JP2002316488A - Gluing-binding device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gluing-binding device which automatically judges and selects an optimal number of sheets of paper, and manufactures a case bound book of a favorable appearance, for the case bound book having face papers. SOLUTION: This gluing-binding device has a paper bundle manufacturing device and a case bound book-manufacturing device. In such a gluing-binding device, when the case bound book manufacturing device is selected by an operation unit 9 and a number of sheets of paper for a paper bundle Sa is set to be a specified number of sheets or lower, a control means 100 automatically selects non-operation of the case bound book manufacturing device. Then, the control means 100 controls the gluing-binding device in such a manner that the paper bundle-manufacturing device only may be operated, and the paper bundle wherein a glue applying treatment has been performed may be discharged.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of applying book-form glue to a sheet on which image forming processing has been performed, in the vicinity of a side edge of the sheet, and covering the spine of the sheet bundle and its vicinity with a cover. The present invention relates to a glue binding apparatus, and particularly to a glue binding apparatus suitable for being connected to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, or a printer online, or incorporated in the image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus having the glue binding apparatus. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, paper on which an image is recorded by a main body of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, and a multifunction peripheral thereof is subjected to post-processing such as punching, stapling, and saddle stitching. Various processes such as folding, attaching a cover, folding, stamping, and glue binding are performed.

[0003] As the glue binding apparatus, (1) a device that discharges glue onto paper using a glue discharge nozzle, (2) a glue wheel is installed in a glue storage box, and glue is attached to the outer periphery of the rotating glue wheel. Device that makes the outer periphery of the glue wheel contact the paper to transfer
(3) a hot melt coating device that discharges a mixture of a hot melt agent (heat fusing agent) and heated compressed air from a nozzle;
(4) a tape sticking device for sticking one side edge of a sheet bundle while heating a tape to which adhesive paste is applied in advance;
Etc. are used.

The gluing method and apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-80377 is to blow high-pressure air onto glue discharged from a glue discharging nozzle to form a thin film.

[0005] The bookbinding apparatus described in JP-T-59-500907 deflects a sheet conveyed in a first direction in a second conveyance direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction, and then deflects the end of the traveling sheet. The glue is applied linearly to the portion, and after the stacking and alignment, pressure is applied to bookbinding.

As the bookbinding method using a backside tape, there is a method in which a tape on which adhesive having adhesive property is applied before heating is applied while heating or a tape on which adhesive having adhesive property is applied in advance containing water is used. It has been known.

[0007] A conventional tape sticking method is disclosed in
No. 2,847,795, U.S. Pat. No. 4,985,729
JP-A-3-151286, JP-A-6-115
No. 275, and the like.

[0008]

The conventional glue binding apparatus has the following problems.

(1) In the backside tape bonding method, a tape is stuck on the spine of a sheet bundle and then folded on the front cover side and the back cover side. If the tape can be adhered with high reliability, the structure of the device becomes complicated and large.

(2) The method of wrapping a sheet bundle and bonding the back side of the sheet bundle with the front cover and the back cover integrated with the front cover requires a cover length corresponding to the maximum thickness of the sheet bundle. It is necessary to use a special large-sized cover sheet and, after bonding the cover sheet, a step of cutting and removing an extra cover part protruding from the sheet bundle.

(3) A glue binding apparatus for producing a high-quality bookbinding by aligning a sheet bundle, a front cover, and a back cover at high speed and accurately is complicated and large in size.

(4) Since the paper discharged from the main body of the image forming apparatus is glued and bound at a high speed, the structure of the apparatus becomes complicated and large in order to maintain high-speed productivity.

(5) A sheet bundle forming mechanism for conveying and stacking the sheets coated with the glue and pressing the glue applying section between the sheets to form a sheet bundle, and a front side and a back side of the sheet bundle. When a case binding production mechanism that wraps and attaches the back with a cover is accommodated in an integrated glue binding apparatus, a waiting time occurs in the glue binding process, and the productivity of bookbinding decreases.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, improves a glue binding apparatus, realizes simplification of the apparatus configuration and simplification of control, and improves the finishing quality of bookbinding and the productivity of high-speed processing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a glue binding apparatus which maintains the above, and an image forming apparatus provided with the glue binding apparatus.

[0015]

The above object is achieved by the following glue binding apparatus and image forming apparatus of the present invention.

(1) While the paper discharged from the main body of the image forming apparatus is being transported, a linear glue application section is formed on the paper surface by the glue discharging means, and the paper that has been subjected to the glue application processing is transported to the paper mounting table. And a sheet bundle producing apparatus for forming a sheet bundle by pressing the glue application section between the sheets, and receiving the sheet bundle formed by the sheet bundle producing apparatus and connected to the sheet bundle producing apparatus. A case binding apparatus for binding a front edge of the sheet bundle and a side edge and a back edge of the back sheet side of the sheet bundle with a cover sheet that has been coated with glue; An operation unit for selecting a bookbinding production device; and a control unit for controlling the driving of the sheet bundle production device and the case binding production device. If the number of sheets is set to a predetermined number or less, The gluing bookbinding apparatus, wherein the control means automatically selects the case binding making apparatus in an inactive state and controls only the sheet bundle making apparatus to operate so as to discharge the glue-coated sheet bundle.

(2) While the paper discharged from the main body of the image forming apparatus is being transported, a linear glue applying section is formed on the paper surface by the glue discharging means, and the glue-coated paper is transported to the paper mounting table. And a sheet bundle producing apparatus for forming a sheet bundle by pressing the glue application section between the sheets, and receiving the sheet bundle formed by the sheet bundle producing apparatus and connected to the sheet bundle producing apparatus. A case binding apparatus for binding a front edge of the sheet bundle and a side edge and a back edge of the back sheet side of the sheet bundle with a cover sheet that has been coated with glue; An operation unit for selecting a bookbinding production device; and a control unit for controlling the driving of the sheet bundle production device and the case binding production device. If the number of sheets is set to a predetermined number or less, A gluing bookbinding apparatus, wherein the control means automatically selects the case binding producing apparatus in an inoperative manner, but selects and enables a case binding forced producing function provided in the operation unit.

(3) An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image forming apparatus main body including an image writing unit, an image forming unit, and a sheet conveying unit, and the glue binding apparatus according to the above (1) or (2). It is characterized by comprising.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, a glue binding apparatus according to the present invention,
An image forming apparatus provided with a glue binding apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.

[One Embodiment of Image Forming Apparatus] FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus main body A, an image reading apparatus B, a first glue binding apparatus C1, and a second glue binding apparatus C2. It is.

The main body A of the image forming apparatus comprises a charging means 2, an image exposing means (writing means) 3, a developing means 4, and a transferring means 5 around a rotating image carrier (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive body) 1.
A, the charge removing means 5B, the separating claw 5C, and the cleaning means 6 are arranged, and the surface of the photoreceptor 1 is uniformly charged by the charging means 2 and thereafter, the image read from the original by the laser beam of the image exposing means 3 A latent image is formed by performing exposure scanning based on the data, and the latent image is reversely developed by the developing unit 4 to form a toner image on the surface of the photoconductor 1.

On the other hand, the transfer paper (hereinafter, referred to as paper) S fed from the paper storage means 7A is sent to a transfer position.
At the transfer position, the toner image is transferred onto the sheet S by the transfer unit 5A. After that, the paper S is discharged by the discharging means 5B.
As a result, the charge on the back surface is erased, separated from the photoreceptor 1 by the separation claw 5C, conveyed by the intermediate conveyance unit 7B, subsequently heated and fixed by the fixing unit 8, and discharged by the paper discharge roller 7C.

When forming images on both sides of the sheet S,
The sheet S, which has been heated and fixed by the fixing unit 8, is branched from a normal sheet discharge path by a transfer path switching plate 7D, is switched back in a reverse transfer 7E, is turned over, and is discharged outside the apparatus by a sheet discharge roller 7C. You. Discharge roller 7C
Received from the receiving unit 1 of the glue binding apparatus C
It is sent to 1.

On the other hand, the developer remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 1 after the image processing is removed by the cleaning means 6 downstream of the separation claw 5C, and the surface is prepared for the next image formation.

An image reading device B provided with an automatic document feeder of a document moving type reading system is installed above the image forming device main body A.

[Gluing and Binding Apparatus] The gluing and binding apparatus includes a first gluing and binding apparatus C1 connected to the paper discharge section of the image forming apparatus main body A, and a sheet discharge port and a sheet bundle discharge of the first gluing and binding apparatus C1. Second glue binding apparatus C2 connected to the outlet
Consisting of

[First glue binding apparatus C1] FIG.
1 is a front sectional view of a glue binding apparatus (sheet bundle producing apparatus) C1.

The first glue binding apparatus C1 includes the uppermost direct discharge device 10, a horizontal transport device 20A below the direct discharge device 10, a direction change transport device 30A, a paper storage section 40A, and a discharge device 50.
A, a paper transport device including a first paper supply unit (cover cover paper supply unit) 70A and a second paper supply unit (back cover paper supply unit) 70B;
And a first glue discharging means 80A and a glue supply device 89.

The sheet S introduced into the receiving section 11 is selected by the switching plate 12 to either the upper direct sheet discharging means 10 or the horizontal conveying means 20A.

The paper S directly introduced into the paper discharging means 10 is
The sheet is conveyed upward, is nipped by the conveying rollers 13 and 14, and is discharged onto the fixed sheet discharge tray 16 by the discharge roller 15.

When the shift mode or the non-sorted large-volume discharge mode is set, the switching plate 12 directly closes the transport path of the paper discharge means 10, opens the transport path of the horizontal transport means 20 A, and allows the sheet S to pass. enable. Horizontal transfer means 20A
The paper S introduced into the transport rollers 21, 22, 23,
24. The sheet S that is not subjected to the glue application processing is nipped by the sheet discharge roller 26 and is introduced into a second glue binding apparatus C2 to be described later from the upper discharge port 27. Second
The paper S not subjected to the glue application process introduced into the glue binding apparatus C2 is sandwiched and conveyed by the horizontal conveying means 20B, nipped by the discharge rollers 61, and lifted and lowered from the upper discharge port 62 to the elevating discharge tray 63 outside the machine. Is discharged on top. Lifting tray 63
On the top, for example, a large amount of 3000 sheets of paper S can be stacked. The shift process shifts the sheet S by a predetermined amount in a direction orthogonal to the transport rollers 21 to 24 by the rotation of the transport roller 31 of the direction changing transport unit 30A.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the first glue binding apparatus C1, FIG. 4 is a plan view, and FIG. 5 illustrates a paper transport path and a glue applying process in the glue applying process. It is a schematic perspective view.

Orthogonal U-turn conveyance of the paper by the direction changing / conveying means 30A When the mode of the glue binding process is set, the paper S discharged from the image forming apparatus main body A is driven by the motor M1 shown in FIG.
The sheet is nipped and conveyed by conveying rollers 21 to 24 driven and rotated by. The leading end of the sheet S is positioned by the positioning member 25.
, The skew of the sheet S is corrected, and positioning is performed in the transport direction (the first transport path X1 in the direction of the arrow in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5). Thereafter, the driving of the motor M1 is stopped, and the upper rollers of the transport rollers 21 to 24 are retracted upward from the sheet surface by a driving means (not shown) to release the pressure contact.

Further, the sheet S is nipped by conveying rollers 31 and 32 driven and rotated by a driving source (not shown), and
The sheet is conveyed in the conveyance direction deflected by an angle (the second conveyance path Y1 in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIGS. 3 to 5). The paper S is continuously nipped by the transport rollers 33 and 34, transported in a U-turn, and sent to the paper storage unit 40A (third direction in the arrow direction in FIGS. 3 to 5).
Transport path Z).

(Glue coating process on paper S) The first glue discharging means 80A is driven by the transport rollers 31-34 to the second transport path Y.
Glue is discharged in a linear or broken line shape on one side edge of the paper S traveling from the first transport path Z to the third transport path Z to form a glue application portion N on the upper surface of the paper S (see FIG. 7).

The first sheet S is not subjected to the glue coating process,
The sheet is nipped and transported by the transport rollers 33 and 34 of the direction changing transport unit 30A, sent to the fourth transport path Y2, and placed on the paper table 41A. The subsequent second and subsequent sheets S that have been subjected to the glue coating process are nipped by the transport rollers 33 and 34,
The sheet is conveyed and stacked on the preceding sheet. (Glue discharging means) FIG. 6 shows the first glue discharging means 80A and the second glue discharging means.
It is sectional drawing of paste discharge means 80B. Since the first paste discharging means 80A and the second paste discharging means 80B have the same configuration, the paste discharging means 80A will be described below as a representative.

The first glue discharging means 80A includes a nozzle member 81 having an opening 81a for discharging glue, a movable needle member (hereinafter referred to as a needle) 82 for opening and closing the opening 81a, and a needle 82 movable. The housing 83 includes a solenoid SL that drives the needle 82 so as to be movable, and the like.

The return spring 85 is inserted between the bottom of the housing 84 of the first glue discharging means 80A and the upper surface of the flange 82b, and presses the needle 82 downward. When the solenoid SL is not operated, the return spring 85 causes the needle 8 to move.
The second end 82 a closes the opening 81 a of the nozzle member 81.

When a voltage is applied to the solenoid SL, the plunger SLa is moved upward, the needle 82 directly connected to the plunger SLa is pulled up, and the opening 81a of the nozzle member 81 is opened to allow the paste to be discharged.

An entrance member 87 is fixed to the side surface of the casing 83, and introduces the glue supplied from a glue supply device 89 described later into the glue accommodating chamber 83a through a supply pipe 88. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing various glue application sections formed near the side edge of the sheet S. FIG. 7A shows a continuous linear glue application section N1. FIG. 7B shows a glue application portion N2 in a broken line shape having a predetermined length and interval. FIG. 7 (c) shows a dotted line glue application section N3 intermittently with a predetermined interval. FIG. 7D shows a linear glue application section N4 formed on the short side of the sheet S.

Since the linear glue application sections N1 and N4 firmly adhere to each other over the entire length near the side edge of the sheet S, the booklet Sb has durability and good finish quality.
Both the dashed glue application section N2 and the dotted glue application section N3 have a small adhesive application area, so the adhesive strength between the sheets is weaker than the glue application sections N1 and N4, and the tensile strength is slightly lower. There is little occurrence of paper waving after the glue application processing. Further, since the adhesive force between the sheets is weak, the sheets can be easily peeled off after the adhesive treatment. Therefore, after the papers are temporarily fixed and bonded, the papers are separated and the operations such as rearranging, removing, and inserting the papers S can be easily performed without damaging the papers S. Suitable for distribution.

(Attaching Cover Paper) When a cover sheet (front cover and back cover) of the same size as the sheet bundle Sa is attached to the sheet bundle Sa, the cover sheet is attached to the lower part of the first glue binding apparatus C1. The cover sheet is supplied from the disposed first paper supply means 70A or the second paper supply means 70B. The paper feed cassette 71A of the first paper feed unit 70A or the paper feed cassette 7 of the second paper feed unit 70B
1B is fed by the paper feed unit 72A or 72B, passes through the transport rollers 73 and 74, is transported by the horizontal transport unit 20A, and is then glued by the first glue discharge unit 80A. The cloth portion N is formed and sent to the paper storage portion 40A via the direction changing / conveying means 30A.
The sheet is attached to the uppermost surface of the sheet bundle Sa (see FIG. 2).

The paste used in the embodiment of the present invention is a water-soluble vinyl acetate resin emulsion paste, and has a viscosity of 750 to 1500 mPa · s at room temperature. The sheet bundle Sa adhered with the water-soluble glue can be reused as recycled paper.

(Loading, Alignment, and Pressing of Sheets S) (See FIGS. 3 and 5) The first sheet S that has not been subjected to the glue application processing is nipped and conveyed by conveying rollers 33 and 34 that are driven and rotated. The sheet is conveyed to the fourth conveyance path Y2 and is placed on the sheet table 41A.
Subsequent second and subsequent sheets S that have been subjected to the glue coating process are nipped and conveyed by the conveying rollers 33 and 34, conveyed to the fourth conveying path Y2, and stacked on the preceding sheet S on the sheet mounting table 41A. .

That is, the leading end of the sheet S nipped and conveyed by the conveying rollers 34 is gripped by gripping means (grippers) 43 held by the rotating endless belt 42, and the upper side of the sheet mounting table 41A is moved upward. The sheet is transported to the four transport path Y2. The pressing means 44 held by the moving gripping means 43 presses and moves the back side of the adhesive coating portion N forming surface of the preceding sheet bundle Sa placed on the sheet placing table 41A, and moves between the sheets. Ensure adhesion. The leading end of the sheet S gripped by the gripping means 43 contacts the leading edge stopper 45 and the leading edge is aligned. The leading end stopper 45 can be moved by a driving unit (not shown), and stops at a predetermined position according to the size setting of the sheet S.
The trailing end of the sheet S is movably driven by the sheet aligning and pressing means 46 to align the trailing end of the sheet and to press the upper surface of the trailing end of the sheet. Both ends of the sheet S are aligned with the width aligning means 4.
7 position. The alignment and positioning of the leading end, the trailing end, and both sides of the sheet S are performed before the pressing process by the pressing unit 44. The pressing process of the sheet S by the pressing unit 44 may be performed every time the second and subsequent sheets S are placed on the sheet placing table 41A. Alternatively, the pressing process may be performed each time a plurality of sheets S are stacked.

Through the above steps, one sheet bundle Sa that has been glued is completed. This first glue binding apparatus C1
Then, for example, a maximum of 200 sheets S can be glued and bound.

(Discharge from the first glue binding apparatus C1) A plurality of discharge belts 53 wound around a drive roller 51 and a driven roller 52 are provided on a part of the sheet stacking surface of the sheet mounting table 41A. It is arranged rotatably.

The final sheet Sn is stacked on the sheet table 41A, subjected to pressure processing, and glued and bound.
Is held at the rear end of the sheet bundle Sa by the discharge claw 53a of the discharge belt 53 rotated by the motor M2, slides on the mounting surface of the sheet mounting table 41A, and is pinched by the sheet bundle discharge roller 54. Then, it is discharged from the lower discharge port 55 to the entrance of the second glue binding apparatus C2 and is introduced (fifth transport path X2 in FIG. 5). Prior to the paper discharging process, the pressing means 4
4 and the width matching means 47 are retracted above the conveyance path by a driving means (not shown).

[Second glue binding apparatus C2] The glue binding apparatus of the present invention is a first glue binding apparatus (sheet bundle producing apparatus) C1 for gluing and binding between sheets to produce a sheet bundle Sa.
And a second glue binding device (case binding making device) C2 for gluing and binding the front and back covers to the front and back and back of the sheet bundle Sa to produce the booklet Sb.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view for explaining the paper transport path and the glue applying process in the glue applying process in the first glue binding apparatus C1 and the second glue binding apparatus C2. FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing a sheet transport path and a glue applying process of the second glue binding apparatus C2. FIG. 10 is a front sectional view of the second glue binding apparatus C2.

In these figures, horizontal transport means 20B, which constitute a paper transport path of the second glue binding apparatus C2,
Direction changing conveyance means 30B, paper storage unit 40B, and second
The components constituting the glue discharging means 80B are the horizontal transport means 20A, the direction changing transport means 3 of the first glue binding apparatus C1.
0A, the paper storage unit 40A, and the members constituting the first glue discharging means 80A have substantially the same configuration. Therefore, members having the same functions as those of the first glue binding apparatus C1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Description is omitted.

The sheet S not subjected to the glue binding process or the sheet S subjected to the shift process is conveyed by the horizontal conveying unit 20A and the horizontal conveying unit 20B, is sandwiched by the discharge rollers 61, and is discharged from the upper discharge port 62. External lifting tray 6
3 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

The sheet bundle Sa produced by the first gluing and binding apparatus C1 is conveyed by the discharging means 50A, discharged from the lower discharge port 55, and is discharged to the second gluing and binding apparatus C2.
And is conveyed by the discharge means 50B, discharged from the lower discharge port 65, and placed on the elevating discharge tray 63 outside the machine (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

The case binding production apparatus C2 includes a horizontal transport unit 20B, a direction changing transport unit 30B, a paper storage unit 40B,
The apparatus includes a crease roller 91, a second glue discharging unit 80B, a first paper feeding unit (front cover paper feeding unit) 70A, and a second paper feeding unit (back cover paper feeding unit) 70B.

The creasing roller 91 is connected to the second conveying path Y1.
A first fold a is formed on the front cover Ka to be conveyed and conveyed, and the front cover Ka is folded into a loose V-shape to form a front cover part b and a spine part c having the same size as the paper S.

The upper first paper feeding means 70A shown in FIG.
Paper feed cassette 71A for storing front cover Ka, paper feed unit 72
A. One cover sheet Ka fed from the sheet feeding cassette 71A by the sheet feeding section 72A rises while being nipped by the conveying rollers 73 and 74, and is moved upward by the horizontal conveying means 20A.
And the horizontal transfer means 2 of the second glue binding apparatus C2
0B, the first fold a is formed by the fold roller 91 via the direction changing conveyance means 30B, and the paper storage unit 4
0B.

The lower second sheet feeding means 70B shown in FIG.
Paper cassette 71B that accommodates back cover Kb, paper supply unit 72
B. One back cover Kb fed from the paper feed cassette 71B by the paper feed section 72B is nipped by the transport rollers 73 and 74 and rises, and the horizontal transport means 20A
And the horizontal transfer means 2 of the second glue binding apparatus C2
The paper is then fed into the paper storage unit 40B via the direction changing / conveying means 30B, and is stacked and bound on the upper surface of the paper bundle Sa.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a case binding process of gluing the front cover Ka and the back cover Kb to the sheet bundle Sa, and FIGS. 12 to 18 are glue case binding by a glue binding apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the detail of a manufacturing process. Hereinafter, the process of producing a glued case binding will be described.

(1) The front cover Ka which is conveyed by the conveying roller 32 in the Y1A direction indicated by a white arrow on the second conveying path Y1.
Is a first fold a by a pair of fold rollers 91.
, And are bent into a loose V-shape to form a cover surface portion b and a spine portion c having the same size as the paper S (FIG. 1).
2, see FIG. 11 (1)).

(2) The transport rollers 31 and 32 of the direction changing transport means 30B are rotated in the reverse direction, and the cover Ka is transported backward in the direction Y1B of the white arrow on the upstream side of the second transport path Y1. While the front cover Ka is being conveyed in the Y1B direction, the second paste discharging means 80B discharges glue, and one line is formed near the first fold a on the surface of the spine portion c of the front cover Ka. A glue-applied portion Na is formed (see FIG. 13A).

Next, after the second glue discharging means 80B is moved in a direction orthogonal to the Y1B direction, the conveying rollers 31 and 32 are moved.
Is switched to forward rotation, and the front cover Ka is transported in the Y1A direction. The glue discharged from the second glue discharging means 80B while the front cover Ka is being conveyed in the Y1A direction forms a second linear glue applying portion Nb on the front cover Ka adjacent to the glue applying portion Na. (See FIG. 13B).

Subsequently, after the glue discharging means 80B is moved in a direction orthogonal to the Y1A direction, the conveying rollers 31, 32 are moved.
Is switched to reverse rotation, and the front cover Ka is transported in the Y1B direction. The glue discharged from the second glue discharging means 80B while the front cover Ka is being conveyed in the Y1B direction forms a third linear glue applying portion Nc on the front cover Ka adjacent to the glue applying portion Nb. (See FIG. 13C).

In this manner, the spine portion c of the front cover Ka
Near the first fold a on the surface of
A wide glue application portion N5 composed of a, Nb, and Nc is formed (see FIG. 11B). The width of the glue application section N5 is set to be wider than the width of the spine of the sheet bundle Sa to be glued and bound.
It is set by the number of linear glue application sections (Na to Nc).

The cover Ka, which has been folded and has a wide glue application portion N5, is sandwiched between the transport rollers of the direction changing transport means 30B, is once transported downward in the direction of the third transport path Z, and then is switched back. The paper is transported upward and transported in the fourth transport path Y2 direction, and is placed on the paper loading table 41B of the paper storage unit 40B with the spine portion c facing upward, and the width direction is regulated by the paper alignment pressing means 46. And the tip stopper 4
5 and stops (see FIG. 14).

The paper storage unit 4 of the first glue binding apparatus C1
0A indicates that the preceding sheet bundle Sa is the second glue binding apparatus C2.
Then, the paper S discharged from the image forming apparatus main body A can be continuously placed in the paper storage unit 40A.

(3) After the front cover Ka is conveyed onto the paper placing table 41B and placed at a predetermined position, the sheet bundle Sa glued and bound by the first glue binding apparatus C1 is converted into a second glue binding apparatus. The sheet is introduced into C2, is conveyed to the upper surface of the front cover Ka on the sheet storage section 40B, and is positioned and determined by the sheet alignment pressing means 46.

Next, the first folding means 93 supported at the retracted position below the sheet mounting table 41B rises, and the front cover K
a, and gently bends the loosely bent backstrip c along the first fold a,
The wide glue application portion N5 formed on the surface of the spine portion c of the front cover Ka is adhered to the spine portion of the sheet bundle Sa (FIG. 15).
(A), see FIG. 11 (3)).

(4) After bending the cover Ka at right angles,
The second folding means 94 is advanced in the horizontal direction by the driving means to form a second fold d on the front cover Ka, fold it at a right angle, and form a folded portion. (See FIG. 15 (b) and FIG. 11 (4)).

(5) The second folding means 94 is retracted and retracted to the initial position, the cover pressing member 92 is lowered, and the upper surface of the folded portion of the cover Ka is pressed, and the folded portion is moved to the end of the sheet bundle Sa. Adhering to paper Sn (FIG. 16A, FIG. 1)
1 (5)).

(6) The cover pressing member 92 is driven up and retracts upward. On the other hand, the back cover Kb sent out by the second sheet feeding means 70B is used for the horizontal conveying means 20A, 20B.
B in the first conveying path X1 direction, the direction changing conveying means 30B in the second conveying path Y1 direction, the third conveying path Z direction,
After being conveyed in the fourth conveyance path Y2 direction, the paper is sent to the paper mounting table 41B with the glue application section N facing downward.

FIG. 19 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a sheet bundle Sa stacked on the sheet mounting table 41B. The second and subsequent sheets S on which the glue application section N is formed are stacked on the preceding paper S and the sheets are adhered to each other, and the back of the front cover Ka and the back of each sheet S are separated by a wide glue application section N5. It is adhered by.

The glue application section N is formed, and the paper placing table 41B
The back cover Kb sent to the upper side is
As a result, the side edges of the back cover Kb are pressed to adjust the width, and are placed on the uppermost layer of the sheet bundle Sa and the folded back portion of the cover Ka and adhered to the back of the cover Ka (FIG. 16).
(B), FIG. 11 (6), FIG. 15).

(7) The upper surface of the joint surface between the folded portion of the front cover Ka and the back cover Kb is pressed by the cover pressing member 92 to strengthen the adhesion (see FIGS. 17 and 11 (7)).

(8) The first folding means 93 is lowered and retracted to the lower initial position. The booklet Sb that has been glued and bound is held on the trailing end of the booklet by the discharge claw 53a of the rotating discharge belt 53, and is discharged onto the elevating discharge tray 63.
The sheets are stacked (fifth transport path X2 in the direction indicated by the arrow). (FIG. 18,
FIG. 11 (8)).

FIG. 20 (a) is a perspective view showing the finish of case binding, and FIG. 20 (b) is a perspective view showing the case binding with the back cover half opened.

(Paper discharge from second glue binding apparatus C2) Paper discharge means 60 on the side of second glue binding apparatus C2
Is composed of an upper discharge roller 61, a lower discharge roller 64, an upper discharge port 62, a lower discharge port 65, and an elevating discharge tray 63. From the upper discharge port 62, the shifted paper S not subjected to the glue coating processing is discharged, and is stacked on the elevating discharge tray 63. When the case binding production processing mode is selected in the operation unit of the image forming apparatus main body A, the sheet bundle Sa glued and bound by the first glue binding apparatus C1 is discharged by the discharging unit 50A, and the second gluing is performed. The booklet Sb is conveyed to the bookbinding apparatus C2 to perform a case binding production process, a booklet Sb is produced, discharged by the discharging means 50B, the booklet Sb is discharged from the lower discharge port 65 of the second glue binding apparatus C2, and the booklet Sb is lifted and discharged. It is stacked on the paper plate 63.

In the elevating discharge tray 63, a sheet S which is sandwiched between the discharge rollers 61 and discharged from the upper discharge port 62 and is not subjected to the glue coating process, and which is held between the discharge rollers 64 and the lower discharge port 6.
The sheet bundle Sa subjected to the glue coating process and the booklet Sb subjected to case binding discharged from the stack 5 can be stacked, and a large amount of sheets S, the sheet bundle Sa, and the booklet Sb can be accommodated by driving up and down.

When the non-case binding production processing mode is selected on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus main assembly A,
The sheet bundle Sa glued and bound by the first glue binding apparatus C1 is discharged from the lower discharge port 55, transported to the paper storage unit 40B of the second glue binding apparatus C2, and further transported by the discharging means 50B. The sheet is nipped by the discharge rollers 64 and discharged from the lower discharge port 65,
To be loaded.

(Control of Case Cover Binding Processing) FIG. 2
1 is a block diagram illustrating control of the glue binding apparatus, and FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating control of the cover binding mode of the glue binding apparatus.

When the image forming apparatus main body A detects that the number of sheets of the sheet bundle to be post-processed is equal to or less than a predetermined number, the control means 100 controls the case binding production apparatus C2 which is the second glue binding apparatus. Is automatically selected to be inactive, and the case binding production processing is not performed, and only the first glue binding apparatus C1 that produces the paper bundle Sa is operated to discharge the paper bundle Sa subjected to the glue application processing. .

Here, the predetermined number of sheets or less is, for example, a small number of sheets of 10 or less. In general, it is not necessary to apply the cover binding mode to the small number of sheets. The predetermined number can be set variably.

If it is detected that the number of sheets of the sheet bundle to be post-processed is equal to or larger than a predetermined number, the control means 10
0, the first glue binding apparatus C1 is operated to produce the sheet bundle Sa bonded by the glue applying process,
Of the sheet bundle Sa, the front cover Ka and the back cover Kb are stuck on the front and back surfaces of the sheet bundle Sa, a booklet Sb is produced, and the booklet Sb is discharged onto the elevating discharge tray 63.

The operation unit 9 includes a second glue binding apparatus C2
Is forcibly activated, a cover case bonding forced execution mode is set in advance. When the image forming apparatus main body A detects that the number of sheets of the sheet bundle to be post-processed is equal to or less than a predetermined number of sheets, the control unit 100 automatically selects the second glue binding apparatus C2 in an inactive state. When the operator selects the cover-case binding forced execution mode, the control means 100 activates the second glue binding apparatus C2 which is automatically selected to be inoperative, and enables the cover-case bonding mode.

The first glue binding apparatus C1 of the present invention
It is also possible to form a glue binding apparatus including the second glue binding apparatus C2 and an independent apparatus, and produce a glue binding for a sheet processed by another image forming apparatus.

[0085]

As is apparent from the above description, the following effects can be obtained by the glue binding apparatus and the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

(1) In the glue binding apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the case binding production apparatus is selected in the operation unit and the number of sheets of the sheet bundle is set to a predetermined number or less, the control means: The glue binding device automatically controls the case binding production device to be inactive, and controls only the paper bundle production device to operate to discharge the glue-coated paper bundle. Since the cover binding is not unnecessarily performed by selection, the operator can achieve a good-quality and optimal bookbinding process without performing any special operation. In addition, a small number of sheet bundles are quickly discharged without performing the cover-case binding step.

(2) In the glue binding apparatus according to the second and third aspects of the present invention, when the case binding production apparatus is selected in the operation unit and the number of sheets of the sheet bundle is set to a predetermined number or less, the control means Is automatically selected for non-operation of the case binding production apparatus, but since it is a glue binding apparatus that enables the case binding forced production apparatus provided in the operation unit to be operated, for a small number of sheet bundles, In particular, it becomes possible to forcibly cover and attach the cover and attach the cover.

(3) By using an image forming apparatus equipped with the glue binding apparatus of the present invention, a sheet conveyed at a high speed from the image forming apparatus main body can be used without lowering the high-speed productivity of the image forming apparatus main body. The glue binding apparatus including the bundle producing apparatus and the case binding producing apparatus makes it possible to continuously produce high quality and reliable bookbinding.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus main body, an image reading device, a first glue binding device, and a second glue binding device.

FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of a first glue binding apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the first glue binding apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a first glue binding apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a paper transport path and a glue application process during the glue application process.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a first glue discharging unit and a second glue discharging unit.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing various glue application sections formed near the side edge of the sheet.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a paper transport path and a glue applying process in a glue applying process in a first glue binding apparatus and a second glue binding apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing a sheet transport path and a glue applying process of the second glue binding apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a front sectional view of a second glue binding apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a step of gluing a front cover and a back cover to a sheet bundle and performing case binding;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing details of a glued case binding production process by the glue binding apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing details of a glued case binding production process by the glue binding apparatus.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing details of a glued case binding production process by the glue binding apparatus.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing details of a glued case binding production process by the glue binding apparatus.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing details of a glued case binding production process by the glue binding apparatus.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing details of a glued case binding production process by the glue binding apparatus.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing details of a glued case binding production process by the glue binding apparatus.

FIG. 19 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a sheet bundle stacked on a sheet mounting table.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the finish of case binding, and a perspective view showing case binding with the back cover half-opened.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating control of the glue binding apparatus.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing control of the cover binding case mode of the glue binding apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

9 Operation unit 20A, 20B Horizontal transport unit 30A, 30B Direction change transport unit 40A, 40B Paper storage unit 41A, 41B Paper loading table 44 Pressurizing unit 50A, 50B Discharge unit 60 Discharge unit 63 Elevating discharge tray 70A First supply Paper means (front cover paper feeding means) 70B Second paper feeding means (back cover paper feeding means) 80A First glue discharging means 80B Second glue discharging means 91 Folding roller 92 Front cover pressing member 93 First bending means 94 Second Folding means 100 Control means A Image forming apparatus main body C1 First glue binding apparatus (sheet bundle producing apparatus) C2 Second glue binding apparatus (case binding producing apparatus) Ka Cover cover (cover sheet) N, N1, N2, N3 , N4, N5, Na, Nb, Nc
Glue application section S Transfer paper (paper) Sa Paper bundle Sb Booklet

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Katsunori Takahashi 2970 Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation (72) Inventor Takenobu Kimura 2970 Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation (72) Invention Person Toshitaka Matsumoto 3-51-4 Kanamecho, Toshima-ku, Tokyo F-term (reference) 3F108 GA10 GB01 HA13

Claims (4)

[Claims] A glue discharging unit forms a linear glue application section on the paper surface while the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus main body is being transported, and transports the glue-coated paper to a paper mounting table. Stacked, a sheet bundle producing apparatus for forming a sheet bundle by pressing the glue application section between the sheets, and connected to the sheet bundle producing apparatus, receiving the sheet bundle formed by the sheet bundle producing apparatus, A case binding apparatus that wraps and adheres a side edge on the front surface side and a side edge and a back side on the back surface side of the sheet bundle with a cover sheet that has been coated with glue; An operation unit for selecting a production apparatus; and control means for controlling the driving of the sheet bundle production apparatus and the case binding production apparatus. The case binding production apparatus is selected in the operation unit, and the number of sheets of the sheet bundle is selected. Is set to a predetermined number or less, A gluing bookbinding apparatus characterized in that the control means automatically selects the case binding making apparatus in an inactive state and controls only the sheet bundle making apparatus to operate to discharge the glue-coated sheet bundle. 2. A method for forming a linear glue applying portion on a paper surface by a glue discharging means while the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus main body is being transported, and transporting the glue-coated paper to a paper mounting table. Stacked, a sheet bundle producing device for forming a sheet bundle by pressing the glue application section between the sheets, and connected to the sheet bundle producing device, receiving the sheet bundle formed by the sheet bundle producing device, A case binding apparatus that wraps and adheres a side edge on the front surface side and a side edge and a back side on the back surface side of the sheet bundle with a cover sheet that has been coated with glue; An operation unit for selecting a production apparatus; and control means for controlling the driving of the sheet bundle production apparatus and the case binding production apparatus. The case binding production apparatus is selected in the operation unit, and the number of sheets of the sheet bundle is selected. Is set to a predetermined number or less, A gluing bookbinding apparatus characterized in that the control means automatically selects the case binding producing apparatus in an inactive manner, but selects and enables a case binding forced producing function provided in the operation unit. 3. The glue binding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the glue binding device forms a linear glue applying section on the paper surface by the glue discharging means while the paper ejected from the image forming apparatus main body is being conveyed. A sheet bundle manufacturing device that conveys and stacks the paper on the mounting table and presses the glue application section between the sheets to form a sheet bundle; and a sheet connected to the sheet bundle manufacturing device and formed by the sheet bundle manufacturing device. A case binding receiving apparatus that receives the bundle, and wraps and bonds the side edge on the front cover side, the side edge on the back cover side, and the back portion of the sheet bundle with a glue-coated cover;
The glue binding apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: 4. An image forming apparatus main body comprising an image writing unit, an image forming unit, and a sheet conveying unit, and a glue binding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Image forming device.