Sheet processing apparatus, sheet processing method, and image forming system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sheet processing device, a sheet processing method, and an image forming system capable of forming a crimped saddle-stitched booklet in which the crimped booklet is not peeled off by a page turning operation and is easy to open. The sheet processing apparatus includes: a wheel folding unit that performs folding processing on a sheet bundle composed of a plurality of sheets; the sheet binding apparatus includes a folding unit that performs a folding process on a sheet bundle, a ridge crimping binding unit that forms a ridge on the sheet bundle subjected to the folding process and performs a crimping binding process, and a control unit that controls the folding process and the crimping binding process, and the control unit performs the crimping binding process on the ridge while forming the ridge in the crimping binding process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet material processing device, a sheet material processing method and an image forming system. Background Art

[0002] A sheet processing device is known that can perform a "binding process" that binds a sheet bundle formed by a bundle of sheet-like recording media. There are many types of binding processes performed in the sheet processing device. For example, there are known "end binding processes" for binding the ends of a sheet bundle, "saddle stitch binding processes" for folding a sheet bundle in half and binding near a folded position, etc. The saddle stitch binding process is a binding method mainly used when making books such as booklets.

[0003] In order to provide a saddle-stitched booklet with neat cut surfaces even without trimming, a saddle-stitched booklet-making device is disclosed that performs square spine folding on the booklet to form a square spine after crimping and binding at positions on both sides away from the folded position (for example, refer to patent document 1).

[0004] In order to provide a compression saddle stitching apparatus, a saddle stitching apparatus for performing compression stitching at a position away from a folded position has been disclosed (for example, refer to Patent Document 2).

[0005] In addition, as a saddle stitch binding device that performs square spine folding on the spine of a booklet, in order to make it difficult for the staples to shift from the center of the spine and provide an aesthetically pleasing booklet, a saddle stitch binding device having a groove for staple engagement on a stop plate is disclosed (for example, refer to patent document 3).

[0006] In order to provide a booklet bound without using a needle, a compression saddle stitch bookbinding apparatus is disclosed which performs a compression binding process on the center of a booklet and then folds the booklet in half (for example, refer to Patent Document 4).

[0007] In addition, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method, a binding apparatus is disclosed that forms a bonding toner layer at the end of a sheet, etc., and bonds the sheets together by heating and pressurizing the toner layer (for example, refer to Patent Document 5).

[0008] Patent Documents 1 to 5 disclose prior art techniques for performing a crimping saddle stitching process and a square spine process for a booklet spine. However, when a saddle stitching booklet is formed using these prior art techniques, there are problems such as an uncoordinated state for the opened portion when turning pages, a load is applied to the crimping portion due to the page turning operation, or the crimping portion is peeled off. That is, in the prior art techniques, there are problems with the quality and binding strength of the finished product when the crimping binding process is used in the saddle stitching process.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus capable of forming a pressure-bonded saddle-stitched booklet that is easy to open and does not peel off due to a page turning operation.

[0010] [Patent Document 1] (Japanese) Patent Publication No. 2014-031268

[0011] [Patent Document 2] (Japan) Patent No. 6089675

[0012] [Patent Document 3] (Japanese) Patent Publication No. 2004-168012

[0013] [Patent Document 2] (Japan) Patent No. 5361858

[0014] [Patent Document 5] (Japanese) Patent Publication No. 2004-209858 Summary of the invention

[0015] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it includes: a folding unit, which performs a folding process on a sheet bundle composed of multiple sheets; a spine crimping binding unit, which forms a spine on the sheet bundle that has been subjected to the folding process and performs a crimping binding process; and a control unit, which controls the folding process and the crimping binding process, wherein the control unit forms the spine while performing the crimping binding process on the spine during the crimping binding process.

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to form a compression-bonded saddle-stitched booklet in which the compression-bonded binding is not peeled off by the page turning operation and the double-page opening operation is easy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming system according to the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal structure of a post-processing device according to the first embodiment.

[0019] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the end stapling processing section viewed from the discharge port side.

[0020] Figure 4 (a)-(b) are schematic diagrams showing the structure of the crimping teeth of the end crimping binding processing unit.

[0021] Figure 5 (a)-(e) show the moving position of the end binding processing unit.

[0022] Figure 6(a)-(e) are schematic diagrams showing the actions of the saddle stitching process.

[0023] Figure 7 (a)-(c) are cross-sectional views showing the action of the saddle stitching process.

[0024] Figure 8 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a pressing state in the saddle stitching process.

[0025] Fig. 9 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a compression-bonded saddle-stitched booklet bound in a first embodiment.

[0026] Fig.10 The figure shows the hardware structure of the control unit of the post-processing device.

[0027] Fig.11 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a modified example 1 of the saddle stitching processing unit.

[0028] Fig.12 (a)-(b) are BB cross-sectional views showing the operation of the modified example 1 of the saddle stitching processing unit.

[0029] Fig.13 (a)-(b) are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the modified example 2 of the saddle stitching processing unit.

[0030] Fig.14 (a)-(b) are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the modified example 3 of the saddle stitching processing unit.

[0031] Fig.15 (a) to (c) are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the modified example 4 of the saddle stitching processing unit.

[0032] Fig.16 (a) to (c) are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the modified example 5 of the saddle stitching processing unit.

[0033] Fig.17 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a compression-bonded saddle-stitched booklet bound in Modification 5. FIG.

[0034] Fig.18 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a modification 6 of the saddle stitching processing unit.

[0035] Fig.19 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a compression-bonded saddle-stitched booklet bound in Modification 6. FIG.

[0036] Fig. 20 (a) to (d) are cross-sectional views showing the operation of Modification 7 of the saddle stitching processing unit.

[0037] Fig.21 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a modified example 8 of the saddle stitching processing unit.

[0038] Fig. 22 (a) to (c) are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the modified example 8 of the saddle stitching processing unit.

[0039] Fig.23 (a)-(b) are schematic diagrams of the compression-bonded saddle-stitched booklet bound in Modification Example 8.

[0040] Fig.24 (a)-(b) are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the modified example 9 of the saddle stitching processing unit.

[0041] Fig.25 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming system according to a second embodiment.

[0042] Fig.26 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal structure of a post-processing device according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] [First embodiment]

[0044] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a sheet processing apparatus, a sheet processing method, and an image forming system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the overall structure of an MFP 100 as an embodiment of an image forming system. Figure 1 As shown, the MFP 100 includes an image forming apparatus 101 that forms an image on a paper P that is an example of a sheet-like medium, and a post-processing apparatus 110 that performs a predetermined post-processing on the paper P on which the image is formed. The MFP 100 corresponds to an embodiment of an in-body type image forming system in which the post-processing apparatus 110 is arranged in an in-body space of the image forming apparatus 101.

[0045] The image forming device 101 forms an image on a sheet of paper P, and discharges the sheet of paper P with the image formed thereon to a post-processing device 110. The image forming device 101 includes a tray for accommodating the sheet of paper P, a conveying unit for conveying the sheet of paper P accommodated in the tray, and an image forming unit for forming an image on the sheet of paper P conveyed by the conveying unit. The image forming unit can perform a known image forming method. For example, it may be an inkjet method for spraying liquid ink onto the sheet of paper P and causing it to adhere to form an image, or it may be an electronic photography method for forming an image using a toner. The structure and operation of the image forming device 101 may be well known, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0046] Next, the post-processing apparatus 110 as one embodiment of the sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail. Figure 2 1 is an internal structure diagram of the post-processing device 110 involved in the first embodiment. The post-processing device 110 has a function of performing post-processing on the paper P on which an image is formed by the image forming device 101, receives the paper P on which an image is formed from an input port 1100 for receiving the paper P from the image forming device 101, and performs a binding process to bind a bundle of multiple sheets of paper Pb.

[0047] More specifically, the binding process involved in the present embodiment includes "pressure binding" in which a binding position is pressed to deform a paper bundle Pb formed by stacking a plurality of paper sheets P, and "needle binding" in which a staple is used to bind the paper bundle Pb at the binding position. In addition, pressure binding includes an end binding process for binding the ends of the paper bundle Pb and a saddle binding process for binding the center of the paper bundle Pb.

[0048] The post-processing device 110 includes a first conveying roller pair 111 and a second conveying roller pair 112 for conveying the paper P input from the input port 1100 along the conveying path. The first conveying roller pair 111 and the second conveying roller pair 112 convey the paper P supplied from the image forming device 101 along the first conveying path Ph1 inside the post-processing device 110.

[0049] The first transport path Ph1 is a path from an input port 1100 through which the paper P is input into the image forming apparatus 101 to the internal tray 114 .

[0050] [End binding process]

[0051] The post-processing device 110 includes a return conveying roller 113, an internal tray 114, a bottom end fence 115, a side fence 116 not shown, an end needle binding processing section 117 and an end crimping binding processing section 118 as end binding processing sections, a discharge roller pair 119 and a discharge tray 120.

[0052] The return conveying roller 113 is a conveying roller for placing the paper P that has passed through the second conveying roller pair 112 on the inner tray 114 and conveying it to the bottom end stopper 115. The conveying direction of the return conveying roller 113 is different from the conveying direction of the first conveying roller pair 111 and the second conveying roller pair 112, and is equivalent to a direction (opposite direction) returning from the conveying direction of the first conveying roller pair 111 and the second conveying roller pair 112. Therefore, the conveying of the return conveying roller 113 is called switchback conveying.

[0053] In addition, the paper P as a sheet is conveyed to the inner tray 114 for binding by the first conveying roller pair 111, the second conveying roller pair 112, and the return conveying roller 113. The first conveying roller pair 111, the second conveying roller pair 112, the return conveying roller 113, and the first conveying path Ph1 constitute a conveying unit for conveying the paper P to the inner tray 114 as a loading unit.

[0054] The inner tray 114 is equivalent to a loading unit for temporarily loading a plurality of sheets of paper P that are sequentially transported. The sheets of paper P loaded on the inner tray 114 are transported back by the return transport roller 113 to a position where they collide with the bottom end stopper 115. The bottom end stopper 115 is a aligning member for aligning and aligning the ends of the transport direction formed by the switchback transport. The ends of the plurality of sheets of paper P loaded on the inner tray 114 are aligned and aligned by the bottom end stopper 115 to form a paper bundle Pb.

[0055] In addition, Figure 2 Although not shown in the figure, a pair of side fences 116 are arranged in the width direction of the inner tray 114 (the width direction of the paper P). In other words, a pair of side fences 116 are arranged at both side ends of the inner tray 114 in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the paper P for switchback conveyance, that is, the conveying direction when the paper P is conveyed to the end fence 115.

[0056] The side fence 116 performs an "alignment operation", that is, repeatedly contacts and separates the widthwise ends of the plurality of paper sheets P loaded on the inner tray 114. Through this alignment operation, the widthwise ends of the plurality of paper sheets P are also aligned. That is, the side fence 116 constitutes an alignment member for aligning and aligning the widthwise ends of the paper sheets P loaded on the inner tray 114 (the widthwise ends in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction).

[0057] The end needle binding processing section 117 and the end pressure binding processing section 118 as end binding processing sections perform binding processing on the end portions of the paper bundle Pb aligned by the bottom end fence 115 and the side fence 116 .

[0058] After the binding process is performed, the return conveying roller 113 contacts the paper bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 114 and rotates. The rotation direction at this time is the rotation direction opposite to the rotation direction when the switchback conveying is performed. Therefore, the paper bundle Pb subjected to the end binding process is discharged from the first discharge port 1101 to the discharge tray 120 by the return conveying roller 113.

[0059] There are various types of "end binding processing" performed on the paper bundle Pb by the end needle binding processing unit 117 and the end pressure contact binding processing unit 118. For example, there are "parallel binding processing" in which binding processing is performed along one side parallel to the main scanning direction of the paper bundle Pb, "oblique binding processing" in which binding processing is performed on the corner of the paper bundle Pb, and "two-position binding processing" in which binding processing is performed at a plurality of locations separated in the width direction along one side parallel to the conveying direction of the paper bundle Pb.

[0060] Figure 3 11 is a schematic diagram of the end binding processing unit 1110 including the end needle binding processing unit 117 and the end crimping binding processing unit 118 as viewed from the first discharge port 1101 toward the bottom end stopper 115. Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the end stitching processing unit 1110 is installed on the end stitching processing unit base member 151 in a state where the end stitching processing unit 117 and the end crimping stitching processing unit 118 are separated from each other in the main scanning direction, and are supported on a guide shaft 152 extending in the main scanning direction via the end stitching processing unit base member 151. Therefore, both the end stitching processing unit 117 and the end crimping stitching processing unit 118 are supported so as to be movable along the guide shaft 152.

[0061] The end needle binding processing unit 117 includes an end needle binding main scanning moving motor 161, a driving force transmission mechanism 162, and an end needle binding processing unit base component 163, and is configured to be movable relative to the main scanning direction along the guide shaft 152 through the driving force of the end needle binding main scanning moving motor 161.

[0062] The end stitch stapling main scanning moving motor 161 generates a driving force for moving the end stitch stapling processing unit 117. The driving force transmission mechanism 162 transmits the driving force of the end stitch stapling main scanning moving motor 161 to the end stitch stapling processing unit base member 163 via a pulley or a timing belt. Thus, the end stitch stapling processing unit 117 can move in the main scanning direction along the guide shaft 152.

[0063] The end stitching processing section 117 further includes an end stitching posture rotating motor 164 that rotates relative to the end stitching processing section base member 163 about a stitching rotating shaft 165 as a rotation center.

[0064] The end stitch binding processing section 117 includes an end stitch binding clamping motor 166, and performs stitch binding processing by opening and closing a needle clamp 167 to allow the needle to penetrate and clamp the paper bundle Pb.

[0065] The end crimping processing unit 118 includes an end crimping main scanning moving motor 171, a driving force transmission mechanism 172, and an end crimping processing unit base component 173, and is configured to be movable relative to the main scanning direction along the guide shaft 152 through the driving force of the end crimping main scanning moving motor 171.

[0066] The end crimping main scanning moving motor 171 generates a driving force for moving the end crimping processing unit 118. The driving force transmission mechanism 172 transmits the driving force of the end crimping main scanning moving motor 171 to the end crimping processing unit base member 173 via a pulley or a timing belt. Thus, the end crimping processing unit 118 can move in the main scanning direction along the guide shaft 152.

[0067] The end portion crimping binding processing section 118 further includes an end portion crimping binding posture rotating motor 174 that rotates relative to the end portion crimping binding processing section base member 173 about a crimping binding rotating shaft 175 as a rotation center.

[0068] In addition, the end crimping binding processing unit 118 has an end crimping binding clamping motor 176, and the driving force of the end crimping binding clamping motor 176 causes the upper crimping teeth 177 to approach or separate from the lower crimping teeth 178 to perform an "opening and closing action". Through this opening and closing action, the end of the paper bundle Pb can be sandwiched between the concave-convex upper crimping teeth 177 and the lower crimping teeth 178 and pressurized and deformed. Through this pressurized deformation, the fibers of the papers P constituting the paper bundle Pb are intertwined with each other, forming a paper bundle Pb composed of a plurality of papers P. In this way, the binding process performed by pressurized deformation is marked as "crimping binding".

[0069] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the upper crimping teeth 177 and the lower crimping teeth 178 as the crimping portion provided in the end crimping binding processing unit 118. Figure 4 As shown, the crimping portion has a pair of upper crimping teeth 177 and lower crimping teeth 178. The upper crimping teeth 177 and the lower crimping teeth 178 are arranged to face each other in the thickness direction of the paper bundle Pb so as to be able to clamp the paper bundle Pb placed on the internal tray 114. The upper crimping teeth 177 and the lower crimping teeth 178 are formed into a concave-convex shape in which concave portions and convex portions are alternately formed. In addition, the upper crimping teeth 177 and the lower crimping teeth 178 are formed by staggering the concave portions and convex portions in a manner that they mesh with each other. Furthermore, the crimping portion is configured so that the upper crimping teeth 177 are opened and closed (contacted / separated) relative to the lower crimping teeth 178 by the driving force of the end crimping binding clamping motor 176.

[0070] In the process where a plurality of sheets of paper P constituting the paper bundle Pb are fed to the inner tray 114, as shown in FIG. Figure 4As shown in (a), the upper crimping teeth 177 and the lower crimping teeth 178 are separated from each other. Then, when all the sheets P constituting the sheet bundle Pb are placed on the inner tray 114 and the prescribed integration operation (operation to align the ends) is completed, the end crimping binding processing unit 118 moves to the binding position, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown in (b), the upper crimping teeth 177 and the lower crimping teeth 178 approach and mesh with each other. That is, the upper crimping teeth 177 and the lower crimping teeth 178 clamp the binding position relative to the paper bundle Pb, and pressurize and deform the paper bundle Pb in the thickness direction. As a result, the paper bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 114 is crimped and bound. Then, the crimped and bound paper bundle Pb is discharged from the first discharge port 1101 to the discharge tray 120 through the discharge roller pair 119.

[0071] In addition, since the end crimping binding processing unit 118 only needs to perform the function of applying pressure to the paper bundle Pb to perform crimping at a specific position, when the paper bundle Pb is sandwiched between the upper crimping teeth 177 and the lower crimping teeth 178 for binding, it is sufficient for them to mesh and apply pressure. Therefore, the structure that can perform the action of closing the upper crimping teeth 177 and the lower crimping teeth 178 is not limited to the structure example disclosed in the present embodiment. For example, it can be a crimping mechanism of a connecting rod mechanism type that uses a driving source and a connecting rod mechanism that only rotates forward or reversely to perform the approach (crimping) and separation of the upper crimping teeth 177 and the lower crimping teeth 178 (for example, the crimping mechanism disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6057167). In addition, it can also be a direct-acting crimping mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the driving source into a linear motion to perform the crimping and separation of the upper crimping teeth 177 and the lower crimping teeth 178 in a linear manner.

[0072] In addition, if Figure 3 As shown, the crimping section is provided with a binding teeth sliding mechanism for moving the upper crimping teeth 177 and the lower crimping teeth 178 relative to the frame of the end crimping binding processing section 118. The binding teeth sliding mechanism is composed of a binding teeth sliding motor 179 and a drive transmission mechanism as a direct-acting conversion mechanism such as a rack and pinion mechanism or a crank mechanism for transmitting the driving force of the binding teeth sliding motor 179. When the driving force from the binding teeth sliding motor 179 is transmitted to the upper crimping teeth 177 and the lower crimping teeth 178 through the drive transmission mechanism, the upper crimping teeth 177 and the lower crimping teeth 178 slide and move along their respective length directions (the length direction of the end binding processing section base member 151).

[0073] Here, the sliding movement amount of the upper crimping teeth 177 and the lower crimping teeth 178 is, for example, equal to the crimping mark length. In addition, the upper crimping teeth 177 and the lower crimping teeth 178 perform multiple crimping binding actions before and after the sliding movement. That is, when the crimping mark length of the upper crimping teeth 177 and the lower crimping teeth 178 is 10 mm, by making the sliding movement amount also 10 mm, the crimping action before the sliding movement (the first pressing stroke) and the crimping action after the sliding movement (the second pressing stroke) are combined, and a crimping mark length of 20 mm wide can be obtained, and the binding force is increased to about 2 times.

[0074] [Overview of Binding Processing]

[0075] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the positions of the end stitch binding processing section 117 and the end pressure bonding binding processing section 118 according to the processing steps. Figure 5 (a) of FIG. 1 illustrates a standby state (standby state) for binding processing. Figure 5 As shown in (a) of FIG. 1 , in the standby state, the end needle stapling processing unit 117 is located at the needle stapling standby position HP1 , and the end pressure stapling processing unit 118 is located at the pressure stapling standby position HP2 .

[0076] Figure 5 (b) and Figure 5 (c) shows an example of the oblique binding process performed by the end crimping binding processing unit 118. Figure 5 As shown in (b), before the first sheet P1 constituting the sheet bundle Pb is supplied to the inner tray 114, the end-end pressing binding processing unit 118 is moved in the main scanning direction and rotated obliquely so that the end-end pressing binding processing unit 118 can face the first binding position B1. The movement and rotation of the end-end pressing binding processing unit 118 are determined by Fig.10 The control is performed by a controller 190 which is a control unit described later.

[0077] Then, if Figure 5 As shown in (c), the controller 190 performs the alignment operation each time the paper P is conveyed to the inner tray 114, while the end crimping stapling processing unit 118 is arranged at a position facing the first stapling position B1. The alignment operation is performed by the controller 190 controlling the side fence 116 to slide in the width direction.

[0078] Next, the controller 190 Figure 5 In the state shown in (c), the stacking and alignment operations of the sheets of paper P are repeated until the number of sheets of paper P constituting the sheet bundle Pb reaches a predetermined number N.

[0079] Next, when the controller 190 detects that the number of sheets P placed on the inner tray 114 has reached the predetermined number N, it operates the edge pressure binding processing unit 118 to perform pressure binding at the first binding position B1 of the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 114 .

[0080] Next, the controller 190 discharges the paper bundle Pb subjected to the crimping binding at the first binding position B1 to the discharge tray 120. Furthermore, the controller 190 moves the end crimping binding processing unit 118 to the end crimping binding processing unit 118. Figure 5 The pressure-bonding standby position HP2 shown in (a) is shown.

[0081] Figure 5 (d) and Figure 5 (e) illustrates a situation where the end-stitch binding processing unit 117 performs two-position binding processing. The second binding position B2 and the third binding position B3 are separated from each other in the main scanning direction. Before the first sheet P1 constituting the sheet bundle Pb is supplied to the inner tray 114, the controller 190 moves the end-stitch binding processing unit 117 in the main scanning direction so that the end-stitch binding processing unit 117 can face the second binding position B2. Then, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown in (d) of FIG. 1 , the controller 190 causes the side fence 116 to perform the alignment operation in a state where the end stitch binding processing unit 117 is moved to a position facing the second binding position B2 .

[0082] Next, the controller 190 Figure 5 In the state shown in (d), the stacking and alignment operations of the sheets of paper P are repeated until the number of sheets of paper P constituting the sheet bundle Pb reaches a predetermined number N.

[0083] Next, when the controller 190 detects that the number of sheets P placed on the inner tray 114 has reached the predetermined number N, the controller 190 operates the end stitching processing unit 117 to perform stitching at the first stitching position B1 on the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 114 .

[0084] Then, if Figure 5 As shown in (e) of FIG. 1 , the controller 190 makes the end stitch stapling processing unit 117 face the third stapling position B3 and performs the stitch stapling operation at the third stapling position B3 on the paper bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 114 .

[0085] In addition, Figure 5In the example, in the two-place binding, after the binding process is performed on the second binding position B2, the binding process is performed on the third binding position B3, but the order of performing the two-place binding is not limited to this. That is, the two-place binding can also be performed by binding the second binding position B2 after the third binding position B3. In the case of a continuous number of binding copies, the third binding position B3 is bound after the second binding position B2 is bound in the odd-numbered copy, and the second binding position B2 is bound after the third binding position B3 is bound in the even-numbered copy. In this way, by performing the binding process by changing the order of the binding positions according to the order of the overall number of binding copies, the efficiency of the binding process can be improved.

[0086] Next, the controller 190 discharges the paper bundle Pb that has been stapled by needles at the second stapling position B2 and the third stapling position B3 to the discharge tray 120. Figure 5 As shown in (a) of FIG. 1 , the controller 190 moves the end stitch stapling processing section 117 to the stitch stapling standby position HP1 .

[0087] In the above embodiment, diagonal binding at the corners of the paper bundle Pb and binding at two locations are described as examples, but the present invention can also be applied to binding at three or more locations of the paper bundle Pb divided in the main scanning direction.

[0088] [Overview of the crimping saddle stitching process section]

[0089] Here, return Figure 2 , the part that performs the crimping saddle stitching process in the structure of the post-processing device 110 is described in detail. Figure 2 As shown, the post-processing device 110 has a return conveying roller 113, an internal tray 114, a side guard plate 116 not shown, a movable bottom end guard plate 131, a folding plate 132, a folding roller pair 133, a folding plate engaging roller 134, a folded booklet discharge roller pair 135 and a folded booklet discharge tray 136.

[0090] The movable bottom end fence 131, the folding plate 132 and the folding roller pair 133 constitute a folding unit. In addition, the folding plate 132, the folding roller pair 133 and the folding plate engaging roller 134 constitute a pressure-bonding saddle stitching unit.

[0091] The movable bottom stopper 131 is a mechanism that moves the end of the paper P placed on the inner tray 114 in the conveying direction to align the folding position near the center of the paper P in the conveying direction with the position of the folding plate 132 .

[0092] After only the predetermined number N of sheets of paper P constituting the paper bundle Pb are stacked on the inner tray 114 and the integration process is completed, the movable bottom end stopper 131 is moved and adjusted so that the folded position of the paper bundle Pb becomes a position facing the folding plate 132. Alternatively, at the stage of placing the predetermined number N of sheets of paper P constituting the paper bundle Pb, the position of the movable stopper may be moved so that the folded position of the paper bundle Pb becomes a position facing the folding plate 132, and then the paper P is placed on the inner tray 114. In either case, adjustment is performed so that the folded position of the paper bundle Pb becomes a position pushed by the folding plate 132 toward the folding roller pair 133. Then, in these adjusted states, the folding plate 132, the folding roller pair 133, and the folding plate engaging roller 134 operate to perform the pressure-bonding saddle stitching process.

[0093] More specifically, when the paper P input from the image forming device 101 leaves the second conveying roller pair 112 and is placed on the inner tray 114, the return conveying roller 113 turns the paper P back toward the movable bottom stopper 131 for conveyance. The series of steps from the turn-back conveyance to the conveyance step corresponds to the conveying step. At this time, the movable bottom stopper 131 may have moved to a position corresponding to the folding position, or may be located at the same position as the bottom stopper 115.

[0094] The inner tray 114 temporarily carries a plurality of sheets of paper P that are transported sequentially. A movable bottom stopper 131 is provided relative to the inner tray 114, and is movable to the side of the transport direction that is closer to the bottom stopper 115. The movable bottom stopper 131 is a component that can move along the inner tray 114 in the transport direction of the sheets of paper P. The movable bottom stopper 131 is equivalent to a structure that moves and changes the position of the sheets of paper P under the control of the controller 190 according to the transport direction length of the sheets of paper P placed on the inner tray 114 (the transport direction length in the switchback transport is also the same). The position of the movable bottom stopper 131 is set in such a way that the center position of the transport direction length of the sheets of paper P becomes a position opposite to the folding plate 132.

[0095] Although in Figure 2 Although the icons are omitted in the figure, the side fence 116 aligns the position of the paper P or the paper bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 114 in the main scanning direction (width direction). The pressure-bonding saddle stitching processing unit performs pressure-bonding saddle stitching processing on the paper bundle Pb aligned by the movable bottom end fence 131 and the side fence 116. The paper bundle Pb subjected to the pressure-bonding saddle stitching processing is discharged by the folding booklet discharge roller pair 135 and is stacked on the folding booklet discharge tray 136 through the second discharge port 1103.

[0096] [Operation of the crimping saddle stitching unit]

[0097] Then, use Figure 6 etc. to explain the operation of the crimping saddle stitching unit. Figure 6 The diagram mainly shows the folding plate 132 as a folding plate component constituting the crimping saddle stitch binding unit, the folding roller pair 133 as a folding roller pair component, and the folding plate engaging roller 134 as a folding plate engaging component, and is a schematic diagram showing an overview of the folding binding process performed by these actions. Figure 6 (a) shows a state where the paper bundle Pb is loaded on the inner tray 114 after the conveying process and the loading process, the ends of the paper sheets P are aligned, and the positions of all the paper sheets P are aligned. Figure 6 In (a), the folding plate 132, the folding roller pair 133 and the folding plate engaging roller 134 are located at the initial positions.

[0098] The initial position of the folding plate 132 is a position away from the surface of the paper bundle Pb in a direction substantially perpendicular to the paper bundle Pb. In the initial position, the folding plate 132 is opposite to the bending position for folding the paper bundle Pb in half, and is moved by the folding plate moving motor 141 ( Fig.10 ), and is configured to be able to advance and retreat in the thickness direction of the paper bundle Pb. The advance and retreat of the folding plate 132 relative to the paper bundle Pb is performed between a push-in position for forming a folded portion and a retreat position for pulling the folding plate 132 out of the paper bundle Pb after the center of the paper bundle Pb is bent in the folding process of bending the central portion of the conveying direction length as a part of the paper bundle Pb. The retreat position of the folding plate 132 corresponds to the initial position (HP position).

[0099] The folding roller pair 133 is arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line of the folding plate 132. That is, the folding roller pair 133 is arranged at a symmetrical position with respect to the center line of the moving direction of the folding plate 132 when the sheet P is folded in half. The folding roller pair 133 is configured by rotating the folding roller pair motor 142 (see Fig.10 ) to rotate. In addition, the folding roller pair 133 has a folding roller pair contact / separation motor 143 (see Fig.10 ) can be approached and separated from each other.

[0100] The distance between the pair of rollers constituting the folding roller pair 133 is adjusted by the control of the controller 190. When the paper bundle Pb is pushed toward the clamping position of the folding roller pair 133 by the folding plate 132, the pair of rollers of the folding roller pair 133 is set to the "receiving position" where the clamping position is separated by a predetermined amount of separation by the control of the controller 190. In addition, the controller 190 may set the position of the folding roller pair 133 to a position further separated than the receiving position before the start of the folding process. In the folding roller pair 133, the "receiving position" when receiving the paper bundle Pb is also the position when waiting in the folding and binding process, and therefore also corresponds to the waiting position.

[0101] The folding plate engaging roller 134 constituting the spine crimping binding unit is a cylindrical roller-shaped component, and a rotation axis is set in the direction of passing through the two ends of the cylindrical outer peripheral portion, and is supported by an axis in a manner that can rotate with the rotation axis as the rotation center. Then, the folding plate engaging roller 134 has a concave-convex engaging crimping tooth portion 134a on the cylindrical outer peripheral portion (cylindrical outer peripheral surface). In addition, the folding plate engaging roller 134 has a flange portion 134b with an outer diameter larger than the engaging crimping tooth portion 134a at both ends of the cylindrical outer peripheral surface. The flange portion 134b has the same diameter at both ends of the cylindrical outer peripheral surface.

[0102] The engagement crimping teeth 134a of the folding plate engagement roller 134 is a gear-like portion having projections and depressions formed repeatedly at predetermined intervals on the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the folding plate engagement roller 134. The projections and depressions are formed parallel to the rotation axis of the folding plate engagement roller 134.

[0103] The crimping saddle stitching process involved in this embodiment first performs a folding process. In the folding process, the controller 190 first adjusts the position of a pair of rollers constituting the folding roller pair 133 through the folding roller pair contact / separation motor 143 to enter a state capable of receiving the paper bundle Pb. The folding roller pair contact / separation motor 143 adjusts the spacing at the clamping position of the folding roller pair 133. The adjustment amount (separation amount) at this time is the folding plate 132 pushing the center of the conveying direction (length direction) of the paper bundle Pb into the clamping position (spacing) of the folding roller pair 133, and is used to form a gap in which the folding plate 132 can push the paper bundle Pb while moving at the clamping position. Therefore, the adjustment amount of the spacing at the receiving position of the folding roller pair 133 is changed according to the specified number N of sheets of paper P constituting the paper bundle Pb, the size information including the size and thickness of the paper P, etc.

[0104] That is, as a pre-stage of the folding process, when the folding plate 132 guides the paper bundle Pb to between the rollers of the folding roller pair 133 (the clamping position), the controller 190 separates the rollers to a state where the folding plate 132 and the paper bundle Pb can pass between the rollers. At the "receiving position", that is, the position of the rollers constituting the folding roller pair 133 at this time, for example, the outer circumferences of the rollers are slightly separated.

[0105] Then, if Figure 6 As shown in (b), the folding plate 132 guides the paper bundle Pb to the clamping position of the folding roller pair 133. At this time, the folding roller pair 133 is pressed by the folding roller pair pressure member 144 (see Figure 8 ) is pressed against the folding plate 132. That is, the degree to which the paper bundle Pb is pressed by the folding plate 132 is determined by the elastic force of the folding roller on the pressure member 144.

[0106] In addition, information for adjusting the receiving position in the folding roller pair 133 (the type and thickness of the paper P, and the number of sheets of paper P constituting one unit of the paper bundle Pb) is preset in the controller 190 via the operation panel 102. That is, when the folding process starts, the controller 190 calculates an adjustment value based on the number of sheets of paper P constituting the paper bundle Pb, the type of paper P (mainly the difference in thickness), etc., which have been set, and uses the value after the thickness of the folding plate 132 is cumulatively calculated as the adjustment amount of the pitch.

[0107] like Figure 6 As shown in (b), the folding plate 132, which is a rack-type crimping plate, moves forward while pushing the paper bundle Pb into the folding roller pair 133 with the adjusted spacing. At this time, the folding roller pair 133, which is a folding unit, pushes the paper bundle Pb in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction while rotating in accordance with the moving speed of the folding plate 132. That is, the folding plate 132 and the paper bundle Pb guided by the movement of the folding plate 132 are pushed between the folding roller pair 133. When the paper bundle Pb is pushed into the folding roller pair 133, the pushing position of the paper bundle Pb is bent, so that the folding is performed. When the paper bundle Pb is guided (pushed) between the folding roller pair 133 by the folding plate 132, the spacing between the folding roller pair 133 is pushed open by an amount equivalent to the thickness of the paper bundle Pb × 2.

[0108] Furthermore, if Figure 6 As shown in (c), the front end of the folding plate 132 continues to move forward to a position sufficiently beyond the clamping position of the folding roller pair 133 to perform a folding process on the paper bundle Pb. In this folding process, a portion of the paper bundle Pb (the portion at the approximate center of the conveying direction) becomes a fold portion Fp (see Fig. 9 ). When executing as Figure 6 (b) and Figure 6 When the process in (c) is folded in half, Figure 6 As shown in (c) , the folding plate engaging roller 134 is located at a retracted position away from the front end of the folding plate 132 that has passed the clamping position.

[0109] Then, if Figure 6 As shown in (d), the folding plate engaging roller 134 moves from the retreat position toward the folding plate 132. The moving destination at this time is the engaging position, which is the position where the folding plate engaging roller 134 and the folding plate 132 are in contact with each other via the paper bundle Pb. When the folding plate engaging roller 134 moves to the engaging position, it becomes a pushing state in which the paper bundle Pb is sandwiched between the folding plate 132 and the folding plate engaging roller 134. In this pushing state, since the paper bundle Pb is pushed from both sides in a manner that the concavo-convex shape formed on the folding plate 132 and the concavo-convex shape formed on the circumferential surface of the folding plate engaging roller 134 are meshed, pressure pressing is performed.

[0110] In addition, while the fold portion Fp of the paper bundle Pb is pressurized and pressed, the paper bundle Pb is bent in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the folding plate 132 by the action of the flange portion 134b of the folding plate engaging roller 134 and the folding plate 132. The bending position (bending position) is determined by the flange portion 134b. Therefore, the paper bundle Pb forms a ridge with a width equivalent to the distance between the flange portions 134b facing each other starting from the center of the length in the conveying direction. In addition, fold marks f (see FIG. 1 ) as bending marks are formed at various positions of the flange portion 134b. Fig. 9 ). The folds f formed at this time are formed at two locations sandwiching the spine Cb. That is, this step is equivalent to a spine crimping binding process in which the spine Cb is crimped and bound while forming two folds f.

[0111] That is, the controller 190 forms the ridge Cb by forming a state where the folding plate 132 and the folding plate engaging roller 134 push the paper bundle Pb, and at the same time, causes the folding plate engaging roller 134 to sweep in the width direction (main scanning direction) of the paper bundle Pb. In the sweep in the width direction, the folding plate engaging roller 134 rotates and moves at the same time. That is, the controller 190 forms the ridge Cb on the paper bundle Pb, and at the same time, controls the execution of the crimping binding process by causing the folding plate engaging roller 134 to rotate and move relative to the width direction of the paper bundle Pb while the ridge Cb is pushed against the folding plate 132. In this ridge crimping binding process, the paper bundle Pb protruding in the thickness direction of the folding plate engaging roller 134 is clamped in a manner of being wrapped by the flange portion 134b of the folding plate engaging roller 134 and the folding plate 132. As a result, the square ridges are formed on the paper bundle Pb, and the formed ridges Cb can be crimped and bound. Figure 6 The action described in (d) is a spine forming step, and is also a spine crimping binding step, which is equivalent to a spine crimping step.

[0112] Finally, if Figure 6 As shown in (e), the controller 190 causes the folding plate engaging roller 134 to retreat in the width direction of the paper bundle Pb, and also causes the folding plate 132 to retreat to the retreat position. Then, the controller 190 causes the folding roller pair 133 to rotate, so that the paper bundle Pb passes between the folding roller pair 133, and the pressure-bonded saddle-stitched booklet with the spine Cb pressure-bonded is discharged to the folded booklet discharge tray 136 (see Figure 2 )discharge.

[0113] As described above, when the post-processing device 110 involved in the present embodiment performs saddle-stitching processing on the paper bundle Pb, first, after performing the folding processing, a spine folding processing is performed to form the spine Cb of the folded paper bundle Pb. Then, a crimping binding processing is performed on the spine Cb at the same time. That is, in the saddle-stitching processing method as an embodiment of the sheet material processing method involved in the present invention, the spine forming process is performed after the folding process, and the crimping binding process (spine crimping binding process) of the spine Cb is performed at the same time. Therefore, unlike the existing method, the crimping binding will not be peeled off due to the folding process and the page turning operation, and a crimped saddle-stitched booklet that is easy to open with double pages can be formed.

[0114] Figure 7 The figure is a cross-sectional view of the operation of the saddle stitching processing unit, and is a cross-sectional view viewed from the paper conveying direction side at the thickness center position of the folding plate 132. The thickness center position of the folding plate 132 corresponds to the folding center line. The folding plate 132 has a folding plate pressing tooth portion 132a as a folding plate pressing tooth having a concave and convex shape on the sheet pushing surface which is the opposite surface to the folding plate engaging roller 134 in the traveling direction.

[0115] Figure 7 (a) is equivalent to Figure 6 As described above, in Figure 6 In the state shown in (c) of FIG. 1 , the folding plate 132 pushes the paper bundle Pb to a position exceeding the clamping position of the folding roller pair 133 .

[0116] When the paper bundle Pb is pushed into the clamping position of the folding roller pair 133 by the folding plate 132 and moves, the folding plate engaging roller 134 waits at a position outside the width direction length of the paper bundle Pb that becomes a booklet when the paper bundle Pb is folded in half. The waiting position at this time is equivalent to the initial position (HP position). The folding plate engaging roller 134 at the initial position (HP position) is outside the main scanning direction of the paper bundle Pb that is pushed into the clamping position of the folding roller pair 133 and moves, and is equivalent to a position that is separated from the paper bundle Pb. In addition, Figure 7 Among the components of the hinge plate engaging roller 134, only the engaging pressing tooth portion 134a is shown.

[0117] The folding plate engaging roller 134 (engaging press-contacting tooth portion 134a) is driven by the folding plate engaging roller to sweep the motor 145 ( Fig.10 ) moves in the main scanning direction (width direction). In the saddle stitching processing unit, a clamping roller guide rail 146 is provided as a folding plate clamping roller contact / separation mechanism, and the clamping pressure contact tooth portion 134a of the folding plate clamping roller 134 is configured to move along the clamping roller guide rail 146 in the main scanning direction.

[0118] The engaging roller guide rail 146 has a dimension longer than the dimension of the paper bundle Pb in the main scanning direction, and a portion of the engaging roller guide rail 146 located outside the end portion of the paper bundle Pb in the main scanning direction is separated from the folded portion of the paper bundle Pb that has passed through the clamping position of the folding roller pair 133. In addition, a portion of the engaging roller guide rail 146 located inside the end portion of the paper bundle Pb in the main scanning direction is close to the folded portion of the paper bundle Pb that has passed through the clamping position of the folding roller pair 133.

[0119] Therefore, the engaging and pressing teeth 134a of the folding plate engaging roller 134 do not contact the folded portion formed on the paper bundle Pb on the outside including the end in the main scanning direction relative to the paper bundle Pb, and move while sandwiching the folded portion with the folding plate 132 on the inside of the end in the main scanning direction. Then, the engaging and pressing teeth 134a move along the engaging roller guide rail 146 in the main scanning direction, and the position sandwiching the folding plate 132 sequentially presses the folded portion of the paper bundle Pb to bind.

[0120] Figure 7 (b) is equivalent to Figure 6 The state (d) is equivalent to a pressurized state in which the engaging crimping tooth portion 134a of the folding plate engaging roller 134 is pressed by the folding plate 132 to pressurize and deform the paper bundle Pb clamped by the folding plate 132. When the folding plate engaging roller 134 sweeps the paper bundle Pb while forming the ridge Cb at the folding portion of the paper bundle Pb, the folding roller pair 133 is in a pressurized state in which the paper bundle Pb is clamped and does not move, so that the paper bundle Pb is not pushed back. The control of maintaining the pressurized state of the folding roller pair 133 is performed by the controller 190. That is, when the crimping saddle stitching process is performed on the paper bundle Pb, the folding roller pair 133 is controlled to maintain the pressurized state so that the folding plate 132 does not retreat due to the pressure of the folding plate engaging roller 134.

[0121] Then, as the folding plate engaging roller 132 pushes the folding plate 132, the engaging pressure contact teeth 134a of the folding plate engaging roller 134 and the folding pressure contact teeth 134a provided on the pushing surface of the folding plate 132 engage in a manner of sandwiching the paper bundle Pb. As a result, the spine Cb of the paper bundle Pb is intermittently pressurized and deformed in the main scanning direction, and the pressure-bonding process is performed.

[0122] The folding plate pressing tooth portion 132a is provided with concave portions and convex portions at predetermined intervals in the main scanning direction, like the rack tooth profile of a rack and pinion mechanism. Fig.10) When scanning in the main scanning direction, the meshing position of the meshing pressure contact tooth portion 134a of the folding plate engaging roller 134 and the folding pressure contact tooth portion 132a of the folding plate moves in the main scanning direction. By moving the meshing position (engaging position), the pressure-bonding process of the spine Cb of the paper bundle Pb is performed. During the pressure-bonding process, in order to maintain the engaging position while allowing the folding plate engaging roller 134 to reciprocate in the main scanning direction, the folding roller pair 133 is maintained in a state of being pushed toward the clamping position. In this way, the paper bundle Pb and the folding plate 132 are prevented from coming out due to the push of the folding plate engaging roller 134.

[0123] Thus, when the engaging crimping teeth 134a approaches the ridge Cb formed on the paper bundle Pb, it moves in an oblique direction from the outside in the width direction of the paper bundle Pb toward the ridge Cb. As a result, it approaches from a direction that does not collide with the end of the ridge Cb in the width direction of the paper bundle Pb, and the position of engagement with the folding crimping teeth 132a of the folding plate 132 starts from the inside of the end of the paper Pb in the width direction. Thus, when passing through the end of the paper bundle Pb, it is possible to prevent the end from being lifted up.

[0124] Figure 7 As shown in (c), after the spine Cb of the paper bundle Pb is crimped and bound, it is withdrawn from the width of the paper bundle Pb to the retreat position in the main scanning direction and separated in the folded discharge direction.

[0125] When the next paper bundle Pb is continuously crimped and saddle-stitched, the paper bundle Pb is moved in the opposite direction in the main scanning direction. Figure 7 (b) moves from left to right. In the odd-numbered copies, Figure 7 In (b), it moves from right to left.

[0126] In addition, as the folding plate engaging roller contact / separation mechanism according to the present embodiment, an engaging roller guide rail 146 and a folding plate engaging roller sweeping motor 145 ( Fig.10 ) is configured, but is not limited thereto. A moving motor may also be provided to enable the folding plate engaging roller 134 to move in and out and retreat in the folding and discharging direction.

[0127] Figure 8 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state when the saddle stitching processing unit presses the paper bundle Pb. The folding roller pair 133 sandwiches the folding plate 132 and the paper bundle Pb, and applies force to the folding plate 132 through the folding roller pair pressure member 144. The folding roller pair pressure member 144 is an elastic member such as a spring, so that while the folding roller pair 133 is pressed against the folding plate 132, the folding plate 132 and the paper bundle Pb are pushed back by the elastic force when they travel between the folding roller pair 133.

[0128] exist Figure 6 (b) and Figure 6 In the state (c), since the folding roller pair 133 pushes the paper bundle Pb toward the folding plate 132 while conveying it, when the paper bundle Pb passes between the folding roller pair 133, the folding portion is pushed by the end of the folding plate 132 in the traveling direction, thereby folding the paper bundle Pb. Figure 6 In the state (d), the folding roller pair 133 presses the paper bundle Pb, and the folding plate engaging roller 134 holds the paper bundle Pb during the pressure binding.

[0129] In addition, the folding plate engaging roller 134 sandwiches the paper bundle Pb and is pressed toward the folding plate 132 by the folding plate engaging roller pressure member 147. With this pressing force, the engaging and crimping teeth 134a of the folding plate engaging roller 134 perform crimping binding. Then, by the pressing of the engaging and crimping teeth 134a toward the folding plate 132, the portion of the paper bundle Pb sandwiched between the end portion in the thickness direction of the folding plate 132 and the flange 134b is bent toward the direction along the folding plate 132. The bending direction is opposite to the direction in which the folding plate 132 enters. At this time, the bent portion is formed at two locations separated by a predetermined interval in the thickness direction of the folding plate 132, and thus a square spine is formed in the paper bundle Pb by the crimping saddle stitching action. That is, square spine folding is performed by the crimping binding process.

[0130] [Booklet Bk]

[0131] Fig. 9 2 is a perspective view illustrating a booklet Bk formed by the above-mentioned crimping saddle-stitching action. Fig. 9 As shown, the paper bundle Pb is folded at the folding portion Fp to form a booklet Bk, and a square spine is formed on its spine Cb. Then, on the spine Cb, the pressure-bonding marks Ct that are deformed by the engaging pressure-bonding teeth 134a and the folding plate 132 are formed at predetermined intervals in the length direction of the spine Cb. The pressure-bonding marks Ct can be formed at a position that overlaps with the position (the folding portion Fp) that is bent by the folding process of the paper bundle Pb. In addition, the movable parts of the booklet Bk when turning the pages are two folds f that form the spine Cb. The two folds f are formed near the two sides of the pressure-bonding marks Ct.

[0132] Therefore, the booklet Bk formed by the saddle stitching process and the pressure-bonding process involved in this embodiment, when the pages are turned through the fold f of the page turning operation, the load is not applied to the pressure-bonded portion, so it is a structure that does not induce the peeling of the binding portion due to the page turning operation. In addition, since the fold f is formed at two locations sandwiching the spine Cb, the fold f that can move during the page turning operation is any one of the two locations. The fold f is a position that does not overlap with the fold portion Fp pushed into the clamping position of the folding roller pair 133 by the folding plate 132. And, the binding position of the pressure-bonding process is formed in the fold portion Fp.

[0133] Therefore, when turning pages, the pages are turned at the fold f, and since the fold portion Fp corresponding to the central portion when the booklet Bk is opened is in a bound state, the paper pages are not turned across the binding position. That is, since the fold line (fold f) is symmetrical on both sides of the binding position, the left and right openings can be equal, and the quality of the booklet Bk is also maintained.

[0134] [Control composition]

[0135] Fig.10 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the controller 190 for controlling the operation of the post-processing device 110 according to the first embodiment. Fig.10 As shown, the controller 190 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 , a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12 , a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13 , an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 14 , and an I / F 15 , which are connected via a common bus 16 .

[0136] The CPU 11 is a computing unit that controls the overall operation of the post-processing device 110. The RAM 12 is a volatile storage medium that can read and write information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 11 processes information. The ROM 13 is a non-volatile storage medium dedicated to reading, and stores programs such as firmware. The HDD 14 is a non-volatile storage medium that can read and write information and has a large storage capacity, and stores an OS (operating system), various control programs, application programs, etc.

[0137] The post-processing device 110 processes the control program stored in the ROM 13, the information processing program (application program) loaded from the storage medium such as the HDD 14 to the RAM 12, etc. through the calculation function of the CPU 101. Through this processing, a software control unit including various functional modules of the post-processing device 110 is formed. The combination of the software control unit thus formed and the hardware resources mounted on the post-processing device 110 constitutes a functional block that realizes the function of the post-processing device 110. That is, the CPU 11, RAM 12, ROM 13 and HDD 14 constitute a controller 19 (control unit) that controls the operation of the post-processing device 110.

[0138] I / F15 is an interface that connects the first conveying roller pair 111, the second conveying roller pair 112, the return conveying roller 113, the side baffle 116, the discharge roller pair 119, the movable bottom end baffle 131, the folding plate moving motor 141, the folding roller pair rotating motor 142, the folding roller pair contact / separation motor 143, the folding plate engaging roller sweeping motor 145, the end needle binding main scanning moving motor 161, the end needle binding posture rotating motor 164, the end needle binding clamping motor 166, the crimping end binding main scanning moving motor 171, the end crimping binding posture rotating motor 174, the crimping end binding clamping motor 176, the binding tooth sliding motor 179, the crimping roller moving motor 188 and the operation panel 102 to the common bus 16.

[0139] The controller 19 activates the first conveying roller pair 111, the second conveying roller pair 112, the return conveying roller 113, the side baffle 116, the discharge roller pair 119, the movable bottom baffle 131, the folding plate moving motor 141, the folding roller pair rotating motor 142, the folding roller pair contact / separation motor 143, the folding plate engaging roller sweeping motor 145, the end needle binding main scanning moving motor 161, the end needle binding posture rotating motor 164, the end needle binding clamping motor 166, the crimping end binding main scanning moving motor 171, the end crimping binding posture rotating motor 174, the crimping end binding clamping motor 176, the binding tooth sliding motor 179, and the crimping roller moving motor 188 through I / F15.

[0140] If already in Figure 1 As described in , the image forming apparatus 101 includes an operation panel 102. The operation panel 102 includes an operation unit that accepts input operations from the user and a display (notification unit) that notifies the user of information. The operation unit includes, for example, hard keys, a touch panel superimposed on the display, etc. Then, the operation panel 102 obtains information from the user through the operation unit and provides information to the user through the display. In addition, a specific example of the notification unit is not limited to a display, and may also be an LED light or a speaker, etc. In addition, the post-processing device 110 may also have the same operation panel 102 as described above.

[0141] [Modification 1]

[0142] Next, refer to Fig.11 and Fig.12 Modification 1 of the saddle stitching processing unit is described. The difference from the saddle stitching processing unit involved in the first embodiment is that the folding plate engaging member is not composed of a roller member that performs sweeping (rotational movement), but is composed of a folding plate engaging die head 181 that is a scraper member extending in the width direction. In addition, the same reference numerals are attached to the common components of the binding processing unit involved in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0143] Fig.11 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a modification 1 of the saddle stitching processing unit. The folding roller pair 133 sandwiches the folding plate 132 and the paper bundle Pb, and presses them against each other via the folding roller pair pressing member 144 .

[0144] The folding plate engaging die head 181 is pressed by the folding plate engaging roller pressing member 147 toward the folding plate 132 while holding the paper bundle Pb. This pressing force allows the die head pressing portion 181a of the folding plate engaging die head 181 to perform crimping binding and the flange portion 181b to perform square folding.

[0145] Fig.12 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the modified example 1 of the saddle stitching processing unit, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the BB line, viewed from one side in the paper conveying direction, at the folding center line, in other words, at the thickness center of the folding plate 132 . Fig.12 (a) corresponds to Figure 6 The folding plate 132 pushes the paper bundle Pb to a position exceeding the clamping position of the folding roller pair 133, and the folding plate clamping die head 181 is located at the standby position (HP position) and is separated from the paper bundle Pb in the folding and discharging direction.

[0146] The folding plate clamping head 181 is moved toward the folding plate by a folding plate clamping head moving motor 182 (not shown).

[0147] Fig.12 (b) corresponds to Figure 6 (d) state. The folding plate clamping die head 181 is pushed onto the folding plate 132 while holding the paper bundle Pb, and the concave and convex teeth of the die crimping portion 181a of the folding plate clamping die head 181 and the folding crimping tooth portion 132a provided on the pressing surface of the folding plate 132 clamp the paper bundle Pb. The folding plate clamping die head 181 is pressurized by the folding plate clamping die head pressurizing component 183 to crimp and bind the spine of the paper bundle Pb.

[0148] [Modification 2]

[0149] Next, refer to Fig.13 Modification 2 of the saddle stitching processing unit is described. The difference from the saddle stitching processing unit involved in modification 1 is that the concave and convex crimping teeth are not evenly arranged in the width direction, but are partially (intermittently) arranged. In addition, the same reference numerals are attached to the common components of the binding processing unit involved in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0150] Fig.13 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the modified example 2 of the saddle stitching processing unit, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the folding center line, in other words, at the thickness center of the folding plate 132 as viewed from one side in the paper conveying direction. Fig.13 (a) corresponds to Figure 6 The folding plate 184 pushes the paper bundle Pb to a position exceeding the clamping position of the folding roller pair 133, and the folding plate clamping die head 185 is located at the standby position (HP position) and is separated from the paper bundle Pb in the folding and discharging direction.

[0151] The folding plate clamping head 185 is moved toward the folding plate by a folding plate clamping head moving motor 182 (not shown).

[0152] Fig.13 (b) corresponds to Figure 6 The folding plate clamping die head 185 is pushed onto the folding plate 184 with the paper bundle Pb clamped therein, and the concave-convex teeth of the die head crimping portion 185a of the folding plate clamping die head 185 and the concave-convex teeth 184a provided on the pressing surface of the folding plate 184 clamp the paper bundle Pb. The folding plate clamping die head 185 is pressurized by the folding plate clamping die head pressurizing component 183 to crimp and bind the spine of the paper bundle Pb.

[0153] [Variation 3]

[0154] Next, refer to Fig.14 Modification 3 of the saddle stitching processing unit is described. The difference from the saddle stitching processing unit involved in modification 1 is that the folding plate engaging member is not moved linearly opposite to the folding plate 132 to engage, but is configured to move along a rotation trajectory so that the concave and convex crimping teeth engage in sequence. In addition, the same reference numerals are attached to the common components of the binding processing unit involved in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0155] Fig.14 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the modified example 3 of the saddle stitching processing unit, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the folding center line, in other words, at the thickness center of the folding plate 132 as viewed from one side in the paper conveying direction. Fig.14 (a) corresponds to Figure 6The folding plate 132 pushes the paper bundle Pb to a position exceeding the clamping position of the folding roller pair 133, and the folding plate clamping die head 186 is located at the standby position (HP position) and is separated from the paper bundle Pb in the folding and discharging direction.

[0156] The folding plate clamping die head 186 is moved toward the folding plate by a folding plate clamping die head moving motor 182 (not shown), and moves by forming a rotation trajectory in a manner in which the concave and convex teeth mesh in sequence.

[0157] Fig.14 (b) corresponds to Figure 6 The folding plate clamping die head 186 is pushed onto the folding plate 132 with the paper bundle Pb clamped therein, and the concave and convex teeth of the crimping portion 186a of the folding plate clamping die head and the folding crimping tooth portion 132a provided on the pressing surface of the folding plate 132 clamp the paper bundle Pb. The folding plate clamping die head 186 is pressurized by the folding plate clamping die head pressurizing component 183 to crimp and bind the spine of the paper bundle Pb.

[0158] In addition, the crimping portion 186a of the folding plate clamping die head may not be a flat surface but a curved surface, and concave and convex teeth are provided on the curved surface so that the concave and convex teeth mesh in sequence to form a rotation trajectory for movement.

[0159] In this way, the sequential meshing of the concave and convex teeth can reduce the pressure during crimping and binding, thereby achieving miniaturization of the device.

[0160] [Variation 4]

[0161] Next, refer to Fig.15 Modification 4 of the saddle stitching processing unit is described. The difference from the saddle stitching processing unit involved in the first embodiment is that a pressure contact roller 187 having concave and convex teeth on the outer periphery is provided on the folding plate 132 so as to sweep along the main scanning direction at the front end. In addition, the same reference numerals are attached to the common components of the binding processing unit involved in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0162] Fig.15 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the modified example 4 of the saddle stitching processing unit, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the folding center line, in other words, at the thickness center of the folding plate 132 as viewed from one side in the paper conveying direction. Fig.15 (a) corresponds to Figure 6 The folding plate 132 pushes the paper bundle Pb to a position exceeding the clamping position of the folding roller pair 133, and the folding plate engaging roller 134 and the pressure contact roller 187 are located at the standby position (HP position), separated from the paper bundle Pb in the folding discharge direction.

[0163] The pressure contact roller 187 as the first roller member is supported so as to be guided by the pressure contact roller rail 132b. The pressure contact roller rail 132b is arranged in the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction) of the folding plate 132. The pressure contact roller 187 is driven by the pressure contact roller moving motor 188 (see Fig.10 ) is scanned in the main scanning direction of the paper bundle Pb.

[0164] Fig.15 (b) corresponds to Figure 6 (d) state. The folding plate engaging roller 134 as the second roller component is guided by the engaging roller guide rail 146, approaches the crimping roller 187, and is pushed onto the crimping roller 187 via the paper bundle Pb. The concave-convex teeth of the engaging crimping tooth portion 134a of the folding plate engaging roller and the concave-convex teeth 187a provided on the pressing surface of the crimping roller 187 engage with the paper bundle Pb. The folding plate engaging roller 134 is pressurized by the folding plate engaging roller pressure component 147 to crimp and bind the spine Cb of the paper bundle Pb.

[0165] [Variation 5]

[0166] Next, refer to Fig.16 A modification 5 of the saddle stitching processing unit is described. The difference from the saddle stitching processing unit involved in the first embodiment is that the concave and convex crimping teeth of the folding plate are not evenly arranged in the width direction, but are partially (intermittently) arranged. In addition, the same reference numerals are attached to the common components of the binding processing unit involved in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0167] Fig.16 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the modified example 5 of the saddle stitching processing unit, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the folding center line, in other words, at the thickness center of the folding plate 132 as viewed from one side in the paper conveying direction. Fig.16 (a) corresponds to Figure 6 The folding plate 184 pushes the paper bundle Pb to a position exceeding the clamping position of the folding roller pair 133, and the folding plate engaging roller 134 is located at the standby position (HP position) and is separated from the paper bundle Pb in the folding and discharging direction.

[0168] Fig.16 (b) corresponds to Figure 6 The folding plate engaging roller 134 is pressed by the folding plate 132 while sandwiching the paper bundle Pb, and the concave-convex teeth of the engaging crimping tooth portion 134a of the folding plate engaging roller 134 and the concave-convex teeth 184a provided on the pressing surface of the folding plate 184 are engaged with the paper bundle Pb. The folding plate engaging roller 134 is pressurized by the folding plate engaging roller pressurizing member 147 to crimp and bind the spine of the paper bundle Pb.

[0169] Fig.17Schematic diagram of a booklet Bk formed in Modification Example 5. Fig.17 As shown, the spine Cb of the booklet Bk is formed into a square spine. Then, the spine Cb is intermittently crimped and bound, and crimp marks Ct are intermittently formed in the longitudinal direction of the spine Cb (the width direction of the paper bundle Pb).

[0170] [Variation 6]

[0171] Next, refer to Fig.18 and Fig.19 A modification example 6 of the saddle stitching processing unit is described. The difference from the saddle stitching processing unit involved in the first embodiment is that the engagement pressure contact tooth portion 134a of the folding plate engagement roller is not arranged perpendicularly to the main scanning direction, but is, for example, configured as an inclined "oblique tooth shape" relative to the main scanning direction. Here, the inclination angle of the engagement pressure contact tooth portion 134a is, for example, 15 degrees. In addition, the same reference numerals are marked on the common components of the binding processing unit involved in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0172] Fig.19 Schematic diagram of a compression-bonded saddle-stitched booklet bound in Modification 6. Fig.19 As shown, the spine Cb of the booklet Bk is formed into a square spine. Then, the spine Cb is intermittently pressed and bound, and pressing marks Ct inclined in the main scanning direction are intermittently formed in the longitudinal direction of the spine Cb (the width direction of the paper bundle Pb).

[0173] [Variation 7]

[0174] Next, refer to Fig. 20 A modification example 7 of the saddle stitching processing unit will be described. The modification example 7 is different from the saddle stitching processing unit according to the first embodiment in that the sweeping trajectory of the folding plate engaging roller 134 is configured to draw an 8-shape. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to the common components of the binding processing unit according to the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0175] Fig. 20 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the modified example 7 of the saddle stitching processing unit, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the folding center line, in other words, at the thickness center of the folding plate 132 as viewed from one side in the paper conveying direction. Fig. 20 (a) corresponds to Figure 6 The folding plate 132 pushes the paper bundle Pb to a position exceeding the clamping position of the folding roller pair 133, and the folding plate engaging roller 134 is located at the standby position (HP position) and is separated from the paper bundle Pb in the folding discharge direction.

[0176] The folding plate engaging roller 134 is supported by an engaging roller guide rail 146a. The folding plate engaging roller 134 is driven by a folding plate engaging roller sweep motor 145 (see Fig.10 ) moves along the engaging roller guide rail 146a. The movement of the folding plate engaging roller 134 is controlled by the controller 190 ( Fig.10 )control.

[0177] The engaging roller guide rail 146a is configured to connect the position where the engaging crimping tooth portion 134a of the folding plate engaging roller 134 engages with the folding crimping tooth portion 132a of the folding plate 132, and the position where the engaging crimping tooth portion 134a is separated from the folding plate 132. Through the engaging roller guide rail 146a, the folding plate engaging roller 134 approaches in a specified section in the longitudinal direction of the folding plate 132, and separates in other sections.

[0178] Fig. 20 (b) corresponds to Figure 6 The folding plate engaging roller 134 is guided by the engaging roller guide rail 146a, and pushes the folding plate 132 from the first predetermined position in the width direction of the paper bundle Pb while clamping the paper bundle Pb. At this time, the concave and convex teeth of the engaging crimping tooth portion 134a of the folding plate engaging roller and the folding crimping tooth portion 132a provided on the pressing surface of the folding plate 132 are engaged while clamping the paper bundle Pb. The folding plate engaging roller 134 is pressurized by the folding plate engaging roller pressure component 147 to crimp and bind the spine Cb of the paper bundle Pb.

[0179] like Fig. 20 As shown in (b), the folding plate engaging roller 134 is guided by the engaging roller guide rail 146a, moves to a retreat position away from the end of the paper bundle in the main scanning direction, and performs pressure binding on approximately half of the width direction of the paper bundle Pb.

[0180] Then, if Fig. 20 As shown in (c) of FIG. 1 , the folding plate engaging roller 134 is guided by the engaging roller guide rail 146 a , and moves away from the paper bundle Pb again at the retracted position, and moves in the reverse direction in the main scanning direction.

[0181] Then, if Fig. 20 As shown in (d), the folding plate engaging roller 134 is guided by the engaging roller guide rail 146a, and presses the paper bundle Pb again from the second predetermined position, while moving in the main scanning direction to the other end portion of the paper bundle Pb.

[0182] The folding plate engaging roller 134 is guided by the engaging roller guide rail 146 a and moves in a trajectory that draws a series of figures of eight, thereby performing pressure-bonding binding on the entire width direction of the spine portion of the booklet of the paper bundle Pb.

[0183] The folding plate engaging roller 134 performs pressure binding and square folding by pressing the spine Cb of the paper bundle Pb to deform it. Since pressure binding and square folding are performed in sequence while scanning in the main scanning direction, the pushing force can be concentrated on the processing point, which can reduce the pushing force and achieve miniaturization of the device. However, on the other hand, when an unexpected deformation of the paper bundle (for example, paper wrinkles) occurs, the paper wrinkles will accumulate and expand as the paper bundle is scanned in the main scanning direction.

[0184] By moving the folding plate engaging roller 134 in a series of 8-shaped tracks, the front half of the paper width can be processed from the center to the end, and then the back half of the paper width can be processed from the center to the end. Even if an unexpected deformation of the paper bundle (for example, paper wrinkles) occurs, the accumulation of paper wrinkles can be suppressed to half.

[0185] [Variation 8]

[0186] Next, refer to Fig.21 Modification 8 of the saddle stitching processing unit is described. The difference from the saddle stitching processing unit involved in the first embodiment is that the concave-convex shaped pressing teeth are not provided on the pressing surface of the folding plate 132, and the folding plate engaging roller is not provided with a structure such as the folding pressing teeth 132a as the concave-convex shaped folding pressing teeth, but the cylindrical outer peripheral portion of the folding plate engaging roller 191 is provided with a reheating unit. In addition, the same reference numerals are attached to the common components of the binding processing unit involved in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0187] Fig.21 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a modification 8 of the saddle stitching processing unit. The folding roller pair 133 sandwiches the folding plate 132 and the paper bundle Pb, and presses them against each other via the folding roller pair pressing member 144 .

[0188] In addition, the folding plate engaging roller 191 as the folding plate engaging heating member involved in this modification clamps the paper bundle Pb and is pressed toward the folding plate 132 by the folding plate engaging roller pressing member 147. By utilizing the pressing force and heat, toner pressure bonding is performed at the heating pressure bonding portion 191a of the folding plate engaging roller 191. Then, the flange portions 191b formed at both ends of the cylindrical portion of the folding plate engaging roller 191 can perform a ridge forming process for performing square ridge folding on the paper bundle Pb.

[0189] The folding plate engaging roller 191 constituting the toner crimping binding unit is a cylindrical roller-shaped component. Then, a rotating shaft is provided in the direction of the two end portions of the folding plate engaging roller 191 sandwiching the cylindrical outer peripheral portion. With the rotating shaft as the rotation center, the folding plate engaging roller 191 is supported by an axis so as to be rotatable. Then, the folding plate engaging roller 191 has a heating and crimping portion 191a on the cylindrical outer peripheral portion (cylindrical outer peripheral surface). In addition, the folding plate engaging roller 191 has flange portions 191b having an outer diameter larger than that of the heating and crimping portion 191a at both ends of the cylindrical outer peripheral surface. The flange portion 191b has the same diameter at both ends of the cylindrical outer peripheral surface.

[0190] The heating and pressing portion 191 a of the folding plate engaging roller 191 is a portion heated by a heater mounted inside the folding plate engaging roller 191 .

[0191] Fig. 22 The figure is a cross-sectional view of the operation of the modified example 8 of the saddle stitching processing unit. It is viewed from the side of the paper conveying direction at the folding center line, in other words, at the thickness center position of the folding plate 132. Fig.21 The cross-sectional view of the BB view in the figure. Fig. 22 (a) corresponds to Figure 6 The folding plate 132 pushes the paper bundle Pb to a position exceeding the clamping position of the folding roller pair 133, and the folding plate engaging roller 191 is located at the standby position (HP position) and is separated from the paper bundle Pb in the folding and discharging direction.

[0192] The folding plate engaging roller 191 (heating and pressing portion 191a) is moved by the folding plate engaging roller sweeping motor 145 ( Fig.10 ) moves in the main scanning direction (width direction). A folding plate folding plate folding plate roller guide rail 146 is provided in the saddle stitching processing unit as a folding plate folding plate roller contact / separation mechanism, and the folding plate folding plate roller 191 is configured to move in the main scanning direction along the folding plate roller guide rail 146.

[0193] Fig. 22 (b) corresponds to Figure 6 The folding plate engaging roller 191 is pressed against the folding plate 132 with the paper bundle Pb clamped therein, and the heating and pressing portion 191a of the folding plate engaging roller is pressed against the pressing surface of the folding plate 132, and the spine Cb of the paper bundle Pb is pressed and bound after the paper bundle Pb is clamped therein and heated and pressurized.

[0194] Fig. 22 (c) illustrates a state where after the spine portion Cb of the paper bundle Pb is crimped and bound in the entire length direction, the paper bundle Pb is separated in the folded and discharged direction.

[0195] Fig.23(a) is a schematic diagram of a paper bundle Pb before being folded in half and crimped and bound in Modification 8. Fig.23 (a) corresponds to Figure 6 (a) state. Fig.23 As shown in (a), at a position corresponding to the fold of the booklet Bk, the image forming device 101 uses a toner for forming a visible image as a bonding medium to form a toner image tn. The toner image corresponds to the bonding medium formed on the bonding portion of the paper bundle Pb. The details of the method of forming the toner image tn for bonding by the image forming device 101 are based on a well-known technique such as Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-209858.

[0196] Fig.23 (b) is a schematic diagram of a booklet Bk formed by folding and crimping in Modification Example 8. Fig.23 As shown in (b), the spine Cb of the booklet Bk is formed into a square spine. Then, in the spine Cb, by heating the toner image tn for bonding again, the toner image tn at the overlapping portion of the plurality of paper sheets P located at the flat portion (spine Cb) forming the square spine exerts bonding force, and toner pressure-bonding is performed.

[0197] [Variation 9]

[0198] Next, refer to Fig.24 Modification 9 of the saddle stitching processing unit is described. The difference from the saddle stitching processing unit involved in modification 8 is that the folding plate engaging member is not composed of a roller member that performs sweeping (rotational movement), but is composed of a folding plate engaging die head 192 that is a scraper member extending in the width direction. In addition, the same reference numerals are attached to the common components of the binding processing unit involved in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0199] Fig.24 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the modified example 9 of the saddle stitching processing unit, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the folding center line, in other words, the thickness center of the folding plate 132 as viewed from one side in the paper conveying direction. Fig.24 (a) corresponds to Figure 6 The folding plate 132 pushes the paper bundle Pb to a position exceeding the clamping position of the folding roller pair 133, and the folding plate clamping die head 192 is located at the standby position (HP position), and is separated from the paper bundle Pb in the folding and discharging direction.

[0200] The folding plate clamping head 192 is moved toward the folding plate by a folding plate clamping head moving motor 182 (not shown).

[0201] Fig.24 (b) corresponds to Figure 6 The folding plate clamping die head 192 is pressed against the folding plate 132 with the paper bundle Pb clamped therein, and the heating and pressing portion 192a of the folding plate clamping roller is pressed against the pressing surface of the folding plate 132, and the spine of the paper bundle Pb is crimped and bound after the paper bundle Pb is heated and pressurized.

[0202] [Second Embodiment]

[0203] Next, a second embodiment of the image forming system according to the present invention will be described. Fig.25 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the overall structure of an MFP 200 as a second embodiment of the image forming system. The MFP 200 has the function of forming an image on a sheet of paper P (medium) and performing post-processing on the sheet of paper P on which the image is formed. Fig.25 As shown, the MFP 200 includes an image forming apparatus 201 and a console-type post-processing apparatus 210 disposed adjacent to the image forming apparatus.

[0204] The image forming device 201 forms an image on a sheet of paper P and discharges the sheet of paper P with the image formed thereon to the post-processing device 210. The image forming device 201 includes a tray for storing the sheet of paper P, a conveying unit for conveying the sheet of paper P stored in the tray, and an image forming unit for forming an image on the sheet of paper P conveyed by the conveying unit. The image forming unit may be an inkjet method for forming an image using ink or an electrophotographic method for forming an image using toner. Since the structure of the image forming device 201 is already known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0205] Fig.26 1 is an internal structural diagram of a post-processing device 210 according to the second embodiment. The post-processing device 210 performs post-processing on a sheet of paper P on which an image has been formed by the image forming device 201. The post-processing according to the present embodiment is a binding process for binding a bundle of a plurality of sheets of paper on which an image has been formed (hereinafter referred to as a "sheet bundle Pb"). More specifically, the binding process according to the present embodiment includes so-called "press-bonding" for press-bonding the sheet bundle Pb to be deformed at a press-bonding position and "staple binding" for binding the sheet bundle Pb with staples. In addition, the press-bonding includes an end binding process for binding the ends of the sheet bundle Pb and a saddle-stitch binding process for binding the center of the sheet bundle Pb.

[0206] The same reference numerals are used to denote the same components as those of the bookbinding processing section according to the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0207] [Saddle stitch processing]

[0208] like Fig.26As shown, the post-processing device 210 includes a folding plate 232 , a folding roller pair 233 , a folding plate engaging roller 234 , a folded booklet discharge roller pair 235 , and a folded booklet discharge tray 236 .

[0209] The transport roller places the paper P on the saddle stitch inner tray 237 and simultaneously switches and transports the paper P back toward the movable bottom end fence 238 .

[0210] The saddle stitch internal tray 237 temporarily places a plurality of sheets of paper P that are sequentially conveyed. The movable bottom end fence 238 is movable in the conveying direction of the sheets of paper P along the saddle stitch internal tray 237, and the folding plate 232 is aligned with the center of the length in the conveying direction of the sheets of paper according to the size of the sheets of paper to align the positions of the sheets of paper. The side fences align the positions of the sheets of paper P or the sheet bundle Pb placed on the saddle stitch internal tray 237 in the main scanning direction (width direction). The saddle stitch processing unit performs saddle stitch processing on the sheet bundle Pb that is aligned by the movable bottom end fence 238 and the side fences. The sheet bundle Pb that has undergone the saddle stitch processing is discharged by the folded booklet discharge roller pair 235 and is stacked on the folded booklet discharge tray 236.

[0211] As described above, according to the embodiment of the sheet processing device involved in the present invention, without using a metal needle component or adhesive, a compression binding technology is applied, and a saddle binding process can be performed while performing a folding process and a square folding process. The saddle binding process can be performed by compression saddle binding. More specifically, a plurality of sheet media can be overlapped and folded to obtain a booklet-shaped sheet bundle. As a process for obtaining the sheet bundle, a saddle binding process can be performed while performing a folding process and a square folding process. In addition, the spine portion of the booklet can be formed by compression binding while performing a square folding process.

[0212] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the technical gist thereof, and the technical matters included in the technical ideas recorded in the claims are all objects of the present invention. Although the above-mentioned embodiments show preferred examples, those skilled in the art can implement various modifications according to the disclosed contents. These modifications are also included in the technical scope recorded in the scope of the claims.

[0213] Embodiments of the present invention are as follows, for example.

[0214] <1>

[0215] A sheet processing device, characterized in that it includes: a folding unit, which performs a folding process on a sheet bundle consisting of multiple sheets; a spine crimping binding unit, which forms a spine on the sheet bundle that has been folded and performs a crimping binding process; and a control unit, which controls the folding process and the crimping binding process, wherein the control unit forms the spine while performing the crimping binding process on the spine during the crimping binding process.

[0216] <2>

[0217] according to <1> The sheet processing device is characterized in that the folding unit includes: a folding plate component, which guides a part of the sheet bundle in a specified direction; a folding roller pair component, which clamps the sheet bundle guided by the folding plate component and makes the sheet bundle move forward in the specified direction; and a pressure mechanism, which presses the folding roller pair component toward the clamping position. When the folding plate component makes a part of the sheet bundle move toward the clamping position of the folding roller pair component, the control unit sets the position of the folding roller pair component to a receiving position which is a position where the clamping position is separated by a specified amount.

[0218] <3>

[0219] according to <2> The sheet processing device is characterized in that the control unit sets the receiving position by adjusting the separation amount based on at least any one of the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle, the type of the sheets, and the thickness of the sheets.

[0220] <4>

[0221] according to <2> or <3> The sheet material processing device is characterized in that the control unit causes the folding plate component to move relative to the folding roller pair component to a position exceeding the clamping position.

[0222] <5>

[0223] according to <2> or <3> The sheet material processing device is characterized in that: before the folding process starts, the control unit sets the position of the folding roller pair to a standby position that is further away from the receiving position.

[0224] <6>

[0225] according to <2> or <3> The sheet processing device is characterized in that the pressure mechanism has a force-applying component, which applies force toward the clamping position to cause the rollers constituting the folding roller pair component to be forced in directions relative to each other, and when the folding plate component passes through the clamping position, the folding roller pair component is pushed away from the receiving position.

[0226] <7>

[0227] according to <2> or <3> The sheet material processing device is characterized in that the control unit rotates the folding roller pair component according to the travel speed of the folding plate component.

[0228] <8>

[0229] according to <2> or <3> The sheet processing device is characterized in that the crimping binding unit has a folding plate engaging component that engages with the folding plate component via the sheet, and the control unit causes the folding plate engaging component to be located in a retreat position away from the folding plate component or in an engaging position where the folding plate engaging component is clamped into the sheet bundle together with the folding plate component.

[0230] <9>

[0231] according to <8> The sheet processing device is characterized in that the folding plate engaging member is a roller-shaped member supported by an axis, and the control unit causes the roller-shaped member to reciprocate in the main scanning direction of the sheet bundle while maintaining the engaging position.

[0232] <10>

[0233] according to <9> The sheet processing device is characterized in that: before the crimping binding process and after the crimping binding process, the control unit positions the roller-shaped member outside the end portion of the sheet bundle in the main scanning direction.

[0234] <11>

[0235] according to <9> The sheet material processing device is characterized in that the control unit maintains the pressurized state of the folding roller pair component during the movement of the roller-shaped component along the main scanning direction.

[0236] <12>

[0237] according to <9> The sheet processing device is characterized in that: when forming multiple sheet bundles, the control unit moves the roller-shaped component forward and backward in the main scanning direction in the odd-numbered portions, and moves the roller-shaped component back and forth in the main scanning direction in the even-numbered portions.

[0238] <13>

[0239] according to <8> or <9> The sheet processing device is characterized in that the folding plate engaging component can move in the folding conveying direction which is the traveling direction of the sheet bundle toward the clamping position, and is in a separated state in the folding conveying direction from the retreat position to beyond the end of the sheet bundle, and forms a pushing state in the conveying direction of the sheet bundle from beyond the end of the sheet bundle, and sweeps in the main scanning direction.

[0240] <14>

[0241] according to <8> or <9> The sheet processing device is characterized in that the folding plate engaging component can move in the folding conveying direction which is the traveling direction of the sheet bundle toward the clamping position, and is in a separated state in the folding conveying direction from the retreat position to a first specified position in the main scanning direction of the sheet bundle. Starting from the first specified position, a pushing state is formed in the conveying direction of the sheet bundle and the sheet bundle is swept in the main scanning direction. From another retreat position to a second specified position in the main scanning direction of the sheet bundle, the folding conveying direction is separated, and starting from the second specified position, the sheet bundle is in a pushing state in the conveying direction and the sheet bundle is swept in the main scanning direction.

[0242] <15>

[0243] according to <8> or <9> The sheet processing device is characterized in that: folding crimping teeth composed of a plurality of concave and convex shapes are formed on the sheet pressing surface of the folding plate component in the traveling direction relative to the folding roller pair component, and engaging crimping teeth with concave and convex shapes that engage with the folding crimping teeth are formed on the folding plate engaging component. The control unit moves the folding plate component toward the folding plate engaging component so that the folding crimping teeth and the engaging crimping teeth on both sides clamp the sheet bundle and engage with each other, thereby performing the crimping binding processing on the spine.

[0244] <16>

[0245] according to <8> or <9> The sheet material processing device is characterized in that the folding plate engaging member is a plate-shaped scraper member facing the folding plate member, and the control unit moves the scraper member toward the folding plate member.

[0246] <17>

[0247] according to <8> The sheet processing device is characterized in that the crimping binding unit includes a first roller component having concave and convex teeth, and a second roller component engaged with the first roller component via the sheet bundle, and the control unit moves the first roller component and the second roller component in the main scanning direction of the sheet bundle.

[0248] <18>

[0249] An image forming system, characterized in that it comprises: an image forming device, and a <1> To the <17> The sheet processing device described in any one of the above.

[0250] <19>

[0251] An image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus and a sheet processing apparatus for performing a predetermined process on a sheet having an image formed thereon, wherein the sheet processing apparatus is <1> To the <17> The sheet processing device described in any one of the above.

[0252] <20>

[0253] A sheet processing method that can be executed in a sheet processing device, the sheet processing device comprising: a folding unit that performs a folding process on a sheet bundle consisting of multiple sheets; a spine crimping binding unit that forms a spine on the sheet bundle that has been subjected to the folding process and performs a crimping binding process; and a control unit that controls the folding process and the crimping binding process. The sheet processing method is characterized in that the control unit executes a process of performing the folding process and a process of performing the crimping binding process on the spine while forming a spine at the folded portion of the sheet bundle formed by the folding process.

[0254] <21>

[0255] according to <2> The sheet processing device is characterized in that the crimping binding unit includes the folding plate component and a folding plate engaging heating component having a heating portion that presses the sheet bundle toward the folding plate component and heats the sheet bundle, and the folding plate engaging heating component heats the adhesive medium formed on the adhesive portion of the sheet bundle.

[0256] <22>

[0257] according to <21> The sheet material processing device is characterized in that the adhesive medium is a toner for forming a visible image.

[0258] <23>

[0259] according to <2> The sheet material processing device is characterized in that the folding plate engaging heating component is a roller-shaped component supported by an axis, and moves back and forth relative to the length direction of the spine to perform the spine forming process for forming the spine and the crimping binding process.

[0260] <24>

[0261] according to <2> The sheet material processing device is characterized in that the folding plate engaging heating member is a plate-shaped scraper member facing the folding plate member, and the scraper member is moved toward the folding plate member to perform the crimping binding process.

[0262] <25>

[0263] An image forming system, characterized in that it comprises: an image forming device, and a sheet processing device, which performs a predetermined process on a sheet on which an image is formed in the image forming device, wherein the adhesive medium is formed by the image forming device, and the sheet processing device is <21> to <24> The sheet processing device described above.

Claims

1. A sheet material processing device, characterized in that include: A folding unit that folds a sheet bundle consisting of a plurality of sheets; a spine crimping binding unit that forms a spine on the sheet bundle subjected to the half-folding process and performs crimping binding process, and a control unit that controls the folding process and the crimping binding process, The control unit performs the pressure binding process on the ridge portion while forming the ridge portion in the pressure binding process.

2. The sheet material processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that The folding unit comprises: a folding plate member that guides a portion of the sheet bundle in a predetermined direction; a folding roller pair member that holds the sheet bundle guided by the folding plate member and advances the sheet bundle in the prescribed direction, and a pressurizing mechanism that presses the folding roller pair toward a clamping position, When the folding plate member advances a portion of the sheet bundle toward the nip position of the folding roller pair member, the control unit sets the position of the folding roller pair member to a receiving position that is a position away from the nip position by a predetermined amount.

3. The sheet material processing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The control unit sets the receiving position by adjusting the separation amount based on at least one of the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle, the type of the sheets, and the thickness of the sheets.

4. The sheet material processing device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The control unit causes the folding plate member to advance relative to the folding roller pair member to a position beyond the nip position.

5. The sheet material processing device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The control unit sets the position of the folding roller pair to a standby position that is further apart from the receiving position before the half-folding process starts.

6. The sheet material processing device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The pressing mechanism includes a biasing member that biases rollers constituting the folding roller pair toward the clamping position in directions opposite to each other. When the folding plate member passes through the clamping position, the folding roller pair member is pushed away from the receiving position.

7. The sheet material processing device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The control unit rotates the folding roller pair member according to a travel speed of the folding plate member.

8. The sheet material processing device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The compression binding unit includes a folding plate engaging member that is engaged with the folding plate member via the sheet. The control unit positions the folding plate engaging member at a retreat position away from the folding plate member or at an engaging position where the folding plate engaging member sandwiches the sheet bundle together with the folding plate member.

9. The sheet material processing device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The hinge plate engaging member is a roller-shaped member supported by an axis. The control unit causes the roller-shaped member to reciprocate in the main scanning direction of the sheet bundle while maintaining the engaging position.

10. The sheet material processing device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The control unit positions the roller-shaped member outside an end portion of the sheet bundle in a main scanning direction before and after the crimping binding process.

11. The sheet material processing device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The control unit maintains the pressurized state of the folding roller pair member during the movement of the roller-shaped member in the main scanning direction.

12. The sheet material processing device according to claim 9, characterized in that: When forming the plurality of sheet bundles, the control unit In the odd-numbered portions, the roller-shaped component is moved back and forth in the main scanning direction. In the even-numbered copies, the roller-shaped member is moved back in the main scanning direction.

13. The sheet material processing device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The folding plate engaging member is movable in a folding and conveying direction, which is a direction in which the sheet bundle travels toward the clamping position. From the retreat position to the end beyond the end of the sheet bundle, the sheet bundle is in a separated state in the folding conveying direction. From the end beyond the sheet bundle, a pressing state is formed in the conveying direction of the sheet bundle, and the sheet bundle is swept in the main scanning direction.

14. The sheet material processing device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The folding plate engaging member is movable in a folding and conveying direction, which is a direction in which the sheet bundle travels toward the clamping position. From the retreat position to a first predetermined position in the main scanning direction of the sheet bundle, the sheet bundle is in a separated state in the folding conveying direction. Starting from the first predetermined position, a pressing state is formed in the conveying direction of the sheet bundle, and the sheet bundle is swept in the main scanning direction. From the other retreat position to a second predetermined position in the main scanning direction of the sheet bundle, the sheet bundle is in a separated state in the folding conveying direction. From the second predetermined position, the sheet bundle is swept in the main scanning direction in a pressed state in the sheet bundle conveying direction.

15. The sheet material processing device according to claim 8, characterized in that: A plurality of folding crimping teeth having a concave and convex shape are formed on the sheet pressing surface of the folding plate member in the traveling direction of the folding roller pair member. The hinge plate engaging member is provided with engaging crimping teeth with a concave-convex shape that engage with the hinge crimping teeth. The control unit moves the folding plate member toward the folding plate engaging member to engage the folding crimping teeth and the engaging crimping teeth with the sheet bundle sandwiched therebetween, thereby performing the crimping binding process on the spine portion.

16. The sheet material processing device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The folding plate engaging member is a plate-shaped scraper member facing the folding plate member. The control unit moves the scraper member toward the hinge plate member.

17. The sheet material processing device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The crimping binding unit includes a first roller member having concave and convex teeth, and a second roller member engaged with the first roller member via the sheet bundle. The control unit moves the first roller member and the second roller member in a main scanning direction of the sheet bundle.

18. An image forming system, characterized in that include: an image forming device, and The sheet processing device according to claim 1 is provided in the body of the image forming apparatus.

19. An image forming system, characterized in that include: An image forming device; as well as a sheet processing device that performs a predetermined process on a sheet on which an image is formed in the image forming device, The sheet processing apparatus is the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1.

20. A sheet material processing method capable of being performed in a sheet material processing device, the sheet material processing device comprising: A folding unit that folds a sheet bundle consisting of a plurality of sheets; a spine crimping binding unit that forms a spine on the sheet bundle subjected to the half-folding process and performs crimping binding process, and a control unit that controls the folding process and the crimping binding process, The sheet material processing method is characterized by being executed in the control unit, The step of implementing the folding process, and A step of forming a spine portion at a folded portion of the sheet bundle formed by the folding process and performing the crimping binding process on the spine portion.

21. The sheet material processing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The pressure-bonding unit includes the folding plate member and a folding plate engaging heating member having a heating portion for pressing the sheet bundle toward the folding plate member and heating the sheet bundle. The folding plate engagement heating member heats the adhesive medium formed on the adhesive portion of the sheet bundle.

22. The sheet material processing device according to claim 21, characterized in that: The bonding medium is a toner that forms a visible image.

23. The sheet material processing device according to claim 21, characterized in that: The folding plate engaging heating member is a roller-shaped member supported by a shaft, and reciprocates with respect to the longitudinal direction of the spine portion to perform the spine portion forming process for forming the spine portion and the crimping binding process.

24. The sheet material processing device according to claim 21, characterized in that: The folding plate engaging heating member is a plate-shaped scraper member facing the folding plate member, and the pressure-bonding process is performed by moving the scraper member toward the folding plate member.

25. An image forming system, characterized in that include: an image forming device, and a sheet processing device that performs a predetermined process on a sheet on which an image is formed in the image forming device, The adhesive medium is formed by the image forming device, The sheet processing apparatus is the sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 24.

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