JP3765226B2 - Image forming apparatus provided with sheet post-processing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with a sheet post-processing apparatus that performs booklet processing by performing saddle stitching processing and center folding processing on a sheet bundle, and then trims the edge of the sheet.
[0002]
[Prior art]
JP-A-6-72064, JP-A-7-187479, JP-A-8-192951, and the like are conventionally known as sheet post-processing apparatuses that perform saddle stitching processing on a bundle of sheets that form a set of a plurality of sheets. ing.
[0003]
Also, as a paper post-processing device that can perform two-fold processing (hereinafter referred to as “half-fold processing”) in the central portion of the paper conveyance direction, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 10-148983 and 10-167562 are disclosed. Proposed.
[0004]
2. Description of the Related Art There is a sheet cutting apparatus that performs a cutting process for aligning the edge of a sheet with respect to a bundle of sheets that has been bound and subjected to saddle stitching processing and bookbinding. In recent years, paper bundles on which images have been recorded by image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers, and multi-function machines have been subjected to saddle stitching processing and center folding processing by a paper post-processing device, and then bound like a weekly magazine. A sheet post-processing apparatus including a sheet cutting device that cuts the edge of the sheet so as to align the edge of the sheet by the sheet cutting apparatus is provided.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
An image forming apparatus provided with a conventional sheet post-processing device that finishes a booklet that has been bound and subjected to saddle stitching processing, center folding processing, and cutting processing has the following problems.
[0006]
(1) In the adjustment operation of the sheet post-processing apparatus that performs bookbinding by folding the booklet that has been saddle stitched, the folding means is configured so that the booklet that has been subjected to the center folding process is correctly folded in the center of the sheet. The position of the stopper for positioning by abutting the leading end of the sheet conveyed to the sheet is adjusted. The binding position at the center of the sheet in the saddle stitching process is also performed by adjusting the position of the stopper that positions by positioning the leading end of the sheet.
[0007]
Conventionally, when adjusting the sheet position in the saddle stitching process and the half-folding process, a dedicated test document is placed at a predetermined position on the platen glass surface of the image forming apparatus, the image forming process is performed, and the saddle stitching by the sheet post-processing apparatus is performed. After the processing and the middle folding process, the saddle stitching position and the middle folding position are confirmed, the position of the stopper of each adjusting means of the saddle stitching means and the middle folding means is adjusted, and the sheet stop position is set. Further, when there is no dedicated test document, the sheet stop position is set by adjusting the position of the stopper of each adjusting means of the saddle stitching means and the center folding means according to an approximate guide.
[0008]
A conventional adjustment operation method for the paper stop position of the center folding process will be described below.
(1) Select an adjustment mode on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus.
[0009]
(2) On the operation panel, the adjustment direction setting (+-) of the sheet conveyance direction and the adjustment value are input.
[0010]
(3) A dedicated test document is placed at a predetermined position on the platen glass surface, and sample printing, saddle stitching processing, and middle folding processing are performed by the image forming apparatus.
[0011]
{Circle around (4)} Check the shift of the center folding position of the booklet produced by the center folding process, adjust the stopper position of the center folding means, and correct the paper stop position.
[0012]
(5) The sample printing, the saddle stitching process, and the middle folding process of (3) are performed again, and the middle folding position is confirmed.
[0013]
(6) If the middle folding process is not performed at the center of the sheet, the process returns to (1) and the adjustment is executed again.
[0014]
The adjustment of the sheet stop position in the saddle stitching process and the cutting process is also performed in the same procedure as the adjustment of the above-described center folding process.
[0015]
In the sheet position adjustment work in the conventional saddle stitching process, half-folding process, and cutting process, a service person in charge of installation, repair, and adjustment of the apparatus must always carry a dedicated test document. In addition, when a service person unfamiliar with the machine operation performs the paper position adjustment work, the adjustment direction may be set in the reverse direction, which may result in repeated adjustment mistakes.
[0016]
(2) After the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus main body is subjected to the saddle stitching process, the half-folding process, and the cutting process by the sheet post-processing device, the positions of both ends of the sheet that has been subjected to the cutting process in the sheet transport direction are set by the stoppers of the adjusting unit. Adjust the position and set the paper stop position. Even in this paper stop position adjustment, the service person uses a dedicated test document to correct the cutting size of the paper edge, the inclination of the paper cutting line, and the like. In addition, when a service person unfamiliar with the machine operation performs the paper position adjustment work, the adjustment direction may be set in the reverse direction, which may result in repeated adjustment mistakes.
[0017]
The present invention solves each of the above problems, improves the paper post-processing device, and includes a paper post-processing device capable of easily, surely, and quickly performing adjustment operations in saddle stitching processing, center folding processing, and cutting processing. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus.
[0018]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above object is achieved by an image forming apparatus provided with the following sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention.
[0019]
The above problem (1) is solved by an image forming apparatus provided with the sheet post-processing apparatus according to claims 1 to 3 of the present invention.
[0020]
The above problem (2) is solved by an image forming apparatus provided with the sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An image forming apparatus provided with a sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0022]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus main body A, a sheet post-processing apparatus B, and a sheet cutting apparatus C.
[0023]
The illustrated image forming apparatus main body A includes an image reading unit 1, an image processing unit 2, an image writing unit 3, an image forming unit 4, a sheet feeding cassette 5A, a sheet feeding unit 5B, a conveying unit 5C, a fixing device 6, and a sheet discharging unit. 7. An automatic double-sided copy paper feeding unit (re-conveying unit) 8 is provided.
[0024]
An automatic document feeder D is mounted on the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body A. A sheet post-processing apparatus B is connected to the left side of the image forming apparatus main body A shown in the drawing, and a sheet cutting apparatus C is connected to the sheet post-processing apparatus B.
[0025]
The document d placed on the document table of the automatic document feeder D is transported by a transport unit, and an image on one or both sides of the document is read by the optical system of the image reading unit 1 and read by the CCD image sensor 1A. .
[0026]
The analog signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD image sensor 1 </ b> A is subjected to analog processing, A / D conversion, shading correction, image compression processing, and the like in the image processing unit 2, and then sent to the image writing unit 3.
[0027]
In the image writing unit 3, output light from the semiconductor laser is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 4 </ b> A of the image forming unit 4 to form a latent image. In the image forming unit 4, processes such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, separation, and cleaning are performed. The sheet S fed from the sheet feeding cassette 5A by the sheet feeding unit 5B is transferred to the sheet S by the transfer unit 4B. The paper S carrying the image is fixed by the fixing device 6 and sent from the paper discharge unit 7 to the paper post-processing device B. Alternatively, the single-sided image-processed paper S sent to the automatic double-sided copy paper feeding unit 8 by the transport path switching plate 7A is again discharged from the paper discharge unit 7 after double-sided image processing in the image forming unit 4, and the paper post-processing device In B, the saddle stitching process and the half-folding process are performed, and then sent to the sheet cutting apparatus C.
[0028]
The sheet cutting apparatus C cuts the edge b of the booklet (sheet bundle) produced by the saddle stitching process and the center folding process by the sheet post-processing apparatus B as shown in FIG. The details will be described later with reference to FIG.
[0029]
In the sheet post-processing apparatus B, a fixed sheet discharge tray 81, a cover sheet feeding unit 40, a shift processing conveyance unit 20, a first stacking unit 30, a binding unit 50, and a folding unit 60 are arranged in a substantially vertical direction from the top in the drawing. They are arranged in columns.
[0030]
An inlet conveyance unit 10 is disposed on the upper right side of the sheet post-processing apparatus B in the figure. In addition, on the left side of the sheet post-processing apparatus B in the figure, an elevating / discharging tray 82 for stacking sheets that have undergone end binding and shift processing is disposed.
[0031]
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a sheet conveyance path of the sheet post-processing apparatus B.
The sheet post-processing apparatus B is installed with its position and height adjusted so that the entrance 11 of the sheet S carried out from the image forming apparatus main body A matches the paper discharge section 7 of the image forming apparatus main body A.
[0032]
The conveyance path of the sheet S connected to the sheet conveyance downstream of the inlet roller 12 of the inlet section 11 is an upper first conveyance path (1), a middle second conveyance path (2), and a lower third conveyance path (3). The sheet S is fed to one of the transport paths by selecting the angle occupied by the switching gates G1 and G2.
[0033]
(1) Output directly to the fixed output tray at the top of the device
The image-formed paper S discharged from the image forming apparatus main body A is introduced into the inlet portion 11 and conveyed by the inlet roller 12, and the conveyance direction length of the paper S is detected by the inlet portion sensor PS1. The sheet S passes through the right passage 13 (first conveyance path (1)) of the upper first switching gate G1, is sandwiched by the upper conveyance roller 14 and the conveyance roller 15, and is conveyed upward, and further discharged. The paper is sandwiched between the rollers 16 and discharged onto a fixed paper discharge tray 81 at the upper part outside the apparatus and sequentially stacked.
[0034]
In this sheet conveyance process, the switching gate G1 closes the path 17 and opens the path 13 to allow the sheet S to pass through the fixed sheet discharge tray 81.
[0035]
(2) Shift processing or straight paper discharge
When this transport mode is set, the switching gate G1 closes the passage 13, holds the passage 17 in an open state, and allows the sheet S to pass through the passage 17.
[0036]
The image-formed paper S discharged from the image forming apparatus main body A passes through the entrance portion 11 and the entrance portion roller 12, passes through a passage 17 formed in an open state below the switching gate G1, and then is conveyed to the transport roller. 18 is passed through the passage 21 above the second switching gate G2, which is diagonally below the second transport path (2), is sandwiched by the transport rollers 22, and passes through the passage 23 to shift means 25, The paper is sandwiched between the shift rollers 24, is discharged by the discharge rollers 26, and is stacked on a lifting discharge tray 82 that can store a large amount of sheets.
[0037]
(3) Edge binding processing
The sheet S to be subjected to the edge binding process or the saddle stitching process is subjected to image formation processing in the image forming apparatus main body A, and is sent to the inlet portion 11 of the sheet post-processing apparatus B, where the inlet roller 12 and the first switching gate G1 are fed. Passes through the lower passage 17, is sandwiched between the transport rollers 18, and is transported to the third transport path (3).
[0038]
In the third conveyance path (3), the sheet S passes through the passage 31 below the switching gate G2, and is sandwiched and conveyed by the downstream conveyance roller 32. The sheet S is further nipped by the downstream conveying roller 34 and sent out. The sheet S is discharged into the space above the intermediate stacker 35 disposed at an inclination of the first stacking unit 30 and stacked on the intermediate stacker 35 or the intermediate stacker 35. After touching the upper surface of S and sliding up, after the trailing edge of the paper S in the traveling direction is discharged from the transport roller 34, the paper S turns down due to its own weight and slides down on the inclined surface of the intermediate stacker 35. Then, the leading end of the sheet S in the advancing direction comes into contact with the sheet abutting surface of the end binding movable stopper member (hereinafter referred to as an end binding stopper) 51 in the vicinity of the binding means 50 and stops.
[0039]
Reference numeral 36 denotes a pair of upstream side width aligning means movably provided on both side surfaces of the intermediate stacker 35. The upstream side width aligning means 36 is movable in a direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction. When the paper S is discharged onto the intermediate stacker 35, it is opened wider than the paper width and transported on the intermediate stacker 35. When the sheet is stopped by abutting against the edge binding stopper 51, the side edge of the sheet S in the width direction is tapped to perform sheet bundle width alignment (width alignment).
[0040]
When a predetermined number of sheets S are stacked and aligned on the intermediate stacker 35 at this stop position, the binding means 50 performs a binding process, and the sheet bundle is bound.
[0041]
A plurality of discharge belts 38 wound around a drive pulley 37A and a driven pulley 37B are rotatably disposed on a part of the sheet stacking surface of the intermediate stacker 35. The bound sheet bundle is held on the discharge belt 38 by the discharge claw 38a of the discharge belt 38 and placed on the discharge belt 38. The sheet bundle slides on the placement surface of the intermediate stacker 35 and moves obliquely upward. It is pushed up and proceeds to the nip position of the discharge roller 26. The sheet bundle sandwiched between the rotating discharge rollers 26 is discharged and stacked on the lifting / lowering tray 82.
[0042]
(4) Cover sheet feeding
The cover sheet feeding unit 40 includes a cover sheet placement unit 41 and a cover sheet feeding unit 42.
[0043]
One cover sheet K fed from the cover sheet feeding means 40 passes through the passage 43, which is the fourth transport path (4), passes through the other nip position of the transport roller 14, passes through the path 19, and the transport roller. After passing through 18, it reaches the intermediate stacker 35 via the conveyance roller 32, the passage 33, and the conveyance roller 34 in the third conveyance path (3).
[0044]
(5) Saddle stitching process
The binding means 50 has a two-part structure of an upper mechanism 50A and a lower mechanism 50B, and a passage 52 through which the paper S can pass is formed in the middle.
[0045]
Two sets of binding means 50 are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the paper conveyance direction, and can be moved in a direction orthogonal to the paper conveyance direction by a driving means (not shown). By this binding means 50, binding needles are put at two central sorting positions in the paper width direction.
[0046]
When the saddle stitching mode is set and the size (length in the conveying direction) of the cover sheet K and the sheet S is set or detected, a saddle stitching movable stopper member (hereinafter referred to as a saddle stitching stopper) which is a sheet leading edge adjusting means. ) 53 moves to a predetermined position and stops. In conjunction with the activation of the saddle stitching stopper 53, the end stitching stopper 51 is retracted and the passage 52 is opened.
[0047]
After the cover sheet K is placed at a predetermined position on the intermediate stacker 35, the sheet S carried out from the image forming apparatus main body A passes through the third conveyance path (3) from the inlet conveyance section 10 of the sheet post-processing apparatus B. Then, the sheets are sequentially stacked on the upper surface of the cover sheet K placed on the intermediate stacker 35, and the end portion of the sheet S is brought into contact with the saddle stitching stopper 53 and positioned. Reference numeral 56 denotes a downstream side width aligning unit that regulates the width direction of the sheet S during saddle stitching processing. Like the upstream side width aligning unit 36, each time a sheet S is carried in, the width direction side of the sheet S is shown. Width alignment is performed by hitting the edge.
[0048]
Further, at the time of saddle stitching processing, the upstream side width aligning means 36 is estimated when the sheet S hits the saddle stitch stopper 53 with respect to the paper S that is transported on the intermediate stacker 35 and proceeds upstream of the binding means 50. And the downstream side width aligning means 56 are simultaneously operated to perform sheet width alignment and align sheets.
[0049]
In this way, the sheet S and the cover sheet K that travel on the intermediate stacker 35 and extend over the upstream side and the downstream side with the binding unit 50 as the center are stacked on the upstream side width aligning unit 36 and the downstream side. The width aligning unit 56 accurately performs the width alignment over the entire length of the sheet S.
[0050]
After the final sheet S is positioned and placed on the intermediate stacker 35, the saddle stitching process is performed by the binding means 50 on the sheet bundle composed of the cover sheet K and all the pages of the sheet S. By the saddle stitching process, the binding needle is driven into the center portion in the transport direction of the cover sheet K and the sheet S. The binding needle SP is driven from the lower mechanism 50B having the binding needle driving drive side toward the upper mechanism 50A having the binding needle clinching side.
[0051]
(6) Folding process
After the saddle stitching process, the saddle stitch stopper 53 is retracted upward, and the passage downstream of the passage 52, which is the fifth transport path (5), is opened. The sheet bundle composed of the cover sheet K and the sheet S subjected to the saddle stitching process is conveyed by being guided to the guide plate 63 by the conveyance belt 62 obliquely below through the curved path and the intermediate conveyance roller 61, and further the second stacking. The front end of the sheet bundle in the transport direction comes into contact with the folding portion movable stopper means 65, which is a paper front end adjustment means, and is stopped at a predetermined position. The folding portion movable stopper means 65 can be moved to a predetermined position by setting or detecting the paper size and driving means.
[0052]
The folding means 60 includes a sheet ejecting means 66, a folding roller 67, a conveying belt 68, a pressure roller 69, and the like.
[0053]
Due to the center folding start signal, the ejecting plate 66A of the sheet ejecting means 66 advances obliquely upward, and the leading end of the ejecting plate 66A pushes up the central portion of the sheet bundle composed of the cover K and the sheet S and passes through the sheet bundle. The nip portion of the folding roller 67 is pushed and swung and separated.
[0054]
After the leading end of the ejecting plate 66A passes through the nip portion, the ejecting plate 66A moves backward, and the central portion of the sheet bundle is pressed by the folding roller 67 to form a crease portion. This fold line coincides with the position where the binding needle is driven into the sheet bundle by the saddle stitching process. This saddle stitching and center folding process can process a maximum of 64 pages (16 sheets) of paper.
[0055]
The central portion of the sheet bundle formed with a fold portion by being pinched by the pair of rotating folding rollers 67 is sandwiched and transported by the pair of transport belts 68, and is a pair of pressurizations serving as a sixth transport path (6). The sheet is fed to the nip position of the roller 69, and the crease is further firmly attached at this position, and then discharged.
[0056]
FIG. 3A is a plan view of the sheet showing the saddle stitching process in which the binding needle SP is struck at two centrally distributed locations along the fold portion a in which the sheet S is folded, and FIG. FIG. 3C is a perspective view showing a state in which the post-processed booklet SA is double-opened, and FIG. 3D is a post-process for saddle stitching and middle folding. It is sectional drawing of booklet SA. In these figures, b is the edge of the side edge of the paper S, and c is a cutting line for aligning the edges.
[0057]
The booklet SA produced by the saddle stitching process and the half-folding process has the first side (p1, p8) of the cover K facing outward, the second side (p2, p7) on the back side, and the contents on the inner side. A first surface (p3, p6) of a certain sheet S and a second surface (p4, p5) of the sheet S are arranged on the inside thereof, and the page alignment of the booklet SA consisting of eight pages (p1 to p8) is arranged as shown. it can.
[0058]
When the booklet creation auto mode is selected and set in the operation unit of the image forming apparatus main body A, the cover K is loaded on the cover placing unit 41, and printing is started, the control unit of the image forming apparatus main body A performs the above-described operation. The image process is executed, and the sheet S carrying the image is subjected to the saddle stitching process and the center folding process by the sheet post-processing apparatus B, and the booklet SA is continuously produced and discharged.
[0059]
In the operation section of the sheet post-processing apparatus B, the booklet production manual mode is selected and set, and the cover sheet K and an image-formed sheet S on the cover sheet stacking section 41 are stacked and sent out. When the operation is started, the control unit of the sheet post-processing apparatus B performs the saddle stitching process and the half-folding process on the cover sheet K and the sheet S by the sheet post-processing apparatus B to produce one booklet SA. Discharged.
[0060]
FIG. 4 is an overall configuration diagram of the sheet cutting apparatus C. The sheet cutting apparatus C includes a first transport unit (paper transport unit before cutting process) 100, a second transport unit (paper transport unit 200 after cutting process, a cutting unit 300, and a booklet storage unit 400).
[0061]
The booklet SA that has been folded in half by the folding means 60 of the sheet post-processing apparatus B is discharged onto the conveyance belt 101 disposed at the entrance of the sheet cutting apparatus C. The conveyor belt 101 is rotatably supported by the support member 102 and is rotated by the driving roller 103.
[0062]
On the downstream side of the conveyance belt 101 in the sheet conveyance direction, a lower conveyance belt 111 wound around a driving roller 112 and a driven roller 113 is rotatably arranged. Above the lower conveyor belt 111, the upper conveyor belt 114 is in pressure contact and is driven to rotate. The upper conveyor belt 114 around which the rollers 115 and 116 are wound is supported by the support member 117 so as to be rotatable. The support member 117 is biased by a spring 118 and presses the upper conveyor belt 114 against the lower conveyor belt 111. The booklet SA conveyed by the conveyance belt 101 is conveyed by being pressed and sandwiched between the lower conveyance belt 111 and the upper conveyance belt 114.
[0063]
On the downstream side of the lower conveyance belt 111 in the sheet conveyance direction, a driving roller 121 connected to the driving unit and a driven roller 122 that rotates while being pressed against the driving roller 121 are arranged. The booklet SA sandwiched and transported between the lower transport belt 111 and the upper transport belt 114 passes through the guide plate 123 and is transported while being sandwiched between the driving roller 121 and the driven roller 122.
[0064]
On the downstream side of the driving roller 121 in the sheet conveying direction, a cutting upper blade 301, a cutting lower blade 302, a movable plate 310, a pressing roller 311, a waste box 320, and a cutting unit 300 including a driving unit are arranged. Details of the cutting means 300 will be described later.
[0065]
The booklet SA finished by cutting the fore edge b by the cutting means 300 is, in the second conveying means 200, the lower conveying belt 201 that rotates, the upper conveying belt 206 that rotates following, and the upper roller that rotates by driving. It is nipped by 205 and conveyed.
[0066]
The lower conveying belt 201 is rotated by a driving roller 202 connected to driving means. Reference numeral 203 denotes a driven roller that is driven to rotate by the lower conveyance belt 201. A booklet support plate (third stacking unit) 204 is fixedly provided inside the lower conveyance belt 201 and in the vicinity of the booklet conveyance path.
[0067]
The upper transport belt 206 is rotatable by winding rollers 207 and 208 and is supported by a support member 209. The support member 209 is biased by a spring and presses the upper conveyance belt 206 against the booklet support plate 204 via the lower conveyance belt 201. The booklet SA subjected to the cutting process passes through the gap between the lower conveying belt 201 and the upper roller 205 of the second conveying means 200, and is further conveyed while being pressed and sandwiched between the lower conveying belt 201 and the upper conveying belt 206.
[0068]
The booklet SA transported in the horizontal direction by the lower transport belt 201 is guided by a rotating large-diameter roller 211 and a guide plate 212 fixedly arranged, and is transported up by being deflected by about 90 ° vertically upward. The booklet SA is further sandwiched between the large-diameter roller 211 and the pinch roller 213, and is discharged through the booklet discharge port 214. The booklet storage means with the fold portion a of the booklet SA up and the small mouth b down. It is placed on the 400 booklet stacking table 401.
[0069]
The booklet storage unit 400 includes a booklet stacking table 401, a movable wall member (pusher) 410, a partition member (holder) 420, a pressing wall member 430, and a driving unit.
[0070]
The booklet stacking table 401 sequentially receives a plurality of booklets SA that have been subjected to the cutting process from the booklet discharge port 214 and stacks the sheet surfaces with the fold portion a of the booklet SA facing up. The movable wall member 410 is supported upright on the booklet stacking table 401 so as to be horizontally movable. The movable wall member 410 presses the sheet surface of the booklet SA stacked on the booklet stacking table 401, and the booklet loading table 401 and the booklet discharge port 214. Reciprocates horizontally between the two.
[0071]
The movable wall member 410 receives the booklet SA loaded on the booklet stacking table 401 at a stop position that is usually advanced from the booklet discharge port 214, and each time the cut booklet SA is carried into the booklet loading table 401, The booklet discharge port 214 is retracted to a position where the booklet discharge port 214 is opened. After the booklet SA has passed through the booklet discharge port 214, the booklet SA returns to the stop position and waits while pressing the sheet surface of the booklet SA.
[0072]
When the partition member 420 is movable in the vertical direction orthogonal to the booklet stacking table 401 and the movable wall member 410 receives the next booklet SA, when the withdrawal starts so that the booklet discharge port 214 is opened, The partition member 420 receives the sheet surface of the stacked booklet SA instead of the movable wall member 410, and the partition member is moved in accordance with the operation in which the movable wall member 410 advances to the stop position while pressing the sheet surface of the next booklet SA. 420 starts to descend along the rear end portion of the booklet stacking table 401 to be retracted, and the next booklet SA can be received on the booklet stacking table 401. As the movable wall member 410 completes moving to the stop position, the partition member 420 starts to rise.
[0073]
The pressing wall member 430 is supported so as to be able to move upright on the booklet stacking table 401 and is biased by a spring. The booklet contact surface of the pressing wall member 430 faces the movable wall member 410 or the partition member 420 and presses and holds the sheet surface of the booklet SA loaded on the booklet stacking table 401.
[0074]
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the lower conveying belt 201 of the second conveying means 200 and the driving means for the cutting portion movable stopper 221.
[0075]
The motor M1 moves the cutting portion movable stopper 221 to a predetermined position corresponding to the paper size via the gears g1 and g2 and the belt TB. The stopper releasing motor M2 drives and rotates the cam 222 via the gears g3 and g4, and raises and lowers the cutting portion movable stopper 221. The cutting section movable stopper 221 is held in an initial standing state when the leading end of the booklet SA is abutted, and is brought down by driving the motor M2 when the booklet SA is discharged.
[0076]
Since the amount of protrusion of the fore edge before booklet cutting differs depending on the thickness of the booklet SA, that is, the thickness of one sheet and the number of sheets, the setting position of the cutting portion movable stopper 221 is set to these numerical values, or The control means selects the optimum value by detecting the thickness of the booklet.
[0077]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating control of the image forming apparatus main body A, the sheet post-processing apparatus B, and the sheet cutting apparatus C.
[0078]
The main control unit 9 controls the driving of the paper feeding unit 5B, the conveyance unit 5C, the reconveying unit 8, and the image forming unit 4 that constitute the image forming apparatus main body A.
[0079]
The main control unit 9 of the image forming apparatus main body A includes a communication unit 9A, a mode input unit 9B, a mode display unit 9C, a mode storage unit 9D, a paper size detection unit 9F, a paper size data storage unit 9G, a count unit 9L, and saddle stitching. The position correction data input means 9H, the half-fold position correction data input means 9J, the cutting position correction data input means 9K, the display means 9M, the calculation means 9N, the test chart storage means 9P described later, and the like.
[0080]
The main control means 9 includes a paper presence / absence detection means 9E for detecting the presence / absence of the paper S in the paper storage means such as a cassette paper feed section, a large capacity paper feed section, and a manual paper feed section, and a paper size detection means 9F. The detection signal is input.
[0081]
The communication means 9A of the main control means 9 of the image forming apparatus main body A and the communication means 91 of the post-processing control means 90 of the paper post-processing apparatus B are electrically connected to exchange control signals.
[0082]
The post-processing control unit 90 includes a communication unit 91, a sheet size detection unit 92, a sheet size data storage unit 93, a count unit 94, a calculation unit 95, and the like.
[0083]
The post-processing control unit 90 includes a first stacking unit 30 that performs edge binding or saddle stitching on the sheet S conveyed into the sheet post-processing apparatus B, and a second stacking unit that performs folding processing on the sheet S subjected to saddle stitching processing. 64, and the driving of the third stacking unit 204 that transports, presses, and cuts the booklet SA in the paper cutting apparatus C is controlled.
[0084]
FIG. 7 is a basic screen of the operation panel of the image forming apparatus main body A. When a paper size, a set number of sheets, and the like are set on the operation panel and an output mode is set, a paper post-processing mode shown in FIG. 8 is entered.
[0085]
FIG. 8 is a screen of the operation panel set to the paper post-processing mode. In this screen, when saddle stitching, center folding, and trimming are selected and set with the OK key, the finisher adjustment menu screen shown in FIG. 9 is displayed.
[0086]
When the cutting stopper position adjustment is set among the saddle stitching stopper position adjustment, the middle folding stopper position adjustment, and the cutting stopper position adjustment, the cutting stopper position adjustment screen shown in FIG. 10 is displayed. On this screen, the position adjustment allowance is entered using the numeric keys and determined using the setting keys. The input position adjustment fee is displayed at the top of the screen.
[0087]
FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an example of the test chart T stored as image data in the test chart storage means (storage means) 9P of the main control means 9 of the image forming apparatus main body A.
[0088]
On the test chart T, a reference fold line m at the center position in the paper conveyance direction and scale lines n1, n2 formed at equal intervals in the vicinity of the reference fold line m are recorded. The scale line n1 is two parallel lines formed at equal intervals of 1 mm in the + (plus) direction. The scale line n2 is two parallel lines formed at equal intervals of 1 mm in the-(minus) direction. Therefore, in the vicinity of the center portion of the test chart T, the central reference fold line m and the four scale lines n1 and n2 are recorded in parallel.
[0089]
Edge scale lines k1 and k2 for cutting position adjustment are recorded in the vicinity of both side end positions in the sheet conveyance direction of the test chart T. The end scale line k1 is two parallel lines formed at equal intervals of 1 mm. The end scale line k2 is also two parallel lines formed at equal intervals of 1 mm. The number of end scale lines k1 and k2 is not limited to the four shown in the figure, and may be set to six or more. Further, the interval between the end scale lines k1 and k2 is not limited to an equal interval of 1 mm.
[0090]
The operation procedure of the present invention for adjusting the middle folding mode using the test chart T will be described below.
[0091]
(1) The adjustment mode is selected on the operation panel, and the adjustment by the storage unit 9P is started from the main control unit 9 of the image forming apparatus main body A.
[0092]
(2) The image forming apparatus main body A performs sample printing of the test chart T in the test print mode.
[0093]
(3) Subsequently, the sheet post-processing apparatus B performs a half-folding process on the test sheet St on which the sample is printed.
[0094]
(4) FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the test sheet St that has been subjected to the folding process. It is confirmed from the test paper St whether the deviation of the crease part (middle fold position) a of the test paper St subjected to the middle folding with respect to the reference fold line m formed by the test chart T is + direction or-direction. To do. Further, the shift amount of the crease part a is visually determined from the scale lines n1 and n2.
[0095]
(5) If the crease part a by the middle folding process does not match the reference fold line m, the amount of deviation is confirmed by the scale lines n1, n2, and the adjustment mode (1) is selected again, and the adjustment value Enter. For example, in the case of the test sheet St that has been subjected to the middle folding process as shown in FIG. 12, the crease part a does not match the reference fold line m and advances by 2 mm in the + direction, so an adjustment of −2 mm is set. . With this setting, adjustment of the paper stop position for the half-folding process is completed in one time.
[0096]
The adjustment of the saddle stitching position in the saddle stitching process can also be easily adjusted by confirming the stapling position of the binding needle SP with respect to the reference fold line m formed by the test chart T.
[0097]
The adjustment of the fore cutting position in the cutting process can also be easily performed by checking the position on the cutting line c with respect to the end scale lines k1 and k2 formed by the test chart T.
[0098]
The sheet post-processing apparatus B including the sheet cutting apparatus C of the present invention is connected to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a multifunction machine of these. Desired digital processing is performed by the image forming apparatus, and after processing such as single-sided recording, double-sided recording, and page editing, the discharged paper is accurately subjected to saddle stitching processing, half-folding processing, and cutting processing to be bound. Is done.
[0099]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the following effects can be achieved by the image forming apparatus provided with the sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention.
[0100]
(1) An image forming apparatus provided with the sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention is provided with a test chart in which a reference fold line and a scale line at the center of the sheet are recorded in a readable manner in a storage unit of the image forming apparatus main body. By Adjusting the folding position in the folding process Can be implemented easily and accurately. In other words, even a user who is unfamiliar with the adjustment can accurately perform it with the minimum processing time without repeating the adjustment failure. In addition, since the test chart is stored in the image forming apparatus as image data, without carrying a dedicated test chart, Adjusting the folding position in the folding process Can be implemented promptly (claims 1 to 3).
[0101]
(2) An image forming apparatus provided with a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a test chart in which end scale lines are recorded in the vicinity of both end positions of a sheet so as to be readable to a storage unit of the image forming apparatus main body. By Easy and accurate adjustment of cutting position Is possible. In addition, since the test chart is stored in the image forming apparatus as image data, without carrying a dedicated test chart, Easy and accurate adjustment of cutting position It is possible (Claims 4 and 5).
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus main body, a sheet post-processing apparatus, and a sheet cutting apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a sheet conveyance path of a sheet post-processing apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a sheet that has undergone saddle stitching processing, a perspective view of a booklet that has undergone post-processing of saddle stitching and center folding, a perspective view that shows a state in which the booklet is double-opened, and a cross-sectional view of the booklet.
FIG. 4 is an overall configuration diagram of a sheet cutting apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing driving means for second conveying means and a cutting section movable stopper.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating control of the image forming apparatus, the post-processing apparatus, and the sheet cutting apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a basic screen of an operation panel of the image forming apparatus main body.
FIG. 8 is a screen of an operation panel set in a paper post-processing mode.
FIG. 9 shows a finisher adjustment menu screen.
FIG. 10 is a cutting stopper position adjustment screen.
FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an example of a test chart stored in a storage unit of a main control unit of the image forming apparatus main body.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a test sheet that has been subjected to half-fold processing.
[Explanation of symbols]
9 Main control means
9H Saddle stitching position correction data input means
9J Middle folding position correction data input means
9K cutting position correction data input means
9P test chart storage means (storage means)
30 First loading section
50 Binding means
53 Moveable stopper member for saddle stitching (saddle stitching stopper)
60 folding means
64 Second loading section (stack base)
65 Folding part movable stopper means (Folding part stopper)
90 Post-processing control means
100 1st conveyance means
200 Second conveying means
204 Booklet support plate (third loading section)
221 Cutting section movable stopper (stop position adjusting means)
300 Cutting means
400 Booklet storage means
A Image forming device body
B Paper post-processing device
C Paper cutting device
S paper
SA booklet
St test paper
T test chart
a Folding part
b
c Cutting line
m Reference fold line
n1, n2 scale line
k1, k2 end scale line

Claims (5)

An image provided with a sheet post-processing device having a saddle stitching unit that binds the central portion in the sheet conveyance direction of the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus main body, and a middle folding unit that performs a folding process on the central portion in the sheet conveyance direction of the sheet. In the forming device ,
A storage means for storing a pre-Symbol test chart recorded the reference folding line of the center position of the sheet conveyance direction, and a stop position adjusting means enabling adjusting the stopping position of the saddle stapling treated paper,
The sheet post-processing, wherein the test chart stored in the storage unit is printed by the image forming apparatus main body, and the printed sheet stopped at the stop position is subjected to a folding process by the folding unit. An image forming apparatus including the apparatus.   2. The paper post-processing according to claim 1, wherein the test chart includes a reference fold line formed at a center position in a paper conveyance direction and scale lines formed at equal intervals in the vicinity of the reference fold line. An image forming apparatus including the apparatus.   The adjustment unit that enables adjustment of the center folding position is a tip part stopper that can be moved and adjusted to position the sheet by abutting and stopping the leading end part in the advancing direction of the sheet. Image forming apparatus provided with a sheet post-processing apparatus. In an image forming apparatus provided with a paper post-processing device that finishes a booklet by cutting a small edge of a booklet produced by performing saddle stitching processing and half-folding processing on a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus main body,
Have a storage means for storing the adjustment means for the adjustable edge cutting position, a test chart recorded the end scale lines for cutting position adjustment in the vicinity of both ends position of the paper feed direction by the cutting means And
A paper post-processing device is provided, wherein the test chart stored in the storage unit is printed by the image forming apparatus main body, and a fore edge of the printed paper positioned by the adjusting unit is cut . Image forming apparatus.   The adjusting means for adjusting the trimming position is a movable and adjustable front end stopper for positioning the paper by contacting and stopping the front end of the half-folded paper in the advancing direction. Item 5. An image forming apparatus comprising the sheet post-processing device according to Item 4.

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