JP2018020861A - Sheet processing device and sheet processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem in which a sheet that has been subjected to folding processing swells over time and is hard to handle.SOLUTION: A sheet processing device includes: a first binding part that can execute folding processing to a sheet and binds a sheet bundle using a binding member; and a second binding part for binding a sheet bundle without using the binding member. The sheet processing device can set an opening regulation mode for regulating a sheet that has been subjected to folding processing from opening and make second binding means conduct bind processing for regulating the sheet that has been subjected to folding processing from opening in accordance with setting the opening regulation mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus capable of performing a folding process on a sheet.

  In recent years, there has been a demand for a device that can be put into an envelope by direct mail or the like, for example, an A4 size sheet that can be folded to 1/3 or 1/4 of the long side. A technique for folding a sheet in three or four is proposed. In addition, as a typical function of the post-processing apparatus that post-processes a printed sheet on which an image has been formed, there is a staple binding function. The staple binding function is a function of binding a plurality of stacked sheets using a metal wire. Staple-bound printed materials are easy to handle for each copy, so they are widely used when handling multi-page output.Recently, environmental considerations have been made from the aspect of using metal needles. A method of binding without using (eco-staple) has been commercialized (Patent Document 2).

JP 2002-193544 A JP-A-9-315669

  However, in the prior art (Patent Document 1), the folded printed sheet is not stable in shape, and the folded portion swells with the squeeze of the sheet over time, which is difficult for the user to handle. . For example, when the user puts a folded three-fold or four-fold printed sheet into an envelope, if the folded printed sheet swells, the folded portion cannot be placed in the envelope as it is, It took time and effort to fold the paper again into the envelope by the user's hand. Further, since folded sheets swell as time passes, there is a problem that folded sheets stacked on the paper discharge tray become poorly stacked over time.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a sheet processing apparatus capable of regulating the opening of a folded sheet.

In order to achieve the above object, the sheet processing apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration.
Folding means capable of folding the sheet;
First binding means for binding the sheet bundle using a binding member;
A second binding means for binding the sheet bundle without using a binding member;
Mode setting means for setting an opening restriction mode for restricting opening of the sheet subjected to folding by the folding means;
Control means for causing the second binding means to perform a binding process for restricting the opening of the sheet that has been folded by the folding means in response to the opening restriction mode being set by the mode setting means; Have

  According to the present invention, it is possible to regulate the opening of the folded sheet. Thereby, the user can easily handle the folded sheet, and for example, the process of putting it in an envelope is facilitated.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming system. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of an image forming unit of an image forming system. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a post-processing unit of an image forming system. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a sheet folding unit of the image forming system. (A), (b) is a figure which shows the structural example of an eco stapler. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of an image forming unit, a post-processing unit, and a sheet folding unit. The figure which shows the folding form of the sheet | seat which can be folded by a sheet folding apparatus. An example of a screen for selecting sheet finishing settings. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control processing procedure of the image forming system. Explanatory drawing of the state of the sheet | seat bundle at the time of performing one-side binding bookbinding processing. The figure which shows the example of the binding position of 3 inside folds. The figure which shows the example of the binding position of an outer three fold. The figure which shows the example of the binding position of 4 folding.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an image forming system according to the present embodiment. The image forming system 10 includes an image forming unit 400 that forms an image on a sheet, a sheet folding unit 200 that performs folding processing (or folding processing) of the sheet after image formation, and a post-processing unit that performs post-processing of the sheet after folding processing. 500. The image forming unit 400 includes a document reading unit 300 that captures a document and reads the captured document. In addition, the operation unit 600 of the image forming system 10 receives an operation input from the user for the image forming unit 400 and the post-processing unit 500. In the image forming system 10, a sheet conveyance path from the image forming unit 400 to the subsequent post-processing unit 500 via the subsequent sheet folding unit 200 is formed. Are discharged from the post-processing section 500, discharged from the post-processing section 500, and placed on the stacker.

[Image forming part]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of the image forming unit 400 of the image forming system 10. The image forming unit 400 of the image forming system 10 is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that forms a color image with four color toners, that is, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). It is.

  The image forming unit 400 includes laser scanners 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d, photosensitive drums 101a, 101b, 101c, and 101k, a black photosensitive drum driving motor 102, and phase difference detection sensors 103a, 103b, 103c, and 103d. The image forming unit 400 includes an intermediate transfer belt 104, an intermediate transfer roller 105, a transfer roller 106, a fixing device 107, and a fixing roller driving motor 108. Further, the image forming unit 400 includes developing units 109a, 109b, 109c, and 109d, a color development drive motor 110, and a color photosensitive drum drive motor 111. The photosensitive drum 101a, the phase difference detection sensor 103a, and the developing unit 109a are for yellow, and the photosensitive drum 101b, the phase difference detection sensor 103b, and the developing unit 109b are for magenta. The photosensitive drum 101c, the phase difference detection sensor 103c, and the developing unit 109c are for cyan, and the photosensitive drum 101d, the phase difference detection sensor 103d, and the developing unit 109d are for black. With this configuration, toner images of the respective color components are formed on the respective photosensitive drums 101, and the toner images are once transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 104. The toner image is further transferred onto the sheet P conveyed at the same speed as the intermediate transfer belt 104, and is heated and fixed on the sheet P by the fixing device 107. The sheet P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged from the image forming unit 400 and conveyed to the sheet folding unit 200.

[Sheet folding part]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the sheet folding unit 200 connected to the image forming unit 400. The sheet folding unit sequentially takes in sheets P discharged from the image forming unit 400 on which the toner image is fixed. The conveyance path of the sheet P taken in from the sheet carry-in roller 211 at the entrance of the sheet folding portion is sorted by a switching member 240 provided immediately after the sheet carry-in roller 211. When the folding process is not designated, the sheet passes through the passing conveyance path 253 of the sheet folding unit 200 and is sent to the post-processing unit 500. The passing conveyance path 253 is formed by a pinch roller unit 230 having pinch rollers 231 and 232.

  When the folding process is designated, the sheet is conveyed to the receiving conveyance path 250, and the inner three-fold process (FIG. 7A), the outer three-fold process (FIG. 7B), and the four-fold process ( One of the folding processes shown in FIG. When the folded sheet storage box 280 is selected as the paper discharge destination, the sheet P is stored in the folded sheet storage box 280 in the sheet folding portion after being folded in three or three or four. ing. When the upper tray 695 (see FIG. 3) or the lower tray 690 (see FIG. 3) of the post-processing unit 500 is selected as the sheet discharge destination, the sheet has been subjected to inner three-fold, outer three-fold, or four-fold processing. Thereafter, the sheet passes through the discharge conveyance path 252, joins the passage conveyance path 253, and is sent to the post-processing unit 500.

  The sheet folding unit 200 can fold the sheet twice to form three inner folds shown in FIG. 7A, three outer folds shown in FIG. 7B, and four folds shown in FIG. 7C.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the inner three-fold is folded at the (1/3) position on the front end side in the sheet conveyance direction, and (1/3) on the rear end side of the sheet is placed on the folded piece. Are formed by overlapping the positions. Thus, the sheet folded in three is used, for example, enclosed in an envelope as a letter.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the outer three-fold is formed by folding the (1/3) position on the front end side in the sheet conveyance direction and the (1/3) position on the rear end side to the opposite sides. Is done. The sheet folded in this way is used, for example, enclosed in an envelope as a direct mail. As shown in FIG. 7B, the outer three-fold is formed by folding the (1/3) position on the front end side in the sheet conveyance direction and the (1/3) position on the rear end side to the opposite sides. Is done. The sheet folded in this way is used, for example, enclosed in an envelope as a direct mail.

  The four-fold is formed by folding the sheet into ¼ as shown in FIG. The sheet folded in this way is used, for example, enclosed in an envelope as a direct mail. The sheet folded in this way is used, for example, enclosed in an envelope as a direct mail. The operation of the sheet folding unit will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

[Post-processing section]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the post-processing unit 500 connected to the image forming unit 400. The post-processing unit 500 of the image forming system 10 is a post-processing device that performs predetermined post-processing on the sheet P on which an image is formed. The post-processing unit 500 includes a pair of entrance rollers 502, a pair of conveyance rollers 503, 504, 506, 507, and 509, a buffer roller 505, switching flappers 510, 511, 584, and 585, and pressing rollers 512, 513, and 514. The post-processing unit 500 further includes conveyance sensors 531, 532, 533, 534, and 589, a paper surface detection sensor 540, a paper presence / absence detection sensor 541, an eco stapler 550, and a saddle conveyance roller pair 581. Further, a pair of folding rollers 582, a pair of saddle discharge rollers 583, a saddle stitcher 586, a thrust plate 587, a saddle processing tray 588, a processing tray 630, a stopper 631, and an alignment member 641 are provided. Further, it includes a swing guide 650, a paddle 660, a knurled belt 661, a retracting tray 670, discharge rollers 680 a and 680 b, a stacking tray 690, and a sample tray 695.

  In the post-processing unit 500, a non-sort path 521, a sort path 522, a buffer path 523, and a saddle path 580, which are paths through which the sheet P passes in the conveyance process, are formed. The post-processing unit 500 sequentially takes in the sheets P discharged from the sheet folding unit, aligns the plurality of taken-in sheets P, and bundles them into one bundle. In addition, post-processing such as one-side binding and binding processing in which the bundled sheets are bound as one part and binding the end of the sheet P in a unit unit, and the center of the sheet bundle is bound by a staple and folded in two from the center. Do. Further, post-processing such as bag binding processing for binding the opening portion of the sheet bundle after the saddle stitch bookbinding processing, and non-sorting for discharging paper without performing the binding processing is performed. Details of each of these post-processing will be described later.

  The entrance roller pair 502 takes in the sheet P discharged from the image forming unit 400 into the post-processing unit 500 by being rotationally driven. The sheet P taken in by the inlet roller pair 502 is conveyed to the buffer roller 505 via the conveying roller pairs 503 and 504. A conveyance sensor 531 is provided in the middle of the conveyance path between the entrance roller pair 502 and the conveyance roller pair 503. Each conveyance sensor including the conveyance sensor 531 detects the passage of the sheet P.

  The buffer roller 505 is a roller that rotates in a predetermined rotation direction and can stack and wind a predetermined number of sheets P conveyed at any time during the rotation on the outer peripheral surface. The pressing rollers 512, 513, and 514 arranged to face the outer peripheral surface of the buffer roller 505 press the sheet P against the outer peripheral surface of the buffer roller 505. As a result, the sheet P is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the buffer roller 505. The wound sheet P is conveyed in the rotation direction of the buffer roller 505.

  A switching flapper 511 is provided in the middle of the conveyance path between the pressing roller 513 and the pressing roller 514, and a switching flapper is arranged in the middle of the conveyance path between the pressing roller 514 and the conveyance roller pair 506. 510 is deployed.

  The switching flapper 510 and the switching flapper 511 operate so that their ends abut against the outer peripheral surface of the buffer roller 505 or cancel the abutted state. When the end portions of the switching flapper 510 and the switching flapper 511 come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the buffer roller 505, the sheet P wound around the buffer roller 505 is peeled off from the outer peripheral surface. The sheet P separated from the buffer roller 505 by the switching flapper 510 is guided to the sort path 522. The sheet P peeled off from the buffer roller 505 by the switching flapper 511 is guided to the non-sort path 521. If the switching flapper 510 and the switching flapper 511 are in a state where the end of the buffer roller 505 is not in contact with the outer peripheral surface, the sheet P wound around the buffer roller 505 is guided to the buffer path 523 without being peeled off.

  The sheet P guided to the non-sort path 521 is discharged to the sample tray 695 via the conveyance roller pair 509. In the middle of the non-sort path 521, a transport sensor 533 is provided. The sheet P guided to the sort path 522 is discharged onto the processing tray 630 via the conveyance roller pair 506 and 507. In the middle of the sort path 522, a transport sensor 534 is provided. A conveyance sensor 532 is provided in the middle of the buffer path 523.

  Here, the one-side binding bookbinding process, which is an example of post-processing, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a state of the sheet bundle when the post-processing unit 500 performs the one-side binding and bookbinding process. The bundled sheets P stacked on the processing tray 630 are pulled back in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction to a position as shown in FIG. 10 by a knurled belt 661 and a paddle 660 that are driven in synchronization with the conveyance roller pair 507. It is.

  The alignment members 641 provided on the front side (lower side in FIG. 10) and the rear side (upper side in FIG. 10) on the processing tray 630 are respectively moved in the conveyance direction of the sheet P by the eco-staple alignment plate driving motor M14 (see FIG. 6). It is movable in a direction perpendicular to the direction. Each of the alignment members 641 performs an alignment process of pressing the end portions of the sheets P stacked on the processing tray 630 and aligning the end portions of the sheets P. The sheet bundle aligned at the position shown in FIG. 10 is pressed between the sheets at a predetermined binding portion by an eco-stapler 550, which will be described later, arranged on the front side and the back side, and the sheet, that is, the sheet is pressed or deformed. A holding force between the sheets is generated, and the binding process is performed using the holding force. Thereafter, the paper is discharged onto the stacking tray 690 by a discharge roller pair 680 including discharge rollers 680a and 680b. The eco stapler 550 may be configured to be rotatable by, for example, a motor or the like so that the binding direction can be changed according to an instruction.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the discharge roller 680 b is supported by a swing guide 650, and the swing guide 650 swings so that the discharge roller 680 b comes into contact with the sheet bundle stacked on the processing tray 630. . The sheet bundle on the processing tray 630 is discharged to the stacking tray 690 by rotating together with the discharge roller 680a while the discharge roller 680b is in contact with the sheet bundle.

  The appearance tray 670 protrudes upward when the sheets P are stacked on the processing tray 630. As a result, the sheet P discharged from the conveying roller pair 507 is prevented from drooping and returning poor, and the alignment of the sheet P on the processing tray 630 is improved.

  The switching flapper 584 sorts the sheet P taken into the post-processing unit 500 via the inlet roller pair 502 so that the sheet P is conveyed toward the buffer roller 505 or toward the saddle path 580. . The sheet P conveyed to the saddle path 580 is conveyed to a saddle processing tray 588 via a saddle conveyance roller pair 581. A conveyance sensor 589 is provided in the middle of the conveyance path between the inlet roller pair 502 and the saddle conveyance roller pair 581.

  A plurality of sheets P conveyed to the saddle processing tray 588 are collected, and a center portion of the sheet P is bound by a staple needle by a saddle stitcher 586 having a saddle stitching function. Thereafter, the abutting plate 587 is abutted against the sheet P bound by the staple, and the folding process is performed by the folding roller pair 582. Thus, saddle stitch binding processing is performed. The sheet bundle that has been saddle stitched is conveyed by a pair of folding rollers 582 and a pair of saddle discharge rollers 583.

  The switching flapper 585 allows the sheet P conveyed from the buffer roller 505 to be conveyed toward the processing tray 630, and processes the sheet bundle subjected to saddle stitch binding processing conveyed from the saddle discharge roller pair 583. It sorts so that it may be conveyed toward tray 630. The sheet bundle subjected to the saddle stitch binding process is discharged onto the processing tray 630 via the conveyance roller pair 507.

[Eco stapler]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the eco stapler 550. FIG. 5A is a diagram when the eco-stapler 550 is viewed from one direction, and FIG. 5B is a diagram when the eco-stapler 550 is viewed from the other direction. Note that FIG. 5B shows the eco staple motor M13 shown in FIG. In the post-processing unit 500 of this embodiment, two eco-staplers 550 are provided in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the sheet P as shown in FIG. Since both have the same configuration, only one eco stapler 550 will be described. In addition, it is possible to provide a configuration in which a single eco stapler is provided, a function of moving the eco stapler along the rear edge of the sheet, and a binding process is performed at a plurality of locations.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the eco stapler 550 includes an eco staple motor M13, gears 551 and 555, step gears 552, 553, and 554, and a rotation shaft 556. The eco stapler 550 also includes a cam 557, a roller 558, an upper arm 559, an upper tooth 1010, a shaft 1011, a lower arm 1012, a frame 1013, and a lower tooth 1014, as shown in FIG.

  The rotational force (driving force) of the eco staple motor M13 is transmitted to the gear 555 through the gear 551 and the step gears 552, 553, and 554. The gear 555 is attached to the rotation shaft 556 and rotates together. As shown in FIG. 5B, a cam 557 is attached to the rotating shaft 556 to which a rotational force is given by the eco staple motor M13. The rotational force transmitted to the cam 557 operates the upper arm 559 via the roller 558. An upper tooth 1010 is attached to the upper arm 559 and swings about the shaft 1011. The lower arm 1012 is fixed to the frame 1013. Further, lower teeth 1014 are attached to the lower arm 1012. As the upper arm 559 swings, the upper teeth 1010 and the lower teeth 1014 mesh and pressurize. The binding portion of the sheet bundle is pressed at the meshing position of the upper teeth 1010 and the lower teeth 1014. The pressed sheet bundle is stretched to expose the surface fibers, and further pressed to fasten the fibers of the sheets P entangled with each other. In this way, a bundle of sheets P can be fastened without using staples.

[Block diagram of image forming system]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the image forming unit 400 and the post-processing unit 500 of the image forming system 10. The system control unit 412 in FIG. 6 includes a CPU 401, a ROM 402, and a RAM 403. The system control unit 412 is a kind of computer that controls each unit of the image forming unit 400, the sheet folding unit 200, and the post-processing unit 500 of the image forming system 10 when the CPU 401 executes a predetermined control program recorded in the ROM 402. It is.

  The image forming unit 400 receives an image forming instruction from the host computer 411 via the operation unit 600 or the communication controller 410. The received image formation instruction is exchanged with the job information in the system control unit 412. In addition, various programs stored in the ROM 402 are executed according to instructions from the system control unit 412 based on the job information.

  For image formation, the system control unit 412 includes a color photosensitive drum driving motor 111, a black photosensitive drum driving motor 102, a laser scanner 100, a fixing roller driving motor 108, a fixing device 107, and a document in the image forming unit 400. Controls the reading unit 300 and the like. The system control unit 412 also functions as a control unit that outputs a job accompanying execution of the sheet folding process to the sheet folding unit 200 and controls execution of the sheet folding process including drive control of the sheet folding unit 200. In order to cause the sheet folding unit 200 to function as an independent sheet folding processing device, a configuration including a CPU circuit unit and a communication controller (not shown) can be employed. This increases the degree of freedom of connection with the image forming apparatus. In this case, the sheet folding unit 200 acquires a job accompanying execution of the sheet folding process from the system control unit 412 via a communication controller (not shown).

  The system control unit 412 also outputs a job accompanying execution of post-processing to the sheet folding unit 200 and the post-processing unit 500, and executes post-processing including drive control of the sheet folding unit 200 and the post-processing unit 500. It functions as a control means for controlling. In order to cause the sheet folding unit 200 and the post-processing unit 500 to function as independent post-processing devices, a configuration including a CPU circuit unit and a communication controller (not shown) can be employed. As a result, the degree of freedom of connection with the image forming unit 400 is increased. In this case, the sheet folding unit 200 and the post-processing unit 500 obtain a job that involves post-processing execution from the system control unit 412 via a communication controller (not shown).

(Control and operation of sheet folding unit 200)
In the following description, reference is made to FIG. 4 and FIG. The sheet folding unit 200 is controlled by the system control unit 412 based on various information regarding sheet processing input by the user from the operation unit 600. In the sheet folding unit 200, a motor and a solenoid are driven based on various types of information detected by the provided sensors and a specified folding instruction, and the sheet is conveyed and folded. The following sensors are connected to the sheet folding unit 200. A folding reference home detection sensor HS1 that detects the home position of the folding reference stopper 243 by detecting the rotation of the mask plate coaxially fixed to the axis of the stopper moving motor M4 that rotates the folding reference stopper 243. A rear end stopper home detection sensor HS2 that detects the home position of the sheet rear end stopper 242. An entrance sensor S 1 that detects the sheet P near the entrance of the receiving conveyance path 250. A path sensor S2 that detects a sheet passing through the receiving conveyance path 250 and detects when the sheet is jammed. A pre-registration sensor S3 that detects the leading edge of the sheet immediately before reaching the registration SB roller 213 and the pinch roller SB234. A post-registration sensor S4 that detects the leading edge of the sheet that has passed through the registration SB roller 213 and the pinch roller SB234. A folded sheet detection sensor S5 that is disposed in the vicinity of the downstream side of the sheet pressing guide 244 and detects sheet jamming during sheet folding. A folded portion discharge sensor S6 that detects a sheet passing through the storage gate 241. A full detection sensor S <b> 7 that detects that the sheets in the folded sheet storage box 280 are full via the folded sheet press rotating piece 282. A sheet discharge sensor S8 for detecting that the folded sheet is conveyed to the sheet processing apparatus 300.

  The following motor is connected to the sheet folding unit 200. A conveyance motor M1 that rotates the rollers of each conveyance system via a timing belt. A folding drive motor M2 that is a brushless motor that rotates the first roller 214, the second roller 215, and the third roller 216. A registration motor M3 that is a pulse motor that rotates the registration SB roller 213 separately from the other rollers for sheet skew correction and folding processing. A stopper moving motor M4 which is a pulse motor for rotating the folding reference stopper 243. A rear end stopper motor M5 which is a pulse motor capable of moving the sheet rear end stopper 242 in the vertical direction.

  The following solenoid is connected to the sheet folding unit 200. A switching member solenoid SL1 that switches the switching member 240 between a solid line position and a broken line position in FIG. A separation solenoid SL2 that separates the pinch roller 233 from the carry-in roller 212 in the ON state. A pressure solenoid SL3 that presses the pinch roller 233 against the carry-in roller 212 in the ON state. Presser solenoid SL4 that presses the sheet with the sheet presser guide 244 in the ON state. A ratchet solenoid SL5 that connects the registration SB roller 213 to the registration motor M3 by operating the clutch portion of the motor M3 in the ON state when the registration motor M3 is stationary in the excited state. A storage gate solenoid SL6 that switches the storage gate 241 to the folded sheet storage box side in the ON state. A first folding switching member solenoid SL8 that operates the switching member 260.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the sheet folding unit 200 includes a sheet carry-in port 210 that takes in the sheet P discharged from the image forming unit. In addition, the sheet folding unit includes two roller pairs, a sheet carry-in roller 211 and a pinch roller 231, and a sheet carry-in roller 211 and a pinch roller 232, which convey the sheet P sent to the sheet carry-in port 210. . The two pinch rollers 231 and 232 constitute a pinch roller unit 230. A switching member 240 disposed immediately after the rollers 231 and 211 on the sheet carry-in side switches the conveyance path depending on whether or not the sheet folding apparatus 200 performs the sheet folding process.

  When the sheet folding unit 200 does not perform sheet folding processing, the switching member 240 is not switched and is in the position of the solid line. Therefore, the sheet P is guided to a horizontal passing conveyance path 253 formed by the pinch roller unit 230 and the two sheet carry-in rollers 211 and is sent to the post-processing device 500. The pinch roller unit 230 is configured to open upward around the sheet pin 237 when the sheet is jammed in the passing conveyance path 253 so that the jammed sheet can be removed.

  When the sheet folding unit performs the sheet folding process, the switching member solenoid SL1 is turned on to switch the switching member 240 from the solid line position to the broken line position. In this case, the switching member 240 guides the sheet to the receiving conveyance path 250. In the receiving conveyance path 250, an inlet sensor S1 that detects a sheet P that has been conveyed toward the downstream side, a path sensor S2 that detects sheet detection and sheet jamming, a roller pair of a conveyance roller 212 and a pinch roller 233, A sheet rear end stopper 242 is disposed in order. When the entrance sensor S1 detects the sheet, the folding drive motor M2 for performing the folding process starts driving. The folding drive motor M2 rotates a first roller 214, a second roller 215, and a third roller 216, which will be described later.

  Further, a first roller 214, a second roller 215, and a third roller 216 are disposed downstream of the receiving conveyance path 250. The first roller 214 and the second roller 215 are in pressure contact.

  The second roller 215 and the third roller 216 are in pressure contact. A folded one loop forming portion 255 is formed between the receiving conveyance path 250 and the pressure contact roller between the first roller 214 and the second roller 215. A switching member 260 is installed in the fold 1 loop forming portion 255. The switching member 260 also serves as a static elimination brush, and removes static electricity from the sheet charged on the main body side.

  Further, a folding conveyance path 251 is formed on the downstream side after passing through the nip between the first roller 214 and the second roller 215. On the downstream side of the second roller 215 and the third roller 216, a folded two-loop forming portion 256 is formed. Further, a pre-registration sensor S3, a registration SB roller 213 and a pinch roller SB234, a post-registration sensor S4, and a folding 1 sheet rear path 254 are arranged in this order on the downstream side of the folding 1 loop forming portion 255 of the receiving conveyance path 250. Yes. The registration SB roller 213 and the pinch roller SB 234 perform registration and skew correction of the sheet P. The folded one-sheet rear path 254 is a portion that is accommodated when processing a sheet that is long in the sheet conveyance direction.

  The folding conveyance path 251 is formed of a pair of plate-like members that are curved in a direction in which folded sheets are overlapped. The first roller 214 and the second roller 215 that fold the sheet are conveyed while sandwiching the sheet at the nip, and the sheet is folded for the first time. In the vicinity of the most downstream portion of the folding conveyance path 251, a folding reference stopper 243 that receives the first folding end of the sheet folded first by the first and second rollers 214 and 215 is disposed. The folding reference stopper 243 is a position-variable lever member, has a rotation fulcrum on the curvature center side of the folding conveyance path 251, and is rotated by a predetermined angle by the stopper moving motor M4. Therefore, the position of the folding reference stopper 243 in the folding conveyance path 251 can be adjusted by the stopper moving motor M4.

  Further, the folding conveyance path 251 is provided with a sheet pressing guide 244 that swings when the sheet is folded and prevents the edge folding due to the floating of the sheet end. Further, a folded sheet detection sensor S5 that detects sheet jamming during sheet folding is provided in the vicinity of the downstream side of the sheet pressing guide 244.

  The second roller 215 and the third roller 216 that fold the sheet are conveyed while sandwiching the sheet at the nip, and the sheet is folded for the second time. The carry-out roller 217 and the discharge pinch roller 235 are configured to securely crease the sheet with the sheet held at the nip. A plurality of roller pairs including conveyance rollers 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, and 223 and conveyance pinch rollers 236 conveys the folded sheet to the post-processing unit 500 through the discharge conveyance path 252. It is supposed to be.

  In FIG. 4, a storage gate 241 is provided on the downstream side of the transport roller 218. The storage gate 241 selectively guides the sheet that has been subjected to the inner three-fold process and the outer three-fold process to a folded sheet storage box 280 that is installed at the lower part thereof. In addition, the storage gate 241 includes a folded portion discharge sensor S6 that detects a sheet passing through the storage gate 241. A full detection sensor S <b> 7 for detecting the fullness of the sheet is provided at the upper part of the folded sheet storage box 280 via a folded sheet presser rotating piece 282 that rotates about a shaft 283. Further, the folded sheet storage box 280 can be attached to and detached from the sheet folding part 200 by a guide rail (not shown) provided on the sheet folding part 200 side. In addition, a trapezoidal protrusion (not shown) is provided at one end of the rack 286 that rotates a pinion (not shown) integrated with the folded sheet press rotating piece 282. When the folded sheet storage box 280 is attached / detached, the trapezoidal protrusion (not shown) applies the above-mentioned trapezoidal protrusion to the end of the attaching / detaching opening of the folded sheet storage box 280 to turn the folded sheet presser rotating piece 282. Is turned and retracted into the folded sheet storage box 280. The rack (not shown) is always pulled by a spring (not shown) to urge the folded sheet rotating piece 282 integrated with the pinion.

  Sheets subjected to the folding process other than the inner trifold process and the outer trifold process pass through the storage gate 241 and are conveyed by a plurality of roller pairs including conveyance rollers 219, 220, 221, 222, and 223 and conveyance pinch rollers 236. Is done. Further, the sheet is conveyed to the post-processing unit 500 through a horizontal passing conveyance path 253. Immediately after the merging point of the passing conveyance path 253, a sheet discharge sensor S8 is provided. The system control unit 412 transmits a sheet detection signal to the post-processing unit 500 when the conveyance of the folded sheet is detected by the sheet discharge sensor S8. When the sheet folding unit 200 itself has a CPU, the CPU of the sheet folding unit 200 may monitor the sheet discharge sensor S8 and transmit a sheet detection signal instead of the system control unit 412.

  A drawer upper rail 201 and a drawer lower rail 202 are installed in the upper and lower portions of the sheet folding unit 200 so that the mechanism unit including the sheet conveyance path can be pulled out for maintenance. In the lowermost part of the sheet folding apparatus 200, a CPU 290 of the sheet folding apparatus including a driving power supply unit for the sheet folding apparatus 200 is housed. Further, a caster 291 that supports and moves the weight of the apparatus is attached to the lowermost part of the exterior of the sheet folding apparatus.

(Control and operation of post-processing unit 500)
In the following description, reference is made to FIG. 3, FIG. 5 and FIG. The entrance motor M21 of the post-processing unit 500 drives the entrance roller pair 502 and the transport roller pairs 503 and 504, respectively. The buffer motor M22 drives the buffer roller 505. The paper discharge motor M23 drives the conveyance roller pairs 506, 507, and 509, respectively. The solenoid SL11 drives the switching flapper 511. The solenoid SL12 drives the switching flapper 510, the solenoid SL13 drives the switching flapper 584, and the solenoid SL14 drives the switching flapper 585. The conveyance sensors 531, 532, 533, 534, and 589 detect the passage of the sheet P in the conveyance paths in which the conveyance sensors are arranged.

  The bundle discharge motor M24 drives the discharge roller pair 680a and 680b. The front alignment motor M25 and the rear alignment motor M26 drive the alignment member 641 corresponding to each. The paddle motor M27 drives the paddle 660. The swing motor M28 drives the swing guide 650. The eco staple motor M13 gives a driving force for the operation of the eco stapler 550 by rotating the rotating shaft 556 forward or backward. The in / out tray motor M11 drives the in / out tray 670. The tray lifting / lowering motor M12 lifts and lowers the stacking tray 690 by the driving force. The paper surface detection sensor 540 detects the uppermost surface of the stacked sheets P on the stacking tray 690. The paper presence / absence detection sensor 541 detects the presence / absence of the sheet P on the stacking tray 690. Further, the binding pressure during operation of the eco stapler 550 can be adjusted by controlling the rotation amount of the rotary shaft using a cam position detection sensor (not shown) and the eco staple motor M13. Note that the post-processing unit 500 may have a stapling function that uses a needle. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, a needle stapling motor and a needle presence / absence detecting unit 545 may be provided.

[Finishing settings]
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen on which the user selects sheet finishing. The screen shown in FIG. 8A is displayed on the display screen of the operation unit 600 by the system control unit 412 when, for example, the finishing setting is selected from the menu when the user starts printing. For example, an input of a sheet folding process from the user is accepted by pressing a folding button in FIG. For example, the screen of FIG. 8C is displayed according to the operation. Further, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 8B is displayed by selecting the setting of the paper discharge destination. The screen shown in FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for selecting the setting of the paper discharge destination. For example, an input of a paper discharge destination from the user is accepted by arbitrarily selecting from a plurality of displayed paper discharge destinations. For example, “storage box” is a designation for storing a folded sheet in the storage box 280. Further, “upper tray” or “lower tray” is designated in order to set one of the trays of the post-processing unit 500 as a discharge destination. On the other hand, when “fold” is designated on the screen of FIG. 8A, for example, FIG. 8C is displayed. The screen illustrated in FIG. 8C is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for selecting setting of the folding type. For example, an input of a folding type from the user is accepted by arbitrarily selecting from a plurality of displayed folding types. In this example, there are four types of folds that can be selected: bi-fold, inner tri-fold, outer tri-fold, and quadruple. The inner trifold is a method of folding both trifolds into the same valley fold or mountain fold. The outer trifold is a method of folding one of the three folds into a valley fold and the other as a mountain fold. Quad-folding is a folding method that further folds the fold into two. In this example, the fold directions are parallel. The screen illustrated in FIG. 8D is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for selecting a binding type setting. For example, an input of the binding type from the user is accepted by arbitrarily selecting from a plurality of displayed binding types. When the user selects folding and binding processing, it functions as an opening restriction mode for restricting the opening of the folded sheet. The types of binding include eco-staples (staples without needles) that close without using a needle, and needle staples that bind with a needle may also be included. If the staple is included, the staple is displayed as an option as shown in FIG. When any one of the staples is designated, a staple position may be further designated. However, in the invention of the present embodiment, when the folding is specified to be three-fold or four-fold, the stapleless stapling is performed at a position corresponding to the specification of the folding.

[Image formation and post-processing procedures]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control processing procedure of the image forming system 10. The processing of each step described below is stored in the ROM 402 as a control program, for example, and is executed by the CPU 401. The image forming system 10 will be described assuming that necessary initial settings have been completed in the activated state.

  The system control unit 412 stores, in the RAM 403, sheet finishing setting information (mode information) selected by the user when printing is started (S101). In the present embodiment, the mode information stored in the RAM 403 includes “paper discharge destination setting” (FIG. 8B) and “folding type setting” set by the user via the screen shown in FIG. (FIG. 8 (c)), “binding type setting” (FIG. 8 (d)) is included.

  The system control unit 412 issues an instruction to the image forming unit 400, forms an image on the sheet P according to the image data obtained by reading (S102), and carries the image-formed sheet P into the sheet folding unit 200. It is conveyed toward the mouth 210. The system control unit 412 determines whether or not the folding process is set according to the mode information stored in the RAM 403 in the process of step S101 (S103). If the folding process is set, the sheet P is conveyed to the sheet folding unit 200 (S104), and the sheet folding process corresponding to the type of folding is performed on the delivered image-formed sheet P. If the folding process is not set in step S103, the sheet P is conveyed to the post-processing unit 500 through the passing conveyance path 253 of the sheet folding unit 200 (S111). Now, the sheet P conveyed to the sheet folding unit 200 is processed as follows.

<Sheet folding process>
When the folding process is set, when the sheet P is conveyed from the image forming unit to the sheet carry-in port 210 of the sheet folding unit, the system control unit 412 switches the switching member immediately after the sheet carry-in port 210 of the sheet folding unit 200. 240 guides the sheet P to the receiving conveyance path 250 into the sheet folding unit 200.

  The sheet P conveyed to the receiving conveyance path 250 is detected by the entrance sensor S1 and the path sensor S2, and further fed by the carry-in roller 212 and the pinch roller 233, and the leading edge is detected by the pre-registration sensor S3. After the pre-registration sensor S3 is turned on, the sheet is abutted against the nip between the pinch roller SB234 and the resist SB roller 213 that has stopped rotating. The sheet is further conveyed for a predetermined time by the carry-in roller 212 and the pinch roller 233, and a loop is formed in the folding 1 loop forming unit 255. At this time, the rotation of the registration motor M3 is stopped in an excited state, the ratchet solenoid SL5 of the clutch portion is turned on, and the registration SB roller 213 is connected to the registration motor M3.

  After the loop is formed on the sheet, the pressure solenoid SL3 of the pinch roller 233 is turned off, the separation solenoid SL2 of the pinch roller 233 is turned on, and the pressure contact of the pinch roller 233 facing the carry-in roller 212 is released, The sheet P is given a degree of freedom. As a result, the sheet is skew-corrected with reference to the nip between the registration SB roller 213 and the pinch roller SB234, and the registration process is completed. Now, in S106, S107, and S108 in FIG. 9, the sheet P is conveyed in the same way so far, and from here, control according to the folding method is performed.

  For example, a process when the three-fold is selected will be described. After the skew correction, the separation solenoid SL2 is turned OFF, the pinch roller 233 is again brought into pressure contact with the carry-in roller 212, the registration motor M3 is driven to rotate forward, and the registration SB roller 213 folds the sheet P and sends it to the one-sheet rear path 254. The rotation of the registration motor M3 is reliably transmitted to the registration SB roller 213 when the ratchet solenoid SL5 of the clutch portion is turned ON. The registration motor M <b> 3 is a pulse motor, and the sheet conveyance amount is pulse-count controlled by the system control unit 412. The registration motor M <b> 3 rotates until the sheet trailing edge passes through the sheet trailing edge stopper 242 in the downstream conveyance path of the loading roller 212. Then stop. The pulse amount corresponding to the trailing edge of the sheet passing through the sheet trailing edge stopper 242 is set according to the sheet size and folding mode, and is pulse-counted with the post-registration sensor S4 detecting the leading edge of the sheet. .

  When the trailing edge of the sheet passes the sheet trailing edge stopper 242, the registration motor M3 of the registration SB roller 213 rotates in the reverse direction while the ratchet solenoid SL5 of the registration SB roller 213 remains ON. The sheet P is reversely fed by the reverse rotation of the registration SB roller 213, and the rear end (upper end, end portion) is received by the sheet rear end stopper 242 to form a loop (deflection) in the space of the folding 1 loop forming portion 255. Is done. For example, the sheet P bent by abutting against the sheet trailing edge stopper 242 serving as the first sheet positioning means by the resist SB roller 213 rotating in the reverse direction follows the roller surfaces of the first roller 214 and the second roller 215. . For example, the first roller 214 and the second roller 215 which are the first folding means receive the intermediate portion of the sheet P at the nip and perform the first sheet folding.

  The sheet trailing edge stopper 242 can be moved in the vertical direction by a trailing edge stopper motor M5, and the basic stop position can be set according to the sheet size. The basic stop position of the sheet trailing edge stopper 242 is determined by being detected by the trailing edge stopper home detection sensor HS2. When the trailing edge stopper home detection sensor HS2 detects the trailing edge of the sheet, the system control unit controls the trailing edge stopper motor M5 to position the trailing edge stopper 242 so that the sheet can be folded to an appropriate length. I do.

  When the sheet is sandwiched and rotated by the two folding rollers 214 and 215, the ratchet solenoid SL5 and the registration motor M3 are turned off after a predetermined time after the post-registration sensor S4 detects the sheet end again. The resist SB roller 213 is rotatable and is rotated by the movement of the sheet so as not to apply an excessive stress (tensile force) to the sheet. For the same purpose, the pinch roller SB234 may be separated from the registration SB roller 213 instead of turning off the drive transmission of the registration SB roller 213.

  As described above, the sheet P is transferred to the first roller 214 and the second roller 215, and is nipped and conveyed by the two folding rollers 214 and 215, and the sheet P is transferred between the first and second rollers 214 and 215. The first folding process is received.

  The sheet P is fed to the head at the first folding edge, detected by the folded sheet detection sensor S5, provided on the folding conveyance path 251 downstream thereof, and moved to a predetermined position and set to the second sheet position. For example, it is abutted against the folding reference stopper 243. The sheet P abutted against the folding reference stopper 243 is bent, and a loop (bending) is formed in the folding 2 loop forming portion 256. The folding reference stopper 243 is the same as the sheet trailing edge stopper 242.

  The sheet P is conveyed while being sandwiched between the folding rollers 215 and 216 so as to follow the roller surfaces of the second roller 215 and the third roller 216, which are second folding means, as in the first folding process. The second folding process is received. The sheet P is nipped between the carry-out roller 217 and the discharge pinch roller 235 in a folded state, and the folded portion is pressurized, so that the sheet P is surely folded in three.

  The above is the control for the inner fold, but even in the case of the outer fold or fold, the above configuration is controlled in steps S107 and S108 according to the respective folding method, and the sheet is set as set. P is folded.

  Returning to FIG. 9, the discharge destination of the sheet P folded in any of Steps S <b> 106 to S <b> 108 is determined in Step S <b> 109 according to the mode information stored in the RAM 403. When the folded sheet storage box 280 is selected as the paper discharge destination (S109: YES), the inner three-folded, outer three-folded or four-folded sheet P is stored in the folded sheet storage box 280 in the sheet folding unit 200. (S110). When the upper tray or the lower tray of the post-processing unit 500 is selected as the paper discharge destination (S109: NO), the sheet P that has been subjected to the inner three-fold or outer three-fold or four-fold processing passes through the discharge conveyance path 252. Then, it merges with the passing conveyance path 253 and is sent to the post-processing unit 500 (S111).

  The system control unit 412 refers to the mode information stored in the RAM 403 and determines whether or not the binding process is set (S112). If the staple binding is set (S112: YES), the staple binding process is performed (S113). If it is a stapleless binding (eco-staple) process (S112: YES), an eco-staple process is performed (S114). When stapleless binding is set, for example, if a binding position is designated, stapling is performed according to the instruction. However, when the binding position is not designated and folding is designated, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the position corresponding to the designated folding method is bound by stapleless staple or staple. If the folding setting is made, the setting corresponding to the folding method may be bound as shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 13 ignoring the stapling setting (presence / absence of stapling and binding position). In addition, when staples and stapleless staples are possible, priority may be given to stapleless staples.

  11, 12 and 13 are diagrams showing the binding position of the sheet P to be stapled or eco-stapled. 11 to 13, (A) is a view of the folded sheet as viewed from the front, and (B) is a view of the folded sheet as viewed from above. The binding position 700 is a position to be bound by a needle in the case of needle binding processing, and is a meshing position of the upper teeth 1010 and the lower teeth 1014 in the case of eco-stapling. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an inner three-fold, FIG. 12 is an outer three-fold, and FIG. 13 is a four-fold process. In the case of the inner three-fold or four-fold, the end side of the sheet P is bound. Further, in the case of the outer trifold, even if only one side is bound, there is a possibility that the other will open, so both ends are bound. 11 to 13, the vicinity of the lower end of the sheet is bound, but it may be near the upper end or in the middle. Moreover, in order to prevent the edge part which is not bound opening, you may bind up and down both ends.

  Returning to FIG. 9, according to the post-processing unit 500, after the next processing, the paper is discharged to a specified paper discharge tray of the post-processing unit 500 (S <b> 115), and the printing operation is finished.

  As described above, in the image forming system 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment, a folded sheet having a stable shape can be provided to the user by performing the folding process on the image-formed sheet and performing the binding process. Conventionally, although there has been an image forming system having a configuration in which the post-processing unit 500 is connected to the sheet folding unit 299, the sheet after folding processing is stored in the folded sheet storage box 280 even in such a configuration. The sheet to be stapled was conveyed to the post-processing unit 500 through the passing conveyance path 253 of the sheet folding unit 200. That is, either the folding process or the stapling process is selectively performed on the image-formed sheet. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the folded sheet is conveyed to the post-processing unit 500 and stapled to prevent the folded sheet from being opened. In particular, by using a stapleless staple, the folded sheet can be easily opened. It is conveyed to the post-processing unit 500 and subjected to stapling processing.

  The control of the sheet folding unit described above may be executed by a CPU provided in the sheet folding unit. Further, the control of the post-processing unit described above may be executed by a CPU provided in the post-processing unit. The embodiment described above is for explaining the present invention more specifically, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image forming system, 400 ... Image forming part, 401 ... CPU, 402 ... ROM, 403 ... RAM, 412 ... Image forming system control part, 413 ... CPU circuit Part 200, sheet folding part, 500, post-processing part, 550, eco stapler, 600, operation part, P, sheet

Claims (6)

Folding means capable of folding the sheet;
First binding means for binding the sheet bundle using a binding member;
A second binding means for binding the sheet bundle without using a binding member;
Mode setting means for setting an opening restriction mode for restricting opening of the sheet subjected to folding by the folding means;
Control means for causing the second binding means to perform a binding process for restricting the opening of the sheet that has been folded by the folding means in response to the opening restriction mode being set by the mode setting means; ,
A sheet processing apparatus comprising:   The control means binds to the second binding means at a position on the open end side of a sheet that has been folded by the folding means in response to the opening restriction mode being set by the mode setting means. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to bind at a position corresponding to a folding method by the folding unit in response to the opening restriction mode being set by the mode setting unit. .   4. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the folding means includes at least one of an inner tri-fold, an outer tri-fold, and a four-fold. 5.   5. The mode setting unit sets the opening restriction mode when the folding process by the folding unit and the binding process by the second binding unit are selected. 6. The sheet processing apparatus according to 1. Folding means capable of folding the sheet;
First binding means for binding the sheet bundle using a binding member;
A sheet processing method of a sheet processing apparatus comprising: a second binding unit that binds a sheet bundle without using a binding member;
A mode setting step for setting an opening restriction mode for restricting the opening of the sheet that has been folded by the folding means;
A binding step of causing the second binding means to perform a binding process for restricting the opening of the sheet that has been folded by the folding means in response to the setting of the opening restriction mode in the mode setting step; ,
A sheet processing method comprising:

Images