Medium processing device and image forming system

Abstract

To provide a medium processing device capable of applying an appropriate amount of liquid to a medium while suppressing reduction in productivity.SOLUTION: A medium processing device comprises a liquid applying part for applying a liquid to a medium, and a post-processing part for performing post-processing on a plurality of media having the liquid applied by the liquid applying part. The liquid applying part comprises a placement part on which the medium is placed, and a liquid applying member which is disposed on a side opposite to the placement part across the medium and contains the liquid to be applied to the medium. The liquid applying member moves between a contact position where it contacts the medium and applies the liquid to the medium, a separation position which is away from the medium, and a first medium receiving position located between the contact position and the separation position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 27

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a media processing device and an image forming system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a media processing device that performs a process of bundling and binding sheet-like media on which images have been formed by an image forming device. Since paper is a widely known example of a sheet-like medium, in this specification, a "paper stack" in which multiple sheets of paper are stacked will be used as an example of a bundle of sheet-like media. In addition, some media processing devices are equipped with a pressure-binding processing unit that can perform so-called "pressure binding" in which a bundle of paper is clamped and pressure-deformed by uneven binding teeth without using metal staples, from the viewpoint of saving resources and reducing environmental load.

[0003] Pressure binding has the problem that it is difficult to maintain a proper binding state, as the number of sheets of paper that make up a paper stack increases, the binding teeth have difficulty biting into the paper stack, and the bound sheets may fall off, etc. Therefore, some media processing devices that perform pressure binding are equipped with a liquid application unit that applies liquid in advance to the position on the paper where the binding teeth come into contact (hereinafter referred to as the "binding position") to make it easier for the binding teeth to bite into the paper stack, in order to increase the binding strength (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the media processing device described in Patent Document 1 applies liquid to paper by bringing a liquid-containing liquid-applying member into contact with the surface of the paper. More specifically, the liquid-applying member is raised when the paper is transported by the transport unit, and is lowered when liquid is applied to the paper. Therefore, if the liquid-applying member is raised and lowered over a long distance, there is an issue that the productivity of the media processing device decreases.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and aims to provide a media processing device that can apply an appropriate amount of liquid to a medium while suppressing a decrease in productivity of the media processing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention relates to a media processing device comprising a liquid application unit that applies liquid to a medium, and a post-processing unit that performs post-processing on the multiple media to which liquid has been applied by the liquid application unit, wherein the liquid application unit comprises a mounting unit on which the medium is placed, and a liquid application member that is positioned on the opposite side of the medium from the mounting unit and contains the liquid to be applied to the medium, and is characterized in that the liquid application member moves between a contact position where it contacts the medium and applies liquid, a spaced position spaced away from the medium, and a first media receiving position that is located between the contact position and the spaced position. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a media processing device that can apply an appropriate amount of liquid to a medium while preventing a decrease in productivity of the media processing device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the post-processing device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the edge stitching processing section as viewed from the upstream side in the conveying direction. [Figure 4] 5 is a schematic diagram of the edge binding processing section as viewed from the liquid application section side in the main scanning direction. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the arrangement and configuration of a second liquid storage section in the post-treatment device. [Figure 6] 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating a detachable configuration of a second reservoir in the post-treatment device. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a crimping unit of the edge binding processing unit. [Figure 8]13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a modified example of an end binding processing unit. [Figure 9] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a liquid application and pressure bonding section according to a modified example of the end binding processing section. [Figure 10] 6A to 6C are diagrams illustrating a liquid applying operation and a pressure binding operation performed by a liquid applying and pressure bonding section. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the stapling processing section as viewed from the upstream side in the conveying direction. [Figure 12] 13 is a schematic diagram of a modified example of the stapling processing section as viewed from the upstream side in the conveying direction. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a control block that controls the operation of the post-processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] 5 is a flowchart of a parallel binding process of the post-processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating positions of a liquid applicator and a pressure bonding unit during the parallel binding process. [Figure 16] 5 is a flowchart of a diagonal binding process of the post-processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 17] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating positions of a liquid applicator and a pressure bonding unit in the diagonal binding process. [Figure 18] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating positions of a liquid applicator and a pressure bonding unit during execution of a two-point binding process in the post-processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 19] 10A to 10C are views showing the operation of a liquid application unit in the processes (steps S1003 and S1203) included in the binding process. [Figure 20] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a pressure binding process of the post-processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 21] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating operations of a liquid application unit and a pressure bonding unit in a pressure binding process of the post-processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 22] 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating the configuration and operation of a liquid deposition unit of a post-processing device according to Modification 1. [Figure 23] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a liquid deposition unit of a post-processing device according to Modification 2, as viewed from the upstream side in the transport direction. [Figure 24] 11 is a schematic diagram of a liquid application unit of a post-processing device according to Modification 2, as viewed from the main scanning direction. FIG. [Diagram 25]11 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the binding process of the post-processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 26] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing the distance between the lower pressure plate, the upper pressure plate, and the liquid application member when paper is received. [Figure 27] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the liquid applicator when controlling the amount of separation between the lower pressure plate, the upper pressure plate, and the liquid applicator when performing one-point binding. [Figure 28] 13 is a flowchart for controlling the distance between the lower pressure plate, the upper pressure plate, and the liquid applicator when binding at two points. [Figure 29] 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating the positions of an end binding processing section and an end fence for end binding. [Diagram 30] Paper acceptance height setting screen. [Diagram 31] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the internal structure of a post-processing device according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 32] FIG. 11 is a view of the inner tray according to the second embodiment as viewed from the thickness direction of the paper. [Diagram 33] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a pressure bonding unit according to a second embodiment, as viewed from the upstream side in the conveying direction. [Diagram 34] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a liquid deposition section according to a second embodiment, as viewed in the thickness direction of paper. [Diagram 35] 35 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXV-XXV of FIG. 34. [Diagram 36] 34. A cross-sectional view taken along line XXVI-XXVI of FIG. [Figure 37] FIG. 11 is a hardware configuration diagram of a control block for controlling the operation of a post-processing device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 38] 10 is a flowchart showing post-processing by a post-processing device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 39] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a modified example of an image forming system. [Diagram 40] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a first modified example of the control unit of the post-processing device. [Diagram 41] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second modified example of the control unit of the post-processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Embodiment of Image Forming System 1] An image forming system 1 according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the image forming system 1. The image forming system 1 has an image forming function for forming an image on paper P as a type of sheet-like medium, a post-processing function for performing a predetermined post-processing on the paper P on which the image has been formed, and the like. As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming system 1 is configured to operate in cooperation with an image forming device 2 having an image forming function and a post-processing device 3 serving as a media processing device having a post-processing function according to the present invention.

[0010] In this embodiment, the explanation is based on the premise that the sheet-like medium to be processed in the image forming system 1 is "paper". However, the object of processing according to this embodiment is not limited to paper. For example, any type of medium is acceptable as long as an image can be formed on the medium using a conventionally known image forming process. In addition, this also includes media that can be the object of folding and binding processes, and there are no limitations on the material, specifications, etc.

[0011] The image forming device 2 forms an image on a sheet P, and discharges the sheet P on which the image has been formed to the post-processing device 3. The image forming device 2 includes a storage tray 211 in which the sheet P is stored, a transport section 212 that transports the sheet P stored in the storage tray 211, and an image forming section 213 that forms an image on the sheet P transported by the transport section 212. The image forming section 213 may be of an inkjet type that forms an image using ink, or of an electrophotographic type that forms an image using toner. The image forming device 2 also includes a control section 100a that controls various operations of the transport section 212 and the image forming section 213. The configuration of the image forming device 2 is already known, so a detailed description will be omitted.

[0012] Incidentally, paper is a widely known example of a sheet-like medium. Therefore, in this specification, when describing a sheet-like medium to be processed, "paper P" will be used. Also, when describing a sheet bundle, "paper bundle Pb" consisting of a bundle of multiple sheets of paper as a medium will be used as an example.

[0013] [First embodiment of post-processing device 3] 2 is a diagram showing an internal structure of the post-processing device 3 according to the first embodiment. The post-processing device 3 has a function of performing a predetermined post-processing on the paper P on which an image has been formed by the image forming device 2. One of the post-processings according to the present embodiment is a binding process as a "pressure binding process" in which a bundle (sheet bundle) of multiple sheets of paper P on which images have been formed is bound without using staples. Another of the post-processings according to the present embodiment is a binding process as a "staple binding process" in which a bundle (sheet bundle) of multiple sheets of paper P on which images have been formed is bound using staples. Hereinafter, the bundle of sheets P will be referred to as a "paper bundle Pb" as a medium bundle.

[0014] In this embodiment, the liquid application process performed when performing the pressure binding process will be mainly described. However, the liquid application process performed in relation to the staple binding process is similar. In addition, when the term "binding process" is used in the following description, it includes both the pressure binding process and the staple binding process.

[0015] More specifically, the "pressure binding process" according to this embodiment is a process in which pressure is applied to a binding position corresponding to a part of the paper stack Pb to deform (pressure deform) the binding position, and the fibers of the overlapping paper sheets P are entangled to bind the paper sheets P together. Through the pressure binding process, parts of the overlapping parts of the paper sheets P are bound together to form one bundle of paper sheets Pb. This pressure binding process is hereinafter referred to as "pressure binding." The binding processes (including both pressure binding and staple binding) that can be performed by the post-processing device 3 include an end binding process that binds the ends of the paper stack Pb, and a saddle binding process that binds the center of the paper stack Pb.

[0016] The post-processing device 3 includes conveying roller pairs 10-19 (conveying section), a switching member 20, and a control unit 100b (control means). The control unit 100b controls the operations of the conveying roller pairs 10-19 (conveying section), the switching member 20, and the like. The control unit 100b will be described in detail later. The conveying roller pairs 10-19 convey the paper P supplied from the image forming device 2 inside the post-processing device 3. More specifically, the conveying roller pairs 10-13 convey the paper P along a first conveying path Ph1. Furthermore, the conveying roller pairs 14-15 convey the paper P along a second conveying path Ph2. Furthermore, the conveying roller pairs 16-19 convey the paper P along a third conveying path Ph3. Furthermore, a punch hole punching means 132 that performs a punching process on the paper P conveyed by the conveying roller pairs 10 and 11 is disposed between the conveying roller pairs 10 and 11.

[0017] The first transport path Ph1 is a path from a supply port of the paper P from the image forming device 2 to the first discharge tray 21. The second transport path Ph2 is a path that branches off from the first transport path Ph1 between the pairs of transport rollers 11 and 14 in the transport direction, passes through the internal tray 22 (mounting section), and reaches the second discharge tray 26. The third transport path Ph3 is a path that branches off from the first transport path Ph1 between the pairs of transport rollers 11 and 14 in the transport direction, and reaches the third discharge tray 30.

[0018] The switching member 20 is disposed at a branching position of the first transport path Ph1 and the second transport path Ph2. The switching member 20 is configured to be switchable between a first position where the sheet P is discharged to the first discharge tray 21 through the first transport path Ph1, and a second position where the sheet P transported through the first transport path Ph1 is guided to the second transport path Ph2. In addition, when the rear end of the sheet P that has entered the second transport path Ph2 passes through the transport roller pair 11, the transport roller pair 14 is rotated in the reverse direction, so that the sheet P is guided to the third transport path Ph3. In addition, the post-processing device 3 includes a plurality of sensors that detect the position of the sheet P on each of the transport paths Ph1, Ph2, and Ph3. The plurality of sensors are indicated by black triangles (▲) in FIG. 2.

[0019] The post-processing device 3 includes a first discharge tray 21. The paper P discharged through the first transport path Ph1 is placed on the first discharge tray 21. Of the paper sheets P supplied from the image forming device 2, the paper sheets P that are not to be bound are discharged to the first discharge tray 21.

[0020] The post-processing device 3 also includes an internal tray 22 as a placement unit, an end fence 23 for end stapling (alignment member), side fences 24L and 24R, an end stapling processing unit 25, a staple processing unit 155, and a second discharge tray 26. The internal tray 22, the end fence 23 for end stapling, the side fences 24L and 24R, the end stapling processing unit 25, and the staple processing unit 155 perform end stapling processing on a sheet bundle Pb consisting of a plurality of sheets P transported from the second transport path Ph2 to the internal tray 22. The sheet bundle Pb that has been subjected to end stapling processing is discharged to the second discharge tray 26 from among the sheets P supplied from the image forming device 2.

[0021] The "end binding process" referred to here refers to the binding process performed by the end binding processing unit 25 and the staple binding processing unit 155. Specifically, it includes a "parallel binding process" in which the binding process is performed along one side parallel to the main scanning direction of the paper stack Pb, a "diagonal binding process" in which the binding process is performed at a corner of the paper stack Pb, and a "vertical binding process" in which the binding process is performed along one side parallel to the transport direction of the paper stack Pb. The binding position in the diagonal binding process is an example of an "end diagonal binding position", and the binding position in the parallel binding process or the vertical binding process is an example of an "end binding position".

[0022] Hereinafter, the direction in which the paper P is transported from the transport roller pair 15 toward the end fence 23 for end binding is defined as the "transport direction." In other words, in this specification, the "transport direction" corresponds to the direction in which the paper P discharged from the image forming device 2 moves toward the second discharge tray 26 by the transport roller pair 10 or the like, and then changes direction by the transport roller pair 15 toward the end fence 23 for end binding, which is a different direction from the previous direction. In addition, the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction and the transport direction of the paper P is defined as the "main scanning direction (width direction of the paper P)."

[0023] A plurality of sheets P transported in order via the second transport path Ph2 are temporarily placed on the internal tray 22 as a placement unit. The end fence 23 for end binding aligns the position of the sheets P or the sheet bundle Pb placed on the internal tray 22 in the transport direction. The side fences 24L, 24R align the position of the sheets P or the sheet bundle Pb placed on the internal tray 22 in the main scanning direction. The end binding processing unit 25 and the staple binding processing unit 155 perform end binding processing on the end of the sheet bundle Pb aligned by the end fence 23 for end binding and the side fences 24L, 24R. Then, the transport roller pair 15 discharges the sheet bundle Pb that has been subjected to the end binding processing to the second discharge tray 26.

[0024] The post-processing device 3 further includes a saddle-stitching end fence 27, a saddle-stitching processing section 28, a paper folding blade 29, and a third discharge tray 30. The saddle-stitching end fence 27, the saddle-stitching processing section 28, and the paper folding blade 29 perform saddle-stitching processing on a paper stack Pb composed of a plurality of paper sheets P transported through the third transport path Ph3. The paper stack Pb that has been saddle-stitched is discharged to the third discharge tray 30 from among the paper sheets P supplied from the image forming device 2.

[0025] The saddle stitch end fence 27 aligns the positions in the conveying direction of the multiple sheets P conveyed in sequence through the third conveying path Ph3. The saddle stitch end fence 27 is configured to be movable between a binding position where the center of the sheet stack Pb faces the saddle stitch processing unit 28 and a folding position where the center faces the paper folding blade 29. The saddle stitch processing unit 28 staples the center of the sheet stack Pb aligned by the saddle stitch end fence 27 at the binding position. The paper folding blade 29 folds the sheet stack Pb placed on the saddle stitch end fence 27 at the folding position in half and clamps it between the conveying roller pair 18. The conveying roller pairs 18 and 19 discharge the sheet stack Pb that has been saddle stitched to the third discharge tray 30.

[0026] The post-processing device 3 also includes a liquid application member 44 (part of the liquid application section), a liquid supply member 45 (part of the liquid application section), and a first liquid storage tank 43 (first liquid storage section) in the end stitching processing section 25. The first liquid storage tank 43 and the liquid supply member 45 are not shown in FIG. 2. The post-processing device 3 also includes a liquid supply path 94 (part of the liquid supply means), a liquid supply pump 95 (part of the liquid supply means), a second liquid storage tank 93 (part of the second liquid storage section), and a second liquid storage tank fixing section 92 (part of the second liquid storage section) as shown in FIG. 4, as a configuration for refilling the first liquid storage tank 43 with liquid. The liquid stored in the second liquid storage tank 93 is supplied to the first liquid storage tank 43 via the second liquid storage tank fixing section 92, the liquid supply pump 95, and the liquid supply path 94.

[0027] [Configuration of the end binding processing unit 25] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the end binding processing unit 25 that performs the liquid application process and the pressure binding process shown in Fig. 2, as viewed from the upstream side in the transport direction. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the end binding processing unit 25 as viewed from the liquid application unit 31 side in the main scanning direction. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the end binding processing unit 25 includes a liquid application unit 31 that applies liquid to the paper P or the paper stack Pb, and a pressure bonding unit 32 that is an example of a post-processing unit and performs pressure binding on the paper stack Pb. The liquid application unit 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32 are disposed adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction downstream of the internal tray 22 in the transport direction.

[0028] 4, the liquid application unit 31 applies the liquid stored in the first liquid storage tank 43 to the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. Hereinafter, the application of liquid by the liquid application unit 31 to the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb, and the operation of the liquid application unit 31 when applying the liquid, will be referred to as "liquid application". In addition, the liquid application operation of the liquid application unit 31 that involves a control process will be referred to as a "liquid application process".

[0029] Here, the liquid stored in the first liquid storage tank 43 as the liquid used for liquid application is, more specifically, a liquid compound of hydrogen and oxygen represented by the chemical formula HO as its main component. As long as it is in a liquid state, its temperature state does not matter, and it may be so-called warm water or hot water. In addition, it is not limited to pure water, and it may of course be purified water, and may contain ionized salts. The metal ion content is also not limited to the hardness, from so-called soft water to ultra-hard water.

[0030] In addition to the main component, additives may be added. It may contain residual chlorine used in tap water, and it is also desirable to add colorants, penetrants, pH adjusters, preservatives such as phenoxyethanol, and drying inhibitors such as glycerin. Furthermore, inks used in inkjet printers and inks used in water-based pens also use water as an ingredient, so this may be used as "liquid application".

[0031] The liquid is not limited to those specifically mentioned here, and any "water" in the broad sense, such as hypochlorous acid water or an aqueous solution of ethanol diluted for disinfection, can also function, but if the only purpose is to make it function as a pressure binding, tap water, which is easy to obtain and manage, can be used. In addition, using a liquid whose main component is water, such as the examples given above, can improve the binding strength of the paper stack Pb more than using a liquid whose main component is not water.

[0032] [Configuration of liquid application unit 31] 3 and 4, the liquid application section 31 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction together with the pressing section 32 by transmitting the driving force of an end stitching processing section movement motor 50. The liquid application section 31 includes a lower pressure plate 33 (mounting section) as a mounting table for the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb, an upper pressure plate 34 (pressing means), a liquid application section movement mechanism 35, and a liquid application mechanism 36. The components of the liquid application section 31 (the lower pressure plate 33, the upper pressure plate 34, the liquid application section movement mechanism 35, the liquid application mechanism 36, and the liquid application section movement motor 37) are held by a liquid application frame 31a and a base member 48.

[0033] 3, the liquid application unit 31 includes a liquid application unit rotating mechanism 252. The liquid application unit rotating mechanism 252 includes a liquid application unit rotating motor 563, which will be described later, an output gear 563a, and a drive transmission gear 562a. A liquid application frame 31a that holds the components of the liquid application unit 31 has a liquid application unit rotation shaft 562, which includes a drive transmission gear 562a, fixed to its bottom surface. The liquid application unit rotation shaft 562 and the drive transmission gear 562a are held rotatably in forward and reverse directions by a base member 48 on which the liquid application frame 31a is provided.

[0034] Furthermore, the drive transmission gear 562a meshes with an output gear 563a of the liquid application unit rotation motor 563. The liquid application unit 31 is configured to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions around the liquid application unit rotation shaft 562 on the base member 48 by the drive force of the liquid application unit rotation motor 563 being transmitted to the liquid application unit rotation shaft 562 via the output gear 563a and the drive transmission gear 562a.

[0035] The lower pressure plate 33 and the upper pressure plate 34 are disposed downstream in the transport direction from the internal tray 22. The paper P or paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 is also placed on the lower pressure plate 33. The lower pressure plate 33 is provided on a lower pressure plate holder 331. The upper pressure plate 34 is configured to be movable in the thickness direction of the paper P or paper stack Pb at a position facing the paper P or paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22.

[0036] That is, the lower pressure plate 33 and the upper pressure plate 34 are disposed opposite to each other in the thickness direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the "thickness direction") of the paper P or the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22, sandwiching the paper P or the paper stack Pb therebetween. Furthermore, the upper pressure plate 34 has a through hole 34a penetrating in the thickness direction at a position facing the liquid application member 44 held via a holding part 46 attached to the base plate 40. The liquid application member 44 is one end of a liquid supply member 45 (liquid absorbing) described later, and corresponds to the tip portion.

[0037] The liquid application unit movement mechanism 35 moves the upper pressure plate 34, the base plate 40, the holding portion 46, the liquid application member 44, the liquid supply member 45, and the first liquid storage tank 43 in the thickness direction of the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb. The liquid application unit movement mechanism 35 according to this embodiment moves the upper pressure plate 34, the base plate 40, the holding portion 46, the liquid application member 44, the liquid supply member 45, and the first liquid storage tank 43 in an interlocking manner by a single liquid application unit movement motor 37. The liquid application unit movement mechanism 35 includes, for example, the liquid application unit movement motor 37, a trapezoidal screw 38, a nut 39, the base plate 40, columnar members 41a, 41b, and coil springs 42a, 42b.

[0038] The liquid applicator movement motor 37 generates a driving force for moving the upper pressure plate 34, the base plate 40, the holding portion 46, the liquid applicator member 44, the liquid supply member 45, and the first liquid storage tank 43. The trapezoidal screw 38 extends in the thickness direction of the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb, and is provided on the liquid applicator frame 31a so as to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions. The trapezoidal screw 38 is connected to the output shaft of the liquid applicator movement motor 37 via a pulley, a belt, or the like. The nut 39 is screwed into the trapezoidal screw 38. The driving force of the liquid applicator movement motor 37 is transmitted to rotate the trapezoidal screw 38 in forward and reverse directions, so that the nut 39 moves back and forth on the trapezoidal screw 38.

[0039] The base plate 40 is disposed at a position spaced apart from the upper pressing plate 34. The base plate 40 holds the liquid application member 44 with a tip portion of the liquid application member 44 protruding from the base plate 40 toward the upper pressing plate 34. The base plate 40 is connected to a trapezoidal screw 38 via a nut 39, and is configured to be able to move back and forth along the trapezoidal screw 38 as the trapezoidal screw 38 rotates in forward and reverse directions. The position of the base plate 40 in the thickness direction of the paper P or paper stack Pb is detected by a movement sensor 40a (see FIG. 13).

[0040] The columnar members 41a, 41b protrude from the base plate 40 toward the upper pressure plate 34 around the tip of the liquid application member 44. The columnar members 41a, 41b are configured to be movable in the thickness direction relative to the base plate 40. The columnar members 41a, 41b hold the upper pressure plate 34 at their tips on the lower pressure plate 33 side. The tips of the columnar members 41a, 41b on the side opposite the lower pressure plate 33 are provided with stoppers to prevent the columnar members 41a, 41b from coming off the base plate 40.

[0041] The coil springs 42a, 42b are fitted onto the columnar members 41a, 41b between the base plate 40 and the upper pressing plate 34. The coil springs 42a, 42b bias the upper pressing plate 34 and the columnar members 41a, 41b toward the lower pressing plate 33 side relative to the base plate 40.

[0042] The liquid application mechanism 36 applies liquid to the paper P or the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. More specifically, the liquid application mechanism 36 applies liquid to at least one sheet of paper P constituting the paper stack Pb by bringing a liquid application member 44 into contact (abutment) with the paper P or the paper stack Pb.

[0043] The liquid applying mechanism 36 includes a first liquid level sensor 43a (first liquid detection means), a first liquid storage tank 43, a liquid applying member 44, a liquid supply member 45, and a holding portion 46. The first liquid storage tank 43 stores liquid for applying liquid to the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb. The amount of liquid stored in the first liquid storage tank 43 is detected by the first liquid level sensor 43a. The first liquid storage tank 43 is connected to the base plate 40 via the holding portion 46.

[0044] The liquid applying member 44 applies the liquid stored in the first liquid storage tank 43 to the paper P or the paper stack Pb. The liquid applying member 44, a liquid supplying member 45 (liquid absorbing) installed so as to be in close contact with the liquid applying member 44, and the first liquid storage tank 43 are all held by a holding portion 46. The holding portion 46 is held by the base plate 40. The protection member 45a is a long cylinder (for example, a tube) that is inserted around the liquid supplying member 45.

[0045] One end of the liquid supply member 45 is in close contact with the liquid application member 44, and the other end is immersed in the liquid stored in the first liquid storage tank 43. That is, the other end of the liquid supply member 45 corresponds to a liquid immersion section 451 that sucks up the liquid and supplies it to the liquid application member 44. The liquid application member 44 and the liquid supply member 45 are made of a material (e.g., sponge or fiber) with a high liquid absorption rate, such as an elastic resin formed with open cells. However, the type of the liquid application member 44 and / or the liquid supply member 45 is not limited as long as it is a material that has the property of being able to suck up and retain liquid and has the property of being crushed in response to a pressure applied in contact with the paper P. That is, it is sufficient that the liquid application member 44 and / or the liquid supply member 45 are made of a material that can suck up liquid by capillary action.

[0046] Therefore, when the other end (immersion portion 451) of the liquid supply member 45 is immersed in the liquid stored in the first liquid storage tank 43, the liquid is sucked up by capillary action. That is, the liquid stored in the first liquid storage tank 43 is sucked up from the immersion portion 451 of the liquid supply member 45, and the sucked up liquid is supplied to the liquid applying member 44 connected to the tip through the liquid supply member 45. Then, the liquid stored in the first liquid storage tank 43 is sucked up to the liquid applying member 44 in close contact with one end of the liquid supply member 45, so that the level (amount of stored liquid) of the liquid stored in the first liquid storage tank 43 detected by the first liquid level sensor 43a drops. As a result, the liquid is supplied from the second liquid storage tank 93 to the first liquid storage tank 43 by the liquid supply pump 95.

[0047] Although the above describes the case where the liquid supply member 45 and the liquid application member 44 are separate, the liquid supply member 45 and the liquid application member 44 may be integrally formed from materials having similar properties (for example, materials with high liquid absorption). In other words, the liquid application member 44 may be configured to be a part of the liquid supply member 45. In this case, it becomes possible to more smoothly supply the liquid from the liquid supply member 45 to the liquid application member 44 by capillary action, and costs can be reduced.

[0048] The protective member 45a is a long cylinder (for example, a tube) that is inserted onto the liquid supply member 45. This can prevent the liquid absorbed by the liquid supply member 45 from leaking out or evaporating. The liquid supply member 45 and the protective member 45a are formed of a flexible material. The holding portion 46 holds the liquid application member 44, and is provided on the base plate 40. This allows the liquid application member 44 to protrude from the base plate 40 toward the upper presser plate 34, and maintains a state in which the tip of the liquid application member 44 faces the upper presser plate 34, even when the liquid application unit moving mechanism 35 moves the liquid application member 44 in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction and the main scanning direction.

[0049] [Configuration of second storage tank 93] 4, the post-processing device 3 further includes a second liquid storage tank fixing portion 92 (part of the second liquid storage portion), a second liquid storage tank 93 (part of the second liquid storage portion), a liquid supply path 94, and a liquid supply pump 95 in order to supply liquid to the first liquid storage tank 43. However, the specific method of supplying liquid to the first liquid storage tank 43 is not limited to the following example, and the user may directly replenish liquid into the first liquid storage tank 43.

[0050] Next, the arrangement and configuration of the second liquid storage tank 93 in the post-processing device 3 will be described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 5 shows an example of the arrangement and configuration of the second liquid storage tank 93 as a main tank. Fig. 5(A) illustrates an example of the arrangement and configuration of the second liquid storage tank 93 as a main tank. Fig. 5(B) is a cross-sectional view of the post-processing device 3 from the side, illustrating an example of the state in which the opening and closing cover 71 of the post-processing device 3 is closed. As shown in Fig. 5(A), the second liquid storage tank 93 is installed at a position that can be accessed when the opening and closing cover 71 of the post-processing device 3 is opened. Also, as shown in Fig. 5(B), the second liquid storage tank 93 and the second liquid storage tank fixing part 92 are arranged on the front side in the depth direction (X direction in Fig. 5(B)) of the post-processing device 3. Also, the first liquid storage tank 43 and the like are arranged on the back side in the depth direction (X direction in Fig. 5(B)) of the post-processing device 3. 5(B), the main body side plate 72 of the post-processing device 3 is provided between the arrangement positions of the second storage tank 93 and the second storage tank fixing part 92 and the arrangement positions of the first storage tank 43, etc. The second storage tank fixing part 92 is attached to the main body side plate 72 of the post-processing device 3.

[0051] The second storage tank fixing part 92 stores the liquid W to be supplied to the first storage tank 43. As shown in Fig. 5(B), the second storage tank fixing part 92 is attached to the main body side plate 72 of the post-processing device 3 outside the movement range of the end stitching processing part 25 (liquid application part 31) in the main scanning direction (X direction in Fig. 5(B)). The amount of the liquid W stored in the second storage tank fixing part 92 is detected by a second liquid level sensor 92a (second liquid detection means).

[0052] The second liquid storage tank 93 (liquid bottle) stores the liquid W to be supplied to the second liquid storage tank fixing portion 92. As described later, the second liquid storage tank 93 is configured to be detachable from the second liquid storage tank fixing portion 92 provided in the end stitching processing portion 25 or the post-processing device 3 (see FIG. 6). The second liquid storage tank 93 is configured to be able to supply the stored liquid to the first liquid storage tank 43 by fixing (setting) the second liquid storage tank fixing portion 92 in a predetermined posture. That is, when the second liquid storage tank 93 is attached to the second liquid storage tank fixing portion 92, the liquid W moves from the second liquid storage tank 93 to the second liquid storage tank fixing portion 92. Then, when the amount of the liquid W in the second liquid storage tank fixing portion 92 reaches a predetermined amount, the movement of the liquid W from the second liquid storage tank 93 to the second liquid storage tank fixing portion 92 stops.

[0053] When the second storage tank 93 is set in the second storage tank fixing part 92, a certain amount of liquid W from the second storage tank 93 is filled in the second storage tank fixing part 92 as described above. The second storage tank fixing part 92 is provided with the set detection sensor 532 as described above (see FIG. 6). When the set detection sensor 532 detects that the second storage tank 93 is set in the second storage tank fixing part 61 (see FIG. 6(C)), a signal notifying the same is sent to the control part 100b described later. In this way, the control part 100b described later is configured to detect whether the second storage tank 93 is set in the second storage tank fixing part 92 or not.

[0054] The first liquid storage tank 43 and the second liquid storage tank 93 are connected by a liquid supply path 94. A liquid supply pump 95 is provided near the second liquid storage tank fixing part 92. When the liquid supply pump 95 operates, the liquid W stored in the second liquid storage tank 93 is supplied (replenished) from the second liquid storage tank 93 to the first liquid storage tank 43 via the liquid supply path 94. Therefore, the second liquid storage tank fixing part 92 is a component of a liquid supply means that executes a liquid supply operation to supply liquid from the second liquid storage tank 93 to the first liquid storage tank 43. In addition, the liquid supply path 94 is formed of a material having flexibility. As a result, even if the first liquid storage tank 43 is moved by the liquid application unit moving mechanism 35, the liquid can be reliably supplied from the second liquid storage tank 93 to the first liquid storage tank 43. The diameter (inner diameter dimension) of the liquid supply path 94 is set, for example, to a size that enables the supply speed (second supply speed) of liquid W supplied from the second storage tank fixing portion 92 to the first storage tank 43 through the liquid supply path 94 to be faster than the supply speed (first supply speed) of liquid W supplied from the first storage tank 43 to the liquid application member 44 through the liquid supply member 45.

[0055] The liquid supply pump 95 is attached to the main body side plate 72 of the post-processing device 3 together with the second storage tank fixing part 92. The liquid supply pump 95 supplies (pressure-feeds) the liquid W stored in the second storage tank fixing part 92 to the first storage tank 43 through a liquid supply path 94.

[0056] 6 illustrates a state in which the second storage tank 93 is detachably attached to the second storage tank fixing part 92, and a state in which the second storage tank 93 is refilled with liquid W. As shown in FIG. 6(A), the second storage tank 93 is configured to be detachable from the second storage tank fixing part 92 so that the second storage tank 93 can be refilled with liquid W. As shown in FIG. 6(B), the second storage tank fixing part 92 is provided with a set detection sensor 532 that detects that the second storage tank 93 is set to the second storage tank fixing part 92 as described above. In addition, when the second storage tank 93 is not set to the second storage tank fixing part 92 (unset state), the second storage tank 93 is configured such that the liquid outlet 531a is blocked by the liquid supply valve 531 to prevent leakage of the liquid W.

[0057] 6(C), when the second storage tank 93 is set in the second storage tank fixing part 92, the liquid supply valve 531 is pushed up and the liquid outlet 531a of the second storage tank 93 is opened, so that the liquid W flows out from the second storage tank 93 to the second storage tank fixing part 92. As a result, the liquid W stored in the second storage tank 93 flows out to the second storage tank fixing part 92. The liquid W flowing out from the second storage tank 93 is stored in the second storage tank fixing part 92.

[0058] 6(B) and 6(C), a liquid drain plug 611 is provided on the second storage tank fixing part 92. After the liquid supply pump 95 feeds the liquid W remaining in the first storage tank 43 and the liquid supply path 94 in the reverse direction to the second storage tank fixing part 92, the liquid drain plug 611 can be opened to drain the liquid W stored in the second storage tank fixing part 92 from inside the post-processing device 3. This makes it possible to prevent the liquid W from freezing during maintenance of the post-processing device 3.

[0059] [Configuration of crimping portion 32] As shown in FIG. 3, the pressing unit 32 as the post-processing unit applies pressure to at least a portion (i.e., the liquid application position) of the paper stack Pb applied with the liquid application unit 31 by using the uneven upper pressing teeth 32a and lower pressing teeth 32b to deform the paper stack Pb, and presses the paper stack P together to bind the paper stack Pb. That is, the pressing unit 32 can bind the paper stack Pb without using staples. The components of the pressing unit 32 (upper pressing teeth 32a, lower pressing teeth 32b) are provided on the pressing unit frame 32c. Hereinafter, the pressing unit 32 presses and deforms a predetermined position of the paper stack Pb to bind it is simply referred to as "press binding". In addition, the pressing binding operation of the pressing unit 32 accompanied by the control process is referred to as "press binding process".

[0060] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the pressure-bonding unit 32. As shown in FIG. 7, the pressure-bonding unit 32 includes an upper pressure-bonding tooth 32a and a lower pressure-bonding tooth 32b. The upper pressure-bonding tooth 32a and the lower pressure-bonding tooth 32b are arranged to face each other in the thickness direction of the paper stack Pb, sandwiching the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. The surfaces of the upper pressure-bonding tooth 32a and the lower pressure-bonding tooth 32b facing each other are formed in an uneven shape with concave and convex portions alternately formed. In addition, the upper pressure-bonding tooth 32a and the lower pressure-bonding tooth 32b are formed with the concave and convex portions shifted so as to mesh with each other. The upper pressure-bonding tooth 32a and the lower pressure-bonding tooth 32b are brought into contact with each other and separated by the driving force of a contact / separation motor 32d (see FIG. 13).

[0061] In the process in which a plurality of sheets P constituting the sheet stack Pb are supplied to the internal tray 22, the upper and lower pressure teeth 32a and 32b are spaced apart from each other, as shown in Fig. 7(A). Then, when all sheets P constituting the sheet stack Pb are placed on the internal tray 22, the upper and lower pressure teeth 32a and 32b mesh with each other by the driving force of the contact and separation motor 32d, as shown in Fig. 7(B), to pressurize and deform the sheet stack Pb in the thickness direction. As a result, the sheet stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 is pressure-bound. The pressure-bound sheet stack Pb is discharged to the second discharge tray 26 by the transport roller pair 15.

[0062] The configuration of the crimping part 32 is not limited to the structure of the operating mechanism as exemplified in this embodiment, as long as the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b constituting the crimping mechanism are engaged with each other. For example, the crimping mechanism may be a link mechanism type crimping mechanism (such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6057167) that performs the crimping and separating operations of the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b using a drive source and a link mechanism that rotates forward or backward only, or may be a linear type crimping mechanism that performs the crimping and separating operations of the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b linearly using a screw mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the drive source in the forward and reverse directions into linear reciprocating motion.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 3, the crimping unit 32 includes a crimping tooth slide mechanism 322. The crimping tooth slide mechanism 322 includes a crimping tooth slide motor 32e, a pinion gear 32e1, a rack 32f1, and a crimping tooth frame 32f. The upper crimping tooth 32a and the lower crimping tooth are provided on the crimping tooth frame 32f. The crimping tooth frame 32f is integrally provided with a rack 32f1 that meshes with the pinion gear 32e1. The crimping tooth frame 32f is attached to the crimping unit frame 32c so as to be movable in the main scanning direction. The crimping tooth slide motor 32e generates a driving force for moving the crimping tooth frame 32f in the main scanning direction. The pinion gear 32e1 is provided on the output shaft of the crimping tooth slide motor 32e. The crimping tooth slide motor 32e is driven forward and backward, so that the pinion gear 32e1 rotates forward and backward. As the pinion gear 32e1 rotates forward and backward, the rack 32f1 meshing with the pinion gear 32e1 moves back and forth along the main scanning direction relative to the crimping unit frame 32c. As a result, the crimping tooth frame 32f, which is integral with the rack 32f1, also moves back and forth along the main scanning direction relative to the crimping unit frame 32c. In other words, the upper crimping tooth 32a and the lower crimping tooth provided on the crimping tooth frame 32f can move in the main scanning direction by driving the crimping tooth slide motor 32e forward and backward. This makes it possible for the upper crimping tooth 32a and the lower crimping tooth to perform multiple binding operations by shifting their positions in the main scanning direction relative to the paper stack Pb.

[0064] Here, the amount of movement in the main scanning direction of the upper and lower crimping teeth constituting the crimping mechanism is set to be equal to the length of the crimp mark formed by the binding operation of the upper and lower crimping teeth 32a and 32b, and the crimping binding operation is performed multiple times before and after the movement in the main scanning direction. That is, when the length of the crimp mark formed by the binding operation of the upper and lower crimping teeth 32a and 32b is 10 mm, the amount of movement in the main scanning direction is also set to 10 mm, so that the length of the crimp mark can be set to 20 mm by combining the crimping operation before the movement in the main scanning direction (first time) and the crimping operation after the movement in the main scanning direction (second time), and therefore the binding force of the crimping part 32 is improved by about two times.

[0065] 3, the crimping unit 32 is provided with a crimping unit rotation mechanism 323 (post-processing unit rotation mechanism). The crimping unit rotation mechanism 323 is made up of a crimping unit rotation motor 56, an output gear 56a, and a drive transmission gear 54a, which will be described later. The crimping unit frame 32c, which holds the components of the crimping unit 32, has a crimping unit rotation shaft 54 ​​equipped with a drive transmission gear 54a fixed to its bottom surface.

[0066] The crimping unit rotation shaft 54 ​​and the drive transmission gear 54a are held rotatably in forward and reverse directions on the base member 48 on which the crimping unit frame 32c is provided. The drive transmission gear 54a meshes with an output gear 56a of a crimping unit rotating motor 56. The crimping unit 32 is configured to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions on the base member 48 about the crimping unit rotation shaft 54 ​​as a result of the driving force of the crimping unit rotating motor 56 being transmitted to the crimping unit rotation shaft 54 ​​via the output gear 56a and the drive transmission gear 54a.

[0067] 3, the end stitching processing unit 25 includes an end stitching processing unit moving mechanism 47. The end stitching processing unit moving mechanism 47 moves the end stitching processing unit 25 (i.e., the liquid application unit 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32) in the main scanning direction along the downstream end in the transport direction of the paper P placed on the internal tray 22. The end stitching processing unit moving mechanism 47 includes, for example, a base member 48, a guide shaft 49, an end stitching processing unit moving motor 50, a driving force transmission mechanism 51 that transmits the driving force of the end stitching processing unit moving motor 50 to the base member 48, and a standby position sensor 44a (see FIG. 13).

[0068] The liquid applicator 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32 are attached to the base member 48 in a state adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the guide shaft 49 is provided in the main scanning direction on the upstream side of the binding mechanism base 116 in the transport direction and is held by a plurality of guide shaft brackets 49a. As shown in FIG. 3, the guide shaft 49 is extended in the main scanning direction on the binding mechanism base 116. As shown in FIG. 3, the guide rail 115 is provided in the main scanning direction on the downstream side of the transport direction on the binding mechanism base 116. As shown in FIG. 4, the guide rail 115 includes a fitted portion 115a that fits with the fitting portion 48a of the base member 48 in the main scanning direction. That is, the base member 48 is held by the guide shaft 49 and the guide rail 115 so as to be movable in the main scanning direction on the binding mechanism base 116.

[0069] The end stitching processing unit moving motor 50 generates a driving force for moving the end stitching processing unit 25. The driving force transmission mechanism 51 transmits the driving force of the end stitching processing unit moving motor 50 to the base member 48 via pulleys 551a and 551b, a timing belt 551c, and a fastening unit 48b that fastens the base member 48 and the timing belt 551c. As a result, the liquid application unit 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32 integrated by the base member 48 move in the main scanning direction along the guide shaft 49.

[0070] The end binding processing unit moving motor 50 in this embodiment is a servo motor that can stop the end binding processing unit 25 at a target position (first and second binding positions B1, B2 (corresponding to first and second liquid application positions B1, B2) described later) without having to return the end binding processing unit 25 to an origin position (for example, a standby position HP1 described later) every time it moves.

[0071] The post-processing device 3 also includes a standby position sensor 44a (e.g., a light-shielding optical sensor; see FIG. 13) that detects that the end stitching processing unit 25 has reached a standby position HP1 (home position), and an encoder sensor 44b (see FIG. 13) attached to the output shaft of the end stitching processing unit movement motor 50. The control unit 100b, which will be described later, detects that the end stitching processing unit 25 has reached the standby position HP1 based on the detection result of the standby position sensor 44a. The control unit 100b, which will be described later, also counts the pulse signal output from the encoder sensor 44b to grasp the current position of the end stitching processing unit 25 that has moved from the standby position HP1.

[0072] However, the specific method of stopping the end stitching processing unit 25 at the target position without returning it to the origin position is not limited to the above example. As another example, the post-processing device 3 may be provided with a sensor that detects that the end stitching processing unit 25 has reached a predetermined target position.

[0073] That is, the end binding processing unit moving mechanism 47 can move the end binding processing unit 25 in the shortest distance between the position where the liquid application unit 31 faces the first liquid application position B1 and the position where the liquid application unit 31 faces the second liquid application position B2, without passing through the standby position HP1. Also, the end binding processing unit moving mechanism 47 can move the end binding processing unit 25 in the shortest distance between the position where the pressure bonding unit 32 faces the first binding position B1 and the position where the pressure bonding unit 32 faces the second binding position B2, without passing through the standby position HP1. Also, the end binding processing unit moving mechanism 47 can move the end binding processing unit 25 in the shortest distance between the position where the liquid application unit 31 faces the first liquid application position B1 (or the second liquid application position B2) and the position where the pressure bonding unit 32 faces the first binding position B1 (or the second binding position B2), without passing through the standby position HP1.

[0074] In addition, the edge stitching processing unit 25 has been described as having a configuration in which the pressure bonding unit 32 and the liquid application unit 31 are integrally configured and move along the guide shaft 49, but is not limited thereto. For example, the pressure bonding unit 32 and the liquid application unit 31 may each move separately and independently.

[0075] Furthermore, the position (liquid application position) where liquid is applied to the paper P or the paper stack Pb by the liquid application unit 31 corresponds to the binding position where the pressure bonding unit 32 is scheduled to perform pressure binding on the paper stack Pb. Therefore, similarly to the above, in the following description, the first and second liquid application positions and the first and second binding positions are denoted by the same reference numerals (B1, B2, etc.).

[0076] [Modification of the end binding processing unit 25] Next, an end binding processing unit 25', which is a modified example of the end binding processing unit 25 included in the post-processing device 3, will be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 10. The difference from the end binding processing unit 25 already described is that the liquid application unit 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32 are integrally configured. Note that the same reference numbers are used for components common to the end binding processing unit 25 already described, and detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0077] Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of the end stitching processing section 25' as viewed from the upstream side in the transport direction. Fig. 9(A) is a perspective view of the liquid application and pressure bonding section 310. Fig. 9(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Fig. 9(A). Fig. 9(C) is a plan view of the upper pressure bonding teeth 32a as viewed from the lower pressure bonding teeth 32b side in Fig. 9(A). Figs. 10(A) to (C) are schematic diagrams showing the liquid application operation and pressure bonding binding operation by the liquid application and pressure bonding section 310 as viewed from the downstream side in the transport direction.

[0078] 8, the end stitching processing unit 25' includes a liquid application and pressure bonding unit 310 that is an integral unit of the liquid application unit 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32 (post-processing unit) of the end stitching processing unit 25 according to the first embodiment. The liquid application and pressure bonding unit 310 is disposed downstream of the internal tray 22 in the conveying direction.

[0079] The liquid applying and pressing section 310 applies the liquid LQ stored in the first liquid storage tank 43 to the paper P or paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. The liquid applying and pressing section 310 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction by the driving force of the end stitching processing section movement motor 50 being transmitted to the base member 48 by the driving force transmission mechanism 551. The liquid applying and pressing section 310 includes an upper pressing plate 34, upper pressure teeth 32a, lower pressure teeth 32b, a liquid applying and pressing section movement mechanism 350, and a liquid supply mechanism 360. Each component of the liquid applying and pressing section 310 is held by the liquid applying frame 31a and the base member 48.

[0080] The liquid applying frame 31a has a liquid applying and pressure bonding part rotating shaft 561' with a drive transmission gear 561a' fixed to its bottom surface. The liquid applying and pressure bonding part rotating shaft 561' and the drive transmission gear 561a' are held rotatably in forward and reverse directions on the base member 48 on which the liquid applying frame 31a is provided. The drive transmission gear 561a' is engaged with an output gear 56a' of the liquid applying and pressure bonding part rotating motor 56'. The liquid applying and pressure bonding part 310 is configured to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions on the base member 48 about the liquid applying and pressure bonding part rotating shaft 561' by transmitting the driving force of the liquid applying and pressure bonding part rotating motor 56' to the liquid applying and pressure bonding part rotating shaft 561' via the output gear 56a' and the drive transmission gear 561a'.

[0081] The liquid application and pressure bonding section moving mechanism 350 moves the upper pressure plate 34, the base plate 40, and the upper pressure teeth 32a in the thickness direction of the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb in an interlocking manner by the electric cylinder 370. The base plate 40 holds the upper pressure teeth holding member 32a1 and the upper pressure teeth 32a via the holding portion 46a. The base plate 40 also movably holds the upper pressure plate 34 via the columnar members 41a and 41b. The base plate 40 is attached to the tip of the rod 371 of the electric cylinder 370 via a connecting member 401.

[0082] The columnar members 41a, 41b hold the upper pressing plate 34 at their lower ends. The coil springs 42a, 42b are fitted around the columnar members 41a, 41b between the base plate 40 and the upper pressing plate 34. The coil springs 42a, 42b bias the upper pressing plate 34 and the columnar members 41a, 41b in a direction away from the base plate 40.

[0083] The liquid supply mechanism 360 includes a first liquid storage tank 43, a liquid supply pump 431, and a liquid supply member 45'. The liquid supply pump 431 supplies the liquid LQ to a liquid reservoir 320 provided in the upper crimping teeth holding member 32a1 as shown in Fig. 9(A) via the liquid supply member 45'. The liquid supply member 45' has a base end connected to the liquid supply pump 431 and a tip end connected to the liquid reservoir 320, and is made of a long and stretchable member.

[0084] 9(B), the upper crimping teeth 32a are provided integrally with an upper crimping teeth holding member 32a1. The upper crimping teeth holding member 32a1 includes a liquid reservoir 320 and a liquid supply path 321 that supplies the liquid LQ stored in the liquid reservoir 320 to the upper crimping teeth 32a. The surfaces of the upper crimping teeth 32a are subjected to a hydrophilic treatment so that the liquid LQ supplied from the liquid supply path 321 spreads evenly over the surfaces of the upper crimping teeth 32a. Meanwhile, the portions of the upper crimping teeth holding member 32a1 other than the upper crimping teeth 32a are subjected to a hydrophobic treatment so that the liquid LQ spreads efficiently over the surfaces of the upper crimping teeth 32a.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 8, the lower crimping teeth 32b are provided integrally with a lower crimping teeth holding member 32b1 that is a part of the liquid applying frame 31a, and are attached onto a base member 48 via the lower crimping teeth holding member 32b1.

[0086] Next, the liquid application operation and pressure binding operation by the liquid application and pressure bonding unit 310 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. In the process in which the paper P is supplied to the internal tray 22, the upper pressure teeth 32a and the lower pressure teeth 32b are separated as shown in FIG. 10(A). Then, when the paper P is placed on the internal tray 22, the electric cylinder 370 is contracted to move the upper pressure teeth 32a and the upper pressure plate 34 toward the paper P. Then, as shown in FIG. 10(B), the upper pressure plate 34 first comes into contact with the paper P, and then the upper pressure teeth 32a pass through the through hole 34a of the upper pressure plate 34 and come into contact with the paper P. At this time, since the liquid LQ is spread over the surface of the upper pressure teeth 32a, the liquid is applied to the liquid application position of the paper P by bringing the upper pressure teeth 32a into contact with the paper P. Then, when liquid application to the liquid application position is completed, the electric cylinder 370 is extended to separate the upper pressure teeth 32a and the upper pressure plate 34 from the paper P. The above-described approaching and separating operation of the upper pressure teeth 32a and the upper pressure plate 34 with respect to the paper P corresponds to the liquid application operation, and therefore this liquid application operation is repeatedly performed on the paper P that constitutes the paper stack Pb.

[0087] Thereafter, when a paper stack Pb consisting of a specified number of papers P is placed on the internal tray 22, the electric cylinder 370 is further contracted to move the upper pressure tooth 32a toward the lower pressure tooth 32b. Then, as shown in Fig. 10(C), with the paper stack Pb sandwiched between the upper pressure tooth 32a and the lower pressure tooth 32b, the upper pressure tooth 32a moves further toward the lower pressure tooth 32b, and the paper stack Pb is pressurized and deformed by the upper pressure tooth 32a and the lower pressure tooth 32b to pressure-bind the paper stack Pb (pressure-binding operation).

[0088] [Configuration of the staple processing unit 155] Next, the stapling processing unit 155 having a function of executing stapling processing will be described in detail. Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of the stapling processing unit 155 as viewed from the upstream side in the transport direction. The stapling processing unit 155 has a stapling unit 62 that staples the paper stack Pb using staples. The stapling unit 62 is disposed downstream of the internal tray 22 in the transport direction and spaced apart from the end stapling processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction.

[0089] The stapler unit 62 as a post-processing unit has a configuration for performing so-called "staple stapling processing" by stapling the paper stack Pb using staples. More specifically, the stapler unit 62 has a stapler drive motor 62d (see FIG. 13) that drives the stapler 62a. The stapler 62a staples the paper stack Pb by penetrating the paper stack Pb with staples loaded in the stapler 62a by the driving force of the stapler drive motor 62d. The configuration of the stapler unit 62 is already known, so a detailed description will be omitted.

[0090] 11, the stapling processing unit 155 includes a stapling processing unit moving mechanism 77. The stapling processing unit moving mechanism 77 moves the stapling processing unit 155 in the main scanning direction along the downstream end in the transport direction of the paper sheet P or paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. That is, the stapling processing unit 155 is configured to move in the main scanning direction by the guide shaft 49 between the standby position HP2 shown in FIGS. 15(A) to 15(C) and a position facing the first binding position B1.

[0091] The stapling processing unit moving mechanism 77 includes, for example, a base member 78, a guide shaft 49, a stapling processing unit moving motor 80, and a drive force transmission mechanism 81. The drive force transmission mechanism 81 transmits the drive force of the stapling processing unit moving motor 80 to the base member 78 via pulleys 81a and 81b, a timing belt 81c, and a fastening portion 78a that fastens the base member 78 and the timing belt 81c. Furthermore, a stapling unit rotating shaft 83 equipped with a drive transmission gear 83a is fixed to the bottom surface of the stapling frame 62b that holds the components of the stapling unit 62.

[0092] The staple binding unit rotation shaft 83 and the drive transmission gear 83a are held rotatably in forward and reverse directions on a base member 78 on which the staple binding frame 62b is provided. The drive transmission gear 83a is meshed with an output gear 82a of a staple binding means rotation motor 82. The staple binding unit 62 is configured to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions on the base member 78 about the staple binding unit rotation shaft 83 as a result of the drive force of the staple binding means rotation motor 82 being transmitted to the staple binding unit rotation shaft 83 via the output gear 82a and the drive transmission gear 83a.

[0093] The end stitching processing unit 25 and the staple stitching processing unit 155 are supported by a common guide shaft 49. That is, the end stitching processing unit moving mechanism 47 and the staple stitching processing unit moving mechanism 77 move the end stitching processing unit 25 and the staple stitching processing unit 155 in the main scanning direction along the common guide shaft 49. Furthermore, the end stitching processing unit moving mechanism 47 and the staple stitching processing unit moving mechanism 77 can move the end stitching processing unit 25 and the staple stitching processing unit 155 independently of each other.

[0094] [Configuration of Modified Example of Stapling Processing Unit 155] 12 shows a stapling processing unit 155' as a modified example of the stapling processing unit 155, and is a schematic diagram of the stapling processing unit 155' viewed from the upstream side in the transport direction. The stapling processing unit 155' differs from the stapling processing unit 155 in that it includes not only the stapling unit 62 but also a second liquid application unit 612. As shown in FIG. 12, the stapling processing unit 155' includes the second liquid application unit 612 and the stapling unit 62. The second liquid application unit 612 and the stapling unit 62 are disposed adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction downstream of the internal tray 22 in the transport direction.

[0095] The second liquid deposition unit 612 performs liquid deposition by depositing the liquid stored in the third liquid storage tank 73 onto the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. A predetermined area including a position where the second liquid deposition unit 612 deposits liquid onto the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb corresponds to a binding position where the staple binding unit 62 is to perform staple binding. As shown in FIG. 12, the second liquid deposition unit 612 includes a second lower pressure plate 63, a second upper pressure plate 64 having a through hole 34a, a second liquid deposition unit movement mechanism 65, and a second liquid deposition mechanism 66.

[0096] The second liquid applicator moving mechanism 65 includes, for example, a second liquid applicator moving motor 67, a second trapezoidal screw 68, a second nut 69, a second base plate 70, second columnar members 711a, 711b, and second coil springs 721a, 721b. The second liquid applicator mechanism 66 includes a third liquid storage tank 73, a second liquid applicator member 74, a second liquid supply member 75, and a second holding unit 76. The configuration of the second liquid applicator mechanism 66 is the same as that of the liquid applicator mechanism 36 of the liquid applicator 31 described in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, and therefore a repeated description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the configuration of the stapler unit 62 is the same as that of FIG. 11, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, the rotation mechanism of the second liquid deposition unit 612 (liquid deposition unit rotation motor 563, output gear 563a, drive transmission gear 562a, liquid deposition unit rotation shaft 562) is the same as the rotation mechanism of the liquid deposition unit 31 shown in FIG. 3, so a repeated description will be omitted.

[0097] 12, in the staple binding process, by applying liquid to the paper P, the binding position can be loosened and softened, making it easier for the staple to penetrate. This makes it possible to increase the number of sheets stapled per bundle of paper Pb, compared to when the staple binding process is performed without applying liquid.

[0098] [Configuration of control block of post-processing device 3] The configuration of the control block of the post-processing device 3 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a hardware configuration diagram for executing control processing in the post-processing device 3 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 13, the post-processing device 3 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 101, a random access memory (RAM) 102, a read only memory (ROM) 103, a hard disk drive (HDD) 104, and an interface (I / F) 105, all of which are connected via a common bus 109.

[0099] The CPU 101 is a calculation means and controls the overall operation of the post-processing device 3. The RAM 102 is a volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at high speed, and is used as a working area when the CPU 101 processes information. The ROM 103 is a read-only non-volatile storage medium in which programs such as firmware are stored. The HDD 104 is a non-volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information and has a large storage capacity, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, etc.

[0100] The post-processing device 3 processes a control program stored in the ROM 103, an information processing program (application program) loaded from a storage medium such as the HDD 104 to the RAM 102, and the like, by using the arithmetic function of the CPU 101. A software control unit including various functional modules of the post-processing device 3 is configured by this processing. A combination of the software control unit configured in this manner and hardware resources mounted on the post-processing device 3 configures functional blocks that realize the functions of the post-processing device 3. That is, the CPU 101, the RAM 102, the ROM 103, the HDD 104, and the I / F 105 configure a control unit 100b (control unit) that controls the operation of the post-processing device 3.

[0101] The I / F 105 is an interface that connects the pairs of conveying rollers 10, 11, 14, and 15, the switching member 20, the side fences 24L and 24R, the engagement / disengagement motor 32d, the pressure tooth slide motor 32e, the pressure section rotation motor 56, the liquid application section movement motor 37, the liquid application section rotation motor 563, the end stitching processing section movement motor 50, the stapler drive motor 62d, the stapler means rotation motor 82, the stapler processing section movement motor 80, and the liquid supply pump 95 to the common bus 109.

[0102] The I / F 105 is an interface that connects the movement sensor 40 a , the first liquid level sensor 43 a , the second liquid level sensor 92 a , the standby position sensor 44 a , the encoder sensor 44 b , and the operation panel 110 to the common bus 109 .

[0103] Then, through the I / F 105, the control unit 100b controls the operation of the pairs of conveying rollers 10, 11, 14, 15, the switching member 20, the side fences 24L, 24R, the contact / separation motor 32d, the pressure tooth slide motor 32e, the pressure unit rotation motor 56, the liquid application unit movement motor 37, the liquid application unit rotation motor 563, the end stitching processing unit movement motor 50, the stapling machine drive motor 62d, the stapling means rotation motor 82, the stapling processing unit movement motor 80, and the liquid supply pump 95.

[0104] Furthermore, the control unit 100b acquires the detection results of the movement sensor 40a, the first liquid level sensor 43a, the second liquid level sensor 92a, the standby position sensor 44a, and the encoder sensor 44b. Note that, although components related to the end stitching processing unit 25 and the staple stitching processing unit 155 that perform the end stitching process are illustrated in Fig. 13, components related to the saddle stitching processing unit 28 that performs the saddle stitching process are also controlled by the control unit 100b.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 2 includes an operation panel 110. The operation panel 110 includes an operation unit that accepts input operations from a user, and a display (notification unit) that notifies the user of information. The operation unit includes, for example, hard keys, a touch panel superimposed on the display, and the like. The operation panel 110 obtains information from the user through the operation unit, and provides the information to the user through the display. Note that a specific example of the notification unit is not limited to a display, and may be an LED lamp, a speaker, or the like. The post-processing apparatus 3 may also be provided with an operation panel 110 similar to that described above.

[0106] [Description of the parallel binding process of the post-processing device 3 according to the first embodiment] Next, the flow of the parallel binding process executed in the end binding processing unit 25 of the post-processing device 3 will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the parallel binding process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the transition of the positions of the liquid application unit 31, the pressure bonding unit 32, and the end binding processing unit 25 during the parallel binding process. The position (liquid application position) where the liquid application unit 31 applies liquid to the paper P or the paper stack Pb corresponds to the binding position where the pressure bonding unit 32 is scheduled to perform pressure binding on the paper stack Pb. Therefore, the liquid application position and the binding position are denoted by the same reference numerals (B1, B2) in the following description. In addition, although only the flow of the parallel binding process by the end binding processing unit 25 will be described below, the flow of the parallel binding process described here can be similarly applied to the staple binding processing unit 155 shown in FIG. 11 and the staple binding processing unit 155' (equipped with the second liquid application unit 612 and the staple binding unit 62) as a modified example of the staple binding processing unit 155 shown in FIG. 12.

[0107] The control unit 100b starts the parallel binding process shown in FIG. 14, for example, at the timing when an instruction to execute the binding process (hereinafter, referred to as a "binding process instruction") is acquired from the image forming apparatus 2.

[0108] The binding process instructions include conditions for the compression binding process by the compression unit 32 (hereinafter referred to as "binding conditions"), such as the type of paper P (information that affects the spread of the liquid, such as material and thickness), the number of papers P that make up the paper stack Pb (hereinafter referred to as the "predetermined number N"), the number of paper stacks Pb to be bound (hereinafter referred to as the "required number of copies M"), the position in the main scanning direction of the first binding position B1 (corresponding to the first liquid application position B1), the binding posture of the end binding processing unit 25 (parallel binding, diagonal binding, and vertical binding), and the operating mode selected via the operation panel 110.

[0109] 15(A), at the start of the parallel binding process, the liquid application unit 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32 are in the parallel binding posture and are positioned at the standby position HP1 (see FIG. 15(A)) at the start of the parallel binding process. As shown in FIG. 15(A), the standby position HP1 is a position that is offset in the width direction from the paper P placed on the internal tray 22.

[0110] First, as shown in Fig. 15(B), the control unit 100b drives the end stitching processing unit movement motor 50 to move the end stitching processing unit 25 from the standby position HP1 in the main scanning direction (the direction of the arrow in Fig. 15(A)) so that the liquid application unit 31 faces the first liquid application position B1 (S1001). Note that the control unit 100b executes the process of step S1001 before the first sheet P is transported to the internal tray 22 by the transport roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15. In addition, the control unit 100b grasps the positions of the liquid application unit 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32 in the main scanning direction, for example, by the encoder sensor 44b attached to the output shaft of the end stitching processing unit movement motor 50.

[0111] Next, the control unit 100b rotates the pairs of conveying rollers 10, 11, 14, and 15 to store the paper P on which the image is formed by the image forming device 2 in the internal tray 22 (S1002). The control unit 100b also moves the side fences 24L and 24R in opposing directions to align the positions of the ends of the paper P placed on the internal tray 22 in the main scanning direction (so-called jogging process) (S1002).

[0112] Next, the control unit 100b causes the liquid application unit 31 located at the first liquid application position B1 to execute a liquid application process on the paper sheet P placed on the internal tray 22 in the immediately preceding step S1002 (S1003). That is, the control unit 100b drives the liquid application unit movement motor 37 to bring the liquid application member 44 into contact with the liquid application position B of the paper sheet P placed on the internal tray 22 (FIG. 15(B)). Details of the liquid application process in step S1003 will be described later with reference to FIG. 19.

[0113] Next, the control unit 100b judges whether the number of sheets stored in the internal tray 22 has reached the predetermined number N indicated in the binding process instruction (S1004). Then, when the control unit 100b judges that the number of sheets stored in the internal tray 22 has not reached the predetermined number (S1004: No), it executes the processes of steps S1002 and S1003 again. That is, the control unit 100b executes the processes of steps S1002 and S1003 every time a sheet P is conveyed to the internal tray 22 by the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15. Note that the liquid application process by the liquid application unit 31 does not need to be performed on all of the multiple sheets P constituting the sheet stack Pb. As another example, the control unit 100b may execute the liquid application process by the liquid application unit 31 on the sheets P at intervals of one sheet per n sheets (i.e., only on some of the sheets P).

[0114] Then, when the control unit 100b determines that the number of sheets P stored in the internal tray 22 has reached a predetermined number N (sheet stack Pb) (S1004: Yes), as shown in FIG. 15(C), it drives the end binding processing unit moving motor 50 to move the end binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction (arrow direction in FIG. 15(B)) so that the pressing unit 32 faces the first binding position B1 (S1005).

[0115] Next, the control unit 100b executes the pressure binding process by the pressure bonding unit 32 on the paper stack Pb stored in the internal tray 22 (S1006). Then, the control unit 100b discharges the paper stack Pb pressure-bound by the pressure bonding unit 32 to the second discharge tray 26 by the conveying roller pair 15 (S1007). That is, the control unit 100b drives the contact motor 32d to clamp the first binding position B1 of the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 between the upper pressure bonding teeth 32a and the lower pressure bonding teeth 32b. As a result, the paper stack Pb is pressurized and deformed between the upper pressure bonding teeth 32a and the lower pressure bonding teeth 32b to perform the pressure binding process. Thereafter, the control unit 100b rotates the conveying roller pair 15 to discharge the pressure-bound paper stack Pb to the second discharge tray 26. The details of the pressure binding process in step S1006 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

[0116] Note that, on the sheet stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22, the binding area clamped by the upper and lower pressure teeth 32a and 32b in step S906 overlaps the liquid application area contacted by the tip of the liquid application member 44 in step S903. In other words, the pressure bonding unit 32 presses and binds the area to which liquid has been applied by the liquid application unit 31 on the sheet stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. Note that the binding area clamped by the upper and lower pressure teeth 32a and 32b does not need to completely overlap the liquid application area contacted by the tip of the liquid application member 44, and sufficient binding strength can be obtained even if the area partially overlaps.

[0117] Next, the control unit 100b judges whether the number of the discharged sheet bundles Pb reaches the required number of copies M indicated in the binding process instruction (S1008). If the control unit 100b judges that the required number of copies M has not been reached (S1008: No), it executes the processes from step S1002 onwards again. That is, the control unit 100b repeatedly executes the processes from step S1002 to S1007 until the number of the sheet bundles Pb discharged to the second discharge tray 26 reaches the required number of copies M (S1008: No).

[0118] When the control unit 100b determines that the number of paper stacks Pb discharged to the second discharge tray 26 has reached the required number of copies M (S1008: Yes), it drives the edge stitching unit movement motor 50 to move the edge stitching unit 25 in the main scanning direction (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 15C) toward the standby position HP1 (S1009). As a result, the liquid application unit 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32 return to the standby position HP1 in FIG. 15A, and the parallel stitching process ends.

[0119] [Description of Oblique Binding Process of Post-Processing Device 3 According to First Embodiment] Next, the flow of the diagonal binding process executed in the end binding processing unit 25 included in the post-processing device 3 will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the diagonal binding process. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the transition of the position of the end binding processing unit 25 (liquid application unit 31 and pressure bonding unit 32) during the execution of the diagonal binding process. The position (liquid application position) where the liquid application unit 31 applies liquid to the paper P or the paper stack Pb corresponds to the binding position where the pressure bonding unit 32 is scheduled to perform pressure binding on the paper stack Pb. Therefore, the liquid application position and the binding position will be described below with the same reference numerals (B1, B2). In addition, although only the flow of the diagonal binding process by the end binding processing unit 25 will be described below, the flow of the diagonal binding process described here can be similarly applied to the staple binding processing unit 155 shown in FIG. 11 and the staple binding processing unit 155' (equipped with the second liquid application unit 612 and the staple binding unit 62) as a modified example of the staple binding processing unit 155 shown in FIG. 12.

[0120] The control unit 100b starts the diagonal binding process shown in FIG. 16, for example, at the timing when an instruction to execute the binding process (hereinafter, referred to as a "binding process instruction") is acquired from the image forming apparatus 2.

[0121] The binding process instruction includes, as the conditions for the pressure binding process by the pressure bonding unit 32 (hereinafter referred to as "binding conditions"), for example, the type of paper P (information that affects the spread of the liquid, such as material and thickness), the number of paper sheets P constituting the paper stack Pb (hereinafter referred to as "predetermined number of sheets N"), the number of paper sheets Pb to be bound (hereinafter referred to as "required number of copies M"), the position in the main scanning direction of the first binding position B1 (corresponding to the first liquid application position B1), the binding posture of the end binding processing unit 25, and the operation mode selected through the operation panel 110. In addition, it is assumed that the liquid application unit 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32 are in the parallel binding posture and are located at the standby position HP1 (see FIG. 17(A)) at the start of the diagonal binding process. As shown in FIG. 17(A), the standby position HP1 is a position that is offset in the width direction from the paper sheets P placed on the internal tray 22.

[0122] In the case of the diagonal binding process, since the posture instructed by the binding process instruction is the "diagonal binding posture", the control unit 100b drives the liquid application unit rotation motor 563 and the pressure bonding unit rotation motor 56 to rotate the liquid application unit 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32 constituting the end binding processing unit 25 to the diagonal binding posture (S1201). In addition, in the case of the "diagonal binding posture", only the pressure bonding unit 32 may be rotated to the diagonal binding posture, and the liquid application unit 31 may not be rotated. This makes it possible to simplify the drive mechanism compared to the case where both the liquid application unit 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32 are rotated, thereby achieving the effects of reducing costs, miniaturizing the device, and reducing equipment failures.

[0123] The control unit 100b also drives the edge stitching processing unit movement motor 50 to move the edge stitching processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 17A) so that the liquid application unit 31 faces the first liquid application position B1 instructed by the binding processing instruction (S1201). Note that the control unit 100b executes the process of step S1201 before the first sheet P is conveyed to the internal tray 22 by the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15.

[0124] Next, the control unit 100b rotates the pairs of conveying rollers 10, 11, 14, and 15 to place the paper P on which the image has been formed by the image forming device 2 on the internal tray 22 (S1202). The control unit 100b also moves the side fences 24L and 24R in opposing directions to align the positions of the ends of the paper P supported by the internal tray 22 in the main scanning direction (so-called jogging process) (S1202).

[0125] Next, the control unit 100b causes the liquid application unit 31 located at the first liquid application position B1 to perform a liquid application process on the paper sheet P placed on the internal tray 22 in the immediately preceding step S1202 (S1203). That is, the control unit 100b drives the liquid application unit movement motor 37 to bring the liquid application member 44 into contact with the first liquid application position B1 of the paper sheet P placed on the internal tray 22 (FIG. 17(B)).

[0126] Next, the control unit 100b judges whether the number of sheets P placed on the internal tray 22 has reached the predetermined number N instructed by the binding process instruction (S1204). Then, when the control unit 100b judges that the number of sheets P placed on the internal tray 22 has not reached the predetermined number N (S1204: No), it executes the processes of steps S1202 to S1203 again. That is, the control unit 100b executes the processes of steps S1202 to S1203 every time a sheet P is conveyed to the internal tray 22 by the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15. Note that the liquid application process by the liquid application unit 31 does not need to be performed on all of the multiple sheets P constituting the sheet bundle Pb. As another example, the control unit 100b may execute the liquid application process by the liquid application unit 31 on the sheets P at intervals of one sheet per n sheets (i.e., only on some of the sheets P).

[0127] Then, when the control unit 100b determines that the number of sheets P placed on the internal tray 22 has reached a predetermined number N (S1204: Yes), as shown in FIG. 17(C), it drives the end binding processing unit moving motor 50 to move the end binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction (arrow direction in FIG. 17(B)) so that the pressing unit 32 faces the first binding position B1 (S1205).

[0128] Next, the control unit 100b executes the pressure binding process by the pressure bonding unit 32 for the first binding position B1 of the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 (S1206). Then, the control unit 100b discharges the paper stack Pb pressure-bound by the pressure bonding unit 32 to the second discharge tray 26 by the conveying roller pair 15 (S1207). That is, the control unit 100b drives the approaching and separating motor 32d to make the upper pressure bonding teeth 32a clamp the first binding position B1 of the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 between the lower pressure bonding teeth 32b. At this time, depending on the conditions, the pressure bonding teeth slide motor 32e is driven to perform the pressure binding process multiple times so that the pressure marks are adjacent to each other. After that, the control unit 100b rotates the conveying roller pair 15 to discharge the pressure-bound paper stack Pb to the second discharge tray 26.

[0129] Note that, on the sheet stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22, the pressure-bonding area sandwiched between the upper pressure-bonding teeth 32a and the lower pressure-bonding teeth 32b in step S1206 overlaps with the liquid-application area contacted by the tip of the liquid-application member 44 in step S1203. In other words, the pressure-bonding section 32 presses and binds the area on the sheet stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 to which liquid has been applied by the liquid-application section 31. Note that the pressure-bonding area sandwiched between the upper pressure-bonding teeth 32a and the lower pressure-bonding teeth 32b does not need to completely overlap with the liquid-application area contacted by the tip of the liquid-application member 44, and sufficient binding strength can be obtained even if the area partially overlaps.

[0130] Next, the control unit 100b judges whether the number of the discharged sheet bundles Pb reaches the required number of copies M indicated in the binding process instruction (S1208). If the control unit 100b judges that the required number of copies M has not been reached (S1208: No), it executes the processes from step S1202 onwards again. That is, the control unit 100b repeats the processes from step S1202 to S1207 (S1208: No) until the number of the sheet bundles Pb discharged to the second discharge tray 26 reaches the required number of copies M (S1208: Yes).

[0131] Then, when the control unit 100b determines that the number of the paper stack Pb discharged to the second discharge tray 26 has reached the required number of copies M (S1208: Yes), it drives the end stitching unit movement motor 50 to move the end stitching unit 25 in the main scanning direction (arrow direction in FIG. 17C) toward the standby position HP1 (S1209). In addition, since the posture instructed by the binding process instruction is the "diagonal binding posture", the control unit 100b drives the liquid application unit rotation motor 563 and the pressure bonding unit rotation motor 56 to rotate the liquid application unit 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32 to the parallel binding posture (arrow direction in FIG. 17D) (S1209). As a result, the liquid application unit 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32 return to the standby position HP1 in FIG. 17D. In steps S1201 and S1209, the order in which the liquid deposition unit 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32 are moved in the main scanning direction and rotated is not limited to the order described above, and may be reversed.

[0132] According to the above embodiment, for example, the following advantageous effects are achieved.

[0133] According to the above embodiment, the position of the liquid application member 44 is changed in accordance with the positions of the upper and lower pressure teeth 32a and 32b, so that it is possible to limit the range on the paper P to which the liquid is applied. As a result, it is possible to prevent the paper P from becoming wrinkled and the image formed on the paper P from bleeding.

[0134] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the upper and lower crimping teeth 32a, 32b, and the liquid application member 44 are inclined at the same angle in the diagonal binding position, and are disposed at the same position in the conveying direction in each of the parallel binding position and the diagonal binding position, thereby making it possible to perform crimp binding within the liquid-application area without special alignment.

[0135] In the above embodiment, the upper pressure teeth 32a, the lower pressure teeth 32b, and the liquid application member 44 are in the oblique binding position, but the positions of the upper pressure teeth 32a, the lower pressure teeth 32b, and the liquid application member 44 are not limited to this. As another example, the upper pressure teeth 32a, the lower pressure teeth 32b, and the liquid application member 44 may be in a "deep flat binding" position in which the longitudinal direction of each tip is parallel to the main scanning direction, or may be changeable to a "vertical binding position" as a third binding position in which the longitudinal direction of each tip is perpendicular to the main scanning direction. The vertical binding position corresponds to a position in which the upper pressure teeth 32a and the lower pressure teeth 32b are rotated by the pressure unit rotation mechanism 52 and the liquid application member 44 is rotated by the liquid application unit rotation mechanism 55 to positions along the ends of the width direction of the paper P. In other words, it refers to the postures of the upper pressure-bonding teeth 32a, the lower pressure-bonding teeth 32b, and the liquid applicator 44 with respect to the paper P or the paper stack Pb when binding processing is performed so that the longitudinal direction of the binding marks to be formed is aligned with the widthwise end of the paper P. The pressure-bonding section rotation mechanism 52 may rotate the upper pressure-bonding teeth 32a and the lower pressure-bonding teeth 32b, and the liquid applicator rotation mechanism 55 may rotate the liquid applicator 44 to any angle between the parallel binding posture and the vertical binding posture.

[0136] [Description of two-point binding process of post-processing device 3 according to the first embodiment] Next, the flow of the two-point binding process executed by the end binding processing unit 25 of the post-processing device 3 will be described. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the position of the end binding processing unit 25 during the execution of the two-point binding process. Detailed description of the common points with the processes described with reference to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 (parallel binding process) and FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 (diagonal binding process) will be omitted, and the differences will be mainly described. In addition, in FIG. 18, the staple binding processing unit 155 is common to FIG. 15 and FIG. 17, so it is not shown. Note that the position (liquid application position) where the liquid application unit 31 applies liquid to the paper P or the paper stack Pb corresponds to the binding position where the pressure bonding unit 32 is scheduled to perform pressure binding on the paper stack Pb. Therefore, the liquid application position and the binding position will be described below with the same reference numerals. In the following, only the flow of the two-point binding process by the end binding processing unit 25 will be described, but the flow of the two-point binding process described here can also be applied to the flow of the two-point binding process by the staple binding processing unit 155 shown in FIG. 11 and the staple binding processing unit 155' (equipped with a second liquid application unit 612 and a staple binding unit 62) as a modified example of the staple binding processing unit 155 shown in FIG. 12.

[0137] As shown in Fig. 18(A), at the start of the two-point stapling process, the end stapling processing unit 25 is located at the standby position HP1. The first stapling position B1 (corresponding to the first liquid application position B1) and the second stapling position B2 (corresponding to the second liquid application position B2) are positions spaced apart in the main scanning direction. Furthermore, Fig. 18 describes a case where two sheets of paper P are pressure-stapled (i.e., N=2), but the number of sheets of paper P constituting the paper bundle Pb is not limited to this.

[0138] Before the first sheet P1 of the paper stack Pb is transported to the internal tray 22, the control unit 100b drives the end stitching processing unit moving motor 50 to move the end stitching processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 18(A)) so that the liquid application unit 31 can face the second liquid application position B2. Next, as shown in FIG. 18(B), the control unit 100b places the paper P1, on which an image has been formed by the image forming device 2, on the internal tray 22 and performs a jogging process, with the liquid application unit 31 positioned at a position that can face the second liquid application position B2.

[0139] Next, in response to the sheet P1 being placed on the internal tray 22, the control unit 100b causes the liquid application unit 31 to apply liquid to the second liquid application position B2 of the sheet P1 (FIG. 18(B)). Next, as shown in FIG. 18(C), the control unit 100b drives the end stitching processing unit movement motor 50 to move the end stitching processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction (arrow direction in FIG. 18(B)) so that the liquid application unit 31 faces the first liquid application position B1 of the sheet P1. Next, the control unit 100b causes the liquid application unit 31 to apply liquid to the first liquid application position B1 of the sheet P1 (FIG. 18(C)).

[0140] Next, in response to applying liquid to the first liquid application position B1 and the second liquid application position B2 of the paper P1, the control unit 100b transports the second paper P2 constituting the paper stack Pb to the internal tray 22 and performs a jogging process, with the liquid application unit 31 positioned so as to face the first liquid application position B1, as shown in Figure 18 (D).

[0141] Next, in response to the sheet P2 being placed on the internal tray 22, the control unit 100b causes the liquid application unit 31 to apply liquid to the first liquid application position B1 of the sheet P2 (FIG. 18(D)). Next, as shown in FIG. 18(E), the control unit 100b moves the end stitching processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 18(D)) so that the liquid application unit 31 faces the second liquid application position B2 of the sheet P2. Next, the control unit 100b causes the liquid application unit 31 to apply liquid to the second liquid application position B2 of the sheet P2 (FIG. 18(E)).

[0142] That is, until the number of sheets of paper P placed on the internal tray 22 reaches the predetermined number N, the control unit 100b repeatedly executes the conveyance of the paper P by the conveyance roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15 and the application of liquid to the first liquid application position B1 and the second liquid application position B2 by the liquid application unit 31. At this time, the control unit 100b causes the liquid application unit 31 to apply liquid to the B-th (B < N) sheet of paper P in the order of the second liquid application position B2 and the first liquid application position B1. Further, the control unit 100b causes the liquid application unit 31 to apply liquid to the (B + 1)-th sheet of paper P in the order of the first liquid application position B1 and the second liquid application position B2. In other words, the control unit 100b changes the order in which the liquid application unit 31 applies liquid to the first liquid application position B1 and the second liquid application position B2 for each sheet of paper P. Furthermore, the control unit 100b moves the binding process unit 25 from one of the first liquid application position B1 and the second liquid application position B2 to the other at the shortest distance without passing through the standby position HP1.

[0143] Next, in response to determining that the number of sheets of paper P placed on the internal tray 22 has reached the predetermined number N, as shown in FIG. 18(F), the control unit 100b drives the binding process unit moving motor 50 to move the binding process unit 25 in the main scanning direction (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 18(E)) so that the crimping unit 32 faces the second binding position B2. Next, the control unit 100b performs a crimping binding process on the second binding position B2 of the paper bundle Pb placed on the internal tray 22 by the crimping unit 32 (FIG. 18(F)). Next, as shown in FIG. 18(G), the control unit 100b drives the binding process unit moving motor 50 to move the binding process unit 25 in the main scanning direction (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 18(F)) so that the crimping unit 32 faces the first binding position B1. Next, the control unit 100b performs a crimping binding process on the first binding position B1 of the paper bundle Pb placed on the internal tray 22 by the crimping unit 32 (FIG. 18(G)).

[0144] In the example of FIG. 18, since the liquid application by the liquid application unit 31 is finally executed for the second liquid application position B2, the crimp binding process by the crimping unit 32 is executed in the order of the second binding position B2 and the first binding position B1. On the other hand, when the liquid application by the liquid application unit 31 is finally executed for the first liquid application position B1, the crimp binding process by the crimping unit 32 may be executed in the order of the first binding position B1 and the second binding position B2.

[0145] Next, the control unit 100b discharges the paper bundle Pb crimp-bound at the first binding position B1 and the second binding position B2 by the crimping unit 32 to the second discharge tray 26. Further, as shown in FIG. 18(H), the control unit 100b drives the end-binding process unit moving motor 50 to move the binding process unit 25 in the main scanning direction (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 18(G)) toward the standby position HP1.

[0146] In the above embodiment, an example of crimp-binding one or two locations of the paper bundle Pb has been described, but the present invention is also applicable to the case of crimp-binding three or more paper bundles Pb spaced apart in the main scanning direction. In this case, the control unit 100b executes liquid application by the liquid application unit 31 and crimp binding by the crimping unit 32 for three or more binding positions (liquid application positions). Even when crimp-binding three or more, the productivity of crimp binding can be improved by applying the present invention.

[0147] However, it is not necessary to perform liquid application by the liquid application unit 31 at all liquid application positions for all the papers P constituting the paper bundle Pb. For example, when crimp-binding at three binding positions spaced apart in the main scanning direction, the control unit 100b executes liquid application by the liquid application unit 31 at three liquid application positions of the E (E < N - 2)-th paper P1, and executes liquid application by the liquid application unit 31 at two liquid application positions of the (E + 1)-th paper P2, and executes liquid application by the liquid application unit 31 at one liquid application position of the (E + 2)-th paper P2.

[0148] [Explanation of the operation of the liquid application unit 31] Next, referring to Fig. 19, the liquid application operation by the liquid application unit 31 to the paper P or the paper stack Pb in step S1003 in Fig. 14 will be described. Fig. 19 is a diagram showing the operation of the liquid application unit 31 in step S1003. The upper pressing plate 34, the liquid application member 44, and the base plate 40 according to this embodiment move (rise and fall) in conjunction with each other by the driving force transmitted from the liquid application unit movement motor 37. More specifically, the upper pressing plate 34, the liquid application member 44, and the base plate 40 are lowered by the liquid application unit movement motor 37 rotating in a first direction, and are raised by the liquid application unit movement motor 37 rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0149] The upper pressure plate 34 moves between a pressing position (FIGS. 19(B) and (C)) and a release position (FIG. 19(A)). The pressing position is a position where it comes into contact with the upper surface of the paper P or paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 and presses the paper P from above. The release position is a position spaced upward from the paper P or paper stack Pb. In other words, the release position is a position above the pressing position.

[0150] The liquid application member 44 moves between the liquid application position (contact position) shown in FIG. 19(C) and the separated position shown in FIG. 19(A) via the intermediate separated position (first medium receiving position) shown in FIG. 19(B). The liquid application position is a position where the liquid application member 44 contacts the upper surface of at least one sheet of paper P placed on the internal tray 22 to apply liquid to the sheet of paper P or the stack of paper Pb. When at the liquid application position, the tip of the liquid application member 44 contacts the sheet of paper P or the stack of paper Pb through the through hole 34a of the upper pressing plate 34. The separated position and the intermediate separated position are positions separated upward from the sheet of paper P or the stack of paper Pb. When at the separated position and the intermediate separated position, the tip of the liquid application member 44 is located above the through hole 34a. In other words, the separated position and the intermediate separated position are positions above the liquid application position.

[0151] The base plate 40 moves between a first position shown in FIG. 19(C), a second position shown in FIG. 19(B), and a third position shown in FIG. 19(A). The first position is a position where the upper pressing plate 34 is in the pressing position and the liquid applying member 44 is in the liquid applying position. The second position is a position where the upper pressing plate 34 remains in the pressing position and the liquid applying member 44 is in an intermediate separation position separated from the paper P or the paper stack Pb. When the base plate 40 is in the second position, the liquid applying member 44 is located between the liquid applying position and the separation position. The third position is a position where the upper pressing plate 34 is in the release position and the liquid applying member 44 is in the separation position. That is, the second position is a position above the first position, and the third position is a position above the second position. The control unit 100b can grasp the position of the base plate 40, for example, by the movement sensor 40a and the rotary encoder of the liquid applying unit movement motor 37.

[0152] 19(A), the position of the base plate 40 before applying liquid to the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb is the third position. That is, the upper pressure plate 34 and the liquid application member 44 are separated from the upper surface of the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb already placed on the internal tray 22. Therefore, the paper sheet P newly supplied to the internal tray 22 by the transport roller pair 15 enters between the lower pressure plate 33 and the upper pressure plate 34 and is placed on the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb already placed on the internal tray 22.

[0153] Next, the control unit 100b rotates the liquid application unit movement motor 37 in the first direction to lower the base plate 40 from the third position. Then, as shown in Fig. 19(B), when the base plate 40 descends to the second position, the upper pressing plate 34 presses the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb. However, at this point, the liquid application member 44 has not yet come into contact with the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb. In other words, the upper pressing plate 34 reaches the pressing position before the liquid application member 44 reaches the liquid application position.

[0154] When the control unit 100b further rotates the liquid applicator movement motor 37 in the first direction, the coil springs 42a, 42b sandwiched between the upper pressing plate 34 and the base plate 40 are elastically compressed. As a result, the base plate 40 and the liquid applicator 44 move down while the upper pressing plate 34 remains in the pressing position. Then, as shown in FIG. 19C, when the base plate 40 moves down to the first position, the tip of the liquid applicator 44 passes through the through hole 34a and comes into contact with the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb. As a result, the end stitching processing unit 25 can apply liquid to the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb from the liquid applicator 44 at the liquid application position while the upper pressing plate 34 at the pressing position presses the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb.

[0155] In the process of the base plate 40 moving from the second position to the first position, the position of the upper pressure plate 34 does not change, but the pressing force of the upper pressure plate 34 against the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb changes. More specifically, the pressing force of the upper pressure plate 34 is greater when the base plate 40 is in the first position than when the base plate 40 is in the second position. In other words, the liquid application unit movement mechanism 35 can change the pressing force of the upper pressure plate 34 against the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22.

[0156] Next, when the liquid applicator movement motor 37 is rotated in the second direction from the state shown in Fig. 19(C), the base plate 40 rises from the first position, via the second position, to the third position. At this time, the liquid applicator 44 rises together with the base plate 40. In contrast, when the base plate 40 is located between the first position and the second position, the upper pressing plate 34 does not move from the pressing position due to the biasing force of the coil springs 42a, 42b. Furthermore, when the base plate 40 is located between the second position and the third position, the upper pressing plate 34 rises together with the base plate 40.

[0157] In this way, as shown in Fig. 19(B), the upper pressing plate 34 presses the paper P or the paper stack Pb before the tip of the liquid application member 44 comes into contact with the paper P or the paper stack Pb. Then, as shown in Fig. 19(C), the upper pressing plate 34 presses the periphery of the tip of the liquid application member 44 when the liquid application member 44 applies liquid to the paper P or the paper stack Pb. This makes it possible to reliably prevent the paper P or the paper stack Pb from floating up and perform the liquid application process with high accuracy, even if the paper P or the paper stack Pb is in a wavy or curved state.

[0158] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 19(B), the upper pressing plate 34 maintains the pressing state against the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb even when the tip of the liquid application member 44 is separated from the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb (intermediate separation position). Then, as shown in Fig. 19(A), when the tip of the liquid application member 44 moves to the separation position where it is completely separated from the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb, the upper pressing plate 34 moves to a release position where it releases the pressing against the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb. This reliably prevents the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb from sticking to the tip of the liquid application member 44 after the liquid application operation by the liquid application member 44 is completed, and makes it possible to smoothly transition to the next pressure binding operation.

[0159] [Explanation of the pressure binding process] Next, the pressure binding process performed by the pressure bonding unit 32 in step S1006 in Fig. 14 will be described with reference to Fig. 20 and Fig. 21. Fig. 20 is a flowchart of the pressure binding process according to the first embodiment. Fig. 21 is a diagram showing the operation of the liquid application unit 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32 in the pressure binding process according to the first embodiment.

[0160] First, the control unit 100b compares the predetermined number of sheets indicated in the binding process instruction with a predetermined threshold number of sheets (S1601). Then, when the predetermined number of sheets is equal to or greater than the threshold number (S1601: Yes), the control unit 100b causes the upper pressure plate 34 of the liquid deposition unit 31 to abut against the paper stack Pb with a first pressure force (S1602). On the other hand, when the predetermined number of sheets is less than the threshold number (S1601: No), the control unit 100b causes the upper pressure plate 34 of the liquid deposition unit 31 to press against the paper stack Pb with a second pressure force (S1603). More specifically, in steps S1602 and S1603, the control unit 100b rotates the liquid deposition unit movement motor 37 in a first direction to lower the base plate 40 from the third position to a position between the first position and the second position.

[0161] 21(A), in steps S1602 and S1603, the control unit 100b lowers the base plate 40 so that the upper pressing plate 34 is in the pressing position and the tip of the liquid application member 44 is located above the liquid application position. In other words, the control unit 100b lowers the base plate 40 to a position where the upper pressing plate 34 presses the paper stack Pb and where the liquid application member 44 does not apply liquid to the paper stack Pb.

[0162] 21(A), at the time of steps S1602 and S1603, the upper and lower pressure teeth 32a and 32b are not engaged with each other, sandwiching the paper stack Pb. That is, the control unit 100b causes the upper pressure plate 34 to press the paper stack Pb before causing the pressure unit 32 to perform pressure binding. Also, the position of the base plate 40 in step S1602 is lower than the position of the base plate 40 in step S1603. That is, the first pressing force of the upper pressure plate 34 in step S1602 is stronger than the second pressing force in step S1603.

[0163] Next, the control unit 100b performs pressure binding of the paper stack Pb stored in the internal tray 22 by driving the pressure bonding unit 32 located at a position facing the first binding position B1 (S1604). More specifically, the control unit 100b drives the contact motor 32d to mesh the binding teeth of the upper pressure bonding teeth 32a and the lower pressure bonding teeth 32b, thereby pressurizing and deforming the paper stack Pb to bind it. That is, as shown in FIG. 21(B), the control unit 100b causes the pressure bonding unit 32 to perform pressure binding with the upper pressure plate 34 of the liquid application unit 31 placed at the pressing position.

[0164] Next, the control unit 100b separates the upper and lower pressure teeth 32a and 32b with the upper pressure plate 34 in the pressing position. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 21C, the control unit 100b drives the pressure tooth slide motor 32e to move the pressure tooth frame 32f including the upper and lower pressure teeth 32a and 32b in the main scanning direction (the direction of the arrow in Fig. 21C) (S1605). As a result, the upper pressure tooth 32a is peeled off from the pressure-bound paper stack Pb. As a result, even if, for example, the press-stitched stack of paper Pb becomes stuck to the upper press teeth 32a, the stack of paper Pb can be reliably peeled off from the upper press teeth 32a of the press unit 32 by separating the upper press teeth 32a of the press unit 32 while the stack of paper Pb is pressed by the upper pressure plate 34 of the liquid application unit 31 and moving it in the main scanning direction, thereby preventing downtime such as the interruption of the press-stitching operation by the press unit 32.

[0165] Next, the control unit 100b rotates the liquid application unit movement motor 37 in the second direction to raise the upper pressing plate 34 of the liquid application unit 31 to the release position (in other words, the base plate 40 to the third position) (S1606). That is, after the upper pressing teeth 32a of the pressing unit 32 are separated from the paper stack Pb, the control unit 100b releases the pressing of the paper stack Pb by the upper pressing plate 34 of the liquid application unit 31. Furthermore, the control unit 100b rotates the conveying roller pair 15 to discharge the press-bound paper stack Pb to the second discharge tray 26 (S1607).

[0166] According to the above embodiment, for example, the following advantageous effects are achieved.

[0167] According to the above embodiment, by pressing the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb with the upper pressing plate 34 of the liquid application unit 31, it is possible to reliably prevent the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb from floating up even if the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 is wavy or curved due to the effects of the previous process. As a result, it is possible to stabilize the amount of liquid applied when the tip of the liquid application member 44 is brought into contact with the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb.

[0168] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, while maintaining the state in which the upper pressing plate 34 of the liquid application section 31 presses the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb, the leading edge of the liquid application member 44 is brought into contact with the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb, and then the leading edge of the liquid application member 44 is separated from the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb. This makes it possible to prevent the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb from floating up together with the rising liquid application member 44. In other words, it is possible to prevent the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb from sticking to the liquid application member 44 after liquid application is completed.

[0169] From the above, the upper pressure plate 34 of the liquid application section 31 has both the function of preventing curvature, etc., of the paper P or the paper stack Pb while the liquid application process to the paper P or the paper stack Pb by the liquid application member 44 is in progress, and the function of peeling the paper P or the paper stack Pb from the liquid application member 44 after liquid application is completed.

[0170] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, it is possible to achieve low costs, energy savings, and size reduction by moving the upper pressure plate 34 and the liquid application member 44 with the single liquid application unit movement motor 37 and shifting the timing of movement of the upper pressure plate 34 and the liquid application member 44 by the biasing forces of the coil springs 42a, 42b. However, the upper pressure plate 34 and the liquid application member 44 may be moved independently by different movement mechanisms.

[0171] Also, according to the above embodiment, pressure binding is performed by the pressure bonding unit 32 (i.e., the upper pressure teeth 32a and the lower pressure teeth 32b are moved toward and away from each other) while the paper stack Pb is pressed by the upper pressure plate 34 of the liquid application unit 31. This makes it possible to prevent the paper stack Pb from sticking to the upper pressure teeth 32a and the lower pressure teeth 32b. Furthermore, by sliding at least one of the upper pressure teeth 32a and the lower pressure teeth 32b in the main scanning direction after pressure binding, the paper stack Pb can be reliably peeled off from the upper pressure teeth 32a and the lower pressure teeth 32b.

[0172] The greater the number of sheets of paper that make up the paper stack Pb, the deeper the upper and lower pressure teeth 32a and 32b need to be inserted into the paper stack Pb. On the other hand, if the pressing force of the upper pressing plate 34 of the liquid applicator 31 is too strong, the paper stack Pb may be damaged. Therefore, as in the above embodiment, by changing the pressing force of the upper pressing plate 34 of the liquid applicator 31 against the paper stack Pb depending on the number of sheets of paper that make up the paper stack Pb, it is possible to prevent the paper stack Pb from sticking and being damaged at the same time.

[0173] However, the parameter for changing the pressing force of the upper pressing plate 34 of the liquid deposition unit 31 is not limited to the number of sheets of paper P constituting the paper stack Pb. As another example, the control unit 100b may change the pressing force of the upper pressing plate 34 of the liquid deposition unit 31 against the paper P or the paper stack Pb in accordance with the type of paper P constituting the paper stack Pb (e.g., plain paper, thick paper, glossy paper, etc.). As another example, the control unit 100b may change the pressing force of the upper pressing plate 34 of the liquid deposition unit 31 against the paper P or the paper stack Pb in accordance with the thickness of the paper P constituting the paper stack Pb. As yet another example, the control unit 100b may adjust the pressing force of the upper pressing plate 34 of the liquid deposition unit 31 by combining the above-mentioned parameters (the number, type, and thickness of the paper P).

[0174] [Modification 1 of the pressing means of the liquid application unit 31] The movement mechanism of upper pressing plate 34 as the pressing means for pressing the paper stack of liquid application unit 31 is not limited to the spring type. A modification of the movement mechanism of upper pressing plate 34 of liquid application unit 31A according to modification 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 22 .

[0175] Fig. 22 shows the upper pressure plate 34 of the liquid application unit 31A according to the first modified example. The difference from the above-mentioned embodiment is that the upper pressure plate 34 is moved by its own weight without using the coil spring 42. As explained above in Fig. 19, the upper pressure plate 34 moves between the pressing position in Figs. 22(B) and (C) and the released position in Fig. 22(A), and the liquid application member 44 moves between the liquid application position in Fig. 22(C) and the separated position in Fig. 22(A) via the intermediate separated position in Fig. 22(B).

[0176] Here, the upper pressure plate 34 has pillar-shaped members 41a and 41b that hold the upper pressure plate 34 penetrating the base plate 40, and the movement in the direction of gravity is restricted by the upper end portions of the pillar-shaped members 41a and 41b being prevented from coming off. In other words, the upper pressure plate 34 is held hanging from the base plate 40 via the pillar-shaped members 41a and 41b. That is, the upper pressure plate 34 is set so that a pressing force acts downward due to gravity. In this way, instead of obtaining a pressing force from the coil spring 42, the upper pressure plate 34 is set to a weight that obtains an appropriate pressing force by devising the material and volume of the upper pressure plate 34, thereby reducing costs by simplifying the support mechanism for the liquid application member 44, and improving maintainability by simplifying the mechanism.

[0177] [Modification 2 of pressing means of liquid application unit 31] Further, the pressing means for pressing the paper stack Pb of the liquid deposition section 31 is not limited to the upper pressing plate 34. A modified example of the pressing means of the liquid deposition section 31B according to the modified example 2 will be described with reference to Figs. 23 and 24. Fig. 23 is a schematic diagram of the liquid deposition section 31B according to the modified example 2 as seen from the upstream side in the transport direction. Fig. 24 is a schematic diagram of the liquid deposition section 31B according to the modified example 2 as seen from the main scanning direction. Note that a detailed description of the points in common with the above embodiment will be omitted, and the differences will be mainly described.

[0178] Liquid application unit 31B according to modification 2 differs from liquid application unit 31 according to the above embodiment in that it omits upper pressure plate 34, columnar members 41a, 41b, and coil springs 42a, 42b, and is provided with pressing means constituted by fan 58, air tube 59, and air nozzles 60a, 60b. On the other hand, liquid application unit 31 and liquid application unit 31B according to modification 2 are common in other respects.

[0179] The fan 58 generates a pressing wind to be blown against the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb. The air tube 59 is a flow path that supplies the pressing wind generated by the fan 58 to the air nozzles 60a, 60b. The air nozzles 60a, 60b are fixed between the lower pressing plate 33 and the base plate 40, facing downward. The air nozzles 60a, 60b are also arranged around the liquid application member 44. The pressing means according to the second modification presses the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb by blowing the pressing wind from the air nozzles 60a, 60b against the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. The pressing means according to the second modification changes the pressing force by increasing or decreasing the volume of the pressing wind (in other words, the rotation speed of the fan 58).

[0180] [Description of another example of parallel binding process of post-processing device 3 according to the first embodiment] In the binding process described in FIG. 14, when the paper P enters between the lower pressure plate 33 and the upper pressure plate 34, the distance between the lower pressure plate 33 and the upper pressure plate 34 and the distance between the lower pressure plate 33 and the liquid application member 44 are constant regardless of the number of sheets P to be subjected to the pressure binding process (predetermined number). However, a large distance between the upper pressure plate 34 and the liquid application member 44 and the lower pressure plate 33 means that the upper pressure plate 34 and the liquid application member 44 move a large distance toward the lower pressure plate 33. When the liquid application unit 31 continuously applies liquid to the paper P or the paper stack Pb, if the upper pressure plate 34 and the liquid application member 44 move a long distance every time the paper P enters between the lower pressure plate 33 and the upper pressure plate 34 (in other words, between the lower pressure plate 33 and the liquid application member 44, the same applies below), the productivity of the post-processing in the post-processing device 3 decreases.

[0181] FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a binding process that suppresses a decrease in productivity when the liquid application unit 31 applies liquid continuously to the paper P or the paper stack Pb. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the distance between the lower pressure plate 33 and the upper pressure plate 34 of the liquid application unit 31 when the paper P is received, and the distance between the lower pressure plate 33 and the liquid application member 44. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the operation of the liquid application unit 31 when controlling the distance between the lower pressure plate 33 and the upper pressure plate 34 of the liquid application unit 31 and the distance between the lower pressure plate 33 and the liquid application member 44 when performing one-point binding by the end binding processing unit 25. FIG. 28 is a flowchart of controlling the distance between the lower pressure plate 33 and the upper pressure plate 34 of the liquid application unit 31 and the distance between the lower pressure plate 33 and the liquid application member 44 when performing two-point binding by the end binding processing unit 25.

[0182] The binding process shown in FIG. 25 improves the productivity of the binding process by adjusting the amount of separation between the lower pressure plate 33 and the upper pressure plate 34 of the liquid applicator 31 and the amount of separation between the lower pressure plate 33 and the liquid applicator 44 according to the number of sheets P constituting the sheet bundle Pb (i.e., the number of sheets P entering between the lower pressure plate 33 and the upper pressure plate 34). Note that detailed explanation of the common points with the process of FIG. 14 will be omitted, and the explanation will focus on the differences. The binding process shown in FIG. 25 differs from FIG. 14 in that the processes of steps S2601 and S2602 are added, and the other steps S1001 to S1009 are common to FIG. 14. Also, in FIG. 25, the case of parallel binding process will be explained, but in the case of diagonal binding process, it is also different from FIG. 16 in that the processes of steps S2601 and S2602 are added, and the other steps S1201 to S1209 are common to FIG. 16.

[0183] Between steps S1001 and S1002, the control unit 100b sets the movement amounts of the upper pressure plate 34, the liquid application member 44, and the base plate 40 according to the predetermined number N of sheets indicated in the binding process instruction (S2601). In other words, in step S2601, the control unit 100b sets a first medium receiving position and a second medium receiving position, which will be described later with reference to Figs. 26 and 27. In addition, the control unit 100b drives the liquid application unit movement motor 37 to move the liquid application member 44 to the first medium receiving position and move the upper pressure plate 34 to the second medium receiving position. The process of step S2601 is executed before the paper P is accommodated in the internal tray 22 (before the paper P is transported between the lower pressure plate 33 and the upper pressure plate 34).

[0184] Furthermore, after performing the pressure binding process on the required number of paper stacks Pb (S1008: Yes) and before moving the edge stitching processing unit 25 (liquid application unit 31 and pressure bonding unit 32) to the standby position HP1 (S1008), the control unit 100b drives the liquid application unit movement motor 37 to move the upper pressure plate 34 to the release position, move the liquid application member 44 to the separated position, and move the base plate 40 to the third position. At this time, the distance (separation amount) between the lower pressure plate 33 and the upper pressure plate 34 located at the release position is the separation amount Hm.

[0185] 26, in step S2601, the control unit 100b changes the first medium receiving position and the second medium receiving position according to the value of the predetermined number N. The first medium receiving position is any position of the liquid applying member 44 between the liquid applying position and the separated position. The second medium receiving position is any position of the upper pressing plate 34 between the pressing position and the released position. In addition, the first medium receiving position is, for example, a position above the second medium receiving position.

[0186] More specifically, the control unit 100b makes the first medium receiving position closer to the separated position as the predetermined number of sheets N is larger. In other words, the control unit 100b increases the separation amount between the lower pressing plate 33 and the liquid applying member 44 located at the first medium receiving position as the predetermined number of sheets N is larger. Further, the control unit 100b makes the second medium receiving position closer to the released position as the predetermined number of sheets N is larger. In other words, the control unit 100b increases the separation amount between the lower pressing plate 33 and the upper pressing plate 34 located at the second medium receiving position as the predetermined number of sheets N is larger.

[0187] For example, when the predetermined number of sheets N is less than Nmax*(1 / 10), the control unit 100b sets the separation amount between the lower pressing plate 33 and the upper pressing plate 34 located at the second medium receiving position to the separation amount H1 (the separation amount between the lower pressing plate 33 and the liquid applying member 44 located at the first medium receiving position is set to the separation amount H1+α). Further, when the predetermined number of sheets N is equal to or greater than Nmax*(1 / 10) and less than Nmax*(2 / 10), the control unit 100b sets the separation amount between the lower pressing plate 33 and the upper pressing plate 34 located at the second medium receiving position to the separation amount H2 (the separation amount between the lower pressing plate 33 and the liquid applying member 44 located at the first medium receiving position is set to the separation amount H2+α). Furthermore, when the predetermined number of sheets N is equal to or greater than Nmax*(2 / 10), the control unit 100b sets the separation amount between the lower pressing plate 33 and the upper pressing plate 34 located at the second medium receiving position to the separation amount H3 (the separation amount between the lower pressing plate 33 and the liquid applying member 44 located at the first medium receiving position is set to the separation amount H3+α).

[0188] Here, Nmax is the maximum number of sheets of paper P that can enter (be received) between the lower pressing plate 33 and the upper pressing plate 34. Also, the relationship among the separation amounts Hm, H1, H2, and H3 is H1<H2<H3<Hm. Therefore, for example, when Nmax = 65 sheets, the separation amount H1 = 20 mm, the separation amount H2 = 25 mm, and the separation amount H3 = 30 mm. Further, the constant α is the vertical distance between the liquid applying member 44 at the first medium receiving position and the upper pressing plate 34 at the second medium receiving position. For example, α = 1.0 mm.

[0189] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the operation of the liquid applicator 31 for improving productivity when liquid is continuously applied during one-point binding by the end stitching processor 25. FIG. 27(A) shows the position where the upper presser plate 34 and the lower presser plate 33 are at the maximum separation amount. At this time, the position of the upper presser plate 34 is the release position, the position of the liquid applicator 44 is the separation position, and the position of the base plate 40 is the third position. FIG. 27(D) shows the position where the upper presser plate 34 and the lower presser plate 33 are at the minimum separation amount. At this time, the position of the upper presser plate 34 is the pressing position, the position of the liquid applicator 44 is the liquid application position, and the position of the base plate 40 is the first position. FIG. 27(C) shows the position where the upper presser plate 34 and the liquid applicator 44 are at the minimum separation amount. At this time, the position of the upper pressing plate 34 is the pressing position, the position of the liquid application member 44 is the intermediate separated position where it is not in contact with the paper P or the paper stack Pb, and the position of the base plate 40 is the second position. Figure 27(B) shows a position between the above-mentioned Figures 27(A) and 27(C). At this time, the position of the upper pressing plate 34 is the second medium receiving position, the position of the liquid application member 44 is the first medium receiving position, and the position of the base plate 40 is the 2.x position.

[0190] When the liquid application unit movement motor 37 rotates in the first direction, the base plate 40 moves from the third position in Fig. 27(A) through the 2.x position in Fig. 27(B) and the second position in Fig. 27(C) to the first position in Fig. 27(D). Here, the 2.x position is a position above the second position and below the third position. The value of x becomes larger as the predetermined number N increases (i.e., closer to the third position), and becomes smaller as the predetermined number N decreases (i.e., closer to the second position).

[0191] At this time, the liquid application member 44 moves from the separated position in Fig. 27(A) to the first medium receiving position in Fig. 27(B) and the intermediate separated position in Fig. 27(C) before reaching the liquid application position in Fig. 27(D). The intermediate separated position is a position above the liquid application position and below the first medium receiving position. In addition, the upper pressing plate 34 moves from the released position in Fig. 27(A) to the second medium receiving position in Fig. 27(B) before reaching the pressing position in Figs. 27(C) and 27(D).

[0192] That is, as shown in Fig. 27(B), when the base plate 40 is in the 2.x position, the liquid application member 44 is located at the first medium receiving position, and the upper pressure plate 34 is located at the second medium receiving position. Also, as shown in Fig. 27(C), when the base plate 40 is in the second position, the liquid application member 44 is located at the intermediate separation position, and the upper pressure plate 34 is located at the pressing position. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 27(D), when the base plate 40 is in the first position, the liquid application member 44 is located at the liquid application position, and the upper pressure plate 34 is located at the pressing position.

[0193] In other words, when the liquid application unit movement motor 37 rotates in the first direction (the base plate 40, the liquid application member 44, and the upper pressure plate 34 descend), the upper pressure plate 34 reaches the pressing position before the liquid application member 44 reaches the liquid application position, as shown in Fig. 27(C). In other words, when the liquid application unit movement motor 37 rotates in the first direction (the base plate 40, the liquid application member 44, and the upper pressure plate 34 descend), the liquid application member 44 reaches the liquid application position after the upper pressure plate 34 reaches the pressing position, as shown in Fig. 27(C) and Fig. 27(D).

[0194] Then, when the liquid application unit movement motor 37 rotates in the second direction, the base plate 40 moves from the first position in Fig. 27(D) to the second position in Fig. 27(C) and the 2.x position in Fig. 27(B) to the third position in Fig. 27(A). At this time, the liquid application member 44 moves from the liquid application position in Fig. 27(D) to the intermediate separated position in Fig. 27(C) and the first medium receiving position in Fig. 27(B) to the separated position in Fig. 27(A). Also, the upper pressing plate 34 moves from the pressing position in Figs. 27(C) and 27(D) to the second medium receiving position in Fig. 27(B) to the released position in Fig. 27(A).

[0195] That is, when the liquid applicator movement motor 37 rotates in the second direction (the base plate 40, the liquid applicator 44, and the upper pressure plate 34 rise), the upper pressure plate 34 moves away from the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb after the liquid applicator 44 reaches the intermediate separation position and before the liquid applicator 44 reaches the first medium receiving position, as shown in Figures 27(B) to 27(D). In other words, when the liquid applicator movement motor 37 rotates in the second direction (the base plate 40, the liquid applicator 44, and the upper pressure plate 34 rise), the liquid applicator 44 moves away from the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb with the upper pressure plate 34 in the pressing position, as shown in Figures 27(B) to 27(D).

[0196] [Description of another example of two-point binding process of post-processing device 3 according to the first embodiment] Next, a flow of another embodiment of the two-point binding process performed by the end binding processing unit 25 of the post-processing device 3 will be described. FIG. 28 is a flowchart of the two-point binding process by the end binding processing unit 25. In the above-mentioned FIG. 18, the position of the end binding processing unit 25 during the execution of the two-point binding process is described. With reference to FIG. 18, differences will be additionally described. As shown in FIG. 18(A), at the start of the two-point binding process, the end binding processing unit 25 is located at the standby position HP1. Furthermore, when the end binding processing unit 25 is located at the standby position HP1, the upper pressing plate 34 of the liquid application unit 31 is located at the release position, the liquid application member 44 is located at the separation position, and the base plate 40 is located at the third position. Furthermore, the upper and lower pressure teeth 32a and 32b of the pressure bonding unit 32 are in a state of being spaced apart from each other by such a distance that they do not come into contact with the end binding end fence 23 when the pressure bonding unit 32 passes through the end binding end fence 23 (see FIG. 7(A)).

[0197] First, before the first sheet P1 of the paper stack Pb is transported to the internal tray 22, the control unit 100b drives the end binding processing unit moving motor 50 to move the end binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction (the direction of the arrow in Figure 18 (A)) so that the liquid application unit 31 can face the second liquid application position B2 indicated in the binding processing instruction (S2900).

[0198] Next, the control unit 100b sets the first medium receiving position and the second medium receiving position based on the predetermined number N of sheets indicated in the binding process instruction (S2901), as described with reference to Figures 26 and 27. Next, the control unit 100b drives the liquid application unit movement motor 37 to move the liquid application member 44 to the first medium receiving position and move the upper pressure plate 34 to the second medium receiving position (S2902).

[0199] 18(B), with the liquid application unit 31 positioned so as to face the second liquid application position B2, the control unit 100b places the sheet P1, on which an image has been formed by the image forming device 2, on the internal tray 22 and performs a jogging process (S2903). Next, as shown in FIG 18(B), in response to the sheet P1 being placed on the internal tray 22, the control unit 100b causes the liquid application unit 31 to apply liquid to the second liquid application position B2 of the sheet P1 (S2904).

[0200] Next, the control unit 100b drives the liquid application unit movement motor 37 to move the upper pressure plate 34 to the release position, the liquid application member 44 to the separated position, and the base plate 40 to the third position (S2905). Then, as shown in FIG. 18C, the control unit 100b drives the edge binding processing unit movement motor 50 to move the edge binding processing unit 25 from the second liquid application position B2 to the first liquid application position B1 in the main scanning direction (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 18B) so that the liquid application unit 31 faces the first liquid application position B1 of the paper P1 (S2906). The first liquid application position B1 and the second liquid application position B2 are located on opposite sides of the edge binding end fence 23 in the main scanning direction.

[0201] Here, when the end binding processing unit 25 moves from one side of the end fence 23 in the main scanning direction to the other side of the end fence 23 for end binding (in other words, the end binding processing unit 25 passes through the end fence 23), the liquid providing member 44 at the first medium receiving position and the upper pressure plate 34 at the second medium receiving position may come into contact with the end fence 23 for end binding. On the other hand, the liquid providing member 44 located at the separated position and the upper pressure plate 34 located at the released position are located at positions where they do not come into contact with the end fence 23 for end binding (in other words, a position above the end fence 23 for end binding) when the end binding processing unit 25 moves from one side of the end fence 23 for end binding in the main scanning direction.

[0202] Therefore, the control unit 100b moves the liquid application member 44 to the separated position and the upper pressure plate 34 to the released position, and then passes the end stitching processing unit 25 from one side to the other side of the end stitching end fence 23. In other words, the control unit 100b moves the liquid application member 44 to the separated position and moves the upper pressure plate 34 to the released position before passing the end stitching processing unit 25 from one side to the other side of the end stitching end fence 23 (S2905).

[0203] Next, as shown in Fig. 18(C), the control unit 100b causes the liquid application unit 31 to apply liquid to the first liquid application position B1 of the paper P1 (S2907). Next, as shown in Fig. 18(D) to Fig. 18(E), the control unit 100b repeatedly executes the conveyance of the paper P to the internal tray 22 by the conveyance roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15, the jogging process by the side fences 24L and 24R, and the application of liquid by the liquid application unit 31 to the first liquid application position B1 and the second liquid application position B2 of each of the papers P constituting the predetermined number N (S2902 to S2907) until the number of papers P placed on the internal tray 22 reaches the predetermined number N (S2908: No).

[0204] Next, in response to determining that the number of sheets P placed on the internal tray 22 has reached the predetermined number N (S2908: Yes), the control unit 100b drives the end stitching unit movement motor 50 to move the end stitching unit 25 in the main scanning direction (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 18E) so that the pressure bonding unit 32 faces the second stitching position B2 (S2909), as shown in FIG. 18F. Also, as shown in FIG. 18F, the control unit 100b executes the pressure binding process by the pressure bonding unit 32 for the second stitching position B2 of the sheet stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 (S2910).

[0205] Next, the control unit 100b drives the liquid applicator movement motor 37 to move the upper pressure plate 34 to the release position, move the liquid applicator 44 to the separated position, and move the base plate 40 to the third position (S2911). This is because when the end binding processing unit 25 moves from the second binding position B2 to the first binding position B1 in the main scanning direction (the state from FIG. 18(F) to FIG. 18(G)), it passes through the end binding end fence 23, so it is necessary to avoid the liquid applicator 44 and / or the upper pressure plate 34 coming into contact with the end binding end fence 23.

[0206] Next, the control unit 100b moves the end stitching processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 18(F)) so that the pressing unit 32 faces the first stitching position B1 (S2912), as shown in FIG. 18(G). Also, as shown in FIG. 18(G), the control unit 100b executes the pressing binding process by the pressing unit 32 on the first stitching position B1 of the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 (S2913). Then, the control unit 100b discharges the paper stack Pb that has been press-bound at the first stitching position B1 and the second stitching position B2 to the second discharge tray 26 (S2914).

[0207] 18, since liquid application is performed by the liquid application unit 31 to the second liquid application position B2, the pressure binding process is performed by the pressure bonding unit 32 in the order of the second binding position B2 and the first binding position B1. On the other hand, if liquid application is performed by the liquid application unit 31 lastly to the first liquid application position B1, the pressure binding process may be performed by the pressure bonding unit 32 in the order of the first binding position B1 and the second binding position B2.

[0208] Next, the control unit 100b determines whether the number of the sheet bundle Pb discharged to the second discharge tray 26 reaches the required number of copies M indicated in the binding process instruction (S2915). If the control unit 100b determines that the required number of copies M has not been reached (S2915: No), it executes the processes from step S2902 onwards again. That is, the control unit 100b repeatedly executes the processes from step S2902 to S2914 until the number of the sheet bundle Pb discharged to the second discharge tray 26 reaches the required number of copies M (S2915: No).

[0209] When the control unit 100b determines that the number of sheets Pb discharged to the second discharge tray 26 has reached the required number of copies M (S2915: Yes), it moves the edge stitching processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 18(G)) toward the standby position HP1 (S2916). As a result, as shown in FIG. 18(H), the liquid application unit 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32 return to the standby position HP1, and the two-point stitching process by the edge stitching processing unit 25 ends.

[0210] 29 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the end stitching processing unit 25 and the end fence 23 for end stitching. The operation of stitching the end of the paper P or the paper stack Pb is performed at a single or multiple stitching positions that are located at the front end of the internal tray 22 in the transport direction and along the main scanning direction. Therefore, the end stitching processing unit 25 moves in the main scanning direction along the guide shaft 49 to perform the stitching operation. The end fence 23 for end stitching is located on the track along which the end stitching processing unit 25 moves. The end fence 23 for end stitching is located at the front end of the internal tray 22 in the transport direction and in the center in the main scanning direction, and is located at a position that does not interfere with the binding process by the end stitching processing unit 25.

[0211] When the liquid applicator 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32 move in the main scanning direction from one side of the first binding position B1 (corresponding to the first liquid applicator position B1) and the second binding position B2 (corresponding to the second liquid applicator position B2) to the other side, as shown in Fig. 27(A), the upper pressing plate 34 of the liquid applicator 31 is moved to the release position, the liquid applicator 44 is moved to the separated position, and the base plate 40 is moved to the third position, thereby making it possible to avoid contact with the end fence 23 for end binding. Also, the upper pressure tooth 32a and the lower pressure tooth 32b of the pressure bonding unit 32 are in a state of being spaced apart by a distance such that they do not come into contact with the end fence 23 for end binding when the pressure bonding unit 32 passes through the end fence 23 for end binding as described above, except when the pressure binding operation is performed (see Fig. 7(A)).

[0212] [Explanation of the paper receiving height setting screen] Fig. 30 is an example of a screen for setting the movement amount of the upper pressure plate 34, the liquid application member 44, and the base plate 40 of the liquid application unit 31. It is possible to change the paper receiving height when applying liquid on the operation panel 110 shown in Fig. 1. This allows the user to change the receiving height of the paper P (i.e., the first medium receiving position and the second medium receiving position) using the operation panel 110 located outside the device according to the type of paper P used, the amount of curl of the paper P, productivity, and other usage environments.

[0213] When the standard height setting button 510 is pressed, the paper receiving height is set to the height previously set in the post-processing device 3. This is intended to be used when the paper receiving height is to be returned to the initial value. When the height increase setting button 512 is pressed once, the height is set to a position 1 mm higher than the currently set height, i.e., the separation amount between the upper pressure plate 34 and the lower pressure plate 33 (see FIG. 26) is set to a position 1 mm wider. When the height increase setting button 512 is pressed twice, the paper receiving height is set to a position 2 mm higher; for example, the paper receiving height can be increased depending on the number of times the height increase setting button 512 is pressed. The paper receiving position is set higher than the standard in order to accommodate the use of paper that is thicker than the expected standard paper P or the use of paper that curls more than the standard paper P.

[0214] Furthermore, when the height reduction setting button 513 is pressed once, the height is set to a position 1 mm lower than the set height, i.e., the separation between the upper pressure plate 34 and the lower pressure plate 33 (see FIG. 26) is set to a position 1 mm narrower. When pressed twice, the paper receiving height is set to a position 2 mm lower; thus, the paper receiving height can be narrowed according to the number of times the height reduction setting button 513 is pressed. The paper receiving position is set lower than the standard in order to accommodate cases where the paper is thinner than the expected standard paper P, where the paper is curled less than the standard paper P, or where the productivity of the post-processing device 3 is to be further improved. The set values ​​operated by the height increase setting button 512 and the height decrease setting button 513 are displayed on the height increase / decrease value display section 511.

[0215] As described above, by operating the height increase setting button 512 and the height decrease setting button 513, the user can change the amount of separation between the upper pressure plate 34 and the lower pressure plate 33 (for example, separation amounts H1 to H3 shown in Figure 26), thereby enabling the user to set the first medium receiving position of the liquid application member 44 and the second medium receiving position of the upper pressure plate 34 to optimal positions depending on the type of paper P, etc.

[0216] In the above description, the first medium receiving position of the liquid applying member 44 is set in conjunction with setting the amount of separation between the upper pressure plate 34 and the lower pressure plate 33, i.e., setting the second medium receiving position of the upper pressure plate 34. However, this is not limiting. For example, in the movement amount setting screen of Fig. 30, a height increase / decrease setting button for setting the first medium receiving position of the liquid applying member 44 may be provided separately from the height increase / decrease setting button for setting the second medium receiving position of the upper pressure plate 34, so that the first medium receiving position of the liquid applying member 44 and the second medium receiving position of the upper pressure plate 34 can be set separately.

[0217] According to the above embodiment, the liquid application member 44 can be disposed at the first medium receiving position, which is closer to the liquid application position than the separated position. This makes the amount of separation between the liquid application position and the first medium receiving position smaller than the amount of separation between the liquid application position and the separated position, so that liquid can be appropriately applied to the paper P while suppressing a decrease in productivity of the post-processing device 3.

[0218] In the above description, the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3 is provided separately from the control unit 100a of the image forming device 2 as shown in Fig. 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 40(A), the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3 may be provided on the image forming device 2 side. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 40(B), the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3 may be configured integrally with the control unit 100a of the image forming device 2.

[0219] 41(A), the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3 may be divided into a control unit 100b1 (e.g., a drive system (motor, etc.)) and a control unit 100b2 (detection system (sensor, etc.)) based on function, and only the control unit 100b2 of the post-processing device 3 may be provided on the image forming device 2 side. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 41(B), the control unit 100b2 of the post-processing device 3 provided on the image forming device 2 side may be configured integrally with the control unit 100a of the image forming device 2.

[0220] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, when the paper P enters between the lower pressure plate 33 and the upper pressure plate 34 (in other words, the lower pressure plate 33 and the liquid application member 44), by disposing the liquid application member 44 at the first medium receiving position, it is possible to reduce the amount of movement of the liquid application member 44 when applying liquid to the paper P. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in productivity of the post-processing device 3.

[0221] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the larger the value of the predetermined number N, the closer the first medium receiving position is to the separated position (in other words, the greater the separation amount between the liquid application position and the first medium receiving position), thereby making it possible to prevent the paper P attempting to enter between the lower pressure plate 33 and the upper pressure plate 34 (in other words, the lower pressure plate 33 and the liquid application member 44) from getting caught on the liquid application member 44. In other words, the smaller the value of the predetermined number N, the closer the first medium receiving position is to the liquid application position (in other words, the smaller the separation amount between the liquid application position and the first medium receiving position), thereby making it possible to suppress a decrease in productivity of the post-processing device 3.

[0222] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, after the compression binding process by the compression unit 32 is completed, the liquid application member 44 is moved to the separated position and the upper pressure plate is moved to the released position, whereby the liquid application unit 31 and the compression unit 32 can move smoothly in the main scanning direction without colliding with the end fence 23 for end binding, and the next compression binding process by the compression unit 32 can be started promptly, thereby further suppressing a decrease in productivity of the post-processing device 3.

[0223] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, when the liquid application section 31 passes through the end fence 23 for end binding, the liquid application member 44 is moved to the separated position and the upper pressure plate 34 is moved to the released position, thereby preventing the liquid application member 44 and the upper pressure plate 34 from colliding with the end fence 23 for end binding.

[0224] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, by disposing not only the liquid application member 44 but also the upper pressing plate 34 at the second medium receiving position closer to the pressing position than the release position, it is possible to further suppress a decrease in productivity of the post-processing device 3. Also, by moving the upper pressing plate 34 and the liquid application member 44 in conjunction with each other, it is possible to simplify the movement mechanism. However, the upper pressing plate 34 and the liquid application member 44 may also be moved independently.

[0225] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the first medium receiving position and the second medium receiving position can be manually set via the operation panel 110, so that they can be set to appropriate values ​​according to the user's usage conditions.

[0226] [Second embodiment of post-processing device 3] Next, a post-processing device 3B according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 31 to 39. Note that components common to the post-processing device 3 according to the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0227] Unlike the end binding processing unit 25 of the post-processing device 3 according to the first embodiment in which the liquid application unit 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32 are provided together, the end binding processing unit 251 of the post-processing device 3B according to the second embodiment only includes a pressure bonding unit 32', and the liquid application unit 131 is provided on the upstream side of the transport path. As a result, a predetermined number of sheets P can be pre-stacked after the liquid application process and transported to the pressure bonding unit 32' of the end binding processing unit 251 provided on the downstream side, making it possible to improve the productivity of the binding process in the pressure bonding unit 32'.

[0228] Furthermore, by applying to the post-processing device 3B of the second embodiment a binding process flow (see FIG. 25) that suppresses a decrease in productivity of the liquid application section 31 of the post-processing device 3 of the first embodiment and a method for setting the amount of separation between the lower pressure plate 33 and the upper pressure plate 34 of the liquid application section 31 and the liquid application member 44 when receiving the paper P (see FIG. 26), it is possible to further improve the productivity of the binding process in the pressing section 32'.

[0229] The direction in which the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, and 14 convey the paper P is opposite to the "conveying direction" defined above, and is therefore defined as the "reverse conveying direction." The direction perpendicular to the reverse conveying direction and the thickness direction of the paper P is defined as the "main scanning direction (width direction of the paper P)." The position (liquid application position) where liquid is applied to the paper P or the paper stack Pb by the liquid application unit 131 corresponds to the binding position where the pressure bonding unit 32' is scheduled to perform pressure binding on the paper stack Pb. Therefore, in the following description, the liquid application position and the binding position are given the same reference symbol (B1).

[0230] Fig. 31 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the post-processing device 3B according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 32, the end binding processing section 251 includes only a pressure bonding section 32'. As shown in Fig. 32, the pressure bonding section 32' and the staple binding processing section 156 are disposed downstream in the transport direction from the internal tray 22. The pressure bonding section 32' and the staple binding processing section 156 are configured to be movable in the main scanning direction at a position where they can face the end of the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 on the downstream side in the transport direction.

[0231] Furthermore, the crimping unit 32' and the staple binding processing unit 156 are configured to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions around a crimping unit rotation shaft 340 and a staple binding unit rotation shaft 84 that extend in the thickness direction of the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. That is, the crimping unit 32' and the staple binding processing unit 156 can bind the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 at any position in the main scanning direction at any angle, such as oblique corner binding, parallel one-point binding, parallel two-point binding, etc.

[0232] The crimping unit 32' binds the paper stack Pb by pressurizing and deforming the paper stack Pb with the uneven upper and lower crimping teeth 32a and 32b (hereinafter, referred to as "crimp binding"). Meanwhile, the staple binding processing unit 156 can staple the paper stack Pb by penetrating a staple into a staple position of the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22.

[0233] FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram of the internal tray 22 as viewed from the thickness direction of the paper stack Pb. FIG. 33 is a schematic diagram of the pressing unit 32' as viewed from the downstream side in the transport direction. As shown in FIG. 32, the pressing unit 32' and the staple binding processing unit 156 are disposed downstream in the transport direction from the internal tray 22. The pressing unit 32' is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction along the surface of the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. The pressing unit 32' is configured to be rotatable in the forward and reverse directions around a pressing unit rotation shaft 340 extending in the thickness direction of the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. Similarly, the staple binding processing unit 156 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction of the paper stack Pb. The staple binding processing unit 156 is configured to be rotatable in the forward and reverse directions around a staple binding unit rotation shaft 84 extending in the thickness direction of the paper stack Pb. Other configurations of the stapling processing unit 156 are similar to those of the stapling processing unit 155 (see FIG. 11) of the post-processing device 3 according to the first embodiment, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0234] As shown in FIG. 33, the pressure-bonding unit 32' has a guide rail 337 extending in the main scanning direction downstream of the internal tray 22 in the conveying direction. The pressure-bonding unit 32' includes a pressure-bonding unit movement motor 238 as a drive source. A base member 48 supporting the pressure-bonding unit frame 32c includes a fastening portion 48b for the timing belt 240c at its bottom. As a result, the driving force of the pressure-bonding unit movement motor 238 is transmitted to the base member 48 by a drive transmission mechanism 240 including the pulleys 240a and 240b, the timing belt 240c, and the fastening portion 48b, so that the pressure-bonding unit 32' moves in the main scanning direction along the surface of the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 (in other words, the guide rail 337). Furthermore, the pressure-bonding unit frame 32c holding the components of the pressure-bonding unit 32' has a pressure-bonding unit rotation shaft 340 including a drive transmission gear 340a fixed to its bottom.

[0235] The pressing unit rotation shaft 340 and the drive transmission gear 340a are held rotatably in forward and reverse directions on a base member 48 on which the pressing unit frame 32c is provided. The drive transmission gear 340a meshes with an output gear 239a of the pressing unit rotation motor 239. The pressing unit 32' rotates in forward and reverse directions on the base member 48 around the pressing unit rotation shaft 340 extending in the thickness direction of the paper P placed on the internal tray 22, as the driving force of the pressing unit rotation motor 239 is transmitted to the pressing unit rotation shaft 340 via the output gear 239a and the drive transmission gear 340a. The guide rail 337, the pressing unit movement motor 238, the pressing unit rotation motor 239, the pressing unit rotation shaft 340, and the drive transmission mechanism 240 constitute an example of a drive mechanism for the pressing unit 32'.

[0236] The pressure-bonding section 32' is configured to be movable between a standby position HP3 shown in Fig. 32(A) and a position facing the first binding position B1 shown in Fig. 32(B) and Fig. 32(C). The standby position HP3 is a position offset to one side in the main scanning direction from the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. The first binding position B1 is a position on the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. However, the specific position of the first binding position B1 is not limited to the example in Fig. 32, and may be any position in the main scanning direction at the end on the downstream side in the transport direction of the paper P, and may be multiple positions.

[0237] The crimping portion 32' changes its posture between a parallel binding posture shown in FIG. 32(B) and a diagonal binding posture shown in FIG. 32(C). That is, the crimping portion 32' is configured to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions around the crimping portion rotation shaft 340. Here, the parallel binding posture is a posture of the crimping portion 32' in which the longitudinal direction of the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b (in other words, the rectangular crimping binding marks) faces the main scanning direction. The diagonal binding posture is a posture of the crimping portion 32' in which the longitudinal direction of the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b (in other words, the rectangular crimping binding marks) is inclined with respect to the main scanning direction.

[0238] In addition, the rotation angle in the diagonal binding position (the angle of the upper and lower crimping teeth 32a and 32b relative to the main scanning direction) is not limited to the example in Figure 32 (C), and may be any angle as long as the upper and lower crimping teeth 32a and 32b face the stack of paper Pb placed on the internal tray 22.

[0239] The post-processing device 3B includes a liquid applying section 131 and a punch hole punching means 132 (processing section). The liquid applying section 131 and the punch hole punching means 132 are disposed upstream of the internal tray 22 in the reverse conveying direction. The liquid applying section 131 and the punch hole punching means 132 are disposed offset in the reverse conveying direction at positions where they can simultaneously face one sheet of paper P conveyed by the conveying roller pairs 10 to 19. The liquid applying section 131 and the punch hole punching means 132 according to this embodiment are disposed between the conveying roller pairs 10 and 11. However, the arrangement of the liquid applying section 131 is not limited to the example of FIG. 31. For example, when an inserter 6 is disposed between the image forming device 2 and the post-processing device 3B as shown in FIG. 39, the liquid applying section 131 can be provided in the inserter 6 located upstream of the post-processing device 3B. An example of the inserter 6 is a device that can feed preprinted media, which is transported to the post-processing device 3B together with the paper P transported from the image forming device 2, as a cover, insert paper, or partition paper without passing through the image forming device 2.

[0240] 34A, the conveying roller pair 11 is disposed at a position that does not overlap in the main scanning direction with the first liquid application position B1 of the paper P to which liquid has been applied by the liquid application head 146 of the liquid application unit 131. This is to prevent a decrease in the amount of liquid at the first liquid application position B1 due to abutment of the first liquid application position B1 by the conveying roller pair 11 when the paper P is conveyed by the conveying roller pair 11. As a result, when the paper P reaches the pressing unit 32' provided downstream of the liquid application unit 131 in the reverse conveying direction, the amount of liquid at the first liquid application position B1 is sufficient to maintain the binding strength, so that a decrease in the binding strength of the paper stack Pb due to a decrease in the amount of liquid at the first liquid application position B1 (corresponding to the first binding position B1) during the conveying process can be prevented.

[0241] Furthermore, by arranging the multiple roller pairs that make up the conveying roller pair 11 at positions that do not overlap with the first liquid application position B1 on the paper P in the main scanning direction, it is possible to prevent liquid from adhering to the multiple roller pairs, thereby deteriorating the conveying performance of the paper P, and to prevent conveying jams caused by the deterioration of the conveying performance.

[0242] Although only the transport roller pair 11 has been described above, it is preferable that the multiple roller pairs constituting the transport roller pairs 14-15 are similarly disposed at positions that do not overlap with the first liquid application position B1 on the paper P in the main scanning direction.

[0243] The liquid application unit 131 applies liquid (hereinafter referred to as "liquid application") to the paper P transported by the transport roller pair 10, 11. The punch hole making means 132 makes punch holes penetrating in the thickness direction in the paper P transported by the transport roller pair 10, 11. Note that the processing unit provided adjacent to the liquid application unit 131 is not limited to the punch hole making means 132, and may be a skew correction unit that corrects the skew of the paper P transported by the transport roller pair 10, 11.

[0244] Fig. 34 is a view of liquid deposition section 131 according to the second embodiment seen from the thickness direction of paper P. Fig. 35 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXV-XXV of Fig. 34. Fig. 36 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXVI-XXVI of Fig. 34. As shown in Figs. 34 to 36, liquid deposition section 131 includes a pair of guide shafts 133a, 133b, a pair of pulleys 134a, 134b, endless circular belts 135, 136, a liquid deposition section movement motor 137, a standby position sensor 138, and a liquid deposition unit 140.

[0245] The pair of guide shafts 133a, 133b are provided to extend in the main scanning direction at positions spaced apart in the reverse transport direction. The pair of guide shafts 133a, 133b are supported by a pair of side plates 4a, 4b of the post-processing device 3B. The pair of guide shafts 133a, 133b support the liquid deposition unit 140 so as to be movable in the main scanning direction.

[0246] The pair of pulleys 134a, 134b are disposed between the pair of guide shafts 133a, 133b in the reverse transport direction. The pair of pulleys 134a, 134b are disposed apart from each other in the main scanning direction. The pair of pulleys 134a, 134b are supported by the frame of the post-processing device 3B so as to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions about a rotation axis extending in the thickness direction of the paper P.

[0247] The endless circular belt 135 is stretched around a pair of pulleys 134a, 134b. Furthermore, the endless circular belt 135 is connected to the liquid application unit 140 by a connection portion 135a. The endless circular belt 136 is stretched around the pulley 134a and a drive pulley 137a fixed to the output shaft of a liquid application unit movement motor 137. The liquid application unit movement motor 137 generates a drive force for moving the liquid application unit 140 in the main scanning direction.

[0248] Rotation of the liquid applicator movement motor 137 causes the endless circular belt 136 to rotate between the pulley 134a and the drive pulley 137a, rotating the pulley 134a. Rotation of the pulley 134a also causes the endless circular belt 135 to rotate between the pair of pulleys 134a, 134b. This causes the liquid applicator unit 140 to move in the main scanning direction along the pair of guide shafts 133a, 133b. Switching the rotation direction of the liquid applicator movement motor 137 also causes the liquid applicator unit 140 to move back and forth in the main scanning direction.

[0249] The standby position sensor 138 detects that the liquid deposition unit 140 has reached a standby position HP4 (see FIG. 34) in the main scanning direction, and outputs a standby position signal indicating the detection result to a control unit 100b (see FIG. 37) described below. The standby position sensor 138 is, for example, an optical sensor equipped with a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit. Then, at the standby position HP4, the liquid deposition unit 140 blocks the optical path between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit. Then, the standby position sensor 138 outputs a standby position signal in response to the light output from the light-emitting unit not being received by the light-receiving unit. However, the specific configuration of the standby position sensor 138 is not limited to the above-mentioned example.

[0250] 35, the transport path in post-processing device 3B is defined by upper guide plate 5a and lower guide plate 5b spaced apart in the thickness direction of paper P. The liquid deposition unit 140 is disposed at a position facing an opening provided in upper guide plate 5a. That is, liquid deposition unit 140 is disposed facing the transport path (i.e., a position where it can face paper P) through the opening of upper guide plate 5a.

[0251] As shown in Figures 34 to 36, the liquid application unit 140 includes a base member 141, a rotating bracket 142, a liquid storage tank 143, a liquid application head moving means 144, a holding member 145, a liquid application head 146, columnar members 147a, 147b, a pressure plate 148, coil springs 149a, 149b, an application head rotation motor 150, an application head moving motor 151 (see Figure 37), and a standby angle sensor 152 (see Figure 37).

[0252] The base member 141 is supported by a pair of guide shafts 133a, 133b so as to be slidable in the main scanning direction. The base member 141 is connected to an endless circular belt 135 by a connection portion 135a. The base member 141 also supports components 142 to 152 of the liquid application unit 140.

[0253] The rotating bracket 142 is attached to the underside of the base member 141 so as to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions around a rotation axis extending in the thickness direction of the paper P. Furthermore, the rotating bracket 142 rotates in forward and reverse directions relative to the base member 141 by the driving force of the liquid application head rotating motor 150 being transmitted thereto. Furthermore, the rotating bracket 142 holds a liquid storage tank 143, liquid application head moving means 144, a holding member 145, a liquid application head 146, columnar members 147a, 147b, a pressing plate 148, and coil springs 149a, 149b.

[0254] The standby angle sensor 152 (see FIG. 37) detects that the rotating bracket 142 has reached the standby angle, and outputs a standby angle signal indicating the detection result to the control unit 100b. The standby angle is, for example, an angle at the time of parallel binding. The standby angle sensor 152 is, for example, an optical sensor equipped with a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The rotating bracket 142 at the standby angle blocks the optical path between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. The standby angle sensor 152 outputs a standby angle signal in response to the light output from the light emitting unit not being received by the light receiving unit. However, the specific configuration of the standby angle sensor 152 is not limited to the above example.

[0255] The rotating bracket 142 shown in Fig. 34(A) shows a state in which the pressure-bonding unit 32' downstream of the liquid applicator 131 performs parallel binding. The rotating bracket 142 shown in Fig. 34(B) shows a state in which the pressure-bonding unit 32' downstream of the liquid applicator 131 performs oblique binding (corner binding).

[0256] The liquid storage tank 143 stores liquid to be applied to the paper P. The liquid application head moving means 144 is attached to the liquid storage tank 143 so as to be movable (e.g., vertically movable) in the thickness direction of the paper P. Furthermore, the liquid application head moving means 144 moves relative to the liquid storage tank 143 by transmitting the driving force of the application head moving motor 151. The holding member 145 is attached to the lower end of the liquid application head moving means 144. The liquid application head 146 protrudes from the holding member 145 toward the transport path (downward in this embodiment). Furthermore, the liquid stored in the liquid storage tank 143 is supplied to the liquid application head 146. Furthermore, the liquid application head 146 is made of a material with a high liquid absorption rate (e.g., sponge, fiber).

[0257] The pillar members 147a, 147b protrude downward from the holding member 145 around the liquid dispensing head 146. The pillar members 147a, 147b are configured to be movable in the thickness direction relative to the holding member 145. The pillar members 147a, 147b hold a pressing plate 148 at their lower ends. A through hole 148a is formed in the pressing plate 148 at a position facing the liquid dispensing head 146. The coil springs 149a, 149b are inserted around the pillar members 147a, 147b between the holding member 145 and the pressing plate 148. The coil springs 149a, 149b bias the pillar members 147a, 147b and the pressing plate 148 in a direction away from the holding member 145.

[0258] As shown in FIG. 35(A) and FIG. 36(A), before the paper P is transported to a position facing the opening of the upper guide plate 5a, the pressing plate 148 is located at the position of the opening or above the opening. Next, when the first liquid application position B1 of the paper P transported by the transport roller pair 10, 11 stops at a position facing the opening, the application head moving motor 151 is rotated in a first direction. As a result, the liquid application head moving means 144, the holding member 145, the liquid application head 146, the columnar members 147a, 147b, the pressing plate 148, and the coil springs 149a, 149b are lowered as a unit, and the pressing plate 148 comes into contact with the paper P. The first liquid application position B1 is a position (i.e., the first binding position B1) where the end binding processing unit 251 (i.e., the pressing unit 32') is to perform pressure binding.

[0259] Then, by continuing to rotate the liquid application head moving motor 151 in the first direction after the pressing plate 148 has come into contact with the paper P, the coil springs 149a, 149b are compressed, and the liquid application head moving means 144, the holding member 145, the liquid application head 146, and the columnar members 147a, 147b are further lowered. Then, as shown in Figures 35(B) and 36(B), the lower surface of the liquid application head 146 comes into contact with the paper P through the through-hole 148a. As a result, the liquid contained in the liquid application head 146 is applied to the paper P.

[0260] 35(C) and 36(C), by further rotating the application head moving motor 151 in the first direction, the liquid application head 146 can be pressed even more strongly against the paper P. This increases the amount of liquid applied to the paper P. In other words, the liquid application unit 131 can adjust the amount of liquid applied by changing the pressing force of the liquid application head 146 against the paper P.

[0261] On the other hand, by rotating the application head moving motor 151 in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the liquid application head moving means 144, holding member 145, liquid application head 146, columnar members 147a, 147b, pressure plate 148, and coil springs 149a, 149b rise together. This causes the liquid application head 146 and pressure plate 148 to move away from the paper P, as shown in Figures 35(A) and 36(A). In other words, the liquid application section 131 includes a liquid application head 146 that can be detached from the paper P.

[0262] Fig. 37 is a hardware configuration diagram of a control block that controls the operation of post-processing device 3B according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 37, post-processing device 3B includes a central processing unit (CPU) 101, a random access memory (RAM) 102, a read only memory (ROM) 103, a hard disk drive (HDD) 104, and an interface (I / F) 105, all of which are connected via a common bus 109.

[0263] The CPU 101 is a calculation means and controls the operation of the entire post-processing device 3B. The RAM 102 is a volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at high speed, and is used as a working area when the CPU 101 processes information. The ROM 103 is a read-only non-volatile storage medium in which programs such as firmware are stored. The HDD 104 is a non-volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information and has a large storage capacity, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, etc.

[0264] The post-processing device 3B processes a control program stored in the ROM 103, an information processing program (application program) loaded from a storage medium such as the HDD 104 to the RAM 102, and the like, by using the arithmetic function of the CPU 101. This processing constitutes a software control unit including various functional modules of the post-processing device 3B. The combination of the software control unit thus constituted and the hardware resources mounted on the post-processing device 3B constitutes a functional block that realizes the functions of the post-processing device 3B. That is, the CPU 101, the RAM 102, the ROM 103, the HDD 104, and the I / F 105 constitute a control unit 100b (control means) that controls the operation of the post-processing device 3B.

[0265] The I / F 105 is an interface that connects the pairs of conveying rollers 10, 11, 14, 15, the switching member 20, the side fences 24L, 24R, the pressure bonding section movement motor 238, the pressure bonding section rotation motor 239, the contact / separation motor 32d, the liquid application section movement motor 137, the application head rotation motor 150, the application head movement motor 151, the standby position sensor 138, the standby angle sensor 152, the punch hole punching means 132, and the operation panel 110 to the common bus 109. Through the I / F 105, the control unit 100b controls the operation of the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, 15, the switching member 20, the side fences 24L, 24R, the pressure bonding unit moving motor 238, the pressure bonding unit rotating motor 239, the contact / separation motor 32d, the liquid application unit moving motor 137, the application head rotating motor 150, the application head moving motor 151, and the punch hole punching means 132.

[0266] Furthermore, the control unit 100b acquires the detection results of the standby position sensor 138 and the standby angle sensor 152 through the I / F 105. Note that, although Fig. 37 mainly illustrates only the components of the end binding processing unit 251 (pressing unit 32') and the liquid application unit 131 that perform the end binding process, the components of the saddle stitching processing unit 28 that performs the saddle stitching process are also similarly controlled by the control unit 100b.

[0267] As shown in Fig. 39, the image forming apparatus 2 includes an operation panel 110. The operation panel 110 includes an operation unit that accepts input operations from a user, and a display (notification unit) that notifies the user of information. The operation unit includes, for example, hard keys, a touch panel superimposed on the display, etc. The operation panel 110 obtains information from the user through the operation unit, and provides the information to the user through the display. Also, the post-processing device 3A may be provided with the same operation panel 110 as above.

[0268] 38 is a flowchart of post-processing by the post-processing device 3B according to the second embodiment, specifically, a flowchart for performing the one-point binding process shown in FIG.

[0269] The control unit 100b executes the post-processing shown in FIG. 38 in response to, for example, receiving an instruction to execute the post-processing (hereinafter, referred to as a "post-processing instruction") from the image forming apparatus 2. The post-processing instruction includes, for example, the number of sheets P constituting the paper stack Pb (hereinafter, referred to as a "predetermined number of sheets Np"), the number of copies of the paper stack Pb to be bound (hereinafter, referred to as a "required number of copies Mp"), the first binding position B1 (corresponding to the first liquid application position B1), the angle of the first binding position B1 (corresponding to the angle of the first liquid application position B1), the type of binding (parallel binding, diagonal binding), and the process executed in parallel with the liquid application process (perforation of punch holes in this embodiment). Note that, at the start of the post-processing, the liquid application unit 140 is located at the standby position HP4 (see FIG. 34), and the rotating bracket 142 is held at the standby angle (corresponding to the "parallel binding position").

[0270] First, the control unit 100b drives the liquid application unit moving motor 137 to move the liquid application unit 140 (corresponding to the liquid application unit) in the main scanning direction, thereby moving the liquid application head 146 from the standby position HP4 to a position where it can face the first liquid application position B1 (see FIG. 34(B). The position corresponds to the first binding position B1 in FIG. 32(B) and FIG. 32(C)). In addition, when the type of binding process instructed by the post-processing instruction is "diagonal binding process", the control unit 100b drives the application head rotating motor 150 to rotate the rotating bracket 142, thereby rotating the liquid application head 146 from the standby angle to the liquid application angle corresponding to the "diagonal binding posture" (S801). The fact that the liquid application head 146 has reached the position and liquid application angle where it can face the first liquid application position B1 can be grasped by the pulse signals output from the rotary encoders of the liquid application unit moving motor 137 and the application head rotating motor 150. It should be noted that, when the type of binding process instructed in the post-processing instruction is "parallel binding process," the control unit 100b omits the above-described operation of rotating the rotating bracket 142. That is, the liquid application unit 140 moves in the main scanning direction while holding the rotating bracket 142 at the standby angle.

[0271] Also, the control unit 100b drives the pressure-bonding unit moving motor 238 to move the pressure-bonding unit 32' from the standby position HP3 to a position where the pressure-bonding unit 32' can face the first binding position B1, as shown in FIG. 32(A) and FIG. 32(B) (S801). Also, when the type of binding process instructed by the post-processing instruction is the "diagonal binding process", the control unit 100b drives the pressure-bonding unit rotating motor 239 to rotate the pressure-bonding unit 32' from the standby angle to the pressure-bonding angle corresponding to the "diagonal binding posture" (S801). It can be grasped by the pulse signal output from the rotary encoder of the pressure-bonding unit moving motor 238 and the pressure-bonding unit rotating motor 239 that the pressure-bonding unit 32' has reached the position where the pressure-bonding unit 32' can face the first binding position B1 and the pressure-bonding angle. When the type of binding process instructed by the post-processing instruction is the "parallel binding process", the control unit 100b omits the operation of rotating the pressure-bonding unit 32' described above. That is, the pressure bonding portion 32' moves in the main scanning direction while maintaining the standby angle.

[0272] Next, the control unit 100b drives the conveying roller pair 10, 11 to start conveying the paper P on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 2 (S802). Then, the control unit 100b judges whether or not the first liquid application position B1 of the paper P faces the liquid application unit 140 (more specifically, the liquid application head 146) (S803). When it is judged that the first liquid application position B1 of the paper P does not face the liquid application unit 140 (S803: No), the control unit 100b continues conveying the paper P by the conveying roller pair 10, 11 until the first liquid application position B1 of the paper P faces the liquid application unit 140 (S803: Yes). On the other hand, when it is judged that the first liquid application position B1 of the paper P faces the liquid application head 146 (S803: Yes), the control unit 100b stops conveying the paper P by the conveying roller pair 10, 11 (S804). The fact that the first liquid application position B1 of the paper P faces the liquid application head 146 can be detected by a pulse signal output from a rotary encoder of the motor that drives the pair of transport rollers 10 and 11.

[0273] The control unit 100b executes a process of applying liquid to the first liquid application position B1 of the paper P by the liquid application unit 140 (S805). More specifically, the control unit 100b rotates the application head moving motor 151 in a first direction, thereby causing the liquid application head 146 to contact the first liquid application position B1 of the paper P. The control unit 100b also changes the pressing force of the liquid application head 146 (i.e., the amount of rotation of the application head moving motor 151) depending on the amount of liquid applied to the paper P.

[0274] The amount of liquid applied to the paper P may be the same for all the papers P constituting the paper stack Pb, or may be different for each paper P. For example, the control unit 100b may apply less liquid to the paper P that is transported later. The rotation amount of the application head movement motor 151 can be grasped by a pulse signal output from a rotary encoder of the application head movement motor 151.

[0275] Next, the control unit 100b drives the pairs of conveying rollers 10, 11, 14, and 15 to place the paper P on the internal tray 22 (S806). The control unit 100b also moves the side fences 24L and 24R in the main scanning direction to align the positions of the ends in the main scanning direction of the paper P or the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22, that is, executes a so-called jogging process (S806).

[0276] Next, the control unit 100b determines whether the number of sheets P placed on the internal tray 22 has reached the predetermined number Np instructed by the post-processing instruction (S807). If the control unit 100b determines that the number of sheets P placed on the internal tray 22 has not reached the predetermined number Np (S807: No), the control unit 100b repeats the processing of steps S802 to S807 until the number of sheets P placed on the internal tray 22 reaches the predetermined number Np (S807: Yes).

[0277] On the other hand, when the control unit 100b determines that the number of sheets P placed on the internal tray 22 has reached the predetermined number Np (S807: Yes), it causes the pressing unit 32' to press and bind the first binding position B1 (corresponding to the first liquid application position B1 of the sheets P) of the sheet stack Pb including the sheets P to which liquid has been applied by the liquid application unit 140 (S808). Furthermore, the control unit 100b rotates the conveying roller pair 15 to discharge the press-bound sheet stack Pb to the second discharge tray 26 (S808).

[0278] Next, the control unit 100b determines whether the number of copies of the sheet stack Pb discharged to the second discharge tray 26 reaches the required number of copies Mp indicated in the post-processing instruction (S809). If the control unit 100b determines that the number of copies of the discharged sheet stack Pb has not reached the required number of copies Mp (S809: No), it repeats the processes of steps S802 to S809 until the number of copies of the discharged sheet stack Pb reaches the required number of copies Mp (S809: Yes).

[0279] On the other hand, when the control unit 100b determines that the number of copies of the paper stack Pb discharged to the second discharge tray 26 has reached the required number of copies Mp (S809: Yes), it drives the liquid application unit movement motor 137 to move the liquid application unit 140 to the standby position HP4 (see FIG. 34), and drives the pressure bonding unit movement motor 238 to move the pressure bonding unit 32' to the standby position HP3 (see FIG. 32) (S810). In addition, when the posture instructed by the post-processing instruction is the "diagonal binding posture", the control unit 100b drives the application head rotation motor 150 and the pressure bonding unit rotation motor 239 to rotate the liquid application unit 140 and the pressure bonding unit 32' to the parallel binding posture (standby angle) (S810). On the other hand, when the posture instructed by the post-processing instruction is the "parallel binding posture", the operation of rotating the liquid application unit 140 and the pressure bonding unit 32' to the parallel binding posture (standby angle) is omitted. In addition, in steps S801 and S810, the order of execution of the operations of moving the liquid application unit 140 and the pressure bonding portion 32' in the main scanning direction and rotating them in the forward and reverse directions is not limited to the order described above, and may be the reverse order to the order described above.

[0280] Further, the present invention can be applied not only to the end stitching processing unit 25 that executes the end stitching process, but also to the saddle stitching processing unit 28 that executes the saddle stitching process.

[0281] 31 according to the second embodiment, the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3B is provided separately from the control unit 100a of the image forming device 2, as in FIG. 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3B may be provided on the image forming device 2 side, as in FIG. 40(A). Furthermore, the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3B may be integral with the control unit 100a of the image forming device 2, as in FIG. 40(B).

[0282] 41(A), the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3B may be divided into a control unit 100b1 (e.g., a drive system (motor, etc.)) and a control unit 100b2 (detection system (sensor, etc.)) based on function, and the control unit 100b2 of one of the post-processing devices 3B may be provided on the image forming device 2 side. Furthermore, the control unit 100b2 of the post-processing device 3B provided on the image forming device 2 side may be configured integrally with the control unit 100a of the image forming device 2, as in the case of FIG. 41(B).

[0283] As already explained, the control method by the control unit 100b described above is realized by cooperation between the hardware resources of a computer and a program as computer software. That is, the control method is a method executed by a computer by making the arithmetic unit, storage device, input device, output device, and control device operate in cooperation based on the program. The program may be written in a storage device or storage medium, etc. and distributed, or distributed via a telecommunication line, etc.

[0284] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the technical gist of the present invention. The present invention covers all technical matters included in the technical ideas described in the claims. The above-described embodiments are preferred examples, but a person skilled in the art can realize various modifications from the disclosed contents. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims.

[0285] For example, aspects of the present invention are as follows. <1> A liquid application unit that applies liquid to a medium; a post-processing unit that performs post-processing on the plurality of media to which liquid has been applied by the liquid application unit; Equipped with The liquid application unit includes: a placement section on which the medium is placed; a liquid applying member that is disposed on the opposite side of the medium placement section and that contains a liquid to be applied to the medium; The liquid applying member is a media processing device characterized in that it moves between a contact position where it contacts the medium and applies liquid, a spaced position where it is spaced apart from the medium, and a first media receiving position located between the contact position and the spaced position. <2> the liquid applying section disposes the liquid applying member at the first medium receiving position when the medium enters between the placement section and the liquid applying member, The liquid applying member is moved from the first medium receiving position to the contact position, thereby applying liquid to the medium placed on the medium placement section. <1> The present invention relates to a media processing device. <3> The liquid application unit is characterized in that the liquid application unit moves the first medium receiving position closer to the separated position as the number of the media to be post-processed by the post-processing unit increases. <1> or the above <2> The present invention relates to a media processing device. <4> The liquid application unit is characterized in that after the post-treatment is performed on the plurality of media by the post-treatment unit, the liquid application member is moved to the separated position. <1> or the above <3> 1 is a media processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. <5> an alignment member that aligns positions of the plurality of media that have entered between the placement portion and the liquid application member in an entry direction; a moving means for moving the liquid application unit in a direction perpendicular to the approach direction, The liquid applicator is configured to move to the separated position when moving from one side of the alignment member to the other side in the perpendicular direction. <2> or the above <4> 1 is a media processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. <6> the liquid application unit is disposed on the opposite side of the placement unit with the medium therebetween, and includes a pressing unit that moves between a pressing position where the liquid application unit presses the medium and a release position where the liquid application unit is spaced apart from the medium; The liquid application unit includes: before the liquid applying member is moved to the abutting position, the pressing means is moved to the pressing position; the pressing means is moved from the pressing position toward the release position after the liquid applying member is separated from the medium. <1> or the above <5> 1 is a media processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. <7> The pressing means is characterized in that it moves between the pressing position, the release position, and a second medium receiving position between the pressing position and the release position. <6> The present invention relates to a media processing device. <8> The liquid application unit includes: When the medium enters between the placement portion and the liquid applying member, the pressing means is disposed at the second medium receiving position; The liquid supplying member is moved to the contact position, and before the liquid supplying member is moved to the contact position, the pressing means is moved from the second medium receiving position to the pressing position. <7> The present invention relates to a media processing device. <9> an operation unit that receives an operation to input at least one of the first medium receiving position and the second medium receiving position, <7> or the above <8> 1 is a media processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. <10> The liquid applying member and the pressing means are moved in conjunction with each other. <6> or the above <9> 1 is a media processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. <11> an image forming device for forming an image on the medium; The above <1> or the above <10> and an image forming system comprising the media processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0286] 1: Image forming system 2: Image forming device 3, 3B: Post-processing device 10-19: Transport roller pair 22: Internal tray (loading section) 23: End fence for edge binding 25: Edge binding processing section 26: Second output tray 31, 31A, 131: Liquid application unit 32: Crimping section (post-processing section) 33,148: Lower pressure plate 34,145: Upper pressure plate 37: Liquid application unit movement motor 44: Liquid application member 50: Edge binding processing section moving motor 100a, 100b: control unit [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0287] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-13930 A

Claims

1. A liquid application unit that applies liquid to a medium; a post-processing unit that performs post-processing on the plurality of media to which liquid has been applied by the liquid application unit; Equipped with The liquid application unit includes: a placement section on which the medium is placed; a liquid applying member that is disposed on the opposite side of the medium placement section and that contains a liquid to be applied to the medium; A media processing device characterized in that the liquid application member moves between a contact position where it contacts the medium and applies liquid, a spaced position where it is spaced from the medium, and a first media receiving position located between the contact position and the spaced position.

2. the liquid applying section disposes the liquid applying member at the first medium receiving position when the medium enters between the placement section and the liquid applying member, The medium processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid applying member is moved from the first medium receiving position to the contact position to apply liquid to the medium placed on the mounting section.

3. The media processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid application unit moves the first medium receiving position closer to the separated position as the number of media to be post-processed by the post-processing unit increases.

4. The media processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid application unit moves the liquid application member to the separated position after the post-processing has been performed on the plurality of media by the post-processing unit.

5. an alignment member that aligns positions of the plurality of media that have entered between the placement portion and the liquid application member in an entry direction; a moving means for moving the liquid application unit in a direction perpendicular to the approach direction, The media processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the liquid applicator moves to the separated position when moving from one side of the alignment member to the other side in the perpendicular direction.

6. the liquid application unit is disposed on the opposite side of the placement unit with the medium therebetween, and includes a pressing unit that moves between a pressing position where the liquid application unit presses the medium and a release position where the liquid application unit is spaced apart from the medium; The liquid application unit includes: before the liquid applying member is moved to the abutting position, the pressing means is moved to the pressing position; 2 . The media processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the pressing means is moved from the pressing position toward the release position after the liquid application member is separated from the medium.

7. 7. The media processing device according to claim 6, wherein the pressing means moves among the pressing position, the release position, and a second media receiving position between the pressing position and the release position.

8. The liquid application unit includes: When the medium enters between the placement portion and the liquid applying member, the pressing means is disposed at the second medium receiving position; 8. The medium processing device according to claim 7, wherein the pressing means is moved from the second medium receiving position to the pressing position before the liquid applying member is moved to the abutting position.

9. The media processing device according to claim 7 , further comprising an operation unit that accepts an operation to input at least one of the first medium receiving position and the second medium receiving position.

10. The media processing device according to claim 6 , wherein the liquid application member and the pressing means move in conjunction with each other.

11. an image forming device for forming an image on the medium; An image forming system comprising: the media processing device according to claim 1 .

Images