JP2008007285A - Post-processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a post-processing device capable of applying, to paper sheets, a post-processing capable of easily discriminating the separation of the paper sheets even if the paper sheets are brought in a stacked state and surely confirming whether the paper sheets are orderly arranged or not. <P>SOLUTION: A finisher 7 applying the post-processing to the paper sheets on which images are printed before outputting comprises a punch part 71 and a position adjusting part 72. The punch part 71 forms cutout parts 71a, 71a' at the ends of the paper sheets. The position adjusting part 72 adjusts the positions of the paper sheets where the cutout parts 71a, 71a' are formed so that the positions of the cutout parts 71a, 71a' formed at the ends of the paper sheets are different from each other for each predetermined print unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a post-processing apparatus, and more particularly to a post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing on a sheet on which an image is printed and discharges the sheet.

  2. Description of the Related Art Image forming apparatuses such as multifunction peripherals include apparatuses having a finisher (corresponding to a post-processing apparatus) for performing post-processing such as stapling on paper after an image has been printed. As a result, the paper on which the image is printed is subjected to post-processing desired by the user, and then discharged and stacked on the discharge tray.

  However, when the user aligns the sheets stacked on the discharge tray, for example, in units of copies, the user must check the stacked sheets one by one and determine the separation of the sheets. Therefore, it takes time to align the sheets.

Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus that can easily discriminate between paper sheets by adding marks for identifying page numbers and the like to the paper.
JP 2004-202852 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, when sheets are stacked and the mark is not visible, the user must turn the sheets one by one to check the mark, and check whether the mark is aligned or not. I must. Therefore, it is difficult to reliably save the user's trouble.

  In view of the above, according to the present invention, post-processing can be performed on the paper so that the paper can be easily distinguished even when the paper is stacked, and the paper can be surely confirmed whether or not the paper is aligned in a desired order. Provide a possible finisher.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the invention 1 is a post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing on a plurality of sheets of paper on which images are printed, and includes a notch forming unit and a position adjusting unit. The notch forming means forms a notch at the end of the paper. The position adjusting means adjusts the position where the notch is formed so that the position of the notch formed at the end of the paper differs for each predetermined printing unit.

  According to this apparatus, the position of the notch formed on the paper is shifted, for example, for each image type or job. When such a sheet is filed, the user can instantaneously determine the type and contents of the image based on the position of the notch without actually looking at the page number of the sheet or the contents of the image. That is, the cutout portion serves as an index. Further, since it is not necessary to add a mark for determining the contents of the printed image, toner can be saved.

  A second aspect of the present invention provides the post-processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the position adjusting means adjusts a position where the notch is formed so that the position of the notch differs for each sheet.

  Accordingly, even when the sheets are overlapped, the user can easily confirm whether or not the sheets are aligned in the page order by the notch formed at the end of the sheet.

  The invention 3 is the invention 1 or 2, wherein the notch forming means is a punch means capable of forming a punch hole in the paper on which the image is printed, and the punch means is smaller than an area of the punch hole. Provided is a post-processing apparatus for forming an arcuate cutout having an area at the end of the paper.

  In this way, by forming the notch using the existing punching means, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated unit for forming the notch.

  According to the finisher of the present invention, post-processing is performed on the paper so that the paper can be distinguished at a glance even when the paper is stacked. Therefore, the user can easily align the sheets and can surely check whether the sheets are aligned in the desired order.

<Embodiment>
(1) Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus FIG. 1 is an external view of an image forming apparatus 1 that employs a finisher according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction machine model having functions as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile apparatus, and a scanner apparatus. The image forming apparatus 1 collects and prints a plurality of originals and classifies printed sheets. A plurality of functions such as an index function for attaching an index to a sheet is provided. The image forming apparatus 1 in FIG. 1 includes a document cover 3, a main body 4, an operation panel 5, a paper feed cassette 6, a finisher 7, and a discharge tray 8.

  The document cover 3 is for pressing a document placed on a document placing table 2 provided in a portion of the main body 4 facing the document cover 3, and the body can be opened and closed with respect to the document placing table 2. Part 4 is attached.

  The main unit 4 includes a communication unit (not shown) for communicating with other terminals, a document reading unit (not shown) for reading a document placed on the document placing table 2, and an image on a sheet. An image forming unit (not shown) for printing is included. The paper on which the image is printed in the image forming unit is conveyed to the finisher 7.

  The operation panel 5 is provided in the front side portion of the document placing table 2 in the main body unit 4 and has operation keys and a touch panel. The operation keys include a start key for instructing start of printing and setting keys for various settings. The touch panel includes a liquid crystal display, and displays a function list displayed on one screen so that a plurality of functions of the image forming apparatus 1 can be selected, for example.

  The paper feed cassette 6 can store paper, and is provided in three stages below the main body 4.

  The finisher 7 is for performing post-processing on a sheet on which an image is printed by the image forming unit of the main body unit 4 and discharging it to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1. The finisher 7 is provided on a side surface of the image forming apparatus 1. Yes. The configuration of the finisher 7 will be described later.

  The discharge tray 8 is a plate-like member provided on the side surface of the finisher 7 on the opposite side to the image forming apparatus 1 so as to protrude sideways, and the sheets that have been post-processed by the finisher 7 are stacked thereon.

(2) Configuration of Finisher The configuration of the finisher 7 will be described below. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the finisher 7. The finisher 7 includes a punch unit 71, a position adjustment unit 72, a control unit 73, and other functional units. Examples of other functional units include a staple unit (not shown) for performing a staple process on a plurality of sheets on which images are printed.

  When the punch function is selected by the user from the operation panel 5, the punch unit 71 performs a so-called punch process for forming a punch hole in a sheet on which an image is printed. When the index function is selected by the user from the function list screen displayed on the operation panel 5, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the punch unit 71 is a part of a circle of punch holes at the end of the sheet. Are formed in the cutout portions 71a and 71a ′.

  The position adjusting unit 72 adjusts the positions at which the notches 71a and 71a ′ are formed so that the positions of the notches 71a and 71a ′ formed at the edge of the sheet by the punch unit 71 are different for each predetermined printing unit. To do. The position adjusting unit 72 according to the present embodiment determines a position where the notches 71a and 71a ′ are formed, and aligns the lower end portions of the sheets so that the notches 71a and 71a ′ are formed at the positions. The paper is moved by moving a stopper (not shown) in the vertical direction of the paper, and the punching portion (not shown) in the punch unit 71 is moved in the horizontal direction of the paper. Here, when the index function is selected by the user from the function list screen on the operation panel 5 as the predetermined print unit, an index setting screen as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed. Is set by Examples of the predetermined printing unit include a page unit designated by the user such as 1 to 3 pages and 4 to 5 pages, a predetermined number of copies such as every five sheets, one page, and each job. It is done.

  The control unit 73 includes a microcomputer including a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM, and is connected to the punch unit 71, the position adjustment unit 72, and other functional units. The control unit 73 controls each connected functional unit. A control program for each functional unit that is read and executed by the CPU is stored in the ROM.

(3) Finisher Operation Next, the operation of the finisher 7 will be described. In the following, a case where the notches 71a and 71a ′ are formed for each page and one page designated by the user is taken as an example.

  First, when the function list screen is displayed on the touch panel of the operation panel 5 and an index function is selected by the user from this screen, an index is set on the operation panel 5 as shown in FIG. Is displayed.

  In the screen shown in FIG. 3, when the user selects “form a notch at a different position for each specified page”, the control unit 73 instructs the punch unit 71 and the position adjustment unit 72 to start forming the notch 71 a. And size information of the paper printed on the position adjustment unit 72 is output. When the position adjustment unit 72 determines the position at which the cutout 71a is first formed among the end portions of the paper based on the size information of the paper, the paper and punch unit so that the cutout 71a is formed at that position. 71 hole punching part (not shown) is moved. The punch unit 71 forms a notch 71a at the determined position, and the control unit 73 counts the number of sheets on which the notch 71a is formed. The punch unit 71 is determined by the position adjustment unit 72 on each sheet until the value counted by the control unit 73 becomes the number of pages specified by the user and the control unit 73 instructs to stop forming the notch 71a. The notch portion 71a is continuously formed.

  When the value counted by the control unit 73 reaches the number of pages specified by the user, the control unit 73 resets the value counted so far. Then, the control unit 73 outputs an instruction to stop the formation of the notch 71a to the punch unit 71 and outputs an instruction to adjust the current position where the notch 71a is formed to a different position to the position adjustment unit 72. To do. The position adjusting unit 72 determines the position where the cutout 71a is to be formed next as a position moved by a predetermined distance from the previously determined position, and the sheet and punch unit so that the cutout 71a is formed at that position. 71 hole punching part (not shown) is moved. When the position adjustment of the notch 71 a is completed, the control unit 73 outputs an instruction to start forming the notch 71 a to the punch 71. Thereby, the punch part 71 forms the notch part 71a in the newly determined position, and the control part 73 counts again the number of sheets on which the notch part 71a is formed. The punch unit 71 has a position newly determined by the position adjustment unit 72 in each sheet until the value counted by the control unit 73 becomes the number of pages specified by the user and the control unit 73 instructs to stop the formation of the notch 71a. The notch portion 71a is continuously formed. By repeating such an operation, the notch 71a is formed at the end of each of a plurality of sheets so as to be in a different position for each designated page as shown in FIG.

  Further, in the screen of FIG. 3, when the user selects “form cutout portions at different positions for each page”, the control unit 73 forms cutout portions 71 a ′ in the punch portion 71 and the position adjustment unit 72. A start instruction is output, and the size information of the printed paper is output to the position adjustment unit 72. When the position adjustment unit 72 determines the position at which the notch 71a ′ is formed in the end of the first sheet based on the sheet size information, the notch 71a ′ is formed at that position. By moving the punching portion of the paper and the punch portion 71, the punch portion 71 forms a notch 71a ′ at the determined position. Next, the position adjustment unit 72 determines the position of the notch 71a ′ formed at the end of the second sheet as a position moved a predetermined distance from the position of the notch 71a ′ of the first sheet. Then, the punching portion of the sheet and punch portion 71 is moved so that the cutout portion 71a ′ is formed at that position. And the punch part 71 forms the notch part 71a 'in this position. By repeating such an operation, a notch 71a 'is formed at the end of each of a plurality of sheets so as to be at a different position for each page as shown in FIG.

(4) Effect According to the finisher 7 according to the present embodiment, when the paper on which the notches 71a and 71a ′ are formed is filed, the user does not actually see the page number of the paper or the content of the image. The type and content of the image can be determined instantaneously based on the positions of the notches 71a and 71a ′. That is, the notches 71a and 71a ′ serve as indexes. Further, since it is not necessary to add a mark for determining the contents of the printed image, toner can be saved.

  In particular, as shown in FIG. 5, the notch 71a ′ is formed at a different position for each page, so that even if the sheets are overlapped, the user can Whether or not the sheets are arranged in the page order can be easily and reliably confirmed by the section 71a ′.

  Further, since the existing punch portion 71 forms the notches 71a and 71a ', it is not necessary to separately provide a dedicated unit for forming the notches 71a and 71a'.

<Other embodiments>
(A) In the above embodiment, it is described that the punch portion forms a notch at the end of the paper. However, a functional portion for forming the notch at the end of the paper may be provided separately from the punch.

  (B) In the above embodiment, the notch is formed on all printed sheets. However, the notch may be formed on a sheet corresponding to a predetermined number of pages such as the fifth page and the tenth page. .

  (C) In the above embodiment, the position adjusting unit moves the punching portion of the paper and the punch portion so that the cutout portion is formed at the determined position. However, even if only the punching portion is moved, Good.

  (D) The size of the notch portion may not be uniform for all sheets. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the notch portion may be formed so that the area of the notch portion decreases step by step for every predetermined number. In this case, the size of the notch is determined by the control unit, and the position adjusting unit is configured so that, for example, the notch of the size determined by the control unit is formed at the end of the sheet. Is moved stepwise in the horizontal direction of the paper.

  (E) The cutout portion is not limited to the arc shape in which a part of the circle is cut out, and may have any shape.

  (F) In the above embodiment, the case where the control unit is included in the finisher has been described. However, the control unit may be included in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

  The post-processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied as an apparatus for performing post-processing on a sheet printed by a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine, or by a multifunction machine having both of these functions and a scanner function.

1 is an external view of an image forming apparatus that employs a post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment. The block diagram which shows typically the structure of the post-processing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. Example screen displayed on the operation panel. In the present embodiment, an example of a plurality of sheets in which cutout portions are formed at different positions for each page specified by a user. In the present embodiment, an example of a plurality of sheets in which cutout portions are formed at different positions for each page. In other embodiment (d), the example of the several sheet | seat in which the notch part of a different magnitude | size was formed.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 7 Finisher 71 Punch part 71a, 71a 'Notch part 72 Position adjustment part 73 Control part

Claims (3)

A post-processing device that performs post-processing on a plurality of sheets of paper on which images are printed, and discharges the paper.
Notch forming means for forming a notch at an end of the paper;
Position adjusting means for adjusting the position where the notch is formed so that the position of the notch formed at the end of the paper differs for each predetermined printing unit;
Including a post-processing device.   The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position adjusting unit adjusts a position where the notch is formed so that the position of the notch is different for each sheet. The notch forming means is a punch means capable of forming a punch hole in a paper on which the image is printed,
3. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the punching unit forms an arc-shaped notch having an area smaller than an area of the punch hole at an end of the sheet.

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