Processing device and image forming device

Abstract

To provide a processing device for preventing the occurrence of a conveying failure caused by cutting chips resulting from cutting processing, and an image forming device.SOLUTION: The processing device comprises: a cutting unit that has a fixed blade and a movable blade arranged to face each other with a conveyance path therebetween, makes the movable blade movable to rub it against the fixed blade, cuts a sheet conveyed on the conveyance path, and cuts off cutting chips; and a scraping-off unit that is disposed between the movable blade and the fixed blade, slides the movable blade along with movement of the movable blade away from the fixed blade, and scrapes off the stuck cutting chips.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a processing device that cuts and processes a sheet-like recording medium used in an image forming apparatus main body, etc. The processing device is equipped with a cutting section having an upper blade and a lower blade, and cuts the recording medium in a conveying direction or a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction by a guillotine method using the upper blade and the lower blade in the cutting section, and drops the cut waste (hereinafter, cut waste). Below the cutting section, a waste box is installed to store the cut waste generated by cutting.

[0003] When the recording medium is being transported, the cut scraps may not fall due to frictional electrification or electrification during cutting.

[0004] In offline paper cutters, electrostatic adhesion can be suppressed by applying blocking powder to the paper, but it is difficult to apply blocking powder to each sheet of paper in paper cutters that are installed as inline systems in electrophotographic devices.

[0005] In such processing equipment, in order to promote the falling of cutting waste generated by cutting and to smoothly collect it in a waste box, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technology in which air is blown from above toward the lower blade on the side where the upper and lower blades rub against each other. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-205309 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, as in Patent Document 1, simply blowing air from above has a certain effect, but depending on various factors such as the environment, image, paper type, and paper basis weight, the scraps may not fall within a specified time. In particular, the effect is insufficient for paper that is electrostatically charged, and if the cutting width of the cutting scraps (FD length: length in the conveying direction) is short, they are likely to be electrostatically attracted to the lower blade of the cutting section, resulting in failure to fall. In addition, there is a problem that the static electricity causes the scraps to stick to the tip of the movable blade, leaving the scraps in the conveying path, resulting in conveying failure.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An object of the present invention is to provide a processing device and an image forming apparatus that prevent the occurrence of transport problems caused by cutting waste generated during cutting processing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The processing device according to the present invention comprises: a cutting section having a fixed blade and a movable blade arranged opposite to each other across a conveying path, the movable blade being moved to slide against the fixed blade to cut the paper conveyed along the conveying path and to cut off the cutting waste; a scraping portion disposed between the movable blade and the fixed blade, the scraping portion sliding against the movable blade and scraping off the cutting waste that adheres to the movable blade as the movable blade moves away from the fixed blade; has.

[0010] The image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: The image forming apparatus includes the processing device having the above-mentioned configuration and an image forming apparatus main body. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to preferably prevent the occurrence of transport problems caused by cutting waste generated during cutting processing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus provided with a processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the main parts of a control system of the main body of the image forming apparatus. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the processing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the upstream side of the cutting unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a view of the cutting unit as seen from the downstream side in the conveying direction. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the cutting unit showing the positional relationship between the first blade and the second blade. [Figure 7] 7A and 7B are diagrams showing a configuration of a main part of a cutting unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the scraping portion. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a first modified example of the scraping portion. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a second modified example of the scraping portion. [Figure 11] 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D and 11E are diagrams showing a processing device when cutting the leading edge of a sheet of paper. [Figure 12] 12A and 12B are diagrams illustrating a configuration of a main part of a cutting unit of a processing device according to a first modified example. [Figure 13] 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D are diagrams showing the operation of a cutting unit of a processing device according to Modification 1. FIG. [Figure 14] 14A and 14B are diagrams for explaining the positional relationship between a movable blade and a scraping unit in a cutting unit. [Figure 15] 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D are diagrams showing the operation of a cutting unit of a processing device according to Modification 2. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 equipped with a processing device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a main part of a control system of an image forming apparatus main body 1.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 is configured by connecting an image forming apparatus main body 1 and a post-processing device 2 from the upstream side along a transport direction of a sheet S as an example of a recording medium.

[0015] The image forming apparatus main body 1 is an intermediate transfer type color image forming apparatus main body utilizing electrophotographic process technology. That is, the image forming apparatus main body 1 primarily transfers the toner images of each color, Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black), formed on the photosensitive drum 413, onto the intermediate transfer belt 421. Next, the image forming apparatus main body 1 superimposes the four color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 421, and then secondarily transfers the images onto the paper S sent from the paper feed tray units 51a to 51c, thereby forming an image.

[0016] In addition, the image forming apparatus main body 1 employs a tandem system in which photosensitive drums 413 corresponding to the four colors YMCK are arranged in series in the running direction of an intermediate transfer belt 421, and each color toner image is transferred sequentially to the intermediate transfer belt 421 in a single step.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus main body 1 includes an image reading section 10, an operation display section 20, an image processing section 30, an image forming section 40, a paper conveying section 50, a fixing section 60, and a control section 101.

[0018] The control unit 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 102, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 104, etc. The CPU 102 reads out a program corresponding to the processing contents from the ROM 103, loads it in the RAM 104, and centrally controls the operation of each block of the image forming apparatus main body 1 in cooperation with the loaded program. At this time, various data stored in the storage unit 72 is referenced. The storage unit 72 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory (so-called flash memory) or a hard disk drive.

[0019] The control unit 101 transmits and receives various data to and from an external device (e.g., a personal computer) connected to a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) via the communication unit 71. The control unit 101 receives, for example, image data (input image data) transmitted from an external device, and forms an image on a sheet S based on this image data. The communication unit 71 is formed of, for example, a communication control card such as a LAN card.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the image reading unit 10 includes an automatic document feeder 11 called an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), a document image scanning device 12 (scanner), and the like.

[0021] The automatic document feeder 11 conveys the document DT placed on the document tray by a conveying mechanism and sends it to the document image scanning device 12. The automatic document feeder 11 makes it possible to continuously read the images (including both sides) of multiple documents DT placed on the document tray all at once.

[0022] The original image scanning device 12 optically scans an original document transported from the automatic document feeder 11 onto the contact glass or an original document placed on the contact glass, and forms an image of the reflected light from the original document on the light receiving surface of a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor 12a. In this way, the image reading unit 10 reads the original document image. The image reading unit 10 generates input image data based on the reading result by the original image scanning device 12. The input image data is subjected to a predetermined image processing in the image processing unit 30.

[0023] 2, the operation display unit 20 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) with a touch panel, and functions as a display unit 21 and an operation unit 22. The display unit 21 displays various operation screens, image states, operation statuses of each function, etc., according to a display control signal input from the control unit 101. The operation unit 22 has various operation keys such as a numeric keypad and a start key, accepts various input operations by the user, and outputs operation signals to the control unit 101.

[0024] The image processing unit 30 includes a circuit for performing digital image processing according to initial settings or user settings. For example, the image processing unit 30 performs gradation correction based on gradation correction data (gradation correction table) under the control of the control unit 101. In addition to gradation correction, the image processing unit 30 also performs various correction processes such as color correction and shading correction, and compression processes. The image forming unit 40 is controlled based on the image data that has been subjected to these processes.

[0025] 1, the image forming section 40 forms an image on a sheet S based on the settings of a print job. The image forming section 40 includes image forming units 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K for forming images using color toners of Y, M, C, and K components based on input image data, an intermediate transfer unit 42, and the like.

[0026] The image forming units 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K for the Y, M, C, and K components have the same configuration. For convenience of illustration and explanation, common components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and when they are to be distinguished from one another, the reference numerals are denoted by the suffix Y, M, C, or K. In Fig. 1, reference numerals are given only to the components of the image forming unit 41Y for the Y component, and reference numerals are omitted for the components of the other image forming units 41M, 41C, and 41K.

[0027] The image forming unit 41 includes an exposure device 411, a developing device 412, a photoconductor drum 413, a charging device 414, a drum cleaning device 415, and the like.

[0028] Photoconductor drum 413 is made of an organic photoconductor in which a photosensitive layer made of a resin containing an organic photoconductor is formed on the outer peripheral surface of a drum-shaped metal base, for example.

[0029] The control unit 101 controls a drive current supplied to a drive motor (not shown) that rotates the photoconductor drum 413, thereby rotating the photoconductor drum 413 at a constant peripheral speed.

[0030] The charging device 414 is, for example, a charger, and generates a corona discharge to uniformly charge the surface of the photoconductor drum 413 having photoconductivity to a negative polarity.

[0031] Exposure device 411 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor laser, and irradiates laser light corresponding to an image of each color component onto photoconductor drum 413. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of each color component is formed in the image area on the surface of photoconductor drum 413 irradiated with the laser light due to a potential difference with the background area.

[0032] The developing device 412 is a two-component reverse type developing device, and visualizes the electrostatic latent image by depositing developers of each color component onto the surface of the photoconductor drum 413, thereby forming a toner image.

[0033] To the developing device 412, for example, a DC developing bias having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the charging device 414, or a developing bias in which an AC voltage and a DC voltage having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the charging device 414 are superimposed is applied. As a result, reversal development is performed in which toner adheres to the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure device 411.

[0034] Drum cleaning device 415 is in contact with the surface of photosensitive drum 413 and has a flat drum cleaning blade made of an elastic material, and removes toner remaining on the surface of photosensitive drum 413 without being transferred to intermediate transfer belt 421.

[0035] The intermediate transfer unit 42 includes an intermediate transfer belt 421, a primary transfer roller 422, a plurality of support rollers 423, a secondary transfer roller 424, a belt cleaning device 426, and the like.

[0036] The intermediate transfer belt 421 is an endless belt that is stretched around a plurality of support rollers 423 in a loop shape. At least one of the support rollers 423 is a drive roller, and the others are driven rollers. For example, it is preferable that the roller 423A, which is disposed downstream of the primary transfer roller 422 for the K component in the belt running direction, is the drive roller. This makes it easier to maintain a constant running speed of the belt in the primary transfer section. The rotation of the drive roller 423A causes the intermediate transfer belt 421 to run at a constant speed in the direction of the arrow A.

[0037] The intermediate transfer belt 421 is a conductive and elastic belt having a high resistance layer on its surface. The intermediate transfer belt 421 is driven to rotate by a control signal from the control unit 101.

[0038] Primary transfer roller 422 faces photoconductor drum 413 of each color component and is disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of intermediate transfer belt 421. Primary transfer roller 422 is pressed against photoconductor drum 413 with intermediate transfer belt 421 sandwiched therebetween, thereby forming a primary transfer nip for transferring a toner image from photoconductor drum 413 to intermediate transfer belt 421.

[0039] Secondary transfer roller 424 is disposed on the outer circumferential surface side of intermediate transfer belt 421, facing backup roller 423B disposed downstream in the belt running direction of drive roller 423A. Secondary transfer roller 424 is pressed against backup roller 423B with intermediate transfer belt 421 sandwiched therebetween, thereby forming a secondary transfer nip for transferring a toner image from intermediate transfer belt 421 to paper S.

[0040] When the intermediate transfer belt 421 passes through the primary transfer nip, the toner images on the photoconductor drum 413 are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 421 in a sequentially overlapping manner. Specifically, a primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer roller 422, and a charge of the opposite polarity to the toner is applied to the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 421, that is, the side that contacts the primary transfer roller 422, so that the toner images are electrostatically transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 421.

[0041] Thereafter, when the paper S passes through the secondary transfer nip, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 421 is secondarily transferred to the paper S. Specifically, a secondary transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 424, and a charge of the opposite polarity to the toner is applied to the back side of the paper S, that is, the side that contacts the secondary transfer roller 424, so that the toner image is electrostatically transferred to the paper S. The paper S with the transferred toner image is transported toward the fixing unit 60.

[0042] The belt cleaning device 426 removes the residual toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 421 after the secondary transfer.

[0043] Fixing section 60 includes an upper fixing section 60A having a fixing surface side member arranged on the fixing surface of paper S, i.e., the surface side on which a toner image is formed, a lower fixing section 60B having a back surface side support member arranged on the back surface of paper S, i.e., the surface side opposite the fixing surface, and a heating source, etc. By pressing the back surface side support member against the fixing surface side member, a fixing nip is formed that holds and transports paper S.

[0044] The fixing unit 60 heats and presses the conveyed paper S, to which the toner image has been secondarily transferred, in a fixing nip, thereby fixing the toner image to the paper S. The fixing unit 60 is disposed as a unit within the fixing device F.

[0045] The upper fixing section 60A has an endless fixing belt 61, which is a fixing surface side member, a heating roller 62, and a fixing roller 63. The fixing belt 61 is stretched between the heating roller 62 and the fixing roller 63.

[0046] The lower fixing section 60B has a pressure roller 64 which is a back surface side support member. The pressure roller 64 forms a fixing nip between the pressure roller 64 and the fixing belt 61 to nip and transport the paper S.

[0047] The paper transport section 50 includes a paper feed section 51, a paper discharge section 52, and a transport path section 53. The three paper feed tray units 51a to 51c constituting the paper feed section 51 store paper S (standard paper, special paper) identified based on basis weight, size, etc., by preset type.

[0048] The transport path section 53 has a plurality of transport roller pairs such as a registration roller pair 53a, a normal transport path 53b that passes the paper S through the image forming section 40 and the fixing section 60 and discharges it to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 1, and the like.

[0049] The sheets S stored in the paper feed tray units 51a to 51c are sent out one by one from the top and transported to the image forming unit 40 by the transport path unit 53. In the image forming unit 40, the toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 421 are secondarily transferred all at once onto one side of the sheets S, and a fixing process is performed in the fixing unit 60. The sheets S on which the images have been formed are discharged outside the apparatus by the paper discharge unit 52 equipped with paper discharge rollers 52a.

[0050] The post-processing device 2 is a device that carries in the paper S discharged from the image forming device main body 1 and performs a predetermined post-processing on the paper S on which an image is formed, and includes a processing device 200. The post-processing device 2 has a transport section 2A capable of transporting the paper S, and for example, based on the control of the control section 101 of the image forming device main body 1, transports the paper S carried in from the image forming device main body 1 to the processing device 200, processes the paper S, and discharges the paper S outside the machine. The discharged paper S is placed on, for example, a paper discharge tray not shown, or, if another post-processing device is connected to the image forming device 100, is carried into the post-processing device. Note that the post-processing device 2 (processing device 200) may have a control section including a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and the control section may perform control related to the transport and processing of the paper S.

[0051] The processing device 200 is a device that cuts and processes the paper S (recording medium), and has a transport path section 210, a cutting section 220, and a drop path section 230.

[0052] 3, the transport path section 210 is a portion that constitutes the transport path 210a that transports the paper S, and has two transport rollers 211, 212. The transport path 210a is a path between the two transport rollers 211, 212. The transport path section 210 also has a downstream guide portion 214 on the downstream side of the first blade portion 221 in the transport direction.

[0053] The downstream guide portion 214 is an elongated member including a transport guide portion 214a and a drop path forming portion 214b, and is installed so that its longitudinal direction is along a direction (width direction) perpendicular to the transport direction.

[0054] The downstream guide portion 214 is configured to be swingable, for example, around a rotation axis R1 by a variable mechanism (not shown), and swings to a position where at least one of the transport guide portion 214a and the drop path forming portion 214b functions.

[0055] In Fig. 3, the downstream guide section 214 is disposed at a position that constitutes a guide for the transport path. When the cutting section 220 cuts the leading edge of the paper S, the downstream guide section 214 rotates (fully rotates) clockwise from the position that constitutes the guide at the same time as cutting the paper S, and moves to a position that forms a drop path, ready for cutting. The rotation of the downstream guide section 214 forms a drop path section 230 below the cutting section 220.

[0056] The two transport rollers 211, 212 are a roller pair that sandwich the paper S transported on the transport path 210a. The transport roller 211 is a roller pair located on the upstream side of the transport path 210a in the transport direction of the paper S. The transport roller 212 is a roller pair located on the downstream side of the transport path 210a in the transport direction of the paper S.

[0057] The fall path section 230 is a path along which cutting scraps S1, which are scraps of the paper S cut by the cutting section 220, fall. A scrap storage section (not shown) is provided below the fall path section 230, so that the cutting scraps that fall from the fall path section 230 are stored in the scrap storage section.

[0058] The drop path section 230 is a space below the second blade section 222 and adjacent to the first blade section 221 on the downstream side in the conveying direction. For example, as shown in Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B, when the leading end of the paper S is cut by the cutting section 220, the leading end becomes cutting scraps S1, and the drop path section 230 is a path through which the cutting scraps S1 fall. In the drop path section 230, the cutting scraps S1 are pushed in by the second blade section 222 moving to the cutting position, and further, after cutting, the scraping section 250 scrapes off the cutting scraps S1 from the second blade section 222 returning to the position before cutting, so that the cutting scraps S1 fall.

[0059] The cutting section 220 is a section that cuts the sheet S transported along the transport path section 210, and is disposed between the two transport rollers 211, 212 on the transport path section 210.

[0060] The cutting unit 220 includes a guillotine cutter having a first blade portion 221 and a second blade portion 222 arranged to sandwich the conveying path 210a. The guillotine cutter cuts the sheet with the first blade portion 221 and the second blade portion 222 in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction (cross direction).

[0061] The cutting unit 220 has a first blade portion 221 and a second blade portion 222 that constitute a guillotine cutter, and a scraping portion 250.

[0062] The guillotine cutter cuts the paper S by pinching the paper S with one movable blade moving relative to the other fixed blade.

[0063] Figure 4 is an oblique view of the upstream side of the cutting section, Figure 5 is a view of the cutting section from the downstream side in the conveying direction, Figure 6 is a plan view of the cutting section showing the positional relationship between the first blade portion and the second blade portion, and Figures 7A and 7B are diagrams showing the main configuration of the cutting section.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the first blade portion 221 is a fixed blade that is fixed below the conveying path 210a, and is disposed so that the blade capable of cutting the paper S faces the conveying path 210a side (upper side).

[0065] The second blade portion 222 is a movable blade disposed above the conveying path 210a, and is disposed so that the blade capable of cutting the paper S faces the conveying path 210a side (downward). The second blade portion 222 is disposed adjacent to the first blade portion 221, downstream of the first blade portion 221 in the conveying direction.

[0066] The second blade portion 222 is movably arranged in a direction opposite to the conveying path 210a (up and down), and is configured to be movable between a non-cutting position (see Figures 3 to 5, etc.) retracted from the conveying path 210a and a cutting position (see Figure 7B) where the paper S on the conveying path 210a is cut.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 5, the second blade portion 222 is configured to move in a direction approaching the first blade portion 221, thereby cutting with the first blade portion 221 on one side in the width direction, here from the rear side to the front side.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 6, the first blade portion 221 and the second blade portion 222 are disposed so as to intersect at the center in the width direction in a plan view.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 6, the second blade portion 222 is disposed relative to the fixed first blade portion 221 such that the rear side in the width direction of the blade portion 222a is located downstream and the front side in the width direction is located upstream.

[0070] In addition, the second blade portion 222 is arranged to be freely movable in the opposing direction (up and down direction) with the blade portions 221a, 222a facing each other to the first blade portion 221, and is configured to be freely movable in a direction (conveying direction) perpendicular to the opposing direction, so as to come into contact with or be retracted from the first blade portion 221.

[0071] The second blade portion 222 is provided so as to be freely movable at an inclined position such that the rear portion in the width direction is lower than the front portion when viewed from the downstream side, that is, closer to the first blade portion 221.

[0072] 5, 7A, and 7B, when cutting, the second blade portion 222 moves in a direction approaching the first blade portion 221 (e.g., downward). The second blade portion 222 is disposed such that the rear side is lower than the front side in the width direction. For this reason, when the second blade portion 222 contacts the first blade portion 221, the blade portions first make a point contact (point contact) at the moment of disconnection at the rear side. At this time, the movable second blade portion 222 rotates (in the direction of arrow M) so as to move away from the first blade portion 221 to the downstream side in the conveying direction. As a result, the paper is cut at the point contact portion, and the point contact portion gradually moves toward the front side, so that the paper S is cut from the rear side to the front side in the depth direction.

[0073] The blade portion of the second blade portion 222 is located adjacent to the blade portion of the first blade portion 221 in the conveying direction of the paper S.

[0074] In this way, when the cutting unit 220 moves the second blade portion 222 from above relative to the first blade portion 221, the second blade portion 222 descends obliquely. The second blade portion 222 always cuts at a point on the blade portion 221a of the first blade portion 221 from the rear end of the blade portion 222a of the second blade portion 222 to the front end.

[0075] The cutting position is the lowest point of the second blade portion ("lowest point of the movable blade" shown in FIG. 5) where the blade portion of the second blade portion 222 is lower than the blade portion of the first blade portion 221, and the figure shows the position where both blade portions overlap most deeply. The cutting position is also the position where the movable blade has moved furthest toward the fixed blade.

[0076] When the second blade portion 222 moves from the non-cutting position toward the cutting position, the paper S on the conveying path 210a is cut at cutting point D (see FIG. 7A) where the blade portion of the first blade portion 221 and the blade portion of the second blade portion 222 are at the same position in the vertical direction.

[0077] In this manner, the second blade portion 222 crosses the first blade portion 221 and is configured to be able to come into contact with and recede from the first blade portion 221. As a result, after cutting of the paper S is completed, the second blade portion 222 moves further downward to separate from the first blade portion 221 (blade portion 221a). When the second blade portion 222 moves downward and separates from the first blade portion 221, for example, when the second blade portion 222 is located at the lowest point position, a gap G is formed between the second blade portion 222 and the first blade portion 221 as shown in FIG. 7B, and the scraping portion 250 is disposed in this gap G.

[0078] <Scraping part 250> The scraping section 250 scrapes off cutting waste that has adhered to the movable blade due to static electricity or the like when the paper S is cut by the movable blade and the fixed blade in the cutting section 220, and separates the cutting waste from the movable blade. The scraping section 250 is preferably made of an elastic material such as resin, and is formed, for example, from PET (polyethylene terephthalate) resin or the like.

[0079] Specifically, in the process in which the second blade portion 222, which is a movable blade, descends to cut the paper S together with the first blade portion 221, which is a fixed blade, and then ascends to return to its original position, the scraping portion 250 separates the cutting scraps S1 adhering to the second blade portion 222 from the second blade portion 222. At this time, the scraping portion 250 is configured to scrape the cutting scraps S1 from the second blade portion 222, but may also be configured to come into contact with the cutting scraps S1 adhering to the second blade portion 222 to scrape the cutting scraps S1.

[0080] The scraping portion 250 has an elastic contact portion 252 that contacts the second blade portion 222 that deforms and moves after cutting. The elastic contact portion 252 has an elastic fixing portion 254 fixed to a mating surface of the first blade portion 221 with the second blade portion 222 (a side surface of the first blade portion 221 that rubs against the second blade portion 222).

[0081] The elastic abutment portion 252 is made of a sheet material (elastic sheet material) that elastically deforms together with the elastic fixed portion 254, and is formed into a V-shape by bending the sheet material. The elastic abutment portion 252 is pressed by the second blade portion (movable blade) 222 that moves from the cutting point D side where the paper S is cut toward the base end side of the first blade portion (fixed blade) 221, and is elastically deformed, and retreats from the abutment position with the second blade portion 222. The elastic abutment portion 252 is provided so as to be freely opened and closed in the conveyance direction at the bent portion relative to the elastic fixed portion 254, and the angle formed by the elastic abutment portion 252 and the elastic fixed portion 254 is variable.

[0082] The scraping portion 250 is fixed to the mating surface (side surface) of the first blade portion 221 with the second blade portion 222 by one surface of the elastic fixing portion 254 with the ridge line facing the cutting point D, and the surface (other surface) of the elastic abutting portion 252 protrudes toward the second blade portion 222. The elastic abutting portion 252 is disposed relative to the elastic fixing portion 254 so as to gradually widen from the second blade portion 222 side, that is, from above toward below.

[0083] In this way, the scraping portion 250 is disposed in the gap between the overlapping portions of the first blade portion 221 and the second blade portion 222. The elastic contact portion 252 follows the movement of the second blade portion 222, and is released from the pressing state by the second blade portion 222, displaces toward the second blade portion 222, and slides so as to be hooked onto the second blade portion 222.

[0084] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the scraping portion 250. As shown in FIG. The scraping portion 250 is disposed in the gap G between the first blade portion 221 and the second blade portion 222. The scraping portion 250 is disposed at a position corresponding to the width in the depth direction of the paper to be cut.

[0085] In Fig. 8, the entire width in the depth-width direction is disposed in the gap G. This allows the cutting machine to handle any size (all patterns) of paper regardless of the length in the depth-width direction of the paper to be cut.

[0086] The scraping portion 250 has an elastic fixing portion 254 configured in a triangular shape that is elongated in the depth direction and has an apex on the front side in the width direction on the downstream side surface (the surface on which the second blade portion 222 slides) of the first blade portion 221 that forms the gap G. Corresponding to this triangular elastic fixing portion 254, a triangular elastic abutment portion 252 is formed that is bent downstream from a horizontal side in the width direction of the elastic fixing portion 254.

[0087] That is, the scraping portion 250 is positioned in a space-saving area where the first blade portion 221 and the second blade portion 222 overlap, and the device does not become larger even if the scraping portion 250 is provided. The arrangement of the scraping portion 250 may be determined according to the shape of the paper S to be cut.

[0088] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a first modification of the scraping section 250, and shows the scraping section 250A when cutting a sheet of paper having a width spanning the entire width of the cutting section 220. As shown in FIG. The scraping section 250A is disposed in the cutting section 220 when cutting an undivided sheet, and is provided in the gap G near the center in the width direction (for example, the center).

[0089] Since the paper is of a size that is not divided in the width direction, when cutting the paper, the adhesion of cutting waste discharged at one scraping portion 250A can be prevented.

[0090] Fig. 10 is a diagram for explaining a second modified example of the scraping unit 250. The scraping units 250B, 250C, and 250D shown in Fig. 10 are arranged corresponding to the paper S divided along the conveying direction. The scraping units 250B, 250C, and 250D are provided at adjacent positions of the paper S divided at equal intervals in the direction (width direction) perpendicular to the conveying direction. This allows the scraping units 250B, 250C, and 250D to scrape off the cutting waste generated for each divided paper S during cutting.

[0091] <Operation> Next, the operation of the processing device according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a processing device for cutting the leading edge of a sheet of paper.

[0092] In the post-processing device 2, in the initial state, the second blade portion 222 is located at the non-cutting position. Also, the downstream guide portion 214 places the conveying guide portion 214a at a position that becomes the conveying path, and when cutting, moves to place the drop path forming portion 214b at a position that forms a drop path for cutting scraps.

[0093] 11A, the second blade portion 222 descends from an initial position, which is a non-cutting position, and cuts the paper S at cutting point D. Thereafter, as the second blade portion 222 descends further, it abuts against the outer surface of the scraping portion 250 (elastic abutment portion 252) and descends further. As a result, the scraping portion 250 elastically deforms following the descent of the second blade portion 222, as shown in FIG. 11B, and the angle between the elastic abutment portion 252 and the elastic fixed portion 254 narrows.

[0094] The second blade portion 222 further descends while pushing the cutting scraps S1 downward, and the scraping portion 250 follows and deforms. Then, when the second blade portion 222 moves to the lowest end position, which is the cutting position, it pushes the cutting scraps S1 into the drop path portion 230 and presses the elastic contact portion 252, thereby bringing the elastic contact portion 252 and the elastic fixing portion 254 into the most folded state against the biasing force.

[0095] At this time, it is preferable that the lowest end position of the second blade portion 222 is a position below the lower end (also corresponds to a "step") 2522 of the elastic contact portion 252. Also, at the cutting position, the cutting scraps S1 that do not fall from the second blade portion 222, that is, the cutting scraps S1 that do not fall into the drop path portion 230, are considered to be attached to the second blade portion 222 due to the generation of static electricity or the like.

[0096] Next, the second blade portion 222 starts to rise to return to the non-cutting position. As a result, the scraping portion 250, which has been deformed so as to be folded downward following the descending second blade portion 222, is released from its deformed state.

[0097] That is, since the lower end 2522 of the elastic contact portion 252 is biased toward the outer surface of the second blade portion 222 , the lower end 2522 slides against the second blade portion 222 in a manner of scratching the second blade portion 222 .

[0098] 11D, the cutting scraps S1 come into contact with the lower end 2522, and the upward movement of the cutting scraps S1 is restricted by the lower end, and the cutting scraps S1 are separated from the ascending second blade portion 222. That is, the cutting scraps S1 are caught by the lower end 2522 of the elastic contact portion 252, and the cutting scraps S1 are scraped off.

[0099] Then, as shown in FIG. 11E, the second blade portion 222 rises, and the elastic deformation of the scraping portion 250 is restored, so that the cut scraps S1 can be separated from the second blade portion 222 and dropped reliably into the drop path 230.

[0100] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the angle between the elastic contact portion 252 and the elastic fixing portion 254 of the scraping portion 250 is variable in accordance with the operation of the second blade portion 222, which is the cutting blade, so that it is possible to save space and more effectively encourage the cutting waste S1 to fall. In other words, the cutting waste S1 can be made to fall appropriately. By applying this configuration to a digital printing machine system that is particularly susceptible to the effects of static electricity, jams and cutting defects caused by the cutting waste S1 adhering to the second blade portion 222 do not occur, and the reliability of the entire system can be improved.

[0101] <Processing device according to modified example 1> 12A and 12B are diagrams showing the main configuration of a cutting unit of a processing device according to Modification 1. FIG. The scraping portion 250E included in the cutting unit 220E shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B is made of a fluffy material such as a fibrous material.

[0102] The scraping unit 250E has a different configuration from the scraping unit 250, but is disposed in the same manner as the scraping unit 250 as a processing device.

[0103] The scraping portion 250E has a hair raising portion 252E that is elastically deformable and that comes into contact with the second blade portion 222, and the hair raising portion 252E is provided so as to rise from an elastic fixing portion 254E.

[0104] The elastic fixing portion 254E is a planar member fixed to the first blade portion 221 in an area forming the gap G (see Figs. 8 to 10). The elastic fixing portion 254E is attached to the first blade portion 221 within the gap G, so that the hair raising portion 252E is arranged to rise from the first blade portion 221. That is, in the gap G, the hair raising portion 252E may be provided on one surface across the width direction, or may be provided in the center of the width direction, or may be provided in a plurality of portions in the width direction.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 12B, the elastic fixing portion 254 is fixed to the side of the first blade portion 221 adjacent to and rubbing against the second blade portion 222, below the cutting point D with the second blade portion 222 which descends relative to the first blade portion 221, and the raised portion 252E is arranged to rise up from this side.

[0106] The raised portion 252E elastically deforms and comes into contact with the second blade portion 222, thereby removing the cutting waste S1 from the second blade portion 222 by scratching, entangling, or adhering the cutting waste S1 to the second blade portion 222 by static electricity.

[0107] The operation of the first modified example of the scraping part will be described. 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D are diagrams illustrating the operation of the cutting unit of the processing device according to the first modification.

[0108] The second blade portion 222 in the cutting unit 220E in the processing device of variant example 1 descends from the cutting point D shown in FIG. 12B, cuts the paper S, and then descends further to come into contact with the outer surface portion (raised portion 252E) of the scraping unit 250E as shown in FIG. 13A and descends further.

[0109] The scraping portion 250E is pressed by the descending second blade portion 222, so that the nap raising portion 252E elastically deforms and falls. The second blade portion 222 descends while pressing the nap raising portion 252E and pushing the cutting waste S1 downward, and is located at the lowest point of the second blade portion 222 as shown in FIG. 13B.

[0110] Thereafter, the second blade portion 222 rises, and following this, the nap portion 252E that was pressed by the second blade portion 222 is released and rises. At this time, as shown in Fig. 13C, the cutting waste S1 that was pressed downward by the second blade portion 222 tries to rise together with the second blade portion 222 due to static electricity or the like when the second blade portion 222 rises from the lowest point, but is in contact with the nap portion 252E.

[0111] The raised portion 252E restricts the upward movement of the cutting scraps S1, and the cutting scraps S1 move away from the second blade portion 222, that is, the cutting scraps S1 are scraped off from the second blade portion 222. Then, as shown in Fig. 13D, the second blade portion 222 returns to the non-cutting position, and the scraped off cutting scraps S1 either fall or are captured by the scraping portion 250E and then fall.

[0112] 14A and 14B are diagrams for explaining the positional relationship between the movable blade and the scraping part in the cutting part. Fig. 14A shows a state in which the lowest point of the movable blade, which is the second blade part 222, is located at the same position as the abutment part of the scraping part or below it, and Fig. 14B shows a state in which the lowest point of the movable blade is located at a position higher than the abutment part.

[0113] The position of the lowest point of the second blade portion 222, which is a movable blade that constitutes the guillotine cutter, and the positioning relationship between the scraping portion are such that, as shown in Figure 14A, the lowest point is located lower than the part (step portion) in the scraping portion that abuts against the second blade portion 222 to scrape off the cutting waste S1.

[0114] However, when the scraping portion 250E is made of a fibrous material, such as the raised portion 252E, the position of the dropping portion (step portion) in the scraping portion 250E may be higher than the lowest point of the movable blade (second blade portion 222), as shown in FIG. 14B.

[0115] The scraping portion of the scraping portion 250E, i.e., the deformed raised portion 252E, restores as the second blade portion 222 rises, and when the scraping portion 250E restores, if the scraping waste S1 is attached to the second blade portion 222, the scraping waste S1 is obstructed. This promotes the scraping waste S1 to fall into the fall path portion 230.

[0116] <Processing device according to modified example 2> 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D are diagrams illustrating the operation of the cutting unit of the processing device according to the second modification.

[0117] A cutting section 220G in the processing apparatus of the second modified example shown in FIG. 15A is configured substantially similarly to the processing apparatus 200, and only the configuration of a scraping section 250G is different.

[0118] That is, the cutting unit 220G shown in FIG. 15A has a guillotine cutter including a second blade portion 222 which is a movable blade and a first blade portion 221 which is a fixed blade, similar to the cutting unit 220, and a scraping unit 250G.

[0119] When the paper S is cut by the second blade portion 222 and the first blade portion 221 in the cutting portion 220G, the scraping portion 250G scrapes off the cutting scraps S1 that have adhered to the second blade portion 222 due to static electricity or the like, by moving the second blade portion 222, away from the movable blade.

[0120] Similar to the scraping portion 250, the scraping portion 250G is positioned in a space-saving gap G (see FIG. 8) formed at the overlapping portion between the second blade portion 222 and the first blade portion 221, and is positioned at the same position as or a higher position than the lowest point of the second blade portion 222.

[0121] The scraping portion 250G is fixed to the side surface (the surface that rubs against) of the first blade portion 221, and has a step portion 252G that forms a step.

[0122] The scraping portion 250G has a thickness that allows a step to be formed on the side surface (the surface that rubs against each other), and is a plate-like body made of an elastic material such as a resin such as PET. For example, the scraping portion 250G may be configured as a triangular plate-like body that is long in the overall width direction and is arranged in a triangular region of the gap G as shown in Fig. 8, or may be configured as one provided in the center of the width direction within the gap G, or as multiple portions provided at intervals in the width direction, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

[0123] As shown in Fig. 15A, the second blade portion 222 in the cutting section 220E of the processing device of the second modification descends from a non-cutting position to a cutting point D, makes point contact with the first blade portion 221 to cut the paper S, and further descends to push the cutting waste S1 downward. At this time, the second blade portion 222 rotates in the conveyance direction by making point contact. As a result, the second blade portion 222 makes point contact with the first blade portion 221 from the rear side to the front side in the width direction. In this way, the paper S is cut, and the second blade portion 222 descends to the lowest point as shown in Fig. 15C, and then rises as shown in Fig. 15D.

[0124] As the second blade portion 222 rises, the second blade portion 222 (particularly the step portion 252G) rises while sliding on the scraping portion 250G. At that time, the cutting waste S1 that has adhered to the second blade portion 222 due to static electricity is caught by the step portion 252G and falls. This makes it possible to reliably drop the cutting waste S1 into the drop path 230 with a simple configuration.

[0125] Further, in the above embodiment, the processing device 200 is provided in the post-processing device 2, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the processing device 200 may be included in the image forming apparatus main body 1.

[0126] In addition, the above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples of the embodiment of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited by them. In other words, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the gist or main characteristics of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 1 Image forming device main body 2. Aftertreatment device 40 Image forming section 100 Image forming device 101 Control section 200 Processing equipment 210 Conveying path section 210a Transport route 211 Transport roller 212 Transport roller 214 Downstream guide section 214a Transport guide section 214b Pathway formation section 220, 220E, 220G cutting section 221 1st blade part (fixed blade) 221a, 222a blade part 222 2nd blade part (movable blade) 230 Fall Path Section 241a Elastic contact part 242 Pressing part 250, 250A, 250B, 250C, 250D, 250E, 250G scraping section 252 Elastic contact part 252E Raised part 252G Step 254, 254E Elastic fixing part 2522 Lower end

Claims

1. a cutting section having a fixed blade and a movable blade arranged opposite to each other across a conveying path, the movable blade being moved to slide against the fixed blade to cut the paper conveyed along the conveying path and to cut off the cutting waste; a scraping portion disposed between the movable blade and the fixed blade, the scraping portion sliding against the movable blade and scraping off the cutting waste that adheres to the movable blade as the movable blade moves away from the fixed blade; having Processing equipment.

2. the scraping portion is pressed by the movable blade moving from a cutting point side where the paper is cut toward a base end side of the fixed blade, and has an elastic abutment portion that is elastically deformed and retreats from a contact position with the movable blade, The elastic abutment portion follows the movement of the movable blade, and slides toward the movable blade so as to be released from the pressing state of the movable blade and to be engaged with the movable blade. The processing device according to claim 1.

3. The scraping portion is a step. The processing device according to claim 1.

4. The lower end of the scraping portion is provided at the same position as the lowest point of the movable blade or at a position higher than the lowest point. The processing device according to claim 1.

5. The scraping portion is made of a V-shaped elastic sheet material, and is arranged so that one surface is fixed to the surface of the fixed blade that rubs against the movable blade with a ridge line toward the cutting point, and the other surface protrudes toward the movable blade and gradually widens from the one surface. The processing device according to claim 1.

6. The scraping portion is located in a space where the movable blade and the fixed blade overlap each other. The processing device according to claim 1.

7. The scraping portion acts such that an angle between the one surface and the other surface narrows as the movable blade descends and the angle widens as the movable blade ascends. The processing apparatus according to claim 5.

8. The scraping portion is disposed at one or more locations near the center in the fixed blade depth direction in accordance with the width of the paper. The processing device according to claim 1.

9. The scraping portion is a raised portion having a plurality of elastically deformable fiber materials. The processing device according to claim 1.

10. 10. An image forming apparatus comprising: the processing device according to claim 1; and a main body of the image forming apparatus.

Images