Processing device

Abstract

To overcome the difficulty to roll up media that make up a media bundle bound at the edge parts.SOLUTION: A processing device 30 includes a loading tray 42 on which a medium P is placed, a displacement part 80 which brings about misalignment in an A-axis direction between +A-direction ends of multiple media P transported in the A-axis direction on the loading tray 42, and a stapler 40 which staples the +A-direction ends of a media bundle BP formed by multiple media P on which misalignment has been generated by the displacement part 80.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a sheet processing apparatus equipped with a stapling means for stapling a sheet stack after image formation, and also discloses that the sheet processing apparatus is equipped with a binding control means for controlling the binding angle and binding position of the staples according to the opening direction of the sheet stack to be bound by the stapling means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-118263 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the sheet processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the sheets forming the sheet bundle are stapled with the sheets aligned, it may be difficult to turn over the sheets of the stapled sheet bundle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The processing device includes a loading tray on which media is placed, a misalignment generating unit that generates a misalignment in the transport direction between downstream ends of a plurality of the media transported in the transport direction on the loading tray, and a binding processing unit that binds the downstream ends in the transport direction of a media bundle formed by the plurality of the media in which the misalignment has been generated by the misalignment generating unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an embodiment of a recording system including a processing device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printing system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing a main part of the processing apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view showing a main part of the processing apparatus. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing a first binding process performed by the processing device. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing a first binding process performed by the processing device. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing a first binding process performed by the processing device. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing a first binding process performed by the processing device. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing a first binding process performed by the processing device. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing a first binding process performed by the processing device. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing a second binding process performed by the processing device. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing a second binding process performed by the processing device. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing a second binding process performed by the processing device. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing a second binding process performed by the processing device. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing a second binding process performed by the processing device. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing a second binding process performed by the processing device. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing a second binding process performed by the processing device. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing a state of a third binding process by the processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described based on the embodiments. In each drawing, the same components are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. In this specification, the terms "same", "identical", and "simultaneous" do not only mean that something is completely the same. For example, in this specification, the terms "same", "identical", and "simultaneous" include cases where something is the same taking into account measurement errors.

[0008] Also, for example, in this specification, "the same," "the same," and "the same time" include cases where the same is the same taking into account manufacturing variations in the components. Also, for example, in this specification, "the same," "the same," and "the same time" include cases where the same is the same to the extent that functionality is not impaired. Thus, for example, "the two dimensions are the same" refers to a dimensional difference between the two being within ±5 percent of one dimension, and particularly preferably within ±3 percent, taking into account measurement errors and manufacturing variations in the components.

[0009] 1. Embodiment 1 In this embodiment, the recording system 1 is an inkjet printer that performs recording by ejecting ink Q, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium P, which is an example of a sheet of paper such as printing paper.

[0010] In each figure, X, Y, and Z represent three spatial axes that are mutually orthogonal. In this specification, the directions along these axes are defined as the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction. When specifying a direction, the positive direction is defined as "+" and the negative direction as "-", and the direction is expressed using both positive and negative signs, with the direction indicated by the arrow in each figure being the + direction and the opposite direction of the arrow being the - direction.

[0011] The Z-axis direction indicates the direction of gravity, the +Z direction indicates the vertical upward direction, and the -Z direction indicates the vertical downward direction. A plane including the X-axis and Y-axis is described as the XY plane, a plane including the X-axis and Z-axis is described as the XZ plane, and a plane including the Y-axis and Z-axis is described as the YZ plane. The XY plane is a horizontal plane. Furthermore, the three spatial axes X, Y, and Z, which are not limited to positive and negative directions, are described as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis.

[0012] The X-axis direction is an example of the medium width direction and the device depth direction, and is a horizontal direction. The base end side of the arrow indicating the X-axis direction is the -X direction, and the tip end side of the arrow indicating the X direction is the +X direction.

[0013] The Y-axis direction is an example of the device width direction, and is a horizontal direction. The tip end of the arrow indicating the Y-axis direction is the +Y direction, and the base end of the arrow indicating the Y direction is the -Y direction.

[0014] The Z-axis direction is an example of the device height direction, and is a direction perpendicular to both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The tip side of the arrow indicating the Z-axis direction is the +Z direction, and the base side of the arrow indicating the Z-axis direction is the -Z direction. In the following explanation, the +Z direction may be referred to as "upward" and the -Z direction may be referred to as "downward."

[0015] When viewed from the X-axis direction, the A-axis direction is a direction that intersects with the Y-axis direction, and is an oblique direction in which the position in the -Y direction is lower in the -Z direction than the position in the +Y direction. The A-axis direction is also an example of a transport direction when medium P is transported on the loading tray 42. A plane including the X-axis and A-axis is described as an XA plane.

[0016] The tip end of the arrow indicating the A-axis direction is the +A direction, and the base end of the arrow indicating the A direction is the -A direction. The +A direction is the inclined direction in which the loading tray 42 described below extends. The +A direction is an example of the downstream transport direction when the medium P is transported by the transport unit 50 on the loading tray 42.

[0017] The B-axis direction is a direction perpendicular to the A-axis direction when viewed from the X-axis direction. The tip side of the arrow indicating the B-axis direction is the +B direction, and the base side of the arrow indicating the B-axis direction is the -B direction. The B-axis direction is an example of a stacking direction in which the media P are stacked.

[0018] 1, the recording system 1 has, in this order in the +Y direction, a recording unit 2, an intermediate unit 4, and a processing device 30. In the recording system 1, the recording unit 2, the intermediate unit 4, and the processing device 30 are mechanically and electrically connected to one another. The intermediate unit 4 transports the medium P sent from the recording unit 2 to the processing device 30.

[0019] The recording system 1 is configured to perform post-processing on the medium P on which information is recorded in an image forming unit 10 described below. The recording system 1 may include an operation unit (not shown) that is operated by a user. Recording information may be transmitted to the recording system 1 from an external computer.

[0020] In the recording system 1, a path along which the medium P is transported from the recording unit 2 to the processing device 30 via the intermediate unit 4 is referred to as a transport path T. A transport mechanism 9 (see FIG. 2) is provided on the transport path T. The transport mechanism 9 is provided throughout the recording system 1. The transport mechanism 9 is configured to include multiple roller pairs and multiple motors (not shown), and transports the medium P.

[0021] Specifically, the transport mechanism 9 transports the medium P from the storage cassette 18 to the recording area of ​​the recording unit 20, and then transports the medium P from the recording area to the processing device 30 via the intermediate unit 4. In the following description, in the transport direction of the medium P shown by the arrow in each figure, the direction in which the medium P is sent may be referred to as "downstream," and the opposite direction may be referred to as "upstream."

[0022] The recording unit 2 records various types of information such as characters and images on the transported medium P. The recording unit 2 also includes an image forming section 10, a scanner section 12, a cassette housing section 14, and a transport mechanism (not shown).

[0023] The image forming unit 10 includes a recording unit 20 and a control unit 24. The scanner unit 12 reads information from an original document (not shown). The cassette storage unit 14 has a plurality of storage cassettes 18 that store a plurality of media P. The recording unit 20 is configured as a line head. The recording unit 20 also includes an ejection unit (not shown) that is made up of a plurality of nozzles. The recording unit 20 performs recording on the medium P by ejecting ink Q.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 24 functioning as a computer includes a central processing unit (CPU) 25, a read only memory (ROM) 26, a random access memory (RAM) 27, and a storage .

[0025] The control unit 24 can control the operation of each unit of the recording system 1. Specifically, the control unit 24 controls the operation of the transport mechanism unit 9, the recording unit 20, the medium sensor 33, the discharge unit 36, the stapler 40, the transport unit 50, the feed unit 60, the regulation unit 70, and the displacement unit 80 based on information input from an external device or information stored in the ROM 26 or the storage 28.

[0026] The ROM 26 stores various data including the program PR executed by the CPU 25. In addition, the program PR can be loaded in a part of the RAM 27.

[0027] The program PR is a program for causing the CPU 25 to execute each operation in the processing device 30 (see FIG. 1).

[0028] 1 to 3, the processing device 30 includes a housing 32, a medium sensor 33, a lower plate 35, an ejection tray 38, a loading tray 42, a transport section 50, and a displacement section 80. The displacement section 80 is provided with a stapler 40, an alignment section 44, a feed section 60, and a regulating section 70. The control section 24 also functions as a control section for the processing device 30. A medium P is transported from the recording section 20 to the processing device 30. A part of a transport path T is formed inside the housing 32.

[0029] The media sensor 33 (see FIG. 2) is provided on the transport path T. The media sensor 33 includes, for example, an emission section and a light receiving section (not shown). The media sensor 33 detects the time when the medium P passed by the media sensor 33 and the position of the medium P on the transport path T by determining whether or not light from the emission section is received by the light receiving section. Information on the time when the medium P passed and information on the position of the medium P detected by the media sensor 33 are transmitted to the control unit 24.

[0030] 3, the lower plate 35 is located on the +Z direction side of the feed section 60, which will be described later. The lower plate 35 is made of a plate material that has a predetermined thickness in the Z axis direction and extends in the X axis direction. The lower plate 35 constitutes the bottom of the transport path T in a part of the transport path T. The lower plate 35 guides the medium P to the loading tray 42.

[0031] The discharge unit 36 ​​is provided at the end of the lower plate 35 on the +Y direction side. The discharge unit 36 ​​includes a transport roller pair 37 and a motor (not shown). The transport roller pair 37 is rotated by the motor (not shown) to transport the medium P on the transport path T toward the loading tray 42.

[0032] The loading tray 42 is provided so that the medium P can be placed thereon. Specifically, the loading tray 42 has a loading surface 43 on which the medium P is placed. The loading surface 43 extends along the A-axis direction and is inclined with respect to the Y-axis direction. The loading surface 43 is a surface parallel to the XA plane. The discharge tray 38 is provided in the housing 32 (see FIG. 1). The medium P or a stack of media BP stapled by the stapler 40 is discharged to the discharge tray 38.

[0033] An opening 45 is formed at the end of the loading tray 42 on the -A direction side. The loading tray 42 is connected to the discharge tray 38 via the opening 45. As a result, the medium P or medium bundle BP placed on the loading tray 42 is discharged to the discharge tray 38 via the opening 45. In addition, a pair of discharge rollers 39 is provided at the end of the loading tray 42 on the -A direction side. The pair of discharge rollers 39 are rotated by a motor (not shown) to discharge the medium bundle BP towards the discharge tray 38.

[0034] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a base 81 of a displacement section 80 is attached to the loading tray 42. The displacement section 80 includes the base 81, four swinging sections 82, three moving sections 84, a slide section 85, and a moving mechanism (not shown). The slide section 85 includes slide sections 85a and 85b. The swinging section 82, the moving section 84, and the slide section 85 are provided so as to be movable relative to the base 81 by the moving mechanism. Driving of the moving mechanism is controlled by the control section 24 (see Fig. 2).

[0035] 4, for the sake of explanation, the medium P is shown by a two-dot chain line in a state in which the end on the +A direction side is in contact with a contact surface 44P of an alignment portion 44 described later. In addition, in the loading tray 42, a line that passes through the center in the X-axis direction and extends in the A-axis direction is defined as a center line CL (see FIG. 4).

[0036] Of the four oscillating parts 82, the two oscillating parts 82 closest to the center line CL are provided to be movable in the A-axis direction relative to the base 81. Of the four oscillating parts 82, the oscillating part 82 furthest in the +X direction is provided to be movable along an axis obtained by rotating the A-axis 45 degrees counterclockwise around the B-axis relative to the base 81. Of the four oscillating parts 82, the oscillating part 82 furthest in the -X direction is provided to be movable along an axis obtained by rotating the A-axis 45 degrees clockwise around the B-axis relative to the base 81.

[0037] The stapler 40 is provided on the swinging portion 82. The stapler 40 is attached to a rotation shaft 83 of the swinging portion 82. The rotation shafts 83 of the two swinging portions 82 closest to the center line CL of the four swinging portions 82 extend along the X-axis. The rotation shaft 83 of the swinging portion 82 furthest in the +X direction of the four swinging portions 82 extends along an axis obtained by rotating the X-axis 45 degrees counterclockwise around the B-axis. The rotation shaft 83 of the swinging portion 82 furthest in the -X direction of the four swinging portions 82 extends along an axis obtained by rotating the X-axis 45 degrees clockwise around the B-axis.

[0038] The stapler 40 is provided on the swinging section 82 so as to be rotatable about a swing shaft 83 by a swinging mechanism (not shown). The driving of the swinging mechanism is controlled by the control section 24 (see FIG. 2). Thus, by controlling the swinging mechanism of the displacement section 80, the control section 24 can, for example, swing the two staplers 40 closer to the center line CL about the swing shaft 83. By swinging the stapler 40 about the swing shaft 83, the reference surface 40R of the stapler 40 is inclined with respect to the placement surface 43. In addition, by controlling the movement mechanism of the displacement section 80, the control section 24 can, for example, move the two staplers 40 closer to the center line CL in the A-axis direction.

[0039] The three moving parts 84 are provided on the base 81 with a gap between them in the X-axis direction. The three moving parts 84 are provided so as to be movable in the A-axis direction relative to the base 81. The three moving parts 84 are provided so as to be movable integrally with the base 81. An alignment part 44 is provided on each moving part 84. Thus, the control part 24 can adjust the position of the alignment part 44 in the A-axis direction by controlling the movement mechanism of the displacement part 80.

[0040] The slide portions 85a and 85b are provided in the moving direction in the X-axis direction relative to the base portion 81. In this embodiment, the slide portions 85a and 85b are provided to be movable in the X-axis direction while maintaining the same distance from the center line CL to the slide portion 85a and the same distance from the center line CL to the slide portion 85b. The slide portion 85a is provided with the restricting portion 70a and the rocking portion 82 that is furthest in the +X direction among the four rocking portions 82. The slide portion 85b is provided with the restricting portion 70b and the rocking portion 82 that is furthest in the -X direction among the four rocking portions 82.

[0041] Therefore, the control unit 24 can adjust the positions of the restriction units 70a and 70b in the X-axis direction by controlling the movement mechanism of the displacement unit 80. In addition, the control unit 24 can adjust the positions of the two staplers 40 attached to the two swinging units 82 in the X-axis direction by controlling the movement mechanism of the displacement unit 80.

[0042] The alignment section 44 aligns the edges of the multiple media P stacked on the loading tray 42. The alignment section 44 has a contact surface 44P. The edges of the multiple media P are aligned by stacking the media P on the loading tray 42 after being transported until the edge on the +A direction side contacts the contact surface 44P. The alignment section 44 is provided at a position where the contact surface 44P is on the +A direction side of the loading tray 42 in the displacement section 80. The contact surface 44P extends upright along the B direction from a position on the -B direction side of the loading tray 42 to a position on the +B direction side of the loading tray 42.

[0043] Here, aligning the ends of multiple media P stacked on the loading tray 42 means regularly positioning the +A direction end of each stacked medium P in the A axis direction. Therefore, aligning the ends of multiple media P stacked on the loading tray 42 includes positioning the +A direction end of each stacked medium P at the same position in the A axis direction.

[0044] Further, aligning the ends of the plurality of media P stacked on the loading tray 42 includes regularly shifting the +A direction ends of the stacked media P in the A axis direction. In this case, a positional shift of a predetermined amount occurs in the A axis direction between the +A direction ends of the media P placed on the loading tray 42.

[0045] The control unit 24 of this embodiment can adjust the position of the contact surface 44P of the alignment unit 44 in the A-axis direction by controlling the movement mechanism of the displacement unit 80. For example, every time the end of the +A direction side of the medium P transported toward the alignment unit 44 contacts the contact surface 44P, the control unit 24 moves the alignment unit 44 in the +A direction by a predetermined amount of deviation. In this way, the control unit 24 can position the end of the +A direction side of each medium P stacked on the loading tray 42 at a position regularly shifted in the A-axis direction. In this case, the displacement unit 80 can be said to be an example of a deviation generating unit that generates a position deviation having a predetermined amount of deviation in the A-axis direction between the media P placed on the loading tray 42.

[0046] The stapler 40 is an example of a binding processing section. That is, in the present embodiment, as an example of post-processing in the processing device 30, a binding process is performed in which a media bundle BP formed by stacking a plurality of media P on a loading tray 42, which will be described later, is bound. Specifically, the stapler 40 staples the media bundle BP (see FIG. 1) by driving a staple ST (see FIG. 4) into the end of the media bundle BP formed on the loading tray 42 on the +A direction side.

[0047] The stapler 40 has a reference surface 40R. The stapler 40 is provided at a position where the reference surface 40R is on the +A direction side of the loading tray 42 in the displacement unit 80. Furthermore, when the medium P on the loading tray 42 is transported in the +A direction toward the alignment unit 44, the stapler 40 is disposed at a reference position Pn where the reference surface 40R and the loading surface 43 are flush with each other in the B-axis direction.

[0048] The control unit 24 of this embodiment can adjust the position of the stapler 40 in the A-axis direction, for example, provided on two of the four oscillating portions 82 closer to the center line CL, by controlling the movement mechanism of the displacement portion 80.

[0049] Furthermore, by controlling the rotation mechanism of the oscillating unit 82, the control unit 24 can, for example, tilt the reference surfaces 40R of the stapler 40 provided on the two oscillating units 82 closer to the center line CL with respect to the placement surface 43. This also enables the control unit 24 to execute a binding process for stapling the end portion on the +A direction side of the medium bundle BP formed by a plurality of media P having a predetermined amount of positional deviation generated at the end on the +A direction side.

[0050] The transport unit 50 transports the medium P on the loading tray 42 in the +A direction toward the alignment unit 44 and the stapler 40. The transport unit 50 includes a paddle 52, a shaft unit 53, a transport motor (not shown) that drives the paddle 52, and a power transmission mechanism such as gears (not shown). Driving of the transport motor is controlled by the control unit 24 (see FIG. 2). Driving the transport motor rotates the paddle 52 counterclockwise (see the arrow in FIG. 5) when viewed from the -X direction side of the paddle 52. As a result, the medium P is transported in the +A direction toward the alignment unit 44.

[0051] The shaft portion 53 has a cylindrical shape extending in the X-axis direction with the X-axis direction as the axial direction. Both ends of the shaft portion 53 in the X-axis direction are rotatably supported by the frame 34. The shaft portion 53 is located on the +B direction side with respect to the loading surface 43 of the loading tray 42. The shaft portion 53 is also located on the +Z direction side with respect to the medium P transported from the discharge portion 36 toward the loading tray 42.

[0052] The paddle 52 is located on the -A direction side of the center in the A axis direction of the loading tray 42. The paddle 52 is provided on the shaft portion 53 so as to be rotatable about the axis center of the shaft portion 53. In this embodiment, four paddles 52 are provided on the shaft portion 53 at intervals in the X axis direction (see FIG. 4).

[0053] Paddle 52 is composed of three thin plate-like feed parts extending from shaft part 53 in the circumferential direction of shaft part 53. The three feed parts have approximately the same length. Examples of materials for the feed parts include rubber, elastomer, etc. In addition to these elastic materials, elastic sheet-shaped members such as synthetic resin sheets such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) sheets are preferred.

[0054] The three feed sections are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of shaft section 53 so that the angles they form with each other are approximately 60°. The three feed sections each extend in a different tangent direction to the outer circumferential surface of shaft section 53. When medium P or medium bundle BP is discharged from loading tray 42 toward discharge tray 38, paddle 52 may be used for discharge.

[0055] The transport unit 50 is provided so as to be switchable between a contact state in which the transport unit 50 is in contact with the medium P and a retracted state in which the transport unit 50 is retracted from the medium P. The contact state of the transport unit 50 means a state in which any of the three feed parts of the paddle 52 is in contact with the medium P. The retracted state of the transport unit 50 means a state in which the three feed parts of the paddle 52 are not in contact with the medium P. The contact state and the retracted state of the transport unit 50 are switched by the rotation of the paddle 52.

[0056] Furthermore, the control unit 24 controls the driving of the transport motor to position the transport unit 50 at a standby position Ps (see FIG. 3) and a restriction position Pr (see FIG. 9). The paddle 52 at the standby position Ps is located on the +Z direction side with respect to the loading surface 43 of the loading tray 42. The paddle 52 at the standby position Ps is located on the +Z direction side with respect to the medium P being transported toward the loading tray 42. In this embodiment, two of the three feed portions of the paddle 52 come into contact with the medium P at the restriction position Pr.

[0057] At the regulating position Pr, the sending portion of the paddle 52 pushes the uppermost medium P located furthest in the +B direction among the media bundle BP placed on the loading tray 42, toward the loading surface 43. As a result, at the regulating position Pr, the sending portion of the paddle 52 pushes the media bundle BP placed on the loading tray 42 toward the loading surface 43 via the uppermost medium P. This also restricts the movement of the media P placed on the loading tray 42, or the movement of the media bundle BP placed on the loading tray 42 including the uppermost medium P. The transport portion 50 is an example of a first pressing portion.

[0058] The feed section 60 feeds the medium P in the +A direction until the end of the medium P conveyed in the +A direction by the transport section 50 on the +A direction side comes into contact with the contact surface 44P of the alignment section 44. The feed section 60 includes a feed paddle 62, a shaft section 63, a feed motor (not shown) that drives the feed paddle 62, and a power transmission mechanism such as a gear (not shown). The drive of the feed motor is controlled by the control section 24 (see FIG. 2). The drive of the feed motor rotates the feed paddle 62 counterclockwise (see the arrow in FIG. 6) when viewed from the -X direction side of the feed paddle 62. As a result, the medium P is conveyed in the +A direction toward the alignment section 44 and the stapler 40.

[0059] The shaft portion 63 has a cylindrical shape extending in the X-axis direction with the X-axis direction as the axial direction. Both ends of the shaft portion 63 in the X-axis direction are rotatably supported by side walls 88 of the base portion 81 of the displacement portion 80. The shaft portion 63 is located on the +B direction side with respect to the loading surface 43 of the loading tray 42. The shaft portion 63 is also located on the +B direction side with respect to the medium P being transported in the +A direction toward the alignment portion 44 and the stapler 40.

[0060] The feed paddle 62 is provided between the paddle 52 and the alignment unit 44 in the A-axis direction. The feed paddle 62 is located on the +A direction side of the center of the loading tray 42 in the A-axis direction. The feed paddle 62 is provided on the shaft unit 63 so as to be rotatable around the axis of the shaft unit 63. In this embodiment, two feed paddles 62 are provided on the shaft unit 63 with a gap therebetween in the X-axis direction (see FIG. 4).

[0061] The feed paddle 62 is composed of three thin plate-like feed sections extending from the shaft portion 63 in the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 63. The three feed sections have approximately the same length. The length of the feed section of the feed paddle 62 in this embodiment is shorter than the length of the feed section of the paddle 52. Examples of materials for the feed section include rubber, elastomer, etc., and in addition to these elastic materials, a member in the form of an elastic sheet, such as a synthetic resin sheet such as a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) sheet, is preferable.

[0062] The three feed portions are provided at intervals such that the angles they form with each other are approximately 60° in the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 63. The three feed portions extend in different tangent directions to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 63, respectively.

[0063] The feed unit 60 is provided so as to be switchable between a contact state in which the feed unit 60 is in contact with the medium P and a retracted state in which the feed unit 60 is retracted from the medium P. The contact state of the feed unit 60 means a state in which any of the three feed parts of the feed paddle 62 is in contact with the medium P. The retracted state of the feed unit 60 means a state in which the three feed parts of the feed paddle 62 are not in contact with the medium P. The contact state and the retracted state of the feed unit 60 are switched by the rotation of the feed paddle 62.

[0064] Furthermore, the control unit 24 controls the driving of the feed motor to position the feed unit 60 at a standby position Ps (see FIG. 3) and a restriction position Pr (see FIG. 9). The feed paddle 62 at the standby position Ps is located on the +Z direction side with respect to the loading surface 43 of the loading tray 42. The feed paddle 62 at the standby position Ps is located on the +Z direction side with respect to the medium P being transported toward the loading tray 42. In this embodiment, two of the three feed units of the feed paddle 62 come into contact with the medium P at the restriction position Pr.

[0065] At the restricting position Pr, the sending section of the feed paddle 62 pushes the uppermost medium P located furthest in the +B direction among the media bundle BP placed on the loading tray 42, toward the loading surface 43. As a result, at the restricting position Pr, the sending section of the feed paddle 62 pushes the media bundle BP placed on the loading tray 42 toward the loading surface 43 via the uppermost medium P. This also restricts the movement of the media P placed on the loading tray 42, or the movement of the media bundle BP placed on the loading tray 42 including the uppermost medium P. The feed section 60 is an example of a third pressing section.

[0066] The regulating unit 70 presses one or more media P placed on the loading tray 42 toward the loading surface 43. The regulating unit 70 includes regulating units 70a and 70b. The regulating units 70a and 70b are each configured to include a second pressing member 72, a rotating shaft 73, a shaft support unit 75, a regulating motor (not shown) that drives the second pressing member 72, and a power transmission mechanism such as gears (not shown). The driving of the regulating motor is controlled by the control unit 24 (see FIG. 2).

[0067] 3, the second holding member 72 is provided between the paddle 52 and the alignment portion 44 in the A-axis direction. The second holding member 72 is also provided between the paddle 52 and the feed paddle 62 in the A-axis direction.

[0068] The second pressing member 72 is a component in which the coefficient of friction between the medium P and the second pressing member 72 is lower than the coefficient of friction between the media P themselves. The second pressing member 72 in this embodiment is formed of a sheet-like resin member. As the sheet-like resin member, a bendable resin sheet such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) can be used.

[0069] 3, 4, 7, and 8, the rotating shaft 73 has a cylindrical shape extending in the A-axis direction with the A-axis direction as the axial direction. Both ends of the rotating shaft 73 in the A-axis direction are rotatably supported by shaft supports 75. The rotating shaft 73 is located on the +B direction side with respect to the loading surface 43 of the loading tray 42. The rotating shaft 73 is also located on the +B direction side with respect to the medium P being transported in the +A direction toward the alignment unit 44 and the stapler 40.

[0070] The rotation shaft 73 and shaft support portion 75 of the regulating portion 70a are located on the +X side of the loading surface 43 of the loading tray 42 in the X-axis direction. The rotation shaft 73 and shaft support portion 75 of the regulating portion 70b are located on the -X side of the loading surface 43 of the loading tray 42 in the X-axis direction. The shaft support portion 75 of the regulating portion 70a is provided on the slide portion 85a of the slide portion 85 of the displacement portion 80. The shaft support portion 75 of the regulating portion 70b is provided on the slide portion 85b of the slide portion 85 of the displacement portion 80.

[0071] In the present embodiment, the sliding portions 85a, 85b are capable of adjusting the distance in the X-axis direction between the sliding portions 85a, 85b with the center line CL at the center. Therefore, the distance in the X-axis direction between the side surface on the -X direction side of the shaft support portion 75 provided in the restricting portion 70a and the side wall on the +X direction side of the shaft support portion 75 provided in the restricting portion 70b is capable of being adjusted with the center line CL at the center.

[0072] Furthermore, the -X direction side of the shaft support portion 75 of the regulating portion 70a can come into contact with the +X direction end of the medium P placed on the loading tray 42. Furthermore, the +X direction side of the shaft support portion 75 of the regulating portion 70b can come into contact with the -X direction end of the medium P placed on the loading tray 42. Therefore, by adjusting the distance in the X axis direction between the slide portions 85a and 85b, it is possible to align the positions in the X axis direction of multiple media P placed on the loading tray 42.

[0073] The second pressing member 72 is provided on the rotating shaft 73 so as to be rotatable about the axis of the rotating shaft 73 extending in the A-axis direction. In this embodiment, one second pressing member 72 is provided for the rotating shaft 73 (see FIG. 7).

[0074] The restricting portion 70 is provided so as to be switchable between a contact state in which the restricting portion 70 is in contact with the medium P and a retracted state in which the restricting portion 70 is retracted from the medium P. The contact state of the restricting portion 70 means a state in which the second pressing member 72 is in contact with the medium P. The retracted state of the restricting portion 70 means a state in which the second pressing member 72 is not in contact with the medium P. The contact state and the retracted state of the restricting portion 70 are switched by rotation of the second pressing member 72.

[0075] The contact state and the retracted state of the restricting portion 70a are switched by rotating the second holding member 72 counterclockwise (see the arrow in FIG. 7) when viewed from the +A direction side of the second holding member 72. The contact state and the retracted state of the restricting portion 70b are switched by rotating the second holding member 72 clockwise (see the arrow in FIG. 7) when viewed from the +A direction side of the second holding member 72.

[0076] Furthermore, the control unit 24 controls the driving of the restriction motor to position the restriction unit 70 at a standby position Ps (see FIGS. 3 and 7) and a restriction position Pr (see FIGS. 8 and 9). The second pressing member 72 in the standby position Ps is located on the +B direction side with respect to the loading surface 43 of the loading tray 42. The second pressing member 72 in the standby position Ps is located on the +B direction side with respect to the medium P loaded on the loading tray 42.

[0077] 7, the second pressing member 72 of the regulating unit 70a at the standby position Ps is located on the +B direction side of the rotation shaft 73. In addition, the tip of the second pressing member 72 of the regulating unit 70a at the standby position Ps is located on the +B direction side and the +X direction side of the rotation shaft 73. The second pressing member 72 of the regulating unit 70b at the standby position Ps is located on the +B direction side of the rotation shaft 73. In addition, the tip of the second pressing member 72 of the regulating unit 70b at the standby position Ps is located on the +B direction side and the -X direction side of the rotation shaft 73. In addition, the second pressing members 72 of the regulating units 70a, 70b at the standby position Pr come into contact with the medium P.

[0078] 12, at the regulating position Pr, the second pressing member 72 presses the medium P placed on the loading tray 42 toward the loading surface 43. Also, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, at the regulating position Pr, the second pressing member 72 presses the uppermost medium P located furthest from the +B direction side of the medium stack BP placed on the loading tray 42 toward the loading surface 43.

[0079] As a result, at the regulating position Pr, the second pressing member 72 presses the media stack BP placed on the loading tray 42 toward the loading surface 43 via the topmost medium P. This also regulates movement of the media P placed on the loading tray 42, or movement of the media stack BP placed on the loading tray 42 including the topmost medium P. The regulating portion 70 is an example of a second pressing portion.

[0080] At the regulating position Pr, the second pressing member 72 of the regulating portion 70a comes into contact with an area of ​​the medium P placed on the loading tray 42 that is closer to the end in the +X direction than the center. As a result, at the regulating position Pr, the second pressing member 72 of the regulating portion 70a presses this area of ​​the medium P placed on the loading tray 42 toward the loading surface 43.

[0081] Furthermore, at the regulating position Pr, the second pressing member 72 of the regulating portion 70b comes into contact with an area of ​​the medium P placed on the loading tray 42 that is closer to the end in the -X direction than the center. As a result, at the regulating position Pr, the second pressing member 72 of the regulating portion 70b presses this area of ​​the medium P placed on the loading tray 42 toward the loading surface 43.

[0082] Next, the flow of control performed by the control unit 24 when performing the binding process for binding the ends of the medium bundle BP will be described using the first binding process, the second binding process, and the third binding process as examples.

[0083] First, the first binding process will be described. As shown in Fig. 3, first, the control unit 24 controls the discharge unit 36 ​​to transport the medium P toward the loading tray 42. In this case, the control unit 24 controls the movement mechanism of the displacement unit 80 to adjust the positions of the restriction units 70a and 70b in the X-axis direction according to the width dimension of the medium P being transported.

[0084] Next, the control unit 24 controls the driving of the transport unit 50 located at the standby position Ps. As a result, as shown in Fig. 5, the control unit 24 transports the medium P transported to the loading surface 43 of the loading tray 42 in the +A direction toward the alignment unit 44 and the stapler 40. When the medium P is transported to a position where it can be transported by the feed unit 60, the control unit 24 stops driving the transport unit 50 and positions it at the standby position Ps.

[0085] Next, the control unit 24 drives and controls the feed unit 60, which is at the standby position Ps, to transport the medium P in the +A direction toward the alignment unit 44 and the stapler 40, as shown in Fig. 6. Then, the control unit 24 brings the end of the medium P on the +A direction side into contact with the contact surface 44P of the alignment unit 44. When the end of the medium P on the +A direction side comes into contact with the contact surface 44P, the control unit 24 stops driving the feed unit 60 and positions it at the standby position Ps.

[0086] The control unit 24 may control the conveying unit 50 to bring the end of the medium P on the +A direction side into contact with the contact surface 44P of the alignment unit 44. In this case, when the end of the medium P on the +A direction side comes into contact with the contact surface 44P, the control unit 24 stops driving the conveying unit 50 and positions it at the standby position Ps.

[0087] The control unit 24 repeats the transport of the medium P by the aforementioned discharge unit 36, the transport unit 50 and the feed unit 60, and the contact of the end on the +A direction side with the contact surface 44P. As a result, as shown in Fig. 9, a plurality of media P (eight media P in Fig. 9) are stacked in the B axis direction on the loading tray 42 to form a media bundle BP. The +A direction ends of the plurality of media P that make up the media bundle BP are aligned so that they are at the same position in the A axis direction by contacting the contact surface 44P of the alignment unit 44.

[0088] At this time, the alignment portion 44 is located at the reference contact position Pa where the end of the medium P on the +A direction side comes into contact with the contact surface 44P. Also, at this time, the stapler 40 is located at the reference position Pn, and the reference surface 40R comes into contact with the lowermost medium P located furthest on the -B direction side of the medium stack BP placed on the placement surface 43.

[0089] At this time, the transport unit 50, the feed unit 60, and the regulating unit 70 are positioned at the regulating position Pr under the control of the control unit 24. This regulates the movement of the media P constituting the media bundle BP relative to the placement surface 43.

[0090] Next, the control unit 24 controls the movement mechanism of the displacement unit 80. As a result, the control unit 24 moves the alignment unit 44 in the +A direction to dispose it at the retreat position Pd (see FIG. 10) located on the +A direction side of the contact reference position Pa. Note that the +A direction in which the alignment unit 44 moves away from the +A direction end of the medium P is an example of the separation direction AD indicated by the white arrow.

[0091] Next, the control unit 24 controls the rotation mechanisms of the two swinging units 82 (see FIG. 4) closer to the center line CL. As a result, the control unit 24 rotates the stapler 40 provided on the two swinging units 82 in the direction of the arrow about the axis of the rotation shaft 83. The direction of the arrow is the counterclockwise direction when the stapler 40 is viewed along the X-axis direction from the -X direction side.

[0092] 10, when the control unit 24 positions the stapler 40 provided on the two swinging units 82 at the inclined position Pt, it stops driving the rotation mechanism of the swinging units 82. That is, the control unit 24 rotates the stapler 40 from the reference position Pn to the inclined position Pt, thereby tilting the stapler 40 in contact with the lowermost medium P in the medium stack BP placed on the placement tray 42.

[0093] As a result, an arc-shaped bent portion is formed in each medium P constituting the media bundle BP in the region between the loading tray 42 and the stapler 40. The diameter of the arc as the bent portion formed in each medium P is larger by the thickness of the medium P than the diameter of the arc of the medium P overlapping on the +B direction side of the medium P. Therefore, the length of the arc as the bent portion formed in each medium P becomes longer in the medium P closer to the loading surface 43.

[0094] As a result, a positional shift occurs between the ends on the +A direction side of the media P that make up the media bundle BP, with a predetermined amount of misalignment occurring in either the A-axis direction or the Y-axis direction. At this time, the end face on the +A direction side of the media bundle BP formed by the stacked media P forms an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the reference plane 40R of the stapler 40 when the stapler 40 is viewed along the X-axis direction from the -X direction side.

[0095] In this state, the control unit 24 controls the stapler 40 to perform a binding process that binds the end of the media bundle BP on the +A direction side. This forms a media bundle BP made up of multiple media P whose +A direction ends are misaligned by a predetermined amount in either the A axis direction or the Y axis direction. When forming a media bundle BP from multiple media P whose ends are not misaligned in the A axis direction, the control unit 24 performs the binding process with the stapler 40 in the reference position Pn, as shown in FIG.

[0096] Next, the second binding process will be described. In the second binding process, the control unit 24 performs the same control as in the first binding process until the end of the first medium P on the +A direction side is brought into contact with the contact surface 44P of the alignment unit 44. As a result, as shown in Fig. 11, the end of the first medium P on the +A direction side transported to the loading tray 42 comes into contact with the contact surface 44P of the alignment unit 44. The first medium P becomes the lowermost medium P located furthest on the -B direction side of the medium stack BP formed on the loading tray 42 in the second binding process.

[0097] Next, the control unit 24 rotates the regulating unit 70 by controlling the drive of the regulating unit 70 located at the standby position Ps. As a result, the control unit 24 moves the regulating unit 70 to the regulating position Pr as shown in FIG. 12. When the regulating unit 70 is positioned at the regulating position Pr, the control unit 24 stops the drive of the regulating unit 70. The second pressing members 72 of the regulating units 70a, 70b located at the regulating position Pr press the first medium P placed on the loading tray 42 toward the loading surface 43. As a result, the movement of the first medium P placed on the loading tray 42 is restricted.

[0098] In this state, the control unit 24 controls the movement mechanism of the displacement unit 80 to move the movement unit 84 in the +A direction. As a result, as shown in Fig. 12, the control unit 24 moves the matching unit 44, which is at the reference contact position Pa, in the +A direction toward the contact position Pb shown in Fig. 13. Then, when the matching unit 44 is positioned at the contact position Pb, the control unit 24 stops driving the movement mechanism of the displacement unit 80. The contact position Pb is a position where the position of the contact surface 44P in the A-axis direction is shifted by a predetermined amount in the +A direction with respect to the contact reference position Pa.

[0099] 13, the control unit 24 drives the transport unit 50 to transport the second medium P transported to the loading tray 42 by the discharge unit 36 ​​in the +A direction toward the alignment unit 44 at the contact position Pb. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the second medium P passes through the first medium P and the +B direction side of the second pressing member 72 located on the +B direction side of the first medium P.

[0100] The control unit 24 brings the end of the second medium P on the +A direction side into contact with the contact surface 44P of the alignment unit 44 at the contact position Pb by conveyance by the conveyance unit 50, or by conveyance by the conveyance unit 50 and the feed unit 60. As a result, the first medium P and the second medium P are aligned in a state in which the end of the second medium P on the +A direction side is shifted in the +A direction by a predetermined amount relative to the end of the first medium P on the +A direction side. When the positions of the ends of the +A direction of the medium P in the A axis direction are aligned by the alignment unit 44, the control unit 24 stops driving the conveyance unit 50, or the conveyance unit 50 and the feed unit 60.

[0101] Then, the control unit 24 rotates the second pressing member 72 of the regulating unit 70 by controlling the drive of the regulating unit 70 at the regulating position Pr on the +B direction side of the first medium P. As a result, the control unit 24 moves the second pressing member 72 of the regulating unit 70 to the regulating position Pr on the +B direction side of the second medium P, as shown in FIG.

[0102] When the second pressing member 72 of the regulating unit 70 is positioned at the regulating position Pr on the +B direction side of the second medium P, the control unit 24 stops driving the regulating unit 70. The second pressing members 72 of the regulating units 70a, 70b at the regulating position Pr press the first and second medium P placed on the loading tray 42 toward the loading surface 43. At this time, the second medium P is the uppermost medium P, which is furthest from the +B direction side, among the media P placed on the loading tray 42.

[0103] For the third and subsequent sheets of medium P transported to the loading tray 42 by the discharge unit 36, the control unit 24 repeats the same transport of the medium P by the transport unit 50 and the feed unit 60 and the contact of the end on the +A direction side with the contact surface 44P as for the second sheet of medium P. That is, each time the end on the +A direction side of the medium P placed on the loading tray 42 contacts the contact surface 44P of the alignment unit 44, the alignment unit 44 is moved in the +A direction by a predetermined amount of deviation, thereby generating a positional deviation between the ends of the medium P on the +A direction sides.

[0104] That is, the control unit 24 moves the alignment unit 44 to a contact position Pc (not shown) where the position of the contact surface 44P in the A-axis direction is shifted a predetermined amount in the +A direction with respect to the contact position Pb. The control unit 24 brings the +A direction end of the third medium P, which has passed the +B direction side of the second pressing member 72 that presses the second medium P, into contact with the contact surface 44P at the contact position Pc. Then, the control unit 24 moves the second pressing member 72 of the restriction unit 70 to a restriction position Pr that is on the +B direction side of the third medium P.

[0105] Next, the control unit 24 moves the alignment unit 44 to a contact position Pd (not shown) where the position of the contact surface 44P in the A-axis direction is shifted a predetermined amount in the +A direction from the contact position Pc. Then, the control unit 24 brings the +A direction end of the fourth medium P, which has passed the +B direction side of the second pressing member 72 that presses the third medium P, into contact with the contact surface 44P at the contact position Pd. Then, the control unit 24 moves the second pressing member 72 of the restriction unit 70 to a restriction position Pr that is on the +B direction side of the fourth medium P.

[0106] Next, the control unit 24 moves the alignment unit 44 to contact position Pe (not shown) where the position of the contact surface 44P in the A-axis direction is shifted a predetermined amount in the +A direction with respect to contact position Pd. Then, the control unit 24 brings the +A direction end of the fifth medium P, which has passed the +B direction side of the second pressing member 72 that presses the fourth medium P, into contact with the contact surface 44P at contact position Pe. Then, the control unit 24 moves the second pressing member 72 of the restriction unit 70 to restriction position Pr, which is on the +B direction side of the fifth medium P.

[0107] Next, the control unit 24 moves the alignment unit 44 to a contact position Pf (not shown) where the position of the contact surface 44P in the A-axis direction is shifted a predetermined amount in the +A direction from the contact position Pe. Then, the control unit 24 brings the +A direction end of the sixth medium P, which has passed the +B direction side of the second pressing member 72 that presses the fifth medium P, into contact with the contact surface 44P at the contact position Pf. Then, the control unit 24 moves the second pressing member 72 of the restriction unit 70 to a restriction position Pr that is on the +B direction side of the sixth medium P.

[0108] Next, the control unit 24 moves the alignment unit 44 to a contact position Pg (not shown) where the position of the contact surface 44P in the A-axis direction is shifted a predetermined amount in the +A direction from the contact position Pf. Then, the control unit 24 brings the +A direction end of the seventh medium P, which has passed the +B direction side of the second pressing member 72 that presses the sixth medium P, into contact with the contact surface 44P at the contact position Pg. Then, the control unit 24 moves the second pressing member 72 of the restriction unit 70 to a restriction position Pr that is on the +B direction side of the seventh medium P.

[0109] Next, the control unit 24 moves the alignment unit 44 to contact position Ph where the position of the contact surface 44P in the A-axis direction is shifted a predetermined amount in the +A direction with respect to the contact position Pg. Then, as shown in Fig. 16, the control unit 24 brings the +A direction end of the eighth medium P, which has passed the +B direction side of the second pressing member 72 that presses the seventh medium P, into contact with the contact surface 44P at the contact position Ph. Then, as shown in Fig. 17, the control unit 24 moves the second pressing member 72 of the restriction unit 70 to restriction position Pr on the +B direction side of the eighth medium P.

[0110] When the second pressing member 72 of the regulating unit 70 is positioned at the regulating position Pr on the +B direction side of the eighth medium P, the control unit 24 stops driving the regulating unit 70. The second pressing members 72 of the regulating units 70a, 70b at the regulating position Pr press the eighth medium P and the first to seventh media P placed on the loading tray 42 via the eighth medium P toward the loading surface 43. At this time, the eighth medium P is the uppermost medium P, which is furthest from the +B direction side, among the media P placed on the loading tray 42.

[0111] The +A direction ends of the media P constituting the media bundle BP placed on the loading tray 42 are misaligned with a predetermined amount of misalignment in the A axis direction. In this state, the control unit 24 controls the stapler 40 to perform a binding process that binds the +A direction ends of the media bundle BP. This forms a media bundle BP that is composed of a plurality of media P (eight media P in FIG. 17) whose ends in the transport direction are misaligned with a predetermined amount in the transport direction.

[0112] Next, the third binding process will be described. In the second binding process, each time the end on the +A direction side of the medium P placed on the loading tray 42 contacts the contact surface 44P of the alignment section 44, the alignment section 44 is moved in the +A direction by a predetermined amount of deviation. In contrast, in the third binding process, each time a predetermined number of media P (two or more) placed on the loading tray 42 are aligned by the alignment section 44, the alignment section 44 is moved in the +A direction by a predetermined amount of deviation.

[0113] For example, the control unit 24 brings the +A direction ends of the first and second media P transported to the loading tray 42 into contact with the contact surface 44P at the reference contact position Pa. Then, the control unit 24 moves the second pressing member 72 of the regulating unit 70 to the regulating position Pr, which is on the +B direction side of the second media P.

[0114] Next, the control unit 24 moves the alignment unit 44 to the contact position Pb. Then, the control unit 24 brings the +A direction ends of the third to fifth media P transported to the loading tray 42 into contact with the contact surface 44P at the contact position Pb. Then, the control unit 24 moves the second pressing member 72 of the restriction unit 70 to the restriction position Pr, which is on the +B direction side of the fifth medium P.

[0115] Next, the control unit 24 moves the alignment unit 44 to the contact position Pc. Then, the control unit 24 brings the +A direction ends of the sixth to eighth media P transported to the loading tray 42 into contact with the contact surface 44P at the contact position Pc. Then, the control unit 24 moves the restriction unit 70 to the restriction position Pr, which is on the +B direction side of the eighth medium P, as shown in FIG.

[0116] Here, the first and second stacked media P are referred to as media group GP1, the third to fifth stacked media P are referred to as media group GP2, and the sixth to eighth stacked media P are referred to as media group GP3. In this case, a positional deviation having a predetermined amount of deviation occurs in the A-axis direction between the end on the +A direction side of media group GP1 and the end on the +A direction side of media group GP2, which constitute the media bundle BP placed on the loading tray 42. Also, a positional deviation having a predetermined amount of deviation occurs in the A-axis direction between the end on the +A direction side of media group GP2 and the end on the +A direction side of media group GP3, which constitute the media bundle BP placed on the loading tray 42.

[0117] In this state, the control unit 24 performs a binding process to bind the end of the medium bundle BP on the +A direction side by controlling the stapler 40. As a result, a medium bundle BP is formed that is made up of medium groups GP1, GP2, and GP3 whose ends on the +A direction side have a predetermined amount of misalignment in the transport direction.

[0118] As described above, the processing device 30 according to the first embodiment can provide the following advantages.

[0119] The processing device 30 includes a loading tray 42 on which the media P are placed. The processing device 30 also includes a displacement unit 80 that generates a positional shift in the A-axis direction between the +A direction ends of the multiple media P transported in the A-axis direction on the loading tray 42. The processing device 30 also includes a stapler 40 that staples the +A direction ends of a media bundle BP formed by the multiple media P whose end faces have been shifted in the A-axis direction by the displacement unit 80. This allows the processing device 30 to perform a binding process that staples the +A direction ends of the media bundle BP whose end faces have been shifted in the A-axis direction, making it easier to turn over the media P that make up the media bundle BP one by one.

[0120] The displacement unit 80 has a swinging unit 82 capable of swinging the stapler 40, and the swinging unit 82 tilts the stapler 40 in contact with the lowermost medium P in the media bundle BP placed on the loading tray 42, thereby causing a misalignment. In this state, the stapler 40 staples the end of the media bundle BP. This makes it possible to cause a misalignment with a simple configuration.

[0121] The processing device 30 further includes a transport unit 50 that holds down the uppermost medium P in the media stack BP placed on the loading tray 42 when the stapler 40 is tilted by the swinging unit 82. This allows the stapler 40 to be tilted and the binding process to be performed by holding down multiple media P placed on the loading tray 42, so that misalignment can be generated with high accuracy.

[0122] The transport unit 50 has a paddle 52 that can rotate to transport the medium P placed on the loading tray 42 in a direction toward the stapler 40. When the stapler 40 is tilted by the swinging unit 82, the paddle 52 is stopped in a state where the uppermost medium P is pressed down by the paddle 52. In this way, the paddle 52 for transporting the medium P can also be used as a member for pressing down the medium P.

[0123] The displacement unit 80 has an alignment unit 44 that aligns the +A direction ends of the plurality of media P by contacting the +A direction ends of the plurality of media P placed on the loading tray 42. The displacement unit 80 also has a moving unit 84 that can move the alignment unit 44 in the +A direction away from the +A direction ends of the media P. Then, the displacement unit 80 generates a positional shift by moving the alignment unit 44 in the +A direction every time the +A direction end of the medium P placed on the loading tray 42 comes into contact with the alignment unit 44. Then, the stapler 40 staples the end of the medium bundle BP including the misaligned medium P. This makes it possible to generate a positional shift for each of the plurality of media P with a simple configuration.

[0124] The processing device 30 further includes a regulating unit 70 that holds down one or more media P placed on the loading tray 42 when the moving unit 84 moves the alignment unit 44. This makes it possible to prevent the media P placed on the loading tray 42 from moving when the alignment unit 44 is moved.

[0125] The restricting unit 70 is rotatably provided around a rotation axis 73 extending along the A-axis direction, and has a second pressing member 72 that presses down the media P. The restricting unit 70 presses down the uppermost medium P among the media P by rotating the second pressing member 72 after the medium P placed on the loading tray 42 overlapping the second pressing member 72 comes into contact with the alignment unit 44. This makes it possible to press down the medium P each time in accordance with the timing at which misalignment occurs.

[0126] The displacement unit 80 has an alignment unit 44 that aligns the edges of the plurality of media P by contacting the edges of the plurality of media P on the +A direction side of the plurality of media P placed on the loading tray 42. The displacement unit 80 also has a moving unit 84 that can move the alignment unit 44 in the +A direction away from the edges on the +A direction side. The displacement unit 80 causes misalignment by moving the alignment unit 44 in the +A direction each time a predetermined number of media P (two or more) placed on the loading tray 42 are aligned by the alignment unit 44. The stapler 40 then staples the ends of the media bundle BP including the misaligned media P. This allows misalignment to be generated at required locations among the edges of the plurality of media P constituting the media bundle BP with a simple configuration.

[0127] The processing device 30 further includes a regulating unit 70 that holds down one or more media P placed on the loading tray 42 when the moving unit 84 moves the alignment unit 44. This makes it possible to prevent the media P placed on the loading tray 42 from moving when the alignment unit 44 is moved.

[0128] The regulating unit 70 is rotatably provided around a rotation axis 73 extending along the A-axis direction, and has a second pressing member 72 that presses down the media P. Then, the regulating unit 70 rotates the second pressing member 72 after a predetermined number of media P placed on the loading tray 42 overlapping on the second pressing member 72 have been aligned in the alignment unit 44, thereby pressing down the uppermost medium P of the predetermined number of media P. This makes it possible to press down the medium P each time in accordance with the timing at which misalignment occurs.

[0129] The processing device 30 according to the above embodiment of the present disclosure is basically configured as described above, but it is of course possible to modify or omit a part of the configuration without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the above embodiment and other embodiments described below can be combined with each other within a technically compatible range. Other embodiments will be described below.

[0130] In the above embodiment, the displacement unit 80 does not have to include four staplers 40. For example, the displacement unit 80 may include one stapler 40. The displacement unit 80 may include a swinging unit 82 capable of moving one stapler 40 to four positions where the four staplers 40 shown in FIG. 4 are arranged. In this case, the control unit 24 controls the movement mechanism of the displacement unit 80 to move one stapler 40 to any one of the four positions selected by the user.

[0131] In the above embodiment, in the conveying unit 50, at the regulating position Pr, two of the three feed portions of the paddle 52 may not be in contact with the medium P. For example, in the conveying unit 50, at the regulating position Pr, one of the three feed portions of the paddle 52 may be in contact with the medium P.

[0132] In the above embodiment, in the feeding unit 60, at the regulating position Pr, two of the three feeding portions of the feeding paddle 62 may not be in contact with the medium P. For example, in the feeding unit 60, at the regulating position Pr, one of the three feeding portions of the feeding paddle 62 may be in contact with the medium P.

[0133] In the first binding process of the above embodiment, when the stapler 40 is tilted by rotating it from the reference position Pn to the tilted position Pt, the transport section 50, the feed section 60, and the regulating section 70 may not be located at the regulating position Pr. For example, when the stapler 40 is tilted in the first binding process, any of the transport section 50, the feed section 60, and the regulating section 70 may be located at the regulating position Pr. For example, when the stapler 40 is tilted in the first binding process, the transport section 50 may be located at the regulating position Pr, and the feed section 60 and the regulating section 70 may be located at the standby position Ps. Alternatively, when the stapler 40 is tilted in the first binding process, the transport section 50 and the feed section 60 may be located at the regulating position Pr, and the regulating section 70 may be located at the standby position Ps.

[0134] In the first binding process of the above embodiment, when the stapler 40 is tilted by rotating it from the reference position Pn to the tilted position Pt, the transport unit 50, the feed unit 60 and the regulating unit 70 do not have to be located at the regulating position Pr. For example, in the first binding process, when the stapler 40 is tilted, the transport unit 50, the feed unit 60 and the regulating unit 70 may be located at the standby position Ps.

[0135] In the above embodiment, the control unit 24 may change the predetermined amount of misalignment in the A-axis direction that occurs between the ends of the +A direction of the media P that constitute the medium bundle BP, taking into consideration the ease of turning over the media P. For example, the thinner the thickness of the media P, the greater the predetermined amount of misalignment in the A-axis direction that the control unit 24 may set. In this case, the control unit 24 increases the rotation angle of the stapler 40 when tilting the stapler 40 in the first binding process. Also, in this case, the control unit 24 increases the predetermined amount of misalignment when moving the alignment unit 44 in the +A direction every time the end of the media P on the +A direction side that is transported toward the alignment unit 44 contacts the contact surface 44P in the second binding process.

[0136] In the above embodiment, the processing device 30 may not execute the second and third binding processes as long as the processing device 30 can execute the first binding process. In this case, the moving part 84 of the displacement part 80 may not be able to move the alignment part 44 from the contact reference position Pa to the contact position Pb, for example. In addition, in this case, the regulating part 70 may not include the rotating shaft 73 and the second pressing member 72.

[0137] In the above embodiment, the processing device 30 may not execute the first binding process if the processing device 30 is capable of executing the second binding process. In this case, the swinging unit 82 of the displacement unit 80 may not be able to rotate the stapler 40 around the rotation shaft 83. In this case, the swinging unit 82 may not be provided with the rotation shaft 83.

[0138] In the above embodiment, the loading surface 43 of the loading tray 42 does not have to be an inclined surface extending along the A-axis direction. For example, the loading surface 43 may be a surface parallel to the XY plane. In this case, the alignment unit 44 and the stapler 40 may be provided on the +Y direction side of the loading tray 42. In this case, the medium P may be transported in the +Y direction toward the alignment unit 44 and the stapler 40 on the loading surface 43 on the loading tray 42. In this case, the A-axis direction is an example of a transport direction, and the +Y direction is an example of a downstream transport direction. In this case, the Z-axis direction is an example of a stacking direction in which the medium P is stacked. In this case, the +Y direction in which the alignment unit 44 moves away from the +Y end of the medium P placed on the loading tray 42 is an example of a separation direction AD. [Explanation of symbols]

[0139] 1...recording system, 2...recording unit, 4...intermediate unit, 9...transport mechanism section, 10...image forming section, 12...scanner section, 14...cassette storage section, 18...storage cassette, 20...recording section, 24...control section, 25...CPU, 26...ROM, 27...RAM, 28...storage, 30...processing device, 32...housing, 33...media sensor, 34...frame, 35...lower plate, 36...discharge section, 37...transport roller pair, 38...discharge tray, 39...discharge roller, 40...stapler, 40R...reference surface, 42... Loading tray, 43...loading surface, 44...alignment portion, 44P...contact surface, 45...opening, 50...transporting portion, 52...paddle, 53...shaft portion, 60...feed portion, 62...feed paddle, 63...shaft portion, 70, 70a, 70b...regulating portion, 72...second pressing member, 73...rotating shaft, 75...shaft support portion, 80...displacement portion, 81...base, 82...oscillating portion, 83...rotating shaft, 84...moving portion, 85, 85a, 85b...slide portion, 88...side wall, AD...separation direction, BP...media stack, GP1, GP2, GP3...media group, P...media, T...transport path.

Claims

1. a loading tray on which the medium is loaded; a misalignment generating unit that generates a positional misalignment in the transport direction between downstream ends of the plurality of media transported in the transport direction on the loading tray; a binding processing unit that binds an end portion of a medium bundle formed by the plurality of media in which the misalignment has occurred by the misalignment generating unit, the end portion being on a downstream side in the conveying direction; Equipped with A processing device comprising:

2. the misalignment generating section has a swinging section capable of swinging the binding processing section, The positional deviation is generated by causing the swinging unit to tilt the binding processing unit that is in contact with the lowermost medium in the medium stack placed on the placement tray, In this state, the binding processing unit binds the end portion of the medium bundle.

2. The processing device according to claim 1 .

3. a first pressing unit that presses the uppermost medium in the medium stack placed on the loading tray when the binding processing unit is tilted by the swinging unit, 3. The processing device according to claim 2.

4. the first pressing unit has a paddle that can rotate to convey the medium placed on the loading tray in the conveying direction toward the binding processing unit, When the binding processing unit is tilted by the swinging unit, the paddle is stopped in a state where the uppermost medium is pressed by the paddle.

4. The processing device according to claim 3.

5. The deviation occurrence portion is an alignment unit that aligns the edges of the plurality of media placed on the loading tray by contacting the edges of the plurality of media on a downstream side in the transport direction; a moving section that is capable of moving the alignment section in a separation direction away from the end on the downstream side in the conveying direction; having each time the end of the medium placed on the loading tray on the downstream side in the transport direction comes into contact with the alignment portion, the moving portion moves the alignment portion in the separation direction to cause the misalignment; The binding processing unit binds the end of the medium bundle including the medium in which the position shift has occurred.

2. The processing device according to claim 1 .

6. a second pressing unit that presses one or more of the media placed on the loading tray when the moving unit moves the alignment unit; 6. The processing device according to claim 5.

7. The second pressing portion is a second pressing member that is rotatably provided around a rotation axis that extends along the transport direction and presses the medium; the second pressing member is rotated after the medium placed on the loading tray overlapping the second pressing member comes into contact with the alignment portion, thereby pressing down the uppermost medium among the medium.

7. The processing device according to claim 6.

8. The deviation occurrence portion is an alignment unit that aligns the edges of the plurality of media placed on the loading tray by contacting the edges of the plurality of media on a downstream side in the transport direction; a moving section that is capable of moving the alignment section in a separation direction away from the end on the downstream side in the conveying direction; having each time a predetermined number of the media, which is two or more sheets, placed on the loading tray is aligned by the alignment unit, the moving unit moves the alignment unit in the separation direction to cause the positional deviation; The binding processing unit binds the end of the medium bundle including the medium in which the position shift has occurred.

2. The processing device according to claim 1 .

9. a second pressing unit that presses one or more of the media placed on the loading tray when the moving unit moves the alignment unit; 9. The processing device according to claim 8.

10. The second pressing portion is a second pressing member that is rotatably provided around a rotation axis that extends along the transport direction and presses the medium; the predetermined number of the media placed on the loading tray overlapping the second pressing member are aligned in the alignment section, and then the second pressing member is rotated to press down the topmost medium of the predetermined number of the media.

10. The processing device according to claim 9.

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