JP2014061964A - Sheet processing device, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet processing device and an image forming apparatus which facilitate extraction of sheets having binding processing performed thereon, and replacement and replenishment of staples or the like.SOLUTION: A non-stapled binding unit 153 for performing binding processing on sheets without using a staple is disposed on the side deeper than an intermediate processing tray 138 in an apparatus body, and a stapler 132 for performing binding processing on the sheets by using a staple is disposed on the more front side than the non-stapled binding unit 153 in the apparatus body. The sheets having the binding processing performed thereon is discharged by an assist 147 in a discharge direction perpendicular to the depth direction and downstream of the stapler 132 in the discharge direction.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to binding sheets by different types of binding means.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventional image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, laser beam printers, facsimile machines, and multi-function machines include a sheet processing apparatus that performs processing such as binding on a sheet on which an image is formed. As a binding means for binding a plurality of sheets, there is a needle binding means for binding a sheet bundle using a metal binding needle, and a needle for binding the sheet without using a binding needle by partially processing the sheet itself Two types of binding means are known.

  For example, when the sheet is cut with a shredder or reused, the sheet is bound by a needleless binding unit that performs a binding process without using a binding needle. Then, by binding the sheet by the needleless binding means in this way, the trouble of removing the binding needle from the sheet can be omitted. Further, when the processed sheet is stored for a long period of time or when the number of sheets to be bound increases, a binding device with a needle that binds using a binding needle is used.

  Here, Patent Document 1 describes a sheet processing apparatus in which a stapleless binding unit and a stapled binding unit are arranged in parallel in the sheet conveying direction. In the sheet processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when the binding process is performed by the staple-containing binding unit, first, the sheet P conveyed to the processing tray 71 is aligned by the alignment plate 77 by the rear end plate 72 as shown in FIG. Aligning in the transport direction by pressing against Thereafter, alignment in the width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction is performed by the side regulating plate 73, and alignment in the conveyance direction and width direction is performed in this manner, and then the binding process is performed on the sheet P by the binding device 75 a with a needle.

  Further, when the sheet P is bound by the stapleless binding means 75b, first, the trailing end plate 72 presses the leading end portion in the conveying direction of the sheet P against the leading end stopper 74, and then the alignment in the conveying direction is performed. Alignment in the width direction is performed by the side regulating plate 73. Thereafter, the stapleless binding unit 75b performs a stapleless binding process on the sheet P. In this way, the sheet P is aligned at different positions in the transport direction, thereby switching between the needle-bound binding means 75a and the needle-less binding means 75b. Note that in the sheet processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the sheets that have been bound by the stapled binding means 75a or the stapleless binding means 75b are taken out from the front side of the processing tray 71.

JP 2004-167700 A

  However, in the sheet processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when a bound sheet is taken out from the front side of the processing tray 71, the needle-bound binding means 75a and the needle-less binding means 75b become an obstacle. As a countermeasure for this, in order to make it easier for the user to take out the bound sheets, it is conceivable that the needle-bound binding means 75a and the needle-less binding means 75b are configured to be movable in the transport direction and retracted after the binding process. However, in this case, since it is necessary to retract the stapled binding means 75a and the stapleless binding means 75b before taking out the sheet, the sheet cannot be taken out immediately after the binding process is performed.

  Further, in order to improve the sheet take-out property, when the needle-bound binding means 75a and the needle-less binding means 75b are arranged on the back side in the depth direction of the processing tray 71, that is, on the back side of the apparatus, the needle of the needle-bound binding means 75a is used. It becomes difficult to replace or repair.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus in which a sheet subjected to a binding process can be easily taken out, a needle can be replaced, or the like can be easily repaired. It is what.

  The present invention provides a sheet processing apparatus that uses a sheet stacking unit on which sheets are stacked, an aligning unit that aligns sheets stacked on the sheet stacking unit, and a needle that is not aligned with the sheets aligned by the aligning unit. A first binding unit that performs a binding process on the sheet, and a second binding unit that uses a needle to perform a binding process on a sheet that is provided closer to the apparatus body in the depth direction than the first binding unit and is aligned by the alignment unit. It is characterized by comprising binding means and sheet discharge means for discharging the sheets subjected to the binding process.

  As in the present invention, the first binding means is provided on the back side of the apparatus main body, and the second binding means is provided on the front side of the apparatus main body, so that it is easy to take out the sheets subjected to the binding process, replace the needles, or make up the staples. .

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus including a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus. The figure explaining schematic structure of the finisher which is the said sheet processing apparatus. The figure explaining the structure of the intermediate process tray provided in the said finisher. The figure explaining the structure of the binding part provided in the said finisher. The figure explaining the structure of the needleless binding unit provided in the said binding part. The figure explaining operation | movement of the needleless binding unit provided in the said binding part. Sectional drawing which shows the state of the sheet | seat bound without a needle | hook by the said needleless binding unit. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the finisher. The figure explaining the binding process by the stapler provided in the said finisher. The figure explaining the binding process by the said needle-less binding unit. Flowchart for explaining the finisher's binding operation The figure explaining the cartridge replacement | exchange operation | movement of the said stapler. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a binding operation of a conventional sheet processing apparatus.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus provided with a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view thereof. 1 and 2, 900 is an image forming apparatus, 900A is an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as the apparatus main body), and 900B is an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet. Reference numeral 950 denotes an image reading apparatus provided on the upper part of the apparatus main body 900A, and includes an original conveying apparatus 950A. Reference numeral 209 denotes an operation unit. A finisher 800 is a sheet processing apparatus disposed between the upper surface of the apparatus main body 900 </ b> A and the image reading apparatus 950.

  Here, the image forming unit 900B irradiates the photosensitive drums a to d that form toner images of four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, and irradiates a laser beam on the photosensitive drum based on the image information. An exposure device 906 for forming an electrostatic latent image is provided. The photosensitive drums a to d are driven by a motor (not shown), and a primary charger, a developing device, and a transfer charger (not shown) are arranged around the photosensitive drums a to d, and these are process cartridges 901a to 901d. As a unit.

  Reference numeral 902 denotes an intermediate transfer belt that is rotationally driven in the direction of an arrow. By applying a transfer bias to the intermediate transfer belt 902 by transfer chargers 902a to 902d, each color toner image on the photosensitive drum is sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 902. Is transferred to. As a result, a full-color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt.

  Reference numeral 903 denotes a secondary transfer unit that sequentially transfers the full color image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 902 to the sheet P. The secondary transfer unit 903 includes a secondary transfer counter roller 903b that supports the intermediate transfer belt 902, and a secondary transfer roller 903a that contacts the secondary transfer counter roller 903b via the intermediate transfer belt 902. Reference numeral 909 denotes a registration roller, 904 denotes a paper feed cassette, and 908 denotes a pickup roller that feeds the sheet P stored in the paper feed cassette 904. Reference numeral 206 denotes a CPU circuit unit as a control unit that controls the apparatus main body 900A and the finisher 800.

  Next, an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 900 configured as described above will be described. When the image forming operation is started, the exposure device 906 first irradiates a laser beam based on image information from a personal computer (not shown), and the surface of the photosensitive drum a is uniformly charged with a predetermined polarity and potential. The surfaces of -d are sequentially exposed to form electrostatic latent images on the photosensitive drums a-d. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image is developed with toner and visualized.

  For example, the photosensitive drum a is first irradiated with laser light based on the image signal of the yellow component color of the original document through a polygon mirror of the exposure device 906 to form a yellow electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum a. The yellow electrostatic latent image is developed with yellow toner from a developing device and visualized as a yellow toner image. Thereafter, the toner image arrives at the primary transfer portion where the photosensitive drum a and the intermediate transfer belt 902 come into contact with the rotation of the photosensitive drum a. When the toner image arrives at the primary transfer portion in this way, the yellow toner image on the photosensitive drum a is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 902 by the primary transfer bias applied to the transfer charger 902a (1 Next transfer).

  Next, when the portion of the intermediate transfer belt 902 carrying the yellow toner image moves, the magenta toner image formed on the photosensitive drum b by the same method as described above is transferred from the yellow toner image to the intermediate transfer belt. Transferred to 902. Similarly, as the intermediate transfer belt 902 moves, the cyan toner image and the black toner image are transferred onto the yellow toner image and the magenta toner image, respectively, in the primary transfer portion. As a result, a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 902.

  In parallel with this toner image forming operation, the sheets P stored in the paper feed cassette 904 are sent out one by one by the pickup roller 908. Then, the sheet P reaches the registration roller 909, the timing is adjusted by the registration roller 909, and then conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 903. Thereafter, in the secondary transfer unit 903, the four color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 902 are collectively transferred onto the sheet P by a secondary transfer bias applied to a secondary transfer roller 903a as a transfer unit. (Secondary transfer).

  Next, the sheet P on which the toner image is transferred is guided from the secondary transfer unit 903 to the conveyance guide 920 and conveyed to the fixing unit 905, and is fixed by receiving heat and pressure when passing through the fixing unit 905. . Thereafter, the sheet P on which the image is fixed in this manner is discharged by a discharge roller pair 922 provided downstream of the fixing unit 905 and conveyed to the finisher 800.

  Here, the finisher 800 sequentially takes in the sheets discharged from the apparatus main body 900A, aligns the plurality of received sheets and bundles them into one bundle, and the upstream end (hereinafter, rear end) of the bundled sheet bundle in the sheet discharge direction. Binding process is performed. As shown in FIG. 3, the finisher 800 includes a processing unit 139 that performs a binding process as necessary, and discharges and stacks sheets on a paper discharge tray 137. The processing unit 139 includes an intermediate processing tray 138 serving as a sheet stacking unit on which sheets to be bound are stacked, and a binding unit 132A that binds the sheets stacked on the intermediate processing tray 138.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate processing tray 138 regulates (aligns) both end positions in the width direction (depth direction) of the sheet conveyed from the direction orthogonal to the depth direction of the apparatus main body 900A to the intermediate processing tray 138. ) And rear alignment plates 145 and 146 are provided. Note that the front and rear alignment plates 145 and 146 that are side edge alignment means for aligning the width side edge positions of the sheets stacked on the intermediate processing tray 138 are a pre-alignment motor M140 and alignment shown in FIG. It is driven by the rear motor M150 and moves in the width direction.

  Further, the front and rear alignment plates 145 and 146 are usually a pre-alignment motor M140 and a post-alignment motor M150 which are driven based on detection signals of the pre-alignment HP sensor S100 and the post-alignment HP sensor S110 shown in FIG. To move to a receiving position for receiving the sheet. Then, when regulating the positions of both side edges of the sheets stacked on the intermediate processing tray 138, the pre-alignment and post-alignment motors M140 and 150 are driven, and the front and back alignment plates 145 and 146 are moved along the width direction. Thus, the sheet is placed in contact with both side edges of the sheets stacked on the intermediate processing tray.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, draw-in paddles 131 (131 a to 131 c) are arranged above the intermediate processing tray 138 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction. Here, before the sheet is carried into the processing unit 139, the pull-in paddle 131 drives the paddle motor M100 based on detection information of a paddle HP sensor S140 shown in FIG. It will be in the state where it waited in the upper part which does not become. A plurality of pull-in paddles 131 are provided on the paddle shaft 142, and a detection flag 143 detected by the paddle HP sensor S140 is provided on the paddle shaft 142.

  Further, when the sheet is discharged to the intermediate processing tray 138, the pull-in paddle 131 is rotated counterclockwise at an appropriate timing by the paddle motor M100. With this rotation, the sheet is pulled in and the rear end of the sheet is set to the assist 147. Strike. Here, in the present embodiment, the pull-in paddle 131, the assist 147, and the front and back alignment plates 145 and 146 constitute an alignment unit 130 that aligns the sheets stacked on the intermediate processing tray 138. For example, when the inclination of the intermediate processing tray 138 is large, the sheet can be brought into contact with the assist 147 without using the pull-in paddle 131 or the knurled belt 129 described later.

  The assist 147 is moved to a receiving position for receiving a sheet from a position that does not hinder movement of a stapler, which will be described later, by an assist motor M120 that is driven based on a detection signal of an assist HP sensor S120 shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the assist 147 serving as a restricting unit that abuts the upstream end of the sheet stacked on the intermediate processing tray 138 in the discharge direction and restricts the position in the sheet discharge direction is subjected to the binding process. It also serves as a sheet discharging means for discharging the sheet. In FIG. 4, reference numerals 140a and 140b denote end assists for supporting the assist 147. At the upper ends of the end assists 140a and 140b, curl pressers 141a and 141b for pressing the curl of the sheet from above are provided. Yes. Since the end assists 140a and 140b are members that support the assist 147, they may be arranged as necessary.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the finisher 800 includes an inlet roller pair 102 for taking a sheet into the apparatus, a conveying roller 103, and a knurled belt 129. The sheet discharged from the apparatus main body 900A is stored in the inlet roller. Passed to pair 102. At this time, the sheet delivery timing is simultaneously detected by an inlet sensor S101 shown in FIG. The sheets transferred to the entrance roller pair 102 are sequentially conveyed to the intermediate processing tray 138 by the conveyance roller 103, and thereafter, alignment in the sheet conveyance direction is performed by the return means such as the pull-in paddle 131 and the knurled belt 129. A processed sheet bundle is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the binding unit 132A includes a stapler 132 that is a stapled binding unit and a needleless binding unit 153 that is a needleless binding unit. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the stapler 132 is located at the HP (home position). Here, a stapler 132 which is a second binding unit that performs binding processing on the sheet with a needle is fixed to the staple support base 150. The guides 151a and 151b of the staple support table 150 are guided in the grooves of the movement guide 149 provided on the staple moving table 148, so that the stapler 132 moves while changing the direction with respect to the sheet on the staple moving table. .

  In FIG. 5, S <b> 130 is a staple movement HP sensor that detects the HP (home position) of the movable stapler 132. Here, in the present embodiment, the HP of the stapler 132 is set closer to the front side in the depth direction of the apparatus main body 900A than the intermediate processing tray 138. In other words, the HP of the stapler 132 is provided closer to the front side in the depth direction of the apparatus main body 900A than the intermediate processing tray 138 (hereinafter referred to as the front side of the apparatus main body).

  A staple-less binding unit 153 that is a first binding unit that performs a binding process on a sheet without using a needle is provided on the back side in the depth direction of the apparatus main body 900A from the intermediate processing tray 138 (hereinafter referred to as the apparatus main body back side). It has been. Further, the needleless binding unit 153 is provided with an upper arm 509 and a lower arm 512 as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Further, the needleless binding unit 153 is provided with a needleless binding motor M160, gears 501 and 505, step gears 502 to 504, a rotation shaft 506, and the like.

  Then, the rotation of the needleless binding motor M160 is transmitted to the gear 505 attached to the rotary shaft 506 via the gear 501 and step gears 502 to 504, whereby the rotary shaft 506 rotates. Here, as shown in FIG. 7, a cam 507 positioned between the upper arm 509 and the lower arm 512 is attached to the rotating shaft 506 given rotational force by the needleless binding motor M160.

  Accordingly, when the rotation shaft 506 rotates, the cam 507 moves the upper arm 509 via the roller 508 from the position shown in FIG. 7A to the position shown in FIG. An upper tooth 510 is attached to the lower end of the end of the upper arm 509 opposite to the cam 507, and a lower tooth 514 is attached to the upper end of the end of the lower arm 512 opposite to the cam 507. It has been.

  As a result, when the cam side end of the upper arm 509 is raised, the end of the upper arm 509 opposite to the cam 507 is lowered, and accordingly, the upper teeth 510 are lowered and meshed with the lower teeth 514, and the seat Pressurize. And when pressed in this way, the sheet is stretched to expose the fibers on the surface, and further pressed to entangle the fibers of the sheets with each other. That is, when performing the binding process on the sheet, the upper arm 509 is swung, and the sheet P is engaged and pressurized by the upper teeth 510 of the upper arm 509 and the lower teeth 514 of the lower arm 512 as shown in FIG. Thus, the sheet P is fastened.

  FIG. 9 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus 900. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 206 denotes a CPU circuit unit disposed at a predetermined position of the apparatus main body 900A as shown in FIG. The CPU circuit unit 206 includes a CPU (not shown), a ROM 207 that stores a control program, an area for temporarily storing control data, and a RAM 208 that is used as a work area for operations associated with control.

  In FIG. 9, reference numeral 201 denotes an external interface between the image forming apparatus 900 and an external PC (computer) 200. When the external interface 201 receives print data from the external PC 200, the external interface 201 develops the data into a bitmap image and outputs it as image data to the image signal control unit 204.

  The image signal control unit 204 outputs the data to the printer control unit 205, and the printer control unit 205 outputs the data from the image signal control unit 204 to an exposure control unit (not shown). An image of a document read by an image sensor (not shown) provided in the image reading device 950 is output from the image reader control unit 203 to the image signal control unit 204, and the image signal control unit 204 outputs this image output. The data is output to the printer control unit 205.

  The operation unit 209 includes a plurality of keys for setting various functions relating to image formation, a display unit for displaying a setting state, and the like. Then, a key signal corresponding to the operation of each key by the user is output to the CPU circuit unit 206, and corresponding information is displayed on the display unit based on the signal from the CPU circuit unit 206.

  The CPU circuit unit 206 controls the image signal control unit 204 according to the control program stored in the ROM 207 and the setting of the operation unit 209, and controls the document conveyance device 950 </ b> A (see FIG. 1) via the document conveyance device control unit 202. Control. Further, the image reading device 950 (see FIG. 1) via the image reader control unit 203, the image forming unit 900B (see FIG. 1) via the printer control unit 205, and the finisher 800 via the finisher control unit 210, respectively. Control.

  In the present embodiment, the finisher control unit 210 is mounted on the finisher 800 and controls the driving of the finisher 800 by exchanging information with the CPU circuit unit 206. Further, the finisher control unit 210 may be disposed integrally with the CPU circuit unit 206 on the apparatus main body side, and the finisher 800 may be directly controlled from the apparatus main body side.

  FIG. 10 is a control block diagram of the finisher 800 according to the present embodiment. The finisher control unit 210 includes a CPU (microcomputer) 850, a ROM 851, and a RAM 852. The finisher control unit 210 communicates with the CPU circuit unit 206 via the communication IC 854 to exchange data, executes various programs stored in the ROM 851 based on instructions from the CPU circuit unit 206, and executes the finisher 800. The drive control is performed.

  The finisher control unit 210 drives a paddle motor M100, an assist motor M120, an STP (staple) moving motor M130, a pre-alignment motor M140, a post-alignment motor M150, a needleless binding motor M160, and the like via a driver 853. . Further, an inlet sensor S101, a pre-alignment HP sensor S100, a post-alignment HP sensor S110, an assist HP sensor S120, a staple movement HP sensor S130, and a paddle HP sensor S140 are connected to the finisher control unit. Further, a staple cartridge sensor S150 that detects the absence of the stapler 132 in the cartridge is connected to the finisher control unit. Then, the finisher control unit 210 drives the needleless binding motor M160 and the like based on the detection signals from these sensors.

  Next, the sheet binding processing operation of the finisher 800 according to the present embodiment will be described. The sheet conveyed from the apparatus main body 900 </ b> A is first delivered to the inlet roller pair 102, then loaded on the intermediate processing tray 138, and the trailing edge is returned to the assist 147 by the pull-in paddle 131. Next, the correction of the side edge position of the sheet is performed by the front and back alignment plates 145 and 146, and then the conveyance direction is returned by the knurled belt 129. Then, after this alignment operation is performed on a predetermined number of sheets to be bound, if the binding mode is selected, binding processing by the binding unit is performed. Thereafter, the sheet bundle subjected to the binding process on the intermediate processing tray 138 is discharged to the discharge tray 137 by the assist 147, and the binding process is completed.

  Incidentally, in the present embodiment, as described above, the binding portion 132A includes the stapler 132 and the stapleless binding unit 153 as shown in FIG. When selecting the binding mode, the user selects whether to bind the sheet with the binding needle or to bind the sheet with the stapleless binding. For example, when the user selects a staple job for binding sheets with the binding needle, the finisher control unit 210 drives the STP movement motor M130 to move the stapler 132 from the home position to the front binding position with respect to the sheet shown in FIG. To move. After the stapler 132 is moved in this manner, the sheet conveyed to the intermediate processing tray 138 by the conveying roller 103 is applied with a force in the direction opposite to the conveying direction by the drawing paddle 131 and the trailing edge of the sheet is returned to the assist 147. Thereafter, the stapler 132 performs a binding process.

  In the present embodiment, the case of binding the sheet P to the front side has been described. However, if the stapler 132 is placed on the back side of the apparatus main body as shown in FIG. It becomes possible. In the case of two-point binding, as shown in FIG. 11C, the stapler 132 first waits at one side of the stapling position, and then staples the sheet bundle. Next, the stapler 132 can be bound at two locations by moving the stapler 132 to the binding position indicated by another broken line by the STP moving motor M130 and performing a stapling process.

  On the other hand, when the user selects the stapleless binding that binds the sheets by the stapleless binding, first, as shown in FIG. 12, the back alignment plate 146 that is the first side end alignment plate is the back side of the apparatus main body (the first binding means side). The needleless binding unit 153 waits at a position where the needleless binding can be performed. In this state, the sheet P discharged to the intermediate processing tray 138 is applied with a force opposite to the conveying direction by the drawing paddle 131, and the trailing edge of the sheet is returned to the assist 147 by the conveyance of the knurled belt 129.

  Next, after the rear end of the sheet is returned to the assist 147 in this way, the front alignment plate 145 that is the second side end alignment plate is moved in the width direction to abut the sheet against the rear alignment plate 146, thereby Perform alignment in the width direction. Thereafter, the conveyance direction is returned by the knurled belt 129. After this alignment operation is performed on a predetermined number of sheets to be bound, the stapleless binding unit 153 performs a binding operation on the sheet bundle, thereby performing a stapleless binding process at a predetermined binding position 154. Is done.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the binding operation by the finisher 800 according to the present embodiment. When the job starts, the CPU circuit unit 206 of the image forming apparatus 900 sends information to the finisher control unit 210 as to whether the sheet is bound by a binding needle or a job for binding a sheet by stapleless binding. If the job is a staple job (Y in S200), the stapler 132 is moved by the STP movement motor M130 to the position of front binding, back binding, or two-point binding shown in FIG. Wait.

  Next, when the stapler 132 moves to the standby position in this way (S201), a predetermined number of sheets to be bound by the processing unit 139 are stacked and aligned (S202). Thereafter, when the alignment of the last sheet, which is the last sheet, is completed (Y in S203), the stapling operation is performed by the stapler 132 (S204), whereby the staple processing is performed on the sheet bundle. After this, it is determined whether or not the job is finished by this processing (S205). Until the job is finished (N in S205), S200 to S204 are repeated, and when the job is finished (Y in S205), the binding operation is performed. Exit.

  On the other hand, if the job is an eco-staple, that is, if it is a stapleless binding job (N in S200), the back alignment plate 146 is waited at the standby position on the back side of the apparatus main body, and the front alignment plate 145 is moved in the width direction. As a result, the processing unit 139 stacks and aligns a predetermined number of sheets subjected to the binding process (S210).

  Thereafter, when the alignment of the last sheet, which is the last sheet, is completed (Y in S211), the eco-stapling operation is performed by the stapleless binding unit 153 (S212), and thereby the stapleless binding process is performed on the sheet bundle. . Then, it is determined whether or not the job is finished by this processing (S205). Until the job is finished (N in S205), S200 and S210 to S212 are repeated. When the job is finished (Y in S205), the binding operation is performed. finish.

  Incidentally, there is a case where the staple cartridge sensor S150 shown in FIG. 10 described before or after the staple job by the stapler 132 detects the absence of the stapler 132 cartridge. When the absence of the cartridge is detected in this way, the finisher controller 210 moves the stapler 132 to the position of the staple movement HP sensor S130 by the STP movement motor M130.

  When the staple movement HP sensor S130 detects the stapler 132, the CPU circuit unit 206 opens the front door 801 provided on the front side of the apparatus main body shown in FIG. 2 in the operation unit 209 to replace the staple cartridge. Display to the effect. Here, for example, FIG. 12 described above shows a state in which the stapler 132 has moved to the home position, and the home position of the stapler 132 is the front side of the apparatus main body 900A. For this reason, when the stapler 132 moves to the home position, the stapler cartridge 156 comes out before the inner cover line 155 of the finisher 800.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14A, when the front door 801 is opened in accordance with the display of the operation unit 209, the stapler cartridge 156 detachably arranged on the stapler 132 can be taken out. Thereafter, the job can be restarted as necessary by exchanging the cartridge, attaching it again to the stapler 132, and closing the front door 801.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the needleless binding unit 153 is disposed on the back side of the apparatus main body as shown in FIG. 12, and the stapler 132 is disposed on the front side of the apparatus main body of the apparatus main body 900A. Is arranged. As a result, when the sheet subjected to the binding process is discharged in a direction perpendicular to the depth direction of the finisher 800, the sheet can be discharged without being disturbed by the stapleless binding unit 153 and the stapler 132.

  Further, the sheet that has been subjected to the binding process is discharged to a discharge tray 137 that discharges downstream of the stapler 132 in the discharge direction, for example, as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the bound sheet can be taken out without being disturbed by the stapler 132. Further, the home position of the stapler 132 is set to the front side of the apparatus main body 900A, so that the staples can be easily exchanged.

  In other words, in the present embodiment, the stapleless binding unit 153 is provided on the back side of the apparatus main body 900A, the stapler 132 is provided on the front side of the apparatus main body 900A, and the sheets subjected to the binding process are discharged from the stapler 132. It discharges in the direction downstream. As a result, it becomes easy to take out the bound sheets, replace the needles, make up, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 130 ... Alignment means, 131 ... Retraction paddle, 132 ... Stapler, 132A ... Binding part, 137 ... Discharge tray, 138 ... Intermediate processing tray, 139 ... Processing part, 145, 146 ... Front and back alignment plate, 147 ... Assist, 153: Needleless binding unit, 206: CPU circuit unit, 210: Finisher control unit, 800 ... Finisher, 801 ... Front door, 900 ... Image forming apparatus, 900A ... Image forming apparatus body, 900B ... Image forming unit, M120 ... Assist Motor, P ... sheet

Claims (7)

Sheet stacking means on which sheets are stacked;
Aligning means for aligning sheets stacked on the sheet stacking means;
First binding means for performing binding processing without using a needle on the sheets aligned by the alignment means;
A second binding unit that is provided on the near side in the depth direction of the apparatus main body with respect to the first binding unit, and performs a binding process on the sheets aligned by the alignment unit using a needle;
Sheet discharge means for discharging the sheet subjected to the binding process;
A sheet processing apparatus comprising:   The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second binding unit is movable in the depth direction along the sheet stacking unit. The alignment unit includes a regulating unit that abuts an upstream end of the sheet stacked in the sheet stacking unit and controls a position in the sheet discharge direction, and a depth direction of the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking unit. Side end alignment means for aligning the side end position,
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the restricting unit also serves as the sheet discharging unit. The side end aligning means is located on the first binding means side and is movable in the depth direction. The first side end aligning plate is located on the second binding means side, and the second side end aligning plate is movable in the depth direction. Have
When performing the binding process without using the needle, the sheet is aligned on the back side in the depth direction of the apparatus main body by the first side end alignment plate and the second side end alignment plate, and the sheet is used by the needle. 4. The sheet processing according to claim 3, wherein when performing the binding process, the sheet is moved to the front side in the depth direction of the apparatus main body by the first side end alignment plate and the second side end alignment plate. apparatus.   5. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet discharge unit discharges the sheet downstream in the discharge direction with respect to the second binding unit.   6. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet discharge unit discharges the sheet subjected to the binding process in a discharge direction orthogonal to a depth direction.   An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit; and a sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 that performs binding processing on a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit.

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