JP2006327770A - Recording medium post-processing apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED To reduce the sliding resistance between the curled portion of the recording medium and the edge aligning means when performing the edge aligning operation of the side curled recording medium, and the recording medium is smoothly moved and seated. There are provided a recording medium post-processing apparatus that improves the accuracy of alignment without bending, and an image forming apparatus including the recording medium post-processing apparatus.
A recording medium conveying means for conveying a recording medium after a recording image is formed, an end aligning means for a U-shaped member for aligning the ends of the recording medium in the conveying direction, and an end aligning means. One regulating member 2a that regulates one surface of the recording medium to be aligned, the other regulating member 2b that regulates the other surface, one regulating member 2a, and the other regulating member 2b convey the recording medium. A convex portion 2c that forms different distances (D) at the end position in the direction and an end fence 2d that abuts and aligns the end in the transport direction of the recording medium.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a recording medium post-processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the recording medium post-processing apparatus.
Specifically, a recording medium post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing on a recording medium after a recorded image is formed, and a printing apparatus, a copier, a facsimile apparatus, a printer, or the like including the recording medium post-processing apparatus The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral.

Conventionally, post-processing such as alignment, punching, binding, etc. of both sides and rear ends of the recording medium that is placed downstream of an image forming apparatus such as an inkjet printer or an electrophotographic apparatus Recording medium post-processing devices that perform the above are widely known.
When post-processing such as stapling is performed on the edge of a stack of sheets that has been finally stacked, by aligning the vertical and horizontal edges of the paper that is sequentially conveyed onto the stacker in the post-processing device If there is a side curl formed at the edge of the sheet in the conveyance direction, the work of aligning the sheets will be hindered.
That is, in the sheet post-processing apparatus that aligns and binds the sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus, a stopper member that contacts and positions the end of the sheets stacked on the intermediate stacker on the binding side, and a position near the stopper member An elastic rotating member provided so as to be driven to rotate and a swinging means for swingably supporting the rotating member are arranged, and the carry-out sheet is forcibly moved on the intermediate stacker by the rotating member and the swinging means. Even when the sheet having the curl discharged from the image forming apparatus is placed on the intermediate stacker so that the end of the binding side of the sheet is brought into contact with the stopper member, the trailing edge of the sheet is aligned. There is known a sheet post-processing apparatus that performs the process stably to prevent deviation in the sheet conveyance direction and reliably staple the sheet (see Patent Document 1).
Also, a discharge roller that discharges paper to the trailing edge fence of the staple tray that aligns and stocks the paper, and a conveyance path that is spaced from the discharge roller in the width direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the paper discharged from the discharge roller The rear end of the paper is positioned so as to move away from the transport path when the paper is discharged and close the transport path after the paper passes through the discharge roller, and guides the rear end of the paper in the transport direction to the rear fence. A highly reliable paper discharge device is also known that has a simple configuration, is low in cost, is strong against paper curl, and the like (see Patent Document 2).
The paper discharge roller that discharges the paper to the trailing edge fence of the staple tray that aligns and stocks the paper, and the paper discharge roller that is at least the same diameter as the paper discharge roller and that partly protrudes from the outer periphery of the paper discharge roller. A highly reliable paper discharge device is also known that has a simple configuration, is low in cost, is resistant to paper curl, and the like by including a paper roller and a guide roller disposed on a coaxial rotation shaft ( (See Patent Document 3).

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of a conventional recording medium post-processing apparatus 100 and a conventional image forming apparatus 150 including the conventional recording medium post-processing apparatus 100. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state of the main part of the conventional recording medium post-processing apparatus 100. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view for explaining another main part of the conventional recording medium post-processing apparatus 100. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view for explaining a state of another main part of the conventional recording medium post-processing apparatus 100.
9 to 12, the recording medium post-processing apparatus 100 is functionally connected to the image forming apparatus 150 and is driven in accordance with the operation of the image forming process (FIG. 9). See).
A side curl refers to a case in which both side ends of the recording paper of the recording medium (P) conveyed to the recording medium post-processing apparatus 100 are curled with respect to the conveying direction indicated by the arrow (A) in FIG. To tell.
As shown in FIG. 11, in the recording medium post-processing apparatus 100, the object to be transported from the image forming unit 151 of the image forming apparatus 150 to the entrance guide plate 101 a ₁ of the entrance transport path 101 a serving as the recording medium transport unit 101. The stapler 103 performs a binding process on the recording medium (P).
When aligning the recording medium (P) for performing the binding process by the stapler 103, the recording medium (P) conveyed into the aligning unit 104 is switched back by the return roller 104a, and the rear end of the recording medium (P) is the U-shaped member. The rear end is aligned by abutting against the end aligning means 102.
The recording medium (P) is sandwiched by the end aligning means 102 of the U-shaped member, and the posture is maintained. Next, either side or either one of the recording medium (P) is pushed by the fence 104b and aligned. When the recording medium (P) is side-curled, the sliding resistance between the curled portion of the recording medium (P) and the end aligning means 102 of the U-shaped member increases, and the recording medium The movement of (P) was hindered and the alignment was poor (see FIG. 11).
Further, it is conceivable to increase the width of the end aligning means 102 of the U-shaped member in view of the curl amount of the recording medium (P) (see FIG. 12A). However, as a result, the recording medium (P) buckles as shown in FIG.
When the recording medium (P) buckles, it becomes difficult to maintain a normal posture. In this state, as shown in FIG. 12B, the stapler 103 shown in FIG. When the binding process is performed along the lower edge and placed on a flat surface, as shown in FIG. 12C, the end portion becomes slanted and misalignment occurs, resulting in poor alignment.
JP-A-9-295759 JP 2001-19252 A JP 2001-199616 A

In a conventional recording medium post-processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the recording medium post-processing apparatus, the recording paper is curled when performing the edge alignment operation of the recording paper of the side-curled recording medium. The sliding resistance between the portion and the end aligning means of the U-shaped member is increased, the movement of the recording paper is hindered, the recording paper is buckled, it is difficult to maintain the posture, and the alignment property is deteriorated Had occurred.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve such problems. That is, when performing the edge alignment operation of the side-curled recording medium, the sliding resistance between the curled portion of the recording medium and the edge aligning means is reduced, and the recording medium is moved smoothly, and the recording medium is recorded. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording medium post-processing apparatus capable of improving the accuracy of alignment without buckling of the medium, and an image forming apparatus including the recording medium post-processing apparatus.

To achieve the object, the invention of claim 1 is a recording medium post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing of a recording medium that has undergone image formation, and a recording medium conveying means for conveying the recording medium; An edge aligning means for aligning the position of the recording medium in the front-rear direction by pressing the edge of the recording medium conveyed by the recording medium conveying means in the front-rear direction, and the end aligning means comprises one surface of the recording medium One regulating member that regulates the other surface, the other regulating member that faces the one regulating member and regulates the other surface of the recording medium, and an upper surface that is positioned below the one regulating member and the other regulating member And an end fence that supports the lower end edge of the recording medium, and a convex portion that is connected to the one regulating member and that widens a part of the upper surface of the end fence. To do.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the recording medium post-processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the size of the convex portion is set in accordance with the size of the recording medium to be aligned.
A third aspect of the present invention is the recording medium post-processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein a plurality of the convex-shaped portions are provided.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the recording medium post-processing apparatus according to the first, second, or third aspect, the contact portion of the convex portion with the recording medium is a curved surface.
A fifth aspect of the present invention is the recording medium post-processing apparatus according to the first, second, third, or fourth aspect, wherein the front-rear direction length of the wide portion of the upper surface of the end fence formed by the convex portion is the end alignment. It is characterized in that the front end edge or the rear end edge of the recording medium is set so as to be located in the wide portion when pressed to the maximum in the front direction or the rear direction by the means.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the recorded medium post-processing apparatus according to the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth aspect, the end aligning unit is configured to record after the bottom edge of the recorded medium is abutted and aligned. A stapler for binding a medium is provided.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus for forming a recorded image on a recording medium to be post-processed, an image forming section for forming a recorded image on the recording medium, and a recorded image is formed by the image forming section An image forming apparatus comprising the recording medium post-processing device according to claim 1, which performs post-processing of the recording medium after the recording is performed.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the image forming unit forms a recorded image of toner on a recording medium by an image forming process of an electrophotographic method. It is a major feature.

According to the present invention, when performing the edge alignment operation of the side-curled recording medium, the sliding resistance between the curled portion of the recording medium and the edge aligning means is reduced, and the recording medium is smoothly moved. In other words, the accuracy of the alignment can be improved without causing the recording medium to buckle.
In addition, when performing the edge aligning operation of the recording medium with the side curl having a predetermined size, the sliding resistance between the curled portion of the recording medium with the predetermined size and the end aligning means of the U-shaped member is ensured. Thus, the recording medium can be moved smoothly and reliably, and the recording medium can be reliably buckled without reliably buckling.
In addition, when performing the edge alignment operation of the recording medium having various side curls, the sliding resistance between the curled portion of the recording medium having various sizes and the edge aligning means of the U-shaped member is ensured. The recording medium of various sizes can be moved smoothly and smoothly, and the recording medium of various sizes can be surely improved without any buckling. .
In addition, when performing the edge-alignment operation of the side-curled recording medium, there is no risk of staining the recording image forming surface of the recording medium, and the sliding between the curled portion of the recording medium and the edge-aligning means of the U-shaped member. The dynamic resistance is reduced, the recording medium is smoothly moved, the recording medium is not buckled, and the alignment accuracy can be improved.

In addition, when performing the edge-alignment operation of the side-curled recording medium, the sliding resistance between the curled portion of the recording medium and the edge-aligning means is reduced, and the recording medium is moved smoothly, and the recording medium is recorded. The medium is not buckled, and a reliable alignment operation is performed, so that the accuracy of alignment can be reliably improved.
Further, when performing the edge aligning operation and the binding process of the side curled recording medium, the sliding resistance between the curled portion of the recording medium and the end aligning means of the U-shaped member is reduced, and the recording medium is moved. It is performed smoothly and the recording medium is not buckled, and the binding accuracy can be improved and the binding process can be performed.
In addition, when performing the edge alignment operation of the recording medium that has been side-curled by forming a recorded image, the sliding resistance between the curled portion of the recording medium and the edge alignment means is reduced, and the movement of the recording medium is smooth. The accuracy of the alignment can be improved without causing the recording medium to buckle.
In addition, when performing the edge alignment operation of the side-curled recording medium by forming a high-quality toner recording image at high speed, the sliding resistance between the curled portion of the recording medium and the edge aligning means is reduced, The recording medium is smoothly moved and the recording medium is not buckled, and the accuracy of the alignment can be improved.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a recording medium post-processing apparatus 0 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, a recording medium post-processing apparatus 0 that performs post-processing of a recording medium after forming a recording image conveys a recording medium (P) that is carried in after the recording image is formed. Means 1 and U-shaped member end aligning means 2 for aligning the ends of the recording medium conveyed by the recording medium conveying means 1 in the arrow (A) direction. The edge aligning means 2 includes one regulating member 2a that regulates one surface of the recording medium, and the other regulating member 2b that faces the one regulating member 2a and regulates the other surface of the recording medium. , One restricting member 2a and the other restricting member 2b form a convex portion 2c forming a different distance (D) at the end position in the recording medium transport direction (A), and the transport direction of the recording medium shown in the figure. The edge fence 2d which abuts and aligns the lower end edge of is provided.
That is, the width of the end fence 2d (the dimension in the thickness direction of the recording medium) constituting the bottom surface of the end aligning means 2 is not constant, and the width is wide where the convex portion 2c exists (referred to as a wide portion). ). That is, the width direction edge (front-rear direction edge) of the recording medium in a state where the lower end edge is in contact with the upper surface of the end fence 2d is located in the recess (wide portion) formed by the convex portion 2c. It will be.
That is, the characteristic configuration of the present invention is an end aligning unit that aligns the front and rear direction positions of the recording medium by pressing the front and rear end edges of the recording medium conveyed by the recording medium conveying unit 1 forward or backward. The edge aligning means 2 includes one regulating member 2a that regulates one surface of the recording medium, and the other that regulates the other surface of the recording medium facing the one regulating member 2a. A regulating member 2b, an end fence 2d that is positioned below the one regulating member 2a and the other regulating member 2b and supports the lower edge of the recording medium on the upper surface, and the one regulating member 2a. It is the structure provided with the convex-shaped part 2c which makes a part of width | variety of the upper surface of the end fence 2d wide.
Accordingly, when performing the lower end edge alignment operation of the side-curled recording medium, the sliding resistance due to the direct contact between the curled edge portion of the recording medium and the end aligning means 2 of the U-shaped member is reduced, and the recording target is reduced. It is possible to provide a recording medium post-processing device 0 in which the medium is smoothly moved, the recording medium is not buckled, and the alignment accuracy can be improved.

The recording medium post-processing device 0 is connected to the image forming apparatus 50 by a connecting member (not shown).
A recording medium which records an image by the image forming unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 50 is formed (P) is conveyed from the inlet guide plate 1a ₁ of the inlet conveying path 1a as a recording medium transport means 1.
When the transport path switching claw 1g rotates in the direction of the arrow (B) shown in the drawing, the recording medium (P) is discharged into the alignment unit 4 by the rotation of the discharge roller 1f.
The recording medium transport means 1 binds the edge of the recording medium (P) transported to the entrance transport path 1a with the stapler 3 or performs punching processing with the punch unit 5. Even if it is performed, it is finally transported by the transport roller 1b, the transport roller 1c, the transport roller 1d, the transport roller 1e, the discharge roller 1f, and the transport path switching claw 1g and stacked on the tray 6.
The recording medium (P) discharged into the aligning unit 4 is once transported upward, but when the recording medium corresponding to the number of staples has been discharged, the recording medium (P) is used to perform the binding process by the stapler 3. Each time the sheets are ejected one by one, the lower end edge of the recording medium is abutted against the end fence 2d of the end aligning means 2 of the U-shaped member by carrying out switchback conveyance by the return roller 4a in order to align the lower end edge in the conveying direction. ing.
The recording media in the aligning unit 4 are aligned by pressing the side end surfaces by the side fence 4b. The end fence 2d located at the lower end is a part of the configuration of the side fence 4b.
In the recording medium post-processing device 0, the lower edge of the recording medium bundle is bound by the stapler 3 after aligning the lower edge of the recording medium in the conveying direction by the end aligning means 2 of the U-shaped member.
Accordingly, when performing the edge aligning operation of the side curled recording medium and the binding process, the sliding resistance between the curled portion of the recording medium and the end aligning means 2 of the U-shaped member is reduced, and the recording medium is moved. Is smoothly performed, and the recording medium is not buckled, and the binding accuracy can be improved and the binding process can be performed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining a main part of the recording medium post-processing apparatus 0 showing the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view for explaining another main part of the recording medium post-processing apparatus 0 showing the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 2, the fence 4b in the recording medium post-processing apparatus 0 includes a front fence 4b ₁ on the front side (left side in the figure) and a rear fence 4b ₂ on the rear side (right side in the figure). The recording medium discharged upward into the aligning unit 4 is transferred back by the return roller 4a that rotates in the direction of the arrow (C) shown in the figure, and the lower end edge is abutted against the end fence 2d of the U-shaped member. Thus, the side edge of the recording medium having the lower end in the transport direction aligned is pushed and aligned.
The front fence 4b ₁ can be moved forward and backward in the direction of the arrow (E) shown in the figure by the moving means 4b ₁₁ , and when it moves inward, the front edge of the recording medium is pushed to align the position in the width direction.
The rear fence 4b ₂ is moved by pushing the rear end face of the recording medium in the moving direction of the arrow (F) shown in the figure by the moving means 4b ₂₁ to align the position in the width direction.
The front side fence 4b ₁ and the rear side fence 4b ₂ are not moved at the same time, but only one of the front side fence 4b ₁ and the rear side fence 4b ₂ is moved, and the recording medium in which the lower ends in the transport direction are aligned. You can also align by pressing the side edges.
The edge aligning means 2 includes one regulating member 2a that regulates one surface of the recording medium to be aligned, and the other regulating member 2b that faces the one regulating member 2a and regulates the other surface of the recording medium. A convex portion 2c that forms a long distance (DL) and a short distance (DS) in which the one regulating member 2a and the other regulating member 2b are different at the lower end position in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and the recording medium A U-shaped member is formed by configuring an end fence 2d that abuts and aligns the lower edge in the transport direction (see FIG. 3). That is, due to the presence of the convex portion 2c, the width of the upper surface of the end fence 2d is not uniform, and a normal width portion of the width DS and a wide width portion of the width DL exist.
The size of the convex portion 2c, which forms a long distance (DL) and a short distance (DS), in which the one regulating member 2a and the other regulating member 2b are different at the position of the lower end in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, is equal. It is formed in accordance with a predetermined size of the recording medium.
Therefore, when performing the end alignment operation of the recording medium having a side curl having a predetermined size, the sliding resistance between the curled portion of the recording medium having the predetermined size and the end aligning means 2 of the U-shaped member is sure. There is provided a recording medium post-processing device 0 that can be reliably reduced in size, the recording medium can be moved smoothly and reliably, and the accuracy of the alignment can be reliably improved without the buckling of the recording medium. I can do it now.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view for explaining a state of another main part of the recording medium post-processing apparatus 0 showing the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view for explaining another state of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, a state where the recording medium in the alignment unit 4 is switched back and conveyed by the return roller 4a and hits the lower end against the end fence 2d is shown.
The front curled side edge of the recording medium is accommodated within a wide distance (Y) of a long distance (DL) formed by the convex portion 2c of the end fence 2d.
FIG. 5 shows a state in which the front fence 4b ₁ is moved and aligned by pushing the front end of the recording medium in the moving direction indicated by the arrow (E) in the figure by the moving means 4b ₁₁ made of an endless belt.
The front end edge of the recording medium that has been side-curled is housed within a wide distance (Y) of the long distance (DL) formed by the convex portion 2c, as in FIG.
Accordingly, in both the operation illustrated in FIG. 4 and the operation illustrated in FIG. 5, the sliding resistance between the recording medium and the end aligning means 2 of the U-shaped member when moving in each operation is reduced. Yes.
Furthermore, convex portions 2c is a corner portion contacting with the recording medium, for example, from being formed in a curved 2c ₁ of about R1 to R3, is rubbed recording medium, contaminating the surface of the recording image There is no fear.
Therefore, when performing the edge alignment operation of the side-curled recording medium, there is no risk of smearing the recording image forming surface of the recording medium, and the curled portion of the recording medium and the U-shaped member edge aligning means 2 To provide a recording medium post-processing device 0 in which sliding resistance is reduced, the recording medium is smoothly moved, the recording medium is not buckled, and the alignment accuracy can be improved. I can do it.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view for explaining a main part of a recording medium post-processing apparatus 0 showing another embodiment of the present invention.
The recording medium post-processing apparatus 0 shown in FIG. 6 includes a recording medium conveying unit 1 that conveys a recording medium that is carried in after forming a recorded image, and conveyance of the recording medium that the recording medium conveying unit 1 conveys. U-shaped member end aligning means 2 that aligns the lower end of the direction, one restricting member 2a that restricts one surface of the recording medium that the end aligning means 2 aligns, and one restricting member 2a that faces the restricting member 2a. As the distance D between the other regulating member 2b that regulates the other surface of the recording medium and the one regulating member 2a and the other regulating member 2b, the position of the lower end (upper surface of the end fence 2d) in the conveyance direction of the recording medium Are provided with a plurality of convex portions 2c that form different distances (DS, DL), and an end fence 2d that abuts and aligns the ends of the recording medium in the transport direction.
In other words, in the recording medium post-processing apparatus 0, the one regulating member 2a and the other regulating member 2b form different long distances (DL) and short distances (DS) at the lower end position in the conveyance direction of the recording medium. A plurality of convex portions 2c are arranged.
In the recording medium post-processing apparatus 0, the number of the aligned portions 2c formed on the edge aligning means 2 is three, but the number is set according to the size of the recording medium to be handled. The
Incidentally, returning the front fence 4b ₁ and the rear fence 4b ₂ of the rollers 4a and fence 4b, a long distance (DL) and a short distance where appropriate to match the position of the recording medium of various sizes a (DS) By the convex portion 2c to be formed, a reliable alignment operation of recording media of various sizes is performed.
Therefore, when performing the edge aligning operation of the recording medium having various side curls, the sliding resistance between the curled portion of the recording medium having various sizes and the end aligning means 2 of the U-shaped member is ensured. The recording medium of various sizes can be moved smoothly and smoothly, and the recording medium of various sizes can be surely improved without any buckling. It has become possible to provide a recording medium post-processing device 0 that can be recorded.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view for explaining another state of the other main part of the recording medium post-processing apparatus 0 showing the embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 7, as shown in the drawing, the distance (Y) of the wide portion (DL) having a long dimension (DL) formed by the convex portion 2c by the edge aligning means 2 in the recording medium post-processing apparatus 0 is expressed as follows. It is longer than the moving distance (X) in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium (the limit of the distance moved inward by the fence 4b), and a reliable aligning operation is performed to ensure the accuracy of alignability. Can be improved.
The characteristic configuration of this embodiment is that the length in the front-rear direction of the wide portion of the upper surface of the end fence formed by the convex portion 2c is recorded when it is pressed to the maximum in the forward or backward direction by the end aligning means 2. The front edge or the rear edge of the medium is set so as to be located in the wide portion formed by the convex portion 2c.
That is, in order to align the end of the recording medium, the convex distance to press the recording medium of the front fence 4b ₁ fence 4b in the conveying direction and perpendicular direction of the arrow (E) direction (X) and in Tansoroe means 2 The distance (Y) of the wide portion (DL) having a long distance (D) formed by the shape portion 2c always has a relationship of (X) <(Y). In other words, the inner end position of the distance (Y) formed by the convex portion 2c is located on the inner side than the limit position where the recording medium can be pressed and moved in the E direction by the fence 4b.
The recording medium, is released into alignment unit 4, back downwardly roller 4a is switched back and conveyed, it abuts the lower end of the conveying direction of the recording medium on the upper surface of the end fence 2d, shown by the front fence 4b ₁ In the series of aligning operations that are pushed in the direction of arrow (E), the side edge of the side-curled recording medium always has a wide dimension (DL) with a long distance (D) formed by the convex portion 2c. It exists in the part (Y).
Note that this As is established, the motor of movement means 4b ₁₁ for operating the front fence 4b ₁ of the fence 4b is controlled in advance, but the details are omitted.
Accordingly, when performing the edge alignment operation of the side-curled recording medium, the sliding resistance between the curled portion of the recording medium and the edge aligning means 2 is reduced, and the recording medium is smoothly moved, and the recording medium is moved. The recording medium post-processing apparatus 0 can be provided in which the recording medium is not buckled and a reliable alignment operation is performed and the accuracy of the alignment can be improved with certainty.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an image forming apparatus 50 including a recording medium post-processing apparatus 0 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 8, an image forming apparatus 50 that forms a recorded image on a recording medium that performs post-processing, an image forming unit 51 that forms a recorded image on the recording medium, and a recording image that has been formed by the image forming unit 51 The recording medium post-processing device according to claim 1, which performs post-processing of the recording medium.
Accordingly, when performing the edge aligning operation of the side-curled recording medium by forming a recorded image, the sliding resistance between the curled portion of the recording medium and the edge aligning means 2 is reduced, and the recording medium is moved. It is possible to provide the image forming apparatus 50 including the recording medium post-processing device 0 that can be smoothly performed and the accuracy of the alignment can be improved without causing the recording medium to buckle.
In a copying machine that forms a high-quality toner recording image at high speed by the electrophotographic method of the image forming apparatus 50, a scanner 52 a of an original image reading apparatus 52 that reads an image of an original (O) is provided above the image forming section 51. And a circulation type automatic document feeder (ADF) 52b.
On the other hand, a recording medium supply device 53 for placing the image forming unit 51 and supplying a recording medium is disposed below the image forming unit 51.

In the original image reading device 52, a laser diode of the image writing means 51c is made to emit light by an electrophotographic method in which a recorded image of toner is formed from image data of an original image of the original (O) to be read, so that the charger 51b can uniformly emit light. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the charged image carrier 51a.
The electrostatic latent image formed by causing the laser diode of the image writing means 51c to emit light is visualized by the developing device 51d to form a recorded image of toner.
The recorded toner image visualized by the developing device 51d is transferred and recorded on the recording medium conveyed from the recording medium supply device 53 by the transfer device 51e.
The recorded image of the toner transferred and recorded on the recording medium by the transfer device 51e is heated and pressed by the fixing device 51f, and the recording medium is recorded by the recording medium post-processing device 0 by the paper discharge roller 51g. is carried into the inlet guide plate 1a ₁ of the inlet conveying path 1a is a medium transport path 1, predetermined post binding due alignment and stapler 3 is to be carried out.
On the other hand, in the image carrier 51a, the residual toner adhered after transferring and recording the recorded image of the toner on the recording medium is scraped off and cleaned by the cleaning member 51h to prepare for image formation in the next process. It has become.
Therefore, when the edge-alignment operation is performed on the side-curled recording medium by forming a high-quality toner recording image at high speed, the sliding resistance between the curled portion of the recording medium and the edge-aligning means 2 is reduced. To provide an image forming apparatus 50 including a recording medium post-processing device 0 in which the recording medium is smoothly moved, the recording medium is not buckled, and the alignment accuracy can be improved. Can be done.
The post-processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied not only to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus but also to an image forming apparatus having a broad meaning including an ink jet printer and other types of printing apparatuses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. The perspective view explaining the principal part of the recording-medium post-processing apparatus which shows the embodiment of this invention. The principal part side view of the edge alignment means which concerns on the embodiment of this invention. The enlarged view explaining the state of the other main part of the recording medium post-processing apparatus which shows the embodiment of this invention. The enlarged view explaining the other state of the other principal part of the recording medium post-processing apparatus which shows the embodiment of this invention. The perspective view explaining the principal part of the recording medium post-processing apparatus which shows the other embodiment of this invention. The enlarged view explaining the other state of the other principal part of the recording medium post-processing apparatus which shows the embodiment of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus including a recording medium post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a conventional image forming apparatus including a conventional recording medium post-processing apparatus and the conventional recording medium post-processing apparatus. The figure explaining the state of the principal part of the conventional recording medium post-processing apparatus (The figure explaining a side curl). The enlarged view explaining the other main part of the conventional recording medium post-processing apparatus. The enlarged view explaining the state of the other principal part of the conventional recording medium post-processing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

0 recording medium post-processing device 1 recording medium conveying means,
1a Inlet conveyance path,
1a ₁ entrance guide plate,
1b Transport roller,
1c transport roller,
1d transport roller,
1e Transport roller,
1f discharge roller,
1g transport path switching claw 2 end aligning means,
2a One regulating member,
2b The other regulating member,
2c convex part,
2c ₁ aspect,
2d end fence 3 stapler 4 alignment unit
4a Return roller,
4b fence,
4b ₁ front fence,
4b ₁₁ moving means,
4b ₂ rear fence,
4b ₂₁ moving means 5 punch unit 6 tray 50 image forming apparatus
51 Image forming unit,
51a image carrier,
51b charger,
51c image writing means,
51d Developer,
51e transfer device,
51f fixing device,
51g paper discharge roller,
51h Cleaning member 52 Document image reading device,
52a scanner,
52b Circulation type automatic document feeder (ARDF)
53 Recording medium supply apparatus 100 Recording medium post-processing apparatus 101 Recording medium conveying means,
101a Inlet conveyance path,
101a ₁ entrance guide plate 102 end aligning means 103 stapler 104 aligning unit,
104a return roller,
104b Fence 150 Image forming apparatus 151 Image forming unit

Claims (8)

In a recording medium post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing of a recording medium that has undergone image formation, a recording medium conveying unit that conveys the recording medium, and an edge of the recording medium that the recording medium conveying unit conveys Edge aligning means that presses in the front-rear direction to align the position of the recording medium in the front-rear direction, and
The edge aligning means includes one restricting member that restricts one surface of the recording medium, the other restricting member that faces the one restricting member and restricts the other surface of the recording medium, An end fence that is positioned below the restricting member and the other restricting member and supports the lower edge of the recording medium on the upper surface, and a part of the upper surface of the end fence that is connected to the one restricting member is widened. A recording medium post-processing apparatus, comprising:   The recording medium post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the size of the convex portion is set in accordance with the size of the recording medium to be aligned.   The recording medium post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium post-processing apparatus comprises a plurality of the convex portions.   The recording medium post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a contact portion of the convex portion with the recording medium is curved.   5. The post-processing apparatus for a recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the front-rear direction length of the wide portion of the upper surface of the end fence formed by the convex-shaped portion is set to the front or rear by the end aligning unit. An apparatus for post-processing a recording medium, wherein the recording medium post-processing apparatus is set such that a front end edge or a rear end edge of the recording medium when pressed to the maximum in a direction is positioned within the wide portion.   6. The post-recording medium post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the end aligning unit includes a stapler that binds the recording medium after abutting and aligning a lower end edge of the recording medium. A post-processing apparatus for a recording medium.   2. An image forming apparatus for forming a recorded image on a recording medium, an image forming unit for forming the recorded image on the recording medium, and post-processing of the recording medium after the recording image is formed by the image forming unit. An image forming apparatus comprising the recording medium post-processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image forming unit forms a recorded image of toner on a recording medium by an image forming process of an electrophotographic method.

Images