JP2012176818A - Folding device, image forming system, and folding control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform an optimal file folding according to user's request.SOLUTION: A folding device includes a first step (S501-S503) of receiving an input of the size of a recording medium when performing multiple folding by a computer; a second step (S511, S512) of receiving a setting of the size of a final surface of the folded recording medium; a third step (S521, S522) of receiving an input of presence of punch drilling to the recording medium; and a fourth step of performing the folding by changing the folding position of the multiple folding to the recording medium, based on the size of the recording medium, the size of the final surface, and the presence of the punch drilling. The device also determines a folding position by the steps to a conveyed sheet, performs the folding, and enables the file folding.

Description

  The present invention relates to a folding device, an image forming system, and a folding control program. More specifically, the present invention relates to a folding device having a folding function for folding a sheet-like recording medium (also referred to as paper in this specification), the folding device, and a copying device. , Printer, facsimile, image forming system including an image forming apparatus such as a digital multi-function peripheral having these functions combined, and a folding processing control program for causing a computer to execute folding processing control executed by the folding apparatus About.

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

  In a paper folding machine used in such a system, in addition to automatically folding paper ejected from a copying apparatus (online operation), paper that has already been copied and ejected without being folded, and other image forming apparatuses In some cases, there is a means (offline operation) for folding large-sized paper created by the above method. 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.

  Also, when folding the recording medium on which the drawing is recorded, the first side is the same size (210 mm) as the short side of the A4 size, and the second and subsequent sides are shorter than that, for example, about 170 to 90 mm. As shown in FIG. 14, file folding is often performed on the final surface 80g to finish the title column 80f of the drawing. The reason why the first side is longer than the second and subsequent sides in file folding is to facilitate storage in the file. As for the size of the second and subsequent files, 170 mm is described as a standard in JIS Z8311. However, depending on the drawing style, there is a problem that the title is larger than 170 mm. It is necessary to change the folding method. As a specific example of file folding, the paper inserted into the paper folding device is folded in a zigzag manner by repeatedly folding the paper in a direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction, and then folding the paper in a zigzag manner. There are cross-folding, etc., which is carried out by switching the conveyance direction of 90 °, repeating the mountain fold and the valley fold on the conveyed paper again, and performing zigzag folding.

  By the way, in the paper folding apparatus as described above, a punch for punching a punch hole for automatically filing a binding margin portion of a file fold in a process before executing paper folding and discharging the finished paper from the apparatus. Some have a function (for example, see Patent Document 1). This punch function requires punching in a state where the paper being transported is temporarily stopped, so the bellows folding process performed in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the paper inserted in the paper folding device has been completed. What is performed later is efficient in terms of the configuration of the apparatus. Depending on the case, cross-folding may be performed after this. In any case, punch punching is performed at least after the bellows folding is completed.

  In addition, the invention described in patent documents 2-4 is also known as a related technique.

  When punching is performed by the punch function of the paper folding device, only the binding margin part of the first folded surface is inserted into the punching part for punching and punching, but the opening part of the punching part sandwiching the paper (recording medium) is There was a problem that punching was not possible depending on how the file was folded. In consideration of punching, as shown in FIG. 14 (b), when the second and subsequent surfaces are always 170 mm or less, the final surface 80g is small and the title column 80f is folded in the middle so that the title may not be visible. There was a problem.

  Therefore, a problem to be solved by the present invention is to enable optimal file folding according to a user's request.

  In order to solve the above problem, the first means accepts a size input accepting means for accepting an input of the size of the recording medium to be folded a plurality of times, and accepts a setting of the size of the final surface of the folded recording medium. Based on the setting accepting means, the punch presence / absence accepting means for accepting the input of presence / absence of punch punching for the recording medium, the size of the recording medium, the size of the final surface, and the presence / absence of punch punching for the recording medium. And a folding unit that performs folding by changing a folding position of the plurality of foldings to be performed.

  The second means is the first means, wherein the folding means compares the size of the recording medium with the folding size of the final surface, and the first surface when the final surface after folding and the binding margin are provided. It is characterized in that the folding position of the other surface except for is changed.

  The third means includes a size measuring means for measuring the size of the conveyed recording medium in the second means, and the folding means includes the size of the recording medium measured by the size measuring means and the final surface. The folding position is compared with the folding size, and the folding position is changed.

  A fourth means is characterized in that, in the first to third means, the size of the final surface is set to a size that allows the title column to be visually recognized.

  The fifth means is characterized in that in any one of the second to fourth means, binding margin size setting means for setting the binding margin size is provided.

  According to a sixth means, in the fifth means, when the binding margin size is set by the binding margin size setting means, the folding means is set by the binding margin size setting means from the finished size of the folding. Folding processing is not executed for a recording medium having a size larger than the size obtained by subtracting the binding margin size.

  Seventh means, in the fifth means, when the folding means accepts an input with punch by the punch presence / absence accepting means, invalidates the binding margin size set by the binding margin size setting means, The paper is folded at a binding margin size suitable for punch punching.

  The eighth means is any one of the first to seventh means, wherein the folding means is a bellows that repeats a mountain fold and a valley fold continuously in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. A folding mechanism is provided.

  A ninth means is characterized by an image forming system including a folding apparatus according to the first to eighth means and an image forming apparatus for conveying a recording medium on which an image has been formed to the folding apparatus.

  A tenth means is a folding processing control program for executing a folding process on a sheet by a computer mounted on the paper folding control means, and a first procedure for receiving an input of a recording medium size to be folded a plurality of times. , A second procedure for accepting setting of the size of the final surface of the folded recording medium, a third procedure for accepting input of presence / absence of punch punching for the recording medium, the size of the recording medium, and the final A folding process control program comprising: a fourth procedure for performing folding by changing a folding position of the plurality of foldings performed on the recording medium based on a size of a surface and presence / absence of punch punching. And

  In the embodiment described later, the recording medium is the paper P, the size input receiving means is the operation units 20 and 220 and step S502, the setting receiving means is the paper folding controller 100, steps S512 and S532, and the punch presence / absence receiving means is In the paper folding controller 100, step S503 and step S521, the folding means is the bellows folding section 4, the final surface is 80g, the final surface size is the code L, the title column is the code 80f, and the size measuring means is the paper length detection. The sensor 17 has a binding margin of 80e, a binding margin size of T, a means for setting the binding margin size as an initial setting item of the operation units 20 and 220 in step S501, and a bellows folding mechanism in the Java folding portion 4. The folding apparatus is denoted by reference numeral 1, the image forming apparatus is denoted by the copying apparatus main body 200, and the first procedure is step S. 01 to step S503, the second procedure to steps S511 and S512, the third procedure to steps S521 and S522, and the fourth procedure to steps S531 to S532, steps S541 to S545, steps These correspond to S551 to S553, respectively.

  According to the present invention, optimal file folding can be performed according to a user's request.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a system configuration of an image forming system in which a paper folding device is connected to a copying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a rear view of a paper folding apparatus. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a bellows folding operation performed in a bellows folding unit, and illustrates a state in which a leading edge of a sheet is guided. FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a bellows folding operation performed in a bellows folding unit, and illustrates a state in which the sheet folding unit is guided. FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a bellows folding operation performed in a bellows folding unit, and illustrates a state in which the sheet folding unit is guided. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows the operation | movement of the bellows folding performed by a bellows folding part, and shows the state in which the first folding was performed. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic operation | movement of an end surface folding. It is a figure which shows the state when punch punching is implemented to the paper folded by the vertical punch. It is a front view of the operation part of a paper folding apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the fold size adjustment process of a paper folding and punch punching operation. FIG. 6 is a development view of a folded sheet based on an example of size adjustment calculation. FIG. 10 is a development view of a folded sheet based on another example of the size adjustment calculation. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the last surface at the time of file folding, and a title column.

  The present invention allows the user to arbitrarily set the final surface size, that is, the size at which the title block can be seen, and automatically adjusts the binding margin size according to the presence or absence of punch punching, and folds the paper in an optimal state from the user's selection state. It is characterized by being able to perform.

  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 apparatus, 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 (hereinafter referred to as a copying apparatus main body) 200 and a paper folding device 1. The paper folding device is a rear surface of the copying device main body 1 as shown in FIG. The paper copied by the copying apparatus main body 200 is brought into the paper folding apparatus 1 online from the back of the apparatus.

  The paper folding apparatus 1 carries in (on-line) a paper transporting unit 2 as a first paper carry-in port, an end face folding part 3 that folds the end face of the front end of the paper, and a paper. A bellows folding unit 4 that folds in a conveying direction into a bellows, a conveyance switching unit 5 that switches a conveyance direction of a sheet folded in a bellows shape, a cross folding unit 6 that folds a sheet whose conveyance direction has been switched, and a cross folding unit 6 The reversing unit 7 reverses the paper folded in the size of A4, the rotating unit 8 further rotates the paper reversed by the reversing unit 7, and the tray 9 on which the folded paper is stacked. .

  The conveyance switching unit 5 includes a vertical punch 40 for punching a punch in the vertical position of the paper inserted in the vertical direction and a horizontal punch 41 for punching a punch in the horizontal position of the paper inserted in the horizontal direction. Further, on the upstream side of the tray 9 in the sheet conveyance direction, a stamp unit 30 for stamping the folded sheet is provided, and after the stamp is stamped, the sheet is stacked on the tray 9 in page order. Is curved 180 °.

  Further, the paper folding apparatus 1 has a manual feed portion 11 that constitutes a manual feed base 12 as a second paper carry-in entrance, and can insert the paper P without going through the copying apparatus main body 200 (offline). An online operation for carrying in the paper P on which the image has been transferred by the copying apparatus main body 200 and performing the folding process is received by the operation unit 220 configured in the copying apparatus main body 200. The operation unit 20 configured in the paper folding device 1 accepts an offline operation in which the paper P is inserted from the manual feeding unit 11 of the paper folding device 1 and the paper P is folded without passing through the copying apparatus main body 200.

<Control configuration>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the image forming system in the present embodiment. This control configuration is a configuration in which the copying apparatus main body 200 and the paper folding apparatus 1 are connected and controlled integrally.

  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, an end surface folding unit 3, a bellows folding unit 4, and conveyance switching. 5, the cross folding unit 6, the reversing unit 7, the rotating unit 8, the vertical punch 40, the horizontal punch 41, the stamp (part)) 30, and the tray 9 are connected. Is controlled.

  On the other hand, the copying apparatus 200 includes a copying apparatus control board 202, to which an operation unit 220 and engine parts (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 received by the operation units 20 and 220 and information necessary for paper folding, such as paper length information. Based on the information, the paper folding controller 100 selects end folding, selection of bellows folding and cross folding, and adjustment of folding width, presence / absence of vertical / horizontal punching, presence / absence of rotation, presence / absence of rotation The presence / absence of punching, the presence / absence of stamping, and the like are controlled.

  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. The CPU corresponds to the computer referred to in the present invention.

<Online operation: Copier operation>
The online operation for carrying in the paper with the image transferred thereon by the copying apparatus main body 200 and performing the folding process is performed as follows.

  First, the operation unit 220 of the copying apparatus main body 200 receives the paper size, folding type, and the like. The copying apparatus 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. The input accepted by the operation unit 220 is provided. It is possible to select a paper feeding method from either one by operation.

  The copying apparatus 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 copying apparatus main body 220, inserted into the paper folding device 1 from the connecting portion 2 of the paper folding device 1, and folded in a continuous operation following printing on the paper P. Is possible. When paper folding is not performed, the copying apparatus main body 1 switches the conveyance path by a switching claw (not shown) and discharges the printed paper P from the front surface of the copying apparatus 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 apparatus main body 200 into the connecting and transporting section 2 of the paper folding apparatus 1 passes through the transport path in the figure and is transported to the end face folding section 3. At this time, the sheet insertion sensor 18 detects that a sheet has been inserted into the sheet folding apparatus 1 from the copying apparatus main body 200. A paper length detection sensor 17 is disposed in the vertical conveyance path immediately before the end face folding portion 3 and downstream of the paper insertion sensor 18 in the paper conveyance direction. The paper length detection sensor 17 measures the length (paper length) in the sub-scanning direction (conveyance direction) of the paper P inserted from the manual feed portion 11 and the paper P carried from the copying apparatus main body 200. Also, by arranging a plurality of sensors in the main scanning direction, the length of the paper in the main scanning direction (paper width) can be measured. When it is necessary to fold the end face of the sheet, the end face of the end of the sheet is folded by the end face folding unit 3. At this time, the end face folding unit 3 folds the end face while conveying the sheet. Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed to the bellows folding unit 4, folded in a bellows shape in which a fold is formed in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction, and the bellows-folded sheet is sent to the conveyance switching unit 5.

<Transfer switching, punching operation>
In FIG. 2, the paper P folded in a bellows shape sent to the conveyance switching unit 5 is subjected to skew correction by the jogger 13 and the conveyance direction is switched by 90 °. When the punching is performed on the paper P after the switching, the punching process is performed by the vertical punch 40 or the horizontal punch 41. In the case of the vertical punch 40, after the conveyance switching unit 5 switches the conveyance direction of the paper P by 90 °, the paper P is stopped at a position appropriate for the punch. In this state, the vertical punch 40 moves to the punching position of the paper P and punches the paper P. In the case of the horizontal punch 41, after the paper is transported to the transport path 14a for the horizontal punch by the horizontal punch switching claw 14, the paper is stopped, punched into the paper, and then once pulled back to the position before the horizontal punch switching claw 14, Thereafter, the horizontal punch switching claw 14 is returned to the original state.

  After either punching process is performed by the vertical punch 40 or the horizontal punch 41, the paper P is conveyed to the cross folding unit 6 and is folded again in a direction orthogonal to the bellows folding, so that the large paper P is finally formed. Fold to A4 size. The A4 size is a general finished size when folding paper, and may be folded to a different size. Depending on the type of folding, the paper P is reversed by the reversing unit 7 so that the transfer surface faces down when the paper P folded into A4 size is discharged to the tray 9, and when the paper P is further discharged to the tray 9, Depending on the type of folding, the paper P is rotated 90 ° right and left so that the paper P is in the same direction so that the directions are aligned, and the paper P is discharged to the tray 9. When stamp stamping is selected, the paper P is temporarily stopped by the stamp unit 30, and the stamp is stamped and then discharged onto the tray 9.

<Offline operation>
When the paper P is inserted from the manual feed unit 11 of the paper folding apparatus 1 and processed, an offline operation is performed to fold the paper P without passing through the copying apparatus 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 arrow D1 in FIG. 1, the paper size sensor 15 provided at the entrance of the manual feed stand 12 detects the paper insertion. To do. 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 15 rotates to grip the paper P, and temporarily stops.

  In this state, the operation unit 20 of the paper folding apparatus 1 accepts settings such as the size of the paper P, the type of folding, and the like by user operation. When the start button 307 (see FIG. 10) is pressed in this state, the manual feed roller pair 16 starts to rotate again, and the paper P is transported in the direction of the arrow D2 and sent to the end face folding portion 3. Thereafter, the paper is conveyed to the bellows folding unit 4, the same operation as that described in the online operation is performed, and discharged to the tray 9.

<Folding bellows>
4 to 7 are operation explanatory views showing the operation of the bellows folding performed by the bellows folding unit 4.

  As described above, the bellows folding is a folding in which the paper inserted in the folding device is folded in a zigzag manner by repeatedly performing a mountain fold in a direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction and a valley fold.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a leading edge detection sensor 64 for detecting the leading edge of the paper P is arranged in the vertical conveyance path 3a at the entrance of the bellows folding section 4, and a conveyance roller pair 63 is installed on the downstream side thereof. Further, on the extension of the vertical conveyance path 3a, a horizontal conveyance path 4a is set perpendicularly to the vertical conveyance path 3a. In the horizontal conveyance path 4a, the pair of conveyance rollers 63 extends along the vertical conveyance path 3a. The first and second folding roller pairs 61 (61a, 61b) and 62 (62a, 62b) for conveying the paper in a direction perpendicular to the direction of conveying the paper 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 that contact lower folding rollers 61b and 62b, which are lower folding rollers of the first and second folding roller pairs 61 and 62, respectively. The first and second paper deflection members 69 and 70 are reciprocally driven by a driving 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, as shown in FIG. 4 when guiding the leading edge of the sheet, it is guided as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 when guiding the folded portion of the sheet.

  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. The paper detection sensor 64 detects that the paper P has been conveyed to the bellows folding unit 4 and has been discharged from the bellows folding unit 4.

  In the bellows folding unit 4, as shown in FIG. 4, the sheet P conveyed by the vertical conveyance path 3 a is lowered by the first sheet deflecting member 69 so that the leading edge of the sheet P enters the nip of the second folding roller pair 62. The second folding roller pair 62 rotates in the direction of the arrow R1 to guide the paper P downstream (in the direction of the arrow D3). 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. 5, 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 the first folding roller pair 61 rotates in the direction of the arrow R2 in the figure, and the paper P Is returned in the direction of the arrow D4 in the figure, and a crease is made at the nip of the first folding roller pair 61. At this time, the second folding roller pair 62 also rotates in the R2 direction in the figure.

  6 is further fed in the direction of arrow D4 by the first pair of folding rollers 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. 7, the first folding roller pair 61 rotates in the direction of the arrow R1 as shown in FIG. 7, and the paper P is conveyed again in the direction of the second folding roller pair 62 (the direction of the arrow D3). 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.

<End face fold>
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic operation of end face folding. A specific method of the end face folding is a known technique as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-290616, and thus description thereof is omitted. However, in the end face folding, the paper folding apparatus is online or offline. When the leading end portion of the paper P inserted into 1 reaches the end surface folding portion 3, the end surface folding 80c, 81c as shown in FIG. 8 is taken to the left of the leading end portion 80a of the paper P or to the right of the leading end portion 81a. Done. FIG. 8A shows a state in which the end face folding 80c is performed on the sheet 80 (P) inserted in the vertical direction, and FIG. 8B shows the end face folding 81c on the sheet 81 (P) inserted in the lateral direction. Shows the state of going. Reference numerals 80b and 81b denote folded sheets.

<Cross fold>
Cross-folding is performed while the conveyance direction of the paper P folded in the bellows is switched by 90 ° with the conveyance switching unit 5 and the folding is performed while the folding mechanism and the folding operation are the same as the bellows folding. I will omit the explanation.

<Punch processing>
In the punching process, punch holes 80d and 81d are punched as shown in the short side of the paper (long side when folded: FIG. 8A, short side when folded: FIG. 8B). The

  When punching the sheet 80 (P) inserted in the vertical direction, the vertical punch 40 punches. In that case, skew correction is performed by the jogger 13 in the conveyance switching unit 5 on the paper 80 (P), and then the vertical punch 40 moves to the punch punching position of the paper 80 and punches it.

  When punching the paper 81 inserted in the horizontal direction, the horizontal punch 41 punches. In the case of the horizontal punch 41, unlike the vertical punch 40, the horizontal punch 41 itself does not move. Instead, the skew correction is executed by the jogger 13 in the conveyance switching unit 5 on the paper 81 as in the case of the vertical punching, and then the conveyance direction is switched by 90 ° to start conveyance. At that time, the horizontal punch switching claw 14 is operated to switch the conveyance path from the conveyance path of the conveyance switching unit 5 in the direction of the horizontal punch conveyance path 14a and move to a position that is just right for punching the paper 81 itself with the horizontal punch 41. And stop, then drill.

  After the punching process by the horizontal punch 41 is completed, the conveyance switching unit 5 once operates the paper 81 in the reverse direction to the procedure of guiding the paper 81 to the horizontal punch conveyance path 14a, and pulls it back in the reverse direction. When it comes out of 14a, it stops once. Then, after the position of the horizontal punch switching claw 14 is returned, the conveyance of the sheet is resumed in the direction of the cross fold 6.

  The punched portion by the vertical punch 40 and the horizontal punch 41 is at the position shown in FIG. 8, but by performing both end-face folds 80c and 81c in this way, the vertical punch shown in FIG. 8d, the punch hole 80d is prevented from being blocked by the folded paper. In the horizontal punch shown in FIG. This prevents punch holes from being formed.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state when punch punching is performed on the sheet 80 folded by the vertical punch 40. In the figure, a vertical punch 40 includes a punch blade 401 for punching a punch hole 80d and a die 402, and a sheet 80 is inserted between the die hole 402a of the fixed die 402 and the punch blade 401 to A punch hole is punched in the paper 80 by lowering the blade 401 from the top to being fitted into the die hole 402a.

  In this way, the binding margin portion of the paper 80 folded in the file fold is inserted between the punch blade 401 and the die 402 and punched and punched, but this portion has a gap that allows approximately one paper to enter. If the binding margin 80e is too small, the second and subsequent folds hit the vertical punch 40. In this case, since there is a possibility that the paper P is damaged or a trouble such as a paper jam occurs, it is necessary to provide a gap h as shown in FIG. 9 between the vertical punch 40 and the fold. . In such a punching device, the size of the binding margin required due to mechanical restrictions is determined, but in this embodiment, the binding margin 80e required for punching is 30 mm.

<Operation unit>
FIG. 10 is a front view of the operation unit 20 of the paper folding apparatus 1.

  Every time the operation unit 20 receives a press of the paper size selection button 301 by the user, the operation unit 20 displays a paper size that can be passed by the paper folding device 1 on the paper size display unit 320 and inserts the paper in the vertical direction. The LED 321 displays a selection of whether to insert in the horizontal direction. 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 pressing of the mode selection button 305 is accepted, the selected fold type is displayed on the fold 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.

  When the press of the punch / ear fold (edge fold) selection button 302 is accepted, the paper size currently displayed on the paper size display section 320, the fold type currently displayed on the fold type display section 322, and the punch / ear fold (end face) When the selection button 302 is pressed, the selection of either one or both of the end face folding and punching is switched every time the selection button 302 is pressed, and the ear fold selection display unit 324 and the punch selection display unit 325 are respectively switched. Whether or not is selected is displayed. For example, when the paper size is A1T (vertical) and file folding (folding method for forming a binding margin) is selected, both end face folding and punching are selected when the press of the punch / ear fold selection button 302 is received once. When the press is received once again, only the end face folding is performed, and when the press is received once again, the selection is canceled for both.

  As described above, an executable combination of edge folding and punching can be selected depending on the paper size and folding type. In the case of A1T file folding, since punch holes are covered unless end face folding is performed, only the punch cannot be selected.

  The initial setting button 306 is a button for entering the initial setting mode. When the initial setting button 306 is received, the folding type display unit 322 displays the initial setting item number, and the paper size display unit 320 displays the setting value of the initial setting item. Then, the initial setting item number or setting value is changed using the folding type selection button 304. In the present embodiment, the means for setting the folding size of the final surface of the paper P and the means for setting the binding margin size are configured as one of the initial setting items.

  The operation unit 220 of the copying apparatus main body 200 has a configuration that can accept and display settings similar to those of the operation unit 20, and the contents received by the operation unit 220 are the same as those of the paper folding apparatus 1. It is transferred to the paper folding controller at the necessary timing. In addition, when the paper is folded offline, the conveyance of the paper is started by accepting the pressing of the start button 307 after the paper is inserted, and the paper folding is executed.

<Paper folding and punching operations>
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the folding size adjustment processing of the paper folding and punching operations executed by the paper folding controller 100 in the present embodiment.

  In the figure, when the folding size adjustment process is started, the operation unit 20 or the operation unit 220 accepts the setting of the final surface size L by the user in the initial setting mode (step S501). At this time, as the final surface size L, the setting of the horizontal length of the title column 80f of the document drawing to be folded is accepted. As shown in FIG. 14, the title column 80f is printed on an original drawing for paper folding, and is usually provided on the final surface 80g located on the front side when the file is folded.

  Next, regardless of whether online or offline, the operation unit 20 or the operation unit 220 accepts the user's selection of the paper size and folding type, and if necessary punch punching (steps S502 and S503). In the case of offline, the paper P is inserted from the manual feed section 11, and in the case of online, the conveyance of the paper P is started at the start of printing. The paper P is first guided to the end face folding unit 3 and the paper folding process is started.

  At the start of the paper folding process, the paper folding controller 100 of the paper folding device 1 first determines the set folding type and confirms whether file folding is selected (step S511). If file folding is not selected in this determination process, the present invention does not need to be applied, and the process ends. On the other hand, if the file folding is selected, the set final surface size L and binding margin size T are temporarily stored in the buffer 1 and buffer 2 of the paper folding controller 100, respectively (step S512). Next, the presence / absence of punch punching is confirmed (step S521). If punch punching is selected, the buffer 2 is rewritten with 30 mm, which is the binding margin required by the punching device described above (step S522), and punch punching is performed. If none, skip this process. Up to this point, the binding margin size necessary for the current paper folding is stored in the buffer 2.

  Next, in order to confirm whether or not the buffer 1, that is, the final surface size and the buffer 2, that is, the binding margin size, are set to an appropriate state with respect to the finish size, a value obtained by subtracting the buffer 2 from the finish size of 210 mm. The buffer 1 is compared (step S531), and if the buffer 1 is larger, the buffer 1 is rewritten to a value obtained by subtracting the buffer 1 from 210 mm (step S532). That is, here, the value of the final surface size L is rewritten according to the binding margin size required in the current paper folding.

  Next, the folding size adjustment of each surface is executed. If the paper size is A0 (step S541-Yes) or A1 size (steps S541-No, S542-Yes), the size adjustment calculation for each surface is performed in order to set the final surface to the set final surface size L. (Steps S543 and S544). If the determination is not satisfied, the size adjustment calculation is not performed, the folding size adjustment is finished, and the folding size of each surface is set to a predetermined value, and the bellows folding and the cross folding are performed.

If file folding of the A0 paper size has been selected, size adjustment is performed in the subroutine of step S543. FIG. 11B is a flowchart showing the contents of the subroutine of step S543, that is, the procedure for calculating the size adjustment of the A0 paper folding size. In the size adjustment calculation, the length of the first surface is unconditionally set to a value of 210 mm in order to form a binding margin (step S561). The lengths of the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface are set to the same value as the set final surface size L (step S562). Finally, based on 1189mm, which is the length of the long side of A0 size,
(1189mm-210mm-4L) / 2
However, L: The final surface size is calculated, and the length derived from the calculation is set as the fifth and sixth surface lengths (step S563). The length of the seventh surface, which is the final surface, is the remaining length that is folded from the first surface to the sixth surface, and thus need not be set.

  FIG. 12A is a development view of a folded sheet based on the size adjustment calculation. The surfaces having the same length as the final surface size L are 4, 5, and 6 surfaces. May be a few side surfaces of applying sizing calculation result, whether in advance which of the finish, such as the initial setting mode, if the configuration user to select a finish which is suitable in accordance with the scene It becomes possible to select.

  FIG. 12B is a development view when the surfaces to which the size adjustment calculation result is applied are two or three surfaces.

If A1 size file folding is selected, size adjustment is performed in a subroutine of step S544. FIG. 11C is a flowchart showing the content of the subroutine in step S544, that is, the procedure for calculating the paper folding size. In the size adjustment calculation, the length of the first surface is unconditionally set to a value of 210 mm in order to form a binding margin (step SS571). The length of the second surface is set to the same value as the set final surface size L (step S572). Finally, based on 841mm, which is the length of the long side of A1 size,
(841mm-210mm-2L) / 2
However, L: The final surface size is calculated, and the length derived from the calculation is set as the length of the third surface and the fourth surface (step S573). The length of the fifth surface, which is the final surface, does not need to be set because it is the remaining length that is folded from the first surface to the fourth surface.

  FIG. 13A is a development view of a folded sheet based on the size adjustment calculation. As in the case of A0 size paper, the number of surfaces having the same length as the final surface size L may be four, and the surface to which the size adjustment calculation result is applied may be two or three. Similar to the processing in step S543. The user may be able to select. In this case as well, it can be set as one of the items that can be set in the initial setting mode similarly to the setting means for the final surface size L.

  FIG. 13B is a development view when the surfaces to which the size adjustment calculation result is applied are two or three surfaces.

  In the case of a paper size of A2 or less, the size of each side is determined to some extent when the first side is 210 mm in file folding. For example, in the case of A3 size, it is common to fold the second side and the third side with 105 mm and finish with 3 sides. Similarly, in the case of A2 size, finish the second side and the third side with 3 sides with 192 mm, Or the second side is about 90mm and the third side is folded around 100mm, but in each case the size of each side will be completely fixed or adjusted even if it is not fixed I can not take much width to do. Therefore, it is not appropriate to perform the above processing on A2 size paper or A3 size paper.

  When the folding size adjustment is completed in step S543 or step S544, the value of the buffer 1 stored in step S532 is set as the final surface size L (step S545).

  Further, the size of each surface determined by the size adjustment calculation in step S543 (step S563) or step S544 (step S573) is further applied by bellows folding depending on the direction of the paper inserted into the paper folding device 1, or crossed. It is determined whether or not to apply by folding (step S551).

  When the sheet is passed in the vertical direction, the size of each side is set to the size of each side when folding the bellows (step S552). At this time, each surface size of the cross fold is folded at a predetermined length. When the sheet is passed in the horizontal direction, the size of each side is set to the size of each side at the time of cross-folding (step S553). At this time, the size of each surface of the bellows folding is folded at a predetermined length.

  The final surface size L and the binding margin size T set by the above operation are optimally folded according to the set contents depending on the presence or absence of punching, but the final surface size L is determined by the binding margin size setting value. In other words, the size of the title column 80f) may be smaller than the desired size, but in the case of punch punching, it is necessary to secure a necessary binding margin due to machine convenience. If there is no punching, the final surface size L can be increased by setting the binding margin size T as small as possible.

  Necessary setting information such as the final surface size L, the paper size, and the folding type is notified to the paper folding controller 100 of the contents set by the operation unit 20 of the paper folding apparatus 1 when offline, and when online, Since the content set by the operation unit 220 of the copying apparatus main body 200 is notified to the paper folding controller 100 by the copying apparatus control board 202, the paper folding controller 100 determines the setting information based on the notified content. be able to.

  In the above embodiment, the operation units 20 and 220 have previously received a paper size setting by the user and have determined the paper size based on the setting contents. However, the paper length detection sensor 17 detects the paper size inserted. It is also possible for the controller 100 itself of the paper folding device 1 to detect the main / sub lengths and make a determination based on the length of the paper P and the paper size determined thereby. In this case, the controller is an example of a size input receiving unit.

  Note that the final surface size L is completely less than 210 mm due to the finished shape of the file folding, and the binding margin is completely eliminated. It is desirable that the upper limit is around 190 mm as a size that can form a binding margin to some extent. In addition, the lower limit size is often determined by mechanical limitations of the paper folding device 1.

  In the paper folding apparatus of the present embodiment, the bellows cannot be folded at a size equal to or smaller than Lmin, which is the distance between the nips of the folding roller pairs 61 and 62 shown in FIG. Although not shown, this is determined by the distance between the nips of the two folding roller pairs formed in the cross folding portion 6 even in the cross folding.

Therefore, the final surface size L for accepting the setting by the operation unit 20 or the operation unit 220 is
Lmin <final surface size L ≦ upper limit size (around 190 mm)
The value can be set within the range, and a value outside this range cannot be set.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
1) When setting the fold size of the final surface 80g to be the title column 80f, the original paper size is compared with the set final fold size, and the first surface including the binding margin 80e and the surface excluding the final surface 80g are compared. The folding size can be calculated. Thereby, it is possible to obtain a finished state of file folding in accordance with the title block format of the drawing to be folded.
2) Since the set binding margin is compared with the set final surface size and the finished size, and the final surface size is rewritten, it is possible to eliminate contradiction between the settings and obtain a uniform finished size.
3) If punch punching is selected, the set binding margin size is automatically rewritten to a size required by the punch device for punch punching, so that even if the set binding margin 80e is small, it is automatically set. Occurrence of problems such as jam in the punching device can be avoided. In addition, in order to obtain the maximum final surface size in the size required by the punching device, the final surface size (title block size), the binding margin size, and the device side restrictions (binding margin size) when punching are performed. Automatically correct to the optimal size. As a result, a uniform finished size can be obtained.
4) Since the paper folding device itself is provided with means for detecting the paper size, the paper folding device itself can be automatically processed without setting the paper size for paper folding.
5) Since the paper folding apparatus is provided with a manual feed table, a manual feed insertion slot, and the like, the above processing can be performed even for paper output off-line.
6) Since the paper length detection sensor 17 is disposed downstream of the joining point of the online and offline paper conveyance paths, even the paper from the image forming apparatus 200 is the paper inserted from the manual feed table 12. However, the sheet size can be detected by one detection means.
7) Similarly, the paper size and final face folding size can be set from the operation unit provided in both the paper folding device and the image forming device, and information set in both sides is transferred to the paper folding controller. Therefore, the same operation can be performed from any apparatus as a system.
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 preferable example, 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 Folding device 4 Bellows folding part 17 Paper length detection sensor 20,220 Operation part 80e Binding margin 80f Title column 80g Final surface 100 Paper folding controller 200 Copying apparatus main body L Final surface size P Recording medium

JP 2008-120570 A JP 2008-168964 A JP 2006-290616 A JP-A-5-238635

Claims (10)

Size input receiving means for receiving an input of the size of the recording medium to be folded a plurality of times;
Setting accepting means for accepting the setting of the size of the final surface of the folded recording medium;
Punch presence / absence accepting means for accepting input of presence / absence of punch punching on the recording medium;
A folding means for performing folding by changing a folding position of the plurality of foldings performed on the recording medium based on the size of the recording medium, the size of the final surface, and presence / absence of punch punching;
Folding device with The folding device according to claim 1,
The folding means compares the size of the recording medium with the folding size of the final surface, and changes the folding position of the other surfaces except the first surface when the final surface after folding and the binding margin are provided. A folding device characterized by. The folding device according to claim 2,
Provided with a size measuring means for measuring the size of the recording medium being conveyed,
The folding device is characterized in that the folding unit changes the folding position by comparing the size of the recording medium measured by the size measuring unit with the folding size of the final surface. The folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The folding device, wherein the size of the final surface is set to a size that allows the title column to be visually recognized. The folding device according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
A folding apparatus comprising binding margin size setting means for setting the binding margin size. The folding device according to claim 5,
When the binding margin size is set by the binding margin size setting means, the folding means has a size larger than the size obtained by subtracting the binding margin size set by the binding margin size setting means from the finished size of the folding. A folding apparatus characterized by not performing a folding process on a recording medium. The folding device according to claim 5,
The folding means invalidates the binding margin size set by the binding margin size setting means and accepts the binding margin size suitable for punch punching when the punch presence acceptance means accepts an input with punch. A folding apparatus for performing paper folding. The folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The folding device includes a bellows folding mechanism that repeatedly folds and troughs a recording medium conveyed in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. The folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An image forming apparatus that conveys an image-formed recording medium to the folding apparatus;
Including an image forming system. A folding processing control program for executing folding processing on paper by a computer mounted on the paper folding control means,
A first procedure for receiving an input of a size of a recording medium to be folded a plurality of times;
A second procedure for accepting the setting of the size of the final surface of the folded recording medium;
A third procedure for receiving an input of presence / absence of punch punching for the recording medium;
A fourth procedure for performing folding by changing the folding position of the plurality of foldings performed on the recording medium based on the size of the recording medium, the size of the final surface, and presence or absence of punch punching;
Folding processing control program with