JP2013010632A - Sheet end position correcting device, and image forming system with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To correct end positions of small-sized sheets except for the largest sheets out of a sheet group with various-sized sheets stacked therein.SOLUTION: The sheet group comprising the sheets of various sizes having different horizontal sizes are stacked on an intermediate tray 18 so that the larger in the horizontal size the sheets are, the lower they are stacked. Lower end of two auxiliary fences 236 is brought into contact with a non-overlapped portion that is not overlapped with the smaller-sized sheets on a top surface of the sheets that are one size larger in a horizontal size than the smaller-sized sheets. Subsequently, intervals between the auxiliary fences are narrowed to bring the fences into contact with both widthwise ends of the smaller-sized sheets, so that both widthwise end positions of the smaller-sized sheets are corrected to target positions.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet end position correction for correcting an end position in a predetermined direction on a sheet stacked on a sheet stacking member to a target position, and an image forming system including the same.

  Conventionally, in this type of image forming system, printed paper temporarily stacked on a paper stacking member is placed in an envelope (paper storage material), and the envelope containing the paper is automatically sealed. There is known a device equipped with an encapsulating device capable of performing the above. Patent Document 1 discloses a sealing device that can perform processes from printing to sealing in a lump by combining with an image forming apparatus. The enclosing device temporarily stacks printed sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus on a tray (sheet stacking member), and then puts one or a plurality of sheets into an envelope and encloses the sheets Is sealed by sealing means.

  In such a conventional enclosing device, when the paper is put into the envelope, there are cases where the paper is caught or a part of the paper protrudes from the envelope so that an appropriate enclosing process cannot be performed. This is due to the following reason. That is, in the conventional enclosing device, the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus is discharged so as to drop onto the sheet stacking member, and thus the posture of the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking member becomes oblique (skewed). There is a case. In such a case, when the paper on the paper stacking member is put into the envelope, the corner of the skewed paper may be caught at the entrance of the envelope or protrude from the envelope.

  On the other hand, before performing post-printing processing such as binding with a stapler on printed paper, conventionally, the contact members are brought into contact with both ends in the width direction of the printed paper stacked on the tray. 2. Description of the Related Art A sheet edge position correcting device that corrects both end positions in the width direction of a sheet to a target position by sandwiching the sheet between contact members is known. The skew of the paper can be corrected by correcting the both ends of the paper in the width direction to the target position by the paper edge position correcting device. Therefore, if such a paper edge position correcting device is used in the above-described sealing device, it is possible to prevent a problem that the skewed corner of the paper is caught in or protrudes from the envelope when the paper is put into the envelope. Is possible.

  However, in the conventional sheet edge position correcting device, the sheet with which the contact member contacts the both ends in the width direction is only the maximum size sheet among the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking member. Therefore, when the size of the paper stacked on the paper stacking member is not one type, the end position can be corrected by the contact member for the maximum size of the paper, but for the paper of a size smaller than this, The end position cannot be corrected by the contact member. As a result, even when a conventional paper edge position correcting device is used in the above-described sealing device, when a paper group consisting of a plurality of types of paper sizes is put in an envelope, the skew of a small paper cannot be corrected, There is a possibility that the corners of the small-sized paper jump out to the outside of the largest-sized paper, and this may be caught by the envelope or protrude from the envelope.

  As described above, the problem with the conventional sheet edge position correcting device, that is, the problem that the edge position of a small-sized sheet other than the maximum size among sheets composed of a plurality of types of sheets cannot be corrected has a plurality of types. The problem is not limited to a device that puts a group of sheets of paper size into an envelope. This problem is a problem to be solved in an apparatus that is desired to correct the end position of a small size sheet to a target position in a group of sheets having a plurality of types of sheet sizes.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable correction of the edge position of a small-size sheet excluding the maximum size among sheets of a plurality of types of sheet sizes. An end position correcting apparatus and an image forming system including the end position correcting apparatus are provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, sheets of a plurality of sizes having different sheet lengths in a predetermined direction are stacked on a sheet stacking member, and two abutments are provided at both ends of the stacked sheets in the predetermined direction. A sheet end position correcting device that abuts each member to correct the end position of the sheet in the predetermined direction to a target position, and the sheet having a longer sheet length in the predetermined direction is stacked on the lower side. As described above, for the group of sheets stacked on the sheet stacking member, at least one size among the sizes in which the sheet length in the predetermined direction is smaller than the maximum size in which the sheet length in the predetermined direction is the maximum. The upper surface of the sheet having the sheet length in the predetermined direction next to the specific sheet in a state where the distance between the two contact members is kept wider than the length between both ends in the predetermined direction of the specific sheet. The specific paper The non-overlapping non-overlapping portions are brought into contact with the lower ends of the two abutting members, and then the distance between the two abutting members is reduced to abut against the both end portions of the specific paper. And end position correcting means for correcting the end position in the predetermined direction to a target position.

  When a paper is stacked on the paper stacking member so that the paper with the longer paper length (paper width) in the predetermined direction is positioned on the lower side, the next to the specific paper (paper whose paper width is smaller than the maximum size) There is a non-overlapping portion where the paper (including the specific paper) stacked on the upper surface of the paper having a large paper width (that is, the paper placed directly under the specific paper) is exposed without overlapping. . In the present invention, after the lower ends of the two abutting members are brought into contact with the non-overlapping portion, the distance between the two abutting members is reduced so that the two abutting members are moved in the width direction of the specific sheet. It can be brought into contact with both ends. As a result, even when a paper group consisting of a plurality of paper sizes is stacked on the paper stacking member, the end position in the width direction of the specific paper (paper whose paper width is smaller than the maximum size) included in the paper group is determined. It can be corrected to the target position.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an excellent effect that it is possible to correct the end position of a small-sized paper (specific paper) excluding the maximum size among a paper group composed of a plurality of types of paper sizes.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is an enlarged configuration diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a sheet feeding device of the image forming system. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a drive control system of the sheet feeding device. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the front surface and back surface of the envelope set to the paper feeder. It is a cross-sectional view of the tray of the paper feeder. It is a block diagram which shows an example of an internal structure of the enclosure sealing apparatus of the image forming system of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the envelope chuck | zipper part in the enclosure sealing device. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state in which the envelope was hold | maintained with the opening part below the lower end of the opening mylar in the envelope chuck | zipper part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which the lower end of the opening mylar entered in the envelope in the envelope chuck | zipper part. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the lower end of the opening mylar entered into the envelope in the envelope chuck | zipper part. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the glue application | coating unit of an enclosure sealing device. (B) is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the melt tank raised in the glue application unit. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a sheet post-processing apparatus of an image forming system according to an exemplary embodiment. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing of the mechanism and operation | movement which carry out an additional folding with respect to the fold of the booklet of the sheet | seat bundle in which the saddle stitch process was performed, respectively. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the side jogger part of the enclosure sealing apparatus in embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the auxiliary fence provided in the side jogger part. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the correction operation | movement of the width direction edge part position of the small size paper by an auxiliary fence. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the drive mechanism of the auxiliary fence. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement at the time of size loading mode.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In this embodiment, an image forming system including an enclosing device as a post-processing unit that encloses a sheet in an envelope that is a sheet storage material will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system according to the present embodiment includes a multifunction peripheral (MFP) type image forming apparatus 1 which is an electrophotographic image forming unit. On the upper part of the image forming apparatus 1, a display unit that displays the contents of an image forming job (hereinafter referred to as “print job” or “job”) and an operation panel that functions as an operation unit for a user to operate the print job ( OP) 1A and automatic document feeder: ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 2 are mounted. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a plurality of sheet feeding devices 1B. The sheet feeding device 1B functions as a sheet supply unit that supplies a sheet and an envelope supply unit that supplies an envelope in which the sheet is placed.

  A sheet post-processing device 3 is connected to the side of the image forming apparatus 1. In the paper post-processing device 3, post-processing is arbitrarily performed on the paper discharged from the image forming device 1 by the user. An enclosing sealing device 4 is connected to the side of the sheet post-processing device 3 opposite to the image forming device 1. The enclosing / sealing device 4 functions as a storage unit and a sealing unit, and seals the paper or paper group that has been post-processed by the paper post-processing device 3 in an envelope.

  The envelope and the paper as the enclosed material enclosed in the envelope are respectively set in one of the plurality of stages of paper feeding devices 1B of the image forming apparatus 1 and are respectively conveyed from the image forming apparatus 1 to the sealed sealing device 4. The

  An envelope inspection device 5 is connected to the side of the sealing device 4 opposite to the paper post-processing device 3. The envelope inspection apparatus 5 inspects the flap of the sealed envelope, and discharges the envelope to the discharge tray 6 when determined to be normal, and discharges the envelope to the discharge tray 7 when determined to be abnormal. .

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged configuration diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the sheet feeding device 1B, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a drive control system of the sheet feeding device 1B. 4 is an explanatory view showing the front and back surfaces of the envelope Pf set in the paper feeding device 1B, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the tray 124 of the paper feeding device 1B. 2 to 5 exemplify the sheet feeding device 1B in which the envelope Pf is set, the other sheet feeding devices in which sheets are set can be similarly configured.

  2 and 3, the sheet feeding device 1B includes a bottom plate raising motor 205 that drives the movable table 103 of the tray 124, a pickup motor 201 that drives the pickup roller 107, and a sheet feeding motor 202 as a drive system. A transport motor 203. The paper feed motor 202 drives the paper feed belt 109, the reverse roller 110 and the pull-out roller 112. The intermediate conveyance motor 203 drives the first intermediate roller 114 and the second intermediate roller 115.

  In addition, the sheet feeding device 1B has, as detection means, a size detection sensor 130 that detects the size of the envelope Pf, an envelope set sensor 105 that detects the set of the envelope Pf, and a table rise detection sensor that detects the upper limit of the movable table 103. 108, an abutting sensor 111 for skew correction, and a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) reading registration sensor 113 for reading the identification information (for example, barcode) of the envelope.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the configuration of the drive control system of the sheet feeding device 1 </ b> B is configured with a sheet feeding control unit 200 as the center. The paper feed control unit 200 includes a size detection sensor 130, an envelope set sensor 105, an abutment sensor 111, a table lift detection sensor 108, a bottom plate home position sensor 106, a registration sensor 113, a pickup motor 201, a paper feed motor 202, and an intermediate conveyance. A motor 203 and a bottom plate raising motor 205 are connected.

  The sheet feeding control unit 200 and the control device 120 serving as a control unit on the image forming apparatus main body side can be configured by, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The CPU expands the program code stored in the ROM to the RAM, and executes the control defined by the program code while using the RAM as a work area and a data buffer. Each part is controlled by executing a program using these CPU, ROM and RAM, various sensors, various motors and the like as hardware resources. The paper feed control unit 200 can communicate with the control device 120 on the main body side of the image forming apparatus 1 via a predetermined communication interface (I / F) 207. Cooperative control of the control device 120 is possible.

  The envelope Pf is set on the movable table 103 and the bottom plate 125 of the tray 124. More specifically, the envelope Pf is set with the front surface Pfa of the envelope Pf facing upward as shown in FIG. 4 and the flap Pfc of the envelope Pf positioned on the side opposite to the paper feed direction Pfd. Moreover, the width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the envelope Pf is positioned by a side guide (not shown). The envelope set is detected by the set filler 102 and the envelope set sensor 105 and transmitted to the control device 120 via the paper feed control unit 200.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the envelope Pf stacked on the bottom plate 125 of the tray 124 is sandwiched by a pair of side guides 127 and 128 that can slide in the direction of arrow A along the guide rod 126. It is set at the center position of the bottom plate 125. Below the bottom plate 125, a size detection sensor 130 (for example, a variable resistance position sensor) that detects the paper size on the bottom plate 125 by detecting the position of the side guide 128 is disposed. The control device 120 or the paper feed control unit 200 compares the value detected by the size detection sensor 130 with, for example, size data stored in advance in the internal memory, whereby the size of the envelope Pf set on the bottom plate 125 is determined. Can be recognized.

  The movable table 103 is configured to be movable up and down (swingable) in the a and b directions with an end on the bottom plate 125 side (left end in FIG. 3) as a fulcrum by a bottom plate raising motor 205. When the control device 120 or the paper feed control unit 200 detects that the envelope Pf is set by the set filler 102 and the set sensor 105, the bottom plate raising motor 205 is rotated forward so that the uppermost surface of the bundle of envelopes Pf is the pickup roller 107. The movable table 103 is moved up so as to come into contact with. The pickup roller 107 is operated by the pickup motor 201 in the c and d directions shown in FIG. 3 by the cam mechanism, and the envelope discharge side of the movable table 103 is raised and pushed by the upper surface of the envelope Pf on the movable table 103. Go up in direction c. The table rise detection sensor 108 detects the upper limit position of the pickup roller 107, and can thereby detect the upper limit position of the movable table 103. When the operator presses the OP 104 print key, an envelope paper feed signal is transmitted from the control device 120 to the paper feed controller 200 via the I / F 207, and the pickup roller 107 is driven to rotate by the normal rotation of the paper feed motor 202. The envelope Pf on the bottom plate 125 is picked up. The rotation direction is a direction in which the uppermost envelope Pf is conveyed to the paper feed port.

  The paper feeding belt 109 is driven in the paper feeding direction by the normal rotation of the paper feeding motor 202, and the reverse roller 110 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction to the paper feeding by the normal rotation of the paper feeding motor 202. The envelope is separated and only the uppermost envelope is fed. More specifically, when the reverse roller 110 is in contact with the paper feeding belt 109 at a predetermined pressure and is in direct contact with the paper feeding belt 109 or through a single envelope, the reverse roller 110 rotates the paper feeding belt 109. Correspondingly, it rotates counterclockwise. On the other hand, when two or more envelopes Pf enter between the sheet feeding belt 109 and the reverse roller 110, the reverse roller 110 is originally set so that the accompanying force is set lower than the torque of the torque limiter. It rotates in the clockwise direction, which is the driving direction of, and pushes back the excess envelope, preventing double feeding.

  The envelope Pf separated into one sheet by the action of the paper feed belt 109 and the reverse roller 110 is further fed by the paper feed belt 109, the leading end is detected by the abutting sensor 111, and the pull-out roller 112 which is further advanced and stopped. I hit it. Thereafter, the sheet is fed by a predetermined distance from the detection position of the abutting sensor 111, and as a result, the paper feeding motor 202 is stopped while being pressed against the pull-out roller 112 with a predetermined amount of bending, The drive of the paper feeding belt 109 is stopped. At this time, the pickup roller 201 is retreated from the upper surface of the envelope by rotating the pickup motor 201. As a result, the envelope Pf is fed only by the conveying force of the paper feed belt 109, the leading end of the envelope enters the nip of the pair of upper and lower rollers of the pull-out roller 112, and the leading end of the envelope Pf is aligned (skew correction).

  The pull-out roller 112 has the skew correction function and is a roller for conveying the skew-corrected envelope Pf to the first intermediate roller 114 after separation, and is driven by the reverse rotation of the paper feed motor 202. At this time (when the paper feed motor 202 is reversely rotated), the pull-out roller 112 and the intermediate roller 114 are driven, but neither the pickup roller 107 nor the paper feed belt 109 is driven.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the enclosing sealing device 4.
<Process and transport envelopes>
In the enclosing sealing device 4 of FIG. 6, the envelope is conveyed as follows.
The envelope set in the sheet feeding device 1B is fed into the image forming apparatus 1, and after an address is formed on the image, the envelope is conveyed to the enclosing sealing device 4 via the sheet post-processing device 3. The envelope is first carried into the entrance conveyance path 9. After the envelope is detected by the inlet sensor 8A, the conveyance rollers are driven to start conveyance of the envelope. The branch claw 11 has moved to a position leading to the upper conveyance path 12, and the envelope is conveyed to the upper conveyance path 12. Further, the branch claw 13 has moved to a position leading to the envelope conveyance path 14, and the envelope is conveyed to the envelope conveyance path 14. The flaps of the envelope are held in the chuck rollers 23 and 36, and waiting for the sheet to be sealed. At this time, the swing roller pair 25 is retracted in the direction of the arrow and is in a position not in contact with the envelope.

<Paper handling and transport>
In addition, in the sealing device 4 of FIG. 6, the paper sealed in the envelope is processed and conveyed as follows.
After the original is read by the ADF 2, the corresponding paper is fed from the paper feeding device 1 B into the image forming device 1, and after the image is formed, the paper is conveyed to the enclosing / sealing device 4 via the paper post-processing device 3. The When the inclusion is one or more sheets that have not been subjected to the end binding process or a sheet bundle that has been subjected to the end binding process, it is carried into the entrance conveyance path 9. After the paper is detected by the entrance sensor 8A, each transport roller is driven to start transporting the paper. If the paper is a booklet that has undergone saddle stitching processing by the paper post-processing device 3, the paper is carried into the entrance conveyance path 10. In this case, after the sheet is detected by the entrance sensor 8B, the respective conveyance rollers are driven to start conveyance of the sheet, the branch claw 11 is moved to a position leading to the upper conveyance path 12, and the sheet is conveyed upward. After being conveyed to the path 12, the same conveyance path as that of one or more sheets or a sheet bundle subjected to the edge binding process is followed.

  After the sheet is conveyed to the upper conveyance path 12, the branching claw 13 is further moved to a position leading to the sheet conveyance path 15, and the sheet is conveyed to the sheet conveyance path 15. The sheet passes through the sheet discharge sensor 16 and is discharged to an intermediate tray 18 as a sheet stacking member. After being discharged to the intermediate tray 18, the return roller 17 moves to a position in contact with the intermediate tray 18 and conveys the sheet in the direction of the trailing edge stopper 21. The same operation described above is repeated until one set of sheets to be sealed in one envelope is prepared. In addition, after all the sheets to be sealed in one envelope are discharged to the intermediate tray 18, the side jogger unit 20 performs a correction process for the end position in the sheet width direction, details of which will be described later.

<Encapsulation process>
Further, in the sealing device 4 of FIG. 6, the sealing of the paper into the envelope is performed as follows.
After all the sheets to be sealed in one envelope are stacked on the intermediate tray 18, the rear end stopper 21 is retracted in the direction of the arrow. After retraction, the leading end stopper 19 starts to move in the direction of the arrow, and a set of sheets is conveyed into the pack unit 22. After the transport to the pack unit 22 is completed, the pack unit 22 moves in the direction of the arrow, and a set of sheets is transported by the transport rollers in the pack unit 22 and held by the chuck rollers 23 and 36. It is stored in the envelope. After the storage is completed, the swing roller pair 25 moves in the direction opposite to the arrow, and starts transporting the envelope to the transport path 26.

<Sealing process>
Moreover, in the sealing device 4 of FIG. 6, the sealing of the envelope in which the paper is put is performed as follows.
The envelope containing the paper is inserted into the envelope direction changing pocket 29 via the conveyance path 26, and the insertion of the envelope is detected by a sensor 30 provided at the lower end of the envelope direction changing pocket 29. After the envelope is inserted into the envelope direction changing pocket 29, the glue application roller 27 comes into contact with the flap of the envelope and glues the flap. In the case of sealing, it is necessary to preheat the glue application roller 27 so that it can be adhered by glue as an adhesive sealant. When the flap is glued by the glue application roller 27, the envelope once stored in the envelope direction changing pocket 29 is in a state in which the flap is still open, and the drive discharge roller 31 and the driven discharge roller 32 rotate from the flap. It is bitten between these rollers 31 and 32, the flap is overlapped on the envelope, and both are bonded and fixed by the pressing force between the rollers 31 and 32. The sealed envelope passes between the rollers 32 and 33, is transported through the discharge transport path 34, and is transported to a downstream machine of the sealed sealing device 4.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of the envelope chuck portion 38 in the sealing device 4.
As shown in FIG. 7, the envelope chuck portion 38 includes a pair of chuck rollers 23 and 36 (which may be rollers) that can rotate while being pressed against each other in the vertical direction. The envelope chuck portion 38 is provided with envelope guides 35 and 39 for guiding the envelope Pf to the nip portions of the chuck rollers 23 and 36, and an envelope detection sensor 37 disposed on the upstream side of conveyance of the nip portion. A part of the opening mylar 24 serving as a sheet-shaped opening member that can be elastically deformed is in contact with a part of the lower chuck roller 23.

  The opening mylar 24 is disposed at a position where the envelope can be opened by inserting a part of the opening into the opening of the envelope Pf held by the chuck rollers 23 and 36. The chuck rollers 23 and 36 are arranged in a substantially vertical direction and are in pressure contact with each other. The envelope guides 35 and 39 guide the envelope Pf to the position where the sheet is transferred from the envelope conveyance path 14 and guide it to the nip portion between the chuck rollers 23 and 36, and the envelope Pf reaching the chuck rollers 23 and 36. Is guided further along the envelope Pf along the lower chuck roller 23.

  The unsealing mylar 24 is formed of, for example, a thin film-like resin material, which is disposed in the vicinity of the chuck roller 23, and its upper end side is fixed. In the opening mylar 24, the portion slightly above the lower end is normally in contact with the lower chuck roller 23 with a predetermined pressure by the elastic force of the material itself, but when the paper P is guided into the envelope Pf. As shown in FIG. 9 described later, the lower end 24a side is inserted into the opening Pon of the envelope, and the paper P transported by the pack unit 22 is guided into the opening Pon. The envelope chuck portion 38 guides the envelope Pf between the chuck rollers 23 and 36 by the envelope guides 35 and 39 when the envelope Pf is conveyed downward. Next, the envelope Pf is sent between the chuck roller 23 and the opening mylar 24 by the conveying force of the rotating chuck rollers 23 and 36, respectively.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the envelope Pf is held with the opening Pon below the lower end of the opening mylar 24 in the envelope chuck portion 38 of the sealing device 4. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the lower end of the opening mylar 24 has entered the envelope Pf in the envelope chuck portion 38 of the sealing device 4. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the lower end of the opening mylar 24 enters the envelope Pf in the envelope chuck portion 38 of the sealing device 4.

  When the flap (envelope allowance) Pfc portion of the envelope Pf is held between the chuck rollers 23 and 36 as shown in FIG. 8, the envelope detection sensor 37 detects the passage of the end of the flap Pfc. Then, since the chuck rollers 23 and 36 stop rotating, the envelope Pf stops. At this time, the opening Pon of the envelope Pf is positioned below the lower end 24a of the opening mylar 24 as shown in FIG.

  Next, the chuck rollers 23 and 36 start to reversely rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow E in FIG. 8, and the envelope Pf switches back and ascends the transport path 26. At that time, since the lower end side of the opening mylar 24 is in contact with the flap Pfc portion of the envelope by its own elastic force, the lower end 24a of the opening mylar enters the opening Pon of the envelope Pf as shown in FIG. In this state, the reverse rotation of the chuck rollers 23 and 36 stops and the rise of the envelope Pf stops. Accordingly, the envelope Pf is set in an opened state in which the lower end 24a of the opening mylar 24 is inserted into the opening Pon of the envelope Pf as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the glue application unit 60 of the sealing device 4. FIG. 11B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the melt tank 61 is raised in the glue application unit 60. The melt tank 61 contains hot melt paste 28 as a sealing agent melted at high temperature, and the hot melt paste 28 in the melt tank 61 is put on the surface of a rotating roller (glue application roller) 27 as an application member. To form a glue film. Glue application is performed by bringing the glue film of the glue application roller 27 into contact with the flap Pfc of the envelope Pf. A heater as a heating means for heating the hot melt paste 28 and a thermometer as a temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of the hot melt paste 28 are installed inside the shaft 71 of the glue application roller 27, and the hot melt paste 28 is fixed. It is possible to keep the temperature. When the glue application roller 27 is rotated in the direction shown in FIG. 11A, the hot melt glue 28 is scraped off by a sheet metal 72, which is a plate-like scraping member, and the hot melt glue is applied to the glue application roller 27 as much as necessary. 28 is applied. The melt tank 61 in the glue application unit 60 is supported by a spring 63 of the housing 62. When the solenoid (SOL) 64 as the driving means is operated and the movable shaft is pulled in the direction of the arrow shown in the drawing, the plate material 66 rotates around the support point 65 and the melt tank 61 rises (see FIG. 11 (b)). Further, when the melt tank 61 is raised, the boss 67 slides on the notch 68, and the boss 69 moves up and down between the housing 62 and the housing 62.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the sheet post-processing apparatus 3. In the following description with reference to FIG. 12, the saddle stitching process operation for performing the saddle stitching process on the paper P will be mainly described.
The paper sorted by the branch claw 135 and the branch claw 136 from the conveyance path A is guided to the conveyance path B, and is discharged to the processing tray T by the conveyance roller 137, the conveyance roller 138, the conveyance roller 139, and the paper discharge roller 140. . In the processing tray T, the sheets sequentially discharged by the paper discharge roller 140 are aligned, and the same operation is performed until just before stapling (saddle stitching). After the sheet bundle is temporarily aligned on the processing tray T, the leading end of the sheet bundle is sandwiched between the discharge roller 143 and the pressure roller 141a attached to the end of the branch guide plate 141, and the branch guide plate 141 and the movable guide 142 is rotated again by the discharge claw 145 and the discharge roller 143 so as to pass the path guided to the processing tray C by rotating. The discharge roller 143 is provided on the drive shaft of the discharge belt 144 and is driven in synchronization with the discharge belt 144.

  Thereafter, the sheet bundle is conveyed by the discharge claw 145 until the rear end thereof passes the discharge roller 143, and further conveyed by the upper bundle conveyance roller 146 and the lower bundle conveyance roller 147. At that time, the stop position of the movable rear end fence 148 differs depending on the size of each sheet bundle in the transport direction, and is waiting. When the front end of the sheet bundle P ′ contacts and is stuck on the movable rear end fence 148 that is waiting, the pressure of the lower bundle conveying roller 147 is released, and the rear end tapping claw 149 strikes the rear end of the sheet bundle. Final alignment in the transport direction. That is, an alignment operation is performed in which the width direction of the sheet bundle P ′ is aligned by the saddle stitching jogger fences 150 and 151, and the conveyance direction of the sheet bundle P ′ is aligned by the movable rear end fence 148 and the rear end tapping claw 149. Then, the center of the sheet bundle P ′ is bound by the saddle stitch stapler S. Here, the movable rear end fence 148 is positioned by pulse control from the movable rear end fence HP (home position) sensor 152, and the rear end hitting claw 151 is controlled by pulse control from the rear end hitting claw HP (home position) sensor 153. It is positioned. The saddle-stitched sheet bundle P ′ is conveyed upward along with the movement of the movable rear end fence 148 while the pressurization of the lower bundle conveying roller 147 is released, and thereafter the vicinity of the stapled staple portion is in a substantially perpendicular direction. Are pushed by the folding plate 154 and guided to the nip of the opposing folding roller 155. The folding roller 155 that has been rotated in advance folds the center of the sheet bundle P ′ by conveying the sheet bundle P ′ under pressure, and conveys the sheet bundle P ′ as it is to the downstream subsequent machine.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are enlarged views of the portion indicated by the symbol M in FIG. 12, and a mechanism for additionally folding the booklet of the sheet bundle P ′ subjected to saddle stitching processing. It is explanatory drawing of operation | movement.
The pressure roller 156 that performs the folding process on the fold line is downstream in the transport direction of the sheet bundle (sheet bundle) P ″ after the center folding process that is transported through the transport path 157 by the rotation of the first folding roller 155. It is provided at a position close to the side. The pressure roller 156 is provided by a roller moving mechanism 158 so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the sheet bundle conveying direction (sheet conveying direction) (a direction perpendicular to the drawing sheet). As shown in FIG. 13A, the sheet bundle P ″ is folded by the first folding roller 155 and then conveyed in the direction of the arrow as it is. Only stops and stops at the position shown in FIG. At this time, the stop position of the fold portion Pc, which is the leading end portion in the transport direction of the sheet bundle P ″, is on the movement locus of the pressure roller 156 moved by the roller moving mechanism 158. When the pressure roller 156 moves in the direction (perpendicular to the paper surface in the drawing) perpendicular to the sheet bundle conveyance direction (sheet conveyance direction) at the position shown in FIG. The fold portion Pc is further folded (pressurized), and the fold is strengthened. After the additional folding process in which the folds are strengthened is finished, the sheet bundle P ″ is conveyed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 13B by the conveying roller 160 and is conveyed toward the downstream succeeding machine. On the other hand, when post-processing is not required in the downstream succeeding machine, the sheet bundle P ″ after the additional folding process is conveyed in the paper discharge direction.

Next, correction processing of the edge position in the sheet width direction of a set of sheets enclosed in one envelope stacked on the intermediate tray 18 which is a characteristic part of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the side jogger portion 20 of the enclosing / sealing device 4 in the present embodiment.
The side jogger unit 20 includes two jogger fences 257 that come into contact with both ends of the sheets stacked on the intermediate tray 18 and correct the end positions of the sheets to the target positions. The jogger fence 257 is held by a jogger fence sliding guide 256 and a jogger fence sliding shaft 255 inserted therein so as to be movable in the paper width direction to the left and right objects. The driving force for this movement is supplied from the jogger driving motor 252. When the jogger drive motor 252 is driven, the drive pulley 253 is rotationally driven, and the timing belt 251 stretched between the drive pulley 253 and the driven pulley 254 moves endlessly. As the timing belt 251 moves endlessly, the jogger fence sliding guide 256 moves along the jogger fence sliding shaft 255. Therefore, the jogger fence 257 can move in the paper width direction by the forward / reverse rotation drive of the jogger drive motor 252. The positioning of the jogger fence 257 is controlled by the driving time and the rotation direction of the jogger driving motor 252 with reference to a detection time by an HP sensor (not shown).

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the auxiliary fence 236 provided in the side jogger unit 20.
In the present embodiment, there is provided a size mixed mode in which a set of sheets composed of a plurality of types of sheets having different lengths in the sheet width direction (horizontal size) are bundled in one envelope. In the following description, three types of paper having different horizontal sizes (hereinafter, each type of paper is referred to as “maximum size paper”, “intermediate size paper”, and “minimum size paper”) are handled by the paper post-processing device 3. A case will be described in which a single envelope is bundled without going through the process (without performing the binding process with the stapler).

  The correction of the edge position in the width direction of the sheet by the jogger fence 257 described above corresponds only to the maximum size sheet among a plurality of types of sheets stacked on the intermediate tray 18. In other words, the jogger fence 257 can correct the position of the end portion in the width direction of the maximum size paper in contact with the end portion, but the width direction end portion of the small size paper (intermediate size paper and minimum size paper) smaller than the maximum size. Is obstructed by the end of the maximum size sheet in the width direction and cannot contact. For this reason, the jogger fence 257 cannot correct the position of the edge in the width direction of the small-size paper. Therefore, when storing a set of paper groups on the intermediate tray 18 in the envelope, the small-size paper included in the paper groups is stored. There is a risk that the corner of the small-sized paper may be caught on the envelope or protrude from the envelope while the paper is skewed. In this embodiment, an auxiliary fence 236 is mounted in order to correct such an end position in the width direction of the small size paper and prevent a problem due to the skew of the small size paper.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the operation of correcting the end position in the width direction of the small size paper by the auxiliary fence 236. FIG.
In the size mixed loading mode, as will be described later, sheets are stacked on the intermediate tray 18 in order from the sheet having the largest sheet width direction length (horizontal size). Specifically, the maximum size sheet having the largest horizontal size in the set of sheets is first discharged to the intermediate tray 18. The end position of the maximum size sheet is corrected by the jogger fence 257. Subsequently, an intermediate size paper having a horizontal size smaller than the maximum size paper already loaded is discharged to the intermediate tray 18.

  In the present embodiment, the two auxiliary fences 236 are arranged such that the lower ends of the auxiliary fences 236 are in contact with the upper surface portion slightly inside the widthwise end of the maximum size paper before the intermediate size paper is discharged. Is positioned. As a result, the intermediate size paper discharged to the intermediate tray 18 is discharged onto the maximum size paper in a state where the position in the width direction is regulated by the two auxiliary fences 236. In this way, as shown in FIG. 16A, the intermediate size sheets are sequentially stacked between the two auxiliary fences 236 in contact with the upper surface of the maximum size sheet. When the intermediate size paper is stacked on the maximum size paper, the two auxiliary fences 236 move in the paper width direction so that the distance between the two auxiliary fences 236 (paper width direction distance) is narrowed. As a result, the two auxiliary fences 236 come into contact with both ends of the intermediate size paper, and the position of the end in the width direction of the intermediate size paper is corrected.

  When the position of the end in the width direction of the intermediate size sheet is corrected in this way, the auxiliary fence 236 moves to a retracted position separated from the sheet on the intermediate tray 18 as shown in FIG. Then, in preparation for receiving the minimum size paper, the two auxiliary fences 236 are positioned so as to come into contact with the upper surface portion slightly inside the widthwise end portion of the intermediate size paper. Thereafter, as in the case of correcting the width direction end position of the intermediate size sheet, the width direction end position of the minimum size sheet is also corrected by the two auxiliary fences 236. When the position of the edge in the width direction of the minimum size sheet is corrected, the auxiliary fence 236 is moved again to the retracted position as shown in FIG.

  As described above, after correcting the position in the width direction of the sheet for each size of a set of sheets to be put in one envelope, the set of sheets is transported from the intermediate tray 18 into the pack unit 22, Store in the envelope.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the drive mechanism of the auxiliary fence 236.
The two auxiliary fences 236 in the present embodiment are held so as to be movable in the paper width direction to the left and right objects with respect to the auxiliary fence guide shaft 238 and the auxiliary fence sliding shaft 237. The driving force for this movement is supplied from the lateral movement motor 241. When the lateral movement motor 241 is driven, the first timing belt 242 moves endlessly. When the first timing belt 242 is endlessly moved, the driven pulley 243 is driven to rotate. A second timing belt 244 is also wound around the driven pulley 243, and the second timing belt 244 moves endlessly as the driven pulley 243 is driven to rotate.

  An auxiliary fence 236 on the left side in the drawing is attached to the belt portion on the back side in FIG. 17 of the second timing belt 244, and a belt portion on the front side in FIG. Auxiliary fence 236 is attached. Accordingly, when the lateral movement motor 241 is rotationally driven and the second timing belt 244 is moved endlessly, the two auxiliary fences 236 are moved along the auxiliary fence sliding shaft 237 to the left and right objects in the paper width direction. Can move.

  Further, a longitudinal movement motor 240 is provided to move the two auxiliary fences 236 between the paper contact position shown in FIG. 16A and the retracted position shown in FIG. When the longitudinal movement motor 240 is rotationally driven, the auxiliary fence sliding shaft 237 is thereby rotated. The auxiliary fence vertical movement lever 250 is fixed to the peripheral surface of the auxiliary fence sliding shaft 237, and the auxiliary fence vertical movement lever 250 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the auxiliary fence sliding shaft 237. With the configuration as described above, for example, when moving from the paper contact position shown in FIG. 16A to the retracted position shown in FIG. 16B, the vertical movement motor 240 is rotated forward. As a result, the auxiliary fence sliding shaft 237 rotates, and in conjunction with this, the auxiliary fence vertical movement lever 250 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. As a result, the auxiliary fence vertical movement lever 250 pushes the upper end portion of the auxiliary fence 236, the auxiliary fence 236 rotates around the auxiliary fence sliding shaft 237, and the lower end portion of the auxiliary fence 236 moves away from the paper. Move to position.

Positioning of the auxiliary fence 236 in the horizontal direction (paper width direction) is based on the time point when the HP sensor 245 detects the lateral movement detection plate 247 provided on the auxiliary fence 236 arranged on the left side in FIG. It is controlled by the drive time and rotation direction of the motor 241.
In addition, the rotation position (paper contact position and retraction position) of the auxiliary fence 236 is determined based on the time point when the HP sensor 246 detects the longitudinal movement detection plate 248 provided on the peripheral surface of the auxiliary fence sliding shaft 237. Further, it is controlled by the drive time and the rotation direction of the longitudinal movement motor 240.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of operations in the size mixed mode.
For example, when a print job is input to the image forming system (S1), for example, when a print job is input from a personal computer (PC) connected to the image forming system via a communication network, first, It is determined whether or not the print job includes a process of storing output paper in an envelope (S2). At this time, if it is determined that the process for storing the output paper in the envelope is not included (No in S2), the print processing is performed in the order of images specified in the print job (S3). Are sequentially discharged to the discharge destination (S4), and the job is completed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the process includes storing the output paper in the envelope (Yes in S2), then whether the print job includes a process of printing on a plurality of types of paper having different horizontal sizes. It is determined whether or not sheets having different horizontal sizes are mixed and stored in the envelope (S5).

  If the print job does not include a process for printing on a plurality of types of paper having different horizontal sizes (No in S5), the print process is performed in the order of images specified in the print job (S6), and the output paper is transferred to the intermediate tray. 18 and the position in the width direction end of the paper is corrected by the jogger fence 257 (S7). In this case, since the paper stored in the envelope has only one horizontal size, the position in the width direction end of all the paper stored in the envelope can be corrected by the jogger fence 257. Therefore, the paper is appropriately stored in the envelope without being caught on the envelope or protruding from the envelope (S10).

  On the other hand, when the print job includes a process of printing on a plurality of types of paper having different horizontal sizes (Yes in S5), in this embodiment, the print order is not the image order specified in the print job. All the images specified by the job are sorted in descending order of the horizontal size of the output paper, and then the printing process is performed (S8). Therefore, the output sheets are discharged on the intermediate tray 18 in descending order of the horizontal size. Then, as described above, using the jogger fence 257 and the auxiliary fence 236, a process of correcting the width direction end position of each size of paper stacked on the intermediate tray 18 is performed (S9). As a result, the position in the width direction end of all the sheets stored in the envelope can be corrected, and the sheet is appropriately stored in the envelope without being caught on the envelope or protruding from the envelope (S10).

  After the output sheet is stored in the envelope in this way, if the print job includes the envelope sealing process (Yes in S11), the above-described sealing process is performed (S12), and then the output sheet The envelope sealed in the stored state is discharged to a predetermined discharge destination (S13), and the job is completed. If the print job does not include the envelope sealing process (No in S11), the unsealed envelope containing the output paper is discharged to a predetermined discharge destination without performing the sealing process (S13). Finish the job.

  In the present embodiment, an example is described in which the end position in the width direction of a small-size sheet included in the sheet group is corrected to the target position on the intermediate tray 18 on which the sheet group to be placed in the envelope is stacked. However, the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention is applied to a mechanism for aligning sheets in the width direction on the processing tray T of the sheet post-processing device 3, and a small-size sheet when a plurality of sheet groups having different lateral sizes are stacked on the processing tray T is used. You may correct the position of the edge part of the width direction. In this case, before performing the process of binding a plurality of sizes of paper groups having different horizontal sizes by the stapler, the position in the width direction end of the small size paper can be corrected, and the paper group can be appropriately bound by the stapler.

What has been described above is merely an example, and the present invention has a specific effect for each of the following modes.
(Aspect A)
Stacks multiple-size papers (maximum size paper, intermediate size paper, minimum size paper) with different paper lengths (horizontal sizes) in a predetermined direction (paper width direction) on a paper stacking member such as the intermediate tray 18 and stacks them. A paper end position correcting device that corrects the width direction end position of a sheet to a target position by causing two abutting members to abut on both ends in the width direction of the printed sheet, the sheet length in the predetermined direction The paper length in the predetermined direction is larger than the maximum size in which the paper length in the predetermined direction is the maximum for the paper group stacked on the paper stacking member so that the larger the paper is, the lower the paper is stacked. The distance between the two abutting members such as the auxiliary fence 236 is wider than the length between both ends in the predetermined direction on the specific paper (intermediate size paper, minimum size paper) which is at least one kind of small size. In the held state, the lower end of the two contact members is brought into contact with a non-overlapping portion that does not overlap with the specific sheet, of the upper surface of the sheet having the long sheet length in the predetermined direction next to the specific sheet, After that, there is provided an end position correcting means for reducing the distance between the two abutting members to correct the end position of the specific sheet in the predetermined direction to the target position by contacting the both ends of the specific sheet. .
According to this, as described above, even when a paper group composed of a plurality of types of paper sizes is stacked on the paper stacking member, the end position of the specific paper (small size paper) included in the paper group is targeted. Can be corrected to position.

(Aspect B)
In the aspect A, there is provided a maximum size end position correcting means such as a jogger fence 257 for correcting the end position in the predetermined direction on the maximum size sheet to a target position.
According to this, the end position of the maximum size sheet can be corrected to the target position.

(Aspect C)
In the above aspect A or B, the end position correction means narrows the distance between the two contact members by moving both of the two contact members.
According to this, it is possible to align the sheets of each size stacked on the sheet stacking member on the same central axis.

(Aspect D)
In the above aspect A or B, the end position correction means narrows the distance between the two contact members by moving the other contact member while fixing one of the two contact members.
According to this, the sheets of each size stacked on the sheet stacking member can be brought close to the fixed contact member side, so that one end portions of the sheets between the sizes can be aligned.

(Aspect E)
Paper supply means for supplying paper of a plurality of sizes having different paper lengths in a predetermined direction, image forming means for forming an image on the paper supplied by the paper supply means, and an image formed by the image forming means In an image forming system including a paper edge position correcting unit that corrects the edge position in the predetermined direction of the paper to a target position, the paper having a longer paper length in the predetermined direction is stacked on the lower side. A sheet end position correcting device according to any one of the above aspects A to D, comprising stacking order adjusting means for adjusting the order of sheets stacked on the sheet stacking member; Is used.
According to this, even when the output paper on which the image is formed has a plurality of types of paper sizes, the end position of the specific paper (small size paper) can be corrected to the target position. Therefore, it is easy to handle an output paper group composed of a plurality of types of paper sizes.

(Aspect F)
In the aspect E, there is a storage unit that stores the stacked sheets on the sheet stacking member after the end position of the specific sheet is corrected by the sheet end position correcting device into a sheet storing material such as an envelope Pf. .
According to this, an output paper group composed of a plurality of types of paper sizes can be appropriately stored in the paper storage material without the paper being caught on the paper storage material or protruding from the paper storage material.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 3 Paper post-processing apparatus 4 Enclosing sealing apparatus 5 Envelope inspection apparatus 6,7 Discharge tray 18 Intermediate tray 19 Front end stopper 20 Side jogger part 21 Rear end stopper 22 Pack unit 24 Opening mylar 236 Auxiliary fence 240 Vertical movement motor 241 Horizontal movement motor 252 Jogger drive motor 257 Jogger fence

JP 2001-96987 A

Claims (6)

A plurality of sizes of sheets having different sheet lengths in a predetermined direction are stacked on a sheet stacking member, and two contact members are brought into contact with both ends of the stacked sheets in the predetermined direction, respectively. A paper edge position correcting device for correcting an end position in a predetermined direction to a target position,
For a group of sheets stacked on the sheet stacking member so that a sheet having a longer sheet length in the predetermined direction is stacked on the lower side, the predetermined length is larger than the maximum size in which the sheet length in the predetermined direction is the maximum. The specific sheet in a state in which the distance between the two contact members is kept wider than the length between both ends of the predetermined direction in the specific sheet having at least one kind of sizes having a small sheet length in the direction. The lower end of the two abutting members is brought into contact with a non-overlapping portion that does not overlap with the specific sheet on the upper surface of the sheet having the long sheet length in the predetermined direction next to the sheet, and then the two abutting parts An end position correcting unit that adjusts the end position of the specific sheet in the predetermined direction to a target position by abutting the both end portions of the specific sheet by narrowing a distance between the members. Part position correction device. In the paper edge position correcting device according to claim 1,
A paper edge position correcting device comprising a maximum size edge position correcting means for correcting the edge position in the predetermined direction of the maximum size paper to a target position. In the paper edge position correcting device according to claim 1 or 2,
The sheet edge position correcting device, wherein the edge position correcting means narrows the distance between the two contact members by moving both of the two contact members. In the paper edge position correcting device according to claim 1 or 2,
The edge position correcting means reduces the distance between the two abutting members by moving the other one of the two abutting members while fixing one of the two abutting members. apparatus. Paper supply means for supplying paper of a plurality of sizes having different paper lengths in a predetermined direction, image forming means for forming an image on the paper supplied by the paper supply means, and an image formed by the image forming means In an image forming system comprising: a sheet end position correcting unit that corrects an end position of the sheet in the predetermined direction to a target position;
A stacking order adjusting unit that adjusts the order of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking member so that the longer the sheet length in the predetermined direction is stacked on the lower side,
An image forming system using the paper edge position correcting device according to claim 1 as the paper edge position correcting means. The image forming system according to claim 5.
An image forming system comprising: storage means for storing the stacked sheets on the sheet stacking member after the end position of the specific sheet is corrected by the sheet end position correcting device into a sheet storing material.

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