JP2009208855A - Sheet binding processing device and image forming system using it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet binding device eliminating problems of image hiding on two-facing pages and breakage and missing of bounds edges caused by a binding amount such as the number of sheets when binding a bundle of the sheets collated and piled by staples. <P>SOLUTION: The sheet binding device comprises a processing tray for placing the plurality of sheets in a bundle and in a predetermined posture, a staple means for binding a portion or a plurality of portions of the sheet bundle on the processing tray and a control means for controlling binding operation of the staple means, wherein the control means has a binding amount recognition means for determining the number of the sheets and/or the bundle thickness on the processing tray and a binding position set means for setting a distance between end edges of the sheets on the processing tray and a binding position. The control means selects one of two or more different binding positions based on information from the binding amount recognition means and performs the binding operation of the staple means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet binding apparatus that stacks and stacks sheets formed by an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, and a printing machine in a bundle shape, and drops a sheet bundle when binding with a staple needle. The present invention relates to an improvement of a binding mechanism that prevents the above.

  In general, this type of sheet binding apparatus is, for example, temporarily placed on a tray and image-aligned sheets attached to an image forming apparatus and the like, and a binding process is performed by a binding unit disposed on the tray. Thereafter, it is housed in a downstream collecting tray. As this binding unit, a stapler (staple unit) device is widely used that binds one or more edge portions of a sheet bundle with a stapler needle.

  Conventionally, as such a sheet binding apparatus, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a sheet binding apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus. This document discloses an apparatus in which a sheet image-formed by an image forming apparatus is carried into a sheet binding apparatus, the sheets are stacked on a processing tray and aligned, and then bound by a stapling apparatus (unit). For this stapling, a regulating member for positioning the edge of the sheet is arranged on the processing tray, and the sheet carried out from the sheet discharge port is aligned by this regulating member. Then, the sheet edge is bound by a stapling unit provided alongside the regulating member, and the processed sheet bundle is stored in the downstream stacker.

  A similar device is disclosed in Patent Document 2. In this document, the sheets from the image forming apparatus are sorted and fed to the binding processing tray and the folding processing tray, and the edge of the sheet bundle that is aligned and stacked in the binding processing tray is bound by the staple unit in the same manner as in the configuration of Reference 1. It is matched. In the folding processing tray, a device is disclosed in which the center of a bundle of sheets that have been aligned and stacked is bound by a staple unit, and the sheet bundle is folded into a booklet from the center and stored in a storage stacker. Therefore, the staple unit arranged on the binding processing tray is configured by an end face binding staple unit that binds one side or a plurality of points along the binding margin of the side edge of the sheet bundle. The staple unit disposed on the folding processing tray is a saddle-stitching staple unit that binds two or more centers of the bundle of sheets that have been stacked together.

  In the above-described apparatus, the structure of the staple unit for binding one or more edge portions of the sheet bundle includes, for example, a cartridge containing a staple needle (blank) connected in a strip shape in a sheet shape or a roll shape. The bed mechanism is configured to bend the needle into a U-shape and insert it into the sheet bundle, and the bending mechanism includes an anvil that bends the tip of the needle inserted into the sheet bundle.

A conventionally known staple unit employs a binding structure in which a staple is inserted from a sheet edge into a preset binding position and the leading end thereof is bent. In other words, the head mechanism and the bending mechanism are hingedly connected, and the needle tip is moved when the head mechanism is pressed toward the bending mechanism at the binding position where both mechanisms protrude from the sheet edge to the center by about several millimeters. A structure for inserting into a sheet bundle is known.
JP 09-48555 A JP 2006-256726 A

  As described above, when binding one or more edge portions of the sheet bundle, the conventional binding device binds the position separated from the sheet edge by a predetermined length with the staple needle. For this reason, when aligning the sheets on the processing tray, the binding position is set based on the positional relationship between the stopper that abuts the sheet edge and the staple unit, and the binding position is constant regardless of the thickness of the sheet bundle. The distance is set.

  Such a conventional staple binding mechanism has the following problems. Processing is performed when the binding position is located on the inner side of the sheet (a position far from the sheet edge) when a large number of sheet bundles that are aligned and stacked when stapling is performed within a preset binding margin at the time of image formation. There is a problem that the image of the spread portion is hidden when a page of a subsequent booklet sheet is opened. On the contrary, when a small number of sheet bundles that are aligned and stacked are thin and the binding position is close to the edge of the sheet, there is a problem that the binding part is broken and dropped when the page is opened.

  As described above, when stapling a sheet bundle, for example, when there are 100 sheets, there is a problem that the image of the binding portion is hidden when the booklet after the binding process is opened. For example, when the sheet bundle is 2-3 sheets, the booklet after the binding process is hidden. There is a problem that the binding part is torn and dropped when opening the page. Conventionally, the binding position at the time of stapling is set at a fixed distance from the sheet edge in spite of such a problem.

  Therefore, the present inventor has come up with the idea of changing the binding position according to the binding amount such as the number of sheets and the thickness when stapling. Accordingly, for example, when the number of sheets is small and the binding portion is likely to be blurred, it is possible to bind a deep position from the sheet edge, and when the number of sheets is large and the image is hidden at the time of spread, a shallow position can be bound from the sheet edge.

The present invention provides a sheet binding device that does not cause the problem of hiding the image of the spread portion and the breakage of the binding edge portion depending on the amount of binding such as the number of sheets when binding the bundle of stacked sheets with the staple needle. The main issue is that.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus capable of changing the binding position according to the sheet amount at a low cost with a simple structure when binding a bundle of stacked sheets with a staple. Yes.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following configuration. In the present invention, “the distance between the edge of the sheet and the binding position” is “the distance between the staple at the binding position and the edge of the sheet closest to the staple.

  A processing tray for placing a plurality of sheets in a bundle in a predetermined posture; a stapling unit that binds one or a plurality of portions of the sheet bundle on the processing tray; and a control unit that controls a binding operation of the stapling unit; The control means comprises a binding amount recognition means for determining the number of sheets and / or bundle thickness on the processing tray, and a binding position for setting an interval between the edge of the sheet on the processing tray and the binding position. Setting means. The control means selects one of two or more different binding positions based on information from the binding amount recognition means, and executes the binding operation of the stapling means.

  The binding position setting means is (1) a shift means for moving the alignment position of the sheets stacked on the processing tray, or (2) a shift means for moving the position of the sheet bundle stacked on the processing tray, Or (3) a shift unit that moves the staple unit relative to the sheet on the processing tray, and the shift unit includes two or more bindings at different distances from the edge of the sheet on the processing tray. One of the positions is selected, and the binding operation is executed by the stapling means.

  The stapling means is arranged so that straight binding is performed with a binding line parallel to the sheet edge of the sheet bundle on the processing tray, or corner binding is performed with a binding line intersecting the sheet edge with a predetermined angle.

  The processing tray is provided with a sheet end regulating member for positioning the sheet in a predetermined posture, and the shift unit is configured to move the sheet end regulating member between at least two positions. The restricting member is constituted by an operating means that moves from the sheet edge to a position at a different distance.

  The processing tray is provided with sheet bundle transfer means for moving the placed sheet bundle, and the shift means moves the sheet bundle so that the binding position of the staple means is different from the sheet edge. The sheet bundle conveying means is configured as described above.

  The stapling means is configured to be movable so that the binding position is different from the edge of the sheet bundle on the processing tray, and the shift means is constituted by an operating means for moving the position of the stapling means.

  Based on the information from the binding amount recognition unit, the control unit is configured to position the binding position of the staple unit far from the sheet edge when the number of sheet bundles or the bundle thickness on the processing tray is small. The shift unit is controlled, and when the number of sheet bundles or the bundle thickness on the processing tray is large, the shift unit is controlled so that the binding position of the staple unit is positioned closer to the edge of the sheet.

  An image forming system according to the present invention includes an image forming apparatus that sequentially forms images on sheets, and a sheet binding apparatus that performs stacking processing by stacking and stacking empty sheets of the image forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, when a bundle of sheets aligned on a processing tray is bound by a stapling unit, the length interval between the edge of the sheet and the binding position is varied according to the binding amount such as the number of sheets and the bundle thickness. Since this is the case, the following effects can be obtained.

  For example, when the number of sheets is small, a deep position from the sheet edge can be bound, and when the number of sheets is large, a shallow position can be bound from the sheet edge. Therefore, when the page is opened when the number of sheets is small, the binding portion is not torn and dropped, and when the page is opened, the image of the binding portion is not hidden when the page is opened.

  Further, according to the present invention, when changing the length interval between the edge of the sheet and the binding position, (1) shift means for moving the alignment position of the sheets stacked on the processing tray, or (2) on the processing tray It is necessary to make the stapling apparatus have a special structure by comprising shift means for moving the position of the sheet bundle accumulated in the sheet or (3) shift means for moving the staple means relative to the sheet on the processing tray. Therefore, it can be provided at a low cost with a very simple structure.

The present invention will be described in detail below based on the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the overall configuration of an image forming system employing the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a sheet binding apparatus incorporated therein. 3A and 3B are explanatory views showing the configuration of the staple unit, where FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional structure thereof, and FIG. 3B is an explanatory view showing a planar structure. FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of the shift means that moves in a bundle with a roller, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for corner binding.

[Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus]
The image forming system shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming apparatus A and a sheet binding apparatus B. The sheets formed by the image forming apparatus A are stapled by the sheet binding apparatus B, and the first and second stack trays. It is comprised so that it may accommodate in 21 and 22. The image forming apparatus A sends a sheet from the paper feeding unit 1 to the image forming unit 2, prints the sheet on the image forming unit 2, and then carries the sheet out from the main body discharge port 3. The sheet feeding unit 1 stores sheets of a plurality of sizes in sheet feeding cassettes 1 a and 1 b, and separates specified sheets one by one and feeds them to the image forming unit 2. The image forming unit 2 includes, for example, an electrostatic drum 4, a print head (laser light emitting device) 5 and a developing device 6 arranged around the electrostatic drum 4, a transfer charger 7, and a fixing device 8. An electrostatic latent image is formed by the light emitting device 5, toner is adhered to the developing device 6, an image is transferred onto the sheet by the transfer charger 7, and heat fixing is performed by the fixing device 8. The sheets on which images are formed in this way are sequentially carried out from the main body discharge port 3. 9 is a circulation path, and the sheet printed on the front side from the fixing device 8 is turned upside down through the main body switchback path 10 and then fed again to the image forming unit 2 to print on the back side of the sheet. This is the path for duplex printing. The sheet printed on both sides in this way is turned upside down by the main body switchback path 10 and then carried out from the main body discharge port 3.

  11 is an image reading apparatus, which scans a document sheet set on a platen 12 with a scanning unit 13 and electrically reads it with a photoelectric conversion element (not shown). The image data is digitally processed by an image processing unit, for example, and then transferred to the data storage unit 14 to send an image signal to the laser emitter 5. 15 is a document feeder, which is a feeder device that feeds document sheets stored in the stacker 16 to the platen 12.

  The image forming apparatus A configured as described above is provided with a control unit (controller) 50 shown in FIG. 7, and image forming conditions such as sheet size designation, color / monochrome printing designation, print number designation, single-sided / double-sided printing from the control panel 18. Printout conditions such as designation and enlargement / reduction printing designation are set. On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus A, image data read by the scan unit 13 or image data transferred from an external network is accumulated in the data storage unit 17, and the image data is transferred from the data storage unit 17 to the buffer memory 19. The data signal is sequentially transferred from the buffer memory 19 to the laser emitter 5.

  From the control panel 18, post-processing conditions are also input and specified simultaneously with the image forming conditions. As the post-processing conditions, for example, “print-out mode”, “staple binding mode”, “sheet bundle folding mode”, or the like is selected.

[Configuration of sheet binding apparatus]
As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet binding apparatus B receives a sheet on which an image has been formed from the main body discharge port 3 of the image forming apparatus A. (1) Whether the sheet is accommodated in the first stack tray 21 (described above) (2) Whether the sheets from the main body discharge port 3 are aligned in a bundle and stapled, and then stored in the first stack tray 21 (the above-mentioned “staple binding mode”) (3) Sheets from the main body discharge port 3 are aligned in a bundle and stapled at the center, and then folded into a booklet and stored in the second stack tray 22 (the aforementioned “sheet bundle folding mode”). ) Is configured to.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet binding device B includes a casing (exterior cover) 20 including the first stack tray 21 and the second stack tray 22. The first stack tray 21 is configured to move up and down according to the sheet stacking amount. For this reason, guide rollers are provided at two upper and lower locations (not shown) on the base end portion of the first stack tray 21, and these guide rollers are fitted and supported by lift guides provided on an apparatus frame (not shown). The base end portion of the first stack tray 21 is connected to an elevating belt mounted on a pair of upper and lower pulleys, and one of the pulleys (drive side pulley) is connected to an elevating motor. Therefore, by controlling the rotation of the lifting motor, the first stack tray 21 moves up and down according to the sheet stacking amount.

  The second stack tray 22 is fixed to an apparatus frame (not shown), and is disposed so as to protrude outside the casing 20.

  In the casing 20, a sheet carry-in path P <b> 1 having a carry-in port 23 connected to the main body discharge port 3 is provided. The illustrated sheet carry-in path P <b> 1 is configured by a linear path that is substantially horizontal to the casing 20. The sheet carry-in path P <b> 1 includes a first sheet path SP <b> 1 that guides the sheet from the carry-in entrance 23 to the first stack tray 21 and a second sheet path SP <b> 2 that guides the sheet to the second stack tray 22. . As shown in the drawing, the first sheet path SP1 is disposed above the apparatus and the second sheet path SP2 is disposed below the apparatus.

  In such a path configuration, the carry-in roller 24 and the paper discharge roller 25 are arranged in the sheet carry-in path P1, and these rollers are connected to a drive motor M1 (not shown) that can be rotated forward and backward. A path switching piece (not shown) for guiding the sheet to the second sheet path SP2 is disposed in the sheet carry-in path P1. A post-processing unit 28 is provided between the carry-in port 23 and the carry-in roller 24 to perform post-processing such as stamping (stamping means) and punching (punching means) on the sheet from the image forming apparatus A.

[Configuration of the first sheet path]
The first sheet path SP1 described above is configured as follows. A discharge roller 25 and a discharge port 25a are provided at the exit end of the sheet carry-in path P1, and a processing tray (hereinafter referred to as a “binding processing tray”) 29 is provided below the discharge port 25a with a step. ing. The binding processing tray 29 is composed of a tray member that stacks and stores sheets from the sheet discharge outlet 25a. Above the binding processing tray 29, the forward / reverse roller 30 is disposed so as to be movable up and down between a position (operating position) in contact with the sheet on the tray and a separated standby position. A forward / reverse motor (not shown) is connected to the forward / reverse roller 30 and rotates in the paper discharge direction when a sheet enters the processing tray 29, and is opposite to the paper discharge direction after the rear end of the sheet enters the tray. It is controlled so as to rotate (right direction in FIG. 2).

  With the above configuration, the sheet from the paper discharge outlet 25a enters the binding processing tray 29 and is transferred toward the first stack tray 21 by the forward / reverse rotation roller 30, and the rear end of the sheet is transferred from the paper discharge outlet 25a onto the binding processing tray 29. If the forward / reverse rotation roller 30 is rotated backward (counterclockwise in the figure) after entering the sheet, the sheet on the tray is transferred in the direction opposite to the paper discharge direction.

  At the rear end of the binding processing tray 29 in the paper discharge direction, a sheet end regulating member 32 for regulating the position of the sheet rear end and a first stapling means (hereinafter referred to as “edge binding stapler”) 33 are disposed. The illustrated edge binding stapler 33 is configured to bind the edges of the sheets stacked on the binding processing tray 29, and staples one or a plurality of positions at the trailing edge of the sheet bundle. The binding processing tray 29 is provided with a bundle carrying-out mechanism (not shown) for transferring the bound sheet bundle to the first stack tray 21 on the downstream side. The configuration of the edge binding stapler 33 will be described later.

  The binding processing tray 29 is provided with a side alignment plate (not shown) for aligning the width direction of the sheets stacked on the tray. The side alignment plate is a pair of left and right so as to align the sheets on the basis of the center. The alignment plate is configured to approach and separate from the sheet center.

  When the first sheet path SP1 configured as described above is in the “staple binding mode”, the sheets from the sheet discharge outlet 25a are aligned on the binding processing tray 29, and this sheet bundle is rear-bound by the edge binding stapler 33. Stitch one or more edges. In the above-described “print-out mode”, the sheets fed along the processing tray are not stacked on the binding processing tray 29 without stacking the sheets from the paper discharge outlet 25a between the forward / reverse roller 30 and the driven roller 30b. It is carried out to the first stack tray 21. In this way, the illustrated apparatus is characterized in that the apparatus is made compact by supporting the sheets to be stapled by the binding processing tray 29 and the first stack tray 21 in a bridge manner.

[Configuration of the second sheet path]
The configuration of the second sheet path SP2 branched from the first sheet path SP1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the second sheet path SP2 is disposed in a substantially vertical direction on the casing 20, and a transport roller 36 is disposed at the path entrance and a transport roller 37 is disposed at the path exit. Further, an accumulation guide (second tray means; the same applies hereinafter) 35 is provided on the downstream side of the second sheet path SP2 to align the sheets fed from the conveyance path. The illustrated accumulation guide 35 is constituted by a conveyance guide for conveying a sheet. A saddle stitch stapler 40 and folding roll means 45 are disposed in the accumulation guide 35.

  The stacking guide 35 is formed of a guide member that guides the conveyance of the sheet, and is configured to stack and store the sheet on the guide. The illustrated stacking guide 35 is connected to the second sheet path SP2 and is disposed substantially vertically in the center of the casing 20. A saddle stitch stapler 40 and folding roll means 45 are disposed in the accumulation guide 35. Then, the sheet bundle accumulated in the accumulation guide 35 is bound by the saddle stitching stapler 40, the center portion thereof is bound, folded in a booklet shape by the folding roll means 45, and stored in the second stack tray 22. . Reference numeral 38 in the figure denotes a leading end stopper for stacking sheets on the stacking guide 35. Reference numeral 39 denotes a sheet side edge alignment member.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the saddle stitching stapler 40 includes a driver unit 40 a and a clincher unit 40 b, and both units are disposed to face each other with an accumulation guide 35 interposed therebetween. The driver unit 40a includes a head member that inserts staples into the sheet bundle, a cartridge that stores the staples, a drive cam, and a staple motor that drives the drive cam (not shown). The clincher unit 40b is composed of an anvil member having a bending groove for bending the needle tip inserted into the sheet bundle by the driver unit 40a.

  Then, the driver member and the former built in the driver unit 40a are pressed from the upper top dead center to the lower bottom dead center by the staple motor. As the driver member descends, the former connected thereto moves from the top dead center to the bottom dead center. When the former is lowered, the linear staple needle is bent into a U shape, and the tip of the staple needle is inserted into the sheet bundle by pressing the back of the staple with a driver member. Then, stapling is performed by bending the tip with the anvil member of the clincher unit 40b.

[Configuration of edge-binding stapler]
Next, the configuration of the edge binding stapler 33 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the edge binding stapler 33 is disposed on the binding processing tray 29. The edge binding stapler 33 includes a driver mechanism portion 33a and a clincher mechanism portion 33b. The driver mechanism section 33a includes a driver member (not shown) that inserts staples into a sheet bundle, and a cartridge 71 that houses the staples. Although not shown, the cartridge 71 has a built-in sheet-shaped or roll-shaped blank needle in which linear needles are connected in a band shape, and is configured to sequentially supply the blank needle to the driver member from its tip. The driver mechanism 33a is composed of a plate-shaped driver plate, a former member, and a die member. In the process of moving the driver plate and the former member from the top dead center to the bottom dead center, the linear blank needle is used as the former member. Bend it in a U shape with a die member. Then, the U-shaped needle is pressed down vigorously from the upper side to the lower side with a driver plate, and is inserted into the sheet bundle. For this reason, a drive cam connected to a drive motor (not shown) is connected to the driver plate. And it is comprised so that a driver cam may be rotationally driven with a drive motor, an accumulator spring may be made to accumulate power, and a driver plate may be moved from a top dead center to a bottom dead center with the accumulated energy.

  The clincher mechanism portion 33b includes a folding groove 62 (anvil member) for folding the tip of the staple needle inserted into the sheet bundle. The driver mechanism 33a and the clincher mechanism 33b are integrally attached to the unit frame, and the head member 70 is axially supported so as to be swingable in the vertical direction of FIG.

[Movement mechanism of edge binding stapler]
The edge binding stapler 33 described above is configured to be movable in the sheet width direction (left and right direction in FIG. 3B) with respect to the sheet bundle on the binding processing tray 29. This is because a plurality of places are bound along the margin (binding margin) Sx formed on the side edge of the sheet. The illustrated apparatus shows a case where staple binding is performed at two locations of the first staple position SA1 and the second staple position SA2. A guide rail 80 is provided on the apparatus frame (not shown) along the sheet edge Se on the binding processing tray 29, and the unit frame 33f of the edge binding stapler 33 is slidably supported by the guide rail 80. A lead screw 86 is disposed in parallel with the unit frame 33f, and a drive motor MD1 is connected to the lead screw 86. The unit frame 33f of the edge binding stapler 33 is configured to mesh with the lead screw 86 and move in the left-right direction in FIG.

  The edge binding stapler 33 configured as described above binds the binding margin Sx of the sheet bundle on the binding processing tray 29 as shown in FIG. This binding process is executed in a “center binding mode” in which a plurality of central locations of the sheet S are processed according to the apparatus specifications and a “corner binding mode” in which a sheet corner is processed. In this case, in the “center binding mode”, the staples are bound in a posture parallel to the sheet side edge (Sp1, Sp2 shown in FIG. 6A), for example, two-point binding at a distance L or three-point binding. Set as appropriate. In the “corner binding mode”, the right edge (Sp3 shown in FIG. 6A) or the left edge (Sp4) of the sheet S is inclined so that the staple needle is bound at a predetermined angle (for example, 45 degrees) from the sheet side edge. One place is set by binding.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, when the sheet binding margin Sx is bound in the above-described “center binding mode” and “corner binding mode”, the position of the staple needle (hereinafter referred to as “binding needle position”) is spaced from the sheet edge Se. When the binding process is performed at a position separated by α1 (the approaching binding position SS) and when the binding process is performed at a position separated from the sheet edge Se by a distance α2 (α2> α1) (a separated binding position LS), It is characterized by being selectively executed according to the response. Therefore, the present invention includes the following “binding amount recognition means 66” and “binding position setting means 67”.

[Binding amount recognition means]
First, the binding amount recognition unit 66 is configured by a unit that detects the number of sheets and / or the thickness of the bundle of sheets bundled and stacked on the binding processing tray 29. In the illustrated apparatus, a paper discharge port sensor S2 is disposed at the paper discharge port 25a shown in FIG. 2, and a control unit (a control CPU described later) 61 connected to the sensor S2 has a counter (not shown) that counts the number of sheets passed. (Shown) is provided. Accordingly, the control means 61 counts the number of sheets that pass through the paper discharge outlet 25a and are stacked on the downstream binding processing tray 29. Therefore, for example, when the count is started with an image formation start signal from the image forming apparatus A and the count is ended with an image formation end signal, the number of sheets aligned on the binding processing tray 29 can be recognized.

  In addition, the binding amount recognition unit 66 can be configured by a sensor that detects the thickness of the sheet bundle stacked on the binding processing tray 29. In this case, the number of sheets is calculated from the bundle thickness detected by the sensor and the average paper thickness. Further, the binding amount recognition means 66 may be configured to receive an image forming signal from the image forming apparatus A located on the upstream side and count it.

  The binding position setting means 67 is (1) shift means (first embodiment to be described later) for moving and adjusting the alignment position of the sheets stacked on the binding processing tray 29, or (2) sheets stacked on the binding processing tray 29. A shift means for moving the position of the bundle (second embodiment described later), or (3) a shift means for moving the position of the staple means relative to the sheets stacked on the binding processing tray 29 (third embodiment described later). To do. The shift unit selects one of two or more binding positions (LS, SS) having different perspective distances from the edge of the sheet on the binding processing tray, and executes the binding operation with the edge binding stapler 33. The form of each shift means will be described below.

[First Embodiment of Shift Means (see FIG. 3)]
The shift means shown in FIG. 3 shows a case where the sheet end regulating member 32 when the sheets are stacked and stacked on the binding processing tray 29 is configured to be movable. In this case, it is used when the number of sheets on which an image is formed can be determined in advance by the above-described binding amount recognition unit 66. In other words, when the number of sheets on which image formation is performed by the image forming apparatus A is determined at the time of initial setting, if the number of sheets is smaller than a preset reference number, the binding process is performed at the “separated binding position LS” described above, When the number is larger than the reference number, the binding process is performed at the above-described “approaching binding position SS”.

  For this reason, the sheet end regulating member (rear end regulating member; hereinafter the same) 32 arranged on the binding processing tray 29 is arranged so as to be movable by a predetermined amount in the sheet discharge direction (direction orthogonal to the sheet width). As shown in FIG. 3A, a plurality of (for example, two) rear end regulating members 32a and 32b are provided at the rear end of the binding processing tray 29 at predetermined intervals in the sheet width direction by the same amount in the paper discharge direction (FIG. 3). (A) It is supported to be movable in the left-right direction). A rack 32r is formed integrally with the rear end regulating member 32, and a pinion 32p is engaged with the rack 32r. The pinion 32p is connected to a shift motor 32m. Accordingly, by driving and rotating the shift motor 32m, the rear end regulating member 32 can be moved between the binding positions LS and SS, and the shift motor 32m, the pinion 32p, the rack 32r, and the rear end regulating member 32 are used for shifting. Means will be constructed. The rear end regulating member 32 is provided with a position sensor (not shown).

[Second Embodiment of Shift Means (see FIG. 4)]
Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the shift means for setting whether to perform close binding (SS) or separate binding (LS) by moving the position of the sheet bundle accumulated on the binding processing tray 29. As shown in FIG. 4, the pair of upper and lower conveying rollers 30 and 30 b described above are arranged on the binding processing tray 29. The sheet bundle accumulated on the binding processing tray is moved to a position immediately before the binding operation by the pair of conveying rollers 30 and 30b. For this reason, the rear end regulating member 32 is arranged (fixed) on the binding processing tray 29 so that the sheets are aligned at a predetermined, for example, the separation binding position LS. The separation binding position LS is set so that the staple needle is positioned at a position that is a distance α2 away from the sheet edge. The distance α2 is set at a position where the image on the sheet is not hidden by opening the page when the sheet having the minimum bundle thickness is stapled. Therefore, the control means (a control CPU described later) 61 rotates the above-described pair of conveyance rollers 30 and 30b by a predetermined amount in response to a signal indicating completion of sheet stacking on the binding processing tray 29, for example, a job end signal from the image forming apparatus A. The sheet bundle on the processing tray is moved to the left in the figure by a predetermined amount. Then, the staple needle of the edge binding stapler 33 is shifted to the approach binding position SS, and the position is separated from the sheet edge Se by a distance α1. Therefore, the conveyance roller pair 30, 30b constitutes a shift means.

[Third Embodiment of Shift Means (see FIG. 5A)]
Next, the shift means shown in FIG. 5A shows a case where the edge binding stapler 33 is shifted to the separation binding position LS and the close binding position SS by moving the position. This figure shows a case of inclined binding in which the corner of the sheet is bound with the staple needle being inclined at a predetermined angle. The binding processing tray 29 is provided with a trailing edge regulating member 32 for regulating the position of the trailing edge of the sheet, and a guide rail 85 is arranged at a position adjacent to the regulating member 32. The guide rail 85 is curved at the left end and the right end along the sheet edge Se on the binding processing tray 29. A base frame 87 on which the edge binding stapler 33 is mounted is fitted and supported on the guide rail 85.

  Therefore, the unit frame 33f of the edge binding stapler 33 is mounted on the base frame 87 as follows. The unit frame 33f is supported so as to be movable along a guide groove 87g formed in the base frame 87 in a direction orthogonal to the guide rail 85. Accordingly, the base frame 87 moves along the sheet edge Se on the binding processing tray 29 and moves to the staple positions Sp1 and Sp2. At the same time, it moves to the staple position Sp3 (right end) and Sp4 (left end) of the sheet corner. At this time, the base frame 87 is inclined at a predetermined angle (for example, 45 degrees) in the illustrated counterclockwise direction at the right end staple position Sp3 of the sheet corner, and is inclined at a predetermined angle in the clockwise direction at the left end staple position Sp4.

  Therefore, the unit frame 33f of the edge binding stapler 33 is fitted and supported in the guide groove 87g formed in the base frame 87 so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the guide rail 85. An operating solenoid (not shown) is mounted on the base frame 87, and is configured to move the unit frame 33f by a predetermined amount. The movement amount of the unit frame 33f is set to the distance between the above-described separation binding position LS and the close binding position SS.

  The edge binding stapler 33 configured as described above is moved along the sheet edge Se on the binding processing tray 29 to move the first and second staple positions Sp1 and Sp2 and the sheet corner staple position Sp3, It becomes possible to move to each position of Sp4. At each staple position, the position can be moved between the separation binding position LS far from the sheet edge and the approaching binding position SS that is close. Although not shown, the unit frame 33f is connected to a drive wire suspended between a pair of pulleys, and a shift motor is connected to one of the pulleys.

[Fourth Embodiment of Shift Means (see FIG. 5B)]
Next, in the apparatus shown in FIG. 5B, the guide rail 85 is arranged along the edge of the sheet bundle on the binding processing tray 29 with the edge binding stapler 33 as in the third embodiment. The guide rail 85 is curved at the left end and the right end along the sheet edge Se on the binding processing tray 29. A unit frame 33 f of the edge binding stapler 33 is fitted and supported on the guide rail 85.

  Accordingly, the base frame 87 moves along the sheet edge Se on the binding processing tray 29 and moves to the staple positions Sp1 and Sp2. At the same time, it moves to the staple position Sp3 (right end) and Sp4 (left end) of the sheet corner. At this time, the base frame 87 is inclined at a predetermined angle (for example, 45 degrees) in the illustrated counterclockwise direction at the right end staple position Sp3 of the sheet corner, and is inclined at a predetermined angle in the clockwise direction at the left end staple position Sp4. In such a configuration, the edge binding stapler 33 performs the binding process by straight binding in which the staple needle is positioned at the binding line parallel to the sheet edge Se at the staple positions Sp1 and Sp2, and the right corner of the sheet bundle at the staple position Sp3. Thus, the binding process is performed by corner binding in which the staple needle is positioned at the binding line inclined at a predetermined angle (for example, 45 degrees) counterclockwise with the sheet edge Se. Further, at the staple position Sp4, the binding process is performed by corner binding inclined at a predetermined angle in the clockwise direction at the left corner of the sheet bundle.

  The edge binding stapler 33 configured as described above is moved along the sheet edge Se on the binding processing tray 29 to move the first and second staple positions Sp1 and Sp2 and the sheet corner staple position Sp3, It becomes possible to move to each position of Sp4. Although not shown, the unit frame 33f is connected to a drive wire suspended between a pair of pulleys, and a shift motor is connected to one of the pulleys.

  Accordingly, the control means (control CPU described later) 61 moves the edge binding stapler 33 at the first and second staple positions Sp1, Sp2, for example, according to the binding amount from the binding amount recognition means 66 configured in the same manner as described above. Straight stitching is performed, or corner binding is performed at the third or fourth stapling position Sp3 or Sp4. That is, the control unit 61 executes “straight binding” when the number of sheets from the binding amount recognition unit 66 is greater than a preset reference number, and executes “corner binding” when the number is less than the reference number. This is because “straight binding” when opening a sheet bundle after binding is easier to break than “corner binding”. When the number of sheets is small, binding is performed with corner binding, and the number of sheets is large. In some cases, straight binding is performed.

[Description of control configuration]
The control configuration of the above-described image forming system will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The image forming system shown in FIG. 1 includes a control unit (hereinafter referred to as “main body control unit”) 50 of the image forming apparatus A and a control unit (hereinafter referred to as “post-processing control unit”) 60 of the sheet binding device B. The main body control unit 50 includes an image formation control unit 51, a paper feed control unit 52, and an input unit 53. Then, the “image forming mode” and “post-processing mode” are set from the control panel 18 provided in the input unit 53. As described above, the image forming mode sets the number of printouts, sheet size, color / monochrome printing, enlargement / reduction printing, duplex / single-sided printing, and other image formation conditions. Then, the main body control unit 50 controls the image formation control unit 51 and the paper feed control unit 51 according to the set image forming conditions, and after the image is formed on a predetermined sheet, the sheets are sequentially carried out from the main body discharge port 3. .

  At the same time, the post-processing mode is set by input from the control panel 18. The post-processing mode is set to, for example, “print-out mode”, “staple binding finishing mode”, “sheet bundle folding finishing mode”, or the like. Therefore, the main body control unit 50 transfers the post-processing finishing mode, the number of sheets, the upper number of copies, and the binding mode (one-position binding or two or more bindings) information to the post-processing control unit 60. At the same time, the main body control unit 50 transfers a job end signal to the post-processing control unit 60 every time image formation is completed.

  The post-processing control unit 60 includes a control CPU 61 that operates the sheet binding device B according to a designated finishing mode, a ROM 62 that stores an operation program, and a RAM 63 that stores control data. The control CPU 61 includes a sheet conveyance control unit 64a that performs conveyance of the sheet sent to the carry-in entrance 23, a sheet accumulation operation control unit 64b that performs sheet accumulation operation, and a binding operation control that performs sheet binding processing. A unit 64c and a sheet bundle folding operation control unit 64d that executes a sheet bundle folding operation. The sheet stacking operation control unit 64b has a built-in counter that counts the number of sheets conveyed from the sheet discharge outlet sensor S2 to the binding processing tray 29.

  The sheet conveyance control unit 64a is connected to the control circuit of the driving motor M1 of the conveyance roller 24 and the discharge roller 25 of the sheet conveyance path P1 and receives a detection signal from the sheet sensor S1 disposed in this path. It is configured as follows. The sheet stacking operation control unit 64b is connected to a drive circuit of a forward / reverse rotation motor of the forward / reverse rotation roller 30 and a shift motor 32m of a rear end regulating member in order to stack sheets on the binding processing tray 29. Further, the binding operation control unit 64c is connected to a drive circuit of a drive motor built in the edge binding staple device 33 of the binding processing tray 29 and the saddle staple device 40 of the second tray means 35.

  The sheet accumulation operation control unit 64b is connected to the shift means described above and is configured to control the shift means. That is, in the first embodiment of the shift means described above, the position of the sheet trailing edge regulating member 32 is moved according to the number of sheets. In the second embodiment described above, the sheet bundles stacked on the binding processing tray 29 by driving and rotating the conveyance roller pairs 30 and 30b are moved according to the number of sheets. In the third embodiment, the unit frame 33f of the edge binding stapler 33 is moved according to the number of sheets.

  The sheet bundle folding operation control unit 64d is connected to a drive circuit of a drive motor that drives and rotates the folding roll means 45 and a drive circuit of the clutch means. Further, the sheet bundle folding operation control unit 64d is connected to a control circuit of shift means for controlling the movement of the conveying rollers 36 and 37 of the second sheet path SP2 and the leading end regulating member 38 of the stacking guide 35 to predetermined positions. It is wired so as to receive a detection signal from a sheet sensor arranged in the route.

The control unit 60 configured as described above causes the sheet binding apparatus B to execute the next processing operation.
"Printout mode"
In this mode, the image forming apparatus A forms an image of a series of documents from, for example, the first page, and sequentially unloads the sheet from the main body discharge port 3 face down, and the sheet sent to the sheet carry-in path P1 is guided to the discharge roller 25. It is burned. Therefore, after the expected time that the leading edge of the sheet reaches the forward / reverse roller 30 of the binding processing tray 29 based on the signal that the leading edge of the sheet is detected at the paper discharge port 25a, the sheet conveyance control unit 64a moves the forward / reverse roller 30 from the upper standby position onto the tray. And the forward / reverse roller is rotated clockwise in FIG. Then, the sheet that has entered the binding processing tray 29 is carried out toward the first stack tray 21 by the forward / reverse rotation roller 30 and stored on the tray. The successive sheets are sequentially carried out to the first stack tray 21 and accumulated and stored on the tray.

  Therefore, in this printout mode, the sheets formed with the image forming apparatus A are accommodated in the first stack tray 21 via the sheet carry-in path P1 of the sheet binding apparatus B, and sequentially n, for example, from page 1 in a face-down posture. The pages are stacked and stored in the order of the pages. In this mode, no sheet is guided to the first sheet path SP1 and the second sheet path SP2.

"Staple binding finish mode"
In this mode, the image forming apparatus A forms an image of a series of documents from the first page to the nth page in the same manner as in the above-described mode, carries out a face-down state from the main body discharge port 3, and sends it to the sheet carry-in path P1. The sheet thus fed is guided to the paper discharge roller 25. Therefore, after the expected time that the leading edge of the sheet reaches the forward / reverse roller 30 of the binding processing tray 29 based on the signal that the leading edge of the sheet is detected at the paper discharge port 25a, the sheet conveyance control unit 64a moves the forward / reverse roller 30 from the upper standby position onto the tray. The forward / reverse roller 30 is rotated clockwise in FIG. Next, the sheet conveyance control unit 64a drives the forward / reverse rotation roller 30 to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 2 after the estimated time when the trailing edge of the sheet is carried onto the binding processing tray 29. Then, the sheet that has entered from the paper discharge outlet 25a is switched back and conveyed onto the binding processing tray 29 along the first sheet path SP1. By repeating this sheet conveyance, a series of sheets are stacked in a bundle shape in a face-down state on the binding processing tray 29.

  The operation of the shift means 67 will be described with reference to FIG. When the staple binding finishing mode is set in the image forming apparatus A described above, the staple position is set at the same time as binding processing at the center of the sheet or binding processing at the sheet corner (St01). Then, the control CPU (control means; hereinafter the same) 61 calculates the stapling position (the aforementioned Sp1, Sp2, Sp3, Sp4) from the sheet size information (St02). Next, the control CPU 61 moves the edge binding stapler 33 to a predetermined position on the sheet (St03). In parallel with this, the control CPU 61 counts the number of sheets carried out onto the binding processing tray 29 (St04). Therefore, the control CPU 61 compares the counted number of sheets with a preset number (St05). When the number is greater than or equal to the predetermined number, the “approaching binding position” is set (St06). When the number is less than the predetermined number, the “approaching binding position” is set (St07).

  Therefore, the control CPU 61 operates the above-described shift means to move the binding position of the edge binding stapler 33 to the approach binding position or the separation binding position to move the relative position with the sheet (St08). Accordingly, the binding operation is executed by the edge binding stapler 33 (St09), and the sheet bundle after the binding processing is carried out to the stacker (St10).

"Sheet fold finish mode"
In this mode, the image forming apparatus A forms an image on a sheet, and the sheet binding apparatus B finishes it in a booklet shape. The sheet sent to the sheet carry-in path P1 is guided to the sheet discharge roller 25, where the control CPU 61 passes the path switching piece (not shown) based on the signal that the sheet sensor S1 detects the sheet rear end. At this timing, the paper discharge roller 25 is stopped. Then, the paper discharge roller 25 is reversed. Then, the sheet that has entered the sheet carry-in path P1 is reversed in the conveyance direction and guided from the path switching piece to the second sheet path SP2. Then, it is guided to the accumulation guide 35 by the conveying rollers 36 and 37 arranged in this path.

  At the timing when the sheet is carried into the stacking guide (second tray means) 35 from the second sheet path SP2, the control CPU 61 moves the leading end regulating member 38 to the lowermost position Sh1. Then, the entire sheet is supported by the accumulation guide 35. In this state, the control CPU 61 operates the above-mentioned sheet side edge aligning member 39 to align the sheets by width alignment. Next, the control CPU 61 moves the front end regulating member 38 to a position Sh3 where the rear end of the sheet enters the switchback entry path 35a. Then, the rear end of the sheet supported by the accumulation guide 35 moves backward to the switchback entry path 35a. In this state, the subsequent sheets are fed from the second sheet path SP2 onto the stacking guide 35, and the subsequent sheets are stacked on the preceding sheet. Then, the leading edge regulating member 38 is moved from the Sh3 position to the Sh1 position in accordance with the carry-in of the subsequent sheet.

  Next, the sheet side edge aligning member 39 is operated in the same manner as described above, and the loaded sheet and the sheet supported on the stacking guide are aligned and aligned. By repeating such an operation, the sheets on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus A are aligned on the stacking guide 35 through the second sheet path SP2. Therefore, when receiving the job end signal, the control CPU 61 moves the leading edge regulating member 38 to the position Sh2, and sets the center of the sheet to the binding position X.

  Accordingly, the control CPU 61 operates the saddle stitching staple device (saddle stitching stapler) 40 to staple one or more places in the center of the sheet. In response to this operation completion signal, the control CPU 61 moves the leading edge regulating member 38 to the position Sh1, and positions and sets the center of the sheet at the folding position Y.

1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an image forming system including a sheet binding device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of the sheet binding device of FIG. 1. FIGS. 3A and 3B are explanatory views showing a configuration of the end-face stitching stapler of FIG. 2, where FIG. 3A is a longitudinal explanatory view, FIG. 2B is an explanatory view of a shift mechanism (first embodiment) of a sheet end regulating member, and FIG. FIG. The shift mechanism (2nd Embodiment) different from FIG. 3 is shown, (a) is longitudinal explanatory drawing, (b) is plane explanatory drawing. (3rd Embodiment), (b) is explanatory drawing of the state which shifted the stapler unit to the approach binding position, (c) is explanatory drawing of the state which shifted the stapler unit to the separation binding position. The shift mechanism (4th Embodiment) different from FIG. 3 is shown, (a) thru | or (c) is explanatory drawing which shows a stapler unit movement state. It is explanatory drawing of the binding position of the sheet | seat binding apparatus concerning this invention, (a) is explanatory drawing of planar structure, (b) is explanatory drawing of cross-sectional structure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the image forming system of FIG. 1. The flowchart which shows the operation state of the post-processing control part of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

A image forming apparatus B sheet binding position P1 sheet carry-in path SP1 first sheet path SP2 second sheet path Sp3 right end staple position Sp4 left end staple position 24 carry-in roller 25 discharge roller 25a Paper discharge port 29 Processing tray (binding processing tray)
30 Forward / reverse roller 32 Sheet end regulating member (32a, 32b)
32r rack 32p pinion 33 edge binding stapler 36 transport roller 37 transport roller 35 stacking guide 45 folding roll means 33a driver mechanism section 33b clincher mechanism section 62 bending groove (anvil member)
66 Binding amount recognition means 67 Shift means (binding position setting means)
80 guide rail Sx margin (binding margin)
SS Approach binding position LS Separation binding position 50 Main body control unit 60 Post-processing control unit

Claims (9)

A processing tray for placing a plurality of sheets in a predetermined posture in a bundle;
Stapling means for binding one place or plural places of the sheet bundle on the processing tray;
Control means for controlling the binding operation of the stapling means;
With
The control means includes
Binding amount recognition means for determining the number of sheets and / or the bundle thickness on the processing tray;
A binding position setting means for setting an interval between the edge of the sheet on the processing tray and the binding position;
Have
The control means includes
A sheet binding processing apparatus, wherein one of two or more different binding positions is selected based on information from the binding amount recognizing means, and the binding operation of the stapling means is executed. The binding position setting means is (1) a shift means for moving the alignment position of the sheets stacked on the processing tray, or (2) a shift means for moving the position of the sheet bundle stacked on the processing tray, Or (3) a shift means for moving the staple means relative to the sheet on the processing tray,
The shift unit selects one of two or more binding positions having different perspective distances from the edge of the sheet on the processing tray, and executes the binding operation with the stapling unit. . The stapling means is arranged to perform straight binding that staples with a binding line parallel to the sheet edge of the sheet bundle on the processing tray, or corner binding with a binding line that intersects the sheet edge with a predetermined angle. The sheet binding processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The processing tray is provided with a sheet end regulating member for positioning the sheet in a predetermined posture,
The shift means is configured such that the sheet end regulating member can be moved between at least two positions, and the sheet end regulating member is positioned so that the distance between the edge of the sheet and the binding position is different. The sheet binding processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sheet binding processing apparatus is configured by moving operating means. The processing tray is provided with a sheet bundle transfer means for moving the placed sheet bundle,
3. The sheet binding process according to claim 2, wherein the shift unit includes the sheet bundle transfer unit that moves the sheet bundle so that the distance between the edge of the sheet and the binding position is different. apparatus. The stapling means is configured to be movable with respect to the sheet bundle on the processing tray so that the distance between the edge of the sheet and the binding position is different in perspective.
3. The sheet binding processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the shift unit includes an operation unit that moves the position of the staple unit. The control means is based on information from the binding amount recognition means.
When the number of sheet bundles on the processing tray or the bundle thickness is small, the shift means is controlled so as to position the binding position of the staple means far from the edge of the sheet;
7. The shift means is controlled so that the binding position of the staple means is positioned closer to the edge of the sheet when the number of sheet bundles on the processing tray or the bundle thickness is large. The sheet binding processing apparatus described. An image forming apparatus for sequentially forming images on sheets;
A sheet binding device that stacks and stacks empty sheets of the image forming apparatus;
Consisting of
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the sheet binding apparatus is an image forming system according to claim 1. A processing tray for placing a plurality of sheets in a predetermined posture in a bundle;
Stapling means for binding one place or plural places of the sheet bundle on the processing tray;
Control means for controlling the binding operation of the stapling means;
With
The stapling means includes straight binding for stapling with a binding line parallel to a sheet edge of one side of the sheet bundle on the processing tray, and corner binding for stapling with a binding line intersecting the sheet edge with a predetermined angle. Configured to be selectively executable,
The control means includes
Based on the information from the binding amount recognition means for determining the number of sheets and / or the bundle thickness on the processing tray, one of the straight binding and the corner binding is selected and the binding process is performed. A sheet binding processing device.

Images