JP2012158465A - Sheet folding device and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet folding device capable of performing various kinds of folding processing for a sheet without decreasing the productivity while simplifying the structure of the device to prevent an increase in the device size, and an image forming system having the same.SOLUTION: A sheet reversing path is provided where front and rear ends in the conveying direction of a sheet conveyed from the first folding part are reversed for a sheet conveying path on the downstream side of the first folding position in the sheet conveying direction and on the upstream side of the second folding position in the sheet conveying direction. A control means performs control to switch the conveying direction of a sheet allotting means for allotting a sheet conveying direction as to whether the sheet that has passed through the first folding part is to be conveyed toward the sheet reversing path or conveyed toward the second folding part without passing through the sheet reversing path according to the content of the folding processing performed for the sheet.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet folding apparatus that performs a process of folding a sheet, and an image forming system including the sheet folding apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Paper folding devices that perform various types of folding processing on paper are known. Such a sheet folding apparatus is connected to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, whereby an image forming system capable of performing a user's desired folding process on a sheet on which an image is formed. Many are used as.

  As a paper folding device that performs folding processing on paper, a loop is formed on the paper by further applying a transport force to the paper while abutting against the abutting member that regulates the leading edge of the paper conveyed to the folding processing section. At the nip portion of the pair of folding rollers that are in pressure contact with each other and reversely rotated, the formed loop is bitten to crease the paper, and the paper is folded and pinched by the pair of folding rollers and conveyed. 2. Description of the Related Art A sheet folding device that performs a folding process by a method called folding is known. The buckle folding does not require the sheet to be stopped in order to fold the sheet, and has an advantage that the productivity of the folding processing product is high.

  Depending on the type of paper used, the paper may be curled or wavy. In the buckle folding, the shape of the loop formed when folding the paper with such curling phenomenon and wavy is different from the assumed shape. There is also a problem of a decrease in folding accuracy such as displacement.

  Further, as a sheet folding device that performs a process of folding a sheet by a method different from the buckle folding, a folding roller on the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction (hereinafter simply referred to as “upstream side”), and the sheet conveyance with respect to the folding roller. It has a folding processing section composed of a folding roller on the downstream side in the direction (hereinafter simply referred to as “downstream side”) and a pair of conveying rollers in contact with the upstream and downstream folding rollers. The sheet is stopped in a state where the sheet is held at two positions, a nip portion between the upstream folding roller and the conveying roller in contact therewith, and a nip portion between the downstream folding roller and the conveying roller in contact therewith, and then the upstream The side folding roller and the downstream folding roller are pressed against each other, and the upstream folding roller and the downstream folding roller are rotated in opposite directions to form a loop in the paper, and the upstream side A crease is formed in the paper by biting the loop at the nip between the roller and the downstream folding roller, and the paper is folded and held by the pair of folding rollers as it is. A sheet folding apparatus that performs folding processing is also known.

  The above-mentioned grip folding has a short loop portion of the paper formed at the time of folding processing, so even if the paper is curled or wavy, the expected loop shape and actual The difference from the shape of the formed loop is reduced. Therefore, there is an advantage that the folding accuracy due to the waviness and curl generated on the paper is small, and the folding processing can be performed on the paper with high accuracy.

  The grip folding has a problem in that the number of steps for folding the paper in the folding process performed on the paper is long, and the processing takes time, and the productivity of the folded product is lower than the buckle folding.

  There are various methods for folding a sheet in the sheet folding apparatus, including the example described above. In addition to the folding process that requires a single fold, such as a middle fold, the type of folding process that is performed on the paper requires two or more folds such as a Z fold, an outer trifold, and an inner trifold. Folding processing is generally known, and a sheet folding device that performs folding processing that requires these two or more foldings is known.

  As a paper folding apparatus that performs folding processing that requires such a second folding, a plurality of folding parts for folding paper are provided, and after a first folding is performed on a paper at a certain folding part, the paper is folded to another folding paper. A paper folding apparatus has been proposed that is configured to be conveyed to a paper sheet and to be folded a second time at another folding part (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  If the paper folding device that performs folding processing that requires folding twice is configured to perform folding twice on the paper at one folding portion, the paper on which the subsequent folding processing is performed is the preceding paper. Until the second folding of the sheet is completed, it is necessary to take a measure such as waiting at a predetermined position upstream of the folding unit in the sheet conveyance direction or increasing the sheet feeding interval. However, with the configuration as described above, when the first folding of the preceding paper is completed and the paper is conveyed to the folding portion where the second folding is performed, the subsequent paper is folded the first time. It is possible to improve the productivity of the folding processing product because the first folding can be performed after being conveyed to the folding section where the folding is performed.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a first folding processing unit that performs grip grip folding on a paper provided on a paper transport path, and performs the grip folding provided on the paper transport path and the paper transport path. And the second folding processing unit in which the positional relationship between the pair of folding rollers and the first folding processing unit is the same as the positional relationship in the first folding processing unit, and the grip folding provided on the paper transport path and A third folding processing unit having a positional relationship between the paper conveyance path and the pair of folding rollers opposite to the positional relationship in the first folding processing unit; The paper folded in the folding processing unit is conveyed to the second folding processing unit or the third folding processing unit, and is folded in the first folding processing unit in the second folding processing unit or the third folding processing unit. Against paper Image forming apparatus including the sheet post-processing apparatus that performs folding processing Te are proposed.

  According to the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the paper on which the image is formed needs to be folded twice, and the fold attached in the first fold described above in the second fold is used as the head. When performing folding processing that should be creased by directing the paper in the direction opposite to the first folding, the paper folded in the first folding processing section is conveyed to the third folding processing section. When performing folding processing that should be directed to the paper in the same direction as the first fold on the paper with the first fold attached at the first fold, the first fold processing unit folds the paper. By conveying the received paper to the second folding processing unit, it is possible to perform various types of folding processing on the paper on which an image is formed without reducing the productivity.

JP 2004-196477 A

  However, in order to perform the various types of folding processing as described above without reducing the productivity, as described in Patent Document 1, the folding processing unit that performs the second folding on the paper is used for the first time on the paper. There are two folding processing sections, a folding processing section that has the same positional relationship as the positional relationship between the paper conveyance path and the pair of folding rollers in the folding processing section that performs folding, and a folding processing section that has the opposite positional relationship. In addition, it is necessary to provide a total of three folding processing units in addition to the folding processing unit that performs the first folding on the paper. This has caused a problem that the apparatus becomes large.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and various folding processes can be performed on a sheet without reducing productivity while simplifying the structure of the apparatus and preventing the apparatus from becoming large. An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet folding device and an image forming system including the same.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a first folding unit that performs a process of folding a sheet by conveying the sheet to the head while forming a crease at the first folding position with respect to the sheet, and the first folding unit A process of folding the sheet by conveying the sheet to the head of the fold while making a crease at the second fold position with respect to the sheet conveyed from the first folding unit provided further downstream in the sheet conveying direction is performed. A sheet that has been conveyed from the first folding unit and provided to a second folding unit and a sheet conveying path downstream from the first folding position in the sheet conveying direction and upstream from the second folding position in the sheet conveying direction. A paper reversing path for reversing the leading and trailing ends of the paper in the transport direction, and a sheet that has passed through the first folding section is transported toward the paper reversing path, or is directed to the second folding section without passing through the paper reversing path. Transported Or the sheet reversing unit in the process of conveying the sheet from the first folding unit to the second folding unit according to the content of the folding process performed on the sheet. Control means for controlling the direction of the paper distribution means to switch between a direction in which the paper is transported toward the path and a direction in which the paper is transported without passing through the paper reversing path. It is a folding device.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a positional relationship between the first folding position and the sheet conveying path upstream of the first folding position in the sheet conveying direction, and the sheet conveying from the second folding position and the first folding position. 2. The sheet folding device according to claim 1, wherein the positional relationship with the sheet conveyance path on the downstream side in the direction and upstream of the second folding position in the sheet conveyance direction is opposite to each other.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the folding process performed on the sheet requires the second folding, and the first folding is performed on the sheet having the first folding in the second folding. In the folding process in which the paper should be directed in a direction opposite to the folding of the paper, the control means sets the direction of the paper sorting means so that the first folding is performed at the first folding portion. The second folding unit is controlled to switch to a direction in which the second folding unit is transported to the second folding unit without passing through the paper reversing path, and the second folding unit performs the second folding on the first folded sheet. The sheet folding device according to claim 2, wherein folding is performed.

  In the invention according to claim 4, the folding process performed on the sheet requires the second folding, and the first folding is performed on the sheet having the first folding in the second folding. In the case of folding processing in which the paper should be directed in the same direction as the folding of the paper, the control means sets the direction of the paper sorting means so that the first folding is performed at the first folding portion. Control is performed so as to switch the paper in the direction in which the paper is conveyed toward the paper reversing path, and the first and rear ends of the paper with respect to the conveyance direction are reversed. The sheet folding apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the second folding is performed.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the folding process performed on the paper is a folding process that requires only one folding, the first folding is performed at the first folding unit, and the second folding is performed. The sheet folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sheet is allowed to pass through without being folded in the section.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit that forms an image on a paper; and the paper folding apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects. The image forming apparatus is connected to a folding condition setting means for setting a condition relating to a folding process performed by the paper folding apparatus, or an image forming system for a paper on which an image is formed by the image forming means. A folding condition recognition unit for recognizing a folding processing condition set by an external device, and a folding processing condition set by the folding condition setting unit or recognized by the folding condition recognition unit The sheet folding device performs a predetermined folding process on the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit. An image forming system according to.

  According to the paper folding device and the image forming system including the same according to the present invention, the paper folded at the first folding portion is advanced by the paper reversing path according to the content of the folding processing performed on the paper. By carrying the paper while reversing the direction, it is possible to perform various types of folding on the paper without reducing the productivity, while preventing the enlargement of the device by using only two folding parts. It is.

1 is a configuration diagram of an entire image forming system including a sheet folding device according to the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an image forming system including a sheet folding device according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the 1st folding part at the time of folding a paper. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the paper folding apparatus at the time of performing a middle folding process with respect to a paper in 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the paper folding apparatus at the time of performing Z folding process with respect to paper in 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the paper folding apparatus at the time of performing a 4-fold process with respect to a paper in 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the paper folding apparatus at the time of performing an inner trifold process with respect to a paper in 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the paper folding apparatus at the time of performing Z folding process with respect to paper in 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the paper folding apparatus at the time of performing an inner trifold process with respect to a paper in 2nd embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming system provided with a sheet folding device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The image forming system 1 includes an image forming apparatus 2 and a sheet folding apparatus 3 connected to the image forming apparatus 2. The image forming apparatus 2 includes a scanner unit 21 as an image forming unit, a printer unit 22, a paper feeding unit 23, an operation unit 24, and the like.

  The scanner unit 21 includes an automatic document feeder 211, a document reading slit glass 212, an optical system 213, a CCD image sensor 214, and the like.

  The printer unit 22 includes a photosensitive drum 221, a charging unit 222, an exposure unit 223, a developing unit 224, a transfer unit 225, a cleaning unit 226, a fixing unit 227, and the like.

  The paper feed unit 23 includes a plurality of paper feed trays 231, 232, 233 and the like on which various types and sizes of paper are stacked.

  The operation unit 24 includes a touch panel LCD panel 241 that can be operated by a user touching it with a finger, a numeric keypad 242 for inputting numerical values, a start key 243 for instructing execution of image formation, and the like. Yes.

  In addition to setting or recognition on the size of the paper and the image formed on the paper in the external device (not shown) connected to the operation unit 24 or the image forming system 1 as the folding condition setting means or the folding condition recognition means, the image Various settings or recognitions including the contents of the folding process in the sheet folding device 3 connected to the forming device 2 are made. When the start key 243 is pressed, the document placed on the document table of the automatic document feeder 211 is transported onto the document reading slit glass 212, and light applied to the document from a fixed light source (not shown). Is reflected by the CCD image sensor 214 through an optical system 214 including a mirror 215, a lens 216, and the like.

  Based on the signal relating to the document image read by the CCD image sensor 214 of the scanner unit 21, the LD 2231 of the exposure unit 223 irradiates the photosensitive drum 221 uniformly charged by the charging unit 222 with a laser beam, An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 221. Thereafter, a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 221 by the developing unit 224, and the toner image is transferred to a predetermined sheet conveyed from the paper supply unit 23 in the transfer unit 225.

  The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 221 without being completely transferred to the paper in the transfer unit 225 is removed in the cleaning unit 226. On the other hand, in the fixing unit 227, heat and pressure are applied to the paper on which the toner image is transferred in the transfer unit 225, whereby the toner image is fixed on the paper and an image is formed.

  When the output mode is the single-sided output mode, the sheet is conveyed in the direction of the discharge roller pair 201 by the guidance of the branch claw 228 and is discharged from the discharge roller pair 201 to the sheet folding device 3. On the other hand, when the output mode is the double-sided output mode, the sheet is conveyed in the direction of the reverse roller pair 229 by the guidance of the branching claw 228, and the conveyance direction is reversed by the reverse roller pair 229 and then conveyed on the conveyance path a. Then, the photosensitive drum 221 enters the transfer unit 225 with the surface on which no image is formed facing. Then, the toner image corresponding to the image on the back surface is transferred to the paper in the transfer unit 225, the toner image is fixed in the fixing unit 227, and is discharged from the discharge roller pair 201 to the paper folding device 3.

  The sheet folding device 3 includes a conveyance path A, a conveyance path B, a first folding section 31, a second folding section 32, a sheet reversing path D, a reversing roller pair 35, a paper discharge tray 304, and the like.

  The sheet on which an image is formed in the image forming apparatus 2 and discharged from the discharge roller pair 201 is carried into the sheet folding apparatus 3 by the carry-in roller pair 301. When the setting that the folding process is not performed on the sheet is made in the operation unit 24 or an external device (not shown) connected to the image forming system 1, the loaded sheet is guided by the branching claw 302 to the transport path A. The sheet is conveyed in the direction and discharged from the discharge roller pair 303 to the discharge tray 304.

  On the other hand, when the setting for performing a predetermined folding process on the paper is performed in the operation unit 24 or an external device (not shown) connected to the image forming system 1, the paper carried in from the carry-in roller pair 301 is The paper is conveyed in the direction of the conveyance path B by the guidance of the branch claw 302, temporarily stopped at the registration roller pair 305, and the conveyance of the sheet is corrected after correcting the inclination of the sheet in the direction perpendicular to the entry direction entering the first folding unit 31. Resumed.

  The sheet whose conveyance has been resumed enters the first folding unit 31. Depending on the content of the folding process set in the operation unit 24 or an external device (not shown) connected to the image forming system 1, a predetermined folding process is performed by an operation described later in the first folding unit 31 and / or the second folding unit 32. Is done.

  Further, according to the set folding process, the first folded portion 31 transports the first folded paper to the paper reversing path D, reverses the paper traveling direction, and then performs the second folding. By carrying it to the part 32 and performing the second folding in the second folding part 32 and providing only two folding parts, various folding processes can be executed without reducing the productivity. It is possible. The operation at this time will also be described later.

  The sheet subjected to the folding process in the first folding unit 31 and / or the second folding unit 32 is conveyed toward the discharge roller pair 303 and is discharged from the discharge roller pair 303 to the discharge tray 304.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image forming system 1 in the embodiment of the present invention. Components equivalent to those described in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 2 includes a scanner unit 21, a printer unit 22, a paper feed unit 23, an operation unit 24, and an image formation control unit 25. The image formation control unit 25 includes a scanner unit 21, a printer unit 22, a paper feeding unit 23, and an operation unit 24 in accordance with image formation contents set in the operation unit 24 or an external device (not shown) connected to the image forming system 1. Control the operation of each part. In addition, the image forming control unit 25 supplies a sheet to the folding control unit 300 of the sheet folding device 3 according to the content of the folding process set in the operation unit 24 or an external device (not shown) connected to the image forming system 1. It is possible to instruct each part in the folding device 3 to operate appropriately.

  The sheet folding device 3 includes a first folding unit 31, a second folding unit 32, each branch claw provided in the sheet folding device 3, a conveyance roller, a reversing roller, and the like, and a sheet conveyance unit (not shown) that drives them. The system 37 includes a folding control unit 300 as control means for controlling the operation of each unit of the sheet folding device 3. The folding control unit 300 includes a first folding unit 31, a second folding unit 32, and a sheet conveyance system 37 according to the content of the folding process set in the operation unit 24 or an external device (not shown) connected to the image forming system 1. Control the operation of each part.

  Next, details of the folding operation of the grip folding performed on the paper in each of the first folding unit 31 and the second folding unit 32 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of the grip folding operation by taking the first folding part 31 as an example.

  The first folding unit 31 includes a sensor 311 as means for detecting paper, an upstream folding roller 312, a downstream folding roller 313, an upstream conveying roller 314 that is in pressure contact with the upstream folding roller 312, and a downstream side. A downstream conveying roller 315 that is in pressure contact with the folding roller 313, and a guide member 316 that is rotatably provided on the rotation shaft of the upstream conveying roller 314 and guides the sheet at the first folding portion 31.

  As described above, when the setting for performing a predetermined folding process on the paper is performed in the operation unit 24 or an external device (not shown) connected to the image forming system 1, the paper is guided by the branching claw 302. The sheet is conveyed in the direction of the conveyance path B, temporarily stopped by the registration roller pair 305, and after the inclination of the sheet in the direction orthogonal to the entry direction entering the first folding unit 31 is corrected, the conveyance is resumed. The sheet whose conveyance has been resumed enters the first folding unit 31. The leading edge of the paper that has entered the first folding portion 31 is detected by the sensor 311.

  The upstream folding roller 312 is rotated by a stepping motor M1 as a drive source (not shown). At the stage where the sheet enters the first folding unit 31, the upstream folding roller 312 is rotated in the direction (counterclockwise) in which the sheet is conveyed by driving the stepping motor M1. At this time, the upstream conveying roller 314 that is in pressure contact with the upstream folding roller 312 is rotated in the opposite direction (clockwise) to the upstream folding roller 312 by the follower.

  The downstream folding roller 313 is adapted to transmit the drive of the upstream folding roller 312. When the sheet enters the first folding unit 31, the upstream folding roller 312 and the downstream folding roller 313 are in a separated state. At this time, the gear X for driving transmission is engaged with the gear provided on the rotating shaft of the upstream folding roller 312 indicated by the dotted line and the gear provided on the rotating shaft of the downstream folding roller 313. The downstream folding roller 313 rotates in the same direction (counterclockwise) as the upstream folding roller 312. At this time, the downstream conveying roller 315 that is in pressure contact with the downstream folding roller 313 is rotated in the opposite direction (clockwise) to the downstream folding roller 313 by being driven.

  Further, at this time, the guide member 316 is retracted to a retracted position that does not interfere with the sheet entering the first folding portion 31. When the upstream folding roller 312 and the downstream folding roller 313 are separated from each other by a drive system (not shown), the guide member 316 is located at the retracted position in the upstream folding roller 312 and the downstream folding roller 313. Are in contact with each other at the guide positions for guiding the paper.

  In the configuration described above, the sheet detected by the sensor 311 is conveyed between the upstream folding roller 312 and the upstream conveying roller 314 as shown in FIG. 3A, and further the downstream folding roller. It is transported between 313 and the downstream transport roller 315. When the paper is transported to a predetermined position according to the content of the folding process set in advance, the driving of the stepping motor M1 is stopped, and the upstream folding roller 312 and the upstream transport roller 314 are stopped at the predetermined position. And the nip portion between the downstream folding roller 313 and the downstream conveying roller 315 are stopped in a state where they are supported.

  Whether or not the sheet has been conveyed to a predetermined position corresponding to the content of the folding process is determined by, for example, calculating the amount of rotation of the folding roller 312 on the upstream side when the stepping motor M1 is driven by one step in advance. This is recognized by whether or not the stepping motor M1 has been driven for a predetermined step after 311 detects the leading edge of the paper. Note that the drive source for the upstream folding roller 312 is not limited to the stepping motor. For example, when a DC motor is used as the upstream drive roller 312, the sensor 311 detects the leading edge of the paper. Then, the driving of the DC motor may be stopped when a predetermined time has passed.

  When the sheet is stopped at a predetermined position corresponding to the content of the folding process, the gear X for driving transmission is retracted, and the upstream folding roller 312 and the downstream folding roller 313 are pressed against each other. At this time, the guide member 316 is rotationally moved to a guide position for pressing the sheet in the nip direction between the upstream folding roller 312 and the downstream folding roller 313.

  Next, the stepping motor M1 resumes driving in the same direction as during paper conveyance. As shown in FIG. 3B, when the driving of the stepping motor M1 is resumed, the upstream folding roller 312 is counterclockwise and the downstream folding roller 313 is in pressure contact with the upstream folding roller 312 and the upstream side. The transport roller 314 is rotated in the clockwise direction by the follower, and the downstream transport roller 315 in pressure contact with the downstream folding roller 313 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction.

  When the driving of the stepping motor M1 is resumed, a nip portion between the upstream folding roller 312 and the upstream conveying roller 314 at a predetermined position, a nip portion between the downstream folding roller 313 and the downstream conveying roller 315, and A loop is formed on the paper that has been stopped while being held at the two locations. At this time, since the sheet is directed by the guide member 316 toward the nip portion between the upstream folding roller 312 and the downstream folding roller 313 which is the first folding position, the upstream folding roller 312 and the downstream side are surely connected. A loop is formed in the nip direction with the folding roller 313.

  When the driving of the stepping motor M1 continues, the formed loop approaches the nip portion between the upstream folding roller 312 and the downstream folding roller 313, which is the first folding position, and eventually the upstream rotating in the opposite direction. The loop is caught in the nip portion between the folding roller 312 on the side and the folding roller 313 on the downstream side, and the sheet is creased. As shown in FIG. 3 (c), the creased sheet is sandwiched and conveyed between the upstream folding roller 312 and the downstream folding roller 313 rotating in opposite directions. The

  The above is the details of the operation of the first folding unit 31 when grip folding is performed on the paper in the first folding unit 31. On the other hand, the second folding part 32 is provided downstream of the first folding part 31 in the paper transport direction. The second folding unit 32 includes a sensor 321 as a means for detecting paper, an upstream folding roller 322, a downstream folding roller 323, and an upstream conveying roller 324 in pressure contact with the upstream folding roller 322. A downstream conveying roller 325 that is in pressure contact with the downstream folding roller 323, a guide member 326 that guides the sheet at the second folding portion 32 that is rotatably provided on the rotation shaft of the upstream conveying roller 324, It is composed of

  The second folding unit 32 performs a process of folding the paper conveyed from the first folding unit 31 by performing an operation equivalent to the operation at the time of grip folding in the first folding unit 31 described above. Further, the nip portion between the upstream folding roller 312 and the downstream folding roller 313, which is the first folding position where the sheet is creased in the first folding portion 31, and the transport path B upstream from the nip portion. And the nip portion between the upstream folding roller 322 and the downstream folding roller 323, which is the second folding position where the sheet is creased at the second folding portion 32, and the upstream side of the nip portion and the second folding position. The positional relationship with the conveyance path C downstream from the folding position is such that the positional relationship is opposite to each other.

  Next, the operation of the sheet folding device 3 when performing the middle folding process on the sheet will be described with reference to FIGS. When setting is made to perform a folding process on the paper in the operation unit 24 or an external device (not shown) connected to the image forming system 1, the paper is carried into the paper folding device 3 from the pair of carry-in rollers 301. The sheet thus conveyed is conveyed in the direction of the conveyance path B by the guidance of the branching claw 302.

  Then, the registration roller pair 305 corrects the inclination of the sheet with respect to the entry direction in which the sheet enters the first folding unit 31, and the conveyance is resumed. The sheet whose conveyance has been resumed is conveyed toward the first folding unit 31, and the leading edge thereof is detected by the sensor 311.

  At this time, the upstream folding roller 322 and the downstream folding roller 323 that are downstream from the nip portion between the upstream folding roller 312 that is the first folding position and the downstream folding roller 313 and the second folding position are A branching claw 33 provided as a paper distribution means provided on the upstream side of the nip portion of the nip portion of the first fold portion directly directs the second conveyance direction of the paper conveyed from the first folding portion 31 to the second folding portion 32. It is controlled by the folding control unit 300 so as to be rotationally moved to a position directed in the direction of conveyance to the folding unit 32.

  Stepping is performed when the sheet advances by half the length in the conveyance direction on the intersection P1 between the conveyance line B and the perpendicular line dropped from the nip portion between the folding roller 312 on the upstream side and the folding roller 313 on the downstream side to the conveyance path B. The driving of the motor M1 is stopped, and the sheet is fed at two locations: a nip portion between the upstream folding roller 312 and the upstream conveying roller 314, and a nip portion between the downstream folding roller 313 and the downstream conveying roller 315. Each is stopped in the state of carrying.

  Then, the sheet is folded by the above-described grip folding operation, and the sheet is conveyed in the direction of the branching claw 33 with the fold as the head in the folded state. As described above, since the branching claw 33 is rotated and moved to a position in which the conveyance direction of the sheet is directed to the direction in which the sheet is conveyed directly to the second folding part 32, the sheet is attached at the first folding part 31 by the guidance of the branching claw 33. It is conveyed in the direction of the second folding part 32 with the fold as the head.

  When the folding process performed on the sheet is a middle fold, the sheet folded in the first folding unit 31 passes through the second folding unit 32 without being folded. In this case, when the leading edge of the sheet is detected by the sensor 311, the upstream folding roller 322 and the downstream folding roller 323 are in pressure contact with each other.

  Similarly to the case where the first folding portion 31 is described as an example, the upstream folding roller 322 and the downstream folding roller 323 are pressed against the second folding portion 32 and the guide member 326 guides the sheet. It is configured to be rotationally moved to the guide position.

  When the upstream folding roller 322 and the downstream folding roller 323 are pressed against each other, driving of a stepping motor M2 (not shown) that rotates the upstream folding roller 322 is started. As the driving of the stepping motor M2 starts, the upstream folding roller 322 rotates clockwise, and the downstream folding roller 323 and the upstream conveying roller 324 that are in pressure contact with the upstream folding roller 322 are each counterclockwise. The downstream conveying roller 325 that is rotated and pressed against the downstream folding roller 323 is rotated in the clockwise direction.

  The sheet conveyed with the fold leading to the second fold portion 32 in a state where the upstream folding roller 322 and the downstream folding roller 323 are pressed against each other and the guide member 326 is at the guide position is guided by the guide member 326. The leading fold is guided in the direction of the nip portion between the upstream folding roller 322 and the downstream folding roller 323, and the upstream folding roller 322 and the downstream folding roller 323 rotate in opposite directions. The first fold 31 is conveyed with the crease attached at the top.

  As described above, the sheet that has been folded at the position half the length in the sheet conveyance direction and has undergone the intermediate folding process is conveyed from the conveyance path E toward the discharge roller pair 303 and discharged from the discharge roller pair 303. It is discharged to the tray 304.

  Next, the operation of the sheet folding device 3 when performing the Z-folding process or the outer trifolding process on the sheet will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 5. If the external unit (not shown) connected to the operation unit 24 or the image forming system 1 is set to perform the Z-folding or the outer tri-folding process on the sheet, the sheet folding device is set by the carry-in roller pair 301. 3 is conveyed in the direction of the conveyance path B by the guidance of the branching claw 302.

  Then, the registration roller pair 305 corrects the inclination of the sheet with respect to the entry direction in which the sheet enters the first folding unit 31, and the conveyance is resumed. The sheet whose conveyance has been resumed is conveyed toward the first folding unit 31, and the leading edge thereof is detected by the sensor 311. At this time, the branch claw 33 is rotated and moved to a position in which the conveyance direction of the sheet conveyed from the first folding unit 31 to the second folding unit 32 is directed to the direction in which the sheet is conveyed directly to the second folding unit 32. Controlled by

  When the Z-folding process is performed on the sheet, the driving of the stepping motor M1 is stopped when the sheet advances on the point P1 by a quarter of the length in the transport direction, and the sheet is moved to the upstream folding roller 312. It is stopped in a state where it is carried at two locations, a nip portion with the upstream conveying roller 314 and a nip portion between the downstream folding roller 313 and the downstream conveying roller 315.

  When the outer tri-fold process is performed on the sheet, the driving of the stepping motor M1 is stopped when the sheet advances on the point P1 by one third of the length in the conveyance direction, and the sheet is folded upstream of the folding roller 312. And the upstream conveying roller 314 and the downstream folding roller 313 and the downstream conveying roller 315 are held in two supported states.

  Then, a crease is made at a predetermined position of the sheet by the above-described grip folding operation, and the sheet is conveyed in the direction of the branching claw 33 with the fold as the head in the folded state. As described above, since the branching claw 33 is rotated and moved to a position in which the conveyance direction of the sheet is directed to the direction in which the sheet is conveyed directly to the second folding part 32, the sheet is attached at the first folding part 31 by the guidance of the branching claw 33. It is conveyed in the direction of the second folding part 32 with the fold as the head.

  When the Z-folding process or the outer tri-fold process is performed on the sheet, the second folding unit 32 performs the second folding on the sheet, so the sheet folded at the first folding unit 31 is the second folding unit. When transported to 32, the stepping motor M2 is driven in a state where the upstream folding roller 322 and the downstream folding roller 323 are separated from each other.

  When performing the Z-folding process on the sheet, the sheet conveyed to the second folding unit 32 is conveyed from the nip portion when the upstream folding roller 322 and the downstream folding roller 323 are in pressure contact with each other. The drive of the stepping motor M2 is stopped when the vertical line that has been lowered to the path C and the intersection P2 with the transport path C have advanced by one third of the length in the transport direction, and the sheet is upstream of the upstream folding roller 322 and the upstream. It is stopped in a state where it is carried at two locations, a nip portion with the transport roller 324 on the side and a nip portion between the folding roller 323 on the downstream side and the transport roller 325 on the downstream side.

  When the outer three-fold process is performed on the sheet, the driving of the stepping motor M2 is stopped when the sheet conveyed to the second folding unit 32 advances on the point P2 by half the length in the conveyance direction, The sheet is stopped in a state where the sheet is carried at two locations, a nip portion between the upstream folding roller 322 and the upstream conveying roller 324 and a nip portion between the downstream folding roller 323 and the downstream conveying roller 325. .

  How long the paper has advanced on the point P2 is determined by whether or not the stepping motor M2 has been driven by a predetermined step after the leading edge of the paper has been detected by the sensor 321. When it is determined that only the stepping motor M2 has been driven, the driving of the stepping motor M2 is stopped.

  When the sheet is stopped at a predetermined position, the upstream folding roller 322 and the downstream folding roller 323 that have been separated from each other are pressed against each other and the guide member 326 rotates and moves to the guide position, thereby driving the stepping motor M2. Is resumed. Then, a crease is made at a predetermined position of the sheet by the above-described grip folding operation, and the sheet is conveyed and folded with the crease at the head.

  The paper that has been folded a second time in the second folding section 32 and completed the Z-folding process or the outer tri-folding process is transported from the transport path E in the direction of the discharge roller pair 303, and is discharged by the discharge roller pair 303. Is discharged.

  Next, the operation of the sheet folding device 3 when performing a four-fold process on the sheet will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 6. When the paper is folded in four, the paper folded in the first folding unit 31 is passed through the paper reversing path D, as in the case of performing the Z-folding process or the outer tri-folding process on the paper. Instead, the sheet is conveyed directly toward the second folding unit 32, and the second folding unit 32 folds the sheet a second time.

  First, in the case where the operation unit 24 or an external device (not shown) connected to the image forming system is set to perform a folding process on the sheet, the pair of carry-in rollers 301 enters the sheet folding apparatus 3. The loaded paper is conveyed in the direction of the conveyance path B by the guidance of the branching claw 302.

  Then, the registration roller pair 305 corrects the inclination of the sheet with respect to the entry direction in which the sheet enters the first folding unit 31, and the conveyance is resumed. The sheet whose conveyance has been resumed is conveyed toward the first folding unit 31, and the leading edge thereof is detected by the sensor 311. At this time, the branch claw 33 is rotated and moved to a position in which the conveyance direction of the sheet conveyed from the first folding unit 31 to the second folding unit 32 is directed to the direction in which the sheet is conveyed directly to the second folding unit 32. Controlled by

  The driving of the stepping motor M1 is stopped when the sheet advances on the point P1 by half the length in the conveyance direction, and the sheet is folded at the nip portion between the upstream folding roller 312 and the upstream conveying roller 314, and the downstream folding. The roller 313 is stopped in a state where the roller 313 and the conveying roller 315 on the downstream side are respectively supported at two positions.

  Then, a crease is made at a predetermined position of the sheet by the above-described grip folding operation, and the sheet is conveyed in the direction of the branching claw 33 with the fold as the head in the folded state. As described above, the branching claw 33 is rotated and moved to a position in which the paper conveyance direction is directly directed to the second folding part 32, so that the paper is attached at the first folding part 31 by the guidance of the branching claw 33. It is conveyed in the direction of the second folding part 32 with the fold as the head.

  Next, the driving of the stepping motor M2 is stopped when the sheet conveyed in the direction of the second folding section 32 advances on the point P2 by half of the length in the conveying direction, and the sheet is upstream of the upstream folding roller 322 and the upstream. It is stopped in a state where it is carried at two locations, a nip portion with the transport roller 324 on the side and a nip portion between the folding roller 323 on the downstream side and the transport roller 325 on the downstream side.

  Then, a crease is made at a predetermined position of the paper by the above-described grip folding operation, and the paper that has been subjected to the folding process by folding is discharged from the transport path E with the crease attached at the second fold part 32 as the head. The paper is conveyed in the direction of the roller pair 303 and is discharged from the discharge roller pair 303 to the paper discharge tray 304.

  Next, the operation of the sheet folding apparatus when performing the inner tri-fold process on the sheet will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 7. When the inner tri-fold process is performed on the paper, unlike the case where the Z-fold process or the outer tri-fold process is performed on the paper, the paper folded in the first folding unit 31 is moved in the paper reversing path D direction. The paper is transported, the front and rear ends in the transport direction are reversed, and then transported to the second folding unit 32 where the second folding is performed on the paper for the second time.

  First, when the setting is made to perform the inner trifold folding process on the paper in the operation unit 24 or an external device (not shown) connected to the image forming system 1, the paper folding device 3 is set by the carry-in roller pair 301. The paper carried in is conveyed in the conveyance path B direction by the guidance of the branching claw 302.

  Then, the registration roller pair 305 corrects the inclination of the sheet with respect to the entry direction in which the sheet enters the first folding unit 31, and the conveyance is resumed. The sheet whose conveyance has been resumed is conveyed toward the first folding unit 31, and the leading edge thereof is detected by the sensor 311. At this time, the branching claws 33 and 34 are controlled by the folding control unit 300 so as to be rotationally moved to a position in which the conveyance direction of the sheet conveyed from the first folding unit 31 to the second folding unit 32 is directed in the sheet reversing path D direction. The

  When the sheet conveyed in the direction of the first folding unit 31 advances on the point P1 by one third of the length in the conveyance direction, the driving of the stepping motor M1 is stopped, and the sheet is upstream of the upstream folding roller 312 and the upstream. It is stopped in a state where it is carried at two locations, a nip portion with the transport roller 314 on the side and a nip portion between the folding roller 313 on the downstream side and the transport roller 315 on the downstream side.

  Then, a crease is made at a predetermined position of the sheet by the above-described grip folding operation, and the sheet is conveyed in the direction of the branching claw 33 with the fold as the head in the folded state. As described above, the branching claws 33 and 34 are rotated and moved to a position in which the paper conveyance direction is directed to the paper reversing path D direction, so that the paper is folded at the first folding portion 31 by the guidance of the branching claws 33 and 34. Is conveyed in the direction of paper reversing path D.

  The sheet conveyed in the sheet reversing path D direction is conveyed by the reversing roller pair 35. A sensor 36 is provided in the vicinity of the reversing roller pair 35. When it is detected that the paper conveyed to the paper reversing path D has passed the sensor 36, the branching claw 34 removes the paper from the paper reversing path D. The reversing roller 35a, which has been rotated counterclockwise by a driving source (not shown), is rotated in the clockwise direction so as to be guided so as to be conveyed in the direction of the two-fold portion 32, and the sheet is first rotated. The crease attached at the fold part 31 is conveyed toward the second fold part 32 by the guidance of the branch claw 34 as the rear end.

  The drive of the stepping motor M2 is stopped when the sheet conveyed in the direction of the second fold 32 with the fold attached at the first fold 31 as the rear end advances on the point P2 by half of the conveyance direction, and the sheet is unloaded. It is stopped in a state where it is carried at two locations, a nip portion between the upstream folding roller 322 and the upstream conveying roller 324 and a nip portion between the downstream folding roller 323 and the downstream conveying roller 325.

  Then, a crease is made at a predetermined position of the paper by the grip folding operation described above, and the paper that has been subjected to the inner tri-fold process by being folded is discharged from the conveyance path E with the crease attached at the second fold part as the head. The paper is conveyed in the direction of the roller pair 303 and is discharged from the discharge roller pair 303 to the paper discharge tray 304.

  Assume that the inner fold processing is carried to the second fold 32 starting from the fold attached at the first fold 31 without reversing the leading and trailing edges of the first folded paper with respect to the carrying direction. This is a folding process in which the direction in which the loop is formed on the sheet when performing the second folding should be the same as the direction in which the loop is formed in the first folding in the first folding unit 31.

  The direction in which a loop is formed with respect to the sheet when the sheet is conveyed with the first fold as the first fold is the loop in the first fold in the first fold unit 31. When the folding process should be performed on the paper in the same direction as the direction in which the paper is formed, the paper folded in the first folding unit 31 is guided in the paper reversing path D direction, and the leading and trailing edges with respect to the transport direction are reversed. In addition, by conveying in the direction of the second folding portion 32, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the nip portion between the upstream folding roller 312 and the downstream folding roller 313 which is the first folding position. And the conveyance path B upstream of the nip portion, the nip portion between the upstream folding roller 322 and the downstream folding roller 323, which is the second folding position, and the upstream side of the nip portion. And first Even when the positional relationship with the conveyance path C on the downstream side of the feeding portion 31 is opposite to each other, a desired folding process is performed on the sheet without newly providing a folding portion. Can be done.

  As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the sheet conveyed from the first folding unit 31 to the branch claw 33 is directly folded into the second folding depending on the type of folding processing performed on the sheet. The folding control unit 300 controls to switch between conveying to the unit 32 or switching the sheet to the second folding unit 32 after reversing the leading and trailing edges in the sheet conveyance direction via the sheet reversing path D; By providing only two portions, it is possible to perform various types of folding processing on the paper without reducing the productivity while preventing the apparatus from becoming large.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the sheet folding device 3 includes a nip portion between the upstream folding roller 312 and the downstream folding roller 313 that are the first folding position, and upstream from the nip portion. And the conveyance path B on the side, the nip portion between the upstream folding roller 322 and the downstream folding roller 323, which is the second folding position, upstream from the nip portion and from the first folding position. Since the positional relationship with the downstream conveyance path C is opposite to each other, the space in the sheet folding device 3 can be used as a space for providing a sheet conveyance path and the like. Miniaturization can be realized.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the sheet conveyed from the first folding unit 31 is directly conveyed to the second folding unit 32 or the sheet reversing path according to the type of folding process performed on the sheet. The example in which the folding control unit 300 controls to switch whether the leading and trailing ends in the sheet conveyance direction are reversed and then conveyed to the second folding unit 32 via D has been described. Depending on the surface on which the image is formed, its orientation, the user's request, etc., the paper conveyed from the first folding part 31 should be conveyed directly to the second folding part 32 or the paper via the paper reversing path D. There is a possibility that whether or not the front and rear ends with respect to the transport direction should be reversed and transported to the second folding portion 32 is different.

  Depending on the type of folding process performed on the sheet, not only the surface on which the image is formed but also various factors such as the orientation of the sheet, the sheet conveyed from the first folding unit 31 is directly second. Various types of control are performed by switching between the conveyance to the folding unit 32 or the conveyance of the paper to the second folding unit 32 after reversing the leading and trailing ends with respect to the conveyance direction of the sheet via the sheet reversing path D. The folding process according to the user's needs can be performed on the sheet while realizing the productivity and the downsizing of the apparatus.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing the configuration of the sheet folding device 3 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment of the present invention, the nip portion between the upstream folding roller 322 and the downstream folding roller 323, which is the second folding position where the sheet is folded at the second folding portion 32, The positional relationship between the conveyance path C upstream of the nip portion and downstream of the first folding portion 31 is that the upstream folding roller 312 that is the first folding position where the sheet is folded at the first folding portion 31. The configuration is such that the positional relationship is the same as the positional relationship between the nip portion with the downstream folding roller 313 and the transport path B upstream from the nip portion.

  And it was conveyed from the 1st folding part 31 demonstrated in 1st embodiment of this invention with respect to the conveyance path C of the downstream from the 1st folding part 31, and the upstream from the 2nd folding part 32. A paper reversing path D is provided in which the front and rear ends with respect to the paper transport direction are reversed and transported in the direction of the second folding portion 32.

  The operation at the time of folding the paper in each of the first and second folding sections is the same as that described in the first embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment of the present invention, a nip portion between the folding roller 322 upstream of the second folding portion 32 that is the second folding position and the folding roller 323 downstream, and upstream of the nip portion and The positional relationship with the conveyance path C downstream from the first folding portion 31 is that the nip portion between the folding roller 313 on the upstream side of the first folding portion 31 that is the first folding position and the folding roller 312 on the downstream side, Since the positional relationship is the same as the positional relationship with the conveyance path B upstream from the nip portion, the sheet conveyed from the first folding portion 31 is directly compared with the first embodiment of the present invention. The case where the sheet is conveyed to the second folding unit 32 and the case where the sheet is conveyed to the second folding unit 32 after reversing the leading and trailing ends in the sheet conveyance direction via the sheet reversing path D are reversed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the Z-folding process or the outer tri-fold process is performed on the paper, the front and rear ends of the paper conveyed from the first folding unit 31 with respect to the paper conveyance direction via the paper reversing path D In the case where the folding control unit 300 controls to rotate the branch claw 33 so that it is conveyed to the second folding unit 32 after being reversed, and the inner folding process is performed on the sheet as shown in FIG. The folding control unit 300 controls to rotate the branch claw 33 to a position in which the conveyance direction of the sheet conveyed from the first folding unit 31 is directly directed to the second folding unit 32.

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention, for example, when the discharge roller pair 303 and the discharge tray 304 are on the left side of the conveyance path E in FIGS. There is an advantage that the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 304.

  In such a case, the length of the conveyance path through which the sheet is conveyed from the second folding unit 32 to the sheet discharge tray 304 is shortened, so that the sheet after the folding process is completed is discharged to the sheet discharge tray 304. The possibility of disturbance on the conveyance path is reduced, and the reliability of the folding processing product with respect to folding accuracy can be improved.

  Similarly to the case described in the first embodiment of the present invention, even the same type of folding processing is conveyed from the first folding unit 31 depending on the surface on which the image is formed, the direction thereof, and the like. The paper may be transported directly to the second folding unit 32 or may be transported to the second folding unit 32 after reversing the leading and trailing edges in the paper transport direction via the paper reversing path D. There is.

  Also in the second embodiment of the present invention, as described in the first embodiment of the present invention, not only according to the type of folding processing performed on the sheet, but also the surface on which an image is formed. In consideration of various factors such as the orientation of the sheet, the sheet conveyed from the first folding unit 31 is directly conveyed to the second folding unit 32, or the leading and trailing ends with respect to the sheet conveying direction are reversed via the sheet reversing path D. Then, the folding control unit 300 controls to switch whether the sheet is conveyed to the second folding unit 32, so that the folding processing according to the needs of various users can be performed and the size of the apparatus can be reduced. Can be performed on the sheet while realizing the above.

  In the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the case where the sheet is folded by grip folding at the first and second folding portions has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Regardless of the method of folding the paper, the folding control unit 300 conveys the paper conveyed from the first folding unit 31 to the second folding unit 32 toward the paper reversing path D in the course of the conveyance. By controlling to switch the direction of the branching claw 33 to the direction in which the paper is conveyed without going through the paper reversing path D, various folds can be made while preventing the apparatus from being enlarged using only two folding parts. Processing can be performed on paper without reducing its productivity.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and different embodiments can be adopted without departing from the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system 2 Image forming apparatus 3 Paper folding device 21 Scanner part 22 Printer part 23 Paper feed part 24 Operation part 25 Image formation control part 31 First folding part 32 Second folding part 33 Branching claw 300 Folding control part D Paper reversal Route

Claims (6)

A first fold unit that performs a process of folding the sheet by conveying the sheet to the top while making a crease at the first fold position with respect to the sheet;
A sheet is provided by transporting the sheet from the first fold part to the head of the fold while providing a crease at the second fold position with respect to the sheet conveyed from the first fold part provided downstream of the first fold part. A second folding part for performing a process of folding
A leading and trailing edge with respect to the transport direction of the paper transported from the first folding section, provided on the paper transport path downstream of the first folding position in the paper transport direction and upstream of the second folding position in the paper transport direction. Paper reversing path for reversing
A paper sorting unit that transports the paper that has passed through the first folding section toward the paper reversing path, transports the paper toward the second folding section without passing through the paper reversing path, or sorts the transport direction of the paper. When,
Depending on the content of the folding process performed on the paper, in the process of transporting the paper from the first folding section to the second folding section, the direction of transporting the paper toward the paper reversing path, and the paper reversing And a control unit that controls to switch the direction of the paper distribution unit to a direction in which the paper is transported without passing through a path.   The positional relationship between the first folding position and the sheet conveying path on the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction from the first folding position, the second folding position and the second folding position on the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction from the first folding position. The paper folding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the positional relationship with the paper transport path on the upstream side in the paper transport direction is opposite to each other. The folding process performed on the paper requires a second fold, and the paper is placed in the opposite direction to the first fold with respect to the paper having the first fold in the second fold. If the fold process should be oriented and creased,
The control means switches the direction of the paper sorting means to a direction in which the first folded portion of the first folding portion is conveyed to the second folding portion without passing through the paper reversing path. 3. The paper folding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second folding unit is controlled to perform the second folding on the first folded paper. The folding process to be performed on the paper requires the second folding, and the paper is oriented in the same direction as the first folding with respect to the paper having the first folding in the second folding. If the fold process should be creased,
The control means controls the direction of the paper sorting means to be switched to a direction in which the first folded portion of the first folded portion is conveyed toward the paper reversing path, and the paper with respect to the conveyance direction is controlled. 4. The sheet folding according to claim 2, wherein the second folding is performed on the sheet on which the first folding has been performed in the second folding unit after the front and rear ends of the sheet are reversed. 5. apparatus.   When the folding process to be performed on the sheet is a folding process that requires only one folding, the sheet is folded at the first folding part and not folded at the second folding part. The sheet folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sheet folding device is passed. An image forming apparatus having image forming means for forming an image on a sheet;
An image forming system comprising the sheet folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The image forming apparatus includes a folding condition setting unit that sets a condition related to a folding process performed by the sheet folding apparatus on a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit, or an external device connected to the image forming system. Having at least one of folding condition recognition means for recognizing the conditions related to the folding process set by
The sheet folding apparatus performs a predetermined folding process on a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit based on a condition related to a folding process set by the folding condition setting unit or recognized by the folding condition recognition unit. An image forming system.

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