JP5954626B2 - Paper processing apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus that performs predetermined post-processing on a sheet such as paper after image formation, and an image forming apparatus including the sheet post-processing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a configuration in which an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a color copier is provided with a sheet post-processing apparatus that performs predetermined post-processing on a sheet after image formation is known. Post-processing includes punching processing for punching a sheet after image formation, binding processing for binding every predetermined number of sheets (stipple processing), shift processing, stack processing, folding processing, and the like. There is also known an image forming apparatus that automates from image formation to post-processing by providing or connecting a sheet post-processing apparatus capable of performing a plurality of post-processing in the image forming apparatus.

  For example, Patent Document 1 describes an image forming apparatus including the following sheet post-processing device that performs a plurality of post-processing on a sheet after image formation discharged from an image forming unit. . This sheet post-processing apparatus mainly includes a post-processing unit (sheet post-processing unit) provided with a punching unit (punching unit) for performing punching processing and a binding unit (staple unit) for performing binding processing, and a sheet on which sheets are stacked. It consists of a stacking unit (discharge tray). The punching unit, the binding unit, and the sheet stacking unit are arranged in series in this order from the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction from the image forming unit. Further, the position of the sheet to be post-processed by the punching unit and the binding unit is a position on the end portion side orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction on the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction.

  The sheet receiving unit (staple table) for stacking sheets in the binding unit is configured to be higher on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction, and a discharge roller pair (discharge roller) that can be contacted and separated is provided at the downstream end. It has been. By rotating the sheet or sheet bundle while the sheet or sheet bundle is sandwiched by the pair of discharge rollers, the sheet or sheet bundle is discharged to a sheet stacking unit whose sheet stacking surface can be raised and lowered.

  In recent years, in a sheet post-processing apparatus provided in an image forming apparatus, there is an increasing demand for accurately maintaining a post-processing position applied to a sheet at a predetermined position when performing a plurality of post-processing on one end side of the sheet. . There is also a demand to perform a plurality of post-processing on one end side parallel to the sheet conveying direction of the post-processing target sheet.

  In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of post-processing can be performed on one end side of the sheet. However, since the position of the sheet to be post-processed by the punching unit and the binding unit is a position on the one end side orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction on the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction, it is located on one end side of the sheet parallel to the sheet conveying direction. No post-processing is possible.

  Therefore, the inventor studied a sheet post-processing apparatus having the following configuration. Accepting and conveying means for receiving a sheet from the image forming unit and conveying the sheet downstream in a direction parallel to a sheet conveying direction (hereinafter referred to as a discharge direction) when the sheet is received is provided. At a position downstream of the receiving and conveying means in the discharge direction, a punching unit that performs punching processing and a binding unit that performs binding processing are arranged in the vertical direction on one end side of the sheet parallel to the sheet transporting direction. Then, gripping and conveying means is provided that grips the sheet conveyed by the receiving and conveying means and stopped at the predetermined stop position, transfers the sheet from the stop position to the punching unit, and sequentially transfers from the punching unit to the binding unit. Further, the binding unit is provided with a sheet receiving unit for stacking a plurality of sheets subjected to the binding process.

  In this sheet post-processing apparatus, when a punching process and a binding process are performed on the sheet, the sheet is delivered and the sheet is supported as follows. When the sheet to the stop position is transported and supported by the nipping and conveying member of the receiving and conveying means, the one end side parallel to the sheet conveying direction is supported by the punching unit of the punching unit from below and transported and stopped. Positioning is also performed. Thereafter, the one end side of the sheet is gripped by the gripping movement means, and the gripping movement means is moved in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction (hereinafter referred to as a post-processing direction) in the gripped state, and the sheet is delivered to the punching unit. And positioning in the post-processing direction to perform perforation processing. After the punching process, with the gripping and moving means gripping the one end of the sheet, the end on the one end of the sheet is moved to the predetermined position of the binding unit by passing the punching table of the punching unit in the post-processing direction. Move down and position in post-processing direction. After positioning in the post-processing direction, the sheet is dropped onto the binding table and the sheet receiving portion of the binding unit, and then positioned in the discharge direction. This series of delivery is repeated for the number of sheets to be subjected to the binding process, and then the binding process is performed by the binding unit.

With the configuration described above, it is possible to accurately maintain the punching position and the binding position on the sheet at a predetermined position in a copy sheet made of plain paper that is generally used frequently.
However, if a sheet with a low basis weight or a sheet with a low stiffness is used, the punching unit placed above is used for punching processing when transporting to a stop position and performing punching processing rather than copy paper made of plain paper. The sagging on the other end side of the sheet opposed to the one end side to which the process is applied increased. Even though the sheet is gripped by the gripping movement means, the one end side of the sheet moves slightly so as to be displaced from the gripping movement means, and the punching position cannot be maintained at a predetermined position with high accuracy. In some cases, processing could not be performed normally.
In addition, by increasing the pressure with which the sheet is gripped by the gripping movement means, it is possible to suppress the sheet from moving so as to be displaced from the gripping movement means, but the trace of the gripping movement means has been attached to the location where the sheet is gripped. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide the following post-processing apparatus. A post-processing position in which a plurality of post-processing units that can perform post-processing are arranged in the vertical direction on one end side parallel to the sheet conveyance direction when receiving a sheet or sheet bundle, and applied to the sheet or sheet bundle by the upper post-processing unit Is a sheet post-processing apparatus capable of maintaining the above with high accuracy.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is a receiving and conveying unit that receives an image-formed sheet or sheet bundle and conveys the sheet or sheet bundle to the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction when the sheet is received. A plurality of post-processing units that are disposed downstream of the receiving and conveying means in the sheet conveying direction and that perform post-processing on the sheet or sheet bundle conveyed by the receiving and conveying means, and are conveyed by the receiving and conveying means. A plurality of post-processing units that sequentially transfer the sheet or sheet bundle stopped at a predetermined stop position to the plurality of post-processing units, wherein the plurality of post-processing units perform post-processing. Post-processing is performed on one end side of the sheet or sheet bundle parallel to the sheet conveying direction, and the sheets are arranged side by side in the vertical direction. , A gripper moving means for delivering in a state where the one end side of the delivered sheet or sheet bundle is grasped, and the lowermost post-processing unit among the plurality of post-processing units is subjected to post-processing. Alternatively, a sheet receiving portion that supports the sheet bundle from below is provided, and among the plurality of post-processing units, the upper post-processing unit is one end side that supports the one end side of the sheet or sheet bundle to be post-processed from below. Separately from the sheet receiving portion of the lowermost post-processing unit, the guide member and the other end side guide member that supports the other end portion facing the one end portion of the sheet or sheet bundle to be post-processed from below It is characterized by having.

In the present invention, a plurality of post-processing units arranged side by side in the vertical direction can perform post-processing on one end side of a sheet or sheet bundle that is parallel to the sheet conveying direction when the sheet or sheet bundle is received by the receiving and conveying means.
In the upper post-processing unit, the one end side for post-processing the sheet or the sheet bundle is supported by the one end side guide member and the other end side is supported by the other end side guide member, and the one end side is supported by the gripping moving means. The sheet or sheet bundle can be delivered or post-processed with the part side held. Therefore, even if the sheet or sheet bundle to be post-processed is a sheet with a small basis weight or a sheet with low stiffness, the other end side of the sheet hangs down when performing the post-processing, and the predetermined post-processing It is possible to prevent the sheet or the sheet bundle from moving so as to be displaced from the position.
In addition, since the sheet or sheet bundle can be prevented from moving from a predetermined post-processing position so that the sheet or sheet bundle is displaced, the gripping movement means leaves a mark of the gripping movement means at the gripped position. There is no need to increase it.
Therefore, the post-processing position applied to the sheet or the sheet bundle by the upper post-processing unit can be accurately maintained.

  The present invention can provide the following sheet post-processing apparatus. A post-processing position in which a plurality of post-processing units that can perform post-processing are arranged in the vertical direction on one end side parallel to the sheet conveyance direction when receiving a sheet or sheet bundle, and applied to the sheet or sheet bundle by the upper post-processing unit Is a sheet post-processing apparatus capable of maintaining the above with high accuracy.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment. The schematic block diagram of a sheet | seat post-processing apparatus. Explanatory drawing of the conveyance direction of the sheet | seat which gave the post treatment. Explanatory drawing of the side parallel to the sheet | seat discharge direction of operation | movement of a proof tray. Explanatory drawing about the delivery of the sheet | seat when not providing the other end guide member in the proof tray.

  Hereinafter, an example in which an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a sheet post-processing apparatus 200 provided in a multifunction machine 800 that is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a multi-function device 800 according to the present embodiment, in which a sheet post-processing device 200 having various post-processing functions such as punching processing, binding processing, and shift processing is installed in the cylinder.
In the figure, a multifunction peripheral 800 according to the present embodiment includes a printer unit 100 that is an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet such as recording paper, a sheet post-processing device 200 that is a sheet post-processing unit, and an image reading unit. It is comprised from the image reading apparatus 300 which is.

  The printer unit 100 is an indirect transfer type tandem type color image forming apparatus, and includes an image forming unit 110 in which four color image forming stations 111Y, 111C, 111M, and 111B are arranged at a substantially central portion in the drawing. An optical writing device 8 is provided adjacently below the image forming unit 110, and a paper feeding unit 120 is provided below the optical writing device 8. Further, a sheet feeding conveyance path (vertical conveyance path) 130 that conveys the sheet P picked up by the sheet feeding unit 120 to the secondary transfer unit 140 and the fixing unit 150, and a sheet post-processing device 200 for the sheet P on which the toner image is fixed. A paper discharge conveyance path 160 for conveying the sheet to the side is provided. In addition, a double-sided conveyance path 170 is provided for reversing a sheet having an image formed on one side and forming an image on the other side.

  The four image forming stations 111Y, C, M, and Bk of the image forming unit 110 are provided with photoreceptor drums 20Y, C, M, and Bk corresponding to the respective colors. Further, along the outer periphery of each photosensitive drum 20Y, C, M, Bk, charging units 30Y, C, M, Bk, developing units 50Y, C, M, Bk, cleaning units 40Y, C, M, Bk, and static elimination Each unit (not shown) is arranged. An intermediate transfer belt 112 is provided so as to contact each of the photosensitive drums 20Y, 20C, 20M, and 20k from above. On the inner peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 112, primary transfer units 62Y, 62C, 62C for primary-transferring toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 20Y, C, M, and Bk onto the intermediate transfer belt 112. M and Bk are provided. Further, below each photosensitive drum 20Y, C, M, Bk, there is provided an optical writing device 8 for writing an electrostatic latent image for each color on each photosensitive drum 20Y, C, M, Bk.

  Above the image forming unit 110, toner storage containers 116Y, C, M, and Bk for replenishing the toners for the respective colors to the developing units 50Y, 50C, 50M, and Bk are disposed so as to be replaceable.

  The intermediate transfer belt 112 is rotatably supported by a plurality of support rollers, and one of the support rollers 114 is opposed to the secondary transfer roller 115 via the intermediate transfer belt 112 in the secondary transfer unit 140. The toner image primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 112 can be secondarily transferred onto the sheet by the secondary transfer unit 140. The image forming process of the indirect transfer tandem color image forming apparatus is well known and is not directly related to the gist of the present invention, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The sheet feeding unit 120 includes a sheet feeding tray 121, a pickup roller 122, and a sheet feeding / conveying roller 123, and sends the sheet P picked up from the sheet feeding tray 121 upward along the sheet feeding / conveying path 130. The fed sheet P is secondarily transferred with the toner image by the secondary transfer unit 140 and is sent to the fixing unit 150. The fixing unit 150 includes a fixing roller 150a and a pressure roller 150b. In the process where the sheet P passes through the nip between the two, heating and pressing are performed, and the toner image is fixed on the sheet P.

  A sheet discharge conveyance path 160 and a double-side conveyance path 170 are provided downstream of the fixing unit 150, both of which are branched in two directions by a branching claw 161 and conveyed to the sheet post-processing apparatus 200 side. The transport path is selected when transported to 170. A branch conveyance roller 162 is provided in the immediate vicinity of the branch claw 161 on the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction, and applies a conveyance force to the sheet P.

The sheet post-processing apparatus 200 performs a predetermined process on the image-formed sheet P conveyed from the printer unit 100 and stacks it on a post-processing tray 210 which is a post-processing sheet stacking unit located on the most downstream side. Alternatively, the sheet P is stacked on the stacking surface 601 of the proof tray 600 which is a discharged sheet stacking unit without performing post-processing on the image-formed sheet P conveyed from the printer unit 100. Details of the post-processing tray 210 and the proof tray 600 will be described later.
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the sheet post-processing apparatus 200 is disposed in a space provided between the image reading apparatus 300 and the printer unit 100. By disposing the sheet post-processing apparatus 200 in this way, it is possible to provide a multifunction device 800 that can be made smaller than a configuration in which the sheet post-processing apparatus is provided outside the image forming apparatus main body.

  The image reading device 300 is a known device that optically scans an original set on the contact glass 301 and reads an image on the original surface. Since the configuration and function of the image reading apparatus 300 itself are known and are not directly related to the gist of the present invention, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The printer unit 100 configured as described above generates image data used for writing based on document data read from the image reading device 300 or print data transferred from an external personal computer (PC) or the like. Based on the generated image data, optical writing is performed from the optical writing device 8 to each of the photosensitive drums 20Y, 20C, 20M, 20B, and 20K, and electrostatic latent images are formed on the photosensitive drums 20Y, 20C, 20M, and 20Bk. An image is formed. The electrostatic latent images formed on the photoconductor drums 20Y, C, M, and Bk are developed by the developing units 50Y, C, M, and Bk to form toner images, and the photoconductor drums 20Y, C, M, and Bk are developed. It is carried on Bk. The toner images formed for the respective colors at the image forming stations are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 112 by the primary transfer units 62Y, 62C, 62M, and 62K, and the four color toner images are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 112. A color toner image on which is superimposed is formed.

  On the other hand, the sheet P is fed from the paper feed tray 121 in accordance with the formation of the toner image. The fed sheet P temporarily stops at the position of a pair of registration rollers (not shown) immediately before the secondary transfer unit 140, and is sent out in time with the leading edge of the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 112. The toner image is secondarily transferred by the transfer unit 140. Thereafter, the sheet P on which the toner image has been secondarily transferred is sent to the fixing unit 150, where the toner image is fixed on the sheet P, and an image is formed on the sheet P.

The sheet P on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 150 is conveyed to the paper discharge conveyance path 160 side by the switching operation of the branching claw 161 in the case of single-sided printing and after double-sided printing of double-sided printing. On the other hand, in the case of double-sided printing after single-sided printing, it is conveyed to the double-sided conveyance path 170 side. The sheet P conveyed to the double-sided conveyance path 170 is reversed and sent again to the secondary transfer unit 140 and the fixing unit 150 to form an image on the other side, and then returned to the discharge conveyance path 160 side. The Then, the sheet P transported to the paper discharge transport path 160 side is transported to the sheet post-processing apparatus 200, and after post-processing is performed by the sheet post-processing apparatus 200, post-processing for stacking the post-processed sheets P The paper is discharged onto a post-processing tray 210 that is a sheet stacking unit. Alternatively, the sheet P that is not subjected to post-processing is discharged onto the stacking surface 601 of the proof tray 600 that is a discharge sheet stacking unit that directly stacks the sheets P.
Next, the sheet post-processing apparatus 200 that is a characteristic part of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  2A and 2B are schematic configuration diagrams of the sheet post-processing apparatus 200. FIG. 2A is a plan view of a main part of the sheet post-processing apparatus 200, and FIG. 2B is a main part of the sheet post-processing apparatus 200. It is explanatory drawing of the AA cross section in FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a conveyance direction of a sheet subjected to post-treatment.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the sheet post-processing apparatus 200 includes a punch unit 250 that is a punching unit that punches the sheet P, and a stapler 281 of a staple unit 280 that is a binding unit that binds the sheet P. It has. The staple unit 280 also has a shift function of sorting sheets or sheet bundles using the staple jogger fence 208 provided in the unit. As shown in FIG. 2B, the punch unit 250 is disposed above the stapler 281. That is, the punch unit 250 and the stapler 281 are arranged vertically. By arranging the punch unit 250 and the stapler 281 in series in the apparatus width direction, the sheet post-processing apparatus 200 in the sheet discharge direction from the printer unit 100 that is an image forming unit is arranged in this manner. Increase in size can be suppressed. That is, it is possible to suppress an increase in size in a direction parallel to the direction of arrow A (hereinafter referred to as the discharge direction A), which is the discharge direction from the printer unit 100 of the sheet post-processing apparatus 200 shown in FIG. Furthermore, the enlargement in the apparatus width direction of the multi-function apparatus 800 including the sheet post-processing apparatus 200 can be suppressed.

  Specifically, the sheet post-processing apparatus 200 is mainly configured as follows. On the most upstream side in the discharge direction A of the printer unit 100, a receiving conveyance path 500 having an inlet roller pair 201 that is a receiving conveyance unit that receives the sheet P from the printer unit 100 is disposed. A punch unit 250 is disposed on the downstream side of the receiving conveyance path 500, and a staple unit 280 is disposed below the punch unit 250. Then, the post-processed sheet P is disposed on the other end side opposite to the one end side of the sheet that is bound to the sheet P by the stapler 281 in the direction orthogonal to the discharge direction A with respect to the staple unit 280. Is disposed. As described above, the post-processing tray 210 on which post-processed sheets are stacked is disposed in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction A with respect to the staple unit 280 (hereinafter referred to as the post-processing direction B). Installation space in the direction will not be long.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a proof tray 600 for directly stacking sheets P not subjected to post-processing is rotated around a rotation axis orthogonal to the discharge direction A on the downstream side in the discharge direction A of the receiving conveyance path 500. It is provided to be movable. Then, as shown in FIG. 2B, the proof tray 600 has a second end guide member 602 that is the other end side guide member disposed at a predetermined gap below a member constituting the stacking surface 601 on which the sheets P are stacked. So as to maintain the same. The other end guide member 602 supports and guides the other end side opposite to the one end side where the sheet P is post-processed from below to the stop position of the sheet P when the sheet P is post-processed. It is. Further, when the sheet is transferred from the stop position to the punch unit 250 and the sheet is transferred from the punch unit 250 to the staple unit 280, the other end side of the sheet P is supported and guided from below.
Further, by providing the other end guide member 602 integrally with the proof tray 600, the other end guide member 602 can be prevented from being hindered even if the proof tray 600 is rotated downward.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the receiving conveyance path 500 is provided with an inlet roller pair 201 that receives the sheet P from the discharge conveyance path 160 of the printer unit 100 and conveys the sheet P downstream in the discharge direction A. In addition, an inlet upper guide plate 501 and an inlet lower guide plate 502 for guiding the sheet P to be received to the downstream side are also provided. Then, the sheet P is conveyed downstream in the discharge direction A along the inlet upper guide plate 501 and the inlet lower guide plate 502 by rotating the inlet roller pair 201 by an inlet motor (not shown). An entrance sensor 203 is disposed in the receiving conveyance path 500 to detect the leading edge and the trailing edge of the sheet P. The timing at which each sheet processing is performed is determined based on the detected timing of the leading and trailing edges of the sheet P and the number of steps of driving the inlet motor, which is a stepping motor. The inlet roller pair 201 provided along the inlet upper guide plate 501 and the inlet lower guide plate 502 functions as a conveying unit.

  As a configuration and arrangement of the sheet post-processing apparatus 200 downstream from the inlet roller pair 201, the multifunction apparatus 800 of the present invention performs the following sheet conveyance as the sheet conveyance in order to make the apparatus itself compact. As shown in FIG. 3, the transport of the sheet P from the printer unit 100 is transported in a state where the end of the sheet P in the short direction is orthogonal to the discharge direction A, which is the sheet transport direction (SEF transport: The sheet P is conveyed by “Short Edge Feed”. For this reason, the sheet post-processing apparatus 200 needs to perform post-processing such as a punch hole position C and a staple binding position D on one end side parallel to the discharge direction A as shown in FIG. Therefore, when post-processing is performed on the sheet P downstream of the inlet roller pair 201, the conveyance of the sheet P after the punch unit 250 is conveyed in the post-processing direction B indicated by the arrow B in FIG. The sheet P was post-processed by switching the direction.

Thus, by switching the conveyance direction of the sheet P after the punch unit 250, for example, the following problem in Patent Document 1 can be solved. In the sheet post-processing apparatus described in Patent Literature 1, the position on the sheet on which each post-processing is performed is an end portion side orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction on the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction. Therefore, in order to perform post-processing on one end side parallel to the longitudinal direction with a maximum size sheet, the sheet conveyance from the image forming unit is conveyed in a state where the short side direction of the sheet is parallel to the sheet conveyance direction. It is necessary to set it as feed conveyance (LEF conveyance: Long Edge Feed). Therefore, the total length in the sheet conveyance direction of each post-processing unit and the sheet stacking unit is arranged in a conventional manner in which a plurality of post-processing units and the sheet stacking unit are arranged in series in the sheet conveyance direction, and the sheet is conveyed in the vertical feed The possibility of being shorter than the configuration is high.
However, the width of the sheet conveyance path orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction needs to be at least as long as the longitudinal direction of the maximum size sheet. For this reason, a plurality of post-processing units that perform post-processing on one end side of the sheet parallel to the sheet conveying direction and the sheet stacking unit cannot be disposed in a space-saving manner, and the sheet post-processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus are arranged in the sheet conveying direction. There is a high possibility of increasing the size in the orthogonal direction.

  Further, the following members are mainly arranged on the punch stage that punches the sheet P by the punch unit 250 arranged on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction of the receiving conveyance path 500, that is, on the downstream side in the discharge direction A. ing. Punch thrusting, which is a regulating member that regulates the movement in the post-processing direction B of the sheet P that is gripped and moved by the punch 401, and a clamp 401 that is a gripping movement means of a clamp unit 400 that is a delivery transport means, which will be described in detail later. A backing plate 211 is disposed. A punch base (not shown), which is a punching table that supports the sheet P to be punched from below, is provided below the punch unit 250. The punch material is punched by hitting the blade 251 against the sheet P on the punch table.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the sheet P conveyed from the entrance roller pair 201 is supported in a state where one end portion where the punching process is performed is supported by the punch base of the punch unit 250 and the lower gripping portion of the clamp 401. Enter the punch stage where the drilling process is performed. That is, the punch base of the punch unit 250 and the lower gripping portion of the clamp 401 function as one end side guide members on one end side of the sheet P. At this time, the left side (the front side of the apparatus) in FIG. 2B, which is the other end side, enters the punch stage to be drilled while being supported by the other end guide member 602. That is, as a guide means for guiding the punch base of the punch unit 250, the lower gripping portion of the clamp 401, and the other end guide member 602 to the stop position when post-processing is performed on the sheet P conveyed by the inlet roller pair 201. Function. Then, the positioning is performed at the sheet feed amount by the inlet roller pair 201, that is, the stop position of the movement of the sheet P in the discharge direction A by the inlet roller pair 201.

  Here, in the plurality of post-processing units arranged in the vertical direction as in the sheet post-processing apparatus 200 of the present embodiment, except for the lowermost post-processing unit, most of the sheets subjected to post-processing are supported continuously from below. It is difficult to provide a sheet receiving member. For this reason, the other end side facing the one end side of the sheet to be post-processed hangs down, and the one end side of the sheet cannot be guided to a predetermined processing position, or the posture of the sheet on the one end side to which the post-processing is performed is There is a risk that it may change and normal post-processing may not be performed. Therefore, in the sheet post-processing apparatus 200 of this embodiment, when the one end side of the sheet of the punch unit 250 that is not the lowermost post-processing unit is guided to the processing position, the other end side of the sheet P is supported from below. The other end guide member 602 for guiding is provided. By providing the other end guide member 602 in this manner, the posture of the sheet when performing post-processing can be stabilized without using the lowermost staple unit 280. As a result, it is possible to prevent the one end side of the sheet P from being guided to a predetermined processing position, or the posture of the one end side sheet P to be post-processed from changing to prevent normal post-processing from being performed. .

  Further, in the punch unit 250, one end portion where the punching process of the sheet P or the sheet bundle is performed is supported by the punch base of the punch unit 250 and the lower gripping portion of the clamp 401, and the other end portion is supported by the other end guide member 602. Then, the sheet P or the sheet bundle can be transferred to the staple unit 280 or the punching process can be performed with the clamp 401 holding the one end side. Therefore, even if the sheet P or the sheet bundle to be punched is a sheet having a low basis weight or a sheet having a low waist, the other end side of the sheet hangs downward when performing the punching process, and the punch hole position It is possible to prevent the sheet P or the sheet bundle from moving so as to slip from C. That is, a plurality of post-processing units that can perform post-processing are arranged in the vertical direction on one end side parallel to the sheet conveyance direction when the sheet P or the sheet bundle is received, and are applied to the sheet or the sheet bundle by the upper post-processing unit. A sheet post-processing apparatus that can maintain the post-processing position with high accuracy can be provided. Further, since it is possible to prevent the sheet P or the sheet bundle from moving so as to deviate from the punch hole position C, the clamp 401 marks the clamp 401 at a position where the clamp 401 holds the pressure of the sheet P or the sheet bundle. There is no need to increase it as much.

  The sheet P that has been positioned in the discharge direction A is in the stop position, and one end side is gripped by the clamps 401 of the two clamp units 400. The gripped sheet P is transferred to the punch unit 250 by being drawn into the punch unit 250 side in the post-processing direction B orthogonal to the discharge direction A. Then, the back side of the apparatus of the sheet P gripped by the clamp 401 and moved to the punch unit 250 side in the post-processing direction B abuts against the punch abutting plate 211 having a surface parallel to the discharge direction A, so that the post-processing direction The position of the B sheet P is determined. Thereafter, the sheet P positioned in the discharge direction A and the post-processing direction B is punched by the punch unit 250.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the clamp 401 of the clamp unit 400 has a discharge direction A composed of two upper and lower parallel straight portions and two arc portions connecting these end portions in the vertical direction. It is comprised so that it may move on the track | orbit orthogonal to. Further, when the clamp 401 moves on the track, it moves with reference to the support shaft of the lower gripping portion of the clamp 401, but the lower gripping portion is configured not to rotate.

The sheet P after the punch hole is punched on one end side is moved in a track perpendicular to the discharge direction A of the clamp 401 of the clamp unit 400, and the punch unit is held by the clamp 401 in the one end side. Extruded from 250. One end side of the extruded sheet P moves downward while drawing a substantially arc-shaped locus as the clamp 401 moves. And it will be drawn in to the recessed part which performs the binding process formed in the stapler 281 of the staple unit 280 arrange | positioned under the punch unit 250. FIG.
That is, the clamp unit 400 moves the one end portion side of the sheet P in the direction away from the other end guide member 602, and the other end portion side of the sheet P is pulled down from the other end guide member 602. The sheet P can be delivered to.

The staple unit 280 is mainly composed of a stapler 281 and a staple tray 206 which is a sheet receiving part constituting a part of the staple stage.
A rear end reference that is a restricting member that restricts movement of the sheet P toward the rear side of the apparatus in the post-processing direction B of the sheet P on the rear side of the apparatus in the post-processing direction B of the staple stage, that is, the rear side of the apparatus of the staple tray 206. A fence 207 is arranged. Further, at both ends of the staple tray 206 in the discharge direction A, a staple jogger fence 208 that performs alignment in the discharge direction A of the sheet P or the sheet bundle is disposed. Then, a post-processing direction B that is a post-processing sheet conveying unit that conveys the post-processed sheet P or the sheet bundle to a post-processing tray 210 that is a post-processing sheet stacking unit disposed on the front side of the apparatus in the post-processing direction B. The staple tray 206 is provided with a discharge claw 231 that can be moved to the front.

  The other end side of the sheet P is dropped from the end of the other end guide member 602 on the punch unit 250 side by the movement of the one end side of the sheet P drawn into the concave portion formed in the stapler 281 for performing the binding process. To do. Even after the other end side of the sheet P is detached from the other end guide member 602, the sheet P is continuously drawn into the concave portion for performing the binding process formed on the stapler 281 by the movement of the clamp 401. This pull-in is continued with the clamp 401 holding the one end portion side of the sheet P until the green end portion on one end portion side of the sheet P hits the rear end reference fence 207.

  When the green end on one end side of the sheet P hits the rear end reference fence 207, the clamp 401 changes from a state in which the sheet P is gripped (closed) to a state in which the sheet P is opened (open). Even after the sheet P is opened, the clamp 401 continues to move, and the clamp 401 moves so as to pull out the lower gripping portion from below the sheet P whose movement is restricted by the trailing edge reference fence 207. And the one end part side (apparatus back side) of the sheet | seat P falls from a lower holding part. In this way, when one end of the sheet P is dropped from the lower gripping portion of the clamp 401, the sheet P is dropped onto the staple stage in a state where positioning (alignment) in the post-processing direction B is performed. Become.

  Further, in the sheet post-processing apparatus 200 of the present embodiment, a punch unit 250 that performs a punching process, which is a post-processing that can be performed on a sheet-by-sheet basis, is disposed on the upstream side of the sheet delivery. A staple unit 280 for performing a binding process, which is a post-process that needs to be performed in units of a plurality of sheets, is disposed below the punch unit 250 on the downstream side of the sheet delivery. By arranging each post-processing unit as described above, the waiting time for sheet delivery when performing a plurality of post-processing is reduced, or other post-processing is performed in advance or after the fact using other post-processing devices. The need can be eliminated. Therefore, a plurality of post-processing using a plurality of post-processing units provided can be applied to the sheet by a series of image forming processes.

  In the above description, the configuration in which the sheet P is conveyed onto the staple stage when the punching process, the binding process, and the like are performed on the sheet P has been described. On the other hand, when post-processing such as punching processing is not performed, the sheet P shown in FIG. 2B is guided from the state where the punch stage of the punch unit 250 and the other end guide member 602 are guided to the stop position of the punch stage. The proof tray 600 is lowered. Then, the sheet P conveyed from the receiving conveyance path 500 having the inlet roller pair 201 is directly stacked on the stacking surface 601 of the proof tray 600. Details of the straight mode, which is the operation mode of the sheet post-processing apparatus 200 that directly stacks the sheet P conveyed from the receiving conveyance path 500 on the stacking surface 601 of the proof tray 600, will be described later.

  Further, when other post-processing is performed without performing punching processing, the sheet P guided to the stop position of the punch stage by the punch base of the punch unit 250 and the other end guide member 602 is held by the clamp 401 and punched. Pull in to the unit 250 side. Then, after the sheet P is positioned by abutting the green end of the sheet P on the back side of the apparatus against the punch abutting plate 211, the punch 401 is pushed out from the punch unit 250 without performing the punching process. After the sheet P is pushed out from the punch unit 250, the one end portion side of the sheet P is moved up and down in the same manner as described above to perform positioning in the post-processing direction B on the one end portion side of the sheet P and the staple stage. Drop it down.

  After the sheet P is dropped onto the stipple stage of the stipple unit 280, a shift mode in which the sheet P is shifted and discharged, and a binding process that applies a binding process to a sheet bundle made up of a plurality of sheets are discharged. Different in pull mode. Therefore, the following description will be made by adding the configuration of each part for each mode.

(Shift mode)
The shift mode is a function that sorts sheets or sheet bundles on the post-processing tray 210 for each predetermined number of sheets as viewed from the front side of the multi-function device 800 shown in FIG. 1 without performing binding processing on the sheets P. Mode.
The staple tray 206 is provided with the staple jogger fence 208 as described above, and is inserted into a guide shaft (not shown) fixed to the staple tray 206. Further, the staple jogger fence 208 is connected to a stepping motor via a timing belt (not shown). The staple jogger fence 208 is configured to be able to move independently by performing linear reciprocation in the discharge direction A by forward and reverse rotation driving of the stepping motor.

  After the sheet P is dropped onto the staple stage of the staple unit 280, the sheet 401 is post-processed in the sheet conveyance direction in the sheet post-processing apparatus 200 by abutting the rear end of the sheet against the rear end reference fence 207 by the clamp 401. Direction B alignment is performed. Then, alignment in the discharge direction A orthogonal to the post-processing direction B, which is the sheet conveyance direction in the sheet post-processing apparatus 200, is performed by the staple jogger fence 208.

  When sorting sheets every predetermined number of sheets, the alignment position by the staple jogger fence 208 orthogonal to the post-processing direction B that is the sheet conveyance direction of the sheet post-processing apparatus 200 is set as the discharge direction that is the sheet conveyance direction of the printer unit 100. Shift by the amount to shift (move) to A. Then, the sheet P or the sheet bundle is conveyed from the staple tray 206 to the post-processing tray 210 by extruding the back side of the apparatus of the sheet P or the sheet bundle by the discharge claw 231. By transporting the sheet to the post-processing tray 210 in this way, when the sheets are stacked on the post-processing tray 210, the discharge positions are alternately shifted every predetermined number of sheets, and the sheets are sorted.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the discharge claw 231 is attached to a discharge claw belt 233 consisting of a timing belt, and rotates via the drive belt 234 when the discharge claw drive source 232 consisting of a stepping motor rotates. (See FIGS. 5A and 5B).
In addition, a sheet pressing member 220 for pressing the sheet P or the sheet bundle stacked on the post-processing tray 210 is disposed on the attachment portion of the post-processing tray 210 to the main body of the sheet post-processing apparatus 200. The sheet pressing member 220 performs a sheet pressing releasing operation and a sheet pressing operation by turning on / off the solenoid 221. That is, the solenoid 221 is turned on in accordance with the conveyance of the sheet P or the sheet bundle, and the pressing operation of the sheet pressing member 220 is released. Further, when the sheet P or the sheet bundle passes through the sheet discharge roller 209, the solenoid 221 is turned off to perform sheet pressing.

  The post-processing tray 210 includes a fixed tray section 222a on the downstream side in the post-processing direction B and a movable tray section 222b on the upstream side, and the movable tray section 222b moves up and down by a tray DC motor 223a and a cam / link mechanism 223b. The movable tray portion 222b is pivotally supported by the fixed tray portion 222a via the pivot shaft 223c with the upstream end as a pivot end, and the operating end of the cam / link mechanism 223b is the movable tray 208b. It is connected to. With this configuration, the tray DC motor 223a rotates, and the movable tray portion 222b swings around the rotation shaft 223c according to this rotation.

  When the number of discharged sheets reaches a certain number, the movable tray unit 222b rotates the tray DC motor 223a according to a command from a control unit described later, and lowers the free end of the movable tray unit 222b. In addition, a tray paper surface sensor (not shown) is arranged on the sheet pressing member 220. If the tray paper surface sensor is off (OFF) while the sheet pressing member 220 is performing sheet pressing, the movable tray portion 222b is moved to the paper surface sensor. Raise until is turned on. On the other hand, if the tray paper surface sensor is on (ON), the movable tray portion 222b is lowered until the tray paper surface sensor is once turned off (OFF). Then, the height of the sheets stacked on the movable tray portion 222b is kept constant by raising it until it is turned on again.

  As described above, the free end of the movable tray unit 222b is moved up and down according to the sheet stacking state of the post-processing tray 210, and the distance from the sheet stacking surface of the staple tray 206 to the sheet stacking unit of the movable tray unit 222b is kept constant. . By keeping in this way, the contact angle between the sheet P or the sheet bundle pushed out from the staple tray 206 by the discharge claw 231 and the movable tray portion 222b is made constant, and the sheets P or the sheet bundle loaded on the post-processing tray 210 are aligned. The quality can be stabilized. Also, a large number of sheets can be loaded. By repeating the above operation, the sheets P or sheet bundles sorted on the post-processing tray 210 are stacked.

(Stipple mode)
The staple mode is a mode in which when a sheet is discharged, a binding process is performed by the stapler 281 every predetermined number of sheets, and the sheet bundle is transferred onto the post-processing tray 210.
In the stipple mode, the sheet rear side end, which is the end on one end side of the sheet P, is pushed out of the punch unit 250 by the clamp 401. More specifically, the clamp 401 moves until the back end of the sheet abuts against the rear end reference fence 207 by the vertical movement of the clamp unit 400 to perform post-processing, and the post-processing direction B, which is the sheet conveyance direction in the sheet post-processing apparatus 200. Consistency. This alignment is performed with reference to the rear end reference fence 207 by abutting the rear end of the sheet against the rear end reference fence 207. The rear end reference fence 207 is fixed to the staple tray 206, and the height direction is lower than the front edge of the stapler, so that it does not get in the way even if the stapler moves.

  When the rear end abutment of the sheet P is completed, the post-processing direction which is the sheet conveyance direction of the sheet post-processing apparatus 200 is performed by the staple jogger fence 208 disposed on the staple tray 206 as described in the shift mode. The sheets in the direction orthogonal to B are aligned. As shown in FIG. 2A, the staple tray 206 is provided with a staple jogger fence 208 (alignment plate), and the staple jogger fence 208 is fixed to the staple tray 206 and is not illustrated. Inserted into the shaft. Further, the staple jogger fence 208 is connected to a stepping motor via a timing belt (not shown). Then, the reciprocating linear movement is performed by forward / reverse rotation driving of the stepping motor, and each of the staple jogger fences 208 can be driven independently. The staple tray 206 is also provided with a home sensor that detects the standby position of the staple jogger fence 208.

  Then, after the binding process, the trailing end of the sheet bundle is pushed out by the discharge claw 231, and the sheet bundle is discharged to the post-processing tray 210. The discharge claw 231 moves around by the discharge claw belt 233. This rotation is performed by rotating the stepping motor in one direction by the discharge claw drive source 232 via the drive belt 234 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B). During discharge of the sheet bundle, the solenoid 221 is turned on to release the sheet pressing member 220, and the post-processing tray 210 is further lowered by a certain amount. Next, the solenoid 221 is turned OFF to perform sheet pressing.

(Straight mode)
In the straight mode, the sheet P received from the image forming apparatus is discharged onto the stacking surface 601 of the proof tray 600 without post-processing.
In the straight mode, the sheet P received from the printer unit 100 of the multi-function device 800 is not gripped by the clamp 401 from the stop position and moved up and down, and is transported by the inlet roller pair 201 while being transported by the pair of entrance rollers 201. The paper is directly discharged onto 601.

In the post-processing mode described above in the shift mode or the stipple mode, the other end guide member 602 provided integrally with the lower portion of the proof tray 600 has been conveyed from the inlet roller pair 201 onto the upper surface. The sheet P is received and predetermined post-processing is performed.
However, in the straight mode, the upstream end of the stacking surface 601 of the proof tray 600 in the discharge direction A, which is the sheet conveyance direction from the printer unit 100, is connected to the entrance roller pair 201 by a conveyance destination switching unit (not shown). Lower to a height lower than the nip. That is, the upstream end of the stacking surface 601 of the proof tray 600 on the upstream side in the discharge direction A, which is the sheet conveyance direction from the printer unit 100, is lower than the stop position of the sheet P when post-processing is performed. Then, the sheet P is lowered to a height at which it can be stacked.
When switching from the straight mode to the post-processing mode, the proof tray 600 is conveyed by the conveyance destination switching means, and the other end guide member 602 provided integrally therewith is conveyed from the inlet roller pair 201 on the upper surface. The sheet P is raised to a position where it can be received.

  As described above, the conveyance destination of the sheet from the receiving conveyance path 500 can be switched as follows by the conveyance destination switching unit according to the presence or absence of post-processing. The position can be switched between a predetermined stop position where the sheet is delivered to the post-processing tray 210 via the punch unit 250 and the staple unit 280 and on the stacking surface 601 of the proof tray 600. Therefore, when no post-processing is performed on the sheet P, the sheet P can be directly discharged onto the stacking surface 601 of the proof tray 600.

  Next, the operation of the proof tray 600 and the configuration to be operated will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a side surface parallel to the discharge direction A of the operation of the proof tray 600. FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram in the straight mode, and FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram in the post-processing mode.

  In the straight mode, as shown in FIG. 4A, the proof tray 600 is lowered so as to accept the sheet P conveyed at a position slightly lower than the entrance lower guide plate 502. Yes. In each mode in which post-processing is performed, as shown in FIG. 4B, the other end guide member 602 provided at the lower portion of the proof tray 600 is at the same level as or slightly lower than the entrance lower guide plate 502. It waits so that the other end part side (front side of the apparatus) of the conveyed sheet P can be guided. The standby position is also a position where the sheet P can be conveyed to the gap between the open gripping portions of the two clamps 401 facing the entrance lower guide plate 502 in the post-processing direction B.

  Next, a difference in delivery of the sheet P between the case where the other end guide member 602 is provided as in the sheet post-processing apparatus 200 of the present embodiment and the case where the other end guide member 602 is not provided will be described with reference to the drawings. . FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for the delivery of the sheet P when the other end guide member 602 is provided on the proof tray 600 and when the other end guide member 602 is not provided.

The posture of the sheet P when being punched by the punch unit 250 while being held by the clamp 401 is supported at both ends when the other end guide member 602 is provided. It is possible to take a stable P1 posture indicated by a solid line. Since a stable posture can be taken in this way, it is possible to prevent the leading end of the sheet P from dripping and shifting from the processing position of the punch unit 250. Therefore, the punching unit 250 can perform the punching process in an accurate state without dripping the leading edge of the sheet P.
On the other hand, when the other end guide member 602 is not provided, since only the punch unit 250 side is supported, the leading end of the sheet P hangs down due to its own weight and assumes a posture of P2 indicated by a broken line in FIG. Since the leading edge of the sheet P hangs down in this way, the rear end side (one end side) of the sheet P may be displaced from the processing position of the punch unit 250 in some cases. If such a deviation occurs, the punch unit 250 cannot perform the punching process in an accurate state.

  Further, the posture of the sheet P when it is transferred from the punch unit 250 to the staple unit 280 is as follows. When the other end guide member 602 is provided, when moving so as to be pushed out from the punch unit 250, the other end side is supported by the other end guide member 602 and moved, and stable P1 indicated by a solid line in FIG. Can take the attitude. Therefore, even when a sheet having a small basis weight or a sheet with a low waist is used, it is possible to prevent the sheet P from drooping and hitting the stipple tray 206 of the stipple unit 280 to cause the sheet to be curled. Further, when the trailing end side (one end side) of the sheet P is pulled into the stapler 281 of the staple unit 280, the moving direction of the leading end of the sheet is reversed and moves so as to be dragged. Since the sheet moves in this way, the occurrence of sheet curling can be suppressed even when a sheet having a small basis weight or a sheet having a low waist is used. Further, since the other end guide member 602 is provided integrally with the proof tray 600, accurate punching processing and sheet curling can be suppressed while preventing an increase in the size and cost of the sheet post-processing apparatus 200.

  On the other hand, when the other end guide member 602 is not provided, when moving so as to be pushed out from the punch unit 250, first, the leading end of the sheet P hangs down by its own weight, and the posture of P2 indicated by the broken line in FIG. Become. At this time, when a sheet having a small basis weight or a sheet having a low waist is used, the leading end of the sheet P abutted without slipping in the pushing direction as in the posture of P3 indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. There is a case where the rear side of the sheet P moving with the place as a fulcrum wraps around in the pushing direction. When the rear side of the sheet P turns around in this way, the sheet curls.

  In the conventional configuration, for example, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, when performing punching processing on a sheet with the punching unit, the upstream end portion of the sheet discharged from the image forming unit in the sheet conveying direction is connected to one end of the punching unit. The drilling process is performed by stopping on the part-side guard member (guide plate). At this time, the sheet to be punched is discharged downstream of the punching position in the sheet conveying direction to the pair of conveying rollers (conveying rollers) close to the punching position and the sheet receiving portion of the binding unit on the downstream side. Is sandwiched between a pair of discharge rollers (discharge rollers). Furthermore, a plurality of sensors for detecting the stop position of the sheet and a position adjusting means for the punching mechanism part (drilling mechanism part) for operating the blade part (core material) of the punching unit are provided and detected by the plurality of sensors. Based on the detected result, the position of the punching mechanism is finely adjusted. By configuring the punching unit in this manner, it is considered that the position where the punching process is performed on the sheet can be accurately performed.

However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, if a sheet having a small basis weight (thin) or a sheet having a low waist is used, the sheet may be rounded when the sheet is transferred from the punching unit to the binding unit. . For this reason, the subject that the request | requirement of diversifying the sheet | seat which performs a post-processing cannot fully be satisfied occurred.
Specifically, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, the sheet delivered from the punching unit to the binding unit is carried out in a substantially horizontal direction from the punching unit regardless of whether or not the binding process is performed on the sheet. The unloaded sheet hits the surface of the sheet receiving portion of the binding unit that is inclined so that the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction becomes higher with the leading end side being bent downward by its own weight, and sequentially from the leading end side along the surface. Ascend while touching. Thereafter, when the binding process is performed, when the trailing end of the sheet is released from the punching unit side, the raised sheet slides down to the processing position and is aligned in the sheet conveyance direction. On the other hand, when the binding process is not performed, the leading end of the sheet enters the nip portion of the pair of discharge rollers (discharge rollers) that is provided on the most downstream side of the sheet receiving portion of the binding unit and is driven to rotate. The sheet is discharged to the side sheet stacking unit.

  As described above, regardless of whether or not the sheet is subjected to the binding process, the sheet delivered from the punching unit to the binding unit is inclined so that the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction is higher with the leading end side bent downward. It strikes against the surface of the sheet receiving part of the binding unit. Since the sheet hits the surface of the inclined sheet receiving part in this way, the sheet is larger than the case where the leading end of the sheet hits the surface of the sheet receiving part that is not inclined when the end of the sheet hits the surface of the sheet receiving part. Therefore, when the leading edge of the sheet hits the surface of the sheet receiving part, the sheet curls so that the rear side of the sheet moving around the hitting point wraps around without slipping upward. May occur.

  For example, Patent Document 2 describes a configuration of an image forming apparatus including the following guide member as a configuration that suppresses the occurrence of defects caused by the rounded sheets. A guide member that guides the leading end of the sheet to be conveyed (discharged) into an upper space (discharge space) formed by the stacking tray portion (discharge tray) and the bottom (top surface) of the member above it. An attached endless belt is provided along the sheet conveying direction. When the sheet is conveyed to the upper space of the stacking tray portion, the guide member protruding to the upper space engages with the leading end portion of the sheet, and is driven and moved at the same speed as the sheet conveying speed, thereby curling the sheet. Is to suppress the occurrence of

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 describes a configuration of a paper discharge device provided with the following sheet leading edge guide means. A fan-shaped rail member facing the inclined surface of the sheet stacking portion and a guide member (holding member) guided thereby are configured. The guide member is composed of a rotatable Z-shaped holding piece on which the leading end of the sheet or sheet bundle is placed in an unconstrained state. The guide member moves using a force transmitted from the leading end portion of the sheet or sheet bundle placed in an unconstrained state when the sheet or sheet bundle is conveyed. Then, when reaching a position where the fan-shaped rail member is not restricted, the Z-shaped holding piece rotates to positively open the leading end of the sheet or sheet bundle. In this manner, the leading edge of the sheet or sheet bundle is guided in a non-restrained state with a fan-shaped track facing the inclined surface of the sheet stacking unit, thereby suppressing the occurrence of sheet curling.

  However, in the configuration using the drive source described in Patent Document 2, the mechanism portion provided in the upper space of the stacking tray portion may be increased in size and cost may be increased. Further, in the configuration that does not use the driving source described in Patent Document 3, when a sheet having a small basis weight or a sheet with a low waist is conveyed, a guide member that guides the leading end of the sheet is a resistance for sheet conveyance. There is a risk that a conveyance failure will occur.

  Further, as a configuration of the transport destination switching unit, an upstream end portion of the proof tray 600 is centered on a rotation axis orthogonal to the sheet transport direction provided downstream of the proof tray 600 in the sheet transport direction (discharge direction A). Any configuration can be used as long as it can be rotated. Moreover, the structure which does not enlarge the sheet | seat post-processing apparatus 200 is more preferable. In the sheet post-processing apparatus 200 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a link mechanism (not shown) is provided in a portion of the proof tray 600 above the other end guide member 602 provided integrally with the proof tray 600. The conveyance destination is switched by moving up and down.

What has been described above is merely an example, and the present invention has a specific effect for each of the following modes.
(Aspect A)
Accepting and conveying means such as an acceptance conveying path 500 that accepts a sheet or sheet bundle such as an image-formed sheet P and conveys the sheet or sheet bundle downstream in the sheet conveying direction at the time of receiving; A plurality of post-processing units such as a punch unit 250 and a staple unit 280, which are disposed at a downstream position in the sheet conveying direction and perform post-processing on a sheet or a sheet bundle conveyed by the receiving and conveying unit; and the receiving and conveying unit A sheet post-processing device such as a sheet post-processing apparatus 200 provided with a transfer and conveying means such as a clamp unit 400 that sequentially transfers the sheet or sheet bundle that has been transported and stopped at a predetermined stop position to the plurality of post-processing units. In the apparatus, the plurality of post-processing units are configured to convey the sheet or the sheet bundle subjected to post-processing. A clamp 401 that performs post-processing on one end side parallel to the direction and is arranged side by side in the up and down direction, and the delivery conveying means performs delivery while holding the one end side of the delivered sheet or sheet bundle. A post-processing unit such as a lowermost staple unit 280 of the plurality of post-processing units includes a staple tray 206 that supports a sheet or a sheet bundle to be post-processed from below. Among the plurality of post-processing units, a post-processing unit such as the upper punch unit 250 is a punch table or a grip for supporting the one end side of the sheet or sheet bundle to be post-processed from below. One end side guide member such as a lower gripping portion of the moving means and the other end side facing the one end side of the sheet or sheet bundle to be post-processed are supported from below. That the other end portion side guide member and the sheet receiving portion of the post-processing unit of the lowermost of such other end guide member 602 is characterized in that it has separate.
According to this, as described in the present embodiment, the following sheet post-processing apparatus can be provided. A plurality of post-processing units that can perform post-processing are arranged in the vertical direction on one end side parallel to the sheet conveying direction when receiving a sheet such as a sheet P or a sheet bundle, and the post-processing unit such as the upper punch unit 250 A sheet post-processing apparatus such as a sheet post-processing apparatus 200 that can accurately maintain a post-processing position applied to a sheet or a sheet bundle.

(Aspect B)
In (Aspect A), the delivery conveyance means such as the reception conveyance path 500 transfers sheets or sheet bundles such as sheets P from the post-processing unit such as the upper punch unit 250 to the post-processing unit such as the lower staple tray 206. When delivering, the end on the one end side of the sheet or sheet bundle from the one end side guide member of the upper post-processing unit by the gripping and moving means such as the clamp 401 is orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction. An operation of pushing in the direction, and an operation of pulling the end of the sheet or sheet bundle on the one end side guide member of the lower post-processing unit or a predetermined position above the one end side guide member During the pull-in operation of the gripping movement means, the sheet or sheet bundle from above the other end side guide member of the upper post-processing unit It is characterized in that dropping the end of the serial other end.
According to this, as described in the present embodiment, the sheet such as the sheet P conveyed by the receiving and conveying means such as the receiving and conveying path 500 is received by the post-processing unit such as the lower staple tray 206. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of sheet curling when being passed.

(Aspect C)
In (Aspect A) or (Aspect B), when the receiving and conveying means such as the receiving and conveying path 500 receives a sheet or sheet bundle such as the sheet P with respect to the plurality of post-processing units such as the punch unit 250 and the staple unit 280. In the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction, such as the sheet conveyance direction, and disposed on the other end side opposite to the one end side of the sheet or sheet bundle to be post-processed by the plurality of post-processing units. A post-processing sheet stacking unit such as a post-processing tray 210 for stacking processed sheets or sheet bundles, and a staple of a post-processing unit such as a staple unit 280 on the most downstream side in the sheet delivery direction among the plurality of post-processing units. A discharge claw 231 for delivering a sheet or a bundle of sheets from a sheet receiving unit such as a pull tray 206 to the post-processing sheet stacking unit And processing the sheet conveying means, it is characterized in that it comprises a.
According to this, as described in the present embodiment, a plurality of sheet post-processing units and stacking trays are arranged in series in the sheet conveying direction, and the vertical processing is performed on one end side parallel to the sheet conveying direction of the sheet. The size in the sheet conveying direction can be reduced as compared with the conventional configuration in which feeding and conveying are performed. In addition, a plurality of sheet post-processing units and stacking trays are arranged in series in the sheet conveyance direction, and post-processing is performed on one end side orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction of the sheet. The size in the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction of an image forming apparatus such as the machine 800 can be reduced.

(Aspect D)
In any one of (Aspect A) to (Aspect C), the plurality of post-processing units include at least a punching unit such as a punch unit 250 that performs punching processing on a sheet or a sheet bundle, and a stitch that performs binding processing on a sheet bundle. A binding unit such as a pull unit 280 is included, and the binding unit is disposed below the punching unit.
According to this, as described in the present embodiment, a plurality of post-processing using a plurality of post-processing units such as the punch unit 250 and the stipple unit 280 are performed on a sheet in a series of image forming processes. Can do.

(Aspect E)
In any one of (Aspect A) to (Aspect D), the sheet such as a sheet conveyance direction when the reception conveyance unit receives a sheet or a sheet bundle such as a sheet P with respect to the reception conveyance unit such as the reception conveyance path 500. A discharge sheet stacking unit such as a proof tray 600 that is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction and stacks sheets or sheet bundles transported by the receiving transport unit without post-processing on a stacking surface such as a stacking surface 601 And the stop position where the transport destination of the sheet or sheet bundle from the receiving transport means is sequentially transferred to the plurality of post-processing units such as the punch unit 250 and the staple unit 280, and the discharge sheet stacking unit. Transport destination switching means such as a link mechanism 506 for switching to any one of the stacking surfaces.
According to this, as described in the present embodiment, when post-processing is not performed, sheets or sheet bundles such as sheets P are stacked on the proof tray 600 or the like without passing through a plurality of post-processing units. It can be loaded on a loading surface such as the loading surface 601 of the unit. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sheet from being rounded when the post-processing is not performed.

(Aspect F)
(Aspect A) to (Aspect E), the other end guide member provided in the post-processing unit such as the punch unit 250 above the post-processing unit such as the staple unit 280 on the most downstream side in the sheet delivery direction. The other end side guide member such as 602 is provided integrally with the discharged sheet stacking portion such as the proof tray 600.
According to this, as described in the present embodiment, accurate punching processing and sheet curling can be suppressed while preventing an increase in the size and cost of a sheet post-processing apparatus such as the sheet post-processing apparatus 200.

(Aspect G)
In an image forming apparatus such as a multi-function machine 800 provided with a sheet post-processing device that performs post-processing on a sheet such as a sheet P after image formation by an image forming unit such as the printer unit 100, the sheet post-processing device A sheet post-processing apparatus such as the sheet post-processing apparatus 200 according to any one of (Aspect A) to (Aspect F) is provided.
According to this, as described in the present embodiment, the multi-function device 800 that can achieve the same effect as the sheet post-processing apparatus such as the sheet post-processing apparatus 200 of any one of (Aspect A) to (Aspect F). An image forming apparatus such as can be provided.

(Aspect H)
(Aspect G) includes an image reading unit such as an image reading device 300 that reads an image of a document, and a sheet post-processing device in a space provided between the image reading unit and the image forming unit such as the printer unit 100. The sheet post-processing apparatus such as 200 is arranged.
According to this, as described in the present embodiment, an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction machine 800 that can be reduced in size than a configuration in which a sheet post processing apparatus such as the sheet post processing apparatus 200 is provided outside the image forming apparatus main body is provided. can do.

8 Optical writing device 20Y, C, M, Bk Photosensitive drum 30Y, C, M, Bk Charging unit 40Y, C, M, Bk Cleaning unit 50Y, C, M, Bk Developing unit 62Y, C, M, Bk Primary Transfer unit 100 Printer unit 110 Image forming unit 111Y, C, M, Bk Image forming station 112 Intermediate transfer belt 114 Support roller 115 Secondary transfer roller 116Y, C, M, Bk Toner container 120 Paper supply unit 121 Paper supply tray 122 Pickup roller 123 Paper feed roller 130 Paper feed path 140 Secondary transfer unit 150 Fixing unit 150a Fixing roller 150b Pressure roller 160 Paper discharge path 161 Branching claw 162 Branching conveyance roller 170 Double-sided conveyance path 200 Sheet post-processing device 201 Inlet Roller pair 203 Entrance sensor 206 Staple tray 2 7 Rear end reference fence 208 Staple jogger fence 208b Movable tray 209 Discharge roller 210 Post-processing tray 211 Punch abutting plate 212 Discharge guide plate 220 Sheet pressing member 221 Solenoid 222a Fixed tray portion 222b Movable tray portion 223a Tray DC motor 223b Cam link mechanism 223c Rotating shaft 231 Discharge claw 232 Discharge claw drive source 233 Discharge claw belt 234 Drive belt 250 Punch unit 251 Blade material 280 Stiple unit 281 Stiplar 300 Image reading device 301 Contact glass 400 Clamp unit 401 Clamp 500 Receiving conveyance Road 501 Entrance upper guide plate 502 Entrance lower guide plate 506 Link mechanism 600 Proof tray 601 Loading surface (proof tray)
602 Other end guide member 800 MFP P sheet

JP 2006-240759 A Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-082326 JP 2000-103560 A

Claims (8)

Receiving and conveying means for receiving an image-formed sheet or sheet bundle and conveying the sheet or sheet bundle downstream in the sheet conveying direction when receiving;
A plurality of post-processing units that are arranged at a position downstream of the receiving and conveying means in the sheet conveying direction and that perform post-processing on the sheet or sheet bundle conveyed by the receiving and conveying means;
In a sheet post-processing apparatus comprising: a transfer conveying unit that sequentially transfers a sheet or a sheet bundle conveyed by the receiving conveyance unit and stopped at a predetermined stop position to the plurality of post-processing units;
The plurality of post-processing units perform post-processing on one end side parallel to the sheet conveying direction of the sheet or sheet bundle to be post-processed, and are arranged in the vertical direction.
The delivery conveying means has a gripping moving means for delivering in a state of gripping the one end side of the delivered sheet or sheet bundle,
Among the plurality of post-processing units, the lowermost post-processing unit has a sheet receiving portion that supports a sheet or a sheet bundle to be post-processed from below,
Among the plurality of post-processing units, the upper post-processing unit includes an end-side guide member that supports the one-end side of the sheet or sheet bundle subjected to post-processing from the lower side, and the sheet or sheet bundle subjected to post-processing. A sheet post-processing apparatus, comprising: a second-end-side guide member that supports the other-end portion facing the one-end portion from the lower side separately from the sheet receiving portion of the lowermost post-processing unit. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The delivery conveying means, when delivering a sheet or sheet bundle from the upper post-processing unit to the lower post-processing unit,
By the gripping movement means,
An operation of pushing the end on the one end side of the sheet or the sheet bundle in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction from above the one end side guide member of the upper post-processing unit;
With the operation of pulling the one end side end of the sheet or sheet bundle into a predetermined position on the one end side guide member of the lower post-processing unit or above the one end side guide member,
During the pulling-in operation of the gripping movement means, the end of the sheet or sheet bundle on the other end side is dropped from the other end side guide member of the upper post-processing unit. apparatus. In the sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
It is a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction with respect to the plurality of post-processing units, and is disposed on the other end side facing the one end side of the sheet or sheet bundle to be post-processed by the plurality of post-processing units. A post-processing sheet stacking unit for stacking post-processed sheets or sheet bundles;
A post-processing sheet conveying unit that transfers a sheet or a bundle of sheets from a sheet receiving unit of the post-processing unit on the most downstream side in the sheet transfer direction to the post-processing sheet stacking unit among the plurality of post-processing units; A sheet post-processing apparatus. In the sheet post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The plurality of post-processing units include a punching unit that performs punching processing on at least a sheet or a sheet bundle, and a binding unit that performs binding processing on a sheet bundle,
The sheet post-processing apparatus, wherein the binding unit is disposed below the punching unit. In the sheet post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A discharge sheet stacking unit that is disposed on the downstream side in the sheet transport direction with respect to the receiving transport unit and stacks sheets or sheet bundles transported by the receiving transport unit without performing post-processing on a stacking surface;
A transport destination switching unit that switches the transport destination of the sheet or the sheet bundle from the receiving transport unit to one of the stop position sequentially transferred to the plurality of post-processing units and the stacking surface of the discharged sheet stacking unit. And a sheet post-processing apparatus. In the sheet post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The other end side guide member provided in the post-processing unit above the post-processing unit on the most downstream side in the sheet delivery direction is provided integrally with the sheet discharge sheet stacking unit. apparatus. In an image forming apparatus provided with a sheet post-processing device that performs post-processing on a sheet after image formation by an image forming unit,
An image forming apparatus comprising the sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 as the sheet post-processing apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7.
It has an image reading unit that reads the image of the document,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the sheet post-processing device is disposed in a space provided between the image reading unit and the image forming unit.

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