Post processing device and image forming device

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

According to the present invention, an image-formed crease-shaped paper is loaded on a chevron-shaped loading means, aligned, and center-stitched, and an electrophotographic copying machine and a printer having the post-processing device integrally. , Facsimile and other image forming devices.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

A metal needle is saddle-stitched by a saddle-stitching means (stapler) consisting of a needle-striking means (stapler) and a needle-receiving means (clincher) into the central portion of the paper on which an image has been formed and loaded on an appropriate member. However, a processing device configured to eject the bundle of paper to the outside of the device in the form of a folded booklet is known.

【0003】

For example, a plurality of feeders are provided along the longitudinal direction of a transport means called a gathering chain, and creases are loaded on each feeder, and the feeders are used in synchronization with the rotation of the gathering chain. A configuration is known as a part of a bookbinding apparatus in which papers are sequentially dropped one by one, stacked on a chain, and then stapled is operated to perform saddle stitching (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

【0004】

In addition, a bookbinding function is configured such that the paper after image formation is creases one by one on the transport path, and these papers are finally formed into a chevron shape and loaded on the support member, and the creases are saddle stitched. A copying machine equipped with the above is also known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

【0005】

Furthermore, the paper after image formation is creases one by one on the transport path, dropped onto the chevron-shaped loading means and loaded, and the loaded paper is slid on the loading means and placed in the stapler position. The bundle of paper after binding is returned to the initial position (center part), pushed up through the crease of the paper at the lowest position by the blade member, and conveyed to the next process by a pair of rollers functioning as a saddle-stitching means. An automatic online stapler finishing device configured in is known (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

【0006】

[Patent Document 1]

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-227358 (Paragraph Nos. 0005, 0007, 0025, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 13) [0007]

[Patent Document 2]

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 60-254165 (upper right column on page 5, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 6) [0008]

[Patent Document 3]

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-179262 (paragraph numbers 0020 to 0031, FIGS. 4 to 13) However, the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires that a plurality of feeders be installed along the longitudinal direction of the gathering chain. Not only does this lead to an increase in the size of the device, but it is also difficult to control the alignment of the paper because the signatures are dropped in synchronization, and the structure of the feeder is also complicated.

【0009】

Furthermore, since the staple processing (binding processing) is performed while the signature is loaded on the chain, it is difficult to drive the needle on the crease line, and the paper bundle as a booklet looks very good. It wasn't a thing.

【0010】

Further, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 2, papers are sequentially stacked on two guide plates, and the two sides of the paper are brought into contact with the wall plate by a width-aligning roller to align the paper, and then the guide plate is used. The paper is saddle-stitched by rotating around the support shaft on the opposite end side to form a chevron shape and straddling the top of the support member located between the ends of the guide plate on the support shaft side. The control until loading is complicated, and at the same time, there is a concern that the paper may be misaligned during the operation of loading the paper on the support member due to the rotation of the guide plate.

【0011】

Further, the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 3 is special for loading the paper because the paper stacked on the loading means is moved at the time of saddle stitching, and for discharging the bundle of paper after saddle stitching from the loading means. There was a waste of space because it was necessary to attach various members.

【0012】

Further, since the top of the loading means is positioned directly under the folding roll and the paper is sandwiched between the folding rolls to make creases by utilizing the buckling of the paper, the structure is such that the vicinity of the loading portion is crowded, and the paper For matching, it was necessary to rotatably provide paddle wheels on both outer sides of the chevron-shaped loading means.

【0013】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a main object thereof is to easily align already creases on a loading means having a chevron shape with a simple configuration. The purpose is to provide a processing device.

【0014】

Another object is to provide an aftertreatment device capable of efficiently aligning papers in the width direction.

【0015】

Further, for another purpose, by integrally having the above-mentioned post-processing device, it is possible to continuously perform operations from image formation on paper to output in a booklet state, thereby expanding the functions. The purpose is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of providing an image forming apparatus.

【0016】

[Means for solving problems]

The object according to the present invention can be achieved by the following configuration.

【0017】

(1) The image-formed paper is folded in the middle one by one by the saddle stitching means, sequentially loaded on the chevron-shaped loading means provided in the saddle stitching part, and then needle-stitched by the saddle stitching means to prepare a booklet. The post-processing device is characterized in that, among the paper loaded on the loading means, a push-up member for pushing up the paper through a crease of the lowest-ranked paper is provided.

【0018】

(2) A holding member is arranged so as to face the push-up member at a predetermined distance with a space for loading paper, and the holding member is provided so as to be reciprocating in the same direction as the moving direction of the push-up member. The post-processing apparatus according to (1) above.

【0019】

(3) The post-processing device according to (2) above, wherein the loaded paper is sandwiched between the push-up member and the pressing member during the needle stitching process by the saddle stitching means.

【0020】

(4) In the above (2) or (3), the push-up member and the pressing member are located in the vicinity of the saddle stitching means in the depth direction of the loading means on which the paper is loaded. The post-processing device described.

【0021】

(5) The image-formed paper is folded in the middle one by one by the saddle stitching means, sequentially loaded on the chevron-shaped loading means provided in the saddle stitching part, and then needle-stitched by the saddle stitching means to prepare a booklet. In the aftertreatment device, a regulating member that regulates the width direction of the paper loaded on the loading means is provided so as to be movable in the width direction of the paper at a height position in contact with the crease of the paper or the vicinity of the crease. An aftertreatment device characterized by.

【0022】

(6) The post-treatment apparatus according to (5) above, wherein the regulated portion of one of the regulated members is elastically held against the fixed portion.

【0023】

(7) The post-treatment device according to (5) above, wherein the regulated portion of one of the regulating members is a leaf spring.

【0024】

(8) The image-formed paper is folded in the middle one by one by the saddle stitching means, sequentially loaded on the chevron-shaped loading means provided in the saddle stitching part, and then needle-stitched by the saddle stitching means to prepare a booklet. In the aftertreatment device, the loading means is composed of a first guide member located on the upstream side and a second guide member located on the downstream side in the moving direction of the paper, and is placed on the guide surface of the second guide member. A stopper is movably provided against which the tip of the loaded paper is abutted, and the stopper is positioned and used at a position having a distance slightly longer than the length from the tip to the crease in the transport direction of the paper to be used. , A post-processing device characterized by that.

【0025】

(9) An image forming apparatus comprising the post-processing apparatus according to any one of (1), (5), and (8).

【0026】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An example of the embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

【0027】

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus including a digital copier, which integrally has a paper post-processing apparatus.

【0028】

In the figure, the main body of the image forming apparatus is an automatic document feeder 1, an image reading device 2, an image processing unit C, an image forming unit 3, a paper storage unit D, a paper feeding unit 4, a reverse paper ejection / refeeding unit 5, and , Has a reversing transport unit 6.

【0029】

The automatic document feeder 1 is a device that feeds documents one by one, conveys the documents to an image scanning position, and ejects the documents after image scanning to a predetermined place.

【0030】

The automatic document feeder 1 has a plurality of document mounting tables 11 for placing documents, a document separating means 12 for separating documents placed on the document mounting table 11, and a plurality of documents separated by the document separating means 12. A document transporting means 13 including a roller, a document ejecting means 14 for ejecting a document conveyed by the document conveying means 13, a document ejecting stand 15 for placing a document ejected by the document ejecting means 14, and The document reversing means 16 including a pair of reversing rollers for reversing the front and back of the document in the double-sided copying mode is provided.

【0031】

A plurality of original documents (not shown) placed on the original document placing table 11 are separated one by one by the original document separating means 12, and are conveyed by the original document conveying means 13 via the image reading position.

【0032】

The document reading position is provided below the document transporting means 13, so that the image of the document can be read through the slit 21 of the image reading device 2.

【0033】

The original from which the image has been read is ejected onto the original paper ejection table 15 by the original paper ejection means 14.

【0034】

On the other hand, when reading a double-sided image of a document, the document once the single-sided image has been read is guided to the document reversing means 16, and the rear end of the document is sandwiched between the reversing roller pairs constituting the document reversing means 16. In this state, the reversing roller pair is rotated in the reverse direction to reverse the front and back of the document, and the document is conveyed again by the document transporting means 13, so that the image of the other surface (second surface) can be read at the document reading position. it can.

【0035】

Such a process is repeated for the number of documents placed on the document placing table 11. Further, the automatic document feeder 1 is configured to be foldable, and the automatic document feeder 1 is raised to open the platen glass 22 and the original is directly placed on the platen glass 22 to make a copy. It is configured so that it can also be done.

【0036】

The image reading device 2 is a device for reading an image of a document and obtaining image data, and integrates a lamp 231 that irradiates the document through the slit 21 and a first mirror 232 that reflects the reflected light from the document. From the second mirror unit 24, which is formed by integrating the first mirror unit 23, the second mirror 241 that reflects the light from the first mirror 232, and the third mirror 242, and the second mirror unit 24. It has an imaging lens 25 that forms an image of the reflected light of the above on a CCD (described later), and a line-shaped CCD26 that photoelectrically converts the light image formed by the imaging lens 25.

【0037】

The photoelectrically converted analog signal is A / D converted after analog processing, and is subjected to appropriate image processing such as shading correction, filter processing, or γ correction in the image processing unit C to obtain image data, and then once. , It is designed to be stored in a memory (not shown).

【0038】

In the embodiment in which the image reading device 2 reads the document sent by the automatic document feeding device 1, the first mirror unit 23 and the second mirror unit 24 are fixed at positions as shown in the drawing.

【0039】

In the embodiment of reading the image of the original directly placed on the platen glass 22, the first mirror unit 23 and the second mirror unit 24 are placed along the platen glass 22 while maintaining the optical path length. It is done by moving.

【0040】

The image forming unit 3 is a portion for forming an image by using an electrophotographic process, and uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor drum 31 having a photoconductive photosensitive layer as an image carrier on the surface and the surface of the photoconductor drum 31. The charger 32, the laser writing system 33 which is operated based on the image data after image processing and is an exposure means for exposing the photoconductor drum 31 to form an electrostatically charged latent image, and the photoconductor drum 31. From the developer 34, which reverse-develops the static charge latent image formed on the top to form a toner image, the transfer electrode 35, which transfers the visualized toner image onto the paper, and the back surface of the paper on which the toner image is transferred. Known image forming such as a static eliminator 36 that performs AC corona discharge to promote separation of paper from the photoconductor drum 31, and a cleaning means 37 for cleaning the photoconductor drum 31 after the transfer step is completed. Have the means.

【0041】

Reference numeral 38 denotes a transport belt for transporting the separated paper toward the heating roller type fixing device 39.

【0042】

The fixing device 39 has a heating source H as a main element, and has a fixing processing means including a fixing upper roller 390 that rotates independently around the heating source H and a fixing lower roller 393 that rotates while being in pressure contact with the fixing upper roller 390. ..

【0043】

Downstream of the fixing device 39, a fixing discharge roller 51, a switching means 52, and a paper discharge roller 53, which are components of the reverse paper ejection / refeeding unit 5, are provided.

【0044】

W shown in the fixing device 39 is a cleaning web provided in contact with the surface of the fixing roller 390. For example, at appropriate time intervals during operation of the device, little by little on the winding core shown on the left side of the figure. It is designed to be wound up.

【0045】

To form an image on paper using the above configuration, the photoconductor drum 31 rotating in the direction indicated by an appropriate driving means is sequentially charged by the charger 32, and then the original is subjected to dot exposure by the laser writing system 33. A static charge latent image corresponding to the image is formed, the static charge latent image is formed as a toner image by the developer 34, and then on the paper P fed by the start of rotation of the resist roller 46 as the second paper feeding means. It is achieved by transferring through the action of the transfer electrode 35.

【0046】

The image formation is actually started with the paper P reaching the resist roller 46, and the toner image is formed on the photoconductor drum 31 at the timing of the paper feeding accompanying the start of rotation of the resist roller 46. It is supposed to start the process for forming.

【0047】

Therefore, the distance from the exposed portion to the transfer electrode and the distance from the resist roller to the transfer electrode are set to be the same so that the toner image and the paper overlap in the transfer region where the transfer electrode 35 is located, and the photoconductor drum. The linear velocities of 31, the resist roller 46, and the pre-transfer roller 47 are set to be the same.

【0048】

The transferred paper is separated from the photoconductor drum 31 by the action of the static eliminator 36, is subjected to the heating / pressurizing action of the fixing device 39, and then discharged toward the post-treatment device.

【0049】

On the other hand, the photoconductor drum 31 that has passed through the transfer region continues to rotate, and the cleaning means 37 removes the residual toner to prepare for the next image formation.

【0050】

Returning to the description of the configuration, the paper storage section D has the paper feed trays D1, D2, and D3 for storing the paper P in a stacked state arranged in the vertical direction (paper P is shown only in the paper feed tray D1). ..

【0051】

In addition, each paper feed tray integrates dedicated paper feed rollers 40, 41, 42, which are elements constituting the paper feed unit 4, and a pair of separation rollers 403, 413, 423, which are separation means for preventing multiple layers. It is provided so that it can be pulled out.

【0052】

In addition to the paper feed roller and the like, the paper feed unit 4 serves as a transport roller pair (hereinafter referred to as a transport roller pair) as a transport means for transporting the paper P from each of the paper feed trays D1, D2, and D3 to the image forming unit 3. R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, and the above-mentioned resist roller 46, pre-transfer roller 47, etc. are provided.

【0053】

Reference numeral 45 denotes a transport roller provided downstream of the transport roller R6 in the transport direction of the paper P, which feeds the paper from the paper transport path to be fed via the reverse transport unit 6 described later and, for example, the paper feed tray D1. It is provided at the confluence with the paper transport path.

【0054】

The reverse paper ejection / refeeding unit 5 is an area for reversely ejecting the transferred / fixed paper P and refeeding the paper P according to the double-sided image formation mode, and is ejected by the fixing / ejecting roller 51. When the paper P is discharged to the outside of the machine as it is, when the paper P is turned over and then discharged, and when the paper P is re-directed toward the registration roller 46 in order to form an image on the back surface (second side) of the paper P. It has a switching means 52 for switching the transport path between the case of feeding paper and the case of feeding paper.

【0055】

When the image-formed paper P is discharged as it is, that is, with the transferred image surface facing upward, the switching means 52 is held at the position indicated by the one-point chain line in the figure, and the image-formed paper is formed. When the front and back sides of P are reversed and discharged, the switching means 52 is held at the position shown by the solid line in the drawing, and the paper P conveyed by the fixing and discharging roller 51 is provided with the conveying rollers 55 and 57. By feeding into the transport path, stopping the operation of the roller group at the timing when the rear end reaches the position in front of the transport roller 55, and then rotating the transport roller 55 in the opposite direction to the above. , The left side of the switching means 52 is passed, and the paper is discharged to the outside of the machine via the paper ejection roller 53.

【0056】

Further, in the case of the double-sided image forming mode in which the image is formed on the second side of the paper P following the first side, the switching means 52 is held at the position shown by the solid line in the drawing, and the paper is conveyed by the fixing discharge roller 51. Is fed to the reversing transport unit 6 via the transfer rollers 55 and 57 of the reversing paper ejection / refeeding unit 5 driven by the paper ejection motor, and the front and back sides of the paper P are inverted in the reversing transport unit 6. , Will be sent out toward the registration roller 46.

【0057】

The process for obtaining the transfer image on the second surface of the paper P is the same as described above, and the paper ejection of the paper P after the fixing process is in any of the above-described forms.

【0058】

The reverse transfer unit 6 feeds the paper P conveyed by the transfer roller 57 further to the right, stops rotating at the timing of sandwiching the rear end, and then is driven and controlled to rotate in the reverse direction. It has a pair of 60, and the paper is transported along a transport path extending to the right after drawing an arc upward from the middle of transport to the left due to the reverse rotation of the transport roller pair 60.

【0059】

The 61, 62, 63, 64, and 65 including the transfer roller pair 60 are transfer roller pairs provided on the transfer path of the reversing transfer unit 6.

【0060】

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the aftertreatment device. The post-processing device 7 according to the present embodiment is provided on the take-in port 70 for taking in the image-formed paper P discharged from the image forming apparatus main body by the paper ejection roller 53 in FIG. 1 and on the paper conveying path. Paper folding section 71, first transport means 72 consisting of air suction method, saddle stitching section 73, second transport means 74 consisting of a pair of belts, third transport means 75 consisting of rollers and belts, cutting section 76, stack section. It has 77, a cover sheet feeder 78, and a tray 79.

【0061】

A detailed description of the configuration according to the present invention will be described later. The arrows F1, F2, F3, and F4 indicate the four transport paths of the paper, F1 is the transport path of the paper to be conveyed based on the saddle stitching command, and F2 is the transfer path F1. A sheet transport path that serves as the cover of a bundle of paper loaded on the saddle stitching section 73, F3 is a transport path that transports paper that does not require saddle stitching to the tray 79, and F4 is integrated with the post-processing device. It is a paper transport path that requires post-processing in another post-treatment device (not shown) that can be connected to the paper, and a large number of transport roller pairs (without reference numerals) are provided on these transport paths.

【0062】

Reference numeral 700 is a switching means, and one of the transport path F1 and the transport path F3 is selectively released (usable state), and the other switching means 703 is the transport path F3 and the transport path F4. The operation is controlled according to the content of the work command so as to selectively release either of the above.

【0063】

By the way, a thin plate or a knife provided in the center folding portion 71 provided on the transport path F1 to push the paper in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction (horizontal left direction in the present embodiment). A pushing member 710 made of a shaped plate material, an upper roller 713 for crimping and sandwiching the paper pushed by the pushing member 710, and a lower roller 715, and the paper in the forward direction (in the transport direction according to the transport path). In this case, the transport roller 717, which rotates while crimping with the lower roller to transport in the direction from top to bottom), and the position downstream of the position of the roller group, are inserted and removed from the transport path. It is equipped with a potentially provided stopper 719.

【0064】

As understood from the above, the pushing member 710, the upper roller 713, and the lower roller 715 function as a center folding means (center folding member) for making a crease in a direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction.

【0065】

The middle folding work or the middle folding process is based on the following control. That is, the stopper 719 faces the position in the transport path corresponding to half of the nip position in the height direction of the upper roller 713 and the lower roller 715 with respect to the size of the paper to be used in the transport direction. After the tip of the paper taken in from the take-in port 70 reaches the stopper 719, the forward rotation of the roller group is stopped.

【0066】

Next, the paper is pushed between the upper roller 713 and the lower roller 715 by the pushing member 710 to make a crease, and then the roller group is rotated in the forward direction again toward the saddle stitching portion 73. Send out the paper.

【0067】

In other words, after the creases are made, the overlapping portion is conveyed to the right side via the nip portions of both rollers, and the tip portion is conveyed downward.

【0068】

Then, when the crease is released from the nip, the paper continues to be conveyed in an open state (no overlap).

【0069】

Prior to this, the stopper 719 and the pushing member 710 are retracted from the transport path.

【0070】

The roller group may be configured to rotate in the reverse direction for a short time, for example, several tens of milliseconds, in accordance with the pushing operation of the pushing member 710, or may be used in the power transmission system of the transport roller 717. A one-way clutch may be interposed so that the transport roller 717 rotates idly when rotating in the reverse direction as described above, or the transport roller 717 is separated from the lower roller 715. It may be configured.

【0071】

The first transport means 72 includes a rotatable belt 720 provided with a large number of holes, and a suction box 723 provided inside the rotatable belt 720 and connected to the suction means S via a duct. There is.

【0072】

Reference numeral 725 is a rotatable separating member made of a wire such as a wire, and a belt in which the tip of the paper to be conveyed in a suction state on the lower side surface of the rotatable belt 720 by the action of the suction means S is stretched. It has the function of forcibly tapping from the inside (upper side of the figure) to separate it in the area near the left end of. M is a drive motor for the separating member 725.

【0073】

However, the separating member 725 can be omitted if the suction force on the lower side surface of the rotatable belt 720 decreases toward the left end and the paper can be automatically separated before reaching the left end.

【0074】

The paper transport surface of the first transport means 72 is installed so as to rise toward the downstream, which is easy to control when loading paper on the chevron-shaped loading means described later. , It is intended to reduce the size of the device.

【0075】

The saddle stitching portion 73 includes a loading means for loading paper to be conveyed via the first conveying means 72, and the loading means in the present embodiment is a first for a paper receiver provided on the upstream side. The main elements are the guide member 730 and the second guide member 733 for the paper receiver provided on the downstream side.

【0076】

The first and second guide members 730 and 733 are each made of a plate material arranged at a predetermined angle with respect to a vertical surface, for example, at an acute angle such as about 45 degrees, and the overall shape is a chevron shape. ing.

【0077】

Further, the ends of both guide members located in the top region (excluding the peak, meaning the region near the bottom of the peak) are configured to face each other with a predetermined interval.

【0078】

In other words, in the figure, the first guide member 730 having a predetermined length in the depth direction and descending in the first direction at a predetermined angle from the top end portion, and the first guide member in the depth direction. The second guide member 730 has approximately the same length as the 730, and is located at a predetermined distance from the top end of the first guide member 730 at the same angle as the inclination of the first guide member 730. The mountain-shaped loading means is composed of the second guide member 733 that descends in the direction of.

【0079】

In the present specification, the chevron shape refers to a shape formed by arranging both guide members in a relationship of intersecting on an extension line on the top side thereof.

【0080】

However, the inclinations of both guide members with respect to the vertical plane may be the same or different, and are not restricted by the present embodiment, but it is preferable that the angles are substantially the same in terms of handling and the like.

【0081】

The top side end portion of the second guide member 733 has a position higher than the position in the height direction of the top side end portion of the first guide member 730.

【0082】

Further, the central portion 733-1 divided in the depth direction of the second guide member 733 is configured to be able to reciprocate by a predetermined distance from the illustrated position diagonally upward to the right.

【0083】

This allows the tip to enter the crease of the paper at the bottom of the paper bundle after the saddle stitching process is completed, and pushes it between the belts of the second transport means 74 while forming a double-folded booklet. Because.

【0084】

In this way, since the paper bundle is discharged from the loading means by using a part of the second guide member, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated discharging means, and the mechanism (configuration) can be simplified. Can be done, and waste of space can be saved.

【0085】

The configuration of the second guide member is shown in FIG. 3 as a schematic diagram, but the description is omitted because a known method can be appropriately adopted for the power system for rotating the screwed support rod.

【0086】

The needle receiving means 735 is fixed in height at the center position between the first and second guide members 730 and 733, and is movable in the depth direction (front and back directions of the paper surface). The portions are located in the gaps in the top regions of both guide members.

【0087】

Above the needle receiving means 735, the needle striking means 736 is provided so as to be swingable around the shaft 737 and movably in the depth direction with a predetermined gap.

【0088】

In the present embodiment, the height position of the top end of the first guide member 730 is set as described above because of physical factors such as the shape and size of the needle receiving means 735 and the intention of downsizing the device. Although it is lower than that of the second guide member 733, if it is not necessary to make it asymmetrical, the first guide member 730 and the second guide member 733 can be configured symmetrically, as a matter of course. it can.

【0089】

The stapler composed of the needle-striking means 736 and the needle-receiving means 735 has the ability to bind 100 sheets of paper, and two staplers are prepared at appropriate intervals in the depth direction of the drawing.

【0090】

Further, in the present embodiment, a booklet obtained by folding 50 sheets of paper in half can be obtained.

【0091】

The relationship between the guide member in the saddle stitching portion 73 and the needle receiving means is shown in an enlarged manner in FIG.

【0092】

In the figure, reference numeral 731 is an auxiliary guide member, and the tip of the paper P to be conveyed may enter the gap formed between the top end of the first guide member 730 and the upper portion of the needle receiving means 735. Alternatively, it has a function of preventing the upper part of the loaded paper on the first guide member 730 side from being damaged by the shape of the needle receiving means 735, and on the guide surface, from the upper part of the auxiliary guide member. A flexible film sheet (without reference numeral) is attached so as to protrude.

【0093】

Further, the height position of the protruding tip (free end) of the film sheet is set higher than the height position of the second guide member so as not to interfere with the transport of the paper.

【0094】

L1 shown in relation to the second guide member 733 indicates the movement range of the central portion 733-1 described above.

【0095】

Further, reference numeral 738 is a regulating member arranged in parallel with the second guide member 733 with a gap, and has an arc region at the top which is the entry side of the paper, and the paper sent to the saddle stitching portion 73 is the loading means. The first and second guide members 730 and 733 that make up the paper are regulated so that they can be easily dropped, and the 739 that is integrally provided with the regulating member provides a stopper for controlling the tip position of the paper. L2 indicates the movement range of the stopper 739.

【0096】

In other words, when the size of the paper used is detected by appropriate means, the stopper is in a predetermined position, for example, a position having a distance slightly longer than the length from the tip to the crease in the paper transport direction. Is moved to and held in a fixed state.

【0097】

This configuration can facilitate alignment relative to the creases in the paper. That is, when the tip of the conveyed paper hits the stopper 739, the paper is bent and bending stress is generated.

【0098】

Then, for example, assuming that the first transport means 72 is subsequently released from the transport, the paper is pushed back toward the first guide member 730 by the reaction of the accumulated bending stress to form the loading means. It will fall on the first and second guide members, and due to the utility of the crease, the position of the crease will be a predetermined position on the loading means, that is, the position corresponding to the top (in the present embodiment, the center of the chevron in the figure). It can be easily aligned (on position).

【0099】

Alternatively, the creases of the following paper can be easily overlapped with the creases of the already loaded paper, and the creases of the subsequent paper can be easily aligned.

【0100】

In this way, paper alignment and loading can be performed with a simple configuration. The control related to the first transport means 72 and the like can be easily achieved by a control means including a computer (not shown) that controls the image sequence or another computer (not shown) that can communicate with the computer.

【0101】

The length of the first and second guide members 730 and 733, or the position of the lower end of the guide member, is the length from the end of the maximum size paper P used to the center-folded position ( For example, it has a sufficient length for (half the length of the paper) or a position sufficiently below the edge of the loaded paper.

【0102】

The post-processing apparatus according to the present embodiment further has the following configuration for aligning the folds of the paper at the top position of the loading means or aligning the folds in the width direction of the paper.

【0103】

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration, functions, and the like of the matching means (matching mechanism). In the figure, 8 indicates a matching means, 80 indicates a push-up member having a wedge-shaped (roof-shaped) head 800, and 83 indicates an eccentric cam provided fixedly on the rotating shaft 830.

【0104】

The eccentric cam 83 raises and lowers the push-up member via a cam follower 803 provided at the lower end of the push-up member 80.

【0105】

Reference numeral 85 denotes a pressing member, which raises the push-up member 80 to form a central portion of the paper loaded on the first and second guide members 730 and 733 (creases of the paper loaded in contact with the guide member). The paper is pushed upward through the paper, and then when the push-up member 80 is lowered, the paper is pushed and lowered together, and then the paper is controlled to return to the initial position.

【0106】

In other words, the paper to be pushed up is easily aligned with the top of the head by the wedge effect of the push-up member 80, but when the push-up member 80 is lowered, it floats a little and spoils the alignment of the folding angle. It could be.

【0107】

In order to suppress the occurrence of such a defect, a good alignment state can be maintained by forming the pressing member 85 to descend while pressing the paper in cooperation with the pushing-up member 80.

【0108】

Alignment of paper using the push-up member as described above is nothing but an effect that can be achieved because the paper to be conveyed has already been creases.

【0109】

The push-up member 80 and the pressing member 85 constituting the matching means 8 are configured to be operated each time the paper is fed, and the paper is sandwiched (pressed) between the two during the saddle stitching process. ) Can be controlled by the control means.

【0110】

The movement stroke, movement speed, and the like of the push-up member 80 can be appropriately determined by, for example, an experiment.

【0111】

As described above, more reliable paper matching processing can be achieved by a matching means having an extremely simple configuration.

【0112】

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the positional relationship between the stapler and the matching means. As shown in FIG. 6, the push-up member 80 and the pressing member 85 constituting the matching means 8 are located inside or outside of the stapler including the needle receiving means 735 and the needle striking means 736, or both sides thereof. It can be attached to face the area.

【0113】

In the present embodiment, matching means are provided on both sides of the stapler, and saddle stitching is performed while suppressing the floating of the paper near the stapled portion, so that a beautifully finished booklet (bookbinding) can be obtained.

【0114】

FIG. 7 is a schematic view for explaining the configuration of a regulating member for aligning the width direction of paper (hereinafter, referred to as a width regulating member for convenience of explanation), FIG. 7A is a plan view, and FIG. 7B is a plan view. Is a perspective view.

【0115】

In the figure, 90 and 91 are the first and second width regulating members attached to both sides of the first guide member 730 and the second guide member 733 in the width direction, both of which are slightly smaller than the width size of the paper used. The movement is controlled in the width direction as shown by an arrow so that the interval is large, and the paper to be sent can be brought into light contact with its side.

【0116】

At that time, in order to prevent the paper from being damaged by contact with the side side of the paper, the structure of the second width regulating member 91 is a regulation portion 913 made of an elastic thin plate (leaf spring) and a holding for holding the regulation portion. It consisted of a board (fixed part to the regulated part) 910.

【0117】

The restricted portion 913 escapes to the outside by contact with the side side of the conveyed paper, and the accumulated spring force at that time is weak so that the paper is pressed against the first width regulating member 90 and aligned at the time of return. It is sufficient to have a structure that shows elasticity.

【0118】

Further, the height positions of the first and second width regulating members 90 and 91 are creases of the paper loaded on the first and second guide members 730 and 733, or a region near the creases including or not including the creases. It has a height position that makes contact with the side part of the paper.

【0119】

The height position is such that it is more effective to bring the width regulating member into contact with the side part of the paper whose rigidity is increased by the crease than the side part of the paper with weak waist. This is because the damage of the paper can be suppressed as much as possible.

【0120】

The height position in contact with the vicinity of the crease referred to here is premised on having a predetermined width in the height direction and should not be particularly limited by a numerical value. It is possible to give a height position that makes contact with the side portion of the paper in the range of about 5 to 6 cm, which enables good regulation regardless of the width of the chevron shape of the paper, the thickness of the paper, and the like.

【0121】

Part of the upper part on the front side and the back side of the first and second guide members in the present embodiment is notched, and the first and second width regulating members 90 and 91 are positioned in the notched portions 750 and 751. is there.

【0122】

Further, the first and second width regulating members 90 and 91 have a portion extending in the direction along the slope of the first guide member 730 and a portion extending in the horizontal direction thereafter, and the regulating portion 913 also has a portion extending in the horizontal direction. Although it is configured according to the shape, it may be a rectangle extending in the horizontal direction as a whole.

【0123】

In addition, instead of the regulation portion 913, the holding plate 910 can be elastically provided by the spring member to be the second width regulation member, or the plate material to be replaced with the leaf spring can be elastically configured by the spring member. ..

【0124】

Returning to FIG. 2, the paper bundle for which the saddle stitching process has been completed due to the above configuration is pushed up to the upper right by a part of the second guide member 733, and gradually takes the form of a booklet to the second transport means 74. After being delivered and firmly folded in half by the action of the second transport means and the third transport means 75, the edges are cut by the cutting section 76 and discharged to the stack section 77.

【0125】

The stack portion 77 is sequentially lowered according to the load capacity to enable stacking of a predetermined amount.

【0126】

By the way, when binding the bundle of paper with a cover, after the image-formed paper is loaded on the loading means of the saddle stitching portion 73, the cover sheet feeder 78 is operated to send out one cover sheet, and the paper is fed. The binding process is performed after detecting that the product is placed on the bundle by an appropriate detection means.

【0127】

In that case, the cover sheet is fed downward by the paper feeding means 100, the tip is fed on the transport path indicated by F4, and then the middle fold portion 71 with the end that was the rear end in the transport direction as the tip. After reaching the above point and undergoing the same center-folding process as the paper, the paper is placed on the loading paper and integrated by needle striking as described above.

【0128】

[Effect of the invention]

According to the inventions according to claims 1 to 4, it is possible to obtain alignment of the creases of the paper with a simple structure, it is possible to finish the saddle stitching well, and the saddle stitching portion is made compact. You can expect it.

【0129】

According to the inventions of claims 5 to 7, the alignment in the width direction of the paper can be efficiently performed with a simple configuration.

【0130】

Further, according to the invention of claim 8, since a special means for forcibly lowering the paper loaded on the loading means is not required, the mechanism can be simplified.

【0131】

Further, according to the invention of claim 9, the process from image formation to the production of a booklet can be continuously performed.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus including a digital copier, which integrally has a paper post-processing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a configuration of an aftertreatment device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a second guide member.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing the relationship between the guide member in the saddle stitching portion and the needle receiving means.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a matching means (matching mechanism).

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the positional relationship between the stapler and the matching means.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view for explaining a configuration of a regulating member for matching in the width direction of paper.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Automatic document feeder 2 Image reader 3 Image forming unit 4 Paper feeding unit 5 Reversed paper ejection / re-feeding unit 70 Import port 71 Center folding unit 72 1st transport means 73 Saddle stitching section 74 2nd transport means 75 3rd transport Means 76 Cutting section 77 Stack section 78 Cover sheet feeder 79 Tray