JP3885410B2 - Image forming system, post-processing method, and post-processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming system capable of performing a series of processes until an image recording sheet created by an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine is bound into a booklet, a post-processing method, and a post-processing apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recently, there is often a demand for binding processing in which an image recording sheet created by an image forming apparatus such as a copier is bound in a booklet form as a conference material or a distribution material. Processing devices have emerged. As a post-processing apparatus of this image forming system, a binding unit using staple needles is generally employed. However, it has long been known as a bookbinding technique represented by JP-A-7-68968.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since there is only one type of binding means using staples as the binding process in the post-processing apparatus of the image forming system, the usability is poor. That is, a relatively large staple is used to enable a binding process to a bundle of tens of sheets, but the same applies to the binding process of two or three sheets. The staple needle portion becomes abnormally thick, and when stacked, the staple needle portion becomes thick and bulky, making stacking difficult, and when filing, the staple needle portion is bulky, so the number of files that can be filed is There was a problem of a significant decrease.
[0004]
Even if it is possible to bind a large number of sheet bundles, the staple needle can only bind about 50 sheet bundles at the maximum, and the number of sheets that can be bound is limited. Therefore, in order to increase the number of sheets that can be bound, it is preferable to apply a binding process (for example, bookbinding technology) by gluing instead of the binding process by the staple needle. Even if satisfied with the binding process by gluing, it was difficult to achieve gluing when separating one sheet at a time.
[0005]
In view of the above problems, and its object is to provide an image forming system that can be selected freely depending on the conditions of the binding processing that can reflect the user's preference and the thickness of the processed sheets sheet bundle of sheets.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 includes an image forming apparatus, a post-processing apparatus that performs a binding process on a sheet bundle discharged from the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus and the post-processing apparatus. Oite from the control means for controlling the composed image forming system, the post-processing apparatus, a plurality of stapling means for performing binding processing on the sheet bundle is provided, the operation display unit in the image forming apparatus or the post-processing apparatus provided, provided selection means for selecting at least one from among the plurality of binding means to the operation display unit, wherein the plurality of binding means is an adhesive applying means, half blanking binding unit, a stapling unit, the temporary a binding means, said control means, since it is an image forming system, wherein the controller controls to perform post-processing on the sheet bundle by binding means selected by said selecting means, optimum binding means Here the user preferences configured as directly reflect the selection, after the "adhesive application means" go stitched superimposed sequentially by coating one by one glue linearly along the edge of the sheet Processing, “half-punch binding means” means half-punch of a sheet bundle and starts up, and half-punch and post-processing is performed by friction between the rising piece and a punching hole. “Staple binding means” is driven into the sheet bundle. The post-processing for bending and binding the both ends of the staple needle in a loop shape, and “temporary binding means” means the post-processing for bending and binding the both ends of the staple needle driven into the sheet bundle in the reverse direction.
[0007]
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the control means selects at least one of the plurality of binding means according to a predetermined number of sheet bundles. Since it is a forming system, the optimum binding means is selected depending on the number of sheets to be processed, and the binding process is performed accordingly.
[0008]
The invention according to claim 3 is the image forming system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of binding means is selected according to the type of sheets of the sheet bundle. Therefore, the optimum binding means is selected according to the sheet type of the sheet bundle, and the binding process is performed according to the selected binding means.
[0009]
Furthermore, the invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the control means selects at least one of the plurality of binding means according to the thickness of the sheet bundle. Since this is an image forming system, the optimum binding means is selected according to the thickness of the sheet bundle, and the binding process is performed accordingly.
[0010]
Furthermore, the invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that when the sheet binding process is performed by the adhesive application unit, the application of the release agent by the release agent application unit is used in combination. Since it is an image forming system, it is configured so that it can be easily separated one by one even when a binding process using gluing is employed to increase the number of sheets that can be bound .
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The post-processing apparatus 1 of the present application includes a receiving port 5 for receiving a sheet 4 created by an image forming apparatus 2 such as a copying machine and ejected from the paper ejection unit 3.
[0015]
The sheet 4 that has entered the receiving port 5 of the post-processing apparatus 1 is conveyed to the intermediate stacker 7 by the sheet feeding unit 6, and a predetermined portion of the sheet 4 (the end of the sheet in FIG. 2) is conveyed on the conveyance path 8. Adhesive applying means 9 for applying the adhesive S is provided on the portions 4a and 4a (parts surrounded by rectangular lines drawn at two locations).
[0016]
Further, a release agent applying means 10 for applying a release agent H is provided in the vicinity of the upstream side or the downstream side of the adhesive application means 9 on the transport path 8. This release agent application means 10 is one in which the release agent H is applied to the application locations 4a and 4a of the adhesive S by the adhesive application means 9 as shown in FIG. This is to make it easier to separate the sheets one by one later.
[0017]
When the release agent application means 10 is provided on the upstream side of the adhesive application means 9, a place 4 a to which the adhesive S is to be applied is defined in advance by the adhesive application means 9, and the defined place 4 a Prior to the application of the adhesive S, the release agent H can be applied. On the other hand, when the release agent application means 10 is provided on the downstream side of the adhesive application means 9, it is possible to apply the release agent H so as to overlap the application portion of the adhesive S.
[0018]
For example, in the case of FIG. 3, the application area of the adhesive S and the release agent H is wider than the application area of the adhesive S (broken line). On the other hand, in the case of FIG. 4, the application area (solid line) of the release agent H is narrower than the application area (broken line) of the adhesive S, but both areas may be the same, or FIGS. ), The application area of the adhesive S (upward oblique lines) and the application area of the release agent H (lower right oblique lines) may be striped.
[0019]
Further, in the case of FIG. 6, the adhesive S is applied to the lower surface of the sheet 4, and the release agent H is applied to the surface of the sheet 4 facing the application area of the adhesive S. In this case as well, it is a matter of course that the action of reducing the adhesive strength of the adhesive with the release agent and facilitating separation of the sheets one after another can be obtained.
[0020]
The intermediate stacker 7 is installed in a front-falling inclination, and a sheet stopper 7a is provided on the lower end side of the inclination. In the vicinity of the sheet stopper 7a, half-cut binding means 11, staple binding means 12, and temporary binding means 13 are provided.
[0021]
Further, in the middle of the inclination of the intermediate stacker 7, a lateral width regulating plate 7b of the seat 4 is provided. The lateral width regulating plate 7b and the sheet stopper 7a constitute an alignment means for positioning the sheet 4 on the intermediate stacker 7.
[0022]
The half-punching binding means 11 includes, for example, a punching means 11A that half-punches a portion indicated by an arrow shape in FIG. 7A at a predetermined position of a bundle of sheets 4 stacked on the intermediate stacker 7. The extrusion mechanism 11B which raises the part punched with the punch mechanism 11A as shown in FIG.7 (b) is provided. That is, after punching the sheet bundle with the punching means 11A and leaving the other side 11b leaving the arrow-shaped base end side 11a, the half-raising rising piece 11c is formed by the pushing mechanism 11B. A large amount of friction is generated in the punching hole 11d to integrate the bundle of sheets 4, which is suitable as a binding means depending on the thickness of the sheet bundle.
[0023]
The staple binding means 12 includes a driving mechanism 12A for driving the staple needle 12a into a predetermined portion of the bundle of sheets 4 stacked on the intermediate stacker 7, and both ends 12b of the staple needle 12a driven by the driving mechanism 12A. , 12b and a bending mechanism 12B that bends in the opposite direction. As shown in FIG. 8, the staple 12 a driven by the binding unit 12 grips the sheet bundle in a loop state, and the binding unit is firm. Therefore, depending on the number of sheets 4, the staple needle 12 a is suitable as the binding unit.
[0024]
The temporary binding means 13 includes a driving mechanism 13A for driving the staple needle 12a into a predetermined portion of the bundle of sheets 4 stacked on the intermediate stacker 7, and both ends 12b of the staple needle 12a driven by the driving mechanism 13A. , 12b and an open leg mechanism 13B that bends in the contralateral direction. As shown in FIG. 9, the staple needle 12a driven by the temporary binding means 13 grips the sheet bundle in the opened state, and therefore has a weak binding force unlike the case of gripping the sheet bundle in the loop state. However, this binding means is particularly effective when the number of sheet bundles is small, the sheets are bound at the time of distribution, and it is necessary to separate the sheets one by one as soon as the conference starts.
[0025]
The post-processing apparatus 1 includes a plurality of binding means for performing a binding process on a sheet bundle, for example, the adhesive application means 9 (including a combination of the release agent application means 10), half-punching binding means 11, and staple binding means. 12 and provisional binding means 13 are provided, and control means 14 capable of selecting at least one of the plurality of binding means automatically or manually is provided. The binding means selected by the control means 14 advances to the operating position on the intermediate stacker 7 and is turned on. On the other hand, the other binding means that have not been selected are retracted from the operating position and turned off, and wait until they are selected next.
[0026]
The control means 14 selects at least one of the plurality of binding means according to a predetermined number of sheet bundles (for example, less than 10 continuous copies, 10 to 100, or more than 100). Alternatively, at least one of the plurality of binding means may be selected in accordance with the type of sheets of the sheet bundle (for example, the presence / absence of waist and the basis weight). Further, at least one of the plurality of binding means may be selected according to the thickness of the sheet bundle (for example, less than 3 mm, less than 10 mm, more than 10 mm, etc.). Furthermore, it is also possible to select the key displayed on the operation display unit 15 provided in the image forming apparatus 2 or the post-processing apparatus 1 of the present application (displayed).
[0027]
In other words, as shown in FIG. 10, the control means 14 selects one displayed (lighted) by pressing one of the keys 15a to 15d of the operation display unit 15 provided on the operation panel manually operated by the user. Alternatively, it may be operated by a signal from the sheet detection sensor 16 that has received the continuous copy number output by the image forming apparatus 2 such as a copying machine or the thickness detection sensor 17 of the sheet bundle.
[0028]
The keys 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d of the operation display unit 15 are displayed with characters such as “recycle”, “normal”, “permanent storage”, and “temporarily fixed”, and these keys and the binding means are displayed as follows. It is preferable to create a table corresponding to the above and store it in the storage means 18.
1. “Recycle” → the half-punch binding means 2. “Normal key” → the stapling means 3. “Permanent storage key” → Adhesive application means “Temporary fixing key” → Temporary binding means [0029]
That is, when the “recycle” key 15a is turned on, the half-punch binding means 11 that uses neither adhesive nor staple is selected, and the “normal” key 15b selects the staple binding means 12 that is the most popular binding method. The “permanent storage” key 15c selects the adhesive application means 9 to be bound, and the “temporary fastening” key 15d selects the temporary binding means 13. This character display is easy for the user. Can be recognized.
[0030]
In the case where the control unit 14 automatically controls the number of sheets according to the number of sheets, the number of continuous copies created by the image forming apparatus 2 such as a copying machine may be used as a basis for selection. For example,
1. Continuous copy number 1 to 10 Thickness Normal Half-out stitching means 11
2. １０〜 10-100 〃 Normal Staple binding means 12
3. １００ 100-1000 普通 Normal Adhesive application means 9
4). 〃 1-15 薄 い Thin Half-punch binding means 11
It is like this.
[0031]
Thus, when the sheet detection sensor 16 senses the signal of the number of continuous copies created by the image forming apparatus 2 such as a copying machine, the control unit 14 activates at least one of the binding units 9 and 11 to 13. This is selected, this is turned on, and the other binding means is turned off.
[0032]
When the binding operation of the sheet bundle by the necessary binding means is completed, the control means 14 is an extrusion means 19 constituted by a belt stretched between two axes so as to be partially exposed on the lower surface of the intermediate stacker 7. The bound sheet bundle is pushed out against the inclination angle of the intermediate stacker 7 and is discharged onto the discharge tray 21 through the discharge portion 20 (see FIG. 1).
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the invention according to claim 1 controls the image forming apparatus, the post-processing apparatus that performs the binding process on the sheet bundle discharged from the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus and the post-processing apparatus. Oite the constructed image forming system from the control means, the post-processing apparatus, a plurality of stapling means for performing binding processing on the sheet bundle is provided, the operation display unit in the image forming apparatus or the post-processing device is provided, provided selection means for selecting at least one from among the plurality of binding means to the operation display unit, wherein the plurality of binding means is an adhesive applying means, half blanking binding unit, a stapling unit, the temporary binding means , and the said control means, since the binding means selected by said selecting means is an image forming system and controls to perform post-processing on the sheet bundle, the selection of the optimal binding means User preferences are those which exhibit an excellent effect that directly reflect.
[0034]
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the control means selects at least one of the plurality of binding means according to a predetermined number of sheet bundles. Since it is a forming system, the optimum binding means is selected depending on the number of sheets to be processed, and the excellent binding effect is achieved.
[0035]
The invention according to claim 3 is the image forming system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of binding means is selected according to the type of sheets of the sheet bundle. Therefore, an excellent effect is achieved in that the optimum binding means is selected according to the sheet type of the sheet bundle, and the binding process is performed accordingly.
[0036]
Furthermore, the invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the control means selects at least one of the plurality of binding means according to the thickness of the sheet bundle. Since it is an image forming system, the optimum binding means is selected depending on the thickness of the sheet bundle, and an excellent effect is achieved in that the binding process is performed.
[0037]
Furthermore, the invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that when the sheet binding process is performed by the adhesive application unit, the application of the release agent by the release agent application unit is used in combination. Since it is an image forming system, even when a binding process using gluing is employed to increase the number of sheets that can be bound, it is possible to easily separate the sheets one after another .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the structure of the device of the present application.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an adhesive application portion on a sheet by an adhesive application means.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view when the release agent application area is made larger than the adhesive application area.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view when the release agent application area is smaller than the adhesive application area.
5A and 5B are plan views showing a state where an adhesive application area and a release agent application area are separately applied. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a laminated state of sheets spelled through an adhesive and a release agent.
FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views showing a sheet bundle bound by the half-punch binding means. FIGS.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a sheet bundle bound by a staple binding unit.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a sheet bundle bound by temporary binding means binding.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a control system of the device of the present application.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Application apparatus 2 Image recording device 3 Paper discharge part 4 Sheet 4a Binding margin (adhesive application part)
5 Receptacle 6 Feeder 7 Intermediate Stacker 7a Sheet Stopper 7b Width Restricting Plate 8 Conveying Path 9 Adhesive Applying Means 10 Release Agent Applying Means 11 Half-Punching Binding Means 11a Base Edge 11b Other Side 11c Half-Punch Rising Piece 11d 11A Punching mechanism 11B Pushing mechanism 12 Staple binding means 12a Staple needle 12A Driving mechanism 12B Bending mechanism 13 Temporary binding means 13A Driving mechanism 13B Opening mechanism 14 Control means 15 Operation display section 15a Recycle key 15b Normal key 15c Permanent storage Key 15d Temporary fixing key 16 Sheet detection sensor 17 Thickness detection sensor 18 Storage means 19 Extrusion means 20 Discharge portion 21 Discharge tray S Adhesive H Release agent

Claims (5)

And an image forming apparatus, a post-processing apparatus which performs binding processing on the sheet bundle discharged from the image forming apparatus, Oite the constructed image forming system from the control means for controlling said image forming apparatus and the post-processing device, The post-processing apparatus is provided with a plurality of binding means for performing a binding process on a sheet bundle, the image forming apparatus or the post-processing apparatus is provided with an operation display unit, and the operation display unit includes at least one of the plurality of binding means. Provide a selection means to select one ,
The plurality of binding means are adhesive application means, half-cut binding means, staple binding means, and temporary binding means,
It said control means, the image forming system, wherein the controller controls to perform post-processing on the sheet bundle by binding means selected by said selection means. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit selects at least one of the plurality of binding units according to a predetermined number of sheet bundles . The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of binding units is selected according to a sheet type of the sheet bundle . The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit selects at least one of the plurality of binding units according to the thickness of the sheet bundle . 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein when the sheet binding process is performed by the adhesive application unit, the application of the release agent by the release agent application unit is used in combination .

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