DE69027093T2 - Image forming device with a book binding device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a bookbinding apparatus for binding a bundle of recording sheets subjected to image recording by an image forming or recording device such as a copying machine with a title sheet, and an image forming device having the bookbinding apparatus.

A bookbinding apparatus of the closest prior art is shown in Patent Abstracts of Japan, Vol. 10, No. 25 (M 450) [2082], dated January 31, 1986 and in JP-A-60-183 461. According to this bookbinding apparatus, each time a plurality of sheet elements constituting a set are discharged from the image forming unit, the set is transferred to the bookbinding apparatus, and then a next set of sheet elements discharged from the image forming device is completed on the stacking device. The result of this is that in the case where multiple sets are bound, each containing many sheet elements, a long period of time is necessary to carry out the binding process.

As post-processing devices for an image forming device such as a copy-recording device, there are conventionally known a sorter capable of storing in bins recorded transfer sheets (recording sheets) corresponding to a plurality of bundles of an original, a stapler for stapling a bundle of transfer sheets, and the like.

However, no bookbinding device for binding a bundle of transfer sheets with a title sheet has yet been proposed.

In a versatile bookbinding apparatus that has been conventionally proposed, prints to be bound must be manually bound with a title page and then manually inserted into a binding apparatus. In this way, the conventional bookbinding apparatus cannot be operated in direct cooperation with an image forming apparatus.

The object of the invention is to provide a bookbinding device with the aid of which the bookbinding processing can be carried out at a high speed while maintaining a high book quality, and to provide an image forming device equipped with such a bookbinding device.

This object is achieved with the aid of the features defined in patent claims 1 and 15. Preferred embodiments or examples of the invention are defined in the subclaims.

A bookbinding apparatus according to the present invention has a path for guiding a sheet subjected to image formation to a bookbinding unit and a path for guiding a title sheet to the bookbinding unit. The bookbinding apparatus further comprises first transport means for transporting a plurality of recording sheets output from an image forming apparatus, a stacker for temporarily storing the plurality of recording sheets transported by the first transport means, a title sheet storage means for storing title sheets used in a bookbinding process of the recording sheets, second transport means for transporting the bundle of recording sheets to the stacker, third transport means for transporting a title sheet stored in the title sheet storage means, a bookbinding device for joining the bundle of recording sheets transported by the second transport means with the title sheet transported by the third transport means.

According to the present invention, bookbinding processing can be carried out automatically in cooperation with the image forming device.

According to the present invention, the stored bundle of recording sheets is bound with the title sheet stored in the title sheet storing means after recording sheets are discharged from the image forming device and stored in the stacker. Therefore, the bookbinding processing can be automatically carried out in cooperation with the image forming device.

As a temporary binding device, a stapler can be used to allow reliable, temporary binding of the recording sheets.

The bookbinding apparatus has a first operation mode for directly transporting the recording sheets to the bookbinding device and a second operation mode for transporting the recording sheets to the stacker and then binding the recording sheets. Therefore, an optimal operation mode can be selected according to a bookbinding processing time and a bookbinding quality.

Since a conveying path is selected according to the number of recording sheets, the bookbinding processing of a small number of recording sheets can be carried out at high speed while maintaining a high quality of bookbinding.

When a large number of recording sheets are to be bound, the recording sheets are divided into a plurality of bundles, and these bundles are transported to the bookbinding device in sequence. Therefore, a large-scale conveying line is not required.

The bookbinding apparatus of the present invention further comprises a clamping device for clamping the front cover and the bundle of recording sheets transported by the transport means, a heating device for heating the front cover and the bundle of recording sheets clamped by the clamping device twice, and a control device for compressing the front cover and the bundle of recording sheets by reducing a clamping distance of the clamping device during the second heating, which is smaller than that during the first heating of the heating device.

Therefore, an adhesive can be evenly sprayed on the entire bonding portion during the first heating treatment, and the title sheet and the recording sheets are heated in the compressed state during the second heating treatment, therefore the adhesive properties of the adhesive are improved.

The control device receives an information signal indicating the total thickness of the title sheet and the bundle of recording sheets and changes the clamping pitch of the clamping device on the basis of the thickness information of the received information signal, thus allowing bookbinding processes of various types of recording sheets.

The clamper has a protruding part on a surface that is in contact with the title sheet. Therefore, the adhesive properties between the recording sheets and the title sheet can be improved because specific portions of the recording sheets and the title sheet are pressed together.

In the following, the invention is further illustrated by embodiments with reference to the attached figures.

Show it:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing the structure of a main part according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing a detailed structure of the main part shown in Fig. 1;

3A and 3B are a plan view and a side view, respectively, showing the structure of a bookbinding device 2503 according to the embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is an explanatory view showing a bookbinding pattern according to the embodiment of the present invention ;

Fig. 5 is an explanatory view showing another bookbinding pattern according to the embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the circuit arrangement of a control system according to the embodiment of the present invention;

7A to 7D are front views showing key arrangements on an operation panel of a copying machine according to the embodiment of the present invention;

Figs. 8A and 8B are flow charts showing the processing operations carried out in the copying machine;

Figs. 9A to 9F are flow charts showing the processing operations carried out in the bookbinding apparatus;

Fig. 10 is an explanatory view showing the types of information to be transferred from the copying machine to the bookbinding device;

Fig. 11 is an explanatory view showing a data format of title page data 610 shown in Fig. 10 ;

Fig. 12 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure in a bookbinding apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in a bookbinding apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a basic arrangement according to the embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 1, a bookbinding apparatus 2000 includes a first transport unit 2100 for conveying a document from a copying machine fed transfer sheet, a feeder with a second transport unit 2200 for feeding a title sheet from a front sheet cassette 2400 to a bookbinding unit 2500, a single tray (depositing device) 2300 for temporarily storing transfer sheets, the title sheet cassette 2400 for storing title sheets, and the bookbinding unit 2500 for binding the transfer sheets to the title sheet by gluing. The bookbinding apparatus further includes a cooling unit 2600 for cooling a heated, glued spine and a bookbinding tray 2700 for storing the bound transfer sheets. The first transport unit 2100 and the second transport unit 2200 serve as a transport device. The bookbinding unit 2500 serving as a bookbinding device includes a bookbinding device 2503 serving as a clamping device and a heating unit 2505 serving as a heating device.

Fig. 2 shows the detailed structure in the respective units of the bookbinding device 2000 shown in Fig. 2. In Fig. 2, the flapper or deflector plate 2109 switches a transport direction of recorded transfer sheets between the direction of a conveying path 2102 and the direction of a conveying path 2103. The deflector plate 2109 is normally set to the side of the conveying path 2102, and the transfer sheets move along the conveying path 2102. The conveying paths 2101 and 2102 serving as the first transport means are driven by a first drive motor 2106 at the same conveying speed as that of the main body of the copying machine.

A deflection plate 2110 switches the transport direction selectively between a transport direction to the shaft or compartments 2301 to 2305 for temporary storage and the transport direction of a second transport means conveying path 2104. In a state illustrated in Fig. 2, the conveying direction of the deflector plate 2110 is set in the direction of the temporary storage trays 2301 to 2305. For this reason, the transfer sheets discharged from the copying machine main body 1000 are conveyed to the temporary storage trays.

A sheet re-feed roller 2311 re-feeds a bundle of transfer sheets stored in one of the temporary storage bins into the bookbinding apparatus. When the transfer sheets are fed to the above-mentioned temporary storage bins, the sheet re-feed roller 2311 switches to a position above the temporary storage bins. When the first page of a second copy of transfer sheets is to be picked up, the temporary storage bin 2302 is shifted up one step by a guide cam 2309 and a motor 2308 and is set in the direction of the conveyance path 2102.

When the second page of a first copy of transfer sheets is to be picked up, the guide cam 2309 is rotated in the reverse direction to shift the tray 2302 in the reverse direction (downward) so as to adjust the tray 2301 in the direction of the conveying path 2102. For example, when two copies of transfer sheets (each copy consisting of five sheets) are to be picked up, the guide cam 2309 is moved by the operation control of the motor so that the first copy of transfer sheets is picked up by the tray 1301 for temporary storage and the second copy of transfer sheets is picked up by the tray 2302, thus forming bundles of five sheets by these trays. A pivot rod 2306 is arranged to bring the side edge portions of these bundles of transfer sheets into register. The swing rod 2306 is moved by a drive motor 2307 (not shown) to be brought into contact with the transfer sheets, thereby bringing the side edge portions of the two bundles into register.

The bundles of five transfer sheets whose edge portions are thus aligned are stapled (temporarily bound) by a stapler 2310 serving as a temporary binding device before transportation. The stapler 2310 comes out of the temporary storage bins at times other than in a stapling mode. The stapled bundles of transfer sheets are fed to the conveying path 2104 by the sheet roller 2311 for re-feeding.

On the other hand, the title sheet cassettes 2401 to 2403 are detachable from the bookbinding device 2000 and store title sheets of different paper sizes.

In this embodiment, the cassette 2401 stores title sheets for one to five sheets of A4 paper size per bundle, the cassette 2402 stores title sheets for six to 10 sheets of A4 paper size per bundle, and the cassette 2403 stores title sheets for 11 to 20 sheets of A4 paper size per bundle. For example, in each cassette, a plurality of inserted U-shaped title sheets are stacked and stored, which are separated and fed one after another by, for example, a suction roller. Alternatively, folded and flattened title sheets may be stored, separated one after another in a flat state, and can then be unfolded into a U-shaped state by suction in the bookbinding unit.

Conveyor lines 2201 to 2203 for transporting front pages from the title page cassettes 2401 to 2403 combine on a conveyor line 2204 and transport the title pages into the bookbinding device 2503.

Each of the conveyance lines 2201 to 2203 is independently driven by a motor 2107, and the conveyance line to be driven is selected to select a title sheet suitable as a transfer sheet. The drive motor 2107 independently drives not only the conveyance lines 2201 to 2203, but also the conveyance lines 2103 to 2105, 2602 and 2604 through a gear device (not shown).

A title sheet setting sensor 2502 arranged in the book binding device 2503 detects that the title sheet is transported into the book binding device 2503, and a heater of the heating unit 2505 is heated to liquefy an adhesive applied to the spine of the title sheet through a copper plate 2533.

When the arrival of the title sheet is detected by the title sheet setting sensor 2502, the re-sheet feeding roller 2311 is driven and the deflector plate 2110 of the re-sheet feeding path is switched to the side of the conveying path 2104. For this reason, the stapled bundles of transfer sheets are transported from the conveying path 2104 to the book binder 2503 via a conveying path 2105. The deflector plate 2111, which is arranged at a deflection point to the conveying paths 2103 and 2104, is pushed up by the guide cam 2309 and the tray 2302 storing the bundle of the second copy is connected to the conveying path 2104.

At the same time, a title sheet is fed from the title sheet cassette 2401. Thereafter, the stapled bundle of transfer sheets as the second copy is transported from the tray 2302 to the book binder 2503 and bound after the arrival of the title sheet in the book binder 2503 is detected by the title sheet setting sensor 2502 as in the book binding of the first copy described above.

The detailed structure of the bookbinding device 2503 according to the present invention will be described in detail below.

Fig. 3A is a plan view of the bookbinding device 2503, and Fig. 3B illustrates a side structure of the bookbinding device 2503.

In Figs. 3A and 3B, the direction serves as the transport direction. In Fig. 3A, a side registration abutment plate 2517 and the side registration or registration plate 2504 for binding transfer sheets and a front sheet placed on a base plate 2516 are arranged to face each other.

The lateral position accuracy plate 2504 is movable in the direction in Fig. 3A, and its position is detected by a lateral position accuracy origin sensor 2507 and a lateral position accuracy origin flag 2508 (position detection plate). A leading edge abutment plate 2518 and a leading edge swing rod 2514 are arranged perpendicular to the lateral position accuracy abutment plate 2517. The leading edge swing rod 2514 is movable in the direction of an arrow in Fig. 3A by the swing rod drive motor 2511. The swing rod drive motor 2511 is connected to a drive motor 2510. of the swing unit. The swing rod drive motor 2511 and the leading edge swing rod 2514 are moved in the leading edge direction ( -direction) by the swing unit drive motor 2510. The swing position of the swing unit is detected by a leading edge swing rod drive sensor 2512 and a leading edge swing rod origin flag 2513.

In Fig. 3B, the base plate 2516 is moved in the direction by driving a screw spindle 2520 by a base plate drive motor 2519. The position of the base plate 2516 is detected by a base plate home point flag 2521 and a base plate drive sensor 2522.

The heating unit 2505 is arranged under the base plate 2516. The heating unit 2505 comprises a first heating roller 2529, a second heating roller 2536 and its drive system. A heater 2523 is installed in the first heating roller 2529 and a heater 2524 is installed in the second heating roller 2536.

The first heat roller 2529 and the second heat roller 2536 have different lengths. The heaters 2523 and 2524 also have different lengths and power consumptions. Therefore, the heat roller and the heater are selected according to the paper size and thickness of the transfer sheets to be bound.

By a drive motor 2530, the first heating roller 2529 is moved along a horizontal heating roller rail 2534, and the second heating roller 2536 is moved along the horizontal heating roller rail 2534 and a vertical heating roller rail 2535. The positions of the heating rollers 2529 and 2536 are detected by a heating roller sensor 2531. When the second heating roller 2536 is moved along the horizontal heating roller rail 2534, the first heating roller 2529 into a position between the support plate 2517 for the lateral positioning accuracy and the screw spindle 2520.

A member such as a copper plate 2533 having high thermal conductivity disposed on the base plate 2516 is brought into contact with the first heating roller 2529 or second heating roller 2536 and transfers heat generated by the heater to a title sheet. To liquefy an adhesive applied to the title sheet, the spine of the title sheet is heated by this copper plate 2533 to thereby wet the transfer sheets 2538 and a title sheet 2537 with the adhesive. A temperature sensor is disposed near the copper plate 2533. A heater control circuit 2525 performs a temperature adjusting operation of the selected heater 2523 or 2524 based on the detection result of this sensor 2532.

The above-mentioned heating unit 2505 is moved by a heating unit moving motor 2526. A heating unit origin flag 2527 and a drive sensor 2528 for detecting the position of the heating unit are arranged near the heating unit 2505.

A bookbinding operation of the bookbinding device 2503 having the above structure will be described below.

When five transfer sheets of A4 paper size are to be bound with a title sheet, the bundle of transfer sheets and the title sheet are transported to the book binding device 2503 as described above. Before the transport, an x-space between the abutment plate 2504 for the lateral registration accuracy and the lateral registration accuracy abutment plate 2517. In this embodiment, the gap is determined by adding a constant α to 100 µ * 5 + 500 µ * 2 = 1500 µ when the thickness of the transfer sheet is 100 micrometers and that of the title sheet is 500 micrometers. The constant α is a numerical value determined by taking into account the conveyance characteristics of a transfer sheet and the distribution of an adhesive fluidized by heating, which is set to 300 micrometers in this embodiment.

A gap between the base plate 2516 and the leading edge swing rod 2514 (i.e., a z-height) is determined as follows. That is, the height is determined by subtracting a constant β from 210 mm as the width of the A4 paper. The constant ß is a correction value for setting a height large enough for the leading edge swing rod 2514 to satisfactorily match the edges of the transfer sheets. In this embodiment, β = 30 mm. Therefore, the height of the base plate 2516 is set to 180 mm. In addition, the y-position of the leading edge swing rod 2514 is set to 300 mm as the sum of a setting margin of 2 mm and a leading edge length of 298 mm of a transfer sheet of A4 paper. In this way, the copy of a bundle of A4-size transfer sheets and a title sheet are picked up by the bookbinding device 2503 after the x, y and z spaces of the respective units are set to 1800 microns, 180 mm and 300 mm, respectively.

In this embodiment, the first heating roller 2523 is selected as the heating roller corresponding to the paper size of the transfer sheet. The first heating roller 2523 is moved along the horizontal rail 2534 to control the temperature of the copper plate at 150ºC. Note that the heating roller is moved by a distance 3.5 mm larger than the lateral registration gap, thereby heating a spine of a book up to its edge portion. Of course, the movement width of the heating roller is changed according to the thickness of a bundle of transfer sheets. When the rear end of the transferred bundle is detected by a book binding sheet feed sensor 2501, heating is carried out for a width of (1500 + 300) micrometers for 15 seconds. Thereafter, the lateral registration width is set to (1500 - 100) micrometers, thus increasing the adhesion properties between the title sheet and the bundle of transfer sheets.

When the heating treatment is thus completed, the heating unit 2505 is moved to an exit position, and the bound bundle is transported to the fifth conveying line 2602 (Fig. 2). The bundle is temporarily stopped on the cooling line 2604. Now, when the bound bundle is detected by a post-binding trailing sensor 2601, the heating unit 2505 is returned from the exit position to the home position. Thereafter, the heating treatment of the second copy of a bound bundle is repeated. The bound bundle is cooled to below 40°C on the cooling line 2604 by the bookbinding cooling fan 2603 as described above, and is then discharged onto the bookbinding tray 2701.

Fig. 6 shows a circuit arrangement of a control system for controlling the respective units of the bookbinding apparatus 2000 shown in Fig. 2. In Fig. 6, a central processing unit (CPU) 3001 controls the entire apparatus by executing a control sequence (to be described later). In a read-only memory (ROM) 3002 A control sequence to be executed by the CPU 3001 is pre-stored.

A random access memory (RAM) 3003 stores various data such as calculation data of the CPU 3001, control data received from the copying machine 1000, and the like. An input/output interface (I/O) 3004 transmits control signals and function signals to be exchanged between the CPU 3001 and the existing units of the bookbinding device.

The read-only memory 3002, the RAM 3003 and the I/O 3004 are commonly connected to an address bus 3005, and information transfer control is executed according to an instruction from the CPU 3001.

The I/O 3004 is connected to a first transport drive system 3007, a second transport drive system 3008, a cover loading system 3009, a temporary storage tray drive system 3010, a side registration drive system 3011, a heater drive system 3012, and a cooling drive system 3013.

The first transport drive system 3007 includes the motor, a baffle plate and the like associated with the transport of a transfer sheet in the first transport unit 2100 shown in Fig. 1 and its drive circuit.

The second transport drive system 3008 includes the motor, a deflector plate and the like associated with the transport of a transfer sheet in the second transport unit 2200 shown in Fig. 1 and its drive circuit. The cover sheet supply system 3009 comprises a motor for driving a device for selecting a title sheet from the title sheet cassette 2400 shown in Fig. 1, and its drive circuit.

The temporary storage tray drive system 3010 includes a motor for moving the temporary storage tray 2300 shown in Fig. 1 and its drive circuit. The lateral registration drive system 3011 includes a motor for moving the lateral registration plate 2504 in the book binder 2503 shown in Fig. 2 and its drive circuit.

The heating device drive system 3012 includes the heater in the heating unit 2505 of the book binding device 2503 shown in Fig. 2 and a circuit for heating this heater. The cooling device drive system 3013 includes the cooling fan shown in Fig. 2 and its drive circuit. The CPU 3001 exchanges the information with the CPU of the copying machine 1000 through a serial connection.

Some pieces of information, such as the paper size information, the copy sheet number information, and the manual transfer sheet setting information, the post-processing start information, and the like, are inputted into a function part (to be described later) and transmitted from the copying machine 1000.

The information indicating that the bookbinding device is in the standby state (during a standby function), the information indicating that the bookbinding device is in operation (when executing a bookbinding operation), the information of the paper size of a the cover sheet cassette, the information indicating the presence/absence of a cover sheet in the cassette, the information indicating the thickness of a cover sheet, and the abnormality information indicating a sheet jam or a cover sheet jam in the book binding device are transmitted from the CPU 3001 of the book binding device to the CPU 1101 of the copying machine main body.

Various keys arranged on the operation part of the copying machine main body 1000 for giving operation commands to the copying machine main body 1000 and the bookbinding device 2000 and their command contents will be described below with reference to Figs. 7A to 7D.

In Fig. 7A, a key 101 with * (asterisk) is used by an operator to set modes, e.g., to set an amount of binding margin, a size for erasing the original frame, and the like.

A universal reset button 102 is pressed when an operating mode is reset to a standard operating mode. A preheat button 103 is pressed to set the entire device to a preheat state or to undo the preheat state. The preheat button 103 is also pressed when the device has resumed the standard mode from an automatic power-off state.

A copy start key 104 is pressed to start a copy operation. A clear/start key 105 is used as a clear key in a standby state and also as a stop key during a copy operation. The clear key is pressed to reset the set number of copy sheets. The Clear key is also used to undo the * (asterisk) mode. The Stop key is pressed to interrupt a copy operation in progress. In this case, the copy operation will stop after a copy operation at the time of pressing it is completed.

A ten-key pad 106 is used to set a copy sheet number. The ten-key pad 106 is also used to set the * (asterisk) mode. The ten-key pad is also used when the sheet number is set in a manual insert book binding mode. Memory keys 107 are used by an operator to display the constantly used modes.

In Fig. 7B, the copy density buttons 108 and 109 are pressed to manually adjust a copy density. An AE button 110 is pressed when a copy density is automatically adjusted according to the density of an original or when an AE (Automatic Density Control) mode is returned to a manual mode.

A cassette selection key 111 is pressed when an upper cassette 18, a lower cassette 19 or a lower paper stack 20 is selected. When an original is set on an automatic original feeder 35, an APS (automatic paper selector) can be selected. An equal magnification key 112 is pressed when copying is performed at the same magnification (original size).

In Fig. 7C, an automatic magnification change button 113 is pressed to automatically reduce or enlarge the size of an original according to the specified copy sheet paper size. The zoom buttons 114 and 115 are pressed to set an arbitrary magnification between 64% and 142%. The fixed magnification buttons 116 and 117 are pressed to decrease or increase the size to a fixed magnification.

A both-sided key 118 is pressed to perform a both-sided copying operation of a one-sided original or a both-sided copying operation of a two-sided original or a one-sided copying operation of a two-sided original. A binding margin key 119 is pressed to form a binding margin having a certain length on the left side of a transfer sheet.

A photo key 120 is pressed to copy a photographic original. A multi-key 121 is pressed to form an image on the same side of a transfer sheet based on two original sheets. An original border erase key 122 is pressed by an operator to perform an erasure of the fixed size of an original frame, and the size is set by the * key. A sheet frame erase key 123 is pressed to erase a frame corresponding to a cassette size.

A page sequence copy key 124 is pressed to copy right and left sides of an original on different sheets. Both-sided copy indicators 160 are turned on when one of a both-sided copy mode from a two-sided original and a both-sided copy mode from a one-sided original is selected.

A bookbinding button 125 is pressed to operate the device in the bookbinding mode. A binding direction selection button 126 is pressed to select a right or left binding mode A sort button 161 is switched to the default mode when a sorting device is added. The sort button 161 is pressed to undo or set a sorting mode.

A group key 162 is pressed to make a plurality of copies of an original and store them in units of the temporary storage tray of the bookbinding device. An LCD (liquid crystal display) message display 150 is a semi-transparent type liquid crystal display which defines one character by 5 * 7 dots and corresponds to 40 characters, and which uses two colors as a backlight. The message display 150 is normally illuminated by green backlight and illuminated by orange light in an abnormal state or an ineffective copy state. When a cover sheet select switch 127 is pressed, the message display 150 displays the thickness of a cover sheet stored in the designated cover sheet cassette. A magnification display 151 displays a set magnification in units of %.

Referring to Fig. 7B, the equal magnification indicator 152 is turned on when the same size is selected. Reference numeral 153 denotes indicators of the color developing unit. A copy sheet number display 154 displays a copy sheet number or a self-diagnosis code.

Cassette usage indicators 155 indicate a cassette selected from the upper, intermediate and lower cassettes and a stack. An original direction indicator 156 indicates the set direction of an original (lengthwise or sideways setting). An AE indicator 157 is turned on when when AE (Automatic Density Control) mode is selected.

Referring to Fig. 7A, a preheat indicator 158 is turned on when the preheat state is set, and turns on and off in the automatic power-off state. A ready/wait indicator 159 has green and orange LEDs and is turned on to a ready state (copy-enabled state) when green or to a wait state (copy-impossible state) when orange-red.

In Fig. 7D, the title sheet selection key 127 is pressed to select one of the upper title sheet cassette 2401, the intermediate title sheet cassette 2402, and the lower front sheet cassette 2403. When the book binding key 125 is pressed, an automatic mode of a title sheet cassette display device 128 is normally selected. However, the automatic mode is not selected when transfer sheets are placed on the trays for temporary storage later or in the manual book binding mode. A manual book binding key 129 is pressed to bind a book manually.

The processing operations of the copying machine main body and the bookbinding device associated with the bookbinding processing will be described below with reference to the flow charts shown in Figs. 8A and 8B and 9A to 9F. In this embodiment, two copies of five original sheets (pages) of A4 paper size are bound.

Figs. 8A and 8B show the control processing functions performed by the CPU of the main body of the copying machine, and Figs. 9A to 9F show the functions of the Control processing performed by the CPU of the bookbinding device.

(i-A) Multiple copy bookbinding

As initialization processing (step 501 in Fig. 8A), it is confirmed that the voltage and temperature of the main body of the copying machine reach predetermined values. Whether or not the original processing device and the bookbinding device connected to the copying machine have completed operations and are ready to start a copying operation or not is then confirmed by checking whether an end flag is turned on (step 502 in Fig. 8A). The end flag is flag information indicating the state of a copying operation. When this flag is turned on, it indicates an operation state; when it is turned off, it indicates an operation end state. An ON/OFF state of the end flag is determined based on operation information sent from the original processing device and the bookbinding device to the main body of the copying machine.

In step 504, the level of a key input signal from the function part is checked to determine whether or not a bookbinding mode with a manual insertion tray opened has been instructed. In this case, since the manual insertion bookbinding mode is not set, the flow advances to step 505 to wait for the depression of the start key 104. When the bookbinding key 125 and the start key 104 are pressed by an operator, the bookbinding mode is selected and the flow advances from step 506 to step 507. A binding mode flag indicating that the bookbinding mode is set is turned on, and this flag information is also sent to the bookbinding device.

Whether left or right binding is designated in the book binding mode is determined based on a command input from the binding direction selection key 126 of the function part. If no designation input is made, the left binding mode is automatically set. In this case, the left binding mode is designated, and as a result, a left binding mode flag is turned on. This flag information is sent to the book binding device (steps 508 and 509 in Fig. 8A). If the right binding mode is designated, the left binding mode flag is turned off (steps 508 and 510).

Then, the information of the original size and the number of sheets is acquired from the original processing device, and a front cover suitable for the size and number of sheets of an original is selected from the front cover data. The selected data is written into link data. For example, in this embodiment, front covers for one to five sheets of A4 paper are selected per copy for two copies of the five sheets of A4 paper.

A splice margin corresponding to the number of original sheets is calculated in step 511. In this embodiment, the splice margin is set to 10 mm when the number of original sheets is one to five; it is set to 12 mm when the number of original sheets is five to ten; and it is set to 14 mm when the number of original sheets is eleven to twenty. In order to determine the range of a splice margin corresponding to a set splice margin on a transfer sheet, an original image shift recording mode is set. An original image shift amount is variably set according to the number of original sheets in the same manner as the splice margin.

Consequently, the set number of copies of original sheets are copied department by department in the image shift mode after confirming that there are no transfer sheets in the temporary storage bins in the book binder in step 516 based on empty flag information transmitted from the book binder.

When it is detected that transfer sheets are present on the temporary storage trays, an alarm indication is made through the liquid crystal display LCD 150 to instruct an operator to remove the transfer sheets.

When the copying operation of the original is completed in a known copy processing sequence, a start flag for instructing the bookbinding apparatus to start a bookbinding operation is turned on, and the flag information is written in the data to be transmitted to the bookbinding apparatus (step 519 in Fig. 8B). After the above-mentioned transmission data is transmitted to the bookbinding apparatus, the image shift mode is canceled, and the flags used in the copying machine are reset via the software (steps 520 and 521).

Control processing of the copying machine is completed as described above, and after the operation of the bookbinding device is completed (step 521), the flow returns to step 502 in Fig. 8A to set a copy command waiting state for the next original.

(ii-A) Single copy bookbinding

The same operations as in the above-mentioned multi-copy bookbinding processing are performed except that in Fig. 8A, the setting of a title page in the bookbinding device is detected after a single-copy bookbinding mode is confirmed, and a copying operation is started (steps 512, 514, and 515).

(iii-A) Bookbinding function when using a manual insert tray

When a bookbinding mode using the manual insertion tray is instructed by the function part, it is detected by a judgment processing in step 504 in Fig. 8A, and the flow advances to step 523 in Fig. 8B. In step 523, a manual binding mode flag is turned on in communication data. The number of sheets to be manually inserted entered on the ten-key pad 106 of the function part and the title page data selected and entered by the title page selection key 127 are transmitted from the copying machine main body to the bookbinding device together with the manual binding mode flag information. After it is confirmed that this transmission information is received, the flags are reset to the initial states so as to wait for completion of the operation of the bookbinding device (steps 523, 521 and 522).

(iv-A) Function mode different from bookbinding mode

The bookbinding device can serve as a sorting device because it has a large number of compartments. When a sorting mode is selected and entered on the function part, a communication sort flag is turned on in the order from step 524 to step 525 in Fig. 8A, and a sort mode signal is sent to the bookbinding apparatus.

When transfer sheets are to be sorted in units of original groups, a group flag is turned on (steps 525 and 527). When normal sort processing is to be performed, a normal flag is turned on (step 528), and a sort mode type is given as information to the bookbinding device using the above flag information.

After the following operation is performed, an initialization is performed and the controller waits for the next copy command (steps 529, 530, 531 and 502).

A function of control processing executed by the CPU of the bookbinding device is described below.

(i-B) Multiple copy bookbinding

When some pieces of command information indicating A4 paper size, five sheets, two copies, and left-binding mode are sent from the main body of the copying machine, a control flow shown in Fig. 9A is first executed.

In Fig. 9A, in step 7001, initialization is performed and a preheat flag indicating a preheat state is turned on. Then, an end flag is turned on (step 7002) to give information of completion of initialization in the book binding device to the main body of the copying machine and an end flag is turned on (step 7002). In step 7003, on the Based on a sensor output, it is checked whether there are sheets in the temporary storage trays 2301 to 2305. If NO in step 7003, an empty flag is turned on to store the presence/absence status (step 7004).

However, if YES in step 7003, the empty flag is turned on (step 7005).

In this embodiment, the flow advances from step 7006 to step 7008 through step 7007 since a bookbinding mode is instructed by the bookbinding key 7007. In step 7008, a heater matching the width of the title sheet in A4 paper size that matches the display data "001" (Fig. 10) in the recording data is selected. In this case, after it is confirmed that the preheating flag is on, the selected heater is preliminarily heated. Fig. 11 shows the contents of various display data used in this embodiment.

In Fig. 11, bit positions 0 to 2 represent the paper size of a title page and bit positions 3 to 5 represent the appropriate thickness of a title page. Bit positions 6 to 7 represent the color of a title page and bit position 8 represents the presence/absence of a title page.

When a cover sheet cassette is loaded in the main body, a corresponding micro switch on the main body is turned on by a three-dimensional pattern formed on the cover sheet cassette and generates the above-mentioned code signal representing the type of cover sheet loaded in the cover sheet cassette.

Referring back to Fig. 9A, in step 7009, the thickness (300 µ) is added to the thickness data (500 µ) sent from the copying machine main body, and the lateral registration plate 2504 is shifted in the thickness direction ( ) by the calculation result of 800 µ.

A y amount of lateral registration accuracy is set to 300 mm by adding an adjustment margin of 2 mm to the front page length of the A4 paper size of 298 mm indicated by the shooting data. As for a z amount of lateral registration accuracy, it is set to 180 mm by subtracting an adjustment margin of 30 mm from the front page width of the A4 paper size of 210 mm indicated by the shooting data.

In step 7010, the upper cover sheet cassette 2401 is selected based on the recording data indicating the cover sheet in A4 paper size and the number of sheets of an original of 5. The cover sheet in A4 paper size is transported from the selected cassette to the book binder 2503.

In step 7011, the transfer sheets transported by the main body of the copying machine are sorted into two copies while the temporary storage trays 2301 and 2302 are shifted to make two copies. When the transfer sheets are set to the temporary storage trays 2301 and 2302, the empty flag is set to ON in step 7012. In step 7013, the controller waits until permission of a gluing operation (bookbinding operation) is sent from the copying machine, and reception of permission is detected when a start flag is turned on.

After this detection, in step 7014, the five A4-size transfer sheets set on each of the trays 2301 and 2302 for temporary storage are stapled (temporarily bound) by the stapler 2310. In step 7015, the preheat flag is turned off and the heat flag is turned on instead to cause the heating unit to perform a normal heating operation. A temperature setting operation is performed so that a heating temperature is set to 150°C. The flow then advances to step 7016 in Fig. 9B, and the recording data is checked to detect that the binding direction is set to a left-binding direction.

After the binding direction is detected, in step 7017, the stapled bundle (of five sheets of A4 paper size) is transported to the book binder 2503 through the conveyance lines 2104 and 2105. On the other hand, the stapled bundle (of five sheets of A4 paper size) moves along the conveyance lines 2104, 2103 and 2105 through a reversing roller 2108, and is transported to the book binder 2503 when the left binding flag is off to instruct a right binding mode.

In step 7020, a heat ready flag is displayed. The heat ready flag is turned on when the temperature of the heating unit has reached 150ºC, i.e., a temperature required for adhering the cover sheet and the transfer sheets.

If the heat ready flag is on, a first timer is started in step 7021. Note that the first timer measures 15 seconds. In step 7022, it is checked whether the first timer has expired or not (end of measurement). If it is detected that the first timer has expired, the amount for the x-side Registration accuracy of the page registration plate 2504 changed from 1800 µ to 1400 µ, which compresses the bundle of transfer sheets.

In step 7024, a second timer is started. The second timer measures a squeeze time of 15 seconds. When the second timer expires, a cooling flag is displayed in step 7026.

The cooling flag is on when the stapled bundle is stopped and cooled on the cooling line 2604. If the cooling flag is on and the bundle stapled in the immediately preceding operation is present in the cooling line 2604, cooling is on standby in step 7026 until cooling of the stapled bundle is completed.

If the cooling flag is off, it is determined that the cooling is completed, and the flow advances to step 7027 to move the heating unit provided under the book binder 2503. The stapled bundle currently arranged in the book binder 2503 is transported to the cooling line 2604.

After the stapled bundle is stopped in the cooling section, the cooling fan is rotated to cool the stapled bundle. In addition, the cooling flag is turned on after the heating unit currently arranged at the exit position returns to a predetermined position. In step 7028, the number of copies of bound bundles is checked and the above-mentioned bookbinding process is repeatedly carried out until a certain number of copies of bundles are formed (steps 7028 to 7016). After the certain number of copies of bundles are formed, the above-mentioned flags are turned off and the end- Flag is turned on. The flow then returns to step 7003 in Fig. 9A to wait for the next bookbinding command.

Fig. 9C shows a detailed control flow of the cooling treatment in step 7027 in Fig. 9B. This control flow interrupts the main routine every 10 milliseconds and is then executed.

In Fig. 9C, the value of the cooling flag is checked in step 7030. If NO in step 7030, no cooling treatment is carried out and the flow returns to the main control flow. If YES in step 7030, however, the output value of the temperature sensor is checked in step 7031 to determine whether the temperature of the stapled bundle has decreased to 40°C. If NO in step 7031, the cooling fan remains on and this control flow is terminated.

After the above-mentioned process is repeatedly executed, when it is determined that the temperature of the stapled bundle has decreased below 40°C, the cooling flag is turned off in step 7032, thereby stopping the cooling fan. The process then advances to step 7033, and the stapled bundle is again transported to the cooling line 2604, and the cooled bundle is discharged onto the book binding tray 2701. In step 7034, "1" is subtracted from the number of copies to be bound, and this control process is terminated.

Fig. 9D shows a control sequence for the heating treatment of the bonded bundle. This control sequence also interrupts the main routine at 10 millisecond intervals and is executed.

In Fig. 9D, it is checked in step 7035 whether the preheat flag is on, that is, whether the preheat operation is instructed. If YES in step 7035, the flow advances to step 7036. In step 7036, the temperature setting process of the heater in the heating unit is performed to maintain the temperature of the copper plate 2533 for performing heating at a target value of 60°C in the preheat mode. Then, position control is performed, that is, the heater is moved reciprocally and horizontally under the copper plate 2533, thus ending this control flow. If the temperature of the copper plate has not yet reached 150°C as a target value, the heating ready flag is turned off in step 7040, and this control flow is terminated.

The above control flow is repeatedly executed, and when it is detected in step 7038 that the temperature of the copper plate 2533 has reached 150°C as a target value, the heat-ready flag is turned on in step 7039 to store a bookbinding possible state, thus ending this control flow.

(ii-B) Single copy bookbinding

If the number of copies is 1, the flow advances from the single copy mode check step 7007 in Fig. 9A to step 7041 in Fig. 9B, and a heater is selected depending on a title sheet and the number of original sheets. In this embodiment, a heater in the A4 paper size width is selected because five sheets of A4 paper size are to be bound. Then, in step 7042, lateral registration plate control and title sheet conveyance processing are performed. In step 7043, a title sheet setting flag indicating that the title sheet is set in the book binding device 2503 is turned on, and this flag information is sent through a connection to the main body of the copying machine. Then, in step 7044, it is checked whether the binding direction is set to the left binding mode.

In this embodiment, since the left-hand binding mode is set, the flow advances to step 7045. Transfer sheets discharged from the main body of the copying machine pass through the single-copy conveying path 2103 in the bookbinding device, are turned by the reversing roller 2108 in the third conveying path 2104, and then are transported to the fourth conveying path 2105. When the right-hand binding mode is selected, the transfer sheets are transported from the single-copy conveying path 2103 to the fourth conveying path 2105. In step 7046, the angle of a sheet feeding deflector plate 2205 is controlled so that the transfer sheets fed to the bookbinding device are sorted in the order of the first, second, third, ..., sheet. It is then checked in step 7047 whether the processing operations corresponding to the number of original sheets have been completed.

If the angle control of the sheet feeding deflector plate 2205 is not yet completed, the flow returns to step 7044 to wait for the completion of this control processing. If the angle control of the sheet feeding deflector plate 2205 is completed, the flow advances to step 7048. In step 7048, a heating treatment and a pressure treatment are performed in the same manner as in the multi-copy binding process, and the transfer sheets are then cooled until the temperature is reduced to 40°C. When the cooling is completed in step 7049, the respective flags are reset and the end flag indicating the completion of the book binding process is turned on. Thereafter, the flow returns to step 7003 as an initial state.

(iii-B) Manual insert bookbinding

A case will be described below where the user instructs a manual insert bookbinding mode using the manual bookbinding key. To this end, the user sets transfer sheets of A4 size paper on the tray 2301 for temporary storage, selects a cover sheet of A4 size paper by the cover sheet selection key 127, enters "5" as the number of transfer sheets using the ten-key pad 106, and then presses the manual bookbinding key.

The copying machine main body 1000 transmits the manual insert bookbinding command from the operator and therefore bookbinding information to the bookbinding device 2000. Upon receiving this command, the CPU 3001 of the bookbinding device 2000 sets a manual binding mode flag and turns off a binding mode flag.

The manual mode command is detected in the order of steps 7006, 7051 (Fig. 9A) and 7052 (Fig. 9E). After receiving a processing start command signal from the copying machine main body 1000, the position control of the plate for lateral registration is carried out in step 7053 in the above processing sequence.

In step 7054, a title sheet of A4 paper size is fed from the upper title sheet cassette 2401 to the book binder 2503 based on the received book binding information. In step 7055, the bundle of transfer sheets manually set on the temporary storage tray is stapled.

After the bookbinding processing and the cooling processing (steps 7056-1 to 7056-11) are executed in the same manner as in the multi-copy bookbinding mode, the corresponding flags are turned off and the end flag is turned on. The flow then returns to step 7003 in Fig. 9A to wait for the next function command.

As described above, according to this embodiment, in the print control of the bookbinding device 2503, the lateral registration plate 2504 is positioned to obtain a distance as the sum of the total thickness of the bundle of transfer sheets and the title sheet and the margin α, and the first heating process is carried out.

Thereafter, the lateral registration distance is reduced to press the transfer sheets together, and the second heating treatment is carried out. Thus, the adhesive properties and the uniformity of bonding between the bundle of transfer sheets and the front sheet can be improved.

In this embodiment, the surfaces of the lateral registration plate 2504 and the lateral registration abutment plate 2517 are formed flat as shown in Fig. 4. However, as shown in Fig. 5, the adhesive properties between a title sheet and the transfer sheets can be further improved if boss-like pressure applying parts 6003 are formed on a lateral registration plate 6001 and a lateral registration abutment plate 6002.

(iv-B) Additional functions

The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In this embodiment, in the bookbinding apparatus 2000, the conveyance paths are selected so that transfer sheets are discharged to the bookbinding unit 2500 via the tray 2300 many times.

In Fig. 2, the single/multiple deflection plate 2109 is normally set to cause transfer sheets to move in the direction of the second conveyance path 2102 of the first conveyance unit 2100. Therefore, the transfer sheets discharged from the main body are transported to the single tray 2300 (temporary storage tray). When the CPU 3001 compares information of the number of original sheets in the recording data with a predetermined value and detects that there are a large number of original sheets (step 8100), the original sheets on the single tray 2300 are sorted and stacked as a bundle of transfer sheets on the temporary storage trays 2301 to 2305.

After the bundles of transfer sheets stacked on the temporary storage trays 2301 to 2305 are aligned, they are fed to the first transport unit 2100.

Assuming that a bundle of 100 transfer sheets is to be bound, it is difficult to perform transportation, accurate registration and the like when a bundle of 100 sheets is stacked on the temporary storage tray 2301 at a time to be simultaneously fed to the first transport unit 2100. Thus, if the number of sheets to be stacked on each tray is P, the total number of transfer sheets is N, and the number of the bins in the bookbinding apparatus is represented by P = N/n, and the transfer sheets are sequentially stacked on the temporary storage bins 2301 to 2305 in the order designated in units of the predetermined sheet numbers, e.g., 20 sheets (steps 8101 and 8101'). The transfer sheets are divided as described above and are in turn fed via the first transport unit 2100 to the bookbinding unit 2500 in units of those stacked on each bin (steps 8102, 8103, 8104 and 8103). In this way, one copy is bound from 100 transfer sheets sequentially transported in units of 20 sheets. For this purpose, in the first transport unit 2100, the transport direction of the re-feed deflector plate 2110 is switched according to an instruction from the CPU 3001, and the bundle of transfer sheets is transported to the third conveying line 2104.

The bundle of transfer sheets transported to the third conveying path 2104 is directly transported to the fourth conveying path 2105 in a left-binding mode by the deflector plate 2111, or is transported to the single-copy conveying path 2105 in a right-binding mode by the deflector plate 2111. Thereafter, when a multi-copy reversal sensor 2113 detects the rear end of the transfer sheets, the reversal roller 2108 is reversed to reverse the binding direction of the bundle of transfer sheets in the left-binding mode, and the bundle of transfer sheets is transported to the fourth conveying path 2105.

In the same manner as in the normal bookbinding process described above, a title sheet corresponding to the size of the transfer sheets, which is selected before the bundle of transfer sheets is transported, is fed from one of the title sheet cassettes 2401 to 2403 is transported to the bookbinding unit 2500 by the second transport unit 2200 and is adjusted.

The bundle of transfer sheets transported to the fourth conveying path 2105 is fed to the set title sheet, and is bound in the bookbinding unit 2500. After the bookbinding process is completed, the bound bundle is cooled by the cooling unit 2600 and discharged onto the bookbinding tray 2700. The same process described above is repeated for the bundles of transfer sheets stacked on the trays 2301 and 2305 for temporary storage, and when all the bundles are discharged onto the bookbinding tray 2700, the process is completed.

As described above, when the bundles of transfer sheets stacked on the trays for temporary storage in the bookbinding device are to be transported to the bookbinding unit, a bundle having a large number of transfer sheets is not transferred at a time but is stacked on the trays in a divisional manner. The transfer sheets are sequentially transported in units of divided bundles, thus ensuring reliable transport of the bundles.

The number of transfer sheets is determined by the CPU of the bookbinding device, and as shown in Fig. 12, the number of sheets of the original in the reception data, i.e., the number of transfer sheets, is compared with a predetermined value.

A processing for directly transferring a bundle of transfer sheets from the copying machine to a heating device without passing through the single tray 2300 and binding this bundle when a small number of transfer sheets are used is described below. In the following description, the number of copies of transfer sheets to be produced in the main body of the copying machine is "1", and the number of original transfer sheets is "5".

Before the first page of the transfer sheets output from the main body of the copying machine is transported to the post-processing device 2000, a cover sheet matching the size of the selected transfer sheet/cover sheet is fed from one of the cover sheet cassettes 2401 to 2403, and is transported to the cover sheet supply line 2204.

In this embodiment, cover sheets of A4 paper size are set in the cover sheet cassette (upper) 2401, cover sheets of BS paper size are set in the cover sheet cassette (intermediate) 2402, and cover sheets of A3 paper size are set in the cover sheet cassette (lower) 2403. Since a transfer sheet of A4 paper size is selected in the main body of the copying machine, a cover sheet in the cover sheet cassette (upper) 2401 is transported to a cover sheet feeding path 2031 via an upper cover sheet feeding path 2010.

Since the sheet feeding deflector plate 2205 is preset in a direction of the book binder 2503, when the title sheet is transported, the title sheet in A4 paper size transported to the title sheet feeding line 2204 is fed and set in the book binder 2503.

On the other hand, a transfer sheet discharged from the main body of the copying machine is transported into the book binding device 2000. If the number of sheets of an original is less than is a predetermined value, the single/multiple deflection plate 2109 is set to allow a transfer sheet to move along the first path 2101 and the single copy path 2103 in Fig. 2 according to an instruction from the CPU 3001 executing the control flow shown in Fig. 10. For this reason, the transfer sheet does not move in a direction of the second path 2102 but in a direction of the first path 2101 and the single copy path 2103. As a result, a conveyance path directly connected to the bookbinding apparatus is selected.

When the right-binding mode is selected, the transfer sheet moves directly downward because the deflector plate 2111 is set to allow a transfer sheet to move directly toward the fourth path 2105.

Meanwhile, when the left-binding mode is selected, since the baffle plate 2111 is set to allow a transfer sheet to move toward the third path 2104, the transfer sheet moves toward the third path 2104. When the transfer sheet moves along the third path 2104 and a single-copy reversal sensor 2112 arranged in the third path 2104 detects the rear end of the transfer sheet, the baffle plate 2111 is turned on from the third path 2104 so as to communicate with the fourth path 2105.

Since a second transport motor 2107 for driving the deflection roller 2108 and a transport roller in the third path 2104 is rotated in a direction opposite to a previous direction of rotation, the directions of rotation of the deflection roller 2108 and the transport roller in the third path 2104 are reversed. As a result, the transfer sheet transported to the third path 2104 moves in reverse direction, exits from the third path 2104 and is then transported in the direction of the fourth path 2105 under the restriction of the baffle plate 2111. In this way, the transfer sheet in the left-binding mode is transported to the fourth path 2105 in a state opposite to that in the right-binding mode by using the baffle plate 2111 and the third path 2104.

The sheet feeding deflection plate 2205 is arranged at an end portion of the fourth path 2105, and its deflection angle can be finely adjusted by a motor (not shown). The sheet feeding deflection plate 2205 feeds transfer sheets to the specific positions so that they are arranged in order with a title sheet already set in the book binder 2503.

Now, since the first page of transfer sheets is to be fed in the right-hand binding mode, the sheet feeding deflector plate 2205 is set to the right so that the transfer sheet is fed to the rightmost page in Fig. 2. When processing for the first page of transfer sheets is finished and processing for the second and subsequent pages of transfer sheets is to be started, the second page of transfer sheets is arranged on the left side of the first page of transfer sheets because the direction of the sheet feeding deflector plate 2205 is gradually changed to the left in Fig. 2. In this way, the transfer sheets are set in order. In the left-hand binding mode, the second page of transfer sheets is arranged on the right side of the leftmost first page of transfer sheets because the direction of the sheet feeding deflector plate 2205 is gradually changed to the right in Fig. 2. is gradually changed according to the number of transfer sheets, with the second page of the transfer sheets being arranged on the right side of the leftmost first page of the transfer sheets.

When the above operations are repeated, the five transfer sheets are fed to the title sheet set in the book binder 2503 in an order corresponding to the left or right binding mode. After the transport of the transfer sheets is completed, a book binding process is performed in the book binding unit 2500. When the book binding process is completed, the bundle is cooled by the cooling unit 2600 and discharged onto the book binding tray 2700, thus completing the book binding process for the number of copies of "1".

When a bookbinding operation for binding a bundle of sheets exceeding the predetermined value is selected in the main body of the copying machine, transfer sheets are stored on the temporary storage tray 2300, and then a conveying path in the direction of the bookbinding unit 2500 is selected as described above. Since the single/multiple deflection plate 2109 is set to convey the transfer sheets discharged from the main body of the copying machine in the direction of the second path 2102, these transfer sheets are conveyed to the single tray 2300 (temporary storage tray).

A required number of transported transfer sheets are sorted by the single tray 2300 and stacked on the shelves 2301 and 2305 for temporary storage as bundles of transfer sheets. After the bundles of transfer sheets are stacked on the trays 2301 to 2305 for temporary storage, a precise sheet setting, a subjected to temporary binding processing and the like, they are then fed to the first transport unit 2100. In the first transport unit 2100, the refeed path deflector plate 2110 is switched, and the bundle of transfer sheets is transported to the third path 2104. The bundle of transfer sheets transported to the third path 2104 is directly transferred to the fourth path 2105 by the deflector plate 2111 in the left-binding mode. In the right-binding mode, the bundle of transfer sheets moves in the direction of the single-copy path 2103 by the deflector plate 2111, and when the multi-copy reversal sensor 2113 detects the rear end of the transfer sheet, the deflector roller 2108 is rotated in the reverse direction. Thus, the bundle of transfer sheets is reversed in a direction opposite to that in the left-binding mode, and is transported to the fourth path 2105.

Before each bundle of transfer sheets is transported from the first transport unit 2100 to the bookbinding unit 2500, a title sheet matching the size of the transfer sheet/front sheet that has been previously selected is fed from one of the title sheet cassettes 2401 to 2403, and is set in the bookbinding unit 2500 via the second conveying path 2200. When the bundle of transfer sheets transported to the fourth path 2105 is fed to the title sheet, they are bound in the bookbinding unit 2500, and the bound bundle is discharged onto the bookbinding tray 2700 after being cooled by the cooling unit 2600 after completion of the bookbinding process. The same operations are repeated for the bundles of transfer sheets stacked on the trays 2301 to 2305 for temporary storage. When all bound bundles are output to the bookbinding tray 2700, the process is finished.

As described above, the fourth conveying line is arranged to directly transfer the transfer sheets to the heating device when the number of transfer sheets is small. Thus, the transfer sheets can be bound without passing through conveying lines for other bundles, and a bookbinding process can be shortened.

Claims (15)

1. Bookbinding device with: first transport means (2101, 2102) for transporting a plurality of sheet elements on each of which an image is formed by an image forming unit (1000); a depositing device (2300) for temporarily depositing the plurality of sheet elements transported by the first transport means in a stacked state; a temporary binding device (2310) for temporarily binding the stack of sheet elements deposited in the depositing device (2300) into a bundle of sheet elements; feeding means (2400, 2200) for feeding a title sheet used in a binding process; second transport means (2104, 2105) for transporting the bundle of sheet elements to the supplied cover sheet; a bookbinding device (2500) for carrying out the binding process by joining the supplied title sheet and the bundle of sheet elements therein. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a loading device with at least one title page storage device (2400) for storing title pages used in the bookbinding process and third Transport means (2200) for transporting the title page stored in the title page storage device to the bookbinding device (2500). 3. An apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that a plurality of title sheet storage means (2401-2403) are arranged in accordance with title sheet types which can be selectively used according to the bundle of sheet elements. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the bookbinding device (2500) has a heat generating device (2505) for liquefying an adhesive applied to the title page. 5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the bookbinding device (2500) has an output device (2700) for outputting the bound bundle of sheet elements from this device. 6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the temporary binding device (2310) has a stapling device. 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the bookbinding device (2500) comprises clamping means (2503; 2517, 2504; 6001, 6002) which clamp the title sheet and the bundle of sheet elements transported by the transport means; a heating device (2505) for heating the title sheet and the bundle of sheet elements clamped by the clamping means twice; and control means (2507-2509) for pressing the title sheet and the bundle of sheet elements together by reducing a Clamping distance of the clamping means during a second heating by the heating device, which is smaller than that during a first heating. 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the clamping device (6001; 6002) has a projection (6003) on a surface thereof which is in contact with the title page. 9. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the depositing device (2300) has a sorting device (2306-2309) for sorting a plurality of sheet elements and depositing them in a stacked state. 10. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising reversing means (2108, 2111, 2113) for reversing leading and trailing ends of a blade element. 11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the depositing device (2300) has an open part so that a stack of bound sheet elements can be accommodated outside. 12. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a fourth transport means (2103) for transporting sheet elements output from the image forming unit (1000) to the book binding device (2500); and a deflection plate (2109) for selectively switching the first transport means (2101, 2102) and the fourth transport means (2103) in accordance with an external command signal. 13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the first transport means (2101, 2102) are selectable by the deflection plate when a number of leaf elements is greater than a predetermined value, and that the fourth transport means (2103) are selectable by the deflection plate when a number of leaf elements is smaller than the predetermined value. 14. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control means (3001) for receiving information representing the number of sheet elements transferred from the image forming means (1000) to cause the temporary binding means (2310) to bind the sheet elements in units of sheets of predetermined number when the number of sheet elements represented by the information is larger than a predetermined value, and to cause the second transport means (2104, 2105) to transport the bundles of sheet elements bound in units of sheets of predetermined number. 15. An image forming apparatus comprising an image forming device (1000) for forming an image and a book binding device according to one of claims 1 to 14.