JPH07144818A - Recording paper post-processor for image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To position two stapler members without using an interlocked driving means for binding by moving the stapler members supporting a clindher member and a stitcher member respectively while a binding object is pinched. CONSTITUTION:Two stapler members 13, 14 provided on a paper binding machine are moved by driving mechanisms constituted of separate motors, and staple needles are used for binding. Sensors S1, S2 are arranged on both sides of the moving direction on each stapler member respectively. When one sensor detects one side section of the binding object, binding is made, and the stapler member is moved to the other side. When the other sensor detects the side section of the binding object, binding is made again, thus two binding sections can be provided for the binding object.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a stapler device used for binding recording sheets by connecting to an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, and more particularly to a clincher member for driving staples. , A stitcher that bends the tip of a staple needle, and two members that are held by separate stapler members, so that a staple sheet can be bound by a recording paper that is inserted between the two stapler members. The present invention relates to a post-processing device for recording paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a post-processing device for an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, binding with staples has been generally performed from the past. A device as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-35863 is known. In the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 1-58558 among the above-mentioned conventional examples, a compiling tray is arranged in a post-processing apparatus, and after aligning recording sheets on the tray, a stapler is used by using a stapler apparatus. The binding is performed by using the binding so that the bound product is discharged. However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, since the stapler device is arranged at the fixed position, there is a problem that the binding position by the staple is constant. On the other hand, in the example disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 62-35863, since the stapler device is provided so as to be movable, the staple needle can be driven into the bookbinding product at an arbitrary position to be bound. it can.

However, in the stapler device as shown in the above-mentioned conventional example, only the end portion of the recording paper can be bound by the staples.
There is a problem that it is not possible to meet the purpose of binding a central portion of a large size sheet such as A3 size by a staple and then folding it in half to create a bound product. Therefore, in order to deal with the special purpose as described above, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-36496 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-21960.
A stapler device such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1 can be used. In the stapler device shown in the conventional example, two members of a clincher member for driving a staple needle and a stitcher for bending the tip end portion of the staple needle are held by separate stapler members,
A binding portion is inserted between the two stapler members, or a recording sheet passing between the two stapler members is configured so that a binding operation with a staple can be performed at an arbitrary position. ing. Also, with the recording paper sandwiched between the two stapler members,
It is necessary to position them up and down.

As described above, in order to position the two stapler members at the binding position, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-3 / 58 has been proposed.
In Japanese Patent No. 6496, the means for driving the two stapler members is constituted by a lead screw, and the stapler device is positioned by driving the screws using a chain. Also,
In the example disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-219601, a mechanism for separately driving two stapler members using wires is provided, and in order to perform positioning of the two stapler members, a detection unit using an optical sensor is provided. Is provided. A mechanism for binding the bookbinding product is constructed in a state where the light emitting means provided on one stapler member and the light receiving means provided on the other stapler member are aligned with each other. By configuring the alignment means of the stapler member as described above,
Even in a stapler device in which two stapler members are arranged independently of each other, it is possible to accurately perform the stapling operation using the staples.

[0005]

However, as described above, in the stapler device of the type in which the recording paper for binding between the two stapler members is passed, for example, two stapler members are connected by using a lead screw. When using the driving method, it is necessary to strictly control the manufacturing accuracy of the screw. For example, when the lead screw is manufactured by means of rolling or the like, it is difficult to maintain the positioning accuracy of the stapler member, and therefore it is necessary to use means such as cutting. . Therefore, this also causes a great influence on the manufacturing cost of the drive device for the stapler device, and if the manufacturing control of the screw is not performed well, it leads to a problem that binding by the stapler device is hindered. .

Further, as disclosed in JP-A-2-219601, when the stapler member is positioned by arranging the detecting means between the two stapler members, there is a problem in the positioning accuracy of the stapler member by the wire. Occurs. Therefore, when binding with a plurality of staples, after binding one place, the bookbinding product is moved so that the optical path of the sensor is not blocked,
It is necessary to perform the positioning operation for the two stapler members. Therefore, when the above-mentioned binding method is used, it is difficult to automatically align the recording sheets ejected from the image forming apparatus, and it becomes difficult to perform binding with staples at a plurality of places as they are. become.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the problems of the conventional device as described above, and simplifies the drive mechanism of the device by using means for driving the two stapler members by different drive means. An object of the present invention is to provide a device capable of automatically setting a binding position based on information obtained by arranging detection means on both sides of the stapler member in the moving direction and detecting the widthwise edge of the paper by the detection means. I am trying.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided a clincher member disposed in a recording paper discharge section of an electrophotographic copying machine or the like and provided with a stapling needle accommodating section and an extruding section, and a stitcher for bending the tip section of the staple. The present invention relates to a device in which members are provided on separate stapler members and a plurality of recording sheets inserted between two stapler members are bound by staples. In the present invention, two stapler members, the clincher member and the stitcher member,
Means for reciprocating in the width direction of the paper by separate driving means, and movable along each guide means, at a predetermined position on one or both sides of the movement direction of the two stapler members, Detecting means for detecting the edge of the sheet is arranged, the detecting means is arranged with respect to the sheet to be bound in correspondence with the interval between the edge of the sheet and the binding position, and the two stapler members are moved, A mechanism for binding the recording paper at the position where the detection unit detects the edge of the paper is configured.

[0009]

In the post-processing apparatus for recording paper of the present invention constructed as described above, the stapler members arranged corresponding to the upper and lower sides of the paper are driven by separate driving means, respectively.
When the detecting unit detects the edge of the sheet with the two stapler members moved to the edge of the sheet, the binding position is automatically determined. Further, even when two binding operations are performed on one booklet at positions close to both sides, the stapler members can be bound with a predetermined interval from both side end portions of the sheet to the inside. Then, even without providing a means for interlocking with the two stapler members, these stapler members can be individually moved to position both members, and the work of binding with staples can be performed. Therefore, 2
Even if the drive control for the respective stapler members is simplified, the binding work for the bookbinding product can be performed without particularly strictly controlling the drive for the two stapler members. The bookbinding efficiency can be satisfactorily exhibited without complicating.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A post-processing apparatus for recording paper according to the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrated example. As shown in FIG. 1, in the present invention, a paper binder 5 is connected to an image forming apparatus 1 such as an electrophotographic copying machine. Then, the recording paper is bound by staples, and the bound and created binding product is sent to the paper folding machine 8 to be created as a folded binding product through the portion bound by the staples, and the discharge tray. It is possible to configure a mechanism for discharging to When the image forming apparatus 1 is composed of a copying machine,
Similar to the case of a general copying machine, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 is transferred onto a sheet and fixed by the fixing device 3, and then the sheet is sent out to the paper binding machine 5 using the discharge roller device 4. The recording paper ejected from the electrophotographic copying machine 1 is fed obliquely on the tray by using an aligning means such as an aligning paddle 7 on a bookbinding tray 6 provided in a paper binder 5 to remove the recording paper. The stapler device 10 is sequentially aligned with the binding position, and the binding operation is performed using the stapler device 10.

Further, the paper folding machine 8 is arranged at the discharge portion of the paper binding machine 5 and, for example, when the central portion of A3 size recording paper is bound, the closing portion by the staple is folded. Thus, it can be discharged to the discharge tray 9 in a folded shape. The paper folding machine 8 can be installed inside the paper binding machine 5, and any conventionally known means can be used as a mechanism for folding the paper folding machine 8. As described above, the electrophotographic copying machine and the paper binder 5 are combined, and a predetermined number of recording sheets are stacked and stapled and discharged as a bookbinding product, or the bookbinding product is folded in two. In the device for discharging, the stapler device 10 can be configured as shown in FIG.

The stapler device 10 shown in FIG.
A member for driving the staple needle and a member for bending the tip portion of the staple needle are configured as two stapler members. The two members having different functions are configured as upper and lower stapler members 11 and 12, and the two stapler members are mounted on carrier members 13 and 14, respectively, and two guide rods 1 are arranged in parallel.
Each carrier member is moved along 5, 15a and 16, 16a. Further, guide plates 17 and 18 for guiding the recording paper are respectively arranged on the two carrier members, and the recording paper to be inserted into the paper binder is guided between the upper and lower guide plates, Be able to align with the binding position.

The stapler device 10 shown in FIG.
Then, the cartridge for holding the staples and the clincher provided with the driving mechanism are attached to the lower stapler member 1.
2 is provided on the upper stapler member 11 to bend the tip portion of the staple needle. Further, with respect to the upper and lower stapler members, respective acting members can be arranged in accordance with the binding direction of the staples. Then, in the carrier member provided with a mechanism for driving the staple needle, means for moving the stapler member in the vertical direction is provided, and the bookbinding product is pressed toward the stapler member provided with the clincher, and the staple needle is driven to tip the needle. Bend the part to bind the book.

Carrier members 13 and 14 respectively holding the two stapler members 11 and 12 are connected to driving belts 30 and 31, respectively, and by driving the driving belt members, the width direction of the recording paper ( It is configured to reciprocate in the axial direction of the guide rod).
Drive belt member 3 for driving the carrier member
0 and 31 are respectively wound around drive pulleys 45 and 46 provided on the drive shaft at one end of the apparatus and tension side pulleys 47 and 48 provided at the other end. Drive devices 40, 40a for the carrier members 12, 13
Are the motors 42 and 42a that can be driven in the forward and reverse directions, and the gear device 4
The drive shafts 41 and 41a are respectively driven by 3, 43a to drive the drive pulleys 45 and 46 provided on the drive shafts. The drive motors 42 and 42a are
If a stepping motor that can be driven in the forward and reverse directions is used, the movement distances of the two carrier members can be set to be approximately the same, but in addition, any motor that can be driven in the forward and reverse directions can be used, and the same performance can be achieved. It is possible to sufficiently deal with this by using the motor of.

Then, based on a signal from a control device provided in the paper binder 5, the drive pulleys 45 and 46 are driven in the forward and reverse directions by using the drive devices 40 and 40a, whereby the stapler member 11, 12 is moved in the width direction of the paper, and at the binding position set for the bookbinding product,
To be able to perform binding work using staples. Further, when the carrier member is moved by the driving device, the sensor is arranged to set both ends of the carrier member in the moving direction, and the detected member is arranged with respect to the carrier member. Restrict both ends in the moving direction. For that purpose, for example, a detecting means similar to the sensor S of FIG. 2 is arranged also on the other end portion to prevent the carrier member from moving excessively in the width direction of the sheet, and to move the carrier member in the moving range. To be able to make adjustments.

In the present invention, the drive pulley 4 is attached to the belts 30 and 31 for driving the two carrier members.
The driven pulleys 47 and 48 are provided on the side facing the
It is supported by the tension adjusting members 50 and 50a. The drive belt used to drive the carrier member may be a general belt member, or any member such as a timing belt or a wire, but the belt is driven by applying a constant tension to the belt. Prevent the belt from slipping when driven by a pulley. Further, as shown in the drawing, the tension adjusting member provided in the carrier driving device of the present invention can also constitute a tension applying mechanism using a spring in addition to the moving means using a screw. Then, when the carrier member is reciprocally moved by using a driving means such as a belt, the distances of the two carriers to be moved in the forward and reverse directions by the motor are set to be substantially the same, and the stapler member is positioned during the binding operation. So that you can do it easily.

In the paper binding machine 10 of the present invention constructed as described above, as shown in FIG. 3, with respect to the two carrier members 13 and 14 which respectively hold the stapler members 11 and 12, the moving directions thereof. Sensors S1 and S2 are arranged on both sides of the sensor. The sensor S
1 and S2 can be configured by a transmissive optical sensor, and a light emitting member is arranged in one carrier and a light receiving member is arranged in the other carrier, and a sensor is provided in a state where no paper is interposed between both members. It constitutes a means for outputting a detection signal from. When arranging the sensor on the carrier member,
Predetermined distances L1 and L2 are set on both sides of the center of the carrier member, but the intervals L1 and L2 are set to be the same so that the binding position for the bookbinding product can be set. When the mechanism for detecting the side portion of the sheet by the sensor is provided, if the interval L between the two sensors S1 and S2 is set to be long, it is expected that the width becomes longer than the width of the carrier in the moving direction. In that case, it is also possible to arrange arms or the like for supporting the sensor on both sides of the carrier so that the interval between the detection position by the sensor and the binding position by the staple can be easily set.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the upper and lower carrier members are provided with sensors for detecting the side portions of the sheets, when the stapler member is used for binding, it is shown in FIGS. As described above, the side edge of the bookbinding product can be detected, and the binding operation using the staple can be performed. The example shown in FIG. 4 shows a case where the left end of the bookbinding product P is detected and binding is performed. The sensor S2 arranged on the left side of the carriers 13 and 14 detects the side of the sheet. At the detected position, the stapler member is operated to perform binding. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the sensor S1 detects the right side portion of the bookbinding product P, and the binding operation by the stapler member is performed. Therefore, in the paper binding machine of the present invention, the two stapler members are moved toward one side while the bookbinding product is stopped at the binding position, and the binding is performed at the position detected by the sensor. , Move the stapler member towards the other side,
By binding the other side of the bookbinding product at a position detected by the sensor, two binding parts can be formed.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the binding operation for the bookbinding product is performed, the two carriers 13 and 14 are moved by using respective driving means, but each carrier is different. Since the mechanism that moves by the drive device is configured, it is conceivable that the positioning operation may be hindered. In order to deal with such a problem, for example, the sensor S arranged at one end in the moving direction of the stapler member is used as a sensor for setting the home position of the stapler member, and the two stapler members S are temporarily used. Can be positioned relative to. Then, when binding the bookbinding product, it is possible to move the two stapler members from the home position so that the positions of the two stapler members are not misaligned.

Further, in the present invention, a reflection type optical sensor is arranged corresponding to the sensor provided on one stapler member, and stopped when the reflection type sensor detects the side of the bookbinding product. Then, it is possible to configure a device that binds at the position where the other stapler member moves and is detected by the transmissive sensor. after,
When binding to the other side of the bound product,
Only by moving the two stapler members respectively from the position of the first binding, it is possible to perform binding on the other side of the bookbinding product without causing a large difference in the moving speed of the two devices. Alternatively, any positioning means can be used to position the two stapler members relative to the sides of the paper.
The binding can be performed by stopping the sensors provided on the one stapler member with respect to the side portions of the bookbinding product.

[0021]

Since the apparatus of the present invention is constructed as described above, it is possible to bind a stapler member supporting a stapler member without binding to a stapler member. The binding operation can be performed corresponding to the side portion. In addition, an inexpensive motor is used for the drive mechanism for the stapler member, and the configuration of the control device can be simplified, and even when binding at multiple positions at arbitrary positions, binding is performed according to the detection information from the sensor. Since it is possible to perform the binding work by the paper binding machine,
The configuration can be simplified. Therefore, even without providing a means for interlocking with the two stapler members, the stapler members can be individually moved to position the two stapler members, and the stapling needle binding operation can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus into which a paper binder of the present invention can be incorporated.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the paper binding machine of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a sensor provided on the stapler member.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which one side of the bookbinding product is bound.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the other side of the bookbinding product is bound.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Electrophotographic copying machine, 5 Paper binding machine, 10
Stapler device, 11.12 stapler member,
13/14 carrier member, 15/16 guide rod, 17/18 guide plate, 30/31 drive belt, S positioning sensor, S1 / S2
Sensor for detecting the side of paper.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A stapler member for disposing a clincher member disposed at a recording paper discharge portion of an electrophotographic copying machine or the like and having a staple needle accommodating portion and a push-out portion, and a stitcher member for bending a tip portion of a staple needle. In a device for binding a plurality of recording sheets to be inserted between two stapler members with staples, the two stapler members of the clincher member and the stitcher member are used to separate the sheets by separate driving means. A means for reciprocating in the width direction and a means for moving along the respective guide means, and detection for detecting the edge of the sheet at a predetermined position on one or both sides of the two stapler members in the moving direction. Means for arranging the detecting means, and arranging the detecting means so as to correspond to the interval between the edge of the paper and the binding position for the paper to be bound, One of the stapler member is moved, the detection means recording paper post-processing apparatus of the image forming apparatus and performs the operation of the bind-to the recording paper at a position detecting the end of the paper.