JP5544969B2 - Recording material post-processing apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording material post-processing apparatus and an image forming system.

In an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine, a plurality of image-formed recording materials are collected, bound into two at the center, and bound into a book, which is then loaded on a booklet container. There is one to which a recording material post-processing apparatus configured as described above is connected.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a sheet having a mechanism for performing a saddle stitching process by a saddle stitching unit on a sheet bundle in which sheets ejected from the image forming apparatus are stacked, and folding the bound sheet bundle into two by a folding unit. A processing device is described.

JP 2005-239420 A

Here, as a binding means for binding a bundle of sheets, a stapler that strikes the recording material is generally used, but a metal needle or the like is used, and there is a problem such as separation when the recording material bundle is discarded. In general, binding the recording material bundle at the center and folding the recording material into two at the binding position, thereby increasing the bulk of the recording material due to swelling at the folded portion. Therefore, the storage capacity of the storage container that stores the bound recording material bundle is reduced as compared with the recording material bundle that is not bound.
An object of the present invention is to improve the recyclability and safety of a bound recording material bundle, and to increase the storage capacity of a storage container for the recording material bundle.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording material stacking member in which a plurality of recording materials are sequentially stacked to form a recording material bundle, and a folding means for folding the recording material bundle stacked on the recording material stacking member And binding means for binding the recording material bundle by causing deformation in the thickness direction of the recording material bundle at a position spaced from the folding position of the recording material bundle by the folding means. The recording material bundle is arranged at a position downstream of the binding means in the recording material conveyance direction, and is spaced from the region of the recording material bundle bound by the binding means with respect to the width direction of the recording material bundle. The recording material post-processing apparatus is further provided with conveying means for conveying the recording material bundle in contact with the recording medium .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the pressing force when the conveying means holds the recording material bundle in a sandwiched state is more than the pressing force when the folding means holds the recording material in a sandwiched state. The recording material post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the recording material post-processing apparatus is set to be low.
The invention according to claim 3, wherein the binding means is a recording material post-processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that disposed in the recording material conveying direction downstream side of said folding means.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the binding means binds the recording material bundle placed on the recording material accumulating member at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the folding position. The recording material post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

The invention of claim 5 includes an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material and a recording material post-processing device for performing post-processing on the recording material on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus wherein the recording material post-processing device, the recording material carrying means for the recording material is conveyed, the recording material bundle plurality of recording materials has been carried from the recording material carrying means is integrated in order from the image forming apparatus A recording material accumulating member formed on the recording material accumulating member, a folding means for folding the recording material bundle accumulated on the recording material accumulating member, and a predetermined interval from a folding position of the recording material bundle by the folding means. A binding unit that binds the recording material bundle by causing deformation in the thickness direction of the recording material bundle at a certain position, and the recording material post-processing device is downstream of the binding unit in the recording material conveyance direction. And the binding of the recording material bundle Image forming, characterized in that contact with the recording medium bundle at spaced locations with respect to the width direction of the binding is applied area and the recording material bundle, further comprising conveying means for conveying the recording material bundle by means System.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the conveying means of the recording material post-processing apparatus has a pressing force when holding the recording material bundle in a state where the recording material bundle is sandwiched by the folding means. The image forming system according to claim 5 , wherein the image forming system is set lower than a pressing force at the time of holding.
A seventh aspect of the present invention is the image forming system according to the fifth aspect, wherein the binding means of the recording material post-processing apparatus is disposed downstream of the folding means in the recording material conveyance direction. .
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the binding means of the recording material post-processing device is spaced a predetermined distance from the folding position with respect to the recording material bundle placed on the recording material stacking member. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein binding is performed at a predetermined position.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, compared to the case where the present invention is not adopted, the recyclability and safety of the bound recording material bundle are improved , the capacity of the storage container for the bound recording material bundle is increased , and the binding is performed. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of loosening or peeling in the region bound by the means.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to further suppress the occurrence of loosening or peeling in the region bound by the binding means as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of loosening or peeling due to the folding process in the region that has been bound by the binding means, as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the invention of claim 4 , compared to the case where the present invention is not adopted, the load on the binding means when the binding means binds the recording material bundle is reduced, and the number of sheets that can be bound can be increased.

According to the invention of claim 5 , as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted, the recyclability and safety of the bound recording material bundle are improved , the capacity of the storage container for the bound recording material bundle is increased , and the binding is performed. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of loosening or peeling in the region bound by the means.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to further suppress the occurrence of loosening or peeling in the region that is bound by the binding means, compared to the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, compared to the case where the present invention is not adopted, it is possible to suppress loosening or peeling due to the folding process in the region that has been bound by the binding means.
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, compared to the case where the present invention is not adopted, the load on the binding means when the binding means binds the recording material bundle is reduced, and the number of sheets that can be bound can be increased.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming system to which the exemplary embodiment is applied. It is a figure explaining the function of a post-processing apparatus. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a saddle stitching function unit according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure explaining an example of a structure of a binding mechanism part. It is a figure explaining the binding operation | movement in a binding mechanism part. It is a figure explaining the position setting of a binding mechanism part. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where a user has opened a sheet bundle from one end of a page that is a cover page. It is the figure which showed the other structural example of the binding mechanism part. It is the figure which showed the state by which the U-shaped notch | incision was pushed into the slit-like notch in the sheet | seat bundle. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a saddle stitching function unit according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a case where saddle stitching is performed at a distance from the central portion of the sheet bundle to the downstream side in the sheet carry-in direction.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[Embodiment 1]
<Description of image forming system>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming system 100 to which the exemplary embodiment is applied. An image forming system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is provided for an image forming apparatus 1 such as a printer or a copying machine that forms a color image by an electrophotographic method, and a recording material (paper) S on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus 1. And a post-processing device 2 that performs post-processing.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit 10 that forms an image based on each color image data, an image reading unit 11 that reads an image from a document and generates read image data, and a sheet that supplies the sheet S to the image forming unit 10. A supply unit 12, an operation input unit 13 that receives an operation input from a user, and a main control unit 14 that controls the operation of the entire image forming system 100 are provided.

  The post-processing apparatus 2 includes a transport unit 3 that receives and conveys the sheet S on which an image is formed from the image forming apparatus 1, a folding unit 4 that performs a folding process on the sheet S carried in from the transport unit 3, and And a finisher unit 5 that performs final processing on the paper S that has passed through the folding unit 4. Furthermore, an interposer 6 for supplying slip sheets for constituting a cover of a booklet and the like, and a sheet processing control unit 7 for controlling each function unit of the post-processing device 2 are provided. 1 shows the configuration in which the paper processing control unit 7 is provided in the post-processing device 2, the paper processing control unit 7 may be provided in the image forming apparatus 1. Further, the main control unit 14 that controls the operation of the entire image forming system 100 in the image forming apparatus 1 may be configured to have the control function of the sheet processing control unit 7.

<Description of post-processing apparatus>
Next, FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the function of the post-processing device 2. The post-processing device 2 generates a sheet bundle S by accumulating a necessary number of sheets S on the finisher unit 5 and a punch function unit 70 for punching (punching) 2 holes or 4 holes on the sheet S. Then, an end binding function unit 40 that performs stapling (edge binding) at the end of the sheet bundle S and a required number of sheets S are accumulated to generate the sheet bundle S, and the central portion of the sheet bundle S is bound. (Saddle stitching processing) and a saddle stitch bookbinding function unit 30 for bookbinding into a booklet. Further, the folding unit 4 is provided with a folding function unit 50 that performs folding such as inner three-fold (C-fold) and outer three-fold (Z-fold) on the paper S. Furthermore, the interposer 6 and the transport unit 3 are provided with a slip sheet supply function unit 90 that supplies slip sheets such as cardboard and window empty sheets used for the cover of the sheet bundle S.

<Description of saddle stitch bookbinding functional unit>
Next, the saddle stitching function unit 30 provided in the finisher unit 5 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the saddle stitching function unit 30 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the saddle stitching function unit 30 that binds the sheet bundle S into a booklet is a compile tray 31 as an example of a recording material accumulation member that accumulates a predetermined number of sheets S after image formation. And a carry-in roll 39 for discharging the paper S to the compile tray 31, and a paper bundle S placed on a positioning stopper protruding on the compile tray 31 and moved along the compile tray 31 to determine the saddle stitching position of the paper bundle S. And an end guide 32. Further, a sheet alignment paddle 33 for aligning the sheets S stacked on the compilation tray 31 toward the end guide 32 and a sheet width aligning member 34 for aligning the sheets S stacked on the compilation tray 31 in the width direction. I have.

In addition, the saddle stitching function unit 30 moves the folding knife 35 so as to protrude from the back surface side of the compilation tray 31 toward the storage surface side (z direction) with respect to the sheet bundle S collected on the compilation tray 31. And a folding roll 36 composed of a pair of rolls that sandwich the sheet bundle S that is started to be folded by the folding knife 35. Further, on the downstream side of the folding roll 36, a paper detection sensor 92 that detects the passage of the paper S discharged from the folding roll 36 and a deformed portion that is deformed in the thickness direction on the folded paper S are formed. Thus, a binding mechanism unit 80 as an example of a binding unit that binds the sheet bundle S and a transport roll member 37 that transports the paper S bound by the binding mechanism unit 80 are disposed.
In addition, the saddle stitch bookbinding function unit 30 includes a booklet tray 45 on which the sheet bundle S that has been saddle-stitched, folded and bound, and a carry-out roll member 38 that carries the sheet bundle S to the booklet tray 45. It has.

<Description of the operation of the saddle stitching function unit>
Next, the operation of the saddle stitch bookbinding function unit 30 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the finisher unit 5 receives the image-formed (printed) paper S output through the discharge roll 46 of the folding unit 4 at the paper carry-in port 71 when the booklet is created, After passing the inlet roll 41 provided in the vicinity of the mouth 71, the punch function unit 70 performs punching (drilling) processing as necessary. Then, the paper S that has passed through the punch function unit 70 is sorted by the first gate 42 to the saddle stitching function unit 30, the upper sheet storage tray 49, or the end binding function unit 40.

When the image-formed paper S is discharged to the outside or an edge-bound booklet is created, the paper S is directed upward at the first gate 42 based on a control signal from the paper processing control unit 7. The paper is further conveyed upward by the conveyance roll 43 and is sent to the upper paper storage tray 49 and the end binding function unit 40. On the other hand, when creating a saddle-stitched booklet, based on a control signal from the sheet processing control unit 7, the sheet S is directed downward at the first gate 42, and an example of a recording material loading unit via the transport roll 44. As a carry-in roll 39.
The carry-in roll 39 sequentially stacks the conveyed paper S on the compilation tray 31 so that the paper S is collected on the compilation tray 31. For example, the number of sheets set by the main control unit 14 (see FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus 1 such as five sheets, ten sheets, and fifteen sheets is accumulated in the compile tray 31. At this time, for example, the end guide 32 moves and stops so that the central portion of the sheet S coincides with the folding position by the folding knife 35. Further, at that time, the sheet aligning member 34 rotates toward the end guide 32 and presses the stacked sheets S against the end guide 32 to assist the sheet alignment. The paper width aligning member 34 slides in the width direction of the sheets S stacked on the compile tray 31 and aligns the stacked sheets S from the width direction.

After a predetermined number of sheets (sheet bundle) S are accumulated on the compile tray 31, the folding knife 35 is pushed out from the back surface side toward the storage surface side (z direction). That is, the folding knife 35 is directed upward (z direction) in the direction orthogonal to the accommodation surface of the compilation tray 31, and the tip of the folding knife 35 contacts the sheet bundle S. The tip of the folding knife 35 is further pushed upward (z direction), and the sheet bundle S is lifted and sandwiched between the folding rolls 36. In this way, the sheet bundle S is subjected to folding processing by the folding knife 35 and the folding roll 36 as an example of folding means. Note that the folding knife 35 is configured to move to a position where the sheet bundle S sufficiently enters the folding roll 36, the sheet stacking stage on the compilation tray 31, the saddle stitching stage by the binding mechanism unit 80, In the sheet transport stage after saddle stitching, the leading end of the sheet is retracted toward the back surface (−y direction) of the compile tray 31 so that it does not appear on the front surface (accommodating surface) of the compile tray 31.
Thereafter, the paper S is subjected to a binding process by the binding mechanism 80 described later. The sheet bundle S that has been subjected to the folding process by the folding roll 36 and further subjected to the binding process by the binding mechanism 80 is stacked on the booklet tray 45 by the transport roll member 37 and the carry-out roll member 38.

  In FIG. 3, the upstream direction when the paper S is carried in the storage surface of the compile tray 31 is the y direction, and the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the paper S is carried in the storage surface (the width direction of the paper S). ) Is the x direction, and the direction orthogonal to the accommodation surface of the compilation tray 31 is the z direction. The same applies to the following drawings.

<Description of the binding function unit>
Next, the binding mechanism unit 80 that performs the binding process on the paper S that has been folded by the folding roll 36 will be described.
The binding mechanism unit 80 according to the present embodiment is configured so that, for example, teeth (crimping teeth) configured by bar code-like unevenness are engaged with the folded sheet S from the vertical direction (thickness direction). It has the structure to press-fit (pressurize). As a result, the folded sheet S is locally deformed, and the sheet bundle S is bound by the meshing of the sheets S at the deformed portions (binding portion, crimp binding portion). Since the binding mechanism unit 80 having such a configuration reduces the bulk and swelling of the bound sheet bundle S, when the plurality of bound sheet bundles S are stored in the booklet tray 45, a plurality of the stored sheet bundles S are stored. The bulk of the sheet bundle S is kept low. Thereby, the capacity of the booklet tray 45 is used more effectively, and the capacity of the booklet tray 45 for the bound sheets S is enhanced. Further, the bulk of the sheet bundle S is reduced and the convenience of carrying is improved. Furthermore, since staples are not used, paper reusability (recyclability), safety, and the like are improved.

  The binding mechanism 80 according to the present embodiment is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction of the paper S depending on the arrangement positions of the folding knife 35 and the folding roll 36 as an example of a folding unit, and is applied to the paper S after being folded. Thus, the sheet bundle S is deformed in the thickness direction, and the sheet bundle S is bound. Accordingly, the binding portion is configured to be less likely to be loosened or peeled off when passing through the folding means.

<Description of the configuration of the binding function unit>
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the binding mechanism unit 80. 4A shows a state in which the sheet bundle S that has been folded by the folding roll 36 is received, FIG. 4B shows a state in which the sheet bundle S is bound, and FIG. Each formed crimp tooth is shown.
First, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the binding mechanism 80 is slid and moved within a movement range h that is predetermined by the lower lever 82 fixed to the support shaft 81 and the support shaft 81. An upper lever 83 that is freely supported, and a crimping tooth 84 that is disposed on the end side of each of the lower lever 82 and the upper lever 83 are provided. Further, the binding mechanism unit 80 slides the upper lever 83 by rotating around the rotating shaft 86 and a spring member 85 that exerts a pressing force that separates the lower lever 82 and the upper lever 83, The upper lever 83 and the cam 87 for contacting and separating the crimping teeth 84 disposed on the lower lever 82 are provided.
The lower lever 82 is supported by a main body housing (not shown) of the folding unit 4 by a main body support shaft 88 at the end opposite to the crimping teeth 84. The lower lever 82 moves in the width direction (x direction) of the paper S along the main body support shaft 88 by a drive mechanism (not shown). As a result, the binding mechanism unit 80 moves in the width direction of the paper S along the main body support shaft 88 and is set at a predetermined position in the width direction of the paper S.

In the binding mechanism portion 80, as shown in FIG. 4B, the cam 87 is moved in the cw direction (see FIG. 4B) by a predetermined angle by a driving force from a driving motor (not shown) connected to the rotating shaft 86. By rotating to a) see), the upper lever 83 is pushed down against the pressing force from the spring member 85. Thereby, the crimping tooth 84 on the lower lever 82 side and the crimping tooth 84 on the upper lever 83 side are crimped.
On the other hand, when the cam 87 rotates in the ccw direction (see FIG. 4B) from the state in which the lower lever 82 is pushed down, the lower lever 82 is moved away from each other by the pressing force from the spring member 85 (see FIG. It will return to the state shown to Fig.4 (a).

As shown in FIG. 4 (c), the crimping teeth 84 have, for example, a plurality of triangular protrusions (teeth) regularly arranged in, for example, a barcode on both sides of the lower lever 82 and the upper lever 83. The projections on the lower lever 82 side and the upper lever 83 side are configured to engage with each other. That is, when the crimping teeth 84 are crimped, the protrusions on the upper lever 83 side are arranged so as to be positioned between the protrusions on the lower lever 82 side. Accordingly, the sheet S is locally deformed by being sandwiched between the protrusion on the upper lever 83 side and the protrusion on the lower lever 82 side, and the sheet S is engaged by mutual engagement of the sheet S at the deformed portion (crimp binding portion). It is bound.
Note that the shape of the teeth of the crimping teeth 84 may be any shape as long as the lower deformation of the lower lever 82 and the upper lever 83 can mesh with each other to form a local deformation in the paper S.

<Description of the binding operation of the binding function unit>
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a binding operation in the binding mechanism unit 80. In FIG. 5, the conveyance direction of the paper S is a direction from the left side to the right side of the paper surface (z direction: see also FIG. 3).
As shown in FIG. 5A, the sheet bundle S that has undergone the folding process is conveyed from the folding roll 36 to the arrangement position of the binding mechanism unit 80. In this state, the sheet bundle S that has been folded through the folding roll 36 is bulky or swollen (open).
Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the sheet bundle S reaches the arrangement position of the binding mechanism 80, the cam 87 (see FIG. 4) rotates and the upper lever 83 moves the crimping teeth 84. Slide and move to the lower lever 82 side so as to be crimped. As a result, the crimping tooth 84 crimps a predetermined position in the vicinity of the folded portion of the sheet bundle S, forms the crimped binding portion Q, and binds the folded portion of the sheet bundle S. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5C, the cam 87 rotates and the upper lever 83 moves away from the lower lever 82 so as to separate the crimping teeth 84. Thereby, the bulk and swelling of the folded sheet bundle S are suppressed, and the bulk of the sheet bundle S is reduced.
As described above, the binding mechanism unit 80 according to the present embodiment locally deforms each of the sheets S constituting the sheet bundle S, and the sheet bundle is engaged with each other at the deformed portion (crimp binding part Q). S is bound. Thus, the bulk and swelling of the paper S that has been folded through the folding roll 36 are suppressed, and the bulk of the paper bundle S is reduced.

<Explanation of binding function unit position setting>
Next, FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the position setting of the binding mechanism unit 80. In FIG. 6, the transport direction of the sheet bundle S is a direction from the upper side to the lower side of the paper surface (z direction: see also FIG. 3). FIG. 6 shows a state in which the sheet S is viewed from the vertically upper side (y direction).
As shown in FIG. 6, the binding mechanism 80 moves in the width direction (x direction) of the paper S along the main body support shaft 88 supported by the main body housing (not shown) of the folding unit 4. The binding mechanism 80 is set outside the conveyance region W of the sheet bundle S until the folding process on the sheet bundle S by the folding roll 36 (see FIG. 3) is completed and the sheet S passes the folding roll 36. The home position (H). When the sheet bundle S passes through the folding roll 36 and stops at a predetermined position, the binding mechanism 80 moves in the width direction (x direction) of the sheet S along the main body support shaft 88, and the sheet bundle S is set to one or more predetermined binding positions (for example, Y1 position and Y2 position). Then, after performing the binding process (crimp binding part Q1, Q2) at each binding position (Y1 position and Y2 position), the position returns to the home position (H) again.
Note that the main body support shaft 88 of the binding mechanism unit 80 is set at a position on the vertically lower side (−y direction) of the transport area W of the paper S so as not to hinder the transport of the paper bundle S.

  Further, the binding portions (crimp binding portions Q1 and Q2) to which the binding mechanism unit 80 binds are related to the binding position (paper transport direction (z direction) of the crimp binding portions Q1 and Q2) from the folded portion (R) of the sheet bundle S. Is set so as to be separated by a predetermined interval g. As a result, the opening when the sheet bundle S is opened is inside the sheet bundle S with respect to the folded portion (R). That is, when the sheet bundle S is opened, the boundary of the spread pages is set in, for example, the crimp binding portions Q1 and Q2 that are inside the sheet bundle S with respect to the folded portion (R). As a result, the folded portion (R) and the binding portion are different, and peeling at the binding portion is difficult to occur.

For example, when the folded portion (R) and the binding portion (for example, the crimped binding portions Q1 and Q2) coincide with each other, the folding portion (R) becomes the boundary of the spread page by opening the sheet bundle S. For this reason, each time the sheet bundle S is opened, a force is easily applied to the binding portion set at a position that coincides with the folded portion (R), and the binding portion that does not use a binding tool such as a staple easily peels off. On the other hand, if the binding portion is set inside the sheet bundle S with respect to the folding portion (R), it is opened at a position different from the folding portion (R) that is easy to open. A new fold is made inside the bundle S, and the part where the fold is made is set as the boundary of the page. For this reason, when the sheet bundle S is opened, it is opened from the folded portion inside the sheet bundle S rather than the binding portion created by the user himself, so that it is difficult to exert a force on the binding portion. Thereby, peeling at the binding portion hardly occurs.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state where the user has opened the sheet bundle S from one end of the cover page. As shown in FIG. 7, the sheet bundle S is opened from one end of the cover page. Even in the case of being opened, a force is easily applied to the folded portion (R). However, even in such a case, the binding portion (for example, the crimped binding portions Q1 and Q2) is set inside the sheet bundle S by the gap g from the folding portion (R), so that the binding portion has a force. Becomes difficult to work, and peeling at the binding portion is difficult to occur.

<Description of pressing roll member>
Here, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6, a transport roll member 37 as an example of a transport unit is disposed on the downstream side (z direction) of the binding mechanism 80 in the paper transport direction. The transport roll member 37 transports the sheet bundle S toward the booklet tray 45 when the binding mechanism unit 80 finishes binding near the folded portion (R) of the sheet bundle S. For this reason, the bound sheet bundle S passes through the arrangement position of the transport roll member 37.
Therefore, in order to suppress the crimping and binding portions Q1 and Q2 of the sheet bundle S bound by the binding mechanism 80 from being loosened or peeled off by the pressing force received from the transport roll member 37, the transport roll member 37 is configured to With respect to the width direction (x direction) of S, it is arranged at a position where it does not come into contact with the crimp binding portions Q1, Q2 of the sheet bundle S. Further, when the transport roll member 37 transports the sheet bundle S, the pressing force that acts on the sheet bundle S (area other than the crimp binding sections Q1 and Q2) from the transport roll member 37 is the crimp binding section Q1 of the sheet bundle S. The pressing force of the transport roll member 37 is set lower than the pressing force of the folding roll 36 so that it is difficult to reach Q2. As a result, the conveyance roll member 37 does not have a strong pressing force enough to fold the sheet bundle S, so that the crimping and binding portions Q1 and Q2 of the sheet bundle S are further suppressed from being loosened or peeled off.

Further, the sheet bundle S is conveyed by the folding roll 36 to a position where the vicinity of the folded portion (R) of the sheet bundle S is bound by the binding mechanism unit 80. The folding roll 36 stops when the vicinity of the folded portion (R) of the paper S reaches the position where it is bound by the binding mechanism 80. At this time, the arrangement position of the binding mechanism unit 80 is set so that the stopped folding roll 36 remains nipped on the rear end side in the transport direction of the sheet bundle S. That is, when the vicinity of the folded portion (R) of the sheet bundle S reaches the position where the binding mechanism unit 80 binds and the folding roll 36 stops, the stopped folding roll 36 nips the rear end side in the transport direction of the sheet S. As shown, the interval between the folding roll 36 and the binding mechanism 80 is set.
As a result, when the binding mechanism unit 80 binds the vicinity of the folded portion (R) of the sheet bundle S, the stopped folding roll 36 presses the rear end side in the transport direction of the sheet S. Thereby, the bulk and swelling of the sheet bundle S bound by the binding mechanism unit 80 are suppressed, and a decrease in binding position accuracy when the binding process is performed by the binding mechanism unit 80 is suppressed.

<Description of paper stop position control>
As described above, the binding mechanism unit 80 binds one or more locations in the width direction of the sheet S at the end portion near the folded portion (R) of the sheet bundle S. On the other hand, regarding the interval from the folded portion (R) of the sheet bundle S to the binding position (position relating to the sheet conveying direction (z direction) of the crimped binding portions Q1 and Q2), the user sets from the operation input unit 13 or the sheet bundle Depending on the number of S, the paper processing control unit 7 may automatically set. Therefore, when the paper S is transported to the binding mechanism unit 80, the transport amount for the paper S sent by the folding roll 36 toward the binding mechanism unit 80 needs to be set differently depending on these conditions.

  Therefore, the sheet processing control unit 7 is provided in the image forming apparatus 1 from the main control unit 14 (see FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus 1 with respect to the size of the sheet S on which the image has been formed (paper size information). Information regarding the interval from the folded portion of the sheet bundle S to the binding position (binding position information) instructed (selected) by the user through the operation input unit 13 (see FIG. 1), and the number of sheets S constituting the sheet bundle S. Various information necessary for setting the binding position in the paper conveyance direction (z direction), such as information (configuration number information), is acquired. Then, the sheet processing control unit 7 calculates the conveyance amount of the sheet S that the folding roll 36 sends toward the binding mechanism unit 80 based on the acquired various information.

  For example, the paper processing control unit 7 sets the stop timing of the folding roll 36 based on the elapsed time from the timing when the paper detection sensor 92 detects the passage of the paper S carried out of the folding roll 36, and the folding roll 36 binds. The conveyance amount of the paper S sent toward the mechanism unit 80 is controlled. As another control method, the sheet processing control unit 7 sets the stop timing of the folding roll 36 according to the elapsed time from the timing when the folding knife 35 pushes the sheet S toward the folding roll 36, and the folding roll 36 You may control the conveyance amount of the paper S sent toward the binding mechanism part 80. FIG. Furthermore, by using a combination of the sheet detection sensor 92 and the thickness detection sensor that detects the thickness of the sheet S, the timing at which the passage of the sheet S discharged from the folding roll 36 is detected, and the detected sheet S Depending on the thickness, the conveyance amount of the sheet S fed by the folding roll 36 toward the binding mechanism unit 80 may be controlled.

<Description of another configuration example of the binding function unit>
Next, FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of a binding function unit that is a binding unit that binds the sheet bundle S by forming a deformed portion deformed in the thickness direction on the sheet S. 8A shows a state in which the sheet bundle S subjected to the folding process by the folding roll 36 is received, and FIG. 8B shows a state in which the sheet bundle S is bound, and FIGS. 8C and 8D show the state. The structure of the cutter mechanism 190 that cuts and deforms the paper S by the binding mechanism unit 180 and binds the paper S is shown. Further, the binding mechanism unit 180 illustrated in FIG. 8 is disposed on both side portions (right side portion and left side portion) of the sheet bundle S with respect to the width direction (x direction) of the sheet bundle S. Accordingly, in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the sheet bundle S is conveyed from the front (back) side to the back (front) side in a direction orthogonal to the paper surface.

Then, the binding mechanism portion 180 shown in FIG. 8 has a lower lever 182 fixed to the support shaft 181 and a predetermined movement by the support shaft 181 as shown in FIGS. The upper lever 183 is slidably supported within the range m, and the cutter mechanism 190 is disposed on the end side of the upper lever 183 and the lower lever 182. Further, the binding mechanism unit 180 slides the upper lever 183 by rotating around the rotating shaft 186, and a spring member 185 that exerts a pressing force that separates the lower lever 182 and the upper lever 183, The upper lever 183 and the lower lever 182 are provided with a cam 187 for contacting and separating the cutter mechanism 190.
The lower lever 182 is supported by a main body housing (not shown) of the folding unit 4 by a main body support shaft 188. The lower lever 182 moves in the width direction (x direction) of the paper S along the main body support shaft 188 by a drive mechanism (not shown). As a result, the binding mechanism unit 180 moves in the width direction of the paper S along the main body support shaft 188, and sets the setting position of the cutter mechanism 190 in the width direction of the paper S to a predetermined position.

As shown in FIG. 8C, the cutter mechanism 190 includes a U-shaped blade 191 that forms a U-shaped cut in the sheet bundle S on the upper lever 183 side, and a U-shaped blade 191 formed in the sheet bundle S. A slit blade 192 that forms a slit-like cut according to the width; a push cam 193 that pushes a U-shaped cut formed by the U-shaped blade 191 into a slit-like cut formed by the slit blade 192; A spring member 194 that biases the cam 193 is configured.
Further, as shown in FIG. 8D, the cutter mechanism 190 is a surface on which the U-shaped blade 191 enters the lower lever 182 side and generates a shearing force with the inner peripheral surface of the U-shaped blade 191. The U-shaped hole 195 having a slit, the slit hole 196 having a surface into which the slit blade 192 enters and generates a shearing force with the inner peripheral surface of the slit blade 192, and one end of the pushing cam 193 abut against each other, thereby pushing the cam. A protrusion 197 that displaces the other end of the push cam 193 so that the U-shaped cut 193 pushes the U-shaped cut into the slit-like cut is formed.

In the binding mechanism portion 180 shown in FIG. 8, as shown in FIG. 8B, the cam 187 is cw by a predetermined angle by a driving force from a driving motor (not shown) connected to the rotating shaft 186. By rotating in the direction (see FIG. 8A), the upper lever 183 is pushed down against the pressing force from the spring member 185. Thereby, the cutter mechanism 190 on the lower lever 182 side and the cutter mechanism 190 on the upper lever 183 side are joined.
On the other hand, when the cam 187 rotates in the ccw direction (see FIG. 8B) from the state in which the lower lever 182 is pushed down, the lower lever 182 is moved away from each other by the pressing force from the spring member 185 (see FIG. 8B). It will return to the state shown to Fig.8 (a).

In the cutter mechanism 190, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the cutter mechanism 190 on the lower lever 182 side and the cutter mechanism 190 on the upper lever 183 side are joined, the sheet bundle S is formed by the slit blade 192 and the slit hole 196. A slit-shaped cut is formed in accordance with the width of the U-shaped blade 191. Further, a U-shaped cut is formed in the sheet bundle S by the U-shaped blade 191 and the U-shaped hole 195. Then, when one end of the pushing cam 193 abuts against the protrusion 197, the other end of the pushing cam 193 is displaced and the U-shaped cut is pushed into the slit-like cut, and the sheet bundle S is deformed in the thickness direction. Let
Next, FIG. 9 is a view showing a state where the U-shaped cut C2 is pushed into the slit-shaped cut C1 in the sheet bundle S. As shown in FIG. 9, the U-shaped cut C2 is pushed into the slit-shaped cut C1, so that the bulk and swelling of the sheet bundle S are suppressed.

  As described above, in the saddle stitch binding function unit 30 of the present embodiment, the binding mechanism unit 80 locally deforms and deforms each of the sheets S constituting the sheet bundle S subjected to the folding process by the folding roll 36. The sheet bundle S is bound by the meshing of the sheets S at the portion (crimp binding part Q). Thus, the bulk and swelling of the paper S that has been folded through the folding roll 36 are suppressed, and the bulk of the paper bundle S is reduced. Thereby, the capacity of the booklet tray 45 is used more effectively, and the capacity of the booklet tray 45 for the bound sheets S is enhanced. Further, the bulk of the sheet bundle S is reduced and the convenience of carrying is improved. Furthermore, since staples are not used, paper reusability (recyclability), safety, and the like are improved.

  In particular, in the saddle stitching function unit 30 of the present embodiment, the binding position in the sheet conveyance direction by the binding mechanism unit 80 is changed from the folded portion (R) of the sheet bundle S to the binding position (for example, the crimping binding portions Q1 and Q2). The position up to the position in the paper transport direction (z direction) is set to be separated by a predetermined interval. As a result, the folded portion (R) and the binding portion are set at different positions to make it difficult for peeling at the binding portion.

[Embodiment 2]
In the first embodiment, a configuration is described in which the binding mechanism unit 80 is disposed on the downstream side of the folding unit (the folding knife 35 and the folding roll 36), and the sheet bundle S subjected to the folding process by the folding unit is deformed and bound. did. In the present embodiment, the binding mechanism unit 80 is disposed in the previous stage of the folding means (folding knife 35 and folding roll 36), and the sheet bundle S before being subjected to the folding process by the folding means is deformed and bound. Will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is used about the structure similar to Embodiment 1, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted here.

<Description of saddle stitch bookbinding functional unit>
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the saddle stitching function unit 30 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, in the saddle stitching function unit 30 of the present embodiment, the compile tray 31 is configured so that the binding mechanism unit 80 as an example of a binding unit performs saddle stitching on the sheets S stacked on the compile tray 31. It is arranged on both sides.
Then, in the saddle stitching function unit 30 of the present embodiment, a predetermined number of sheets (sheet bundle) S are stacked on the compilation tray 31 and then the saddle stitching mechanism unit 80 executes saddle stitching. In this case, the position at which saddle stitching is performed by the binding mechanism unit 80 is spaced from the central portion (folding position) of the sheet bundle S, for example, upstream (y direction) or downstream (−y direction) in the paper loading direction. Are set apart. In this case, the saddle stitching position is set by the movement of the end guide 32 in the direction along the accommodation surface of the compilation tray 31 (y direction). Further, the binding mechanism 80 is disposed at a predetermined position in the upper direction (y direction) or the lower direction (−y direction) along the accommodation surface of the compilation tray 31 with respect to the folding knife 35, for example, and the sheet bundle S. For example, an interval from the central portion (folding position) may be set.

Next, the sheet bundle S that has been saddle-stitched has a folding portion (for example, a central portion here) of the folding knife 35 due to the upward movement (y direction) along the accommodation surface of the compile tray 31 of the end guide 32. It is moved to the tip position. Then, the folding knife 35 is pushed out from the back side toward the accommodation surface side (z direction), and the sheet bundle S is subjected to folding processing by a folding knife 35 and a folding roll 36 as an example of a folding unit.
As the binding mechanism unit 80 of the present embodiment, for example, the one having the configuration shown in FIG. 8 is used.

  As described above, the binding mechanism unit 80 performs saddle stitching on the sheets S before being folded and stacked on the compile tray 31, so the number of sheets S to be bound by the binding mechanism unit 80 is halved. Therefore, the load during the binding process in the binding mechanism unit 80 is reduced, and the binding strength of the binding unit is increased. Furthermore, it is possible to double the number of sheets S to be bound.

Further, the position at which saddle stitching is performed by the binding mechanism unit 80 is set with an interval on the upstream side (y direction) or the downstream side (−y direction) of the paper bundle S with respect to, for example, the central portion. Thus, after the folding process (folding knife 35 and folding roll 36) is performed, the binding portion is hidden inside the fold.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a case where saddle stitching is performed at a distance from the central portion of the sheet bundle S to the downstream side in the sheet carry-in direction (−y direction). As shown in FIG. 11A, when the saddle stitching is performed at a distance from the central portion of the sheet bundle S to the downstream side in the sheet carry-in direction (−y direction), the binding portion Q is one of the spread pages. Formed on the side. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the folding process is performed, the binding portion Q is hidden inside the folding. Thereby, when the sheet bundle S is stacked on the booklet tray 45, the binding portions Q of the overlapping sheet bundle S do not directly contact each other. Therefore, the binding between the sheet bundles S due to the binding portion Q is suppressed, and the stack of the sheet bundles S on the booklet tray 45 is smoothly performed.

By the way, for example, when the binding mechanism portion 80 having the configuration shown in FIG. 8 is used, the punch function portion 70 (see FIG. 3) positions the U-shaped cut U formed by the U-shaped blade 191. If the position coincides with the position of the punching (drilling) process to be performed, the sheet bundle S punched by the punch function unit 70 can be stored in the same file.
Further, by forming the direction of the U-shaped cut U formed by the U-shaped blade 191 toward the inside of the sheet bundle S, the portion L to be pushed into the slit-shaped cut is erroneously caught, and the slit-shaped cut. Deviating from the range is reduced.

  As described above, in the post-processing apparatus 2 provided in the image forming system 100 of the present embodiment, the binding mechanism unit 80 configures the sheet bundle S subjected to or subjected to the folding process by the folding roll 36. Each sheet S to be deformed is locally deformed in the thickness direction, and the sheet bundle S is bound by the meshing of the sheets S at the deformed portion. Thus, the bulk and swelling of the paper S that has been folded through the folding roll 36 are suppressed, and the bulk of the paper bundle S is reduced. As a result, the capacity of the booklet tray 45 is more effectively used, and the capacity of the booklet tray 45 for the bound sheets S is enhanced. Further, since the bulk of the sheet bundle S is reduced, the convenience when the user carries it is improved. Furthermore, since staples are not used, paper reusability (recyclability), safety, and the like are improved.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 2 ... Post-processing apparatus, 3 ... Transport unit, 4 ... Folding unit, 5 ... Finisher unit, 6 ... Interposer, 7 ... Paper processing control part, 10 ... Image forming part, 14 ... Main control part , 30 ... Saddle-stitch bookbinding function part, 31 ... Compile tray, 32 ... End guide, 35 ... Folding knife, 36 ... Folding roll, 40 ... End binding function part, 45 ... Booklet tray, 50 ... Folding function part, 70 ... Punch Function unit, 80, 180 ... binding mechanism unit, 90 ... slip sheet supply function unit, 100 ... image forming system

Claims (8)

A recording material stacking member in which a plurality of recording materials are sequentially stacked to form a recording material bundle;
Folding means for folding the recording material bundle accumulated in the recording material accumulation member;
Binding means for binding the recording material bundle by causing deformation in the thickness direction of the recording material bundle at a position spaced apart from a folding position by the folding means of the recording material bundle. ,
The recording material bundle is disposed downstream of the binding means in the recording material conveyance direction, and is in contact with the recording material bundle at a position spaced from the region of the recording material bundle bound by the binding means with respect to the width direction of the recording material bundle. And a recording material post-processing apparatus, further comprising conveying means for conveying the recording material bundle. The conveying means is characterized in that the pressing force when holding the recording material bundle is set lower than the pressing force when the folding means holds the recording material. The recording material post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 . The binding means, the recording material post-processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that disposed in the recording material conveying direction downstream side of said folding means. Said binding means, said with respect to the recording medium bundle in a state where the recording material placed on the integrated member, according to claim 1, characterized in that performs the binding at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the folding position Recording material post-processing equipment. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material;
And a recording material post-processing device for performing post-processing on the recording material on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus
The recording material post-processing device comprises:
Recording material carrying means for carrying the recording material from the image forming apparatus;
A recording material accumulating member in which a plurality of recording materials carried in from the recording material carrying means are sequentially accumulated to form a recording material bundle;
Folding means for folding the recording material bundle accumulated in the recording material accumulation member;
Binding means for binding the recording material bundle by causing deformation in the thickness direction of the recording material bundle at a position spaced apart from a folding position by the folding means of the recording material bundle. ,
The recording material post-processing device is disposed downstream of the binding means in the recording material conveyance direction, and is spaced from the region of the recording material bundle bound by the binding means with respect to the width direction of the recording material bundle. An image forming system, further comprising a conveying unit that contacts the recording material bundle and conveys the recording material bundle. The conveying means of the recording material post-processing device has a lower pressing force when holding the recording material bundle in a state of being sandwiched than the pressing force when the folding means is holding the recording material in a sandwiched state. 6. The image forming system according to claim 5 , wherein the image forming system is set. The image forming system according to claim 5 , wherein the binding unit of the recording material post-processing apparatus is disposed downstream of the folding unit in the recording material conveyance direction. The binding means of the recording material post-processing device binds the recording material bundle placed on the recording material stacking member at a position spaced apart from the folding position by a predetermined interval. 6. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein:

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