Post-processing device and image forming device

Abstract

To suppress downward extension of deflected parts of recording media when correcting deflection of the recording media.SOLUTION: A post-processing device includes a loading part that has a loading surface facing diagonally upward, where recording media are loaded with one end of the recording media facing downward, a support part that supports the end of the recording media loaded on the loading surface and a correction part that has an opposing surface facing the loading surface, is brought into contact with the recording media from the opposite side to the loading surface with respect to the recording media loaded on the loading surface, with a lower end of the opposing surface in a position closer to the loading surface than an upper end, and then, with the lower end in contact with the recording media, moves such that the upper end approaches the loading surface, thereby correcting deflection of the recording media.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a paper post-processing device having a binding means for binding one end of a stack of paper sheets having an image formed thereon, and a loading means for loading the paper sheets bound by the binding means, wherein the loading means is characterized in that it comprises a staple tray on which the image formed paper sheets slide down a slope to a reference fence, a correction means for correcting bending of the end surface of the paper sheets parallel to the transport direction in the staple tray using an alignment part before the paper sheets are stapled by the binding means, and an adjustment means for adjusting the angle of the alignment part relative to the staple tray.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a sheet processing device including a compile tray that accumulates sheets that are sequentially supplied to form a single sheet stack, a sheet alignment section that aligns the sheets that are supplied to the compile tray, and a pressing member that is arranged to be able to advance and retreat in the thickness direction of the sheets accumulated on the compile tray and that presses down sheets that have already been accumulated on the compile tray and that have been aligned by the sheet alignment section when a new sheet is supplied to the compile tray.

[0004] Patent Document 3 discloses a sheet processing device that includes a compile tray that receives and stacks sheets supplied to the compile tray, a counting means that counts the number of sheets supplied to the compile tray, and an execution means that executes a predetermined operation on the sheets based on the count by the counting means, and is characterized in that when a sheet supplied to the compile tray has been subjected to some kind of post-processing, the counting means converts one sheet into n (n>1) sheets and counts them. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-030596 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2004-277131 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2004-284756 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] As a post-processing device, a loading section having a loading surface facing diagonally upward, in which the recording medium is loaded on the loading surface with one end facing downward, a support section supporting the one end of the recording medium loaded on the loading surface, and a correction section having an opposing surface facing the loading surface, in which the opposing surface contacts the recording medium and corrects any deflection of the recording medium.

[0007] In the post-processing device, when the facing surface always contacts the recording medium in a position along the stacking surface to correct the sagging of the recording medium, the sagging portion of the recording medium may extend downward, and in this case, a new sagging may occur near the one end of the recording medium.

[0008] The present disclosure aims to prevent the bent portion of the recording medium from extending downward when correcting the bending of the recording medium, compared to when the opposing surface always contacts the recording medium in a position aligned with the loading surface and corrects the bending of the recording medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The first aspect comprises a loading section having a loading surface facing diagonally upward, in which the recording medium is loaded on the loading surface with one end facing downward, a support section supporting the one end of the recording medium loaded on the loading surface, and a correction section having an opposing surface facing the loading surface, in which the lower end of the opposing surface contacts the recording medium from the opposite side to the loading surface with respect to the recording medium loaded on the loading surface, in a position where the lower end of the opposing surface is closer to the loading surface than the upper end, and then, with the lower end in contact with the recording medium, moves so that the upper end approaches the loading surface, thereby correcting the flexure of the recording medium.

[0010] The second aspect includes a loading section having a loading surface facing diagonally upward, on which the recording medium is loaded with one end facing downward, a support section supporting the one end of the recording medium loaded on the loading surface, and a correction section which contacts a first portion of the recording medium from the side opposite the loading surface with respect to the recording medium loaded on the loading surface, and then, while in contact with the first portion, contacts a second portion of the recording medium above the first portion to correct the flexure of the recording medium.

[0011] A third aspect includes a loading section having a loading surface facing diagonally upward, on which a recording medium is loaded with one end facing downward, a support section supporting the one end of the recording medium loaded on the loading surface, and a correction section which contacts a portion of the recording medium from the side opposite the loading surface with respect to the recording medium loaded on the loading surface, and then contacts the recording medium to correct the deflection of the recording medium so that the contact area with the recording medium increases upward from the portion.

[0012] In a fourth aspect, in the first aspect, the correction unit is in contact with the recording medium loaded on the loading surface, and a folding unit is provided that presses a vertical middle portion of the recording medium to fold the recording medium.

[0013] In a fifth aspect, in the fourth aspect, the correction section comes into contact with the recording medium loaded on the loading surface below the folding section.

[0014] In a sixth aspect, in the first aspect, the correction unit is capable of selectively executing a first operation in which the lower end of the opposing surface contacts the recording medium from the opposite side to the loading surface with respect to the recording medium loaded on the loading surface, in a position closer to the loading surface than the upper end, and then, while the lower end is in contact with the recording medium, the upper end moves closer to the loading surface and contacts the recording medium, thereby correcting the warping of the recording medium; and a second operation in which the opposing surface contacts the recording medium from the opposite side to the loading surface with respect to the recording medium loaded on the loading surface, in a position along the loading surface, while displacing upward, thereby correcting the warping of the recording medium.

[0015] In a seventh aspect, in the sixth aspect, the correction unit performs the first operation when a first type of recording medium is loaded on the loading surface, and performs the second operation when a second type of recording medium different from the first type is loaded on the loading surface.

[0016] In an eighth aspect, in the sixth aspect, the correction unit performs the first operation when a recording medium on which an image has been fixed by a first fixing device is loaded on the loading surface, and performs the second operation when a recording medium on which an image has been fixed by a second fixing device different from the first fixing device is loaded on the loading surface.

[0017] A ninth aspect includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, and a post-processing device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects that performs post-processing on the recording medium on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the configuration of the first aspect, when correcting the sagging of the recording medium, the sagging portion of the recording medium is prevented from extending downward, compared to when the opposing surface always contacts the recording medium in a position aligned with the loading surface and corrects the sagging of the recording medium.

[0019] According to the configuration of the second aspect, when correcting the flexure of the recording medium, the flexed portion of the recording medium is prevented from extending downward, compared to when the correction unit always contacts the first portion and the second portion of the recording medium simultaneously to correct the flexure of the recording medium.

[0020] According to the configuration of the third aspect, when correcting the sagging of the recording medium, the sagging portion of the recording medium is prevented from extending downward, compared to when the correction unit corrects the sagging of the recording medium while always keeping the contact area with the recording medium constant.

[0021] According to the configuration of the fourth aspect, when the correction unit is not in contact with the recording medium, the folding position is less likely to vary from one recording medium to another, compared to when the folding unit presses the middle part of the recording medium in the vertical direction to fold the recording medium.

[0022] According to the configuration of the fifth aspect, the folding position is prevented from varying for each recording medium, compared to when the correction unit contacts the recording medium placed on the stacking surface above the folding portion.

[0023] According to the configuration of the sixth aspect, when correcting the sagging of the recording medium, the sagging portion of the recording medium is prevented from extending downward, compared to when the correction unit is capable of performing only the first operation.

[0024] According to the configuration of the seventh aspect, when correcting the sagging of the recording medium, the sagging portion of the recording medium is prevented from extending downward, compared to when the first operation and the second operation are selected regardless of the type of recording medium.

[0025] According to the configuration of the eighth aspect, regardless of the type of fixing device that fixes the image on the recording medium, when correcting the sagging of the recording medium, the sagging portion of the recording medium is prevented from extending downward, compared to when the first operation and the second operation are selected.

[0026] According to the configuration of the ninth aspect, when correcting the sagging of a recording medium on which an image has been formed, the sagging portion of the recording medium is prevented from extending downward, compared to when the opposing surface always contacts the recording medium in a position aligned with the loading surface and corrects the sagging of the recording medium. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is an enlarged schematic view showing a part of the post-processing device according to the embodiment; FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the first correction unit comes into contact with the recording medium in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2 with the lower end of the opposing surface of the first correction unit being closer to the stacking surface than the upper end. [Figure 4] 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a first correction unit is located at a correction position in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the second correction unit comes into contact with the recording medium in a position in which the lower end of the opposing surface of the second correction unit is closer to the stacking surface than the upper end in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a second correction unit is located at a correction position in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] 2 is an enlarged side view showing a part of the post-processing device according to the embodiment; FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state before a folding process is performed in the post-processing section according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a folding process is being performed in the post-processing section according to the embodiment; FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an execution procedure for executing post-processing according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0029] <Image forming apparatus 100> First, a description will be given of the configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment.

[0030] In addition, the arrow UP shown in the figure indicates the top of the device, and the arrow DO indicates the bottom of the device. Additionally, the arrow LH shown in the figure indicates the left of the device, and the arrow RH indicates the right of the device. Additionally, the arrow FR shown in the figure indicates the front of the device, and the arrow RR indicates the rear of the device. These directions are defined for the convenience of explanation, and the device configuration is not limited to these directions. In addition, in each direction of the device, the word "device" may be omitted. That is, for example, "above the device" may be simply indicated as "above."

[0031] In the following description, the "up-down direction" may mean "both above and below" or "either above or below". The "left-right direction" may mean "both right and left" or "either right or left". The "left-right direction" may also be referred to as the lateral, transverse, and horizontal directions. The "front-rear direction" may also be referred to as the lateral, transverse, and horizontal directions. The "front-rear direction" may also be referred to as the lateral, transverse, and horizontal directions. The up-down direction, left-right direction, and front-rear direction are directions that intersect with each other (specifically, directions that are perpendicular to each other).

[0032] In addition, the symbol "x" in a "circle" in the figures means an arrow pointing from the front to the back of the page. In addition, the symbol "·" in a "circle" in the figures means an arrow pointing from the back to the front of the page. In addition, the dimensional ratios of the parts shown in each figure in the up-down, left-right, and front-to-back directions may differ from the actual dimensional ratios.

[0033] The image forming apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 1 is an apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium P, and as shown in Fig. 1, includes an image forming section 102 and a post-processing device 10. Each section of the image forming apparatus 100 (specifically, the image forming section 102 and the post-processing device 10) will be described below.

[0034] <Image forming unit 102> 1 is a component that forms an image on a recording medium P. As the image forming unit 102, for example, an electrophotographic image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium P using toner is used.

[0035] In an electrophotographic image forming unit, for example, each of the processes of charging, exposing, developing, transferring, and fixing is performed to form an image on a recording medium P. Specifically, in an electrophotographic image forming unit, for example, each of the processes of charging, exposing, developing, and transferring is performed to form an image on a transfer body, and the image is transferred from the transfer body to the recording medium P, and then the image is fixed to the recording medium P, thereby forming an image on the recording medium P.

[0036] Note that the image forming unit is not limited to the electrophotographic image forming unit described above, but may be, for example, an inkjet image forming unit, and various other image forming units can be used. In the inkjet image forming unit, for example, ink droplets are ejected from an ejection unit onto the recording medium P to form an image on the recording medium P.

[0037] <Post-treatment device 10> 1 is a device that performs post-processing on a recording medium P on which an image has been formed by an image forming section 102. Specifically, as shown in FIG 1, the post-processing device 10 includes a post-processing device main body 13, a first discharge section 11, a second discharge section 12, a post-processing section 15, a stacking section 20, a conveying mechanism 30, a guide section 40, a support section 50, a first correction section 170, a first movement mechanism 160 (see FIG 2), a second correction section 70, a second movement mechanism 60 (see FIG 2), an abutment section 75, an alignment section 80, and a post-processing section 90. Below, we will explain each part of the post-processing device 10 (specifically, the post-processing device main body 13, the first discharge section 11, the second discharge section 12, the post-processing section 15, the loading section 20, the conveying mechanism 30, the guide section 40, the support section 50, the first correction section 170, the first movement mechanism 160, the second correction section 70, the second movement mechanism 60, the contact section 75, the alignment section 80 and the post-processing section 90).

[0038] <Post-treatment device main body 13, first discharge section 11, second discharge section 12, and post-treatment device 15> 1 is a portion in which each component of the post-processing device 10 is provided. Specifically, the post-processing device body 13 is configured with a housing formed in a box shape (for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape).

[0039] 1, for example, post-processing section 15, stacking section 20, conveying mechanism 30, guiding section 40, supporting section 50, first correction section 170, first moving mechanism 160 (see FIG. 2), second correction section 70, second moving mechanism 60 (see FIG. 2), abutting section 75, aligning section 80, and post-processing section 90 are provided inside post-processing device main body 13. First discharge section 11 and second discharge section 12 are provided on the right side surface of post-processing device main body 13.

[0040] The first discharge section 11 is disposed at an upper portion on the right side surface of the post-processing device main body 13. To the first discharge section 11, the recording medium P that has been post-processed in the post-processing section 15 is discharged.

[0041] Here, post-processing refers to processing performed on the recording medium P on which an image has been formed. The post-processing performed by the post-processing unit 15 includes a binding process for binding a plurality of recording media P with a stapler. Note that the post-processing is not limited to the binding process. The post-processing may be, for example, a cutting process for cutting the recording medium P, or a punching process for punching holes in the recording medium P, and may be any processing performed on the recording medium P on which an image has been formed.

[0042] The second discharge section 12 is disposed at a lower portion of the right side surface of the post-processing device main body 13, below the first discharge section 11. The recording medium P that has been post-processed in a post-processing section 90 described below is discharged to the second discharge section 12.

[0043] <Loading section 20> The stacking section 20 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is a component on which recording media P are stacked. In this embodiment, the stacking section 20 is configured to have a plate body extending diagonally upward (diagonally upward to the left in this embodiment) in a front cross-sectional view as shown in Fig. 2. This stacking section 20 has a stacking surface 22 facing diagonally upward (diagonally upward to the right in this embodiment). In the stacking section 20, the recording media P are stacked on the stacking surface 22 with one end (hereinafter referred to as the lower end P2) of the recording media P facing downward. The stacking section 20 is formed with a passage hole 24 through which a push-in section 94, which will be described later, passes.

[0044] <Transport mechanism 30 and guide unit 40> 1 is a mechanism that transports the recording medium P to the stacking unit 20. In this embodiment, the transport mechanism 30 selectively transports the recording medium P to one of the first discharge unit 11 and the stacking unit 20.

[0045] 1, the transport mechanism 30 is specifically configured to have a plurality of transport rolls 32. Among the plurality of transport rolls 32, the transport roll 32A is provided at a position facing the upper part of the loading surface 22, and transports the recording medium P downward toward the loading surface 22. The transport roll 32A is an example of a transport section.

[0046] The guide section 40 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is a component that guides the recording medium P transported by the transport roll 32A. In this embodiment, the guide section 40 is configured as a plate extending diagonally upward (diagonally upward to the left in this embodiment) in a front cross-sectional view as shown in Fig. 2. This guide section 40 has a guide surface 42 that faces diagonally downward (diagonally downward to the left in this embodiment) and faces the stacking surface 22. In the guide section 40, the guide surface 42 guides the recording medium P to the stacking surface 22. A passage hole 44 through which a pusher section 94 described later passes is formed in the guide section 40.

[0047] <Support part 50> 1 and 2 is a component that supports a lower end P2 of the recording media P loaded on the loading surface 22. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the support part 50 is disposed diagonally to the right below the loading part 20. As shown in Figure 2, the support part 50 has an abutment part 52, a loading part 54, and a guide part 56.

[0048] The abutting portion 52 abuts against and supports the lower ends P2 of the recording media P stacked on the stacking surface 22. When the lower ends P2 of the recording media P stacked on the stacking surface 22 abut against the abutting portion 52, the lower ends P2 are aligned.

[0049] The stacking portion 54 stacks the lower portions of the recording media P whose lower ends P2 have abutted against the abutting portion 52. The stacking portion 54 has a stacking surface 55 that faces diagonally upward (diagonally upward to the right in this embodiment). The stacking surface 55 is disposed along the stacking surface 22, diagonally downward to the right with respect to the stacking surface 22 of the stacking section 20.

[0050] The guide portion 56 guides the lower end P2 of the recording medium P guided by the guide unit 40 toward the abutting portion 52. The guide portion 56 has a guide surface 57 facing the stacking surface 55. In the guide portion 56, the recording medium P is guided to the abutting portion 52 by the guide surface 57.

[0051] <First correction unit 170 and first movement mechanism 160> 1 and 2 is a component that comes into contact with the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface 22 and corrects the deflection P7 of the recording medium P (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The first correction unit 170 is an example of a correction unit. The first correction unit 170 is disposed below the post-processing unit 90 (a pair of folding rolls 92, 93 and a pushing unit 94, which will be described later) and above the support unit 50.

[0052] Specifically, the first correction unit 170 is configured with a plate body that extends diagonally upward to the left and has a thickness direction diagonally upward to the right as shown in Fig. 2. This first correction unit 170 has an opposing surface 172 that faces the stacking surface 22 of the stacking unit 20. This opposing surface 172 forms a plane that contacts the recording medium P.

[0053] The first moving mechanism 160 is a mechanism that moves the first correction unit 170 between a correction position (a position shown by a solid line in FIG. 4) and a retracted position (a position shown in FIG. 2). Specifically, the first moving mechanism 160 has a first link 161, a second link 162, a support unit 169, a first driving unit 163, and a second driving unit 164, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4.

[0054] The support portion 169 is a component that supports the first link 161, the second link 162, the first driving portion 163, and the second driving portion 164. The support portion 169 is attached to the guide portion 40 on the opposite side to the loading portion 20 with respect to the guide portion 40 (the right side in this embodiment).

[0055] The first link 161 is disposed above the second link 162, and one end of the first link 161 is rotatably supported on an upper portion of the support portion 169. The other end of the first link 161 is rotatably attached to an upper portion of the first correction portion 170.

[0056] On the other hand, the second link 162 has one end rotatably supported at the lower part of the support portion 169 (i.e., below the support position of the support portion 169 of the first link 161), and the other end rotatably attached to the lower part of the first correction portion 170 (i.e., below the attachment position of the first correction portion 170 of the first link 161).

[0057] Each of the first driving unit 163 and the second driving unit 164 is capable of rotationally driving each of the first link 161 and the second link 162 in both directions A and B between a first position (the position shown in FIG. 2) and a second position (the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 4).

[0058] The first drive unit 163 and the second drive unit 164 each rotate the first link 161 and the second link 162 from the first position (the position shown in FIG. 2) in the direction A, whereby the first correction unit 170 moves from the retracted position (the position shown in FIG. 2) to the correction position (the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 4). On the other hand, the first drive unit 163 and the second drive unit 164 each rotate the first link 161 and the second link 162 from the second position (the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 4) in the direction B, whereby the first correction unit 170 moves from the correction position (the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 4) to the retracted position (the position shown in FIG. 2).

[0059] Here, each of the first driving unit 163 and the second driving unit 164 can control the rotation angle of each of the first link 161 and the second link 162, and can independently drive each of the first link 161 and the second link 162. Therefore, the first correction unit 170 is capable of the following first and second operations.

[0060] Each of the first driving unit 163 and the second driving unit 164 may be, for example, a servo motor or a stepping motor whose rotation angle can be controlled by a pulse signal.

[0061] <First Operation of First Correction Unit 170> In the first operation, for example, the second driving unit 164 rotates the second link 162 from a first position (position shown in FIG. 2) in the A direction at a first rotation angle, and the first driving unit 163 does not drive the first link 161 or rotates the first link 161 from the first position (position shown in FIG. 2) in the A direction at a second rotation angle smaller than the first rotation angle (see FIG. 3). Note that the first rotation angle may be a rotation angle from the first position (position shown in FIG. 2) to the second position, or may be a rotation angle smaller than the rotation angle.

[0062] As a result, the first correction unit 170 moves from the retracted position (the position shown in FIG. 2) toward the stacking surface 22. In the process of this movement, the first correction unit 170 comes into contact with the recording medium P from the opposite side (the right side) of the stacking surface 22 relative to the recording medium P stacked on the stacking surface 22, in a position in which the lower end of the facing surface 172 is closer to the stacking surface 22 than the upper end.

[0063] Furthermore, in the first operation, for example, the first drive unit 163 and the second drive unit 164 each rotate the first link 161 and the second link 162 in the A direction to a second position (the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 4). When the second link 162 is located at the second position by the rotation of the above-mentioned first rotation angle, only the first link 161 rotates to the second position.

[0064] As a result, the first correction unit 170 moves to the correction position (position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 4). In the process of this movement, while the lower end of the facing surface 172 is in contact with the recording medium P, the upper end of the facing surface 172 moves closer to the stacking surface 22 and contacts the recording medium P, thereby correcting the flexure P7 of the recording medium P. At this time, the first correction unit 170 changes its posture to be along the stacking surface 22 and moves upward while moving to the correction position (position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 4), pushing the recording medium P toward the stacking surface 22, thereby correcting the flexure P7 of the recording medium P.

[0065] Furthermore, the first correction unit 170 maintains the state in which the deflection P7 of the recording medium P has been corrected by clamping the recording medium P between itself and the stacking surface 22 at the correction position (the position shown by the solid line in Figure 4) (limiting the reformation of the deflection P7 of the recording medium P).

[0066] As described above, in the first operation, the first correction unit 170 contacts a first portion of the recording medium P (specifically, any portion excluding the lower end) from the side opposite the loading surface 22 with respect to the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface 22 (see FIG. 3), and then, while still in contact with the first portion, contacts a second portion of the recording medium P that is above the first portion, thereby correcting the deflection P7 of the recording medium P (see FIG. 4).

[0067] In other words, in the first operation, the first correction unit 170 contacts a portion of the recording medium P from the side opposite the loading surface 22 relative to the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface 22 (see FIG. 3), and then contacts the recording medium P so that the contact area with the recording medium P increases upward from the portion, thereby correcting the deflection P7 of the recording medium P (see FIG. 4).

[0068] <Second Operation of First Correction Unit 170> In the second operation, for example, each of the first driving unit 163 and the second driving unit 164 rotates each of the first link 161 and the second link 162 in the direction A from a first position (the position shown in FIG. 2) to a second position (the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 4). That is, each of the first driving unit 163 and the second driving unit 164 synchronously rotates each of the first link 161 and the second link 162 in the direction A.

[0069] As a result, the first correction unit 170 moves from the retracted position (position shown in FIG. 2) to the correction position (position shown by a solid line in FIG. 4). In the process of this movement, the first correction unit 170 comes into contact with the recording medium P from the opposite side to the loading surface 22 with respect to the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface 22 while displacing the opposing surface 172 upward in a posture along the loading surface 22, thereby correcting the flexure P7 of the recording medium P.

[0070] In the second operation, the first correction unit 170 also maintains the state in which the deflection P7 of the recording medium P has been corrected by clamping the recording medium P between itself and the loading surface 22 at the correction position (the position shown by the solid line in Figure 4) (limiting the reformation of the deflection P7 of the recording medium P).

[0071] The retracted position (position shown in FIG. 2) is a position where the first correction unit 170 retracts from the correction position (position shown by a solid line in FIG. 4), and at the retracted position, the first correction unit 170 is disposed along the guide surface 42 of the guide unit 40. Therefore, at the retracted position, the first correction unit 170 guides the recording medium P transported by the transport roll 32A to the stacking surface 22 and the support unit 50 by the opposing surface 172.

[0072] <Selection of First Operation and Second Operation of First Correction Unit 170> The first correction unit 170 can selectively execute the first operation and the second operation described above. Specifically, the first correction unit 170 executes the first operation described above when a first type of recording medium is loaded on the loading surface 22, and executes the second operation described above when a second type of recording medium P different from the first type is loaded on the loading surface 22.

[0073] The first type is, for example, thin paper (e.g., paper with a basis weight of less than 60 g / m2) or a recording medium P with low rigidity, and the second type is, for example, plain paper or thick paper (e.g., paper with a basis weight of 60 g / m2 or more) or a recording medium P with higher rigidity than the first type.

[0074] Furthermore, the first correction unit 170 may perform the above-mentioned first operation when a recording medium P on which an image has been fixed by a first fixing device is loaded on the loading surface 22, and may perform the above-mentioned second operation when a recording medium P on which an image has been fixed by a second fixing device different from the first fixing device is loaded on the loading surface 22. The first fixing device is a device that curves the recording medium P by a fixing operation on the recording medium P so that the side opposite to the loading surface 22 becomes convex when the recording medium P is loaded on the loading surface 22.

[0075] The second fixing device is a device that curves the recording medium P by a fixing operation on the recording medium P so that the loading surface 22 side becomes convex in a state in which the recording medium P is loaded on the loading surface 22.

[0076] <Second correction unit 70 and second movement mechanism 60> 1 and 2 is a component that comes into contact with the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface 22 and corrects the deflection P7 of the recording medium P (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The second correction unit 70 is an example of a correction unit. The second correction unit 70 is disposed above the post-processing unit 90 (a pair of folding rolls 92, 93 and a pushing unit 94, which will be described later) and below the transport roll 32A.

[0077] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the second correction section 70 is configured as a plate body extending in the up-down direction and having a thickness direction in the left-right direction. The second correction section 70 has an opposing surface 72 that faces the loading surface 22 of the loading section 20. The opposing surface 72 forms a plane that contacts the recording medium P. At the upper end of the second correction section 70, as shown in Fig. 7, a notch 73 into which the abutting section 75 can enter is formed. Specifically, the second correction section 70 has a main body section 71 that contacts the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface 22 below the upper end P1, and a pair of protruding sections 74 that protrude upward from each of the front and rear portions of the main body section 71.

[0078] The second moving mechanism 60 is a mechanism that moves the second correction unit 70 between a correction position (a position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 6) and a retracted position (a position indicated in FIG. 2). Specifically, the second moving mechanism 60 has a first link 61, a second link 62, a support unit 69, a first driving unit 63, and a second driving unit 64, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6.

[0079] The support portion 69 is a component that supports the first link 61, the second link 62, the first driving portion 63, and the second driving portion 64. The support portion 69 is attached to the guide portion 40 on the opposite side to the loading portion 20 with respect to the guide portion 40 (the right side in this embodiment).

[0080] The first link 61 is disposed above the second link 62, and one end is rotatably supported on the upper part of the support part 69. The other end of the first link 61 is rotatably attached to the second correction part 70 above the attachment position of the second link 62 to the second correction part 70. Specifically, the other end of the first link 61 is movable in the up-down direction at the retracted position (position shown in FIG. 2) relative to the second correction part 70 and is rotatably attached. For example, a shaft part 79 protruding in the front-rear direction is formed on the other end, and the shaft part 79 is attached to an elongated hole (not shown) formed in the second correction part 70 along the up-down direction, so that the other end can move within the elongated hole along the up-down direction relative to the second correction part 70.

[0081] On the other hand, the second link 62 has one end rotatably supported on the lower part of the support portion 69 (i.e., below the support position of the second link 62 in the support portion 69), and the other end rotatably attached to the lower part of the second correction portion 70 (i.e., below the attachment position of the first link 61 in the second correction portion 70).

[0082] Each of the first driving unit 63 and the second driving unit 64 is capable of rotationally driving each of the first link 61 and the second link 62 in both directions C and D between a first position (the position shown in Figure 2) and a second position (the position shown by the solid line in Figure 6).

[0083] The first drive unit 63 and the second drive unit 64 each rotate the first link 61 and the second link 62 from the first position (the position shown in FIG. 2) in the C direction, whereby the second correction unit 70 moves from the retracted position (the position shown in FIG. 2) to the correction position (the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 6). On the other hand, the first drive unit 63 and the second drive unit 64 each rotate the first link 61 and the second link 62 from the second position (the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 6) in the D direction, whereby the second correction unit 70 moves from the correction position (the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 6) to the retracted position (the position shown in FIG. 2).

[0084] Here, the first driving unit 63 and the second driving unit 64 are each capable of controlling the rotation angles of the first link 61 and the second link 62, and are each capable of independently driving the first link 61 and the second link 62. Therefore, the second correction unit 70 is capable of the following first and second operations.

[0085] Each of the first driving unit 63 and the second driving unit 64 is, for example, a servo motor or a stepping motor whose rotation angle can be controlled by a pulse signal.

[0086] <First Operation of the Second Correction Unit 70> In the first operation, for example, the second driving unit 64 rotates the second link 62 from a first position (position shown in FIG. 2) in the direction C at a first rotation angle, and the first driving unit 63 does not drive the first link 61 or rotates the first link 61 from the first position (position shown in FIG. 2) in the direction C at a second rotation angle smaller than the first rotation angle (see FIG. 5). Note that the first rotation angle may be a rotation angle from the first position (position shown in FIG. 2) to the second position, or may be a rotation angle smaller than the second rotation angle.

[0087] As a result, the second correction unit 70 moves from the retracted position (the position shown in FIG. 2) toward the stacking surface 22. In the process of this movement, the second correction unit 70 comes into contact with the recording medium P from the opposite side (the right side) of the stacking surface 22 relative to the recording medium P stacked on the stacking surface 22, in a position in which the lower end of the opposing surface 72 is closer to the stacking surface 22 than the upper end.

[0088] Furthermore, in the first operation, for example, the first drive unit 63 and the second drive unit 64 each rotate the first link 61 and the second link 62 in the C direction to a second position (the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 6). When the second link 62 is located at the second position by the rotation of the above-mentioned first rotation angle, only the first link 61 rotates to the second position.

[0089] As a result, the second correction unit 70 moves to the correction position (position shown by the solid line in FIG. 6). In the process of this movement, the second correction unit 70, while keeping the lower end of the facing surface 72 in contact with the recording medium P, moves to the correction position (position shown by the solid line in FIG. 6) so that the upper end of the facing surface 72 approaches the stacking surface 22, contacting the recording medium P and correcting the flexure P7 of the recording medium P. At this time, the second correction unit 70 changes its posture to be along the stacking surface 22 and moves upward while moving to the correction position (position shown by the solid line in FIG. 6), pushing the recording medium P toward the stacking surface 22, thereby correcting the flexure P7 of the recording medium P.

[0090] Furthermore, the second correction unit 70 maintains the state in which the deflection P7 of the recording medium P has been corrected by clamping the recording medium P between itself and the stacking surface 22 at the correction position (the position shown by the solid line in Figure 6) (limiting the reformation of the deflection P7 of the recording medium P).

[0091] As described above, in the first operation, the second correction unit 70 contacts a first portion of the recording medium P from the side opposite the loading surface 22 relative to the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface 22 (see Figure 5), and then, while still in contact with the first portion, contacts a second portion of the recording medium P above the first portion, thereby correcting the deflection P7 of the recording medium P (see Figure 6).

[0092] In other words, in the first operation, the second correction unit 70 contacts a portion of the recording medium P from the side opposite the loading surface 22 relative to the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface 22 (see Figure 5), and then contacts the recording medium P so that the contact area with the recording medium P increases upward from the portion, thereby correcting the deflection P7 of the recording medium P (see Figure 6).

[0093] <Second Operation of Second Correction Unit 70> In the second operation, for example, the first driving unit 63 and the second driving unit 64 each rotate the first link 61 and the second link 62 in the C direction from the first position (the position shown in FIG. 2) to the second position (the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 6). That is, the first driving unit 63 and the second driving unit 64 each rotate the first link 61 and the second link 62 in the C direction in synchronization with each other.

[0094] As a result, the second correction unit 70 moves from the retracted position (position shown in FIG. 2) to the correction position (position shown by a solid line in FIG. 6). In the process of this movement, the second correction unit 70 comes into contact with the recording medium P from the opposite side to the loading surface 22 with respect to the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface 22 while displacing the opposing surface 72 upward in a posture along the loading surface 22, thereby correcting the flexure P7 of the recording medium P.

[0095] Even in the second operation, the second correction unit 70 maintains the state in which the deflection P7 of the recording medium P has been corrected by clamping the recording medium P between itself and the loading surface 22 at the correction position (the position shown by the solid line in Figure 6) (limiting the reformation of the deflection P7 of the recording medium P).

[0096] The retracted position (position shown in FIG. 2) is a position where the second correction unit 70 retracts from the correction position (position shown by a solid line in FIG. 6), and at the retracted position, the second correction unit 70 is disposed along the guide surface 42 of the guide unit 40. Therefore, at the retracted position, the second correction unit 70 guides the recording medium P transported by the transport roll 32A to the stacking surface 22 and the support unit 50 by the opposing surface 72.

[0097] <Selection of the First Operation and the Second Operation of the Second Correction Unit 70> The second correction unit 70 can selectively execute the first operation and the second operation described above. Specifically, the second correction unit 70 executes the first operation described above when a first type of recording medium is loaded on the loading surface 22, and executes the second operation described above when a second type of recording medium P different from the first type is loaded on the loading surface 22.

[0098] The first type is, for example, thin paper (eg, paper with a basis weight of less than 60 g / m2), and the second type is, for example, normal paper or thick paper (eg, paper with a basis weight of 60 g / m2 or more).

[0099] The second correction unit 70 may perform the above-mentioned first operation when a recording medium P on which an image has been fixed by a first fixing device is loaded on the loading surface 22, and may perform the above-mentioned second operation when a recording medium P on which an image has been fixed by a second fixing device different from the first fixing device is loaded on the loading surface 22. The first fixing device is a device that curves the recording medium P by a fixing operation on the recording medium P so that the side opposite to the loading surface 22 becomes convex when the recording medium P is loaded on the loading surface 22.

[0100] The second fixing device is a device that curves the recording medium P by a fixing operation on the recording medium P so that the loading surface 22 side becomes convex in a state in which the recording medium P is loaded on the loading surface 22.

[0101] <Application section 75> 7, in a state where the first correction unit 170 and the second correction unit 70 are located at the correction position (see FIG. 6), the abutting unit 75 pushes the upper end P1 of the recording medium P downward to abut the lower end P2 against the support unit 50. As a result, the upper end P1 of the recording medium P (in other words, the position of the recording medium P in the up-down direction) is aligned.

[0102] In this embodiment, the abutment portion 75 moves from a retracted position (position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7) where it is not in contact with the recording medium P transported to the stacking surface 22, and presses the upper end P1 of the recording medium P downward. The retracted position is a position outside (specifically, above) the notch 73 of the second correction portion 70. The retracted position is also a position where the abutment portion 75 is separated from the transport path of the recording medium P transported to the stacking surface 22. After the abutment portion 75 abuts the lower end P2 of the recording medium P against the support portion 50, it returns to the retracted position.

[0103] Furthermore, the abutting portion 75, in a state where it has entered the notch 73 of the second correction portion 70, comes into contact with the upper end P1 of the recording medium P. The upper end P1 is the end portion of the recording medium P on the opposite side to the lower end P2.

[0104] <Alignment section 80> 1 and 7 is a component that contacts both side edges of the recording medium P and aligns the side edges of the recording medium P when the first correction unit 170 and the second correction unit 70 are located at the correction position (see FIG. 6). The aligning unit 80 has a first aligning unit 81 and a second aligning unit 82, as shown in FIG.

[0105] In the alignment portion 80, the first alignment portion 81 contacts the side end (hereinafter referred to as the front end P3) on one side (the front side in this embodiment) of the recording medium P, and the second alignment portion 82 contacts the side end (hereinafter referred to as the rear end P4) on the other side (the rear side in this embodiment) of the recording medium P, thereby aligning the side ends of the recording medium P (in other words, the front-to-rear position of the recording medium P).

[0106] In this embodiment, each of the first aligning unit 81 and the second aligning unit 82 moves from a retracted position (a position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7) where it is not in contact with the recording medium P transported towards the stacking surface 22, and comes into contact with each of the side ends (specifically, the leading end P3 and the trailing end P4) of the recording medium P. The retracted positions are also positions where each of the first aligning unit 81 and the second aligning unit 82 is separated from the transport path of the recording medium P transported to the stacking surface 22. After aligning the side ends of the recording medium P, the aligning unit 80 returns to the retracted position. In this embodiment, each time the conveying roll 32A conveys a recording medium P to the loading surface 22, the first correction unit 170 performs the above-mentioned movement operation (i.e., the first operation or the second operation), the second correction unit 70 performs the above-mentioned pressing operation by the pressing unit 75, and the above-mentioned alignment operation by the alignment unit 80, so that the multiple recording media P are loaded onto the loading surface 22 in a state aligned in the vertical and front-to-rear directions.

[0107] <Post-processing section 90> 1 is a component that performs post-processing on the recording media P loaded on the loading surface 22. In this embodiment, the post-processing unit 90 performs a process of binding the multiple recording media P and folding the multiple recording media P as the post-processing.

[0108] 1, the post-processing section 90 has a binding section 91, a pair of folding rolls 92 and 93, a pushing section 94, and a transport roll 96. The binding section 91 is a so-called stapler, and staples a plurality of recording media P loaded on the loading surface 22 at predetermined central portions in the up-down direction of the plurality of recording media P.

[0109] The pair of folding rolls 92, 93 are arranged side by side along the upper left and upper right side of the passage hole 44 of the guide section 40. The folding roll 92 rotates in the clockwise direction in Figures 8 and 9, and the folding roll 93 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in Figures 8 and 9.

[0110] The pushing portion 94 is longer than the length in the front-rear direction of the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface 22, and is formed in a tapered shape with a tapered tip.

[0111] As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the pushing unit 94 moves diagonally upward to the right perpendicular to the stacking surface 22, and pushes the leading end against a predetermined vertical middle portion of the recording media P stacked on the stacking surface 22, which will be the fold portion, and pushes the middle portion between the pair of folding rolls 92, 93, so that the recording media P are sandwiched between the pair of folding rolls 92, 93 and folded. Here, in this embodiment, the pushing unit 94 pushes the vertical middle portion of the recording media P in a state where the first correction unit 170 is in contact with the recording media P stacked on the stacking surface 22 (specifically, in a state where the first correction unit 170 is located at the correction position), thereby folding the recording media P. At this time, the first correction unit 170 contacts the recording media P stacked on the stacking surface 22 on the lower side of the pushing unit 94. At this time, the second correction unit 70 is located at the retreat position and does not contact the recording media P. That is, in a state in which only the first correction unit 170 of the first correction unit 170 and the second correction unit 70 is in contact with the recording medium P, the pushing unit 94 folds the recording medium P.

[0112] As the pair of folding rolls 92, 93 rotate, the folded recording medium P is transported to the transport roll 96. Furthermore, the transport roll 96 transports the multiple recording media P folded by the pair of folding rolls 92, 93 and the pushing unit 94, and discharges them to the second discharge unit 12.

[0113] The post-processing performed by the post-processing unit 90 is not limited to the above-mentioned processing. The post-processing may be, for example, only one of a binding process for binding a plurality of recording media P and a folding process for folding a plurality of recording media P. The post-processing may also be a cutting process for cutting the recording media P and a punching process for punching holes in the recording media P, and may be any processing performed on the recording media P on which an image has been formed.

[0114] <Steps for executing post-processing> The procedure for executing the post-processing is, for example, as follows: First, as shown in Fig. 10, the transport mechanism 30 (specifically, the transport rolls 32 including the transport roll 32A) transports the recording medium P downward toward the stacking surface 22 (step S101).

[0115] Next, the first correction unit 170 performs a correction operation by the first operation or the second operation on the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface 22 (step S102). After performing the correction operation, the first correction unit 170 is maintained in the correction position.

[0116] Next, the second correction unit 70 performs a correction operation by the first operation or the second operation on the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface 22 (step S103). The second correction unit 70 performs the correction operation in a state where the first correction unit 170 is located at the correction position (see Figs. 5 and 6). After performing the correction operation, the second correction unit 70 is maintained in the state where it is located at the correction position.

[0117] Next, in a state where the first correction unit 170 and the second correction unit 70 are located at the correction position (see FIG. 6), the alignment unit 80 contacts both side edges of the recording medium P to align the side edges of the recording medium P (step S104). After aligning the side edges of the recording medium P, the alignment unit 80 returns to the retracted position.

[0118] Next, in a state where the first correction unit 170 and the second correction unit 70 are located at the correction position (see FIG. 6), the abutting unit 75 pushes the upper end P1 of the recording medium P downward to abut the lower end P2 against the support unit 50. This aligns the upper end P1 of the recording medium P (in other words, the vertical position of the recording medium P) (step S105). After abutting the lower end P2 of the recording medium P against the support unit 50, the abutting unit 75 returns to the retracted position.

[0119] Next, the second correction unit 70 executes a retraction operation to move from the correction position (position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 6) to the retracted position (position indicated in FIG. 2) (step S106).

[0120] Next, it is determined whether the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface 22 is the last recording medium P of a set (i.e., one unit) of recording media P to be subjected to post-processing (step S107). If it is determined that the recording medium P is not the last recording medium P (step S107: NO), the first correction unit 170 executes an evacuation operation to move from the correction position (position shown by the solid line in FIG. 6) to the evacuation position (position shown in FIG. 2) (step S108), and returns to step S101. That is, steps S101 to S106 are repeated until it is determined in step S107 that the recording medium P is the last recording medium P. Note that steps S101 to S106 are executed each time one recording medium P is conveyed to the loading surface 22.

[0121] Then, in step S107, if it is determined that the recording medium P is the last one (step S107: NO), the binding unit 91 performs a binding operation to bind the multiple recording media P by driving a staple into a predetermined central portion in the vertical direction of the multiple recording media P stacked on the stacking surface 22 (step S109).

[0122] Next, a folding operation is performed by the pushing unit 94 and the pair of folding rolls 92, 93 to fold predetermined middle portions in the vertical direction of the recording media P (step S110). Note that steps S109 and S110 are performed in a state where the first correction unit 170 is located at the correction position.

[0123] Next, the first correction unit 170 executes an evacuation operation to move from the correction position (position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 6) to the evacuation position (position indicated in FIG. 2) (step S111), and execution of this post-processing ends.

[0124] <Action of this embodiment> In this embodiment, the first correction unit 170 contacts the recording medium P from the side opposite the loading surface 22 (the right side in FIG. 3) with respect to the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface 22, with the lower end of the facing surface 172 being closer to the loading surface 22 than the upper end (see FIG. 3). Thereafter, with the lower end of the facing surface 172 in contact with the recording medium P, the first correction unit 170 contacts the recording medium P while moving the upper end of the facing surface 172 so as to approach the loading surface 22, thereby correcting the flexure P7 of the recording medium P (see FIG. 4).

[0125] Therefore, compared to a case in which the opposing surface 172 always contacts the recording medium P in a position along the loading surface 22 and corrects the deflection P7 of the recording medium P, when correcting the deflection P7 of the recording medium P, it is possible to extend the deflected portion of the recording medium P upward, and the extension of the deflected portion of the recording medium P downward is suppressed.

[0126] In other words, in this embodiment, the first correction unit 170 contacts a first portion of the recording medium P from the side opposite the loading surface 22 (the right side in Figure 3) relative to the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface 22 (see Figure 3), and then, while in contact with the first portion, contacts a second portion of the recording medium P that is above the first portion, thereby correcting the deflection P7 of the recording medium P (see Figure 4).

[0127] Therefore, compared to the case where the first correction unit 170 always contacts the first and second portions of the recording medium P simultaneously to correct the deflection P7 of the recording medium P, when correcting the deflection P7 of the recording medium P, it is possible to extend the deflected portion of the recording medium P upward, and the extension of the deflected portion of the recording medium P downward is suppressed.

[0128] In other words, in this embodiment, the first correction unit 170 contacts a portion of the recording medium P from the side opposite the loading surface 22 relative to the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface 22 (see FIG. 3), and then contacts the recording medium P so that the contact area with the recording medium P increases upward from the portion, thereby correcting the deflection P7 of the recording medium P (see FIG. 4).

[0129] Therefore, compared to when the first correction unit 170 corrects the deflection P7 of the recording medium P while always keeping the contact area with the recording medium P constant, when correcting the deflection P7 of the recording medium P, it is possible to extend the deflected portion of the recording medium P upward, and the extension of the deflected portion of the recording medium P downward is suppressed.

[0130] In addition, in this embodiment, when the first correction unit 170 is in contact with the recording medium P loaded on the stacking surface 22, the pushing unit 94 pushes the middle portion of the recording medium P in the vertical direction to fold the recording medium P.

[0131] As a result, the recording medium P is folded with the deflection P7 of the recording medium P corrected, so variation in the folding position for each recording medium P is suppressed compared to when the first correction unit 170 is not in contact with the recording medium P and the pushing unit 94 pushes the middle part of the recording medium P in the vertical direction to fold the recording medium P.

[0132] Furthermore, when the pushing unit 94 folds the recording medium P, the first correction unit 170 comes into contact with the recording medium P stacked on the stacking surface 22 at the lower side of the pushing unit 94.

[0133] As a result, the recording medium P is folded with the deflection P7 in the portion of the recording medium P below the pushing section 94 corrected, so variation in the folding position for each recording medium P is suppressed compared to when the first correction section 170 contacts the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface 22 above the pushing section 94.

[0134] In this embodiment, the first correction unit 170 can selectively execute the first operation and the second operation described above. Depending on the type of recording medium P, there may be a type of recording medium P in which the sag P7 is more easily eliminated by the second operation (e.g., a type of recording medium P with low rigidity such as thin paper), so that when the first correction unit 170 corrects the sag P7 of the recording medium P, the sag portion of the recording medium P is prevented from extending downward, compared to a case in which the first correction unit 170 can execute only the first operation.

[0135] In addition, in this embodiment, the first correction unit 170 performs the above-mentioned first operation, for example, when a first type of recording medium is loaded on the loading surface 22, and performs the above-mentioned second operation, when a second type of recording medium P different from the first type is loaded on the loading surface 22.

[0136] Depending on the type of recording medium P, there may be types of recording medium P in which the flexure P7 is more easily eliminated with the first operation (for example, those with high rigidity such as cardboard) and types of recording medium P in which the flexure P7 is more easily eliminated with the second operation (for example, those with low rigidity such as thin paper). Therefore, when correcting the flexure P7 of the recording medium P, the flexed portion of the recording medium P is prevented from extending downward, compared to when the first operation and the second operation are selected regardless of the type of recording medium P.

[0137] In addition, the first correction unit 170 performs the above-mentioned first operation when a recording medium P on which an image has been fixed by a first fixing device is loaded on the loading surface 22, and performs the above-mentioned second operation when a recording medium P on which an image has been fixed by a second fixing device different from the first fixing device is loaded on the loading surface 22.

[0138] Depending on the direction in which the recording medium P is curved by the fixing operation of the fixing device, the first operation may be more effective in eliminating the flexure P7 (specifically, when the recording medium P is curved so that the side opposite the loading surface 22 is convex) or the second operation may be more effective in eliminating the flexure P7 (specifically, when the recording medium P is curved so that the side facing the loading surface 22 is convex). Therefore, regardless of the type of fixing device that fixes the image to the recording medium P, the bent portion of the recording medium P is prevented from extending downward when correcting the flexure P7 of the recording medium P, compared to when the first operation and the second operation are selected.

[0139] In this embodiment, the second correction unit 70 contacts the recording medium P from the side opposite the loading surface 22 (the right side in FIG. 5) with respect to the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface 22, with the lower end of the facing surface 72 closer to the loading surface 22 than the upper end (see FIG. 5). Thereafter, with the lower end of the facing surface 72 in contact with the recording medium P, the second correction unit 70 contacts the recording medium P while moving the upper end of the facing surface 72 closer to the loading surface 22, thereby correcting the flexure P7 of the recording medium P (see FIG. 6).

[0140] Therefore, compared to a case in which the opposing surface 72 always contacts the recording medium P in a position along the loading surface 22 and corrects the deflection P7 of the recording medium P, when correcting the deflection P7 of the recording medium P, it is possible to extend the deflected portion of the recording medium P upward, and the extension of the deflected portion of the recording medium P downward is suppressed.

[0141] In other words, in this embodiment, the second correction unit 70 contacts a first portion of the recording medium P from the side opposite the loading surface 22 relative to the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface 22 (see Figure 5), and then, while in contact with the first portion, contacts a second portion of the recording medium P above the first portion, thereby correcting the deflection P7 of the recording medium P (see Figure 6).

[0142] Therefore, compared to when the second correction unit 70 always contacts the first and second portions of the recording medium P simultaneously to correct the deflection P7 of the recording medium P, when correcting the deflection P7 of the recording medium P, it is possible to extend the deflected portion of the recording medium P upward, and the extension of the deflected portion of the recording medium P downward is suppressed.

[0143] In addition, in other words, in this embodiment, the second correction unit 70 contacts a portion of the recording medium P from the side opposite the loading surface 22 relative to the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface 22 (see FIG. 5), and then contacts the recording medium P so that the contact area with the recording medium P increases upward from the portion, thereby correcting the deflection P7 of the recording medium P (see FIG. 6).

[0144] Therefore, compared to when the second correction unit 70 corrects the deflection P7 of the recording medium P while always keeping the contact area with the recording medium P constant, when correcting the deflection P7 of the recording medium P, it is possible to extend the deflected portion of the recording medium P upward, and the extension of the deflected portion of the recording medium P downward is suppressed.

[0145] In this embodiment, the second correction unit 70 can selectively execute the first operation and the second operation described above. Depending on the type of recording medium P, there may be a type of recording medium P in which the sag P7 is more easily eliminated by the second operation (e.g., a type of recording medium P with low rigidity such as thin paper), so that when the second correction unit 70 corrects the sag P7 of the recording medium P, the sag portion of the recording medium P is prevented from extending downward, compared to when the second correction unit 70 can execute only the first operation.

[0146] In addition, in this embodiment, the second correction unit 70 performs the above-mentioned first operation, for example, when a first type of recording medium is loaded on the loading surface 22, and performs the above-mentioned second operation, when a second type of recording medium P different from the first type is loaded on the loading surface 22.

[0147] Depending on the type of recording medium P, there may be types of recording medium P in which the flexure P7 is more easily eliminated with the first operation (for example, those with high rigidity such as cardboard) and types of recording medium P in which the flexure P7 is more easily eliminated with the second operation (for example, those with low rigidity such as thin paper). Therefore, when correcting the flexure P7 of the recording medium P, the flexed portion of the recording medium P is prevented from extending downward, compared to when the first operation and the second operation are selected regardless of the type of recording medium P.

[0148] In addition, the second correction unit 70 performs the above-mentioned first operation when a recording medium P on which an image has been fixed by a first fixing device is loaded on the loading surface 22, and performs the above-mentioned second operation when a recording medium P on which an image has been fixed by a second fixing device different from the first fixing device is loaded on the loading surface 22.

[0149] Depending on the direction in which the recording medium P is curved by the fixing operation of the fixing device, the first operation may be more effective in eliminating the flexure P7 (specifically, when the recording medium P is curved so that the side opposite the loading surface 22 is convex) or the second operation may be more effective in eliminating the flexure P7 (specifically, when the recording medium P is curved so that the side facing the loading surface 22 is convex). Therefore, regardless of the type of fixing device that fixes the image to the recording medium P, the bent portion of the recording medium P is prevented from extending downward when correcting the flexure P7 of the recording medium P, compared to when the first operation and the second operation are selected.

[0150] <Modification> In this embodiment, a mechanism having two links and two drive units is used as the moving mechanism 160, 60 for moving the first correction unit 170 and the second correction unit 70, but the present invention is not limited to this. An example of the moving mechanism may be, for example, a mechanism that transmits a driving force from one drive unit to two links using a transmission member such as a gear. Another example of the moving mechanism may be, for example, a mechanism using other mechanical elements such as a pulley, a belt, and a cam instead of a link. Another example of the moving mechanism may be, for example, a mechanism using an actuator such as a solenoid or a cylinder.

[0151] In addition, in the present embodiment, each of the first correction unit 170 and the second correction unit 70 can execute the first operation and the second operation, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the first correction unit 170 and the second correction unit 70 may be configured to execute only the first operation. Furthermore, if one of the first correction unit 170 and the second correction unit 70 is capable of executing the first operation, the other may be configured to execute only the second operation, that is, not to execute the first operation. That is, in the present embodiment, it is sufficient that at least one of the first correction unit 170 and the second correction unit 70 is capable of executing the first operation.

[0152] In the present embodiment, the pushing unit 94 pushes the vertical middle portion of the recording medium P in a state where the first correction unit 170 is in contact with the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface 22 to fold the recording medium P, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the pushing unit 94 may be configured to push the vertical middle portion of the recording medium P to fold the recording medium P in a state where the first correction unit 170 is not in contact with the recording medium P.

[0153] In the present embodiment, when the pushing unit 94 folds the recording medium P, among the first correction unit 170 and the second correction unit 70, only the first correction unit 170 is in contact with the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface 22, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the first correction unit 170 and the second correction unit 70 may be configured to be in contact with the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface 22, or among the first correction unit 170 and the second correction unit 70, only the second correction unit 70 may be configured to be in contact with the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface 22. Furthermore, the pushing unit 94 may be configured to fold the recording medium P in a state in which neither the first correction unit 170 nor the second correction unit 70 is in contact with the recording medium P.

[0154] In addition, in this embodiment, when the pushing-in unit 94 folds the recording medium P, the first correction unit 170 contacts the recording medium P loaded on the stacking surface 22 below the pushing-in unit 94, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the first correction unit 170 may be configured to contact the recording medium P loaded on the stacking surface 22 above the pushing-in unit 94.

[0155] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the above-described modified examples may be appropriately combined to form a configuration.

[0156] <Additional Notes> (((1))) a loading section having a loading surface facing diagonally upward, on which the recording medium is loaded with one end of the recording medium facing downward; a support portion that supports the one end of the recording medium loaded on the loading surface; a correction unit that has an opposing surface that faces the loading surface, and that contacts the recording medium from the opposite side of the loading surface with respect to the recording medium loaded on the loading surface with a lower end of the opposing surface closer to the loading surface than an upper end of the opposing surface, and then, while the lower end is in contact with the recording medium, moves so that the upper end approaches the loading surface and contacts the recording medium to correct the flexure of the recording medium; A post-processing device comprising:

[0157] (((2))) a loading section having a loading surface facing diagonally upward, on which the recording medium is loaded with one end of the recording medium facing downward; a support portion that supports the one end of the recording medium loaded on the loading surface; a correction unit that contacts a first portion of the recording medium loaded on the loading surface from the side opposite the loading surface, and then contacts a second portion of the recording medium above the first portion while in contact with the first portion, thereby correcting a flexure of the recording medium; A post-processing device comprising:

[0158] (((3))) a loading section having a loading surface facing diagonally upward, on which the recording medium is loaded with one end of the recording medium facing downward; a support portion that supports the one end of the recording medium loaded on the loading surface; a correction unit that contacts a portion of the recording medium loaded on the loading surface from the side opposite the loading surface, and then contacts the recording medium to correct a flexure of the recording medium so that a contact area with the recording medium increases upward from the portion; A post-processing device comprising:

[0159] (((4))) A folding unit that presses a vertical middle portion of the recording medium loaded on the loading surface while the correction unit is in contact with the recording medium loaded on the loading surface to fold the recording medium. Equipped The post-processing device according to any one of (((1))) to (((3))).

[0160] (((5))) The correction unit is The recording medium is placed on the stacking surface, and the lower side of the folding portion is brought into contact with the recording medium. The post-processing device according to (((4))).

[0161] (((6))) The correction unit is a first operation in which a lower end of the facing surface comes into contact with the recording medium from the opposite side of the stacking surface with respect to the recording medium stacked on the stacking surface in a position closer to the stacking surface than the upper end, and then, while the lower end is in contact with the recording medium, the upper end moves closer to the stacking surface and comes into contact with the recording medium, thereby correcting sagging of the recording medium; a second operation in which the facing surface is displaced upward in a position along the loading surface from an opposite side of the loading surface with respect to the recording medium loaded on the loading surface, and the facing surface comes into contact with the recording medium, thereby correcting a flexure of the recording medium; can be selectively executed. The post-processing device according to any one of ((1))) to (((5))).

[0162] (((7))) The correction unit is When a first type of recording medium is loaded on the loading surface, the first action is executed; When a second type of recording medium different from the first type is loaded on the loading surface, the second operation is executed. The post-processing device according to (((6))).

[0163] (((8))) The correction unit is When a recording medium on which an image has been fixed by a first fixing device is loaded on the loading surface, the first operation is performed; The second operation is performed when a recording medium on which an image has been fixed by a second fixing device different from the first fixing device is loaded on the loading surface. A post-processing device according to (((6))) or (((7))).

[0164] (((9))) an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; a post-processing device according to any one of ((1))) to (((8))) that performs post-processing on a recording medium on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit; An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0165] According to the configuration (((1))), when correcting the sagging of the recording medium, the sagging portion of the recording medium is prevented from extending downward, compared to when the opposing surface is always in contact with the recording medium in a position aligned with the loading surface and the sagging of the recording medium is corrected.

[0166] According to the configuration (((2))), when correcting the flexure of the recording medium, the flexed portion of the recording medium is prevented from extending downward, compared to when the correction unit always contacts the first portion and the second portion of the recording medium simultaneously to correct the flexure of the recording medium.

[0167] According to the configuration (((3))), when correcting the flexure of the recording medium, the flexed portion of the recording medium is prevented from extending downward, compared to when the correction unit corrects the flexure of the recording medium while always keeping the contact area with the recording medium constant.

[0168] According to the configuration (((4))), when the correction unit is not in contact with the recording medium, the folding position is prevented from varying from one recording medium to another, compared to a case in which the folding unit presses the middle part of the recording medium in the vertical direction to fold the recording medium.

[0169] According to the configuration (((5))), the folding position is prevented from varying from one recording medium to another, compared to when the correction unit contacts the recording medium loaded on the loading surface above the folding unit.

[0170] According to the configuration (((6))), when correcting the warping of the recording medium, the warped portion of the recording medium is prevented from extending downward, compared to when the correction unit is capable of performing only the first operation.

[0171] According to the configuration (((7))), when correcting the sagging of the recording medium, the sagging portion of the recording medium is prevented from extending downward, compared to when the first operation and the second operation are selected regardless of the type of recording medium.

[0172] According to the configuration (((8))), regardless of the type of fixing device that fixes the image on the recording medium, when correcting the sagging of the recording medium, the sagging portion of the recording medium is prevented from extending downward, compared to when the first operation and the second operation are selected.

[0173] According to the configuration (((9))), when correcting the sagging of the recording medium on which an image has been formed, the sagging portion of the recording medium is prevented from extending downward, compared to when the opposing surface is always in contact with the recording medium in a position aligned with the loading surface and the sagging of the recording medium is corrected. [Explanation of symbols]

[0174] 10 Aftertreatment device 20 Loading section 22 Loading surface 30 Conveyor mechanism 32A Conveyor roll (an example of the conveyor section) 50 Support part 60 Second movement mechanism 61 First Link 62 Second Link 63 First Drive Unit 64 Second Drive Unit 69 Support part 70 Second correction unit (an example of a correction unit) 72 Opposite Surface 75 Attachment Department 90 Post-processing section 94 Push-in section 100 Image forming device 102 Image forming section 160 First movement mechanism 161 First Link 162 Second Link 163 First Drive Unit 164 Second Drive Unit 169 Support part 170 First correction unit (an example of a correction unit) 172 Opposite Surface P Recording medium

Claims

1. a loading section having a loading surface facing diagonally upward, on which the recording medium is loaded with one end of the recording medium facing downward; a support portion that supports the one end of the recording medium loaded on the loading surface; a correction unit that has an opposing surface that faces the loading surface, and that contacts the recording medium from the opposite side of the loading surface with respect to the recording medium loaded on the loading surface with a lower end of the opposing surface closer to the loading surface than an upper end of the opposing surface, and then, while the lower end is in contact with the recording medium, moves so that the upper end approaches the loading surface and contacts the recording medium to correct the flexure of the recording medium; A post-processing device comprising:

2. a loading section having a loading surface facing diagonally upward, on which the recording medium is loaded with one end of the recording medium facing downward; a support portion that supports the one end of the recording medium loaded on the loading surface; a correction unit that contacts a first portion of the recording medium loaded on the loading surface from the side opposite the loading surface, and then contacts a second portion of the recording medium above the first portion while in contact with the first portion, thereby correcting a flexure of the recording medium; A post-processing device comprising:

3. a loading section having a loading surface facing diagonally upward, on which the recording medium is loaded with one end of the recording medium facing downward; a support portion that supports the one end of the recording medium loaded on the loading surface; a correction unit that contacts a portion of the recording medium loaded on the loading surface from the side opposite the loading surface, and then contacts the recording medium to correct a flexure of the recording medium so that a contact area with the recording medium increases upward from the portion; A post-processing device comprising:

4. A folding unit that presses a vertical middle portion of the recording medium loaded on the loading surface while the correction unit is in contact with the recording medium loaded on the loading surface to fold the recording medium. Equipped The post-treatment device according to claim 1 .

5. The correction unit is The recording medium is placed on the stacking surface, and the lower side of the folding portion is brought into contact with the recording medium. The post-treatment device according to claim 4 .

6. The correction unit is a first operation in which a lower end of the facing surface comes into contact with the recording medium from the opposite side of the stacking surface with respect to the recording medium stacked on the stacking surface in a position closer to the stacking surface than the upper end, and then, while the lower end is in contact with the recording medium, the upper end moves closer to the stacking surface and comes into contact with the recording medium, thereby correcting sagging of the recording medium; a second operation in which the facing surface is displaced upward in a position along the loading surface from an opposite side of the loading surface with respect to the recording medium loaded on the loading surface, and the facing surface comes into contact with the recording medium, thereby correcting a flexure of the recording medium; can be selectively executed. The post-treatment device according to claim 1 .

7. The correction unit is When a first type of recording medium is loaded on the loading surface, the first action is executed; When a second type of recording medium different from the first type is loaded on the loading surface, the second operation is executed. The post-treatment device according to claim 6 .

8. The correction unit is When a recording medium on which an image has been fixed by a first fixing device is loaded on the loading surface, the first operation is performed; The second operation is performed when a recording medium on which an image has been fixed by a second fixing device different from the first fixing device is loaded on the loading surface. The post-treatment device according to claim 6 .

9. an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; a post-processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which performs post-processing on a recording medium on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit; An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images