JP2012082065A - Folding device, image forming system and stamping position control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically adjust a stamping position to a position separate from a fold position to enable stamping processing when the initially set stamping position interferes with the fold position.SOLUTION: This folding device includes: an accordion-folding part performing accordion-folding processing with respect to paper; a stamping device stamping the accordion-folded paper; and a paper folding controller calculating, based on a length of the accordion-folded paper and the length of the paper, the number of faces obtained as a result of the accordion-folding and the length of each face and changing the stamping position of the stamping means based on a folding position determined from the length of the each face. When the stamping position is overlapped with a fold, the controller automatically changes the stamping position to a position which is not overlapped with the fold to separate from the fold (Steps S504-S513).

Description

  The present invention relates to a folding device, an image forming system, and a stamp position control program. More specifically, the folding device has functions of paper folding and stamping, the folding device and a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and a combination of these functions. The present invention relates to an image forming system provided with an image forming apparatus such as a digital multi-function peripheral, and a stamp position control program for causing a computer to execute the stamp position control executed by the folding apparatus.

  In general, when using an electronic copying machine capable of copying on large sheets such as A0, A1, etc., these large sheets are stored as they are, or if they are handled as large sheets, the storage space becomes large, or Since the handling is inconvenient, the sheet is usually folded and stored and handled. However, when the sheet folding operation is performed manually, a considerable time is required, and the time required for folding the sheet may be longer than the time required for copying. For this reason, there is known an image forming system in which a paper folding machine that can automatically fold a sheet is arranged in a sheet discharge path of a copying machine, and a large sheet that has been copied is continuously folded. ing.

  Also, in the paper folding machine used in such a system, in addition to automatically folding the sheet ejected from the copying machine (online operation), sheets that have already been copied and ejected without being folded, and other images There may be a means (offline operation) for folding a large sheet created by a forming apparatus or the like. When such a large sheet is folded and stored, the sheet is generally folded several times in the vertical and horizontal directions and finally finished to about A4 size.

  There is also a paper folding device provided with a stamp mechanism that stamps the folded paper by mechanical means. However, in a paper folding apparatus provided with this type of stamp mechanism, when performing stamp stamping on a folded sheet, if the stamp is stamped at a position overlapping with the fold after folding the paper, a clean stamped state cannot be obtained.

  Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-25646) proposes a stamp device that automatically adjusts the stamp position to a position that does not interfere with the fold for each paper size and fold type selected by the operator. ing. In the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, after the bellows folding is first repeated in a direction orthogonal to the paper inserted into the apparatus, the conveyance direction is further switched by 90 °, and then the cross folding is performed in a direction orthogonal to the bellows folding. The stamp is stamped in the last step when the large sheet is folded to about A4 size.

  As described above, in the regular fold in which the cross fold is performed after the bellows fold, a large sheet of a standard size up to about A0 size, which is generally defined in advance, is subjected to a bellows fold and a cross fold at a predetermined size, and an A4 size. In the case of an irregularly sized sheet or a sheet having a long size exceeding A0, the sheet is mostly finished with only bellows folded.

  When an irregular or long sheet is adjusted and folded in this way, the folding width of the rear edge will change each time depending on the length of the sheet inserted in the machine. Even if the stamp is to be stamped at a position where it does not interfere, the position must be adjusted each time according to the size of the inserted sheet. However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, since it is configured to change the stamp stamping position according to a predetermined standard paper size and folding method, when a long sheet or the like is folded bellows, The position of the stamp (imprint) cannot be changed corresponding to an appropriate position.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is that when the initially set stamp position and the fold position interfere, the stamp position is automatically adjusted to a position avoiding the fold position. Is to make it possible.

  The first means includes a bellows folding means for performing a bellows folding process on the paper, a stamping means for stamping the bellows folded paper, a length of the bellows folded paper, The number of faces obtained as a result of the bellows folding based on the length, the calculating means for calculating the length of each face, and the stamping means of the stamping means based on the folding position obtained from the length of each face It is characterized by a folding device having a stamp position control means for changing the position.

  The second means is characterized in that, in the first means, the stamp position control means changes the stamp position to a position that does not overlap the fold.

  The third means is characterized in that, in the first or second means, the stamp position control means sets a direction to avoid the fold when the stamp position is changed.

  The fourth means is any one of the first to third means, wherein the bellows folding means has a length L1 of the first folding surface that is folded for the first time when the finish length is Lx. It is characterized by being folded so as to be equal to the length Lx.

  The fifth means further comprises alignment means for aligning the paper folded by the bellows folding means in any one of the first to fourth means, and the stamp position control means is configured to align the paper by the alignment means. The stamping position is changed by moving the position.

  A sixth means is characterized by an image forming system including a folding device according to any one of the first to fifth means.

  A seventh means is a stamp position control program for causing a computer to set and stamp a stamped position on a bellows folded paper, based on the length of the bellows folded paper and the length of the paper Based on the number of surfaces obtained as a result of the bellows folding, the procedure for calculating the length of each surface, and the folding position obtained from the length of each surface calculated in the calculating procedure And a procedure for changing the stamping position of the means to a position that does not overlap the crease.

  In the embodiment described later, the paper is the paper P, the bellows folding means is the bellows folding unit 4, the stamping means is the stamp stamping device 15, the calculation means and stamp position control means are the paper folding controller 100, and the folding device is In the paper folding apparatus 1, the folds are set to the first to fourth folds P1, P2, P3, P4, the setting of the direction to avoid the fold is set in the determination and processing in steps S504, S505, and S509, the alignment means is set in the jogger 13, The forming system corresponds to a system including the copying machine main body 200 and the paper folding apparatus 1, respectively.

  According to the present invention, when the initially set stamp position and the crease position interfere with each other, it is possible to automatically change the stamp position to a position avoiding the fold position and perform the stamp.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a system configuration of an image forming system in which a paper folding device is connected to a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a rear view of the paper folding apparatus shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows adjustment operation of a stamp position, and shows the relationship between a jogger and a paper when a jogger exists in a standby position. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the adjustment operation of the stamp position, showing a state where the jogger moves in the paper discharge direction, corrects the skewed paper posture, and stamps near the leading edge of the paper in the sub-scanning direction. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the adjustment operation of the stamp position, showing a state where the jogger moves in the paper discharge direction, corrects the skewed paper posture and is stamped near the rear end of the paper in the sub-scanning direction. FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a bellows folding operation performed in a bellows folding unit, and shows a state when the leading end of a sheet is guided to a pair of folding rollers. FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a bellows folding operation performed in a bellows folding unit, and shows a state at the time of starting the first fold formation on a sheet. FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a bellows folding operation performed in a bellows folding unit, and shows a state when a first fold is formed on a sheet. FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a bellows folding operation performed in a bellows folding unit, and shows a state at the time of starting the second fold formation on a sheet. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the image forming system in the present embodiment. FIG. It is a front view of the operation part of a paper folding apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state of the paper folded by the bellows. It is a flowchart which shows the stamp position control procedure in this embodiment.

The present invention is characterized in that a fold position is calculated when a sheet is folded on a bellows-folded sheet, and the stamp position is changed so that the stamp position does not overlap the fold.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Overall system configuration>
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a system configuration of an image forming system in which a paper folding device is connected to a copying machine, and FIG. 2 is a rear view of the paper folding device. 1 is a view of FIG. 2 viewed from the direction of arrow B, and FIG. 2 is a view of FIG. 1 viewed from the direction of arrow A.

  1 and 2, the image forming system includes a copying machine main body 200 and a paper folding device 1. The paper folding device is connected to the back surface of the copying machine main body 1 as shown in FIG. The sheet is brought into the sheet folding apparatus 1 online from the back of the apparatus.

  The paper folding apparatus 1 includes a connection conveyance unit 2 as a first paper carry-in port for carrying in a sheet on which an image has been transferred by the copying machine main body 200, an end surface folding unit 3 for folding the end surface of the front end of the sheet, and a sheet conveyance. A bellows folding unit 4 that folds in a bellows-like direction, a conveyance switching unit 5 that switches the conveyance direction of the bellows-shaped paper by 90 °, and a lateral conveyance pressure device 14 that further conveys the sheet after switching the conveyance direction And a stamp imprinting device 15. The conveyance switching unit 5 is provided with a jogger 13 for adjusting the posture of the paper that has entered the conveyance switching unit 5 and adjusting the stamp position in the sub-scanning direction, and a stacker 16 is disposed in the subsequent stage of the stamp stamping device 15. ing. As a result, the paper carried in from the connection transport unit 2 is subjected to a predetermined folding process and a stamping process, and is discharged to the stacker 16.

  The paper folding apparatus 1 further includes a manual feed portion 11 that constitutes a manual feed base 12 as a second paper carry-in port, and is capable of inserting paper offline without passing through the copying machine main body 200. The online operation for carrying in the sheet on which the image is transferred by the copying machine main body 200 and performing the folding process is performed from the operation unit 220 configured in the copying machine main body 200. Further, an offline operation for inserting a sheet from the manual feed unit 11 of the sheet folding apparatus 1 and folding the sheet without passing through the copying machine main body 200 is performed from the operation unit 20 configured in the sheet folding apparatus 1. In addition, in FIG. 1, the detail of the end surface folding part 3 is abbreviate | omitting illustration.

<Online operation: Copier operation>
The online operation for carrying in the sheet on which the image has been transferred by the copying machine main body 200 and performing the folding process is performed as follows.
First, the paper size, folding type, and the like are set from the operation unit 220 of the copying machine main body 200. The copying machine main body 200 is provided with a manual feed table 208 that prints on cut paper and a roll paper feeding device 209 that cuts roll-shaped paper at an arbitrary length and performs printing. One of the paper feeding methods can be selected by operation.

  The copying machine main body 200 prints a document image read by a reading device (not shown) on a paper P fed from either the manual feed table 208 or the roll paper feeding device 209 by a writing device (not shown). The paper P is discharged from a paper discharge port on the back surface of the copier apparatus main body 220, inserted into the paper folding apparatus 1 from the connecting portion 2 of the paper folding apparatus 1, and continuously operated following printing on the paper P. Paper folding is possible. When paper folding is not performed, the copying machine main body 1 switches the conveyance path by a switching claw (not shown), and the printed paper P is discharged from the front surface of the copying machine main body 200.

<Online operation: paper folding operation>
Online folding of the paper P is performed as follows.
The paper P inserted from the copying machine main body 200 into the connection conveyance unit 2 of the paper folding device 1 is guided to the bellows folding unit 4 through the conveyance path in the drawing. At this time, the sheet insertion sensor 18 detects that a sheet has been inserted into the sheet folding apparatus 1 from the copying machine main body 200. A paper length detection sensor 17 is disposed in the vertical conveyance path downstream of the paper insertion sensor 18 in the paper conveyance direction. The paper length detection sensor 17 includes the paper P inserted from the manual feed unit 11 and the copying machine main body 200. The length (paper length) in the sub-scanning direction (conveyance direction) of the paper P carried in is measured.

  When the paper P is conveyed to the bellows folding unit 4, the paper P is folded in a bellows shape that forms a fold in a direction orthogonal to the paper conveyance direction, and the paper P finished with the bellows is sent to the conveyance switching unit 5. At that time, the bellows paper discharge sensor 19 arranged on the downstream side of the bellows folding unit 4 detects the timing of paper discharge of the paper P and at the same time measures the finished length of the bellows folded. The conveyance switching unit 5 is disposed at a position slightly lower than the discharge port of the bellows folding unit 4, and the bellows folded sheet enters the conveyance switching unit 5 so as to fall.

<Transfer switching, stamp operation>
The paper folded in a bellows shape sent to the conveyance switching unit 5 is skew-corrected by the jogger 13, and the conveyance direction is switched by 90 °. At this time, the amount of movement of the jogger 13 is adjusted to fold the bellows. The stamp position of the printed paper P in the sub-scanning direction is also adjusted at the same time.

  3 to 5 are explanatory diagrams showing the adjustment operation at this time, and show the relationship between the jogger 13 and the paper in the transport switching unit. In FIG. 3, the jogger 13 is in the standby position, and the standby position is detected by a home position sensor (not shown). When the jogger 13 is in the standby position, the paper P folded in the bellows enters the conveyance switching unit 5 and falls onto the jogger 13. At that time, the posture of the paper P may be skewed as shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the jogger 13 is slightly moved from the standby position to the right in the figure, but the posture of the paper P skewed in accordance with the movement of the jogger 13 is corrected. Further, when stopped at this position, the stamp 15a can be stamped by the stamp stamping device 15 near the front end of the paper in the sub-scanning direction.

  In FIG. 5, the jogger 13 is further moved rightward. If the stamp is stamped at this position by the stamp stamping device 15, the stamp 15a can be stamped near the rear end of the paper in the sub-scanning direction.

  In this way, the jogger 13 is configured to simultaneously correct the skew of the paper and adjust the stamp position in the sub-scanning direction. However, actual stamping is not performed at this stage.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lateral conveyance pressurizing device 14 normally stands by at the top (dotted line position in FIG. 2) so as not to interfere with the paper entering the conveyance switching unit 5 from the bellows folding unit 4. Thus, after the skew correction and the stamp sub-scanning position adjustment are performed, the sheet is moved to the paper pressing position. The paper pressed by the lateral conveyance press device 14 is transported in the right direction of FIG. 2, that is, laterally transported by switching the transport direction by 90 °. In this transport process, the paper P is temporarily stopped, and the stamp stamping device 15 Stamp 15a is stamped. That is, the adjustment of the stamp position in the main scanning direction of the stamp is performed by changing the temporary stop position of the horizontal conveyance by the horizontal conveyance pressure device 14.

  The stamp stamping device 15 has a vertical mechanism (not shown), and normally stands by at an upper portion that does not interfere with the sheet conveyance path. When stamp stamping is performed, the stamp stamping apparatus 15 is lowered to stamp the sheet P. Yes. After stamping, the lateral conveyance is started again, and the bellows folded paper P is discharged to the stacker 16 and the operation is completed.

<Offline operation>
When the paper P is inserted and processed from the manual feed portion 11 of the paper folding apparatus 1, an offline operation is performed to fold the paper without passing through the copying machine main body 200. In the offline operation, when the paper P to be folded is set on the manual feed tray 12 and the paper P is inserted in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1, the paper size sensor 12a provided at the entrance of the manual feed stand 12 detects the paper insertion. . When paper insertion is detected, at a preset timing, the manual feed roller pair 16 installed on the downstream side of the paper size sensor 12a rotates to hold the paper P and temporarily stops.

  In this state, when the user sets the size, type of folding, and the like of the paper P from the operation unit 20 of the paper folding apparatus 1 and presses the start button, the manual feed roller pair 16 starts to rotate again, and the paper P is moved to an arrow. In the direction and sent to the end face folding section 3. Thereafter, the paper is conveyed to the bellows folding unit 4, the same operation as described in the online operation is performed, and the paper is discharged to the stacker 15.

<Folding bellows>
6 to 9 are operation explanatory views showing the bellows folding operation performed by the bellows folding unit 4.
When the paper P is conveyed to the bellows folding unit 4, a leading edge detection sensor 65 for detecting the leading edge of the paper P is arranged in the vertical conveyance path 3a at the entrance of the bellows folding unit 4, as shown in FIG. A conveyance roller pair 63 is installed on the downstream side. Further, on the extension of the vertical conveyance path 3a, a horizontal conveyance path 4a is set with respect to the vertical conveyance path 3a, and the horizontal conveyance path 4a is perpendicular to the direction in which the conveyance roller pair 63 conveys paper. A first and second pair of folding rollers 61 (61a, 61b) and 62 (62a, 62b) for conveying in the direction are arranged. Further, first and second paper deflecting members 69 and 70 are installed on the side of the conveying roller pair 63, and the paper P is nipped between the second folding roller pair 62 and the first folding roller pair 61, respectively. And the folding direction is switched. Note that the pair of folding rollers 61 and 62 are rotated forward and backward synchronously, and the paper P can be folded in a bellows shape by alternately folding.

  The first folding roller 61 detects the folding width in the horizontal conveying path 4a on the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction of the first folding roller pair 61 and the horizontal conveying path 4a on the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction of the second folding roller pair 62, respectively. A width detection sensor 67 and a second folding width detection sensor 68 are arranged to detect the leading edge of the paper P and the folded end surface of the folded paper P.

  The first and second sheet deflecting members 69 and 70 have arc-shaped trajectories so as to contact the lower folding rollers 61b and 62b, which are the lower folding rollers of the first and second folding roller pairs 61 and 62, respectively. The sheet deflecting members 69 and 70 are reciprocally driven by a drive mechanism (not shown).

  The leading edge of the paper is guided to the vicinity of the second folding roller pair 62 or the first folding roller pair 61 by the first or second paper deflecting members 69 and 70, respectively, and the first and second folding roller pairs 61 and 62 are provided. Enter the nip. At this time, by moving either the first or second sheet deflecting member 69 or 70, it is selected whether the leading end of the sheet enters the nip of either the first or second folding roller pair 61 or 62. Here, the first sheet deflection member 69 guides the second folding roller pair 62, and the second sheet deflection member 70 guides the sheet P to the first folding roller pair 61. That is, when guiding the leading edge of the sheet, as shown in FIG. 6, when guiding the folded portion of the sheet, the guiding is performed as shown in FIGS.

  Further, first and second HP sensor 65, 66 for detecting the first and second paper deflecting members 69, 70 at the upper standby position (home position) are first and second paper deflecting members 69. , 70 is arranged opposite to the upper part of the standby position. The first and second HP sensors 65 and 66 detect the positions of light shielding plates (not shown) provided at the upper ends of the first and second paper deflection members 69 and 70. That is, the first and second HP sensors 65 and 66 are light transmission type sensors, and position detection is performed by blocking the optical path of the sensors by the light shielding plate. A paper detection sensor 64 is also provided on the upstream side of the pair of conveyance rollers 63 to detect that the paper P has been conveyed to the bellows folding unit 4 and discharged from the bellows folding unit 4.

  In the bellows folding unit 4, as shown in FIG. 6, the sheet P conveyed by the vertical conveyance path 3 a is lowered by the first sheet deflecting member 69 so that the leading end of the sheet enters the nip of the second pair of folding rollers 62. The second folding roller pair 62 rotates in the counterclockwise direction shown in the figure to guide the paper P downstream (in the direction of the arrow D1 shown in the figure). The leading end position of the paper P is detected by the second folding width detection sensor 68 and is fed by a length corresponding to the folding width. When fed by the length, the second folding roller pair 62 stops with the paper P nipped. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the first paper deflection member 69 is raised to the home position, and the second paper deflection member 70 is lowered. In the descending process, the leading end of the second paper deflection member 70 comes into contact with the paper P and guides the paper P to the nip of the first folding roller pair 61.

  When the paper P is guided to the nip of the first folding roller pair 61, the paper P is nipped by the first folding roller pair 61 and rotates in the clockwise direction (in the direction of the arrow R2 in the figure). Return to the direction of the arrow D2, and crease is made at the nip of the first pair of folding rollers 61. At this time, the second folding roller pair 61 is also rotated in the R2 direction in the figure.

  8 is further fed in the direction of the arrow D2 by the first folding roller pair 61, the leading edge of the fold of the paper P is detected by the first folding width detection sensor 67, and a folding width position set in advance from the detection position is detected. 9, the first folding roller pair 61 rotates counterclockwise (arrow R1 direction) as shown in FIG. 9, and the sheet P is again moved in the second folding roller pair 62 direction (arrow D1 direction). ). During this time, the second sheet deflecting member 70 waits at the home position, and the first sheet deflecting member 69 is lowered to guide the sheet P to the nip of the second folding roller pair 62, and has a predetermined folding width. The paper P is guided to the nip of the second folding roller pair 62 so as to be. This operation is alternately repeated, and a folding process with a preset number of folding is performed with a preset folding width, thereby completing the bellows folding.

<Control configuration>
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the image forming system in the present embodiment. In this control configuration, the copier apparatus main body 200 and the paper folding apparatus 1 are connected to perform integrated control.
The control of the paper folding apparatus 1 is executed mainly by the paper folding controller 100. The paper folding controller 100 includes an operation unit 20, a manual feeding unit 11, a connection conveyance unit 2, a bellows folding unit 4, a conveyance switching unit 5, and a stamp. The stamping device 15 is connected, and the operation of each unit is controlled by the paper folding controller 100 in timing.

  On the other hand, the copying machine 200 includes a copying apparatus control board 202, to which an operation unit 220 and engine units (not shown) related to document reading and image formation are connected. 202 takes these timings and controls each operation.

  Further, the paper folding controller 100 and the copying machine control board 202 are connected to each other, and can exchange information input through the respective operation units 20 and 220 and information necessary for paper folding, such as paper length information. The paper folding controller 100 controls the selection of the folding method of the bellows, adjustment of the folding width, presence / absence of stamp stamping, and the like based on the information.

  The copying machine control board 202 includes a CPU, and the paper folding controller 100 includes a CPU. These CPUs include a ROM and a RAM (not shown), develop a program stored in the ROM, and execute the control defined by the program while using the RAM as a work area and a data buffer.

<Operation unit>
FIG. 11 is a front view of the operation unit 20 of the paper folding apparatus 1.
In the operation unit 20, each time the paper size selection button 301 is pressed, the paper size that can be passed by the paper folding device 1 is displayed on the paper size display unit 320, and the paper is inserted vertically or horizontally. Whether to insert in the direction is displayed by the selection LED 321. In the case of an indeterminate type other than a standard type or a long sheet, “FrEE” or the like is displayed, and in this case, the sheet is handled as being fed in a uniform vertical direction regardless of whether it is vertical or horizontal. In addition, the paper size display unit 320 can also display errors such as paper jams or a stamp position adjustment failure described later by numerical values, and different numerical values are assigned for each error.

  When the mode selection button 305 is pressed, the selected folding type is displayed on the folding type display unit 322 as a number. In the operation unit 20, the folding type is displayed as a number according to a folding number and folding type correspondence table separately attached to the machine body.

  An initial setting button 306 is a button for entering an initial setting mode. When pressed, the folding type display unit 322 displays an initial setting item number, and the paper size display unit 320 displays a setting value of the initial setting item. The initial setting item number or setting value is changed using the folding type selection button 304.

  In this embodiment, as a means for the initial operator to determine which position on the sheet the stamp should be stamped on, the main scanning stamp position and the sub scanning stamp position of the sheet are included in the initial setting items of the initial setting mode. The configuration is as follows. A means for setting in which direction the stamp position is to be avoided when the stamp position set above overlaps the crease position, which will be described later, is also included in the initial setting items.

  The operation unit 220 of the copying apparatus main body 200 has a configuration that can be set and displayed in the same manner as the operation unit 20, and the content set by the operation unit 220 is the paper folding controller of the paper folding apparatus 1. It is transferred at the timing required for

  In addition, when the paper is folded off-line, the conveyance of the paper is started by pressing the start button 307 after the paper is inserted, and the paper folding is executed.

<Paper folding and stamping operation>
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a bellows folded sheet in the present embodiment, and shows a result of bellows folding of a sheet P having a certain length L. In this example, the finishing length of the paper P folded bellows is 210 mm, that is, the length of the short side of A4 size, and the lengths of the first to fifth surfaces folded in a total of five surfaces are L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5. Further, the leading edge of the sheet is P0, the first to fourth folds are P1, P2, P3, P4, and the trailing edge is P5. The first to fourth folds P1 to P4 are positioned from the sheet end surface. The distance is defined as the first to fifth folding position lengths F1, F2, F3, F4, and F5.

  In this example, the third surface length L3 and the fourth surface length L4 are surfaces subjected to adjustment folding in the paper length L, and the third surface length L3 and the fourth surface L4 depend on the paper length L. Or the number of faces to be adjusted is changed. The finishing length of the paper P folded in this way is Lx, which is the length measured by the bellows discharge sensor 19.

  By the way, in the example of FIG. 12, when the stamp is stamped at a position overlapping the second fold line P2 and the fourth fold line P4, the stamp is stamped across the final surface and the first surface. In addition, since it is located below the fifth surface at the position overlapping the third fold line P3, it is not stamped across the second and fourth fold lines P2, P4. However, in FIG. 12, since the folding surface of the sheet P is three on the right side of the third fold line P3 and five on the left side, the thickness of the sheet P below the stamping surface is different. Therefore, the stamp surface of the stamp at the time of stamping is not uniformly pressed against the paper, and a beautiful printing result cannot be obtained. Of course, stamping cannot be performed at a position overlapping P0 which is the leading end of the sheet or P5 which is the trailing end of the sheet. In the example of FIG. 12, since the first fold line P1 overlaps the rear end portion P5, the first fold line P1 cannot be stamped naturally. For this reason, it is necessary to stamp the stamp avoiding the position where it overlaps with the paper leading end P0, the paper trailing end P5, and the first to fourth folds P1 to P4. A stamp printing result can be obtained.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the position where the stamp cannot be stamped is obtained as follows.
When the stamp origin of stamp main scanning is the paper leading edge P0, first, the main scanning range in which stamp stamping is possible is:
0 <stamp main scanning range <Lx
It becomes.

The range includes the first to fourth folds P1 to P4 and the paper rear end P5, and the positions P1 to P5 are also positions where stamp stamping cannot be performed. Ask. The required procedure is
F1 ← L1
F2 ← (L1-L2)
F3 ← (F2 + L3)
F4 ← (F3-L4)
F5 ← (F4 + L5)
Can be obtained as

In other words, except for the first folding position length F1, even numbers and odd numbers can be generalized as follows.
When the total folding surface is n, if the odd folding position length is F (noded) and the even folding position length is F (neven),
F (nodd) ← F (n-1) + Ln
F (neven) ← F (n-1)-Ln
It becomes. That is, the folding position length is obtained from the first folding position length F1 to the nth folding position length Fn by the above formula.

  By the way, in the initial setting mode, the main scanning position of the initial stamp stamping and in which direction the stamp stamping is to be avoided when the position and the crease overlap are preset. Specifically, it is set whether to avoid the stamp closer to the crease (minus position) or away from the paper leading edge P0 (plus position). Based on these settings, the final stamp stamp position is finally determined by the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 13, first, it is confirmed that the initial stamp stamp position set in the initial setting mode is within the stamp main scanning range (step S501). If it is within this range, it is confirmed that the stamp position does not overlap any of the first to n-th folding position lengths F1 to Fn (step S502). If it can be confirmed that they do not overlap, stamp stamping is performed at the initial stamp stamping position (step S503).

  On the other hand, if the stamp stamping range is exceeded in step S501, the initial stamp stamping position set in the initial setting mode may be outside the stamp main scanning range if the value of 0 or less cannot be set. Therefore, the stamp position may be reset to the minus position. Therefore, after resetting the stamp stamp position in the minus direction (step S509), it is confirmed that the reset position is greater than 0 (step S510). If it is 0 or less, stamp stamp error processing described later is performed (step S513). Next, it is confirmed again that the folding position lengths F1 to Fn do not overlap (step S511), and if they overlap, the processing from step S509 is executed again. If they do not overlap, stamp stamping is executed at the reset stamp position (step S512).

  If the initial stamp stamp position overlaps any of the folding position lengths F1 to Fn in step S502, it is confirmed whether or not the direction for avoiding the stamp is a positive setting in the initial setting mode (step S504). If it is not a positive setting, the processing from step S509 to step 513 is executed. If it is a positive setting, the processing from step S505 to step S508 or the processing branching from step S506 to step S513 is executed. That is, if it is a positive setting to avoid the stamp stamp position in step S504, the stamp stamp position is reset in the plus direction (step S505), and it is confirmed whether the reset stamp stamp position is less than Lx ( In step S506), if it is less than Lx, it is located within the possible stamping range of the paper, so it is confirmed again that the stamp stamping position does not overlap any of the folding position lengths F1 to Fn (step S507). . If they overlap, the processing from step S505 is executed again. If they do not overlap, stamp stamping is executed at the reset stamp position (step S508). If the stamp stamp position reset in step S506 is equal to or greater than Lx, error processing is executed in step S513.

As a result of resetting the stamp position, if the reset stamp position exceeds the stamp main scanning range, stamp error processing is executed in step S513. As this stamp error processing, the stamp is stamped anywhere. The code may be displayed on the paper size display unit 320 to indicate a stamp error, or may be processed so as to be stamped at the initial stamp position set in the initial setting mode. However, when the original stamp position is stamped, the print result is not clean, but the processing is performed as unavoidable due to the relationship between the stamp main scanning range and the crease position.
Each position described above is determined in consideration of the size of the stamp, that is, the stamp diameter.

The above position setting will be described with a specific example.
The first to nth folding surface lengths L1 to Ln are calculated as follows.
The first folding surface length L1 and the second folding surface length L2 are determined according to the folding type designated before the operation is started. The finished length Lx is preferably a standard size, and 210 mm, which is the short side length of the A4 size, is often used. In addition, since a length such as 170 mm or 297 mm is selected, selectable folding types include 170 mm folding, 210 mm folding, and 297 mm folding. In addition, since a file folding shape with a binding margin is also performed, 210 mm file folding or the like can be selected.

  By the way, when folding a sheet with the paper folding apparatus, it is more advantageous for the accuracy with respect to the finishing length Lx to start folding with the length corresponding to the finishing length Lx as the first folding surface length L1. For example, if 210 mm folding is selected, the first folding surface length L1 is 210 mm and the second folding surface length L2 is 210 mm. If 210 mm file folding is selected, the first folding surface length is 210 mm. L1 is still 210 mm, and the second folding surface length L2 may vary depending on the size of the binding margin required. However, since the binding margin is generally about 20 mm to 40 mm, it is 190 mm to 170 mm.

Basically, the length after the third folding surface length L3 is the same as the second folding surface length L2. For example, in the case of the finished shape of FIG. 12, the length is folded up to the second folding surface length L2. When the remaining length at the time is Lz,
(L2 × 3)>Lz> L2
The length after the third folding surface length L3,
L5 ← L2
L3 <-(Lz-L2) / 2
L4 ← L3
It asks like this. Here, the comparison is made with a value three times the second folding surface length L2 because the shape of FIG. 12 is a file folding shape, the final surface has a title column, and the total number of surfaces is an odd number. Because I want to.

If there is no reason to fold that way,
(L2 × 2)>Lz> L2
After judging in
L3 ← Lz ÷ 2
L4 ← L3
As above, all four surfaces may be used.

  Whether the file is folded or not, the third folding surface length L3 and the fourth folding surface length L4 are adjusted and folded according to the remaining length of the paper.

  In the above example, the total number of surfaces as shown in FIG. 12 is described as five or four. However, even in the case of longer paper, the remaining length is always lost when one surface is folded after the second surface. And the length of each surface up to the remaining Ln is determined.

  If the longest folding surface length as shown in FIG. 12 is finished in a form having a finishing length Lx, when folding is started from a short fifth folding surface length L5, each surface is folded. Accumulation of the mechanical error to the folding width of the sheet is all applied to the first folding surface length L1, and it is difficult to maintain the accuracy of the finishing length Lx. On the other hand, when the folding starts from the first folding surface length L1, for example, if the length of the fourth folding surface length L4 is adjusted to be longer, the fifth folding surface length L5 becomes shorter, and the fifth folding position length The length F5 can be made shorter than the first folding position length F1, and the accuracy of the finishing length Lx can be managed with the accuracy of only the first surface.

<Calculation of each length and storage of results>
The calculation of each folding length as described above is executed by the paper folding controller 100, and each calculated value is stored and held in a memory, for example, a RAM mounted on the paper folding controller 100.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
1) Even if the position of the fold is adjusted and changed depending on the length of the paper, the position of the fold is obtained from the fold size of each surface, and it is possible to obtain a beautiful stamp print by avoiding stamp stamping at the overlapping position. it can.
2) Even when the stamp position initially set by the adjustment fold needs to be changed by setting in advance in which direction the stamp position should be adjusted when the crease and the stamp position overlap, the adjustment position Can be determined as desired by the operator.
3) The stamp main scanning position adjusting means can be simplified by adjusting the stamp position by a jogger that corrects the posture of the sheet.
4) Since the paper length information when performing the bellows folding can be received from the connected copying apparatus, the adjustment folding can be performed based on the received paper length information.
5) Since the sensor capable of detecting the length of the paper is provided with a manual feed table, a manual insertion slot, and the like, even if the paper is output from an apparatus other than the image forming apparatus connected to the paper folding apparatus, a crease is avoided. Can be stamped.
There are effects such as.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention, and all technical matters included in the technical idea described in the claims are included. The subject of the present invention. The above embodiment shows a preferred embodiment, but those skilled in the art can realize various alternatives, modifications, variations, and improvements from the contents disclosed in this specification. These are included within the scope defined by the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Paper folding apparatus 4 Bellows folding part 15 Stamp stamping apparatus 100 Paper folding controller 200 Copying machine main body P Paper P1, P2, P3, P4 Crease

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-25646

Claims (7)

Bellows folding means for performing bellows folding processing on paper;
Stamping means for stamping the bellows folded paper;
Calculating means for calculating the length of the bellows folded, the number of faces obtained as a result of the bellows folding based on the length of the paper, and the length of each face;
A stamp position control means for changing the stamp position of the stamp means based on the folding position obtained from the length of each surface;
Folding device with The folding device according to claim 1,
The folding apparatus, wherein the stamp position control means changes the stamp position to a position that does not overlap the folding position. The folding apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The folding apparatus, wherein the stamp position control means sets a direction to avoid the folding position when changing the stamp position. The folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The bellows folding means is configured to fold such that the length L1 of the first folding surface that is folded for the first time is equal to the finishing length Lx when the finishing length is Lx. The folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An alignment means for aligning the paper folded by the bellows folding means;
The folding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stamp position control means changes the stamp position by moving the position of the paper by the aligning means.   An image forming system comprising the folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A stamp position control program for setting a stamp position on a bellows-folded paper and causing the computer to stamp it,
A procedure for calculating the length of the bellows folded, the number of faces obtained as a result of the bellows folding based on the length of the paper, and the length of each face;
A procedure for changing the stamping position of the stamping means to a position that does not overlap with the crease based on the folding position obtained from the length of each surface calculated in the procedure for calculating,
A stamp position control program comprising: