JP2015147656A - Sheet processing device and image formation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To form a booklet with excellent workmanship and simplify a device configuration in a case in which punch processing and staple processing are performed.SOLUTION: A sheet processing device 200 comprises a stack part 220, an alignment member 230, a punch part 260 and a staple part 270. The punch part 260, the staple part 270 and the alignment member 230 are provided in the same stack part 220. When paper P is equal to or less than a prescribed length X and the binding capacity number exceeds the punch penetration number, division punch processing is performed. A paper bundle PB to which the first division punch processing is performed is stacked by an intermediate stopper 240, and transferred to a staple position after the punch processing to be stacked by a discharge part 226. Then, a paper bundle PB to which the second division punch processing is performed is stacked by the intermediate stopper 240, and transferred to the staple position after the punch processing to be stacked by the discharge part 226. Then, staple processing is performed to the paper bundles PB, PB stacked by the discharge part 226 to form a booklet.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming system.

  In recent years, various image processing apparatuses that can be connected to image forming apparatuses and have various high-quality processing functions have been developed as image forming apparatuses such as copiers expand to commercial printing areas due to higher image quality and higher speed. Has been developed. As the post-processing apparatus, devices corresponding to various output applications such as glue binding, saddle stitch binding, flat stitch binding, folding processing, punch processing, and staple processing (binding processing) are provided.

  For example, Patent Document 1 has a function of punching punch holes in a sheet output from an image forming apparatus with a punch unit, stacking sheets on the staple unit and aligning the sheets, and then performing staple binding with a stapler. A paper processing apparatus is described. Patent Document 2 describes a post-processing device that includes a punch unit that performs punching processing on a paper bundle in the stock unit and a staple unit that performs staple processing on the paper bundle in the stock unit. .

JP 2003-160273 A JP 2011-68447 A

  However, in the punch unit of the paper processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, punching processing is performed for one sheet or a small number of sheets, and the formation positions of the punch holes may be shifted individually. In the staple unit, the staple processing is performed on a plurality of sheets in which the punch hole formation positions are shifted, so that there is a problem that the quality of the booklet is not good.

  In Patent Document 2, punch processing and stapling processing are performed in the stock unit. However, since paper alignment processing is performed independently in the punch processing and stapling processing, the conveyance and alignment between units are performed. In some cases, the sheet is misaligned during processing, or the punch hole is misaligned during stapling. As a result, there was a problem that a booklet with good quality could not be formed.

  Further, as a problem common to the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 and 2, since it is necessary to provide an alignment mechanism or the like for each punch unit and staple unit, the mechanical configuration and control become complicated, and the apparatus itself becomes large. It was.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming system capable of forming a high-quality booklet and simplifying the apparatus configuration. There is to do.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a stack unit that stacks sheets, an alignment member that performs alignment in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the sheets stacked in the stack unit, and a stack unit. A punch unit that performs punch processing on the stacked paper bundle and a staple unit that performs staple processing on the paper stack stacked in the stack unit are aligned in the same stack unit and the same alignment member. A punching process and a stapling process are performed on the sheet bundle.

  In addition, an image forming system according to the present invention includes an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet and the sheet processing apparatus.

  According to the present invention, since punching and stapling can be performed on a bundle of sheets that are aligned in the same stack portion and by the same alignment member, displacement of punch hole formation positions during punching is prevented. In addition, it is possible to prevent the binding position from being shifted during the stapling process. As a result, a booklet with good quality can be formed. In addition, since the punching process and the stapling process are performed in the same stack portion, it is possible to simplify the apparatus configuration such as the alignment member.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a sheet processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the operation example of an intermediate | middle stopper. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of an image forming system. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the sheet processing apparatus 200 when the length in the sheet conveyance direction exceeds a specified length. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the sheet processing apparatus 200 when the length of the sheet in the conveyance direction is equal to or less than a specified length and the number of binding capabilities is equal to or less than the punch penetration capability. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the sheet processing apparatus 200 when the length of the sheet in the conveyance direction is equal to or less than a specified length and the number of sheets of binding capacity exceeds the punch penetration capacity (No. 1). FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the sheet processing apparatus 200 when the length in the sheet conveyance direction is equal to or less than a predetermined length and the number of sheets having a binding capacity exceeds the punch penetration capacity (part 2).

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in this specification and drawing, about the component which has the substantially same function structure, duplication description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

[Configuration example of image forming system]
First, the image forming system GS will be described. FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of the image forming system GS. In FIG. 1, the internal configuration of the sheet processing apparatus 200 is omitted for convenience. The image forming system GS includes an image forming apparatus 100 that forms an image on a sheet P, and a sheet processing apparatus that performs post-processing such as punching and stapling on the sheet P on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus 100 (rear Processing device) 200.

[Configuration example of image forming apparatus]
Next, an image forming apparatus 100 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 is called a tandem type image forming apparatus, and includes an automatic document feeder 80 and an apparatus main body 102. The automatic document conveyance unit 80 is attached to the upper part of the apparatus main body 102 and sends out the paper set on the conveyance table to the image reading unit 90 of the apparatus main body 102 by a conveyance roller or the like.

  The apparatus main body 102 includes an operation display unit 70, an image reading unit 90, an image forming unit 10, an intermediate transfer belt 8, a paper feeding unit 20, a registration unit 130, a fixing unit 44, and an automatic paper reversing conveyance unit. 60 (Auto Duolex Unit: hereinafter referred to as ADU).

  The operation display unit 70 has a touch panel in which an operation unit and a display unit are combined. The operation display unit 70 displays an input screen (menu screen) for accepting image forming conditions such as paper size, basis weight, paper type, and post-processing conditions such as punching and stapling, and is selected on the input screen. Receive location information. The operation display unit 70 has hard buttons such as a start button and a numeric button.

  The image reading unit 90 scans and exposes the document placed on the document table or the document transported by the automatic document transport unit 80 by the optical system of the scanning exposure device, and the image of the scanned document is CCD (Charge Coupled Devices). ) Photoelectric conversion is performed by an image sensor to generate an image information signal. The image information signal is output to the image forming unit 10 after being subjected to analog processing, analog / digital (hereinafter referred to as A / D) conversion processing, pseudo correction, image compression processing, and the like by an image processing unit (not shown).

  The image forming unit 10 forms an image by electrophotography, and includes an image forming unit 10Y that forms a yellow (Y) image, an image forming unit 10M that forms a magenta (M) image, The image forming unit 10C forms a cyan (C) color image, and the image forming unit 10K forms a black (K) color image. In this example, common function names, for example, Y, M, C, and K indicating colors to be formed are added to the back of the reference numeral 10.

  The image forming unit 10Y includes a photosensitive drum 1Y, a charger 2Y, an exposure unit (optical writing unit) 3Y, a developing unit 4Y, and a cleaning unit 6Y arranged around the photosensitive drum 1Y. The image forming unit 10M includes a photosensitive drum 1M, a charger 2M, an exposure unit 3M, a developing unit 4M, and a cleaning unit 6M disposed around the photosensitive drum 1M. The image forming unit 10C includes a photosensitive drum 1C, and a charger 2C, an exposure unit 3C, a developing unit 4C, and a cleaning unit 6C disposed around the photosensitive drum 1C. The image forming unit 10K includes a photosensitive drum 1K, a charger 2K, an exposure unit 3K, a developing unit 4K, and a cleaning unit 6K disposed around the photosensitive drum 1K.

  Respective photosensitive drums (image carriers) 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K in the image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K, chargers 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K, exposure units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K, development The devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K and the cleaning units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K have the same configuration. In the following description, Y, M, C, and K are not used unless particularly distinguished.

  The charger 2 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 almost uniformly. The exposure unit 3 is composed of, for example, an LPH (LED Print Head) having an LED array and an imaging lens, or a polygon mirror type laser exposure scanning device, and the photosensitive drum 1 is irradiated with laser light based on an image information signal. Scan to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing device 4 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 with toner. As a result, a toner image which is a visible image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1.

  The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched by a plurality of rollers and is rotatably supported. Along with the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 8, the primary transfer roller 7 and the photosensitive drum 1 rotate, and a predetermined voltage is applied between the primary transfer roller 7 and the photosensitive drum 1, whereby the photosensitive member. The toner image formed on the drum 1 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 (primary transfer).

  The paper feed unit 20 has a plurality of paper feed trays 20A and 20B in which paper P such as A3 and A4 is accommodated. The paper P transported from the paper feed trays 20A and 20B by the transport rollers 22, 24, 26, and 28 is transported to the registration unit 130. Note that the number of paper feed trays is not limited to two. Further, a single or a plurality of large-capacity paper feeders that can accommodate a large-capacity paper P may be connected as necessary.

  The registration unit 130 includes a loop roller pair 30 and a registration roller pair 32. The paper P conveyed to the registration unit 130 is abutted by the loop roller pair 30 to form a loop, and the bending (for example, skew) in the conveyance direction D of the paper P is corrected. The paper P in which the bending of the paper P is corrected is conveyed to the secondary transfer roller 34 at a predetermined timing. In the secondary transfer roller 34, the Y, M, C, and K color toner images transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 are collectively transferred onto the surface of the paper P conveyed by the resist roller pair 32 ( Secondary transfer). The second-transferred sheet P is conveyed to the fixing unit 44 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction D.

  The fixing unit 44 includes a pressure roller and a heating roller. The fixing unit 44 fixes the toner image on the surface of the paper P to the paper P by performing pressure and heat treatment on the paper P on which the toner image has been transferred by the secondary transfer roller 34.

  A transport path switching unit 48 for switching the transport path of the paper P to the paper discharge path side or the ADU 60 side is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction D of the fixing unit 44. The transport path switching unit 48 performs transport path switching control based on the selected print mode (single-sided print mode, double-sided print mode, or the like).

  The paper P for which single-sided printing has been completed in the single-sided printing mode or the paper P for which double-sided printing has been completed in the double-sided printing mode is transported to the paper processing apparatus 200 connected downstream in the transport direction D by the paper discharge roller 46. Is done.

  Further, when the paper P on which the image is formed on the front side is re-fed to the image forming unit 10 in the double-sided printing mode, the paper P on which the image is formed on the front side is switched between the transport paths. It is conveyed to the ADU 60 via the unit 48. The paper P transported to the ADU 60 is transported to the switchback path via the transport roller 62 and the like. In the switchback path, the reverse rotation control of the ADU roller 64 transports the sheet P to the U-turn path section with the trailing edge of the sheet P as the head, and the sheet P is turned upside down by the transport rollers 66 and 68 provided in the U-turn path section. In this state, the paper is fed again to the registration unit 130. The paper P re-fed to the registration unit 130 is subjected to the same image forming process as that on the front side of the paper P. The sheet P on which the image has been transferred to the back side by the image forming unit 10 is subjected to a fixing process by the fixing unit 44 and then discharged to the downstream sheet processing apparatus 200 via the conveyance path switching unit 48 and the discharge roller 46. Is done.

[Configuration example of paper processing device]
Next, a configuration example of the sheet processing apparatus 200 will be described. FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an example of a cross-sectional configuration of the sheet processing apparatus 200.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet processing apparatus 200 includes transport paths R1, R2, and R3, a stack unit 220, a punch unit 260, a staple unit 270, and an intermediate stopper 240. The paper P on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus 100 is conveyed to the paper processing apparatus 200. When punching and stapling are selected on the operation display unit 70 as post-processing, the paper P transported to the paper processing apparatus 200 is transported by the transport rollers 202, 204, 206, and 210 provided in the transport paths R1 and R3. It is conveyed to the stack unit 220.

  Here, the reason why both the punching process and the stapling process are performed on the sheet bundle PB is as follows. When binding a plurality of sheets of paper P with punch holes formed into a file (filing), binding the staples into a bundle of sheets (collectively) binds to a file rather than binding to a file for each sheet of paper. This is convenient. Further, when a plurality of sheets are taken out from a file, it is convenient to use a bundle of sheets because it can be taken out from the file more efficiently. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, punching and stapling are performed in units of a predetermined number of sheets to create a sheet bundle (booklet), thereby reducing the burden of filing work.

  The stack unit 220 includes a mounting table 222, a cover tray 228, a belt 224, and an alignment member 230. The mounting table 222 is configured by a flat plate inclined obliquely downward from the transport path R3, and stacks the sheets P transported from the transport paths R1 and R3. The length of the mounting table 222 in the transport direction D is selected to be at least twice as long as a specified length X described later. In this example, a bundle on which a plurality of sheets P are stacked is referred to as a sheet bundle PB.

  The cover tray 228 is provided so as to face the mounting table 222, functions as a guide member that guides the paper P transported from the transport path R3 to the stack unit 220, and the sheet bundle PB stacked on the mounting table 222 protrudes. It has a function to regulate so as not to.

  The belt 224 is an endless belt and is wound around the driving pulley 232 and the driven pulley 234. The belt 224 rotates and moves in a predetermined direction based on the drive of the drive pulley 232. The belt 224 can be installed, for example, in a notch (space portion) formed in the mounting table 222 along the conveyance direction D, or the mounting table 222 is composed of two sheets and is provided between the members. It can also be installed in an open space.

  The discharge unit 226 is attached to, for example, the surface side of the belt 224 and moves up and down in an oblique direction in FIG. 2 along the mounting table 222 as the belt 224 rotates. The discharge unit 226 has a support surface 226 a that supports one end side (rear end side) of the sheet P conveyed to the stack unit 220, and functions as a stopper that stops the sheet P at the stack unit 220. The discharge unit 226 moves to a position where the punch unit 260 is provided during punching (hereinafter referred to as a punch position), and moves to a position where the staple unit 270 is provided during staple processing (hereinafter referred to as a staple position). When the bundle PB is discharged from the stack unit 220, the bundle PB moves to a position above the punch position (hereinafter referred to as a discharge position).

  The alignment member 230 includes a pair of side plates provided on both sides of the mounting table 222 in the paper width direction (direction perpendicular to the transport direction D), and is provided so as to be movable in the paper width direction. In FIG. 2, only one alignment member 230 is shown. The alignment member 230 performs alignment in the width direction of the sheet bundle by tapping the side edge of the sheet P or the sheet bundle PB stacked at the punch position and the staple position. In this example, the alignment member 230 is formed to extend from a substantially intermediate position between the staple position and the punch position to the front of the transport path R3, and the alignment process is performed by the alignment member 230 common to both the punch process and the staple process. It is configured to be able to do.

  The punch unit 260 is provided at a substantially intermediate position of the stack unit 220 that is at least a specified length X away from the staple unit 270, and performs punching on the sheet bundle PB stacked at the punch position. For example, the punch unit 260 simultaneously forms a plurality of punch holes at predetermined positions from the rear end of the sheet bundle PB. The number of punch holes is, for example, 2 holes. The user can arbitrarily set the formation position and number of punch holes on the operation display unit 70.

  The specified length X is a distance between the support surface 226a of the discharge unit 226 disposed at the staple position and the punch unit 260 (intermediate stopper 240). For example, the specified length X is based on the length of the A4 size paper P in the transport direction D. Set to As a result, at least two sheet bundles PB and PB can be placed on the placing table 222 so as not to overlap each other (see FIG. 7C). The other bundle of sheets PB can be stacked at the punch position.

  The staple unit 270 is provided below the stack unit 220 that is separated from the punch unit 260 by a specified length X, and performs a stapling process on the sheet bundle PB stacked at the staple position. The staple unit 270 performs, for example, stapling at positions such as one corner or two centers on the near side or the far side of the sheet bundle PB. The binding position can be arbitrarily set by the user on the operation display unit 70. In this example, the alignment member 230 is shared by the punch portion 260 and the staple portion 270. For this reason, the stapling process uses the alignment member 230 that is common to the punch unit 260, so that it is possible to prevent positional deviation when the sheet bundle PB is moved from the punch position to the staple position.

  The intermediate stopper 240 is a stopper for stacking the sheet bundle PB at the punching position during the divided punching process, and stops the sheet P at the punching position by supporting the rear end side of the sheet P. The intermediate stopper 240 is provided at a position slightly below the punch portion 260 so that a punch hole can be formed at the set position. The intermediate stopper 240 may be configured to be attached to the mounting table 222, or may be provided in a space portion or the like adjacent to the belt 224. The configuration of the intermediate stopper 240 is only an example, and the configuration is not limited to the above configuration as long as the stack of sheets PB can be temporarily stacked at the punch position during the split punching process.

  The intermediate stopper 240 is provided so as to be rotatable about the base end portion as a fulcrum based on the driving of the stopper driving portion 284 (see FIG. 4). 3A to 3C show an example of the operation of the intermediate stopper 240. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the intermediate stopper 240 is disposed at a position where the support surface 240 a is orthogonal to the surface of the mounting table 222 (hereinafter referred to as a stack position) when stacking the sheet bundle PB. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the intermediate stopper 240 is disposed at a position (hereinafter referred to as a retracted position) that is retracted from the upper surface of the mounting table 222 when the punched sheet bundle PB is conveyed to the staple position. Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, when the second and subsequent sheet bundles PB are conveyed to the staple position, the intermediate stopper 240 is approximately the thickness of the sheet bundle PB conveyed by the leading end portion 240b of the intermediate stopper 240 to the staple position. They are arranged at equal positions (hereinafter referred to as guide positions).

  Returning to FIG. 2, when post-processing is not performed, the paper P on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus 100 is transported to the transport path R2. The paper P transported to the transport path R2 is transported by transport rollers 212 and 214 provided on the transport path R2, and is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 216.

[Example of block configuration of image forming system]
Next, a functional configuration example of the image forming system GS will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the image forming system GS. As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 150, an image forming unit 10, a fixing unit 44, an operation display unit 70, an automatic document conveying unit 80, an image reading unit 90, a conveying unit 180, and a paper feeding unit 20. And a communication unit 190.

  The control unit 150 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 152, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 154, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 156. The CPU 152 controls each unit such as the image forming unit 10 by developing the software (program) read from the ROM 154 in the RAM 156 and executing it, thereby realizing functions related to the image forming process. The CPU 152 functions as a main CPU with the paper processing apparatus 200 and realizes functions related to post-processing such as punch processing and stapling processing in conjunction with the control unit 250 of the paper processing apparatus 200.

  The communication unit 190 is connected to the communication unit 290 of the paper processing apparatus 200 and transmits information related to image forming conditions and post-processing conditions set by the operation display unit 70 and the like to the communication unit 290 of the paper processing apparatus 200, for example.

  The sheet processing apparatus 200 includes a communication unit 290, a control unit 250, a roller driving unit 280, a belt driving unit 282, a punching unit 260, a stapling unit 270, and a stopper driving unit 284. The communication unit 290 is connected to the communication unit 190 of the image forming apparatus 100, receives information regarding image forming conditions and post-processing conditions transmitted from the image forming apparatus 100, and transmits information regarding post-processing and the like of the image forming apparatus 100. Or transmitted to the communication unit 190.

  The control unit 250 includes a CPU 252, a ROM 254, and a RAM 256. The CPU 252 controls each unit such as the punch unit 260 and the staple unit 270 by reading and executing software (program) from the ROM 254 based on information related to post-processing transmitted from the image forming apparatus 100, for example, and performs post-processing. Implement related functions. In this example, the CPU 152 on the image forming apparatus 100 side is controlled as the main CPU. However, the CPU 252 on the sheet processing apparatus 200 side can be controlled as the main CPU.

  The roller driving unit 280 is configured by, for example, a stepping motor and the like, and rotationally drives the transport roller 202 and the like based on a driving signal supplied from the control unit 250. Other transport rollers 204 and the like may be driven by a common roller driving unit 280 or may be driven by using different driving units.

  The belt drive unit 282 is composed of, for example, a stepping motor and the like, and is driven based on a drive signal supplied from the control unit 250 to drive the drive pulley 232 (see FIG. 2), thereby rotating the belt 224 in a predetermined direction. Let

  The punch unit 260 includes a drive unit, and performs a punch process on the sheet bundle PB stacked on the stack unit 220 when the drive unit is driven based on a drive signal supplied from the control unit 250. The staple unit 270 includes a drive unit, and performs a staple process on the sheet bundle PB stacked on the stack unit 220 when the drive unit is driven based on a drive signal supplied from the control unit 250.

  The stopper driving unit 284 is composed of, for example, a stepping motor or the like, and is driven based on a driving signal supplied from the control unit 250, whereby the intermediate stopper 240 is stacked, retracted, guided, etc. as shown in FIG. Move to each position.

[Operation example of paper processing device]
(First post-processing operation example)
Next, an example of the operation of the sheet processing apparatus 200 during punch processing and stapling processing will be described. 5A to 5C illustrate an example of a first post-processing operation of the sheet processing apparatus 200 when the length of the sheet P in the transport direction D exceeds a predetermined length X set in advance. In FIG. 5, the intermediate stopper 240 is omitted, and in FIG. 5 to FIG. 8, 30 sheets P are illustrated as two for convenience. In the following, a case where a booklet PP composed of 30 sheets of paper P is formed will be described, and it is assumed that the punch penetration ability is 30 sheets and the binding number capacity is 30 sheets.

  The control unit 250 determines whether or not the length in the transport direction D of the paper P to be post-processed exceeds a preset specified length X. The control unit 250 determines whether or not the length of the paper P in the transport direction D exceeds the specified length X based on the size information of the paper P set by the operation display unit 70. When the control unit 250 determines that the length of the paper P in the transport direction D exceeds the specified length X, the control unit 250 executes a normal punch mode in which normal punch processing is performed.

  When image forming processing including post-processing is started, the control unit 250 drives the belt driving unit 282 and moves the belt 224 to move the discharge unit 226 to the staple position, as shown in FIG. 5A. The sheets P on which images are formed by the image forming apparatus 100 are sequentially conveyed into the stack unit 220. When the discharge unit 226 is already waiting at the staple position, the moving operation is omitted.

  When the paper P is conveyed to the stapling position, the control unit 250 controls the alignment member 230 to lightly strike the side edge of the paper bundle PB in the width direction, thereby aligning the paper bundle PB in the width direction. The sheet width matching process may be performed for each sheet. When the alignment process is completed, the staple unit 270 performs a staple process on the sheet bundle PB.

  When the stapling process is completed, the control unit 250 controls the belt driving unit 282 to rotate the belt 224 to move the discharge unit 226 to the punch position as shown in FIG. 5B. As the discharge unit 226 moves, the sheet bundle PB that has been stapled and held by the discharge unit 226 also moves to the punch position.

  When the sheet bundle PB is conveyed to the punch position, the control unit 250 controls the alignment member 230 to lightly strike the side edge in the width direction of the sheet bundle PB, thereby aligning the sheet bundle PB in the width direction. When the alignment process is completed, the punch unit 260 performs a punch process on the sheet bundle PB. As a result, a booklet PP subjected to the staple process and the punch process is formed.

  When the punching process of the sheet bundle PB is completed, the control unit 250 controls the belt driving unit 282 to rotate the belt 224 to rotate the discharging unit 226 above the punching position as shown in FIG. 5C. Move to. At this time, if the punch portion 260 becomes an obstacle to the discharge portion 226, the punch portion 260 can be moved as shown by a broken line in FIG. 5C. When the discharge unit 226 moves to the discharge position, the booklet PP stacked by the discharge unit 226 is transported by the transport roller 208 (see FIG. 2) and discharged onto a discharge tray (not shown). Note that when a post-processing device having another post-processing function is connected to the downstream side in the transport direction D of the paper processing device 200, the booklet PP subjected to the staple processing and the punch processing is subjected to post-processing in the subsequent stage. It is transported to the device.

(Regarding second post-processing operation example)
Next, when the length of the sheet P in the transport direction D is equal to or less than a predetermined length X that is set in advance, and the number of binding capabilities is equal to or less than the punch penetration capability, the second of the sheet processing apparatus 200. An example of post-processing operation will be described. 6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining an example of the second post-processing operation. In FIG. 6, the intermediate stopper 240 is omitted. In the following, a case where a booklet PP composed of 30 sheets of paper P is formed will be described. The punch penetration capacity is 30 sheets and the binding capacity sheet number is 30 sheets.

  When the length in the transport direction D of the paper P to be post-processed is equal to or less than a preset specified length X, the control unit 250 determines whether the number of binding capabilities is continuously equal to or less than the punch penetration capability. . The control unit 250 determines whether or not the number of binding capabilities is equal to or less than the punch penetration capability based on the punch penetration capability information of the punch unit 260 and the binding capability number information of the staple unit 270 previously stored in a memory or the like at the time of shipment, for example. Judging.

  When the control unit 250 determines that the length of the paper P in the transport direction D is equal to or less than the set length X and the number of binding capabilities is equal to or less than the punch penetration capability, the control unit 250 sets the normal punch processing mode. select. In this example, the punch penetration capability is 30 sheets, for example, and the binding capacity sheet number is 30 sheets, for example, so the normal punch processing mode is executed.

  When the normal punching mode is selected, the control unit 250 drives the belt driving unit 282 and moves the belt 224 to move the discharge unit 226 to the stapling position as shown in FIG. 6A. When image forming processing including post-processing is started, the paper P on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus 100 is sequentially conveyed into the stack unit 220.

  When the paper P is conveyed to the stapling position, the control unit 250 controls the alignment member 230 to lightly strike the side edge of the paper bundle PB in the width direction, thereby aligning the paper bundle PB in the width direction. The sheet width matching process may be performed for each sheet. When the alignment process is completed, the staple unit 270 performs a staple process on the sheet bundle PB.

  When the stapling process is completed, the control unit 250 controls the belt driving unit 282 to rotate the belt 224 to move the discharge unit 226 to the punch position as shown in FIG. 6B. As the discharge unit 226 moves, the sheet bundle PB that has been stapled and held by the discharge unit 226 also moves to the punch position.

  When the sheet bundle PB is conveyed to the punch position, the control unit 250 controls the alignment member 230 to lightly strike the side edge in the width direction of the sheet bundle PB, thereby aligning the sheet bundle PB in the width direction. When the alignment process is completed, the punch unit 260 performs a punch process on the sheet bundle PB. As a result, a booklet PP subjected to the staple process and the punch process is formed.

  When the punching process of the sheet bundle PB is completed, the control unit 250 controls the belt driving unit 282 to rotate the belt 224 to move the discharge unit 226 to a discharge position above the punch position (see FIG. 5C). . When the discharge unit 226 moves to the discharge position, the booklet PP stacked by the discharge unit 226 is transported by the transport roller 208 or the like and is discharged onto a discharge tray (not shown).

(Regarding third post-processing operation example)
Next, in the case where the length of the paper P in the transport direction D is equal to or less than a predetermined length X that is set in advance and the number of binding capabilities exceeds the punch penetration capability, An example of post-processing operation will be described. 7A to 7C and FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams for explaining an example of the third post-processing operation. In the following, the case of forming a booklet PP composed of 60 sheets of paper P will be described. The number of punch penetrating sheets is 30 sheets, and the binding capacity sheet number is 60 sheets.

  When the control unit 250 determines that the length of the paper P in the transport direction D is equal to or less than the set predetermined length X and the number of binding capabilities exceeds the punch penetration capability, the control unit 250 selects the split punch processing mode. And execute. In this example, the punch penetration capability is 30 sheets, and the staple binding number is 60 sheets, so the divided punch processing mode is selected. Further, since a booklet PP composed of 60 sheets of paper P is formed, the number of punching processes per time is set to 30 and the punching process is divided into two.

  When the division punch processing mode is selected, the control unit 250 moves the discharge unit 226 to the staple position and moves the intermediate stopper 240 to the stack position as shown in FIG. 7A. When the image forming process including post-processing is started, 30 sheets P to be subjected to the first divided punching process (for punch penetration ability) are sequentially conveyed into the stack unit 220. The sheets P conveyed into the stack unit 220 are stopped at the punch position by the intermediate stopper 240 and are sequentially accumulated on the mounting table 222.

  When the 30 sheets P to be subjected to the first divided punching process are conveyed into the stack section 220, the control section 250 controls the alignment member 230 to lightly strike the side edges in the width direction of the sheet bundle PB1. Thus, alignment of the sheet bundle PB1 in the width direction is performed. The sheet width matching process may be performed for each sheet. Subsequently, when the alignment process is completed, the punch unit 260 forms a punch hole on the rear end side of the sheet bundle PB1.

  When the punching process is completed, the control unit 250 drives the stopper driving unit 284 to rotate the intermediate stopper 240 in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. 7B, thereby moving the intermediate stopper 240 from the mounting table 222 to the retracted position. Move. As a result, the punched sheet bundle PB1 moves obliquely downward along the surface of the mounting table 222, and stops at the stapling position by the rear end side being supported by the discharge unit 226.

  When the controller 250 determines that the punched sheet bundle PB1 has moved to the staple position, the intermediate stopper 240 is rotated again in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. Is moved to the stack position where it can be held. Whether or not the sheet bundle PB1 has moved from the punching position to the stapling position can be determined from, for example, a sensor provided at the periphery of the stapling unit 270 and the paper detection result of this sensor.

  When the control unit 250 moves the intermediate stopper 240 to the stacking position, the roller driving unit 280 is driven to rotate the transport roller 202 and the like, thereby sequentially stacking 30 sheets of paper P to be subjected to the second divided punching process. It is conveyed into the section 220. For example, the sheet P to be subjected to the second divided punching process can be kept on the conveyance path of the image forming apparatus 100 or the sheet processing apparatus 200 until the first divided punching process is completed. The sheets P conveyed into the stack unit 220 are stopped at the punch position by the intermediate stopper 240 and are sequentially accumulated on the mounting table 222.

  When 30 sheets P to be subjected to the second divided punching process are conveyed into the stack unit 220, the control unit 250 controls the alignment member 230 to align the sheet bundle PB2 in the width direction. The alignment process may be performed for each sheet. Subsequently, when the alignment process is completed, the punch unit 260 forms a punch hole on the rear end side of the sheet bundle PB2.

  When the punching process is completed, the control unit 250 moves the intermediate stopper 240 to the guide position by rotating the intermediate stopper 240 in the arrow direction as shown in FIG. 8A. As a result, the sheet bundle PB2 subjected to the punching process moves obliquely downward so as to ride on the intermediate stopper 240 because the intermediate stopper 240 serves as a guide, and as shown in FIG. It is stacked on the stacked sheet bundle PB1. By controlling the posture of the intermediate stopper 240 in this way, the sheet bundle PB2 can be smoothly stacked on the sheet bundle PB1 without the second and subsequent sheet bundles PB2 being caught by the first sheet bundle PB1.

  When the control unit 250 determines that the punched sheet bundle PB2 has moved to the stapling position, the control unit 250 moves the intermediate stopper 240 to the retracted position again as shown in FIG. 8B. Further, the control unit 150 controls the alignment member 230 to align the sheet bundles PB1 and PB2 in the width direction. The alignment process may be performed for each sheet bundle. Further, since the sheet bundles PB1 and PB2 are conveyed from the punch position to the staple position using the common alignment member 230 as a guide, the alignment process can be omitted. Subsequently, the punching unit 260 performs a staple process on the two sheet bundles PB1 and PB2 (60 sheets P) stacked at the staple position. In this way, one booklet PP composed of 60 sheets P is formed.

  When the control unit 250 determines that the stapling process for the sheet bundles PB1 and PB2 has been completed, the control unit 250 controls the belt driving unit 282 to rotate the belt 224 to move the discharge unit 226 to a discharge position above the punch position. (See FIG. 5C). When the discharge unit 226 moves to the discharge position, the booklet PP stacked by the discharge unit 226 is transported by the transport roller 208 or the like and is discharged onto a discharge tray (not shown).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the punching process is performed on the sheet bundle PB composed of a large number of sheets, so that the displacement of the punch hole formation position can be prevented, and the position of the punch hole can be prevented. Accuracy can be improved. In the first post-processing operation and the second post-processing operation, the punching process is performed after the stapling process. Therefore, the punching process can be performed in a state where the bundle of sheets is bound, and the punch hole is misaligned during the punching process. Can be reliably prevented.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, punch processing and stapling processing are performed on the sheet bundle PB by the same stack unit 220 and the same alignment member 230. Misalignment when transporting the paper P from the position to the staple position can be prevented, and misalignment of the punch hole position and the binding position in the staple processing can be prevented, and as a result, a booklet PP with good quality can be formed. Can do.

  In addition, since the punching and stapling processes are performed in the same stack unit 220, it is possible to simplify the apparatus configuration and control of the alignment member 230 and the registration mechanism that corrects the paper skew. Thereby, the enlargement of the sheet processing apparatus 200 itself can be prevented.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the split punching process is performed when the binding number capability of the staple unit 270 exceeds the punch penetration capability of the punch unit 260. For example, the conventional punch unit 260 having a low punch penetration capability is used as it is. A booklet PP can be formed using this. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare the punch unit 260 corresponding to the binding number capability of the staple unit 270, so that the cost can be reduced.

  It should be noted that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes those in which various modifications are made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The technical scope of the present invention includes booklet formation in the case where the number of sheets P that have been punched by the punch unit 260 and the number of sheets P that have been stapled by the staple unit 270 do not completely match, such as divided punching. Processing is also included. In the above-described embodiment, the number of divided punching processes is 2 as an example. However, the number of divided punching processes is not limited to this. Can also be set.

  Further, the condition for executing the divided punching process is that the sheet P is equal to or less than the specified length X. However, when the length of the stack unit 220 in the transport direction D is sufficiently long, the number of binding capabilities and the punch penetration are set. It can also be conditional only on ability. Further, when the configuration is such that the division punch processing is not performed, the intermediate stopper 240 can be omitted from the configuration of the paper processing apparatus 200. In the above embodiment, the discharge unit 226 is attached to the belt 224. However, the configuration is not limited to the above as long as the discharge unit 226 can be moved along the mounting table 222. Furthermore, the technology according to the present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus that forms a monochrome image.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 200 Paper processing apparatus 220 Stack part 226 Discharge part 230 Alignment member 250 Control part 260 Punch part 270 Staple part P Paper PB, PB1, PB2 Paper bundle PP Booklet

Claims (8)

A stack unit for collecting paper;
An alignment member that performs alignment in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the paper accumulated in the stack unit;
A punch unit that performs punching on a bundle of sheets stacked in the stack unit;
A stapling unit that performs a stapling process on a bundle of sheets stacked in the stack unit,
The sheet processing apparatus, wherein the punching process and the stapling process are performed on the sheet bundle aligned by the same stacking unit and the same alignment member. A control unit for controlling the punch unit;
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit divides and performs punch processing according to a penetration capability of the punch unit. The control unit performs punching when the length of the sheet bundle in the conveyance direction of the sheet is equal to or less than a set predetermined length and the staple number capacity of the staple unit exceeds the penetration capability of the punch unit. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processing is performed in a divided manner. 4. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a stopper for stacking a sheet bundle at a punch position where the punch unit is provided when the punching process is performed in a divided manner. 5. A discharge unit that discharges the stack of sheets accumulated in the stack unit from the stack unit;
The control unit causes the discharge unit to stand by at a staple position where the staple unit is provided, punches the sheet bundle stocked by the stopper, and then transports the sheet bundle to the staple position. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the sheet is stacked at the discharge unit. A discharge unit that discharges the stack of sheets stacked in the stack unit from the stack unit;
The paper processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge unit stands by at a punch position where the punch unit is provided during punch processing, and waits at a staple position where the staple unit is provided during staple processing. . The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the punch unit simultaneously forms a plurality of punch holes in the sheet bundle. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on paper;
A sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
An image forming system comprising:

Images