Bookbinding device

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to a bookbinding device that performs bookbinding as post-processing of recording paper discharged after image formation from an image forming device such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and a multifunction device having these functions.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, in a bookbinding device that performs post-processing of recording paper (paper) discharged from an image forming device such as a compound machine after image formation, a knife that moves horizontally by abutting the end face of the paper against a stopper at a saddle stitch portion is used. It is used for knife folding that pushes into the nip of the folding roller, or buckle folding that feeds the paper between the guide plates at narrow intervals, pushes the tip against the stopper to bend the paper, and sandwiches the bent part with the folding roller to make a crease. As a part of the bookbinding device, for example, a method of folding a bundle by piercing the center of a bundle of paper that has been aligned and saddle-stitched with a knife (chopper knife) and pushing it into a folding roller is known (for example,). See Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2.).

【0003】

[Patent Document 1]

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-19269 [0004]

[Patent Document 2]

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-187491 [0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, in the middle folding method in the middle folding portion of the bookbinding device disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the roller nip (folding) is performed by positioning with reference to the paper end face, pushing it with a folding roller, or pressing it against a stopper. Since it is added to the roller nip), there is a problem that it varies depending on the waist of the paper (recording paper) or shifts during the operation of the knife (chopper knife).

【0006】

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and provides a bookbinding device having a center-folded portion with a stable folding position, which is less likely to fluctuate due to the waist of the paper (recording paper) or shift during the operation of the knife during center-folding. The purpose is to provide.

【0007】

[Means for solving problems]

The above purpose is to push paper between a pair of folding rollers that crease the paper by mutual pressing force and a folding roller in a bookbinding device that loads papers one by one and saddle stitches them to create a booklet. The chopper knife and the pinch roller that can be brought into contact with and detached from the folding roller on the downstream side of the pair of folding rollers are provided, the paper is sandwiched between the pinch rollers, and the chopper knife is held in a state where the paper is sandwiched. It is achieved by a bookbinding apparatus that operates and comprises a saddle-folding portion that pushes the paper into a folding roller nip formed by the pair of folding rollers to crease the paper.

【0008】

As described above, the present invention is configured to push each sheet of paper into the folding roller while fixing the nip to one of the pair of folding rollers, so that the sheets may vary depending on the waist of the paper (recording paper) or during the operation of the knife. It is possible to provide a bookbinding device having a center-folded portion that is less likely to shift and has a stable folding position.

【0009】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. The description in this column does not limit the technical scope of the claims or the meaning of the terms. Further, the following assertive description in the embodiment of the present invention indicates the best mode, and does not limit the meaning and technical scope of the terms of the present invention.

【0010】

The bookbinding apparatus according to the present invention, the image forming process of one embodiment of the image forming apparatus including the bookbinding apparatus, and each mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus including a bookbinding device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional configuration diagram of an example of a bookbinding apparatus having a center-folded portion according to the present invention. , FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a center-folded portion, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG.

【0011】

In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus main body A, an automatic document feeder ADF, and a bookbinding apparatus 7.

【0012】

The illustrated image forming apparatus main body A includes an image reading means 1, an image processing means 2, an image writing means 3, an image forming means 4, a paper feeding means 5, a transporting means 6, a fixing means 7T, and a re-transporting means (automatic double-sided copy transport). It is equipped with part ADU) 8, control means 9, etc.

【0013】

The paper feeding means 5 includes a cassette paper feeding unit 5A, a large-capacity paper feeding unit (LCT) 5B, a manual paper feeding unit 5C, an intermediate paper feeding roller 5D, and a resist roller 5E.

【0014】

The transport means 6 includes a transport belt 6A, a transport path switching plate 6B, a paper ejection roller 6C, and the like.

【0015】

An automatic document feeder ADF is mounted on the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body A. As will be described later, a bookbinding device 7 that performs bookbinding as post-processing is connected to the paper ejection roller 6C side on the left side surface of the image forming device main body A (shown).

【0016】

The document d placed on the platen of the automatic document feeder ADF is conveyed in the direction of the arrow, and the image of one side or both sides of the document is read by the optical system of the image reading means 1 and read by the CCD image sensor 1A.

【0017】

The analog signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD image sensor 1A is subjected to analog processing, A / D conversion, shading correction, image compression processing, etc. in the image processing means 2, and then sent to the image writing means 3.

【0018】

In the image writing means 3, the output light from the semiconductor laser is applied to the photoconductor drum of the image forming means 4 to form a latent image. The image forming means 4 performs processes such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, separation, and cleaning. The image of the paper P sent out from the paper feeding means 5 is transferred at the transfer unit.

【0019】

The paper P carrying the image is conveyed by the transport belt 6A, fixed by the fixing means 7T, and sent from the paper ejection roller 6C to the paper introduction section 70 of the bookbinding device 7. Alternatively, the single-sided image-processed paper P fed to the re-conveying means 8 by the transport path switching plate 6B is again discharged from the paper ejection roller 6C after the double-sided image processing by the image forming means 4. The paper P discharged from the paper ejection roller 6C is sent to the bookbinding device 7.

【0020】

The bookbinding device 7 shown in FIG. 2 will be described below. The bookbinding device 7 that receives the paper P from the image forming apparatus main body A and performs post-processing is a take-in port 70 for taking in the image-formed paper P discharged from the image forming apparatus main body A by the paper ejection roller 6C in FIG. , A center-folded portion 71 provided on the paper transport path, a first transport section 72 composed of an air suction method, a saddle stitch section 73, a second transport section 74 consisting of a pair of belts, and a third transport section composed of rollers and belts. It is equipped with 75, a cutting section (trimmer unit) 76, a booklet stack section 77, a cover sheet feeder 78, and a tray 79.

【0021】

F1, F2, F3, and F4 indicated by arrows in the figure indicate the four transport paths of the paper P, F1 is the transport path of the paper P transported based on the saddle stitch command, and F2 is the transport path F1. A sheet transport path that serves as the cover of a bundle of paper (paper bundle T) that is conveyed through the saddle stitch portion 73 and is loaded on the saddle stitch portion 73, and F3 is a transport path that transports paper P that does not require saddle stitching to the tray 79. F4 is a transport path for paper P that requires post-processing in another post-processing device that can be integrally connected to the bookbinding device 7, and there are a large number of transport roller pairs (without reference numerals) on these transport paths. It is equipped.

【0022】

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 commanded through the control unit (not shown) so as to selectively release any of the above.

【0023】

Further, stoppers 714, 739, and 762 are provided in the saddle stitch portion 71, the saddle stitch portion 73, and the cut portion 76, respectively. The stoppers 714, 739, and 762 are automatically and appropriately set to the set positions according to the size of the paper P to be used, for example, through the control signal of the control unit that receives the detection signal of the size detecting means provided in the paper feeding means 5. Is set to.

【0024】

The middle fold portion 71 pushes the substantially central portion of the paper P fed to the middle fold portion 71 in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction (horizontal left direction in the present embodiment) and middle folds (in the present embodiment). Paper transport with an outer diameter of about 20 to 30 mm for making creases on the chopper knife 711 made of a thin plate or knife-shaped plate for folding in half) and the paper P pushed (pierced) by the chopper knife 711. A pair of folding rollers, an upper folding roller 712 on the upstream side in the direction and a lower folding roller 713 on the downstream side in the paper transport direction with an outer diameter of about 35 to 40 mm, and a lower folding roller 713 on the downstream side can be released from contact with each other. It can be moved depending on the paper size of the paper P and the pinch roller 715 with an outer diameter of about 20 to 30 mm that transports the paper P between the lower folding roller 713 and can be retracted from the transport path of the paper P, and the tip position of the paper P. It is composed of a stopper 714 for regulating the paper. A folding roller nip Na is formed between the upper folding roller 712 and the lower folding roller 713, and a pinch roller nip that can be released between the lower folding roller 713 and the pinch roller 715 that can be released from contact with the lower folding roller 713. Nb is formed. The middle fold portion 71 will be described in detail later.

【0025】

The first transport unit 72 includes a rotatable belt 720 that transports the paper P from the saddle stitch portion 71 to the saddle stitching portion 73, a fan 723 as a suction member for sucking the paper P to the saddle stitch belt 720, and the fan 723. After the paper P is conveyed to the saddle stitch portion 73, the paper P is composed of a peeling member 724 for peeling the rear end portion of the paper P from the rotatable belt 720, and the paper P is creased at the saddle stitch portion 71. It is transported to the saddle stitching portion 73.

【0026】

The saddle stitching portion 73 is a thin plate for aligning the center of the paper P loaded on the saddle stitching portion 73 each time the paper P folded in half (folded in half) at the saddle stitching portion 71 is performed. A comb-toothed push-up member 734 using the above, a holding member 738 with a dogleg-shaped tip provided facing the push-up member 734, and a bundle of paper (booklet) loaded on the saddle stitching portion 73 each time. ) A matching plate 732 for aligning (width alignment) the width direction of T (direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of paper P), and an extrusion member 733 for extruding the paper bundle T to the second transport unit 74. A stay plastic head 736 for driving the stay plastic into the paper bundle T, a stay plastic clincher 735 provided facing the stay plastic head 736 to receive the stay, and a member 738 that presses the central portion of the paper P according to the size of the paper P. It is composed of a stopper 739 for loading on the doglegged part at the tip, and the alignment (alignment) of the paper bundle (booklet) T by the push-up member 734, the pressing member 738, and the matching plate 732, and the stay plastic clincher 735 and the stay plastic head. The paper bundle T is sent out to the second transport unit 74 by the extrusion member 733 after the stay plastic is performed by the 736.

【0027】

Further, the cutting portion 76 includes a stopper 762 for positioning the tip of the paper bundle (booklet) T according to the size of the paper P, and a pressing member 761 for pressing the paper bundle T positioned by the stopper 762. The paper bundle T pressed by the pressing member 761 is composed of a rotary cutter 763 as a cutting member for aligning the rear edges (also referred to as edge cutting or decorative cutting), and the pressing member 761 and the rotary cutter 763 perform decorative cutting. It is what you do. By using the rotary cutter 763 as the cutting member, the cutting portion 76 can be downsized.

【0028】

The bookbinding process in the bookbinding apparatus 7 will be described below. The paper P fed from the intake port 70 of the bookbinding device 7 to the center fold portion 71 is center-folded at the center fold portion 71, creases are made, and then an arrow is shown in the figure as described in detail later. As shown by, the lower fold roller 713 rotating forward and the pinch roller 715 abutting on the lower fold roller 713 are conveyed to the first conveying portion 72 in the direction orthogonal to the crease.

【0029】

The paper P transported to the first transport unit 72 has a vent hole (not shown) on its surface, and has a fan 723 for adsorbing the paper P inside. It is adsorbed and transported to the saddle stitching portion 73 having a dogleg-shaped path.

【0030】

The tip of the paper P comes into contact with the stopper 739 of the saddle stitching portion 73 whose size moves. At this time, the rear end of the paper P adsorbed on the rotatable belt 720 is knocked down by the peeling member 724 of the first transport portion 72 and peeled off from the rotatable belt 720. Further, the crease in the central portion of the paper P is conveyed so as to be stopped at the dogleg portion of the pressing member 738. Paper P hits the stopper 739 and is stopped at the dogleg-shaped loading part with the crease facing up.

【0031】

The push-up member 734 is moved up and down, and the crease at the substantially central portion is pressed against the paper P and pushed up to the dogleg portion of the member 738. At the same time, the pressing member 738 is rotated (lowering the tip) with the rotating shaft 737 as a fulcrum, and the pressing member 738 taps the crease of the paper P. After that, the holding member 738 goes up. At the same time, the width alignment (alignment in the width direction) is performed by the matching plate 732.

【0032】

The above operation is repeated for each sheet of paper P, and a predetermined number of sheets, for example, 5 sheets, are combined into one bundle in the doglegged portion of the saddle stitching portion 73 to form a properly aligned paper bundle (booklet) T. Will be done. After that, if necessary, the cover sheet is inverted and conveyed from the cover sheet feeder 78 with the character surface as the upper surface, and is conveyed to the saddle-folded portion 71. After being broken, the cover sheet is conveyed to the saddle stitching portion 73 through the first conveying portion 72, and the cover sheet is loaded on the uppermost surface of the paper bundle T.

【0033】

With the paper bundle T (booklet) held by the pressing member 738 and the pushing member 734, the stapler is driven from above by the stapler head 736 that is rotated around the rotating shaft 737 as a fulcrum, and the stapler clincher 735 is fixed. By bending the tip of the stapler from the lower side, the stapler is struck at a predetermined place, for example, two places of the paper bundle T on which the cover sheet is loaded, and the stapler is bound.

【0034】

The stapled paper bundle (booklet) T is extruded by the extrusion member 733 to the second transport unit 74. The paper bundle T transported to the second transport unit 74 by the belt member (unsigned) is transported to the cutting unit (trimmer unit) 76 through the third transport unit 75.

【0035】

The paper bundle (booklet) T conveyed to the trimmer unit 76 is stopped by being abutted against the stopper 762 whose tip is moved in size. The bulge of the paper bundle T is crushed by the pressing of the pressing member 761. After that, the rear end portion of the paper bundle (booklet) T is cosmetically cut with a rotary cutter 763 so that the rear end surface after cutting is prepared.

【0036】

After cosmetic cutting of the rear end of the paper bundle (booklet) T by the trimmer unit 76, the stopper 762 and the pressing member 761 are released from the paper bundle T, and the paper bundle T is sent out to the booklet stack portion 77 to send the paper bundle T to the booklet stack portion 77. A bundle of paper (booklet) T is loaded on 77. The booklet stack portion 77 is lowered one step at a time each time the paper bundle T is loaded.

【0037】

The bookbinding process is performed as described above. Next, the center folding process of the center folding portion 71 provided in the bookbinding device 7 and the setting conditions of each member will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 or 4.

【0038】

Paper P from the intake port 70 rotates in the forward direction in the paper transport direction indicated by the solid line arrow in Fig. 3, respectively. The upper fold roller 712 (upper fold roller 712 rotates counterclockwise as shown by the solid line) and the lower fold roller 713 (lower fold). The roller 713 is fed to the middle fold portion 71 having a pair of folding rollers with a solid line (clockwise rotation) and a pinch roller 715 (the pinch roller 715 is a counterclockwise rotation shown by the solid line) that also rotates in the forward direction. To. When the paper P is fed to the center folding portion 71, the pinch roller 715 is in contact with the lower folding roller 713, and a pinch roller nip Nb is formed between the pinch roller 715 and the lower folding roller 713. There is. The paper P is nipped (sandwiched) by the pinch roller nip Nb and conveyed between the paper guide plate 716a and the paper guide plate 716b. Just before the paper P hits the stopper 714 that moves in size, the contact with the lower folding roller 713 of the pinch roller 715 is temporarily released (the one-dot chain line position in Fig. 4), and the paper P is placed on the stopper 714 by the free fall of the paper P. Align the paper and make the paper P parallel. At this time, the paper P is stopped by the stopper 714 with the side slightly upstream from the folding roller nip Na position formed between the upper folding roller 712 and the lower folding roller 713 as a substantially central portion of the paper P.

【0039】

To move the size of the stopper 714, slide the slide frame 714b to which the stopper 714 is attached by using a guide rod 714a as a guide, for example, by rotating the stopper drive motor Ma with a pulley, a wire, etc. (not shown) (in the present embodiment). As shown in Fig. 3, move it up and down). Further, the stopper 714 can be rotated around a rotation shaft (not shown) as a fulcrum, and can be retracted (can be released) from the paper guide plates 716a and 716b.

【0040】

When the paper P is stopped by the stopper 714 slightly upstream from the side surface of the folding roller nip Na, the pinch roller 715 is brought into contact with the lower folding roller 713 again, and the paper P is niped with the pinch roller nip Nb to fix the paper P. , Rotate the chopper knife 711 to the paper side (the alternate long and short dash line position in FIG. 4) with the chopper rotation fulcrum 711a as the fulcrum, and fold the central part of the paper P with the chopper knife 711 until just before the folding roller nip Na. That is, the chopper knife 711 has a fulcrum on the folding roller side with respect to the paper transport direction and on the upstream side of the lower folding roller 713 on the upstream side, and while rotating, the paper P is rotated by the upper folding roller 712 and the lower folding roller 712. It operates to push into the folding roller nip Na between the 713 and the fold roller nip.

【0041】

After the central part of the paper P is folded by the chopper knife 711, the chopper knife 711 is retracted (solid line position in FIG. 4), and the upper fold roller 712 and the lower fold roller 713 and the pinch roller 715 are rotated in the reverse direction (upper fold). Roller 712 rotates clockwise indicated by the dotted line, downward folding roller 713 rotates counterclockwise indicated by the dotted line, and pinch roller 715 rotates clockwise indicated by the dotted line), and the central part of the paper P is rotated from the folding roller nip Na. Fold it out about 5 to 10 mm to the opposite side of the paper guide plate 716b, and make a crease in the center of the paper P.

【0042】

After the central part of the paper P is creased, the stopper 714 is released, and the upper fold roller 712, the lower fold roller 713, and the pinch roller 715 rotate in the forward direction again (the upper fold roller 712 is counterclockwise shown by the solid line). Rotate in the direction, rotate the lower fold roller 713 clockwise as shown by the solid line, rotate the pinch roller 715 counterclockwise as shown by the solid line), and rotate the lower fold roller 713 and the pinch roller 715 that abuts on the lower fold roller 713. As a result, the middle-folded paper P is ejected from the middle-folded portion 71.

【0043】

The above-mentioned middle folding process is repeated for each sheet of paper P. Further, if necessary, the cover sheet is fed to the middle fold portion 71 to be folded in the middle, and the cover sheet folded in the middle is discharged from the middle fold portion 71.

【0044】

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the distance between the position P1 where the chopper knife 711 abuts on the paper P and the pinch roller nip Nb (up to the point P2) fixing the paper P is the distance with respect to the paper transport direction. It is preferable to set the circumferences of the lower folding roller 713 on the downstream side to the folding roller nip Na (point P3) and the pinch roller nip Nb (point P2) substantially equal. As a result, while the tip of the chopper knife 711 pushes the same part of the paper P, the central part of the paper P is pushed into the folding roller nip Na, and the central part of the paper P can be folded well without giving stress to the paper P. It will be possible.

【0045】

Further, the position of the pinch roller 715 that abuts the lower fold roller 713 on the downstream side and forms the pinch roller nip Nb with respect to the paper transport direction is slightly higher than the center position of the lower fold roller 713 on the downstream side that abuts. It is preferable to set and arrange it on the upstream side (about 0 to 5 mm). As a result, the pinch rollers 715 are arranged so that the folded paper P can easily enter the inside (folding roller nip Na side).

【0046】

By adopting the above-described configuration, the present invention can obtain a bookbinding device having a center-folded portion in which the folding position is stable, with little variation due to the waist of the paper (recording paper) or deviation during the operation of the knife. ..

【0047】

[Effect of the invention]

According to the present invention, since the folding operation is performed while pressing the immediate vicinity of the folded portion, the paper does not shift during the operation, and the paper is pressed by rotating the operation of the chopper knife. The chopper knife does not scratch the paper. Further, it is possible to provide a bookbinding device having a center-folded portion in which the folding position is stable, because the paper (recording paper) is less likely to fluctuate due to the waist of the paper (recording paper) during the operation of the knife.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus including a bookbinding apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional configuration diagram of an example of a bookbinding device having a center-folded portion according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a center-folded portion.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

7 Bookbinding device 71 Saddle stitch part 73 Saddle stitch part 78 Cover sheet feeder 711 Chopper knife 712 Top fold roller 713 Bottom fold roller 715 Pinch roller Na Fold roller nip Nb Pinch roller nip P Paper T Paper bundle (booklet)