Sheet loader, sheet folding device, and bookbinding system

The present invention relates to a sheet loading device and a sheet folding processing device having a function of center-folding a sheet on which an image is formed by an image forming means and loading the center-folded sheet bundle, and a bookbinding system.

In paragraph [0295] and drawing [Fig. 63] of Patent Document 1, if the folded end of the next sheet is overlapped with the folded end of the previous sheet and loaded in order from above, the folded end will be folded no matter how hard it is folded. However, because it cannot be crushed due to its stiffness, the folded end side becomes extremely bulky, while the open end becomes bulky by the thickness of the paper, so the problem is that it is not too bulky.

If loading is carried out in sequence in this situation, the sheet piles (mountains of sheet bundles, sheet bundles) will eventually collapse toward the open end side. In order to prevent this, a protrusion 106a having a predetermined height h that substantially matches the height that is expected to be taken by the folded end overlapping side when a predetermined number of sheet bundles p are loaded is provided, and the open end side is raised to the bottom. There is.

Further, as a prior art thereof, Patent Document 1 describes a method of arranging the sheet bundles P separately and sequentially by using paragraph [0293] and drawing [FIG. 62]. It is stated that the problem with this method is that a large tray (long silhouette on a horizontal plane) is required to eject a large number of sheet bundles.

Further, in Patent Document 2, the height of the seat bundle on the seat stacker is detected and the movement amount of the seat stopper mechanism is controlled based on the detection signal to increase the number of seat bundles that can be loaded. Things are disclosed.

<patcit num="1"><text>Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-322163</text></patcit><patcit num="2"><text>Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-261256</text></patcit>

<p> Since the degree of crushing of the folded end changes depending on not only the type of sheet but also the atmosphere such as temperature and humidity, the appropriate height of the protrusion 106a described in paragraph [0295] and drawing [Fig. 63] of Patent Document 1 differs each time. .. Therefore, the prevention of the collapse of the seat ridge using the protrusion 106a was sometimes insufficient.</p><p> In addition, the methods of paragraph [0293] and drawing [FIG. 62] of Patent Document 1 as prior art certainly require a large tray (long silhouette on a horizontal plane) in order to eject a large number of sheet bundles.</p><p> Further, since the technique of Patent Document 2 only detects the height of the seat bundle, the seat loading control cannot be performed unless the seat bundle is raised. That is, since the posture of the seat bundle group that is the base of the seats to be loaded one after another cannot be controlled, there remains a problem that the loading posture tends to be unstable.</p>

<p> In order to solve the above problems, the present invention of the present invention provides a sheet bundle supply means for supplying a center-folded sheet bundle with its folded end at the head; and supports the sheet bundle in contact with the folded end. The folded end supporting means that moves in a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal plane; and the outer and lower surfaces of the sheet bundle supplied from above in the moving direction of the folded end supporting means, the folded end of the sheet bundle is in the inclined direction. With a bottom surface supporting means that is on the lower side and supports the open end of the sheet bundle on the higher side in the inclination; with the folded end of the sheet bundle that moves with the folded end supporting means and is supported by the folded end supporting means. With the member forming the apex facing the outer and lower surfaces between the open end of the sheet bundle; the number of sheets on which the lower surface supporting means is mounted is more than the first number, rather than the first number. The second number, which is also larger, provides a sheet loading device, a sheet folding processing device, and a bookbinding system including a supporting means for supporting the folded end supporting means so as to move away from the sheet bundle supplying means.</p>

<p> By adjusting the posture of the seat bundle group that is the base of the middle-folded sheets that are placed one after another, it is possible to realize a stable loading of a large amount of the middle-folded sheets.</p>

Stack the folded ends on the tray so that the folded ends of the next sheet pile overlap the open end of the pile of multiple sheet bundles (= the previous seat pile). Then, since the sheet ridges and the sheet ridges are only displaced from each other, they are placed in a staggered posture as in the method of paragraph [0293] and drawing [Fig. 62] of Patent Document 1 as the prior art. , There is no need for a tray with an extremely long footprint depending on the number of loaded sheets. Further, it is possible to avoid a state in which the loading posture changes significantly depending on the degree of crushing of the folded end. In addition, by making a pile of seats and then moving and breaking them, it is possible to load the bundles in a more neat and offset posture than by shifting each bundle of seats.

[1] Definition of sheet Hereinafter, the definitions of terms in the present specification will be described with reference to FIG.

[1-1] Sheet As shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), crease the sheet S near the center as a fold line 101 so that one sheet surface is inward (opposite) and the other is outward. What you do is called "middle fold". The inner (face-to-face) seat surface is the seat inner surface 103, and the outer (back-to-back) seat surface is the seat outer surface 104. Further, the side that is grounded on the seat outer surface 104 is the seat outer lower surface.

The direction along the crease of the middle fold is defined as the "width direction of the sheet S", and the length of the sheet S in the direction along the fold of the middle fold is defined as the "width of the sheet S". Further, the direction orthogonal to the fold of the middle fold is defined as the "longitudinal direction of the sheet S", and the length of the sheet S in the direction orthogonal to the fold of the middle fold is defined as the "length of the sheet S". Making a crease at an arbitrary position on the seat S so that one seat surface is inside and the other seat surface is outside is simply called "folding".

In FIG. 1 (b) showing the sheet after the middle fold, the left side, that is, the outer side on the crease side is referred to as the folded end 105, and the right side, that is, the open side is referred to as the open end 106. Further, both ends connecting the folded end 105 and the open end 106 are set as side ends, and the folded end 105 is regarded as the front, the front side end in FIG. 1 (b) is the left side end 115, and the back side end is the right side. Edge 116.

In FIG. 1 (c) showing the sheet after being similarly folded, the left and right parts of the fold are designated as pages 111 and 112. Let each of both sides of the page be pages 107, 108, 109 and 110. Here, the page surface 110 is the upper outside, the page surface 109 is the upper inner side, the page surface 108 is the lower inner side, and the page surface 107 is the lower outer side. Page 111, which is the upper page, has page surfaces 107 and 108 as front and back surfaces. The lower page 112 has page surfaces 109 and 110 as front and back surfaces.

FIG. 1 (d) is a diagram showing a sheet that has been folded so-called "Z-fold". The Z-fold sheet shown in these figures has creases parallel to the fold edges with the fold line near the center of the upper page.

Although the shape is different from that of the middle-folded sheet, the left side of the figure, that is, the outer side of the middle fold side is the folded end 113, and the right end side, that is, the side that is not bulky is the open end 114. To do.

When the lower outer page surface of the folded sheet is placed on a flat surface, the height of the sheet in the direction perpendicular to the flat surface is defined as the "sheet height". The portion of the folded sheet where the height is maximized is referred to as the bulging portion, and the portion where the upper and lower inner surfaces of the sheet are in contact with each other is referred to as the "crushed portion".

[1-2] Sheet bundle A plurality of sheets that are stacked without being folded, such as sheets S1, S2, S3, etc. in Fig. 2 (a), are collectively referred to as "sheet bundle T". In addition, a group of a plurality of sheets in which the outer surfaces of the other folded sheets are inserted so as to face each other on the inner surface of the folded sheet is also collectively called a sheet bundle T.

[1-3] Seat pile As shown in FIG. 3A, a plurality of sheet bundles in which the folded end side of the adjacent sheet S is overlapped on the folded end of the lower sheet S are collectively referred to as a sheet pile P.

As shown in Fig. 3 (b), a group of Z-folded sheets S that are stacked with their folded ends facing in substantially the same direction is also collectively called a sheet pile P.

As shown in FIGS. 3 (c) and 3 (d), a group of sheet bundles T stacked with their folded end sides oriented in substantially the same direction is also collectively referred to as a sheet pile P.

As for the sheet ridge, the side on which the folded ends are overlapped is called the folded end (side), and the side on which the open ends are overlapped is called the open end (side).

[2] Embodiment A mode in which the folded ends of the next sheet pile overlap with the open end of the pile of the sheet bundles (= the previous seat pile) loaded on the tray by overlapping the folded ends will be described below.

Since the seat ridges and the seat ridges are only located offset from each other, loading is performed so that the seats are placed one by one in a staggered posture as in the methods of paragraph [0293] and drawing [Fig. 62] of Patent Document 1 as the prior art. There is no need for trays with extremely long footprints depending on the number of sheets. Further, it is possible to avoid a large change in the loading posture depending on the degree of crushing of the folded end.

For that purpose, it is necessary to place the next sheet bundle to be placed at a position relatively offset from the previous sheet pile. Possible methods include shifting (moving) the previous sheet pile and shifting the position where the next sheet bundle is placed. The former will be described in detail below.

This method will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 4A shows a sheet pile 206 formed by the sheet bundles 202, 203, and 204, which are sequentially stacked on the bed 201 (bottom support means). Here, in order to make it easy to see the movement of the bed 201, a guard 205 is provided which slows down the speed of the sheet bundle placed in the direction of the mounting surface of the bed 201 and stops it on the bed 201. If you don't have a good speed, you don't need a guard.

In the method described here, the original position of giving the sheet bundle to the bed 201 is not changed. This corresponds to, for example, a situation in which the position of the port for supplying the sheet bundle to the bed 201 is constant.

When a seat pile 206 of a certain height (the number of sheets, the number of bundles, etc. may be used as a parameter) is built on the bed 201, the seat pile 206 is moved toward the folding end as shown in FIG. 4 (b). This shift may be performed by moving the entire bed 201 as shown in FIG. 4, or by moving the seat pile relative to the bed 201 without moving the bed 201.

The shift distance should be shorter than the length of the seat ridge 206. The length of the sheet pile 206 varies slightly depending on how the sheet bundles 202, 203, and 204 are stacked, but it can be considered to be approximately the length of the sheet bundle alone. By setting the shifting distance to approximately one-third or more of the length of the sheet bundle, it is possible to prevent the folded end of the next sheet bundle from being placed on the bulging portion of the shifted sheet pile.

After moving the seat ridge 206, the seat bundle 207 is given to the bed 201 from the same position as the original position where the seat bundle 202 was given to the bed 201. Then, as shown in FIG. 4 (c), the folded end of the seat bundle 207 is placed at a position avoiding the bulging portion of the seat ridge 206.

Since the position where the sheet bundle 208 is given is the same as the position where the sheet bundle 207 is given, the seat ridge 209 is built where the sheet bundle 207 is located. As a result, a state in which the folded end of the next seat pile overlaps the open end of the seat pile is realized.

In addition, Fig. 4 shows the mode in which the seat ridges move without collapsing, but when the friction between the sheet bundles forming the seat ridges is small, as shown in Fig. 5 (a). When the sheet ridges formed in the above are moved in the direction in which the folded ends are facing, the sheet bundle group forming the sheet ridges as shown in Fig. 5 (b) is delayed due to inertia as the upper sheet bundles. Each of the seat bundles is in a posture of riding on the crushed part of the lower seat bundle. If the sheet pile collapses cleanly in this way, it is naturally possible to load the sheet bundle more neatly after that. When such a mode is made to appear, it is not necessary to worry about the stability of the seat ridge after the movement, that is, the seat bundle group can be held in a stable posture.

[2-1] Embodiment 1 of the method of shifting the seat pile above The configuration of the seat loading device 310 as an embodiment of this method will be described with reference to FIG.

The seat loading device 310 includes a discharge port 300, an outer wall 301, a bed 302 (bottom support means), a transport path 303, a discharge sensor 304, a guard 305, a rack gear 306, a pinion gear 307, a motor 308, a button 309, a mounting sensor 311 and a control. It has a part 312.

The discharge port 300 is open to the outer wall 301 of a device such as a sheet folding machine. The discharge port 300 discharges the folded sheet or the sheet bundle to the bed 302 with the folded end at the head. The discharge port 300 is connected to the transport path 303.

The discharge sensor 304 is on the side of the discharge port 300 connected to the transport path 303. The discharge sensor 304 is a sensor for counting the number of sheets and sheet bundles discharged from the discharge port 300.

Bed 302 is below the outlet 300. The upper surface of the bed 302 is a mounting surface for mounting a sheet or a bundle of sheets discharged from the discharge port 300. The bed 302 advances and retreats from the outer wall 301 horizontally in the direction in which the discharge port 300 discharges the sheet bundle.

The guard 305 stops the bundle of sheets discharged from the discharge port 300 from overrunning from the bed 302. The guard 305 is positioned so that the surface in contact with the folded end of the seat bundle is located about the length of the seat bundle from the outer wall 301 when the bed 302 retreats to the outer wall 301, and both the bed 302 and the guard 305 move forward and backward. To do.

The advancement and retreat of the bed 302 is performed by turning the pinion gear 307 that meshes with the rack gear 306 on the lower surface of the bed 302 by the motor 308.

The button 309 protrudes from the mounting surface when the sheet bundle is not placed on the mounting surface of the bed 302, and is pressed by the sheet bundle mounted on the mounting surface and retracts to the mounting surface. The mounting sensor 311 detects whether the button 309 protrudes from the mounting surface or retracts into the mounting surface.

The control unit 312 rotates the motor 308 based on the detection results of the discharge sensor 304 and the mounting sensor 309. The control unit 312 counts the number of sheet bundles discharged from the discharge port 300. The control unit 312 increments the count each time the discharge sensor 304 detects a bundle of sheets, and when the count reaches 3, waits a while and then turns the motor 308 to advance the bed 302. When the control unit 312 detects that the mounting sensor 309 has transitioned from the state in which the button 309 is retracted to the mounting surface to the state in which the button 309 is protruding from the mounting surface, the count is returned to 0 and the motor 308 is turned to the bed. Reject 302.

The operation of the seat loading device 310 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 to 12 and 15.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of the seat loading device 310 until a pile of seats in a bundle of seats folded in the middle is completed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state when the first sheet bundle T1 is in the transport path 303. When the sheet bundle T1 approaches the discharge sensor 304 immediately before the discharge port 300, the control unit 312 starts executing the count routine (step 350).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state when the first sheet bundle T1 is placed on the mounting surface of the bed 302. Button 309 is retracted to the mounting surface by the sheet bundle T1 mounted on the mounting surface. When the next bundle of sheets approaches the discharge sensor 304 in front of the discharge port 300 with the button 309 retracted to the mounting surface (Yes in step 351), the control unit 312 does not clear the count once. Increment and hold (step 353).

When the next bundle of sheets approaches the discharge sensor 304 just before the discharge port 300 (No in step 351) with the button 309 not retracted to the mounting surface, the control unit 312 once clears the count (No). Return to 0: From step 352), increment and hold (step 353). The count becomes 1 at the time of transition from FIG. 7 to FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state immediately after the second sheet bundle T2 and the third sheet bundle T3 are sequentially discharged to the bed 302. The sheet bundle T2 and the sheet bundle T3 are stacked on the sheet bundle T1, and the first sheet pile is completed. With the button 309 retracted to the mounting surface by the sheet bundle T1, the sheet bundles T2 and T3 passed in front of the discharge sensor 304, so the control unit 312 increments the count twice and counts at this point. Is 3.

When the count is less than 3 (less than the threshold: No in step 354), the count routine is terminated without advancing bed 302. After a predetermined time has passed since the count reached 3 (threshold value: Yes in step 354), turn the motor 308 to move the bed 302 to the first from the outlet 300 as shown in FIG. Advance the bed 302 toward the fold end of S1 so that the seat pile is away (step 355).

The predetermined time is approximately faster than the fourth sheet bundle T4 is ejected, and the length until the third sheet bundle T3 is stacked on the second sheet bundle T2 and settles down. do it. If the time from discharging the third sheet bundle T3 to discharging the fourth sheet bundle T4 can be lengthened (that is, the discharge interval of the sheet bundle can be changed), the sheet bundle T4 is discharged. The time may be delayed to allow time for the bed 302 to move.

The distance for advancing the bed 302 may be about one-third to two-thirds of the length of the seat bundle. If the seat bundle to be handled is weak and the bulge of the folded seat bundle is small, the distance for advancing the bed 302 is not limited to one-third or more of the length of the seat bundle and may be shorter. .. In short, the distance should be such that the bulge of the next seat ridge does not overlap with the bulge of the previous seat ridge and become unstable. If the part that was a bulging part when the next sheet pile was not placed on the previous seat pile is placed on the next seat pile and deformed to become a crushed part, anticipate the deformed length. Therefore, the distance for advancing the bed 302 may be set short.

However, if the pile of seat bundles is strong, if the next seat bundle is placed on the bulge, it may bounce and collapse, so I expected the previous seat pile to collapse due to the next seat pile. Some care must be taken in the distance design. Naturally, in the case of a thick sheet bundle or a sheet bundle with a strong stiffness, the distance for advancing the bed 302 should be long, and in the case of a thin sheet bundle or a sheet bundle with a weak stiffness, the distance for advancing the bed 302 should be short. Such as, may be performed according to the sheet type.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state immediately after the fourth sheet bundle T4 and the fifth sheet bundle T5 are sequentially discharged to the bed 302. On the crushed part of the first sheet pile, the folded end of the second seat pile including the seat bundle T4 and the seat bundle T5 is placed. At the time of the state shown in FIG. 11, the count of the control unit 312 is 5.

Although the crushed part of the first seat ridge is low, it is a little thick, and the second seat ridge, which is supported by placing the fold end on it, has a high fold end and a low open end. Inevitably, the maximum number of sheets where the first sheet pile is stable and the maximum number of sheets where the second sheet pile is stable can be different. Therefore, it may be designed to stop the discharge of the sheet bundle when the number of the sheet bundles included in the second sheet pile is smaller than the number of the sheet bundles included in the first sheet pile.

Further, in this embodiment, only the form in which only the second pile is stacked will be described, but the third sheet pile is placed on the crushed portion of the second pile so that the folded end is placed on the crushed portion of the second pile. Needless to say, it is possible to design such that the fold end of the n + 1 mountain is placed on the surface.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state after the seat ridge is removed from the bed 302. Since the button 309 has transitioned from the state of being retracted to the mounting surface to the state of being protruding from the mounting surface, the control unit 312 returns the count to 0. The control unit 312 also turns the motor 308 to retract the bed 302.

Bed 302 may be retracted to the position shown in FIG. However, for example, if it is found that the length of the new sheet bundle discharged immediately after removing the sheet pile is longer than the length of the sheet bundle discharged so far, do not retract to the position shown in FIG. The new sheet bundle may be retracted only to a distance that fits in the bed 302, or may not be retracted at all.

The number of sheet bundles for one sheet pile is not limited to two or three, and may be larger or smaller. Further, the structure for advancing and retreating the bed 302 is not limited to the rack and pinion, and a worm gear system may be used, or any other drive system may be adopted.

Further, FIGS. 10 and 11 show a mode in which the seat ridges move together with the guard 305 without collapsing. However, when the friction between the sheet bundles forming the seat ridges is small, FIGS. 13 and 11 show. As shown in 14, the seat bundles that formed the seat piles are displaced, and each of the seat bundles is in a posture of riding on the crushed part of the lower seat bundle. When such a mode is made to appear, it is not necessary to worry about the stability of the seat ridge after the movement of the guard 305, that is, the seat bundle group can be held in a stable posture on the bed 303.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the bed 302 may be arranged so as to be inclined so that the side closer to the discharge port 303 is higher. This will reduce the footprint of bed 303. As for the sheet bundle group to be placed, the folded end of the bottom sheet bundle is supported by the guard 305, and the sheet bundle placed above it is prevented from slipping by the bulging part of the lower sheet bundle, resulting in this. The posture is neatly lined up like a domino. Further, since the placed sheet bundle group is appropriately pressed downward by the inclination of the bed 303, the placed state of each sheet bundle is dramatically more stable than when the bed 303 is horizontal. Not only that, the number of bundles that can be placed will also increase.

In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, since the bundle regulating means only advances and retreats on the horizontal plane with respect to the sheet falling on the inclined surface, the placement posture changes in the middle of the row when the sheet bundle group is arranged. Since the sliding of the sheet bundle is not hindered, the above effect cannot be obtained.

[2-2] Embodiment 2 of the method of shifting the previous sheet mountain As the second embodiment, a mode of shifting the seat ridges by using the weight of the seat ridges will be described, but before that, a method of shifting each sheet bundle by each weight will be described so as to make it easier to understand. To do.

[2-2-1] Basic explanation of the method of shifting by the weight of the sheet bundle A configuration of the seat loading device 400 having a structure in which the guard is moved by the weight of the seat bundle will be described with reference to FIG.

The seat loading device 400 includes a discharge port 401, an outer wall 402, a bed 403 (bottom support means), a transport path 404, a guard 405, and a spring 406.

The discharge port 401 is open to the outer wall 402 of a device such as a sheet folding machine. The discharge port 401 discharges the folded sheet or the sheet bundle to the bed 403 with the folded end at the head. The discharge port 401 is connected to the transport path 404.

The bed 403 is located below the discharge port 401, and its upper surface is inclined so that the side closer to the discharge port 401 is higher and the side farther from the discharge port 401 is lower.

The guard 405 comes into contact with the fold end of the sheet bundle that is about to slide down the slope of the bed 403. The guard 405 translates along the slope of the top surface of the bed 403. The width of the guard 405 is about half the length of the short side of the postcard size from the center to both sides in the width direction of the folded end of the sheet bundle.

Here, as shown in FIG. 19, the guard 405 is drawn so as to be connected so as to move together with the base plate 407 which has a surface parallel to the bed 403 and is the same width as the guard 405. Placing the rollers 408 and 409 side by side in a structure having a length in the moving direction of the guard 405, such as the base plate 407, keeps the moving posture and smoothness of the guard 405. It is effective against it. The base plate 407 is supported by the slope 412 via rollers 408 and 409. The rollers 408 and 409 roll along the slope indicated by the broken line along the slope 412. The base plate 407 can move smoothly along the slope 412 thanks to the roller 408.

The bed cover 413 covers the slope of the slope 412 except for the portion covered by the base plate 407. The height of the upper surface of the bed cover 413 from the slope of the slope 412 is approximately the same as the height from the slope of the slope 412 to the upper surface of the base plate 407. The bedspread 413 is fixed to the slope 412.

The base plate 407 also has rollers 410 and 411 that rotate about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the slope of the slope 412. The rollers 410 and 411 roll in contact with the guide wall of the bed cover 413, which is perpendicular to the slope of the slope 412. The guide wall supports the rollers 410 and 411 and prevents the base plate 407 from shifting in any direction other than the direction it should move on the slope of the slope 412.

If a groove 415 extending in the vertical direction is provided in the center of the guard 405 as shown in FIG. 19, two points on the folding side of the seat bundle can be supported on both sides of the groove 415, and further stability of the loaded state of the seat bundle is expected. it can. In addition, a finger can be inserted between the guard 405 and the folded side of the sheet bundle, or a nail can be caught, which makes it easier to remove the sheet bundle.

Of course, the configuration of the guard 405 is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 20, a beam 414 may be attached to the guard 405 instead of the base plate 407, and rollers 408 to 411 may be attached thereto. In FIG. 20, the beam 414 is hidden under the bedspread 413 and is exposed as the guard 405 descends along the slope of the slope 412.

The spring 406 urges the guard 405 toward the outer wall 402. The guard 405 is pushed downward by the weight of the sheet bundle placed on the upper surface of the bed 403 below the inclination of the bed 403.

The larger the number of sheet bundles placed on the upper surface of the bed 403, the farther the guard 405 is from the outer wall 402 below the inclination of the bed 403.

The operation of the seat loading device 400 will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 to 23. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a state when the first sheet bundle T1 is in the transport path 404. At this point, the guard 405 is attracted toward the discharge port 401 by the force of the spring 406, and is the position closest to the discharge port 401 among the positions that the guard 405 can take.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a state when the first sheet bundle T1 is placed on the mounting surface of the bed 403. The weight of the seat bundle T1 placed on the mounting surface pushes the guard 405 downward along the slope of the bed 403, extends the spring 406, and displaces the guard 405 downward along the slope.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a state immediately after the first sheet bundle T1 to the fifth sheet bundle T5 are sequentially discharged to the bed 403. As the number of sheet bundles placed on the mounting surface increases, the spring 406 is stretched by their weight, and the amount of downward displacement of the guard 405 in the direction along the slope increases. That is, the distance between the guard 405 and the outer wall 402 is increased, and the number of sheet bundles that can be staggered and stacked on each other increases. As the sheet size increases, the weight of one sheet also increases, so that the amount of extension of the spring 406 with respect to one sheet also increases, and the distance between the guard 405 and the outer wall 402 also increases.

There is no problem even if the distance between the guard 405 and the outer wall 402 is a little long and the sheet bundle discharged from the discharge port 401 does not directly rest on the already discharged sheet bundle. This is because the bundle of seats slides down the slope of bed 403. By properly designing the tilt angle of the bed 403, the sliding seat bundle is decelerated by trying to ride on the bulge portion of the previously discharged seat bundle and does not directly collide with the guard 405. Then, the crushed portion of the sheet bundle discharged earlier is placed in an overlapping posture so that the bulging portion of the sheet bundle discharged later is placed on the crushed portion. If the inclination angle of the bed 403 is too large, the seat bundle discharged later will get over the crushed portion of the seat bundle discharged earlier, and the staggered loading will not be realized. Therefore, the inclination angle of the bed 403 should be designed so that the seat bundle discharged later stops in an overlapping posture so that the bulging portion rests on the crushed portion of the sheet bundle discharged earlier.

[2-2-2] Example of a method of shifting by the weight of the sheet pile A form of shifting the seat ridge by using the weight of the seat ridge will be described.

The seat loading device 500 shown in FIG. 24 corresponds to the discharge port 401, the outer wall 402, the bed 403, the transport path 404, the guard 405, and the spring 406 of the seat loading device 400 of FIG. 18, respectively. It is equipped with a bed 503, a transport path 504, a guard 505 and a spring 506. The sheet loading device 500 further includes a magnet 507 and an iron plate 508.

However, the spring 506 does not have to be very strong here, as long as it can generate a force sufficient to attract the guard 505 above the slope of the bed 503.

The movable range of the guard 505 is 3 minutes of the length of the seat bundle from the position where the surface of the guard 505 in contact with the folded end of the seat bundle is separated from the outer wall 501 in the direction along the slope of the bed 503 by about the length of the seat bundle. It may be set to a position separated by about 1 to 2/3. If the stiffness of the sheet bundle to be handled is weak and the bulging portion of the folded sheet bundle is small, the length of the folded sheet bundle is not limited to about one-third or more, and may be shorter. In short, the distance should be such that the bulge of the next seat ridge does not overlap with the bulge of the previous seat ridge and become unstable. If the part that was a bulging part when the next sheet pile was not placed on the previous seat pile is placed on the next seat pile and deformed to become a crushed part, anticipate the deformed length. Therefore, the distance for advancing the guard 505 may be set short.

However, if the pile of seat bundles is strong, if the next seat bundle is placed on the bulge, it may bounce and collapse, so I expected the previous seat pile to collapse due to the next seat pile. Some care must be taken in the distance design.

The magnet 507 is fixed to the guard 505. The iron plate 508 is fixed to the bed 503. The magnet 507 attracts the iron plate 508 by its magnetic force, and prevents the guard 505 from descending below the inclination of the bed 503 until the weight of the sheet bundle placed on the upper surface of the bed 503 is reached to some extent. Further, the force that the magnet 507 attracts the iron plate 508 resists the force that the guard 505 tries to lower the inclination of the bed 503 when the weight of the sheet bundle placed on the upper surface of the bed 503 exceeds a certain level. It disappears. That is, when the amount of the sheet bundle placed on the upper surface of the bed 503 exceeds a certain amount, the guard 505 is lowered at once below the inclination of the bed 503.

The operation of the seat loading device 500 will be described with reference to FIGS. 25 to 28. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a state when the first sheet bundle T1 is in the transport path 504. At this point, the attractive force of the magnet 507 and the force of the spring 506 attract and hold the guard 505 toward the discharge port 501, and the guard 505 is the closest possible position to the discharge port 501.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a state after the first sheet bundle T1 and the second sheet bundle T2 are sequentially placed on the mounting surface of the bed 503. The attractive force of the magnet 507 and the force of the spring 506 endure the weight of the sheet bundles T1 and T2 placed on the mounting surface, and the position of the guard 505 has not changed at this point. Therefore, the sheet bundle T2 is placed on the sheet bundle T1 to complete the seat pile.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a state after the third sheet bundle T3 is discharged onto the sheet pile including the sheet bundles T1 and T2. When the sheet bundle T3 is placed on the seat bundle, the attractive force of the magnet 507 and the force of the spring 506 cannot withstand the weight of the three bundles of seat bundles, and the seat bundles including the seat bundles T1, T2 and T3 are guarded 505. Begins to fall, and the folded end of the next sheet bundle overlaps with the open end of this sheet pile.

In this way, after the sheet ridge is completed, by moving it to a position where the folded end of the sheet bundle to be discharged after that overlaps with the open end of the sheet ridge, the next sheet is placed on the open end of the sheet ridge. Ready to load so that the folds of the mountain overlap. FIG. 28 shows a state in which the folded end of the next sheet pile including the sheet bundles T4 and T5 discharged after shifting the seat pile is placed so as to overlap the open end of the previous seat pile. ..

When the two seat ridges are removed from the bed 503, the force of the spring 506 causes the guard 505 to return to the position shown in Figure 25.

At the beginning of the lowering of the guard 505 in FIG. 27, for example, it may be completely lowered to the maximum movable position, or it may be designed so as not to be lowered to that point and to be stopped halfway. For example, the spring strength of the spring 506 may be designed to be weak in the former case and strong in the latter case.

Further, FIGS. 27 and 28 show a mode in which the seat ridges do not collapse and descend along the slope of the bed 503 together with the guard 505, but the friction between the seat bundles forming the seat ridges is small. In this case, as shown in FIG. 29, the seat bundles forming the seat ridges are displaced, and each of the seat bundles is in a posture of riding on the crushed portion of the lower seat bundle. After that, as shown in FIG. 30, the folded ends of the sheet bundles T4 and T5 discharged after shifting the sheet piles are placed so as to overlap the open ends of the previous sheet bundles. When such a mode is made to appear, it is not necessary to worry about the stability of the seat ridge after the movement of the guard 505, that is, the seat bundle group can be held in a stable posture on the bed 503.

Further, the magnet 507 is used as an electromagnet, and the discharge sensor 304, the button 309, and the mounting sensor 311 of the sheet loading device 310 described with reference to FIG. Step 355 may be set to release the magnetic force of the electromagnet (naturally, the magnetic force of the electromagnet is exerted before executing step 355). Of course, a configuration in which the guard 505 is locked by a locking mechanism that is released when the magnetic force of the electromagnet is exerted can be easily replaced by a person skilled in the art. ..

[2-2-3] Modification example of the method of shifting by the weight of the seat pile 1 The sheet loading device 600 shown in FIG. 31 corresponds to the discharge port 501, the outer wall 502, the bed 503, the transport path 504, the guard 505, the spring 506, the magnet 507, and the iron plate 508 of the sheet loading device 500 of FIG. 24, respectively. It is equipped with an outlet 601, an outer wall 602, a bed 603, a transport path 604, a guard 605, a spring 606, a magnet 607 and an iron plate 608.

The base plate 609 of the guard 605 of this example has a hill peaked along the fold end of the sheet bundle supported by the guard 605. FIG. 32 (a) is a side view thereof. The distance Lp in the moving direction of the guard 605 from the surface in contact with the folded end of the sheet bundle of the guard 605 to the peak should be less than half the length of the sheet bundle. If a plurality of sheet size sheet bundles are discharged from the discharge port 601, the length of the sheet bundle having the maximum sheet size may be half or less.

The bulging portion of the sheet bundle to be placed first fits between the surface of the guard 605 in contact with the folded end of the sheet bundle and the peak. The peak of this example continues in the width direction of the base plate 609 over its entire width. Of course, unlike this example, for example, it may have a plurality of peaks that do not continue over the entire width in the width direction. In short, the shape may have a top at a position supporting the lower surface of the sheet bundle when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the folded end of the sheet bundle supported by the guard 605.

The surface of the peak on the lower side (valley side: that is, the section of Lp) along the slope is steeper (steep) than the surface on the upper side (mountain side) along the slope. Since the slope on the valley side of the hill is steeper than the slope of the bed 603, the folded edge of the sheet bundle is more likely to fall toward the valley formed by the guard 605. Therefore, the probability that the folded end of the sheet bundle stops in the posture of being in contact with the guard 605 is higher, and the sheet bundle is more likely to be stable.

If the peak is closer to the discharge port 601 than the landing position near the fold end of the sheet bundle to be placed first, the fold end of the sheet bundle is more likely to fall toward the valley formed by the guard 605. On the contrary, if the peak is on the side farther from the discharge port 601 than the position near the folding end of the sheet bundle to be placed first, the speed of the sheet bundle discharged from the discharge port 601 is on the mountain side of the peak. It will be decelerated by the resistance, and there is a higher possibility that the folded end of the sheet bundle will stop in a posture that does not abut on the guard 605 than the point where the folded end of the sheet bundle discharged from the discharge port 601 lands. .. To prevent this, it is important to design so that the speed applied to the sheet bundle discharged from the discharge port 601 is not too slow.

The hills are high enough so that the upper and outer surfaces of the first bundle of sheets to be placed are in a convex or flat position. Of course, as shown in Fig. 32 (b), the hill may be raised further so that even the upper and outer surfaces of the second seat bundle are placed in a convex or flat posture, or more seats. Even after the bundles are stacked, the upper and outer surfaces of the sheet bundles placed at the uppermost part of the sheet bundle group may be raised so as to have a convex or flat posture. This is to prevent the next sheet bundle from being caught in the bulging portion of the placed sheet bundle and stopping before the folded end abuts on the guard 605.

The surface of the hill on the mountain side may have a shape that intersects the upper surface of the bed 603 as shown in FIG. 32 (c). Then, the sheet bundle can be in a posture in which both corners on the open end side are closer to the bed 603. As a result, both corners on the open end side are supported by the bed 603, which is wider than the base plate 609, so that the sheet bundle is more stable.

Of course, as shown in FIG. 32 (d) and FIG. 32 (e), the mountain side end of the hill may be above the upper surface of the bed 603. By doing so, both corners on the open end side of the seat bundle can be prevented from touching the bed 603, and the friction between the seat bundle and the bed 603 can be prevented from hindering the movement of the seat bundle together with the guard 605. it can.

The operation of the seat loading device 600 will be described with reference to FIGS. 33 to 36. FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a state when the first sheet bundle T1 is in the transport path 604. At this point, the attractive force of the magnet 607 and the force of the spring 606 attract and hold the guard 605 toward the discharge port 601, and the guard 605 is the closest possible position to the discharge port 601.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a state after the first sheet bundle T1, the second sheet bundle T2, and the third sheet bundle T3 are sequentially placed on the mounting surface of the bed 603. The attractive force of the magnet 607 and the force of the spring 606 withstand the weight of the three sheet bundles placed on the mounting surface, and the position of the guard 605 has not changed at this point. Therefore, the sheet bundle T2 and the sheet bundle T3 are placed on the sheet bundle T1 to complete the sheet pile. Due to the hills of the base plate 609, the upper outer surface of the seat bundle T2 is in an upwardly convex position, so that the seat bundle T3 on it is more stable, and as a result, the entire seat pile is more stable.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a state after the fourth sheet bundle T4 is discharged on the sheet pile including the sheet bundle T1, the sheet bundle T2, and the sheet bundle T3. When the sheet bundle T4 is placed on the sheet bundle, the attractive force of the magnet 607 and the force of the spring 606 cannot withstand the weight of the four bundles of sheets, and the sheet bundles including the sheet bundles T1, T2, T3 and T4 are also included. The guard 605 begins to fall, and the folded end of the next sheet bundle overlaps the open end of this sheet pile. Since the warp of the sheet bundle T3 of FIG. 35 is smaller than that of the sheet bundle T3 of FIG. 27, it can be understood that the seat ridge is more stable when the base plate 609 is provided with a hill.

In this way, after the sheet ridge is completed, by moving it to a position where the folded end of the sheet bundle to be discharged after that overlaps with the open end of the sheet ridge, the next sheet is placed on the open end of the sheet ridge. Ready to load so that the folds of the mountain overlap. FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a state in which the folded end of the next seat pile including the sheet bundles T5, T6, and T7 discharged after shifting the seat pile is placed so as to overlap the open end of the previous seat pile. Is.

When the two seat ridges are removed from the bed 603, the force of the spring 606 causes the guard 605 to return to the position shown in Figure 33.

In addition, Fig. 35 and Fig. 36 show the mode in which the seat ridges do not collapse and descend along the slope of the bed 603 together with the guard 605, but the friction between the seat bundles forming the seat ridges is small. In this case, as shown in FIG. 37, the seat bundles forming the seat ridges are displaced, and each of the seat bundles is in a posture of riding on the crushed portion of the lower seat bundle. After that, as shown in FIG. 38, the folded ends of the sheet bundles T4 and T5 discharged after shifting the sheet piles are placed so as to overlap the open ends of the previous sheet bundles. When such a mode is made to appear, it is not necessary to worry about the stability of the seat ridge after the movement of the guard 605, that is, the seat bundle group can be held in a stable posture on the bed 603.

[2-2-4] Modification example 2 of the method of shifting by the weight of the seat pile The seat loading device 700 shown in FIG. 39 corresponds to the discharge port 601, the outer wall 602, the bed 603, the transport path 604, and the spring 606 of the seat loading device 600 of FIG. 31, respectively, the discharge port 701, the outer wall 702, and the bed 703. It is equipped with a transport path 704 and a spring 706.

Further, the seat loading device 700 includes a guard 705 having a configuration different from that provided by the seat loading device 600 of FIG. 31. The seat loading device 700 further includes a stopper 707, a lever 707, and a lever arm 709 as shown in the perspective view of the guard 705 of the seat loading device 700 shown in FIG. 40.

The guard 705 of this example has a lever 707 that rotates about the direction at the center in the direction along the folded end of the sheet bundle supported by the guard 705.

The lever 707 extends to a position higher than the height of the seat ridge that the guard 705 can support, and when the seat ridge is higher than the upper end of the guard 705, the seat bundle at the top of the seat ridge is pushed by the sliding motion. It rotates and becomes recessed from the surface of the guard 705 that comes into contact with the folded end of the sheet bundle. When the position near the upper end of the lever 707 is recessed from the surface that contacts the folded end of the seat bundle of the guard 705, the surface of the sheet bundle that pushed the lever 707 comes into contact with the folded end of the seat bundle of the guard 705. The shape is bent so that it protrudes toward the surface in contact with the folded end of the sheet bundle of the guard 705 so that the seat ridge does not become unstable due to passing.

The lower end of the lever 707 is connected to a lever arm 709 that extends upward on the slope of the bed 703. The vicinity of the upper tip of the lever arm 709 in the direction along the inclination of the bed 703 is caught by the stopper 708 fixed to the bed 703. When the vicinity of the upper end of the lever 707 is pushed and rotated by the seat bundle at the top of the seat ridge and becomes recessed from the surface in contact with the folded end of the seat bundle of the guard 705, the upper tip of the lever arm 709 becomes the stopper 708. Depart from.

For example, if this design, the sheet bundle placed on the upper surface of the bed 703 is greater than a certain height, the guard 705 is down once down the slope of the bed 703 can be made to want.

The operation of the seat loading device 700 will be described with reference to FIGS. 41 to 44. FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a state when the first sheet bundle T1 is in the transport path 704. At this point, the lever arm 709 is hooked on the stopper 708 fixed to the bed 703, and the guard 705 is held at the closest possible position to the outlet 701.

FIG. 42 is a diagram showing a state after the first sheet bundle T1 and the second sheet bundle T2 are sequentially placed on the mounting surface of the bed 703. The lever arm 709 hooked on the stopper 708 prevents the guard 705 from moving downward on the slope due to the weight of the sheet bundles T1 and T2 placed on the mounting surface. Therefore, the position of the guard 705 has not changed at this point. Therefore, after that, the sheet bundle is further placed on the sheet bundles T1 and T2.

FIG. 43 is a diagram showing a state after the third sheet bundle T3 is discharged onto the sheet pile including the sheet bundles T1 and T2. The seat ridge including the seat bundles T1 and T2 is already high, and the seat bundle T3 resting on it slides down a position higher than the guard 705 and pushes the lever 707. Then, the lever arm 709 that rotates with the lever 707 comes off from the stopper 708. The guard 705, which was supported by the locking of the lever arm 709 and the stopper 708, lost its support and began to descend together with the seat ridges including the seat bundles T1, T2, and T3. The folded ends of the sheet bundle will overlap.

In this way, after the sheet ridge is completed, by moving it to a position where the folded end of the sheet bundle to be discharged after that overlaps with the open end of the sheet ridge, the next sheet is placed on the open end of the sheet ridge. Ready to load so that the folds of the mountain overlap. FIG. 44 shows a state in which the folded end of the next sheet pile including the sheet bundles T4, T5 and T6 discharged after shifting the seat pile is placed so as to overlap the open end of the previous seat pile. Is.

When the two seat ridges are removed from the bed 703, the force of the spring 706 causes the guard 705 to return to the position shown in Figure 41.

In addition, FIG. 43 and FIG. 44 show a mode in which the seat ridges do not collapse and descend along the slope of the bed 703 together with the guard 705, but the friction between the seat bundles forming the seat ridges is small. In this case, as shown in FIG. 45, the seat bundles forming the seat piles are displaced, and each of the seat bundles is in a posture of riding on the crushed portion of the lower seat bundle. After that, as shown in FIG. 46, the folded ends of the sheet bundles T4, T5, and T6 discharged after shifting the sheet piles are placed so as to overlap the open ends of the previous sheet bundles. When such a mode is made to appear, it is not necessary to worry about the stability of the seat ridge after the movement of the guard 705, that is, the seat bundle group can be held in a stable posture on the bed 703.

[2-2-5] Modification example of the method of shifting by the height of the sheet mountain 3 The seat loading device 800 shown in FIG. 47 corresponds to the discharge port 601, the outer wall 602, the bed 603, the transport path 604, and the spring 606 of the seat loading device 600 of FIG. 31, respectively. It is equipped with a transport path 804 and a spring 806.

Further, the seat loading device 800 includes a stopper arm 807, a tongue (buffer member) 812, and, as shown in FIG. 48, a guard 805 having a configuration different from that provided by the seat loading device 600 of FIG.

The central portion of the upper side of the guard 805 in this example in the direction along the folded end of the sheet bundle supported by the guard 805 is a protrusion 808 higher than the left and right portions thereof. Hereinafter, the upper end of the guard 805 is not the upper end of the protrusion 808, but the left and right parts of the protrusion 808, which are lower than the protrusion 808.

The stopper arm 807 locks the protrusion 808 to the outer wall 802. The base of the stopper arm 807 rotates around a shaft 809 supported by a support 810 fixed to the outer wall 802. The stopper arm 807 is molded into a bathtub shape that holds a space with an open lower surface. A hook-shaped rib 811 is formed inside the tip of the stopper arm 807 at the center in the direction along the folded end of the sheet bundle supported by the guard 805.

The left and right walls of the rib 811 of the stopper arm 807 have a silhouette that fills the notch of the rib 811. The left and right walls cover the left and right sides of the protrusion 808 when the rib 811 is hung on the protrusion 808, and prevent the stopper arm 807 from shifting in the left-right direction. Further, the left and right walls have a silhouette in which the rib 811 approaches the inclined upper surface of the bed 803 as it approaches the protrusion 808 from the base of the stopper arm 807 when the rib 811 hangs on the protrusion 808.

When the seat ridge is higher than the upper end of the guard 805, the next bundle of seats that slides down to the top of the seat ridge smoothly starts from the base of the stopper arm 807, which is far from the upper surface of the bed 803. And the stopper arm 807. Since the left and right walls of the stopper arm 807 have a silhouette that approaches the inclined upper surface of the bed 803 as it approaches the protrusion 808 from the base of the stopper arm 807, the space between them gradually narrows in the traveling direction of the seat bundle. Therefore, the bulging portion of the seat bundle that advances between them pushes up the stopper arm 807 and removes the rib 811 from the protrusion 808.

For example, with this design, when the sheet bundle placed on the upper surface of the bed 803 exceeds a certain height, the guard 805 can be lowered at once below the inclination of the bed 803.

Further, the left and right walls of the stopper arm 807 have a silhouette of approaching the inclined upper surface of the bed 803 as the rib 811 hangs on the protrusion 808 and approaches the protrusion 808 from the tip of the stopper arm 807. That is, the vicinity of the tip of the stopper arm 807 has a positive angle of attack with respect to the direction in which the guard 805 is pulled up by the spring 806. Thanks to this, when the seat pile placed on the bed 803 is removed and the guard 805 returns to the standby position, the guard 805 pushes up near the tip of the stopper arm 807. Then, when the guard 805 rises further, the rib 811 hangs on the protrusion 808.

The tongue 812 has an angle of attack with respect to the traveling direction of the sheet bundle discharged from the discharge port 801 and kills the momentum of the hit sheet bundle to prevent the sheet bundle from directly colliding with the lower side of the stopper arm 807. ..

The tongue 812 of this example rotates around a shaft 809 on which the stopper arm 807 rotates. The tongue 812 rotates so as to enter and exit the space held by the bathtub-shaped stopper arm 807. The tongue 812 has a downwardly convex arc. The arc portion protrudes downward from the lower side of the bathtub-shaped stopper arm 807, and the surface of the arc facing the discharge port 801 has an angle of attack with respect to the traveling direction of the sheet bundle discharged from the discharge port 801. To do. The spring 813 is stretched to push the tongue 812 out of the stopper arm 807.

The operation of the seat loading device 800 will be described with reference to FIGS. 49 and 64. FIG. 49 is a diagram showing a state when the first sheet bundle T1 is in the transport path 804. At this point, the stopper arm 807 is hooked on the protrusion 808, and the guard 805 is held at the position closest to the discharge port 801 among the possible positions.

FIG. 50 is a diagram showing a state when the first sheet bundle T1 is discharged from the discharge port 801. The sheet bundle T1 hits the tongue 812 and pushes the tongue 812 up. The reaction weakens the momentum of the sheet bundle T1. As a result, even if the sheet bundle T1 falls, it is less likely to flutter on the bed 803.

FIG. 51 is a diagram showing a state after the first sheet bundle T1, the second sheet bundle T2, and the third sheet bundle T3 are sequentially placed on the mounting surface of the bed 803. The stopper arm 807 hooked on the protrusion 808 prevents the guard 805 from moving downward on the slope due to the weight of the sheet bundles T1, T2, and T3 placed on the mounting surface. Therefore, the position of the guard 805 has not changed at this point. Therefore, after that, the sheet bundle is further placed on the sheet bundles T1, T2 and T3.

FIG. 52 is a diagram showing a state when the fourth sheet bundle T4 is discharged from the discharge port 801 onto the sheet pile including the sheet bundles T1, T2, and T3. The sheet bundle T4 hits the tongue 812 and pushes the tongue 812 up. The reaction weakens the momentum of the sheet bundle T4. As a result, even if the sheet bundle T4 falls, it is less likely to flutter on the sheet mountain.

FIG. 53 is a diagram showing a state after the fourth sheet bundle T4 is discharged onto the sheet pile including the sheet bundles T1, T2, and T3. The seat ridge is already high, and the seat bundle T4 resting on it slides down higher than the guard 805 and pushes up the stopper arm 807. Then, the stopper arm 807 comes off from the protrusion 808. The guard 805, which was supported by the locking of the stopper arm 807 and the protrusion 808, lost its support and began to descend together with the seat ridges including the seat bundles T1, T2, T3 and T4, and at the open end of this seat ridge. The folded ends of the next sheet bundle will overlap.

In this way, after the sheet ridge is completed, by moving it to a position where the folded end of the sheet bundle to be discharged after that overlaps with the open end of the sheet ridge, the next sheet is subsequently placed on the open end of the sheet ridge. Ready to load so that the folds of the mountain overlap. FIG. 54 shows a state in which the folded end of the next seat pile including the seat bundles T5, T6 and T7 discharged after shifting the seat pile is placed so as to overlap the open end of the previous seat pile. Is.

After removing the two seat ridges from the bed 803, the force of the spring 806 causes the guard 805 to return to the position shown in Figure 49.

In addition, FIG. 53 and FIG. 54 show a mode in which the seat ridges do not collapse and descend along the slope of the bed 803 together with the guard 805, but the friction between the seat bundles forming the seat ridges is small. In this case, as shown in FIG. 55, the seat bundles forming the seat ridges are displaced, and each of the seat bundles is in a posture of riding on the crushed portion of the lower seat bundle. Further, as shown in FIG. 56, the folded end of the next sheet pile including the sheet bundles T5 and T6 discharged after shifting the seat pile is placed so as to overlap the open end of the previous seat pile. I will go. When such a mode is made to appear, it is not necessary to worry about the stability of the seat ridge after the movement of the guard 805, that is, the seat bundle group can be held in a stable posture on the bed 803.

[2-2-6] Modification example of the method of shifting by the height of the seat mountain 4 The seat loading device 900 shown in FIG. 57 corresponds to the discharge port 801, the outer wall 802, the bed 803, the transport path 804, the spring 806, the support 810, the tongue 812, and the spring 813 of the seat loading device 800 of FIG. 57, respectively. It is equipped with an outlet 901, an outer wall 902, a bed 903, a transport path 904, a spring 906, a support 910, a tongue 912 and a spring 913.

Further, the seat loading device 900 includes an upper arm 907, a forearm 908, and a guard 905 having a configuration different from that provided by the seat loading device 800 of FIG. 47.

The base of the upper arm 907 rotates around a shaft 909 supported by a support 910 fixed to the outer wall 902. The upper arm 907 is molded into a bathtub shape that holds a space with an open lower surface. The tongue 912 rotates so as to enter and exit the space held by the bathtub-shaped upper arm 907.

The upper arm 907 supports a shaft 914 near its tip. The forearm 908 rotates around this shaft 914. The shaft 914 supported by the upper arm 907 guards in a direction perpendicular to the top surface of the bed 903 when the straight line connecting the shaft 914 and the shaft 909 supported by the support 910 is parallel to the top surface of the bed 903. It is below the upper edge of the base plate 915 connected to the 905 and above the section above the peak of the base plate 915 when the guard 905 is closest to the outlet 901 among possible positions.

On the end face of the upper arm 907 on the shaft 909 side, there is a protrusion 917 protruding from an arc centered on the shaft 909. By hooking the protrusion 917 on the ceiling of the support 910, it is possible to prevent the straight line connecting the shaft 909 and the shaft 914 from rotating in a direction closer to the shaft 914 side than in a state parallel to the slope of the bed 903. ..

As also shown in FIG. 58, which is a vertical sectional view of the seat loading device 900 parallel to the moving direction of the guard 905, the base plate 915 to which the guard 905 is connected is attached to the folded end of the sheet bundle supported by the guard 905. It has a hill with a peak in the direction along it. The central part of the mountain side of this hill along the peak is recessed. The bottom of the depression is a floor surface that is almost parallel to the moving direction of the guard 905. The peak-side edge of the depression is like a steep cliff with respect to the direction of movement of the guard 905.

The lower end of the forearm 908 hanging from the shaft 914 supported by the upper arm 907 fits into this recess. The forearm 908 is urged around the axis 914 so that the lower end of the forearm 908 rises upward in the tilt direction of the bed 903. On the other hand, the protrusion 916 caught on the upper wall of the upper arm 907 is an arc centered on the axis 914 of the forearm 908 so that the lower end of the forearm 908 does not rise too much upward in the inclination direction of the bed 903 due to the urging force. It sticks out from the surface. The state in which the lower end of the forearm 908 is raised too much upward in the inclination direction of the bed 903 due to the urging force is, for example, the state in which the lower end of the forearm 908 is rolled up above the mountain side slope of the base plate 915, that is, the forearm 908. There is a gap between the lower end and the base plate 915 so that the sheet bundle can enter.

The forearm 908 takes the posture P1 indicated by the alternate long and short dash line when the seat bundle is not loaded, and keeps away from the cliff at the end of the ridge on the peak side of the depression to avoid wear due to friction with the cliff.

The forearm 908 is pushed by the sheet bundle loaded on the mountain side of the ridge on the surface facing the discharge port 901 (back surface), and the surface facing the guard 905 (front surface) is the end of the dent on the ridge side. Touch the cliff. Of course, if you are concerned about the sound generated when the seat bundle is pushed by the seat bundle loaded on the mountain side of the peak and hits the cliff, you may design it to contact the cliff even when the seat bundle is not loaded. A cushioning material may be attached to the cliff.

In the posture where the tip of the forearm 908 touches the cliff of the base plate 915 when it is closest to the discharge port 901 among the positions that the guard 905 can take, the back surface of the forearm 908 is perpendicular to the moving direction of the guard 905. Alternatively, it is desirable that the angle is slightly tilted toward the guard 905 rather than vertically. Furthermore, at the very moment when the weight of the bundle of seats loaded on the mountain side of the peak pushes the back of the guard 905 and the base plate 915 descends and the lower end of the forearm 908 comes off the cliff, the forearm 908 It is more desirable that the back surface is perpendicular to the moving direction of the guard 905. However, it is not always necessary to stick to this angle.

If the length of the sheet bundle blocked by the back surface of the forearm 908 is small and the head between the folded end and the open end of the sheet bundle is too large, the open end may open. However, by providing a hill on the base plate 915, the slope on the mountain side of the hill becomes a gentler slope than the inclination angle of the bed 903, and the head between the folded end and the open end of the sheet bundle can be reduced. It is possible to prevent the upper page from being lifted.

The operation of the seat loading device 900 will be described with reference to FIGS. 59 to 65. FIG. 59 is a diagram showing a state when the first sheet bundle T1 is in the transport path 904. At this point, the straight line connecting the shaft 909 and the shaft 914 of the upper arm 907 is parallel to the slope of the bed 903, and the forearm 908 is caught on the hill cliff of the base plate 915. Further, the guard 905 is held by the force of the spring 906 at the position closest to the discharge port 901 among the possible positions.

FIG. 60 is a diagram showing a state after the first sheet bundle T1, the second sheet bundle T2, and the third sheet bundle T3 are sequentially placed on the mounting surface of the bed 903. The folded ends of the sheet bundles T1, T2, and T3 abut against the back surface of the forearm 908 hooked on the cliff of the base plate 915.

Since the position where the folded end of the sheet bundle T1 abuts is far from the shaft 914, the lowering distance of the guard 905 when the sheet bundle T1 is placed on the mounting surface of the bed 903 is large. However, since the position where the folded end of the sheet bundle T2 abuts is closer to the shaft 914, the moment that the seat bundle T2 gives to the forearm 908 around the shaft 914 is smaller, and the lowering distance of the guard 905 is smaller. Further, since the position where the folded end of the sheet bundle T3 abuts is closer to the shaft 914, the moment that the seat bundle T3 gives to the forearm 908 around the shaft 914 is even smaller, and the lowering distance of the guard 905 is further smaller. That is, the more the seat bundle is placed, the smaller the amount of descent of the guard 905 for each seat bundle becomes smaller. The higher the seat pile, the more unstable it tends to be when the seat bundle is placed on it. However, by reducing the amount of descent of the guard 905 for each seat bundle as the seat bundle is placed in this way, the guard 905 It is possible to prevent the seat ridge from collapsing due to the movement of the seat ridge as the vehicle descends.

The forearm 908, rotated around the axis 914 by the weight of the seat bundles T1, T2, and T3 on the mounting surface, pushes against the cliff that is stuck, causing the guard 905 to move down the slope, but still. The forearm 908 does not come off the cliff. Therefore, after that, the sheet bundle is further placed on the sheet bundles T1, T2 and T3.

FIG. 61 is a diagram showing a state after the fourth sheet bundle T4 is discharged onto the sheet pile including the sheet bundles T1, T2, and T3. The seat ridge is already high, and the seat bundle T4 resting on it slides down on the seat ridge and pushes up the upper arm 907. Then, the forearm 908 is pulled off the cliff of the base plate 915 by being pulled by the rise of the upper arm 907.

In FIG. 61, the seat bundle T4 shows a mode in which the upper arm 907 is pushed up, but this is not the only mode in which the forearm 908 is off the cliff. In the forearm 908, for example, the weight of the next bundle of seats on the seat ridge causes the guard 905 to move below the slope of the bed 903, making the length from the top of the cliff to the axis 914 sufficiently long. If you do, you will be off the cliff.

FIG. 62 is a diagram showing the state of the forearm 908 after it has come off the cliff of the base plate 915, and FIG. 63 is a diagram showing the state after that. The seat ridge supported by the forearm 908 slides down and hits the guard 905. The guard 905 bears all the weight of the seat ridge and descends further downward.

In this way, after the sheet ridge is completed, by moving it to a position where the folded end of the sheet bundle to be discharged later overlaps with the open end of the sheet ridge, the next sheet is subsequently placed on the open end of the sheet ridge. Ready to load so that the folds of the mountain overlap. FIG. 64 shows a state in which the folded end of the next sheet pile including the sheet bundles T5, T6 and T7 discharged after shifting the seat pile is placed on the open end of the previous seat pile. Is.

When the two seat ridges are removed from the bed 903, the forearm 908 is rolled up toward the outlet 901 by the urging force applied around the shaft 914, and the guard 905 is tilted to the bed 903, as shown in Figure 65. It is pulled upward and returns to the position shown in FIG. 59.

In addition, FIG. 62, FIG. 63, and FIG. 64 show a mode in which the seat ridges descend along the slope of the bed 903 together with the guard 905 without collapsing. When the friction is small, as shown in FIG. 66, the seat bundles forming the seat ridges are displaced, and each of the seat bundles is in a posture of riding on the crushed portion of the lower seat bundle.

Further, as shown in FIG. 67, the folded end of the next sheet pile including the sheet bundles T5, T6, and T7 discharged after shifting the seat pile is placed on the open end of the previous seat pile. Will be done. This is a mode that is more likely to appear in this embodiment in which the seat bundle at the top of the seat ridge is braked by dragging the forearm 908 by friction. When such a mode is made to appear, it is not necessary to worry about the stability of the seat ridge after the movement of the guard 905, that is, the seat bundle group can be held in a stable posture on the bed 903.

By the way, the forearm 908 is urged around the axis 914 so that the lower end of the forearm 908 rises upward in the inclination direction of the bed 903. Even if it is removed from the forearm 908, the forearm 908 cannot climb the valley side surface of the peak of the base plate 915 and cannot return to the position shown in FIG. 59.

In order to avoid this, a structure such as the flap 950 shown in FIG. 68 may be used so that the portion of the valley side surface of the peak of the base plate 915 where the forearm 908 is caught is subducted downward.

FIG. 69 is an exploded view of a modified example of the seat loading device 900. The guard 905 is connected to a base plate 907 of the same width. The guard 905 and base plate 907 rest on the chassis 957 of the slope 952, which moves along a plane parallel to the bed 903. Chassis 957 is supported by slope 952 via rollers 958 and 959. The rollers 958 and 959 roll along the slope indicated by the broken line along the slope of the slope 952. The chassis 957 can move smoothly along the slope 952 due to the presence of rollers 958 and 959.

The road indicated by the broken line along the slope direction of the slope 952 is covered with the roller cover 954. The roller rollers 958 and 959 fit between the ceiling of the roller cover 954 and the slope of the slope 952. The upper and lower ends of the roller cover 954 in the direction of inclination of the slope 952 are walls for regulating the rollable range of the rollers 958 and 959.

The chassis 957 also has rollers 960 and 961 that rotate about a axis of rotation perpendicular to the slope of the slope 952. The roller cover 954 has a guide wall that stands on the slope of the slope 952 and has a longitudinal direction along the inclination direction. The rollers 960 and 961 roll in contact with this guide wall. The guide wall supports the rollers 960 and 961 and prevents the chassis 957 from shifting in any direction other than the direction it should move on the slope of the slope 952.

The bed cover 953 covers the slope of the slope 952 except for the part covered by the guard 905 and the base plate 907. The height of the upper surface of the bedspread 953 from the slope of slope 952 is lower than the height from the slope of slope 952 to the peak of base plate 907. The bedspread 953 is secured to the slope 952.

The flap 950 is rotatably supported by the chassis 957. The base plate 907 is notched so as to overlap the flap 950 and the seat sensor 965. In the seat sensor 965, the fulcrum is supported by the slope 952, and the point of effort is above the seat support surface of the base plate 905 when the seat is not placed on the base plate 905. The power point of the seat sensor 965 is pushed by the seat placed on the base plate 905 and dives into the base plate 905.

As shown in FIG. 70, which is a vertical cross-sectional view of the seat loading device 900 parallel to the moving direction of the guard 905, the central portion of the mountain side surface of the hill of the base plate 915 in the direction along the peak is recessed. The bottom of the depression is a floor surface that is almost parallel to the moving direction of the guard 905. The cliff at the end of the depression on the peak side is the free end of the flap 950.

The flap 950 rotates around a shaft 962 supported by a stay 963 fixed to the chassis 957. The arc orbit 940 indicated by the alternate long and short dash line connects the shaft 914 supported by the upper arm 907 and the shaft 909 supported by the support 910 at the position closest to the discharge port 901 among the positions that the guard 905 can take. With the straight line parallel to the top surface of the bed 903 (ie, the seat is not resting on the base plate 915, as in Figure 59), the forearm is rotated around the axis 914 without moving the upper arm 907. This is the trajectory drawn by the lower end of the arm 908. Axis 962 is below position P2 where the arc orbit 940 intersects the valley-side slope of the base plate 915 in the direction of movement of the guard 905. Also, the axis 962 is below position P2 even in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the guard 905.

When the sheet is not resting on the base plate 915, the top plate of the flap 950 is positioned as a surface that approximately coincides with the valley-side slope of the hill. A spring 964 stretches between the underside of the top plate of the flap 950 and the chassis 957 to bring the flap 950 into that state. On the other hand, in order to prevent the top plate of the flap 950 from popping out from the slope on the valley side of the hill, the flap 950 is a chassis 957 in a state where the top plate of the flap 950 is positioned as a surface that almost coincides with the slope on the valley side of the hill. Has a stopper that comes into contact with.

As shown in FIG. 71, in the section from the position P2 where the lower end of the forearm 908 of the arc orbit 940 is caught by the front surface of the forearm 908 on the cliff, the flap 950 is pushed by the lower end of the forearm 908. Is rotated around the shaft 962 and retracts from the arc orbit 940. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the situation where the forearm 908 cannot climb the valley side surface of the peak of the base plate 915 and cannot return to the position shown in FIG. 59. When the forearm 908 is wound up to the position where the front surface of the forearm 908 abuts on the cliff, the top plate of the flap 950 jumps up to become a cliff due to the urging force of the spring 964.

[3] Specific example as a sheet folding processing device FIG. 72 shows the appearance of the bookbinding system 4000 as an example of the use of the present invention. The bookbinding system 4000 includes an image reading device 3000, an image forming device 2000, and a sheet folding processing device 1000. Generally, the side of the image forming apparatus 9 where the operation unit 9 is located is called the front side, and the opposite side is called the rear side.

FIG. 73 shows a rough cross-sectional view of the bookbinding system 4000. The image reading device 3000 installed on the upper part of the image forming device 2000 reads the image of the original.

The image forming apparatus 2000 has an operation unit 9 having a button or the like for selecting and setting an image forming mode and a sheet post-processing mode on the upper front side thereof and causing the image reading apparatus 3000 to start reading an image of a document. Have.

Further, the image forming apparatus 2000 arranges an image in which the charging means 2, the image exposure means 3, the developing means 4, the transfer means 5A, the static elimination means 5B, the separation claw 5C, and the cleaning means 6 are arranged around the rotating image carrier 1. After having a forming portion and uniformly charging the surface of the image carrier 1 by the charging means 2, the image exposing means 3 performs exposure scanning with a laser beam based on the image data read from the document by the image reading device 3000. This is performed to form a latent image, and the latent image is developed by the developing means 4 to form a toner image on the surface of the image carrier 1.

On the other hand, the sheet supplied from the sheet storage means 7A is sent to the transfer position. At the transfer position, the toner image is transferred onto the sheet by the transfer means 5A. After that, the charge on the back surface of the sheet is erased by the static elimination means 5B, separated from the image carrier 1 by the separation claw 5C, transported by the intermediate transport unit 7B, subsequently heated and fixed by the fixing means 8, and discharged from the discharge unit 7C. Will be done.

When forming an image on both sides of the sheet, the sheet heat-fixed by the fixing means 8 is branched from the normal discharge passage by the transport path switching plate 7D, switched back in the reverse transport unit 7E, and then turned upside down. , It is discharged from the discharge part 7C. The sheet discharged from the discharge unit 7C is sent to the aftertreatment device FS.

On the other hand, on the surface of the image carrier 1 after image processing, the developer remaining on the surface is removed by the cleaning means 6 downstream of the separation claw 5C to prepare for the next image formation.

The sheet folding processing device 1000 receives the sheet discharged from the discharging unit 7C by the inlet roller pair 30 and passes it to the intermediate roller pair 32. Intermediate rollers vs. 32 pass the seat to exit rollers vs. 34. The exit roller pair 34 exits the seat to an upright tray 36 having an inclined mounting surface with the leading end of the seat facing above the inclination.

A stacker 38 stands by below the standing tray 36, and switches back from above the inclination of the standing tray 36 to catch the lower end of the falling sheet.

When stapling to a sheet bundle, the stacker 38 stands by at a position where the sheet bundle should be stapled (approximately the center in the vertical direction of the toe bundle) facing the stapler 40 located above the inclination of the standing tray 36. ..

After the stapler 40 is stapled to the sheet bundle, the stacker 38 is until the position where the crease of the sheet bundle should be made (approximately the center in the vertical direction of the stapler and the position where the stapler is driven) is in front of the blade 42. Goes down.

When the position where the crease of the sheet bundle should be made comes to the front of the blade 42, the tip of the blade 42 parallel to the upper and lower ends of the sheet bundle pushes the surface to be the inner surface after the sheet bundle is folded.

At the tip of the blade 42 in the traveling direction, there is a nip portion of a folding roller pair 44. The folding roller pair 44 winds the surface of the sheet bundle pushed by the blade 42 on the side opposite to the side where the blade 42 is in contact (the surface that should become the outer surface after the sheet bundle is folded) around the nip portion. Then, a crease is formed in the sheet bundle.

The folded end of the sheet bundle coming out from the nip portion of the folding roller pair 44 is traced by the folding mechanism 46.

The sheet bundle whose folding end is traced by the folding mechanism 46 is pulled by the discharge roller pair 48 and placed on the sheet loading device. Here, the sheet loading device is described as the sheet loading device 900, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a number of forms described above, a combination thereof, or variations using various technical ideas included therein shall be used. Can be done.

By the way, in this example, the intermediate roller vs. 32, the outlet roller vs. 34, a part of the standing tray 36, the stacker 38, the stapler 40, the blade 42, the folding roller pair 44, the folding mechanism 46, and the discharge roller vs. 48 are inner It is supported by the frame 50 and is described as a folding unit 52 so that it can be taken out of the outer frame 54.

FIG. 74 shows a sheet folding processing device 1000 in a state where the inner frame 50 is pulled out from the outer frame 54. The inner frame 50 moves along a rail 58 extending from the front side to the rear side. The rail 58 is also supported by a floor plate 62 located at the bottom of the outer frame 54 and fixed to the outer frame 54 so as to be movable from the front side to the rear side in the longitudinal direction of the rail 58 itself.

The seat folding processing device 1000 has a door 56 on the front side, and when the door 56 is opened, the inner frame 50 can be moved straight along the rail 58 and taken out of the outer frame 54. .. As a result, the sheet clogged in the sheet folding processing device 1000 can be easily removed.

The inner frame 50 contains a control unit 60 that controls the entire sheet folding processing device 1000. Since the control unit 60 can be touched simply by removing the inner frame 50 from the outer frame 54, maintenance of the control unit 60 such as a firmware update is very easy. As shown in FIG. 75, the control unit 60 determines that "the seat is not placed on the base plate 905" if the power point of the seat sensor 980 is above the seat support surface of the base plate 905, and the seat. If the power point of the sensor 980 is submerged in the base plate 905, it is determined that "the sheet is on the base plate 905".

The control unit 60 is mounted on the inner frame 50, and the seat sensor 980 is mounted on the outer frame 54. Since the inner frame 50 and the outer frame 54 move relatively as described above, there is a problem that it is difficult to handle the harness for electrically connecting the two.

In this example, such a problem is solved as follows. FIG. 76 shows a partial perspective view of the lower part of the sheet folding processing device 1000 in a state where the inner frame 50 is pulled out from the outer frame 54. The mechanical sensor unit 64 that rotatably supports the seat sensor 980 is fixed to the floor plate 62. The electric sensor unit 66 that converts the movement of the seat sensor 980 into an electric signal is fixed to the inner frame 50. When the inner frame 50 moves straight from the front side to the rear side along the rail 58 and fits in the outer frame 54, the mechanical sensor unit 64 and the electric sensor unit 66 perform the operation of the mechanical sensor unit 64 by the electric sensor unit 66. It becomes a detectable positional relationship.

FIG. 77 is a diagram showing a state when the mechanical sensor unit 64 and the electric sensor unit 66 are in close proximity to each other. The upper positioning shaft 68 of the mechanical sensor unit 64 enters the upper positioning hole 70 of the electric sensor unit 66. The lower positioning shaft 72 enters the lower positioning hole 74.

The mechanical sensor unit 64 is fixed to the floor plate 62 by fixing screws 76 and 78. The holes through which the fixing screws 76 and 78 of the mechanical sensor unit 64 pass are elongated holes, and when the fixing screws 76 and 78 are loosened from the floor plate 62, they are shifted in the direction indicated by the arrow 80 in the figure. Can be done. The direction indicated by the arrow 80 is a horizontal direction orthogonal to the direction from the front side to the rear side.

The electric sensor unit 66 is fixed to the inner frame 50 by the fixing screw 82. The hole through which the fixing screw 82 of the electric sensor unit 66 passes is a long hole, and if the fixing screw 82 is loosened from the inner frame 50, it can be shifted in the direction indicated by the arrow 84 in the figure. The direction indicated by arrow 84 is the vertical direction.

FIG. 78 shows a perspective view of the electric sensor unit 66 as viewed from the rear side. The fixing board 86 is fixed to the inner frame 50 by the fixing screws 82 in FIG. 77. Half screws 88 and 90 are screwed to the fixed substrate 86.

The movable substrate 92 has a hole having a diameter larger than the neck of the half-screws 88 and 90 and smaller than the head, through which the necks of the half-screws 88 and 90 penetrate. The movable board 92 can move from the fixed board 86 to the neck length section of the half screws 88 and 90. The movable substrate 92 supports the light receiving portion 96 and the light emitting portion 98 of the photo interrupter on its reference plane. The light receiving unit 96 and the light emitting unit 98 are located at positions separated from each other, and it is determined whether or not there is a shield between them. A support column 94 stands on the reference plane so that the tip of the photo interrupter is higher than that of the light receiving portion 96 and the light emitting portion 98.

FIG. 79 shows a view of the electric sensor unit 66 as viewed from the left side with respect to the front side. The hole 552 through which the fixing screw 82 of the electric sensor unit 66 passes is an elongated hole whose vertical direction is the longitudinal direction, and when the fixing screw 82 is loosened to the inner frame 50, it shifts in the vertical direction in the figure. be able to. Spiral springs 554 and 556, into which the necks of the half-screws 88 and 90 are inserted, are stretched between the movable board 92 and the fixed board 86. When the support column 94 hits the mechanical sensor unit 64 and is pushed, the movable board 92 is pushed toward the fixed board 86 and approaches. On the other hand, since the spiral springs 554 and 556 are stretched, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the movable substrate 92 suddenly comes into contact with the mechanical sensor unit 64.

When the support column 94 is in contact with the mechanical sensor unit 64, there is a gap between the contact plane between the mechanical sensor unit 64 and the support column 94 and the light receiving portion 96 and the light emitting portion 98 of the photo interrupter, and the support column 94 does not directly contact the support column 94. Further, the height of the support column 94 is such that the shielding plate described later of the mechanical sensor unit 64 does not hit the bottom of the valley formed between the light receiving unit 96 and the light emitting unit 98.

FIG. 80 shows a view of the mechanical sensor unit 64 as viewed from the rear side. The fixing board 558 is fixed to the floor plate 62 by the fixing screws 76 and 78 in FIG. 77. The upper positioning shaft 68 and the lower positioning shaft 72 have male threads at their ends, and the ends are screwed to the fixed substrate 558.

The fixed substrate 558 has an arcuate slit 576 open. This arc is centered on the rotation axis 562. The slit 576 overlaps between the light receiving portion 96 and the light emitting portion 98 of the photo interrupter. The shielding plate 560 rotates around the rotation shaft 562. One end of the shielding plate 560 is bent so as to be substantially parallel to the rotation shaft 562 and inserted into the slit 576 (that is, it is bent toward the back side of the paper in FIG. 80). The portion of the shielding plate 560 inserted into the slit 576 is in the shape of an arc centered on the rotation shaft 562 so that it can move smoothly in the slit 576. The portion inserted into the slit 576 of the shielding plate 560 penetrates the slit 576 and goes in and out between the light receiving portion 96 and the light emitting portion 98 of the photo interrupter.

The shielding plate 560 is urged in the clockwise direction in FIG. 80 by a spiral spring 572 through which the rotating shaft 562 is passed. One end of the spiral spring 572 is hooked on the stay 574 bent from the fixed substrate 558 toward the front side of the paper surface in FIG. 80. The other end of the spiral spring 572 is hooked on the shielding plate 560. The other end of the shield plate 560 supports the shaft 564. The shaft 564 rotatably supports one end of the arm 570. The other end of the arm 570 rotatably supports the shaft 568. The shaft 568 is supported by the seat sensor 980. The seat sensor 980 is rotatably supported by a shaft 566 supported by the fixed substrate 558.

When the power point of the seat sensor 980 is above the seat support surface of the base plate 905, the part inserted into the slit 576 at one end of the shielding plate 560 by the urging force of the spiral spring 572 is the light receiving part 96 and the light emitting part. It will be in a state of leaving between 98. Due to the urging force of the spiral spring 572, the shaft 564 at the other end of the shielding plate 560 pulls the arm 570, and the arm 570 pulls the shaft 568, so that the seat sensor 980 is pulled up around the shaft 566.

On the other hand, when the power point of the seat sensor 980 is sunk below the seat support surface of the base plate 905, the seat sensor 980 rotates around the shaft 566, the shaft 568 pulls the arm 570, and the arm 570 is the shielding plate 560. The part inserted into the slit 576 at one end of the shielding plate 560 enters between the light receiving part 96 and the light emitting part 98 against the urging force of the spiral spring 572 by pulling the shaft 564 at the other end of the light emitting part 98. The emitted light is shielded from the light receiving unit 96.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be variously modified and modified within a range that does not deviate from the technical scope described in the claims.

<figref num="1">The figure which shows the name of each part of a sheet.</figref><figref num="2">The figure which shows the name of each part of a sheet bundle.</figref><figref num="3">The figure which shows the name of each part of a sheet mountain.</figref><figref num="4">The figure explaining the method of moving the sheet pile without breaking it.</figref><figref num="5">The figure explaining the method of breaking and moving the sheet pile.</figref><figref num="6">The perspective view of the sheet loading apparatus of Embodiment 1.</figref><figref num="7">FIG. 1 for explaining the operation of the seat loading device of the first embodiment.</figref><figref num="8">FIG. 2 for explaining the operation of the seat loading device of the first embodiment.</figref><figref num="9">FIG. 3 for explaining the operation of the seat loading device of the first embodiment.</figref><figref num="10">FIG. 4 for explaining the operation of the seat loading device of the first embodiment.</figref><figref num="11">FIG. 5 for explaining the operation of the seat loading device of the first embodiment.</figref><figref num="12">FIG. 6 for explaining the operation of the seat loading device of the first embodiment.</figref><figref num="13">FIG. 7 for explaining the operation of the seat loading device of the first embodiment.</figref><figref num="14">FIG. 8 for explaining the operation of the seat loading device of the first embodiment.</figref><figref num="15">The flowchart explaining the operation of the control part of the sheet loading apparatus of Embodiment 1.</figref><figref num="16">FIG. 1 for explaining a modification of the seat loading device of the first embodiment.</figref><figref num="17">FIG. 2 for explaining a modified example of the seat loading device of the first embodiment.</figref><figref num="18">A perspective view of a seat loading device that shifts by the weight of the seat.</figref><figref num="19">An exploded perspective view of a seat loading device in which the seat is displaced by its weight.</figref><figref num="20">An exploded perspective view of a modified example of a seat loading device in which the seat is displaced by its weight.</figref><figref num="21">Figure 1 explaining the operation of the seat loading device, which is a method of shifting the seat by its weight.</figref><figref num="22">Figure 2 explaining the operation of the seat loading device, which is a method of shifting the seat by its weight.</figref><figref num="23">Figure 3 explaining the operation of the seat loading device, which is a method of shifting the seat by its weight.</figref><figref num="24">A perspective view of a seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="25">Figure 1 to explain the operation of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="26">Figure 2 explaining the operation of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="27">Figure 3 explaining the operation of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="28">Figure 4 explaining the operation of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="29">Figure 5 explaining the operation of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="30">Figure 6 explaining the operation of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="31">A perspective view of a modified example 1 of a seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="32">A variation of the modified example 1 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="33">Fig. 1 for explaining the operation of the modified example 1 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="34">Fig. 2 for explaining the operation of the modified example 1 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="35">Fig. 3 for explaining the operation of the modified example 1 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="36">Fig. 4 to explain the operation of the modified example 1 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="37">Fig. 5 for explaining the operation of the modified example 1 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="38">Fig. 6 for explaining the operation of the modified example 1 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="39">The perspective view of the modified example 2 of the seat loading apparatus in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="40">A partial perspective perspective view of a modified example 2 of a seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="41">Fig. 1 to explain the operation of the modified example 2 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="42">FIG. 2 for explaining the operation of the modified example 2 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="43">Fig. 3 for explaining the operation of the modified example 2 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="44">Fig. 4 to explain the operation of the modified example 2 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="45">Fig. 5 for explaining the operation of the modified example 2 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="46">Fig. 6 for explaining the operation of the modified example 2 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="47">FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a modified example 3 of a seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="48">A partial perspective perspective view of a modified example 3 of a seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="49">Fig. 1 to explain the operation of the modified example 3 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="50">Fig. 2 for explaining the operation of the modified example 3 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="51">FIG. 3 for explaining the operation of the modified example 3 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="52">Fig. 4 to explain the operation of the modified example 3 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="53">Fig. 5 for explaining the operation of the modified example 3 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="54">Fig. 6 for explaining the operation of the modified example 3 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="55">Fig. 7 for explaining the operation of the modified example 3 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="56">Fig. 8 for explaining the operation of the modified example 3 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="57">The perspective view of the modified example 4 of the seat loading apparatus in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="58">FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example 4 of a seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="59">Fig. 1 for explaining the operation of the modified example 4 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="60">Fig. 2 for explaining the operation of the modified example 4 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="61">Fig. 3 for explaining the operation of the modified example 4 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="62">FIG. 4 for explaining the operation of the modified example 4 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="63">Fig. 5 for explaining the operation of the modified example 4 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="64">Fig. 6 for explaining the operation of the modified example 4 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="65">Fig. 7 for explaining the operation of the modified example 4 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="66">Fig. 8 for explaining the operation of the modified example 4 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="67">FIG. 9 for explaining the operation of the modified example 4 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="68">A perspective view of a modified example 4 of a seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile with a flap attached.</figref><figref num="69">Exploded view of a modified example 4 of a seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile with a flap attached.</figref><figref num="70">Cross-sectional view 1 when a flap is attached to the modified example 4 of the seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile.</figref><figref num="71">Cross-sectional view of a modified example 4 of a seat loading device in which the seat pile is shifted by using the weight of the seat pile with a flap, part 2.</figref><figref num="72">External view of the bookbinding system.</figref><figref num="73">Sectional view of the bookbinding system.</figref><figref num="74">External view of the folding processing device.</figref><figref num="75">The external view of the seat sensor of the sheet folding processing apparatus.</figref><figref num="76">Enlarged view of the mechanical sensor unit and the electric sensor unit of the folding processing device.</figref><figref num="77">A further enlarged view of the mechanical sensor unit and the electric sensor unit of the folding processing device being brought close to each other.</figref><figref num="78">A perspective view of the electric sensor unit as viewed from the rear side.</figref><figref num="79">The figure which looked at the electric sensor unit from the left side.</figref><figref num="80">The figure which looked at the mechanical sensor unit from the rear side.</figref>

Code description

1 ... image carrier, 2 ... Charging means, 3 ... Image exposure means, 4 ... Development means, 5A ... Transfer means, 5B ... Static elimination means, 5C ... Separation claws, 6 ... Cleaning means, 7A ... Seat storage means, 7B ... Intermediate transport section, 7C ... Discharge section, 7D ... Transport path switching plate, 7E ... Inverted transport section, 8 ... Fixing means, 30 ... entrance roller pair, 32 ... Intermediate roller pair, 34 ... Exit Roller vs., 36 ... Standing tray, 38 ... Stacker, 40 ... stapler, 42 ... blade, 44 ... Folding roller pair, 46 ... Folding mechanism, 48 ... Discharge roller pair, 50 ... inner frame, 52 ... folding unit, 54 ... outer frame, 56 ... door, 58 ... rail, 60 ... control unit, 62 ... Floor plate, 64 ... Mechanical sensor unit, 66 ... Electrical sensor unit, 68 ... Top positioning axis, 70 ... Top positioning hole, 72 ... Lower positioning axis, 74 ... Bottom positioning hole, 82 ... fixing screw, 76,78,82 ... fixing screws, 86,558 ... Fixed board, 88,90 ... half screw, 92 ... Movable board, 96 ... light receiving part, 98 ... light emitting part, 201,302,403,503,603,703,803,903 ... Bed, 205,305,405,505,605,705,805,905 ... Guard, 300,401,501,601,701,801,901 ... Outlet, 301,402,502,602,702,802,902 ... outer wall, 303,404,504,604,704,804,904 ... Transport route, 304 ... Emission sensor, 306 ... rack gear, 307 ... Pinion gear, 308 ... motor, 309 ... button, 310,400,500,700,800,900,600 ... Seat loading device, 311 ... mounting sensor, 312 ... Control unit, 406,506,606,706,806,813,906,913,964 ... Spring, 407,915 ... base plate, 408,409,410,411,958,959,960,961 ... Laura, 412,952 ... Slope, 413,953 ... bedspreads, 414 ... beam, 415 ... groove, 507,607 ... magnet, 508,608 ... Iron plate, 552 ... hole, 554,556,572 ... spiral spring, 560 ... Shielded version, 562 ... Axle, 564,566,568,914,962 ... axis, 570 ... arm, 576 ... slit, 574,963 ... stay, 707 ... lever, 708 ... Stopper, 709 ... lever arm, 807 ... Stopper arm, 812,912 ... tongue, 907 ... Upper arm, 908 ... Forearm, 910 ... Support, 916,917 ... protrusions, 940 ... arc orbit, 950 ... flaps, 954 ... Roller cover, 957 ... chassis, 965,980 ... Seat sensor, 1000 ... Sheet folding processing device, 2000 ... Image forming device, 3000 ... image reader, 4000 ... Bookbinding system.