JP2004066662A - Method and apparatus for post-processing of paper, and image formation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the vicinity of a filed portion of a paper bundle from deforming when aligning the width of the bundle for filing, resulting in the formation of the paper bundle having its flatness lost. <P>SOLUTION: An apparatus is controlled, so that when sheets of paper S are arranged by a pair of filing means 700 consisting of a first filing means 701 and a second filing means 702 provided at two positions in the widthwise direction of the sheet of a paper mount 71, the first filing means 701 is activated for the first filing, then a first width aligning member 73 is slightly opened in the widthwise direction of the sheet, and thereafter the second filing means 702 is activated for the second filing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention receives a sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and a multifunction peripheral having these various functions, stacks the sheet in a sheet storage unit, and performs post-processing such as a binding process. The present invention relates to a paper post-processing method, a paper post-processing device, and an image forming system including a paper post-processing device to be performed and discharged to a paper discharge unit.
[0002]
[Prior art]
After a large number of sheets on which images have been recorded by an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, a facsimile, or a multifunction peripheral of these sheets, the sheets are collated for each number of copies and bound by binding means (staplers) to bind the sheets. A processing device is provided. The sheet post-processing apparatus is driven by being connected to a print function of the image forming apparatus.
[0003]
JP-A-2-27691, JP-A-8-319054, and JP-B-5-41991 each disclose a sheet post-processing apparatus that performs a binding process on a sheet bundle that is a set of a plurality of sheets.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The paper post-processing apparatus that performs the conventional binding processing has the following problems.
[0005]
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet bundle that has been bound with a conventional width alignment member.
The paper moving on the paper mounting table a in the transport direction is introduced in a state where the pair of width alignment members b1 and b2 are held at an interval wider than the paper width. Immediately before the leading end of the sheet in the traveling direction comes into contact with the abutting surface of the sheet end abutting member, the width adjusting members b1 and b2 are moved by the driving means to a smaller interval than the sheet width, and both side edges in the width direction of the sheet Is pressed to perform width alignment. This width alignment is performed each time a sheet is conveyed onto the sheet mounting table a.
[0006]
When the final sheet is placed at a predetermined position on the sheet table a, the pair of width alignment members b1 and b2 are strongly pressed against the side edges of the sheet bundle Sa including a plurality of sheets on the sheet table a. To perform final matching. In a state where the side edge of the sheet bundle Sa is pressed by the final alignment, the binding staple SP is stapled by the binding means.
[0007]
At the time of width alignment of the sheet bundle Sa by the final alignment, the width aligning members b1 and b2 stop at intervals smaller than the sheet width, so that the width aligning members b1 and b2 press both side edges of the sheet bundle Sa to form the sheet bundle Sa. Is formed in a curved shape in which the vicinity of the center is raised. If the binding process is performed simultaneously on the curved sheet bundle Sa by the binding unit, the sheet bundle Sa will be loosened near the central portion, and a sheet bundle Sa with impaired flatness will be produced.
[0008]
In particular, when a large number of sheets S are stacked on the sheet mounting table a to perform the binding process, the sheet bundle Sa is significantly loosened.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above object is achieved by a sheet post-processing method, a sheet post-processing apparatus, and an image forming system of the present invention.
[0010]
(1) A pair of width alignments that convey the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus, load the paper on the paper mounting table, and regulate the paper loaded on the paper mounting table in a paper width direction orthogonal to the paper conveyance direction. After being aligned by the movement of the members, the end of the paper is brought into contact with the abutting surface of the paper end abutting member arranged in a direction parallel to the paper transport direction, and the paper is positioned and aligned. In the sheet post-processing method, when a binding process is performed on a sheet aligned by a pair of the binding units including a first binding unit and a second binding unit disposed at two positions in a sheet width direction, the first binding unit is used. After the first binding process is performed by the operation of (1), after the width alignment member is slightly opened in the sheet width direction, control is performed such that the second binding process is performed by the operation of the second binding unit. Paper post-processing Method.
[0011]
(2) In a sheet post-processing device that stacks and discharges sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus on a sheet mounting table, and binds the sheets by a binding unit, the sheet loaded on the sheet mounting table is conveyed. A pair of width aligning members for regulating a sheet width direction orthogonal to the paper direction, a pair of binding means including a first binding means and a second binding means arranged at two places in the sheet width direction, and the pair of widths A drive unit for reciprocating the alignment member in a direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction; and a drive unit for moving the alignment member in a direction in which the interval between the pair of width alignment members in the paper width direction is reduced, thereby aligning the paper, and the first binding. After the first binding process is performed by operating the unit, the pair of width alignment members are moved in a direction to increase the paper width direction interval, and the second binding unit is operated to perform the second binding process. Control means for controlling And a sheet post-processing device.
[0012]
(3) An image forming apparatus including an image writing unit, an image forming unit, and a sheet conveying unit, and a sheet post-processing unit including a width alignment member, a binding unit, and a control unit according to (2). Characteristic image forming system.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, a sheet post-processing method, a sheet post-processing apparatus, and an image forming apparatus including the sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
[One Embodiment of Image Forming Apparatus]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus A, an image reading apparatus B, and a sheet post-processing apparatus (hereinafter, also referred to as a post-processing apparatus) FS.
[0015]
The image forming apparatus A includes a charging unit 2, an image exposing unit (writing unit) 3, a developing unit 4, a transferring unit 5A, a discharging unit 5B, a separating claw 5C, and a cleaning unit 6 around a rotating image carrier 1. After the surface of the image carrier 1 is uniformly charged by the charging unit 2, an exposure scan based on image data read from a document by the laser beam of the image exposure unit 3 is performed. A latent image is formed, and the latent image is reversely developed by the developing unit 4 to form a toner image on the surface of the image carrier 1.
[0016]
On the other hand, the sheet S fed from the sheet storage unit 7A is sent to the transfer position. At the transfer position, the toner image is transferred onto the sheet S by the transfer unit 5A. Thereafter, the charge on the back surface of the sheet S is erased by the charge removing means 5B, separated from the image carrier 1 by the separation claw 5C, transported by the intermediate transport unit 7B, and subsequently heated and fixed by the fixing means 8, and discharged by the paper discharging unit 7C. Is discharged from
[0017]
When image formation is performed on both sides of the sheet S, the sheet S heated and fixed by the fixing unit 8 is branched from the normal sheet discharge path by the transfer path switching plate 7D, and is switched back in the reverse transfer 7E to be turned upside down. Then, the sheet is discharged out of the apparatus by the sheet discharge unit 7C. The sheet S discharged from the sheet discharging unit 7C is sent to the receiving unit 11 of the post-processing device FS.
[0018]
On the other hand, on the surface of the image carrier 1 after the image processing, the developer remaining on the surface is removed by the cleaning means 6 downstream of the separation claw 5C, and the surface is prepared for the next image formation.
[0019]
An operation unit 9 for selecting and setting an image forming mode and a sheet post-processing mode is disposed on the upper front side of the image forming apparatus A.
[0020]
Above the image forming apparatus A, an image reading apparatus B provided with an automatic document feeder of a document moving type reading system is installed.
[0021]
[Post-processing device]
FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram showing a transport path of the sheet S in the post-processing device FS according to the present invention.
[0022]
In the post-processing device FS, a first sheet feeding unit 20A, a second sheet feeding unit 20B, and a fixed sheet ejection table 30 are arranged at the upper stage in the figure, and the punching unit 40, the shift unit 50, and the sheet ejection unit 60 are almost at the middle stage. A binding processing unit (hereinafter, also referred to as a paper storage unit) 70 and a folding processing unit 80 are arranged in series on the same plane that forms an inclined surface at the lower stage.
[0023]
Further, on the left side in the drawing of the post-processing device FS, an elevating discharge tray 91 for loading the sheet S after the shift processing and the sheet bundle Sa after the edge binding processing, and the processed sheet folded into three or two. A fixed sheet ejection table 92 on which the sheet bundle Sb is stacked is arranged.
[0024]
The position and height of the post-processing apparatus FS are adjusted so that the receiving section 11 of the sheet S carried out from the image forming apparatus A matches the sheet discharging section 7C of the image forming apparatus A.
[0025]
The receiving section 11 is supplied from the image forming apparatus A with the sheet S subjected to the image forming process, the interleaf sheet K1 for separating the sheet bundle supplied from the first sheet supply section 20A, and supplied from the second sheet supply section 20B. The cover sheet K2 is introduced.
[0026]
・ Paper feeding means
The slip sheet K1 accommodated in the sheet tray of the first sheet feeding means 20A is separated and fed by the sheet feeding section 21, sandwiched by the transport rollers 22, 23, and 24, and introduced into the receiving section 11. . Further, the cover sheet K2 accommodated in the sheet tray of the second sheet feeding means 20B is separated and fed by the sheet feeding section 25, nipped by the conveying rollers 23 and 24, and introduced into the receiving section 11. .
[0027]
.Paper branching means
On the downstream side of the perforating means 40 in the sheet conveying direction, a sheet branching means including switching means G1 and G2 is provided. The switching means G1 and G2 are driven by a solenoid (not shown) to drive a three-way paper transport path, that is, a first transport path (1) for upper discharge, a second transport path (2) in the middle, and a third transport path in the lower. Selectively branch to any of 3).
[0028]
・ Simple paper ejection
When the sheet transport is set, the switching means G1 shuts off the second transport path (2) and the third transport path (3), and opens only the first transport path (1).
[0029]
The paper S passing through the first transport path {circle around (1)} rises while being nipped by the transport rollers 31, is discharged by the discharge rollers 32, is placed on the fixed discharge tray 30, and is sequentially stacked.
[0030]
・ Shift processing
When this transport mode is set, the switching means G1 retracts upward, the switching means G2 shuts off the third transport path {circle around (3)}, opens the second transport path {circle around (2)}, and allows the paper S to pass. I do. The paper S passes through a paper passage formed between the switching means G1 and G2.
[0031]
The image-formed sheet S discharged from the image forming apparatus A, or the slip sheet K1 fed from the first sheet feeding means 20A, or the cover sheet K2 fed from the second sheet feeding means 20B, After passing through the intermediate paper passage of the switching means G1 and G2, the shift means 50 performs a shift process so as to be moved by a predetermined amount in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction, and the paper is discharged by the paper discharging means 60. The shift unit 50 performs a shift process of changing the discharge position of the sheet S in the transport width direction for each predetermined number of sheets.
[0032]
・ Discharge to the elevator tray
The sheet S that has been subjected to the shift processing or the sheet S that has not been subjected to the shift processing is discharged to the elevating discharge tray 91 outside the apparatus by the discharge means 60 and is sequentially placed. When a large number of sheets S are ejected, the elevating sheet ejection table 91 is configured to descend sequentially, and can accommodate a maximum of about 3000 sheets S (A4, B5).
[0033]
・ Binding process
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the post-processing unit 10 including the binding processing unit 70 and the folding processing unit 80.
[0034]
When the binding process or the folding process is set in the operation unit 9, the image forming process is performed in the image forming apparatus A, and the image-formed sheet S sent to the receiving unit 11 of the post-processing device FS is inserted into the punching unit 40. , And is fed into the third conveyance path (3) below the switching means G2, is nipped by the conveyance rollers 12, and is conveyed downward.
[0035]
When a sheet S having a size larger than A4 or B5 is conveyed in the third conveyance path (3), the solenoid SD1 is driven, and the sheet S passes through the paper passage 13A on the left side in the drawing of the switching means G3. Is conveyed downward while being nipped by the conveying rollers 14. The sheet S is nipped and sent out by a further downstream inlet conveyance roller pair 15, discharged to the space above the inclined sheet placing table 71, and stacked on the sheet placing table 71 or the sheet placing table 71. And is transported diagonally upward. After the trailing end of the sheet S in the advancing direction is discharged from the nipping position of the entrance conveying roller pair 15, the sheet S starts to descend by its own weight, is conveyed on the inclined surface of the sheet mounting table 71, and is connected to the stapling mechanism 700A. The rear end portion of the sheet S abuts against the sheet abutting surface of a sheet binding member (hereinafter, referred to as a first abutting member) 72 for flat stitching near the binding means (stapling means) including the staple receiving mechanism 700B. Contact and stop. Reference numeral 16 denotes a rotating endless belt-shaped winding belt that slides on the leading end portion of the paper S, rolls up the paper S, and sends the paper S to the first abutting member 72.
[0036]
In the third transport path {circle around (3)}, a movable switching unit G3 and a switching unit G3 are shown in order to efficiently and continuously transport small-size sheets S such as A4 and B5 sizes to improve copy productivity. A paper passage 13B parallel to the left paper passage 13A is provided.
[0037]
When the solenoid SD1 connected to the switching means G3 is driven, the passage 13A is closed and the passage 13B is opened.
[0038]
The leading end of the first small-sized sheet S sent out from the transport roller 12 passes through the paper passage 13B, abuts against the peripheral surface of the entrance transport roller pair 15 in the rotation stopped state, and stops.
[0039]
Next, the power supply to the solenoid SD1 is turned off, and the leading end of the switching means G3 swings clockwise to close the paper passage 13B and open the paper passage 13A. The leading end of the second sheet S sent out from the transport roller 12 passes through the paper path 13A, contacts the peripheral surface of the entrance transport roller pair 15 in the rotation stopped state, and stops. Accordingly, the leading ends of the first sheet S and the second sheet S are overlapped and stopped near the nipping position of the entrance conveying roller pair 15, and a standby state is set.
[0040]
At a predetermined timing, the entrance transport roller pair 15 is driven to rotate, sandwiches and transports the two sheets S at the same time, and discharges them onto the sheet placement table 71. After the third sheet, the pair of entrance conveyance rollers 15A discharges the sheets S one by one.
[0041]
Reference numeral 73 denotes a pair of upstream first width alignment members movably provided on both side surfaces of the paper mounting table 71. The first width aligning member 73 is movable in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction, and is opened wider than the sheet width when the sheet S on which the sheet S is conveyed on the sheet mounting table 71 is received. When the sheet S is conveyed on the sheet mounting table 71 and abuts against the first abutting member 72 and stops, the first width alignment member 73 taps the side edge of the sheet S in the width direction to form the sheet bundle Sa. Width adjustment (width alignment). At this stop position, when a predetermined number of sheets S are stacked and aligned on the sheet mounting table 71, a binding process including a stapling mechanism 700A and a needle receiving mechanism 700B is performed, and the sheet bundle Sa is bound. Are combined.
[0042]
A notch is formed in a part of the sheet stacking surface of the sheet mounting table 71, and the discharge belt 75 wound around the driving pulley 74A and the driven pulley 74B is rotatably driven. A discharge claw 76 is formed integrally with a part of the discharge belt 75, and the tip thereof draws an elliptical locus X as shown by a dashed line in the figure. The bound sheet bundle Sa is pressed on the trailing end of the sheet S by the discharge claw 76 of the discharge belt 75, is placed on the discharge belt 75, and slides on the placement surface of the sheet placing table 71 to be inclined. The sheet is pushed upward and advances to a position where the discharge roller 61 of the sheet discharge means 60 is nipped. The sheet bundle Sa sandwiched between the rotating discharge rollers 61 is discharged and stacked on the elevating discharge table 91 (see FIG. 2).
[0043]
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the sheet bundle Sa and the first binding unit 701 and the second binding unit 702 when various binding processes are performed. FIG. 4A shows a flat binding process in which the binding needles SP1 and SP2 are stapled at two places in the center distribution near the side edge of the sheet bundle Sa.
[0044]
When the flat binding two-position processing is set in the operation unit 9, the first binding unit 701 and the second binding unit 702 hit the binding needles SP1 and SP2 at the two central positions in the sheet width direction of the sheet bundle Sa (FIG. 4 (a)).
[0045]
In addition, the sheet bundle Sa on which the binding processing of the two-position flat stitching and the later-described saddle stitching is performed may include the slip sheet K1 and the cover sheet K2.
[0046]
・ Saddle stitching
FIG. 4B shows a saddle stitching process in which the stapling needles SP1 and SP2 are stapled at two central portions of the sheet bundle Sa.
[0047]
When the saddle stitching process is set, the first stapling unit 701 and the second stapling unit 702 hit the stapling needles SP1 and SP2 at two places in the center of the sheet bundle Sa (see FIG. 4C).
[0048]
The binding means 700 has a two-part structure of a stapling mechanism 700A and a needle receiving mechanism 700B, and forms a paper passage 77A through which the paper S can pass (see FIG. 3).
[0049]
The binding unit 700 includes a first binding unit 701 and a second binding unit 702 arranged in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction, and is movable in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction by a driving unit (see FIG. 5). ).
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 3, at the time of the saddle stitching process, a pair of first abutting members 72 near the stapling processing positions (stapling positions of the staplers) of the first stapling unit 701 and the second stapling unit 702 are driven by a driving unit (not shown). The second abutting member (sheet end abutting member) 79, which is also used for saddle stitching and folding at the downstream side, is moved in the direction of the extension surface of the paper passing path 77A by driving means (not shown) almost at the same time. Then, the paper passage 77B is shut off.
[0051]
When the size (length in the transport direction) of the cover sheet K2 and the sheet S is set or detected, the second butting member 79 moves to a position where it comes into contact with the lower end of the sheet bundle Sa to be saddle-stitched. And stop.
[0052]
After the cover sheet K2 is placed at a predetermined stop position on the sheet placing table 71, the sheet S carried out from the image forming apparatus A passes through the third transport path {circle around (3)} from the receiving section 11 of the post-processing apparatus FS. The sheet S passes through and is sequentially stacked on the upper surface of the cover sheet K2 placed on the sheet placing table 71, and the leading end of the sheet S comes into contact with the second butting member 79 and is positioned.
[0053]
After the final sheet S is positioned and placed on the sheet placing table 71, the first sheet binding unit 701 and the second sheet binding unit 702 perform saddle stitching on a sheet bundle Sa including the cover sheet K2 and all pages of the sheet S. Do. By this saddle stitching process, the binding staples SP1 and SP2 are driven into the center of the cover sheet K2 and the sheet S in the transport direction. The staples SP1 and SP2 are driven from the staple driving mechanism 700A on the staple driving side to the staple receiving mechanism 700B on the staple clinch side.
[0054]
・ Drive system of the binding section
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a main part of the paper storage unit 70.
[0055]
The motor M1 drives and rotates a rotating shaft 74C to which the driving pulleys 74A and 74B are fixed via a belt and a pulley, and rotates the two discharge belts 75.
[0056]
The motor M2 moves the two upstream first width adjusting members 73 via the belt 730 in accordance with the sheet width. The motor M3 causes the two binding units 700 to move in parallel and rotationally via the belt 703 to be installed at the binding position. The motor M4 moves the second width aligning member 78 on the downstream side via the belt 781.
[0057]
The first abutting member 72 is driven by a motor (not shown) to shut off and open the paper passage 77B. The second abutting member 79 is also driven by a motor (not shown), moves in the paper passing paths 77B and 81A, and is set at a predetermined position.
[0058]
・ Fold processing
As shown in FIG. 3, a folding processing unit 80 is disposed diagonally below the binding processing unit 70. After the saddle stitching process, the second abutting member 79 linearly moves in the downstream direction of the transport of the sheet bundle Sa to open a downstream path of the paper path 77A. The movable second abutting member 79 regulates the stop position of the sheet bundle Sa at the time of the saddle stitching process at the upper position, and regulates the stop position of the sheet bundle Sa at the time of the center folding process at the lower position.
[0059]
The sheet bundle Sa including the cover sheet K2 and the sheet S subjected to the saddle stitching process is conveyed obliquely downward in the paper passage 81A formed by the guide plate 81, and is conveyed to the second butting member 79 in the conveying direction of the sheet bundle Sa. Ends and stops at a predetermined position. The second abutting member 79 can be moved to a predetermined position by setting the paper size and driving means.
[0060]
The paper mounting table 71 of the post-processing unit 10 and the paper passages 77A, 77B, 81A are formed on substantially the same plane and have a steep inclination of about 70 degrees.
[0061]
The folding processing unit 80 includes a folding plate 82, a pair of first folding rollers 83, a first folding roller 84, a second folding roller 85, a transport belt 86, a transport switching member 87, and the like. The sheet bundle Sb that has been subjected to the two-fold processing or the three-fold processing in the folding processing unit 80 is discharged to the fixed discharge tray 92.
[0062]
[Control of width alignment]
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the alignment operation of the pair of first width alignment members 73. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating control of the post-processing device FS.
[0063]
(1) When a sheet size signal and a sheet post-processing designation signal are input from the image forming apparatus A to the control unit 100, the driving of the width-matching drive motor M2 causes the first width matching member 73 to move to the initial position ( From the home position P0 (see FIG. 6A) to the first position P1 (see FIG. 6B, the inner dimension W1 of the first width matching member 73). The first position P1 is determined based on the width of the sheet S conveyed out of the image forming apparatus A in the width direction (for example, plus or minus about 5 mm in the width direction). In order not to contact S, a margin width w1 (for example, 10 mm each) is set at a standby position separated from each other on both sides of the sheet width W.
[0064]
(2) After the rear end of the sheet S introduced into the post-processing device FS is switched on after passing through the entrance sensor PS1 (see FIG. 3) near the sheet mounting table 71, a predetermined time by a timer elapses. The drive of the drive motor M2 (see FIG. 5) causes the pair of first width matching members 73 to move to the second position P2 (see FIG. 6C, the inner dimension W2 of the first width matching member 73). The timing of the movement to the second position P2 is a timing at which the sheet S carried out from the entrance conveyance roller pair 15 starts to slide down on the surface of the sheet table 71 that is inclined (see FIG. 6C). ).
[0065]
(3) Further, after a lapse of a predetermined time by the timer, the control means 100 controls the driving means, so that the width-matching drive motor M2 starts driving rotation, moves the first width matching member 73, and moves the third width matching member 73 to the third position. And the sheet S is aligned. The third position P3 is set to a position slightly smaller than the paper width W, that is, a compression width w2 (for example, about 1.5 mm) on one side of the paper width W. At the third position P3, the rear end of the sheet S that has slid down on the sheet mounting table 71 is abutting surfaces of the first abutting members 72 provided near the first binding means 701 and the second binding means 702. , And both side edges of the sheet S are lightly pressed and pressed by the pair of first width matching members 73 to perform width alignment (see FIG. 6D, inner dimensions of the first width matching members 73). W3). The plurality of stacked sheets S are curved by the first width alignment member 73 and are pressed to the extent that a gap is formed between the sheets.
[0066]
[Control of binding process]
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the binding process.
[0067]
Hereinafter, the binding process for the sheet bundle Sa will be described.
(1) The first binding unit 701 and the second binding unit 702 arranged at two positions in the sheet width direction perform binding processing on the sheets aligned by the pair of first width alignment members 73 on the sheet placement table 71. At this time, the first width matching member 73 has stopped at the third position P3 shown in FIG. Alternatively, the sheet bundle Sa is stopped at a distance slightly larger than the inner dimension W3 of the first width matching member 73 and at a position where both side edges of the sheet bundle Sa are lightly pressed.
[0068]
(2) First, the control unit 100 operates the driving unit by the motor M5 provided in the first binding unit 701, drives the binding needle SP1 into the sheet bundle Sa, and performs the first binding process (FIG. 8A). reference).
[0069]
(3) After the end of the first binding process, the control unit 100 drives the motor M2 to slightly open the first width aligning member 73 in the paper width direction, and to the fourth position P4 slightly larger than the paper width W. Stop.
[0070]
(4) After that, the control unit 100 drives the motor M6, drives the binding needle SP2 into the sheet bundle Sa by the second binding unit 702, and performs the second binding process (see FIG. 8B).
[0071]
After the first binding processing is started by the operation of the first binding means 701 and the first binding processing is completed, the first width aligning member 73 is slightly opened in the sheet width direction, and then the second binding means 702 is provided. By controlling to perform the second binding process by the operation of, the processing time can be reduced.
[0072]
As described above, the first width matching member 73, the first binding unit 701, and the second binding unit 702 perform the flat binding process in which the binding needles SP1 and SP2 are stapled at two places at the center distribution near the side edge of the sheet bundle Sa. Although the operation has been described, the second width aligning member 78, the first binding means 701, and the second binding are also used in the case of the saddle stitching process in which the binding staples SP1 and SP2 are hit at two places in the center of the sheet bundle Sa in the sheet width direction. By operating the unit 702 in the same manner as in the flat binding process, it is possible to improve the appearance quality of the completed bundle of sheets Sa by improving the flatness.
[0073]
Although the pair of first width matching members 73 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line CL of the paper S, and the center-based paper width matching means capable of moving both side surfaces has been described, the present invention relates to this. However, the present invention is also applicable to a reference wall having one fixed side wall and a one-side reference sheet width matching unit in which the other side wall is movable in accordance with the sheet width.
[0074]
In the embodiment of the present invention, a post-processing apparatus connected to a copying machine has been described. However, the present invention is also applied to a post-processing apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile, a multifunction peripheral, and a light printing machine. It is possible.
[0075]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, the following effects can be obtained by the sheet post-processing method, sheet post-processing apparatus, and image forming system of the present invention.
[0076]
(1) The operation of the first binding means when the first binding means and the second binding means, which are arranged at two places in the paper width direction, perform binding processing on a bundle of sheets which are stacked on the paper mounting table and width-aligned. After the first binding process, the width adjustment member is slightly opened in the sheet width direction, so that the raised curved shape generated near the center of the sheet bundle is eliminated and the sheet bundle becomes flat. Thereafter, the second binding means is operated to perform the second binding processing, thereby producing a sheet bundle Sa having good flatness.
[0077]
(2) A curved sheet that has passed through the fixing device of the image forming apparatus, a slip sheet that is fed from the first sheet feeding device of the post-processing device with little deformation, or a deformation sheet that is fed from the second sheet feeding device. Also in the case where the binding process is performed on a sheet bundle in which cover sheets with a small number of cover sheets are stacked, the sheet alignment and the binding process are reliably performed by the post-processing method and the post-processing device of the present invention.
[0078]
(3) A post-processing device connected to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer performs a desired digital processing by the image forming apparatus, and also has a configuration in which the discharged paper is curved after the fixing processing. According to the post-processing method and the post-processing apparatus of the present invention, a high-quality sheet bundle subjected to the binding processing can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus, an image reading apparatus, and a post-processing apparatus.
FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram showing a sheet conveyance path in a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a post-processing unit including a binding processing unit and a folding processing unit.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an arrangement of a sheet bundle and a first binding unit and a second binding unit when various binding processes are performed.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a main part of a paper storage unit.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an alignment operation of a pair of width alignment members.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating control of a post-processing device.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a binding process.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet bundle that has been bound with a conventional width alignment member.
[Explanation of symbols]
70 Binding unit (paper storage unit)
71 Paper loading table
72 First striking member (paper end striking member)
73 First width alignment member
78 Second width alignment member
79 2nd butting member (paper end butting member)
100 control means
700 Binding means (stapling means)
701 First binding means
702 Second binding means
A Image forming device
FS paper post-processing device (post-processing device)
S paper
SP, SP1, SP2 binding needle
W paper width

Claims (4)

Movement of a pair of width aligning members that convey the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus, load the paper on the paper mounting table, and regulate the paper loaded on the paper mounting table in a paper width direction orthogonal to the paper conveyance direction. Paper post-processing in which the edge of the paper is brought into contact with the abutting surface of a paper edge abutting member arranged in a direction parallel to the paper transport direction and positioned and aligned, and then bound by the binding means. In the method,
When a binding process is performed on a sheet that is aligned by a pair of the binding units including a first binding unit and a second binding unit that are arranged at two positions in the sheet width direction, the first binding unit is operated to perform the first binding. A sheet post-processing method, wherein after performing the binding processing, the width alignment member is slightly opened in the sheet width direction, and then the second binding means is controlled to perform the second binding processing. Between the start of the first binding process by the operation of the first binding unit and the completion of the first binding process, the width alignment member is slightly opened in the sheet width direction, and then the second binding unit is operated by the operation of the second binding unit. 2. The sheet post-processing method according to claim 1, wherein control is performed to perform the second binding process. In a sheet post-processing device that stacks sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus on a sheet placing table, aligns the sheets, and performs binding processing by a binding unit,
A pair of width alignment members for regulating the paper loaded on the paper mounting table in a paper width direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction,
A pair of binding means including a first binding means and a second binding means arranged at two places in the paper width direction;
Driving means for reciprocating the pair of width alignment members in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction,
The drive unit moves the pair of width aligning members in the direction of reducing the paper width direction interval to align the sheets, activates the first binding unit to perform the first binding process, and then performs the first binding process. A sheet post-processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that moves the alignment member in a direction in which a sheet width direction interval is increased, and controls the second binding unit to perform a second binding process. An image forming apparatus comprising an image writing unit, an image forming unit, and a sheet conveying unit, and a sheet post-processing apparatus comprising a width matching member, a binding unit, a driving unit, and a control unit according to claim 3. Image forming system.

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