JP2005206383A - Sheet post-processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable saddle stitching in addition to edge stitching, and to prevent a device from being enlarged and complicated. <P>SOLUTION: The sheet post-processor comprises a sheet carrying passage making a distal end of a sheet carried from an image forming portion temporary face downward and then upward, and leading the sheet to an aligning tray so as to make a rear end of the carrying sheet downward; the aligning tray portion for edge stitching and saddle stitching aligning the sheets led through the sheet carrying passage with one end edge used as a reference, while making tip ends of the sheets face in a vertical direction; a edge stitching staple means disposed on a lower end side of the aligning tray portion and stapling the one side edges of the plurality of the sheets disposed on the aligning tray; and a saddle stitching staple means disposed above the edge stitching staple means of the aligning tray portion, having a projecting portion for projecting out staples and a bending portion for bending the staples, and stapling the center portions of the plurality of the aligned sheets. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus used in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer, and relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus that performs a stapling process for binding a plurality of sheets on which an image is formed. It is.

JP-A-4-361095 JP-A-6-72064

In recent years, in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer, a document to be copied or printed is simply a predetermined number of original images on a paper of a predetermined size due to diversification and efficiency of office processing. In addition to copying and printing, it is also required to perform a so-called stapling process in which a plurality of sheets of paper on which an image of a document is copied or printed are bound one by one. At this time, when binding sheets on which the image of the document is copied or printed, the predetermined number of sheets are stacked in alignment with each other, and along one edge of the stacked predetermined number of sheets, A so-called “end binding” in which a plurality of (generally, two) bindings are performed at a predetermined interval, or corners of a predetermined number of stacked sheets are inclined at 45 degrees, or these are stacked. So-called “saddle stitching” is performed in which a plurality of (generally, two) places are bound at predetermined intervals along a center line that bisects a predetermined number of sheets.
Conventionally, as a technique related to a sheet post-processing apparatus used for an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer capable of performing “saddle stitching” and “saddle stitching” of this type, for example, Those disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 361095 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-72064 have been proposed. Both of the sheet post-processing devices disclosed in JP-A-4-361095, JP-A-6-72064, and the like are sheet post-processing devices that can perform edge binding and saddle stitching of sheets. And saddle stitching is performed using a common stapler.

  More specifically, the bookbinding apparatus according to the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-361095 includes a placing unit capable of placing the discharge sheet of the image forming apparatus on a predetermined placing surface, and a predetermined sheet of the placing means. A conveying means for carrying a plurality of sheets stacked on top of each other and carrying them on the placement surface, and a carrying means for carrying out a stack of the stacked sheets from the placement means, and a sheet conveyance track surface of the conveyance means including the predetermined placement surface A needle striking portion and a needle receiving portion opposed to each other with a pinch interposed therebetween, and means for binding a plurality of sheets by bending the tip portion of the needle driven into the sheet bundle from the needle striking portion by the needle receiving portion; A rear end support means that abuts against the rear end edge of the sheet and supports the rear end edge portion, and is configured to provide a moving means for moving the rear end support means in the direction of the abutment. It is.

  Among the recording apparatuses according to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-72064, the recording apparatus according to claim 1 is a stack tray that is provided with an inclination for stacking recorded sheets, and the progress of the sheets on the stack tray. A sheet discharge device that conveys and discharges the sheet so that the direction is upward, a first position that is the uppermost position near the lower portion of the sheet discharge device, and a second position that moves downward along the stack tray surface A paper stack reference member capable of taking a position, a driving portion for driving one side of stapled staples into the paper across the stack tray surface provided adjacent to the first position, and driving into the paper on the other side A stapler configured to bend the staples so that the paper can move between them, and the paper on the stack tray above the stack tray. Those configured to have a conveying device for conveying discharged.

  Further, among the recording apparatuses according to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-72064, the recording apparatus according to claim 4 is a recording apparatus capable of performing the side stitching and the saddle stitching with the stapler of the recorded paper, and is ejected from the recording apparatus. Controls the first transport path for guiding and transporting the paper directly to the paper discharge unit, the second transport path for guiding and transporting the paper discharged from the recording apparatus to the binding position by the stapler, and the relative position of the stapler and the paper A sheet position regulating device that performs saddle stitching or side stitching, a third conveyance path for guiding and conveying the sheet from the binding position to the paper discharge unit, and at least a sheet provided in the third conveyance path. The folding device is configured to include a folding device that can be selectively folded in half, and a fourth transport path that guides and transports the paper from the folding device to the paper discharge unit.

  However, the conventional technique has the following problems. That is, in the case of the said prior art, it has the following problems. That is, in the case of the sheet post-processing apparatus disclosed in the above-mentioned JP-A-4-361095, JP-A-6-72064, etc., when performing saddle stitching on the sheet, two sheets from the middle are used. In order to fold it into a booklet, the number of sheets that can be saddle-stitched is 40 pages when binding even about 10 sheets, and there is no problem in actual use, and the binding position and angle are also along the center line of the paper A straight angle (0 °) along a straight line may be used with two-point binding.

  However, when performing edge binding on a sheet, it may be necessary to bind more than 50 sheets depending on circumstances, and the position and angle at which the sheet is bound are also two-point binding along one edge of the sheet. In addition to the straight angle (0 °) along the straight line, it may be necessary to bind the corner of the paper diagonally (45 °) at one location, and the stapler specifications required for edge binding and saddle stitching. The binding angle is different.

  On the other hand, in the case of the sheet post-processing apparatus disclosed in the above Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 4-361095 and 6-72064, both end binding and saddle stitching are performed by one stapler. It is configured. Therefore, the number of sheets to be bound is large, and the binding angle is two-point binding along one edge of the sheet. In addition to the straight angle (0 °) along the straight line, only one corner of the sheet is slanted. The stapler needs to be configured in a large size to match the edge binding that may need to be bound at (45 °), or the large stapler may be moved along a straight edge along one edge of the paper. , It is necessary to move it to a position inclined at an angle (45 °) with respect to the paper angle, and it is necessary to use a large moving mechanism of the stapler. It had the problem of becoming negative on the surface.

  In addition, in the case of the sheet post-processing apparatus disclosed in the above Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 4-361095 and 6-72064, both end binding and saddle stitching are configured to be performed by one stapler. Therefore, even for a user who only needs edge binding, saddle stitching is inevitably possible, and thus there is a problem that the user's need for only edge binding cannot be met.

  Further, in the case of the sheet post-processing apparatus disclosed in the above Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 4-361095 and 6-72064, a tray for discharging the sheets subjected to the end binding and the saddle stitching are performed. Since the tray that discharges the paper is the same, paper with edge binding and paper with saddle stitching are mixed on a single tray, and the operability of the paper after post-processing is poor. Had.

  Furthermore, in the case of the sheet post-processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-361095, when the saddle stitching is performed on the paper, folding for folding the saddle-stitched paper into two is performed. There is also a problem that the apparatus is not equipped and the user himself has to fold the paper by hand, which is inconvenient.

  In the case of the sheet post-processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-72064, a folding device for folding the saddle-stitched paper into two is provided, but assists folding of a knife or the like. There is no mechanism for this, and there is a problem in that folding accuracy is poor because the paper is buckled and folded by using the buckling of the paper.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and the first object of the present invention is that, in addition to edge stitching, saddle stitching is possible. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus that can reduce the cost without increasing the size and complexity of the sheet.

  Further, the second object of the present invention is not only to be able to perform saddle stitching in addition to edge stitching, but also to users who only need edge stitching. It is to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus.

  Further, a third object of the present invention is to improve the operability of the post-processed sheet by discharging the sheet subjected to the end binding and the sheet subjected to the saddle stitching to different trays. An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus that can perform the above-described processing.

  Still further, a fourth object of the present invention is provided with a half-folding means for automatically folding the saddle-stitched sheet into two when performing saddle stitching on the sheet, An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus capable of folding a saddle stitched sheet into two automatically and accurately.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 1 is configured to align a plurality of sheets on which an image conveyed from an image forming unit is formed with reference to one end edge, and align these sheets. In the sheet post-processing apparatus for binding one end edge or the center portion of each of the end edge or the center portion,
A sheet transport path that guides the sheet to the alignment tray unit so that the sheet transported from the image forming unit is directed downward once and then further upward, and the rear end of the transport sheet is down,
An alignment tray portion for edge binding and saddle stitching, which aligns the sheet guided through the sheet conveyance path with the one end edge as a reference in a state where the front and rear ends thereof are directed in the vertical direction;
An end binding stapler that is disposed on the lower end side of the alignment tray portion and binds one end edge of a plurality of sheets disposed on the alignment tray portion;
The alignment tray portion is disposed above the end binding staple means, and has a protruding portion for protruding the staple needle and a bending portion for bending the staple needle, and binding the central portion of the aligned sheets. A stapling means for binding,
In the sheet post-processing apparatus, the folding unit is provided in a space between the sheet conveyance path and the alignment tray unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first discharge unit that discharges a bundle of sheets bound by the end binding staple unit to a first stacking tray on one side of the apparatus;
A center folding means for folding a bundle of sheets bound by the saddle stitching staple means;
And a second discharge unit that discharges a bundle of sheets folded by the middle folding unit to a second stacking tray on one side of the apparatus and below the first discharge unit. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1.

  Furthermore, the invention according to claim 3 is the sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion is rotatable with respect to the bent portion around a fulcrum.

  Still further, the invention according to claim 4 is the sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bent portion is movable so as to appear and disappear with respect to the protruding portion. .

Furthermore, invention of Claim 5 has a holder for the said bending part,
5. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the bent portion is swingably supported by the holder.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the sheet conveyed from the image forming unit has its leading edge once directed downward, and further directed upward, so that the trailing edge of the conveyed sheet faces downward. A sheet conveying path for guiding the sheet to the alignment tray section, and an alignment for edge binding and saddle stitching that aligns the sheet guided through the sheet conveying path with the one end edge as a reference with the leading and trailing edges thereof directed in the vertical direction. A tray unit, an end-binding staple unit which is disposed on a lower end side of the alignment tray unit and binds one end edge of a plurality of sheets disposed on the alignment tray unit; and the end-binding staple of the alignment tray unit A staple for saddle stitching, which is disposed above the means and has a projecting portion for projecting the staple needle and a folding portion for folding the staple needle, and binds the central portions of the aligned sheets. And the folding portion is provided in a space between the sheet conveyance path and the alignment tray portion, so that the stapling means for end binding and the stapling means for saddle stitching are separately provided. In addition to edge stitching, it is possible to perform saddle stitching as well as end stitching staple means and saddle stitching staple means according to the functions required for each staple means. Well, as in the case where one stapling means is used for edge binding and saddle stitching, the sheet moving means and the stapling means moving means become complicated, without causing an increase in size and complexity of the apparatus, In addition, the cost can be reduced.
In addition, according to the present invention, since the bent portion is provided in the space between the sheet conveying path and the alignment tray portion, a dedicated space is not required, and the entire apparatus can be made compact. Has an effect.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first discharge unit that discharges the bundle of sheets bound by the end binding staple unit to the first stacking tray on one side of the apparatus; A center folding means for folding a bundle of sheets bound by the stapling means for binding, and a sheet bundle folded by the center folding means on one side of the apparatus, the second being below the first discharge means. Since the second discharge means for discharging to the stacking tray is provided, the post-processed sheet is discharged by discharging the end-stitched sheet and the saddle-stitched sheet to different trays. It is possible to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus that can improve the operability of the sheet.

  Furthermore, according to the invention described in claim 3, since the projecting portion is rotatable with respect to the bent portion around a fulcrum, it is of course possible to perform saddle stitching in addition to edge stitching. In addition, it is possible to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus that can easily cope with a user who only needs edge binding.

  Furthermore, the invention according to claim 5 has a holder for the bent portion, and the bent portion is swingably supported by the holder, so that the apparatus can be miniaturized.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a digital color copying machine having a printer function as an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body of the digital color copying machine, and an ImageInputTerminal (hereinafter referred to as “IIT”) 3 for reading an image of the document 2 is provided at the upper end portion of the digital color copying machine main body 1. Has been placed. The IIT 3 illuminates the image of the document 2 placed on the platen glass 4 with the light source 6 in a state where the document 2 placed on the platen glass 4 is pressed by the platen cover 5. The reflected light image is scanned and exposed to the CCD sensor 10 via the first and second scanning mirrors 7 and 8 and the imaging lens 9, and the color sensor reflected light image of the document 2 is given a predetermined dot density by the CCD sensor 10. (For example, 16 dots / mm).

  The color material reflected light image of the document 2 read by the IIT 3 is sent to the image processing unit 12 as document reflectance data of three colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) (each 8 bits), for example. The image processing unit 12 performs predetermined image processing such as shading correction, position shift correction, brightness / color space conversion, gamma correction, frame deletion, color / moving editing, etc., on the reflectance data of the document 2. Applied. The image processing unit 12 also performs predetermined image processing on image data sent from a host computer (not shown) via a communication line.

  The image data that has been subjected to the predetermined image processing by the image processing unit 12 as described above is an original of three colors of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) (each 8 bits). It is converted into color material gradation data, and is output as a color image by an ImageOutputTerminal (hereinafter referred to as “IOT”) 13 configured as follows. The image data that has been subjected to the predetermined image processing by the image processing unit 12 is black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) (8 bits each), original color material gradation. The data is converted to data and sent to a RasterOutputScanner (hereinafter referred to as “ROS”) 15 of the IOT 13, and the ROS 15 performs image exposure with laser light in accordance with the original color material gradation data.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ROS 15 modulates the semiconductor laser 16 according to the original color material gradation data, and emits a laser beam LB from the semiconductor laser 16 according to the gradation data. The laser beam LB emitted from the semiconductor laser 16 is deflected and scanned by the rotary polygon mirror 17 and scanned and exposed on the photosensitive drum 20 via the reflection mirror 18.

  The photosensitive drum 20 on which the laser beam LB is scanned and exposed by the ROS 15 is driven to rotate at a predetermined speed in the direction of the arrow by a driving means (not shown). The surface of the photosensitive drum 20 is charged in advance by a charging corotron 21 to a predetermined potential, and then a laser beam LB is scanned and exposed in accordance with the original color material gradation data to form an electrostatic latent image. . The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 20 includes four color developing devices 22K, 22Y, 22M, and 22C of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). The images are sequentially developed by the rotary developing device 22 and become a toner image of a predetermined color.

  The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 20 is sequentially transferred onto the transfer sheet 24 held on the transfer drum 23 disposed adjacent to the photosensitive drum 20 by charging of the transfer corotron 25. . As shown in FIG. 2, the transfer paper 24 is fed by a paper feed roll 31 from any of a plurality of paper feed cassettes 28, 29, 30 accommodated in the lower part of the copying machine main body 1, or Paper can also be fed from a manual feed tray 38 disposed on the side surface outside the copying machine main body 1, and the fed transfer paper 24 is placed on the surface of the transfer drum 23 at a predetermined timing by a transport roller 32 and a registration roller 33. Respectively. The transfer sheet 24 is held on the surface of the transfer drum 23 while being electrostatically attracted to the surface of the transfer drum 23 by charging of the transfer corotron 25 that also serves as a charger for electrostatic attraction. From the manual feed tray 38, a transparent OHP sheet for an overhead projector can be fed in addition to a non-standard transfer sheet such as a postcard, and an image can be formed on the OHP sheet or the like. ing.

  Further, the transfer sheet 24 onto which the toner image of a predetermined number of colors has been transferred from the photosensitive drum 20 is peeled off from the surface of the transfer drum 23 by charge removal of the peeling corotron 34 and then conveyed to the fixing device 35. The toner image is fixed on the transfer paper 24 by heat and pressure by the fixing device 35 and discharged to the outside of the copying machine main body 1 to complete the one-sided color image forming process.

  On the other hand, in the case of forming a double-sided color image in the above digital color copying machine, the transfer sheet 24 on which the color image is formed on one side is not directly discharged to the outside, but the transfer on which the color image is formed on one side. The paper 24 is transported to the paper reversing path 48 by the transport direction switching member 47, and is temporarily stored in the intermediate tray 49 with the front and back sides of the transfer paper 24 reversed, and the transfer paper 24 with the front and back reversed is transferred again. A color image is formed on both the front and back surfaces of the transfer paper 24 by being conveyed onto the drum 23.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 37 denotes a static elimination corotron pair for neutralizing the transfer drum 23.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an image forming portion of the multiple transfer type digital color copying machine.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 20 denotes the photosensitive drum, and a transfer drum 23 as a transfer material carrier is disposed so as to be in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 20 through a minute gap. The transfer drum 23 is driven to rotate at the same speed as the peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum 20 by a drive mechanism (not shown). As shown in FIG. 4, the transfer drum 23 includes a pair of ring members 40 and 40 as annular members disposed at both ends in the axial direction, and connecting members that connect the ring members 40 and 40 to each other. A drum-shaped frame having a tie bar plate 41, and fixing a circumferential end edge 42a of a transfer film 42 made of a dielectric film such as polyethylene terephthalate or polyvinylidene fluoride to the tie bar plate 41; Both end portions are wound around the frame body along the outer peripheral surface of the ring members 40, 40, and the rear end edge portion 42b in the circumferential direction of the transfer film 42 is fixed to the tie bar plate 41 and formed into a hollow cylindrical shape. Yes.

  As described above, the transfer sheet 24 is supplied to the transfer drum 23 from any of the plurality of paper feed cassettes 28, 29, and 30, and the transfer sheet 24 is charged by suction from the back side of the transfer drum 23. It is charged by the transfer corotron 25 that also serves as a container, and is electrostatically attracted onto the transfer film 42 of the transfer drum 23. On the transfer sheet 24 adsorbed on the transfer drum 23, black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) toner images sequentially formed on the photosensitive drum 20 are transferred. Transfer is sequentially performed by charging of the corotron 25.

  Then, the transfer paper 24 onto which the toner image of a predetermined number of colors has been transferred from the photosensitive drum 20 is neutralized by the peeling corotron 34 and, as shown in FIG. 3, from the surface of the transfer drum 23 by the peeling device 44. After being peeled off, the toner image is conveyed to the fixing device 35 via the conveyance guide 45, and the toner image is fixed on the transfer paper 24 by heat and pressure by the fixing roller 35a and the pressure roller 35b of the fixing device 35, and the fuser outlet roll By 46, the sheet is discharged to a sheet post-processing apparatus described later.

  By the way, in the digital color copying machine configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, a plurality of sheets made of transfer paper or the like on which an image is formed by the digital color copying machine has one end edge. A sheet post-processing apparatus is used in combination, which performs post-processing that aligns with respect to a reference and performs post-processing by binding one end edge of the aligned sheets or the central portion of the sheet by the stapling means.

  The sheet post-processing apparatus according to this embodiment is disposed on one end side of the alignment tray member, and an alignment tray member on which a plurality of sheets on which images have been formed are aligned in alignment with respect to one end edge. A staple means for binding end edges of the sheets of the plurality of sheets arranged on the alignment tray member, and a plurality of staple means arranged in the middle portion of the alignment tray member and aligned by the sheet alignment tray member A staple unit for saddle stitching that binds the central portion of the sheets and a plurality of sheets aligned by the alignment tray member are bundled so that the central portion is positioned at the staple means for saddle stitching. Sheet moving means for moving; and sheet discharging means for discharging a bundle of sheets bound by the staple means for end binding or staple means for saddle stitching; It is configured to include.

  Further, the sheet post-processing apparatus according to this embodiment includes a pair of half-folding rolls arranged so that the center part of the bundle of sheets whose center part is bound by the saddle stitching stapling means face each other. The sheet is moved to the center, and a knife-like half-folding member is press-fitted into the center of the bundle of sheets, and two pairs of sheets bound at the center are rotated by rotationally driving the pair of half-folding rolls. It is comprised so that the middle folding means to bend in may be provided.

  Further, the sheet post-processing apparatus according to this embodiment includes an end-binding sheet discharge unit that discharges a bundle of sheets bound by the end-binding staple unit, and an output by the end-binding sheet discharge unit. End-stitched sheet storage means for storing a bundle of sheets to be stacked, a saddle-stitched sheet discharging means for discharging a bundle of sheets bound by the saddle-stitching staple means, and the saddle-stitching And a sheet storage means for saddle stitching that discharges a bundle of sheets bound by the staple means.

  Furthermore, the sheet post-processing apparatus according to this embodiment is configured to include a moving mechanism that enables the end binding stapler to move the sheet along one edge.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention. In FIGS. 1 and 2, since the direction of viewing the apparatus is the reverse direction, the paper discharge or introduction direction is reversed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet post-processing apparatus has a sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50 formed in a vertically long rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50 on the digital color copying machine main body 1 side. On the side surface, a sheet introduction port 52 for introducing a sheet 51 such as transfer paper 24 discharged from the paper discharge unit of the digital color copying machine main body 1 is opened. Further, inside the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50, guide members 54 and 55 for guiding the sheet 51 introduced from the sheet introduction port 52 onto an alignment tray 53 as an alignment tray member have an inverted S-shape. It is arranged so as to be curved. A plurality of conveyance roller pairs 56 to 59 each including a driving roller and a driven roller for conveying the sheet 51 are provided at both end portions and intermediate portions of the guide members 54 and 55.

  In the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50, a plurality of sheets 51 sequentially conveyed by the guide members 54 and 55 and the conveying roller pairs 56 to 59 are aligned with respect to the lower edge. An alignment tray 53 to be placed is provided. The alignment tray 53 is attached to the inside of the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50 in a slightly inclined state with respect to the vertical direction so that the lower end portion thereof is positioned in the vicinity of the outlets of the guide members 54 and 55. As shown in FIG. 1, the alignment tray 53 includes a straight portion 53a arranged linearly on the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50, and a curved portion 53b attached in a curved state to the front end side of the straight portion 53a. The tray is divided into two members. A guide plate 60a is linearly arranged on the rear end side of the linear portion 53a of the alignment tray 53 so as to face the linear portion 53a with a predetermined interval, and the curved portion 53b. The guide plate 60b is arranged in a curved state so as to face the curved portion 53b with a predetermined interval.

  And the sheet | seat 51 conveyed by the said guide members 54 and 55 and the conveyance roller pairs 56-59 was arrange | positioned in the state inclined by the conveyance roller pair 59 provided in the exit part of the said guide members 54 and 55 concerned. It is discharged onto the alignment tray 53. At that time, the sheet 51 transported by the pair of transport rolls 59 is placed by its own weight on the alignment tray 53 attached in an inclined state, and the direction orthogonal to the transport direction is the left and right tampers described later. As shown in FIG. 1, the same direction as the conveying direction by 61 and 62 is aligned by the weight of the sheet 51 and the paddle 63, and the lower edge of the sheet 51 is provided at the lower end of the alignment tray 53. It stops in a state where it is in contact with the reference fence 64. As a result, the sheets 51 sequentially conveyed by the conveyance roll pair 59 are sequentially stacked on the alignment tray 53 with one end edge aligned by the reference fence 64. Note that the front end portion of the reference fence 64 is folded back toward the front side in order to reliably prevent the sheet 51 placed on the alignment tray 53 from dropping off.

  The reference fence 64 can be retracted by rotating downward, and can be moved in parallel along the straight line portion 53 a of the alignment tray 53. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, three reference fences 64 are attached along the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft 65, and the rotating shaft 65 is configured so that the reference fence 64 is parallel to the alignment tray 53. A slide member 66 for movement is pivotally supported via a bearing 67. An arm member 69 having a shaft portion 68 for rotating the reference fence 64 is fixed to an intermediate portion of the rotating shaft 65. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the shaft portion 68 of the arm member 69 is loosely inserted into a U-shaped groove portion 69 a provided in the rotation member 69, and the rotation member 69 is connected to the drive motor 70. The gear part 72 which meshes with the gear 71 rotationally driven by is provided. And the said reference fence 64 rotates the rotation member 69 by rotationally driving the drive motor 70, and via the shaft part 68 loosely inserted in the U-shaped groove part 69a of this rotation member 69, For example, it can be rotated downward over an angle of, for example, 100 degrees.

  Further, the slide member 66 to which the reference fence 64 is rotatably attached is slidably attached to the two rods 90 disposed along the alignment tray 53 as shown in FIGS. In addition, it can be moved to a predetermined position along the alignment tray 53 by a drive wire that is stretched between pulleys (not shown) that are respectively supported by the drive shaft 91 and the driven shaft 92. The drive motor 70 for rotating the reference fence 64 is attached to the slide member 66 and can move together with the slide member 66. In FIG. 5, 93 indicates a drive motor for rotationally driving the drive shaft 91, and 94 in FIG. 6 indicates a notch portion provided in the alignment tray 53 for passing the reference fence 64. Yes.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the sheet 51 placed on the alignment tray 53 is arranged on the linear portion 53 a of the alignment tray 53 in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. The left and right tampers 61 and 62 are provided. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the left tamper 61 is slidably attached to two rods 95 and 96 disposed in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the sheet 51. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the lower ends of the left and right tampers 61 and 62 slide on three sliding guide rails 97, 98 and 99 that are installed in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheet 51. It is free. The left and right tampers 61 and 62 are provided with rack gears 100 and 101 arranged along the moving direction, and the two rack gears 100 and 101 are provided on the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50 side. Two pinion gears 102 and 103 that mesh with each other are attached. The two pinion gears 102 and 103 mesh with a drive gear 105 attached to a drive shaft of a drive motor 104 attached to the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50 side. The two pinion gears 102 and 103 have built-in electromagnetic clutches (not shown), and the two pinion gears 102 and 103 can be selectively rotated by these electromagnetic clutches. Yes. When both of the electromagnetic clutches are in the ON state, the two pinion gears 102 and 103 are both rotationally driven by the drive gear 105 of the drive motor 104 and meshed with these two pinion gears 102 and 103 2 The two rack gears 100 and 101 are moved, and the left and right tampers 61 and 62 to which the two rack gears 102 and 103 are respectively attached are moved at the same time, and the bundle of sheets 51 placed on the alignment tray 53 is moved. The alignment tray 53 is aligned with the central portion.

  On the other hand, when only the electromagnetic clutch attached to the pinion gear 102 is turned on and the electromagnetic clutch attached to the other pinion gear 103 is turned off, only the left tamper 61 is driven and placed on the alignment tray 53. The bundle of sheets 51 thus formed is aligned with reference to the end portion on the one end side (right side in the drawing) of the alignment tray 53.

  Furthermore, the sheet post-processing apparatus binds to the lower end portion of the alignment tray 53 as an end binding staple means for binding the lower end edge of the bundle of sheets 51 aligned on the alignment tray 53. A stapler 106 is disposed so as to be movable along the lower edge of the sheet 51.

  The moving mechanism 73 for moving the end binding stapler 106 includes a guide rail 74 for guiding the end binding stapler 106 in parallel along the edge of the sheet 51 as shown in FIG. The rail 74 is an A4 size sheet 61 having a straight line portion 74a corresponding to the length in the longitudinal direction thereof, and inclined portions 74b respectively connected to the both ends of the straight line portion 74a so as to be inclined at 45 degrees. doing. The guide rail 74 travels in a state in which two guide rollers 75 and 76 provided along the moving direction at the upper end portion of the end binding stapler 106 are fitted in the guide rail 74. Yes. Therefore, the trajectory along which the end binding stapler 106 moves is defined by the shape of the guide rail 74. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 11, the guide rail 74 is screwed in a state of being fitted in a recess 78 provided in the guide plate 77, and the guide plate 77 is shown in FIG. And as shown in FIG. 10, the guide roller attached to the upper end part of the end binding stapler 106 rotatably in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the end binding stapler 106, one on one side and one on the opposite side. 79, 79, and 80 run. As a result, the position of the end binding stapler 106 in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction is regulated by the two guide rollers 75 and 76 that run in the guide rail 74, and the position in the vertical direction moves on the guide plate 77. It is configured to move in a state regulated by the three guide rollers 79, 79, 80 that travel, and the plane on which the end binding stapler 106 moves is the same as the sheet 51 placed on the alignment tray 53. A flat surface is formed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the guide plate 77 to which the guide rail 74 is attached is fixed at a constant interval via a bush 82 by an attachment substrate 81 fixedly arranged in an inclined state on the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50. In order to maintain the above, screws 83 are fixed at a plurality of locations. The attachment substrate 81 is rotatably attached with five driven pulleys 85 that circulate and support a drive belt 84 for moving the end binding stapler 106. As shown in FIG. 11, the drive belt 84 is wound around five driven pulleys 85, and a part 84 a thereof is connected and fixed to the end binding stapler 106. Of the five driven pulleys 85, the central driven pulley 85a is supported so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the end binding stapler 106, and is always fixed to the drive belt 84 by a spring (not shown). It is biased to apply tension.

  Further, among the five driven pulleys 85, the driven pulley 85b at one end portion is connected to a driving pulley 87 that is rotationally driven by a driving motor 86, as shown in FIG. Is hung around. The drive belt 84 can be reciprocated by an arbitrary amount in an arbitrary direction by rotationally driving the drive motor 86, and the end binding stapler 106 connected to the drive belt 84 is moved. Is. The driven pulley 85 and the drive belt 84 are disposed between the guide plate 77 and the mounting substrate 81.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the end binding stapler 106 driven by the driving belt 84 includes a position detection member 107 attached to the stapler 106 and a reference position sensor provided on the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50 side. The reference position is detected by detecting at 108, and the moving position is controlled by controlling the amount of rotation of the drive motor 86 that drives the drive belt 84 thereafter.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 11, the stapler 106 for end binding is attached in a state of being fixed to the stapler 106, and the staples of the stapler accommodated in the stapler 106 are protruded so as to be stacked. A fixed portion 109 that penetrates the sheet 51 and bends the tip of the needle so as to face each other by a die of the movable portion 110, and rotates around a fulcrum so as to contact the fixed portion 109. And a movable part 110 that bends the tip of the needle so as to face each other by a die. The movable portion 109 of the end binding stapler 106 can be rotated about a fulcrum so as to abut against the fixed portion 110 via a plurality of gears 112 that are rotationally driven by a drive motor 111. Yes. Further, the end binding stapler 106 moves so that the fixed portion 110 and the movable portion 109 face each other via the end edge portion of the sheet 51 after the reference fence 64 is retracted. At that time, as shown in FIG. 1, the end binding stapler 106 is attached to the guide rail 74 and the guide plate 77 so that the fixing portion 110 of the end binding stapler 106 and the surface of the sheet 51 are parallel to each other. ing.

  Note that a flat plate-like pressing member 146 for pressing the sheet 51 placed on the straight line portion 53a from above is in a direction in which the flat plate-like pressing member 146 comes in contact with and separates from the straight line portion 53a. It is movably mounted on.

  The sheet post-processing apparatus is disposed at an intermediate portion of the alignment tray member, and is attached to a position where a stapler for saddle stitching that binds the central portion of a plurality of sheets aligned by the alignment tray member is fixed. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the saddle stitch stapler 113 as the saddle stitch stapler is disposed at an intermediate portion of the alignment tray 53, and with respect to the sheet 51 conveyed along the alignment tray 53. The stapling process is performed not at the end of the sheet 51 but at an intermediate position when the sheet 51 is folded in two at the center. Two saddle-stitching staplers 113 are arranged at predetermined intervals with the left and right tampers 61 and 62 as a reference with respect to the central portion in the width direction of the alignment tray 53.

  As shown in FIG. 1R>, the saddle-stitching stapler 113 is attached to the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50 in a movable state, and a plurality of stacked staplers are protruded by protruding staples contained therein. A movable portion 115 that passes through the sheet 51 and bends the tip of the needle so as to face each other by the die of the fixed portion 114, and is fixed so as to contact the movable portion 115. It is comprised from the fixing | fixed part 114 which bends the front-end | tip part of a needle | hook so that it may mutually face. The movable portion 115 of the saddle stitch stapler 113 can be rotated so as to contact the fixed portion 114 around a fulcrum through a plurality of gears 117 that are rotationally driven by a drive motor 116. Yes. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the fixing portion 114 of the saddle stitch stapler 113 is integrally attached to a holder 118, and the holder 118 is slidably attached to the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50. Is supported so as to be movable in the direction of appearing and retracting, and is attached by a compression spring 120 so as to oppose the pressing force of the movable portion 115. Further, the die 121 of the fixed portion 114 can be slightly swung by the rotating shaft 122 so that the movable portion 115 always comes into contact with the movable portion 115 even when the thickness of the bundle of sheets 51 is different. It has become.

  Further, the sheet post-processing apparatus moves the central portion of a bundle of sheets, the central portion of which is bound by the saddle stitching stapling means, to the central portion of a pair of half-folding rolls arranged to face each other. A half-folding means that presses a knife-like half-fold member into the center portion of the bundle of sheets and folds the bundle of sheets bound at the center portion into two by rotationally driving the pair of half-fold rollers. It has.

  The center folding means 130 includes a folding knife 131 and a folding roll 132. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the folding knife 131 is mounted on the sheet post-apparatus main body 50 so as to be able to appear and retract in a direction perpendicular to the bundle of sheets 51 aligned on the alignment tray 53. As shown in FIG. 15, the retracting mechanism 133 for retracting the folding knife 131 includes a casing 134 formed in an elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a holding member 135 to which the folding knife 131 is attached is provided in the casing 134. It is mounted to move up and down. The knife holding member 135 is attached to a sliding rod 136 attached at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction of the casing 134 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The two knife holding members 135 are connected to each other by a connecting rod 137, and a relatively long first crank member 138 is rotatably inserted into the connecting rod 137. In addition, a relatively short second crank member 139 is rotated at the other end of the first crank member 138 via a rod portion 140 provided integrally with the second crank member 139. It is inserted freely. Further, the other end portion of the second crank member 139 is inserted in a state of being fixed to the drive shaft 142 via a D-cut portion 141 for preventing rotation. A driven gear 143 having a large diameter is fixed to the drive shaft 142, and the driven gear 143 is engaged with a drive gear 145 attached to the drive shaft of a geared drive motor 144. ing.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the projecting mechanism 123 is engaged with the drive gear 145 via the drive gear 145 attached to the drive shaft of the drive motor 144 by rotating the drive motor 144. The driven gear 143 is rotationally driven, and the drive shaft 142 to which the driven gear 143 is attached is rotationally driven. Then, the second crank member 139 attached to the drive shaft 142 rotates, and the first crank member 138 connected to the second crank member 139 also rotates. Then, as the first crank member 138 rotates, the connecting rod 137 connected to one end of the first crank member 138 moves and moves along the up-down direction. The knife holding member 135 connected to the rod 137 also moves up and down together. As a result, the folding knife 131 attached to the knife holding member 135 is also moved with a large stroke in the direction of protruding from the casing 134. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 14, a guide member 166 that guides the front end portion of the folding knife 131 in a fitted state is provided at the front end portion of the folding knife 131 in the most protruding state. . As shown in FIG. 1414, the guide member 166 includes a slit 167 into which the tip of the folding knife 131 is fitted, and a tapered portion that guides the tip of the folding knife 131 at the upper end of the slit 167. 168 is provided.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the folding roll 132 is configured to rotationally drive a pair of rolls 132a and 132b having the same diameter in high pressure, and one roll 132b is the other roll. It is disposed so as to be pressed against 132a, and is movable in a direction in which the other roll 132a is brought into contact with and separated from.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the center folding unit 130 includes a pair of center folding rolls 132 arranged so that the center part of the bundle of sheets 51 whose center part is bound by the stapler 113 for saddle stitching is opposed to each other. The central folding knife 131 is press-fitted into the central portion of the bundle of sheets 51 and the pair of central folding rolls 132 are driven to rotate, whereby the bundle of sheets 51 bound at the central portion is moved. It is designed to be folded in two.

  Further, the sheet post-processing apparatus includes a sheet discharge unit that discharges a bundle of sheets bound by the end binding staple unit or the saddle stitch staple unit.

  That is, in the sheet post-processing apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1, an injection roll 147 is disposed at the exit portion of the curved portion 53b of the alignment tray 53, and this injection roll 147 is rotated by a driving means (not shown). It is designed to be driven. Also, the sheet 51 laminated with the injection roll 147 is held above the injection roll 147 and after the end binding stapling process is completed, the sheet 51 is transferred from the sheet discharge port 148 to the sheet. A pinch roll 150 to be conveyed is placed on an end binding stacking tray 149 provided outside the post-processing apparatus main body 50. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 17, the end binding stacking tray 149 is attached to the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50 while being inclined upward. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 16, the pinch roll 150 is rotatably attached to the distal end portion of a mounting plate 151 made of a leaf spring. The mounting plate 151 is centered on a rotating shaft 152. It is pivotally mounted. As shown in FIG. 16, an arm member 153 for rotating the mounting plate 151 is attached to one end of the rotating shaft 152, and the arm member 153 is rotationally driven by a drive motor 154. And the eccentric roller 156 attached to the position eccentric with respect to the rotating shaft 155 of the said drive motor 154 contact | abuts. Further, a slit plate 158 provided with slits 158a over a predetermined angle is attached to the rotating shaft 155 of the drive motor 154, and the slits 158a of the slit plate 158 are arranged at positions facing each other by 180 degrees. The two sensors 159 and 160 are detected. When the drive motor 154 is rotationally driven, the mounting plate 151 causes the eccentric roller 156 that is rotationally driven by the drive motor 154 to push down the arm member 153 and rotate the rotary shaft 152 to which the arm member 153 is attached. Accordingly, the pinch roll 150 holds the sheet 51 together with the inject roll 147. At that time, the moving amount and moving timing of the pinch roll 150 are controlled by the slit plate 158 and the sensors 159 and 160.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 161 denotes an end binding attached to the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50 in a state in which it is tilted upward below the end binding stacking tray 149 in the same manner as the end binding stacking tray 149. An auxiliary tray is shown.

  Further, the sheet post-processing apparatus includes a saddle-stitching stacking tray 163 that discharges a bundle of sheets 51 that have been saddle-stitched by the saddle-stitching stapler 113 and that has been center-folded by the center-folding means 130 from the sheet discharge port 162. However, it is attached to the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50 so as to be inclined downward. Thus, since the saddle stitching stacking tray 163 is attached to the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50 in a state of being inclined downward, the saddle stitched sheets discharged to the saddle stitching stacking tray 163 are attached. The bundle of 51 is pressed against each other by its own weight, and can hold the folded state.

  Further, a discharge roll 164 and a guide member 165 for discharging the bundle of sheets 51 folded in a saddle stitch are provided between the middle folding roll 132 and the sheet discharge port 162. It has been.

  In the above configuration, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to this embodiment, it is possible to perform saddle stitching in addition to edge stitching as follows, and without causing the apparatus to be enlarged or complicated. In addition, cost reduction is possible. Further, the sheet post-processing apparatus according to this embodiment is provided with a center folding means for automatically folding the saddle-stitched sheet into two when performing saddle stitching on the sheet. The bound sheets can be folded into two automatically and accurately. Furthermore, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to this embodiment, the operability of the post-processed sheet is also improved by discharging the end-stitched sheet and the saddle-stitched sheet to different trays. It is possible.

  That is, in the digital color copying machine combined with the sheet post-processing apparatus, when a series of image information is input to the image processing unit 12, as shown in FIG. Based on this, toner images of each color of cyan, yellow, magenta, and black are sequentially formed on the photosensitive drum 20, and the toner images of each color formed on the photosensitive drum 20 are held on the transfer drum 23. The images are sequentially transferred onto the transfer paper 24 in a multiple manner. The transfer paper 24 onto which these toner images have been transferred is fixed by the fixing device 35 with heat and pressure. Then, the sheet 51 made of the transfer paper 24 and the like onto which the toner image has been transferred is discharged from the digital color copying machine with the paper reverse path 48 shown in FIG. The sheet is sent to a sheet post-processing apparatus arranged continuously with the paper discharge unit of the digital color copying machine.

  In this sheet post-processing apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1, a sheet 51 made of transfer paper 24 and the like discharged from a digital color copying machine is conveyed from an introduction port 52 of the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50 by conveying roll pairs 56 to 59. Introduced inside. The sheet 51 introduced into the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50 is conveyed onto the alignment tray 53 by a plurality of pairs of conveying rolls 56 to 59 along the guide members 54 and 55 and is inclined by its own weight. The slide is slid on the alignment tray 53 arranged in the above state, and is placed on the alignment tray 53 in a state where the lower end edge is in contact with the reference fence 64. At that time, the sheet 51 conveyed while being placed on the alignment tray 64 is aligned with its lower end edge in contact with the reference fence 64 by its own weight and the conveying force of the rubber paddle 63. In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction is based on one end portion in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction when performing end binding, and when performing saddle stitching, With the center portion in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction as a reference, the layers are sequentially stacked and placed on the alignment tray 53 while being aligned by the tampers 61 and 62.

  Next, the stack of sheets 51 aligned on the alignment tray 53 is aligned on the alignment tray 53 by the pressing member 146 when the lower end edge is subjected to the stapling process. Pressed up.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the drive motor 70 is rotated to rotate the reference fence 64 downward, and the reference fence 64 is moved from the movement path of the end stapler 106. Evacuate. In this state, as shown in FIGS. 1, 10, and 18, by driving a drive motor 86 that moves the end binding stapler 106 and moving the drive belt 84, the end binding stapler 106 is moved. Move to a predetermined position. At this time, when the corners of the sheet 51 are bound obliquely, the end binding stapler 106 is stopped at the position shown in FIG. 18 and the stapling process is performed by the end binding stapler 106.

  Further, in order to apply the end binding stapling process to the other position of the bundle of sheets 51, the drive motor 86 is rotationally driven to move the end binding stapler 106 as shown in FIG. An end binding stapler is performed by a stapler 106 for end binding at a predetermined position.

  In order to discharge the bundle of sheets 51 subjected to the end-stapling process, after the reference fence 64 is rotated to the original position, the pressing state by the pressing member 146 is released, and the reference fence 64 is released. Is moved upward along the straight line portion 53 a of the alignment tray 53 so that the upper end portion of the bundle of sheets 51 comes to the position of the injection roll 147. In this state, the pinch roll 150 is rotated by the mechanism shown in FIGS. 1 and 16, and the upper end portion of the bundle of sheets 51 moved so as to reach the position of the injection roll 147 is clamped together with the injection roll 147. Thereafter, by rotating the injection roll 147, the bundle of sheets 51 subjected to the end binding stapling process is fed from the sheet discharge port 148 provided on the side surface of the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50 for end binding. Are discharged onto the loading tray 149.

  On the other hand, when the center portion along the transport direction is saddle stitched with respect to the bundle of sheets 51 aligned on the alignment tray 53, the center of the bundle of sheets 51 aligned on the alignment tray 53 is used. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the reference fence 64 is moved in parallel with the alignment tray 53 by a predetermined amount so that the portion is located at the staple position of the saddle stitch stapler 113. In this state, as shown in FIG. 1, the drive motor 116 that drives the stapler 113 for saddle stitching is driven to perform saddle stitching.

  Thereafter, the bundle of sheets 51 subjected to the saddle stitching stapling process by the saddle stitching stapler 113 is moved slightly upward by the reference fence 64, and the bundle of sheets 51 subjected to the saddle stitching staple process. Is moved so as to be located at the center of the center folding roll 132 of the saddle stitching means 130.

  In this state, as shown in FIG. 14, the half-folding means 130 has a pair of sheets arranged so that the central part of the bundle of sheets 51 whose central part is bound by the stapler 113 for saddle stitching is opposed to each other. The sheet in which the center part is bound is moved by moving to the center part of the center folding roll 132, press-fitting the center folding knife 131 into the center part of the bundle of sheets 51, and rotationally driving the pair of center folding rolls 132. A bundle of 51 is folded into two.

  Then, the bundle of sheets 51 folded in the middle by the half-folding means 130 is conveyed along the guide member 165 by the middle folding roll 132 and the discharge roll 164, and subjected to the saddle stitch stapling process and the middle folding. A bundle of sheets 51 is discharged from a sheet discharge port 162 provided on a side surface of the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50 onto a stacking tray 163 for saddle stitching.

  As described above, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, the alignment tray 53 on which a plurality of sheets 51 on which images are formed are aligned in a state of being aligned with respect to one end edge, and the alignment tray 53 An end binding stapler 106 that is disposed on one end side and binds one end edge of the plurality of sheets 51 disposed on the alignment tray 53 and an intermediate portion of the alignment tray 53, and is aligned by the alignment tray 53. The stapler 113 for saddle stitching, which binds the central portion of the plurality of sheets 51, and the plurality of sheets 51 aligned by the alignment tray 53, the central portion of which is positioned on the stapler 113 for saddle stitching. A reference fence 64 that also functions as a sheet moving means for moving a bundle of sheets 51, and the stapler 106 for saddle stitching or the saddle stitching. Since the sheet roll 51 includes an inject roll 147, a pinch roll 150, and a discharge roll 164 that discharge the bundle of sheets 51 bound by the stapler 113, the end stapler 106 and the middle A stapling stapler 113 is provided separately, and not only the end binding but also the saddle stitching can be performed, and the stapler 106 for saddle stitching and the stapler 113 for saddle stitching are required for each stapler 106, 113. The sheet moving means and the stapling means are complicated as in the case where one stapling means is used for the end binding and the saddle stitching. There is no increase in size or complexity, and the cost can be reduced.

  In the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, a pair of middle folds are arranged so that the central part of the bundle of sheets 51 whose central part is bound by the saddle stitch stapler 113 is opposed to each other. The sheet is moved to the center of the roll 132, the center folding knife 131 is press-fitted into the center of the bundle of sheets 51, and the pair of center folding rolls 132 are driven to rotate, whereby the center 51 is bound. Since the folding device 130 is configured to bend the bundle into two, when the sheet 51 is subjected to saddle stitching, the saddle stitched sheet 51 is automatically Moreover, it can be folded into two with high accuracy.

  Further, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, an inject roll 147 and a pinch roll 150 serving as an end binding sheet discharge unit that discharges a bundle of sheets 51 bound by the end stapler 106, A stacking sheet 149 for end binding that stores a stack of sheets 51 discharged by the inject roll 147 and the pinch roll 150 in a stacked state, and a stack of sheets 51 bound by the stapler 113 for saddle stitching are discharged. A discharge roll 164 as a sheet discharge unit for binding and a stacking tray 163 for saddle stitching that discharges a bundle of sheets 51 bound by the stapler 113 for saddle stitching are separately provided. Therefore, the sheet 51 subjected to the end binding and the sheet 51 subjected to the saddle stitching are By discharged to the stack tray 149 or the stacking tray 163 becomes, it becomes possible to also improve the operability of the sheet 51 after workup.

Embodiment 2
FIG. 19 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals, and the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described below. The saddle stitching processing unit comprising the saddle stitching means and the saddle folding means is integrated into a unit, and the saddle stitching processing unit is detachably attached to the apparatus main body.

  That is, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, the saddle stitching stapler 113 and the saddle folding means 130 are integrally unitized. The saddle stitching unit 170 can be detached from a user who does not use the stapler for saddle stitching. In this way, by configuring the saddle stitching unit 170 including the saddle stitching stapler 113 and the saddle folding means 130 to be detachable, not only a user who uses the saddle stitching stapler 113 and the like, but also a saddle stitching unit for saddle stitching. Even for users who do not use the stapler 113 or the like, the sheet post-processing apparatus 50 can be shared, and the manufacturing cost of the apparatus can be reduced by that much.

  Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the sheet conveyed from the image forming unit is directed once downward at the leading edge and then directed upward, and the trailing edge of the conveying sheet is A sheet conveying path that guides the sheet to the alignment tray section, and an end binding and a middle that align the sheet guided through the sheet conveying path with a leading edge in a vertical direction and a one-side edge as a reference An aligning tray unit for binding, an end binding staple unit that is disposed on a lower end side of the aligning tray unit, and binds one end edge of a plurality of sheets disposed on the aligning tray unit, and the aligning tray unit A saddle stitch which is disposed above the end binding staple means and has a projecting portion for projecting the staple needle and a folding portion for folding the previous staple, and binds the center portions of the aligned sheets. Stapling means, and the folding portion is provided in a space between the sheet conveying path and the aligning tray portion, so that the stapling means for end binding and the stapling means for saddle stitching are provided. In addition to edge stitching, it is possible to perform saddle stitching as well as end stitching staple means and saddle stitching staple means according to the functions required for each staple means. What is necessary is just to design, as in the case where one stapling means is used for end binding and saddle stitching, the sheet moving means and stapling means moving means become complicated, leading to an increase in size and complexity of the apparatus. In addition, the cost can be reduced.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the bent portion is provided in the space between the sheet conveying path and the alignment tray portion, a dedicated space is not required and the entire apparatus can be made compact. Has an effect.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a sheet post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a digital color copying machine as an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an image forming unit of the digital color copying machine. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the transfer drum. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram showing a mechanism for moving the reference fence. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a mechanism for moving the reference fence. FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a mechanism for rotating the reference fence. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram showing a mechanism for moving the tamper. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a mechanism for moving the tamper. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a moving mechanism for moving the stapler for end binding. FIGS. 11A and 11B are configuration diagrams showing the main parts of a moving mechanism for moving the stapler for end binding. FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram showing a main part of a moving mechanism for moving the stapler for end binding. FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing a fixing portion of a stapler for saddle stitching. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the center folding means. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the center folding means. FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram showing a mechanism for moving the pinch roll. FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram illustrating a sheet stacking tray. FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram showing a state in which the end binding stapler is moved. FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a sheet post-processing apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

50: Sheet post-processing apparatus main body, 51: Sheet, 53: Alignment tray, 64: Reference fence, 106: Stapler for end binding, 113: Stapler for saddle stitching, 147: Inject roll, 150: Pinch roll, 164: Discharge roll, 149: stacking tray for end binding, 163: stacking tray for saddle stitching.

Claims (5)

A sheet post-processing apparatus that aligns a plurality of sheets on which an image conveyed from an image forming unit is formed with reference to one end edge, and binds one end edge or center portion of the aligned sheets to end binding or saddle stitching, respectively. In
A sheet transport path that guides the sheet to the alignment tray unit so that the sheet transported from the image forming unit is directed downward once and then further upward, and the rear end of the transport sheet is down,
An alignment tray portion for edge binding and saddle stitching, which aligns the sheet guided through the sheet conveyance path with the one end edge as a reference in a state where the front and rear ends thereof are directed in the vertical direction;
An end binding stapler that is disposed on the lower end side of the alignment tray portion and binds one end edge of a plurality of sheets disposed on the alignment tray portion;
The alignment tray portion is disposed above the end binding staple means, and has a protruding portion for protruding the staple needle and a bending portion for bending the staple needle, and binding the central portion of the aligned sheets. A stapling means for binding,
The sheet post-processing apparatus, wherein the folding portion is provided in a space between the sheet conveyance path and the alignment tray portion. First discharge means for discharging a bundle of sheets bound by the end binding staple means to a first stacking tray on one side of the apparatus;
A center folding means for folding a bundle of sheets bound by the saddle stitching staple means;
And a second discharge unit that discharges a bundle of sheets folded by the middle folding unit to a second stacking tray on one side of the apparatus and below the first discharge unit. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion is rotatable with respect to the bent portion around a fulcrum.   The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bent portion is movable so as to appear and disappear with respect to the protruding portion. A holder for the bent portion;
The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the bent portion is swingably supported by the holder.

Images