JP2017013982A - Sheet binding device and sheet post-processing device having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet binding processing device capable of improving strength against a load applied in an opening direction of a sheet when inserting a cut-raised piece into a cut and binding a sheet bundle, and a sheet post-processing device having the same.SOLUTION: A sheet binding processing device comprises a first blade, a second blade, a push-up member, a base part, a pressing plate, and a drive mechanism. The first blade forms a cut-raised piece composed of linear arm parts and a support part extending perpendicularly from the central parts of the arm parts in the longitudinal direction. In the second blade, a notch part is formed at a side end edge facing the first blade with two blades which form a pair of cuts into which the arm parts of the cut-raised piece are inserted. The arm parts of the cut-raised piece inserted into the notch part project upward from the cuts together with the second blade according to a pull-out operation of the second blade from a sheet bundle, and both end parts of the arm parts are inserted into the cuts, thereby binding the sheet bundle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet binding apparatus that performs a binding process on a sheet such as a sheet, and a sheet post-processing apparatus including the sheet binding apparatus.

  Conventionally, a plurality of sheets (sheets) on which images have been formed by an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer are stacked, and the stacking stack is bundled with staples, and punch holes ( 2. Description of the Related Art Paper post-processing devices that can execute punch hole forming processing for punching holes) are used.

  In such a sheet post-processing apparatus, a method of performing a binding process on a sheet bundle using a metal staple is common. However, when the paper to be discarded is recycled, it is necessary to separate the paper bundle from the staples, and there is a problem that the disposal work becomes complicated.

  Therefore, a method for performing a binding process on a sheet bundle without using a staple is proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a punching blade that forms a cut and raised piece on a plurality of sheets, and a leading end side of the cut and raised piece. A cutting blade for forming a cut (cut hole) for locking the paper, a base portion for holding the cutting blade and the cutting blade, and a punch base disposed on the base portion with a paper insertion gap interposed therebetween. A binding machine is disclosed. In this binding machine, a punching blade and a cutting blade held by the base portion are driven so as to penetrate the paper inserted into the paper insertion gap to form cut and raised pieces and cuts on the paper. By pulling out the blade and the cutting blade so as to return to the base portion side, the cut and raised pieces are penetrated into the cut and the paper is bound. And the protrusion (wide part) which returns to the cut-and-raised piece is provided so that the cut-and-raised piece is difficult to come off from the cut, and the strength of the portion where the sheet bundle is bound is improved.

JP 2012-51729 A

  However, in the method of Patent Document 1, a cut-and-raised piece having a shape like a letter I extending in a straight line is formed, so that the cut-and-raised piece is cut and raised when a load is directly applied to the insertion portion passing through the cut. It becomes easier for the piece to come out of the notch. Therefore, it is necessary to arrange the bent portion of the cut and raised piece with respect to the direction of opening the sheet bundle on the upstream side and the insertion portion on the downstream side. In this case, when the sheet bundle is opened, a load is applied to the bent portion of the cut and raised piece, and there is a problem that the paper is easily broken from the intersection of the cut line of the cut and raised piece and the bent ridge line.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention includes a sheet binding processing device capable of improving the strength against a load applied in the opening direction of a sheet when a cut-and-raised piece is inserted into a cut and a sheet bundle is bound. An object is to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first configuration of the present invention is a sheet binding processing apparatus including a first blade, a second blade, a push-up member, a base portion, a pressing plate, and a drive mechanism. is there. The first blade comprises a straight arm portion and a support portion extending perpendicularly from the longitudinal central portion of the arm portion by being inserted into the sheet bundle, and only the tip of the support portion is connected to the sheet bundle. It has a substantially T-shaped blade that forms a raised piece. The second blade has two blades that form a pair of cuts into which both end portions of the arm portion are inserted when the cut and raised pieces are turned back at the tip of the support portion by being inserted into the sheet bundle. A notch is formed at the side edge of the blade facing the first blade. The push-up member cuts and raises the first blade and the second blade in accordance with the operation of inserting the first blade and the second blade into the sheet bundle, and pushes the piece up and inserts it into the notch. The base portion holds the first blade, the second blade, and the push-up member. The holding plate is disposed to face the first blade and the second blade, and a punch hole through which the first blade and the second blade pass is formed. The drive mechanism reciprocates the base portion in a direction approaching or separating from the pressing plate. In accordance with the operation of pulling out the second blade from the sheet bundle, both ends of the arm portion of the cut and raised piece inserted into the cutout portion penetrate through the notch together with the second blade from above to bind the sheet bundle.

  According to the first configuration of the present invention, since the sheet bundle is bound by using the engagement between the cut and raised pieces formed in a part of the sheet bundle and the cut, it is necessary to separate the staples when the sheet is discarded. Therefore, the sheet binding processing apparatus can simplify the disposal operation and is excellent in environmental friendliness. In addition, since the arm portion and the notch of the cut and raised piece are engaged in a direction perpendicular to the opening direction of the sheet, a load is not easily applied to the bent ridge line of the cut and raised piece, and the cut and raised piece is not easily removed from the cut. It has become. Therefore, it is possible to perform a binding process with higher strength than conventional.

Schematic showing the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 and the sheet post-processing apparatus 20 FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of the periphery of a processing tray 30 in the paper post-processing apparatus 20 in FIG. 1 and shows a state in which discharge rollers 29a are arranged at a separation position. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view around a processing tray 30 in the paper post-processing apparatus 20 in FIG. 1 and shows a state in which a discharge roller 29a is arranged at a contact position. Side view of the staple unit 70 mounted on the stapler 40 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Side surface sectional drawing of the staple unit 70 mounted in the stapler 40 of 1st Embodiment. A perspective view of the first blade 73, the second blade 75, and the pressing plate 80 constituting the staple unit 70 as viewed from the upstream side in the paper insertion direction. A perspective view of the first blade 73, the second blade 75, and the pressing plate 80 constituting the staple unit 70 as viewed from the downstream side in the paper insertion direction. The top view which looked at the 1st braid | blade 73, the 2nd braid | blade 75, and the raising member 77 from the downward direction FIG. 7 is a side view of the staple unit 70 in the middle of performing the binding process on the sheet bundle P, and shows a state in which the rear end of the sheet bundle P is inserted into the sheet bundle insertion unit 70a. FIG. 7 is a side view of the staple unit 70 in the middle of performing the binding process on the sheet bundle P, and shows a state in which the rear end of the sheet bundle P is inserted into the sheet bundle insertion unit 70a. FIG. 7 is a side view of the staple unit 70 in the middle of performing the binding process on the sheet bundle P, and shows a state where both ends of the arm portion 90a of the cut-and-raised piece 90 are inserted into the notch 91; FIG. 7 is a side view of the staple unit 70 in the middle of performing the binding process on the sheet bundle P, and shows a state in which the first blade 73 and the second blade 75 are pulled out from the sheet bundle P and the binding process is completed. The perspective view of the staple unit 70 which shows the state which the binding process was completed. A plan view of the sheet bundle P on which the binding process has been performed as viewed from the front side A plan view of the sheet bundle P on which the binding process has been performed as viewed from the back side Side view of the stapler 40 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the sheet bundle P that has been subjected to the binding process as viewed from the front side, and shows a state in which the tip of the arm portion 90a inserted into the notch 91 rises from the surface of the sheet bundle P. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the sheet bundle P that has been subjected to binding processing as viewed from the back side, and shows a state in which the central portion of the arm portion 90a is swollen to the back side of the sheet bundle P. FIG. 6 is a side view of the sheet bundle P that has been subjected to the binding process, where the leading end of the arm portion 90a inserted into the notch 91 rises from the front surface of the sheet bundle P, and the center portion of the arm portion 90a swells to the back side of the sheet bundle P. Figure showing the state An enlarged front view of the sheet bundle insertion portion 70a in which the groove portion 87 is formed on the upper guide surface. Side view of the stapler 40 of the second embodiment in which the inclined portion 80b is formed on the pressing plate 80. The perspective view of the pressing plate 80 in which the inclined part 80b was formed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an image forming system including the image forming apparatus 100 and the sheet post-processing apparatus 20 on which the stapler 40 of the present invention is mounted will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing internal configurations of an image forming apparatus 100 and a sheet post-processing apparatus 20 according to the present invention. In the present exemplary embodiment, a multifunction peripheral is illustrated as an example of the image forming apparatus 100. However, the paper post-processing apparatus 20 of the present invention may be applied to a printer other than a digital multifunction peripheral, such as a laser printer, an inkjet printer, or a facsimile apparatus. Can be similarly connected.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 is a so-called in-cylinder discharge type digital multi-function peripheral, and mainly includes a main body housing 2 a and an upper housing 2 b disposed on the main body housing 2 a. Yes. The upper housing 2b is provided with various mechanisms, which will be described later, for reading an image of an original as an electrical signal, and an original conveying device 3 is attached to the upper portion of the upper housing 2b. On the other hand, the main body housing 2a is provided with various mechanisms, which will be described later, for transferring an image to a sheet based on an electric signal of the read original image. A sheet post-processing device 20 is attached to the left side of the main body housing 2a. ing.

  In the present embodiment, the main body housing 2a includes a lower housing 2aa and a connection housing 2ab that is positioned along the right side and is connected to the upper housing 2b above the lower housing 2aa. A paper feed unit 4, an image forming unit 6 for forming a toner image on the paper P, a fixing unit 7 for fixing the toner image on the paper, and the like are provided. A paper discharge portion (discharge portion) 18 for conveying the paper P and discharging it from the main body housing 20 is provided.

  A cylinder discharge space 16 that is largely open toward the left side and the front is formed on the left side of the connecting housing 2ab immediately below the upper housing 2b. A relay unit 19 is provided that receives and stacks the paper P discharged from the left side surface of the connecting housing 2ab and enables the paper P to be conveyed to the paper post-processing device 20 when a predetermined post-processing is performed. Yes.

  In the main body housing 2 a, the sheet feeding unit 4 disposed at the lower part, the sheet conveying unit 5 disposed on the side and above the sheet feeding unit 4, and the sheet feeding unit 4 are disposed above the sheet feeding unit 4. An image forming unit 6 and a fixing unit 7 disposed downstream of the image forming unit 6 in the sheet conveying direction (right side in FIG. 1) are provided.

  The paper feed unit 4 is provided with a plurality of paper feed cassettes 4a provided with separating and feeding means such as paper feed rollers on the downstream side in the paper transport direction, and the paper P placed in the paper feed cassette 4a. Are fed one by one from the uppermost sheet P to the sheet transport unit 5 by the rotation operation of the sheet feeding roller. The paper transport unit 5 transports the paper P fed from the paper feed unit 4 to the image forming unit 6 by each transport roller pair 5a.

  The image forming unit 6 and the fixing unit 7 are elongated in the width direction (the front-rear direction and the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 1) perpendicular to the paper conveyance direction inside the apparatus main body 100, and in the upper part in the lower housing 2aa. The image forming unit 6 and the fixing unit 7 are arranged in this order from the left side in FIG. 1 along the conveyance direction of the paper P (from left to right).

  The image forming unit 6 forms a predetermined toner image on the paper P by an electrophotographic process. The image forming unit 6 is a photosensitive drum 9 that is an image bearing member that is rotatably supported. A charging device 11, an exposure device 12, a developing device 13, a transfer device 14, a cleaning device 15, and a static elimination device (not shown) are provided around the periphery along the rotation direction. The fixing unit 7 heats and presses the sheet P on which the toner image has been transferred in the image forming unit 6 between a pair of fixing rollers 7a including a heating roller and a pressure roller, thereby forming an unfixed toner image. It is fixed on the paper P.

  An image reading unit 8 is provided in the upper housing 2b. The image reading unit 8 reads image information of a document, and when reading each document by hand, the document conveying device 3 is opened and a contact glass 8a provided on the upper surface of the upper housing 2b. When a document is placed on the document stack and the document bundle is automatically read one by one, the document bundle is placed on the paper feed tray 3a of the document transport device 3 in a closed state. When the original bundle is placed on the paper feed tray 3a, the originals from the original bundle are automatically and sequentially sent onto the contact glass 8a one by one. In either case, the original positioned on the contact glass 8a is irradiated with light from an exposure lamp (not shown), and the reflected light is transmitted as image light to an optical system (not shown) such as a reflecting mirror and an imaging lens. To the photoelectric conversion unit (CCD).

  Hereinafter, a basic operation of the image forming apparatus 100 configured as described above will be described. First, the surface of the photosensitive drum 9 that rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1 is uniformly charged by the charging device 11. Subsequently, based on the image information read by the image reading unit 8, a laser beam from the exposure device 12 (laser device or the like) is applied to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 9, and thereby the surface of the photosensitive drum 9 is statically irradiated. An electrostatic latent image is formed. By supplying toner as a developer from the developing device 13 to the electrostatic latent image, a toner image is formed.

  Next, the paper P fed from the paper supply unit 4 passes through the paper transport path 5 and is transported toward the photosensitive drum 9 on which the toner image is formed at a predetermined timing, and is composed of a transfer roller or the like here. The toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 9 is transferred onto the paper P by the transfer device 14. The paper P on which the toner image is transferred is separated from the photosensitive drum 9 and conveyed toward the fixing unit 7. The paper P is heated and pressurized when passing through the fixing roller pair 7a to fix the toner image.

  After the transfer of the toner image onto the paper P is completed, after the residual toner remaining on the outer peripheral surface is removed by the cleaning device 15, the residual charge is removed by a static eliminator (not shown). A static elimination process is performed. Thereafter, the charging device 11 charges the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 9 again, and image formation is performed in the same manner.

  The sheet P that has passed through the fixing unit 7 is conveyed in the connection housing 2ab along the sheet conveying path 5 as it is vertically upward. The upper part of the paper conveyance path 5 branches into two upper and lower conveyance paths toward the left in the connecting housing 2ab, and the conveyance direction of the paper P can be switched by the switching claw 17 arranged at the branching portion. ing.

  A paper discharge portion 18 is provided in the connection housing 2ab. The paper discharge unit 18 includes an upper discharge roller pair 18a and a lower discharge roller pair 18b disposed immediately below the upper discharge roller pair 18a, and the paper P conveyed through the paper conveyance path 5 is a switching claw. 17 is guided to an upper conveyance path or a lower conveyance path.

  The paper P guided to the upper conveyance path by the switching claw 17 is discharged leftward from the upper discharge roller pair 18a, and the paper P guided to the lower conveyance path by the switching claw 17 is discharged by the lower discharge roller pair 18b. It is discharged to the left. The switching claw 17 switches the guide direction by a control signal from a control unit (not shown).

  The relay unit 19 is detachably attached to the bottom surface 16a of the in-cylinder discharge space 16, and the in-cylinder discharge space 16 is provided with a detection sensor (not shown) that detects the attachment of the relay unit 19. . The detection sensor is configured by a PI sensor or the like, and transmits a detection result to the control unit.

  Further, the bottom surface 16a is formed with an inclined surface that is inclined upward toward the downstream side in the sheet discharge direction (left side in FIG. 1), and when the relay unit 19 is separated from the in-body discharge space 16, The bottom surface 16a is used as a paper discharge tray. In this case, the detection sensor detects that the relay unit 19 is not mounted, and when the detection result is transmitted to the control unit, the switching claw 17 guides the paper P to the upper discharge roller pair 18a. The paper P discharged from the upper discharge roller pair 18a is discharged onto the bottom surface 16a.

  On the other hand, when the detection sensor detects that the relay unit 19 is installed in the in-body discharge space 16 and the detection result is transmitted to the control unit, the switching claw 17 guides the paper P to the lower discharge roller pair 18b. To do. Then, the paper P discharged from the lower discharge roller pair 18 b is carried into the relay unit 19. The paper P carried into the relay unit 19 passes through the relay unit 19 and is carried into the paper post-processing device 20.

  The detection result can be displayed on an operation unit (not shown), and the user can switch the guidance direction of the paper P on the operation panel. When the relay unit 19 is mounted, the upper surface of the relay unit 19 constitutes a paper discharge tray on which the paper P discharged from the upper discharge roller pair 18a is placed.

  Inside the sheet post-processing device 20, a punch hole forming device 21 that forms punch holes for the loaded paper P, a processing tray 30 for stacking a plurality of loaded paper P, and a processing tray 30 A stapler 40 is provided for binding the bundle of sheets stacked on the printer. A discharge tray 50 that can be raised and lowered to a position suitable for discharging the paper P is provided on the side surface of the paper post-processing device 20.

  2 and 3 are partial cross-sectional views around the processing tray 30 in the sheet post-processing apparatus 20. A first discharge roller pair 27 is disposed on the downstream side of the punch hole forming device 21 (see FIG. 1) with respect to the paper transport direction. An actuator type paper detection sensor 28 that detects the passage of the paper P is disposed upstream of the first discharge roller pair 27.

  Further, below the first discharge roller pair 27, a processing tray 30 on which a predetermined number of sheets P conveyed by the first discharge roller pair 27 are aligned and stacked, and a bundle of sheets P stacked on the processing tray 30 ( A stapler 40 (see FIG. 1) that performs a binding process is provided on the sheet bundle. The detailed configuration of the stapler 40 will be described later.

  A second discharge roller pair 29 that discharges the sheet bundle from the processing tray 30 to the discharge tray 50 is disposed on the downstream side of the processing tray 30 with respect to the sheet conveyance direction. The second discharge roller pair 29 includes a rubber discharge roller 29a that can be rotated forward and backward by a drive motor (not shown), and a resin discharge roller 29b that rotates following the discharge roller 29a. . The discharge roller 29a is supported by a roller holder 31 that can swing up and down about the rotation shaft 31a.

  At the upper side of the processing tray 30 and downstream of the first discharge roller pair 27 (left side in FIG. 2), the paper P carried by the first discharge roller pair 27 is struck in the direction of the processing tray 30 and along the tray surface. A hitting member 33 is provided for the purpose. The processing tray 30 is provided so as to incline downward toward the rear end side (right side in FIG. 2) of the stacked paper P, and the second discharge roller pair 29 rotates in reverse to cause the paper P to move to the rear end. The paper P is drawn onto the processing tray 30 from the side, and the rear end of the paper P comes into contact with the abutting portion 30a. As a result, the sheets are stacked on the processing tray 30 with the rear ends thereof aligned. Further, the processing tray 30 is provided with a pair of side edge alignment cursors 60 for aligning the sheet bundle loaded on the processing tray 30 in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2).

  The stapler 40 (see FIG. 1) can be moved in the paper width direction orthogonal to the transport direction by a moving mechanism (not shown), and is placed at a predetermined position along the lower end of the processing tray 30 according to the content of the binding process. Moving.

  Next, the operation of the sheet post-processing apparatus 20 will be described. When a sheet P (indicated by a broken line in FIGS. 2 and 3) on which image forming processing has been performed by the image forming apparatus 100 is carried in, if punch hole formation is instructed, the sheet P is conveyed by the punch hole forming apparatus 21. When punch holes are formed at predetermined positions (for example, two locations along the side edge on the front side of the apparatus) of the sheet P to be printed, and punch hole formation is not instructed, the punch holes forming apparatus 21 is passed through.

  Then, the paper P is conveyed further downstream by the first discharge roller pair 27. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the roller holder 31 swings upward, and the discharge roller 29a is disposed at a position (retracted position) away from the discharge roller 29b. Therefore, the paper P conveyed by the first discharge roller pair 27 protrudes to the discharge tray 50 through the gap between the discharge roller 29a and the discharge roller 29b.

  At the timing when the rear end of the sheet P passes through the first discharge roller pair 27, the roller holder 31 is swung downward and the discharge roller 29a is disposed at a position (contact position) where the discharge roller 29a contacts the discharge roller 29b. Thereafter, the tapping member 33 is driven to cause the paper P to follow the processing tray 30. In this state, by rotating the discharge roller 29a in the reverse direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3), the paper P is drawn along the processing tray 30, and the trailing edge is aligned by the abutting portion 30a. The abutting portion 30a is not continuously formed over the entire area in the paper width direction, but is partially formed with a notch.

  When the acceptance of the paper P for one bundle is completed, the stapler 40 is moved to the notch position of the abutting portion 30a, and the rear end of the paper bundle is transferred to the paper bundle insertion portion 70a (see FIG. 4) of the staple unit 70. Inserting and binding processing of the sheet bundle is performed. After the sheet bundle binding process is performed, the sheet bundle is conveyed upward along the processing tray 30 by rotating the second discharge roller pair 29 in the forward direction (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3) and discharged onto the discharge tray 50. The

  When the shift discharge is set, when the second discharge roller pair 29 is driven to discharge the sheet bundle to the discharge tray 50, the roller holder 31 is first moved to the retracted position. After that, the side edge alignment cursor 60 is arranged at a position (shift position) shifted by a predetermined amount from the position where the paper P is received (reference position) or from the reference position in a direction orthogonal to the discharge direction (paper width direction). Then, the roller holder 31 is moved to the contact position to discharge the paper. As a result, the sheet bundle is alternately discharged to the reference discharge position on the discharge tray 50 and the shift discharge position shifted by a predetermined amount in the direction orthogonal to the discharge direction (paper width direction) from the reference position. When being discharged onto the tray 50 (see FIG. 1), they are alternately stacked in the paper width direction and sorted.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the stapler 40 mounted on the paper post-processing apparatus 20 will be described. 4 and 5 are a side view and a side cross-sectional view of the staple unit 70 mounted on the stapler 40 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 6 and 7 show the first configuration of the staple unit 70, respectively. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the first blade 73, the second blade 75, and the pressing plate 80 as viewed from the upstream side and the downstream side with respect to the paper insertion direction. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the first blade 73 and the second blade 75 as viewed from below. It is. The staple unit 70 includes a base portion 71, a first blade 73, a second blade 75, a push-up member 77, and a pressing plate 80.

  The base portion 71 is a member having an inverted L shape in side view, and the upper ends of the first blade 73 and the second blade 75 are supported on the lower surface of the L-shaped horizontal portion. Rack teeth 71a are formed outside the L-shaped vertical portion. The rack tooth 71a meshes with the drive input gear 85a (see FIG. 9) on the stapler 40 main body side, and the base 71 can move in the vertical direction by the forward and reverse rotation of the drive input gear 85a.

  The first blade 73 creates a cut-and-raised piece 90 (see FIG. 14) in a sheet bundle. As shown in FIG. 8, a first blade 73 has a substantially T-shaped blade in plan view according to the shape of the cut-and-raised piece 90. Have. The second blade 75 creates a cut 91 (see FIG. 14) through which the cut and raised piece 90 is inserted, and has two blades parallel to the shape of the cut 91 as shown in FIG. ing. Further, the second blade 75 is formed with a U-shaped notch 75 a at the side edge of the two blades facing the first blade 73.

  The push-up member 77 is a member that pushes up the cut-and-raised piece 90 created by the first blade 73 and inserts it into the notch 75 a of the second blade 75. The push-up member 77 is rotatably supported inside the first blade 73 and the second blade 75 with a shaft 78 formed in the base portion 71 so as to penetrate the first blade 73 as a rotation fulcrum. The push-up member 77 has a protrusion 77a that protrudes in one direction from the rotation fulcrum, and a push-up part 77b that protrudes in a direction different from the protrusion 77a. Between the push-up member 77 and the base portion 71, a coil spring 79 that holds the push-up member 77 in a posture in which the push-up portion 77b faces downward is disposed.

  The holding plate 80 is a metal member that is fixed at a predetermined interval from the horizontal portion of the base portion 71. Between the base portion 71 and the pressing plate 80, a sheet bundle insertion portion 70a for inserting the rear end of the sheet bundle aligned on the processing tray 30 (see FIG. 2) is formed. The holding plate 80 is formed with a hole 80a that matches the shape of the first blade 73 and the second blade 75. When the base portion 71 is moved downward, the first blade 73 and the second blade 75 are formed. Penetrates the hole 80a.

  Next, a sheet bundle binding process procedure by the staple unit 70 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 9, the rear end of the sheet bundle P is inserted into the sheet bundle insertion portion 70a. In this state, the drive input gear 85a is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 9 by a motor (not shown), so that the base portion 71 moves downward together with the rack teeth 71a engaged with the drive input gear 85a.

  When the base portion 71 moves to a predetermined position, as shown in FIG. 10, the first blade 73 and the second blade 75 penetrate the sheet bundle P and project downward from the punching hole 80 a of the pressing plate 80. As a result, a substantially T-shaped cut-and-raised piece 90 and a cut 91 (see FIG. 13) are formed in the sheet bundle P. The cut and raised piece 90 is bent downward by the push-up member 77.

  Thereafter, the base 71 is further moved downward by further rotating the drive input gear 85a in the counterclockwise direction from the state shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the protrusion 77a of the push-up member 77 comes into contact with the abutting piece 40a formed on the stapler 40 main body side, and an upward load is applied to the protrusion 77a. It rotates clockwise in FIG. 11 against the urging force 79. As a result, the cut-and-raised piece 90 is pushed up by the push-up portion 77b and inserted into the cut-out portion 75a of the second blade 75.

  By rotating the drive input gear 85a clockwise from the state of FIG. 11, the base portion 71 moves upward together with the rack teeth 71a meshing with the drive input gear 85a. When the base portion 71 moves upward, the first blade 73 and the second blade 75 are also moved upward and pulled out from the sheet bundle P as shown in FIGS. At this time, both ends of the arm portion 90 a of the cut-and-raised piece 90 inserted into the notch 75 a of the second blade 75 are pulled upward together with the second blade 75 from the notch 91 and inserted into the notch 91. Further, the push-up member 77 is rotated counterclockwise from the state of FIG. 11 by the urging force of the coil spring 79 and returns to the position of FIG. As described above, the binding process of the sheet bundle P is completed.

  14 and 15 are plan views of the sheet bundle P on which the binding process has been performed, as viewed from the back side and the front side. The cut-and-raised piece 90 is formed in a substantially T shape by a straight arm portion 90a and a support portion 90b extending vertically from the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the arm portion 90a.

  The cut-and-raised piece 90 is formed with an arm portion 90a on the side close to the rear end Pe of the sheet bundle P (upper side in FIGS. 14 and 15) by the first blade 73 and on the side farther from the rear end Pe (FIGS. 14 and 15). The support portion 90b is formed on the lower side. Then, by the rotation of the push-up member 77, the arm portion 90a and the support portion 90b are folded inward along the bent ridge line 90c, and both end portions of the arm portion 90a are inserted into the pair of cuts 91.

  According to this configuration, the load when the sheet bundle P is opened from the leading end side (the free end side, the lower side of FIGS. 14 and 15) is not directly applied to the bent ridge line 90 c. There is no possibility of breaking from the intersection C between the curved line 90c and the cutting line 90d. Further, since the load when opening the sheet bundle P is applied perpendicularly to the insertion direction of the arm portion 90a into the notch 91, the arm portion 90a is difficult to be removed from the notch 91.

  Further, the pair of cuts 91 has a bent portion 91a in which ends on the side farther from the cut-and-raised piece 90 (lower side in FIGS. 14 and 15) are bent in directions away from each other. In this way, the bending strength of the two blades of the second blade 75 can be increased by bending the shape of the second blade 75 so that the notch 91 having the bent portion 91a can be created.

  Furthermore, locking pieces 90e are formed at both ends of the arm portion 90a so as to protrude in the direction opposite to the support portion 90b (the downward direction in FIGS. 14 and 15). As a result, when a load in the direction of opening the sheet bundle P is applied to the engagement portion between the cut and raised piece 90 and the cut 91, the locking piece 90e is caught on the edge of the cut 91, so that the cut and raised piece 90 is removed from the cut 91. It becomes difficult to come off.

  As described above, by binding the sheet bundle P using the stapler 40 of the present embodiment, the cut and raised pieces 90 that are part of the sheet bundle P and the cut are used without using metal staples. The sheet bundle P is bound by 91. Therefore, it is not necessary to separate the staples when discarding the paper, and the binding operation method can simplify the discarding operation and is excellent in environmental friendliness.

  Further, the engaging portion between the cut and raised piece 90 and the cut 91 has a structure in which a load is not easily applied to the bent ridge line 90 c of the cut and raised piece 90, and the cut and raised piece 90 is difficult to be removed from the cut 91. Therefore, it is possible to perform a binding process with higher strength than conventional.

  FIG. 16 is a side view of the stapler 40 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The stapler 40 according to the present embodiment includes a main body 81 that supports the staple unit 70 and the pressing plate 80, and a grip portion 83 that is rotatably supported with respect to the main body portion 81. The binding process is performed manually on the sheet bundle. Since the configuration of the staple unit 70 and the binding processing procedure are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  The staple unit 70 is supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction along a guide portion 81 a formed on the main body portion 81. The main body portion 81 meshes with rack teeth 71 a formed on the base portion 71 of the ster unit 70. The drive input gear 85a, the drive output gear 85b provided in the rotation fulcrum 83a of the holding | gripping part 83, and the idle gear 85c which meshes with the drive input gear 85a and the drive output gear 85b are provided. A torsion spring 86 that urges the gripping part 83 away from the main body part 81 (clockwise direction in FIG. 16) is attached to the rotation fulcrum 83a of the gripping part 83.

  When the binding process is performed on the sheet bundle, the end of the sheet bundle is inserted into the sheet bundle insertion portion 70a between the staple unit 70 and the pressing plate 80, and the biasing force of the torsion spring 86 is resisted from the state shown in FIG. Then, the gripping part 83 is rotated in a direction approaching the main body part 81 (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 16). Due to the rotation of the grip portion 83, the drive output gear 85b provided at the rotation fulcrum 83a also rotates in the counterclockwise direction of FIG.

  The rotational driving force of the drive output gear 85b is transmitted to the drive input gear 85a via the idle gear 85c, and the drive input gear 85a rotates counterclockwise in FIG. As a result, since the base portion 71 moves downward together with the rack teeth 71a meshing with the drive input gear 85a, the cut and raised pieces 90 and the cuts 91 are formed in the sheet bundle in the same procedure as in the first embodiment. The arm portion 90a is inserted into the notch 91, and the binding process is performed on the sheet bundle.

  Thereafter, when the force applied to the gripping portion 83 is released, the gripping portion 83 rotates in a direction away from the main body portion 81 (clockwise direction in FIG. 16) by the biasing force of the torsion spring 86. As a result, the drive output gear 85b provided at the rotation fulcrum 83a also rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 16, and the drive input gear 85a also rotates in the clockwise direction. Therefore, together with the rack teeth 71a meshing with the drive input gear 85a. The base portion 71 moves upward and returns to the state of FIG.

  According to the stapler 40 of the present embodiment, the sheet bundle P is bound by the cut and raised pieces 90 and the cuts 91 that are part of the sheet bundle P without using a metal staple as in the first embodiment. Therefore, it is not necessary to separate the staples when discarding the paper, and the binding operation method can simplify the discarding operation and is excellent in environmental friendliness.

  Further, the engaging portion between the cut and raised piece 90 and the cut 91 has a structure in which a load is not easily applied to the bent ridge line 90 c of the cut and raised piece 90, and the cut and raised piece 90 is difficult to be removed from the cut 91. Therefore, it is possible to perform a binding process with higher strength than conventional.

  In addition, unlike the stapler 40 of the first embodiment mounted on the sheet post-processing apparatus 20, the stapler 40 can be freely carried, and therefore, binding processing can be performed on various sheet bundles at arbitrary locations.

  By the way, the sheet bundle that has been bound by the stapler 40 is ideally in a state in which the cut and raised pieces 90 are folded back flatly along the sheet bundle P as shown in FIGS. However, since the stapler 40 of the present embodiment performs the binding process manually, the cut and raised piece 90 may not be folded back depending on how the force is applied to the grip portion 83.

  If the force applied to the gripping portion 83 is not sufficient, for example, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 19, the tip of the arm portion 90a inserted into the notch 91 rises from the surface of the sheet bundle P, or FIGS. As shown, the support portion 90b is not reliably folded back at the bent ridge line 90c, and the central portion of the arm portion 90a swells to the back side of the sheet bundle P. As a result, when pulling out the sheet bundle P from the sheet bundle insertion portion 70a, the tip of the arm portion 90a is caught on the upper guide surface of the sheet bundle insertion portion 70a, or the central portion of the arm portion 90a is the punch hole of the holding plate 80. There is a possibility that problems such as breakage or scratching of the paper may occur due to being caught on the peripheral edge of 80a.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20, two groove portions 87 are formed in the upper guide surface 70aa of the sheet bundle insertion portion 70a. The groove portion 87 is formed at a position facing the tip (see FIG. 19) of the arm portion 90a rising from the surface of the sheet bundle P. Thereby, even if the leading end of the arm portion 90a rises from the surface of the sheet bundle P, the leading end of the arm portion 90a passes through the groove portion 87, so that the sheet bundle P can be smoothly pulled out from the sheet bundle inserting portion 70a.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the holding plate 80 is formed with an inclined portion 80 b inclined downward from the downstream edge of the punch hole 80 a with respect to the drawing direction of the sheet bundle P. The inclined portion 80b is formed at a position facing the central portion (see FIG. 19) of the arm portion 90a bent toward the back side of the sheet bundle P. As a result, even if the central portion of the arm portion 90a swells on the back side of the paper bundle P, the central portion of the arm portion 90a slides along the inclined portion 80b, so that the paper bundle P is smoothly removed from the paper bundle insertion portion 70a. Can be pulled out.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the first embodiment, the configuration in which the image forming apparatus 100 and the sheet post-processing apparatus 20 are directly connected has been described as an example. However, a slip sheet is provided between the image forming apparatus 100 and the sheet post-processing apparatus 20. The present invention can also be applied to a configuration in which an insert device to be inserted is mounted.

  Further, in the stapler 40 of the second embodiment, the groove portion 87 is provided in the guide surface 70aa on the upper side of the sheet bundle insertion portion 70a, and the inclined portion 80b is provided in the holding plate 80. However, the stapler 40 of the first embodiment is completely different. Similarly, a groove portion 87 and an inclined portion 80b may be provided.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a sheet binding processing apparatus that binds a sheet bundle using cut and raised pieces and cuts formed in the sheet bundle. A sheet binding processing apparatus and a sheet post-processing apparatus provided with the same that can improve the strength against a load applied in the opening direction of a sheet bundle when a cut-and-raised piece is inserted into the notch and a sheet bundle is bound by using the present invention I will provide a

20 Paper post-processing device (sheet post-processing device)
21 Punch hole forming device 30 Processing tray 40 Stapler (sheet binding processing device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 Discharge tray 70 Staple unit 71 Base part 73 1st blade 75 2nd blade 75a Notch part 77 Push-up member 78 Shaft 80 Holding plate 80a Punching hole 80b Inclination part 83 Gripping part 87 Groove part 90 Cut and raised piece 90a Arm part 90b Support part 90e Locking piece 91 Notch 91a Bending part 100 Image forming apparatus

Claims (7)

By inserting into the sheet bundle, a straight arm part and a support part extending perpendicularly from the longitudinal center part of the arm part are formed, and only the tip of the support part forms a cut and raised piece connected to the sheet bundle. A first blade having a generally T-shaped blade;
When the cut-and-raised piece is folded back at the tip of the support portion by being inserted into a sheet bundle, the blade has two blades forming a pair of cuts into which both end portions of the arm portion are inserted, and the two pieces A second blade having a notch formed in a side edge of the blade facing the first blade;
A push-up member that pushes up the cut-and-raised piece and inserts it into the cut-out portion in accordance with an operation of inserting the first blade and the second blade into a sheet bundle;
A base portion for holding the first blade, the second blade, and the push-up member;
A pressing plate that is disposed to face the first blade and the second blade, and has a punch hole through which the first blade and the second blade pass;
A drive mechanism for reciprocating the base portion in a direction approaching or separating from the pressing plate;
With
In response to the operation of pulling out the second blade from the sheet bundle, both end portions of the arm portion of the cut-and-raised piece inserted into the cut-out portion penetrate the notch together with the second blade from below to the sheet. A sheet binding processing device for binding a bundle.   The two blades of the second blade have a bent shape that forms a bent portion bent in a direction away from each other at an end portion of the pair of cuts far from the cut and raised pieces. The sheet binding processing apparatus according to claim 1.   3. The sheet according to claim 1, wherein the first blade is formed with locking pieces protruding in opposite directions to the support portion at both ends of the arm portion of the cut and raised piece. Binding processing device.   A sheet bundle insertion portion for inserting a sheet bundle is formed between the base portion and the pressing plate, and the guide surface on the base portion side of the sheet bundle insertion portion is inserted into the notch. The sheet binding processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a groove portion is formed at a position facing both ends of the arm portion.   The holding plate protrudes in a direction away from the base portion at an edge on the downstream side of the punching hole with respect to the drawing direction of the sheet bundle, and has an inclined portion with an upward slope on the downstream side with respect to the drawing direction of the sheet bundle. The sheet binding processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sheet binding processing device is formed. While supporting the base portion so as to be movable in the vertical direction, a main body portion to which the pressing plate is fixed,
A gripping part rotatably supported at one end of the main body part;
A biasing member that biases the grip portion in a direction away from the main body portion;
With
By gripping the gripping portion, the gripping portion rotates in a direction approaching the main body portion against the biasing force of the biasing member, and the base portion moves downward to move the first blade and The second blade is inserted into a sheet bundle to form the cut and raised pieces and the cut;
By releasing the gripping force of the gripping portion, the gripping portion rotates in a direction away from the main body portion by the biasing force of the biasing member, and the base portion moves upward to move the second blade 6. The sheet binding processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein both ends of the arm portion are inserted into the notch by being pulled out from the sheet bundle.   A sheet post-processing apparatus comprising the sheet binding processing apparatus according to claim 1.

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