JP5560840B2 - Sheet processing apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

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

  Some sheet processing apparatuses include a plurality of binding units that perform a binding process on a bundle of sheets, for example, an adhesive application unit, a half-cut binding unit, a staple binding unit, and a temporary binding unit (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-318918 A

  An object of the present invention is to make it difficult to confirm the contents of a bundle of sheets by one binding process after enabling the contents of a bundle of sheets bound by one binding process to be confirmed.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of sheets each having a first end portion and a second end portion different from the first end portion are respectively connected to the first end portion and the second end portion. A stacking unit that stacks sheets stacked in a state where the ends are aligned, and a first binding unit that binds the aligned first ends of the stack of sheets stacked on the stacking unit in a first binding process. 1 binding means and a transport direction in which a bundle of sheets bound by the first binding process is discharged from the discharge port and the bundle of sheets bound by the first binding process is discharged. Receiving means for receiving a bundle of sheets from the discharge port, second binding means for binding the second end of the bundle of sheets received by the receiving means in a second binding process, and the receiving Directed in the opposite direction by means A bundle of acceptable sheet is a sheet processing apparatus characterized by comprising a positioning means for positioning in accordance with the binding position of the second binding means.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a guide unit that guides a bundle of sheets from the discharge port toward the stacking unit, and provided when the sheet bundle is received from the discharge port that is provided above the guide unit. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a covering member .
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the first binding means performs the first binding process by causing a bundle of sheets to penetrate through a staple needle, and the second binding means constitutes a bundle of sheets. 3. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second binding process is performed by forming unevenness across the overlapping direction of a plurality of sheets .
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the first binding means performs the first binding process on one side of a sheet constituting a bundle of sheets as the first end, or at a corner where two adjacent sides intersect. performed, the second binding means, have the second another side facing the one side as an end or line the second binding processing to other corner opposite to the corner, the second The binding means is disposed at a position that does not obstruct the passage of the bundle of sheets when received from the discharge port, and after the positioning of the bundle of sheets by the positioning means, the binding means from the position that does not inhibit the second binding means. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet processing apparatus moves to a binding position .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an image is formed by an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and the second end is different from the first end and the first end. A stacking unit that stacks a plurality of sheets having a plurality of sheets as a bundle of sheets overlaid with the first end and the second end aligned, and a stack of sheets stacked on the stacking unit. discharged with the first binding unit for binding the first end portion which is aligned in the beam in the first binding processing, a bundle of sheets stapled by the first binding processing from the outlet, and the second Receiving means for receiving a bundle of sheets from the discharge port in a direction opposite to the conveying direction for discharging the bundle of sheets bound by one binding process; and the second of the sheet bundle received by the receiving means. End of A second binding means for binding at the second binding processing, the bundle of sheets to be received toward the opposite direction by said receiving means, a positioning means for positioning in accordance with the binding position of the second binding unit, In the operation of performing the second binding process on the bundle of sheets received by the receiving unit, the image forming system includes a stopping unit that stops image formation on the sheet by the image forming unit. .

According to the first aspect of the present invention, as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided, the contents of the bundle of sheets bound by one binding process can be confirmed, and then the bundle of sheets is processed by the other binding process. It is difficult to check the contents.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the positional deviation of the bundle of sheets stacked on the stacking unit can be suppressed as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.
According to the invention described in claim 3, it is possible to make it difficult to release the first end side in the bundle of sheets and to easily release the second end side as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.
According to the invention described in claim 4, it is possible to make it difficult to expose the surface of the sheet existing inside the bundle of sheets as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the contents of the bundle of sheets bound by one binding process can be confirmed, and then the bundle of sheets can be checked by the other binding process, compared to the case without this configuration. It is difficult to check the contents.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the periphery of the compilation | stacking part. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the periphery of the compilation | stacking part seen from the III direction of FIG. (A) is a schematic block diagram of a needleless binding apparatus, (b) is a conceptual diagram of the embossing mark formed by a needleless binding apparatus. It is a conceptual diagram of a bundle of sheets processed according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of a bundle of sheets supplied along a guide to a compilation stacking unit. It is a figure for demonstrating the other structural example of a stapleless binding apparatus, and the bundle | flux of the paper in which the stapleless binding process was made | formed.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<Image forming system 1>
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming system 1 to which the exemplary embodiment is applied. An image forming system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes, for example, an image forming apparatus 2 such as a printer or a copier that forms an image by electrophotography, and a sheet S on which a toner image is formed by the image forming apparatus 2 (see FIG. 2). ) Is provided with a paper processing device 3 for performing post-processing.

<Image forming apparatus 2>
The image forming apparatus 2 includes an image forming unit 5 that forms an image on a sheet S supplied from a sheet supply unit (not shown), and a sheet reversing device 7 that reverses the surface of the sheet S on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 5. And a discharge roller 9 for discharging the paper S on which the image is formed.

<Paper Processing Device 3>
The paper processing device 3 includes a transport device 10 that transports the paper S output from the image forming device 2 further downstream, a compile stacking unit 35 that collects and bundles the paper S, and a stapler 40 that binds the end of the paper S. And a post-processing device 30 including the above. Further, the sheet processing apparatus 3 includes a user interface 80 that receives information related to binding processing from a user, and further includes a control unit 90 that controls the entire image forming system 1.
The conveyance device 10 of the paper processing device 3 includes an entrance roller 11 that is a pair of rollers that receive the paper S output via the discharge roller 9 of the image forming device 2, and the paper S received by the entrance roller 11. And a puncher 12 for drilling as necessary. Further, the transport device 10 further downstream of the puncher 12 includes a first transport roller 13 that is a pair of rollers for transporting the paper S to the downstream side, and a pair of transports the paper S toward the post-processing device 30. And a second transport roller 14 which is a roller.

The post-processing device 30 of the paper processing device 3 includes a receiving roller 31 that is a pair of rollers that receive the paper S from the transport device 10. Further, the post-processing device 30 is provided for the exit sensor 33 provided on the downstream side of the receiving roller 31 to detect the paper S, and for compiling for collecting and storing a plurality of paper S provided on the downstream side of the receiving roller 31. A stacking unit 35 and an exit roll 34 which is a pair of rollers for discharging the paper S toward the compiling stacking unit 35 are provided. Further, the post-processing device 30 includes a paddle 37 that rotates so as to push the sheet S toward an end guide 35 b (described later) of the compiling stacking unit 35. Further, the post-processing device 30 includes a tamper 38 for pushing the sheet S toward a side guide 35c (described later) of the compilation stacking unit 35. Furthermore, the post-processing device 30 includes an eject roll 39 that holds the sheets S collected by the compilation stacking unit 35 and conveys the bundle of bound sheets S to the downstream side.
Further, the post-processing device 30 staples the end of the bundle of sheets S collected on the compilation stacking unit 35 using the staple needle 41 (see FIG. 5), and the sheet without using the staple needle 41. A needleless binding device 50 that binds the end of the bundle of S.
Further, the post-processing device 30 includes a housing 30A having the above-described members therein, and further, an opening 69 provided in the housing 30A for discharging the bundle of sheets S and introducing the bundle of sheets S. A sheet bundle guide 70 (see FIG. 3) for guiding the introduction of the bundle of sheets S from the opening, a cover opening / closing unit 71 provided above the sheet bundle guide 70 and capable of being opened and closed, and post-processing And a stacker 75 that stacks the subsequent bundles of sheets S so that the user can easily take them.

<Structure around the binding means>
Next, the compiling stacking unit 35, the stapler 40 and the stapleless binding device 50 provided around the compiling stacking unit 35, and the like will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the periphery of the compile stacking unit 35, and FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the periphery of the compile stacking unit 35 viewed from the direction of arrow III in FIG. Note that the lower side in FIG. 3 is the front side in FIG. In FIG. 3, some members such as the eject roll 39 are not shown for simplification.

  First, the compiling stacking unit 35 includes a bottom portion 35a having an upper surface on which the sheets S are stacked, and an end guide 35b and a side guide 35c provided around the bottom portion 35a. As will be described in detail later, the sheet S around the compile stacking unit 35 is first supplied toward the compile stacking unit 35 (see the first traveling direction S1 in FIG. 2), and then compiled with the traveling direction reversed. Falls along the bottom 35a of the stacking section 35 (see the second traveling direction S2 in FIG. 2), and then further reverses the traveling direction and ascends along the bottom 35a of the stacking section 35 for compilation (see FIG. 2). (Refer to the third traveling direction S3).

The configuration of the end guide 35b and the side guide 35c is described below using the positional relationship with the paper S.
That is, the end guide 35b is on the leading end side of the sheet S conveyed along the second traveling direction S2, and the side guide 35c is on one side end of the sheet S conveyed along the second traveling direction S2. It is arranged on each side. That is, the end guide 35b is configured to align the end portion on the leading end side of the paper S falling along the bottom 35a, and the side guide 35c is substantially parallel to the falling direction of the paper S falling along the bottom 35a. That is, one side edge of the paper S is aligned. In the present embodiment, substantially orthogonal includes orthogonal, and substantially parallel includes parallel.

  The paddle 37 is provided above the compilation stacking unit 35 and downstream of the exit roll 34 in the first traveling direction S1 of the sheet S. Further, the paddle 37 is provided such that the distance from the bottom 35a of the compiling stacking portion 35 is changed by being driven by a motor or the like. Specifically, the paddle 37 is provided so as to be movable in the directions of arrows U1 and U2 in FIG. The paddle 37 rotates in the direction of the arrow R in FIG. 2, so that the sheet S conveyed along the first traveling direction S1 in FIG. It is configured to push in the direction S2.

The tamper 38 is provided on the side surface of the compiling stacking unit 35, specifically, on the side opposite to the side guide 35c, and is provided such that the distance from the side guide 35c of the compiling stacking unit 35 changes. The tamper 38 is provided so as to be movable in the directions of arrows C1 and C2 in FIG.
The end sensor 73 is provided on the upstream side of the end guide 35b in the second advancing direction S2 toward the bottom 35a of the compiling stacking unit 35, and detects the passage of the paper S.

  The eject roll 39 is composed of a first eject roll 39a and a second eject roll 39b, and the first eject roll 39a and the second eject roll 39b are arranged so as to face each other with the bottom 35a of the compiling stacking section 35 interposed therebetween. ing. And it is comprised so that the distance with the paper S supplied between the 1st eject roll 39a and the 2nd eject roll 39b may change. Specifically, the first eject roll 39a is provided so as to be movable in the arrow Q1 direction and the arrow Q2 direction. On the other hand, the position of the second eject roll 39b is fixed, and the second eject roll 39b is provided to perform only rotational movement. Then, the eject roll 39 rotates in the direction of the arrow T1 in FIG. 2, so that a bundle of sheets S bound by both or one of the stapler 40 and the stapleless binding device 50 described later is loaded into the compile stacking unit 35. It is configured to carry in the third traveling direction S3.

  The opening 69 is provided in the housing 30A on the downstream side in the third traveling direction S3 with respect to the compiling stacking unit 35. The opening 69 is a portion through which a bundle of sheets S passes. More specifically, a bundle of sheets S conveyed from the compile stacking unit 35 along the third advancing direction S3 and discharged to the outside of the sheet processing apparatus 3, and a third progression from the outside of the sheet processing apparatus 3. A bundle of sheets S conveyed along the direction S <b> 2 and introduced into the compiling stacking unit 35 passes through the opening 69.

The sheet bundle guide 70 is provided on the downstream side of the compiling stacking unit 35 in the third traveling direction S3. The sheet bundle guide 70 includes a first sheet bundle guide 70a and a second sheet bundle guide 70b provided on the side guide 35c side (the lower side in the drawing in FIG. 3), and the first sheet S passes between them. The sheet bundle guide 70a and the second sheet bundle guide 70b are provided to face each other. The first sheet bundle guide 70a and the second sheet bundle guide 70b respectively include a first sheet bundle guide surface 70a1 and a second sheet bundle guide surface 70b1, and the first sheet bundle guide surface 70a1 and the second sheet bundle guide surface 70b1. The upper surface is provided on the same plane as the upper surface of the bottom 35a of the first compilation stacking unit 35.
The position of the first sheet bundle guide 70a is fixed, while the second sheet bundle guide 70b can be advanced and retracted relative to the first sheet bundle guide 70a. Specifically, the second sheet bundle guide 70b is provided so as to be movable in the arrow G1 direction and the arrow G2 direction by a motor (not shown).
Next, the cover opening / closing part 71 is a plate-like member provided in the housing 30 </ b> A above the opening 69 and the sheet bundle guide 70. The cover opening / closing part 71 of this example is configured such that the upper end is rotatably fixed, the lower end is a free end, and the cover opening / closing part 71 can be opened / closed. More specifically, the cover opening / closing part 71 is provided so as to be movable in the directions of the arrows L1 and L2 by a motor (not shown).

<Stapler 40>
The stapler 40 is configured to bind the end of the bundle of sheets S accommodated in the compilation stacking unit 35 by pushing the staple needles 41 into the sheet S one by one. The stapler 40 is provided so as to be movable around the compiling stacking unit 35. Specifically, the stapler 40 is provided so as to be movable on a stapler rail (not shown) provided around the compile stacking unit 35 (see arrow A in FIG. 3), and a stapler motor (not shown) is used as a drive source. It is configured to move on the stapler rail. The stapler 40 can be disposed on the user side (the lower side in FIG. 3), and can be easily operated on the stapler 40 such as replenishment of the staple needle 41.
The stapler rail includes a portion extending substantially in parallel with the longitudinal direction (vertical direction in FIG. 3) of the end guide 35b provided in the compiling stacking unit 35, and the longitudinal direction of the side guide 35c (horizontal in FIG. 3). Direction) and a corner portion connecting these portions. Accordingly, the position of the stapler 40 can be arbitrarily changed (see 40a to 40d in FIG. 3). In the present embodiment, the position of the stapler rail is fixed with respect to the compiling stacking unit 35. In the present embodiment, the staple position of the stapler 40 is at the corner portion connecting the portion extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the end guide 35b and the portion extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the side guide 35c. This is the position where 41 is pushed (see 40c in FIG. 3).

<Needleless binding device 50>
The stapleless binding device 50 is configured to bind the end of the bundle of sheets S accommodated in the compilation stacking unit 35 without using the staple needle 41 (described later). Further, the stapleless binding device 50 is provided to be movable around the compiling stacking unit 35. Specifically, the stapleless binding device 50 is provided on a rail for a stapleless binding device (not shown) provided around the compile stacking unit 35 (see arrow B in FIG. 3). The needleless binding device motor is configured to move on the rail for the stapleless binding device using a non-needle binding device motor as a drive source. Unlike the stapler 40, the stapleless binding device 50 does not require replenishment of the staple needle 41.

The staple-less binding device rail extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (vertical direction in FIG. 3) of the end of the compiling stacking unit 35 that faces the end guide 35b provided in the compiling stacking unit 35. It consists of a part, a part extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 3) of the end part of the compiling stacking part 35 facing the side guide 35c, and a part connecting these parts. Thus, the binding position can be arbitrarily changed (see 50a to 50d in FIG. 3). In the present embodiment, the home position of the stapleless binding device 50 is a portion extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the end portion of the compiling stacking portion 35 and the end of the compiling stacking portion 35 facing the side guide 35c. This is a position (see 50c in FIG. 3) where the end of the bundle of sheets S is bound at a corner portion connecting the portions extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the portion. The home position of the stapleless binding device 50 is not limited to 50 c in FIG. 3, and may be a position where the stapleless binding device 50 does not hinder the conveyance of the bundle of sheets S. For example, the position where the needleless binding device 50 faces the side guide 35c (see 50d in FIG. 3) may be the home position of the needleless binding device 50.
Further, the position of the rail for the stapleless binding device (not shown) can be changed according to the paper size and orientation of the paper S supplied to the compiling stacking unit 35. Specifically, the staple-less binding device rail is movable so that the distance between the staple-less binding device rail and the end guide 35b or the distance between the staple-less binding device rail and the side guide 35c is changed. (Refer to arrows B1 and B2 in FIG. 3).

  Next, the structure of the stapleless binding device 50 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 4A shows an outline of the stapleless binding device 50 as a perspective view, and FIG. 4B shows a corner portion of a bundle of sheets S whose ends are processed by the stapleless binding device 50. Is shown.

  The stapleless binding device 50 embosses the sheet S so as to bind the bundle of sheets S by receiving pressure from the pressing unit 52 and applying pressure to process the end of the sheet S by approaching each other. And an embossed portion 53 to be processed.

The pressing part 52 includes an upper pressing part 52a and a lower pressing part 52b. The upper pressing portion 52a is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the lower pressing portion 52b by an upper pressing portion motor (not shown) (see arrows D1 and D2 in FIG. 4A), and the upper pressing portion 52a and the lower pressing portion. It is configured to apply pressure to the sheet S provided between the section 52b.
The embossed portion 53 includes a convex portion 53a and a receiving portion 53b. The convex portion 53a is provided in the upper pressing portion 52a, and the receiving portion 53b is provided in the lower pressing portion 52b. The convex portion 53a and the receiving portion 53b are configured to process the paper S provided therebetween. .

  Specifically, the convex portion 53a has an uneven surface on the surface facing the receiving portion 53b, and the one receiving portion 53b has an uneven surface on the surface facing the convex portion 53a. Furthermore, the surface of the convex portion 53a provided with the concave and convex portions and the surface of the receiving portion 53b provided with the concave and convex portions are substantially parallel, and the convex portion of the convex portion 53a and the concave portion of the receiving portion 53b. It arrange | positions so that it may mesh with the location. When the pressure is received by the pressing portion 52, the convex portion 53a and the receiving portion 53b are engaged with each other so that the paper S is processed. The portion of the paper S processed as shown in FIG. 4B corresponds to the shape of the convex portion 53a and the receiving portion 53b, and is an example of unevenness extending in the overlapping direction of the paper S. The staple needle 41 The embossed trace 51 binds a bundle of sheets S without using.

  Next, the definition of each end of the sheet S when supplied to the compiling stacking unit 35 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5, and then the sheet bound by the post-processing device 30 of the sheet S. An aspect of the bundle of S will be described. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a bundle of sheets S processed according to the present embodiment. Further, in FIG. 5, the staple needle 41 indicated by a black square indicates a portion where the bundle of sheets S is bound by the stapler 40, and the embossed mark 51 indicated by the white square indicates the stapleless binding device 50. Indicates the location where the bundle of sheets S is bound.

First, as shown in FIG. 5A, in the present embodiment, each end of the sheet S when supplied to the compiling stacking unit 35 is defined as follows.
When each end portion of the sheet S in the present embodiment is defined in relation to the second traveling direction S2 that indicates the direction in which the sheet S falls along the upper surface of the bottom 35a of the compiling stacking unit 35, The end portion on the distal end side in the second traveling direction S2 is referred to as an end guide side end portion Sa. The end guide side end Sa contacts the end guide 35b (see FIGS. 2 and 3).
Next, the end facing the end guide side end Sa, that is, the rear end of the sheet S in the second traveling direction S2 is referred to as a non-end guide side end Sc.
Further, an end portion of the sheet S that extends in the second traveling direction S2 and that is provided with the side guide 35c is referred to as a side guide side end portion Sb. The side guide side end Sb is in contact with the side guide 35c (see FIGS. 2 and 3).
Furthermore, the end facing the side end Sb, that is, the end of the sheet S extending substantially parallel to the falling direction of the sheet S, the end opposite to the side where the side guide 35c is provided. Is referred to as a non-side guide side end Sd.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 5C, a corner portion where the end guide side end portion Sa and the side guide side end portion Sb intersect is referred to as a guide side corner portion Se. A corner where the non-end guide side end Sc and the non-side guide side end Sd intersect is referred to as a non-guide side corner Sf. In the present embodiment, substantially orthogonal includes orthogonal, and substantially parallel includes parallel.

Next, the form of the bundle of sheets S shown in FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (e) will be described.
First, the bundle of sheets S shown in FIG. In the bundle of sheets S, three staples 41 are arranged at the side guide side end Sb, and two embossed marks 51 are arranged at the non-side guide side end Sd. That is, the staple needle 41 and the embossed trace 51 are arranged at the opposite ends of the paper S, respectively.

  Next, the bundle of sheets S shown in FIG. 5B will be described. In the bundle of sheets S, two staples 41 are disposed at the end guide side end portion Sa, and two embossed traces 51 are disposed at the non-end guide side end portion Sc. That is, the staple needle 41 and the embossed trace 51 are arranged at the opposite ends of the paper S, respectively.

  Next, the bundle of sheets S shown in FIG. First, one staple needle 41 is disposed at the guide side corner portion Se, and one embossed mark 51 is disposed at the non-guide side corner portion Sf. That is, the staple needle 41 and the embossed trace 51 are arranged at opposite corners of the paper S.

  Next, the bundle of sheets S shown in FIG. In the bundle of sheets S, three staples 41 are arranged at the side guide side end Sb. And the four embossed traces 51 are arrange | positioned at the non-side guide side edge part Sd and the non-end guide side edge part Sc.

  Next, the bundle of sheets S shown in FIG. In the bundle of sheets S, three staples 41 are arranged at the side guide side end Sb. Two embossed traces 51 are arranged at the non-end guide side end Sc. Unlike the bundle of sheets S shown in FIGS. 5A to 5D, the bundle of sheets S shown in FIG. 5E is bound at adjacent ends.

Here, assuming that the binding by the staple needle 41 and the embossed trace 51 is to be released, the force required to release the binding is compared with the force required to release the binding by the staple needle 41. large.
Therefore, when both the staple needle 41 and the embossed trace 51 are applied to a bundle of one sheet S, for example, the bundle of the sheets S is more reliably bound by the staple needle 41, and the sheet S is formed by the other embossed trace 51. Can be used in such a manner that the binding can be more easily released (the sheets S are separated from each other). Here, as a case where it is preferable to easily release the bound bundle of sheets S, temporary fixing based on the assumption that the end of the bundle of sheets S is opened, such as a test problem formed in a booklet shape, for example. For example, or when it is necessary to indicate that the bundle of sheets S is unopened.

  Although the bundle of sheets S shown in FIGS. 5A to 5E has been described here, the bundle of sheets S is an example, and the post-processing device 30 in the present embodiment is A mode of binding other than a bundle of these sheets S is also possible. For example, it is possible to change the position and number of portions where the bundle of sheets S is bound, and further, the sheet is bound only by the arrangement of the staple needles 41, or only by processing the embossed marks 51. A mode of binding a bundle of S is also possible.

<Operation of Image Forming System 1>
Next, the operation of the image forming system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Here, first, a basic operation mode (basic mode) of the image forming system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, and then referring to FIG. 6 in addition to FIGS. 1 to 5. One mode of operation (self mode) will be described.
FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which a bundle of sheets S is supplied to the compilation stacking unit 35 along the sheet bundle guide 70.

Here, the basic mode in the present embodiment is an image forming system 1 that forms an image on a sheet S, and a bundle of sheets S on which the image is formed is bound by one binding means or two binding means. This is the mode to apply. On the other hand, the self mode in the present embodiment refers to the binding of the sheets S to which the image forming system 1 has performed the binding process, once discharged to the stacker 75, and then introduced into the image forming system 1 for one binding. Means a mode in which the binding process is performed by means or two binding means.
Further, in the following description, a staple as shown in FIG. 5A, that is, the staple needle 41 is arranged at the side guide side end Sb of the paper S, and the non-side guide side end Sd of the paper S is embossed. The description will be made using the case where the mark 51 is arranged.
Further, a bundle of sheets S is formed by three sheets S per bundle.
Furthermore, in the basic mode, a case where the binding process is performed by the stapler 40 and the stapleless binding device 50 will be described. In the self mode, a bundle of sheets S that has been previously bound by the stapler 40 is temporarily transferred to the stacker 75. A case will be described in which binding is performed on the bundle of sheets S by the stapleless binding device 50 after that.

<Basic mode>
The operation in the basic mode of the image forming system 1 will be described.
First, the user interface 80 receives an instruction about the binding processing mode from the user. The instruction regarding the binding process mode is an instruction as to whether to perform the binding process in the basic mode or the self-mode. Here, the user interface 80 receives an instruction to perform the binding process in the basic mode.
Further, the user interface 80 receives a specific instruction for performing the binding process, and in this example, which end of the bundle of sheets S is to be bound by the stapler 40 or the stapleless binding device 50. Accepts instructions.

  Next, before the toner image is formed on the first sheet S by the image forming unit 5 of the image forming apparatus 2, the control unit 90 prevents the stapler 40 from obstructing the passage of the bundle of sheets S. Is disposed at the home position (position 40c in FIG. 3), and the stapleless binding device 50 is disposed at the home position (position 50c in FIG. 3). Further, a position where the controller 90 drives a motor (not shown) to move the second sheet bundle guide 70b away from the first sheet bundle guide 70a, in order to prevent the bundle of sheets S from passing. Is placed at the position Pw.

  A paper supply unit (not shown) that receives the drive signal from the control unit 90 supplies the paper S toward the image forming unit 5. A toner image is formed on the first paper S supplied from the paper supply unit by the image forming unit 5 of the image forming apparatus 2. In FIG. 1, an image is formed on the sheet S passing over the image forming unit 5, and the sheet S when passing over the image forming unit 5 is the surface on the image forming unit 5, that is, the surface of FIG. The lower surface is the surface of the paper S.

The first paper S on which the toner image is formed is reversed by the paper reversing device 7 as necessary, but in this example, the paper S is not reversed by the paper reversing device 7. In this embodiment, when the sheet S is reversed, the back and front surfaces of the sheet S are switched before and after the reversal, and the end portion on the leading end side of the sheet S with respect to the transport direction of the sheet S The end on the rear end side is switched back and forth.
Thereafter, the sheet S on which the image is formed is supplied to the sheet processing apparatus 3 one by one through the discharge roller 9.

  In the transport apparatus 10 of the sheet processing apparatus 3 to which the first sheet S is supplied, the first sheet S is received by the entrance roller 11, and the punching process is performed on the first sheet S by the puncher 12 as necessary. Applied. Thereafter, the first sheet S is transported toward the downstream post-processing device 30 via the first transport roller 13 and the second transport roller 14.

In the post-processing device 30, the first sheet S is received by the receiving roller 31. The first sheet S that has passed through the receiving roller 31 is detected by the exit sensor 33 as shown in FIG. 2, and then conveyed by the exit roll 34 along the first traveling direction S1. The first sheet S that has passed through the receiving roller 31 is conveyed by the exit roll 34 along the first traveling direction S1. After the leading edge of the first sheet S in the first advancing direction S1 passes between the compiling stacking unit 35 and the paddle 37, the paddle 37 descends (moves in the direction of the arrow U1 in FIG. 2) and moves to the first. Contact the paper S.
The first sheet S is pushed in the second traveling direction S2 of FIG. 2 by the rotation of the paddle 37 shown in FIG. Accordingly, the sheet S is transported along the direction of the second traveling direction S2, which is opposite to the first traveling direction S1, and therefore, the front end side and the rear side of the sheet S are transported. The end on the end side is switched back and forth.
Then, the end guide side end Sa of the first sheet S comes into contact with the end guide 35b. Thereafter, the paddle 37 rises (moves in the direction of arrow U2 in FIG. 2). Further, the tamper 38 is driven so that the tamper 38 pushes the non-side guide side end Sd of the first sheet S, and the side guide side end Sb of the first sheet S contacts the side guide 35c.

  When the second sheet S and the third sheet S on which the toner image is formed by the image forming unit 5 following the first sheet S are sequentially supplied to the post-processing device 30, the paddle 37 and The ends of the sheets S are aligned on the compilation stacking unit 35 by the tamper 38. In this way, three sheets S, which is a preset number, are accommodated in the compilation stacking unit 35, and the ends of the sheets S are aligned to form a bundle of sheets S.

Next, the end of the bundle of sheets S stacked on the compilation stacking unit 35 is bound.
First, the stapler 40 is moved from the home position (position 40c in FIG. 3) and disposed at a position where the staple needle 41 is pushed. At that position, by pushing one staple needle 41 into the bundle of sheets S, the end of the bundle of sheets S is bound.
Thereafter, the stapleless binding device 50 moves from the home position (position 50c in FIG. 3) and is disposed at a position where the embossed trace 51 is formed. At that position, the upper pressing portion 52a and the lower pressing portion 52b of the stapleless binding device 50 approach each other so that the convex portion 53a and the receiving portion 53b are engaged with each other with the bundle of sheets S interposed therebetween. As a result, an emboss mark 51 is formed on each sheet S, and the end of the bundle of sheets S is bound. The embossed trace 51 is formed over all the three stacked sheets S, and the bundle of sheets S is bound by the stacked sheets S biting each other. In other words, a bundle of sheets S is pressed.

Thereafter, the bundle of sheets S bound by the staple needle 41 and the embossed trace 51 is moved from the compiling stack 35 by the rotation of the first eject roll 39 a, passes through the opening 69, and goes to the stacker 75. Discharged.
The basic operation mode of the image forming system 1 has been described above.

<Self mode>
Next, a self-mode operation, which is another mode of operation of the image forming system 1, will be described with reference to FIGS. As described above, in the self mode of this example, the bundle of sheets S that has already been subjected to the binding process by the image forming system 1 using the staple needle 41 is once discharged to the stacker 75, and the bundle is used. After that, a case where a stapleless binding process is further performed will be described (see FIG. 6).
First, the user interface 80 receives an instruction about the binding processing mode from the user, and in this example, receives an instruction to perform the binding processing in the self mode. Further, the user interface 80 receives a specific instruction for performing the binding process. In this example, the user interface 80 receives an instruction as to which end of the paper S is to be bound by the stapleless binding device 50.

  The control unit 90 that detects that the user interface 80 has accepted the instruction controls to prohibit the operation of the image forming apparatus 2. Note that the image forming apparatus 2 does not operate in the self mode of this example. That is, the image forming apparatus 2 temporarily stops.

Further, by driving a motor (not shown), the control unit 90 places the second sheet bundle guide 70b close to the first sheet bundle guide 70a, specifically, at the position Pn.
Furthermore, the control unit 90 drives a motor (not shown) to open the cover opening / closing unit 71, specifically, moves the cover opening / closing unit 71 in the direction of the arrow L1. By opening the cover opening / closing part 71 by moving along the arrow L1, visibility around the opening 69 and the sheet bundle guide 70 is improved. When the cover opening / closing part 71 is closed along the arrow L2, dust and the like are further prevented from entering the inside of the sheet processing apparatus 3.

  Furthermore, the control unit 90 places the stapler 40 in the home position (position 40c in FIG. 3) and the stapleless binding device 50 in the home position (see FIG. 3) so as not to obstruct the passage of the bundle of sheets S. 3 at the position 50c), and the first eject roll 39a is raised and disposed at the position P1.

  The bundle of sheets S discharged to the stacker 75 by the image forming system 1 is again introduced into the sheet processing apparatus 3 through the opening 69 after the contents are confirmed by the user, for example. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, between the first sheet bundle guide 70a and the second sheet bundle guide 70b provided in the opening 69, the first sheet bundle guide surface 70a1 and the second sheet bundle. After the bundle of sheets S passes along the upper surface of the guide surface 70b1, it is supplied to the bottom 35a of the compiling stacking unit 35. The bundle of sheets S is conveyed along the bottom 35a of the compiling stacking unit 35, that is, along the second traveling direction S2, and the end guide side end Sa of the sheet S comes into contact with the end guide 35b.

Furthermore, an end sensor 73 provided upstream of the end guide 35b in the second traveling direction S2 detects the passage of the paper S and outputs a trigger signal to the control unit 90. Upon receipt of the signal, the control unit 90 outputs a drive signal to the stapleless binding device 50.
The stapleless binding device 50 that has received the drive signal moves from the home position (position 50c in FIG. 3) and is disposed at a position where the embossed trace 51 is formed. At that position, an emboss mark 51 is formed, and the end of the bundle of sheets S is bound. Then, the stapleless binding device 50 subjected to the binding process moves again to the home position (position 50c in FIG. 3).

  Thereafter, the control unit 90 drives a motor (not shown) to place the second sheet bundle guide 70b away from the first sheet bundle guide 70a, specifically at the position Pw. Then, the bundle of sheets S bound by the embossed marks 51 is moved from the compiling stacking unit 35 by the first eject roll 39a descending, arranged at the position P2, and rotated in the direction of the arrow T1. Then, it is discharged to the stacker 75.

  Here, when the self mode is desired, that is, in this example, the bundle of sheets S on which the binding processing has been performed by disposing the staple needle 41 is once discharged to the stacker 75, and then the bundle of sheets S is again formed into the sheet processing apparatus. The case where it is desired to introduce the embossed trace 51 by introducing into 3 is as follows, for example. That is, first, only the staples 41 are arranged to check whether there is any irregularity or missing pages in the bundle of sheets S formed in a booklet shape, and then it is desired to complete the binding of the bundle of sheets S. . Checking a stack of sheets of paper S on which only the staple needles 41 are arranged is compared to checking a stack of paper S on which both the staple needles 41 and the embossed marks 51 are arranged. It can be done more easily. Further, since the bundle of sheets S once discharged to the stacker 75 is provided with the staple needle 41, the end of the bundle of sheets S is checked when it is checked whether there are any clutter or missing pages in the bundle of sheets S. The department is not disturbed.

In the present embodiment, a case has been described in which the stapleless binding process is further performed in the self mode on the bundle of sheets S that has already been subjected to the binding process using the staple needle 41 by the image forming system 1. In other words, the case where the self-mode is selected after the image forming system 1 has once performed the image formation and the binding process of the bundle of sheets S has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, before the image forming system 1 starts operation, more specifically, before the image forming apparatus 2 forms an image on the paper S, the user interface 80 receives an instruction to perform the binding process in the self mode. May be.
In this case, first, the user interface 80 receives an instruction to perform the binding process in the self mode, and then the image forming apparatus 2 forms an image.
Further, in this case, unlike the above example, the instruction for the binding process received by the user interface 80 includes an instruction for the binding process performed by the stapler 40 in addition to the stapleless binding apparatus 50.

  Here, the sheet processing apparatus 3 in the present embodiment can be used independently of the image forming apparatus 2. That is, the sheet processing apparatus 3 can perform the binding process on a bundle of sheets S that have not been subjected to the binding process by the image forming apparatus 2, for example, a bundle of sheets S that have been aligned by the user.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, it has been described that the second sheet bundle guide 70b and the cover opening / closing part 71 are moved by a motor (not shown), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the second sheet bundle guide 70b and the cover opening / closing part 71 may be manually moved by the user.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, it has been described that the needleless binding device 50 performs the binding process using the detection by the end sensor 73 as a trigger when performing the binding process in the self mode. It is not limited. For example, instead of detection by the end sensor 73, an instruction from the user interface 80 when the user interface 80 receives an instruction from the user may be used as a trigger.
For example, after the bundle of sheets S is introduced from the opening 69, the user interface 80 may accept the instruction by operating the user. In this case, the binding process is started after the user confirms that the bundle of sheets S has been reliably introduced from the opening, so that, for example, binding defects can be reduced and safety is improved.

  Furthermore, the cover opening / closing part 71 is moved along the arrow L1 by a motor (not shown), and the sheet bundle guide 70 is moved toward the outside of the post-processing device 30 (the right side in FIG. 2). Also good. As a result, the visibility of the sheet bundle guide 70 is further improved, and the user can more easily supply the bundle of sheets S to the sheet bundle guide 70.

  Furthermore, here, the stapler 40 can be bound at two ends of the bottom portion 35a of the compilation stacking portion 35, and the stapleless binding device 50 is connected to the other two bottom portions 35a of the compilation stacking portion 35. Although the description has been given of the configuration in which the bundle of sheets S can be bound at the end, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the stapler 40 may be arranged at one end of the bottom 35a of the compiling stacking unit 35, and the stapleless binding device 50 may be arranged at the other three ends. Further, the stapler 40 may be fixed only at the corner of the bottom portion 35a of the compiling stacking portion 35, and the needleless binding device 50 may be arranged at the other end.

  Furthermore, although the bundle of sheets S shown in FIG. 5 has been described here, these bundles of sheets S are merely examples, and the post-processing device 30 in the present embodiment is not limited to these bundles of sheets S. It is also possible to bind them. For example, it is possible to bind each corner of the bundle of sheets S, and it is also possible to change the position and number of locations where the bundle of sheets S are bound. Furthermore, a mode in which a bundle of sheets S is bound only by the arrangement of the staple needle 41, a mode in which a bundle of sheets S is bound only by forming the embossed marks 51, and the like are possible.

  In the above description, the stapler 40 and the stapleless binding device 50 have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, both may be the same type of binding means. That is, the first binding unit is a binding unit that binds with the first staple needle 41, and the second binding unit 41 has a smaller force for releasing the binding than the first staple needle 41. The binding means for binding may be used. Similarly, both may be binding means that are needleless binding means, and both may be other binding means such as binding means using an adhesive.

Furthermore, the needleless binding device 50 may be as follows.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining another configuration example of the stapleless binding device and a bundle of sheets S subjected to the stapleless binding process. As shown in FIG. 7 (a), the stapleless binding device 500 presses the base portion 503 in the F1 direction in the drawing with the bundle of sheets S sandwiched between the base 501 and the bottom member 502. A bundle of sheets S is bound by a mechanism described below.

  Specifically, the blade 504 and the punching member 505 first penetrate the bundle of sheets S, so that the slits 521 and one end 522a are left in the bundle of sheets S as shown in FIG. A tongue-like piece 522 from which a bundle is punched is formed. When the base portion 503 is further pressed down, the upper end portion 505a of the punching member 505 hits the protruding portion 506 formed integrally with the base 501 and the punching member 505 rotates clockwise in FIG. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 7C, the protrusion 505b at the tip of the punching member 505 pushes the tongue-like piece 522 toward the eye hole 504a of the blade 504 in the direction F2 in the figure. In FIG. 7C, the punching member 505 is not shown. When the base portion 503 is raised in the direction F3 in the drawing in this state, the blade 504 is raised while the tongue-like piece 522 is hooked in the eye hole 504a. Then, as shown in FIG. 7D, a tongue-like piece 522 is inserted into the slit 521 and the bundle of sheets S is bound. At this time, a binding hole 523 is formed in the bundle of sheets S where the tongue-like piece 522 is punched.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming system, 2 ... Image forming apparatus, 3 ... Paper processing apparatus, 10 ... Conveying apparatus, 30 ... Post-processing apparatus, 34 ... Exit roll, 35 ... Stacking part for compilation, 37 ... Paddle, 38 ... Tamper, 39 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Eject roll, 40 ... Stapler, 50 ... Needleless binding device, 69 ... Opening, 70 ... Paper bundle guide, 75 ... Stacker, 80 ... User interface, 90 ... Control part, S ... Paper

Claims (5)

A plurality of sheets each having a first end and a second end different from the first end are overlaid with the first end and the second end aligned. Stacking means for stacking as a bundle of combined sheets;
A first binding unit that binds the aligned first end portions of the bundle of sheets stacked on the stacking unit in a first binding process;
The sheet bundle bound by the first binding process is discharged from the discharge port , and the sheet bundle bound by the first binding process is discharged from the discharge port in a direction opposite to the conveying direction. A receiving means for receiving a bundle of sheets;
Second binding means for binding the second end portion of the bundle of sheets received by the receiving means in a second binding process ;
A sheet processing apparatus comprising: positioning means for positioning a bundle of sheets received in the reverse direction by the receiving means in accordance with a binding position of the second binding means . Guiding means for guiding a bundle of sheets from the discharge port toward the stacking means ;
A covering member provided above the guide means and opened when a bundle of sheets is received from the discharge port;
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: The first binding means performs the first binding process by causing a bundle of sheets to penetrate through a staple needle,
3. The sheet according to claim 1, wherein the second binding unit performs the second binding process by forming irregularities extending in an overlapping direction of a plurality of sheets constituting a bundle of sheets. Processing equipment. The first binding means performs the first binding process on one side of a sheet constituting a bundle of sheets as the first end, or one corner where two adjacent sides intersect,
The second binding means, have the second another side facing the one side as an end or line the second binding processing to other corner opposite to the corner,
The second binding means is disposed at a position that does not inhibit passage of the sheet bundle when received from the discharge port, and after the positioning of the sheet bundle by the positioning means, the second binding means starts from the position that does not inhibit the second bundle. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet processing apparatus is moved to a binding position of the binding means . Image forming means for forming an image on a sheet;
An image is formed by the image forming means, and a plurality of sheets, each having a first end and a second end different from the first end, are respectively connected to the first end and the first end. Stacking means for stacking as a bundle of stacked sheets with the ends of 2 aligned,
A first binding unit that binds the aligned first end portions of the bundle of sheets stacked on the stacking unit in a first binding process;
The sheet bundle bound by the first binding process is discharged from the discharge port , and the sheet bundle bound by the first binding process is discharged from the discharge port in a direction opposite to the conveying direction. A receiving means for receiving a bundle of sheets;
Second binding means for binding the second end portion of the bundle of sheets received by the receiving means in a second binding process;
Positioning means for positioning a bundle of sheets received in the reverse direction by the receiving means in accordance with the binding position of the second binding means;
An image forming system comprising: a stopping unit that stops image formation on the sheet by the image forming unit in the operation of performing the second binding process on the bundle of sheets received by the receiving unit.

Images