JP5565026B2 - Recording material processing apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

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

  A sheet post-processing having a reference fence for aligning a plurality of sheets with respect to one edge, a stapling means for binding the aligned sheets, and a moving means for moving the staple means in the direction of the edge of the sheet An apparatus has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-205870 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a recording material processing apparatus and the like that can suppress recording material accumulation disorder in a recording material accumulation unit.

The invention according to claim 1 has a support surface for supporting the recording material from below, and a recording material accumulating unit that accumulates the recording material conveyed and generates a recording material bundle formed by a plurality of recording materials And a first advancement in which the pressing teeth advance toward one surface of the recording material bundle that is opposite to the support surface side. Member and pressing teeth that form irregularities on the recording material bundle, and when the recording material is accumulated on the supporting surface, the pressing teeth are positioned below the supporting surface, a second expansion member to which the pressing tooth advances toward the other surface located on the support surface, the pressing teeth and the second of the first expansion member without using a metal needle by forming irregularities on the recording material bundle sandwiched the recording flux material binds the recording material bundle by the pressing teeth of advancement member It means Flip is a recording material processing apparatus including the.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the pressing tooth of the second advancing member has advanced most toward the other surface, the pressing tooth is on an extension of the support surface of the recording material stacking portion. The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording material processing apparatus is configured to be positioned.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the recording material is accumulated on the support surface, the recording material moves along the support surface and in a predetermined recording material moving direction, and the recording material The stacking unit is disposed at a position facing the support surface, and a movement restricting unit that restricts the movement of the recording material by the recording material moving along the support surface and moving toward the downstream side in the recording material moving direction. Connected to the movement restricting portion, starting from the connection portion with the movement restricting portion, and extending in a direction opposite to the recording material moving direction, and having a downstream edge on the downstream side in the opposite direction. Provided in the thickness direction movement restricting portion for restricting movement of the recording material in the thickness direction on the support surface, and the thickness direction movement restricting portion, and the first moving forward toward the recording material bundle on the support surface. Notch through which one advancing member passes When, wherein the notch is a recording material processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that provided on the downstream edge of the thickness-direction movement restricting portion.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the binding means includes a first swinging member to which the first advancing member is attached, a second swinging member to which the second advancing member is attached, 4. The recording material bundle according to claim 1, wherein the recording material bundle is bound by further using a cam that is rotatably provided and rocks the first rocking member and the second rocking member . a recording material processing apparatus according to.

The invention according to claim 5 includes an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material, and a recording material processing apparatus that performs a predetermined process on the recording material on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus. The recording material processing apparatus has a support surface for supporting the recording material from below, and accumulates the recording material conveyed from the image forming apparatus to generate a recording material bundle formed by a plurality of recording materials. a recording material stacking portion for, advance is the pressing teeth towards one side located on the opposite side to the support surface of the recording medium bundle having a pressing teeth for forming irregularities on the recording material bundle A first advancing member that has a pressing tooth that forms irregularities on the recording material bundle, and when the recording material is accumulated on the supporting surface, the pressing tooth is positioned below the supporting surface and the recording material the pressing teeth proceeds toward the other surface located on the support surface of the Zaitaba A second expansion member which has a, irregularities on the recording material bundle sandwiched the recording material by the pressing teeth of the pushing tooth and the second expansion member of the first expansion member without using a metal needle An image forming system comprising: a binding unit that forms and binds the recording material bundle.
The invention according to claim 6 is the image forming system according to claim 5 , wherein the second advancing member performs the advancing to a place where the support surface and the pressing teeth are aligned.
According to a seventh aspect of the invention, the binding means binds the recording material bundle by pressing the recording material bundle for a predetermined time using the first advancement member and the second advancement member. Change means for performing processing to grasp the number and / or type of recording materials to be accumulated in the recording material accumulation unit and to change the predetermined time based on the grasped number and / or type of recording materials The image forming system according to claim 5, further comprising: an image forming system according to claim 5 .
The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the binding means further includes a motor for advancing the first advancing member and the second advancing member, and the motor is constituted by a stepping motor. An image forming system according to claim 5 .

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a recording material processing apparatus capable of suppressing the recording material accumulation disorder in the recording material accumulation portion as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a recording material processing apparatus capable of suppressing the recording material accumulation disorder in the recording material accumulation unit 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 provide a recording material processing apparatus capable of suppressing the recording material accumulation disturbance in the recording material accumulation portion, as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the invention of claim 4 , the first advancement member and the second advancement member can be advanced with a simple configuration as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming system capable of suppressing the recording material accumulation disorder in the recording material accumulation portion as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the invention of claim 6 , the deformation of the recording material bundle such as a wave is suppressed as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to more reliably perform the binding process on the recording material bundle as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the eighth aspect of the invention, it is possible to suppress breakage of each part constituting the binding means.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system to which the exemplary embodiment is applied. It is the figure which showed the structure of the sheet | seat post-processing apparatus of this Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the structure of the sheet | seat post-processing apparatus of this Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the state at the time of an edge binding function part performing a binding process to the edge part of a paper bundle, Comprising: It is the figure showing the state which looked at the paper stacking part from the upper direction. It is sectional drawing in the VV line in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an end binding function part. It is a figure for demonstrating an end binding function part. It is a figure for demonstrating the moving mechanism of an end binding function part. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another form of the paper stacking unit, and is a view when the paper stacking unit is viewed from above. It is sectional drawing in the XX line of FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another form of the paper stacking unit, and is a view when the paper stacking unit is viewed from above. It is sectional drawing in the XII-XII line | wire of FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system to which the exemplary embodiment is applied. An image forming system shown in FIG. 1 includes, for example, an image forming apparatus 1 such as a printer or a copier that forms a color image by an electrophotographic method, and a recording material (paper, sheet) after the image is formed by the image forming apparatus 1. And a sheet post-processing apparatus 2 (an example of a recording material processing apparatus) that performs post-processing such as binding.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is configured in a so-called tandem system, and forms four image forming units 100Y, 100M, 100C, and 100K (also collectively referred to as “image forming unit 100”) that perform image formation based on each color image data. A laser exposure apparatus 101 that exposes a photosensitive drum 107 provided in the unit 100 is provided. In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an intermediate transfer belt 102 to which the toner images of the respective colors formed by the image forming units 100 are transferred, and the color toner images formed by the image forming units 100 to the intermediate transfer belt 102. A primary transfer roll 103 that sequentially transfers (primary transfer) to each other, and a secondary transfer roll 104 that collectively transfers (secondary transfer) each color toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 102 to a recording material (paper). In addition, a fixing device 105 for fixing each color toner image on a sheet, and a main body control unit 106 for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 are provided.

  In each image forming unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1, the charging process to the photosensitive drum 107, the electrostatic latent image forming process on the photosensitive drum 107 by the scanning exposure from the laser exposure apparatus 101, and the formed electrostatic latent image The toner image of each color is formed through the development process of each color toner. Each color toner image formed on each image forming unit 100 is sequentially electrostatically transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 102 by the primary transfer roll 103. Each color toner image is conveyed toward the position where the secondary transfer roll 104 is disposed as the intermediate transfer belt 102 moves.

  On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus 1, a plurality of sheets P1 to P4 (collectively referred to as “sheet P” and “sheet bundle P”) of different sizes and types are accommodated in the sheet accommodating portions 110A to 110D, respectively. Yes. For example, when the paper P1 is designated by the main body control unit 106, the paper P1 is taken out from the paper storage unit 110A by the pickup roll 111, and conveyed one by one to the position of the registration roll 113 by the conveyance roll 112. The same applies to the case where the sheets P2 to P4 are designated by the main body control unit 106. Then, the paper P is supplied from the registration roll 113 in accordance with the timing when each color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 102 is conveyed to the arrangement position of the secondary transfer roll 104. As a result, the toner images of the respective colors are collectively electrostatically transferred (secondary transfer) onto the paper P by the action of the transfer electric field formed by the secondary transfer roll 104.

  Thereafter, the paper P onto which the color toner images are secondarily transferred is peeled off from the intermediate transfer belt 102 and conveyed to the fixing device 105. In the fixing device 105, each color toner image is fixed on the paper P by a fixing process using heat and pressure, and an image is formed. Then, the sheet P on which the image is formed is discharged from the sheet discharge unit T of the image forming apparatus 1 by the transport roll 114 and is transported to the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 connected to the image forming apparatus 1.

The sheet post-processing apparatus 2 is disposed on the downstream side of the paper discharge unit T of the image forming apparatus 1 and performs post-processing such as punching and binding on the paper P on which the image is formed.
2 and 3 are diagrams illustrating the configuration of the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 has a transport unit 21 connected to the paper discharge unit T of the image forming apparatus 1, and a sheet P taken in the transport unit 21 after being predetermined. A finisher unit 22 that performs processing and a sheet processing control unit 23 that controls each mechanism unit of the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 are provided. The paper processing control unit 23 is connected to the main body control unit 106 (see FIG. 1) via a signal line (not shown), and transmits and receives control signals and the like. In the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 in FIG. 1, the sheet processing control unit 23 is provided in the casing of the finisher unit 22, but the sheet processing control unit 23 may be provided in the casing of the image forming apparatus 1. Further, the main body control unit 106 of the image forming apparatus 1 may be configured to include the control function of the paper processing control unit 23.

  In the transport unit 21 of the sheet post-processing apparatus 2, a punch function unit 30 that performs punching (punching) such as 2 holes or 4 holes, and the paper P after image formation by the image forming apparatus 1 is used as the finisher unit 22. A plurality of transport rolls 211 that are transported toward the front are provided.

  On the other hand, the finisher unit 22 supports a sheet P from below and accumulates a required number of sheets P to generate a sheet bundle P (an example of a recording material stacking unit), one side and the other side. An end binding function unit 50 (an example of a binding unit) that performs binding processing by pressing the end portion of the sheet bundle P from the side to press the sheets P constituting the sheet bundle P together (entangle the fibers of the sheet P), and the sheet A stacker unit 80 that holds the bundle P and moves up and down according to the amount of the sheet bundle P to be held is provided. Further, the finisher unit 22 includes a carry-out roll 61 for carrying out the paper bundle P collected in the paper stacking unit 60, and a roll-out shaft 61 from the carry-out roll 61 when the paper P is stacked on the paper stacking unit 60 with the rotation shaft 62a as a movement center. A movable roll 62 is provided which moves to a retracted position and moves to a position where the carry-out roll 61 is pressed when the paper P is carried out of the paper stacking unit 60.

Subsequently, processing of the paper P performed by the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 will be described in detail.
In the sheet post-processing device 2, the main body control unit 106 outputs an instruction signal to the post-processing for the paper P after the image is formed by the image forming device 1 to the paper processing control unit 23. Then, various post-processing for the paper P is executed. Here, a case will be described in which an instruction signal for executing post-processing on the paper P is output from the main body control unit 106.

  First, the paper P after the image formation by the image forming apparatus 1 is carried into the transport unit 21 of the sheet post-processing apparatus 2. In the transport unit 21, punching by the punch function unit 30 is performed in accordance with an instruction signal from the paper processing control unit 23, and then the paper P is sent to the finisher unit 22 by the transport roll 211. When there is no punching instruction from the paper processing control unit 23, the paper P is sent to the finisher unit 22 by the transport roll 211 as it is without being punched by the punch function unit 30.

  The paper P sent to the finisher unit 22 is conveyed to the paper stacking unit 60. More specifically, the paper P is transported to above the paper stacking unit 60 and then drops onto the paper stacking unit 60. Thereafter, the sheet P slides on the sheet stacking unit 60 according to the inclination angle given to the sheet stacking unit 60 and hits the sheet regulating unit 64 (see FIG. 3) provided at the end of the sheet stacking unit 60. . Thereby, the paper P stops moving. As a result, a sheet bundle P in which the rear ends of the sheets P are aligned is formed on the sheet stacking unit 60. In the present embodiment, in addition to the inclination angle given to the paper stacking unit 60, a rotating paddle 63 that moves the paper P toward the paper regulating unit 64 of the paper stacking unit 60 is disposed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a sheet width position alignment mechanism 65 that aligns the position of the sheet bundle P in the width direction is provided at both ends in the width direction of the sheet stacking unit 60. Thereby, when the paper P is stacked on the paper stacking unit 60, the position in the width direction of the paper P (paper bundle P) is also aligned. Note that when the paper P is sent out to the paper stacking unit 60, the movable roll 62 has moved to a position retracted from the carry-out roll 61. Thereafter, when a predetermined number of sheets P are stacked on the sheet stacking unit 60 and the sheet bundle P is formed, the end binding function unit 50 executes a binding process on the end of the sheet bundle P. More specifically, when the sheet processing control unit 23 transmits an instruction signal for the end binding process, the end binding function unit 50 executes the binding process on the end of the sheet bundle P.

  Here, FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a state when the end binding function unit 50 executes the binding process on the end portion of the sheet bundle P, and shows a state where the sheet stacking unit 60 is viewed from above. . The edge binding function unit 50 is provided with a pressing tooth (described later) for pressing the paper P and a drive mechanism (not shown) for driving the pressing tooth. In the present embodiment, the pressing teeth and the drive mechanism are provided so as to be movable along the paper restricting portion 64 of the paper stacking portion 60.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4, according to the instruction signal from the paper processing control unit 23, for example, two points (FIG. 4) located at different locations in the width direction of the paper bundle P (direction intersecting the transport direction of the paper P). (A) position and (B) position) are subjected to binding processing (two-point end binding processing). Further, for example, binding processing (one-point end binding) is performed on one end (the corner of the sheet bundle P) (the position (C) in FIG. 4). In addition, between the (A) position and the (B) position, the pressing tooth and the drive mechanism are moved linearly, but between the (A) position and the (C) position, the pressing tooth and the driving mechanism are For example, it is moved with 45 ° rotation.

  Note that the pressing time of the sheet bundle P by the pressing teeth can be changed according to the number of sheets P stacked on the sheet stacking unit 60 and the type of the sheet P. In this case, for example, when the sheet bundle P is thick, the pressing time of the sheet bundle P by the pressing teeth can be extended, and the binding process for the sheet bundle P becomes more reliable. Here, the number of sheets P and the type of sheets P are input by the user via a UI (User Interface) (not shown), for example. Then, the number of input sheets P and the type of the sheets P are transmitted to the sheet processing control unit 23 functioning as changing means, and are grasped by the sheet processing control unit 23. Then, the pressing time is changed by the paper processing control unit 23.

  5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. Here, the sheet regulating unit 64 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the sheet regulating unit 64 in the present embodiment is provided so as to be along a side 69 of the sheet stacking unit 60 that is rectangular when viewed from above and has four sides. In addition, the sheet restricting unit 64 can restrict the sheet bundle P at different positions in the width direction of the sheet bundle P, so that the first sheet restricting unit 641 and the second sheet restricting member are at different positions in the width direction. Part 642 and a third paper restricting part 643.

  Here, each of the first sheet restricting portion 641, the second sheet restricting portion 642, and the third sheet restricting portion 643 is configured in the same manner, and as shown in FIG. A regulating portion 60B is provided that contacts the end of the paper P that is provided so as to extend and that regulates the movement of the paper P. Further, an opposing portion 60C (an example of a recording material restricting portion) provided with one end connected to the restricting portion 60B and disposed to face the bottom plate 60A is provided. The facing portion 60 </ b> C contacts the uppermost sheet P in the sheet bundle P and restricts the movement of the sheet P in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle P.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the end binding process by the end binding function unit 50 is performed at a position different from the position where the first sheet control unit 641, the second paper control unit 642, and the third paper control unit 643 are provided. Done. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, between the first paper regulation unit 641 and the second paper regulation unit 642, between the second paper regulation unit 642 and the third paper regulation unit 643, the third paper Edge binding processing is performed at a location (corner portion of the sheet bundle P) adjacent to the restricting portion 643. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, three notches 60D are provided for the bottom plate 60A. More specifically, a notch 60 </ b> D is provided between the first paper regulation unit 641 and the second paper regulation unit 642, and between the second paper regulation unit 642 and the third paper regulation unit 643. Further, a notch 60D is also provided at a location adjacent to the third paper restricting portion 643. Here, in this embodiment, a pressing tooth described later advances toward the sheet bundle P through the notch 60D.

  In addition, after the end binding of the sheet bundle P is executed by the end binding function unit 50, the movable roll 62 (see FIG. 2) moves to a position where the rotary shaft 62a is in pressure contact with the carry-out roll 61. Then, the carry-out roll 61 and the movable roll 62 start rotating, and the edge-bound paper bundle P is conveyed from the paper stacking unit 60 toward the stacker unit 80 (see FIG. 2).

Here, the edge binding function unit 50 will be described in detail.
6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining the end binding function unit 50. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views taken along line VI-VI in FIG. Moreover, FIG. 7 is a figure at the time of seeing a pressing tooth from the arrow X direction in FIG. 6 (A).

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the end binding function unit 50 in the present embodiment is arranged in the first drive unit 51 disposed in the direction away from the sheet bundle P, and in the same direction away from the sheet bundle P. The provided second drive unit 52, the elliptical cam 53 disposed between the first drive unit 51 and the second drive unit 52, the stepping motor M that drives the cam 53, the stepping motor M and the cam 53 And a torque limiter Tr disposed between the two.

  Here, the first drive unit 51 is formed in a plate shape, extends in a direction away from the sheet bundle P, has one end on the sheet bundle P side, and has the other end on the opposite side of the one end. 511 (an example of the first swing member) and one surface of the sheet bundle P attached to one end portion side of the driving piece 511 (opposite to the surface located on the sheet stacking portion 60 side of the sheet bundle P). A pressing tooth 512 (an example of a first advancing member) (hereinafter, may be referred to as a “first pressing tooth 512”) that advances toward and presses the one surface. Yes. Here, the driving piece 511 has a protruding portion 511B in which a through hole 511A is formed and protrudes toward the second driving portion 52 side.

  Similarly to the first drive unit 51, the second drive unit 52 is formed in a plate shape, extends in a direction away from the sheet bundle P, has one end on the sheet bundle P side, and is opposite to the one end. A driving piece 521 (an example of a second swinging member) having the other end on the side, and the other surface of the sheet bundle P attached to one end side of the driving piece 521 (a sheet stacking portion of the sheet bundle P) A pressing tooth 522 (an example of a second advancing member) (hereinafter referred to as a “second pressing tooth 522”) that advances toward the surface 60) and presses the other surface. ing. The drive piece 521 has a projecting portion 521B that has a through hole (positioned on the back surface of the through hole 511A of the first drive unit 51, not shown) and projects toward the first drive unit 51 side. In this embodiment, the pin PN is passed through the through hole 511 </ b> A provided in the first drive unit 51 and the through hole (not shown) provided in the second drive unit 52. In this embodiment, the drive piece 511 and the drive piece 521 are swung around the pin PN.

  Here, the second pressing tooth 522 will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, in FIG. 7, although the 2nd press tooth 522 is illustrated, the 1st press tooth 512 and the 2nd press tooth 522 are comprised similarly except the point upside down. As shown in FIG. 7, the second pressing tooth 522 has a base portion 522A formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Here, the base 522A has an upper surface 522B that is located above the base 522A and faces one surface of the recording material bundle P. The second pressing tooth 522 has a tooth portion 522C on the upper surface 522B (the lower surface in the first pressing tooth 512) of the base portion 522A. Here, a plurality of protrusions 522D protruding upward from the upper surface 522B of the base portion 522A are formed on the tooth portion 522C. As a result, in this embodiment, unevenness is formed on the upper surface 522B of the base 522A.

  Here, when the stepping motor M is driven and the cam 53 rotates, the first pressing tooth 512 and the second pressing tooth 522 approach each other, and the sheet bundle P from one surface side and the other surface side of the sheet bundle P. Will come to press. At this time, since the tooth portion 522 </ b> C is formed on the first pressing tooth 512 and the second pressing tooth 522, irregularities are formed on the sheet bundle P. At this time, the fibers constituting the paper P are entangled between the paper P and another paper P adjacent to the paper P. In other words, rotation of the cam 53 causes a predetermined portion of the sheet bundle P to be sandwiched between the first pressing teeth 512 and the second pressing teeth 522, and the sandwiched portion is deformed. . As a result, the adjacent sheets P stick to each other, and a sheet bundle P composed of a plurality of sheets P is completed.

The operation of the end binding function unit 50 will be further described.
In the end binding function unit 50 according to the present embodiment, after a predetermined number of sheets P are stacked on the sheet stacking unit 60, the stepping motor M is driven based on a signal from the sheet processing control unit 23, and is set in advance. The cam 53 rotates by the angle set. When the cam 53 rotates, the driving piece 511 and the driving piece 521 rotate around the pin PN, and the first pressing tooth 512 and the second pressing tooth 522 approach each other. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 6B, the sheet bundle P is pressed by the first pressing teeth 512 and the second pressing teeth 522, and the binding process is performed.

  Here, in the present embodiment, at the time when the rotation of the cam 53 is finished, the second pressing tooth 522 is placed on an extension line (see the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 6B) of the upper surface 60E (see FIG. 6B) of the bottom plate 60A. The tooth portion 522C (see FIG. 7) is positioned. In addition, in the present embodiment, the dimensions of each part are set so that the tooth part 522C of the second pressing tooth 522 is positioned on the extension line of the upper surface 60E when the second pressing tooth 522 has advanced most. In this case, the lifting of the sheet bundle P by the second pressing teeth 522 is suppressed, and the sheet bundle P is unlikely to float from the upper surface 60E. Here, when the sheet bundle P is lifted from the upper surface 60E, the binding process is executed in a state where the sheet bundle P is curved, and there is a possibility that a wave or the like may be generated in the sheet bundle P after the binding process is finished. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the extension line of the upper surface 60E and the tooth portion 522C (surface on which the unevenness is formed) of the second pressing tooth 522 are aligned in the stacking direction of the sheets P (the thickness direction of the sheet bundle P). The second pressing tooth 522 is advanced. Here, in the case of the configuration of the present embodiment, when the binding process of the sheet bundle P is performed, the driving piece 511 of the first driving unit 51 bends as shown in FIG. The upper surface 60E in the present embodiment can be regarded as a support surface that supports the paper P from below.

  Here, the second pressing teeth 522 are attached to the upper surface 60E of the sheet stacking unit 60, and the first pressing teeth 512 are advanced from the upper side to the lower side, whereby the binding process of the sheet bundle P can be performed. However, in this case, when the paper P is stacked on the paper stacking unit 60, the movement of the paper P is restricted by the second pressing teeth 522, and there is a possibility that the paper bundle P with the ends aligned is not generated. For this reason, in the present embodiment, when the paper P is stacked on the paper stacking unit 60, the second pressing teeth 522 are positioned below the upper surface 60E (an extension of the upper surface 60E), and are determined in advance. The second pressing teeth 522 are advanced after the number of sheets P are stacked on the sheet stacking unit 60. In the configuration of the present embodiment, when the sheet bundle P is thick, there is a possibility that damage or the like may occur in the members constituting the end binding function unit 50. For this reason, in this embodiment, it is set as the structure which provided the torque limiter Tr as mentioned above. In addition, it is also possible to prevent damage to members and the like by stepping out the stepping motor M.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a moving mechanism of the end binding function unit 50. As described above, in accordance with the instruction signal from the sheet processing control unit 23, the edge binding function unit 50 is, for example, two points (positions (A) and (B) in FIG. 8) located at different locations in the width direction of the sheet bundle P. Binding processing (two-point end binding processing) is performed on (position). Further, for example, binding processing (one-point end binding) is performed on one end (corner portion of the sheet bundle P) (position (C) in FIG. 8). Here, the end binding function unit 50 includes, for example, an annular belt member (not shown) that is provided so as to be capable of circulating movement and to which the end binding function unit 50 is attached, and a motor (not illustrated) that moves (rotates) the belt member. It can be moved by a moving mechanism provided with

  Here, when the moving mechanism as described above is used, a guide part for guiding the movement of the end binding function part 50 is often provided, but this guide part is formed in, for example, a round bar shape as shown in FIG. The guide member 68 is provided along the paper restricting portion 64. Here, the guide member 68 is disposed through the through hole 511A (see FIG. 6) provided in the first drive unit 51 and the through hole (not shown) provided in the second drive unit 52. The end binding function unit 50 that moves along the sheet regulation unit 64 is guided. Further, the end binding function unit 50 that moves to the position (C) of FIG. 8 while being rotated by 45 ° is guided. In the case of this configuration, the guide member 68 has two functions of a function of guiding the end binding function unit 50 and a function of supporting the drive pieces 511 and 521 in a swingable manner, so that the number of parts can be reduced. Become.

  By the way, in the above, the case where the end binding by the end binding function unit 50 is performed at a location different from the location where the first paper regulation unit 641, the second paper regulation unit 642, and the third paper regulation unit 643 are provided. Although described (see FIG. 4), the edge binding process can also be performed at a location where the first sheet regulating unit 641, the second sheet regulating unit 642, and the third sheet regulating unit 643 are provided. As described above, when the end binding is performed at the position where the first sheet regulating unit 641 is provided, the end binding is performed at the position where the movement of the sheet P in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle P is regulated. Each sheet P constituting the sheet bundle P is more aligned as compared with the case where edge binding is performed at a place other than the place where the one sheet regulating unit 641 is provided.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another form of the paper stacking unit 60 and is a view when the paper stacking unit 60 is viewed from above. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG.
In the paper stacking unit 60 shown in the drawing, a through hole 601 is formed on the side of the facing portion 60C provided in the first paper regulating unit 641 where the regulating unit 60B is provided. Further, a through hole 602 is also provided in the restricting portion 60B. Here, the through hole 602 is provided in a state of being connected to the through hole 601 provided in the facing portion 60C. In the present embodiment, a through hole 603 is also provided for the bottom plate 60A. Here, the through-hole 603 is provided so as to be continuous with the through-hole 602 provided in the restricting portion 60B, and is disposed at a position opposed to the through-hole 601 provided in the facing portion 60C.

  Here, in the case of performing the end binding with the configuration in the present embodiment, the first pressing teeth 512 (see FIG. 6) are advanced through the through holes 601 provided in the facing portion 60C, and the through holes provided in the bottom plate 60A. The second pressing tooth 522 (see FIG. 6) is advanced through the hole 603. In the present embodiment, the first paper restriction unit 641 has been described. However, the second paper restriction unit 642 and the third paper restriction unit 643 are configured in the same manner as the first paper restriction unit 641.

The paper stacking unit 60 can also be configured as follows.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another form of the paper stacking unit 60 and is a view when the paper stacking unit 60 is viewed from above. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG.

  In the paper stacking unit 60 shown in the figure, a notch 605 is formed in the facing unit 60C. Unlike the above, the notch 605 is formed on the side opposite to the side where the restricting portion 60B is provided. Further, in the paper stacking unit 60, a through hole 606 is formed at a location facing the notch 605 in the bottom plate 60A. Here, in the case of performing end binding with the configuration in the present embodiment, the first pressing teeth 512 are advanced through the notches 605 provided in the facing portion 60C, and the second through the through holes 606 provided in the bottom plate 60A. The pressing tooth 522 is advanced.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Sheet post-processing apparatus, 23 ... Paper processing control part, 50 ... Edge binding function part, 53 ... Cam, 60 ... Paper stacking part, 60C ... Opposite part, 60E ... Upper surface, 511 ... Drive piece, 512 ... Pressing tooth, 521 ... Drive piece, 522 ... Pressing tooth, 601 ... Through hole, 605 ... Notch, M ... Stepping motor

Claims (8)

A recording material stacking unit that has a support surface for supporting the recording material from below, collects the conveyed recording material, and generates a recording material bundle formed of a plurality of recording materials;
A first advancing member that has pressing teeth that form irregularities in the recording material bundle, and that the pressing teeth advance toward one surface of the recording material bundle located on the side opposite to the support surface side; The recording material bundle has pressing teeth that form irregularities, and when the recording material is accumulated on the support surface, the pressing teeth are positioned below the support surface and the support of the recording material bundle is supported. second and advancement member has a pressing teeth and the second expansion member of the first expansion member without using a metal needle to which the pressing tooth advances toward the other surface located on the side A binding means for binding the recording material bundle by sandwiching the recording bundle material with the pressing teeth and forming irregularities in the recording material bundle;
A recording material processing apparatus comprising: The pressing tooth of the second advancing member is configured to be positioned on an extension of the support surface of the recording material accumulating portion when the pressing tooth of the second advancing member advances most toward the other surface. The recording material processing apparatus according to 1. When the recording material is accumulated on the support surface, the recording material moves along the support surface and in a predetermined recording material moving direction,
In the recording material accumulation part,
A movement restricting portion for restricting the movement of the recording material, the recording material moving along the support surface and moving toward the downstream side in the recording material movement direction;
It is disposed at a position facing the support surface, is connected to the movement restricting portion, and is formed to extend in a direction opposite to the recording material moving direction, starting from the connection portion with the movement restricting portion, in the opposite direction. A thickness direction movement restricting portion that includes a downstream edge on the downstream side and restricts movement in the thickness direction of the recording material on the support surface;
A notch that is provided in the thickness direction movement restricting portion and through which the first advancing member that advancing toward the recording material bundle on the support surface passes;
With
The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notch is provided in the downstream side edge portion of the thickness direction movement restricting portion. The binding means is rotatably provided with a first swinging member to which the first advancing member is attached, a second swinging member to which the second advancing member is attached, and the first swinging member. recording material processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and the cam to swing the swing member and the second oscillating member, the further use, characterized in that stapling the recording material bundle. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material;
A recording material processing apparatus that performs a predetermined process on the recording material on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus,
The recording material processing apparatus comprises:
A recording material accumulating unit that has a support surface for supporting the recording material from below, accumulates the recording material conveyed from the image forming apparatus, and generates a recording material bundle formed of a plurality of recording materials;
A first advancing member that has pressing teeth that form irregularities in the recording material bundle, and that the pressing teeth advance toward one surface of the recording material bundle located on the side opposite to the support surface side; The recording material bundle has pressing teeth that form irregularities, and when the recording material is accumulated on the support surface, the pressing teeth are positioned below the support surface and the support of the recording material bundle is supported. second and advancement member has a pressing teeth and the second expansion member of the first expansion member without using a metal needle to which the pressing tooth advances toward the other surface located on the side A binding means for binding the recording material bundle by sandwiching the recording material with the pressing teeth and forming irregularities in the recording material bundle;
An image forming system comprising: 6. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the second advancing member performs the advancing to a place where the support surface and the pressing teeth are aligned. The binding means performs a binding process on the recording material bundle by pressing the recording material bundle for a predetermined time using the first advancing member and the second advancing member;
The information processing apparatus further comprises a changing unit that grasps the number and / or type of recording materials accumulated in the recording material accumulation unit and changes the predetermined time based on the grasped number and / or type of recording materials. The image forming system according to claim 5 or 6 . The binding means further comprises a motor that advances the first advancement member and the second advancement member,
The image forming system according to claim 5 , wherein the motor is a stepping motor.

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