JP2010159102A - Sheet processing device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet processing device delivering sheet bundles including a folded sheet having a folded part, without forming a wrinkle and a bend near a binding position, and to provide an image forming device. <P>SOLUTION: When delivering a sheet bundle SZA, an upper delivery roller 130b, which is provided at a position corresponding to a folded part of the folded sheet of the sheet bundle SZA freely coming into contact with and leaving from the sheet bundle SZA to deliver the bound sheet bundle SZA, is selectively separated once from the sheet bundle SZA. The sheet bundle SZA is moved by a delivery assist 190, which is provided to move toward upstream of the delivering direction of an intermediate processing tray 138 along the delivering direction to move the sheet bundle SZA in the delivering direction by pushing the bound sheet bundles SZA, during the time at least when the upper delivery roller 130b is separated from the sheet bundle SZA. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus that performs a binding process on a sheet bundle including a folded sheet having a folded portion.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, laser beam printers, facsimile machines, and multi-functional machines have a sheet processing apparatus that performs folding processing such as Z-folding and binding processing on a sheet on which an image is formed. Some automatically perform processing online. In this sheet processing apparatus, an intermediate processing tray is provided in the apparatus, and a plurality of sheets are stacked on the intermediate processing tray to form a sheet bundle, and then a binding process is performed on the sheet bundle by a binding unit. .

  Here, in the case of such a binding process, the binding process may be performed not only at one place of the sheet bundle but also at a plurality of places. When performing multi-point binding processing, by sequentially moving the binding means to the binding position, the sheet bundle is bound at the plurality of binding positions, and then the bound sheet bundle is discharged from the intermediate processing tray and stacked. Load in the tray.

  By the way, in the conventional sheet processing apparatus, there is a case where the binding process is also performed on the sheet bundle including the Z-folded sheet. In this case, the edge of the sheet bundle on the side opposite to the Z-folding portion. The binding process is performed at one part or a plurality of binding parts (see Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the configuration of such a conventional sheet processing apparatus. For example, when performing a two-point binding process that binds two edge portions of a sheet bundle to a Z-fold sheet having a folded portion or a sheet bundle that has not been folded, firstly, one sheet at a time. It is discharged onto the processing tray 612. Next, the sheet discharged onto the processing tray 612 is abutted against the trailing edge regulating plate 613 by the paddle 616 and the knurled belt 614, thereby aligning the sheet in the conveyance direction (discharge direction).

  Next, after such alignment in the sheet conveyance direction is completed, alignment in the width direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction is performed by the alignment plate 605. Thus, the sheets are aligned and stacked in a bundle at a predetermined position on the processing tray 612. This alignment stacking operation is repeated for each sheet until the final sheet is conveyed to the processing tray 612, thereby creating a sheet bundle.

  Next, when the alignment operation of the final sheet is completed, the upper discharge roller 610b that can swing in the vertical direction is lowered, and the sheet bundle is held between the lower discharge roller 610a and the end portion of the sheet bundle is aligned with the stapler. Bind the eyes. Further, the stapler is moved along the edge of the sheet bundle and bound at the second binding position. When the stapler binding process is completed, the sheet bundle bound at the two end portions is discharged to the stack tray 700 by the discharge roller pair 610a and 610b.

JP 2001-26363 A

By the way, in the conventional sheet processing apparatus, when the Z-folded sheets are stacked and aligned on the processing tray so as to form a bundle, the stack shape of the sheet bundle varies depending on the type of sheets stacked. For example, when a sheet bundle formed of general sheets for electrophotography having a basis weight of 64 g / m ² (continuous weight 55 kg) or more is stacked so that the Z-folded portion is on the front end side, the shape of the sheet bundle is As shown in FIG. That is, the sheet bundle SA is stacked in a shape that forms a triangular shape in which the upper surface portion is linearly inclined from the bulging portion to the rear end portion on the folded sheet folded portion side (left side in the drawing) on the leading end side. Is done.

On the other hand, in the case of a sheet having a basis weight of about 90 g / m ² or less, such as a thin sheet having a basis weight of less than 64 g / m ² (continuous amount 55 kg) or a sheet coated on the surface (coated paper). The rigidity of the sheet itself (hereinafter referred to as the stiffness of the sheet itself) is small. For this reason, when the sheet bundle SA formed of such sheets is stacked such that the Z-folded portion is on the front end side, the sheet bundle SA is as shown in FIG. That is, the sheet bundle SA has a non-linear upper surface portion from the bulging portion on the folding portion side of the folded sheet on the leading end side to the rear end portion, and the folds are not folds and folds, and the boundary between the bulging portions. Becomes clearer. As a result, the sheet bundle SA is stacked in a shape in which the difference in the bundle height appears remarkably.

  After the sheet bundle SA is stacked on the processing tray 612 in this manner, as described above, the binding process is performed in the predetermined binding processing unit of the sheet bundle SA, and then the sheet is discharged by the discharge roller pair 610a and 610b. The bundle SA is discharged toward the stack tray 700 (FIG. 26). At this time, when the sheet bundle SA is discharged after the binding process is performed on the sheet bundle SA stacked in the state shown in FIG. 25B, the sheet bundle SA is disposed near the bulging portion of the discharge roller pair. It is clamped by 610a and 610b.

  Here, since the bulging portion of the sheet bundle SA contains air, when the sheet bundle SA is discharged by the discharge roller pair 610a and 610b, the air moves. As a result, as shown in FIG. 26, slack occurs between the nipping portion of the sheet bundle SA nipped by the discharge roller pair 610a and 610b and the binding processing portion. Then, if the sheet bundle SA is continuously conveyed by the discharge roller pair 610a and 610b with such a slack, the slack is not removed, so that wrinkles and creases L are formed in the vicinity of the binding processing portion as shown in FIG. The generated sheet bundle SA is created.

  Note that the stiffness of the sheet itself is further reduced when the device is used in a high humidity environment, for example, when the device is used in a high humidity environment, so that wrinkles and folds are more likely to occur when the device is used in a high humidity environment. . Further, as the number of Z-fold sheets increases, the stack is stacked in a shape in which the difference in bundle height appears significantly, so that wrinkles and folds are more likely to occur. For this reason, conventionally, when the sheet bundle is formed of a Z-folded small sheet, the binding process cannot be performed.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a current situation, and is a sheet processing that can discharge a sheet bundle including a folded sheet having a folded portion without causing wrinkles or folds in the vicinity of the binding position. An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

  The present invention includes a sheet stacking unit on which sheets including folded sheets having folding portions are stacked in sequence, a binding unit that performs a binding process on a sheet bundle formed by the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking unit, A discharge unit that discharges the bound sheet bundle, and after binding processing is performed on the sheet bundle by the binding unit on the upstream side in the discharge direction from the folding portion, the sheet bundle is discharged by the discharge unit. In the sheet processing apparatus for discharging, the discharge unit is configured to be able to contact with and separate from the bound sheet bundle, discharge unit that contacts the sheet bundle and discharges the sheet bundle, and discharge direction of the sheet stacking unit Moving means provided on the upstream side so as to be movable along the discharge direction, and for moving the sheet bundle in the discharge direction by pushing an upstream end in the discharge direction of the bound sheet bundle. When discharging the bound sheet bundle, the discharging unit is separated from the sheet bundle at least between the upstream end portion in the discharge direction of the folded portion and the binding unit of the sheet bundle by the binding unit. It is made to move by a moving means.

  As in the present invention, when discharging a sheet bundle, by separating the discharge means from the sheet bundle, the sheet bundle including a folded sheet having a folded portion is generated in the vicinity of the binding position without causing wrinkles or folding. be able to.

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

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus including a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, 600 is an image forming apparatus, 602 is an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as apparatus main body), 650 is a document reading unit (image reader) provided on the upper part of the apparatus main body 602, and 651 is a plurality of documents automatically. This is a document conveying device for automatically reading.

  The apparatus main body 602 includes paper cassettes 909a and 909b on which normal sheets S for image formation are stacked, an image forming unit 603 that forms a toner image on a sheet using an electrophotographic process, and a toner image formed on the sheet. And a fixing device 904 for fixing the toner. An operation unit 601 is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 602 so that the user can perform various inputs / settings on the apparatus main body 602. Further, a folding device 800 that folds an image-formed sheet discharged from the device main body 602 and a finisher 100 that constitutes the sheet processing device together with the folding device 800 are connected to the side of the device main body 602. Reference numeral 960 denotes a control unit that controls the apparatus main body 602, the folding apparatus 800, and the finisher 100.

  In such an image forming apparatus 600, when an image of a document (not shown) is formed on a sheet, first, an image sensor transported by the document transport device 651 is used as an image sensor provided in the document reading unit 650. Read by 650a. Thereafter, the read digital data is input to the exposure unit 604, and the exposure unit 604 irradiates light corresponding to the digital data to the photosensitive drum 914 (914a to 914d) provided in the image forming unit 603. When light is irradiated in this way, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum, and by developing the electrostatic latent image, toner images of colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum. Is formed.

  Next, the four color toner images are transferred onto the sheet fed from the paper feed cassettes 909a and 909b, and then the toner image transferred onto the sheet is permanently fixed by the fixing device 904. Note that after fixing the toner image in this manner, in the mode in which an image is formed on one side of the sheet, the sheet is discharged from the discharge roller pair 907 to the finisher 100 as it is.

  In the mode in which images are formed on both sides of the sheet, the sheet is transferred from the fixing device 904 to the reversing roller 905, and then the reversing roller 905 is reversed at a predetermined timing, and the sheets are conveyed to the duplex conveying rollers 906a to 906f. Transport in the direction of. Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed again to the image forming unit 603, and toner images of four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are transferred to the back surface.

  The sheet having the four-color toner image transferred on the back surface is conveyed again to the fixing device 904 to fix the toner image, and then discharged from the discharge roller pair 907 to be side portions of the apparatus main body 602. To the folding device 800 of the finisher 100 connected to.

  Here, the folding apparatus 800 is provided with a conveyance path 810 for introducing the sheet discharged from the apparatus main body 602 and guiding it to the finisher 100 side. On the conveyance path 810, a pair of conveyance rollers 853 and 854 are provided. Is provided. In addition, a switching member 855 is provided in the vicinity of the conveying roller pair 854, and the switching member 855 is for guiding the sheet S conveyed by the conveying roller pair 853 to the folding path 811 or the finisher 100 side. .

  Here, normally, the sheet S discharged from the apparatus main body 602 is directly fed to the finisher 100 via the conveyance path 810. When the sheet S is folded, the switching member 855 is switched to the folding path 811 side. The sheet is guided to the folding path 811.

  Next, folding processing in the folding device 800 serving as the folding unit will be described.

  When performing Z-folding, first, the sheet S discharged from the apparatus main body 602 is sent to the folding path 811 of the folding apparatus 800 by switching the switching member 855, and thereafter, one end of the sheet is conveyed to the sheet by the conveying roller pair 856. It abuts against the tip receiving stopper 862. After that, when the sheet S is further abutted by the pair of conveying rollers 856, the sheet S forms a loop, and the first and second positions are formed with a ¼ as the fold line in the conveying length direction from the sheet end with this position as a reference. It is folded once by folding rollers 857 and 858.

  Next, the fold of the sheet S once folded is abutted against the sheet folding end receiving stopper 863. Thereafter, when the sheet S is further abutted, the sheet S forms a loop, and the second and third folding rollers 858 are set on the basis of this position, and a quarter of the conveyance length direction from the first folding line is set as a folding line. , 859 are folded back in the direction opposite to the first time.

  In this way, in Z-folding, if the folds are 1/4 each from the leading edge of the sheet, the folded sheet will be exactly half the size of the original sheet, and the sheet will be A three-fold process is performed to fold the letter. Then, after being Z-folded in this way, the sheet S is sent to the conveyance path 810 via the conveyance path 812, and is discharged to the finisher 100 on the downstream side by the conveyance roller pair 854.

  The finisher 100 sequentially takes in the sheets that have passed through the folding device 800 after being discharged from the apparatus main body 602, aligns the plurality of received sheets and bundles them into one bundle, and forms a hole near the rear end of the imported sheets. A punching process is performed. Further, the finisher 100 is configured to perform processing such as stapling processing (binding processing) and bookbinding processing for stapling the rear end side of the sheet bundle. The stapler 100A for stapling the sheet and the sheet bundle are folded in two. A saddle unit 135 for bookbinding is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the finisher 100 includes an entrance roller pair 102 for taking the sheet into the apparatus, and the sheet discharged from the apparatus main body 602 passes through the folding apparatus 800 and enters the entrance roller pair 102. Is passed on. At this time, the sheet delivery timing is also detected by the entrance sensor 101 at the same time.

  Thereafter, the sheet conveyed by the inlet roller pair 102 passes through the conveyance path 103 and the edge position of the sheet is detected by the lateral registration detection sensor 104, and how much is the center (center) position of the finisher 100, It is detected whether a deviation in the width direction has occurred.

  In addition, after such a shift in the width direction (hereinafter referred to as a lateral registration error) is detected, the shift unit 108 is moved forward or backward while the sheet is being conveyed to the shift roller pair 105, 106. The sheet shift operation is performed by moving the predetermined amount.

  Next, the sheet is conveyed by the conveyance roller 110 and the separation roller 111 and reaches the buffer roller pair 115. Thereafter, when the sheet is discharged to the upper tray 136, the upper path switching member 118 is brought into a broken line state in the figure by a driving means such as a solenoid (not shown). As a result, the sheet is guided to the upper path conveyance path 117 and discharged to the upper tray 136 by the upper discharge roller 120.

  When the sheet is not discharged to the upper tray 136, the sheet conveyed by the buffer roller pair 115 is guided to the bundle conveying path 121 by the upper path switching member 118 in the state indicated by the solid line. Thereafter, the sheet passes through the conveyance path sequentially by the conveyance roller 122 and the bundle conveyance roller pair 124.

  Next, when the conveyed sheet is discharged to the lower stacking tray 137, the sheet is conveyed to the lower path 126 by the saddle path switching member 125 in the state shown by the solid line. Thereafter, the sheet is discharged to the intermediate processing tray 138 by the lower discharge roller pair 128. The discharged sheets are aligned while sequentially stacking the sheets by the return means such as the paddle 131 and the belt roller 158, and an intermediate process as a sheet stacking unit for performing processing on the aligned and stacked sheet bundle. A predetermined number of sheets are aligned on the tray.

  Next, the sheet bundle that has been aligned on the intermediate processing tray in this manner is subjected to binding processing by a stapler 132 that forms a binding portion as necessary, and thereafter, a lower stacking tray 130 by a bundle discharge roller pair 130. The paper is discharged to 137. The stapler 132 is movable in a direction orthogonal to the sheet discharge direction (hereinafter referred to as a depth direction), and can bind a plurality of locations at the rear end portion of the sheet bundle.

  On the other hand, when the sheet is subjected to saddle (saddle stitching) processing, the saddle path switching member 125 is moved to a position indicated by a broken line by driving means such as a solenoid (not shown). As a result, the sheet is conveyed to the saddle path 133, guided to the saddle unit 135 by the pair of saddle entrance rollers 134, and subjected to saddle processing (saddle stitching processing).

  Here, the shift unit 108 includes a pair of shift rollers 105 and 106 as shown in FIGS. When the sheet is conveyed, the shift conveyance motor 208 is driven, and the drive of the shift conveyance motor 208 is transmitted to the shift roller pair 106 via the drive belt 209 to drive the shift roller pair 106. Further, the driving of the shift roller pair 106 is transmitted to the shift roller pair 105 via the drive belt 213 to drive the shift roller pair 105, whereby the sheet S is conveyed in the C direction.

  At this time, the position of the sheet S (lateral registration error X) is detected by the lateral registration detection sensor 104 being moved in the direction of arrow E by a driving means (not shown). The sheet is moved during conveyance by the sheet shift amount Z (= X + α) obtained by adding the lateral registration error X and the shift amount α of the sheet S. By performing this operation in the front / back direction (between arrows D) when the sheet S is held between the shift roller pairs 105 and 106, the sheet S can be shifted by a predetermined amount while being conveyed in the conveyance direction C.

  Further, the stapler 132 as a binding means binds the end portion of the sheet bundle by a clinch motor M132 shown in FIG. 8 to be described later, and is fixed on the slide support 303 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, rolling rollers 304 and 305 are provided below the slide support 303. The slide support 303 is guided by the rolling rollers 304 and 305 and the guide rail groove 307 on the stapler moving table, and the sheets stacked on the intermediate processing tray 138 by a stapler moving motor M303 shown in FIG. It moves in the direction of arrow Y along the rear edge.

  The stapler 132 is maintained in a posture inclined by a predetermined angle α with respect to the trailing edge of the sheet at the corner of the sheet S stacked on the intermediate processing tray 138. The inclination angle α is set to about 30 degrees, but can be changed by changing the shape of the guide rail groove 307. Further, the stapler moving base 306 is provided with a stapler home sensor S303 shown in FIG. 8 described later for detecting the home position of the stapler 132. Normally, the stapler 132 stands by at the home position on the front side of the apparatus.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 100B denotes an inserter provided on the upper portion of the finisher 100. The inserter 100B is for inserting a sheet (insert sheet) different from a normal sheet between the first page, the last page, or a sheet on which an image is formed on the apparatus main body 602.

  The inserter 100B conveys the insert sheet set on the insert trays 140 and 141 to any of the upper tray 136, the intermediate processing tray 138, and the saddle unit 135 without passing through the apparatus main body 602.

  In such an inserter 100B, when the insert sheet is inserted into the image forming sheet bundle, the insert sheet set on the insert trays 140 and 141 is fed by the pickup rollers 142 and 143.

  Then, the insert sheet is conveyed by conveying rollers 144 to 148 and merged on the upstream side of the conveying roller 110 and the separation roller 111 of the finisher 100. Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed to any of the upper tray 136, the intermediate processing tray 138, and the saddle unit 135 in the same manner as the sheet discharged from the apparatus main body 602.

  FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus 600. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 630 denotes a CPU circuit unit disposed at a predetermined position of the apparatus main body 602. The CPU circuit unit 630 includes a CPU 629, a ROM 631 that stores control programs and the like, an area for temporarily storing control data, and a RAM 660 that is used as a work area for computations associated with control.

  In FIG. 7, reference numeral 637 denotes an external interface between the image forming apparatus 600 and an external PC (computer) 620. When the external interface 637 receives print data from the external PC 620, the external interface 637 develops the data into a bitmap image and outputs it as image data to the image signal control unit 634.

  The image signal control unit 634 outputs the data to the printer control unit 635, and the printer control unit 635 outputs the data from the image signal control unit 634 to an exposure control unit (not shown). Note that the image of the original read by the image sensor 650a (see FIG. 1) is output from the image reader control unit 633 to the image signal control unit 634, and the image signal control unit 634 outputs the image output to the printer control unit 635. Output.

  The operation unit 601 includes a plurality of keys for setting various functions relating to image formation, a display unit for displaying a setting state, and the like. Then, a key signal corresponding to the operation of each key by the user is output to the CPU circuit unit 630, and corresponding information is displayed on the display unit based on the signal from the CPU circuit unit 630.

  The CPU circuit unit 630 controls the image signal control unit 634 in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM 631 and the setting of the operation unit 601, and the document conveying device 651 (see FIG. 1) via the document feeding device control unit 632. To control. Further, the document reading unit 650 (see FIG. 1) via the image reader control unit 633, the image forming unit 603 (see FIG. 1) via the printer control unit 635, and the finisher 100 via the finisher control unit 636, respectively. Control.

  In the present embodiment, the finisher control unit 636 is mounted on the finisher 100 and performs drive control of the finisher 100 by exchanging information with the CPU circuit unit 630. Alternatively, the finisher control unit 636 may be disposed integrally with the CPU circuit unit 630 on the apparatus main body side, and the finisher 100 may be directly controlled from the apparatus main body side.

  FIG. 8 is a control block diagram of the finisher 100 according to the present embodiment. The finisher control unit 636 includes a CPU (microcomputer) 701, a RAM 702, a ROM 703, an input / output unit (I / O) 705, a communication interface 706, a network interface 704, and the like.

  Further, a conveyance control unit 707, an intermediate processing tray control unit 708 and a binding control unit 709 are connected to the input / output unit (I / O) 705. The conveyance control unit 707 controls sheet lateral registration detection processing, sheet buffering processing, and conveyance processing. The intermediate processing tray control unit 708 performs drive control of the front alignment plate motor M340, the back alignment plate motor M341, the paddle drive motor M155, the bundle discharge drive motor M130, the swing guide opening / closing motor M149, the discharge assist motor M190, and the like. .

  The intermediate processing tray controller 708 includes a front alignment plate home sensor S340, a back alignment plate home sensor S341, a swing guide opening / closing home sensor S149, a paddle drive home sensor S155, a paper discharge assist home sensor S190, an environment sensor S191, and the like. It is connected. The environment sensor S191 is for detecting the environment of the finisher 100 (image forming apparatus 600), particularly humidity.

  In the intermediate processing tray control unit 708, the alignment plate operation control, pull-in paddle operation control, swing guide opening / closing control, bundle discharge drive control, and discharge assist drive control, which will be described later, And controlled by a moving motor. The binding control unit 709 performs drive control of the clinch motor M132, the stapler moving motor M303, and the like, and the binding control unit 709 is connected to a needle presence sensor S7, a stapler home sensor S303, and the like.

  Next, the configuration of the staple unit 100A provided with the intermediate processing tray 138 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the intermediate processing tray 138 is arranged with the downstream side (left side in FIG. 5) inclined upward and the upstream side (right side in FIG. 5) inclined downward with respect to the sheet bundle discharge direction. A rear end stopper 150 is disposed at a lower end portion on the upstream side of the intermediate processing tray 138. The intermediate processing tray 138 may be horizontal.

  The front and rear alignment portions 340A and 341A as shown in FIG. 9 are provided in the intermediate portion of the intermediate processing tray 138, and side end restricting portions that restrict both side end positions in the width direction of the sheets discharged to the intermediate processing tray 138 are provided. Is provided. Here, the front and back alignment portions 340A and 341A independently drive the front and back alignment plates 340 and 341 having the alignment portions 340a and 341a constituting the alignment surface, and the front and back alignment plates 340 and 341, respectively. Front and back alignment plate motors M340 and M341 are provided.

  When the positions of both side edges of the sheet are regulated, the front and back alignment plate motors M340 and M341 are driven frontward through timing belts B340 and B341 that constitute the moving means together with the front and back alignment plate motors M340 and M341. And to the rear alignment plates 340 and 341. As a result, the front and back alignment plates 340 and 341 move independently along the width direction with respect to the intermediate processing tray 138, and come into contact with both side edges of the sheets stacked on the intermediate processing tray 138 so that the sheets are moved. Align.

  That is, the front alignment plate 340 as the first alignment plate and the back alignment plate 341 as the second alignment plate are disposed on the intermediate processing tray 138 with the alignment portions (alignment surfaces) 340a and 341a facing each other, and It is assembled so that it can move forward and backward in the alignment direction. As a result, even when the sheet (or sheet bundle) is shifted and conveyed in the width direction, the position of the sheet on the intermediate processing tray 138 can be aligned by the front and back alignment plates 340 and 341.

  By the way, one alignment plate, for example, an alignment portion 340a constituting an alignment surface of the front alignment plate 340 is provided to be movable in the width direction. Further, a tension spring 345 is provided between the aligning portion 340a and the main body 340b of the front aligning plate 340, and the aligning portion 340a has a predetermined amount L by the tension spring 345 and the moving links 346 and 347. It protrudes to the side. As will be described later, when the side edge position of the sheet is regulated, when the aligning portion 340a is in pressure contact with the sheet, the aligning portion 340a that is the press contact portion moves toward the main body while resisting the tension spring 345.

  In FIG. 9, S340 and S341 are front and back alignment plate position sensors. The front and back alignment plate position sensors S340 and S341 detect the home positions of the front and back alignment plates 340 and 341, respectively. . And by providing such front and back alignment plate position sensors S340 and S341, when not operating, the front and back alignment plates 340 and 341 are respectively set to the home position positions set at both ends. Can wait.

  In FIG. 9, reference numeral 190 is provided on the upstream side in the discharge direction of the intermediate processing tray 138 so as to be movable along the discharge direction, and pushes the upstream end in the discharge direction of the bound sheet bundle to move the sheet bundle in the discharge direction. This is a paper discharge assist which is a moving means for moving. The paper discharge assist 190 is disposed between the rear end stoppers 150a and 150b, and can be moved in the transport direction (discharge direction) by a paper discharge assist motor M190 (see FIG. 8).

  When the sheet bundle binding process and the like are completed as described later, the sheet discharge assist 190 moves in the direction of the stacking tray, whereby the rear end portion of the sheet bundle stacked on the intermediate processing tray 138 is pushed, and the sheet The bundle moves in the stacking tray direction (discharge direction). When the sheet bundle is discharged, the sheet discharge assist 190 and the bundle discharge roller pair 130 which is provided so as to be able to contact and separate from the sheet bundle and discharge the sheet bundle are discharged. That is, in the present embodiment, the discharge assist 190 and the bundle discharge roller pair 130 constitute a discharge unit that discharges the bound sheet bundle.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a pull-in paddle 131 and a swing guide 149 are arranged at the upper end portion that is the downstream side of the intermediate processing tray 138 in the pull-in direction. Here, a plurality of pull-in paddles 131 are disposed above the intermediate processing tray 138, and a plurality of pull-in paddles 131 are fixed along a drive shaft 157 rotated by a paddle drive motor 155 shown in FIG. Then, the paddle drive motor 155 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 5 at an appropriate timing.

  The sheet discharged from the lower discharge roller pair 128 moves on the stacking surface of the intermediate processing tray 138 or on the sheets stacked on the intermediate processing tray 138 by the inclination of the intermediate processing tray 138 and the action of the pull-in paddle 131. Downhill. The sheet sliding down in this way is then guided by the rear end lever 159 by the counterclockwise rotation of the belt roller 158 as a sheet conveying means, and the rear end stopper whose stopper is the upstream end in the discharge direction. Stops at 150.

  The belt roller 158 is provided above the intermediate processing tray 138 in such a positional relationship that the lower portion thereof is in contact with the uppermost sheet stacked on the intermediate processing tray 138. The belt roller 158 is hung on the outer periphery of the first paper discharge roller 128a constituting the lower paper discharge roller pair 128, and rotates counterclockwise following the rotation of the first paper discharge roller 128a.

  On the other hand, the swing guide 149 constituting the sheet discharge unit is disposed as an upper conveyance guide facing the intermediate processing tray 138. The swing guide 149 rotatably holds an upper discharge roller 130b constituting the bundle discharge roller pair 130 together with a lower discharge roller 130a provided at the downstream end of the intermediate processing tray 138.

  As the swing guide 149 swings, the upper discharge roller 130b comes into contact with the lower discharge roller 130a. The bundle discharge roller pair 130 (for example, the lower discharge roller 130a), which is a pair of discharge rollers, is rotated forward and backward by a bundle discharge drive motor M130 (see FIG. 8).

  The swing guide 149, which is a holding member that holds the upper discharge roller 130b, which is one of the bundle discharge roller pair 130, is driven in the vertical direction with the support shaft 154 as a fulcrum by driving from the swing guide opening / closing motor 180. To swing. Normally, when the sheet is discharged onto the intermediate processing tray 138, the sheet swings upward, so that the upper discharge roller 130b moves away from the lower discharge roller 130a which is the other roller of the bundle discharge roller pair 130. It becomes an open state.

  When the processing of the sheets on the intermediate processing tray 138 is completed, the swing guide 149 swings downward, and the sheet bundle is sandwiched between the upper discharge roller 130b and the lower discharge roller 130a. After that, the bundle discharge roller pair 130 rotates in such a state that the sheet bundle is sandwiched between the upper discharge roller 130b and the lower discharge roller 130a as described above, whereby the sheet bundle is discharged to the lower stacking tray 137.

  Further, the swing guide 149 is provided with a guide guide 151 that is located upstream of the upper discharge roller 130b and guides the sheet to the roller nip portion of the upper discharge roller 130b. The swing guide 149 includes a first static elimination needle 152 that removes the surface charge of the sheet when the sheet is discharged from the lower discharge roller pair 128 into the intermediate processing tray 138 in the axial direction. ing. Further, a second static elimination needle 153 that is positioned downstream of the upper discharge roller 130b and removes the surface charge of the sheet discharged by the bundle discharge roller pair 130 is disposed in the swing guide 149 in the axial direction. ing.

  Next, the operation of the finisher 100 configured as described above in the unbound sort mode and the staple sort mode will be described.

  First, the operation in the unbound sort mode will be described.

  When a job in the unbound sort mode is selected, a sheet discharged from the apparatus main body 602 via the folding apparatus 800 is conveyed by the shift unit 108 while shifting a predetermined amount from the discharge center toward the front. Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the sheet S is passed from the lower discharge roller pair 128 (128a, 128b) through the bundle discharge roller pair 130 (130a, 130b), and then stacked. Drain to 137. Thereafter, the same operation is repeated for the designated sort number of sheets, while the second copy is shifted by a predetermined amount to the side opposite to the shift direction of the first copy (back side), while the sheet S is paired with the lower discharge roller pair 128 in the same manner as the first copy. Then, the sheet is discharged to the stacking tray 137 through the bundle discharge roller pair 130.

  In this embodiment, the sheet S is stacked on the stacking tray 137 in such a state that the shift amount of one time is set to 15 mm on one side from the sheet discharge center, and the sort offset amount between the bundles is set to 30 mm. When the mode without sorting is designated, a lateral registration correction operation is performed in which the sheet that has been transported while being skewed in the upstream portion is returned to the discharge center position by the shift unit 108, and the discharge center position is Then, the sheet is discharged to the stacking tray 137 through the bundle discharge roller pair 130. As described above, in an unbound job in which the binding process is not performed, the sheets S are discharged to the stacking tray 137 one by one.

  Next, the operation in the staple sort mode will be described.

When the staple sort mode job is selected, the first sheet of the first sheet discharged from the apparatus main body 602 is conveyed by the shift unit 108 while being shifted by a predetermined amount from the discharge center toward the front side. Then, the sheet is conveyed from the lower discharge roller pair 128 to the bundle discharge roller pair 130. Then, as shown in FIG. 12A, after the trailing edge of the first sheet S1 passes through the lower discharge roller pair 128 and is fed by a predetermined amount, the bundle discharge roller pair 130 is reversed and the sheet S1 is reversed. The rear end is conveyed in the direction of the rear end stopper 150 at the conveyance speed _Vb . In other words, in the present embodiment, the bundle discharge roller pair 130 is selectively reversed, and when the sheet is stapled, the bundle discharge roller pair 130 is reversed.

Next, before the rear end of the first sheet S1 hits the rear end stopper 150, the swing guide opening / closing motor M149 (see FIG. 8) is driven, and the swing guide as shown in FIG. 149 is raised to separate the upper discharge roller 130b from the lower discharge roller 130a. Thus, the sheet S1, which is conveyed at the conveying speed V _b, the following, now is nipped by the bundle discharge roller pair 130 is aligned abuts against the trailing end stopper 150 in a state of being released, in particular thin sheet It is possible to prevent the occurrence of buckling that tends to occur in Thereafter, when the alignment of the first sheet S1 in the conveyance direction (rear end portion) is completed, the alignment in the width direction is performed by the front and back alignment portions 340A and 341A.

  Next, when the stacking alignment of the first sheet S1 is completed as described above, the second sheet of the first copy is discharged from the lower discharge roller pair 128 to the intermediate processing tray 138. At this time, as shown in FIG. 13A, the swing guide 149 receives the second sheet S2 in a state where the upper discharge roller 130b and the lower discharge roller 130a are separated from each other at the raised position.

  When the trailing edge of the second sheet S2 passes through the nip of the lower discharge roller pair 128, the sheet S2 is discharged onto the intermediate processing tray 138. Thereafter, the pull-in paddle 131 is rotated counterclockwise, and the rear end portion of the sheet is conveyed toward the rear end stopper 150. The second sheet S2 thus conveyed in the direction of the rear end stopper 150 is then further drawn to the rear end stopper 150 by the belt roller 158 that rotates counterclockwise, and is moved to the rear end stopper 150. It is aligned while abutting.

  The second and subsequent sheets are discharged onto the sheets stacked on the intermediate processing tray 138. At this time, the friction coefficient between the sheets is smaller than the friction coefficient between the sheet and the tray when the first sheet is discharged, and the bundle discharge roller pair 130 does not need to be conveyed to the trailing end stopper 150. Pair 130 remains spaced.

  Next, when the alignment in the conveyance direction (rear end) of the second sheet S2 is completed, the alignment in the width direction is performed by the front and rear alignment units 340A and 341A, as in the first sheet S1. This series of operations is repeated until the first copy of the final sheet Sn hits the trailing edge stopper 150.

  Next, when the alignment operation of the final sheet Sn is completed, the trailing edge of the sheet bundle SA is stapled by the stapler 132. At this time, if the binding is performed at one place, the stapler 132 performs the binding process in the binding processing unit A or D shown in FIG. In the case of two-point binding, the stapler 132 binds the first position at the B position, and then moves to the C position along the guide rail groove 307 together with the slide support 303 to bind the second position.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 13B, the swing guide 149 is lowered, and the sheet bundle SA is sandwiched between the upper discharge roller 130b and the lower discharge roller 130a, and is placed on the stacking tray 137 as shown in FIG. Discharge. By sandwiching the aligned sheet bundle by the bundle discharge roller pair 130 in this way, the aligned state of the sheet bundle can be maintained, and displacement due to an impact during the binding process can be prevented.

Next, when the first sheet bundle SA is discharged, the second sheet is conveyed from the lower discharge roller pair 128 to the bundle discharge roller pair 130 and then discharged to the intermediate processing tray 138. . Next, after the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the lower discharge roller pair 128 and is fed by a predetermined amount, the bundle discharge roller pair 130 is reversed in the same manner as the first sheet of the first copy, and the sheet The rear end is transported in the direction of the rear end stopper 150 at the transport speed _Vb .

  After that, before the trailing edge of the sheet hits the trailing edge stopper 150, the swing guide 149 is raised to separate the upper discharge roller 130b and the lower discharge roller 130a. Next, similarly to the first copy, a predetermined number of sheets are discharged and aligned, and then discharged to the staple and stacking tray 137. After repeating this operation for the specified number of copies, the job is terminated.

  By the way, when the Z-fold sheet having the folding overlapping portion forming the sheet bundle SA is a weak sheet such as thin paper, or when the use environment of the finisher 100 is high humidity, the sheet bundle SA is formed by the bundle discharge roller pair 130. When discharged, air moves as described above. As a result, as shown in FIG. 26 described above, slack occurs between the sheet bundle clamping unit and the binding processing unit.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, special designation is performed when the Z-fold sheet forming the sheet bundle is a weak sheet such as thin paper or coated paper, or when the use environment of the finisher 100 is high humidity. The sheet bundle is discharged. This special designation is performed by the finisher control unit 636 or the CPU circuit unit 630 via the finisher control unit 636 based on the sheet type information such as the basis weight of the sheet and the surface input by the operation unit 601 as an input unit. To set. Further, when the use environment around the apparatus detected by the environment sensor S191 (see FIG. 8) is a high humidity environment, the finisher control unit 636 or the CPU circuit unit 630 sets through the finisher control unit 636.

  Next, a sheet bundle discharging operation when such special designation (thin paper / weakness setting or high humidity setting) is performed will be described.

When a job in the staple sort mode is selected on the operation unit and the processing target sheet is set as a thin paper having a basis weight of 64 g / m ² or less, or a surface coated paper having a basis weight of 90 g / m ² or less, or an apparatus When the surrounding environment is determined to be a high humidity environment, the following processing is performed.

  When a job in the staple sort mode is selected, the first Z-fold sheet SZ1 that is discharged from the apparatus main body 602 via the folding apparatus 800 is shifted by a predetermined amount from the discharge center to the front side. Transport while shifting. Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed from the lower discharge roller pair 128 to the bundle discharge roller pair 130. Here, when the first sheet conveyed to the intermediate processing tray 138 is a Z-fold sheet, the sheet S1 (see FIG. 12A) not subjected to the above-described folding process is conveyed. In contrast, the swing guide 149 is in the raised position. For this reason, the sheet SZ1 is received in a state where the upper discharge roller 130b and the lower discharge roller 130a are separated from each other.

  Next, the sheet SZ1 discharged onto the intermediate processing tray 138 is conveyed with the trailing edge of the sheet toward the trailing edge stopper 150 by the drawing paddle 131 rotating counterclockwise. Further, the sheet SZ1 is further drawn to the rear end stopper 150 by the belt roller 158 that rotates counterclockwise, and abuts against the rear end stopper 150 as shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, when the alignment in the transport direction (rear end portion) of the first sheet SZ1 is completed, the alignment in the width direction is performed by the front and back alignment portions 340A and 341A. Thereafter, this series of operations is repeated until the first final sheet SZn hits the rear end stopper 150 as shown in FIG.

  Next, when the alignment operation in the conveyance direction (rear end portion) and the width direction of the final sheet SZn is completed, the swing guide 149 is lowered as shown in FIG. 16A, and the upper discharge roller 130b and the lower discharge roller The sheet bundle SZA is held by 130a. Then, the trailing edge of the sheet bundle SZA is stapled by the stapler 132 while maintaining the aligned state of the sheet bundle SZA.

  At this time, if the binding is performed at one place, the stapler 132 performs the binding process at the position A or D shown in FIG. In the case of two-point binding, the stapler 132 binds the first position at the B position, and then moves to the C position along the guide rail groove 307 together with the slide support 303 to bind the second position.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 16B, before the discharge of the sheet bundle is started, the swing guide 149 is raised in advance to separate the upper discharge roller 130b from the sheet bundle SZA, and then the sheet is discharged. The assist 190 is moved in the direction of the arrow. Then, while the discharge assist 190 pushes the rear end portion of the sheet bundle SZA, the upstream end in the discharge direction of the folded sheet folded portion (hereinafter referred to as the Z folding portion) of the sheet bundle SZA is the bundle discharge roller pair 130. The sheet bundle SZA is transported and moved to a position that passes through.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 17A, the swing guide 149 is lowered, and the sheet bundle SZA is held between the upper discharge roller 130b and the lower discharge roller 130a. Thereafter, the sheet bundle SZA is discharged to the stacking tray 137 by the rotation of the bundle discharge roller pair 130 as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 18 is a top view of the intermediate processing tray section regarding the staple sorting process of the sheet bundle SZA. In FIG. 18, the conveyance section (A) is a conveyance section from the clinch position α to the position β where the Z folding portion (shaded portion) of the sheet bundle SZA exceeds the bundle discharge roller pair 130 after clinching (stapling) by the stapler 132. Show. A conveyance section (B) indicates a conveyance section from the position β of the conveyance section (A) to γ for discharging the sheet bundle SZA to the stacking tray 137.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when special designation is made, the sheet bundle movement in the conveyance section (A) is performed by the sheet discharge assist 190, and the sheet bundle movement in the conveyance section (B) is performed by the bundle discharge roller. This is done by the pair 130. That is, after the swelled portion of the sheet bundle SZA has passed, the bundle discharge roller pair 130 causes the swelled portion of the sheet bundle SZA (a position where the Z-folded portion (shaded portion) exceeds the bundle discharge roller pair 130). I try to pinch it.

  In other words, in the conveyance section (A), the sheet bundle can be moved in the discharge direction by the sheet discharge assist 190 at least while the upper discharge roller 130b of the bundle discharge roller pair 130 is separated from the sheet bundle. It is set to the section. With this configuration, when the sheet bundle is conveyed while nipping the sheet, the movement of air from the Z folding unit to the binding processing unit can be prevented, and the nipping position by the movement of the air and the binding The slack between the positions can be reduced.

  In this embodiment, the sheet bundle is held by the bundle discharge roller pair 130 until the binding process is completed in order to maintain the aligned state of the aligned sheet bundle. You may make it hold | suppress with the back alignment plates 340 and 341 before restricting. In this case, the bundle discharge roller pair 130 is separated from the sheet bundle.

  However, in this state, when the sheet bundle discharging operation is performed with only the sheet discharge assist 190 thereafter, the stacking tray located below the predetermined distance when the center of gravity of the entire sheet bundle exceeds the discharge port of the intermediate processing tray 138. It will fall to 137. In this case, the stackability of the sheet bundle, such as leaning on the stacking wall, is affected.

  For this reason, the downstream end of the sheet bundle in the discharge direction needs to land on the stacking tray 137, and the sheet discharge roller pair 130 needs to hold the sheet bundle until the upstream end in the discharge direction comes out of the intermediate processing tray 138 and reliably feed it. Therefore, even when the sheets are pressed by the front and back alignment plates 340 and 341, the bundle discharge roller pair 130 causes the upstream end in the discharge direction of the folded portion of the folded sheets of the sheet bundle moved by the discharge assist 190 to discharge the bundle. The roller pair 130 is separated until it passes. When the folded portion of the folded sheet passes, the bundle discharge roller pair 130 is brought into contact with the sheet bundle to discharge the sheet.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart of stapling control when special designation is made by the finisher control unit.

  As shown in FIG. 19, when a staple job (Job) is selected (S710), printing of the image forming apparatus 600 is started (Start) (S711), and thereafter, the sheet is placed on the intermediate processing tray 138 of the finisher 100. Ejection begins. Next, when the discharge of the sheet to the intermediate processing tray 138 is completed (Y in S712), alignment processing by the front and back alignment plates 340 and 341 is performed (S713). Thereafter, when the alignment process in the width direction with respect to the sheet is completed, the return process by the pull-in paddle 131 is started (S714).

  Next, it is determined whether the discharged sheet is the final discharged sheet in the bundle (S715). If the discharged sheet is not the final discharged sheet in the bundle (N in S715), the operation of discharging the next sheet to the processing tray is performed. On the other hand, if the discharged sheet is the final discharged sheet in the bundle (Y in S715), the sheet bundle SZA is held between the upper discharge roller 130b and the lower discharge roller 130a, and the binding process control by the stapler 132 is performed (S716). .

  Next, when the binding process by the stapler is finished, the discharge process (bundle discharge process) control as shown in FIG. 20 is performed on the sheet bundle subjected to the binding process (S717). Here, in this bundle discharge processing control, first, the flow for determining whether or not there is a Z-folded sheet in the sheet bundle is entered, and whether or not there is a Z-folded sheet in the sheet bundle is determined (S730).

  If there is a Z-fold sheet in the sheet bundle (Y in S730), then the Z-fold sheet moves to a paper / stiff sheet discrimination flow, and the Z-fold sheet is stiff like thin paper or coated paper. Whether the sheet is weak (paper / weak sheet) is determined (S731). When the Z-fold sheet is a paper / stiff sheet (Y in S731), the swing guide opening / closing motor M149 (see FIG. 8) is driven (S733). As a result, the swing guide 149 rises and moves to the open position, and accordingly, the upper discharge roller 130b provided so as to be able to contact with and separate from the sheet bundle at a position corresponding to the Z-folded portion of the sheet bundle. Separate from the sheet bundle.

  If the Z-fold sheet is not a paper / stiff sheet (N in S731), the environmental sensor S191 (see FIG. 8) detects the humidity as the use environment, and sets the high humidity based on the humidity detection result by the environmental sensor. It is determined whether or not to perform (high humidity setting determination) (S732). When the high humidity determination is made (Y in S732), the swing guide opening / closing motor is driven (S733). As a result, the swing guide 149 is raised and moved to the open position, and accordingly, the upper discharge roller 130b is separated from the sheet bundle.

  Next, when the movement of the swing guide to the open position is completed, the discharge assist motor is driven (S734), whereby the discharge assist is moved, and the sheet bundle is conveyed in the conveyance section (A). Thereafter, when the movement of the sheet bundle in the conveyance section (A) is completed, the swing guide opening / closing motor is driven (S735), and the swing guide is moved to the closed position. Accordingly, the upper discharge roller 130b contacts the vicinity of the upstream end in the discharge direction of the Z-folded portion of the sheet bundle.

  Next, when the movement of the swing guide to the closed position is completed, the flow shifts to a bundle discharge motor driving flow, and the bundle discharge motor is driven until the discharge of the sheet bundle to the stacking tray is completed (S736). Accordingly, the sheet bundle is discharged to the stacking tray by the bundle discharge roller pair 130. Thereafter, when the discharge of the sheet bundle to the stacking tray is completed (Y in S737), the bundle discharge process is completed (S738).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no Z-folded sheet in the sheet bundle (N in S730) and when the high humidity determination is not performed (N in 732), the discharge of the sheet bundle to the stacking tray is completed. The bundle discharge motor is driven (S736). Thereafter, when the discharge of the sheet bundle to the stacking tray is completed (Y in S737), the bundle discharge process is completed (S738).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the bundle discharge roller pair is separated from the sheet bundle in advance by the time the sheet bundle discharge is started, and the Z-fold portion of the sheet bundle that is moved by the discharge assist is the bundle discharge roller pair. Then, the bundle discharge roller pair is brought into contact with the sheet bundle. That is, when discharging the sheet bundle, the bundle discharge roller pair is selectively separated from the sheet bundle once, and at least the sheet bundle is moved by the discharge assist while the bundle discharge roller pair is separated from the sheet bundle. I have to. In other words, when discharging the sheet bundle, the bundle discharge roller pair is separated from the sheet bundle at least in the vicinity of the upstream end in the discharge direction of the folded portion of the folded sheets, and during this time, the sheet bundle is moved by the discharge assist. ing.

  As a result, the sheet bundle including the folded sheet having the folded overlap portion can be discharged without causing wrinkles or folding near the binding position. As a result, the consistency of sheet bundles including Z-fold sheets is reduced regardless of the sheet basis weight (continuous amount), the type of sheets such as plain paper and coated paper, the number of binding bundles, and the usage environment. Without binding, it is possible to perform the binding process.

  By the way, in the description so far, when the special specification described above is made, the sheet bundle is ejected by sandwiching the sheet by the bundle ejection roller pair after the Z-folded portion of the sheet bundle inflated has passed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when a special designation is made, the bundle discharge roller pair is separated from the sheet bundle for a predetermined period during the conveyance of the sheet bundle by holding the sheet by the bundle discharge roller pair, thereby releasing the holding of the sheet bundle. Even air movement can be prevented.

  Next, another sheet bundle discharge processing control operation of this embodiment will be described.

When a job in the staple sort mode is selected on the operation unit and the processing target sheet is set as a thin paper having a basis weight of 64 g / m ² or less, or a surface coated paper having a basis weight of 90 g / m ² or less, or an apparatus When the surrounding environment is determined to be a high humidity environment, the following processing is performed.

  When a job in the staple sort mode is selected, the first Z-fold sheet SZ1 discharged from the apparatus main body 602 is conveyed by the shift unit 108 while shifting a predetermined amount from the discharge center toward the front. . Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed from the lower discharge roller pair 128 to the bundle discharge roller pair 130. Here, when the first sheet conveyed to the intermediate processing tray 138 is a Z-fold sheet, the swing guide 149 is in the raised position. For this reason, the upper discharge roller 130b and the lower discharge roller 130a meet the sheet in a separated state.

  Next, the sheet discharged onto the intermediate processing tray 138 is conveyed with the trailing edge of the sheet toward the trailing edge stopper 150 as the pull-in paddle 131 rotates counterclockwise. Further, the sheet is further attracted to the rear end stopper 150 by the belt roller 158 that rotates counterclockwise, hits the rear end stopper 150, and is aligned.

  Thereafter, when the alignment in the transport direction (rear end portion) of the first sheet is completed, the alignment in the width direction is performed by the front and back alignment portions 340A and 341A. Then, this series of operations is repeated until the first sheet of the first sheet SZn hits the rear end stopper 150 as shown in FIG.

  Next, when the alignment operation in the conveyance direction (rear end portion) and the width direction of the final sheet SZn is finished, the swing guide 149 is lowered as shown in FIG. 21A, and the upper discharge roller 130b and the lower discharge roller The sheet bundle SZA is held by 130a. In this state, the trailing edge of the sheet bundle SZA is stapled by the stapler 132.

  Next, when the stapling operation at the trailing edge of the sheet bundle is completed, the sheet bundle SZA is conveyed to a position where the Z-folded portion exceeds the bundle discharge roller pair 130 by the bundle discharge roller pair 130 and the discharge assist 190 as it is. Moving. Thereafter, when the upstream end in the discharge direction of the Z-fold portion passes the bundle discharge roller pair 130, as shown in FIG. 21B, the swing guide 149 is raised, and the upper discharge roller 130b is temporarily removed from the sheet bundle. Separate. Note that the sheet bundle SZA is conveyed only by the sheet discharge assist 190 during the predetermined period in which the upper discharge roller 130b is separated from the sheet bundle in this way.

  Thereafter, when a predetermined period elapses, as shown in FIG. 22A, the swing guide 149 is lowered, and the sheet bundle SZA is sandwiched again by the upper discharge roller 130b and the lower discharge roller 130a. Thus, thereafter, the sheet bundle SZA is discharged to the stacking tray 137 by the bundle discharge roller pair 130 as shown in FIG.

  In this way, when conveying the sheet bundle SZA by separating the bundle discharge roller pair 130 from the sheet bundle for a predetermined period after the upstream end in the discharge direction of the Z-fold portion passes the bundle discharge roller pair 130, Air movement from the Z-folding portion to the binding processing portion can be prevented. As a result, it is possible to reduce the slack between the nipping position due to the movement of air and the binding position.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart of another bundle discharge process control when a special designation is made by the finisher control unit.

  In this bundle discharge processing control, first, the flow for determining whether or not there is a Z-folded sheet in the sheet bundle is entered, and whether or not there is a Z-folded sheet in the sheet bundle is determined (S750). If there is a Z-fold sheet in the sheet bundle (Y in S750), the process proceeds to a flow for determining whether the Z-fold sheet is a paper / stiff sheet, and determines whether the Z-fold sheet is a paper / stiff sheet. (S751).

  If the Z-fold sheet is a paper / stiff sheet (Y in S751), the process proceeds to the bundle discharge motor drive flow to drive the bundle discharge motor (S753). As a result, the bundle discharge roller pair rotates, and the sheet bundle moves in the conveyance section (A) shown in FIG. Next, when the movement of the sheet bundle in the conveyance section (A) is completed, that is, when the Z-folded portion exceeds the bundle discharge roller pair, the swing guide opening / closing motor is driven (S754). As a result, the swing guide 149 rises and moves to the open position, and the upper discharge roller 130b is once separated from the sheet bundle.

  Next, when the movement of the swing guide to the open position is completed, and then a predetermined period has elapsed, the swing guide opening / closing motor is driven (S755), and the swing guide is moved to the closed position. . Accordingly, the upper discharge roller comes into contact with the sheet bundle. When the movement of the swing guide to the closed position is completed, the flow shifts to a bundle discharge motor driving flow, and the sheet bundle is discharged to the stacking tray by the bundle discharge roller pair. Thereafter, the bundle discharge motor is driven until the discharge of the sheet bundle to the stacking tray is completed (S756). When the discharge of the sheet bundle to the stacking tray is completed (Y in S757), the bundle discharge process is completed (S757). S758).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no Z-folded sheet in the sheet bundle (N in S750) and when the high humidity determination is not performed (N in 752), the discharge of the sheet bundle to the stacking tray is completed. The bundle discharge motor is driven (S756). Thereafter, when the discharge of the sheet bundle to the tray is completed (Y in S757), the bundle discharge process is completed (S758).

  In this way, even when the bundle discharge roller pair is once separated from the sheet bundle for a predetermined period during the conveyance of the sheet bundle and the nipping of the sheet bundle is released, no wrinkles or creases occur near the binding position. A sheet bundle including a folded sheet having a folded overlap portion can be discharged. That is, when the sheet bundle is discharged, the bundle discharge roller pair may be separated from the sheet bundle for a predetermined period in the vicinity of the upstream end in the discharge direction of the folded portion of the folded sheets. The same effect as the form can be obtained.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus including a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the structure of the finisher which is the said sheet processing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a first diagram illustrating a configuration of a shift unit provided in the finisher. FIG. 3 is a second diagram illustrating a configuration of a shift unit provided in the finisher. The figure explaining the structure of the intermediate process tray provided in the said finisher. The figure explaining the moving mechanism of the stapler provided in the finisher. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the finisher. The figure explaining the structure of the front and back alignment part provided in the said intermediate processing tray. The figure explaining the structure of the drawing-in paddle provided in the said intermediate processing tray. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the sheet flow and the operation of the intermediate processing tray in the unbound sort mode. FIG. 10 is a first diagram illustrating sheet flow and intermediate processing tray operation in the staple sort mode. FIG. 10 is a second diagram illustrating the sheet flow and the operation of the intermediate processing tray in the staple sort mode. FIG. 13 is a third diagram for explaining the sheet flow and the operation of the intermediate processing tray in the staple sort mode. FIG. 10 is a first diagram illustrating the flow of a Z-folded sheet and the operation of the intermediate processing tray in the staple sort mode. FIG. 10 is a second diagram illustrating the flow of the Z-folded sheet and the operation of the intermediate processing tray in the staple sort mode. FIG. 10 is a third diagram illustrating the flow of the Z-folded sheet and the operation of the intermediate processing tray in the staple sort mode. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an operation in a staple sort mode of a paper discharge assist provided in the intermediate processing tray. 10 is a flowchart of stapling control when the finisher is specially designated. The flowchart of bundle discharge processing control when the finisher is specially designated. FIG. 10 is a first diagram illustrating the flow of a Z-folded sheet and the operation of the intermediate processing tray in another control operation of the finisher. FIG. 10 is a second diagram illustrating the flow of the Z-folded sheet and the operation of the intermediate processing tray in the other control operation of the finisher. 10 is a flowchart of another bundle discharge process control when the finisher is specially designated. The figure which shows the structure of the conventional sheet processing apparatus. The figure explaining the state of the sheet bundle loaded on the processing tray provided in the conventional sheet processing apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state of a sheet bundle when a sheet bundle is discharged in a conventional sheet processing apparatus. The figure explaining the state of the discharged sheet bundle in the conventional sheet processing apparatus.

100 Finisher 130 Bundle Discharge Roller Pair 130a Lower Discharge Roller 130b Upper Discharge Roller 132 Stapler 137 Stacking Tray 138 Intermediate Processing Tray 190 Discharge Assist 600 Image Forming Device 601 Operation Unit 602 Image Forming Device Main Body 603 Image Forming Unit 630 CPU Circuit Unit 636 Finisher Control unit S Sheet SZA Sheet bundle

Claims (6)

A sheet stacking unit in which sheets including folded sheets having folding portions are stacked sequentially, a binding unit that performs binding processing on a sheet bundle formed by the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking unit, and the binding processing A sheet discharge unit that discharges the sheet bundle after the binding unit performs binding processing on the sheet bundle by the binding unit on the upstream side in the discharge direction from the folding unit. In the device
The discharge part is
A discharge means configured to be able to contact with and separate from the bound sheet bundle and discharge the sheet bundle in contact with the sheet bundle;
A moving means provided on the upstream side in the discharge direction of the sheet stacking portion so as to be movable along the discharge direction, and moving the bundle of sheets in the discharge direction by pushing an upstream end of the bound sheet bundle in the discharge direction; Prepared,
When discharging the bound sheet bundle, the discharging unit is separated from the sheet bundle at least between the upstream end portion in the discharge direction of the folded portion and the binding unit of the sheet bundle by the binding unit. A sheet processing apparatus which is moved by a moving means.   The sheet bundle is moved by the moving means, and after the upstream end of the folded portion in the discharge direction passes through the discharge means separated from the sheet bundle, the discharge means is brought into contact with the sheet bundle. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1.   2. When discharging a sheet bundle, the discharging means contacting the sheet bundle is separated from the sheet bundle for a predetermined period after the upstream end of the folding portion in the discharge direction passes. The sheet processing apparatus according to the description. It has an input part to input the type of sheet
The discharge unit is selectively separated from the sheet bundle when discharging the sheet bundle according to the type of sheet input by the input unit. Sheet processing device. It has a sensor to detect the usage environment,
5. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the sheet bundle is discharged according to a use environment detected by the sensor, the discharge unit is selectively separated from the sheet bundle. .   An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 that processes a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit. Image forming apparatus.

Images