JP7001337B2 - Sheet post-processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing device that performs a binding process on a sheet sent from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a multifunction device.

Conventionally, there has been known a sheet post-processing device provided with a binding device that receives a sheet on which an image is formed by an image forming device on a processing tray and closes a bundle of sheets on the processing tray.

Such a binding device includes a device for binding a sheet bundle using a needle as a binding tool, a device for fastening sheets to each other by crimping the sheet bundle using an uneven crimping member, or a tongue-shaped half-pulling device. Various types are known, such as one in which a bundle of sheets is fastened by inserting the end of a half-cut piece into the slit using a piece and a slit.

Further, in the sheet post-processing apparatus, in addition to the so-called auto mode in which the sheet bundle carried out from the image forming apparatus onto the processing tray is bound, the sheet is directly bound on the processing tray from the outside. It has a manual mode for performing binding, an inserter mode for binding a sheet conveyed from an inserter onto a processing tray, and the like (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP-A-2015-209334 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-250271

In the manual mode in such a sheet post-processing device, a sheet that has been bound once and then unbound, for example, a sheet that has been needle-bound or crimp-bound, and then the needle is removed and the originals are separated one by one. The sheet may be set on the processing tray and the binding process may be performed again. However, at the time of such re-binding, the second binding process is performed on the previously bound portion, which weakens the fastening force and causes damage or breakage of the sheet.

In view of the above points, the present invention provides a sheet post-treatment apparatus capable of reliably binding a sheet without damaging or damaging the sheet when the sheet once bound is subjected to the binding process again. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above problems, the sheet post-processing device according to the present invention is provided with a first transport means for receiving and transporting a sheet from an image forming device that forms an image on a sheet, and a paper feed device having a paper feed tray. After the sheet, the second conveying means for conveying the sheet to be fed , the processing tray for loading the sheet, the binding means for binding the sheet on the processing tray, and the control means for controlling these are provided . The first binding process, which is a processing device and performs a binding process on a bundle of sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus by the first transport means and loaded on the processing tray, and mounted on the paper feed tray. After being placed, the second binding process of performing a binding process on the sheet bundle loaded on the processing tray by the second transport means is performed, and the second binding process is performed. The binding position of the sheet bundle is set to a position different from the binding position of the sheet bundle by the first binding process.

Further, the sheet post-processing device according to the present invention has a first transport means for receiving and transporting a sheet from an image forming device that forms an image on the sheet, and a sheet fed from a paper feed device having a paper feed tray . A sheet post-processing device comprising a second transporting means for transporting, a processing tray for loading the sheet, a binding means for binding the sheet on the processing tray, and a control means for controlling these. An auto mode in which a first binding process is performed on a bundle of sheets transported from an image forming apparatus by the first transport means and loaded on the processing tray, and a first mode after being placed on the paper feed tray . An insert mode in which a second binding process is performed on a sheet bundle loaded on the processing tray by the transport means 2, and a third sheet bundle placed directly on the processing tray. It has a manual mode for performing binding processing, and is characterized in that the binding position of the sheet bundle in the insert mode and the manual mode is set to a position different from the binding position of the sheet bundle in the auto mode. There is.

Then, in the first binding process and the second binding process, binding can be performed in a direction along one side of the sheet.

Further, in the first binding process and the second binding process, binding can be performed in a direction intersecting the two sides of the corners of the sheet.

Further, in the first binding process, the corners of the sheet are bound, and in the second binding process, the corners different from the corners bound in the first binding process are bound. Can be done.

At this time, the first binding process may be performed in a direction intersecting the two sides of the corners of the sheet, and the second binding process may be performed in a direction along one side of the sheet.

Then, the control means controls the second position in the second binding process to be closer to the center of the sheet than the first position in the first binding process, so that the binding positions overlap. Can be reliably prevented.

Further, the control means sets the binding position of the sheet bundle by the second binding process at a predetermined distance along one side of the sheet with respect to the binding position of the sheet bundle by the first binding process. By setting them at separate positions, the binding positions are set at positions separated by a predetermined distance in the direction along one side of the sheet, so that overlapping of the binding positions can be reliably prevented.

Here, the first transport means and the second transport means have a first transport path for guiding the sheet from the image forming apparatus and a second transport for transporting the sheet from the paper feeding device. It is preferable to provide a route, and a third transport route for guiding the sheet from the first transport path and the second transport path to the processing tray. This simplifies the route for carrying out the sheet to the processing tray.

According to the sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention, by utilizing the fact that the binding mode is different when the sheet that has been bound once is subjected to the binding process again, the binding position with respect to the same sheet is changed according to the binding mode. , It is effective to prevent the sheet from being damaged due to overlapping binding positions.

An explanatory diagram of the overall configuration of the image forming system including the sheet integrating device according to the present invention is shown. The plan view of the binding portion in the sheet post-processing apparatus shows the matching operation of the rear end of the sheet carried out to the processing tray. FIG. 2 shows a matching operation at one side edge of the sheet. The state of the sheet after matching in FIGS. 2 and 3 is shown. The binding operation with the binding tool is shown in the side view. An explanatory diagram of the matching operation in the jog sorting mode of the sheet stacking device of FIG. 2 is shown. Each is shown. The schematic diagram of the control composition of the whole image formation system is shown. A part of the treatment tray is shown in a plan view, and a comparison of sheet alignment positions by the rear end control plate at the binding position B1 and the binding position B2 is shown in (a) and (b). A part of the treatment tray is shown in a plan view, and (a) and (b) show a comparison of sheet alignment positions by one side regulating plate at the binding position B1 and the binding position B2. A flowchart illustrating the operation of the binding position setting process is shown. A flowchart illustrating the operation of the binding process is shown. A modified example of the binding positions B1 and B2 is shown. Other modified examples of binding positions B1 and B2 are shown. An explanatory diagram of an area in which binding positions B1 and B2 are set for diagonal binding at the corners of the sheet, parallel binding at the corners, and parallel binding at two sides is shown. Other modified examples of binding positions B1 and B2 are shown.

FIG. 1 schematically shows an overall configuration of an image forming system including a sheet post-processing device according to the present invention. The illustrated image forming system includes an image forming apparatus 1 having an image forming unit for printing an image on a sheet, a document reading device 2 for reading an image to be printed on a sheet from a document, and a document being conveyed to a reading unit of the document reading device 2. It is composed of a document feeding device 3 to be printed, and a sheet post-processing device 4 which is connected to a paper ejection port of the image forming device 1 and performs post-processing on the sheet discharged from the image forming device 1.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes a cassette 5 capable of storing about 100 sheets and a storage 6 capable of storing about 1,000 sheets more than the cassette 5, and is either the cassette 5 or the storage 6. The sheets are taken out one by one and sent out to the image forming unit 1A.

The image forming unit 1A performs electrostatic printing, and includes a beam floodlight 12 that forms an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum 11, an original imager 13 that adheres toner ink to the electrostatic latent image, and a transfer charger 14. I have. Then, the image ink formed on the photosensitive drum 11 is transferred to the sheet by the transfer charger 14, the image on the sheet is heat-fixed by the fixing roller 15 arranged on the downstream side thereof, and the image ink is transferred to the sheet post-processing device 4. It is configured as.

The document reading device 2 has a first platen 16 and a second platen 17 made of transparent glass arranged side by side in the horizontal direction on the upper part of the device. The first platen 16 is used for reading a document set by hand, and is formed to the maximum size of the document that can be used. Since the second platen 17 is used for reading a document moving at a predetermined speed, it is formed to have the maximum width size of the document that can be read even when the platen 17 is run.

Inside the document reading device 2, a reading carriage 18, a condenser lens 20, and a photoelectric conversion means having, for example, a photoelectric conversion element 21 using a CCD image sensor are provided. The reading carriage 18 is provided with a lamp that irradiates the document with light and two mirrors that guide the light reflected from the document to the condenser lens 20 and the photoelectric conversion element 21.

Then, the reading carriage 18 is driven by a carriage motor (not shown) and reciprocates below the first platen 16 in the sub-scanning direction (horizontal direction) while being guided by the guide shaft, and is set on the first platen 16 when moving forward. The original is irradiated with light, and the reflected light from the original is photoelectrically converted by the photoelectric conversion element 21 to read the original. Then, the image data of the document read by the photoelectric conversion element 21 is transmitted as an image signal to the beam floodlight 12.

The document feeder 3 passes the document set in the paper feed tray 22 through the second platen 17 by the sheet transport mechanism 24, and ejects the document to the paper output tray 23. Therefore, when the original is set in the paper feed tray 22, the reading carriage 18 waits at the position of the second platen 17 and reads the passing original.

The sheet post-processing device 4 performs a binding process on the sheet image-formed by the image forming unit of the image forming device 1. The sheet post-processing device 4 is set with a binding unit 50 for binding sheets, first and second output trays 56 and 57 from which sheets are ejected, and sheets such as originals, colored paper, and interleaving paper. The paper feed tray 52, the first transport path 53 (first transport means) for guiding the sheet from the image forming apparatus 1 to the binding portion 50, and the first transport path 53 (first transport means) for guiding the sheet from the paper feed tray 52 to the binding portion 50. 2 is provided with a transport path 54 (second transport means) and a transport path 55 that branches from the first transport path 53 and guides the sheet from the image forming apparatus 1 to the first paper output tray 56. Has been done.

Further, in the sheet post-processing device 4, a paper feed mechanism for separating and feeding sheets on the paper feed tray 52 one by one and sheets are provided in the first to third transport paths 53, 54, 55. It has a plurality of transport roller pairs arranged at appropriate intervals for transport along. Further, the downstream portion of the first transport path 53 and the downstream portion of the second transport path 54 form a common transport path 56, and at the end, a discharge roller pair 60 for discharging the sheet to the discharge port 58. Is placed. The above-mentioned paper feed tray 52 and the separation mechanism function as a paper feed device, and the paper feed device may not be provided in the sheet post-processing device 4 but may be separately connected to the sheet post-processing device 4. ..

2 to 4 show the binding portion 50 in a plan view, and the width of the processing tray 61 on which the sheets 30 are integrated and the rear end control plate 62 and the sheet 30 that align the rear ends of the sheets on the processing tray 61. A pair of side restricting plates 63a and 63b that align both ends in the direction, a binding mechanism 64 as a binding means for binding the sheets 30 aligned by the processing tray 61, and a paddle 65 arranged above the processing tray 61. It is provided with a discharge belt 66 for discharging the sheet of the processing tray 61 to the second paper discharge tray 57.

The paddle 65 is rotatably supported by the rotation shaft 65a and is rotated in the direction of the arrow in the figure by the drive of the paddle drive motor M1 to push the seat 30 toward the rear end regulation plate 62 side. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the rotary shaft 65a is supported by the end of the swing lever 45 on the swing side, and the swing lever 45 is driven by the elevating drive unit 44 (FIG. 7) to swing the center. By rotating around the shaft 43 as a fulcrum, the paddle 65 moves up and down above the processing tray 61.

The discharge belt 66 is stretched on a pair of pulleys, and the sheet of the processing tray 61 is discharged to the paper discharge tray 57 by driving the discharge motor M6.

The side regulation plates 63a and 63b are provided at the left and right side ends of the processing tray 61 so as to sandwich the sheet 30, and are connected to the left side shift motor M2 and the right side shift motor M3, respectively, via a rack mechanism (not shown). ing. Therefore, the side regulation plates 63a and 63b can each reciprocate in the width direction of the seat 30 according to the forward and reverse rotations of the side shift motors M2 and M3.

Further, the rear end regulation plate 62 is also connected to the rear end regulation plate drive motor M4 via a rack mechanism (not shown), and the seat 30 is connected to the processing tray 61 in response to the forward / reverse rotation of the drive motor M4. It is possible to reciprocate back and forth in the carry-in direction.

The sheets sequentially discharged from the first and second transport paths 53 and 54 onto the processing tray 61 are aligned one by one with the rear end regulation plate 62, the side regulation plates 63a and 63b, and the paddle 65, and are aligned with the processing tray. It is positioned at the processing position by the binding mechanism 64 provided at the corner on one end side of the 61.

More specifically about the positioning, the sheet 30 carried out to the processing tray 61 is first moved toward the rear end regulation plate 62 by the rotation of the paddle 65 as shown in FIG. 2, and the rear end is the rear end regulation plate. By hitting 62, alignment is performed in the carry-in direction to the processing tray 61. In this case, the position where the rear end restricting plate 62 abuts and aligns with the rear end of the seat 30 is set by driving the rear end restricting plate drive motor M4. At this time, the paddle 65 is in a state of being lowered to a position where it comes into contact with the sheet carried out to the processing tray 61.

By aligning the rear ends of the seat 30, the right side shift motor M3 is driven to move the side regulation plate 63a toward the other side regulation plate 63b as shown in FIG. The side regulation plate 63a comes into contact with one side end of the sheet 30 and is pushed out to the side regulation plate 63b side. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the sheet 30 is aligned in the width direction by abutting the other end in the width direction with the side regulation plate 63b. At this time, the matching position in the width direction is set by driving the left side shift motor M2.

In this example, the seat 30 is aligned with reference to the left side of the seat 30, but when the seat 30 is aligned with reference to the right side, the alignment position in the width direction is determined by driving the right side shift motor M3. After setting, the left side shift motor M2 is driven to move the side regulation plate 63b toward the side regulation plate 63a.

The binding mechanism 64 includes a binding tool 70 for binding the sheet 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the binding tool 70 includes a lower tooth member 71 arranged on the sheet mounting surface side of the processing tray 61, and an upper tooth member 72 arranged to face the lower tooth member 71. Then, by sandwiching the sheet bundle with this pair of tooth molds and applying pressure, the sheet bundle is deformed and the fibers of the sheet are entangled with each other to bind them, so-called crimp binding is performed.

The lower tooth member 71 of the binding tool 70 is provided so that the upper surface 71a thereof is flush with the sheet mounting surface of the processing tray 61, and the uneven binding tooth 71c is formed on the inner bottom surface of the groove portion 71b. Has been done. On the bottom surface of the upper tooth member 72, an uneven binding tooth 72c that meshes with the binding tooth 71c of the lower tooth member 71 is formed.

The eccentric cam 73 is in contact with the upper surface 72a of the upper tooth member 72, and the rotation of the eccentric cam 73 causes the upper tooth member 72 to move downward, and the binding tooth 72c of the upper tooth member 72 is lowered. It meshes with the binding teeth 71c of the tooth member 71. As a result, the sheet between the binding tooth 72c of the upper tooth member 72 and the binding tooth 71c of the lower tooth member 71 is pressed, the fibers on the surface of the sheet are exposed, and the fibers of the sheets are entangled and fastened with each other. ..

The eccentric cam 73 is connected to the binding motor M5 via drive transmission gears 74, 75, 76, and by driving the binding motor M5 to rotate the eccentric cam 73 half a turn, the upper tooth member 72 is in the standby position. It is configured to move from the to the meshing position and then to the standby position again. That is, by rotating the eccentric cam 73 half a turn, the sheet is pressed by the binding tool 70 and the sheet is bound.

The tension spring 78 is provided to move the upper tooth member 72 to the standby position, one end thereof is attached to the attachment piece 72b formed on the upper surface 72a of the upper tooth member 72, and the other end is the side plate of the device. It is attached to the attachment pin 79 provided in (not shown). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5A, the tension spring 78 pulls the upper tooth member 72 upward and moves it to the standby position as the eccentric cam 73 rotates. Then, the eccentric cam 73 further rotates to move the upper tooth member 72 to the meshing position against the tensile force of the tension spring 78, as shown in FIG. 5 (b).

The binding processing mode of the sheet post-processing device 4 in the present embodiment includes an auto mode in which the sheet transferred from the image forming apparatus 1 to the processing tray 61 via the first transfer path 53 is bound. An insert mode in which a sheet conveyed from the paper tray 52 to the processing tray 61 via the second transfer path 54 is bound, and a sheet placed directly on the processing tray 61 by the user of the image forming apparatus 1 by manual operation. There is a manual mode that performs binding processing. And, as will become clear later, the binding position of the sheet in the auto mode and the binding position of the sheet in the insert mode and the manual mode are different. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the binding operation in the auto mode performs the first binding process, and the binding operation in the insert mode or the manual mode performs the second binding process. Each processing mode will be described in more detail.

In the auto mode, the sheet 30 image-formed by the image forming apparatus 1 is carried out to the sheet post-processing device 4, loaded on the processing tray 61, bound, and then ejected to the second paper ejection tray 57. It performs a normal series of operations as an image forming system until it is completed.

In the insert mode, the sheet placed on the paper feed tray 52 is conveyed onto the processing tray 61 by operating the insert mode switch arranged in the input unit 14 (FIG. 7) described later. Therefore, the sheets to be bound are collectively placed on the paper feed tray 52, and by operating the insert mode switch arranged in the input unit 14, they are continuously sequentially conveyed to the processing tray 61, and after the binding process. The second discharge belt 66 discharges the paper to the output tray 57. In this case, the sheet is carried out from the image forming apparatus 1 before or after the sheet is conveyed from the paper feed tray 52 to the processing tray 61, and the sheets from both the paper feed tray 52 and the image forming apparatus 1 are put together in the processing tray 61. It is also possible to perform binding processing.

In addition to this, various processes can be set. For example, a sheet to be a cover is conveyed from the paper feed tray 52 to the processing tray 61, and sheets from the image forming apparatus 1 are stacked on the sheet, and after the binding process. It can be discharged to the output tray 57. Further, after the sheet from the image forming apparatus 1 is carried out onto the processing tray 61, the sheet is conveyed from the paper feed tray 52 to the processing tray 61, and then the sheet serving as the back cover is transferred from the paper feed tray 52 onto the processing tray 61. It is also possible to carry the paper on the sheet from the image forming apparatus 1 and discharge the paper to the paper output tray 57 after the binding process.

In the manual mode, the sheet placed on the processing tray 61 is bound from the outside with the binding tool 70, and the bound sheet is discharged to the second paper ejection tray 57 by the ejection belt 66. In the manual mode of the present embodiment, the sheet is placed on the processing tray 61 from the discharge port 58. As shown in FIG. 6, in the manual mode, when the sheet is placed on the processing tray 61, the paddle 65 is raised so that the sheet can be easily inserted from the discharge port 68. It is expanding.

Then, the inserted sheet is set by the user so that the tip of the sheet abuts on the rear end regulating plate 62 provided on the processing tray 61 and the widthwise side edge of the sheet abuts on the second side regulating plate 63b. To. As a result, the sheet is set at the binding processing position on the processing tray 61, and the binding tool 70 is operated by the user operating the manual mode switch on the operation panel to perform the binding processing on the sheet.

The configuration of the control device 10 of the image forming system will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The control device 11 includes a main body control unit 12 that controls each operation of the image forming device 1, the document reading device 2, and the document feeding device 3, and a sheet post-processing control unit 13 as a control means for controlling the sheet post-processing device 4. It is composed of.

The image forming apparatus 1 has an input unit 14 having a control panel (not shown) arranged on the front side where the user of the image forming system is located. The input unit 14 is composed of an operation panel, and the user of the image forming system inputs from the input unit 56 the specification of the finish of the image, the size and number of sheets to be printed, the binding processing mode, and the like. Although the auto mode is set as the binding processing mode by default, each mode can be specified by operating the above-mentioned insert mode switch or manual mode switch provided on the operation panel of the input unit 14.

The main body control unit 12 controls the image forming apparatus 1, the document reading device 2, and the document feeder 3 according to the input contents to the input unit 14, and prints the image of the scanned document on a designated number of sheets. , The printed sheet is sequentially sent to the sheet post-processing device 4. In addition, the main body control unit 12 transmits the binding processing mode information, the sheet information indicating the size and the number of sheets, and the like from the input contents to the input unit 14 to the sheet post-processing control unit 13.

The sheet post-processing control unit 13 controls the post-processing operation performed on the sheet formed and sent by the image forming apparatus 1. The sheet post-processing control unit 13 is composed of a CPU, and controls the entire operation of the sheet post-processing device 4 by executing a control program stored in the ROM 15. Therefore, the seat post-processing control unit 13 includes a binding motor M5 that drives the eccentric cam 73 of the binding mechanism 64, a paddle drive motor M1 that drives the rotation of the paddle 65, an elevating drive unit 44 that drives the elevating and lowering of the paddle 65, and left and right. Side shift motors M2 and M3 and rear end regulation plate drive motor M4 are connected.

Further, the sheet post-processing control unit 13 includes a transfer drive device 32 including a plurality of drive motors for driving each transfer roller pair and discharge roller pair 60 arranged in the transfer paths 53, 54, 55, and discharge. A carry-out sensor 59 that detects a sheet discharged from the roller pair 60 is connected.

The binding operation by the sheet post-processing device 4 will be described. As described above, the binding position of the sheet in the auto mode and the binding position of the sheet in the insert mode and the manual mode are different. In the present embodiment, the binding position B2 in the manual mode and the insert mode. (Second position) is set inside (center side of the sheet) from the binding position B1 (first position) in the auto mode. Then, in the initial state (normal state), the rear end regulation plate 62 is positioned at the first regulation position h1 as shown in FIG. 8A, and the second side regulation plate 63b is positioned in FIG. 9A. As shown in the above, the binding position B1 is set by default by being positioned at the first side regulation L1.

Therefore, the sheet post-processing control unit 13 first performs the binding position setting process shown in the flowchart of FIG. In the binding position setting process, the sheet post-processing control unit 13 is at the rear end when the manual mode is set (“YES” in step S1) or the insert mode is set (“YES” in step S2). The regulation plate 62 is moved from the first regulation position h1 shown in FIG. 8A to the second regulation position h2 shown in FIG. 6B on the upstream side by a predetermined distance H (step S3). Subsequently, the sheet post-processing control unit 13 shows the side regulation plate 63b, which is the standard of regulation, in FIG. 7 (b) outside the first side regulation position L1 shown in FIG. 9 (a) by a predetermined distance L. It is moved to the side regulation position L2 of 2 (step S4).

As described above, since the processing positions of the rear end regulation plate 62 and the side regulation plate 63b (or the side regulation plate 63a) can be changed by changing the alignment position of the sheets, the first binding mode and the second binding mode can be changed. The binding position (B1, B2) with respect to the sheet 30 is changed according to the above.

In this way, when the insert mode switch and the manual mode switch provided on the operation panel of the input unit 14 are operated and the insert mode and the manual mode are specified, the binding position is set from the first binding position B1 which is set by default. Change to the second binding position B2. However, in the binding position setting process when any switch is not operated, the binding position B1 is maintained by ending from "NO" in step S1 to "NO" in step S2.

Then, the sheet post-processing control unit 13 performs the binding process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11 upon completion of the binding position setting process.

In the binding process, the sheet is fed to the sheet post-processing device 4 from the image forming apparatus 1 in the auto mode from the first transport path 53, and from the paper feed tray 52 in the insert mode from the second transport path 54. It passes through the carry-out sensor 59 and is carried out from the discharge port 58 to the processing tray 61.

At this time, the carry-out sensor 59 turns on when the sheet to be carried out to the processing tray 61 is detected, and turns off when the sheet is introduced into the processing tray 61 from the discharge port 58 because the rear end of the sheet is out of the detection area. .. Therefore, the sheet post-processing control unit 13 determines that the sheet has been unloaded onto the processing tray 61 by switching the unloading sensor 59 from on to off (“YES” in step S11).

Then, the sheet post-processing control unit 13 controls the rear end matching operation of the sheet discharged to the processing tray 61 (step S12). Specifically, the elevating drive unit 44 is controlled to lower the paddle 65 from the ascending position to the acting position to drive the paddle drive motor M1. As a result, the sheet 30 moves in the direction opposite to the direction in which the sheet is carried out from the discharge port 58, and the rear end thereof abuts against the rear end regulation plate 62 and is aligned. In this case, as described above, in the auto mode, the rear end regulating plate 62 is in the first regulating position h1, but in the insert mode, the sheet post-processing device 4 performs the post-binding position setting process in the pre-binding position setting process. The end regulation plate 62 is moved to the second regulation position h2.

When the alignment of the rear end of the sheet is completed, the sheet post-processing control unit 13 controls the alignment operation in the width direction (step S13). Specifically, the first side regulation plate 63a is moved toward the second side regulation plate 63b. Therefore, one end in the width direction of the sheet is pushed by the first side regulation plate 63a, and the sheet 30 moves toward the second side regulation plate 63b. Then, the other end of the sheet in the width direction abuts on the second side regulation plate 63b, so that the sheet 30 is aligned also in the width direction. In this case, as described above, in the auto mode, the second side regulation plate 63b is in the first side regulation position L1, but in the insert mode, the sheet post-processing device 4 performs the pre-binding position setting process. In, the second side regulation plate 63b is moved to the second side regulation position L2.

The distance at which the sheet post-processing control unit 13 moves the first side regulation plate 63a toward the second side regulation plate 63b is included in the sheet information about the sheet 30 output from the main body control unit 12. Determined according to the sheet size. That is, the seat post-processing control unit 13 moves the first side regulation plate 63a to a position where the distance between the side regulation plates 63a and 63b is slightly shorter than the length of the seat 30 in the width direction.

Subsequently, the sheet post-processing control unit 13 determines whether or not the sheet 30 positioned by aligning the rear end and the width direction on the processing tray 61 is the final sheet. The binding process is performed on a bundle of sheets, and the sheets are sequentially sent from each of the first transport path 53 in the auto mode and the second transport path 54 in the insert mode. It passes through the carry-out sensor 59 and is carried out from the discharge port 58 to the processing tray 61. Therefore, the sheet post-processing control unit 13 determines that the sheet matched immediately before is not the final sheet while the unloading sensor 59 sequentially detects the succeeding sheets and repeats on and off ("" in step S14. "NO"), the process returns to step S11, and the processes after step S12 are repeated. Therefore, the sheets sequentially sent from the discharge port 58 are accumulated in the processing tray 61.

In the processing in step S14, the sheet post-processing control unit 13 determines that the sheet matched immediately before that is the final sheet if it does not turn on even after a certain period of time has elapsed after the carry-out sensor 59 is turned off (step S14). "YES"). Then, the sheet post-processing control unit 13 controls the drive of the binding motor M5 to rotate the eccentric cam 73 to perform crimp binding of the sheet (step S15). Next, the drive of the discharge motor M6 is controlled to drive the discharge belt 66, and the sheet on the processing tray 61 is discharged to the second paper discharge tray 57 (step S16).

On the other hand, when the manual mode switch is operated to enter the manual mode, the seat post-processing control unit 13 controls the elevating drive unit 44 to raise the paddle 65 and separate it from the processing tray 61 (step SA). Then, in the manual mode, as described above, the rear end regulation plate 62 is moved to the second regulation position h2 and the side regulation plate 63b is moved to the second side regulation position l2, so that the user manually manually moves them. The sheet 30 is set in the processing tray 61 so as to be in contact with the rear end regulation plate 62 and the side regulation plate 63b. Then, after setting by manual feeding, a binding signal is output from the main body control unit (step SB) by operating the binding switch provided on the operation panel of the input unit 14, and the sheet post-processing control unit 13 presses and binds the sheet. (Step S15), the bound sheet is ejected to the second output tray 57 (step S16).

The sheet post-processing device 4 described above is characterized in that the binding position in the manual mode and the insert mode is set inside the sheet with respect to the binding position in the auto mode. Therefore, when the sheet bound in the auto mode is unbound, another sheet is added, and the binding process is performed again, when the sheet to be re-bound is set in the processing tray 61 in the manual mode or the insert mode, 2 Since the second binding position does not overlap with the first binding position, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the fastening force of the sheet 30 and the occurrence of damage or breakage of the sheet.

In the present embodiment, the binding position with respect to the sheet is changed by changing the position (processing position) of the sheet when binding with the binding tool 70 fixed, but the sheet when binding is applied. The position (processing position) may be always constant, and the binding tool 70 may be moved to change the binding position with respect to the sheet.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case of diagonally binding to the corners has been shown, but it can also be applied to the case of parallel binding to the corners by the binding tool 70. In parallel binding, the binding tool 70 is provided so that the binding direction (direction of the binding mark) of the binding tool 70 is substantially parallel to one side of the sheet. Then, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the second binding position B2 in the manual auto mode and the insert mode is set inside the first binding position B1 in the auto mode. .. To change the first and second binding positions B1 and B2 in parallel binding, the rear end regulating plate 62 may be fixed and only the side regulating plate 63b may be moved to change the processing position of the sheet. ..

FIG. 13 shows a case of parallel binding at two places. Also in this case, as shown in FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b), the binding position B2 in the manual mote and insert modes is inside the binding position B1 in the auto mode at each of the two locations. It is set.

As described above, the sheet post-processing device 4 has a binding position in the auto mode for either diagonal binding at the corners of the sheet, parallel binding at the corners, or parallel binding at two sides of the sheet. In the B1 (first position), insert mode or manual mode, the binding process is performed at the binding position B2 (second position), respectively. Here, the locations of the binding positions B1 and B2 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. ..

The sheet post-processing apparatus 4 has diagonal binding at the corners of the sheet shown in FIG. 14 (a), parallel binding at the corners as shown in FIG. 14 (b), and the sides of the sheet shown in FIG. 14 (c). Parallel binding is selectively performed at the two locations, but the binding position B1 is within the predetermined areas S1, S2, and S3 of the margin portion of the sheet to be bound. The predetermined areas S1, S2, and S3 are determined in consideration of the positioning tolerance with respect to the processing position of the sheet and the tolerance of the stop position of the binding mechanism 64. The binding position B2 is set to be outside the predetermined areas S1, S2, and S3. As a result, the binding positions B1 and B2 in each binding are set at positions separated from each other by a sufficient distance or more, so that the binding mark applied to the binding position B1 and the binding applied to the binding position B2 due to tolerance or the like are formed. There is no overlap.

In the above-described embodiment, the second binding position B2 is located outside and closer to the predetermined areas S1, S2, and S3 of the first binding position B1, but the second binding position B2 is the first. The binding position B1 may be completely different from that of the binding position B1 or at a completely different angle. For example, as shown in FIG. 15 (a), the second binding position B2 may be set in a corner portion different from the predetermined area S4 of the corner portion where the first binding position B1 is set, or FIG. 15 (b). As shown in the above, the first binding position B1 set in the predetermined area S5 may be diagonally bound, and the first binding position B1 set outside the predetermined area S5 may be parallel bound.

Further, in the embodiment, when the insert mode switch or the manual mode switch is operated, the binding position is changed to the second binding position B2, but after the insert mode switch or the manual mode switch is operated. A switch for selecting whether or not to change to the second binding position B2 may be provided so that the user can arbitrarily change to the second binding position B2.

Further, in the embodiment, an example of crimp binding is shown, but it can be applied even in the case of needle binding or half-punch binding.

30 Sheet 53 First transport path (first transport means)
54 Second transport route (second transport means)
56 Third transport path 61 Processing tray 62 Rear end regulation plate 63a, 63b Side regulation plate 64 Binding mechanism (binding means)

Claims (10)

A first transport means for receiving and transporting a sheet from an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, a second transport means for transporting a sheet to be fed from a paper feed device having a paper feed tray, and the sheet. A sheet post-processing device including a processing tray for loading a sheet, a binding means for binding the sheet on the processing tray, and a control means for controlling these.
A first binding process for binding a bundle of sheets transported from the image forming apparatus by the first transport means and loaded on the processing tray.
A second binding process in which the sheet bundle loaded on the processing tray is bound by the second transport means after being placed on the paper feed tray .
And
A sheet post-processing apparatus, characterized in that the binding position of the sheet bundle by the second binding process is set to a position different from the binding position of the sheet bundle by the first binding process. A first transport means for receiving and transporting a sheet from an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, a second transport means for transporting a sheet to be fed from a paper feed device having a paper feed tray, and the sheet. A sheet post-processing device including a processing tray for loading a sheet, a binding means for binding the sheet on the processing tray, and a control means for controlling these.
An auto mode in which a first binding process is performed on a bundle of sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus by the first transfer means and loaded on the processing tray.
An insert mode in which a second binding process is performed on a bundle of sheets loaded on the processing tray by the second transport means after being placed on the paper feed tray .
It has a manual mode in which a third binding process is performed on a bundle of sheets placed directly on the processing tray.
The sheet post-processing apparatus, characterized in that the binding position of the sheet bundle in the insert mode and the manual mode is set to a position different from the binding position of the sheet bundle in the auto mode. A matching means for matching the sheets placed on the processing tray is provided.
The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first binding process and the second binding process bind to sheets matched by the matching means. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first binding process and the second binding process perform binding in a direction along one side of the sheet. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first binding process and the second binding process perform binding in a direction intersecting two sides of a corner of a sheet. In the first binding process, the corners of the sheet are bound and the sheets are bound.
The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second binding process applies binding to a corner portion different from the corner portion to which the binding is performed in the first binding process. In the first binding process, binding is performed in a direction intersecting the two sides of the corners of the sheet.
In the second binding process, binding is performed in a direction along one side of the sheet.
The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The control means is characterized in that the binding position of the sheet bundle by the second binding process is set closer to the center of the sheet than the binding position of the sheet bundle by the first binding process. Or the sheet post-processing apparatus according to 5. The control means sets the binding position of the sheet bundle by the second binding process at a position separated by a predetermined distance in the direction along one side of the sheet with respect to the binding position of the sheet bundle by the first binding process. The sheet post-processing device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the sheet post-processing device is set. The first transport means and the second transport means
A first transport path that guides the sheet from the image forming apparatus, and
A second transport path for transporting the sheet from the paper feed device, and
A first transport path, a third transport path that guides the sheet from the second transport path to the processing tray, and a third transport path.
The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet post-processing apparatus is characterized by having.

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