Paper conveying device and paper conveying system

Abstract

The invention provides a paper conveying device and a paper conveying system which can output effective paper in an output form expected by a user under the condition that printing paper is cut in a paper conveying direction to be divided into a plurality of effective paper and the plurality of effective paper are individually conveyed. The device is provided with: a cutting unit (21) that divides a sheet on which an image is printed into a plurality of effective sheets in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction; an effective paper conveying part (22) capable of individually conveying each piece of effective paper cut by the cutting part (21); and a transport operation switching mechanism (23) capable of switching the transport operation of each of the valid sheets individually transported by the valid sheet transport unit (22), in which the necessity of switching the transport operation of the valid sheets is determined on the basis of at least one of information relating to image formation of the valid sheets and information relating to cutting of the valid sheets, and the transport operation switching mechanism (23) is configured to switch the transport operation of the valid sheets individually transported by the valid sheet transport unit (22). The conveyance operation is switched by a conveyance operation switching mechanism (23) for each piece of effective paper for which the conveyance operation needs to be switched.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a paper sheet conveying device and a paper sheet conveying system using the same. BACKGROUND

[0002] There is a processing device that cuts a paper sheet in a paper sheet conveying direction after printing a plurality of printed surfaces to the single paper sheet to divide into a plurality of effective sheets in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. In such a processing device, a page including a white paper or a plurality of jobs are continuously printed at times. Therefore, when the effective sheets formed by the cutting are directly gathered, the effective sheets including the white paper, different jobs are included, so that a work amount of re-classification, collation is generated.

[0003] In addition, in a case where a margin is not formed between adjacent effective sheets at the time of cutting the paper sheet, there is an inappropriate situation that the adjacent effective sheets are overlapped after the cutting to cause a jam or the like.

[0004] Therefore, in a case where a plurality of divided effective sheets are conveyed in parallel, it is necessary to study a conveying operation.

[0005] Conventionally, as a paper sheet conveying system having a plurality of conveying paths, there is a known device having a paper sheet supply unit that conveys a plurality of printed paper sheets supplied from a plurality of paper feeders in parallel, a printing mechanism that prints printing information to the supplied plurality of printed paper sheets in parallel, a paper sheet discharge unit that conveys and discharges the printed paper sheets in parallel, and a paper sheet stacker that accumulates the discharged plurality of printed paper sheets (see Patent Document 1).

[0006] In addition, there is a known paper sheet conveying device provided with a guide member that guides the paper sheets conveyed in parallel without a gap to different directions to prevent the paper sheets from being overlapped with each other (see Patent Document 2).

[0007] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0008] PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0009] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-109491

[0010] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-34540 SUMMARY

[0011] According to the former structure, it is possible to make the conveying timing of the paper sheets conveyed in parallel be staggered, and it is possible to gather the paper sheets for each column of the conveyed paper sheets.

[0012] However, the former structure is not a process performed after cutting a single paper sheet, but is a device effective in a case where the paper sheet size and the conveying operation are fixed. In addition, it is not possible to cope with collation work in a case where a page including a white paper is included in a job, a case where jobs are continuous.

[0013] In addition, according to the latter structure, even in a case where there is no gap between the effective papers being conveyed in parallel, by conveying each of the effective papers to a different direction of the conveying path, overlapping between the effective papers can be avoided.

[0014] However, the latter structure can only cope with a fixed paper size, and there is an inappropriate case where it cannot cope with 3 or more columns of effective papers in parallel.

[0015] The present application was completed in view of the above-described circumstances, and a main object thereof is to provide a paper conveying apparatus and a paper conveying system using the same, in which, in a case where printed papers are divided into a plurality of effective papers by cutting the printed papers in a paper conveying direction and the plurality of effective papers are conveyed in parallel as a printed product, the effective papers can be output in an output form desired by a user.

[0016] To achieve the above object, a paper conveying apparatus of the present application includes:

[0017] a cutting section that divides a paper on which an image is printed into a plurality of effective papers by cutting the paper in a conveying direction;

[0018] a conveying section that can individually convey the plurality of effective papers divided by the cutting section;

[0019] a conveying operation switching mechanism that can switch a conveying operation of the plurality of effective papers conveyed by the conveying section; and

[0020] a control section that controls the conveying operation switching mechanism,

[0021] the control section controls the conveying operation switching mechanism to switch the respective conveying operations for the plurality of effective papers, in accordance with at least either of information related to image formation of the effective papers and information related to cutting of the effective papers.

[0022] Accordingly, by the cutting section, a paper on which an image is printed is formed into a plurality of effective papers that are cut in a conveying direction and divided in a direction orthogonal to the conveying. Also, by the conveying section, each of the plurality of effective papers divided by the cutting section can be individually conveyed. Also, by the conveying operation switching mechanism, the conveying operation of each of the effective papers that is individually conveyed is switched as needed. Thus, with respect to the conveying operation, a part of the effective papers can be made different from the other effective papers.

[0023] That is, by using information related to image formation of the effective paper individually conveyed by the conveyance section or / and information related to cutting of the effective paper individually conveyed by the conveyance section, it is possible to make the conveyance operation of a part of the effective paper individually conveyed different from the conveyance operation of the other effective paper. Therefore, it is possible to cope with the collating work in the case where a page including a white paper is included in a job, the case where jobs are continuous, the case where the sizes of the papers after cutting are different, and the like.

[0024] In addition, even in the case where there is no gap between the adjacent effective papers after cutting, by switching the conveyance operation of each of the effective papers individually conveyed by the conveyance operation switching mechanism, it is possible to form a gap between the adjacent effective papers.

[0025] According to the above structure, it is possible to provide a paper conveyance device and a paper conveyance system capable of outputting effective papers in an output form desired by a user in the case where a printed paper is divided into a plurality of effective papers by cutting the printed paper in a paper conveyance direction and the plurality of effective papers are conveyed in parallel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] Advantages and features provided by embodiments of the present application are described as examples, and can be more fully understood with reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an outline structure of a paper conveyance system provided with a paper conveyance device according to the present embodiment.

[0028] Figure 2 is a functional block diagram showing a control configuration of the paper conveyance system according to the present embodiment.

[0029] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an outline structure of a cutting section and a conveyance operation switching mechanism of the paper conveyance device according to the present embodiment, showing an example in which a paper is cut into two effective papers by the cutting section.

[0030] Figure 4A is an outline structure diagram showing an example of the conveyance operation switching mechanism used in the case where two effective papers are formed by the cutting section.

[0031] Figure 4B is an outline structure diagram showing another example of the conveyance operation switching mechanism used in the case where two effective papers are formed by the cutting section.

[0032] Figure 4C is an outline structure diagram showing another example of the conveyance operation switching mechanism used in the case where two effective papers are formed by the cutting section.

[0033] Figure 5is a perspective view showing an outline structure of a cutting section and a conveyance action switching mechanism of a paper conveyance device according to the present embodiment, showing an example in which the paper is cut into three effective papers by the cutting section.

[0034] Figure 6A is an outline structure view showing an example of a conveyance action switching mechanism used in a case where three effective papers are formed by the cutting section.

[0035] Figure 6B is an outline structure view showing another example of a conveyance action switching mechanism used in a case where three effective papers are formed by the cutting section.

[0036] Figure 6C is an outline structure view showing another example of a conveyance action switching mechanism used in a case where three effective papers are formed by the cutting section.

[0037] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of an action process of a paper conveyance system according to the present embodiment.

[0038] Figure 8 is a view showing an example of a switching action using the conveyance action switching mechanism in a case where a white paper is included in a paper on which an image of two faces spliced is printed (a case where a white paper is included in image formation information within a job).

[0039] Figure 9 is a view showing another example of a switching action using the conveyance action switching mechanism in a case where a white paper is included in a paper on which an image of two faces spliced is printed (a case where a white paper is included in image formation information within a job).

[0040] Figure 10 is a view showing an example of a switching action in a case where jobs are continuously printed and a final paper of a previous job and a first paper of a next job are included in a paper on which an image of two faces spliced is printed.

[0041] Figure 11A is a view showing an example of switching a conveyance action so that adjacent effective papers do not overlap in a case where a paper is cut at a zero-slit width.

[0042] Figure 11B is a view showing another example of switching a conveyance action so that adjacent effective papers do not overlap in a case where a paper is cut at a zero-slit width.

[0043] Figure 11C is a view showing another example of switching a conveyance action so that adjacent effective papers do not overlap in a case where a paper is cut at a zero-slit width.

[0044] Figure 12is a view showing a switching example of a conveyance operation in a case where the division width of the paper is different. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0046] The paper conveyance system 1 of the present embodiment is configured as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 having an image forming apparatus 100 and a paper conveyance apparatus 200.

[0047] (Regarding the image forming apparatus 100)

[0048] The image forming apparatus 100 forms a color image by an electrophotographic method based on image data obtained by reading an image from a document or image data received from an external apparatus. The image forming apparatus 100 has an operation section 11 and a display section 12, a document reading section 13, an image forming section 14, a paper feeding section 15, a recording section 16, a communication section 17, an image processing section 18, and a control section 30 (image forming control section 31).

[0049] The operation section 11 has various operation buttons such as a touch panel formed so as to cover a display screen of the display section 12, a numeric button, a start button, and the like, and outputs an operation signal based on a user's operation to the image forming control section 31.

[0050] The display section 12 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays various screens in accordance with an instruction of a display signal input from the image forming control section 31.

[0051] The document reading section 13 has an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder), a scanner, and the like, and outputs image data obtained by reading an image of a document to the image forming control section 31.

[0052] The image forming section 14 forms an image on a paper fed from the paper feeding section 15 based on image data after image processing. The image forming section has photosensitive drums 141Y, 141M, 141C, 141K corresponding to each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), an intermediate transfer belt 142, a 2nd transfer roller 143, a fixing section 144, a density sensor 145, and the like.

[0053] The photosensitive drum 141Y, after being uniformly charged, forms an electrostatic latent image by scanning exposure with a laser beam based on yellow image data. Then, yellow is attached to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum, and development is performed. As for the other photosensitive drums 141M, 141C, 141K, only the color to be handled is different, and the same processing as the photosensitive drum 141Y is performed.

[0054] The toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 141Y, 141M, 141C, 141K are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 142 which is rotating (primary transfer). That is, on the intermediate transfer belt 142, a color toner image in which the toner images of the four colors are overlaid on each other is formed. The color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 142 is collectively transferred to a paper sheet by the secondary transfer roller 143 (secondary transfer).

[0055] The fixing section 144 has a heating roller which heats a paper sheet on which a color toner image is transferred, and a pressure roller which presses the paper sheet, and fixes the color toner image on the paper sheet by heating and pressing.

[0056] The paper feeding section 15 has paper feeding trays T11 to T13 which supply paper sheets to the image forming section 14. In each of the paper feeding trays T11 to T13, paper sheets of a predetermined paper type and size are stored for each paper feeding tray.

[0057] The recording section 16 stores programs, image data used when the programs are executed, various setting data, and the like in a manner that the programs can be read from the control section 30 (image forming control section 31). As the recording section 16, a large-capacity storage such as a hard disk can be used.

[0058] The communication section 17 communicates with external devices on a network, such as a user terminal, a server, another image forming apparatus, and the like, and receives image data input from the external devices, job information of an image forming job. In the job information, various setting matters (image forming mode, presence or absence of execution of a cutting process, size of each paper sheet generated by cutting, paper discharge destination, post-processing, and the like) are included.

[0059] The image processing section 18 performs necessary image processing on the image data stored in the recording section 16, the image data obtained by reading an image from an original with the original reading section 13, and the image data input from the external devices via the communication section 17, and transmits the image data after the image processing to the image forming section 14. The image processing includes gradation processing, halftone processing, color conversion processing, and the like. The image forming section 14 forms an image composed of four colors on a paper sheet based on pixel values of the four colors C, M, Y, and K of each image after the image processing by the image processing section 18.

[0060] The control section 30 is configured to have a CPU, a ROM, and a storage. By reading out and executing various programs stored in the recording section 16, each section of the image forming apparatus 100 is controlled. That is, the control section 30, for example, feeds paper sheets from the paper feeding trays T11 to T13, transfers an image from the intermediate transfer belt 142 to the paper sheets by the secondary transfer roller 143, performs a fixing process by heating and pressing the paper sheets in the fixing section 144, and forms an image on the paper sheets.

[0061] In addition, the control section 30 also controls each section of the paper conveying device 200 described later. Therefore, the control section 30 has a function as an image forming control section 31 and a function as a paper processing control section 32.

[0062] The paper conveying device 200 is a device that performs processing on a paper output from the image forming device 100 as needed. As the processing, for example, cutting processing, margin cutting processing, CD cutting processing, creasing processing, FD / CD sewing mark hole forming processing, and the like can be given. These processing are not necessarily required, and are performed when an instruction is given from the image forming device 100. In a case where the processing is not required, the paper conveying device 200 conveys the paper conveyed from the image forming device 100 directly to the paper discharge tray Tl, T2.

[0063] Here, a configuration in which the cutting processing (FD cutting processing) that cuts a printed paper in a paper conveying direction is performed is described as the center.

[0064] (Regarding the Paper Conveying Device 200)

[0065] The paper conveying device 200 cuts a paper P on which an image is printed by the image forming device 100 into a plurality of pieces in a conveying direction, and switches a conveying operation of the plurality of effective papers divided in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction as needed. Then, the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray Tl, T2.

[0066] The paper conveying device 200 has a cutting section 21 that cuts a paper in a paper conveying direction, an effective paper conveying section 22 that conveys the plurality of effective papers cut individually, a conveying operation switching mechanism 23 that can switch a conveying operation of each effective paper, and a paper discharge tray Tl, T2 that discharges a paper. In addition, the paper conveying device 200 has a print information recording section 24, a processing information recording section 25, and a control section 30 (paper processing control section 32).

[0067] The cutting section 21 has a cutter 21a that cuts a printed paper P in an FD direction that is a conveying direction of the printed paper P, and divides the paper into a plurality of effective papers in a direction orthogonal to the paper conveying direction. The cutter 21a can have a mechanism for cutting a paper such as a disc cutter, a guillotine cutter, and the like, and in this example, an example of a disc cutter that cuts a paper by making an upper rotary blade and a lower rotary blade abut each other is shown.

[0068] The knife 21a of the cutting section 21 has a blade directed toward the FD direction, but does not move in the FD direction, and is only able to move in the CD direction. The position of the knife 21a is adjusted to match the size of the printed paper in the CD direction. That is, the control section 30 (paper processing control section 32) moves the knife 21a to a predetermined position in the CD direction, and conveys the printed paper P between the upper rotary blade and the lower rotary blade, thereby performing FD cutting.

[0069] Such a knife 21a can be only one, or there can be a plurality of knives, and therefore the cutting section 21 can be, for example, Figure 3 a section that performs 2-division of the paper as shown in Fig. 4, or Figure 5 a section that performs 3-division of the paper as shown in Fig. 6. Furthermore, the cutting section 21 can include processing that performs chip cutting, but performs at least division into 2 effective papers (resulting products).

[0070] The effective paper conveying section 22 is able to convey each of the effective papers that are divided in the direction orthogonal to the paper conveying direction by the cutting section 21 in parallel. This effective paper conveying section 22 can be a structure that is integrally formed with the cutting section 21, or can be a structure that is independently formed and connected to the cutting section 21.

[0071] In addition, the effective paper conveying section 22 has a conveying unit that is able to independently convey each of the effective papers P1 that are divided. As the conveying unit, for example, there can be a conveying roller 26 that is divided in the direction orthogonal to the paper conveying direction and is independently driven for each of the effective papers, or there can be a conveying belt 28 that is independently driven for each of the effective papers.

[0072] The conveying action switching mechanism 23 is provided on the conveying path downstream of the cutting section 21, that is, the effective paper conveying section 22. This conveying action switching mechanism 23 can be various. For example, it is possible to adjust the conveying speed, the conveying direction, and the like of each of the effective papers conveyed in parallel by controlling the conveying action for each of the conveying rows (for each of the effective papers that are divided). In addition, it is also possible to change the conveying path by moving a part of the conveying path of the effective papers in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction physically together with the effective papers.

[0073] Hereinafter, a specific example of the conveying action switching mechanism 23 will be described.

[0074] Figure 3 and Figure 4A An example in which the cutting section 21 performs 2-division of the paper P, and each of the two effective papers P1 is conveyed in parallel using the conveying roller 26 is shown. In addition, Figure 5 and Figure 6A An example in which the cutting section 21 performs 3-division of the paper P, and each of the three effective papers P1 is conveyed in parallel using the conveying roller 26 is shown.

[0075] In this example, the conveyance action switching mechanism 23 is composed of speed regulating rollers 26a, 26b, which are a pair of speed regulating rollers 26a, 26b provided in parallel in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the effective paper Pl for a part of the conveyance rollers 26 (in this example, the conveyance rollers immediately after the cutting section 21) and which can independently adjust the rotational speed.

[0076] Such a pair of speed regulating rollers 26a, 26b can also be provided in plurality along the conveyance direction on each path of the effective paper conveyance section 22. In addition, the pair of speed regulating rollers 26a, 26b can also be provided as the conveyance action switching assembly 27 to the conveyance path (the effective paper conveyance section 22).

[0077] Each of the speed regulating rollers 26a, 26b can independently control the rotational speed (rotation rate), so in the case where it is desired to convey the effective paper Pl linearly along the conveyance direction, the rotational speeds of each of the speed regulating rollers 26a, 26b are made equal. In addition, in the case where it is desired to convey the conveyed effective paper toward the right side in the conveyance direction, the rotational speed of the speed regulating roller 26b on the left side with respect to the conveyance direction is set faster than the rotational speed of the speed regulating roller 26a on the right side. Similarly, in the case where it is desired to convey the conveyed effective paper toward the left side in the conveyance direction, the rotational speed of the speed regulating roller 26a on the right side with respect to the conveyance direction is set faster than the rotational speed of the speed regulating roller 26b on the left side. Furthermore, in the case where it is desired to make the conveyance timing, the conveyance speed different with respect to a part of the conveyance path, the conveyance rollers 26 of a part of the conveyance path are stopped or the rotational speeds are made different.

[0078] With respect to the above, an example of the conveyance rollers 26 is shown, but instead of the conveyance rollers 26, the conveyance belts 28 shown in Figure 4B , Figure 6B can also be used. That is, the conveyance action switching mechanism 23 can also be composed of two speed regulating belts 28a, 28b which are independently drivable and which are provided in parallel in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the effective paper. In such a structure, the conveyance direction, the conveyance timing of the effective paper can also be changed in the same manner.

[0079] In addition, the conveyance action switching mechanism 23 can also be composed of a conveyance guide 40 which conveys the effective paper in different directions. This conveyance guide 40 can also be composed of a guide plate which can swing left and right with respect to the conveyance direction, for example, and changes the conveyance direction of a part of the effective paper. Such a conveyance guide 40 can be provided instead of the speed regulating rollers 26a, 26b, the speed regulating belts 28a, 28b, and can also be provided together with the speed regulating rollers 26a, 26b, the speed regulating belts 28a, 28b.

[0080] In addition, the conveyance action switching mechanism 23 can also be composed of a conveyance guide 40 which conveys the effective paper in different directions. This conveyance guide 40 can also be composed of a guide plate which can swing left and right with respect to the conveyance direction, for example, and changes the conveyance direction of a part of the effective paper. Such a conveyance guide 40 can be provided instead of the speed regulating rollers 26a, 26b, the speed regulating belts 28a, 28b, and can also be provided together with the speed regulating rollers 26a, 26b, the speed regulating belts 28a, 28b. Figure 4C Figure 6C ​The illustrated configuration is provided with an upper and lower pair of gripping rollers 29 that grip the effective paper P1. In this configuration, the effective paper is sandwiched from above and below by the pair of gripping rollers 29, and the gripping rollers 29 themselves are moved in a direction orthogonal to the paper conveying direction in the sandwiched state, whereby the paper conveying path can be changed. The gripping rollers 29 are also configured so that, in the case of the conveying action switching member 27, the conveying action switching member 27 itself can be moved in a direction orthogonal to the paper conveying direction in the state of gripping the effective paper, thereby changing the conveying path. In the manner using such gripping rollers 29, it is preferable to temporarily stop the effective paper P1 when the conveying path is changed.

[0081] The print information recording section 24 records information related to image formation of the paper. As information related to image formation, information on whether or not white paper is included in the job, switching page information of the job, and the like are included. In addition, the print information recording section 19 can also include paper information such as paper type (for example, the type of paper indicating regular paper / thick paper, and the like) and grammage of the paper accommodated in the paper trays T11 to T13. The paper information can be information registered by the user through the operation section 11 of the image forming apparatus 100, or information set by an external device via the communication section 17.

[0082] The processing information recording section 25 records information related to processing of the paper. As information related to processing of the paper, information on cutting width (effective paper width), cutting position (dividing position) of the paper, cutting speed, and the like can be included. These information related to processing of the paper can be set by the user through the operation section 11. In addition, with respect to the information related to processing of the paper, it is also possible to set the processing information of the paper input from an external device via the communication section 17.

[0083] Further, with respect to the print information recording section 24 and the processing information recording section 25, an external storage device that stores these information can also be used instead.

[0084] The control section 30 (paper processing control section 32) controls each section of the paper conveying apparatus 200 by reading out and executing various programs stored in the recording section 16. That is, the control section 30 instructs the paper conveying apparatus 200 to perform predetermined cutting processing and conveying action switching processing in the case of processing the paper conveyed out from the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the paper processing control section 32 cuts the paper using the cutting section 21 in accordance with the information related to processing of the paper recorded in the processing information recording section 25. In addition, the paper processing control section 32 switches the conveying action such as conveying speed, delivery direction, and the like in units of conveying path (units of effective paper obtained by cutting) using the conveying action switching mechanism 23 in accordance with various information recorded in the print information recording section 19.

[0085] The above conveyance action switching mechanism 23 operates at a stage after the paper printed by the image forming apparatus 100 is cut into a plurality of effective papers and before the gathering is performed.

[0086] As to the image formed by the image forming apparatus 100 to the paper, which face of the printed paper the image is formed to is set according to the instruction from the operation section 11. Therefore, the control section 30 (image forming control section 31) can grasp in advance whether the white paper is included in the printed paper at the final page of the job according to the image forming information of the job in the case of printing 1 print job.

[0087] Further, even in the case of continuously printing the images of different jobs, it is possible to grasp in advance whether the final paper of the previous job and the initial paper of the next job are printed to the same paper.

[0088] Furthermore, at the time of cutting the paper on which the image is printed, it is also possible to grasp whether the margin cutting is performed according to the image forming information before printing, the processing information.

[0089] Therefore, in the control section 30, it is possible to perform the processing shown in the flowchart of Figure 7 .

[0090] First, in step 50, the paper information of the printed image (paper kind, weight, etc. of the paper housed in the paper trays T11, T12, T13) is acquired and stored to the print information recording section 24. Further, in step 52, the print information including the image forming information of the printed paper conveyed to the paper conveyance apparatus 200 (whether there is a white paper within the job, the switching page information of the job, etc.) is acquired and stored to the print information recording section 24 in association with the previous paper information.

[0091] Furthermore, in step 54, the processing information of how to process the paper on which the image is printed (cutting width, cutting position of the paper, cutting speed, etc. information) is acquired and stored to the processing information recording section 25 in association with the paper information, the print information.

[0092] Further, according to at least one of the print information stored to the print information recording section 24 and the processing information stored to the processing information recording section 25, it is determined whether the conveyance action needs to be switched as to each effective paper P1 obtained by the division.

[0093] The number of pages printed to a single paper is set to N (Ninl print: called N-Up print or N-face splicing) and the number of pages of 1 print job is set to M every time the print job is performed. In this case, if M is an integer multiple of N, the white paper, the page of the other job is not included in the effective paper divided by the cutting section 21, and even if all the effective papers obtained by the cutting are gathered, the white paper, the page of the other job is not included.

[0094] However, in a case where the necessary number of pages M of one print job is not an integer multiple of the number of pages N printable to a single sheet, in the final sheet of printing, the effective paper which becomes a white paper by cutting is included. In addition, in a case where the number of pages M of a print job is not an integer multiple of the number of pages N printable to a single sheet, when other print jobs are continuously printed, the final page of the preceding print job and the initial page of the following print job are included in the same print sheet.

[0095] Depending on what kind of print job is printed on the sheet before cutting, it is known in advance whether a page which becomes a white paper is included in a single sheet or not, whether a page of other print job is included in a single sheet or not. Therefore, if the conveyance action of the effective paper which is cut is appropriately adjusted depending on the print information stored in the print information recording section 24 and the processing information stored in the processing information recording section 25, it is possible to perform a process of removing a white paper to other tray, sorting effective papers for each job and discharging, and the like.

[0096] According to the above, depending on at least either one of the information stored in the print information recording section 24 and the processing information stored in the processing information recording section 25, the conveyance action switching mechanism 23 is controlled by the control section 30 as shown in the following of the step 56.

[0097] That is, in the step 56, it is determined whether there is a white paper in the effective paper which is an output of a result. As a result, in a case where it is determined that there is a white paper, in the step 64, the action of the conveyance action switching mechanism 23 (the action of removing a white paper) is decided by the control section 30 (the detailed action is described later).

[0098] In addition, in the step 58, in a case where it is determined that the switching position of a print job needs to be recognized, in the step 64, the action of the conveyance action switching mechanism 23 (the action of setting the effective paper of other job to different paths) is decided by the control section 30 (the detailed action is described later).

[0099] Further, in the step 60, in a case where it is determined that there is no gap between the sheets at the cutting position, in the step 64, the action of the conveyance action switching mechanism 23 (the action of forming a gap between the adjacent sheets) is decided by the control section 30 (the detailed action is described later).

[0100] In addition, in the step 62, in a case where it is determined that the division width of the effective paper after cutting is different, in the step 64, the action of the conveyance action switching mechanism 23 (the action of setting the effective paper of which the division width is equal to different paths) is decided by the control section 30 (the detailed action is described later).

[0101] ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Moreover, after the operation of the conveyance operation switching mechanism 23 is decided in step 64, the image is printed on the paper by the image forming apparatus 100 (step 66), and then the plurality of effective papers which are cut in the conveyance direction by the cutting section 21 and divided in the conveyance orthogonal direction are formed (step 68). After that, the conveyance operation switching mechanism 23 is operated according to the switching operation of the conveyance operation switching mechanism 23 decided in step 64 (step 70), and each effective paper is discharged (gathered) to the paper discharge tray Tl, T2 according to the switched conveyance operation (step 72).

[0102] Further, in the case where there is no corresponding condition in steps 56 to 62, the conveyance operation switching mechanism 23 is not caused to perform a special operation, and the printing of the image (step 66), the cutting (step 68), and the discharge (gathering) (step 72) are performed.

[0103] According to the operation processing by the control section 30 described above, a specific switching operation example of the paper conveyance will be described next.

[0104] (Case where white paper is included in the effective paper after cutting)

[0105] A switching operation example of the conveyance operation switching mechanism 23 in the case where white paper is included in the image forming information of the job (switching operation example of steps 56, 64, and 70) will be described.

[0106] It is assumed that two faces of an image are formed on each sheet of paper conveyed to the image forming apparatus 100 (also referred to as 2inl printing, 2-up printing, hereinafter referred to as 2-face splicing). In the case where the number of pages is an odd number of pages, one face of the final page becomes white paper. In such a case, since it is desired to gather the paper conveyed to the paper conveyance apparatus 200 as a finished product of the result, it is necessary to be able to recognize white paper.

[0107] In the case where white paper which is not required as a result (effective paper) is included in the information recorded by the print information recording section 19, the conveyance timing of the white paper after cutting can also be shifted. For example, as shown in Figure 8 , with respect to the conveyance of the white paper sheet, the speed of the conveyance roller can also be reduced or the conveyance roller can be stopped when the white paper sheet passes through the switching assembly, thereby delaying or temporarily stopping the conveyance of the white paper.

[0108] Further, as shown in Figure 9 , the operation of discharging the white paper sheet to the other paper discharge tray can also be decided by the control section 30, and the conveyance operation can be switched in a manner in which the conveyance path of the white paper is switched by the conveyance operation switching mechanism 23 and the white paper is discharged to the other paper discharge tray.

[0109] (Case where effective paper of another job is included in the effective paper after cutting: case where switching page of continuous job is included)

[0110] The switching operation of the conveyance operation switching mechanism 23 in the case where different jobs are continuously printed and the final paper of the previous job and the initial paper of the next job are spliced on both sides will be described (the switching operation example of steps 58, 64, 70).

[0111] In the case where the effective paper of the other job is included in the effective paper after the cutting, in the case where it is desired to gather the paper of each job finally, there is a demand to judge the position of the job switching in the next process. In the case where the paper conveyed in parallel is different in the number of the job according to the information recorded in the print information recording section, the conveyance timing of the paper of the different job can be staggered with respect to the conveyance operation of the paper of the job. For example, the conveyance of the effective paper (1') of the different job can be delayed or temporarily stopped as shown in Figure 10 Figure 9 In addition, the conveyance of the effective paper of the different job can be switched to the other paper discharge tray in the same manner as

[0112] (Case where the paper is conveyed in a manner not to overlap the paper at the division portion of the paper)

[0113] The switching operation example of the conveyance operation switching mechanism 23 in the case where the margin width is zero when the paper is divided by the cutting section 21 will be described (the switching operation example of steps 60, 64, 70).

[0114] In the case where the margin width is zero when the paper is divided by the cutting section 21, there is a possibility that the paper conveyed in parallel overlaps each other due to the bending, deviation, or the like of the paper conveyance, resulting in a conveyance failure.

[0115] Therefore, in the conveyance operation switching mechanism 23, it is desirable to switch the conveyance operation in a manner that each of the papers conveyed in parallel is separated in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction.

[0116] The control of switching the conveyance operation in a manner that the effective papers do not overlap each other according to the processing information recorded by the processing information recording section 25 and by the division number and division position of the paper is performed by the control section 30.

[0117] The switching operation of the conveyance in a manner that the paper does not overlap each other can be applied in various manners. For example, in the case where the paper is divided into three, as shown in Figure 11A the upper and lower pairs of the gripping rollers 29 grip the effective paper Pl, and the conveyance operation switching assembly 27 is moved in the orthogonal direction of the conveyance in this state. Thus, the interval of the adjacent effective papers can be ensured to be large.​

[0118] Further, in the pair of speed regulation rollers provided in each of the conveyance operation switching assemblies 27, the rotational speed of each roller is adjusted. Thereby, it is also possible to make the conveyance directions of the respective effective papers different, as shown in FIG. 6, to convey the effective papers on both sides away from the effective paper in the central portion. Figure 11B

[0119] Further, it is also possible to change the conveyance timing and the conveyance speed in the adjacent effective papers. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to delay the conveyance timing or the conveyance speed of the effective paper in the center and relatively advance the effective papers on both sides to make the adjacent effective papers not overlap. Figure 11C

[0120] (Case where the conveyance path is made different according to the difference in the division width of the paper)

[0121] In the case where the widths of the plurality of effective papers cut by the cutting portion 21 are different, in the case where they are discharged via the same conveyance path, it is sometimes difficult to gather the same width of the effective papers to each other by re-gathering. Therefore, it is preferable to divide the discharge path by the paper width.

[0122] Therefore, according to the processing information stored by the processing information recording portion 25, according to the division number, the division position, and the width of the paper after division, the control portion 30 decides in a manner that the conveyance path of the paper is divided by the width of the paper after division, and the conveyance operation switching mechanism 23 operates in the manner. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to make the conveyance path of the effective paper of one side where the paper width is different (for example, the effective paper of which the paper width is wide) different, and guide to different discharge paths (paper discharge trays) for each paper width. Figure 12

[0123] Thus, the paper conveyance apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment is provided with: a cutting portion 21 that divides a paper P on which an image is printed into a plurality of effective papers P1 by cutting in the conveyance direction; a conveyance portion (effective paper conveyance portion 22) that can individually convey (can convey in parallel and independently convey) the plurality of effective papers P1 divided by the cutting portion 21; a conveyance operation switching mechanism 23 that can switch the conveyance operation of the plurality of effective papers P1 conveyed by the conveyance portion (effective paper conveyance portion 22); and a control portion 30 that controls the conveyance operation switching mechanism 23. The control portion 30 controls the conveyance operation switching mechanism 23 to switch the respective conveyance operations for the plurality of effective papers P1 according to at least any one of the information related to the image formation of the effective papers P1 and the information related to the cutting of the effective papers P1. For example, regarding each of the effective papers conveyed by the conveyance portion (effective paper conveyance portion 22), the control portion 30 judges the necessity of the switching of the conveyance operation, and performs the switching of the conveyance operation by the conveyance operation switching mechanism 23 for each of the effective papers for which the switching of the conveyance operation is necessary.

[0124] ​​​Here, as the information about the image formation of the effective paper P1, either the information recorded in the print information recording section 24 of the paper sheet conveyance device 200 that can record the information or the information stored in the external storage device can be used. Also, as the information about the cutting of the effective paper P1, either the information stored in the processing information recording section 25 of the paper sheet conveyance device 200 that can record the information or the information stored in the external storage device can be used.

[0125] As the information about the image formation recorded in the print information recording section 24, the presence or absence of a white paper, the switching page number of a job, the paper kind, the weight, and the like are included. Also, as the information about the cutting recorded in the processing information recording section 25, the paper width after processing, the division position, and the like are included.

[0126] Therefore, as for the paper sheet on which a plurality of print surfaces are printed, the plurality of effective papers are divided in the direction orthogonal to the paper sheet conveyance direction by the cutting section, and the plurality of effective papers are individually conveyed as print results by the conveyance section. Also, according to the information from the printer (the information about the image formation of the effective paper individually conveyed by the conveyance section) or / and the information from the processing machine (the information about the cutting of the effective paper individually conveyed by the conveyance section), the conveyance operation switching mechanism 23 is used to make the conveyance operation different for each of the effective papers individually conveyed as needed.

[0127] Therefore, in a case where a print paper sheet can be divided into a plurality of effective papers in a direction orthogonal to the paper sheet conveyance direction and the plurality of effective papers are individually conveyed as print results, the effective papers can be output in an output form desired by a user.

[0128] Specifically, it is possible to cope with a case where a white paper is included in a page within a job, a case where jobs are continuous, a case where different paper sizes are included in the effective papers after cutting, and the like.

[0129] That is, the control section 30 can switch the conveyance operation for only the unnecessary effective paper by the conveyance operation switching mechanism 23 in a case where it is determined from the information about the image formation of the effective paper that the unnecessary effective paper (for example, a white paper) is included in a part of the plurality of effective papers as a finished product.

[0130] Also, the control section 30 can switch the conveyance operation for the effective papers of different jobs by the conveyance operation switching mechanism 23 in a case where it is determined from the information about the image formation of the effective paper that the effective papers of different jobs are included in a part of the plurality of effective papers.

[0131] Further, the control section 30 can switch the conveyance operation of the effective paper by the conveyance operation switching mechanism according to the paper width of the effective paper in a case where it is determined from the information related to the cutting that the paper widths of the plurality of effective papers are different.

[0132] Therefore, it is possible to cope with the collating work and the like in a case where the pages including the white paper within the job are included in the effective paper P1 obtained by the cutting, a case where the jobs are continuous, a case where different paper sizes are included, and the like.

[0133] Further, the control section 30 can also switch the conveyance operation by the conveyance operation switching mechanism 23 in a manner that a gap is formed between the adjacent effective papers in a case where it is determined from the information related to the cutting that there is no gap between the adjacent effective papers of the plurality of effective papers P1.

[0134] In the above, the switching of the conveyance operation by the conveyance operation switching mechanism 23 can also be such that the conveyance timing or the conveyance path of the effective paper P1 is different.

[0135] The conveyance operation switching mechanism 23 that realizes such an operation can also be constituted by a pair of speed regulating rollers 26a, 26b or speed regulating belts 28a, 28b that are arranged in parallel in the conveyance orthogonal direction of the effective paper P1 and that can independently adjust the rotation speed. Further, the conveyance operation switching mechanism 23 can also be constituted by a mechanism that grips the effective paper P1 and moves in the conveyance orthogonal direction or a conveyance guide 40 that conveys the effective paper in different directions.

[0136] Further, the above-described paper conveyance device 200 is useful when combined with the image forming apparatus 100 that forms an image on a paper to configure a paper conveyance system 1.

[0137] Further, the paper conveyance system 1 can also be a system that has a post-processing device that further performs other post-processing for each effective paper P1 on the downstream side of the paper conveyance device 200. In this case, the control section 30 can also control the conveyance of each effective paper P1 by switching the conveyance operation of the conveyance operation switching mechanism 23 according to the kind of the post-processing performed by the post-processing device on the downstream side.

[0138] <Supplement>

[0139] As for the paper conveyance device and the paper conveyance system according to the present application, the embodiments and the modified examples are described, but the application is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the modified examples. Modes obtained by implementing various modifications that can be thought of by those skilled in the art with respect to the above-described embodiments and the modified examples, modes realized by arbitrarily combining the constituent elements and the functions in the embodiments and the modified examples within a range that does not depart from the gist of the present application are also included in the present application. The scope of the present application should be interpreted by the appended claims.

[0140] (Industrial applicability)

[0141] The present application is useful in a case where, after a plurality of printed surfaces are printed to a single sheet, the sheet is cut in a sheet conveying direction to form a plurality of effective sheets and the plurality of effective sheets are individually conveyed to output the effective sheets in a user-desired output form.

[0142] (Explanation of reference numerals)

[0143] 1: sheet conveying system; 21: cutting section; 22: effective sheet conveying section; 23: conveying operation switching mechanism; 24: printed information recording section; 25: processed information recording section; 26a, 26b: speed regulating roller; 28a, 28b: speed regulating belt; 29: gripping roller; 30: control section; 100: image forming apparatus; 200: sheet conveying apparatus.

Claims

1. A paper conveying device, comprising: The cutting section divides the paper with the printed image into multiple usable sheets by cutting it in the conveying direction; The conveying section is capable of individually conveying the plurality of usable sheets of paper cut by the cutting section; The conveying action switching mechanism is capable of switching the conveying action of the plurality of valid papers conveyed by the conveying unit; and The control unit controls the conveying action switching mechanism. The control unit controls the conveying action switching mechanism to switch the conveying actions of the plurality of valid papers based on at least one of information related to the image formation of the valid paper and information related to the cutting of the valid paper.

2. The paper conveying device according to claim 1, wherein, When the control unit determines, based on information related to the image formation of the valid paper, that a portion of the plurality of valid papers includes valid paper that is not needed as a finished product, it uses the conveying action switching mechanism to switch the conveying action of the unnecessary valid paper in a manner that can distinguish it from the necessary valid paper.

3. The paper conveying device according to claim 1, wherein, When the control unit determines, based on information related to the image formation of the valid paper, that a portion of the plurality of valid papers includes valid paper for different jobs, it uses the conveying action switching mechanism to switch the conveying action of the valid paper for the different jobs in a manner that allows it to be distinguished from other valid papers.

4. The paper conveying device according to claim 1, wherein, When the control unit determines, based on information related to the cutting, that there is no gap between adjacent valid sheets of the plurality of valid sheets, it switches the conveying action using the conveying action switching mechanism in such a way that a gap is formed between the adjacent valid sheets.

5. The paper conveying device according to claim 1, wherein, When the control unit determines, based on information related to the cutting, that the widths of the multiple valid sheets are different, it uses the conveying action switching mechanism to switch the conveying action of the multiple valid sheets according to the sheet width.

6. The paper conveying device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein, The switching of the conveying action using the conveying action switching mechanism is to make the conveying timing or conveying path of the multiple valid papers different.

7. The paper conveying device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein, The conveying action switching mechanism consists of a pair of speed-regulating rollers or speed-regulating belts arranged side by side in the orthogonal direction of the effective paper conveying and capable of independently adjusting their rotational speed.

8. The paper conveying device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein, The conveying action switching mechanism is either a mechanism that grasps the valid paper and moves it in the orthogonal direction of conveying, or a conveying guide that conveys the valid paper in different directions.

9. A paper conveying system, comprising: An image forming apparatus for forming an image onto paper; and The paper conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 cuts paper in the conveying direction from which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus.

Images