JP2004106975A - Post processing device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a post processing device that can align easily sheets each already having a fold on a mount means having a chevron shape with a simple configuration. <P>SOLUTION: In a post processing device, where a center-folding means center-folds sheets one by one, on each of which an image is formed, the sheets are placed sequentially on a mount means with a chevron shape provided on a saddle stitching portion and then saddle stitching means staples the sheets to create a booklet, a raising member for raising the sheets through the fold of the lowermost sheet is provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a post-processing apparatus for stacking and aligning image-formed creased paper on a chevron-shaped stacking unit and saddle-stitching the same, and an electrophotographic copying machine and a printer integrally having the post-processing apparatus And an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A metal needle is driven into a center portion of a sheet on which an image has been formed and stacked on an appropriate member by a center stapling unit (stapler) including a stapling unit (stitcher) and a needle receiving unit (clincher) to perform saddle stitching. Then, a processing apparatus configured to discharge the sheet bundle in the form of a folded booklet to the outside of the apparatus is known.
[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. A configuration in which sheets are sequentially dropped one by one and stacked on a chain, and then a stapler is operated to perform saddle stitching is known as a part of a bookbinding apparatus (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
In addition, a bookbinding function is configured such that the sheets after image formation are creased one by one on a transport path, and the sheets are finally formed into a mountain shape and saddle stitched on the folds in a state where the sheets are stacked on a support member. Is also known (for example, see Patent Document 2).
[0005]
Further, the sheets after the image formation are creased one by one on the conveyance path, dropped and stacked on the chevron-shaped stacking means, and the stacked sheets are slid on the stacking means and placed at the stapler position. The sheet bundle after the binding is returned to the initial position (center portion), pushed up through the fold of the sheet at the lowermost position by the blade member, and transported to the next step by a pair of rollers functioning as a center folding unit. Is known (for example, see Patent Document 3).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-227358 (paragraphs 0005, 0007, 0025, FIGS. 8, 9 and 13)
[0007]
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-60-254165 (page 5, upper right column, FIG. 2, FIG. 3,
(Fig. 6)
[0008]
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-7-179262 (paragraph numbers 0020 to 0031, FIGS. 4 to 13)
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 is difficult to control paper alignment, and the structure of the feeder is 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]
Further, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 2, the sheets are sequentially stacked on two guide plates, and two sides of the sheets are brought into contact with a wall plate by a width-adjusting roller so as to align the sheets. Of the support member positioned between the ends of the guide plate on the support shaft side, and saddle-stitched. The control until stacking is complicated, and at the same time, there is a concern that a gap may occur between the sheets when the sheets are stacked on the support member by the rotation of the guide plate.
[0011]
Further, the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 3 moves the sheet stacked on the stacking unit at the time of saddle stitching, so that a load is applied to the sheet, and a sheet bundle after the saddle stitching is discharged from the stacking unit. Since it is necessary to attach various members, there is no use of space.
[0012]
In addition, since the top of the stacking means is positioned immediately below the folding roll, and the folding roll is used to clamp the sheet by using the buckling of the sheet to form a fold, the vicinity of the stacking portion becomes crowded, and For alignment, it is necessary to provide rotatable paddle wheels on both outer sides of the mountain-shaped loading means.
[0013]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a main object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily align a creased sheet with a simple configuration on a stacking means having a chevron shape. An object of the present invention is to provide a processing device.
[0014]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a post-processing apparatus that can efficiently perform alignment in the width direction of a sheet.
[0015]
Still another object is to integrate the above-described post-processing device so that operations from image formation on paper to booklet state and discharge can be continuously performed, thereby enhancing functions. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing the above.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The object according to the present invention can be achieved by the following configurations.
[0017]
(1) A sheet on which an image is formed is folded one by one by a center folding unit, and sequentially stacked on a mountain-shaped stacking unit provided in a saddle stitching unit, and then a booklet is manufactured by stapling by the center binding unit. In the post-processing device,
Among the sheets stacked on the stacking means, a push-up member that pushes up the sheet through the fold of the lowest sheet is provided.
Post-processing device characterized by the above-mentioned.
[0018]
(2) A pressing member is disposed opposite to the push-up member at a predetermined interval with a space for loading the paper therebetween, and the press-down member is provided so as to be able to reciprocate in the same direction as the moving direction of the push-up member. The post-processing device according to (1), wherein:
[0019]
(3) The post-processing device according to (2), wherein, at the time of the stapling process by the saddle stitching unit, the stacked sheets are held between the push-up member and the pressing member.
[0020]
(4) In the above (2) or (3), the push-up member and the pressing member are located near the saddle stitching unit in a depth direction of the stacking unit on which sheets are stacked. Post-processing device as described.
[0021]
(5) The sheet on which the image has been formed is folded one by one by the center folding unit, and sequentially stacked on the mountain-shaped stacking unit provided in the saddle stitching unit, and then stapled by the center binding unit to produce a booklet. In the post-processing device,
A regulating member that regulates the width direction of the paper stacked on the stacking means is provided so as to be movable in the width direction of the paper at a height position in contact with the fold or near the fold of the paper,
Post-processing device characterized by the above-mentioned.
[0022]
(6) The post-processing device according to (5), wherein the restricting portion of the one restricting member is elastically held with respect to a fixed portion.
[0023]
(7) The post-processing device according to (5), wherein the regulating portion of the one regulating member is a leaf spring.
[0024]
(8) The sheet on which the image is formed is folded one by one by the center folding unit, and sequentially stacked on the mountain-shaped stacking unit provided in the saddle stitching unit, and then the booklet is manufactured by stapling by the center binding unit. In the post-processing device,
The stacking unit includes a first guide member positioned upstream and a second guide member positioned downstream in the sheet moving direction,
A stopper movably provided with a leading end of the paper stacked on the guide surface of the second guide member,
The stopper is used by being positioned at a position having a distance slightly longer than the length from the leading end to the fold in the transport direction of the sheet to be used,
Post-processing device characterized by the above-mentioned.
[0025]
(9) An image forming apparatus comprising the post-processing device according to any one of (1), (5) and (8).
[0026]
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.
[0027]
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.
[0028]
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.
[0029]
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.
[0030]
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.
[0031]
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.
[0032]
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.
[0033]
The document from which the image has been read is discharged onto the document discharge table 15 by the document discharge means 14.
[0034]
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.
[0035]
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.
[0036]
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.
[0037]
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).
[0038]
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.
[0039]
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.
[0040]
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. A known image forming apparatus 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 the means.
[0041]
Reference numeral 38 denotes a transport belt that transports the separated paper toward a fixing device 39 of a heating roller type.
[0042]
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. .
[0043]
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.
[0044]
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.
[0045]
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.
[0046]
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.
[0047]
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.
[0048]
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.
[0049]
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.
[0050]
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). .
[0051]
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.
[0052]
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.
[0053]
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.
[0054]
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.
[0055]
When the sheet P on which an image is formed is to be discharged as it is, that is, with the transferred image surface facing up, 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.
[0056]
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.
[0057]
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.
[0058]
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. The pair includes a pair 60, and conveys a sheet along a conveyance path extending rightward after drawing an arc upward from the middle of conveyance in the left direction due to reverse rotation of the conveyance roller pair 60.
[0059]
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.
[0060]
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.
[0061]
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, A transport path for sheets serving as a cover of a bundle of sheets stacked on the saddle stitching unit 73, a transport path for transporting a sheet that does not require saddle stitching to the tray 79, and an F4 integrated with the post-processing device This is a paper transport path that requires post-processing in another post-processing device (not shown) that can be connected to the printer. A plurality of transport roller pairs (no reference numeral) are provided on these transport paths.
[0062]
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.
[0063]
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 pushing member 710 made of a plate-like material, an upper roller 713 and a lower roller 715 for pressing and holding the sheet pressed by the pushing member 710, and a sheet in the 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 is inserted into and removed from the conveyance path. And a stopper 719 provided to be possible.
[0064]
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.
[0065]
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.
[0066]
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.
[0067]
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.
[0068]
Then, when the fold is released from the nip, the paper continues to be transported in an open state (a state where there is no overlap).
[0069]
Prior to this, the stopper 719 and the pushing member 710 have been retracted from within the transport path.
[0070]
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.
[0071]
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.
[0072]
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.
[0073]
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.
[0074]
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.
[0075]
The saddle stitching unit 73 includes a stacking unit that stacks the sheets conveyed via the first conveying unit 72. The stacking unit according to the present embodiment includes a first stacking unit provided on the upstream side for receiving a sheet. A guide member 730 and a second guide member 733 provided on the downstream side for receiving a sheet are main components.
[0076]
The first and second guide members 730 and 733 are formed of plate members disposed at a predetermined angle to the vertical plane, for example, at an acute angle such as about 45 degrees, and the overall shape is a mountain shape. ing.
[0077]
The ends of the two guide members located in the top region (excluding the top of the mountain, meaning the region near the bottom of the mountain) are configured to face each other at a predetermined interval.
[0078]
In other words, the first guide member 730 has a predetermined length in the depth direction in the drawing, and descends in the first direction at a predetermined angle from the top end, and the first guide member 730 in the depth direction. 730 having a length substantially equal to that of the first guide member 730 and having a same angle as the inclination of the first guide member 730 from a top end located at a predetermined distance from the top end of the first guide member 730. The second guide member 733 descending in the direction of the arrow constitutes a mountain-shaped stacking means.
[0079]
In the present specification, the chevron shape refers to a shape formed by arranging the two guide members so as to intersect on an extension line on the top side thereof.
[0080]
However, the inclinations of the two guide members with respect to the vertical plane may be the same or different, and are not restricted by the present embodiment. However, it is preferable that they have substantially the same angle in terms of handling and the like.
[0081]
Note that the top end of the second guide member 733 has a position higher than the height of the top end of the first guide member 730 in the height direction.
[0082]
Further, the central portion 733-1 divided in the depth direction of the second guide member 733 is configured to be able to reciprocate a predetermined distance from the position shown in the figure to the upper right.
[0083]
This causes the leading edge to enter the fold of the sheet at the bottom of the sheet bundle after the saddle stitching process is completed, and serves to push the sheet between the belts of the second conveying means 74 while forming a two-fold booklet. That's why.
[0084]
As described above, since the sheet bundle is discharged from the stacking unit by using a part of the second guide member, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated discharging unit, and the mechanism (configuration) is simplified. And waste of space can be reduced.
[0085]
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.
[0086]
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.
[0087]
Above the needle receiving means 735, a needle driving means 736 is provided with a predetermined gap so as to be swingable about a shaft 737 and movable in the depth direction.
[0088]
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.
[0089]
The stapler composed of the stapling means 736 and the needle receiving means 735 has an ability to bind 100 sheets, and two staplers are prepared at appropriate intervals in the depth direction of the drawing.
[0090]
Further, in this embodiment, a booklet in which 50 sheets of paper are folded in two can be obtained.
[0091]
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing the relationship between the guide member and the needle receiving means in the saddle stitching section 73.
[0092]
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 part of the stacked sheets on the first guide member 730 side from being damaged by the shape of the needle receiving means 735, and the guide surface thereof has A flexible film sheet (no reference numeral) is stuck so as to protrude.
[0093]
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.
[0094]
L1 shown in relation to the second guide member 733 indicates the movement range of the central portion 733-1 described above.
[0095]
Reference numeral 738 denotes a regulating member disposed in parallel with the second guide member 733 with a gap therebetween. The regulating member has an arc region at the top on the paper entry side, and the paper sent to the saddle stitching portion 73 is a stacking means. The first and second guide members 730 and 733 are configured to be easily dropped on the first and second guide members 730 and 733. A stopper 739 provided integrally with the first and second guide members 730 and 733 serves as a stopper for controlling the leading end position of the sheet. L2 indicates a moving range of the stopper 739.
[0096]
In other words, when the size of the sheet to be used is detected by appropriate means, the stopper is accordingly set at a predetermined position, for example, a position having a distance slightly longer than the length from the leading edge to the fold in the sheet conveying direction. And is held in a fixed state.
[0097]
This configuration can promote alignment based on the fold of the sheet. That is, when the leading end of the conveyed sheet abuts against the stopper 739, the sheet is bent, and a bending stress is generated.
[0098]
Then, for example, if it is configured to be released from the conveyance of the first conveyance unit 72 thereafter, the sheet is configured to be stacked while being pushed back to the first guide member 730 side by the reaction of the accumulated bending stress. By dropping on the first and second guide members, the position of the fold is set to a predetermined position on the stacking means, that is, a position corresponding to the top (in the present embodiment, the center of the chevron in the figure) Position).
[0099]
Alternatively, the fold of the succeeding paper can be easily overlapped with the fold of the already loaded paper, and alignment can be achieved.
[0100]
In this way, paper alignment and stacking can be performed with a simple configuration.
The control of the first transport unit 72 and the like can be easily achieved by a control unit including a computer (not shown) for controlling the image sequence or another computer (not shown) capable of communicating with the computer.
[0101]
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 ( (For example, half the length of a sheet) or a position sufficiently lower than the end of the stacked sheets.
[0102]
The post-processing apparatus according to the present embodiment further has the following configuration for aligning the fold of the sheet at the top position of the stacking unit or for aligning the sheet in the width direction.
[0103]
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration, function, and the like of the matching means (matching 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.
[0104]
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.
[0105]
Reference numeral 85 denotes a pressing member, which raises the push-up member 80 to move the central portion of the paper loaded on the first and second guide members 730 and 733 (the fold of the paper loaded in contact with the guide member). The push-up member 80 is pushed upward, and then, when the push-up member 80 descends, the push-down member 80 is pushed down while pressing the sheet, and then is controlled to return to the initial position.
[0106]
In other words, the paper to be pushed up easily aligns the fold to the top of the head by the wedge effect of the pushing up member 80, but when the pushing up member 80 descends, it slightly floats, ruining the alignment of the folding angle. Maybe.
[0107]
In order to suppress the occurrence of such inconveniences, a good alignment state can be maintained by employing a configuration in which the pressing member 85 moves down while pressing the sheet in cooperation with the push-up member 80.
[0108]
The alignment of the sheet using the push-up member as described above is nothing but an effect that can be achieved because the conveyed sheet is already creased.
[0109]
The push-up member 80 and the pressing member 85 constituting the aligning means 8 are configured to be operated each time a sheet is fed, and also, during the saddle stitching process, the sheet is pinched (pressed) by both. ) Can be controlled by the control means.
[0110]
Note that the stroke, the moving speed, and the like of the movement of the push-up member 80 can be appropriately determined by, for example, an experiment.
[0111]
As described above, more accurate sheet alignment processing can be achieved by the alignment means having an extremely simple configuration.
[0112]
FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the positional relationship between the stapler and the alignment unit.
As shown in FIG. 6, the push-up member 80 and the pressing member 85 constituting the aligning means 8 are positioned inside or outside the stapler moving area including the needle receiving means 735 and the stapling means 736, or both sides thereof. It can be provided facing the area.
[0113]
In the present embodiment, the aligning means is provided on both sides of the stapler, and the saddle stitching process is performed in a state where the floating of the sheet near the stapling portion is suppressed, so that a beautifully finished booklet (bookbinding) can be obtained.
[0114]
7A and 7B are schematic views for explaining the configuration of a regulating member for adjusting the width of the sheet (hereinafter, referred to as a width regulating member for convenience of description). FIG. 7A is a plan view, and FIG. Is a perspective view.
[0115]
In the drawing, reference numerals 90 and 91 denote first and second width regulating members provided on both sides in the width direction of the first guide member 730 and the second guide member 733, both of which are slightly smaller than the width of the paper used. The movement of the sheet is controlled in the width direction as seen from the arrow so as to have a large interval, and the side of the sheet to be sent can be lightly contacted.
[0116]
At this time, in order to prevent the paper from being damaged by the contact with the side of the paper, the configuration of the second width regulating member 91 includes a restriction portion 913 made of an elastic thin plate (leaf spring) and a holding portion for holding the restriction portion. And a plate (fixed portion with respect to the regulation portion) 910.
[0117]
The restricting portion 913 escapes outward due to the contact of the side of the conveyed sheet, and is weakened by the accumulated spring force at that time so that the sheet is pressed against the first width restricting member 90 to be aligned. It is sufficient to have a configuration showing elasticity.
[0118]
The height position of the first and second width regulating members 90 and 91 is determined by the fold of the paper stacked on the first and second guide members 730 and 733, or the fold vicinity area including or not including the fold. Has a height position in contact with the side portion of.
[0119]
Such a height position is achieved by bringing the width regulating member into contact with the side portion of the paper whose rigidity is increased by the fold, rather than the side portion of the paper having a weak stiffness, and the effect of the paper is increased. This is because damage to the surface can be suppressed as much as possible.
[0120]
The height position in contact with the vicinity of the fold referred to here is based on the premise that it has a predetermined width in the height direction, and should not be limited to a particular numerical value. From about 5 cm to about 6 cm, so that the height can be controlled irrespective of the width of the chevron of the paper and the thickness of the paper.
[0121]
Upper portions of the first and second guide members in the present embodiment on the near side and the back side are notched, and the first and second width regulating members 90 and 91 are positioned in the notched portions 750 and 751. is there.
[0122]
Further, the first and second width regulating members 90 and 91 have a portion extending in the direction along the slope of the first guide member 730 and a portion extending in the horizontal direction following the portion. Although it is configured in accordance with the shape, it may be a rectangle extending in the horizontal direction as a whole.
[0123]
Note that, instead of the regulating portion 913, the holding plate 910 may be elastically provided by a spring member to serve as a second width regulating member, or a plate member instead of the leaf spring may be elastically constituted by a spring member. .
[0124]
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.
[0125]
The stack portion 77 descends sequentially according to the load amount, and enables stacking of a predetermined amount.
[0126]
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.
[0127]
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.
[0128]
【The invention's effect】
According to the inventions according to the first to fourth aspects, it is possible to obtain the alignment of the fold of the sheet while having a simple configuration, and it is possible to achieve a good finish of the saddle stitching, and to reduce the size of the saddle stitching portion. Can be expected.
[0129]
According to the inventions according to the fifth to seventh aspects, it is possible to efficiently perform the alignment in the sheet width direction while having a simple configuration.
[0130]
According to the invention of claim 8, no special means for forcibly lowering the sheets stacked on the stacking means is required, so that the mechanism can be simplified.
[0131]
Further, according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the steps from image formation to booklet production can be continuously performed.
[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 schematic diagram for explaining an alignment unit (alignment mechanism).
FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view illustrating an example of a positional relationship between a stapler and an alignment unit.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining a configuration of a regulating member for aligning a sheet in a width direction.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 automatic document feeder 2 image reading device 3 image forming unit 4 paper feed unit 5 reverse discharge / refeed unit 70 intake port 71 center folding unit 72 first transport unit 73 saddle stitching unit 74 second transport unit 75 third Conveying means 76 Cutting section 77 Stack section 78 Cover sheet feeder 79 Tray

Claims (9)

Post-processing apparatus for folding a sheet on which an image is formed one by one by a center folding unit, sequentially stacking the sheets on a mountain-shaped stacking unit provided in a saddle stitching unit, and then stapling the booklet by the center stitching unit to produce a booklet. At
Among the sheets stacked on the stacking means, a push-up member that pushes up the sheet through the fold of the lowest sheet is provided.
Post-processing device characterized by the above-mentioned. A pressing member is provided facing the pushing member at a predetermined interval with a space for loading the paper therebetween, and the pressing member is provided so as to be able to reciprocate in the same direction as the moving direction of the pushing member. The post-processing device according to claim 1. 3. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at the time of the stapling processing by the saddle stitching unit, the stacked sheets are held between the push-up member and the pressing member. 4. 4. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the push-up member and the pressing member are located near the saddle stitching unit in a depth direction of the stacking unit on which sheets are stacked. . Post-processing apparatus for folding a sheet on which an image is formed one by one by a center folding unit, sequentially stacking the sheets on a mountain-shaped stacking unit provided in a saddle stitching unit, and then stapling the booklet by the center stitching unit to produce a booklet. At
A regulating member that regulates the width direction of the paper stacked on the stacking means is provided so as to be movable in the width direction of the paper at a height position in contact with the fold or near the fold of the paper,
Post-processing device characterized by the above-mentioned. 6. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a regulating portion of one of the regulating members is elastically held with respect to a fixed portion. 6. The post-processing device according to claim 5, wherein the regulating portion of one of the regulating members is a leaf spring. Post-processing apparatus for folding a sheet on which an image is formed one by one by a center folding unit, sequentially stacking the sheets on a mountain-shaped stacking unit provided in a saddle stitching unit, and then stapling the booklet by the center stitching unit to produce a booklet. At
The stacking unit includes a first guide member positioned upstream and a second guide member positioned downstream in the sheet moving direction,
A stopper movably provided with a leading end of the paper stacked on the guide surface of the second guide member,
The stopper is used by being positioned at a position having a distance slightly longer than the length from the leading end to the fold in the transport direction of the sheet to be used,
Post-processing device characterized by the above-mentioned. An image forming apparatus, comprising the post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 in an integrated manner.

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