JP7021691B2 - Sheet processing device, image forming device, image forming system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system, and more particularly to a sheet folding process.

In recent years, the digitization of information has tended to be promoted, and image processing devices such as printers used for outputting digitized information, facsimiles and scanners used for digitizing documents have become indispensable devices. Such an image processing device is often configured as a multifunction device that can be used as a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, a copying machine, etc. by having an image pickup function, an image forming function, a communication function, and the like.

Among such multifunction devices, a multifunction device equipped with a folding processing device that draws an image by forming an image on a fed sheet and then folds the sheet on which the image has been formed is known. Has been done. When the sheet is folded in such a folding apparatus, the creases are weak and incomplete creases are formed as they are, and the fold height is high.

Therefore, among such multifunction devices, in addition to the fold processing device, the crease is reinforced and the fold height is reinforced by performing an additional fold process for reinforcing the fold by pressing the crease formed by the fold process. A multifunction device equipped with a folding device for reducing the slack is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Such an additional folding device comprises an additional folding roller pair composed of two additional folding rollers laid horizontally in a direction parallel to the crease formed by the folding processing device, and the additional folding roller pair thereof. The creases formed by the fold processing device are sandwiched from both sides of the sheet surface to press the creases.

In addition, such an additional folding device includes an additional folding roller laid horizontally in a direction parallel to the crease formed by the folding processing device, and a seat support plate that supports the seat from the seat surface. The creases formed by the fold processing device are sandwiched from both sides of the seat surface by the additional folding rollers and the seat support plate, so that the creases are pressed.

At this time, the fold-back device applies a force for pressing each other at both ends of the fold-back roller and the seat support plate in the main scanning direction to generate a pressing force over the entire area in the main scanning direction. ing.

Therefore, in such an additional folding device, when pressing the crease, a repulsive force from the sheet against the pressing force is generated, but in the vicinity of both ends in the main scanning direction, the additional folding roller or the sheet is supported. Since the force for pressing the plates against each other acts as a force against the repulsive force, even if the repulsive force is received, the crease can be sufficiently pressed by the force.

However, in the vicinity of the central part in the main scanning direction, there is no force that can counter the repulsive force, so if the repulsive force is applied, the additional folding rollers and the seat support plate will bend in the direction opposite to the pressing direction. There is a problem that the crease cannot be pressed sufficiently.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to effectively reinforce the creases formed in the sheet.

In order to solve the above problems, the sheet processing apparatus includes a pressing member that can rotate around a rotation axis provided in the direction of the crease of the sheet, a seat support portion provided facing the pressing member, and the above . A pressing force generating portion, which is provided in the central portion in the direction of the crease of the sheet and generates a force for pressing the crease of the sheet between the seat supporting portion and the pressing member as the pressing member rotates. In addition , the pressing force generating portion includes an elastic member at the center in the crease direction of the sheet, and the elastic member urges the sheet supporting portion toward the pressing member and is centered on the rotation axis. It is characterized in that the crease of the sheet is pressed while changing the contact position between the crease of the sheet in the direction of the crease of the sheet and the pressing portion provided on the pressing member.

According to the present invention, the creases formed in the sheet can be effectively reinforced.

It is a figure which simplifies the whole structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows typically the hardware composition of the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows typically the functional structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the folding processing unit and the additional folding processing unit at the time of performing the folding processing and the additional folding processing, respectively, from the main scanning direction in the folding processing unit and the additional folding processing unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the folding processing unit and the additional folding processing unit at the time of performing the folding processing and the additional folding processing, respectively, from the main scanning direction in the folding processing unit and the additional folding processing unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the folding processing unit and the additional folding processing unit at the time of performing the folding processing and the additional folding processing, respectively, from the main scanning direction in the folding processing unit and the additional folding processing unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the shape of the paper which has been folded by the folding unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the additional folding roller which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the diagonally upper side in the main scanning direction. It is a front view which shows the extra folding roller which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the sub-scanning direction. It is a side view which shows the extra folding roller which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the main scanning direction. It is a developed view of the additional folding roller which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the additional folding roller which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the diagonally upper side in the main scanning direction. It is a front view which shows the extra folding roller which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the sub-scanning direction. It is a side view which shows the extra folding roller which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the main scanning direction. It is a developed view of the additional folding roller which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the paper support plate which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the main scanning direction. It is a front view which shows the paper support plate which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the sub-scanning direction in a normal time. It is a front view which shows the paper support plate which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the sub-scanning direction at the time of additional folding. It is a front view which shows the paper support plate which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the sub-scanning direction at the time of additional folding. It is sectional drawing which shows the additional folding roller and the paper support plate at the time of performing the additional folding processing by the additional folding processing unit which concerns on this embodiment from the main scanning direction. It is sectional drawing which shows the additional folding roller and the paper support plate at the time of performing the additional folding processing by the additional folding processing unit which concerns on this embodiment from the main scanning direction. It is a figure which shows the time-dependent change of the paper transport speed and the rotation speed of a fold-fold roller when the fold-fold process unit which concerns on this embodiment is performing a fold-back process. It is a figure which shows the additional folding roller drive device which concerns on this embodiment from the sub-scanning direction. It is a perspective view of the additional folding roller drive device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a perspective view of the stop device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a transmission diagram which shows the stop device which concerns on this embodiment from the direction perpendicular to the plane formed in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. It is a figure which shows the stop device which concerns on this embodiment from the main scanning direction. It is the side view which shows from the main scanning direction of the paper support plate which concerns on this embodiment, and the transmission figure which shows from the pressing direction. It is a front view which shows the paper support plate which concerns on this embodiment from the sub-scanning direction in a normal state. It is the side view which shows from the main scanning direction of the paper support plate which concerns on this embodiment, and the transmission figure which shows from the pressing direction. It is a side view which shows from the main scanning direction of the paper support plate which concerns on this embodiment. It is a side view which shows from the main scanning direction of the paper support plate which concerns on this embodiment. It is a side view which shows from the main scanning direction of the paper support plate which concerns on this embodiment. It is a side view which shows from the main scanning direction of the paper support plate which concerns on this embodiment. It is a side view which shows from the main scanning direction of the paper support plate which concerns on this embodiment. It is a side view which shows from the main scanning direction of the paper support plate which concerns on this embodiment. It is a front view which shows the paper support plate which concerns on this embodiment from the sub-scanning direction in a normal state. It is a front view which shows the paper support plate which concerns on this embodiment from the sub-scanning direction in a normal state. It is a front view which shows the paper support plate which concerns on this embodiment from the sub-scanning direction in a normal state. It is a perspective view which shows the additional folding roller which concerns on this embodiment from the diagonally upper side in the main scanning direction. It is a front view which shows the additional folding roller which concerns on this embodiment from the sub-scanning direction. It is a side view which shows the additional folding roller which concerns on this embodiment from the main scanning direction. It is a perspective view which shows the additional folding roller which concerns on this embodiment from the diagonally upper side in the main scanning direction. It is a front view which shows the additional folding roller which concerns on this embodiment from the sub-scanning direction. It is a side view which shows the additional folding roller which concerns on this embodiment from the main scanning direction. It is a perspective view which shows the additional folding roller which concerns on this embodiment from the diagonally upper side in the main scanning direction. It is a front view which shows the additional folding roller which concerns on this embodiment from the sub-scanning direction. It is a side view which shows the additional folding roller which concerns on this embodiment from the main scanning direction. It is a figure which shows the push pressure transmission part which concerns on this embodiment from the main scanning direction in the state which is arranged on the additional folding roller rotation axis. It is a perspective view which shows the additional folding roller which concerns on this embodiment from the diagonally upper side in the main scanning direction.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, after an image is formed on a paper such as a fed sheet, a folding process is performed on the image-formed paper so as to form a crease in the main scanning direction, and the formed crease is formed. An image forming apparatus that performs additional folding processing so as to reinforce the creases and reduce the folding height by pressing the creases will be described as an example.

Further, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an additional folding roller laid horizontally in the main scanning direction and a paper support plate that supports the paper from the paper surface, and is folded by the additional folding roller and the paper support plate. The creases formed by the processing device are sandwiched from both sides of the sheet surface to press the creases.

In the image forming apparatus configured as described above, one of the gist of the present embodiment is to apply a force for pressing the paper support plate and the additional folding roller against each other in the vicinity of the central portion in the main scanning direction. It is in. As a result, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment can uniformly generate the pressing force over the entire area in the main scanning direction. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, it is possible to effectively reinforce the creases formed on the paper.

First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a simplified overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is composed of an image forming unit 2, a folding processing unit 3, an additional folding processing unit 4, and a scanner unit 5.

The image forming unit 2 generates CMYK (Cyan Magenta Yellow Key Plate) drawing information based on the input image data, and outputs an image forming output to the fed paper based on the generated drawing information. Execute. The folding processing unit 3 executes folding processing on the image-formed paper conveyed from the image forming unit 2. The additional folding processing unit 4 executes the additional folding processing on the creases formed in the folded paper conveyed from the folding processing unit 3. That is, in the present embodiment, the additional folding processing unit 4 functions as a sheet processing device.

The scanner unit 5 reads a document by a linear image sensor in which a plurality of photodiodes are arranged in a row and a light receiving element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor is arranged in parallel with the photodiode. By doing so, the manuscript is digitized. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) that can be used as a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, and a copying machine by having an image pickup function, an image forming function, a communication function, and the like. ..

Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. In addition to the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an engine for realizing a scanner, a printer, folding processing, additional folding processing, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes the same configuration as a general server, a PC (Personal Computer), or the like. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 30, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 40, and an I / F 50. It is connected via 90. Further, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 60, an operation unit 70, and a dedicated device 80 are connected to the I / F 50.

The CPU 10 is a calculation means and controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 1. The RAM 20 is a volatile storage medium capable of high-speed reading and writing of information, and is used as a work area when the CPU 10 processes information. The ROM 30 is a read-only non-volatile storage medium, and stores programs such as firmware. The HDD 40 is a non-volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, and the like.

The I / F 50 connects and controls the bus 90 with various hardware, networks, and the like. The LCD 60 is a visual user interface for the user to confirm the state of the image forming apparatus 1. The operation unit 70 is a user interface such as a keyboard and a mouse for the user to input information to the image forming apparatus 1.

The dedicated device 80 is hardware for realizing dedicated functions in the image forming unit 2, the folding processing unit 3, the additional folding processing unit 4, and the scanner unit 5. In the image forming unit 2, the image is formed on a paper surface. A plotter device that performs output. Further, the folding processing unit 3 is a transport mechanism for transporting paper and a folding processing mechanism for folding the conveyed paper.

Further, the additional folding processing unit 4 is an additional folding processing mechanism for reinforcing the creases of the paper that has been folded and conveyed by the folding processing unit 3. Further, the scanner unit 5 is a reading device that reads an image displayed on a paper surface. The configuration of the additional folding processing mechanism included in the additional folding processing unit 4 is one of the gist of the present embodiment.

In such a hardware configuration, a program stored in a storage medium such as a ROM 30, an HDD 40, or an optical disk (not shown) is read into the RAM 20, and the CPU 10 performs an operation according to the program loaded in the RAM 20, thereby performing a calculation in the software control unit. Is configured. By combining the software control unit configured in this way with the hardware, a functional block that realizes the function of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured.

Next, the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, the electrical connection is indicated by a solid arrow, and the flow of paper or a bundle of documents is indicated by a broken line arrow.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a controller 100, a paper feed table 110, a print engine 120, a folding processing engine 130, an additional folding processing engine 140, a scanner engine 150, and an ADF (Auto Document Feeder). : Automatic document transfer device) 160, paper ejection tray 170, display panel 180, and network I / F 190. Further, the controller 100 has a main control unit 101, an engine control unit 102, an input / output control unit 103, an image processing unit 104, and an operation display control unit 105.

The paper feed table 110 feeds paper to the print engine 120, which is an image forming unit. The print engine 120 is an image forming unit provided in the image forming unit 2, and draws an image by executing an image forming output on the paper conveyed from the paper feed table 110. As a specific embodiment of the print engine 120, it is possible to use an image forming mechanism by an inkjet method, an image forming mechanism by an electrophotographic method, or the like. The image-formed paper on which the image is drawn by the print engine 120 is conveyed to the folding processing unit 3 or discharged to the output tray 170.

The folding processing engine 130 is provided in the folding processing unit 3 and performs folding processing on the image-formed paper conveyed from the image forming unit 2. The folded paper that has been folded by the folding engine 130 is conveyed to the additional folding unit 4. The additional folding processing engine 140 is provided in the additional folding processing unit 4, and performs additional folding processing on the creases formed in the folded paper conveyed from the folding processing engine 130. The extra-folded paper that has been extra-folded by the extra-folding engine 140 is ejected to the output tray 170, or post-processing (not shown) that performs post-processing such as stapling, punching, and bookbinding processing. Transported to the unit.

The ADF 160 is provided in the scanner unit 5, and automatically conveys the document to the scanner engine 150, which is a document reading unit. The scanner engine 150 is a document reading unit provided in the scanner unit 5 and including a photoelectric conversion element that converts optical information into an electric signal, and is set on a document automatically conveyed by the ADF 160 or a platen glass (not shown). Image information is generated by optically scanning and scanning the original document. The originals automatically conveyed by the ADF 160 and read by the scanner engine 150 are ejected to the output tray built in the ADF 160.

The display panel 180 is an output interface that visually displays the state of the image forming apparatus 1, and is an input when the user directly operates the image forming apparatus 1 or inputs information to the image forming apparatus 1 as a touch panel. It is also an interface. That is, the display panel 180 includes a function of displaying an image for receiving an operation by the user. The display panel 180 is realized by the LCD 60 and the operation unit 70 shown in FIG.

The network I / F 190 is an interface for the image forming apparatus 1 to communicate with other devices such as an administrator terminal via a network, such as Ethernet (registered trademark), USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, and Bluetooth (registered). Interfaces such as (trademark), Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), and Felica (registered trademark) are used. The network I / F 190 is realized by the I / F 50 shown in FIG.

The controller 100 is composed of a combination of software and hardware. Specifically, a control program such as firmware stored in a non-volatile storage medium such as ROM 30 or HDD 40 is loaded into RAM 20, and a software control unit and an integrated circuit configured by the CPU 10 performing an operation according to those programs. The controller 100 is configured by such hardware. The controller 100 functions as a control unit that controls the entire image forming apparatus 1.

The main control unit 101 plays a role of controlling each unit included in the controller 100, and gives a command to each unit of the controller 100. Further, the main control unit 101 controls the input / output control unit 103 and accesses other devices via the network I / F 190 and the network. The engine control unit 102 controls or drives a drive unit such as a print engine 120, a folding processing engine 130, an additional folding processing engine 140, and a scanner engine 150. The input / output control unit 103 inputs signals and commands input via the network I / F 190 and the network to the main control unit 101.

The image processing unit 104 generates drawing information based on the document data or image data included in the input print job according to the control of the main control unit 101. This drawing information is data such as CMYK bitmap data, and is information for drawing an image to be formed by the print engine 120, which is an image forming unit, in an image forming operation. Further, the image processing unit 104 processes the image pickup data input from the scanner engine 150 to generate image data. This image data is information stored in the image forming apparatus 1 as a result of the scanner operation or transmitted to other devices via the network I / F 190 and the network. The operation display control unit 105 displays information on the display panel 180 or notifies the main control unit 101 of the information input via the display panel 180.

Next, an operation example when the folding processing unit 3 and the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment perform the folding processing and the additional folding processing, respectively, will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. 4 to 6 show a main scan of the folding processing unit 3 and the additional folding processing unit 4 when the folding processing unit 3 and the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment are executing the folding processing and the additional folding processing, respectively. It is sectional drawing which shows from the direction. The operation of each operation unit described below is performed by the control of the main control unit 101 and the engine control unit 102.

When the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment performs the folding processing operation in the folding processing unit 3, first, as shown in FIG. 4A, the folding processing unit 3 has an inlet roller pair 310 from the image forming unit 2. The image-formed paper 6 conveyed to the folding processing unit 3 is resist-corrected by the resist roller pair 320 and conveyed toward the transfer path switching claw 330 while measuring the transfer timing.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the folding processing unit 3 transfers the paper 6 conveyed to the conveying path switching claw 330 by the resist roller pair 320 to the first folding processing conveying roller pair 340 by the conveying path switching claw 330. Induce to. As shown in FIG. 4C, the folding processing unit 3 uses the first folding processing transport roller pair 340 to transfer the paper 6 guided to the first folding processing transport roller pair 340 by the transport path switching claw 330. The second folding process is conveyed toward the transfer roller pair 350.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the folding processing unit 3 transfers the paper 6 conveyed to the second folding processing transport roller pair 350 by the first folding processing transport roller pair 340 to the first folding processing transport roller pair 350. Further transport is carried out by the roller pair 340 and the second folding transport roller pair 350. As shown in FIG. 5B, the folding processing unit 3 reverses the rotation direction of the second folding processing transport roller pair 350 at a timing for folding the paper 6 at a predetermined position, so that the paper 6 is folded. The paper 6 is crease-folded to the transport roller pair 360 by the first folding processing transport roller pair 340 and the second folding processing transport roller pair 350 so that the bending position does not change while creating the deflection at the predetermined position. Transport towards.

At this time, in the folding processing unit 3, the main control unit 101 and the engine control unit 102 control each unit based on the transport speed of the paper 6 and the sensor information input from the sensor 370 so as to measure the above timing. It has become.

As shown in FIG. 5C, the fold processing unit 3 conveys the paper 6 conveyed to the crease transfer roller pair 360 by the second fold processing transfer roller pair 350 and the crease transfer roller pair 360 in the transfer direction. The paper 6 is rotated to sandwich the bending of the paper 6 to make a crease at the predetermined position, and the paper 6 is conveyed toward the gap between the fold roller 410 of the fold processing unit 4 and the paper support plate 420. .. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the present embodiment, one of the first folding process transport roller pair 340 concurrently serves as one of the crease transfer transport roller pair 360.

FIGS. 7A to 7H show an example of the shape of the paper 6 which has been folded in this way. 7 (a) to 7 (h) are views showing an example of the shape of the folded paper 6 that has been folded by the folding unit 3 according to the present embodiment.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6A, the additional folding processing unit 4 transfers the paper 6 conveyed in the gap between the additional folding roller 410 and the paper support plate 420 by the crease transfer roller pair 360 to the paper support plate 420. The paper 6 is supported from the pressing direction, and the creases formed on the paper 6 are increased and the folding roller 410 is pressed while rotating in the conveying direction to perform additional folding. That is, in the present embodiment, the additional folding roller 410 functions as a pressing portion, and the paper support plate 420 functions as a sheet supporting portion.

At this time, in the additional folding processing unit 4, the main control unit 101 and the engine control unit 102 have folding information regarding the folding method in the folding processing unit 3, paper information regarding the size of the paper 6, the transport speed of the paper 6, and the additional folding roller 410. By controlling each part based on the rotation speed of the paper 6, the timing of pressing the paper 6 is measured. Alternatively, at this time, in the additional folding processing unit 4, the main control unit 101 and the engine control unit 102 perform each unit based on the conveying speed of the paper 6, the rotation speed of the additional folding roller 410, and the sensor information input from the sensor 430. By controlling, the timing of pressing the paper 6 is measured.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the additional folding roller 410 is driven by the driving force of the additional folding roller drive motor 471 transmitted from the additional folding roller drive device 470 via the timing belt 472, and the creases. The attachment transfer roller pair 360 is driven by a crease transfer roller drive motor (not shown). The drive of the fold roller drive motor 471 and the drive of the crease transfer roller drive motor are controlled by the engine control unit 102.

As described above, when the additional folding processing unit 4 performs additional folding by pressing the creases formed on the paper 6 by the additional folding roller 410, the additional folding processing paper 6 is subjected to the additional folding processing transfer roller. Transport towards 440 vs. 440.

As shown in FIG. 6B, when the additional folding processing unit 4 discharges the additional folding processed paper 6 conveyed from the gap between the additional folding roller 410 and the paper support plate 420 as it is, the additional folding processing unit 4 discharges the paper 6 as it is. The paper 6 is conveyed toward the paper ejection roller pair 450 by the additional folding processing transport roller pair 440. Then, the additional folding processing unit 4 discharges the additional folding processed paper 6 conveyed to the paper ejection roller pair 450 by the additional folding processing transport roller pair 440 to the paper output tray 170 by the paper ejection roller pair 450. .. As a result, the folding processing operation and the additional folding processing operation in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment are completed.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6C, the additional folding processing unit 4 staples, punches, and punches the additional folding processed paper 6 conveyed from the gap between the additional folding roller 410 and the paper support plate 420. When post-processing such as bookbinding processing is performed, the paper 6 is increased and conveyed toward the post-processing transfer roller pair 460 by the folding processing transfer roller pair 440. Then, the additional folding processing unit 4 transfers the paper 6 that has been subjected to the additional folding processing, which has been conveyed to the post-processing transfer roller pair 460 by the additional folding processing transfer roller pair 440, to the post-processing unit (not shown) by the post-processing transfer roller pair 460. Transport. As a result, the folding processing operation and the additional folding processing operation in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment are completed.

Next, structural examples of the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11 and FIGS. 12 to 15, respectively.

First, a first structural example of the fold-back roller 410 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment from diagonally above and sideways in the main scanning direction. FIG. 9 is a front view showing the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment from the sub-scanning direction. FIG. 10 is a side view showing the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment from the main scanning direction. FIG. 11 is a developed view of the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment.

As a first structural example, the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment has an additional folding roller rotating shaft 411 that rotates about an axis penetrating in the main scanning direction as a rotation axis, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 11. On the circumferential surface of the pressing force transmitting roller 413, the convex pressing force transmitting portion 412 is formed so as to be spirally arranged in the main scanning direction with a constant angle difference θ with the folding roller rotating shaft 411. The additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment is configured in this way so that only a part of the pressing force transmitting portion 412 comes into contact with the crease formed on the paper 6.

Therefore, the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment can sequentially press the creases formed on the paper 6 in one direction in the main scanning direction by rotating the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 as a rotation axis. can.

Therefore, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can apply a concentrated pressing force over the entire crease in a short time. Therefore, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment can apply a sufficient pressing force to the crease without lowering the productivity while reducing the load on the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411. As a result, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can provide a highly productive, compact and low-cost additional folding device.

Next, a second structural example of the fold-back roller 410 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 15. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment from diagonally above and sideways in the main scanning direction. FIG. 13 is a front view showing the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment from the sub-scanning direction. FIG. 14 is a side view showing the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment from the main scanning direction. FIG. 15 is a developed view of the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment.

As a second structural example of the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, a convex pressing pressure transmitting portion 412 is additionally folded on the peripheral surface of the pressing pressure transmitting roller 413. It is configured to be spirally arranged with a constant angle difference θ from the roller rotation axis 411 and arranged in a V shape toward the main scanning direction so as to be symmetrical with respect to the center in the main scanning direction of the fold-back roller 410. Helix. The additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment is configured in this way so that a part of the pressing force transmitting portion 412 comes into contact with the creases formed on the paper 6 at two places at the same time.

Therefore, the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment can sequentially press the creases formed on the paper 6 in both directions in the main scanning direction by rotating the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 as a rotation axis. ..

Therefore, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment has a lower pressing force as compared with the structures shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, but a concentrated pressing force is applied over the entire crease in a shorter period of time. It becomes possible. Therefore, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment can apply a sufficient pressing force to the crease while improving the productivity and reducing the load on the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411. As a result, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can provide a higher productivity, smaller size, and lower cost additional folding device.

Next, a structural example of the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 18. FIG. 16 is a side view showing the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment from the main scanning direction. FIG. 17 is a front view showing the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment from the sub-scanning direction in a normal state. FIG. 18 is a front view showing the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment from the sub-scanning direction at the time of additional folding.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment is normally attached to the fold roller 410 by the elastic force of the elastic body 421 compressed by the paper support plate 420 and the fixing member 422. Although the force acts so as to be pressed, the regulating member 423 regulates the gap between the pressing force transmission roller 413 and the pressing force transmission roller 413 so that the gap does not become less than a predetermined distance L. In addition, although FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 show an example in which the elastic body 421 is composed of a compression spring, the elastic body 421 is also composed of an elastic material such as a leaf spring, rubber, sponge, or a plastic resin. May be. That is, in the present embodiment, the elastic body 421 functions as a pressing force generating portion.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 18, the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment is further compressed by the elastic body 421 by being pressed by the pressing pressure transmitting portion 412 via the paper 6 at the time of additional folding. It is designed to move in the direction. The additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment presses the creases formed on the paper 6 by the elastic force of the elastic body 421 at this time.

Then, in the additional folding processing unit 4 configured in this way, one of the gist of the present embodiment is that the elastic body 421 is centered on the paper support plate 420 in the main scanning direction as shown in FIGS. 16 to 18. It is located near the department.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment is different from the case where the elastic body 421 is arranged near both ends of the paper support plate 420 in the main scanning direction of the paper. It is possible to prevent a moment from being generated in the vicinity of the central portion of the support plate 420 in the main scanning direction in the direction opposite to the pressing direction.

FIG. 19 is a front view showing the conventional paper support plate 420 from the sub-scanning direction at the time of additional folding. As shown in FIG. 19, in the conventional additional folding processing unit 4, due to the limitation of the apparatus, the elastic body 421 has to be arranged near both ends of the paper support plate 420 in the main scanning direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19, in the conventional additional folding processing unit 4, a moment is generated in the vicinity of the central portion of the paper support plate 420 in the main scanning direction in the direction opposite to the pressing direction, and is generated in the vicinity of the central portion. There is a problem that the paper support plate 420 is bent by the generated moment and a sufficient pressing force cannot be generated in the vicinity of the central portion thereof.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the elastic body 421 is arranged near the central portion of the paper support plate 420 in the main scanning direction. It is one of the abstracts. Therefore, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can prevent a moment from being generated in the vicinity of the central portion of the paper support plate 420 in the main scanning direction in a direction opposite to the pressing direction. It is possible to prevent the paper support plate 420 from bending due to the moment generated in the vicinity of the central portion and not being able to generate sufficient pressing force in the vicinity of the central portion.

As a result, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can uniformly generate a pressing force over the entire area in the main scanning direction. Therefore, according to the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to effectively reinforce the creases formed on the paper 6.

As shown in FIG. 16, in the fold-back processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment, the elastic body 421 hits the paper 6 of the fold-up roller 410 in the direction in which the elastic force acts when the paper 6 is pressed. It is provided so as to be perpendicular to the direction of the tangent line at the contact point. Therefore, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can efficiently apply the elastic force of the elastic body 421 to the creases formed on the paper 6. As a result, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can generate a sufficient pressing force without improving the elastic force of the elastic body 421, and as a result, the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411 can be generated. It is possible to reduce the load.

At this time, in particular, as shown in FIG. 16, in the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment, when the elastic body 421 is pressed against the paper 6, the direction in which the elastic force acts is the paper 6 of the additional folding roller 410. It is provided so as to pass through the contact point with. Therefore, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can efficiently apply the elastic force of the elastic body 421 to the creases formed on the paper 6. As a result, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can generate a sufficient pressing force without improving the elastic force of the elastic body 421, and as a result, the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411 can be generated. The load can be further reduced.

Further, the predetermined distance L is about 2 mm, and the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment stands by with a gap of the predetermined distance L except at the time of additional folding. Therefore, in the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment, when a paper jam occurs during additional folding, the paper support plate 420 and the additional folding roller 410 are brought into the state as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. Therefore, it is possible to easily clear the paper jam.

Next, details of an operation example when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment performs the additional folding processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 to 22. 20 and 21 are cross-sectional views showing the additional folding roller 410 and the paper support plate 420 when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment is executing the additional folding processing from the main scanning direction. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing changes over time between the transport speed of the paper 6 and the rotation speed of the fold roller 410 when the fold process unit 4 according to the present embodiment is executing the fold process. In addition, in FIGS. Further, the operation of each operation unit described below is performed by the control of the main control unit 101 and the engine control unit 102.

When the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment starts conveying the paper 6 as shown in FIGS. 20A and 22, the additional folding roller 410 is shown in FIGS. 20B and 22. After calculating the timing until the paper 6 comes into contact with the first crease 6a formed on the paper 6, the additional folding roller 410 is started to rotate without waiting for the paper 6 to stop. As described above, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment starts the rotation of the additional folding roller 410 without waiting for the paper 6 to stop, after the additional folding roller 410 starts rotating, the paper 6 is hit. This is to shorten the time lag until contact. As a result, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can improve the productivity.

At this time, in the additional folding processing unit 4, the main control unit 101 and the engine control unit 102 have folding information regarding the folding method in the folding processing unit 3, paper information regarding the size of the paper 6, the transport speed of the paper 6, and the additional folding roller 410. By controlling each part based on the rotation speed of the paper 6, the timing until the additional folding roller 410 comes into contact with the first crease 6a formed on the paper 6 is calculated. Alternatively, at this time, the additional folding processing unit 4 is based on the sensor information input by the main control unit 101 and the engine control unit 102, such as the transport speed of the paper 6, the rotation speed of the additional folding roller 410, and the sensor 430 BR. By controlling each part, the timing until the additional folding roller 410 comes into contact with the first crease 6a formed on the paper 6 is calculated.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 20 (c) and 22 of FIG. 20 (c), the additional fold processing unit 4 starts contacting the first crease 6a formed on the paper 6 by the additional fold roller 410 to make the first crease. Pressing against 6a is started. As shown in FIGS. 20D and 22, the additional folding processing unit 4 conveys the paper 6 until the first crease 6a is located directly above the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411. After completely stopping the paper 6, the additional folding roller 410 is continuously rotated to continue pressing the first crease 6a formed on the paper 6.

After that, as shown in FIGS. 20 (e) and 22, the fold-back processing unit 4 calculates the timing until the fold-back roller 410 separates from the paper 6, and does not wait for the fold-back roller 410 to stop. The transfer of the paper 6 is started. As described above, the reason why the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment starts the transfer of the paper 6 without waiting for the additional folding roller 410 to stop is completely stopped after the additional folding roller 410 separates the paper 6. This is to shorten the time lag until it is done. As a result, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can improve the productivity.

At this time, in the additional folding processing unit 4, the main control unit 101 and the engine control unit 102 control each unit based on the rotation speed of the additional folding roller 410 until the additional folding roller 410 is separated from the paper 6. The timing is calculated.

As shown in FIGS. 20 (e) and 22, the paper 6 can be started while being pressed in the same direction as the rotation of the fold-back roller 410 so as to be synchronized with the rotation of the fold-back roller 410. This is only the case where the paper 6 is transported by a transport belt (not shown) that moves to. This is because when the fold-back roller 410 is pressing the paper 6, the paper 6 is pressed against the paper support plate 420, so that the paper 6 must be passed through a transport belt that moves in the same direction as the rotation direction of the fold-back roller 410. This is because the paper 6 may be torn or the like due to friction with the paper support plate 420.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 20 (f) and 22, when the paper 6 separated from the fold-back roller 410 is conveyed, the fold-back processing unit 4 folds the paper 6 as shown in FIGS. 21 (a) and 22. After stopping the rotation of the roller 410 and calculating the timing until the fold-back roller 410 comes into contact with the second crease 6b formed on the paper 6, as shown in FIGS. 21 (b) and 22. The rotation of the additional folding roller 410 is started without waiting for the stop of 6. As described above, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment starts the rotation of the additional folding roller 410 without waiting for the paper 6 to stop, after the additional folding roller 410 starts rotating, the paper 6 is hit. This is to shorten the time lag until contact. As a result, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can improve the productivity.

At this time, in the additional folding processing unit 4, the main control unit 101 and the engine control unit 102 have folding information regarding the folding method in the folding processing unit 3, paper information regarding the size of the paper 6, the transport speed of the paper 6, and the additional folding roller 410. By controlling each part based on the rotation speed of the paper 6, the timing until the additional folding roller 410 comes into contact with the second crease 6b formed on the paper 6 is calculated. Alternatively, at this time, in the additional folding processing unit 4, the main control unit 101 and the engine control unit 102 perform each unit based on the conveying speed of the paper 6, the rotation speed of the additional folding roller 410, and the sensor information input from the sensor 430. By controlling, the timing until the additional folding roller 410 comes into contact with the second crease 6b formed on the paper 6 is calculated.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 21 (c) and 22, the additional fold processing unit 4 starts contacting the second crease 6b formed on the paper 6 by the additional fold roller 410, whereby the second crease is formed. Pressing against 6b is started. As shown in FIGS. 21 (d) and 22 and FIGS. After completely stopping the paper 6, the additional folding roller 410 is continuously rotated to continue pressing the second crease 6b formed on the paper 6.

After that, as shown in FIGS. 21 (e) and 22, the fold-back processing unit 4 calculates the timing until the fold-back roller 410 separates from the paper 6, and does not wait for the fold-back roller 410 to stop. The transfer of the paper 6 is started. As described above, the reason why the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment starts the transfer of the paper 6 without waiting for the additional folding roller 410 to stop is completely stopped after the additional folding roller 410 separates the paper 6. This is to shorten the time lag until it is done. As a result, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can improve the productivity.

At this time, in the additional folding processing unit 4, the main control unit 101 and the engine control unit 102 control each unit based on the rotation speed of the additional folding roller 410 until the additional folding roller 410 is separated from the paper 6. The timing is calculated.

As shown in FIGS. 21 (e) and 22, the paper 6 can be started while being pressed in the same direction as the rotation of the fold-back roller 410 so as to be synchronized with the rotation of the fold-back roller 410. This is only the case where the paper 6 is transported by a transport belt (not shown) that moves to. This is because when the fold-back roller 410 is pressing the paper 6, the paper 6 is pressed against the paper support plate 420, so that the paper 6 must be passed through a transport belt that moves in the same direction as the rotation direction of the fold-back roller 410. This is because the paper 6 may be torn or the like due to friction with the paper support plate 420.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 21F and 22, the additional folding processing unit 4 ends the additional folding processing by conveying the paper 6 separated from the additional folding roller 410.

Next, the structure of the fold-back roller drive device 470 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 23 and 24. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the additional folding roller drive device 470 according to the present embodiment from the sub-scanning direction. FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the additional folding roller drive device 470 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the additional folding roller drive device 470 according to the present embodiment is provided at one end of the additional folding roller 410 in the main scanning direction, and is provided with an additional folding roller drive motor 471, a timing belt 472, and a reversing gear. 473, a fold-fold roller rotary gear pulley 474, a fold-fold roller rotary pulley 475, a one-way clutch 476, a reverse rotation gear 477, a one-way clutch 478, and a reverse rotation cam 479 are provided.

The fold-back roller drive motor 471 is a motor that rotates the reversing gear 473. The additional folding roller rotary gear pulley 474 is a pulley provided with a gear that meshes with the reversing gear 473, and when the reversing gear 473 rotates, it rotates in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the reversing gear 473. The timing belt 472 is an endless belt for transmitting the rotation of the fold roller rotary gear pulley 474 to the fold roller rotary pulley 475. The additional folding roller rotating pulley 475 is connected to the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411, and by rotating the additional folding roller rotating gear pulley 474, the timing belt 472 rotates in the same direction as the additional folding roller rotating gear pulley 474. The additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 is rotated in the rotation direction thereof.

In the fold-fold roller drive device 470 configured as described above, when the fold-fold roller 410 is rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 24, the fold-fold roller drive motor 471 is first controlled by the engine control unit 102 in FIG. 24. By rotating in the direction opposite to the arrow shown in FIG. 24, the reversing gear 473 is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow direction shown in FIG. 24. As a result, the fold roller rotary gear pulley 474 rotates in the same direction as the arrow shown in FIG. 24, and the rotation is transmitted to the fold roller rotary pulley 475 via the timing belt 472.

Then, when the additional folding roller rotation pulley 475 rotates, the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 rotates in conjunction with the rotation, so that the additional folding roller 410 rotates in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 24. When the additional folding roller drive device 470 rotates the additional folding roller 410 in the direction opposite to the arrow shown in FIG. 24, each of them rotates in the opposite direction to the above.

The one-way clutch 476 is provided inside the additional folding roller rotating pulley 475, and the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411 is rotated in the same direction only when the additional folding roller rotating pulley 475 rotates in a specific direction to perform additional folding. When the roller rotation pulley 475 rotates in the direction opposite to the specific direction, the roller rotation pulley 475 slips and the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 is not rotated.

In the one-way clutch 476 according to the present embodiment, the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411 is rotated in the same direction only when the additional folding roller rotating pulley 475 rotates in the direction of the arrow A shown in FIG. 24, and the additional folding roller rotation It is assumed that the pulley 475 is configured to idle when it rotates in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow A shown in FIG. 24.

The reverse rotation gear 477 is a gear that meshes with the reversing gear 473, and when the reversing gear 473 rotates, it rotates in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the reversing gear 473, that is, in the same direction as the additional folding roller rotating gear pulley 474. .. The one-way clutch 478 is provided inside the reverse rotation gear 477, and like the one-way clutch 476, the reverse rotation cam 479 is rotated in the same direction only when the reverse rotation gear 477 rotates in a specific direction. When the 477 rotates in the direction opposite to the specific direction, it slips and does not rotate the reverse rotation cam 479.

The one-way clutch 478 according to the present embodiment rotates the reverse rotation cam 479 in the same direction only when the reverse rotation gear 477 rotates in the direction of the arrow B shown in FIG. 24, and the reverse rotation gear 477 is shown in FIG. 24. It is assumed that it is configured to slip when it rotates in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow B shown.

By configuring the one-way clutch 476 and the one-way clutch 478 as described above, only one of the fold-fold roller rotation pulley 475 and the reverse rotation cam 479 rotates even if the fold-fold roller drive motor 471 rotates. It will be. Further, the rotation directions of the additional folding roller rotation pulley 475 and the reverse rotation cam 479 are opposite to each other.

The reverse rotation cam 479 has a curved surface in which the distance from the rotation axis of the reverse rotation gear 477 is not constant, and the rotational movement of the reverse rotation cam 479 is increased in a portion of the curved surface where the distance from the rotation axis of the reverse rotation gear 477 is long. It is connected to a reverse rotation drive transmission unit 480 for transmitting to a drive system other than the folding roller 410.

In the fold-fold roller drive device 470 configured as described above, when the fold-fold roller 410 is rotated in the direction of the arrow A shown in FIG. 24, first, the fold-fold roller drive motor 471 is illustrated according to the control of the engine control unit 102. By rotating in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 24, the reversing gear 473 is rotated in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 24. As a result, the fold roller rotation gear pulley 474 rotates in the same direction as the arrow A shown in FIG. 24, and the rotation is transmitted to the fold roller rotation pulley 475 via the timing belt 472.

Then, when the additional folding roller rotation pulley 475 rotates, the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 rotates in conjunction with the rotation, so that the additional folding roller 410 rotates in the direction shown in FIG. 24. At this time, the reverse rotation gear 477 does not rotate due to the function of the one-way clutch 478.

On the other hand, in order for the additional folding roller drive device 470 configured in this way to utilize the driving force of the additional folding roller drive motor 471 for another drive system, first, the additional folding roller drive motor 471 is controlled by the engine control unit 102. Is rotated in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow B shown in FIG. 24, so that the reverse rotation gear 477 is rotated in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow B shown in FIG. 24.

As a result, the reverse rotation cam 479 rotates in the same direction as the arrow B shown in FIG. 24, and the rotational movement is transmitted to the drive system other than the additional folding roller 410 via the reverse rotation drive transmission unit 480. At this time, the additional folding roller rotating pulley 475 does not rotate due to the function of the one-way clutch 476.

With such a configuration, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment provides the driving force of the additional folding roller drive motor 471 for rotating the additional folding roller 410 in the direction opposite to the rotatable direction. It can be used for other drive trains.

When the fold-fold roller drive device 470 is configured in this way, when the fold-fold processing unit 4 tries to stop the rotation of the fold-fold roller 410, it first stops the rotation of the fold-fold roller drive motor 471. However, due to the function of the one-way clutch 476, the fold-back roller 410 will continue to rotate in the same direction for a while due to the rotational moment due to its own inertial force. This is because even if the rotation of the fold roller drive motor 471 is stopped, the rotation moment due to the inertial force cannot be canceled from the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the fold roller 410 by the function of the one-way clutch 476. ..

Therefore, even if the fold-back processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment intends to rotate the fold-back roller 410 by a predetermined angle θ and stop it at the rotation angle θ, the fold-back roller 410 actually has the predetermined angle. Since it rotates more than θ and stops, the accurate rotation angle of the additional folding roller 410 is lost.

Therefore, when the fold-back roller drive device 470 is configured in this way, a stop device for rotating the fold-back roller 410 by the predetermined angle θ and stopping it accurately at the rotation angle θ is required. Therefore, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment is provided with a stop device 490 for stopping the additional folding roller 410 at a predetermined position.

Here, the structure of the stop device 490 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 25 to 27. FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the stop device 490 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 26 is a transmission diagram showing the stop device 490 according to the present embodiment from a direction perpendicular to a plane formed in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the stop device 490 according to the present embodiment from the main scanning direction.

As shown in FIGS. 25 to 27, the stop device 490 according to the present embodiment is provided on the opposite side of the fold roller drive device 470 with respect to the main scanning direction of the fold roller 410, and the stop device fixing portion 491 is provided. A rotating portion 492, a rotating screw 493, a connecting portion 494, a rotation stop portion 495, a torsion spring 494, a sensor 497, a sensor shielding portion 498, and a rotation stop acting portion 499.

The stop device fixing portion 491 is a fixing portion for fixing the stop device 490 to the additional folding processing unit 4. The rotating portion 492 is fixed to the stop device fixing portion 491 by the rotating screw 493 so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow C shown in FIGS. 25 and 27 with the rotating screw 493 as the rotation axis. The rotary screw 493 fixes the rotary portion 492 to the stop device fixing portion 491 so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow C shown in FIGS. 25 and 27 so that the rotary screw 493 itself becomes the rotation axis of the rotary portion 492. The connecting portion 494 connects the rotating portion 492 and the rotation stop portion 495. The rotation stop portion 495 is connected to the rotation portion 492 by the connecting portion 494, and rotates with the rotation screw 493 as the rotation axis in the direction of the arrow D shown in FIGS. 25 and 27.

The torsion spring 496 is a torsion spring attached around a portion of the rotating portion 492 to be attached to the stopping device fixing portion 491 by a rotating screw 493, one of which is fixed to the stopping device fixing portion 491 and the other of which is a rotation stopping portion. It is fixed at 495. With such a configuration, the torsion spring 496 exerts a force to prevent the rotation of the rotation stop portion 495 about the rotation screw 493 as the rotation axis by its own elastic force, and the rotation stop portion 495 is the original. It will be possible to return to the position. The elastic force of the torsion spring 496 according to the present embodiment is larger than the inertial force of the additional folding roller 410.

The sensor 497 is composed of an infrared irradiation unit that irradiates infrared rays and an infrared light receiving unit that receives the infrared rays. Notify the engine control unit 102 to that effect. The sensor shielding portion 498 is fixed to the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 and rotates together with the additional folding roller 410, and when the additional folding roller 410 rotates by a predetermined angle θ, it irradiates from the infrared irradiation unit of the sensor 497 toward the infrared light receiving unit. Shields the infrared rays. With such a configuration, in the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment, the sensor shielding unit 498 shields the sensor 497 as described above, so that the additional folding roller 410 is rotated by a predetermined angle θ. It becomes possible to detect that, and at that time, it is possible to perform control for stopping the additional folding roller 410, that is, control for stopping the rotation of the additional folding roller drive motor 471.

The rotation stop action unit 499 is provided at the tip of the sensor shielding unit 498, and is configured to come into contact with the rotation stop unit 495 when the additional folding roller 410 rotates by the predetermined angle θ.

The additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment is provided with the stopping device 490 configured in this way, so that the additional folding roller 410 is rotated by the predetermined angle θ and stopped at the rotation angle θ. When the rotation of the folding roller drive motor 471 is stopped, the rotational moment due to the inertial force of the additional folding roller 410 can be canceled from the opposite direction.

Therefore, in the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment, even when the additional folding roller drive device 470 is configured as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the additional folding roller 410 is set at the predetermined angle θ. It is possible to prevent the fold roller 410 from continuing to rotate in the same direction for a while even if the rotation of the fold roller drive motor 471 is stopped when the fold roller drive motor 471 is rotated and stopped at the rotation angle θ. Become.

That is, even if the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment intends to rotate the additional folding roller 410 by the predetermined angle θ and stop it at the rotation angle θ, the additional folding roller 410 is actually the predetermined one. It does not stop after rotating above the angle θ. As a result, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment has the additional folding roller 410 at the predetermined angle even when the additional folding roller drive device 470 is configured as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24. It is possible to rotate by θ and stop accurately at the rotation angle θ, and it is possible to constantly grasp the accurate rotation angle of the fold-back roller 410.

As described above, in the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, the elastic body 421 is arranged near the central portion of the paper support plate 420 in the main scanning direction. It is one of the gist that it was done.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment is different from the case where the elastic body 421 is arranged near both ends of the paper support plate 420 in the main scanning direction of the paper. It is possible to prevent a moment from being generated in the vicinity of the central portion of the support plate 420 in the main scanning direction in the direction opposite to the pressing direction.

Therefore, unlike the case shown in FIG. 19, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment bends the paper support plate 420 due to the moment generated in the vicinity of the central portion, and a sufficient pressing force is applied in the vicinity of the central portion. It is possible to prevent the inability to generate.

As a result, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can uniformly generate a pressing force over the entire area in the main scanning direction. Therefore, according to the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to effectively reinforce the creases formed on the paper 6.

An example in which the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment is configured as shown in FIGS. 16 to 18 has been described, but in order to keep the paper support plate 420 horizontal in the main scanning direction at a higher altitude, the figure is shown. As shown in 28 (a) and 28 (b), it may be configured to swing in the pressing direction with the rotation fulcrum 424 as the fulcrum. 28 (a) and 28 (b) are a side view shown from the main scanning direction of the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment and a transmission view shown from the pressing direction. By configuring the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment in this way, it is possible to keep the paper support plate 420 highly parallel to the additional folding roller 410 at all times, so that the pressing force can be uniformly applied over the entire crease. Will be. Although FIGS. 28 (a) and 28 (b) show an example in which the rotation fulcrum 424 is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction of the paper 6, it may be provided on the upstream side in the transport direction.

Further, although an example in which the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment is configured as shown in FIGS. 16 to 18 has been described, when the paper support plate 420 is configured in this way, the elastic force of the elastic body 421 and the restricting member 423 are used. Since a moment toward the additional folding roller 410 is generated near the central portion of the paper support plate 420 in the main scanning direction, the vicinity of the central portion may be increased and bent toward the folding roller 410 as shown in FIG. 29. .. FIG. 29 is a front view showing the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment from the sub-scanning direction in a normal state. Therefore, the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment will be plastically deformed over time in such a state.

Therefore, in the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 30A and 30B, instead of providing the regulating members 423 at both ends of the paper support plate 420 in the main scanning direction, a rotation fulcrum is provided. By being configured to be provided near the central portion of the paper support plate 420 in the main scanning direction on the opposite side of the 424 in the sub-scanning direction, it is possible to reduce the moment acting near the central portion. .. 30 (a) and 30 (b) are a side view shown from the main scanning direction of the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment and a transmission view shown from the pressing direction. Therefore, by configuring the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment in this way, it is possible to prevent the above-mentioned plastic deformation without improving the rigidity.

Further, although an example in which the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment is configured as shown in FIG. 16 has been described, when the paper support plate 420 is configured in this way, as shown in FIG. 31, the additional folding roller 410 and the paper are described. Since the contact width Q with the support plate 420 is like line contact and can be contacted only in a narrow range, if the paper 6 is slightly displaced in the paper transport direction during additional folding, the crease cannot be pressed. Will end up. FIG. 31 is a side view showing the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment from the main scanning direction.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 32, the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment is configured to have an arc shape according to the locus drawn by the outer diameter of the pressing pressure transmitting portion 412 due to the rotation of the pressing pressure transmitting portion 412. This makes it possible to widen the contact width Q between the additional folding roller 410 and the paper support plate 420. FIG. 32 is a side view showing the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment from the main scanning direction. Therefore, by configuring the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment in this way, it is possible to press the crease even when the paper 6 is displaced in the paper transport direction during additional folding. ..

Further, when the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment is configured as shown in FIG. 32, as shown in FIG. 33, a plurality of elastic bodies 421 are provided along the arcuate circumferential surface. It may be configured. FIG. 33 is a side view showing the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment from the main scanning direction. When the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment is configured in this way, it is possible to uniformly apply a pressing force over the entire contact width Q between the additional folding roller 410 and the paper support plate 420, and at the time of additional folding. Even when the paper 6 is displaced in the paper transport direction, the creases can be pressed more reliably.

Further, when the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment is configured as shown in FIG. 32, as shown in FIG. 34, the paper support plate 420 can generate elastic force over the entire area on the circumferential surface of the arc shape. It may be configured to provide the body 421. FIG. 34 is a side view showing the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment from the main scanning direction. When the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment is configured in this way, it is possible to uniformly apply a pressing force over the entire contact width Q between the additional folding roller 410 and the paper support plate 420, and at the time of additional folding. Even when the paper 6 is displaced in the paper transport direction, the creases can be pressed more reliably.

Further, when the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment is configured as shown in FIG. 32, the paper support plate 420 is laid horizontally in the circumferential direction so as to wrap the arcuate circumferential surface as shown in FIG. 35. It may be configured to provide the elastic body 421. FIG. 35 is a side view showing the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment from the main scanning direction. When the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment is configured in this way, it is possible to uniformly apply a pressing force over the entire contact width Q between the additional folding roller 410 and the paper support plate 420, and at the time of additional folding. Even when the paper 6 is displaced in the paper transport direction, the creases can be pressed more reliably.

Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment is pressed against the additional folding roller 410 by the elastic force of the elastic body 421 compressed by the paper support plate 420 and the fixing member 422. An example in which a force is configured to act on the paper has been described, but as shown in FIG. 36, the movable member 426 and the fixing member 422 linked to the paper support plate 420 by the connecting member 425 so as to move are described. The elastic body 421 may be configured to act so as to be pressed against the additional folding roller 410 by the compressive force of the elastic body 421. FIG. 36 is a side view showing the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment from the main scanning direction.

Further, in the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment, a moment toward the additional folding roller 410 is generated by the elastic force of the elastic body 421 at the portion where the pressing force from the additional folding roller 410 does not act during the additional folding. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 37, there is a possibility of bending toward the additional folding roller 410 side. FIG. 37 is a front view showing the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment from the sub-scanning direction in a normal state. Therefore, in the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment, the pressing force is concentrated on the bent portion that does not come into contact with the crease in such a state, so that sufficient pressing force cannot be applied to the crease.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 38, the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment is configured to provide a plurality of elastic bodies 421 in the main scanning direction, so that the portion that does not contact the crease does not bend. , It is possible to apply a sufficient pressing force uniformly over the entire area in the main scanning direction. FIG. 38 is a front view showing the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment from the sub-scanning direction in a normal state.

Further, as shown in FIG. 39, the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment is configured to provide a plurality of elastic bodies 421 in the main scanning direction and to be divided into a plurality of elastic bodies 421. May be. Since the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment is configured as shown in FIG. 39, each of the divided paper support plates 420 can independently apply pressing force to the crease. It is possible to apply a sufficient pressing force uniformly over the entire area in the main scanning direction without bending the portion that does not contact the crease. FIG. 39 is a front view showing the paper support plate 420 according to the present embodiment from the sub-scanning direction in a normal state.

Further, in the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, the pressing force transmitting portion 412 is provided on the peripheral surface of the pressing force transmitting roller 413 at a constant angle with the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411. It is configured to be spirally arranged toward the main scanning direction with a difference θ, or as shown in FIGS. 8 to 15, a convex pressing force transmitting portion 412 is provided on the circumferential surface of the pressing force transmitting roller 413. It is arranged spirally with a constant angle difference θ from the additional folding roller rotation axis 411 and in a V shape toward the main scanning direction so as to be symmetrical with respect to the center in the main scanning direction of the additional folding roller 410. An example of the configuration was explained.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 40 to 42, in the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment, the plurality of pressing force transmitting portions 412 have a constant angle difference with each other in the rotation direction of the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411. It may be configured to be arranged around the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 at regular intervals in the main scanning direction.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 43 to 45 and 46 to 48, the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment has an odd number or even number of pressing force transmitting portions 412 as an additional folding roller rotating shaft. In order to be symmetrical with respect to the center in the main scanning direction of 411, the fold roller rotating shaft 411 has a constant angle difference from each other in the rotation direction of the fold roller rotating shaft 411 at regular intervals around the fold roller rotating shaft 411 in the main scanning direction. It may be arranged and configured.

The additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment is configured as shown in FIGS. 40 to 42, 43 to 45, and 46 to 48, thereby reducing the load on the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411. On the other hand, it is possible to apply a sufficient pressing force to the crease without lowering the productivity, and it is possible to prevent the paper 6 from having creases.

Here, a structural example of the pressing force transmitting unit 412 in the case of such a configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 49. FIG. 49 is a diagram showing the pressing force transmitting unit 412 according to the present embodiment from the main scanning direction in a state where the pressing force transmitting unit 412 is arranged on the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411. As shown in FIG. 49, the pressing force transmitting portion 412 according to the present embodiment is attached to the fixing portion 412a for fixing the pressing force transmitting portion 412 around the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411 and the fixing portion 412a. It is composed of an elastic body 412b that generates an elastic force in the expansion and contraction direction by expanding and contracting, and a pressing roller 412c that is attached to the elastic body 412b and is composed of a rotating body that rotates about an axis penetrating in the main scanning direction.

As described above, the pressing force transmitting portion 412 is configured to include the elastic body 412b, assuming that the elastic body 412b is a rigid body. This is because it cannot rotate when it comes into contact with the paper support plate 420.

Although FIG. 49 shows an example in which the elastic body 412b is made of a leaf spring, it may be made of an elastic material such as a compression spring, rubber, sponge, or a plastic resin. ..

In the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment, during the additional folding processing, the additional folding roller 410 configured in this way is rotated with the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 as the rotation axis, so that the additional folding roller 410 is rotated in the main scanning direction on the paper. The formed creases can be sequentially pressed toward the crease direction by each pressing force transmitting unit 412.

This is because, in the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment, the plurality of pressing force transmitting portions 412 are mainly around the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411 with a constant angle difference from each other in the rotational direction of the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411. This is because they are arranged at regular intervals in the scanning direction.

Therefore, in the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment, the pressing force is not dispersed over the entire main scanning direction during the additional folding process, and the concentrated pressing force by each pressing force transmitting unit 412 is fold. It can be applied over the entire area.

Further, in addition to such a structure, the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment may have a structure in which the pressing force transmission roller 413 is simply attached to the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411 as shown in FIG. 50. .. FIG. 50 is a perspective view showing the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment from diagonally above and sideways in the main scanning direction. In FIG. 50, the pressing force transmission roller 413 is a roller for transmitting the pressing force to the creases formed in the paper 6 by pressing the paper 6 against the paper support plate 420. When the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment is configured in this way, the crease can be pressed over the entire area in the main scanning direction only by pressing the paper support plate 420 without rotating.

Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the image forming unit 2, the folding processing unit 3, the additional folding processing unit 4, and the scanner unit 5 are provided in the image forming apparatus 1 has been described, but each unit is a different independent device. The devices may be connected to form an image forming system.

1 Image forming device 2 Image forming unit 3 Folding processing unit 4 Additional folding processing unit 5 Scanner unit 6 Paper 6a First crease 6b Second crease 10 CPU
20 RAM
30 ROM
40 HDD
50 I / F
60 LCD
70 Operation unit 80 Dedicated device 90 Bus 101 Main control unit 102 Engine control unit 103 Input / output control unit 104 Image processing unit 105 Operation display control unit 110 Paper feed table 120 Print engine 130 Folding processing engine 140 Extra folding processing engine 150 Scanner engine 160 ADF
170 Paper output tray 180 Display panel 190 Network I / F
310 Inlet roller vs. 320 Resist roller vs. 330 Transport path switching claw 340 First fold processing transport roller vs. 350 Second fold processing transport roller vs. 360 Folded transport roller vs. 370 Sensor 410 Extra fold roller 411 Extra fold roller Rotating shaft 412 Pushing pressure transmission part 412a Fixed part 412b Elastic body 412c Pressing roller 413 Pushing pressure transmission roller 420 Paper support plate 421 Elastic body 422 Fixing member 423 Restricting member 424 Rotating fulcrum 425 Connecting member 426 Movable member 430 Sensor 440 Output roller vs. 460 Post-processing transfer roller vs. 470 Extra-fold roller drive motor 471 Extra-fold roller drive motor 472 Timing belt 473 Reversing gear 474 Extra-fold roller rotary gear pulley 475 Extra-fold roller rotary pulley 476 One-way clutch 477 Reverse rotation gear 478 One-way clutch 479 Reverse rotation cam 480 Reverse rotation drive transmission part 490 Stop device 491 Stop device fixing part 492 Rotation part 493 Rotation screw 494 Connecting part 495 Rotation stop part 496 Torsion spring 497 Sensor 498 Sensor shielding part 499 Rotation stop action part

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-075271

Claims (23)

A pressing member that can rotate around the axis of rotation provided in the direction of the crease of the seat,
A seat support portion provided facing the pressing member and
A pressing force generating portion provided at the center in the direction of the crease of the sheet and generating a force for pressing the crease of the sheet between the sheet supporting portion and the pressing member as the pressing member rotates. With
The pressing force generating portion is provided with an elastic member at the center in the direction of the crease of the sheet .
The elastic member urges the seat support portion toward the pressing member side, and the elastic member urges the seat support portion toward the pressing member side.
Pressing the crease of the sheet while changing the contact position between the crease of the sheet in the direction of the crease of the sheet and the pressing portion provided on the pressing member with the rotation about the axis of rotation. A sheet processing device characterized by. A pressing member that can rotate around the axis of rotation provided in the direction of the crease of the seat,
A seat support portion provided facing the pressing member and
A pressing force generating portion provided at the center in the direction of the crease of the sheet and generating a force for pressing the crease of the sheet between the sheet supporting portion and the pressing member as the pressing member rotates. With
The pressing force generating portion is provided with an elastic member at the center in the direction of the crease of the sheet .
The elastic member urges the seat support portion toward the pressing member side, and the elastic member urges the seat support portion toward the pressing member side.
A sheet processing apparatus characterized in that the folds of the sheet are sequentially pressed along the direction of the folds by a pressing portion provided on the pressing member as the rotation about the rotation axis is performed. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a transporting means for transporting the sheet between the pressing member and the sheet support portion. A pressing part that can rotate around the axis of rotation provided in the crease direction of the sheet,
A seat support portion provided facing the pressing portion and a seat support portion
A pressing force generating portion provided in the central portion in the direction of the crease of the sheet and generating a force for pressing the crease of the sheet between the sheet supporting portion and the pressing portion as the pressing portion rotates. With
The pressing force generating portion has an elastic member at the center in the crease direction of the sheet .
The elastic member urges the seat support portion toward the pressing portion, and the elastic member urges the seat support portion toward the pressing portion.
A sheet processing apparatus characterized in that the crease of the sheet is pressed while changing the contact position between the fold of the sheet and the pressing portion in the direction of the crease of the sheet with the rotation about the axis of rotation. .. A pressing part that can rotate around the axis of rotation provided in the crease direction of the sheet,
A seat support portion provided facing the pressing portion and a seat support portion
A pressing force generating portion provided in the central portion in the direction of the crease of the sheet and generating a force for pressing the crease of the sheet between the sheet supporting portion and the pressing portion as the pressing portion rotates. With
The pressing force generating portion has an elastic member at the center in the crease direction of the sheet .
The elastic member urges the seat support portion toward the pressing portion, and the elastic member urges the seat support portion toward the pressing portion.
Along with the rotation about the axis of rotation, the crease of the sheet is made along the direction of the crease while changing the contact position between the crease of the sheet and the pressing portion in the direction of the crease of the sheet at the pressing portion. A sheet processing device characterized by sequentially pressing. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a transporting means for transporting the sheet between the pressing portion and the sheet supporting portion. The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the elastic member is provided at a plurality of positions in the direction of the fold of the sheet. When a virtual line is extended from a position where the sheet support portion and the elastic member come into contact with each other in a direction in which the elastic force of the elastic member acts when the crease of the sheet is pressed, the virtual line is formed on the sheet. The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the sheet processing apparatus passes through a contact position between the crease and the pressing portion . The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , further comprising a regulating member that regulates the position of the seat support portion against the urging force from the pressing force generating portion. The seat support portion can swing around a second rotation axis provided at the crease of the seat.
It is provided with a regulating member that regulates the position of the seat support portion against the urging force from the pressing force generating portion.
Any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the restricting member is provided on the opposite side of the second rotation axis in a direction orthogonal to the crease direction of the seat of the seat support portion. The sheet processing apparatus described in the section. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10 , wherein the restricting member is provided at the center of the sheet support portion in the direction of the fold of the sheet. The ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the restricting member restricts the movement of the seat support portion toward the pressing member so that the distance between the seat supporting portion and the pressing member does not become a predetermined distance or less. The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 11 . Any of claims 9 to 12 , wherein the restricting member restricts the movement of the seat support portion toward the pressing member at both ends of the seat support portion in the direction of the fold of the sheet. The sheet processing apparatus according to item 1. The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13 , wherein the sheet support portion has a flat surface, and the sheet is supported by the flat surface from the pressing force generating portion side. The one according to any one of claims 1 to 14 , wherein the sheet support portion is formed in an arc shape in accordance with a locus drawn by the outer diameter of the pressing portion due to rotation of the pressing portion. Sheet processing equipment. The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15 , wherein the pressing portion has a spiral shape continuous in the direction of the fold of the sheet. The sheet processing according to any one of claims 1 to 15 , wherein the pressing portion comprises a plurality of pressing portions provided at predetermined intervals in the direction of the fold of the sheet. Device. The sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 17 , wherein the pressing portion is arranged so that the phase around the rotation axis changes according to the position of the sheet in the crease direction. Processing equipment. The phase of the pressing portion around the rotation axis is the same from the central portion of the pressing portion in the crease direction toward both ends of the pressing portion, depending on the position of the sheet in the crease direction. The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the sheet processing apparatus changes to. The claim is characterized in that the pressing portion is provided continuously over a predetermined range in the axial direction of the rotating shaft and over only a part of the entire circumferential direction of the rotating shaft. The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 19. The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 20 , wherein the pressing portion presses a crease of the sheet in a state where the sheet is stopped. An image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet,
A folding processing unit for forming the crease on the sheet by performing a folding processing on the sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit, and a folding processing unit.
An image forming apparatus comprising the sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 21, as a sheet folding processing unit for pressing the fold formed by the folding processing unit. An image forming apparatus that forms an image on the sheet, and
A folding processing device that performs a folding process on the sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming device to form the crease on the sheet, and a folding processing device.
An image forming system comprising the sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 21, which presses the fold formed by the folding processing apparatus.

Images