JP4118133B2 - Paper processing apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is provided integrally or separately in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a printing machine, and performs predetermined processing, such as sorting, stacking, binding, and saddle stitching, on an image-formed sheet (recording medium). The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus that performs bookbinding and discharges paper, and an image forming system including the sheet processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, in image forming apparatuses such as copying, faxing, and printers, there has been an increasing demand for post-processing on documents output from them, and in stapling processing, in addition to end binding that binds a predetermined number of sheets along one edge. Thus, there is an increasing demand for saddle stitching at a plurality of locations (generally, two locations) at predetermined intervals along a center line that bisects the paper. In addition, conventionally, functions such as saddle stitching and folding in relatively high-speed machines have been required for low-speed machines, and there is an increasing need to provide them at a lower price and space saving.
[0003]
Therefore, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-250909, as means for carrying out end face binding and saddle stitching, conveyance rollers that can be pressed and separated are provided before and after the stapler, and the conveyance rollers are pressed and separated, and the separation operation and conveyance are performed. An invention is disclosed in which the sheet bundle is transported to the staple position by combining.
[0004]
Similarly, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-72328, conveyance rollers that can be pressed and separated in front and rear are provided before and after the stapler, and by combining the conveyance rollers with pressure and separation operations and conveyance, the bundle of sheets up to the staple position can be obtained. An invention is disclosed in which conveyance is performed, and further, a folding unit is provided on the downstream side to carry the sheet to the folding position.
[0005]
Further, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-193162, a stapling and folding means is provided by providing a leading end stopper for regulating the leading end of the sheet as a saddle stitching and folding positioning method, and moving the leading end stopper back and forth along the transport path. An invention is disclosed in which the saddle stitching and folding are performed by moving to the position.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-250909
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-193162
[Patent Document 3]
JP 2001-72328 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-250909, the conveyance is performed via the two conveyance rollers, and in order to ensure the conveyance quality (feeding accuracy and bundle misalignment accuracy) (conveying roller) It is difficult to ensure accuracy when switching between transports), the control (pressure contact / separation, transport timing) of the two transport rollers is complicated, and a sensor for detecting the edge of the paper must be provided near each transport roller. There are drawbacks such as complicated construction and operation.
[0010]
Further, in the invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-72328, the paper always passes through the conveyance roller before reaching the folding portion, and the possibility of wrinkles occurring in the binding portion due to squeezing by the conveyance roller. In addition, since the conveyance distance becomes long, the folding position accuracy tends to vary easily.
[0011]
Furthermore, in the invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-193162, the binding position and the folding position of the sheet bundle are always determined with reference to the leading end, and the positional relationship between the two varies depending on the curled state of the sheet and the bending. It is easy to occur and it cannot be denied that it is difficult to ensure accuracy. Thus, in order to ensure the accuracy, a sheet presser or the like for limiting the position of the sheet between the guide plates can be added, but there are drawbacks such as a complicated mechanism. Further, the leading end stopper has a drawback that the mechanism must secure a moving amount corresponding to the maximum size of the paper, and the machine becomes large (long in the transport direction).
[0012]
The present invention has been made in view of the actual situation of the prior arts, and the object thereof is to solve the problems of the prior arts and realize a saddle stitching function with compactness, low cost and high reliability. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming system that can perform the above processing.
[0013]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming system capable of realizing the saddle stitching function with high productivity.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the first means includes a stacking means for stacking sheets and a stacking means stacked in the stacking means in a sheet processing apparatus having processing means for performing predetermined processing on the sheets after image formation. The end of the sheet bundle in the conveyance direction downstream is brought into contact with the first sheet bundle regulating means to contact the sheet conveyance direction of the sheet bundle, and from the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction with respect to the sheet bundle, An alignment unit that aligns a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction, a first conveyance unit that conveys the sheet bundle aligned by the alignment unit to the second sheet bundle regulating unit side, and a binding process for the sheet bundle. The binding means to be performed, the moving means for moving the binding means in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet bundle, and the binding means are bound, and the downstream end of the conveyance is aligned by the second sheet bundle regulating means. Paper bundle And second conveying means for conveying to the folding position, and means folding folds the sheet bundle at the folding position, the first retracting means for retracting said first sheet bundle restricting means from the movement locus of said binding means, said Second retracting means for retracting the second sheet bundle regulating means out of the sheet bundle conveying path , wherein the second sheet bundle regulating means and the second conveying means convey the sheet bundle from the folding position. The conveyance path on the downstream side of the second sheet bundle regulating means is curved at the downstream side in the direction, and the sheet can be guided into the curved conveyance path at the time of middle folding. 0015
In the first means, the binding means moves in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the sheet bundle. However, if the first sheet bundle regulating means is in the movement locus, it interferes (collises) when moving, and the first means The binding operation cannot be performed at a position that interferes with the sheet bundle regulating means. Further, the binding operation cannot be performed beyond the first sheet bundle regulating means. Therefore, in the case of a binding operation in which the binding unit and the first sheet bundle regulating unit interfere with each other, the binding unit is retracted from the movement locus of the first sheet bundle regulating unit. . As a result, binding operations such as small-size one-point binding, two-point binding, and saddle stitching can be performed without any trouble.
In addition, since the relative positions of the second sheet bundle regulating means and the second conveying means and the folding position can be defined, the sheet bundle can be accurately folded in accordance with the sheet size. It becomes.
Further, the conveyance path downstream of the second sheet bundle regulating means is curved, and the sheet can be guided into the curved conveyance path during the middle folding. The sheet can be conveyed, and the size of the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 in the height direction can be made compact.
[0018]
The second means is characterized in that in the first means, means for applying a pressure contact force to the sheet bundle with respect to the first and second conveying means and releasing the same is provided.
[0019]
In the second means, the first and second transport means can also have a function of holding the sheet bundle, and can be folded in the middle without binding.
[0020]
The third means includes control means for controlling the first and second transport means and the retracting means in the first means, and the control means is configured to move the first means when the binding means moves. In the case of interfering with the sheet bundle regulating means, after the first sheet bundle regulating means is retracted, the binding means is moved to perform a binding operation.
[0021]
In the third means, the control means moves the binding means to move the first paper bundle restriction means in the case of a binding operation in which the binding means and the first paper bundle restriction means have a positional relationship that interferes. After retreating from the trajectory, the binding operation by the binding means is performed. As a result, it is possible to reliably perform a binding operation such as small-size one-point binding, two-point binding, and saddle stitching without any trouble.
[0022]
According to a fourth means, in the third means, before the control means retracts the first paper bundle restricting means, the first conveying means applies a pressing force to the paper bundle, It is made to hold | maintain.
[0023]
In the fourth means, the sheet bundle is held by the first transport means before the first sheet bundle restricting means is retracted, so that the sheet bundle falls when the first sheet bundle restricting means is retracted. The binding or folding operation can be performed in a collective state without being separated.
[0024]
The fifth means further includes control means for controlling the moving means in the first means, and the control means does not contact the binding means with the first sheet bundle regulating means before entering the binding operation. It is a position and it waits in the position close | similar to the next binding position, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
[0025]
In the fifth control means, the subsequent binding operation can be efficiently performed by setting the standby position to a position close to the next binding position.
[0026]
A sixth means is the fifth means, wherein the control means is arranged for each binding of one bundle when there are two or more binding positions with respect to one paper bundle across the first paper bundle regulating means. The binding unit is caused to wait at a standby position on the opposite side across the first sheet bundle regulating unit.
[0027]
The sixth means waits on the side where the binding operation is completed, and performs the next binding operation. Thereby, efficient processing becomes possible.
[0028]
A seventh means is the fifth means, wherein the control means has a single binding position for one paper bundle, and the first paper bundle regulating means with respect to a home position in the moving direction of the binding means. In the case of the binding position close to the home position on the opposite side in the movement direction across the line, the apparatus waits at a position close to the binding position on the opposite side in the movement direction before the start of the first alignment operation. According to the seventh means, when a binding operation is performed on a small-size sheet, interference between the binding unit and the first sheet bundle regulating unit is avoided, and the standby position of the binding unit is set to a position that can be processed immediately. Thereby, efficient processing becomes possible.
[0029]
An eighth means is an image forming system comprising: a sheet processing apparatus according to the first to seventh means; and an image forming apparatus that is provided integrally with or separate from the sheet processing apparatus and forms a visible image on an image forming medium. It is characterized by comprising.
[0030]
The eighth means can provide an image forming system that exhibits the effects of the first to seventh means.
[0031]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0032]
1. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sheet post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system including the sheet post-processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is. The form shown in FIG. 2 shows an outline of a system as a copying machine, and includes an image forming apparatus PR, a paper feeding apparatus PF that supplies paper to the image forming apparatus, a scanner SC for reading an image, and a circulating automatic document. It consists of a feeding device ARDF. The sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus PR is conveyed to the entrance guide plate of the finisher FR via the relay unit CU. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a printer-type system without the scanner SC and the circulation type automatic document feeder ARDF, and other configurations are the same as those of the copying machine. The sheet post-processing device indicated as the finisher FR is attached to the side portion of the image forming apparatus PR as described above, and the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus PR is guided to the paper post-processing device FR, and the rear of the paper Various post-processing are performed by the function of the processing device FR. The image forming apparatus PR may be any apparatus having a known image forming function, such as an apparatus for an electrophotographic image forming process or an apparatus having an inkjet print head. .
[0033]
In the paper post-processing apparatus FR as the paper processing apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1, the paper received from the image forming apparatus PR is post-processing means for performing post-processing on a single sheet (in the embodiment, a punch unit as punching means). 3) through an inlet conveyance path A having an intermediate conveyance path B, branching to an upper conveyance path B leading to the proof tray 18, an intermediate conveyance path C leading to the shift roller 9, and a lower conveyance path D leading to the staple tray 10 for alignment and stapling. The claw 24, the turn guide 36, the branch claw 25, and the turn guide 37 are configured to be distributed. The paper transported onto the staple tray 10 by the transport rollers 33, 34, and 35 is aligned on the staple tray 10 in a direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction by the jogger fence 12. It is matched to the standard. Thereafter, in the case of end face binding, a stapling process is performed at a predetermined position, the paper is conveyed upward by the discharge claw 11, and is discharged and stacked on the paper discharge tray 17 by the discharge roller 15. FIG. 10 shows an outline of the drive portion of the discharge claw 11. A drive shaft 103 is connected to the timing pulley 101 on the drive side of the timing pulleys 101 and 102 around which the discharge belt 14 is wound. The driving force is obtained from the stepping motor 106 through the gear trains 104 and 105 provided on the drive shaft.
[0034]
On the other hand, in the case of saddle stitching, after a bundle of sheets is aligned on the staple tray 10, the bundle is conveyed downward by the bundle conveying roller pairs 13a and 13b, and the staple unit 5 performs the binding process at the saddle stitching position. When the saddle stitching process is completed, the bundle conveying rollers 26a and 26b carry the sheet to the folding position, the folding plate 19 and the folding roller pair 20 perform the middle folding process, and the middle folding discharge roller 22 performs the middle folding discharge. The paper is discharged onto the paper tray 23 and stacked.
[0035]
2. A common inlet conveyance path A upstream of the upper conveyance path B, intermediate conveyance path C, and lower conveyance path D has an inlet sensor 301 that detects a sheet received from the image forming apparatus PR, and a conveyance roller downstream thereof. 31, the punch unit 3 and the punch waste hopper 4, and the branching claw 24 and the turn guide 36 are sequentially arranged downstream thereof.
[0036]
The branching claw 24 is held in the state of the solid line in FIG. 1 by a spring (not shown). When the solenoid (not shown) is turned on, the branching claw 24 is rotated counterclockwise in the figure (in the state of the one-dot chain line). If the solenoid is OFF, the paper is distributed to the upper conveyance path B. The branching claw 25 is held in a solid line state in FIG. 1 by a spring (not shown). When the solenoid (not shown) is turned on, the branching claw 25 is rotated clockwise (in a one-dot chain line state), and paper is fed to the intermediate conveyance path C. Distribute. If the solenoid is OFF, the sheet is sent to the lower conveyance path D as it is and conveyed by the conveyance rollers 33 and 34. The turn guides 36 and 37 have a function of helping to sort the paper by the branch claws 24 and 25, respectively. The turn guides 36 and 37 have a function of reducing the sheet conveyance resistance at the small-diameter branching portion by being rotated by the sheet bent in the conveyance direction by the branch claws 24 and 25.
[0037]
The intermediate transport path C is provided with a shift roller 9 that can move the paper by a fixed amount in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. The shift roller 9 exhibits a shift function by being moved in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction by a driving means (not shown). The sheet sent to the intermediate conveyance path C through the conveyance roller 32 and the turn roller 37 moves by a certain amount in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction while being conveyed by the shift roller 9, so that the sheet becomes a certain amount in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. In this state, the paper is discharged by the discharge roller 15 and stacked on the paper discharge tray 17. The timing is determined based on paper detection information of the roller shift sensor 303, paper size information, and the like.
[0038]
A staple tray discharge sensor 305 is provided in the lower transport path D, and serves as a trigger for the alignment operation when the paper is present in the transport path and the paper is discharged to the staple tray 10. The sheets sent to the conveyance path D are sequentially conveyed by the conveyance rollers 33, 34, and 35 and are aligned after being stacked on the staple tray 10.
[0039]
3. The trailing edge of the paper discharged to the paper alignment mechanism staple tray 10 is aligned with reference to the trailing edge fence 27 as the first paper bundle regulating means. The rear end fence 27 is configured to be rotatable around the central axis of the bundle conveying roller 13a as shown in FIG. 14, and the solenoid-side end portion 27a of the rear end fence 27 is driven by the solenoid 70, The tip is retracted from the transport path. Thereby, it is comprised so that conveyance of a sheet bundle may not be prevented. Reference numeral 71 is a tension spring for holding the stopper 27 in the paper restricting position, and the end 27a on the solenoid side is always elastically biased in the direction opposite to the solenoid operating direction. 27 regulates the end of the sheet bundle.
[0040]
The sheets stacked on the staple tray 10 are dropped down by the hitting roller 8 at any time and the lower ends are aligned. As shown in FIG. 4, which is a perspective view showing the mechanism around the staple tray 10 with the fulcrum 8a as the center, the tapping roller 8 is given a pendulum motion by the tapping solenoid 8s and intermittently applied to the paper fed into the staple tray 10. Acting on the rear end fence 27. The hitting roller 8 is rotated counterclockwise by the timing belt 8t in a direction in which the paper is moved to the trailing edge fence 27. The jogger fence 12 aligns the sheets stacked on the staple tray 10 in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. The jogger fence 12 is driven via a timing belt 12b by a jogger motor 12m capable of forward / reverse rotation shown in FIG. 4, and reciprocates in a direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction. By performing an operation of pressing the end face of the paper by this movement, the paper is aligned at right angles to the transport direction. This operation is performed at any time during loading of sheets and after loading of the final sheet. A sensor 306 provided in the staple tray 10 is a so-called paper detection sensor that detects the presence or absence of paper on the staple tray 10. The tapping roller 8, the rear end fence 27, and the jogger fence 12 constitute an aligning unit that aligns the sheet bundle in a direction orthogonal to a direction parallel to the sheet conveying direction.
[0041]
The bundle conveying rollers 13a, 13b and 26a, 26b can be pressurized and released by the mechanism shown in FIG. 13, and after passing the sheet bundle in the released state, pressurize and convey the sheet bundle. . The bundle conveying rollers 13a, 13b and 26a, 26b can be freely pressed and separated by a pressure release motor 63. The transport rollers 13a, 13b and 26a, 26b are rotationally driven by a stepping motor 50. By controlling the number of rotations of the stepping motor 50, the transport amount of the sheet bundle is controlled. Each of the bundle conveying rollers 13a, 13b and 26a, 26b can be independently pressed and moved apart. Since the pressure release mechanism of each bundle conveying roller is the same, the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b will be described in detail.
[0042]
As shown in FIG. 13, the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b are connected to a drive system so that the rotation directions are opposite and rotate at the same speed. The drive is transmitted to a timing pulley 53 and a gear pulley 54 that are arranged coaxially with the bundle conveying roller 13a using the stepping motor 50 as a drive source. Further, driving is transmitted from the gear pulley 54 to the timing pulley 58 disposed coaxially with the bundle conveying roller 13b via the arm 56 via the idler pulley 55, and the bundle conveying roller 13b rotates. The transmission of the driving force is performed by a timing pulley 51 on the driving side provided coaxially with the rotation shaft of the stepping motor 50 and a timing belt 52 stretched between the timing pulley 53 and the gear pulley 54.
[0043]
The arm 56 is rotatable about the gear pulley 55 and acts in a direction in which the arm 56 is pressed against the sheet by a tension spring 64 provided on the shaft of the bundle conveying roller 13b. Further, a link 59 is connected to the shaft of the bundle conveying roller 13b, and a long hole 59a is provided on the other side of the link, so that it can freely rotate on a convex portion 60p provided on the circumference of the gear 60. It is fitted. A sensor 61 is provided at one end of the gear 60 to detect the open state of the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b by the filler 60a. By rotating the stepping motor 63 counterclockwise and clockwise, Release pressure. FIG. 13A shows a pressure release state, and FIG. 13B shows a pressure contact state. The power transmission from the stepping motor 63 is transmitted from the drive gear 62 of the stepping motor 63 to the gear 60. The driving force from the idler pulley 55 is transmitted to the timing pulley 58 by the timing belt 57 to drive the bundle conveying rollers 13b and 26b.
[0044]
4). The stapling mechanism staple unit 5 includes a stitcher unit 5a that strikes the needle and a clincher unit 5b that bends the tip of the needle that is driven into the sheet bundle. In the staple unit 5 according to this embodiment, the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are configured separately, and can be moved in a direction orthogonal to the sheet bundle conveying direction by the stapler moving guide 6, and the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are illustrated. A relative positioning mechanism and a moving mechanism are provided. The staple position in the conveyance direction of the sheet bundle is set by sheet bundle conveyance control by the bundle conveyance rollers 13a and 13b. Thus, stapling can be performed at various positions of the sheet bundle.
[0045]
Further, an intermediate folding mechanism is provided on the downstream side in the paper conveyance direction of the staple unit 5 (the downstream side when folding the paper, and the lower side in terms of position). This is composed of a pair of folding rollers 20, a folding plate 19, a stopper 21, and the like until the sheet bundle stapled at the center in the sheet conveying direction in the upstream staple unit 5 hits the stopper 21 by the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b. By conveying and temporarily releasing the nip pressure of the bundle conveying roller 13b, the position of the folding reference position of the sheet bundle is determined. Thereafter, the nip pressure of the bundle conveying rollers 26a and 26b is applied to hold the sheet bundle, the stopper 21 moves backward and comes off from the rear end of the sheet bundle, and the necessary distance is determined by the sheet size signal sent from the image forming apparatus main body. It is conveyed and the folding position is put out. The sheet bundle that has been conveyed to the folding position (usually the center in the sheet bundle conveyance direction) and stopped is pushed into the nip of the pair of folding rollers 20 by the folding plate 19, and the pair of folding rollers 20 pressurizes the sheet bundle and rotates. And then folded in half. At this time, if the paper size is large, the paper bundle is sent downstream of the stopper 21 in the paper transport direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, the end of the sheet bundle is guided in the horizontal direction by curving the downstream conveyance path from the position where the stopper 21 is provided. With this configuration, it is possible to transport a sheet even if it is a large sheet size, and it is possible to make the size of the sheet post-processing device 2 in the height direction compact.
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 15, the stopper 21 as the second sheet bundle restricting means is configured to be rotatable around the central axis of the bundle conveying roller 26a, and the solenoid-side end 21a is moved by the solenoid 72. It is driven and has a configuration in which the tip portion is retracted from the conveyance path. The folded sheet bundle is discharged and stacked on the half-fold discharge tray 23 by the half-fold discharge roller 22. The sensors 310 and 311 at the folded portion detect the presence or absence of paper. In addition, the sensor 313 of the half-folded paper discharge tray 23 detects the presence or absence of a paper bundle on the middle-folded paper discharge tray 23, and counts the number of paper bundles discharged from the state where there is no paper bundle. This is used to detect the fullness of the paper discharge tray 23 in a pseudo manner. The folding end stopper position detection sensor 312 detects the operation of the stopper 21 and the end position of the sheet bundle when the stopper is released. Reference numeral 73 denotes a tension spring for holding the stopper 21 in the paper restricting position, and the end 21a on the solenoid side is always elastically biased in the direction opposite to the solenoid operating direction. 21 regulates the end of the sheet bundle.
[0047]
5. FIG. 16 shows a control circuit of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present embodiment together with the image forming apparatus. The control apparatus 350 includes a microcomputer having a CPU 360, an I / O interface 370, and the like, and the image forming apparatus PR. Each switch on the control panel of the main body, the inlet sensor 301, the upper paper discharge sensor 302, the roller shift sensor 303, the staple paper discharge sensor 305, the staple tray paper presence sensor 306, the discharge claw position detection sensor 307, the paper discharge sensor 308, Signals from various sensors such as the paper surface detection sensor 309, the folding unit paper presence / absence detection sensor 310, the folding roller arrangement detection sensor 311, the folding end stopper position detection sensor 312, and the paper presence / absence detection sensor 313 are transmitted to the CPU 360 via the I / O interface 370. Is input. The CPU 360 controls various motors and solenoids based on the input signal. The punch unit 3 also performs punching according to the instruction of the CPU 360 by controlling the clutch and the motor.
[0048]
The sheet post-processing apparatus FR is controlled by the CPU 360 executing a program written in a ROM (not shown) while using a RAM (not shown) as a work area.
[0049]
The actual post-processing operation will be described below using a specific post-processing mode as an example. 5.1 No-Process Mode (Proof Discharge)
The paper output from the image forming apparatus 1 passes through the entrance conveyance path A, is guided to the upper conveyance path B by the first branching claw 24, is punched if necessary, and is discharged to the proof tray 18 by the paper discharge roller 7. The paper is ejected.
[0050]
5.2 Shift stacking mode Even when a sheet bundle is output in units of sections, when stapling is not performed, the sheets are shifted and stacked for each section so that the determination of the section units can be easily understood. In this mode, the paper output from the image forming apparatus PR passes through the entrance conveyance path A and is guided in the lower conveyance path D direction by the first branching claw 24. At this time, a punch hole is made at the end of the sheet by the punch unit 3 according to the user's selection. Thereafter, the sheet is guided to the intermediate conveyance path C by the second branch claw 25, conveyed while being shifted in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction by the shift roller 9, guided to the sheet discharge guide plate 16, and discharged to the sheet discharge tray 17 by the discharge roller 15. The paper is discharged and stacked. The punch residue after the punch hole is opened by the punch unit 3 is accommodated in the hopper 4.
[0051]
5.3 Edge stitching mode (Small size 1 place, 2 places)
The end face binding mode is a mode in which staple binding is performed on the end face of the sheet bundle in units of copies. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the end face binding mode.
[0052]
The paper output from the image forming apparatus passes through the entrance conveyance path A and is guided in the lower conveyance path D direction by turning on the first branching claw 24 (step S101), and drives each conveyance roller and the discharge roller 35. (Steps S102 and S103) and move along the transport path D. Then, the staple unit 5 is moved to the standby position (step S104), the stacking number counter for counting the sheets stacked on the staple tray 10 is cleared (step S105), and the punch unit 3 selects the sheet end by the user's selection. A punch hole is opened (step S106). Thereafter, the sheet is stacked on the staple tray 10 through the lower conveyance path D as it is. The sheets discharged to the staple tray 10 are aligned by the tapping roller 8 with the rear end fence 27 as a reference (sheet bundle is position in FIG. 4-steps S107 and S108).
[0053]
Alignment in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the sheet bundle is performed by reciprocating the jogger fence 12 to narrow the width of the sheet stacking portion of the staple tray 10 (position of the sheet bundle in FIG. 4-step S109). When the alignment operation is completed, the stacking number counter is counted up (step S110), and after the necessary number of sheets are stacked on the staple tray 10 (step S111), the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b hold the lower end of the sheet bundle. Then, the sheet is held (step S112), and the trailing edge fence 27 is retracted from the sheet stacking surface (step S113).
[0054]
A bundle of sheets is bound by the staple unit 5 (normal edge binding is 5 mm in the sheet transport direction).
) Is stapled (step S114). The stapler binding position in the end binding mode can be mainly selected from the front, two locations, and the back. The stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are positioned relative to each other by the stapler moving guide 6 according to the selected binding position. The stapler binding is performed by moving in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction while maintaining the above. The staple unit 5 is divided into a stitcher 5a for punching a needle and a clincher 5b for performing a process of bending a needle penetrating the sheet bundle, and the sheet can pass between the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b. It is a feature.
[0055]
When the end face binding is completed in this way, the discharge claw 11 moves in the paper discharge direction (step S115), and at the same time as coming into contact with the paper edge, the pressure contact state of the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b is released (step S116). When the binding process is completed, the paper discharge guide plate 16 is opened by a predetermined angle (step S117), and the bound sheet bundle is lifted upward by the discharge claw 11 that moves together with the discharge belt 14. The discharge claw 11 can lift the sheet bundle to the upper end of the staple tray 10 by the discharge belt 14. When the sheet bundle enters between the sheet discharge guide plates 16, the sheet discharge guide plate 16 is closed, and the sheet bundle is discharged from the discharge roller 15. (Step S118), the sheet is discharged and stacked on the discharge tray 17 (step S119). The discharge guide plate 16 can be adjusted with respect to the discharge roller according to the thickness of the sheet bundle.
[0056]
When the paper discharge is completed, the discharge roller 15 is stopped (step S120), and the discharge belt 14 is driven until the discharge position detection sensor is turned on, that is, until the discharge claw 11 is located at the home position (step S121). Stop when the position is reached (step S122). This operation is repeated from step S104 until the predetermined number of copies is completed.
[0057]
Here, the operation of the staple unit 5 will be described in more detail.
[0058]
As for the position of the staple unit 5 in the moving direction, the home position HP is first detected by the staple unit home position sensor 314 (FIG. 5), and further the amount of movement from the home position HP (the number of drive pulses of the staple unit moving stepping motor not shown). ) (Step S104).
[0059]
When binding at one end, the size is wider in the width direction than the A4 vertical size or A4 vertical size (when the staple unit 5 and the rear end fence 27 are in a binding position where they do not interfere (contact)), the staple unit 5 waits in advance at the binding position. After the necessary number of sheets are stacked on the staple tray 10, the stapler binding is performed at the place. When the binding position is opposite to the staple unit home position with the trailing edge fence 12 in between, the trailing edge fence 27 is retracted before the start of the first aligning operation, and the staple unit 5 is moved to the trailing edge fence 27. Move to the opposite binding position. Thereafter, the rear end fence 27 is returned, and after the necessary number of sheets are stacked on the staple tray 10, the stapler binding is performed at the place (FIG. 6).
[0060]
When the size is narrower in the width direction than the A4 vertical size by binding at one end (in the case of the binding position where the staple unit 5 and the rear end fence 27 interfere (contact)), the staple unit 5 is previously positioned in the A4 vertical position (staple). Waiting at the nearest position (W1) where the unit 5 and the rear end fence 27 do not contact each other, and after the required number of sheets are stacked on the staple tray 10, the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b hold the lower end of the sheet bundle, The trailing edge fence 27 moves backward from the sheet stacking surface. Thereafter, according to the paper size, the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are moved by the stapler moving guide 6 in the direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction while maintaining the relative position of the stapler 5a and the clincher 5b. When the binding position is opposite to the home position of the staple unit 5 with the rear end fence 27 interposed therebetween, the rear end fence 12 is retracted before the start of the first aligning operation, and the staple unit 5 is moved to the rear end fence 12. To the standby position (the nearest position W2 on the opposite side of the home position where the staple unit 5 and the rear end fence 27 do not interfere (contact)). Thereafter, the rear end fence 27 is returned, and after the necessary number of sheets are stacked on the staple tray 10, the stapler binding is performed in the same manner as described above (FIG. 7).
[0061]
In the case of binding at the two end faces, the staple unit 5 waits in advance at the A4 vertical binding position (the nearest position where the staple unit 5 and the rear end fence 27 do not interfere (contact)) in the same manner as in the single binding small size described above. After the necessary number of sheets are stacked on the staple tray 10, the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b hold the lower end of the sheet bundle, the rear end fence 27 moves backward from the sheet stacking surface, and the staple unit 5 moves and binds. I do. When the two bindings are completed, the staple unit 5 moves to the standby position W4 opposite to the previous standby position W3 across the rear end fence 27 in preparation for the binding of the next bundle (FIG. 8).
[0062]
FIG. 11 shows the end face binding operation. In FIG. 11A, the rear end portion in the paper transport direction and the direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction are aligned (steps S108 and S109), and the required number of sheets of one copy is aligned (step S111). From this state, as shown in FIG. 11 [b], it is caught by the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b (step S112), and the rear end fence 27 is moved backward as shown in FIG. 11 [c] (step S113). 5 moves to the binding position, and the binding operation is performed at the binding position as shown in FIG. 11D (step S114). As described above, when the staple unit 5 and the rear end fence 27 do not interfere with one end face binding, the rear end fence 27 is not retracted.
[0063]
5.4 Saddle Stitching Mode The saddle stitching mode is a mode in which staple binding is performed at the center of the sheet bundle. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the saddle stitching mode. In the following description, the same reference numerals are assigned to operations equivalent to those in the end face binding mode. In this saddle stitch binding mode, steps S101 to S113 and steps S116 to S122 are the same as those in the end face binding mode, and thus description thereof will be omitted, and only different points will be described.
[0064]
In step S101, the first branch claw 24 is turned on to guide in the lower conveyance path D direction. In step S112, the bundle conveyance rollers 13a and 13b hold the lower end of the sheet bundle, and in step S113, the rear end fence 27 is moved to the sheet stacking surface. The bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b transport the sheet bundle downward (step S131). The sheet bundle is stopped at the binding position by the staple unit 5 (at the center of the conveyance direction length of the sheet bundle during saddle stitching) (steps S132 and S133), and stapled by the staple unit 5 (step S134).
[0065]
In the saddle stitching mode, the stapler usually has two binding positions. According to the binding position, the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are kept in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction while maintaining their relative positions by the stapler moving guide 6. Move to staple the stapler. The bundle of sheets for which the binding process has been completed is conveyed upward by the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b (step S135), and when returned to the sheet bundle alignment position (step S136), the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b are stopped (step S137). ), The paper is discharged upward by the discharge claw 11 (step S138). And the process after step S116 is performed.
[0066]
5.5 Saddle-stitch binding mode (saddle-stitching and folding mode)
The saddle stitch binding mode is a mode in which the central portion of the sheet bundle is stapled and folded in the middle to perform simple binding like a so-called weekly magazine. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the saddle stitch binding mode. In the following description, the same reference numerals are assigned to operations equivalent to those in the end face binding mode. In this saddle stitch binding mode, steps S101 to S113 are the same as in the end face binding mode, and therefore description thereof will be omitted, and only different points will be described.
[0067]
In step S101, the first branch claw 24 is turned on to guide in the lower conveyance path D direction. In step S111, the bundle conveyance rollers 13a and 13b hold the lower end of the sheet bundle, and in step S113, the rear end fence 27 is moved to the sheet stacking surface. The bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b further transport the sheet bundle downward (step S141). The sheet bundle is stopped at the binding position by the staple unit 5 (at the center of the conveyance direction length of the sheet bundle during saddle stitching) (steps S142 and S143), and stapled by the staple unit 5 (step S144).
[0068]
In the saddle stitching mode, the stapler usually has two binding positions. According to the binding position, the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are moved by the stapler moving guide 6 in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction while maintaining the relative position of each other. Then, stapler binding is performed (FIG. 9). The bundle of sheets for which the binding process has been completed is conveyed by the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b until it further abuts against the stopper 21.
[0069]
The sheet bundle is once positioned by abutting the rear end position by the stopper 21 (steps S145 and S146), and then the center of the sheet bundle conveyance direction length is again placed on the folding plate 19 by the bundle conveyance rollers 26a and 26b. It is sent to the contact position (step S147-step S153). Thereafter, the folding plate 19 pushes the sheet bundle toward the nip of the middle folding roller pair 20 (steps S154 and S155), and the sheet bundle is pressed between the nips by the force of a spring (not shown) applied to the middle folding roller pair 20. (Step S156) Folded in half, and then discharged and stacked on the half-folded paper discharge tray 23 by the middle-fold paper discharge roller 22 (step S157). Then, the center folding roller 20 is stopped (step S158), and the rear end fence 27 is returned to the aligned position (step S159). This operation is repeated from step S105 until the predetermined number of copies is completed.
[0070]
Note that the alignment in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the sheet bundle in step S109 is performed by the operation of narrowing the width of the sheet stacking portion of the staple tray 10 by the jogger fence 12. At this time, similarly to the above-described two-point binding, the staple unit 5 waits in advance at the A4 vertical binding position (the nearest position where the staple unit 5 and the rear end fence 27 do not interfere (contact)). After the necessary number of sheets are stacked on the staple tray 10, the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b add the lower end of the sheet bundle, the rear end fence 27 moves backward from the sheet stacking surface, and the bundle conveying roller 13a13b lowers the sheet bundle. Transport to. The sheet bundle is stopped at the binding position by the staple unit 5 (at the center of the conveyance direction length of the sheet bundle during saddle stitching), and stapled by the staple unit 5. When the two bindings are completed, the staple unit 5 moves to the opposite standby position across the previous standby position and the rear end fence 12 in preparation for binding of the next bundle. The nearest position is a position close to the rear end fence 27 although there is no preset interference.
[0071]
The operation of saddle stitching is shown in FIG. In FIG. 12A, the rear end portion in the paper transport direction and the direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction are aligned (steps S108 and S109), and the required number of sheets of one copy is aligned (step S111). From this state, as shown in FIG. 12B, the sheet is caught by the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b (step S1121), the rear end fence 27 is retracted (step S113), and the sheet bundle is moved toward the folding plate 19 (downward). Transport. Then, the sheet bundle is stopped at the center of the conveyance direction length of the sheet bundle, which is a binding position by the staple unit 5, and is saddle-stitched.
[0072]
As shown in FIG. 12C, the saddle-stitched sheet bundle is further conveyed downward and positioned by contacting the stopper 21 (steps S145 and S146), and then the binding position is the position of the folding plate 19 (folding). It is further conveyed until it reaches (position). Then, as shown in FIG. 12D, the sheet bundle is stopped at the position, and the folding plate 10 is protruded and pushed into the nip into the folding roller 20 (steps S154 to S156). In this way, it can be folded in half at the binding position. If the front end of the folding plate 19 protrudes to contact the sheet bundle, the staple is brought into contact with the folding plate 19 when the folding position is reached, so that the position accuracy of the folding position can be ensured.
[0073]
5.6 No Binding / Folding Mode The no binding / middle folding mode is a mode in which folding processing is performed at the center without performing a binding operation on a sheet bundle. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the no-binding / half-fold mode.
[0074]
This mode is equivalent to a mode in which the saddle stitching operation is deleted from the saddle stitch binding mode. Accordingly, the subroutine for moving the staple unit 5 in step S104 in the saddle stitch binding mode shown in FIG. 19 is omitted, and the processing from step S142 to step S145 is omitted. In step S113, the rear end fence 27 is moved from the sheet placement surface. After retreating, the sheet bundle is immediately conveyed downward, and once the rear end position is abutted and positioned by the stopper 21 (steps S146 and S147), the folding operation is performed (steps S148 to S159). .
[0075]
Other operations not specifically described are the same as those in the saddle stitch binding mode shown in FIG.
[0076]
6). Control function Here, the punch control, the hitting roller 8 control, the staple unit 5 control, the folding plate 9 control and the staple unit 5 control subroutine in each mode will be described with respect to the standby position movement control subroutine.
[0077]
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of punch control in step S105. In this process, first, when the paper reaches the punch position (step S201), the presence / absence of a punch request is checked (step S202), and the punch is executed only when there is a punch request (step S203).
[0078]
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for hitting roller 8 control in step S107. In this process, first, when the paper reaches the strike position (step S301), the strike roller 8 is driven for a predetermined time to move the paper to the rear end fence 27 side (steps S302 and S303), and the operation is stopped (step S301). S304).
[0079]
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for controlling the staple unit 5 in steps S113, S124, and S134. In this process, first, the stapler unit 5 is moved to the binding position (step S401). When the stapler unit 5 is positioned at the designated binding position (step S402), the stapler unit 5 is stopped (step S403), and the stapling operation is performed. Is executed (step S404). When the stapling at the designated position is completed (step S405), the stapler unit 5 is retreated (step S406), and the stapler unit 5 is retracted (step S406).
[0080]
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the folding plate 19 control in step S144. In this process, first, the folding plate 19 is moved in the nip direction of the folding roller 20 (step S501). When the leading end of the folding plate 19 reaches the nip position of the folding roller 20 (step S502), the folding plate 19 is moved. Is stopped (step S503) and the process is terminated.
[0081]
Here, since the staple is moved by the subroutine of the staple unit 5 control, the moving operation of the staple unit will be described.
[0082]
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for moving the staple unit 5 to the standby position in step S105. In this process, first, the stapler position is confirmed (step S601). If the stapler position is on the opposite side of the binding position with respect to the rear end fence 27 (step S601-Yes), the rear end fence 27 is retracted (step S602). If they are on the same side (step S601-No), the stapler unit 5 is moved without retracting the rear end fence 27 (step S603), and when the stapler unit 5 is located at the designated position (standby position) (step S604-Yes). ) If the rear end fence 27 is in the retracted state in the stapler unit 5 (step S606-Yes), the rear end fence 27 is returned to the stopper function position (step S607), and this process is ended. In step S606, the rear end fence is If 27 is moving backward, the process is finished as it is.
[0083]
7). As described above, according to the present embodiment, the aligned sheet bundle is transferred between the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b serving as the first conveying unit and the bundle conveying rollers 26a and 26b serving as the second conveying unit. By performing the pressure contact and pressure release and setting the delivery and post-processing of the sheet bundle in a timely manner, it is possible to perform a binding operation and a middle folding operation on the sheet bundle with a simple configuration. That is, when binding by the stapler unit 5, the bundle conveyance rollers 13a and 13b hold the sheet bundle and convey the sheet bundle until it comes into contact with the stopper 21 as the second sheet bundle regulating means. The sheet is held by the bundle conveying rollers 26a and 26b, and the holding force of the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b is released, and the sheet bundle is conveyed by the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b, and is folded at the folding position. Can be done. For this reason, the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b and the bundle conveying rollers 26a and 26b need to be as close as possible so as to deliver a minimum size for folding in two, for example, the B5 vertical size, and the bundle conveying rollers 26a and 26b. On the further downstream side, a maximum size that can be folded in half, for example, a length that does not interfere with the conveyance path when the center portion of the A3 vertical sheet bundle is located at the folding position is required. By setting such a size relationship and the timing relationship, it is basically possible to cope with saddle stitching and center folding with only two pairs of conveying rollers.
[0084]
However, in order to align the sheet bundle and accurately set the position, the rear end fence 27 and the stopper 21 which are the first and second restricting means are required, and the operation timing and the installation position thereof are determined by the two transports. By setting between the roller pairs 13a, 13b, 26a, and 26b, it is possible to realize a compact sheet post-processing apparatus having a simple configuration having the function of half-folding and saddle stitching. By adopting such a simple configuration, the reliability of the sheet post-processing apparatus is also increased.
[0085]
Further, in the end face binding mode, the sheet bundle is stapled at the binding position by the staple unit 5 (normal end binding is 5 mm in the sheet conveying direction). The stapler binding position in the end binding mode can be mainly selected from the front, two locations, and the back. The stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are positioned relative to each other by the stapler moving guide 6 according to the selected binding position. The stapler binding is performed by moving in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction while maintaining the above. At this time, when the positional relationship is such that the staple unit 5 and the rear end fence 27 interfere with each other, for example, when performing a binding operation such as one-size binding, two-point binding, and saddle stitching, the rear-end fence 27 Retreats from the sheet stacking surface, and then the staple unit 5 moves in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction to perform stapler binding. Accordingly, it is possible to cope with a binding form in which the staple unit 5 and the rear end fence 27 interfere with each other.
[0086]
Further, in the case of the binding position where the staple unit 5 and the rear end fence 27 interfere with each other, the rear end fence 27 moves backward from the sheet stacking surface, but before that, the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b are moved to the lower end of the sheet bundle. In addition to holding the paper, the paper is held. With this holding force, it is possible to prevent the sheet from falling when the rear end fence 27 is retracted. In addition, it is possible to prevent disturbance in bundle alignment during stapler binding.
[0087]
Further, before entering the binding operation, the staple unit 5 stands by at a position where the staple unit 5 does not contact the rear end fence 27 and a position closest to the next binding position. Accordingly, it is possible to move quickly to the binding position, and it is possible to increase productivity.
[0088]
When the binding mode is two-point binding (end-face two-point binding and saddle stitching), the printer waits at a standby position opposite to the sheet conveying direction for each bundle. Accordingly, it is possible to move to the standby position at the shortest distance from the second binding operation, and it is possible to improve productivity.
[0089]
Further, when the binding mode is binding at one end and the staple unit 5 and the rear end fence 27 are in contact, and the binding position is opposite to the home position of the staple unit 5 with the rear end fence 12 interposed therebetween. In this case, the rear end fence 12 is retracted before the start of the first aligning operation, and the staple unit 5 is moved to the standby position in the opposite direction of the rear end fence 12 (the staple unit 5 and the rear end fence 27 on the opposite side of the home position are Move it to the nearest position where it does not touch. After that, after the rear end fence 12 is returned and the necessary number of sheets are stacked on the staple tray 10, the staple binding is performed in the same manner as the above-described operation. It becomes possible.
[0090]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention,
1) Even with a large paper size, the paper can be transported, and the size of the paper post-processing device in the height direction can be made compact.
2) It is possible to realize a compact sheet post-processing apparatus having a simple configuration that is excellent in sheet bundle alignment accuracy and position accuracy, and has a center folding and saddle stitching function.
There is an effect .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a sheet post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system (copier mode) including the sheet post-processing apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system (printer form) including the sheet post-processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a mechanism around a staple tray.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a position of a staple unit before entering a binding operation.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between a bundle of sheets and a staple unit in the case of binding at a single large size.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between a sheet bundle and a staple unit in the case of binding at a single small size.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between a sheet bundle and a staple unit in the case of two-point binding.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between a sheet bundle and a staple unit in the case of saddle stitching.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of a drive unit for a discharge belt and a discharge claw.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an end face binding operation.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a saddle stitching operation.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a contact and separation mechanism and operation of a bundle conveying roller.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a drive mechanism of a rear end fence.
FIG. 15 is a view showing a stopper driving mechanism;
FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present embodiment together with the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in an end face binding mode (small size 1 place, 2 place binding).
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in a saddle stitching mode.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in a saddle stitching / center folding mode.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in a no-binding / half-fold mode.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for punch control.
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for hitting roller control.
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of staple unit control.
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for folding plate control.
FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a control processing procedure for moving the staple unit to a standby position.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Paper Post-Processing Device 5 Staple Unit 8 Tapping Roller 10 Staple Tray 11 Discharge Claw 12 Jogger Fences 13a, 13b Bundle Conveying Roller 19 Folding Plates 20a, 20b Middle Folding Rollers 21 Stoppers 26a, 26b Bundle Conveying Roller 27 Rear End Fence 350 Control Device 360 CPU

Claims (8)

In a paper processing apparatus having processing means for performing predetermined processing on paper after image formation,
Stacking means for stacking paper,
The downstream end of the sheet bundle stacked in the stacking unit is brought into contact with the first sheet bundle regulating unit so that the sheet conveying direction of the sheet bundle is orthogonal to the sheet bundle. An aligning means that abuts the sheet bundle and aligns the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet bundle;
First conveying means for conveying the sheet bundle aligned by the aligning means to the second sheet bundle regulating means side;
Binding means for performing a binding process on the sheet bundle;
Moving means for moving the binding means in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheet bundle;
A second transport unit that transports the sheet bundle, which is bound by the binding unit, and whose end on the downstream side of the transport is aligned by the second sheet bundle restriction unit, to a folding position;
Folding means for folding the sheet bundle at the folding position;
First retracting means for retracting the first sheet bundle restricting means from the movement locus of the binding means;
Second retracting means for retracting the second sheet bundle regulating means out of the sheet bundle conveying path;
Equipped with a,
The second sheet bundle restricting means and the second conveying means are located downstream of the folding position in the sheet bundle conveying direction, and the conveying path downstream of the second sheet bundle restricting means is curved, A sheet processing apparatus capable of guiding a sheet into the curved conveyance path at the time of middle folding . 2. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising means for applying and releasing a pressure contact force to the sheet bundle with respect to the first and second conveying means . Control means for controlling the first and second transport means , and the retracting means;
When the binding unit interferes with the first sheet bundle regulating unit when the binding unit moves, the control unit moves the binding unit after retreating the first sheet bundle regulating unit, and then binds the binding unit. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an operation is performed . Wherein, prior to retracting the first sheet bundle regulating means, the pressing force imparted to the sheet bundle by the first transfer means, according to claim 3, characterized in that to hold the sheet bundle Paper processing device. Further comprising control means for controlling the moving means;
The control means makes the binding means stand by at a position that is not in contact with the first sheet bundle regulating means and close to the next binding position before entering the binding operation. Item 2. A sheet processing apparatus according to item 1 . When there are two or more binding positions with respect to one sheet bundle across the first sheet bundle restricting means, the control means opposes the first sheet bundle restricting means for each bundle. 6. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the binding unit is placed on standby at a standby position on the side . The control means has one binding position for one sheet bundle, and is set to a home position opposite to the movement direction across the first sheet bundle regulating means with respect to the home position in the movement direction of the binding means. 6. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein when the binding position is close , the sheet processing apparatus waits at a position close to the binding position on the side opposite to the moving direction before starting the first alignment operation . A sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
An image forming apparatus that is provided integrally with or separately from the sheet processing apparatus and that forms a visible image on an image forming medium;
An image forming system comprising:

Images