JP2019123245A - Sheet processing apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent occurrence of defective binding and jamming of sheets without increasing size and costs of an apparatus.SOLUTION: A sheet processing apparatus includes a sheet binding device 210 for inserting a sheet bundle including a plurality of stacked sheets P between tooth forms having a plurality of projections 300a and a plurality of recesses meshed with the projections, pressing the tooth forms, and pressing and deforming a sheet bundle PB between the projections and the recesses to bind a sheet bundle. A slope 300a1 facing a sheet conveying direction front surface of the projection 300a is formed at an inclination of 45 degrees or less relative to a plane (base 300a3) surface parallel to a sheet conveying direction D5. When the sheet P enters a tooth form part 300 and when a leading edge of the sheet P abuts against the slope 300a1, the sheet P is conveyed in an upward escape state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming system, and in particular, to a sheet-like recording medium such as a sheet, a transfer sheet, and a sheet (hereinafter, referred to as "sheet" in the present specification including claims). Forming an image forming apparatus such as a sheet processing apparatus that executes binding processing, the sheet processing apparatus, and a copier, a printer, a facsimile, or a digital multi-functional peripheral that has at least two of these functions combined. About the system.

  After an image is formed by an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a digital multifunction machine (MFP: Multi Function Peripheral), sheets discharged to the outside of the apparatus are temporarily accumulated on an accumulation tray and aligned, and then metal needles are A sheet post-processing apparatus that performs binding processing with a stapler to be used, so-called finisher, is widely known.

  On the other hand, in recent years, it is required to recycle printed sheets from the viewpoint of environmental problems. Therefore, when attempting to recycle a booklet bound by staples as in the above-described sheet post-processing apparatus, it is necessary to remove the metal needles binding the sheets and separate and collect the sheets and the metal needles. For this recovery, the metal needles have to be removed from the sheet bundle, which is very time-consuming. In addition, since the metal needle is discarded after use, it has been a waste of resources.

  On the other hand, the binding process is not carried out with a metal needle, but the superposed sheets are pressed with a tooth mold, and squeezing is applied (so-called embossing) to entangle the fibers of the sheets and bind them together. There is also known a hand stapler that uses a binding tool such as punching, cutting and bending, cutting and bending, and further passing through a hole. In this type of binding tool, supply consumption is suppressed, recycling is easy, and further, since metal needles are not used, there is an advantage that it can be applied to a shredder as it is, and resource saving is greatly effective.

  As an apparatus for binding a sheet bundle by such embossing, for example, the invention described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-184769 (Patent Document 1) is known. The present invention is a sheet binding apparatus for binding a sheet bundle by forming unevenness in the thickness direction on a sheet bundle consisting of a plurality of sheets, in order to realize a binding process according to the thickness of the sheet bundle with a simple configuration. A pair of tooth-type members provided movably in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle and sandwiching the sheet bundle to form unevenness in the thickness direction in the sheet bundle; It is characterized in that the interval in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle is made wide when the thickness of the sheet bundle is thick and narrow when the thickness is thin, according to the thickness of the sheet bundle to be bound.

  As described above, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, a part of the sheet bundle is embossed, and the sheet bundle is bound by the frictional force between the adjacent sheets in the embossed portion. This frictional force is generated by pressing the superposed sheets by a pair of teeth (crimping type) which is a binding tool, and entangles the fibers of the sheets by applying a squeeze. At this time, since the tooth mold has a convex portion, when the sheet is transported to the portion of the binding tool, the sheet may be caught on the convex portion, and a binding failure and / or a sheet jam may occur. The Therefore, in order to prevent these binding defects or sheet jams, it has been necessary to provide some kind of guide member. And, the attachment of the guide member results in an increase in the size and cost of the apparatus.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to prevent the occurrence of a binding failure and a sheet jam without increasing the size and cost of the apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned subject, the present invention inserts a plurality of sheets which were piled up between a crimped part which has a plurality of convex parts and a plurality of crevices which mesh with this convex part, and pressurizes the crimped part. A sheet processing unit including sheet binding means for pressing and deforming and binding the sheet between the convex portion and the concave portion, the inclined surface of the convex portion with respect to the sheet conveying direction being parallel to the sheet conveying direction It is characterized in that it is formed at 45 degrees or less with respect to the surface. In addition, the subject except the above, a structure, and an effect are clarified by description of the following embodiment.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of binding defects and sheet jams without increasing the size and cost of the apparatus.

FIG. 2 illustrates two aspects of an imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the sheet post-processing device in FIG. It is a front view of the sheet post-processing apparatus in FIG. FIG. 4 is a view showing the main part of the sheet post-processing apparatus centering on the bifurcated claw when the bifurcated claw in FIG. FIG. 4 is a view showing a main part of the sheet post-processing apparatus centering on the branch claw when the branch claw in FIG. 3 switches back the sheet. It is a figure which shows the state at the time of the non-binding of a binding tool. It is a figure which shows the state at the time of binding of the binding tool of FIG. FIG. 14 is an operation explanatory view showing a state when the initial operation is completed in the case of performing online binding by the sheet post-processing device. FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory view showing a state immediately after the first sheet is discharged from the image forming apparatus from the state of FIG. 8 and carried into the sheet post-processing apparatus. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory view showing a state where the rear end of the sheet is separated from the nip of the inlet roller from the state of FIG. 9 and exceeds the branch path. FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory view showing a state when the sheet is switched back from the state of FIG. 10 to align the sheet conveyance direction. FIG. 12 is an operation explanatory view showing a state in which the first sheet is made to stand by in the branch path from the state of FIG. 11 and the second sheet is carried in; It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows a state when the 2nd sheet is carried in from the state of FIG. FIG. 14 is an operation explanatory view showing a state in which a sheet bundle is formed by aligning the final sheet from the state of FIG. 13; It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows the state when performing the time of binding operation from the state of FIG. FIG. 16 is an operation explanatory view showing a state when discharging a sheet bundle from the state of FIG. 15; FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the relationship between a binding tool and a sheet being conveyed in the first embodiment. It is a front view of FIG. FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the relationship between a binding tool and a sheet being conveyed in Embodiment 2. It is a front view of FIG. FIG. 18 is a plan view showing the relationship between a binding tool and a sheet being conveyed in the third embodiment. It is a perspective view of the convex part in FIG. It is a front view of FIG. FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the relationship between a binding tool and a sheet being conveyed in a fourth embodiment. It is a front view of the convex part in FIG. It is a front view of FIG.

  According to the present invention, even if the front end of the sheet abuts on the tooth shape convex portion by setting the angle of the inclined surface of the tooth shape convex portion of the binding tool to a gentle angle equal to or less than a preset angle with respect to the sheet feeding direction. It is characterized in that the sheet is transported without being caught. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a view showing two aspects of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. An image forming system 100 according to the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 101 and a sheet post-processing apparatus (finisher) 201 as a sheet processing apparatus. The sheet post-processing device 201 is a so-called conveyance path binding device provided in a sheet conveyance path in which the binding device discharges a sheet from the image forming apparatus 101. FIG. 1A shows an embodiment installed in the conveyance path of the image forming apparatus 101, and FIG. 1B shows an embodiment installed outside the conveyance path. The sheet post-processing apparatus 201 has an aligning function of aligning and aligning sheets in the transport path, and a binding function of binding the aligned sheet bundle in the transport path. The aspect of FIG. 1A is also referred to as an in-body processing device because post-processing is performed in the body of the image forming apparatus 101. As described above, the sheet post-processing apparatus 201 according to the present embodiment is small in size, and can be easily attached or disposed within the cylinder or side according to the form of the image forming apparatus 101.

  The image forming apparatus 101 includes an image forming engine unit 102 including an image processing unit and a sheet feeding unit, a reading engine unit 103 for reading an image and converting it into image data, and an automatic document for automatically sending a document to be read to the reading engine unit 103. A feeder (ADF) 104 is provided. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 (a), a sheet discharge unit is provided inside the cylinder of the image forming apparatus 101 for discharging the sheet after image formation, and in the embodiment of FIG. 1 (b), the sheet after image formation is the image forming apparatus A paper discharge unit is provided outside 101.

  2 is a plan view of the sheet post-processing apparatus 201 in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a front view. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the sheet post-processing apparatus 201 includes an entrance sensor 202, an entrance roller 203, a bifurcated claw 204, a binding tool 210, and a paper discharge roller 205 from the entrance side along the sheet conveyance path 240. The entrance sensor 202 detects the front end, the rear end, and the presence or absence of the sheet discharged from the discharge roller 102 of the image forming apparatus 101 and carried into the sheet post-processing apparatus 201. For example, a reflective optical sensor is used as the entrance sensor 202. In addition, it can replace with a reflection type optical sensor and can also use a transmission type optical sensor. The entrance roller 203 is located at the entrance of the sheet post-processing apparatus 201, has a function of receiving a sheet discharged by the paper discharge roller 102 of the image forming apparatus 101, and carrying it into the binding tool (stapling apparatus) 210. Further, as will be described later, a drive source (drive motor) capable of controlling stop, rotation, and conveyance amount, and a CPU (not shown) for controlling the drive source are also provided. The entrance roller 203 abuts the leading end of the sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus 101 to the nip with the pair of rollers, and performs skew correction.

  A branch claw 204 is disposed downstream of the inlet roller 203. The branch claw 204 is provided to guide the rear end of the sheet to the branch path 241. In this case, after the rear end of the sheet passes over the branch claw 204, the branch claw 204 rotates clockwise in FIG. 3 to convey the sheet in the direction opposite to the loading direction. Thereby, the sheet rear end side is guided to the branch path 241 side. As will be described later, the branch claw 204 is driven by a solenoid to perform a swing operation. In addition, it can replace with a solenoid and can also be set as a motor. The bifurcating claw 204 is driven in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3, and when it is rotated, it is possible to press the sheet or sheet bundle onto the conveyance surface of the bifurcated path 241. Thus, the branch claw 204 can fix the sheet or sheet bundle at the branch path 241.

  A sheet discharge roller 205 is located immediately before the exit of the last stage of the sheet conveyance path 240 of the sheet post-processing apparatus 201, and has a function of conveying, shifting, and discharging the sheet. Further, like the entrance roller 203, a drive source (drive motor) capable of controlling the stop, rotation, and conveyance amount of the discharge roller 205 is provided, and this drive source is controlled by the CPU (not shown). The shift of the discharge roller 205 is performed by the shift mechanism 205M. The shift mechanism 205M includes a shift link 206, a shift cam 207, a shift cam stud 208, and a shift home position sensor 209.

  The shift link 206 is provided at the shaft end 205 a of the sheet discharge roller 205 and receives a shift movement force. The shift cam 207 is a disk-shaped part having a shift cam stud 208 and rotating, and the sheet discharges the sheet discharge roller 205 movably inserted into the shift link elongated hole portion 207 a through the shift cam stud 208 by rotation of this part. Move in the direction orthogonal to the direction. This movement is a so-called shift. The shift cam stud 208 interlocks with the shift link elongated hole portion 207 a and has a function of converting the rotational movement of the shift cam 207 into an axial linear movement of the sheet discharge roller 205. The shift home position sensor 209 detects the position of the shift link 206, sets the position detected by the shift home position sensor 209 as a home position, and executes rotation control of the shift cam 207 based on this home position. This control is performed by the CPU.

  The binding tool 210 includes a sheet end detection sensor 220, a binding tool home position sensor 221, and a guide rail 230 for moving the binding tool. The binding tool 210 is a mechanism for binding the sheet bundle PB (the same as the sheet bundle 272 in the embodiment described later), and is called a so-called stapler. In the present embodiment, the sheet has a function of being deformed by being held between a pair of tooth molds 261 and pressurized, and entangled and stapled the fibers of the sheet. This type of binding is also referred to as crimped binding. In addition to this binding method, there is also known a hand stapler using a binding type binding tool such as half punching, cutting and bending, cutting and bending, and further passing through a hole. In any case, it contributes to resource saving by suppressing supply consumption or facilitating recycling, and being able to be shredded as it is. Therefore, in a sheet post-processing apparatus, so-called finisher, it is desired not to use a metal needle, but to mount a stapler capable of performing a binding process with a single sheet like pressure bonding.

  In addition, as a hand stapler that performs crimping and binding, for example, a binding tool disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 36-13206 is known, and as a hand stapler that is cut and bent and further inserted through a hole, for example, it is known. The bindings disclosed in U.S. Pat.

  The sheet edge detection sensor 220 is a sensor that detects the side edge of the sheet, and aligns the sheet with the sensor detection position when aligning the sheet. The binding tool home position sensor 221 is a sensor that detects the position of the binding tool that can move in the sheet width direction, and takes the position at which the binding tool 210 is located at a position that does not get in the way even when the sheet of maximum size is conveyed. Detect its position. The guide rail 230 is a rail that guides the movement of the binding tool 210 so that the binding tool 210 can stably move in the sheet width direction. The guide rail 230 is installed so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction of the sheet conveying path 240 of the sheet post-processing device 201 from the home position to a position where the binding tool 210 can bind sheets of the minimum sheet size. ing. The binding tool 210 is moved along the guide rail 230 by a moving mechanism including a drive motor (not shown).

  The sheet conveyance path 240 is a conveyance path for conveying and discharging the received sheet, and penetrates from the inlet side of the sheet post-processing device 201 to the outlet side. The branch path 241 is a conveyance path which reversely conveys (switchbacks) the sheet and is carried in from the rear end side, and branches from the sheet conveyance path 240. Branches 241 are provided to overlap and align the sheets and function as an accumulation means. The abutment surface 242 is a reference surface which is provided at the end of the branch path 241 and abuts and aligns the rear end of the sheet. The tooth mold 261 is a pressure holding member having a shape in which a pair of concavities and convexities are engaged in the present embodiment, and has a function of holding and pressing the sheet bundle PB and performing pressure bonding.

  FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are diagrams showing the main part of the sheet post-processing apparatus 201 centering on the branch claw 204. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows details of the related mechanism when the sheet is switched back, and FIG. The branch claw 204 is provided so as to be able to swing within a preset angle range with respect to the support shaft 204 b in order to switch the sheet conveyance path to either the sheet conveyance path 240 or the branch path 241. The bifurcated claw 204 is at a position where the sheet received from the right side in the figure can be transported downstream without resistance, that is, the position of FIG. 4 is the home position. It is done.

  The spring 251 is hooked on the branch claw movable lever portion 204a, and the plunger of the branch solenoid 250 is connected to the branch claw movable lever portion 204a. When the sheet is conveyed to the branch conveyance path 241 in the state shown in FIG. 5, the branch conveyance path 241 and the branch claw 204 hold the sheet in the branch conveyance path 241 in a pinched state when the sheet reaches the state shown in FIG. be able to. The switching of the transport path is performed by turning on / off the branch solenoid 250. That is, when the branch solenoid 250 is turned on, the branch claw 204 rotates in the direction of the arrow R1 in FIG. 5 to close the sheet conveyance path 240 and open the branch path 241, whereby the sheet can be guided to the branch path 241.

  6 and 7 are views showing the details of the binding tool 210 according to the present embodiment. The binding tool 210 includes, as components, a die 261, a pressure lever 262, a link group 263, a drive motor 265, an eccentric cam 266, and a cam home position sensor 267. The tooth mold 261 is a pressure member having a shape in which a pair of upper and lower members engage with each other. The tooth mold 261 is located at the working end of the plurality of combined link groups 263 and is brought into contact and separated by the pressing and releasing operations of the pressing lever 262 which is the working end.

  The pressure lever 262 is rotated by the rotating eccentric cam 266. The eccentric cam 266 is rotated by receiving a driving force from the drive motor 265, and the rotational position of the cam is controlled based on the detection information of the cam home position sensor 267. The rotational position defines the distance between the rotary shaft 266a of the eccentric cam 266 and the cam surface, and the amount of pressing of the pressure lever 262 is determined based on this distance. The position at which the cam home position sensor 267 detects the filler 266b which is the detection target of the eccentric cam 266 is the home position. As shown in FIG. 6, when the rotational position of the eccentric cam 266 is at the home position, the die 261 is in the open state. In this state, the binding process is not possible, and the sheet bundle can be received.

  When the sheet bundle is to be bound, the sheet bundle is inserted between the tooth molds 261 with the tooth mold 261 shown in FIG. 6 open, and the drive motor 265 is rotated. When drive motor 265 starts to rotate, eccentric cam 266 rotates in the direction of arrow R2 in FIG. In accordance with this rotation, the cam surface of the eccentric cam 266 is displaced, and the pressure lever 262 is rotated in the direction of the arrow R3 in the drawing. The torque is increased via a link group using a lever and transmitted to the toothed end 261 of the working end.

  When the eccentric cam 266 is rotated by a fixed amount, the upper and lower teeth 261 are engaged to sandwich and press the sheet bundle. The pressure causes the sheet bundle to be deformed, and fibers of adjacent sheets are intertwined and stapled. Thereafter, the drive motor 265 rotates in the reverse direction, and stops at the detection information of the cam home position sensor 267. As a result, the upper and lower teeth 261 return to the state shown in FIG. 6, and the sheet bundle can be moved. Further, the pressure lever 262 has a spring property, and bends when an overload is applied to release the overload.

  8 to 16 are operation explanatory diagrams showing the binding operation of online binding by the binding tool 210 of the sheet post-processing apparatus 201. In each of the drawings, (a) is a plan view and (b) is a front view. Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, in the online binding, the sheet post-processing apparatus 201 is installed at the sheet discharge port of the image forming apparatus 101, and the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus 101 is processed. It says receiving continuously and aligning in 201 and performing binding processing. On the other hand, in the case of manual binding to be described later, a sheet printed out from the image forming apparatus 101 or a sheet separately printed out is bound by the binding tool 210 of the sheet post-processing apparatus 101. Since manual binding is not performed in a series of operations from the discharge of the image forming apparatus 101, it is included in offline binding.

  FIG. 8 is a view showing a state when the initial operation of the online binding operation is completed. When the output of the sheet on which the image is formed is started from the image forming apparatus 101, each unit moves to the home position, and the initial process (operation) is completed. FIG. 8 shows the state at this time.

  FIG. 9 is a view showing a state immediately after the first sheet P 1 is discharged from the image forming apparatus 101 and carried into the sheet post-processing apparatus 201. Before the first sheet P1 is conveyed from the image forming apparatus 101 to the sheet post-processing apparatus 201, the CPU of the sheet post-processing apparatus 201 sends mode information and sheet information on the control mode of sheet processing from the CPU of the image forming apparatus 101. Are received, and based on the information, they are ready to accept.

  In the control mode, three modes of straight mode, shift mode and binding mode are set. In the straight mode, the entrance roller 203 and the discharge roller 205 start rotating in the sheet conveyance direction in the reception standby state, and the sheets P1,..., Pn are sequentially conveyed and discharged, and the final sheet Pn is discharged. The inlet roller 203 and the discharge roller 205 are stopped. Here, n is a positive integer of 2 or more.

  In the shift mode, in the reception standby state, the entrance roller 203 and the discharge roller 205 start rotating in the transport direction. In the shift sheet discharging operation, the first sheet P1 is received and conveyed, and when the rear end of the first sheet P1 passes through the entrance roller 203, the shift cam 207 rotates by a fixed amount and the sheet discharge roller 205 is in the axial direction Move to At this time, the first sheet P1 is also moved along with the movement of the discharge roller 205. In addition, when the first sheet P1 is discharged, the shift cam 207 rotates and returns to the home position, and prepares for the transport of the next second sheet P2. The shift operation of the discharge roller 205 is repeated until the discharge of the nth (final) sheet Pn of the same part is completed. As a result, the sheet bundle PB for one copy (one sheet) is discharged in a shifted state to one side and stacked. When the first sheet 1P of the next part is carried in, the shift cam 207 rotates in the reverse direction to the front part, and the sheet P1 moves to the opposite side to the front part and is discharged.

  In the binding mode, the entrance roller 203 is stopped in the reception standby state, and the discharge roller 205 starts to rotate in the transport direction. In addition, the binding tool 210 moves to the standby position retracted by a fixed amount from the sheet width and stands by. In this case, the inlet roller 203 also functions as a registration roller. That is, the first sheet P1 is carried into the sheet post-processing apparatus 201, the leading edge of the sheet is detected by the entrance sensor 202, and further abuts on the nip of the entrance roller 203. Then, the first sheet P1 is conveyed by the sheet discharge roller 102 of the image forming apparatus 101 by a distance that causes a certain amount of bending from the position where the first sheet P1 abuts. After being conveyed by the distance, the rotation of the inlet roller 203 is started. Thus, skew correction of the first sheet P1 is performed. FIGS. 9A and 9B show the state at this time.

  FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which the rear end of the sheet is separated from the nip of the inlet roller 203 and passes the branch path 241. The transport amount of the first sheet P1 is counted based on the detection information by the entrance sensor 202 at the rear end of the sheet, and the position information of the sheet transport position is grasped by the CPU 201a. When the rear end of the sheet passes through the nip of the inlet roller 203, the inlet roller 203 stops rotating to receive the next sheet P2. At the same timing, the shift cam 207 rotates in the direction of arrow R4 (clockwise direction in FIG. 10) in FIG. 10, and with the first sheet P1 nipped, the sheet discharge roller 205 starts moving in the axial direction. Thus, the first sheet P1 is conveyed while being skewed in the direction of the arrow D1 in FIG. Thereafter, when the sheet edge detection sensor 220 installed or incorporated in the binding tool 210 detects the side edge of the sheet P, the shift cam 207 stops and then reverses, and the sheet edge detection sensor 220 detects no sheet P. The shift cam 207 stops. Then, the above operation is completed, and the sheet discharge roller 205 is stopped at a predetermined position where the rear end of the sheet has passed the tip of the bifurcating claw 204.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which the sheet P1 is switched back to align the conveyance direction of the sheet P1. From the state of FIG. 10, the branch claw 204 is rotated in the direction of the arrow R5 in the figure to switch the conveyance path to the branch path 241, and then the sheet discharge roller 205 is reversely rotated. As a result, the first sheet P1 is switched back in the direction of the arrow D2, the rear end of the sheet is carried into the branch path 241, and is abutted against the abutting surface 242. The trailing end of the sheet is aligned on the basis of the abutting surface 242 by the abutment of the sheet rear end. When the first sheet P1 is aligned, the discharge roller 205 is stopped. At this time, the sheet discharge roller 205 slips when the first sheet P1 abuts against the abutting surface 242, and the conveyance force is not applied. That is, when the first sheet P1 is switched back and abuts against the abutment surface 242, and the rear end of the sheet is aligned with the abutment surface 242 as a reference, the sheet is conveyed further and set so as not to buckle. ing.

  FIG. 12 is a view showing a state in which the first sheet P1 is made to stand by in the branch path 241 and the next second sheet P2 is carried in. After the preceding first sheet P1 is aligned on the basis of the abutting surface 242, the bifurcating claw 204 is rotated in the direction of the arrow R6 in the drawing. As a result, the rear end of the sheet positioned in the branch path 241 is strongly pressed against the surface of the branch path 241 by the contact surface 204c which is the lower surface of the branch claw 204, and stands by in a stationary state. When the trailing second sheet P2 is carried in from the image forming apparatus 101, skew correction is performed by the entrance roller 203 in the same manner as the preceding first sheet P1. Next, at the same time as the rotation of the entrance roller 203 starts, the paper discharge roller 205 also starts to rotate in the transport direction.

  FIG. 13 is a view showing a state when the second sheet P2 has been carried in. Even when the second sheet P2 and the third and subsequent sheets P3,..., Pn are conveyed from the state of FIG. 12, the operations shown in FIGS. The sheets conveyed from the forming apparatus 101 are moved to a predetermined position and stacked, and the sheet bundle PB in the aligned state is stacked (stacked) in the sheet conveyance path 240.

  FIG. 14 is a view showing a state in which the sheet bundle PB is formed by aligning the final sheet Pn. When the final sheet Pn is completed as an aligned sheet bundle PB, the sheet discharge roller 205 is rotated in the conveyance direction by a fixed amount and stopped. In this operation, the deflection that occurs when the rear end of the sheet abuts against the abutment surface 242 is eliminated. Thereafter, the branch claw 204 is rotated in the direction of the arrow R5 to separate the contact surface 204c from the branch path 241, thereby releasing the pressure applied to the sheet bundle PB. As a result, the sheet bundle PB is released from the restraining force by the branch claw 204, and can be conveyed by the sheet discharge roller 205.

  FIG. 15 is a view showing the state at the time of the binding operation. From the state shown in FIG. 14, the sheet discharge roller 205 is rotated in the conveying direction, and the sheet bundle PB is conveyed by a distance at which the position of the tooth shape 261 of the binding tool 210 matches the binding position of the sheet bundle PB, and stopped at that position. As a result, the processing position in the transport direction of the sheet bundle PB matches the position in the transport direction of the tooth mold 261. Then, the binding tool 210 is moved in the direction of the arrow D3 by a distance at which the position of the tooth mold 261 of the binding tool 210 matches the processing position of the sheet, and the binding tool 210 is stopped. As a result, the processing position in the width direction of the sheet bundle PB coincides with the position of the die 261 in the transport direction and the width direction. At this time, the bifurcating claw 204 rotates in the direction of the arrow R6 and returns to the sheet receiving state. Thereafter, the drive motor 265 is turned on, and the sheet bundle PB is pressed by the tooth mold 261 and squeezing is performed by squeezing. In the present embodiment, an example using the binding tool 210 that performs crimp binding is illustrated, but using a binding tool such as half punching, cutting and bending, cutting and bending, and further passing through a hole, etc. It goes without saying that it is also good.

  FIG. 16 is a view showing a state in which the sheet bundle PB is discharged. The sheet bundle PB bound as shown in FIG. 15 is discharged by the rotation of the paper discharge roller 205. After the sheet bundle PB is discharged, the shift cam 207 is rotated in the direction of the arrow R7 to return to the home position (the position shown in FIG. 8). At the same time, the binding tool 210 is moved in the direction of the arrow D4 to return to the home position (the position shown in FIG. 8). Thus, the binding operation is completed for the alignment operation of the sheet bundle PB of one copy (one book). If there is the next part, the operations in FIG. 8 to FIG. 16 are repeated, and a partial bundle of sheets PB similarly crimp-stitched is created.

  17 and 18 are explanatory views showing the relationship between the binding tool 210 and the sheet P in the first embodiment. FIG. 17 is a plan view showing the binding tool 210 and the sheet P being conveyed, and FIG. 18 is a front view of FIG.

  The binding tool 210 is a pair of upper and lower parts, and tooth patterns that mesh with each other are provided on the lower side and the upper side. In FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, the lower mold portion 300 of the binding tool 210 is illustrated. The toothed portion 300 includes four rows of convex portions 300a parallel to the sheet P conveyance direction (sheet conveyance direction: arrow D5 direction). The convex portion 300a is formed of a square frustum having a rectangular bottom surface, and the longitudinal direction of the rectangle is parallel to the sheet conveyance direction D5. Although not shown in the drawings, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper portion of the binding tool 210 has a concave shape which can engage with the convex portion 300a with the sheet bundle SB interposed therebetween. Thereby, it becomes possible to emboss with the concavo-convex shape, and pressure bonding without using a metal needle is performed.

  The convex portion 300a has first and second inclined surfaces 300a1 and 300a2 in the short direction (short side) and the longitudinal direction (long side), respectively, and as shown in FIG. An inclined surface opposite to the leading end in the transport direction, the same applies to the following. That is, the first inclined surface 300a1 of the convex portion 300a is configured to have an inclination of 45 degrees or less with respect to the sheet conveying direction D5. By setting the gentle slope as described above, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a defect such as being caught by the tooth portion 300 when the sheet P passes through the binding tool 210. Further, since the occurrence of such a defect can be prevented, the occurrence of a sheet jam can also be prevented.

  FIGS. 19 and 20 are explanatory views showing the relationship between the binding tool 210 and the sheet P in the second embodiment. FIG. 19 is a plan view showing the binding tool 210 and the sheet P being conveyed, and FIG. 20 is a front view of FIG.

  The second embodiment is an example in which the convex portion 300 a of the first embodiment is disposed perpendicularly to the sheet P conveyance direction. The convex portion 300 b of the tooth mold portion 300 according to the second embodiment has the same shape as the convex portion 300 a shown in the first embodiment, and only the direction of arrangement is different. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the tooth mold portion 300 includes the first and second inclined surfaces 300 b 1 and 300 b 2, and the base surface 300 b 3 of the tooth mold portion 300 of the second inclined surface 300 b 2 with respect to the conveying direction D 5 of the sheet P. The angle θ with respect to the surface is 45 degrees or less (θ ≦ 45 °).

  Also in the second embodiment, by setting the inclined surface 300b2 with respect to the sheet conveying direction D5 to be a gentle inclined surface, the occurrence of a problem such as the hooking on the toothed portion 300 when the sheet P passes through the binding tool 210 is prevented. be able to. Further, since the occurrence of such a defect can be prevented, the occurrence of a sheet jam can also be prevented.

  The other components not particularly described are configured and function in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  21 to 23 are explanatory views showing the relationship between the binding tool 210 and the sheet P in the third embodiment. 21 is a plan view showing the binding tool 210 and the sheet P being conveyed, FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a convex portion in FIG. 21, and FIG. 23 is a front view of FIG.

  In the third embodiment, the convex portion 300a of the toothed portion 300 in the first embodiment is changed to the convex portion 300c shown in FIG. 22, and the angle な す between the line 300c6 connecting the short sides of the convex portion 300c and the sheet conveying direction D5 is 45 In this example, the long side and the short side of the convex portion 300c are each inclined 45 degrees with respect to the sheet conveying direction. In the convex portion 300c in the third embodiment, the inclination angles of the first and second inclined surfaces 300c1 and 300c2 are changed from the first and second inclined surfaces 300a1 and 300a2 of the first embodiment.

  That is, in the third embodiment, the inclination angle θ1 of the first inclined surface 300c1 on the short side with respect to the base surface 300c3 (hereinafter referred to as the first inclination angle) is 45 with respect to the base surface 300c3 of the toothed portion 300. The angle is set to an angle of not less than 80 degrees (45 ° ≦ θ1 ≦ 80 °). The inclination angle θ2 of the second inclined surface 300c2 on the long side with respect to the base surface 300c3 (hereinafter referred to as the second inclination angle θ2) is determined by the intersection of the first and second inclined surfaces 300c1 and 300c2. The inclination degree θ3 (hereinafter, referred to as a third inclination angle) with respect to the base surface 300c3 of the crucible 300c4 to be formed is set to an angle such that 45 degrees or less (θ3 ≦ 45 °). The third inclination angle θ3 is 45 degrees or less also when viewing FIG. 21 from the front as shown in FIG. 23, which will be described later.

  Since the second inclination angle θ2 is relatively determined to an angle in a predetermined range by assuming the third inclination angle θ3 once the first inclination angle θ1 is determined, The inclination angles θ1, θ2 and θ3 of 3 are relative ones. Therefore, the relationship between these three parties may be obtained in advance, and when the first inclination angle θ1 is determined, it may be selected from the relation between the second and third inclination angles θ2 and θ3.

  The first inclination angle θ1 may increase binding strength if it is 45 degrees or more. Therefore, it is desirable to set the first inclination angle θ1 larger than 45 degrees. However, when the first inclination angle θ1 is set large, the second inclination angle θ1 Since it is necessary to reduce the inclination angle θ2, the maximum is approximately 80 °. On the other hand, when the second inclination angle θ2 becomes smaller, the binding strength on the inclined surface 300c2 in the longitudinal direction is reduced accordingly. Further, the binding strength also differs depending on the size (the dimensions in the longitudinal direction and the width direction, the height of the convex portion, etc.) of the convex portion 300c of the toothed portion 300, and also differs depending on the sheet thickness of the sheet P. It is preferable that the relationship between each of the inclination angles and the binding strength be experimentally obtained by using the factor of as a variable, and an appropriate angle is selected from the determined angles.

  In the third embodiment, the sheet P is conveyed in the direction of the binding tool 210 as shown in FIG. The binding tool 210 is provided with a toothed portion 300, and the toothed portion 300 has four convex portions having an inclination of η = 45 degrees with respect to the sheet P conveyance direction (arrow P direction). A 300c is provided.

  In the convex portion 300c, as shown in FIG. 22, the inclination angle θ1 with respect to the base surface 300b3 of the inclined surface 300c1 in the lateral direction is selected within the range of 45 ° ≦ θ1 ≦ 80 ° as described above. As the inclination angle θ2 of the inclined surface 300c2 with respect to the base surface 300b3, an angle is selected such that the angle η of the wedge 300c4 is 45 degrees or less.

  FIG. 23 is a view of FIG. 21 viewed from the front side, and the inclination of the inclined surface 300c1 in the lateral direction of the convex portion 300c is 45 degrees or more and less than 80 °. Since the direction is arranged at an oblique angle of 45 degrees with respect to the sheet P conveyance direction, the angle θ3 of the ridge 300 c 4 facing the leading end of the sheet P in the conveyance direction of the sheet P is the conveyance direction of the sheet P When viewed from the direction orthogonal to the arrow D5 direction), it is 45 degrees or less.

  As described above, when the convex portion 300c is disposed obliquely to the sheet conveying direction, the inclined surface 300c1 itself in the short direction of the convex portion 300c is steep in the sheet conveying direction. The sheet has a gently inclined structure, and it is possible to increase the sheet binding strength while preventing occurrence of a problem in which the sheet is caught on the convex portion 300c of the toothed portion 300 during sheet conveyance.

  The other components not particularly described are configured and function in the same manner as in the first or second embodiment.

  24 to 26 are explanatory views showing the relationship between the binding tool 210 and the sheet P being conveyed in the fourth embodiment. 24 is a plan view showing the relationship between the binding tool 210 and the sheet P, FIG. 25 is a front view of the convex portion in FIG. 24, and FIG. 26 is a front view of FIG.

  The fourth embodiment is an example in which the convex portion 300b in the second embodiment is disposed perpendicularly to the sheet P conveyance direction (arrow D5 direction). In the convex portion 300d in the fourth embodiment, the inclination angle θ4 of the inclined surface 300d2 on the upstream side (the side opposite to the sheet conveyance direction) of the convex portion 300b in the second embodiment is 45 degrees or less. The inclination angle θ5 with respect to the base surface 300d4 of the inclined surface 300d3 on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction is set to 45 degrees or more. Similarly, the inclination angle of the inclined surface 300d1 in the short direction is set to 45 degrees or more. The other parts are the same as in the second embodiment.

  Also in the fourth embodiment, by setting the inclined surface 300d2 with respect to the conveyance direction D5 of the sheet P as a gentle inclined surface (45 degrees or less), when the sheet P passes through the binding tool 210, It is possible to prevent the occurrence of such problems. On the other hand, the inclination angles of the other inclined surfaces 300d1 and 300d3 are set to steep angles (45 degrees or more). Also in this case, as in the third embodiment, a maximum of about 80 ° is preferable. As a result, the pressure bonding can be performed at a steep angle.

  In the present embodiment, the angle θ4 of the inclined surface on the sheet conveyance upstream side is 45 degrees or less for all four convex parts 300d, but at least only the convex part 300d located on the most upstream side with respect to the sheet conveyance direction By setting the angle θ 4 of the inclined surface on the upstream side of the sheet conveyance to 45 degrees or less, it is possible to further increase the binding strength of the sheet while preventing the sheet of the toothed portion 300 from being caught.

  The other components not particularly described are configured and function in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments.

  In each embodiment, the angle of the inclined surface is equal to the angle formed with the base surface when it is cut in the direction orthogonal to the base of the inclined surface.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) A sheet bundle PB consisting of a plurality of sheets P superimposed is inserted between a plurality of convex portions 300a, 300b, 300c, 300d and a tooth mold 261 having a plurality of concave portions meshing with the convex portions. The sheet binding tool 210 is provided with a sheet binding tool 210 for pressing and deforming the sheet bundle PB between the convex portion and the concave portion by pressing the tooth mold 261, and the inclined surface with respect to the sheet conveying direction D5 of the convex portions 300a, 300b, 300c, 300d. Since 300a1, 300b1, 300d1 and 300c4 are formed at an inclination of 45 degrees or less with respect to a plane (base surfaces 300a3, 300b3, 300d4, 300c3) parallel to the sheet conveyance direction D5, the sheet P is conveyed in the sheet conveyance direction The sheet is conveyed without being caught by the inclined surfaces 300a1, 300b1, 300d1, and 300c4. In this case, it is only necessary to change the shape or arrangement of the die 261 without changing the pressure bonding mechanism. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of binding defects and sheet jams without increasing the size and cost of the apparatus.

(2) The protrusion 300a is a square truncated pyramid that protrudes from the base surface 300a3 and has a rectangular bottom, and the inclined surface with respect to the sheet conveyance direction D5 of the protrusion 300a is the inclined surface 300a1 on the short side. Even if the leading end of the sheet P entering the sheet 210 in the transport direction abuts on the plurality of short side inclined surfaces 300a1, the sheet leading end escapes upward by the inclined surface 300a1 and is conveyed without being caught.

(3) The protrusion 300b is a square frustum that protrudes from the base surface 300b3 and has a rectangular bottom, and the inclined surface with respect to the sheet conveyance direction D5 of the protrusion 300b is the inclined surface 300b2 on the long side. Even if the leading end of the sheet P entering the sheet 210 hits the inclined surface 300b2 on the longest side of the uppermost stream in the sheet conveyance direction, the leading end escapes upward by the inclined surface 300b2 and is conveyed without being caught.

(4) The convex portion 300c protrudes from the base 300 surface c3 and is formed of a quadrangular pyramid having a rectangular bottom surface, and the portion of the convex portion 300c with respect to the sheet conveying direction D5 is inclined with the long side inclined surface 300c2 and the short side Since the ridge 300c4 is formed by crossing the surfaces 300c1, even if the leading edge of the sheet P hits the ridge 300c4, the sheet leading edge can be released upward by the ridge 300c4. In order to position the ridge 300c4 formed by the intersection so as to face in the sheet conveyance direction, for example, an angle を of 45 between the line 300c6 connecting the short direction of the convex portion 300c and the conveyance direction D5 of the sheet P is 45 In this case, it is only necessary to incline the long side and the short side of the convex portion 300c with respect to the sheet conveying direction, so that the ridge 300c4 can be easily positioned at the opposite position in the sheet conveying direction.

(5) Since one of the long side inclined surface 300c2 or the short side inclined surface 300c1 is formed at an angle of 45 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less with respect to the base surface 300c3, a strong pressure bonding force can be obtained. Can.

(6) Since the inclined surfaces 300a1 and 300b2 are each formed at an inclination angle of 45 degrees or less, when the front end of the sheet abuts against the inclined surfaces 300a1 and 300b2, the sheet is transported in a state of being escaped reliably and sheet jam Will not occur.

(7) Among the plurality of projections 300d, the inclined surface 300d2 with respect to the base sheet 300d4 is formed at an inclination angle of 45 degrees or less with respect to the sheet conveyance direction. When the sheet abuts on the inclined surface 300 d 2, it is transported in a state in which it is reliably escaped upward, and a sheet jam does not occur.

(8) If an inclined surface other than the inclined surface formed at an inclination angle of 45 degrees or less includes the inclined surface 300d3 having an inclination angle of 45 degrees or more, the inclined surface formed at an inclination angle of 45 degrees or less The occurrence of a sheet jam can be prevented by 300 d 2, and a strong pressure bonding amount can be obtained by the inclined surface 300 d 3 having an inclination angle of 45 degrees or more.

  In the present embodiment, the sheet in the claims is P in this embodiment, the plurality of sheets is a sheet bundle PB, the convex portions are convex portions 300a, 300b, 300c, 300d of the tooth shape 261, and the concave portion is a tooth shape 261. In the not-shown concave part, the crimping part is in the form of a pair of teeth 261, the sheet binding means is in the binding tool 210, the sheet processing apparatus is in the sheet post-processing apparatus 201, and the portion of the convex facing the sheet conveying direction is inclined. The surface 300a1, 300b2, 300d2 and 300c4 have a sheet conveying direction in the direction of arrow D5, a plane parallel to the sheet conveying direction with the base surface 300a3, 300b3, 300c3 and 300d4, and an inclined surface with a short side 300a1. The slope of the long side is 300b2, the ridgeline where the long side 300c2 and the end 300c are crossed is 300c4. The transport direction of arrow D5 direction, the image forming system to a system consisting of a sheet post-processing apparatus 201. The image forming apparatus 101, the corresponding.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention, and all the technical matters included in the technical concept described in the claims are included. The subject of the present invention. While the above embodiments show preferred examples, various alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements can be realized by those skilled in the art from the contents disclosed herein. These are included in the technical scope described in an attached claim.

Reference Signs List 100 image forming system 101 image forming apparatus 201 sheet post-processing apparatus (sheet processing apparatus)
210 binding tool 261 tooth mold 300a, 300b, 300c, 300d convex portion 300a1, 300b1, 300c1 short side inclined surface 300a2, 300b2, 300c2 long side inclined surface 300a3, 300b3, 300c3, 300d4 base surface 300c4 sheet D5 sheet Conveying direction P sheet

JP, 2010-184769, A

In order to solve the above-mentioned subject, it is a sheet processing device which pressurizes and binds a plurality of sheets between a pair of members which mesh mutually , and a plurality of sheets are inserted between the pair of members, and the pair of The convex portion of each member is formed by intersecting the long side having the first inclined surface , the short side having the second inclined surface, the first inclined surface, and the second inclined surface. and it has a crest that, the angle該稜makes with the bottom surface of the convex portion is equal to or less than 45 degrees. In addition, the subject except the above, a structure, and an effect are clarified by description of the following embodiment.

The spring 251 is hooked on the branch claw movable lever portion 204a, and the plunger of the branch solenoid 250 is connected to the branch claw movable lever portion 204a. Incidentally, the branch passage 241 and the branch claw 204, after the sheet is conveyed to the branch path 241 in the state of FIG. 5, when a state of FIG. 4, it is possible to hold the sheet in the branch path 241 in a clamped state . The switching of the transport path is performed by turning on / off the branch solenoid 250. That is, when the branch solenoid 250 is turned on, the branch claw 204 rotates in the direction of the arrow R1 in FIG. 5 to close the sheet conveyance path 240 and open the branch path 241, whereby the sheet can be guided to the branch path 241.

Figure 23 is a view of the FIG. 21 from the front side, the inclined surface 300c1 of the widthwise direction of the projections 300c slope 45 degrees or more, but there was less than 80 °, the convex portion 300c of the tooth-shaped portion 300 Since the longitudinal direction is disposed at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the sheet P conveyance direction, the angle θ3 of the ridge 300 c 4 facing the leading edge of the sheet P in the conveyance direction of the sheet P is the conveyance direction When viewed from the direction orthogonal to (the direction of arrow D5), it is 45 degrees or less.

Claims (9)

A plurality of sheets stacked one on another is inserted between a crimped portion having a plurality of convex portions and a plurality of concave portions meshing with the convex portions, and the crimped portion is pressurized to be compressed between the convex portions and the concave portions. A sheet processing apparatus comprising sheet binding means for pressing and deforming sheets and binding,
A sheet processing apparatus, wherein the inclined surface of the convex portion with respect to the sheet conveying direction is formed at 45 degrees or less with respect to a plane parallel to the sheet conveying direction. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The convex portion is a quadrangular frustum that protrudes from the base surface and has a rectangular bottom surface.
The sheet processing apparatus, wherein the inclined surface with respect to the sheet conveying direction is an inclined surface on the short side. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The convex portion is a quadrangular frustum that protrudes from the base surface and has a rectangular bottom surface.
The sheet processing apparatus, wherein the inclined surface with respect to the sheet conveying direction is an inclined surface on a long side. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The convex portion is a quadrangular frustum that protrudes from the base surface and has a rectangular bottom surface.
A sheet processing apparatus characterized in that a portion of the convex portion facing the sheet conveying direction is a ridge formed by intersecting an inclined surface on the long side and an inclined surface on the short side. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
A sheet processing apparatus characterized in that one of the inclined surfaces on the long side or the short side is formed at 45 degrees to 80 degrees with respect to the base surface. A sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein
A sheet processing apparatus characterized in that each of the surfaces on the side opposite to the sheet conveying direction of the inclined surface is formed at 45 degrees or less. A sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein
A sheet processing apparatus, wherein an inclined surface with respect to the sheet conveying direction of the convex portion on the most upstream side of the sheet conveying direction among the plurality of convex portions is formed at 45 degrees or less. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inclined surface other than the inclined surface formed at an inclination angle of 45 degrees or less includes an inclined surface having an inclination angle larger than 45 degrees.   An image forming system comprising the sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.