JP2018043843A - Sheet post-processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet post-processing device which can surely bind sheets without damage or breakage on the sheets when performing binding processing again to the sheets subjected to the binding processing.SOLUTION: A sheet from an image formation device 1 forming an image on the sheet passes through a first conveyance path 53, and the sheet from a sheet feeding tray 52 passes through a second conveyance path 54 and are conveyed to a processing tray 61. A rear end regulation plate 62 and side regulation plates 63a, 63b aligning the sheets on the processing tray 61 have different alignment positions depending on which conveyance paths 53, 54 convey the sheets. With this configuration, the binding positions by a binding tool 70 of the sheets become different on the processing tray 61.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus that performs a binding process on a sheet sent from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a sheet post-processing apparatus including a binding device that receives a sheet on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus on a processing tray and performs a closing process on a sheet bundle on the processing tray is known.

  As such a binding device, a binding device that binds a sheet bundle using a needle as a binding tool, a device that fastens sheets by pressing a sheet bundle using an uneven pressing member, or a tongue-like half-punch Various types are known, such as those that fasten a sheet bundle by inserting the end of a half-cut piece into the slit using a piece and a slit.

  In addition, the sheet post-processing apparatus performs binding processing on a sheet set directly on the processing tray from outside, in addition to the so-called auto mode, which performs binding processing on the sheet bundle carried out from the image forming apparatus onto the processing tray. A manual mode to be applied, and an inserter mode to perform a binding process on a sheet conveyed from the inserter onto a processing tray (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP2015-209334A JP-A-2005-250271

  In the manual mode in such a sheet post-processing apparatus, a sheet that has been bound once after the binding process has been performed, for example, after needle binding or crimp binding has been performed, the needle is removed and the originals are separated one by one. There is a case where the sheet is set on the processing tray and the binding process is performed again. However, at the time of such re-binding, since the second binding process is performed on the previously bound position, the fastening force is weakened, and the sheet is damaged or broken.

  In view of the above points, the present invention provides a sheet post-processing apparatus capable of binding a sheet reliably without causing damage or breakage of the sheet when the binding process is performed again on the sheet that has been subjected to the binding process. It is intended to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a conveying unit that receives and conveys a sheet from an image forming apparatus that forms an image on the sheet, a processing tray on which the sheet is stacked, and the processing tray. A sheet post-processing apparatus comprising: a binding unit configured to bind the upper sheet; and binding the first position in a predetermined area of the sheet on the processing tray conveyed from the image forming apparatus. Control means for executing a binding process and a second binding process for binding a second position outside a predetermined area of the sheet placed on the processing tray from the outside is provided.

  The sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention also includes a first conveying unit that receives and conveys a sheet from the image forming apparatus that forms an image on the sheet, and a first conveying unit that conveys the sheet from the sheet feeding device that feeds the sheet. A sheet post-processing apparatus comprising: a second transport unit; a processing tray on which the sheets are stacked; and a binding unit that binds the sheets on the processing tray. A first binding process for binding a first position of the sheet bundle stacked on the tray; and a sheet bundle including the sheet placed on the processing tray and conveyed by the second conveying unit. Control means for executing a second binding process for binding to a second position different from the first position is provided.

  In the first binding process and the second binding process, binding can be performed in a direction along one side of the sheet.

  In the first binding process and the second binding process, binding can be performed in a direction intersecting two sides of the corner of the sheet.

  Further, the first binding process performs binding at a corner of the sheet, and the second binding process performs binding at a corner different from the corner subjected to binding in the first binding process. Can do.

  At this time, the first binding process may be performed in a direction that intersects two sides of the corner of the sheet, and the second binding process may be performed in a direction along one side of the sheet.

  The control means controls the second position in the second binding process to be closer to the center of the sheet than the first position in the first binding process, thereby overlapping the binding positions. Can be reliably prevented.

  Further, the control means is a position where the second binding position in the second binding process is separated from the first position in the first binding process by a predetermined distance in a direction along one side of the sheet. By controlling so as to satisfy the above, overlapping of the binding positions can be surely prevented.

  Here, the first conveyance unit and the second conveyance unit include a first conveyance path that guides a sheet from the image forming apparatus, and a second conveyance that conveys the sheet from the sheet feeding device. A path, and a third transport path for guiding the sheet from the first transport path and the second transport path to the processing tray may be provided. This simplifies the path for carrying out the sheet to the processing tray.

  According to the sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention, by using the fact that the binding mode is different when the binding process is performed again on the sheet that has been subjected to the binding process, the binding position for the same sheet is changed according to the binding mode. It is effectively prevented that the binding positions overlap and damage the sheet.

1 is an explanatory diagram of an overall configuration of an image forming system including a sheet stacking apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a binding portion in the sheet post-processing apparatus, and shows an alignment operation of the trailing edge of the sheet carried out to the processing tray. FIG. 2 shows the alignment operation at one side edge of the sheet. The state of the sheet | seat after the alignment in FIG.2 and FIG.3 is shown. The binding operation with the binding tool is shown in a side view. FIGS. 2A and 2B are explanatory diagrams of the alignment operation in the jog sorting mode of the sheet stacking apparatus of FIG. 2, in which FIG. 2A illustrates a case where the sheet is aligned to the first reference position, and FIG. Each is shown. 1 is a schematic diagram of a control configuration of the entire image forming system. A part of the treatment tray is shown in a plan view, and (a) and (b) show a comparison of the alignment position of the sheet by the rear end regulating plate at the binding position B1 and the binding position B2. A part of the treatment tray is shown in a plan view, and (a) and (b) show a comparison of sheet alignment positions by one side regulating plate at the binding position B1 and the binding position B2. The flowchart explaining the operation | movement of a binding position setting process is shown. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of binding processing. The modification of binding position B1, B2 is shown. Another modification of the binding positions B1 and B2 is shown. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of regions in which binding positions B1 and B2 are set in each of diagonal binding at a corner of the sheet, parallel binding at the corner, and parallel binding at two sides. Another modification of the binding positions B1 and B2 is shown.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows the overall configuration of an image forming system including a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention. The illustrated image forming system includes an image forming apparatus 1 including an image forming unit that prints an image on a sheet, a document reading device 2 that reads an image to be printed on a sheet from a document, and transports the document to a reading unit of the document reading device 2. And a sheet post-processing device 4 that is connected to a paper discharge port of the image forming apparatus 1 and performs post-processing on a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus 1.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a cassette 5 that can store about a hundred sheets, and a storage 6 that can store about a thousand sheets larger than the cassette 5, either the cassette 5 or the storage 6. Then, the sheets are taken out one by one and sent to the image forming unit 1A.

  The image forming unit 1A performs electrostatic printing, and includes a beam projector 12 that forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 11, an original imager 13 that attaches toner ink to the electrostatic latent image, and a transfer charger 14. I have. Then, the image ink formed on the photosensitive drum 11 is transferred to the sheet by the transfer charger 14, and the image on the sheet is heated and fixed by the fixing roller 15 disposed on the downstream side thereof, and conveyed to the sheet post-processing device 4. It is configured as follows.

  In the document reading device 2, a first platen 16 and a second platen 17 formed of transparent glass are juxtaposed in the horizontal direction at the top of the device. The first platen 16 is used for reading a document set manually, and is formed to have a maximum size of a usable document. Since the second platen 17 is used for reading a document moving at a predetermined speed, the second platen 17 is formed in the maximum width size of the document that can be read even when the document is moved.

  Inside the document reading device 2, a reading carriage 18, a condensing lens 20, and a photoelectric conversion means having a photoelectric conversion element 21 such as a CCD image sensor are provided. The reading carriage 18 is provided with a lamp that irradiates light toward the document, and two mirrors that guide the light reflected from the document to the condenser lens 20 and the photoelectric conversion element 21.

  The reading carriage 18 is driven by a carriage motor (not shown), reciprocates in the sub-scanning direction (horizontal direction) below the first platen 16 while being guided by the guide shaft, and is set on the first platen 16 during forward movement. The original is irradiated with light, and the reflected light from the original is photoelectrically converted by the photoelectric conversion element 21 to read the original. Then, the image data of the document read by the photoelectric conversion element 21 is transmitted to the beam projector 12 as an image signal.

  The document feeder 3 passes the document set on the sheet feed tray 22 through the second platen 17 by the sheet transport mechanism 24 and discharges it to the sheet discharge tray 23. Accordingly, when a document is set on the paper feed tray 22, the reading carriage 18 stands by at the position of the second platen 17 and reads the document that has passed.

  The sheet post-processing device 4 performs a binding process on a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus 1. The sheet post-processing device 4 sets a binding unit 50 that performs sheet binding processing, first and second discharge trays 56 and 57 from which sheets are discharged, and sheets such as originals, colored paper, and slip sheets. A sheet feeding tray 52, a first conveying path 53 (first conveying means) for guiding sheets from the image forming apparatus 1 to the binding unit 50, and a first sheet for guiding sheets from the sheet feeding tray 52 to the binding unit 50. 2 conveyance paths 54 (second conveyance means) and a conveyance path 55 that branches from the first conveyance path 53 and guides the sheet from the image forming apparatus 1 to the first paper discharge tray 56. It has been.

  The sheet post-processing apparatus 4 also includes a sheet feeding mechanism that separates and feeds the sheets on the sheet feeding tray 52 one by one, and the sheets to the first to third conveyance paths 53, 54, and 55. A plurality of pairs of conveying rollers arranged at an appropriate interval for conveying along. Further, the downstream portion of the first conveyance path 53 and the downstream portion of the second conveyance path 54 form a common conveyance path 56, and a discharge roller pair 60 for discharging the sheet to the discharge port 58 at the end. Is arranged. The sheet feeding tray 52 and the separation mechanism described above function as a sheet feeding device, and this sheet feeding device may be separately connected to the sheet post-processing device 4 without being provided in the sheet post-processing device 4. .

  2 to 4 show the binding unit 50 in a plan view. The processing tray 61 on which the sheets 30 are stacked, the trailing edge regulating plate 62 that aligns the trailing edges of the sheets on the processing tray 61, and the width of the sheet 30 are illustrated. A pair of side regulating plates 63a and 63b that align both ends of the direction, a binding mechanism 64 as a binding unit that binds the sheets 30 aligned on the processing tray 61, a paddle 65 that is disposed above the processing tray 61, and A discharge belt 66 for discharging the sheets on the processing tray 61 to the second discharge tray 57 is provided.

  The paddle 65 is pivotally supported by the rotary shaft 65a and is rotated in the direction of the arrow in the drawing by driving the paddle drive motor M1, thereby pushing the seat 30 toward the rear end regulating plate 62 side. As shown in FIG. 6, the rotary shaft 65a is supported by the end portion on the swing side of the swing lever 45, and the swing lever 45 is driven by the lifting / lowering drive section 44 (FIG. 7) to swing center. The paddle 65 is moved up and down above the processing tray 61 by rotating about the shaft 43 as a fulcrum.

  The discharge belt 66 is stretched around a pair of pulleys, and discharges the sheet on the processing tray 61 to the discharge tray 57 by driving the discharge motor M6.

  The side regulating plates 63a and 63b are provided on the left and right side ends of the processing tray 61 so as to sandwich the sheet 30, and are respectively connected to the left side shift motor M2 and the right side shift motor M3 via a rack mechanism (not shown). ing. Therefore, each of the side regulating plates 63a and 63b can reciprocate in the width direction of the seat 30 in accordance with the forward / reverse rotation of the side shift motors M2 and M3.

  Similarly, the rear end regulating plate 62 is connected to a rear end regulating plate drive motor M4 via a rack mechanism (not shown), and the sheet 30 to the processing tray 61 is fed in accordance with forward / reverse rotation of the drive motor M4. It can be moved back and forth in the loading direction.

  The sheets sequentially discharged onto the processing tray 61 from the first and second transport paths 53 and 54 are aligned one by one by the rear end regulating plate 62 and the side regulating plates 63a and 63b and the paddle 65, and the processing tray 61 is positioned at a processing position by a binding mechanism 64 provided at a corner portion on one end side of 61.

  More specifically, the sheet 30 carried out to the processing tray 61 is first moved toward the rear end regulating plate 62 by the rotation of the paddle 65 as shown in FIG. 2, and the rear end is moved to the rear end regulating plate. By colliding with 62, alignment in the loading direction to the processing tray 61 is performed. In this case, the position where the rear end regulating plate 62 contacts and aligns with the rear end of the sheet 30 is set by driving the rear end regulating plate drive motor M4. At this time, the paddle 65 is in a state of being lowered to a position where it comes into contact with the sheet carried out to the processing tray 61.

  As the rear end of the seat 30 is aligned, the right side shift motor M3 is driven to move the side regulating plate 63a toward the other side regulating plate 63b as shown in FIG. The side regulating plate 63a abuts on one side end of the sheet 30 and pushes it out to the side regulating plate 63b side. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the sheet 30 is aligned in the width direction with the other end in the width direction coming into contact with the side regulating plate 63b. At this time, the alignment position in the width direction is set by driving the left side shift motor M2.

  In this example, the alignment is performed with the left side of the seat 30 as a reference, but when the sheet 30 is aligned with the right side as a reference, the alignment position in the width direction is driven by driving the right side shift motor M3. Is set, the left side shift motor M2 is driven to move the side regulating plate 63b toward the side regulating plate 63a.

  The binding mechanism 64 includes a binding tool 70 for binding the sheet 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the binding tool 70 includes a lower tooth member 71 disposed on the sheet placement surface side of the processing tray 61 and an upper tooth member 72 disposed to face the lower tooth member 71. Thus, the sheet bundle is sandwiched and pressed by the pair of tooth molds, so that the sheet bundle is deformed and bound by interlacing the fibers of the sheet, so-called pressure binding is performed.

  The lower teeth member 71 of the binding tool 70 is provided so that the upper surface 71a thereof is flush with the sheet placement surface of the processing tray 61, and uneven binding teeth 71c are formed on the inner bottom surface of the groove 71b. Has been. On the bottom surface of the upper tooth member 72, uneven binding teeth 72c that mesh with the binding teeth 71c of the lower tooth member 71 are formed.

  The upper tooth member 72 has an eccentric cam 73 in contact with the upper surface 72a thereof. When the eccentric cam 73 rotates, the upper tooth member 72 moves downward, and the binding tooth 72c of the upper tooth member 72 moves downward. It meshes with the binding teeth 71c of the tooth member 71. As a result, the sheet between the binding teeth 72c of the upper tooth member 72 and the binding teeth 71c of the lower tooth member 71 is pressurized, the fibers on the surface of the sheet are exposed, and the fibers of the sheets are entangled and fastened together. .

  The eccentric cam 73 is connected to the binding motor M5 via the drive transmission gears 74, 75, and 76, and the upper cam member 72 is moved to the standby position by driving the binding motor M5 and half-rotating the eccentric cam 73. To the meshing position and again to the standby position. That is, by rotating the eccentric cam 73 halfway, the sheet is pressed by the binding tool 70 and the sheet is bound.

  The tension spring 78 is provided to move the upper tooth member 72 to the standby position. One end of the tension spring 78 is attached to an attachment piece 72b formed on the upper surface 72a of the upper tooth member 72, and the other end is attached to the side plate ( It is attached to a mounting pin 79 provided in (not shown). Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5A, the tension spring 78 pulls the upper tooth member 72 upward and moves it to the standby position as the eccentric cam 73 rotates. Further, the eccentric cam 73 rotates further to move the upper tooth member 72 to the meshing position against the pulling force of the tension spring 78 as shown in FIG. 5B.

  The binding processing mode of the sheet post-processing apparatus 4 in the present embodiment includes an auto mode for performing a binding process on a sheet conveyed on the processing tray 61 from the image forming apparatus 1 via the first conveyance path 53, and a feeding mode. An insert mode for performing a binding process on a sheet conveyed from the paper tray 52 to the processing tray 61 via the second conveyance path 54, and a sheet placed directly on the processing tray 61 by a user's operation by the user of the image forming apparatus 1 There is a manual mode for performing the binding process. As will be apparent later, the binding position of the sheet in the auto mode is different from the binding position of the sheet in the insert mode and the manual mode. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the binding operation in the auto mode performs the first binding process, and the binding operation in the insert mode or the manual mode performs the second binding process. Each processing mode will be described in more detail.

  In the auto mode, the sheet 30 on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus 1 is unloaded to the sheet post-processing apparatus 4, is stacked on the processing tray 61 and is subjected to the binding process, and is then discharged to the second discharge tray 57. A series of normal operations as an image forming system until the time is performed are performed.

  In the insert mode, a sheet placed on the sheet feeding tray 52 is conveyed onto the processing tray 61 by operating an insert mode switch disposed in the input unit 14 (FIG. 7) described later. Accordingly, the sheets to be bound are collectively placed on the sheet feeding tray 52 and are sequentially conveyed sequentially to the processing tray 61 by operating the insert mode switch disposed in the input unit 14. The paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 57 by the second discharge belt 66. In this case, the sheet is unloaded from the image forming apparatus 1 before or after the sheet is conveyed from the sheet feeding tray 52 to the processing tray 61, and the sheets from both the sheet feeding tray 52 and the image forming apparatus 1 are put together in the processing tray 61. The binding process can also be performed.

  Various other processes can be set. For example, a cover sheet is conveyed from the sheet feeding tray 52 to the processing tray 61, and the sheets from the image forming apparatus 1 are stacked on the sheet. The paper can be discharged to the paper discharge tray 57. Further, after the sheet from the image forming apparatus 1 is carried onto the processing tray 61, the sheet is transported from the sheet feeding tray 52 to the processing tray 61, and then a sheet serving as a back cover is transferred from the sheet feeding tray 52 to the processing tray 61. Can be stacked on the sheet from the image forming apparatus 1 and discharged onto the discharge tray 57 after the binding process.

  In the manual mode, the sheets placed on the processing tray 61 are bound from the outside by the binding tool 70, and the bound sheets are discharged to the second discharge tray 57 by the discharge belt 66. In the manual mode in the present embodiment, the sheet is placed on the processing tray 61 from the discharge port 58. As shown in FIG. 6, in the manual mode, when the sheet is placed on the processing tray 61, the sheet can be easily inserted from the discharge port 68 by raising the paddle 65. It is expanding.

  Then, the inserted sheet is set by the user so that the leading end of the sheet abuts against the rear end regulating plate 62 provided on the processing tray 61 and the width side end of the sheet abuts against the second side regulating plate 63b. The As a result, the sheet is set at the binding processing position on the processing tray 61, and the user operates the manual mode switch on the operation panel to operate the binding tool 70 to perform the binding processing on the sheet.

  The configuration of the control device 10 of the image forming system will be described with reference to FIG. The control device 11 includes a main body control unit 12 that controls each operation of the image forming apparatus 1, the document reading device 2, and the document feeding device 3, and a sheet post-processing control unit 13 that serves as a control unit that controls the sheet post-processing device 4. It consists of

  In the image forming apparatus 1, an input unit 14 having a control panel (not shown) is disposed on the front side where a user of the image forming system is located. The input unit 14 includes an operation panel, and a user of the image forming system inputs designation of image finishing, the size and number of sheets to be printed, a binding processing mode, and the like from the input unit 56. The automatic mode is set as the default for the binding processing mode, but each mode can be designated by operating the insert mode switch or the manual mode switch provided on the operation panel of the input unit 14.

  The main body control unit 12 controls the image forming apparatus 1, the document reading device 2, and the document feeding device 3 in accordance with the contents input to the input unit 14, and prints the read document image on the specified number of sheets. The printed sheets are sequentially sent to the sheet post-processing apparatus 4. In addition, the main body control unit 12 transmits the sheet processing mode information, the sheet information indicating the sheet size and the number of sheets, and the like to the sheet post-processing control unit 13 from the input content to the input unit 14.

  The sheet post-processing control unit 13 controls a post-processing operation performed on a sheet that has been image-formed by the image forming apparatus 1 and is sent. The sheet post-processing control unit 13 is configured by a CPU, and controls the overall operation of the sheet post-processing apparatus 4 by executing a control program stored in the ROM 15. Accordingly, the sheet post-processing control unit 13 includes a binding motor M5 that drives the eccentric cam 73 of the binding mechanism 64, a paddle drive motor M1 that drives the rotation of the paddle 65, a lift drive unit 44 that drives the paddle 65 to move up and down, The side shift motors M2 and M3 and the rear end regulating plate drive motor M4 are connected.

  Further, the sheet post-processing control unit 13 includes a conveyance driving device 32 including a plurality of drive motors for driving the conveyance roller pairs and the discharge roller pairs 60 arranged in the conveyance paths 53, 54, and 55, and a discharge. A carry-out sensor 59 for detecting a sheet discharged from the roller pair 60 is connected.

  The binding operation by the sheet post-processing device 4 will be described. As described above, the binding position of the sheet in the auto mode is different from the binding position of the sheet in the insert mode and the manual mode. In the present embodiment, the binding position B2 in the manual mode and the insert mode. The (second position) is set on the inner side (center side of the sheet) than the binding position B1 (first position) in the auto mode. In the initial state (normal state), the rear end restricting plate 62 is positioned at the first restricting position h1 as shown in FIG. 8A, and the second side restricting plate 63b is placed in FIG. 9A. As shown in FIG. 3, the binding position B1 is set as a default by being positioned at the first side regulation L1.

  Therefore, the sheet post-processing control unit 13 first performs a binding position setting process shown in the flowchart of FIG. In the binding position setting process, the sheet post-processing control unit 13 determines whether the manual mode is set (“YES” in step S1) or the insert mode is set (“YES” in step S2). The restricting plate 62 is moved from the first restricting position h1 shown in FIG. 8A by a predetermined distance H to the second restricting position h2 shown in FIG. 6B upstream (step S3). Subsequently, the sheet post-processing control unit 13 sets the side restriction plate 63b serving as a restriction reference to the first side restriction position L1 shown in FIG. The second side regulation position L2 is moved (step S4).

  Thus, since the rear end regulating plate 62 and the side regulating plate 63b (or the side regulating plate 63a) can change the processing position by changing the alignment position of the sheet, the first binding mode and the second binding mode are used. Accordingly, the binding position (B1, B2) with respect to the sheet 30 is changed.

  In this way, when the insert mode switch or the manual mode switch provided on the operation panel of the input unit 14 is operated and the insert mode and the manual mode are designated, the binding position is changed from the first binding position B1 set by default. Change to the second binding position B2. However, in the binding position setting process when none of the switches is operated, the process ends from “NO” in step S1 to “NO” in step S2, and the binding position B1 is maintained.

  Then, the sheet post-processing control unit 13 performs the binding process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11 when the binding position setting process ends.

  In the binding process, sheets are sent from the image forming apparatus 1 to the sheet post-processing apparatus 4 from the first conveyance path 53 in the auto mode, and from the sheet feeding tray 52 to the second conveyance path 54 in the insert mode. Then, it passes through the carry-out sensor 59 and is carried out from the discharge port 58 to the processing tray 61.

  At this time, the carry-out sensor 59 is turned on when a sheet carried to the processing tray 61 is detected, and is turned off when the sheet is introduced from the discharge port 58 to the processing tray 61 because the rear end of the sheet is out of the detection area. . Therefore, the sheet post-processing control unit 13 determines that the sheet has been unloaded onto the processing tray 61 by switching the unloading sensor 59 from on to off ("YES" in step S11).

  Then, the sheet post-processing control unit 13 controls the trailing edge alignment operation of the sheets discharged to the processing tray 61 (Step S12). Specifically, the elevating drive unit 44 is controlled to lower the paddle 65 from the raised position to the operating position, thereby driving the paddle drive motor M1. As a result, the sheet 30 moves in the direction opposite to the direction of carrying out the sheet from the discharge port 58, and the rear end thereof abuts against the rear end regulating plate 62 and is aligned. In this case, as described above, the rear end restricting plate 62 is in the first restricting position h1 in the auto mode, but in the insert mode, the sheet post-processing device 4 performs the rear end position setting process in the rear binding position setting process. The end regulating plate 62 is moved to the second regulating position h2.

  When the alignment of the trailing edge of the sheet is completed, the sheet post-processing control unit 13 controls the alignment operation in the width direction (step S13). Specifically, the first side regulating plate 63a is moved toward the second side regulating plate 63b. Accordingly, one end in the width direction of the sheet is pushed by the first side regulating plate 63a, and the sheet 30 moves toward the second side regulating plate 63b. And the sheet | seat 30 is aligned also in the width direction because the other end of the width direction of a sheet | seat contacts the 2nd side regulation board 63b. In this case, as described above, the second side restricting plate 63b is in the first side restricting position L1 in the auto mode, but in the insert mode, the sheet post-processing device 4 performs the pre-binding position setting process. The second side regulating plate 63b is moved to the second side regulating position L2.

  The distance by which the sheet post-processing control unit 13 moves the first side regulating plate 63a toward the second side regulating plate 63b is included in the sheet information about the sheet 30 output from the main body control unit 12. It is determined according to the sheet size. That is, the sheet post-processing control unit 13 moves the first side regulating plate 63a to a position where the distance between the side regulating plates 63a and 63b is slightly shorter than the length of the sheet 30 in the width direction.

  Subsequently, the sheet post-processing control unit 13 determines whether or not the sheet 30 positioned by aligning the rear end and the width direction on the processing tray 61 is the final sheet. The binding process is performed on a bundle of sheets, but the sheets are sequentially sent from the first conveyance path 53 in the auto mode and from the second conveyance path 54 in the insert mode. It passes through the carry-out sensor 59 and is carried out from the discharge port 58 to the processing tray 61. Accordingly, the sheet post-processing control unit 13 determines that the sheet aligned immediately before is not the final sheet while the carry-out sensor 59 sequentially detects the subsequent sheets and repeats on and off (“S” in step S14). NO "), the process returns to step S11, and the processes after step S12 are repeated. Accordingly, the sheets sequentially sent from the discharge port 58 are collected on the processing tray 61.

  If the sheet post-processing control unit 13 does not turn on even after a certain period of time has elapsed after the carry-out sensor 59 is turned off in the processing at step S14, the sheet post-processing control unit 13 determines that the sheet aligned immediately before is the last sheet (step S14 "YES"). Then, the sheet post-processing control unit 13 controls the drive of the binding motor M5 to rotate the eccentric cam 73 to perform the sheet pressing and binding (step S15). Next, the drive of the discharge motor M6 is controlled to drive the discharge belt 66, and the sheet on the processing tray 61 is discharged to the second discharge tray 57 (step S16).

  On the other hand, when the manual mode switch is operated to enter the manual mode, the sheet post-processing control unit 13 controls the elevating drive unit 44 to raise the paddle 65 and separate it from the processing tray 61 (step SA). In the manual mode, as described above, the rear end restricting plate 62 is moved to the second restricting position h2, and the side restricting plate 63b is moved to the second side restricting position l2. The sheet 30 is set on the processing tray 61 so as to come into contact with the rear end regulating plate 62 and the side regulating plate 63b. After manual setting, a binding signal is output from the main body control unit by operating a binding switch provided on the operation panel of the input unit 14 (step SB), and the sheet post-processing control unit 13 performs the crimping binding of the sheet. In step S15, the bound sheets are discharged to the second discharge tray 57 (step S16).

  The sheet post-processing device 4 described above is characterized in that the binding position in the manual mode and the insert mode is set inside the sheet with respect to the binding position in the auto mode. Therefore, when the sheet once bound in the auto mode is removed and another sheet is added and the binding process is performed again, when the sheet to be rebound is set on the processing tray 61 in the manual mode or the insert mode, 2 Since the second binding position does not overlap with the first binding position, it is possible to suppress a decrease in fastening force of the sheet 30 and occurrence of damage or breakage of the sheet.

  In the present embodiment, the binding position relative to the sheet is changed by changing the position (processing position) of the sheet when binding with the binding tool 70 fixed. The position (processing position) may be always constant, and the binding position of the sheet may be changed by moving the binding tool 70.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the binding is performed obliquely at the corner portion has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to the case where the binding tool 70 performs parallel binding to the corner portion. In parallel binding, the binding tool 70 is provided so that the binding direction of the binding tool 70 (the direction of the binding trace) is substantially parallel to one side of the sheet. Then, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the second binding position B2 in the manual auto and insert modes is set inside the first binding position B1 in the auto mode. . Note that the first and second binding positions B1 and B2 in the parallel binding may be changed by fixing the rear end regulating plate 62 and moving only the side regulating plate 63b to change the sheet processing position. .

  FIG. 13 shows the case of parallel binding at two locations. Also in this case, as shown in FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b), the binding position B2 in the manual mode and the insert mode is inward of the binding position B1 in the auto mode in each of the two locations. It is set.

  As described above, the sheet post-processing device 4 is capable of binding in the automatic mode in any of the diagonal binding at the corner of the sheet, the parallel binding at the corner, or the parallel binding at the two sides of the sheet. In B1 (first position) and insert mode or manual mode, the binding process is performed at the binding position B2 (second position). Here, the locations of the binding positions B1 and B2 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. .

  The sheet post-processing device 4 performs oblique binding at the corner of the sheet shown in FIG. 14A, parallel binding shown in FIG. 14B at the corner, and the side of the sheet shown in FIG. 14C. 2 are selectively performed, but the binding position B1 is within the predetermined areas S1, S2, and S3 of the margin portion of the sheet to be bound. The predetermined areas S1, S2, and S3 are determined in consideration of a positioning tolerance with respect to a sheet processing position and a tolerance of a stop position of the binding mechanism 64. The binding position B2 is set to be outside the predetermined areas S1, S2, and S3. As a result, the binding positions B1 and B2 in the respective bindings are set to positions that are separated from each other by a sufficient distance, so that the binding marks applied to the binding position B1 and the binding applied to the binding position B2 due to tolerances or the like. There is no overlap.

  In the above-described embodiment, the second binding position B2 is outside and closer to the first binding position B1 than the predetermined regions S1, S2, and S3. However, the second binding position B2 is the first binding position B2. The binding may be performed at a position completely different from the binding position B1 or at a completely different angle. For example, as shown in FIG. 15A, the second binding position B2 is set at a different corner from the predetermined area S4 of the corner where the first binding position B1 is set, or FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the first binding position B1 set in the predetermined area S5 can be obliquely bound, and the first binding position B1 set outside the predetermined area S5 can be parallel-bound.

  In the embodiment, when the insert mode switch or the manual mode switch is operated, the binding position is changed to the second binding position B2. However, after the insert mode switch or the manual mode switch is operated, the binding position is changed to the second binding position B2. A switch for selecting whether or not to change to the second binding position B2 may be provided so that the user can arbitrarily change to the second binding position B2.

  Furthermore, in the embodiment, the example of the crimp binding is shown, but the present invention can be applied even in the case of needle binding or half punch binding.

30 sheet 53 first transport path (first transport means)
54 Second transport path (second transport means)
56 Third transport path 61 Processing tray 62 Rear end regulating plates 63a, 63b Side regulating plate 64 Binding mechanism (binding means)

Claims (10)

A sheet post-processing apparatus comprising: a conveying unit that receives and conveys a sheet from an image forming apparatus that forms an image on the sheet; a processing tray on which the sheet is stacked; and a binding unit that binds the sheet on the processing tray. There,
A first binding process for binding a first position in a predetermined area of a sheet on the processing tray conveyed from the image forming apparatus;
A second binding process for binding the second position outside a predetermined area of the sheet placed on the processing tray from the outside;
A sheet post-processing apparatus comprising control means for executing A first conveying unit that receives and conveys a sheet from an image forming apparatus that forms an image on the sheet, a second conveying unit that conveys a sheet from a sheet feeding device that feeds the sheet, and stacks the sheets A sheet post-processing apparatus comprising: a processing tray; and a binding unit that binds the sheets on the processing tray,
A first binding process for binding the first position of the sheet bundle conveyed by the first conveying unit and stacked on the processing tray;
A second binding process for binding the second position different from the first position of the sheet bundle including the sheet placed on the processing tray and transported by the second transport unit;
A sheet post-processing apparatus comprising control means for executing An alignment means for aligning the sheets placed on the processing tray;
3. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first binding process and the second binding process bind sheets to the sheets aligned by the alignment unit.   The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first binding process and the second binding process are performed in a direction along one side of the sheet.   3. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first binding process and the second binding process perform binding in a direction intersecting with two sides of a corner portion of the sheet.   In the first binding process, the corners of the sheet are bound, and in the second binding process, the corners different from the corners bound in the first binding process are bound. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   2. The first binding process performs binding in a direction intersecting with two sides of a corner of the sheet, and the second binding process performs binding in a direction along one side of the sheet. Or the sheet post-processing apparatus according to 2.   6. The control unit according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the control unit sets the second position in the second binding process closer to the center of the sheet than the first position in the first binding process. Sheet post-processing equipment.   The control unit sets the second binding position in the second binding process to a position separated by a predetermined distance in a direction along one side of the sheet with respect to the first position in the first binding process. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the sheet post-processing apparatus is provided.   The first conveying unit and the second conveying unit include a first conveying path for guiding a sheet from the image forming apparatus, a second conveying path for conveying the sheet from the sheet feeding apparatus, The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a third conveyance path that guides the sheet from the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path to the processing tray.