JP2006082462A - After-treatment apparatus and image forming apparatus equipped with it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an after-treatment apparatus capable of appropriately inserting a sheet into an envelope without bringing the sheet into contact with the envelope by enlarging an opening of the envelope as much as possible, and an image forming apparatus equipped with it. <P>SOLUTION: The after-treatment apparatus 68 is provided with a plate 12 on which the envelope E is placed, and a guide 15 which bends this envelope E and extends the opening E<SB>1</SB>by pinching both end parts of the envelope E in the same direction as the direction from the opening E<SB>1</SB>to the bottom part E<SB>2</SB>in this placed envelope E. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a post-processing apparatus for carrying a sheet (for example, printed paper) into a printed envelope by an image forming apparatus or the like, and an image forming apparatus including the post-processing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus or the like is provided with a post-processing apparatus that can sort printed sheets and discharge them to a plurality of sheet stacking trays. Recently, a post-processing apparatus that can pack sheets discharged on a sheet stacking tray into an envelope has been developed. As an example of such a post-processing apparatus, there is an apparatus (post-processing apparatus) as disclosed in Patent Document 1.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 (partially enlarged view of FIG. 9), the post-processing device 169 holds the flap portion (envelope folded piece) of the envelope E ′ by the chuck rollers 171 and 172, The opening of the envelope E ′ is widened, and a desired printed sheet P ′ can be inserted from the opening.
Japanese Patent No. 33339869 (refer to claim 1, FIG. 1, FIG. 12, etc.)

  However, in the post-processing device 169, the opening of the envelope E ′ is only widened by hanging down while sandwiching the flap portion of the envelope E ′. That is, the post-processing device 169 only widens the opening by curving only the surface of the envelope E ′ connected to the flap portion. Therefore, the opening of the envelope E ′ must be extremely small (the distance (that is, the opening) between the front surface and the back surface of the envelope E ′ must be extremely small).

  Then, on the assumption that such a small opening exists, the sheet P ′ is inserted into the envelope E ′ using the back unit 173, so that the sheet P ′ is the opening of the envelope E ′. In many cases, they are in contact with each other without being inserted.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and its purpose is to make the opening of the envelope as large as possible so that the sheet and the envelope do not come into contact with each other, and the sheet is appropriately enveloped. It is an object of the present invention to provide a post-processing apparatus that can be inserted into a printer and an image forming apparatus including the post-processing apparatus.

  The post-processing apparatus of the present invention is a post-processing apparatus that inserts a sheet into the envelope by conveying the sheet toward the opening of the envelope, the plate on which the envelope is placed, and the envelope on which the envelope is placed By sandwiching both end portions of the envelope in the same direction as the direction from the opening to the bottom, a sandwiching portion for bending the envelope and expanding the opening is provided.

  According to this, by bending the envelope, the front surface and the back surface of the envelope can be dissociated and the opening can be widened. Then, for example, by enlarging only the envelope surface connected to the flap portion of the envelope, it is possible to obtain a larger opening than when the opening is widened. Therefore, in the post-processing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to avoid a situation where the sheet comes into contact without being inserted into the opening of the envelope, and the sheet can be reliably inserted into the envelope.

  Further, in the post-processing apparatus of the present invention, a suction opening is provided on the plate, and a suction part for sucking the placed envelope on the plate is provided through the suction opening. Is preferred.

  According to this, since the suction part sucks one surface of the envelope [the surface in contact with the plate (for example, the back surface of the envelope)] to the plate, the other surface (for example, the surface of the envelope) of the envelope can be bent stably. it can. Therefore, it is possible to ensure a certain size of the opening of the envelope.

  Moreover, in the post-processing apparatus of this invention, it is preferable that the latching | locking part which latches the envelope by contacting with the said envelope is provided.

  According to this, an envelope can be mounted in the desired position on a plate by latching an envelope. In addition, since the envelope is locked when the sheet is inserted into the envelope, misalignment is less likely to occur between them (between the sheet and the envelope). Therefore, the sheet can be reliably inserted into the envelope.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes the post-processing apparatus of the present invention as described above, so that the printed envelope is placed on the plate, and the printed sheet is inserted into the envelope. It is characterized by.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the opening of the envelope is positioned on the upstream side in the transporting direction of the envelope.

  According to this, when the envelope is placed on the plate in the post-processing apparatus, the direction of the opening of the envelope is opposed to the conveyance traveling direction. Then, similarly, the sheet flowing (discharged) from the conveyance traveling direction is easily inserted into the envelope from the opening.

  The post-processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus of the present invention can widen the opening by bending the envelope so that the front surface and the back surface of the envelope are dissociated. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation where the sheet comes into contact without being inserted into the opening of the envelope, and the sheet can be reliably inserted into the envelope.

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

<General configuration of image forming apparatus>
FIG. 8 shows a schematic configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 69 of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the image forming apparatus 69 includes a vertically long main body 31, and a scanner 32 including a CCD 32 a that reads a document is disposed at the top of the main body 31.

  Under the scanner 32, a charging unit 33 that discharges, a photosensitive member 34 that charges the surface by the discharge of the charging unit 33, and a light beam (laser beam or the like) according to document data (output image data) read by the scanner 32. LSU (laser scanning unit) 35 for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 34, and developing units [Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), BK (for attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image) (Black) four-color developing section] 36, a secondary transfer belt 38 for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive member 34 to which the toner is adhered to the sheet P flowing in the conveying section (conveying path) 37, and the conveying of the sheet P A registration roller (registration roller pair) 41 for adjusting the timing, a fixing unit 42 for fixing the toner image transferred on the sheet P, and the control unit 1 are provided. It has become to so that. The charging unit 33, the photosensitive member 34, the LSU 35, the developing unit 36, the secondary transfer belt 38, the transfer unit 39, and the fixing unit 42 are expressed as the printing unit 30 (see FIG. 3).

  Further, the image forming apparatus 69 is provided with a discharge roller pair 43 for discharging the fixed sheet P and a discharge roller motor 43a (see FIG. 3) for driving the discharge roller pair 43. Further, a cassette unit 44 for storing sheets P and the like, and a bypass unit 45 for storing cardboard and envelopes are also provided. In addition, the cassette unit 44 and the bypass unit 45 are fed with a sheet feeding roller 51 for feeding the sheet P and the envelope E into the image forming apparatus 69 and a double feed of the sheet P fed from the sheet feeding roller 51. A pair of roller rollers 52 is provided for prevention. These rollers 51 and 52 for the cassette unit 44 are referred to as a cassette roller group U, and these rollers 51 and 52 for the bypass unit 45 are referred to as a bypass roller group V. (Shown) are provided.

  The control unit 1 provided in the image forming apparatus 69 controls the printing unit 30, the post-processing device 68, and the like as shown in the block diagram of FIG.

<About the schematic configuration of the post-processing device>
As shown in FIG. 8, the post-processing device 68 is provided so as to be positioned at the discharge destination of the sheet P printed by the image forming device 69. Then, the post-processing device 68 includes a housing 10 (as shown in FIG. 1 which is an enlarged perspective view of the part α in FIG. 8 and FIG. 2 which is a schematic configuration diagram taken along the line AA ′ in FIG. 8), a sheet loading tray 11 (see FIG. 8), a plate 12, a stopper (locking portion) 14, a guide (clamping portion) 15, a processing roller 16, and a suction fan (suction portion) 21. It is configured.

  The housing 10 is a quadrangular case that constitutes the main body of the post-processing device 68. The sheet placing tray 11 is for placing printed matter processed by the image forming apparatus 69 and is provided in the housing 10 along the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 8, for example.

  The plate 12 temporarily mounts an envelope E printed by the image forming apparatus 69, a sheet P to be inserted into the envelope E, and the like. For example, the plate 12 is mounted on a support shaft 13 provided in a standing state (standing) at, for example, four corners in the housing 10. Then, upon receiving a driving force from a driving motor (plate motor 12a; see FIG. 3), the plate 12 can be moved (moved up and down) in the vertical direction along the support shaft 13.

  An opening (suction opening) 17 is provided on the surface of the plate 12 so as to penetrate the front and back sides of the plate 12. The suction opening 17 is for receiving suction (suction force) by a suction fan 21 described later in order to make the envelope E immobile on the plate 12.

  The stopper 14 stops the movement of the envelope E and the like by contacting the envelope E, the sheet P and the like that are vigorously discharged from the image forming apparatus 69 in order to place the stopper 14 at a predetermined position on the plate 12. Stop). For example, the stopper 14 is attached so as to be fitted into a stopper opening groove provided so as to penetrate from the front surface to the back surface of the plate 12. Then, upon receiving a driving force from a driving motor (stopper motor 14a; see FIG. 3), the stopper 14 can be moved vertically (moved up and down) along the stopper opening groove.

Guide 15 (15a · 15b; holding portion), by bending the envelope E, is intended to widen the opening E ₁ of the envelope E. For example, a part of the guide 15 is fitted into a guide groove (not shown) cut in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the envelope E etc. is conveyed (conveying direction) and along the surface of the plate 12. It is attached as is. Then, upon receiving a driving force from a driving motor (guide motor 15a; see FIG. 3), the guides 15a and 15b can reciprocate along the guide grooves.

Specifically, the guide 15a and the guide 15b move so as to approach each other in order to sandwich the envelope E, and away (so as to separate) so as not to sandwich the envelope E. It is possible to move. In order to widen the opening E ₁ of the envelope E, both end portions of the envelope E in the same direction (parallel direction) as the direction from the opening E ₁ to the bottom E _{2 in} the envelope E are sandwiched.

  The processing roller 16 is a roller that discharges an envelope E that has been subjected to post-processing, which will be described later, toward the sheet stacking tray 11. The processing roller 16 is held by a holding unit (not shown). When the processing roller 16 is discharged toward the sheet stacking tray 11, the processing roller 16 moves so as to contact the envelope E and is subjected to post-processing. Sometimes it is separated from the envelope E. A driving motor (processing roller motor) is provided as a driving force for abutting / separating movement of the processing roller 16 and a rotational force for discharging the envelope E toward the sheet loading tray 11. 16a; see FIG. 3).

  The suction fan 21 is provided on the side (back side) corresponding to the back side of the one side (front side) of the plate 12 on which the envelope E is placed, and the suction fan 21 passes through the suction aperture 17 provided in the plate 12. By pulling the envelope E and the like placed on the plate 12 (especially by pulling one surface of the envelope E in contact with the plate 12 (for example, the back surface of the envelope)), the envelope E is made immovable.

  Although not shown, the post-processing device 68 of the present invention may be provided with a post-processing transport roller for transporting the envelope E and the like discharged from the image forming device 69 onto the plate 12.

<Control by control unit>
Here, a printing operation and a post-processing operation based on a command from the control unit 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 6, the operation step is represented as “S”.

<About stacking discharge>
First, as shown in Tables 1 and 2 below, for example, the control unit 1 includes data indicating the address of the envelope E (address data; A ₁ , A _{2 to An} ) and the sheet P to be inserted into the envelope E. A data table associated with print data (content data; B ₁ , B _{2 to} B _n ) is acquired (S 1).

  Table 1 is a data table in which different contents data is associated with different address data, and Table 2 is a data table in which the same contents data is associated with different address data.

  In addition, this data table may be created using data read by the scanner 32 by using the input unit 2 provided in the image forming apparatus 69, or created by an external device such as a personal computer (PC3). May be.

  Next, the control unit 1 refers to a user instruction from the input unit 2 or the PC 3, specifically, an instruction about whether or not to print both address data and content data. Judgment is made (S2). When only one of the instructions (address data / content data) is printed, the control unit 1 prints using the printing unit 30 as usual (S3). .

However, when printing both address data and contents data, first, the control unit 1 drives the bypass roller group V so that the envelope E set in the bypass unit 45 is placed inside the image forming apparatus 69. (S4). Then, the control unit 1 uses the printing section 30 to the conveyed envelope E, to print the address data (e.g., A ₁₎ (S5).

  Thereafter, the controller 1 drives the discharge roller motor 43a to discharge the envelope E on which the address data is printed by the discharge roller 43 toward the plate 12 of the post-processing device 68 (S6). Further, the control unit 1 drives (processes) the processing roller motor 16 a of the post-processing device 68 to convey (discharge) the envelope E on the plate 12 toward the sheet placement tray 11 by the processing roller 16. (S7).

Next, the control unit 1 drives the cassette roller group U to print the contents data, and conveys the sheet P set in the cassette unit 44 into the image forming apparatus 69 (S8). ). Then, the control unit 1 causes the content data (for example, B ₁ ) to be printed on the sheet P using the printing unit 30 (S9).

  After that, the control unit 1 discharges the sheet on which the content data is printed by the discharge roller 43 toward the plate 12 of the post-processing device 68 (S10), similarly to S6. Further, similarly to S7, the controller 1 causes the processing roller 16 to convey the sheet on the plate 12 toward the sheet placing tray 11 (S11).

Then, the control unit 1 determines whether or not all address data (A _{1 to An} ) has been printed (S12). If printing of all address data has been completed, printing by the image forming apparatus 69 is performed. Is completed (S13). On the other hand, if there is still address data to be printed, printing is continued (S12 → S4).

  When printing is performed by the image forming apparatus 69 in this way, the sheet is placed on the sheet placement tray 11 such that the sheet P to be inserted into the envelope E overlaps the envelope E as shown in FIG. Is done. That is, the envelope E and the sheet P to be inserted into the envelope E are set and placed on the sheet placement tray 11.

<About sheet insertion / discharge>
As shown in FIG. 5 above, in addition to the discharge (superposition discharge) in which the envelope E and the sheet P are set as a set, the post-processing device 68 and the image forming device 69 of the present invention will be described below ( 3 and FIG. 6), the sheet P can be discharged into the envelope E (sheet insertion / discharge). In the flowchart of FIG. 6, the operation step is denoted as “S”, and the same operation step as in FIG.

  First, the control unit 1 obtains a data table (S1), and makes a determination with reference to an instruction as to whether or not only address data and / or contents data are printed (S2).

When both address data and contents data are printed, first, the control unit 1 conveys the envelope E set in the bypass unit 45 into the image forming apparatus 69 (S4). Address data (for example, A ₁ ) is printed on the envelope E (S5).

  Next, the control unit 1 uses the stopper motor 14a of the post-processing device 68 to move the stopper 14 so as to protrude from the placement surface of the plate 12 (the surface on which the envelope E or the like is placed) ( S21).

  Thereafter, the control unit 1 discharges the envelope E on which the address data is printed by the discharge roller 43 toward the plate 12 of the post-processing device 68 (S22). Then, the envelope E that has been ejected vigorously from the image forming apparatus 69 is placed on the plate 12 after being stopped (locked) so as to come into contact with the stopper 14.

  Subsequently, the control unit 1 drives the suction fan 21 so that the envelope E is adsorbed onto the plate 12 through the suction aperture 17 on the plate 12 (from a predetermined position on the plate 12 is immovable). S23). Then, the control unit 1 uses the guide motor 15a of the post-processing device 68 to move the envelope E between the guides 15 (15a and 15b) (S24).

Then, as shown in FIG. 2, one surface (back surface) of the envelope E on the side in contact with the plate 12 is drawn close to the plate 12 by the suction fan 21, while the surface of the envelope E (opposite the back surface). The surface) is bent by the guide 15 and dissociates from the back surface. As a result, the opening E _{1 of the} envelope E is greatly expanded.

  By the way, S21 to S24 are operations of each member (the guide 15 and the like) in the post-processing device 68 based on a command from the control unit 1. Accordingly, in S <b> 21 to S <b> 24, in the image forming apparatus 69, the control unit 1 conveys the sheet P set in the cassette unit 44 to the inside of the image forming apparatus 69 in order to print the content data (S <b> 8). The content data is printed on the sheet P by using the printing unit 30 (S9).

Then, in a state where the opening E _{1 of the} envelope E is greatly widened, the control unit 1 drives the discharge roller motor 43 a to discharge the sheet P on which the content data is printed onto the plate 12. Then, the discharged sheet P is inserted into the envelope E from the opening (S25).

  In this way, after the sheet P is inserted into the envelope E, it is next desired to discharge the envelope E containing the sheet P onto the sheet loading tray 11. Therefore, the control unit 1 stops the driving of the suction fan 21 and releases the movement of the stopper 14 and the guide 15. That is, the stopper 14 is moved so as not to protrude from the placement surface of the plate 12 (so as to be buried) to secure the transport path of the envelope E, and the envelope E is moved by the processing roller 16 to the sheet placement tray 11. In order to enable the sheet to be conveyed, the holding by the guide is released (S26).

  If the envelope E becomes movable and the conveyance path can be secured, the control unit 1 causes the processing roller 16 to discharge the sheet P on the plate 12 toward the sheet loading tray 11 (S11).

Then, similarly to the above, the control unit 1 determines whether or not all address data (A _{1 to An} ) has been printed (S12). If printing of all address data has been completed, the image forming apparatus The printing by 69 is completed (S13). On the other hand, if there is still address data to be printed, printing is continued (S12 → S4).

  When printing by the image forming apparatus 69 and post-processing by the post-processing apparatus 68 are performed in this way, the sheet P is placed in the state where the sheet P is inserted into the envelope E as shown in FIG. Will be.

<Features of Post-Processing Apparatus and Image Forming Apparatus of the Present Invention>
As described above, in the post-processing apparatus of the present invention in which the sheet P is inserted into the envelope E by conveying the sheet P toward the opening E ₁ of the envelope E, the plate 12 on which the envelope E is placed, By sandwiching the both ends of the envelope E in the same direction as the direction from the opening E ₁ to the bottom E ₂ of the placed envelope E, a guide is provided to bend the envelope E and widen the opening E _1. Yes.

According to this, since both the end portions of the envelope E are sandwiched, the envelope E can be bent in a direction in which the front surface and the back surface of the envelope E are separated (separated). In particular, if the envelope E is sucked onto the plate 12 by the suction fan 21 through the suction aperture 17 provided on the plate 12, the back surface of the envelope E reliably adheres to the surface of the plate 12, and the envelope The surface of E bends in a direction that dissociates from the surface of the plate 12. For this reason, the opening E _{1 of the} envelope E is greatly expanded (for example, the distance between the front surface and the back surface of the envelope E (that is, the distance between the openings) is greatly expanded). Therefore, in the post-processing device 68 of the present invention, the sheet P can be reliably inserted without contacting the opening E _{1 of the} envelope E.

  Further, in the post-processing device 68 of the present invention, since the stopper 14 that locks the envelope E by contacting the envelope E is provided, the envelope E is placed on the plate 12 at a desired position. Can be made. In addition, when the sheet P is inserted into the envelope E, the positional deviation between the two (between the sheet P and the envelope E) hardly occurs. Therefore, the sheet P can be reliably inserted into the envelope E.

<Other features of the present invention>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in the above description, the control unit is provided in the image forming apparatus, but the post-processing apparatus itself may have a control function in the post-processing apparatus. That is, the image forming apparatus and the post-processing apparatus may each include a control unit (image forming control unit / post-processing control unit). This is because the load on each control unit can be reduced.

  Further, the shape and number of the suction apertures provided in the plate are not particularly limited. For example, it may be a cylindrical opening as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or a tetragonal opening. In short, it is sufficient if the opening is such that the envelope can receive the suction force of the suction fan.

  In addition, it is preferable to set the envelope in the bypass portion so that the opening of the envelope is positioned on the upstream side in the conveyance progress direction of the envelope in the image forming apparatus. In this way, when the envelope is placed on the plate in the post-processing apparatus, the direction of the opening of the envelope is opposed to the transporting direction. This is because the sheet that flows (discharges) from the conveyance traveling direction is easily inserted into the envelope from the opening.

  The present invention is useful for a post-processing apparatus that inserts a sheet into an envelope.

It is a schematic perspective view of the post-processing apparatus of this invention, and expands the part (alpha) in below-mentioned FIG. It is a schematic block diagram from arrow A-A 'of FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a post-processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is a flowchart in the case where a sheet and an envelope are overlapped and placed on a sheet placing tray (overlay discharge). It is explanatory drawing which shows the state with which the sheet | seat and the envelope were piled up by said superposition discharge | emission, and were mounted in the sheet | seat mounting tray. It is a flowchart in the case of inserting a sheet into an envelope and placing it on a sheet loading tray (sheet insertion discharge). It is explanatory drawing which shows the state in which the envelope in which the sheet | seat was inserted is mounted in the sheet | seat mounting tray by said sheet insertion discharge. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the conventional post-processing apparatus. FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 9.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control part 11 Plate 12 Sheet loading tray 14 Stopper (locking part)
15 Guide (Clamping part)
17 Suction hole 21 Suction fan (suction part)
68 Post-processing device 69 Image forming device

Claims (5)

In the post-processing apparatus that inserts the sheet into the envelope by conveying the sheet toward the opening of the envelope,
A plate for placing the envelope;
A sandwiching portion is provided that sandwiches both ends of the envelope in the same direction as the direction from the opening to the bottom of the placed envelope so as to bend the envelope and widen the opening. Post-processing device. A suction aperture is provided on the plate, and
2. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a suction part for sucking the placed envelope on the plate is provided through the suction opening.   The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a locking portion that locks the envelope by being in contact with the envelope is provided.   By providing the post-processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the printed envelope is placed on the plate, and the printed sheet is inserted into the envelope. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the opening of the envelope is positioned upstream of the envelope in the transporting direction.

Images