JP2013230940A - Recording material processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase an opportunity of satisfying a relationship between an orientation of an image on a recording material constituting a bundle of the recording material and a position of binding processing applied to the bundle of the recording material.SOLUTION: An image forming system 1 includes: an image forming unit 5; a compiling-loading unit 35 for loading a plurality of sheets S with an image formed by the image forming unit 5 as a bundle of the sheets S superposed while first and second ends are arranged, respectively; a stapler 40 for binding the first end side in a bundle of the loaded sheets S; a staple-less binding device 50 for binding the second end side; a sheet reversing device 7 for reversing both sides of the sheets S with the image formed thereon and for conveying thereof to the compiling-loading unit 35; and a control unit 80 for controlling the propriety of reverse conveyance by the sheet reversing device 7 based on the orientation of the image to the sheets S, the position of a stapler staple 41, and the position of an emboss trace 51.

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording material processing apparatus.

  Some sheet processing apparatuses include a plurality of binding units that perform a binding process on a bundle of sheets, for example, an adhesive application unit, a half-cut binding unit, a staple binding unit, and a temporary binding unit (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-318918 A

  An object of the present invention is to increase an opportunity to satisfy the relationship between the orientation of an image on a recording material constituting a bundle of recording materials and the position of a binding process performed on the recording material bundle.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reversal conveying means for reversing and conveying a recording material on which an image is formed, and a plurality of recording materials conveyed from the reversing conveyance means, each of the first end portions. A state in which a second end adjacent to the first end, a third end facing the first end, and a fourth end facing the second end are aligned. A stacking unit that stacks the recording material as a bundle of the recording material, and at least one of the first end side and the second end side of the bundle of recording materials stacked on the stacking unit is a first unit. First binding means for binding by the binding process of
At least one of the third end side and the fourth end side in the bundle of recording materials stacked on the stacking unit is bound by a second binding process different from the first binding process. When both the first binding means and the second binding means perform the binding process on the second binding means and one bundle of recording materials, the orientation of the image with respect to the recording material and the recording A recording material process including: a control unit that controls whether the reversal conveyance unit can reversely convey the recording material based on the position where the first binding process and the second binding process are performed on the bundle of materials. Device.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the orientation of the image on the recording material constituting the bundle of recording materials and the position of the binding process applied to the bundle of recording materials are compared with the case where this configuration is not provided. The opportunity to satisfy the relationship can be increased.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the periphery of the compilation | stacking part. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the periphery of the compilation | stacking part seen from the III direction of FIG. (A) is a schematic block diagram of a needleless binding apparatus, (b) is a conceptual diagram of the embossing mark formed by a needleless binding apparatus. (I) is a diagram for explaining the relationship between portrait and landscape images and paper, and (II) is a conceptual diagram for explaining the relationship between the image-formed paper and the compiling stacking unit. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a bundle of sheets processed according to the present embodiment and formed with a vertically long image. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a bundle of sheets processed according to the present embodiment and formed with a landscape image. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the orientation of an image formed on a sheet supplied to a compiling stacking unit, where (I) illustrates a face-up state and (II) illustrates a face-down state. FIG. It is a flow for demonstrating the procedure in which a control part performs the operation | movement setting of an image formation and a binding process. The table for determining the conditions for forming a vertically long image by the control unit is shown. 3 shows a table for determining conditions for forming a horizontally long image by the control unit. It is a figure for demonstrating the other structural example of a stapleless binding apparatus, and the bundle | flux of the paper in which the stapleless binding process was made | formed.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<Image forming system 1>
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming system 1 to which the exemplary embodiment is applied. An image forming system 1 shown in FIG. 1 performs post-processing on, for example, an image forming apparatus 2 such as a printer or a copier that forms an image by electrophotography, and a sheet S on which a toner image is formed by the image forming apparatus 2. And a sheet processing apparatus 3 to be applied.

<Image forming apparatus 2>
The image forming apparatus 2 is a sheet supply unit 6 that supplies a sheet S on which an image is formed, and an image forming unit 5 that is an example of an image forming unit and forms an image on the sheet S supplied from the sheet supply unit 6. The reversing and conveying means is an example of a reversing device 7 that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 2 for reversing the surface of the paper S on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 5 and the paper S on which the image is formed. And a discharge roller 9 for discharging. The image forming apparatus 2 also includes a user interface 90 that receives information related to the binding process from the user.
The paper supply unit 6 includes a first paper supply stacking unit 61 and a second paper supply stacking unit 62 that stack the paper S therein and supply the paper S to the image forming unit 5. The paper supply unit 6 includes a first paper supply sensor 63 that detects the presence or absence of the paper S provided in the first paper supply stacking unit 61, and a second paper supply stacking unit 62. And a second paper supply sensor 64 that detects the presence or absence of the paper S provided therein.

<Paper Processing Device 3>
The paper processing device 3 includes a transport device 10 that transports the paper S output from the image forming device 2 further downstream, a compile stacking unit 35 that collects and bundles the paper S, and a stapler 40 that binds the end of the paper S. And a post-processing device 30 including the above. The sheet processing apparatus 3 is an example of a control unit, and includes a control unit 80 that controls the entire image forming system 1.
The conveyance device 10 of the paper processing device 3 includes an entrance roller 11 that is a pair of rollers that receive the paper S output via the discharge roller 9 of the image forming device 2, and the paper S received by the entrance roller 11. And a puncher 12 for drilling as necessary. Further, the transport device 10 further downstream of the puncher 12 includes a first transport roller 13 that is a pair of rollers for transporting the paper S to the downstream side, and a pair of transports the paper S toward the post-processing device 30. And a second transport roller 14 which is a roller.

The post-processing device 30 of the paper processing device 3 includes a receiving roller 31 that is a pair of rollers that receive the paper S from the transport device 10. Further, the post-processing device 30 is an example of a stacking unit, and is provided on the downstream side of the receiving roller 31 and collects and stores a plurality of sheets S, and the sheet S toward the stacking section 35 for compilation. And an exit roll 34 which is a pair of rollers for discharging the ink. Further, the post-processing device 30 includes a paddle 37 that rotates so as to push the sheet S toward an end guide 35 b (described later) of the compiling stacking unit 35. Further, the post-processing device 30 includes a tamper 38 for pushing the sheet S toward a side guide 35c (described later) of the compilation stacking unit 35. Further, the post-processing device 30 is an example of an output unit, and an eject roll that holds the sheets S collected in the compilation stacking unit 35 and conveys the bundle of bound sheets S to the downstream side. 39 is provided.
Further, the post-processing device 30 is an example of a first binding unit that binds the end portion of the bundle of sheets S collected on the compilation stacking unit 35 using the staple 41 (see FIG. 6). And a staple-less binding device 50 that binds the end of the bundle of sheets S without using the staple 41. Further, the post-processing device 30 includes an opening 69 for discharging the bundle of sheets S and a stacker 70 that stacks the post-processed sheet bundle so that the user can easily take it.

<Structure around the binding means>
Next, the compiling stacking unit 35, the stapler 40 and the stapleless binding device 50 provided around the compiling stacking unit 35, and the like will be described using FIGS. Here, FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the periphery of the compile stacking unit 35, and FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the periphery of the compile stacking unit 35 viewed from the direction of arrow III in FIG. Note that the lower side in FIG. 3 is the front side in FIG. In FIG. 3, some members such as the eject roll 39 are not shown for simplification.

  First, the compiling stacking unit 35 includes a bottom 35a having an upper surface on which the sheets S are stacked, and an end guide 35b and a side guide 35c provided around the bottom 35a. As will be described in detail later, the sheet S around the compile stacking unit 35 is first supplied toward the compile stacking unit 35 (see the first traveling direction S1 in FIG. 2), and then compiled with the traveling direction reversed. Falls along the bottom 35a of the stacking section 35 (see the second traveling direction S2 in FIG. 2), and then further reverses the traveling direction and ascends along the bottom 35a of the stacking section 35 for compilation (see FIG. 2). (Refer to the third traveling direction S3).

The configurations of the end guide 35b, which is an example of the leading end facing portion, and the side guide 35c, which is an example of the side end facing portion, are described below using the positional relationship with the paper S.
That is, the end guide 35b is on the leading end side of the sheet S conveyed along the second traveling direction S2, and the side guide 35c is on one side end of the sheet S conveyed along the second traveling direction S2. It is arranged on each side. That is, the end guide 35b is configured to align the end portion on the leading end side of the paper S falling along the bottom 35a, and the side guide 35c is substantially parallel to the falling direction of the paper S falling along the bottom 35a. That is, one side edge of the paper S is aligned. In the present embodiment, substantially orthogonal includes orthogonal, and substantially parallel includes parallel.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, each end of the bottom portion 35a of the compiling stacking portion 35 is defined as follows.
That is, each end of the bottom portion 35a of the compilation stacking portion 35 in the present embodiment is in contact with the second traveling direction S2 indicating the direction in which the paper S falls along the top surface of the bottom portion 35a of the compilation stacking portion 35. If it defines in a relationship, the edge part by the side of the front-end | tip side of 2nd advancing direction S2 of the bottom part 35a is called end guide side edge part Ta. The end guide side end Ta is an end in contact with the end guide 35b.
Next, the end facing the end guide side end Ta, that is, the rear end of the bottom 35a in the second traveling direction S2 is referred to as a non-end guide side end Tc.
In addition, an end that extends in the second traveling direction S2 and that is provided with the side guide 35c is referred to as a side guide side end Tb. The side guide side end Tb is in contact with the side guide 35c.
Furthermore, the end opposite to the side end Tb, that is, the end extending in the second traveling direction S2, and the end opposite to the side where the side guide 35c is provided, It is called side guide side end Td.

  The paddle 37 is provided above the compilation stacking unit 35 and downstream of the exit roll 34 in the first traveling direction S1 of the sheet S. Further, the paddle 37 is provided such that the distance from the bottom 35a of the compiling stacking portion 35 is changed by being driven by a motor or the like. Specifically, the paddle 37 is provided so as to be movable in the directions of arrows U1 and U2 in FIG. The paddle 37 rotates in the direction of the arrow R in FIG. 2, so that the sheet S conveyed along the first traveling direction S1 in FIG. It is configured to push in the direction S2.

  The tamper 38 is provided on the side surface of the compiling stacking portion 35, specifically, the side surface on the non-side guide side end portion Td side, and is provided so that the distance from the side guide 35c of the compiling stacking portion 35 changes. Yes. The tamper 38 is provided so as to be movable in the directions of arrows C1 and C2 in FIG.

  The eject roll 39 is composed of a first eject roll 39a and a second eject roll 39b, and the first eject roll 39a and the second eject roll 39b are arranged so as to face each other with the bottom 35a of the compiling stacking section 35 interposed therebetween. ing. And it is comprised so that the distance with the paper S supplied between the 1st eject roll 39a and the 2nd eject roll 39b may change. Specifically, the first eject roll 39a is provided so as to be movable in the arrow Q1 direction and the arrow Q2 direction. On the other hand, the position of the second eject roll 39b is fixed, and the second eject roll 39b is provided to perform only rotational movement. Then, the eject roll 39 rotates in the direction of the arrow T1 in FIG. 2, so that a bundle of sheets S bound by the stapler 40 and the stapleless binding device 50 to be described later is placed on the compile stacking unit 35 in the third direction. It is configured to transport in the traveling direction S3.

<Stapler 40>
The stapler 40 is configured to bind the end of the bundle of sheets S accommodated in the compilation stacking unit 35 by pushing the staple needles 41 into the sheet S one by one. The stapler 40 is provided so as to be movable around the compiling stacking unit 35. Specifically, the stapler 40 is provided so as to be movable on a stapler rail (not shown) provided around the compile stacking unit 35 (see arrow A in FIG. 3), and a stapler motor (not shown) is used as a drive source. It is configured to move on the stapler rail. The stapler 40 can be disposed on the user side (the lower side in FIG. 3), and can be easily operated on the stapler 40 such as replenishment of the staple needle 41.
The stapler rail includes a portion extending substantially in parallel with the longitudinal direction (vertical direction in FIG. 3) of the end guide 35b provided in the compiling stacking unit 35, and the longitudinal direction of the side guide 35c (horizontal in FIG. 3). Direction) and a corner portion connecting these portions. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the stapler 40 can staple at the end guide side end portion Ta and the side guide side end portion Tb, and the staple position at each end portion can be arbitrarily changed ( (See 40a to 40d in FIG. 3). In the present embodiment, the position of the stapler rail is fixed with respect to the compiling stacking unit 35. In the present embodiment, the staple position of the stapler 40 is at the corner portion connecting the portion extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the end guide 35b and the portion extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the side guide 35c. This is the position where 41 is pushed (see 40c in FIG. 3).

<Needleless binding device 50>
The stapleless binding device 50 is configured to bind the end of the bundle of sheets S accommodated in the compilation stacking unit 35 without using the staple needle 41 (described later). Further, the stapleless binding device 50 is provided to be movable around the compiling stacking unit 35. Specifically, the stapleless binding device 50 is provided on a rail for a stapleless binding device (not shown) provided around the compile stacking unit 35 (see arrow B in FIG. 3). The needleless binding device motor is configured to move on the rail for the stapleless binding device using a non-needle binding device motor as a drive source. Unlike the stapler 40, the stapleless binding device 50 does not require replenishment of the staple needle 41.

The staple-less binding device rail extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (vertical direction in FIG. 3) of the end of the compiling stacking unit 35 that faces the end guide 35b provided in the compiling stacking unit 35. It consists of a part, a part extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 3) of the end part of the compiling stacking part 35 facing the side guide 35c, and a part connecting these parts. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3, the stapleless binding device 50 can bind a bundle of sheets S at the non-end guide side end Tc and the non-side guide side end Td, and further binds at each end. The position can be arbitrarily changed (see 50a to 50d in FIG. 3). In the present embodiment, the home position of the stapleless binding device 50 is a portion extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the end portion of the compiling stacking portion 35 and the end of the compiling stacking portion 35 facing the side guide 35c. This is a position (see 50c in FIG. 3) where the end of the bundle of sheets S is bound at a corner portion connecting the portions extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the portion. The home position of the stapleless binding device 50 is not limited to 50 c in FIG. 3, and may be a position where the stapleless binding device 50 does not hinder the conveyance of the bundle of sheets S. For example, the position where the needleless binding device 50 faces the side guide 35c (see 50d in FIG. 3) may be the home position of the needleless binding device 50.
Further, the position of the rail for the stapleless binding device (not shown) can be changed according to the paper size and orientation of the paper S supplied to the compiling stacking unit 35. Specifically, the staple-less binding device rail is movable so that the distance between the staple-less binding device rail and the end guide 35b or the distance between the staple-less binding device rail and the side guide 35c is changed. (Refer to arrows B1 and B2 in FIG. 3).

  Next, the structure of the stapleless binding device 50 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 4A shows an outline of the stapleless binding device 50 as a perspective view, and FIG. 4B shows a corner portion of a bundle of sheets S whose ends are processed by the stapleless binding device 50. Is shown.

  The stapleless binding device 50 embosses the sheet S so as to bind the bundle of sheets S by receiving pressure from the pressing unit 52 and applying pressure to process the end of the sheet S by approaching each other. And an embossed portion 53 to be processed.

The pressing part 52 includes an upper pressing part 52a and a lower pressing part 52b. The upper pressing portion 52a is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the lower pressing portion 52b by an upper pressing portion motor (not shown) (see arrows D1 and D2 in FIG. 4A), and the upper pressing portion 52a and the lower pressing portion. It is configured to apply pressure to the sheet S provided between the section 52b.
The embossed portion 53 includes a convex portion 53a and a receiving portion 53b. The convex portion 53a is provided in the upper pressing portion 52a, and the receiving portion 53b is provided in the lower pressing portion 52b. The convex portion 53a and the receiving portion 53b are configured to process the paper S provided therebetween. .

  Specifically, the convex portion 53a has an uneven surface on the surface facing the receiving portion 53b, and the one receiving portion 53b has an uneven surface on the surface facing the convex portion 53a. Furthermore, the surface of the convex portion 53a provided with the concave and convex portions and the surface of the receiving portion 53b provided with the concave and convex portions are substantially parallel, and the convex portion of the convex portion 53a and the concave portion of the receiving portion 53b. It arrange | positions so that it may mesh with the location. When the pressure is received by the pressing portion 52, the convex portion 53a and the receiving portion 53b are engaged with each other so that the paper S is processed. The portion of the paper S processed as shown in FIG. 4B corresponds to the shape of the convex portion 53a and the receiving portion 53b, and is an example of unevenness extending in the overlapping direction of the paper S. The staple needle 41 The embossed trace 51 binds a bundle of sheets S without using.

<Relationship between the stapler 40 and the stapleless binding device 50>
Here, in the present embodiment, the stapler 40 and the stapleless binding device 50 have a relationship in which positions where the ends of the bundle of sheets S are bound do not overlap. As shown in FIG. 3, this is because the range in which the stapler 40 can move (see arrow A in FIG. 3) and the range in which the stapleless binding device 50 can move (see arrow B in FIG. 3) overlap. It is by not doing. In other words, the stapleless binding device 50 cannot be placed in the range where the stapler 40 can be placed, and the stapler 40 cannot be placed in the range where the stapleless binding device 50 can be placed. It does not overlap with the position where the bindingless device 50 binds the bundle of sheets S.

<Paper S>
Now, the paper S in the present embodiment is rectangular (including a square) and has two long sides, two short sides, a front surface, and a back surface. Here, the front surface of the paper S refers to the surface on the side on which the image is formed of the surface of the paper S, and the back surface of the paper S is opposite to the surface on the side of the paper S on which the image is formed. Refers to the side surface. Note that the surface of the paper S when images are formed on both sides of the paper S is the surface on the side on which the image is finally formed.
Next, the end portions Sa to Sd of the sheet S on which the image has been formed will be described with reference to FIG. 5, and each end portion Sa to Sd of the sheet S and the bottom portion 35 a of the compiling stacking portion 35 will be described. A relationship with the end portions Ta to Td will be described. 5 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between (I) portrait and landscape images and the paper S, and FIG. 5 (II) explains the relationship between the paper S on which the image is formed and the compiling stacking unit 35. It is a conceptual diagram for doing.

First, the definition of each edge of the sheet S on which an image has been formed will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the case where “A (alphabet letter A)” is formed as an image formed on the paper S will be described. In FIG. 5I, (a) shows a case where a so-called vertically long image in which the short side of the paper S is the top of the image is formed, and (b) shows the long side of the paper S. A case where a so-called horizontally long image is formed at the top of the image is shown.
As shown in FIGS. 5I, 5A, and 5B, in the paper S on which an image has been formed, the end of the paper S on the upper side of the image is referred to as a top side end Sa. Further, the end portion of the sheet S on the lower side of the image is referred to as a ground side end portion Sc. Further, the end of the sheet S on the left side of the image is referred to as a left end Sb. Furthermore, the edge of the sheet S on the right side of the image is referred to as the right edge Sd.
In the embodiment using the vertically long image shown in FIGS. 5 (A) and 5 (a), the top end Sa and the ground end Sc are on the short side of the paper S, but FIG. In the embodiment using the horizontally long image shown in b), the long side of the sheet S is the top side end portion Sa and the ground side end portion Sc, and the top side end portion Sa and the ground side end portion Sc are on the long side side. Or any of the short side may be sufficient.

Next, referring to FIG. 5 (II), when the sheet S is supplied to the compiling stacking unit 35, the respective end portions Sa to Sd of the sheet S and the respective end portions Ta of the bottom 35a of the compiling stacking unit 35 are used. The relationship with Td will be described with an example. Here, a case where a vertically long image is formed on the paper S as shown in FIGS. 5I and 5A will be described, but the same applies to a case where a horizontally long image is used.
First, as shown in FIG. 5 (II), in the second traveling direction S2 of the sheet S, that is, in the direction in which the sheet S falls along the upper surface of the bottom 35a of the compiling stacking section 35, the second traveling direction S2 The end portion on the tip side is the top end portion Sa. Further, the back surface of the sheet S is in contact with the bottom 35 a of the compiling stacking unit 35.
When the sheet S is stacked on the compiling stacking unit 35, the top end Sa of the sheet S is arranged on the end guide side end Ta side. Further, the left end Sb of the sheet S is disposed on the side guide side end Tb side, the ground side end Sc of the sheet S is disposed on the non-end guide side end Tc side, and the right end of the sheet S is disposed. Sd is arranged at the non-side guide side end Td.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the relationship between the end portions Sa to Sd of the sheet S and the end portions Ta to Td of the bottom portion 35a of the compiling stacking portion 35 is as described above. However, this relationship changes according to the paper S (and the image formed on the paper S) supplied to the compilation stacking unit 35. For example, when the orientation of the paper S changes, The relationship of the parts changes (details will be described later).

<Operation of Image Forming System 1>
Next, the operation of the image forming system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the basic operation mode of the image forming system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, and then the image forming system 1 with reference to FIGS. 6 to 11 in addition to FIGS. 1 to 5. A detailed operation mode will be described.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example in which each binding process is performed on a bundle of sheets S on which a vertically long image is formed. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which each binding process is performed on a bundle of sheets S on which a horizontally long image is formed. FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the orientation of the image formed on the sheet S supplied to the compilation stacking unit 35 when viewed from above the compilation stacking unit 35. Further, FIG. 9 is a flow for explaining a procedure for setting the operation of the image forming and binding processing by the control unit 80, and FIG. 10 determines the conditions when the control unit 80 forms a vertically long image. FIG. 11 shows a table for determining conditions when the control unit 80 forms a horizontally long image.

Further, in the present embodiment, in a state where the sheet S is stacked on the compilation stacking unit 35, the surface of the sheet S is viewed from above the compilation stacking unit 35 (in the direction indicated by the arrow III in FIG. 2). The state that can be seen is called face-up. For example, the states shown in FIGS. 5 and 8 (I) (a) to (d) are face-up.
On the other hand, when the sheet S is stacked on the compilation stacking unit 35, a state where the surface of the sheet S is not visible when viewed from above the compilation stacking unit 35 is referred to as face down. For example, the states shown in (II) (a) to (d) of FIG. 8 are face-down.

A basic operation mode of the image forming system 1 will be described.
First, the user interface 90 provided in the image forming system 1 receives information related to the binding process from the user. Here, examples of the information regarding the binding process received from the user include the following. That is, the image formed on the sheet S is the number of sheets in the bundle of sheets S, which end of the bundle of sheets S is bound by which binding means, and further, the binding position is which position of the end of the sheet S. Get instructions on whether or not.

Next, before the control unit 80 performs the image forming and binding processing operations, the image forming and binding processing operations are set.
The setting flow of the image forming and binding processing operations will be described with reference to FIG. First, the control unit 80 acquires image formation data of an image that the user desires to form on the paper S (S101). Here, the image forming data acquired by the control unit 80 includes, in addition to the data of the image itself formed on the paper S, the orientation in which the image is formed, for example, the short side of the paper S. Is included in the upper portion (vertical orientation), or the long side of the paper S is the upper portion (horizontal orientation).
Next, the control unit 80 loads the first sheet supply stacking unit 63 and the second sheet supply stacking unit 64 via the first sheet supply sensor 63 and the second sheet supply sensor 64. A signal about the presence or absence of the sheet S being used is acquired (S102). Further, the instruction received from the user by the user interface 90, that is, the number of sheets S to be bound by the bundle of sheets S, is acquired (S103), and the edge of the sheet S is acquired. An instruction as to which position of the part is to be bound by which binding means is acquired (S104), and an instruction as to whether face-up or face-down is acquired (S105).

  Then, based on the information acquired in S101 to S105, the control unit 80 first determines whether or not it is appropriate to perform the binding process on the bundle of sheets S with respect to the acquired binding instruction (S106). . Here, the instruction that is not appropriate to perform the binding process includes, for example, an instruction for binding the same end portion of the paper S by both the stapler 40 and the stapleless binding device 50, and a position where the paper S faces each other. There is an instruction to perform the binding process by the stapler 40 at the end of the sheet.

If the control unit 80 determines that the instruction is not appropriate in S106, the control unit 80 instructs the user interface 90 to output that the binding position is not appropriate (S113). In this case, the image forming system 1 does not perform an image forming operation (described later).
On the other hand, when the control unit 80 determines that the instruction is an appropriate instruction in S106, the control unit 80 has received a request from the user by the image forming system 1 of the present embodiment (in particular, the paper supply unit 6 in this example). It is determined using the tables shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 described later whether or not the instruction image can be formed and bound (S107).

  As described above, when the control unit 80 determines that it is possible in S107, the control unit 80 outputs image data to the image forming unit 5 (S108), and the first paper supply stacking unit 61 is supplied to the paper supply unit 6. And a driving signal for driving one of the second paper supply stacking sections 62 (S109), and a driving signal for driving the paper reversing device 7 as necessary (S110). A drive signal related to the location of the sheet S and the number of sheets S to be bound is output (S111), and a drive signal related to the location of the binding process and the number of sheets S to be bound is output to the stapleless binding device 50 (S111) S112). Further, although not shown in FIG. 8 for the sake of clarity, the control unit 80 also outputs drive signals to the paddle 37, the tamper 38, and the like.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 80 determines in S107 that it is impossible, the user interface 90 is instructed to output that it is impossible to form and bind the image according to the image formation instruction (S113). ). In this case, the image forming system 1 does not perform an image forming operation (described later).

Next, the operation of the image forming system 1 after the control unit 80 determines that image formation and binding processing are possible and the control unit 80 outputs a signal or the like to each component of the image forming system 1. Will be described.
In the following description, a mode as shown in FIG. 5 (II), that is, the top end Sa of the paper S is arranged on the end guide side end Ta side, and the left end Sb of the paper S is The sheet S on which the image is formed is supplied to the compiling stacking unit 35 in such a manner that the sheet S is arranged on the side guide side end Tb side and the back surface of the sheet S is in contact with the bottom 35a of the compiling stacking unit 35. The case will be described. Further, it is assumed that a bundle of sheets S is formed by three sheets S per bundle.

  First, before the toner image is formed on the first sheet S by the image forming unit 5 of the image forming apparatus 2, the control unit 80 places the stapler 40 at the home position (the position 40c in FIG. 3), so The binding device 50 is arranged at the home position (position 50c in FIG. 3).

  The paper supply unit 6 that has received the drive signal from the control unit 80 supplies the paper S to the image forming unit 5. Specifically, one of the first sheet supply stacking unit 61 and the second sheet supply stacking unit 62 that has received an instruction supplies the sheet S to the image forming unit 5, and this embodiment , The paper S is supplied from the first paper supply stacking unit 61.

  Next, a toner image is formed on the first sheet S supplied from the first sheet supply stacking unit 61 by the image forming unit 5 of the image forming apparatus 2. In FIG. 1, an image is formed on the sheet S passing over the image forming unit 5, and the sheet S when passing over the image forming unit 5 is the surface on the image forming unit 5, that is, the surface of FIG. The lower surface is the surface of the paper S. Then, a toner image is formed by the image forming unit 5 so that the end on the leading end side in the transport direction of the paper S becomes the ground side end Sc and the end on the rear end side in the transport direction becomes the top end Sa. Is done.

The first sheet S on which the toner image is formed is reversed by the sheet reversing device 7 as necessary. In this example, the sheet S is not reversed by the sheet reversing device 7. When the sheet S is reversed, the back surface and the front surface of the sheet S are switched upside down before and after the sheet S is reversed, and the leading edge and the trailing edge of the sheet S with respect to the transport direction of the sheet S are switched. The end is switched back and forth.
Thereafter, the sheet S on which the image is formed is supplied to the sheet processing apparatus 3 one by one through the discharge roller 9.

  In the transport apparatus 10 of the sheet processing apparatus 3 to which the first sheet S is supplied, the first sheet S is received by the entrance roller 11, and the punching process is performed on the first sheet S by the puncher 12 as necessary. Applied. Thereafter, the first sheet S is transported toward the downstream post-processing device 30 via the first transport roller 13 and the second transport roller 14.

In the post-processing device 30, the first sheet S is received by the receiving roller 31. The first sheet S that has passed through the receiving roller 31 is conveyed by the exit roll 34 along the first traveling direction S1. After the leading edge of the first sheet S in the first advancing direction S1 passes between the compiling stacking unit 35 and the paddle 37, the paddle 37 descends (moves in the direction of the arrow U1 in FIG. 2) and moves to the first. Contact the paper S.
The first sheet S is pushed in the second traveling direction S2 of FIG. 2 by the rotation of the paddle 37 shown in FIG. Accordingly, the sheet S is transported along the direction of the second traveling direction S2, which is opposite to the first traveling direction S1, and therefore, the front end side and the rear side of the sheet S are transported. The end on the end side is switched back and forth.
The top end Sa of the first sheet S comes into contact with the end guide 35b. Thereafter, the paddle 37 rises (moves in the direction of arrow U2 in FIG. 2). Further, the tamper 38 is driven so that the tamper 38 presses the right end Sd of the first sheet S, and the left end Sb of the first sheet S contacts the side guide 35c.

  When the second sheet S and the third sheet S on which the toner image is formed by the image forming unit 5 following the first sheet S are sequentially supplied to the post-processing device 30, the paddle 37 and The ends of the paper S are aligned by the tamper 38. In this way, three sheets S, which is a preset number, are accommodated in the compilation stacking unit 35, and the ends of the sheets S are aligned to form a bundle of sheets S.

Next, the end of the bundle of sheets S stacked on the compilation stacking unit 35 is bound.
First, the stapler 40 is moved from the home position (position 40c in FIG. 3) and disposed at a position where the staple needle 41 is pushed. At that position, by pushing one staple needle 41 into the bundle of sheets S, the end of the bundle of sheets S is bound.
Thereafter, the stapleless binding device 50 moves from the home position (position 50c in FIG. 3) and is disposed at a position where the embossed trace 51 is formed. At that position, the upper pressing portion 52a and the lower pressing portion 52b of the stapleless binding device 50 approach each other so that the convex portion 53a and the receiving portion 53b are engaged with each other with the bundle of sheets S interposed therebetween. As a result, an emboss mark 51 is formed on each sheet S, and the end of the bundle of sheets S is bound. The embossed trace 51 is formed over all the three stacked sheets S, and the bundle of sheets S is bound by the stacked sheets S biting each other. In other words, a bundle of sheets S is pressed.

  Thereafter, the bundle of sheets S bound by the staple needle 41 and the embossed trace 51 is moved from the compiling stack 35 by the rotation of the first eject roll 39a, and passes through the opening 69 to the stacker 70. Discharged.

  The basic operation mode of the image forming system 1 has been described above. Next, a detailed operation mode of the image forming system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

<Aspect of Binding of Bundles of Paper S>
First, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, it will be described that the bundle of sheets S can be subjected to the binding process in various modes by the post-processing device 30 in the present embodiment. Here, in FIGS. 6 and 7, the staple needle 41 indicated by the black square indicates a portion where the bundle of the sheets S is bound by the stapler 40, and the embossed mark 51 indicated by the white square indicates the staple. A portion where a bundle of sheets S is bound by the bindingless device 50 is shown. Further, FIGS. 6 and 7 exemplify a case in which one stapling process and one stapleless binding process are performed on the bundle of sheets S.

Here, a bundle of sheets S on which a vertically long image shown in FIG. 6 is formed will be described first. The bundle of sheets S shown in (1) of FIG. 6 will be described as an example. In this bundle of sheets S, the staple needle 41 is placed on the top side end Sa, which is the end on one short side of the sheet S. The embossed trace 51 is disposed at the ground side end Sc which is the end of the other short side of the paper S. In the bundle of sheets S, the staple needles 41 and the embossed traces 51 are arranged at the ends of the opposite sides of the sheet S on the short side.
In the bundle of sheets S shown in FIGS. 6 (2) to 6 (12), the staple needle 41 and the embossed trace 51 are arranged at different ends of the bundle of sheets S.
The same applies to the bundle of sheets S on which the horizontally long image shown in FIG. 7 is formed. That is, also in the bundle of sheets S shown in FIGS. 7 (13) to (24), the staple needle 41 and the embossed trace 51 are arranged at different ends of the sheet S.

  Here, when the force for releasing the binding by the staple needle 41 and the embossed trace 51 is compared, the force for releasing the binding by the staple needle 41 is larger. Therefore, when both the staple needle 41 and the embossed trace 51 are applied to a bundle of one sheet S, for example, the bundle of the sheets S is more reliably bound by the staple needle 41 and the other embossed trace 51 is used to bind the sheet S. The bundle can be used to bind the sheets so that the binding can be released more easily (the sheets S are separated from each other). Here, as a case where it is preferable to easily release the bound bundle of sheets S, temporary fixing based on the assumption that the end of the bundle of sheets S is opened, such as a test problem formed in a booklet shape, for example. For example, or when it is necessary to indicate that the bundle of sheets S is unopened.

<Relationship between compiling stacking unit 35 and orientation of paper S>
As described above, it has been described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 that the image forming system 1 of the present embodiment can perform binding processing on a bundle of sheets S in various modes.
However, as described above, the range in which the stapler 40 can be moved (see arrow A in FIG. 3) and the range in which the stapleless binding device 50 can be moved (see arrow B in FIG. 3) are limited. The image forming system 1 in the form performs the following operation. That is, the image forming system 1 performs image formation by changing the orientation of the image formed on the paper S as necessary, and further performs image formation on the paper S having a different orientation as necessary. This will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a case where a vertically long image is formed on the paper S as shown in FIGS. 5I and 5A will be described, but the same applies to a case where a horizontally long image is used.

First, each sheet S shown in FIG. 8 shows the sheet S as viewed from above the compiling stacking unit 35 (in the direction indicated by the arrow III in FIG. 2). Then, the sheet S supplied to the compiling stacking unit 35 is shown in the conveyance direction on the left side in the drawing, that is, the conveyance direction along the arrow S2 direction.
FIG. 8I shows a face-up state, and colored “A” in FIG. 8 indicates that an image is formed on the front side of the sheet. On the other hand, FIG. 8 (II) shows a face-down state, and “A” drawn with a broken line in the same figure indicates that an image is formed on the back side (back side) of the drawing.

  Then, the sheet S and the form of the image described in the basic operation of the image forming system 1 described above, that is, the sheet S is transported in a direction in which one of the short sides of the sheet S is the leading end side in the transport direction. In the case where an image is formed by the image forming unit 5 so that the leading end side in the transport direction becomes the top side end Sa and the sheet S is transported to the compiling stack unit 35 without driving the sheet reversing device 7 (hereinafter, for convenience) The paper S is supplied in the state shown in FIGS. 8I and 8A (referred to as “basic paper supply mode”).

  Here, in the basic sheet supply mode, as described above, an image is formed by the image forming unit 5 such that the leading end side in the transport direction of the sheet S becomes the top end Sa. More specifically, first, when the sheet S is supplied to the compilation stacking unit 35, the transport direction of the sheet S is changed from the first traveling direction S1 to the second traveling direction S2. Change. Therefore, in the basic sheet supply mode, the image forming unit 5 sequentially forms images from the ground side end Sc side of the sheet S toward the top end Sa.

Further, the image formed by the image forming unit 5 in the case of the basic paper supply mode is shown in FIGS. 8 (I), (b) to (d) with an angle of 0 ° (FIG. 8 (I) (b)). In the case of forming an image, when shown in the clockwise rotation angle when the sheet S is viewed from the image forming unit 5, FIGS. 8 (I) and 8 (b) are rotated by 180 °, and (c) is rotated by 90 °. A state in which an image obtained by rotating 270 ° is formed is shown in (d).
Here, FIG. 8 (I), in which an image is formed face up, will be described first, and then, FIG. 8 (II), in which an image is formed face down, will be described.

First, FIG. 8I will be described.
(A) 0 °
In this embodiment, the orientation of the image and the sheet S indicates the basic sheet supply mode, and the top end Sa of the sheet S is arranged on the end guide side end Ta (tip in the second traveling direction S2) side. The left end Sb of the paper S is arranged and conveyed on the side guide side end Tb side (lower side in the drawing). In the basic paper supply mode, the short side of the paper S is conveyed with the leading edge in the second traveling direction S2.
(B) 180 °
In the present embodiment, an image is formed with the image rotated by 180 ° from the basic paper supply mode, and the ground side end Sc of the paper S is set to the end guide side end Ta (the tip in the second traveling direction S2). The right end Sd of the paper S is disposed on the side guide side end Tb side (lower side in the drawing) and conveyed. In this aspect, the short side of the paper S is conveyed with the leading edge in the second traveling direction S2, and this point is common to the basic paper supply aspect.
(C) 90 °
In the present embodiment, an image is formed with the image rotated by 90 ° from the basic paper supply mode, and the left end Sb of the paper S is set to the end guide side end Ta (tip in the second traveling direction S2) side. The ground side end Sc of the paper S is arranged on the side guide side end Tb side (the lower side in the drawing) and conveyed. In this aspect, the long side of the sheet S is conveyed with the leading edge in the second traveling direction S2.
(D) 270 °
In the present embodiment, an image is formed with the image rotated by 270 ° from the basic paper supply mode, and the right end Sd of the paper S is set to the end guide side end Ta (tip in the second traveling direction S2) side. The top side end portion Sa of the paper S is arranged on the side guide side end portion Tb side (the lower side in the drawing) and conveyed. In this aspect, the long side of the sheet S is conveyed with the leading edge in the second traveling direction S2.

Next, FIG. 8 (II) in which an image is formed face down will be described. In order to form an image face down, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 (II), the sheet reversing device 7 is driven to change the top and bottom of the sheet S upside down, and then the sheet S is placed on the compiling stack 35. Transport.
(A) 0 °
Similar to the basic paper supply mode in the present embodiment, the angle of the image is 0 °. By driving the paper reversing device 7 as described above, the front and back surfaces of the paper S are switched up and down from the basic paper supply mode. As a result, the left side edge Sb and the right side edge of the paper S are the basic paper supply mode. In a state where Sd is replaced, the top side end Sa of the sheet S is arranged on the end guide side end Ta (tip in the second traveling direction S2) side, and the right side end Sd of the sheet S is arranged on the side guide side end. It is arranged and conveyed on the part Tb side (lower side in the figure).
(B)-(d)
As for the other modes (b) 180 °, (c) 90 °, and (d) 270 °, the image shown in FIG. , The sheet S is supplied to the compiling stacking unit 35 after an image is formed by rotating 180 °, 90 °, and 270 °.

  In this way, by rotating the image, the sheet S can be supplied to the compilation stacking unit 35 in a state where the arrangement of each end of the sheet S is changed. Although this is not illustrated in FIG. 8, it is possible to change the end portion to be bound by the stapler 40 and the stapleless binding device 50 provided around the compiling stacking portion 35.

<Conditions for image formation and paper binding>
Next, the case where the binding of the bundle of sheets S shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is executed will be described with reference to FIGS. The contents shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 are stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the control unit 80. Then, based on the same content, the control unit 80 determines whether or not it is possible to form and bind the image of the instruction received from the user. If it is determined that the image formation and the binding processing are possible, the control unit 80 A drive signal is output to each component.

Here, “reference numerals” in FIGS. 10 and 11 correspond to the respective signs of the bundle of sheets S in FIGS. 6 and 7. The conditions for performing the binding process of the bundle of sheets S corresponding to the respective codes are described in the respective columns of FIGS.
Specifically, “staple” and “emboss” indicate the end portions of the paper S on which the staple needle 41 and the emboss mark 51 are arranged, respectively. In this column, “top” indicates that the top end Sa is bound, and similarly, “ground” indicates the ground end Sc, “left” indicates the left end Sb, and “right” indicates the right end Sd. Indicates that each is bound.

Next, “paper S” indicates a direction in which the paper S is conveyed, and “LEF (Long Edge Feed)” indicates a direction in which one long side of the paper S is a leading edge (along the short side direction of the paper S). “SEF (Short Edge Feed)” is a direction in which one short side of the paper S is the leading edge (direction in which the paper S is conveyed along the long side direction). Indicates that the sheet S is conveyed.
“Rotation angle” indicates the angle of the image formed by the image forming unit 5, and “0 °”, “180 °”, “90 °”, and “270 °” indicate the sheet S from the image forming unit 5. It is a clockwise angle.
“Reversal presence / absence” indicates the presence / absence of a step of reversing by the paper reversing device 7.

“Stapling position (Ta or Tb)” indicates the end of the bottom 35a of the compiling stacking portion 35 to which the stapler 40 binds, “Ta” is the end guide side end Ta, and “Tb” is the side guide side end. Part Tb is shown.
“Emboss position (Tc or Td)” indicates the end of the bottom 35a of the compile stacking unit 35 to which the stapleless binding device 50 performs binding, “Tc” indicates the non-end guide side end Tc, and “Td” The non-side guide side end portion Td is shown.

Then, “SEF & LEF” indicated by “paper supply unit” indicates that the paper S can be supplied in both the SEF and LEF transport directions. In the present embodiment, each of the first paper supply stacking unit 61 and the second paper supply stacking unit 62 has the same size but is 90 in the transport direction of the paper S. The sheets S oriented in different directions can be provided in the respective interiors. More specifically, “SEF & LEF” means that the sheet supply unit 6 includes the first sheet supply stacking unit 61 and the second sheet supply unit 61. This indicates that the sheet S is provided in each of the sheet supply stacking units 62.
On the other hand, “SEF only” and “LEF only” indicate states in which the sheet S can be supplied only in one of the transport directions of SEF and LEF, respectively. This is the case, for example, when the paper S supplied in the LEF direction is out of paper.
Further, “◯” indicates that image formation under the condition can be executed, and that execution under the condition is preferentially selected. “Δ” indicates that the condition can be executed, and that execution under the condition is not preferentially selected.

Here, the case of reference (1) will be specifically described.
In the case of reference numeral (1), as shown in FIG. 6A, the staple needle 41 is disposed at the top end portion Sa, and the embossed trace 51 is disposed at the ground end portion Sc.
First, if the sheet reversing device 7 is provided in the image forming apparatus 2 and the sheet S can be supplied in any of the SEF and LEF transport directions, the “sheet supply unit”, “SEF & LEF” Refer to the column. In the “SEF & LEF” column, “△” is shown in the column corresponding to SEF for the used paper, and “◯” is shown in the column corresponding to LEF for the used paper. As described above, priority is given to the execution with the condition indicated by “◯”, so that the sheet S to be used is LEF, that is, the sheet S is conveyed in a direction in which one long side of the sheet S is the leading edge. Selected. In this case, the image forming angle is 270 °, and “inversion presence / absence” is “none”, and therefore the sheet inversion device 7 does not invert the sheet S. Further, the position where the staple needle 41 is arranged is Ta, and the position where the embossed mark 51 is arranged is Tc.
On the other hand, when the supplied paper S is “SEF only” or “LEF only” under the same conditions, only one “◯” is shown in each column. The condition of the line indicated by “” is selected.

  Here, the conditions shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 are determined as follows. First, priority is given to the case where there is no inversion over the case where the paper S is inverted after image formation. This is to suppress a decrease in productivity. Further, when the sheet S can be supplied in either the SEF or LEF conveyance direction, the LEF is prioritized. This is to suppress a decrease in productivity.

  As described above, the image forming system 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment is within the movable range of the stapler 40 (see arrow A in FIG. 3) and the movable range of the stapleless binding device 50 (see arrow B in FIG. 3). Although there are limitations, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the orientation of the image formed on the sheet S is changed to form an image, and if necessary, the image is formed on the sheet S having a different orientation. Thus, the bundle of sheets S can be bound in various ways.

Now, as described above, the image is formed in the face-up and face-down states. However, the control unit 80 selects that the image is formed face-up and the image is formed face-down. Is selected, the order of image formation when forming images on a plurality of sheets S is reversed.
For example, when images formed on a plurality of sheets S (1 to N) are read by reading means (scanner or the like) (not shown), the scanners are arranged in the order of the sheets S supplied to the scanner (here, the order 1 to N). Reads an image. When an image is formed face up based on the read image, the control unit 80 outputs image data so that the image forming unit 5 forms images on the paper S in the order of 1 to N.
On the other hand, when an image is formed face down, the front and back surfaces of the sheets S stacked on the compilation stacking unit 35 are switched upside down, so the control unit 80 changes the order of images formed by the image forming unit 5. The image data is output so as to form an image in the reverse order. In the above example, the control unit 80 outputs image data to the image forming unit 5 so as to form toner images in the order of N to 1.

Here, a case where an image is formed face down will be described. In the case of forming an image face down, the condition of the row in which “Yes” is indicated in the “inversion presence / absence” column of FIGS. 10 and 11 is selected.
For example, in the case of the conditions “sign” and “(1)” in FIG. 10, that is, when “staple” is “top” and “emboss” is “ground”, the “reverse presence / absence” column is “None” is indicated. In this case, the conditions are set in the same manner as in FIGS. In other words, “reversal presence / absence” is set to “present”, and image formation is performed under conditions for driving the sheet reversing device 7.
Specifically, when “paper S” is “LEF”, “rotation angle (°)” is “270”, “staple position (Ta or Tb)” is “Ta”, and emboss position (Tc or Td). "Tc", "SEF &LEF" of the "paper supply unit" is "O", "SEF only" is "-", and "LEF only" is "O".
Other conditions such as “signs” (4), (7) and (10) in FIG. 10 are similarly determined.

  In the above-described embodiment, the face-up and face-down modes are selected, and when forming an image on a plurality of sheets S, the order of image formation is reversed. It is not limited. For example, the toner images may be formed in the order read by the scanner, and the order of the sheets S may be physically changed during the conveyance. Specifically, the sheets S on which images are formed are stocked in an intermediate stacking unit (not shown) provided in the image forming system 1, and the compilation is sequentially performed when the number of sheets S forming a bundle is stocked. The configuration may be such that it is supplied to the loader 35.

  Here, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an image is formed on the sheet S passing over the image forming unit 5, and the sheet S when passing over the image forming unit 5 is Although it has been described that the surface on the image forming unit 5 side, that is, the lower surface in FIG. 1 is the surface of the sheet S, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in addition to the image forming unit 5 as shown in FIG. 1, that is, the image forming unit 5 that forms an image on the paper S passing thereover, the opposite side of the passing paper S, that is, the passing paper S A configuration further including an image forming unit 5 provided above may be used. In the case of this configuration, an image can be formed on both the upper surface and the lower surface of the sheet S passing therethrough.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the sheet reversing device 7 is described as being provided in the image forming apparatus 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the sheet reversing device 7 may be provided downstream of the image forming unit 5 in the conveyance direction of the sheet S and upstream of the compilation stacking unit 35 in the conveyance direction of the sheet S. 3 may be provided.

  Further, the stapler 40 is capable of stapling at two ends (the end guide side end Ta and the side guide side end Tb) of the bottom 35a of the compilation stacking unit 35, and the stapleless binding device 50 is used for compilation. Although the description has been given of the configuration in which the bundle of sheets S can be bound at the other two ends (the non-end guide side end Tc and the non-side guide side end Td) of the bottom portion 35a of the stacking portion 35, It is not limited to. That is, one end portion (for example, end guide side end portion Ta) of the bottom portion 35a of the compiling stacking portion 35 can be arranged by the stapler 40, and the other three end portions (for example, side guide side end portion Tb, non-end) The needleless binding device 50 may be arranged so that the guide side end portion Tc and the non-side guide side end portion Td) are arranged. Further, the stapler 40 may be fixed only at the corner of the bottom portion 35a of the compiling stacking portion 35, and the needleless binding device 50 may be arranged at the other end.

  Furthermore, although the bundle of sheets S shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 has been described here, the bundle of these sheets S is an example, and the post-processing device 30 in the present embodiment is configured to use these sheets S. A mode of binding other than a bundle is also possible. For example, it is possible to bind each corner of the bundle of sheets S, and it is also possible to change the position and number of locations where the bundle of sheets S are bound. Furthermore, an aspect in which a bundle of sheets S is bound only by the arrangement of the staple needle 41, an aspect in which a bundle of sheets S is bound only by embossing, and the like are possible.

  In the above description, the stapler 40 is used as an example of the first binding means and the stapleless binding device 50 is used as the second binding means. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, both may be the same type of binding means. That is, the first binding unit is a binding unit that binds with the first staple needle, and the second binding unit binds with the second staple needle that has less force to release the binding than the first staple needle. It may be a means. Similarly, both may be binding means that are needleless binding means, and both may be other binding means such as binding means using an adhesive.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, for convenience, one of the short sides of the paper S is disposed on the leading end side in the transport direction, and the paper S is supplied face up without driving the paper reversing device 7. Although described as an embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, one of the long sides of the paper S may be arranged on the leading end side in the transport direction (see FIG. 8C or FIG. 8D). In this case, the number of images formed per unit time increases. And it may be based on face-down instead of face-up. In the case of face down, the surface on which the image of the paper S is formed on the stacker 70 is turned down and discharged, which is preferable from the viewpoint of information management.

Furthermore, the needleless binding device 50 may be as follows.
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining another configuration example of the stapleless binding device and a bundle of sheets S subjected to the stapleless binding process. As shown in FIG. 12A, the stapleless binding device 500 is configured by pressing the base portion 503 in the F1 direction in the drawing with the bundle of sheets S sandwiched between the base 501 and the bottom member 502. A bundle of sheets S is bound by a mechanism described below.

  Specifically, the blade 504 and the punching member 505 first penetrate the bundle of sheets S, so that the slits 521 and one end 522a are left in the bundle of sheets S as shown in FIG. A tongue-like piece 522 from which a bundle is punched is formed. When the base portion 503 is further pressed down, the upper end portion 505a of the punching member 505 hits a protruding portion 506 formed integrally with the base 501 and the punching member 505 rotates clockwise in FIG. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 12C, the protrusion 505b at the tip of the punching member 505 pushes the tongue-like piece 522 toward the eye hole 504a of the blade 504 in the direction F2 in the figure. In FIG. 12C, the punching member 505 is not shown. When the base portion 503 is raised in the direction F3 in the drawing in this state, the blade 504 is raised while the tongue-like piece 522 is hooked in the eye hole 504a. Then, as shown in FIG. 12D, the tongue-like piece 522 is inserted into the slit 521, and the bundle of sheets S is bound. At this time, a binding hole 523 is formed in the bundle of sheets S where the tongue-like piece 522 is punched.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming system, 2 ... Image forming apparatus, 3 ... Paper processing apparatus, 10 ... Conveying apparatus, 30 ... Post-processing apparatus, 34 ... Exit roll, 35 ... Stacking part for compilation, 37 ... Paddle, 38 ... Tamper, 39 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Eject roll, 40 ... Stapler, 50 ... Needleless binding device, 69 ... Opening part, 70 ... Stacker, 80 ... Control part, 90 ... User interface, S ... Paper

Claims (1)

A reverse conveying means for reversing and conveying the front and back of the recording material on which the image is formed;
A plurality of recording materials conveyed from the reversal conveying means are each provided with a first end, a second end adjacent to the first end, and a third end facing the first end. Stacking means for stacking the recording medium as a bundle of recording materials in a state where the end and the fourth end facing the second end are aligned;
First binding means for binding at least one of the first end side and the second end side of the bundle of recording materials stacked on the stacking means by a first binding process;
At least one of the third end side and the fourth end side in the bundle of recording materials stacked on the stacking unit is bound by a second binding process different from the first binding process. A second binding means;
When both the first binding means and the second binding means perform a binding process on one recording material bundle, the orientation of the image with respect to the recording material and the first recording material bundle And a control means for controlling whether or not the recording material can be reversed and conveyed by the reversing and conveying means on the basis of the binding process and the position where the second binding process is performed.

Images