JP7463852B2 - Binding device, post-processing device, and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a binding device that performs binding processing on a sheet stack, a post-processing device that includes the binding device, and an image forming system that includes an image forming device such as a copier, printer, facsimile, or a combination machine or printing machine.

Conventionally, there have been known post-processing devices connected to image forming devices such as copiers and printers that are equipped with an end binding processing section (saddle stitching staple device) that performs a binding process (end binding process) on the end of a sheet stack, and a saddle stitching processing section (edge stapling device) that performs a binding process (saddle stitching process) on the center of the sheet stack (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In such a post-processing device, a saddle stitching processing section is provided below the end stitching processing section and in the lower portion of the post-processing device.
When the user selects saddle stitching and center folding, the sheet stack that has been saddle stitched by the saddle stitching processing unit is then folded (center folding) in the center by the center folding processing unit, and is then discharged from the post-processing device and placed on the stack unit (stack tray).

In the conventional technology, the saddle stitching device serving as the binding device was installed at a low position close to the floor, and the stack section where the bound sheet stack is discharged and placed was also installed at a low position close to the floor. As a result, when the user wanted to remove the bound sheet stack from the stack section, he or she had to crouch down or take a low position, which was not very user-friendly.

This invention has been made to solve the problems described above, and aims to provide a binding device, post-processing device, and image forming system that provide good operability when removing a sheet stack from the stack section after binding processing.

The binding device of the present invention comprises a binding processing section which performs a binding process on a sheet bundle consisting of multiple stacked sheets fed in from the outside through an input section, and a stack section on which the sheet bundle which has been bound in the binding processing section and discharged to the outside is placed, the stack section being arranged above the input section , a consumable cartridge containing consumables required for the binding process performed in the binding processing section is removably installed, the consumable cartridge and an opening/closing cover which is opened and closed when the consumable cartridge is attached or detached are each arranged above the input section, and a lifting mechanism which raises or lowers the stack section to a position which does not interfere with the opening and closing of the opening/closing cover when the consumable cartridge is attached or detached .

The present invention provides a binding device, a post-processing device, and an image forming system that provide good operability when removing a sheet stack from a stack section after binding processing.

1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a post-processing device. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating an operation of an end binding processing section. FIG. FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a post-processing device as a first modified example. FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a post-processing device as a second modified example.

The following describes in detail the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that in each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals, and the repeated explanations will be appropriately simplified or omitted.

First, the overall configuration and operation of an image forming system 200 will be described with reference to FIG.
In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 has a post-processing device 50 removably installed therein, and constitutes an image forming system 200 together with the post-processing device 50 .
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an image forming apparatus that functions as a copier, reference numeral 2 denotes an original reading unit that optically reads image information of an original D, and reference numeral 3 denotes an exposure unit that irradiates a photosensitive drum 5 with exposure light L based on the image information read by the original reading unit 2.
Also, reference numeral 4 denotes an image creating section which forms a toner image (image) on the photosensitive drum 5, reference numeral 7 denotes a transfer section (image forming section) which transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 5 onto a sheet P, and reference numeral 10 denotes an original transport section which transports the set original D to the original reading section 2.
Further, reference numerals 12 and 13 denote a feeding section in which sheets P such as paper are stored, and reference numeral 17 denotes a pair of registration rollers (a pair of timing rollers) that transport the sheet P toward the transfer section 7 .
Further, reference numeral 20 denotes a fixing device that fixes an unfixed image on the sheet P, 21 denotes a fixing roller disposed in the fixing device 20 , and 22 denotes a pressure roller disposed in the fixing device 20 .
In addition, reference numeral 30 denotes a double-sided conveying section which inverts the sheet P after an image has been formed on its front side and conveys it toward the image forming section, and reference numeral 49 denotes an operation display panel which displays information relating to the printing operation (image forming operation) and post-processing operation and allows operations to be performed.
Further, 50 indicates a post-processing device that performs post-processing on sheets P discharged from the image forming device 1 and transported in, 71 to 73 indicate a stack section (discharge tray) onto which the sheets P (or a stack of sheets) after post-processing are discharged and stacked, 80 indicates a saddle-stitching processing section installed inside the post-processing device 50, 90 indicates an end-stitching processing section installed inside the post-processing device 50, and 91.

With reference to FIG. 1, the operation of image forming apparatus 1 (image forming system 200) during normal image formation (printing) will be described.
First, the document D is transported from the document table in the direction of the arrow in the figure by the transport rollers of the document transport unit 10, and passes over the document reading unit 2. At this time, the document reading unit 2 optically reads image information of the document D passing above it.
The optical image information read by the document reading unit 2 is converted into an electrical signal and then transmitted to the exposure unit 3 (writing unit). The exposure unit 3 emits exposure light L, such as a laser beam, based on the image information of the electrical signal toward the photoconductor drum 5 of the imaging unit 4.

Meanwhile, in the image creating unit 4, the photosensitive drum 5 rotates in a clockwise direction in the figure, and after going through a predetermined image creating process (charging process, exposure process, and development process), an image (toner image) corresponding to the image information is formed on the photosensitive drum 5.
Thereafter, the image formed on the photosensitive drum 5 is transferred onto a sheet P conveyed by a pair of registration rollers 17 in a transfer section 7 serving as an image forming section.

On the other hand, the sheet P transported to the transfer unit 7 (image forming unit) operates as follows.
First, one of the plurality of feeding units 12 to 14 of the image forming apparatus 1 is automatically or manually selected (for example, it is assumed that the uppermost feeding unit 12 is selected).
Then, the uppermost sheet P stored in the feeding section 12 is transported toward the position of the transport path K1.

Then, the sheet P passes through a transport path K1 on which multiple transport rollers are arranged, and reaches the position of the registration roller pair 17. The sheet P that has reached the position of the registration roller pair 17 is transported toward the transfer unit 7 (image forming unit) in a timed manner to align with the image formed on the photosensitive drum 5.

After the transfer process, the sheet P passes through the transfer section 7 and then travels through the transport path to the fixing device 20. The sheet P that has reached the fixing device 20 is fed between the fixing roller 21 and the pressure roller 22, where the image is fixed by the heat it receives from the fixing roller 21 and the pressure it receives from both members 21 and 22. The sheet P with the fixed image is sent out from between the fixing roller 21 and the pressure roller 22 (the nip portion) and then discharged from the image forming apparatus 1.

When the "duplex print mode" is selected, which prints on both sides of the sheet P (the front and back sides), the sheet P after the fixing process on the front side is not discharged as is as when the above-mentioned "single-sided print mode" is selected, but is guided to the duplex conveying path K2, where the conveying direction is reversed by the duplex conveying section 30, and then conveyed again toward the position of the transfer section 7 (image forming section). Then, at the position of the transfer section 7, an image is formed on the back side of the sheet P by the same image forming process as described above, and then the sheet P goes through the fixing process in the fixing device 20, passes through the conveying path, and is discharged from the image forming apparatus 1.

Here, in this embodiment, a post-processing device 50 is connected to the image forming device 1, and a sheet P discharged from the image forming device 1 is fed into the post-processing device 50, where post-processing is performed on the fed sheet P.
1, the post-processing device 50 in this embodiment is configured to convey the sheet P conveyed from the image forming device 1 to one of three conveying paths K3, K4 (K5), and K6 (K7) and perform different post-processing. The first conveying path K3 is a conveying path for discharging the sheet P conveyed from the image forming device 1 to the outside of the device without performing post-processing and placing it on the third stack unit 71. The second conveying paths K4 and K5 are conveying paths for stacking the sheet P conveyed from the image forming device 1 on the internal tray 61 (see FIG. 2), performing binding processing on the rear end of the sheet by the end binding processing unit 90, and discharging the processed sheet P (sheet stack PT) to the outside of the device and placing it on the second stack unit 72. The third transport paths K6 and K7 are transport paths for transporting the sheet P transported from the image forming device 1 to the inversion transport path K10 (see Figure 4) and switching back, and then transporting it to the vertical transport path K7 to perform binding processing at the center of the sheet by the saddle stitching processing unit 80 and center folding processing by the center folding processing unit 85, and discharging the processed sheet P (sheet stack PT) outside the device and placing it on the first stack unit 73.
The multiple transport paths K3 to K7 are switched by the switching operation (rotation) of branch claws 97 to 99 (see FIG. 2).

2, a transport roller 51 and a sheet detection sensor (not shown) are provided near an inlet 50a serving as an inlet section of the post-processing device 50, and a sheet P detected by the sheet detection sensor is transported into the device 50 by the transport roller 51. Then, based on a post-processing mode previously selected by a user, a first branch claw 97 rotates so that the sheet P is guided to a desired transport path.
When a mode that does not perform post-processing is selected, the sheet P fed into the device is transported straight along the guide line of the first branch claw 97, and then guided to the curved transport path K3 by the second branch claw 98, and discharged outside the device and placed on the third stack section 71.

When "sort mode (sorting processing mode)" is selected, the sheet P fed into the device is conveyed straight as it is, guided by the first branch claw 97, and then guided to the linear conveying path K4 by the second branch claw 98, discharged outside the device, and placed on the second stack section 72. At this time, the sheet P conveyed to the linear conveying path K4 is conveyed while being shifted in the width direction by a predetermined amount for each sheet P by the discharge roller 55 configured to be movable in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2), and is stacked sequentially on the second stack section 72 in a sorted state.

When the "end binding processing mode (end staple mode)" is selected, the sheets P transported to the straight transport path K4 are transported to the inclined transport path K5 without being shifted by the discharge rollers 55, and are stacked sequentially on the internal tray 61. Then, each time a sheet P (sheet stack PT) is placed on the internal tray 61, the sheet P is transported toward the end fence 66 (see FIG. 3) by a transport roller (not shown). As a result, the rear ends (rear ends in the transport direction) of the multiple sheets P (sheet stack PT) hit the end fence 66, and the positions of the multiple sheets P in the transport direction are aligned.

At this time, referring to FIG. 3, the jogger fences 68 (side fences) installed at both ends in the width direction of the internal tray 61 move in the width direction so as to sandwich the sheets P (sheet stack PT) each time a sheet P is placed on the internal tray 61 (or after a desired number of sheets P are stacked), and the position in the width direction of the sheets P (sheet stack PT) is aligned. Then, the end binding processing unit 90 performs binding processing on the rear end of the sheets P (sheet stack) whose conveying direction and width direction are aligned, respectively. Specifically, the end binding processing unit 90, which has been waiting at the reference position, is moved in the width direction by the moving mechanism, and performs binding processing (stapling processing) at the desired binding positions M1 and M2. A known end binding processing unit 90 that performs binding processing using such metal staples can be used.
Thereafter, the stapled sheets P (sheet stack PT) are transported obliquely upward along the inclined transport path K5, and discharged to the outside by the discharge rollers 55 and placed on the second stack section 72.

When the "bookbinding mode (saddle stitching and center folding mode)" is selected, referring to Figures 2 and 4, sheet P fed into the device from the inlet 50a as an inlet section is guided by a first branch claw 97 to the inclined transport path K6, and is transported from the inclined transport path K6 to the reverse transport path K10 by multiple transport rollers 52 to 54. Then, after the rear end of the sheet P passes through the inclined transport path K6, the transport rollers 53 and 54 installed on the reverse transport path K10 rotate in the reverse direction, thereby reversing the transport direction of the sheet P on the reverse transport path K10. Then, the inverted sheet P is guided by a branch claw 99 to the vertical transport path K7. Then, the position of the transport direction of the sheet P is aligned at the position where the leading end (lower end) of the sheet P hits the end fence 82. Furthermore, the jogger fences (side fences) installed at both ends of the width direction of the internal tray in the vertical transport path K7 move in the width direction to sandwich the sheet P (sheet stack PT) every time a sheet P is placed on the internal tray (or after a desired number of sheets P are stacked), and the width direction position of the sheet P (sheet stack PT) is aligned. Then, the center binding processing unit 80 performs binding processing on the center (center in the transport direction) of the desired sheet stack PT whose transport direction and width direction are aligned. The specific binding processing procedure is almost the same as that described above with reference to FIG. 3, except that the binding processing is performed on the center of the sheet stack PT. In addition, the binding processing performed by the saddle stitch processing unit 80 is also performed using metal needles, similar to that performed by the end stitch processing unit 90.

Thereafter, the end fence 82 of the sheet stack PT that has been saddle-stitched is moved vertically by a moving mechanism (not shown) so that its center (center in the conveying direction) is moved to a position facing the folding blade 86 .
2 and 4, the central portion of the sheet stack PT is folded by the folding blade 86 moving leftward in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, and the folded portion is pressed against the folding plate 87 to perform a folding process (center folding process). After that, the sheet stack PT after the center folding process is discharged outside the apparatus and placed on the first stacking unit 73 as a stacking unit.
In this way, a series of bookbinding processing modes (saddle stitching and center folding processing modes) is completed.
The above-mentioned various post-processing modes are selected by the user operating the operation panel 49 of the image forming apparatus 1 .

The characteristic configuration and operation of the binding device 100 (bookbinding processing device) installed in the post-processing device 50 in this embodiment will be described in detail below.
The portion that performs the "bookbinding processing mode" previously described using Figures 2, 4, etc., functions as the binding device 100 (bookbinding processing device), and is provided at the top of the post-processing device 50, as shown in Figure 2.
That is, in this embodiment, the binding device 100 (bookbinding processing device) is installed on top of a post-processing device that performs post-processing on the sheet P fed through the feed inlet 50a (feed section) after an image has been formed by the image forming device 1.

As described above, the binding device 100 (bookbinding processing device) is provided with a saddle stitching processing section 80 that performs a binding process on a sheet bundle PT formed by stacking a plurality of sheets P fed from the outside (image forming device 1) through a feed port 50a (feed section). The saddle stitching processing section 80 is a binding processing section that performs a binding process on the center of the sheet bundle PT.
In addition, as described above, the binding device 100 (bookbinding processing device) is provided with a first stack section 73 as a stack section on which the sheet stack PT that has been subjected to the binding process in the saddle stitching processing section 80 (binding processing section) and discharged to the outside (outside the device) is placed.

2, in the binding device 100 (bookbinding processing device) in this embodiment, the first stack section 73 (stacking section) is disposed above the feed opening 50a serving as the feed section. That is, the first stack section 73 is disposed above the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 2 (in the direction indicated by the white arrow).
More specifically, referring to FIG. 1, first stack section 73 is disposed at substantially the same height as document transport section 10, operation display panel 49, and the like.
Such a height position is below the eye level of a user (operator) of average height and allows the user to perform operation work while standing.

In this manner, in this embodiment, because the first stack section 73 is positioned above the feed inlet 50a, the workability when removing the sheet stack PT after the binding process (bookbinding process) from the first stack section 73 is improved compared to when the first stack section 73 is positioned below the feed inlet 50a (particularly when it is positioned closer to the floor as in conventional devices). In other words, the user can easily remove the processed sheet stack PT from the first stack section 73 without having to crouch or assume a low position.

In this embodiment, the saddle stitching processing section 80 (stitching processing section) is disposed above the feed opening 50a (feed section).
That is, the saddle stitching processing unit 80 is disposed above (in the direction indicated by the white arrow) the position indicated by the dashed line in Fig. 2. More specifically, referring to Fig. 1, the saddle stitching processing unit 80 is disposed at approximately the same height as the document transport unit 10, the operation display panel 49, etc.
In this manner, in the present embodiment, since the saddle stitching processing section 80 is disposed above the feed opening 50a, the workability is improved when an operator such as a serviceman performs maintenance on the saddle stitching processing section 80, compared to when the saddle stitching processing section 80 is disposed below the feed opening 50a (particularly when the saddle stitching processing section 80 is disposed in a position close to the floor surface as in conventional devices). In other words, the operator can perform maintenance on the saddle stitching processing section 80 well without having to crouch or assume a low posture.

In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a stapler cartridge 81 is removably installed as a consumable cartridge that contains metal staples as consumables required for the binding process performed in the saddle stitching processing unit 80 (binding processing unit).
The stapler cartridge 81 (consumable cartridge) is mounted on the binding device 100 and uses an extrusion mechanism (not shown) to supply the metal staples in the cartridge one by one to the saddle stitch processing section 80 for each binding process. When the metal staples housed in the stapler cartridge 81 run out (when the staple end state is reached), a message to that effect is displayed on the operation display panel 49. After confirming this message, the user removes the stapler cartridge 81 exposed by the opening/closing cover 83 that has been automatically (or manually) opened from the position indicated by the dashed line to the position indicated by the solid line, and mounts (replaces) a new stapler cartridge 81 instead. When the new stapler cartridge 81 is mounted, the opening/closing cover 83 is automatically (or manually) closed again to the position indicated by the dashed line.

Now, referring to Figure 2, in this embodiment, the stapler cartridge 81 (consumable cartridge) and the opening/closing cover 83 that is opened and closed when the stapler cartridge 81 is attached and detached are each positioned above the feed opening 50a (feed section).
That is, both the stapler cartridge 81 and the opening/closing cover 83 are disposed above (in the direction indicated by the white arrow) the position indicated by the dashed line in Fig. 2. More specifically, both the stapler cartridge 81 and the opening/closing cover 83 are disposed at approximately the same height as the document transport unit 10, the operation display panel 49, etc.
In this embodiment, since the stapler cartridge 81 and the opening/closing cover 83 are disposed above the feed opening 50a, the workability when replacing the stapler cartridge 81 is improved compared to when they are disposed below the feed opening 50a (particularly when they are disposed near the floor as in conventional devices). In other words, the user can easily attach and detach the stapler cartridge 81 by opening and closing the opening/closing cover 83 without having to assume a low posture such as squatting.

Now, referring to Figure 4, in this embodiment, a lifting mechanism is provided that raises (or lowers) the first stack section 73 to a position that does not interfere with the opening and closing of the opening/closing cover 83 when attaching or detaching the stapler cartridge 81 (consumable cartridge).
Specifically, the lifting mechanism is composed of two pulleys arranged at positions spaced apart in the vertical direction, a lifting belt 84 stretched and supported by the two pulleys, a motor (forward and reverse rotation motor) that rotates one of the two pulleys, etc. The first stack section 73 is fixed at a predetermined position on the lifting belt 84 and is held so as to be movable up and down in the binding device 100. With the lifting mechanism thus configured, when the motor is driven in the forward direction, the first stack section 73 rises, and when the motor is driven in the reverse direction, the first stack section 73 descends.
In this embodiment, when the stapler cartridge 81 reaches the staple end state, that state is detected by a sensor (not shown) and a message to that effect is displayed on the operation display panel 49. Then, the lifting mechanism lifts the first stack section 73 from the position shown by the dashed line in FIG. 4 to the position shown by the solid line, and then the opening/closing cover 83 is opened from the position shown by the dashed line to the position shown by the solid line. At this time, the height position to which the first stack section 73 is lifted is a position that does not prevent the opening and closing of the opening/closing cover 83, and is a position at which the stapler cartridge 81 installed in the device can be sufficiently seen through the opened and closed opening/closing cover 83. This improves the ease of replacing the stapler cartridge 81.

As previously described using Figures 2, 4, etc., the binding device 100 (bookbinding processing device) in this embodiment is provided with a center folding processing section 85 that performs a folding process on the center of the sheet stack PT that has been bound by the saddle stitching processing section 80.
In this embodiment, the center-folding section 85 is disposed above the feed opening 50a (feed section).
That is, center-folding processing section 85 is disposed above (in the direction indicated by the white arrow) the position indicated by the dashed line in Fig. 2. More specifically, referring to Fig. 1, center-folding processing section 85 is disposed at approximately the same height as document transport section 10, operation display panel 49, and the like.
In this manner, in this embodiment, since the center-folding processing section 85 is disposed above the feed opening 50a, the workability is improved when an operator such as a serviceman performs maintenance on the center-folding processing section 85, compared to when the center-folding processing section 85 is disposed below the feed opening 50a (particularly when the center-folding processing section 85 is disposed in a position close to the floor as in conventional devices). In other words, the operator can perform maintenance on the center-folding processing section 85 smoothly without having to crouch or assume a low position.

As described above using Figure 2 etc., the post-processing device 50 in this embodiment is provided with an end binding processing unit 90 that performs binding processing on the end (end in the conveying direction) of the sheet bundle PT, which is made up of multiple stacked sheets P fed in from the outside (image forming device 1) through the feed inlet 50a (feed section).
In this embodiment, the saddle stitching processing section 80 is disposed above the end stitching processing section 90. That is, the binding device 100 as the bookbinding processing device is disposed above the end stitching processing section 90.
With this configuration, the saddle stitching processing section 80 (binding device 100) can be more easily maintained by a worker such as a serviceman when performing maintenance on the saddle stitching processing section 80 (binding device 100) than when the saddle stitching processing section 80 (binding device 100) is located below the end stitching processing section 90 (particularly when the saddle stitching processing section 80 (binding device 100) is located closer to the floor as in conventional devices). In other words, the worker can perform maintenance on the saddle stitching processing section 80 (binding device 100) smoothly without having to crouch or assume a low position.
In particular, in this embodiment, the first stack section 73 (stack section) is disposed above the second stack section 72 on which the sheet stack PT that has been subjected to the binding process by the end binding processing section 90 and discharged to the outside is placed. This improves the workability when removing the sheet stack PT from the first stack section 73 after the binding process (bookbinding process).

1, 2, etc., in the post-processing device 50 in this embodiment, the end stitching processing section 90 and the second stack section 72 are disposed at substantially the same height as the feed opening 50a (feed section). This height position is below the eye level of a user (operator) of average height, and is a height position at which the user can perform operation work while standing.
Therefore, the user can easily take out the processed sheet stack PT (or the sheets P) placed in the second stack section 72 without having to crouch or assume a low posture. Also, the worker can easily perform maintenance on the edge stitching processing section 90 without having to crouch or assume a low posture.
In this embodiment, the edge stitching section 90 and the second stack section 72 can also be disposed above the feed opening 50a (feed section).

1, 2, etc., in post-processing device 50 in this embodiment, third stack section 71 is disposed above inlet 50a (inlet section).
Therefore, the user can easily remove the processed sheets P placed in the third stack section 71 without having to crouch or assume a low posture.

<Modification 1>
5, in the post-processing device 50 in the first modification, a large-volume stacking section 110 capable of stacking a predetermined number of sheets P (e.g., 500 sheets) or more is provided below the feed opening 50a (feed-in section). That is, the large-volume stacking section 110 is disposed below the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 5 (in the direction indicated by the black arrow).
This large-volume stacking section 110 is a device for transporting sheets P after image formation (or sheets P to be discarded on which the desired image was not formed due to some trouble) fed from the image forming apparatus 1 to the post-processing apparatus 50 via the feed port 50a via a branch transport path K9 and stacking a large amount of sheets P on a lift-up tray 111. The lift-up tray 111 is lowered by a lift-up belt 112 (lift-up mechanism) as the number of sheets P to be stacked increases.
By providing the large-volume stack section 110 below the feed opening 50a in this manner, the space below the feed opening 50a in the post-processing device 50 is effectively utilized without being wasted.

<Modification 2>
As shown in FIG. 6, the post-processing device 50 in the second modified example is configured so that the binding device 100 (bookbinding device) can be moved and installed below the feed opening 50a (feed section).
In more detail, by the operation of an operator such as a serviceman, it is possible to switch between a first usage configuration in which the binding processing device 100 (bookbinding processing device) is installed on the upper part of the post-processing device 50, as shown in Figures 2, 6 (A), etc., and a second usage configuration in which the binding processing device 100 (bookbinding processing device) is installed on the lower part of the post-processing device 50, as shown in Figure 6 (B).
As described above, the first usage mode has the advantage that the sheet stack PT placed in the first stack section 73 can be easily removed, but increases the overall height of the post-processing device 50. The second usage mode does not have the above-mentioned advantage, but allows the overall height of the post-processing device 50 to be reduced.
In this way, in the second modification, the first usage pattern and the second usage pattern are switchable, which provides a wider range of options for the user.
6B, when the first usage mode is switched to the second usage mode, the reverse transport path K10 in the binding device 100 (bookbinding processing device) is connected to the upstream side of the linear transport path K4. Then, when the bookbinding process is performed, the sheet P fed from the feed opening 50a is directly transported to the vertical transport path K7 via the reverse transport path K10, and then the bookbinding process is performed by the saddle stitching processing unit 80 and the center folding processing unit 85. Then, the sheet stack PT after the bookbinding process is discharged outside the device and placed on the first stack unit 73.

As described above, the binding device 100 (bookbinding processing device) in this embodiment is provided with a saddle stitching processing section 80 (stitching processing section) that performs a stitching process on a sheet bundle PT formed by stacking a plurality of sheets P fed from the outside through the feed inlet 50a (feed section), and a first stack section 73 (stack section) on which the sheet bundle PT that has been subjected to the stitching process in the saddle stitching processing section 80 and discharged to the outside is placed. The first stack section 73 is disposed above the feed inlet 50a.
This improves the ease of removal of the bound sheet bundle PT from the first stack portion 73 .

In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a post-processing device 50 (binding device 100) connected to a monochrome image forming device 1, but the present invention can naturally also be applied to a post-processing device (binding device) connected to a color image forming device.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a post-processing device 50 (binding device 100) connected to an electrophotographic image forming device 1, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can naturally be applied to post-processing devices (binding devices) connected to other types of image forming devices (for example, inkjet image forming devices, stencil printing machines, etc.).
Furthermore, the present invention can be applied not only to the post-processing device 50 (binding device 100) connected to the image forming device 1, but also to a post-processing device as a standalone device (for example, a device in which a paper feed cassette is set in the feed port 50a and an operation display panel for inputting processing modes, etc. is provided in the post-processing device itself).
Even in these cases, the same effects as those of this embodiment can be obtained.

In the present embodiment, it is also possible to install another post-processing device (for example, a device that performs Z-folding processing on sheets P) between image forming apparatus 1 and post-processing device 50 .
In addition, in this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a post-processing device 50 that can perform bookbinding, sorting, and end binding processes, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can naturally be applied to a post-processing device that also performs perforation (punching) processes, or a post-processing device that only performs binding processes out of the multiple processes described above.

It is clear that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and that within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention, this embodiment may be modified as appropriate in ways other than those suggested in this embodiment. Furthermore, the number, position, shape, etc. of the components are not limited to this embodiment, and may be any number, position, shape, etc. that is suitable for implementing the present invention.

In this specification, the term "sheet" is defined to include not only paper but also all sheet-like materials that can be bound.

1 Image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus main body),
50 post-processing device,
50a inlet (inlet section),
71 third stack section,
72 second stack section,
73 first stack section (stack section),
80 saddle stitch processing section (stitch processing section),
81 Stapler cartridge (consumable cartridge),
83 Opening and closing cover,
84 Lifting belt (lifting mechanism),
85 Center-folding processing section,
90 End binding processing unit,
100 Binding device (bookbinding processing device),
110 Large-capacity stack unit,
200 Image forming system,
P sheet, PT sheet stack.

JP 2009-51644 A

Claims (8)

a binding processing unit that performs a binding process on a sheet bundle formed by stacking a plurality of sheets fed from an outside via a feed unit;
a stack unit on which the sheet bundle that has been subjected to the binding process by the binding processing unit and discharged to the outside is placed;
Equipped with
The stack unit is disposed above the feed unit ,
a consumable cartridge containing consumables required for the binding process performed in the binding processing unit is detachably installed;
the consumable cartridge and an opening/closing cover that is opened and closed when the consumable cartridge is attached and detached are disposed above the feed section,
The binding device further comprises a lifting mechanism for lifting or lowering the stack portion to a position that does not interfere with opening and closing of the opening/closing cover when the consumable cartridge is to be attached or detached . a binding processing unit that performs a binding process on a sheet bundle formed by stacking a plurality of sheets fed from an outside via a feed unit;
a stack unit on which the sheet bundle that has been subjected to the binding process by the binding processing unit and discharged to the outside is placed;
Equipped with
The stack unit is disposed above the feed unit,
The binding processing unit is a saddle stitch processing unit that performs binding processing at a center portion of a sheet stack,
A binding device characterized in that the saddle stitching processing section is arranged above an end stitching processing section which performs a stitching process on the end of a sheet stack consisting of multiple stacked sheets fed from outside through the feed section. 3. The binding device according to claim 2, wherein the stack section is disposed above a second stack section on which a sheet bundle that has been bound by the end binding processing section and discharged to the outside is placed. 4. The binding device according to claim 1, wherein the binding processing section is disposed above the feeding section. a center-folding processing section that folds a center portion of the sheet bundle that has been bound by the binding processing section,
5. The binding device according to claim 1, wherein the center-folding processing section is disposed above the feeding section. A post-processing device that performs post-processing on a sheet fed from the feeding section after an image is formed by an image forming device,
A binding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
13. A post-processing device comprising: a mass stacking section capable of stacking a predetermined number of sheets or more; and a stacking section disposed below said feed section. A post-processing device that performs post-processing on a sheet fed from the feeding section after an image is formed by an image forming device,
A binding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The post-processing device is configured so that the binding device can be moved below the feed section and installed inside the post-processing device. An image forming system comprising: an image forming device that forms an image on a sheet; and a binding device described in any one of claims 1 to 5 that performs a binding process on the sheet on which the image has been formed by the image forming device, or a post-processing device described in claim 6 or claim 7.

Images