JP7031335B2 - Sheet processing equipment, image forming equipment and image system - Google Patents

Description

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

There is known a sheet processing device that performs processing (post-processing) such as loading and binding sheets on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, or a digital multifunction device (MFP: MultiFunction Peripheral). The sheet processing device temporarily collects the sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus on the loading tray, performs matching processing to match the ends of the sheets in the transport direction and the ends in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and then performs matching processing. Performs a process (binding process) of binding a stack of sheets using a metal needle or the like.

In a conventional sheet processing device, a loading tray provided with a transport section belt capable of transporting a plurality of sheets in a stacked state is projected when the sheets are loaded, so that the sheets are loaded in a curved state and buckling of the sheets is performed. Those provided with a seat buckling prevention means for preventing are known (see Patent Document 1).

According to the sheet processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, buckling of the sheet can be prevented by bending the sheet so that the cross-sectional shape of the sheet becomes an arch shape when the sheet is loaded. However, when a type with weak stiffness or a type with strong adhesion between sheets and easy to stick to each other is loaded into a bundle of sheets, such as the sheet processing device of Patent Document 1, even if buckling during loading is prevented. , It is difficult to prevent buckling when releasing (transporting) this bundle of sheets from the loading tray. That is, there is a problem that the seat buckling prevention means provided in the conventional seat processing apparatus cannot sufficiently convey the seat bundle.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing device that prevents buckling during loading of sheets and transportation of bundles of sheets.

In order to achieve the above object, the sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention conveys a sheet.
Sheet transporting means to be carried out, and a plurality of the sheets transported by the sheet transporting means.
And the sheet loading means for loading the sheet and the sheet bundle on the sheet loading means are discharged.
Both the discharging means and the sheet bundle composed of a plurality of the sheets from the width direction of the sheets.
The first and second matching means that abut on the side end portion and the first and second matching means are
Rotates around a rotation axis parallel to the sheet transport direction and in opposite directions.
The first and second matching means include a rotating means for rolling, and the first and second matching means carry the sheet.
The shape when viewed from the feeding direction is U-shaped, and the U-shaped opening is
It is characterized by being arranged so as to face each other .

According to the present invention, buckling can be prevented at both the time of loading and the time of transporting the sheet.

The system block diagram which shows the embodiment of the sheet processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus which concerns on this invention. The perspective view which illustrates the structure of the sheet loading tray provided in the post-processing apparatus which concerns on the said embodiment. The side view which illustrates the structure of the said sheet loading tray. The figure which shows the example of the jogger fence which concerns on this embodiment. The figure which shows the example of the rotation operation of the said jogger fence. The figure which shows a part of the series operation of the said jogger fence. The figure which shows the other part of the series operation of the said jogger fence. The figure which shows the other part of the series operation of the said jogger fence. The figure which shows the example of the screen which inputs the information which sets the rotation angle of the said jogger fence. The figure which shows the example of the operation of the said jogger fence. The figure which shows another example of the operation of the said jogger fence. The figure which shows still another example of the operation of the said jogger fence. The figure which shows still another example of the operation of the said jogger fence. The figure which shows the example of the functional structure of the post-processing male apparatus which concerns on the said embodiment. The figure which shows the example of the sheet information used for the post-processing male apparatus which concerns on the said embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the sheet processing apparatus, the image forming apparatus, and the image system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of a post-processing apparatus PD as an embodiment of a sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention, an MFP (MFP: MultiFunction Peripheral) 200 as an embodiment of an image forming apparatus, and a system 300 as an embodiment of an image system. Is shown. The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the MFP, and may be an industrial printer (PP). That is, the characteristics of the sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention are not limited by the type of the image forming apparatus.

The post-processing device PD is installed and used after the MFP 200. The post-processing apparatus PD has a function of receiving a sheet S in which the MFP 200 forms an image and discharges the image, and performs a predetermined post-processing on the sheet S. Here, the post-processing refers to a process of loading and binding the sheet S (staple process), a process of making a hole for binding in the loaded sheet (punch process), and the like. The aftertreatment device PD is used by being attached to the MFP 200 as illustrated in FIG. As another usage, it can be attached to other devices that handle sheet-like objects. Further, the post-processing device PD can be used alone instead of being attached to other devices. The sheet S to be processed in the post-processing apparatus PD may be of any type as long as it is in the form of a sheet such as plain paper or an OHP sheet. Details of the post-processing device PD will be described later.

The MFP 200 is a copying machine, a printer, a digital multifunction device, or the like, and all known methods such as an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, and a thermal transfer method can be adopted as a method for forming an image. The MFP 200 has a function of forming an image on a sheet-like medium based on the image forming data and discharging the image.

The system 300 is an example of an image system configured by linking the post-processing apparatus PD and the MFP 200. The system 300 performs predetermined post-processing in the post-processing apparatus PD on the sheet (sheet on which the image is formed) discharged from the MFP 200, and operates so as to discharge the sheet. What is discharged from the system 300 is in a state of being subjected to a predetermined post-treatment such as a state in which a bundle-shaped sheet is bound or a state in which punch holes are formed.

Next, the aftertreatment device PD will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 1, the aftertreatment device PD includes a transport path A, a transport path B, a transport path C, a transport path D, and a transport path H. The post-processing apparatus PD transports the sheet S by using the sheet transport means constituting a predetermined route among the sheet transport means constituting each of the above-mentioned transport paths, and performs post-processing such as sheet loading and binding processing. It is a device to perform. Regardless of the type and load capacity of the sheet S, the post-processing device PD aligns the ends of the sheet S when the sheet S is loaded or when the sheet S is conveyed to the sheet bundle SB after the binding process or the like. It is also possible to reliably perform the above, and it is also possible to prevent buckling of the seat S and the seat bundle SB.

Each transport path provided in the aftertreatment device PD will be described. first. The transport path A is a portion where the sheet S discharged from the MFP 200 is received. Therefore, the sheet S from the MFP 200 is first transported to the transport path A having the punch unit 100.

The transport path B is a transport path for guiding the sheet S that has passed through the transport path A to the upper tray 201. The transport path C is a transport path that guides the sheet S that has passed through the transport path A to the shift tray 202. Further, the transport path D is a transport path that guides the sheet S to the end face binding processing tray F. The sheet S is distributed from the transport path A to the other transport paths (B, C, D) by rotating the first branch claw 15 and the second branch claw 16 in a predetermined direction. The relationship between the operation of the first branch claw 15 and the second branch claw 16 and the distribution of the sheet S will be described later.

The post-processing device PD is configured to perform various post-processing on the sheet S. The post-processing that can be performed by the post-processing device PD is, for example, punching by the punch unit 100, sheet alignment and end binding by the jogger fence 53 and the end face binding stapler S1. In addition, sheet alignment and saddle stitching by saddle stitching upper jogger fence 250a, saddle stitching lower jogger fence 250b and saddle stitching stapler S2, sorting of sheet S by shift tray 202, and saddle stitching by folding plate 74 and folding roller 81. Etc. can also be done. These various post-treatments can be performed by selecting the transport paths B, C, and D following the transport path A. Further, the transport path D includes a sheet accommodating portion E, and an end face binding processing tray F, a saddle stitch processing tray G, and a transport path H are provided on the downstream side of the transport path D.

An inlet sensor 301 for detecting the sheet S received from the MFP 200 is arranged near the inlet of the transport path A. Downstream of the inlet sensor 301, an inlet roller 1, a punch unit 100, a punch residue accommodating portion 101, a transport roller 2, a first branch claw 15 and a second branch claw 16 are sequentially arranged. The first branch claw 15 and the second branch claw 16 are held in the state (initial state) of FIG. 1 by a spring, and may be driven by turning on the first solenoid and the second solenoid, respectively. It has become.

The inlet sensor 301 may include a sensor that detects the presence / absence of the seat S, the amount of the received seat S (the load capacity of the seat S), and a sensor that detects the size and thickness of the seat S. The sensor for detecting the size and thickness of the sheet S can also be provided in the MFP 200, which is an external device when viewed from the post-processing device PD. These sensors function as a sheet data acquisition unit that acquires data (seat information) relating to the strength (rigidity) of the sheet S. Further, as the data regarding the strength and weakness of the sheet S, not only the size and thickness of the sheet S but also the material of the sheet S can be mentioned. The material of the sheet S can be input by using the operation panel provided in the aftertreatment device PD or the MFP 200. In this case, the operation panel also functions as a sheet data acquisition unit.

The first branch claw 15 and the second branch claw 16 select ON / OFF of the first solenoid and the second solenoid to rotate the first branch claw 15 and the second branch claw 16. Change the combination of. By changing the combination of the rotation positions, the sheet S can be distributed from the transport path A to the transport path B, the transport path C, and the transport path D.

When guiding the sheet S that has passed through the transport path A to the transport path B, the first solenoid is left in the OFF state, and the first branch claw 15 is maintained in the state (initial state) of FIG. As a result, the sheet S is discharged from the transport roller 3 to the upper tray 201 via the discharge roller 4.

When guiding the sheet S that has passed through the transport path A to the transport path C, the first and second solenoids are switched from the state of FIG. 1 to the ON state, the first branch claw 15 is upward, and the second branch claw is Reference numeral 16 is a state in which the second branch claw 16 is rotated downward (upward is the initial state). As a result, the sheet S is conveyed to the shift tray 202 side via the transfer roller 5 and the discharge roller pair 6 (6a, 6b). The sheets S are sorted in the process of being transported from the transport path A to the transport path C.

The seat S is sorted by a shift mechanism and a shift tray elevating mechanism. The shift mechanism reciprocates the discharge roller pair 6 (6a, 6b), the return roller 13, the seat surface detection sensor 330, the shift tray 202, and the shift tray 202 in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the sheet S. The shift tray elevating mechanism raises and lowers the shift tray 202.

When guiding the sheet S that has passed through the transport path A to the transport path D, the first solenoid that drives the first branch claw 15 is turned on, and the second solenoid that drives the second branch claw is turned off. As a result, the first branch claw 15 rotates upward and the second branch claw 16 rotates upward, so that the sheet S moves from the transfer roller 2 to the transfer path D side via the transfer roller 7. Be guided. The sheet S guided to the transport path D is guided to the end face binding processing tray F, and is subjected to alignment, end face binding, and the like. The sheet S that has been aligned and bound by the end face binding processing tray F is distributed by the guide member 44 to the transport path C leading to the shift tray 202 or the saddle stitching processing tray G to be folded or the like.

When guided to the shift tray 202, the sheet bundle SB is discharged from the discharge roller pair 6 to the shift tray 202. Further, the sheet bundle SB guided to the saddle stitching tray G side is folded and bound by the saddle stitching tray G, and is discharged from the discharge roller 83 to the lower tray 203 through the transport path H.

A branch claw 17 is arranged in the transport path D so that the sheet S passing through the transport path A can be guided to the seat accommodating portion E. The branch claw 17 is held in the state shown in FIG. 1 by a low load spring, and after the rear end of the sheet S conveyed by the transfer roller 7 passes through the branch claw 17, the transfer rollers 9, 10 and the staple discharge rollers 11 At least one of them, for example, the transfer roller 9 is reversed. By reversing the transport roller 9, the seat S can be reversed along the turn guide 8. As a result, the rear end of the sheet S in the transport direction is guided to the seat accommodating portion E to be retained (pre-stacked), and can be overlapped with the next guided sheet S and transported.

Further, by repeating this operation, it is possible to stack two or more sheets of paper and transport them as a sheet bundle SB. Reference numeral 304 is a pre-stack sensor for setting the reverse feed timing when pre-stacking the paper.

When sheet edge alignment processing and end binding processing are performed on the sheet S that has passed through the transport path D, the sheet S that has passed through the transport path D is guided to the end face binding processing tray F by the staple discharge roller 11, and the end faces are sequentially arranged. It is loaded on the binding processing tray F. The sheets S loaded on the end face binding processing tray F are aligned in the vertical direction (sheet transport direction) by the tapping rollers 12 for each sheet, and are aligned in the horizontal direction (direction orthogonal to the sheet transport direction: width) by the jogger fence 53. (Also called the direction) is aligned. Further, at the break of the job, the stapler S1 as the end face binding means is driven by the staple signal from the CPU_PD1 described later, and the binding process is performed. The job break is the end face binding process of the sheet S of the first piece in the next sheet bundle SB from the sheet S which is the final piece in the sheet bundle SB (the bundle in which the sheet S is loaded) to be bound. The period until it is conveyed to the tray F.

The sheet bundle SB that has been bound is immediately sent to the discharge roller pair 6 by the discharge belt 52 (see FIG. 2) on which the discharge claw 52a is projected, and is discharged to the shift tray 202 set at the receiving position. Ru.

As shown in FIG. 1, the stapler S1 for end face binding includes a stapler (driver) S1a for ejecting staples and a clincher S1b for bending the tip of the staples. Further, the space portion S1c formed between the stitcher S1a and the clincher S1b has a size that allows the rear end reference fence 51 to pass through. Due to this size, the end face binding stapler S1 can be moved without interfering with the end face binding stapler S1 and the rear end reference fence 51. Unlike the saddle stitch stapler S2, the end face stapler S1 has the stitcher S1a and the clincher S1b integrated.

The stitcher S1a functions as a fixed side without moving in the direction perpendicular to the seat surface, and functions as a moving side in which the clincher S1b moves in the direction perpendicular to the seat surface. As a result, when the binding operation is performed on the sheet bundle SB, the clincher S1b moves the predetermined bound portion of the sheet bundle SB in contact with the stack surface of the rear end reference fence 51 to the stitcher S1a side, and the binding operation is performed. The binding operation is performed in the process.

The feature of the sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention in the post-processing apparatus PD according to the present embodiment is most reflected in the structure of the end face binding processing tray F. Hereinafter, the structure of the end face binding processing tray F will be described in detail.

As described above, the sheets S guided to the end face binding processing tray F by the staple discharge roller 11 shown in FIG. 1 are sequentially loaded on the end face binding processing tray F. At this time, the tapping roller 12 performs alignment in the vertical direction (sheet transport direction), and the jogger fence 53 performs alignment in the horizontal direction (seat width direction). Then, the stapler S1 performs a binding process on the sheet bundle SB made of the sheets S whose ends are aligned.

As will be described later, the jogger fence 53 is a matching means provided with a rotation drive mechanism (rotation means) about the transport direction of the seat S. The sheet S is guided to the end face binding processing tray F in a state where the jogger fence 53, which is a matching means including the rotating means, is rotated in a predetermined rotation direction by the rotating means. Further, when the sheet bundle SB is discharged (when the sheet bundle SB is carried out from the end face binding processing tray F), the jogger fence 53 is also rotated in a predetermined direction. As a result, the seat S and the seat bundle SB are kept in a curved state when the seat S is loaded or when the seat bundle SB is released. By bending the seat S, the stiffness (rigidity) of the seat S can be increased, so that buckling of the seat S can be prevented. Further, when the seats S are loaded, it is possible to prevent the seats S from coming into close contact with each other, so that the loadability of the seats S can be improved. By bending the seat bundle SB, the stiffness (rigidity) of the seat bundle SB can be increased, so that buckling of the seat bundle SB can be prevented.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of an end face binding processing tray F, which is an embodiment of a sheet loading means for loading a sheet S. As shown in FIG. 2, the end face binding processing tray F is a sheet loading tray, and a pair of jogger fences 53 for aligning the width directions of the sheets S in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the sheets S are installed. ing. Further, the end face binding processing tray F is loaded with a rear end reference fence 51 for aligning the end portions of the sheet S on the front end side (rear end side of the loaded sheet S) when the sheet S is carried in. The stapler S1 for binding the sheet bundle SB is provided. The transport direction of the sheet S in the end face binding processing tray F includes a direction in which the sheet S is carried into the end face binding processing tray F and a direction in which the sheet S is carried out from the end face binding processing tray F. Hereinafter, the "direction in which the sheet S is carried into the end face binding processing tray F" is referred to as a "carry-in direction", and the "direction in which the sheet S is carried out from the end face binding processing tray F" is referred to as a "carry-out direction".

The jogger fence 53 is composed of a first jogger fence 53a and a second jogger fence 53b, which are paired in order to align the seats S in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the first jogger fence 53a and the second jogger fence 53b are composed of long members having a length equal to or longer than the length of the sheet S in the carry-in direction and the carry-out direction of the sheet S. To. The sheet S is carried and loaded into the space where the first jogger fence 53a located on one end side of the sheet S and the second jogger fence 53b located on the other end side face each other, and the sheet bundle SB is loaded. To form.

The first jogger fence 53a and the second jogger fence 53b each have an independent drive source. That is, the first jogger fence 53a and the second jogger fence 53b are configured to rotate independently by utilizing the driving force supplied by the driving source provided therein. The rotational movement of the first jogger fence 53a and the second jogger fence 53b is an operation in which the respective longitudinal axes are the rotation axes. This rotation operation is an operation in which the two directions rotate in opposite directions, and is an operation of maintaining a state of a predetermined angle (rotation angle).

The rear end reference fence 51 is divided into two locations on each end side in the width direction of the seat S, has a drive source, and is configured to be operable in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the seat S. In order to align the tip portion in the carry-in direction with respect to the sheet S carried into the end face binding processing tray F, the tip stoppers 57a and 57b hit the sheet S toward the rear end side or the tip side in the carry-in direction of the sheet S, and the sheet S is used. The front end side in the carry-in direction is abutted against the rear end reference fence 51. The ends of the sheet S abutted against the rear end reference fence 51 are aligned thereby. Then, the stapler processing is performed on the "sheet bundle SB" which is the bundle of the matched sheets S by the stapler S1.

The stapler S1 is configured so that its position can be freely set in the width direction of the seat S. Therefore, the stapler S1 can be moved to a predetermined position, stapled, and the sheet bundle SB can be bound at a predetermined position in the width direction. The staple processing may be performed a plurality of times.

The case where the sheet S conveyed to the end face binding processing tray F as described above is thin and has weak rigidity (weak stiffness) such as that of 80 gsm or less will be described as an example. Such sheets S are brought into close contact with each other when they are conveyed by the staple discharge roller 11 and guided to the end face binding processing tray F, or until they are guided and come into contact with the rear end reference fence 51. As a result, "sticking" and "buckling" may occur. If buckling or the like occurs in the seat S, it causes a alignment error (misalignment of the ends) during loading for forming the seat bundle SB. Then, since the staple processing is performed on the sheet bundle SB in the state of the alignment error, the irregular sheet bundle SB is bound.

FIG. 3 is a view of the end face binding processing tray F as viewed from the side surface, and a part of the configuration is omitted. As shown in FIG. 3, when the sheet bundle SB after the binding process is carried out from the end face binding processing tray F by the release claw 52a, the central portion in the width direction of the sheet bundle SB is lifted by the release claw 52a and is carried out in the carry-out direction. Try to push it up. At this time, the sheet bundle SB is pushed up on the loading tray of the end face binding processing tray F rising at an acute angle until the tip end portion in the carrying-out direction reaches the discharge roller pair 6 (see FIG. 1). In this operation, if the rigidity of the sheet bundle SB is weak, the rear end portion of the sheet bundle SB in the carry-out direction buckles in the vicinity of the discharge claw 52a, and the tip of the sheet bundle SB in the carry-out direction is carried to the discharge roller pair 6. May not be. The end face binding processing tray F in the present embodiment has the following characteristics so that buckling does not occur even when the sheet bundle SB having such low rigidity is carried out from the end face binding processing tray F. It has a configuration. The discharge claw 52a and the discharge roller pair 6 constitute a sheet discharge means.

4 and 5 show the first jogger fence 53a and the second jogger fence 53b included in the end face binding processing tray F, and the configuration for operating them. FIG. 4 illustrates a state in which the jogger fence 53 (first jogger fence 53a and second jogger fence 53b), which is a matching means, does not bend the sheet S or the sheet bundle SB. FIG. 5 illustrates a state in which the jogger fence 53 is held at a predetermined rotation angle so as to bend the seat S or the seat bundle SB.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first jogger fence 53a includes a first rotation means Pa as a configuration that rotates at a predetermined angle with a shaft 531a in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the sheet S as a rotation axis. Further, the second jogger fence 53b is provided with a second rotating means Pb so as to rotate at a predetermined angle with a shaft 531b in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the seat S as a rotation axis.

The first rotating means Pa provides the first jogger rotary motor Ma for supplying the driving force for rotating the first jogger fence 53a and the driving force from the first jogger rotary motor Ma to the first jogger fence 53a. It is provided with a gear Ga1 and a gear Ga2 for transmission. The gear Ga1 is attached to the rotation shaft of the first jogger rotation motor Ma, and the gear Ga2 is attached to the shaft 531a arranged on the back side of the first jogger fence 53a (opposite the surface on which the seat S is loaded). Has been done.

Similarly, the second rotating means Pb uses the second jogger rotation motor Mb for supplying the driving force for rotating the second jogger fence 53b and the driving force from the second jogger rotation motor Mb as the second jogger. A gear Gb1 and a gear Gb2 are provided for transmission to the fence 53b. The gear Gb1 is attached to the rotation shaft of the second jogger rotation motor Mb, and the gear Gb2 is attached to the shaft 531b arranged on the back side of the second jogger fence 53b (opposite the surface on which the seat S is loaded). Has been done.

The first jogger rotary motor Ma and the second jogger rotary motor Mb are controlled to rotate independently of each other. The first jogger rotary motor Ma and the second jogger rotary motor Mb are motors of a type in which the rotation angle can be controlled, respectively, and are, for example, a stepping motor, a DC motor having a built-in encoder, and the like. The types of the first jogger rotary motor Ma and the second jogger rotary motor Mb may be any type as long as the rotation angle can be controlled. The rotation directions of the first jogger rotation motor Ma and the second jogger rotation motor Mb are opposite to each other, and as illustrated in FIG. 5, the first jogger fence 53a and the second jogger fence 53b rotate in opposite directions. And it is held at a predetermined rotation angle.

Next, the rotational operation of the jogger fence 53, which is a matching means, will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8 are views illustrating a state in which the end face binding processing tray F is viewed from the stapler S1.

FIG. 6 illustrates the states of the first jogger fence 53a and the second jogger fence 53b after the sheet S is conveyed to the aftertreatment device PD. After the sheet is conveyed to the post-processing apparatus PD, the first jogger rotary motor Ma and the second jogger rotary motor Mb rotate independently and maintain a predetermined angle of rotation. As a result, the first jogger fence 53a and the second jogger fence 53b are put into a standby state while being rotated at their respective arbitrary angles.

After that, the sheet S is guided to the end binding processing tray F by the staple discharge roller 11. The sheet S carried into the end binding processing tray F is conveyed to the space between the first jogger fence 53a and the second jogger fence 53b held at an arbitrary angle. At this time, in each of the first jogger fence 53a and the second jogger fence 53b, the inner end side of the end binding processing tray F is in a higher state than in the non-rotating state. In other words, the first jogger fence 53a and the second jogger fence 53b are each held in a state where the inner end portion in the width direction of the seat S is lifted. Since the inner end of the first jogger fence 53a and the second jogger fence 53b in this state is higher than the outer end, the sheet S is carried in in a state where the cross-sectional shape in the width direction is bow-shaped. Is loaded. In this way, the sheet S loaded on the end binding processing tray F is in a state of being curved in a bow shape from the central portion in the width direction toward the outside. The rotation angle of the first jogger fence 53a and the second jogger fence 53b when the sheet S is carried in and loaded on the end binding processing tray F is defined as the "first angle".

When the sheet S is carried into the end binding processing tray F in a state where the first jogger fence 53a and the second jogger fence 53b are held at the first angle, the sheet S is already loaded even if the rigidity of the sheet S is low. It is possible to prevent the sheet S from being adsorbed to the sheet S and buckling during the loading into the edge binding processing tray F. Therefore, by allowing the sheet S to be carried into the end binding processing tray F with the jogger fence 53 at the first angle, the sheet S can be reliably dropped to the rear end reference fence 51, and the sheet S can be reliably dropped. It is possible to reliably match the transport directions of the above. That is, the loadability can be improved.

After the loading of the sheet S on the end binding processing tray F is completed, as shown in FIG. 7, the first jogger fence 53a and the second jogger fence 53b are returned from the first angle to be in the non-rotating state. .. As a result, the sheet bundle SB changes from a curved state to a flat state, and the cross-sectional shape in the width direction becomes substantially rectangular. After that, the first jogger fence 53a and the second jogger fence 53b are moved in the same direction as the width direction of the sheet bundle SB to align the ends of the sheet bundle SB in the width direction. After matching the sheet bundle SB, the stapler S1 performs the binding operation of the sheet bundle SB.

After binding the sheet bundle SB, the first jogger fence 53a and the second jogger fence 53b are rotated again as shown in FIG. The rotation angle in this case is the "second angle". When the first jogger fence 53a and the second jogger fence 53b are rotated at the second angle, the sheet bundle SB is curved. The end of the curved sheet bundle SB in the length direction is lifted by the discharge claw 52a and pushed out in the carry-out direction. As a result, the central portion of the rear end of the sheet bundle SB is lifted and conveyed, and the tip portion of the sheet bundle SB is conveyed so as to be pushed up to the discharge roller pair 6.

The "first angle" and the "second angle" can be set independently. For example, the user or maintenance personnel can arbitrarily set and specify the user interface via the user interface displayed on the operation panel PR1 included in the post-processing device PD. FIG. 9 is an example of an input screen displayed on the operation panel PR1. As shown in FIG. 9, the rotation angle of the jogger fence 53 can be arbitrarily set. In this case, the "first angle" and the "second angle" can be set individually, and also according to the type of the sheet S and the load capacity of the sheet S (thickness of the sheet bundle SB), that is, the number of bound sheets. The optimum angle can be set separately.

It should be noted that the probability of buckling is more likely to occur when the sheet bundle SB is carried out than when the seat S is carried in and loaded. Therefore, the rotation angle of the jogger fence 53 makes the "second angle" larger than the "first angle". As a result, the degree of bending of the sheet bundle SB in the width direction becomes larger, and the effect of preventing buckling at the time of carrying out can be enhanced.

Further, buckling of the sheet S or the sheet bundle SB occurs remarkably when the sheet S has a low rigidity such as thin coated paper. Therefore, when the sheet S is made of a thin material, it is desirable to set the "first angle" and the "second angle" to be larger than when the thick material is loaded. Further, if the type of the sheet S is, for example, coated paper, the rotation amounts of the "first angle" and the "second angle" may be set large in the same manner. Further, when the number of sheets to be bound is large, the rigidity of the sheet bundle SB becomes high. In such a case, the rotation angle of the jogger fence 53 may be set to be small.

The setting of the "first angle" and the "second angle" using the operation panel PR1 may be performed by the user himself or only by a specialized person in charge.

If multiple combinations of the type of sheet S and the binding amount (the number of sheets loaded) can be assumed, the information for specifying the optimum "first angle" and "second angle" for each combination is "sheet". As "information", it may be stored in a storage means provided in the post-processing device PD.

Here, an example of a functional configuration for controlling the rotation angle of the jogger fence 53 in the post-processing apparatus PD will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, the post-processing device PD includes a control circuit (control unit) equipped with a microcomputer having a CPU_PD1 and an I / O (interface) PD2 or the like. Signals from the CPU of the MFP 200, each switch of the operation panel PR1, and each sensor are input to the CPU_PD1 via the communication interface PD3, and the CPU_PD1 executes a predetermined control based on the input signals. With each of these sensors, data corresponding to seat information such as the load capacity of the seat S and the type of the seat S can be acquired.

Further, the CPU_PD1 controls the drive of a plurality of motors including the solenoid and the first jogger rotary motor Ma and the second jogger rotary motor Mb via the driver and the motor driver, and acquires the sensor information in the device from the interface. Further, the drive control of each motor is performed by the motor driver via the I / O interface PD2 according to the control target and the sensor, and the sensor information from the sensor is acquired. The control is executed based on the program defined by the program code while the CPU_PD1 reads the program code stored in the ROM, expands it into the RAM, and uses the RAM as a work area and a data buffer. The sheet information may be stored in the ROM in advance, or may be stored in the RAM via the operation panel PR1.

Further, the operation control of the post-processing device PD may be executed based on an instruction or information from the CPU of the MFP 200. In this case, the user's operation instruction is given from the operation panel PR1 of the MFP200, and the MFP200 and the operation panel PR1 are connected to each other via the communication interface PR2. As a result, the operation signal from the operation panel PR1 is transmitted from the MFP 200 to the post-processing device PD, and the processing status and function of the post-processing device PD are notified to the user via the operation panel PR1.

Next, the sheet information will be described. FIG. 15 is an example of sheet information. As shown in FIG. 15, the sheet information includes a "seat type" which is a type of the sheet S, a "loading capacity" indicating the number of loaded sheets of the sheet S (thickness of the sheet bundle SB), and a jogger fence 53 at a predetermined angle. It is a data group in which a "first rotation amount" that defines a first angle to be rotated and held and a "second rotation amount" that defines a second angle are associated and held. As described above, based on the type and amount of the sheet S detected by the sensor included in the post-processing device PD, or the type and amount of the sheet S notified from the MFP 200 that conveys the sheet S to the post-processing device PD. The corresponding "first rotation amount" and "second rotation amount" are specified from the sheet information group. Based on this identified information, a "first angle" and a "second angle" in the jogger fence 53 are set. Based on the set "first angle" and "second angle", the jogger fence 53 is appropriately rotated and held at a predetermined timing. It should be noted that the "large / medium / small" in the "first rotation amount" and the "second rotation amount" exemplified in FIG. 15 do not uniquely indicate the absolute angle, but have a relative relationship. It is an example. Therefore, it does not limit that the "medium" of the first rotation amount in the sheet type "thin paper coated paper" and the "medium" of the "coated paper" hit the same angle.

Next, examples of various rotation angles set for the jogger fence 53 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13. FIG. 10 shows an example in which the jogger fence 53 is held at a “first angle” when the sheet type is “coated paper” and the rigidity is weak, such as “thin paper”. The "first angle" illustrated in FIG. 10 is defined as the angle α1. FIG. 11 shows an example in which the jogger fence 53 is held at a “second angle” when the sheet type is “coated paper” and the rigidity is weak, such as “thin paper”. The "second angle" illustrated in FIG. 11 is defined as the angle α2.

FIG. 12 is an example in which the jogger fence 53 is held at the “first angle” when the load capacity is large, for example. The "first angle" illustrated in FIG. 12 is defined as the angle β1. FIG. 13 is an example in which the jogger fence 53 is held at a “second angle” when the load capacity is large, for example. The "second angle" illustrated in FIG. 13 is defined as the angle β2.

As illustrated above, the rotation angle of the jogger fence 53 is adjusted and held based on the type of the seat S and the load capacity of the seat S. Here, the relationship between the angles exemplified above is, for example, angle β1 <angle β2 <angle α1 <angle α2. That is, if the rigidity of the seat S is low (if the stiffness is weak), the degree of curvature of the seat S is increased by increasing the rotation angle of the jogger fence 53 to increase the rigidity. As a result, even a type of sheet S that is easily adhered and easily buckled can be reliably loaded and aligned while preventing adhesion and buckling during loading. Therefore, the loadability can be improved. In this case, the sheet bundle SB after binding can be carried out while preventing buckling.

Further, if the load capacity of the seat S is large, the rigidity of the seat bundle SB naturally increases. Therefore, even if the rotation angle of the jogger fence 53 is reduced and the degree of curvature of the seat bundle SB is reduced, buckling at the time of carrying out may occur. Can be prevented.

As described above, according to the aftertreatment device PD according to the present embodiment, the optimum state for improving the consistency and preventing buckling based on the type and the load capacity of the sheets S to be carried in and loaded is the optimum state. Can be. As a result, the loadability of the sheet S can be improved, the sheet bundle SB can be bound with high consistency, and the sheet bundle SB can be appropriately carried out.

The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described above based on an example of a suitable embodiment. The present invention is not limited to the examples described using the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof.

1 Inlet roller 6 Discharge roller vs. 51 Rear end reference fence 52 Discharge belt 52a Discharge claw 53 Jogger fence 53a First jogger fence 53b Second jogger fence 83 Discharge roller 200 MFP
300 System Pa 1st rotation means Pb 2nd rotation means

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-180193

Claims (11)

Sheet transporting means for transporting sheets and
A sheet loading means for loading a plurality of the sheets conveyed by the sheet conveying means, and a sheet loading means.
A discharge means for discharging the bundle of sheets on the sheet loading means, and a discharge means.
From the width direction of the sheet, it abuts on both side ends of a sheet bundle composed of the plurality of the sheets.
With the first and second matching means
The first and second matching means are placed around a rotation axis parallel to the transport direction of the sheet.
It is equipped with rotating means that rotate in opposite directions.
The first and second matching means have a shape when viewed from the transport direction of the sheet.
Each has a U-shape, and the U-shaped openings are arranged so as to face each other.
Sheet processing equipment. The rotating means is the same when the bundle of sheets is viewed from the transport direction of the sheets.
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second matching means are rotated in the first rotation direction in which the bundle is bowed . The rotating means puts the sheet bundle into the sheet bundle after the loading of the plurality of the sheets is completed.
The first rotation in which the sheet bundle becomes rectangular when viewed from the sheet transport direction.
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the first and second matching means are rotated in a second rotation direction opposite to the direction . The first and second matching means have a rectangular shape from the width direction of the sheet.
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein a matching operation is performed in contact with both end portions of the sheet bundle . The rotating means transfers the sheet bundle to the sheet after the alignment of the sheet bundle is completed.
The first and second sheets are formed so that the bundle of sheets is arched when viewed from the transport direction of the above.
The matching means of is rotated in the first rotation direction ,
The discharging means discharges the bow-shaped sheet bundle .
The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4 . The angle at which the rotating means rotates the first and second matching means is different when the sheet is loaded on the sheet loading means and when the sheet bundle on the sheet loading means is discharged. be,
The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. When the rotating means loads the sheet on the sheet loading means, the first
The angle at which the second matching means is rotated is smaller than the angle at which the bundle of sheets on the sheet loading means is discharged.
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 6. The rotating means can change the angle at which the matching means is rotated according to the sheet information indicating the type of the sheet loaded on the sheet loading means or the load capacity of the sheet loaded on the sheet loading means. Is configured in ,
The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The angle at which the rotating means rotates the matching means can be arbitrarily set by the user.
The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A binding means for performing a binding process on the sheet bundle is provided.
The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9. An image forming apparatus that forms an image on the sheet, and
Image formation comprising the sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
system.

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