JP2004091172A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of continuously and efficiently performing operations from forming images to outputting sheets in the form of a small book by making it possible to easily align folded sheets on a projecting stacking means, and binding the sheets on site. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device has integrated therewith a post-processing device which includes a folding means for folding sheets in a direction perpendicular to feed direction, on a feed path where the sheets with images formed thereon are fed in a predetermined direction; a projecting stacking means; a feed means for feeding and stacking the open folded sheets on the stacking means; a feed assisting means provided near the top of the stacking means; a binding means for binding the folds of the sheets stacked on the stacking means; and an output means for feeding the bundle of sheets in the form of a small book folded in two and for outputting the sheets out of the device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile, which integrally includes a post-processing device for a sheet on which an image is formed.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Metal stapling is performed on a sheet, on which an image has been formed and loaded on an appropriate member, by a stapler including a stapling unit (stitcher) and a stapling unit (clincher), and saddle stitching is performed. Is a known processing apparatus configured to discharge the sheet outside the apparatus in the form of a folded booklet.
[0003]
For example, a plurality of feeders are provided along the longitudinal direction of a conveying means called a gathering chain, and creased sheets are stacked on each feeder, and the feeder is synchronized with the rotation of the gathering chain from the feeder. 2. Description of the Related Art A configuration in which sheets are sequentially dropped one by one, stacked on a chain, and then a stapler is operated to perform wire binding is known as a part of a bookbinding apparatus (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
Also, a post-processing device configured to take in paper on which an image has been formed using a printer or the like, superimpose the paper at a predetermined position, saddle-stitch the paper with a stapler, perform two-fold processing at another location, and discharge it in the form of a booklet. It is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 2).
[0005]
Further, there is known a copying machine having a bookbinding function in which sheets after copying are folded one by one in the center at the center, the sheets are stacked by a mountain-shaped support member, and the folds are bound by a binding device. (For example, see Patent Document 3).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-237358 (paragraphs 0005, 0007, 0025, FIGS. 8, 9 and 13)
[0007]
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-2000-72320 (Paragraph Nos. 0027, 0028, FIG. 1)
[0008]
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-60-254165 (top right column of page 5, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 6)
However, the configuration disclosed in Patent Literature 1 requires not only to increase the size of the apparatus due to the necessity of installing a plurality of feeders along the longitudinal direction of the gathering chain, but also to drop signatures synchronously. It was difficult to control the superposition, and the structure of the feeder was complicated.
[0009]
Furthermore, since the stapling process (binding process) is performed in a state where signatures are stacked on the chain, it is difficult to drive a staple on the fold line, and the bundle of sheets as a booklet has a good appearance. It was not something.
[0010]
The configuration disclosed in Patent Literature 2 is a configuration in which the center folding process is performed after the saddle stitching. For example, when the number of sheets is as thick as 15 or 20, the power of the center folding unit is insufficient. The inner paper is creased, but not creased outward.As a result, even when folded into a booklet, the outer paper becomes unsteady and it is difficult to maintain a high-quality state. Was.
[0011]
In other words, even if the ability of the saddle stitching means (hereinafter, also referred to as a stapler) for bundling 20 sheets is provided, the ability cannot be fully utilized.
[0012]
In order to utilize the abilities of the stapler, the configuration had to be enlarged to increase the power of the folding means.
[0013]
Furthermore, since the saddle stitching section and the center folding section were located at different positions, the production efficiency could not be said to be good.
[0014]
Further, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Literature 3, the creased paper is sequentially stacked on a planar guide plate provided on both sides of the support member, and is aligned (position-regulated) with a width-adjusting roller. The guide plate is rotated to form a chevron. At this time, the fold of the paper is aligned with the top of the support member. However, the mechanism for aligning the papers is complicated, and there are many movable members. Therefore, it takes time to support the loose paper bundle with the support member.
[0015]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
It is possible to easily align a sheet with a fold on a stacking means having a chevron shape, and to perform saddle stitching on the spot to continuously and efficiently perform operations from image formation to booklet state and discharging. To provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing the following.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The object according to the present invention can be achieved by the following configurations.
[0017]
(1) a center-folding means for forming a fold in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction on a transport path for transporting an image-formed sheet in a predetermined direction;
Loading means having a chevron shape;
Conveying means for conveying the paper after the crease is opened in an open state, and loading the paper on the loading means,
A transport assisting means provided near the top of the loading means,
Saddle stitching means for binding a fold of a sheet stacked on the stacking means,
A discharging means for transporting the saddle-stitched sheet bundle in the form of a booklet folded in two, and discharging the sheet bundle outside the apparatus,
An image forming apparatus comprising:
[0018]
(2) The image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the transport assisting unit is a roller.
[0019]
(3) The image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the conveyance assisting unit is a sponge roller.
[0020]
(4) The image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the transport assisting unit is a paddle.
[0021]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An example of an embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0022]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus including a digital copier, which integrally includes a sheet post-processing apparatus.
[0023]
In the figure, the image forming apparatus main body includes an automatic document feeder 1, an image reading device 2, an image processing unit C, an image forming unit 3, a paper storage unit D, a paper feed unit 4, a reverse discharge / refeed unit 5, and , A reversing conveyance section 6.
[0024]
The automatic document feeder 1 is a device that feeds a document one sheet at a time, transports the document to an image reading position, and discharges the document after image reading to a predetermined location.
[0025]
The automatic document feeder 1 includes a document table 11 on which a document is placed, a document separating unit 12 for separating the document placed on the document table 11, and a plurality of documents for conveying the document separated by the document separating unit 12. Document feeder 13 including rollers, document discharger 14 for discharging the document conveyed by document conveyer 13, document discharge table 15 on which the document discharged by document discharger 14 is placed, and And a document reversing means 16 comprising a pair of reversing rollers for reversing the front and back of the document in the duplex copying mode.
[0026]
A plurality of documents (not shown) placed on the document table 11 are separated one by one by a document separating unit 12 and conveyed by the document conveying unit 13 via an image reading position.
[0027]
The document reading position is provided below the document conveying means 13 so that the image of the document can be read through the slit 21 of the image reading device 2.
[0028]
The document from which the image has been read is discharged onto the document discharge table 15 by the document discharge means 14.
[0029]
On the other hand, when reading images on both sides of the document, the document once read on one side was guided to the document reversing means 16, and the rear end of the document was sandwiched by a pair of reversing rollers constituting the document reversing means 16. In this state, the reverse of the pair of reversing rollers is reversed to reverse the front and back of the document, and the document is conveyed again by the document conveying means 13 so that an image on another surface (second surface) can be read at the document reading position. it can.
[0030]
Such a process is repeated for the number of originals placed on the original placing table 11.
The automatic document feeder 1 is configured to be foldable. The automatic document feeder 1 is raised to open the platen glass 22 and the original is directly placed on the platen glass 22 for copying. It is configured so that it can be performed.
[0031]
The image reading device 2 is a device for reading an image of a document and obtaining image data. The image reading device 2 integrally includes a lamp 231 for irradiating the document via the slit 21 and a first mirror 232 for reflecting light reflected from the document. A first mirror unit 23, a second mirror unit 24 integrating a second mirror 241 and a third mirror 242 that reflect light from the first mirror 232, and a second mirror unit 24. The imaging lens 25 forms an image of the reflected light on a CCD (described later) as an image sensor, and a linear CCD 26 that photoelectrically converts the light image formed by the imaging lens 25.
[0032]
The analog signal that has been photoelectrically converted is subjected to A / D conversion after analog processing, subjected to appropriate image processing such as shading correction, filter processing, or γ correction in the image processing unit C, and converted into image data. , Are stored in a memory (not shown).
[0033]
In a mode in which the document fed by the automatic document feeder 1 is read by the image reading device 2, the first mirror unit 23 and the second mirror unit 24 are fixed at the positions shown in the drawing.
[0034]
In the mode of reading an image of a document directly placed on the platen glass 22, the first mirror unit 23 and the second mirror unit 24 are moved along the platen glass 22 while maintaining the optical path length. This is done by moving.
[0035]
The image forming unit 3 is a part where an image is formed by using an electrophotographic process, and has a photoconductive drum 31 having a photoconductive photosensitive layer as an image carrier on the surface, and uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductive drum 31. A charger 32; a laser writing system 33 which is operated based on the image data after the image processing and is an exposure means for exposing the photosensitive drum 31 to form an electrostatic latent image; and the photosensitive drum 31 A developing device 34 that reversely develops the electrostatic charge latent image formed thereon to form a toner image, a transfer pole 35 that transfers the visualized toner image onto paper, and a back surface of the paper on which the toner image is transferred. Known images such as a static eliminator 36 that performs AC corona discharge to promote separation of the paper from the photosensitive drum 31 and a cleaning unit 37 for cleaning the photosensitive drum 31 after the transfer process is completed It has an adult means.
[0036]
Reference numeral 38 denotes a transport belt that transports the separated paper toward a fixing device 39 of a heating roller type.
[0037]
The fixing device 39 has, as main components, a fixing processing unit including a heating source H, a fixing upper roller 390 that rotates independently around the periphery thereof, and a fixing lower roller 393 that rotates while being pressed against the fixing upper roller 390. .
[0038]
Downstream of the fixing device 39, there are provided a fixing discharge roller 51, a switching unit 52, and a discharge roller 53 which are components of the reversing discharge / refeed unit 5.
[0039]
In addition, W shown in the fixing device 39 is a cleaning web provided in contact with the surface of the upper fixing roller 390. For example, at a proper time interval during the operation of the device, W is little by little on the winding core shown on the left side of the drawing. It can be wound up.
[0040]
Image formation on paper using the above configuration is performed by sequentially charging the photosensitive drum 31 rotating in the direction of the arrow by a suitable driving means by a charger 32, and then exposing the original by dot exposure by a laser writing system 33. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image is formed, and the electrostatic latent image is formed into a toner image by the developing device 34, and then, on the sheet P fed by the start of rotation of the registration roller 46 as a second paper feeding unit. Then, the transfer is achieved through the action of the transfer pole 35.
[0041]
In actuality, when the paper P reaches the registration roller 46, the toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 31 in synchronization with the sheet feeding accompanying the start of rotation of the registration roller 46. To start a process for forming.
[0042]
Therefore, the distance from the exposure unit to the transfer pole and the distance from the registration roller to the transfer pole are set to be the same so that the toner image and the paper overlap in the transfer area where the transfer pole 35 is located. The linear velocities of the reference roller 31, the registration roller 46, and the pre-transfer roller 47 are set to be the same.
[0043]
The sheet after the transfer is separated from the photosensitive drum 31 by the action of the static eliminator 36, is subjected to the heating / pressing action of the fixing device 39, and is then discharged toward the post-processing device.
[0044]
On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 31 that has passed through the transfer area further continues to rotate, and the residual toner is removed by the cleaning unit 37 to prepare for the next image formation.
[0045]
Returning to the description of the configuration, in the paper storage unit D, paper feed trays D1, D2, and D3 for storing the paper P in a stacked state are vertically arranged (the paper P is shown only in the paper feed tray D1). .
[0046]
Each of the paper feed trays includes a dedicated paper feed roller 40, 41, 42, which is a component of the paper feed unit 4, and a pair of separation rollers 403, 413, 423, which are separation means for preventing stacking. It is provided so that it can be pulled out.
[0047]
In addition to the paper feed rollers and the like, the paper feed unit 4 includes a pair of transport rollers (hereinafter, referred to as a transport unit) that transports the paper P from each of the paper feed trays D1, D2, and D3 to the image forming unit 3. R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, the above-described registration roller 46, the pre-transfer roller 47, and the like.
[0048]
Reference numeral 45 denotes a transport roller provided downstream of the transport roller R6 as viewed in the transport direction of the paper P, and a transport path of the paper sent out through a reversing transport unit 6 described later and, for example, a paper feed from the paper tray D1 At the junction with the paper transport path.
[0049]
The reverse discharge / refeed section 5 is an area for reversely discharging the sheet P after the transfer and fixing, and re-feeding the sheet P in accordance with the duplex image forming mode. The paper P is discharged toward the registration roller 46 in order to form an image on the back surface (second surface) of the paper P. A switching unit 52 is provided for switching the transport path when feeding paper.
[0050]
When the sheet P on which an image is formed is to be discharged as it is, that is, while the transferred image surface is facing upward, the switching unit 52 is held at the position shown by a dashed line in FIG. When the paper P is to be discharged with its front and back reversed, the switching unit 52 is held at the position shown by the solid line in the figure, and the paper P conveyed by the fixing discharge roller 51 is provided with conveyance rollers 55 and 57. The roller group is fed into the conveyance path, and the operation of the roller group is stopped at the timing when the rear end reaches the position before the conveyance roller 55, and thereafter, the rotation direction of the conveyance roller 55 is rotated in the opposite direction to the above. Then, the paper passes through the left side of the switching means 52 and is discharged to the outside of the apparatus via a paper discharge roller 53.
[0051]
Further, in the case of the double-sided image forming mode in which an image is formed on the second side of the sheet P following the first side, the switching unit 52 is held at the position shown by the solid line in FIG. Is fed to the reverse transport section 6 via the transport rollers 55 and 57 of the reverse discharge / re-feed section 5 driven by the discharge motor, and the reverse transport section 6 reverses the sheet P. , Is sent out to the registration roller 46.
[0052]
The process during which a transfer image is obtained on the second surface of the sheet P is the same as that described above, and the sheet P after the fixing process is discharged according to any of the above-described embodiments.
[0053]
The reversing conveyance unit 6 feeds the paper P conveyed by the conveyance roller 57 further rightward, stops the rotation at the timing of nipping the rear end, and then controls the conveyance roller to rotate in the reverse direction. From the middle of the conveyance in the left direction due to the reverse rotation of the conveyance roller pair 60, the conveyance roller 60 is conveyed along a conveyance path extending rightward after drawing an arc upward.
[0054]
Reference numerals 61, 62, 63, 64, 65 including the transport roller pair 60 are transport roller pairs provided on the transport path of the reverse transport unit 6.
[0055]
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the post-processing apparatus.
The post-processing device 7 according to the present embodiment is provided on an intake port 70 for taking in an image-formed sheet P ejected from the image forming apparatus main body by the ejection roller 53 in FIG. Center folding section 71, first conveying means 72 using an air suction method, saddle stitching section 73, second conveying means 74 including a pair of belts, third conveying means 75 including rollers and belts, cutting section 76, stacking section 77, a cover sheet feeder 78, and a tray 79.
[0056]
A detailed description of the configuration according to the present invention will be described later.
Arrows F1, F2, F3, and F4 indicate four transport paths of the sheet, F1 is a transport path of the sheet transported based on the saddle stitching instruction, and F2 is transported via the transport path F1. F3 is a transport path for transporting sheets that do not require saddle stitching to the tray 79, and F4 is an integral part of the post-processing device. This is a transport path for a sheet that requires post-processing in another post-processing device that can be connected, and a number of transport roller pairs (no reference numeral) are provided on these transport paths.
[0057]
Reference numeral 700 denotes switching means for selectively releasing one of the transport paths F1 and F3 (in a usable state), and other switching means 703 for switching the transport paths F3 and F4. The operation is controlled in accordance with the content of the work command so as to selectively release any of the above.
[0058]
By the way, a thin plate or a knife provided to push the sheet in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction (horizontal left direction in the present embodiment) is provided in the center folding portion 71 provided on the conveying path F1. A push member 710 made of a plate-like plate, an upper roller 713 and a lower roller 715 for pressing and clamping the paper pressed by the push member 710, and a paper in a forward direction (in the transport direction along the transport path, In this case, a conveying roller 717 that rotates while being pressed against the lower roller so as to convey in a direction from top to bottom, and a position downstream of a certain position of the roller group and inserted into the conveying path. A removable stopper 719 is provided.
[0059]
As understood from the above description, the pushing member 710, the upper roller 713, and the lower roller 715 function as a center folding unit (center folding member) for forming a fold in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction.
[0060]
The center folding operation or the center folding step is performed under the following control.
That is, the stopper 719 faces a position in the conveyance path corresponding to a half of the nip position in the height direction between the upper roller 713 and the lower roller 715 with respect to the size of the used paper in the conveyance direction, After the leading edge of the sheet taken in from the inlet 70 reaches the stopper 719, the forward rotation of the roller group is stopped.
[0061]
Next, the sheet is pushed between the upper roller 713 and the lower roller 715 by the pushing member 710 to form a crease. Thereafter, the roller group is rotated in the forward direction again, and toward the saddle stitching section 73. Send out paper.
[0062]
In other words, the sheet after the crease is conveyed to the right through the nip portion of both rollers, and the leading end is conveyed downward.
[0063]
Then, when the fold is released from the nip portion, the paper continues to be transported in an opened state (a state in which there is no overlap).
[0064]
Prior to this, the stopper 719 and the pushing member 710 have been retracted from within the transport path.
[0065]
The roller group may be configured to reversely rotate for a short period of time, for example, several tens of milliseconds, in accordance with the pressing operation of the pressing member 710. A one-way clutch may be interposed, and the transport roller 717 may be configured to idle during the reverse rotation as described above. Alternatively, the transport roller 717 may be separated from the lower roller 715. You may comprise.
[0066]
The first transport unit 72 includes a rotatable belt 720 provided with a large number of holes, and a suction box 723 provided inside the rotatable belt 720 and connected to the suction unit S via a duct. I have.
[0067]
Reference numeral 725 denotes a rotatable separating member made of a wire such as a wire, and a belt on which the leading end of the paper conveyed in a suction state on the lower surface of the rotatable belt 720 by the action of the suction means S is stretched. Has a function of forcibly striking and separating from the inside (upper side in the figure) in the region near the left end of M is a drive motor for the separation member 725.
[0068]
However, if the suction force on the lower surface of the rotatable belt 720 decreases toward the left end, and the paper can be automatically separated before reaching the left end, the separation member 725 can be omitted.
[0069]
The paper transport surface of the first transport means 72 is installed so as to rise as it goes downstream. This is because of the easiness of control when loading paper on a mountain-shaped loading means described later, and , To reduce the size of the device.
[0070]
The saddle stitching unit 73 includes a stacking unit that stacks the sheets conveyed via the first conveying unit 72, and the stacking unit according to the present embodiment includes a first (sheet receiving) provided on the upstream side. The guide member 730 and a second guide member 733 (for receiving a sheet) provided on the downstream side are main components.
[0071]
The first and second guide members 730 and 733 are made of a plate material arranged at an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to a vertical plane, and the overall shape is a chevron shape. The end of the member has a gap.
[0072]
The top end of the second guide member 733 has a position higher than the position of the top end of the first guide member 730 in the height direction.
[0073]
Further, a central portion 733-1 (see FIG. 3) divided in the depth direction of the second guide member 733 is configured to be able to reciprocate a predetermined distance from a position shown in FIG.
[0074]
This is because the leading edge of the bundle of sheets after the saddle stitching process is completed enters the fold of the sheet bundle and is pressed between the belts of the second transporting unit 74 in the form of a two-fold booklet.
[0075]
The configuration of the second guide member is shown in FIG. 3 as a schematic diagram, but the power system for rotating the threaded support rod is not shown because a known method can be appropriately employed.
[0076]
A needle receiving means 735 is fixed at a central position sandwiched between the first and second guide members 730 and 733, and is movably provided in a depth direction (front and back of the paper). The part is located in the gap in the top region of both guide members.
[0077]
Above the needle receiving means 735, a stapling means 736 is provided with a predetermined gap so as to be swingable about a shaft 737 and movable in the depth direction.
[0078]
In this embodiment, as described above, the height position of the top end of the first guide member 730 is determined from the physical factors such as the shape and size of the needle receiving means 735 and the intention of reducing the size of the device. Although it is lower than that of the second guide member 733, it is needless to say that the first guide member 730 and the second guide member 733 may be configured symmetrically if it is not necessary to be asymmetric. it can.
[0079]
The stapler constituted by the stapling means 736 and the needle receiving means 735 has an ability to bind 100 sheets, and two stapler are prepared at appropriate intervals in the depth direction of the drawing.
[0080]
Further, in this embodiment, a booklet in which 50 sheets of paper are folded in two can be obtained.
[0081]
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing the relationship between the guide member and the needle receiving means in the saddle stitching section.
[0082]
In the figure, reference numeral 731 denotes an auxiliary guide member, and the leading end of the conveyed paper P enters a gap formed between the top end of the first guide member 730 and the upper part of the needle receiving means 735, Alternatively, it has a function of preventing the upper portion of the loaded paper on the first guide member side from being damaged by the shape of the needle receiving means, and affixes a film sheet (no reference numeral) so as to protrude from the upper portion. I have.
[0083]
The height position of the protruding tip (free end) of the film sheet is higher than the height position of the second guide member so as not to hinder the conveyance of the sheet.
[0084]
L1 shown in relation to the second guide member 733 indicates the movement range of the central portion 733-1 described above.
[0085]
Reference numeral 738 is a regulating member having an arcuate area at the top on the paper entry side, and the paper sent to the saddle stitching section is placed on the first and second guide members 730 and 733 constituting the stacking means. 739, which is provided integrally with the regulating member, indicates a stopper for controlling the leading end position of the sheet, and L2 indicates a moving range of the stopper 739.
[0086]
In other words, when the size of the paper to be used is detected by an appropriate means, the stopper is moved to a predetermined position and fixed accordingly.
[0087]
The control related to these can be easily achieved by using a computer that controls the image sequence or another computer that can communicate with the computer.
[0088]
Note that the length of the first and second guide members 730 and 733 or the lower end position of the guide member is the length from the end of the sheet P of the maximum size to be used to the center folded position ( (Half the length of the paper) or a position sufficiently below the edge of the paper.
[0089]
The advantages of this configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 5 for describing the state of occurrence of inconvenience in stacking sheets and automatic recovery.
[0090]
For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, which is a schematic diagram, even when the sheet P falls in the middle of the stacking means, that is, when the fold does not fall on the virtual roof (the middle) of the stacking means, The sheet is braked by the friction with the surface of the second guide member 733, and the stiffness of the sheet formed at this time, in other words, the elasticity generated in the sheet returns the sheet to the posture as shown in FIG. And promote alignment.
[0091]
The return phenomenon due to the elasticity of the sheet as described above also occurs in the succeeding sheet when the preceding sheet already exists on the stacking unit.
[0092]
Further, if the transport of the transported paper is continued by the first transporting unit 72 even slightly after the leading end of the transported paper hits the stopper 739, the paper is bent and a bending stress is generated.
[0093]
Then, when the sheet is released from the conveyance of the first conveyance means 72, the sheet is pushed back to the first guide member 730 side by the reaction of the accumulated bending stress, and the sheets are stacked on the first and second guide members constituting the stacking means. And the fold position overlaps the top position of the chevron loading means.
[0094]
In order to further ensure the alignment of the folds of the paper at the top position of the stacking means, that is, the formation of the overlapping state, the following configuration is further provided in the present embodiment.
[0095]
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the alignment means (alignment mechanism).
In the drawing, reference numeral 8 denotes an alignment means, reference numeral 80 denotes a push-up member having a head 800 having a wedge shape (roof shape), and reference numeral 83 denotes an eccentric cam fixedly provided on a rotating shaft 830.
[0096]
The eccentric cam 83 raises and lowers the push-up member via a cam follower 803 provided at the lower end of the push-up member 80.
[0097]
Reference numeral 85 denotes a pressing member. The push-up member 80 rises and pushes the sheet upward through a central portion of the sheets stacked on the first and second guide members 730 and 733, and thereafter, the push-up member When 80 descends, it is controlled to return to the initial position after descending together.
[0098]
In other words, the paper to be pushed up has its fold aligned with the top of the head due to the wedge effect of the push-up member 80. .
[0099]
Since the pressing member 85 can prevent the occurrence of such a problem, a good alignment state can be maintained.
[0100]
The above-described alignment by pushing up can be easily achieved because the conveyed sheet is already creased.
[0101]
It is desirable that the aligning means 8 be activated every time a sheet is fed, and the pressing member is used as a member for pressing the sheet at the time of stapling (during saddle stitching).
[0102]
Further, the push-up member 80 and the pressing member 85 can be provided opposite to an appropriate position in the depth direction excluding the movement area of the needle receiving means and the needle driving means, as schematically shown in a plan view 7. , Width size and number can be determined appropriately.
[0103]
Reference numeral 9 denotes a transport assisting means provided at a fixed position, and the leading end of the paper separated from the first transporting means 72 and moving in a flying state is connected to the regulating member 738 and the second guide member 733. It has a function to guide you to enter smoothly between
[0104]
The transport assisting means is preferably a roller, for example, a sponge roller in terms of handling and the like, and a paddle is appropriate as another form, and it is desirable that the rotation be controlled at least while the paper passes.
[0105]
Returning to FIG. 2, the bundle of sheets on which the saddle stitching process has been completed by the above-described configuration is pushed upward and to the right by a part of the second guide member 733, and is gradually transferred to the second transporting unit 74 in the form of a booklet. After being delivered and firmly folded in two by the action of the second transport means and the third transport means 75, the edge is cut at the trimming section 76 and discharged to the stack section 77.
[0106]
The stack portion 77 descends sequentially according to the load amount, and enables stacking of a predetermined amount.
[0107]
When the sheet bundle is bound with a cover, after the image-formed sheets are stacked on the stacking means of the saddle stitching section 73, the cover sheet feeder 78 is operated to send out one cover sheet, and The binding process is performed after detecting that the document is placed on the bundle by an appropriate detection unit.
[0108]
In this case, the cover sheet is fed downward by the paper feeding means 100, and the leading end is fed into the transport path indicated by F4. , And the sheet is subjected to the same folding process as the sheet, and then placed on the stacking sheet and integrated by the above-described stapling.
[0109]
【The invention's effect】
The alignment state of the sheets on the stacking means can be easily obtained, and the transported sheets are sequentially stacked in a chevron, so that the efficiency is high, and further, the process from image formation to booklet production is continuously performed. Can be done.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus including a digital copier, which integrally includes a sheet post-processing apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a post-processing device.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a second guide member.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a relationship between a guide member and a needle receiving unit in the saddle stitching unit.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a state of occurrence of inconvenience in stacking sheets and automatic recovery.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining an alignment unit (alignment mechanism).
FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the push-up member and the pressing member, and the stapling means and the needle receiving means.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Automatic document feeder
2 Image reading device
3 Image forming unit
4 Paper feed unit
5 Reversing paper ejection / re-feeding section
70 intake
71 Folding part
72 1st conveyance means
73 Saddle stitching section
74 Second transport means
75 Third transport means
76 Cutting Department
77 Stack section
78 Cover sheet feeder
79 trays

Claims (4)

On a transport path that transports an image-formed sheet in a predetermined direction, a center folding unit that makes a fold in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction,
Loading means having a chevron shape;
Conveying means for conveying the paper after the crease is opened in an open state, and loading the paper on the loading means,
A transport assisting means provided near the top of the loading means,
Saddle stitching means for binding a fold of a sheet stacked on the stacking means,
A discharging means for transporting the saddle-stitched sheet bundle in the form of a booklet folded in two, and discharging the sheet bundle outside the apparatus,
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveyance assisting unit is a roller. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveyance assisting unit is a sponge roller. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveyance assisting unit is a paddle.

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