JP2011156828A - Booklet forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress the swelling of a fold appropriately in accordance with the sheet number or thickness of a middle folding booklet, with respect to the middle folding booklet having broad-wide sheet number or thickness in the apparatus for forming the spine of the middle folding booklet. <P>SOLUTION: A booklet forming apparatus has a flattening mode for flattening the spine of the middle folding booklet by pressing the spine of the middle folding booklet with a pressing means and an additional folding mode for performing increased folding by clamping the spine of the middle folding booklet with a clamping means. In the flattening mode, the flattening is performed by clamping the surrounding of the spine 2a of the booklet 2 with an upper clamp surface 130a and a lower clamp surface 132a and pressing the swelled spine with the pressing member 222. In the increased folding mode, a fold is stressed by clamping the spine 2a of the booklet 2 with the upper clamp surface 130a and the lower clamp surface 132a. The flattening mode and increased mode are selected in accordance with the sheet number and thickness of the booklet. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a booklet forming apparatus, and more particularly to a booklet forming apparatus that flattens the back of a half-fold 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 has a problem in appearance because the fold portion is likely to swell, and has a problem that it is difficult to stack. For this reason, a booklet processing method is proposed in which the folded booklet is gripped and fixed by a clamping jaw adjacent to the back, and the back is flattened by running the molding roller along the length of the back. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-260564 A

  In the apparatus of Patent Document 1, a forming roller runs from one end of the full length of the booklet to the other end to flatten the spine. However, if the booklet is thin, there is little room for flattening the back of the booklet, so problems such as the entire booklet bends near the back of the booklet and the flat surface extends beyond the thickness of the booklet. Appropriate flattening is difficult.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a booklet forming apparatus capable of producing a booklet that appropriately suppresses the bulge of a fold of a booklet having a wide number and thickness. There is to get.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a booklet forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a gripping unit that grips the front and back of the center folded booklet and a press that presses and flattens the back of the gripped center folded booklet. A booklet forming apparatus comprising: a flattening mode for pressing and flattening the back of a half-folded booklet with the pressing means; and an additional folding mode for holding the back of the middle-folded booklet with the holding means and performing additional folding. Have.

  When the number of sheets constituting a half-fold booklet (hereinafter simply referred to as “booklet”) is small, or when the booklet is thin, the flatness may be changed to reduce the appearance of the back. However, even if the number of paper sheets constituting the booklet (hereinafter simply referred to as “number of booklets”) is small or the booklet is thin, the folds of the folds can be struck only by a momentary pressurization by passing it through the folding roller. It cannot be suppressed sufficiently. Therefore, in the present invention, an additional folding mode in which the back of the booklet is pressed from the front and back using a gripping means for gripping the paper at the time of flattening is added, so that the mode can be appropriately selected depending on the number and thickness of the booklet. Therefore, there is an advantage that a booklet forming apparatus capable of appropriately suppressing the bulge of the fold regardless of the number and thickness of the booklet is obtained.

  The gripping means has an upper clamp surface that abuts on the upper surface around the back of the center folded booklet, and a lower clamp surface that abuts on the lower surface around the back of the center folded booklet. The center-folded booklet is positioned and gripped at a position protruding from the upper clamp surface and the lower clamp surface, and the protruding back is pressed and flattened by pressing means. In the additional folding mode, the back is below the upper clamp surface. It may be stopped between the clamp surfaces, and additional folding may be performed by sandwiching the back between the upper clamp surface and the lower clamp surface.

  According to this aspect, since the additional folding mode can be operated by using the configuration necessary for flattening as it is, there is an advantage that the configuration can be made inexpensively and rationally.

  The flattening mode, the additional folding mode, or user input means for accepting a user's selection input may be provided, or a number acquisition means for acquiring the number of sheets constituting the half-fold booklet. You may have. According to this aspect, there is a merit that the finish desired by the user can be selected and the range of selection is widened.

  The flattening mode may be used if the number of sheets acquired by the number of sheets acquiring means is greater than or equal to the predetermined number, and the additional folding mode may be selected if the number of sheets is less than the predetermined number, or the thickness acquiring means for acquiring the thickness of the half-fold booklet. If the thickness acquired by the thickness acquisition means is equal to or greater than a predetermined thickness, the flattening mode may be used, and if the thickness is equal to or smaller than the predetermined thickness, the additional folding mode may be selected. According to these aspects, since an appropriate process can be automatically selected according to the number or thickness of the booklet, there is a merit that a selection operation becomes unnecessary and it contributes to labor saving.

  It may be possible to automatically select the flattening mode or the pre-addition folding mode for each booklet that is continuously fed. According to this aspect, even when booklets having different numbers for each book are continuously created, there is an advantage that an appropriate mode corresponding to the number of sheets is selected.

  In addition to the flattening mode and the additional folding mode, a non-processing mode in which the booklet is allowed to pass without being stopped may be provided. According to this aspect, when the number of booklets is 2 to 3, or the booklet is very thin, such as a very thin booklet, when the bulge of the fold can be sufficiently suppressed only by momentary pressurization by passing it through the folding roller, a further bulge suppression measure is taken. There is an advantage that processing time can be shortened by omitting.

  According to the booklet forming apparatus according to the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to appropriately suppress the bulge of the folds according to the number and thickness of the wide folded number and thickness of the booklet.

1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of a bookbinding system 10 according to a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the shaping | molding mechanism 93 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. (A) is a front view of the holding mechanism 112 according to the first embodiment, and (b) is a right side view of the holding mechanism 112 according to the first embodiment. (A) is a front view of the locking mechanism 116 according to the first embodiment, and (b) is a right side view of the locking mechanism 116 according to the first embodiment. It is a front view of the press mechanism 118 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a top view of the press mechanism 118 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the screen 300 on which a user performs the setting of setting to flattening mode or additional folding mode. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the planarization process in the shaping | molding mechanism 93 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement of a planarization process. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement of a planarization process. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement of a planarization process. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement of a planarization process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the additional folding process in the shaping | molding mechanism 93 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement of an additional folding process. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement of an additional folding process. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement of an additional folding process. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a sheet thickness detector 1230. It is a typical whole block diagram of the bookbinding system 1010 which concerns on 4th Embodiment. In 5th Embodiment, it is a figure which shows the screen 1300 from which a user selects a mode. It is a top view which shows the structure of the press mechanism 3118 which concerns on 6th 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 schematic overall configuration diagram of a bookbinding system 10 according to the first embodiment. The bookbinding system 10 includes a collating device 18, a saddle stitch folding device 20, a cutting device 22, a booklet forming device 24, and a management device 28.

  The collating device 18 has a plurality (10 in the first embodiment) of paper feed trays 50. The paper feed trays 50 are arranged in the vertical direction. Each of the paper feed trays 50 is provided so as to be moved up and down by operating a motor (not shown). On the paper feed tray 50, paper on which images are formed by various image forming methods such as stencil printing, offset printing, electrophotography, and ink jet is stacked. In each of the sheet feed trays 50, a group of sheets in which a plurality of sheets on which images are formed overlap is set by a bookbinding operator.

  The separation feeding mechanism 52 is provided corresponding to each of the paper feed trays 50. The separation feeding mechanism 52 separates and sends out the uppermost sheet among the sheets stacked on the corresponding sheet feeding tray 50. The separation feeding mechanism 52 employs an air suction type. Since the air suction type separation and feeding mechanism is known, its detailed description is omitted. Of course, a so-called friction type separation / feed mechanism may be provided instead of the air suction type separation / feed mechanism. As described above, each combination of the paper feed tray 50 and the separation feeding mechanism 52 functions as a paper feeding unit that feeds the paper.

  The collating device 18 conveys the sheets fed from the sheet feeding tray 50 one by one through the sheet conveying path 54 and sends them to the saddle stitch folding device 20. Note that the collating device 18 may superimpose the sheets sent out from the paper feed tray 50 on the sheet conveying path 54 and convey them as a sheet bundle and send them out to the saddle stitch folding apparatus 20.

  The saddle stitch folding device 20 performs a saddle stitch folding process on the paper fed from the collating device 18. The sheet fed into the saddle stitch folding device 20 is transported along the transport path 60. The saddle stitch folding device 20 includes a binding mechanism 62, a folding mechanism 72, and a non-folding stacker 73. The binding mechanism 62 and the folding mechanism 72 are disposed around the conveyance path 60.

  The binding mechanism 62 includes a side jogger 66, a stitcher 70, a binding stopper 64, and a back jogger 68.

  A pair of side joggers 66 are provided, and each of the side joggers 66 abuts against a side edge of the sheet bundle in the binding mechanism 62 and positions the position of the sheet bundle in the sheet width direction which is a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction. The binding stopper 64 and the back jogger 68 are in contact with the front end portion and the rear end portion of the sheet bundle prepared by stacking sheets, and position the sheet bundle in the sheet conveyance direction. The stitcher 70 performs a binding process on the sheet bundle positioned by the binding stopper 64, the side jogger 66, and the back jogger 68.

  The folding mechanism 72 is provided on the downstream side of the binding mechanism 62. The folding mechanism 72 performs a folding process for folding the sheet bundle at the bound position on the sheet bundle on which the binding process has been performed by the binding mechanism 62. The folding mechanism 72 has a pair of folding rollers 78, a folding knife 76, and a folding stopper 74.

  When the binding process is performed by the binding mechanism 62, the binding stopper 64 is retracted downward, and the bound sheet bundle is sent to the folding mechanism 72. The sheet bundle sent to the folding mechanism 72 is positioned in the sheet conveying direction when the front end portion contacts the folding stopper 74. Above the transport path 60, a pair of folding rollers 78 are juxtaposed in the paper transport direction so that the axial direction is perpendicular to the paper transport direction.

  The folding knife 76 can move up and down between the pair of folding rollers 78 and below the conveying path 60 by operating a motor (not shown). When the folding knife 76 is raised in a state where the sheet bundle is positioned in the sheet conveying direction by the folding stopper 74, the sheet bundle is wound between the pair of folding rollers 78. The pair of folding rollers 78 folds the sheet bundle by rotating to convey the sheet bundle upward while pinching the sheet bundle with a strong force. The booklet that has been creased by the pair of folding rollers 78 is sent to the belt conveyance mechanism 80 through the binding folded booklet conveyance path 82 that extends upward from the nip portion of the pair of folding rollers 78. The belt conveyance mechanism 80 sends the created booklet to the paper conveyance path 92 of the cutting device 22.

  The folding stopper 74 can be moved back and forth in the transport path 60 by turning on and off the solenoid. When the bookbinding by the saddle stitch folding process is not selected by the user and the bookbinding by the binding process is selected, the binding stopper 64 and the folding stopper 74 are retracted from the conveyance path 60. In this case, the sheets subjected to the binding process by the binding mechanism 62 are stacked on a non-folding stacker 73 provided downstream of the folding stopper 74.

  The cutting device 22 has a three-way cutting mechanism 84. The three-way cutting mechanism 84 cuts the booklet sent from the saddle stitch folding device 20 or three sides of the booklet, the top, and the ground to create a final booklet. The three-way cutting mechanism 84 includes a fore-edge cutting blade 90, a sheet pressing portion 88, a fore-edge cutting stopper 86, a side guide (not shown), and a pair of top and bottom cutting blades (not shown).

  The fore-edge trimming stopper 86 can be moved forward and backward in the paper conveyance path 92 by turning on and off a solenoid (not shown). When cutting a small edge of a booklet, the cutting apparatus 22 causes the small edge cutting stopper 86 to protrude into the paper conveyance path 92 at the timing when the booklet is sent. As a result, the front end of the booklet sent to the cutting device 22 comes into contact with the fore edge cutting stopper 86 and is positioned in the paper transport direction.

  The pair of side guides are arranged on the upstream side in the paper conveyance direction (hereinafter, simply referred to as “upstream side”) with respect to the small edge cutting blade 90, and the cutting device is arranged so that the centers of the booklets conveyed at the center of each interval substantially overlap each other. One is arranged in front of and behind 22. Each of the pair of side guides is formed in a plate shape, extends in the paper transport direction, and protrudes upward from the paper transport path 92. For the pair of side guides, a so-called center distribution method is adopted in which one moves in the paper width direction and the other moves the same distance in the opposite direction. The booklet guided by the side guide and passed between them is aligned to the top and bottom positions that should be aligned before cutting.

  The sheet pressing portion 88 is disposed above the sheet conveyance path 92 on the upstream side from the fore edge cutting stopper 86, and is lowered by operating a motor (not shown). The fore edge cutting blade 90 is provided above the sheet conveyance path 92 on the upstream side of the sheet pressing portion 88 and is lowered when a fore edge cutting motor described later operates. The small edge cutting blade 90 is configured to be movable in the paper conveyance direction via a ball screw mechanism or the like by a small edge cutting blade moving motor described later. One top-and-bottom cutting blade is provided above each sheet conveyance path 92 at the front and rear of the sheet pressing portion 88, and is lowered by operating a top-and-bottom cutting motor described later. The pair of top and bottom cutting blades are also movable in a direction away from or close to each other by a center distribution method. The pair of top and bottom cutting blades move in a direction away from or close to each other via a gear mechanism or the like when a top and bottom cutting blade moving motor described later operates.

  By passing between the side guides, the top and bottom positions are aligned, and the paper pressing portion 88 is lowered and presses the booklet in a state where the paper cutting direction is positioned by the edge cutting stopper 86. With the booklet pressed in this manner, the fore edge cutting blade 90 first cuts the fore edge, and then a pair of top and bottom cutting blades cuts the top and bottom of the booklet. The booklet that has been subjected to the cutting process is conveyed to the booklet forming device 24.

  The booklet forming apparatus 24 has a forming mechanism 93 inside. The forming mechanism 93 performs a so-called “angle forming process” in which the spine is flattened by pressing the spine while holding the front and back of the booklet around the spine. The configuration of the forming mechanism 93 will be described later. The booklet subjected to the forming process in the booklet forming apparatus 24 is conveyed onto the binding / folding stacker 26.

  The management device 28 includes a management PC (Personal Computer) 94, a display 96, a mouse 98, and a keyboard 97. The management PC 94 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, and the like, and is connected to the management device 28, the saddle stitch folding device 20, the cutting device 22, and the booklet forming device 24 so as to be able to transmit and receive data. A display 96, a keyboard 97, and a mouse 98 are connected to the management PC 94.

  The management PC 94 displays a setting screen on the display 96 so that various settings can be input by the user. The user can input various settings using the keyboard 97 and the mouse 98 on this setting screen. When the start button displayed on the display 96 is clicked, the management PC 94 transmits information indicating the setting contents to each of the collating device 18, the saddle stitch folding device 20, the cutting device 22, and the booklet forming device 24. Then, a start signal indicating that the bookbinding process is to be started is transmitted. Each of the collating device 18, the saddle stitch folding device 20, the cutting device 22, and the booklet forming device 24 has a control unit that has a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and controls the operation of the internal mechanism. When received, the bookbinding process based on the received setting content is performed. These control units and management PC 94 will be described below as the electronic control unit 100 as a whole.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the forming mechanism 93 according to the first embodiment. The forming mechanism 93 includes a belt transport mechanism 110, a gripping mechanism 112, and a movable unit 114. The movable unit 114 includes a locking mechanism 116, a pressing mechanism 118, and a belt conveying mechanism 120.

  The belt conveyance mechanism 110 is configured by a pair of belt units in which a belt 122 is engaged with a pair of rollers 124 vertically. The belt conveyance mechanism 110 conveys the booklet carried in from the cutting device 22 to the gripping mechanism 112 while being sandwiched between the pair of belts 122.

  The locking mechanism 116 contacts the back of the booklet conveyed by the belt conveyance mechanism 110 and positions the booklet. The gripping mechanism 112 grips the front and back of the booklet positioned by the locking mechanism 116. The pressing mechanism 118 presses the back of the gripped booklet to flatten it. The movable unit 114 is configured to be movable up and down by, for example, a ball screw mechanism. When the pressing process to the back of the booklet by the pressing mechanism 118 is completed, the electronic control unit 100 lowers the movable unit 114. The belt conveyance mechanism 120 is configured similarly to the belt conveyance mechanism 110. When the booklet is lowered until the booklet is positioned between the pair of belts 122 of the belt conveyance mechanism 120, the electronic control unit 100 stops the lowering of the movable unit 114. The belt 122 sends the booklet that has been subjected to the forming process to the binding and stacking unit 26. Sensors 115 a and 115 b are provided for detecting whether the movable unit 114 is in a raised position where the booklet can be pressed against the back or in a lowered position where the booklet is positioned between the pair of belts 122. Yes. The outer casing of the movable unit 114 is provided with a convex portion 114a. If the sensor 115a detects this convex portion 114a, the movable unit 114 is in the raised position. If the sensor 115b detects the convex portion 114a, the movable unit 114 is in the lowered position. This detection result is sent to the electronic control unit 100.

  FIG. 3A is a front view of the gripping mechanism 112 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3B is a right side view of the gripping mechanism 112 according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the configuration of the gripping mechanism 112 will be described with reference to both FIG. 3 (a) and FIG. 3 (b).

  The gripping mechanism 112 includes an upper gripper 130, a lower gripper 132, a connecting rod 134, a crank disk 136, and a crankshaft 142. The lower gripper 132 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped block shape and is fixed to the casing of the booklet forming apparatus 24. The upper gripper 130 is disposed above the lower gripper 132, and is formed of a drive block 130b formed in a rectangular parallelepiped block shape, a grip plate 130d provided below the drive block 130b, and between the drive block 130b and the grip plate 130d. A spring 130c sandwiched between the two. The upper gripper 130 is configured to be advanced toward the lower gripper 132 by a guide (not shown). An upper grip surface 130a is formed on the lower surface of the grip plate 130d. A lower grip surface 132 a is formed on the upper surface of the lower gripper 132. The booklet carried in from the belt conveyance mechanism 110 is sandwiched between the upper grip surface 130a and the lower grip surface 132a when the upper gripper 130 is lowered, and further spring pressure is applied between the grip surfaces by the spring 130c. Thus, the booklet is gripped.

  An upper end of a connecting rod 134 is rotatably connected to each of the front side and the rear side of the drive block 130b via a shaft 138. The lower end of each connecting rod 134 is connected to each of the two crank disks 136 via a shaft 140 so as to be rotatable. At this time, the connecting rod 134 is connected at a position shifted from the center of the crank disk 136. The two crank disks 136 are fixed to both ends of the crankshaft 142 so as to be coaxial.

  With the above configuration, when the crankshaft 142 rotates, the drive block 130b moves upward or downward via the connecting rod 134. The crankshaft 142 is connected to a crank motor (not shown) via a transmission mechanism (not shown). The electronic control unit 100 controls gripping of the booklet by the gripping mechanism 112 by controlling the operation of the crank motor.

  FIG. 4A is a front view of the locking mechanism 116 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 4B is a right side view of the locking mechanism 116 according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the configuration of the locking mechanism 116 will be described with reference to both FIG. 4 (a) and FIG. 4 (b).

  The locking mechanism 116 includes a movable unit 160 and two ball screws 162. The movable unit 160 has a stopper 164 and a support member 166. The stopper 164 is provided with two guide holes 164b extending in the vertical direction. On the other hand, the support member 166 is provided with two guide pins 168. By inserting each of the two guide pins 168 into each of the two guide holes 164b, the stopper 164 is supported by the support member 166 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The stopper 164 is connected to a solenoid (not shown), and moves upward when the solenoid is turned on. Three locking portions 164 a are provided on the top of the stopper 164. When the stopper 164 advances upward, the locking portion 164a contacts the back of the booklet fed from the belt transport mechanism 110 to position the booklet.

  Two nuts 170 are provided on the support member 166. Each of the two ball screws 162 is screwed into each of the nuts 170. The ball screw 162 is connected to a motor (not shown). The electronic control unit 100 controls the operation of the motor, thereby adjusting the position of the locking unit 164a and adjusting the position of the booklet in the direction perpendicular to the spine. Specifically, the electronic control unit 100 adjusts the position of the booklet so that the back of the booklet approaches a pressing member described later as the number of sheets forming the booklet input by the user increases.

  FIG. 5 is a front view of the pressing mechanism 118 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a top view of the pressing mechanism 118 according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the configuration of the pressing mechanism 118 will be described with reference to both FIG. 5 and FIG.

  The pressing mechanism 118 includes a support unit 200, a pressing member 222, and a cam unit 204. The support unit 200 includes a pair of support brackets 210 and four guide members 212. The pair of support brackets 210 are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction so as to face each other, and each of both ends is fixed to the casing of the booklet forming apparatus 24 via each of the pair of main brackets 244. Each of the support brackets 210 is disposed so as to extend in parallel to the spine 2 a of the booklet 2 held by the holding mechanism 112. Similarly, the guide member 212 is fixed to the support bracket 210 so as to extend in parallel with the spine 2 a of the booklet 2.

  A plurality (18 in the first embodiment) of the pressing units 202 are provided. Each of the pressing units 202 includes a main body bracket 220, a pressing member 222, a first guide pin 224, a second guide pin 226, and a bearing 230. The main body bracket 220 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is disposed between the pair of support brackets 210. At this time, the upper and lower surfaces of each of the main body brackets 220 are in contact with the guide member 212 and the movement in the vertical direction is restricted.

  A pressing member 222 is fixed to the surface of the main body bracket 220 facing the booklet 2. The pressing member 222 is formed in a flat plate shape, and is fixed to the main body bracket 220 so that the pressing surface that presses the spine 2a is perpendicular to the front and back of the booklet 2 gripped by the gripping mechanism 112 and parallel to the spine 2a. The main body bracket 220 is arranged so that the pressing members 222 are arranged at equal intervals in parallel with the spine 2 a of the booklet 2. Thus, each of the plurality of pressing members 222 can press each of a plurality of locations along the back 2 a of the back 2 a of the booklet 2. Note that the pressing member 222 is provided with a curved portion at the end in the extending direction of the spine so that a trace when pressed is difficult to put on the back.

  The second guide pin 226 and the first guide pin 224 are fixed to the main body bracket 220 so that the upper end and the lower end protrude. The support bracket 210 is provided with a long hole extending in the advancing / retreating direction of the pressing unit 202, and the upper end and the lower end of the first guide pin 224 and the second guide pin 226 protruding are inserted into the long hole. As a result, the pressing unit 202 can move in a direction perpendicular to the spine 2a.

  A coil spring 228 is provided between each of the upper end and the lower end of the first guide pin 224 and the support bracket 210. The coil spring 228 is a tension spring and urges the pressing member 222 in a direction away from the spine 2 a of the booklet 2. A bearing 230 is supported on the main body bracket 220 on the opposite side of the surface to which the pressing member 222 is fixed, so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the spine 2a.

  The number of cams 240 is the same as the number of pressing units 202 (18 in the first embodiment). Each of the plurality of cams 240 is fixed to a camshaft 242 whose axial direction is parallel to the spine 2a of the booklet 2 gripped by the gripping mechanism 112. The camshaft 242 is attached to each of the pair of main brackets 244 so that both ends thereof are rotatable via bearings. At this time, each of the plurality of cams 240 is disposed so as to contact the bearing 230 of the pressing unit 202 at the same interval as the interval at which the pressing unit 202 is disposed. The camshaft 242 is connected to the cam drive motor 246 via a transmission mechanism, and the camshaft 242 rotates when the cam drive motor 246 operates.

  Each of the cams 240 pushes the pressing unit 202 toward the spine 2a of the booklet 2 as the cam shaft 242 rotates. In this way, the booklet forming apparatus 24 advances each of the pressing members 222 toward the back 2a of the booklet 2, and causes the pressing member 222 to press the back 2a so as to be flattened.

  Here, the plurality of cams 240 are fixed to the camshaft 242 with a phase difference from each other so that the pressing members 222 are advanced toward the back 2a of the booklet 2 at different timings. Thus, by giving the cams 240 a phase difference from each other, the timing at which each of the pressing members 222 presses the spine 2a can be shifted. Therefore, the force which presses the spine 2a can be suppressed, and an increase in cost due to increasing the rigidity of the pressing mechanism 118 can be avoided. In this way, the cam 240 is given a phase difference, the cam shaft 242 is rotated once, all the pressing members 222 are advanced, and the pressing of the spine 2a is completed.

  In addition, it is not necessary to give a phase difference to all the cams 240 so that the timing which pushes the spine 2a of all the pressing members 222 may differ, for example, some two or more pressing members 222 among all the pressing members 222 A phase difference may be provided in the cam 240 so as to press the spine 2a at the same timing. Also by this, the pressing mechanism 118 can press each of a plurality of locations pressed by the pressing member 222 at any of a plurality of timings.

  Further, the cam 240 may have a phase difference so that the pressing force applied to the spine 2a of the booklet 2 can be balanced across the spine 2a. For example, the cam 240 may be provided with a phase difference so as to press two places having the same distance from the center of the spine 2a. At this time, for example, the cam 240 may be provided with a phase difference so that the two pressing points are gradually separated from the center of the back 2a as the cam shaft 242 rotates, and the two pressing points are provided on the back 2a. The cam 240 may have a phase difference so as to gradually approach each other from both ends toward the center. By balancing the pressing force in this way, it is possible to suppress the inclination of the booklet 2 when the back 2a is pressed.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the management device 28 can select either the flattening mode or the additional folding mode by a user operation. Specifically, on the various setting screens before the start of the apparatus, the flattening mode and the additional folding mode are displayed on the display 96 in a selectable manner, and the user can select one of them by operating the mouse 98 or the keyboard 97. .

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a screen 300 on which the user sets whether to set the flattening mode or the additional folding mode. By operating the mouse 98 to move the cursor 303 and positioning the cursor 303 on the flattening mode button 301 or the additional folding mode button 302 and clicking with the mouse 98, the flattening mode or the additional folding mode is selected. . The selected mode is stored in the electronic control unit 100.

  This screen is not limited to the display 96 but may be an operation panel provided in each apparatus of the bookbinding system 10. The setting of the flattening mode button 301 or the additional folding mode button 302 is not limited to a mouse operation, and may be a switch operation, touch on a touch panel, designation with a touch pen, or the like.

  Next, the procedure of the flattening process when the flattening mode is set in the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the flattening process in the forming mechanism 93 according to the first embodiment. 9 to 12 are diagrams showing the operation of the flattening process.

  When the start button is pressed, the electronic control unit 100 determines whether the movable unit 114 is in the raised position or the lowered position based on the detection results of the sensors 115a and 115b (S02). If it is in the lowered position, the movable unit 114 is raised (S03) and the stopper 164 is raised to wait for the booklet to be carried.

  Next, the back of the loaded booklet is brought into contact with the locking portion 164a of the stopper 164, and the booklet is positioned by the stopper 164 (S04) (FIG. 9). The electronic control unit 100 lowers the upper gripper 130 at the timing when the back of the booklet comes into contact with the stopper 164, and grips the front and back of the back of the booklet with the upper grip surface 130a and the lower grip surface 132a (S05). When the gripping mechanism 112 completes gripping the booklet, the electronic control unit 100 turns off the solenoid and retracts the stopper 164 downward (S06) (FIG. 10).

  Next, the electronic control unit 100 operates the cam drive motor 246 to sequentially advance each of the plurality of pressing members 222 toward the back of the booklet, and presses and flattens the back of the booklet (S07) (FIG. 11). ). The user can input the booklet size to be bound as the finishing size before starting the bookbinding process. The electronic control unit 100 acquires the finishing size thus input. Therefore, the electronic control unit 100 functions as a size acquisition unit that acquires the finished size of the booklet. This finishing size includes the back length of the booklet and the top and bottom length.

  The electronic control unit 100 determines the rotation angle of the camshaft 242 that is sufficient to advance the pressing member 222 that presses the length of the back indicated by the acquired finish size. The electronic control unit 100 supplies a drive signal to the cam drive motor 246 so as to rotate the cam shaft 242 by the determined angle, thereby completing the back pressing process. In this way, the electronic control unit 100 controls the pressing mechanism 118 so that the plurality of pressing members 222 that press the acquired length of the back among all the pressing members 222 are advanced toward the back of the booklet. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the press member 222 which performs what is called idling can be suppressed, and a press process can be completed rapidly.

  When the back pressing process is completed, the electronic control unit 100 lowers the movable unit 114 (S08), operates the motor of the gripping mechanism 112, moves the upper gripper 130 upward, and releases the booklet gripping (S09). ). When the gripping of the booklet is released, the electronic control unit 100 transports the booklet that has been subjected to the forming process and is flattened by the belt transport mechanism 120 (FIG. 12), and discharges it to the binding / folding stacker 26 (S10). ). Thereafter, the process returns to S04 to accept the next booklet. Although not shown in the flowchart, the apparatus stops when the user presses the stop button or finishes flattening all booklets.

  Next, the procedure of the flattening process when the additional folding mode is set in the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the additional folding process in the forming mechanism 93 according to the first embodiment. 14 to 16 are diagrams showing the operation of the additional folding process.

  When the start button is pressed, the electronic control unit 100 determines whether the movable unit 114 is in the raised position or the lowered position based on the detection results of the sensors 115a and 115b (S102). If it is in the raised position, the movable unit 114 is lowered (S103).

  Next, the booklet is stopped at a position where the back of the booklet that has been loaded comes between the upper grip surface 130a and the lower grip surface 132a. This stop is performed by stopping the conveyance by the pair of belts 122 after a predetermined time after the transmission sensor S1 provided between the pair of belts 122 and the gripping mechanism 112 detects the leading edge of the booklet (S104). (FIG. 14).

  When the booklet stops, the electronic control unit 100 lowers the upper gripper 130, sandwiches the back of the booklet from the front and back between the upper grip surface 130a and the lower grip surface 132a, and presses the pressure of the spring 130c to strengthen the fold. (S105) (FIG. 15). After this clamping state is continued for a specified time, the motor of the gripping mechanism 112 is operated to move the upper gripper 130 upward to release the clamping force of the booklet (S106). When the clamping force of the booklet is released, the electronic control unit 100 conveys the booklet by the belt conveyance mechanism 120 (FIG. 16) and discharges it to the binding / folding stacker 26 (S107). Thereafter, the process returns to S104 to accept the next booklet. Although not shown in the flowchart, the apparatus stops when the user presses the stop button or finishes flattening all booklets.

(Second Embodiment)
The booklet forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention acquires the number of booklets in place of the user's selection input in the first embodiment as to whether to use the flattening mode or the additional folding mode. It has a number acquisition means and automatically switches to one of the modes according to the acquired number. The mechanical configuration of the apparatus is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore FIGS. 1 to 6 also show the configuration of the second embodiment. Further, since the operations in the flattening mode and the additional folding mode are the same as those in the first embodiment, FIGS. 8 to 16 also show the operations in the second embodiment.

  The number acquisition means according to the second embodiment will be described. The collating device 18 (see FIG. 1) is provided with a sheet presence / absence detection sensor that detects whether or not sheets are stacked on each sheet feeding tray 50. Although this paper presence / absence detection sensor is not shown, for example, there is a detection arm on the stacking surface of the paper feed tray 50, and the stacked paper defeats this detection arm and detects this, A known sensor such as a transmissive optical sensor provided so that the stacked papers block the optical axis is used.

  The detection result of the paper presence / absence detection sensor is sent to the electronic control unit 100. From the detection result of this sensor, the electronic control unit 100 recognizes how many of the plurality of paper feed trays 50 are loaded with paper, and recognizes this as the number of paper sheets for one book. .

  The electronic control unit 100 stores a reference number of sheets that serves as a reference for setting the flattening mode or the additional folding mode. If the obtained number of sheets is less than the reference number, the additional folding mode is set. Further, if the acquired number of sheets is equal to or more than the reference number, the flattening mode is set.

  For example, assume that the reference number is eight. When sheets are stacked on all the sheet feeding trays 50 of the collating apparatus 18, the sheet presence / absence detection sensors of all the sheet feeding trays 50 detect the sheets, so that the number of sheets for one book is acquired as ten sheets. . The electronic control unit 100 compares the number of sheets of 10 with the reference number of 8 sheets. Since the number of sheets 10 exceeds the reference number 8, the electronic control unit 100 sets the flattening mode. When the user presses the start button, the operation is performed as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, and flattening is performed.

  When sheets are stacked only on five of the sheet feeding trays 50 of the collating device 18, the sheet presence / absence detection sensor of the five sheet feeding trays 50 detects the sheet. The number of sheets for a minute is acquired as 5. The electronic control unit 100 compares the number of sheets of 5 with the reference number of 8 sheets. Since the number of sheets 5 is less than the reference number 8, the electronic control unit 100 sets the additional folding mode. When the user presses the start button, according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 13, the operation is performed as shown in FIGS.

  When the number of sheets for one book is 11 or more, two collating devices 18 may be connected. In that case, out of all of the two paper feed trays 50, the paper feed trays 50 detected by the paper presence / absence detection sensor are counted and acquired as the number of sheets for one book. .

  As the number of sheets increases, the bulge of the fold after folding increases, and the bulge cannot be sufficiently suppressed by simply pinching the fold. When the number of sheets is small, there is little room for deformation when flattening, so the booklet may be bent in the front or back direction near the back, or the flattening width may be uneven. It is easy to damage. In this case, it is better to perform additional folding while pinching the back. Therefore, the maximum number of sheets that may impair the aesthetics of the booklet due to flattening is preferably set as the reference number. Since it is considered that the appropriate reference number varies depending on the thickness and quality of the sheet, the user may be able to input the reference number from the management device 28 or an operation panel (not shown).

  In the second embodiment, the number of sheets stacked on the collating apparatus 18 is acquired as the number of sheets constituting one booklet. You may make it input from. The electronic control unit 100 determines whether to use the flattening mode or the additional folding mode based on the number of sheets input by the user, as compared with the reference number of sheets.

(Third embodiment)
The booklet forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention has a thickness equivalent to one booklet instead of the user's selection input in the first embodiment as to whether the flattening mode or the additional folding mode is set. Thickness information acquisition means for acquiring or inputting thickness information, and automatically selecting one of the modes depending on the thickness of one acquired booklet. The mechanical configuration of the apparatus is the same as that of the first and second embodiments, so FIGS. 1 to 6 also show the configuration of the third embodiment. Furthermore, since the operations in the flattening mode and the additional folding mode are the same as those in the first and second embodiments, FIGS. 8 to 16 also show the operations in the third embodiment.

  Before the flattening process, the user operates through the management device 28 or any of the collating device 18, the saddle stitch folding device 20, the cutting device 22, and the booklet forming device 24 that constitute the bookbinding system 10. It is possible to input thickness information for one book from a panel (not shown).

  The electronic control unit 100 stores a reference thickness that serves as a reference for determining whether to use the flattening mode or the additional folding mode. If the acquired thickness is less than the reference thickness, the additional folding mode is set. Furthermore, if the acquired sheet thickness is equal to or greater than the reference thickness, the flattening mode is set.

  For example, when the reference thickness is 3 mm and the thickness input by the user is 4 mm, the electronic control unit 100 compares the two. Since the thickness of 4 mm exceeds the reference thickness of 3 mm, the electronic control unit 100 is set to the flattening mode. When the user presses the start button, the operation is performed as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, and flattening is performed.

  If the thickness input by the user is 1 mm, the 1 mm is less than the reference thickness of 2 mm, so the electronic control unit 100 sets the additional folding mode. When the user presses the start button, according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 13, the operation is performed as shown in FIGS.

  As the booklet is thicker, the bulge of the fold after folding becomes larger, and the bulge cannot be sufficiently suppressed by simply pinching the fold. Therefore, it is desirable to flatten the booklet. If the booklet is thin, there is little room for deformation when flattening, so the booklet can be bent in the front or back direction near the back or the width of flattening may be uneven. Easy to lose. In this case, it is better to perform additional folding while pinching the back. Therefore, the maximum thickness that may impair the aesthetics of the booklet due to flattening is preferably set as the reference thickness. Since it is considered that the appropriate reference thickness varies depending on the thickness per sheet and the paper quality, the user may be allowed to input the reference thickness from the management device 28 or an operation panel (not shown).

  The thickness information acquisition means in the third embodiment is such that the user inputs the thickness of one booklet, but the electronic control unit 100 automatically recognizes the thickness information by some method. May be recognized.

  For example, a sheet thickness detector 1230 as shown in FIG. 17 is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of paper feed trays 10. The sheet thickness detector 1230 includes a drive roller 1231 and a driven roller 1232 disposed in the sheet conveyance path, and the driven roller 1232 rotatably holding the driven roller 1232. A detection lever 1233 that amplifies the detection lever 1233-N, and a displacement sensor 1234 that detects the displacement of the tip portion of the detection lever 1233.

  The sheet thickness detector 1230 detects the thickness of each sheet supplied from each sheet feed tray 50. By doubling the total value of all the sheet thicknesses, the thickness of the half-folded booklet obtained by overlapping the supplied sheets and folding them in half is obtained.

  In addition, the thickness of the stack of stacked sheets may be detected by an optical displacement sensor before folding in half, or the booklet may be pressed from the front and back after folding in two, and the folds of folds may be removed. Similarly, the thickness may be detected by a sensor in a suppressed state. Alternatively, a measuring instrument that can measure the thickness of the booklet that is folded in half by manually sandwiching the sample may be provided, and the thickness information obtained by the measuring instrument may be transmitted to the electronic control unit 100.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 18 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of a bookbinding system 1010 according to the fourth embodiment. Members having the same configuration as those of the first embodiment are assigned the same numbers. A bookbinding system 1010 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention has a sheet feeder 1018 in place of the collating apparatus 18 of the first embodiment, and in addition to this sheet feeder 1018. A saddle stitch folding device 20, a cutting device 22, a booklet forming device 24, and a management device 28.

  The sheet feeder 1018 has a total of two paper feed trays 1050 and 1051 arranged in the vertical direction. Each of the paper feed trays 1050 and 1051 is provided so that it can be moved up and down by operating a motor (not shown). Similarly to the paper feed tray 50 of the first embodiment, paper on which images are formed by various image forming methods is stacked on the paper feed trays 1050 and 1051. Accordingly, the paper feed trays 1050 and 1051 also function as a paper storage unit that stores paper. In each of the paper feed trays 1050 and 1051, a group of sheets in which a plurality of sheets on which images are formed overlap each other is set by a bookbinding operator.

  The separation feeding mechanism 52 is provided corresponding to each of the paper feed trays 1050 and 1051. Each combination of the sheet feeding trays 1050 and 1051 and the separation feeding mechanism 52 functions as a sheet feeding unit for feeding sheets.

  A plurality of sheets stacked in page order are stacked on the sheet feed tray 1051. The sheet feeder 1018 sequentially feeds one sheet from the sheet feeding tray 1051 to the saddle stitch folding device 20. In the saddle stitch folding device 20, the fed sheets are brought into contact with the stopper 64 and stacked. When the accumulation for one book is completed, the stitcher 70 performs a binding process. Thereafter, the booklet is folded in half to form a saddle-stitched booklet, the peripheral edge is cut, and the back is flattened or further folded.

  A cover sheet is stacked on the upper sheet feed tray 1050, and one sheet is supplied at the beginning or end of one book, or one sheet at the beginning and end, and the lower sheet feed tray 1051 is in contact with the stopper 64. A sheet bundle for one book is formed.

  In the sheet feeder 1018, a sensor S2 is provided above the sheets stacked on the sheet feeding tray 1051. This sensor S2 can read the mark printed on the paper. Of the sheets stacked on the sheet feed tray 1051, the last sheet for one book is provided with a mark that can be read by the sensor S2.

  When the mark is detected by the sensor S2, this detection signal is sent to the electronic control unit 100. Upon receiving this signal, the electronic control unit 100 interrupts the supply of paper from the paper feed tray 1051, feeds a cover sheet from the paper feed tray 1050 as necessary, and performs saddle stitch folding in the saddle stitch folding device 20. The subsequent operation is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  The electronic control unit 100 is provided with a counter that counts the number of sheets for one book. This counter sets the count value to zero before the first sheet forming the booklet is fed, and thereafter increments the value by 1 each time a sheet is fed from the paper feed trays 1050 and 1051. This is repeated until the sheet whose mark is detected by the sensor S2 is fed, and when a cover sheet is further supplied from the paper feed tray 1050, the count value is incremented by 1 as the cover sheet is fed. When the feeding for one book is completed, the electronic control unit 100 stores this count value as the number of sheets for one book. The electronic control unit 100 determines whether to use the flattening mode or the additional folding mode, based on the number of sheets of one sheet, as compared with the reference number, as in the second embodiment. . Further, since the flattening and additional folding operations in each of the flattening mode and the additional folding mode are the same as those in the first, second, and third embodiments, FIGS. 8 to 16 also illustrate the operations in the fourth embodiment. Show. Therefore, also in the fourth embodiment, an appropriate mode can be selected according to the number of sheets.

  In the fourth embodiment, after the saddle stitch folding device 20 performs the binding process for one booklet, the next booklet sheet is started to be carried in and stored. The sheet of the next booklet is sent from the sheet feeder 1080 to the saddle stitch folding device 20 until the sensor S2 detects the mark again. Therefore, even if a plurality of booklets with different numbers of sheets are stacked on the paper feed tray 1051, if the mark is given to the last supplied sheet of one book, this is continuously performed. Can be created. In this case, the electronic control unit 100 counts the number of sheets for each booklet, so even if different numbers of booklets are continuously created, the number of each booklet is counted. Accordingly, the flattening mode and the additional folding mode can be automatically selected and processed for each book.

  Also in the bookbinding system 10 shown in FIG. 1, at least one of the paper feed trays 50 of the collating apparatus 18 is provided with a sensor capable of reading a mark attached to the paper in the same manner as the sensor S2. Until the mark is detected, the paper is continuously supplied from the same paper feed tray 50 and fed to the saddle stitch folding device 20, and the paper is brought into contact with the stopper 64 and accumulated so as to accumulate one book. By counting the number of sheets sent out from the paper feed tray 50 for each book, each of the flattening mode and the additional folding mode is automatically selected and processed for each book as in the fourth embodiment. be able to.

(Fifth embodiment)
The booklet forming apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention has a non-processing mode in addition to the flattening mode and the additional folding mode of the first to fourth embodiments. The non-processing mode is a mode in which neither flattening nor additional folding is performed. In the booklet forming apparatus 24, the movable unit 114 is always lowered, the upper gripper 130 is always raised, and the stopper 164 is always lowered. The loaded booklet is discharged onto the binding / folding stacker 26 by the pair of belts 122 without any processing in the booklet forming apparatus.

  When the number of sheets constituting the booklet is extremely small, for example, when the number of sheets is two, the bulge of the booklet can be sufficiently suppressed only by a momentary press by passing it through the folding roller. In this embodiment, the processing time per book can be reduced by selecting the no-processing mode in such a case.

  FIG. 19 shows a screen 1300 for the user to select a mode in the fifth embodiment. By operating the mouse 98 to move the cursor 303, the cursor 303 is positioned on any one of the flattening mode button 301, the additional folding mode button 302, and the no-processing mode button 304, and the mode is changed by clicking with the mouse 98. select. The selected mode is stored in the electronic control unit 100. This screen is not limited to the display 96, but may be an operation panel provided in each apparatus of the bookbinding system 10, and the mode setting is not limited to the mouse operation, but the switch operation, touch on the touch panel, and designation with the touch pen. It may be the same as in the first embodiment.

  Further, the number of booklets may be acquired by the number acquisition means, and the mode may be determined based on this. In this case, in addition to the reference number of the second embodiment, a second reference number smaller than the reference number is stored, and if the acquired number is less than the second reference number, the non-processing mode is set. Just do it. For example, it is assumed that the second reference number is four in addition to the reference number eight. When the acquired number of sheets is 10, the standard number of sheets is exceeded, so the flattening mode is set. When the acquired number of sheets is 5, the reference number is less than 8, but since the second reference number is more than 4, the additional folding mode is set. When the acquired number of sheets is 3, it is less than 4 of the second reference number of sheets, so the non-processing mode is set.

  Further, the thickness of the booklet may be acquired by the thickness information acquisition means, and the mode may be determined based on this. In this case, in addition to the reference thickness of the third embodiment, a second reference thickness smaller than the reference thickness is stored, and if the acquired number is less than the second reference thickness, the non-processing mode is set. What should I do? For example, it is assumed that the second reference thickness is 0.5 mm in addition to the reference thickness of 3 mm. When the acquired thickness is 5 mm, the thickness exceeds the reference thickness of 3 mm, so that the flattening mode is set. When the acquired thickness is 2 mm, the reference thickness is less than 3 mm, but since the second reference thickness exceeds 0.5 mm, the additional folding mode is set. When the acquired thickness is 0.3 mm, the second reference thickness is less than 0.5 mm, so that the non-processing mode is set.

  Further, this mode determination may be automatically selected according to the number of sheets different for each book as in the fourth embodiment.

(Sixth embodiment)
The sixth embodiment of the present invention has a pressing mechanism 3118 instead of the pressing mechanism 118 of the first embodiment. FIG. 20 is a top view showing the configuration of the pressing mechanism 3118 according to the sixth embodiment. The same parts as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  A pressing mechanism 3118 according to the sixth embodiment includes a pressing member 3222 and a pressing member 501 instead of the pressing member 222, and other configurations are the same as those of the first to fifth embodiments. The pressing member 501 is formed by bending a thin sheet metal into a U shape. Thus, the pressing member 501 is provided with two support portions 501b facing each other and a pressing portion 501a between the two support portions 501b. In the fifth embodiment, the pressing member 501 is formed of a precipitation hardening stainless steel spring material (SUS631-CSP0) having a plate thickness of 0.4 mm. Of course, the material and the plate thickness for forming the pressing member 501 are not limited to this, and other stainless steel materials, other metal materials, or rubber materials such as urethane rubber are used. They may be formed, or may be formed by pasting plate materials of different materials.

  Similar to the pressing member 222 of the first to third embodiments, the pressing member 3222 is fixed to the surface facing the booklet 2 of the main body bracket 220 arranged in parallel with the back 2a of the booklet 2 at equal intervals. Has been. Thereby, each of the plurality of pressure members 3222 presses the pressing member 501.

  The pressing member 501 is disposed so that all the pressing members 3222 are accommodated in the U-shaped opening. Accordingly, the pressing portion 501a is disposed so as to face the back 2a of the booklet 2. Each of the support portions 501b is disposed so as to contact the inside of the side portion 210b of the support bracket 210. On the inner surface of the side portion 210b, there are provided a pin 502 and a pin 503 that are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction and each extend toward the inside of the support bracket 210. On the other hand, the support portion 501b is provided with a long hole 501d extending in the horizontal direction. The long hole 501d is formed longer than the maximum distance between the outer surfaces of the pin 502 and the pin 503. For this reason, when the pin 502 and the pin 503 are inserted into the long hole 501d, the pressing member 501 is supported by the support bracket 210 so as to be slidable in the horizontal direction.

  An end portion of the support portion 501b is provided with a folded portion 501c that is further folded inside. A coil spring 504 is disposed between the folded portion 501c and the folded portion 210a of the support bracket 210. The coil spring 504 applies a biasing force to the pressing member 501 in a direction in which the pressing portion 501a is separated from the spine 2a of the booklet 2.

  As in the first to fifth embodiments, the molding process is performed by bringing the back of the booklet into contact with the locking portion 161a and gripping it with the gripping mechanism each time the booklet is fed, and turning the camshaft 242 clockwise. The pressure member 3222 advances by shifting the timing by 360 °, and the cam 240 advances the timing at a different timing. When the pressure member 3222 advances, the pressing member 501 is pressurized and pressurized. The pressed member 501 is flattened by pressing the back 2a of the booklet 2 at that portion. According to this embodiment, since the pressing member 501 is formed long along the spine 2a, it is possible to prevent a mark due to the outer shape of the pressing member from remaining on the flattened spine 2a.

2 booklet, 2a back, 10 bookbinding system, 18 collating device, 20 saddle stitch folding device, 22 cutting device, 24 booklet forming device, 28 management device, 110 belt conveying mechanism, 112 gripping mechanism, 114 movable unit, 116 locking Mechanism, 118 pressing mechanism, 130 upper gripper, 130a upper clamping surface, 132 lower gripper, 132a lower clamping surface, 164 stopper, 164a locking portion, 200 support unit, 222 pressing member, 230 bearing, 240 cam, 242 camshaft, 246 Cam drive motor, 300 screen, 301 flattening mode button, 302 additional folding mode button, 501 pressing member, 1010 bookbinding system, 1018 sheet feeder, 1230 paper thickness detector, 1300 screen, 3118 pressing mechanism, 3222 pressurization Element.

Claims (7)

Gripping means for gripping the front and back of the back of the half-fold booklet;
In a booklet forming apparatus provided with pressing means for pressing and flattening the back of the gripped folded booklet,
A flattening mode for flattening by pressing the back of the half-fold booklet with the pressing means;
A booklet forming apparatus having an additional folding mode in which a back of a half-folded booklet is gripped by the gripping means and further folded. The gripping means is
An upper clamping surface that comes into contact with the upper surface of the back of the center folded booklet;
A lower clamp surface that contacts the lower surface of the back of the center folded booklet,
In the flattening mode, the center folded booklet is positioned and gripped at a position where the spine protrudes from the upper clamp surface and the lower clamp surface, and the protruded spine is pressed and flattened by the pressing means,
2. The back-folding mode, wherein the back is stopped between the upper clamp surface and the lower clamp surface, and additional folding is performed with the back between the upper clamp surface and the lower clamp surface. Booklet forming equipment.   3. The booklet forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a user input unit configured to accept a user's selection input to select the flattening mode or the additional folding mode.   It has sheet number acquisition means for acquiring the number of sheets constituting the half-fold booklet, and if the number of sheets acquired by the number acquisition means is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the flattening mode is set. The booklet forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   It has a thickness acquisition means for acquiring the thickness of the half-fold booklet, and if the thickness acquired by the thickness acquisition means is equal to or greater than a predetermined thickness, the flattening mode is set. The booklet forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the booklet forming apparatus includes:   6. The booklet according to claim 1, wherein the flattening mode or the pre-addition folding mode can be automatically selected for each booklet that is continuously fed. Molding equipment.   The booklet forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a non-processing mode in which the booklet is allowed to pass without being stopped in addition to the flattening mode and the additional folding mode.

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