JP2001002317A - Chart post processing apparatus for image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the outside of a folded chart bundle from being conveyed early than the inside with a middle folding roller, by constructing a middle folding processing apparatus provided with a middle folding plate and the middle folding roller so that a peripheral velocity of the middle folding roller is higher than an advancing speed of the middle folding plate. SOLUTION: A saddle stitched chart bundle stops at a place where a central part reaches a position matching to an advancing direction of a middle folding plate 63. Then, the middle folding plate 63 advances toward a nip portion of a middle-folding roller 61 having the chart bundle at a predetermined velocity V1 (for example, 200 mm/sec). While, a pair of two middle folding rollers 61 rotate at a predetermined peripheral velocity V2 (for example, 180 mm/sec) lower than the moving velocity V1 of the middle folding plate 63. Thus, the chart bundle is bit into the middle folding rollers 61 and fed in a stable state, without a trouble that only the outermost of the bundle is bit into.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus which can be attached to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, or a multifunction peripheral thereof, and which can perform center folding on a bundle of recording paper. The present invention relates to a recording paper post-processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a recording paper post-processing apparatus capable of bundling and aligning a plurality of recording papers on which images are recorded by an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and performing post-processing on the aligned recording paper bundles is known. Various proposals have been made.

For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 10-18 discloses a recording paper post-processing apparatus in which the central portion of the recording paper bundle is saddle-stitched, and the saddle-stitched portion is folded in a center so that simple bookbinding can be performed.
The one described in 1990 is known.

In this recording paper post-processing apparatus, a pair of center folding rollers which rotate while pressing each other, and a center binding portion of the recording paper bundle which is pressed by the center folding roller for center binding and folding of the recording paper bundle. And a center-folding plate that is pushed toward the portion.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned center folding processing apparatus, not only the rotational speed of the center folding roller and the moving speed of the center folding plate are not specified, but not only the relationship between the two. No special consideration was given to speed.

For this reason, when the recording paper bundle pushed by the center folding plate is bitten into the nip portion between the folding rollers, a trouble such as tearing of the recording paper bundle may occur, which causes a problem. Has become.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a recording sheet post-processing apparatus of an image forming apparatus capable of performing a favorable center folding process on a recording sheet bundle at a low cost.

[0008]

According to the present invention, a recording sheet aligning tray for sequentially stacking recording sheets on which images are recorded by an image forming apparatus is provided, and the recording sheets are aligned by the recording sheet aligning tray. As a post-processing means for performing post-processing on the bundle of recording paper, a pair of middle fold plates that advance and retreat toward the middle fold portion of the bundle of recording paper, and a pair of middle folds that bite the bundle of recording paper extruded by the central fold plate. A post-processing apparatus for a recording sheet bundle of an image forming apparatus having a center-folding processing device having a folding center-folding roller, wherein the advance speed of the center-folding plate is higher than the peripheral speed of the center-folding roller. It is what was constituted.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the post-processing means includes a center folding roller and a center folding plate, and performs a center folding process on a central portion of the aligned recording paper bundle. And a saddle stitching device that performs a saddle stitching process with a stapler prior to center folding to the aligned recording sheet bundle center.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the post-processing means performs an end-face binding process using a stapler near an end surface of the aligned recording paper bundle. It is equipped with a device.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic view of a recording paper post-processing apparatus of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

The recording sheet post-processing device 1 of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment has an end face binding processing device 4 as post-processing means.
And the saddle stitching processing device 5 and the center folding processing device 6 are provided as a unit, and all the processing devices are installed so as to share the post-processing tray 3 which is a recording paper alignment tray. Have been. This recording paper post-processing apparatus is used by being attached to an image forming apparatus. For example, as the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, a copying machine 2 is used. In addition, for example, a facsimile, Printers and other suitable equipment can be used.

An entrance guide plate 11 is provided between the recording paper post-processing device 1 and the copying machine 2.
The recording paper on which the image recording is performed is guided by the entrance guide plate 11 and fed into the recording paper post-processing apparatus 1. Also, inside the recording paper post-processing apparatus 1 near the entrance guide plate 11, conveyance rollers 12A and 12B are provided,
The recording paper conveyed into the recording paper post-processing apparatus 1 via these conveyance rollers 12A and 12B is divided into two conveyance directions depending on whether or not post-processing is performed. For this reason, the recording paper post-processing apparatus 1 is provided with a separation claw 13 which is operated by a solenoid (not shown) and sorts the transport direction.

In this embodiment, when a recording sheet on which an image is recorded is conveyed to the left in the horizontal direction in FIG. 1, the mode shifts to a non-post-processing mode in which post-processing is not performed.
The recording paper shifted to the non-post-processing mode is directly conveyed along a substantially straight non-post-processing conveyance path α by the conveyance roller 12C and the paper discharge roller 12D, and is discharged outside the recording paper post-processing apparatus 1. You.

When the recording sheet is conveyed downward in FIG. 1, the mode shifts to the post-processing mode.

That is, in the post-processing mode, the recording paper is moved along the substantially U-shaped post-processing conveyance path β via the conveyance rollers 12E to 12G, the staple discharge roller 12H, and a guide plate (not shown). After being conveyed, the sheet is discharged to the post-processing tray 3. Note that a brush roller (not shown) is integrated with the staple discharge roller 12H.
A hitting roller 12I is provided near H and downstream in the recording paper transport direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the post-processing tray 3 has
A rear end reference fence 31 provided in parallel with the horizontal direction X and a jogger fence 32 provided in the Y direction orthogonal to the rear end reference fence 31 are provided. Prior to performing post-processing on the recording paper, the post-processing tray 3 aligns the lower end of the recording paper bundle P with a rear end reference fence 31 and also controls the jogger fence 32 operated by a jogger fence drive motor 32A. The left and right ends of the recording paper bundle P are aligned.

As shown in FIG. 3, a recess 33 is formed in the post-processing tray 3 near an intermediate portion in the vertical direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the post-processing tray 3 of this embodiment has a lower portion 3D portion 75 ° horizontally with respect to the recess 33, and an upper portion 3U further 65 ° across the recess 33, as shown in FIG. °, and the whole shape has a substantially rectangular shape (a central portion protruding in a convex shape). Note that these inclination angles are not particularly limited to those in this embodiment, and various suitable inclination angles may be used.

Further, the post-processing tray 3 has an endless belt (not shown) and a discharge claw 34 attached to the endless belt and moving vertically along the post-processing tray 3 (FIG. 7).
And FIG. 8), and while the aligned recording paper bundle P is supported at the lower end portion, for example, the recording paper bundle P on which the end face binding process has been performed is discharged from the post-processing tray 3 or
They are lifted for saddle stitching.

An end-face binding processing device 4 shown in FIG. 1 performs a binding process with a stapler near the end face of a bundle of recording paper conveyed to and aligned with the post-processing tray 3. A stapler (not shown) is provided at the lower end of the processing tray 3. In the end face binding operation performed here, binding processing in a plurality of modes including diagonal binding can be performed.

The saddle stitching device 5 performs a binding process by a pair of right and left staplers at the center of the recording paper conveyed to the post-processing tray 3 and aligned here. In this embodiment, two saddle stapling stapler portions 51 (see FIG. 4) are arranged at regular intervals (120 mm in this embodiment) in the vicinity of the concave portion 33 at the center of the post-processing tray 3 as shown in FIG. And is provided in parallel with the rear end reference fence 31.

As shown in FIG. 3, the stapler section 51 presses and pushes the stapler body 51A with a suitable means (not shown) when binding the recording paper bundle P to push the binding staples into the recording paper. (See FIG. 4), and a clincher 51C provided opposite to the pusher 51B to hold the bundle of recording paper from the opposite side when the staples are pierced into the bundle of recording paper.

The stapler body 51A is provided with the post-processing tray 3
Above the portion where the concave portion 33 is formed, and is fixed to the back side of the post-processing tray 3. Pusher 51B
Is attached to the stapler body 51A so as to be rotatable in the direction of the clincher 51C. Meanwhile, clincher 5
1C is a supporting member 52 that rotates toward the post-processing tray 3.
(See FIG. 2) and is separate from the stapler body 51A and the pusher 51B.

By the way, as described above, the post-processing tray 3 is formed in a convex shape in which the portion where the recess 33 is formed protrudes. For this reason, the pusher 51B provided in the recess 33 can be partially moved to a position protruding from the surface of the recess 33 of the post-processing tray 3 during the stapling operation, so that the recording paper bundle P is securely pressed. In addition, saddle stitching can be performed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the support member 52 includes a support shaft 5 provided on a side wall surface 3A which stands on both sides of the post-processing tray 3.
It is attached to 2A so as to be freely rotatable. The support member 52 is urged by a spring (not shown) in the direction away from the post-processing tray 3 (counterclockwise in FIG. 3), and constantly contacts the outer peripheral surface of an eccentric cam 53 described later. In contact.

An eccentric cam is located on a circumference (trajectory) of a predetermined radius drawn by the tip (free end) of the support member 52 when the support member 52 rotates, and separated from the post-processing tray 3 by a predetermined distance. 53 are provided. The eccentric cam 53 has a perfect circular shape, and a rotating shaft 53A is fixed to a portion near a peripheral edge shifted from the center. The rotating shaft 53A is
A cam driving motor 53B shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
To rotate the eccentric cam 5 about a position deviated from its center.

The center-folding device 6 applies a center-folding process to the center-stitched central portion of the recording paper bundle whose center portion has been bound by the saddle-stitching device 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the center folding processing apparatus 6 according to this embodiment includes a pair of center folding rollers 61, a rotation mechanism 62 attached to the center folding rollers 61, and a nip between the center folding rollers 61. Toward the portion, that is, at right angles to the recording sheet bundle transport direction and perpendicular to the post-processing tray 3, the center folding plate 63 provided to be able to advance and retreat, and the center folding plate 63 is moved forward and backward. It is schematically composed of an advance / retreat mechanism 64.

One of the pair of center folding rollers 61 is pressurized toward the other center folding roller by a pressure spring 60 shown in FIG. 5, and is always in contact with the other. It is designed to rotate.

As shown in FIG. 5, the rotating mechanism 62 includes a driving motor 62A and a driving gear 62C which rotates by transmitting the driving force of the driving motor 62A via a belt 62B.
And a driven gear 62 that meshes with and rotates with the driving gear 62C.
D and a transmission gear train 62E that transmits the rotational force from the driven gear 62D to rotate the two center folding rollers 61 at the same peripheral speed V2.

The drive gear 62C has a rotation shaft serving as a center of rotation rotatably mounted on a housing (not shown) or the like. The driven gear 62D also has a rotating shaft serving as a center of rotation rotatably attached to the same housing (not shown).

Slide shafts 63A and 63B protruding from the center fold plate 63 in the left-right width direction are provided near the base end and the middle portion of the center fold plate 63, respectively. It protrudes outward longer than 63B. The slide shafts 63A and 63B
The advancing and retreating operation is guided by a guide member 63C fixedly attached to a housing (not shown) or the like.

As shown in FIG. 5, the reciprocating mechanism 64 includes a driving motor 64A, a driving gear 64B rotated by the driving motor 64A, a driven gear 64C meshed with the driving gear 64B, and a rotating link 64D. It is configured.

The driving gear 64B has a rotating shaft serving as a center of rotation rotatably mounted on a housing (not shown) or the like. The driven gear 64C also has a rotation shaft serving as a center of rotation rotatably attached to the same housing or the like (not shown). The driven gear 64C has a large diameter with more teeth than the driving gear 64B, and has a spoke portion 6 between the rotating shaft of the driven gear 64C and the outer peripheral surface.
41C is spanned. An engagement protrusion 642C is formed on a spoke portion 641C of the driven gear 64C.

The rotation link 64D has a drive gear 6 at its base end.
4B is attached to the rotating shaft of 4B in a rotation-free state, and a predetermined angular velocity ω (ra) is centered on the base end portion by the rotating operation of the spoke portion 641C that moves with the driven gear 64C.
In d), the head is swung. Also, the rotation link 64
D has an engaging hole 641 at the middle part and the tip part, respectively.
D and 642D are drilled, and these engagement holes 6
An engagement protrusion 642C and a slide shaft 63A are slidably inserted and engaged with 41D and 642D, respectively.

The slide shaft 63A reciprocates while following the rotation link 64D at a position separated by a distance r from the rotation center 643D of the rotation link 64D. The folding roller 61 moves at a speed V1 (= r · ω) higher than the peripheral speed V2.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. (1) When the image is transferred by the copying machine 2 and the post-processing is not performed on the recording paper discharged from the copying machine 2, the non-processing mode is selected and set. Then, the sheet is conveyed as it is along the non-processing conveyance path α by the sorting action of the separation claw 13, and is discharged toward the tray 1A outside the recording paper post-processing apparatus 1 by the discharge roller 12D.

(2) Further, for example, when the end face binding processing mode is selected and set, a solenoid (not shown) is operated to rotate the separation claw 13, and each recording paper is sequentially conveyed toward the post-processing conveyance path β. Will be done. In this manner, a predetermined number of recording sheets (for example, about 50 sheets at maximum) are stacked on the post-processing tray 2, and the recording sheet alignment operation is performed prior to the end surface binding operation on the post-processing tray 2. Will be

That is, the transport direction of each of these recording papers is reversed by approximately 180 degrees in the vicinity of the terminal end of the post-processing transport path β so that the leading end is directed obliquely upward. And
Each bundle of recording paper P conveyed here is transferred to a brush roller 1.
By the cooperative action of the rotating operation of 2H and the hitting roller 12I movable in the direction of the post-processing tray, the roller is hit in the direction of the rear end reference fence 31 and falls below the post-processing tray 1.

Thus, when the trailing end of the recording paper bundle P reaches the trailing end reference fence 31 of the post-processing tray 3, the jogger fence drive motor 32A is driven, and the jogger fence 3
2 moves in the X direction (see FIG. 2) and presses both side edges of the recording paper bundle P to align the recording paper bundle P at the center in the transport direction.

Such a series of aligning operations is performed on the plurality of recording paper bundles P discharged from the copying machine 2, and thereafter, the process proceeds to the end face binding operation. When the recording sheet bundle P is discharged to the post-processing tray 3, the eccentric cam 53 is in a predetermined standby state. In addition, clincher 5 for saddle stitching
1C is retracted to a position farthest from the pusher 51B (see FIG. 6).

The recording paper bundle P stacked and aligned on the post-processing tray 3 in this manner is collectively bound at a predetermined position by the end-face binding stapler, and the release claw 3
4 (see FIG. 7), the sheet is lifted upward along the post-processing tray 3, and is discharged to the tray 1A by the sheet discharge rollers 12D shown in FIG.

(3) When the saddle stitching processing mode is selected and set, for example, the clincher 51C is retracted to the position farthest from the pusher 51B in the same manner as in the end face processing mode described above. A desired plurality of recording paper bundles P are aligned and stacked on the post-processing tray 3.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG.
The clincher 51C is pushed out toward the stapler main body 51A by the pivoting operation of the stapler body 51A, moves forward, and stops when it comes closest to the recess 33. Here, the pusher 52B of the stapler portion 51 is pushed forward by a pressing means (not shown) and moves forward, so that the pusher 52B moves in the width direction (X direction in FIG. 2) along the center folding portion at the center of the recording paper bundle P. Two stapling needles are hit and saddle stitched.

When the saddle stitching process is completed, the eccentric cam 53 rotates again, and the clincher 51C returns to the original home position and waits. If the recording paper to be used is, for example, a size other than A3 size (such as B4 or A4 size), immediately after the recording paper bundle P is stacked in an aligned state,
4 moves in accordance with each recording paper size, lifts the rear end of the recording paper bundle P upward, stops the movement operation when the central portion of the recording paper bundle P reaches the binding position, and thereafter performs a series of operations described above. A saddle stitching operation is performed.

The bundle of recording sheets stapled in this way is
As shown in FIG. 7, the discharging claw 34 is further lifted toward the upper side of the post-processing tray 3 by the movement operation of the discharge claw 34, and the central portion P 0 of the recording paper bundle P is moved forward by the center folding plate 62. Stop when it reaches the matching position. Note that the moving / lifting distance of the recording paper bundle here is uniquely determined by the positional relationship between the center folding processing device 6 and the saddle stitching processing device 5, and is therefore constant regardless of the recording paper size.

Thereafter, the center folding plate 62 and the center folding roller 61 start operating. As a result, the center folding plate 62 moves forward toward the nip portion of the center folding roller 61 where the recording sheet bundle P exists at a predetermined speed V1, in this embodiment, 200 mm / sec. That is, the center folding plate 62 advances substantially vertically from the front side to the back side of the post-processing tray 3, and as shown in FIG. And push it in.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the two pair of center folding rollers 61 also have a predetermined peripheral speed V2 lower than the moving speed V1 of the center folding plate 62, in this embodiment, 180 mm / sec.
Rotate with c. However, these specific speeds V1 and V2 are not particularly limited to those of this embodiment.

By the pushing operation of the center folding plate 62 and the rotating operation of the center folding roller 61, the recording sheet bundle P is narrowly pressed and pressed between the center folding roller 61 from the center thereof. In other words, in a state where both of these velocities satisfy the relationship of V1> V2, the cooperative action of the rotation operation of the center folding roller 61 and the pushing operation of the center folding plate 62 as shown in FIG.
The recording paper bundle P is pushed toward the center folding roller 61.

As a result, the recording paper bundle P is caught by the center folding roller 61 and is fed in a stable state without causing a trouble that the recording paper bundle P is caught only at the outermost part.
As a result, the recording sheet bundle P is reliably bent by the center folding roller 61 and folded in the middle.

The center folding plate 62 moves forward until the leading end reaches the nip position of the center folding roller 61. If the recording sheet bundle is sandwiched between the center folding rollers 61, the center folding plate 62 is retracted to a predetermined standby position. Return to On the other hand, the center folding roller 61 allows the sandwiched recording paper bundle P to pass through the tray 1A as it is.
(See FIG. 1).

In this way, a booklet in which a plurality of recording papers are bundled together can be bound in a good state without wrinkling or tearing.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the center folding plate 6
By simply adjusting the speed of the center folding roller 61 and the center folding roller 61 so as to maintain the above-described speed relationship, the center folding plate 63 reliably pushes the recording paper bundle P from the rear to the nip portion of the center folding roller 61. It can be pushed in reliably and in a stable state.

As a result, the recording paper bundle is pushed into the nip portion while being firmly pressed by the center folding plate, so that, for example, only the outer recording paper is separated by the center folding roller and separated and conveyed. There is no trouble.

In addition, due to the separation and conveyance, excessive tension and stress are generated between a part of the recording paper at the outermost side of the recording paper bundle P and the recording paper and the recording paper inside the recording paper. Also, occurrence of wrinkles and tears can be prevented.

In this embodiment, the end face binding process, the saddle stitching process, and the center folding process are configured to be performed by using the post-processing tray and the conveyance path in common. Various binding processes can be performed without the need for a small size, and a small-sized and high-performance one can be realized at low cost.

In addition to this embodiment, for example, a center folding process is first performed for each recording sheet, and then the sheets are sequentially stacked and aligned on a post-processing tray. Finally, these are collectively subjected to an end face binding process. It is also possible to provide a function of performing a binding operation.

[0058]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, the speed of the center folding plate is adjusted so that the moving speed of the center folding plate is faster than the peripheral speed of the center folding roller. A good center-folding process is performed because the outer side of the recording paper bundle to be fed is conveyed faster by the center-folding roller than the inner side, and the occurrence of wrinkles and tears can be prevented. Will be able to do it. As a result, it is possible to perform good and high quality center folding processing at low cost without worries or breakage of the recording paper without adding a particularly expensive and complicated mechanism.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the post-processing apparatus for a bundle of recording sheets of the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the aligned recording having a folding roller and a center folding plate as post-processing means. In addition to the center-folding device that performs center-folding processing at the center of the paper bundle, a saddle-stitching device that performs saddle-stitching with a stapler prior to center-folding the aligned recording paper bundle is provided. Bookbinding can be manufactured.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the recording sheet bundle post-processing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, as a post-processing means, a stapler is provided near an end face of the aligned recording sheet bundle. Since the processing device for performing the end face binding process is provided, the end face binding can be performed, so that the convenience as the post-processing apparatus for the recording paper bundle is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a recording paper post-processing device of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a post-processing operation of a bundle of recording sheets in a subsequent processing tray.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the saddle stitching apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the center folding apparatus.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the center folding process.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the center folding operation.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the same.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the same.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 recording paper bundle post-processing device 12H staple discharge roller 12I hitting roller 2 image forming device 3 post-processing tray (recording paper bundle alignment tray) 31 rear-end reference fence 32 jogger fence 33 recess 4 edge binding device 5 saddle stitching device 6 Half-Folding Device 61 Half-Fold Roller 62 Rotation Mechanism 63 Half-Fold Plate 64 Advance / Retreat Mechanism β Post-Processing Transport Path

Claims (3)

[Claims] A recording sheet alignment tray for sequentially stacking recording sheets on which images have been recorded by the image forming apparatus; and a post-processing means for performing post-processing on a recording sheet bundle aligned by the recording sheet alignment tray. An image having a center folding processing device including a center folding plate that advances and retreats toward a center folding portion of a sheet bundle, and a pair of center folding rollers that bite the recording sheet bundle extruded by the center folding plate to perform center folding. A recording sheet post-processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a recording sheet bundle post-processing apparatus of a forming apparatus, wherein a forward speed of a center folding plate is higher than a peripheral speed of the center folding roller. apparatus. 2. A post-processing device, comprising: a center-folding device that includes a center-folding roller and a center-folding plate and performs a center-folding process on a center portion of a aligned bundle of recording papers; 2. The recording sheet post-processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a saddle stitching processing device that performs a saddle stitching process with a stapler prior to center folding the bundle. 3. An image according to claim 1, wherein said post-processing means comprises an end-face binding processing device for performing an end-face binding process with a stapler near an end face of said aligned recording sheet bundle. Recording paper post-processing device of the forming device.