JP2004196494A - Sheet post-treating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the irregularity in a cut surface by removing the deflection of paper when cutting the ends of sheets. <P>SOLUTION: A sheet post-treating apparatus gradually applies press force from a back cover side (for example, an end section at a side being subjected to folding treatment) of the sheet before pressing the sheet after folding treatment for fixation by a plate, a roller, or the like, for moving in the direction of an end face. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is used in combination with an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a multifunction peripheral, sequentially feeds sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus, and binds one or more sheets as necessary. A sheet processing apparatus having a mechanism for performing binding and folding processing by folding means, a means for stacking sheets, a sheet holding means, and a means for cutting, and a sheet processing apparatus for processing the sheet and an image forming apparatus having the same It is.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, among sheet post-processing apparatuses used in combination with an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a sheet processing apparatus capable of performing sheet processing such as sheet binding processing and folding processing binds a plurality of sheets to each other. In some cases, a sheet bundle can be bound by folding.
[0003]
In some of them, the sheet bundle end face is cut after the bookbinding process is completed.
[0004]
A sheet processing apparatus having such a mechanism conveys a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus main body to a sheet stacking apparatus, and drives the staple unit to move the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking apparatus near the center of the sheet. After binding, the sheet is conveyed to a folding unit and folded in two. After the folding process, the sheet is conveyed to a cutting device, the sheet is held down by a bundle pressing member, and the end face is cut.
[0005]
In order to cut the sheet, the sheet that has been processed by the folding apparatus is conveyed to a cutting processing tray, the sheet is pressed and fixed by a bundle pressing member, and the cutting unit cuts the end surface of the sheet bundle.
[0006]
As a result, the sheets stacked on the stacking tray are in a state where the end faces are trimmed.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the sheet conveyed in the above configuration is pressed from above at a fixed position by the paper pressing device, the pressed position and the sheet spine side (for example, the end on the side subjected to the folding process) There is a possibility that a deflection (a bulge generated in the central portion of the sheet) may occur between the sheets, and if the cutting is performed as it is, there is a possibility that the cut sections are not aligned after the cutting.
[0008]
FIG. 16 is a diagram of a sheet bundle in a case where deflection has occurred.
[0009]
When cutting is performed as it is, the sheet bundle is as shown in FIG.
After cutting, the cut surface is misaligned.
An object of the present invention is to eliminate the deviation of the cut surface by removing the deflection of the sheet conveyed to the cutting device by a deflection removing mechanism, fixing the sheet by a paper holding device, and thereafter cutting the sheet end surface by the cutting device. It is to be.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to the claim for solving the above-mentioned object is a bend removing means which performs a sheet after performing a folding process before cutting, before fixing the sheet by a paper holding device. For example, it is characterized in that it is moved in the direction of the end face while gradually applying a pressing force from a plate such as 701 or a device such as a roller from the end on the side on which the folding process is performed.
[0011]
According to this apparatus, when cutting the end surface of the sheet, the deflection of the paper is removed, and the displacement of the cut surface is eliminated.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a sheet post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic front view of a copying machine provided with the sheet processing apparatus of the present invention.
[0014]
Note that the image forming apparatus includes a copier, a facsimile, a printer, and a multifunction peripheral thereof.
[0015]
Therefore, the sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention is not connected only to the copier system.
[0016]
The copying machine includes a reader unit (reading unit) 100 and a printer unit 200. An automatic document feeder 300 (hereinafter, referred to as “ADF”) that supplies documents one by one onto the platen glass 102 is provided above the copying machine 11.
[0017]
A sheet post-processing device 400 for processing discharged sheets is connected to the side of the copying machine.
[0018]
The reader unit 100 converts the read document into image data, and the printer unit 200 has a plurality of types of sheet cassettes 204 and 205 on which a plurality of sheets are stacked, and records the image data on the sheets according to a print command.
[0019]
When the document is conveyed to a predetermined position on the platen glass 102 by the ADF 300, the reader unit 100 turns on the lamp 103 and moves the scanner unit 104 to scan the document.
[0020]
Light reflected from the original is input to the CCD image sensor unit 109 through mirrors 105 to 107 and a lens 108, and is converted into a digital image signal.
[0021]
Thereafter, these image signals are input to the printer unit 200, are converted into optical signals by the exposure control unit 201, and irradiate the photoconductor (image forming unit) 202.
[0022]
An image is latently formed on the photoconductor 202 by the irradiation light, and is developed by the developing device 203.
[0023]
Then, the sheet is conveyed from one of the sheet cassettes 204 and 205 in synchronization with the leading end of the developing unit, the developed image is transferred to the sheet by the transfer unit 206, and then fixed by the fixing unit 207.
[0024]
Thereafter, the sheet passes through the path 214 and the discharge unit 208 and is transferred to the sheet post-processing apparatus 400.
In the sheet post-processing apparatus 400, sorting, binding, and the like are performed according to an operation mode specified in advance.
[0025]
Next, a procedure for forming a plurality of image data read by the reader unit 100 on both sides of one sheet will be described.
[0026]
The sheet on which the image is fixed on one side by the fixing unit 207 is guided to the paths 215 and 218 by the direction switching members 209 and 217 held at the positions indicated by the solid lines, and is conveyed to the reversing path 212.
[0027]
When the direction switching member 213 is switched after the trailing edge of the sheet has passed and the rotation direction of the roller 211 is reversed, the sheet surface is reversed, conveyed to the receiving paper stacking section 210, and subsequently sent to the photoconductor 202.
[0028]
When the next original is prepared on the platen glass 102, the original is read in the same manner as in the above-described process. However, since the sheet is supplied from the transfer paper stacking unit 210, an image can be formed on both sides of the same sheet.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of the sheet post-processing apparatus 400.
[0029]
In this embodiment, in addition to the sorting operation for sorting the sheets, the staple function by the staple unit 420, the function of half-folding the sheet by the sheet folding unit 430, and the staple unit 420 and the sheet folding unit 430 allow the sheet central part to be moved. It has a saddle stitch function for binding and folding.
In addition, the sheet post-processing apparatus 400 includes a trimmer unit 500 that receives the sheet bundle after the saddle stitch operation and cuts the sheet bundle so as to cut and align the end face facing the binding.
[0030]
After the sheet received by the sheet receiving unit 401 is detected by the entrance sensor 403, the sheet is discharged onto the intermediate tray 410 by the conveyance roller 405 and the sheet discharge roller 407.
[0031]
The discharged sheet is returned to the stopper 412 by the paddle 409. The bundle discharge sensor 415 detects the sheets stacked on the intermediate tray 410.
[0032]
On the intermediate tray 410, the near-side alignment member 413 and the back-side alignment member 414 perform an alignment operation for aligning the ends of the sheets.
The aligned sheet bundle is bound by the staple unit 420. Thereafter, the bundle roller 411 descends (to the state shown by the broken line in the figure) to hold the sheet bundle.
[0033]
The bundle roller 411 and the bundle discharge belt 417 push the rear end of the sheet bundle to discharge the sheet bundle onto the sheet tray 421.
When the saddle stitch operation (the operation of binding and folding the center portion of the sheet) is performed, the sheet conveyed from the sheet receiving unit 401 by the receiving conveyance roller 405 and the sheet discharge roller 407 is placed on the intermediate tray 410 by the paddle 409 and the near-side alignment member When the sheets are aligned by the rear alignment member 413 and the rear alignment member 414, the bundle roller 411 descends (to the position indicated by the broken line in the drawing) and holds the sheet bundle.
[0034]
The stopper 412 is retracted, and the sheet bundle is conveyed by the bundle roller 411 in the lower right direction in the figure.
[0035]
After the leading end of the sheet bundle is detected by the saddle binding position sensor 425, when the central portion in the transport direction of the sheet bundle moves to the staple portion, the bundle roller 411 stops rotating, and the staple unit 420 binds the sheet bundle.
[0036]
Thereafter, the saddle roller 423 moves down (to the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 2).
[0037]
Subsequently, the bundle roller 411 moves up (returns) to the position indicated by the solid line.
[0038]
Next, the saddle roller 423 rotates to convey the sheet bundle to the folding position along the dashed line in FIG.
[0039]
When the central portion of the sheet reaches the pushing plate 427, the saddle roller 423 stops.
[0040]
The pushing plate 427 is connected to the folding roller 431 by a link (not shown), and pushes the sheet bundle into the roller nip in synchronization with the rotation of the folding roller 431 to perform a folding operation.
[0041]
The sheet bundle half-folded in this manner is conveyed to the trimmer unit 500 via the folding conveyance roller 433 and the path 435.
[0042]
Reference numeral 641 denotes a sheet bundle tray for stacking and storing sheet bundles after saddle stitching and sheet bundle cutting. Reference numeral 643 denotes a waste box for storing chips after cutting the sheet.
[0043]
FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 are views showing each state of the sheet bundle by the saddle stitch operation.
[0044]
The sheets received from the sheet receiving unit 401 and aligned on the intermediate tray 410 form a sheet bundle as shown in FIG.
[0045]
FIG. 4 shows a state in which the center of the sheet bundle conveyed by the bundle roller 411 is stapled by the stapler unit 420.
[0046]
FIG. 5 shows a state in which the central portion of the sheet bundle is folded by the folding unit 430. The vicinity of the center of the bound bundle protrudes as compared to the cover side.
[0047]
Therefore, FIG. 6 shows a state where the end face is cut by the trimmer unit 500 for trimming.
[0048]
The structure and operation flow of the trimmer unit 500 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The rotary blade 501 cuts the end face of the sheet bundle together with the fixed blade 503 attached to the guide 502. When the sheet bundle arrives, the sensor lever 506 is pressed, and the lower flag is detected by the entrance sensor 504 (1801).
[0049]
The support shaft 505 of the rotary blade 501 is fixed to the moving table 507.
[0050]
The moving table 507 can move in the depth direction of the drawing along the belt 511 and the guide rails 513 and 515.
[0051]
The rotating member 543 and the pressing member 535 are connected by a crank arm 541. Reference numeral 547 denotes a sensor flag integrated with the rotating member 543.
[0052]
The pressing position at which the bundle pressing member 531 presses the sheet bundle is detected by the pressing position sensor 551, and the upper retreat position is detected by the retreat position sensor 549.
The rotating member 543 is driven to rotate by a bundle pressing motor 545.
The carriage unit 560 moves along the guide rail 589 to convey the sheet bundle (1802).
[0053]
The pinion gear 591 meshes with the rack 593 to move the carriage unit 560 in the left-right direction in the figure.
[0054]
The reference position of the carriage unit 560 is determined by the carriage home position sensor 558.
[0055]
After the conveyance by the carriage unit 560, the binding side end of the sheet bundle is abutted against the shutter 601 (1803-Y).
[0056]
The shutter 601 can move up and down in the figure along the guide member 607.
[0057]
A lead nut 615 is fixed to the shutter base 606, and moves the shutter base 606 in the left-right direction in the figure by the rotation of the lead screw 613.
[0058]
Reference numeral 701 denotes a mechanism for removing the deflection of the sheet bundle.
The rotating member 705 is driven by a bundle pressing motor 703 that drives the rotating member 705.
[0059]
The bundle pressing member 711 presses the sheet bundle by the pressing member 707 via the spring 710, and smoothes the sheet bundle.
[0060]
The upper limit of the bundle holding member 711 is detected by the upper limit position sensor 714, and the lower limit position is detected by the lower limit position sensor 713 by the sensor flag 712 integrated with the pressing member 707 and the rotating member 705 connected by the crank arm 706.
[0061]
The sheet bundle after the saddle stitching is discharged from the upper right of the guide 502 in FIG. 7 via the path 435 (shown in FIG. 2). At this time, the rotary blade 501 has been retracted to the near side in the figure by the moving table 507.
[0062]
Further, the mechanism 701 for removing the deflection is also retracted to the detection position of the upper limit position sensor 714.
[0063]
The carriage unit 560 waits at the home position (reference position), and the discharged sheet bundle is detected by the entrance sensor 504 and is guided on the guide 502 by the conveyance rollers in the carriage unit 560.
[0064]
When the binding side of the sheet bundle collides with the shutter 601 waiting at the home position from the left in the figure, the conveyance roller in the carriage unit 560 is stopped, and the nip of the roller is also released (1804).
[0065]
Thereafter, the lead screw 613 is rotated to start moving the shutter 601 to the right in the drawing, and the sheet bundle is moved to a cutting position where the side facing the binding side of the sheet bundle comes to the right side in the drawing from the fixed blade 503 (1805). ).
[0066]
When the movement is completed, the sheet bundle is nipped again by the transport rollers in the carriage unit (1806).
[0067]
Then, the bundle holding motor 703 is driven to push down the bundle holding member 711 until the lower limit position sensor 713 detects it.
[0068]
At this time, since the upper side of the crank arm 706 descends with the upper side inclined to the left in the drawing, the pressing member 707 is also pressed against the sheet bundle from the spine side to the cutting surface side, and the deflection of the sheet bundle is changed to the cutting surface side. It is corrected by being disturbed (1807).
[0069]
Next, the bundle pressing motor 545 is driven, the bundle pressing member 531 is lowered until the pressing position sensor 551 detects the sensor flag 547, and the sheet bundle is pressed (1808).
[0070]
Thereafter, while moving the movable table 507, the rotating blade 501 and the fixed blade 503 cut and align the end face of the sheet bundle facing the binding side (1809).
[0071]
When the cutting is completed, the bundle holding member 531 is raised to the detection position of the retreat position sensor 549 and retracted (1810).
[0072]
Next, the shutter 601 is lowered, the transport rollers in the carriage unit 560 are nipped again, and the bundle discharge rollers 653 also start rotating.
[0073]
Subsequently, the carriage unit 560 starts moving in the left direction in the figure, and further, the conveying rollers in the carriage unit 560 are rotated to convey the sheet bundle to the left side in the figure, and the binding side is gripped by the discharge roller 651, and the sheet bundle is moved. The sheet is discharged to the tray 641 (1811).
[0074]
When the discharge sensor 661 detects that the discharge of the sheet bundle has been completed, the shutter 601 is raised, and the shutter base 606 is returned to the home position.
[0075]
Further, the transport rollers in the carriage unit 560 are stopped, and the carriage unit 560 is returned to the reference position on the right side in the figure (1812). If the designated processing is not completed, the carriage returns to the top (1813-N). -Y) Terminate the operation.
[0076]
FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are enlarged views of the cutter part of the trimmer unit 500. FIG.
[0077]
The moving table 507 is supported by an upper support shaft 513 and a lower support shaft 515.
[0078]
An encoder disc 523 is attached to the axis of the cutter motor 521 that moves the rotary blade 501, and the relative position of the movable base 507 with respect to the detection (reference) position of the cutter home position sensor 527 is always identified.
[0079]
The movable table 507 waits at the home position on the left side in the figure, moves rightward in the figure by the cutter motor 521 when cutting the sheet bundle, and cuts the end face of the sheet bundle by the rotary blade 501 and the fixed blade 503.
[0080]
10 and 11 are enlarged views of the carriage unit 560.
[0081]
The upper transport roller 561 is supported by the separating member 565, and the lower transport roller 563 is supported by the housing of the carriage unit 560.
[0082]
Reference numerals 567, 568, 569, and 570 denote springs mounted between the housing of the carriage unit 560 and the separation member 565. ing.
[0083]
Reference numeral 575 denotes a separation solenoid which functions to pull the separation member 565 upward in the drawing.
The upper transport roller 561 and the lower transport roller 563 are driven to rotate by a transport motor 577.
Reference numerals 585, 586, 587, and 588 denote rollers for placing the carriage unit 560 on the guide rail.
[0084]
The carriage motor 595 rotates the pinion gears 591 and 592 to move the carriage unit 560 left and right.
[0085]
FIG. 12 shows the operation of the shutter unit.
[0086]
The shutter 601 is normally at a position protruding from the guide 502 as shown in FIG. 12, but when the shutter is retracted, it retracts in the direction of the black arrow in FIG.
[0087]
Further, the shutter 601 can be moved in the direction of the white arrow in the drawing by the movement of the shutter base 606.
[0088]
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a retracting mechanism of the shutter 601.
[0089]
The shutter 601 is guided by a guide member 607, and can be moved vertically by a shutter U / D solenoid 604.
[0090]
The shutter 601 is retracted when the shutter U / D solenoid 604 is energized, and is pushed up when the shutter U / D solenoid 604 is not energized.
[0091]
615 and 617 are lead nuts attached to the shutter base 606, and 611 and 613 are lead screws for moving the shutter base 606 in combination with the lead nuts 615 and 617, respectively.
[0092]
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a mechanism for moving the shutter base 606.
[0093]
Reference numeral 627 denotes a shutter moving motor which rotationally drives the lead screw 613 via gears 625 and 627.
[0094]
The rotation of the lead screws 611 and 613 causes the shutter 601 to move vertically in the figure.
FIG. 15 is an electrical block diagram of the sheet post-processing apparatus embodying the present invention.
[0095]
A sheet processing command from the copying machine 1500 is received via the interface controller 1502 and analyzed by the CPU 1501. The status of the sheet post-processing apparatus is also returned to the copying machine 1500 via the interface controller 1502.
The CPU 1501 executes a control program stored in the ROM 1503 and controls each unit.
[0096]
Also, a RAM 1504 is used as a working memory required for control.
An input / output port (I / O) 1517 is connected to an entrance sensor 504 and sensor outputs such as an upper limit sensor and a lower limit sensor 716 and 717 of the deflection removing mechanism, and can be read out almost in real time.
[0097]
Based on the state of each of these sensors, an actuator such as a transport motor 577 and a cutter motor 521 connected to an input / output port (I / O) is controlled according to a program stored in the ROM 1503.
[0098]
The EEPROM 1505 is a non-volatile memory for storing information unique to the apparatus, such as saddle stitching and the number of times the cutter has been operated.
[0099]
【The invention's effect】
When performing sheet cutting processing in the trimmer unit, the sheet is conveyed to a predetermined position before cutting, and before releasing the nip of the conveying rollers in the carriage unit, the sheet is cut from the spine side to By gradually applying pressure toward, the deflection can be removed, and the displacement due to the deflection after cutting is eliminated.
As a result, the displacement of the cut surface after cutting is eliminated, and the quality can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a copying machine provided with a sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a sheet post-processing apparatus 400.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state of a sheet and a sheet bundle in a saddle stitch operation.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state of a sheet and a sheet bundle in a saddle stitch operation.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state of a sheet and a sheet bundle in a saddle stitch operation.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where a sheet bundle is cut.
FIG. 7 is a view showing the structure of a trimmer unit 500.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a cutter section of the trimmer unit 500.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a cutter section of the trimmer unit 500.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the carriage unit 560.
FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the carriage unit 560.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a shutter unit.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a retracting mechanism of a shutter 601.
14 is a diagram illustrating a mechanism for moving a shutter base 606. FIG.
FIG. 15 is an electrical block diagram of a sheet post-processing apparatus embodying the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a state of a sheet and a sheet bundle when deflection occurs.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a state of a sheet and a sheet bundle when deflection occurs.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an operation flow of the sheet post-processing apparatus embodying the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 Reader unit 200 Printer unit 204 Sheet (paper) cassette 205 Sheet (paper) cassette 300 Automatic document feeder (ADF)
400 Sheet post-processing device 410 Intermediate tray 420 Staple unit 430 Sheet folding unit 500 Trimmer unit 501 Rotating blade 503 Fixed blade 560 Carriage unit 601 Shutter 604 Shutter U / D solenoid 606 Shutter base 701 Deflection removing mechanism 707 Pressing member 711 Sheet bundle pressing member 1501 CPU
1503 ROM

Claims (4)

Sheet stacking means for stacking sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus;
Folding means for folding the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking means into two,
A sheet pressing means for pressing the sheet bundle folded in half by the folding means from a direction perpendicular to the sheet surface,
A sheet post-processing apparatus, comprising: a cutting unit that cuts the folded sheet bundle; and a pallet correction unit that corrects the pallet of the sheet bundle. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thinning corrector squeezes the sheet bundle from the vicinity of the folded portion in a facing direction. 3. The sheet correcting device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet correcting unit presses the sheet bundle in a direction perpendicular to a sheet surface in a direction in which the sheet bundle is skewed and in an opening direction opposed to the vertex direction. 4. The sheet post-processing device according to 1. The sheet post-processing apparatus, wherein the cutting unit cuts the sheet bundle after the thinning operation by the thinning unit.

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