JP2008049461A - Cutting device for sheet-like member and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cutting device for sheet-like member and an image forming device capable of preventing failure caused by a bad condition of the sheet-like member such as recording paper to be fed to the cutting device. <P>SOLUTION: The cutting device 70 is provided with a conveyance correction part 71 for correcting the recording paper P to a predefined state (the attitude and the right and left positions in the conveying direction) and a cutting part 72 for cutting off a border area of the recording paper P to obtain a predefined no-border form. The conveyance correction part 71 is provided with a table 73 for supporting the recording paper P, a skew roll 74, and a correction guide plate 75. The conveyance correction part 71 is constructed such that: the recording paper P is supported on a supporting surface 73H of the table 73; the skew roll 74 sandwiches the recording paper P between itself and the table 73 to move it obliquely toward the correction guide plate 75 so that the side edge of the recording paper P lies along the correction guide plate 75; and the attitude and the right and left positions of the recording paper P are corrected to conform to the cutting position of the cutting device 72. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet-like member cutting apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

For example, a cutting apparatus that cuts off margins at the end of a sheet on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus or the like is known. (See Patent Documents 1 and 2).
These patent documents relate to a cutting device that cuts a blank portion of an image in order to form an image without a margin (a borderless print), and the like. A round blade pair cutter is disclosed in which a sheet is sandwiched between a first round blade and a second round blade, and the sheet is cut in the moving direction by relatively moving the sheet and the first and second round blades. .
Further, Patent Document 1 discloses a round blade pair cutter having a guide member that guides so as to discharge sheet chips in a predetermined direction.
Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration having a separating member that separates chips of a sheet in a predetermined direction.

JP 2005-262408 A JP 2005-262409 A

Here, for example, when the image forming unit forms an image while leaving a margin around the recording paper and then cuts the margin portion with a cutting device to form a borderless image, the image is supplied to the cutting device. If the recording paper state (left and right positions with respect to the orientation and transport direction) is out of the intended range, the margins remain uncut or the edges are unsightly with an angle to the image. Is produced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet-like member cutting device and an image forming apparatus that can prevent problems caused by a defective state of a sheet-like member such as recording paper supplied to the cutting device.

In order to achieve this object, a sheet-like member cutting apparatus according to the present invention is a cutting device for cutting a sheet-like member into a predetermined shape, and is conveyed by a conveying means that conveys the sheet-like member, and the conveying means. It comprises a cutting mechanism for cutting the sheet-like member, and a correcting means for correcting the state of the sheet-like member so as to match the cutting mechanism.
Here, the correction means includes a support member that movably supports the sheet-like member, and a correction operation member that corrects the posture of the sheet-like member supported by the support member and the left and right positions with respect to the conveyance direction. Can be characterized.
The cutting mechanism includes a first support shaft provided with a first roll member, and a second support shaft provided with a second roll member brought into pressure contact with the first roll member. And a first round blade member provided on the first support shaft, a second round blade member arranged by polymerizing a predetermined amount of the first round blade member and the blade edge supported by the second support shaft, and , It can be characterized by comprising.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium sheet, a cutting mechanism that cuts the recording medium sheet formed by the image forming unit into a predetermined shape, and an image formed by the image forming unit. Correction means for correcting the supply state of the recording medium sheet supplied to the cutting mechanism so as to be adapted to the cutting mechanism.
Here, the correction means includes a support member having a support surface that supports the recording medium sheet, and a correction operation member that corrects the posture of the recording medium sheet supported on the support surface of the support member and the right and left positions with respect to the conveyance direction. And the support member supports the image-formed front side of the recording medium sheet with the support surface, and the correction operation member is configured to operate the back side of the recording medium sheet on which no image is formed. Can be characterized.
Further, the support surface of the support member may be formed with a support protrusion having a predetermined width and a predetermined height that partially supports the recording medium sheet.

According to the sheet-like member cutting apparatus according to claim 1, the state of the sheet-like member can be corrected so as to be compatible with the cutting mechanism, and is supplied to the cutting apparatus as compared with those not provided with this configuration. Problems due to defective state of the sheet-like member can be suppressed.
According to the sheet-like member cutting apparatus according to claim 2, the correction operation member can correct the sheet-like member supported by the support member so that the state of the sheet-like member is adapted to the cutting mechanism. Compared with the one not provided with this configuration, it is possible to suppress problems caused by a defective state of the sheet-like member supplied to the cutting device.
According to the sheet-like member cutting apparatus of claim 3, the cutting mechanism can cut the sheet-like member with the round blade member while transporting the sheet-like member with the roll member, which is more reasonable than the one not provided with this configuration. Can be configured.
According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, the state of the recording medium sheet on which the image is formed can be corrected so as to be compatible with the cutting mechanism, and is supplied to the cutting apparatus as compared with an apparatus not provided with this configuration. It is possible to suppress problems caused by defective recording medium sheets.
According to the image forming apparatus of claim 5, the recording medium sheet supported by the support surface of the support member can be corrected by the correction operation member to correct the state of the recording medium sheet so as to match the cutting mechanism. Compared with a printer that does not include this configuration, it is possible to suppress problems caused by defective states of the recording medium sheet supplied to the cutting device. The correction operation member operates the back surface of the recording medium sheet on which no image is formed, and can suppress image disturbance and scratches on the image forming surface due to the correction operation, as compared with a member that does not have this configuration.
According to the image forming apparatus of the sixth aspect, the recording medium sheet can be partially supported by the supporting convex portion formed on the supporting surface of the supporting member, and the recording medium is compared with the recording medium that does not have this configuration. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems such as sticking to the support surface of the sheet and scratches on the image forming surface.

Hereinafter, an exemplary configuration of the best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment) will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image processing complex machine 1 to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
An image processing complex machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming apparatus 2 and a document reading apparatus 3.
The image forming apparatus 2 is a so-called tandem color image forming apparatus, and includes a plurality of image forming units 10 (10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K) that form toner images of respective color components by an electrophotographic method, and a toner container 17. (17Y, 17M, 17C, 17K) and an intermediate transfer belt 20 are provided. Further, a secondary transfer unit 40 that transfers a toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 20 onto a recording sheet P as a recording medium sheet that is a sheet-like member, and a fixing device 50 that fixes the toner image on the recording sheet P It has.

Further, the recording paper P stored in the paper tray 61 is transported to the secondary transfer unit 40, and the recording paper transport system 60 transports the recording paper P from the secondary transfer unit 40 to the fixing device 50, and the recording fixed by the fixing device 50. And a cutting device 70 for cutting the paper P into a predetermined shape.
In this embodiment, each of the above components excluding the cutting device 70 (that is, the image forming unit 10, the toner container 17, the intermediate transfer belt 20, the secondary transfer unit 40, the fixing device 50, the recording paper conveyance system 60, etc.). However, this constitutes the image forming section in the present invention.

  Each image forming unit 10 includes a photosensitive drum 11 that rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Around each photosensitive drum 11, as representatively shown in the image forming unit 10 </ b> Y that forms a yellow toner image, a charger 12 that charges the photosensitive drum 11 along the rotation direction, and a photosensitive member A laser exposure device 13 that writes an electrostatic latent image on the drum 11, a developing device 14 that visualizes the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 11 with toner, and a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 11. An electrophotographic device such as a primary transfer roll 15 for transferring the toner to the intermediate transfer belt 20 and a drum cleaner 16 for removing residual toner on the photosensitive drum 11 are sequentially provided. Each image forming unit 10 includes an image forming unit 10Y that forms a yellow toner image, an image forming unit 10M that forms a magenta toner image, and a cyan toner from the upstream side in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 20 indicated by an arrow in the figure. The image forming unit 10C for forming an image and the image forming unit 10K for forming a black toner image are arranged in this order.

The toner container 17 is provided corresponding to each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), and each image forming unit 10 stores toner to be accommodated as necessary. The developing device 14 is replenished.
The intermediate transfer belt 20 is an endless belt having a predetermined width and length. The intermediate transfer belt 20 is wound around a drive roll 21, several tension rolls, and a backup roll 42 of the secondary transfer unit 40 to form each image. The unit 10 is provided on the upper side in the figure so as to be able to circulate along a route around each image forming unit 10. The drive roll 21 is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown), and the intermediate transfer belt 20 is driven to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure by the drive roll 21.

The primary transfer roll 15 of each image forming unit 10 is positioned opposite to the photosensitive drum 11 of each image forming unit 10 with the intermediate transfer belt 20 interposed therebetween. A voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied to these primary transfer rolls 15, and the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 11 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 20 by the potential difference.
A secondary transfer roll 41 is provided at a position facing the backup roll 42 with the intermediate transfer belt 20 interposed therebetween. The secondary transfer roll 41 and the backup roll 42 constitute a secondary transfer unit 40. A voltage having a polarity (positive polarity) opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied to the secondary transfer roll 41, whereby the toner image carried by the intermediate transfer belt 20 is transferred to the recording paper P.

  The recording paper transport system 60 includes two sets of paper trays 61 (first paper tray 61A and second paper tray 61B), and pickup rolls 62A and 62B provided on the first paper tray 61A and the second paper tray 61B. A pair of rolling rolls 63A and 63B and a pair of conveying rolls 64A and 64B. Further, a resist roll pair 65, a path switching chute 66, a first discharge roll pair 67, and a second discharge roll pair 68 are provided. Further, a paper discharge tray 92 is provided.

Different types of recording paper (recording sheets) P (PA, PB) are accommodated in the first paper tray 61A and the second paper tray 61B. In the present embodiment, the first paper tray 61A contains postcard size recording paper PA, and the second paper tray 61B contains A3 size recording paper PB. The recording paper PA accommodated in the first paper tray 61A has an image receiving layer made of the same resin as the resin constituting the toner base material on the surface (surface on which the toner image is transferred). High gloss processing can be performed by a secondary fixing device 52 described later.
The recording paper transport system 60 transports the recording paper P stored in the paper tray 61 to the secondary transfer unit 40, transports the recording paper P from the secondary transfer unit 40 to the fixing device 50, and further cuts from the fixing device 50. It is conveyed to the apparatus 70 or the paper discharge tray 92.

The fixing device 50 includes a primary fixing device 51 that fixes a toner image on the recording paper P, and a secondary fixing device 52 that further performs high gloss processing on the recording paper P after the primary fixing by the primary fixing device 51. .
The primary fixing device 51 is a so-called heat roll fixing device, which is configured by pressing a pressure roll onto a heated heating roll at a predetermined pressure, and heats the recording paper P on which the toner image is transferred by the pressure roll. The toner is melted and fixed (fixed) by pressing against the roll.

The secondary fixing device 52 is pressed against the heating roll 52B with the fixing belt 52A formed endlessly of a material having a smooth surface, a heating roll 52B that stretches the fixing belt 52A, and the fixing belt 52A interposed therebetween. Pressure roll 52C. In addition, a heat sink 52D disposed in contact with the back side of the fixing belt 52A is provided.
The heating roll 52B is heated to a predetermined temperature and is rotationally driven by a driving source (not shown), and heats and rotates the winding fixing belt 52A.

  Then, the secondary fixing device 52 presses the recording paper PA, on which the toner image is primarily fixed by the primary fixing device 51, against the fixing belt 52A by the pressure roll 52C. As a result, the toner image is buried in the image receiving layer of the recording paper PA by the heat and pressure from the heating roll 52B, and the smoothness of the surface of the fixing belt 52A is transferred to the image surface of the recording paper PA to obtain a high gloss image surface. And Thereafter, the recording paper PA conveyed in close contact with the fixing belt 52A is forcibly cooled by the heat sink 52D, peeled off from the fixing belt 52A, and sent to the cutting device 70.

  Here, the path switching chute 66 of the recording paper transport system 60 includes a path for transporting the recording paper P (PA, PB) to the paper discharge tray 92 after the primary fixing by the primary fixing device 51 and a recording paper PA after the primary fixing. Further, the path is switched to a path for transporting to the secondary fixing device 52. That is, in the present embodiment, the path switching chute 66 is switched to the secondary fixing device 52 side when the glossy finishing is performed using the recording paper PA accommodated in the first paper tray 61A, and in other cases. The discharge tray 92 side.

  The cutting device 70 receives the recording paper PA sent from the secondary fixing device 52, cuts the edge portions of the four sides with a predetermined width to have a predetermined shape without the edges, and discharges it to the paper discharge tray 91 provided therewith. . The cutting device 70 will be described in detail later.

The image forming apparatus 2 configured as described above acts as follows to form an image on the recording paper P.
That is, the toner images of the respective color components formed by the respective image forming units 10 are sequentially transferred (primary transfer) by the action of the primary transfer roll 15 onto the intermediate transfer belt 20 that is driven by the drive roll 21. Then, the superposed image held on the intermediate transfer belt 20 is collectively transferred (secondary transfer) to the recording paper P conveyed by the recording paper conveyance system 60 by the secondary transfer unit 40. Thereafter, the image secondarily transferred onto the recording paper P is fixed by the fixing device 50 and discharged.

Which of the first paper tray 61A and the second paper tray 61B is used to form an image on the recording paper P (PA or PB) is automatically set according to a user instruction or an image to be formed. The Further, whether or not to perform the glossing process is set according to a user instruction. Then, the path switching chute 66 of the recording paper transport system 60 switches the transport direction of the recording paper P according to the recording paper P (PA or PB) to be used and the setting.
That is, when the gloss process is not performed even when an image is formed on the recording paper PB accommodated in the second paper tray 61B and when the image is formed on the recording paper PA accommodated in the first paper tray 61A, the primary processing is performed. After primary fixing by the fixing device 51, the recording paper P (PB, PA) is discharged to the paper discharge tray 92. On the other hand, when an image is formed on the recording paper PA accommodated in the first paper tray 61A and gloss processing is performed, the recording paper PA after the primary fixing by the primary fixing device 51 is further conveyed to the secondary fixing device 52. .
Then, the secondary fixing device 52 performs high gloss processing on the recording paper PA, and the edge portions on the four sides of the recording paper PA are cut out by the cutting device 70 and cut into a predetermined shape without a border, and the paper discharge tray 91 is cut. Is discharged.

Next, the cutting device 70 which is a main part of the present invention will be described.
2 is a plan view conceptually showing the configuration of the cutting apparatus, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the conveyance correction unit 71, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG.
The cutting device 70 includes a conveyance correction unit 71 as correction means for correcting the recording paper PA (hereinafter simply referred to as recording paper P) supplied from the secondary fixing device 52 to a predetermined state (posture and left and right positions in the conveyance direction). And a cutting section 72 as a cutting mechanism that cuts out the edge portions of the four sides of the recording paper P and cuts them into a predetermined shape having no edges.

The conveyance correction unit 71 includes a table 73 as a support member that supports the recording paper P, a skew roll 74 as a correction operation member, and a correction guide plate 75 provided on the side in the conveyance direction. ing.
The table 73 is horizontally arranged as a flat plate having a size over the entire area of the conveyance correction unit 71, and supports the recording paper P sent from the secondary fixing device 52 (see FIG. 1) with the image forming surface facing downward from below. Thus, the vertical conveyance path is defined. The table 73 is configured by covering the surface of a substrate 73B formed of a steel plate or the like with a sliding sheet 73S, and the surface serves as a support surface 73H.
The sliding sheet 73S is a sheet having a smooth surface and a low coefficient of friction formed by, for example, dispersing carbon black in a polyimide resin so as to have conductivity, for example, a surface roughness Rz (Max height). ): 0.0015 mm or less, thickness: 0.065 ± 0.005 mm, volume resistivity: 10 ± 2 log Ωcm (100 V / load 2 kg).

Here, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of belt-like support convex portions 73P having a predetermined width are formed on the support surface 73H formed by the sliding sheet 73S to have irregularities.
The support convex portion 73P protrudes, for example, to a width of 3 to 10 mm and a height of less than 1 mm (for example, 0.2 mm), and the extending direction thereof is a predetermined angle: α (for example, the conveyance movement axis direction of the recording paper P) 45 °), and a plurality of them are provided at a predetermined interval (for example, an interval of 25 mm in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the recording paper P).
As shown in FIG. 6A, such a supporting convex portion 73P is formed by protruding the surface of the substrate 73B by pressing or the like, and bringing the sliding sheet 73S into close contact with the surface and bonding it. Can do. Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, a spacer 73N such as a resin sheet having a size and a thickness corresponding to the support convex portion 73P is interposed between the sliding sheet 73S and the surface of the substrate 73B. Can be formed.

The skew roll 74 is provided with a roll shaft 74S including a roll 74R formed of an elastically deformable material having a predetermined hardness so that the roll 74R contacts the table 73 with a predetermined surface pressure.
The roll 74R is formed of urethane foam, natural or synthetic rubber. For example, a 20 mm diameter × 6 mm width, foamed urethane or the like having a hardness of 20 ± 5 ° (Asker C) and rubber having a hardness of Hs73 ± 5 ° can be used.
The recording sheet P is moved so that the axis of the skew roll 74 is parallel to the support surface 73H of the table 73 and moves toward the correction guide plate 75 provided on one side of the table 73. It is set to have a predetermined angle: β (for example, 15 to 20 °) with respect to a line orthogonal to the P conveyance path axis CA. Further, the skew roll 74 is connected to driving means such as a motor via a universal joint 74J, and the skew roll 74 is rotationally driven by this driving means. The drive means is driven and controlled by a control device (not shown).

  Further, the position of the skew roll 74 relative to the secondary fixing device 52 in the conveyance direction of the recording paper P is such that the rear end portion of the recording paper P is driven (moved) by the secondary fixing device 52. The front end of P is set so that the skew roll 74 is sandwiched between it and the table 73. The speed at which the recording paper P is transported is set so that the secondary fixing device 52 and the skew roll 74 are equal, or the skew roll 74 is set faster than the secondary fixing device 52. As a result, the recording paper P can be delivered from the secondary fixing device 52 to the skew roll 74 and smoothly conveyed. When there is a speed difference between the secondary fixing device 52 and the skew roll 74, the skew roll 74 slips against the recording paper P and absorbs it. Accordingly, the recording paper P is transported at the transport speed of the secondary fixing device 52 in a state where the transport is simultaneously driven by the secondary fixing device 52 and the skew roll 74.

  The correction guide plate 75 is a flat plate having a predetermined length, and its plate surface is vertical and parallel to the conveyance path axis CA of the recording paper P, and is directed to one side of the recording paper conveyance path (in the present embodiment, toward the conveyance direction). On the right). The position is set a predetermined amount: X outside the side edge of the recording paper P sent out from the secondary fixing device 52 through the normal conveyance path. The central axis of the recording paper P coincides with the central axis of the cutting portion 72 in a state where the side edge is along the correction guide plate 75 (the position in the horizontal direction in the posture and the conveyance direction).

  The conveyance correction unit 71 configured as described above supports the recording sheet P discharged from the secondary fixing device 52 on the support surface 73H of the table 73, and corrects the skew roll 74 between the table 73 and the correction. It is moved obliquely toward the guide plate 75. Then, the side edge of the recording paper P is set along the correction guide plate 75, and the posture of the recording paper P and the left and right positions in the transport direction are corrected (state correction). In other words, the skew roll 74 moves the recording paper P on the support surface 73H, and performs state setting so that the posture of the recording paper P and the right and left positions in the transport direction are adapted to the cutting position of the cutting unit 72. .

  Here, the recording paper P is sent out from the secondary fixing device 52 in a state where the surface on which the image is formed is on the lower side and the back surface on which the image is not formed is on the upper side, and the support surface 73H of the table 73 of the conveyance correction unit 71 is The imaged surface side is supported. The image forming surface of the recording paper P that has just been sent out from the secondary fixing device 52 is not cooled sufficiently and the surface resin is soft when the temperature is high (for example, 50 to 70 ° C.). In this configuration, the front side of the recording paper P is supported by the smooth support surface 73H, and the back side where no image is formed is operated by the skew roll 74, so that the state correction is performed without damaging the image forming surface. Can do.

Further, a support convex portion 73P is formed on the support surface 73H, and the support convex portion 73P partially abuts on and supports the recording paper P. As a result, the recording paper P can be easily moved, and it can be prevented that the image forming surface of the recording paper P is brought into close contact with the support surface 73H and is brought into an adhesive state to cause a conveyance failure. Further, since the support convex portion 73P is formed with a predetermined angle with respect to the conveyance movement direction of the recording paper P, the leading edge of the recording paper P has an angle with the edge of the support convex portion 73P. The same part of the recording paper P is not supported by the support convex part 73P for a long time, and the formation of scratches can be suppressed.
Further, since the sliding sheet 73S forming the support surface 73H has conductivity, the static electricity charged on the recording paper P can be released, and the recording paper P is electrostatically adsorbed on the support surface 73H to inhibit movement. There is nothing to do.

  As shown by the arrows in FIG. 2, the cutting unit 72 includes a first transport path FX and a second transport path FY that intersects the first transport path FX on the same plane and at a substantially right angle. The intersection of the first transport path FX and the second transport path FY is a turning section FC that changes the transport direction. Then, the recording paper P1 before cutting the edge portion is transported to the turning section FC by the first transport path FX, and the edge portions (hereinafter referred to as horizontal edges) on both sides parallel to the transport direction (FX) are cut off. P2 is recorded, and the edge portions (hereinafter referred to as vertical edges) on both sides parallel to the conveyance direction (FY) are cut out while being conveyed from the turning section FC along the second conveyance path FY, and cut into a predetermined shape without an edge. Let it be paper P3.

In the first transport path FX, a first transport roll pair 721 that transports the recording paper P1 in the direction of the first transport path FX from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction, and recording parallel to the first transport path FX. A first cutter mechanism 81 that cuts both horizontal edges of the paper P and a second transport roll pair 722 are arranged in order.
The second transport path FY includes a third transport roll pair 723 that transports the recording paper P2 in the second transport path FY direction from the upstream side in the transport direction (turning portion FC) to the downstream side, and the second transport path. And a second cutter mechanism 82 that cuts both vertical edges of the recording paper P2 parallel to FY.
The first conveying roll pair 721, the first cutter mechanism 81, the second conveying roll pair 722, the third conveying roll pair 723, and the second cutter mechanism 82 constitute the conveying means in this configuration example. .

  The first transport roll pair 721 is a pair of rolls for introducing the recording paper P (P1) into the cutting section 72, and the position of the transport correction section 71 relative to the skew roll 74 in the recording paper transport axis direction is the recording paper P With the rear end portion of (P1) being sandwiched (operated) between the skew roll 74 and the table 73, the first transport roll pair 721 sandwiches the front end portion of the recording paper P (P1). Is set to Further, the conveyance drive speed of the recording paper P (P1) is set so that the skew roll 74 and the first conveyance roll pair 721 are equal, or the first conveyance roll pair 721 is set faster than the skew roll 74. As a result, the recording paper P (P1) can be transferred from the conveyance correction unit 71 to the first conveyance roll pair 721 and can be smoothly conveyed. When there is a speed difference between the skew roll 74 and the first transport roll pair 721, the skew roll 74 slips against the recording paper P (P1) and absorbs this. Therefore, the recording paper P (P1) is transported at the transport speed of the first transport roll pair 721 in a state where the transport is driven simultaneously by the skew roll 74 and the first transport roll pair 721.

The second transport roll pair 722 and the third transport roll pair 723 are provided in the turning section FC.
The first transport roll pair 721, the second transport roll pair 722, and the third transport roll pair 723 have basically the same configuration except that the length of the second transport roll pair 722 is shorter than the others. Yes.
In other words, roll shafts 70S (upper roll shaft 70SU, lower roll shaft 70SL) each provided with rolls 70R at both ends are arranged up and down across the horizontal conveyance path of the recording paper P. That is, the upper roll shaft 70SU and the lower roll shaft 70SL are arranged vertically so that the recording paper P on the conveyance path is sandwiched between the rolls 70R.

The roll 70R provided on the roll shaft 70S is formed of, for example, an elastic material having a high friction coefficient (for example, chloroprene rubber or urethane rubber).
The lower roll shaft 70SL is supported by a chassis (not shown) so as not to move up and down. Further, it is connected to a rotation drive means such as a motor (not shown) via a drive mechanism and is driven to rotate. The rotation driving means is driven and controlled by a control device (not shown).
The upper roll shaft 70SU is supported by a chassis (not shown) so as to be rotatable and movable in the vertical direction by a predetermined amount, and is pressed and urged toward the lower roll shaft 70SL by an urging means such as a spring (not shown).

  With such a configuration, the roll 70R of the upper roll shaft 70SU is pressed against the roll 70R of the lower roll shaft 70SL, and the roll 70R of both roll shafts 70SU and 70SL sandwiches (supports) the recording paper with a predetermined pressure, and the sandwich The recording paper P is conveyed by the rotation of the lower roll shaft 70SL.

  Further, the second transport roll pair 722 and the third transport roll pair 723 arranged in the turning section FC are respectively arranged so that the upper roll shaft 70SU is in the vertical direction as indicated by arrows in FIGS. A quantitative movement is possible. Then, the roll 70R of the upper roll shaft 70SU moves between the working position where the roll 70R comes into pressure contact with the roll 70R of the lower roll shaft 70SL and the retracted position where the roll 70R of the upper roll shaft 70SU is separated from the roll 70R of the lower roll shaft 70SL. To get. The driving is performed by a driving means such as a solenoid linked via a driving mechanism (not shown). The driving means is driven and controlled by a control device (not shown).

The 1st cutter mechanism 81 and the 2nd cutter mechanism 82 equip the roll pair of the same structure as the above-mentioned conveyance roll pair (1st conveyance roll pair 721, 3rd conveyance roll pair 723), and are equipped with a round blade cutter. It is configured.
That is, the cutter roll shaft (the upper cutter roll shaft 80SU as the second support shaft member, the first support shaft) provided with the roll 80R (80RU as the second roll member, 80RL as the first roll member), respectively. The lower cutter roll shaft 80SL) as a member is provided with round blades (upper round blade 80CU as a second round blade member, lower round blade 80CL as a first round blade member) respectively constituting a round blade pair cutter 80C, The upper cutter roll shaft 80SU and the lower cutter roll shaft 80SL are arranged above and below across the horizontal conveyance path of the recording paper P.

The round blade pair cutter 80C is configured by a pair of a lower round blade 80CL provided on the lower cutter roll shaft 80SL and an upper round blade 80CU provided on the upper cutter roll shaft 80SU.
The lower round blade 80CL is fixed to the upper cutter roll shaft 80SU. The fixed position is set to a specified position for cutting the edge portions of the recording sheets P1 and P2.
The upper round blade 80CU is supported by the lower cutter roll shaft 80SL so as to be rotatable and movable in the axial direction.
The upper round blade 80CU is positioned outside the lower round blade 80CL (on the opposite side to the center side of the recording paper conveyance path) such that the upper round blade 80CU and the lower round blade 80CL are overlapped by a predetermined amount in the radial direction. Then, it is pressed and urged toward the lower round blade 80CL by a spring (not shown).

The first cutter mechanism 81 and the second cutter mechanism 82 configured in this manner sandwich (support) the recording paper P between the roll 80RU of the upper cutter roll shaft 80SU and the roll 80RL of the lower cutter roll shaft 80SL with a predetermined pressure. ) The sandwiched recording paper P is conveyed by the rotation of the lower cutter roll shaft 80SL driven by a driving means such as a motor (not shown), and the edge is cut by the circular blade pair cutter 80C. That is, it is configured to also serve as a conveying means. The cutting position is defined by the lower round blade 80CL.
At the side end portions of the first cutter mechanism 81 and the second cutter mechanism 82, chip separation guides 94 and 95 for separating the cut edge portions are provided.

Below the first transport path FX, a chip transport belt 93 is provided in parallel with the first transport path FX. The chip transport belt 93 transports the chips cut by the first cutter mechanism 81 and the second cutter mechanism 82 to a chip storage container (not shown) provided on the downstream side thereof.
Disposed on the most downstream side of the second transport path FY is a paper discharge tray 91 that accommodates the recording paper P (P3) that has been cut into a predetermined shape by cutting the edges of the four sides.

In addition, a sheet position sensor 83 that detects the position of the recording sheet P for transport control information is a center in the width direction between the first cutter mechanism 81 and the second transport roll pair 722 in the first transport path FX. It is provided on the lower surface side.
The driving control of the cutting unit 72 is performed by a control device (not shown) of the image processing complex machine 1 (see FIG. 1), and detection information of the recording paper P1 by the paper position sensor 83 is input to this control device. It has become.

The cutting device 70 configured to include the conveyance correction unit 71 and the cutting unit 72 as described above is controlled by a control device (not shown), and the conveyance correction unit 71 corrects the posture and conveyance position of the recording paper P (FIG. 2). The medium recording sheet P1), and the recording sheet P1 is cut into a predetermined shape without a border by the cutting unit 72 (recording sheet P3).
That is, the conveyance correction unit 71 moves the recording paper P sent through the secondary fixing device 52 obliquely toward the correction guide plate 75 by the skew roll 74 so that the side edge of the recording paper P is the correction guide plate. 75, the state of the recording paper P (posture and left-right position in the transport direction) is corrected to a predetermined value (recording paper P1).

The cutting unit 72 transports the recording paper P <b> 1 whose state is corrected by the transport correction unit 71 through the first transport path FX by driving the first transport roll pair 721 and the first cutter mechanism 81. One cutter mechanism 81 cuts both edges (horizontal edge portions) parallel to the conveying direction and stops the recording paper P2 at a predetermined position of the turning portion FC. The turning portion FC is stopped at a predetermined position after a predetermined time after the paper position sensor 83 detects the leading edge of the recording paper P, the first transport roll pair 721, the first cutter mechanism 81, and the second transport roll pair 722. This is done by stopping the drive.
In this state, the second transport roll pair 722 is in the operating position, and the third transport roll pair 723 is in the retracted position.
The horizontal edge portion cut by the first cutter mechanism 81 is separated from the recording paper P2 by the chip separating guide 94 and guided onto the chip conveying belt 93, and is then transferred to a not-shown chip container by the chip conveying belt 93. Be transported.

  Thereafter, the second transport roll pair 722 is set as the retracted position, the third transport roll pair 723 is used as the operating position, and the recording paper P2 positioned in the turning section FC is sandwiched between the third transport roll pair 723, and the third transport roll pair 723 and the second cutter mechanism 82 are driven, and the recording paper P2 is transported in the second transport path FY direction, and both edges (vertical edge portions) parallel to the transport direction are cut by the second cutter mechanism 82 for recording. The paper P3 is discharged to the paper discharge tray 91. The cut vertical edge portion is separated from the recording paper P2 by the chip separation guide 95, guided onto the chip transport belt 93, and transported to the chip storage container (not shown) by the chip transport belt 93.

According to the cutting apparatus 70 as described above, it is possible to cut the recording paper P into a predetermined shape without a border (recording paper P3) by preventing a problem caused by a defective state of the supplied recording paper P.
That is, the recording paper P sent from the secondary fixing device 52 may be in a posture where the side edge is not parallel to the transport direction (posture deviation) due to various factors in the previous process, or from the predetermined transport path to the side. May be transported out of position (side position misalignment), or may have a transport failure such as a state in which the moving direction does not coincide with the transport direction (conveyance direction misalignment: skew).
If cutting is performed in such a conveyance failure state, there is a possibility that a blank portion remains or the outer edge after cutting has an angle with respect to the image and becomes unsightly, but the cutting device of this configuration According to 70, this can be prevented.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating the operation, in which FIG. 7A is an example in which the conveyance correction unit is not provided, and FIG. 7B is an example in which the conveyance correction unit 71 is provided. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of the relationship between the image forming area on the recording paper P, the conveyance failure of the recording paper P, and the cutting failure.
In the example shown in FIG. 7, the recording paper P is inclined due to the angle of the fixing roll 51A of the primary fixing device 51 (because the axis of the fixing roll 51A is not perpendicular to the conveyance path axis CA of the recording paper P). As a result, the transport position is shifted laterally on the left side in the figure.

In the cutting device 70 ′ having no conveyance correction portion indicated by 7 (a) in the drawing, the left edge in the drawing of the recording paper P that is the shifted side is widely cut and the right edge is not cut. Margins may remain.
FIG. 8 shows an example in which an image of 95 mm × 133 mm is formed on a recording paper P having a postcard size (100 mm × 148 mm) and is cut into an L plate size (89 mm × 127 mm). Looking at the width direction, if the recording paper P is correctly conveyed, the edges in the width direction are cut out with a width of 5.5 mm on both the left and right sides as shown in FIG. Since the width of the margin where no image is formed is 2.5 mm, the cutting position is a position that is 3 mm into the image range. With this setting, in the recording paper transport system 60 (see FIG. 1) between the paper tray 61 and the secondary transfer unit 40, the recording paper P is 2 mm laterally in the lateral direction (left side in the transport direction). Assume that a positional shift has occurred. Assuming that image formation is performed on the center of the recording paper P by detecting the position of the recording paper P and controlling the digital exposure, the margin is equal to 2.5 mm on the left and right sides as shown in FIG. The excision width is 5.5 mm−2 mm = 3.5 mm. The cutting position on this narrow side enters 1 mm on the image side, and no blank space remains. However, if the recording paper P is shifted by 1 mm or more to the same side or the posture is changed during the conveyance from the fixing device 50 (primary fixing device 51) to the cutting device 70 from this state, a blank space is generated as shown in FIG. It remains or the edge has an angle with respect to the image. In addition, there is a problem that the width of the cut chips is 2.5 mm or less and the movable part of the mechanism is easily clogged, resulting in an operation failure.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, in the cutting device 70 configured as in the present embodiment including the conveyance correction unit 71, the conveyance correction unit 71 causes the correction guide plate 75 parallel to the conveyance path axis CA. Accordingly, the posture of the recording paper P and the position in the left-right direction in the transport direction are adapted to the cutting unit 72. Thereby, the right and left edges of the recording paper P can be evenly cut by the cutting unit 72. As a result, no margins remain or the edges do not have an angle with respect to the image. In addition, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of malfunction due to the narrowed edge being tangled or clogged with the mechanism portion.

  In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 7B, the distance from the position reference point SP to the correction guide plate 75 of the conveyance correction unit 71 with respect to the position reference point SP of the cutting device 70: Y and the cutting unit from the position reference point SP. By setting the distance: Z between the cutting positions of 72 (the position of the lower round blade 80CL of the first cutter mechanism 81), the cutting width: W can be set. For example, as shown in the example of FIG. 8, when the center width is set to 5.5 mm on one side of the cutting width: W, Z−Y = 5.5 mm is set. Further, X in the figure is a lateral movement amount of the recording paper P sent out from the secondary fixing device 52 through the normal conveyance path in the conveyance correction unit 71.

Here, the configuration for correcting the state of the recording paper P reaching the cutting unit 72 is not limited to the configuration of the conveyance correction unit 71 and can be changed as appropriate.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of a conveyance correction unit 710 different from the above configuration example. In the figure, parts having the same functions as those in the configuration example are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
A conveyance correction unit 710 illustrated in FIG. 9 includes a correction roll pair 711 in which correction roll shafts 710 </ b> S are arranged above and below the conveyance path.

The straightening roll shaft 710S constituting the straightening roll pair 711 has a posture in which the axial direction is orthogonal to the recording paper conveyance direction and is movable within a predetermined range in the axial direction, and is mounted on a chassis 712 standing on both right and left sides. Is provided.
A pair of rolls 710R (710RL, 710RR) are rotatably provided on both correction roll shafts 710S independently.
Each roll 710R of the upper correction roll shaft 710S is connected to a posture change motor 710M (710ML, 710MR) via a gear set 710G (710GL, 710GR), and is arbitrarily selected independently by the rotation of the posture change motor 710M. It is designed to be rotated at a speed of. The teeth of the gear set 710G are parallel to the correction roll shaft 710S, and the correction roll shaft 710S can move in the axial direction while being engaged (that is, in a driving force transmission state).

A rack gear 710RG is attached to one end of the correction roll shaft 710S, and a pinion gear 710PG attached to the rotation shaft of the position change motor 710MS is engaged with the rack gear 710RG. Thus, the correction roll shaft 710S can be moved and driven in the axial direction by the rotation of the position change motor 710MS.
The attitude change motor 710M and the position change motor 710MS are controlled and driven by a control device (not shown). Based on detection information from a sensor (not shown) that detects the position and orientation of the recording paper P, the control device drives and controls the orientation change motor 710M and the position change motor 710MS to correct the position and orientation of the recording paper P.

  That is, the conveyance correction unit 710 corrects the posture of the recording paper P by the speed difference between the rolls 710RL and 710RR so that the edge of the recording paper P coincides with the conveyance direction, and the position change motor 710MS moves the correction roll shaft 710S in the axial direction. By moving it, the position in the left-right direction with respect to the transport direction can be corrected and adapted to a cutting part (not shown).

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment as described above, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, although the above embodiment is an application of the present invention to a tandem color image forming apparatus, it is needless to say that the present invention may be applied to an image forming apparatus having another configuration.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image processing multifunction peripheral to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a top view which shows notionally the structure of a cutting device. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is BB sectional drawing of FIG. It is an enlarged plan view of a conveyance correction part. It is CC sectional drawing of FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of a cutting device. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a relationship between an image forming area on a recording sheet, a conveyance failure, and a cutting failure. It is a top view of the conveyance correction part of a different structure.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image processing complex machine, 2 ... Image forming apparatus (image forming part), 70 ... Cutting mechanism (cutting apparatus), 71,710 ... Conveyance correction part (correction means), 711 ... Correction roll pair (correction operation member), 72 ... Cutting section (cutting mechanism), 721 ... First transport roll pair, 722 ... Second transport roll pair, 723 ... Third transport roll pair, 73 ... Table (support member), 73H ... Support surface, 73P ... Support convex , 74 ... skew feed roll (correction operation member), 80RL ... roll (first roll member), 80RU ... roll (second roll member), 80CL ... lower round blade (first round blade member), 80CU ... upper round blade (second round blade member), 80SL ... lower cutter roll shaft (first support shaft), 80SU ... upper cutter roll shaft (second support shaft), P (P1, P2, P3) ... recording paper (Recording medium sheet)

Claims (6)

A cutting device for cutting a sheet-like member into a predetermined shape,
Conveying means for conveying the sheet-like member;
A cutting mechanism for cutting the sheet-like member conveyed by the conveying means;
Correction means for correcting the state of the sheet-like member so as to match the cutting mechanism;
A sheet-shaped member cutting apparatus comprising: The correction means includes
A support member that movably supports the sheet-like member;
A correction operation member that corrects the posture of the sheet-like member supported by the support member and the right and left positions with respect to the conveyance direction;
The sheet-like member cutting device according to claim 1, comprising: The cutting mechanism is
A first support shaft comprising a first roll member;
A second support shaft provided with a second roll member and press-contacting the second roll member to the first roll member;
A first round blade member provided on the first support shaft;
A second round blade member that is supported by the second support shaft and disposed by polymerizing a predetermined amount of the first round blade member and the blade edge;
The sheet-like member cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet-like member cutting device is provided. An image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium sheet;
A cutting mechanism for cutting the recording medium sheet image-formed by the image forming unit into a predetermined shape;
Correction means for correcting the supply state of the recording medium sheet formed by the image forming unit and supplied to the cutting mechanism so as to be compatible with the cutting mechanism;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The correction means includes
A support member having a support surface for supporting the recording medium sheet;
A correction operation member that corrects the posture of the recording medium sheet supported by the support surface of the support member and the right and left positions with respect to the conveyance direction, and
The support member supports the image-formed surface side of the recording medium sheet on the support surface,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the correction operation member is configured to operate a back side of the recording medium sheet on which no image is formed.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a support convex portion having a predetermined width and a predetermined height for partially supporting the recording medium sheet is formed on the support surface of the support member.

Images