JP6776713B2 - Post-processing device, control method of post-processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an aftertreatment device and a method for controlling the aftertreatment device .

Conventionally, there is known a post-processing apparatus including a mounting sheet processing unit that performs post-processing such as staple processing and shift processing on paper on which an image is formed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the post-processing apparatus, post-processing is performed in a state where a plurality of sheets on which an image is formed are placed on a processing tray.
As an apparatus for forming an image on paper, for example, an inkjet printer provided with a recording head that ejects ink as a liquid as droplets is known.

JP 2015-107840

By the way, when an image is formed using an inkjet printer, the paper on which the image is formed is curled (a part of the paper is curved and deformed) due to absorption of ink (moisture) or drying of the ink. There is.
For this reason, when the paper on which the image is formed by the inkjet printer is sequentially placed on the processing tray of the post-processing device, if the degree of curl of the previously placed paper becomes large, the paper to be conveyed later There is a problem that the paper is caught in the curled portion of the previously placed paper, and the paper becomes uneven or a transport problem occurs.

The present invention has been made to solve irregularities in media and transport defects, and can be realized as the following forms or application examples.

[Application Example 1] The post-processing apparatus according to this application example includes a stacker on which a medium is temporarily placed and a post-processing unit that executes post-processing on the medium in a state of being placed on the stacker. It is characterized in that it is provided with a paper ejection tray on which the medium to be ejected is loaded, and a suppressing portion for suppressing deformation of the medium in a state of being placed on the stacker.

According to this configuration, for example, a medium on which an image or the like is formed can be placed on a stacker, and the medium placed on the stacker can be post-processed by using a post-processing unit.
Here, as a method of forming an image on a medium such as paper, for example, an inkjet printer that ejects ink as a liquid as droplets can be considered.
However, the medium on which an image is formed by an inkjet printer may be curled due to absorption of ink (moisture), drying of the ink, image formation form (for example, single-sided or double-sided printing), or the like. .. For this reason, when a medium on which an image is formed by an inkjet printer is placed on a stacker, the placed medium is curled, and a part of another medium is caught in the curled portion, resulting in unevenness of the media or. It may cause transportation problems.
Therefore, according to the above configuration, deformation such as curl of the medium placed on the stacker is suppressed by the suppressing portion. As a result, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of uneven media and poor transport.

[Application Example 2] The post-processing apparatus according to the above application example is characterized in that when a jam occurs on the upstream side of the transport path of the medium with respect to the stacker, the suppression portion suppresses the deformation of the medium. To do.

When a jam occurs in the transport path on the upstream side of the transport path of the medium with respect to the stacker, the transport of the medium is stopped and the jam is eliminated. However, until the jam is cleared and the transport of the medium is started again, the amount of deformation (curl) of the medium already placed on the stacker becomes large, the jam is cleared, and the medium is stacked again. When the medium is transported to the stacker, a part of the other medium may be caught in the curled portion of the medium already placed on the stacker.
Therefore, according to the above configuration, when a jam occurs, the suppression unit suppresses the deformation of the medium placed on the stacker. As a result, curling of the medium can be suppressed, and poor transport of the medium can be reduced.

[Application Example 3] The restraining portion of the aftertreatment device according to the application example is characterized in that the restraining portion is restrained between the stacker and the paper ejection tray.

According to this configuration, the restraining unit exerts a curl suppressing function on the medium between the stacker and the output tray. That is, the suppressing portion suppresses the curl of the medium outside the stacker. Therefore, the suppressing unit can suppress the curl of the medium independently without being involved in the stacker.

[Application Example 4] The restraining portion of the aftertreatment device according to the application example includes a first roller and a second roller, and an interval in a direction in which the medium is sandwiched between the first roller and the second roller. Is variable to a first interval and a second interval in which the interval is narrower than the first interval, and when a jam occurs on the upstream side of the transport path of the medium with respect to the stacker, the said It is characterized in that the distance between the first roller and the second roller is changed to the second distance through the medium in a state of being placed on a stacker.

When a jam occurs in the transport path on the upstream side of the transport path of the medium with respect to the stacker, the transport of the medium is stopped and the jam is eliminated. However, until the jam is cleared and the transport of the medium is started again, the amount of deformation (curl) of the medium already placed on the stacker becomes large, the jam is cleared, and the medium is stacked again. When the medium is transported to the stacker, a part of the other medium may be caught in the curled portion of the medium already placed on the stacker.
Therefore, in the above configuration, when a jam occurs, the distance between the first roller and the second roller is changed from the first gap to the second gap via the medium placed on the stacker. That is, the distance between the first roller and the second roller is made narrower. As a result, the curl of the medium left in the stacker is easily regulated by the first roller and the second roller. Therefore, curling can be suppressed, and poor transport of the medium can be reduced.

[Application Example 5] In the post-processing apparatus according to the above application example, at the first interval, one of the first roller and the second roller is in non-contact with the medium, and the first roller. At two intervals, the first roller and the second roller come into contact with the medium.

According to this configuration, by varying from the first interval to the second interval, the medium is sandwiched between the first roller and the second roller, so that the curl of the medium can be reliably suppressed.

[Application Example 6] The suppression unit of the aftertreatment device according to the application example is characterized in that it suppresses on the stacker.

According to this configuration, the suppressing unit exerts a curl suppressing function on the medium on the stacker. That is, the suppressing portion can suppress the curl of the medium while engaging with a part of the stacker.

[Application Example 7] The restraining portion of the aftertreatment device according to the application example includes a contact portion capable of contacting the surface of the medium, and the distance between the medium and the contact portion in a state of being placed on the stacker. Is variable to a first interval and a second interval in which the interval is narrower than the first interval, and when a jam occurs on the upstream side of the transport path of the medium with respect to the stacker, the said It is characterized in that the distance between the medium and the contact portion in a state of being placed on a stacker is changed to the second distance.

According to this configuration, when a jam occurs in which the medium is clogged in the transport path on the upstream side of the transport path of the medium from the stacker, the distance between the medium placed on the stacker and the contact portion is changed from the first interval. It is variable to the second interval. That is, the distance between the medium and the contact portion is made narrower. Therefore, the curl of the medium left in the stacker is easily regulated by the contact portion. Therefore, curling can be suppressed, and poor transport of the medium can be reduced.

[Application Example 8] In the post-processing apparatus according to the above application example, in the first interval, the contact portion is not in contact with the medium, and in the second interval, the contact portion is in contact with the medium. It is characterized by contact.

According to this configuration, by changing from the first interval to the second interval, the medium is brought into contact with the contact portion, and the deformation of the medium is further regulated. Therefore, curling of the medium can be reliably suppressed.

[Application Example 9] The restraining portion of the aftertreatment device according to the application example is a blower, and is placed on the stacker when a jam occurs on the upstream side of the transport path of the medium with respect to the stacker. It is characterized in that air is blown to the medium in the state.

According to this configuration, deformation such as curl of the medium can be easily suppressed by the wind pressure due to the blowing air.

[Application Example 10] The restraining portion of the aftertreatment device according to the application example includes a humidifying portion capable of humidifying the medium in a state of being placed on the stacker, and the transport of the medium rather than the stacker. When the jam occurs on the upstream side of the route, the medium in a state of being placed on the stacker is humidified.

According to this configuration, when jam occurs, deformation of the medium is suppressed while humidifying the medium. Thereby, the curl of the medium can be suppressed more effectively.

[Application Example 11] In the post-processing apparatus according to the above application example, when the jam occurs on the upstream side of the transport path of the medium with respect to the stacker, the jam is downstream of the location where the jam occurs. It is characterized in that the restraining portion is driven after the medium on the side is conveyed to the stacker.

According to this configuration, when a state (jam) in which the medium is jammed in the transport path occurs on the upstream side of the transport path of the medium from the stacker, it is normal between the stacker and the place where the jam occurs. The medium is conveyed to the stacker, after which the restraint is driven. As a result, normal media (media that does not cause jam) is not discarded, and waste can be eliminated.

[Application Example 12] The post-processing apparatus according to the application example has a detection result of a detection unit arranged in the transport path upstream of the suppression unit and at a position closest to the suppression unit when the jam is resolved. Based on the above, the drive of the suppression unit is released.

When the jam is resolved, the drive of the suppression unit is released and the transfer of the medium is restarted, but it takes a relatively long time for the first medium to be conveyed after the jam is resolved to be placed on the stacker. In that case, the deformation of the medium already placed on the stacker before the occurrence of the jam becomes large. On the other hand, it is also necessary to consider the time required for the stacker of the medium to be reliably conveyed after the suppression unit is driven. Therefore, the timing of releasing the drive of the suppression unit when the jam is resolved becomes a problem.
Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is detected that the medium transported after the jam is cleared can be placed on the stacker, and further, the detection result of the detection unit arranged at the closest position upstream of the transport path of the suppression unit is obtained. Based on this, the drive of the suppression unit is released. That is, after the jam is cleared, the suppression unit can be driven by using the maximum time until the medium is placed on the stacker. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the medium after the jam is eliminated.

[Application Example 13] The printing apparatus according to the present application example includes an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a medium, a stacker on which the medium on which the image is formed is temporarily placed, and a stacker. Post-processing having a post-processing unit that executes post-processing on the medium in the state of being printed, and a suppressing unit that suppresses deformation of the medium in the state of being placed on the stacker. It is characterized by being equipped with a device.

According to this configuration, when the medium on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus is placed on the stacker, the suppressing portion suppresses deformation such as curling of the medium. As a result, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of uneven media and poor transport.

[Application Example 14] The printing apparatus according to the present application example includes an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a medium, a stacker on which the medium on which the image is formed is temporarily placed, and a stacker. Post-processing having a post-processing unit that executes post-processing on the medium in the state of being printed, and a suppressing unit that suppresses deformation of the medium in the state of being placed on the stacker. It is characterized by including an apparatus and an intermediate conveying apparatus for conveying the medium on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus to the post-processing apparatus.

According to this configuration, the medium on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus is conveyed to the post-processing apparatus via the intermediate conveying apparatus. When the medium on which the image is formed is placed on the stacker, the suppression unit suppresses deformation such as curling of the medium. As a result, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of uneven media and poor transport.

The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the printing apparatus. The block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus. The block diagram which shows the structure of the intermediate transfer apparatus. The schematic diagram which shows the operation of a post-processing apparatus. The schematic diagram which shows the operation of a post-processing apparatus. The schematic diagram which shows the operation method of a printing apparatus. The schematic diagram which shows the operation method of a printing apparatus. The schematic diagram which shows the operation method of a printing apparatus. The schematic diagram which shows the operation method of a printing apparatus. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the suppression part. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the suppression part. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the suppression part. The block diagram which shows the partial structure of the control part of a printing apparatus. The flowchart which shows the control method of a printing apparatus. The flowchart which shows the execution processing method of the suppression part. The flowchart which shows the release processing method of the suppression part.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the following figures, in order to make each member or the like recognizable in size, the scale of each member or the like is shown differently from the actual scale.

First, the configuration of the printing apparatus will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic schematic diagram showing a configuration of a printing apparatus, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an intermediate transfer apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 100, an intermediate transfer apparatus 200, and a post-processing apparatus 300. Further, it includes a control unit 10 (see FIG. 13) that comprehensively controls the drive of each mechanism in the printing apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 100 is, for example, an apparatus for forming an image on paper M as a medium. The post-processing device 300 is a device that performs post-processing such as a stapler process for binding a plurality of sheets M on which an image is formed with staples (needle). The intermediate transfer device 200 is a device that transfers the paper M on which the image is formed by the image forming device 100 to the post-processing device 300. The intermediate transfer device 200 is arranged between the image forming device 100 and the post-processing device 300.

In the printing device 1 of the present embodiment, the third discharge path 153 as the upstream transfer path of the image forming apparatus 100 is connected to the intermediate transfer path 218 of the intermediate transfer device 200, and the intermediate transfer path 218 is the post-processing device 300. It is connected to the downstream transport path 319. Then, by the third discharge path 153, the intermediate transfer path 218, and the downstream transfer path 319, the post-processing device from the image forming device 100 on the upstream side in the transfer direction of the paper M via the intermediate transfer device 200. It constitutes a transport path (two-dot chain line in FIG. 1) that continues up to 300.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 is an inkjet printer that records images such as characters, figures, and photographs by adhering ink as an example of a liquid to paper M as an example of a medium, and is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. It has a shape recording device side housing 101. An operation unit 102 for performing various operations of the image forming apparatus 100 is attached to the upper portion of the recording device side housing 101.

The image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a paper cassette 103 in the vertical direction Z from the central portion to the lower portion of the image forming apparatus 100. In this embodiment, four paper cassettes 103 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction Z. Each paper cassette 103 contains paper M for recording by the image forming apparatus 100 in a laminated state. Further, each paper cassette 103 is formed with a grip portion 103a that can be gripped by the user. The paper cassette 103 is configured to be removable from the recording device side housing 101. The paper M housed in each paper cassette 103 may be of a different type or may be of the same type.

A rectangular front plate cover 104 is provided above the uppermost paper cassette 103 in the vertical direction Z. The front plate cover 104 is rotatably provided with a long side adjacent to the paper cassette 103 as a base end, and has an open position where the front end side opposite to the base end is separated from the image forming apparatus 100 and a recording device side housing. It is rotatably configured between two positions, a closed position that forms part of the body 101.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a discharge port 108 for discharging the paper M is formed in a part of the intermediate transport device 200 side of the recording device side housing 101. Further, below the discharge port 108, a paper discharge tray 109 extending from the recording device side housing 101 to the intermediate transport device 200 side is provided so as to be attached as needed. That is, the paper M discharged through the discharge port 108 is placed on the paper discharge tray 109. The paper output tray 109 is configured to be detachable from the recording device side housing 101, and as it goes from the base end connected to the recording device side housing 101 toward the tip opposite to the base end. It has an upward slope (upward to the left in FIG. 2) that inclines upward.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the recording device side housing 101 included in the image forming apparatus 100, a recording unit 110 that records from the upper side in the vertical direction Z with respect to the paper M and a paper M are conveyed in the device transport path 120. A transport unit 130 is provided for transporting along the line. The in-device transport path 120 is formed so that the paper M is transported with the direction intersecting the width direction as the transport direction when the direction along the front-rear direction Y is the width direction of the paper M.

The recording unit 110 includes a line head type recording head 111 capable of simultaneously ejecting ink over substantially the entire width direction of the paper M. The recording unit 110 forms an image on the paper M by adhering the ink discharged from the recording head 111 to the recording surface (the surface on which the image is printed) facing the recording head 111 on the paper M.

The transport unit 130 includes a plurality of transport roller pairs 131 which are arranged along the transport path 120 in the apparatus and are driven by a transport drive motor (not shown), and a belt transport unit 132 provided directly under the recording unit 110. doing. That is, ink is ejected from the recording head 111 to the paper M conveyed by the belt conveying unit 132, and recording is performed.

The belt transport unit 132 includes a drive roller 133 arranged on the upstream side in the transport direction from the recording head 111, a driven roller 134 arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction from the recording head 111, and each of these rollers 133. It has an endless annular belt 135 hung on 134. The belt 135 rotates due to the drive rotation of the drive roller 133, and the paper M is conveyed to the downstream side by the rotating belt 135. That is, the outer peripheral surface of the belt 135 functions as a support surface for supporting the paper M on which recording is performed.

The in-device transport path 120 is branched into a supply path 140 in which the paper M is conveyed toward the recording unit 110 and a discharge path 150 in which the recording is performed by the recording unit 110 and the recorded paper M is conveyed. It has a branch path 160 that branches by the mechanism 147.

The supply path 140 has a first supply path 141, a second supply path 142, and a third supply path 143. In the first supply path 141, the paper M inserted from the insertion port 141b exposed by opening the cover 141a provided on the right side surface of the recording device side housing 101 is conveyed to the recording unit 110. That is, the paper M inserted from the insertion port 141b is linearly conveyed toward the recording unit 110 by the rotational drive of the first drive roller pair 144.

In the second supply path 142, in the vertical direction Z, the paper M housed in the paper cassette 103 provided in the lower part of the recording device side housing 101 is conveyed to the recording unit 110. That is, in the paper M housed in the paper cassette 103 in a laminated state, the topmost paper M is sent out by the pickup roller 142a, separated one by one by the separation roller pair 145, and then the posture in the vertical direction Z is reversed. While being carried out, it is conveyed toward the recording unit 110 by the rotational drive of the second drive roller pair 146.

In the third supply path 143, when double-sided printing for recording an image on both sides of the paper M is performed, the paper M whose one side has been recorded by the recording unit 110 is conveyed to the recording unit 110 again. That is, a branch path 160 branching from the discharge path 150 is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction from the recording unit 110. That is, when performing double-sided printing, the paper M is conveyed to the branch path 160 by the operation of the branch mechanism 147 provided in the middle of the discharge path 150. Further, the branch path 160 is provided with a branch path roller pair 161 capable of both forward rotation and reverse rotation on the downstream side of the branch mechanism 147.

In double-sided printing, the paper M on which one side is printed is once guided to the branch path 160 by the branch mechanism 147, and is conveyed downstream in the branch path 160 by the forward-rotating branch path roller pair 161. After that, the paper M conveyed to the branch path 160 is reversely conveyed in the branch path 160 from the downstream side to the upstream side by the reversing branch path roller pair 161. That is, the paper M transported along the branch path 160 is conveyed in the opposite direction.

The paper M that is reversely conveyed from the branch path 160 is conveyed to the third supply path 143, and is conveyed toward the recording unit 110 by a plurality of transfer roller pairs 131. By transporting the third supply path 143, the paper M is inverted so that the other side on which the paper M is not printed faces the recording unit 110, and is conveyed toward the recording unit 110 by the rotational drive of the third drive roller pair 148. Will be done. That is, the third supply path 143 functions as a reverse transfer path for transporting the paper M while reversing the posture of the paper M in the vertical direction Z.

Of the supply paths 141, 142, and 143, the second supply path 142 and the third supply path 143 carry the paper M toward the recording unit 110 while the posture of the paper M is curved in the vertical direction Z. On the other hand, in the first supply path 141, the paper M is conveyed toward the recording unit 110 without significantly bending the posture of the paper M as compared with the second supply path 142 and the third supply path 143. ..

The paper M transported through the supply paths 141, 142, and 143 is transported to the alignment roller pair 149 arranged on the upstream side in the transport direction from the recording unit 110, and then to the alignment roller pair 149 whose rotation has stopped. The tip hits. Then, the inclination of the paper M with respect to the transport direction is corrected (skewed) by the state of abutting against the alignment roller pair 149. Then, the tilt-corrected paper M is brought into an aligned state and conveyed to the recording unit 110 by the subsequent rotational drive of the aligning roller pair 149.

The recording unit 110 records on one side or both sides, and the paper M for which the recording is completed is conveyed by the transfer roller pair 131 along the discharge path 150 forming the downstream portion of the in-device transfer path 120. The discharge path 150 is branched into a first discharge path 151, a second discharge path 152, and a third discharge path 153 at a position downstream from the position where the branch path 160 branches. That is, the paper M for which recording has been completed is conveyed through the common discharge path (upstream discharge path) 154 constituting the upstream portion of the discharge path 150, and then the guide mechanism (switching) provided at the downstream end of the common discharge path 154. The guide unit) 180 guides the user to one of the first to third discharge routes 151, 152, and 153 that form the downstream portion of the discharge route 150.

The first discharge path (upward discharge path) 151 is provided so as to go upward of the recording device-side housing 101 and to be curved and extended along the branch path 160. The paper M conveyed through the first discharge path 151 is discharged from the discharge port 155 that opens in a part of the recording device side housing 101 so as to be the end of the first discharge path 151. Then, the paper M discharged from the discharge port 155 falls downward in the vertical direction Z, and is discharged to the mounting table 156 in a laminated state as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. The paper M is discharged from the discharge port 155 to the mounting table 156 in a posture in which the recording surface at the time of single-sided printing faces downward in the vertical direction Z by the transport roller pairs 131 arranged at a plurality of locations of the discharge path 150. To.

The mounting table 156 has an inclined shape that rises upward in the vertical direction Z as it goes to the right in the left-right direction X, and the paper M is placed on the mounting table 156 in a laminated state. At this time, each sheet M mounted on the mounting table 156 moves to the left along the inclination of the mounting table 156, and the vertical side wall 157 provided below the discharge port 155 of the recording device side housing 101. It is placed close to.

Further, the first discharge path 151 has a curved reversal path 151a that reverses the front and back of the paper M while the paper M recorded by the recording unit 110 is conveyed to the discharge port 155. That is, the curved reversal path 151a is curved with the recording surface of the paper M recorded by the recording unit 110 inward, and the recording surface of the paper M faces the vertical direction Z upward in the vertical direction Z to the vertical direction Z. Paper M is inverted so that it faces downward. Therefore, in the discharge path 150, the paper M is discharged from the discharge port 155 in a state where the recording surface at the time of single-sided printing faces the mounting table 156 by passing through the curved reversal path 151a.

The second discharge path 152 branches downward in the vertical direction Z from the first discharge path 151, and extends linearly (horizontally) from the recording unit 110 toward the intermediate transfer device 200. Therefore, the paper M conveyed through the second discharge path 152 is not conveyed in a curved posture as in the first discharge path 151, and the posture remains constant as when passing through the recording unit 110. It is conveyed linearly and is discharged from the discharge port 108 toward the output tray 109. That is, the second discharge path 152 functions as a non-reversing discharge path for transporting the paper M toward the paper discharge tray 109 without reversing the posture of the paper M.

The third discharge path 153 branches downward in the vertical direction Z from the second discharge path 152, and extends diagonally downward in the vertical direction Z so as to go downward in the recording device side housing 101. The downstream end thereof is connected to the intermediate transport path 218 of the intermediate transport device 200. That is, the paper M transported through the third discharge path 153 is discharged to the intermediate transport device 200. The third discharge path 153 is provided with a transport detection unit 199 that can detect the presence or absence of the paper M. The transport detection unit 199 is, for example, a light transmission type or light reflection type photo interrupter, and includes a light emitting unit that emits light and a light receiving unit that receives light emitted from the light emitting unit. As the light emitting element of the light emitting unit, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) light emitting element, a laser light emitting element, or the like is applied. Further, the light receiving unit is composed of a phototransistor, a photo IC, or the like. The presence / absence of the paper M (ON / OFF of light reception in the light receiving unit) can be detected by the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit.

The transport detection unit 199 is connected to the control unit 10 (see FIG. 13) and is driven and controlled based on a predetermined program. The control unit 10 drives the transport detection unit 199, compares the amount of light received by the light receiving unit with a predetermined threshold value, and detects the presence or absence of the paper M. Then, when the presence / absence of the paper M is repeatedly detected in synchronization with the drive of the transport roller pair 131, it is determined that the paper M is normally transported. On the other hand, if the state in which the light receiving amount in the light receiving unit does not change continues within a predetermined timing or a predetermined time, it is determined that the state is in an abnormal state (jam). For example, when the paper M is not normally transported from the recording head 111 side due to the occurrence of a paper M transport defect, it is determined that the paper M is in an abnormal state (jam).

A part of the discharge path 150 and a part of the branch path 160 are attached to a drawer unit 170 provided in the recording device side housing 101. The drawer unit 170 is configured to be detachable from the recording device side housing 101.

Here, the paper M that can be applied to the printing apparatus 1 is preferably one having hygroscopicity and flexibility, and for example, plain paper such as electrophotographic copying paper, silica, alumina, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone ( Examples thereof include inkjet paper provided with a water-soluble ink absorbing layer containing PVP) and the like. Further, examples of the absorbent recording medium of the type in which the penetration rate of the water-soluble ink is relatively small include art paper, coated paper, cast paper and the like used for general offset printing.

In the present embodiment, "paper M" generally refers to paper used for printers and the like using pulp (main component is cellulose) as a main raw material, and is defined by JIS-P-0001 No. 6139. Specific examples thereof include high-quality paper, PPC copy paper, and non-coated printing paper. As the paper M, those commercially available from each company can be used, and various papers such as Xerox 4200 (manufactured by Xerox) and GeoCycle (manufactured by Geogia-Pacific) can be used. Further, it is preferable that the paper M has a basis weight of 60 to 120 g / m ² .

Next, the ink composition used in the printing apparatus 1 (image forming apparatus 100) of the present embodiment will be described.

The ink composition according to this embodiment preferably contains at least one compound selected from the group consisting of (A), (B) and (C) described later. Further, from the viewpoint of safety, handleability, and various performances (color development, strike-through suitability, ink reliability), the ink composition is preferably an aqueous ink composition in which the main solvent of the ink is water. As the water, it is preferable to use pure water such as ion-exchanged water, ultrafiltration water, reverse osmosis water, distilled water, or ultrapure water. In particular, it is preferable to use water that has been sterilized by irradiation with ultraviolet rays or addition of hydrogen peroxide, because it prevents the growth of mold and bacteria and enables long-term storage of the ink. From the viewpoint of ensuring appropriate physical property values (viscosity, etc.) of the ink, and ensuring the stability and reliability of the ink, it is preferable that water is contained in the ink composition in an amount of 60% by mass to 10% by mass.

By defining the content of water contained in the ink composition within the above range, the amount of water absorbed by the cellulose in the paper M becomes smaller than that of the conventional ink composition, resulting in the cause of cockling and curling. It is possible to suppress the swelling of cellulose that is considered. Hereinafter, the properties suitable for suppressing cock ring or curl are also referred to as "cock ring suitability" and "curl suitability", respectively.

If the water content is less than 10% by mass, the fixability to the recording medium (paper M) may decrease. On the other hand, when the water content exceeds 60% by mass, as in the conventional water-based ink composition, when printing on a recording medium having an absorption layer of a paper support having poor ink absorption, cockling or Curls are likely to occur.

The viscosity of the ink in the temperature range of 10 ° C. to 40 ° C. is affected by the temperature characteristics of the colorant, moisturizer, solvent, etc. contained in the ink. Among these, the influence of the moisturizer is particularly large, and the viscosity at 10 ° C. tends to increase and the viscosity at 40 ° C. tends to decrease depending on the type, amount and content ratio of the moisturizer. In addition, in this specification, it is described that a smaller difference in viscosity between 10 ° C. and 40 ° C. is excellent in viscosity characteristics depending on the temperature of the ink.

The ink composition according to the present embodiment has the following (A), (B) and () from the viewpoint of maintaining an appropriate balance of curl, cockling suitability, strike-through suitability, clogging suitability, and viscosity characteristics depending on the ink temperature. It preferably contains at least one compound selected from the group consisting of C). These compounds also act as moisturizers. Here, the compound (A) is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of glycerin, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and dipropylene glycol, and (B). The compound of (C) is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of trimethylolpropane and trimethylolethane, and the compound (C) is selected from the group consisting of betaines, saccharides and ureas and has a molecular weight of 100. At least one compound in the range of ~ 200.

The compound (A) is a substance that is particularly effective in suppressing clogging and also has an effect in suppressing curl and cockling. However, it is a substance that is inferior in strike-through suitability due to its excellent permeability to the recording medium. From the viewpoint of more effectively and surely exerting the above-mentioned effects, glycerin and triethylene glycol are preferable as the compound (A).
The compound (B) is particularly effective in suppressing clogging, and is a substance having excellent strike-through suitability because it has a penetration suppressing effect. From the viewpoint of more effectively and surely exerting these effects, trimethylolpropane is preferable as the compound (B).
Since the compounds (A) and (B) have a large viscosity difference between 10 ° C. and 40 ° C., the viscosity characteristics due to temperature are greatly affected as the content in the ink composition increases. The ink composition also has a large viscosity difference at 10 ° C to 40 ° C.

The compound (C) is a substance particularly excellent in curl and cockling suitability. In addition, this compound is a substance having excellent viscosity characteristics depending on temperature. Specific examples of the compound (C) include glycine betaine (molecular weight 117, also referred to as "trimethylglycine"), γ-butyrobetaine (145), homarin (137), trigonerin (137), and carnitine (137). 161), homoserine betaine (161), valine betaine (159), lysine betaine (188), ornithine betaine (176), alanine betaine (117), stachidrine (185) and betaine glutamate (189). Betaines, which are N-trialkyl substitutions of amino acids such as glucose (180), mannose (180), fructose (180), ribose (150), xylose (150), arabinose (150) , Sugars such as galactose (180) and sorbitol (182), allylurea (100), N, N-dimethylolurea (120), malonylurea (128), carbamilurea (103), 1, Examples thereof include 1-diethyl urea (116), n-butylurea (116), creatinine (113) and benzylurea (150). Further, when the molecular weight is less than 100, the viscosity difference at 10 ° C. to 40 ° C. tends to be large. On the other hand, when the molecular weight is 200 or more, the viscosity of the ink composition tends to increase with respect to the amount of the compound added to the ink composition. Therefore, the molecular weight of the compound (C) is preferably in the range of 100 to 200. Among these, betaines and saccharides are preferable, and betaines are more preferable, because the effect of suppressing curl is particularly high. From the same viewpoint, glycine betaine is more preferable as the betaines, sorbitol is more preferable as the saccharide, and glycine betaine is particularly preferable among these. As the glycine betaine, for example, a commercially available product such as Amino Coat (manufactured by Asahi Kasei Chemicals Co., Ltd.) can be used.

From the viewpoints of curl suitability, cockling suitability, strike-through suitability, and clogging suitability, these compounds are contained in the ink composition in an amount of 10% by mass to 40% by mass in the total amount of (A), (B) and (C). Is preferable.
Further, for those compounds, the mass ratio of the contents is (A) :( B) :( C) = (1.0) :( 0.1) from the viewpoint of exerting the above-mentioned effects by the compounds in a well-balanced manner. ~ 1.0): It is preferably (1.0 to 3.5). When the mass ratio of the compound (B) to the compound selected from the group (A) (referred to as "compound of (A)"; the same applies hereinafter) is larger than the above, the curl suitability and cockling suitability decrease. However, if it is reduced, the suitability for strike-through decreases. If the mass ratio of the compound (C) to the compound (A) is larger than the above, the clogging suitability is lowered, and if it is lowered, the curl suitability and the cockling suitability are lowered.

Further, the ink composition according to the present embodiment has the purpose of preventing clogging in the vicinity of the nozzle of the inkjet head, appropriately controlling the penetration and bleeding of the ink into the recording medium, and imparting the dryness of the ink. , It is preferable to contain a water-soluble organic solvent. From the above viewpoint, the water-soluble organic solvent preferably contains 1,2-alkanediol and / or glycol ether. Specific examples of 1,2-alkanediol include 1,2-octanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,2-pentanediol, and 4-methyl-1,2-pentanediol. Specific examples of glycol ether include ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, and diethylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether. , Ethylene glycol mono-iso-propyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-iso-propyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, triethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, 1-Methyl-1-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, propylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, propylene glycol mono-iso-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl Examples thereof include ether, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether, dipropylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether and dipropylene glycol mono-iso-propyl ether. In addition to the above, 2-pyrrolidone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and the like can also be used as the water-soluble organic solvent. One or more of these water-soluble organic solvents can be used, and one mass in the ink composition is used from the viewpoint of ensuring appropriate physical property values (viscosity, etc.) of the ink, print quality, and reliability. It is preferably contained in% to 50% by mass.

Further, in order to control the wettability of the ink to the recording medium and obtain the permeability to the recording medium and the print stability in the inkjet recording method, the ink composition preferably contains a surface tension adjusting agent. As the surface tension adjusting agent, acetylene glycol-based surfactants and polyether-modified siloxanes are preferable. Examples of acetylene glycol-based surfactants include Surfinol 420, 440, 465, 485, 104, STG (above, manufactured by Air Products & Chemicals, product name), Orphine PD-001, SPC, E1004, E1010 (above, Japan). Shinkagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd., product name), acetylenol E00, E40, E100, LH (above, Kawaken Fine Chemicals Co., Ltd., product name). Examples of the polyether-modified siloxanes include BYK-346, 347, 348, UV3530 (a product of Big Chemie) and the like. These can be used alone or in combination of two or more in the ink composition, and are contained so as to adjust the surface tension of the ink composition to preferably 20 mN / m to 40 mN / m, preferably 0 in the ink composition. . Included from 1% by mass to 3.0% by mass.

Further, if necessary, a pH adjuster, a complexing agent, an antifoaming agent, an antioxidant, an ultraviolet absorber, an antiseptic / antifungal agent and the like can be added to the ink composition. As the pH adjuster, for example, alkali hydroxide such as lithium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide and / or alkanolamine such as ammonia, triethanolamine, tripropanolamine, diethanolamine and monoethanolamine may be used. it can. In particular, it contains at least one pH adjuster selected from alkali metal hydroxides, ammonia, triethanolamine, and tripropanolamine, and is preferably adjusted to pH 6-10. If the pH is out of this range, the materials constituting the inkjet printer will be adversely affected, and the clogging recovery property tends to be deteriorated.

The ink composition according to this embodiment preferably contains a pigment for the purpose of image formation and printing. As the pigment used in the ink composition according to the present embodiment, either a known inorganic pigment or an organic pigment can be used. Examples of such pigments include pigments such as Pigment Yellow, Pigment Red, Pigment Violet, Pigment Blue, and Pigment Black listed in the Color Index, as well as phthalocyanine-based, azo-based, anthraquinone-based, azomethine-based, and fused rings. Pigments such as systems can be exemplified. In addition, organic pigments such as yellow No. 4, No. 5, No. 205, 401; orange No. 228, 405; blue No. 1, No. 404, carbon black, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, zirconium oxide, iron oxide, ultramarine blue. , Navy blue, chrome oxide and other inorganic pigments. Examples of the color index of the pigment include C.I. I. Pigment Yellow 1,3,12,13,14,17,24,34,35,37,42,53,55,74,81,83,95,97,98,100,101,104,108,109, 110, 117, 120, 128, 138, 150, 153, 155, 174, 180, 198, C.I. I. Pigment Red 1,3,5,8,9,16,17,19,22,38,57: 1,90,112,122,123,127,146,184,202, C.I. I. Pigment Violet 1,3,5: 1,16,19,23,38, C.I. I. Pigment Blue 1,2,15,15: 1,15: 2,15: 3,15: 4,16, C.I. I. Pigment Blacks 1 and 7, and one or more pigments may be included in the ink composition.

The pigment used in this embodiment may be in a resin-dispersed form. The pigment of such an embodiment is a pigment dispersion liquid dispersed in an aqueous medium using a ball mill, a roll mill, a bead mill, a high-pressure homogenizer, a high-speed stirring type disperser, or the like together with a dispersant such as a polymer dispersant or a surfactant. Or, a dispersibility-imparting group (hydrophilic functional group and / or a salt thereof) is directly or indirectly bonded to the pigment surface via an alkyl group, an alkyl ether group, an aryl group, etc., and an aqueous medium without a dispersant. It is preferable that the pigment is processed as a self-dispersing pigment that is dispersed and / or dissolved in the pigment, and is blended in the ink composition as a pigment dispersion liquid dispersed in an aqueous medium.

Examples of dispersants include natural polymer compounds such as sardines, gelatin, and saponin, polyvinyl alcohols, polypyrrolidones, and acrylic resins (polyacrylic acid, acrylic acid-acrylonitrile copolymers, etc.) as polymer dispersants. Vinyl acetate-acrylic acid copolymer, vinyl acetate-acrylic acid ester copolymer, etc.), styrene-acrylic acid-based resins (styrene-acrylic acid copolymer, styrene-methacrylic acid copolymer, styrene-methacrylic acid- Acrylic acid alkyl ester copolymer, styrene-α-methylstyrene-acrylic acid copolymer, styrene-α-methylstyrene-acrylic acid-acrylic acid alkyl ester copolymer, styrene-vinyl acetate-acrylic acid copolymer, etc. ), Styrene-maleic acid-based resins, vinyl acetate-fatty acid vinyl-ethylene copolymer resins, etc. and synthetic polymer compounds such as salts thereof, and the copolymers are composed of random type, block type, etc. Any of the graft types may be used.

Surfactants used as dispersants include anionic surfactants such as fatty acid salts, higher alkyl dicarboxylates, higher alcohol sulfates, higher alkyl sulfonates, fatty acid amine salts, and fatty acid ammonium salts. Examples thereof include nonionic surfactants such as cationic surfactants, polyooxyalkyl ethers, polyoxyalkyl esters, and sorbitan alkyl esters.

Among these dispersants, a water-insoluble resin is particularly preferable. The water-insoluble resin is specifically composed of a block copolymer resin of a monomer having a hydrophobic group and a monomer having a hydrophilic group, and contains at least a monomer having a salt-forming group, and is neutralized. Later, a resin having a solubility in 100 g of water at 25 ° C. of less than 1 g is preferable. Examples of the monomer having a hydrophobic group include methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, isopropyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate, n-amyl methacrylate, isoamyl methacrylate, n-hexyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, octyl methacrylate, and decyl. Methacrylic acid esters such as methacrylate, dodecyl methacrylate, octadecyl methacrylate, cyclohexyl methacrylate, phenyl methacrylate, benzyl methacrylate and glycidyl methacrylate, vinyl esters such as vinyl acetate, vinyl cyanide compounds such as acrylonitrile and methacrylonitrile, styrene, α- Examples thereof include aromatic vinyl monomers such as methyl styrene, vinyl toluene, 4-t-butyl styrene, chloro styrene, vinyl anisole, and vinyl naphthalene. These can be used alone or in admixture of two or more. Examples of the monomer having a hydrophilic group include polyethylene glycol monomethacrylate, polypropylene glycol monomethacrylate, and ethylene glycol / propylene glycol monomethacrylate, and these are used alone or in combination of two or more. be able to. Examples of the monomer having a salt-forming group include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, styrenecarboxylic acid, and maleic acid, and these can be used alone or in admixture of two or more. Further, macromonomers such as styrene-based macromonomers and silicone-based macromonomers having a polymerizable functional group at one end, and other monomers can also be used in combination.

This water-insoluble resin is preferably used as a salt neutralized with a tertiary amine such as ethylamine or trimethylamine, or an alkali neutralizing agent such as lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or ammonia, and has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000. A material of about 150,000 is preferable in that the pigment is stably dispersed.

A self-dispersing pigment that can be dispersed and / or dissolved in water without a dispersant is, for example, an active species having a dispersibility-imparting group or a dispersibility-imparting group by subjecting the pigment to a physical treatment or a chemical treatment. Manufactured by bonding (grafting) to the surface of a pigment. Examples of the physical treatment include vacuum plasma treatment. Examples of the chemical treatment include a wet oxidation method in which the pigment surface is oxidized with an oxidizing agent in water, and a method in which a carboxyl group is bonded via a phenyl group by binding p-aminobenzoic acid to the pigment surface. it can. Since the ink composition containing a self-dispersing pigment does not need to contain the above-mentioned dispersant contained in order to disperse a normal pigment, there is almost no foaming due to a decrease in defoaming property due to the dispersant. , It is easy to prepare ink with excellent ejection stability. Further, since a large increase in viscosity due to the dispersant is suppressed, a larger amount of pigment can be contained, the printing density can be sufficiently increased, or handling becomes easy. Because of these advantages, the self-dispersing pigment is particularly effective for black ink compositions that require a high concentration, and the black ink composition used as the ink composition of the present embodiment has no dispersant. Preferably contains at least a self-dispersing pigment that can be dispersed and / or dissolved in water.

In the present embodiment, a self-dispersing pigment that is surface-treated by an oxidation treatment with hypohalous acid and / or hypohalite, or an oxidation treatment with ozone is preferable in terms of high color development. It is also possible to use a commercially available product as a self-dispersing pigment, and as such a commercially available product, Microjet CW-1 (trade name; manufactured by Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), CAB-O-JET200, CAB -O-JET300 (trade name; manufactured by Cabot Corporation) can be exemplified.

Further, these pigments preferably have a volume average particle diameter in the ink in the range of 50 nm to 200 nm from the viewpoint of storage stability of the ink and prevention of nozzle clogging. These volume average particle diameters can be obtained by particle size measurement using a Microtrac UPA150 (manufactured by Microtrac Co., Ltd.) or a particle size distribution measuring machine LPA3100 (manufactured by Otsuka Electronics Co., Ltd.).

These pigments are preferably contained in the ink composition in the range of 6% by mass or more. If the content is less than 6% by mass, the print density (color development) may be insufficient. The upper limit of the content is not particularly limited, but for example, the content may be 25% by mass or less. If the content is larger than 25% by mass, reliability problems such as clogging of the nozzle and unstable discharge may occur.

The ink composition according to the present embodiment preferably contains a resin emulsion from the viewpoint of enhancing the fixability to the recording medium. The resin emulsion preferably contains resin particles having a minimum film forming temperature of less than 20 ° C. By using a resin emulsion containing resin particles having a minimum film forming temperature of less than 20 ° C., the resin particles are filmed at an ambient temperature under a usage environment of usually 20 ° C. or higher, so that the ink composition is coated. Improves fixability and abrasion resistance on recording media.
Here, the minimum film forming temperature is measured as follows. First, a resin emulsion is applied to a thickness of 0.3 mm on a stainless steel plate of a temperature gradient tester. Immediately after application, a basket containing silica gel is placed on a plate and covered with a transparent plastic lid. After the coating film has dried, the temperature at the boundary between the uniform continuous film portion and the cloudy portion is read and set as the minimum film formation temperature.

These resin emulsions include one or more resin particles selected from the group consisting of acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, vinyl acetate resin, vinyl chloride resin, and styrene-acrylic resin. Is preferable. These resins may be used as homopolymers or copolymers, and either single-phase structure or double-phase structure (core-shell type) can be used.

Further, at least one of the resin emulsions contained in the ink composition used in the present embodiment is blended in the ink composition in the form of an emulsion of resin particles obtained by emulsion polymerization of an unsaturated monomer. Is preferable. Even if the resin particles are added alone to the ink composition, the dispersion of the resin particles may be insufficient. Therefore, the emulsion form is preferable in the production of the ink composition. Further, as the emulsion, an emulsion of acrylic resin particles, that is, an acrylic emulsion is preferable from the viewpoint of storage stability of the ink composition.
An emulsion of resin particles (acrylic emulsion or the like) can be obtained by a known emulsion polymerization method. For example, it can be obtained by emulsion polymerization of an unsaturated monomer (unsaturated vinyl monomer or the like) in water in which a polymerization initiator and a surfactant are present.

Examples of the unsaturated monomer include an acrylic acid ester monomer, a methacrylic acid ester monomer, an aromatic vinyl monomer, a vinyl ester monomer, and a vinyl cyan compound monomer generally used in emulsion polymerization. , Halogenized monomer, olefin monomer, diene monomer and the like.

More specifically, as unsaturated monomers, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, isopropyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate, n-amyl acrylate, isoamyl acrylate, n-hexyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate. , Octyl acrylate, decyl acrylate, dodecyl acrylate, octadecyl acrylate, cyclohexyl acrylate, phenyl acrylate, benzyl acrylate, glycidyl acrylate and other acrylic acid esters; methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, isopropyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate, n -Methacrylate esters such as amyl methacrylate, isoamyl methacrylate, n-hexyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, octyl methacrylate, decyl methacrylate, dodecyl methacrylate, octadecyl methacrylate, cyclohexyl methacrylate, phenyl methacrylate, benzyl methacrylate, glycidyl methacrylate; vinyl esters; acrylonitrile, vinyl cyanide compounds such as methacrylonitrile; vinylidene chloride, halogen monomers including vinyl chloride and the like; styrene, alpha-main methylstyrene, vinyltoluene, 4-t-butylstyrene, chlorostyrene, vinyl anisole, Aromatic vinyl monomers such as vinylnaphthalene; olefins such as ethylene and propylene; dienes such as butadiene and chloroprene; vinyl monomers such as vinyl ethers, vinyl ketones and vinylpyrrolidones; acrylic acids, methacrylates, itaconic acids, fumaric acids, Unsaturated carboxylic acids such as maleic acid; acrylamides such as acrylamide, methacrylicamide, N, N'-dimethylacrylamide; 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate and the like. Examples thereof include the hydroxyl group-containing monomer of. These are used alone or in admixture of two or more.

In addition, a crosslinkable monomer having two or more polymerizable double bonds can also be used as the unsaturated monomer. Examples of crosslinkable monomers having two or more polymerizable double bonds include polyethylene glycol diacrylate, triethylene glycol diacrylate, 1,3-butylene glycol diacrylate, 1,4-butylene glycol diacrylate, and the like. 1,6-Hexanediol diacrylate, neopentyl glycol diacrylate, 1,9-nonanediol diacrylate, polypropylene glycol diacrylate, 2,2'-bis (4-acryloxypropyroxyphenyl) propane, 2,2' -Diacrylate compounds such as bis (4-acryroxydiethoxyphenyl) propane; triacrylate compounds such as trimethylolpropane triacrylate, trimethylol ethanetriacrylate, tetramethylolmethanetriacrylate; ditrimethyloltetraacrylate, tetramethylolmethanetetra Tetraacrylate compounds such as acrylate and pentaerythritol tetraacrylate; Hexaacrylate compounds such as dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate; ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1,3-butylene glycol di Methacrylate, 1,4 Butylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1,6-hexanediol dimethacrylate, Neopentyl glycol dimethacrylate, Dipropylene glycol dimethacrylate, Polypropylene glycol dimethacrylate, Polybutylene glycol dimethacrylate, 2,2'-bis (4) -Dimethacrylate compounds such as (methacryloxydiethoxyphenyl) propane; trimethacrylate compounds such as trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate and trimethylolethanetrimethacrylate; methylenebisacrylamide; divinylbenzene. These may be used alone or in admixture of two or more.

Further, in addition to the polymerization initiator and the surfactant used in the emulsion polymerization, a chain transfer agent, a neutralizing agent and the like may be used according to a conventional method. In particular, as the neutralizing agent, ammonia and an inorganic alkali hydroxide, for example, sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide are preferable.

In the present embodiment, the resin emulsion contains 1 resin particle in the ink composition from the viewpoint of more effectively obtaining the inkjet suitable physical property value, reliability (clogging, ejection stability, etc.), fixability, etc. of the ink composition. It is preferably contained so as to be in the range of% by mass to 10% by mass.

The volume average particle size of the resin emulsion contained in the ink composition is preferably 5 nm to 400 nm, preferably 50 nm to 200 nm, from the viewpoint of dispersion stability and fixability of the resin particles in the ink composition. Is more preferable. This volume average particle size is measured using, for example, a Coulter counter N4 (manufactured by Coulter, trade name).

Next, the intermediate transfer device 200 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate transport device 200 includes an intermediate transport unit 252 capable of transporting the paper M. The intermediate transfer section 252 includes at least one reversing section (two first reversing sections 241 and a second reversing section 242 in the present embodiment) for reversing the conveyed paper M. The first reversing section 241 and the second reversing section 242 are located on the downstream side of the recording section 110 in the transport direction in the transport path, and flip the paper M on which the image is formed (printed). Further, the intermediate transfer device 200 includes an intermediate transfer path 218 in which the paper M is conveyed. Therefore, the intermediate transport device 200 has a drying function of drying the paper M on which the image is formed in the image forming apparatus 100 while transporting the paper M, and a reversing function of reversing the paper M transported from the image forming apparatus 100. ..

The intermediate transfer path 218 of the intermediate transfer device 200 is connected to the third discharge path 153 of the image forming apparatus 100. Further, the intermediate transport path 218 includes an introduction path 243 whose upstream end is connected to the third discharge path 153, and a first branch path 244 and a second branch path 245 branched at a branch point A which is a downstream end of the introduction path 243. And have. That is, the downstream end of the introduction path 243, the upstream end of the first branch path 244, and the upstream end of the second branch path 245 are connected to the branch point A, respectively. The path lengths of the first branch path 244 and the second branch path 245 in the transport direction are substantially the same as each other.

Further, the intermediate transport path 218 is connected to the first confluence path 246 connected to the first connection point B which is the downstream end of the first branch path 244 and the second connection point C which is the downstream end of the second branch path 245. It has a connected second merging path 247. The path lengths of the first merging path 246 and the second merging path 247 in the transport direction are substantially the same as each other.

Further, the first inversion path 248 of the first inversion unit 241 is connected to the first connection point B. Further, a second inversion path 249 included in the second inversion unit 242 is connected to the second connection point C. That is, the downstream end of the first branch path 244, the upstream end of the first confluence path 246, and one end of the first inversion path 248 are connected to the first connection point B. Further, the downstream end of the second branch path 245, the upstream end of the second merging path 247, and one end of the second inversion path 249 are connected to the second connection point C. The path lengths of the first inversion path 248 and the second inversion path 249 are configured to be equal to or longer than the length of the paper M capable of forming (printing) an image by the image forming apparatus 100 in the transport direction.

Further, the intermediate transport path 218 is provided with a confluence point D at which the first confluence path 246 and the second confluence path 247 merge, and has a lead-out path 250 connected to the confluence point D. That is, the downstream end of the first merging path 246, the downstream end of the second merging path 247, and the upstream end of the out-licensing path 250 are connected to the merging point D. The out-licensing path 250 extends downward between the first inversion path 248 and the second inversion path 249 toward the aftertreatment device 300, and then turns so as to wrap around the first inversion path 248 and extends upward. .. The derivation path 250 is composed of a first derivation path 250a arranged on the upstream side and a second derivation path 250b arranged on the downstream side of the first derivation path 250a. The downstream end of the second lead-out path 250b is connected to the downstream transfer path 319 of the aftertreatment device 300.

Then, in the present embodiment, the introduction path 243, the first branch path 244, and the second branch path 245 constitute the pre-reversal path 218a, and the first confluence path 246, the second confluence path 247, and the derivation path. The inversion path 218b is configured by the 250. The pre-reversal path 218a is located upstream of the first reversing section 241 or the second reversing section 242 in the transport direction. Further, the post-reversal path 218b is located downstream of the first reversing section 241 or the second reversing section 242 in the transport direction. That is, the intermediate transport path 218 has a pre-reversal path 218a located upstream of the first reversing section 241 and the second reversing section 242 in the transport direction, and a post-reversal path 218b located downstream in the transport direction. doing.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate transport device 200 includes an intermediate transport unit 252 capable of transporting the paper M following the intermediate transport path 218. The first reversing section 241 and the second reversing section 242 in the intermediate transport section 252 are configured so that the paper M to be transported can be reversed.

A first transfer roller pair 254 driven by a first drive motor (not shown) is arranged on the introduction path 243, the first branch path 244, and the second branch path 245. Further, a second transfer roller pair 256 driven by a second drive motor (not shown) is arranged on the first merging path 246, the second merging path 247, and the first out-licensing path 250a. Further, a third transport roller pair 257 driven by a third drive motor (not shown) is arranged on the second lead-out path 250b. The number of the first transport roller pair 254, the second transport roller pair 256, and the third transport roller pair 257 can be arbitrarily set depending on the form of each transport path and the like. Then, in a state where each roller pair of the intermediate transport unit 252 sandwiches and supports the paper M from both the front and back sides, one of the roller pairs is rotationally driven to transport the paper M along the transport path.

Further, the introduction path 243 is provided with an introduction detection unit 258 for detecting the paper M. The introduction detection unit 258 is, for example, a photo interrupter, and the specific configuration is the same as that of the transport detection unit 199. A guide flap 259 is provided at the branch point A on the downstream side in the transport direction from the introduction detection unit 258. The guide flap 259 is driven by a solenoid or the like to switch which of the first branch path 244 and the second branch path 245 guides the paper M carried on the introduction path 243.

Further, at the downstream end of the first branch path 244, the paper M is allowed to move from the first branch path 244 to the first reversal path 248, while the sheet M from the first reversal path 248 to the first branch path 244. A first regulatory flap 261 is provided to regulate the movement of the paper. Further, at the downstream end of the second branch path 245, the paper M is allowed to move from the second branch path 245 to the second reversal path 249, while the paper M from the second reversal path 249 to the second branch path 245. A second regulatory flap 262 is provided to regulate the movement of the paper. These first regulation flaps 261 and second regulation flaps 262 are urged so as to block the downstream end of the first branch path 244 or the second branch path 245 by the urging force of the urging member (not shown). ..

Further, a first detection unit 281 for detecting the paper M is arranged on the first branch path 244, and a second detection unit 282 for detecting the paper M is arranged on the second branch path 245. Further, a third detection unit 283 for detecting the paper M is arranged on the first merging path 246. Further, a fourth detection unit 284 for detecting the paper M is arranged in the first lead-out path 250a, and a fifth detection unit 285 for detecting the paper M is arranged in the second lead-out path 250b. The first to fifth detection units 281,282, 283, 284, 285 are, for example, photo interrupters, and the specific configuration is the same as that of the transport detection unit 199. The number of detection units in each transport path can be arbitrarily set depending on the form of each transport path and the like.

The first reversing unit 241 includes a first reversing detection unit 264 for detecting the paper M fed to the first reversing path 248 and a first reversing roller pair 265 provided on the first reversing path 248 (the present embodiment). Then 2 pairs) and are arranged. The first reversing roller pair 265 is driven in the forward rotation or the reverse rotation by the first reversing motor (not shown) based on the signal transmitted when the first reversing detection unit 264 detects the paper M.

Further, the second reversing section 242 includes a second reversing detection section 267 that detects the paper M fed to the second reversing path 249, and a second reversing roller pair 268 (this) provided on the second reversing path 249. In the embodiment, 5 pairs) and are arranged. The second reversing roller pair 268 is driven in the forward rotation or the reverse rotation by the second reversing motor (not shown) based on the signal transmitted when the second reversing detection unit 267 detects the paper M. The first and second inversion detection units 264 and 267 are, for example, photo interrupters, and the specific configuration is the same as that of the transport detection unit 199.

Next, the configuration of the aftertreatment device will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the aftertreatment device 300 includes a substantially box-shaped frame body 320. The frame body 320 includes a post-processing paper feed port 322 and a post-processing paper discharge port 323. The post-processing paper feed port 322 and the post-processing paper discharge port 323 are each provided with openings, and the post-processing paper feed port 322 is arranged corresponding to the downstream end of the intermediate transfer path 218 of the intermediate transfer device 200. The intermediate transport path 218 and the downstream transport path 319 are connected. Then, the downstream side transfer path 319 is arranged from the post-processing paper feed port 322 to the post-processing paper discharge port 323, and the paper M conveyed from the intermediate transfer device 200 is supplied from the post-processing paper feed port 322, and the paper M is supplied. After performing post-treatment or the like on the paper, the paper is discharged from the post-treatment paper ejection port 323.

A stacker 328, a post-processing unit 325, and the like are arranged inside the frame body 320. The stacker 328 is for temporarily placing the paper M, and is formed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface 328a having a substantially flat surface on which the paper M can be placed and the end portion of the mounting surface 328a. It has a wall surface 328b and the like.

The post-processing unit 325 performs punch processing for punching punch holes in the paper M in a state of being placed on the stacker 328, staple processing for binding the paper M in predetermined sheets, and the width direction of the paper M. Post-processing such as shift processing for adjusting the position of each sheet or bundle by shifting the position in the width direction is performed by an appropriate mechanism. In addition, the post-processing unit 325 can perform a paper folding unit for folding the paper M, a cutting process for cutting the paper M, a signature process for folding the paper M, a bookbinding process for binding the paper M, a collating process, and the like. It may be provided with a mechanism.

Further, inside the frame body 320, a downstream transport portion 335 is arranged along the downstream transport path 319. The downstream transport unit 335 has a transport roller pair 327 driven by a drive roller (not shown). A paper ejection roller pair 329 is arranged in the vicinity of the post-processing paper ejection port 323 in the downstream transport path 319. The transport roller pair 327 is arranged on the upstream side of the stacker 328 and the post-processing unit 325 in the downstream transport path 319, and transports the paper M fed from the post-processing paper feed port 322 to the stacker 328. Further, a transport detection unit 356 for detecting the paper M is arranged in the vicinity of the post-processing paper feed port 322 in the downstream transport path 319. The transport detection unit 356 is, for example, a photo interrupter, and the specific configuration is the same as that of the transport detection unit 199.

Further, inside the frame body 320, a guide portion 330 for guiding the paper M transported along the downstream side transport path 319 is provided. The guide portion 330 has a protruding portion shape. The guide portion 330 is provided with a guide surface 330a having a substantially flat surface, and the guide surface 330a is arranged so as to face the downstream transfer path 319 (stacker 328). The dimensional width of the guide surface 330a of the present embodiment that is substantially orthogonal to the transport direction of the paper M has substantially the same size as the dimensional width of the paper M that is substantially orthogonal to the transport direction. As a result, the paper M can be easily conveyed. The guide portion 330 is located on the downstream side of the transport roller pair 327 in the downstream transport path 319 and is arranged on the upstream side of the paper ejection roller pair 329. Therefore, the paper M conveyed from the transfer roller pair 327 is conveyed to the stacker 328 via the guide portion 330.

The stacker 328 of the present embodiment is arranged on the downstream side of the transfer roller pair 327 in the downstream transfer path 319, and temporarily places the paper M processed by the post-processing unit 325. The stacking surfaces 328a of the stacker 328 are arranged in an oblique direction so that at least one end side of the plurality of sheets M mounted on the stacker 328 is aligned. In the present embodiment, one end of the stacker 328 is arranged on the post-processing discharge port 323 side, and the other end (wall surface 328b) of the stacker 328 is arranged on the post-processing unit 325 side. The post-processing paper ejection port 323 is arranged above the post-processing unit 325, and the stacker 328 is arranged obliquely so as to be downward toward the post-processing unit 325. As a result, one end side of the paper M placed on the stacker 328 comes into contact with the wall surface 328b of the stacker 328, so that one end side of the paper M is aligned.

4 and 5 are schematic views showing the operation of the aftertreatment device. In detail, it is a schematic diagram which shows the operation of a paper ejection roller pair 329. The paper ejection roller pair 329 is arranged on one end side of the stacker 328, and is configured to eject the paper M placed on the stacker 328 for each sheet or for each bundle composed of a predetermined number of sheets. The paper ejection roller pair 329 includes a first paper ejection roller 329a and a second paper ejection roller 329b. The first paper ejection roller 329a and the second paper ejection roller 329b are arranged in the vertical direction Z, and the first paper ejection roller 329a is arranged so as to be above the second paper ejection roller 329b. The first paper ejection roller 329a and the second paper ejection roller 329b are configured so as to be separated and pressure-welded. In the present embodiment, the first paper ejection roller 329a is configured to be movable with respect to the second paper ejection roller 329b by a drive motor.

Then, when the paper M conveyed from the transfer roller pair 327 is placed on the stacker 328, the paper discharge roller pair 329 is separated as shown in FIG. At this time, the first paper ejection roller 329a is arranged at the first position Ps1 in which the interval G between the first paper ejection roller 329a and the second paper ejection roller 329b is the first interval G1. The first position Ps1 is a defined home position, and the first interval G1 is a value at which the interval G between the first paper ejection roller 329a and the second paper ejection roller 329b is maximized. The interval G is an interval in the direction in which the paper M is sandwiched between the first paper ejection roller 329a and the second paper ejection roller 329b, and the outermost peripheral surface of the first paper ejection roller 329a and the second paper ejection roller 329b. It is the shortest dimension with the outermost peripheral surface. Then, after a part of the paper M has passed between the first paper ejection roller 329a and the second paper ejection roller 329b in this state, as shown in FIG. 5, the first paper ejection roller 329a and the second paper ejection roller 329a and the second paper ejection The paper M is pressure-welded (nip) with the roller 329b so as to sandwich the paper M, and the paper ejection rollers 329 (first paper ejection roller 329a, second paper ejection roller 329b) are rotated in the direction of pulling back toward the stacker 328 side. As a result, the paper M is placed on the stacker 328. At this time, the first paper ejection roller 329a is lower than the first position Ps1 and moves to the nip position Psn where the paper M is nipped by the first paper ejection roller 329a and the second paper ejection roller 329b. Then, the separation and pressure welding operations of the first paper ejection roller 329a and the second paper ejection roller 329b are repeated until a predetermined number of sheets of paper M are placed on the stacker 328.

When the paper M that has been post-processed by the post-processing unit 325 is discharged to the output tray 331 side, a predetermined number of sheets of paper M are niped and the output rollers 329 (first output roller 329a, first). 2 The paper ejection roller 329b) is rotated in the direction of being conveyed to the side opposite to the stacker 328 side. As a result, the paper M can be ejected to the output tray 331 side. At this time, the first paper ejection roller 329a is arranged at the nip position Psn in which the paper M placed on the stacker 328 by the first paper ejection roller 329a and the second paper ejection roller 329b is nipated (see FIG. 5). ..

The paper output tray 331 is provided on the outside of the frame body 320, and loads the paper M discharged from the post-processing paper discharge port 323. The output tray 331 has a mounting surface 331a on which the paper M is loaded (placed), and is provided so as to project toward the outside of the frame body 320.

Next, the basic operation method of the printing apparatus will be described. 6 to 9 are schematic views showing an operation method of the printing apparatus. In the following description, a transport mode of the paper M transported from the image forming apparatus 100 to the post-processing apparatus 300 via the intermediate transport device 200 will be described. The sheets M supplied to and conveyed to the recording head 111 of the image forming apparatus 100 are the first sheet Ma, the second sheet Mb, and the third sheet Mc in order from the first sheet, and the fourth sheet M is the fourth sheet. This will be described as paper Md.

First, when the printing process (image forming process) is executed, the control unit 10 drives each drive motor. As a result, the pickup roller 142a, the transfer roller pair 131, the drive roller 133, the first transfer roller pair 254, the second transfer roller pair 256, the third transfer roller pair 257, and the first reversing roller pair 265 connected to each drive motor. , The second reversing roller pair 268, the transport roller pair 327, and the like are driven.

Then, the recording unit 110 ejects ink from the recording head 111 onto the paper M to form an image (print). In this case, the printing process may be single-sided printing or double-sided printing.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the first sheet Ma conveyed through the third discharge path 153 at the speed before reversal is delivered to the introduction path 243 at substantially the same speed. Then, when the introduction detection unit 258 detects the tip of the first sheet Ma, the control unit 10 drives the solenoid to position the guide flap 259 at the first position P1. That is, the guide flap 259 guides the first sheet Ma to the first branch path 244. Then, the first paper Ma conveyed to the first connection point B moves the first regulation flap 261 so as to resist the urging force of the urging member when the tip of the first paper Ma comes into contact with the first regulation flap 261. That is, the first regulation flap 261 moves so as to open the downstream end of the first branch path 244. Therefore, the first sheet Ma is fed to the first reversing path 248 at the speed before reversing by the first reversing roller pair 265 driven in the normal rotation. Then, when the first paper Ma passes through the first regulation flap 261, the first regulation flap 261 moves from the position where the downstream end of the first branch path 244 is opened to the position where it is closed.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the first reversing detection unit 264 detects the rear end of the first sheet Ma, the control unit 10 switches the first reversing roller pair 265, which has been driven in the forward rotation, to the reverse rotation drive. Then, the first reversing unit 241 feeds the first sheet Ma from the first reversing path 248 to the first connection point B side at the speed after reversing. Further, at this time, the first regulation flap 261 guides the first sheet Ma to the first merging path 246. That is, the first reversing unit 241 reverses (switches back) the direction of the first paper Ma by sending the first paper Ma sent from the first branch path 244 to the first merging path 246.

Further, when the introduction detection unit 258 detects the tip of the second sheet Mb, the control unit 10 drives the solenoid to change the position of the guide flap 259. That is, the control unit 10 moves the guide flap 259 located at the first position P1 to the second position P2. Then, the guide flap 259 guides the second sheet Mb to the second branch path 245.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first sheet Ma inverted by the first inversion unit 241 is conveyed in the inversion path 218b at the inversion speed. Then, when the first sheet Ma passes through the first connection point B, the control unit 10 rotates the first reversing roller pair 265 in the forward rotation. Further, when the second reversing detection unit 267 detects the rear end of the second sheet Mb, the control unit 10 reversely rotates the second reversing roller pair 268. That is, the second reversing unit 242 reverses the second sheet Mb in the same manner as the first reversing unit 241 and sends it out to the second merging path 247 at the speed after reversing.

Further, when the introduction detection unit 258 detects the tip of the third sheet Mc, the control unit 10 drives the solenoid to change the position of the guide flap 259. Specifically, the control unit 10 moves the guide flap 259 located at the second position P2 to the first position P1. That is, the guide flap 259 alternately guides the conveyed paper M to the first branch path 244 and the second branch path 245.

As shown in FIG. 9, the second sheet Mb that has been inverted by the second reversing section 242 and sent out to the second merging path 247 is conveyed along the derivation path 250 via the merging point D. At this time, the intermediate transport unit 252 transports the first sheet Ma and the second sheet Mb at a speed after reversal, which is slower than the speed before reversal. Therefore, the distance between the first sheet Ma and the second sheet Mb in the conveying direction is narrower than that in the case where the first sheet Ma and the second sheet Mb are conveyed at the pre-reversing speed.

Then, when the first reversing detection unit 264 detects the rear end of the third sheet Mc, the control unit 10 reversely rotates the first reversing roller pair 265 and sends the third sheet Mc to the first merging path 246. When the introduction detection unit 258 detects the tip of the fourth sheet Md, the control unit 10 drives the solenoid to change the position of the guide flap 259 to the second position P2.

Then, the intermediate transfer device 200 sends out the first sheet Ma introduced earlier to the aftertreatment device 300 in order. That is, the paper M is sent to the post-processing device 300 by inverting the surface of the paper M in the intermediate transfer device 200. Further, since the downstream side transport unit 335 transports the paper M at a processing speed faster than the speed after reversing, the distance between the paper M is widened. Then, the paper M is sequentially conveyed to the stacker 328, and when a predetermined number of sheets M are placed on the stacker 328, the post-processing unit 325 performs processing such as stapling, and the paper ejection tray is driven by the output roller pair 329. It is discharged to 331.

Next, the problems related to the aftertreatment device 300 of the present embodiment will be described. As described above, when the image forming apparatus 100 is an inkjet printer provided with a recording head 111 that ejects ink as droplets, the paper M on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus 100 absorbs ink (moisture). Curling (a state in which the paper is curved or a state in which the paper is curled) may occur as the ink dries. Therefore, when the paper M on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus 100 (injection printer) is sequentially placed on the stacker 328, when the degree of curl of the previously placed paper M becomes large, the latter There is a possibility that the paper M transported from the paper M may come into contact with the curled portion of the previously placed paper M to cause a transport failure.

Further, the mechanism of curling of the paper M will be described in detail. The paper M of the present embodiment is composed mainly of cellulose, and the celluloses are formed by hydrogen bonds. Therefore, when the ink is applied to one side of the paper M by the image forming apparatus 100, the hydrogen bonds between the celluloses are broken by the absorption of the ink. Then, the distance between the celluloses is widened, and one side of the paper M coated with the ink is more easily stretched than the other side of the paper M which is opposite to the one side. Therefore, when one side of the paper M is placed in the direction of gravity (downward), the paper M curls convexly in the direction of gravity (primary curl).
Further, after the primary curl is generated, as the drying of the ink absorbed in the paper M progresses, the celluloses are freely bonded to each other by hydrogen bonds, and the interval between the celluloses becomes narrower. Then, one side of the paper M coated with the ink shrinks more than the other side. Therefore, when one side of the paper M is placed facing the direction of gravity, the paper M is concave with respect to the direction of gravity (convex toward the side opposite to the direction of gravity), contrary to the case of the primary curl. ) (Secondary curl).

Here, in the post-processing apparatus 300 of the present embodiment, the curl of the paper M (particularly the secondary curl) becomes a problem. Specifically, the paper M on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus 100 is conveyed to the post-processing apparatus 300 via the intermediate conveying apparatus 200. In this process, as the ink applied to the paper M dries with the passage of time, the secondary curl becomes larger. Therefore, for example, the third discharge path 153, the intermediate transfer path 218, the downstream transfer path 319, etc. If a paper M transport defect (jam) occurs and the paper M transport is interrupted, the paper M already placed on the stacker 328 becomes larger in curl (secondary curl) with the passage of time. To go. Then, when the jam is resolved, the transport of the paper M is restarted, and the paper M transported after the jam is resolved is transported to the stacker 328, the paper M transported later is already placed on the stacker 328. It gets caught in the curled portion of the paper M and causes a transport problem. In particular, the paper M that has already been conveyed to the stacker 328 is curled with respect to the mounting surface 328a so that the end portion of the paper M rises above the center portion and is deformed (secondary curl concave with respect to the mounting surface 328a). If this is the case, the paper M is likely to be caught in the curled portion, and a transport problem is likely to occur. In the case of a curl in which the central portion of the paper M is lifted and deformed with respect to the mounting surface 328a (secondary curl convex with respect to the mounting surface 328a), the weight of the paper M is its own weight. As a result, the amount of deformation is reduced, and although the tendency for transport defects to occur is lower than that of the concave secondary curl, it can be similarly treated as a transport problem related to the deformation (curl) of the paper M.

Further, the curl of the paper M is not limited to single-sided printing, but also occurs in double-sided printing. That is, when the printing duty on one side of the paper M and the printing duty on the other side are different, curling of the paper M can occur. In particular, when the difference between the printing duty on one side of the paper M and the printing duty on the other side is a predetermined value or more (for example, about 30% or more), the curl of the paper M becomes remarkable. In addition, "duty" means duty (%) = number of actual recording dots / (vertical resolution x horizontal resolution) x 100 (in the formula, "number of actual recording dots" is the number of actual recording dots per unit area. "Vertical resolution" and "horizontal resolution" are values calculated in terms of resolution per unit area, respectively.

Therefore, the aftertreatment device 300 is provided with a suppressing unit 450 that suppresses deformation (curl) of the paper M with respect to the paper M placed on the stacker 328. The restraining unit 450 can reduce the transport failure of the paper M caused by the occurrence of curl (particularly the secondary curl) of the paper M placed on the stacker 328.

Next, the configuration of the suppression unit will be described. 10, 11, and 12 are schematic views showing the configuration of each suppression unit. In the example of FIG. 10, the paper ejection roller pair 329 has a function as a suppression unit 450. Then, the paper ejection roller pair 329 as the suppressing portion 450 suppresses the deformation (curl) of the paper M between the stacker 328 and the paper ejection tray 331. That is, the paper ejection roller pair 329 does not participate in the stacker 328 and independently suppresses the curl of the paper M. Specifically, the paper ejection roller pair 329 as the suppression unit 450 includes a first paper ejection roller 329a as a first roller and a second paper ejection roller 329b as a second roller. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the distance G between the first paper ejection roller 329a and the second paper ejection roller 329b is the first interval G1 and the second interval G2 in which the interval G is narrower than the first interval G1. It is configured to be variable to. In the present embodiment, when the first paper ejection roller 329a is located at the first position Ps1, the first interval G1 is set (see FIG. 4). Further, the first paper ejection roller 329a can be arbitrarily moved between the first position Ps1 and the nip position Psn (see FIG. 5). Then, by moving the first paper ejection roller 329a from the first position Ps1 to the second paper ejection roller 329b side, it is possible to set the second interval G2 in which the interval G is narrower than the first interval G1. Therefore, the nip position Psn can also be the second position Ps2.

Then, in the case of suppressing the deformation of the paper M with respect to the paper M placed on the stacker 328, the first paper ejection roller 329a and the first paper ejection roller 329a are passed through the paper M placed on the stacker 328. 2 The interval G with the paper ejection roller 329b is set to the second interval G2, which is narrower than the first interval G1. That is, the first paper ejection roller 329a is moved from the first position Ps1 to the second position Ps2. As a result, the distance G between the first paper ejection roller 329a and the second paper ejection roller 329b is narrower than that of the first paper ejection roller G1, so that the deformation (curl) of the paper M is restricted.
When suppressing the deformation of the paper M with respect to the paper M placed on the stacker 328, the first paper ejection roller 329a is set and the nip position Psn for nipating the paper M is set to the second position Ps2. It is preferable to do so. That is, in the first position Ps1 in which the first interval G1 is formed, the second paper ejection roller 329b is in contact with the paper M, but the first paper ejection roller 329a is not in contact with the paper M. On the other hand, at the nip position Psn (second position Ps2), which is the second interval G2, the first paper ejection roller 329a and the second paper ejection roller 329b come into contact with the paper M. In this way, since the paper M is pressed by the first paper ejection roller 329a and the second paper ejection roller 329b, a part of the paper M is held in a flat state, so that the occurrence of curl is suppressed. .. Further, since the opportunity for the surface of the paper M to come into contact with the outside air is reduced by being pressed, the drying of the ink applied to the paper M can be suppressed, and the occurrence of curl can be suppressed. The nip force when the second position Ps2 is set as the nip position Psn is weaker than the nip force when the normal paper M is conveyed. For example, the pressure is set so that the nipped paper M can be pulled out by hand. You may. The load on the paper ejection roller vs. 329 can be reduced.

Further, in the example of FIG. 11, the guide unit 330 can function as the suppression unit 450 separately from the paper ejection roller pair 329. Then, the guide portion 330 as the restraining portion 450 suppresses the deformation (curl) of the paper M on the stacker 328. That is, the guide unit 330 suppresses the curl of the paper M while engaging with a part of the stacker 328 (such as the mounting surface 328a on which the paper M is placed). Specifically, the guide portion 330 as the restraining portion 450 includes a guide surface 330a as a part of the contact portion that can come into contact with the surface of the paper M. Then, the distance K between the paper M placed on the stacker 328 and the guide surface 330a can be changed between the first gap K1 and the second gap K2 in which the gap K is narrower than the first gap K1. It is configured. The guide portion 330 of the present embodiment is connected to a drive motor and is configured to be rotatable around the axis of the first paper ejection roller 329a.

In the present embodiment, the guide surface 330a of the guide portion 330 approaches the paper M side in order to suppress the deformation of the first position Pk1 (home position) when the paper M is conveyed and the paper M. It is possible to move between the second position Pk2 that has been moved in the direction. As a result, the distance K between the paper M placed on the stacker 328 and the guide surface 330a becomes variable. As a result, the distance K between the paper M placed on the stacker 328 and the guide surface 330a can be changed between the first gap K1 and the second gap K2 in which the gap K is narrower than the first gap K1. Become. In the present embodiment, the interval K is set between the tip portion 330b of the guide portion 330 (the end portion of the guide portion 330 opposite to the first paper ejection roller 329a and a part of the contact portion) and the paper M. It can be set by the dimension between the specified point (fixed point) Mt. Thereby, the distance K between the paper M and the guide surface 330a can be defined.

Then, in order to suppress the deformation of the paper M with respect to the paper M placed on the stacker 328, the guide portion 330 is moved from the first position Pk1 to the second position Pk2, and the paper M and the guide surface 330a are moved. The interval K with and from is changed to the second interval K2, which is narrower than the first interval K1. As a result, the distance K between the paper M and the guide surface 330a is narrowed, so that the deformation (curl) of the paper M is restricted. When suppressing the deformation of the paper M with respect to the paper M placed on the stacker 328, the tip portion 330b of the guide portion 330 can press the paper M on the stacker 328. It is preferable to move the guide unit 330 with the desired position as the second position Pk2. That is, in the first position Pk1 which is the first interval K1, the guide surface 330a and the tip portion 330b of the guide portion 330 are not in contact with the paper M. On the other hand, in the second position Pk2 where the second interval K2 is set, the tip portion 330b of the guide portion 330 comes into contact with the paper M. In this way, since the paper M is pressed by the guide portion 330, a part of the paper M is held in a substantially flat state, so that the occurrence of curl can be efficiently suppressed.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the paper ejection roller pair 329 and the guide unit 330 are configured as the suppression unit 450. Specifically, when suppressing the deformation of the paper M in the state of being placed on the stacker 328, the first paper ejection roller is passed through the paper M in the state of being placed on the stacker 328. The distance G between the 329a and the second paper ejection roller 329b is set to the second gap G2. That is, the first paper ejection roller 329a is moved from the first position Ps1 to the second position Ps2. Further, the distance K between the paper M placed on the stacker 328 and the guide surface 330a is set to the second gap K2. That is, the guide unit 330 is moved from the first position Pk1 to the second position Pk2. As a result, the paper M in the state of being placed on the stacker 328 is restricted from being deformed (curled) by the paper ejection roller pair 329 and the guide portion 330, and the occurrence of the paper M deformation (curl) is further suppressed. can do.

Next, the configuration of the control unit of the printing apparatus will be described. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a partial configuration of a control unit of the printing apparatus. Note that FIG. 13 mainly shows the configuration related to the control of the suppression unit 450.

As shown in FIG. 13, the printing device 1 includes a control unit 10. The control unit 10 includes a CPU, a ROM as a storage means, a RAM, and an input / output interface, and processes various signals input by the CPU via the input / output interface based on the data of the ROM and the RAM to form an input / output interface. A control signal is output to each drive unit via the system. The CPU performs various controls based on, for example, a control program stored in the ROM.

The control unit 10 includes each detection unit (convey detection unit 199, introduction detection unit 258, first to fifth detection units 281,282,283,284,285, first and second inversion detection units 264,267, and transfer. The detection unit 356) is connected, and detection data is transmitted from each detection unit. Further, each drive motor (convey drive motor, first to third drive motors, first and second reversing motors, each drive motor) is connected to the control unit 10, and the control unit 10 connects to each drive motor. The drive control signal generated based on the detection data is transmitted, and each drive motor is driven and controlled. Then, as each drive motor is driven, each roller equal member (conveyor roller pair 131, first to third transport roller pair 254, 256, 257, first and second reversing roller pair) connected to each drive motor is connected. 265,268, the first paper ejection roller 329a, the guide portion 330, and the transport roller pair 327) are driven.

Next, a control method of the printing apparatus will be described. In detail, a control method of the suppression unit will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a control method of the printing apparatus. As shown in FIG. 14, the control method of the suppression unit 450 is executed by the suppression execution process in step S100 and the suppression release process in step S200. Then, in the suppression execution process of step S100, when a jam occurs on the upstream side of the paper M transport path ( third discharge path 153, intermediate transport path 218, downstream transport path 319) from the stacker 328, the suppression unit At 450, the deformation (curl) of the paper M is suppressed. Specifically, when a jam occurs, the paper M located downstream of the location where the jam has occurred is transported to the stacker 328, and then the suppression unit 450 is driven (executed). Further, in the suppression release process in step S200, when the jam is eliminated, the paper M first conveyed to the stacker 328 after the jam is eliminated can be placed on the stacker 328 and is placed on the suppression unit 450. On the other hand, the drive of the suppression unit 450 is released based on the detection result of the detection unit arranged at the closest position upstream of the transport path. In other words, in the suppression release process in step S200, when the jam is resolved, the suppression is performed based on the detection result of the detection unit located upstream of the suppression unit 450 and closest to the suppression unit 450. The drive of the unit 450 is released. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

First, the suppression execution processing method will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an execution processing method of the suppression unit. As shown in FIG. 15, in step S101, the paper M is conveyed. Specifically, each of the transfer roller pairs (convey roller pair 131, first to third transfer roller pairs 254, 256, 257, first and second) of the image forming apparatus 100, the intermediate transfer device 200 and the aftertreatment device 300. (Reversing roller pair 265,268, paper ejection roller pair 329, transport roller pair 327) are driven. In addition, the recording unit 110 of the image forming apparatus 100 is driven to form an image on the conveyed paper M. As a result, the paper M on which the image is formed is conveyed to the third discharge path 153, the intermediate transfer path 218, and the downstream transfer path 319.

Next, in step S102, it is determined whether or not a jam has occurred. Specifically, the control unit 10 determines whether or not there is a jam on the third discharge path 153, the intermediate transport path 218, and the downstream transport path 319 whose transport path is on the upstream side of the stacker 328. The jam is a detection unit (convey detection unit 199, introduction detection unit 258, first to fifth detection units 281,228,283,284,285, first and second inversion detection units 264, respectively) arranged in the transport path. 267, the determination is made based on the detection data transmitted from the transport detection unit 356). Then, if it is determined that a jam has occurred (YES), the process proceeds to step S103, and if it is determined that no jam has occurred (NO), the process ends (returns).

Next, when the process proceeds to step S103, it is determined whether or not there is paper M between the place where the jam has occurred and the stacker 328. Specifically, each detection unit (transport detection unit 199, introduction detection unit 258, first to fifth detection units 281,282, 283, 284, 285) arranged between the place where the jam occurred and the stacker 328 , 1st and 2nd inversion detection units 264,267, and transport detection unit 356) make a determination based on the detection data transmitted. Then, when it is determined that there is paper M (YES), the process proceeds to step S104, and when it is determined that there is no paper M (NO), the process proceeds to step S105.

Then, when the process proceeds to step S104, the paper M located downstream of the location where the jam has occurred is conveyed to the stacker 328. That is, the paper M in the transport path between the location where the jam occurred and the stacker 328 is loaded with the corresponding transport roller pairs (convey roller pair 131, first to third transport roller pairs 254, 256, 257, first. The second reversing roller pair 265,268 and the transport roller pair 327) are driven to transport (collect) the stacker 328. Then, the process proceeds to step S103.

For example, when an error is detected in the transport detection unit 199 and a jam occurs in the third discharge path 153, and there is paper M in the intermediate transport path 218 or the downstream transport path 319, the corresponding transport roller pair (first). 3rd transport roller pair 254,256,257, 1st and 2nd reversing roller pair 265,268, transport roller pair 327), and stacker 328 of paper M in the intermediate transport path 218 or the downstream transport path 319. To be transported to.

Further, for example, in the intermediate transfer device 200, an error is detected by the introduction detection unit 258, the first detection unit 281 or the second detection unit 282, and the introduction route 243, the first branch route 244, or the second branch route If a jam occurs at 245 and the paper M is on the downstream side in the transport direction from the location where the jam occurred, the corresponding transport roller pair (second and third transport roller pair 256,257, first and second reversing rollers). Papers in the first reversing path 248, the second reversing path 249, the first merging path 246, the second merging path 247, the lead-out path 250, and the downstream transport path 319 by driving the pair 265,268 and the transport roller pair 327). M is conveyed to the stacker 328.

Further, for example, in the intermediate transfer device 200, an error is detected by the first inversion detection unit 264 or the second inversion detection unit 267, and a jam occurs in the first inversion path 248 or the second inversion path 249, resulting in jam. When the paper M is on the downstream side in the transport direction from the location where the above occurs, the corresponding transport roller pair (second and third transport roller pairs 256, 257, transport roller pair 327) is driven to drive the first merging path 246, The paper M in the second merging path 247, the lead-out path 250, and the downstream transport path 319 is transported to the stacker 328.

Further, for example, in the intermediate transfer device 200, an error is detected in the third detection unit 283 and the fourth detection unit 284, and a jam occurs in the first merging path 246, the second merging path 247, or the first derivation path 250a. Then, when the paper M is located on the downstream side in the transport direction from the location where the jam occurs, the corresponding transport roller pair (third transport roller pair 257, transport roller pair 327) is driven to drive the lead-out path 250 or the downstream transport path. The paper M in 319 is conveyed to the stacker 328.

Further, for example, in the intermediate transport device 200, when an error is detected in the fifth detection unit 285, a jam occurs in the second lead-out path 250b, and the paper M is on the downstream side in the transport direction from the location where the jam occurs. The corresponding transport roller pair (convey roller pair 327) is driven to transport the paper M in the downstream transport path 319 to the stacker 328.
The method of collecting and transporting the paper M is an example, and the arrangement of each detection unit in the transfer path and each drive motor corresponding to each of the arranged detection units can be arbitrarily set.

Next, in step S105, the suppression unit 450 is driven (executed). Specifically, the distance G between the first paper ejection roller 329a and the second paper ejection roller 329b is set to a second spacing G2 narrower than the first spacing G1 via the paper M placed on the stacker 328. Variable to. That is, the first paper ejection roller 329a is moved from the first position Ps1 to the second position Ps2. Further, the distance K between the paper M placed on the stacker 328 and the guide surface 330a is changed to the second gap K2 which is narrower than the first gap K1. That is, the guide unit 330 is moved from the first position Pk1 to the second position Pk2 (see FIG. 12).

As a result, the paper M placed on the stacker 328 is curled with the lapse of the leaving time, but the deformation (curl) of the paper M is regulated by the paper ejection roller pair 329 and the guide portion 330. , It is possible to suppress the occurrence of deformation (curl) of the paper M.
Further, after the jam occurs, the paper M located downstream from the location where the jam occurs is conveyed (recovered) to the stacker 328, and then the suppression unit 450 is driven, so that the waste of the paper M can be eliminated. it can.

Next, the suppression release processing method will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a method of releasing the suppression unit.

First, when releasing the restraining unit 450, it is necessary to eliminate the jam. For example, the paper M that causes the jam is pulled out from the transport path by hand. This eliminates the jam. Further, in consideration of the processing unit of the paper M to be post-processed by the post-processing unit 325, the paper M in the recording unit 110 or the like is also taken out from the printing device 1 from the paper M in the place where the jam occurs. After that, each detection unit (transport detection unit 199, introduction detection unit 258, first to fifth detection units 281,228,283,284,285, first and second inversion detection units 264,267, transfer detection unit 356). After confirming that the error of 1 has been cleared, the printing apparatus 1 is restarted (step S201).

Next, in step S202, the paper M that is first conveyed after the jam is cleared can be placed on the stacker 328, and the detection unit is arranged at the position closest to the upstream of the transfer path with respect to the suppression unit 450. (In the present embodiment, whether or not the fifth detection unit 285a arranged at the position closest to the upstream on the second lead-out path 250b as the transfer path with respect to the suppression unit 450) has detected the first sheet M. Judge about.
Specifically, for example, when the printing apparatus 1 is restarted with all the paper M removed from the third discharge path 153, the intermediate transfer path 218, and the downstream transfer path 319, at what timing the suppression unit 450 The problem is whether to release the drive. That is, for example, if the suppression unit 450 is released when the first paper M to be conveyed is detected by the introduction detection unit 258 on the upstream side of the intermediate transfer path 218, the first paper M is conveyed to the stacker 328. Since it takes time to complete the process, the paper M placed on the stacker 328 is deformed (curled). On the other hand, when the stacker 328 simply detects the transfer of the first sheet M by the detection unit arranged at the position closest to the upstream of the transfer path, the suppression unit 450 releases the sheet M during the release operation. It may be conveyed to the stacker 328, causing a transfer failure of the paper M.

Therefore, the time until the detection of the paper M is determined and the paper M is conveyed to the stacker 328, and the time until the release operation of the suppression unit 450 is completed in response to the judgment from the detection result of the detection unit are set. Whether or not the paper M to be conveyed first after jamming is detected based on the detection data in the detection unit (fifth detection unit 285a in the present embodiment) arranged at a position satisfying the above conditions, which must be compatible with each other. To judge. Then, if it is determined that the paper M has been detected (YES), the process proceeds to step S203. On the other hand, if it is determined that the paper M has not been detected (NO), the process proceeds to step S202 again.

Next, when the process proceeds to step S203, the drive of the suppression unit 450 is released. Specifically, the distance G between the first paper ejection roller 329a and the second paper ejection roller 329b can be changed from the second spacing G2 to the first spacing G1 via the paper M placed on the stacker 328. To do. That is, the first paper ejection roller 329a is moved from the second position Ps2 to the first position Ps1. Further, the distance K between the paper M placed on the stacker 328 and the guide surface 330a is changed from the second gap K2 to the first gap K1. That is, the guide unit 330 is moved from the second position Pk2 to the first position Pk1 (see FIGS. 4 and 12).

As a result, the suppression time by the suppression unit 450 can be secured even after the jam is released.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

When a jam occurs in the printing device 1, the paper M placed on the stacker 328 of the post-processing device 300 is suppressed by the suppressing section 450 (paper ejection roller pair 329, guide section 330). As a result, curling of the paper M can be suppressed. When the jam is released, the restraining unit 450 is driven until just before the first paper M conveyed after the jam is released is conveyed to the stacker 328. Therefore, even if the jam is released and the paper M is conveyed to the stacker 328, the occurrence of transfer defects due to curl is reduced. Then, the paper M is arranged in an orderly manner in the stacker 328, and the post-processing can be reliably performed.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes and improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. A modified example will be described below.

(Modification 1) In the above embodiment, the configuration of the paper ejection roller pair 329 and the guide portion 330 as the suppression portion 450 has been described as an example, but the configuration is not limited to this configuration. For example, the suppression unit 450 may be a blower (various fans). Then, when a jam occurs on the upstream side of the transport path of the paper M with respect to the stacker 328, the air may be blown to the paper M in the state of being placed on the stacker 328. Even in this way, deformation such as curling of the paper M can be easily suppressed by the wind pressure due to the blowing air.

(Modification 2) In the above embodiment, the configuration of the paper ejection roller pair 329 and the guide portion 330 as the suppression portion 450 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, in addition to the paper ejection roller pair 329 and the guide unit 330 as the suppression unit 450, a humidifying unit capable of humidifying the paper M placed on the stacker 328 may be provided. The humidifying mechanism and method of the humidifying part are not particularly limited, and for example, it may be a vaporization method in which water is blown to a filter soaked in water to humidify, or water is boiled with a heater and humidified using the steam. It may be a steam method or the like. Then, when a jam occurs on the upstream side of the transport path of the paper M from the stacker 328, the paper M in the state of being placed on the stacker 328 is humidified by the humidifying portion while the paper ejection rollers 329 and the guide are used. The portion 330 suppresses the deformation of the paper M. In this way, when jam occurs, the restraining portion 450 suppresses the deformation of the paper M and the humidifying portion humidifies the paper M, so that the curl of the paper M can be suppressed more effectively. .. When humidifying the paper M, the surface or region of the paper M is appropriately selected and humidified according to the curl condition of the paper M. As a result, it is possible to more efficiently suppress the occurrence of curl of the paper M.

(Modification 3) In the above embodiment, the printing device 1 is configured to include an image forming device 100, an intermediate transfer device 200, and a post-processing device 300, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the printing apparatus 1 refers to an image forming apparatus 100 that forms an image on a medium, a stacker 328 on which the medium on which an image is formed is temporarily placed, and a medium in a state of being placed on the stacker 328. A configuration including a post-processing unit 325 for executing post-processing, a post-processing device 300 having a suppression unit 450 for suppressing deformation of the medium in a state of being placed on the stacker 328, and a post-processing device 300. It may be. That is, the intermediate transfer device 200 may be omitted. Further, for example, the intermediate transfer device 200 and the image forming device 100 may be integrated, or the intermediate transfer device 200 and the post-processing device 300 may be integrated. Even in this way, when the medium on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus 100 is placed on the stacker 328, the suppression unit 450 can suppress deformation such as curling of the medium.

(Modification 4) In the above embodiment, the guide portion 330 is configured to include a guide surface 330a as a contact portion, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the guide surface 330a may be configured to include not only surface contact with the paper M but also protrusions capable of point contact with the paper M. Even in this way, curling of the paper M can be suppressed.

(Modification 5) In the above embodiment, the recording unit 110 in the image forming apparatus 100 has been described by taking as an example a line head type recording head 111 capable of simultaneously ejecting ink over substantially the entire width direction of the paper M. , Not limited to this configuration. For example, it may be a serial head type printer. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 may be configured to include a transport path dedicated to single-sided printing. Even in this way, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

1 ... Printing device, 10 ... Control unit, 100 ... Image forming device, 101 ... Recording device side housing, 102 ... Operation unit, 103 ... Paper cassette, 103a ... Gripping part, 104 ... Front plate cover, 108 ... Discharge port, 109 ... Paper output tray, 110 ... Recording unit, 111 ... Recording head, 120 ... In-device transfer path, 131 ... Transfer roller pair, 132 ... Belt transfer unit, 133 ... Drive roller, 134 ... Driven roller, 135 ... Belt, 140 ... supply path, 141 ... first supply path, 141a ... cover, 141b ... insertion port, 142 ... second supply path, 142a ... pickup roller, 143 ... third supply path, 144 ... first drive roller pair, 145 ... separation Roller vs. 146 ... 2nd drive roller pair, 147 ... Branch mechanism, 148 ... 3rd drive roller pair, 149 ... Alignment roller pair, 150 ... Discharge path, 151 ... 1st discharge path, 151a ... Curved reversal path, 152 ... 2nd discharge path, 153 ... 3rd discharge path, 154 ... common discharge path, 155 ... discharge port, 156 ... mounting table, 157 ... vertical side wall, 160 ... branch path, 161 ... branch path roller pair, 170 ... drawer unit, 180 ... Guide mechanism (switching guide unit), 199 ... Transport detection unit, 200 ... Intermediate transport device, 218 ... Intermediate transport path, 218a ... Pre-reversal path, 218b ... Post-reversal path, 241 ... First reversing section, 242 ... 2 Inversion part, 243 ... Introduction route, 244 ... First branch route, 245 ... Second branch route, 246 ... First confluence route, 247 ... Second confluence route, 248 ... First inversion route, 249 ... Second inversion route , 250 ... Derivation path, 250a ... First derivation path, 250b ... Second derivation path, 252 ... Intermediate transfer section, 254 ... First transfer roller pair, 256 ... Second transfer roller pair, 257 ... Third transfer roller pair, 258 ... Introduction detector, 259 ... Guide flap, 261 ... First regulation flap, 262 ... Second regulation flap, 264 ... First inversion detector, 265 ... First inversion roller pair, 267 ... Second inversion detector, 268 ... 2nd reversing roller pair, 281 ... 1st detection unit, 282 ... 2nd detection unit, 283 ... 3rd detection unit, 284 ... 4th detection unit, 285 ... 5th detection unit, 285a ... 5th detection unit, 300 ... Post-processing device, 319 ... Downstream transport path, 320 ... Frame, 322 ... Post-processing paper feed port, 323 ... Post-processing paper ejection port, 325 ... Post-processing unit, 327 ... Transport roller pair, 328 ... Stacker, 328a ... mounting surface, 328b ... wall surface, 329 ... paper ejection roller vs. 329a ... first paper ejection roller, 329b ... second paper ejection roller, 3 30 ... Guide section, 330a ... Guide surface, 330b ... Tip section, 331 ... Paper output tray, 331a ... Mounting surface, 335 ... Downstream transport section, 356 ... Transport detection section, 450 ... Suppressing section.

Claims (14)

With a stacker that temporarily places the medium,
A post-processing unit that executes post-processing on a predetermined number of the media placed on the stacker, and
A paper ejection tray for loading the medium ejected from the stacker, and
A post-processing apparatus comprising: a suppressing portion for suppressing deformation of the medium with respect to the medium having a predetermined number of sheets placed on the stacker. In the post-processing apparatus according to claim 1,
A post-processing apparatus characterized in that when a jam occurs on the upstream side of the transport path of the medium with respect to the stacker, the suppressing portion suppresses the deformation of the medium. In the post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.
The restraining part
With the first roller
With a second roller,
The interval in the direction in which the medium is sandwiched between the first roller and the second roller can be changed between a first interval and a second interval in which the interval is narrower than the first interval.
When a jam occurs on the upstream side of the transport path of the medium with respect to the stacker,
A post-processing apparatus characterized in that the distance between the first roller and the second roller is changed to the second distance via the medium placed on the stacker. In the post-processing apparatus according to claim 3 ,
The first roller and the second roller are post-processing devices configured to eject the medium from the stacker to the output tray. In the post-processing apparatus according to claim 4,
At the first interval, one of the first roller and the second roller is in non-contact with the medium.
A post-processing apparatus characterized in that, at the second interval, the first roller and the second roller come into contact with the medium to suppress deformation of the medium. In the post-processing apparatus according to claim 5,
The restraining part
A contact portion capable of contacting the surface of the medium is provided.
The first roller is above the second roller and
The contact portion is a post-processing device that rotates around the axis of the first roller and comes into contact with the medium to suppress deformation of the medium. In the post-processing apparatus according to claim 5,
The restraining portion includes a contact portion capable of contacting the surface of the medium.
The distance between the medium and the contact portion in the state of being placed on the stacker can be changed between a first distance and a second distance in which the distance is narrower than the first distance.
When a jam occurs on the upstream side of the transport path of the medium with respect to the stacker,
A post-processing apparatus characterized in that the distance between the medium and the contact portion in a state of being placed on the stacker is changed to the second distance. In the post-processing apparatus according to claim 7,
At the first interval, the contact is non-contact with the medium.
At the second interval, the contact portion contacts the medium and suppresses deformation of the medium. In the post-processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The suppression unit is a blower and
When a jam occurs on the upstream side of the transport path of the medium with respect to the stacker,
An aftertreatment device characterized in that air is blown to the medium in a state of being placed on the stacker. In the post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 9 .
When the jam occurs on the upstream side of the transport path of the medium with respect to the stacker.
A post-processing device characterized in that the suppression unit is driven after the medium located downstream of the location where the jam has occurred is transported to the stacker. In the post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 10 .
When the jam is resolved
A post-processing apparatus characterized in that the drive of the suppression unit is released based on the detection result of the detection unit arranged in the transport path upstream of the suppression unit and at a position closest to the suppression unit. It is a control method of the aftertreatment device.
The aftertreatment device is
With a stacker that temporarily places the medium,
A post-processing unit that executes post-processing on the medium placed on the stacker, and
A paper ejection tray for loading the medium ejected from the stacker, and
A suppression unit that suppresses deformation of the medium with respect to the medium placed on the stacker.
With
The control method is
A step of placing a predetermined number of the media on the stacker, and
A step of suppressing the deformation of the medium by the suppressing unit with respect to the medium having less than the predetermined number of sheets placed on the stacker.
A step of executing the post-processing by the post-processing unit on the predetermined number of the media in a state of being placed on the stacker, and
Control method including. The control method according to claim 12.
In the step of suppressing the deformation of the medium by the suppressing portion,
When a jam occurs on the upstream side of the transport path of the medium with respect to the stacker, the medium located on the downstream side of the transport path with respect to the location where the jam occurs is transported to the stacker, and then by the suppression unit. A control method that suppresses deformation of the medium. The control method according to claim 12.
The step of suppressing the deformation of the medium by the suppressing portion is
A step of suppressing the deformation of the medium by the suppressing portion when a jam occurs on the upstream side of the transport path of the medium with respect to the stacker.
When the jam is resolved, a step of releasing the drive of the suppression unit based on the detection result of the detection unit arranged in the transport path upstream of the suppression unit and the position closest to the suppression unit.
Control method including.

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