JP2006023544A - Image formation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To cause a paper sheet to be discharged without interrupting print processing of an image forming apparatus on the occurrence of an abnormality in the succeeding post processing device in a image forming system constituted by connecting a plurality of the post processing device to the image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming system comprises the image forming apparatus A, the first post processing device FS 1 connected to the paper sheet discharging section side of the image forming apparatus A, and the second post processing device FS 2 connected to the paper sheet discharging section side of the first post processing device FS 1. A recess 200 for receiving the discharged paper housing the paper sheet S which is processed and is discharged by the first post processing device FS 1 is formed on the exterior covering body of the second post processing device FS 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system including a plurality of post-processing devices that perform various post-processing on a sheet on which an image has been formed by an image forming device.

  Conventionally, copiers, printers, facsimiles, and complex machines serving as image forming apparatuses are equipped with post-processing machines having functions for performing post-processing such as punching, binding, and folding of paper after image formation. An image forming system that can be used is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228707. In the case of such an image forming system, various post-processing functions can be executed by one post-processing machine.

The image forming apparatus and the paper discharge control method described in Patent Document 2 determine whether or not a paper discharge abnormality has occurred with respect to a designated paper discharge bin among the paper discharge bins based on the result of the state confirmation process. When a discharge error has occurred in the specified output bin, it searches for an available output bin in other output bins, and can be used in place of the specified output bin. If there is, the found paper discharge bin is selected as a paper discharge destination, and the paper is discharged onto the selected paper discharge bin.
JP 2002-128384 A JP-A-11-352848

  In the image forming system disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the post-processing device abnormality detection unit detects a shortage of consumable members during post-processing such as punching processing, binding processing, and folding processing, or post-processing. When trouble such as paper conveyance failure of the device is detected, the image forming apparatus temporarily suspends the printing process, replenishes consumables, and checks and repairs the abnormal part. Post-processing must be resumed. For this reason, it takes a recovery time until the start of processing and must be on standby.

  In the image forming apparatus and the paper discharge control method disclosed in Patent Document 2, when a paper discharge abnormality or stack over occurs in a paper discharge option device having a stack function, the paper discharge destination is simply switched.

  In general, when a paper discharge abnormality or stack over occurs in a post-processing device that is performing post-processing functions such as punching, folding, and binding processing, the image forming apparatus interrupts the printing process once and trouble-free processing Since the image forming process has to be resumed after performing the above, the printer operation rate decreases.

  When printers used in a network environment run out of consumables such as paper and binding needles, or when abnormalities such as paper transport failure occur, until the cause is removed, print requests from this personal computer The image forming process cannot be recovered, and the image forming process by a print request from another personal computer cannot be performed. Since it takes time to eliminate these causes, the printer operating rate is lowered.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, and the image forming apparatus interrupts the printing process even when a post-processing apparatus that is performing post-processing such as punching, folding, and binding processes has failed. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system capable of discharging to another replaceable discharge tray.

  The above object is achieved by the following image forming system of the present invention.

  The image forming system according to claim 1 is connected to the image forming apparatus, the first post-processing apparatus connected to the paper discharge unit side of the image forming apparatus, and the paper discharge unit side of the first post-processing apparatus. And a second post-processing apparatus, wherein the second post-processing apparatus has an exterior housing for storing sheets processed and discharged by the first post-processing apparatus. A recess for receiving a paper is formed.

  The image forming system according to claim 2 is connected to the image forming apparatus, the first post-processing apparatus connected to the paper discharge unit side of the image forming apparatus, and the paper discharge unit side of the first post-processing apparatus. In the image forming system including the second post-processing device and the post-processing control unit, when it is detected that an abnormality has occurred in the second post-processing device, the post-processing control unit Control is performed to switch the paper conveyance path, and the paper that is processed and discharged by the first post-processing device is accommodated in a concave portion for paper discharge formed in the upper part of the exterior body of the second post-processing device. It is characterized by this.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming system according to the first aspect, wherein the first post-processing device has at least a middle fold, a Z fold, a three fold, and a four fold on the sheet discharged from the image forming device. It has a function of performing one process selected from the folding and punching processes.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming system according to the first aspect, wherein the second post-processing apparatus has a bookbinding function for performing each process of half-folding, saddle stitching, and small edge cutting. It is.

  The image forming system according to claim 5 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 1, the second post-processing apparatus has a bookbinding function for performing each process of flat binding and gluing bookbinding.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the image forming system according to the first aspect is characterized in that the second post-processing apparatus is a large-capacity stacker capable of stacking a large amount of sheets.

  The following effects can be obtained by the image forming system of the present invention.

  According to the image forming system of the first aspect, when the paper stored in the paper discharge tray of the second post-processing device becomes full or the processing function of the second post-processing device is defective. In the case of occurrence, the image forming processed paper discharged from the image forming apparatus is passed through the first post-processing apparatus and the exterior body of the second post-processing apparatus without interrupting the print job of the image forming apparatus. It is possible to suppress a reduction in the operating rate of the image forming system by accommodating the sheet receiving recess formed in the upper portion of the image forming apparatus. In particular, it is effective in improving the operation rate of the image forming system when a large number of prints are continuously processed in an unattended environment.

  According to the image forming system of claim 2, when it is detected that an abnormality or the like has occurred in the second post-processing device, the post-processing control unit performs control to switch the paper conveyance path, and performs the second post-processing. By storing the paper processed and discharged by the first post-processing device in the discharge receiving recess formed in the upper part of the exterior body of the apparatus, the print processing of the image forming apparatus and the first post-processing device The post-processing can be executed without interruption. Further, the paper receiving recess can accommodate a sheet of paper on which a trial image is formed, a paper discharged after jam processing, and the like.

  According to an image forming system of a third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the first post-processing device is configured to fold, Z-fold, or tri-fold a sheet of paper discharged from the image forming device. Formed on the upper part of the exterior body of the second post-processing device is a paper that has a function of performing various folding processes such as quad-folding and double-parallel folding, and punching processing, and does not perform post-processing by the second post-processing device. By discharging the sheet into the recess for receiving the sheet discharge, the discharged sheet can be quickly taken out. Further, the paper accommodated in the recess for receiving paper discharge at the upper part of the exterior body of the second post-processing apparatus can be easily taken out and easily taken out.

  According to an image forming system of a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the second post-processing device that receives the paper discharged from the first post-processing device includes half-folding, saddle stitching, and small edge cutting. The weekly magazine-like bookbinding can be made by performing each of the above processes, and discharged from the first post-processing device into the discharge receiving recess formed in the upper part of the exterior body of the second post-processing device. By making it possible to store the discharged paper, the discharged paper can be quickly taken out. In addition, the paper stored in the concave portion for receiving paper discharge at the upper part of the exterior body of the second post-processing device can be easily taken out.

  According to an image forming system of a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the second post-processing device that receives the paper discharged from the first post-processing device is a flat binding or gluing bookbinding process. And the sheet discharged from the first post-processing device is accommodated in the recess for receiving the paper discharge formed in the upper part of the exterior body of the second post-processing device. By making it possible, the discharged paper can be quickly taken out. Further, the paper accommodated in the recess for receiving paper discharge at the upper part of the exterior body of the second post-processing apparatus can be easily taken out and easily taken out.

  According to an image forming system of a sixth aspect, in the first or second aspect, the second post-processing device that receives the paper discharged from the first post-processing device can stack a large amount of paper. By being a large-capacity loader and allowing the paper discharged from the first post-processing device to be accommodated in the recess for receiving paper discharge formed in the upper part of the exterior body of the second post-processing device, The discharged paper can be taken out quickly. In addition, the paper stored in the concave portion for receiving paper discharge at the upper part of the exterior body of the second post-processing device can be easily taken out.

  Next, the post-processing system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Image forming system]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus A, an automatic document feeder DF, a single-leaf folding machine FS1, and a large-capacity paper feeder LT.

The illustrated image forming apparatus A includes an image reading unit 1, an image processing unit 2, an image writing unit 3, an image forming unit 4, a sheet feeding cassette 5A, a first sheet feeding unit 5B, a second sheet feeding unit 5C, and a first sheet feeding unit 5C. A sheet conveyance unit and a fixing device 6 each including a conveyance unit 5D, a second conveyance unit (automatic duplex copy conveyance unit) 5E, and a paper discharge unit 5F are provided. The image forming unit 4 includes a photosensitive drum 4A, a charging unit 4B, a developing unit 4C, a transfer unit 4D, a separating unit 4E, a cleaning unit 4F, and the like.
A single-leaf folding machine FS1 is connected to the paper discharge unit 5F side on the left side of the image forming apparatus A shown in the figure.

  A document d placed on the document table of the automatic document feeder DF is read by the CCD image sensor 1A after an image on one side or both sides of the document d is read by the optical system of the image reading unit 1.

  The analog signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD image sensor 1A is subjected to analog processing, A / D conversion, shading correction, image compression processing, and the like in the image processing unit 2 and then sent to the image writing unit 3.

  In the image writing unit 3, output light from the semiconductor laser is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 4 </ b> A of the image forming unit 4 to form a latent image. In the image forming unit 4, processes such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, separation, and cleaning are performed. The recording paper S fed from the paper feeding cassette 5A and the large capacity paper feeding device LT by the first paper feeding unit 5B is transferred to the recording paper S by the transfer means 4D. The recording sheet S carrying the image is fixed by the fixing device 6 and sent from the paper discharge unit 5F to the single-leaf folding machine FS1. Alternatively, the recording sheet S that has been subjected to single-sided image processing and sent to the second transport unit 5E by the transport path switching plate 5G is again discharged from the paper discharge unit 5F after the double-sided image processing in the image forming unit 4.

  The single-leaf folding machine FS1 connected to the image forming apparatus A is connected to any of the below-described saddle-stitching and saddle stitching machines FS2, flat stitching machines FS3, and large-capacity loading machines FS4. The single-leaf folding machine FS1 connected to the image forming apparatus A is referred to as a first post-processing apparatus, and the half-folding and saddle stitching machine FS2, the flat stitching machine FS3, and the large-capacity loading machine FS4 connected to the single-leaf folding machine FS1 are referred to as the second rear processing apparatus. Collectively referred to as a processing device.

  Note that the post-processing device of the image forming system of the present invention is not limited to the single-leaf folding machine FS1, the middle folding saddle stitching machine FS2, the flat stitching machine FS3, and the large capacity loading machine FS4.

[Large capacity feeder]
The large-capacity paper feeding device LT includes a paper stacking unit 11, a first paper feeding unit 12, and the like. The large-capacity paper feeding device LT stacks and stores a large capacity recording paper S and sends the recording paper S to the image forming apparatus A.

[Single-leaf folding machine]
The single-leaf folding machine FS1 includes a single-leaf carry-in unit 110, a single-leaf carry-out unit 120, a cover sheet paper feeding unit 130, a punching processing unit (punch processing unit) 140, a transport unit 150, and a single-leaf folding processing unit 160.

  The main control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus A and the post-processing control unit 100 of the single-leaf folding machine FS1 are connected by a communication unit 10A and a communication line 10B.

<Single-leaf import section>
FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of the single-leaf folding machine FS1.

  A recording sheet S that has undergone image formation processing is introduced from the image forming apparatus A into the single-leaf carrying-in portion 110.

  The recording paper introduction position of the single-leaf carrying section 110 faces the recording paper discharge position of the paper discharge section 5F of the image forming apparatus A.

  The recording sheet S introduced into the entrance roller 111 is branched to either the single-leaf unloading unit 120 or the punching processing unit 140 by the conveyance path switching unit G11.

<Single leaf export part>
When the punching process and the folding process are not set, the transport path switching unit G11 blocks the transport path to the punching processing unit 140 and opens the transport path to the single-leaf unloading unit 120.

  The recording sheet S passing through the conveyance path r11 toward the single-leaf unloading section 120 is sandwiched between the conveyance rollers 121 and 122 and travels straight, is discharged from the single-leaf unloading section 120 by the paper discharge roller 123, and is stored in the lifting tray 127. Alternatively, the sheet is conveyed to any one of second post-processing apparatuses FS2, FS3, and FS4 described later connected to the single-leaf folding machine FS1.

  The recording sheet S branched upward in the figure on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction of the conveyance roller 122 by the conveyance path switching unit G12 passes through the conveyance roller 125 in the conveyance path r16 and is discharged by the sheet discharge roller 126, and the sub sheet discharge tray. 128. On the sub paper discharge tray 128, the recording paper S on which a test image is formed, the recording paper S discharged after jam processing, and the like are accommodated.

  Alternatively, the recording paper S discharged by the paper discharge roller 126 is used for paper discharge reception formed on the exterior of each of the after-mentioned second post-processing devices FS2, FS3, and FS4 connected to the single-leaf folding machine FS1. Are accommodated in any one of the recesses 200, 300, and 400.

<Cover paper feed unit>
The cover sheet K or the insert sheet stored in the sheet tray 131 of the cover sheet sheet feeding unit 130 is separated and fed by the sheet feeding unit 132, and is conveyed to the conveyance rollers 133, 134, 135, and 136 in the conveyance path r15. It is sandwiched and joined to the conveyance path on the upstream side of the branching portion.

  The paper feed trays 131 of the cover paper feed unit 130 are arranged in two upper and lower stages, and each paper feed tray 131 can accommodate a maximum of 500 cover sheets K or insert sheets.

  Note that it is also possible to carry out the punching process and the folding process offline without loading the cover sheet K, the insert sheet, or the recording sheet S in the cover sheet feeding unit 130 and executing the image recording.

  Hereinafter, the recording paper S, the cover paper K, and the insert paper are collectively referred to as paper S.

<Perforation processing section>
The sheet S branched by the conveyance path switching means G11 of the single-leaf carry-in section 110 is sandwiched between conveyance rollers 141 disposed below the conveyance path switching means G11, passes through the conveyance path r12, and is conveyed to the punching processing section 140. The

  An alignment member 142 is disposed in the conveyance path on the downstream side of the punching processing unit 140 and aligns the sheet width direction of the sheet S before the punching process.

  The punching device of the punching processing unit 140 includes a punch that is driven by a driving means (not shown) and a die that is fitted to the blade portion of the punch (punch mechanism). The perforated paper S is sent to the lower conveyance unit 150.

<Transport section>
The sheet S sent to the conveyance unit 150 is nipped by the conveyance rollers 151, 152, 153, and 154 and conveyed to the single-leaf folding processing unit 160. The conveyance rollers 151, 152, 153, and 154 include a driving roller that is connected to a driving source and a driven roller that is in pressure contact with the driving roller. Each driven roller is connected to the solenoid SD1 and can be brought into contact with or separated from the driving roller.

  Of the small-sized paper S that has been punched, the paper S that is not subjected to the folding process passes through the transport path r13A branched by the transport path switching unit G13, and is sent to the single-leaf folding processing unit 160. The large-sized sheet S that has been punched is transported to a transport path r13B below the branching position of the transport path switching means G13 regardless of whether folding processing is necessary, and transported by transport rollers 153 and 154. 160.

  In addition, a conveyance path switching unit 155 is provided in the conveyance unit 150, and two small-size sheets S are accumulated and conveyed, so that the folding process described later can be performed simultaneously.

  The transport path switching means 155, G11, G12, and G13 are switched and driven by a driving means including a solenoid.

<Folding section>
The sheet S transported from the transport unit 150 to the single-leaf folding processing unit 160 is transported while being sandwiched between the registration rollers 156, and in the first folding unit 161, the second folding unit 162, and the third folding unit 163, for each sheet. Folding processes such as middle folding, Z-folding, three-folding, four-folding, and double parallel folding are performed and returned to the conveyance path r11 via the conveyance path r14.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the paper S after various post-processing.

  FIG. 3A shows a sheet S that has been punched by the punching processing unit 140 and has holes h. FIG. 3B shows the sheet S folded by the first folding unit 161 with the image surface t facing outward. FIG. 3C shows the sheet S that is folded inward by the third folding unit 163 with the image surface t set inward. FIG. 3D shows the sheet S that is Z-folded by the first folding part 161 and the third folding part 163 with the image surface inside. FIG. 3E shows the sheet S that is folded three times by the first folding part 161 and the second folding part 162. FIG. 3 (f) shows the sheet S that is internally folded by the first folding part 161 and the second folding part 162. FIG. 3G shows the paper S that has been double-parallel folded by the first folding unit 161 and the second folding unit 162. FIG. 3 (h) shows the sheet S that has been subjected to four-fold processing by the first folding unit 161, the second folding unit 162, and the third folding unit 163.

[Folding saddle stitcher]
FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a sheet conveying process of the saddle stitching machine FS2, and FIG. 5 is a front view of the saddle stitching machine FS2.

  The sheet S discharged from the image forming apparatus A or other post-processing apparatus and introduced into the entrance of the saddle stitching machine FS2 is sandwiched by the entrance roller 202, and the transport path r21 above the transport path switching means G21 or It is conveyed to one of the lower conveyance paths r22.

  The sheet S branched to the conveyance path r21 is nipped and conveyed by the conveyance rollers 203 to 207, and is conveyed to either the conveyance path r23 above the conveyance path switching unit G22 or the conveyance path r24 below. The transport path switching means G21 and G22 are switched and driven by a driving means comprising a solenoid.

  The sheet S that has traveled to the upper conveyance path r23 is discharged by the sheet discharge roller 208, and is stacked on a sub sheet discharge tray (top tray) 201 as a flat stitch discharge section disposed at the upper part of the half-folding saddle stitcher FS2. The

  The sheet S that has traveled to the lower conveyance path r24 is nipped and conveyed by the conveyance rollers 210 to 213, and is discharged by the discharge roller 214 of the flat stitch discharge unit.

<First right angle deflection transport>
The sheet S conveyed to the conveyance path r22 below the conveyance path switching unit G21 descends substantially vertically, and is temporarily stopped and stored at a predetermined position. At this stop position, the subsequent small number of sheets S are stacked and stored.

<Second right angle deflection conveyance>
The accommodated paper S is deflected and moved in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 5 by transport rollers 215 to 218 and a guide plate (not shown), and passes through the transport path r25 that wraps around the front side inside the saddle stitching machine FS2. Passes with the surface upright and temporarily stops at a predetermined position.

<Third right-angle deflection conveyance>
Next, after the sheet S is conveyed vertically upward by the conveying roller 219, it is deflected in the horizontal direction, and is moved to the back side inside the saddle stitcher FS2 by the conveying belt 220 and the conveying roller 221 (conveying path r26). ).

<Folding process>
A folding processing unit 230 is disposed on the downstream side of the conveyance belt 220 in the sheet conveyance direction. The folding processing unit 230 includes folding rollers 231, 232, 233 and folding plates 234, 235.

  A small number of sheets S that have reached the folding processing unit 230 are sandwiched between folding rollers 231 and 232 that rotate in opposite directions and a folding plate 234 that moves straight, and form a fold a in the sheet width direction at the center in the sheet conveying direction.

  Thereafter, the folding rollers 231 and 232 are rotated in reverse. The sheet S on which the fold a is formed is separated from the folding rollers 231 and 232 and returned to the original horizontal conveyance path. The sheet S is continuously conveyed by the conveyance belt 236 (see FIG. 5) to the conveyance path r27 in the extension line direction of the crease a (the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4) and sent to the saddle stitching processing unit 240.

  In this way, the folding processing unit 230 performs a middle folding process on a small number of sheets S, firmly attaches the folds a, and sequentially feeds them to the saddle stitching processing unit 240, whereby a high-quality booklet with less bulging of the folds. SA can be produced.

<Tri-fold processing>
In the folding processing unit 230, after the leading end of the paper S stops at a position corresponding to two-thirds of the total length of the paper from the position where the folding rollers 231 and 232 face each other, the first folding processing is performed by the folding rollers 231 and 232 and the folding plate 234. The first fold is formed on the paper S.

  After the first crease of the sheet S stops at a position one third of the total length of the sheet from the position where the folding rollers 231 and 232 face each other, the second folding process is performed by the folding rollers 232 and 233 and the folding plate 234. A second fold is formed in S (see FIG. 3F).

  In the folding processing unit 230, the sheet S that has been tri-folded passes through a conveyance path r 28 including a plurality of conveyance rollers 237 and a guide plate, and is discharged to the discharge tray 239 by the discharge rollers 238.

  In the folding processing unit 230, folding processing such as half-folding and three-folding is performed on one or a small number of sheets.

<Saddle stitching>
The sheet S that has undergone the middle folding process in the folding processing unit 230 proceeds in the direction of the conveyance path r27 by the conveyance belt and guide means (not shown), and is placed on the hook member 241 of the saddle stitching processing unit 240. Subsequent half-folded sheets S continue to be stacked on the hook member 241 through the transport path r27.

  The hook member 241 has a convex shape that is substantially perpendicular to the upper side, and the fold line a of the sheet S subjected to the middle folding process is placed on the top edge line.

  The plurality of sheets S placed on the hook member 241 are aligned by the width alignment member 242.

  A needle striking mechanism 243 is fixed above the hook member 241. A needle receiving mechanism 244 is disposed inside the hook member 241 that is supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction.

  Two sets of binding means having a two-part structure comprising a needle-striking mechanism 243 and a needle-receiving mechanism 244 are arranged in the sheet crease direction. When the saddle stitching process is set in the operation unit, the needle receiving mechanism 244 is raised to perform the saddle stitching process. That is, the two sets of binding means strike the binding needles SP at two locations in the center distribution along the fold line a of the sheet bundle on the hook member 241. FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the booklet SA subjected to the center folding process and the saddle stitching process.

<Paper bundle cutting process>
The sheet bundle that has undergone saddle stitching processing in the saddle stitching processing unit 240 is supported by a swingable guide member 251, swung in the direction of the chain line, and placed on the transport belt 252. The sheet bundle is conveyed obliquely downward by the rotation of the conveyance belt 252 and further conveyed by the rotating conveyance belt 253 and stopped at a predetermined position.

  Thereafter, the conveyor belt 253 swings and becomes horizontal. Since the edge (the free end on the opposite side of the fold) of the sheet bundle placed on the transport belt 253 in the horizontal state is uneven depending on the number of sheets in the booklet SA, the sheet is cut by the cutting unit 250. Align the edges.

  The booklet SA produced by the cutting process is placed on the transport belt 253 that rotates in the reverse direction, and is transported in a state where the rear end of the booklet SA is pressed by the paper discharge claw 254 fixed to the transport belt 253. It falls in the direction of the arrow from the tip of the belt 253. The fallen booklet SA is discharged to a paper discharge tray 256 arranged on the outer side of the front side of the saddle-stitched saddle stitcher FS2 by a rotating conveyor belt 255.

  As another mechanism, a stacker that can be pulled out from the saddle-stitching saddle stitcher main body may be provided at the position of the conveyor belt 255, and the booklet SA may be stacked there.

[Flat stitching machine]
FIG. 9 is a front view of the flat stitching machine FS3.

<Side binding function>
The sheet S discharged from the image forming apparatus A or another post-processing apparatus and introduced into the entrance of the flat stitching machine FS3 is placed in either the upper conveyance path r31 or the lower conveyance path r32 of the conveyance path switching unit G31. Be transported. The transport path switching unit G31 is switched and driven by a driving unit including a solenoid.

  The sheet S branched to the conveyance path r31 is nipped and conveyed by the conveyance rollers 303 to 306, is discharged by the discharge roller 307, and is a sub discharge tray as a flat stitch discharge unit disposed on the upper side of the flat stitching machine FS3. It is stacked on the (top tray) 301. On the sub paper discharge tray 301, the paper S on which an image is formed as a trial, the paper S discharged after the jam processing, and the like are stored.

  The paper S branched into the conveyance path r32 is nipped and conveyed by the conveyance rollers 310 and 311, discharged by the registration rollers 312, and sequentially placed on the intermediate stacker 313 arranged in an inclined manner. The sheets S stacked on the intermediate stacker 313 are positioned by sheet trailing edge alignment by the sheet trailing edge abutting member 314 and sheet width alignment by the sheet width alignment member 315, and then are stapled by a stapler (binding device) 316. A binding needle SP is struck at one or two locations in the vicinity of the side edge of the paper S to produce a booklet SA (staple processing). FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the booklet SA that has been stapled.

  The rear end portion of the stapled booklet SA is conveyed obliquely upward on the intermediate stacker 313 by a discharge claw 318 fixed to a rotating discharge belt 317, and is discharged by a discharge roller 319 of a flat stitch discharge portion. It is placed on the main paper discharge tray 302.

[Large capacity loader]
FIG. 10 is a front view of the large capacity loader FS4.

  The sheet S discharged from the image forming apparatus main body A or another post-processing apparatus and introduced into the inlet portion (large-capacity loading / unloading portion) 402 of the large-capacity loader FS4 is nipped by the inlet roller 403 and is transported path switching means. It is transported to either the transport path r41 above G41 or the transport path r42 below. The sheet S branched to the transport path r41 is nipped and transported by the transport rollers 404, and is transported to either the transport path r43 above or the transport path r44 below the transport path switching means G42. The transport path switching means G41 and G42 are switched and driven by a driving means comprising a solenoid.

  The paper S that has traveled to the upper transport path r43 is discharged by the paper discharge roller 406 through the transport roller 405, and is stacked on the sub paper discharge tray (top tray) 401 disposed above the large-capacity stacker FS4. .

  The sheet S that has advanced to the lower conveyance path r44 is nipped and conveyed by the conveyance rollers 407 to 412, discharged to the outside by the paper discharge roller 413, and sent to another post-processing apparatus.

  The sheet S that has entered the conveyance path r42 is nipped and conveyed by the conveyance roller 414, and further, is gripped by a gripper 416 fixed to a belt 415 that rotates at the leading end of the sheet S and proceeds in the left direction in the drawing. .

  In the vicinity of the left end of the belt 415, a paper front end regulating member 417 is waiting. The paper front end regulating member 417 moves to a predetermined position corresponding to the size of the paper S to be introduced and stops, and performs paper front end alignment.

  When the leading edge of the paper S comes into contact with the paper leading edge regulating member 417, the gripper 416 is released, and the paper S falls and is placed on the paper placement table 418.

  The paper placing table 418 is supported by the elevating member 420 and can be raised and lowered. The elevating member 420 is driven by a driving means (not shown) and moves up and down along the guide member 421.

  As the sheets S are sequentially stacked on the sheet mounting table 418, the sheet mounting table 418 and the elevating member 420 are lowered, and the uppermost surface of the stacked sheets S maintains the initial position.

  When taking out the paper S stored in the large capacity loader FS4, the operation unit designates opening of the large capacity loader FS4. With this designation, the driving means lowers the elevating member 420. As the elevating member 420 is lowered, the sheet placing table 418 is also lowered integrally.

  A carriage 422 having wheels 423 is movably disposed below the large-capacity loader FS4. The paper mounting table 418 is mounted in contact with the upper surface of the carriage 422, and the elevating member 420 continues to descend further, and the holding of the paper mounting table 418 is released and stops.

  If the operator opens the front door of the large-capacity loading machine FS4 and manually or electrically pulls the carriage 422 toward the front side, the sheet S loaded on the sheet loading table 418 mounted on the carriage 422 can be easily obtained. It can be taken out.

[Paper ejection from image forming system]
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming system in which the image forming apparatus A and the single-leaf folding machine FS1 are connected to any one of the half-folding saddle stitching machine FS2, the flat stitching machine FS3, and the large-capacity loading machine FS4. is there.

  FIG. 9A illustrates an image forming system in which a single-leaf folding machine FS1 and a saddle-stitching and saddle stitching machine FS2 are connected to the paper discharge unit 5F side of the image forming apparatus A. The sheet S discharged from the single-leaf folding machine FS1 is selected and stored in any of the sub-discharge tray 201, the discharge tray 256, and the discharge receiving recess 200 of the saddle stitching and binding machine FS2.

  FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram of an image forming system in which a flat stitching machine FS3 is arranged instead of the half-folding saddle stitching machine FS2. The paper S discharged from the single-leaf folding machine FS1 is selected and stored in any of the sub paper discharge tray 301, the main paper discharge tray 302, and the paper discharge receiving recess 300 of the flat stitching machine FS3.

  FIG. 9C is a schematic diagram of an image forming system including the image forming apparatus A, the single-leaf folding machine FS1, and the large-capacity loading machine FS4. The sheet S discharged from the single-leaf folding machine FS1 is selected and stored in any one of the sub discharge tray 401, the sheet placing table 418, and the discharge receiving recess 400 of the large capacity stacker FS4.

  In the image forming system according to the present invention, the first post-processing device connected to the image forming apparatus is not limited to the single-leaf folding machine FS1, but the middle folding saddle stitching machine FS2, the flat stitching machine FS3, and the large folding machine. The capacity loader FS4 may be used.

  Further, the second post-processing device connected to the first post-processing device is not limited to the saddle stitching and binding machine FS2, the flat stitching machine FS3, and the large-capacity loading machine FS4. It may be a machine.

[Sheet receiving of the saddle stitcher]
In FIG. 5, a discharge receiving recess 200 for receiving the sheet S discharged from the discharge roller 126 of the single-leaf folding machine FS1 is formed on the upper part of the outer casing 200A of the saddle stitching machine FS2.

  The image forming system shown in FIG. 9A is obtained by removing the elevating tray 127 and the sub discharge tray 128 of the single-leaf folding machine FS1 connected to the image forming apparatus A and connecting the half-folding saddle stitcher FS2. .

  A sheet S (see FIG. 3E) folded three times by the single-leaf folding machine FS1, a sheet S folded inside three (see FIG. 3F), and a sheet S double-folded (see FIG. 3G). )), The folded sheet S (see FIG. 3 (h)) and the like are discharged from the sheet discharge roller 126 shown in FIG. 2 and stored in the recess 200 of the saddle stitching machine FS2.

  In addition, after the punching and folding processes are performed by the single-leaf folding machine FS1, the sheet S that does not require post-processing by the subsequent saddle stitching machine FS2 is also accommodated in the recess 200. Further, the sheet S discharged without punching and folding by the single-leaf folding machine FS1 can be accommodated in the recess 200.

By storing the paper S discharged from the single-leaf folding machine FS1 in the concave portion 200 of the saddle stitching machine FS2, the paper S discharged from the image forming apparatus A is discharged from the single-leaf folding machine FS1 through a short conveyance path. Since it can be accommodated in the recess 200, the sheet S can be quickly taken out. Further, the sheet S accommodated in the recess 200 of the saddle stitching machine FS2 is easy to see and can be easily taken out because the recess 200 is above the saddle stitching machine FS2.
It is easy to see and can be taken out easily.

  Further, when the paper S accommodated in the sub discharge tray 201 of the saddle stitching machine FS2 becomes full, it is possible to increase the number of accommodated sheets by accommodating the subsequent paper S in the recess 200. It is.

[Sheet stacker output]
As shown in FIG. 7, a paper discharge receiving recess 300 that accommodates the paper S discharged from the paper discharge roller 126 of the single-leaf folding machine FS1 is formed in the upper part of the exterior body 300A of the flat stitching machine FS3.

  The image forming system shown in FIG. 9B is obtained by removing the elevating tray 127 and the sub discharge tray 128 of the single-leaf folding machine FS1 connected to the image forming apparatus A and connecting the flat stitching machine FS3.

  Post-processing by the outer tri-folded paper S, the inner tri-folded paper S, the double-parallel folded paper S, the four-folded paper S, and the subsequent flat stitching machine FS3 discharged from the single-leaf folding machine FS1. Unnecessary paper S, and the subsequent paper S when the paper S accommodated in the sub discharge tray 201 of the flat stitching machine FS3 becomes full, is accommodated in the recess 300 of the flat stitching machine FS3. Further, the sheet S accommodated in the concave portion 300 of the flat stitching machine FS3 is easy to see and can be easily taken out because the concave portion 300 is located above the flat stitching machine FS3.

[Receiver for large capacity loader]
As shown in FIG. 8, a discharge receiving recess 400 that accommodates the sheet S discharged from the discharge roller 126 of the single-leaf folding machine FS1 is formed in the upper part of the exterior body 400A of the large capacity loader FS4.

  The image forming system shown in FIG. 9C is obtained by removing the lifting tray 127 and the sub discharge tray 128 of the single-leaf folding machine FS1 connected to the image forming apparatus A and connecting the large capacity stacker FS4.

  The outer tri-folded paper S discharged from the single-leaf folding machine FS1, the inner tri-folded paper S, the double-parallel folded paper S, the four-folded paper S, and the subsequent large-capacity stacker FS4 are loaded. Unnecessary paper S, and the subsequent paper S when the paper S accommodated in the sub paper discharge tray 401 of the large capacity stacker FS4 becomes full is accommodated in the recess 400 of the large capacity stacker FS4. Further, the sheet S accommodated in the concave portion 400 of the large capacity loader FS4 is easy to see and can be easily taken out because the concave portion 400 is above the large capacity loader FS4.

[Paper discharge control of post-processing equipment]
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the paper discharge of the post-processing apparatus.

  Any of the saddle stitcher FS2, the saddle stitcher FS3, and the large-capacity loader FS4 connected to the single-leaf folding machine FS1 has a shortage of consumables such as paper and binding needles, paper conveyance failure, and punching processing. When the abnormality detection means detects that an abnormality or the like of the post-processing apparatus that is performing post-processing such as folding processing or binding processing has occurred, and generates an abnormality detection signal, the post-processing control means 100 Control to switch the transport path.

  In the image forming system in which the saddle stitcher FS2 is connected to the single-leaf folding machine FS1, when the abnormality detection means detects that an abnormality has occurred in the saddle-stitching saddle stitcher FS2, the post-processing control means 100 The driving means comprising the solenoid SD2 of FS1 is driven to swing the transport path switching means G12. By the switching drive of the conveyance path switching means G12, the paper S passes through the conveyance path r16 and is discharged out of the apparatus by the paper discharge roller 126, and is formed in the concave portion 200 formed in the upper part of the exterior body 200A of the half-folding saddle stitcher FS2. Be contained.

  In the image forming system in which the flat stitching machine FS3 is connected to the single-leaf folding machine FS1, when the abnormality detection means detects that an abnormality has occurred in the flat stitching machine FS3, the post-processing control means 100 uses a driving means comprising a solenoid SD2. Driven to swing the transport path switching means G12. The sheet S passes through the conveyance path r16 and is discharged to the outside by the sheet discharge roller 126, and is accommodated in a recess 300 formed in the upper part of the exterior body 300A of the flat stitching machine FS3.

  In the image forming system in which the large-capacity loader FS4 is connected to the single-leaf folding machine FS1, when the abnormality detection means detects that an abnormality has occurred in the large-capacity loader FS4, the post-processing control means 100 is driven by a solenoid SD2. The means is driven to swing the conveyance path switching means G12. The sheet S passes through the conveyance path r16 and is discharged out of the apparatus by the sheet discharge roller 126, and is accommodated in a recess 400 formed in the upper part of the exterior body 400A of the large capacity loader FS4.

  In the image forming system of the present invention, when an abnormality occurs in the second post-processing device that is performing post-processing such as punching processing, folding processing, and binding processing, the image is discharged into the recesses 200, 300, and 400. The printing process of the forming apparatus A and the post-processing of the first post-processing apparatus FS1 can be executed without interruption. The recesses 200, 300, and 400 can also accommodate a sheet S on which an image is formed as a trial, a sheet S that is discharged after jam processing, and the like.

  In the image forming system in which the single-fold folding machine FS1 is connected to the saddle-stitching and saddle stitching machine FS2, and another subsequent post-processing apparatus is further connected, the abnormality detecting means detects that an abnormality has occurred in the other subsequent post-processing apparatus. When detected, the post-processing control means 100 drives the conveyance path switching means G21 of the saddle stitching machine FS2. By the switching drive of the conveyance path switching means G21, the paper S passes through the conveyance path r23 and is discharged by the paper discharge roller 208 and is stored in the sub paper discharge tray 201.

  In the image forming system in which the flat stitching machine FS3 is connected to the single-leaf folding machine FS1 and another subsequent post-processing device is further connected, the abnormality detecting means detects that an abnormality has occurred in another subsequent post-processing device. Sometimes, the post-processing control unit 100 drives the conveyance path switching unit G31 of the flat stitching machine FS3. By the switching drive of the conveyance path switching unit G31, the paper S passes through the conveyance path r31 and is discharged by the paper discharge roller 307 and is stored in the sub paper discharge tray 301.

  In an image forming system in which a large-capacity loader FS4 is connected to the single-leaf folding machine FS1 and another subsequent post-processing device is connected, the abnormality detecting means detects that an abnormality has occurred in another subsequent post-processing device. When done, the post-processing control means 100 drives the transport path switching means G41 of the large capacity loader FS4. By the switching drive of the conveyance path switching unit G41, the paper S passes through the conveyance path r43 and is discharged by the paper discharge roller 406 and is stored in the sub paper discharge tray 401.

  In the image forming system according to the present invention, when a subsequent post-processing device of the second post-processing device that is executing post-processing such as punching processing, folding processing, and binding processing has an abnormality, the sub paper discharge trays 201 and 301 are provided. , 401 can be executed without interruption of the printing process of the image forming apparatus A.

[Number of sheets in the image forming apparatus system]
In the single-leaf folding machine FS1, 500 cover sheets K are accommodated in a two-stage sheet tray 131. The center-folding saddle stitcher FS2 performs a center-folding process on a maximum of 30 sheets S to produce a booklet SA with 120 pages on the front and back. The side stitching machine FS3 produces a booklet SA by performing a side stitching process on a maximum of 100 sheets S. The large-capacity loader FS4 can stack a maximum of approximately 5000 sheets S on the sheet mounting table 418.

  A maximum of 200 sheets S can be accommodated in the concave portion 200 of the saddle stitcher FS2, the concave portion 300 of the flat stitcher FS3, and the concave portion 400 of the large capacity stacker FS4.

[Applications of image forming system]
In the image forming system of the present invention, a single-leaf folding machine FS1, a center-folding saddle stitching machine FS2, a flat stitching machine FS3, and a large-capacity loading machine FS4 are arbitrarily selected and connected to the image forming apparatus main body A. It is possible to select and process punching, various types of folding processing, flat binding, tape binding processing, saddle stitching, cutting processing, sealing processing, and the like corresponding to all purposes.

  This achieves a high level of publishing on demand that outputs a large amount of multipurpose post-processing at high speed in offices of various sizes, light printing industries, and data centers.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, as the post-processing device connected to the image forming apparatus A, the single-leaf folding machine FS1, the center folding and saddle stitching machine FS2, the flat folding machine FS3, and the large capacity loading machine FS4 have been described. The post-processing apparatus of the image forming system is not limited to these. For example, a saddle stitching flat folding machine, a gluing bookbinding machine, a small sheet cutting machine, a Z-fold punching machine, a cover case bookbinding machine, a sealing machine, etc. Applicable. Further, the present invention can be applied to an image forming system in which a plurality of the same post-processing apparatuses are connected to the image forming apparatus A.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the post-processing apparatus connected to the copying machine has been described. However, the present invention is also applied to a post-processing apparatus used by connecting to an image forming apparatus such as a light printing machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine. Is possible.

1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus, an automatic document feeder, a single-leaf folder, and a large-capacity paper feeder. The whole block diagram of a single-leaf folding machine. The perspective view of the paper after various post-processing. The schematic diagram which shows the paper conveyance process of a middle folding saddle stitching machine. The front view of a center folding saddle stitcher. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a booklet that is produced by being subjected to center folding and saddle stitching processing, and a perspective view of a booklet that is subjected to side stitching processing. The front view of a flat stitching machine. The front view of a large capacity loader. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming system in which any one of a saddle stitcher, a plain stitcher, and a large capacity loader is connected to an image forming apparatus and a single-leaf folding machine. The block diagram which shows the paper discharge of a post-processing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

123 Paper discharge roller 126 Paper discharge roller 140 Punching processing unit (punch processing unit)
160 Single-leaf folding processing unit 200, 300, 400 Recess 200A, 300A, 400A Exterior body 201 Sub discharge tray (top tray)
230 Folding processing unit 240 Saddle stitching processing unit 250 Trimming means 256 Paper discharge tray 301 Sub paper discharge tray (top tray)
302 Main output tray 316 Stapler (binding device)
401 Sub-output tray (top tray)
418 Paper loading table A Image forming apparatus FS1 Single-leaf folding machine (first post-processing apparatus)
FS2 Saddle-Fold Saddle Stitcher (second post-processing device)
FS3 flat stitching machine (second post-processing device)
FS4 large capacity loader (second post-processing device)
S Recording paper (paper)
SD1, SD2 Solenoid

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus, a first post-processing device connected to the paper discharge unit side of the image forming apparatus, and a second post-processing device connected to the paper discharge unit side of the first post-processing device An image forming system configured,
An image forming system, wherein a recess for receiving a paper for storing paper processed and discharged by the first post-processing device is formed in an exterior body of the second post-processing device. An image forming apparatus, a first post-processing device connected to the paper discharge unit side of the image forming apparatus, a second post-processing device connected to the paper discharge unit side of the first post-processing device, An image forming system comprising post-processing control means,
When it is detected that an abnormality has occurred in the second post-processing device, the post-processing control means performs control to switch the paper transport path, and is formed on the upper part of the exterior body of the second post-processing device. An image forming system, wherein a sheet processed and discharged by the first post-processing device is stored in a discharge receiving recess. The first post-processing device has a function of performing at least one process selected from a middle fold, a Z fold, a three fold, a four fold, and a punching process on a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 1. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the second post-processing apparatus has a bookbinding function for performing each process of half-folding, saddle-stitching, and small edge cutting. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the second post-processing apparatus has a bookbinding function for performing each process of flat binding and glue binding. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the second post-processing device is a large-capacity stacker capable of stacking a large amount of sheets.

Images