JP2009120306A - Recording material post-processing device and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the lateral dimension of a recording material post-processing device. <P>SOLUTION: This recording material post-processing device comprises: a folding function part 40 for forming creases in paper; a compile tray 60 disposed at a position where the paper is discharged from the folding function part 40 and stacking the paper discharged from the folding function part 40 in the form of a paper bundle; an end binding staple function part 50 disposed at the rear of the compile tray 60 in the sheet bundle feeding direction under the folding function part 40 and binding the end of the paper bundle; and a saddle stitch staple function part 70 disposed at the front of the compile tray 60 in the paper bundle feeding direction and binding the center portion of the paper bundle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording material post-processing apparatus and an image forming system.

2. Description of the Related Art A recording material post-processing apparatus that post-processes a recording material on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine generally has a plurality of post-processing functions such as stapling, punching, paper folding, and the like. It is installed.
For example, in Patent Document 1, a punch unit for opening a punch hole in a predetermined portion of the recording material and a recording material folding for making a crease in the predetermined portion of the recording material in order along a recording material conveyance path extending substantially linearly. A recording material post-processing apparatus is described in which a stapler is disposed for performing staple processing by driving staples into the folds of the unit and recording material bundle.

JP 2004-277036 A

Here, in general, since a plurality of different post-processing function units are arranged in the recording material post-processing apparatus, the installation area of the recording material post-processing apparatus becomes large.
An object of the present invention is to reduce the lateral dimension of a recording material post-processing apparatus.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fold forming member that forms a fold in the recording material, and a plurality of the recordings that are disposed at positions where the recording material is unloaded from the fold forming member and unloaded from the fold forming member. A recording material accumulating member for accumulating the recording material bundle as a recording material bundle, and disposed below the folding member and on the rear side in the conveying direction of the recording material bundle with respect to the recording material accumulating member. A first binding member that binds to the position of the recording material, and a second binding member that is disposed on the front side in the conveyance direction of the recording material bundle with respect to the recording material stacking member and binds to the second position of the recording material bundle And a recording material post-processing apparatus.

The invention according to claim 2 further includes a conveying member that conveys the recording material bundle held by the recording material accumulating member, wherein the conveying member includes the first roll member and the recording material bundle. When the recording material is conveyed in the arrangement direction of the second binding member, the first roll member is arranged at a position where the first roll member is pressed, and when the recording material is accumulated on the recording material accumulation member, the first roll is arranged. The recording material post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second roll member disposed at a position separated from the member.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the fold forming member positions the recording material when forming a fold in the recording material, and carries out the recording material on which the fold is formed to the recording material accumulating member. The recording material post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of conveying rolls for performing the recording.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material, and a recording material post-processing device that performs predetermined post-processing on the recording material on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus. The recording material post-processing device is disposed at a position at which the recording material is unloaded from the fold forming member for forming a fold on the recording material on which an image is formed by the image forming device, A recording material stacking member that stacks a plurality of the recording materials transported from the fold forming member as a recording material bundle, and below the fold forming member and behind the recording material stacking member in the conveying direction of the recording material bundle A first binding member that binds to a first position of the recording material bundle and a recording material stacking member that is disposed on the front side in the transport direction of the recording material bundle, 2nd binding part which binds to the position of 2 An image forming system characterized by comprising and.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the recording material post-processing apparatus further includes a conveying member that conveys the recording material bundle held by the recording material accumulating member, and the conveying member includes a first roll member and When the recording material bundle is transported in the arrangement direction of the second binding member, the recording material bundle is arranged at a position where the first roll member is pressed, and the recording material bundle is accumulated on the recording material accumulation member. The image forming system according to claim 4, further comprising a second roll member disposed at a position separated from the first roll member.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the fold forming member of the recording material post-processing apparatus positions the recording material when the fold is formed on the recording material, and the recording material on which the fold is formed. 5. The image forming system according to claim 4, further comprising a pair of conveying rolls for carrying out the recording material accumulating member.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first binding member is disposed below the fold forming member and the fold forming member and the first binding member are viewed in the vertical direction as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted. Accordingly, the horizontal dimension of the post-processing apparatus including the fold forming member and the first binding member can be reduced.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to configure a mechanism for conveying the recording material to the recording material accumulating member in a small space area in the recording material post-processing apparatus.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, a pair of functions having both functions of positioning the recording material when forming the crease in the recording material and carrying the recording material on which the crease is formed to the recording material accumulating member. Since the transport roll pairs are provided, the dimensions can be reduced without providing many roll pairs in the horizontal direction as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.

According to claim 4 of the present invention, the first binding member is disposed below the fold forming member and the fold forming member and the first binding member are viewed in the vertical direction as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted. Accordingly, the horizontal dimension of the image forming system provided with the post-processing apparatus including the folding member and the first binding member can be reduced.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to configure a mechanism for conveying the recording material to the recording material accumulating member in a small space area in the recording material post-processing apparatus.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the pair of transports having both functions of positioning the recording material when forming the crease in the recording material and carrying out the recording material on which the fold is formed to the recording material accumulating member. Since the roll pairs are provided, the dimensions can be reduced without providing many roll pairs in the horizontal direction as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system to which the exemplary embodiment is applied. An image forming system shown in FIG. 1 includes, for example, an image forming apparatus 1 such as a printer or a copier that forms a color image by an electrophotographic method, and a recording material (paper, sheet) after the image is formed by the image forming apparatus 1. The sheet post-processing apparatus 2 is an example of a recording material post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing such as binding.

The image forming apparatus 1 is configured in a so-called tandem system, and forms four image forming units 100Y, 100M, 100C, and 100K (also collectively referred to as “image forming unit 100”) that perform image formation based on each color image data. A laser exposure apparatus 101 that exposes a photosensitive drum 107 provided in the unit 100 is provided.
In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an intermediate transfer belt 102 onto which the toner images of the respective colors formed by the respective image forming units 100 are transferred, and the intermediate transfer belt 102 to which the respective color toner images formed by the respective image forming units 100 are transferred. A primary transfer roll 103 that sequentially transfers (primary transfer) to each other, and a secondary transfer roll 104 that collectively transfers (secondary transfer) each color toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 102 to a recording material (paper). In addition, a fixing device 105 for fixing each color toner image on a sheet, and a main body control unit 106 for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 are provided.

  In each image forming unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1, the charging process to the photosensitive drum 107, the electrostatic latent image forming process on the photosensitive drum 107 by the scanning exposure from the laser exposure apparatus 101, and the formed electrostatic latent image The toner image of each color is formed through the development process of each color toner. Each color toner image formed on each image forming unit 100 is sequentially electrostatically transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 102 by the primary transfer roll 103. Each color toner image is conveyed toward the position where the secondary transfer roll 104 is disposed as the intermediate transfer belt 102 moves.

On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus 1, a plurality of sheets P1 to P4 (collectively referred to as “sheet P” and “sheet bundle P”) of different sizes and types are accommodated in the sheet accommodating portions 110A to 110D, respectively. Yes. For example, when the paper P1 is designated by the main body control unit 106, the paper P1 is taken out from the paper storage unit 110A by the pickup roll 111, and conveyed one by one to the position of the registration roll 113 by the conveyance roll 112. The same applies to the case where the sheets P2 to P4 are designated by the main body control unit 106.
Then, the paper P is supplied from the registration roll 113 in accordance with the timing when each color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 102 is conveyed to the arrangement position of the secondary transfer roll 104. As a result, the toner images of the respective colors are collectively electrostatically transferred (secondary transfer) onto the paper P by the action of the transfer electric field formed by the secondary transfer roll 104.

  Thereafter, the paper P onto which the color toner images are secondarily transferred is peeled off from the intermediate transfer belt 102 and conveyed to the fixing device 105. In the fixing device 105, each color toner image is fixed on the paper P by a fixing process using heat and pressure, and an image is formed. Then, the sheet P on which the image is formed is discharged from the sheet discharge unit T of the image forming apparatus 1 by the transport roll 114 and is transported to the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 connected to the image forming apparatus 1.

The sheet post-processing apparatus 2 is disposed on the downstream side of the paper discharge unit T of the image forming apparatus 1 and performs post-processing such as punching and binding on the paper P on which the image is formed.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet post-processing device 2 includes a transport unit 21 connected to the paper discharge unit T of the image forming apparatus 1 and a predetermined post-processing for the paper P taken into the transport unit 21. And a sheet processing control unit 23 that controls each mechanism unit of the sheet post-processing apparatus 2. The paper processing control unit 23 is connected to the main body control unit 106 through a signal line (not shown), and transmits and receives control signals and the like. In the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 in FIG. 1, the sheet processing control unit 23 is provided in the casing of the finisher unit 22, but the sheet processing control unit 23 may be provided in the casing of the image forming apparatus 1. Further, the main body control unit 106 of the image forming apparatus 1 may be configured to include the control function of the paper processing control unit 23.

In the transport unit 21 of the sheet post-processing apparatus 2, a punch function unit 30 that performs punching (punching) such as 2 holes or 4 holes, and the paper P after image formation by the image forming apparatus 1 is used as the finisher unit 22. A plurality of transport rolls 211 that are transported toward the front are provided.
On the other hand, the finisher unit 22 is a folding function unit 40 as an example of a fold forming member that forms a crease at the central portion of the paper P, and a recording material accumulating member that accumulates a required number of sheets P to generate a sheet bundle P. The compile tray 60 as an example, the end binding staple function unit 50 as an example of a first binding member that executes staple binding (end binding) at the end of the sheet bundle P, and the folding function unit 40 have been subjected to creases. An example of a second binding member that performs staple binding (saddle stitching) on the center portion of the sheet bundle P is a saddle stitching function unit 70, holds the sheet bundle P, and moves up and down according to the amount of the sheet bundle P to be held. A moving stacker tray 80 is provided.
Further, when the sheets P are stacked on the compile tray 60 with the unloading roll (first roll member) 61 and the rotation shaft 62a constituting the conveying member for unloading the sheet bundle P stacked on the compile tray 60 as the movement center. Is moved to a position retracted from the carry-out roll 61, and when the paper P is carried out from the compilation tray 60, there is a movable roll (second roll member) 62 that constitutes a conveyance member that moves to a position where the carry-out roll 61 is pressed. Is provided.

Subsequently, post-processing of the paper P performed by the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 will be described.
In the sheet post-processing device 2, the main body control unit 106 outputs an instruction signal to the post-processing for the paper P after the image is formed by the image forming device 1 to the paper processing control unit 23. Then, various post-processing for the paper P is executed. Here, a case will be described in which an instruction signal for executing post-processing on the paper P is output from the main body control unit 106.
First, the paper P after the image formation by the image forming apparatus 1 is carried into the transport unit 21 of the sheet post-processing apparatus 2. In the transport unit 21, punching by the punch function unit 30 is performed in accordance with an instruction signal from the paper processing control unit 23, and then the paper P is sent to the finisher unit 22 by the transport roll 211. When there is no punching instruction from the paper processing control unit 23, the paper P is sent to the finisher unit 22 by the transport roll 211 as it is without being punched by the punch function unit 30.

When the paper P is sent to the finisher unit 22, a fold is formed in the central portion of the paper P in the folding function unit 40 when an instruction signal instructing saddle stitching is transmitted from the paper processing control unit 23. When there is no saddle stitching instruction from the paper processing control unit 23, the folding function unit 40 does not perform the crease formation process, and the paper P passes through the folding function unit 40 as it is.
Here, FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the folding function unit 40. (A) is a figure explaining the structure of the folding function part 40, (b) is a figure explaining the paper P before a crease is formed in the center part, (c) is a paper P with a crease formed in the center part. FIG.
The folding function part 40 is arranged to face the groove part 41a below the crease pedestal part 41 and below the crease base part 41, with the groove part 41a formed in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the paper P, and from below the groove part 41a. The folding blade 42 that moves so as to protrude toward the paper, the paper fixing member 47 that presses and fixes the paper P against the crease pedestal 41 before and after the conveyance direction of the paper P of the folding blade 42, the folding blade 42, and the paper fixing member A holder 48 that supports the slider 47 and a cam 43 that moves the holder 48 in the vertical direction are provided. Furthermore, a paper roll 46 that transports the paper P and detects the timing at which the leading edge of the paper P passes, as well as a transport roll 44 and a transport roll 45 that fix both ends of the paper P in the transport direction when forming a crease in the paper P. It has.

In the folding function unit 40, when the paper P is transported from the transport unit 21, the transport roll 44 and the transport roll 45 transport the paper P. At that time, the sheet sensor 46 detects the leading end of the sheet P and notifies the sheet processing control unit 23 of the passage timing of the leading end of the sheet P. In this case, information related to the size of the paper P conveyed to the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 is notified from the main body control unit 106 to the paper processing control unit 23. Therefore, the paper processing control unit 23 detects the transport amount of the paper P by measuring a predetermined time corresponding to the size of the paper P from the passage timing of the front end of the paper P, and the central portion of the paper P is folded. When the transport amount reaching the arrangement position of the blade 42 is reached, the transport roll 44 and the transport roll 45 are stopped.
When the transport roll 44 and the transport roll 45 are stopped, the cam 43 moves the holder 48 from below to the crease pedestal portion 41 while the transport roll 44 and the transport roll 45 hold the paper P. As a result, the paper fixing member 47 presses and fixes the paper P against the crease pedestal 41 at the front and rear of the folding blade 42 in the transport direction of the paper P. Around that time, the folding blade 42 presses the central portion of the paper P toward the groove 41a. As a result, a fold as shown in FIG.

When the crease is formed on the paper P, the cam 43 moves the holder 48 downward. A spring (not shown) that urges the holder 48 downward is attached to the holder 48 that supports the folding blade 42 and the paper fixing member 47, and the holder 48 is attached with a spring when the cam 43 is retracted downward. Move downwards with power.
After the holder 48 moves downward, the transport roll 44 and the transport roll 45 start transporting the paper P again and carry the paper P out of the folding function unit 40. In this case, the transport roll 45 disposed downstream in the transport direction of the paper P is configured to apply a transport driving force, and the paper P is transported from the folding function unit 40 until the rear end of the paper P is transported. To do.
Then, the paper P carried out from the transport roll 45 of the folding function unit 40 is sequentially accumulated on the compile tray 60 arranged at a position where the paper P is transported out from the transport roll 45 and dropped.
Here, in the finisher unit 22 of the present embodiment, the sheet P on which the folds are formed is pressed against the sheet P after the folds are formed by the folding blade 42 until the sheets are stacked on the compilation tray 60. Only a transport roll 45 that is a pair of transport rolls is disposed. Accordingly, the folds formed on the paper P are prevented from being flattened before the paper P is accumulated on the compilation tray 60.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the sheets P sent out from the transport roll 45 of the folding function unit 40 are stacked on the compile tray 60. As shown in FIG. 4, when a crease is formed in the paper P and the feeding of the paper P by the transport roll 44 and the transport roll 45 is started again, the leading end of the paper P transported from the folding function unit 40 is moved to gravity. To go vertically downward. At that time, each of the sheets P has a predetermined rigidity (so-called “koshi”), and therefore, the leading end of the sheet P is the conveyance direction of the sheet P on the compile tray 60 arranged at the position where the sheet P falls. It is supported in the area on the front side (the unloading roll 61 side). In this case, the compile tray 60 according to the present embodiment is disposed in a state where the front side of the paper P in the transport direction (the side of the carry-out roll 61) is inclined upward by about 35 ° with respect to the horizontal plane. As a result, the vertical drop distance of the leading end of the paper P is shortened, and therefore, when the paper P is sequentially stacked on the compilation tray 60, the posture of the paper P is prevented from being greatly inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. .
Further, since the compile tray 60 is disposed at a position where the paper P is unloaded from the folding function unit 40 and dropped, the leading end of the paper P is supported by the compile tray 60 while being held by the transport roll 45. The As a result, the variation in the stacking position on the compilation tray 60 with respect to the paper P is suppressed.

After the leading end of the paper P is supported by the compile tray 60, the rear end of the paper P passes through the transport roll 45. Then, following the leading edge of the paper P, the trailing edge of the paper P falls downward. In this case, the trailing edge of the paper P is in a state where the leading edge of the paper P is supported by the compile tray 60. Fall down. Therefore, the sheets P are stacked on the compile tray 60 while suppressing variations in position in the width direction. The “width direction” of the paper P means a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the paper P. The same applies hereinafter.
Thereafter, when the entire sheet P is placed on the compilation tray 60, the sheet P slides and falls toward the positioning stopper 60a at an inclination angle provided on the compilation tray 60. Further, in the finisher unit 22 of the present embodiment, in addition to the inclination angle provided in the compile tray 60, the paper P is directed toward the positioning stopper 60a of the compile tray 60 below the paper carry-out portion of the folding function unit 40. A rotating paddle 63 is arranged for alignment. Therefore, the rear end portion of the paper P is sent toward the positioning stopper 60 a by the paddle 63 while falling toward the compilation tray 60. As a result, a sheet bundle P is formed in a state in which the rear end portion of the sheet P is aligned by the positioning stopper 60a on the compilation tray 60.

Further, at both ends in the width direction of the compile tray 60, a paper width position alignment mechanism 65 that aligns the width direction position of the sheet bundle P according to the size of the sheet P to be conveyed is provided. Thereby, when the sheets P are sequentially stacked on the compilation tray 60, the positions in the width direction of the sheets P (sheet bundle P) are also aligned.
When the paper P is sent out from the transport roll 45 of the folding function unit 40, the movable roll 62 is moved to a position retracted from the carry-out roll 61.

When a predetermined number of sheets P are stacked on the compile tray 60 and the sheet bundle P is formed, staple binding (edge binding) or saddle stitching staple function unit for the end of the sheet bundle P by the end binding staple function unit 50 is performed. Staple binding (saddle stitching) is executed on the central portion of the sheet bundle P that has been creased by the folding function unit 40 according to 70.
First, when the sheet processing control unit 23 transmits an instruction signal for the end binding process, the end binding stapling function unit 50 executes staple binding (end binding) at the end of the sheet bundle P. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the end binding staple function unit 50 executes staple binding (end binding) at the end of the sheet bundle P, and the compile tray 60 is viewed from above (the folding function unit 40 side). It represents the state.
The end binding staple function unit 50 is provided with a staple head 51 for binding the sheet bundle P with staples (U-shaped needles) so as to be movable along the positioning stopper 60 a of the compile tray 60. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, in accordance with an instruction signal from the paper processing control unit 23, for example, two points parallel to the positioning stopper 60a at the end of the paper bundle P (the positions (A) and (B) in FIG. 5). The position is stapled (two-point end binding), or one end (position (C) in FIG. 5) is stapled (single-point end binding).
The staple head 51 is translated along the positioning stopper 60a between the (A) position and the (B) position, but between the (A) position and the (C) position, for example, Move with 45 ° rotation.

After the end binding of the sheet bundle P is executed by the end binding stapling function unit 50, the movable roll 62 (see FIG. 4) moves to a position where it presses against the carry-out roll 61 with the rotation shaft 62a as the movement center. Then, the carry-out roll 61 and the movable roll 62 start rotating, and the end-bound paper bundle P is conveyed from the compilation tray 60 toward the stacker tray 80. In this case, the carry-out roll 61 and the movable roll 62 function as a conveyance unit that conveys the sheet bundle P to the stacker tray 80.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the edge-bound sheet bundle P is carried out from the compilation tray 60. As shown in FIG. 6, the edge-bound paper bundle P is conveyed to the carry-out roll 61 and the movable roll 62 and stacked on the stacker tray 80.
In this case, the saddle stitching stapling function unit 70 has moved to a position retracted from the transport path of the sheet bundle P to be transported (the home position at the subsequent stage).

Next, when the sheet processing control unit 23 has transmitted an instruction signal for saddle stitching processing, the saddle stitching staple function unit 70 executes staple binding (saddle stitching) on the central portion of the sheet bundle P. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the saddle stitching staple function unit 70 executes staple binding (saddle stitching) on the center portion of the sheet bundle P. FIG. (B) represents the XX cross section in (a).
As shown in FIG. 7, the saddle stitching staple function unit 70 includes two staple heads 71 and 72 for binding the sheet bundle P with staples, and a booklet tray 73 that supports both ends in the width direction of the sheet bundle P. .
Each of the staple heads 71 and 72 includes a staple unit 71a and 72a that staples the sheet bundle P, and a base unit 71b and 72b that serve as a base for stapling. The staple units 71 a and 72 a are configured to move along the width direction of the paper P in accordance with the size of the paper P. Further, the pedestal portions 71b and 72b are located at positions facing the staple portions 71a and 72a across the sheet bundle P, and among the sheets P stored in the sheet storage portions 110A to 110D (see FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus 1. Thus, it is configured to move between a position outside the width position of the maximum size paper P (home position).
Further, the booklet tray 73 has a position that supports the bundle of sheets P according to the size of the conveyed sheet P and the largest sheet among the sheets P stored in the sheet storage units 110A to 110D of the image forming apparatus 1. It is configured to move between a position outside the width position of P (home position).

When the sheet processing control unit 23 transmits the instruction signal for saddle stitching processing, the carry-out roll 61 and the movable roll 62 acquire the information regarding the size of the sheet P from the main body control unit 106. The sheet bundle P is transported by a predetermined amount in accordance with the instruction signal from 23, and the central portion of the sheet bundle P on which the folds are formed coincides with the arrangement positions of the staple heads 71 and 72. In this case, the carry-out roll 61 and the movable roll 62 function as alignment means for aligning the central portion of the sheet bundle P with the positions of the staple heads 71 and 72.
On the other hand, in the saddle stitching stapling function unit 70, the booklet tray 73 is arranged at a position for supporting the sheet bundle P in accordance with an instruction signal from the sheet processing control unit 23 that has acquired information on the size of the sheet P from the main body control unit 106. Further, the staple portions 71 a and 72 a of the staple heads 71 and 72 are arranged at predetermined positions in the width direction of the sheet bundle P corresponding to the size of the sheet P. Further, the pedestal portions 71b and 72b are arranged at positions facing the staple portions 71a and 72a.
As a result, the staple heads 71 and 72 perform binding (saddle stitching) on the sheet bundle P supported by the booklet tray 73 at two predetermined positions in the central portion where the folds are formed.

  After saddle stitching, the booklet tray 73 is retracted to the home position. Similarly, the base portions 71b and 72b of the staple heads 71 and 72 are also retracted to the home position. Thereafter, the sheet bundle P is conveyed by the carry-out roll 61 and the movable roll 62 and loaded on the stacker tray 80. In this case, the carry-out roll 61 and the movable roll 62 function as a conveyance unit that conveys the sheet bundle P to the stacker tray 80.

  On the other hand, when the sheet processing control unit 23 instructs the edge binding processing and the sheet bundle P on which the edge binding by the edge binding staple function unit 50 is performed is transported, the booklet tray 73 is retracted to the home position. Similarly, the base portions 71b and 72b of the staple heads 71 and 72 are also retracted to the home position. As a result, the end-stitched sheet bundle P is conveyed while simply passing through the saddle stitching staple function unit 70 by the carry-out roll 61 and the movable roll 62, and is stacked on the stacker tray 80. The carry-out roll 61 and the movable roll 62 in this case also function as a conveyance unit that conveys the sheet bundle P to the stacker tray 80.

The saddle-stitched sheet bundle P and the edge-bound sheet bundle P are both stacked on the stacker tray 80. The stacker tray 80 is configured to move downward according to the stacking amount of the sheet bundle P. By moving in this way, the stacking capacity of the stacker tray 80 is increased. Further, the sheet bundle P which is saddle-stitched by the saddle-stitching staple function unit 70 and carried out, and the end-stitching staple function unit 50 which is subjected to the end-stitching processing and simply passes through the saddle stitching staple function unit 70 and is carried out. The level difference between the sheet bundle P and the sheet bundle P stacked on the stacker tray 80 is kept small.
Further, the stacker tray 80 is configured to allow stacking of the sheet bundle P subjected to the saddle stitching process and the sheet bundle P subjected to the edge binding process, thereby performing various post-processing in the sheet post-processing apparatus 2. The final stacking location of the separated sheet bundle P is made common. Thereby, the user can take out the sheet bundle P subjected to the post-processing from one place (stacker tray 80) regardless of the type of the post-processing.

Thus, in the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 of the present embodiment, the front side in the transport direction of the paper P (the carry-out roll 61 side) is located above the horizontal plane at the position where the paper P is carried out from the folding function unit 40. A compile tray 60 installed in an inclined state is provided. In addition, the edge-binding staple function unit 50 and the saddle stitching staple function unit 70 are arranged on both sides of the compile tray 60. That is, the end binding staple function unit 50 is disposed on the side opposite to the conveyance direction of the paper P (rear side) with respect to the compilation tray 60. Further, a saddle stitching staple function unit 70 is disposed on the side of the compile tray 60 on the front side in the conveyance direction of the paper P.
By adopting the arrangement configuration in the folding function unit 40 and the compile tray 60 as described above, the vertical drop distance of the leading end portion of the paper P carried out from the folding function unit 40 is shortened. Thereby, when the paper P is sequentially stacked on the compilation tray 60, the posture of the paper P is suppressed from being largely inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. Further, the moving distance of the paper P in the horizontal direction is shortened, and the transition time from the folding function unit 40 to the next binding process (edge binding or saddle stitching) is reduced.
Furthermore, since the compile tray 60 is disposed at a position where the paper P is unloaded from the folding function unit 40 and dropped, the front end of the paper P is supported by the compile tray 60 while being held by the transport roll 45. Is done. As a result, the variation in the stacking position on the compilation tray 60 with respect to the paper P is suppressed.

Further, the arrangement configuration of the compile tray 60 installed with the front side in the conveyance direction of the paper P tilted upward with respect to the horizontal plane, the end binding staple function unit 50 and the saddle stitch staple function unit 70 is adopted. Thus, the folding function unit 40 and, for example, the end binding staple function unit 50 are arranged with a step in the vertical direction. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 8 (installation plan view of the finisher unit 22), the folding function unit 40, for example, the end binding staple function unit 50, and the compile tray 60 overlap in the installation plane of the finisher unit 22. Therefore, the installation area of the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 is reduced.
In the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, the folding function unit 40 and the end binding staple function unit 50 are configured to have an overlapping region. However, the saddle stitching function is provided at the position of the end binding staple function unit 50. The end portion staple function unit 50 may be disposed at the position of the saddle stitching staple function unit 70 so that the folding function unit 40 and the saddle stitch staple function unit 70 have an overlapping region. Good.

Further, when stacking the paper P on the compile tray 60, the movable roll 62 that moves to a position retracted from the carry-out roll 61 is provided, so that the transport space for the paper P is sufficient when stacking the paper P on the compile tray 60. To ensure.
Furthermore, the movable roll 62 moves to a position where the carry-out roll 61 is pressed when the paper P is carried out from the compilation tray 60, so that the carry-out roll 61 and the movable roll 62 cooperate to form the bundle of sheets P. It functions as a transport means for transporting to the stacker tray 80. In addition, when the saddle stitching process is executed, it functions as an alignment unit that aligns the central portion of the sheet bundle P with the positions of the staple heads 71 and 72.
As described above, since the carry-out roll 61 and the movable roll 62 have a plurality of functions, in the small space area in the finisher unit 22, the sheet P is conveyed from the folding function unit 40 to the compilation tray 60, and the sheet bundle P is transported. The conveyance from the compile tray 60 to the stacker tray 80 and the alignment of the central portion of the sheet bundle P with the staple heads 71 and 72 are performed. Thereby, the installation area of the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 is reduced.

  In addition, the sheet P is provided in the folding function unit 40 as a member that presses the sheet P on which the folds are formed after the folding function unit 40 forms the folds until the sheets are stacked on the compilation tray 60. Only the transport roll 45 is disposed. Accordingly, the folds formed on the paper P are prevented from being flattened before the paper P is accumulated on the compilation tray 60.

As described above, in the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, the front side in the conveyance direction of the paper P (the carry-out roll 61 side) is in a horizontal plane with respect to the position where the paper P is carried out from the folding function unit 40. A compile tray 60 installed in a state inclined upward is provided. In addition, the edge-binding staple function unit 50 and the saddle stitching staple function unit 70 are arranged on both sides of the compile tray 60.
Thereby, the installation area of the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 is reduced. Further, the variation in the stacking position of the paper P on the compile tray 60 when the paper P is stacked on the compile tray 60 is reduced. Furthermore, the transition time from the folding process to the next-stage binding process is reduced to shorten the time required for post-processing.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system to which the exemplary embodiment is applied. It is the figure which showed the structure of the sheet | seat post-processing apparatus. It is a figure explaining a folding function part. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which sheets fed from a conveyance roll of a folding function unit are stacked on a compile tray. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an end binding staple function unit executes staple binding (end binding) at an end of a sheet bundle. It is a figure explaining the state which carries out the edge bound paper bundle from a compilation tray. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the saddle stitching function unit executes staple binding (saddle stitching) on a central portion of a sheet bundle. It is an installation top view of a finisher unit.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 2 ... Sheet post-processing apparatus, 21 ... Transport unit, 22 ... Finisher unit, 23 ... Paper processing control part, 30 ... Punch function part, 40 ... Folding function part, 50 ... End binding staple function part , 60 ... Compilation tray, 61 ... Unloading roll, 62 ... Movable roll, 70 ... Saddle stitching stapling function section, 80 ... Stacker tray

Claims (6)

A fold forming member for forming a crease in the recording material;
A recording material accumulating member that is disposed at a position where the recording material is unloaded from the fold forming member and accumulates a plurality of the recording materials unloaded from the fold forming member as a recording material bundle;
A first binding member that is disposed below the folding member and on the rear side in the conveying direction of the recording material bundle with respect to the recording material stacking member, and binds the first position of the recording material bundle;
A recording material post-processing comprising: a second binding member that is arranged on the recording material bundle conveying direction front side with respect to the recording material stacking member and binds to a second position of the recording material bundle. apparatus. A transport member that transports the recording material bundle held by the recording material accumulation member;
The transport member is disposed at a position where the first roll member and the recording material bundle are pressed against the first roll member when transporting the recording material bundle in the direction in which the second binding member is disposed. The recording material post-processing according to claim 1, further comprising a second roll member disposed at a position separated from the first roll member when the recording material is accumulated on the material accumulation member. apparatus.   The fold forming member includes a pair of conveyance rolls for positioning the recording material when forming a crease in the recording material, and carrying the recording material on which the fold is formed to the recording material accumulating member. The recording material post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material;
A recording material post-processing device that performs a predetermined post-processing on the recording material on which an image is formed by the image forming device;
The recording material post-processing device comprises:
A fold forming member for forming a crease in a recording material on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus;
A recording material accumulating member that is disposed at a position where the recording material is unloaded from the fold forming member and accumulates a plurality of the recording materials unloaded from the fold forming member as a recording material bundle;
A first binding member that is disposed below the folding member and on the rear side in the conveying direction of the recording material bundle with respect to the recording material stacking member, and binds the first position of the recording material bundle;
An image forming system, comprising: a second binding member that is arranged on a front side in the conveyance direction of the recording material bundle with respect to the recording material stacking member and binds to a second position of the recording material bundle.   The recording material post-processing apparatus further includes a conveying member that conveys the recording material bundle held by the recording material accumulating member, and the conveying member conveys the first roll member and the recording material bundle to the second material. When the recording material bundle is conveyed in the arrangement direction of the binding member, the first roll member is arranged at a position where the first roll member is pressed, and when the recording material bundle is accumulated on the recording material accumulation member, the first roll is arranged. The image forming system according to claim 4, further comprising a second roll member disposed at a position separated from the member.   The fold forming member of the recording material post-processing apparatus positions the recording material when forming a crease in the recording material, and carries the recording material on which the fold is formed to the recording material accumulating member. The image forming system according to claim 4, further comprising a pair of conveying rolls.

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