post-treatment device

Abstract

A post-processing device is provided, in which a trailing end of a recording medium subjected to folding processing in a conveying direction of the recording medium is fed into a processing position of a processing section. A post-processing device includes a processing section that introduces a recording medium conveyed from an upstream device and performs processing, a paper discharge section that discharges a recording medium subjected to processing by the processing section, and a lift drive device that moves the paper discharge section to a position lower than a height of the paper discharge section when a recording medium subjected to folding processing is introduced into the processing section, as compared with a height of the paper discharge section when a recording medium not subjected to folding processing is introduced into the processing section.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a post-processing apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a paper handling apparatus that folds paper received from an image forming apparatus such as a copier or printer into a Z-shape, temporarily introduces the folded paper into a collection tray from the transport path and staples it, and then discharges the stapled paper into a stacking tray.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-78031 Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a post-processing apparatus in which the rear end of a folded recording medium loaded in the processing unit is fed into the processing position of the processing unit in the transport direction.

[0005] The post-processing apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention comprises:

[0006] The processing unit introduces and processes the recording media supplied from the upstream device.

[0007] The paper discharge section discharges the recording media that has been processed by the processing section; and

[0008] When a folded recording medium is introduced into the processing unit, the lifting drive causes the paper discharge section to descend to a position lower than the height of the paper discharge section when an unfolded recording medium is introduced into the processing unit.

[0009] In the post-processing apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, when the rear end of the folded recording medium in the transport direction has not reached the processing position of the processing unit, the lifting drive device causes the paper discharge unit to move downward.

[0010] In the post-processing apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention, when the crease on the front end side of the folded recording medium in the transport direction is not placed on the processing section, the lifting drive device causes the paper discharge section to move downward.

[0011] In the post-processing apparatus of the fourth aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of recording media are introduced into the processing unit and the first recording media among the plurality of recording media is a folded recording media, the lifting drive device causes the paper output unit to move downward.

[0012] In the post-processing apparatus of the fifth aspect of the present invention, in any of the first to fourth aspects, the lifting drive device moves the paper discharge section downward to a position where the portion of the folded recording medium from the rear end in the transport direction to the rear end side in the transport direction is parallel to the mounting surface of the processing section.

[0013] In the post-processing apparatus of the sixth aspect of the present invention, in any of the post-processing apparatuses of the first to fifth aspects, the lifting drive device causes the paper output section to move downward by an amount according to the change in the thickness of the recording medium.

[0014] In the post-processing apparatus of the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the processed recording medium is discharged to the paper discharge section in any of the post-processing apparatuses of the first to sixth aspects, the lifting drive device causes the paper discharge section to move upward.

[0015] Invention Effects

[0016] According to the first aspect of the present invention, a post-processing apparatus is provided in which the rear end of a folded recording medium loaded in the processing unit is fed into the processing position of the processing unit in the transport direction.

[0017] According to the post-processing apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, creases on the front side of the folded recording medium in the transport direction can be prevented from hindering the movement of the recording medium in the rear direction of the transport direction.

[0018] According to the post-processing apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention, processing can be performed by aligning the rear end of the folded recording medium in the transport direction.

[0019] According to the post-processing apparatus of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the rear end of the first recording medium among a plurality of recording media can be fed to the processing position of the processing unit.

[0020] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the post-processing apparatus can be configured such that the rear end of the folded recording medium in the transport direction is fed into the processing position of the processing unit, and the recording medium is reliably placed on the mounting surface of the processing unit.

[0021] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the post-processing apparatus can deliver the rear end of the recording medium in the transport direction to the processing position of the processing unit even when the thickness of the recording medium is different.

[0022] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the post-processing apparatus is capable of adjusting the stacking height of the processed recording media discharged to the paper discharge section. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following figures.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the overall structure of an image forming system including a post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the structure of the stapler function unit and the paper loading function unit in this embodiment;

[0026] Figure 3 (A) is a diagram showing the state of placing short-length sheets of paper on a collection tray. Figure 3 (B) is a diagram showing a long sheet of paper that has undergone Z-folding and is placed on a collection tray without the stacking trays being lowered or moved. Figure 3 (C) is a diagram showing a long paper that has undergone Z-folding and is placed on a collection tray, with the stacking tray moving downwards.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of determining which sheet of paper to move down on the stacking tray.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of lowering and moving the stacked pallets in this embodiment.

[0029] Symbol Explanation

[0030] 1-Image forming apparatus, 2-Paper handling apparatus, 3-Transfer unit, 4-Folding unit, 5-Paper output processor, 6-Page inserter, 7-Control unit, 10-Staple function unit, 11-Delivery roller, 12-Sensor, 13-Collection tray, 13a-Loading table, 13b-End guide, 13c-Side guide, 14-Outgoing roller, 15-Blade, 15a-Paper contact part, 16-Intervention part, 17-Stapler, 17a-Staple head, 17b-Base, 1 7c-Guide rail, 18-Paper feed roller, 18a-Drive side paper feed roller, 18b-Driven side paper feed roller, 20-Padding paper function section, 30-Binding function section, 40-Punching function section, 50-Folding function section, 70-Paper loading function section, 71-Opening section, 72-Stacking tray, 73-Lifting drive device, 74-Guide, 75-Sliding component, 76-Connecting component, 77-Belt component, 78a, 78b-Pulleys, 79-Motor, 100-Image forming system. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Figure 1This diagram illustrates the overall structure of an image forming system 100 that includes a post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming system 100 includes an image forming apparatus 1 that forms a color image on paper, which serves as a recording medium, for example, by electrophotography. Furthermore, the image forming system 100 includes a paper processing apparatus 2 that performs various pre-set processing steps on the paper fed from the image forming apparatus 1.

[0032] Here, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a photosensitive drum for holding an electrostatic latent image, a charged body for charging the photosensitive drum, a laser exposer for irradiating the photosensitive drum with a laser beam to form an electrostatic latent image, a developing apparatus for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum using a toner, and a transfer apparatus for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum onto paper. Furthermore, besides image forming apparatuses that form images on paper using electrophotography, the image forming apparatus 1 can also be, for example, an image forming apparatus that forms images on paper using inkjet printing.

[0033] The paper handling apparatus 2 includes a conveying unit 3 connected to the image forming apparatus 1, a folding unit 4, a finisher 5 that performs pre-set post-processing on the paper passing through the folding unit 4, an inserter 6 that supplies backing paper such as covers for booklets, and a control unit 7 that controls the various functions of the paper handling apparatus 2. Furthermore, the control unit 7... Figure 1 It is disposed within the housing of the paper output processor 5, but it can also be disposed within the housing of other units such as the conveying unit 3 or the folding unit 4. Furthermore, it can also be configured to integrate all control functions within the image forming apparatus 1.

[0034] The paper handling device 2 will be described from a functional perspective. The paper handling device 2 includes: a stapler function unit 10, provided in the paper feeder 5, which generates paper bundles and performs staple binding; a padding paper function unit 20, composed of inserters 6, etc., which supplies padding paper such as cardboard or windowed paper for the cover of the paper bundles; a saddle stitching function unit 30, provided in the paper feeder 5, which performs saddle stitching on the paper bundles; a punching function unit 40, provided in the paper feeder 5, which punches two or four holes in the paper; and a folding function unit 50, provided in the folding unit 4, which performs Z-folds or C-folds on the paper. Furthermore, the paper handling device 2 is provided with a paper loading function unit 70 for final paper discharge and loading. Additionally, the post-processing device of the present invention includes the structure of the stapler function unit 10 and the structure of the paper loading function unit 70, but only a portion of each structure may be included in the post-processing device, or all structures may be included in the post-processing device.

[0035] The folding function unit 50 of the folding unit 4 performs Z-folding or C-folding on the paper conveyed from the upstream conveying unit 3 and conveys it to the paper discharge processor 5 disposed on the downstream side. Furthermore, this embodiment relates to the processing of paper that has undergone Z-folding; therefore, the following description will primarily focus on paper that has undergone Z-folding. Here, Z-folding is performed by performing a concave fold at a position 1 / 4 from the front end of the paper in the conveying direction and a convex fold at a position 1 / 2 from the front end of the paper in the conveying direction, thus performing two folds, resulting in a Z-shape when viewed orthogonally relative to the conveying direction. Furthermore, Z-folding is not limited to folding where creases are formed at 1 / 4 and 1 / 2 from the front end of the paper in the conveying direction. Z-folding is included as long as the crease on the front end of the paper in the conveying direction is not aligned with the rear end of the paper, but is located further forward in the conveying direction than the rear end of the paper, and the crease on the front end of the paper in the conveying direction is located on the lower side of the entire paper.

[0036] In addition, in this embodiment, the paper transport direction refers to the paper transport direction of the staple function unit 10 or when the paper output processor 5 is considered as a whole, and the front end of the transport direction refers to... Figure 1 On the right side of the paper, the rear side of the conveying direction refers to Figure 1 The left side of the paper. Furthermore, the recording medium is illustrated using paper of a predetermined shape and size as an example. Examples of paper include A4, B4, and A5 paper. Alternatively, the recording medium may not be paper; it can be cloth or a paper-like material made of plastic.

[0037] Paper that has undergone Z-folding in the folding function section 50 of the folding unit 4 is selectively perforated with 2 or 4 holes in the perforation function section 40 of the paper output processor 5, and then conveyed to the staple function section 10 and paper loading function section 70, which constitute the downstream post-processing device. When perforation is not required, the paper simply passes through the perforation function section 40 without being perforated, and is conveyed to the staple function section 10 on the downstream side.

[0038] refer to Figure 2 The stapler function unit 10 and the paper loading function unit 70 of this embodiment will be described. The stapler function unit 10 introduces the recording medium, i.e., paper S, from an upstream device such as the folding function unit 50 or the punching function unit 40 and performs staple processing. The stapler function unit 10 includes a take-up roller 11, which serves as a pair of rollers for receiving paper S from the upstream device. Furthermore, the stapler function unit 10 includes a sensor 12 located downstream of the take-up roller 11 and for detecting paper S. In addition, it includes a collection tray 13 for holding a plurality of sheets of paper S; and a paper output roller 14 located downstream of the detection point of paper S based on the sensor 12, which is a pair of rollers for discharging paper S toward the collection tray 13.

[0039] Furthermore, the stapler function 10 includes: a paddle 15 that rotates to press the paper S toward the end guide 13b of the collection tray 13 (described later); and an intervention section 16 for pressing the paper S toward the side guide 13c of the collection tray 13 (described later). Moreover, the stapler function 10 is an example of a book-loading unit, and includes a stapler 17 that uses staples to bind the ends of the bundle of paper S gathered on the collection tray 13. Furthermore, the stapler function 10 includes a paper discharge roller 18 that uses the collection tray 13 to press the gathered paper S and discharges the bundle of stapled paper S to the stacking tray 72 of the paper loading function 70.

[0040] The paper loading function unit 70 includes: an opening 71 for allowing a bundle of paper S to pass through and be discharged; a stacking tray 72 for stacking the processed paper bundles in a manner that allows the user to easily access them; and a lifting drive 73 for moving the stacking tray 72 vertically. This stacking tray 72 constitutes a paper discharge section for discharging paper S that has been stapled by the staple function unit 10. As will be described later, when the Z-folded paper S is introduced into the collection tray 13 of the staple function unit 10, the lifting drive 73 lowers the height of the stacking tray 72, which serves as the paper discharge section, to a position lower than the height of the stacking tray 72 when un-Z-folded paper S is introduced into the collection tray 13.

[0041] The collection tray 13 includes: a loading table 13a for receiving and loading paper from the output roller 14; an end guide 13b formed perpendicular to the paper transport direction relative to the surface of the loading table 13a; and a side guide 13c formed parallel to the paper transport direction. The end guide 13b serves as a reference surface for aligning the rear end face of the paper in the transport direction when aligning the paper discharged from the output roller 14. The paper is aligned in the transport direction by the rear end faces of a plurality of sheets of paper abutting against the end guide 13b.

[0042] As will be described later, here, after the paper S passes through the output roller 14, along... Figure 2 The paper is fed out in the first traveling direction S1, thereby supplying it toward the upper surface of the loading table 13a of the collection tray 13. Then, with a portion of the paper on the leading side of the conveying direction S exposed to the outside through the opening 71 on the drive side paper discharge roller 18a (described later), the traveling direction is reversed. Figure 2 The paper falls along the upper surface of the loading table 13a of the collection tray 13 in the second travel direction S2, and the rear end of the paper S reaches the end guide 13b in the transport direction.

[0043] That is, the end guide 13b is located on the rear end side of the paper S falling along the upper surface of the loading table 13a. Figure 2 The left side of the guide 13b has a surface that is substantially orthogonal to the loading table 13a. That is, the end guide 13b is configured to align with the rear end of the paper S falling along the loading table 13a. On the other hand, the side guide 13c has a surface that extends in a direction substantially parallel to the second traveling direction S2 of the paper S falling along the loading table 13a and is substantially orthogonal to the loading table 13a. That is, the side guide 13c is configured to align with one end of the paper S, which is substantially parallel to the falling direction of the paper S falling along the loading table 13a.

[0044] The blade 15, for example, has three flexible paper contact portions 15a that contact the upper surface of the paper S on the loading table 13a or the uppermost part of the bundle of paper S, conveying or introducing the paper towards the end guide 13b. The blade 15 moves along... Figure 2 Rotate in the R direction and press the paper S into the loading table 13a in the second travel direction S2.

[0045] The intervention unit 16 is disposed on one of the two sides of the collection tray 13 parallel to the paper conveying direction, opposite to the side where the side guide 13c is disposed. It is configured such that the distance between the intervention unit 16 and the side guide 13c of the collection tray 13 changes when driven by a motor or the like. In this embodiment, the intervention unit 16 is disposed relative to the collection tray 13 on... Figure 2 The inner side of the paper. The intervention part 16 moves in an orthogonal direction relative to the paper transport direction, thereby pressing the paper S loaded on the collection tray 13 in an orthogonal direction relative to the paper transport direction, so that the side end of the paper S abuts against the side guide 13c for alignment.

[0046] The stapler 17 performs a binding process, or staple treatment, by pressing staples one by one into the bundle of papers S contained in the collection tray 13. The stapler 17 is configured to move around the collection tray 13. Specifically, the stapler 17 includes: a staple head 17a, which actually uses staples to perform the staple treatment; a base 17b, which supports the staple head 17a; and a guide rail 17c formed on the base 17b, forming a path for the staple head 17a to move. The guide rail 17c is formed along the periphery of the collection tray 13. The base 17b and the staple head 17a move on the guide rail 17c driven by a stapler motor (not shown), performing staple treatment at the user-desired position on the paper.

[0047] In addition, as an example of the processing unit, the stapler 17 that performs staple processing on paper has been described here. However, the processing unit that processes paper can be, for example, a binding processing device that performs paper binding without using staples or a collection processing device that performs paper alignment without binding.

[0048] Next, the paper discharge roller 18 will be described. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the paper discharge roller 18 has a drive-side paper discharge roller 18a and a driven-side paper discharge roller 18b. The drive-side paper discharge roller 18a and the driven-side paper discharge roller 18b are configured to be separable from each other.

[0049] The drive-side paper discharge roller 18a is rotatably supported on the housing of the paper discharge processor 5 and fixedly supported on a rotating shaft driven by a paper discharge motor (not shown).

[0050] The driven side paper discharge roller 18b is supported by a swingable support member (not shown). As the support member swings, the driven side paper discharge roller 18b swings between a contact position that contacts the upper surface of the paper S loaded on the loading table 13a of the collection tray 13 and a non-contact position that avoids the upper surface of the paper S loaded on the loading table 13a of the collection tray 13.

[0051] When paper S is discharged from the output roller 14 onto the collection tray 13 and the rear end of paper S is aligned with the end guide 13b, the driven side discharge roller 18b is in a clearance position. When paper S is discharged from the collection tray 13 onto the stacking tray 72, the driven side discharge roller 18b swings to a contact position that contacts the upper surface of paper S placed on the loading table 13a of the collection tray 13. Then, the side discharge roller 18a is driven to rotate by the rotation of the paper discharge motor, and the driven side discharge roller 18b rotates passively. As a result, the paper loaded on the collection tray 13 moves in direction S3 and is discharged onto the stacking tray 72. In addition, the discharge roller 18 is positioned further back in the transport direction than the front end of the transport direction of paper with a shorter transport length, such as A5LEF paper, starting from the end guide 13b of the loading table 13a. That is, the distance from the end guide 13b to the discharge roller 18 is set to be shorter than the length of the short side of the A5 paper.

[0052] Next, the opening 71 will be described. The opening 71 is an opening formed in the housing of the paper discharge processor 5, and is the area through which the bundle of paper S discharged by the paper discharge roller 18 toward the stacking tray 72 passes.

[0053] Next, the lifting drive device 73 will be described. The stacking pallet 72 moves downward and upward via the lifting drive device 73. The downward and upward movements of the lifting drive device 73 are achieved through... Figure 1 The control unit 7 shown is used for control.

[0054] The lifting drive device 73 includes: a guide 74 formed from the upper direction to the lower direction of the paper discharge processor 5; and a sliding member 75 that slides downward or upward while being guided by the guide 74. The stacking tray 72 is connected to the sliding member 75 by connecting parts 76 provided at a plurality of positions, such as 3, and moves downward or upward by the downward movement and upward movement of the sliding member 75.

[0055] Furthermore, the lifting drive device 73 includes: a belt member 77 formed in a ring shape; and a first pulley 78a and a second pulley 78b, which are arranged with a gap in the vertical direction, supporting the belt member 77 from the inside and applying tension to the belt member 77. The lifting drive device 73 also includes a motor 79 that drives the belt member 77 via the first pulley 78a. Here, a sliding member 75 is fixed to the belt member 77 and moves vertically in conjunction with the movement of the belt member 77.

[0056] Here, if the control unit 7 rotates the drive motor 79 in the forward direction, the sliding member 75 moves downward according to the movement of the belt member 77. As a result, the stacking tray 72 moves downward. Conversely, if the control unit 7 rotates the drive motor 79 in the reverse direction, the sliding member 75 moves upward according to the movement of the belt member 77. As a result, the stacking tray 72 moves upward. Furthermore, these movements are controlled by the stepping action of the motor 79.

[0057] Next, refer to Figures 3-5 The operation of the stapler function unit 10 and the paper loading function unit 70 included in the post-processing apparatus of this embodiment will be explained. First, for comparison, refer to... Figure 3 (A) describes the state of paper with a relatively short conveying length when it is placed on the collection tray 13. Figure 3 In (A), A5LEF paper, i.e., A5 paper, is placed on the loading table 13a of the collection tray 13 with its long edge orthogonal to the conveying direction. At this time, the rear end of the A5 paper in the conveying direction reaches the end guide 13b of the collection tray 13 by the weight of the paper itself and the rotation of the blade 15 in the R direction. At this time, the front end of the A5 paper in the conveying direction is located further along the front end side of the conveying direction than the drive side paper discharge roller 18a of the paper discharge roller 18. Thus, after the A5LEF paper is stapled by the stapler 17, the paper discharge roller 18 is rotated, thereby conveying the shorter A5LEF paper to the stacking tray 72.

[0058] Figure 3(B) indicates that the paper with a relatively long conveying length, such as B4SEF, A3SEF, or LedgerSEF (i.e., any paper among B4, A3, and Ledger paper), is conveyed with its short side facing an orientation orthogonal to the conveying direction, undergoes Z-folding, and is loaded onto the loading table 13a of the collection tray 13. At this time, because the conveying length of the paper that has undergone Z-folding is long, the crease of the paper S is located outside the paper discharge roller 18 and the opening 71.

[0059] That is, the paper S is supplied through the paper output roller 14 and toward the upper surface of the loading table 13a of the collection tray 13. However, at this time, when the rear end of the paper S completely passes through the paper output roller 14 in the conveying direction, the creases SA and SB of the paper S reach the outside of the paper discharge roller 18 and the opening 71.

[0060] At this time, the blade 15 rotates and introduces the paper S towards the end guide 13b of the collection tray 13 in the second travel direction S2. At this time, the crease SA on the leading side of the paper S in the transport direction is located outside the opening 71, and therefore moves downwards onto the stacking tray 72 due to its own weight. As a result, the crease SA on the leading side of the transport direction comes into contact with the housing below the opening 71 on the stacking tray 72 and is stuck. Therefore, when the paper S is introduced towards the end guide 13b, the crease SA pulls the paper S towards the stacking tray 72, preventing the rear end of the paper S in the transport direction from reaching the end guide 13b of the collection tray 13.

[0061] Therefore, in this embodiment, when a relatively long sheet of paper that has undergone Z-folding is introduced into the collection tray 13, the stacking tray 72 is lowered and moved by the lifting drive device 73. (Reference) Figure 3 (C) describes the state in which the stacking pallet 72 is lowered and moved.

[0062] If the stacking tray 72 is moved downwards, the crease SA on the leading side of the paper S that has undergone Z-folding moves downwards along with the stacking tray 72. As a result, the second crease SB from the leading side in the transport direction unfolds. That is, the angle of the crease SB increases. Consequently, the force exerted by the first crease SA from the leading side in the transport direction pulling the paper S towards the stacking tray 72 decreases, making it easier for the second crease SB from the leading side in the transport direction to move towards the end guide 13b of the collection tray 13.

[0063] If the blade 15 is rotated in this state, the rear end of the paper S in the transport direction can be introduced into the end guide 13b of the collection tray 13 in the second travel direction S2, and the rear end of the paper S in the transport direction is aligned.

[0064] refer to Figure 4The method for determining which sheet of paper should be moved downwards by the stacking tray 72 described above will be explained. Figure 4 In step S401, the control unit 7 determines whether the first sheet of paper supplied to the collection tray 13 for the printing operation, i.e., an image forming processing unit, is a Z-folding target sheet. Specifically, it determines whether the paper's length is greater than a predetermined length such as B4SEF, A3SEF, or LedgerSEF. If it meets the criteria, the process proceeds to step S402. If the paper has undergone Z-folding, it can be considered a target sheet if the first fold SA on the leading side of the transport direction is not within the length of the loading table 13a on the collection tray 13. If it does not meet the criteria, the process proceeds to step S406, where the paper is excluded from the descending movement processing of the stacking tray 72.

[0065] In step S402, if a processing unit containing multiple sheets of paper is introduced into the collection tray 13, the control unit 7 determines whether the first sheet of paper is designated for Z-fold processing or whether Z-fold processing has been performed. If the first sheet of paper is designated for Z-fold processing or has undergone Z-fold processing, the process proceeds to step S403. If Z-fold processing has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S406, where the sheet is excluded from the descending movement processing objects of the stacking tray 72.

[0066] In step S403, the control unit 7 determines whether the paper's discharge destination is the stacking tray 72. If the discharge destination is the stacking tray 72, the process proceeds to the next step S404. If the discharge destination is not the stacking tray 72, the process proceeds to step S406, where the paper is excluded from the descending movement processing objects of the stacking tray 72.

[0067] In step S404, it is determined whether the paper is set to be stapled. If stapled is set, then the following steps are performed: Figure 5 The descending movement process of the stacking tray 72 shown. When it is set not to perform staple processing, proceed to step S406 to exclude it from the descending movement process objects of the stacking tray 72.

[0068] Next, refer to Figure 5 The process of lowering and moving the stacking tray 72 and handling the staples in this embodiment will be explained. Figure 5 In step S501, the control unit 7 rotates the drive motor 79 in the positive direction, causing the stacking tray 72 to descend a predetermined distance. The amount of descent can be varied according to the size, material, and thickness of the paper S. For example, the thinner the paper S, the easier it is to unfold at the angle of the second crease SB from the front end in the conveying direction, and the easier it is to be jammed by the housing of the paper output processor 5. Therefore, compared to thicker paper S, the amount of descent should be increased. These amounts of descent can be directly specified by the operator.

[0069] like Figure 3 As shown in (B), the rear end of the paper S in the transport direction floats above the upper surface of the loading table 13a of the collection tray 13 and does not reach the end guide 13b. At this time, the stacking tray 72 is moved downward until the portion from the rear end of the paper S in the transport direction to the crease SB on the rear end side of the transport direction, that is, up to the second crease SB from the front end side of the transport direction, is parallel to the upper surface of the loading table 13a.

[0070] In addition, in this embodiment, the stacking tray 72 is moved downwards under a predetermined size of paper and a predetermined condition. However, the stacking tray 72 can also be moved downwards under the following conditions: the sensor detects whether the rear end of the paper S that has undergone Z-folding has reached the end guide 13b of the collection tray 13 in the transport direction. The rear end of the paper S in the transport direction has not reached the end guide 13b or has not reached the staple treatment.

[0071] As described above, when a relatively long sheet of paper S is Z-folded, the crease SA on the leading side of the sheet S in the transport direction protrudes towards the stacking tray 72 rather than towards the loading platform of the collection tray 13. This state can be detected by a sensor (not shown) or by calculation based on the length along the transport direction of the paper, and in this case, the stacking tray 72 is lowered and moved.

[0072] In step S502, the control unit 7 rotates the blade 15, introducing the paper S in the second travel direction S2, thereby bringing the rear end of the paper S in the transport direction to the end guide 13b of the collection tray 13. As described above, the first crease SA on the front end side of the paper S in the transport direction moves downward together with the stacking tray 72, thus reducing the force exerted by the first crease SA on the paper S pulling it towards the stacking tray 72. Therefore, the rear end of the paper S in the transport direction moves to the end guide 13b of the collection tray 13. Furthermore, the end face of the paper S parallel to the transport direction is aligned by the intervention unit 16. That is, the end face of the paper S in the direction parallel to the transport direction is pressed against the side guide 13c of the collection tray 13 by the intervention unit 16. As a result, the rear end and side end of the paper S placed on the loading table 13a of the collection tray 13 are aligned in the transport direction.

[0073] In the next step S503, the control unit 7 moves the base 17b and staple head 17a of the stapler 17 along the guide rail 17c to the desired position around the collection tray 13, and controls the staple head 17a to perform staple processing on the paper S.

[0074] In step S504, the control unit 7 rotates the drive motor 79 in the opposite direction to that in step S501, thereby causing the stacking tray 72 to rise upwards by a predetermined distance via the lifting drive device 73. At this time, the upward movement distance of the stacking tray 72 is set to be shorter than the downward movement distance when the stacking tray 72 is lowered in step S501. That is, the height at which the stacking tray 72 rises again is set to be lower than the normal position before the stacking tray 72 is lowered by a predetermined amount. This prevents the upper surface of the paper bundle from interfering with the fixed tray located above the stacking tray 72 when the paper bundle is discharged onto the stacking tray 72.

[0075] In step S505, the control unit 7 swings the driven side paper discharge roller 18b of the paper discharge roller 18 to a contact position that contacts the upper surface of the paper, and then drives the driven side paper discharge roller 18a. As a result, the bundle of paper with finished staples loaded on the loading table 13a of the collection tray 13 is moved towards the paper discharge roller 18 as the paper discharge roller 18 rotates. Figure 2 It moves in the direction S3, passes through the opening 71 and is discharged onto the stacking tray 72.

[0076] In step S506, the control unit 7 determines whether the paper bundle discharged in step S505 is the last paper bundle. If it is the last paper bundle, the process ends. If it is not the last paper bundle, that is, if there are papers in the discharged paper bundle that need to be processed, the process proceeds to step S507.

[0077] In step S507, the control unit 7 calculates the downward movement of the stacking tray 72 based on the number of Z-fold sheets of the discharged paper bundles, returns to step S501, and causes the stacking tray 72 to move downward by the calculated downward movement. The above steps S501 to S506 are repeated until all processed bundles are discharged.

[0078] In addition, the control unit 7 includes a CPU (not shown), a memory, a storage device, and a communication interface. The CPU is a microprocessor for control, which controls the operation of the stapler function unit 10, the paper loading function unit 70, and other units according to the control program stored in the storage device.

[0079] In addition, in the above embodiments, processor refers to processor in a broad sense, including general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and special-purpose processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0080] Furthermore, the actions of the processors in the above embodiments can be completed by a single processor, or by multiple processors located physically far apart working together. Also, the order of the processor's actions is not limited to the order described in the above embodiments and can be changed as needed.

[0081] The embodiments of the present invention described above are provided for illustrative purposes. Furthermore, these embodiments do not encompass the entirety of the invention, nor do they limit the invention to the disclosed methods. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations will be readily understood. These embodiments were chosen and described to most readily explain the principles and applications of the invention. Thus, those skilled in the art can understand the invention through various modifications that are assumed to be optimized for specific uses of various embodiments. The scope of the invention is defined by the foregoing claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A post-processing apparatus comprising: The processing unit introduces and processes the recording media supplied from the upstream device. The paper discharge section discharges the recording media that has been processed by the processing section; and When a folded recording medium is introduced into the processing unit, the lifting drive causes the paper discharge section to descend to a position lower than its height when an uncfolded recording medium is introduced into the processing unit. When the rear end of the folded recording medium in the transport direction does not reach the processing position of the processing unit, the lifting drive device causes the paper discharge unit to move downward.

2. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, When multiple recording media are introduced into the processing unit, and the first recording media among the multiple recording media is a folded recording media, the lifting drive device causes the paper output unit to move downward.

3. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The lifting drive device moves the paper discharge section downwards to a position where the portion of the folded recording medium from the rear end in the transport direction to the rear end side in the transport direction is parallel to the mounting surface of the processing section.

4. The post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein, The lifting drive device lowers and moves the paper output section by the amount that changes the thickness of the recording medium.

5. The post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein, When the processed recording medium is discharged into the paper discharge section, the lifting drive device causes the paper discharge section to move upward.

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