JP2001019268A - Recording paper aftertreatment device of picture image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To precisely carry out aftertreatment work in a stable state even at the time of carrying out aftertreatment work such as saddle stitching treatment, and using recording paper deflected and curled. SOLUTION: A recording paper aftertreatment device of a picture image formation device is furnished with a recording paper aligning tray 3 to sequentially stack and align with recording paper on which picture images are recorded by the picture image formation device and an aftertreatment means to carry out aftertreatment such as middle stitching treatment on a recording paper bundle P, and it is furnished with presser members 34, 35 to press the recording paper bundle P stacked and aligned on the recording paper aligning tray 3 on a surface of the recording paper aligning tray 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is used by being attached to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, or a multifunction machine thereof, and can perform post-processing such as saddle stitching on a bundle of recording paper. The present invention relates to a recording paper post-processing device of an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording paper aligning tray for bundling and aligning a plurality of recording papers on which images have been recorded by an image forming apparatus, and post-processing such as saddle stitching on the aligned bundle of recording papers on the recording paper aligning tray. Various types of recording paper post-processing apparatuses provided with a post-processing means for performing the processing have been proposed and developed.

[0003] In such a recording paper post-processing apparatus,
For example, when performing the saddle stitching process, it is necessary to align and hold the center of the bundle of recording papers with the saddle stitching position in the recording paper alignment tray where the saddle stitching processing unit is installed.

[0004]

However, when relatively thin recording paper is used, particularly when the recording paper is weak, the recording paper stacked on the recording paper alignment tray is affected by gravity. May sag.

Therefore, in such a recording paper post-processing apparatus, the central portion of the recording paper to be subjected to the saddle stitching process moves downward and is displaced from the saddle stitching position of the recording paper alignment tray. There is a possibility that the binding process cannot be performed correctly.

[0006] Even if the recording paper other than such a thin recording paper is used as a recording paper, for example, when a curled paper having a curl from the beginning is used as a recording paper, the same problem occurs.

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, the present invention provides a method for performing post-processing operations such as saddle stitching even when recording paper is bent or curled. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording sheet post-processing apparatus of a post-processing image forming apparatus which can be performed accurately and in a stable state.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording sheet aligning tray for sequentially stacking and aligning recording sheets on which images have been recorded by an image forming apparatus;
Post-processing means for performing post-processing such as saddle stitching on the recording paper bundle, the recording paper post-processing device of the image forming apparatus,
The printing apparatus further comprises a pressing member that is stacked on the recording paper alignment tray and presses the aligned bundle of recording papers against the surface of the recording paper alignment tray.

The invention described in claim 2 is the first invention.
In the invention described in (1), the pressing member is attached to a jogger fence provided on the recording paper alignment tray.

[0010] Further, the invention described in claim 3 is based on claim 2.
In the invention described in (1), a notch is formed in a bent surface provided by being bent at a right angle along the jogger fence, and the pressing member applies a spring force toward the surface of the recording paper alignment tray in the notch. It is attached in a state of being biased and inclined toward the downstream side in the recording paper transport direction.

The invention described in claim 4 is the same as the claim 2.
In the invention described in the above, a slope is formed on a bent surface which is bent inward at a right angle along the jogger fence, and the pressing member applies a spring force on the slope to the surface of the recording paper alignment tray. It is attached in a state of being biased and inclined toward the downstream side in the recording paper transport direction.

The invention described in claim 5 is the first invention.
In the invention described in any one of (4) to (4), the pressing member itself is formed of a thin plate having a spring force.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of a recording paper post-processing apparatus of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

The recording paper post-processing apparatus 1 of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment is used by being attached to the image forming apparatus.
The post-processing means includes an end face binding processing means 4, a saddle stitching processing means 5, and a center folding processing means 6. On the other hand, all these post-processing means are installed so as to share the post-processing tray 3 which is a recording paper alignment tray. Although the copying machine 2 is used as the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, for example, a facsimile, a printer, and other appropriate devices can be used.

An entrance guide plate 11 is provided between the recording paper post-processing device 1 and the copying machine 2. Recording paper on which an image is recorded by the copying machine 2 is guided by the entrance guide plate 11. The recording paper is sent into the post-processing apparatus 1.

In the recording paper post-processing apparatus 1, conveyance rollers 12A and 12B are provided near the entrance guide plate 11, and separation claw 13 which is operated by a solenoid (not shown) to sort the conveyance direction is provided near the entrance guide plate 11. Is provided. The separation claw 13 divides the paper in two transport directions depending on whether post-processing is performed on the recording paper transported via the transport rollers 12A and 12B.

In the recording paper post-processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, when the recording paper on which the image is recorded is conveyed to the left in the horizontal direction in FIG. 1, the mode shifts to the non-post-processing mode in which post-processing is not performed. I do. 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 paper is conveyed downward, the mode shifts to the post-processing mode.

That is, in the recording paper post-processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, in the post-processing mode, the recording paper is fed via the conveying rollers 12E to 12G, the post-processing discharge roller 12H, and a guide plate (not shown). , A substantially U-shaped post-processing conveyance path β
And then discharged to the post-processing tray 3. A brush roller (not shown) is provided integrally with the post-processing discharge roller 12H, and a beating roller 12I is provided near the post-processing discharge roller 12H and downstream in the recording paper conveyance direction. Is provided.

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. This post-processing tray 3
Prior to performing post-processing on the recording paper bundle P, the rear end reference fence 31 aligns the lower end portion of the recording paper bundle P, and the jogger fence 32 operated by the jogger fence drive motor 32A. The left and right ends are aligned.

As shown in FIG. 3, the post-treatment toilet 3 has a recess 33 formed in the vicinity of an intermediate portion in the vertical direction. Further, the post-processing tray 3 of this embodiment is
The lower part of the horizontal direction is 75
°, the upper side of this is also inclined at 65 °,
The overall shape is almost rectangular (the central part protrudes in a convex shape)
Is presented. 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-treatment toilet 3 of the present invention includes:
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the jogger fence 32 has a bent surface 32 </ b> B formed by bending the edge side by 90 degrees over the entire side surface, at an intermediate portion thereof (a position avoiding the saddle stitching position). A notch 32C is provided by partially notching, and a thin plate-like pressing member 34 is attached thereto. Similarly, a thin plate-like pressing member 34 is also attached to a slope 32D inclined at the lower end of the bent surface 32B of the jogger fence 32. Note that these pressing members 34 and 35 are provided so as to avoid the inner side surfaces of the jogger fence 32 where the both ends of the recording paper bundle are aligned, thereby impairing the function of aligning the left and right side edges of the recording paper bundle P. Not to be.

The holding members 34 and 35 are made of an appropriate material having a spring property, such as a film, and are inclined toward the downstream side of the post-processing tray 3 in the recording paper conveying direction. The spring force is applied to the surface of the post-processing tray 3. That is, the holding member 3
Reference numerals 4 and 35 prevent the posture of the recording paper from being distorted, such as bending or curling, by pressing a spring force from above the recording paper bundle onto the front side of the post-processing toilet 3.

Note that the spring force of the pressing members 34 and 35 needs to be strong enough to sufficiently correct the curved deflection or curl generated on the recording paper. In particular,
This spring force is applied to at least several sheets of recording paper in the post-processing tray 3.
It should be strong enough to be pressed against
It is necessary that the strength be smaller than that at which several recording sheets cannot be discharged. Further, with respect to the pressing member 34 provided in the notch 32C, in order to prevent the leading end of the fed recording paper from being caught, the mounting portion is on the outer surface side from the inner surface side of the bent portion 32B. I have.

Further, the post-processing tray 3 is provided with an endless belt (not shown) and a discharge claw attached to the endless belt and moving vertically along the post-processing tray 3.

The end-face binding processing means 4 shown in FIG. 1 carries out end-face binding processing by a stapler near the lower end face of the bundle of recording papers conveyed to the post-processing tray 3 and aligned by the post-processing tray 3. A stapler (not shown) is provided at the lower end of the post-processing tray 3 near the rear end reference fence 31.

The saddle stitching means 5 carries out a saddle stitching 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. The saddle stitching processing means 5 of this embodiment includes a stapler 51,
A support member 52 and an eccentric cam 53 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, two staplers 51 of this embodiment hold a predetermined interval (120 mm in this embodiment) near the recess 33 at the center of the post-processing tray 3. And it is provided in parallel with the rear end reference fence 31.

The stapler 51 includes a stapler body 5.
1A and a pusher 51 that presses and pushes the binding staples into the recording paper by pressing and pushing the recording paper bundle P with appropriate means (not shown) when binding the recording paper bundle P.
B and a clincher 51C provided opposite to the pusher 51B to hold the recording paper bundle from the opposite side when the staples are pierced into the recording paper bundle.

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.

The pusher 51B is attached to the stapler body 51A so as to be rotatable in the installation direction of the clincher 51C. The pusher 51B of this embodiment has a recess 3
3 and is movable to a position protruding from the surface of the concave portion 33 of the tape tray 3 during a stapling operation. Thereby, the pusher 51B
Is capable of performing a saddle stitching process by firmly pressing the recording paper bundle P with the clincher 51C.

On the other hand, the clincher 51C is fixed to the distal end side of a support member 52 that rotates toward the post-processing tray 3, and is separate from the stapler body 51A and the pusher 51B.

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. Further, 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) to resilient force.

On the other hand, when the support member 52 is rotated, it is located on the circumference of a predetermined radius drawn by the tip of the support member 52.
An eccentric cam 53 is provided at a position separated by a predetermined distance from.

The eccentric cam 53 has a perfect circular shape, and a rotation shaft 53A is fixed to a portion near the peripheral edge shifted from the center. The rotation shaft 53A is rotatably attached to the side wall surface 3A in a state parallel to the support shaft 52A.
, The eccentric cam 53 is rotated about a position deviated from the center.

The center-folding means 6 applies a center-folding process to the center-stitched central portion of the recording sheet bundle subjected to the center-stitching process by the center-stitching processing means 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the center folding processing means 6 of this embodiment includes a pair of center folding rollers 61 which are brought into contact with each other by an elastic force of a spring (not shown) and which are rotated by a drive motor (not shown). To the nip portion between the center folding rollers 61 by another drive motor, that is, in FIG.
And a middle folding plate 63 which advances and retreats in a direction X at right angles to the surface of the post-processing tray 3.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. (1) When the post-processing is not performed on the recording sheet discharged from the copying machine 2 after the image is transferred by the copying machine 2, the non-post-processing mode is selected and set. Then, Figure 1
, Each recording paper is conveyed as it is along the non-post-processing conveyance path α by the sorting / separating operation of the separation claw 13, discharged from the recording paper post-processing device 1 to the outside by the paper discharge roller 12 </ b> D, and Is discharged.

(2) On the other hand, when performing post-processing on a recording sheet, for example, selecting and setting an end-face binding processing mode,
An unillustrated solenoid operates to rotate the separation claw 13, and each recording sheet is sequentially conveyed toward the post-processing conveyance path β. As a result, a predetermined number of recording papers (for example, about 50 at the maximum) are stacked on the post-processing tray 3, and the recording paper alignment operation is performed prior to the end face binding operation on the post-processing tray 3.

The bundle of recording papers P stacked and aligned on the post-processing tray 3 is collectively subjected to end-face binding processing by a stapler (not shown) provided in the end-face binding processing means 4, and is lifted upward by a discharge claw. Paper discharge roller 1
It is discharged onto the tray 1A by 2D (see FIG. 1).

In the end binding operation of the post-processing tray 3, even if the bundle of recording papers may be distorted in posture such as bending or curling, the pressing members 34 and 35 correct the bending by the pressing force. And bending can be suppressed.

When the recording paper is conveyed to the post-processing tray 3 and when the recording paper bundle is discharged from the post-processing tray 3, the recording paper passing therethrough is prevented from being jammed or the curled recording paper is not locked. The clincher 53C for saddle stitching is retracted to the position farthest from the recess 33 of the post-processing tray 3 and stands by.

(3) When the saddle stitching processing mode is selected and set, as in the case of the end face processing mode, the clincher 53C is retracted to the position farthest from the stapler body 53A, and a desired plurality of sheets are set. Are aligned and stacked on the post-processing tray 3.

That is, even when the bundle of recording paper is conveyed to the post-processing tray 3, as shown in FIG. 3, the clincher 53C for saddle stitching is located farthest from the recess 33 of the post-processing tray 3 (FIG. 3). (Represented by a solid line in FIG. 2).

In this manner, a series of aligning and aligning operations are performed on a plurality of recording papers discharged from the copying machine 2, and thereafter, the operation proceeds to the saddle stitching operation.

During the saddle stitching operation, the pressing member 3
4 and 35 press the recording paper bundle P aligned with the post-processing tray 3 from above before and after the saddle stitching position. Therefore, for example, even if the recording paper has a weak stiffness, it can be prevented from bending and buckling due to its own weight, and even if the recording paper is curled and bent, the curl can be suppressed.

As a result, each recording sheet is held in a correct position along the surface of the post-processing tray 3, and the recording sheets can be held in a state where they are in close contact with each other. The saddle stitching position can be matched with the processing means 5, and an accurate saddle stitching operation can be performed.

When the saddle stitching operation by the saddle stitching processing means 5 is completed, the eccentric cam 52 rotates, so that the clincher 53C retreats to the original position, that is, the home position furthest away from the recess 33, and then the next position. Wait until the saddle stitching operation.

In this manner, the saddle stitched recording paper bundle P
As shown in FIG. 6, the central portion P0 of the bundle of recording sheets P, which has been further lifted above the post-processing tray 3 by the ejection claw 34 and subjected to the saddle stitching process, matches the direction in which the center folding plate 63 advances. Then, the ascent operation stops.

Thereafter, the center folding plate 63 is moved to the center folding roller 61.
It advances toward the nip portion between and pushes the center-bound central portion of the recording paper bundle P. As a result, the saddle-stitched recording paper bundle P is folded from the central portion P0 to the center folding roller 61, and is folded into two. The recording sheet bundle P sandwiched between the center folding rollers 61 is discharged onto a tray 1A outside the recording sheet post-processing device 1.

In this way, a booklet in which a plurality of recording sheets are bundled together can be bound.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the notch 32C formed on the bent surface 32B of the jogger fence 32 of the post-processing tray 3 and the inclined surface 32D are provided so as to sandwich the recess 33 serving as the saddle stitching position. A sheet-like holding member 34,
With 35, the recording paper that is deflected by its own weight can be stretched to a tension state, and this recording paper can be pressed against the normal lower-level recording paper from above by closely contacting it.

Similarly, even if the recording paper is curled, the recording paper can be stretched and pressed against the normal recording paper immediately below the recording paper from above to make close contact.

Thus, according to the recording paper post-processing device of the image forming apparatus, even when thin recording paper having a low elasticity and being easily bent or curled is used, the pressing members 34 and 35 are used. Can hold the recording paper in a correct posture, and perform the end face binding processing and the saddle binding processing at a predetermined position reliably and accurately.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the pressing member which is stacked on the recording paper aligning tray and presses the aligned bundle of recording papers against the surface of the recording paper aligning tray is provided, it is used. Even if the recording paper is weak and easily curved, or if the recording paper to be used is curled with a curl, the pressing force of the pressing member acts on these recording papers, The recording paper can be stretched and brought into close contact with the front side of the recording paper alignment tray.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when post-processing such as saddle stitching is performed, the position is shifted and it is difficult to perform post-processing such as accurate saddle stitching. Even when using curled recording paper, accurate post-processing can be performed in a stable state,
As a result, highly reliable post-processing can be realized.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the holding member is attached to the jogger fence provided on the recording paper alignment tray, it is possible to assemble the holding member without requiring any special attachment member. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced, and a simple configuration can be realized.

Further, according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, a notch or a slope is formed in a bent surface formed by being bent at a right angle along the jogger fence, and the pressing member is provided with a notch or a slope to record. The spring is urged toward the surface of the paper alignment tray, and is attached in a state inclined toward the downstream side in the recording paper transport direction.
Since the holding member can be installed avoiding the inner surface of the jogger fence that aligns the side of the bundle of recording paper, even if the mounting structure is extremely simple, the recording paper alignment tray can be used for recording paper that is weak or curled. At the same time, the function of aligning the left and right ends of the bundle of recording paper by the jogger fence can be ensured, so that highly reliable post-processing can be performed.

Further, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the holding member itself is formed of a thin plate having a spring force, accurate post-processing can be realized from a lightweight and simple one. This is convenient as a recording paper post-processing device.

[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 mechanism.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a recording paper post-processing operation in a subsequent processing tray.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a pressing member provided on a processing tray thereafter.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 recording paper post-processing device 2 copying machine (image forming device) 3 post-processing tray (recording paper alignment tray) 32 jogger fence 32B bent surface 32C notch 32D inclined surface 33 recess 34 35 pressing member 4 end surface binding means 5 center binding Processing means 51 Support member 51A Support shaft 52 Eccentric cam 52A Rotating shaft 51 Stapler 51A Stapler body 51B Pusher 51C Clincher 6 Center folding processing means

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a recording sheet alignment tray for sequentially stacking and aligning recording sheets on which images are recorded by an image forming apparatus; and post-processing means for performing post-processing such as saddle stitching on a bundle of recording sheets. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a recording sheet post-processing device, comprising a pressing member stacked on the recording paper alignment tray and pressing the aligned bundle of recording papers against the surface of the recording paper alignment tray. Recording paper post-processing equipment. 2. The recording paper post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing member is attached to a jogger fence provided on the recording paper alignment tray. 3. A bent surface is formed by bending at a right angle inward along the jogger fence, and a notch is formed in the bent surface, and the pressing member faces the surface of the recording paper alignment tray in the notch. 3. The recording sheet post-processing device of the image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the recording sheet post-processing device is attached in a state where the spring force is applied to the recording sheet and the recording sheet is inclined toward the downstream side in the recording paper conveyance direction. 4. A bent surface which is bent inward at a right angle along the jogger fence to form a slope on the bent surface, and wherein the pressing member is provided on the slope so as to spring toward the surface of the recording paper alignment tray. 3. The recording sheet post-processing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the recording sheet post-processing apparatus is mounted in a state where the force is applied and the recording sheet is inclined toward the downstream side in the recording paper conveyance direction. 5. The recording sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing member itself is formed of a thin plate having a spring force.