JP2021167236A - Folding device, and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a folding device capable of forming a good fold which is not thick without increasing a size of the device.SOLUTION: In a folding device, a pair of folding roller pairs 55, 56 for forming folds A respectively on a sheet P is installed. Further, pressing means (movable guide members 53, 54 and a reception roller 57) for pressing again the folds A formed on the sheet P by pressing with the folding roller pairs 55, 56 between the folding roller pairs 55, 56 are installed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a folding device that folds a sheet, and an image forming system including an image forming device such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a multifunction device thereof.

Conventionally, a folding device that is a post-processing device connected to an image forming device such as a copying machine or a printer and that forms a plurality of creases on a sheet is widely known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ..

Specifically, the folding device in Patent Document 1 includes a transport roller pair that conveys the sheet downward, and a pair of folding roller pairs that are configured to be able to convey the sheet in the forward and reverse directions in the horizontal direction below the transfer roller pair. It is also composed of a pair of movable guide members (deflection means) that guide the sheet conveyed by the transfer roller pair toward one of the nips of the pair of folding roller pairs. Then, the sheet conveyed by the transfer roller pair is conveyed while being guided toward one folding roller pair by the pair of movable guide members, or is conveyed while being guided toward the other folding roller pair. , A plurality of folds are formed by the pair of folding rollers, and the bellows are folded.

Conventional folding devices may not be able to form good creases on the sheet because they are not thick. In addition, the folding device has become large.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a folding device and an image forming system capable of forming good creases that are not thick without increasing the size of the device. There is.

The folding device in the present invention is a pressing means for repressing the creases formed on the sheet by pressing by the folding roller pairs between the pair of folding rollers forming the creases on the sheet and the pair of folding rollers. And, it is equipped with.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a folding device and an image forming system capable of forming good creases that are not thick without increasing the size of the device.

It is an overall block diagram which shows the image formation system in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the main part of the folding apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation of the folding apparatus at the time of a folding process. It is a figure which shows the operation following FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the sheet after the folding process. It is an enlarged view which shows the pressing means. It is a flowchart which shows the control in a folding apparatus. It is a flowchart following FIG. It is a flowchart following FIG. It is a figure which shows the pressing part of the movable guide member as a modification 1. FIG. It is an enlarged view which shows the pressing means as a modification 2. It is a figure which shows the receiving member as a modification 3. It is an enlarged view which shows the pressing means as a modification 4. It is a figure which shows the main part of the folding apparatus as a modification 5.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and the duplicated description thereof will be appropriately simplified or omitted.

First, FIG. 1 describes the overall configuration and operation of the image forming system 100.
In the present embodiment, the folding device 50 is detachably installed with respect to the image forming device 1 and constitutes one image forming system 100 together with the image forming device 1.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a digital multifunction device as an image forming apparatus having a copying function and a printer function, 2 is a document conveying table on which a document is conveyed, and 3 is a document reading unit that optically reads image information of the document. Indicates an exposure unit that irradiates the photoconductor drum 5 with exposure light based on the image information read by the document reading unit 3.
Further, 5 is a photoconductor drum 5 (image image forming portion) on which a toner image (image) is formed, 10 is a feeding portion in which a sheet P such as paper is stored in a roll shape, and 20 is an unfixed image on the sheet P. Reference numeral 30 denotes an operation panel for displaying various information in the image forming system 100 and inputting operation conditions.
In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is configured such that the roll-shaped sheet P (roll paper) is cut to a desired length by the feeding unit 10, and has a plurality of large sizes such as A0 and A1 sizes. It is possible to form an image on a sheet P of a size.

Further, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 50 denotes a folding device (post-processing device) that performs a folding process as a post-processing on the sheet P discharged from the image forming device 1 and carried in.
Further, 51 is a pair of transfer rollers for conveying the sheet P, 53 and 54 are a pair of movable guide members for guiding the sheet P conveyed by the transfer roller pair 51 toward the folding roller pairs 55 and 56, and 55 and 56 are sheets. A pair of folding rollers, which form a crease in P, are shown.
Further, 67 indicates a discharge roller pair for discharging the seat P to the outside of the device, 68 indicates a discharge tray on which the seat P is discharged and loaded, and 90 indicates a seat feeding unit for manual feeding.

With reference to FIG. 1, the operation at the time of normal image formation in the image forming system 100 will be described.
When the image forming apparatus 1 is used as a copying machine, first, when a document is placed on a document transfer table 2, the document is conveyed by a transfer roller and passes over the document reading unit 3. At this time, the document reading unit 3 optically reads the image information of the document passing above. At this time, the size of the document is also detected.
Then, the optical image information read by the document reading unit 3 is converted into an electric signal and then transmitted to the exposure unit 4 (writing unit). Then, the exposure light (laser light) based on the image information of the electric signal is emitted from the exposure unit 4 toward the surface of the photoconductor drum 5 of the image formation unit.
When the image forming apparatus 1 is used as a printer, image information is input to the exposure unit 4 from an external terminal such as a personal computer, and the exposure unit 4 directs the image information to the surface of the photoconductor drum 5 based on the image information. The exposure light is emitted.

On the other hand, in the image forming portion, the photoconductor drum 5 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1, and undergoes a predetermined image forming process (charging step, exposure step, developing step) on the surface of the photoconductor drum 5. An image (toner image) corresponding to the image information is formed.
After that, the image formed on the photoconductor drum 5 is transferred to the sheet P conveyed by the resist roller at the transfer unit.

On the other hand, the sheet P conveyed to the position of the photoconductor drum 5 operates as follows.
First, one of the plurality of feeding units 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 is automatically or manually selected.
Then, the sheet P wound around the feeding unit 10 in a roll shape is cut according to the size of the document (or the image information input from the external terminal), and the sheet P is transported to the transport path K0. ..
Then, the sheet P passes through the transport path K0 and reaches the position of the resist roller. Then, the sheet P that has reached the position of the resist roller is conveyed at the same timing in order to align with the image formed on the photoconductor drum 5.
Then, the sheet P after the transfer step reaches the fixing device 20 via the transport path after passing through the position of the photoconductor drum 5 (transfer portion). Then, the image on the sheet P is heat-fixed by the fixing device 20. Then, the sheet P on which the image is fixed is discharged from the image forming apparatus 1.

Here, in the present embodiment, the folding device 50 is installed in the image forming device 1. Then, the sheet P discharged from the image forming apparatus 1 is conveyed to the folding device 50, and the conveyed sheet P is subjected to the folding process.
For details, with reference to FIG. 1, first, the sheet P transported from the image forming apparatus 1 to the folding device 50 is placed at the position of the transport roller pair 51 via the first and second transport paths K1 and K2. Reach. Then, the seat P is conveyed by the transfer roller pair 51 and guided by the pair of movable guide members 53 and 54 toward one folding roller pair 55 or toward the other folding roller pair 56. do. Then, the sheet P is subjected to a folding process such as bellows folding by the pair of folding rollers 55 and 56. Then, the folded sheet P is discharged to the outside of the device by the discharge roller pair 67, and is loaded on the discharge tray 68.
The folding device 50 will be described in more detail later with reference to FIGS. 2 to 9 and the like.

Here, the folding device 50 in the present embodiment is provided with a sheet feeding unit 90 for manual feeding. Then, when it is desired to directly fold the sheet P without going through the image forming apparatus 1, the sheet P is set in the sheet feeding unit 90 for manual feeding. The sheet P set in the sheet feeding unit 90 for manual feeding is conveyed into the folding device 50 via the third conveying path K7. Then, in the folding device 50, the sheet P is folded in the same manner as described above.

Hereinafter, the characteristic configuration and operation of the folding device 50 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.
With reference to FIG. 2, the folding device 50 includes a transport roller pair 51, a pair of folding roller pairs 55 and 56, a pair of movable guide members 53 and 54, and a receiving member that functions as a part of the pressing means. The receiving roller 57, the sheet detection sensors 61 to 63, and the like are installed.

The transport roller pair 51 transports the sheet P toward the folding roller pairs 55 and 56.
Specifically, the transfer roller pair 51 is formed by pressure contact between the drive roller and the driven roller to form a nip, and is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 by the transfer motor 91 as the first drive means. As a result, the sheet P sandwiched between the nips of the transfer roller pair 51 is conveyed downward in the substantially vertical direction in FIG.

The pair of folding rollers 55 and 56 each function as folding processing portions for forming creases on the sheet P.
Specifically, the pair of folding rollers 55 and 56 is a virtual tangent line passing through the nip of the transport roller pair 51 arranged on the upstream side thereof (virtually extending in a substantially vertical direction along the transport direction indicated by the broken line arrow in FIG. 2). It is arranged so as to straddle each line.). Specifically, the first folding roller pair 55 is arranged on the left side of FIG. 2 with respect to the above-mentioned virtual tangent line, and the second folding roller pair 56 is arranged on the right side of FIG. 2 with respect to the above-mentioned virtual tangent line. Has been done.
Further, the pair of folding rollers 55 and 56 are formed so that the sheet P can be conveyed in the forward and reverse directions between the two. Specifically, the virtual tangent line passing through the nip of the first folding roller pair 55 and the virtual tangent line passing through the nip of the second folding roller pair 56 are both virtual tangent lines extending in a substantially horizontal direction so as to coincide with each other. It is configured. Then, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3D, the pair of folding rollers 55 and 56 rotate in the same direction, so that the sheet P is positive between the two folding rollers 55 and 56. It will be transported in the direction (left side of FIG. 2) or in the opposite direction (right side of FIG. 2).

Further, the pair of folding rollers 55 and 56 are an upper roller (driven roller) arranged on the side closer to the transport roller pair 51 and a lower roller (drive roller) arranged on the side farther from the transport roller pair 51, respectively. And are pressure-welded to form a nip.
Then, the seat P is conveyed to the nip of the folding roller pairs 55 and 56 in the folded state, and the crease A is formed in the folded portion of the sheet P by the pressure at the nip.

Note that FIG. 5 shows, as an example, a sheet P in which four folds A1 to A4 are formed by the folding device 50.
The first fold A1 of the first fold surface C1 and the second fold surface C2 is formed by the second fold roller pair 56, and then the second fold A2 of the second fold surface C2 and the third fold surface C3 is the second. The first fold roller pair 55 forms, then the third fold A3 of the third fold surface C3 and the fourth fold surface C4 is formed by the second fold roller pair 56, and finally the fourth fold surface C4 and the fourth. The fourth fold A4 with the five fold surface C5 (the final fold surface, which is the fold surface including the rear end B of the sheet P) is formed by the first fold roller pair 55.

Here, referring to FIG. 2, the pair of folding roller pairs 55 and 56 are configured to be rotationally driven separately by being driven by the drive motors 94 and 95 as the third drive means. Specifically, the first drive motor 94 rotationally drives the first folding roller pair 55, and the second drive motor 95 rotationally drives the second folding roller pair 56. The two drive motors 94 and 95 are both forward and reverse bidirectional rotation type motors, and the folding roller pairs 55 and 56 are rotated in the forward direction by rotating in the forward direction under the control of the control unit 80. By rotating in the opposite direction under the control of the control unit 80, the pair of folding roller pairs 55 and 56 are rotated in the opposite direction.
In the present embodiment, the two folding rollers 94 and 95 are configured to separately rotate and drive the two folding rollers 55 and 56, respectively, but the two folding rollers are driven by one drive motor (drive mechanism). It is also possible to configure the pair 55 and 56 to be integrally rotationally driven.
Further, in the present embodiment, the receiving roller 57 (receiving member) that can be rotationally driven in the forward and reverse directions by being driven by the third driving motor 96 as the fourth driving means is placed between the two folding rollers 55 and 56. It is installed, but this will be explained in detail later.

Here, in the present embodiment, the sheet P transported in a predetermined direction (lower side in FIG. 2) by the transport roller pair 51 is directed toward one of the pair of folding roller pairs, the folding roller pair 55. A pair of movable guide members 53, 54 for guiding or guiding toward the other folding roller pair 56 are provided.
The pair of movable guide members (the first movable guide member 53 and the second movable guide member 54) nip the transport roller pair 51 in the transport path from the transport roller pair 51 to the folding roller pairs 55 and 56. They are arranged so as to straddle the virtual tangents that pass through (the virtual lines that extend in the substantially vertical direction described above), and are configured to be individually movable in the vertical direction. Specifically, the first movable guide member 53 is arranged on the right side of FIG. 2 with respect to the above-mentioned virtual tangent line, and the second movable guide member 54 is arranged on the left side of FIG. 2 with respect to the above-mentioned virtual tangent line. Has been done. Both the first movable guide member 53 and the second movable guide member 54 are formed so as to have a substantially triangular shape and a cross section, and are line-symmetrical (symmetrical) with respect to the above-mentioned virtual tangent line. ..

Further, referring to FIG. 2, the first and second movable guide members 53 and 54 are configured to be rotated separately by the first and second moving mechanisms 92 and 93 as the second driving means, respectively. ing.
Specifically, the first moving mechanism 92 rotates the rotation axis of the first movable guide member 53 clockwise or counterclockwise, and moves the guide shaft 53a of the first movable guide member 53 along the guide rail. By causing the first movable guide member 53 to move up and down. Then, the first moving mechanism 92 is driven in the forward and reverse directions by the control of the control unit 80, so that the first movable guide member 53 moves to the reference position shown in FIGS. 2, 3 (B) and the like. It will move to the guide position shown in FIG. 3A and the like.
Similarly, the second moving mechanism 93 rotates the rotation axis of the second movable guide member 54 clockwise or counterclockwise to move the guide shaft 54a of the second movable guide member 54 along the guide rail. As a result, the second movable guide member 54 is moved up and down. Then, the second moving mechanism 93 is driven in the forward and reverse directions by the control of the control unit 80, so that the second movable guide member 54 moves to the reference position shown in FIGS. 2, 3 (A) and the like. It will move to the guide position shown in FIG. 3B and the like.
Then, the first movable guide member 53 moves to the guide position shown in FIG. 3A or the like and stops, thereby functioning as a guide member for guiding the seat P toward the nip of the first folding roller pair 55. become. Further, the second movable guide member 54 moves to the guide position shown in FIG. 3B or the like and stops, thereby functioning as a guide member for guiding the seat P toward the nip of the second folding roller pair 56. become.
The moving mechanisms 92 and 93 that move the pair of movable guide members 53 and 54 up and down are not limited to those described above, and various forms can be used.

Here, as shown in FIG. 2, three sheet detection sensors 61 to 63 are installed in the folding device 50 according to the present embodiment. Each of these sheet detection sensors 61 to 63 is a reflective photo sensor composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and optically detects whether or not the sheet P is present at the position thereof.
Specifically, the first sheet detection sensor 61 is arranged on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the nip of the transport roller pair 51. The second sheet detection sensor 62 is arranged on the side (left side in FIG. 2) away from the second folding roller pair 56 with respect to the nip of the first folding roller pair 55. The third sheet detection sensor 63 is arranged on the side (right side in FIG. 2) away from the first folding roller pair 55 with respect to the nip of the second folding roller pair 56.

Then, the first sheet detection sensor 61, the second sheet detection sensor 62, and the third sheet detection sensor 63 detect the front end, the rear end, and the crease of the seat P, respectively, and after detecting them, the time is set by the timer 81. The transfer motor 91, the first and second moving mechanisms 92 and 93, and the first to third drive motors 94 to 96 are separately controlled at the target operation timing while measuring the desired folding process on the seat P. Is given.
In this way, by controlling the motors 91 to 96 by the control unit 80 based on the detection results of the three seat detection sensors 61 to 63, a desired crease can be formed on the seat P with high accuracy.
The specific folding operation will be described in more detail later with reference to the operation diagrams of FIGS. 3 and 4, the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 to 9, and the like.

Here, referring to FIGS. 2, 3 (D), 4 (A), 6 (A), etc., the folding device 50 in the present embodiment has a pair of folding rollers 55, 56. A receiving roller 57 and movable guide members 53 and 54 are installed as pressing means for repressing the crease A formed on the sheet P by pressing the folding rollers 55 and 56.
That is, the crease A once formed by the folding roller pairs 55 and 56 is strengthened by the receiving roller 57 as the pressing means and the movable guide members 53 and 54. In other words, the receiving roller 57 and the movable guide members 53 and 54 as the pressing means function as means for performing additional folding with respect to the crease A.

As described above, the pair of movable guide members 53, 54 makes the sheet P conveyed in a predetermined direction into one of the pair of folding rollers 55, 56, the folding roller pair 55, or the other folding roller pair 56. It is a member for guiding toward. Specifically, the seat P is guided toward the nips of the folding roller pairs 55 and 56 along the guide surfaces 53 g (see FIG. 6A) of the movable guide members 53 and 54 located at the guide positions. .. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6A, the movable guide members 53 and 54 are in contact with (or close to) the receiving roller 57.
As shown in FIGS. 3D and 4A, the receiving roller 57 has a sheet (nip W) between the movable guide members 53 and 54 and the contact surface 53b (see FIG. 6A). It is a member that functions as a receiving member that sandwiches and presses the crease A of P. The receiving roller 57 is installed so as to be in contact with the imaginary tangent line passing through the nip of the first folding roller vs. 55 and the nip of the second folding roller vs. 56 downward.
Further, the receiving roller 57 is a roller member that rotates along the conveying direction of the sheet P conveyed between the pair of folding rollers 55 and 56. Specifically, the receiving roller 57 is configured to be rotatable in both the forward direction and the reverse direction by the third drive motor 96 (see FIG. 2), and the seat P between the pair of folding rollers 55 and 56. It also functions as a transport member that promotes transport.

Then, the movable guide members 53 and 54 and the receiving roller 57 function as pressing means (additional folding means) for strengthening the crease A.
Then, by providing the pressing means (additional folding means) in this way, it is possible to form a good crease A on the sheet P without being thick. That is, the thickness of the crease A can be reduced as compared with the case where the pressing means is not provided. Therefore, the quality and appearance of the sheet P after the folding process are improved.
As such a pressing means, the movable guide members 53 and 54 having a guide function are used, and the seat P is further folded in conjunction with the operation of guiding the seat P to the folding roller pair. Therefore, the device can be made smaller and less costly, and the additional folding can be efficiently performed in a short time as compared with the case where the member for performing the additional folding is provided completely separately.

Hereinafter, using FIGS. 3 (A) to 3 (D) and FIGS. 4 (A) to 4 (D), a folding process (bellows) for forming four creases A1 to A4 (see FIG. 5) on the long sheet P. The operation of the folding device 50 when performing folding) will be described in detail.
Since the folding process performed by the folding device 50 in the present embodiment is executed based on the control flow shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, FIGS. 3 (A) to (D) and FIGS. 4 (A) to 4 (A). In accordance with the description of the operation using (D), the relationship with steps S1 to S27 in the control flow of FIGS. 7 to 9 will be shown as appropriate.

First, when the tip of the sheet P is detected by the first sheet detection sensor 61 installed near the nip inlet of the transfer roller pair 51 (FIG. 7: step S1), the transfer motor 91 is turned on and the transfer roller pair 51 is moved. It is rotationally driven (FIG. 7: step S2). Then, the first drive motor 94 is turned on, and the first folding roller pair 55 is rotationally driven in the forward direction (FIG. 7: step S3). Further, after the time T1 has elapsed since the first sheet detection sensor 61 was turned on, the first moving mechanism 92 is turned on and the first movable guide member 53 is moved from the reference position to the guide position (FIG. 7: step S4). , S5). In this way, as shown in FIG. 3A, the sheet P conveyed by the transfer roller pair 51 is guided to the nip of the first folding roller pair 55 by the first movable guide member 53. ..
After that, the first movable guide member 53 is returned to the reference position (FIG. 7: step S6), and the first drive motor 94 moves after the time T2 (> T1) has elapsed since the first seat detection sensor 61 was turned on. It is turned off and the first folding roller pair 55 is stopped rotating (FIG. 7: step S7).
After that, as shown in FIG. 3B, the first to third drive motors 94 to 96 are turned on, and the first and second folding roller pairs 55 and 56 and the receiving roller 57 are rotationally driven in the opposite directions. (Fig. 7: Step S8). Further, after the time T3 (> T2) has elapsed since the first sheet detection sensor 61 was turned on, the second moving mechanism 93 is turned on and the second movable guide member 54 is moved from the reference position to the guide position ( FIG. 7: Steps S9 and S10). As a result, as shown in FIG. 3B, the sheet P is conveyed to the transfer roller pair 51 and the first fold roller pair 55 in a state where the folded portion is lightly formed, and the second movable guide member 54 Guided by, it will head toward the nip of the second folding roller vs. 56. At this time, a part of the sheet P passes between the receiving roller 57 and the second movable guide member 54 (contact surface 53b).

Then, as shown in FIG. 3C, when the head of the sheet P (the portion where the lightly folded portion is formed) reaches the nip of the second folding roller vs. 56, the pressure of the nip causes the crease A1 (first). A crease) will be formed. After that, the second movable guide member 54 is returned from the guide position to the reference position (FIG. 7: step S11), and it is determined whether the next folding process is performed (whether the second fold is formed) (FIG. 7 :). Step S12).
In the operation example of FIG. 3, since the second crease A2 is set to be formed, the control after step S13 of FIG. 8 is performed, but the next crease is not formed in step S12 of FIG. If it is determined to be the case, the sheet P is discharged toward the discharge tray 68 (see FIG. 1) (FIG. 7: step S27). After that, the drive motors 94 to 96 are turned off to end this flow.

After that, referring to FIG. 3C, after the time T5 has elapsed since the crease A1 of the seat P was detected by the third sheet detection sensor 63, the folding rollers 55, 56 and the receiver by the drive motors 94 to 96 The rotational drive of the roller 57 is stopped (FIG. 8: steps S13 and S14).
After that, as shown in FIG. 3D, the drive motors 94 to 96 are turned on, and the folding roller pairs 55 and 56 and the receiving roller 57 are rotationally driven in the forward direction (FIG. 8: step S15). Further, after the time T6 (> T5) has elapsed since the third sheet detection sensor 63 was turned on, the first movable guide member 53 is moved from the reference position to the guide position (FIGS. 8: steps S16 and S17). As a result, the seat P is guided by the first movable guide member 53 while being conveyed to the conveying roller pair 51 and the folding roller pair 56 in a state where the folded portion is lightly formed, and the nip of the first folding roller pair 55. Will be heading for. At this time, the fold A1 (first fold) of the sheet P is further folded when passing between the receiving roller 57 and the first movable guide member 53, and the fold is strengthened.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3D, when the head of the sheet P (the portion where the lightly folded portion is formed) reaches the nip of the first folding roller pair 55, the pressure of the nip causes the crease A2 (second). A crease) will be formed. After that, the first movable guide member 53 is returned from the guide position to the reference position (FIG. 8: step S18), and it is determined whether the next folding process is performed (whether the third fold is formed) (FIG. 8 :). Step S19).
In the operation example of FIG. 3, since the third crease A3 is set to be formed, the control after step S20 of FIG. 9 is performed, but the next crease is not formed in step S19 of FIG. If it is determined to be the case, the sheet P is discharged toward the discharge tray 68 (see FIG. 1) (FIG. 8: step S27). After that, the drive motors 94 to 96 are turned off to end this flow.

After that, after a lapse of time T7 after the second fold A2 of the seat P is detected by the second sheet detection sensor 62, the rotational drive of the folding rollers 55 and 56 and the receiving roller 57 by the drive motors 94 to 96 is stopped. (Fig. 9: Steps S20 and S21).
After that, as shown in FIG. 4A, the drive motors 94 to 96 are turned on, and the folding roller pairs 55 and 56 and the receiving roller 57 are rotationally driven in the opposite directions (FIG. 9: step S22). Further, after the time T8 (> T7) has elapsed since the second sheet detection sensor 62 was turned on, the second movable guide member 54 is moved from the reference position to the guide position (FIGS. 9: steps S23 and S24). As a result, the seat P is guided by the second movable guide member 54 while being conveyed to the conveying roller pair 51 and the folding roller pair 55 in a state where the folded portion is lightly formed, and the nip of the second folding roller pair 56. Will be heading for. At this time, the fold A2 (second fold) of the sheet P is further folded when passing between the receiving roller 57 and the second movable guide member 54, and the fold is strengthened.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the head of the sheet P (the portion where the lightly folded portion is formed) reaches the nip of the second folding roller vs. 56, the crease A3 (third fold) is formed. It will be. After that, the second movable guide member 54 is returned from the guide position to the reference position (FIG. 9: step S25), and it is determined whether the next folding process is performed (whether the fourth fold is formed) (FIG. 9 :). Step S26).
In the operation example of FIG. 3, since the fourth crease A4 is set to be formed, the control after step S13 of FIG. 8 is performed again, but the next crease is formed in step S26 of FIG. If it is determined not to do so, the sheet P is discharged toward the discharge tray 68 (see FIG. 1) (FIG. 9: step S27). After that, the drive motors 94 to 96 are turned off to end this flow.

After that, as shown in FIG. 4 (B), the fourth fold A4 is formed on the sheet P (FIG. 8: steps S13 to S18). Then, it is determined whether or not there is the next folding process (whether or not the fifth fold is formed) (FIG. 8: step S19).
In the operation examples of FIGS. 3 and 4, since the fifth fold is not formed, the sheet P is placed on the discharge tray 68 (see FIG. 1) as shown in FIGS. 4 (C) and 4 (D). (Fig. 8: Step S27). At this time, the folds A2 and A4 (second and fourth folds) of the sheet P are further folded when passing between the receiving roller 57 and the second movable guide member 54 (moved to the guide position). And the fold will be strengthened. After that, the drive motors 94 to 96 are turned off, and the first and second movable guide members 53 and 54 are returned to the reference positions to end this flow. If it is set not to form the fifth fold, the control after step S20 in FIG. 9 will be performed.
In the operation example using FIGS. 3 and 4, the folding process for forming the four folds A1 to A4 on the sheet P has been described, but other folding processes (for example, according to the control flow shown in FIGS. 7 to 9). (1), 3 folds, Z folds, Kannon folds, etc.) can also be performed.

Here, referring to FIG. 6A and the like, in the present embodiment, the movable guide members 53 and 54 have a contact surface 53b that abuts on the crease A of the seat P and is made of a low friction material.
Specifically, the movable guide members 53 and 54 themselves may be formed of a low friction material such as POM (polyacetal) or PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), or the contact surface 53b is coated with a low friction material such as Teflon. May be.
By forming the contact surface 53b with a low friction material in this way, it is possible to reduce the frictional resistance when the sheet P is conveyed between the movable guide members 53 and 54 and the receiving roller 57.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, in the present embodiment, the movable guide members 53 and 54 are pressed in the pressing direction (the pressing portion 53c) and the substantially plate-shaped pressing portion 53c that abuts on the crease A of the sheet P. It can also be configured by a compression spring 53d or the like as an urging member for urging (lower side of FIG. 6B).
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6B, a hole provided with a shaft portion 53e is formed inside the movable guide members 53 and 54, and a compression spring 53d is wound around the shaft portion 53e. Has been done. One end side of the compression spring 53d is connected to the pressing portion 53c, and the other end side is connected to the inner wall surface of the hole portion. Further, the pressing portion 53c is held by the movable guide members 53 and 54 so as to be movable in the vertical direction shown in FIG. 6B. Further, the contact surface of the pressing portion 53c is made of a low friction material.
As a result, the thickness of the sheet P itself is thick, or the number of creases A is large, so that the thickness of the sheet P conveyed between the movable guide members 53, 54 and the receiving roller 57 (nip W) becomes large. Even if it becomes thick, the pressing portion 53c will move according to the thickness while securing the pressing force required for the additional folding. Therefore, regardless of the thickness of the sheet P transported between the movable guide members 53 and 54 and the receiving roller 57, the crease A can be strengthened without causing a transport defect.

<Modification example 1>
The movable guide members 53 and 54 in the first modification are composed of a pressing portion 53c, a compression spring 53d (compression spring), and the like, as described with reference to FIG. 6B.
Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the pressing portion 53c in the modified example 1 is provided with a protruding portion 53c1 projecting in the pressing direction (lower side of FIG. 6B).
Specifically, the protruding portion 53c1 shown in FIG. 10A is formed so as to be inclined with respect to the transport direction of the sheet P (the vertical direction in FIG. 10) and extend in the width direction. .. Further, as shown in FIG. 10A, the protruding portion 53c1 is formed in a substantially semicircular cross section so as not to damage the surface of the sheet P.
Further, the protruding portion 53c1 shown in FIG. 10B is formed so as to be inclined in a substantially V shape with respect to the transport direction of the sheet P (the vertical direction in FIG. 10) and extend in the width direction. Has been done. Further, the protruding portion 53c1 is also formed in a substantially semicircular cross section so as not to damage the surface of the sheet P.
By providing the protruding portion 53c1 in this way, the pressing force is intensively applied to the sheet P (crease A) conveyed between the movable guide members 53 and 54 and the receiving roller 57, and the crease is formed. A can be strengthened.

<Modification 2>
As shown in FIG. 11, the movable guide members 53 and 54 are composed of a roller 53f as a pressing portion, a compression spring 53d (compression spring) that urges the roller 53f in the pressing direction, and the like.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, a hole portion provided with a shaft portion 53e is formed inside the movable guide members 53 and 54, and a compression spring 53d is wound around the shaft portion 53e. .. One end side of the compression spring 53d is in contact with the shaft portion of the roller 53f, and the other end side is connected to the inner wall surface of the hole portion. Further, the roller 53f is held by the movable guide members 53 and 54 so as to be movable and rotatable in the vertical direction of FIG.
As a result, as in the case of FIG. 6B, regardless of the thickness of the sheet P transported between the movable guide members 53 and 54 and the receiving roller 57, the crease A does not have a transport defect. Can be strengthened. Further, in the modified example 2, since the roller 53f is used as the pressing portion, the roller 53f is rotated along the sheet P conveyed to and from the receiving roller 57, and the surface of the sheet P is not damaged. ..

<Modification example 3>
As shown in FIG. 12, the receiving roller 57 (roller member) as the receiving member in the modified example 3 has a protrusion 57a protruding in the pressing direction on the outer peripheral surface thereof in the axial direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 12). It is formed in a spiral shape in the width direction.).
By providing the receiving roller 57 with the spiral protrusion 57a in this way, the sheet P transported between the movable guide members 53 and 54 and the receiving roller 57 can be conveyed without deteriorating the transportability. The pressing force can be applied intensively to strengthen the crease A.

<Modification example 4>
The pressing means (additional folding means) installed in the folding device 50 in the fourth modification is configured so that the force for pressing the crease of the sheet P can be adjusted.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, the pressing means is provided with a cam 59 as an adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting the position of the receiving roller 57 (receiving member) in the pressing direction.
The cam 59 supports the shaft portion of the receiving roller 57 by its cam surface. Further, the cam 59 is rotatably held in the device housing about the cam shaft 59a. Further, the receiving roller 57 is held in the apparatus housing so as to be movable in the vertical direction (black arrow direction) of FIG. With such a configuration, the cam 59 rotates about the cam shaft 59a, so that the pressure contact force (pushing pressure) of the receiving roller 57 with respect to the movable guide members 53 and 54 can be adjusted.
Therefore, the user or the service person can check the thickness of the crease A of the sheet P after the folding process and adjust the force for pressing the crease of the sheet P as necessary. For example, when it is desired to further reduce the thickness of the crease A, the rotation position of the cam 59 (adjustment mechanism) is adjusted so that the pressure contact force of the receiving roller 57 with respect to the movable guide members 53 and 54 becomes large.
The rotation of the cam 59 may be automatically performed by using a motor interlocked with the operation of the operation panel 30, or may be manually performed by operating a lever or the like.

<Modification 5>
As shown in FIG. 14, the folding device 50 in the modified example 5 has a receiving belt as a belt member instead of the receiving roller 57 as a roller member as a receiving member functioning as a part of the pressing means (additional means). 58 is used.
The receiving belt 58 is a belt member that travels along the conveying direction of the sheet P that is conveyed between the pair of folding rollers 55 and 56, and is stretched and supported by a plurality of roller members.
Then, the crease A is strengthened while the seat P is satisfactorily conveyed between the movable guide members 53 and 54 and the receiving belt 58.

As described above, the folding device 50 in the present embodiment is provided with a pair of folding rollers 55 and 56 that form creases A on the sheet P, respectively. Further, a pressing means (movable guide members 53, 54, and a receiving roller 57) for repressing the crease A formed on the sheet P by pressing by the folding roller pairs 55, 56 between the pair of folding roller pairs 55, 56. ) Is installed.
As a result, good creases A that are not thick can be formed on the sheet P without increasing the size of the device.

In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the image forming system 100 in which the monochrome image forming apparatus 1 is installed, but naturally, the present invention is also applied to the image forming system in which the color image forming apparatus is installed. The present invention can be applied.
Further, in the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to an image forming system in which an electrophotographic image forming apparatus 1 is installed, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this, and other methods can be applied. Naturally, the present invention can also be applied to an image forming system in which an image forming apparatus (for example, an inkjet type image forming apparatus, a stencil printing apparatus, etc.) is installed.
And even in such a case, the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained.

Further, in the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the folding device 50 that performs only the folding process, but another process (for example, punch process, binding process, stamp process, etc.) is applied in addition to the folding process. The present invention can also be applied to a folding device capable of performing the above.
Further, in the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the folding device 50 connected to the image forming device 1, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is connected to the image forming device 1. As a matter of course, the present invention can be applied even if the folding device 50 is an independent device.
Further, in the present embodiment, the roll-shaped sheet P (roll paper) is configured to be housed in the feeding section 10 of the image forming apparatus 1, but the sheet (cut) cut to a predetermined size is stored in the feeding section. It can also be configured to store paper).
And even in such a case, almost the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained.

It is clear that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and the present embodiment may be appropriately modified in addition to the suggestions in the present embodiment within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. be. Further, the number, position, shape, etc. of the constituent members are not limited to the present embodiment, and can be a suitable number, position, shape, etc. for carrying out the present invention.

In the specification of the present application and the like, the term "sheet" is defined to include not only paper but also all sheets to be folded.

1 Image forming device,
50 folding device (post-processing device),
51 Conveyor roller pair,
53 First movable guide member (movable guide member, pressing means),
53b contact surface,
53c pressing part, 53c1 protruding part,
53d compression spring (biasing member),
53f roller (rotating body),
54 Second movable guide member (movable guide member, pressing means),
55 First folding roller pair (folding processing unit),
56 Second folding roller pair (folding processing unit),
57 Receiving roller (receiving member, pressing means, roller member),
57a protrusion,
57 Receiving belt (receiving member, pressing means, belt member),
59 cam (adjustment mechanism),
91 Conveyor motor (first drive means),
92 First moving mechanism (second driving means),
93 Second moving mechanism (second driving means),
94 1st drive motor (3rd drive means),
95 Second drive motor (third drive means),
96 Third drive motor (fourth drive means),
100 image formation system,
P sheet,
A1 to A5 creases,
C1-C6 folded surface.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-290618

Claims (12)

A pair of folding rollers that form creases on the sheet, and a pair of folding rollers.
A pressing means for repressing the crease formed on the sheet by pressing by the folding roller pair between the pair of folding rollers, and a pressing means.
A folding device characterized by being equipped with. The pressing means
A pair of movable guide members that guide a sheet conveyed in a predetermined direction toward one folding roller pair or the other folding roller pair of the pair of folding roller pairs.
A receiving member that sandwiches and presses the crease of the sheet between the movable guide member and
The folding device according to claim 1, wherein the folding device is provided with. The folding device according to claim 2, wherein the movable guide member includes a pressing portion that abuts on a crease of the seat and an urging member that urges the pressing portion in the pressing direction. The folding device according to claim 3, wherein the pressing portion includes a protruding portion that protrudes in the pressing direction. The folding device according to claim 3, wherein the pressing portion is a roller. The folding device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the movable guide member has a contact surface that comes into contact with a crease of a sheet made of a low friction material. The fold according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the receiving member is a roller member that rotates along the conveying direction of the sheet conveyed between the pair of folding rollers. Device. The folding device according to claim 7, wherein the roller member has protrusions protruding in the pressing direction spirally formed in the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The fold according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the receiving member is a belt member that travels along the conveying direction of the sheet conveyed between the pair of folding rollers. Device. The folding device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the pressing means includes an adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting the position of the receiving member in the pressing direction. The folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the pressing means is configured so that the force for pressing the fold of the sheet can be adjusted. The folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet and a folding apparatus for forming a crease on a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus are provided. An image forming system characterized by.

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