Medium processing device, image forming apparatus, and image forming system

Abstract

The medium processing device includes a conveyor, a placement device, and a crimping device that binds a plurality of media by pressing and deforming the plurality of media placed on the placement device. The crimping device comprises: a first binding tooth; a second binding tooth capable of moving between a nip position where the second binding tooth nips the plurality of media together with the first binding tooth and a retracted position retracted from the nip position; a stripper that moves to a separation position at which the medium is separated from the first binding teeth and a stripping position at which the medium is stripped from the first binding teeth; a single drive source; and a driving force transmission mechanism that moves the second binding teeth between the nip position and the retracted position by the driving force of the single driving source, and moves the stripper from the separation position to the stripping position in conjunction with the movement of the second binding teeth from the nip position to the retracted position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a medium processing device, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a medium processing device that binds into a bundle sheet-like media on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus. As an example of the sheet-like media, paper is well known. Therefore, in the following description, as an example of the sheet-like media, a "sheet bundle" formed by binding or laminating paper is used. From the viewpoints of resource saving and environmental load reduction, there is a device provided with a crimping device that performs so-called "crimp binding" capable of pressing and deforming a sheet bundle by sandwiching it with a pair of concave-convex binding teeth without using a metal staple.

[0003] Crimp binding is a method in which a bundle of sheets is sandwiched by a pair of binding teeth so that the fibers of the sheets are wound together to bind the sheets. Therefore, there is a possibility that the fibers of the sheets adhere to the binding teeth and prevent the binding teeth from separating from the sheet bundle. To solve such a problem, a medium processing device provided with a separating unit for separating the sheet bundle from the binding teeth has been proposed (for example, refer to Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

[0004] Citation List

[0005] Patent Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1]

[0007] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015-067407

[0008] [Patent Document 2]

[0009] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-147005 Summary of the Invention

[0010] Technical Problem

[0011] However, in the medium processing device described in Patent Document 1, the separating unit is arranged within the movable range of the movable binding tooth of the pair of binding teeth. As a result, the gap between the pair of binding teeth into which the paper enters is narrow, and there is a possibility that the paper gets stuck. In the medium processing device described in Patent Document 2, a drive source for bringing the pair of binding teeth into contact with and separating from each other and a drive source for driving the separating unit are provided independently. As a result, the size and weight of the device increase.

[0012] The present invention is accomplished to solve such problems, and its object is to provide a technology for preventing medium blockage and realizing miniaturization and light weight of a medium processing device. The medium processing device includes: a crimper that crimps and binds a plurality of media; and a stripper that strips the crimped and bound media from the binding teeth.

[0013] Solution to the problem

[0014] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a medium processing device includes: a conveyor that conveys a medium; a carrier that carries a plurality of media conveyed by the conveyor; and a crimper that presses the plurality of media carried on the carrier to deform them, thereby binding the plurality of media. The crimper includes: a first binding tooth located on one side in the thickness direction of the plurality of media carried on the carrier with respect to the plurality of media carried on the carrier; a second binding tooth located on the other side in the thickness direction with respect to the plurality of media carried on the carrier, capable of moving between a clamping position where it clamps the plurality of media together with the first binding tooth and a retracted position where it retracts from the clamping position; a stripper that moves to a separation position where it separates from the plurality of media carried on the carrier to the first binding tooth and a stripping position where it strips the plurality of media carried on the carrier from the first binding tooth; a single drive source; and a driving force transmission mechanism that, through the driving force of the single drive source, moves the second binding tooth between the clamping position and the retracted position, and in conjunction with the movement of the second binding tooth from the clamping position to the retracted position, moves the stripper from the separation position to the stripping position.

[0015] Effect of the present invention

[0016] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, in a medium processing device having a crimper that crimps and binds multiple media and a stripper that strips the media crimped and bound by the crimper from the binding teeth, it is possible to prevent blockage of the media and to achieve miniaturization and light weight of the device. Description of the drawings

[0017] The drawings are intended to illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be construed as limiting the scope of its application. Unless otherwise specified, the drawings should not be regarded as being drawn to scale. Also, throughout several views, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar components.

[0018] Figure 1

[0019] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 2 ​​​​

[0021] Figure 2 is a view showing the internal structure of a post-processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 3A and Figure 3B

[0023] Figure 3A and Figure 3B are schematic views of an internal tray of a post-processing device observed in the thickness direction of a sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 4A and Figure 4B

[0025] Figure 4A and Figure 4B are schematic views showing the structure of a pair of binding teeth according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 5

[0027] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a peeling plate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 6A and Figure 6B

[0029] Figure 6A and Figure 6B are schematic views of a driving force transmission mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figures 7A to 7F

[0031] Figures 7A to 7F is a view showing the positional relationship between a pair of binding teeth and a peeling plate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 8

[0033] Figure 8 is a view showing the hardware configuration of a post-processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 9

[0035] Figure 9 is a flowchart of a binding process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 10A and Figure 10B

[0037] Figure 10A is a schematic view of a crimping device according to a comparative example of the present disclosure,​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Figure 10B is Figure 10A A perspective view of a crimping device, showing the movable range of the crimping device in the main scanning direction.

[0038] Figure 11A and Figure 11B

[0039] Figure 11A is a schematic view of a crimping device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 11B is Figure 11A A perspective view of a crimping device, showing the movable range of the crimping device in the main scanning direction.

[0040] Figure 12

[0041] Figure 12 is according to Figure 11A and 11B A schematic view of a crimping device of a first modified example of the crimping device shown.

[0042] Figure 13

[0043] Figure 13 is according to Figure 11A and 11B A schematic view of a crimping device of a second modified example of the crimping device shown.

[0044] Figures 14A to 14C

[0045] Figure 14A , Figure 14B and Figure 14C is according to Figure 11A and 11B A schematic view of a crimping device of a third modified example of the crimping device shown. Detailed Description

[0046] Hereinafter, an image forming system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the image forming system 1. The image forming system 1 has a function of forming an image on a sheet P as a sheet-like medium and performing post-processing on the sheet P on which the image is formed. As Figure 1 shown, the image forming system 1 includes an image forming device 2 and a post-processing device 3 as a medium processing device.

[0047] ​​​​​​​​The image forming apparatus 2 forms an image on a sheet P and discharges the sheet P with the formed image to a post-processing apparatus 3. The image forming apparatus 2 includes, for example: a tray for holding the sheet P; a conveyor for conveying the sheet P from the sheet P held on the tray; and an image forming device for forming an image on the sheet P conveyed by the conveyor. The image forming device may be an inkjet image forming device that forms an image using ink, or an electrophotographic image forming device that forms an image using toner. Since Figure 1 the image forming apparatus 2 has a known configuration, a detailed description of the configuration and functions of the image forming apparatus 2 is omitted.

[0048] Figure 2 FIG. is a diagram showing the internal structure of the post-processing apparatus 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The post-processing apparatus 3 performs post-processing on the sheet P on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus 2. The post-processing in this embodiment is a process of binding the sheet P with the formed image as a sheet bundle P. In the following description, the sheet bundle P may sometimes be referred to as "sheet bundle Pb" (medium bundle). More specifically, the binding according to this embodiment is a so-called "press bonding" in which the sheet bundle Pb is pressed and deformed without using staples or binding pins. The binding includes end binding and saddle binding. End binding is a process of binding the ends of the sheet bundle Pb. Saddle binding is a process of binding the center of the sheet Pb.

[0049] The post-processing apparatus 3 includes conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 that serve as conveyor belts and a switching plate 20. The conveying roller pairs 10 to 19 convey the sheet P supplied from the image forming apparatus 2 within the post-processing apparatus 3. Specifically, the conveying roller pairs 10 to 13 convey the sheet P along a first conveying path Ph1. The conveying roller pairs 14, 15 convey the sheet P along a second conveying path Ph2. The conveying roller pairs 16 to 19 convey the sheet P along a third conveying path Ph3.

[0050] The first conveying path Ph1 is a path extending from the supply port 9 to the paper discharge tray 21, and supplies the sheet P from the image forming apparatus 2 to the paper discharge tray 21. The second conveying path Ph2 is a path that branches from the first conveying path Ph1 at a position between the conveying roller pair 11 and the conveying roller pair 14 in the conveying direction and reaches the output tray 30 via the internal tray 22. The third conveying path Ph3 is a path that branches from the first conveying path Ph1 at a position between the conveying roller pair 11 and the conveying roller pair 14 in the conveying direction and extends to the output tray 36.

[0051] The switching plate 20 is disposed at the branch position between the first conveyance path Ph1 and the second conveyance path Ph2. The switching plate 20 is capable of switching between a first position and a second position. The switching plate 20 in the first position guides the sheet P to be discharged through the first conveyance path Ph1 to the discharge tray 21. The switching plate 20 in the second position guides the sheet P conveyed through the first conveyance path Ph1 to the second conveyance path Ph2. When the rear end of the sheet P entering the second conveyance path Ph2 passes the conveyance roller pair 11, the conveyance roller pair 14 rotates reversely to guide the sheet P to the third conveyance path Ph3. In addition, the post-processing device 3 includes a plurality of sensors for detecting the position of the sheet P in the first conveyance path Ph1, the second conveyance path Ph2, and the third conveyance path Ph3. In Figure 2 each sensor is indicated by a black triangle mark.

[0052] The post-processing device 3 has a discharge tray 21. The discharge tray 21 supports the sheet P discharged through the first conveyance path Ph1. Among the sheets P supplied from the image forming apparatus 2, the unbound sheets P are discharged to the discharge tray 21.

[0053] The post-processing device 3 includes: an internal tray 22 as a carrier, a take-out roller 23, a return roller 24, an end baffle 25 as a conveyance direction alignment mechanism, side baffles 26L and 26R as a width direction alignment mechanism, a crimping device 27, a stapler 28, a discharge plate 29, a discharge tray 30, and a detector 31. The internal tray 22, the take-out roller 23, the return roller 24, the end baffle 25, the side baffles 26L and 26R, the crimping device 27, the stapler 28, and the discharge plate 29 perform end binding on the sheet P conveyed through the second conveyance path Ph2. The sheet bundle Pb after end binding among the sheets P supplied from the image forming apparatus 2 is discharged to the discharge tray 30.

[0054] In the following description, the direction from the conveyance roller pair 15 toward the end baffle 25 is defined as the "conveyance direction", and the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction and the thickness direction of the sheet P is defined as the "main scanning direction" or the "width direction of the sheet P".

[0055] The internal tray 22 is disposed on the downstream side of the conveyance roller pair 15 in the conveyance direction. A plurality of sheets P are sequentially conveyed on the second conveyance path Ph2 and are temporarily supported and placed on the internal tray 22. The internal tray 22 of the present embodiment is inclined downward toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction. The take-out roller 23 is supported at the end of a rotary arm above the internal tray 22. When the rotary arm rotates, the take-out roller 23 contacts or separates from the uppermost sheet among the sheets P supported on the internal tray 22. The return roller 24 is disposed at a position downstream of the take-out roller 23 in the conveyance direction and above the internal tray 22.

[0056] When the rotating arm rotates in a direction to move the take-out roller 23 away from the inner tray 22, the sheet P conveyed in the conveying direction by the conveying roller pair 15 enters the inner tray 22. In this state, when the rotating arm rotates in a direction to bring the take-out roller 23 closer to the inner tray 22, the take-out roller 23 comes into contact with the sheet P conveyed onto the inner tray 22 by the conveying roller pair 15 from above. The sheet P in contact with the take-out roller 23 separates from the conveying roller pair 15 and is supported on the inner tray 22. The return roller 24 contacts the upper surface of the sheet P supported by the inner tray 22 and rotates to guide the sheet P toward the end baffle 25.

[0057] The end baffle 25 is provided downstream of the inner tray 22 in the conveying direction. The end baffle 25 contacts the downstream end in the conveying direction of the sheet bundle Pb supported by the inner tray 22 to align the position of the sheet bundle Pb in the conveying direction. Side baffles 26L and 26R are provided at both ends of the inner tray 22 in the main scanning direction. The side baffles 26L and 26R are movable in the main scanning direction. The side baffles 26L and 26R contact both ends of the sheet bundle Pb supported by the inner tray 22 in the main scanning direction to align the position of the sheet bundle Pb in the main scanning direction.

[0058] The crimping device 27 clamps the binding position of the sheet bundle Pb supported by the inner tray 22 from both sides in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle Pb using a pair of concave-convex binding teeth 41, 42 (see FIG. 4). Thereby, the sheet bundle Pb is pressed and deformed for crimping and binding. The stapler 28 passes staples through the binding position of the sheet bundle Pb supported by the inner tray 22. Since Figure 2 the stapler 28 has a known structure, its detailed description will be omitted. In some embodiments, the stapler 28 may be omitted.

[0059] The discharge plate 29 is arranged on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the inner tray 22. The discharge plate 29 can contact the downstream side end of the sheet bundle Pb supported by the inner tray 22 and move toward the upstream side in the conveying direction (the conveying roller pair 15 side). When the discharge plate 29 moves toward the upstream side in the conveying direction, it causes the sheet bundle Pb after end binding to move along the inner tray 22 toward the upstream side in the conveying direction. Thereby, the sheet bundle Pb after end binding is discharged from the inner tray 22 and enters between the conveying roller pair 15. Then, the conveying roller pair 15 discharges the sheet bundle Pb after end binding to the discharge tray 30.

[0060] The discharge tray 30 is supported on the outer side surface of the housing of the post-processing device 3 so as to be able to move up and down. The detector 31 is rotatably supported above the discharge tray 30. One end of the detector 31 comes into contact with the sheet bundle Pb supported on the discharge tray 30. The detector 31 detects that the height (thickness) of the sheet bundle Pb placed on the discharge tray 30 has reached a threshold value, and outputs the detection result to a controller 100 (see FIG. 6) described later. When the detector 31 detects that the height of the sheet bundle Pb has reached the threshold value, the controller 100 lowers the discharge tray 30 by a predetermined amount.

[0061] The post-processing device 3 includes an end fence 32, a binder 33, a sheet folding squeegee 34, a perforator 35, and a discharge tray 36. The end fence 32, the binder 33, and the sheet folding squeegee 34 perform saddle stitching on the sheet P conveyed on the third conveyance path Ph3. The sheet bundle Pb after saddle stitching in the sheets P supplied from the image forming apparatus 2 is discharged to the discharge tray 36.

[0062] The end fence 32 aligns the positions of the sheets P sequentially conveyed through the third conveyance path Ph3 in the conveyance direction of the sheet P. The end fence 32 is capable of moving between a saddle stitching area where the center of the sheet bundle Pb faces the binder 33 and a folding position where the center of the sheet bundle Pb faces the sheet folding squeegee 34. The binder 33 binds the center of the sheet bundle Pb aligned by the end fence 32 in the saddle stitching area. The sheet folding squeegee 34 folds the sheet bundle Pb in half in a state where the sheet bundle Pb is supported by the end fence 32 at the folding position, and causes the conveyance roller pair 18 to hold the sheet bundle Pb. The conveyance roller pair 18 and the conveyance roller pair 19 discharge the sheet bundle Pb after saddle stitching to the discharge tray 36. The perforator 35 punches through holes in the sheet bundle Pb conveyed by the conveyance roller pair 18 and the conveyance roller pair 19.

[0063] Figure 3A and Figure 3B is a schematic view of the inner tray 22 as viewed from the thickness direction of the sheet P. As Figure 3A shown, the crimping device 27 and the staple binder 28 are arranged on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the inner tray 22. The crimping device 27 and the staple binder 28 are capable of sliding in the main scanning direction along the surface of the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb supported by the inner tray 22.

[0064] More specifically, guide rails 37 extending in the main scanning direction are provided downstream of the inner tray 22 in the conveyance direction. When the driving force of a sliding motor 38 (see Figure 8 ) is transmitted to the crimping device 27, the crimping device 27 slides in the main scanning direction along the surface of the sheet bundle Pb supported by the inner tray 22, that is, along the guide rails 37. The guide rails 37 and the sliding motor 38 serve as a slider. The same applies to the staple binder 28.

[0065] The crimping device 27 is Figure 3A slid between the standby position shown and the position opposite to the Figure 3B binding position shown. The standby position is a position where it is separated from the sheet P supported by the inner tray 22 toward one side in the main scanning direction. The binding position is a position above the sheet bundle Pb supported by the inner tray 22. However, the specific position of the binding position is not limited to the example of Figure 3B , and it may be any position in the main scanning direction on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet bundle Pb.

[0066] The crimping device 27 includes, for example, a pair of binding teeth 41 and 42, a peeling plate 43 (as a first peeling device), a drive motor 44 serving as a drive source (see FIGS. 6 and 8), and a driving force transmission mechanism 45 (see FIG. 6). Therefore, the components 41 to 45 of the crimping device 27 slide as a single unit.

[0067] Figure 4A and Figure 4B are schematic views of a pair of binding teeth 41 and 42. As shown in Figure 4A , the pair of binding teeth 41, 42 are arranged to face each other in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle Pb supported by the inner tray 22 while sandwiching the sheet bundle Pb. The binding tooth 41 is a first binding tooth arranged on one side (the lower side in this embodiment) of the sheet bundle Pb in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle Pb supported by the inner tray 22. The binding tooth 42 is a second binding tooth arranged on the other side (the upper side in this embodiment) of the sheet bundle Pb in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle Pb supported by the inner tray 22. Alternatively, the binding tooth 42 may be used as the first binding tooth and the binding tooth 41 may be used as the second binding tooth. In addition, the specific shapes of the binding teeth 41 and 42 are not limited to the examples shown in Figure 4A and Figure 4B .

[0068] When the pair of binding teeth 41, 42 are viewed from above in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle Pb supported by the inner tray 22, the outer shapes of the pair of binding teeth 41, 42 are rectangular. The binding teeth 41 and 42 have serrated surfaces facing each other. On the serrated surfaces of the binding teeth 41 and 42, recesses and protrusions are alternately formed. In addition, the positions of the recesses and protrusions of the binding tooth 41 are offset from the positions of the recesses and protrusions of the binding tooth 42, so that the binding tooth 41 engages with the binding tooth 42. When the driving force of the drive motor 44 is transmitted to the binding teeth 41 and 42 via the driving force transmission mechanism 45, the binding teeth 41 and 42 come into contact with and separate from each other.

[0069] During the process of supplying the sheet P constituting the sheet bundle Pb to the inner tray 22, as shown in Figure 4AAs shown, at least one of the binding teeth 41 and 42 is separated from the sheet P. When all the sheets P constituting the sheet bundle Pb are supported by the inner tray 22, as Figure 4B shown, the drive motor 44 is driven to engage the binding teeth 41 and 42 to clamp the sheet bundle Pb in the thickness direction. As a result, the sheet bundle Pb supported by the inner tray 22 is pressed and deformed, and the sheet bundle Pb is crimped and bound.

[0070] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the peeling plate 43 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6A and 6B is a schematic view of the driving force transmission mechanism 45 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7A 、 Figure 7B 、 Figure 7C 、 Figure 7D 、 Figure 7E 、 Figure 7F is a view showing the positional relationship between the pair of binding teeth 41, 42 and the peeling plate 43.

[0071] As Figure 6A and 6B shown, the binding tooth 41 is fixed to the frame of the crimper 27. On the other hand, the binding tooth 42 is mounted on the rotary arm 47 via a support shaft 46 extending in the main scanning direction. The rotary arm 47 is rotatably supported by the frame of the crimper 27. When the driving force of the drive motor 44 is transmitted to the binding tooth 42 via the driving force transmission mechanism 45, the binding tooth 42 mounted on the rotary arm 47 moves (rotates) between the retracted position shown in Figure 6A and the clamping position shown in Figure 6B .

[0072] The clamping position means a position where the binding teeth 42 and 41 clamp the sheet bundle Pb therebetween to crimp and bind the sheet bundle Pb. The retracted position is a position where the binding tooth 42 retracts from the clamping position. More specifically, the retracted position means a position where the binding tooth 42 is farther from the binding tooth 41 than the clamping position in order to release the clamping of the sheet bundle Pb. That is, the retracted position is a position where the interval between the binding teeth 41 and 42 becomes wider than that in the clamping position.

[0073] The peeling plate 43 functions to peel the sheet bundle Pb to be pressed and bound from the binding tooth 41 when the pair of binding teeth 41 and 42 clamping the sheet bundle Pb are separated. The peeling plate 43 is formed, for example, by bending a flat plate. As Figure 5 shown, the peeling plate 43 has a peeling portion 48 and a link arm 49.

[0074] As Figure 6A 、 Figure 6BAs shown, the peeling plate 43 is disposed on the side opposite to the binding teeth 42 with a sheet bundle Pb supported by the inner tray 22 interposed therebetween. Further, the peeling plate 43 is rotatably supported by the frame of the crimper 27 via a support shaft 51 extending in the main scanning direction. When the driving force of the drive motor 44 is transmitted via the driving force transmission mechanism 45, the peeling plate 43 moves or rotates between Figures 7A to 7D the first separation position shown in Figure 7F and the first peeling position shown in

[0075] The first separation position is the position where the peeling portion 48 moves away from the sheet bundle Pb supported by the inner tray 22 toward the binding teeth 41 side. The first peeling position is the position where the sheet bundle Pb supported by the inner tray 22 is pressed against the binding teeth 42 to peel the sheet bundle Pb from the binding teeth 41.

[0076] The peeling portion 48 is a plate-like portion that contacts and separates from the sheet bundle Pb supported by the inner tray 22. As Figure 5 shown, an opening 52 penetrating in the thickness direction is formed in the peeling portion 48. The opening 52 has a size that allows the binding teeth 41 to project from and retract into the opening 52. As Figures 7A to 7D shown, when the peeling plate 43 is in the first separation position, the binding teeth 41 project through the opening 52 toward the sheet bundle Pb supported by the inner tray 22. As Figure 7F shown, when the peeling plate 43 is in the first peeling position, the binding teeth 41 retract and are submerged through the opening 52 relative to the peeling plate 43 to the side opposite to the sheet bundle Pb supported by the inner tray 22.

[0077] As Figure 5 shown, a guide surface 53 is formed at the front end of the peeling portion 48 (i.e., the end on the upstream side in the conveying direction when the peeling portion 48 is attached to the crimper 27). As Figure 6A and 6B shown, the guide surface 53 faces the sheet P supported by the inner tray 22. Further, the guide surface 53 is inclined such that the distance between the guide surface 53 and the sheet P supported by the inner tray 22 gradually increases toward the upstream side in the conveying direction. When the peeling portion 48 is in the first separation position, the guide surface 53 guides the sheet P conveyed by the conveying roller pair 15 and the take-out roller 23 toward the inner tray 22 between the pair of binding teeth 41, 42.

[0078] When the protrusion 58 of the cam 54 described later contacts or separates from the link arm 49, the peeling plate 43 rotates. As Figures 7A to 7D shown, when the protrusion 58 separates from the link arm 49, the peeling plate 43 is disposed in the first separation position. As Figure 7E 、 Figure 7FAs shown, in a state where the protrusion 58 is in contact with the link arm 49, the cam 54 rotates, whereby the peeling plate 43 rotates or moves from the first separation position to the first peeling position.

[0079] The driving force transmission mechanism 45 moves the binding teeth 42 between the clamping position and the retreat position by the driving force of the driving motor 44. The driving force transmission mechanism 45 is linked to the movement of the binding teeth 42 from the clamping position to the retreat position by the driving force of the driving motor 44, so that the stripping plate 43 moves from the first separation position to the first stripping position. That is, the binding teeth 42 and the stripping plate 43 are moved in a linked manner by the driving force of the driving motor 44. Figure 6A and 6B As shown, the driving force transmission mechanism 45 includes, for example, a cam 54 , an outer link 55 , and an inner link 56 .

[0080] The cam 54 is connected to the output shaft of the drive motor 44. The cam 54 is rotatably supported on the frame of the crimper 27 via a support shaft 57 extending in the main scanning direction. The cam 54 rotates in one direction (for example, clockwise in FIG. 6 ) by the driving force of the drive motor 44. The cam 54 has a protrusion 58 protruding radially outward at a portion (one place) in the circumferential direction.

[0081] One end of the outer link 55 is connected to the cam 54, and the other end of the outer link 55 is connected to the inner link 56. One end of the inner link 56 is connected to the outer link 55, and the other end of the inner link 56 is connected to the rotating arm 47. The outer link 55 and the inner link 56, which serve as connecting rods, transmit the rotation of the cam 54 to the rotating arm 47. More specifically, the outer link 55 and the inner link 56 move the binding teeth 42 installed on the rotating arm 47 between the clamping position and the retreat position in conjunction with the rotation of the cam 54.

[0082] For example, when the cam 54 is Figure 7A When the position of the binding tooth 42 is rotated 180° clockwise, the binding tooth 42 moves from the retracted position to the clamping position. When the cam 54 is further rotated 180° and returned Figure 7A When the cam 54 rotates one circle in the clockwise direction, the binding teeth 42 reciprocates once between the retracted position and the clamping position. In addition, as long as the binding teeth 42 can move between the clamping position and the retracted position, the structure for transmitting the driving force of the driving motor 44 to the binding teeth 42 is not particularly limited.

[0083] like Figures 7A to 7C As shown in FIG. 1 , during the period when the binding teeth 42 move from the retreat position to the clamping position, the protrusion 58 of the cam 54 is separated from the link arm 49. That is, during the period when the binding teeth 42 move from the retreat position to the clamping position, the peeling plate 43 is arranged at the first separation position. Figure 7CAs shown, at the clamping position, the sheet bundle Pb is clamped by the binding teeth 41 and 42 protruding from the opening 52 toward the sheet bundle Pb side, and binding is performed. Thus, the sheet bundle Pb is pressure-bonded and bound.

[0084] In addition, as Figure 7D shown, after the binding tooth 42 starts to move from the clamping position to the retracted position, the protruding portion 58 of the cam 54 contacts the link arm 49. Then, as Figures 7D to 7F shown, when the cam 54 rotates clockwise while the protruding portion 58 is in contact with the link arm 49, the link arm 49 is pressed by the protruding portion 58. Thus, the peeling plate 43 moves from the first separation position to the first peeling position. That is, the peeling plate 43 moves from the first separation position to the first peeling position in conjunction with the movement of the binding tooth 42 from the clamping position to the retracted position. In addition, when the cam 54 further rotates from the Figure 7F position shown and the protruding portion 58 separates from the link arm 49, the peeling plate 43 at the first peeling position returns to the first separation position due to its own weight.

[0085] Figure 8 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the post-processing device 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 8 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, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 104, and an interface (I / F) 105. The CPU 101, the RAM 102, the ROM 103, the HDD 104, and the I / F 105 are interconnected via a common bus 109.

[0086] The CPU 101 is an arithmetic device that controls the overall operation of the post-processing device 3. The RAM 102 is a volatile storage medium that allows high-speed reading and writing of data. The CPU 101 uses the RAM 102 as a working area for data processing. The ROM 103 is a read-only non-volatile storage medium that stores programs such as firmware. The HDD 104 is a non-volatile storage medium that allows data to be read and written and has a relatively large storage capacity. The HDD 104 stores, for example, an operating system (OS), various control programs, and application programs.

[0087] Through the arithmetic function of the CPU 101, the post-processing device 3 processes, for example, a control program stored in the ROM 103 and an information processing program (application program) loaded from a storage medium such as the HDD 104 into the RAM 102. Through such processing, a software controller constituting various functional modules including the post-processing device 3 is formed. The software controller thus formed cooperates with the hardware resources of the post-processing device 3 to form a functional block that realizes the functions of the post-processing device 3. That is, the CPU 101, the RAM 102, the ROM 103, and the HDD 104 constitute a controller 100 that controls the operation of the post-processing device 3.

[0088] The I / F 105 is an interface that connects the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15, the switching plate 20, the take-out roller 23, the side baffles 26L and 26R, the discharge plate 29, the slide motor 38, the drive motor 44, and the operation panel 110 to the common bus 109. The controller 100 causes the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15, the switching plate 20, the take-out roller 23, the side baffles 26L and 26R, the discharge plate 29, the slide motor 38, and the drive motor 44 to operate through the I / F 105. Although Figure 8 It represents a component for performing end binding, but the components for performing saddle binding can also be controlled in the same or similar manner as the components for performing end binding by the controller 100.

[0089] The operation panel 110 includes an operation device that accepts instructions from the operator and a display that serves as an indicator to notify the operator of information. The operation device includes, for example, physical input buttons and a touch panel superimposed on the display. The operation panel 110 obtains information from the operator through the operation device and provides information to the operator through the display. As an indicator, it is not limited to the display, and for example, it can also be an LED (light-emitting diode) lamp, a speaker, etc.

[0090] Figure 9 It is a flowchart of the binding process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, when an execution instruction for the binding process, hereinafter referred to as a binding instruction, is obtained from the image forming apparatus 2, the controller 100 starts Figure 9 the binding process shown. The binding instruction includes, for example, the number of sheets P that make up a sheet bundle Pb called the number of binding sheets, and the binding position on the sheet bundle Pb. As Figure 3A shown, it is assumed that the crimper 27 is in the standby position at the start of the binding process.

[0091] In step S901, the controller 100 drives the sliding motor 38 to slide the crimping device 27 to a position where the crimping device 27 can face the binding position. In step S902, the controller 100 rotates the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15 to store the sheet P on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus 2 in the inner tray 22. The controller 100 also moves the side baffles 26L and 26R to align the position of the sheet bundle Pb supported on the inner tray 22 in the main scanning direction (or perform so-called "jogging" on the sheet bundle Pb).

[0092] In step S903, the controller 100 determines whether the number of sheets P stored in the inner tray 22 has reached the number of sheets to be bound indicated by the binding instruction. When the controller 100 determines that the number of sheets P stored in the inner tray 22 has not reached the number of sheets to be bound (No in step S903), the controller 100 repeats the process of step S902.

[0093] Or when it is determined that the number of sheets P stored in the inner tray 22 has reached the number of sheets to be bound (Yes in step S903), the controller 100 drives the above-described drive motor 44 to rotate the cam 54 clockwise one full turn (step S904). As a result, as described with reference to Figures 6A to 7F the sheet bundle Pb is crimped and bound by engaging the binding teeth 41 and 42, and in conjunction with the separation of the pair of binding teeth 41 and 42, the peeling plate 43 peels the binding teeth 41 from the sheet bundle Pb.

[0094] Then, the controller 100 discharges the crimped sheet bundle Pb to the discharge tray 30. More specifically, the controller 100 moves the discharge plate 29 upstream in the main scanning direction so that the conveying roller pair 15 holds the sheet bundle Pb. Further, in step S905, the controller 100 rotates the conveying roller pair 15 to discharge the sheet bundle Pb to the discharge tray 30. In addition, as Figure 3A shown, the controller 100 moves the crimping device 27 to the standby position.

[0095] According to the above-described embodiment, the following operational effects can be obtained.

[0096] According to the above-described embodiment, compared with the structure described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015-067407), by disposing the peeling plate 43 at the separation position, the interval between the pair of binding teeth 41 and 42 can be increased. With such a structure, the sheet P conveyed by the conveying roller pair 15 and the take-out roller 23 toward the inner tray 22 can smoothly enter between the pair of binding teeth 41 and 42. Thereby, even when a large amount of sheets P are accommodated between the pair of binding teeth 41 and 42, clogging of the sheets P can be prevented. In addition, the guide surface 53 provided with the peeling plate 43 can further prevent clogging of the sheets P.

[0097] Further, according to the above-described embodiment, one drive motor 44 is used to move the binding teeth 42 and the peeling plate 43. With such a structure, compared with the structure of Patent Document 2 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-147005), the number of motors can be reduced. Therefore, the size and weight of the crimping device 27 (i.e., the post-processing device 3) can be achieved. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the post-processing device 3 can be reduced.

[0098] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the crimping device 27 is slid in the main scanning direction by the slide motor 38. With such a structure, the sheet bundle Pb can be crimped and bound at an arbitrary binding position in the main scanning direction. Figure 10A It is a schematic view of a crimping device 27' according to a comparative example of the present disclosure. Figure 10B is Figure 10A A perspective view of the crimping device 27', showing the movable range of the crimping device 27' in the main scanning direction. Figure 11A It is a schematic view of a crimping device 27 according to the present embodiment. Figure 11B is Figure 11A A perspective view of the crimping device 27, showing the movable range of the crimping device 27 in the main scanning direction.

[0099] As Figure 10A shown, if the gap G1 between the binding teeth 42' and the peeling plate 43' is narrow, when the crimping device 27' slides in the main scanning direction, the crimping device 27' interferes with the end baffle 25 and the discharge plate 29. Therefore, as Figure 10B shown, the movable range of the crimping device 27' in the main scanning direction according to the comparative example is limited to the range from the standby position to the end baffle 25 closest to the standby position.

[0100] In contrast, in the present embodiment, the peeling plate 43 can be moved to the separation position. As Figure 11A shown, the gap G2 between the binding teeth 42 and the peeling plate 43 can be made larger than Figure 10AThe gap G1 of the comparative example shown is wide. Therefore, when the crimper 27 slides in the main scanning direction, interference between the crimper 27 and the end baffle 25 and the discharge plate 29 can be prevented. Thus, as Figure 11B shown, the movable range of the crimper 27 in the main scanning direction according to the present embodiment extends over the entire area of the sheet P supported by the inner tray 22 in the main scanning direction.

[0101] In addition, according to the above embodiment, the weight of the crimper 27 is reduced, and thus the load on the sliding motor 38 can be reduced. For example, since the crimper 27 can slide faster with the same amount of power, the productivity of the binding process is improved. Or since the amount of power when the crimper 27 slides at the same speed is reduced, power consumption can be reduced. In addition, since the post-processing device 3 can be operated with less power consumption, deterioration of the drive motor 44 can be suppressed, and the life of the post-processing device 3 can be extended.

[0102] According to the above embodiment, when the peeling plate 43 is moved between the first separation position and the first peeling position, the binding teeth 41 project from or retract into the opening 52. Therefore, compared with a structure in which the peeling plate 43 is arranged at a position avoiding the binding teeth 41, for example, the crimper 27 can be simplified and miniaturized. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the post-processing device 3 can be further reduced.

[0103] In addition, since the operations of the binding teeth 42 and the peeling plate 43 are coordinated by the cam 54, stable coordination can be achieved with a simple structure compared with the case where the operations are coordinated by software control. By changing the shape or phase of the cam 54, the operation times of the binding teeth 42 and the peeling plate 43 can be easily changed.

[0104] For example, the driving force transmission mechanism 45 of the above embodiment starts to move the peeling plate 43 from the first separation position to the first peeling position after the binding teeth 42 start to move from the clamping position to the retracted position. Thereby, after the clamping of the sheet bundle Pb by the binding teeth 41 and the binding teeth 42 is released, the peeling plate 43 moves to the first peeling position. Thereby, the sheet bundle Pb can be reliably peeled from the binding teeth 41.

[0105] Or for example, the driving force transmission mechanism 45 may start to move the peeling plate 43 from the first separation position to the first peeling position before the binding teeth 42 start to move from the clamping position to the retracted position. Thereby, the time required to peel the sheet bundle Pb from the binding teeth 41 can be shortened, and the productivity of the binding process can be improved.

[0106] In the above-described embodiment, an example of the image forming system 1 including the image forming apparatus 2 and the post-processing apparatus 3 has been described. However, the media processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention may also be implemented only as the post-processing apparatus 3. Further, the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented by mounting the internal tray 22 and the crimping device 27 on the image forming apparatus 2 including a conveyor and an image forming device.

[0107] First modification example

[0108] Figure 12 FIG. is a diagram showing a crimping device 27A according to a first modification example of the above-described embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, with reference to Figure 12 the crimping device 27A of the first modification example will be described. In addition, detailed descriptions of the common features of the above-described embodiment and this modification example may sometimes be omitted. Hereinafter, the description will be centered on the differences from the above-described embodiment. As Figure 12 shown, the difference between the crimping device 27A of the first modification example and the crimping device 27 is that it further has a helical spring 59 as a biasing member, and other structures are the same as those of the crimping device 27.

[0109] One end of the helical spring 59 is connected to the frame of the crimping device 27A, and the other end is connected to the peeling plate 43. The helical spring 59 biases the peeling plate 43 toward the first separation position. Therefore, when the cam 54 rotates while the protrusion 58 contacts the connecting arm 49, the peeling plate 43 moves from the first separation position to the first peeling position against the biasing force of the helical spring 59. On the other hand, when the protrusion 58 separates from the link arm 49, the peeling plate 43 returns from the first peeling position to the first separation position by the action of the helical spring 59.

[0110] According to the first modification example, compared with the case where the peeling plate 43 returns from the first peeling position to the first separation position due to its own weight, the peeling plate 43 can return from the first peeling position to the first separation position faster and can return to the first separation position more reliably.

[0111] Second modification example

[0112] Figure 13 FIG. is a diagram showing a crimping device 27B according to a second modification example of the above-described embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, with reference to Figure 13 the crimping device 27B of the second modification example will be described. In addition, detailed descriptions of the common features of the above-described embodiment and this modification example may sometimes be omitted. Hereinafter, the description will be centered on the differences from the above-described embodiment. As Figure 13 shown, the difference between the crimping device 27B of the second modification example and the crimping device 27 is that it further has a peeling plate 43A as a second peeling device and a cam 54', and other structures are the same as those of the crimping device 27.

[0113] The peeling plate 43A is supported by a support shaft 60 extending in the main scanning direction at a position closer to the binding teeth 42 than the sheet bundle Pb supported by the inner tray 22. The peeling plate 43A is rotatable relative to the rotary arm 47. The peeling plate 43A can move between Figure 13 the second separation position and the second peeling position shown. The second separation position is the position where the sheet bundle Pb supported by the inner tray 22 is separated. The second peeling position is the position where the sheet bundle Pb supported by the inner tray 22 is pressed and peeled from the binding teeth 42. The specific structure of the peeling plate 43A is the same as that of the peeling plate 43, except that the peeling plate 43A is arranged upside down relative to the sheet bundle Pb on the same side as the binding teeth 42.

[0114] The cam 54' transmits the driving force of the drive motor 44 to the peeling plate 43A, causing the peeling plate 43A to move between the second separation position and the second peeling position. The driving force of the drive motor 44 is distributed to the cam 54 and the cam 54' via, for example, gears, pulleys, and timing belts. That is, according to the second modification example, the driving force transmission mechanism causes the peeling plate 43 to move from the first separation position to the first peeling position in conjunction with the movement of the binding teeth 42 from the clamping position to the retracted position by the driving force of a single drive motor 44, and at the same time, causes the peeling plate 43A to move from the second separation position to the second peeling position.

[0115] The operation times of the peeling plate 43 and the peeling plate 43A can be adjusted by the shapes and phases of the cams 54 and 54'. For example, the driving force transmission mechanism of the second modification example can also cause the peeling plate 43A to start moving from the second separation position to the second peeling position before the peeling plate 43 starts moving from the first separation position to the first peeling position. However, the operation times of the peeling plates 43 and 43A are not limited to the above example.

[0116] According to the second modification example, the binding teeth 41 and 42 can be reliably peeled from the sheet bundle Pb. In addition, since the peeling plates 43 and 43A are operated by the driving force of a single drive motor 44, the size and weight of the crimper 27B can be reduced.

[0117] Third modification example

[0118] Figure 14A 、 14B and 14C are diagrams each showing a crimper 27C according to a third modification example of the above-described embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 14A to 14C the crimper 27C of the third modification example will be described. In addition, for points common to the above-described embodiment and the second modification example, detailed description may sometimes be omitted. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from the above-described embodiment. As Figures 14A to 14CAs shown, the crimping device 27C according to the third modification is different from the crimping device 27B in that it includes a protrusion 61 instead of the cam 54', and is the same as the crimping device 27B in other configurations.

[0119] The protrusion 61 is mounted on the rotating arm 47. When the rotating arm 47 rotates, the protrusion 61 contacts or separates from the peeling plate 43A. Specifically, during the movement of the binding teeth 42 from the retracted position to the clamping position, the protrusion 61 moves away from the peeling plate 43A. Thus, as Figure 14A and Figure 14B shown, the peeling plate 43A rotates from the second separation position to the second peeling position by the rotation of the rotating arm 47.

[0120] In addition, as Figure 14B shown, when the binding teeth 42 reach the clamping position, the protrusion 61 contacts the peeling plate 43A. In this state, when the binding teeth 42 move from the clamping position to the retracted position, as Figure 14C shown, the peeling plate 43A in contact with the protrusion 61 is held at the second peeling position against the rotation of the rotating arm 47. In addition, when the binding teeth 42 reach the retracted position, the protrusion 61 moves away from the peeling plate 43A. Thus, the peeling plate 43A rotates from the second peeling position to the second separation position. The crimping device 27C according to the third modification may also have a biasing member that biases the peeling plate 43A toward the second separation position in the same manner as the first modification.

[0121] According to the third modification, the peeling plate 43A can be actuated with a simpler structure than that of the second modification. Therefore, the number of components of the crimping device 27C is reduced, enabling reduction of the manufacturing cost and management cost of the components. In some embodiments, the protrusion 61 according to the third modification may be provided such that the peeling plate 43 operates.

[0122] In addition, the present invention can be applied not only to the crimping device 27 that performs end binding processing, but also to the binder 33 that performs saddle stitching.

[0123] The above control method can be implemented by, for example, a program. That is, the control method is executed by a computer that causes an arithmetic device, a storage device, an input device, an output device, and a control device to operate in cooperation based on the program. The program can be written in, for example, a storage device or a storage medium and distributed. Or the program can be distributed through, for example, an electrical communication line.

[0124] The present disclosure is not limited to the above specific embodiments, and many additional modifications and variations are possible according to the teachings within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, it should be understood that those skilled in the art can practice the disclosure of this patent specification in a manner different from that specifically described herein, and such modifications and substitutions are within the scope of the appended claims. Such embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and are included in the scope of the embodiments described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0125] Some aspects of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0126] First aspect

[0127] A medium processing device includes: a conveyor for conveying a medium; a carrier for carrying a plurality of media conveyed by the conveyor; and a crimping device for pressing the plurality of media carried on the carrier to deform them, thereby binding the plurality of media. The crimping device includes: a first binding tooth located on one side in the thickness direction of the plurality of media carried on the carrier with respect to the plurality of media carried on the carrier; a second binding tooth located on the other side in the thickness direction with respect to the plurality of media carried on the carrier, capable of moving between a clamping position where the plurality of media are clamped together with the first binding tooth and a retracted position where it retracts from the clamping position; a stripper capable of moving to a separating position where it separates from the plurality of media carried on the carrier toward the first binding tooth and a stripping position where it strips the plurality of media carried on the carrier from the first binding tooth; a single drive source; and a driving force transmission mechanism that, through the driving force of the single drive source, moves the second binding tooth between the clamping position and the retracted position, and in conjunction with the movement of the second binding tooth from the clamping position to the retracted position, moves the stripper from the separating position to the stripping position.

[0128] Second aspect

[0129] In the medium processing device according to the first aspect, the crimping device further includes another stripper capable of moving to another separating position where it moves away from the plurality of media carried on the carrier toward the second binding tooth side and another stripping position where it strips the plurality of media carried on the carrier from the second binding tooth.

[0130] Third aspect

[0131] In the medium processing device according to the second aspect, the driving force transmission mechanism, through the driving force of the single drive source, in conjunction with the movement of the second binding tooth from the clamping position to the retracted position, moves the another stripper from the another separating position to the another stripping position.

[0132] Fourth aspect

[0133] In the medium processing apparatus according to the third aspect, before the stripper starts to move from the separation position to the stripping position, the driving force transmission mechanism causes the other stripper to start moving from the other separation position to the other stripping position.

[0134] Fifth aspect

[0135] The medium processing apparatus according to the third or fourth aspect further includes a rotating arm that rotates by the driving force of the single drive source. The second binding teeth are mounted on the rotating arm such that the second binding teeth rotate between the clamping position and the retracted position. The rotating arm includes a protrusion that contacts and separates from the other stripper. During the movement of the second binding teeth from the retracted position to the clamping position, the other stripper separates from the protrusion and rotates from the other separation position to the other stripping position by the rotation of the rotating arm. During the movement of the second binding teeth from the clamping position to the retracted position, the other stripper abuts against the protrusion and is held at the other stripping position.

[0136] Sixth aspect

[0137] In the medium processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the driving force transmission mechanism includes: a cam having a protrusion formed at a part of the circumferential direction thereof and rotating by the driving force of a single drive source; and a link that interlocks with the rotation of the cam and moves the second binding teeth between the clamping position and the retracted position. During the movement of the second binding teeth from the clamping position to the retracted position, the stripper is pressed by the protrusion of the cam and moves from the separation position to the stripping position.

[0138] Seventh aspect

[0139] In the medium processing apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the crimping device includes a biasing member for biasing the stripper toward the separation position.

[0140] Eighth aspect

[0141] In the medium processing apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the stripper includes a guiding surface that guides the medium between the first binding teeth and the second binding teeth, and the guiding surface is located at the upstream end of the stripper in the conveying direction in which the conveyor conveys the medium.

[0142] Ninth aspect

[0143] In the medium processing apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the stripper is plate-shaped with an opening, and the first stapling teeth can protrude from and retract into the opening. When the stripper is in the separating position, the first stapling teeth protrude from the opening toward the plurality of media placed on the placer. When the stripper is in the stripping position, the first stapling teeth retract through the opening to the side opposite to the plurality of media placed on the placer.

[0144] Tenth aspect

[0145] In the medium processing apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, before the second stapling teeth start to move from the clamping position to the retracting position, the driving force transmission mechanism causes the stripper to start moving from the separating position to the stripping position.

[0146] Eleventh aspect

[0147] In the medium processing apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, after the second stapling teeth start to move from the clamping position to the retracting position, the driving force transmission mechanism causes the stripper to start moving from the separating position to the stripping position.

[0148] Twelfth aspect

[0149] The medium processing apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects further includes a slider that slides the crimping device in a main scanning direction orthogonal to both the conveying direction in which the conveyor conveys the medium and the thickness direction.

[0150] Thirteenth aspect

[0151] The medium processing apparatus according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects further includes a staple binder that binds the plurality of media by passing staples through the plurality of media placed on the placer.

[0152] Fourteenth aspect

[0153] The medium processing apparatus according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects further includes a supply port through which media are supplied from an image forming apparatus that forms an image on the media.

[0154] Fifteenth aspect

[0155] An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming device configured to form an image on a plurality of media; and a medium processing apparatus according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, configured to process the media on which the image has been formed by the image forming device.

[0156] Sixteenth aspect

[0157] An image forming system includes: an image forming device configured to form an image on a plurality of media; and a media handling device according to any one of the first aspect to the thirteenth aspect, configured to handle the media on which the image has been formed by the image forming device.

[0158] Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above embodiments, and many additional modifications and variations are possible according to the teachings within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that those skilled in the art can implement the above embodiments of the present disclosure in a manner different from that specifically described herein. Such implementations and their variations are included within the scope and spirit of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and within the scope of the embodiments described in the claims and their equivalents. Any one of the above operations can be performed in various other ways, for example, in a different order from the above order.

[0159] Each function of the described embodiments can be implemented by one or more processing circuits or circuitry. The processing circuit includes a programmed processor since a processor includes circuitry. The processing circuit also includes devices such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and conventional circuitry configured to perform the function.

[0160] The present invention can be implemented in any convenient form, for example, using dedicated hardware, or a combination of dedicated hardware and software. The present invention can be implemented as computer software implemented by one or more networked processing devices. The processing device can be any suitably programmed device, such as a general purpose computer, a personal digital assistant, a mobile phone (e.g., a WAP or 3G compatible phone), etc. Since the present invention can be implemented as software, each aspect of the present invention includes computer software that can be implemented on a programmable device. The computer software can be provided to the programmable device using any conventional carrier medium such as a recording medium. The carrier medium can be a transient carrier medium, such as an electrical, optical, microwave, acoustic, or radio frequency signal carrying computer code. An example of such a transient medium is a TCP / IP signal carrying computer code over an IP network (e.g., the Internet). The carrier medium can also include a storage medium for storing processor-readable code, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, a CDROM, a tape device, or a solid state storage device.

[0161] This patent application is based on and claims the priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-174746 filed with the Japan Patent Office on October 31, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0162] List of reference numerals

[0163] 1: Image forming system

[0164] 2: Image forming device

[0165] 3: Post-processing device

[0166] 9: Supply port

[0167] 10 - 19: Conveyor roller pair

[0168] 20: Switching plate

[0169] 21, 30, 36: Discharge tray

[0170] 22: Inner tray

[0171] 23: Take-out roller

[0172] 24: Return roller

[0173] 25, 32: End baffle

[0174] 26L, 26R: Side baffle

[0175] 27, 27', 27A, 27B, 27C: Crimping device

[0176] 28: Stapler

[0177] 29: Discharge plate

[0178] 31: Detector

[0179] 33: Binder

[0180] 34: Sheet folding squeegee

[0181] 35: Puncher

[0182] 37: Guide rail

[0183] 38: Sliding motor

[0184] 41, 42, 42′: Binder teeth

[0185] 43, 43', 43A: Separation plate

[0186] 44: Driving motor

[0187] 45: Driving force transmission mechanism

[0188] 46, 51, 57, 60: Support shaft

[0189] 47: Rotating arm

[0190] 48: Separation part

[0191] 49 Linkage arm

[0192] 52: Opening

[0193] 53: Guide surface

[0194] 54, 54': Cam

[0195] 55: Outer connecting rod

[0196] 56: Inner connecting rod

[0197] 58: Protrusion

[0198] 59: Helical spring

[0199] 61: Protrusion

[0200] 100: Controller

[0201] 101: CPU

[0202] 102: RAM

[0203] 103: ROM

[0204] 104: HDD

[0205] 105: I / F

[0206] 109: Common bus

[0207] 110: Operation panel

[0208] P: Sheet

[0209] Pb: Bundle of sheets

[0210] Ph1: First conveying path

[0211] Ph2: Second conveying path

[0212] Ph3: Third conveying path

Claims

1. A medium processing device, comprising: A conveyor for conveying the medium; A carrier for carrying a plurality of media conveyed by the conveyor; And A crimping device for pressing the plurality of media placed on the carrier to deform them, thereby binding the plurality of media, The crimping device includes: A first binding tooth located on one side in the thickness direction of the plurality of media placed on the carrier with respect to the plurality of media placed on the carrier; A second binding tooth located on the other side in the thickness direction with respect to the plurality of media placed on the carrier, capable of moving between a clamping position where it clamps the plurality of media together with the first binding tooth and a retracted position where it retracts from the clamping position; A stripper that moves to a separation position where it separates from the plurality of media placed on the carrier toward the first binding tooth and a stripping position where it strips the plurality of media placed on the carrier from the first binding tooth; A single drive source; And A driving force transmission mechanism that, through the driving force of the single drive source, moves the second binding tooth between the clamping position and the retracted position, and in conjunction with the movement of the second binding tooth from the clamping position to the retracted position, moves the stripper from the separation position to the stripping position.

2. The medium processing device according to claim 1, Wherein, The crimping device further includes another stripper that can move to another separation position where it moves away from the plurality of media placed on the carrier toward the second binding tooth side and another stripping position where it strips the plurality of media placed on the carrier from the second binding tooth.

3. The medium processing device according to claim 2, Wherein, The driving force transmission mechanism, through the driving force of the single drive source, in conjunction with the movement of the second binding tooth from the clamping position to the retracted position, moves the other stripper from the other separation position to the other stripping position.

4. The medium processing device according to claim 3, Wherein, Before starting to move the stripper from the separation position to the stripping position, the driving force transmission mechanism starts to move the other stripper from the other separation position to the other stripping position.

5. The medium processing device according to claim 3 or 4, Further includes a rotating arm that rotates by the driving force of the single drive source, Wherein, The second binding tooth is mounted on the rotating arm such that the second binding tooth rotates between the clamping position and the retracted position, Wherein the rotating arm includes a protrusion that contacts and separates from the other stripper, Wherein, during the movement of the second binding tooth from the retracted position to the clamping position, the other stripper separates from the protrusion and rotates from the other separation position to the other stripping position through the rotation of the rotating arm, and Wherein, during the movement of the second binding tooth from the clamping position to the retracted position, the other stripper abuts against the protrusion and is held at the other stripping position.

6. The medium processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, the driving force transmission mechanism includes: a cam having a protrusion formed at a partial circumference thereof and rotating by a driving force of a single driving source; and a link that interlocks with the rotation of the cam to move the second stapling tooth between the clamping position and the retracted position, and wherein, during the movement of the second stapling tooth from the clamping position to the retracted position, the stripper is pressed by the protrusion of the cam and moves from the separating position to the stripping position.

7. The medium processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, the crimping device includes a biasing member for biasing the stripper toward the separating position.

8. The medium processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, the stripper includes a guiding surface for guiding the medium between the first stapling tooth and the second stapling tooth, and the guiding surface is located at an upstream end of the stripper in a conveying direction in which the conveyor conveys the medium.

9. The medium processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, the stripper is a plate shape having an opening, and the first stapling tooth can protrude and retract through the opening, wherein, when the stripper is in the separating position, the first stapling tooth protrudes from the opening toward the plurality of media placed on the placer, and wherein, when the stripper is in the stripping position, the first stapling tooth retracts through the opening to a side opposite to the plurality of media placed on the placer.

10. The medium processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, before the second stapling tooth starts to move from the clamping position to the retracted position, the driving force transmission mechanism causes the stripper to start moving from the separating position to the stripping position.

11. The medium processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, after the second stapling tooth starts to move from the clamping position to the retracted position, the driving force transmission mechanism causes the stripper to start moving from the separating position to the stripping position.

12. The medium processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further includes a slider that slides the crimping device in a main scanning direction orthogonal to both a conveying direction in which the conveyor conveys the medium and a thickness direction.

13. The medium processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further includes a stapler that staples the plurality of media by passing staples through the plurality of media placed on the placer.

14. The medium processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further includes a supply port through which media are supplied from an image forming device that forms an image on the media.

15. An image forming device, comprising: an image forming device for forming an image on a plurality of media; and The medium processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, for processing the medium on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus.

16. An image forming system, comprising: an image forming device configured to form an image on a plurality of media; and the medium processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, for processing the medium on which an image has been formed by the image forming device.

Images