JP4437947B2 - Sheet folding apparatus and sheet post-processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is provided in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, for example, and performs post-sheet processing such as folding, stapling, or punching on a sheet material such as paper on which an image is recorded by the image forming apparatus. The present invention relates to a processing apparatus. In addition, the sheet post-processing apparatus includes a finisher apparatus that performs, for example, stapling or punching, and a sheet folding apparatus that performs a folding process such as Z-folding or bi-folding on a sheet material.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a sheet folding apparatus, a loop forming space with a folding unit is provided in a sheet conveying path, and a stop unit is provided at a downstream position in the sheet conveying direction of the loop forming space. There is a type in which a sheet material forms a loop in a loop forming space by abutting the leading end against a stop unit, and the sheet material is folded by biting the loop into a nip of a folding unit composed of a plurality of rollers.

  In this type of sheet folding apparatus, the sheet folding position is changed by moving the position of the stop means along the sheet conveyance path. That is, when the user designates the sheet size and the folding form, the position of the stop means is automatically moved according to the designation, and the sheet material is folded at an appropriate folding position.

  However, since the leading edge of the sheet material is abutted against the stop means, the distance between the stop means and the folding means becomes long, and the sheet material is weak under low basis weight or in a high humidity environment. Thus, there is a problem that buckling or sagging occurs between the stop means and the folding means, and the sheet folding position varies. Further, since the position of the stop means is moved along the sheet conveyance path, if the folding accuracy is ensured, there is a problem that the configuration is inevitably complicated and the cost is increased, and the occupied space is increased.

  Therefore, in the conventional sheet folding apparatus, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, a loop forming space 3 with folding means 2 composed of a plurality of rollers 2a, 2b and 2c is provided in the sheet conveying path 1, Some stop means 4 is provided immediately downstream of the loop forming space 3 in the sheet conveying direction, and the sheet detection sensor 5 is disposed slightly downstream. And after detecting the front-end | tip of the sheet | seat material 6 with the sheet | seat detection sensor 5, the stop means 4 is act | operated at an appropriate timing, and the sheet | seat material 6 in the middle of conveyance is pinched | interposed between the pressing roller 4a and the guide member 7, By stopping the conveyance of the sheet material 6 in the sheet conveyance path 1, a loop is formed by bending the sheet material 6 in the loop formation space 3, and the loop is a nip between a pair of rollers 2 a and 2 b constituting the folding means 2. And the sheet material 6 was folded.

JP 2000-44115 A

  However, even if the stop means 4 is provided immediately downstream of the loop forming space 3 in the sheet conveying direction, the sheet material 6 becomes weak and forms a clean loop under a low basis weight or in a high humidity environment. As a result, there is a problem that sufficient folding accuracy cannot always be secured.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to ensure a satisfactory folding accuracy at all times by eliminating variations in the sheet folding position without increasing the cost and increasing the occupied space in the sheet folding apparatus. There is to do.

  The second object of the present invention is to reliably eliminate buckling and sagging of the sheet material due to the influence of the type and environment of the sheet material, and to further ensure good folding accuracy at the sheet folding apparatus.

  A third object of the present invention is to ensure even more favorable folding accuracy in a sheet folding apparatus.

  A fourth object of the present invention is to improve the accuracy of loop engagement with the nip of the folding means in the sheet folding apparatus.

  A fifth object of the present invention is to further improve folding accuracy in a sheet folding apparatus without hindering conveyance of a sheet material.

  A sixth object of the present invention is to reduce the cost by sharing parts in a sheet folding apparatus and reducing the number of dedicated parts.

  A seventh object of the present invention is to reduce the influence of the type and environment of the sheet material in the sheet folding apparatus, and to always ensure a better folding accuracy.

  An eighth object of the present invention is to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus provided with a sheet folding apparatus that always ensures satisfactory folding accuracy by eliminating variations in the sheet folding position without increasing costs or increasing the occupied space. Is to provide.

  Therefore, in order to achieve the first object, the invention according to claim 1 is a loop forming space in which a sheet conveying path for conveying a sheet material such as a sheet is provided with a folding means including a plurality of rollers, belts, and the like. In addition, a stop unit is provided at a position downstream of the loop formation space in the sheet conveyance direction, and the sheet material is deflected in the loop formation space by stopping the conveyance of the sheet material in the sheet conveyance path. In a sheet folding apparatus that bites the loop into the nip of the folding means and folds the sheet material in Z or in two, when the sheet material forms a loop, it enters the loop, and between the stop means and the nip And a pressing member that presses the sheet material on a guide member such as a plate forming a loop forming space.

  When folding the sheet material, stop the sheet material in the sheet conveyance path with the stop means at an appropriate timing, so that the sheet material forms a loop in the loop formation space and presses into the loop. After the member is inserted and the sheet material between the stop means and the nip is pressed by the pressing member and is brought along the guide member, the end of the loop is caught in the nip of the folding means to crease the sheet material.

  The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that, in order to achieve the second object, in the sheet folding apparatus according to claim 1, the pressing member is formed in a plate shape. Then, the sheet material is pressed against the guide member with one side of the plate-like pressing member.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the third object, in the sheet folding apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the shape of the pressing member on the sheet pressing side is matched with the shape of the guide member. Features. Then, the sheet material is pressed against the guide member without being lifted by the pressing member.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the fourth object, in the sheet folding apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the sheet material is inserted into the loop and the sheet member is used as a guide member by a pressing member. When pressing, the tip of the pressing member is located near the nip of the folding means. Then, while pressing the sheet material against the guide member by the pressing member, at the same time, the leading end of the loop is guided to the nip of the folding means by the pressing member.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the fifth object as well, in the sheet folding apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the pressing member is located upstream with the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction as a fulcrum. It is characterized in that it is rotatably provided at a pressing position where the tip on the side enters the loop and presses the sheet material against the guide member, and a retracted position where the sheet material is retracted from the loop.

  Then, when folding the sheet material, the pressing member is rotated about the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction as a fulcrum to be in the pressing position, the upstream end is inserted into the loop, and the sheet material is pressed with the pressing member. Along the guide member. The tip of the loop is engaged with the nip of the folding means to feed the sheet material out of the loop forming space, and the pressing member is rotated about the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction to return to the retracted position, and the tip is retracted from the loop. To do.

  A sixth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in order to achieve the sixth object, in the sheet folding apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the pressing member is rotated using the operation of the stop means as a trigger. Then, the pressing member is rotated with the operation of the stop means as a trigger, and the pressing member is set to the pressing position or the retracted position.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the seventh object as well, in the sheet folding apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, a stop means is provided at a position immediately downstream of the loop forming space in the sheet conveying direction. It is characterized by providing. When the transport of the sheet material is stopped by the stop means, a sag is generated in the loop forming space immediately upstream of the stop means to form a loop with the sheet material.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the eighth object, the sheet post-processing apparatus includes the sheet folding apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects. When performing post-processing, in the sheet folding apparatus, a stop unit is operated at an appropriate timing to stop the conveyance of the sheet material in the sheet conveyance path, thereby causing a sag in the loop formation space, and the sheet material forms a loop. Then, the pressing member is inserted into the loop, the sheet material between the stop means and the nip is pressed by the pressing member, and is brought along the guide member, and then the tip of the loop is caught in the nip of the folding means. Crease the material.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the sheet material is folded, the sheet material is looped in the loop forming space by stopping the conveyance of the sheet material by the stop means, and the pressing member is inserted into the loop. Since the sheet material between the stop means and the nip is pressed along the guide member, the sheet material between the stop means and the nip is prevented from buckling or bending due to the influence of the type and environment of the sheet material. It is possible to always ensure satisfactory folding accuracy without increasing the sheet folding position and without increasing the height or occupying space.

  According to the invention of claim 2, in addition, since the pressing member is formed in a plate shape and the sheet material is pressed against the guide member with one side of the plate-shaped pressing member, the sheet material is pressed against the guide member with the surface. It is possible to reliably prevent the sheet material from buckling or bending due to the influence of the type and environment of the sheet material, and to further ensure good folding accuracy at all times.

  According to the invention of claim 3, in addition, the sheet pressing side of the pressing member is matched with the shape of the guide member, and the pressing member is pressed closely against the guide member without being lifted. A good folding accuracy can be further ensured along the guide member.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, in addition, the sheet material is pressed against the guide member by the pressing member, and at the same time, the leading end of the loop is guided to the nip of the folding means by the pressing member. Biting accuracy can be improved.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition, when folding the sheet material, the pressing member is rotated about the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction as a fulcrum, and the leading end on the upstream side is in the loop. Since the sheet material is pushed in and pressed along the guide member by the pressing member, the pressing member is brought close to the guide member so that the sheet material can be surely moved along the guide member and the folding accuracy can be improved. In addition, the leading end of the loop is engaged with the nip of the folding means to feed the sheet material out of the loop forming space, and the pressing member is rotated about the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction to return to the retracted position, and the leading end is moved into the loop. Therefore, the pressing member does not hinder the conveyance of the sheet material.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition, the pressing member is rotated using the operation of the stop means as a trigger, and the pressing member is set to the pressing position or the retracted position. There is no need to separately provide a detection means, and the operation of the pressing member can be started from the operation of the stop means, the parts can be made common, the number of dedicated parts can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, in addition, when the transport of the sheet material is stopped by the stop means, a sag is generated in the loop forming space immediately upstream of the stop means, and a loop is formed by the sheet material. Therefore, the distance between the stop means and the nip can be shortened to reduce the buckling and sagging of the sheet material due to the influence of the type of the sheet material and the environment, and a good folding accuracy can always be further ensured.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, when post-processing is performed, the sheet member is stopped by the stop means and the sheet material forms a loop in the loop forming space, and the pressing member is inserted into the loop. Since the sheet material between the stop means and the nip is pressed along the guide member, the sheet material between the stop means and the nip is prevented from buckling or bending due to the influence of the type and environment of the sheet material. It is possible to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus provided with a sheet folding apparatus that always ensures satisfactory folding accuracy by eliminating variations in the sheet folding position without increasing the height or occupying space.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an overall schematic configuration of a sheet post-processing apparatus including a sheet folding apparatus according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the illustrated sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus main body 200 that forms an image on a sheet material such as paper, and is installed adjacent to the image forming apparatus main body 200. This sheet post-processing apparatus 100 includes a sheet folding apparatus 300 that performs Z-folding or bi-folding, and a finisher apparatus 400 that performs stapling or punching. The sheet folding apparatus 300 or the finisher apparatus 400 performs post-processing on the sheet material that records an image and discharges it from the image forming apparatus main body 200.

  In the sheet folding apparatus 300, a sheet conveyance path R1 is horizontally provided slightly above the middle stage. In addition, a sheet conveyance path R2 is provided on the right side in the figure, and a re-conveyance path R3 is provided on the left side in the figure. Further, a folding conveyance path R4 is provided in the lower part of the sheet folding apparatus 300, in which the sheet material is conveyed from the sheet conveyance path R2 to the re-conveyance path R3, and the sheet material is bent. Further, a branching claw 10 is provided at a branch position where the sheet transport path R1 branches to the sheet transport path R2.

  Such a sheet folding apparatus 300 conveys the image-recorded sheet material from the image forming apparatus main body 200 from the right side to the left side in the drawing, and when the sheet material is not bent, it passes through the sheet conveyance path R1. When the sheet material is folded while being conveyed to the finisher device 400, the sheet material is passed in the order of the sheet conveyance path R1, the sheet conveyance path R2, the folding conveyance path R4, and the re-conveyance path R3, and the sheet conveyance path again. Return to R1 and transport to finisher device 400.

  The sheet conveying path R1 of the sheet folding apparatus 300 includes a sheet conveying roller 11 that conveys a sheet material downstream of the branching claw 10.

  Further, in the sheet conveying path R2, downstream of the branch claw 10, as shown in FIG. 2, the sheet conveying roller 12 capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions for conveying the sheet material in order in the conveying direction of the sheet material, A first sheet detection sensor 13 comprising, for example, an optical sensor for detecting the passage, a stop means 14 for correcting the skew of the sheet material and pressing the middle of the sheet material to stop the conveyance of the sheet material, and detecting the passage of the sheet material For example, a second sheet detection sensor 15 including an optical sensor is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the stop means 14 includes a roller shaft 14a, two press rollers 14b provided on the roller shaft 14a with a space therebetween, and a pair of ends rotatably supporting both ends of the roller shaft 14a. Lever 14c and a rotating shaft 14d that rotatably supports the base ends of the pair of levers 14c. Then, the rotary shaft 14d is disposed on the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction, and the pressing roller 14b is disposed on the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction.

  As a result, the rotating shaft 14d is rotated by driving means such as a solenoid or a motor (not shown) to rotate the pair of levers 14c, and the pressing roller 14b enters the sheet conveying path R2 and presses against a contact roller 18 described later. It is possible to switch between the action position and the retreat position for retreating from the sheet conveyance path R2.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 2, the sheet conveying path R2 is formed with a pair of plate-shaped guide members 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e, 16f facing each other. Then, at the branch position where the sheet conveyance path R2 branches to the folding conveyance path R4, the sheet is partitioned by the guide members 16c, 16d, and 16e, and a loop is formed in the sheet material to bend the sheet material. A loop forming space 17 is provided.

  Further, along with the loop formation space 17, a folding means 22 for folding the sheet material is provided in the middle of the folding conveyance path R4 at a position adjacent thereto. The folding means 22 transmits a drive from a drive device (not shown) to drive the roller 22a so as to be able to rotate forward and backward, and presses against the drive roller 22a to form a nip a, which is driven by the rotation of the drive roller 22a. The driven roller 22b rotates, and the driven roller 22c is also pressed against the driving roller 22a to form a nip b and is rotated by the rotation of the driving roller 22a.

  By the way, in the sheet conveying path R2, the stop means 14 described above is provided immediately downstream of the loop forming space 17 in the sheet conveying direction, and is exposed to the sheet conveying path R2 through the window hole of the guide member 16e. A contact roller 18 is provided opposite to the presser roller 14b of the stop means 14 with R2 interposed therebetween.

  In the present invention, although not shown in FIG. 1, a pressing member 20 is provided at a position adjacent to the loop forming space 17 slightly upstream of the stop means 14. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the pressing member 20 is provided with an elongated plate-like pointed pressing claw 20 a and a rotating shaft 20 b provided at the base end of the pressing claw 20 a. Then, the rotary shaft 20b is arranged immediately downstream in the sheet conveying direction, and is rotatably provided at the pressing position and the retracted position with the rotating shaft 20b as a fulcrum. Gives mobility and always holds it in the retracted position. In the pressing position, the upstream end is inserted into the loop of the sheet material and the sheet material is pressed against the guide member 16e. At the retreat position, retreat from within the loop.

  As a result, when the sheet material forms a loop, the pressing member 20 rotates the rotary shaft 20b by driving means such as a solenoid or a motor (not shown), moves to the pressing position, and enters the pressing claw 20a into the loop. The sheet material between the stopper means 14 and the nip a is pressed against the guide member 16e that forms the loop forming space 17.

  When the pressing member 20 is formed in a plate shape as shown in the drawing, the sheet material is pressed against the guide member 16e with the surface, and when the shape of the sheet pressing side is matched with the shape of the guide member 16e, the pressing member 20 does not float on the guide member 16e. The sheet material is always brought along the guide member without being buckled or bent by the influence of the kind of the sheet material, the environment, or the like, so that a good folding accuracy can be more reliably ensured.

  Now, as shown in FIG. 2, the folding conveyance path R <b> 4 is branched from the middle thereof and includes a switchback path 28. A branching claw 23 is provided at a branching position that branches from the folding conveyance path R4 to the switchback path 28. In the middle of the switchback path 28, a stopper 24 is provided so as to be freely inserted into and removed from the switchback path 28.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the sheet material is sequentially conveyed in the conveyance direction of the sheet material to the re-conveyance path R3, and the sheet conveyance roller 26 and the sheet material which are rotatable in both the forward direction and the reverse direction are conveyed. Sheet transport rollers 27a and 27b are provided. The re-conveying path R3 joins the sheet conveying path R1 on the left side of the sheet folding apparatus 300 in the drawing.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the finisher device 400 conveys the sheet material from the right side to the left side in the drawing substantially horizontally so as to continue downstream of the sheet conveyance path R <b> 1 of the sheet folding device 300 described above. A sheet conveyance path R5 is provided. The sheet transport path R5 includes a sheet transport path R6 that branches upward from the middle and a detour transport path R7 that branches downward. A branch claw 30 is provided at a branch position where the sheet conveyance path R5 branches to the sheet conveyance path R6, and a branch claw 31 is provided at a branch position where the sheet conveyance path R5 branches to the detour conveyance path R7.

  In the sheet conveyance path R5, a sheet conveyance roller 29a that conveys the sheet material in order in the conveyance direction of the sheet material, a punch device 36 that punches holes in the sheet material, sheet conveyance rollers 29b and 29c that convey the sheet material, A sheet guide 33 for guiding the sheet material and a discharge roller 34 for discharging the sheet material to the discharge tray 35 or the discharge tray 38 are provided. The discharge trays 35 and 38 are provided on the left side surface of the finisher device 400, and are respectively provided so as to be appropriately translated in a direction orthogonal to the sheet material discharge direction by driving means (not shown).

  The sheet conveyance path R6 includes a sheet conveyance roller 37 that conveys the sheet material, a discharge roller 39 that discharges the sheet material to the stack base 40 provided on the finisher device 400, and the like. On the other hand, in the detour conveyance path R7, the sheet conveyance rollers 41a, 41b, 41c, and 41d that convey the sheet material, the staple device 42 that staples the bundle of sheet materials, and the sheet material when performing the saddle stitching staple processing described later. And a folding device 48 for performing a folding process in a bundle. The detour conveyance path R7 joins the sheet conveyance path R5 at the upstream position of the discharge roller 34.

  In the stapling device 42, a staple tray 43 on which the sheet material is placed when stapling is performed on the sheet material, and the sheet material placed on the staple tray 43 is aligned with the width direction of the sheet material perpendicular to the conveying direction. A jogger fence 44 that is aligned, a tapping roller 45 that is aligned in the conveying direction, that is, the length direction of the sheet material, an end-stitched stapler 46 that performs stapling on the bundle of aligned sheet materials, and a saddle-stitched stapler 47 are provided. Further, although not shown, a push-up device that pushes up the sheet material on the staple tray 43 along the detour conveyance path R7 is provided.

  On the other hand, the above-described bi-folding device 48 has a pair of folding rollers that can be inserted into and retracted from the detour conveyance path R7 and pressed against a half position in the length direction of the sheet material, and a pair of folding rollers that perform bi-fold folding processing on the sheet material. 50 and the like.

  In the illustrated example, each of the branching claws 10, 23, 30, and 31 is normally urged by an urging member (not shown) and held in the state shown in FIG. 1, and the branching claw 10 is held in the sheet conveyance path R1. Retract from R2, branch claw 23 retreats from switchback path 28, branch claw 30 retreats from sheet conveyance path R5 / R6, and branch claw 31 retreats from sheet conveyance path R7, but in sheet conveyance path R5 Has come to advance.

  The sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is configured as described above. Next, the operation of the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 will be described.

  The sheet post-processing apparatus 100 includes a first mode in which post-processing such as folding processing, stapling processing, and sorting processing for shifting and sorting the sheet material is not performed, and a second mode in which punch punching processing is performed on the sheet material. A mode, a third mode in which end-stitching or saddle stitching is stapled on a bundle of sheet materials, a fourth mode in which folding is performed on one sheet material in half-folding, and Z is applied to one sheet material. And a fifth mode for performing a folding process.

  These modes are selected by an operation display unit (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus main body 200. When the sheet material is shifted and sorted, the sheet material is discharged onto the discharge trays 35 and 38 and stacked there. On the other hand, when the sheet material is not sorted, the sheet material is discharged onto the stack base 40 and stored there. Stack.

  When the first mode in which no post-processing is performed on the sheet material is selected, the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 does not first rotate the branch claw 10 as illustrated, but rotates the branch claw 31 clockwise to rotate the sheet. After retracting from the transport path R5 and entering the sheet transport path R7, the branch claw 30 is rotated clockwise to retract from the sheet transport path R6 and enter the sheet transport path R5.

  Then, the image-recorded sheet material from the image forming apparatus main body 200 is put into the sheet conveyance path R1 of the sheet folding apparatus 300. Next, the sheet material is conveyed through the sheet conveyance path R <b> 1 by the sheet conveyance roller 11 of the sheet folding apparatus 300 and is put into the sheet conveyance path R <b> 5 of the finisher apparatus 400.

  Next, after the sheet material is continuously conveyed by the sheet conveying rollers 29a and 29b, the sheet material is put into the sheet conveying path R6 from the sheet conveying path R5 by the branching claw 30, and then conveyed by the sheet conveying roller 37, and then by the discharge roller 39. It is discharged and stacked on the stack base 40.

  When the second mode for punching holes in the sheet material is selected, the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 first does not rotate the branch claws 10 and 30 as shown, while the branch pawl 31 is turned clockwise. It rotates around and retracts from the sheet conveyance path R5 and enters the sheet conveyance path R7. Further, either the discharge tray 35 or the discharge tray 38 is moved to a receiving position for receiving the discharge sheet from the discharge roller 34.

  Then, the image-recorded sheet material from the image forming apparatus main body 200 is put into the sheet conveyance path R1 of the sheet folding apparatus 300. Next, the sheet material is conveyed through the sheet conveyance path R <b> 1 by the sheet conveyance roller 11 of the sheet folding apparatus 300 and is put into the sheet conveyance path R <b> 5 of the finisher apparatus 400. Next, the sheet material is further conveyed by the sheet conveying roller 29a.

  The punching device 36 is operated at the appropriate timing with the conveyance of the sheet material, and punch punching is performed on the sheet material. Next, the sheet material that has been punched is further conveyed by the sheet conveying rollers 29b and 29c, guided by the sheet guide 33, and discharged onto the discharge tray 35 or the discharge tray 38 by the discharge roller 34. Stack there.

  In addition, when the third mode in which end-binding stapling is performed on a bundle of sheet materials is selected, the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 first does not rotate the branch claws 10, 30, and 31 as illustrated, and the discharge tray Either 35 or the discharge tray 38 is moved to a receiving position for receiving the discharge sheet from the discharge roller 34.

  Then, the image-recorded sheet material from the image forming apparatus main body 200 is put into the sheet conveyance path R1 of the sheet folding apparatus 300. Next, the sheet material is conveyed through the sheet conveyance path R <b> 1 by the sheet conveyance roller 11 of the sheet folding apparatus 300 and is put into the sheet conveyance path R <b> 5 of the finisher apparatus 400. Next, after the sheet material is further conveyed by the sheet conveying rollers 29a and 29b, the sheet material is fed from the sheet conveying path R5 to the detour conveying path R7 at the position of the branch claw 31.

  Then, after the sheet material is conveyed by the sheet conveying rollers 41a, 41b, 41c, and 41d, the sheet material is placed on the staple tray 43 of the staple device 42, and then the sheet material is conveyed by the jogger fence 44, the tapping roller 45, or the like. The direction and the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction are aligned.

  Next, the second and subsequent sheet materials fed from the image forming apparatus main body 200 are similarly repeated. After the sheet materials are conveyed, they are placed on the staple tray 43 and aligned, and the required number of sheets is aligned on the staple tray 43. Then, the end of the bundle of sheet materials is stapled by the end binding stapler 46.

  Finally, the bundle of sheet materials subjected to the stapling process is pushed up from the staple tray 43 by using a pusher (not shown) and is put from the detour conveyance path R7 to the sheet conveyance path R5, and the discharge roller 34 discharges the discharge tray 35 or It is discharged onto the discharge tray 38 and stacked there.

  Further, when performing saddle stitching staple processing on a bundle of sheet materials, the sheet material is conveyed to the staple tray 43 and aligned, as described above, and a required number of sheet material bundles are placed on the staple tray 43. Then, stapling is performed by the saddle stitch stapler 47 in the center of the bundle of sheet materials.

  Next, the bundle of sheet materials subjected to saddle stitching stapling is pushed up from the staple tray 43 using a push-up device, and the blade 49 is advanced to the detour conveyance path R7 at an appropriate timing. Then, the tip of the blade 49 is pressed against a half position in the length direction of the sheet material, whereby a bundle of sheet materials is inserted into the nip of the pair of folding rollers 50, and the sheet material is rotated by the rotation of the folding rollers 50. The bundle is folded in half and discharged onto the discharge tray 35 and stacked there.

  When the fourth mode in which a sheet material is folded in half is selected, the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 first rotates the branching claw 10 counterclockwise to the sheet conveyance path R1. The branch claw 31 is rotated clockwise to retract from the sheet conveyance path R5 and advances into the sheet conveyance path R7, and then the branch claw 30 is rotated clockwise to retract from the sheet conveyance path R6. Put in the sheet conveyance path R5. Further, the branch claw 23 is rotated clockwise to advance into the switchback path 28.

  Next, the image-recorded sheet material from the image forming apparatus main body 200 shown in FIG. 1 is put into the sheet conveyance path R <b> 1 of the sheet folding apparatus 300. Next, after the sheet material is put into the sheet conveyance path R2 from the sheet conveyance path R1 at the position of the branch claw 10 of the sheet folding apparatus 300, the sheet material is continuously conveyed through the sheet conveyance path R2 by the sheet conveyance roller 12.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the first sheet detection sensor 13 detects the passage of the sheet material S, the stop means 14 is driven by a drive means such as a solenoid or a motor (not shown), The rotating shaft 14d is rotated to rotate the pair of levers 14c, and the stop means 14 is set to the operating position as shown in FIG. 4B, and the presser roller 14b enters the sheet conveying path R2 and does not rotate. Press against the roller 18. Then, the leading edge of the sheet material S is abutted against the nip between the pressing roller 14b and the contact roller 18, and the sheet material S is bent in the loop forming space 17 as shown by a chain line in the figure to skew the sheet material S. Correct.

  Next, after an appropriate time has elapsed since the first sheet detection sensor 13 detected the sheet material S, the contact roller 18 is driven to rotate, the press roller 14b is driven to rotate, and the sheet material S is conveyed downstream. . Then, as shown in FIG. 4C, when the second sheet detection sensor 15 detects the passage of the sheet material S, the conveyance of the sheet material S by the sheet conveyance roller 12 is continued and the sheet material S After an appropriate time according to the size has elapsed, the rotational driving of the contact roller 18 is stopped, and the rotational driving of the presser roller 14b is stopped.

  However, since the rotation of the sheet conveyance roller 12 continues and the conveyance of the sheet material S continues, the sheet material S is bent in the loop forming space 17 as indicated by a chain line in FIG. A loop is formed, and the loop gradually increases. Then, when the loop becomes large to some extent, the rotating shaft 20b is rotated by driving means such as a solenoid or a motor (not shown) to rotate the holding claw 20a against the turning behavior, and is shown in FIG. 4 (E). Thus, the pressing member 20 enters the loop so as to be in the pressing position, and the sheet material S between the stopper means 14 and the nip a is pressed against the guide member 16e forming the loop forming space 17.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4 (F), the end of the enlarged loop is inserted between the driving roller 22a and the driven roller 22b, which are eventually rotated, and is engaged with the nip a, and then bent into the sheet material S. I do.

  By doing so, the sheet material S between the stop means 14 and the nip a is aligned with the guide member 16e, and the sheet material S is prevented from buckling or bending due to the influence of the type, environment, etc. The sheet can be folded at a certain position on the sheet material without variation in the sheet folding position without increasing the height or occupying space, and satisfactory folding accuracy can always be ensured.

  The sheet material S caught between the driving roller 22a and the driven roller 22b is sent out from the loop forming space 17, and the pressing member 20 is rotated about the rotating shaft 20b on the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction to return to the retracted position. The holding claw 20a at the tip is retracted from the loop.

  At substantially the same time as the bending of the sheet material S, the rotation of the presser roller 14b of the stop means 14 is released to release the restraint of the sheet material S, and then the lever 14c is rotated clockwise about the rotation shaft 14d. By rotating, the stop means 14 is set to the retracted position, and the presser roller 14b is retracted from the sheet conveying path R2 to completely release the pressing of the sheet material S.

  Further, when entering the loop and pressing the sheet material S against the guide member 16e by the pressing member 20, the tip of the pressing member 20, that is, the tip of the pressing claw 20a is in the vicinity of the nip a of the folding means 22, as shown in FIG. To be located. Then, while pressing the sheet material S against the guide member 16 e by the pressing member 20, the tip of the loop can be simultaneously guided to the nip a of the folding means 22 by the pressing member 20, and the loop is engaged with the nip a of the folding means 22. Accuracy can be improved.

  By the way, when the pressing member 20 is rotated by using the operation of the stopping means 14 as a trigger and the pressing member 20 is set to the pressing position or the retracted position, the operation of the pressing member 20 is started from the operation of the stopping means 14. In addition, it is not necessary to separately provide an independent detection means as an operation trigger for the pressing member 20, and it is possible to reduce the cost by using common parts and reducing the number of dedicated parts.

  The folded sheet material S is conveyed downstream with the crease side first. The leading edge of the sheet material S immediately hits the branch claw 23, thereby preventing the sheet material S from entering the switchback path 28, and further rotating the sheet material S by the rotation of the rollers 22 a and 22 c. Transport downstream and enter the re-transport path R3.

  Next, the sheet material S is conveyed to the lower part of the sheet folding apparatus 300 by the normal rotation of the sheet conveying roller 26. Then, before the rear end of the sheet material S passes through the sheet conveyance roller 26, the sheet conveyance roller 26 is reversely rotated, whereby the sheet material S is switched back and conveyed to the upper portion of the sheet folding apparatus 300.

  Then, the sheet material S is conveyed by the sheet conveying rollers 27 a and 27 b and is put into the sheet conveying path R 1 of the sheet folding apparatus 300, and then is put into the sheet conveying path R 5 of the finisher apparatus 400. Thereafter, the sheet material S is further conveyed by the sheet conveyance path rollers 29a, 29b, and 37, discharged to the stack base 40 by the discharge roller 39, and stacked there.

  In addition, when performing the folding process for one sheet material S and performing punch punching, the sheet folding apparatus 300 performs the folding process for the sheet material S in the same manner as described above. The punch device 36 is operated at an appropriate timing while being put into the sheet conveyance path R5 of the finisher device 400, and the sheet material S is conveyed by the sheet conveyance path roller 29a, thereby punching the sheet material S. Thereafter, the punched punched sheet material is conveyed by the sheet conveying rollers 29b and 37, and then discharged onto the stack base 40 by the discharge roller 39 and stacked there.

  In addition, when the sheet material S is folded in half and the bundle of the sheet materials S is also stapled to perform so-called bag binding processing, the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 first branches. The claw 10 is rotated counterclockwise to enter the sheet conveyance path R1, the branch claw 30 is also rotated counterclockwise to enter the sheet conveyance path R6, and the branch claw 31 is not rotated to the sheet conveyance path R5. The branching claw 23 rotates clockwise and advances into the switchback path 28. Further, either one of the discharge tray 35 and the discharge tray 38 shown in FIG. 1 is moved to a receiving position for receiving the discharge sheet from the discharge roller 34.

  Next, the image-recorded sheet material S is put into the sheet conveyance path R2 from the sheet conveyance path R1 at the position of the branch claw 10 of the sheet folding apparatus 300, and is folded into the sheet material S in the same manner as described above. I do.

  Next, after the sheet material S is put into the sheet conveyance path R5 of the finisher device 400 and further conveyed by the sheet conveyance path rollers 29a and 29b, the sheet material S is moved from the sheet conveyance path R5 to the detour conveyance path R7 at the position of the branch claw 31. Put in. Then, the sheet material S is transported by the sheet transport rollers 41 a, 41 b, 41 c, and 41 d and placed on the staple tray 43 of the stapling device 42.

  Next, the sheet material S placed on the staple tray 43 is aligned with the jogger fence 44, the tacho roller 45, and the like in the conveyance direction of the sheet material S and the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction.

  The above operation is repeated for the second and subsequent sheet materials S, and a required number of sheets is placed on the staple tray 43. Thereafter, the bundle of sheet materials S placed on the staple tray 43 is stapled by the end binding stapler 46.

  Finally, the bundle of sheet materials S is pushed out from the staple tray 43 by a push-up device, discharged onto the discharge tray 35 or the discharge tray 38 by the discharge roller 34, and stacked there.

  When the fifth mode in which Z-folding is performed on one sheet material is selected, the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 first rotates the branching claw 10 counterclockwise, for example, to rotate the sheet conveyance path R1. The branch claw 31 is rotated clockwise to retract from the sheet conveyance path R5 and is put into the sheet conveyance path R7, and the branch claw 30 is rotated clockwise to advance to the sheet conveyance path R5. Further, the branching claw 23 shown in FIG. 2 does not rotate as shown, and the stopper 24 remains in the switchback path 28 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 according to the size of the sheet material S. Or retreat from the switchback path 28. Further, either the discharge tray 35 or the discharge tray 38 is moved to a receiving position for receiving the discharge sheet from the discharge roller 34.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the Z-folding is to fold back the front (left side in the figure) of the portion of the sheet material S once folded inward. Thus, for example, the outer fold line S3 is provided at approximately 1/2 position in the transport direction, and the inner fold line S2 is provided at approximately 1/4 position from the front in the transport direction.

  Then, the image-recorded sheet material S from the image forming apparatus main body 200 shown in FIG. 1 is put into the sheet conveyance path R 1 of the sheet folding apparatus 300. Next, the sheet material S is fed from the sheet conveyance path R1 to the sheet conveyance path R2 at the position of the branch claw 10 of the sheet folding apparatus 300, and then conveyed by the sheet conveyance roller 12 through the sheet conveyance path R2.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, the skew of the sheet material S is corrected and the passage of the sheet material S to be conveyed is detected by the sheet sensor 15 in the same manner as when the above-described folding process is performed. , While the sheet conveying roller 12 continues to convey the sheet material S, the stop means 14 holds the sheet material S halfway, deflects the sheet material S in the loop forming space 17, and deflects the sheet material S. Then, the sheet material S is inserted into the nip a between the rollers 22a and 22b, and an inner fold S2 is formed at about 1/4 position from the front in the conveying direction of the sheet material S.

  Next, with the crease S2 as the leading edge, the sheet material S is fed from the folding conveyance path R4 to the switchback path 28 by rollers 22a and 22b and conveyed downstream of the switchback path 28.

  Then, when the leading edge of the sheet material S comes into contact with the stopper 24 and the deflection of the sheet material S is restricted by the wall of the switchback path 28, the rotation of the rollers 22a and 22b continues. Deflection in the vicinity of the rollers 22a and 22c.

  After that, the bent portion of the sheet material is inserted into the nip b of the folding rollers 22a and 22c, and the outer fold S3 is made at about 1/2 position from the front in the conveying direction by the rotation of the rollers 22a and 22c. Folding process is performed.

  Next, with the crease S2 as the leading edge, the sheet material S is put into the folding conveyance path R4 from the switchback path 28 shown in FIG. The paper is transported by the transport rollers 26, 27a, and 27b, and is fed into the sheet transport path R5 of the finisher device 400 through the re-transport path R3.

  Finally, the sheet is further conveyed by the sheet conveying path rollers 29a, 29b, and 37, discharged to the stack base 40 by the discharge roller 39, and stacked there.

  In the case where the Z-folding process is performed on one sheet material S and the punch hole punching process is performed, the sheet material is subjected to the Z-fold folding process as described above, and then the sheet of the finisher device 400 is processed. The punch device 36 is operated at an appropriate timing while the sheet material is conveyed by the sheet conveyance path roller 29a while being conveyed to the conveyance path R5, thereby punching the sheet material. Thereafter, the punched punched sheet material is conveyed by the sheet conveying rollers 29b and 37, and then discharged onto the stack base 40 by the discharge roller 39 and stacked there.

  In addition, when the Z-folding process is performed on each of the sheet materials S and the stapling process is also performed on the bundle of the sheet materials S, the sheet post-processing device 100 first rotates the branching claw 10 counterclockwise. And the branch claw 30 is also rotated counterclockwise to enter the sheet conveyance path R6, and the branch claw 31 is not inserted into the sheet conveyance path R5 as it is. At the same time, the branching claw 23 does not rotate as shown, and either the discharge tray 35 or the discharge tray 38 shown in FIG. 1 is moved to the receiving position for receiving the discharge sheet from the discharge roller 34.

  Next, the sheet material S on which the image has been recorded is put into the sheet conveyance path R2 from the sheet conveyance path R1 at the position of the branch claw 10 of the sheet folding apparatus 300, and the sheet material S is folded in a Z-fold manner in the same manner as described above. I do.

  Next, after the sheet material S is put into the sheet conveyance path R5 of the finisher device 400 and further conveyed by the sheet conveyance path rollers 29a and 29b, the sheet material S is moved from the sheet conveyance path R5 to the detour conveyance path R7 at the position of the branch claw 31. Put in. Then, the sheet material S is transported by the sheet transport rollers 41 a, 41 b, 41 c, and 41 d and placed on the staple tray 43 of the stapling device 42.

  Next, the sheet material S placed on the staple tray 43 is aligned with the jogger fence 44, the tacho roller 45, and the like in the conveyance direction of the sheet material S and the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction.

  The above-described operation is repeated for the second and subsequent sheet materials, and the required number of sheets is placed on the staple tray 43. Thereafter, the bundle of sheet materials S placed on the staple tray 43 is stapled by the end binding stapler 46.

  After performing the stapling process, the bundle of sheet materials S is pushed out from the staple tray 43 by the lifting device, discharged onto the discharge tray 35 or the discharge tray 38 by the discharge roller 34, and stacked there.

  By the way, in the example mentioned above, although the pressing member 20 was formed in the shape of a long and narrow plate, as long as it is a shape which can press a sheet | seat material on a guide member and it can follow a guide member, of course, it is not restricted to a long and narrow plate shape. It may be a shape. In addition, the rotation member enters the loop and retreats from the loop formation space 17. However, the operation of the pressing member is not limited to the rotation, and for example, it slides into the loop or the loop formation space 17. You may make it evacuate from.

  In the above-described example, the folding means 22 is composed of a total of three rollers, that is, one driving roller 22a and two driven rollers 22b and 22c. However, this is an example and may be composed of two rollers. You may comprise with four or more rollers.

  Further, in the above-described example, the pressing roller 14b of the stop means 14 is pressed against the pressure roller 18 to perform skew correction of the sheet material S and to stop the conveyance of the sheet material S while pressing the middle of the sheet material S. However, a pair of registration rollers may be provided apart from the stop means, and skew correction may be performed at a different position.

1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of a sheet post-processing apparatus including a sheet folding apparatus according to the present invention. It is the elements on larger scale of the sheet folding apparatus. It is a perspective view of the stop means and pressing member with which the sheet folding apparatus is equipped. (A) thru | or (F) is an operation | movement explanatory drawing of the sheet folding apparatus. It is a side view of the sheet material which performed Z-folding with the sheet folding apparatus. It is the elements on larger scale of the conventional sheet folding apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

14 Stop means 16e Guide member 17 Loop forming space 20 Pressing member 20a Holding claw 20b Rotating shaft 22 Folding means 100 Sheet post-processing apparatus 300 Sheet folding apparatus R2 Sheet conveying path S Sheet material a Folding means nip b Folding means nip

Claims (8)

By providing a loop forming space with folding means in the sheet conveying path, providing a stop means at a downstream position in the sheet conveying direction of the loop forming space, and stopping the conveyance of the sheet material in the sheet conveying path by the stop means In the sheet folding apparatus for bending the sheet material in the loop forming space to form a loop, biting the loop into the nip of the folding means, and folding the sheet material,
A sheet comprising a pressing member that enters a loop when the sheet material forms a loop and presses the sheet material between the stop means and the nip against a guide member that forms the loop forming space. Folding device.   The sheet folding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing member is formed in a plate shape.   The sheet folding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a shape of the pressing member on a sheet pressing side is matched with a shape of the guide member.   4. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the sheet member is pressed into the loop and pressed against the guide member by the pressing member, a tip end of the pressing member is positioned in the vicinity of a nip of the folding unit. The sheet folding apparatus.   The pressing member can be pivoted between a pressing position for pressing the sheet material against the guide member with the tip on the upstream side entering the loop with the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction as a fulcrum, and a retracting position for retracting from the loop. The sheet folding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet folding apparatus is provided.   6. The sheet folding apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the pressing member is rotated using an operation of the stop means as a trigger.   The sheet folding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein stop means is provided at a position immediately downstream of the loop forming space in the sheet conveying direction.   A sheet post-processing apparatus comprising the sheet folding apparatus according to claim 1.

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