Post-processing device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a post-processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus. The post-processing apparatus includes: a binding device for performing binding processing on a bundle of paper; a guide rail for moving the binding device; and a rotating mechanism disposed adjacent to the guide rail, which rotates the binding device as it moves along the guide rail.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a post-processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a post-processing apparatus comprising: a first assembly unit 90 for binding paper and moving while rotating a first gear 97; a second assembly unit 70 for binding paper and moving while rotating a second gear 77; a general path 521, which is the path for the movement of the first assembly unit and the second assembly unit; a first rack 54 disposed along the general path and meshing with the first gear; and a second rack 53 disposed along the general path and disposed on the side opposite to the first rack across the general path, and meshing with the second gear.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-167194 Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a post-processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus that can perform oblique binding by rotating the binding device at an angle even when the guide rail used to move the binding device is in a straight line.

[0005] The post-processing apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention includes: a binding device for performing binding processing on a bundle of papers; a guide rail for moving the binding device; and a rotating mechanism disposed adjacent to the guide rail, which rotates the binding device as it moves along the guide rail.

[0006] In the post-processing apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, in the post-processing apparatus of the first aspect, the binding device is rotatably mounted on a base that moves on the guide rail via a rotary table. The rotating mechanism accommodates a guide member disposed on the binding device in a guiding mechanism as the binding device moves, and moves the accommodated guide member along the guiding mechanism, thereby causing the binding device to rotate obliquely.

[0007] In the post-processing apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention, in the post-processing apparatus of the second aspect, the guide member is a guide pin fixed to the rotary table, and the guiding mechanism is a guide groove that guides the guide pin.

[0008] The post-processing apparatus of the fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the post-processing apparatuses of the first to third aspects, further includes a retraction mechanism that retracts the rotation mechanism to a position where the binding device does not rotate, even when the binding device is moved to a predetermined position.

[0009] In the post-processing apparatus of the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the post-processing apparatus of the fourth aspect, the retraction mechanism includes a force-applying member that applies force to the rotating mechanism in a position that causes the binding device, which has been moved to a predetermined position, to rotate, and a cam mechanism that moves the rotating mechanism in a position that causes the binding device, which has been moved to the predetermined position, to not rotate.

[0010] The post-processing apparatus of the sixth aspect of the present invention comprises: a first binding device for performing binding processing on a bundle of papers; a second binding device for performing binding processing different from that of the first binding device; a guide rail for keeping either the first binding device or the second binding device in a standby position while moving the other; and a rotating mechanism disposed adjacent to the guide rail, for rotating the first binding device or the second binding device that moves along the guide rail.

[0011] In the post-processing apparatus of the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the post-processing apparatus of the sixth aspect, the first binding device uses a binding component to bind the paper, and the second binding device binds the paper without using the binding component.

[0012] The image forming apparatus of the eighth aspect of the present invention includes an image forming section for forming an image on paper; and a post-processing apparatus for binding a bundle of paper on which the image has been formed by the image forming section. The post-processing apparatus includes: a binding device for performing binding processing on the bundle of paper; a guide rail for moving the binding device; and a rotating mechanism disposed adjacent to the guide rail, which rotates the binding device as it moves along the guide rail.

[0013] Invention Effects

[0014] According to the post-processing apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, even if the guide rail used to move the binding device is straight, the binding device can be rotated obliquely to perform oblique binding.

[0015] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the post-processing apparatus is capable of rotating the binding device obliquely as the binding device moves, thereby performing oblique binding.

[0016] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the post-processing apparatus can be used to perform oblique binding by rotating the existing binding apparatus at an angle.

[0017] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the post-processing apparatus is capable of allowing the binding device to pass on the guide rail without oblique rotation.

[0018] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the post-processing apparatus, with its simple structure, enables the binding device to pass on the guide rail without tilting.

[0019] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the post-processing apparatus can perform oblique binding by rotating the binding device obliquely even if the guide rail used to move the binding device is straight.

[0020] According to the post-processing apparatus of the seventh aspect of the present invention, the operator can choose whether to use a binding component or not to bind the paper.

[0021] According to the image forming apparatus of the eighth aspect of the present invention, even if the guide rail used to move the binding device is in a straight line, the binding device can be rotated obliquely to perform oblique binding. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following figures.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view showing the image forming apparatus used in embodiments of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 It means Figure 1 A diagram showing a portion of the structure of the binding processing unit in the post-processing apparatus of the image forming apparatus shown;

[0025] Figure 3 Yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the guide rail of the binding processing unit shown;

[0026] Figure 4 It means Figure 2 A diagram showing the binding position of the binding device in the binding processing unit;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the binding device when binding a bundle of papers at position P1.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the binding device when binding paper bundles at positions P2 and P3.

[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the binding device when binding a bundle of papers at position P4.

[0030] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the structure of the rotating mechanism in the binding processing unit of this embodiment;

[0031] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the binding device when binding a bundle of papers at position P4.

[0032] Figure 10This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the needle-binding device;

[0033] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the needleless binding device;

[0034] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the action of moving the rotating mechanism in the binding processing unit of this embodiment to the retracted position;

[0035] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a modified example of the binding processing unit in this embodiment.

[0036] Symbol Explanation

[0037] 10-Image forming apparatus, 400-Binding processing unit, 450-Guide rail, 500-Pinned binding device, 502-Base, 504-Rotating table, 506-Guide pin, 600-Pinless binding device, 602-Base, 604-Rotating table, 606-Guide pin, 700-Rotating mechanism, 702-Rotating mechanism body, 704-Force-applying component, 706-Shaft, 708-Guide groove, 710-Drive source, 712-Cam. Detailed Implementation

[0038] Next, the methods for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 10 used in embodiments of the present invention, shown from the front. Figure 1 As shown, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming unit 100, a post-processing device, namely a post-processing unit 300, and a transport unit 900.

[0039] The image forming unit 100 has an image forming unit body 112, within which an image forming section 120 and, for example, two supply devices 140 are disposed. Furthermore, a transport path 160 is formed within the image forming unit body 112.

[0040] The image forming unit 120 forms an image on paper P, which is an example of a recording medium and, in another example, paper. The image forming unit 120 employs electrophotography, developing a latent image formed on the surface of a photosensitive drum 122 using a toner to form a toner image. This toner image is then transferred onto the paper P and fixed onto the paper P, thereby forming an image on the paper P. Instead of using electrophotography in the image forming unit 120, other methods, such as spray painting, may also be used.

[0041] The supply device 140 supplies sheets of paper P, which are stacked in a stacked state, to the image forming unit 120.

[0042] The transport path 160 transports the paper P supplied from the supply device 140 to the image forming unit 120, and the paper P with the image formed by the image forming unit 120 is discharged from the image forming unit body 112.

[0043] The post-processing unit 300 has a post-processing unit body 312, within which a binding processing unit 400 is disposed. The binding processing unit 400 is a device for binding paper P, and binds a plurality of paper P into a book. Details regarding the binding processing unit 400 will be described later.

[0044] The post-processing unit body 312 is equipped with a discharge section 314 in which the paper P bound by the binding processing unit 400 is discharged.

[0045] Furthermore, a transport path 320 is formed within the post-processing unit body 312. The transport path 320 transports the paper P transported from the post-processing unit body 312 to the binding processing unit 400.

[0046] The conveying unit 900 has a conveying unit body 912, within which a conveying path 920 is formed. The conveying path 920 conveys the paper P discharged from the image forming unit body 112 to the post-processing unit body 312. An opening device (not shown) for opening holes in the paper P may also be configured within the conveying unit 900.

[0047] like Figure 1 As shown, the binding processing unit 400 has a pair of receiving rollers 410. The pair of receiving rollers 410 is an example of a receiving unit that receives paper P conveyed from the conveying unit 900. Furthermore, the pair of receiving rollers 410 are arranged along the conveying path 320.

[0048] The binding processing unit 400 also includes a loading section 420. The loading section 420 is an example of a loading unit, where a plurality of sheets P supplied from the receiving roller 410 are loaded. Furthermore, the loading section 420 includes a loading plate 422 and an abutment member 424.

[0049] The loading plate 422 is tilted such that the end facing the contact member 424 in the gravity direction is positioned lower than the end on the opposite side of the contact member 424, and a plurality of sheets P are loaded on its upper surface in the gravity direction. Furthermore, the rear ends of the plurality of sheets P abut against the contact member 424 in the transport direction. Moreover, by abutting against the contact member 424 with their rear ends, the plurality of sheets P are aligned in the transport direction.

[0050] The binding processing unit 400 also has an alignment device 426. The alignment device 426 aligns the plurality of papers P in a direction intersecting the transport direction by clamping a plurality of papers P with a pair of alignment plates.

[0051] The binding processing unit 400 also has a push-in device 430. The push-in device 430 has, for example, three blades 432, which push the paper P in such a way that the rear end of the paper P abuts against the abutment member 424 by rotating the blades 432.

[0052] The binding processing unit 400 also has a discharge device 436. The discharge device 436 has a pair of rollers, which discharge the bound plurality of papers P to the outside of the post-processing unit body 312 by rotating the pair of rollers.

[0053] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the structure of the binding processing unit 400. Figure 2 The right side of the image forming apparatus 10 is shown. Figure 2 The left side of the image forming apparatus 10 is shown.

[0054] The binding processing unit 400 also includes a needled binding device 500 as a first binding device, a needleless binding device 600 as a second binding device that performs a binding process different from that of the first binding device, and a support plate 440 that supports the needled binding device 500 and the needleless binding device 600.

[0055] Here, the pinned binding device 500 uses a binding component, namely a binding pin, to perform binding processing on the paper bundle. Furthermore, the pinless binding device 600 performs binding processing by pressing the paper bundle without using binding pins.

[0056] A guide rail 450 is formed in the support plate 440 for moving the needle-attached device 500 and the needleless attaching device 600 along a predetermined direction. Furthermore, the guide rail 450 has a first guide rail 452 and a guide rail extending from the first guide rail 452 to the right (…). Figure 2 The second guide rail 454 of the upper branch.

[0057] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the rear side of the support plate 440. (Example) Figure 3 As shown, in the support plate 440, along the first guide rail 452... Figure 3 A guide rail component 465 with a toothed row 464 is provided on the lower side of the first guide rail 452.

[0058] Furthermore, in the support plate 440, along the first guide rail 452 and the second guide rail 454 branching from the first guide rail 452... Figure 3 The upper side of the first guide rail 452 and the second guide rail 454 is provided with a guide rail component 463 having a toothed row 462.

[0059] The needle-binding device 500 has a movement drive mechanism that transmits drive from a movement drive source to a gear member 554, causing the gear member 554 to rotate. The gear member 554 has teeth that mesh with the teeth of a guide rail member 463 arranged along the first guide rail 452 and the second guide rail 454 (see reference). Figure 3 The gear assembly 554 rotates in the direction of arrow a1, causing the needle-binding device 500 to move in the direction of arrow b1. Furthermore, the gear assembly 554 rotates in the direction of arrow a2, causing the needle-binding device 500 to move in the direction of arrow b2.

[0060] The needleless binding device 600 has a movement drive mechanism that transmits drive from a movement drive source to a gear member 654, causing the gear member 654 to rotate. The gear member 654 has teeth that mesh with the teeth 464 of a guide rail member 465 disposed along a first guide rail 452 (see reference). Figure 3 The gears engage. Furthermore, by rotating the gear component 654 in the direction of arrow c1, the needleless binding device 600 moves in the direction of arrow d1. Also, by rotating the gear component 654 in the direction of arrow c2, the needleless binding device 600 moves in the direction of arrow d2.

[0061] The pinned binding device 500 and the pinless binding device 600 are rotatably mounted on bases 502 and 602, which move on guide rails 450, respectively, via rotary tables 504 and 604, which will be described later. Further details will be provided later, but one example is that guide pins 506 and 606 are fixed to the lower surfaces of the rotary tables 504 and 604, respectively.

[0062] Guide rail 450 Figure 4 The needle-binding device 500 is guided to move between positions P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5. Furthermore, the guide rail 450... Figure 4 The needleless binding device 600 is guided to move between positions P1, P2, P3, P4, and P6.

[0063] Position P5 is an example of a standby position where the needle-attached device 500 remains in standby mode until the needleless attaching device 600 finishes its attaching process. Therefore, in the following description, position P5 will be referred to as standby position P5.

[0064] Furthermore, position P6 is an example of a standby position where the needleless binding device 600 remains in standby mode until the binding process of the needle-attached binding device 500 is completed. Therefore, in the following description, position P6 will be referred to as standby position P6.

[0065] That is, either the needle-attached binding device 500 or the needleless binding device 600 is in standby position P5 or standby position P6, while the other moves to any one of the binding positions P1, P2, P3 or P4 to perform the binding process.

[0066] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating the positions of the stapled binding device 500 and the needleless binding device 600 when the stapled binding device 500 is used to obliquely bind the paper bundle P on the front side of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0067] like Figure 5 As shown, the needleless binding device 600 is in standby position P6, and the needle binding device 500 moves along the guide rail 450 and stops at the curved position P1 of the guide rail 450 to perform binding processing on the paper bundle P.

[0068] Similarly, when the needleless binding device 600 is used to obliquely bind the paper bundle P on the front side of the image forming apparatus 10, the stapled binding device 500 is in standby position P5, the needleless binding device 600 moves along the guide rail 450 and stops at the curved position P1 of the guide rail 450 to perform binding processing on the paper bundle P.

[0069] Figure 6 This diagram illustrates the positions of the stapled binding device 500 and the non-stapled binding device 600 when using the stapled binding device 500 to flat-bind a bundle of paper P.

[0070] like Figure 6 As shown, the needleless binding device 600 is in standby position P6, and the needle binding device 500 moves along the guide rail 450 and stops at positions P2 and P3 where the guide rail 450 is in a straight line, respectively, to perform binding processing on the paper bundle P.

[0071] Similarly, when the needleless binding device 600 is used to flat-bind the paper bundle P, the needle binding device 500 is in standby position P5, and the needleless binding device 600 moves along the guide rail 450 and stops at positions P2 and P3 where the guide rail 450 is in a straight line, respectively, to perform binding processing on the paper bundle P.

[0072] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the positions of the stapled binding device 500 and the needleless binding device 600 when the stapled binding device 500 is used to obliquely bind the paper bundle P on the rear side of the image forming device 10.

[0073] like Figure 7As shown, the needleless binding device 600 is in standby position P6, and the needle binding device 500 moves from the front to the rear along the guide rail 450. At this time, the guide pin 506, which is fixed to the lower surface of the rotary table 504 of the needle binding device 500 and moves with the needle binding device 500, is guided to rotate by the rotation mechanism 700 (described in detail later) and stops at the binding position P4, performing oblique binding on the paper bundle P.

[0074] Similarly, when the needleless binding device 600 is used to obliquely bind the paper bundle P on the rear side of the image forming apparatus 10, the stapled binding device 500 is in standby position P5, and the needleless binding device 600 moves from the front to the rear along the guide rail 450. At this time, the guide pin 606, which is fixed to the lower surface of the rotary table 604 of the needleless binding device 600 and moves with the needleless binding device 600, is guided by the rotation mechanism 700 (described in detail later) and rotates, stopping at the binding position P4, and the oblique binding process is performed on the paper bundle P.

[0075] In the image forming apparatus 10 configured as described above, a plurality of paper bundles P can be bound using a stapled binding device 500 or a stapleless binding device 600.

[0076] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 10 also has an opening and closing section. The opening and closing section is mounted on the front side of the post-processing unit main body 312. Figure 4 , Figure 5 The surface of the right side of the unit. Moreover, when the needle binding device 500 is positioned at position P1, by opening the opening and closing part, the needle binding device 500 can be observed with the naked eye from the outside of the post-processing unit main body 312, the needle binding needles can be added to the needle binding device 500, and the remaining amount of needles in the needle binding device 500 can be checked.

[0077] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the detailed structure of the rotating mechanism 700.

[0078] The rotating mechanism 700 includes a rotating mechanism body 702, a force-applying component 704 that applies force to the rotating mechanism body 702 and the support plate 440, a shaft portion 706, a guide groove 708 that guides the guide pin 506 or guide pin 606, and a limiting portion 707 that restricts the movement of the rotating mechanism body 702. The rotating mechanism body 702 and the guide groove 708 are integrally formed.

[0079] The guide groove 708 is an R-shaped groove that is open on one side and closed on the other side. Specifically, it is configured such that the front side of the image forming apparatus 10 is open and the rear side is closed. The guide groove 708 serves as a guide mechanism for guiding the guide pins 506 and 606 to the binding position at position P4.

[0080] And, as Figure 9(A) and Figure 9 As shown in (B), the rotating mechanism 700 is positioned adjacent to the guide rail 450 and is fixed to the guide pin 506 of the rotating table 504 of the needle-stitching device 500 and the guide pin 606 of the rotating table 604 of the needleless stitching device 600. The guide pin 606 is also fixed to the rotating table 604 of the needleless stitching device 600 and is guided to the position of the guide groove 708 as the needle-stitching device 500 or the needleless stitching device 600 moves.

[0081] Furthermore, in the rotating mechanism 700, the guide pins 506 and 606, which are fixed to the lower surfaces of the rotating tables 504 and 604, guide the needle-stitching device 500 or the needleless-stitching device 600, which move along the guide rail 450, to the guide groove 708 of the rotating mechanism 700. The needle-stitching device 500 or the needleless-stitching device 600 rotates relative to each base 502 and 602 via the rotating tables 504 and 604, thereby rotating the needle-stitching device 500 or the needleless-stitching device 600.

[0082] Furthermore, the force-applying component 704 applies force to the rotating mechanism body 702 in such a way that the needle-attached device 500 or needleless attaching device 600, which has been moved to a preset position, is rotated and positioned at the rear side for oblique attaching, i.e., position P4.

[0083] Furthermore, the rotating mechanism 700 also has a drive source 710 and a cam 712 that rotates based on the drive source 710. The drive source 710 and the cam 712 are configured to move the rotating mechanism body 702 in such a way that the needled binding device 500 or the needleless binding device 600, which has been moved to a preset position, does not rotate.

[0084] If the cam 712 rotates due to the drive source 710, the side of the cam 712 contacts the side wall of the guide groove 708 according to the shape of the cam 712. The main body 702 of the rotating mechanism rotates around the shaft 706 as the rotation center, and the guide groove 708 retracts to the position where it does not guide the guide pins 506 and 606, i.e., the retracted position. The drive source 710 and the cam 712 constitute a cam mechanism that rotates the main body 702 of the rotating mechanism and the guide groove 708.

[0085] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the action of the needle-binding device 500 as it approaches the position of the rotating mechanism 700.

[0086] like Figure 10 As shown in (A), the needle-binding device 500 moves from the front to the rear along the guide rail 450.

[0087] Moreover, such as Figure 10As shown in (B), the guide pin 506, which is fixed to the rotary table 504 as the pin-binding device 500 moves, is accommodated in the guide groove 708, and the accommodated guide pin 506 moves along the R-shape of the guide groove 708. As a result, the pin-binding device 500 rotates obliquely, thereby enabling oblique binding of the paper bundle P using a pin on the rear side.

[0088] Similarly, as Figure 11 As shown in (A), the needleless binding device 600 moves along the guide rail 450 from the front to the rear, as... Figure 11 As shown in (B), the guide pin 606, which is fixed to the rotary table 604 as the needleless binding device 600 moves, is accommodated in the guide groove 708, and the accommodated guide pin 606 moves along the R shape of the guide groove 708. As a result, the needleless binding device 600 rotates obliquely, thereby enabling oblique binding of the paper bundle P using a binding pin on the rear side.

[0089] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the action of the rotating mechanism 700 when it moves to the position of the guide pins 506 and 606 in the guide groove 708, i.e., the retraction position.

[0090] When binding is performed using a binding device located in standby position P5 or P6, the binding device not in standby position P5 or P6 is moved to standby position P5 or P6. In this case, as... Figure 12 (A) and Figure 12 As shown in (B), the drive source 710 is driven counterclockwise, causing the cam 712 to rotate counterclockwise. Therefore, even when the needle-stitching device 500 or the needleless stitching device 600 is near the rotating mechanism 700 and the pre-set guide pins 506 or 606 have moved to a position guided by the guide groove 708, the rotation of the cam 712 causes the guide groove 708 to retract to a position where it does not guide the guide pins 506 or 606, and prevents the needle-stitching device 500 or the needleless stitching device 600 from rotating. In other words, the rotating mechanism 700 functions as a retraction mechanism that moves the guide groove 708 to the retracted position. Furthermore, if the cam 712 is rotated clockwise by the drive source 710, the rotating mechanism 700 is moved to the position P4 by the force of the force application member 704, causing the needled binding device 500 or the needleless binding device 600, which has been moved to a preset position, to rotate.

[0091] That is, through the rotation of cam 712, the side of cam 712 contacts the side wall of guide groove 708 according to the shape of cam 712, the main body 702 of the rotating mechanism rotates about shaft 706 as the rotation center, and the opening 708a of guide groove 708 moves to... Figure 12On the upper side of (B), the guide groove 708 moves to the position where the guide pins 506 and 606 are not guided, i.e., the retracted position. As a result, the guide pins 506 and 606 are not guided by the guide groove 708 along with the movement of the needle-attached device 500 and the needleless attaching device 600, so that the needle-attached device 500 or the needleless attaching device 600 moves along the guide rail 450 to the standby position P5 or P6.

[0092] Next, using Figure 13 A variation of the binding processing unit 400 described above will be explained.

[0093] The length and shape of the guide rail 850 in this variation differ from those of the guide rail 450 in the binding processing unit 400 of the above embodiment. Specifically, the front side of the guide rail 850 in this variation is also straight, and the aforementioned rotating mechanism 700 is provided adjacent to the front side of the guide rail 850. Thus, by using the rotating mechanism 700 on the front side of the image forming apparatus 10, either the needle-attached binding device 500 or the needleless binding device 600 can be rotated, enabling oblique binding and supplementing the binding needles of the needle-attached binding device 500. In other words, even though the guide rail is straight, oblique binding can be performed on the front side, shortening the guide rail length and enabling miniaturization of the device.

[0094] In the image forming apparatus 10 described above, an example is shown in which a needle-based binding device 500 using binding components (binding needles) is used as the first binding device, and a needleless binding device 600 using no binding components (binding needles) is used as the second binding device. However, it is also possible to set both the first binding device and the second binding device to binding devices that use binding components, for example, by setting the binding components used to be different types of each other.

[0095] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 10 described above, a binding processing unit 400 having two binding devices has been described as an example, but it is not limited to this. It can also be applied to a binding processing unit having one binding device, or to a binding processing unit having three or more binding devices.

[0096] 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: A binding device that performs binding processing on bundles of paper; Guide rails for moving the binding device; and A rotating mechanism is positioned adjacent to the guide rail, causing the binding device, which moves along the guide rail, to rotate as it moves. The binding device is rotatably mounted on a base that moves on the guide rail via a rotary table. The rotating mechanism accommodates the guide member disposed on the binding device as the binding device moves, and causes the accommodated guide member to move along the guiding mechanism, thereby causing the binding device to rotate obliquely. The guide component is a guide pin fixed to the rotary table. The guiding mechanism is a guide groove that guides the guide pin.

2. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The retraction mechanism retracts the rotation mechanism to a position where the binding device does not rotate, even if the binding device moves to a predetermined position.

3. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The retraction mechanism includes a force-applying member that applies force to the rotating mechanism in a position that causes the binding device to rotate when it has moved to a predetermined position, and a cam mechanism that moves the rotating mechanism in a position that prevents the binding device from rotating when it has moved to the predetermined position.

4. A post-processing apparatus comprising: The first binding device performs binding processing on the paper bundle; The second binding device performs a binding process different from that of the first binding device; Guide rails are used to keep either the first binding device or the second binding device in a standby position while allowing the other to move; and A rotating mechanism is configured adjacent to the guide rail, and causes the first binding device or the second binding device, which moves along the guide rail, to rotate as it moves. The first binding device and the second binding device are rotatably mounted on a base that moves on the guide rail via a rotary table. The rotating mechanism accommodates the guide member disposed on the first binding device as the first binding device moves within the guiding mechanism, and causes the accommodated guide member to move along the guiding mechanism, thereby causing the first binding device to rotate obliquely. The rotating mechanism accommodates the guide member disposed on the second binding device as the second binding device moves within the guiding mechanism, and causes the accommodated guide member to move along the guiding mechanism, thereby causing the second binding device to rotate obliquely. The guide component is a guide pin fixed to the rotary table. The guiding mechanism is a guide groove that guides the guide pin.

5. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, The first binding device uses binding components to bind the paper. The second binding device binds the paper without using the binding components.

6. An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming unit forms an image on paper; and The post-processing device binds the bundle of papers on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit. The post-processing device includes: A binding device that performs binding processing on bundles of paper; Guide rails for moving the binding device; and A rotating mechanism is positioned adjacent to the guide rail, causing the binding device, which moves along the guide rail, to rotate as it moves. The binding device is rotatably mounted on a base that moves on the guide rail via a rotary table. The rotating mechanism accommodates the guide member disposed on the binding device as the binding device moves, and causes the accommodated guide member to move along the guiding mechanism, thereby causing the binding device to rotate obliquely. The guide component is a guide pin fixed to the rotary table. The guiding mechanism is a guide groove that guides the guide pin.

Images