), and the transport direction ( Since both ends are supported in a direction intersecting with the third traveling direction S3), it is bent.

Next, the first binding portion 100a and the second binding portion 100b move to the third position Sa3 and the third position Sb3, respectively (step 808). In other words, by this movement, the intermediate support mechanism 170 is retracted from the conveyance path of the sheet bundle B1, and the intermediate support mechanism 170 is separated from the held sheet bundle B1.
The movement of the first binding unit 100a and the second binding unit 100b is performed by the control unit 80 at a timing when a predetermined time elapses after the eject roll 39 starts discharging the sheet bundle B, for example. This is executed by instructing 100a and the second binding portion 100b.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 9-2 (d), as the first binding portion 100a and the second binding portion 100b move, the binding portion 51 formed in the sheet bundle B1 becomes the binding portion of the sheet bundle B0. The sheet bundle B1 is stacked while being arranged so as to overlap the upper part 51 (step 809).

  Here, in the state where the rear end portion BT of the sheet bundle B1 is in contact with the housing 30A, the front end portion BL side falls (arrow S9 in FIG. 9-2 (d)). More specifically, in the transport direction (third traveling direction S3) of the sheet bundle B1, the trailing edge BT closer to the stacked sheet bundle B0 when the sheet bundle B1 is dropped on the leading end BL side. It gradually contacts the sheet bundle B0 from the side toward the front end BL side. Further, in the direction intersecting with the conveyance direction (third traveling direction S3) of the sheet bundle B1, the sheet bundle B1 gradually comes into contact with the sheet bundle B0 from the center side to both end sides.

  Thereafter, the control unit 80 determines whether or not there is a sheet bundle B to be newly formed by the image forming system 1 (step 810), and when there is a next sheet bundle B, the processing in step 801 and subsequent steps is performed again. Run. On the other hand, if there is no next sheet bundle B, the process is terminated.

  The intermediate support mechanism 170 can be understood as having a function of holding the binding portion 51 of the sheet bundle B being conveyed so as not to rub when the sheet bundle B is conveyed. Further, the intermediate support mechanism 170 can be grasped as having a function of not rubbing the binding portion 51 of the released sheet bundle B after releasing the holding of the sheet bundle B.

Here, unlike the above-described embodiment, if the sheet bundle B0 and the sheet bundle B1 are rubbed, for example, the sheet bundle B1 may be caught by the binding portion 51 formed on the sheet bundle B0. Accordingly, the position of the sheet bundle B0 stacked on the stacking unit 70 may be shifted, or the sheet bundle B1 may be disposed at a position other than the intended position of the stacking unit 70.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the stacking from being disturbed as compared with the case where the sheet bundle B0 and the sheet bundle B1 are rubbed. Further, deterioration of the stacking performance (stacking performance) due to the binding portion 51, and further explanation, it can be suppressed that the number of sheet bundles B (number of sheets S) that can be stacked on the stacking unit 70 is reduced.

In other words, for example, in the case of paper quality (paper type) having a characteristic that the sheet S is easily charged with static electricity or a characteristic having a large friction coefficient, the frictional force generated between the sheets S increases. In this case, if stacking is performed while suppressing the rubbing between the sheet bundles B as described above, the stacking disorder can be further suppressed.
Further, since the stacking portion 51 formed on the sheet bundle B0 and the sheet bundle B1 is overlapped, the binding portion 51 is compressed and the stacked sheet bundle B is suppressed. The overall loading height can be suppressed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9-2 (c), as described above, the intermediate support mechanism 170 is retracted from the conveyance path of the sheet bundle B1 without contacting the binding portion 51 formed on the sheet bundle B1. The intermediate support mechanism 170 can suppress the binding portion 51 from being damaged.
Further, the intermediate support mechanism 170 can be regarded as a configuration in which the sheet bundle B1 is received and held once and the posture of the sheet bundle B1 is stabilized, and then the held sheet bundle B is dropped onto the stacking unit 70. it can. Further, the intermediate support mechanism 170 can be regarded as an intermediate stacking unit that stacks the sheet bundle B before stacking the sheet bundle B on the stacking unit 70.

  Although not described above, when the sheet bundle B that has been bound by the stapler 40 is stacked on the stacking unit 70, the intermediate support mechanism 170 causes the sheet bundle that has been bound by the stapler 40. B may be received and held once, and the sheet bundle B may be dropped after the posture of the sheet bundle B is stabilized. Alternatively, when the sheet bundle B subjected to the binding process by the stapler 40 is discharged from the opening 69, the first binding portion 100a and the second binding portion 100b of the binding portion 100 are moved to the third position Sa3 as the home position and The state where the sheet B is disposed at the third position Sb3 may be maintained, and the sheet bundle B may be stacked as it is without being received by the intermediate support mechanism 170.

<Modification>
Next, a modification of the above-described aspect will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of stacking the sheet bundle B on the stacking unit 700 in the modification of the present embodiment.
In the above-described aspect, it has been described that the intermediate support mechanism 170 holds both ends of the sheet bundle B on the leading end BL side. However, when the sheet bundle B on which the binding portion 51 is formed is stacked on the stacking unit 70, the sheet bundle B is dropped in a state where the end of the newly stacked sheet bundle B is abutted, and the sheet bundle B is dropped. However, any configuration that suppresses rubbing between the stacking unit 70 and the sheet bundle B already stacked on the stacking unit 70 may be used.

  For example, in addition to both ends of the sheet bundle B on the front end portion BL side, the intermediate support mechanism 170 may support a central portion of the sheet bundle B in a direction intersecting with the third traveling direction S3. Alternatively, the intermediate support mechanism 170 may support the sheet bundle B only at the center side in the direction intersecting the third traveling direction S3, not at the end portion BL side end of the sheet bundle B. At this time, the intermediate support mechanism 170 is preferably configured to support other than the binding portion 51 formed in the sheet bundle B.

Alternatively, the configuration may be such that the rear end portion BT of the sheet bundle B is dropped after the leading end BL of the sheet bundle B is abutted against the stacking portion 70 and aligned.
Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 10A, the stacking unit 700 is inclined so that the leading end side is positioned below the base side, and the downstream side in the transport direction of the sheet bundle B along the upper surface of the stacking unit 700. The structure provided with the 1st support part 1710 and the 2nd support part 1730 which become the side below may be sufficient. In this configuration, the binding process is performed on the rear end portion BT side of the sheet bundle B.

  As shown in FIG. 10B, the leading end BL of the sheet bundle B is abutted in a state where the rear end portion BT of the sheet bundle B is held by the first support portion 1710 and the second support portion 1730. Then, the intermediate support mechanism 170 is retracted from the conveyance path of the sheet bundle B in a state where the leading end BL is abutted. As a result, the rear end BT of the sheet bundle B is dropped (see arrow S11), and the sheet bundle B is stacked on the stacking unit 700 (see FIG. 10C).

Next, another modification of the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a binding portion 510 in another modification of the present embodiment.
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the stapleless binding mechanism 150 performs binding while forming the slit 521 and the tongue 522 has been described. However, a part of the sheet bundle B is deformed, and the sheet bundle in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle B is described. The present invention is not limited to this as long as the sheet bundle B is bound while forming a portion protruding from B (protruding portion).

  For example, the binding process may be performed on the sheet bundle B as follows. As shown in FIG. 11, an arrow-shaped cut 511 that is a cut in the shape of an arrow is formed on the paper S constituting the paper bundle B. This arrow-shaped notch 511 is punched so that the root 511a is continuous with the paper S. By bending at the root 511a, the tip of the arrow-side cut 511 is shifted and protruded from the sheet bundle B. As a result, the sheet bundle B is bound by forming a binding portion 510 where the raised arrow-shaped cut 511 and the punched hole are engaged.

  Note that the binding portion 51 formed on the sheet bundle B by the stapleless binding mechanism 150 does not need to be formed at the same position in the sheet bundle B. The binding portion 51 formed on the paper bundle B1 discharged by the eject roll 39 and the paper bundle B0 already stacked on the stacking unit 70, or the binding portion 51 of the paper bundle B0 and the paper bundle B1 are The position at which the binding portion 51 is formed in the sheet bundle B may be different for each sheet bundle B as long as the sheet bundle B1 is in a position where it does not interfere with each other while being conveyed by the eject roll 39.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming system, 3 ... Paper processing apparatus, 30 ... Post-processing apparatus, 35 ... Compiling stacking part, 39 ... Eject roll, 51 ... Binding part, 69 ... Opening part, 70 ... Stacking part, 80 ... Control part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Binding part, 150 ... Needleless binding mechanism, 170 ... Intermediate support mechanism, 200 ... External unit, 521 ... Slit, 522 ... Tongue part, 523 ... Binding hole

Claims (6)

A binding unit that binds the sheet bundle while deforming a part of the sheet bundle and forming a protruding portion protruding from the sheet bundle in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle;
Transport means for transporting the sheet bundle bound by the binding means;
Stacking means for stacking the sheet bundle conveyed by the conveying means;
First support means for supporting the bundle of sheets at a position where binding processing is performed by the binding means;
At least a part of the sheet bundle falling from the first support means is supported above the stacking means, and an end portion along the transport direction of the sheet bundle in the sheet bundle transported by the transport means is the stacking means. guiding a position to be mounted on, when the protrusion of the sheet bundle to be the transport has fallen against the projecting portion of the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking means before the sheet bundle is the transported A post-processing apparatus comprising: a second support unit that supports the at least a part of the conveyed sheet bundle to drop after reaching the overlapping position. The stacking unit stacks the sheet bundle while abutting and aligning another end portion different from the end portion of the sheet bundle in which the protruding portion is formed by the binding unit;
2. The rear of claim 1, wherein the second support means drops the at least a part of the sheet bundle in a state where the other end of the sheet bundle is abutted against the stacking means. Processing equipment. Provided on the downstream side of the second support means in the conveying direction of the sheet bundle conveyed by the conveying means, the downstream end of the sheet bundle conveyed while supporting the conveyed sheet bundle The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising guide means for guiding in a direction away from the upper surface of the stacking means. The binding means cuts the sheet bundle into a predetermined shape to form a tongue portion whose root is continuous with the sheet bundle, bends the tongue portion, and sets the tip of the tongue portion to the thickness of the sheet bundle. Binding the paper bundle while protruding from the paper bundle in the direction,
The second support means drops the at least part of the conveyed sheet bundle while retracting from the conveyance path of the sheet bundle along a direction connecting the base of the tongue and the tip. The post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . A binding unit that binds the sheet bundle while deforming a part of the sheet bundle and forming a protruding portion protruding from the sheet bundle in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle;
Stacking means for stacking the bundle of sheets bound by the binding means;
Transport means for transporting the sheet bundle bound by the binding means toward the stacking means;
At least a part of the sheet bundle transported by the transport means and falling from the binding means is supported above the stacking means, and the position of the end portion along the transport direction in the transported sheet bundle is set to the stacking means. The sheet is guided to the stacking position, held in a posture not to be caught by the protruding portion of the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking means before the sheet bundle conveyed by the conveyance means, and the sheet bundle conveyed A post-processing apparatus comprising: an attitude control unit that releases the holding of the attitude after guiding the end portion to a position where the end is loaded on the loading means. Image forming means for forming an image on paper;
A sheet bundle forming unit configured to stack a plurality of the sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit to form a sheet bundle;
Binding means for binding the sheet bundle while deforming a part of the sheet bundle formed by the sheet bundle forming unit to form a protruding portion protruding from the sheet bundle in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle;
Transport means for transporting the sheet bundle bound by the binding means;
Stacking means for stacking the sheet bundle conveyed by the conveying means;
First support means for supporting the bundle of sheets at a position where binding processing is performed by the binding means;
At least a part of the sheet bundle falling from the first support means is supported above the stacking means, and an end portion along the transport direction of the sheet bundle in the sheet bundle transported by the transport means is the stacking means. guiding a position to be mounted on, when the protrusion of the sheet bundle to be the transport has fallen against the projecting portion of the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking means before the sheet bundle is the transported An image forming system comprising: a second support unit that supports the at least a part of the conveyed sheet bundle to drop after reaching the overlapping position.

Images