JP5783823B2 - Bookbinding apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a bookbinding apparatus that binds a bundle of intermediate paper sheets that have been image-formed and collected and bound together with a cover sheet, and relates to an improvement in a cover folding mechanism that feeds a cover sheet to a predetermined bookbinding position and folds it back.

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a bookbinding apparatus that binds and binds a bundle of intermediate paper sheets on which an image is formed with a cover sheet is widely known. For example, as a post-processing device for an image forming apparatus, a bookbinding apparatus that receives and forms a set of sheets, attaches the inner sheet bundle to the center back of the cover sheet, and finishes the back is disclosed in Patent Document 1 Proposed.

  The document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that sequentially forms an image on a sheet, and a bookbinding apparatus that binds and binds a sheet of image-formed sheets connected to a paper discharge port of the apparatus into a bundle and wraps it with a cover sheet. Has been. Then, the bookbinding apparatus sends a sheet bundle of intermediate sheets that are sequentially fed and stacked on the tray to the bookbinding processing path, and after applying adhesive on the back end surface of the sheet bundle in this path, the bookbinding position It is designed to bind to the cover sheet.

  For this reason, a cover feeding path is provided in a direction intersecting with the bookbinding processing path, and the cover sheet is fed to the bookbinding position from this path, and the cover sheet is back-folded after being joined to the middle sheet bundle. Has been.

  Similarly, Patent Document 2 discloses a similar bookbinding apparatus. In this document, a cover sheet feeding path is provided in a direction crossing the bookbinding processing path, and the inner sheet sheet bundle and the cover sheet fed through both paths are joined in an inverted T shape at the bookbinding position where they cross each other, and then the cover sheet. A bookbinding mechanism for folding a sheet back is disclosed.

  In each of the devices disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Document 2, a back folding press member and a back plate member are disposed at the bookbinding position of the cover sheet feeding path. The press member is disposed above the plate member and is composed of a pair of left and right members that are detachable from each other, and is connected to the drive device so as to approach and separate from each other. In the state where the end surfaces (press surfaces) are in contact (engaged) with each other, the feeding of the cover sheet is guided by the upper surface facing the cover sheet feeding path, and the middle sheet bundle is separated by the cover sheet in a state where they are separated from each other. The cover sheet is configured to be folded back while being sandwiched and approached.

JP 2004-209869 A (FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-305822 (FIG. 1)

  As described above, a pair of back folding press members are provided at the bookbinding position where the middle sheet bundle and the cover sheet are bound together. The press members have end faces that are in contact with each other as a back folding press surface and an upper surface that faces the cover sheet feeding path as a conveyance guide surface. In such a configuration, when both pressing members are in contact with each other, the conveyance guide surface guides the conveyance of the cover sheet to the bookbinding position, and both the pressing members are separated from each other, The cover sheet is folded back in a state where the joining is allowed and both the press members sandwich the bundle of the intermediate paper sheets.

  Such a bookbinding mechanism is already known from Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example. However, a cover sheet feeding path incorporating a conventional back folding press mechanism is configured by a path for supplying a cover sheet from only one direction to the bookbinding processing unit. As disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the cover feed path is provided with a carry-in entrance at one end and a bookbinding position at the other end, and feeds the cover sheet sent to the carry-in entrance to the bookbinding position. Then, the cover sheet and the middle sheet bundle are bound and then folded back.

  In such a path configuration, the image forming apparatus is connected so as to supply the cover sheet to a carry-in port prepared on one end side of the path, and an inserter device is connected to the carry-in port together with the image forming apparatus. The cover sheet is fed toward the bookbinding position. Therefore, the image forming apparatus and the inserter apparatus are connected to the carry-in entrance of the cover sheet feeding path, which complicates the apparatus configuration. In particular, there is a possibility that the carry-in route for carrying the sheet into the cover route may have a complicated bent shape, which easily causes a sheet jam.

  At the same time, in a system composed of a bookbinding device, an image forming device, and an inserter device, the image forming device and the inserter device are arranged in a limited space at one end of the bookbinding device, which is sufficient for each device. There is a problem that it is impossible to secure a large operation space and maintenance space.

  Therefore, the present inventor is configured to be able to feed the cover sheet from two directions different in the paper feeding direction to the cover sheet feeding path, and by changing the direction of feeding the cover sheet from the image forming apparatus and the direction of feeding from the inserter apparatus. The route configuration can be simplified, and the knowledge that the sheet jam problem can be solved has been reached.

  However, when a cover sheet is fed from the opposite direction to the bookbinding position of the cover feed path, a new problem has occurred in which the leading end of the sheet is caught by the back folding press member. This is arranged in a state where the back folding press member is separated from the left and right in the cover feeding path, and the cover sheet is sent to the bookbinding position along the upper surface (conveyance guide surface) of the press member. For this reason, it is because it is extremely difficult to arrange a pair of press members so that they can be separated from each other without causing a level difference. Therefore, the present inventor has come up with the idea that when the cover sheet is fed from opposite directions to the bookbinding position, the height positions of the pair of back folding press members are made different depending on the feeding direction.

  The present invention can secure a sufficient operation space and maintenance space for each apparatus in a system configuration in which a cover sheet is selectively fed from a plurality of apparatuses to a bookbinding apparatus, and can generate a jam when a cover sheet is fed. It is an object to provide a bookbinding apparatus that can be reduced.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured such that the cover sheet feeding path for feeding the cover sheet toward the bookbinding position is opposite to the sheet feeding direction from the first and second different carry-in ports to the bookbinding position. And at least one of a pair of back folding press members provided with a guide surface for guiding the cover sheet arranged in this path is displaced in height according to the feeding direction of the cover sheet. It is a feature.

Further, the configuration will be described in detail. A bookbinding apparatus that feeds a bundle of intermediate sheets and a cover sheet to a predetermined bookbinding position (F) and that feeds the cover sheet to the bookbinding position. A path (34) and a bookbinding process path (33) for feeding the intermediate sheet bundle from the direction intersecting the cover sheet feeding path to the bookbinding position. A pair of left and right back folding press members (52) disposed at the bookbinding position of the cover sheet feeding path and having a cover sheet conveyance guide surface (52c, 52d) and a back folding press surface (52a, 52b), and a pair of back folding A back folding shift means (55) for moving at least one of a press member between a paper feeding guide position where the back folding press surfaces abut each other and a standby position where the back folding press surfaces are separated from each other; And a control unit that controls the back folding shift unit to hold the pair of back folding press members at the paper feeding guide position when the cover sheet is fed to the bookbinding position of the feeding path. The cover sheet feeding path is configured so that the cover sheet can be fed from two directions with different feeding directions toward the bookbinding position, and the height position of the conveyance guide surface of the pair of back folding press members is determined by the cover sheet feeding path. conveying guide surface located on the upstream side in response to the paper feed direction Ru is displaceably configured to be higher than the conveying guide surface located on the downstream side.

  According to the present invention, the cover sheet feeding path is configured so that the cover sheet can be fed to the bookbinding position from two directions having different feeding directions, and a pair of backfolds provided with a conveyance guide surface for guiding the cover sheet along this path. Since the pressing member is configured such that the height position of the guide surface is displaced according to the feeding direction of the cover sheet, the following effects can be obtained.

  Since the cover sheet feeding path is configured so that the cover sheet can be fed to the bookbinding position from two different feeding directions, for example, when the cover sheet is selectively fed from the image forming apparatus and the inserter apparatus. An image forming apparatus can be arranged on one side of the feeding path, and an inserter apparatus can be arranged on the other side. For this reason, the operation space and maintenance space of both apparatuses can be sufficiently secured on both sides of the bookbinding apparatus.

  And with such an apparatus layout, when feeding a cover sheet from different directions to the cover feed path, the height of the conveyance guide surface of the back folding press member is displaced according to the feeding direction. Since it is comprised, the front-end | tip of the cover sheet to feed does not jam by the junction part of a press member.

  In particular, according to the present invention, a pair of back folding press members that guide sheet conveyance in a state where the leading end surfaces (press end surfaces) are in contact with each other, such that the height position of the conveyance guide surfaces is displaced according to the sheet feeding direction. Since it comprised, the cover sheet | seat sheet can be smoothly conveyed to a predetermined position irrespective of the manufacture precision of this pair of back folding press members, and the grade of backlash.

1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention. The block diagram of the bookbinding apparatus in the apparatus of FIG. The adhesive application means in the apparatus of FIG. 2 is shown, (a) shows the structure of the glue container, and (b) shows the application mechanism of the glue container. The perspective explanatory view of the aligning means. It is explanatory drawing of an aligning means, (a) shows the whole structure, (b) shows a side view. Structure explanatory drawing of the conveyance guide at the time of a back folding press member press-contacting. Structure explanatory drawing of a conveyance guide at the time of a back folding press member separating. Explanatory drawing which shows the operation position of a back folding press member. The entire conveyance guide mechanism is shown. (A) shows the guide structure of the printer paper feed path, and (b) shows the guide structure of the inserter paper feed path. The guide structure of a printer paper feed path is shown, (a) is a main part explanatory drawing, (b) is an enlarged view of the x part. The guide structure of an inserter paper feed path is shown, (a) is a principal part explanatory view, and (b) is an enlarged view of x section. It is explanatory drawing of a shift means, (a) shows a joining state, (b) shows a back folded state. Structure explanatory drawing of a press shift means (cover sheet feeding state diagram). Structure explanatory drawing (press state figure) of a press shift means.

  The present invention will be described in detail below based on the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a bookbinding apparatus constituting a part of the system. The bookbinding apparatus B incorporates a sheet feeding apparatus that feeds a cover sheet to a predetermined position (target position) from a preset carry-in port (34a and 34b shown in FIG. 1). Hereinafter, the “sheet feeding device” in the present invention will be described as a “bookbinding device”, and the “target position” as a “bookbinding position (bookbinding processing position)”.

[Configuration of image forming system]
The system shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming apparatus A, a bookbinding apparatus B, and an inserter apparatus (paper feeding apparatus) C. A sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus A is bound by a bookbinding apparatus B. For this reason, the bookbinding apparatus B is configured such that the sheets sent from the image forming apparatus are arranged and collected, and the inner sheet bundle is bound and bound with a cover sheet and trimmed (cut) in the three peripheral directions. . In this process, the cover sheet is selectively supplied from the image forming apparatus A and the inserter apparatus C to the bookbinding apparatus B.

  In the apparatus configuration of FIG. 1, the sheet carry-in path 24 of the bookbinding apparatus B is connected to the paper discharge port 14 of the image forming apparatus A, and the inserter apparatus C is integrally provided in the bookbinding apparatus B. In the system shown in FIG. 1, a connecting unit D is provided between the image forming apparatus A and the bookbinding apparatus B. The connecting unit D transfers the sheet sent to the paper discharge port 14 of the image forming apparatus A to the bookbinding apparatus B. To the stacking tray 35.

  Thus, in a system configuration in which the image forming apparatus A, the bookbinding apparatus B, and the inserter apparatus C are combined, a cover sheet is selectively supplied from the image forming apparatus A and the inserter apparatus C to the bookbinding apparatus B. This is because the image forming apparatus A feeds the cover sheet from the image forming apparatus A when the title image is created on demand simultaneously with the image formation of the intermediate paper sheet, and the inserter apparatus C when the special sheet such as a coating sheet or cardboard that cannot form the image. It is for supplying from.

  In the present invention, the bookbinding apparatus B is arranged at the center and the image forming apparatus A and the inserter apparatus C are arranged on the left and right sides in a system configuration for selectively supplying a cover sheet from the image forming apparatus A and the inserter apparatus C to the bookbinding apparatus B. A cover sheet feeding path 34 is arranged in the bookbinding apparatus B in a direction crossing the apparatus, and a bookbinding position F (bookbinding stage) is arranged in the center of the path. A first carry-in port 34a (the left route end in FIG. 1) and a second carry-in port 34b (the right route end in FIG. 1) are provided at the path end of the cover sheet feeding path 34. The first carry-in port 34a is connected to the paper discharge port 14 of the image forming apparatus A, and the second carry-in port 34b is connected to the paper feed path 22 of the inserter device C. The cover sheet feeding path 34 includes a pair of conveyance guides (an upper conveyance guide 56 and a lower conveyance guide 57) having a conveyance gap fd.

  At least a part of each conveyance guide is movable guide kg (upper left movable guide 56ka, upper right movable guide 56kb, lower left movable guide 57ka, lower right movable guide 57kb) whose position (angular position or height position) of the guide surface can be displaced; Is collectively referred to as “movable guide kg”). Each movable guide kg is provided with guide shift means (such as a shift cam described later) for displacing the position of the guide surface in accordance with the sheet conveyance direction. With this guide shift means, the angular position or height position of the guide surface is displaced according to the sheet conveying direction (paper feeding direction; right to left or left to right).

The guide surface of the movable guide kg is set so as to satisfy the following conditions.
(1) When guiding the leading edge of the sheet in a direction in which the guide surface is inclined (when the guide surface deflects the conveyance direction), the upper conveyance guide gradually decreases on the downstream side, and the lower conveyance guide gradually increases on the downstream side. The conveyance guide is swung (angular displacement) within a predetermined angle range so as to be.
(2) When guiding the leading edge of the sheet along the guide surface (while sliding) (straight guide surface), a) the upper conveyance guide that guides the upper surface of the sheet is positioned at a higher position (height) on the downstream side in the conveyance direction than on the upstream side. B) The lower conveyance guide that guides the lower surface of the sheet is set at a position (height displacement) lower on the downstream side in the conveyance direction than on the upstream side.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the image forming system illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described in the order of the image forming apparatus A, the bookbinding apparatus B, and the inserter apparatus C.

[Image forming apparatus]
The image forming apparatus A includes a printing mechanism that forms an image on a sheet, forms an image on a sheet prepared in the paper feeding unit 2 by the printing unit 3, and carries the sheet from a paper discharge port 14. As printing mechanisms, electrostatic printing, ink jet printing, silk printing, offset printing, and the like are known. The image forming apparatus A shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming unit A1, a scanner unit A2, and a document feeding unit A3. A copying system is configured in which an original image is read by the scanner unit A2 and the read data is transferred to the image forming unit A1 to form an image. The document feeding unit A3 automatically feeds a document sheet to the reading unit of the scanner unit A2.

  Various configurations of the image forming apparatus A are known, and the illustrated configuration will be described. First, the image forming unit A1 can employ various structures such as a copying machine, a printer, and a printing machine, but an electrostatic printing apparatus is illustrated. The image forming unit A1 has a paper feed unit 2, a printing unit 3, a paper discharge unit 4, and a control unit built in a casing 1. A plurality of cassettes 5 corresponding to the sheet size are prepared in the sheet feeding unit 2, and a sheet having a size designated by the control unit is fed out to the sheet feeding path 6. A registration roller 7 is provided in the sheet feeding path 6 and the sheet is fed to the downstream printing unit 3 at a predetermined timing after the leading edges of the sheets are aligned.

  The printing unit 3 is provided with an electrostatic drum 10. A print head 9, a developing device 11, a transfer charger 12, and the like are disposed around the electrostatic drum 10. The print head 9 is composed of, for example, a laser light emitter, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic drum 10. A toner ink is attached to the latent image by the developing device 11 and printed on a sheet by the transfer charger 12. .

  This print sheet is fixed by the fixing device 13 and carried out to the paper discharge path 8. The paper discharge unit 4 is provided with a paper discharge port 14 and a paper discharge roller 15 formed in the casing 1. Reference numeral 16 denotes a circulation path. The print sheet from the paper discharge path 8 is turned upside down on the switchback path, and then sent to the registration roller 7 again to form an image on the back surface of the print sheet. In this way, the print sheet on which one side or both sides are formed is carried out from the paper discharge port 14 by the paper discharge roller 15.

  A scanner unit A2 shown in FIG. 1 optically reads a document image to be printed by the print head 9. The structure includes a platen 18 on which an original sheet is placed and set, an optical carriage 19 that scans an original image along the platen 18, and an optical reading means (for example, a CCD device) 17 that photoelectrically converts an optical image from the carriage 19. And is composed of.

  In the illustrated example, a document feeding unit A3 for automatically feeding a document sheet to the platen 18 is provided on the platen. This unit separates the original sheets set on the tray one by one and feeds them to the reading platen. With such a configuration, the image forming unit A1 forms an image on a sheet based on the read data sent from the scanner unit A2 or the image data sent from a computer network (not shown), and is carried out to the paper discharge port 14. To do.

  In addition, image forming conditions such as monochrome printing or color printing, equal-size printing or reduced-size printing, single-sided printing or double-sided printing, and the like can be set by the user. Yes. At this time, the user (operator) sets image forming conditions in the image forming apparatus A, for example, on the front side (front access) in FIG. 1, and sets a cover sheet on the inserter apparatus C from the same direction. At the same time, the maintenance and operation of the bookbinding apparatus B on the front side of FIG. 1, for example, replenishing bookbinding glue to the bookbinding apparatus B is performed on the front side of FIG. At this time, the image forming apparatus A is disposed on one side of the bookbinding apparatus B and the inserter apparatus C is disposed on the other side, so that a large operation space and maintenance space can be secured.

  The image forming apparatus A is configured as a copying machine as shown in the drawing, connected to a computer system (not shown) via a network, and forms a printer system for forming an image with data transferred from an external device, or data read by the scanner unit A2. It is also possible to configure as a facsimile system that transfers the message to the outside via a communication line.

[Bookbinding device]
The bookbinding apparatus B receives the sheets on which the image is formed by the above-described image forming apparatus A, and stacks and stacks the sheets (stacking section B1) to form an intermediate paper sheet bundle. An adhesive is applied to the back binding portion of the sheet bundle (glue application portion B2), and this is bound and bound (bookbinding processing portion B3) with a cover sheet. Thereafter, the three directions excluding the back binding portion are cut and aligned (cut portion B4) and stored (stack portion B5). For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2, the bookbinding apparatus B includes “stacking unit B1,” “glue application unit B2,” “bookbinding processing unit B3,” “cutting unit B4”, and “stack unit B5”. Each processing unit includes a conveyance path (a bookbinding processing path 33 and a cover sheet feeding path 34 described later) for feeding sheets to these. Hereinafter, these configurations will be described.

Route configuration
The path configuration of the bookbinding apparatus B will be described with reference to FIG. In the housing 23 of the bookbinding apparatus B, there are a bookbinding processing path 33 for feeding a bundle of intermediate paper sheets that have been aligned and collected to the bookbinding processing section B3, and a coversheet feeding path 34 for feeding the coversheet to the bookbinding processing section B3. Provided. Both paths 33 and 34 are arranged so as to cross each other (90 degrees or a predetermined angle) at a bookbinding position (bookbinding processing position; the same applies hereinafter) F. In the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, a bookbinding path 33 is arranged in a vertical direction (vertical direction) in a housing 23 and a cover sheet feeding path 34 is arranged in a horizontal direction (horizontal direction). These two paths are arranged in the orthogonal direction.

  Note that the bookbinding processing path 33 and the cover sheet feeding path 34 may intersect at a predetermined angle without being orthogonal to each other, or the bookbinding process path 33 may be arranged in the horizontal direction in the left and right direction and the cover sheet feeding path 34 may be arranged in the vertical direction in the vertical direction. May be. By arranging the bookbinding processing path 33 in the vertical direction as shown in the figure, it is possible to move a bundle of intermediate paper sheets, for example several tens of pages, along the path by the action of its own weight. Further, there is an advantage that the cover sheet feeding path 34 can be supplied from the image forming apparatus A or the like that is provided adjacently by arranging the cover sheet feeding path 34 in the horizontal direction across the apparatus.

  Further, a post-processing device (not shown) is disposed downstream of the cover sheet feeding path 34 (a position facing the image forming apparatus A). This post-processing apparatus includes, for example, a stapling function for collecting and stapling sheets in a stacked manner, a punching function for punching holes in a sheet, a storing function for storing sheets in a tray, and the like. As a result, the sheet not subjected to bookbinding processing passes through the bookbinding apparatus B and is transferred to a post-processing apparatus (not shown). At this time, the cover sheet feeding path 34 is configured as a straight path (or a path close to a straight line) in the horizontal direction, so that the sheet from the image forming apparatus A is transported to the post-processing apparatus without jamming in the shortest path in a short time. I can do it.

“Bookbinding Processing Path”
In the bookbinding processing path 33, the stacking unit B1 is disposed upstream, and the stacking unit B5 is disposed downstream. The glue application unit B2, the bookbinding processing unit B3, and the cutting unit B4 are disposed downstream from the upstream. (See FIG. 2). Then, the bundle of intermediate paper sheets sent from the stacking unit B1 is transferred along the path to the glue application unit B2, and an adhesive (hot melt adhesive or the like) is applied to the lower end surface of the sheet (back binding end surface), and bookbinding processing is performed. In section B3, the case is bound by a cover sheet. Then, the bound sheet bundle is trimmed and cut in the direction of the peripheral edge 3 at the downstream cutting portion B4 and stored in the stack portion B5. In the bookbinding path, a transport mechanism for transporting the sheet bundle downstream is disposed as grip transport means 38 (described later).

"Cover feeding route"
As shown in FIG. 2, the cover sheet feeding path 34 is configured by a linear path that crosses the housing 23, and a bookbinding position F is set at the center thereof. A first carry-in port 34a (route left end) and a second carry-in port 34b (route right end) are disposed at the left and right route ends. The first carry-in port 34a is connected to the paper discharge port 14 of the image forming apparatus A via the sheet carry-in path 24, and receives a sheet on which an image has been formed. The second carry-in port 34 b is connected to the paper feed path 22 of the inserter apparatus C and receives sheets prepared in the paper feed tray 20.

  Accordingly, in the cover sheet feeding path 34, a printer paper feed path Pa that transfers a sheet (cover sheet) from the first carry-in port 34a to the bookbinding position F, and an inserter that moves the sheet from the second carry-in port 34b to the bookbinding position F. A paper feed path Pb is formed. The sheet feeding directions of the printer sheet feeding path Pa and the inserter sheet feeding path Pb are opposite to each other. Detailed configurations of the printer paper feed path Pa and the inserter paper feed path Pb will be described later.

`` Route transfer mechanism ''
Each of the paths described above includes a pair of conveyance guides that form a conveyance gap fd for sheets (or sheet bundles). In each path, conveying means for conveying sheets (bundles) is arranged. In the bookbinding processing path 33, a sheet bundle conveying means (grip conveying means) 38 for transferring the sheet bundle from upstream to downstream along the path is disposed. In the cover sheet feeding path 34, the first transport roller pair 70a, 70b and the second transport roller pair 71a, 71b are provided in the printer paper feed path Pa between the first carry-in port 34a and the bookbinding position F, and the second carry-in port 34b. The third transport roller pair 72a, 72b is disposed in the inserter paper feed path Pb between the bookbinding position F and the bookbinding position F. The first to third transport roller pairs are connected to a transport motor (not shown). Note that an aligning mechanism 40 (described later) for correcting the posture of the sheet is disposed in the cover sheet feeding path 34.

[Connection unit]
The connecting unit D will be described with reference to FIG. The connecting unit D is provided between the bookbinding apparatus B and the image forming apparatus A, and is configured to distribute and convey the sheet from the paper discharge port 14 of the image forming apparatus A to the bookbinding processing path 33 and the cover sheet feeding path 34. ing. This connecting unit D is composed of an independent housing 25 separated from the casing 1 of the image forming apparatus A and the housing 23 of the bookbinding apparatus B.

  By adopting this independent unit configuration (a configuration in which the image forming apparatus A and the bookbinding apparatus B are separated without being incorporated), the image forming apparatus A, the connecting unit D, and the bookbinding apparatus B may be arranged in this order. , “Bookbinding apparatus B” and “image forming apparatus A” can be arranged in this order. That is, if the apparatus arrangement is changed to the left or right, it is necessary to change all the internal structure of the bookbinding apparatus B (for example, a symmetrical structure). “B” can be arranged, or “apparatus B” can be arranged to the left of “apparatus A” having the same structure. For this reason, the image forming apparatuses to which the bookbinding apparatus B is applicable are widespread.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the connecting unit D is provided with a sheet carry-in path 24 through which a sheet is fed into the bookbinding apparatus B from the paper discharge port 14 of the image forming apparatus A. From this path, the bookbinding path 33 and the cover feed A sheet is supplied to the feeding path 34. For this reason, the sheet carry-in path 24 is connected to the sheet discharge port 14 of the image forming apparatus A, and the intermediate sheet is fed to the bookbinding path 33 via a stacking tray 35 described later, and the cover sheet is routed via the path switching unit 26 shown in FIG. The sheet is sent to the cover feed path 34.

"Accumulator"
As shown in FIG. 2, the stacking unit B <b> 1 includes a stacking tray 35 disposed in the housing 23, and a paper discharge unit 36 that transports sheets to the tray. The stacking tray 35 is disposed upstream of the bookbinding path 33 and downstream of the sheet carry-in path 24. The stacking tray 35 includes a paper platform on which the sheets transported from the paper discharge port 24a of the sheet transport path 24 are stacked. In the apparatus of FIG. 2, the paper platform (tray surface; the same applies hereinafter) is arranged in a substantially horizontal posture or a posture inclined so as not to drop the sheet.

  The paper platform is provided with a paper discharge means 36, a leading edge regulating member 37, and an alignment means (not shown). The paper discharge means 36 moves up and down between a retracted position retracted upward from the sheet on the tray and an operating position engaged with the sheet on the tray. Therefore, a spring clutch (not shown) is provided on the support arm that supports the roller. The stacking tray 35 is provided with a leading edge regulating member 37 that regulates the leading edge of the sheet. In addition, the stacking tray 35 is provided with aligning means (its configuration is already known) for aligning the sheet side edge with the reference line.

  The stacking tray 35 is configured to be movable up and down in FIG. The stacking tray 35 is supported so as to be movable up and down between a storage position (solid line in FIG. 2) located at the upper part of the housing and an unloading position (broken line in FIG. 2) located at the lower part of the housing. ). The reason why the tray is moved up and down with the sheet placed in this manner is to achieve a smaller and more compact apparatus.

  This is because the sheet posture needs to be turned 90 degrees in order to transfer the sheets accumulated in the horizontal posture to the bookbinding processing path 33 in the vertical posture. At this time, if the sheet is rotated 90 degrees from the storage position in the horizontal posture in which the sheet is stored, a large turning area is required above the tray, resulting in an increase in the size of the apparatus. Since the stacking tray 35 shown in the figure turns the sheet 90 degrees while being lowered from the storage position at the top of the housing to the carry-out position at the bottom of the housing, the apparatus can be miniaturized.

  The sheets are stacked on the stacking tray 35 in a substantially horizontal posture (to the extent that the sheets do not slide down), and the stacked sheet bundle is swung in a vertical posture and carried out to the bookbinding processing path 33 arranged in the same direction. With this configuration, the sheet stacking mechanism can be easily configured. Further, since the sheet bundle is transferred from the upper side to the lower side where the weight of the sheet bundle acts on the bookbinding processing path 33 in the vertical direction, the sheet bundle conveying mechanism can be made simple.

  The stacking tray 35 is provided with bundle thickness detecting means (not shown) for detecting the thickness of the stacked sheet bundle. This bundle thickness detecting means detects the thickness of the sheet bundle accumulated on the accumulation tray 35, and (1) increases or decreases the application amount for applying the adhesive to the intermediate paper sheet bundle at the glue application position E depending on the bundle thickness. adjust. (2) When the cover sheet is fed to the bookbinding position F, the center position of the cover sheet is determined from the bundle thickness of the intermediate sheet and fed. (3) When the cover sheet is back-folded at the bookbinding position F, the pressing position of the press member is changed according to the bundle thickness.

"Glue application part"
The glue application unit B2 is disposed in the bookbinding processing path 33 and applies an adhesive to the end face (back binding end face) of the intermediate paper sheet bundle transferred along the path. For this reason, the adhesive application part 45 mentioned later is arrange | positioned in the paste application part B2. A bundle of intermediate paper sheets is set at a predetermined application position along the bookbinding path 33. The coating roller 47 moves while rotating from one end to the other end on the lower end surface (back binding end surface) of the sheet bundle. The liquid adhesive impregnated on the roller surface is applied to the end face of the sheet. At this time, the coating thickness of the adhesive layer is adjusted according to the bundle thickness information of the middle paper sheet bundle.

"Bookbinding Processing Department"
In the bookbinding processing path 33, a cover binding means 50 is disposed at a bookbinding position F that intersects the cover sheet feeding path 34 downstream of the glue application position B2. The cover binding means 50 joins the cover sheet to the middle sheet bundle to which bookbinding glue is applied and performs a back folding process (bookbinding finish). Therefore, the cover binding means 50 includes a back plate 51 and a back folding press member 52.

"Back plate"
The back plate 51 is made of a flat plate-like material, and is supported by the apparatus frame so as to be movable so as to cross the bookbinding path 33 in the orthogonal direction. The back plate 51 is connected to a driving means (not shown) such as an electromagnetic solenoid and a motor, and is positioned at either an operating position in the path or a standby position outside the path by its control.

  The back plate 51 supports (backs up) the cover sheet that is stationary on the cover sheet feeding path 34 at the operating position in the path. At the standby position, the bookbinding path 33 is opened so that the sheet bundle that has been bound to the folding roll 63 positioned on the downstream side can be carried out. The back plate 51 cools the adhesive on the back cover part that has been bound (bound and back folded) simultaneously with backing up the cover sheet. This cooling action uses a material having high thermal conductivity (such as a metal material) to dissipate the heat of the adhesive to the outside, and uses a cooling element such as a Peltier element, a heat radiation fin, a cooling fan, and the like.

"Back-fold press material"
The back folding press member 52 (right press member 52R, left press member 52L) is configured by a pair of left and right block members so as to be able to approach and separate from each other. Each press member 52 includes a press surface (right press surface 52a, left press surface 52b) that abuts and separates from each other, and a guide surface (right guide surface 52c, left guide surface 52d) that guides and conveys the cover sheet. Although the detailed configuration of the back folding press member 52 will be described later, the back folding press member 52 back-folds the shoulder portion of the cover sheet while the cover sheet is backed up and supported by the back plate 51. (See FIG. 14).

  The back folding press member 52 is disposed at the bookbinding position F of the cover sheet feeding path 34 and functions to perform back folding of the cover sheet. Therefore, the back folding press member 52 needs to guide the bookbinding position F without obstructing the progress of the cover sheet fed into the cover sheet feeding path. A guide surface 52 c (52 d) is formed on the upper surface of the back folding press member 52 that faces the cover sheet feeding path 34.

  In this way, the cover sheet is fed from the cover feed path 34 and the middle sheet bundle is fed from the bookbinding path 33 to the bookbinding position F that intersects each other. In a state where the cover sheet is supported (backed up) by the back plate 51, both sheets are abutted in an inverted T shape. Next, the back plate 51 and the back folding press member 52 are configured so that the shoulder portion of the cover sheet is folded back by a pair of left and right pressing members 52 and press-molded. At the same time, the pair of back folding press members 52 guides the cover sheet fed to the cover sheet feeding path 34 to the bookbinding position F by the guide surface 52c (52d) in a state where the press surfaces 52a (52b) are in contact with each other.

  The press surfaces 52a (52b) are opposed to each other so as to sandwich the intermediate sheet bundle conveyed along the bookbinding processing path 33, and the guide surfaces 52c (52d) are formed on the upper surface facing the cover sheet feeding path 34. . As a result, it is possible to carry out the case binding of the intermediate paper sheet bundle with the cover sheet.

"Cutting Department"
The cutting unit B4 performs trimming cut (cutting alignment) in the three directions of the bound sheet bundle. For this reason, the bookbinding-processed sheet bundle is composed of a turn mechanism 90 that changes the vertical direction and a cutter mechanism section 94 that cuts the edge of the sheet bundle.

  In the bookbinding processing path 33, a cutting section B4 is set on the downstream side of the bookbinding position F, and the cutting section B4 is provided with a cutting blade 97 for trimming and cutting the sheet bundle that has been bound, and a cutting edge press member 96. . A blade receiving member 95 is provided at a position facing both the members and the bookbinding path 33, and the blade receiving member is made of a material that does not damage the cutting edge of the cutting blade, such as rubber or resin. With such a configuration, the sheet bundle sent along the bookbinding processing path 33 is held in a cutting posture by the cutting edge press member 96 and cut by the cutting blade 97.

  The bookbinding path 33 is provided with a turn mechanism 90 upstream of the cutting part B4. The turn mechanism 90 rotates a bundle of sheets that have been bound (hereinafter referred to as a “booklet sheet”), and sends the three directions (top, ground, and fore edge) except the back to the cutting position. Therefore, the turn mechanism 90 includes a pair of rotating disks (clamp members) 91a and 91b that sandwich the sheet bundle, and a turning motor (not shown) that rotates the rotating disk. The sheet bundle is gripped between the pair of turntables 91a and 91b, and the top and bottom posture of the sheet bundle is changed by rotating both.

  In the turn mechanism 90, a pair of turntables 91a (91b) is attached to a unit frame 92, and this unit frame 92 is supported by an apparatus frame (not shown) so as to be movable in a path direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2). . The unit frame 92 is moved in the path direction by a lifting motor (not shown) to position the lower end edge of the sheet bundle at the cutting position and set a cutting amount (cut amount). Accordingly, the turn mechanism 90 changes the orientation of the sent booklet sheet and simultaneously sends the sheet edge to the cutting part B4. The cutting amount of the sheet edge is set by this feed amount.

“Stack”
The stack unit B5 is disposed on the downstream side of the bookbinding processing path 33, and stores the stacker 98 that stores the sheet bundle that has been bound by the bookbinding processing path 33, and the waste paper pieces that are cut by the cutting unit B4 located above the path. It consists of a waste box 99.

  A paper discharge roller pair 93 is disposed on the downstream side of the cutting portion B4, and a storage stacker 98 is disposed on the downstream side thereof. A waste box 99 for storing cutting waste is arranged along with the storage stacker 98. Accordingly, the booklet sheets trimmed and arranged in the trimming unit B4 are accommodated in the storage stacker 98, and the waste paper pieces at the time of trimming are accommodated in the waste box 99.

[Detailed configuration of bookbinding equipment]
A detailed configuration of the bookbinding apparatus B in FIG. 2 will be described. In the bookbinding path 33 described above, a “sheet bundle conveying unit” that conveys the intermediate sheet bundle along the path and an “adhesive applying unit” are disposed at the adhesive application position. Further, a “back folding press member” and a “conveying guide member” for guiding the sheet to the bookbinding position F are arranged in the cover sheet feeding path 34. The detailed configuration will be described in the order of “detailed configuration of sheet bundle conveying unit”, “detailed configuration of adhesive application unit”, “detailed configuration of back folding press member”, and “detailed configuration of conveyance guide member”.

"Detailed configuration of sheet bundle conveying means"
The bookbinding path 33 includes a sheet bundle conveying unit 38 that conveys the sheet bundle along the path. This sheet bundle conveying means (grip conveying means; hereinafter the same) 38 has (1) a function of deflecting the posture of the sheet bundle carried out from the stacking tray 35 from horizontal to vertical posture, and (2) posture deflection in the vertical direction. The sheet bundle is provided with a function of transferring the sheet bundle downstream along the bookbinding path 33.

  The sheet bundle conveying means 38 is composed of a pair of gripper members (not shown) that clamp the sheet bundle shown in FIG. The pair of gripper members are supported on the unit frame so as to be able to approach and separate from each other. The unit frame is rotatably supported on the apparatus frame, and a turning motor for rotating the unit frame is disposed on the apparatus frame. As a result, the posture of the sheet bundle held by the gripper member by the turning motion of the unit frame is deflected.

  The pair of gripper members support the fixed gripper member and the movable gripper member on the unit frame so as to be movable in position along the bookbinding processing path 33, and lift the movable gripper member to move both gripper members in the path direction. The grip motor to be operated is placed on the unit frame.

  With the above configuration, the sheet bundle in the horizontal posture is held by the pair of gripper members and is deflected to the vertical posture by the turning motor. The sheet bundle can be moved along the bookbinding path 33 by a lifting motor. The specific configuration of the sheet bundle conveying unit 38 is not shown in FIG. 2, but is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-162177. Even in the present invention, the mechanism disclosed in the patent document can be employed.

"Detailed configuration of adhesive application means"
Next, the adhesive application unit 45 disposed in the paste application part B2 of the bookbinding processing path 33 will be described. FIG. 3A shows the structure of the glue container 46, and FIG. 3B shows the application mechanism of the glue container 46. The adhesive application means 45 includes a glue container 46 for storing a liquid adhesive, an application roller 47 for applying a liquefied adhesive to the sheet end face, and a tray moving means (guide rail described later) for reciprocating the glue container along the sheet end face. ) 49g.

  The paste container 46 includes a liquid agent storage chamber 46a and a solid agent storage chamber 46b. Each storage chamber contains a heating means (heating element) 48, and the chambers communicate with each other so that the heated and melted adhesive flows. A coating roller 47 is rotatably supported in the liquid agent storage chamber 46a, and is connected to a roll rotation motor MR that rotates the roller.

  The application roller 47 is made of porous rubber having high impregnation and heat resistance. Then, the adhesive that has been impregnated with the adhesive in the liquid agent storage chamber and raised on the roll surface is applied to the end face of the sheet bundle positioned above. The solid agent storage chamber 46b is provided with a stirring member (in the drawing, a gear) for stirring the filled solid adhesive.

  A paste sensor 46S for detecting the temperature and remaining amount of the adhesive is disposed in the liquid agent storage chamber 46a. This sensor is configured to detect the capacity (remaining amount) of the adhesive based on the temperature difference between the temperature of the adhesive in the tank and the liquid level. The glue sensor 46S and the heating means 48 are connected to the control CPU, and the temperature of the adhesive in the liquid agent storage chamber is adjusted to a predetermined melting temperature.

  The glue container 46 configured as described above applies the adhesive in the process of reciprocating along the sheet bundle with a predetermined stroke. FIG. 3B shows a reciprocating mechanism for the glue container. The glue container 46 has a dimension shorter than the length of the back binding end surface S1 of the sheet bundle. The glue container 46 moves along with the application roller 47 along the lower edge S1 of the sheet bundle, and applies the adhesive to the end surface S1 of the sheet bundle.

  A guide rail 49g is provided in the apparatus frame in the sheet width direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 3B) of the bookbinding processing path 33. The glue container 46 is supported on the guide rail 49g so as to be able to reciprocate with a predetermined stroke. The glue container 46 is connected to the timing belt 49t while being slidably supported on the guide rail 49g. A glue container moving motor MS is connected to the timing belt 49t.

  The glue container 46 reciprocates with a predetermined stroke along the guide rail 49g by driving the glue container moving motor MS. Hp shown in FIG. 3B is set at a position where the glue application operation is started at one end of the sheet bundle at the home position. Rp is the return position and the end position of the glue application operation. The return position Rp is set by sheet width size information.

  Then, in the process in which the glue container 46 reciprocates between the home position Hp and the return position Rp, for example, in the forward path (moving in the right direction from the left in the figure), the coating roll 47 presses against the sheet bundle and causes the sheet edge to be separated. In the return path from the return position RP to the home position Hp (moving in the left direction from the right in the figure), a predetermined gap is formed with the sheet edge and the adhesive is applied.

  At this time, the adhesive is applied to the sheet lower end surface S1 in an application amount proportional to the cap between the coating roll surface and the sheet end surface. This cap adjustment adjusts the feed amount of the grip conveying means 38. The illustrated SP is a home position sensor of the glue container 46.

  The glue container 46 is moved to the home position Hp when the apparatus power is turned on (initialization), and the application operation is executed by the application instruction signal. The application instruction signal is transmitted, for example, after a predetermined time (expected time for the sheet bundle to reach the glue application position) from the signal when the upstream grip conveyance means 38 starts to transfer the sheet bundle to the glue application position E. In response to this signal, the glue container 46 is moved from the home position Hp toward the return position Rp. Simultaneously with the movement, the application roll 47 is rotated (started) by the roll rotation motor MR.

"Detailed configuration of back folded press members"
A cover binding means 50 is disposed at the bookbinding position F in the cover feed path 34, and the means 50 includes a back plate 51 and a back folding press member 52. The back plate 51 employs the above-described configuration. Hereinafter, the configuration of the back folding press member 52 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

  The back folding press member 52 has a guide function for guiding the cover sheet sent to the cover sheet feeding path 34 to the bookbinding position F, and the cover sheet joined (inverted T-shaped) to the middle paper sheet bundle at the bookbinding position F. It has a press function to fold the shoulders. For this reason, the back folding press member 52 includes a pair of left and right press members 52L (52R). The press members 52L (52R) are supported by the apparatus frame so as to be capable of being pressed and separated from each other.

  FIG. 6 shows a state in which the pair of press members 52L (52R) are in pressure contact with each other, and FIG. 7 shows a state in which the pair of press members are separated. Each press member 52L (52R) is provided with a press surface (right press surface 52a, left press surface 52b) and a guide surface (right guide surface 52c, left guide surface 52d). In the state of FIG. 6, the left and right press surfaces 52a (52b) are in contact with each other, and the left and right guide surfaces 52c (52d) form a continuous plane. In the state of FIG. 7, the left and right press surfaces 52a (52b) face each other with a distance wd (wd> allowable maximum bookbinding thickness).

  The press member 52L (52R) is supported by the apparatus frame so as to be movable between a separation position (a standby position Wp described later) and a pressure contact position (a press position Ap described later). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, support rails 53 are arranged along the cover sheet feeding path 34 in the apparatus frame. A rail surface 53r is formed on the support rail 53, and the press members 52L (52R) are fitted along the surface so as to approach and separate with a predetermined stroke. Each pressing member 52L (52R) is provided with a guide roller 54, and this roller 54 is engaged with the rail surface 53r.

  As described above, the pair of left and right press members 52L (52R) is supported by the support rail 53 so as to be able to reciprocate between the separation position Wp and the press contact position Ap (operation stroke). The support rail 53 has a shift surface 53s formed on a part of the rail surface 53r, and adjusts the height position of the guide surface 52c (52d) of each press member 52. The shift surface 53s will be described later.

  The pair of left and right press members 52L (52R) are provided with a press shift means 55 that moves along the support rail 53. Since the right press member 52R and the left press member 52L have the same structure, one of the shift means 55 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 13 shows a state in which the cover sheet is guided with the pair of press members 52L (52R) in contact with each other, and FIG. 14 shows a state in which the press member 52 presses the cover sheet back. FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 show the drive mechanism of the press member. Each press member 52 is integrally formed with a rack 55r. The rack 55r is provided on the pressing member side in the moving direction of the pressing member 52 with a rack length corresponding to the moving stroke. On the other hand, a pinion 55p that meshes with the rack 55r is supported on the apparatus frame side. The pinion 55p is connected to a press shift motor MP (right shift motor MPR, left shift motor MPL). The press shift motor MP is composed of a forward / reverse motor.

  Therefore, when the right shift motor MPR is rotated clockwise and the left shift motor MPL is rotated counterclockwise in the state shown in FIG. 13, the abutting press surface 52a (52b) is separated to a standby position Wp (not shown). When the right shift motor MPR is rotated counterclockwise and the left shift motor MPL is rotated clockwise from this separated position, the separated press surfaces 52a (52b) approach each other and the cover sheet is folded back to the state shown in FIG. Press.

[Adjusting the height of the guide surface]
The above-described support rail 53 is provided with a rail surface 53r for fitting and supporting the guide roller 54 of the press member 52, and a part of the rail surface 53r is formed with a shift surface 53s for adjusting the height position of the guide surface. ing. The structure of the shift surface 53s will be described with reference to FIG. 9A shows a state in which the cover sheet is fed from the printer paper feed path Pa to the bookbinding position F, and FIG. 9B shows a state in which the cover sheet is fed from the inserter paper feed path Pb to the bookbinding position F. Indicates the state to be performed. At this time, the height position of the guide surface 52c (52d) of at least one of the pressing members changes in height.

  Therefore, a shift surface 53s is formed on a part of the rail surface 53r, and the shift surface 53s supports the guide roller 54 of the press member at a position higher than the rail surface 53r. In the right press member 52R in FIG. 9A, the guide roller 54 is supported by the rail surface 53r (the guide surface 52c is in the state of FIG. 10). In the right press member 52R in FIG. 5B, the guide roller 54 is supported by the shift surface 53s (the guide surface 52c is in the state of FIG. 11).

  When the guide roller 54 of the right press member 52R is supported by the rail surface 53r in FIG. 9A, the right guide surface 52c is set at a position lower than the left guide surface 52d as shown in FIG. 10B. Yes. On the other hand, when the guide roller 54 is supported by the shift surface 53s in FIG. 11, the right guide surface 52c is positioned higher than the left guide surface 52d.

  That is, the shift surface 53s is formed to be higher than the rail surface 53r, and has a low posture when the press member 52L (52R) is supported by the rail surface 53r, and a high posture when supported by the shift surface 53s. A step is formed between 53r and the shift surface 53s. In this case, the height of the guide surface 52c (52d) is defined as “a high position” when the distance is approached and “a low position” when the distance is distant from the sheet transported through the cover sheet feeding path 34.

  In FIG. 10, the right guide surface 52c of the right press member 52R is positioned at the “low position”, the left guide surface 52d is high, the right guide surface 52c is low, and the leading edge is caught when the sheet moves from left to right. There is no. Further, in FIG. 11, the guide surface 52c of the right press member 52R is positioned at a “high position”, the right guide surface 52c is high, the left guide surface 52d is low, and the leading edge is caught when the sheet moves from right to left. There is no.

[Operating position of press member]
FIG. 8 shows an operation position of the back folding press member 52 having the above-described configuration. The left and right press members 52 are set to the next position by rotation control of the left and right press shift motors MPR and MPL. The movement control to each position is performed by driving control of the left and right press shift motors MPR and MPL.

"Reference position"
A reference position x is set at the bookbinding position F, and a sheet bundle of intermediate sheets is conveyed from the bookbinding processing path 33 and a cover sheet is conveyed from the cover sheet feeding path 34 based on the position x. In the illustrated example, the bookbinding processing path 33 is configured so that the lowermost layer sheet of the middle sheet bundle matches the reference position x, and the position of the ½ bundle thickness from the center of the cover sheet matches the reference position x. A cover feeding path 34 is configured.

"Separation position"
The separation position Wp is set to a position where the press surfaces 52a (52b) of the pair of press members 52 face each other with a distance wd. This distance wd (see FIG. 7) is set to be larger than the allowable maximum bookbinding thickness, and in this state, the middle sheet bundle is joined in an inverted T-shape to the center of the cover sheet (see FIG. 12A).

"Press position (Press operation end position)"
This press position Ap (press operation end position; the same applies hereinafter) is set to a position where the pair of press members 52 are brought closer to each other from the separation position Wp and the sheet bundle is pressed on each press surface 52a (52b). The left and right press members 52R (52L) are moved from the separation position Wp to the press position Ap, and the shoulder portions of the sheets are bent with the middle sheet bundle inward, and further press-formed.

  In the illustrated apparatus, the left press member 52L has the reference position x set to the press position Ap. On the other hand, the right press member 52R is set to a press position Ap at a position away from the reference position x by the bundle thickness td. The bundle thickness information in this case is acquired from the above-described bundle thickness detecting means, and the press position is calculated from the reference position x and the bundle thickness td.

  The left and right press members 52R (52L) move to the press position Ap in a direction in which the left and right press members 52R (52L) approach each other from a separation position Wp that is a predetermined distance from the reference position x. In this control, the left shift motor MPL is rotated from the separation position Wp to the reference position x, and the right shift motor MPR is rotated from the separation position Wp to the bundle thickness (td) position.

"Paper position"
The sheet feeding position Sp is set to the position of the pair of press members 52L (52R) when the cover sheet is fed to the bookbinding position F. The pair of back folding press members 52L (52R) guide the cover sheet to the bookbinding position F along the guide surface 52c (52d) in a state where the press surfaces 52a (52b) are in contact with each other. For this reason, the illustrated apparatus has two different positions: a first paper feed position Sp1 for transferring the cover sheet from the printer paper feed path Pa, and a second paper feed position Sp2 for transferring the cover sheet from the inserter paper feed path Pb. Is set.

"First feed position"
The first paper feed position Sp1 is set to the guide position of the press member 52L (52R) when the cover sheet is transferred from the printer paper feed path Pa to the bookbinding position F, and the state is shown in FIGS. It explains according to. As shown in FIG. 9A, the left and right press members 52L (52R) are in contact with the press surfaces 52a (52b), and the left and right press members 52L (52R) are both on the rail surface 53r of the support rail 53. It is supported. In the illustrated example, the left press member 52L is set at the reference position x.

  In the first paper feed position Sp1, as shown in FIG. 10, the right guide surface 52c is set to a position (δ1; δ1> 0) lower than the left guide surface 52d. In this state, the sheet is fed from the left to the right (arrow direction in FIG. 10A).

“Second feed position”
This second paper feed position Sp2 is set to the guide position of the press member 52 when the cover sheet is transferred from the inserter paper feed path Pb to the bookbinding position F, and the state will be described with reference to FIGS. . As shown in FIG. 9B, the left and right press members 52L (52R) are in contact with the press surfaces 52a (52b), and either the left or right press member (the right press member 52R in the drawing) is The other press member (the left press member 52L in the drawing) is supported by the shift surface 53s of the support rail 53, and is supported by the rail surface 53r of the support rail 53. In this state, as shown in FIG. 11, the right guide surface 52c is set at a position higher than the left guide surface 52d (δ2; δ2 <0; see FIG. 11). In this state, the sheet is transferred from right to left (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 11A).

  From the above description, the pair of left and right back folding press members 52L (52R) supply the cover sheet from the printer sheet feed path Pa of the cover sheet feed path 34 to the first sheet feed position Sp1 and from the inserter sheet feed path Pb. When it is done, it is positioned at the second paper feed position Sp2. At this time, the left guide surface 52d is set higher than the right guide surface 52c at the first paper feed position Sp1, and the right guide surface 52c is set higher than the left guide surface 52d at the second paper feed position Sp2. Therefore, the upstream guide surface on which the sheet is conveyed is positioned higher than the downstream guide surface at any of the first and second paper feed positions Sp1 and Sp2.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the drive mechanism for the press operation and the drive mechanism for adjusting the height position of the left and right guide surfaces are driven by a common drive motor. With this configuration, the drive mechanism can be simplified.

"Back folding drive means"
A shift means 55 that reciprocates the back folding press member 52 between a back folding position (state shown in FIG. 13) and a separation position (state shown in FIG. 14), and a control means (control CPU) that controls the shifting means 55. It is configured. The right press member 52R and the left press member 52L are slidably supported by an apparatus frame (not shown), and are provided with press surfaces (right press surface 52a and left press surface 52b) at the front ends thereof. The back portion of the cover sheet is bent at the press surface 52a (52b).

  For this reason, a rack gear 55r is integrally provided on the left and right press members 52L (52R), and a pinion 55p connected to the shift motor MPR (MPL) is engaged with the rack gear 55r. This shift motor MPR (MPL) is a stepping motor. Therefore, the shift means 55 comprises the shift motor MPR (MPL) and its transmission means (the pinion 55p and the rack gear 55r).

  The back folding press member 52L (52R) is provided with guide surfaces (a right guide surface 52c and a left guide surface 52d) for guiding a cover sheet conveyed through the cover sheet feeding path 34. Thus, the back folding press member 52 is provided with the guide surface 52c (52d) for guiding the cover sheet on the upper surface facing the cover sheet feeding path 34 at the same time the press surface 52a (52b) is provided at the tip. .

  Pinch rollers 80b and 81b are provided on the guide surface 52c (52d), and the pinch rollers 80b and 81b are closed when the left and right press members 52L and 52R close the bookbinding processing path 33 in the back folded position (state shown in FIG. 13). ) Guides the cover sheet crossing the path by the guide surface 52c (52d) and the pinch rollers 80b and 81b. When the cover sheet is retracted to the standby position outside the path, the pinch rollers 80b and 81b are in the state shown in FIG. It is buried below 52c (52d).

  Therefore, the pinch rollers 80b and 81b urged by the urging springs (not shown) so as to always protrude are lifted by the lift lever 75 against the urging springs so that the pinch rollers 80b and 81b are guided to the guide surfaces 52c (52d). ), And the lifting lever 75 is suspended by a spring 75a stronger than the biasing spring and is rotated counterclockwise in the figure. The apparatus frame is provided with an abutment stopper 77 for rotating the elevating lever 75 in the clockwise direction at the back folding position.

  As a result, when the back folding press member 52 is in the back folding position (the state shown in FIG. 13), the pinch rollers 80b and 81b are projected upward from the guide surface 52c (52d) by the urging spring and separated from the back folding position to the standby position side. Sometimes it is buried downward from the guide surface 52c (52d) by a biasing spring. In this way, the pinch rollers 80b and 81b are projected and retracted from the guide surface 52c (52d). At the back folding position where the cover sheet is conveyed, the roller protrudes and smoothly guides the movement of the sheet, and the cover sheet is folded back. Therefore, when the back folding press member 52 is moved to the standby position, the cover sheet set at the bookbinding position F is buried below the guide surface 52c (52d) so as not to move unnecessarily.

"Details of the transport guide for the cover feed path"
In the above cover feed path 34, the cover sheet is fed to the bookbinding position F from the printer paper feed path Pa and the inserter paper feed path Pb. In this path, a “cover binding mechanism” that performs bookbinding at the bookbinding position F and a “conveyance guide mechanism” that guides the cover sheet to this position are arranged. Further, an “aligning mechanism 40” for correcting the conveying posture of the cover sheet is arranged in the printer paper feed path Pa (may be the inserter paper feed path Pb). This will be sequentially described below.

"Transport guide mechanism"
The above-described cover sheet feeding path 34 includes a pair of conveyance guides 56 and 57 having a conveyance gap fd. The cover sheet feeding path 34 includes a printer sheet feeding path (first sheet feeding path) Pa and an inserter sheet feeding path (second sheet feeding path) Pb for feeding sheets to a predetermined position (bookbinding position F; hereinafter the same). It is formed. These two passes are configured to feed sheets from two directions in which the feeding directions are opposite. In the present invention, a transport guide mechanism for guiding a sheet transported from two directions in which the feeding directions are opposite to each other is configured as follows.

  9 shows the entire conveyance guide mechanism, FIG. 10 shows the guide structure of the printer paper feed path Pa, and FIG. 11 shows the guide structure of the inserter paper feed path Pb.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the cover sheet feeding path 34 includes a pair of conveyance guides (an upper conveyance guide 56 and a lower conveyance guide 57) having a sheet conveyance gap fd. The transport guides 56 and 57 are composed of a fixed guide and a movable guide. The movable guide is configured such that the angular position or height position of the guide surface is displaced. The configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 9, 10, and 11.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the cover sheet feeding path 34, an upper left fixed guide 56fa and a lower left fixed guide 57fa are arranged to face each other with a conveyance gap fd, and guide the cover sheet from the image forming apparatus A to the bookbinding position F. The paper feed path Pa is configured. Similarly, an upper right fixed guide 56fb and a lower right fixed guide 57fb are arranged opposite to each other with a conveyance gap fd therebetween, and constitute an “inserter paper feed path Pb” for guiding the cover sheet from the inserter device C to the bookbinding position F.

  In the bookbinding position F of the cover sheet feeding path 34, an upper left movable guide 56ka and an upper right movable guide 56kb are respectively arranged at illustrated positions. Similarly, a lower left movable guide 57ka and a lower right movable guide 57kb are disposed at the illustrated positions. In each of the movable guides 56 ka (56 kb) and 57 ka (57 kb), the angular posture of the guide surface for guiding the sheet to the bookbinding position F is angularly displaced between the first paper feeding posture in FIG. 10 and the second paper feeding posture in FIG. Thus, the apparatus frame shaft is supported by the support shaft 56x (56y) and the support shaft 57x (57y).

  The movable guides 56 ka (56 kb) and 57 ka (57 kb) are: (1) When the cover sheet is fed to the bookbinding position F, whether the sheet is fed from the printer paper feed path Pa or the inserter paper feed path Pb (2) bookbinding position F at bookbinding position F to bind the cover sheet set at this position and the bundle of intermediate paper sheets in abutment with each other. Is provided so that the middle sheet sheet bundle can be transferred to the set position by opening the top of the sheet.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the upper left movable guide 56ka is supported to be swingable about a support shaft 56x, and the upper right movable guide 56kb is supported to be swingable about a support shaft 56y. As a result, the two movable guides 56ka (56kb) have an angular attitude (state shown in FIG. 10) for guiding the sheet leading edge from the printer paper feed path Pa (FIG. 10; left to right direction) to the bookbinding position F, and the inserter paper feed path. The cover sheet from Pb is configured to be displaceable between the angle posture (state of FIG. 11) for guiding the cover sheet to the bookbinding position F. In this case, the angular position of both movable guides 56ka (56 kb) is such that the guide position is displaced so that the downstream guide surface in the sheet conveying direction is gradually inclined downward.

  Cam rolls 58a and 58b are integrally formed with the upper left movable guide 56ka and the upper right movable guide 56kb. The cam roll 58a (58b) is engaged with a shift cam (first and second guide shift means) described later to change the angular posture of the guide surface.

  Below the cover sheet feeding path 34, there are provided movable guides 57ka and 57kb having different guide postures depending on the cover sheet feeding direction. As shown in FIG. 9, the lower left movable guide 57ka is axially supported so as to be swingable about a support shaft 57x, and is disposed at the illustrated position. The lower right movable guide 57kb is pivotally supported around the support shaft 57y and disposed at the illustrated position. A cam roll 59a is integrally formed with the lower left movable guide 57ka, and a cam roll 59b is integrally formed with the lower right movable guide 57kb, and is engaged with a shift cam (third and fourth guide shift means) described later.

  As a result, both movable guides 57ka (57kb) have an angular attitude (state shown in FIG. 10) for guiding the sheet leading edge from the printer paper feed path Pa (FIG. 10; left to right direction) to the bookbinding position F, and the inserter paper feed path. The cover sheet from Pb is configured to be displaceable between the angle posture (state of FIG. 11) for guiding the cover sheet to the bookbinding position F. In this case, the angular position of both movable guides 57ka (57kb) is such that the guide position is displaced so that the downstream guide surface in the sheet conveying direction is gradually inclined upward.

"Configuration of guide shift means"
Next, the above-described movable guides 56 ka (56 kb) and 57 ka (57 kb) guide shift means will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, the pair of left and right press members 52R (52L) is provided with a guide shift means 60 that engages with each of the movable guides 56ka (56kb) and 57ka (57kb). The illustrated shift means 60 is constituted by plate cams provided on the left and right press members 52. When the left and right press members 52R (52L) are located at the first paper feed position Sp1 and the second paper feed position Sp2, the movable guides 56ka (56kb), 57ka (57kb) Displace the guide surface position.

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 9, a first shift cam 60a is provided on the left press member 52L at a position where it engages with the cam roll 58a of the upper left movable guide 56ka. Similarly, a second shift cam 60b is provided on the right press member 52R at a position where it engages with the cam roll 58b of the upper right movable guide 56kb. A third shift cam 60c is provided on the left press member 52L at a position where it engages with the cam roll 59a of the lower left movable guide 57ka. A fourth shift cam 60d is provided on the right press member 52R at a position where it engages with the cam roll 59b of the lower right movable guide 57kb.

  The movable guides 56ka (56kb) and 57ka (57kb) are provided with urging means (not shown) in the direction in which the cam rolls 58a (58b) and 59a (59b) engage with the shift cams 60a to 60d. For example, the urging means includes a winding spring fitted to the support shaft 56x (56y, 57x, 57y). Alternatively, a weight is provided on the movable guide as an urging means, and the guide member is urged toward the shift cam by its own weight.

  In the first to fourth shift cams 60a to 60d, when the left and right press members 52R (52L) are at the first paper feed position Sp1, the guide surfaces of the respective movable guides 56ka (56 kb, 57 ka, 57 kb) face left (the state in FIG. 10). In the second paper feeding position Sp2, it is provided at a position facing right (the state in FIG. 11). Further, the back folding press member 52 is in a state where the guide surface 52d of the left press member 52L is high and the guide surface 52c of the right press member 52R is low at the first paper feed position Sp1, and conversely at the second paper feed position Sp2. The guide surface 52c of the right press member 52R is high and the guide surface 52d of the left press member 52L is low.

"Aligning mechanism"
An aligning mechanism for correcting the posture of the sheet (cover sheet) to be fed toward the bookbinding position F is disposed in the cover sheet feeding path 34 described above. The illustrated apparatus uses aligning means 40 for aligning the leading edge or the trailing edge of a cover sheet to be fed to a bookbinding position F (predetermined position; the same applies hereinafter) between the printer sheet feed path Pa and the inserter sheet feed path Pb of the cover sheet feed path 34. Place in either one. Then, the sheet sent to any of the paper feed paths (Pa or Pb) is once fed to the aligning means 40 and aligned at the leading end (aligned at the trailing end), and then set to the bookbinding position F.

"Structure of aligning means"
In the cover feeding path 34, when supplying a cover sheet to the bookbinding position F, aligning means 40 for correcting the skew and resist of the sheet is arranged.

  The configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. The aligning means 40 shown in the figure is composed of an edge regulating member 42a for restricting the front end of the sheet to abut, a nip means 42b for holding the sheet whose front end is restricted, and a base frame 41 for holding both. ing. The edge regulating member 42a is configured by a stopper member that abuts the leading edge or the trailing edge of the sheet to correct the bending of the leading edge (skew correction). The nip means 42b is composed of a claw member that grips the sheet, and is connected to operating means (not shown) (motor, electromagnetic solenoid, etc.).

  The base frame 41 mounts and supports the edge regulating member 42a and the nip means 42b, and is attached to an apparatus frame (not shown) so as to be movable in the sheet width direction (direction perpendicular to the conveying direction). A transport direction shift means MT1 is connected between the apparatus frame and the base frame 41, and a second shift motor MT2 is connected to the nip means 42b.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the transport direction shifting means MT1 is composed of a rack gear 43r provided on the base frame 41, a pinion 43p arranged on the apparatus frame side, and a first shift motor MO1 connected to the pinion 43p. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the second shift motor MT2 is fixed to a timing belt 43t provided on the base frame 41, and the second shift motor MO2 is connected to the timing belt 43t. Further, HPS shown in FIG. 5B is a home position sensor of the nip means 42b.

  Accordingly, the aligning means 40 is disposed in the cover sheet feed path 34 so as to be movable in the transport direction, and can be moved to a predetermined position in the transport direction by the first shift motor MO1, and can be moved in the transport orthogonal direction by the second shift motor MO2. Become. An operating solenoid SOL shown in FIG. 5A is connected to the nip means 42b, and the leading edge of the cover sheet is gripped by the operating solenoid SOL.

  Accordingly, the front cover sheet fed by the transport roller on the front cover feeding path 34 is abutted and regulated by the edge regulating member 42a to correct the skew (tip bending). Thereafter, the leading edge of the sheet is nipped by the nip means 42b and transferred in the width direction. The nip means 42b may be configured to be urged by an urging spring or the like without using the operating solenoid.

  In the illustrated apparatus, an aligning unit 40 is disposed in a printer paper feed path Pa for feeding a cover sheet from the image forming apparatus A. The sheet feeding operation from the image forming apparatus A and the sheet feeding operation from the inserter apparatus C in this case will be described.

“Paper feeding from image forming device”
The sheet carried out from the paper discharge port 14 of the image forming apparatus A is sent to a position where the rear end has passed the aligning means 40. This overrun of the sheet is detected by a sensor (not shown), and the conveying roller pair 70a, 70b (71a, 71b) that conveys the cover sheet is stopped. Then, the conveying rollers 7a and 70b (71a, 71b) are reversely rotated to abut the sheet trailing edge against the edge regulating member 42a and stop. In this state, the trailing edge of the sheet is aligned following the edge regulating member 42a. In a state where the edges of the sheet are aligned, the sheet is gripped by the nip means 42b. Then, the unit of the aligning means 40 is moved in the sheet width direction to make it closer. A reference position sensor (not shown) detects the sheet side edge by the sheet width shifting movement and stops the aligning means 40 at the reference position.

“Feeding from the Inserter”
When the cover sheet is fed from the inserter device C, when the cover sheet is fed from the inserter paper feed path Pb, the pair of transport rollers 72a and 72b arranged in the cover sheet feed path 34 is used from the second carry-in port 34b. Carry in the sheet. The conveying roller pair 72a and 72b are stopped at the timing when the sheet passes the bookbinding position F and the leading edge is detected by the sensor.

At this time, the leading edge of the sheet abuts against the edge regulating member 42a of the aligning means 40 and is aligned. In a state in which the leading ends of the sheets are aligned, the sheet is gripped by the nip means 42b, and the unit of the aligning means 40 is moved in the width direction in the sheet width direction. A reference position sensor (not shown) detects the sheet side edge by the sheet width shifting movement and stops the aligning means 40 at the reference position.
After the cover sheet alignment (leading edge position alignment and side edge position alignment) is thus completed, the conveying roller is rotated so as to convey the sheet toward the bookbinding position F.

34 cover sheet feeding path 34a first carry-in port 34b second carry-in port 40 aligning means 52 back folding press member 52c right guide surface 52d left guide surface 53 support rail 53s shift surface 55 press shift means 56ka upper left movable guide 56kb upper right movable guide 57 ka Lower left movable guide 57 kb Lower left movable guide 60 a First shift cam (guide shift means)
60b Second shift cam (guide shift means)
60c Third shift cam (guide shift means)
60d 4th shift cam (guide shift means)
F Bookbinding position Pa Printer paper feed path (first paper feed path)
Pb Inserter paper feed path (second paper feed path)
Sp1 First paper feed position Sp2 Second paper feed position

Claims (7)

An apparatus for bookbinding by feeding a sheet bundle and a cover sheet to a predetermined bookbinding position;
A cover feed path for feeding a cover sheet to the bookbinding position;
A bookbinding processing path for feeding a sheet bundle of intermediate sheets from a direction intersecting the cover sheet feeding path to the bookbinding position;
A pair of left and right back folding press members disposed in the cover sheet feeding path and having a cover sheet conveyance guide surface and a back folding press surface;
Said pair of back folding press members, spine shifting means located moving at least the one between a standby position paper guide position and the back folding press surface on which the back folding press surface of one another are in contact are separated from each other When,
And a control means for controlling the back folding shift means so as to hold the sheet feeding guide position the pair of back folding press members when feeding a cover sheet to the bookbinding position of the cover feed path ,
The cover sheet feeding path is configured to be able to feed a cover sheet from two directions with different sheet feeding directions toward the bookbinding position;
The height of the conveyance guide surfaces of the pair of back folding press members is such that the conveyance guide surface located on the upstream side is higher than the conveyance guide surface located on the downstream side according to the sheet feeding direction of the cover sheet feeding path. displaceably is configured, it bookbinding device according to claim to. The pair of back folding press members are supported by the apparatus frame so as to be movable in the path direction along the cover sheet feeding path,
Cam means are provided for vertically displacing the height position of the conveying guide surface between the back folding press members and the device frame,
Said cam means, according to claim 1, characterized in that the height position of the conveyance guide surface depending on the path direction position of the pair of back folding press member has an inclined cam surface for vertical displacement Bookbinding equipment. The pair of back folding press members are:
It is configured to be movable between different paper feed reference positions and back folding reference positions along the cover sheet feeding path,
The paper feed reference position is set as a position reference of a back folding press member when feeding a cover sheet to the bookbinding position,
The back folding reference position, the bookbinding apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it is set to the position reference of the back folding press members when folded-back handle cover sheet by the bookbinding position. The back folding shift means is configured to set the pair of back folding press members to different first paper feeding guide positions and second paper feeding guide positions according to the paper feeding direction of the cover sheet feeding path. ,
The bookbinding device according to claim 2, characterized in that the height position of the conveying guide surface is height displacement at a first paper guide position and the second paper guide position. The cover sheet feeding path is provided with a pair of upper and lower transport guides having a guide surface for guiding a cover sheet to the bookbinding position,
The pair of upper and lower transport guides is configured with a movable guide in which at least one of the guide surfaces is displaced in height,
The movable guide is provided with guide shift means for displacing the height position of the guide surface according to the cover sheet feeding direction .
The bookbinding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein: The bookbinding apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the guide shift means includes a cam member and a cam follower member. An image forming apparatus for sequentially forming images on sheets;
A bookbinding apparatus for collecting and binding the sheets imaged by the image forming apparatus in a bundle;
An inserter device for supplying a cover sheet to the bookbinding device;
Consisting of
An image forming system comprising the bookbinding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 .

Images