JP2018076184A - Sheet processing device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet processing device and an image forming device that are capable of binding without growing in size or reducing the binding process efficiency even when binding means with receiving parts different in height is employed.SOLUTION: A stapler 110 performs binding using staples with a bundle of sheets ejected to a middle processing tray 107 received in a receiving part, and at the same time, a staple-free binding unit 102 performs binding using no staples with the bundle of sheets ejected to the middle processing tray 107 received in a receiving part of narrower clearance in the thickness direction than the receiving part of the stapler 110. When the stapler 110 performs binding, the staple-free binding unit 102 is placed at a position shifted in the width direction, which is orthogonal to the sheet ejecting direction, from the area on the middle processing tray 107 where the sheet ejected by the sheet ejecting means passes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

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

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some image forming apparatuses (image forming systems) such as copying machines, laser beam printers, facsimile machines, and multi-function machines have a sheet processing apparatus that performs processing such as binding on a sheet on which an image is formed. . In such a sheet processing apparatus, when a sheet bundle composed of a plurality of sheets is bound, the sheet bundle is bound using a metal binding needle. Such a stapling process using a binding needle is used in many sheet processing apparatuses because it can reliably bind a plurality of output sheets at positions designated by a user.

  Further, in the conventional sheet processing apparatus, in addition to the binding means using the binding needle, the binding means for simply binding the sheets without using the binding needle on the premise of “separation” of the bundle of sheets after binding. Has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). In this apparatus, in addition to the needle binding means using a binding needle capable of fastening a maximum of 50 sheets, simple binding up to about 10 sheets can be performed by forming a half-punched fastening portion on a sheet bundle which is an example of a needleless binding means. It has binding means to perform. In such a sheet processing apparatus, when binding is performed, each binding means arranged to be able to advance and retreat is selectively moved to the binding position of the sheet bundle by a selection moving mechanism.

JP 2000-318918 A

  Since such a conventional sheet processing apparatus has a selective movement mechanism for selectively moving each binding means to the binding position, the configuration of the apparatus becomes complicated. In order to prevent this, for example, there is a configuration in which the selective moving mechanism is eliminated by fixing at least the needleless binding means.

  By the way, as described above, when the maximum number of sheets to be bound is different, the height (width in the vertical direction) of a sheet receiving portion (hereinafter referred to as a frontage) generally opened in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle is also set. It depends on the maximum number of sheets to be bound. For this reason, depending on the fixing position where each binding means is fixed, for example, depending on the thickness of the sheet bundle when binding is performed with the staple binding means having a high frontage height (the maximum number of bindings is large), the sheet bundle has a height of the frontage. Interferes with the needleless binding means having a low (the maximum number of bindings is small).

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and even when a binding unit having a different receiving portion height is used, the binding process can be performed without causing an increase in size and a decrease in binding processing efficiency. An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming system.

  The present invention provides a sheet processing apparatus having a sheet stacking unit that stacks sheets, a sheet discharge unit that discharges sheets to the sheet stacking unit, and a gap in a thickness direction of the sheet, and the sheet stacking unit includes the sheet stacking unit. A first binding unit having a first receiving unit for receiving the discharged sheet, and performing a binding process using a needle on a sheet bundle composed of a plurality of sheets received in a gap between the first receiving units; And a second receiving part having a gap in the thickness direction of the sheet that is narrower than the gap of the first receiving part, and a sheet comprising a plurality of sheets received in the gap of the second receiving part A second binding unit that performs a binding process without using a needle in the bundle, and a transfer unit that transfers the sheet discharged to the sheet stacking unit by the sheet discharge unit to the first receiving unit, Is characterized in that said by feed means a first receiving sheet is transported to the portion to place the second binding means to a position that does not enter into the second receiving portion.

  As in the present invention, when the second binding means is arranged at a position where the sheet transferred to the first binding means does not enter the second receiving portion, the binding means having a different height of the receiving portion is used. However, the binding process can be performed without increasing the size and reducing the binding process efficiency.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus including a sheet processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The figure explaining the finisher which is the said sheet processing apparatus. The figure explaining the structure of the binding part provided in the said finisher. The figure explaining the structure of the stapler provided in the said binding part. FIG. 3 is a first diagram illustrating a configuration of a needleless binding unit provided in the binding unit. The figure explaining operation | movement of the needleless binding unit provided in the said binding part. The 2nd figure explaining the structure of the needleless binding unit provided in the said binding part. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the finisher. Sectional drawing which shows the state of the sheet | seat bound without a needle | hook by the said needleless binding unit. The figure explaining the sheet | seat binding process operation | movement of the said finisher. The figure explaining the binding process by the stapler provided in the said finisher. The figure explaining the binding process by the said needle-less binding unit. The figure explaining the structure of the binding part provided in the finisher which is a sheet processing apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The figure explaining operation | movement before performing stapleless binding of the stapler provided in the said binding part. The flowchart explaining the binding operation | movement of the said finisher. FIG. 10 is a first diagram illustrating a binding operation of a finisher that is a sheet processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The 2nd figure explaining the binding operation | movement of the said finisher. The flowchart explaining the binding operation | movement of the said finisher. The figure which shows the half punch shape formed by the said needleless binding unit.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus (image forming system) including a sheet processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 900 denotes an image forming apparatus, 900A denotes an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as an apparatus main body), and 900B denotes an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet. Reference numeral 950 denotes an image reading apparatus provided on the upper part of the apparatus main body 900A and provided with a document conveying apparatus 950A. Reference numeral 100 denotes a finisher which is a sheet processing apparatus disposed between the upper surface of the apparatus main body 900A and the image reading apparatus 950. is there.

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

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

  Reference numeral 903 denotes a secondary transfer unit that sequentially transfers the full color image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 902 to the sheet P. The secondary transfer unit 903 includes a secondary transfer counter roller 903 b that supports the intermediate transfer belt 902 and a secondary transfer roller 903 a that contacts the secondary transfer counter roller 903 b via the intermediate transfer belt 902. Reference numeral 909 denotes a registration roller, 904 denotes a paper feed cassette, and 908 denotes a pickup roller that feeds the sheet P stored in the paper feed cassette 904. A CPU circuit unit 200 is a control unit that controls the apparatus main body 900A and the finisher 100.

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

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

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

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

  Next, the sheet P on which the toner image is transferred is guided from the secondary transfer unit 903 to the conveyance guide 920 and conveyed to the fixing unit 905, and is fixed by receiving heat and pressure when passing through the fixing unit 905. . Thereafter, the sheet P on which the image is fixed in this manner passes through a discharge passage 921 provided downstream of the fixing unit 905, is discharged by a discharge roller pair 918, and is conveyed to the finisher 100.

  Here, the finisher 100 sequentially takes in the sheets discharged from the apparatus main body 900A, aligns the plurality of received sheets and bundles them into one bundle, and the upstream end (hereinafter, rear end) of the bundled sheet bundle in the sheet discharge direction. Binding process is performed. As shown in FIG. 2, the finisher 100 includes a processing unit 139 that performs binding processing as necessary, and discharges and stacks sheets on the stacking tray 114. The processing unit 139 includes an intermediate processing tray 107 that is a sheet stacking unit that stacks sheets to be bound, and a binding unit 100A that binds the sheets stacked on the intermediate processing tray 107.

  The intermediate processing tray 107 regulates (aligns) both side end positions in the width direction (depth direction) of the sheet conveyed from the direction orthogonal to the depth direction of the apparatus main body 900A to the intermediate processing tray 107 in FIG. 3 to be described later. Front and back alignment plates 109a and 109b are provided. The front and back alignment plates 109a and 109b, which are side edge alignment means for aligning the widthwise side edge positions of the sheets stacked on the intermediate processing tray 107, are driven by an alignment motor M253 shown in FIG. 9 to be described later. To move in the width direction.

  The front and back alignment plates 109a and 109b are normally moved to a receiving position for receiving a sheet by an alignment motor M253 that is driven based on a detection signal from an alignment HP sensor (not shown). When regulating the positions of both side edges of the sheets stacked on the intermediate processing tray 107, the alignment motor M253 is driven, and the front and back alignment plates 109a and 109b are moved along the width direction so as to be on the intermediate processing tray. It is made to contact | abut to the both ends of the sheet | seat loaded in.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a pull-in paddle 106 is arranged above the intermediate processing tray 107 on the downstream side in the transport direction. Here, before the sheet is carried into the processing unit 139, the pull-in paddle 106 drives the paddle lift motor M252 based on detection information of a paddle HP sensor S243 shown in FIG. It will be in the state where it waited in the upper direction without getting in the way.

  Further, when the sheet is discharged to the intermediate processing tray 107, the pull-in paddle 106 moves downward by the reverse drive of the paddle lifting motor M252 and rotates counterclockwise at an appropriate timing by a paddle motor (not shown). To do. By this rotation, the sheet is pulled in and the rear end of the sheet is abutted against the rear end stopper 108. Here, in the present embodiment, the pull-in paddle 106, the rear end stopper 108, and the front and back alignment plates 109a and 109b constitute an alignment unit 130 that aligns the sheets stacked on the intermediate processing tray 107. The For example, when the inclination of the intermediate processing tray 107 is large, the sheet can be brought into contact with the trailing edge stopper 108 without using the pull-in paddle 106 or the knurled belt 117 described later.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 112 denotes rear end assist. The rear end assist 112 is moved to a receiving position for receiving a sheet from a position that does not hinder movement of a stapler, which will be described later, by an assist motor M254 that is driven based on a detection signal of an assist HP sensor S244 shown in FIG. The rear end assist 112 discharges the sheet bundle to the stacking tray 114 after the binding process is performed on the sheet bundle as will be described later.

  Further, the finisher 100 includes an inlet roller pair 101 and a discharge roller 103 for taking a sheet into the apparatus, and the sheet discharged from the apparatus main body 900A is delivered to the inlet roller pair 101. At this time, the sheet delivery timing is also detected by the entrance sensor S240. Then, the sheets transferred to the entrance roller pair 101 are sequentially discharged to the intermediate processing tray 107 by the paper discharge roller 103 which is a sheet discharge means, and then the rear end by the transfer means such as the pull-in paddle 106 and the knurled belt 117. It is abutted against the stopper 108. Thereby, alignment of the sheet in the sheet conveyance direction is performed, and a sheet bundle subjected to alignment processing is formed.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 105 denotes a trailing edge drop, and the trailing edge drop 105 is pushed up by a sheet passing through the sheet discharge roller 103 as shown in FIG. Then, when the sheet P passes through the paper discharge roller 103, the trailing edge dropping 105 drops by its own weight and pushes the trailing edge of the sheet P downward from the upper side as shown in FIG.

  Reference numeral 104 denotes a static elimination needle, and reference numeral 115 denotes a bundle presser. The bundle presser 115 is rotated by a bundle presser motor M255 shown in FIG. 9 to be described later, thereby pressing a sheet bundle stacked on the stacking tray 114. S242 is a tray lower limit sensor, and S245 is a bundle presser HP sensor. S241 is a tray HP sensor. When the sheet bundle shields the tray HP sensor S241, the stacking tray 114 is lowered by the tray lifting motor M251 shown in FIG. 9 until the tray HP sensor S241 is in a transmissive state. Determine the page position.

  Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the binding unit 100A includes a stapler 110 that is a stapled binding unit and a needleless binding unit 102 that is a needleless binding unit. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the stapler 110 is located at the HP (home position). Here, a stapler 110 which is a first binding unit that performs binding processing on a sheet with a needle is mounted on a staple table 150.

  The staple table 150 moves while the guide guides 1112 and 1113 of the staple table 150 are guided in the grooves of the movement guide 1111 provided on the staple movement table 111 by an STP movement motor M258 shown in FIG. As a result, the stapler 110 moves on the staple moving table while changing the direction with respect to the sheet.

  In FIG. 3, S247 is a STPHP sensor (staple HP sensor) that detects the HP (home position) of the movable stapler 110. Here, in the present embodiment, the HP of the stapler 110 is set closer to the front side in the depth direction of the apparatus main body 900 </ b> A than the intermediate processing tray 107. That is, the HP of the stapler 110 is provided on the near side in the depth direction of the apparatus main body 900A (hereinafter referred to as the front side of the apparatus main body) with respect to the intermediate processing tray 107. In addition, by setting the home position of the stapler 110 to the front side of the apparatus main body 900A in this way, the U-shaped needle can be easily exchanged.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the stapler 110, which is a binding portion with a needle, connects a launch portion 1101 for launching a needle, a receiving portion 1102 for bending the ejected needle, and a launch portion 1101 and the receiving portion 1102. The jaw portion 1103 is formed. In the stapler 110, a needle is ejected from the rear surface of the sheet bundle on the intermediate processing tray 107 in the surface direction from the ejection unit 1101 by an STP motor M256 shown in FIG. Then, needle binding is performed by bending the tip portion of the punched needle by 90 degrees by the receiving portion 1102.

Further, when accepting a sheet bundle to be stapled, in other words, when not performing a launching operation, the launching unit 1101 and the receiving unit 1102 are provided with a gap L1 so that the sheet can enter between the launching unit 1101 and the receiving unit 1102. Keep waiting. The size of the gap L1 is exemplarily shown. When the number of sheets to be bound is 50, the gap L1 is set to 20 mm and the sheet can be received. This is a sheet of 64 g / m ² , and the thickness of a bundle of 50 sheets is about 5 mm, but is set in consideration of the air layer between the sheets when the sheets are stacked. In other words, in the present embodiment, the stapler 110 has the front opening 140 that is a first receiving portion having a width (gap) in the thickness direction of 20 mm for receiving a bundle of sheets discharged to the intermediate processing tray 107. .

  As shown in FIG. 3, the stapleless binding unit 102, which is a second binding unit that performs a binding process on a sheet without using a needle, has a depth in the apparatus main body 900A in the depth direction (hereinafter referred to as an apparatus). It is provided on the back side of the main body. Further, as shown in FIG. 5A, the needleless binding unit 102 includes a needleless binding motor M257, a gear 1021 rotated by the needleless binding motor M257, and step gears 1022 to 1024 rotated by the gear 1021. It has. Further, the needleless binding unit 102 includes a gear 1025 that is rotated by step gears 1022 to 1024. The needleless binding unit 102 is provided with a lower arm 10212 fixed to the frame 10213, and swingable about the shaft 10211 on the lower arm 10212. The needleless binding unit 102 is urged toward the lower arm by an urging member (not shown). And an upper arm 1029.

  Here, the gear 1025 is attached to the rotating shaft 1026. A cam 1027 is attached to the rotating shaft 1026 as shown in FIG. 5B, and the cam 1027 is provided between the upper arm 1029 and the lower arm 10212. Accordingly, when the needleless binding motor M257 rotates, the rotation of the needleless binding motor M257 is transmitted to the rotary shaft 1026 via the gear 1021, the step gears 1022 to 1024, and the gear 1025, and the cam 1027 rotates.

  When the cam 1027 rotates in this manner, the cam side end portion of the upper arm 1029 that has been in pressure contact with the cam 1027 through the roller 1028 by the biasing member (not shown) as shown in FIG. As shown in (b) of FIG. Here, upper teeth 10210 are attached to the lower end of the end of the upper arm 1029 opposite to the cam 1027, and lower teeth 10214 are attached to the upper end of the end of the lower arm 10212 opposite to the cam 1027. It is attached. FIG. 7 is a view of FIG. 6B as viewed from the direction of the arrow, and the lower teeth 10214 and the upper teeth 10210 each have an uneven portion.

  Accordingly, when the cam side end portion of the upper arm 1029 rises, the end portion of the upper arm 1029 opposite to the cam 1027 descends, and accordingly, the upper teeth 10210 descend and mesh with the lower teeth 10214, and the seat Pressurize. And when pressed in this way, the sheet P is stretched to expose the fibers on the surface, and further pressed to entangle the fibers of the sheets with each other. That is, when performing the binding process on the sheet, the upper arm 1029 is swung, and the sheet is fastened by engaging and pressing the sheet with the upper teeth 10210 of the upper arm 1029 and the lower teeth 10214 of the lower arm 10212. The

  FIG. 8 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus 900. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 200 denotes a CPU circuit unit disposed at a predetermined position of the apparatus main body 900A as shown in FIG. The CPU circuit unit 200 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202 that stores control programs and the like, an area for temporarily storing control data, and a RAM 203 that is used as a work area for operations associated with control.

  In FIG. 8, reference numeral 209 denotes an external interface between the image forming apparatus 900 and an external PC (computer) 208. When the external interface 209 receives print data from the external PC 208, the external interface 209 expands the data into a bitmap image and outputs it as image data to the image signal control unit 206.

  The image signal control unit 206 outputs the data to the printer control unit 207, and the printer control unit 207 outputs the data from the image signal control unit 206 to an exposure control unit (not shown). An image of a document read by an image sensor (not shown) provided in the image reading device 950 is output from the image reader control unit 205 to the image signal control unit 206, and the image signal control unit 206 outputs this image output. Output to the printer control unit 207.

  The operation unit 210 includes a plurality of keys for setting various functions related to image formation, a display unit for displaying a setting state, and the like. Then, a key signal corresponding to the operation of each key by the user is output to the CPU circuit unit 200, and corresponding information is displayed on the display unit based on the signal from the CPU circuit unit 200.

  The CPU circuit unit 200 controls the image signal control unit 206 in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM 202 and the setting of the operation unit 210, and at the same time the document conveying device 950A (FIG. 1) via the DF (document conveying device) control unit 204. Control). Further, the image reading device 950 (see FIG. 1) via the image reader control unit 205, the image forming unit 900B (see FIG. 1) via the printer control unit 207, and the finisher 100 via the finisher control unit 220, respectively. Control.

  In the present embodiment, the finisher control unit 220 is mounted on the finisher 100 and performs drive control of the finisher 100 by exchanging information with the CPU circuit unit 200. Alternatively, the finisher control unit 220 may be disposed integrally with the CPU circuit unit 200 on the apparatus main body side so as to control the finisher 100 directly from the apparatus main body side.

  FIG. 9 is a control block diagram of the finisher 100 according to the present embodiment. The finisher control unit 220 includes a CPU (microcomputer) 221, a ROM 222, and a RAM 223. The finisher control unit 220 communicates with the CPU circuit unit 200 via the communication IC 224 to exchange data, executes various programs stored in the ROM 222 based on instructions from the CPU circuit unit 200, and executes the finisher 100. The drive control is performed.

  Further, the finisher control unit 220 drives a transport motor M250, a tray lifting motor M251, a paddle lifting motor M252, an alignment motor M253, an assist motor M254, and a bundle pressing motor M255 via a driver 225. Further, the finisher control unit 220 drives the STP motor M256, the needleless binding motor M257, and the like via the driver 225.

  In addition, an inlet sensor S240, a paper discharge sensor S246, a tray HP sensor S241, a tray lower limit sensor S242, a paddle HP sensor S243, and an assist HP sensor S244 are connected to the finisher control unit. Further, the bundle presser HP sensor S245 and the STPHP sensor S247 are connected to the finisher control unit 220. The finisher control unit 220 drives the alignment motor M253, the STP movement motor M258, the needleless binding motor M257, and the like based on the detection signals from these sensors.

  By the way, the finisher control unit 220 that controls the operation of the stapleless binding unit 102 first detects a cam position by a sensor (not shown) when performing stapleless binding on a sheet. When the sheet is received before the stapleless binding is performed, the rotation of the stapleless binding motor M257 is controlled so that the cam 1027 is positioned at the bottom dead center as shown in FIG.

  When the cam 1027 is located at the bottom dead center, a gap L2 is created between the upper teeth 10210 and the lower teeth 10214, and a plurality of sheets that perform needleless binding can be entered.

At this time, the gap L2 between the upper teeth 10210 and the lower teeth 10214 is provided slightly wider than the number of pieces to be fastened. Illustratively, when the number of sheets to be fastened is 5, the gap L2 between the upper teeth 10210 and the lower teeth 10214 is 3 mm, allowing the sheet to enter. This is set in consideration of an air layer between the sheets when the sheets are stacked while the thickness of the bundle of five sheets is about 0.5 mm with 64 g / m ² sheets. That is, in the present embodiment, the stapleless binding unit 102 has a width (gap) in the thickness direction of 3 mm for receiving a bundle of sheets discharged to the intermediate processing tray 107 as shown in FIG. The front opening 141 is a second receiving portion.

  Further, during the binding operation, the needleless binding motor M257 is rotated, and the upper arm 1029 is rocked clockwise around the shaft 10211 by the cam 1027. When the cam 1027 is located at the top dead center as shown in FIG. 6B, the upper teeth 10210 of the upper arm 1029 and the lower teeth 10214 of the lower arm 10212 mesh with each other. Thereby, the sheet is fastened.

  When the cam 1027 further rotates after being positioned at the top dead center, the bending portion 1029a provided on the upper arm 1029 is bent, so that the roller 1028 can get over the top dead center of the cam 1027. After that, when the cam 1027 further rotates and reaches the bottom dead center again, a sensor (not shown) detects the cam 1027, and thus the finisher control unit 220 stops the rotation of the needleless binding motor M257. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state of a bundle of five sheets P stapled by the needleless binding unit 102, and the upper sheet 10210 and the lower teeth 10214 apply pressure while applying a concavo-convex shape to the sheet P. The fibers are entangled with each other.

  Next, the sheet binding processing operation of the finisher 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. The sheet P discharged from the image forming apparatus 900 is delivered to the inlet roller pair 101 driven by the conveyance motor M250 as shown in FIG. At this time, the leading edge of the sheet P is simultaneously detected by the entrance sensor S240.

  Next, the sheet P delivered to the entrance roller pair 101 is delivered from the entrance roller pair 101 to the paper discharge roller 103 and conveyed while lifting the trailing edge 105 at the leading end, and at the same time by the static elimination needle 104. It is discharged to the intermediate processing tray 107 while being neutralized. The sheet P discharged to the intermediate processing tray 107 by the paper discharge roller 103 is pressed from above by the weight of the trailing edge drop 105, so that the time for the trailing edge of the sheet P to fall on the intermediate processing tray 107 is shortened. .

  Next, the finisher control unit 220 performs control in the intermediate processing tray based on the signal at the trailing edge of the sheet P detected by the paper discharge sensor S246. That is, as shown in FIG. 2B described above, the pull-in paddle 106 is lowered to the intermediate processing tray 107 side by the paddle elevating motor M252 and brought into contact with the sheet P. At this time, since the drawing paddle 106 is rotated counterclockwise by the conveyance motor M250, the sheet P is conveyed by the drawing paddle 106 toward the rear end stopper 108 in the right direction in the drawing, and thereafter, the sheet P The rear end is transferred to the knurled belt 117. When the rear end of the seat P is transferred to the knurled belt 117, the paddle lift motor M252 is driven in the upward direction, and when it is detected that the paddle HP sensor S243 has reached HP, the finisher control unit 220 detects the paddle lift motor. The driving of M252 is stopped.

  The knurled belt 117 serving as a transfer unit conveys the sheet P conveyed by the pull-in paddle 106 to the trailing end stopper 108 and then conveys the sheet P while slipping on the sheet P, so that the sheet P is always transferred to the trailing end stopper 108. Will be energized. By this slip conveyance, the sheet P can be skewed and corrected by abutting the sheet P against the trailing edge stopper 108. Next, after the sheet P is abutted against the trailing end stopper 108 in this way, the finisher control unit 220 drives the alignment motor M253 to move the alignment plate 109 in the width direction orthogonal to the sheet discharge direction, and Align the position in the width direction. By repeating this series of operations for a predetermined number of sheets to be bound, as shown in FIG. 11A, the sheet bundle aligned in the state of entering the gap 140 (the gap) of the stapler 110. PA is formed.

  Next, after the alignment operation is performed, when the binding mode is selected, the binding process by the binding unit is performed. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), the rear end assist 112, which is the same sheet discharge means driven by the assist motor M254, and the discharge pawl 113 push the rear end of the sheet bundle PA, and the intermediate processing tray. The sheet bundle PA on the sheet 107 is discharged onto the stacking tray 114.

  After that, as shown in FIG. 11C, in order to prevent the sheet bundle PA stacked on the stacking tray 114 from being pushed out in the transport direction by the sheet bundle subsequently discharged, 115 rotates counterclockwise and presses the rear end of the sheet bundle PA. When the sheet bundle PA blocks the tray HP sensor S241 after the bundle pressing operation by the bundle retainer 115 is completed, the stack tray 114 is moved by the tray lifting / lowering motor M251 until the tray HP sensor S241 becomes transparent. Move down to fix the page position. By repeating the series of operations so far, a required number of sheet bundles PA can be discharged onto the stacking tray 114.

  During operation, when the stacking tray 114 descends and the tray lower limit sensor S242 is shielded, the full capacity of the stacking tray 114 is notified from the finisher control unit 220 to the CPU circuit unit 200 of the image forming apparatus 900, and image formation is performed. Canceled. Thereafter, when the sheet bundle on the stacking tray 114 is removed, the stacking tray 114 rises until the tray HP sensor S241 is shielded from light, and then descends and passes through the tray HP sensor S241. Confirmed. Thereby, image formation of the image forming apparatus 900 is resumed.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the binding unit 100A includes the stapler 110 and the stapleless binding unit 102 as shown in FIG. When selecting the binding mode, the user staples the sheet bundle received in the gap of the front opening 140 with a binding needle, or the stapleless binding for binding the sheet bundle received in the gap of the front opening 141 by stapleless binding. Select a job.

  Then, for example, when the user selects a staple job, the finisher control unit 220 drives the STP movement motor M258, and the stapler 110 is bound from the HP shown in FIG. 3 to the sheet P shown in FIG. Move to the position. In this state, the sheet discharged by the sheet discharge roller 103 is applied with a force in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction by the drawing paddle 106, and the trailing edge of the sheet P is returned to the trailing edge stopper 108.

  After the trailing edge of the sheet P is returned to the trailing edge stopper 108, the sheet P is corrected in the width direction by the front alignment plate 109a and the back alignment plate 109b. Thereafter, the conveyance direction is returned by the knurled belt 117. Done. After this alignment operation is performed for the number of sheets to be bound, the stapler 110 performs binding processing with a staple on the staple position 1104 of the sheet P. Thereafter, the sheet bundle on the intermediate processing tray 107 subjected to the binding process is discharged to the stacking tray 114 by the rear end assist 112.

  In this embodiment, the case of binding the sheet P to the front side is described. However, if the stapler 110 is placed on the back side of the apparatus main body as shown in FIG. It becomes possible. In the case of two-point binding, the stapler 110 is first kept at a stapling position on one side as shown in FIG. 12C, and then a stapling process is performed on the sheet bundle. Next, the stapler 110 can be bound at two locations by moving the stapler 110 to the binding position indicated by another broken line by the STP movement motor M258 and performing a stapling process. In other words, in the present embodiment, the stapler 110 moves along the rear end of the sheet bundle PA stacked on the intermediate processing tray 107 and can perform binding processing at a plurality of binding positions corresponding to each binding mode.

  On the other hand, when the user selects a stapleless binding job, the back alignment plate 109b, which is the first alignment plate, is first moved from the initial position shown in FIG. 3 to the back side (first binding means side) of the apparatus main body shown in FIG. It stands by at a position where the stapleless binding unit 102 can perform stapleless binding. In this state, the sheet P discharged to the intermediate processing tray 107 is applied with a force in the direction opposite to the conveying direction by the drawing paddle 106, and the trailing edge of the sheet is returned to the trailing edge stopper 108 by the conveyance of the knurled belt 117.

  Next, after the sheet rear end is returned to the rear end stopper 108 in this way, the front alignment plate 109a, which is the second alignment plate, is moved in the width direction, and the sheet is abutted against the rear alignment plate 109b. The alignment operation in the width direction is performed. As a result, in the stapleless binding job, the sheet bundle is aligned with the alignment position on the side of the stapleless binding unit based on the alignment position (first alignment position) when the stapler 110 illustrated in FIG. 12 is bound. Alignment can be performed at (second alignment position). Thereafter, the conveyance direction is returned by the knurled belt 117. Then, after this alignment operation is performed on a predetermined number of sheets to be bound, the stapleless binding unit 102 performs a binding operation on the sheet bundle, whereby the stapleless binding process is performed on the predetermined binding position 102a. The Thus, in the present embodiment, the second alignment position is set as a binding processing position by the needleless binding unit 102. The stapleless binding unit 102 is disposed outside the moving area of the stapler 110 (area where the maximum sheet width is stacked).

  Incidentally, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 described above, the stapleless binding unit 102 is disposed upstream of the stapler 110 in the sheet transfer direction of the pull-in paddle 106 and the knurled belt 117 as transfer means. . In other words, the stapleless binding unit 102 is disposed on the upstream side in the sheet passing direction through which the sheet discharged by the sheet discharge roller 103 and traveling toward the stapler 110 passes. Further, as described above, the gap 141 in the thickness direction of the sheet is narrower in the opening 141 of the stapleless binding unit 102 than in the opening 140 of the stapler 110. Therefore, when the stapleless binding unit 102 is arranged upstream of the stapler 110 in the sheet transfer direction, depending on the arrangement position, the stapleless binding unit 102 may interfere with the sheet bundle to be bound when the stapler 110 binds the sheet bundle. is there.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the stapleless binding unit 102 is disposed in an area outside the area (see FIG. 12) where the maximum sheet width for which the binding process is performed by the stapler 110 is stacked. That is, in the present embodiment, when the staple-less binding unit 102 is bound by the stapler 110, the width direction extends from the region on the intermediate processing tray (on the sheet stacking unit) through which the sheet discharged by the discharge roller 103 passes. It is arranged at a position shifted to In other words, the stapleless binding unit 102 is disposed at a position where the sheet transferred to the front opening 141 does not reach the front opening 140 of the stapler 110.

  Accordingly, when binding the sheet bundle by the stapler 110, the stapleless binding unit 102 having the opening 141 whose gap in the sheet thickness direction is narrower than the opening 140 of the stapler 110 interferes with the sheet bundle to be bound by the stapler 110. Can be prevented. As a result, even when the stapler 110 and the stapleless binding unit 102 having different frontage heights are used, the finisher 100 does not use the selective movement mechanism and does not limit the number of bindings below the capacity of the binding means. Processing can be performed. That is, the finisher 100 can perform the binding process without increasing the size and reducing the binding process efficiency.

  In the above description, the HP of the stapler 110 is the front side of the apparatus main body 900A. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the HP of the stapler 110 may be the rear side of the apparatus main body of the apparatus main body 900A.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention in which the HP of the stapler 110 is the back side of the apparatus main body of the apparatus main body 900A will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a binding unit provided in a finisher that is a sheet processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 14, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 described above indicate the same or corresponding parts. In FIG. 14, S247A is an STPHP sensor (staple HP sensor) that detects the HP (home position) of the movable stapler 110, and this STPHP sensor S247A is provided on the back side of the apparatus main body 900A.

  When the user selects a stapling job, the finisher control unit 220 drives the STP movement motor M258 to move the stapler 110 from the HP shown in FIG. 14 to the front binding for the sheet P shown in FIG. Move to the position. In the case of back binding, the stapler 110 is made to wait on the back of the main body of the apparatus as shown in FIG. In the case of two-point binding, the stapler 110 is first waited at the stapling position indicated by the broken line on one side, as shown in FIG. Next, the stapler 110 is moved to another binding position by the STP movement motor M258, and stapling is performed, so that the binding can be performed at two locations.

  On the other hand, when the user selects a stapleless binding job, first, the back alignment plate 109b has no needle on the back side (first binding means side) of the apparatus main body shown in FIG. 15A from the initial position shown in FIG. It waits at a position where it can be stapled without binding by the binding unit 102. In this state, the sheet P discharged to the intermediate processing tray 107 is applied with a force in the direction opposite to the conveying direction by the drawing paddle 106, and the trailing edge of the sheet is returned to the trailing edge stopper 108 by the conveyance of the knurled belt 117.

  Next, after the sheet trailing edge is returned to the trailing edge stopper 108 in this way, the sheet aligning operation in the sheet width direction is performed by moving the sheet aligning plate 109b by moving the front alignment plate 109a in the width direction. Do. Thereafter, the conveyance direction is returned by the knurled belt 117. Then, after this alignment operation is performed on a predetermined number of sheets to be bound, the stapleless binding unit 102 performs a binding operation on the sheet bundle, so that a stapleless binding process is performed at a predetermined binding position. .

  Also in the present embodiment, the stapleless binding unit 102 is disposed in an area outside the area where the maximum sheet width for which the binding process is performed by the stapler 110 is stacked. When the stapleless binding unit 102 is disposed at such a position, the sheet bundle bound by the stapler 110 can be prevented from entering the front end of the stapleless binding unit 102.

  By the way, when the stapler 110 is positioned on the HP in the vicinity of the stapleless binding unit 102 as in the present embodiment, when performing the stapleless binding, the jaw portion 1103 of the stapler 110 is used as a sheet for performing the stapleless binding. Cannot align due to interference. For this reason, when performing stapleless binding, the stapler 110 is moved to a position where the jaw portion 1103 does not interfere with the sheet for stapleless binding. Specifically, when stapleless binding is performed, before the sheet is conveyed, the stapler 110 is moved from the HP illustrated in FIG. 15A to the front binding (solid line) and the two-point binding illustrated in FIG. Move to the position of (dashed line).

  When performing stapleless binding, by moving the stapler 110 to such a position, the stapleless binding unit 102 can align sheets without being interfered with the stapler 110. The retracting position of the stapler 110 is not limited to such a position, and the position where the jaw 1103 does not interfere with the sheet to be stapled without binding, in other words, does not hinder the binding processing of the stapleless binding unit 102. Any position can be used.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the binding operation by the finisher 100 according to the present embodiment. When the job starts, the CPU circuit unit 200 of the image forming apparatus 900 sends information to the finisher control unit 220 as to whether the sheet is bound by a binding needle or a job for binding a sheet by stapleless binding. If the job is a staple job (Y in S200), the stapler 110 is moved by the STP movement motor M258 to the position of front binding, back binding, or two binding shown in FIG. Wait.

  Next, when the stapler 110 moves to the standby position in this way (S201), a predetermined number of sheets to be bound by the processing unit 139 are stacked and aligned (S202). Thereafter, when the alignment of the last sheet as the last sheet is completed (Y in S203), the stapler 110 performs the stapling operation (S204). As a result, the stapling process is performed on the sheet bundle. After this, it is determined whether or not the job is finished by this processing (S205). Until the job is finished (N in S205), S200 to S204 are repeated, and when the job is finished (Y in S205), the binding operation is performed. Exit.

  On the other hand, if the job is eco-staple, that is, if it is a stapleless binding job (N in S200), the stapler 110 is moved from the HP shown in FIG. 14 to the front binding position shown in FIG. 15B (S209). . Thereafter, the back alignment plate 109b is made to stand by at the standby position on the back side of the apparatus main body, and the front alignment plate 109a is moved in the width direction. As a result, the processing unit 139 stacks and aligns a predetermined number of sheets subjected to the binding process (S210).

  Thereafter, when the alignment of the last sheet as the last sheet is completed (Y in S211), the eco-stapling operation by the stapleless binding unit 102 is performed (S212). As a result, the stapleless binding process is performed on the sheet bundle. Then, it is determined whether or not the job is finished by this processing (S205). Until the job is finished (N in S205), S200 and S210 to S212 are repeated. When the job is finished (Y in S205), the binding operation is performed. finish.

  As described above, when the HP of the stapler 110 is the back side of the main body of the apparatus main body 900A, in the case of a stapleless binding job, the stapler 110 is moved to a position that does not interfere with the sheet for stapleless binding. I try to let them. That is, in the case of a stapleless binding job, the stapler 110 is moved to a position that does not interfere with stapleless binding by the stapleless binding unit 102. Thereby, even when the stapler 110 and the stapleless binding unit 102 having different frontage heights are used, the finisher 100 can perform the binding process without causing an increase in size and a decrease in the binding processing efficiency.

  Until now, when the job is eco-staple, a sheet bundle is formed by moving the front alignment plate 109a for each sheet and abutting the sheet against the back alignment plate 109b, and binding is performed at the formed position. Explained the case. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, after the sheet bundle is formed at a position where the sheet bundle does not enter the gap L2 of the eco-staple opening 141, the front alignment plate 109a and the back alignment plate 109b move while maintaining the gap of the sheet width, thereby moving the sheet 141 You may make it lead to.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 12 and 14 described above indicate the same or corresponding parts.

  When the job starts, the CPU circuit unit 200 of the image forming apparatus 900 sends information to the finisher control unit 220 as to whether the sheet is bound by a binding needle or a job for binding a sheet by stapleless binding. If the job is a staple job (Y in S300), the stapler 110 is moved by the STP movement motor M258 to the front binding, the back binding, or the two binding positions shown in FIG. Wait.

  Next, when the stapler 110 moves to the standby position as described above (S301), a predetermined number of sheets to be bound and aligned in the processing unit 139 are stacked (S302). Thereafter, when the alignment of the last sheet as the last sheet is completed (Y in S303), the stapler 110 performs the stapling operation (S304). As a result, the stapling process is performed on the sheet bundle. After this, it is determined whether or not the job is finished by this processing (S305). Until the job is finished (N in S305), S300 to S304 are repeated, and when the job is finished (Y in S305), the binding operation is performed. Exit.

  On the other hand, if the job is eco-staple, that is, if it is a stapleless binding job (N in S300), the stapler 110 is moved from the HP shown in FIG. 14 to the front binding position shown in FIG. 17A (S309). . Thereafter, the front alignment plate 109a and the back alignment plate 109b are put on standby at a position (separated position) that is a predetermined amount away from the end portion of the discharged sheet P. Thereafter, the alignment is performed by the alignment plates 109a and 109b approaching the position (contact position) where the alignment plates 109a and 109b contact the end of the sheet P shown in FIG. By performing this operation every time the sheet P is discharged, a predetermined number of sheets subjected to the binding process in the processing unit 139 are stacked and aligned (S310).

  Thereafter, when the alignment of the last sheet as the last sheet is completed (Y in S311), as shown in FIG. 18, the front alignment plate 109a and the back alignment plate 109b hold the both ends of the sheet bundle PA while holding the needles. Move to the no-binding unit 102. When the sheet bundle PA is moved by moving to the front alignment plate 109a and the back alignment plate 109b (S312), the eco-stapling operation by the stapleless binding unit 102 is performed (S313). As a result, the stapleless binding process is performed on the sheet bundle. Then, it is determined whether or not the job is finished by this processing (S305). Until the job is finished (N in S305), S300 and S309 to S313 are repeated. When the job is finished (Y in S305), the binding operation is performed. finish.

  Heretofore, the description has been given of the case where the needleless binding unit 102 is used that forms irregularities on the sheet with a tooth shape, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as long as the gap in the thickness direction of the sheet is narrower than the gap in the stapler, a needleless binding unit that forms a half-cut shape in the sheet P as shown in FIG. 20 may be used. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Finisher, 100A ... Binding part, 102 ... Needleless binding unit, 106 ... Pull-in paddle, 107 ... Intermediate processing tray, 109 ... Front and back alignment plate, 110 ... Stapler, 112 ... Rear end assist, 114 ... Loading tray, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 130 ... Matching means, 139 ... Processing part, 140, 141 ... Frontage, 200 ... CPU circuit part, 220 ... Finisher control part, 900 ... Image forming apparatus, 900A ... Image forming apparatus main body, 900B ... Image forming part, M254 ... Assist Motor, P ... sheet

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

Further, in the conventional sheet processing apparatus, in addition to the binding means with staples, binding Ji device features a simplified manner binding means for binding sheets without using a needle has been proposed (Patent Document 1 See) .

Sheet processing equipment having such a plurality of conventional binding means was large.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus capable of performing the binding processing without causing a large-scale reduction.

The present invention provides a support surface for supporting a sheet, a first alignment member in contact with a first end on one side of the sheet supported by the support surface, and a sheet supported by the support surface. A second alignment member in contact with the second end on the other side in the sheet width direction; a contact portion in contact with a third end of the sheet supported by the support surface in parallel with the sheet width direction; and the contact portion. And the first alignment unit that binds the sheet positioned by the first alignment member and the second alignment member using a needle, the contact portion, the first alignment member, and the second alignment member. A second binding unit that binds the formed sheet without using a needle, and the first binding unit is positioned by the contact portion, the first alignment member, and the second alignment member. The sheet width direction of the sheet The second binding unit is movable in the sheet width direction so that the sheet can be bound at a plurality of binding positions including a corner portion on the one end side and the third end side with which the contact portion contacts. Is a corner portion of the sheet positioned by the contact portion, the first alignment member, and the second alignment member, on the one end side in the sheet width direction and on the third end side where the contact portion contacts. And a third end side of the sheet positioned by the contact portion, the first alignment member, and the second alignment member in the sheet width direction and in contact with the contact portion. When the corner portion of the first binding unit is bound by the first binding unit, at least a part of the first binding unit and at least a part of the second binding unit are viewed from the sheet width direction and the sheet. And is characterized in that the overlap in the direction along the perpendicular direction and the support surface.

According to the present invention , the binding process can be performed without increasing the size of the apparatus .

Claims (1)

Sheet stacking means for stacking sheets;
Sheet discharge means for discharging sheets to the sheet stacking means;
A plurality of sheets having a gap in the thickness direction of the sheet and having a first receiving part for receiving the sheet discharged to the sheet stacking means by the sheet discharging means, and being received in the gap of the first receiving part; First binding means for performing a binding process on a sheet bundle of sheets using a needle;
A sheet bundle having a second receiving portion having a gap in the thickness direction of the sheet that is narrower than the gap of the first receiving portion, and comprising a plurality of sheets received in the gap of the second receiving portion; A second binding means for performing a binding process without using a needle;
Transporting means for transporting the sheet discharged to the sheet stacking means by the sheet discharging means to a first receiving unit,
The sheet processing apparatus, wherein the second binding unit is arranged at a position where the sheet transferred to the first receiving unit by the transfer unit does not enter the second receiving unit.

Images