JP5370525B2 - Recording material post-processing apparatus and recording material processing apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently both a saddle-stitched recording material bundle and an end-stitched recording material bundle, while securing capacity therefor. <P>SOLUTION: A recording material post-processing device 1 includes: a fold forming device 8 forming a fold line in a recording material S; an end stitching device 4 for stitching the end of the recording material S; a conveying means conveying the recording material S having passed through the fold forming device 8 or the end stitching device 4; a saddle stitching device 5 arranged so as to be moved up and down relative to the recording material post-processing device 1; and a stitching/storing receiver 6 arranged so as to be moved up and down relative to the recording material post-processing device 1 and storing the bundle of the recording material S which is end-stitched by the end stitching device 4. In saddle stitching, the saddle stitching device 5 is lowered to a saddle-stitching position with respect to the conveying means so that a conveying path for the recording material S from the fold forming device 8 to the saddle stitching device 5 can be formed. In end stitching, the saddle stitching device 5 is retreated and moved upward with respect to the conveying means so that the conveying path for the recording material S from the end stitching device 4 to the stitching/storing receiver 6 can be formed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording material post-processing apparatus and a recording material processing apparatus using the same.

Patent Document 1 discloses a recording material processing apparatus in which a recording material post-processing device is incorporated in an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material.
The recording material post-processing device incorporated in this type of recording material processing apparatus includes an end binding device that binds the end portion of the recording material and a saddle stitching device that binds the central portion of the recording material, and the end bound binding recording material A bundle of recording materials bundled in a bundle and saddle-stitched has been already provided.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-277036 (Embodiment of the Invention, FIG. 1)

  It is a technical problem to be solved to secure a stacking amount of not only edge-bound recording material bundles but also saddle-stitched recording material bundles and efficiently accommodate both the binding sheets.

The invention according to claim 1 is a recording material post-processing device that performs saddle stitching or edge binding of a recording material on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus, and a folding device that applies a fold to the recording material; An end binding device that binds an end portion of the recording material, a folding device, or a transport unit that transports the recording material that has passed through the end binding device, and the recording unit downstream of the transport unit in the transport direction of the recording material. A saddle stitching device provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the material post-processing device; A binding storage receiver for storing the recording material bundle that has been edge-bound by the edge-binding device, and in the case of saddle-stitching processing, a conveyance path for the recording material from the folding device to the saddle-binding device is formed. The saddle stitching device with respect to the conveying means Moves to a position, the recording material bundle saddle-stitched by the saddle stitching apparatus accommodated in receiving the binding housing, in the case of the end binding process, the conveyance path of the recording material from the end-stitching device into the binding housing receiving The recording material post-processing apparatus is characterized in that the saddle stitching device is moved with respect to the conveying means so that the recording material is formed, and the recording material end-stitched by the end-stitching device is accommodated in the binding accommodation receptacle .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the recording material post-processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the binding storage receiver moves downward as the recording material bundle to be stored increases, and the reference movement amount during the lowering operation is the end binding. The recording material post-processing apparatus is characterized in that it is set to be larger during saddle stitching processing than during processing.
An invention according to claim 3 is an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, and a recording material post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , which performs post-processing on a recording material image-formed by the image forming apparatus. And a recording material processing apparatus.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in addition to securing not only the edge-bound recording material bundle but also the saddle-stitched recording material bundle, it is possible to efficiently accommodate both the binding recording material bundles. The position of the storage receptacle can be adjusted, and the storage capacity of the discharged recording material bundle can be kept good.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in consideration of the increasing rate at the time of stacking the end-stitched recording material bundle and the saddle-stitched recording material bundle, the binding storage receiver can be efficiently moved, and the discharged recording material bundle is discharged. It is possible to keep the capacity of the container good.
According to the invention of claim 3 , in addition to ensuring the stacking amount of not only the edge-bound recording material bundle but also the saddle-stitched recording material bundle and efficiently accommodating both of the binding recording material bundles, the binding is also possible. It is possible to easily construct a recording material processing apparatus that can adjust the position of the storage receptacle and can maintain good storage capacity of the recording material bundle to be discharged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of typical embodiment model of the recording material post-processing apparatus to which this invention is applied, and a recording material processing apparatus using the same. (a) is explanatory drawing which shows typically the process process of the edge binding mode in embodiment model shown in FIG. 1, (b) is the process process of saddle stitching mode in embodiment model shown in FIG. 1 typically. It is explanatory drawing shown. (a) is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the recording material processing apparatus used in Embodiment 1, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the image forming apparatus which comprises a recording material processing apparatus, and a recording material post-processing apparatus. . 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating details of an image forming apparatus used in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an assembled state of the recording material post-processing device used in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing details of the recording material post-processing apparatus shown in the first embodiment. (a) is explanatory drawing which shows the detail of the drilling apparatus used in Embodiment 1, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the state at the time of the drilling operation | movement. (a) is explanatory drawing which shows the detail of the folding apparatus used in Embodiment 1, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the state at the time of the folding line formation operation | movement. (a) is explanatory drawing which shows the positioning accommodation receiver and edge binding apparatus used in Embodiment 1, (b) is an arrow line view seen from the BB line direction in (a). (A) (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the conveyance roll which can contact / separate freely. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an arrangement relationship of the edge binding device used in Embodiment 1. FIG. (a)-(c) is explanatory drawing which shows the structure and operation state of an end binding device. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a support structure for a bookbinding processing apparatus and a binding storage receiver used in the first embodiment. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating details of a bookbinding processing apparatus used in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is the arrow view seen from the XV direction in FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a control system used in Embodiment 1. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a recording material processing control process in the control system of FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of an operation state in an end binding mode of the recording material processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. (A) (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the processing content in each part at the time of edge binding mode. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of an operation state in a saddle stitching mode of a recording material processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. (A) (b) is explanatory drawing (1) which shows the processing content in each part at the time of saddle stitching mode. (A) (b) is explanatory drawing (2) which shows the processing content in each part at the time of saddle stitching mode.

Outline of Embodiment Model First, an outline of an embodiment model to which the present invention is applied will be described.
FIG. 1 shows an outline of a recording material processing apparatus according to an embodiment model embodying the present invention.
In FIG. 1, a recording material processing apparatus includes an image forming apparatus 11 that forms an image on a recording material S, and a recording material post-processing apparatus 1 that performs post-processing on the recording material S image-formed by the image forming apparatus 11. Is provided.
In the present embodiment, as long as the image forming apparatus 11 includes the image forming unit 12 in the apparatus housing 13, the image forming system may be appropriately selected from an electrophotographic system and an inkjet system. Further, the image forming apparatus 11 is not limited to an aspect in which the image reading unit 14 is disposed above the apparatus housing 13 via a space portion, and includes an aspect without the image reading unit 14.
Here, as an aspect in which the installation space of the image forming apparatus 11 is effectively used and the recording material post-processing apparatus 1 is disposed, the post-processing apparatus casing 2 of the recording material post-processing apparatus 1 is disposed above the apparatus casing 13. And the image-formed recording material S formed by the image forming unit 12 within the installation area of the apparatus housing 13 is guided to the recording material post-processing apparatus 1. In particular, in the aspect provided with the image reading unit 14, it is preferable to assemble the recording material post-processing device 1 using the space between the apparatus housing 13 and the image reading unit 14.
In the present embodiment, the recording material S may be any material that can form an image, and includes not only paper but also special paper provided with a coating layer, and further, an OHP sheet.

In the present embodiment, the recording material post-processing device 1 includes a post-processing device housing 2 having a recording material conveyance path 2a through which the recording material S is conveyed and a conveying member 2b to which a conveying force is applied to the recording material S. A positioning storage receiver 3 for temporarily positioning and storing the recording material S transported along the recording material transport path 2a of the post-processing device housing 2, and the recording material S positioned and stored in the positioning storage receiver 3 An end binding device 4 that binds the end of the bundle, and a positioning position that can be moved between a set position that can be saddle stitched and a retracted position that is retracted from the set position in the vicinity of the positioning receiving receptacle 3 and can be saddle stitched. Saddle binding for binding the central portion of the recording material S bundle in a state where the recording material S bundle positioned and received in the positioning storage receiver 3 is moved to a predetermined saddle stitching position when the recording material S bundle is moved to a predetermined saddle binding position. With device 5 Separately from the positioning housing 3, the post-processing device housing 2 is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and the recording material S bundle bound by the end binding device 4 or the saddle stitching device 5 is opened. What is provided with a binding storage receiver 6 for mixed storage and a recording material bundle transporting member 7 that collectively transports the recording material S bundles stored in the positioning storage receiver 3 and moves them to the binding storage receiver 6. It is done.
Here, as the recording material bundle conveying member 7, when the saddle stitching device 5 is disposed at a set position where the saddle stitching processing can be performed, the recording material bundle conveying member 7 is positioned and accommodated in the positioning accommodation receiver 3 and the end binding device 4 performs the end binding processing. When the saddle stitching device 5 is disposed at the retracted position, the recording material S bundle that has not been subjected to printing is collectively conveyed to the saddle stitching position. A first recording material bundle conveying member that collectively conveys the recording material S bundle that has undergone the binding process and moves it to the binding accommodation receiver 6, and is provided around the saddle stitching device 5. A member having a second recording material bundle conveying member that conveys the recording material S bundle subjected to the saddle stitching process and moves the bundle to the binding accommodation receiver 6 is used.

In such technical means, it is preferable that the model of the present embodiment uses the recording material S bundle to which the folding line is attached in the saddle stitching mode. A mode in which binding is performed is also included.
The end binding device 4 may be any one that binds the end of the recording material S bundle, and may be appropriately selected such as one-point binding or two-point binding.
Further, the saddle stitching device 5 is not limited as long as it binds the central portion of the recording material S bundle, and the saddle stitching position by the saddle stitching device 5 may be made variable according to the recording material bundle size. 7, the saddle stitching position can be uniquely set by adopting the configuration in which the recording material bundle is moved.
Furthermore, the binding storage receiver 6 is premised on the mixed storage with the recording material S bundle being opened in any binding mode. Therefore, an aspect of folding in half during the saddle stitching mode is excluded.

Next, the following are mentioned as a preferable aspect of this embodiment model.
For example, from the viewpoint of facilitating saddle stitching by the saddle stitching device 5, it is preferable that the recording material S conveyed along the recording material conveyance path 2a is provided with a folding device 8 for attaching a folding line at the center. .
In this case, the folding device 8 may be installed at the downstream side of the positioning and receiving receptacle 3 of the recording material conveyance path 2a. However, from the viewpoint of effectively ensuring the installation space of the folding device 8. It is preferably installed in the recording material conveyance path 2 a located on the upstream side of the positioning receiving 3.
Further, in the saddle stitch recording material S bundle with the folding line, the central portion of the recording material S bundle is deformed into a mountain shape downward or a valley shape upward due to the presence of the folding line Sa (see FIG. 2). However, as for the accommodation posture of the saddle stitch recording material S bundle accommodated in the binding accommodation receptacle 6, either the mountain shape or the valley shape may be selected. However, in the case where the central portion of the recording material S bundle is valley-shaped downward, considering that the recording material S bundle is likely to be unstable on the binding receiving tray 6, the central portion of the recording material S bundle is A mode in which the saddle stitch recording material bundle is accommodated so as to form a mountain shape upward is preferable.

Further, as the positioning and receiving receptacle 3, it is preferable to provide a recording material aligning member for aligning the recording material S to be stored. However, in order to keep the positioning and storing property of the recording material S favorable, the recording material aligning member is stored. It is particularly preferable that the recording material S bundle is aligned along two adjacent sides.
Further, in order to perform saddle stitching on the recording material S of various sizes, it is necessary to set the saddle stitching position by the saddle stitching device 5 according to the size of the recording material S. In this case, a method of moving the saddle stitching device 5 itself is also assumed, but from the viewpoint of simplification of the device configuration, it is set in advance according to the size of the recording material S bundle positioned in the positioning housing receiver 3. When the recording material S bundle is conveyed until the center portion of the recording material S bundle is located at the saddle stitching position by the saddle stitching device 5, the recording material S bundle is temporarily stopped, and the saddle stitching operation by the saddle stitching device 5 is finished. The recording material moving method in which the conveying operation of the recording material S bundle is resumed is preferable.

In addition, the saddle stitching device 5 may be fixedly installed, but from the viewpoint of securing a wide working space when taking out the end binding recording material S bundle in the end binding mode from the binding storage receiver 6, It is preferable that the saddle stitching device 5 is provided so as to be movable at least in the vertical direction above the positioning housing receiver 3 and is retracted to a retracted position spaced upward from the set position except in the saddle stitching mode in which the saddle stitching device 5 is used. .
Further, from the viewpoint of maintaining good accommodation of the recording material S bundle in the binding storage receiver 6, the binding storage receiver 6 is preferably provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction.
In this embodiment, the recording material S bundle is accommodated as close as possible between the recording material S bundle conveyed and discharged by the recording material bundle conveying member 7 and the recording material accommodation position of the binding accommodation receptacle 6. It is preferable for stabilizing. In order to realize such an aspect, for example, a stacking amount detection member capable of detecting the stacking amount of the recording material S bundle stored in the binding storage receiver 6 is provided, and the binding storage is performed based on the detection information from the stacking amount detection member. The receiver 6 may be moved.

Further, as the lowering operation of the binding storage receiver 6, the lowering amount or the like may be appropriately selected. For example, when the saddle stitching process is performed by the folding device 8, the saddle stitch recording material S is used. Since the central portion of the bundle has a mountain shape or a valley shape, the increase rate in the height direction at the time of stacking is larger than that of the edge-bound recording material S bundle. In this case, it is preferable that the reference movement amount during the lowering operation is set to be different between the saddle stitching mode and the end binding mode, and the storage capacity of the recording material S bundle is preferably maintained.
Further, in the aspect in which the saddle stitching device 5 and the binding storage receiver 6 are configured to be movable, the saddle stitching device 5 and the binding storage receiver 6 are movable without unnecessarily widening the installation space of the recording material processing apparatus. From the viewpoint of construction, the recording material post-processing apparatus 1 has a guide member 9 extending along the one side height direction of the apparatus casing 13 of the image forming apparatus 11 in a part of the post-processing apparatus casing 2. It is preferable that the saddle stitching device 5 and the binding accommodation receiver 6 are movably provided along the guide member 9.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B schematically show processing steps of the edge binding mode and the saddle stitching mode in such a recording material processing apparatus.
-Edge binding mode-
As shown in FIG. 2A, the end binding mode includes a positioning process for positioning and storing the recording material S bundle in the positioning storage receiver 3, and an end portion of the recording material S bundle positioned and stored in the positioning storage receiver 3. End-binding processing for end-stitching with the binding needle 10 by the end-stitching device (see FIG. 1), and the recording material S bundle that has been end-bound by the recording material bundle transporting member 7 (see FIG. 1) is transported and stored. And a recording material bundle conveying and accommodating process to be accommodated in the receiver 6.

-Saddle stitching mode-
In the saddle stitching mode, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the folding device 8 folds the recording material S with a fold Sa, and the positioning accommodation receiver 3 is recorded with the fold Sa. For example, the recording material S bundle is positioned and accommodated, and the positioned recording material S bundle is conveyed, and the central portion of the recording material S bundle is positioned at the saddle stitching position of the saddle stitching device 5 (see FIG. 1). A saddle stitching process in which the center portion of the bundle is saddle-stitched by the stitching needle 10 by the saddle stitching device 5 and the recording material S bundle that has been saddle-stitched by the recording material bundle transporting member 7 (see FIG. 1) are transported to receive the binding. 6 and the recording material bundle conveying and accommodating process to be accommodated in the recording medium 6.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
Embodiment 1
FIG. 3A shows Embodiment 1 of the recording material processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
-Outline of recording material processing equipment-
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, the recording material processing apparatus 20 includes an image forming apparatus 21 that forms an image on the recording material, and is detachably assembled to the image forming apparatus 21 and recorded. And a recording material post-processing device 22 that performs predetermined post-processing on the recording material. The recording material post-processing device 22 may be provided as standard with respect to the image forming device 21, or may be additionally provided as an option according to the user's request.
In particular, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, the image forming apparatus 21 has an apparatus casing 30 in which an image forming section (not shown) is built, and an upper part of the apparatus casing 30 is provided. A protrusion 31 protruding upward is provided on one side in the width direction, and an image reading device 32 is disposed above the protrusion 31 of the apparatus housing 30. The image reading apparatus 32 and the protrusion of the apparatus housing 30 are provided. An in-body space portion 33 is secured between the top portion other than 31. As an arrangement mode of the image reading device 32, for example, the image reading device 32 may be directly placed on a support stand 34 separate from the device housing 30, or provided directly on the device housing 30. You may do it. The image reading device 32 includes an automatic document supply mechanism 35 that automatically supplies a document to the image reading surface.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3B, the recording material post-processing device 22 has a post-processing device casing 100 to which a recording material for post-processing is conveyed. The image forming apparatus 21 includes a horizontal casing 101 that is accommodated in the in-body space portion 33 of the image forming apparatus 21, and is connected to one end in the longitudinal direction of the horizontal casing 101 and is substantially vertical (substantially vertical). And a longitudinal housing 102 extending in the direction).

―Image forming device―
FIG. 4 shows details of the image forming apparatus used in this embodiment.
In the figure, an image forming apparatus 21 has an image forming section 40 disposed in an apparatus housing 30, and a plurality of (four stages in this example) recording material supply devices 50 (in this example) are provided below the image forming section 40. Specifically, a recording material conveyance path 51 extending in a substantially vertical direction is provided from the recording material supply device 50 to the image forming unit 40, and the protrusion 31 of the device housing 30 is provided as a single device. On the side, there is provided a recording material storage receptacle 52 for discharging and storing the image-formed recording material S without post-processing.
Here, the image forming unit 40 adopts, for example, an electrophotographic system, and includes a photosensitive drum 41 that forms and holds a toner image, a charging device 42 such as a charging roll that charges the photosensitive drum 41, and the like. An exposure device 43 such as a laser scanning device that forms a latent image on the charged photosensitive drum 41; a developing device 44 that develops and visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 41; The transfer device 45 such as a transfer roll for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 41 onto the recording material S supplied from the recording material supply device 50 (50a to 50d), and the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 41 are cleaned. A cleaning device 46 is provided as a main part.

Further, the recording material supply device 50 has a container 501 in which the recording material S is deposited and accommodated, and supplies the recording material S in the container 501 while separating the recording materials one by one by the separation feeding member 502. .
Further, the recording material conveyance path 51 branches into a fork from a main conveyance path 511 that conveys the recording material S supplied from each recording material supply device 50 in a substantially vertical direction, and a downstream end of the main conveyance path 511. Branch conveyance paths 512 and 513, a detour conveyance path 514 that is detoured and connected to the main conveyance path 511 so as to enable double-sided recording on a single-side recorded recording material, and a main conveyance And a manual feed path 515 connected in the middle of the path 511.
Here, on the upstream side of the transfer portion of the image forming unit 40 in the main transport path 511, a positioning roll 55 is provided that transports the recording material S once positioned, and the transfer portion of the image forming unit 40 in the main transport path 511 is provided. A fixing device 56 is disposed on the downstream side.
Further, a switching claw 57 is provided at the boundary between the branch conveyance paths 512 and 513, one branch conveyance path 512 extends to a position facing the in-body space 33 of the protrusion 31, and the other branch conveyance path 513 is It extends to a position facing the recording material receiving receptacle 52. Discharge rolls 58 and 59 are provided in the vicinity of the downstream ends of the branch conveyance paths 512 and 513.
Reference numeral 53 denotes an appropriate number of transport rolls or a corresponding transport member provided in the recording material transport path 51, and 54 is a manual feeding device that manually feeds the recording material S.

―Recording material post-processing device―
FIG. 5 shows an outline of the recording material post-processing device 22 assembled in the image forming apparatus 21, and FIG. 6 shows details of the recording material post-processing device 22.
In the figure, the lateral casing 101 of the post-processing apparatus casing 100 is inserted and disposed in the in-cylinder space 33 of the image forming apparatus 21, and the tip thereof contacts the side of the in-cylinder space 33 of the protruding portion 31. Are arranged to be. The lateral casing 101 is provided with a recording material conveyance path 110 extending in the lateral direction with an entrance opening at a location leading to one branch conveyance path 512 of the image forming apparatus 21. A space portion penetrating in the horizontal direction is secured in the vertical casing 102 connected to the conveyance path 110.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the recording material conveyance path 110 is provided with a plurality of (for example, four) conveyance rolls 111 to 114 in order from the entrance opening, and the first conveyance roll near the entrance opening of the recording material conveyance path 110. The position detectors 121 to 121 detect that the recording material S has passed through the leading end or the trailing end of the intermediate portion between the first and second conveying rolls 112 and the intermediate portion between the third conveying roll 113 and the fourth conveying roll 114. 123 is provided. As the position detectors 121 to 123, a mechanical detector such as a limit switch, an optical detector, or the like is used.

Further, in the present embodiment, a punching device 130 as a post-processing tool is disposed immediately after the first position detector 121 in the recording material conveyance path 110, and the second conveyance roll 112 and the first A folding device 140 as a post-processing tool is disposed between the three transport rolls 113, and a plurality of recording materials S are temporarily placed below the fourth transport roll 114 in the recording material transport path 110. A positioning receiving 150 for positioning and storing is provided.
Further, a fifth transporting roll 115 for transporting the recording material S bundle accommodated in the positioning housing receiver 150 is provided in the longitudinal housing 102 of the post-processing device housing 100.
Further, an end binding device 170 as a post-processing tool for binding the end of the recording material S positioned in the positioning storage receiver 150 is disposed below between the third transport roll 113 and the fourth transport roll 114. Yes.
Further, a bookbinding processing apparatus 200 is provided on the side of the longitudinal casing 102 so as to be movable up and down, and a post-processed recording material such as edge binding and saddle stitching is provided below the bookbinding processing apparatus 200. A post-processing receiving receptacle 250 that accommodates the S bundle is provided so as to be movable up and down.
Here, the bookbinding processing apparatus 200 is provided with a saddle stitching device 220 for binding the central portion of the recording material S bundle, and the saddle stitching device 220 is saddle stitched on the downstream side in the recording material conveyance direction with respect to the saddle stitching position. A sixth transport roll 116 for transporting the recording material S bundle thus formed is provided.
Details of each part will be described in detail below.

―Drilling device―
FIG. 7 shows a punching device 130 used in the present embodiment.
In FIG. 7A, the punching device 130 has a holding member 131 disposed on the upper side of the recording material conveyance path 110, and a receiving base 138 provided on the lower side of the recording material conveyance path 110. A through-hole 132 is formed in 131, and a perforation bar 133 is provided in the through-hole 132 so as to be retractable. The perforation bar 133 is urged upward by a biasing spring 134, and further driven. The eccentric locus circumferential surface of the eccentric member 136 that rotates eccentrically according to the rotation from the motor 135 is pressed against the top of the holed rod 133, and the holed rod 133 resists the biasing spring 134 according to the rotation of the eccentric member 136. To move up and down. Note that the receiving base 138 is provided with a receiving hole 139 corresponding to the perforated bar 133.
In the present embodiment, the punching process by the punching device 130 is based on, for example, the time point when the leading position of the recording material S is detected by the first position detector 121, and the rotation amount of the discharge roll 58 (see FIG. 6). Is controlled to stop the driving of the discharge roll 58 and the first transport roll 111 when the predetermined drilling position is reached, and the punching operation by the punching bar 133 is performed. Then, the transport operation of the recording material S is continued by restarting the driving of the discharge roll 58 and the first transport roll 111 at the stage when the punching by the punching bar 133 is completed.

―Folding line device―
A folding apparatus 140 used in this embodiment is shown in FIG.
In FIG. 8A, the folding apparatus 140 applies a prior crease to the central position in the conveyance direction of the recording material S in order to perform the saddle stitching process in the saddle stitching mode, and performs a pre-crease on the recording material. A pair of folding rolls 141 and a folding blade 142 provided on the opposite side of the recording material conveyance path with respect to the sandwiching area of the folding roll 141 and capable of moving forward and backward with respect to the sandwiching area side at a predetermined timing. The pair of folding rolls 141 and folding blades 142 are driven by a common drive motor 143.
In particular, in the present embodiment, there is a method in which forward / reverse control is performed on the third transport roll 113 in particular among the drive motors 144 and 145 of the second transport roll 112 and the third transport roll 113 located on the upstream and downstream of the folding apparatus 140. It has been adopted.
That is, for example, the second transport roll 112 and the third transport roll 113 are moved by a predetermined amount with reference to the leading end position of the recording material S by the second position detector 122 shown in FIG. 6, and as shown in FIG. When the recording material S reaches the portion corresponding to the sandwiching area of the pair of folding rolls 141, the folding roller 141 is rotated by the drive motor 143 while the third conveying roll 113 is rotated in the reverse direction, and the folding is performed. The folding blade 142 is moved forward and moved to the sandwiching area of the roll 141, and the folding line 142 is rotated by rotating the drive motor 143 in the reverse direction by rotating the driving motor 143 in the reverse direction. The recording material S to which the folding line Sa is attached by the second and third transport rollers 112 and 113 is transported sequentially.
In the present embodiment, the folding roll 141 is provided at a position slightly away from the recording material conveyance path. Therefore, the folding roll 141 may interfere with the conveyance of the recording material when the creasing is not performed. There is no such thing.

―Positioning receptacle―
A positioning housing receiver 150 used in the present embodiment is shown in FIG.
In FIG. 9A, the positioning storage receiver 150 moves downward on the opposite side to the recording material S discharge direction to the extent that the recording material S discharged from the fourth transport roller 114 of the recording material transport path 110 can naturally fall. The positioning wall 151 as a positioning portion is formed at the lower end portion thereof, and the side edge positioning wall 152 as the positioning portion is also formed at the side edge adjacent to the positioning wall 151.
In addition, a plurality (three in this example) of rotation alignment members 153 are provided in the vicinity of the positioning wall 151 of the positioning receiving 150, and a pressing alignment member that presses the recording material S to a portion facing the side edge positioning wall 152. 156 is provided.
In the present embodiment, the rotation aligning member 153 has a plurality of elastic blades 155 arranged around the rotation shaft 154 in the radial direction, and is placed on the positioning receiving receptacle 150 while elastically deforming the elastic blades 155 during the rotation operation. The recording material S is aligned toward the positioning wall 151.
Further, the press aligning member 156 is moved and arranged at a predetermined position by a driving mechanism (not shown) according to the size of the recording material S, and the side edge positioning wall 152 by the pressing plate 158 biased by the biasing spring 157. The recording material S is pressed to the side.

-Fifth transport roll-
FIG. 10 shows a support structure for the fifth transport roll 115 used in the present embodiment.
10 (a) and 10 (b), the support structure of the fifth transport roll 115 includes a drive roll 161 that is rotationally driven by a support shaft whose position is fixed, and a drive roll that can be contacted and separated from the drive roll 161 and driven. An approaching / separating roll 162 that rotates following the drive roll 161 when the recording material S bundle is sandwiched between the rolls 161 is provided.
At this time, the contact / separation roll 162 is provided with a contact / separation mechanism 163. As the contact / separation mechanism 163, for example, a connecting member 166 whose one end is connected to a linearly-moving operating rod 165 of the drive actuator 164 is provided to be rotatable about a rotating shaft 167, and the rotating shaft 167 of the connecting member 166 is rotated. A method is adopted in which the contact / separation roll 162 is moved in a direction away from the drive roll 161 by an arm member 168 that rotates with the movement. The contact / separation roll 162 is urged by a predetermined pressing force toward the drive roll 161 by an urging spring (not shown).

In such a positioning and receiving receiver 150 and the fifth transport roll 115, for example, in the process of storing the recording material S in the positioning and receiving receiver 150, as shown in FIG. the contact and separation roll 162 are spaced from the drive roll 161, the recording material S discharged from the fourth transport roll 114, after moving, as shown in P _1, rear end fourth conveyance of the recording material S dropped upon leaving the rolls 114, along the positioning housing receiving 150 continue to move in the direction indicated by P _2, it is positioned accommodated in the positioning housing receiving 150 at a rotational orientation member 153 and the push arranging member 156.
Thereafter, when the end binding process is performed at the end stapling apparatus 170 to be described later, the fifth conveyance roll 115 is nipped and conveyed recording material S, the recording material S bundle already end binding is in the direction of P ₃ Be transported.

―End binding device―
Details of the end binding device 170 used in this embodiment are shown in FIGS.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the end binding device 170 includes a corner end binding device 170a that binds one corner of the recording material S and a side edge end that mainly binds one side edge of the recording material S. The end binding devices 170 (170a, 170b) are provided to be movable along the guide track 171 and use a drive mechanism 175 (for example, a mechanism that moves following the drive belt). ) To the appropriate position. In the present embodiment, the guide track 171 has an arcuate curved track portion 172 and a linear track portion 173 along one side edge of the recording material S at a portion corresponding to one corner of the recording material S. Yes.
In particular, in the present embodiment, the corner end binding device 170a is arranged as an initial position corresponding to the curved track portion 172, and the side edge end binding device 170b is set as the initial position in the curved track portion 173. It is arranged at a site separated from the portion 172.
For example, in the case of the end binding two-place mode in which one side edge of the recording material S is bound at two locations, the side edge end binding device 170b is sequentially moved to a position corresponding to the size of the recording material S to two locations. The edge binding may be performed, or the edge binding device 170a and the side edge binding device 170b may be used together for edge binding, and the design may be changed as appropriate. .

In addition, a configuration example of the end binding device 170 is shown with reference to FIG.
In the present embodiment, the end binding device 170 is movably disposed at a position corresponding to a notch (not shown) on the positioning wall 151 side of the positioning housing receiver 150.
As shown in FIG. 12A, the basic configuration of the end binding device 170 is such that the base end of the movable arm 182 is rotatably supported by a rotating shaft 183 on a lower container 181 as a support base. The upper container 184 is provided coaxially with the movable arm 182 and urged toward the movable arm 182 by a biasing spring (not shown). A binding needle storage portion 185 is provided in the upper container 184, and A driving mechanism 186 for driving the binding needle 190 is provided at the distal end of the movable arm 182, and the driving force of the driving motor 187 is transmitted to the movable arm 182 via a drive transmission mechanism 188 (for example, using a belt, an eccentric member, etc.). Thus, during the end binding operation, the movable arm 182 is moved downward, and the recording material S bundle is sandwiched between the lower container 181 and the upper container 184 as shown in FIGS. Strike descending with movable arm 182 At write mechanism 186 is obtained so as to drive the staples 190 in the end portion of the recording material S bundle. Reference numeral 191 denotes a recording material presence / absence detector provided at the tip of the lower container 181 on the recording material S side as a support base, and is configured using, for example, a reflective optical element.

―Bookbinding processing equipment―
FIG. 13 shows a support structure of the bookbinding processing apparatus 200.
In the figure, the support structure of the bookbinding processing apparatus 200 is provided with guide rails 201 on both sides in the front-rear direction orthogonal to the recording material conveyance direction of the longitudinal casing 102 of the post-processing apparatus casing 100, and along the guide rail 201. A movable support plate 202 movable in the vertical direction is provided, and the bookbinding processing casing 210 is fixedly supported on the movable support plate 202, while the movable support plate 202 is driven by a drive motor 205, for example. A gear tooth (not shown) that meshes with the drive gear 206 is formed, and the movable support plate 202 is moved up and down according to the rotation of the drive gear 206.
The support structure is not limited to the mode shown in the embodiment, and may be appropriately selected as long as it can move up and down.

FIG. 14 shows details of the bookbinding processing apparatus 200 used in the embodiment.
In the figure, a bookbinding processing casing 210 of the bookbinding processing apparatus 200 includes an upper partition member 212 and a lower partition member 213 that partition a recording material conveyance path 211 in the vertical direction.
In the present embodiment, the lower partition member 213 is set to have a shorter projecting dimension from the longitudinal housing 102 than the upper partition member 212, and below the upper partition member 212 where the lower partition member 213 does not exist. The portion is opened as a discharge opening 214 for the recording material S bundle to the post-processing receiving receptacle 250.
In the present embodiment, a movable partition member 240 is provided below the lower partition member 213. For example, the movable partition member 240 is partially formed with a gear tooth (not shown) that meshes with the drive gear 241, and appropriately extends along the partition screen of the lower partition member 213 according to the rotation of the drive gear 241. To move on.
In this case, when the size of the recording material S is large, the movable partition member 240 supports the recording material S and enables the saddle stitching apparatus 220 to perform the saddle stitching process. It moves appropriately according to the size.
Further, a saddle stitching device 220 and a sixth transporting roll 116 are incorporated in the bookbinding processing casing 210.

-Saddle stitching device-
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the saddle stitching device 220 is provided as a pair fixedly with respect to a direction (width direction) orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording material S, and the upper section A saddle stitching device main body 221 installed on the member 212 and a facing member 230 provided in a part of the lower partition member 213 so as not to hinder the conveyance of the recording material S bundle.
In this example, the saddle stitching device main body 221 has a support base 222 fixedly installed on the upper partition member 212, and a movable binding portion 223 that can swing with respect to the support base 222 is provided. The binding needle is driven into the recording material S bundle in the recording material conveyance path 211 through the driving opening 224 opened in the section. The movable binding unit 223 has a function of driving a binding needle, and is substantially the same as the basic configuration of the end binding device 170.
Further, the facing member 230 is made of a hard material, and is arranged corresponding to the saddle stitching position of the movable binding portion 223.
Further, in the present embodiment, the pair of saddle stitching devices 220 are fixedly provided. However, when there is a request to variably set the saddle stitching position according to the size of the recording material S, for example, The saddle stitching device 220 may be supported via a movable mechanism so as to move along the width direction of the recording material S.

―Sixth transport roll―
Similar to the fifth transport roll 115, the sixth transport roll 116 has a drive roll 161 on the lower side and an contact / separation roll 162 on the upper side.
The contact / separation mechanism (not shown) of the sixth transport roll 116 is substantially the same as the contact / separation mechanism 163 of the fifth transport roll 115 (see FIG. 9), and the drive roll 161 is driven by the drive motor 261. Is transmitted to the support shaft 263 via the drive transmission mechanism 262. On the other hand, the contact / separation roll 162 is urged toward the drive roll 161 by an urging spring (not shown).
In the present embodiment, the sixth transport roll 116 is provided between the pair of saddle stitching devices 220, and both are disposed to face each other via the roll opening 225 of the upper partition member 212.
In particular, in the present embodiment, when the recording material S bundle is nipped and conveyed by the fifth conveyance roll 115, the sixth conveyance roll 116 has the drive roll 161 and the contact / separation roll 162 spaced apart. On the other hand, when the saddle stitching process by the saddle stitching device 220 is completed, the sixth transporting roll 116 sandwiches and transports the recording material S bundle between the driving roll 161 and the contact / separation roll 162.

-Post-processing accommodation-
FIG. 13 shows a support structure for the post-processing receiving receptacle 250.
The support structure of the post-processing receiving receptacle 250 is provided with guide rails 251 on both sides in the front-rear direction orthogonal to the recording material conveyance direction of the vertical casing 102 of the post-processing apparatus casing 100, and along the guide rail 251 in the vertical direction. A movable support plate 252 that can be moved is provided, and a drive belt 253 is stretched between the pair of tension rolls 254 and 255 in the vertical direction along the guide rail 251, and a part of the drive belt 253 is coupled with the drive belt 253. The movable coupling member 256 that moves is fixed, the movable coupling member 256 is connected to the movable support plate 252, and the driving belt 253 is moved as a driving roll that can be driven by the driving motor 257, for example. It is what I did.
In this embodiment, the drive belt 253 can be moved up and down by an appropriate amount by appropriately rotating the tension roll 254 as the drive roll.
These support structures are not limited to those shown in the embodiment, and may be appropriately selected as long as they can move up and down.
Further, the post-processing receiving receptacle 250 moves up and down in accordance with the loading amount of the recording material S. However, as shown in FIG. 5, recording is performed on a part of the vertical casing 102 of the post-processing apparatus casing 100. A load amount detector 270 for detecting the load amount of the material S is provided.
The stacking amount detector 270 may be appropriately selected. For example, a detector in which an optical light emitting element and an optical light receiving element are disposed opposite to each other in the width direction of the recording material S of the longitudinal housing 102 is used.
The stack amount detector 270 is set at a position slightly below the position of the recording material S discharged from the fifth transport roll 115, and is the uppermost position among the recording materials S accommodated in the post-processing accommodation receptacle 250. The position of the lower end portion of the recording material S is detected.

―Control system―
FIG. 16 shows a control system of the recording material processing apparatus used in this embodiment.
In the figure, an image forming apparatus 21 operates an operation unit 300 for operating the size, number of copies, presence / absence of a punching process, presence / absence of a binding mode, and the like on the basis of information from the operation unit 300. And a control device 310 for controlling an object (motor, detector, etc.) 320.
Further, the recording material post-processing device 22 has a control device 330 that communicates with the control device 310 of the image forming apparatus 21, and each control target (operating object (motor, detector, etc.)). In addition to controlling 340, the punching device 130, the folding device 140, the recording material positioning process in the positioning storage receiver 150, the end binding device 170, the saddle stitching device 220, and the post-processing storage receiver as post-processing tools 250 and the like are controlled.
In addition, in the movement control of the post-processing container receiver 250, the post-process container receiver 250 determines a reference movement amount determined in advance based on the detection information of the load amount detector 270 (in this embodiment, the reference in the saddle stitching mode). The moving amount is lower than the moving amount> the reference moving amount in the end binding mode.

―Operation of recording material processing device―
Next, the operation of the recording material processing apparatus used in this embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, the control device 310 of the image forming apparatus 21 and the control device 330 of the recording material post-processing device 22 determine whether or not post-processing is performed as shown in FIG. It is determined whether the saddle stitching mode or any other mode, and if there is no post-processing, the normal mode is executed, and depending on the post-processing mode, the edge-binding mode, the saddle-stitching mode, or other modes (for example, Execute drilling mode).

―Normal mode―
Now, a case where the recording material processing apparatus is executed in the normal mode will be described. When an image is formed on the recording material S supplied from the recording material supply apparatus 50 (50a to 50d) by the image forming unit 40, the operation is performed. The imaged recording material S is discharged and accommodated in the recording material accommodation receptacle 52 via the fixing device 56 from the main conveyance path 511 via the branch conveyance path 513.
In the present embodiment, the recording material receiving receptacle 52 is provided on the side of the apparatus housing 30 of the image forming apparatus 21. For example, the lateral housing of the post-processing apparatus housing 100 of the recording material post-processing apparatus 22 is provided. When the storage space for the recording material S can be secured above the body 101, a recording material storage portion for storing the recording material S in the normal mode is provided at the top of the lateral housing 101, and this normal mode is provided. The recording material S may be accommodated.

―End binding mode―
A case where the recording material processing apparatus is executed in the end binding mode (in this example, no punching is taken as an example) will be described as follows (see FIGS. 18 and 19).
As shown in FIG. 18, the bookbinding processing apparatus 200 is retracted upward at the initial position, so that the recording material S bundle discharged from the positioning housing receiver 150 is post-processed without going through the bookbinding processing apparatus 200. The positional relationship is set to be discharged to the receiving receptacle 250.
In this state, the recording material S formed by the image forming apparatus 21 is guided from the main conveyance path 511 to the recording material post-processing apparatus 22 by the discharge roll 58 via the branch conveyance path 512.
Then, the recording material S guided to the recording material post-processing device 22 is transported by the first transport roll 111 and sequentially transported from the second transport roll 112 to the fourth transport roll 114, as shown in FIG. As described above, it is discharged to the positioning receiving receptacle 150.

At this time, since the fifth transport roll 115 is spaced apart, the recording material S is not obstructed by the fifth transport roll 115 and does not interfere with the discharging operation to the positioning storage receiver 250.
Thereafter, in the positioning and receiving receptacle 150, the recording material S is positioned and received in two adjacent directions by the rotation aligning member 153 and the push aligning member 156.
The above operation is repeated a predetermined number of times, and when a predetermined number of recording material S bundles are aligned in the positioning storage receiver 150, the end binding device 170 ends the end of the recording material S bundle positioned in the positioning storage receiver 150 (recording material S). Bind one corner of the bundle or two on one side edge).
Then, when the end binding processing of the end binding device 170 is completed, as shown in FIG. 19B, the fifth transport roll 115 sandwiches and transports the end-stitched recording material S bundle in the positioning storage receiver 150, It is discharged to the post-processing container 250.
In this state, under the condition that the recording material S bundle in which the loading amount detector 270 is accommodated is not detected, the post-processing accommodation receptacle 250 is arranged at the same position, whereas the loading amount detector 270 is accommodated. Under the condition where the recording material S bundle is detected, the post-processing accommodation receptacle 250 descends to secure an accommodation space for the recording material S bundle to be discharged next.

In particular, in the present embodiment, since the bookbinding processing apparatus 200 is retracted to the initial position in the end binding mode, the upper space portion of the post-processing receiving receptacle 250 is widened. This is preferable in that the edge-bound recording material S bundle can be easily taken out.
In the end binding mode of this example, the punching process by the punching device 130 is not performed. However, in the case of the end binding mode with punching, the punching process by the punching device 130 is further added. do it.
In this embodiment, the bookbinding processing apparatus 200 is retracted to the initial position in the end binding mode. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the bookbinding processing apparatus 200 is in the saddle stitching mode. It does not matter even if it is fixedly provided at the position. In this case, without performing the saddle stitching process by the saddle stitching device 220, the end-stitched recording material S bundle is nipped and transported by the fifth transport roll 115 and then transferred to the sixth transport roll 116 and then subjected to post-processing accommodation reception. What is necessary is just to make it discharge to 250.

-Saddle stitching mode-
The case where the recording material processing apparatus executes the saddle stitching mode is as follows (see FIGS. 20 to 22).
As shown in FIG. 20, when the saddle stitching mode is selected, the bookbinding processing apparatus 200 moves down from an initial position indicated by a virtual line to a set position where saddle stitching processing is possible.
In this state, the recording material S that has been imaged by the image forming apparatus 21 is guided to the recording material post-processing device 22 and is conveyed along the recording material conveyance path 110 by the first conveyance roll 111 to the fourth conveyance roll 114. To go.
At this time, the transport position of the recording material S can be detected by the position detectors 121 to 123 in the recording material transport path 110, but the recording material transport path is more accurate in aligning the leading edge of the recording material S. It is preferable that an alignment member (not shown) that can be opened and closed is provided in front of the second transport roll 112 in 110. In this case, the leading end of the recording material S is temporarily blocked by the positioning member, and the positioning member is released when a bulge (loop) is formed on the leading end side of the recording material S.
The second conveying roll 112 is immediately after the opened recording material S, and the recording material S enters the second conveying roll 112 with the leading end of the recording material S aligned parallel to the axial direction of the second conveying roll 112. Nipped and conveyed.

Thereafter, when the trailing end of the recording material S passes through the first position detector (entrance position detector) 121, the control device 330 of the recording material post-processing device 22 drives the drive rollers 112 and 113 after counting predetermined pulses. 144 and 145 (see FIG. 8) are stopped, and the recording material S is temporarily stopped at a position where the folding device 140 comes corresponding to the central portion of the recording material S in the transport direction.
After temporarily stopping the recording material S, a folding line Sa by the folding device 140 is formed in the central portion of the recording material S as shown in FIGS. 8 and 21A.
Thereafter, the recording material S to which the folding line Sa is attached is sequentially conveyed by the second conveyance roll 112 to the fourth conveyance roll 114 and is discharged to the positioning accommodation receiver 150 (see FIG. 21B).

In the positioning and receiving receptacle 150, the recording material S is positioned and received in two adjacent directions by the rotation aligning member 153 and the press aligning member 156.
The above operation is repeated a predetermined number of times, and after the predetermined number of recording material S bundles are aligned, the fifth transport roll 115 sandwiches the recording material S bundle positioned and received by the positioning storage receiver 150, and then the size of the recording material S is reached. Accordingly, the sheet is conveyed to a predetermined amount m, specifically, to a position where the saddle stitching position by the saddle stitching device 220 becomes the central portion of the recording material S bundle (see FIG. 22A).
Thereafter, the saddle stitching process is performed by the saddle stitching device 220, and then the sixth transporting roll 116 sandwiches and transports the recording material S bundle that has undergone saddle stitching, and discharges it to the post-processing storage receptacle 250 (FIG. 22). (See (b)). When the recording material S bundle is nipped and conveyed by the sixth conveyance roll 116, the fifth conveyance roll 115 is spaced apart in order to maintain good conveyance of the recording material S bundle.
In this state, under the condition that the recording material S bundle in which the loading amount detector 270 is accommodated is not detected, the post-processing accommodation receptacle 250 is arranged at the same position, whereas the loading amount detector 270 is accommodated. Under the condition where the recording material S bundle is detected, the post-processing accommodation receptacle 250 descends to secure an accommodation space for the recording material S bundle to be discharged next.

-Mixing of edge binding mode and saddle stitching mode-
When the end binding mode and the saddle stitching mode are performed together, as shown in FIG. 18 or FIG. 20, the recording material S bundles in the respective modes are stored in the post-processing storage receiver 250 in a mixed state.
At this time, since the saddle stitched recording material S bundle in the saddle stitching mode has been subjected to folding processing and saddle stitching processing, in the present embodiment, the central portion of the recording material S bundle is formed in a mountain shape upward. Float up.
For this reason, the edge-bound recording material S bundle and the saddle-stitched recording material S bundle accommodated in the post-processing accommodation receptacle 250 can be distinguished from each other in their accommodation state, and are easily differentiated even if mixedly accommodated. .

In the present embodiment, since the stacking amount detector 270 is disposed on the lower end portion side of the recording material S bundle, the position of the central portion of the recording material S bundle cannot be directly detected.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the previous job is in the saddle stitching mode, the recording amount is changed by the number of recording material S bundles, the size of the recording material S, and the type of the recording material S. The reference movement amount for lowering the post-processing container receiver 250 when the material S bundle is detected is set so that the reference movement amount in the end binding mode <the reference movement amount in the saddle stitching mode.
For this reason, in the saddle stitching mode, the reference movement amount during the lowering operation of the post-processing accommodation receptacle 250 becomes large, and accordingly, the recording material S bundle in which the central portion in the saddle stitching mode is lifted is effectively accommodated.
Further, regarding the reference movement amount during the lowering operation of the post-processing receiving tray 250, the number, size, and type of the recording material S bundles already accommodated are taken into consideration, and there are many recording material S bundles already accommodated. The reference movement amount may be set so as to be the reference movement amount when the recording material S bundle already contained is small.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Recording material post-processing apparatus, 2 ... Post-processing apparatus housing | casing, 2a ... Recording material conveyance path, 2b ... Conveyance member, 3 ... Positioning accommodation receptacle, 4 ... End binding apparatus, 5 ... Saddle stitching apparatus, 6 ... Binding accommodation Receiving member 7 recording member bundle conveying member 8 folding device 9 guide member 10 binding needle 11 image forming device 12 image forming unit 13 device housing 14 image reading unit S ... Recording material

Claims (3)

A recording material post-processing device that performs saddle stitching or edge binding of a recording material on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus,
A folding device for imparting a folding line to the recording material;
An end binding device for binding an end of the recording material;
A conveying means for conveying the recording material that has passed through the folding device or the edge binding device;
A saddle stitching device provided downstream in the conveying direction of the recording material of the conveying means and movably in the vertical direction with respect to the recording material post-processing device;
A binding storage receiver that is provided movably in the vertical direction with respect to the recording material post-processing device downstream in the recording material conveyance direction of the conveying means, and that accommodates the recording material bundle that is end-bound by the end-binding device; With
In the case of the saddle stitching process, the saddle stitching device is moved to the saddle stitching position with respect to the transport means so as to form a recording material transport path from the folding device to the saddle stitching device, and the saddle stitching device. The saddle-stitched recording material bundle is stored in the binding storage receiver,
In the case of the end binding process, the saddle stitching device is moved with respect to the transport means so that a recording material transport path from the end binding device to the binding storage receiver is formed, and the end binding device performs end binding. A recording material post-processing apparatus , wherein the recording material is stored in the binding storage receiver . The recording material post-processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The binding storage receiver is lowered as the recording material bundle to be accommodated increases, and the reference movement amount during the lowering operation is set larger during the saddle stitching process than during the end binding process. Recording material post-processing device. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material;
A recording material post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein post-processing is performed on the recording material on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus.

Images