JP4988503B2 - Sheet post-processing apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet post-processing device capable of improving a stacking amount of a folded sheet to which folding processing is applied with respect to a sheet stacking tray, and an image forming device. <P>SOLUTION: The sheet post-processing device 202 equipped with a folding processing part B for applying folding processing to the sheet delivered from an image forming part 203 forming an image on the sheet and the sheet stacking tray 27 for stacking the sheet delivered after application of folding processing is provided with a switching means C1 for switching a direction of the folded sheet so that the folded sheet S to which folding processing is applied is stacked on the sheet stacking tray 27 in such a manner that the folded sheet S having the folded part directed to a front end and the folded sheet S having the folded part directed to a rear end are arranged alternately. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus that performs folding processing, binding processing, and the like on a sheet, and an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile, a copying machine, or a complex machine using these.

  In general, in an image forming apparatus including a sheet post-processing device that performs folding processing, binding processing, and the like on a sheet, folding processing or the like by a sheet post-processing device is performed on a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus body. Then, the sheets are discharged onto a sheet stacking tray that is inclined obliquely so that the leading end is located above the base end, so that the trailing edges of the sheets are aligned while being stacked.

  In such an image forming apparatus, as the number of stacked sheets on the obliquely inclined sheet stacking tray increases, the sheet is inclined when the upper surface of the stacked sheets becomes nearly horizontal or in a mountain state. There is a problem that the trailing edge of the sheet cannot be well aligned because the sheet does not fall along the sheet stacking tray inclined in the direction.

  On the other hand, the sheet stacking tray is provided so as to be rotatable around the base end, and the sheet stacking tray is rotated so that the inclination angle with respect to the horizontal plane of the sheet stacking tray is increased according to the amount of discharged paper. A technique is known in which a sheet is easily dropped along the sheet stacking tray to reliably align the trailing edge of the sheet on the sheet stacking tray (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-143071 A

  However, in the above-described prior art, when the folded sheets subjected to the folding process by the sheet post-processing apparatus are sequentially discharged, the folded portions of the folded folded sheets are biased in the same direction on the sheet stacking tray. Since stacking is performed sequentially in a state, even when trying to stack a large number of folded sheets on the sheet stacking tray, jamming, dropping, etc. occur, and there is a problem that the amount of folded sheets stacked on the sheet stacking tray is reduced. there were.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus that can improve the stacking amount of folded sheets subjected to folding processing on a sheet stacking tray.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention described in claim 1 includes a folding processing unit that performs a folding process on a sheet discharged from an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet, and a discharge after the folding process is performed. In a sheet post-processing apparatus having a sheet stacking tray for stacking paper sheets, the folded sheet on the sheet stacking tray has a folded sheet and a folded section with the folded section facing the leading end. There is provided switching means for switching the orientation of the folded sheets so that the folded sheets directed toward the rear end are stacked alternately, and the switching means rotates while placing the folded sheets conveyed from the folding processing unit. A rotating member is provided .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the switching means is provided on at least one of the upstream side and the downstream side of the rotating member, and presses the folded sheet in the paper discharge direction. A pair of conveying rollers that are movable to a pressure contact position for conveyance and a separation position that is separated from this state, a pressing position that presses the folded sheet placed on the rotating member so that it does not move, and a folded sheet that is separated from the pressing position. A pressing member that is movable at a release position that releases the pressing against the rotation member, and when rotating the rotating member, the pressing member is positioned at the pressing position and the pair of conveying rollers are positioned at the separated positions, and the rotating member is rotated. When completed, the pressing member is positioned at the release position and the pair of transport rollers are positioned at the press contact position .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the switching means is provided on the downstream side of the rotating member, and is a stopper against which the folded sheet conveyed toward the rotating member is abutted. A stopper member which is retracted from the position and the stopper position and is allowed to move to a retracted position which allows conveyance of the folded sheet, and provided in the upstream side of the rotating member and parallel to the conveying direction of the folded sheet conveyed to the rotating member. And a conveyance guide that is displaced so as to be inclined so that the position and the rear end are located below the front end and the rear end of the folded sheet is inclined downward, and the plurality of folded sheets are sequentially conveyed toward the rotating member. The stopper member is positioned at the stopper position and the conveyance guide is positioned at the inclined position, the conveyance of the plurality of folded sheets is finished, and the plurality of folded sheets are stacked on the rotating member. Can, characterized in that to position the parallel position the conveying guide with positioning the stopper member to the retracted position.

The invention described in claim 4 is the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a staple processing unit that performs binding processing on the sheet, and the switching unit is provided in the staple processing unit. A stapling tray that can be rotated in a state in which sheets to be subjected to binding processing are placed and can be rotated in a stacked state is provided, and when the orientation of the folded sheets is switched, the staple tray on which the folded sheets are placed is rotated. Features.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fourth aspect , the switching means is configured to switch both side ends of the folded sheets on the staple tray disposed so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction. A pair of side fences to be regulated, a regulation position that projects from the staple tray and regulates the upper and lower ends of the folded sheet on the staple tray, and a pair of end fences that can be moved in and out of the regulation position retracted from the regulation position, When the staple tray is rotated, the pair of end fences is positioned at the protruding position, and when the rotation of the staple tray is completed, the pair of end fences is positioned at the retracted position .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, the image including the sheet post-processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects. Features a forming device .

  According to the present invention, there is provided switching means for switching the sheet discharge direction of the folded sheets so that the folded sheets with the folded portion facing the front end and the folded sheets with the folded portion facing the rear end are stacked alternately. As a result, it is possible to prevent the folded portions of the folded folded sheets from being stacked in one direction on the sheet stacking tray, thereby improving the stacking capacity of the folded sheets stacked on the sheet stacking tray. Can be achieved.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the switching means provided in the sheet post-processing apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram of the switching means controlled by the control unit that controls the switching means of FIG. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a stacking state of the folded sheets on the sheet stacking tray when the control by the control unit in FIG. 1 is performed, and FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing the operation flow. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram illustrating a stacked state of folded sheets on a sheet stacking tray when control by a control unit is not performed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 200 is generally arranged so as to line up with an image forming apparatus main body 201 having an image forming unit 203 that forms an image on a sheet such as paper, and the image forming apparatus main body 201. And a sheet post-processing device 202 that performs post-processing on the sheet discharged from the image forming unit 203.

  The image forming unit 203 includes a photosensitive drum that is an image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the read document image, a charging device that uniformly charges the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum, and a reading unit that reads the image. An exposure device that forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image on a photosensitive drum charged by a charging device, a developing device that develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum with toner and forms a toner image, and a photosensitive drum A transfer device for transferring the toner image to the sheet, a fixing device for fixing the toner image transferred to the sheet to the sheet, and the like are arranged. However, in the present embodiment, illustration and detailed description thereof are omitted.

  The sheet discharged from the image forming unit 203 is carried in from the entrance guide plate 1 and carried into the sheet post-processing apparatus 202 by the conveyance rollers 2 and 3. The sheet carried into the sheet post-processing device 203 is branched by the branch claws 4 and 5 into the proof transport path PR1, the sort transport path SO1, and the staple transport path ST1.

  The sheet carried into the proof transport path PR 1 is discharged to the proof tray 8 by the transport roller 6 and the paper discharge roller 7. The sheet carried into the sort transport path SO1 is discharged to the sheet stacking tray 11 by the transport roller 9 and the paper discharge roller 10.

  Further, the sheet carried into the staple conveyance path ST1 is discharged to the staple tray 15 by the conveyance rollers 12, 13, and 14 and the staple discharge roller 15, and dropped onto the reference fence 17 by the tack roller 16, and then the jogger fence 18 In the case of the end binding, the stapler 19 binds the sheet to a predetermined position and discharges it to the stacking tray 11 by a discharge claw and a paper discharge roller 10 (not shown).

  In the case of saddle stitching, the paper is aligned by the jogger fence 18, is bound to the center of the paper by the saddle stitching stapler 20, and is transported to the paper folding stopper 23 of the folding processing section B by a discharge claw, a discharge roller 21, and a transport roller 22 (not shown). Then, Z folding is performed by the paper folding blade 24 and the paper folding roller 25 of the folding processing section B. Thereafter, the folded sheet S is conveyed by a conveying roller 26 of the folding processing unit B to switching means C1 (described later) provided on the downstream side of the folding processing unit B, and then the leading end of the folded sheet S from the base end via the switching unit C1. In addition, the sheet is discharged onto the sheet stacking tray 27 that is inclined so as to be positioned on the upper side, whereby rear end alignment is performed. In the present embodiment, the folding processing unit B performs Z-folding on the sheet. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even if the sheet is folded in an appropriate form such as middle folding (two-folding). It goes without saying that it is good.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the switching unit C <b> 1 faces up and down along the conveyance direction (see arrow L <b> 1) of the folded sheet (hereinafter simply referred to as “folded sheet”) S that is folded by the folding processing unit B. The upper guide plate 29a and the lower guide plate 29b provided in this manner, a pair of conveyance rollers 30 provided in the upstream portion of the folded sheet S in the conveyance direction, and a pair of paper discharge rollers 32 provided on the downstream side. And a switching unit D1 that is provided between the rollers 30 and 32 and switches the direction of the folded sheet S, and a control unit A that controls the driving of the switching unit C1. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, the pair of transport rollers 30 and the pair of paper discharge rollers 32 are respectively perpendicular to the transport direction of the folded sheet (vertical direction in FIG. 2A). In addition, two sets are provided at a position so as to sandwich a rotating shaft 35 to be described later, with a space between each other.

  The control unit A is configured to control the operation of the switching unit C1 in response to a user operation input to an operation unit (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus main body 201 (this will be described later). In the present embodiment, the control unit A is provided in the switching unit C1 and controls only the switching unit C1, but is not limited thereto, and is provided in the image forming apparatus main body 201, for example, A control unit that controls the operation of the forming apparatus 200 and a control unit that is provided in the sheet post-processing apparatus 202 and controls the operation of the sheet post-processing apparatus 202 may be used, and the form thereof is not particularly limited.

  The switching portion D1 extends above the upper guide plate 29a, and is rotatably supported by an upper bearing 35c positioned above the upper guide plate 29a, and coaxially with the upper rotation shaft 35a. The lower rotating shaft 35b extends below the lower guide plate 29b and is rotatably supported by a lower bearing 35d positioned below the lower guide plate 29b, and a circular shape formed on the upper guide plate 29a. A disc-shaped upper rotating member 36a that is disposed in the opening 29c, is fixed to the upper rotating shaft 35a and rotates with the upper rotating shaft 35a, and a circular opening 29d formed in the lower guide plate 29b. The disc-shaped lower rotating member 36b fixed to the lower rotating shaft 35b and rotating together with the lower rotating shaft 35b, and the upstream and downstream rollers 30, 32 of the rotating members 36a, 36b are aligned with each other. A pair of transport rollers 31a and a pair of transport rollers 31b that are rotatably attached to such locations (where the upper rotating shaft 36a is interposed in FIG. 2A), and drives these transport rollers 31a. And a drive unit E that rotationally drives the rotating members 36a and 36b.

  The drive unit E includes a timing pulley 39 fixed to the upper end of the upper rotary shaft 35a, a timing pulley 37 fixed to the drive shaft of the drive motor 34a, and a timing belt 40 stretched between the pulleys 37 and 39. The driving force of the drive motor 34a is transmitted to the upper rotating shaft 35a via the timing pulley 47, the timing belt 40, and the timing pulley 39. The drive unit E also has a drive motor, a timing pulley, and a timing belt similar to those described above in order to drive the lower rotating shaft 35b, but these are not shown.

  Next, the operation of the switching means C1 will be described based on the configuration described above and the flowchart of FIG. In the present embodiment, after the six sheets are Z-folded by the folding processing section B and then sequentially discharged by the switching means C1, the first, third, and fifth sheets are folded. An example will be described in which the sheet S is discharged as it is, and the second, fourth, and sixth folded sheets S are discharged after the direction is changed by 180 degrees.

  The folded sheet S folded by the folding processing section B is discharged toward the switching means C1 in the direction in which the folded section faces the front end. When the first folded sheet S is conveyed in the direction of the arrow L1 through the guide plates 29a and 29b, the rollers 30, 31a, 31b and 32 are driven to move the folded sheet S further downstream. (Step S1).

  In the case of the first folded sheet S, each of the rollers 30, 31a, 31b, and 32 conveys the folded sheet S as it is and discharges it onto the sheet stacking tray 27 (No in step S2, step S7). ). The same applies to the third and fifth folded sheets S.

  On the other hand, when the second folded sheet S is conveyed from the folding processing unit B, the conveying roller 30 conveys the folded sheet S to the conveying rollers 31a and 31b attached to the rotating members 36a and 36b. . And after conveyance roller 31a, 31b conveys the folded sheet S to the position which these rollers 31a, 31b pinched | interposed the center part of the folded sheet S (refer the dashed-two dotted line of FIG. 1, and FIG.2 (b)). Stop (Yes in step S2, step S3).

  Next, the rotating members 36a and 36b at the position of FIG. 2B (the transport roller 31a is at the front side) are rotated in the direction of the arrow R1 shown in FIG. (Yes in step S4, step S5), the folded sheet S rotates together with the rotating members 36a and 36b while being sandwiched between the conveying rollers 31a and 31b (see the one-dot chain line in FIG. 2A).

  And when each rotation member 36a, 36b rotates 180 degree | times (the conveyance roller 31b is located in the near side), the drive of the drive part E stops (refer FIG.2 (c)). As a result, the folded sheet S with the folded portion facing the front end is switched by 180 degrees, and the folded portion faces the rear end. Further, when the fourth folded sheet S has been conveyed, the rotary members 36a and 36b at the position of FIG. 2C are rotated 180 degrees in the direction opposite to the arrow R1 by the action of the drive unit E. Rotate to switch the direction of the folded sheet S (No in step S4, step S6). Thus, the rotation angle of each rotation member 36a, 36b is suppressed to 180 degrees. In addition, each rotation member 36a, 36b is not limited to the form rotated forward / reverse every 180 degrees as in the present embodiment, and may be rotated 180 degrees in one direction. If it can be switched, the form is not particularly limited.

  After the switching (change) of the direction of the folded sheet S by the rotating members 36a and 36b is finished, the conveying rollers 31a and 31b and the paper discharge roller 32 are driven, and the folded sheet S with the folded portion facing the rear end is moved to the sheet. The paper is discharged to the stacking tray 27 (step S7). In this manner, the first, third, and fifth folded sheets S are discharged as they are, and the second, fourth, and sixth folded sheets S are rotated by 180 degrees and then discharged. By doing so, as shown in FIG. 4A, the folded sheet S with the folded portion directed toward the front end and the folded sheet S directed toward the rear end can be stacked alternately.

  As a result, it is possible to maintain a stable stacking state in which the folded sheets S are substantially parallel to the mounting surface of the sheet stacking tray 27, and the folded sheets are placed on the sheet stacking tray 27 as shown in FIG. The folded folds of S are biased in one direction and are inclined so that the leading edge of the sheet S faces upward with respect to the placement surface of the sheet stacking tray 27 to prevent the discharge port from being blocked. Can do. As a result, more folded sheets S can be stacked on the sheet stacking tray 27 than when the folded sheets S are discharged as they are, and the amount of folded sheets S can be improved. In addition, it is possible to prevent jamming and folding sheets S falling due to blocking the discharge port, and the sheet stacking state is stable, so that the folded sheets S can be easily carried from the sheet stacking tray 27.

  In the present embodiment, the switching means C1 switches the orientation of the odd-numbered folded sheets S such as the first, third, and fifth sheets. Needless to say, the orientation of the even-numbered folded sheets S such as the second, fourth, and sixth sheets can be switched.

  In this embodiment, an example in which the orientation of the folded sheet S is changed every other sheet has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the user operates the operation unit to change the orientation of the folded sheet S to 3 sheets. It is also possible to switch every other number, such as every other. Also in this case, the folded sheet S is substantially parallel to the placement surface of the sheet stacking tray 27 on the sheet stacking tray 27 as shown in FIG.

  Alternatively, the user may operate the operation unit to alternately discharge the folded sheets S and a predetermined number of flat sheets that have not been folded on the sheet stacking tray 27. In this case, when each folded sheet S is discharged as it is, the folded sheet S is inflated as shown in FIG. 5B, but the direction of the folded sheet S is changed as in the above-described embodiment. When switching every other sheet, the folded sheet S and the sheet stacking tray 27 can be maintained in a substantially parallel state as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 4D, the user may operate the operation unit to alternately discharge a plurality of flat sheets and a set of folded sheets S having different directions. The form for switching the direction of the folded sheet S can be set as appropriate.

  Next, other embodiments will be described. In the description, the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals to simplify the detailed description. .

  6 is a block diagram schematically showing a switching means according to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a switching part of the switching means in FIG. 6, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the switching unit. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the switching unit under the control of the control unit that controls the switching unit of FIG.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the switching means C2 of the second embodiment is provided on the downstream side of the folding processing unit B, and the folded sheets S from the folding processing unit B are directed toward the sheet stacking tray 27. The paper is discharged.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the switching means C2 includes a pair of transport rollers 43 and a pair of transport rollers 44 that transport the folded sheet S from the folding processing section B toward the branching claw 46 along the direction of the arrow L2. A sort discharge path (usually a will path) SO2 for conveying the folded sheets S from these rollers 43 and 44 to the discharge roller 50 as they are, and a transfer roller 43. , 44 and a switching sheet discharge path CH2 for switching the direction of the folded sheet S from the conveying rollers 43 and conveying the sheet toward the sheet discharging roller 50. Thus, the sheet is distributed to one of the sheet discharge paths SO2 and CH2. The sort paper discharge path SO2 is provided between the transport roller 44 and the paper discharge roller 50, and a pair of transport rollers 48 and a pair of transport rollers arranged in a straight line with the rollers 44 and 50. 49.

  The switching paper discharge path CH2 is provided below the sort paper discharge path SO2, and a pair of transport rollers 52 and a pair provided so as to face the respective transport rollers 48 and 49 of the sort paper discharge path SO2. And a switching unit D2 that is provided between the rollers 52 and 53 and switches the direction of the folded sheet S.

  The conveying rollers 52 and 53 are in pressure contact with each other to convey the folded sheet S toward the paper discharge roller 50 (see FIG. 8A) and spaced apart from this state (see FIG. 8C). The rollers 52 and 53 are moved to any position by an unillustrated pressure increasing / decreasing mechanism (not shown) controlled by the control unit A. . In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the conveying rollers 52 and 53 are provided on the upstream side and the downstream side of the switching unit D2, respectively. The conveyance roller 52 (53) may be provided only on any one of the downstream sides. In short, it is only necessary that the conveyance roller 52 (53) is provided on at least one of the upstream side and the downstream side of the switching unit D2.

  The switching unit D2 moves the upper and lower rotary members 36a and 36b rotated together with the upper and lower rotary shafts 35a and 35b rotated by the action of the drive unit E, and the folded sheet S positioned between the rotary members 36a and 36b. Move to the pressing position (see FIGS. 8 (b) and 8 (c)) that is pressed so as not to move and to the release position (see FIGS. 8 (a) and (d)) that releases the pressing against the folded sheet away from the pressing position. A flexible pressurizing mechanism 55 is provided.

  The pressurizing mechanism 55 has a disc-shaped upper support portion 55a that is movable up and down along the upper rotation shaft 35a, and an upper rotation shaft 35a that is vertically inserted from the lower surface of the upper support portion 55a. An upper pressing member 55c that extends downward and is inserted through a through hole formed in the upper rotating member 36a, and a lower rotating shaft 35b are inserted through the central portion, and are movable up and down along the lower rotating shaft 35b. A disk-like lower support member 55b, and a lower pressing member 55d extending vertically upward from the upper surface of the lower support member 55b and inserted through a through hole formed in the lower rotation member 36b are provided.

  The pressurizing mechanism 55 is operated by a drive unit such as a solenoid (not shown) controlled by the control unit A so that the upper and lower support units 55a and 55b move in a direction toward and away from each other. 55c and 55d are brought into pressure contact with each other and moved to a pressing position where the folded sheet S is clamped (pressurized), or the upper and lower pressing parts 55c and 55d are moved away from each other and moved to a release position where the folded state of the folded sheet S is released. It has come to be.

  Next, the operation of the switching means C2 will be described based on the configuration described above and the flowchart of FIG. In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, after the Z-folding is performed on the six sheets by the folding processing unit B and then sequentially discharged by the switching unit C2, the first sheet, As an example, the third and fifth folded sheets S are discharged as they are, and the second, fourth, and sixth folded sheets S are discharged after the direction is changed by 180 degrees. explain.

  The folded sheet S folded by the folding processing section B is discharged toward the switching means C2 in a direction in which the folded section faces the tip. When the first folded sheet S is conveyed in the direction of the arrow L2 through the guide plates 29a and 29b, the rollers 43 and 44 are driven to convey the folded sheet S further downstream ( Step S10).

  In the case of the first folded sheet S, the folded sheet S is guided to the sorting sheet discharge path SO1 by the branch claw 46, and each of the rollers 48 and 49 conveys the folded sheet S as it is, and the sheet discharge roller 50. Is discharged onto the sheet stacking tray 27 (No in step S11, step S20 and step S21). The same applies to the third and fifth folded sheets S.

  On the other hand, when the second folded sheet S is conveyed from the folding processing section B, the folded sheet S is guided to the switching sheet discharge path CH2 by the branching claw 46, and each roller 52 of the switching sheet discharge path CH2 is provided. , 53 are transported to the positions shown in FIG. 8A (positions where both ends of the folded sheet S are sandwiched between the rollers 52, 53) and then stopped (steps S12 and S13).

  After the conveyance of the folded sheet S is stopped, as shown in FIG. 8B, the pressure mechanism 55 located at the release position moves to the pressing position, and the rollers 52 and 53 located at the pressure contact position are separated from each other. Move to. In other words, the pressing members 55c and 55d of the pressurizing mechanism 55 are positioned at the pressing position where the folded sheets S are sandwiched by pressing with each other, and the rollers 52 and 53 at the pressing position are separated from each other (FIG. 8A ) (See arrow M1)) Rotation of the folded sheet S is allowed at the separation position (step S14, step S15).

  When the rotating members 36a and 36b rotate in the direction of the arrow R2 in FIG. 7, the pressing members 55c and 55d are inserted through the through holes of the rotating members 36a and 36b. The folded sheet S is rotated 180 degrees in the direction of the arrow R3 while holding the folded sheet S so as not to move together with the rotating members 36a and 36b, and the direction of the folded sheet S is switched by 180 degrees. In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the folded sheet S with the folded portion facing the leading end as shown in FIG. 8B is used, and the folded portion as shown in FIG. The state is directed to the end (step S16).

  After the direction of the folded sheet S is switched, as shown in FIG. 8D, the pressurizing mechanism 55 at the pressing position moves to the release position (see arrow N in FIG. 8C). , 53 is allowed to move, and each of the rollers 52, 53 located at the separated position is moved to the pressure contact position (see arrow M2 in FIG. 8C), and the folded sheet S whose direction is switched is discharged to the discharge roller 55. The paper discharge roller 55 discharges the folded sheet S to the sheet stacking tray 27 (steps S17 to S21).

  In the present embodiment, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment described above are obtained, and the transport path is divided into the sort paper discharge path SO2 and the switching paper discharge path CH2. Thus, while the folded sheet S is being rotated, another folded sheet S can be transported through the sorting paper discharge path SO2, so that the transport efficiency of the folded sheet S can be improved.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically showing the switching means according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 shows the operation of the switching means controlled by the control unit that controls the switching means of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a flow. The switching means C3 of the third embodiment is provided on the downstream side of the folding processing section B as in the first embodiment. In addition, the switching unit C3 is configured to discharge the sheet toward the sheet stacking tray 27 after changing the direction of the plurality of folded sheets S from the folding processing unit B collectively.

  The switching means C3 is pressed against each other by a pressurizing / depressurizing mechanism (not shown) controlled by the control unit A and transports the folded sheet S toward the pair of transport rollers 32 (see FIG. 10A) and from this state. A pair of transport rollers 70 composed of an upper roller 70a and a lower roller 70b provided movably to a separated position (see FIG. 10B), and provided between the rollers 70 and the transport roller 30, A sheet aligning roller 77 movable between a contact position (see FIG. 10B) that contacts the folded sheet S interposed between the rotation members 36a and 36b and a non-contact position that is distant from the contact position, and each rotation member A stopper position (see FIG. 10B) provided on the downstream side of 36a, 36b and against which the folded sheet S conveyed between the rotating members 36a, 36b is abutted and whether this stopper position A stopper member 72 that can be moved to a retracted position (see FIG. 10A) that allows the folded sheet to be retracted, and an opening 29c formed on the upstream side of the lower rotating member 36b in the lower guide plate 29b. The parallel position (see FIG. 10A) parallel to the conveyance direction of the folded sheet S conveyed between the rotating members 36a and 36b around the fulcrum and the rear end (right side in the figure) are positioned below the front end. A movable guide plate (conveyance guide) 75 that can be rotated (displaced) at an inclined position (see FIG. 10B) inclined in this manner is provided.

  The upper and lower rollers 70a and 70b can move forward and backward with respect to the openings formed in the rotating members 36a and 36b, respectively, and the upper and lower rollers 70a and 70b are moved away from each other to a pressure contact position where they are pressed against each other. When moved (see arrow M4 in FIG. 10C), the upper and lower rollers 70a and 70b project into the rotation members 36a and 36b through the openings of the rotation members 36a and 36b, respectively. The folded sheet S is pressed so as not to move by pressure contact.

  Similarly, the stopper member 72 can be moved back and forth with respect to the openings formed in the guide plates 29a and 29b (see the arrow T1 in FIG. 10A and the arrow T2 in FIG. 10C). When the stopper member 72 is moved from the retracted position to the stopper position, the stopper member 72 is inserted through the openings of the guide plates 29a and 29b to close the space between the guide plates 29a and 29b. As a result, the leading edge of the folded sheet S conveyed by the conveyance roller 30 is abutted against the stopper member 72, and further conveyance is prevented.

  Next, the operation of the switching means C3 will be described based on the configuration described above and the flowchart of FIG. In the present embodiment, among all the folded sheets S, a plurality of folded sheets S whose directions are changed are conveyed in advance between the rotating members 36a and 36b, and the directions of the plurality of folded sheets S are simultaneously changed. After that, the folded sheets S whose orientations are collectively changed are inserted between the folded sheets S discharged as they are from the folding processing unit B so that the folded sheets S are stacked on the sheet stacking tray 27 in the order of copying. The paper is discharged in the correct order.

  Here, the operation of changing the direction of the folded sheet S by the switching means C3 is performed as follows. That is, the folded sheet S conveyed in the direction of the arrow L3 between the guide plates 29a and 29b by the conveying roller 30 and the conveying roller 70 at the pressure contact position is positioned at the position shown in FIG. It stops at the position sandwiched between the upper and lower rollers 70a and 70b) (step S30 and step S31).

  Next, the stopper member 72 at the retracted position moves in the direction of the arrow T1, and is positioned at the stopper position that closes between the guides 29a and 29b, and the upper and lower rollers 70a and 70b at the pressure contact position move in the direction of the arrow M3. Then, the folded sheet S is located at the separated position where the sandwiched state is released (step S32 and step S33).

  Next, the movable guide plate 75 at the horizontal position rotates in the direction of the arrow P1 and is positioned at the inclined position (step S34). Thereby, since the rear end of the folded sheet S abutted against the stopper member 72 hangs down, it is possible to prevent the front end of the folded sheet S to be conveyed next from interfering with the rear end. In order to prevent the folded sheet S from floating at the rear end due to curling or the like, the rear end may be pressed with a mylar or the like.

  After the folded sheet S is abutted against the stopper member 72, the sheet aligning roller 77 at the non-contact position moves in the arrow M5 direction and is positioned at the contact position. In this state, when the next folded sheet S conveyed by the conveying roller 30 passes through the conveying roller 30, the sheet aligning roller 77 at the contact position conveys the next folded sheet S until it abuts against the stopper member 72. As a result, the folded sheets S are sequentially stacked (step S35 and step S36).

  As described above, the sheet aligning roller 77 replaces the upper and lower rollers 70a and 70b when the upper and lower rollers 70a and 70b are in the separated positions and the folded sheet S that has passed through the conveying roller 30 cannot be conveyed. The folded sheet S is conveyed. The sheet aligning roller 77 has a friction coefficient that causes the folded sheet S to idle when the folded sheet S is abutted against the stopper member 72 and is prevented from being conveyed further. Thus, the folded sheets S stacked between the rotating members 36a and 36b are aligned.

  The operations of step S35 and step S36 are repeated until the last folded sheet S is conveyed among the plurality of folded sheets S whose orientations are changed, and the last folded sheet S abuts against the stopper member 72. Then, after all of the plurality of folded sheets S whose orientations are changed are stacked between the rotating members 36a and 36b (Yes in step S37), the rotating members 36a and 36b are rotated by 180 degrees, and a plurality of sheets are rotated. The orientations of the folded sheets S stacked on the screen are collectively switched by 180 degrees and stacked as they are (step S38).

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10C, the movable guide plate 75 is rotated in the direction of the arrow P2 to be positioned at the horizontal position, the stopper member 72 is at the retracted position, and the upper and lower transport rollers 70a and 70b are at the press contact position. The folded sheets S are conveyed one by one and discharged onto the sheet stacking tray 27 (step S39).

  When the folded sheet S discharged from the folding processing section B is discharged as it is, as shown in FIG. 10A, the upper and lower rollers 70a and 70b are in the press contact position, and the sheet aligning roller 77 is not in contact. The movable guide plate 75 is positioned at the horizontal position, and the stopper member 72 is positioned at the retracted position. The folded sheet S is conveyed by the rollers 30, 70 a, 70 b, and 32 and is discharged to the sheet stacking tray 27. To do.

  In the present embodiment, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment described above are obtained, and the directions of the plurality of folded sheets S are simultaneously changed. Therefore, the rotational speeds of the rotating members 36a and 36b are as follows. , The direction of the folded sheet S can be changed efficiently, and the burden on the rotating members 36a and 36b can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the orientations of the plurality of folded sheets S are changed in advance and are kept waiting (stacked), so that the folded sheets S to be ejected are alternately oriented in the order of copying. The folded sheet S can be discharged more efficiently than in the case of changing.

  12 is a block diagram schematically showing the switching means according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the switching means of FIG. 12, and FIG. 14 is the switching of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement of the switching means which received control by the control part which controls a means.

  In the fourth embodiment, the folding processing section B is provided on the upstream side of the staple transport path ST1, and the folded sheet S that has been subjected to the binding process in the staple transport path ST1 is discharged to the sheet stacking tray 11. This is different from the first embodiment in that the switching means C4 of the present embodiment is provided in the staple transport path ST1, which is a staple processing unit. That is, in the present embodiment, in FIG. 1, the folding processing section B is disposed between the staple transport path ST1 and the switching claw 5, and the sheet stacking tray 27 is not provided.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the switching means C4 is inclined so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction in the staple transport path ST1 (in FIG. 12, the upper end is on the left side and the lower end is on the right side. And a folded sheet S on which the binding process is performed and which can be rotated, and can be rotated while the sheets are stacked, and the folded sheet on the staple tray 84. A pair of joggers (side fences) 85 that regulate both side ends of S and a regulation position that regulates the upper and lower ends of the folded sheet S on the staple tray 84 protruding from the mounting surface of the staple tray 84 (FIG. 12B )) And one stopper (end fence) 87 and the other stopper (end fence) 8 which can be freely moved in and out of the retracted position (see FIG. 12A) retracted from the restriction position. A rotation mechanism 92 such as a motor that rotates the staple tray 84 and a conveyance position that contacts the folded sheet S on the staple tray 84 and conveys the folded sheet S, and away from the conveyance position. And transport rollers 95 and 97 that are movable to the non-transport position.

  Next, the operation of the switching means C4 will be described based on the configuration described above and the flowchart of FIG. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which a plurality of folded sheets S whose orientations are changed are sequentially conveyed toward the switching unit C4 in order to change the orientation of the folded sheets S for each of a plurality of sheets. In the flowchart of FIG. 14, only the operation of changing the direction of the folded sheet S by the switching means C4 is shown.

  When the folded sheet S discharged from the folding processing unit B is discharged as it is, the folded sheet S is discharged to the sheet stacking tray 11 after performing the binding process in the staple processing path ST1. This operation is repeated a plurality of times, and a plurality of folded sheets S are discharged onto the sheet stacking tray 11, and then the next plurality of folded sheets S are rotated by 180 degrees as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Then, the sheet is discharged to the sheet stacking tray 11.

  That is, the binding process is performed on the folded sheets S on the staple tray 84, and the folded sheets S that have been subjected to the binding process are stacked on the staple tray 84. The folded sheets S on the staple tray 84 are aligned with their both ends regulated by a pair of joggers 85. This operation is repeated until the last folded sheet S is stacked. After the last folded sheet S is stacked and stacking of the folded sheet S on the staple tray 84 is completed, a discharge claw (not shown) collects a plurality of folded sheets S on the staple tray 84 and one stopper 87. (Step S40 and step S41).

  After the plurality of folded sheets S are lifted up to one stopper 87, one stopper 87 and the other stopper 89 at the retracted position shown in FIG. 12A move in the directions of arrows T3 and T4, respectively. It is located at the restriction position shown in FIG. In this state, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 13A, one stopper 87 is a rear end stopper that regulates the rear end of the folded sheet S, and the other stopper 89 is the folded sheet S. And a tip stopper that can regulate the tip of the folded sheet S.

  Then, the rotation mechanism 92 causes the staple tray 84 to rotate 180 degrees in the direction of the arrow R4 in FIG. 13A, and as shown in FIG. 12B and FIG. The top and bottom of the folded sheets S are reversed (step S43). In this state, one stopper 87 is a leading end stopper that can regulate the leading end of the folded sheet S above the folded sheet, and the other stopper 89 can regulate the trailing end of the folded sheet S whose direction is reversed. It is a rear end stopper.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12C, only one of the stoppers 87 moves in the direction of the arrow T5, is positioned at the retracted position, and is provided with each conveying roller 95 provided to face the staple tray 84, 97 move in the directions of arrows U1 and U2, respectively, and are positioned at the transport position. A plurality of folded sheets S on the staple tray 84 are conveyed one by one by these conveying rollers 95 and 97 and discharged to the sheet stacking tray 11 (steps S44 and S45).

  When this operation is repeated and the folded sheet S is no longer on the staple tray 84 (Yes in step S46), as shown in FIG. 13C, the other stopper 89 moves in the direction of the arrow R4 to move to the retracted position. And the respective transport rollers 95 and 97 at the transport position return to the non-transport position. Thereafter, the staple tray 84 is rotated 180 degrees in the direction of the arrow R4, and the original position shown in FIG. 13D (position where one stopper 87 is used as the rear end stopper and the other stopper is used as the front end stopper). (Step S47).

  In the present embodiment, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment described above are obtained, and the switching unit C4 is provided in the staple processing path ST1, so that a conveyance path for changing the direction of the folded sheet S is separately provided. There is no need to provide it, and an increase in the size of the apparatus can be avoided.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram schematically showing the switching means C5 according to the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 16 shows the flow of operation of the switching means under the control of the control unit that controls the switching means in FIG. It is a flowchart to show.

  In the present embodiment, the switching means C5 shown in FIG. 15 is applied instead of the switching means C1 shown in FIG. 1, and this switching means C5 is provided on the downstream side of the folding processing section B. Further, a punch unit (punch unit) 101 that performs punch processing on the folded sheet S from the folding processing unit B is provided between the switching means C and the folding processing unit B.

  The switching means C5 is transported by a pair of transport rollers 102 and a pair of transport rollers 103 that transport the folded sheet S that has been transported in the direction of the arrow L4 and passed through the punch unit 101 further downstream, and these rollers 102 and 103. The folded sheet S thus discharged is discharged as it is (see arrows V1 and V5). The sort conveyance path SO3 having a pair of conveyance rollers 108 and 109, and the folded sheet S conveyed by the rollers 102 and 103 are represented by arrows V2. Proof transport path PR2 having a pair of transport rollers 110 and 112 that change the front and rear direction of the folded sheet S by transporting in the direction and then transporting in the direction of arrow V4 (by switching back), and each roller 102 , 103 divides the folded sheet S conveyed from one of the conveying paths PR2 and SO3. And a branch claw 107 that.

  Next, the operation of the switching means C5 will be described based on the configuration described above and the flowchart of FIG. First, the folded sheet S that has been subjected to folding processing by the folding processing section B is conveyed toward the punch unit 101, and the punch unit 101 performs punch processing on the folded sheet S (step S51 and step S52).

  When the folded sheet S subjected to the punching process is discharged as it is (No in Step S53), the folded sheet S is sent to the sort conveyance path SO3 by the action of the switching claw 105 and discharged to the sheet stacking tray 27. (Step S58).

  On the other hand, when the orientation of the folded sheet S that has been punched is changed (Yes in step S53), the folded sheet S is transported to the proof transport path PR2 by the action of the switching claw 105 (step S54). In this proof conveyance path PR2, each conveyance roller 110, 112 rotates forward and conveys the folded sheet S in the direction of the arrow V3 until it passes through the branch claw 105, and then the pair of conveyance rollers 110 reverses and the folded sheet S is reversed. Is conveyed in the direction of arrow V4 (steps S55 and S56). As a result, the direction of the folded sheet S is switched, and the folded sheet S is sent to the sorted sheet discharge path SO3 by the action of the branch claw 105 and discharged (step S57).

  In the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained, and the direction of the folded sheet S can be switched by the proof sheet discharge path PR2, and the dedicated sheet for switching the direction of the folded sheet S is used. Since there is no need to provide a transport path, it is possible to avoid an increase in the size of the apparatus. In this embodiment, the switching means C5 is provided on the downstream side of the folding processing section B shown in FIG. 1, but in FIG. 1, the folding processing section B is provided on the downstream side of the conveying roller 2, and this folding processing section is provided. Instead of the proof transport path PR1 and the sort transport path SO1 in FIG. 1, the proof transport path PR2 and the sort transport path SO3 of the present embodiment may be disposed on the downstream side of B, and the placement location is set as appropriate. It goes without saying that it is possible. In this case, further enlargement of the apparatus can be avoided.

  FIG. 17 is a block diagram schematically showing the switching means according to the sixth embodiment, and FIG. 18 shows the flow of the operation of the switching means controlled by the control unit that controls the switching means of FIG. It is a flowchart.

  In the present embodiment, a folding processing unit B is provided on the upstream side of the staple processing unit ST1, and a switching unit C6 for changing the direction of the folded sheet S is provided on the downstream side of the staple processing unit ST1. The switching means C6 includes a turn roller 122 and a pair of conveying rollers 125 that can rotate forward and backward, a switchback unit SW that switches back the folded sheet S by these rollers 122, 125, and the folded sheet S to be stacked. A pair of paper discharge rollers 120 for discharging the paper to the tray 11 is provided.

  Next, the operation of the switching means C6 will be described based on the configuration described above and the flowchart of FIG. First, after the folded sheets S are stacked on the staple tray 15 (step S60), the folded sheets S are fed to the switchback SW after the staple processing is performed on the folded sheets S (Yes in step S61) In step S62), the folded sheet S is sent to the switchback SW without performing the stippling process (No in step S61).

  When the folded sheet S from the staple processing unit ST1 is discharged as it is (No in step S63), the folded sheet S is conveyed in the arrow Y1 direction and discharged in the arrow Z direction via the discharge roller 120. (Step S68 and Step S69).

  On the other hand, when the direction of the folded sheet S from the staple processing unit ST1 is switched (Yes in step S63), the turn roller 122 conveys the folded sheet S in the arrow W direction. When the folded sheet S is conveyed in the direction of the arrow X by the normally rotating conveying roller 125 and the rear end portion of the folded sheet S approaches the upper vicinity of the conveying roller 125, the driving of the conveying roller 125 is stopped. (Step S64 and Step S65). Then, the conveyance roller 125 is reversed to convey the folded sheet S in the direction of the arrow Y2, whereby the direction of the folded sheet S is switched by 180 degrees, and in this state, the sheet is discharged via the discharge roller 120 (step) S67 and step S69).

  Also in this embodiment, the same operational effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. That is, as shown in FIG. 19 (a), even when the folded folded sheet S and the flat sheet are mixed and stacked on the sheet stacking tray 11, the folded sheet S with the folded portion facing the front end. And the folded sheets S toward the rear end can be stacked alternately, and a stable stacked state in which the folded sheets S are substantially parallel to the placement surface of the sheet stacking tray 11 can be maintained.

  In the case where the orientation of the folded sheet S is not changed, in particular, when a plurality of folded sheets S and flat sheets are alternately folded and a stipple-processed booklet is discharged as it is. As shown in FIG. 19 (b), the spread of the spread portion of the booklet becomes large, but each booklet is changed in direction and discharged by the switching means C6, whereby each booklet is loaded on the sheet stacking tray 11. A stable loading state that is substantially parallel to the placement surface can be maintained.

1 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a switching unit provided in the sheet post-processing apparatus of FIG. 1, (a) is a plan view of the switching unit, and (b) is a configuration diagram illustrating the switching unit before switching of folded sheets; c) is a block diagram showing switching means after switching of folded sheets. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement of the switching means which received control by the control part which controls the switching means of FIG. FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a stacking state of folded sheets on a sheet stacking tray when control by the control unit of FIG. 1 is performed, and FIG. 3A is a stacking when the direction of the folded sheets is switched for each paper discharge. The front view which shows a condition, (b) is a front view which shows the stacking | stacking condition when the direction of a folded sheet is switched for every paper discharge of several times, (c) is several flat sheets between one folded sheet FIG. 7D is a front view showing a stacking situation when a plurality of folded sheets and a plurality of flat sheets are alternately stacked. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a stacked state of folded sheets on a sheet stacking tray when the control unit of FIG. 1 is not performing control, (a) is a front view illustrating a stacked state of a plurality of folded sheets, and (b). FIG. 4 is a front view showing a stacking condition when a plurality of flat sheets are interposed between one folded sheet. It is a block diagram which shows schematically the switching means which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the switching part of the switching means of FIG. It is a block diagram for demonstrating operation | movement of the switching part of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement of the switching means which received control by the control part which controls the switching means of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the switching means which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement of the switching means which received control by the control part which controls the switching means of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the switching means which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the switching means of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement of the switching means which received control by the control part which controls the switching means of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematically the switching means C5 which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement of the switching means which received control by the control part which controls the switching means of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematically the switching means which concerns on 6th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement of the switching means which received control by the control part which controls the switching means of FIG. FIG. 18A is a diagram illustrating a stacking status of a sheet stacking tray according to a sixth embodiment, where FIG. 17A is a front view illustrating the stacking status when the control of FIG. 17 is performed, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating a stacking state when sheets that have been bound together are discharged.

Explanation of symbols

11, 27 Sheet stacking tray 36a Upper rotating member (rotating member)
36b Lower rotating member (rotating member)
52, 53 A pair of conveying rollers 55c Upper pressing member (pressing member)
55d Lower pressing member (pressing member)
72 Stopper member 75 Movable guide plate (conveyance guide)
84 Stipple tray 85 Jogger (side fence)
87 One stopper (end fence)
89 The other stopper (end fence)
101 Punch unit (punch part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 200 Image forming apparatus 202 Sheet post-processing apparatus 203 Image forming part B Folding process part C1-C6 Switching means CH2 Switching conveyance path PR2 Proof conveyance path (switchback part)
SO2 sort paper discharge path (normal paper discharge path)
ST1, ST2 Stipple transport path (stipple section)
SW Switchback part S Folding sheet

Claims (6)

Sheet post-processing comprising: a folding processing unit that performs folding processing on a sheet discharged from an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet; and a sheet stacking tray that stacks sheets discharged after the folding processing is performed In the device
Folded sheets are folded on the sheet stacking tray so that the folded sheets with the folded portion facing the front end and the folded sheets with the folded portion facing the rear end are stacked alternately. Switching means for switching the direction of the
The sheet post-processing apparatus , wherein the switching unit includes a rotating member that rotates while placing the folded sheet conveyed from the folding processing unit. The switching means is provided on at least one of the upstream side and the downstream side of the rotating member, and is a pair of transport rollers that are movable to a press-contact position where the folded sheets are pressed against each other and transport the folded sheet in the paper discharge direction and to a separated position separated from this state. And a pressing member that presses the folded sheet placed on the rotating member so that it does not move, and a pressing member that is movable away from the pressing position and releases the pressing against the folded sheet.
When rotating the rotating member, the pressing member is positioned at the pressing position and the pair of transport rollers are positioned at the separation position. When the rotation of the rotating member is completed, the pressing member is positioned at the release position and the pair of transport rollers is moved. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet post-processing apparatus is positioned at a press-contact position . The switching means is provided on the downstream side of the rotating member, and is freely movable to a stopper position where the folded sheet conveyed toward the rotating member is abutted and a retracted position that retracts from the stopper position and allows the folded sheet to be conveyed. The rear end of the folded sheet is inclined so that the stopper member and the parallel position parallel to the conveying direction of the folded sheet conveyed to the rotating member and the rear end thereof are located below the leading end. And a conveyance guide that is displaced to an inclined position for inclining downward,
When a plurality of folded sheets are sequentially conveyed toward the rotating member, the stopper member is positioned at the stopper position and the conveyance guide is positioned at the inclined position. 3. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the sheets are stacked on the rotating member, the stopper member is positioned at the retracted position and the conveyance guide is positioned at the parallel position . It has a stipple processing unit that performs binding processing on sheets,
The switching means includes a stipple tray that is provided in the stipple processing unit and can be rotated in a state where the sheets to be bound are placed and the sheets are stacked.
The sheet post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the direction of the folded sheet is switched, the staple tray on which the folded sheet is placed is rotated . The switching means includes a pair of side fences that regulate both side ends of the folded sheet on the staple tray that is disposed so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction, and a protrusion on the staple tray that protrudes from the staple tray. A regulation position that regulates the upper and lower ends of the folded sheet, and a pair of end fences that can be freely moved in and out of the retracted position retracted from the regulation position;
When rotating the staple tray, to position the pair of end fence protruding position, when the rotation of the staple tray is completed, to claim 4, characterized in that positioning a pair of end fence to the retracted position The sheet post-processing apparatus as described. In an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet,
  An image forming apparatus comprising the sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1.

Images