JP6568416B2 - Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus having the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a processing device that binds sheets carried out from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and in particular prevents a sheet bundle from being opened for security measures.

  In general, processing apparatuses that perform stapling by aligning sheets conveyed from an image forming apparatus are widely known. Furthermore, an apparatus that performs temporary binding so that the bound sheet is not easily seen by others is also disclosed.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, one end side of a sheet placed on a tray of an apparatus with a short sheet sandwiched between long sheets is stapled, and the end of a long sheet opposite to the needle binding is anti-punched. What to process is shown. Since this anti-punching binding process is difficult to bind again once peeled off, it is possible to temporarily bind the sheets so that others cannot easily see the bound sheets, which is an effective security measure.

JP 2009-51661 A

  However, in the apparatus of Patent Document 1, so-called end-face binding processing for binding one end of a sheet can be performed, but temporary binding is performed in so-called saddle-stitching processing in which a sheet is bound in the middle and the binding portion is folded at a folding position. There are no security measures by binding.

In order to solve the above-described problem , the present invention is an apparatus that binds and folds sheets having different shapes, the sheet being conveyed in a predetermined conveyance direction, and the leading edge in the conveyance direction compared to the sheet. receiving a tabbed sheet having a partially protruding tab and the rear-side protruding portion of the side, and receiving trays can be mixed, and the said conveying direction leading end of the sheet to be received in said receiving tray, said tab a regulating member for regulating the said conveying direction leading end other than said tab sheet attached, the substantially central portion in the conveying direction of the sheet bundle to bundle and the sheet which is regulated with the tabbed sheet by said regulating member a first binding member for binding, there in the first and the folding unit of the sheet bundle is folded in two, which is stapled by the stapling member, fore side of the bundle of folded sheets by the folding unit Is a sheet processing apparatus including the second binding member which part of the conveying direction leading end side align binding a portion protruding tabs and the rear end side which projects, of the tabbed sheet.

According to the present invention, it is possible to bind the edge side of a folded sheet that has been saddle-stitched, so it is possible to ensure the security of the saddle-stitched sheet.

1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration in which an image forming apparatus and a sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention are combined. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of a sheet processing apparatus including an end surface pressure binding unit and a folded sheet pressure binding unit according to the present invention. Side surface explanatory drawing of the end surface binding staple unit and end surface crimp binding unit of FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory plan view of the end face binding staple unit and the end face crimp binding unit of FIG. 3. Explanatory drawing of the end surface binding staple unit of FIG.2 and FIG.3. Explanatory drawing by the perspective view of the end surface crimp binding unit of FIG.2 and FIG.3. FIG. 7A is an operation explanatory view of the end-face binding staple unit and the end-face crimping binding unit of FIG. 2, and FIG. 7A is a diagram in which a short length sheet is placed. FIG. 7B is a diagram in which the sheet is pressed and a binding process is performed by the end face binding staple unit. FIG. 7C is a diagram once releasing the sheet presser. FIG. 7D is a diagram in which the sheet is pressed again to perform the binding process by the end face crimping binding unit. FIG. 7 (e) is a view of discharging a sheet bundle that has been subjected to the binding process by the end face binding staple unit and the end face crimp binding unit. FIG. 3 is a timing chart at the time of binding processing of the end face binding staple unit and the end face crimp binding unit of FIG. 2. FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram of the case where the end surface crimping unit performs the binding process after the end surface binding staple unit of FIG. 2, and FIG. 9A illustrates the end surface binding process without performing sheet pressing. FIG. 9B is a diagram in which the binding process is performed by the end face pressure binding unit while performing sheet pressing. FIG. 10A is a sheet pattern diagram of different shapes in which the reference side is processed by the end surface binding staple unit of FIG. 2 and the front end side is processed by the end surface crimp binding unit, and FIG. 10A is a sheet pattern having different sheet lengths. FIG. 10B shows a sheet pattern having two tabs on the tip side. FIG. 10C shows a sheet pattern having large four corners. Similar to FIG. 10, FIG. 11A shows a pattern of a sheet having a short width and a long length. FIG. 11B shows a sheet pattern having one tab on the leading end side of the sheet. FIGS. 12A and 12B are perspective views of a sheet bundle temporarily bound with each sheet pattern of FIG. 10, FIG. 12A is FIG. 10A, FIG. 12B is FIG. 10B, and FIG. Corresponds to FIG. 10C, respectively. FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a sheet bundle temporarily bound by each sheet pattern of FIG. 11, and FIG. 13A corresponds to FIG. 11A, and FIG. 13B corresponds to FIG. . FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a saddle stitching stapler unit of the sheet processing apparatus of FIG. 2. FIG. 15A is a side explanatory view, and FIG. 15B is a plane explanatory view. FIG. 15A is a view for explaining a folding process for a saddle-stitched sheet by the sheet processing apparatus of FIG. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a state of folding processing, and FIG. 16 (a) shows a state before folding starts at the folding position. FIG. 16B shows a state in which the folding process is started. FIG. 16C shows the middle of the folding process. FIG. 16D shows a state where the folding process is being completed. 3 shows a folded sheet pressure binding unit that binds the edge side of the sheet bundle that has been saddle-stitched and folded. FIG. 18A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the edge side of the saddle-stitched sheet NTS is subjected to pressure-binding processing by the folded sheet pressure-binding unit, the bundle press roller, and the bundle discharge roller of FIG. It is a figure currently conveyed to the position of a sheet | seat crimping | combination binding unit. FIG. 18B is a diagram in which the crimping and binding in the folded sheet crimping and binding unit is started. FIG. 18C is a diagram during the crimping and binding process in the folded sheet crimping and binding unit. FIG. 18D is a diagram in which the bundle binding process is completed in the folded sheet pressure binding unit and the bundle is discharged. FIG. 19A shows sheet patterns of different shapes integrated in a stacker that performs saddle stitching at the center of the sheet by the saddle stitching staple unit in FIG. 2 and performs binding processing on the fore edge side by the folded sheet crimping binding unit. Sheet pattern with long tabs on the opposite side. FIG. 19B shows a sheet pattern having two tabs on the stopper side and the opposite side. FIG. 19C shows a sheet pattern having a large width direction on the stopper side and on the opposite side. As in FIG. 19, FIG. 20A shows a sheet pattern with large four corners. FIG. 20B shows a sheet pattern having one tab at the center in the width direction on the stopper side and the opposite side. FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a sheet bundle temporarily bound with each sheet pattern of FIG. 19, FIG. 21 (a) being FIG. 19 (a), FIG. 21 (b) being FIG. 19 (b), and FIG. Corresponds to FIG. 19C, respectively. FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a sheet bundle temporarily bound by each sheet pattern of FIG. 20, in which FIG. 22 (a) corresponds to FIG. 20 (a) and FIG. 22 (b) corresponds to FIG. 20 (b). . A sheet pattern in which a tabbed sheet is sandwiched only on the opposite side of the stopper side every several sheets is shown. FIG. 24A is a view showing the sheet pattern of FIG. 23, FIG. 24A shows the stacking state in the stacker, and FIG. 24B is a perspective view of the temporarily bound sheet bundle. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for confirming a sheet length when executing a security binding mode in which a sheet end portion or a small edge side of a sheet bundle is crimped and bound. It is explanatory drawing of the control structure in the whole structure of FIG.

  The present invention will be described in detail below based on the preferred embodiments of the present invention shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an image forming system including an image forming apparatus A and a sheet processing apparatus B according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a detailed configuration of the sheet processing apparatus B.

[Configuration of image forming system]
The image forming system shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming apparatus A and a sheet processing apparatus B. Then, the carry-in port 23 of the sheet processing apparatus B is connected to the main body discharge port 3 of the image forming apparatus A, and the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus A is stapled and bound by the sheet processing apparatus B. Alternatively, it is configured to be stored in the second paper discharge tray 22.

[Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus]
The image forming apparatus A will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus A is configured to send a sheet from the sheet feeding unit 1 to the image forming unit 2, print the sheet on the image forming unit 2, and then discharge the sheet 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 specified sheets one by one and feeds them to the image forming unit 2. Further, a sheet mounting table 1c capable of feeding a sheet with a tab that protrudes partly described later, a slightly larger size sheet, a thick sheet, and the like is provided on the side portion thereof so as to be openable and closable.

In the image forming unit 2, for example, an electrostatic drum 4, a print head (laser light emitter) 5, a developing device 6, a transfer charger 7, and a fixing device 8 are arranged around the electrostatic drum 4. The image forming unit 2 forms an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic drum 4 by the laser light emitter 5, attaches toner to the developer drum 6, transfers the image onto the sheet by the transfer charger 7, and fixes the image on the sheet. In step 8, the image is formed by heat fixing. 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. A sheet printed on the front side from the fixing device 8 is reversed on the front and back via the 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 print path. The sheet printed on both sides in this way is turned upside down by the switchback path 10 and then carried out from the main body discharge port 3.

  11 is an image reading apparatus, which scans a document sheet set on a platen 12 with a scanning unit 13 and electrically reads it with a photoelectric conversion element (not shown). The image data is digitally processed by an image processing unit, for example, and then transferred to the data storage unit 14 to send an image signal to the laser emitter 5. 15 is a document feeder, which feeds document sheets stored in the document stacker 16 to the platen 12.

  The image forming apparatus A configured as described above is provided with a main body control unit (controller) 101 shown in FIG. 26, and image forming conditions such as sheet size designation, color / monochrome printing designation, print copy number designation, single-sided / double-sided designation from the control panel 18. Print conditions such as print designation and enlargement / reduction print designation are set. On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus A, image data read by the scan unit 13 or image data transferred from an external network is accumulated in the data storage unit 17. The image data is transferred from the data storage unit 17 to the buffer memory 19, and the data signal is transferred from the buffer memory 19 to the laser emitter 5 sequentially.

  From the control panel 18, post-processing conditions are also input and specified simultaneously with the image forming conditions such as single-sided / double-sided printing, enlargement / reduction printing, and monochrome / color printing described above. The post-processing conditions are set to, for example, “print out mode”, “staple binding mode”, “security binding mode”, “sheet saddle stitching mode”, “security saddle stitching mode”, and the like. These modes will be described later.

[Configuration of sheet processing apparatus]
The sheet processing apparatus B according to the present invention has a punch unit 28 for punching a sheet received from the carry-in entrance 23, and the punch unit 28 feeds the sheet fed from the carry-in entrance 23 to the saddle stitching stapler unit 40. It is disposed between the conveying path from the branched sheet branching portion to the end surface binding stapler unit 33. These stapler units will be described later.

A first paper discharge tray 21 is disposed on the side surface of the apparatus frame 20, and the first paper discharge tray 21 lifts and lowers the end-bound sheet TTS that is discharged from the processing tray 29 by being lifted and lowered. Configured to receive.
The sheet processing apparatus B further includes a second paper discharge tray 22 disposed below the first paper discharge tray 21, and the second paper discharge tray 22 is being discharged from the bundle discharge roller 95. The saddle-stitched sheet NTS that has been bound and folded is received.

In the apparatus frame 20, the end-face stitching stapler unit 33 that binds and stacks one end side of the sheet from the carry-in port 23 to form an end-face stitched sheet TTS and the sheet from the carry-in port 23 are gathered and gathered. A saddle stitching stapler unit 40 is provided as a saddle stitching sheet NTS. A first transport path P1 is provided between the end-face stitching stapler unit 33 and the carry-in port 23, and a second carry-in path P2 is provided between the saddle stitching stapler unit 40 and the carry-in port 23. Are distributed and guided to the edge-stitching stapler unit 33 side and the saddle stitching stapler unit 40 side (sheet branching portion). The carry-in entrance 23 is provided with a carry-in roller 24, a sheet sensor S1, and a first flapper 27a that distributes sheets to the first or second carry-in paths P1 and P2.

  In the first transport path P1, a buffer path P3 is provided between the punch unit 28 and the processing tray 29 having the end face binding stapler unit 33. The buffer path P3 is a path for conveying a sheet received from the carry-in entrance 23 to the processing tray 29 after a predetermined time delay by overlapping a predetermined number of sheets. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2, the buffer path P <b> 3 is branched from the first transport path P <b> 1 in the vertical direction of the apparatus frame 20 on the upstream side of the path reaching the processing tray 29. The sheet from the first transport path P1 is switched back, guided by the second flapper 27b, and retained in the buffer path P3.

Therefore, the presence of the buffer tray P3 temporarily retains the subsequent sheet sent to the carry-in port 23 when the end-bound sheets are subjected to end-face binding to the end-bound sheets TTS. After a predetermined time elapses and the processing sheet on the processing tray 29 is unloaded, the succeeding sheet on this path can be transferred to the processing tray 29.
On the processing tray 29, a pressing roller 30 is disposed to press the sheet against the processing tray when the end surface binding stapler unit 33 performs the binding processing. Further, between the processing tray 29 and the first paper discharge tray 21, an end surface crimping binding unit 50 for crimping and binding the protruding portion of the end of the end surface binding sheet TTS is disposed. On the downstream side, a discharge roller 34 that discharges the end-bound sheets TTS to the first discharge tray 21 is provided.

The first transport path P1 is disposed substantially horizontally in the upper part of the apparatus housing constituted by the apparatus frame 20, and a processing tray 29 having an end surface binding stapler unit 33 is provided downstream of the first transport path P1. A first paper discharge tray 21 is disposed on the downstream side.
The second carry-in path P2 is arranged in a substantially vertical direction of the apparatus frame 20, and a stacker 35 having a saddle stitch stapler unit 40 is arranged on the downstream side of the second carry-in path P2. A bundle transport path TP is provided in a direction crossing the stacker 35, and the second paper discharge tray 22 is disposed at the end thereof.

In the second carry-in path P2, a folding roller 45 is provided between the stacker 35 and the second paper discharge tray 22 so as to fold the saddle stitching sheet NTS in half. In the bundle conveying path TP from the folding roller 45, a folding sheet crimping unit 70 for crimping and binding the protruding portion of the saddle stitching sheet NTS is provided, and the saddle stitching sheet NTS folded at the time of the crimping is provided downstream thereof. A bundle press roller 90 that presses the sheet and a bundle discharge roller 95 that discharges the folded saddle stitching sheet NTS are provided.

[Configuration of processing unit for end face binding]
Next, an end binding processing unit that creates an end-face bound sheet TTS according to FIGS. 3 to 6 and an end face between the processing tray 29 that crimps and binds the protruding portion of the end-face bound sheet TTS and the first discharge tray. The crimp binding unit 50 will be described.

[Processing tray structure]
The processing tray 29 is formed of a synthetic resin plate or the like and includes a sheet support surface for stacking and supporting sheets. The sheet support surface is disposed with a step formed downstream of the discharge port of the paper discharge roller 25 so that the sheets from the paper discharge roller 25 are stacked and stored.
The processing tray 29 is provided with a sheet end regulating member 32 and abuts and aligns the leading end of the sheet discharged from the paper discharge roller 25 and switched back on the processing tray 29. A pressure roller 30 is provided above the processing tray 29 to transfer the sheet carried on the tray to the sheet end regulating member 32.

Further, side alignment plates 31 that can reciprocate in the sheet width direction on the processing tray 29 are provided on both sides of the pressing roller 30, and the sheet side portion is pushed and aligned each time the sheet is loaded into the processing tray 29. ing. Further, on the downstream side of the processing tray 29, an end surface crimping unit 50 that crimps and binds the protruding portion of the end of the end surface binding sheet TTS and a discharge roller 34 that discharges the bundle to the first sheet discharge tray 21 are provided.
In the following, the main configuration will be further described.

[Configuration of sheet edge regulating means]
The processing tray 29 is provided with a sheet end regulating member 32 that positions one end edge of the leading and trailing ends of the loaded sheet. The sheet end regulating member 32 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 includes a sheet end surface regulating surface 32k that regulates butting the trailing edge of the sheet and a sheet upper surface regulating surface 32j that regulates the position of the upper sheet surface of the uppermost sheet. . The sheet end regulating member 32 is disposed at the rear end edge of the processing tray 29, and abuts and regulates the rear end edge of the sheet that is transported by the forward rotation of the pressing roller 30 to set a predetermined binding processing position (binding). Position the sheet at the same position).

[Configuration of side alignment plate]
The processing tray 29 is provided with a side aligning plate 31 that aligns and aligns the sheets. The side alignment plate 31 is moved by an alignment motor 31M, and is aligned based on the center reference for aligning the center of the sheet carried from the paper discharge roller 25 to the processing tray 29, and the left and right side edges of the sheet. One of the side standards is adopted.

  The sheet processing control unit (control CPU) 106 aligns and stacks the sheets on the processing tray 29 by the end face binding stapler unit 33 and binds them as the end face binding sheets TTS in the sheet width direction. You may comprise so that a predetermined amount may be moved and offset. With this configuration, in the case of an apparatus configuration in which the end-face binding stapler unit 33 is moved to this position when binding the sheet corner, the sheet bundle can be moved, so that the apparatus can be downsized.

[Configuration of sheet bundle carry-out means]
Below the processing tray 29, an end surface binding sheet TTS for discharging the end surface binding sheet TTS to the downstream side, an end surface pressure binding unit, a bundle discharge roller, and the first paper discharge tray 21 is disposed. A part of the sheet end regulating member 32 described above is attached to the moving belt 32b that is reciprocally moved over the discharge side pulley and the reference side pulley 32d at the bottom of the processing tray 29. The edge-bound sheet TTS is moved by moving a part of the sheet end regulating member 32 in the discharge direction. Further, the carry-out means rotates the pressing roller 30 that presses the sheet on the processing tray 29 in the discharge direction, and discharges the end-bound sheet TTS in cooperation with a part of the sheet end regulating member 32. Accordingly, the carry-out means for the end-face stitched sheet TTS includes a part of the sheet end regulating member 32 and the pressing roller 30.

[Configuration of pressing roller]
Here, the pressing roller 30 will be described. The pressing roller 30 can be moved forward and backward to move the sheet on the processing tray 29, and is pressed away from the pressing position (R1 arrow direction) on the processing tray 29 to the processing tray 29 to the processing tray 29. It is configured to move between the separated positions (in the direction of the arrow R2) that allow the sheet to be carried in. When the sheet is moved from the paper discharge roller 25 to the processing tray 29, the sheet is moved from the separation position to the pressing position and moved to the sheet end regulating member 32 side in FIGS. Rotate in the direction you want.

Further, when the end-face stitched sheet TTS bound by the end-face stitching stapler unit 33 is carried out to the first paper discharge tray 21 side, it rotates in this direction at the pressing position. Further, when pressing the sheet protruding portion with an end face binding press binding unit 50 (described later) between the processing tray 29 and the first paper discharge tray 21, the end roller binding sheet TTS is pressed by the pressing roller 30 so as to be held. . When binding by the end surface pressure binding unit 50, the electromagnetic brake 30BR between the pressing roller driving motor 30M for driving the pressing roller 30 is operated to prevent the sheet from moving.

[Configuration of end-stitched stapler unit]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the end binding stapler unit 33 is movably mounted on the slide rail 65 on the slide base 64. In this movement, a rail fitting pin 66 protruding from the bottom surface of the end-face stitching stapler unit 33 is fitted to the slide rail 65, and in this state, it is reciprocated by a movement motor (not shown). Therefore, the rail fitting pins 66 are inclined at the corners of the sheet to drive the staples 33n into the sheet.

  This end-face stitching stapler unit 33 is already widely known as an apparatus for performing a binding process with a staple. One example will be described with reference to FIG. The end-face stitching stapler unit 33 is mounted on a frame with a box-shaped unit frame 33a, a drive cam 33d pivotally supported by the frame, and a stapler motor 33M that rotates the drive cam 33d.

  In the drive cam 33d, a staple head 33b and an anvil member 33c are arranged opposite to the binding position, and the staple head is biased by a drive spring (not shown) from the upper standby position to the lower staple position (anvil member). Move up and down. A needle cartridge 33f is detachably attached to the unit frame.

A linear blank needle is stored in the staple cartridge 33f, and the staple is fed to the staple head 33b by a staple feed mechanism. The staple head 33b includes a former member that bends the straight needle into a U-shape and a driver that press-fits the folded needle into the sheet bundle. With such a configuration, the stapler motor 33M rotates the drive cam 33d and presses the staple head 33b against the upper surface of the sheet. When the rotation angle reaches a predetermined angle, the driver descends to the anvil member 33c side. By this operation, the staple needle 33n is bent into a U-shape and then inserted into the sheet bundle by a driver. And the front-end | tip is bend | folded with the anvil member 33c, and is stapled.
By rotating the drive cam 33d halfway with the stapler motor 33M, the staple head 33b is pressed against the sheet bundle, and the stapler motor 33M is stopped at this position, whereby the end of the sheet bundle can be held. The release of this holding can be released by reversing the stapler motor 33M.

[Configuration of end face crimping unit]
Next, the end surface crimping and binding unit 50 that binds the protruding portion that protrudes from other sheets among the sheets placed on the processing tray 29 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the end surface crimping and binding unit 50 is attached to the discharge side end of the processing tray 29 and presses the sheet from the front and back sides with a relatively large force [about 500 to 700 kilograms]. . The portion where the sheet is pressed and crimped is composed of an uneven end surface crimping tooth 53 having a ridge line with a parallel tip, and a lower end surface crimping tooth 54 shaped to mesh with this. The upper end surface pressing teeth 53 are moved up and down with respect to the lower end surface pressing teeth 54 by an end surface pressing teeth moving cam 56 driven by a pressing motor 50M. Therefore, when the upper end pressure bonding teeth 53 and the lower end pressure bonding teeth 54 mesh at the protruding portion of the sheet, the fibers of the sheet can be entangled and bound. Since this binding force is weaker than that of the staple needle 33n, the binding is temporary binding to the main binding.

  A mechanism for moving the end-face crimping binding unit 50 in the sheet width direction will be described with reference to FIG. The upper end surface pressing teeth 53 are pulled upward by a spring 62 below a cam moving plate 61 moved by an end surface pressing tooth moving cam 56 in the box-shaped end surface pressing upper unit 51. As a result, when the end surface pressing tooth moving cam 56 rotates, the cam moving plate 61 moves downward, and the end surface pressing teeth 53 are engaged with the end surface lower pressing teeth 54 in the end surface pressing lower unit 52 as described above. Street.

The above-described end surface pressure bonding upper unit 51 and the end surface pressure bonding lower unit 52 move in the sheet width direction in synchronization with each other. The end surface crimping upper unit 51 is supported by the front and rear guide rods 58 penetrating through the end surface crimping unit 51 and can move in the width direction through rotation of the lead screw 57. On the other hand, the end surface crimping lower unit 52 synchronized with this movement is also moved in the width direction by the guide rod 58 and the lead screw 57. This lead screw is driven by a moving motor (not shown).
With the above configuration, the rear end side of the sheet bundle placed on the processing tray 29 is bound by the staple needle 33n of the end surface binding stapler unit 33 to form the end surface binding sheet TTS, and the protruding end portion on the discharge side is end surface crimped binding. The paper is temporarily bound by the unit 50 and discharged to the first discharge tray 21 by the discharge roller 34.
In the embodiment described above, the end surface pressure bonding upper unit 51 and the end surface pressure bonding lower unit 52 are moved in the sheet width direction. However, only the end surface pressure bonding upper unit 51 is moved in the sheet width direction so that the end surface pressure bonding unit 51 is moved. A plurality of lower units 52 may be fixedly provided at specified locations. Further, the end face pressing upper unit 51 and the end face pressing lower unit 52 may be fixed and arranged in a plurality in the sheet width direction.

[Explanation of edge binding operation]
Here, the binding processing operation of the end surface binding stapler unit 33 that binds the end portion of the sheet with the staple needle 33n and the end surface pressing and binding unit 50 that press-bonds the protruding portion of the long sheet will be described with reference to the timing charts of FIGS. The operation of the end surface crimping and binding unit 50 is to temporarily bind the contents of the end surface binding sheet TTS so that others do not see it, and is performed by setting a security mode to be described later.

  First, FIG. 7A shows a state in which a short length sheet is placed on the processing tray 29. Until this state is reached, the pressing roller 30 moves between the pressing position (R1 arrow direction) and the separation position (R2 arrow direction) for each sheet carried by the paper discharge roller 25, and the pressing roller 30 is a sheet end regulating member. Rotate to 32 side. Further, the side alignment plate 31 also reciprocates in the sheet width direction in synchronization with the carry-in of the sheet, and aligns the sheet as a center reference in the width direction of the processing tray 29.

Although FIG. 7 shows an example in which 10 sheets are placed on the processing tray 29, the first sheet (P1) and the tenth sheet (P10) are long in the sheet conveying direction, and the two sheets between them are Up to nine sheets (P2 to P9) are shortened. Although the protrusion pattern of the sheet will be described later, the short length is confirmed by three sensors (S1, S2, S3) arranged in the width direction shown in FIG. If the sheet is long, as shown in the uppermost part of FIG. 8, any or all of the sensors are turned on, so that the short sheet is stored in the processing tray 29 in the sheet processing apparatus B. Can be confirmed.

  In the state of FIG. 7B, when the placement of the ten short sheets is completed, the side alignment plate 31 first presses the side edge of the sheet bundle, and the pressing roller 30 moves from the separated position to the pressing position (R1 arrow direction). ) To press the sheet bundle onto the processing tray 29. As a result, the sheet bundle is aligned and fixed in position. In this state, the end-face stitching stapler unit 33 moves from the home position to the designated needle strike position, and the stapler motor 33M is driven to drive the staple needle 33n into the sheet. Subsequently, the stapler moves to the next designated needle strike position, drives the stapler motor 33M again, and drives the staple needle 33n. As a result, the staple needles 33n are driven into two places on the sheet end regulating member 32 side, and the end face binding sheet TTS is created. Note that the stapler motor 33M is stabbing with a cam in one forward rotation.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7C, the pressing roller 30 is once moved from the pressing position to the separating position (in the direction of the arrow R2) to release the sheet bundle. This operation is performed in order to eliminate wrinkles on the sheet cover or the like due to the binding operation. However, when the paper is difficult to be wrinkled, for example, thick paper, the separation operation of the pressing roller 30 is performed. You may transfer to the next crimping binding without it.
Further, in this embodiment, crimp binding is performed without moving the end-face binding sheet TTS. However, when the sheet size is small, a part of the sheet end regulating member 32 is discharged. In order to move in the direction, the pressing roller 30 moves to the separated position.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7D, the pressing roller 30 once moved to the separation position is moved to the pressing position (in the direction of the arrow R1), and further, the electromagnetic brake 30BR is operated to restrict the rotation and restrain the sheet. To do. Further, in this embodiment, the stapler motor 33M of the end face binding stapler unit 33 is moved until the staple head 33b presses the sheet to hold the sheet. In this case, since the rotation of the stapler motor 33M is not one rotation, the stapler motor 33M is set in a range where the staple head 33b does not perform needle driving. In this state, in order to perform the crimp binding by the end surface crimping and binding unit 50, the lead screw 57 is rotated and moved between the end surface crimping upper unit 51 and the end surface crimping lower unit 52 to the specified crimping position. When the crimping motor 50M is driven and rotated at this position, the upper end surface pressing teeth 53 and the lower end surface pressing teeth 54 are engaged with each other, and the protruding portion of the end surface binding sheet TTS is pressed and temporarily bound.

Here, referring to FIG. 9, a description will be given of performing pressure binding after pressing the end face binding sheet TTS with the pressing roller 30. For comparison, the case where the end surface crimping and binding process is performed without performing the sheet pressing shown in FIG. 9A and the case where the end surface pressing and binding unit is performing the binding process while performing the sheet pressing operation shown in FIG. 9B. explain.
As shown in FIG. 9A, when the end surface binding sheet TTS is pressed by the end surface pressing and binding unit 50 without pressing the end surface binding sheet TTS with a pressing roller, the sheet having a relatively large number of sheets has a long sheet protruding portion. When a step is formed and the crimping and binding are performed, a sheet having a long upper surface is pulled by the end surface crimping and binding unit 50, and the rear end bound by the staple needle 33n of the end surface binding sheet TTS may be lifted and may have a curved shape. If crimp binding is continued as it is, a curved end face binding sheet TTS is generated. In particular, in the case of crimping binding, crimped teeth that are concave and convex with each other are used, so that the sheet can be caught and pulled easily, so that the bundle can be bent easily and not only looks bad, but also in this curved state. Unable to carry out.

In order to take measures against this, in the case of FIG. 9A, the pressing roller 30 once moved to the separation position is moved to the pressing position (R1 arrow direction), and the end-bound sheet TTS whose rear end side is bound by the staple needle. Since the end face binding stapler unit 33 performs the crimping and binding process after pressing, it is possible to perform the crimping of the protruding portion while reducing the deviation and bending of the end face binding sheet TTS.
Further, in FIG. 9B, in addition to the sheet pressing of the sheet pressing roller 30, the staple head 33 b performs the sheet pressing within a range where the end face binding stapler unit 33 does not strike the needle. According to this, since the end surface binding sheet TTS is pressed by the staple roller 33 and the staple head 33b of the end surface binding stapler unit 33 at the substantially central position and the rear end position, the sheet is not displaced and is not curved. Crimp binding processing can be performed.

As described above, the main binding by the staple binding of the end surface binding stapler unit 33 and the temporary binding by the press binding of the end surface pressing and binding unit 50 can be performed on the sheet carried into the processing tray 29, and a binding booklet with security can be provided.
Some of the sheet patterns capable of performing the main binding and the temporary binding will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. A perspective view of a booklet as a product obtained by performing the main binding and the temporary binding on these sheets is shown in FIGS. explain.

[Sheet pattern with protrusions]
FIGS. 10 and 11 show the processing tray 29 with the end side stapler unit 32 of FIG. 2 facing down, the sheet end regulating member 32 side that is the sheet reference side down, and the end side crimping unit performing the binding process on the leading end side upward. It is a sheet | seat pattern figure of the different shape of the protrusion part of a long sheet | seat which shows a mounting state. This also shows that the end-bound sheet TTS is regulated by the side alignment plate 31 and the long protruding portion TTSH of the upper bound sheet is staple-bonded SAH by the staple needle 33n on the lower side.

First, FIG. 10A shows sheet patterns having different sheet lengths, and the protruding inseparable TTSL extends in the sheet width direction, and crimping and binding SAH is performed at three portions of this portion. According to this, it can generate | occur | produce as a booklet of the end surface binding sheet | seat TTS of Fig.12 (a) which blocks the whole area | region of the sheet | seat front end side with temporary binding.
Further, the sensors S1 to S3 are arranged apart from each other in the sheet width direction and detect the length of the sheet passing therethrough. Thus, it is detected whether the sheet carried into the processing tray 29 is a short sheet or a sheet having a protruding portion (TTSL, TTS-TAB).

FIG. 10B shows a tab-shaped protruding portion (TTS-TAB) provided at two upper locations, and this tab portion is subjected to crimped binding SAH. It can be generated as a TTS booklet.
In FIG. 10C, a tab-shaped protruding portion (TTS-TAB) protrudes in the upper side and the sheet width direction, and the protruding portion TTS-TAB is provided. Further, a protruding portion TTS-TAB is provided on the lower side in the sheet width direction and has a relatively wide protruding portion. The tab portion is subjected to crimping and binding SAH, and can be generated as a booklet of the tabbed end face binding sheet TTS of FIG.
The portion pressed by the side alignment plate 31 has the same sheet width so that any of the short and long sheets can be aligned.

FIG. 11A shows a pattern that is long in the protruding portion (TTLS) sheet carry-out direction but short in the sheet width direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, the alignment in this case can be performed by using an inclined roller 31k that rotates every time a sheet is loaded at one corner on the sheet end regulating member 32 side. The booklet generated in this way is the end-bound sheet TTS booklet of FIG.

FIG. 11B shows a sheet pattern having one tab-shaped protruding portion TTS-TAB on the leading end side. The booklet generated in this way becomes the end face binding sheet TTS booklet of FIG. Since the tab inseparable portion TTS-TAB of the protruding portion is relatively small, the tab portion can be easily cut and used at the time of use.
As described above, the end-bound sheet TTS that ensures security can be generated.

[Configuration of Saddle Stitch Processing Unit]
From now on, with respect to the saddle stitching process performed at the tip of the second conveyance path P2 extending in the vertical direction from the first conveyance path in FIG. 2 and the security of the saddle stitching sheet, the saddle stitching sheet NTS will be described with reference to FIGS. A folding sheet crimping and binding unit 70 that crimps and binds the protruding portion of the saddle stitching processing unit and the leading edge side of the saddle stitching sheet NTS will be described. In the following, the stacker 35, the saddle stitching stapler unit 40, the folding roller 45 as a folding processing mechanism, and the folding blade 46 will be described.

[Stacker]
First, the stacker 35 is configured to sequentially stack and store the sheets conveyed from the carry-in entrance 23 continuously downstream of the second carry-in path P2 in a standing posture. The stacker 35 shown in FIG. 2 is arranged in a substantially vertical direction so as to cut the apparatus frame 20 vertically, and is configured to stack sheets in a standing posture, thereby constituting a small and compact apparatus. The stacker 35 is formed in a length shape that accommodates the maximum size sheet therein. The stacker 35 is configured in a shape suitable for arranging a saddle stitching stapler unit 40, a folding processing mechanism (a pair of folding rollers 45, a folding blade 46), and a folded sheet crimping and binding unit 70, which will be described later. The stacker 35 is provided with a stopper 38 which is a leading edge regulating member for regulating the leading edge of the sheet. The stopper 38 is saddle-stitched stapler when the sheet is loaded into the stacker 35 according to the sheet size (length in the paper discharge direction). During the binding operation in the unit 40, when the folding operation is performed by the pair of folding rollers 45 and the folding blade 46, each unit moves to an appropriate position.

That is, the most elevated position Sh3 shown in FIG. 2 is a position when the sheet is received from the conveyance roller 36 disposed in the second conveyance path P2. The position Sh2 is a position at which the saddle stitching stapler unit 40 performs the binding operation with the saddle stitching staple needle 41n in the center in the sheet bundle carrying-in direction. Further, the position Sh3 is a position where the folding blade 46 pushes the sheet bundle toward the pair of folding rollers 45 and the folding roller 45 folds the sheet bundle in half. This position is set to a position where the position previously bound by the saddle stitching stapler unit 40 is folded. As shown in FIG. 2, an upper side alignment plate 39a and a lower side alignment plate 39b for aligning the sheets carried into the stacker 35 are arranged above and below the folding position.

[Saddle stitching stapler unit]
The above-described stacker 35 is provided with a saddle stitching stapler unit 40 that performs saddle stitching processing with the saddle stitching staple needle 41n, and staples the central portion of the sheet bundle that is aligned and stacked on the stacker 35. . The configuration will be described with reference to FIG. The saddle stitch stapler unit 40 includes a staple unit 41 and a clincher 42. The staple unit 41 drives a staple head 41b for inserting a saddle stitch staple 41n into a sheet bundle set at a binding position, a cartridge 41e accommodating the saddle staple staple 41n, a drive cam 41d, and the drive cam 41d. And a saddle stitching staple motor 41M. Although not particularly illustrated, the linear staple needle 41n is bent into a U-shape and the folded saddle stitch staple needle 41n is driven into a sheet bundle by the staple head 41b.

  A clincher 42 is disposed at a position facing the above-described staple unit 41 across the sheet bundle. The illustrated clincher 42 is configured by a structure separated from the staple unit 41, and the staple head 41b of the saddle stitch staple needle 41n inserted into the sheet bundle is bent. Therefore, the clincher 42 is provided with a bending groove for bending the tip of the saddle stitching staple needle 41n. Although not particularly illustrated, the clincher 42 is provided with a plurality of folding grooves at two or more locations in the width direction of the sheet bundle stacked on the stacker 35, and a plurality of locations in the sheet width direction are moved by the staple unit 41 moving to this position. Staple stitches. The left and right two places can be stapled without moving the clincher 42 with respect to the sheet bundle supported by the stacker 35.

[Folding mechanism]
As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of folding rollers 45 that fold the sheet bundle at the folding position disposed on the downstream side of the above-described saddle stitching stapler unit 40 and a folding that inserts the sheet bundle at the nip position of the folding roller 45 are provided. A blade 46 is provided. The two short and long types of sheets mixed and accumulated in the stacker 35 are folded using the binding position as the folding position Y. In the sheet of this figure, the sheet on the folding roller 45 side protrudes upward in the drawing, and the saddle stitching sheet protruding portion NTSL protrudes to the side of the lower stopper 38 as a saddle stitching sheet tab NTS-TAB. When the long sheet and the short sheet serving as the intermediate sheet are pushed into the folding roller 45 by the folding blade 46, the protruding saddle stitching sheet protruding portion NTSL and the saddle stitching sheet tab NTS-TAB overlap each other.

For example, as shown in FIG. 16A, the folding roller 45 is composed of rollers 45a and 45b that are in pressure contact with each other, and each roller is formed to have a substantially maximum sheet width. The rollers 45a and 45b constituting the folding roller 45 are fitted with the long shafts of the device frame 20 (not shown) so that the rotary shafts 45ax and 45bx are pressed and joined to each other, and are urged in the press-contact direction by the compression springs 45aS and 45bS. ing. Note that at least one of the rollers may be supported by a shaft so as to be movable in the press-contact direction, and a biasing spring may be wound around one of the rollers.

  The pair of folding rollers 45a and 45b are formed of a material having a relatively large friction coefficient such as a rubber roller. This is because the sheet is bent and transferred by a soft material such as rubber, and may be formed by lining the rubber material.

[Explanation of folding mechanism operation]
Here, the operation of the folding mechanism unit that moves the saddle stitching sheet NTS bound by the saddle stitching staple needle 41n to the folding position Sh2 and performs folding processing at this position will be described.
Next, the operation of folding the sheet by the folding roller 45 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 (a) to 16 (b). The pair of folding rollers 45 a and 45 b are positioned below the saddle stitching stapler unit 40 of the stacker 35, and a folding blade 46 is provided at a position facing the sandwiched sheet bundle supported by the stacker 35. The folding blade 46 is supported by the apparatus frame so as to be able to reciprocate between the home position in FIG. 13A and the operating position in FIG.

Therefore, the saddle stitching sheet NTS supported by the stacker 35 in a bundle shape is locked by the stopper 38 at the leading end in the state of FIG. 16A, and the fold position is positioned as the position bound by the saddle stitching staple needle 41n. The
The saddle stitching middle folding control unit 113 moves the folding blade 46 from the standby position toward the nip position. Therefore, in the state of FIG. 16B, the sheet bundle is bent at the fold position by the folding blade 46 and inserted between the rollers. At this time, the pair of folding rollers 45 are driven and rotated continuously with the saddle stitching sheet NTS moved by the folding blade 46. Then, after the expected time for the saddle stitching sheet NTS to reach the predetermined nip position, the saddle stitching middle folding control unit 113 reverses the folding drive motor 45M and stops the folding blade 46 at the position shown in FIG. On the other hand, the folding roller 45 continues to rotate in the folding direction. Thus, the saddle stitching sheet NTS is sent out in the feeding direction (left side in the figure). Thereafter, the saddle stitching middle folding control unit 113 changes the rotation direction of the folding drive motor 45M to normal rotation again. As a result, the folding blade 46 located at the nip position is moved back to the standby position in parallel with the feeding of the sheet bundle by the folding roller 45 in the state shown in FIG.

[Configuration of folded sheet crimping unit]
The folded sheet crimping and binding unit 70 that binds the protruding portion of the saddle stitching sheet NTS folded by the above folding processing mechanism that protrudes from the other middle paper sheet will be described.
The folded sheet crimping and binding unit 70 is arranged in a bundle discharge path from the folding roller 45 to the bundle discharge roller 95, and as shown in FIG. It consists of a crimping lower unit 72 that supports a lower crimping tooth 74 disposed to face the upper crimping tooth 73.

The upper crimping unit 71 is supported so that the upper crimping tooth 73 moves up and down on a slide guide surface 85 provided on the left side of the unit. A moving lever 77 is provided at the bottom of the upper crimping unit 71 to rotate about a support 78 at the top of the base plate 76 provided on the upper part. The distal end side of the moving lever 77 is attached to the attachment portion 84 of the upper crimping tooth 73. A cam receiver 77 a is attached to the rear end side of the moving lever 77. The cam receiver 77a is provided with a crimping binding motor 70M attached to the bottom of the crimping upper unit 71. The drive of the crimping binding motor 70M is transmitted to the crimping cam 80 that rotates eccentrically via the tooth coupling gear 82.

Accordingly, when the adhering and binding motor 70M is driven, the crimping cam 80 is rotated, and the cam receiver 77 of the moving lever 77 is moved by this rotation. A spring 86 that always biases the cam receiver 77 a against the crimping cam 80 is provided on the distal end side of the moving lever 77.
In addition, two guide rods 88 are provided on the upper side and the lower side of the upper pressing unit 71 in order to move the upper pressing unit 71 in the sheet width direction, and the base plate 76 is moved between the guiding rods 88. A lead screw 87 is screwed. Accordingly, when the lead screw 87 is rotated, the upper unit 71 is moved in the width direction of the folded sheet.

On the other hand, a lower crimping tooth 74 is disposed at a position facing the upper crimping tooth 73, and the lower crimping tooth 74 is supported by the crimping lower unit 72. This pressure-bonding lower unit is also movably supported by the guide rod 88 from side to side, and a lead screw 87 is screwed to the center thereof. The rotation of the lead screw 87 rotates in synchronization with the lead screw 87 of the upper unit 71 for pressure bonding. Therefore, when the lead screw 87 is rotated, the upper and lower pressure bonding units 71 and 72 are moved in the folded sheet width direction in a synchronized manner.
In the above embodiment, the upper unit 71 and the lower unit 72 are moved in the sheet width direction, but only the upper unit 71 is moved in the sheet width direction, A plurality of fixed locations may be provided. Alternatively, the upper unit 71 and the lower unit 72 may be fixed and arranged in the sheet width direction.

[Composition of crimping teeth]
Here, the upper crimping tooth 73 and the lower crimping tooth 74 for crimping the sheet from the front and back of the folded sheet will be described. These are configured in the same manner as the upper end surface pressing teeth 53 and the lower end surface pressing teeth 54 of the end surface pressing and binding unit 50 and press against the folded sheet from the front and back of the sheet with a relatively large force [about 500 to 700 kg]. . A portion where the sheet is pressed and pressure-bonded has a concavo-convex shape having a ridge line with a parallel tip. Therefore, when the crimping motor 70M is driven and the upper crimping tooth 73 and the lower crimping tooth 74 mesh the protruding portion of the folded sheet, the fibers of the sheet can be entangled and bound. Since this binding force is weaker than that of the saddle stitch staple needle 41n, the temporary binding for the main binding is the same as that of the end surface crimping binding unit 50.

[Configuration of bundle conveying member]
On the downstream side of the saddle stitching stapler unit 40, a bundle press roller 90 that conveys the half-stitched saddle stitching sheet NTS and a bundle discharge roller 95 that discharges the bundle to the second discharge tray are provided. . Among them, the bundle press roller 90 is not particularly strong so as to press from the front and back of the saddle stitching sheet NTS (press in the direction of the arrow R5 so as to enhance the mutual pressure contact force). Are configured to approach each other with a cam or the like. As will be described later, the press contact force of the bundle press roller 90 is strengthened so that the bundle is prevented from shifting when the protruding portion of the saddle stitching sheet NTS is crimped by the saddle stitching stapler unit 40.

[Explanation of folding sheet crimping]
From here, the operation of crimping and binding the protruding portion (NTSL or NTS-TAB) of the saddle stitched sheet NTS folded by FIG.
First, FIG. 18A is a diagram in which the edge side of the saddle stitching sheet NTS is transported to the position of the folded sheet crimping binding unit through the bundle transport path TP. This is because a bundle press roller 90 that conveys the saddle stitched sheet NTS folded in half by the folding roller 45 and the folding blade 46 in FIG. 16 on the downstream side, and a bundle discharge roller that discharges the bundle to the second discharge tray at the end. Nipped to 95 and conveyed. When at least two protruding portions (NTSL, NTS-TAB) on the small edge side of the saddle stitching sheet NTS reach the positions of the upper crimping tooth 73 and the lower crimping tooth 74 of the folded sheet crimping and binding unit 70, the bundle press roller 90 The conveyance of the bundle discharge roller 95 is stopped.

Next, FIG. 18B is a diagram in which the crimping and binding in the folded sheet crimping and binding unit 70 is started. At this stage, the upper crimping tooth 73 and the lower crimping tooth 74 approach the position where they are engaged with each other with pressure (in the direction of arrow PR1). Prior to this, the bundle press roller 90 presses from the front and back of the saddle stitching sheet NTS stronger than usual (pressing in the direction of the arrow R5 so as to enhance the mutual pressure contact force). Thus, the saddle stitching sheet NTS is gripped from the front and back.

FIG. 18C is a diagram during the crimping and binding process in the folded sheet crimping and binding unit 70. Slowly holding the grip of the saddle-stitched sheet NTS of the bundle press roller 90, this time the upper pressure-bonding teeth 73 and the lower pressure-bonding teeth 74 mesh (in the direction of the arrow PR1), and the fibers of the sheet are deformed before being bonded by pressure. I do. At this time, the bundle press roller 90 holds the saddle stitching sheet NTS with a relatively strong force. This is because only the two sheet protrusions (NTSL or NTS-TAB) protrude from the small edge side of the saddle stitching sheet NTS, so that the upper crimping tooth 73 and the lower crimping tooth 74 are caught in the sheet during the engagement process. This is to prevent the occurrence of bundle deviation.

FIG. 18D is a diagram in which the bundle binding process is completed in the folded sheet pressure binding unit 70 and the bundle is discharged. When the crimping binding is completed, the upper crimping tooth 73 and the lower crimping tooth 74 are released, and move in the separation direction (R2 arrow direction). At the same time, the pressing force of the bundle press roller 90 is also weakened (R6 arrow direction). At this stage, the bundle press roller 90 and the bundle discharge roller 95 rotate in the discharge direction, and the saddle stitched sheet NTS having the edge side crimped and bound is discharged to the second discharge tray 22.

As described above, the saddle stitching stapler unit 40 performs the primary binding by the saddle stitching staple needle 41n and the temporary binding by the crimping binding of the folded sheet crimping binding unit 70, so that it is possible to provide the saddle stitching booklet in which security can be ensured.
Some of the sheet patterns having a protruding portion capable of performing the main binding and the temporary binding of the saddle stitching sheet NTS will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20, and the saddle stitching as a product obtained by performing the main binding and the temporary binding on these sheets. A perspective view of the booklet will be described with reference to FIGS.

[Saddle stitching sheet pattern with protrusions]
19 and 20 are sheet pattern diagrams of different shapes that have already been bound by the saddle stitching staple needle 41n and accumulated in the stacker 35, and a sheet serving as a middle sheet is placed on a sheet having a protruding portion. Yes.
FIG. 19A is a sheet pattern diagram in which the stopper 38 side has a saddle stitching sheet tab portion NTS-TAB on the outside and the opposite side has a saddle stitching sheet protruding portion. This saddle stitching sheet NTS is aligned with the side upper alignment plate 39a and the side lower alignment plate 39b and before the folding process by the folding blade 46 is started. The crimped binding SAH is shown at each position where the saddle stitched sheet NTS is folded and bound by the folded sheet crimping and binding unit 70.
According to this, the booklet of the saddle stitching sheet NTS in FIG. 21A can be positively generated by temporarily binding and closing both sides of the saddle stitching sheet NTS.
Further, sensors Psen1 to Psen3 provided at the exit of the second transport path are arranged apart from each other in the sheet width direction, and detect the length of the sheet passing therethrough. Thus, it is detected whether the sheet carried into the stacker 35 is a short sheet or a sheet having a saddle stitched sheet protruding portion TTSL or a saddle stitched sheet tab portion TTS-TAB.

FIG. 19B is a sheet pattern diagram having two saddle-stitched sheet portion tabs NTS-TAB on the outer side of the stopper 38 and the opposite side, and this tab portion is subjected to crimped binding SAH, and FIG. Can be generated as a booklet of the saddle-stitched sheet NTS with tabs.
In FIG. 19C, a tab-shaped protruding portion (TTS-TAB) protrudes in the sheet width direction, and an protruding portion NTS-TAB is provided. Further, a protruding portion NTS-TAB is provided on the lower side in the sheet width direction, and has a relatively wide protruding portion. This tab portion is subjected to crimping and binding SAH, and can be generated as a booklet of the tabbed saddle stitching sheet NTS of FIG.
The portions pressed by the side upper alignment plate 39a and the side lower alignment plate 39b have the same sheet width so that both short and long sheets can be aligned.

In FIG. 20A, a tab-shaped protruding portion (NTS-TAB) protrudes upward and in the sheet width direction, and a saddle stitched sheet tab portion NTS-TAB is provided. Further, a protruding portion (NTS-TAB) is provided on the stopper 38 side in the downward direction and in the sheet width direction, and has a relatively wide protruding portion. This tab portion is subjected to crimping and binding SAH, and can be generated as a booklet of the tabbed saddle stitching sheet NTS of FIG.

FIG. 20B shows a sheet pattern in which one saddle stitching sheet tab portion NTS-TAB is provided on the stopper 38 side and the leading end side, respectively. The folded booklet generated in this way becomes the saddle stitching sheet NTS booklet of FIG. In this case, since the saddle stitched sheet tab portion TTS-TAB is relatively small, the tab portion can be easily cut and used at the time of use.
As described above, it is possible to generate the saddle stitch sheet NTS booklet that ensures security.

The protruding portion of the saddle stitching sheet NTS shown in FIGS. 19 to 22 has the sheet positioned closest to the folding roller. However, the sheets stacked in the stacker 35 and saddle stitched have the same length on the stopper 38 side. As an alternative, only the front end side may be a tabbed sheet sandwiching a short sheet. For example, as shown in FIG. 23 (a), a short sheet having one to three sheets carried into the stacker 35 as the middle sheet is used, and the next fourth sheet is a stopper 38 shown in FIG. 23 (b). A sheet with tabs protruding from the tip side opposite to. Next, as shown in FIG. 23C, the fifth to seventh sheets are again short. Finally, as shown in FIG. 23D, the eighth sheet closest to the folding roller 45 forms the same tabbed sheet as the fourth sheet.

As shown in FIG. 24A, the fourth and eighth sheets on the front end side have the saddle stitched sheet tab portion NTS-TAB. When this is folded by the folding roller 45 and the folding blade 46, and the tab portion is bound by the folding sheet crimping and binding unit 70 on the downstream side thereof, as shown in FIG. Become.

[Check sheet length in security binding mode]
As described above several times, the sheet processing control unit 106 according to the present invention is located in front of the punch unit 28 in the first transport path P1 when the presence of the tabbed sheet is bound as shown in FIG. In the case of saddle stitching, sensors S1 to S3 detect and confirm the length of the sheet that is carried in the vicinity of the discharge port of the second transport path P2. In the present application, the tabbed sheet having the protruding portion is fed on the sheet placing table 1c shown in FIG. In this case, if the placed sheet is not long or does not have a tab, provisional binding cannot be performed even if security binding is executed, and security cannot be ensured. For this reason, the apparatus of this embodiment performs the confirmation shown in the flowchart of FIG. Since both the end face binding and the saddle stitching are the same confirmation method, they are described in the same determination process, and the “security binding mode” for the end face binding and the “security saddle stitching mode” for the saddle stitching are combined as “security binding mode”. The sheet length confirmation step will be described.

As shown in FIG. 25, in order to ensure security, a security binding mode is set in which temporary binding is performed by pressure binding with the end face binding stapler unit 33 and the saddle stitching stapler unit 40 on the front end side or the fore edge side. Next, the sheet is stored in the processing tray 29 in the case of end face binding, and in the stacker 35 in the case of saddle stitching (step 1). Next, it is confirmed whether the set number of sheets is accumulated in the processing tray 29 or the stacker 35. If the number is not reached, it waits for further sheet acceptance (step 2).

Assuming that all sheets to be bound are stored in the processing tray 29 or the stacker 35, in the case of end-face binding on the processing tray 29, it is confirmed whether there are at least two sheets having a protruding length and whether crimping binding is possible. This confirmation is determined by the detection times of the sensors S1 to S3 in the first transport path P1.
In the case of saddle stitching stored in the stacker 35, there is at least one sheet having a protruding portion on both the stopper 38 side and the leading end side in at least the conveying direction, or at least two sheets having a protruding portion only on one side. Confirm that crimp binding is possible depending on whether there are sheets. This confirmation is detected by the detection time of the sensors Psen1 to Psen3 in the second transport path P2 (step 3).

When it is confirmed that the sheet having the protruding portion that can be crimped and bound is stored in the processing tray 29 or the stacker 35 (YES), the end surface crimping binding unit 50 or the folded sheet crimping and binding unit described so far is used. In step 4, temporary binding is performed by pressure binding for ensuring security (step 4).
On the other hand, when a sheet suitable for crimping binding is not stored in the processing tray, for example, a sheet having a protruding portion (tab portion) is not placed on the sheet placing table 1c, or is the same size as the intermediate paper sheet, or a small size. If these sheets are fed and are fed, a signal indicating that “security binding is impossible” is output, and a warning is displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus or sheet processing apparatus. Notification is made (step 5).

After this “security binding impossible” signal is output, the user is confirmed whether to perform end face binding by the staple needle 33n or saddle stitching by the saddle stitch staple needle 41n (step 6). If “No” (No), the sheet bundle is discharged (step 7) without performing sheet binding and the process is completed.
On the other hand, when “binding” (Yes) is set, the staple is performed by the end-face stitching stapler unit 33 or the saddle stitching stapler unit 40, and the sheet is discharged without performing the crimping binding.
When the user instructs the binding process in the above steps, the sheet bundle may be held in the processing tray 29 or the stacker 35 as it is for a predetermined time to prompt the binding process instruction. . Alternatively, particularly for the sheets stacked on the stacker 35, the second discharge tray may be used while warning that the binding process is not performed after a predetermined time has elapsed.
As described above, since the length of the sheet in the sheet conveyance path is confirmed to determine whether or not crimp binding is possible, security is further improved.

[Description of control configuration]
The system control configuration of the image forming apparatus described above will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The system of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes a main body control unit 101 of the image forming apparatus A and a sheet processing control unit 106 (control CPU) of the sheet processing apparatus B. The main body control unit 101 includes a print control unit 102, a paper feed control unit 103, and an input unit 104. Then, “print mode” and “sheet processing mode” are set from the control panel 18 provided in the input unit 104. The print mode sets the number of printouts, sheet size, color / monochrome printing, enlargement / reduction printing, duplex / single-sided printing, and other printing conditions. The main body control unit 101 controls the print control unit 102 and the paper feed control unit 103 in accordance with the set printing conditions, prints a predetermined sheet, and then sequentially carries out the sheet from the main body discharge port 3.

At the same time, the sheet processing mode is set by input from the control panel 18. The processing mode is set to, for example, “print-out mode”, “staple binding finishing mode”, “security binding mode”, “sheet bundle saddle stitching mode”, “security saddle stitching mode”, or the like. Therefore, the main body control unit 101 transfers to the sheet processing control unit 106 information such as the sheet processing mode and the number of sheets, the number of copies information and staple binding or security binding.
Set to These modes will be described later.

  The sheet processing control unit 106 includes a control CPU that operates the sheet processing apparatus B in accordance with the specified sheet processing mode, a ROM 107 that stores an operation program, and a RAM 108 that stores control data. The control 106 includes a sheet conveyance control unit 110 that performs conveyance of the sheet sent to the carry-in entrance 23, a punch drive control unit 111 that performs punching processing on the sheet by the punch unit 28, and stacking of sheets by the processing tray 29. An end face binding control unit 112 is provided that controls the staple binding and the pressure binding binding for security and the discharge of the bound sheet bundle.

Further, a saddle stitching / saddle folding control unit 113 that folds a sheet bundle after binding the sheets accumulated in the stacker 35 for the saddle stitching process, and a small edge side of the saddle stitched folded sheet for ensuring security. A half-folding security binding control unit 114 is provided that controls the crimping and the saddle-stitched and folded sheets to the second discharge tray.
Since the connection between each control unit and each sensor for detecting the length of the conveyed sheet and each drive motor has already been described in each operation mode, it is omitted, but as shown in FIG. Yes.

The sheet processing control unit configured as described above causes the sheet processing apparatus to execute the next processing operation.
[Description of sheet processing mode]
As described above, the sheet processing apparatus B of the present embodiment can set the sheet processing mode to “print out mode”, “staple stitching finishing mode”, “security binding mode”, “sheet bundle saddle stitching mode”, and “security saddle stitching mode”. It is outlined below.
(1) “Printout mode”
An image-formed sheet is received from the main body discharge port 3 of the image forming apparatus A, and the sheet is stored in the first discharge tray 21.
(2) “Staple binding mode”
A sheet on which an image is formed from the main body discharge port 3 is received in the processing tray 29, and the sheets are aligned in a bundle and stapled by the end-face binding stapler unit 33, and then stored in the first discharge tray 21 (3). Security binding mode "
A sheet formed with an image from the main body discharge port 3 is received by the processing tray 29 and the sheets are aligned in a bundle and stapled by the end-face binding stapler unit 33, and then the discharge front end image is crimped and bound by the end-face crimping unit 50. To be stored in the first paper discharge tray 21.

(4) “Saddle stitching mode”
A sheet on which an image is formed from the main body discharge port 3 of the image forming apparatus A is received by the stacker 35, the sheets are aligned in a bundle, and the saddle stitching stapler unit 40 staples the substantially center of the sheet receiving direction and folds it into a booklet. To be stored in the second paper discharge tray 22.
(5) "Security saddle stitching mode"
A sheet formed with an image from the main body discharge port 3 is received by the stacker 35, the sheets are aligned in a bundle, and the saddle stitching stapler unit 40 is stapled in the center of the sheet receiving direction, and is folded into a booklet. The small edge side is crimped and bound by the folded sheet pressure binding unit 70 and stored in the second paper discharge tray 22.
In addition to these processing modes, as described in the security mode flowchart of FIG. 25, whether or not security binding can be performed is confirmed, and if possible, the above-described security binding is executed. It is possible to set in advance so that it is discharged without binding together with a notification that it cannot be performed, or is discharged by performing only end face or saddle stitching.

As described above, according to the embodiment for carrying out the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
1. An apparatus for binding and folding sheets having different shapes,
A receiving tray (stacker 35) capable of mixing a sheet having a part protruding part and a sheet not having the part,
A regulating member (stopper 38) that regulates the leading edge of the recording sheet stored in the stacker 35, and a first binding member (saddle stitching stapler) that binds the sheet regulated by the stopper 38 and bundles the substantially central portion in the conveyance direction. Unit 40), a folding processing unit (folding roller 45 and folding blade 46) for folding the sheet bundle bound by the saddle stitching stapler unit 40, and a sheet bundle folded by the folding processing unit (saddle stitching). The sheet processing apparatus includes a second binding member (folded sheet pressure binding unit 70) that binds the protruding portions of the sheet on the edge side of the sheet NTS).
According to this, even the folded sheet that has undergone saddle stitching can be bound by binding the fore edge side temporarily, so that the security of the saddle stitched sheet can be ensured.

2. The sheet processing apparatus according to 1 above, wherein the sheet having a part protruding part is a sheet provided with a tab at least in a sheet conveying direction and stores the sheet.
According to this, since the tab portion partially protruding is temporarily bound, the tab portion can be easily cut and used after finishing.

3. The sheet according to 2 above, further comprising a pressing member (bundle press roller 90) that presses the sheet from the thickness direction of the folded sheet bundle when the folded sheet pressing and binding unit 70 performs the crimping and binding process. It is a processing device.
According to this, it is possible to prevent displacement and movement of the sheet bundle when performing crimping binding (temporary binding) for ensuring security.

4. The bundle press roller 90 is a roller that conveys the saddle-stitched sheet NTS in the discharge direction, and increases the sheet pressing force when the folded sheet crimping and binding unit 70 performs the binding process compared to the conveyance. 3. The sheet processing apparatus according to 3.
According to this, the sheet can be held at the time of binding by the roller that moves in a bundle.

5. The sheet processing apparatus according to 4 above, wherein the tabbed sheet is positioned on the outermost side when folded.
According to this, since the tabbed sheet is positioned on the outermost side, it is easy to ensure the security of all sheets to be folded.

6. The sheet processing apparatus according to 4 above, wherein a tabbed sheet is inserted into the sheet without the tab, and the sheet without the tab is sandwiched between the tabbed sheets and stored in the stacker 35.
According to this, the sheet processing apparatus can arbitrarily secure the security of the sheet sandwiched between the tabbed sheets.

7. The saddle stitching stapler unit 40 is composed of a staple binding member that binds the sheet with the staple needle 41n, and the folded sheet crimping binding unit 70 is composed of a crimping binding member that is crimped and bound from the sheet thickness direction without using the staple needle. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1.
According to this, since the binding for ensuring the security of the saddle stitching sheet is crimped binding, once it is peeled off, it cannot be easily reproduced and security can be maintained, and can be easily peeled off during use.

8. The printing unit 2 is an image forming unit that sequentially forms images on sheets, and a sheet processing device that performs a predetermined process on the sheet from the printing unit 2, and the sheet processing device is defined in claims 1 to 7. An image forming apparatus having the configuration described in any one of the above items.
According to this, an image forming apparatus having the effects 1 to 7 can be provided.

  In the description of the effects in the above-described embodiment, for each part of the present embodiment, the corresponding members of each component in the claims are indicated in parentheses, or a reference numeral is attached and the relationship between them is shown. Was clarified.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the present invention, and all technical matters included in the technical idea described in the claims are described in the present invention. The subject of the invention. The embodiments described so far show preferred examples, but those skilled in the art will realize various alternatives, modifications, variations, and improvements from the contents disclosed in this specification. These are included in the technical scope described in the appended claims.

A Image forming apparatus B Sheet processing apparatus X Saddle binding position Y Folding position SAH Sheet deformation crimping part TTL End binding sheet TTSL End binding sheet protruding part (extrusion part)
TTS-TAB End face binding sheet protrusion (protruding part)
NTS Saddle Stitch Sheet NTSL Saddle Stitch Sheet Protruding Portion NTS-TAB Saddle Stitch Sheet Tab 29 Processing Tray 30 Press Roller 32 Sheet Edge Restricting Member 33 End Face Stapling Stapler Unit 33b Staple Head 33n Staple Needle 35 Stacker 40 Saddle Stitching Stapler Unit 40n Saddle Stitch Staple needle 45 Folding roller 46 Folding blade 50 End surface pressure binding unit 51 End surface pressure bonding upper unit 52 End surface pressure bonding lower unit 53 End surface pressure bonding teeth 54 End surface lower pressure bonding teeth 70 Folding sheet pressure binding unit 71 Pressure bonding upper unit 72 Pressure bonding lower unit 73 Upper pressure bonding Teeth 74 Lower pressing teeth 90 Bundle press roller 95 Bundle discharge roller 106 Sheet processing control unit 112 End surface binding control unit (end surface security binding control unit)
113 Saddle Stitching Middle Folding Control Unit 114 Folding Sheet Security Control Unit

Claims (7)

An apparatus that binds and folds sheets having different shapes,
A sheet conveyed in a predetermined conveying direction, and a tabbed sheet having a protruding part on the front end side in the conveying direction and a protruding part on the rear end side compared to the sheet can be received and mixedly loaded. A receiving tray,
A regulating member for regulating the said conveying direction leading end of the sheet to be received in the receiving tray, and the conveyance direction leading end other than the tab of the tabbed sheet,
A first binding member that binds a substantially central portion in the transport direction of a sheet bundle including the sheet restricted by the restriction member and the tabbed sheet ;
A folding unit to two-folded sheet bundle is stapled by the first binding member,
A second side of the sheet bundle folded by the folding processing unit that binds a tab protruding from a part on the leading end side in the conveying direction of the tabbed sheet and a portion protruding to the rear end side . Cie over preparative processing apparatus comprising binding a member of. When the binding processing by the second binding member, to claim 1, further comprising a pressing member for pressing the sheet bundle in the thickness direction of the bundle of folded sheets by the folding unit The sheet processing apparatus according to the description. The pressing member is made of rollers, it performs the transport of the bundle of folded sheets by the folding unit, stronger than during conveying a pressing force to the sheet bundle at the time of the binding processing by the second binding member The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the sheet processing apparatus is a sheet processing apparatus. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the most located outside the sheet bundle is folded in-out with the tab sheet to be folding process. The tabbed sheet is inserted between the plurality of sheets, and the sheet and the tabbed sheet are mixedly loaded on the receiving tray so that the sheet is folded between the tabbed sheets. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the sheet processing apparatus is characterized. Wherein the first binding member is composed of stapling members for binding the sheet staples, the second binding member and characterized in that it consists of crimping binding member for binding and pressed from a sheet thickness direction without using staples The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. An image forming unit that sequentially forms an image on a sheet;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a sheet processing apparatus that performs a predetermined process on a sheet from the image forming unit, the sheet processing apparatus having the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Forming equipment.

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