JP2003146532A - Post-processing device and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To execute a post-processing mode in an off line at an operating part of a post-processing device by filling various paper sheets separate from recording paper delivered from an image forming device. SOLUTION: The post-processing device FS includes a accumulating part 70 loading a recording paper S delivered from an image forming device A, a first paper feeding means 20A storing paper sheets KA to be inserted in upper, lower or middle of a plurality of recording paper sheets S delivered from the image forming device A and carrying the same to the accumulating part 70, the operating part 90 of the post-processing device FS designating at least binding processing, folding processing, or punching processing with off line separate from a command from the image forming device A, and a post-processing means 200 controlling at least binding processing, folding processing, or punching processing according to the command from the operating part 90.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic copying machine,
For sheets ejected from image forming apparatuses such as printers, facsimiles, and multifunction machines having these functions,
The present invention relates to a post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing such as binding processing, folding processing, punching processing, and cutting processing, and an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A large number of sheets on which an image is recorded by a main body of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and a complex machine of these are gathered for each number of prints and bound by a binding means (stapler). A post-processing device for binding and binding is provided. The post-processing device is connected to the print function of the image forming apparatus main body and driven.

As a post-processing device for performing binding processing on a bundle of a plurality of sheets as a set, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-27669.
No. 1, No. 8-319054, and Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-41991 are disclosed.

[0004]

However, the conventional post-processing apparatus for performing the binding process has the following problems.

(1) In a conventional post-processing apparatus, a post-processing mode in which a punching process is performed on an insertion sheet provided in the post-processing apparatus in addition to the recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus by an operation unit in an off-line mode. There is no. If an input switch is provided for each combination of post-processing modes such as binding processing, folding processing, punching processing, the operation unit of the post-processing device becomes complicated. Further, since the punching process is performed in the vicinity of one side edge of the recording paper or the paper, the booklet produced becomes defective when the recording paper or the paper is bound and folded.

(2) For post-processing such as binding processing, folding processing, punching processing, etc. by the post-processing device, the position to be post-processed is appropriately set based on the paper size information, but the paper size is usually a standard size. In a post-processing device equipped with an insertion device that feeds a cover sheet, an insertion sheet, or a sheet produced by another image forming apparatus off-line, an irregular-sized sheet other than a standard size may be post-treated. . If such a non-standard-sized sheet is to be post-processed by the post-processing device, the post-processing is prohibited and cannot be operated, or even if it is operated, proper post-processing is not performed and post-processing becomes defective.

[0007]

The above-mentioned problems can be solved by the post-processing device of the present invention.

(1) The recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus is discharged from the image forming apparatus in a post-processing apparatus capable of executing at least a post-processing mode of binding processing, center folding processing, and punching processing. A stacking unit for stacking recording sheets, a sheet feeding unit for storing sheets to be inserted above or below or in the middle of a plurality of recording sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus, and transporting the sheets to the stacking unit; Separately from the instruction from the image forming apparatus, the operation unit of the post-processing device that specifies at least binding processing, folding processing, and punching processing offline, and at least the binding processing, folding processing offline by the specification of the operation unit. A post-processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls a punching process.

(2) The accumulating section for accommodating the recording sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus, and the accumulating section for accommodating the sheets to be inserted at the upper and lower sides or the middle of the plural recording sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus. A sheet feeding unit that conveys the sheet to the recording sheet and the sheet,
In a post-processing device capable of performing folding processing, alignment processing, and cutting processing, a paper length input means for inputting a length in the transport direction of the paper is provided, and based on paper length information by the paper length input means, A post-processing apparatus, which performs at least binding processing, folding processing, alignment processing, and cutting processing on the recording paper and the paper.

(3) An image forming apparatus comprising an image writing means, an image forming means, a sheet conveying means and an input means,
An image forming system comprising: a post-processing device that executes the binding process, the folding process, the punching process, and the cutting process according to (1) or (2).

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, a post-processing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[One Embodiment of Image Forming System] FIG.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus A, an image reading apparatus B, a post-processing apparatus FS, and a cutting apparatus C. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus A, the image reading apparatus B, and the post-processing apparatus FS.

In the image forming apparatus A, a charging means 2, an image exposing means (writing means) 3,
The charging unit 2 includes an image forming unit in which the developing unit 4, the transfer unit 5A, the charge removing unit 5B, and the cleaning unit 6 are arranged.
After uniformly charging the surface of the image carrier 1 by means of the laser beam of the image exposing means 3, exposure scanning is performed based on the image data read from the original to form a latent image,
The latent image is reversely developed by the developing means 4 to form a toner image on the surface of the image carrier 1.

On the other hand, the recording paper S stored in the recording paper storage means 7A is fed by the paper feeding means 7B and sent to the transfer position. The toner image is transferred onto the recording sheet S by the transfer unit 5A at the transfer position. After that, the charge on the back surface of the recording paper S is erased by the charge eliminating means 5B, and the image carrier 1
The sheet is separated from the sheet, is conveyed by the intermediate conveying unit 7C, is subsequently heated and fixed by the fixing unit 8, and is discharged from the sheet discharging unit 7D.

When images are to be formed on both sides of the recording paper S, the recording paper S heated and fixed by the fixing means 8 is branched from the normal paper discharge passage by the conveying passage switching plate 7E, and is then inverted by the reversing conveying means 7F. After being switched back and turned upside down, the sheet is discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the sheet discharging means 7D. The recording paper S discharged from the paper discharge means 7D is sent to the post-processing device FS.

On the other hand, the surface of the image carrier 1 after image processing is
The developer remaining on the surface is removed by the cleaning unit 6 to prepare for the next image formation.

An operation unit 9 for selecting and setting an image forming mode and a sheet post-processing mode is arranged on the upper front side of the image forming apparatus A.

On the upper part of the image forming apparatus A, an image reading apparatus B equipped with an automatic original feeding apparatus of a moving original reading type is installed.

The recording paper S discharged from the image forming apparatus A
In the post-processing apparatus FS, a punching process by the punching unit 40, a shift process by the shift unit 50, a binding process by the binding unit (stapling unit) 700 of the stacking unit (sheet storage unit) 70, and a folding process by the folding processing unit 80 After the post-processing such as
2. It is sent to any of the cutting devices C. In addition, a first sheet feeding unit 20 </ b> A for accommodating sheets to be inserted above and below or in the middle of the plurality of recording sheets S discharged from the image forming apparatus and conveying the sheets to the stacking unit 70, above the post-processing apparatus FS. The second sheet feeding means 20B is arranged.

Below the second paper feed means 20B, there is provided a direct paper ejection means 30 for directly ejecting and accommodating the recording paper S fed into the post-processing device FS.

The cutting device C comprises a first conveying means C1, a second conveying means C2, a cutting means C3, and a booklet accommodating means C4. The cutting device C conveys a sheet bundle produced by saddle stitching and center folding processing by the first conveying means C1, cuts the vicinity of the fore edge by the cutting means C3, aligns the fore edge to produce a booklet, and performs the cutting treatment. The second booklet is the second transport means C2.
And the booklets are aligned and stored in the booklet storing means C4.

[Post-Processing Device] FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram showing a conveyance path of the recording sheet S, the insertion sheet (intersheet) KA, and the cover sheet (cover sheet) KB in the post-processing apparatus FS according to the present invention. is there.

The post-processing apparatus FS is installed at such a position and height that the receiving section 11 for the recording sheet S carried out from the image forming apparatus A matches the sheet discharging means 7D of the image forming apparatus A.

In the receiving section 11, the recording sheet S subjected to the image forming process from the image forming apparatus A, the insertion sheet KA for partitioning the recording sheet bundle supplied from the first sheet feeding unit 20A, and the second sheet feeding unit. The cover sheet KB supplied from 20B is introduced.

(Feeding of Insertion Sheet and Cover Sheet) The insertion sheet KA stored in the sheet feeding tray of the first sheet feeding means 20A is separated and fed by the sheet feeding section 21, and the conveying rollers 22, 2 are fed.
It is sandwiched by 3, 24 and introduced into the receiving portion 11. Further, the cover sheet KB stored in the sheet feeding tray of the second sheet feeding means 20B is separated and fed by the sheet feeding section 25, sandwiched by the transport rollers 23 and 24, and introduced into the receiving section 11. .

(Punching process) The punching unit 40 arranged on the downstream side of the receiving unit 11 in the sheet transporting direction is the recording sheet S fed from the image forming apparatus A and the insertion fed from the first sheet feeding unit 20A. The punching process is performed on the sheet KA and the cover sheet KB conveyed from the second sheet feeding unit 20B.

The punching means 40 comprises a punch 41 which is driven up and down by a driving means, and a die 42 which is fitted to the blade portion of the punch 41.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing various examples of the recording paper S that has been punched by the punching means 40. FIG. 4A shows an example (two-hole file) in which two holes h are formed near the side edge a of the recording paper S. FIG. 4B shows an example in which holes h are punched at three locations near the side edge a of the recording paper S (three-hole file).
Indicates. FIG. 4C shows an example (four-hole file) in which four holes h are formed near the side edge a of the recording paper S.

The intervals between these holes h are standardized. Further, the perforation end face distance b from the side edge a of the recording paper S to the center of the hole h can be set arbitrarily, but generally 9 to 1
It is 1 mm.

(Paper branching) Paper branching means consisting of switching means G1 and G2 is provided on the downstream side of the punching means 40 in the paper carrying direction. The switching means G1 and G2 are driven by solenoids (not shown) to form a three-way sheet conveying path, that is, a first conveying path for discharging the upper sheet, a second conveying path for the middle stage,
It is selectively branched to any one of the lower third transport paths.

(Simple paper discharge) When this paper transport is set, the switching means G1 shuts off the second transport path and the third transport path and opens only the first transport path.

The recording sheets S and the like passing through the first transport path are nipped by the transport rollers 31 and ascended, discharged by the discharge rollers 32, placed on the fixed discharge tray 33, and sequentially stacked. A maximum of about 200 recording sheets S or the like can be stacked on the fixed sheet discharge table 33.

(Shift processing) When this transport mode is set, the switching means G1 retracts upward, the switching means G2 shuts off the third transport path, opens the second transport path, and allows the recording paper S to pass. To enable. The recording paper S passes through a paper passage formed between the switching means G1 and G2.

The image-formed recording sheet S discharged from the image forming apparatus A, the insertion sheet KA fed from the first sheet feeding means 20A, or the cover sheet fed from the second sheet feeding means 20B. The sheet KB passes through the intermediate sheet passage of the switching means G1 and G2, is subjected to a shift process by the shift means 50 so as to be moved by a predetermined amount in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction, and is conveyed in the sheet discharge direction.

The shift means 50 carries out a shift process for changing the discharge position of the recording paper S in the carrying width direction for every predetermined number of sheets.
The shift-processed recording paper S is nipped by the discharge rollers 61 of the paper discharge means 60, discharged to the elevating paper discharge table 62 outside the machine, and sequentially placed. The elevating and discharging tray 62 is configured to sequentially descend when a large number of recording sheets S are discharged, and a maximum of about 3000 (A4, B5) recording sheets S are recorded.
It is possible to accommodate

(Binding Processing) FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the post-processing unit including the stacking unit 70 and the folding processing unit 80.

When the binding process or the folding process is set in the operation unit 9 (see FIG. 2), the image forming process is performed in the image forming apparatus A, and the image forming process is sent to the receiving unit 11 of the post-processing apparatus FS. The recording paper S of FIG.
(Refer to FIG. 3), is fed to the third transport path below the switching means G2, is sandwiched by the transport rollers 12, and is transported downward.

When the recording paper S having a size larger than A4 and B5 size is conveyed in the third conveying path, the solenoid SD1 is driven and the recording paper S passes through the paper passage 13A on the left side of the switching means G3 in the drawing. Then, it is nipped by the conveyance rollers 14 and conveyed downward. The recording paper S is further sandwiched by a pair of inlet transport rollers (registration rollers) 15 on the further downstream side, and is sent out, and is discharged to a space above a paper stacking table (stacker) 71 that is inclined in the stacking unit 70, and the paper stacking table 71 Alternatively, it contacts the upper surface of the recording paper S stacked on the paper table 71 and is conveyed obliquely upward. After the trailing end of the recording sheet S in the traveling direction is ejected from the nipping position of the conveying roller 14, the recording sheet S turns downward due to its own weight, is conveyed on the inclined surface of the sheet mounting table 71, and the nailing mechanism 701 is used. And a staple receiving mechanism 702, and a sheet trailing edge abutting member (hereinafter also referred to as a first abutting member) 7 for edge binding in the vicinity of the binding means 7
The trailing edge of the recording sheet S comes into contact with the sheet abutting surface of No. 2 and stops. 16 is slidably brought into contact with the leading end of the recording paper S,
It is an endless belt-shaped sheet guide member that rotates and is fed to the first abutting member 72. The paper guide member 16
May be a rotatable impeller.

In the third transport path, small-size recording sheets S of A4, B5 size or the like are efficiently and continuously transported to improve copy productivity, so that movable switching means G3 is used.
And a paper passage 13B parallel to the paper passage 13A on the left side of the switching means G3 in the figure.

Solenoid S connected to switching means G3
When D1 is driven, the paper path 13A is closed and the paper path 1
Open 3B.

The leading end portion of the first small-sized recording sheet S sent out from the conveying roller 12 passes through the sheet passing path 13B and comes into contact with the peripheral surface of the inlet conveying roller pair 15 in the rotation stopped state. Stop.

Next, the energization of the solenoid SD1 is turned off, the tip of the switching means G3 swings clockwise, the paper passage 13B is closed, and the paper passage 13A is opened. The leading end portion of the second recording sheet S sent out from the conveying roller 12 passes through the sheet passage 13A, comes into contact with the peripheral surface of the inlet conveying roller pair 15 in the rotation stopped state, and stops. Therefore, in the vicinity of the nipping position of the pair of entrance conveyance rollers 15, the respective leading end portions of the first recording sheet S and the second recording sheet S are overlapped and stopped, and a standby state is set.

At a predetermined timing, the entrance conveying roller pair 15 is driven to rotate, and the two recording sheets S are nipped and conveyed at the same time, and ejected onto the sheet placing table 71. After the third sheet, the entrance conveyance roller pair 15 discharges the recording sheets S one by one.

Reference numeral 73 denotes a pair of upstream side width aligning members movably provided on both side surfaces of the sheet mounting table 71. The width alignment member 73 is movable in the paper width direction orthogonal to the paper conveyance direction, and is opened wider than the paper width when the recording paper S is received on the paper mounting table 71. When the recording sheet S is conveyed on the sheet mounting table 71 and comes into contact with the first abutting member 72 and stops, the width aligning member 73 taps the side edge of the recording sheet S in the width direction and the sheet bundle Sa. Width alignment (width matching) is performed. At this stop position, when a predetermined number of recording sheets S are stacked and aligned on the sheet mounting table 71, the binding process including the stapling mechanism 701 and the staple receiving mechanism 702 performs the binding process to form the sheet bundle Sa. Bound together.

A cutout is formed in a part of the paper stacking surface of the paper tray 71, and one discharge belt 75 wound around the drive pulley 74A and the driven pulley 74B is rotatably driven. It The discharge claw 7 is provided on a part of the discharge belt 75.
6 is integrally formed, and its tip draws an elliptical locus X as shown by a dashed line in the figure. Bunch of bound sheets S
With respect to a, the rear end of the recording sheet S is held by the discharge claw 76 of the discharge belt 75, is placed on the discharge belt 75, slides on the mounting surface of the sheet mounting table 71, and is pushed obliquely upward. The sheet is advanced to the nipping position of the ejection roller 61 (see FIG. 3) of the sheet ejection unit 60. The sheet bundle Sa sandwiched by the rotating discharge rollers 61 is discharged and stacked on the elevating and discharging tray 62 (see FIG. 3).

The stacking unit 70 and the folding processing unit 80 are arranged on the pedestal of the post-processing unit and can be pulled out to the front side of the post-processing device FS by being guided by the slide rails R1 and R2.

FIG. 6 shows the case where various binding processes are executed.
A binding unit 70 including a stapling mechanism 701 and a needle receiving mechanism 702.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the arrangement of 0 and a sheet bundle Sa. Figure 6
FIG. 6A is a plan view showing a flat stitching process in which the staples SP are stapled at two locations in the center in the vicinity of the side edge of the sheet bundle Sa;
FIG. 6B is a plan view showing an edge stitching process of stapling the binding needle SP at one location near the corner of the sheet bundle Sa, and FIG. 6C shows the staple SP being stapled at two central portions of the sheet bundle Sa. It is a top view which shows the saddle stitching process.

(Saddle Stitching Process) The stapling means 700 arranged in the stacking unit 70 shown in FIG. 5 has a two-part structure of a stapling mechanism 701 and a staple receiving mechanism 702, and the recording paper S passes in the middle thereof. The possible paper passage 77A is formed (see FIG. 5).

Two sets of the binding means 700 are arranged in the paper width direction orthogonal to the paper conveyance direction, and can be moved in the paper width direction by the driving means (not shown).

When the saddle stitching process is set, the stitching means 70
The first butting member 72 near the 0 stapling position (stitching position of the stapling needle) is retracted from the transport path, and at the same time, the second butting member 78 for saddle-stitching and center-folding downstream of the first butting member 78 is the paper passage 77A. The paper path 77B is blocked by moving in the direction of the extension surface of the paper.

The saddle-stitching stopper unit having the second butting member 78 is located below the sheet bundle Sa to be saddle-stitched when the sizes (length in the carrying direction) of the cover sheet KB and the recording sheet S are set or detected. It moves to a position where it abuts the end of the and stops.

After the cover sheet KB is placed at a predetermined stop position on the sheet placing table 71, the recording sheet S carried out from the image forming apparatus A is transferred from the receiving section 11 of the post-processing apparatus FS to the third conveying path. After passing through, the sheets are sequentially stacked on the upper surface of the cover sheet KB placed on the sheet placing table 71, and the leading end of the recording sheet S is brought into contact with the second abutting member 78 and positioned.

After the final recording sheet S is positioned and placed on the sheet placing table 71, the saddle stitching process by the binding means 700 is performed on the sheet bundle Sa including the cover sheet KB and all the pages of the recording sheet S. By this saddle-stitching process, the binding needle SP is driven into the central portion of the cover sheet KB and the recording sheet S in the transport direction. The staple SP is driven from the staple driving mechanism 701 on the staple driving side toward the staple receiving mechanism 702 on the staple clinching side.

(Folding Processing) FIG. 7 is a front view of the folding processing unit 80.

The folding processing unit 8 is provided obliquely below the stacking unit 70.
0 is placed. After the saddle stitching process, the second abutting member 78 linearly moves in the downstream direction of conveyance of the sheet bundle Sa to open the passage downstream of the paper passage 77A. The movable second abutting member 78 regulates the stop position of the sheet bundle Sa at the time of saddle stitching processing at the upper position and regulates the stop position of the sheet bundle Sa at the time of center folding processing at the lower position.

Cover sheet KB and recording sheet S subjected to saddle stitching processing
The sheet bundle Sa composed of is conveyed obliquely downward in the sheet passage 81A formed by the guide plate 81, and an end portion of the sheet bundle Sa in the conveying direction comes into contact with the second abutting member 78 to be in a predetermined position. Stop. The second abutting member 78 can be moved to a predetermined position by the result of setting or detecting the sheet size and the driving unit.

The sheet mounting table 71 of the post-processing unit and the sheet passing paths 77A, 77B, 81A are formed on substantially the same plane and form a steep inclination of about 70 degrees.

The folding processing section 80 includes a folding plate 82, a first folding upper roller (hereinafter referred to as an upper roller) 83, a first folding lower roller (hereinafter referred to as a lower roller) 84, and a second folding roller (hereinafter referred to as a lower folding roller). A second roller) 85, a conveyance path switching member 87, a guide plate 88, a sheet leading end stop member 89, and the like,
The sheet bundle Sa is folded in half or in three.

The upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84 are supported by a pair of left and right pressing means which are substantially symmetrical.
One pressing means is the upper roller 83 and the upper roller 83.
A support plate 832 that rotatably supports and is swingable around a support shaft 831, and a spring 833 that is locked to one end of the support plate 832 and that urges the upper roller 83 in the clamping position direction. The lower roller 84 is substantially symmetrical to the upper roller 83 and includes a support shaft 841, a support plate 842, and a spring 843.
The upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84 are driven and rotated by a folding roller driving unit 801 described later. The outer peripheral surfaces of the upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84 are made of a high friction resistance material.

The transport path switching member 87 is a solenoid SD.
It is driven by 2 and can swing, and guides the recording paper S to be discharged to the two-fold discharge exit E1 during the folding process, and guides the recording paper S into the guide plate 88 during the folding process. The sheet is discharged from the sheet discharge outlet E2.

(Center Folding Process of Paper) FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a process of a half-folding process by the folding processing unit 80. FIG. 8A shows a folding plate 82 pressing the sheet bundle Sa upward. The state where the roller 83 and the lower roller 84 are pressed against each other is shown. Figure 8
(B) shows a state in which the folding plate 82 has entered a position beyond the nipping position N of the upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84, and the sheet bundle Sa has been folded in half. FIG. 8C shows that the folding plate 82 retracts from the nipping position N of the upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84 and returns to the initial position, and the folded sheet bundle Sa is folded in half.
Shows the state of being discharged by the upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84.

The folding plate 82 connected to the driving source is projected in the leftward direction in the drawing from the sheet mounting surface in response to the double folding process start signal. The folding plate 82 has a thickness of about 0.3 m in this embodiment.
It has a thin knife-like shape with a sharp tip.

Folding plate 8 that projects straight to the left in the figure and projects
The leading end of 2 pushes the central portion of the sheet bundle Sa, and the nipping position N of the upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84 via the sheet bundle Sa.
Spread apart and separate.

After the leading end of the folding plate 82 has passed the nipping position N between the upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84, the folding plate 82 retracts and the central portion of the sheet bundle Sa has the upper roller 83 and the lower roller 8 at the center.
It is pinched by 4 to form a fold c. This fold portion c is a binding needle S for the sheet bundle Sa by the saddle stitching process.
It almost coincides with the driving position of P (see FIG. 9).

The sheet bundle Sa having the fold portion c formed by being pinched is carried out by the upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84 which are driven to rotate, and placed on the fixed sheet discharge table 800 outside the machine.

FIG. 9 (a) is a perspective view of a sheet bundle Sa that has undergone saddle stitching and half-folding post-processing, and FIG. 9 (b) is a perspective view showing a state in which the post-processed sheet bundle Sa has been opened. 9 (c)
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sheet bundle Sa.

The sheet bundle Sa created by the saddle-stitching process and the half-folding process has the first surface (p1, p8) of the recording paper S facing outward, the second surface (p2, p7) on the back surface side, and further. The first side (p3, p6) of the recording sheet S is arranged inside thereof, and the second side (p4, p5) of the recording sheet S is arranged inside thereof, and as shown in the figure, a booklet Sa consisting of 8 pages (p1 to p8). You can make page alignment.

(Tri-Fold Processing) The fold processing section 80 shown in FIG. 7 can execute two modes, that is, two-fold processing and three-fold processing. The folding processing section 80 includes a first folding unit that folds the sheet bundle Sa in two and a second folding unit that folds the sheet bundle Sa in three.

The first folding means comprises an upper roller 83, a lower roller 84 and a folding plate 82. The second folding unit includes a second roller 85, a conveyance path switching member 87, a guide plate 88, and a sheet leading end stop member 89.

Position N between upper roller 83 and lower roller 84
(See FIG. 8) to the sheet contact surface of the sheet leading edge stop member 89, the position of the sheet leading edge stop member 89 is set so that the sheet feeding distance is one third of the length of the recording sheet S in the feeding direction. It is set.

The lower roller 84 and the second roller 85 are rotatably supported by the support plate 832, and the folding roller driving means 80 is provided.
Connected to 1.

FIG. 10A is a developed plan view of the recording sheet S to be tri-folded, and FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the recording sheet S to be tri-folded. The folds d and e that divide the length of the recording sheet S in the longitudinal direction into three equal parts are formed on the A side and the B side of the recording sheet S.
Fold it into 3 faces, face and C face. The recording sheet S to be folded in three is first folded by the fold portion d, and then folded inward by the fold portion e.

In the tri-folding process, a small number of sheets, for example, about three recording sheets S can be folded at the same time. The recording paper S that has been tri-folded is folded into a small size,
It can be accommodated in a regular mail envelope.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing the tri-folding process. In addition, in this tri-fold processing step, as shown in FIG.
Form the inner fold shown in (b).

In FIG. 11A, the front end of the folding plate 82 presses the position of the fold line a formed on the recording sheet S to hold the upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84 at the nipping position N (see FIG. 8). To insert. The upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84 rotate in the direction of the solid arrow to sandwich the recording paper S while forming the fold portion a of the recording paper S. The folding plate 82 includes an upper roller 83,
After the fold portion a is formed by the lower roller 84, the lower roller 84 retracts from the holding position N and returns to the initial position.

As shown in FIG. 11B, the upper roller 8
3, the recording paper S on which the fold portion a of the recording paper S is formed between the lower roller 84 and the lower roller 84 is conveyed in the direction of the solid line arrow by the rotating upper roller 83 and lower roller 84, and the conveying path switching member 87
Of the recording paper S, and the fold portion a of the recording paper S passes through the pair of guide plates 88 facing each other.
Abut.

As shown in FIG. 11C, the upper roller 8
3. As the lower roller 84 continues to rotate, the fold portion a of the recording sheet S comes into contact with the sheet leading end stop member 89 to prevent the movement, but the trailing edge of the recording sheet S is one third of the length. The portion is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the lower roller 84 having a large frictional resistance and is conveyed to a nipping position where the lower roller 84 and the second roller 85 are in pressure contact with each other, and the fold portion b is formed on the recording sheet S.

As shown in FIG. 11D, the lower roller 84
The recording paper S is folded along the guide plate 86 along the guide plate 86 by forming a fold portion a and a fold portion b at the position where it is nipped between the second roller 85 and the second roller 85, and folding back the front end portion and the rear end portion. It is placed on the fixed paper output table 800 outside.

[Control Unit of Post-Processing Apparatus] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing control of the image forming apparatus A and the post-processing apparatus FS.

The communication means 101 of the main control means 100 of the image forming apparatus A and the post-processing control means 200 of the post-processing apparatus FS.
The communication means 201 is electrically connected, and control signals are mutually exchanged.

The post-processing device F is selected by the selection means of the operation unit 9.
S sheet feeding by the first sheet feeding unit 20A and the second sheet feeding unit 20B, punching process by the punching unit 40, shift process by the shift unit 50, edge stitching by the stacking unit 70, saddle stitching process, folding process unit 80 The processing for center folding and tri-folding is set.

With this setting, the main control means 100 sends a control signal to the post-processing apparatus FS via the communication means 101.
The control signal is sent to the post-processing control means 20 via the communication means 201.
Transmitted to 0. The post-processing control means 200 drives each of the set means.

[Post-processing setting of offline mode] FIG. 13
9A is a plan view showing a basic screen of the operation unit 9 of the image forming apparatus A. FIG. On the display surface of the operation unit 9, the paper size,
Magnification, copy density, etc. are set, and the number of copies is set with a ten key (not shown).

On the basic screen of the operation unit 9, "output setting"
When the key is pressed, the output setting screen shown in FIG. 14 is displayed. Paper ejection tray (fixed paper ejection tray 33, elevating paper ejection tray 62),
Selection of the position and number of stapling processing, sorting (shift processing), saddle stitching processing, center folding processing, cutting processing, punching processing, etc. is set and executed on this screen.

Among the basic screens of the operation unit 9, "applied function"
When the key is pressed, the application function screen shown in FIG. 15 is displayed. Insertion of an insertion sheet KA such as an intersheet or OHP slip sheet into the recording sheet S is set and executed on this screen.

FIG. 13B is a plan view showing a sub-screen of the operation unit 90 installed in the post-processing apparatus FS.

The insertion sheet KA stored in the first sheet feeding unit 20A or the cover sheet KB stored in the first sheet feeding unit 20A is separate from the recording sheet S discharged from the image forming apparatus A. In the post-processing device FS, post-processing such as punching processing, shift processing, binding processing and folding processing is executed off-line.

When the above-mentioned post-processing is executed in the offline mode, the function lamps 91A, 91B, 9 are pressed by successively pressing the function selection button 91 on the sub-screen of the operation unit 90.
Either 1C or 91D is turned on, and the binding process and the folding process are selected and set. By pressing the punch button 92, the indicator lamp 92A is turned on and the punching process is set. After setting any of these post-processing modes, start /
The clear button 93 is pressed to start the set post-processing operation.

[First Embodiment of Post-Processing Control] FIG. 16
6 is a flowchart of an operation process of performing a post-processing mode in an offline mode. FIG. 17 is a plan view of the post-processed insertion sheet (hereinafter referred to as sheet) KA.

(1) Post-processing apparatus F shown in FIG. 13 (b)
When the function selection button 91 is pressed on the operation unit 90 of S, the mode is switched to the offline mode F1. If the punch button 92 is pressed in this state, the indicator lamp 92A lights up and the blue lamp of the start / clear button 93 lights up.
Displays that the operation can be started (ready). Next, if the start / clear button 93 is pressed, the sheets KA stored in the first sheet feeding means 20A of the post-processing apparatus FS are conveyed in the offline mode, and the punching means 40 performs the punching processing. (See FIG. 4), and the sheet is ejected to the elevating paper ejection tray 62 or fixed paper ejection tray 33.

(2) Next, when the function selection button 91 is pressed again, the one-point binding indicator lamp 91A of the binding operation is turned on and the blue lamp of the start / clear button 93 is turned on to start the operation. Display (ready). If the start / clear button 93 is pressed in this state, the post-processing device FS
After the sheets KA stored in the first sheet feeding unit 20A are sequentially conveyed, stacked and aligned in the stacking unit 70, and the binding unit 700 performs the single-point binding process (FIG. 6B).
(Refer to FIG. 3), and is ejected to the elevating paper ejection tray 62.

(3) When the function selection button 91 is subsequently pressed, the indicator light 91B for two-point binding in the binding operation is turned on and the blue lamp of the start / clear button 93 is turned on to start the operation ( Ready) is displayed. Less than,
Transportation of the paper KA, binding processing at two places (see FIG. 6A),
The paper is discharged similarly.

(4) If the function selection button 91 is subsequently pressed, the indicator light 91C for saddle stitching and center folding in the binding operation is turned on and the blue lamp of the start / clear button 93 is turned on to start the operation ( Ready) is displayed. Hereinafter, the conveyance of the sheet KA, the saddle stitching and center folding processing (FIG. 6C,
(See FIG. 9), the paper is discharged similarly (5) Further, when the function selection button 91 is pressed, the tri-fold indicator lamp 91D of the binding operation is turned on and the blue lamp of the start / clear button 93 is pressed. Lights up and indicates that the operation can be started (ready). Thereafter, the conveyance of the sheet KA, the tri-folding process (see FIG. 10), and the sheet ejection are performed in the same manner.

(6) The above is a description of the process in which the punching process, the binding process, the folding process, and the tri-folding process are selected and the post-processing is independently performed on the sheet KA in the offline mode.

FIG. 17A is a plan view of the sheet KA on which the punching process and the one-point binding process are performed, and FIG. 17B is a plan view of the sheet KA on which the punching process and the two-point binding process are performed. It is a top view.

In the off-line mode, when the operation unit 90 shown in FIG. 13B is set by performing two operations of punching processing and one-point binding processing, the post-processing control means 200
Makes it possible to punch two holes h shown in FIG. 17A and to bind one sheet corner with one binding needle SP.

In the off-line mode, when the operation section 90 is set by performing two operations of punching processing and two-point binding processing, the post-processing control means 200 causes the two holes h shown in FIG. It is possible to perform the perforation of the sheet and the binding of the two end portions of the sheet with the two binding needles SP.

(7) In the off-line mode, the operation unit 90
In the case where the setting is performed by performing two operations of the punching process and the saddle-stitching and center-folding process, the post-processing control unit 200 disables the post-processing operation. That is, the post-processing control means 200 is configured as in
The prohibition mode is set so that the punching of the two holes h shown in (c) and the binding of the two edges of the sheet by the two binding needles SP are impossible.

(8) In the off-line mode, the operation unit 90
In the case where the setting is performed by performing two operations of the punching process and the tri-folding process, the post-processing control means 200 disables the post-processing operation. That is, the post-processing control means 200 is configured as shown in FIG.
The prohibition mode is set so that the two holes h shown in (d) and the three-fold process for forming the folds d and e are impossible.

(9) FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the prohibit mode in the operation process of performing the post-processing mode in the offline mode. In the offline mode, when the prohibition mode shown in FIGS. 17C and 17D in which the prohibition combination is designated is set in the operation unit 90, the post-processing control unit 200 makes the designation in the operation unit 90. Control not to accept, clear the flag of each operation setting,
1A, 91B, 91C, 91D, and 92A are turned off.

(10) FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing another prohibit mode in the operation process of performing the post-processing mode in the offline mode.

When the prohibited combination is designated by the combination of the post-processing modes of the binding process, the saddle-stitching center-folding process, and the punching process, the post-processing control means 200 releases the previously selected post-processing mode, A post-processing mode selected later, for example, punching processing by the punch button 92 shown in FIG. 13B is set, only the indicator lamp 92A is displayed, and the off-line operation is controlled to be executable.

[Second Embodiment of Post-Processing Control] FIG. 20
6 is a flow chart showing another embodiment of an operation process of performing the post-processing mode in the offline mode.

A stacking unit 70 for stacking recording sheets S discharged from the image forming apparatus A, and a stacking unit 70 for storing sheets KA.
And a first sheet feeding unit 20A that conveys the sheet to the sheet KA and can perform at least post-processing such as binding processing, folding processing, and alignment processing on the paper KA in the offline mode.
Or an image forming apparatus A including a post-processing apparatus FS and a cutting apparatus C capable of performing a cutting process.
In the case where the paper length information is input from the operation unit 9 (see FIG. 13A) of the image forming apparatus A, the post-processing is started in the offline mode based on the paper length information.

In the off-line mode, when the paper length information is not input, the post-processing information is set by the paper size information of the post-processing device FS, and the binding processing, folding processing, alignment processing, etc. are set by the post-processing information. Perform post-processing operations.

The sheet size information of the post-processing apparatus FS is obtained by the sensor (sheet size detecting means) PS1 installed in the receiving section 11 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 for the leading edge and the trailing edge of the irregular size sheet KA. It is detected by the passage detection and the timer.

According to the paper size information, the irregular size paper KA passing through the punching means 40 is stopped at a predetermined position,
A hole h is punched near the rear end of the sheet KA. In addition, the stop position of the second butting member (conveying direction matching member) 78 for center folding (see FIG. 5) is set by this paper size information. In the case of tri-fold processing, the position of the sheet leading end stop member 89 is adjusted based on this sheet size information.

In the image forming apparatus A having the post-processing apparatus FS and the cutting apparatus C, the sheet size Sa of the irregular size is stopped at a predetermined position according to the sheet size information, and the rear end of the sheet stack Sa is cut. .

In the embodiment of the present invention, the post-processing device connected to the main body of the copying machine has been described. However, the post-processing device to be used by connecting to the image forming device such as a printer, a multi-functional peripheral, a light printing machine, etc. Is also applicable.

[0110]

As is apparent from the above description, the post-processing apparatus of the present invention has the following effects.

(1) By performing a binding process, a center folding process, a punching process, etc., on the insertion sheet provided in the post-processing device, various types of sheets can be provided in addition to the recording sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus. The post-processing mode can be executed off-line by the operation unit of the post-processing device.

Further, since it is not necessary to provide a large number of input switches for each combination of the post-processing modes such as the binding process, the center-folding process, and the punching process, the operation unit of the post-processing device becomes simple. Further, since the punching process and the saddle-stitching and center-folding process on the recording paper and the paper are avoided, the production of the defective booklet is prevented.

(2) When post-processing non-standard size paper other than the standard size, post-processing is prohibited and operation becomes impossible, or even if it is operated, proper post-processing is not performed and post-processing becomes defective. The problem has been resolved, and it has become possible to post-process irregular-sized paper offline.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus, an image reading apparatus, a post-processing apparatus, and a cutting apparatus.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus, an image reading apparatus, and a post-processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram showing a transport path for recording paper, insert paper, and cover paper in a post-processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing various examples of the recording paper punched by punching means.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a post-processing unit including a stacking unit and a folding processing unit.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the arrangement of a binding unit and a sheet bundle when performing various binding processes.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a folding processing unit.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a process of folding in half by a folding processing unit.

9A and 9B are a perspective view of a sheet bundle subjected to post-processing of saddle stitching and half-folding, a perspective view of a sheet bundle with both sides opened, and a schematic cross-sectional view of the sheet bundle.

FIG. 10 is a developed plan view of the recording sheet to be tri-folded, and a perspective view of the recording sheet to be tri-folded.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a tri-fold processing step.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing control of an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a basic screen of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus and a plan view showing a sub-screen of the operation unit installed in the post-processing device.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of an output setting screen.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of an application function screen.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of an operation process of performing the post-processing mode in the offline mode.

17A and 17B are a plan view of a sheet on which a punching process and a one-point binding process have been performed, a plan view of a sheet on which a punching process and a two-point binding process have been performed, and a plan view of a sheet produced in a prohibit mode.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart having a prohibit mode in the operation process of performing the post-processing mode in the offline mode.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing another prohibit mode in the operation process of performing the post-processing mode in the offline mode.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the operation process of performing the post-processing mode in the offline mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

9 Operation part 20A first paper feeding means 20B Second paper feeding means 40 drilling means 50 shift means 60 paper ejection means 70 Stacking unit (paper storage unit) 71 Paper loading platform (stacker) 75 discharge belt 700 binding means (stapling means) 80 Folding section 90 Control 91 Function selection button 91A, 91B, 91C, 91D, 92A indicator light 92 Punch button 93 Start / Clear button 100 main control means 200 Post-processing control means A image forming apparatus FS paper post-processing device (post-processing device) KA insertion paper (intersheet, paper)

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takanori Yoshida             10-14 Bijoki, Toda City, Saitama Prefecture F-term (reference) 3F108 GA02 GA03 GA04 GB01 GB03                       GB06 GB07 HA02 HA54

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus in a post-processing apparatus capable of executing at least a post-processing mode of binding processing, folding processing, and punching processing on the recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus. A stacking unit for stacking sheets, a sheet feeding unit for storing sheets to be inserted in the upper and lower sides or the middle of a plurality of recording sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus and transporting the sheets to the stacking unit, and the sheet feeding unit. An operation unit of a post-processing device that specifies at least binding processing, folding processing, and punching processing offline in addition to an instruction from the image forming apparatus, and at least the binding processing, folding processing, and punching processing offline by designation of the operation unit And a control means for controlling the post-processing apparatus. 2. The control means prevents the off-line operation from being executed when a prohibited combination is designated in the combination of the post-processing modes of the binding process, the folding process, and the punching process in the operation section. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, which is controlled. 3. The control means does not accept the designation in the operation section when a prohibited combination is designated in the post-processing mode combination of the binding processing, folding processing, and punching processing in the operation section. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the post-processing apparatus is controlled as follows. 4. When a prohibited combination is designated by the combination of the post-processing modes of the binding process, the folding process, and the punching process in the operation section, the control means sets the post-processing mode selected first. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the post-processing apparatus is released and is controlled so that the off-line operation can be executed in a post-processing mode selected later. 5. A stacking unit for accommodating recording sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus, and a stacking unit for accommodating sheets to be inserted above or below or in the middle of a plurality of recording sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus. A sheet feeding unit for feeding, and a post-processing apparatus capable of performing at least binding processing, folding processing, alignment processing, and cutting processing on the recording paper and the paper, Has a paper length input means for inputting, and executes at least binding processing, folding processing, alignment processing, and cutting processing on the recording paper and the paper based on the paper length information by the paper length input means. A post-processing device characterized by: 6. The image forming apparatus performs at least a binding process, a folding process, an alignment process, and a cutting process on the recording paper and the paper based on the paper length information by the paper length input means. The post-processing according to claim 5, wherein at least a binding process, a folding process, an alignment process, and a cutting process are performed on the recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus based on the recording paper size information from the sheet. apparatus. 7. An image forming apparatus comprising an image writing means, an image forming means, a sheet conveying means and an input means, and
An image forming system comprising: a post-processing device that executes the binding process, the folding process, the punching process, and the cutting process according to any one of items 1 to 6.