Medium processing device and image forming system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a medium processing apparatus for crimping and binding a plurality of media, and an image forming system. The medium processing apparatus securely binds a bundle of media. A medium processing device includes: a placement portion on which a medium is placed; a pressure-contact binding unit that performs pressure-contact binding in which the plurality of media placed on the placement portion are bound by being pressed and deformed; and a control unit that controls the pressure-contact binding unit. In the case of binding N media, M (llt; the control unit causes the pressure-bonding binding unit to perform pressure-bonding binding when the N, N) sheets of media are placed on the placement portion, and when the N sheets of media are placed on the placement portion, the control unit causes the pressure-bonding binding unit to perform pressure-bonding binding.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium processing apparatus and an image forming system. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a medium processing apparatus including a loading tray for loading sheet-like media on which images have been formed by an image forming apparatus, and a binding unit for binding a plurality of media loaded on the loading tray into a bundle (hereinafter referred to as a "media bundle").

[0003] In such a medium processing apparatus, from the viewpoints of resource saving and environmental load reduction, there is a so-called "crimp binding" apparatus that can hold and press-deform a media bundle by uneven binding teeth without using metal binding pins (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

[0004] However, since the binding force of the binding teeth is difficult to be transmitted to the middle of the media bundle, when the number of sheets of media constituting the media bundle increases, there is a problem that the crimp-bound media bundle is likely to be separated afterwards.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for firmly binding a media bundle in a medium processing apparatus that performs crimp binding on a plurality of media.

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-64963 Summary of the Invention

[0007] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention relates to a medium processing apparatus including: a placement unit for placing a medium; a crimp binding unit for performing crimp binding by pressing and deforming a plurality of the media placed on the placement unit; and a control unit for controlling the crimp binding unit, and when binding N sheets of the media, at a time when M (<N) sheets of the media are placed on the placement unit and at a time when N sheets of the media are placed on the placement unit, the control unit causes the crimp binding unit to perform the crimp binding.

[0008] According to the present invention, in a medium processing apparatus that performs crimp binding on a plurality of media, a media bundle can be firmly bound. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] Figure 1 Shown is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming system.

[0010] Figure 2 Shown is an internal configuration diagram of a post-processing apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0011] Figure 3The figure shows a schematic diagram of the end binding processing unit as seen from the upstream side in the conveying direction.

[0012] Figure 4 The figure shows a schematic diagram of the end binding processing unit as seen from the liquid application unit side in the main scanning direction.

[0013] Figure 5 The figures (A) and (B) show a schematic diagram of the structure of the crimping part.

[0014] Figure 6 The figures (A) and (B) show a diagram of the contact / separation mechanism for bringing the upper crimping teeth and the lower crimping teeth into contact / separation.

[0015] Figure 7 A figure of a modified example of the shown end binding processing unit.

[0016] Figure 8 The figures (A)-(C) show a diagram of the liquid application crimping part related to a modified example of the end binding processing unit.

[0017] Fig. 9 The figures (A)-(C) show Figure 8 A diagram of the liquid application operation and the crimping binding operation of the liquid application crimping part.

[0018] Fig.10 The figure shows a hardware configuration diagram of the control module for controlling the post-processing device according to one embodiment.

[0019] Fig.11 The figure shows a flowchart of the binding process of the end binding processing unit.

[0020] Fig.12 The figures (A)-(C) show a diagram of the positions of the liquid application unit and the crimping part during the binding process of the end binding processing unit.

[0021] Fig.13 The figures (A) and (B) show a diagram of the binding force when crimping and binding a paper bundle.

[0022] Fig.14 The figure shows a flowchart of the binding times determination process.

[0023] Fig.15 The figure shows a flowchart of the binding process for performing double crimping and binding.

[0024] Fig.16 The figures (A) and (B) show a diagram of the state of the paper bundle when applying liquid to the same binding position.

[0025] Fig.17 The figures (A)-(E) show a diagram of the state of the paper bundle when binding the same binding position twice.

[0026] Fig.18 (A) and (B) are diagrams showing the state of a paper bundle when liquid is applied to different binding positions.

[0027] Fig.19 (A) to (E) show states of a paper bundle when binding at different binding positions.

[0028] Fig. 20 (A)-(D) show the changes in the binding position.

[0029] Fig.21 Shown is a comparison Fig.11 Binding processing and Fig.15 Graph of the binding force of a binding process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Hereinafter, an image forming system 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall structure of an image forming system 1. The image forming system 1 has the function of forming an image on a sheet of paper P (a sheet-like medium) and performing post-processing on the sheet of paper P on which the image is formed. Figure 1 As shown, the image forming system 1 is composed of an image forming apparatus 2 and a post-processing apparatus 3 (medium processing apparatus) according to the present invention.

[0031] The image forming device 2 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 3. The image forming device 2 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 2 is already known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0032] [First Embodiment of Post-Processing Device 3]

[0033] Figure 2 The figure shows an internal structure diagram of a post-processing device 3 involved in one embodiment. The post-processing device 3 performs post-processing on the paper P on which the image is formed by the image forming device 2. One of the post-processing involved in this embodiment is a binding process that is a "compression binding process" for binding a paper bundle (sheet bundle) of multiple papers P with images formed thereon without using binding needles. In addition, another post-processing involved in this embodiment is a binding process that is a "needle binding process" for binding a paper bundle (sheet bundle) of multiple papers P with images formed thereon using binding needles. Hereinafter, the paper bundle (medium bundle) of multiple papers P will be referred to as a "paper bundle Pb".

[0034] In more detail, the "pressure binding process" involved in the present embodiment is a process of applying pressure to a binding position corresponding to a part of the paper bundle Pb to deform the binding position (pressure deformation) to perform binding, which is called "pressure binding". In addition, the binding process executable in the post-processing device 3 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.

[0035] The post-processing device 3 includes a pair of conveying rollers 10 to 19 (conveying units) and a switching claw 20. The pair of conveying rollers 10 to 19 conveys the paper P supplied from the image forming device 2 inside the post-processing device 3. More specifically, the pair of conveying rollers 10 to 13 conveys the paper P along the first conveying path Ph1. In addition, the pair of conveying rollers 14 to 15 conveys the paper P along the second conveying path Ph2. Furthermore, the pair of conveying rollers 16 to 19 conveys the paper P along the third conveying path Ph3.

[0036] The first conveying path Ph1 is a path from the supply port of the paper P of the image forming apparatus 2 to the discharge tray 21. The second conveying path Ph2 is a path that branches from the first conveying path Ph1 between the conveying roller pairs 11 and 14 in the conveying direction and reaches the discharge tray 26 via the internal tray 22. The third conveying path Ph3 is a path that branches from the first conveying path Ph1 between the conveying roller pairs 11 and 14 in the conveying direction and reaches the discharge tray 30.

[0037] The switching claw 20 is arranged at a branching position between the first conveying path Ph1 and the second conveying path Ph2. The switching claw 20 is configured to be able to switch between a first position for discharging the paper P to the discharge tray 21 through the first conveying path Ph1 and a second position for guiding the paper P conveyed in the first conveying path Ph1 to the second conveying path Ph2. In addition, when the rear end of the paper P entering the second conveying path Ph2 passes through the conveying roller pair 11, the conveying roller pair 14 is rotated in the reverse direction, and the paper P is guided to the third conveying path Ph3. In addition, the post-processing device 3 has a plurality of sensors (in the embodiment of the present invention) for detecting the position of the paper P on each of the conveying paths Ph1, Ph2, and Ph3. Figure 2 Indicated by ▲ in Chinese.)

[0038] The post-processing device 3 includes a discharge tray 21 . The paper P discharged through the first transport path Ph1 is placed on the discharge tray 21 . The paper P not subjected to the stapling process among the paper P supplied from the image forming device 2 is discharged to the discharge tray 21 .

[0039] The post-processing device 3 includes an inner tray 22 (loading portion) as a loading tray, a bottom end fence 23, side fences 24L and 24R, an end stapling processing portion 25, a needle stapling processing portion 155, and a discharge tray 26. The inner tray 22, the bottom end fence 23, the side fences 24L and 24R, the end stapling processing portion 25, and the needle stapling processing portion 155 perform an end stapling process on a paper bundle Pb consisting of a plurality of paper sheets P transported in the second transport path Ph2. The paper bundle Pb subjected to the end stapling process among the paper sheets P supplied from the image forming device 2 is discharged to the discharge tray 26.

[0040] The "end binding processing" mentioned here includes the "parallel binding processing" of binding along the side of the paper bundle Pb parallel to the main scanning direction, the "oblique binding processing" of binding the corners of the paper bundle Pb, and the "vertical binding processing" of binding along the side of the paper bundle Pb parallel to the conveying direction.

[0041] Hereinafter, the direction from the transport roller pair 15 toward the bottom end fence 23 is defined as the "transport direction" of the paper P. That is, the "transport direction" in this specification corresponds to the direction from the transport roller pair 15 to the bottom end fence 23 after the paper P discharged from the image forming apparatus 2 is moved in the direction of the discharge tray 26 by the transport roller pair 10 and the like. In addition, the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the paper P and the transport direction is defined as the "main scanning direction (width direction of the paper P)".

[0042] The plurality of sheets of paper P sequentially transported through the second transport path Ph2 are temporarily placed on the inner tray 22 as a loading tray. The bottom end fence 23 aligns the position of the sheets of paper P or the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22 in the transport direction. The side fences 24L and 24R align the position of the sheets of paper P or the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22 in the main scanning direction. The end stapling processing unit 25 and the needle stapling processing unit 155 perform an end stapling process on the end of the sheet bundle Pb aligned by the bottom end fence 23 and the side fences 24L and 24R. Then, the transport roller pair 15 discharges the sheet bundle Pb subjected to the end stapling process to the discharge tray 26.

[0043] Furthermore, the post-processing device 3 is further provided with a bottom end fence 27, a saddle stitching processing unit 28, a folding plate 29, and a discharge tray 30. The bottom end fence 27, the saddle stitching processing unit 28, and the folding plate 29 perform saddle stitching processing on a paper bundle Pb consisting of a plurality of paper sheets P conveyed by the third conveying path Ph3. The paper bundle Pb subjected to the saddle stitching processing among the paper sheets P supplied from the image forming device 2 is discharged to the discharge tray 30.

[0044] The bottom baffle 27 aligns the positions of the conveying directions of multiple sheets of paper P sequentially conveyed in the third conveying path Ph3. In addition, the bottom baffle 27 is configured to be able to move the center of the paper bundle Pb to the binding position facing the saddle stitching processing 28 and the bending position facing the folding board 29. The saddle stitching processing unit 28 stitches the center of the paper bundle Pb aligned by the bottom baffle 27 passing through the binding position. The folding board 29 folds the paper bundle Pb placed on the bottom baffle 27 at the bending position and clamps it into the conveying roller pair 18. The conveying roller pairs 18 and 19 discharge the paper bundle Pb that has undergone saddle stitching processing to the discharge tray 30.

[0045] [Detailed description of the end binding processing unit 25]

[0046] Figure 3 The figure shows a schematic view of the end binding processing unit 25 that performs liquid application and crimp binding processing as seen from the upstream side in the conveying direction. Figure 4 The figure shows a schematic view of the end binding processing unit 25 as seen from the liquid application unit 31 side in the main scanning direction. As Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, the end binding processing unit 25 has a liquid application unit 31 (liquid application unit) that performs processing actions related to liquid application, and a crimping unit 32 (crimp binding unit) that performs crimp binding processing as an example of a post-processing unit. The liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 are arranged adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the inner tray 22.

[0047] The liquid application unit 31 applies the liquid stored in the liquid storage tank 43 to the sheet of paper P or the paper bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22. Hereinafter, applying the liquid to the sheet of paper P or the paper bundle Pb is referred to as "liquid application", and the processing for performing liquid application is referred to as "liquid application processing".

[0048] Here, the liquid stored in the liquid storage tank 43 for liquid application is more specifically a liquid mainly composed of a liquid state of a compound of hydrogen and oxygen represented by the chemical formula "H2O". As long as it is in a liquid state, regardless of its temperature state, it can be warm water or hot water. In addition, it is not limited to pure water, and of course, it can also be purified water, and can also contain ionized salts. The metal ion content ranges from so-called soft water to super hard water, regardless of the hardness.

[0049] In addition, additives can be added in addition to the main components. Residual chlorine used as tap water can also be contained, and it is also preferable to add preservatives such as coloring agents, penetrants, pH regulators, phenoxyethanol, and anti-drying agents such as glycerin. Further, since the ink liquid used in an inkjet printing device and the ink liquid used in a water-based pen also use water as a component, they can also be used as "liquid application".

[0050] The present invention is not limited to the specific examples listed here. Even "water" in a broad sense such as hypochlorous acid water or ethanol aqueous solution diluted for disinfection can also play a role. However, as long as it is used to improve the binding strength after the binding process, tap water that is easy to obtain and manage can be used. In addition, as a liquid, the use of the liquid with water as the main component as exemplified above can improve the binding strength of the paper bundle Pb compared to the use of a liquid that does not have water as the main component.

[0051] [Configuration of Liquid Applying Section 31 and Pressure-Contacting Section 32]

[0052] The liquid applying section 31 and the pressure-bonding section 32 are both configured to be movable in the main scanning direction by the driving force transmitted from the end binding processing section moving motor 50. The position (liquid applying position) where the liquid is applied to the paper P or the paper bundle Pb by the liquid applying section 31 corresponds to the position (pressure-bonding position) where the pressure-bonding section 32 is scheduled to perform pressure-bonding. Therefore, in the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the liquid applying position and the pressure-bonding position.

[0053] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the liquid applying section 31 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction together with the crimping section 32 by the driving force transmitted from the end binding processing section moving motor 50. The liquid applying section 31 includes a lower pressing plate 33 as a placing table for the paper P or the paper bundle Pb, an upper pressing plate 34, a liquid applying section moving mechanism 35, and a liquid applying mechanism 36. The components of the liquid applying section 31 (the lower pressing plate 33, the upper pressing plate 34, the liquid applying section moving mechanism 35, and the liquid applying mechanism 36) are held by the liquid applying frame 31a and the base member 48.

[0054] The lower push plate 33 and the upper push plate 34 are arranged on the downstream side of the conveying direction of the internal tray 22. The paper P or the paper bundle Pb placed on the internal tray 22 is also placed on the lower push plate 33. The lower push plate 33 is provided on the lower push plate retaining body 331. The upper push plate 34 is configured to be able to move in the thickness direction of the paper P or the paper bundle Pb in a position facing the paper P or the paper bundle Pb placed on the internal tray 22. That is, the lower push plate 33 and the upper push plate 34 are arranged to face each other in the thickness direction of the paper P or the paper bundle Pb in a space where they face each other so as to sandwich the paper P or the paper bundle Pb placed on the internal tray 22. In addition, hereinafter, the thickness direction of the paper P or the paper bundle Pb is simply expressed as "thickness direction". Furthermore, a through hole 34 a penetrating in the thickness direction is formed in the upper pressing plate 34 at a position facing the front end portion of the liquid applying member 44 held via a joint 46 attached to the bottom plate 40 .

[0055] The liquid applying portion moving mechanism 35 moves the upper push plate 34, the bottom plate 40, and the liquid applying member 44 in the thickness direction of the paper P or the paper bundle Pb. The liquid applying portion moving unit 35 according to the present embodiment moves the upper push plate 34, the bottom plate 40, and the liquid applying member 44 in a linked manner by a single liquid applying portion moving motor 37. The liquid applying portion moving unit 35 includes, for example, a liquid applying portion moving motor 37, a trapezoidal screw 38, a nut 39, a bottom plate 40, columnar members 41a, 41b, and coil springs 42a, 42b.

[0056] The liquid applying part moving motor 37 generates a driving force for moving the upper push plate 34, the bottom plate 40 and the liquid applying member 44. The trapezoidal screw 38 is extended in the thickness direction of the paper P or the paper bundle Pb, and is mounted on the liquid applying frame 31a so as to be rotatable in the forward and reverse directions. In addition, the trapezoidal screw 38 is connected to the output shaft of the liquid applying part moving motor 37 via a pulley or a belt. The nut 39 is threadedly engaged with the trapezoidal screw 38. Then, after the driving force of the liquid applying part moving motor 37 is transmitted, the nut 39 moves back and forth on the trapezoidal screw 38 by the rotation of the trapezoidal screw 38 in the forward and reverse directions.

[0057] In addition, the bottom plate 40 is arranged at a position away from the upper push plate 34. In addition, the bottom plate 40 holds the liquid applying member 44 in a state where the front end portion of the liquid applying member 44 protrudes from the bottom plate 40 toward the upper push plate 34. Furthermore, the bottom plate 40 is connected to the trapezoidal screw 38 through the nut 39, and is configured to be able to move back and forth along the trapezoidal screw 38 by rotating the trapezoidal screw 38 in the forward and reverse directions. Then, the position of the bottom plate 40 in the thickness direction of the paper P or the paper bundle Pb is determined by the movement sensor 40a (refer to Fig.10 ) detection.

[0058] The columnar components 41a and 41b protrude from the bottom plate 40 toward the upper push plate 34 around the front end of the liquid imparting component 44. In addition, the columnar components 41a and 41b are configured to be relatively movable in the thickness direction relative to the bottom plate 40. Furthermore, the columnar components 41a and 41b hold the upper push plate 34 at the front end on the side of the lower push plate 33. In addition, at the front end of the columnar components 41a and 41b on the opposite side of the lower push plate 33, a fall-off prevention member is provided to prevent the columnar components 41a and 41b from falling off from the bottom plate 40. The coil springs 42a and 42b are externally inserted on the columnar components 41a and 41b between the bottom plate 40 and the upper push plate 34. Then, the coil springs 42a and 42b apply force to the upper push plate 34 and the columnar components 41a and 41b toward the side of the lower push plate 33 relative to the bottom plate 40.

[0059] The liquid applying unit 36 ​​applies liquid to the paper P or the paper bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22. More specifically, the liquid applying unit 36 ​​applies liquid to at least one paper P constituting the paper bundle Pb by bringing the front end of the liquid applying member 44 into contact with the paper P or the paper bundle Pb. The liquid applying mechanism 36 includes a liquid storage tank 43, a liquid applying member 44, a liquid supply member 45, and a joint 46.

[0060] The liquid storage tank 43 stores liquid for supplying to the paper P or the paper bundle Pb. The amount of liquid stored in the liquid storage tank 43 is detected by the liquid amount sensor 43a. The liquid applying component 44 applies the liquid stored in the liquid storage tank 43 to the paper P or the paper bundle Pb. The liquid applying component 44 is installed on the bottom plate 40 in such a manner that the front end portion faces the side of the upper push plate 34. In addition, the liquid applying component 44 is composed of a porous material with a high liquid absorption rate or a fiber material that can absorb liquid by capillary action. The liquid applying component 44 is a material that has the property of absorbing and retaining liquid, and its type is not limited as long as it has the property of being deformed by the applied pressure in a state of contact with the paper P. For example, it can be a foam like a sponge, or it can be a fiber that can absorb liquid by capillary action.

[0061] The liquid supply member 45 is a long member whose bottom end is immersed in the liquid stored in the liquid storage tank 43 and whose front end is connected to the liquid applying member 44. In addition, the liquid supply member 45 is made of a material with a high water absorption rate, for example, like the liquid applying member 44. Thus, the liquid absorbed from the bottom end of the liquid supply member 45 is supplied to the liquid applying member 44 along the liquid supply member 45 by capillary action. In addition, in the above description, the case where the liquid applying member 44 and the liquid supply member 45 are separately constructed is described, but the liquid applying member 44 and the liquid supply member 45 may be integrally constructed of a material having the same properties. In this case, the liquid stored in the liquid storage tank 43 can be sucked up by capillary action as in the above description, and cost reduction can be achieved.

[0062] The protective member 45a is a long cylindrical body (e.g., a tube) externally inserted into the liquid supply member 45. The protective member 45a is a member for preventing the liquid absorbed by the liquid supply member 45 from leaking or evaporating. In addition, the liquid supply member 45 and the protective member 45a are formed of a flexible material. The joint 46 is used to fix the liquid imparting member 44 to the bottom plate 40. Thus, even if the liquid imparting member 44 is moved by the liquid imparting portion moving mechanism 35, it is maintained in a state where it protrudes from the bottom plate 40 to the side of the upward pressing plate 34 and the front end faces downward.

[0063] In addition, the liquid imparting part 31 is fixed with the liquid imparting part rotating shaft 562 having the drive transmission gear 562a on its bottom surface by the liquid imparting part frame 31a of the component that keeps the liquid imparting part 31. The liquid imparting part rotating shaft 562 and the drive transmission gear 562a are kept to be rotatable in the positive and negative directions on the base member 48 that is provided with the liquid imparting part frame 31a. In addition, the drive transmission gear 562a meshes with the output gear 563a of the liquid imparting part rotating motor 563. Then, the liquid imparting part 31 is constituted to be, by transmitting the driving force of the liquid imparting part rotating motor 563 to the liquid imparting part rotating shaft 562 via the output gear 563a and the drive transmission gear 562a, it is possible to rotate in the positive and negative directions on the base member 48 with the liquid imparting part rotating shaft 562 as the center.

[0064] The crimping section 32 (post-processing section) binds the paper bundle Pb by clamping at least a portion of the paper bundle Pb to which the liquid is applied by the liquid application section 31 (i.e., the liquid application position) using the concave-convex upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b and applying pressure to deform the portion to bind the paper bundle Pb. Hereinafter, the process and action of binding by deforming at least a portion of the paper bundle Pb by clamping and applying pressure using the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b will be referred to as "crimping binding". That is, the crimping section 32 can bind the paper bundle Pb without using binding components such as binding needles. The components of the crimping section 32 (the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b) are provided on the crimping frame 32c.

[0065] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the structure of the crimping portion 32 is shown. Figure 5 As shown, the crimping portion 32 has a pair of binding teeth (upper crimping teeth 32a and lower crimping teeth 32b). The upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b 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 inner tray 22. The mutually opposing surfaces of the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b are formed into a concave-convex shape in which concave parts and convex parts are alternately formed. In addition, the concave parts and convex parts of the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b are staggered so as to mesh with each other.

[0066] In addition, the concave-convex upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b have inclined portions at arbitrary angles. In addition, the shapes of the apex and the valley of the concave-convex shape are different at the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b. In more detail, the tooth height (the distance from the apex to the valley) of the upper crimping teeth 32a is lower than the tooth height of the lower crimping teeth 32b. Thus, when the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b are meshed, the apex of the upper crimping teeth 32a and the valley of the lower crimping teeth 32b do not contact. Therefore, the paper P pressed by the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b is flattened and extended by the inclined portion, and retreats to the gap between the apex of the upper crimping teeth 32a and the valley of the lower crimping teeth 32b. As a result, the paper bundle Pb can be crimped only by the inclined portion (causing an offset between the papers and causing the fibers to be entangled and fixed), and crimping and binding can be performed efficiently.

[0067] Then, the upper pressing teeth 32a and the lower pressing teeth 32b are connected by the contact / separation motor 32d (refer to Fig.10 ) driving force to abut and separate. In the process where a plurality of sheets of paper P constituting the paper bundle Pb are fed to the inner tray 22, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown in (A), the upper pressing teeth 32a and the lower pressing teeth 32b are separated from each other. Then, when all the paper sheets P constituting the paper bundle are placed on the inner tray 22, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown in (B), the upper pressing teeth 32a and the lower pressing teeth 32b are meshed to apply pressure from the thickness direction and deform the paper bundle Pb. As a result, the paper bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22 is pressed and bound. In addition, the pressed and bound paper bundle Pb is discharged to the discharge tray 26 by the conveying roller pair 15.

[0068] Figure 6 FIG. 2 is a diagram of a contact / separation mechanism 90 for contacting / separating the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b. The contact / separation mechanism 90 is a mechanism for contacting or separating the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b by the driving force of the contact / separation motor 32d. Figure 6 As shown, the contact / separation mechanism 90 mainly includes an upper arm 91 , a lower arm 92 , a coil spring 93 (biasing member), a drive gear 94 , a driven gear 95 , and an eccentric cam 96 .

[0069] The upper arm 91 is fixed on the crimping frame 32c. In addition, the upper arm 91 supports the upper crimping teeth 32a. The lower arm 92 is supported by the upper arm 91 so as to be rotatable around the rotating shaft 97. In addition, the lower arm 92 supports the lower crimping teeth 32b at one end (the end on the side opposite to the upper crimping teeth 32a). Then, by the rotation of the lower arm 92 around the rotating shaft 97, the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b are contacted or separated. The coil spring 93 applies force to the lower arm 92 in the direction of separating the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b. The driving gear 94 is rotated by the driving force of the contact / separation motor 32d. The driven gear 95 is meshed with the driving gear 94. The eccentric cam 96 is connected to the driven gear 95 at a position off-center and rotates integrally with the driven gear 95. In addition, the outer peripheral surface of the eccentric cam 96 abuts against the other end of the lower arm 92 (the end on the opposite side to the side supporting the lower crimping teeth 32 b with the rotating shaft 97 interposed therebetween).

[0070] When the eccentric cam 96 is in Figure 6 In the state (A), the upper pressing teeth 32a and the lower pressing teeth 32b are separated by the force of the coil spring 93. Figure 6 When the lower arm 92 is rotated in the state (A), the lower arm 92 overcomes the force of the coil spring 93 and rotates in the direction of making the upper pressing teeth 32a and the lower pressing teeth 32b abut. Figure 6 In the state (B), the upper pressing teeth 32a and the lower pressing teeth 32b are engaged with each other. Figure 6 When the lower arm 92 is rotated in the state (B), the lower arm 92 is rotated in the direction of separating the upper pressing teeth 32a and the lower pressing teeth 32b by the urging force of the coil spring 93.

[0071] In addition, as the composition of the crimping portion 32, as long as the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b that constitute the crimping mechanism are meshed, it is not limited to the form of the embodiment described above. 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 crimping and separation of the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b (for example, the crimping mechanism disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6057167), or it can be a crimping mechanism of a direct-acting type that converts the rotational motion of the driving source in the forward and reverse directions into a reciprocating screw mechanism to linearly perform crimping (approaching) and separation of the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b.

[0072] In addition, a crimping frame 32c that holds the components of the crimping portion 32 is fixed to a crimping portion rotating shaft 54 ​​having a drive transmission gear 54a on its bottom surface. The crimping portion rotating shaft 54 ​​and the drive transmission gear 54a are held on a base member 48 provided with the crimping frame 32c so as to be rotatable in the forward and reverse directions. In addition, the drive transmission gear 54a meshes with an output gear 56a of a crimping portion rotating motor 56. Then, the crimping portion 32 is configured so that the driving force of the crimping portion rotating motor 56 is transmitted to the crimping portion rotating shaft 54 ​​via the output gear 56a and the drive transmission gear 54a, so that the crimping portion 32 can be rotated in the forward and reverse directions on the base member 48 around the crimping portion rotating shaft 54.

[0073] In addition, if Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the binding processing unit 25 includes an end binding processing unit moving mechanism 47. The end binding processing unit moving mechanism 47 moves the binding processing unit 25 (i.e., the liquid applying unit 31 and the pressure contact unit 32) in the main scanning direction along the end portion of the sheet P placed on the inner tray 22 on the downstream side in the conveying direction. The end binding processing unit moving mechanism 47 includes, for example, a base member 48, a guide shaft 49, an end binding processing unit moving motor 50, and a driving force transmission mechanism 551.

[0074] The liquid applying section 31 and the crimping section 32 are mounted on the base member 48 in an adjacent state in the main scanning direction. The guide shaft 49 is extended in the main scanning direction on the downstream side of the inner tray 22 in the conveying direction. In addition, the guide shaft 49 supports the base member 48 so that it can move in the main scanning direction. The binding processing section moving motor 50 generates a driving force for moving the binding processing section 25. The driving force transmission mechanism 551 transmits the driving force of the end binding processing section moving motor 50 to the base member 48 via the pulleys 551a, 551b and the timing belt 551c. As a result, the liquid applying section 31 and the crimping section 32 integrated by the base member 48 move in the main scanning direction along the guide shaft 49.

[0075] That is, Fig.12 As shown in (A) of FIG. 1 , the standby position HP is a position offset in the width direction from the paper P placed on the inner tray 22. Fig.12 (B)~ Fig.12 As shown in FIG. 2 (C), the liquid applying section 31 and the pressure contact section 32 can be moved along the guide shaft 49 in the thickness direction of the paper P to a position where they can face the paper bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22 .

[0076] The end binding processing unit moving motor 50 involved in this embodiment is, for example, a servo motor, which can stop the end binding processing unit 25 at the target position (binding position B) even if the servo motor does not return the end binding processing unit 25 to the origin position (for example, the standby position HP described later) every time it moves.

[0077] In addition, the post-processing device 3 has a detection device for detecting that the end stapling processing unit 25 has reached the standby position HP (see Fig.12 ) of the end binding standby position sensor 51 (for example, a light-shielding optical sensor. Fig.10 ) and an encoder sensor 541 mounted on the output shaft of the end binding processing unit moving motor 50 (refer to Fig.10 ). Then, the controller 100 described later detects that the end stapling processing unit 25 reaches the standby position HP based on the detection result of the end stapling standby position sensor 51. In addition, the controller 100 counts the pulse signal output from the encoder sensor 541 to grasp the current position of the end stapling processing unit 25 that has moved from the standby position HP.

[0078] However, the specific method of stopping the end stapling processing unit 25 at the target position without returning to the origin position is not limited to the above example. As another example, the post-processing device 3 may include a sensor for detecting that the end stapling processing unit 25 reaches a predetermined target position.

[0079] [Modification of the end binding processing unit 25]

[0080] Next, refer to Figure 7 to Figure 9 , an end binding processing section 25' as a post-processing unit which is a modified example of the end binding processing section 25 provided in the post-processing device 3 is described. The difference from the end binding processing section 25 described above is that the liquid applying section 31 and the crimping section 32 are integrally formed. In addition, the same reference numerals are attached to the common components with the end binding processing section 25 described above, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0081] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the end stapling processing section 25' as seen from the upstream side in the conveying direction. Figure 8 (A) is a perspective view of the liquid application crimping portion 310 . Figure 8 (B) shows Figure 8 (A) is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction of arrow AA. Figure 8 (C) shows the view from a certain direction of the lower pressing tooth 32b. Figure 8 (A) is a top view of the upper crimping teeth 32a. Fig. 9(A) to (C) are schematic diagrams showing the liquid applying operation and the pressure-bonding operation of the liquid applying and pressure-bonding section 310 as viewed from the downstream side in the conveying direction.

[0082] like Figure 7 As shown, the end stapling processing unit 25 ′ includes a liquid applying and crimping unit 310 that integrates the liquid applying unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 of the end stapling processing unit 25 according to the first embodiment. The liquid applying and crimping unit 310 is disposed downstream of the inner tray 22 in the conveying direction.

[0083] The liquid applying and crimping section 310 applies the liquid LQ stored in the liquid storage tank 43 to the paper P or the paper bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22. The liquid applying and crimping section 310 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction by transmitting the driving force of the end binding processing section moving motor 50 to the base member 48 through the driving force transmission mechanism 551. The liquid applying and crimping section 310 includes an upper push plate 34, an upper crimping tooth 32a, a lower crimping tooth 32b, a liquid applying and crimping section moving mechanism 350, and a liquid supply mechanism 360. The components of the liquid applying and crimping section 310 are held by the liquid applying frame 31a and the base member 48. In addition, the liquid applying frame 31a has a liquid applying and crimping section rotating shaft 54' having a driving transmission gear 54a' fixed to its bottom surface. The liquid applying and crimping section rotating shaft 54' and the driving transmission gear 54a' are held on the base member 48 provided with the liquid applying frame 31a so as to be rotatable in the forward and reverse directions. In addition, the drive transmission gear 54a' is meshed with the output gear 56a' of the liquid applying crimping part rotating motor 56'. Then, the liquid applying crimping part 310 is configured so that the liquid applying crimping part rotating shaft 54' can be rotated in the forward and reverse directions on the base member 48 around the liquid applying crimping part rotating shaft 54' by transmitting the driving force of the liquid applying crimping part rotating motor 56' to the liquid applying crimping part rotating shaft 54' via the output gear 56a' and the drive transmission gear 54a'.

[0084] The liquid application crimping portion moving mechanism 350 moves the upper push plate 34, the bottom plate 40, and the upper crimping teeth 32a in a linked manner in the thickness direction of the paper P or the paper bundle Pb through the electric cylinder 370. The bottom plate 40 holds the upper crimping teeth holding member 32a1 and the upper crimping teeth 32a via the joint 46. In addition, the bottom plate 40 movably holds the upper push plate 34 via the columnar members 41a and 41b. Then, the bottom plate 40 is attached to the front end of the push rod 371 of the electric cylinder 370 via the connecting member 401.

[0085] The columnar members 41a and 41b hold the upper push plate 34 at their lower ends. In addition, the coil springs 42a and 42b are externally inserted into the columnar members 41a and 41b between the bottom plate 40 and the upper push plate 34. Then, the coil springs 42a and 42b urge the upper push plate 34 and the columnar members 41a and 41b in a direction away from the bottom plate 40.

[0086] The liquid supply mechanism 360 includes a liquid storage tank 43, a liquid supply pump 431, and a liquid supply member 45. The liquid supply pump 431 supplies the liquid LQ to the liquid storage portion 320 provided in the upper crimping tooth holding member 32a1 through the liquid supply member 45. Figure 8 The bottom end of the liquid supply component 45 is connected to the liquid supply pump 431, and the front end is connected to the liquid storage part 320, and it is composed of a long and stretchable component.

[0087] like Figure 8 As shown in (B), the upper crimping teeth 32a are integrally provided in the upper crimping teeth retaining component 32a1. Then, the upper crimping teeth retaining component 32a1 includes a liquid accumulation portion 320 and a liquid supply path 321 for supplying the liquid LQ accumulated in the liquid accumulation portion 320 to the upper crimping teeth 32a. In addition, a hydrophilic treatment is applied to the surface of the upper crimping teeth 32a so that the liquid LQ supplied from the liquid supply path 321 is evenly distributed on the surface of the upper crimping teeth 32a. On the other hand, a hydrophobic treatment is applied to the portion other than the upper crimping teeth 32a of the upper crimping teeth retaining component 32a1 so that the liquid LQ is effectively distributed on the surface of the upper crimping teeth 32a.

[0088] like Figure 7 As shown, the lower crimping teeth 32 b are integrally provided on a lower crimping teeth holding member 32 b 1 which is a part of the liquid applying frame 31 a , and are mounted on the base member 48 via the lower crimping teeth holding member 32 b 1 .

[0089] Next, use Fig. 9 The liquid applying operation and the press-bonding operation of the liquid applying press-bonding unit 310 will be described. Fig. 9 As shown in (A), the upper pressing teeth 32a and the lower pressing teeth 32b are separated. Then, when the paper P is placed on the inner tray 22, the electric cylinder 370 is contracted to move the upper pressing teeth 32a and the upper push plate 34 toward the paper P. In this way, Fig. 9As shown in (B), the upper pressing plate 34 initially contacts the paper P, and then the upper crimping teeth 32a contact the paper P through the through-hole 34a of the upper pressing plate 34. At this time, since the liquid LQ is spread over the surface of the upper crimping teeth 32a, the liquid is applied to the liquid application position of the paper P by causing the upper crimping teeth 32a to contact the paper P. Then, when the liquid application to the liquid application position is completed, the electric cylinder 370 is extended to separate the upper crimping teeth 32a and the upper pressing plate 34 from the paper P. Since the contact and separation action of the upper crimping teeth 32a and the upper pressing plate 34 with respect to the paper P described above is equivalent to the liquid application action, the liquid application action is repeatedly performed on the paper P constituting the paper bundle Pb.

[0090] Then, after a paper bundle Pb consisting of a predetermined number of paper sheets P is placed on the inner tray 22, the electric cylinder 370 is further retracted to move the upper pressing teeth 32a toward the lower pressing teeth 32b. Fig. 9 As shown in (C), when the paper bundle Pb is clamped between the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b, the upper crimping teeth 32a further move toward the lower crimping teeth 32b, and the paper bundle Pb is pressurized by the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b to deform it, thereby crimping and binding the paper bundle Pb (crimping and binding action).

[0091] [Control module of post-processing device 3]

[0092] Fig.10 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware structure of the post-processing device 3. Fig.10 As shown, the post-processing device 3 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 , a RAM (Random Access Memory) 102 , a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103 , a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 104 , and an I / F 105 connected via a common bus 109 .

[0093] The CPU 101 is a computing device that controls the overall operation of the post-processing device 3. The RAM 102 is a volatile storage medium capable of high-speed reading and writing of information, and is used as a work area when the CPU 101 processes information. The ROM 103 is a non-volatile storage medium dedicated to reading, and stores programs such as firmware. The HDD 104 is a non-volatile storage medium with a large storage capacity capable of reading and writing information, and stores an OS (operating system), various control programs, application programs, etc.

[0094] The post-processing device 3 processes the control program stored in the ROM 103, the information processing program (application) loaded from the storage medium such as the HDD 104 to the RAM 102, 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 3 is formed. The combination of the software control unit thus formed and the hardware resources mounted on the post-processing device 3 constitutes a functional block that realizes the function of the post-processing device 3. That is, the CPU 101, the RAM 102, the ROM 103, and the HDD 104 constitute the controller 100 (equivalent to the control unit) that controls the operation of the post-processing device 3.

[0095] I / F105 is an interface that connects the conveying roller pair 10, 11, 14, 15, the switching claw 20, the side guards 24L, 24R, the contact / separation motor 32d, the crimping section rotating motor 56, the liquid applying section moving motor 37, the liquid applying section rotating motor 563, the end binding processing section moving motor 50, the needle binding section driving motor 62d, the needle binding unit rotating motor 82, the needle binding processing section moving motor 80, the moving sensor 40a, the liquid amount sensor 43a, the standby position sensor 51, the encoding sensor 541, and the operation panel 110 to the common bus 109. The controller 100 controls the conveying roller pair 10, 11, 14, 15, the switching claw 20, the side guards 24L, 24R, the contact / separation motor 32d, the crimping section rotating motor 56, the liquid applying section moving motor 37, the liquid applying section rotating motor 563, the end binding processing section moving motor 50, the needle binding section driving motor 62d, the needle binding unit rotating motor 82, and the needle binding processing section moving motor 80 through the I / F 105.

[0096] In addition, the controller 100 obtains the detection results of the movement sensor 40a, the liquid amount sensor 43a, the standby position sensor 51, and the encoder sensor 541. Fig.10 Only components related to the end stapling processing section 25 and the needle stapling processing section 155 that perform the end stapling processing are shown in the figure, but components related to the saddle stitching processing section 28 that performs the saddle stitching processing are also controlled by the controller 100 in the same manner.

[0097] like Figure 1As shown, the image forming device 2 has an operation panel 110. The operation panel 110 includes an operation unit that accepts input operations from an operator and a display (notification unit) that notifies the operator of information. The operation unit includes, for example, hard keys, a touch panel superimposed on the display, and the like. Then, the operation panel 110 obtains information from the operator through the operation unit and provides information to the operator 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 so-called operator includes a so-called "operator" who is responsible for the manufacture or maintenance of the post-processing device 3 and a so-called "user" who uses the post-processing device 3. In addition, the post-processing device 3 may also have the same operation panel 110 as described above.

[0098] [Explanation of Binding Processing]

[0099] Next, the flow of the binding process executed in the edge binding processing unit 25 included in the post-processing apparatus 3 will be described. Fig.11 Shown is a flow chart of the binding process. Fig.12 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the positions of the liquid applying section 31 and the crimping section 32 during the binding process. Fig.12 In the figure, the change of the posture of the liquid applying part 31 and the crimping part 32 is omitted. In addition, the position (liquid applying position) where the liquid is applied to the paper P or the paper bundle Pb by the liquid applying part 31 corresponds to the predetermined binding position where the crimping part 32 performs crimping binding on the paper bundle Pb. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the liquid applying position and the binding position in the following description.

[0100] The controller 100 starts the binding process when, for example, an instruction to execute the binding process (hereinafter referred to as a "binding process unit instruction") is received from the image forming apparatus 2. Fig.11 Binding process shown.

[0101] The binding processing instruction includes, for example, the type of paper P (information such as material or thickness that affects the diffusion of the liquid), the number of paper P constituting the paper bundle Pb (hereinafter referred to as the "predetermined number of sheets"), the number of paper bundles Pb to be bound (hereinafter referred to as the "necessary number"), the binding position of the paper bundle Pb, and the binding posture of the end binding processing unit 25. In addition, at the start of the binding process, the liquid applying unit 31 and the pressure contact unit 32 are in the parallel binding posture and are located at the standby position HP ( Fig.12 A) The standby position HP is a position offset in the width direction from the paper P placed on the inner tray 22 .

[0102] First, when the posture indicated by the binding processing instruction is the "oblique binding posture", the controller 100 drives the liquid applying part moving motor 563 and the crimping part rotating motor 56 to rotate the liquid applying part 31 and the crimping part 32 constituting the end binding processing part 25 to the oblique binding posture. In addition, in the case of the "oblique binding posture", only the crimping part 32 may be rotated to the oblique binding posture without rotating the liquid applying part 31. Thus, compared with the case where the liquid applying part 31 and the crimping part 32 are rotated together in the forward and reverse directions, the driving mechanism can be simplified, so that the effects of cost reduction, miniaturization of the device, and reduction of equipment failures can be achieved.

[0103] On the other hand, when the posture indicated by the binding processing instruction is the "parallel binding posture", the controller 100 omits the action of rotating the liquid applying section 31 and the crimping section 32 constituting the end binding processing section 25 to the oblique binding posture. Fig.12 As shown in (B), the controller 100 drives the end binding processing unit moving motor 50 to move the end binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction so that the liquid applying unit 31 faces the liquid applying position B indicated by the binding processing instruction (S1301). In addition, the controller 100 performs the processing of step S1301 before the first paper P is conveyed to the inner tray 22 by the conveying roller pair 10, 11, 14, 15.

[0104] Next, the controller 100 stores the paper P on which the image is formed by the image forming device 2 in the internal tray 22 by rotating the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15 (S1302). In addition, the controller 100 aligns the position of the paper bundle Pb placed on the internal tray 22 in the main scanning direction (so-called alignment) by moving the side fences 24L and 24R (S1302).

[0105] Next, the controller 100 causes the liquid applying unit 31 facing the liquid applying position B to apply liquid to the liquid applying position B of the paper P placed on the inner tray 22 in the previous step S1302 according to the liquid applying control data adjusted in advance (S1303). That is, the controller 100 drives the liquid applying unit moving motor 37 so that the liquid applying member 44 contacts the liquid applying position B of the paper P placed on the inner tray 22 ( Fig.12 (B)).

[0106] More specifically, the controller 100 reads the liquid application amount indicated by the liquid application level corresponding to the type of paper P indicated by the binding processing instruction from the HDD 104. Then, in step S1303, the controller 100 causes the liquid application unit 31 to apply the liquid of the read liquid application amount to the binding position of the paper P. That is, the controller 100 causes the liquid application unit 31 to apply the liquid of the liquid application amount input through the liquid application amount setting screen described later to the binding position of the paper P placed on the internal tray 22.

[0107] Next, the controller 100 determines whether the number of sheets of paper P stored in the internal tray 22 has reached the specified number of pages instructed by the binding process instruction (S1304). Then, when the controller 100 determines that the number of sheets of paper P stored in the internal tray 22 has not reached the specified number of sheets (S1304: No), it executes the processing of steps S1302 to S1303 again. That is, the controller 100 executes the processing of steps S1302 to S1303 each time the sheet of paper P is transported to the internal tray 22 by the transport roller pair 10, 11, 14, 15. However, the liquid application performed by the liquid application unit 31 can be performed not only on all the multiple sheets of paper P constituting the paper bundle Pb, but also on only a part of the sheets of paper P. For example, the controller 100 can also cause the liquid application unit 31 to apply liquid to the sheets of paper P at intervals of 1 sheet out of n sheets.

[0108] Then, when the controller 100 determines that the number of sheets of paper P stored in the internal tray 22 has reached the prescribed number of sheets (S1304: Yes), Fig.12 As shown in (C), the end stapling processing unit moving motor 50 is driven to move the stapling processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction so that the pressure contact unit 32 faces the stapling position B (S1305).

[0109] Next, the controller 100 causes the crimping section 32 to perform crimping binding on the paper bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22 (S1306). Then, the controller 100 discharges the paper bundle Pb crimped and bound by the crimping section 32 to the paper discharge tray 26 through the conveying roller pair 15 (S1307). That is, the controller 100 drives the contact / separation motor 32d to clamp the binding position B of the paper bundle Pb placed in the inner tray 22 with the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b. Thus, the paper bundle Pb is deformed by applying pressure between the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b to perform crimping binding. Thereafter, the controller 100 discharges the crimped and bound paper bundle Pb to the discharge tray 26 by rotating the conveying roller pair 15.

[0110] In addition, on the paper bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22, the crimping area (equivalent to the binding position B) sandwiched by the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b in step S1306 overlaps with the liquid application area (equivalent to the liquid application position B) contacted by the front end of the liquid application member 44 in step S1303. In other words, the crimping section 32 performs crimping and binding on the area to which the liquid is applied by the liquid application section 31 in the paper bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22. In addition, the crimping area sandwiched by the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b does not need to completely overlap with the liquid application area contacted by the front end of the liquid application member 44, and sufficient binding strength can be obtained even in the case of partial overlap.

[0111] Next, the controller 100 determines whether the number of discharged paper bundles Pb has reached the required number of copies indicated by the stapling instruction (S1308). If the controller 100 determines that the required number of copies has not been reached (S1308: No), the controller 100 executes the processing after step S1302 again. That is, the controller 100 repeatedly executes the processing of steps S1302 to S1307 until the number of paper bundles Pb discharged to the discharge tray 26 reaches the required number of copies (S1308: No).

[0112] Then, when the controller 100 determines that the number of the sheet bundle Pb discharged to the discharge tray 26 has reached the required number (S1308: Yes), the end stapling processing unit moving motor 50 is driven, such as: Fig.12 As shown in (A), the end binding processing unit 25 is moved to the standby position HP (S1309). In addition, when the posture indicated by the binding processing instruction is the "oblique binding posture", the controller 100 drives the liquid application unit movement motor 563 and the crimping unit rotation motor 56 to rotate the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 to the parallel binding posture (S1309). On the other hand, when the posture indicated by the binding processing instruction is the "parallel binding posture", the action of rotating the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 to the parallel binding posture is omitted. As a result, the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 return to the parallel binding posture. Fig.12 In steps S1301 and S1309, the order of movement of the liquid applying section 31 and the pressure contact section 32 in the main scanning direction and rotation in the forward and reverse directions is not limited to the above order, and may be the reverse order.

[0113] Fig.13 The figure shows the binding force when the paper bundle Pb is pressed and bound. Fig.13As shown in (A), when 10 (N=10) sheets of paper P are crimped and bound using the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b, the deformation of the outer sheets of paper P (for example, the 1st, 2nd, 9th, and 10th sheets) is relatively large, while the deformation of the inner (middle) sheets of paper P (for example, the 5th and 6th sheets) is relatively small.

[0114] Along with this, Fig.13 As shown in (B), the binding force applied to each paper P (1st to 10th paper) increases toward the outside and decreases toward the inside. As a result, the 5th and 6th paper P with weak pressure-bonding strength are peeled off, and the paper bundle Pb after pressure-bonding may be separated afterwards. This becomes more significant as the number of paper P constituting the paper bundle Pb (=N) increases.

[0115] [Binding times determination process]

[0116] Fig.14 FIG. 1 is a flowchart of the binding number determination process. The binding number determination process is a process for determining the number of times and timing of crimping binding when a paper bundle Pb consisting of N sheets of paper P is crimped and bound. In the present embodiment, the number N of paper sheets P constituting the paper bundle Pb is 10 sheets, but the value of N is not limited thereto. For example, when the controller 100 obtains a binding processing instruction, in executing Fig.11 or Fig.15 Before the binding process shown, execute Fig.14 The indicated number of staplings determines the processing.

[0117] First, the controller 100 compares the specified number of sheets N displayed by the binding processing instruction with a predetermined threshold value (S1401). The threshold value is the limit number of sheets that can be properly bound by one crimping binding, for example, a value appropriately determined based on the maximum torque of the contact / separation motor 32d (i.e., the binding force of the crimping portion 32).

[0118] Then, when the specified number of sheets N is less than the threshold value (S1401: Yes), the controller 100 determines the number of stapling times to be 1 (S1402), and ends the stapling number determination process. Fig.11 In the binding process shown in the figure, the pressure-bonding unit 32 is caused to perform pressure-bonding only when N sheets of paper P are placed on the inner tray 22. In other words, the controller 100 does not cause the pressure-bonding unit 32 to perform pressure-bonding until the N sheets of paper P are placed on the inner tray 22. The order of the binding process in this case is as shown in FIG. Fig.11 As described.

[0119] On the other hand, when the specified number N is equal to or greater than the threshold value (S1401: No), the controller 100 determines the number of binding operations to be two times (S1403). That is, the controller 100 causes the crimping portion 32 to perform crimping binding at the moment when M (<N) sheets of paper P are placed on the internal tray 22 (the first time) and at the moment when N sheets of paper P are placed on the internal tray 22 (the second time). In addition, in Fig.14 the example, the case of performing crimping binding once and the case of performing crimping binding twice are described. However, when the specified number N is larger, crimping binding can be performed three or more times.

[0120] Next, the controller 100 determines the timing of performing the first crimping binding (that is, the value of M). On the other hand, the timing of performing the second crimping binding is the moment when N sheets of paper P are placed on the internal tray 22. The controller 100 determines whether the specified number N is even or odd (S1404).

[0121] When the specified number N is even (S1404: Yes), the controller 100 determines the value of M within the range that is equal to or greater than (N × 1 / 2 - 2) and less than N (S1405). For example, when the specified number N is 10, the value of M is in the range of 3 to 9. More preferably, the controller 100 determines the value of M to be (N × 1 / 2 + 1) (in this case, M = 6). On the other hand, when the specified number N is odd (S1404: No), the controller 100 determines the value of M within the range that is equal to or greater than (N × 1 / 2 - 2.5) and less than N (S1406). For example, when the specified number N is 11, the value of M is in the range of 3 to 10. More preferably, the controller 100 determines the value of M to be (N × 1 / 2 + 1.5) (in this case, M = 7).

[0122] [Binding process for performing crimping binding twice]

[0123] Fig.15 The figure shows a flowchart of the binding process for performing crimping binding twice. Fig.16 The figure shows the state of the paper bundle Pb when liquid is applied to the same binding position B. Fig.17 The figure shows the state of the paper bundle Pb when binding is performed twice at the same binding position B. When the controller 100 determines the number of binding operations to be two times in the binding number determination process, the controller 100 executes the Fig.15 shown binding process. Hereinafter, assuming M = 6 and N = 10, the Fig.15 process will be described. However, the values of M and N are not limited thereto.

[0124] In addition, in Fig.15 for the Fig.11 shown binding process, the processes of steps S1501 to S1502 are added. In addition, for Fig.11The same step numbers are used for common processing and the description thereof is omitted. Fig.15 Omitted Fig.11 , but this processing can also be performed.

[0125] First, the controller 100 sequentially executes the processing of steps S1302-S1303 for the first to sixth sheets of paper P. Fig.16 As shown by the ellipse in (A), the liquid applying unit 31 applies liquid to the binding position B of each of the first to sixth sheets of paper P. However, the controller 100 does not need to apply liquid to all of the first to sixth sheets of paper P. That is, the controller 100 only needs to make the liquid applying unit 31 apply liquid to the binding position B of at least one sheet of paper P from the first to sixth sheets.

[0126] Next, when the sixth sheet of paper P is placed on the inner tray 22 (S1501: Yes), the controller 100 executes the processing of steps S1305-S1306 on the six sheets of paper P placed on the inner tray 22. Fig.17 (A)~ Fig.17 As shown in (B) of FIG. 13 , the pressure-bonding section 32 is caused to perform pressure-bonding binding at the binding position B on the six sheets of paper P placed on the inner tray 22 ( S1306 ).

[0127] Next, the controller 100 sequentially executes the processing of steps S1302 to S1303 for the seventh to tenth sheets of paper P placed on the inner tray 22 so as to overlap the six sheets of paper P to be crimped and bound. Fig.16 As shown by the ellipse in (B), the liquid applying unit 31 applies liquid to the binding position B of each of the 7th to 10th sheets of paper P. However, the controller 100 does not need to apply liquid to all of the 7th to 10th sheets of paper P. That is, the controller 100 only needs to make the liquid applying unit 31 apply liquid to the binding position B of at least one sheet of paper P from the 7th to the 10th sheets.

[0128] Next, when the tenth sheet of paper P is placed on the inner tray 22 (S1502: Yes), the controller 100 executes the processing of steps S1305 to S1307 on the ten sheets of paper P placed on the inner tray 22. Fig.17 (C)~ Fig.17 As shown in (E), the pressure bonding unit 32 performs pressure bonding at the binding position B of the ten sheets of paper P placed on the inner tray 22 (S1306). Then, the controller 100 discharges the paper bundle Pb pressure-bonded twice at the binding position B to the paper discharge tray 26 (S1307).

[0129] In this way, Fig.16 and Fig.17 In the example shown in FIG. 1 , when the paper P is viewed from the thickness direction, the liquid is applied to the same position (i.e., the same binding position B) on the paper P by the liquid applying unit 31 (S1303), and the crimping unit 32 performs crimping binding (S1306). However, the controller 100 may perform the first crimping binding and the second crimping binding on different binding positions B1 and B2. Figure 18 to Figure 20 An example in which pressure binding is performed at different binding positions B1 and B2 will be described.

[0130] Fig.18 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the state of the paper bundle Pb when liquid is applied to different binding positions B1 and B2. Fig.19 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the state of the paper bundle Pb when binding at different binding positions B1 and B2. Fig. 20 1 and 2 are diagrams showing changes in the binding positions B1 and B2. The binding positions B1 and B2 are positions on the paper P that do not overlap each other (i.e., different positions) when the paper P is viewed from the thickness direction. The binding position B1 is an example of a first binding position, and the binding position B2 is an example of a second binding position.

[0131] First, the controller 100 sequentially executes the processing of steps S1302-S1303 for the binding positions B1 and B2 of the first to sixth sheets of paper P. Fig.18 As shown in (A), the liquid applying unit 31 applies liquid to the binding position B1 of at least one of the first to sixth sheets of paper P (S1303). On the other hand, the controller 100 may or may not apply liquid to the binding position B2 of at least one of the first to sixth sheets of paper P (S1303).

[0132] Next, when the sixth sheet of paper P is placed on the inner tray 22 (S1501: Yes), the controller 100 executes the processing of steps S1305-S1306 for the six sheets of paper P. That is, the controller 100 performs the processing of steps S1305-S1306 as shown in FIG. Fig.19 (A)~ Fig.19 As shown in (B) of FIG. 1 , the pressure-bonding section 32 is caused to perform pressure-bonding binding at the binding position B1 of the six sheets of paper P placed on the inner tray 22 ( S1306 ).

[0133] Next, the controller 100 sequentially executes the processing of steps S1302 to S1303 for the seventh to tenth sheets of paper P placed on the inner tray 22 so as to overlap the six sheets of paper P to be crimped and bound. Fig.18As shown in (B), the liquid applying unit 31 applies liquid to the binding position B2 of at least one of the seventh to tenth sheets P (S1303). On the other hand, no liquid is applied to the binding position B1 of the seventh to tenth sheets P.

[0134] Next, when the tenth sheet of paper P is placed on the inner tray 22 (S1502: Yes), the controller 100 executes the processing of steps S1305-S1306 on the ten sheets of paper P placed on the inner tray 22. Fig.19 (C)~ Fig.19 As shown in (E), the pressure bonding unit 32 performs pressure bonding and binding at the binding position B2 of the 10 sheets of paper P placed on the inner tray 22 (S1306). Then, the controller 100 discharges the paper bundle Pb pressure-bonded once at the binding positions B1 and B2 to the discharge tray 26 (S1307).

[0135] In addition, if Fig. 20 As shown in (A) and (C) of FIG. 20 , the binding positions B1 and B2 may be staggered positions in the main scanning direction. Fig. 20 As shown in (D), the binding positions B1 and B2 may be staggered in the conveying direction. Fig. 20 As shown in (B), the binding positions B1 and B2 may be offset in the main scanning direction and the conveying direction. However, the positional relationship between the binding positions B1 and B2 is not limited to Fig. 20 Further, the binding positions B1 and B2 can be Fig. 20 Parallel binding as shown in (A) can also be performed as shown in Fig. 20 (B)~ Fig. 20 The same is true for the binding position B.

[0136] [Effects of the Embodiments]

[0137] Fig.21 Shown is a comparison Fig.11 Binding processing and Fig.15 Figure 1 shows the binding force of a binding process. Fig.21 As shown in the left figure of , when ten sheets of paper P are crimped and bound only once, the binding force between the 4th, 5th, and 6th sheets becomes relatively small. Fig.21 As shown in the middle figure, when the first compression binding is performed on the first to sixth sheets of paper P, although the binding force between the third and fourth sheets becomes relatively small, it is still stronger than Fig.21 The minimum binding force of the left figure is large. Fig.21As shown in the right figure, when the second press binding is performed on the first to tenth sheets of paper P, although the binding force between the sixth and seventh sheets becomes relatively smaller, it is larger than the minimum binding force in the left figure of Fig.21 .

[0138] In this way, by performing press binding on the paper bundle Pb composed of N sheets of paper P at the time of the Mth (for example, 6th) sheet and the Nth (for example, 10th) sheet, the press strength of the intermediate paper P is improved. As a result, it is possible to prevent the paper bundle Pb after press binding from separating afterwards. In addition, in the two press bindings, the press time (or the binding force) of the first press binding can be shortened and temporarily fixed, and the press time (or the binding force) of the second press binding can be extended for formal binding.

[0139] In addition, as Fig.17 shown, by performing press binding twice on the same binding position B, the moving distance of the end binding processing unit 25 can be shortened. Therefore, compared with the example of Fig.19 , the productivity of the post-processing device 3 is improved. In addition, since there is one binding mark, the appearance of the paper bundle Pb subjected to press binding is also good. On the other hand, as Fig.19 shown, by performing press binding on different binding positions B1 and B2, compared with the example of Fig.17 , the press strength can be improved. However, the binding positions B1 and B2 are preferably as close as possible. Further, when the specified number of sheets N is less than the threshold value, by performing press binding only once, the productivity of the post-processing device 3 is further improved.

[0140] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, by applying a liquid to the binding positions B, B1, and B2, the press strength of the intermediate paper P is improved. As a result, it is possible to more effectively prevent the paper bundle Pb after press binding from separating afterwards. In addition, in the examples of Fig.16 and Fig.18 , one or both of the application of the liquid to the first to sixth sheets of paper P and the application of the liquid to the seventh to tenth sheets of paper P can be omitted.

[0141] In addition, the control method described above can also be implemented by a program or the like. That is, the control method is a method executed by a computer based on a program that causes a computing device, a storage device, an input device, an output device, and a control device to cooperate. In addition, the program in the storage medium can be written into the storage device or the storage medium, etc. for distribution, or distributed through a telecommunication line or the like.

[0142] In addition, the liquid application unit is not limited to the embodiments, and may also be configured to separately form a liquid application unit (liquid application unit) and a crimping unit (crimp binding unit), which are provided in a transport path for transporting a medium to a placement unit, and apply a liquid to the medium placed on the placement unit.

[0143] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications can be made without departing from the technical gist thereof, and technical matters included in the technical idea described in the claims are the objects of the present invention. Although the above embodiments show preferred examples, those skilled in the art can implement various modified examples based on the disclosed content. These modified examples are also included within the technical scope described in the scope of the claims.

[0144] Embodiments of the present invention are described as follows, for example.

[0145] <1>A medium processing apparatus, characterized by comprising: a placement unit for placing a medium; a crimp binding unit for performing crimp binding by pressurizing and deforming a plurality of the media placed on the placement unit; and a control unit for controlling the crimp binding unit. When binding N sheets of the media, at the time when M (<N) sheets of the media are placed on the placement unit and at the time when N sheets of the media are placed on the placement unit, the control unit causes the crimp binding unit to perform the crimp binding.

[0146] <2>The medium processing apparatus according to <1>, characterized in that: when N is an even number, at the time when M sheets of the media, which are greater than or equal to (N×1 / 2 - 2) and less than N, are placed on the placement unit, the control unit causes the crimp binding unit to perform the first crimp binding.

[0147] <3>The medium processing apparatus according to <1> or <2>, characterized in that: when N is an odd number, at the time when M sheets of the media, which are greater than or equal to (N×1 / 2 - 2.5) and less than N, are placed on the placement unit, the control unit causes the crimp binding unit to perform the first crimp binding.

[0148] <4>The medium processing apparatus according to any one of <1> to <3>, characterized in that: the control unit causes the crimp binding unit to perform the crimp binding at the binding position of M sheets of the media placed on the placement unit, and also causes the crimp binding unit to perform the crimp binding at the binding position of N sheets of the media placed on the placement unit.

[0149] <5> according to <4> The media processing device is characterized in that it also includes a liquid applying unit for applying liquid to the medium loaded on the loading portion, the control unit causes the liquid applying unit to apply liquid to the binding position of at least one of the 1st to Mth sheets of the medium loaded on the loading portion, and causes the liquid applying unit to apply liquid to the binding position of at least one of the (M+1)th to Nth sheets of the medium loaded on the loading portion.

[0150] <6> according to <1> to <3> The media processing device described in any one of the above is characterized in that: the control unit causes the compression binding unit to perform the compression binding at a first binding position of the M sheets of media loaded on the loading portion, and causes the compression binding unit to perform the compression binding at a second binding position different from the first binding position of the N sheets of media loaded on the loading portion.

[0151] <7> according to <6> The media processing device is characterized in that it also includes a liquid applying unit for applying liquid to the medium loaded on the loading portion, the control unit causes the liquid applying unit to apply liquid to the binding position of at least one of the first to Mth sheets of the medium loaded on the loading portion, and causes the liquid applying unit to apply liquid to the second binding position of at least one of the first to Nth sheets of the medium loaded on the loading portion.

[0152] <8> according to <1> to <7> The media processing device described in any one of the above is characterized in that: when N is greater than a threshold value, the control unit causes the compression binding unit to perform the first compression binding at the moment when M sheets of the media are placed on the placement portion; and when N is less than a threshold value, the control unit causes the compression binding unit to perform the first compression binding at the moment when N sheets of the media are placed on the placement portion.

[0153] <9> An image forming system, characterized by comprising: an image forming device for forming an image on the medium, and <1> to <8> The medium processing device described in any one of the above.

Claims

1. A medium processing device, characterized in that Comprising: A placement unit for placing media; A crimp binding unit that performs crimp binding by causing multiple pieces of the media placed on the placement unit to be pressurized and deformed for binding, and A control unit that controls the crimp binding unit, When binding N pieces of the media, at the moment when M (<N) pieces of the media are placed on the placement unit and at the moment when N pieces of the media are placed on the placement unit, the control unit causes the crimp binding unit to perform the crimp binding.

2. The media processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: When N is an even number, at the moment when M pieces of the media, which are greater than or equal to (N×1 / 2 - 2) and less than N, are placed on the placement unit, the control unit causes the crimp binding unit to perform the first crimp binding.

3. The media processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: When N is an odd number, at the moment when M pieces of the media, which are greater than or equal to (N×1 / 2 - 2.5) and less than N, are placed on the placement unit, the control unit causes the crimp binding unit to perform the first crimp binding.

4. The media processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit causes the crimp binding unit to perform the crimp binding at the binding position of M pieces of the media placed on the placement unit, and causes the crimp binding unit to perform the crimp binding at the binding position of N pieces of the media placed on the placement unit.

5. The media processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: It further includes a liquid application unit for applying liquid to the media placed on the placement unit, The control unit causes the liquid application unit to apply liquid at the binding position of at least one piece of the media from the 1st piece to the Mth piece placed on the placement unit, and causes the liquid application unit to apply liquid at the binding position of at least one piece of the media from the (M + 1)th piece to the Nth piece placed on the placement unit.

6. The media processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit causes the crimp binding unit to perform the crimp binding at the first binding position of M pieces of the media placed on the placement unit, and causes the crimp binding unit to perform the crimp binding at a second binding position different from the first binding position of N pieces of the media placed on the placement unit.

7. The media processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: It further includes a liquid application unit for applying liquid to the media placed on the placement unit, The control unit causes the liquid application unit to apply liquid at the binding position of at least one piece of the media from the 1st piece to the Mth piece placed on the placement unit, and causes the liquid application unit to apply liquid at the second binding position of at least one piece of the media from the 1st piece to the Nth piece placed on the placement unit.

8. The media processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit controls the compression binding unit to perform the first compression binding at a time when M sheets of the medium are placed on the placement portion when N is equal to or greater than a threshold value, and When N is smaller than a threshold value, the pressure binding unit is caused to perform the first pressure binding at a timing when N sheets of the medium are placed on the placement portion.

9. An image forming system, characterized in that include: an image forming device for forming an image on the medium, and The medium processing device as claimed in claim 1.

Images