JP2011111243A - Post-processing device and method for manufacturing centerfold booklet - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To overcome such a problem that, when sheets of paper constituting a booklet are folded at a time, the sheets of paper can not be satisfactorily folded, and when folded one by one, there is a room to be improved in productivity. <P>SOLUTION: A collator 12 feeds sheets of paper from each of a plurality of paper feed trays to overlap a plurality of sheets of paper so as to form a first overlapping state where the sheets of paper line up while allowing part of adjacent sheets of paper to overlap each other. A direction changer 14 changes the plurality of sheets of paper in the first overlapping state conveyed in from the collator 12 to a second overlapping state where the maximum number of the overlapping sheets of paper is less than that in the first overlapping state, and conveys them. A folder 16 folds the plurality of sheets of paper in the second overlapping state at a line parallel to the lineup direction while conveying the plurality of sheets of paper in parallel with the lineup direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a post-processing apparatus and a method for manufacturing a folded booklet, and more particularly to a post-processing apparatus for folding a sheet and a method for manufacturing a folded booklet.

  A saddle-stitched booklet created by binding the center of a sheet bundle and folding it at the binding position is known. Such a saddle-stitched booklet generally tends to swell around the crease, and from the viewpoint of booklet stacking and aesthetics, the suppression of such booklet swell is a major issue for the saddle-stitch folding device. Here, when many sheets are folded at a time, the outer sheet cannot be folded sufficiently, which contributes to the swelling of the booklet. However, if the sheets are stacked one after the other, the productivity of booklet production may be reduced. For this reason, a technique for creating a saddle-stitched booklet is proposed in which a sheet of paper is divided into a plurality of sheets according to the thickness and number of sheets, each of which is folded in two, and then the divided sheets are stacked and bound. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-21865

  However, in the technique described in the above-mentioned patent document, since it takes time to divide each sheet into a plurality of sheets and further overlap each other, there is room for improvement in terms of productivity.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to appropriately fold each sheet included in the booklet while suppressing a decrease in productivity.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a post-processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a sheet stacking unit that stacks a plurality of sheets so that adjacent sheets are overlapped in a row while partially overlapping each other, and an overlap. Folding means for folding a plurality of sheets in a state along a line parallel to the arrangement direction thereof.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to suppress the overlapping number of sheets when folded compared to the case where the sheets are folded in a state where all the sheets are stacked. For this reason, it is possible to fold the paper more appropriately, and to suppress the swelling when the booklet is created.

  The folding means may be folded while conveying a plurality of sheets in an overlapped state in parallel with the arrangement direction. According to this aspect, it is possible to fold at a higher speed than when a plurality of stopped sheets are folded. For this reason, it is possible to suppress a reduction in productivity of booklet creation due to folding of a plurality of sheets in an overlapping state.

  The paper stacking means includes a collating means that stacks and conveys a plurality of papers so as to be in a first overlap state by feeding the paper from the paper storage unit, and a first overlap state carried in from the collating means. There may be provided a sheet conveying means for conveying a plurality of sheets of paper in a second overlap state in which the maximum number of sheets is smaller than that in the first overlap state. The folding means may fold a plurality of sheets in the second overlapping state.

  There is a limit to increasing the paper feed speed from the paper storage unit. For this reason, when a plurality of papers are overlapped so that the maximum number of paper sheets overlaps by feeding out the paper from the paper storage unit, the length when one paper is lined up becomes long, and There is a possibility that it takes time to carry out one sheet of paper. According to this aspect, when the sheets are fed out from the sheet storage portion and set in the first overlap state in which the maximum number of sheets overlap is larger than that in the second overlap state, the length when one sheet of sheets is arranged is increased. By shortening the length, it is possible to suppress the time for carrying the paper into the folding means. Further, each sheet can be appropriately folded by changing to the second overlap state in which the maximum number of sheets overlaps less than the first overlap state.

  The sheet conveying means has a sheet accelerating means for changing to the second overlap state by sandwiching a plurality of sheets in the first overlap state and carrying them out at a speed faster than the carry-in speed from the collating means. May be. According to this aspect, a plurality of sheets in the first overlap state can be easily changed to the second overlap state.

  The paper conveying means may have a paper carry-out means for sandwiching a plurality of papers in the first overlap state and carrying them out to the paper acceleration means. At least one of the paper acceleration means and the paper carry-out means may be provided so that the interval between the holding position by the paper acceleration means and the holding position by the paper carry-out means can be changed.

  According to this aspect, for example, even when sheets of various sizes are conveyed by changing the interval between the nipping position by the sheet accelerating unit and the nipping position by the sheet unloading unit according to the size of the sheet, the first A plurality of sheets in the overlap state can be appropriately changed to the second overlap state.

  The collating means overlaps and conveys a plurality of sheets in the arrangement direction so as to be in a first overlap state aligned in a line in the longitudinal direction of the sheet, and the sheet conveyance means includes a plurality of sheets in the first overlap state. Each of these may be changed to the second overlap state by changing the transport direction so as to move in the paper short direction. According to this aspect, it is possible to change a plurality of sheets in the first overlap state to the second overlap state with a simple configuration of changing the sheet conveyance direction.

  The collating unit specifies a sheet to be folded alone among a plurality of sheets to be included in one booklet, and the identified sheet is released from overlapping with an adjacent sheet by the sheet transport unit. A plurality of sheets may be stacked and conveyed so as to be in an overlapping state.

  For example, thick paper may be used as a cover, and such thick paper may be difficult to fold, and may be required to be folded alone. According to this aspect, the collating means efficiently transports the sheets in such an overlapping state, and can cancel the overlap of the sheets to be folded before being folded.

  You may further provide the paper size acquisition means which acquires the size of the paper contained in a some paper. The sheet stacking unit may stack a plurality of sheets using the acquired sheet size so that the maximum number of sheets to be folded when folded by the folding unit is a predetermined number.

  The maximum number of sheets overlapped in the overlap state varies depending on the sheet size, the length of the overlapping portion in the sheet alignment direction, and the like. According to this aspect, for example, by appropriately adjusting the length of the overlapping portion in the sheet arrangement direction according to the size of the sheet, a plurality of sheets can be appropriately arranged so that the maximum number of sheets overlaps a predetermined number. Can be superimposed on each other. At this time, the sheet stacking unit may stack a plurality of sheets using the acquired sheet size so that the maximum number of sheets to be folded when folded by the folding unit is two.

  A storage unit that holds a reference image to be an image of each exposed portion of the plurality of sheets in the overlapping state; and an imaging unit that captures an image of each exposed portion of the plurality of sheets in the overlapping state; Determining means for determining whether or not an error has occurred in a plurality of sheets in an overlapped state. The determination unit may determine whether an error has occurred in a plurality of sheets in the overlapped state by comparing the captured image with a held reference image. According to this aspect, it is possible to easily determine whether or not an error such as a collation or a missing page has occurred in the plurality of sheets by using the exposed portions of the plurality of sheets that are in an overlapped state.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a method for producing a folded booklet. This method includes a step of overlapping a plurality of sheets so as to be in an overlapping state in which the adjacent sheets are partially overlapped with each other, and a step of folding the plurality of sheets in an overlapping state along a line parallel to the arrangement direction. And aligning a plurality of paper sheets in an overlapped state so that adjacent paper sheets overlap each other.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to manufacture a half-fold booklet while suppressing the overlapping number of sheets when folded, as compared with the case where the sheets are folded in a state where all the sheets are stacked. A half-fold booklet with reduced swelling can be manufactured.

  According to the present invention, each sheet included in a booklet can be appropriately folded while suppressing a decrease in productivity.

1 is a perspective view of a bookbinding system according to a first embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a direction change apparatus. FIG. 6 is a top view of a first paper transport unit. It is a front view of a 1st paper conveyance unit. FIG. 5 is a front view of the first paper transport unit when the second roller unit is moved upstream from the state shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a top view illustrating a configuration of a second paper transport unit. It is a figure which shows typically the relationship between adjacent papers in the direction change apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment, when it is set as a 2nd overlap state from a 1st overlap state. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a folding device. It is the figure which looked at the cross section P of FIG. 8 from the upstream. It is the figure which looked at the cross section Q of FIG. 8 from the upstream. It is the figure which looked at the cross section R of FIG. 8 from the upstream. It is the figure which looked at the cross section S of FIG. 8 from the upstream. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a saddle stitching apparatus. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a relationship between adjacent sheets when changing from a first overlap state to a second overlap state in the first sheet transport unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a form of paper conveyance in a bookbinding system according to a third embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates the conveyance form of another paper in the bookbinding system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the overlap length X of thick paper and plain paper. It is a figure which illustrates the conveyance form of the paper in the bookbinding system which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates the form of conveyance of another paper in the bookbinding system concerning a 4th embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the bookbinding system which concerns on 5th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bookbinding system 10 according to the first embodiment. The bookbinding system 10 includes a collating device 12, a direction changing device 14, a folding device 16, a saddle stitching device 18, a small edge cutting device 20, a top and bottom cutting device 22, and a belt stacker 24. The bookbinding system 10 functions as a post-processing device that performs post-processing such as collation, folding, binding, and cutting on a sheet on which an image has already been recorded.

  The bookbinding system 10 further includes an electronic control unit (not shown). The electronic control unit includes a CPU that executes various arithmetic processes, a ROM that stores various control programs, and a RAM that is used as a work area for data storage and program execution. The electronic control unit controls the operation of the actuators provided in each, so that the collating device 12, the direction changing device 14, the folding device 16, the saddle stitching device 18, the edge cutting device 20, the top and bottom cutting device 22, and the belt The operation of the stacker 24 is controlled.

  The bookbinding system 10 is provided with a control panel (not shown) that can be operated and input by a user. The control panel is connected to the electronic control unit, and the electronic control unit acquires an operation input to the control panel by the user.

  In the first embodiment, three collating devices 12 are provided. The collating device 12 has a plurality of paper feed trays that are paper storage units. The collating device 12 superimposes the sheets while feeding the sheets from each of the plurality of sheet feeding trays. Since the hardware configuration of the collation apparatus 12 is known, description of the configuration is omitted. The folding device 16 folds the sheets superimposed by the collating device 12.

  Here, if a large number of sheets are overlapped and folded at a time, the outer sheet cannot be folded properly, which causes the booklet to swell. For this reason, the collating apparatus 12 superimposes a plurality of sheets so as to be in a first overlap state in which the adjacent sheets are partially overlapped with each other by feeding sheets from each of the plurality of sheet feeding trays. Then transport them in that direction. The folding device 16 folds a plurality of overlapping sheets in a line parallel to the arrangement direction while conveying the plurality of sheets in parallel to the arrangement direction. Therefore, the collating device 12 functions as a sheet stacking unit that stacks a plurality of sheets in an overlapping state.

  However, there is a limit to increasing the feeding speed from the sheet feeding tray in the collating apparatus 12. For this reason, when a plurality of sheets are overlapped in the collating apparatus 12 so as to have the same maximum number of sheets as folded in the folding apparatus 16, the length of the sheet row for one book when the overlapping state is established. Is very long, and it takes time until a sheet of paper is fed into the folding device 16, which may reduce the productivity of booklet production. On the other hand, the folding device 16 can fold the sheet at a relatively high speed because it folds while conveying the sheet as will be described later. For this reason, in the collating apparatus 12, a plurality of sheets are overlapped with each other so that the maximum number of overlapping sheets is larger than when the folding apparatus 16 first folds the sheets. Thereby, the length of the line of the paper for one book made into the overlap state for one book is shortened, and the carrying-out time from the collation apparatus 12 is suppressed.

  The direction changing device 14 functions as a paper transporting unit, and transports a plurality of papers that are in an overlapped state that are carried in from the collating device 12 to an overlapping state in which the maximum number of papers that are overlapped is smaller than before the carry-in. To do. Hereinafter, a state in which a plurality of sheets are overlapped by the collating device 12 is referred to as a “first overlap state”, and a plurality of sheets are overlapped by the direction changing device 14 so that the maximum number of overlapping sheets is smaller than that in the first overlap state. A state in which the sheets are overlapped is referred to as a “second overlap state”.

  In the first embodiment, the collating device 12 stacks a plurality of sheets and conveys them in the arrangement direction so as to be in a first overlapping state arranged in a line in the sheet longitudinal direction. The direction changing device 14 changes the conveyance direction so as to move each of the plurality of sheets in the first overlap state in the short direction of the sheet, thereby changing the second overlap state.

  The folding device 16 folds the plurality of sheets in the second overlapping state along a line parallel to the arrangement direction while conveying the plurality of sheets in parallel to the arrangement direction. The folding device 16 carries out a plurality of folded sheets to the saddle stitching device 18. The saddle stitching device 18 aligns and binds a plurality of sheets folded by the folding device 16 to create a saddle stitch folded booklet. Hereinafter, the saddle stitched booklet is simply referred to as “booklet”.

  The fore-edge cutting device 20 cuts the fore-edge of the booklet that has been carried in and carries it out to the top and bottom cutting device 22. The top and bottom cutting device 22 cuts the top and bottom of the booklet that has been carried in and transports it to the belt stacker 24. The belt stacker 24 sequentially accumulates the created booklets. Since the configurations of the small edge cutting device 20, the top and bottom cutting device 22, and the belt stacker 24 are known, descriptions thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the direction changing device 14. The direction changing device 14 includes a first paper transport unit 30 and a second paper transport unit 32. The first paper transport unit 30 first transports a plurality of papers carried from the collating device 12 in the first overlap state. Next, the first paper transport unit 30 is accelerated while being transported in the longitudinal direction of the paper, and is transported to the second paper transport unit 32. The second paper transport unit 32 transports each of the plurality of transported papers by changing the transport direction so as to move in the paper short direction.

  FIG. 3 is a top view of the first paper transport unit 30, and FIG. 4 is a front view of the first paper transport unit 30. Hereinafter, the configuration of the first paper transport unit 30 will be described with reference to both FIG. 3 and FIG.

  The first paper transport unit 30 includes a normal transport mechanism 40 and an acceleration transport mechanism 42. The normal transport mechanism 40 transports the plurality of sheets in the first overlap state by keeping the first overlap state by feeding sheets from each of the plurality of paper feed trays in the collating device 12. Therefore, the normal transport mechanism 40 transports a plurality of sheets at the same transport speed as the collating device 12.

  Specifically, the normal transport mechanism 40 includes a belt transport unit 48, a first roller unit 56, and a second roller unit 58. Two belt conveyance units 48 are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the paper conveyance direction. Each belt conveyance unit 48 includes a conveyance belt 50, a pair of rollers 52, and a carry-in roller 54. The pair of rollers 52 is inscribed in the conveyance belt 50 so as to extend the conveyance belt 50 in the sheet conveyance direction. One of the pair of rollers 52 is provided so as to be driven by a motor (not shown), and the other is driven. The carry-in roller 54 is provided so as to sandwich the conveyance belt 50 together with the roller 52 upstream of the pair of rollers 52 in the sheet conveyance direction (hereinafter simply referred to as “upstream side”). As described above, the paper carried into the first paper conveyance unit 30 from the collating device 12 is carried in while being sandwiched between the carry-in roller 54 and the conveyance belt 50 and placed on the conveyance belt 50 in the first paper conveyance unit. It is conveyed in 30.

  Two first roller units 56 are provided above each transport belt 50 along the extending direction of the transport belt 50. Each of the first roller units 56 includes a bracket 60 and a roller 64. The bracket 60 is formed by bending a sheet metal into a U-shape. The housing of the first paper transport unit 30 is provided with a rotating shaft 62 that extends perpendicularly and horizontally to the paper transport direction, and one end of the bracket 60 can be rotated around the rotating shaft 62. The first paper transport unit 30 is supported by the housing. A roller 64 is rotatably supported at the other end of the bracket 60 so that the axial direction thereof is parallel to the rotation shaft 62. The bracket 60 is biased to rotate downward by a coil spring (not shown). Therefore, the roller 64 comes into contact with the upper surface of the transport belt 50 in a state where pressure is applied. Accordingly, the paper placed on the conveyance belt 50 is conveyed while being sandwiched between the roller 64 and the conveyance belt 50.

  The second roller unit 58 includes a first bracket 70, a second bracket 72, a roller 74, and a coil spring 76. One end of the second bracket 72 is supported to be rotatable with respect to the first bracket 70. A roller 74 is rotatably supported at the other end of the second bracket 72 so that the axial direction thereof is parallel to the rotation axis of the second bracket 72. The second bracket 72 is urged to rotate downward by a coil spring 76. The first bracket 70 is restricted from rotating in the rotational direction of the roller 74 by a guide mechanism (not shown). For this reason, the roller 74 abuts on the upper surface of the conveyance belt 50 in a state where pressure is applied. Accordingly, the paper placed on the conveyance belt 50 is conveyed while being sandwiched between the roller 74 and the conveyance belt 50. The conveyance belt 50 and the roller 74 sandwich a plurality of sheets in the first overlap state and carry them out to the acceleration conveyance mechanism 42. Therefore, the normal transport mechanism 40 functions as a paper carry-out means for carrying out the paper to the acceleration transport mechanism 42.

  The acceleration transport mechanism 42 has a pair of acceleration rollers 100. The pair of acceleration rollers 100 sandwich a plurality of sheets in the first overlapping state and carry them out at a speed faster than the carry-in speed from the normal carrying mechanism 40. As a result, the leading edge of each sheet abuts against a sheet guide described later in the second sheet transport unit 32.

  The roller 74 is provided so as to be movable in the paper conveyance direction so that the interval A between the nipping position by the pair of acceleration rollers 100 and the nipping position by the conveying belt 50 and the roller 74 can be changed. Specifically, the first bracket 70 is provided so as to be movable in parallel with the paper conveyance direction by the conveyance belt 50 by a guide mechanism (not shown). For this reason, the nipping position of the sheet by the roller 74 and the conveyance belt 50 is provided so as to be movable in the sheet conveyance direction.

  The first paper transport unit 30 is provided with a roller moving mechanism 80. The roller moving mechanism 80 moves the nipping position of the sheet by the roller 74 and the conveying belt 50 by moving the second roller unit 58 in the sheet conveying direction. Specifically, the roller moving mechanism 80 includes a belt 82 and a pair of rollers 84. The pair of rollers 84 is inscribed in the rollers 84 so that the roller moving mechanism 80 extends in the sheet conveyance direction. Each of the pair of rollers 84 is rotatably supported by the casing of the first paper transport unit 30 via a rotation shaft 86, and one of the rollers 84 is provided so as to be driven by a motor 88. The first bracket 70 is fixed to the belt 82. By operating the motor 88 in this way, the second roller unit 58 is moved together with the belt 82, and the nipping position of the sheet by the roller 74 and the conveying belt 50 is moved.

  The control panel is provided so that the user can input the size of the paper included in the booklet to be created. The electronic control unit acquires the size of the paper thus input. The electronic control unit specifies the length of the sheet in the sheet conveyance direction in the first sheet conveyance unit 30 based on the acquired sheet size. The electronic control unit moves the second roller unit 58 so that the interval A is longer than the length of the sheet in the specified sheet conveyance direction before the sheet is conveyed to the first sheet conveyance unit 30. As a result, the paper can be appropriately accelerated and carried out by the acceleration transport mechanism 42. The pair of acceleration rollers 100 may be provided so as to be movable in the paper transport direction. Also in this aspect, the interval A can be changed.

  FIG. 5 is a front view of the first paper transport unit 30 when the second roller unit 58 is moved upstream from the state shown in FIG. The first bracket 70 of the second roller unit 58 is provided with a tapered surface (not shown) that progresses upward as it proceeds downstream in the sheet conveyance direction (hereinafter simply referred to as “downstream side”). When the second roller unit 58 moves to the upstream side, the downstream end portion of the bracket 60 in the first roller unit 56 contacts the tapered surface of the first bracket 70. When the first roller unit 56 further moves to the upstream side, the downstream end of the bracket 60 rises while sliding on the tapered surface of the first bracket 70. Thus, the first roller unit 56 is provided so as to retract upward when the second roller unit 58 moves upstream.

  FIG. 6 is a top view showing the configuration of the second paper transport unit 32. In FIG. 6, the second paper transport unit 32 includes a paper guide 110, a transport roller 112, a transport roller 114, and a paper guide moving mechanism 116. The paper guide 110 is provided so as to extend perpendicular to the paper carry-in direction from the first paper transport unit 30. A plurality of conveyance rollers 112 are arranged in parallel in the sheet conveyance direction in the second sheet conveyance unit 32. Each of the plurality of transport rollers 112 is provided such that the axial direction is inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the paper guide 110 so as to press the paper to be transported against the paper guide 110.

  A plurality of conveyance rollers 114 are provided so as to correspond to each of the plurality of conveyance rollers 112. Each of the plurality of transport rollers 114 is disposed above the center of the corresponding transport roller 112. The casing of the second paper transport unit 32 is provided with a hole having a spherical inner surface. Each of the transport rollers 114 is accommodated in each of the plurality of holes, and is supported by the housing of the second paper transport unit 32 so that it can rotate in any direction. Each of the conveyance rollers 114 may be supported so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the conveyance roller 112.

  Each of the transport rollers 112 is provided so as to be driven by a motor (not shown). When the motor is operated, the sheet fed onto the conveying roller 112 is sandwiched between the conveying roller 112 and the conveying roller 114 and is pressed against the sheet guide 110 while being perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction of the first sheet conveying unit 30. It is conveyed to.

  The sheet guide moving mechanism 116 includes a guide rod 118, a guide block 120, a first belt 122, a second belt 124, and a motor 126. Two guide rods 118 are provided above the conveying roller 112 so that each extends in parallel with the axial direction of the conveying roller 112. Two guide blocks 120 are provided to correspond to each of the guide rods 118. Each of the guide blocks 120 is provided with a sliding hole having an inner diameter that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the guide rod 118, and the guide rod 118 is inserted into the sliding hole. Each of the guide blocks 120 is fixed to the paper guide 110. As described above, the paper guide 110 is configured to be movable while being guided by the guide rod 118.

  Two first belts 122 are provided, and each is fixed to each of the guide blocks 120. The pulley inscribed in each of the first belts 122 is also inscribed in each of the two second belts 124. Each of the second belts 124 is driven by a motor 126. As described above, when the motor 126 is operated, the guide block 120 is driven via the second belt 124 and the first belt 122, and the paper guide 110 moves along the guide rod 118.

  The electronic control unit first specifies the length of the paper in the paper transport direction in the collating device 12 in the direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction of the second paper transport unit 32 among the acquired paper sizes. The electronic control unit sets a line passing through the center of the specified length of the sheet as a folding line to be folded by the folding device 16. The electronic control unit operates the motor 126 before the paper is carried into the second paper transport unit 32 so that the folding line passes through the folding position when the paper is carried into the folding device 16. 110 is adjusted.

  In the first embodiment, the collating device 12 sets the first overlap state while conveying a plurality of sheets in the sheet longitudinal direction. The first paper transport unit 30 transports the plurality of paper sheets in the first overlap state as they are in the paper longitudinal direction. The second paper transport unit 32 changes the transport direction so as to move each of the plurality of papers in the first overlap state in the paper short direction, thereby transporting the paper more than in the first overlap state. To the second overlap state in which the maximum number of overlaps is small. Thus, by converting the conveyance direction of a plurality of sheets from the long sheet direction to the short sheet direction, the maximum number of sheets can be easily reduced.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the electronic control unit uses the acquired sheet size to maximize the maximum number of sheets by the collation device 12 and the direction conversion device 14 so that the maximum number of sheets overlaps a predetermined number. Adjust the number of overlapping sheets. Hereinafter, this adjustment method will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating the relationship between adjacent sheets when the direction change device 14 according to the first embodiment changes from the first overlap state to the second overlap state. FIG. 7 shows a state where the broken line paper 2 is overlapped with the solid line 2 in an overlapping manner. The length of the first side of the paper 2 is L1, and the length of the second side is L2. In the first embodiment, the first side length L1 is longer than the second side length L2. Further, as described above, in the collating apparatus 12 and the first paper transport unit 30, the paper 2 is transported in the paper longitudinal direction.

  The length of the overlapping portion in the first overlap state in the paper transport direction is defined as a first overlap length X, and the paper transport speed in the first paper transport unit 30 is defined as a first speed V1. Further, the length of the overlapping portion in the second overlap state in the paper transport direction is defined as a second overlap length Y, and the paper transport direction speed in the second paper transport unit 32 is defined as a second speed V2.

という関係を満たす必要がある。 In order to set the maximum number of sheets in the second overlap state to n, the first speed V1 and the second speed V2 are:

It is necessary to satisfy the relationship.

  In the first embodiment, the maximum sheet overlap number n is set to two. The electronic control unit specifies the first side length L1 and the second side length L2 from the acquired paper size, and the first overlap length X or The second speed V2 is adjusted.

  The control panel may be provided so that the maximum sheet overlap number n can be input by the user. In this case, the electronic control unit acquires the input maximum sheet overlap number n and, in the second overlap state, the first overlap length X or the plurality of sheets overlap each other with the acquired maximum sheet overlap number n. The second speed V2 is adjusted.

  The plurality of sheets in the second overlap state in the second sheet transport unit 32 are aligned so that adjacent sheets and a part of each fold line Lf overlap each other. Thus, a single line is formed by the folding lines Lf of the plurality of sheets. The folding device 16 folds a sheet at each fold line Lf by folding the sheet while conveying a plurality of sheets along a single line formed by the fold line Lf.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the folding device 16. The folding device 16 includes a crease mechanism 140, a bending mechanism 142, and a folding mechanism 144. The sheet carried into the folding device 16 passes through the crease mechanism 140, the bending mechanism 142, and the folding mechanism 144 in this order. The crease mechanism 140 creases the paper fold line. The bending mechanism 142 bends and conveys the sheet. The folding mechanism 144 folds the sheet conveyed in a curved state at a folding line.

  FIG. 9 is a view of the cross section P of FIG. 8 as viewed from the upstream side. The creasing mechanism 140 includes a convex roller 150, a concave roller 152, a shaft 154, a roller 156, a shaft 158, and a roller 160. Two rollers 156 are provided, and the convex roller 150 is disposed between the two rollers 156. The convex roller 150 and the two rollers 156 are fixed to the shaft 154 so as to be coaxial. Two rollers 160 are provided, and the concave roller 152 is disposed between the two rollers 160. The concave roller 152 and the two rollers 160 are fixed to the shaft 158 so as to be coaxial.

  The convex roller 150 is provided with a convex portion 150a that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface in an annular shape continuously in the circumferential direction. The concave roller 152 is provided with a concave portion 152a that is continuously recessed in the circumferential direction from the outer peripheral surface. The paper carried into the crease mechanism 140 is sandwiched between the convex roller 150 and the concave roller 152, and the roller 156 and the roller 160, and is conveyed into the folding device 16. At this time, a crease is made in the center in the width direction of the paper 2 by the convex portion 150a and the concave portion 152a.

  FIG. 10 is a view of the cross section Q of FIG. 8 as viewed from the upstream side. The bending mechanism 142 includes a guide disk 170 and a belt conveyance mechanism 172. A plurality of guide disks 170 are juxtaposed in the paper conveyance direction, and each guide disk 170 is rotatably supported by the casing of the folding device 16.

  The belt conveyance mechanism 172 is disposed above the plurality of guide disks 170 arranged in parallel. The belt transport mechanism 172 includes a round belt 174, a pulley 176, a shaft 178, and a pulley 180. Two pulleys 176 are provided and fixed to the shaft 178 so as to be coaxial with each other. Two pulleys 176 are provided and hung on each of the two pulleys 176. Two pulleys 180 are also provided downstream of the position where the pulley 176 is disposed. The two pulleys 180 are juxtaposed in the width direction of the paper to be conveyed, and are arranged so that each of the pulleys is oriented in the vertical direction in the axial direction. Two round belts 174 are hung on each of the two pulleys 180. A motor (not shown) is connected to the shaft 178, and when this motor is operated, the shaft 178 rotates and the round belt 174 is driven.

  The two round belts 174 are arranged so as to extend across the guide disk 170. The sheet 2 carried into the bending mechanism 142 is conveyed to the downstream side by the round belt 174 in a state of being bent so as to have a reverse V-shape as shown in FIG. At this time, the two round belts 174 are inclined and extended so as to be gradually positioned downward from the most upstream portion 174 a meshing with the pulley 176 to the most downstream portion 174 b meshing with the downstream pulley 180. For this reason, as the sheet is conveyed, the contact portion 174c with the sheet is gradually lowered, and the sheet 2 can be bent so that the angle gradually decreases.

  FIG. 11 is a view of the cross section R of FIG. 8 as viewed from the upstream side. The folding mechanism 144 has a pair of folding rollers 190. Each of the folding rollers 190 is juxtaposed in the width direction of the sheet to be transported, and is arranged so that the respective axial directions face the vertical direction. The pair of folding rollers 190 are in contact with each other so that they are pressed with a strong pressure. The pair of folding rollers 190 are arranged such that the center height of the press-contacting portions is the height around the upper end 2a of the sheet 2 curved in an inverted V shape.

  FIG. 12 is a view of the cross section S of FIG. 8 as viewed from the upstream side. The sheet 2 bent in an inverted V shape by the bending mechanism 142 is folded while the curved portion at the upper end is sandwiched and folded by the pair of folding rollers 190, and the upper end portion 2a is creased.

  FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the saddle stitching device 18. The saddle stitching device 18 includes a paper transport mechanism 200, a buffer mechanism 202, a binding mechanism 204, and a booklet transport mechanism 206. The paper transport mechanism 200 includes a bag 210, a transport belt 212, an upstream roller 214, a downstream roller 216, and a motor 218. The jar 210 has two flat plates. The two flat plates are arranged to be inclined so as to form an inverted V shape. The sheet folded in this way by the folding device 16 is conveyed on the ridge 210 while maintaining an inverted V shape.

  Two conveying belts 212 are arranged between the two flat plates of the collar 210. Each of the conveyor belts 212 is disposed so as to extend in the sheet conveying direction by the upstream roller 214 being inscribed on the upstream side and the downstream roller 216 being inscribed on the downstream side. The downstream roller 216 can be driven by a motor 218. A claw (not shown) protruding upward is provided between the two conveying belts 212. By operating the motor 218 in this way, the trailing edge of the sheet is pushed by the claw, and the sheet can be conveyed in the extending direction of the conveying belt 212.

  The buffer mechanism 202 accumulates a plurality of folded sheets in an overlapped state while aligning the leading edges so that the entire surface overlaps with adjacent sheets. Therefore, the buffer mechanism 202 functions as a sheet aligning unit that aligns a plurality of overlapped sheets. Specifically, the buffer mechanism 202 has a stopper and a bag jogger. The stopper is provided so as to be able to advance above the flange 210 by operating a solenoid (not shown). The bag jogger is disposed on the upstream side of the stopper, and is movable in parallel with the paper transport direction by operating a motor (not shown).

  The electronic control unit turns on the solenoid and advances the stopper upward before the leading sheet of the plurality of sheets constituting one booklet is sent to the buffer mechanism 202. The leading edge of the paper thus carried into the buffer mechanism 202 is locked by the stopper. When all the sheets for one book are stored in the buffer mechanism 202, the electronic control unit advances the bag jogger to the upstream side, pushes the trailing edge of the sheet, and aligns the trailing edge of the sheet. When the sheet aligning operation is completed, the electronic control unit turns off the solenoid and retracts the stopper below the hook 210. Next, the motor 218 is operated to move the transport belt 212, and the aligned sheets are sent to the binding mechanism 204.

  Note that the buffer mechanism 202 may align a plurality of sheets in an overlapped state so as to widen a portion where adjacent sheets overlap each other. For example, when a plurality of sheets having different sizes are overlapped, the buffer mechanism 202 may align the plurality of sheets so that the central positions of the sheets overlap each other. At this time, the buffer mechanism 202 may acquire the paper sizes of the plurality of paper sheets that are overlapped, and align the plurality of papers by stopping the paper transport when the center reaches a predetermined position.

  In the first embodiment, a stitcher is employed for the binding mechanism 204. The stitcher forms a saddle-stitched booklet by binding a plurality of folded sheets on a folded folding line. Since the stitcher mechanism is known, the description thereof is omitted. A stapler may be provided instead of the stitcher.

  The created saddle stitch folded booklet is further conveyed downstream by the conveyance belt 212. A booklet transport mechanism 206 is disposed on the downstream side of the binding mechanism 204. The booklet transport mechanism 206 is configured by a plurality of belts and rollers, and transports the booklet transport mechanism upward while pinching the back of the saddle-stitched folded booklet placed in an inverted V shape on the collar 210. The saddle-stitched folded booklet conveyed in this manner is cut at the fore edge by the fore edge cutting device 20, and then is cut at the upside by the upside down cutting device 22, and is finally stored in the belt stacker 24.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically illustrating a relationship between adjacent sheets when the first paper transport unit 30 according to the second embodiment changes from the first overlap state to the second overlap state. is there. FIG. 14 shows a state in which the broken line paper 2 is overlapped with the solid line paper 2 in an overlapping manner. The configuration of the bookbinding system according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the bookbinding system 10 according to the first embodiment unless otherwise specified. Hereinafter, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In the bookbinding system according to the second embodiment, the second paper transport unit 32 is not provided, and the first paper transport unit 30 is directly connected to the folding device 16. For this reason, in the second embodiment, the collating device 12 superimposes a plurality of sheets so as to be in the first overlapping state while conveying the sheets in the short direction.

  The first paper transport unit 30 transports the plurality of paper sheets in the first overlap state as they are in the short paper direction and transports them to the folding device 16. At this time, the acceleration conveyance mechanism 42 sandwiches the plurality of sheets in the first overlap state and carries them out at a speed faster than the carry-in speed from the first sheet conveyance unit 30, so that the first overlap state In the second overlap state in which the maximum number of sheets overlaps is smaller than that, the sheet is carried out to the folding device 16.

  In addition, a sheet aligning mechanism may be provided that aligns sheets by abutting one side of the sheet parallel to the transport direction against the guide while the sheet is transported from the first sheet transport unit 30 to the folding device 16. . The paper alignment mechanism may have the same mechanism as the paper guide 110 and the transport roller 112 of the second paper transport unit 32. Since such a sheet aligning mechanism is publicly known, description thereof is omitted.

  Similarly to the above, the length of the second side which is the short side of the sheet 2 is L2. The length of the overlapping portion in the first overlap state in the paper transport direction is a first overlap length X, and the paper transport speed in the first paper transport unit 30 is a first speed V1. Further, the length in the paper transport direction of the overlapping portion in the second overlap state is defined as a second overlap length Y, and the speed in the paper transport direction in the folding device 16 is defined as a second speed V2.

という関係を満たす必要がある。 In order to set the maximum number of sheets in the second overlap state to n, the first speed V1 and the second speed V2 are:

It is necessary to satisfy the relationship.

  In the second embodiment, the maximum sheet overlap number n is set to two. The electronic control unit acquires the second side length L2, and adjusts the first overlap length X and the second speed V2 so that the maximum sheet overlap number n satisfies this expression when the number n is two.

  Note that the electronic control unit may obtain the maximum sheet overlap number n input by the user. In the second overlap state, the electronic control unit may adjust the first overlap length X and the second speed V2 so that a plurality of sheets overlap with the acquired maximum sheet overlap number n.

  The plurality of sheets in the second overlap state in the folding device 16 are conveyed and folded while the adjacent sheets and a part of each fold line Lf overlap each other. At this time, the folding device 16 folds the paper at each fold line Lf by folding a plurality of papers at one line formed by the fold line Lf.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 15 is a diagram exemplifying a sheet conveyance form in the bookbinding system 10 according to the third embodiment. The configuration and operation of the bookbinding system 10 according to the third embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment unless otherwise specified. Hereinafter, the same portions as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  Sheets of various thicknesses are stacked on the sheet feeding tray of the collating apparatus 12. Therefore, there is a possibility that thick paper, plain paper, and the like are mixed in the paper sheets constituting the booklet. In particular, cardboard is often used for the cover to increase the beauty and strength of the booklet. For this reason, the electronic control unit specifies a sheet to be folded independently such as a thick sheet among a plurality of sheets to be included in one booklet. The collating device 12 has a plurality of sheets such that a sheet specified by the electronic control unit as a sheet to be folded alone is in a first overlapping state in which the overlapping of the adjacent sheets with the direction changing device 14 is released. Are transported in layers.

  Specifically, the control panel provided in the bookbinding system 10 is provided so that the user can input which one of a plurality of sheets constituting the booklet should be folded. Hereinafter, a sheet to be folded with only one sheet will be described as “thick paper”. However, the paper that should be folded with only one sheet is of course not limited to thick paper, and hard paper or OHP sheets that are difficult to fold are input to the user as "paper that should be folded with only one sheet". It may be provided.

  The user can input the transport order in which thick paper is transported among the papers included in one paper on the control panel. The electronic control unit controls the stacking of the sheets in the collating apparatus 12 so that the sheets in the conveyance order thus input are fed to the folding apparatus 16 independently without overlapping with other adjacent sheets.

  Further, the user may be able to select a paper feed tray to which paper should be fed in order to create a booklet on the control panel. At this time, the user checks a check box “thick paper” provided next to the identification name of the paper feed tray such as “first tray” by using an input device such as a mouse to feed the paper loaded with thick paper. A paper tray can be entered. When the electronic control unit feeds paper from the paper feed tray selected as being loaded with thick paper, the paper sent out from the paper feed tray does not overlap with other adjacent paper by itself. The superposition of sheets in the collating device 12 is controlled so as to be fed into the folding device 16.

  FIG. 15 shows that when a booklet is created by superposing seven sheets, the first sheet and the seventh sheet are thick paper 2A and the other is plain paper 2B. This is an example of the paper conveyance mode. In this example, the electronic control unit overlaps the plain paper with the overlap length of the first sheet and the second sheet and the overlap length of the sixth sheet and the seventh sheet. The collating device 12 is controlled so as to be in a first overlap state shorter than the overlap length at the time of matching. As a result, the second and second sheet transport units 32 transport the first and seventh thick sheets 2A with only one sheet without overlapping other sheets, and the second to sixth sheets of plain paper 2B. Can be in the second overlap state. In this way, only the thick paper 2 </ b> A can be fed into the folding device 16.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating another form of paper conveyance in the bookbinding system 10 according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 16, when a booklet is created by superposing seven sheets, a sheet transported when the fourth sheet is the thick paper 2A and the other is the plain paper 2B, is illustrated. Yes. In this example, the electronic control unit has an overlap length between the fourth plain paper 2B and the fifth thick paper 2A, and between the fifth thick paper 2A and the sixth plain paper 2B. The collating device 12 is controlled so as to be in a first overlap state in which the overlap length is shorter than that of the plain papers 2B. As a result, the second paper transport unit 32 transports the fifth thick paper 2A with only one sheet without overlapping other sheets, and the first to third plain papers 2B are transported to the second sheet. It can be in an overlapping state.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an overlap length X between the thick paper 2A and the plain paper 2B. Since the time interval for transporting the paper is the same in both the first paper transport unit 30 and the second paper transport unit 32,
(L1-X) / V1 = A / V2
The following formula is established. Substituting A> L2 into the above equation,
X> L1-L2 ・ V1 / V2
It becomes. By setting X in this way, it is possible to avoid the thick paper 2A from being overlapped.

  A thickness sensor that detects the thickness of the paper may be provided for each of the paper feed trays of the collating device 12. In this case, the thickness sensor has a pair of rollers, and detects the thickness of the sheet by detecting the separation width of the pair of rollers when the sheet is sandwiched. Of course, other types of thickness sensors such as an optical type may be provided. The electronic control unit identifies a sheet having a thickness greater than or equal to a predetermined value as “thick paper” and feeds the sheet by the collating device 12 to the folding device 16 alone without overlapping with other adjacent sheets. Control overlay. At this time, the sheet conveyance mode to be executed by the collating apparatus 12 is the same as described above.

  In addition, the electronic control unit controls the collating device 12 so that the maximum number of sheets overlapped in the portion including the thick paper is less than that in the case where only the plain paper overlaps when a single sheet includes thick paper. May be.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a form of paper transport in the bookbinding system 10 according to the fourth embodiment. The configuration and operation of the bookbinding system 10 according to the third embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment unless otherwise specified. Hereinafter, the same portions as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  As in the third embodiment, the electronic control unit acquires a cardboard selection input. In FIG. 18, when a booklet is created by superposing seven sheets, the first sheet and the seventh sheet are thick paper 2A and the other is plain paper 2B. This is an example of the paper conveyance mode. In this example, the electronic control unit also overlaps the first sheet and the second sheet, and the sixth sheet and the seventh sheet in the collating device 12 and the first sheet transport unit 30. Instead, the collating device 12 is controlled so that the second to sixth sheets of plain paper 2B are in the first overlapping state. As a result, the second paper transport unit 32 transports the first and seventh thick paper sheets 2A with only one sheet without overlapping other sheets, and the second to sixth sheets of plain paper 2B. Can be in the second overlap state.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating another form of paper conveyance in the bookbinding system 10 according to the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 19, when a booklet is created by superposing seven sheets, the fourth sheet conveyed is a thick sheet 2A, and the other is a plain sheet 2B. Yes. In this example, the electronic control unit controls the collating device 12 so as not to overlap the fifth thick paper 2A with the adjacent fourth and sixth plain papers 2B. The electronic control unit controls the collating device 12 so that the plain papers 2B are in the first overlapping state. As a result, the second paper transport unit 32 transports the fifth thick paper 2A with only one sheet without overlapping other sheets, and the first to third plain papers 2B are transported to the second sheet. It can be in an overlapping state.

(Fifth embodiment)
FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a bookbinding system 240 according to the fifth embodiment. Unless otherwise stated, the configuration and operation of the bookbinding system 240 are the same as those of the bookbinding system 10 according to the first embodiment.

  The bookbinding system 240 includes an imaging unit 242 and a paper sensor 244. The imaging unit 242 and the paper sensor 244 are provided in the second paper transport unit 32. These may be provided in the upstream portion of the folding device 16.

  The imaging unit 242 includes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor. The imaging unit 242 may include other imaging elements such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor instead of the CCD image sensor. The imaging unit 242 is disposed at a position where the upper surface of the paper conveyed in an overlapping state can be imaged. The imaging unit 242 is connected to the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit controls imaging by the imaging unit 242 and acquires an image captured by the imaging unit 242. Therefore, the electronic control unit functions as an imaging control unit.

  The paper sensor 244 is disposed on the upstream side of the imaging unit 242. The paper sensor 244 is configured by an optical sensor, and detects the leading edge of the conveyed paper. When a plurality of sheets are conveyed in an overlapped state, the sheet sensor 244 detects the leading edge of the first sheet among the plurality of sheets in the overlapping state.

  The electronic control unit performs a predetermined time after the front end of the paper is detected by the paper sensor 244 so that an image at a predetermined position in the exposed portion of the paper whose front end is detected by the paper sensor 244 can be captured. Later, imaging by the imaging unit 242 is executed. However, it is difficult to detect the leading edge of the second and subsequent sheets of the overlapped sheets because they overlap other sheets. For this reason, the electronic control unit takes an image of the same predetermined position in the exposed portion of each of the plurality of sheets in the second overlap state by using the calculated overlap length in the second overlap state. The imaging interval in the imaging unit 242 is determined so that it can be performed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, in the second paper transport unit 32, a plurality of paper sheets having a transport direction length L2 in the second overlap state are transported at an overlap length of Y and a transport speed of V2. In this case, the conveyance time interval of each sheet is (L2-Y) / V2. For this reason, after the image of the leading sheet is captured, the electronic control unit sets the subsequent imaging time interval by the imaging unit 242 to (L2-Y) / V2. The electronic control unit controls the imaging unit 242 so as to capture images at the set imaging time interval as many times as the number of sheets included in one booklet is subtracted from the first sheet.

  In the fifth embodiment, since the reference image of the paper included in one booklet to be created is acquired, the user can execute preliminary transport for reading the paper image in the bookbinding system 10. . The user can transport the paper by one volume by pressing the start button after selecting the preliminary transport on the control panel. The imaging unit 242 captures an image of each exposed portion of a plurality of sheets that are overlapped in the preliminary conveyance.

  The electronic control unit acquires the image of each sheet imaged by the imaging unit 242 at this time as a reference image to be an image of each exposed portion of the plurality of sheets when the overlap state is set. Whether or not a correct reference image has been acquired can be determined by the user visually confirming the booklet created in the preliminary conveyance. The electronic control unit has a storage unit such as a hard disk. The electronic control unit stores the acquired reference image in the storage unit.

  The user can execute booklet creation in the normal mode in which the number of booklets to be created is entered by pressing the start button after selecting the number of booklets to be created on the control panel. . At this time, the imaging unit 242 captures an image of each exposed portion of the plurality of sheets that are overlapped in the booklet creation process.

  The electronic control unit compares the captured image with a reference image stored in the storage unit, thereby determining whether or not an error has occurred in a plurality of sheets in an overlapping state. Specifically, when the electronic control unit determines that even one captured image is different from the reference image, the electronic control unit determines that an error such as a typographical error or a missing page has occurred on the conveyed paper. Since the comparison method of the image at this time is well-known, description is abbreviate | omitted. When it is determined that an error has occurred, the electronic control unit displays a warning on a control panel or the like to notify the user that the error has occurred.

  When the leading edge of the sheet is detected by the sheet sensor 244, the electronic control unit may control the imaging unit 242 so as to capture continuous images from a predetermined position on the first sheet to a predetermined position on the last sheet. . The imaging unit 242 may be configured by a line sensor. The electronic control unit may specify which paper image the acquired image is using, for example, the calculated overlap length. The electronic control unit may compare the image of each sheet thus identified with the reference image.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and an appropriate combination of the elements of each embodiment is also effective as an embodiment of the present invention. Various modifications such as design changes can be added to each embodiment based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and embodiments to which such modifications are added can also be included in the scope of the present invention.

  In one variation, the collating device 12 is provided with a single paper feed tray. In this case, all the sheets to be included in the booklet are stacked in this sheet feeding tray in the order to be sent out. The collating apparatus 12 feeds sheets from this one sheet feeding tray and includes them in the booklet. Superimpose multiple sheets. As described above, even when the collating apparatus 12 is provided with only one paper feed tray, a plurality of sheets to be included in the booklet can be sent out.

  2 paper, 10 bookbinding system, 12 collating device, 14 direction changing device, 16 folding device, 18 saddle stitching device, 20 edge cutting device, 22 top and bottom cutting device, 24 belt stacker, 30 first paper transport unit, 32 second Paper transport unit, 40 normal transport mechanism, 42 acceleration transport mechanism, 48 belt transport unit, 50 transport belt, 52 rollers, 56 first roller unit, 58 second roller unit, 64 rollers, 74 rollers, 80 roller moving mechanism, 84 Roller, 100 Acceleration roller, 110 Paper guide, 116 Paper guide moving mechanism, 140 Crease mechanism, 142 Bending mechanism, 144 Folding mechanism, 170 Guide disk, 174 Round belt, 202 Buffer mechanism, 204 Binding mechanism

Claims (11)

A paper stacking means for stacking a plurality of papers so that adjacent papers overlap each other while partially overlapping each other;
Folding means for folding a plurality of sheets in an overlapping state along a line parallel to the arrangement direction;
A post-processing device comprising:   The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the folding unit folds a plurality of sheets in an overlapped state while conveying the plurality of sheets in parallel with the arrangement direction. The paper stacking means is
Collating means for conveying a plurality of sheets in a stacked manner so as to be in a first overlap state by sending out the sheets from the sheet storage unit;
Paper transport for transporting a plurality of paper sheets in the first overlap state carried in from the collating means by changing them to a second overlap state in which the maximum number of paper sheets is less than that in the first overlap state. Means,
Have
The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the folding unit folds a plurality of sheets in a second overlapping state.   The paper transporting means changes the second overlap state by sandwiching a plurality of papers in the first overlap state and carrying them out at a speed faster than the carry-in speed from the collating means. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 3, comprising: The paper conveying means has a paper carry-out means for sandwiching a plurality of papers in a first overlap state and carrying them out to the paper acceleration means,
5. The rear of claim 4, wherein at least one of the paper acceleration means and the paper carry-out means is provided so that an interval between a holding position by the paper acceleration means and a holding position by the paper carry-out means can be changed. Processing equipment. The collating means stacks a plurality of sheets so as to be in a first overlap state arranged in a line in the longitudinal direction of the sheets, and conveys the aligned sheets in the arrangement direction,
The sheet conveying means changes the second overlapping state by changing the conveying direction so that each of the plurality of sheets in the first overlapping state is moved in the lateral direction of the sheet. A post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5.   The collating unit specifies a sheet to be folded alone among a plurality of sheets to be included in one booklet, and the identified sheet is released from overlapping with an adjacent sheet by the sheet transport unit. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of sheets are stacked and conveyed so as to be in an overlapping state. Paper size acquisition means for acquiring the size of the paper included in the plurality of papers;
The sheet stacking unit stacks a plurality of sheets using the acquired sheet size so that the maximum number of sheets when folded by the folding unit is a predetermined number. The post-processing apparatus according to any one of 7.   9. The sheet stacking unit according to claim 8, wherein the sheet stacking unit stacks a plurality of sheets using the acquired sheet size so that the maximum number of sheets to be folded when folded by the folding unit is two. Post-processing device as described. A storage unit for storing a reference image to be an image of each exposed portion of a plurality of sheets when in an overlapping state;
Imaging means for capturing an image of each exposed portion of the plurality of sheets in an overlapping state;
Determination means for determining whether or not an error has occurred in a plurality of sheets in an overlapping state;
With
10. The determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not an error has occurred in a plurality of sheets in an overlapping state by comparing the captured image with a held reference image. The post-processing apparatus in any one. A step of overlapping a plurality of sheets so as to form an overlapping state in which the adjacent sheets are partially overlapped with each other;
Folding a plurality of sheets in an overlapping state along a line parallel to the arrangement direction;
Aligning a plurality of overlapped sheets so that adjacent sheets overlap each other; and
A method for producing a folded booklet, comprising:

Images