JP2016011191A - Sheet processing device and image forming device comprising the same, and sheet additionally folding method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet processing device that suppress a sheet bundle from being opened and widened after additionally folding a folded sheet so as to improve an integration degree and an alignment performance of the sheet bundle.SOLUTION: The sheet processing device comprises a pair of sheet pressing members 70 that press a fold of a folded sheet from a thickness direction and a movement member 56 that moves the sheet pressing members 70 along the fold of the folded sheet, where the movement member supports the sheet pressing members 70 in plural rows in a movement direction, and the sheet pressing members 70 are arranged so that intervals of the sheet pressing members 70 in the rows are gradually narrowed from the movement direction of the movement members 56, so as to press the sheet.

Description

  The present invention is an apparatus that folds sheets that are sequentially transported from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and that is bundled into a bundle. More specifically, the sheet bundle is folded in two at the fold of the sheet bundle. The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus that performs processing.

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a processing apparatus that aligns sheets conveyed from an image forming apparatus and folds them into a staple or booklet is widely known. Some of these processing apparatuses are saddle-stitched with a staple or an adhesive in the middle of a sheet and folded into a booklet shape. In such an apparatus, a sheet bundle of about 20 to 30 sheets is folded in half, but the folded fold portion is opened after discharging, and the alignment of the folded sheet bundle is not good. The amount of accumulation has decreased.
For this reason, a so-called additional folding process is widely known in which a sheet bundle is pressed again from the front and back against a fold of a folded sheet once folded.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus that moves while being clamped by rollers from above and below the fold along the fold direction of a fold sheet. Further, in this apparatus, a flat roller constituting a flat surface is moved from the front side of the crease position with a slight rearward position between the upper and lower rollers. In other words, this device unitizes the roller that presses from the top and bottom of the sheet fold and the flat roller that presses from the front position of the fold so that it moves along the direction of the sheet fold. It is possible to reduce wrinkles and tears in the crease-less part due to the difference in gripping force.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 as the apparatus of the second embodiment in the same document, as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the clamping pressure for clamping from the top and bottom of each pair of folds before and after the flat roller pressed from the front of the folds. Also shown is a unit in which a roller is provided that moves in the direction of the fold of the sheet bundle. In this configuration, the back folding portion is flattened by moving from one outer side to the inner side in the width direction of the sheet bundle in a state where the pressing roller is clamped and passing the other end.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a processing apparatus including a pair of pressing rollers that press a fold of a folded sheet bundle from the sheet thickness direction, and a moving unit that reciprocates the pair of pressing rollers in the sheet width direction. ing. The apparatus is further configured to move the pair of pressing rollers to a position where they are separated from each other and a position where they are pressed against each other. When performing additional folding on the sheet, the pair of pressing rollers are separated from the end of the sheet. After moving inward and passing through one end of the sheet, the pressure is released and separated, and when moving again, the sheet is passed through the end in the separated state, and then pressed from the inside to the other end. A processing device is shown in the section. In other words, pressing of the folds of the sheet bundle starts from the inside in the sheet width direction and passes through the sheet end.

Japanese Patent No. 4217640 JP 2014-76903 A

  As described above, each apparatus that performs additional folding on a folded sheet bundle carried out from an image forming apparatus or the like has the following problems.

  First, in Patent Document 1, since a pair of rollers in pressure contact with each other is moved from the outside of the sheet bundle end portion into the sheet bundle width in the pressure contact state, the roller collides with the end portion of the sheet bundle, Therefore, the sheet bundle tends to be torn or pressed, and the sheet bundle is tilted by this collision. Therefore, a large holding mechanism is required for the sheet bundle. In addition, since the roller pair in the pressure contact state is moved in advance along the crease, even if this roller reciprocates a plurality of folds, the roller pair presses the same position, and the folding position is in a straight line. The sheet bundle opens and spreads after being pressed, and the stackability and consistency of the folded sheet bundle cannot be improved.

On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, a pair of pressing rollers are separated from each other at a standby position outside the sheet width, and in this separated state, the rollers are positioned on the inner side where the folds of the sheet bundle are located. Incremental folding is started by press contact. Therefore, when the sheet passes through the end portion in the width direction of the sheet, the sheet passes away from the sheet, so that it is possible to reduce the tearing and pressing damage to the end portion. However, in the apparatus shown in Patent Document 2, the pressing roller presses the sheet fold only by repeating the pressing with the same pressing force. In this case, the additional folding only overlaps in a straight line. Has spread and spread, and it has been difficult to improve the stackability and consistency of folded sheet bundles.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and when performing additional folding on a fold of a folded sheet, the same position of the fold is not pressed and pressed in the thickness direction of the sheet fold. The first and next pressing positions are made different, and when the final pressing is performed, the conventional fold line is based on the idea that the folded sheet is directed inward in the thickness direction.
According to this, pressing from the thickness direction of the first sheet fold moves in the sheet width direction with the sheet pressing member spaced apart to create a crease, and the next pressing reduces the spacing between the sheet pressing members. Since the sheet is moved in the width direction so as to make a new crease different from the initial position, the fold of the folded sheet is directed inward in the sheet thickness direction. Therefore, the sheet bundle is directed in the closing direction, and the sheet bundle is less likely to open after folding is completed. As a result, the amount of folded sheet bundles can be increased, and the alignment can be stabilized.
In addition, since the first sheet pressing members are transported away from each other in the first sheet width direction, the sheet processing apparatus capable of suppressing damage to the end of the sheet as much as possible, the image forming apparatus including the sheet processing apparatus, and the sheet increase The issue is to provide a folding method.

The present invention adopts the following configuration in order to solve the above problems.
The invention according to claim 1 includes a pair of sheet pressing members that press the folds of the folded sheet from the thickness direction, and a moving member that moves the sheet pressing members along the fold direction of the folded sheet, and the movement The member supports a plurality of rows of the sheet pressing members in the moving direction, and the sheet pressing member is a sheet processing apparatus that presses the sheets by arranging the intervals between the sheet pressing members in the rows in a stepwise manner from the moving direction of the moving members. .
According to this, pressing from the thickness direction of the first sheet fold moves in the sheet width direction with the sheet pressing member spaced apart to create a crease, and the next pressing reduces the spacing between the sheet pressing members. Since a new crease is created by moving in the width direction, the crease of the fold sheet is directed inward. Accordingly, the sheet bundles are directed in the binding direction, and the sheet bundles are less likely to be opened after folding is completed, and more of these can be accumulated. In addition, since the first sheet pressing members are transported away from each other in the first sheet width direction, a processing apparatus that can suppress damage to the edge of the sheet as much as possible can be provided. Further, since the sheet pressing members whose intervals are gradually reduced in the moving member are supported, the moving member can be folded in stages and more efficiently by one movement in the sheet width direction. It becomes.

A second aspect of the present invention is the sheet processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the sheet pressing member includes a pair of pressing rollers that can rotate in accordance with a moving direction.
According to this, since the sheet pressing member is a roller that can rotate in the moving direction, it is possible to provide a sheet processing apparatus that can perform smoothly without being caught at the time of carry-in from a sheet end or pressing of a fold.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the pressing rollers are supported in a plurality of rows in the moving direction on the frame of the moving member, the pressing rollers in the last row in the moving direction are elastically biased so as to be able to come into pressure contact, and the interval between the pressing rollers before the last row is The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the position is regulated so as not to become narrower than a predetermined value.
According to this, when the rigid body is a strong sheet, the sheet pressing member can be raised and the folding position can be set, and the lower side is regulated by the interval regulating member, so that it is possible to prevent the fold from being set at the same position. A sheet processing apparatus can be provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the sheet processing apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the pressing rollers arranged in a plurality of rows on the frame in the moving direction are positioned at substantially equal facing positions with the sheet crease position as the center for each pair. is there.
According to this, since the plurality of rows of pressing rollers are arranged at substantially equal facing positions with the sheet crease position as the center, the sheet pressing member will be equally narrow in the sheet thickness direction. The sheet processing apparatus can also provide a folded booklet that is formed at substantially the same position with the folds interposed between the folding lines.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the movement of the moving member along the sheet fold line is performed until the pressing roller in the first row in the moving direction passes from the end of one sheet to the end of the pressing roller in the last row. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 4, which moves.
According to these, since the creases can be formed sequentially while moving a distance longer than the sheet width direction, it is possible to provide a sheet processing apparatus capable of producing a folded booklet having a further folding effect.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is the sheet processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein the pressing roller is provided with at least three rows of pressing rollers having different intervals.
According to this, even if the folding sheets of relatively thick, for example, 20 to 30 sheets are further folded, the folding is further performed by the three rows of pressing rollers whose intervals are gradually reduced. Can be reduced, and a sheet processing apparatus capable of improving the stacking property and the alignment property can be provided.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a stacker unit that stacks sheets as a bundle, a folding roller that folds the stacked sheet bundle, and a pair of presses that press the folds of the folded sheets folded by the folding roller from the thickness direction. A roller and a moving member having a frame that moves the pressing roller along the crease direction of the folded sheet, and a plurality of the pressing rollers are arranged in the frame to form a unit, and the sheet is separated from the fold thickness direction. The interval between the pressing rollers of each row to be pressed is gradually reduced in the moving direction of the frame, and the frame is moved in the moving direction so that the pressing roller of each row removes the sheet from both sides in the crease thickness direction. This is a sheet processing apparatus to be pressed.
According to this, since the plurality of rows of pressing rollers whose intervals are gradually reduced in the moving direction are arranged in the frame of the moving member that moves along the fold line, the folding sheet sheet bundle is less likely to open stepwise. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the problem that the folded sheets are opened after being accumulated. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the stackability and consistency of the folded sheets. In addition, since a plurality of rows of pressing roller members whose intervals are gradually reduced are supported in the frame of the moving member, the efficiency in which incremental folding can be performed in a single movement in the sheet width direction of the moving member. A typical sheet processing apparatus can be provided.

The invention according to an eighth aspect is the sheet processing apparatus according to the seventh aspect, wherein at least the pressing rollers in the last row in the moving direction among the pressing rollers arranged in the plurality of rows are elastically urged to each other.
According to this, since the pressing rollers in the last row are elastically biased to each other, it is possible to provide a sheet processing apparatus in which the elastic members are moved along the folds and the sheets are more strongly folded.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, and a sheet processing apparatus for performing a predetermined sheet processing on the sheet from the image forming means. An image forming apparatus comprising the sheet processing apparatus according to any one of Items 8.
According to this, it is possible to provide a sheet processing apparatus having the effects described in the above items.

The invention of claim 10 is a sheet additional folding method comprising a pair of sheet pressing members that press the folds of the folded sheet from the thickness direction, and a moving member that moves the sheet pressing members along the fold direction of the folded sheet. The moving member supports a plurality of rows of the sheet pressing members in the moving direction, and the sheet pressing members are arranged in such a manner that the interval between the sheet pressing members in the row is gradually reduced from the moving direction of the moving members. Is a sheet additional folding method in which the sheet is pressed in the step of moving the sheet pressing member along the sheet crease from a wide row of sheet pressing members to a narrow row.
According to this, the sheet bundle is less likely to open after the folding is completed after the sheet bundle is oriented in the binding direction, and more of these can be accumulated. In addition, since the first sheet pressing members are transported away from each other in the first sheet width direction, a processing apparatus that can suppress damage to the edge of the sheet as much as possible can be provided. In addition, since the sheet pressing members whose intervals are gradually reduced in the moving member are supported, the moving member can be gradually stepped and folded more efficiently by one movement in the sheet width direction. A folding method can be provided.

The present invention provides the following effects by having the above-described solving means.
Pressing from the thickness direction of the first sheet fold moves in the sheet width direction with the sheet pressing member spaced apart to create a crease, and the next pressing moves in the width direction by narrowing the spacing between the sheet pressing members. As a new crease is made, the fold of the fold sheet is directed inward. Accordingly, the sheet bundle is less likely to open after the folding is completed in the binding direction, and more sheets can be accumulated with better alignment.
In addition, since the first sheet pressing members are moved away from each other in the first sheet width direction, damage to the edge of the sheet can be suppressed as much as possible, and the moving unit only crosses the sheet crease direction once. Thus, it is possible to provide a sheet processing apparatus capable of performing stepwise additional folding processing and having excellent processing speed, an image forming apparatus including the same, and a sheet additional folding method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of a combination of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention and a sheet processing apparatus equipped with an additional sheet folding apparatus. 1 is an overall explanatory view of a sheet processing apparatus equipped with a sheet additional folding apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of folding processing of a folding roller in the sheet processing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a perspective view seen from a bundle discharge roller side of the sheet additional folding apparatus of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sheet additional folding apparatus of FIG. 2 as viewed from the folding roller side. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the inside of the sheet additional folding unit in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a front view from the folding roller side of the sheet additional folding unit of FIG. 4. FIG. 8 is a front view of the sheet additional folding unit illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7 in an initial position. FIG. 8 is a front view showing a state where the sheet additional folding unit shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 is moved in the middle in the width direction. FIG. 8 is a front view of an end state in the width direction of the sheet additional folding unit illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a sheet booklet that is further folded according to FIGS. 7 to 9 and formed with a plurality of folding lines. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a control configuration of the sheet processing apparatus of FIG. 2.

The present invention will be described in detail below based on the illustrated embodiment. FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration including an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the overall configuration of the sheet processing apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a folded state of a sheet bundle in the sheet processing apparatus. Further, FIG. 4 is a perspective view as viewed from the discharge side of the sheet additional folding apparatus built in the sheet processing apparatus, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view as viewed from the folding roller side of the sheet additional folding apparatus.
Therefore, the image forming system shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming apparatus A and a sheet processing apparatus B, and the sheet processing apparatus B incorporates a sheet additional folding apparatus 50.

[Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus]
The image forming apparatus A shown in FIG. 1 sends a sheet from the sheet feeding unit 1 to the image forming unit 2, prints the sheet on the image forming unit 2, and then carries the sheet out from the main body discharge port 3. The sheet feeding unit 1 stores sheets of a plurality of sizes in sheet feeding cassettes 1 a and 1 b, and separates designated sheets one by one and feeds them to the image forming unit 2. The image forming unit 2 includes, for example, an electrostatic drum 4, a print head (laser light emitting device) 5 and a developing device 6 arranged around the electrostatic drum 4, a transfer charger 7, and a fixing device 8. An electrostatic latent image is formed by the light emitting device 5, toner is adhered to the developing device 6, an image is transferred onto the sheet by the transfer charger 7, and heat fixing is performed by the fixing device 8. The sheets on which images are formed in this way are sequentially carried out from the main body discharge port 3. 9 is a circulation path, and the sheet printed on the front side from the fixing device 8 is turned upside down through the main body switchback path 10 and then fed again to the image forming unit 2 to print on the back side of the sheet. This is the path for duplex printing. The sheet printed on both sides in this way is turned upside down by the main body switchback path 10 and then carried out from the main body discharge port 3.

  11 is an image reading apparatus, which scans an original sheet set on a platen 12 with a scan unit 13 and electrically reads it with a photoelectric conversion element 14 through a reflection mirror and a condenser lens. This image data is digitally processed by the image processing unit, for example, and then transferred to the data storage unit 17 to send an image signal to the laser emitter 5. 15 is a document feeder, which is a feeder device that feeds a document sheet stored in the document stacker 16 to the platen 12.

  The image forming apparatus A configured as described above is provided with a control unit (controller), and image forming conditions such as sheet size designation, color / monochrome printing designation, number of copies designation, single-sided / double-sided printing designation, enlargement / reduction from the controller panel 18. Printout conditions such as print designation are set. On the other hand, image data read by the scan unit 13 or image data transferred from an external network is stored in the data storage unit 17 in the image forming apparatus A, and the image data is transferred from the data storage unit to the buffer memory. Data signals are sequentially transferred from the buffer memory 19 to the laser emitter 5.

  From the controller panel 18, sheet processing conditions are also input and specified at the same time as image forming conditions. For example, (1) “print out mode”, (2) “staple binding mode”, (3) “sheet saddle stitching bundle folding mode”, and (4) “folded sheet additional folding mode” are designated as the sheet processing conditions. Is done. The image forming apparatus A forms an image on the sheet according to the image forming condition and the post-processing condition.

[Configuration of sheet processing apparatus]
The sheet processing apparatus B connected to the above-described image forming apparatus A is set so as to receive a sheet formed with an image from the main body discharge port 3 of the image forming apparatus A and to perform the following sheet processing.
First, (1) a sheet on which an image has been formed is stored in the first paper discharge tray 21 (the aforementioned “print-out mode”). (2) Sheets from the main body discharge port 3 are aligned in a bundle and are stored in the first discharge tray 21 after being bound by the end face binding stapler 33 (the above-described “staple binding mode”). (3) Sheets from the main body discharge port 3 are aligned in a bundle by the stacker unit 35 which is the second processing tray, the middle of the sheet bundle is bound by the saddle stitching stapler 40, and then folded into a booklet. The sheet is stored in the second sheet discharge tray 22 (the above-described “sheet bundle saddle stitch bundle folding mode”). (4) The sheet loop is additionally folded at the folds of the sheet bundle that is saddle-stitched and folded into a booklet, and is stored in the second discharge tray 22 (the above-described “folded sheet additional folding mode”). It is configured as possible.

  Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 2, the sheet processing apparatus B includes the first discharge tray 21 and the second discharge tray 22 in the casing 20, and a sheet carry-in path P <b> 1 having a carry-in port 23 connected to the main body discharge port 3. Is provided. The sheet carry-in path P <b> 1 is configured by a substantially horizontal straight path in the casing 20. A first switchback conveyance path SP1 and a second switchback conveyance path SP2 that branch from the sheet carry-in path P1 and transfer the sheet in the reverse direction are arranged. The first switchback conveying path SP1 is branched from the sheet downstream path and the second switchback conveying path SP2 is branched from the sheet carry-in path P1 on the upstream side, and the both conveying paths are spaced apart from each other.

  In such a path configuration, the carry-in roller 24 and the paper discharge roller 25 are arranged in the sheet carry-in path P1. The paper discharge roller 25 can be rotated forward and backward. Further, a path switching piece (not shown) for guiding the sheet to the second switchback transport path SP2 is disposed in the sheet carry-in path P1, and is connected to an operating means such as a solenoid. Further, in the sheet carry-in path P 1, stamp means for performing a stamping process on a sheet from the carry-in entrance 23, or a single-sheet punching unit 28 for punching sheets one by one is provided on the downstream side of the carry-in roller 24.

[Configuration of the first switchback transport path SP1]
As shown in FIG. 2, the first switchback conveyance path SP1 disposed on the downstream side (rear end portion of the apparatus) of the sheet carry-in path P1 is configured as follows. A discharge roller 25 is provided at the exit end of the sheet carry-in path P1, and a processing tray 29 is provided for stacking and supporting the sheets of the discharge roller 25. Above the processing tray 29, a forward / reverse roller 30 is disposed so as to be movable up and down between a position in contact with the sheet on the tray and a separated standby position. When the forward / reverse roller 30 is connected and a sheet enters the processing tray 29, the sheet rotates in the clockwise direction in the figure, and after the trailing edge of the sheet is discharged from the discharge roller 25 and enters the tray, the sheet rotates counterclockwise. Controlled to rotate. Accordingly, the first switchback transport path SP1 is formed on the processing tray 29.

  A first paper discharge tray 21 is disposed on the downstream side of the first switchback conveyance path SP1, and the first paper discharge tray 21 is guided to the first switchback conveyance path SP1 and the second switchback conveyance path SP2. It is comprised so that the front-end | tip of a sheet | seat may be supported.

  At the rear end of the processing tray 29 in the paper discharge direction, an end face binding staple device 33 is disposed. The stapling device 33 staples at one or a plurality of positions on the trailing edge of the sheet bundle stacked on the processing tray 29. The bound sheet bundle is discharged from the first discharge tray 21.

  The first switchback conveyance path SP1 configured as described above aligns the sheets from the paper discharge roller 25 on the processing tray 29 in the “staple binding mode” of (2), and binds the sheet bundle to the end face. The stapling device 33 staples one or more rear end edges. Further, in the “print-out mode” of (1), the sheet fed along the processing tray 29 is rotated by the forward / reverse rotation roller 30 in the clockwise direction shown in FIG. It is carried out to the first paper discharge tray 21.

[Configuration of second switchback transport path]
The configuration of the second switchback conveyance path SP2 branched from the sheet carry-in path P1 will be described. The second switchback conveyance path SP2 is a conveyance path that guides the sheet that is reversely switched from the normal rotation to the switchback conveyance in a state where the sheet is nipped by the paper discharge roller 25 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, this conveyance path is arranged substantially vertically in the casing 20, and a conveyance roller 36 is arranged at the path entrance, and an outlet conveyance roller 37 is arranged at the path exit. Further, a stacker unit 35 constituting a second processing tray for aligning and temporarily collecting sheets fed from the transport path is provided on the downstream side of the second switchback transport path SP2. The illustrated stacker unit 35 is constituted by a conveyance guide for transferring a sheet. A saddle stitch stapler 40 and a folding roller 45 are arranged in the stacker portion 35. Hereinafter, these configurations will be sequentially described.

[Stacker configuration]
First, the stacker unit 35 is formed by a guide member that guides conveyance of a sheet, and is configured to stack and store sheets on the guide. The illustrated stacker unit 35 is connected to the second switchback transport path SP <b> 2 and is disposed substantially vertically in the center of the casing 20. As a result, the apparatus is made compact and compact. The stacker portion 35 is formed in a length shape that accommodates the maximum size sheet therein, and in particular, the illustrated stacker portion 35 is curved or bent so as to protrude toward the side where the saddle stitching stapler 40 and the folding roller 45 described later are disposed. It is configured.

  On the rear end side in the transport direction of the stacker unit 35, a switchback entry path 35a that overlaps the exit end of the second switchback transport path SP2 is connected. This is done by overlapping the leading edge of the loaded (following) sheet sent from the exit conveying roller 37 of the second switchback conveying path SP2 and the trailing edge of the stacked (preceding) sheet supported by the stacker unit 35. This is to secure the page order of the sheets to be processed. Further, the stacker unit 35 is provided with a leading end regulating member (hereinafter referred to as a stopper 38) as a stopper unit for regulating the leading end of the sheet in the carrying-in direction on the downstream side of the guide, and the stopper 38 moves along the stacker unit 35. It is supported by a guide rail or the like, and is configured to move to a position where the sheet is carried into the stacker unit 35 by a shift means (not shown), a position where the sheet is bound in the middle in the stacking direction, and a position where the sheet is folded by the folding roller 45. Further, an alignment member 39 for aligning sheets is provided in the middle of the transport direction of the stacker unit 35, and alignment is performed by pressing the side edge every time a sheet is loaded.

[Description of saddle stitching stapler]
Next, the saddle stitching stapler 40 positioned above the stacker unit 35 includes a driver unit 41 that drives the staple needles into the sheet bundle and a clincher unit 42 that bends the leg portions of the staple pins that are driven in a direction facing each other. Each unit is configured to be opposed to each other with the stacker portion 35 interposed therebetween, and binds the sheet at a binding position shown in the figure X, which is usually a half of the sheet length. In addition, this saddle stitch stapler may use a metal needle as a staple needle for binding a sheet bundle, and may be bound by putting a paper-made needle made of paper or a crimp or cut not using the needle into the sheet.

[Description of folding roller]
Next, the configuration of the folding roller 45 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, a folding roller 45 that folds the sheet bundle and a folding blade 46 that inserts the sheet bundle at the nip position of the folding roller 45 are disposed at the folding position Y arranged on the downstream side of the saddle stitching stapler 40 described above. Is provided. Referring also to FIG. 3, the folding roller 45 is composed of an upper pressure roller 45a and a lower pressure roller 45b that are in pressure contact with each other. The upper pressure roller 45a and the lower pressure roller 45b are formed to be slightly longer than the maximum sheet width. . The folding rollers 45 are urged toward each other by a compression spring (not shown). The pair of folding rollers 45 are formed of a material having a relatively large friction coefficient such as a rubber roller.

A folding blade 46 that intrudes toward the pressing position of the folding roller 45 is disposed so as to advance and retreat. The folding blade 46 moves so as to push the binding position into the folding roller 45 after the sheet bundle is saddle-stitched by the saddle stitching stapler 40, and the folding roller 45 is pressed and rotated in conjunction with this operation. Fold the binding sheet in half. In the middle of this, the folding blade 46 returns to the original position to prepare for the next sheet bundle. The moving position of the folding blade is shown in FIG. 2 as the folding position Y, and this position coincides with the position X where the sheets are bound by the binding needle.

Here, a folding process procedure of stacked or bundled sheet bundles will be described with reference to FIG. The sheet is locked by the stopper 38 to form a bundle, and the stopper 38 is raised and the saddle stitching stapler 40 performs a binding process at a middle position in the sheet conveyance direction. After the binding process, this time the bound sheet bundle is lowered and the stopper 38 is stopped so that the sheet binding position becomes the folding position. This state is shown in FIG. This position is stopped so as to coincide with the pressure contact positions of the upper pressure contact roller 45a and the lower pressure contact roller 45b of the folding roller 45. Thereafter, the upper pressure roller 45a and the lower pressure roller are rotated in the same direction by a drive motor (not shown), and the folding blade 46 moves so as to be pushed into the pressure position. This state is shown in FIG.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3C, the upper pressing roller 45a and the lower pressing roller continue to rotate in the same direction, and the folding blade 46 temporarily stops before the pressing position. This time, the folding blade 46 moves and retracts in the original return direction. Thereafter, when the upper pressure roller 45a and the lower pressure roller 45b continue to rotate in the same direction, the folded sheet bundle BS is folded in a fixed loop BL as shown in FIG. The sheet bundle includes a folding loop tip BL1 that becomes a fold projected by the folding blade 46, an upper loop BL2 that swells upward around this, a lower loop BL3 that swells downward, and a loop that presses the sheet so as to maintain the loop. A base end BL4 is formed, and temporarily stops in this state.
By the way, the occurrence of the loop at the crease is due to the force that the sheet bundle itself opens outward at the crease position. Accordingly, as the number of folded sheet bundles BS increases, the force to open and spread the sheet becomes stronger. If the sheet bundle is discharged as it is, the sheet bundle will be opened. Yes.
The folding roller 45 measures the distance between the shafts of the upper pressure contact roller 45a and the lower pressure contact roller 45b that are pressed against each other in a state in which the sheets are not folded and a state in which the folded sheet bundle BS is folded. It may also be used to detect the thickness.

[Description of sheet folding device]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sheet additional folding device, which is a part of a sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention for preventing the folded folded sheet bundle BS from being opened, from the discharge side of the apparatus. The configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 4, FIG. 5 which is a perspective view seen from the folding roller side, and FIG. 6 which is a perspective view from the folding roller and FIG. Thereafter, the operation will be described with reference to FIGS.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the sheet additional folding device 50 is disposed so as to cross the folded sheet conveyance path BP on the downstream side of the folding roller 45 described above. More specifically, in the sheet additional folding device 50, the folding roller 45 conveys the folded sheet bundle BS in a folded state and performs folding processing. This sheet additional folding device 50 faces the fold of the folded sheet bundle BS having a fold in the sheet width direction and a fixed loop.
2 is installed between the folding roller 45 and the bundle discharge roller 49 that discharges to the outside of the apparatus. However, if the sheet folding path 50 crosses the folded sheet conveyance path BP, It can also be installed downstream.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sheet expanding and folding apparatus 50 includes a right side plate 53 disposed on one side of the apparatus, a left side plate 54 opposed to the right side plate 54, and a connecting angle 55 that connects them to the upper side of the frame. Is configured. Between the right side plate 53 and the left side plate 54, an additional folding unit 56 that reciprocates between the side plates is disposed. The reciprocating movement between the side plates of the additional folding unit 56 is slid by the upper guide rail 57 and the lower guide rail 58 positioned between the right side plate 53 and the left side plate 54. That is, the upper slide block 60 attached above the folding unit 56 is slid on the upper guide rail 57, and the lower slide block 61 attached below the folding unit 56 is slid on the lower guide rail 58. It is supported by.

  Further, a moving belt 65 is stretched between the right side plate 53 and the left side plate 54 of the apparatus above the additional folding unit 56. In this moving belt, a right pulley 63 for winding the moving belt 65 is positioned on the right side plate 53 side shown in FIG. 4, and a left pulley 64 for winding the moving belt 65 is positioned on the left side plate 54 side. One end of the moving belt 65 is fixed to the upper end of the additional folding unit 56 by a belt fixing portion 65b. Therefore, when the moving belt 65 is moved and the belt fixing portion 65b is moved from the rear side (right side) of the apparatus to the front side (left side), the additional folding unit 56 is moved along the upper guide rail 57 and the lower guide rail 58 in FIG. The device moves from the back side (right side) to the near side (left side). When the moving belt 65 is moved in the reverse direction, the belt fixing portion 65b is also moved in the reverse direction, and the additional folding unit 56 is also moved in the reverse direction.

By the way, the left pulley 64 around which the moving belt 65 is wound is attached to a motor gear unit 68 provided on the left side plate 54 of a drive motor 69 capable of forward and reverse rotation. The rotational drive of the drive motor 69 is connected to the left pulley 64 of the moving belt 65 through a transmission gear 66 provided from the motor output gear 67 to the motor gear unit 68.
Therefore, by selecting the drive rotation direction of the drive motor 69, the additional folding unit 56 is also selectively moved from the back side (right side) to the near side (left side), and conversely from the near side (left side) to the far side (right side). Can move. In the vicinity of the upper end of the additional folding unit 56 on the right side plate 53 side, a unit flag 107 indicating that the home position is located near the right side plate 53 is provided. When the unit flag 107 is detected by the home position sensor 108, the additional folding unit 56 is located at the home position. Then, when the additional folding unit 56 moves from the home position to the left side in the figure, the position is determined by a pulse generator built in a drive motor 69 (not shown), and it is located at the folding position near the left side plate 54. Determined. At this folding position, the drive motor 69 is rotated in the reverse direction, and this time, the additional folding unit 56 is controlled to move toward the home position. Therefore, the additional folding unit 56 becomes a moving member that is moved by the moving belt 65 or the like.

[Explanation of additional folding unit]
Next, the additional folding unit 56 that moves to the left and right in the drawing will be described. FIG. 5 is a view from the side of the folding roller 45. The additional folding unit 56 includes a unit base plate 62a constituting the back side of the unit, a front upper base plate 62b and a front lower base plate 62c which are divided vertically. The side is surrounded by a preceding unit side plate 95 and a succeeding unit side plate 96, and the upper and lower sides thereof are surrounded by a unit top plate 59a and a unit bottom plate 59b. The leading unit side plate 95 is provided with a leading side plate opening 97 that is relatively large, and the trailing unit side plate is provided with a trailing side plate opening 98 that is set narrower than the leading side plate opening. These openings are provided to increase the folds of the sheet and to move the folding unit 56 between them.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the additional folding unit 56 is provided with a pair of rollers in three rows from the preceding unit side plate 95 toward the succeeding unit side plate. These rollers have different distances between a pair of rollers for each row. That is, the first lower presser roller 72 is disposed at a position spaced apart from the first upper presser roller 71 at a position facing the first upper presser roller 71 in the first row. Each of the rollers has a first upper presser roller shaft 78a and a first lower presser roller shaft 78b, and these shafts are supported by a first upper presser roller bracket 86a and a first lower presser roller bracket 86b. The first upper presser roller bracket 86a is supported by the unit top plate 59a so that it can be raised and lowered, and the first lower presser roller bracket 86b is supported by the unit bottom plate 59b so that it can be raised and lowered.

Further, a first upper presser roller pressing spring 91a for biasing both in the separating direction is interposed between the first upper presser roller bracket 86a and the unit top plate 59a, and the first lower presser roller bracket 86b and the unit bottom plate are interposed. A similar first lower presser roller pressing spring 91b is also interposed between 59b and 59b. As a result, the first upper presser roller 71 and the first lower presser roller 72 are constantly applied with a biasing force. On the other hand, the unit base plate 62a and the front upper base plate 62b for supporting the first upper presser roller shaft 78a are provided with first upper presser roller shaft long holes 82a, respectively. Accordingly, the urging force of the first upper presser roller pressing spring 91a is restricted by the first upper presser roller shaft long hole 82a, and the downward movement of the first upper presser roller 71 is also restricted. Further, the urging force of the first lower presser roller pressing spring 91b is also restricted by the first lower presser roller shaft elongated hole 82b, and the upward movement of the first lower presser roller 72 is also restricted. Thereby, as well shown in FIG. 7, the distance L1 between the first upper pressing roller 71 and the first lower pressing roller 72 is always kept constant. In this embodiment, L1 is set to about 14 millimeters. The first upper presser roller pressing spring 91a and the first lower presser roller pressing spring 91b are set so that a load of 4.0 kilograms is applied in a state where both rollers are in contact with each other.

In addition, the roller pair in the second row has the same configuration as the roller in the first row as can be seen from FIGS.
That is, the second row presser roller 73 is arranged at a position spaced apart from the second upper presser roller 73 by a predetermined distance from the second upper presser roller 73. Each of the rollers has a second upper presser roller shaft 79a and a second lower presser roller shaft 79b, and these shafts are supported by a second upper presser roller bracket 87a and a second lower presser roller bracket 87b. The second upper presser roller bracket 87a is supported by the unit top plate 59a so that it can be raised and lowered, and the second lower presser roller bracket 87b is supported by the unit bottom plate 59b so that it can be raised and lowered.

Further, a second upper presser roller pressing spring 92a for biasing both in the separating direction is interposed between the second upper presser roller bracket 87a and the unit top plate 59a, and the second lower presser roller bracket 87b and the unit bottom plate are interposed. A second lower pressing roller pressing spring 92b is also interposed between the second pressing roller 92b and 59b.
As a result, the second upper presser roller 73 and the second lower presser roller 74 are constantly biased in the direction of approaching. On the other hand, the unit base plate 62a that supports the second upper presser roller shaft 79a and the front upper base plate 62b are provided with second upper presser roller shaft long holes 83a, respectively. Accordingly, the urging force of the second upper presser roller pressing spring 92a is restricted by the second upper presser roller shaft elongated hole 83a, and the downward movement of the second upper presser roller 73 is also restricted. Further, the urging force of the second lower pressing roller pressing spring 92b is also restricted by the second lower pressing roller shaft elongated hole 83b, and the upward movement of the second lower pressing roller 74 is also restricted. Thereby, as well shown in FIG. 7, the distance L2 between the rollers of the second upper presser roller 73 and the second lower presser roller 74 is always kept constant. In this embodiment, L2 is set to about 7 millimeters. Further, the second upper presser roller pressing spring 92a and the second lower presser roller pressing spring 92b are set so that a load of 4.0 kilograms is applied when both rollers are in contact with each other.

Further, as can be seen from FIGS. 6 and 7, the roller pair in the third row has the same configuration as the rollers in the first row and the second row. Is different. That is, the first upper presser roller 71 and the first lower presser roller 72 in the first row have predetermined intervals L1 (14.3 mm in this embodiment) as shown in FIG. 7, and the second upper presser roller in the second row. 73 and the second lower presser roller 74 are similarly spaced by a predetermined distance L2 (approximately 7.2 millimeters in this embodiment). this is. This is because the first upper presser roller shaft elongated hole 82a, the first lower presser roller shaft elongated hole 82b, the second upper presser roller shaft elongated hole 83a, and the second lower presser roller shaft elongated hole 83b serve as a spacing regulating member. . Accordingly, the positions of the rollers are regulated so as not to be narrower than a predetermined value.
However, the third upper presser roller 75 and the third lower presser roller 76 in the third row are elastically biased so that they can always be pressed against each other. In this case, the third upper presser roller shaft elongated hole 84a and the third lower presser roller shaft elongated hole 84b are set so that the roller interval L3 = 0. The third upper presser roller pressing spring 93a and the third lower presser roller pressing spring 93b are set so that a load of 4.0 kilograms is applied at the roller contact position. Thus, additional folding is performed while a load exceeding 4 kilograms is applied to both sides of the fold of the folded sheet bundle BS.

As described above, the first upper presser roller 71, the second upper presser roller 73, and the third upper presser roller 75 as the sheet pressing member 70 of the present invention are provided at the positions facing each other (opposing positions). The first lower presser roller 72, the second lower presser roller 74, and the third lower presser roller 76 are supported in a plurality of rows by the additional folding unit 56 that is unitized as a moving member (multiple rows / three rows in this embodiment). Has been moved. These rollers are rotatable in the moving direction. The movement then moves in the direction of the crease in order from the first presser roller 71 which is the first row having a large interval between the first presser roller 71 and the second lower presser roller 72 opposite to the first presser roller 71. In the second upper presser roller 73 and the second lower presser roller 74, the distance between the rollers becomes narrower. Then, the third upper presser roller 75 and the third lower presser roller 76 in the third row (last) which is the last row in the moving direction are pressed while pressing the sheet fold from both sides with a spring force of 4 kilograms. Yes. In other words, in this embodiment, the three roller rows arranged and supported by one unit are gradually reduced in intervals, and are additionally folded in a process of moving while pressing from both sides of the folded sheet bundle BS along the sheet fold line. I do. Further, the center between the rollers is pressed from both sides of the crease with the pressing position as the pressing position, and is further folded.

[Explanation of operation of sheet folding device]
Hereafter, the operation for carrying in the folded sheet bundle BS into the sheet additional folding device 50 and stepwise pressing will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the additional folding unit 56 is located at the home position and is waiting for the folded sheet bundle BS to be carried in. FIG. 9 shows a state in which the additional folding unit 56 moves to the middle in the width direction of the folded sheet bundle BS and performs stepwise incremental folding with three rows of rollers. FIG. 10 shows a state where the incremental folding by the three-row roller is completed and the additional folding unit is located at the folding position. Each state will be described below.

FIG. 8 shows a state in which the additional folding unit 56 is located at the home position and is waiting for the folded sheet bundle BS to be carried in. This figure is seen from the bundle discharge roller 49 side, and for convenience of explanation, the unit base plate 62a is omitted.
In FIG. 8, the unit flag 107 of the additional folding unit 56 having three rows of pressing rollers is detected by the home position sensor 108 attached to the right side plate 53, and the additional folding unit 56 is located at the home position. At this position, when the above-described “folded sheet additional folding mode” is set, the folding roller 45 is folded and the folded sheet bundle BS transported through the folded sheet transport path BP is awaited.
By the way, the additional folding unit located at the home position has an interval narrowed in order from the moving direction, and a pressing roller 70 is provided in pressure contact with the last row. As already described, in the present embodiment, the first upper presser roller 71 and the first lower presser roller 72 in the first row are arranged with an interval of approximately 14 millimeters. Further, the second upper presser roller 73 and the second lower presser roller 74 in the second row have an interval of approximately 7 mm. Further, the third upper presser roller 75 and the third lower presser roller 76 in the third row are in pressure contact with each other. Furthermore, the centers of the separation and press-contact of these rollers are arranged so as to coincide with the folded sheet loop tip (fold) BL1 which is the center of the folded sheet bundle BS.

  When the folding loop of the folded sheet bundle BS reaches a predetermined size (22 mm in the vertical direction of the loop in this embodiment), the folding roller 45 is stopped and the additional folding unit 56 is driven to the left side of FIG. It is moved by driving 69. When this movement starts, the first upper presser roller 71 and the first lower presser roller 72 in the first row pass over the right side (one end) in the figure of the folded sheet bundle, and slightly above the folded sheet leading end loop BL1. Move to the left with a crease in the position. As described above, the size of the loop in this embodiment is about 22 millimeters, and the distance between the first upper presser roller 71 and the first lower presser roller 72 is about 14 millimeters. It overlaps a little less than 4 millimeters and this gives the first crease. Moreover, since the space | interval of the 1st upper pressing roller 71 and the 1st lower pressing roller 72 is open, these rollers get over without damaging the edge part of folded sheet bundle BS so much. Further, since the pressing roller including the first upper pressing roller 71 and the first lower pressing roller 72 is axially supported so as to be rotatable in the direction intersecting the moving direction, it is easy to get over the folded sheet bundle end also by this rotation. It becomes.

When the additional folding unit 56 continues to move, the loop pressed at the distance between the first upper presser roller 71 and the first lower presser roller 72 is further increased between the second upper presser roller 73 and the second lower presser roller 74. The second fold is made by pressing the loop of the folded sheet bundle BS at a slightly narrowed interval. In this embodiment, the distance between the second upper presser roller 73 and the second lower presser roller 74 is set to approximately 7 millimeters, which is higher than the distance between the first upper presser roller 71 and the first lower presser roller 72. Each overlaps approximately 3.5 millimeters.
Subsequently, the fold BL1 is further folded to the third upper presser roller 75 and the third lower presser roller 76 which are the third row rollers. That is, since the third upper presser roller 75 and the third lower presser roller 76 are in a substantially pressure contact state with the interval being zero, the sheets in the thickness direction of the folds are separated from the third upper presser roller pressing spring 93a. The sheet is further folded while being pressed by the third lower pressing roller pressing spring 93b.

FIG. 9 shows a state where the folded sheet bundle BS is pressed stepwise within one unit with the above contents and the additional folding unit 56 is positioned approximately at the center of the folded sheet bundle BS in the sheet width direction. From this state, the further folding unit 56 moves while folding the sheet toward the left side in the figure. By this movement, the third upper presser roller 75 and the third lower presser roller 76 in the third row pass through the right side (one end) (sheet end) of the folded sheet bundle in the figure to perform additional folding. After this passage, the additional folding unit 56 reaches the folding position on the left side plate 54 side shown in the figure. This state is shown in FIG. When this turn-back position is reached, the drive of the drive motor 69 is stopped. After that, the folded folded sheet bundle BS is discharged by the rotation of the folding roller 45 and the bundle discharging roller 49 in the discharging direction. When the discharge of the folded folded sheet bundle BS is detected by a sheet sensor (not shown), the folded sheet bundle BS is returned to the home position from the folded position and prepared for the next folded sheet bundle BS to be carried in at the position shown in FIG. .

  In the above description, the additional folded unit BS shown in FIG. 10 is once discharged and then the additional folding unit 56 is returned to the home position. However, the additional folding unit is returned again without discharging the folded sheet bundle BS. If the sheet is moved from the left side to the right side in FIG. 10 and returned to the home position while the folds of the folded sheet bundle BS are increased and folded again by the third upper presser roller 75 and the third lower presser roller 76, Additional folding can be ensured.

As described above, in this embodiment, the additional folding unit 56 performs three-stage folding on the bi-fold sheet bundle BS. The folded sheet bundle BS discharged by performing this folding operation will be described with reference to FIG.
As described above, the first upper presser roller 71 and the first lower presser roller 72 as the sheet pressing member 70 of the present invention are used in the fold thickness direction of the folded sheet bundle BS (the folded sheet bundle BS is conveyed in the fold line direction). A plurality of creases are made by moving a crease in the folding roller 45 from the intersecting vertical direction) and moving the looped portion in the crease direction. As already described, the interval between the first upper presser roller 71 and the first lower presser roller 72 in the first stage is slightly narrower than the folding loop (in this embodiment, it is substantially the same as the loop height of 22 mm). 14 mm), and moves along the crease made by the fold roller 45 to make the first crease. This is shown as a first fold line 100 as a thin line in the folded sheet bundle BS in FIG.

Next, in the second stage, the distance between the second upper pressing roller 73 and the second lower pressing roller 74 as the sheet pressing member 70 is slightly narrower than the loop formed by pressing in the first stage (in this embodiment, Is approximately 7 millimeters) and moves along the crease formed by the fold roller 45 to make a second fold. This is shown as a second fold line 101 as a thin line in the folded sheet bundle BS in FIG.
As the final stage, the third upper pressing roller 75 and the third lower pressing roller 76 as the sheet pressing member 70 are pressed by the elastic force of the third upper pressing roller pressing spring 93a and the third lower pressing roller pressing spring 93b. Yes. In the last row, the third upper presser roller 75 and the third lower presser roller 76 are not spaced apart from each other as in the first stage and the second stage. (The regulation interval in this embodiment is 0 mm). Therefore, the pressing at the last row moves in the crease direction while pressing the position of the pressed thickness of the folded sheet bundle BS with the third upper pressing roller 75 and the third lower pressing roller 76. The fold of the last row is shown as a final fold line 102 as a relatively dark line in the folded sheet bundle BS.
Note that an end fold 103 is formed at the end of the folded sheet bundle BS in the width direction when the folded roller 45 and the pressing roller 70 are brought into contact with the sheet from the pressure contact state.

  As described above, folds are formed at different intervals between the pressure rollers 70, whereby the first fold line 100, which is the first stage thin line, and the second fold line 101, which is the second stage thin line. , And the closing direction of the folded sheet bundle BS (line in the conveying direction passing through the crease) at each line position of the final folding line 102 which is a relatively dark line generated according to the thickness of the folded sheet bundle BS of the last row. When the folding direction toward the side is directed, the folded sheet bundle BS is opened even after being discharged, and it is possible to prevent the alignment property and the accumulation property from being lowered.

[Description of control configuration]
The control configuration of the sheet processing apparatus B including the sheet additional folding apparatus 50 described above and the image forming apparatus A including the sheet processing apparatus will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. An image forming apparatus control unit 110 including an image forming unit inputs a desired process from an input unit 111 provided on a control panel. This input is controlled by the sheet processing apparatus control unit 115 of the sheet processing apparatus B by mode setting means.

As described above, the mode of the sheet processing apparatus B of this embodiment has the following modes.
That is, (1) “print-out mode” in which a sheet on which an image has been formed is stored in the first paper discharge tray 21. (2) “Staple binding mode” in which the sheets from the main body discharge port 3 are aligned in a bundle and are stored in the first discharge tray 21 after being bound by the end face stapling device 33. (3) Main unit discharge port 3 are aligned in a bundle by a stacker unit 35 which is a second processing tray, and the middle of the sheet bundle is bound by a saddle stitch stapler 40, and then folded into a booklet shape to the second discharge tray 22. The “sheet bundle saddle stitch folding mode” is stored. (4) “Folded sheet additional folding mode” in which the fold loop of the sheet bundle that is saddle-stitched and folded into a booklet is further folded and stored in the second paper discharge tray 22. These modes can be specified.

  The sheet processing apparatus B includes a sheet processing apparatus control unit 115 that can be operated in the designated mode, a ROM that stores an operation program, and a RAM that stores control data. The sheet processing apparatus control unit 115 includes a sheet conveyance control unit 116 that controls sheet conveyance in the apparatus, a single sheet pressing control unit 117 that performs a pressing process on each sheet by the single sheet punching unit 28, and A processing tray control unit 118 that performs sheet stacking control on the processing tray 29 and an end surface binding control unit 119 that binds the end surface side of the sheets stacked as a sheet bundle on the processing tray 29 and discharges them after binding.

When performing saddle stitching or folding in the vicinity of half of the sheet conveyance direction of the sheet bundle, the stacker unit control unit 120 that stacks the sheet bundle on the sheet stacker unit 35 is controlled. The stacker control unit 120 generates a sheet bundle that is aligned by a stopper 38 and an alignment member 39 that regulate the leading edge of the sheet that is carried into the stacker unit 35 one by one. Further, the saddle stitching control unit that controls the saddle stitching stapler so as to drive the staples and the like in the middle of the sheet bundle and the saddle stitched sheet bundle are pushed into the folding roller 45 by the folding blade 46 so as to perform the middle folding. The sheet folding control unit 122 is provided.

The folded sheet bundle BS includes a folded sheet additional folding control unit 123 that controls the sheet additional folding apparatus 50 in accordance with the “folded sheet additional folding mode” described above. After that, the folded sheet bundle BS that has finished the additional folding is controlled by the folding sheet discharge control unit 124 that controls the folding roller 45 that also serves as a bundle transfer and the bundle discharge roller 49, and is discharged and collected on the second discharge tray.
The folding sheet additional folding control particularly related to the present invention has been described in the description of each mechanism and the operation state explanatory diagrams from FIG. 8 to FIG. The sheet additional folding apparatus 50 is controlled so as to execute the additional folding method.

A Image forming apparatus B Sheet processing apparatus X Adhesive application position Y Fold position BS Fold sheet bundle BL Fold sheet bundle loop BL1 Fold sheet bundle loop tip (fold)
35 Stacker unit 40 Saddle stitching stapler 45 Folding roller 49 Bundle discharge roller 50 Sheet additional folding device 53 Right side plate 54 Left side plate 55 Connection angle 56 Additional folding unit (moving member)
57 Upper guide rail 58 Lower guide rail 60 Upper slide block 61 Lower slide block 62 Additional folding base plate 63 Right pulley 64 Left pulley 65 Moving belt 66 Transmission gear 67 Motor output gear 68 Motor gear unit 69 Drive motor 70 Press roller (sheet pressing) Element)
71 First upper presser roller 72 First lower presser roller 73 Second upper presser roller 74 Second lower presser roller 75 Third upper presser roller 76 Third lower presser roller 77 Presser roller shaft 78a First upper presser roller shaft 78b First Lower presser roller shaft 79a Second upper presser roller shaft 79b Second lower presser roller shaft 80a Third upper presser roller shaft 80b Third lower presser roller shaft 81 Roller shaft long hole 82a First upper presser roller shaft long hole 82b First lower Presser roller shaft long hole 83a Second upper presser roller shaft long hole 83b Second lower presser roller shaft long hole 84a Third upper presser roller shaft long hole 84b Third lower presser roller shaft long hole 85 Presser roller bracket 86a First upper presser Roller bracket 86b First lower presser roller bracket 87a Second upper presser roller bracket 87b Second lower presser roller bracket 88a Third upper presser roller bracket 8b Third lower presser roller bracket 90 Presser roller pressing spring 91a First upper presser roller pressing spring 91b First lower presser roller pressing spring 92a Second upper presser roller pressing spring 92b Second lower presser roller pressing spring 93a Third upper presser roller Pressing spring 93b Third lower pressing roller pressing spring 95 Leading unit side plate 96 Trailing unit side plate 97 Leading side plate opening 98 Trailing side plate opening 100 First folding line 101 Second folding line 102 Final folding line 103 End fold line 107 Unit flag 108 Home position sensor 123 Fold sheet additional folding control unit (control means)

Claims (10)

A pair of sheet pressing members for pressing the folds of the folded sheet from the thickness direction;
A moving member that moves the sheet pressing member along the crease direction of the folded sheet,
The moving member supports a plurality of rows of the sheet pressing members in the moving direction, and the sheet pressing member presses the sheet by arranging the intervals between the sheet pressing members in the rows in a stepwise manner from the moving direction of the moving member. A sheet processing apparatus. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet pressing member includes a pair of pressing rollers that can rotate according to a moving direction. The pressing rollers are supported by the frame of the moving member in a plurality of rows in the moving direction, and at least the pressing rollers in the last row in the moving direction are elastically biased so as to be able to come into pressure contact so that the interval between the pressing rollers before the last row is not narrowed beyond a predetermined value. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the position is regulated. 4. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pressing rollers arranged in a plurality of rows along the moving direction in the frame are positioned at substantially equal facing positions with the sheet crease position as the center for each pair. The movement of the moving member along the sheet fold line is characterized in that the first row of pressing rollers in the moving direction moves from one sheet end until the last row of pressing rollers passes over the other sheet end. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 4. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the pressing roller is provided with at least three rows of pressing rollers having different intervals. A stacker unit for stacking sheets as a bundle;
A folding roller for folding the accumulated sheet bundle;
A pair of pressing rollers that press the folds of the folded sheets folded by the folding rollers from the thickness direction;
A moving member having a frame that moves the pressing roller along the crease direction of the folded sheet,
A plurality of rows of the pressure rollers are arranged in the frame to form a unit, and the intervals between the pressure rollers in the rows for pressing the sheet from the fold thickness direction are gradually reduced in the frame moving direction. A sheet processing apparatus, wherein the frame is moved in the moving direction, and the pressing rollers in each row press the sheet from both sides in the crease thickness direction. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein at least the pressing rollers in the last row in the moving direction among the pressing rollers arranged in the plurality of rows are elastically urged to each other. Image forming means for forming an image on a sheet;
And a sheet processing apparatus for performing a predetermined sheet processing on the sheet from the image forming unit. The sheet processing apparatus includes the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1. An image forming apparatus. A pair of sheet pressing members for pressing the folds of the folded sheet from the thickness direction;
A sheet additional folding method comprising a moving member that moves the sheet pressing member along the crease direction of the folded sheet,
The moving member supports the sheet pressing members in a plurality of rows in the moving direction, and the sheet pressing members are arranged so that the intervals between the sheet pressing members in the rows are gradually reduced from the moving direction of the moving members. The sheet additional folding method, wherein the folded sheet is pressed from both sides in the step of moving along the sheet crease from the wide row to the narrow row.

Images