JP4281651B2 - Image forming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention performs post-processing such as binding processing, folding processing, and punching processing on recording paper discharged from an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and a multifunction peripheral having these functions. More specifically, the post-processing apparatus performs post-processing of binding processing, folding processing, and punching processing, and inserts the insertion paper before, after, or in the middle of a plurality of recording sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus. The present invention relates to a post-processing apparatus provided with an insertion means.

  A large number of recording papers connected to an image forming apparatus main body such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine thereof are collated for each number of copies, and a binding process by a binding means, a folding means There is provided a post-processing apparatus that performs a folding process by the above-described method or a drilling process by a drilling means.

  Conventionally, in addition to the binding process, the folding process, and the punching process, a post-processing apparatus having an insertion sheet insertion unit that inserts an insertion sheet before, after, or in the middle of a plurality of recording sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus has been developed. In many cases, cardboard is used as an insertion sheet of these post-processing devices for the purpose of making a cover sheet. As a post-processing device provided with an insertion paper insertion means, a post-processing device (for example, Patent Document 1) having a function of aligning the orientation of the recording paper image printed from the image forming apparatus and the orientation of the insertion paper image, A post-processing device (for example, Patent Document 2) having a function of designating a binding process, a folding process, or a punching process offline in addition to an instruction from the image forming apparatus has been proposed. Performing offline post-processing offline when inputting information related to post-processing by the input means of the post-processing apparatus has an advantage that it is not necessary to perform complicated input operations at the operation unit of the image forming apparatus.

  When thick paper is used as the insertion paper, the processing capacity (maximum number of sheets to be processed) of the binding process, the folding process, or the punching process should be a smaller value than when plain paper is used. However, in the post-processing apparatus proposed in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2, the correspondence of the binding process, the folding process, and the punching process when there are a plurality of thick paper insertion sheets is not described. Further, a post-processing apparatus that controls the post-processing process offline based on the thickness information of the insertion sheet has not been proposed in the past other than the above-mentioned documents.

In addition, when the thickness information of the insertion sheet is unclear, the operator may set the number of sheets lower than the processing capacity of the post-processing apparatus or set the number of sheets exceeding the processing capacity, resulting in processing failure. It tends to cause problems such as.
JP 2000-295410 A JP 2003-146532 A

  The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and can fully utilize the processing capacity of the post-processing apparatus, and control even if post-processing exceeding the processing capacity is input to the cardboard insertion sheet. It is an object of the present invention to provide a post-processing apparatus having a configuration in which the means can stop the post-processing operation and prevent problems in post-processing.

The object of the present invention can be achieved by the following constitution.
(Claim 1)
An image forming apparatus;
At least binding processing, folding processing, or punching is performed on a plurality of recording sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus and one or a plurality of insertion sheets inserted before, after, or in the middle of the plurality of recording sheets. Having a configuration capable of performing any post-processing of the processing;
A post-processing device having an insertion paper mounting table on which the insertion paper or the recording paper can be placed in the post-processing device, and having an insertion means for inserting the insertion paper before, after or in the middle of the plurality of recording papers ;
In an image forming system comprising :
The post-processing device includes post-processing operation means for specifying any one or more of the post-processing to be performed offline, and the recording paper or the insertion paper placed on the insertion paper placement table Enabling post-processing designated by the post-processing operation means;
A thickness information input means for thickness information of the recording paper or insertion sheet is input,
Display means provided in the post-processing device for displaying thickness information of the recording paper or insertion paper input by the thickness information input means;
When thick paper is designated by the thickness information input means, the cumulative number is calculated by converting the number of thick paper into the number of plain paper according to the reference value of the thick paper inputted in advance, and is designated by the post-processing operation means. An image forming system comprising: main control means for comparing the maximum number of post-processing sheets and the cumulative number of sheets, and stopping the post-processing operation when the cumulative number of sheets exceeds the maximum number of processed sheets .
(Claim 2)
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein when a thick paper is designated by the thickness information input unit, the punching process is prohibited.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the operator's recognition of the inserted paper sheet thickness is increased, and miscopying due to an erroneous operation related to the inserted paper sheet thickness can be reduced. Further, when performing post-processing offline, the input operation from the operation unit of the image forming apparatus is not required, and the post-processing apparatus operation is performed on the recording paper or the insertion paper placed on the insertion paper placing table of the post-processing apparatus. Post-processing can be performed with a simple operation from the unit.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a defect in the drilling process using cardboard.

  Next, the post-processing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Image forming system]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming system in which a post-processing apparatus FS according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to an image forming apparatus A and an image reading apparatus B, and a cutting apparatus C is further connected. 1 is an external perspective view of an image forming system.

  In the image forming apparatus A, an image forming apparatus in which a charging unit 2, an image exposing unit (writing unit) 3, a developing unit 4, a transfer unit 5A, a charge removing unit 5B, and a cleaning unit 6 are arranged around a rotating image carrier 1. After the surface of the image carrier 1 is uniformly charged by the charging unit 2, exposure scanning based on the image data read from the document is performed by the laser beam of the image exposure unit 3 to form a latent image Then, the latent image is reversely developed by the developing means 4 to form a toner image on the surface of the image carrier 1.

  On the other hand, the recording paper S stored in the recording paper storage means 7A is fed by the paper feeding means 7B and sent to the transfer position. The toner image is transferred onto the recording paper S by the transfer means 5A at the transfer position. Thereafter, the charge on the back surface of the recording sheet S is erased by the charge eliminating means 5B, separated from the image carrier 1, conveyed by the intermediate conveying means 7C, subsequently heated and fixed by the fixing means 8, and discharged from the paper discharging means 7D. The

  When image formation is performed on both sides of the recording paper S, the recording paper S heated and fixed by the fixing unit 8 is branched from the normal paper discharge path by the conveyance path switching plate 7E, and is switched back by the reverse conveyance unit 7F. Then, the image is formed on the reverse side by reversing the front and back, and then discharged out of the apparatus by the discharge unit 7D. The recording paper S discharged from the paper discharge means 7D is sent to the post-processing device FS.

  On the other hand, the developer remaining on the surface of the image carrier 1 after image processing is removed by the cleaning unit 6 to prepare for the next image formation.

  On the upper front side of the image forming apparatus A, there is disposed an operation unit 9 for selecting and specifying a mode related to image formation and a mode related to post-processing.

  On the upper part of the image forming apparatus A, an image reading apparatus B provided with an automatic document feeder of a document moving type reading system is installed.

  The recording paper S discharged from the image forming apparatus A is subjected to a punching process by the punching unit 40, a shift process by the shift unit 50, and a binding unit (stapling unit) 700 of the stacking unit (paper storage unit) 70 in the post-processing device FS. After post-processing such as binding processing and folding processing in the folding means 80, the paper is sent directly to any one of the paper discharge means 30, the lift paper discharge tray 62, and the cutting device C. Also, the insertion means of the present invention accommodates an insertion sheet inserted before, after or in the middle of a plurality of recording sheets S discharged from the image forming apparatus and conveys it to the stacking unit 70 at the upper part of the post-processing apparatus FS. The first insertion paper placement table 20A and the second insertion paper placement table 20B are arranged. The first insertion paper placement table 20A and the second insertion paper placement table 20B are provided with placement detection means 25A and 25B (not shown) for detecting the placement of the insertion paper, respectively.

  A direct paper discharge means 30 for directly discharging and storing the recording paper S sent to the post-processing device FS is provided below the second insertion paper mounting table 20B.

  The cutting device C includes a first transport unit C1, a second transport unit C2, a cutting unit C3, and a booklet storage unit C4. The cutting apparatus C transports a bundle of sheets (recording paper and insertion sheets collectively referred to as a sheet) produced by the saddle stitching process and the center folding process by the first transport unit C1, and cuts the vicinity of the fore edge by the trimming unit C3. The booklets are prepared by aligning the fore edges, the booklet after the cutting process is conveyed by the second conveying means C2, and the booklets are aligned and stored in the booklet storing means C4. On the upper front side of the post-processing device FS, an operation unit 90 of the post-processing device FS, which is a post-processing operation means for selecting and specifying one or more post-processing among the punching processing, binding processing, and folding processing. Is arranged.

[Post-processing equipment]
As the insertion sheet in the embodiment of the present invention, there are a partition sheet (inter sheet) KA used as a partition and a cover sheet (cover sheet) KB used as a cover sheet. As insertion means for inserting the insertion sheet, the first insertion sheet placing table 20A for inserting the partition sheet KA in the middle of the plurality of recording sheets S and the cover sheet KB are inserted before and after the plurality of recording sheets S. There is a second insertion paper mounting table 20B.

  FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram of the post-processing device FS for explaining the configuration in the post-processing device FS according to the present invention and the conveyance path of the recording paper S, the partition paper KA, and the cover paper KB.

  The post-processing device FS is installed at a position and height such that the receiving portion 11 for the recording paper S carried out from the image forming device A coincides with the paper discharge means 7D of the image forming device A.

  The receiving unit 11 is supplied from the image forming apparatus A with the recording sheet S subjected to image formation processing, the partition sheet KA supplied from the first insertion sheet placing table 20A, and the second insertion sheet placing table 20B. Cover sheet KB is introduced.

・ (Partition paper, cover paper feed)
The partition sheet KA accommodated in the sheet feeding tray of the first insertion sheet mounting table 20A is separated and fed by the sheet feeding unit 21, and is sandwiched between the conveying rollers 22, 23, 24 and introduced into the receiving unit 11. Is done. Further, the cover sheet KB stored in the sheet feeding tray of the second insertion sheet mounting table 20B is separated and fed by the sheet feeding unit 25, and is sandwiched between the transport rollers 23 and 24 and introduced into the receiving unit 11. Is done.

  In the present embodiment, the paper thickness detection sensor TS (details will be described later) is disposed in the vicinity of the paper feeding unit 25 of the second insertion paper mounting table 20B.

・ (Drilling process)
The punching means 40 disposed on the downstream side of the receiving unit 11 in the sheet conveying direction includes the recording sheet S fed from the image forming apparatus A, the partition sheet KA conveyed from the first insertion sheet placing table 20A, and the second sheet. A punching process is performed on the cover sheet KB conveyed from the insertion sheet placing table 20B.

  The punching means 40 includes a punch 41 that is driven up and down by the driving means, and a die 42 that fits into the blade portion of the punch 41.

  The punching means 40 operates in response to a command from a post-processing control means 200 described later.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view showing various examples of the recording paper S that has been punched by the punching means 40. FIG. 4A shows an example (a two-hole file) in which holes h are drilled at two locations in the vicinity of the side edge a of the recording paper S. FIG. FIG. 4B shows an example (three-hole file) in which holes h are drilled at three locations in the vicinity of the side edge a of the recording paper S. FIG. 4C shows an example (four-hole file) in which holes h are drilled at four locations in the vicinity of the side edge a of the recording paper S.

  The intervals between the plurality of holes h are standardized. Further, the perforation end surface distance b from the side edge a of the recording paper S to the center of the hole h can be arbitrarily set, but is generally 9 to 11 mm.

・ (Paper branch)
On the downstream side of the punching means 40 in the paper conveyance direction, a paper branching means comprising switching means G1 and G2 is provided. The switching means G1 and G2 are driven by a solenoid (not shown) to any one of three paper transport paths, that is, one of the first transport path A for upper sheet discharge, the second transport path B for the middle stage, and the third transport path C for the lower stage. Branches selectively.

・ (Simple paper discharge)
When this paper conveyance is set, the switching means G1 shuts off the second conveyance path B and the third conveyance path C and opens only the first conveyance path A.

  The direct paper discharge unit 30 includes a conveyance roller 31, a discharge roller 32, a fixed paper discharge tray 33, and the like. The recording paper S or the like passing through the first conveyance path A is nipped by the conveyance roller 31 and rises, is discharged by the discharge roller 32, is placed on the fixed paper discharge tray 33, and is sequentially stacked. A maximum of about 200 recording sheets S and the like can be stacked on the fixed discharge tray 33.

・ (Shift processing)
When the mode relating to the conveyance is set, the switching unit G1 retracts upward, the switching unit G2 shuts off the third conveyance path C, opens the second conveyance path B, and moves to the second conveyance path B of the recording paper S. Allow the passage of. The image-formed recording sheet S discharged from the image forming apparatus A, the partition sheet KA fed from the first insertion sheet placing table 20A, or the second insertion sheet placing table 20B is fed. The cover sheet KB is shifted by a shift unit 50 so as to move a predetermined amount in the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction while passing through the middle of the switching units G1 and G2 and traveling on the second conveyance path B, and discharged. Conveyed in the direction.

  The shift means 50 performs a shift process for changing the discharge position of the recording paper S in the transport width direction every predetermined number of sheets. The shifted recording paper S is sandwiched between the discharge rollers 61 of the paper discharge means 60 and discharged to the lift paper discharge tray 62 outside the apparatus, where it is sequentially placed. The lifting / discharging tray 62 is configured to sequentially descend when discharging a large number of recording sheets S, and can accommodate a maximum of about 3000 recording sheets S (A4, B5). .

・ (Binding processing)
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the post-processing unit including the stacking unit 70 and the folding unit 80.

  When the binding process or the folding process is set via the operation unit 9 of the image forming apparatus or the operation unit 90 (see FIG. 2) of the post-processing apparatus, the image forming process is performed in the image forming apparatus A and the post-processing apparatus FS The image-formed recording sheet S sent to the receiving unit 11 passes through the punching means 40 (see FIG. 3), is sent to the third transport path C below the switching means G2, and is sandwiched between the transport rollers 12. It is conveyed downward.

  When the recording paper S having a size larger than A4, B5 size is transported in the third transport path C, the solenoid SD1 is driven, and the recording paper S passes through the paper passage 13A on the left side of the switching means G3 in the drawing. The paper is sandwiched between the transport rollers 14 and transported downward. The recording sheet S is further sandwiched and sent out by a pair of downstream entrance conveyance rollers (registration rollers) 15, discharged to a space above a sheet placement table (stacker) 71 that is inclined in the stacking unit 70, and the sheet placement table 71. Alternatively, the recording sheet S that is already loaded on the sheet placing table 71 is in contact with the upper surface and is conveyed obliquely upward. After the trailing end of the recording sheet S in the advancing direction is discharged from the nipping position of the conveying roller 14, the recording sheet S turns down due to its own weight, and is conveyed on the inclined surface of the sheet placing table 71, and the nail mechanism 701. The trailing edge of the recording sheet S abuts on the sheet abutting surface of the end binding sheet trailing edge abutting member (hereinafter also referred to as a first abutting member) 72 in the vicinity of the binding means composed of the needle receiving mechanism 702. And stop. Reference numeral 16 denotes a rotating endless belt-shaped paper guide member that is slidably brought into contact with the leading end portion of the recording paper S and fed into the first abutting member 72. The paper guide member 16 may be a rotatable impeller.

  In the third transport path C, in order to improve the copy productivity by efficiently transporting a small size recording paper S of A4, B5 size, etc., the left side of the movable switching means G3 and the switching means G3 in the figure. A paper passage 13B parallel to the paper passage 13A is provided.

  When the solenoid SD1 connected to the switching means G3 is driven, the sheet passing path 13A is closed and the sheet passing path 13B is opened.

  The leading end portion of the first small-size recording paper S sent out from the transport roller 12 passes through the paper passage path 13B and comes into contact with the peripheral surface of the inlet transport roller pair 15 in the rotation stopped state to stop.

  Next, the energization of the solenoid SD1 is turned off, the tip of the switching means G3 is swung in the clockwise direction, the sheet passing path 13B is closed, and the sheet passing path 13A is opened. The leading end portion of the second recording sheet S sent out from the conveying roller 12 passes through the sheet passing path 13A and comes into contact with the peripheral surface of the inlet conveying roller pair 15 in the rotation stopped state to stop. Accordingly, the leading end portions of the first recording sheet S and the second recording sheet S are overlapped and stopped in the vicinity of the holding position of the entrance conveyance roller pair 15 and enter a standby state.

  At a predetermined timing, the inlet transport roller pair 15 is driven and rotated, sandwiching the two recording sheets S, transporting them simultaneously, and discharging them onto the paper mounting table 71. For the third and subsequent sheets, the inlet transport roller pair 15 discharges the recording sheets S one by one.

  Reference numeral 73 denotes a pair of upstream width alignment members that are movably provided on both side surfaces of the sheet placing table 71. The width alignment member 73 is movable in the paper width direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction, and is opened wider than the paper width when the recording paper S is received on the paper mounting table 71. When the recording paper S is transported on the paper mounting table 71 and stops in contact with the first abutting member 72, the width alignment member 73 taps the side edge in the width direction of the recording paper S to make the paper bundle Sa. Width alignment (width alignment) is performed. In this stop position, when a predetermined number of recording sheets S are stacked and aligned on the sheet placing table 71, the binding process is performed by the binding means including the needle driving mechanism 701 and the needle receiving mechanism 702, and the sheet bundle Sa is formed. They are bound together.

  A notch is formed in a part of the sheet stacking surface of the sheet placing table 71, and one discharge belt 75 wound around the drive pulley 74A and the driven pulley 74B is rotatably driven. A discharge claw 76 is integrally formed on a part of the discharge belt 75, and the tip of the discharge claw 76 draws an ellipse locus X as shown by a dashed line in the figure. The bound bundle of sheets Sa is held on the trailing edge of the recording sheet S by the discharge claw 76 of the discharge belt 75 and is placed on the discharge belt 75 and slides on the loading surface of the sheet loading table 71. It is pushed upward obliquely and proceeds to the nipping position of the discharge roller 61 (see FIG. 3) of the paper discharge means 60. The sheet bundle Sa sandwiched between the rotating discharge rollers 61 is discharged and stacked on the elevating / discharging tray 62 (see FIG. 3).

  The stacking unit 70 and the folding means 80 are arranged on the post-processing unit frame, and can be guided to the slide rails R1 and R2 and pulled out to the front side of the post-processing apparatus FS.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the binding means 700 composed of the needle striking mechanism 701 and the needle receiving mechanism 702 and the sheet bundle Sa when performing various binding processes. FIG. 6A is a plan view showing a flat binding process in which the binding needle SP is hit at two centrally distributed positions in the vicinity of the side edge of the sheet bundle Sa, and FIG. 6B is 1 in the vicinity of the corner portion of the sheet bundle Sa. FIG. 6C is a plan view showing a saddle stitching process for placing the binding needle SP at two central portions of the sheet bundle Sa.

・ (Saddle stitching)
The binding means 700 disposed in the stacking unit 70 is configured in a two-part structure of a needle-striking mechanism 701 and a needle-receiving mechanism 702, and forms a sheet passing path 77A through which the recording paper S can pass (see FIG. 5).

  Two sets of binding means 700 are arranged in the paper width direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction, and can be moved in the paper width direction by a driving means (not shown).

  When the saddle stitching process is set, the first abutting member 72 in the vicinity of the stitching processing position (stitching position of the stitching needle) of the binding means 700 is retracted from the conveyance path, and at the same time, is used for both the saddle stitching and middle folding. The second abutting member 78 moves in the direction of the extending surface of the paper passage path 77A, and blocks the paper passage path 77B.

  The saddle stitching stopper unit having the second abutting member 78 has a lower end portion of the sheet bundle Sa to be saddle stitched when the size (length in the transport direction) of the cover paper KB and the recording paper S is set or detected. It moves to the position where it abuts and stops.

  After the cover sheet KB is placed at a predetermined stop position on the sheet placing table 71, the recording sheet S unloaded from the image forming apparatus A passes through the third transport path C from the receiving unit 11 of the post-processing apparatus FS. Then, the sheets are sequentially stacked on the upper surface of the cover sheet KB placed on the sheet placing table 71, and the leading end portion of the recording sheet S comes into contact with the second abutting member 78 and is positioned.

  After the final recording paper S is positioned and placed on the paper placement table 71, the saddle stitching process by the binding means 700 is performed on the paper bundle Sa composed of the cover paper KB and all the pages of the recording paper S. By this saddle stitching process, the binding needle SP is driven into the center in the transport direction of the cover sheet KB and the recording sheet S. The binding needle SP is driven from the needle driving mechanism 701 on the binding needle driving side toward the needle receiving mechanism 702 on the binding needle clinching side (see FIGS. 5 and 6C).

  The binding unit 700 operates according to a command from a post-processing control unit 200 described later.

・ (Folding process)
In FIG. 5, folding means 80 is disposed obliquely below the stacking unit 70. After the saddle stitching process, the second abutting member 78 linearly moves in the downstream direction of conveyance of the sheet bundle Sa to open the downstream path of the sheet passing path 77A. The movable second abutting member 78 restricts the stop position of the sheet bundle Sa during the saddle stitching process at the upper position, and restricts the stop position of the sheet bundle Sa at the middle folding process at the lower position.

  The sheet bundle Sa composed of the cover sheet KB and the recording sheet S subjected to the saddle stitching process is conveyed in the sheet passing path 81 </ b> A formed by the guide plate 81 obliquely below, and the sheet bundle Sa is conveyed to the second abutting member 78. The end of the direction comes into contact and stops at a predetermined position. The second abutting member 78 can be moved to a predetermined position by setting or detecting the paper size and the driving means.

  The sheet placing table 71 of the post-processing unit and the sheet passing paths 77A, 77B, 81A are formed on substantially the same plane and have a steep inclination of about 70 degrees.

  FIG. 7 is a front view of the folding means 80.

  The folding means 80 includes a folding plate 82, a first folding upper roller (hereinafter referred to as an upper roller) 83, a first folding lower roller (hereinafter referred to as a lower roller) 84, a second folding roller (hereinafter referred to as a second roller). 85), a conveyance path switching member 87, a guide plate 88, a paper front end stop member 89, and the like, and the paper bundle Sa is folded in half or in half.

  The upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84 are supported by a pair of left and right pressing means that are substantially symmetrical. One pressing means includes an upper roller 83, a support plate 832 that rotatably supports the upper roller 83, and can swing about a support shaft 831, and is locked to one end of the support plate 832. And a spring 833 for urging 83 in the clamping position direction. The lower roller 84 is substantially symmetrical with the upper roller 83, and includes a support shaft 841, a support plate 842, and a spring 843. The upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84 are driven and rotated by a folding roller driving unit 801 described later. The outer peripheral surfaces of the upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84 are formed of a high friction resistance material.

  The conveyance path switching member 87 is driven by a solenoid SD2 and can swing. When the paper sheet is folded in half, the transported paper sheet S is guided to the folded paper discharge outlet E1, and when the paper sheet is folded in half, the paper sheet S is guided. The ink is guided into the plate 88 and discharged from the paper discharge outlet E2.

・ (Paper folding process)
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the process of folding in half by the folding means 80. FIG. 8A shows a state in which the folding plate 82 presses the sheet bundle Sa and presses it against the upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84. . FIG. 8B shows a state in which the folding plate 82 has entered the position beyond the clamping position N of the upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84 and folded the sheet bundle Sa in half. 8C, the folding plate 82 is retracted from the nipping position N of the upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84 and returned to the initial position, and the folded sheet bundle Sa is discharged by the upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84. Indicates the state to be performed.

  The folding plate 82 connected to the drive source projects in the left direction in the drawing from the sheet placement surface in response to the folding process start signal. In the present embodiment, the folded plate 82 has a thin knife shape with a thickness of about 0.3 mm, and the tip thereof forms an acute angle.

  The front end portion of the folding plate 82 that protrudes straightly in the left direction in the figure pushes in the central portion of the sheet bundle Sa, and pushes the nipping position N of the upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84 through the sheet bundle Sa to separate them. .

  After the leading end of the folding plate 82 has passed the clamping position N between the upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84, the folding plate 82 moves backward, and the central portion of the sheet bundle Sa is clamped by the upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84. A crease part c is formed. This crease part c substantially coincides with the driving position of the binding needle SP on the sheet bundle Sa by the saddle stitching process (see FIG. 9).

  The folding means 80 operates according to a command from a post-processing control means 200 described later.

  The sheet bundle Sa formed with the fold portion c by being pinched is carried out by the upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84 that are driven to rotate, and is placed on the discharge tray 800 outside the apparatus.

  FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the sheet bundle Sa that has undergone post-processing for saddle stitching and bi-folding, FIG. 9B is a perspective view that shows a state in which the post-processed sheet bundle Sa is double-opened, and FIG. ) Is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sheet bundle Sa.

  The sheet bundle Sa created by the saddle stitching process and the bi-folding process has the first side (p1, p8) of the recording paper S facing outward, the second side (p2, p7) on the back side, and further on the inside. The first side (p3, p6) of the recording paper S and the second side (p4, p5) of the recording paper S are arranged inside it, and the page alignment of the booklet Sa consisting of 8 pages (p1-p8) as shown in the figure. Can do.

・ (Tri-fold processing)
The folding means 80 shown in FIG. 7 can execute two modes, ie, a two-fold process and a three-fold process. The folding means 80 includes first folding means for folding the sheet bundle Sa in half and second folding means for folding the sheet bundle Sa in three.

  The first folding means includes an upper roller 83, a lower roller 84, and a folding plate 82. The second folding means includes a second roller 85, a conveyance path switching member 87, a guide plate 88, and a paper front end stopping member 89.

  The sheet conveyance distance from the nipping position N (see FIG. 8) of the upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84 to the sheet contact surface of the sheet leading end stop member 89 is one third of the length of the recording sheet S in the conveyance direction. As described above, the position of the sheet front end stopping member 89 is set.

  The lower roller 84 and the second roller 85 are rotatably supported by the support plate 832 and are connected to the folding roller driving means 801.

  FIG. 10A is a developed plan view of the recording sheet S to be folded in three, and FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the recording sheet S that has been folded in three. The crease portions d and e that divide the length of the recording paper S in the longitudinal direction into three equal parts fold the recording paper S into three surfaces of A surface, B surface, and C surface. The recording sheet S to be folded in three is first folded at the fold portion d and then folded inside by the fold portion e.

  In the tri-folding process, a small number of sheets, for example, about three recording sheets S can be folded at the same time. The three-folded recording paper S is folded into a small size and can be accommodated in a normal mail envelope.

  FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a tri-fold processing step. In this tri-fold processing step, the inner fold shown in FIG. 10B is formed.

  In FIG. 11A, the front end portion of the folding plate 82 presses the position of the fold portion d formed on the recording paper S and inserts it into the clamping position N of the upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84 (see FIG. 8). . The upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84 rotate in the direction of the solid line arrow to sandwich the recording paper S while forming the fold portion d of the recording paper S. After the fold portion a is formed by the upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84, the folding plate 82 is retracted from the clamping position N and returned to the initial position.

  As shown in FIG. 11B, the recording sheet S in which the fold portion d of the recording sheet S is formed between the upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84 is conveyed in the direction of the solid arrow by the rotating upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84. Then, it travels along the upper surface of the transport path switching member 87, passes through a pair of opposing guide plates 88, and the fold portion d of the recording paper S comes into contact with the paper front end stop member 89.

  As shown in FIG. 11C, when the upper roller 83 and the lower roller 84 continue to rotate, the fold portion d of the recording paper S comes into contact with the paper leading edge stop member 89 and is prevented from progressing. One third of the length of the rear end of S is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the lower roller 84 having a large frictional resistance, and is conveyed to a nipping position where the lower roller 84 and the second roller 85 are in pressure contact with each other. A fold portion e is formed in S.

  As shown in FIG. 11 (d), a fold portion d and a fold portion e are formed at a position where the lower roller 84 and the second roller 85 are sandwiched, and the front end portion and the rear end portion are folded back and subjected to a three-fold process. The recording sheet S is placed on the discharge tray 800 outside the apparatus along the guide plate 86.

  The folding means 80 operates according to a command from a post-processing control means 200 described later.

[Control means for post-processing apparatus]
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the control of the image forming apparatus A and the post-processing apparatus FS according to the present invention.

  The control means for controlling the post-processing operation according to the present invention includes the main control means 100 of the image forming apparatus A and the post-processing control means 200 of the post-processing apparatus FS, and image formation connected to the main control means 100 is performed. The communication means 101 of the apparatus A and the communication means 201 of the post-processing apparatus FS connected to the post-processing control means 200 are electrically connected, and control signals are exchanged between them. The thickness information input means according to the present invention is provided in the operation unit 90 of the post-processing apparatus FS (the thickness information input means will be described in detail later), and the number information input means according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus. It is provided in the operation unit 9 of A.

  Based on the thickness information (electrical signal) of the insertion sheet input from the thickness information input unit and the number information of the insertion sheet and the recording sheet input from the number information input unit, the post-processing control unit 200 includes the punching unit 40. The operations of the punching process by the folding means 80, the folding process by the folding means 80, and the binding process by the binding means 700 are controlled. The control of each operation of the punching process, the folding process, and the binding process is performed by accumulating the paper thickness that is a reference for stopping the operations of the punching process, the folding process, and the binding process, which is input to the storage unit 110 of the main control unit 100 in advance. And the cumulative value of the paper thickness calculated based on the number of recording sheets, the number of inserted sheets, and the thickness of the inserted sheets input by the number information input unit and the thickness information input unit. . That is, in the storage unit 110 of the main control unit 100, when thick paper is mixed in the insertion paper, the reference value is set as the number of plain paper equivalent to one thick paper. The total number of sheets (total number of sheets) calculated by converting the number of sheets (recording paper and insertion sheets) to the number of plain papers is compared with the processing capacity (maximum number of sheets) of each of punching, folding, or binding. When the maximum number of processed sheets is exceeded, the post-processing control unit 200 stops the post-processing operation according to a command from the main control unit 100.

  The first insertion sheet placement table 20A and the second insertion sheet placement table 20B, which are insertion sheet insertion means, operate according to a command from the post-processing control means 200.

[Post-processing setting of online mode]
In the online mode in which information related to post-processing is input from the operation unit 9 in the image forming apparatus A, the operation unit 9 supplies the first insertion sheet mounting table 20A and the second insertion sheet mounting table 20B of the post-processing apparatus FS. Paper (including number setting), punching processing by the punching means 40, end binding and saddle stitching processing by the binding means 700, and center folding and trifold processing by the folding means 80 are set.

  The main control unit 100 in the image forming apparatus A sends a control signal to the post-processing device FS via the communication unit 101 according to these settings by the operation unit 9. The control signal is transmitted to the post-processing control unit 200 via the communication unit 201. The post-processing control means 200 drives each set means.

  FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a basic screen (initial screen) of the operation unit 9 of the image forming apparatus A. On the display screen of the operation unit 9, the paper size, magnification, copy density, and the like of the recording paper are set, and the number information, that is, the number of copies, is set by a numeric keypad (not shown) serving as the number information input means.

  FIG. 14 is the next screen of FIG. The screen shown in FIG. 14 is an output setting screen 9A that is displayed as the next screen when the “output setting” button is pressed on the basic screen of the operation unit 9.

  When performing post-processing in the online mode, the operator sets the copy condition of the paper size, magnification, and copy density on the initial screen of the operation unit 9 shown in FIG. 13, sets the number of copies using the numeric keypad, and sets it. The copy number signal is sent to the main control means 100. Next, the “output setting” button is pressed to switch the screen to the output setting screen 9A shown in FIG. 14, designation of the paper discharge tray (fixed paper discharge tray 33 or lift paper discharge tray 62), and the position and number of stapling processes. Selection such as designation, sorting (shift processing), saddle stitching, center folding, cutting, punching, etc. is set using this screen. Next, a desired post-processing is selected by pressing a selection button for each of saddle stitching, center folding, and punching, and a “OK” button is pressed to send a signal to the main control unit 100. The command causes each post-processing section to operate via the post-processing control means 200, post-processing is performed, and the screen returns to the screen of FIG.

  FIG. 15 is the next screen of FIG. 13 and is an applied function screen 9B displayed as the next screen when the “applied function” button on the basic screen of the operation unit 9 shown in FIG. 13 is pressed. Insertion of the partition sheet KA such as an inter-sheet or OHP interleaving paper as one of the insertion sheets into the recording sheet S is set and executed on this screen.

[Post-processing setting in offline mode]
FIG. 16 is a plan view showing an operation unit installed in the post-processing apparatus as an embodiment of the thickness information input means according to the present invention, and FIG. 17 shows an offline mode by the thickness information input means according to the present invention. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an operation procedure of the post-processing apparatus that controls the post-processing mode.

  An operation unit 90 installed in the post-processing apparatus includes a function selection button 91 for selecting a binding process and a folding process, a punch button 92 for selecting a punching process, and a start / clear button for starting a copying operation (also used as a display lamp). ) 93, first loading table selection button 94A, second loading table selection button 94B, and paper thickness selection button 95 button group, display lamps 91A, 91B, 91C, 91D, 92A, cardboard display lamp 95A, and plain paper And a lamp group of the display lamp 95B. Among these, the display means includes a paper thickness selection button 95, a thick paper display lamp 95A, a plain paper display lamp 95B, and the like.

  Using the operation unit 90, the partition sheet KA accommodated in the first insertion sheet placement table 20A, the cover sheet KB accommodated in the second insertion sheet placement table 20B, and the image forming apparatus A are discharged to the stacking unit 70. Post-processing operations such as punching processing, shift processing, binding processing, folding processing, and the like performed in the post-processing device FS are performed on the recording sheet S that has been processed off-line, separately from an instruction from the image forming apparatus A. be able to. Further, a sheet detection sensor (not shown), which is the number information input means, is disposed in the third transport path C (see FIG. 3), and is integrated from the first insertion sheet placement table 20A or the second insertion sheet placement table 20B. The sheet conveyed to the section 70 is detected, the number of detections is stored in the storage unit 110 of the main control unit 100, and the number of sheets is counted.

  In the present embodiment, the thickness information input means according to the present invention includes a paper thickness selection button 95 provided in the operation unit 90 of the post-processing apparatus, a thick paper display lamp 95A that is a paper thickness display lamp, and plain paper. It consists of a display lamp 95B and the like.

  Further, the controllable post-processing device mode according to the present invention includes a display switching mode of display means for displaying insertion sheet thickness information, and a number of sheets for changing the maximum number of sheets to be processed for binding processing, folding processing, or punching processing. There is a control mode. The display switching mode is a mode in which either the plain paper display lamp 95B or the thick paper display lamp 95A is alternately lit or blinked by repeatedly pressing the paper thickness selection button 95. The number control mode is a mode in which the maximum number of sheets to be processed in the binding process, the folding process, or the punching process is changed according to the thickness information of the inserted sheet input by the thickness information input unit. The display switching mode is controlled by the post-processing control unit 200 of the post-processing device FS, and the number control mode is controlled by the main control unit 100 via the post-processing control unit 200.

  Hereinafter, the operation procedure of the post-processing apparatus based on the input operation from the operation unit 90 of the post-processing apparatus will be described with reference to the image forming system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the operator places the insertion sheet or the recording sheet on the first insertion sheet placing table 20A of the post-processing device FS (S1). At this time, the first insertion paper placement table 20A is provided with a placement detection means 25A (not shown) composed of a microswitch and an optical sensor, and detects the placement of the insertion paper or the recording paper and performs post-processing control. A detection signal is transmitted to the main control means 100 via the means 200. Further, it is assumed that sheets having the same thickness are placed on one placing table, and insertion sheets or recording sheets having different thicknesses are placed on the second inserting sheet placing table 20B. Similar to the first insertion paper placement table 20A, the second insertion paper placement table 20B is provided with placement detection means 25B, which detects the placement of the insertion paper or the recording paper and detects the main control means 100. Send a detection signal to. At this time, the paper thickness display lamp on the display screen of the operation unit 90 of the post-processing device FS shown in FIG. 16 is configured such that the plain paper display lamp 95B is lit as an initial setting. Next, the function selection button 91 is pressed on the display screen of the operation unit 90 to switch to the offline mode (S2). When performing the punching process, if the punch button 92 is pressed in this state, the display lamp 92A is turned on, and the blue lamp of the start / clear button 93 is turned on, indicating that the operation can be started (ready). When the punching process is not performed, the display lamp 92A is turned off by pressing the punch button 92 again and returns to the original state (S3). Next, when the function selection button 91 is pressed again, the binding lamp 91A of the binding operation is turned on and the blue lamp of the start / clear button 93 is turned on to display that the operation can be started (ready). Subsequently, as the function selection button 91 is sequentially pressed, one of the two-point binding display lamp 91B, the saddle stitching middle folding display lamp 91C, and the three-fold display lamp 91D is sequentially turned on, and the start is started. The blue lamp of the / clear button 93 is lit and displays that the operation can be started (ready), so any desired post-processing is selected (S4). Next, in order to select the first insertion sheet placement table 20A on which the insertion sheet is placed, the first placement table selection button 94A is pressed (S5). Next, when the paper thickness selection button 95 is pressed on the basis of the paper thickness corresponding to the paper placed on the first insertion paper placement table 20A, the display means enters the display switching mode and the thick paper or the plain paper is selected. (S6). When the paper thickness selection button 95 is pressed, the plain paper display lamp 95B that was initially lit is turned off, and the thick paper display lamp 95A is turned on instead (S7). In the display switching mode, the thick paper display lamp 95A and the plain paper display lamp 95B are repeatedly turned on (or blinked) and turned off according to the operation of repeatedly pressing the paper thickness selection button 95, and only one of the lamps is always displayed. . The lighting or blinking of the thick paper display lamp 95A or the plain paper display lamp 95B has an effect of increasing the operator's recognition of the paper thickness and reducing miscopying related to the paper thickness.

  Next, when the start / clear button 93 is pressed (S8), the insertion paper or recording paper placed on the first insertion paper placement table 20A is conveyed to the stacking unit 70 (S9). At the same time, the number of sheets conveyed to the stacking unit 70 is detected by a sheet detection sensor (not shown) disposed in the third conveyance path C (see FIG. 3), and the sheet number control mode is entered. When the sheet number control mode is entered, a detection signal of the number of sheets to be conveyed is sent to the main control unit 100 via the post-processing control unit 200 and counted, and the accumulated number is stored in the storage unit 110. When the inserted paper or recording paper is plain paper, it is added to the number of recording papers as it is, and when the inserted paper is thick paper, the thick paper is replaced with the plain paper based on the reference value (program) of the thick paper previously input to the storage means 110. The total number of sheets is calculated by performing an arithmetic process of calculating in terms of the number of sheets and adding the number of recording sheets to calculate the total number of sheets, and the main control unit 100 inputs the calculated total number of sheets to the storage unit 110. It is compared with the maximum number of processed post-processing, and it is determined whether it is within the processing capacity (S10). When the corresponding post-processing exceeds the processing capacity, the post-processing operation is automatically stopped (S11), the process returns to the initial screen (S1) in FIG. 13, and the processing capacity is over and resetting is performed. A warning indicating that it is necessary is displayed on the screen of the operation unit 9 as a warning lamp is turned on or a warning message is displayed. When the post-processing is within the processing capacity, the process proceeds to S12, the paper conveyance is continued, and the paper is conveyed to the stacking unit 70 (S12). The number control mode can maximize the processing capability of the post-processing apparatus FS, and has the effect of reducing miscopying that causes post-processing beyond the processing capability.

  Next, whether or not a sheet remains on the first insertion sheet mounting table 20A is detected by a sheet remaining amount detection sensor (not shown). If it remains, the process returns to S10, and if not, the process proceeds to S14 (S13). ). When there is no paper remaining on the first insertion paper placement table 20A, whether or not there is any paper remaining on the second insertion paper placement table 20B is detected by a paper remaining amount detection sensor (not shown) (S14). If yes, the process returns to S3, and if not, the process proceeds to S15 (S13). If a sheet remaining amount detection sensor (not shown) detects that no sheets remain on the first insertion sheet placement table 20A and the second insertion sheet placement table 20B, is there a sheet to be added next? Whether there is a sheet to be added is advanced to S16, and when there is no sheet to be added, the process proceeds to S17. When there is a sheet to be added, a desired sheet is placed on the first insertion sheet placing table 20A or the second insertion sheet placing table 20B (S16), and the process returns to S3. When there is no sheet to be added, a desired post-processing is performed on the collected sheets conveyed to the stacking unit 70, and the post-processed sheet bundle is discharged to the lifting / lowering discharge tray 62 or the fixed discharge tray 33. (S17).

  In the present embodiment, the initial setting of the paper thickness of the operation unit 90 is plain paper, but the initial setting can be set to thick paper by a dip switch (not shown) or a button on the operation unit screen.

  In addition, regarding the hole punching process, in consideration of the wear of the blade portions of the punch 41 and the die 42, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the hole punching process is not performed when the insertion sheet is thick paper.

  The paper thickness detection sensor TS can also be used as thickness information input means, and is provided in the vicinity of the paper feed unit 25 (see FIG. 3) of the second insertion paper mounting table 20B that is insertion means. The paper thickness detection sensor TS is configured by a known thickness detection sensor using transmitted light or ultrasonic waves. The cover sheet KB conveyed from the second insertion sheet placing table 20B is detected by the sheet thickness detection sensor TS in the vicinity of the sheet feeding unit 25 as a thick sheet or a plain sheet. When it is detected that the cover sheet KB is a thick sheet, the sheet thickness information and the number information of the cover sheet KB remaining on the second insertion sheet placing table 20B are sent to the main control unit via the post-processing control unit 200. It is sent to 100 and converted as the number of plain paper. The value obtained by converting the thick cover paper KB into the number of plain papers is discharged by the main control means 100 from the first insertion paper mounting table 20A and the number of partition sheets KA conveyed from the image forming apparatus A to the stacking unit 70. The total number of the recording sheets S to be added is compared with a predetermined post-processing capacity number (maximum processing number) input in advance to the storage means 110, and the target post-processing operation is performed. A command (signal) to be controlled is issued. That is, when the calculated cumulative number of inserted sheets exceeds the post-processing capacity, the main control unit 100 issues a command to stop the post-processing operation.

  In the present embodiment, the paper thickness detection sensor TS is provided in the vicinity of the paper feeding unit 25 and detects the thickness of the paper sent to the paper feeding unit 25 one by one. A configuration may be adopted in which the thickness of the entire stacked sheet bundle is detected using ultrasonic waves, or the uppermost height of the sheet bundle is optically detected.

  The above shows the process of performing post-processing independently by selecting any one of the punching process, the binding process, the folding process, and the tri-fold process for the partition sheet KA or the cover sheet KB in the offline mode.

  FIG. 18 is a plan view of the partition sheet KA in a state where the post-processing of the binding process and the punching process is performed, and FIG. 18A illustrates the partition sheet KA that has been subjected to the punching process and one-point binding process. FIG. 18B is a plan view of the partition sheet KA subjected to the punching process and the two-point binding process.

In offline mode, when set by performing fraud and mitigating risk 2 operations drilling process and one location stapling on the operation unit 9 0 shown on the operation unit 90 or 16, shown in FIG. 12, post-processing control unit 200 18A, it is possible to make two holes h shown in FIG. 18A and to bind an insertion sheet corner at one place with one binding needle SP.

In offline mode, Oite the operation unit 9 0, when setting performed 2 operations drilling process and two points binding processing, post-processing control unit 200, two holes h shown in FIG. 18 (b) Punching of the insertion paper and binding at the two edge portions of the inserted paper by the two binding needles SP are possible.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the paper thickness detection sensor TS is disposed in the vicinity of the paper supply unit 25 shown in FIG. 3, it is configured to detect only the thickness of the cover sheet KB, the paper feeding section 21 It is good also as a structure which provides in the vicinity and also detects the thickness of the partition paper KA.

  Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the post-processing apparatus connected to the copying machine main body has been described. It is.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming system in which a post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to an image forming apparatus and an image reading apparatus, and a cutting apparatus is further connected. 1 is an external perspective view of an image forming system. FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating a conveyance path for recording paper, insertion paper, and cover paper in the post-processing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing various examples of recording paper that has been punched by a punching means. Sectional drawing of the post-processing unit which consists of a stacking part and a folding means. The top view which shows arrangement | positioning of a binding means and a paper bundle in the case of implementing various binding processes. The front view of a folding means. Sectional drawing which shows the process of the folding process by a folding means. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a sheet bundle subjected to saddle stitching and post-folding processing, a perspective view of the sheet bundle in a double-open state, and a schematic cross-sectional view of the sheet bundle. FIG. 3 is a development plan view of a recording sheet that is tri-folded, and a perspective view of the recording sheet that is tri-folded. Sectional drawing which shows a tri-fold process process. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating control of an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a basic screen of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus, and a plan view showing a sub screen of the operation unit installed in the post-processing apparatus. The top view of an output setting screen. The top view of an application function screen. The top view which shows the operation part 90 installed in post-processing apparatus FS which is embodiment of the thickness information input means which concerns on this invention. The flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement procedure of the post-processing apparatus which controls post-processing mode in offline mode by the thickness information input means based on this invention. The top view of the paper in which the punching process and the single binding process were performed, and the top view of the paper in which the punching process and the double binding process were performed.

Explanation of symbols

9 Operation unit of image forming apparatus (number information input means)
9A, 9B Sub-screen of operation unit 20A First insertion paper placement table 20B Second insertion paper placement table 25A, 25B Placement detection means 40 Hole making means 70 Accumulation part (paper storage part)
700 Binding means (staple means)
80 Folding means 90 Post-processing device operation unit (post-processing operating means, thickness information input means)
91 Function selection button 91A, 91B, 91C, 91D, 92A Display lamp 92 Punch button 93 Start / clear button 95 Paper thickness selection button 95A Thick paper display lamp (display means)
95B Plain paper display lamp (display means)
100 Main control means 200 Post-processing control means A Image forming apparatus FS Paper post-processing apparatus (post-processing apparatus)
KA divider paper (insert paper)
KB cover paper (insert paper)
TS Paper thickness detection sensor

Claims (2)

An image forming apparatus;
At least binding processing, folding processing, or punching is performed on a plurality of recording sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus and one or a plurality of insertion sheets inserted before, after, or in the middle of the plurality of recording sheets. Having a configuration capable of performing any post-processing of the processing;
A post-processing device having an insertion paper mounting table on which the insertion paper or the recording paper can be placed in the post-processing device, and having an insertion means for inserting the insertion paper before, after or in the middle of the plurality of recording papers ;
In an image forming system comprising :
The post-processing device includes post-processing operation means for specifying any one or more of the post-processing to be performed offline, and the recording paper or the insertion paper placed on the insertion paper placement table Enabling post-processing designated by the post-processing operation means;
A thickness information input means for thickness information of the recording paper or insertion sheet is input,
Display means provided in the post-processing device for displaying thickness information of the recording paper or insertion paper input by the thickness information input means;
When thick paper is designated by the thickness information input means, the cumulative number is calculated by converting the number of thick paper into the number of plain paper according to the reference value of the thick paper inputted in advance, and is designated by the post-processing operation means. An image forming system comprising: main control means for comparing the maximum number of post-processing sheets and the cumulative number of sheets, and stopping the post-processing operation when the cumulative number of sheets exceeds the maximum number of processed sheets . The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein when a thick paper is designated by the thickness information input unit, the punching process is prohibited.

Images