JP6545858B2 - Sheet binding apparatus and image forming system provided with the same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is related to the sheet stapling device for stapling the sheet on which an image is formed.

  Generally, this type of apparatus is disposed downstream of the image forming apparatus, receives an image-formed sheet, stacks it on a tray, and is widely used as a sheet storage apparatus. There is also known a configuration of a post-processing apparatus that post-processes a sheet received from an image forming apparatus, such as a binding process, a folding process, and a bookbinding process, and stores the sheet in a stack tray.

Further, Patent Document 1 discloses a post-processing apparatus that stacks sheets sent from an image forming apparatus on a processing tray and performs binding processing, and then stores the sheets in a downstream stack tray.

JP, 2010-159144, A

An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet binding processing apparatus capable of executing a plurality of binding processing.

The present invention is a sheet processing apparatus for processing a sheet , comprising: a conveying unit for conveying the sheet; a stacking unit on which the sheet conveyed in the conveying direction by the conveying unit is stacked; and the sheet stacked on the stacking unit First regulation means for regulating the position of the sheet bundle in the intersecting direction by contacting an end of the bundle in a direction intersecting the transport direction , and a sheet bundle stacked on the stacking means By moving the sheet bundle in the crossing direction by controlling the position of the sheet bundle in contact with the end in the transport direction, the sheet bundle is moved from one side to the other side of the apparatus. While moving from the other side to the one side and in contact with the first restriction means, the one end of the sheet bundle and the second restriction means are in contact with each other. Sheet bundle including a first binding unit for binding a corner portion of the sheet bundle including the end portion of the sheet bundle in the transport direction with a needle, a first pressing unit, and a second pressing unit; For binding the sheet bundle by the first pressing unit and the second pressing unit, and one end of the sheet bundle in contact with the first restricting means, and , said second regulating means is in contact with the end portion of the sheet bundle in the conveying direction, including the corner portion of the sheet bundle, and a second binding unit for binding without using a needle, the said first 2 binding unit, wherein the first pressure and the second pressure is configured to be movable integrally Rutotomoni, without moving integrally with the first binding unit, away from the first binding means configured to be movable in a state, the distance that can move the first binding unit, the second binding unit is a mobile That is longer than the distance, characterized in that.

The present invention can execute a plurality of binding processes .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Explanatory drawing of the whole structure of the image forming system concerning this invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of the overall configuration of a sheet post-processing device in the image forming system of FIG. 1; The path principal part enlarged view of the apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a manual set portion in the sheet post-processing apparatus of FIG. 2; (A) shows 1st Embodiment of a manual feed set part, (b) is an arrangement | positioning relationship figure of the paper mounting surface of a processing tray, and a set surface. The 2nd Embodiment of the manual feed set part in the apparatus of FIG. 2 is shown, (a) is side surface sectional drawing, (b) shows front sectional drawing. The state figure which opened the opening-closing cover of the apparatus of FIG. Trajectory of staple unit and eco-stitching means. Explanatory drawing which shows the arrangement | positioning relationship between the alignment position in the apparatus of FIG. 2, and a staple unit. Explanatory drawing of the differential means of the binding means in the apparatus of FIG. Explanatory drawing of the raising / lowering mechanism of the stack tray in the apparatus of FIG. FIG. 7A is an operation explanatory view of a sheet bundle delivery unit, in which (a) shows a state in which the sheet bundle is positioned at the binding position on the processing tray, and (b) shows a state in the middle of transferring the sheet bundle from the processing position to the downstream side FIG. 7C shows a state immediately before the sheet bundle is discharged to the downstream stack tray. The structure of the binding means based on this invention is shown, (a) is structure explanatory drawing of a staple unit, (b) is structure explanatory drawing of an eco binding unit. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration in the device of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the binding process and the discharge operation in the apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is an operation flowchart of the jog division paper discharge mode. FIG. 2 shows a flow of a sheet discharge mode in the apparatus of FIG. 1, (a) shows a bookbinding processing sheet discharge mode, and (b) shows an operation flowchart of a printout sheet discharge mode.

[Image forming apparatus]
An image forming apparatus A in the image forming system shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The illustrated image forming apparatus A represents an electrostatic printing mechanism, and is configured of an image forming unit A1, a scanner unit A2, and a feeder unit A3. The device housing 1 is provided with mounting legs 25 installed on the installation surface (for example, a floor surface). Further, a sheet feeding unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a sheet discharging unit 4 and a data processing unit 5 are incorporated in the apparatus housing.

  The sheet feeding unit 2 includes cassette mechanisms 2 a to 2 c that store sheets of a plurality of sizes for forming an image, and feeds sheets of the size designated by the main control unit 90 to the sheet feeding path 6. For this purpose, a plurality of cassettes 2a to 2c are detachably disposed in the apparatus housing 1, and each cassette incorporates a separation mechanism for separating sheets inside one by one and a paper feeding mechanism for feeding out the sheets. The sheet feeding path 6 is provided with a conveying roller 7 for feeding the sheets supplied from the plurality of cassettes 2a to 2c to the downstream side, and a registration roller pair 8 for aligning the leading end of each sheet at an end of the path. .

  A large-capacity cassette 2d and a manual feed tray 2e are connected to the above-described paper feed path 6, and the large-capacity cassette 2d is configured of an optional unit for storing sheets of a size that consumes a large amount. It is possible to supply special sheets such as thick paper sheets, coated sheets, and film sheets which are difficult to separate and feed.

  The image forming unit 3 shows an electrostatic printing mechanism as an example, and includes a photosensitive member 9 (drum, belt), a light emitter 10 for emitting an optical beam to the photosensitive member, a developing device 11 (developer), and a cleaner (not shown). (Shown) is disposed around the rotating photoreceptor. What is illustrated shows a monochrome printing mechanism, in which a latent image is optically formed on a photosensitive drum 9 by a light emitter, and a toner ink is attached to the latent image by a developer 11.

  Then, the sheet is sent from the sheet feeding path 6 to the image forming unit 3 at the timing when the image is formed on the photosensitive member 9, the image is transferred onto the sheet by the transfer charger 12, and the fixing unit (roller ) Fix it at 13. A sheet discharge roller 15 and a sheet discharge outlet 16 are disposed in the sheet discharge path 14, and the sheet is conveyed to a sheet post-processing apparatus B described later.

  The scanner unit A2 described above includes a platen 17 on which an image original is placed, a carriage 18 reciprocating along the platen, a light source mounted on the carriage, and light reflected from the original on the platen to the photoelectric conversion means 19. It is comprised by the reduction optical system 20 (combination of a mirror and a lens) to guide. Indicated at 21 is a second platen (traveling platen), and the sheet fed from the feeder unit A3 is image-read by the carriage 18 and the reduction optical system 20 described above. Although the photoelectric conversion means 19 photoelectrically converts, it electrically transfers the image data to the image forming unit 3.

  The feeder unit A3 includes a sheet feeding tray 22, a sheet feeding path 23 for guiding a sheet fed from the sheet feeding tray to the traveling platen 21, and a sheet discharging tray 24 for storing a document whose image has been read by the platen.

  The image forming apparatus A is not limited to the above-described mechanism, and may employ an offset printing mechanism, an inkjet printing mechanism, a printing mechanism of an ink ribbon transfer printing mechanism (thermal transfer ribbon printing, sublimation type ribbon printing, etc.).

[Sheet Post-processing Device]
The sheet post-processing apparatus B, as an apparatus for post-processing the sheet carried out from the sheet discharge outlet 16 of the image forming apparatus A, has the following functions: (1) A function of stacking and storing sheets on which an image is formed (first and third processing units B1 , B3: printout mode), (2) a function of storing the image-formed sheet in portions (third processing unit B3; jog sorting mode), and (3) collating and accumulating the image-formed sheets A function to perform binding processing (first processing unit B1; binding processing mode), and (4) a function to perform folding processing and bookbinding finishing after partially aligning and binding an image-formed sheet (second processing unit B2; bookbinding Processing mode).

  In the present invention, the sheet post-processing apparatus B does not have to have all the functions described above, and may be appropriately configured according to the apparatus specification (design specification). Also in this case, a processing unit (first processing unit B1) for collating and stacking sheets, and the first and second binding means (needle binding unit 47 and stapleless binding unit 51 described later) in this processing unit, A stack configuration for storing after being subjected to the binding process by the selected binding means is required.

  A detailed configuration of the sheet post-processing apparatus B is shown in FIG. The sheet post-processing apparatus B has a loading port 26 connected to the discharge port 16 of the image forming apparatus A, and a storage section (a first stack tray 49 and a second stack tray 61 described later) after post-processing the sheet loaded from the loading port. , And the third stack tray 71).

  The illustrated apparatus transfers the sheet fed to the sheet loading path 28 from the first processing unit B1 to the first stack tray 49 (hereinafter referred to as “first tray”) and the second processing tray B2 to the second stack tray 61 ( The third processing unit B3 transfers the sheet to the third stack tray 71 (hereinafter, referred to as "third tray") to the "second tray".

The first processing unit B1 is disposed at a path exit (sheet discharge port) 35 of the sheet carry-in path 28 and performs partial sorting, stacking, and binding processing on sequentially sent sheets, and then a first tray (first storage portion; The same thing is stored in 49. The second processing unit B2 is disposed at a path exit 62 (a second switchback path end described later) branched from the sheet carry-in path 28 and performs folding processing after performing partial sorting and stacking processing on sequentially sent sheets. 2) The tray is stored in a tray 61 (second storage unit; the same applies to the following). The third processing unit B3 is incorporated in the sheet carry-in path 28, offsets a sheet to be conveyed by a predetermined amount in the orthogonal direction, divides the sheet, and stores the sheet in the third tray (third storage unit; the same hereinafter) 71.
Each component will be described in detail below.

"Device housing"
As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet post-processing apparatus B includes an apparatus housing 27, a sheet carry-in path 28 incorporated in the apparatus housing and having a carry-in port 26 and a paper discharge port 35. A first processing unit B1 and a second processing unit B2 that perform post-processing, a third processing unit B3, and first, second, and third trays 49, 61, and 71 that store sheets sent from the respective processing units. ing. The illustrated apparatus housing 27 is disposed at substantially the same height as the housing 1 of the image forming apparatus A located on the upstream side, and the discharge port 16 of the image forming apparatus A and the loading port 26 of the sheet post-processing apparatus B from the installation surface. Are linked.

  An apparatus housing 27 shown in FIG. 2 is composed of an apparatus frame 70 and an exterior cover 73. The device frame 70 forms a framework of a box-type device as illustrated, and includes a front side frame 70f located on the front in the state of FIG. 1 and a rear side frame 70r located on the rear. It is comprised by the stay member (connection reinforcement member) which connects between both-sides frame. A sheet carry-in path 28, a processing tray 37, a stack tray 49, and the like, which will be described later, are attached between the left and right side frame frames.

  The exterior cover 73 is composed of a front cover 73f that covers the side frame frame 70f on the front side and a rear cover 73r that covers the side frame frame on the rear side. The device housing 27 is not limited to the shape shown in the drawings, but of course, the device frame 70 is not limited to the left and right side frames and the connection stay structure, and various frame structures such as a monocoque structure can be adopted. It is.

"Seat transfer path"
The sheet carry-in path 28 is configured as a linear path crossing the apparatus housing 27 in a substantially horizontal direction, and the carry-in port 26 connected with the discharge port (main body discharge port) 16 of the image forming apparatus A A delivery outlet 35 is provided on the opposite side across the surface. In the sheet carry-in path 28, a conveyance roller 29 (a sheet conveyance unit such as a roller or a belt) for conveying a sheet from the carry-in port 26 toward the discharge port 35 and a discharge roller 36 disposed at the discharge port 35. A sheet may be a belt, an inlet sensor S1 for detecting the front and rear end of the sheet carried into the path, and a sheet discharge sensor S2 for detecting the front and rear end of the sheet at the path sheet discharge port.

  The sheet loading path 28 described above is connected so as to separate and transport the sheet from the loading port 26 to the first processing unit B1 and the second processing unit B2, and the second processing unit B2 is disposed upstream of the path discharge direction. The first processing unit B1 is connected to the side. The substantially linear sheet carry-in path 28 is branched so as to transport the sheet from the carry-in port 26 toward the second processing unit B 2, and is then disposed downstream of the path discharge port 35. It has a route configuration for guiding to the processing unit B1.

  Further, a third sheet discharge path (printout sheet discharge path) 30 for guiding sheets not subjected to post-processing in the first and second processing units B1 and B2 to the third tray 71 is connected to the above-described sheet loading path 28. The third tray (overflow tray) 71 guides the sheet. A third processing unit B3 is built in the sheet carry-in path 28. The processing unit B performs jog sorting to offset and divide the sheet conveying the path in the sheet discharge orthogonal direction. That is, the third processing unit B3 is built in the sheet carry-in path 28, and the sheets jog-sorted by this processing unit are stored in the third tray 71.

  In the sheet carry-in path 28, as shown in FIG. 2, the "third paper discharge path 30", the "second paper discharge path 32", and the "first paper discharge path 31" are arranged in the downstream direction from the carry in 26 The first path switching means 33 and the second path switching means 34 are disposed at the positions shown. Further, the second sheet discharge path 32 and the first sheet discharge path 31 are configured by switchback paths that reverse the sheet conveyance direction and guide them to each processing unit.

  The third sheet discharge path 30 guides the sheet sent from the inlet 26 to the third tray, and the second sheet discharge path 32 guides the sheet sent from the inlet 26 to the second tray 61. The sheet discharge path 31 guides the sheet from the inlet 26 to the first tray 49. Then, the sheets guided to the third tray 71 are subjected to jog sorting processing by the third processing unit B3 in the path, and the sheets guided to the second tray 61 are bookbinding processing by the second processing unit B2 and are processed to the first tray 49. The sheet to be guided is subjected to a binding process in the first processing unit B1.

  The first path switching means 33 is constituted by a flapper guide for changing the sheet conveying direction, and is connected to driving means (electromagnetic solenoid, mini motor, etc.) not shown. The switching means 33 selects whether the sheet from the loading port 26 is to be guided to the third sheet discharge path 30 or to the first and second sheet discharge paths 31 and 32.

  The second path switching means 34 selects whether the sheet sent from the loading port 26 is to be guided to the second processing unit B2 or to the first processing unit B1 on the downstream side thereof. Driving means (not shown) is also connected to the second path switching means 34. Further, in the sheet carry-in path 28, a punch unit 50 for punching a punched hole in the carried-in sheet is disposed.

[First processing unit]
The first processing unit B1 includes a processing tray 37 disposed on the downstream side of the sheet carry-in path 28 for partially aligning and stacking the sheets sent from the paper discharge port 35 and a binding processing mechanism for binding and stacking the stacked sheet bundle. Be done. As shown in FIG. 2, a step is formed at the discharge port 35 of the sheet carry-in path 28, and the processing tray 37 is disposed therebelow, and conveyed from the discharge port between the discharge port 35 and the processing tray A first sheet discharge path (first switchback path) 31 is formed which guides the sheet onto the tray by reversing the direction.

  Between the discharge port 35 and the processing tray 37, a sheet loading mechanism for loading a sheet from the discharge port onto the tray, and in the processing tray 37, a positioning mechanism for positioning the sheet at a predetermined binding position; A sheet bundle delivery mechanism is disposed which delivers the sheet bundle subjected to the binding process to the downstream first tray 49. Each configuration will be described later.

  The processing tray 37 shown in FIG. 2 supports the sheet fed from the sheet discharge outlet 35 in a bridge between the processing tray 37 and the downstream first tray 49. That is, the sheet fed from the paper discharge port 35 is configured to be bridged and supported at the leading end thereof on the uppermost sheet of the downstream first tray 49 and the trailing end thereof on the processing tray 37. There is.

[Second processing unit]
The second sheet discharge path (second switchback path) 32 is branched and connected upstream of the first sheet discharge path (first switchback path) 31 in the above-described sheet loading path 28. And guides the sheet to the second processing unit B2. The second processing unit B2 collates and stacks the sheets sent from the sheet carry-in path 28, and performs a binding process on the central portion and an in-folding process (hereinafter referred to as "magazine finishing"). A second tray 61 is disposed downstream of the second processing unit B2 to store the sheet bundle subjected to bookbinding processing.

  The second processing unit B2 is positioned by the guide member 66 for stacking the sheets in a bundle, the regulation stopper 67 (the illustrated one is the leading edge regulation stopper) for positioning the sheet at a predetermined position on the guide member, and the positioning A stapling device 63 (saddle-stitching staple unit) for binding and processing the central portion of the sheet, and a folding mechanism (folding roller pair 64 and folding blade 65) for folding the sheet bundle at the central portion after the binding processing .

  The saddle-stitching staple unit 63 has a sheet central portion (a line (line) in a state in which the sheet bundle is sandwiched between the head unit and the anvil unit as disclosed in JP 2008-184324 A, JP 2009-051644 A, etc. A mechanism for moving the position along the) and binding processing is adopted.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the folding mechanism adopts a configuration in which the fold of the sheet bundle is inserted into the folding roll pair 64 in pressure contact with each other by the folding blade 65 and is folded by rolling of the roll pair. Such a mechanism is also disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2008-184324 and 2009-051644.

  The illustrated first processing unit B1 and the sheet loading path 28 are disposed substantially in the horizontal direction, and the second sheet discharge path 32 for guiding the sheet to the second processing unit B2 is disposed in the vertical direction, and the sheets are aligned and stacked. The guide member 66 is disposed substantially in the vertical direction. By arranging the sheet carry-in path 28 in the direction crossing the apparatus housing 27 and arranging the processing paths (parts) 32 and B2 in the vertical direction, the apparatus can be slimmed.

  A second tray 61 is disposed downstream of the second processing unit B2, and stores a bundle of sheets folded in a magazine shape. The illustrated second tray 61 is disposed below the first tray 49. The height position at which the sheet on the tray can be easily taken out is set in the first tray 49 because the device specification is such that the frequency of use of the first tray 49 is higher than that of the second tray 61.

"Third processing unit"
In the sheet carry-in path 28, a third sheet discharge path 30 is formed on the upstream side of the first sheet discharge path 31 and the second sheet discharge path 32, and guides the sheet to the third tray 71 from the sheet input port 26. Then, a roller shift mechanism (not shown) for offsetting the sheet to be conveyed by a predetermined amount in the orthogonal direction is disposed in the path for guiding the sheet from the loading port 26 to the third tray 71 (loading path or third discharge path) ing.

  Then, the posture in the orthogonal direction of the sheet to be discharged to the third tray 71 is offset (offset) and stored on the tray so that the sheet is divided into sets from the loading port 26. Since various mechanisms are known for this jog sorting mechanism, the description thereof is omitted.

[Configuration of manual feed set portion]
A sheet processing mechanism section for guiding sheets from the sheet carry-in path 28 to the processing tray 37 for post-processing, and storing the sheet in the stack tray 49 in the apparatus housing 27 and inserting a sheet bundle created externally on the exterior cover 73 A manual feed set unit 77 is provided to perform the binding process. The manual feed setting unit 77 is convenient if a binding processing mechanism is provided on the exterior of the sheet post-processing apparatus B when, for example, the operator performs bundle alignment and binding processing of original sheets read in image. For this reason, the operator sets the sheet bundle, which has been aligned, to a part of the casing, and is equipped with a mechanism for performing a binding process using a staple device incorporated in the inside and other binding processing devices.

  The manual feed set portion 77 disposed for the above purpose includes a slit opening 77a, a set surface 77b and a restricting surface 77c, and a binding processing unit for binding and processing a sheet bundle set on the set surface is disposed inside the apparatus Be done.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a slit-like opening 77a is disposed in the front cover 73f, and the sheet bundle S is inserted from the outside. The illustrated apparatus is disposed at a position to support the sheet bundle at a position adjacent to each other on the same plane as the processing tray 37 described according to FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 5B, the set surface 77b is disposed in substantially the same plane at a position adjacent to the paper loading surface 37a of the processing tray via the side frame 70f.

  This is a sheet manually set by moving a binding processing unit 47 (stapler unit) movable along the edge of the processing tray 37 described later on a set surface 77 b disposed at a position adjacent to the processing tray 37. This is for binding the bundle. For this reason, the setting surface 77b is disposed in a relationship to form the same plane as the sheet mounting surface 47a of the processing tray described above.

  The slit-like opening 77a is formed in the front cover 73f so that the sheet bundle can be inserted into the set surface 77b (the same plane as the processing tray). The front cover 73 f (in whole or in part) in which the slit-like opening 77 a is formed is hinged to the apparatus frame 70 so as to be openable and closable. The open state is shown in FIG. 7 additionally, the side frame frame 70f on the front side is formed of a frame plate, and a front cover 73f is attached to the side frame frame so as to be opened and closed by a hinge 78. An open / close switch (mechanical switch, photo switch; not shown) is disposed at the openable / closable connection portion, and it is detected whether the front cover 73f is in the open state (open) or in the closed state (closed). Do. The control means 95 described later supplies or shuts off the stapler unit power in response to the ON / OFF signal from the open / close switch.

[First embodiment of manual feed set portion]
A first embodiment of the manual feed setting unit 77 shown in FIG. 5A will be described. The manual feed set portion 77, which is disposed on the exterior cover 73 of the sheet post-processing apparatus B and inserts the sheet bundle from the outside and performs binding processing, includes a slit opening 77a, a set surface 77b, and a restricting surface 77c. The slit-like opening 77a is formed in a part of the exterior cover, and is formed of an opening into which the sheet bundle can be inserted from the outside. That is, the opening of the slit-like opening 77a is configured to be capable of receiving a sheet bundle from the outside. The set surface 77b is formed by a plate member on which the lower surface of the sheet bundle inserted from the slit opening 77a is placed, and is formed by a sheet support surface flush with the sheet mounting surface 37a of the processing tray described above. The restricting surface 77c is formed of a wall surface which abuts and restricts the edge of the sheet bundle inserted along the set surface 77b.

  That is, the sheet bundle S manually inserted from the slit opening 77a is inserted into the binding position along the set surface 77b, and the end face is impacted and restricted on the binding position control surface 77c. As a result, the sheet bundle S inserted from the outside is supported at its lower surface by the set surface 77b, and its end surface is abutted against the control surface 77c to be positioned at a predetermined binding position. A stapling device (binding unit) 47 is incorporated inside the set surface 77b and the restricting surface 77c, and the device shown can be moved between the binding position of the processing tray 37 and the binding position of the setting surface 77b. It is supported by a guide rail and moved by a drive mechanism equipped with a shift motor.

  The slit-like opening 77a is formed in the front cover 73f and is an opening having an opening height H1 (dimension in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle) and a flange 79 shown in FIG. 5A. That is, the slit opening 77a is integrally molded with the front cover 73f by resin molding. The set surface 77b is a plate member attached to the apparatus frame (the illustrated one is the side frame frame 70f on the front side), and has a support surface for supporting the lower surface of the sheet bundle. The restriction surface 77c is attached to the apparatus frame in the same manner as the set surface 77b. Further, the binding unit 47 is supported to move along the first and second travel rails 53 and 54 disposed on the apparatus frame 70.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the slit opening 77a is attached to the front cover 73f, the set surface 77b and the restriction surface 77c are attached to the apparatus frame 70, and the front cover 73f is attached to the apparatus frame 70 so as to be openable and closable. Then, the binding unit 47 slidably mounted on the apparatus frame 70 is moved to the manual binding position Mp set on the setting surface 77 b and binding processing is performed. At the same time, the binding unit 47 replenishes the staple (staple needle cartridge) at the manual binding position Mp or in a posture shifted a predetermined distance from the binding position to the front side.

  Therefore, the slit-like opening 77a is disposed in the front cover 73f which can be opened and closed by resin molding or the like, and the setting surface 77b and the restriction surface 77c are disposed in the same device frame as the binding unit 47. As a result, even if positional deviation occurs in the front cover 73f, the sheet bundle to be stapled is positioned on the setting surface 77b and the restriction surface 77c.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the opening height H1 and the opening width L1 of the slit opening 77a are the bundle thickness regulation height H2 formed above the set surface 77b, and the sheet support surface width L2 is H1> H2 and L2> L1 is set. That is, the opening height H1 of the slit opening 77a is set larger than the bundle thickness restriction height H2 formed above the set surface 77b.

  As a result, the sheet inserted from the slit-like opening 77a is height-restricted by the set surface 77b, and a sheet bundle having a thickness larger than the allowable thickness passes through the opening 77a, but further insertion is blocked by the set surface 77b. Further, the sheet supporting surface width L2 of the set surface 77b is formed larger (longer) than the opening width L1 of the front cover 73f. Further, an inclined guide surface for guiding the sheet bundle S to the set surface is formed in the flange 79 of the opening 77a. The leading end of the sheet bundle is guided to the set surface along the inclined guide surface.

[Second embodiment of the manual feed set portion]
A second embodiment of the manual feed setting unit 77 shown in FIG. 6 will be described. About the same composition as a 1st embodiment, the same numerals are attached and the explanation is omitted. In the illustrated example, the relationship between the opening height H1 of the slit-like opening 77a and the bundle thickness restriction height H2 above the set surface is set such that the opening height H1 <the restriction height H2. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. With such a relationship, the exterior cover 73 is formed with a minimum opening, so that foreign matter does not enter the interior carelessly.

[Binding processing operation of manual feed set portion]
The binding processing operation in the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above will be described. The control unit 95 described later waits for the binding unit 47 at the manual binding position or in the vicinity thereof in the operation mode in which the binding process is not performed on the processing tray 37 (the post-processing in the second and third processing units B2 and B3 described above). Let In the illustrated apparatus, the home position of the binding unit 47 is set to the manual binding position Mp.

  Further, a sheet bundle detecting means 98 as shown in FIG. 6 is provided on the restricting surface 77c. The illustrated mechanism determines whether or not the sheet bundle S exists on the set surface 77b in a state where the sheet bundle S abuts on the control surface 77c by detecting the flag member 98f protruding in the sheet insertion direction from the control surface 77c with a photo sensor. Do. Then, when the sheet bundle detection means 98 detects the sheet bundle S, a binding process execution signal is transmitted to the binding unit 47.

"Configuration of first processing unit"
The respective configurations of the sheet loading mechanism, the sheet positioning mechanism, the binding processing mechanism, and the sheet bundle delivery mechanism of the first processing unit B1 described above will be described.

"Sheet loading mechanism"
As shown in FIG. 3, between the sheet discharge outlet 35 and the processing tray 37, reverse conveyance mechanisms 41 and 42 for switchback conveying the sheet from the sheet discharge outlet in the sheet discharging direction and the sheet discharging opposite direction, and the sheet A guide mechanism (sheet guide member) 44 for guiding to the side, and a scraping rotating body 46 for guiding the sheet to the leading edge regulating means are disposed.

  The reverse conveyance mechanism includes an elevation roller 41 moving up and down between an operating position engaged with the sheet carried onto the processing tray and a standby position spaced apart, and a paddle rotating body 42 conveying the sheet in the opposite direction to the sheet discharge. The lifting roller 41 and the paddle rotating body 42 are attached to the swing bracket 43.

  A swing bracket 43 is disposed on the apparatus frame 27a so as to be swingable about a rotation shaft 36x (the illustrated one is a discharge roller shaft), and the rotation shafts of the elevating roller 41 and the paddle rotating body 42 are bearing-supported by this bracket ing. A lift motor (not shown) is connected to the swing bracket 43, and moves up and down between a working position where the mounted lift roller 41 and the paddle rotating body 42 are engaged with the sheet and a standby position separated from the sheet.

  A drive motor (not shown) is connected to the elevating roller 41 and the paddle rotating body 42, and the driving is transmitted such that the elevating roller 41 rotates in the forward and reverse direction and the paddle rotating body 42 rotates in the reverse direction (discharge opposite direction). ing. Further, on the processing tray 37, a driven roller 48 which is in pressure contact with the elevating roller 41 is disposed, and the sheet is nipped by a single sheet or a bundle of sheets and discharged to the downstream side.

  A guide mechanism for guiding the rear end of the sheet carried onto the processing tray toward the regulating means 38 is disposed between the elevating roller 41 and the scraping rotary member 46 described later, and the one shown in FIG. The sheet guide member 44 moves up and down from the dotted line state to the solid line state, and this guide member 44 retracts to the dotted line position when the sheet is discharged from the sheet discharge port 35, and the sheet rear end passes the sheet discharge port 35 Later, the rear end of the sheet is guided onto the processing tray. For this reason, a drive mechanism (not shown) is connected to the sheet guide member 44, and moves up and down according to the timing of guiding the rear end of the sheet from the sheet discharge outlet 35 onto the processing tray.

"Sheet positioning mechanism"
In the processing tray 37, positioning mechanisms 38 and 39 for positioning the sheet at a predetermined binding position are disposed, and the illustrated ones have sheet end regulating means 38 for butting the rear end of the sheet and regulating the sheet side edge It is comprised by the side edge alignment means 39 positioned in a center reference (one side side reference) position.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet end regulating means 38 is constituted by a stopper member which abuts and regulates the rear end of the sheet. Although the side edge alignment member 39 will be described later according to FIG. 9, the illustrated apparatus discharges the sheet from the sheet carry-in path 28 on the basis of the center and positions it on the same center basis according to the binding mode or Positioning

"Side edge alignment means"
The side edge alignment plates 39F and 39R, as shown in FIG. 9, project upward from the sheet mounting surface 37a of the processing tray 37, have control surfaces 39x engaged with the side edges of the sheet, and are arranged to face each other Do. Then, the pair of side edge alignment means 39 is disposed on the processing tray 37 so as to be capable of reciprocating with a predetermined stroke. This stroke is set by the size difference between the maximum size sheet and the minimum size sheet and the offset amount for moving the sheet bundle after alignment in either the left or right direction (offset conveyance).

  That is, the movement strokes of the left and right side edge alignment means 39F, 39R are set by the movement amount for aligning different size sheets and the offset amount of the sheet bundle after alignment. The offset movement of the side edge alignment plates 39F and 39R moves the sheet carried out at the center reference at the time of corner binding to the right at the time of right corner binding and to the left at the time of left corner binding. This offset movement is executed one by one each time a sheet is carried into the processing tray 37 (for each carried-in sheet), or any method for moving the bundle for bundle processing after the sheets are aligned. To adopt.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the side edge alignment means 39 is composed of the right side edge alignment member 39F (apparatus front side) and the left side edge alignment member 39R (apparatus rear side). The control surfaces 39x engaged with the ends are supported by the processing tray 37 so as to move toward or away from each other. The processing tray 37 is provided with a slit groove (not shown) passing through the front and back, and a side edge alignment means 39 having a control surface 39x engaging with the sheet side edge is slidably fitted on the tray upper surface from this slit ing.

  Each side edge alignment member 39F, 39R is slidably supported by a plurality of guide rollers 80 (may be rail members) on the rear side of the tray, and a rack 81 is integrally formed. Alignment motors M1 and M2 are connected to the left and right racks 81 via pinions 82. The left and right alignment motors M1 and M2 are configured by stepping motors, and position sensors (not shown) detect the positions of the left and right side edge alignment members 39F and 39R, and the alignment values are used as a reference It is configured to be able to move in position by a designated movement amount.

  It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the side edge aligning members 39F and 39R are fixed to the timing belts and connected to the motors for reciprocating the belts with the pulleys without using the illustrated rack-pinion mechanism.

  With such a configuration, the control means 95 described later brings the left and right side edge aligning members 39F and 39R to a predetermined standby position (sheet width size + α position) based on sheet size information provided from the image forming apparatus A or the like. Let it wait. Then, in the case of "multi-stitching", the sheet is carried onto the processing tray 37, and the alignment operation is started at the timing when the sheet end abuts on the rear end regulating means 38. In this alignment operation, the left and right alignment motors M1 and M2 are rotated in the opposite direction (approaching direction) by the same amount.

  Then, the sheets carried into the processing tray 37 are positioned on the basis of the sheet center and stacked in a bundle. The sheets are collated and collected in a bundle on the processing tray 37 by repeating the sheet loading operation and the aligning operation. At this time, sheets of different sizes are positioned based on the center. In the case of "corner binding", the sheet is carried onto the processing tray 37, and the alignment operation is started at the timing when the sheet end abuts on the rear end regulating means 38. This alignment operation makes the moving amount of the alignment plate on the binding position side different from the moving amount of the alignment plate on the opposite side of the binding position. Then, the movement amount is set so that the sheet corner is positioned at the previously set binding position.

"Stitch processing mechanism"
In the processing tray 37, binding processing mechanisms 47 and 60 for binding and processing the sheet bundle stacked on the sheet placement surface 37a are disposed. The processing tray 37 is positioned at a predetermined binding position on the paper loading surface 37a by the positioning mechanism (the sheet end regulating means 38 and the side edge aligning means 39). The binding processing mechanisms 47 and 51 are a first binding unit 47 (a first binding means; the same applies to “stapling unit” and the like hereinafter) that staples a sheet bundle with staples, and a second binding unit 51 (a second binding that staples no sheets). Means: "Eco-stitching unit" and so on are configured to be selectively disposed at the binding position.

  As shown in FIG. 2, binding processing mechanisms 47 and 51 are disposed on the processing tray 37 for binding and processing the rear end portion of the sheet carried in from the paper discharge port 35, and this binding mechanism is as shown in FIG. The staple unit (first binding unit) 47 and the eco-stitching unit (second binding unit) 51 are movable along the rear end of the paper loading surface 37a.

  FIG. 8 shows a staple unit (first binding unit) 47 and an eco-binding unit (second binding unit) 51 arranged on the processing tray. In the illustrated apparatus, the binding position Cp1 is set at the sheet corner located on the left side in the drawing. The first binding unit 47 and the second binding unit 51 reciprocally move to the binding position Cp1.

  For this reason, the first binding unit 47 moves along the first travel rail 53 and the second travel rail 54 formed on the device frame 27b with a predetermined stroke SL1, and the second binding unit 51 is similarly disposed in the device frame 57. The first guide rod 56a and the second guide rod 56b (see FIG. 12) are arranged to move along a stroke SL2.

  FIG. 9 shows the sheets carried into the processing tray 37 and the movement strokes of the first and second binding units 47 and 51. Sheets of different sizes are carried to the processing tray 37 from the maximum size sheet to the minimum size sheet on the basis of the center. A pair of left and right side edge alignment members 39F and 39R aligns the sheet on the basis of the binding side edge (the left edge in the illustrated example) of the sheet (so that sheets of different sizes coincide). Therefore, the left and right alignment members 39F and 39R are connected to different drive motors M1 and M2, respectively, and the control means 95 described later sets the movement amount of the left and right alignment members 39F and 39R according to the sheet size.

  The control unit 95 described later aligns the sheets based on the center in the case of the binding process other than the process of binding the sheet corner, for example, in the multi-stitching mode described later. In this case, the left and right alignment members 39F and 39R position the sheet at the binding position by moving toward the sheet center by the same amount from the standby position.

  The first binding unit 47 is a first stroke SL1 between the standby position Wp1 (first standby position) and the binding position Cp1, and the second binding unit 51 is a standby position Wp2 (second standby position). To move in the second stroke SL2 between the and the binding position Cp1. That is, the first binding unit 47 reciprocates between the standby position Wp1 and the binding position Cp1 along the traveling rails 53 and 54 (guide grooves, guide rods, etc.), and the second binding unit 51 guides the guide rods 56a and 56b ( Reciprocates between the standby position Wp2 and the binding position Cp1 along the guide groove.

The binding position Cp1 is set at the sheet corner (hereinafter referred to as "set binding position"), and the following relationship is established between the first standby position Wp1 and the second standby position Wp2 with respect to this position.
(1) The first standby position Wp1 and the second standby position Wp2 are set to be opposite to each other with respect to the set binding position Cp1.
(2) The first standby position Wp1 is the outside of the maximum size sheet to be bound on the processing tray, or the binding processing position farthest from the set binding position Cp1 on the processing tray (multi binding position Ma described later or manual binding position Mp: set to one of the maximum remote spelling positions).
(3) The second standby position Wp2 is set to the outside of the sheet side edge aligned with the set binding position (outside the sheet placement area of the sheet placement surface).
(4) The first stroke length SL1 between the first standby position Wp1 and the set binding position Cp1 is set larger (longer) than the second stroke length SL2 between the second standby position Wp2 and the set binding position Cp1. Do.

  By setting the first standby position Wp1 and the second standby position Wp2 opposite to the setting binding position Cp1 as described above, when one unit approaches, the other unit moves away (reciprocal withdrawal approach) Operation). Further, by setting SL1> SL2, it is possible to relatively freely set the binding processing position (a multi-stitching position Ma described later) of the first binding unit 47. On the other hand, the second binding unit 51 performs binding processing only at a previously set binding position. As a result, the total moving stroke length of the first and second binding units 47 and 51 can be set small, and the apparatus can be miniaturized.

  When the first binding unit 47 is at the setting binding position Cp1, the second binding unit is at the standby position Wp2 when the first binding unit 47 is at the setting binding position Cp1, and when the second binding unit 51 is at the setting binding position Cp1, the first binding unit is at the waiting position Wp1. Reciprocate both units to be located in

  In the reciprocal position movement of the first and second binding units 47 and 51, (1) the rotation amounts are made different according to the movement strokes by the independent drive motors, or (2) the first binding unit by the same drive source The moving amounts of the second binding unit 51 and the second binding unit 51 are different from each other.

  FIG. 10 shows an embodiment in which the movement amounts of the first binding unit 47 and the second binding unit 51 are made different by the same drive source. A pair of left and right pulleys 58a and 58b are disposed in the device frame 27b along the movement area (the left and right direction in FIG. 10) of the first unit, and a timing belt 59 (toothed belt) is bridged between both pulleys. A drive motor M3 (stepping motor) is connected to the pulley 58a of the motor.

  A transmission pinion 75 is connected to the other pulley 58b via a differential means (transmission means) 74, and a rack 76 fixed to the frame of the second binding unit 51 meshes with this pinion. The differential means 74 is configured by a gear mechanism having a transmission ratio adapted to the stroke difference between the first and second strokes SL1 and SL2, or a sliding clutch mechanism, or a combination of both mechanisms.

"Movement mechanism of staples"
As shown in FIG. 3, a staple unit 47 is mounted movably at a predetermined stroke on an apparatus frame (chassis frame) 27b. The first travel rail 53 and the second travel rail 54 are disposed in the device frame 27 b. A traveling rail surface 53x is formed on the first traveling rail 53, and a traveling cam surface 54x is formed on the second traveling rail 54. The traveling rail surface 53x and the traveling cam surface 54x cooperate with each other to form a staple unit 47 In this case, the "moving unit" is supported so as to reciprocate with a predetermined stroke, and at the same time, its angular attitude is controlled.

  A rail surface 53x and a traveling cam surface 54x are formed so that the first traveling rail 53 and the second traveling rail 54 reciprocate within the movement range of the moving unit (see FIG. 5). A timing belt 59 connected to a drive motor (traveling motor) M3 is fixed to the moving unit 47 (stapling unit). The timing belt 59 is wound around a pair of pulleys 58a and 58b axially supported by the apparatus frame 27b, and a drive motor M3 is connected to one of the pulleys. Therefore, the staple unit 47 reciprocates on the stroke SL1 by forward and reverse rotation of the drive motor M3.

  The moving unit 47 is engaged with the first and second traveling rails 53 and 54 as follows. As shown in FIG. 3, in the moving unit 47, a first rolling roller 83 (rail fitting member) engaged with the traveling rail surface 53x, and a second rolling roller 84 engaged with the traveling cam surface 54x ( The cam follower member is provided. At the same time, the moving unit 47 is formed with ball-shaped sliding rollers 47x (two in the figure) engaged with the support (supporting) surface of the frame 27b. Further, a guide roller 47y engaged with the bottom surface of the bottom frame portion is formed in the moving unit 47 to prevent the moving unit 47 from rising from the bottom frame 27b.

  From the above configuration, the moving unit 47 is movably supported by the bottom frame 27b by the sliding roller 47x and the guide roller 86. At the same time, the first rolling roller 83 travels on the traveling rail surface 53x, and the second rolling roller 84 travels along the traveling cam surface 54x while following the rail surface 53x and the cam surface 54x.

"Stack tray lifting mechanism"
As shown in FIG. 11, the sheet post-processing apparatus B is provided with the first tray 49 on the exterior cover 73. The first tray 49 is configured to move up and down according to the stacking amount of sheets. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 11, at the base end of the first tray 49, guide rollers 85 are provided at upper and lower two places, and the guide rollers are fitted and supported by elevating guides 86 provided on the apparatus frame 27. . The base end of the first tray 49 is connected to a lift belt 87, and the lift belt is supported by a pair of upper and lower pulleys 88a and 88b. A lift motor M4 is connected to one of the pulleys (drive pulley) 88a. Therefore, the first tray 49 moves up and down according to the sheet loading amount by controlling the rotation of the elevation motor M4.

"Sheet bundle delivery mechanism"
The above-described processing tray 37 is provided with a sheet bundle delivery mechanism for delivering the sheet bundle subjected to the binding processing toward the downstream first tray 49. As a means for conveying the sheet bundle to the downstream side, there is a method (conveying roller means) of conveying by a roller pair in pressure contact with each other, and a conveyor which pushes the sheet rear end by the pushing member moving from upstream to downstream along the tray surface. Means are known. The illustrated apparatus employs both of these means.

  The sheet bundle discharge mechanism is shown in FIG. 12, and the push projections 38 and the push projections are moved from the binding position (processing position) located upstream along the processing tray 37 to the stack tray (first tray) 49 on the downstream side. A conveyor means is constituted by the conveyor belt 38v and the drive motor M6. In the processing tray 37, the driven roller 48 is disposed at the outlet (the boundary between the sheet mounting surface 37a and the first tray 49), and the elevating roller 41 in pressure contact with the driven roller is disposed opposite to the above-described configuration. A delivery roller means is constituted by the reference numeral 48 and the elevation roller 41.

  Therefore, conveyor means 38, 38v for transferring the sheet bundle so as to push out the sheet bundle from the upstream side to the processing tray 37, and unloading roller means 48, 41 for nipping the sheet bundle are disposed. . FIG. 10 (a) shows a state where the sheet bundle is located at the binding position on the processing tray, and at this time, the conveyor means 38, 38v and the delivery roller means 48, 41 are placed in the operating state. FIG. 6B shows a state in the middle of transferring the sheet bundle from the processing position to the downstream side, and the sheet bundle is sent to the downstream side by the positional movement of the pushing projection 38 and the rotation of the discharge roller means 48 and 41. FIG. 6C shows a state immediately before the sheet bundle is discharged to the downstream first tray 49, and the sheet bundle on the processing tray is gradually moved to the downstream side by the rotation of the discharge roller means 48 and 41 (low speed Sent). At this time, the pushing projection 38 stands by at the illustrated position, and returns to the initial position (retracting movement).

"Configuration of staple unit"
The configuration of the above-described staple unit will be described according to FIG. The staple unit 47 is configured separately from the sheet post-processing apparatus B. A box-shaped unit frame 47a, a drive cam 47d pivotably supported by the frame, and a drive motor M4 for pivoting the drive cam are mounted on the unit frame 47a.

  A staple head 47b and an anvil member 47c are disposed opposite to the binding position on the drive cam 47d, and the staple head 47b is a biasing spring (not shown) on the drive cam 47d and a staple position below the upper standby position (anvil member Move up and down). The needle cartridge 52 is detachably mounted on the unit frame.

  A linear blank needle is accommodated in the needle cartridge 52, and the needle feeding mechanism supplies the needle to the staple head 47b. The staple head portion 47b incorporates therein a former member for bending a straight needle into a U-shape, and a driver for pressing the bent needle into a sheet bundle. With such a configuration, the drive cam 47d is rotated by the drive motor M4 and stored in the biasing spring. Then, when the rotation angle reaches a predetermined angle, the staple head portion 47b vigorously descends toward the anvil member 47c. In this operation, the staple needle is bent in a U-shape and then inserted into a sheet bundle by a driver. Then, the tip is bent and stapled by the anvil member 47c.

  A needle feed mechanism is built in between the needle cartridge 52 and the staple head 47b, and a sensor (empty sensor) for detecting the absence of a needle is disposed in the needle feed portion. Alternatively, a cartridge sensor (not shown) is disposed in the unit frame 47a to detect whether the needle cartridge 52 is inserted.

  The illustrated needle cartridge 52 adopts a structure in which staple needles connected in a strip shape in a box-shaped cartridge are stacked and stored in a stacked manner, and a structure in which they are stored in a roll shape. The unit frame 47a is provided with a circuit for controlling each of the above-mentioned sensors and a circuit board for controlling the drive motor M4. When the staple cartridge is empty when the needle cartridge 52 is not stored, a warning signal is issued. It has become. Further, the staple control circuit controls the drive motor M4 to execute the staple operation by the staple signal and the staple head moves from the standby position to the anvil position and returns to the standby position again. "Is configured to originate".

"Structure of needleless binding unit"
The configuration of the above-described stapleless binding unit 51 will be described with reference to FIG. As a needleless binding means for binding a sheet bundle without using a metal needle, means for pressing the sheet bundle from the front and back with a pressing member having a concavo-convex surface engaging with each other to bind the sheets together (press binding device) And means for forming slit-like cuts in the sheet bundle to fold and bind the paper sheets (cutting and folding device; see JP 2011-256008 A) and means for binding with a vegetable resin string ( Resin string binding devices etc. are known. These binding methods are known as eco-binding methods because they are bound using sheet bundles without using metal needles. The press binding mechanism will be described below as an example thereof.

  As a press binding mechanism, concave and convex surfaces are formed on the pressing surfaces 51b and 51c which can be press-contacted and separated from each other, and the sheet bundle is pressed from the front and back sides to deform and bind the sheets. FIG. 13 (b) shows a press binding unit 51, in which a movable frame member 51d is pivotally supported by a base frame member 51a so as to be able to pivot, and both frames are pivotally movable by a support shaft 51x. A follower roller 60a is disposed on the movable frame member 51d, and the follower roller 60a is engaged with a drive cam 60b disposed on the base frame member 51a.

  A drive motor M5 disposed on the base frame member 51a is connected to the drive cam 60b via a speed reduction mechanism, and the drive cam 60b is rotated by the rotation of the motor, and the cam surface (an eccentric cam shown) is a movable frame The member 51 d is configured to swing.

  The lower pressing surface 51c is disposed on the base frame member 51a, and the upper member pressing surface 51b is disposed on the movable frame member 51d. A biasing spring (not shown) is disposed between the base frame member 51a and the movable frame member 51d, and is biased in the direction in which the pressing surfaces are separated.

  The upper pressing surface 51b and the lower pressing surface 51c are formed with projections on one side as shown in the enlarged view in FIG. The protrusion and the recessed groove are formed in a rib shape having a predetermined length. Therefore, the sheet bundle nipped by the upper pressing surface 51b and the lower pressing surface 51c is deformed into a corrugated plate shape and closely attached. A position sensor (not shown) is disposed on the base frame member 51a (unit frame), and is configured to detect whether the upper and lower pressing surfaces 51b and 51c are at the pressing position or the separating position.

  The press binding unit (eco binding unit; second binding unit) 51 configured as described above can be moved to the first and second guide rods 56a and 56b (which may be grooves) disposed in the device frame 57. , And reciprocates between the set binding position Cp1 of the sheet stacked on the processing tray 37 and the second standby position Wp as described above.

[Description of control configuration]
The control configuration in the image forming system of FIG. 1 will be described according to FIG. The image forming system shown in FIG. 14 includes a control unit 90 (hereinafter referred to as “main unit control unit”) of the image forming apparatus A and a control unit 95 (hereinafter referred to as “stitching process control unit”) of the sheet post-processing apparatus B. . The main body control unit 90 includes a print control unit 91, a paper feed control unit 92, and an input unit 93 (control panel).

  Then, “image forming mode” and “post-processing mode” are set from the input unit 93 (control panel). In the image forming mode, mode setting such as color / monochrome printing, double sided / single sided printing, and image forming conditions such as sheet size, sheet paper quality, number of printouts, enlargement / reduction printing, etc. are set. Further, the “post-processing mode” is set to, for example, “printout mode”, “staple binding process mode”, “eco binding process mode”, “jog sorting mode” or the like. The illustrated apparatus is provided with a "manual binding mode", in which the sheet bundle binding processing operation is executed off-line separately from the main body control unit 90 of the image forming apparatus A.

  Further, the main control unit 90 transfers data of the post-processing mode, the number of sheets, the number of copies, the sheet thickness information of the sheet on which an image is formed, and the like to the binding processing control unit 95. At the same time, the main control unit 90 transfers a job end signal to the binding process control unit 95 each time image formation is completed.

  The above-mentioned post-processing mode will be described. In the above-mentioned "print-out mode", the sheets from the discharge port 35 are accommodated in the stack tray 49 via the processing tray 37 without being subjected to the binding process. In this case, the sheets are stacked on the processing tray 37 and stacked, and the sheet bundle after stacking is discharged to the stack tray 49 by a jog end signal from the main body control unit 90.

  In the above-described “staple binding process mode”, the sheets from the sheet discharge port 35 are stacked on the processing tray and partially aligned, and the sheet bundle is subjected to the binding process and then stored in the stack tray 49. In this case, the sheet to be imaged is basically designated by the operator to the same size sheet with the same sheet thickness. In this staple binding process mode, one of “multi binding”, “right corner binding” and “left corner binding” is selected and designated. Each binding position is as described above.

  The “jog sorting mode” is divided into a group in which sheets formed by the image forming apparatus A are offset and accumulated, and a group in which sheets are accumulated without offset, and a sheet bundle alternately offset on the stack tray Sheet stacks that are not offset with each other are stacked.

"Manual binding mode"
On the front side of the apparatus, the exterior cover is provided with a manual feed setting unit for setting a sheet bundle to be stapled by the operator. A sensor for detecting the set sheet bundle is disposed on the set surface of the manual feed setting unit, and a binding processing control unit 95 described later moves the stapler unit 47 to the manual binding position according to a signal from the sensor. When the operator presses the operation switch, the binding process is performed.

  Therefore, the manual binding mode is controlled off-line between the binding process control unit 95 and the main body control unit 90. However, when the manual binding mode and the staple binding mode are simultaneously executed, the mode is set such that either one has priority.

[Binding processing control unit]
The binding process control unit 95 operates the sheet post-processing device B in accordance with the post-processing mode set by the image formation control unit 90. The illustrated binding process control unit 95 is configured of a control CPU (hereinafter simply referred to as control means). The control CPU 95 is connected to the ROM 96 and the RAM 97, and executes a paper discharge operation described later using the control program stored in the ROM 96 and the control data stored in the RAM 97. For this reason, the control CPU 95 is connected to the drive circuits of all the drive motors described above, and controls the start, stop and forward / reverse rotation of each motor.

[Paper output operation mode]
The control unit (body control unit) 90 of the image forming apparatus A sets a post-processing (finishing) mode of the sheet on which the image is formed simultaneously with the image forming condition. The illustrated apparatus is set to "staple binding mode", "eco binding mode", "jog sorting mode", "bookbinding finishing mode", "printout mode", "interrupt mode" and "manual binding mode". The operation of each mode will be described below.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of an operation flow of stapling or eco-stitching a sheet bundle stacked in the processing tray 37 of the first processing unit B1 and storing the sheet bundle in the downstream first tray 49. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a sheet discharge mode in which the sheet is divided into jogs for each set, and is offset in the sheet discharge orthogonal direction by the jog mechanism (roller shift mechanism; not shown) of the third processing unit (sheet loading path) B3 It is explanatory drawing of the operation | movement flow accommodated in the downstream 3rd tray 71 later. Figure 17.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a bookbinding processing discharge mode in which a second processing unit B2 bookbinding finish a sheet.

"Staple binding mode and eco binding mode in the first processing unit"
As described with reference to FIG. 15, the setting of the post-processing mode is performed by the control panel 93 of the image forming apparatus A or the like (St01). The control unit 95 of the sheet post-processing apparatus moves the second binding unit 51 (St05) when eco-stitching processing is designated based on the post-processing mode setting information (St02). When the staple binding process is designated, the first binding unit 47 is moved (St06).

  When performing the staple binding process, the first binding unit 47 is moved to the setting binding position Cp1, and the second binding unit 51 is moved to the second standby position Wp2. When this unit position is set as a home position, it is confirmed whether each unit is home or not and moved (St03).

  Next, the image forming apparatus A forms an image and discharges the sheet (St07 and St08). The sheet post-processing apparatus B receives the image forming sheet sent to the loading port 26 and conveys the sheet to the downstream side (St09). At this time, when the punching process is designated (St10), the control means 95 temporarily stops the sheet at the punching position (St11). Then, the punching unit 50 is moved in the sheet discharge orthogonal direction, the side edge of the sheet is detected by a sensor, and after a predetermined punching position is determined, the punching unit 50 is stopped and the punching operation is performed (St13).

  When the punching process is not designated, the control means 95 receives the sheet on the inlet side and conveys the sheet to the path sheet outlet. Then, it is carried into the processing tray 37 and positioned at a predetermined position by the positioning means (St15). The control unit 95 stacks and stores the sheets sent to the sheet discharge outlet 35 on the sheet mounting surface of the processing tray 37 (St07 to St15). Then, when the jog end signal is received from the image forming apparatus A (St16), the control means 95 sends a binding process instruction signal to the first binding unit 47 or the second binding unit 51. Then, the first binding unit 47 or the second binding unit 51 executes the binding process (St17).

  When the control means 95 receives the binding process end signal from the first (or second) binding unit 47, 51, the control means 95 stores the sheet bundle subjected to the binding process by the sheet delivery means in the downstream first tray 49 (St18) . Then, the stacking height is detected by a sheet level sensor arranged on the first tray 49 (not shown), and when exceeding the predetermined angle, the first tray 49 is advanced (St20). Next, the control means 95 determines whether there is a next job (St21), and completes the operation.

  The jog sorting discharge mode will be described with reference to FIG. The control means 95 temporarily stops the sheet at the punching position (St26) when the punching process is designated (St25) for the sheet (St22 to St24) sent to the loading port 26 of the sheet loading path 28. Do. Then, the punch unit 50 is moved in the sheet discharge orthogonal direction (St 27), the side edge of the sheet is detected by a sensor, and a predetermined punching position is determined, and then the punching unit 50 is stopped to execute the punching operation (St 28). ).

  Next, the control unit 95 rotates the roller unit in the sheet discharge direction (St30) in order to carry out the sheet from the third sheet discharge path 30 to the third tray 71 (St29). When the sheet is an even page (St31, St32), the roller unit is stopped (St33), and the sheet is nipped, and the sheet is moved in the orthogonal direction of sheet discharge by a preset offset amount (St34). Thereafter, the control means 95 again rotates the roller unit in the sheet discharge direction (St35). At this time, the first path switching means 33 is shifted in the direction of guiding the sheet from the inlet 26 to the third sheet discharge path 30, and the sheet is stacked on the third tray 71 (St36).

  The bookbinding processing discharge mode will be described with reference to FIG. The sheet imaged in the same manner as described above is guided to the sheet carry-in path 28. The sheet is guided from the inlet 26 to the second processing unit B 2, and is abutted against the leading edge regulating stopper 67 so as to be regulated. At this time, the control means 95 receives information on the size in the sheet discharge direction from the image forming apparatus A in advance, and sets the position of the leading edge regulating stopper 67.

  The sheets stacked in the second processing unit B2 are subjected to a binding process by moving the binding unit (saddle binding unit) to the center of the sheet in response to a job end signal from the image forming apparatus A. The sheet bundle is moved to the folding position when the binding process is completed at one or two locations, and the folding roll 64 is rotated. When the folding blade 65 is advanced in the folding direction and the folding roller 64 is rotated by a predetermined amount, the folding blade 65 is retracted. Then, the folded sheet is fed in the sheet discharging direction by the sheet discharging roller 69 on the downstream side and stored in the second tray 61.

26 Loading port 27 Device housing 28 Sheet transport path 37 Processing tray 37a Paper loading surface 47 Binding means 49 Stack tray 70 Device frame 70f Side frame frame 70r Side frame frame 73 Exterior cover 73f Front cover (opening and closing cover)
73r rear cover 77 manual feed set portion 77a slit-like opening 77b set surface 77c restricting surface 78 hinge

Claims (10)

A sheet processing apparatus for processing sheets ,
Transport means for transporting the sheet;
A stacking unit on which the sheet transported in the transport direction by the transport unit is stacked;
Of the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking means, by contacting the end portion in the direction intersecting the transport direction, of the sheet bundle, to regulate the position of the intersecting direction, and the first regulating means,
Of the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking means, by contacting the end portion in the transport direction, to regulate the position of the front Symbol conveying direction of the sheet bundle, and a second regulating means,
The one side of the sheet bundle which is configured to move from one side to the other side of the apparatus and to move from the other side to the one side by moving in the intersecting direction, the first restricting means being in contact A first binding means for binding a corner portion of the sheet bundle including a side end portion and an end portion of the sheet bundle in the transport direction in contact with the second restricting portion, using a needle;
A first pressing unit and a second pressing unit are provided, and the sheet bundle is pinched by the first pressing unit and the second pressing unit when the sheet bundle is bound, The corner portion of the sheet bundle including the end portion on one side of the sheet bundle in contact with the restriction means and the end portion of the sheet bundle in the transport direction in contact with the second restriction means Second binding means for binding without using
Have
The second binding means, said first pressure and said second pressure is configured to be movable integrally Rutotomoni, without moving integrally with the first binding unit, wherein the first binding unit It is configured to be movable away from the
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a distance by which the first binding unit can move is longer than a distance by which the second binding unit can move. Have control means,
The control means
A corner portion of the sheet bundle including the one end of the sheet bundle in contact with the first restricting means, and the end of the sheet bundle in the transport direction in contact with the second restricting means. and may give binding by the first binding means, said second binding unit, are positioned on the one side than the previous SL first binding means,
A corner portion of the sheet bundle including the one end of the sheet bundle in contact with the first restricting means, and the end of the sheet bundle in the transport direction in contact with the second restricting means. When binding by the second binding unit, the first binding unit is positioned on the other side with respect to the second binding unit,
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet processing apparatus comprises:   The control means includes the one end of the sheet bundle in contact with the first restricting means, and the end of the sheet bundle in the transport direction in contact with the second restricting means. When the corner portion of the sheet bundle is bound by the second binding means, the first binding means is positioned on the other side of the other end of the sheet bundle. The sheet processing apparatus according to 2. The second binding means is configured to move in the intersecting direction,
The control means includes the one end of the sheet bundle in contact with the first restricting means, and the end of the sheet bundle in the transport direction in contact with the second restricting means. When the corner portion of the sheet bundle is bound by the first binding unit, the second binding unit is closer to the one side than the end portion of the sheet bundle on the one side and the first binding unit. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sheet processing apparatus is positioned on one side. Said second regulating means, the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking means, by contacting the end portion of the upstream in the conveying direction, of the sheet bundle, to regulate the position of the conveying direction, characterized in that The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   6. The sheet feeding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: discharging means for moving the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking means in the transport direction and discharging the sheet bundle from the stacking means. Sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1.   7. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first binding unit can bind the end portion of the sheet bundle in the transport direction in contact with the second restricting unit at a plurality of locations. A sheet processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. A sheet processing apparatus for processing sheets ,
Transport means for transporting the sheet;
A stacking unit on which the sheet transported in the transport direction by the transport unit is stacked;
Of the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking means, by contacting the end portion in the direction intersecting the transport direction, of the sheet bundle, to regulate the position of the intersecting direction, and the first regulating means,
Second regulating means for regulating the position of the sheet bundle in the transport direction by contacting an end portion in the transport direction of the sheet bundle loaded on the loading means;
The apparatus is configured to move from one side to the other side of the apparatus and to move to the one side from the other side by moving in the intersecting direction, the second restricting means being in contact in the transport direction First binding means for binding the end portion of the sheet bundle using a needle;
A first pressing unit and a second pressing unit are provided, and the sheet bundle is pinched by the first pressing unit and the second pressing unit when the sheet bundle is bound, The corner portion of the sheet bundle including the end portion on one side of the sheet bundle in contact with the restriction means and the end portion of the sheet bundle in the transport direction in contact with the second restriction means Second binding means for binding without using
Have
The second binding unit, together with said first pressure and said second pressure is movable in integrally, without moving integrally with the first binding unit, wherein the first binding unit It is configured to be movable away from the
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a distance by which the first binding unit can move is longer than a distance by which the second binding unit can move. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet,
Image forming means for forming an image on a sheet;
A stacking unit on which sheets transported in the transport direction from the image forming unit are stacked;
Of the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking means, by contacting the end portion in the direction intersecting the transport direction, of the sheet bundle, to regulate the position of the intersecting direction, and the first regulating means,
Second regulating means for regulating the position of the sheet bundle in the transport direction by contacting an end portion in the transport direction of the sheet bundle loaded on the loading means;
The one side of the sheet bundle which is configured to move from one side to the other side of the apparatus and to move from the other side to the one side by moving in the intersecting direction, the first restricting means being in contact A first binding means for binding a corner portion of the sheet bundle including a side end portion and an end portion of the sheet bundle in the transport direction in contact with the second restricting portion, using a needle;
A first pressing unit and a second pressing unit are provided, and the sheet bundle is pinched by the first pressing unit and the second pressing unit when the sheet bundle is bound, The corner portion of the sheet bundle including the end portion on one side of the sheet bundle in contact with the restriction means and the end portion of the sheet bundle in the transport direction in contact with the second restriction means Second binding means for binding without using
Have
The second binding means, said first pressure and said second pressure is configured to be movable integrally Rutotomoni, without moving integrally with the first binding unit, wherein the first binding unit It is configured to be movable away from the
The distance that the first binding means can move is longer than the distance that the second binding means can move
An image forming apparatus characterized by An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet;
A sheet processing apparatus for stacking and binding sheets sent from the image forming apparatus;
An image forming system, wherein the sheet processing apparatus is the sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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