JP2007269436A - Sheet treatment device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet treatment device and an image forming device capable of binding a bundle of sheets without generating alignment failure of a rear end. <P>SOLUTION: A pressing member 72 for pressure-contacting the sheet S1 with a sheet stack means 34 can be moved to a retreating position for not obstructing alignment of the sheet S1 by an alignment part and a pressing position for pressure-contacting the aligned sheet S1 with the sheet stack means 34. Further, a restriction member 71 for restricting movement of the aligned sheet S1 to an upper side of an end in a sheet conveying direction can be moved to a retreating position for not obstructing alignment of the sheet S1 by the alignment part and a restriction position for restricting movement of the aligned sheet S1 to the upper side of the end in the sheet conveying direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the sheet processing apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus that performs sheet binding processing by aligning sheets.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, for example, in order to reduce the labor required for binding processing for a sheet after image formation, the sheets after image formation are sequentially taken into the apparatus, Some of them include a sheet processing apparatus that performs binding processing and the like.

  In such a sheet processing apparatus, the sheet is conveyed to the intermediate stacking unit by the intermediate roller, and after the end portion is aligned on the intermediate stacking unit, the binding process is performed by the binding unit such as a stapler. There are some (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 14 shows the configuration of such a conventional sheet processing apparatus. A sheet S on which an image is formed is conveyed to an intermediate stacking unit 101 by an intermediate roller 102. Then, the sheets S stacked on the intermediate stacking unit 101 in this manner are returned in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction by a return unit (not shown) and abut against the alignment reference wall 104 so that the trailing ends in the conveyance direction are aligned. It has become.

  By the way, when the preceding sheet S previously stacked on the intermediate stacking unit 101 is lifted from the nip line of the intermediate roller 102 when the sheet is conveyed, the succeeding sheet collides with the preceding sheet S, and the alignment is disturbed or jammed. May occur.

  Therefore, conventionally, a trailing edge regulating member 103 is provided to prevent the trailing edge of the preceding sheet S from being lifted, and the trailing edge of the preceding sheet S stacked on the intermediate stacking portion 101 is moved by the trailing edge regulating member 103. (Lifting) is suppressed. The rear end regulating member 103 is provided so as to be rotatable downstream from the nip position of the intermediate roller 102 so as to regulate the position of the rear end of the preceding sheet S by the lower end portion and prevent the sheet from rising. The sheet is biased in the direction opposite to the sheet conveying direction indicated by B.

  The trailing edge regulating member 103 causes the trailing edge of the preceding sheet S to be lower than the nip line of the intermediate roller 102 until the trailing edge regulating member 103 is pressed and rotated by the leading edge of the succeeding sheet. Come to be located. Thereby, when the trailing edge regulating member 103 rotates, the leading edge of the succeeding sheet has already been conveyed to the downstream side of the trailing edge of the preceding sheet S, and the leading edge of the succeeding sheet is the trailing edge of the preceding sheet S. There is no collision.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the conventional sheet processing apparatus is provided with a pressing unit 170 that presses the upper surface of the preceding sheet S1 that has been conveyed to the intermediate stacking unit 101 and whose end portions have been aligned. . The pressing unit 170 presses the preceding sheet S1, thereby preventing the preceding sheet S1 from being pushed out by the succeeding sheet S2.

  Here, the pressing unit 170 is lowered by the action of the solenoid 173. When the pressing unit 170 moves downward, the upper surface of the preceding sheet S1 is pressed by the elastic body 172 provided at the lower portion, thereby preventing extrusion by the succeeding sheet S2.

  Note that when the end of the sheet S1 conveyed to the intermediate stacking unit 101 is aligned in this way, the pressing unit 170 can be raised to the retracted position by the action of the solenoid 173. Therefore, the alignment process is not hindered.

JP 2004-59314 A

  By the way, in such a conventional sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus, for example, when the curl on the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction is large, the trailing edge of the preceding sheet S1 is aligned with the alignment reference wall 104 as shown in FIG. It may be loaded so as to lean.

  In this case, since the trailing edge regulating member 103 is not biased in the direction in which the sheet is pressed against the intermediate stacking portion 101, the leading sheet S1 enters the gap between the alignment reference wall 104 and the trailing edge regulating member 103. Become. When the preceding sheet S1 enters the gap between the alignment reference wall 104 and the trailing end regulating member 103 in this way, the trailing end regulating member 103 cannot regulate the trailing end of the preceding sheet S1. As a result, there is a problem that the subsequent sheet collides with the rear end of the preceding sheet S1 and the sheet is damaged or jammed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 17, the alignment reference wall 104 has a lower stapler front end portion 104a so that the sheet conveyed by the intermediate roller 102 is guided to the front end of the stapler 142 at a position lower than the nip of the intermediate roller 102. It has become. Therefore, this problem has occurred remarkably in the vicinity of the stapler frontage.

  Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, a pressing member 171 for preventing the trailing end of the sheet from lifting may be provided in the pressing unit 170. When the pressing unit 170 moves downward, the pressing member 171 presses the rear end portion of the preceding sheet S1 against the intermediate stacking portion 101.

  However, if the lower surface 171a of the trailing edge regulating member 171 is completely pressed by the lower end 171a of the preceding sheet S1 so as to hold the trailing edge of the preceding sheet S1 against the intermediate stacking portion 101, as shown in FIG. The back edge of the seat buckles before pressing. As a result, the trailing edge of the sheet leans against the first alignment reference wall 104, and if the sheet is stapled in this state, an alignment failure of the trailing edge of the sheet bundle occurs.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus that can bind a sheet bundle without causing a rear end misalignment. To do.

  The present invention includes a sheet stacking unit that transports a sheet to be processed, and a sheet transport unit that transports the sheet to the sheet stacking unit, and processes the aligned sheets after being transported to the sheet stacking unit. In the sheet processing apparatus to perform, an alignment unit that aligns the sheets conveyed to the sheet stacking unit, a retreat position that does not interfere with alignment of the sheets by the alignment unit, and a press that presses the aligned sheets against the sheet stacking unit A pressing member that can move to a position, a retracted position that does not interfere with the alignment of the sheet by the alignment unit, and a restriction position that restricts the upward movement of the aligned sheet in the sheet conveyance direction. And a regulating member.

  As in the present invention, when the pressing member moves to the pressing position, the sheet member is bound without causing the rear end misalignment by restricting the upward movement of the rear end portion of the sheet by the restricting member. Can do.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus provided with a sheet processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 100 is an image forming apparatus, 101 is an image forming unit 1 and the like. Is an image forming apparatus main body. A sheet processing apparatus 3 that performs processing such as stapling on a sheet that is selectively conveyed after an image is formed by the image forming unit 1 is provided on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus main body 101. An image reading device 2 is attached above the device 3.

  The image forming apparatus 100 is an in-machine discharge type in which a discharge space P for discharging a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 1 is provided between the image reading apparatus 2 and the sheet processing apparatus 3. .

  Here, the image reading apparatus 2 that reads a document image includes a scanner unit 21 that is an image reading unit and an ADF (automatic document feeding unit) 22. The ADF 22 separates a plurality of documents stacked on the document stacking tray 23 one by one by a feeding roller 24 and a separation pad (not shown) when the scanner unit 21 optically reads the document description information. It is conveyed and passed through the document reading position 25. The ADF 22 can be opened and closed rearward around a hinge (not shown) at the rear of the apparatus, and is opened and closed when a document is placed on the document table glass 26.

  The scanner unit 21 includes an optical carriage 27 that reads an image of a document placed on a platen glass while scanning it in a horizontal direction along a guide shaft (not shown). Document information read by the optical carriage 27 is provided. Are photoelectrically converted by the CCD 28. Note that when the original is read by the ADF 22, the optical carriage 27 stops at a predetermined position and reads the original being conveyed.

  The image forming apparatus main body 101 includes an image forming unit 1 that forms an image (toner image) by an electrophotographic method, a sheet feeding unit 5 that feeds a sheet to the image forming unit 1, a fixing unit 12, a first and a first unit. Two-sheet discharge sections 16A and 19A are provided.

  Here, the image forming unit 1 exposes the surface of the photoconductive drum 10 and the process cartridge 9 including the photoconductive drum 10 and a charging roller, a developing device, a toner container, and the like (not shown) to statically place the photoconductive drum on the photoconductive drum. And a laser scanner 11 for forming an electrostatic latent image.

  Further, the sheet feeding unit 5 includes a sheet feeding cassette 4 that stores a plurality of sheets S used for image formation in a stacked state, and a pickup roller that feeds the sheet S stored in the sheet feeding cassette 4. 6.

  The first sheet discharge unit 16A includes a first flapper 13, a first sheet discharge roller 16, and a face-up conveyance path 15. The second sheet discharge unit 19A includes a second flapper 18, a second sheet discharge A roller 19 and a face-down conveyance path 14 are provided.

  The second flapper 18 discharges the sheet after image formation to the sheet processing apparatus 3 and the sheet stacking unit 20 provided in the sheet discharge space P as shown in FIG. Switching to the sheet discharge position is possible. The first flapper 13 switches between a position shown in FIG. 1 where the sheet after image formation is discharged face-up onto the sheet discharge tray 17 and a discharge position where the sheet after image formation is directed toward the face-down conveyance path 14. It is possible.

  Further, the sheet processing apparatus 3 performs processing such as stapling on a sheet selectively guided by switching the second flapper 18. As shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate stacking unit 34 for processing the sheet, the intermediate transport roller 32 for transporting the sheet to the intermediate stacking unit 34, and the contact for discharging the sheet processed in the intermediate stacking unit 34. A separable discharge roller pair 33 is provided.

  In addition, the sheet processing apparatus 3 includes a first alignment reference wall 37 that abuts the rear end of the sheet conveyed to the intermediate stacking unit 34 and aligns the end of the sheet in the conveyance direction. Further, an alignment roller 36 that conveys the sheet conveyed to the intermediate stacking unit 34 toward the first alignment reference wall 37 and abuts the rear end of the sheet on the first alignment reference wall 37 is provided. Here, the first alignment reference wall 37 and the alignment roller 36 constitute a first alignment portion.

  Reference numeral 31 denotes an entrance roller that conveys the sheet conveyed to the sheet processing apparatus 3 to the intermediate conveyance roller 32 by switching the second flapper 18. 35 is a paper discharge tray for stacking sheets discharged by the paper discharge roller pair 33 after processing such as stapling, and 43 is a sheet provided above the intermediate stacking section 34 and conveyed by the intermediate conveyance roller 32. Is a conveyance guide that guides to the intermediate stacking unit 34.

  Next, an operation at the time of image formation of the image forming apparatus 100 configured as described above will be described.

  In the case of forming an image on a sheet, first, a document is set on the document stacking tray 23 of the ADF 22, and then the copy button is pressed, and the document is conveyed to the document reading position 25 by the paper feed roller 24 of the ADF 22. The original is irradiated with light from a light source (not shown), the reflected light is read by the optical carriage 27, and the image signal read in this way is photoelectrically converted by the CCD 28, and then the laser scanner of the image forming unit 1. 11 for transfer.

  Next, when the image signal is input in this way, the laser scanner 11 irradiates the photosensitive drum 10 with laser light corresponding to the image signal, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 10. Is done. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing unit (not shown) and visualized as a toner image, and the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 in this way is rotated with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 10. It is conveyed to a transfer nip portion between the photosensitive drum 10 and the transfer roller 10a.

  On the other hand, the sheets S used for image formation are separated and fed one by one from the sheet feeding cassette 4 by the pickup roller 6 and the separation roller pair 7, and then fed to the transfer nip portion along the conveyance guide 8. . As a result, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 10 is transferred to the sheet S by the transfer roller 10a.

  Then, the sheet S on which the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 10 in this manner is conveyed to the fixing unit 12 and is heated and pressed in the fixing unit 12 to fix the toner image on the surface.

  Here, when the processing on the sheet S is unnecessary and the sheet is discharged face up, the first flapper 13 is set to the sheet discharge position shown in FIG. As a result, the sheet S after the toner image is fixed is conveyed along the face-up conveyance path 15, and the first sheet discharge roller 16 faces the sheet discharge tray 17 in a face-up state, that is, the surface on which the toner image is formed. It is discharged in the state toward

  On the other hand, when processing on the sheet is unnecessary and the sheet is discharged face down, the first flapper 13 is set to a discharge position where the sheet S is directed toward the face up conveyance path 14. The second flapper 18 is set at a sheet discharge position for discharging the sheet to the sheet discharge stacking unit 20 provided in the sheet discharge space P.

  As a result, after the toner image is fixed, the sheet S is conveyed along the face-down conveying path 14 and then the second sheet discharge roller 19 forms a face-down state, that is, a toner image on the sheet discharge stacking unit 20. It is discharged with the surface facing downward.

  In addition, when it is set to perform a process such as stapling on the sheet after image formation, or when it is set to eject the sheet from the sheet processing apparatus 3 without performing the process, the second is performed. The flapper 18 is previously switched to the position shown in FIG.

  By such switching of the second flapper 18, the sheet S is conveyed to the intermediate stacking unit 34 via the entrance roller 31 and the intermediate conveyance roller 32 that is a sheet conveyance unit. 2 is supported so that the upper roller 33a can be separated from the lower roller 33b. When the sheet S is conveyed to the intermediate stacking portion 34 in this way, the discharge roller pair 33 is separated, so that the sheet S is not discharged by the discharge roller pair 33.

  Thereafter, the sheets conveyed to the intermediate stacking unit 34 are aligned one by one in the conveying direction and the width direction, as will be described later, and the aligned sheet bundle is subjected to a stapling process. Then, after the stapling process is finished, the separated discharge roller pair 33 comes into contact, and is discharged to the discharge tray 35 by the discharge roller pair 33.

  On the other hand, when the sheet is discharged from the sheet processing apparatus 3 but is not stapled, the sheet S conveyed by the intermediate conveyance roller 32 is discharged by the discharge roller 33 without being temporarily stored in the intermediate stacking unit 34. It is discharged to the tray 35.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the intermediate stacking unit 34 that is a sheet stacking unit that stacks the sheets to be processed includes a second alignment reference wall 41 that aligns the positions in the width direction of the sheets. . In addition, first to third joggers 40 a, 40 b, and 40 c that move the sheet in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction (hereinafter, referred to as a width direction) and make contact with the second alignment reference wall 41 are provided.
Further, a stapler 42 for binding the aligned sheet bundle is provided. Here, the second alignment reference wall 41 and the first to third joggers 40a, 40b, and 40c constitute a second alignment portion.

  The first to third joggers 40a, 40b, and 40c include sheet alignment surfaces 40a1, 40b1, and 40c1 that come into contact with the side edges of the sheet S1. In the present embodiment, the first and second joggers 40a and 40b are U-shaped so that the seat can be supported from below. Further, in order to discharge the stapled sheet to the stacking tray 35, the sheet can be retracted to a position where the lower surface supporting the sheet from below is outside the sheet width.

  The third jogger 40c upstream of the paper discharge roller pair 33 is moved in the width direction in conjunction with the first jogger 40a by a not-shown interlocking mechanism, whereby the first and third joggers 40c are moved. The joggers 40a and 40c can align sheets in synchronization. Further, the second jogger 40 b disposed on the second alignment reference wall 41 side is fixed at a position where the sheet alignment surface is flush with the second alignment reference wall 41.

  The aligning roller 36 is movable in the vertical direction with respect to the intermediate stacking unit 34. When the aligning roller 36 is lowered, the aligning roller 36 contacts the surface of the sheet on the intermediate stacking unit 34, and the sheet S1 is aligned at the rear end position in the sheet conveying direction. It is made to face the reference wall 37. Further, when the sheet is lifted, the sheet is retracted to a position where there is no problem in carrying the sheet into the intermediate stacking unit 34.

  In the present embodiment, for the alignment in two orthogonal directions, an alignment unit dedicated to each direction is provided. However, for example, a transfer member that transfers the sheet S1 obliquely toward the binding position of the stapler that is a binding unit is provided. Two-direction alignment may be performed by a single alignment portion provided.

  Furthermore, the intermediate stacking section 34 includes a first pressing member 38 and a second pressing member 39 as shown in FIG. Here, the first pressing member 38 is rotatably held by a fulcrum 38b provided on the upstream side of the nip position of the intermediate conveyance roller 32, and is indicated by an arrow A by a biasing member such as a spring (not shown). Is biased in the direction.

  The first pressing member 38 is pressed by the conveyed sheet and rotates upward when the sheet is conveyed to the intermediate stacking unit 34, and retracts to a position that does not hinder the conveyance of the sheet. When the sheet is not conveyed, the lower surface 38 a that is in contact with the sheet protrudes from the first alignment reference wall 37 at a position above the stacking surface 34 a of the intermediate stacking unit 34 by a predetermined distance.

  The second pressing member 39 is pivotally supported by a fulcrum 39b and is held at a position where it abuts against the leading edge of the sheet on the downstream side of the nip position of the intermediate conveying roller 32. An arrow by a biasing member such as a spring (not shown). It is biased in the direction of B.

  When the sheet is conveyed to the intermediate stacking unit 34, the second pressing member 39 is also pressed by the conveyed sheet and rotates upward, and retreats to a position that does not hinder the conveyance of the sheet. When the sheet is not conveyed, the lower surface 38a of the first pressing member 38 is positioned below the lower surface 39a of the second pressing member.

  By arranging the first and second pressing members 38 and 39 in this way, even if a sheet conveyed to the intermediate stacking unit 34 pushes up the first pressing member 38, the second pressing member 39 becomes the intermediate stacking unit. It is possible to suppress the floating of the preceding sheets stacked on the 34. That is, interference and collision between the leading edge of the succeeding sheet conveyed to the intermediate stacking unit 34 and the trailing end of the preceding sheet stacked on the intermediate stacking unit 34 can be prevented.

  In FIG. 5, reference numeral 70 is provided downstream of the intermediate conveying roller 32, and presses the upper surface of the sheet after the side edges are aligned as will be described later, thereby preventing the preceding sheet from being pushed out by the succeeding sheet. Is a unit. As shown in FIG. 6, the pressing unit 70 includes a regulating member 71 attached to the unit main body 70a, a pressing member 72 integrally attached to the unit main body side of the regulating member 71, a solenoid 73, a shaft 74, A link 75 and a spring 76 are included.

  The restricting member 71 and the pressing member 72 are arranged at positions that act only on the aligned sheets outside the conveyance area of the sheet conveyed to the intermediate stacking unit 34 by the intermediate conveyance roller 32.

  The restricting member 71 is normally biased in the direction of the arrow P by the rotation about the shaft 74 of the link 75 by the biasing force of the spring 76, and when the solenoid 73 as the driving means is activated, the shaft 74 of the link 75 is activated. It moves in the direction of arrow Q by turning around the center.

  Here, the lower surface 71a of the regulating member 71 is configured to be positioned above the lower surface 72a of the pressing member 72 in a state of being elastically deformed by pressing the sheet S1, as shown in FIG. . Further, it is configured to be positioned upstream of the lower surface 72a of the pressing member 72 in the sheet conveying direction, that is, on the first alignment reference wall side.

  With this configuration, even when the rear end of the sheet S1 is curled upward, the lower surface 71a of the restricting member 71 can be used as a restricting surface until the lift of the sheet S1 cannot be completely suppressed. The upward movement of the rear end of the sheet can be restricted.

  That is, in the present embodiment, when the sheet S1 is pressed by the pressing unit 70, the lower surface 72a constituting the pressure contact surface of the pressing member 72 as a pressing unit is pressed against the upper surface of the sheet S1 to fix the sheet S1. I have to. Furthermore, the lower surface 71a constituting the regulating surface of the regulating member 71 serving as the regulating means regulates the upward movement (lifting) of the rear end portion of the sheet S1 with which the pressing member 72 is in pressure contact. The lower surface 72a of the pressing member 72 is made of an elastic body, and fixes the sheet S1 in an elastically deformed state.

  Next, a sheet processing operation in the sheet processing apparatus 3 including the pressing unit 70 configured as described above will be described.

  When the sheet is conveyed to the sheet processing apparatus 3, the sheet conveyed by the entrance roller 31 is discharged to the intermediate stacking unit 34 by the intermediate conveyance roller 32. Note that before the sheet is conveyed to the intermediate stacking unit 34, the first to third joggers 40a to 40c are moved to a position where the sheet alignment surface is wider by a predetermined amount than the sheet conveyance area. Accordingly, the sheet is conveyed to the intermediate stacking unit 34 without hitting the first to third joggers 40a to 40c, and the lower surface of the sheet is supported by the first to third joggers 40a to 40c.

  Further, at the latest, before the trailing edge of the sheet comes off from the intermediate conveyance roller 32, the pair of paper discharge rollers 33 are separated and stop rotating. Accordingly, the sheet that has passed through the intermediate conveyance roller 32 is stacked on the intermediate stacking unit 34.

  When the sheets are stacked on the intermediate stacking unit 34, as shown in FIG. 3, the regulating member 71 is positioned outside the width of the sheet S1, that is, outside the sheet conveying area. There is no collision.

  Then, after the sheet S1 is stacked on the intermediate stacking portion 34 in this way, first, the first jogger 40a and the third jogger 40c interlocked with the first jogger 40a are moved in the direction of the arrow R shown in FIG. Move in the direction.

  At this time, as described above, the second jogger 40 b is fixed at a position where the sheet alignment surface is flush with the second alignment reference wall 41. When the sheet S1 is moved by the first and third joggers 40a and 40c in this way, the side end of the sheet S1 comes into contact with the sheet alignment surface of the second jogger 40b and the second alignment reference wall 41, thereby the sheet. The positions in the width direction of S1 are aligned. At this time, the restricting member 71 has moved to an upper position that is a retracted position that does not interfere with the alignment of the sheets by the first and third joggers 40a and 40c.

  Next, when the alignment of the side edge positions of the sheet S1 is completed, the alignment roller 36 is lowered and comes into contact with the surface of the sheet S1, and then the sheet S1 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow T, thereby the sheet S1. The rear end is brought into contact with the first alignment reference wall 37. As a result, the rear end position of the sheet S1 is regulated, and alignment in the transport direction of the sheet S1 is performed.

  Then, after such alignment of the sheet S1 in the width direction and the conveyance direction is completed, the solenoid 73 is activated. Thereby, the regulating member 71 and the pressing member 72 integrally move with the unit main body 70a to move in the direction of the arrow Q shown in FIG. 6, and regulate and press the upper surface of the aligned sheet S1 as shown in FIG.

  Here, by restricting the upper surface of the preceding sheet S1 by the restricting member 71 as described above, the succeeding sheet S2 conveyed to the intermediate stacking unit 34 is prevented from being lifted by the trailing edge of the preceding sheet S1 thereafter. And can be reliably transported and stacked on the intermediate stacking section 34.

  Further, since the regulating member 71 is disposed outside the conveyance area of the subsequent sheet S2 conveyed to the intermediate stacking portion 34, the subsequent sheet S2 does not collide with the regulating member 71. Further, at this time, since the preceding sheet S1 is urged by the pressing member 72 attached to the unit main body 70a integrally with the regulating member 71, there is no deviation due to friction with the succeeding sheet S2.

  On the other hand, the succeeding sheet S2 thus transported to the intermediate stacking section 34 is then aligned by the first to third joggers 40a to 40c. At this time, the regulating member 71 and the elastic member 72 receive the sheet. Retreat in the direction of arrow P in FIG.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the regulating member 71 moves above the stacking surface 34 a of the intermediate stacking unit 34, and the subsequent sheet S <b> 2 does not collide with the regulating member 71. Such an operation is repeated until a predetermined number of sheets to be stapled is reached.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the regulating member 71 and the pressing member 72 are integrally provided has been described. However, it is only necessary that the regulating member 71 and the pressing member 72 can be integrally moved to the retracted position during sheet alignment. It is not something that can be done. However, since it can be moved by a single driving means by configuring it integrally, the structure can be simplified, and miniaturization and cost reduction can be realized.

  Thereafter, when the alignment of the final sheet is completed, the first and third joggers 40a and 40c are moved to a position where they abut against the end surface of the sheet and are completely aligned. Bind. After that, the first and second joggers 40a and 40b shown in FIG. 4 are completely retracted to a position where the lower surface is wider than the width of the sheet, and the sheet bundle is conveyed by contacting the discharge roller pair 33, The sheet bundle is discharged and stacked on the stacking tray 35.

  By the way, when the upper surface of the sheet S1 is regulated by the regulating member 71, the lower surface 71a of the regulating member 71 has a predetermined gap α from the lower surface 72a of the pressing member 72 that is elastically deformed by pressing the sheet S1, as shown in FIG. Minutes above. For this reason, the lifting of the rear end portion of the sheet is not completely suppressed.

  Here, if the lift of the rear end portion of the sheet S1 is completely suppressed, the rear end portion of the sheet leans against the first alignment reference wall 37 as shown in FIG. The rear end alignment is poor. Further, a large force is required to completely suppress the trailing edge lift due to the fixing thermal curl of the sheet S1, and it is necessary to increase the size and cost of the actuator.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when the regulating member 71 is lowered, a gap (step) is provided between the lower surface 71a of the regulating member 71 and the lower surface 72a of the pressing member 72. Therefore, the sheet S1 The lift at the rear end is not completely suppressed. That is, the lower surface 71a of the regulating member 71 does not completely suppress the lifting of the trailing edge, but restricts the upward movement of the trailing edge of the aligned sheets.

  With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the amount of pressing of the rear end of the sheet S1 by a predetermined gap α, thereby making it possible to greatly reduce the load on the actuator, which is low cost and space saving. An actuator can be selected. Further, the curvature of the rear end of the sheet becomes gentle so that the rear end of the sheet S1 is not bent and leans against the first alignment reference wall 37 when the sheet S1 is regulated.

  When the amount of the gap α is large, the nip line of the intermediate conveyance roller 32 is exceeded. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 8, the amount of the gap α is such that the height obtained by adding the bundle thickness β of the necessary number of binding sheets and the gap α is higher than the height γ of the nip line from the intermediate stacking surface 34 to the intermediate transport roller 32. It is necessary to set to a value that decreases. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the gap α is set to 2 mm by experiment.

  Further, on the intermediate stacking portion 34, the leading edge of the succeeding sheet S2 is obstructed by the lift of the trailing edge of the preceding sheet S1, as described above with reference to FIG. It tends to occur at low points. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the lower surface 71a of the regulating member 71 is provided in the vicinity of the stapler opening near the binding position of the stapler 42.

  As described above, when the restricting member 71 moves to the restricting position, the lower surface 71a of the restricting member 71 restricts the upward movement (lifting) of the rear end portion of the preceding sheet S2, so that the rear end of the preceding sheet S2 is Can be aligned without buckling. As a result, the sheet bundle can be stapled (bound) without causing misalignment of the trailing edge of the sheet.

  Further, with this configuration, the sheet processing apparatus 3 can have a curl pressing function and a preceding sheet pressing function without newly providing a curl pressing unit and without increasing the size and cost of the regulating member. it can.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an intermediate stacking unit provided in the sheet processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. 9, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 7 indicate the same or corresponding parts.

  In FIG. 9, 71A is a pressing member, and in this embodiment, this pressing member 71A is formed of an elastic body. Thus, when the pressing member 71A is lowered, when the lower surface 71a of the pressing member 71A is pressed with a force of a predetermined amount or more by the lifting force of the sheet S1, the pressing member 71A is elastically rotated upward. It has become.

  With this configuration, the upward movement of the rear end portion of the preceding sheet S2 can be restricted without buckling the rear end of the preceding sheet S2, thereby causing poor alignment of the sheet rear end. The sheet bundle can be stapled without generating the above.

  In addition, since the pressing member 71A absorbs a force of a predetermined amount or more by configuring in this way, as in the first embodiment, without increasing the size or cost of the actuator, The pressing member 71A can have a curl pressing function.

  The present embodiment is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 9 as long as the lower surface 71a of the pressing member 71A can absorb the lifting force of the sheet. For example, if the lower surface 71a of the pressing member 71A can absorb the lifting force of the sheet, an elastic body 77 may be attached to the lower surface 71a of the pressing member 71 as shown in FIG. Further, similar effects can be obtained by attaching an elastic body 77 to the lower surface 71a of the pressing member 71 and making the pressing member 72 a rigid body 78 as shown in FIG.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 3 described in the first embodiment, the lower surface 72a of the pressing member 72 is more than the lower surface 71a of the regulating member 71 so that the lower surface 71a of the regulating member 71 is positioned in the vicinity of the binding position of the stapler 42. It is provided on the second alignment reference wall 41 side. However, the position of the lower surface 72a of the pressing member 72 is not limited to this.

  For example, if the lower surface 71a of the regulating member 71 can be positioned in the vicinity of the binding position of the stapler 42, the regulating member 71 may be arranged along the first alignment reference wall 37 as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, for example. . Further, at this time, the lower surface 72a of the pressing member 72 may be disposed within the sheet conveyance region, and the lower surface 71a of the regulating member 71 may be disposed outside the sheet conveyance region.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus including a sheet processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The figure explaining the structure of the said sheet processing apparatus. The top view of the said sheet processing apparatus. The perspective view of the said sheet processing apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an intermediate stacking unit provided in the sheet processing apparatus. The perspective view explaining the structure of the press unit provided in the said intermediate stacking part. The side view explaining the structure of the said press unit. The figure explaining operation | movement of the said press unit. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an intermediate stacking unit provided in a sheet processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view explaining the other structure of the said intermediate | middle stacking part. The perspective view explaining the other structure of the said intermediate | middle stacking part. The figure which shows schematic structure of the sheet processing apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an intermediate stacking unit provided in the sheet processing apparatus. The figure explaining the structure of the conventional sheet processing apparatus. The figure explaining the structure of the intermediate | middle stacking part provided in the conventional sheet processing apparatus. The figure explaining the state when aligning the rear end position of the sheet | seat which the rear end of the conventional sheet processing apparatus curled. The front view of the intermediate | middle stacking part of the conventional sheet processing apparatus. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another configuration of an intermediate stacking unit provided in a conventional sheet processing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming part 100 Image forming apparatus 3 Sheet processing apparatus 32 Intermediate conveyance roller 34 Intermediate stacking part 37 First alignment reference walls 40a, 40b, 40c First to third joggers 41 Second alignment reference wall 42 Stapler 70 Press unit 71 Restriction Member 71A pressing member 71a lower surface 72 of regulating member pressing member 72a lower surface 77 of pressing member elastic body S1 preceding sheet S2 succeeding sheet

Claims (11)

A sheet processing apparatus comprising: a sheet stacking unit that transports a sheet to be processed; and a sheet transporting unit that transports the sheet to the sheet stacking unit, and performs processing of aligned sheets after being transported to the sheet stacking unit In
An alignment unit for aligning the sheets conveyed to the sheet stacking means;
A pressing member that is movable to a retracted position that does not interfere with alignment of the sheet by the alignment unit, and a pressing position that presses the aligned sheet against the sheet stacking unit;
A regulating member that can move to a retracted position that does not hinder the alignment of the sheet by the aligning unit, and a regulating position that regulates the upward movement of the aligned sheet in the sheet conveyance direction;
A sheet processing apparatus comprising:   In the restricting position, the restricting member has an upstream end in the sheet conveying direction of the aligned sheet so that the upstream end in the sheet conveying direction of the aligned sheet does not interfere with the conveyance of the subsequent sheet by the sheet conveying means. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein upward movement of the sheet is restricted.   The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a restriction surface of the restriction member that restricts movement of the sheet is located above a pressure contact surface of the pressing member that is in pressure contact with the sheet.   The restriction surface of the restriction member that restricts the movement of the sheet is elastically moved upward by being pressed by the sheet when the aligned sheet comes into contact therewith. Sheet processing device. Binding means for binding sheets aligned by the alignment unit;
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the regulating surface of the regulating member is positioned in the vicinity of the binding position of the binding unit.   6. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the restricting member is provided outside a sheet conveying region by the sheet conveying means, and the restricting surface is provided closer to the binding means than the press contact surface.   The alignment unit includes a first alignment unit that aligns a sheet conveyance direction end of the sheet conveyed to the sheet stacking unit, and an end of the sheet that is conveyed to the sheet stacking unit in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second aligning unit that aligns.   The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the restriction member is provided along an alignment position in the first alignment portion, and a restriction surface of the restriction member is provided closer to the binding means than the pressing member.   The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a driving unit that integrally moves the restricting member and the pressing member to a retracted position.   The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the regulating member and the pressing member are integrated. An image comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image; and the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 that processes a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit. Forming equipment.

Images