JP4255412B2 - Image forming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus (image forming section) such as a copying machine, a bookbinding apparatus (bookbinding section) for binding and binding sheets from the image forming apparatus, and the like, after staple binding, etc. The present invention relates to an image forming processing system including a post-processing device (post-processing unit) that performs processing.

  2. Description of the Related Art Image forming processing systems that can form an image in an image forming unit, transfer the image to a sheet, and then perform a plurality of processes on the transferred sheet are conventionally known.

For example, in Patent Document 1, an image forming unit that forms an image and transfers the image to a sheet, a post-processing unit that performs predetermined post-processing on the sheet on which the image is transferred by the image forming unit, and an image are transferred. Also disclosed is an image forming processing system that is integrally provided with a gluing processing unit that applies a gluing process to the sheet.
US Pat. No. 5,540,421

  By the way, in the image forming processing system having a plurality of processing units, it is necessary to transport sheets between the processing units. Therefore, even in Patent Document 1, there is a transport path for transporting sheets between the processing units. Is provided.

  However, in Patent Document 1, a sheet is conveyed from the image forming unit to the gluing processing unit, and the sheet is conveyed from the image forming unit to the post-processing unit through the gluing processing unit. Are separately provided, and the conveyance path for the sheet used for processing in the gluing processing unit and the conveyance path for the sheet used for processing in the post-processing unit are separately provided. Is functioning.

  That is, in Patent Document 1, since the conveyance path is not effectively shared between the processing units, the conveyance path becomes complicated, and the ratio of the conveyance path to the space in the system increases. I'm stuck. Therefore, there arises a problem that the system is enlarged and the manufacturing cost of the system is increased.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such a current situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive image forming processing system capable of simplifying the conveyance path and making the entire structure compact. .

In order to solve the above-described problems, an image forming processing system according to the present invention includes, in the first aspect, an image forming unit that forms an image and transfers the image to a sheet, and a plurality of sheets on which the image is transferred. A sheet receiving portion that receives from the image forming portion, a stacking portion that receives a plurality of sheets onto which images have been transferred from the image forming portion, and that collects the received sheets in a bundle to form a sheet bundle, and an edge of the sheet bundle A bookbinding part having a cover adhesion part for adhering a cover with an adhesive, and a conveying means for conveying the sheet from the image forming part to the bookbinding part and the sheet receiving part, and the sheet of the image forming part The bookbinding unit is disposed on the downstream side of the conveyance, the sheet receiving unit is disposed on the downstream side of the sheet conveyance of the bookbinding unit, and the conveyance unit extends from the image forming unit to the bookbinding unit. A transport path, a second transport section connected to the first transport path and reaching the stacking section, and a third transport section connecting to the first transport path and reaching the sheet receiving section through the bookbinding section. And a switching means for selectively connecting the first conveyance path to the second conveyance path or the third conveyance path, and the middle of the third conveyance path The cover sheet adhering portion is provided , and the cover sheet is supplied to the cover sheet adhering portion via the first and third transport paths .

  In the second aspect, the image forming processing system according to the present invention includes a sheet supply unit for supplying sheets, a sheet receiving unit for receiving a plurality of sheets from the sheet supply unit, and a plurality of sheets as described above. A bookbinding unit having a stacking unit that receives the sheets from the sheet supply unit and stacks the received sheets in a bundle to form a sheet bundle, and a cover sheet bonding unit that adheres a cover sheet to the edge of the sheet bundle with an adhesive; A sheet feeding unit configured to convey a sheet from the sheet supply unit to the bookbinding unit and the sheet receiving unit, wherein the bookbinding unit is disposed on a sheet conveyance downstream side of the sheet supply unit, and the sheet of the bookbinding unit The sheet receiving portion is disposed on the downstream side of the conveyance, and the conveyance means is connected to the first conveyance path extending from the sheet supply unit to the bookbinding unit, and is connected to the first conveyance path and the collecting unit. A second conveyance path that leads to the section, a third conveyance path that is connected to the first conveyance path and that leads to the sheet receiving section through the bookbinding section, and the first conveyance path is connected to the second conveyance path. And a switching means for selectively connecting to the conveyance path or the third conveyance path, and the cover sheet bonding portion is provided in the middle of the third conveyance path.

  As described above, in any of the first and second aspects, the image forming processing system of the present invention includes the first conveyance path extending from the image forming unit or the sheet supply unit to the bookbinding unit, and the first conveyance path. A second conveyance path connected to the first conveyance path and reaching the stacking unit; and a third conveyance path connected to the first conveyance path and connected to the sheet receiving unit through the bookbinding unit. At the same time, the cover bonding portion is provided in the middle of the third transport path. That is, the third conveyance path includes a conveyance path for conveying a sheet from the image forming unit or the sheet supply unit to the sheet receiving unit via the bookbinding unit, and from the image forming unit or the sheet supply unit. It also serves as a transport path for transporting the cover to the cover bonding portion. In other words, sharing of the third conveyance path is effectively performed between the bookbinding unit and the sheet receiving unit. Therefore, the conveyance path is simplified, and the proportion of the conveyance path spatially in the system can be reduced as compared with the conventional case. Therefore, the system can be reduced in size, and the manufacturing cost of the system can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional system.

  In the above configuration, the sheet receiving unit is configured as a post-processing unit that stacks the sheets received from the image forming unit in a bundle to form a sheet bundle and performs a predetermined post-processing on the sheet bundle. Alternatively, it may be a simple storage tray having no post-processing function. In the above configuration, it is preferable that the third transport path extends substantially horizontally without bending. In this way, when the third conveyance path involving the cover sheet bonding portion is formed substantially horizontally, when the thick paper sheet that is stiff and easily becomes the target of the cover sheet is conveyed to the cover sheet bonding portion, the cardboard sheet may be jammed during the conveyance. Can be avoided, and the cover can be reliably supplied to the cover bonding portion.

  In the above-described configuration, the cover may be supplied to the cover bonding portion via the first and third transport paths after being created by the image forming portion, or You may supply to the said cover bonding part via the said 1st and 3rd conveyance path from the cover supply means provided separately. Further, in the above configuration, the post-processing unit may perform an operation of stacking sheets received through the third conveyance path in a bundle to form a sheet bundle and binding the sheet bundle with staples. Further, the post-processing unit may perform an operation of stacking sheets received through the third conveyance path in a bundle to form a sheet bundle and punching the sheet bundle.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an inexpensive image forming processing system that can simplify the conveyance path and make the entire structure compact.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a copying machine A as an image forming unit (sheet supply unit), a bookbinding apparatus (bookbinding unit) B arranged on the downstream side of sheet conveyance of the copying machine A, and a downstream side of sheet conveyance of the bookbinding apparatus B. 1 shows a bookbinding processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes a post-processing device (post-processing unit) C as a sheet receiving unit arranged. The bookbinding apparatus B receives a plurality of sheets onto which images have been transferred from the copying machine A, accumulates the received sheets in a bundle to form a sheet bundle, and binds the sheet bundle. Further, the post-processing apparatus C has a paper discharge tray 35, and receives a plurality of sheets onto which images have been transferred from the copying machine A through the bookbinding apparatus B, and forms a sheet bundle to perform stapling (binding). Processing) and perforation processing. Note that the copier A and the bookbinding apparatus B can be used alone.

  As shown in the figure, an image forming unit 3 is provided in the apparatus main body 2 of the copying machine 1, and an image is formed on a sheet such as plain paper or an OHP sheet by the image forming unit 3. Specifically, a document feeder 5 is mounted on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2, and a document automatically fed from the document feeder 5 is optically read by the optical reading means 7, and the read information thereof is read. Is transmitted to the image forming unit 3 as a digital signal. In the image forming unit 3, the surface of the photosensitive drum 15 is irradiated with the laser light L from the light irradiation unit 13 based on the digital signal, whereby an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the document is generated on the surface of the photosensitive drum 15. Formed. Subsequently, toner is supplied to the electrostatic latent image from the developing device 8 disposed around the photosensitive drum 15 by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 15, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized. The visualized toner image is then transferred to the sheet S sent to the transfer unit 14 at a predetermined timing. Note that the sheets S on which the images are transferred are fed one by one from the sheet cassette 9 mounted on the lower part of the apparatus main body 2 to the transfer unit 14 by the conveying roller 10. Of course, feeding from the multi-tray 12 is also possible.

  The sheet S on which the toner image is transferred by the transfer unit 14 is then conveyed to the fixing device 6 where the toner image is permanently fixed by applying heat and pressure. When the single-side mode is set in the apparatus main body 2, the sheet S that has passed through the fixing device 6 is sent to the bookbinding apparatus B. On the other hand, when the double-sided recording mode is set in the apparatus main body 2, the sheet S on which an image is formed on one side passes through the fixing device 6, and is first conveyed to the reconveying path 18 by switchback. Then, the sheet is conveyed again to the image forming unit 3 to form an image on the back surface, and then sent to the bookbinding apparatus B.

  The apparatus main body 2 sends a signal such as a sheet size to the bookbinding apparatus B so that the conveyance path in the bookbinding apparatus B can be switched in advance before the sheet S is sent to the bookbinding apparatus B. It has become.

  The bookbinding apparatus B includes at least a conveyance aligning unit 21 that conveys and aligns the sheet S, an adhesive application unit 22, and a cutting unit 23. In addition to the normal discharge mode, the bookbinding apparatus B can be used in an adhesive bookbinding mode or a cutting mode. Selection is possible. The cutting in the cutting mode can be performed in three directions other than the adhesive surface of the sheet bundle S1 described later.

  The conveyance aligning unit 21 includes a first conveyance path (conveying means) T1 that conveys the sheet S that has been carried in from the apparatus main body 2, and second and third conveyance paths that branch into the fork from the first conveyance path T1 ( Transport means) T2 and T3. The first transport path T1 is provided with a pair of carry-in rollers 25. On the downstream side of the pair of carry-in rollers 25, a transport path is formed at a branch portion between the second transport path T2 and the third transport path T3. A switching flapper (switching means) 27 for switching between the two is provided. In the present embodiment, the second transport path T2 extends in a meandering manner, but the third transport path T3 extends substantially horizontally without bending.

  In such a form of the conveyance path, when the normal discharge mode is selected on the apparatus main body 2 side, the sheet S carried into the bookbinding apparatus B from the apparatus main body 2 through the first conveyance path T1 is changed over to the switching flapper 27. To the third transport path T3 and discharged to the paper output tray 35 of the post-processing apparatus C through a plurality of transport roller pairs 29 provided in the third transport path T3 (if necessary) Then, after post-processing such as stapling, the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 35). On the other hand, when the bookbinding mode is selected on the apparatus main body 2 side, the sheet S is guided to the second transport path T2 by the switching flapper 27 and bonded via the adhesive application unit 22 and the cutting unit 23. After being bound (for example, binding by gluing), it is discharged to the storage unit 34.

  In addition, a stacking unit 42 that constitutes a matching area of the transport matching unit 21 is provided downstream of the second transport path T2. The stacking section 42 includes a receiving section 42a that receives the sheets S, and a stack of a predetermined number of sheets S is inclined by the receiving section 42a to form one sheet bundle S1. In this case, the receiving portion 42a can be slid in the stacking direction of the sheets S (the thickness direction of the sheet bundle S1) by a slide mechanism (not shown), and is fixed at an arbitrary slide position by a rack (not shown), for example. Yes. In addition, the stacking unit 42 is provided with a pressing arm 52 that presses the sheet S against the receiving unit 42a so as to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 52a.

  Further, when a predetermined sheet bundle S1 is formed thereon, the receiving portion 42a remains in the first position as shown by arrows a and b in the obliquely oriented sheet receiving posture. After being moved downward by a predetermined distance toward P1, it is positioned at the second position P2 by being moved by a predetermined distance in a direction (diagonally downward) perpendicular to the moving direction. Such movement of the receiving portion 42a is performed by a moving mechanism not shown in detail.

  Further, grippers 55a and 55b for holding the end portion of the sheet bundle S1 stacked on the receiving portion 42a are provided at the second position P2. These grippers 55a and 55b rotate the held sheet bundle S1 as indicated by an arrow c in FIG. 1 so as to be oriented in a substantially vertical direction (stand in a substantially vertical direction) and maintain the substantially vertical state. As it is (with one edge of the sheet bundle S1 (an edge to which an adhesive described later is applied) down), the sheet bundle S1 is moved downward toward the adhesive application unit 22. Specifically, these grippers 55a and 55b can move between a holding position where the sheet bundle S1 is held at the second position P2 and a delivery position where the sheet bundle S1 is delivered to the cutting device 23. . The grippers 55a and 55b can move between a closed position where the sheet bundle S1 is sandwiched from both sides and an open position where the sandwiched state of the sheet bundle S1 is released.

  Next, a case where the sheets S are stacked by the stacking unit 42 having the above configuration to form the sheet bundle S1 will be described.

  First, when the bookbinding mode is selected on the apparatus main body 2 side, the sheet S discharged from the apparatus main body 2 is transferred from the first conveyance path T1 to the second conveyance path via the carry-in roller pair 25 and the switching flapper 27. After being guided to T2, it is guided to the stacking unit 42.

  The sheets S guided to the stacking unit 42 are sequentially stacked on the receiving unit 42a. In this case, each time one sheet S is placed on the receiving portion 42a, the pressing arm 52 rotates about the rotation shaft 52a and presses the sheet S against the receiving portion 42a. The pressing force by the pressing arm 52 eliminates the gap between the sheets S, forms an appropriate sheet bundle S1, and slides the receiving portion 42a together with the sheet bundle S1. The slide position of the receiving portion 42a is held by the rack mechanism, so that a stacking space for the next sheet S is secured. That is, the pressing arm 52 slides the receiving portion 42a as the number of sheets S stacked on the stacking portion 42 increases (according to the thickness of the sheet bundle S1), thereby forming the sheet bundle S1 having good alignment. Contribute to.

  As described above, when the sheets S are sequentially fed to the stacking unit 42 and a predetermined number of sheets S are stacked (a sheet bundle S1 having a predetermined thickness is formed), the receiving unit 42a The moving mechanism moves to the second position P2 via the first position P1. At the second position P2, the sheet bundle S1 on the receiving portion 42a is held by the grippers 55a and 55b waiting at the open position, and then rotated and directed in the vertical direction. It is moved toward the adhesive application part 22 as it is. The adhesive application unit 22 is provided between a cover sheet bonding unit 60 (to be described later) provided downstream of the third transport path T3 and the first position P2.

  The adhesive application unit 22 holds an adhesive (for example, glue) and applies the held adhesive to the edge of the sheet bundle S1, and the adhesive unit 66 to the edge of the sheet bundle S1. And a moving mechanism for moving along. The adhesion unit 66 includes, for example, an aluminum container (adhesive container) 66a that accommodates the adhesive and opens upward, and an application roller 68b as a rotating body rotatably supported by the container 66a. Yes. In this case, the application roller 68b is made of, for example, heat-resistant rubber, contacts the adhesive in the container 66a and holds it on the surface, and rotates the adhesive held on the surface of the sheet bundle S1 while rotating itself. Apply to the edge.

  In addition, such an adhesive unit 66 includes an application region (region in which the container 66a is located in FIG. 1) for applying an adhesive to the sheet bundle S1 and a conveyance path (substantially vertical) of the sheet bundle S1 by the moving mechanism. The standby position for retreating from the transport path) and preparing for the coating process, and the replenishment position for receiving the replenishment of the adhesive (the adhesive is replenished through the opening of the container 66a), ie, the position facing the adhesive replenishing device 90 Can move between.

  Next, a case where an adhesive is applied by the adhesive application unit 22 to the edge of the sheet bundle S1 sent by the grippers 55a and 55b will be described.

  First, as described above, the sheet bundle S1 sandwiched and lowered by the grippers 55a and 55b is positioned in a substantially vertical state at a predetermined position on the application region in the movement path of the bonding unit 66. In this case, the distance between the edge of the sheet bundle S1 and the application roller 68b is adjusted according to the thickness of the sheet bundle S1.

  In this way, when the sheet bundle S1 is positioned at a predetermined position on the application area, the adhesive unit 66 that has been waiting at the standby position is moved to a predetermined starting position of the application area. Thereafter, the adhesive unit 66 is moved relative to the sheet bundle S1 from the starting position to a predetermined folding position in a state where the application roller 68b is rotated forward and is in contact with the edge of the sheet bundle S1. As a result, the adhesive is uniformly applied to the edge of the sheet bundle S1 by the application roller 68b carrying the adhesive in the container 66a on the surface.

  When the bonding unit 66 reaches the folding position, the forward rotation of the application roller 68b is stopped, and the movement of the bonding unit 66 is also stopped. From this point, this time, the adhesive unit 66 starts to move from the folding position toward the starting position while the application roller 68b is rotated in the reverse direction. Then, when the bonding unit 66 reaches the starting position again, the reverse rotation of the application roller 68b is stopped, and the movement of the bonding unit 66 is also stopped. Then, after the above-described reciprocation is performed twice, for example, the adhesive application operation is completed.

  When the application of the adhesive to the edge of the sheet bundle S1 is completed, the adhesive unit 66 is moved to the standby position or the replenishment position, and the conveyance path for the sheet bundle S1 is secured. Thereafter, the sheet bundle S1 held by the grippers 55a and 55b is lowered to the cover sheet bonding portion 60 through the substantially vertical conveyance path (in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the bonding unit 66).

  Further, until the adhesive is applied to the edge of the sheet bundle S1 in this way, the cover sheet has already been conveyed to the cover sheet bonding portion 60 and is on standby. In this case, the cover may be created on the apparatus main body 2 side and then sent from the apparatus main body 2 to the cover bonding portion 60. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. It may be fed out from the inserter 100 serving as a cover sheet supply means provided between them and sent to the cover sheet bonding portion 60. When the cover sheet is sent from the apparatus main body 2 side or the inserter 100 side to the cover sheet bonding portion 60, the cover sheet is conveyed from the first conveyance path T1 to the third conveyance path T3 via the switching flapper 27, and the sheet bundle S1 It is positioned at a predetermined position of the cover sheet bonding portion 60 that crosses the substantially vertical conveyance path. Then, the edge of the sheet bundle S1 coated with the adhesive is pressed against the positioned cover sheet in the vertical direction from above by the grippers 55a and 55b. Further, in this state, the sheet bundle S1 is further moved vertically downward by the grippers 55a and 55b with the cover attached to the edge thereof by the adhesive, and is slidable located below the cover bonding portion 60. Is pressed against the butt plate 59. Thereafter, the cover sheet and the sheet bundle S1 are pressed from both sides by a slidable back folding plate in a state of being abutted against the abutting plate 59. Thereby, a fold according to the thickness of the sheet bundle S1 is formed on the cover.

  Next, after the abutting plate 59 slides outward to form the sheet bundle S1 conveyance path, the grippers 55a and 55b hold the sheet bundle S1 to which the cover is bonded while holding the sheet cutting portion 23 below. Hand over to

  Next, the cutting unit 23 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  2 and 3, reference numeral 113 denotes an inlet conveyance roller, 120 denotes a cutting unit, 121 denotes a rotary table, 122 denotes a rotatable gripper for sandwiching and fixing the sheet bundle S1 on the rotary table 121, and 122a denotes the gripper 122 to the rotary table 121. A gripper drive mechanism 122 for pressing the gripper 122, a gripper moving mechanism 122 for freely moving the gripper 122 in the direction of the cutting unit 120, and a gripper frame 122 c for holding the gripper 122. The cutting unit 120 includes a cutting blade 120a, a movable presser plate 120b that presses the end of the sheet bundle S1 during cutting, a fixed presser plate 120c, and a presser plate moving mechanism that drives them.

  When the sheet bundle S1 to which the cover sheet is bonded is delivered to the cutting unit 23 by the grippers 55a and 55b, the conveyance movement mechanism 116 is activated to rotate the inlet conveyance roller 113, and the sheet bundle S1 is vertically moved toward the cutting blade 120a. Conveyed in the direction. In this case, the entrance conveying roller 113 is driven by the roller opening / closing moving mechanism 114 to sandwich the sheet bundle S1.

  Next, the sheet bundle S1 discharged from the entrance conveyance roller 113 is conveyed to the cutting blade 120a while being supported in a substantially vertical state while being supported by a guide plate 119 that forms a substantially vertical conveyance path.

  When the sheet bundle S1 is conveyed to the cutting blade 120a in this way, the gripper 122 is driven by the gripper moving mechanism 122a, and the sheet bundle S1 is sandwiched and fixed between the gripper 122 and the rotary table 121.

  Next, the cutting blade 120a moves to a predetermined position and waits to form a gap necessary for the rotation and movement of the sheet bundle S1 based on the thickness information of the sheet bundle S1. When the rotary table 121 and the gripper 122 are driven via the gripper moving mechanism 122a and the rotary mechanism 121a, the sheet bundle S1 held between the rotary table 121 and the gripper 122 has an edge to which the cover is bonded. From the state in which the back surface S1a is directed downward, the top edge S1b, the fore edge part S1c, and the ground part S1d, which are the other edges, are rotated and moved to positions where they can be cut by the cutting blade 120a. 4A shows a state in which the sheet bundle S1 is rotated and moved to a position where the top S1b is cut by the cutting blade 120a. FIG. 4B shows a state where the ground portion S1d is the cutting blade. FIG. 4C illustrates a state in which the sheet bundle S1 is rotated and moved to a position where the sheet edge S1c is cut by the cutting blade 120a. Indicates the state.

  When cutting any of the edges S1b, S1c, S1d, the sheet bundle S1 sandwiched between the rotary table 121 and the gripper 122 is fixed at the cutting position, and the cutting unit 120 is controlled by the control means (not shown). Cut. Specifically, when the presser plate moving mechanism is driven by the control means, the movable presser plate 120b is moved, and the edge side of the sheet bundle S1 to be cut is formed between the movable presser plate 120b and the fixed presser plate 120c. (See FIG. 5A). Then, the cutting edge 120a is moved in a horizontal plane so as to draw an arc, whereby the end edges are aligned (see FIG. 5B). At this time, the cut waste 127 falls by its own weight and is stored in the waste box 126 by the flapper 125. Specifically, when the cutting is started, the flapper 125 is rotated to a waste receiving position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 5B by a control means (not shown), and falls by its own weight along with the cutting. The coming cutting waste 127 is stored in the waste box 126 by the guidance of the flapper 125. Such efficient collection of the cutting waste 127 can be realized by transporting and cutting the sheet bundle S1 through a vertical transport path. The flapper 125 is returned to the original position (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 5A; the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 5B) every time the cutting of one sheet bundle S1 is completed. It is.

  When one edge is cut, the presser plate 120b and the cutting blade 120a are again positioned at predetermined positions to form a gap necessary for the rotation and movement of the sheet bundle S1 based on the thickness information of the sheet bundle S1. Move to wait. Then, the rotary table 121 and the gripper 122 are driven again via the gripper moving mechanism 122b and the rotary mechanism 121a, and the sheet bundle S1 held between the rotary table 121 and the gripper 122 has an edge to be cut next. It is rotated (rotated 180 °) and moved to a position where it can be cut by the cutting blade 120a.

  When the cutting of the three edges is completed as described above, the rotating mechanism 121a is driven to return the rotating table 121 to the original position, and the gripper moving mechanism 122b is driven to rotate with the gripper 122. The sheet bundle S <b> 1 sandwiched between the tables 121 is conveyed to the storage unit 34 via the discharge roller 123. In this case, the sheet bundle S1 discharged by the discharge roller 123 is pushed into the storage portion 34 by the flapper 125 and is stacked and stored in an upright position with the edge S1a coated with the adhesive facing down. The

  As described above, the image forming processing system according to the present embodiment includes the first conveyance path T1 extending from the copying machine A or the inserter 100 to the bookbinding apparatus B, the first conveyance path T1 connected to the first conveyance path T1, and the stacking unit. The second transport path T2 to 42 and the third transport path T3 connected to the first transport path T1 and leading to the post-processing apparatus C through the bookbinding apparatus B are provided. A cover bonding portion 60 is provided in the middle. That is, the third transport path T3 includes a transport path for transporting a sheet from the copying machine A or the inserter 100 to the post-processing apparatus C via the bookbinding apparatus B, and a cover sheet adhering portion 60 for covering the cover from the copying machine A or the inserter 100. It also serves as a transport path for transporting to In other words, sharing of the third transport path T3 is effectively performed between the bookbinding apparatus B and the post-processing apparatus C. Therefore, the conveyance path is simplified, and the proportion of the conveyance path spatially in the system can be reduced as compared with the conventional case. Therefore, the system can be reduced in size, and the manufacturing cost of the system can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional system.

  In the image forming processing system of the present embodiment, the third transport path T3 extends substantially horizontally without being bent. In this way, when the third transport path T3 involving the cover cover bonding portion 60 is formed substantially horizontally, when the thick paper that is stiff and easy to be covered is transported to the cover cover bond portion 60, the thick paper is being transported. Can be avoided, and the cover can be reliably supplied to the cover bonding portion 60.

  Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a plurality of sheets are supplied from the copying machine A to the bookbinding apparatus B to form a sheet bundle, but the plurality of sheets to which images have been added in advance are inserted into the inserter (sheet supply shown in FIG. 6). Part) 100 may be supplied to bookbinding apparatus B to form a sheet bundle. Also in this case, it goes without saying that the bookbinding apparatus B is disposed on the downstream side of the sheet conveyance of the inserter 100 and the post-processing apparatus C is disposed on the downstream side of the sheet conveyance of the bookbinding apparatus B. In the above-described embodiment, the post-processing device C is disposed as a sheet receiving portion on the downstream side of the sheet conveyance of the bookbinding device B. However, instead of the post-processing device C, a simple storage tray having no post-processing function is disposed. You may do it. That is, in the present invention, the sheet receiving unit disposed on the downstream side of the sheet conveyance of the bookbinding apparatus B accumulates the received sheets in a bundle to form a sheet bundle and performs a predetermined post-processing on the sheet bundle. It may be configured as a post-processing section to be applied, or may be a simple storage tray having no post-processing function.

  The present invention can be applied to various systems including an image forming unit, a bookbinding unit that binds and binds a cover, and a post-processing unit.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cutting unit of a bookbinding apparatus that constitutes the image forming processing system of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the cutting part in FIG. 2. It is a perspective view which shows the cutting procedure by a cutting blade in steps. (A) shows the state of the cutting part and the flapper before cutting, and (b) shows the state of the cutting part and the flapper at the time of cutting, respectively. 6 shows a modified example of an image forming processing system in which an inserter is interposed between a copying machine and a bookbinding apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

27 Switching flapper (switching means)
42 Stacking unit 60 Cover sheet bonding unit 100 Inserter (sheet supply unit)
A Copying machine (image forming unit; sheet supply unit)
B Bookbinding device (bookbinding department)
C Post-processing device (post-processing section; sheet receiving section)
S1 Sheet bundle T1 First transport path T2 Second transport path T3 Third transport path

Claims (13)

An image forming unit that forms an image and transfers the image to a sheet;
A sheet receiving portion for receiving a plurality of sheets with images transferred from the image forming portion;
A plurality of sheets on which images are transferred are received from the image forming unit, and the cover sheet is bonded to the stacking unit that stacks the received sheets in a bundle to form a sheet bundle, and the edge of the sheet bundle with an adhesive. A bookbinding part having a cover bonding part;
Conveying means for conveying a sheet from the image forming unit to the bookbinding unit and the sheet receiving unit;
With
The bookbinding unit is disposed on the sheet conveyance downstream side of the image forming unit, and the sheet receiving unit is disposed on the sheet conveyance downstream side of the bookbinding unit,
The transport means includes a first transport path extending from the image forming section to the bookbinding section, a second transport section connected to the first transport path and reaching the stacking section, and the first transport path. A third conveyance path connected to the conveyance path and reaching the sheet receiving section through the bookbinding section; and the first conveyance path is selectively selected with respect to the second conveyance path or the third conveyance path. Switching means for connection,
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the cover sheet bonding portion is provided in the middle of the third conveyance path, and the cover sheet is supplied to the cover sheet bonding section through the first and third conveyance paths. Processing system.   The sheet receiving unit is configured as a post-processing unit that accumulates sheets received from the image forming unit in a bundle to form a sheet bundle, and performs predetermined post-processing on the sheet bundle. The image forming processing system according to claim 1.   The image forming processing system according to claim 1, wherein the third conveyance path extends substantially horizontally without being bent. Before Symbol Table paper, the image formation processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is formed by the image forming unit. The image forming unit provided separately from the front Symbol image forming process according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises further a cover sheet supply means for supplying to the front cover bonding portion system.   3. The image forming process according to claim 2, wherein the post-processing unit accumulates sheets received through the third conveyance path in a bundle to form a sheet bundle, and binds the sheet bundle with staples. system.   3. The image forming processing system according to claim 2, wherein the post-processing unit accumulates sheets received through the third conveyance path in a bundle to form a sheet bundle and perforates the sheet bundle. . A sheet supply unit for supplying sheets;
A sheet receiver that receives a plurality of sheets from the sheet supply unit;
A stacking unit that receives a plurality of sheets from the sheet supply unit, stacks the received sheets in a bundle to form a sheet bundle, and a cover sheet bonding unit that bonds a cover sheet to the edge of the sheet bundle with an adhesive. A bookbinding department,
Conveying means for conveying a sheet from the sheet supply unit to the bookbinding unit and the sheet receiving unit;
With
The bookbinding unit is disposed on the sheet conveyance downstream side of the sheet supply unit, and the sheet receiving unit is disposed on the sheet conveyance downstream side of the bookbinding unit,
The transport means includes a first transport path extending from the sheet supply section to the bookbinding section, a second transport section connected to the first transport path and reaching the stacking section, and the first transport path. A third conveyance path connected to the conveyance path and reaching the sheet receiving section through the bookbinding section; and the first conveyance path is selectively selected with respect to the second conveyance path or the third conveyance path. Switching means for connection,
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the cover sheet bonding portion is provided in the middle of the third conveyance path, and the cover sheet is supplied to the cover sheet bonding section through the first and third conveyance paths. Processing system.   The sheet receiving unit is configured as a post-processing unit that accumulates sheets received from the sheet supply unit in a bundle to form a sheet bundle, and performs predetermined post-processing on the sheet bundle. The image forming processing system according to claim 8.   The image forming processing system according to claim 8, wherein the third conveyance path extends substantially horizontally without being bent. Before Symbol Table paper, the image formation processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is formed by the image forming unit.   The image forming process according to claim 9, wherein the post-processing unit accumulates sheets received through the third conveyance path in a bundle to form a sheet bundle, and binds the sheet bundle with staples. system.   The image forming processing system according to claim 9, wherein the post-processing unit accumulates sheets received through the third conveyance path in a bundle to form a sheet bundle and perforates the sheet bundle. .

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