Recording medium processing apparatus and image formation system

Abstract

To provide a recording medium processing apparatus, compared to a configuration where only one opening / closing member is provided correspondingly to one conveyance passage of a plurality of conveyance passages, which allows easier access to the plurality of conveyance passages provided therein.SOLUTION: An upper face 302 of a third paper processing device 300 is provided with opening / closing members 310. One opening / closing member 310 also has a roll as an exterior member of the third paper processing device 300. The other opening / closing member 310 has an exposed face on the side opposite to a face facing the side of a processing unit 301, and also has a roll as an exterior member. Further, the other opening / closing member 310 also has a roll as a covering member. The other opening / closing member 310 covers an upper part of a space stored with the processing unit 301 located at the top of the third paper processing device 300. As the opening / closing members 310, a first opening / closing member 311 to a fourth opening / closing member 314 are provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a sheet conveying device including first, second, third, and fourth roll pairs, with the axis of the third roll pair being arranged at an angle of approximately 90° to the first axis. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2003 / 0107169 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art In a recording medium processing device that processes a recording medium, a plurality of transport paths through which the transported recording medium passes may be provided inside the recording medium processing device. Here, if there is only one opening / closing member that is opened when accessing a recording medium located on the transport path, corresponding to one of the multiple transport paths, the accessible area becomes narrow. The object of the present invention is to make it easier to access multiple transport paths provided within a recording medium processing device, compared to a configuration in which only one opening / closing member is provided corresponding to one of the multiple transport paths. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The invention described in claim 1 is a recording medium processing device comprising: a device main body; a plurality of transport paths provided within the device main body through which the transported recording medium passes, the plurality of transport paths extending radially from a predetermined location; and a plurality of opening / closing members arranged so that the circumferential positions of the plurality of radially provided transport paths are different from each other, and the opening / closing members are provided so as to be openable and closable relative to the device main body. A second aspect of the present invention is the recording medium processing device according to the first aspect, wherein the opening and closing members are provided in a shape corresponding to each of the transport paths included in the plurality of transport paths. The invention according to claim 3 is the recording medium processing device according to claim 2, wherein the opening and closing members are provided at opposing positions on the corresponding transport paths. The invention described in claim 4 is a recording medium processing device described in claim 2, in which, when a user performs an operation to open the opening / closing member, a side member provided on the side of the transport path corresponding to the opening / closing member moves in conjunction with the opening / closing member and moves in a direction away from the transport path. The invention described in claim 5 is the recording medium processing device described in claim 4, in which a guide member is provided on the side of the transport path as the side member for guiding the recording medium passing through the transport path, and when a user performs an operation to open the opening / closing member, the guide member moves in conjunction with the opening / closing member and moves in a direction away from the transport path. The invention described in claim 6 is the recording medium processing device described in claim 2, wherein the open / close member is rotatably arranged around a rotation axis extending in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the transport path corresponding to the open / close member. The invention described in claim 7 is the recording medium processing device described in claim 6, wherein the opening / closing member has a first end located closer to the predetermined location and a second end located opposite the first end, and the rotating shaft is provided on the second end side of the opening / closing member. The invention described in claim 8 is a recording medium processing device described in claim 1, which is configured so that a user can touch a recording medium located on a transport path included in the multiple transport paths through an opening created by opening the opening / closing member. The invention described in claim 9 is the recording medium processing device described in claim 8, in which a rotating body that rotates the recording medium is provided at the predetermined location, and the device is configured so that a user can touch the recording medium located opposite the rotating body through the opening, and the recording medium located on the transport path and the recording medium located opposite the rotating body can be touched through the common opening. The invention described in claim 10 is the recording medium processing device described in claim 1, in which a rotating body that rotates the recording medium is provided at the predetermined location, and the recording medium is configured so that a user can touch the recording medium located opposite the rotating body through an opening created by opening the opening / closing member. The invention described in claim 11 is the recording medium processing device described in claim 1, in which a rotating body for rotating the recording medium is provided at the predetermined location, and the rotating body is supported by a non-moving member that is a member other than the opening / closing member among the members that constitute the recording medium processing device. The invention described in claim 12 is a recording medium processing device comprising: a device main body; a rotating body provided within the device main body, which rotates around a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction to rotate a recording medium; a plurality of transport paths through which the transported recording medium passes, which are provided from the installation location of the rotating body toward the side wall of the device main body; and a plurality of opening and closing members which are arranged at locations off the extension line of the rotation axis of the rotating body and are positioned at different positions in the rotation direction of the rotating body, and are provided so as to be able to be opened and closed relative to the device main body. The invention described in claim 13 is a recording medium processing device comprising: an apparatus main body; a plurality of transport paths provided within the apparatus main body, through which the transported recording medium passes, the plurality of transport paths extending radially from a predetermined location; a movable body provided to be movable in a direction in which a central axis of the plurality of radially extending transport paths extends and in a direction away from the plurality of transport paths; and a lateral member provided to the side of each transport path included in the plurality of transport paths, which moves in conjunction with the movement of the movable body and moves in a direction away from the transport path. The invention described in claim 14 is an image forming system comprising an image forming device that forms an image on a recording medium, and a recording medium processing device that processes the recording medium on which an image has been formed by the image forming device, wherein the recording medium processing device is configured to include the recording medium processing device described in any one of claims 1 to 13. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the invention of claim 1, the opening and closing member provided in the recording medium processing device can make it easier to access the multiple transport paths provided within the recording medium processing device, compared to a configuration in which only one opening and closing member is provided corresponding to one of the multiple transport paths. According to the invention of claim 2, the opening / closing member provided in the recording medium processing device can make it easier to access each of the multiple transport paths included in the multiple transport paths, compared to a configuration in which only one opening / closing member is provided corresponding to one of the multiple transport paths. According to the invention of claim 3, access to the transport path can be made easier, compared to a case in which the opening / closing member is provided at a position away from the opposing position of the corresponding transport path. According to the invention of claim 4, even if the user performs an operation to open the opening / closing member, it is possible to make it easier to access the transport path compared to a configuration in which the side members do not move in a direction away from the transport path. According to the invention of claim 5, even if a user performs an operation to open the opening / closing member, it is possible to make it easier to access the transport path compared to a configuration in which the guide member does not move in a direction away from the transport path. According to the invention of claim 6, the opening / closing member can be opened and closed by operating one of the ends thereof which are located at different positions in the extension direction of the conveying path. According to the invention of claim 7, by operating one end of the opening / closing member that is located closer to a predetermined location, it is possible to open and close the opening / closing member with the other end, located farther from the predetermined location, serving as the rotation fulcrum. According to the invention of claim 8, it is possible to remove the recording medium positioned on the transport path through the opening created by opening the opening / closing member. According to the invention of claim 9, the number of parts can be reduced compared to a case in which an opening / closing member corresponding to the transport path and an opening / closing member corresponding to the rotating body are separately provided. According to the invention of claim 10, it is possible to remove the recording medium positioned opposite the rotating body through the opening created by opening the opening / closing member. According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the accuracy of rotation of the rotor can be improved compared to a case in which the rotor is supported by a movable member. According to the invention of claim 12, the opening and closing member provided in the recording medium processing device can make it easier to access the multiple transport paths provided within the recording medium processing device, compared to a configuration in which only one opening and closing member is provided corresponding to one of the multiple transport paths. According to the invention of claim 13, the opening and closing member provided in the recording medium processing device can make it easier to access the multiple transport paths provided within the recording medium processing device, compared to a configuration in which only one opening and closing member is provided corresponding to one of the multiple transport paths. According to the invention of claim 14, the opening and closing member provided in the recording medium processing device can make it easier to access the multiple transport paths provided within the recording medium processing device, compared to a configuration in which only one opening and closing member is provided corresponding to one of the multiple transport paths. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing an overall configuration of an image forming system; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram of the image forming system as viewed from above. [Diagram 3] 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a control unit provided in the third paper processing apparatus. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram of the processing section of the third paper-sheet processing apparatus as viewed from above. [Diagram 5]5 is a diagram showing the rotation mechanism as viewed from the direction indicated by arrow V in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 5(A) and 5(B) are views of a central transport member provided in a pre-rotation transport mechanism as viewed from the direction indicated by arrow VI in FIG. [Figure 7] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing another example of a central transport member and a structure surrounding the central transport member. [Figure 8] 13 is a diagram showing a side wall side transport member provided in the pre-rotation transport mechanism. FIG. [Figure 9] 13(A) and 13(B) are diagrams showing a transport member provided in a first moving mechanism. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a process flow in a third paper processing apparatus. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a process flow in a third paper processing apparatus. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a process flow in a third paper processing apparatus. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a process flow in a third paper processing apparatus. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a state of rotation of a lower transport member when a sheet is rotated. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram of the third paper-sheet processing apparatus as viewed from above. [Figure 16] 16(A) and 16(B) are cross-sectional views of the third paper-sheet processing apparatus taken along line XVI-XVI in FIG. 15. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the third paper processing apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a front view showing the overall configuration of an image forming system 1. Fig. 2 is a view of the image forming system 1 as viewed from above. As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming system 1 of this embodiment is provided with an image forming apparatus 10 that forms an image on paper P, which is an example of a recording medium. Furthermore, the image forming system 1 is provided with a first paper-sheet processing apparatus 100 to a sixth paper-sheet processing apparatus 600, as shown in Fig. 2. Note that only the first paper-sheet processing apparatus 100 to the third paper-sheet processing apparatus 300 are shown in Fig. 1.

[0009] Each of the first paper-sheet processing apparatus 100 (see FIG. 2) to the sixth paper-sheet processing apparatus 600 is disposed downstream of the image forming apparatus 10 in the transport direction of the paper sheet P, and processes the paper sheet P on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 10. Each of the first to third paper-sheet processing devices 100 to 300 processes the paper sheet P conveyed from the paper-sheet processing device located one position upstream from itself. Each of the fourth paper-sheet processing apparatus 400 to the sixth paper-sheet processing apparatus 600 is disposed around the third paper-sheet processing apparatus 300. Each of the fourth paper-sheet processing apparatus 400 to the sixth paper-sheet processing apparatus 600 processes the paper sheet P conveyed from the third paper-sheet processing apparatus 300.

[0010] Examples of the processing performed on the paper sheets P by the first paper-sheet processing apparatus 100 to the sixth paper-sheet processing apparatus 600 include folding processing, binding processing, punching processing, booklet production processing, and the like. Further, the processing performed on the paper sheet P by each of the first paper-sheet processing apparatus 100 to the sixth paper-sheet processing apparatus 600 also includes, for example, a conveying process of the paper sheet P and a rotating process of the paper sheet P. The processes performed by the first paper processing device 100 to the sixth paper processing device 600 are not limited to processes that involve changing the shape of the paper P, but also include processes that move the paper P, such as transporting and rotating processes of the paper P, and processes that change the posture of the paper P.

[0011] The image forming apparatus 10 obtains image data that is the source of an image to be formed from a PC (Personal Computer) (not shown) or the like. Based on the acquired image data, the image forming apparatus 10 forms an image on a sheet of paper P, which is an example of a recording medium, using materials such as toner and ink. There is no particular limitation on the mechanism for forming an image on the paper P. The image is formed on the paper P by, for example, an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method.

[0012] The third paper-sheet processing apparatus 300 will be described with reference to FIG. The third paper-sheet processing device 300, which is an example of a recording medium processing device, is provided with a device main body 300A, a processing section 301 that processes the paper sheet P conveyed from the second paper-sheet processing device 200, and a control section 240 that controls the processing section 301. The processing section 301 is provided inside the device main body 300A. An opening / closing member 310 is provided on the upper surface 302 of the third paper-processing device 300. In this embodiment, when a user opens the opening / closing member 310, an opening 303 is formed on the upper surface 302 of the third paper-processing device 300. This allows the user to access the processing section 301 through the opening 303.

[0013] In this embodiment, a rotation process of the paper sheet P is performed in a processing section 301 of the third paper-sheet processing apparatus 300, as described later. In this embodiment, the paper sheet P after the rotation process is transported to either the fourth paper-sheet processing device 400 (see FIG. 2) or the sixth paper-sheet processing device 600, which are located downstream of the third paper-sheet processing device 300. On the other hand, when the paper sheet P is transported from the third paper-sheet processing apparatus 300 (see FIG. 2) to the fifth paper-sheet processing apparatus 500, the paper sheet P is transported to the fifth paper-sheet processing apparatus 500 without being rotated.

[0014] 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 240 provided in the third paper-sheet processing apparatus 300. The control unit 240 is realized by a computer. The control unit 240 includes an arithmetic processing unit 11 that executes digital arithmetic processing according to a program, and a secondary storage unit 19 that stores information. The secondary storage unit 19 is realized by an existing information storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a semiconductor memory, or a magnetic tape.

[0015] The arithmetic processing unit 11 includes a CPU 11a as an example of a processor. The arithmetic processing unit 11 also includes a RAM 11b used as a working memory for the CPU 11a, and a ROM 11c in which programs executed by the CPU 11a are stored. The arithmetic processing unit 11 is also provided with a non-volatile memory 11d that is rewritable and can retain data even if the power supply is interrupted, and an interface unit 11e that controls each unit, such as a communication unit, connected to the arithmetic processing unit 11.

[0016] The non-volatile memory 11d is composed of, for example, a battery-backed SRAM, a flash memory, etc. In the secondary storage unit 19, various types of information such as the programs executed by the arithmetic processing unit 11 are stored. In this embodiment, the calculation processing unit 11 reads a program stored in the ROM 11c or the secondary storage unit 19, whereby the processing performed in the third paper-sheet processing apparatus 300 is executed.

[0017] The program executed by the CPU 11a may be provided to the third paper-sheet processing apparatus 300 in a state where it is stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium (such as a magnetic tape or a magnetic disk), an optical recording medium (such as an optical disk), a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. The program executed by the CPU 11a may also be provided to the third paper-sheet processing apparatus 300 using a communication means such as the Internet.

[0018] In this specification, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, including general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.). In addition, the operations of the processor may not only be performed by one processor, but may be performed by multiple processors in physically separate locations working together. The order of the operations of the processor is not limited to the order described in this embodiment, and may be changed.

[0019] Fig. 4 is a diagram of the processing section 301 of the third paper-sheet processing apparatus 300 as seen from above. The opening / closing member 310 is omitted from Fig. 4. Also, a support member, which will be described later, is omitted from Fig. 4. The third paper-sheet-processing device 300 is provided with a rotation mechanism 320 that constitutes a part of a rotation means for rotating the paper sheet P conveyed from the second paper-sheet-processing device 200. The rotation mechanism 320 rotates the paper sheet P transported from the second paper-sheet-processing device 200. In this embodiment, the rotation mechanism 320 rotates the paper sheet P, thereby changing the orientation of the paper sheet P.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a diagram of the rotation mechanism 320 as viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow V in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the rotation mechanism 320 is provided with a rotor 321. The rotating body 321 is rotatable about a rotation axis 321X aligned along a normal line 14 of the paper P that is the object of rotation. The rotation shaft 321X is aligned along the vertical direction. The rotating body 321 rotates about the rotation shaft 321X that extends along the vertical direction. The rotating body 321 rotates while holding the paper P. The rotation mechanism 320 rotates the rotating body 321 to rotate the paper P about the normal line 14 of the paper P as the rotation axis.

[0021] In this embodiment, an upper rotor 321A and a lower rotor 321B are provided as the rotor 321. The upper rotor 321A and the lower rotor 321B are provided coaxially. Rotation mechanism 320 is further provided with an advance / retract mechanism 322 for advancing / retracting upper rotor 321A relative to lower rotor 321B, and a drive mechanism 323 for rotating lower rotor 321B.

[0022] The advancing / retreating mechanism 322 uses a known existing technology to move the upper rotating body 321A forward and backward relative to the lower rotating body 321B. There is no particular limitation on the configuration of the advancing / retreating mechanism 322. The advancing / retreating mechanism 322 uses, for example, a cam mechanism, a link mechanism, a rack-and-pinion mechanism, a solenoid, or the like to move the upper rotating body 321A forward and backward relative to the lower rotating body 321B.

[0023] For example, when using a rack and pinion mechanism, a pinion gear that rotates around a rotation axis extending along a direction perpendicular to the advancement and retreat direction of the upper rotating body 321A, and a rack gear that is linked to the upper rotating body 321A, extends along the advancement and retreat direction of the upper rotating body 321A, and meshes with this pinion gear are provided. In this rack and land pinion mechanism, when the pinion gear is rotated forward and backward, the upper rotor 321A advances and retreats relative to the lower rotor 321B.

[0024] The driving mechanism 323 transmits a driving force generated by a driving source such as a motor to the lower rotating body 321B to rotate the lower rotating body 321B. Specifically, in the drive mechanism 323, for example, a belt transmission mechanism or a gear transmission mechanism is used to transmit the drive force generated in the drive source to the lower rotor 321B, thereby rotating the lower rotor 321B. In the example shown in FIG. 5, a driving force generated by a driving source 323A is transmitted to a lower rotating body 321B by means of a belt 323B that moves in a circulating manner. When the driving force is transmitted to the lower rotating body 321B, the lower rotating body 321B rotates about a rotation axis 321X along the normal line 14 of the paper P to be rotated.

[0025] In this embodiment, the sheet P is held by the two rotating bodies 321, that is, the upper rotating body 321A and the lower rotating body 321B, by sandwiching the sheet P from both sides of the sheet P. Specifically, the upper rotating body 321A descends and is pressed against the lower rotating body 321B via the paper P, whereby the paper P is sandwiched between the two rotating bodies 321, the upper rotating body 321A and the lower rotating body 321B. As a result, the paper sheet P is held by the two rotating bodies 321.

[0026] In this embodiment, the two rotating bodies 321 that are holding the paper sheet P are rotated. Specifically, the driving mechanism 323 is operated to rotate the lower rotating body 321B of the two rotating bodies 321 which is in a state of holding the paper sheet P. As a result, the lower rotating body 321B, the upper rotating body 321A, and the paper P rotate about a normal line 14 to the surface PM of the paper P. In this embodiment, as a result of the rotation of the rotating body 321 in this manner, the paper sheet P conveyed from the second paper-sheet-processing apparatus 200 rotates about the normal line 14 to the surface PM of this paper sheet P.

[0027] In this embodiment, the upper rotating body 321A advances and retreats relative to the lower rotating body 321B, and the lower rotating body 321B rotates. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration may be adopted in which lower rotating body 321B moves forward and backward relative to upper rotating body 321A, and upper rotating body 321A rotates. In addition, in this embodiment, one of the upper rotating body 321A and the lower rotating body 321B moves forward and backward, and the other rotating body 321 rotates, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, only one of the upper rotating body 321A and the lower rotating body 321B may be configured to move forward and backward and rotate.

[0028] Alternatively, both the upper rotating body 321A and the lower rotating body 321B may be configured to move forward and backward. Furthermore, the holding of the paper P by the rotating body 321 is not limited to the above-described manner of pinching and holding the paper P. For example, the paper P may be held by the rotating body 321 by sucking the paper P using the rotating body 321.

[0029] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, an upper guide member 501 that guides the paper P by coming into contact with the upper surface PU of the paper P is provided above the transport path 70 of the paper P. Further, below the transport path 70 and facing the upper guide member 501, a lower guide member 502 for guiding the paper P is provided. The lower guide member 502 is disposed with a gap between it and the upper guide member 501. The lower guide member 502 comes into contact with the lower surface PD of the sheet P to guide the sheet P.

[0030] The third paper-sheet-handling apparatus 300 will be further described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, a pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 is further provided as an example of a pre-rotation transport means for transporting the paper P from the second paper-processing device 200 located upstream toward the location where the rotation mechanism 320 is installed. Furthermore, a first post-rotation transport mechanism 340 and a second post-rotation transport mechanism 350 are provided as examples of post-rotation transport means that transport the paper P after rotation by the rotation mechanism 320 in a direction different from the transport direction of the paper P by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330.

[0031] The first post-rotation transport mechanism 340 transports the paper P after rotation by the rotation mechanism 320 toward the fourth paper-processing device 400. The second post-rotation transport mechanism 350 transports the paper P after rotation by the rotation mechanism 320 toward the sixth paper-processing device 600. Here, the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 that transports the paper P from the second paper-processing device 200 transports the paper P in the right direction in the figure. In contrast, the first post-rotation transport mechanism 340 transports the paper P in the upward direction in the figure, which is a direction different from the rightward direction. The second post-rotation transport mechanism 350 transports the paper P in the downward direction in the figure, which is a direction different from the rightward direction.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a downstream transport mechanism 360 is provided. The downstream transport mechanism 360 is disposed downstream of the rotation mechanism 320 in the transport direction of the paper P by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 . The downstream transport mechanism 360 transports the paper P transported by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 toward the fifth paper-processing device 500. The paper P transported toward the fifth paper-processing device 500 passes through the third paper-processing device 300 as is without being rotated by the rotation mechanism 320. The downstream transport mechanism 360 transports the paper sheet P that is not rotated by the rotation mechanism 320 toward the fifth paper-sheet processing apparatus 500.

[0033] Each of the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330, the first post-rotation transport mechanism 340, the second post-rotation transport mechanism 350, and the downstream transport mechanism 360 is provided with a transport member that transports the paper P. Specifically, each of the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330, the first post-rotation transport mechanism 340, the second post-rotation transport mechanism 350, and the downstream transport mechanism 360 is provided with a central transport member 370 located closer to the rotation mechanism 320 and closer to the center of the third paper processing device 300 as a transport member. In addition, each of the pre-rotation conveying mechanism 330, the first post-rotation conveying mechanism 340, the second post-rotation conveying mechanism 350, and the downstream conveying mechanism 360 is provided with a side wall side conveying member 380 located on the side away from the rotation mechanism 320 and closer to the side wall 304 of the third paper processing device 300 as a conveying member.

[0034] 6(A) and (B) are views of the center side transport member 370 provided in the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330, as viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow VI in FIG. The center side transport member 370 provided in the first post-rotation transport mechanism 340, the second post-rotation transport mechanism 350, and the downstream transport mechanism 360 have the same configuration as the center side transport member 370 provided in the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330. 6A, in this embodiment, an upper conveying member 41 and a lower conveying member 42 are provided as the center side conveying member 370. The center side conveying member 370 is composed of a pair of conveying members, the upper conveying member 41 and the lower conveying member 42.

[0035] Each of the upper transport member 41 and the lower transport member 42 is a so-called transport roll, and includes a rotating shaft 43 and a cylindrical elastic body 44 attached to the rotating shaft 43, as shown in FIG. 6(A). The upper transport member 41 and the lower transport member 42 are transport members that rotate to transport the paper sheet P. The upper transport member 41 comes into contact with an upper surface PU of the paper sheet P. The lower transport member 42 comes into contact with a lower surface PD of the paper sheet P.

[0036] 6A, the upper conveying member 41 and the lower conveying member 42 are disposed in contact with each other. In this embodiment, the upper conveying member 41 is biased toward the lower conveying member 42 by a biasing member (not shown). In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the upper conveying member 41 is smaller than the outer diameter of the lower conveying member .

[0037] In this embodiment, one of the upper conveying member 41 and the lower conveying member 42 rotates by receiving a driving force from a motor (not shown), and the other conveying member rotates by receiving a driving force from the one conveying member. Furthermore, in this embodiment, there is provided an advancing / retreating mechanism 331 that moves the upper conveying member 41 forward and backward relative to the lower conveying member 42. In this embodiment, the advancing / retreating mechanism 331 moves the upper conveying member 41 forward and backward relative to the lower conveying member 42.

[0038] The advancing / retreating mechanism 331 advances / retreats the upper conveying member 41 relative to the lower conveying member 42 using a solenoid 331A. Below the rotation shaft 43 provided on the upper transport member 41, one end 332A of an L-shaped member 332 formed in an L shape is disposed. In this embodiment, when a solenoid 331A connected to the other end 332B of the L-shaped member 332 is turned on / off, the L-shaped member 332 rotates about a rotation center 332C. As a result, one end 332A of the L-shaped member 332 moves up and down, and the upper transport member 41 moves forward and backward relative to the lower transport member 42 in response.

[0039] When the upper conveying member 41 moves in a direction away from the lower conveying member 42 and retreats from the lower conveying member 42, the upper conveying member 41 becomes separated from the lower conveying member 42, as shown in FIG. 6(B). The advancing and retreating mechanism 331 is not limited to the solenoid 331A, and other known mechanisms such as a cam mechanism, a link mechanism, or a rack and pinion mechanism may be used. Further, here, the case where the upper transport member 41 advances and retreats relative to the lower transport member 42 has been described, but a configuration in which the lower transport member 42 advances and retreats relative to the upper transport member 41 may also be used.

[0040] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6(A), in the transport direction of the paper P by the center side transport member 370, an upper guide member 501 and a lower guide member 502 are provided upstream and downstream of the center side transport member 370, as described above. The upper guide member 501 is provided above the transport path 70 for the paper P. The upper guide member 501 is disposed above the transport path 70 through which the paper P transported by the upper transport member 41 and the lower transport member 42 passes, and comes into contact with the upper surface PU of the paper P passing through the transport path 70 to guide the paper P.

[0041] In this embodiment, the advancing and retreating mechanism 331 is placed on the upper guide member 501 , and the advancing and retreating mechanism 331 is supported by the upper guide member 501 . The lower guide member 502 is disposed below the transport path 70 and opposite the upper guide member 501, and guides the sheet P by coming into contact with the lower surface PD of the sheet P. The lower guide member 502 is positioned below the transport path 70 of the paper P transported by the upper transport member 41 and the lower transport member 42, and contacts the lower surface PD of the paper P passing through this transport path 70 to guide the paper P.

[0042] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6 (A), the contact portion 45 between the upper conveying member 41 and the lower conveying member 42 is located on the lower guide member 502 side rather than the midpoint 76A of the straight line 76 connecting the upper guide member 501 and the lower guide member 502. The straight line 76 connecting the upper guide member 501 and the lower guide member 502 is a straight line 76 connecting the paper guide surface 501A of the upper guide member 501 that contacts the paper P and the paper guide surface 502A of the lower guide member 502 that contacts the paper P, and is a straight line 76 extending along a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the paper P. The contact portion 45 is located closer to the lower guide member 502 than a midpoint 76A of the straight line 76. When comparing the positions in the extension direction of the straight line 76, the contact portion 45 is located closer to the lower guide member 502 than the midpoint 76A.

[0043] In this embodiment, when the paper P is rotated by the rotation mechanism 320 (see Figure 4), as shown in Figure 6 (B), the upper conveying member 41 retreats from the lower conveying member 42, and the upper conveying member 41 is positioned above the paper guide surface 501A of the upper guide member 501. More specifically, the lower end 41A of the upper transport member 41 is positioned above the paper guide surface 501A of the upper guide member 501.

[0044] In this way, when the lower end 41A of the upper conveying member 41 is configured to be positioned above the paper guide surface 501A of the upper guide member 501, and when the contact portion 45 is configured to be positioned closer to the lower guide member 502 than the midpoint 76A, as shown in Figure 6(A), the separation distance L1 (see Figure 6(B)) becomes large. More specifically, when upper transport member 41 retreats from lower transport member 42, separation distance L1 (see FIG. 6B) between paper guide surface 501A of upper guide member 501 and lower transport member 42 increases.

[0045] In this embodiment, the separation distance L1 between the paper guide surface 501A and the lower conveying member 42 when the upper conveying member 41 retreats from the lower conveying member 42 is larger than in a configuration in which the position of the contact portion 45 (see FIG. 6(A)) and the position of the midpoint 76A coincide with each other. In this case, the load acting on the paper P rotated by the rotation mechanism 320 is reduced, making it easier for the paper P to rotate (details will be described later).

[0046] 7A and 7B are diagrams showing another example of the structure of the center side conveying member 370 and its surroundings. In this example shown in FIG. 7, as shown in FIG. 7(A), the position of the contact portion 45 and the position of the midpoint 76A are aligned. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7(B), when the upper conveying member 41 retreats from the lower conveying member 42, the separation distance L2 between the paper guide surface 501A of the upper guide member 501 and the lower conveying member 42 becomes smaller than the separation distance L1 described above.

[0047] In the configuration shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the upper guide member 501 and the lower transport member 42 are more likely to come into contact with the sheet P rotated by the rotation mechanism 320, and the load on the rotating sheet P becomes large. In contrast, when the contact portion 45 is positioned closer to the lower guide member 502 than the midpoint 76A, as shown in Figures 6(A) and (B), the separation distance L1 between the paper guide surface 501A of the upper guide member 501 and the lower conveying member 42 becomes larger, as described above. In this case, the load on the rotating paper P is reduced, making it easier for the paper P to rotate.

[0048] Alternatively, the contact portion 45 between the upper conveying member 41 and the lower conveying member 42 may be positioned closer to the upper guide member 501 than the midpoint 76A of the straight line 76 connecting the upper guide member 501 and the lower guide member 502. As described above, in this embodiment, a configuration in which the lower transport member 42 moves downward and retreats from the upper transport member 41 is also possible.

[0049] In this case, if the contact portion 45 is configured to be located closer to the upper guide member 501 than the midpoint 76A of the straight line 76, the distance between the paper guide surface 502A of the lower guide member 502 and the upper conveying member 41 becomes greater. More specifically, when the lower conveying member 42 retreats from the upper conveying member 41 and is positioned below the paper guide surface 502A of the lower guide member 502, the distance between the paper guide surface 502A of the lower guide member 502 and the upper conveying member 41 becomes greater.

[0050] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the side wall side transport member 380 provided in the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 8 shows the side wall side transport member 380 as viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow VIII in Fig. 4. In addition, the side wall side transport member 380 provided in each of the first post-rotation transport mechanism 340, the second post-rotation transport mechanism 350, and the downstream side transport mechanism 360 has a similar configuration to the side wall side transport member 380 provided in the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 8, the side wall side transport member 380 is also provided with a pair of transport members, an upper transport member 41 and a lower transport member 42, in the same manner as described above. Further, in the transport direction of the paper P, an upper guide member 501 and a lower guide member 502 are provided upstream and downstream of the side wall transport member 380, respectively, in the same manner as described above. At the installation location of the side wall side conveying member 380, the position of the contact portion 45 between the upper conveying member 41 and the lower conveying member 42 is the same as the position of the midpoint 76A of the line 76 connecting the upper guide member 501 and the lower guide member 502.

[0052] At the location where the sidewall-side conveying member 380 is installed, when comparing the positions in the extension direction of the straight line 76, the position of the contact portion 45 between the upper conveying member 41 and the lower conveying member 42 coincides with the position of the midpoint 76A of the straight line 76. In this embodiment, when the rotation mechanism 320 rotates the paper P, the paper P is not positioned between the upper transport member 41 and the lower transport member 42 that constitute the side wall transport member 380 (details will be described later).

[0053] In this case, at the location where the sidewall transport member 380 is provided, the upper guide member 501, the lower guide member 502, the upper transport member 41, and the lower transport member 42 do not come into contact with the rotating paper P. In this case, the load on the paper P does not increase due to these members coming into contact with the rotating paper P. For this reason, in this embodiment, the position of the contact portion 45 and the position of the midpoint 76A are not shifted from each other at the installation location of the sidewall side transport member 380.

[0054] The configuration of the processing unit 301 will be further described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a first moving mechanism 410 is further provided. This first moving mechanism 410, which is an example of a moving means, moves the paper P transported to the rotation mechanism 320 by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 in an intersecting direction that intersects with the transport direction of the paper P by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330.

[0055] More specifically, the first moving mechanism 410 moves the paper sheet P, which has been transported to the rotation mechanism 320 by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330, in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the paper sheet P by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a second moving mechanism 420 is provided that moves the paper P transported to the rotation mechanism 320 by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 directly downstream in the transport direction of the paper P by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330.

[0056] Each of the first moving mechanism 410 and the second moving mechanism 420 is provided with a transport member 90 that transports the paper P. More specifically, the first moving mechanism 410 is provided with two transport members 90 for transporting the paper sheet P. The second moving mechanism 420 is also provided with two transport members 90 for transporting the paper sheet P.

[0057] In this embodiment, a rotation mechanism 320 is provided between two transport members 90 provided in the first moving mechanism 410. In this embodiment, a rotation mechanism 320 is provided between two transport members 90 provided in the second moving mechanism 420. When the first moving mechanism 410 moves the paper P, the two transport members 90 provided in the first moving mechanism 410 rotate in the same direction. Furthermore, when the second moving mechanism 420 moves the paper P, the two transport members 90 provided in the second moving mechanism 420 rotate in the same direction.

[0058] 9(A) and (B) are diagrams showing the transport member 90 provided in the first moving mechanism 410. Fig. 9 shows the transport member 90 provided in the first moving mechanism 410 as viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow IX in Fig. 4. 9 shows one of the two transport members 90 provided in the first moving mechanism 410. The other transport member 90 has a similar configuration to the one transport member 90. Moreover, the transport member 90 provided in the second moving mechanism 420 (see FIG. 4) has a similar configuration to the transport member 90 provided in the first moving mechanism 410.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the transport member 90 provided in the first moving mechanism 410 has a similar configuration to the center side transport member 370 described above. 9A, the transport member 90 provided in the first moving mechanism 410 is composed of a pair of transport members. Specifically, the transport member 90 provided in the first moving mechanism 410 includes an upper transport member 41 located on the upper side and a lower transport member 42 located on the lower side, as described above. The upper conveying member 41 advances and retreats relative to the lower conveying member 42 by a reciprocating mechanism 331 supported by an upper guide member 501 .

[0060] As described above, in the conveying member 90 provided in the first moving mechanism 410, and as shown in FIG. 9(A), the contact portion 45 is located on the lower guide member 502 side relative to the midpoint 76A of the straight line 76 connecting the upper guide member 501 and the lower guide member 502. As will be described later, in this embodiment, when the rotation mechanism 320 rotates the paper P, the paper P passes between the upper transport member 41 and the lower transport member 42 provided in the first moving mechanism 410. In this case, when the contact portion 45 is positioned closer to the lower guide member 502 than the midpoint 76A of the straight line 76 connecting the upper guide member 501 and the lower guide member 502, the load acting on the paper P is reduced, as described above, and the paper P rotates more smoothly.

[0061] The first moving mechanism 410 (see FIG. 4) moves the paper sheet P, which has been transported by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330, in a cross direction that crosses the transport direction of the paper sheet P by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330. Specifically, the first moving mechanism 410 moves the paper P transported by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 in the direction of either the side where the first post-rotation transport mechanism 340 is provided or the side where the second post-rotation transport mechanism 350 is provided.

[0062] Before the rotation mechanism 320 rotates the paper P, the first moving mechanism 410 moves the paper P, which has been transported by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330, in the intersecting direction. More specifically, when there is a positional deviation of the paper P in the intersecting direction and before the rotation mechanism 320 rotates the paper P, the first movement mechanism 410 moves the paper P in the intersecting direction. The movement of the paper by the first movement mechanism 410 will be described in detail later.

[0063] The second moving mechanism 420 (see FIG. 4) moves the sheet P that is not rotated by the rotation mechanism 320 toward the side where the downstream transport mechanism 360 is provided, not in the intersecting direction. In other words, the second moving mechanism 420 moves the paper P that has been transported by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 and that is not rotated by the rotation mechanism 320 further downstream in the transport direction of the paper P by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330.

[0064] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a position detection sensor 66 that detects the position of the side edge 9X of the paper P transported by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 is provided. Furthermore, in this embodiment, there is provided a paper detection sensor 67 that detects the paper P transported by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330. The paper detection sensor 67 detects the leading end 11G of the paper P transported by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 in the transport direction. In this embodiment, the paper detection sensor 67 includes a first paper detection sensor 67A and a second paper detection sensor 67B.

[0065] The first paper detection sensor 67A and the second paper detection sensor 67B are disposed at different positions in the intersecting direction. In this embodiment, in the transport direction of the paper P transported by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330, the position of the first paper detection sensor 67A in this transport direction coincides with the position of the second paper detection sensor 67B in this transport direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a paper detection sensor 67 is provided upstream of the rotation mechanism 320 in the transport direction of the paper P transported by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330. Further, in the transport direction of the paper P transported by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330, a position detection sensor 66 is provided upstream of the paper detection sensor 67.

[0066] 10 to 13 are diagrams showing the flow of processing in the third paper-sheet processing apparatus 300. In FIG. Here, an example of processing will be described in which the paper sheet P from the second paper-sheet processing apparatus 200 (see FIG. 2) is conveyed to the fourth paper-sheet processing apparatus 400 via the third paper-sheet processing apparatus 300. In this embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 10, the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 transports the paper P transported from the second paper-processing device 200 (not shown in FIG. 10). In this embodiment, when the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 transports the paper P, the upper transport member 41 provided in the first moving mechanism 410 is separated from the lower transport member 42 (not shown in FIG. 10).

[0067] In addition, when the pre-rotation conveying mechanism 330 transports the paper P, the upper conveying member 41 constituting the central conveying member 370 provided in each of the first post-rotation conveying mechanism 340 and the second post-rotation conveying mechanism 350 is separated from the lower conveying member 42 (not shown in Figure 10). In addition, when the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 transports the paper P, the upper rotating body 321A is retracted from the lower rotating body 321B (not shown in FIG. 10), and the upper rotating body 321A is separated from the lower rotating body 321B. Furthermore, when the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 transports the paper P, the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330, the second moving mechanism 420, and the downstream transport mechanism 360 are each driven.

[0068] In this processing example, as shown in Fig. 10, the paper P transported by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 is shifted in a cross direction that intersects with the transport direction of the paper P. Also, in this processing example, as shown in Fig. 10, the paper P is inclined with respect to the transport direction of the paper P. In FIG. 10, the originally planned transport state of the paper P is indicated by a broken line indicated by reference numeral 10X. In the state shown in FIG. 10, the paper P actually transported by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 is misaligned in the intersecting direction and is inclined with respect to the transport direction of the paper P.

[0069] 11, in this processing example, the paper P stops at the location where the rotation mechanism 320 is installed. As a result, the paper P is positioned between the upper rotation body 321A and the lower rotation body 321B (not shown in FIG. 11) provided in the rotation mechanism 320. In this embodiment, the transport of the paper P is temporarily stopped, and the paper P is positioned between the upper rotating body 321A and the lower rotating body 321B. In other words, in this embodiment, the transport of the paper P is temporarily stopped, and the paper P reaches the rotation mechanism 320.

[0070] In this embodiment, the reference timing is the time when the leading edge 11G of the paper P is detected by the paper detection sensor 67 (see FIG. 10). Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed from this reference timing, the driving of each of the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 (see FIG. 11), the second movement mechanism 420, and the downstream transport mechanism 360 is stopped. More specifically, the rotation of the transport members provided in each of the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330, the second movement mechanism 420, and the downstream transport mechanism 360 is stopped. As a result, in this embodiment, the position of the center PX of the paper P in the transport direction of the paper P coincides with the position of the rotating body 321 in this transport direction. Here, the “conveying direction” refers to the direction in which the pre-rotation conveying mechanism 330 conveys the paper P.

[0071] FIG. 11 shows a state in which the position of the center PX of the paper P in the transport direction of the paper P coincides with the position of the rotating body 321 in this transport direction. The above-mentioned "predetermined time" is the time required for the center PX of the paper P to reach a virtual straight line 10Y that passes through the rotation axis 321X of the rotating body 321 and extends in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the paper P by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330.

[0072] In this embodiment, when the transport of the paper P is stopped upon the passage of this "predetermined time", the position of the center PX of the paper P in the transport direction of the paper P by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 coincides with the position of the rotating body 321 in this transport direction. More specifically, the position of the center PX of the paper P in the transport direction coincides with the position of the rotation shaft 321X, which is the rotation center of the rotating body 321, in the transport direction. Here, the "center portion PX of the sheet P" refers to the location where two diagonal lines of the sheet P formed in a rectangular shape intersect with each other.

[0073] In this embodiment, if the time difference between the detection timing of paper P by the first paper detection sensor 67A (see Figure 10) and the detection timing of paper P by the second paper detection sensor 67B is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, the rotation of the conveying member is stopped when the above-mentioned "predetermined time" has elapsed from the detection timing of paper P by the first paper detection sensor 67A. In other words, in this embodiment, if the paper P is not tilted or if the tilt of the paper P is small, the rotation of the conveying member is stopped when the above-mentioned "predetermined time" has elapsed from the timing at which the paper P is detected by the first paper detection sensor 67A.

[0074] Specifically, the rotation of the sidewall side transport member 380 and center side transport member 370 provided in each of the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 and downstream side transport mechanism 360, and the transport member 90 provided in the second moving mechanism 420 are stopped. In addition, the process of stopping the rotation of the conveying member may be performed when the above-mentioned "predetermined time" has elapsed from the timing of detection of paper P by the second paper detection sensor 67B, not limited to the timing of detection of paper P by the first paper detection sensor 67A.

[0075] In this embodiment, the timing when the first paper detection sensor 67A detects the paper P is set as the reference timing, and when the above-mentioned "predetermined time" has elapsed from this reference timing, the rotation of the transport member is stopped. As a result, as described above, in the transport direction of the paper P by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330, the position of the center portion PX of the paper P in this transport direction coincides with the position of the rotation shaft 321X of the rotating body 321 in this transport direction.

[0076] On the other hand, if the time difference between the timing at which the first paper detection sensor 67A detects the paper P and the timing at which the second paper detection sensor 67B detects the paper P is greater than a predetermined threshold, the "predetermined time" is corrected. Then, when the corrected "predetermined time" has elapsed, the rotation of the transport member is stopped. In this embodiment, when the paper P is tilted and the detection timing of the paper P by the first paper detection sensor 67A is significantly different from the detection timing of the paper P by the second paper detection sensor 67B, the stop timing is changed by increasing or decreasing the "predetermined time."

[0077] When the sheet P is inclined with respect to the transport direction, the timing at which the first sheet detection sensor 67A (see FIG. 10) detects the sheet P differs from the timing at which the second sheet detection sensor 67B detects the sheet P. When the inclination of the sheet P is large, the time difference between the detection timing of the sheet P by the first sheet detection sensor 67A and the detection timing of the sheet P by the second sheet detection sensor 67B becomes larger than a predetermined threshold value. In this way, if the time difference is greater than the predetermined threshold value, the above-mentioned "predetermined time" is corrected, and the rotation of the conveying member is stopped as the corrected "predetermined time" elapses.

[0078] When the "predetermined time" is corrected, the rotation of the transport member is stopped when the corrected "predetermined time" has elapsed since the first paper detection sensor 67A detected the paper P. As a result, in this case as well, in the transport direction of the paper P in the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330, the position of the center portion PX of the paper P after being stopped in this transport direction coincides with the position of the rotation shaft 321X of the rotating body 321 in this transport direction.

[0079] In this embodiment, a relationship table indicating the relationship between the time difference and the correction value is stored in the secondary storage unit 19 (see FIG. 3), and the CPU 11a refers to this relationship table to obtain the correction value corresponding to the time difference. Then, the CPU 11a corrects the original "predetermined time" using the correction value to obtain a corrected "predetermined time".

[0080] Then, when the corrected "predetermined time" has elapsed since the first paper detection sensor 67A detected the paper P, the CPU 11a stops the rotation of the transport member. As a result, even if the sheet P is tilted, the position of the center PX of the sheet P and the position of the rotation shaft 321X of the rotating body 321 in the transport direction of the sheet P in the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 coincide with each other.

[0081] In this processing example, after the rotation of the transport member stops and the paper P stops, the upper transport member 41 provided on the first moving mechanism 410 (see Figure 11) advances, and the paper P is clamped between the upper transport member 41 and the lower transport member 42 (not shown in Figure 11). Furthermore, after the paper sheet P stops, the upper transport member 41 provided in the second moving mechanism 420 retreats, and the upper transport member 41 moves away from the lower transport member 42 (not shown in FIG. 11). In addition, after the paper P stops, the upper transport member 41 constituting the central transport member 370 provided in each of the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 and the downstream transport mechanism 360 retracts, and this upper transport member 41 moves away from the lower transport member 42 (not shown in Figure 11).

[0082] Next, as shown in FIG. 12, the first moving mechanism 410 moves the paper sheet P in a cross direction that crosses the direction in which the paper sheet P is conveyed by the pre-rotation conveying mechanism 330. Specifically, the first moving mechanism 410 moves the paper sheet P, which has been transported by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330, in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the paper sheet P is transported by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330. More specifically, in this embodiment, the upper transport member 41 and the lower transport member 42 (not shown in FIG. 12) provided in the first moving mechanism 410 are rotated, and the paper P moves toward the side where the rotation mechanism 320 is installed.

[0083] The first movement mechanism 410 moves the sheet P so that the sheet P moves in a direction opposite to the direction in which the sheet P is misaligned. As a result, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, in the movement direction of the paper P by the first movement mechanism 410, the position of the center PX of the paper P in this movement direction coincides with the position of the rotation axis 321X located at the center of rotation of the rotating body 321 in this movement direction.

[0084] In this embodiment, when the first movement mechanism 410 moves the paper P, the CPU 11a (see FIG. 3) as an example of a processor sets the amount of movement of the paper P by the first movement mechanism 410. Specifically, the CPU 11a sets the amount of movement of the paper P by the first movement mechanism 410 based on the position of the paper P in a cross direction that crosses the direction in which the paper P is transported by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330. More specifically, the CPU 11a determines the position of the paper P in the intersecting direction based on the output from the position detection sensor 66 (see FIG. 10), and sets the amount of movement of the paper P by the first movement mechanism 410 based on this determined position.

[0085] More specifically, when the paper sheet P is moved toward the rotation mechanism 320 by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 (see FIG. 10), the CPU 11a identifies the position of the side edge 9X of the paper sheet P based on the output from the position detection sensor 66. In other words, the CPU 11a identifies the position of the side edge 9X that extends along the direction in which the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 transports the paper sheet P, among the sides of the paper sheet P.

[0086] More specifically, the CPU 11a identifies the position of the side 9X in the intersecting direction based on the output from the position detection sensor 66. Then, the CPU 11a determines the position of the paper P in the intersecting direction based on the determined position of the side edge 9X, and sets the amount of movement of the paper P by the first movement mechanism 410 (see FIG. 12) based on this determined position.

[0087] More specifically, the CPU 11a sets the amount of movement based on the position of the midpoint 9C of the side 9X of the paper sheet P (see FIG. 10) that has been conveyed to the rotation mechanism 320. In other words, the CPU 11a sets the amount of movement based on the position of the center of the sheet P conveyed to the rotation mechanism 320 in the extension direction of the side 9X. More specifically, the CPU 11a sets the amount of movement based on the position of the midpoint 9C of the side 9X in the intersecting direction. More specifically, the CPU 11a sets the distance between the specified position of the midpoint 9C and a predetermined reference position as the amount of movement.

[0088] When the CPU 11a sets the amount of movement, it controls the rotation of the two transport members 90 provided in the first movement mechanism 410 (see FIG. 12) so that the paper P moves by the set amount of movement. This causes the paper P to move, and the positional deviation of the paper P in the intersecting direction is eliminated. As a result, in this embodiment, in the movement direction of the paper P by the first movement mechanism 410, the position of the center PX of the paper P in this movement direction coincides with the position of the rotation shaft 321X located at the rotation center of the rotating body 321 in this movement direction.

[0089] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, when the paper P being transported to the rotation mechanism 320 by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 stops, the position of the center PX of the paper P in the transport direction of the paper P by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 coincides with the position of the rotation axis 321X of the rotating body 321 in this transport direction. In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, when the paper P moved in the intersecting direction by the first moving mechanism 410 is stopped, the position of the center PX of the paper P in this intersecting direction coincides with the position of the rotation axis 321X of the rotating body 321 in this intersecting direction. As a result, in this embodiment, when the movement of the paper P by the first moving mechanism 410 is completed, the center portion PX of the paper P is positioned between the upper rotating body 321A and the lower rotating body 321B (not shown in FIG. 12), as shown in FIG. 12.

[0090] In this embodiment, as described above, the amount of movement is set based on the position of the midpoint 9C of the side 9X of the paper P (see FIG. 10) that has been transported to the rotation mechanism 320, that is, the position of the midpoint 9C in the intersecting direction. In this embodiment, the position of the midpoint 9C in the intersecting direction is identified based on the output from the position detection sensor 66. The position detection sensor 66 is provided with a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in an intersecting direction, and the CPU 11a identifies the position of the midpoint 9C based on the outputs from the plurality of light receiving elements. More specifically, the CPU 11a identifies the position of the midpoint 9C on the side 9X based on information output from the position detection sensor 66 when the midpoint 9C reaches the position detection sensor 66.

[0091] More specifically, in this embodiment, the position of the midpoint 9C in the intersecting direction is determined based on information output from the position detection sensor 66 when a "predetermined time" has elapsed since the leading edge 11G of the paper P in the transport direction was detected by the paper detection sensor 67. In this embodiment, when the "predetermined time" has elapsed, the midpoint 9C reaches the position detection sensor 66. In this embodiment, the position of the midpoint 9C in the intersecting direction is identified based on information output from the position detection sensor 66 when the "predetermined time" has elapsed.

[0092] If the paper P is tilted, this "predetermined time" is corrected, and the position of the midpoint 9C in the intersecting direction is identified based on the information output from the position detection sensor 66 after the corrected "predetermined time" has elapsed. In this embodiment, when the time difference between the detection timing of sheet P by the first sheet detection sensor 67A and the detection timing of sheet P by the second sheet detection sensor 67B is greater than a predetermined threshold value, the "predetermined time" is corrected. When the "predetermined time" has been corrected, the position of the midpoint 9C in the intersecting direction is identified based on the information output from the position detection sensor 66 when the corrected "predetermined time" has elapsed.

[0093] More specifically, in this embodiment, a relationship table in which the correspondence between the time difference and the correction value is written is stored in advance in the secondary storage unit 19 (see FIG. 3). The CPU 11a refers to this relationship table to obtain the correction value corresponding to the time difference. Then, the CPU 11a corrects the "predetermined time" using the correction value to obtain the corrected "predetermined time".

[0094] Then, the CPU 11a, for example, sets the detection of the paper P by the first paper detection sensor 67A as the reference timing, and determines the position of the midpoint 9C in the intersecting direction based on the information output from the position detection sensor 66 when the corrected ``predetermined time'' has elapsed from this reference timing. This makes it possible to specify the position of the midpoint 9C in the intersecting direction even if the paper sheet P is inclined.

[0095] Thereafter, in this embodiment, the rotation mechanism 320 is driven in response to an instruction from the CPU 11a, and the paper P is rotated as shown in FIG. When the rotation mechanism 320 is driven, first, the upper rotating body 321A advances to the lower rotating body 321B (not shown in FIG. 13). After the rotating body 321 holds the paper P, the upper transport member 41 provided in the first moving mechanism 410 retreats from the lower transport member 42 (not shown in FIG. 13), and the upper transport member 41 moves away from the lower transport member 42. Then, the rotating body 321 rotates, whereby the paper sheet P rotates and the orientation of the paper sheet P is changed.

[0096] In this embodiment, as described above, the contact portion 45 (see FIG. 6(A)) between the upper conveying member 41 and the lower conveying member 42 (not shown in FIG. 13) provided on each of the central conveying members 370 is located closer to the lower guide member 502 than the midpoint 76A of the straight line 76 connecting the upper guide member 501 (see FIG. 6(A)) and the lower guide member 502. Furthermore, as described above, the contact portion 45 (see FIG. 9(A)) between the upper conveying member 41 and the lower conveying member 42 (not shown in FIG. 13) provided in each of the first moving mechanism 410 (see FIG. 13) and the second moving mechanism 420 is located closer to the lower guide member 502 than the midpoint 76A of the straight line 76 connecting the upper guide member 501 (see FIG. 9(A)) and the lower guide member 502.

[0097] In this case, as described above, when the upper conveying member 41 is retracted from the lower conveying member 42, the separation distance L1 (see Figures 6(B) and 9(B)) between the paper guide surface 501A of the upper guide member 501 and the lower conveying member 42 becomes large. 13, when the paper P is rotated, the resistance acting on the rotating paper P from the upper guide member 501 and the lower conveying member 42 is small. In this case, the load on the rotating paper P is also small.

[0098] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, when the paper P is rotated, the paper P moves between an upper guide member 501 (not shown in FIG. 13) and a lower conveying member 42 (not shown in FIG. 13) provided in each of the pre-rotation conveying mechanism 330, the first post-rotation conveying mechanism 340, the second post-rotation conveying mechanism 350, and the downstream conveying mechanism 360. In addition, when the paper P is rotated, the paper P moves between an upper guide member 501 (not shown in FIG. 13) and a lower conveying member 42 (not shown in FIG. 13) provided on each of the first moving mechanism 410 and the second moving mechanism 420.

[0099] At this time, in this embodiment, as described above, the separation distance L1 between the upper guide member 501 and the lower transport member 42 is large, and the load on the rotating paper P is reduced. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, when the paper P is rotated, the paper P does not pass between the upper transport member 41 and the lower transport member 42 (not shown in FIG. 13) that constitute the side wall side transport member 380 provided in each of the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330, the first post-rotation transport mechanism 340, the second post-rotation transport mechanism 350, and the downstream transport mechanism 360.

[0100] When the rotation mechanism 320 (see FIG. 13) rotates the paper P, the CPU 11a (see FIG. 3), which constitutes a part of the rotation means, sets the amount of rotation of the paper P. If the paper P is not tilted and the posture of the paper P transported to the rotation mechanism 320 by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 is straight, the CPU 11a sets the rotation amount of the paper P to 90° and rotates the paper P 90° in the counterclockwise direction. On the other hand, when the paper P transported to the rotation mechanism 320 by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 is inclined with respect to the transport direction of the paper P by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330, as shown in FIG. 10, the CPU 11a increases or decreases the amount of rotation when rotating the paper P depending on the inclination of the paper P.

[0101] In this embodiment, the CPU 11a determines the inclination of the paper P based on the output from the first paper detection sensor 67A and the second paper detection sensor 67B when the paper P is transported to the rotation mechanism 320 by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 (see FIG. 10). Then, the CPU 11a increases or decreases the amount of rotation when rotating the paper P based on the identified inclination. In this embodiment, as described above, when the sheet P is tilted, the timing at which the sheet P is detected by the first sheet detection sensor 67A differs from the timing at which the sheet P is detected by the second sheet detection sensor 67B.

[0102] The CPU 11a determines the skew of the paper P based on the time difference between these two timings. In this embodiment, a relationship table that describes the relationship between this time difference and the correction value of the rotation amount is registered in the secondary storage unit 19 (see FIG. 3). When the CPU 11a obtains the time difference between the two timings, the CPU 11a refers to the relationship table to obtain a correction value for the amount of rotation. Then, the CPU 11a increases or decreases the amount of rotation of the paper P based on the specified correction value.

[0103] In other words, the CPU 11a sets a new rotation amount based on the acquired correction value and the predetermined rotation amount of 90°. In this embodiment, if the time difference between the above two timings is smaller than a predetermined threshold value and the inclination of the paper P is small, the amount of rotation of the paper P is not corrected. In this case, the rotation amount of the paper P is not increased or decreased, and the rotation amount of the paper P is 90°, which is a predetermined rotation amount.

[0104] When the leading end 11G in the transport direction of the paper P transported to the rotation mechanism 320 by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 faces downstream in the rotation direction of the paper P by the rotation mechanism 320, as shown by arrow 10E in Figure 10, and the paper P is tilted, the CPU 11a reduces the amount of rotation of the paper P from a predetermined amount of rotation. In this embodiment, the rotation direction of the paper P by the rotation mechanism 320 is counterclockwise. When the leading end 11G of the paper P in the transport direction does not face straight toward the downstream transport mechanism 360 but faces downstream in the counterclockwise direction, which is the rotation direction of the paper P by the rotation mechanism 320, the CPU 11a reduces the amount of rotation of the paper P from a predetermined amount of rotation.

[0105] More specifically, when the leading edge 11G of the paper P in the transport direction faces the side where the transport mechanism 340 is located after the first rotation, the CPU 11a reduces the amount of rotation of the paper P from a predetermined amount of rotation. In this case, the CPU 11a sets the rotation amount to a value smaller than the above 90 degrees. As described above, the CPU 11a obtains a correction value for the rotation angle based on the time difference between the two timings. When the leading edge 11G of the paper P in the transport direction faces the side where the transport mechanism 340 is located after the first rotation, the correction value is a negative value. The CPU 11a adds this negative value to the above 90° to obtain a new corrected amount of rotation.

[0106] In addition, when the paper P is inclined so that the leading end 11G in the transport direction of the paper P transported to the rotation mechanism 320 by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 faces upstream in the rotation direction of the paper P by the rotation mechanism 320, the CPU 11a increases the amount of rotation of the paper P more than a predetermined amount of rotation. Specifically, when the leading end 11G of the paper P in the transport direction does not face straight toward the downstream transport mechanism 360, but faces upstream in the counterclockwise direction, which is the rotation direction of the paper P by the rotation mechanism 320, the CPU 11a increases the amount of rotation of the paper P more than a predetermined amount of rotation.

[0107] More specifically, when the leading end 11G of the paper P in the transport direction faces the side where the transport mechanism 350 is located after the second rotation, the CPU 11a increases the rotation amount of the paper P more than the predetermined rotation amount. In this case, the CPU 11a sets the rotation amount to a value greater than the above-mentioned 90 degrees. As described above, the CPU 11a obtains a correction value for the rotation angle based on the time difference between the two timings. When the leading edge 11G of the paper P in the transport direction faces the side where the transport mechanism 350 is located after the second rotation, the correction value is a positive value.

[0108] The CPU 11a adds this positive value to the above 90° to obtain a new corrected amount of rotation. In this manner, in this embodiment, the amount of rotation of the paper P is increased or decreased depending on the orientation of the paper P. By increasing or decreasing the amount of rotation, the leading edge 11G of the paper P after rotation faces the transport mechanism 340 after the first rotation, as shown by the arrow 11K in FIG.

[0109] After the paper sheet P is rotated, in this embodiment, the upper transport member 41 provided in the first moving mechanism 410 (see FIG. 13) advances toward the lower transport member 42 (not shown in FIG. 13). As a result, the paper sheet P is sandwiched between the upper transport member 41 and the lower transport member 42 provided in the first moving mechanism 410. Thereafter, in this embodiment, the upper rotating body 321A retreats from the lower rotating body 321B (not shown in FIG. 13), and the upper rotating body 321A moves away from the lower rotating body 321B. Furthermore, in this embodiment, after the first rotation, the upper conveying member 41 that constitutes the central side conveying member 370 provided in the conveying mechanism 340 advances toward the lower conveying member 42 (not shown in Figure 13), and the upper conveying member 41 comes into contact with the lower conveying member 42.

[0110] Next, the transport member 90 provided in the first moving mechanism 410 is rotationally driven, and further, the center side transport member 370 and the side wall side transport member 380 provided in the first post-rotation transport mechanism 340 are rotationally driven. As a result, the paper sheet P located at the installation location of the rotating body 321 passes through the transport mechanism 340 after the first rotation and heads toward the fourth paper-sheet processing apparatus 400 (see FIG. 2). In this embodiment, when the rear end 11F (see Figure 13) of the paper P heading toward the fourth paper processing device 400 reaches the side wall side transport member 380 provided in the first post-rotation transport mechanism 340, the upper transport member 41 that constitutes the center side transport member 370 provided in the first post-rotation transport mechanism 340 is retracted from the lower transport member 42 (not shown in Figure 13). As a result, the upper conveying member 41 constituting the central conveying member 370 moves away from the lower conveying member .

[0111] Furthermore, when the rear end 11F of the paper P heading toward the fourth paper-processing device 400 reaches the sidewall-side transport member 380 provided in the first post-rotation transport mechanism 340, the upper transport member 41 provided in the first moving mechanism 410 is retracted from the lower transport member 42. As a result, the upper transport member 41 is separated from the lower transport member 42. Thereafter, in this embodiment, a new sheet P from the second sheet-processing device 200 (see FIG. 2) is transported to the rotation mechanism 320 via the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330. At this time, in this embodiment, the upper conveying member 41 that constitutes the central side conveying member 370 provided in the first post-rotation conveying mechanism 340 has already retracted from the lower conveying member 42, and the upper conveying member 41 provided in the first moving mechanism 410 has already retracted from the lower conveying member 42.

[0112] In this embodiment, when the rotation mechanism 320 rotates the paper P, the lower transport member 42 constituting the transport member 90 provided in each of the first moving mechanism 410 and the second moving mechanism 420 is rotated. In addition, when the paper P is rotated by the rotation mechanism 320, the lower transport member 42 constituting the central transport member 370 provided in each of the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330, the first post-rotation transport mechanism 340, the second post-rotation transport mechanism 350, and the downstream transport mechanism 360 rotates.

[0113] 14 is a diagram showing a rotating state of the lower transport member 42 when rotating the paper P. In FIG. 14, the upper transport member 41 is omitted from the illustration. In this embodiment, as described above, when the paper sheet P is rotated, the lower transport member 42 constituting the transport member 90 provided in each of the first moving mechanism 410 and the second moving mechanism 420 is rotated. In addition, when the paper P is rotated, the lower transport member 42 that constitutes the central transport member 370 provided in each of the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330, the first post-rotation transport mechanism 340, the second post-rotation transport mechanism 350, and the downstream transport mechanism 360 is rotated.

[0114] In this embodiment, when the rotation mechanism 320 rotates the paper P in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in FIG. 14, of the multiple lower conveying members 42, the lower conveying member 42 that contacts the lower surface PD (not shown in FIG. 14) of the paper P being rotated is rotated. Hereinafter, in this specification, the paper P rotated by the rotation mechanism 320 may be referred to as "rotating paper P."

[0115] Here, the four lower transport members 42, indicated by the reference symbol 12J, positioned around the rotation mechanism 320 rotate so that the contact portions 42S, which are the portions that come into contact with the rotating paper P, face downstream in the rotation direction of the rotating paper P. Specifically, in this embodiment, each of the lower conveying members 42 provided in the first moving mechanism 410 and the second moving mechanism 420 rotates so that the contact portion 42S, which is the portion that contacts the rotating paper P, moves toward the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating paper P.

[0116] In this embodiment, the four lower transport members 42 denoted by reference numeral 12M rotate so that contact portions 42S, which are portions that come into contact with the rotating paper P, face the side opposite to the side on which the rotation mechanism 320 is installed. The four lower conveying members 42 indicated by the symbol 12M are lower conveying members 42 that constitute the central conveying member 370 provided in each of the pre-rotation conveying mechanism 330, the first post-rotation conveying mechanism 340, the second post-rotation conveying mechanism 350, and the downstream conveying mechanism 360. Each of the lower transport members 42 constituting the center transport member 370 rotates so that a contact portion 42S that contacts the rotating paper P faces the opposite side to the side where the rotation mechanism 320 is installed.

[0117] When contact portion 42S that contacts rotating paper P faces the opposite side to the installation side of rotation mechanism 320, a force acting in a direction that pulls paper P acts on paper P. In this case, bending of paper P is less likely to occur compared to when a force acting in the opposite direction to the pulling direction acts on paper P. Although there is no particular restriction on the rotation speed of the lower conveying member 42, for the lower conveying member 42 provided in the first moving mechanism 410 and the second moving mechanism 420, it is preferable that the peripheral speed of the lower conveying member 42 is greater than the movement speed of the portion of the paper P that comes into contact with the lower conveying member 42. As a result, the force acting on the paper P from the lower transport member 42 provided in the first movement mechanism 410 and the second movement mechanism 420 to rotate the paper P becomes greater, and the paper P rotates more smoothly.

[0118] Fig. 15 is a diagram of the third paper-sheet processing apparatus 300 as seen from above. Figs. 16(A) and (B) are cross-sectional views of the third paper-sheet processing apparatus 300 taken along line XVI-XVI in Fig. 15. Fig. 16 shows the cross-sectional state at the location where the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 is installed. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 and as shown in FIG. 15, an opening / closing member 310 is provided on an upper surface 302 of the third paper-processing device 300.

[0119] The opening / closing member 310 also serves as an exterior member of the third paper-processing device 300. The opening / closing member 310 has an exposed surface opposite to the surface facing the processing section 301, and also serves as an exterior member. The opening / closing member 310 also serves as a covering member. The opening / closing member 310 covers the upper part of the space located at the top of the third paper-processing device 300, in which the processing section 301 is housed. In this embodiment, as the opening and closing member 310, a first opening and closing member 311 to a fourth opening and closing member 314 are provided.

[0120] Furthermore, a support member 390 is provided on the upper surface 302 of the third paper-processing device 300. This support member 390 also has an exposed surface opposite to the surface facing the processing section 301, and also serves as an exterior member. The support member 390 supports the upper transport member 41 provided in the first moving mechanism 410 and the second moving mechanism 420, and a reciprocating mechanism 331 (see FIG. 9) that moves the upper transport member 41 forward and backward. Furthermore, the support member 390 supports an upper rotating body 321A provided in the rotation mechanism 320, and an advancing / retracting mechanism 322 (see FIG. 5) that moves the upper rotating body 321A forward and backward.

[0121] Furthermore, the support member 390 supports an upper guide member 501 (not shown in FIG. 15) provided on the rotation mechanism 320, the first movement mechanism 410, and the second movement mechanism 420 (see FIGS. 5 and 9). In contrast, the first moving mechanism 410, the lower conveying member 42 (not shown in Figure 15) provided on the second moving mechanism 420, the lower rotating body 321B (see Figure 5) provided on the rotation mechanism 320, and the drive mechanism 323 (see Figure 5) that rotates the lower rotating body 321B are supported by a portion of the apparatus main body 300A that is located below the processing unit 301. In addition, the lower guide members 502 (not shown in Figure 15) (see Figures 5 and 9) provided on the rotation mechanism 320, the first moving mechanism 410, and the second moving mechanism 420 are also supported by a portion of the apparatus main body 300A that is located below the processing unit 301.

[0122] The support member 390 is formed in an X-shape. The support member 390 includes a central portion 391 located at the center of the third paper-processing device 300, and a plurality of protruding portions 392 that protrude and extend radially from the central portion 391. In this embodiment, four protruding portions 392 are provided. The support member 390 is supported by the device body 300A of the third paper-processing device 300. Specifically, in this embodiment, the tip portions 392A of the four protrusions 392 are connected to the device body 300A, whereby the support member 390 is supported by the device body 300A.

[0123] The first moving mechanism 410, the upper transport member 41 provided in the second moving mechanism 420, and the upper rotating body 321A provided in the rotating mechanism 320 are positioned below the support member 390 in the vertical direction. The upper transport member 41 and the upper rotator 321A provided in the first moving mechanism 410 and the second moving mechanism 420 are supported by a support member 390 located above these members.

[0124] Further, the advancing and retracting mechanism 322 (see FIG. 5) that moves the upper rotating body 321A forward and backward is also supported by a support member 390 located above the advancing and retracting mechanism 322. Further, the advancing and retreating mechanism 331 (see FIG. 9) that moves the upper conveying member 41 provided in the first moving mechanism 410 and the second moving mechanism 420 back and forth is also supported by a support member 390 located above this advancing and retreating mechanism 331.

[0125] Furthermore, an upper guide member 501 (see FIGS. 5 and 9) provided on the rotation mechanism 320, the first movement mechanism 410, and the second movement mechanism 420 is also supported by a support member 390 located above this upper guide member 501. The support member 390 is located above the processing section 301 . The support member 390 supports from above the upper guide member 501, the upper rotating body 321A, the advancing / retreating mechanism 322 which moves the upper rotating body 321A forward and backward, the upper conveying member 41, and the advancing / retreating mechanism 331 which moves the upper conveying member 41 forward and backward, which constitute part of the processing section 301.

[0126] When the third paper-processing device 300 is viewed from above, the third paper-processing device 300 is formed in a rectangular shape. On the outer periphery of the third paper-processing device 300, a first side wall 304A to a fourth side wall 304D are provided as side walls 304, which are positioned at different positions in the circumferential direction of the third paper-processing device 300.

[0127] The first side wall 304A and the third side wall 304C extend in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the paper P conveyed from the second paper-processing device 200 (see FIG. 2). The second side wall 304B and the fourth side wall 304D extend along the transport direction of the paper P transported from the second paper-processing device 200. The first side wall 304A is disposed at a position facing the second paper-sheet processing device 200, and the second side wall 304B is disposed at a position facing the fourth paper-sheet processing device 400 (see FIG. 2). The third side wall 304C is disposed at a position facing the fifth paper-sheet processing device 500 (see FIG. 2), and the fourth side wall 304D is disposed at a position facing the sixth paper-sheet processing device 600 (see FIG. 2).

[0128] The first opening / closing member 311 to the fourth opening / closing member 314 are disposed around a central portion 391 of the support member 390. The first opening / closing member 311 to the fourth opening / closing member 314 are arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction of the center portion 391 of the support member 390. Moreover, the first opening / closing member 311 to the fourth opening / closing member 314 are disposed so that their positions in the rotation direction of the rotating body 321 are different from one another, and are arranged lined up at regular intervals in this rotation direction.

[0129] Furthermore, the first opening / closing member 311 to the fourth opening / closing member 314 are provided at positions offset from the rotation center 321P of the rotating body 321. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the distance between the first opening and closing member 311 and the rotation center 321P, the distance between the second opening and closing member 312 and the rotation center 321P, the distance between the third opening and closing member 313 and the rotation center 321P, and the distance between the fourth opening and closing member 314 and the rotation center 321P are equal.

[0130] In this embodiment, a plurality of transport paths 70 through which the paper P passes are provided so as to extend radially from a location where the rotating body 321 is installed, which is an example of a predetermined location.

[0131] In this embodiment, a first transport path 71 that extends from the rotation center 321P of the rotating body 321 toward the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 and passes through the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 is provided as one of the multiple transport paths . In this embodiment, a second transport path 72 is provided that runs from the rotation center 321P of the rotating body 321 toward the first post-rotation transport mechanism 340 and passes through this first post-rotation transport mechanism 340.

[0132] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a third transport path 73 is provided that runs from the rotation center 321P of the rotating body 321 toward the downstream transport mechanism 360 and passes through this downstream transport mechanism 360. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a fourth transport path 74 that extends from the rotation center 321P of the rotating body 321 toward the second post-rotation transport mechanism 350 and passes through the second post-rotation transport mechanism 350 is provided.

[0133] In this embodiment, the paper sheet P transported by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 passes through a first transport path 71, and the paper sheet P transported by the first post-rotation transport mechanism 340 passes through a second transport path 72. In this embodiment, the paper sheet P transported by the downstream transport mechanism 360 passes through the third transport path 73, and the paper sheet P transported by the second rotation post-transport mechanism 350 passes through the fourth transport path 74.

[0134] The plurality of transport paths 70, which are made up of the first transport path 71 to the fourth transport path 74, are provided inside the apparatus main body 300A. Further, the multiple transport paths 70 are provided so as to extend radially around the rotation center 321P of the rotating body 321. In other words, the multiple transport paths 70 are provided so as to extend radially from the rotation center 321P. The plurality of transport paths 70 are provided so as to extend from the location where the rotating body 321 is installed toward the side wall 304 of the third paper-processing device 300.

[0135] The multiple transport paths 70 are provided so as to extend radially from the rotation center 321P of the rotating body 321 in a direction away from the rotation center 321P. In addition, the embodiment in which "multiple conveying paths 70 extend radially" is not limited to an embodiment in which the conveying paths 70 are provided at regular angles, such as every 90° in the rotation direction of the rotating body 321. The aspect in which "plurality of transport paths 70 extend radially" is not limited to an aspect in which the angles formed by the transport paths 70 adjacent to each other in the rotation direction of the rotor 321 are all equal. In this embodiment, even if one angle is different from the other angles, this corresponds to the aspect in which "the multiple transport paths 70 extend radially."

[0136] In this embodiment, an opening / closing member 310 is provided above each of the transport paths 70. In this embodiment, the opening / closing members 310 are provided in a shape corresponding to each of the transport paths 70. Specifically, in this embodiment, a first opening / closing member 311 is provided above the first transport path 71, and a second opening / closing member 312 is provided above the second transport path 72. In this embodiment, a third opening / closing member 313 is provided above the third transport path 73, and a fourth opening / closing member 314 is provided above the fourth transport path 74. In this embodiment, the first opening and closing member 311 corresponds to the first transport path 71, the second opening and closing member 312 corresponds to the second transport path 72, the third opening and closing member 313 corresponds to the third transport path 73, and the fourth opening and closing member 314 corresponds to the fourth transport path 74.

[0137] In this embodiment, the opening / closing members 310 are thus provided in a shape corresponding to each of the conveying paths 70 included in the plurality of conveying paths 70. Also, in this embodiment, the opening / closing members 310 are provided at positions facing the corresponding conveying paths 70. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the multiple opening / closing members 310 are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction of the multiple transport paths 70 provided radially. In other words, the multiple opening / closing members 310 are arranged so that their positions in the arrangement direction of the multiple transport paths 70 provided radially are different from each other.

[0138] In this embodiment, the multiple open / close members 310 are disposed at positions that are not on an extension line of the rotation axis 321X of the rotating body 321. Furthermore, the multiple opening / closing members 310 are arranged so that their positions in the rotation direction of the rotating body 321 are different from each other. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the opening and closing member 310 is provided between the above-mentioned multiple protrusions 392 that configure the support member 390. Moreover, the first opening / closing member 311 to the fourth opening / closing member 314 are attached to the device main body 300A, and are capable of rotating relative to this device main body 300A.

[0139] In this embodiment, the first opening / closing member 311 is provided between the first side wall 304A and the center portion 391 of the support member 390. The second opening / closing member 312 is provided between the second side wall 304B and the center portion 391 of the support member 390. The third opening and closing member 313 is provided between the third side wall 304C and the center portion 391 of the support member 390. The fourth opening and closing member 314 is provided between the fourth side wall 304D and the center portion 391 of the support member 390.

[0140] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, when the third paper-processing device 300 is viewed from above, the first opening / closing member 311 is provided between the first side wall 304A and the rotation center 321P of the rotating body 321. The second opening / closing member 312 is provided between the second side wall 304B and the rotation center 321P of the rotating body 321. The third opening / closing member 313 is provided between the third side wall 304C and the rotation center 321P of the rotating body 321. The fourth opening / closing member 314 is provided between the fourth side wall 304D and the rotation center 321P of the rotating body 321.

[0141] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first opening / closing member 311 is configured to rotate about a rotation axis 311F that is aligned with the first side wall 304A. The rotating shaft 311F is provided at an opposite end 98 of the first opening / closing member 311, which is the end opposite to a center end 97 which is the end located on the center portion 391 side of the support member 390. The first opening / closing member 311 has a center side end 97 as an example of a first end located closer to the installation location of the rotating body 321, and an opposite side end 98 as an example of a second end located opposite the center side end 97.

[0142] A hinge (not shown) is provided at the opposite end 98 of the first opening / closing member 311, and this hinge is provided on a rotation shaft 311F. The first opening / closing member 311 rotates about this rotation shaft 311F. In this embodiment, the first opening / closing member 311 is provided on the opposite end 98 side with a rotation shaft 311F. The rotation shaft 311F is provided so as to extend in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the first transport path 71 corresponding to the first opening / closing member 311. More specifically, the rotation shaft 311F is provided so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the first transport path 71.

[0143] In this embodiment, the first opening / closing member 311 is provided rotatably about a rotation shaft 311F that extends in a direction intersecting with the extension direction of the first transport path 71 corresponding to this first opening / closing member 311. In this embodiment, when comparing the widths of the first opening / closing member 311 in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the first conveying path 71, the width of the opposite end 98 of the first opening / closing member 311 is larger than the width of the center end 97 of the first opening / closing member 311. In this embodiment, the first opening / closing member 311 is configured so that its width gradually increases from the center end 97 side toward the opposite end 98 side.

[0144] The rotation shaft 311F of the first opening / closing member 311 extends in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the paper P by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330. More specifically, the rotation shaft 311F extends in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the paper P by the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330. The first opening / closing member 311 rotates about this rotation shaft 311F. When the user rotates the first opening / closing member 311 about the rotation shaft 311F, the first opening / closing member 311 opens, and the third paper-processing device 300 goes into the state shown in FIG.

[0145] When performing an operation to open the first opening / closing member 311, the user performs an operation to lift up the center end portion 97 side of the first opening / closing member 311. This causes the first opening / closing member 311 to rotate about the rotation shaft 311F, and the first opening / closing member 311 is placed in the state shown in FIG. As a result, in this embodiment, the upper portion of the processing section 301 (see FIG. 1) where the first opening / closing member 311 was provided is opened, and an opening 303 is formed at this location. A user can access the first transport path 71 (see FIG. 15) and the rotation mechanism 320 through this opening 303.

[0146] In this embodiment, the configuration is such that a user can touch paper P located on a first transport path 71 included in the plurality of transport paths 70 through an opening 303 created by opening the first opening / closing member 311. In this embodiment, the configuration is such that a user can touch paper P located at a position facing rotating body 321 (see FIG. 15) through opening 303 created by opening first opening / closing member 311. In other words, the configuration is such that a user can touch paper P located between upper rotating body 321A (see FIG. 5) and lower rotating body 321B that configure rotating body 321. In this embodiment, the configuration is such that a user can touch paper P located on the first transport path 71 and paper P located in an opposing position to the rotating body 321 through a common opening 303 created by opening the first opening / closing member 311.

[0147] The second opening / closing member 312 (see FIG. 15) rotates about a rotation axis 312F along the second side wall 304B. The rotation shaft 312F is provided at an opposite end 98 of the second opening / closing member 312, which is opposite to a center end 97 located on the center portion 391 side of the support member 390. The rotation shaft 312F extends in a direction intersecting the direction in which the paper P is transported by the first post-rotation transport mechanism 340. More specifically, the rotation shaft 312F extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the paper P is transported by the first post-rotation transport mechanism 340.

[0148] The second opening / closing member 312 rotates about this rotation shaft 312F extending in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the paper P by the first post-rotation transport mechanism 340. More specifically, the second opening / closing member 312 rotates about this rotation shaft 312F extending in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the paper P by the first post-rotation transport mechanism 340. When the user rotates the second opening / closing member 312 around the rotation axis 312F, the upper part of the processing section 301, where the second opening / closing member 312 was provided, is opened, and an opening 303 is formed at this location. The user accesses the second transport path 72 and the rotation mechanism 320 through this opening 303.

[0149] The third opening / closing member 313 rotates about a rotation shaft 313F along the third side wall 304C. This rotation shaft 313F is provided at an opposite end 98 of the third opening / closing member 313, which is opposite to a center end 97 located on the center 391 side of the support member 390. The rotation shaft 313F extends in a direction intersecting the direction in which the paper P is transported by the downstream transport mechanism 360. More specifically, the rotation shaft 313F extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the paper P is transported by the downstream transport mechanism 360.

[0150] The third opening / closing member 313 rotates about this rotation shaft 313F extending in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the paper P by the downstream transport mechanism 360. More specifically, the third opening / closing member 313 rotates about this rotation shaft 313F extending in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the paper P by the downstream transport mechanism 360. When the third opening / closing member 313 is rotated around the rotation axis 313F, the upper part of the processing section 301, where the third opening / closing member 313 was provided, is opened, and an opening 303 is formed at this location. A user accesses the third transport path 73 and the rotation mechanism 320 through this opening 303.

[0151] The fourth opening / closing member 314 rotates about a rotation shaft 314F along the fourth side wall 304D. This rotation shaft 314F is provided at an opposite end 98 of the fourth opening / closing member 314, which is opposite to a center end 97 located on the center portion 391 side of the support member 390. The rotation shaft 314F extends in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the paper P by the second post-rotation transport mechanism 350. More specifically, the rotation shaft 314F extends in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the paper P by the second post-rotation transport mechanism 350.

[0152] The fourth opening / closing member 314 rotates about this rotation shaft 314F extending in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the paper P by the second post-rotation transport mechanism 350. More specifically, the fourth opening / closing member 314 rotates about this rotation shaft 314F extending in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the paper P by the second post-rotation transport mechanism 350. When the fourth opening / closing member 314 is rotated about the rotation axis 314F, the upper part of the processing section 301, where the fourth opening / closing member 314 was provided, is opened, and an opening 303 is formed at this location. A user accesses the fourth transport path 74 and the rotation mechanism 320 through this opening 303.

[0153] In this embodiment, by opening the first opening / closing member 311 to the fourth opening / closing member 314, not only can the first transport path 71 to the fourth transport path 74 be accessed, but also the rotation mechanism 320 can be accessed. In this embodiment, the user can access the rotation mechanism 320 regardless of whether the first opening / closing member 311 to the fourth opening / closing member 314 are opened. In this embodiment, a first opening / closing member 311 to a fourth opening / closing member 314 are provided around the rotation mechanism 320 as opening / closing members 310, and the user can access the rotation mechanism 320 regardless of which opening / closing member 310 is opened.

[0154] In this embodiment, there is a risk of a jam of paper P occurring in processing section 301. In this case, a user removes the jammed paper P through opening 303 that is created by opening one opening / closing member 310 or two or more opening / closing members 310 among first opening / closing member 311 to fourth opening / closing member 314. Furthermore, when maintenance or the like is performed on the processing section 301, the maintenance of the processing section 301 is performed through the opening 303 that is created by opening the first opening / closing member 311 to the fourth opening / closing member 314.

[0155] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an opening / closing member 310 is provided above each of the multiple center side conveying members 370 provided. In this embodiment, as described above, the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330, the first post-rotation transport mechanism 340, the second post-rotation transport mechanism 350, and the downstream transport mechanism 360 are each provided with a center side transport member 370. In this embodiment, an opening / closing member 310 is provided above the center side conveying member 370 .

[0156] Specifically, in this embodiment, a first opening / closing member 311 is provided above a center side conveying member 370 provided in the pre-rotation conveying mechanism 330, and a second opening / closing member 312 is provided above a center side conveying member 370 provided in the first post-rotation conveying mechanism 340. In addition, a third opening / closing member 313 is provided above the center side conveying member 370 provided in the downstream conveying mechanism 360, and a fourth opening / closing member 314 is provided above the center side conveying member 370 provided in the second post-rotation conveying mechanism 350.

[0157] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, a connection member 180 that connects the first opening / closing member 311 and an upper guide member 501 located below the first opening / closing member 311 is provided. In this embodiment, as described above and as shown in FIG. 16, the upper guide member 501 supports from below the upper conveying member 41 that constitutes the center side conveying member 370 and the advancing / retreating mechanism 331 that moves this upper conveying member 41 forward and backward. The connecting member 180 connects the first opening / closing member 311 to the upper transport member 41 and the upper guide member 501 which has the function of supporting the advancing and retreating mechanism 331 .

[0158] In this embodiment, when the user performs an operation to open the first opening / closing member 311, the upper guide member 501 is pulled by the connecting member 180, and the upper guide member 501 moves upward, as shown in FIG. 16(B). In this embodiment, when the user performs an operation to open the first opening / closing member 311, the upper guide member 501, which is an example of a side member provided on the side of the first transport path 71, moves in conjunction with the first opening / closing member 311 and moves in a direction away from the first transport path 71.

[0159] The first conveying path 71 is a conveying path corresponding to the first opening / closing member 311, and in this embodiment, when a user performs an operation to open the first opening / closing member 311, an upper guide member 501 provided on the side of the conveying path 71 corresponding to the first opening / closing member 311 moves. An upper guide member 501, which is an example of a side member, is provided on the side of the first transport path 71. The upper guide member 501 guides the paper P passing through the first transport path 71. In this embodiment, when the user performs an operation to open the first opening / closing member 311, the upper guide member 501 moves in conjunction with the first opening / closing member 311, and moves in a direction away from the first transport path 71.

[0160] Accordingly, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16(B), the upper transport member 41 provided in the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330 and the advancing / retracting mechanism 331 for advancing and retracting the upper transport member 41 move upward. As a result, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16(B), the first transport path 71 provided between the upper guide member 501 and the lower guide member 502 (not shown in FIG. 16(B)) is opened. In this embodiment, when a user performs an operation to open the first opening / closing member 311, the user can access the first transport path 71 provided below the first opening / closing member 311.

[0161] The second opening and closing member 312 (see FIG. 15) to the fourth opening and closing member 314 are configured in a similar manner, and corresponding connection members 180 (not shown) are provided for each of the second opening and closing members 312 to the fourth opening and closing members 314. When the user opens each of the second opening / closing member 312 to the fourth opening / closing member 314, the same movement as when the first opening / closing member 311 is performed, and the user can access the second transport path 72 to the fourth transport path 74.

[0162] The rotating body 321 (see FIG. 15) is supported by members that constitute the third paper-processing device 300, other than the opening / closing member 310. The rotating body 321 is supported by a member that does not move. Specifically, in this embodiment, upper rotating body 321A constituting rotating body 321 is supported by supporting member 390, which is an example of a member that does not move. In this embodiment, the lower rotor 321B (not shown in FIG. 15) constituting the rotor 321 is also supported by the device main body 300A, which is another example of a non-movable member.

[0163] When a user accesses the processing section 301 provided in the third paper-sheet processing apparatus 300, the user is positioned at one of the four positions indicated by the reference symbol 2X in FIG. Specifically, the user is positioned at any of the four corners of the third paper-processing device 300, ie, a first corner 191 to a fourth corner 194.

[0164] In this embodiment, when the user is located at a position facing the first corner portion 191, the user can easily perform opening and closing operations of the first opening and closing member 311 and the second opening and closing member 312. Furthermore, when the user is located at a position facing the second corner portion 192, the user can easily perform opening and closing operations of the second opening and closing member 312 and the third opening and closing member 313. Furthermore, when the user is located at a position facing the third corner portion 193, the user can easily perform opening and closing operations of the third opening and closing member 313 and the fourth opening and closing member 314. Furthermore, when the user is located at a position facing the fourth corner portion 194, the user can easily perform opening and closing operations of the first opening and closing member 311 and the fourth opening and closing member 314.

[0165] In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the rotation shaft 311F is provided on the opposite end 98 of the end portion of the first opening / closing member 311 (see FIG. 15) has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which the rotation shaft 311F is provided on the center side end portion 97 side of the first opening / closing member 311 may also be used. Here, when a rotating shaft 311F is provided on the center end 97 side of the first opening / closing member 311, the user opens and closes the first opening / closing member 311 by operating the opposite end 98 side of the first opening / closing member 311. Similarly, the second opening / closing member 312 to the fourth opening / closing member 314 may also be configured so that a rotation shaft is provided on the center side end portion 97 side.

[0166] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the third paper-sheet processing apparatus 300. In FIG. 17, a moving body 300B that moves in the up-down direction is provided on the upper part of the device body 300A of the third paper-processing device 300. This moving body 300B moves relative to the device body 300A. The configuration of the processing section 301 provided inside the third paper-sheet processing apparatus 300 is the same as that described above.

[0167] The movable body 300B is provided so as to be movable in a direction in which the central axes 15D of the above-mentioned plurality of radially extending transport paths 70 extend, and in a direction away from the plurality of transport paths 70. Specifically, the movable body 300B is provided so as to be movable upward in the drawing. In this configuration example, the moving body 300B supports the upper rotating body 321A of the rotation mechanism 320. In addition, the advancing / retracting mechanism 322 (not shown in FIG. 17) (see FIG. 5) that moves the upper rotating body 321A forward and backward is also supported by the moving body 300B.

[0168] Furthermore, in this configuration example, the upper conveying member 41 constituting the central conveying member 370 provided in each of the pre-rotation conveying mechanism 330, the first post-rotation conveying mechanism 340 (not shown in Figure 15), the second post-rotation conveying mechanism 350 (not shown in Figure 15), and the downstream conveying mechanism 360 is also supported by the moving body 300B. Furthermore, a forward / backward mechanism 331 (not shown in FIG. 15) (see FIG. 6) provided in correspondence with this upper conveying member 41 is also supported by the moving body 300B.

[0169] Furthermore, in this configuration example, the upper conveying member 41 constituting the side wall side conveying member 380 provided in each of the pre-rotation conveying mechanism 330, the first post-rotation conveying mechanism 340, the second post-rotation conveying mechanism 350, and the downstream conveying mechanism 360 is also supported by the moving body 300B. Furthermore, in this configuration example, the upper conveying member 41 provided in each of the first moving mechanism 410 and the second moving mechanism 420 (not shown in Figure 15), and the advancing and retreating mechanism 331 (not shown in Figure 15) (see Figure 9) provided corresponding to this upper conveying member 41 are also supported by the moving body 300B. Furthermore, each of the upper guide members 501 provided in the processing section 301 is also supported by the moving body 300B. In this configuration example, among the multiple members constituting the processing section 301, the members located above the transport path 70 of the paper P are supported by a moving body 300B.

[0170] In this configuration example, the moving body 300B is moved upward by the user manually or by using a driving mechanism (not shown) such as a motor. As a result, in this configuration example, the upper transport member 41 constituting the central transport member 370 and the advancing / retracting mechanism 331 provided corresponding to this upper transport member 41 move upward. Moreover, the upper conveying member 41 constituting the side wall conveying member 380 also moves upward. Furthermore, the upper transport member 41 provided in each of the first moving mechanism 410 and the second moving mechanism 420, and the advancing and retreating mechanism 331 provided corresponding to this upper transport member 41 also move upward.

[0171] Furthermore, upper guide member 501 and upper rotor 321A also move upward. Further, advance / retract mechanism 322 provided corresponding to upper rotor 321A also moves upward. In this embodiment, an upper conveying member 41, a forward / backward mechanism 322, a forward / backward mechanism 331, an upper guide member 501, and an upper rotating body 321A, which are examples of side members, are provided on the side of each of the multiple radially arranged conveying paths 70. In the present embodiment, these members, which are examples of side members, move in a direction away from the transport path 70 in conjunction with the movement of the movable body 300B.

[0172] As a result, in this configuration example as well, the first transport path 71 to the fourth transport path 74 are opened, and the user can access the first transport path 71 to the fourth transport path 74. The user can also access the rotation mechanism 320. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 17, a user accesses the processing section 301 from the side of the third paper-sheet-processing apparatus 300. In the configuration example shown in FIG.

[0173] In the above-described configuration example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, access to the processing section 301 is provided from above the third paper-processing device 300 through an opening 303 formed in an upper surface 302 of the third paper-processing device 300 . In contrast, in the configuration example shown in Fig. 17, an opening 303 is provided on the side of the third paper-sheet processing device 300. In the configuration example shown in Fig. 17, a user accesses the processing section 301 through the opening 303 provided on the side of the third paper-sheet processing device 300.

[0174] Although the configuration in which all of the members located above the transport path 70 move upward has been described as an example here, it is not essential that all of the members move. For example, only some of the components located above the conveying path 70, such as the upper conveying member 41 that constitutes the center side conveying member 370 and the upper conveying member 41 that constitutes the side wall side conveying member 380, may be configured to move upward, while the other components may not move upward.

[0175] (others) Although not explained above, the third paper processing device 300 can be installed in any orientation; for example, the third paper processing device 300 can be installed so that the side on which the downstream conveying mechanism 360 (see Figure 4) is provided is located on the side of the second paper processing device 200 (see Figure 2). When the orientation of the third paper processing device 300 is changed, for example, the portion that functioned as the downstream transport mechanism 360 before the orientation was changed functions as the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330, and transports the paper P toward the rotation mechanism 320. In this embodiment, in order to allow the third paper-processing device 300 to be installed in any orientation, the pre-rotation transport mechanism 330, the first post-rotation transport mechanism 340, the second post-rotation transport mechanism 350, and the downstream transport mechanism 360 each have the same configuration. Also, the first movement mechanism 410 and the second movement mechanism 420 each have the same configuration.

[0176] In addition, while the above describes an example of a configuration in which four conveying paths 70 extending radially are provided, the present invention is not limited to this, and may also be configured, for example, with three conveying paths 70 extending radially, five conveying paths 70, or six conveying paths 70 extending radially. Furthermore, the shape of the third paper-sheet-processing device 300 when viewed from above is not limited to being rectangular as described above, but may be a shape other than rectangular, such as a triangular, pentagonal, or hexagonal shape.

[0177] In the above configuration in which three conveying paths 70 extend radially, or in the above configuration in which five conveying paths 70 or six conveying paths 70 extend radially, the shape of the third paper processing device 300 may be triangular, pentagonal, or hexagonal. In the case of a configuration in which three transport paths 70 extend radially, five transport paths 70, or six transport paths 70 extend radially, the rotation angle of the paper P by the rotation mechanism 320 is an angle other than 90°.

[0178] (Additional Note) (((1))) A device body, a plurality of transport paths provided within the device body, through which the transported recording medium passes, the plurality of transport paths extending radially from a predetermined point; a plurality of opening / closing members arranged so that the positions in a circumferential direction of the plurality of radially provided transport paths are different from each other and the opening / closing members are provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the device body; A recording medium processing device comprising: (((2))) The recording medium processing device according to ((1))), wherein the opening and closing members are provided in a shape corresponding to each of the transport paths included in the plurality of transport paths. (((3))) The recording medium processing device according to (((2))), wherein the opening / closing members are provided at opposing positions on the corresponding transport paths. (((4))) When a user performs an operation to open the opening / closing member, a side member provided on the side of the transport path corresponding to the opening / closing member moves in conjunction with the opening / closing member, and moves in a direction away from the transport path. A recording medium processing device as described in ((2))) or (((3))). (((5))) A guide member that guides the recording medium passing through the transport path is provided on a side of the transport path as the side member, The recording medium processing device according to ((4))), wherein when a user performs an operation to open the opening / closing member, the guide member moves in conjunction with the opening / closing member and moves in a direction away from the transport path. (((6))) The recording medium processing device described in any of ((2)) to ((5))), wherein the opening / closing member is rotatably arranged around a rotation axis extending in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the transport path corresponding to the opening / closing member. (((7))) the opening / closing member has a first end portion located on a side close to the predetermined location and a second end portion located on an opposite side to the first end portion, The recording medium processing device according to (((6))), wherein the rotation shaft is provided on the second end side of the opening / closing member. (((8))) The recording medium processing device described in (((1))) is configured so that a user can touch a recording medium located on a transport path included in the multiple transport paths through an opening created by opening the opening / closing member. (((9))) a rotating body that rotates the recording medium is provided at the predetermined location, A user is configured to be able to touch a recording medium located opposite the rotating body through the opening, A recording medium processing device as described in (((8))) that is configured so that a recording medium located on the transport path and a recording medium located opposite the rotating body can be touched through the common opening. (((10))) a rotating body that rotates the recording medium is provided at the predetermined location, The recording medium processing device described in (((1))) is configured so that a user can touch a recording medium located opposite the rotating body through an opening created by opening the opening / closing member. (((11))) a rotating body that rotates the recording medium is provided at the predetermined location, The rotating body is supported by a member that does not move, other than the opening and closing member, among the members that constitute the recording medium processing device. A recording medium processing device described in any of ((1))) to (((10))). (((12))) A device body, a rotating body provided in the device body, rotating about a rotation axis extending along a vertical direction to rotate a recording medium; a plurality of transport paths through which the recording medium passes, the transport paths being provided from a location where the rotating body is installed toward a side wall of the device body; A plurality of opening / closing members are disposed at positions that are offset from an extension of the rotation axis of the rotating body and are disposed at different positions in the rotation direction of the rotating body, and are provided so as to be capable of opening and closing with respect to the device body; A recording medium processing device comprising: (((13))) A device body, a plurality of transport paths provided within the device body, through which the transported recording medium passes, the plurality of transport paths extending radially from a predetermined point; a movable body movable in a direction along which the central axes of the plurality of radially extending transport paths extend and in a direction away from the plurality of transport paths; a side member that is provided on a side of each of the plurality of transport paths and moves in a direction away from the transport path in conjunction with the movement of the movable body; A recording medium processing device comprising: (((14))) An image forming system comprising an image forming device which forms an image on a recording medium, and a recording medium processing device which processes the recording medium on which the image has been formed by the image forming device, the recording medium processing device being configured to include any of the recording medium processing devices described in (((1))) to (((13))).

[0179] According to the recording medium processing device of (((1))), the opening and closing member provided in the recording medium processing device can make it easier to access the multiple transport paths provided within the recording medium processing device, compared to a configuration in which only one opening and closing member is provided corresponding to one of the multiple transport paths. According to the recording medium processing device of (((2))), the opening and closing member provided on the recording medium processing device can make it easier to access each of the multiple transport paths included in the multiple transport paths, compared to a configuration in which only one opening and closing member is provided corresponding to one of the multiple transport paths. According to the recording medium processing device of (((3))), it is possible to make access to the transport path easier than when the opening / closing member is provided in a position that is away from the opposing position of the corresponding transport path. According to the recording medium processing device of (((4))), even when the user performs an operation to open the opening / closing member, it is possible to make it easier to access the transport path compared to a configuration in which the side members do not move in a direction away from the transport path. According to the recording medium processing device of (((5))), even when the user performs an operation to open the opening / closing member, it is possible to make it easier to access the transport path compared to a configuration in which the guide member does not move in a direction away from the transport path. According to the recording medium processing device of (((6))), it is possible to open and close the opening and closing member by operating one of the ends of the opening and closing member, the ends being positioned at different positions in the extension direction of the transport path. According to the recording medium processing device of (((7))), by operating one end of the opening / closing member that is located closer to a predetermined location, it is possible to open and close the opening / closing member with the other end, located farther from the predetermined location, acting as a rotation fulcrum. According to the recording medium processing device of (((8))), it is possible to remove the recording medium located on the transport path through the opening created by opening the opening / closing member. According to the recording medium processing device of (((9))), the number of parts can be reduced compared to a case in which an opening / closing member corresponding to the transport path and an opening / closing member corresponding to the rotating body are provided separately. According to the recording medium processing device of (((10))), it is possible to remove the recording medium positioned opposite the rotating body through the opening created by opening the opening / closing member. According to the recording medium processing device of (((11))), the precision of rotation of the rotating body can be improved compared to when the rotating body is supported by a movable member. According to the recording medium processing device of (((12))), the opening and closing member provided in the recording medium processing device can make it easier to access the multiple transport paths provided within the recording medium processing device, compared to a configuration in which only one opening and closing member is provided corresponding to one of the multiple transport paths. According to the recording medium processing device of (((13))), the opening and closing member provided in the recording medium processing device can make it easier to access the multiple transport paths provided within the recording medium processing device, compared to a configuration in which only one opening and closing member is provided corresponding to one of the multiple transport paths. According to the image forming system pertaining to (((14))), the opening and closing member provided in the recording medium processing device can make it easier to access the multiple transport paths provided within the recording medium processing device, compared to a configuration in which only one opening and closing member is provided corresponding to one of the multiple transport paths. [Explanation of symbols]

[0180] 1...image forming system, 9C...midpoint, 9X...side edge, 10...image forming device, 11a...CPU, 11G...tip, 14...normal, 41...upper conveying member, 42...lower conveying member, 42S...contact portion, 45...contact portion, 70...conveying path, 76...straight line, 76A...midpoint, 97...center end, 98...opposite end, 300...third paper processing device, 300A...device main body, 300B...moving body, 303...opening, 304...side wall , 310...opening / closing member, 311F...rotating shaft, 320...rotating mechanism, 330...pre-rotation transport mechanism, 321...rotating body, 321A...upper rotating body, 321B...lower rotating body, 321X...rotating shaft, 322...advancing / retreating mechanism, 331...advancing / retreating mechanism, 340...first post-rotation transport mechanism, 350...second post-rotation transport mechanism, 390...support member, 410...first moving mechanism, 501...upper guide member, 502...lower guide member, P...paper, PM...surface

Claims

1. A device body, a plurality of transport paths provided within the device body, through which the transported recording medium passes, the plurality of transport paths extending radially from a predetermined point; a plurality of opening / closing members arranged so that the positions in a circumferential direction of the plurality of radially provided transport paths are different from each other and the opening / closing members are provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the device body; A recording medium processing device comprising:

2. The recording medium processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the opening and closing members are provided in a shape corresponding to each of the plurality of transport paths.

3. The recording medium processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the opening and closing members are provided at opposing positions on the corresponding transport paths.

4. 3. The recording medium processing device according to claim 2, wherein when a user performs an operation to open the opening / closing member, a side member provided on the side of the transport path corresponding to the opening / closing member moves in conjunction with the opening / closing member and moves in a direction away from the transport path.

5. A guide member that guides the recording medium passing through the transport path is provided on a side of the transport path as the side member, 5. The recording medium processing device according to claim 4, wherein when a user performs an operation to open the opening / closing member, the guide member moves in conjunction with the opening / closing member, and moves in a direction away from the transport path.

6. 3. The recording medium processing device according to claim 2, wherein the opening / closing member is provided rotatably about a rotation axis extending in a direction intersecting an extension direction of the transport path corresponding to the opening / closing member.

7. The opening / closing member has a first end portion located on a side close to the predetermined location and a second end portion located on an opposite side to the first end portion, 7. The recording medium processing device according to claim 6, wherein the rotation shaft is provided on the second end side of the opening / closing member.

8. 2 . The recording medium processing device according to claim 1 , wherein a user can access a recording medium located on a transport path included in the plurality of transport paths through an opening created by opening the opening / closing member.

9. a rotating body that rotates the recording medium is provided at the predetermined location, A user is configured to be able to touch a recording medium located opposite the rotating body through the opening, 9. The recording medium processing device according to claim 8, wherein the recording medium positioned on the transport path and the recording medium facing the rotating body can be touched through the common opening.

10. a rotating body that rotates the recording medium is provided at the predetermined location, 2. The recording medium processing device according to claim 1, wherein the opening and closing member is opened to create an opening through which a user can access the recording medium located opposite the rotating body.

11. a rotating body that rotates the recording medium is provided at the predetermined location, 2. The recording medium processing device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating body is supported by a member that does not move and is a member that constitutes the recording medium processing device other than the opening and closing member.

12. A device body, a rotating body provided in the device body, rotating about a rotation axis extending along a vertical direction to rotate a recording medium; a plurality of transport paths through which the recording medium passes, the transport paths being provided from a location where the rotating body is installed toward a side wall of the device body; A plurality of opening / closing members are disposed at positions that are offset from an extension of the rotation axis of the rotating body and are disposed at different positions in the rotation direction of the rotating body, and are provided so as to be capable of opening and closing with respect to the device body; A recording medium processing device comprising:

13. A device body, a plurality of transport paths provided within the device body, through which the transported recording medium passes, the plurality of transport paths extending radially from a predetermined point; a movable body movable in a direction along which the central axes of the plurality of radially extending transport paths extend and in a direction away from the plurality of transport paths; a side member that is provided on a side of each of the plurality of transport paths and moves in a direction away from the transport path in conjunction with the movement of the movable body; A recording medium processing device comprising:

14. 14. An image forming system comprising an image forming device that forms an image on a recording medium, and a recording medium processing device that processes the recording medium on which the image has been formed by the image forming device, the recording medium processing device being configured to include the recording medium processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

Images