Paper cutting device

Abstract

To prevent deterioration over time in accuracy in feeding paper by a conveyance device.SOLUTION: A paper cutting device comprises a conveying device, a cutting machine and a control part. The conveying device is provided on a conveyance path for paper that is conveyed by the conveying device. The conveying device conveys the paper in a feed direction. The cutting machine cuts the paper in a cross direction crossing the feed direction. The control part controls the conveying device and the cutting machine. When the control part makes the cutting machine operate without stopping the conveying device, the conveying device conveys the paper, and at the same time the cutting machine cuts the paper.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a paper cutting device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a paper cutting device including a cutting machine and a conveying device. The conveying device conveys a rectangular paper in the side direction. The cutting machine cuts the paper conveyed by the paper conveying device in a cross direction orthogonal to the paper conveying direction.

[0003] The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a technology for preventing leakage of confidential information described on the paper by subdividing the paper by repeatedly cutting the paper with the cutting machine. Since the cutting line is parallel to the cross direction, the paper is stopped when the cutting machine cuts the paper. Therefore, while the conveying device conveys the paper in small increments, the cutting machine cuts the paper in synchronization with the timing at which the conveying device stops the paper. Before the paper stops, the conveying device reduces the speed of the paper, and after the paper stops, the conveying device increases the conveying speed of the paper. The acceleration or deceleration of the conveying device causes backlash in the gear mechanism of the conveying device. The acceleration or deceleration of the conveying device causes slip of the conveying roller pair of the conveying device with respect to the paper. Therefore, when the conveying device repeatedly stops the paper, the feeding accuracy of the paper by the conveying device deteriorates over time.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the technology disclosed in this specification aims to prevent the deterioration of the feeding accuracy of the paper by the conveying device over time.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, this specification discloses a paper cutting device. The paper cutting device includes a conveying device, a cutting machine, and a control unit. The conveying device is provided in a conveying path of the paper conveyed by the conveying device. The conveying device conveys the paper in a feed direction. The cutting machine cuts the paper in a cross direction orthogonal to the feed direction. The control unit controls the conveying device and the cutting machine. By operating the cutting machine without stopping the conveying device by the control unit, the cutting machine cuts the paper while the conveying device conveys the paper.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] The technology disclosed in this specification contributes to reducing the number of times the paper stops. The technology contributes to preventing a decrease in the feeding accuracy of the paper by the conveying device over time. The technology contributes to maintaining the accuracy of the conveying distance and position of the paper.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The features and technical effects of the embodiments will be understood from the following detailed description and the drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below. Since the drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrations in the drawings.

[0010] <<Image Forming Apparatus>> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control system of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the paper 90 handled by the image forming apparatus 1.

[0011] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a printing apparatus 10 and a paper cutting apparatus 60. The printing apparatus 10 sends the paper 90 one by one to the paper cutting apparatus 60 and forms an image on the paper 90 being sent. Thereafter, the paper cutting apparatus 60 cuts the paper 90 sent from the printing apparatus 10 in the feed direction. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3, the paper cutting apparatus 60 cuts the front portion 91 of the paper 90 sent from the printing apparatus 10 one or more times in the cross direction to divide the front portion 91 of the paper 90 into cuttings 100, whereby the front portion 91 is cut off. Thereafter, the paper cutting apparatus 60 cuts the rear portion 92 of the remaining paper 90 in the cross direction to divide the paper 90 into a plurality of products and cuts off cuttings 101 and 102 from the first and last products, respectively.

[0012] The feed direction refers to the direction in which the paper 90 is conveyed. The feed direction is parallel to the paper 90. The cross direction refers to the direction orthogonal to the feed direction. The cross direction is parallel to the sheet 90. The front part 91 of the sheet 90 refers to the front side, that is, the upstream part in the feed direction of the sheet 90. The front part 91 of the sheet 90 corresponds to the margin. The rear part 92 of the sheet 90 refers to the rear side, that is, the downstream part in the feed direction of the sheet 90. The product refers to a printed rectangular sheet, such as a business card, a postcard or a card.

[0013] <<Printing device>> The printing device 10 includes an image input device 11 with an automatic document feeder function. The image input device 11 is mounted on the housing 12 of the printing device 10. The image input device 11 has an automatic document feeder and an image scanner. The image input device 11 feeds the original sheet one by one to the image scanner by the automatic document feeder, and reads the image of the front surface (front side) or the back surface or both of the original sheet one by one by the image scanner.

[0014] The printing device 10 includes a display unit 14, an input unit 15 and a control unit 20. The display unit 14 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device with a touch panel. The display device of the display unit 14 displays an image according to the video signal transferred from the control unit 20. When the touch panel of the display unit 14 is operated by the user, the touch panel outputs a signal corresponding to the operation content to the control unit 20. The display unit 14 also serves as the display unit of the paper cutting device 60. The input unit 15 is composed of a plurality of push buttons such as numeric keys, a start key and function keys. The input unit 15 outputs a signal corresponding to the pushed push button to the control unit 20. The input unit 15 also serves as the input unit of the paper cutting device 60.

[0015] The control unit 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a drive circuit, and the like. The control unit 20 is in charge of overall control.

[0016] The printing device 10 includes a feeder 30, a first transport device 35, and a printer main body 40.

[0017] The feeder 30 is provided at the lower part inside the housing 12. A paper stack 99 composed of a plurality of stacked sheets of paper 90 is stored in the feeder 30. The feeder 30 feeds the stacked sheets of paper 90 one by one in order from the top to the first transport device 35. The feeder 30 includes a cassette 31, a pickup roller, a separation roller, a feed roller, a feed motor, and the like. The cassette 31 houses the paper stack 99 inside thereof. The pickup roller sends the papers in the cassette 31 one by one from the top to the feed roller and the separation roller. The separation roller separates the topmost paper from the papers below by returning the papers below the topmost paper being sent out to the cassette 31. The feed roller sends out the separated topmost paper to the first transport device 35. The feed motor rotationally drives the pickup roller, the separation roller, and the feed roller.

[0018] The first transport device 35 causes the sheet of paper 90 fed from the feeder 30 to pass through the printer main body 40 and transports the sheet of paper 90 to the outlet 13 of the housing 12. The first transport device 35 has a plurality of roller pairs and a drive motor. The plurality of roller pairs are arranged from the feeder 30 to the outlet 13 of the housing 12. The drive motor drives the roller pairs. The drive motor is, for example, a stepping motor. The drive motor may be a servo motor.

[0019] The printer main body 40 is installed above the feeder 30 inside the housing 12. The printer main body 40 prints an image on the paper 90 conveyed by the first conveying device 35. The printer main body 40 includes a roller 41, a backup roller 42, an intermediate transfer belt 43, a transfer roller 44, a belt cleaning unit 45, a fixing device 46, and image forming units 47Y, 47M, 47C, 47K.

[0020] The intermediate transfer belt 43 is wound around the roller 41 and the backup roller 42. The transfer roller 44 is close to the backup roller 42, and the intermediate transfer belt 43 is inserted between the backup roller 42 and the transfer roller 44. The backup roller 42, the transfer roller 44, and the fixing device 46 are arranged in the middle of the conveyance path of the paper 90 by the first conveying device 35. The fixing device 46 is arranged downstream of the backup roller 42 and the transfer roller 44 in the conveyance path of the paper 90. The fixing device 46 includes a fixing roller 46a and a pressure roller 46b. The fixing roller 46a has a heater for heating the fixing roller 46a. The pressure roller 46b is pressed against the fixing roller 46a. The belt cleaning unit 45 and the image forming units 47Y, 47M, 47C, 47K are arranged close to the intermediate transfer belt 43. The belt cleaning unit 45 removes residual toner attached to the intermediate transfer belt 43. The image forming unit 47Y includes a photosensitive drum 48, an exposure device, a developing device, a charging device, a drum cleaning device, etc. The other image forming units 47M, 47C, 47K are configured in the same manner as the image forming unit 44Y.

[0021] The image forming units 47Y, 47M, 47C, and 47K form yellow, magenta, cyan, and black images on the intermediate transfer belt 43, respectively. When the sheet 90 passes between the intermediate transfer belt 43 and the transfer roller 44, a color image composed of a yellow image, a magenta image, a cyan image, and a black image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 43 to the sheet 90. The sheet 90 with the printed image is conveyed by the first conveying device 35 to the outlet 13 of the housing 12 and is delivered from the outlet 13 to the inlet 62 of the housing 61 of the sheet cutting device 60.

[0022] <<Sheet Cutting Device>> The sheet cutting device 60 includes a housing 61, a second conveying device 65, a collection container 68, cutting machines 70, 75, a sheet sensor 80, and a control unit 20.

[0023] The housing 61 of the sheet cutting device 60 and the housing 12 of the printing device 10 are arranged side by side. The inlet 62 of the housing 61 of the sheet cutting device 60 follows the outlet 13 of the housing 12 of the printing device 10.

[0024] The second conveying device 65 causes the sheet sent from the printing device 10 to pass through the cutting machines 70, 75 and conveys the sheet 90 to the outlet 63 of the housing 61. The second conveying device 65 has a plurality of roller pairs and a drive motor 66. The plurality of roller pairs are arranged in the feed direction from the inlet 62 to the outlet 63 of the housing 61. The drive motor 66 drives the roller pairs. The drive motor 66 is, for example, a stepping motor. The drive motor 66 may be a servo motor.

[0025] The paper sensor 80 is disposed near the inlet 62 within the housing 61. The paper sensor 80 detects the leading edge 93 of the paper 90 that has passed through the inlet 62. When the paper sensor 80 detects the leading edge 93 of the paper 90, a signal to that effect is transferred to the control unit 20. The control unit 20 recognizes the position of the paper 90 in the feed direction according to the timing when the signal is input and the number of pulses output to the drive motor 66 of the second conveying device 65, etc. Note that the paper sensor 80 may be disposed anywhere within the range from the inlet 62 to the cutter 70 or the cutter 75.

[0026] The collection container 68 is disposed below the roller pair of the second conveying device 65. The upper surface of the collection container 68 is open.

[0027] The cutters 70, 75 are provided in the conveyance path of the paper 90 conveyed by the second conveying device 65. The cutters 70, 75 are arranged in order from upstream to downstream in the feed direction. That is, the cutter 75 is disposed downstream of the cutter 70. These cutters 70, 75 are disposed above the collection container 68.

[0028] The cutter 70 cuts the paper 90 conveyed by the second conveying device 65 in the feed direction. One end or both ends of the paper 90 in the cross direction are cut off by the cutter 70 and collected as cuttings in the lower collection container 68. The cutter 70 has a number of slitters corresponding to the number of cutting locations. The slitter has a pair of disk cutters, and these disk cutters are disposed vertically, these disk cutters are disposed parallel to the feed direction, the rotation axes of the disk cutters are disposed parallel to the cross direction, and the disk cutters rotate around the rotation axis around the rotation axis. When the paper 90 passes between the upper and lower disk cutters in the feed direction, the paper 90 is cut in the feed direction by the rotation of the disk cutters.

[0029] The cutting machine 75 cuts the paper 90 in the cross direction. The cutting machine 75 is a so-called guillotine cutter. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the cutting machine 75 in detail. As shown in FIG. 4, the cutting machine 75 has a fixed blade 76 and a movable blade 77. As shown in FIG. 2, the cutting machine 75 has an actuator 78 in addition to the fixed blade 76 and the movable blade 77. The cutting edge 76a of the fixed blade 76 is directed upward, and the fixed blade 76 is fixed below the conveyance path of the paper 90. The cutting edge 76a of the fixed blade 76 extends in the cross direction. The cutting edge 77a of the movable blade 77 is directed downward, and the movable blade 77 is attached to the guide above the conveyance path of the paper 90. The movable blade 77 is guided up and down by the guide. The actuator 78 drives the movable blade 77 to move the movable blade 77 up and down. When the movable blade 77 is lowered and meshes with the fixed blade 76, the paper 90 is cut by the movable blade 77 and the fixed blade 76. The lifting timing of the actuator 78 is controlled by the control unit 20.

[0030] The switching guide 81 is provided so as to be able to be lifted and lowered immediately before the fixed blade 76. When the switching guide 81 is lifted as shown by the solid line, the switching guide 81 approaches the fixed blade 76. Therefore, the space 83 between the fixed blade 76 and the roller pair 65a immediately before it is blocked by the switching guide 81, and a path for the paper 90 from the roller pair 65a to the fixed blade 76 is formed. When the switching guide 81 is lowered as shown by the two-dot chain line, the switching guide 81 is separated from the fixed blade 76. Therefore, the space 83 is opened, and the cuttings of the trailing edge 94 of the paper 90 cut off by the fixed blade 76 and the movable blade 77 fall from the space 83 into the collection container 68. Note that the distance from the fixed blade 76 to the roller pair 65a immediately before it, that is, the width of the space 83 is L1 [mm].

[0031] The switching guide 86 is provided so as to be able to be lifted and lowered immediately after the fixed blade 76. When the switching guide 86 is lifted as shown by the solid line, the switching guide 86 approaches the fixed blade 76. Therefore, the space 88 between the fixed blade 76 and the roller pair 65b immediately after it is blocked by the switching guide 86, and a path for the sheet 90 from the fixed blade 76 to the roller pair 65b is formed. When the switching guide 86 is lowered as shown by the two-dot chain line, the switching guide 86 moves away from the fixed blade 76. Therefore, the space 88 is opened, and the cuttings of the leading end 93 of the sheet 90 cut off by the fixed blade 76 and the movable blade 77 fall from the space 88 into the collection container 68. Note that the distance from the fixed blade 76 to the roller pair 65b immediately after it, that is, the width of the space 88 is L2 [mm].

[0032] The switching guides 81 and 86 are individually driven by the actuators 82 and 87, respectively. By the control unit 20 controlling the actuators 82 and 87, the switching guides 81 and 86 are lifted and lowered.

[0033] <<Operation of the Printing Device and the Sheet Cutting Device (1)>> When the control unit 20 acquires print job data during copying or printing, the control unit 20 periodically operates the power source of the feeder 30, that is, the feed motor. The feeder 30 feeds the stacked sheets 90 one by one in order from the top to the first transport device 35. The control unit 20 synchronizes the operations of the printer main body 40 and the first transport device 35 with the feeding of the sheet 90 in parallel with the control of the feeder 30. Then, the first transport device 35 causes the sheet 90 to pass from the feeder 30 through the printer main body 40 and transports the sheet 90 to the outlet 13 of the housing 12. When the sheet 90 passes through the printer main body 40, the printer main body 40 prints an image on the sheet 90.

[0034] The control unit 20 controls the second transport device 65 in parallel with the control of the first transport device 35. FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the change in the transport speed of the second transport device 65 based on the control of the control unit 20.

[0035] Before the sheet 90 is carried from the printing device 10 to the sheet cutting device 60, the control unit 20 performs constant speed control on the conveyance speed of the second conveyance device 65 to a first target value greater than zero. Further, by controlling the actuator 82 of the switching guide 81, the control unit 20 raises the switching guide 81, and the space 83 is blocked by the switching guide 81. By controlling the actuator 87 of the switching guide 86, the control unit 20 lowers the switching guide 86, and the space 88 is opened.

[0036] When the sheet 90 is carried from the printing device 10 to the sheet cutting device 60, the sheet sensor 80 detects the leading edge 93 of the sheet 90, and the sheet sensor 80 outputs a signal indicating the detection of the leading edge 93 of the sheet 90 to the control unit 20. The control unit 20 recognizes the position and the moving distance of the sheet 90 in the feed direction according to the timing when the signal is input from the sheet sensor 80 and the number of pulses output to the drive motor 66 of the second conveyance device 65.

[0037] When the loaded sheet 90 passes through the cutting machine 70, the cutting machine 70 cuts the sheet 90 in the feed direction. Before the leading edge 93 of the sheet 90 reaches the meshing position of the cutting machine 75, for example, the movable blade 77 and the fixed blade 76, the control unit 20 decelerates the conveyance speed of the second conveyance device 65 from the first target value to the second target value. The second target value is smaller than the first target value and greater than zero. The second target value is smaller than the value obtained by dividing the distance L2 from the fixed blade 76 to the roller pair 65b immediately after that by the reciprocating time of the movable blade 77. The second target value is smaller than the value obtained by dividing the first predetermined distance described later by the reciprocating time of the movable blade 77. The reciprocating time of the movable blade 77 refers to the time required for the movable blade 77 to return to the uppermost position after descending from the uppermost position.

[0038] Just before the leading edge 93 of the sheet 90 reaches the meshing position of the movable blade 77 and the fixed blade 76, the conveyance speed of the second conveyance device 65 becomes the second target value. Thereafter, when the sheet 90 has been conveyed by a first predetermined distance after the leading edge 93 of the sheet 90 reaches the meshing position of the movable blade 77 and the fixed blade 76, the control unit 20 drives the actuator 78 of the cutter 75 without stopping the second conveyance device 65. The first predetermined distance is equal to or less than the distance L2 from the fixed blade 76 to the immediately subsequent roller pair 65b. As shown in FIG. 6, the actuator 78 of the cutter 75 lowers the movable blade 77, and the sheet 90 is cut in the cross direction by the movable blade 77 and the fixed blade 76. The cut pieces 100 generated by cutting the sheet 90 fall from the space 88 into the collection container 68. During the cutting of the sheet 90, since the conveyance of the sheet 90 continues, the sheet 90 that hits the movable blade 77 is wound by the movable blade 77. Also, since the sheet 90 is cut in order from one end to the other end in the cross direction by the movable blade 77 and the fixed blade 76, the cutting line 201 is inclined with respect to the cross direction (see FIG. 3).

[0039] Immediately after the cutting of the sheet 90, the control unit 20 drives the actuator 78 of the cutter 75 in reverse without stopping the second conveyance device 65. As shown in FIG. 7, the movable blade 77 is raised, and the winding of the sheet 90 is eliminated.

[0040] Thereafter, each time the sheet 90 is conveyed by a first predetermined distance from the start of the descent of the movable blade 77, the control unit 20 controls the cutter 75 in the same manner, and the cutter 75 cuts the front portion 91 of the sheet 90. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the lines formed by these cutting processes correspond to the cutting lines 202 to 205.

[0041] After that, when the paper 90 is conveyed by a distance equal to or less than the distance L2 from the fixed blade 76 to the immediately subsequent roller pair 65b, and the front end of the first product reaches the meshing position of the movable blade 77 and the fixed blade 76, the control unit 20 stops the second conveying device 65. Then, by controlling the cutting machine 75, the control unit 20 causes the cutting machine 75 to cut the paper 90 in the cross direction, and the cuttings 101 (see FIG. 3) generated by the cutting fall from the space 88 into the collection container 68. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the line formed by this cutting process corresponds to the cutting line 206. This cutting line 206 is parallel to the cross direction.

[0042] After that, by controlling the actuator 87 of the switching guide 86, the control unit 20 raises the switching guide 86, and the space 88 is blocked by the switching guide 86. Also, after the control unit 20 increases the conveying speed of the second conveying device 65 from zero to the first target value, the control unit 20 performs constant speed control of the conveying speed of the second conveying device 65 at the first target value. When the paper 90 is conveyed by a second predetermined distance by the second conveying device 65, the control unit 20 stops the second conveying device 65. The second predetermined distance is longer than the first predetermined distance. Then, by controlling the cutting machine 75, the control unit 20 causes the cutting machine 75 to cut the paper 90 in the cross direction. As a result, the product is separated from the paper 90.

[0043] After that, the paper 90 is conveyed by the second predetermined distance in the same manner, and the cutting of the paper 90 is repeatedly performed alternately, whereby products are successively created, and the created products are discharged from the paper cutting device 60.

[0044] When the second last product is separated from the last product, the control unit 20 increases the conveying speed of the second conveying device 65 from zero to the first target value, and then performs constant speed control of the conveying speed of the second conveying device 65 at the first target value. When the paper 90 is conveyed by a second predetermined distance by the second conveying device 65, the control unit 20 stops the second conveying device 65. At this time, the rear end of the last product has reached the meshing position of the movable blade 77 and the fixed blade 76.

[0045] Thereafter, by controlling the actuator 82 of the switching guide 81 by the control unit 20, the switching guide 81 is lowered, and the space 83 is opened. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8, by controlling the cutting machine 75 by the control unit 20, the cutting machine 75 cuts off the cuttings 102 from the last workpiece. The cuttings 102 fall from the space 83 into the collection container 68. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the line formed by this cutting process corresponds to the cutting line 209. This cutting line 209 is parallel to the cross direction.

[0046] Thereafter, after the control unit 20 increases the conveyance speed of the second conveyance device 65 from zero to the first target value, the control unit 20 performs constant speed control of the conveyance speed of the second conveyance device 65 at the first target value. Then, the last workpiece is discharged from the paper cutting device 60, and the paper 90 supplied to the paper cutting device 60 next is conveyed.

[0047] <<Operations of the Printing Device and the Paper Cutting Device (2)>> When the control unit 20 acquires print job data during copying or printing, the control unit 20 periodically operates the power source of the feeder 30, that is, the feed motor. The feeder 30 feeds the stacked papers 90 one by one in order from the top to the first conveyance device 35. The control unit 20 synchronizes the operations of the printer main body 40 and the first conveyance device 35 with the feeding of the paper 90 in parallel with the control of the feeder 30. Then, the first conveyance device 35 conveys the paper 90 from the feeder 30 through the printer main body 40 to the outlet 13 of the housing 12. When the paper 90 passes through the printer main body 40, the printer main body 40 prints an image on the paper 90.

[0048] The control unit 20 controls the second conveyance device 65 in parallel with the control of the first conveyance device 35. FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing the change in the conveyance speed of the second conveyance device 65.

[0049] Before the sheet 90 is carried from the printing apparatus 10 to the sheet cutting apparatus 60, the control unit 20 performs constant speed control on the conveyance speed of the second conveyance apparatus 65 to a second target value. Further, by controlling the actuator 82 of the switching guide 81, the control unit 20 raises the switching guide 81, and the space 83 is blocked by the switching guide 81. By controlling the actuator 87 of the switching guide 86, the control unit 20 lowers the switching guide 86, and the space 88 is opened.

[0050] When the sheet 90 is carried from the printing apparatus 10 to the sheet cutting apparatus 60, the sheet sensor 80 detects the leading edge 93 of the sheet 90, and the sheet sensor 80 outputs a signal indicating detection of the leading edge 93 of the sheet 90 to the control unit 20. The control unit 20 recognizes the position and the moving distance of the sheet 90 in the feed direction according to the timing when the signal is input from the sheet sensor 80 and the number of pulses output to the drive motor 66 of the second conveyance apparatus 65.

[0051] When the carried-in sheet 90 passes through the cutting machine 70, the cutting machine 70 cuts the sheet 90 in the feed direction. Thereafter, when the leading edge 93 of the sheet 90 reaches the meshing position of the movable blade 77 and the fixed blade 76 of the cutting machine 75 and the sheet 90 is conveyed by a first predetermined distance, the control unit 20 drives the actuator 78 of the cutting machine 75 without stopping the second conveyance apparatus 65. The first predetermined distance is equal to or less than the distance L2 from the fixed blade 76 to the immediately subsequent roller pair 65b. As shown in FIG. 6, the actuator 78 of the cutting machine 75 lowers the movable blade 77, and the sheet 90 is cut in the cross direction by the movable blade 77 and the fixed blade 76. The cuttings 100 generated by cutting the sheet 90 fall from the space 88 into the collection container 68. During the cutting of the sheet 90, since the conveyance of the sheet 90 is continued, the sheet 90 that hits the movable blade 77 is curled by the movable blade 77. Further, since the sheet 90 is cut in order from one end to the other end in the cross direction by the movable blade 77 and the fixed blade 76, the cutting line 201 is inclined with respect to the cross direction (see FIG. 3).

[0052] Immediately after the paper sheet 90 is cut, the control unit 20 drives the actuator 78 of the cutting machine 75 in the reverse direction without stopping the second conveying device 65. As shown in FIG. 7, the movable blade 77 is raised, and the curling of the paper sheet 90 is eliminated.

[0053] Thereafter, each time the paper sheet 90 is conveyed by a first predetermined distance from the start of the descent of the movable blade 77, the control unit 20 controls the cutting machine 75 in the same manner, and the cutting machine 75 cuts the front portion 91 of the paper sheet 90. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the lines formed by these cutting processes correspond to the cutting lines 202 to 205.

[0054] Thereafter, when the paper sheet 90 is conveyed by a distance equal to or less than the distance L2 from the fixed blade 76 to the immediately subsequent roller pair 65b, and the front end of the first product reaches the meshing position of the movable blade 77 and the fixed blade 76, the control unit 20 stops the second conveying device 65. Thereafter, the control unit 20 controls the cutting machine 75, and the cutting machine 75 cuts the paper sheet 90 in the cross direction. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the line formed by this cutting process corresponds to the cutting line 206.

[0055] Thereafter, the control unit 20 controls the actuator 87 of the switching guide 86, and the switching guide 86 is lifted, and the space 88 is closed by the switching guide 86. Further, after the control unit 20 increases the conveyance speed of the second conveying device 65 from zero to a second target value, the control unit 20 performs constant speed control of the conveyance speed of the second conveying device 65 at the second target value. When the paper sheet 90 is conveyed by a second predetermined distance by the second conveying device 65, the control unit 20 stops the second conveying device 65. The second predetermined distance is longer than the first predetermined distance. Thereafter, the control unit 20 controls the cutting machine 75, and the cutting machine 75 cuts the paper sheet 90 in the cross direction. Thereby, the product is separated from the paper sheet 90.

[0056] Thereafter, the paper sheet 90 is conveyed by the second predetermined distance in the same manner, and the cutting of the paper sheet 90 is repeatedly performed alternately, whereby products are successively created, and the created products are discharged from the paper cutting device 60.

[0057] When the second last product is separated from the last product, the control unit 20 increases the conveyance speed of the second conveyance device 65 from zero to the second target value, and then performs constant speed control of the conveyance speed of the second conveyance device 65 at the second target value. When the sheet 90 is conveyed by the second conveyance device 65 by a second predetermined distance, the control unit 20 stops the second conveyance device 65. At this time, the rear end of the last product has reached the meshing position of the movable blade 77 and the fixed blade 76.

[0058] Thereafter, the control unit 20 controls the actuator 82 of the switching guide 81, so that the switching guide 81 is lowered and the space 83 is opened. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 20 controls the cutting machine 75, so that the cutting machine 75 cuts off the cuttings 102 from the last product. The cuttings 102 fall from the space 83 into the collection container 68. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the line formed by this cutting process corresponds to the cutting line 209.

[0059] Thereafter, the control unit 20 increases the conveyance speed of the second conveyance device 65 from zero to the second target value, and then performs constant speed control of the conveyance speed of the second conveyance device 65 at the second target value. Then, the last product is discharged from the sheet cutting device 60, and at the same time, the sheet 90 supplied to the sheet cutting device 60 next is conveyed.

[0060] <<Operation of Printing Device and Sheet Cutting Device (3)>> When the control unit 20 acquires print job data during copying or printing, the control unit 20 recognizes the sufficiency of the conditions regarding the sheet 90 accommodated in the cassette 31 of the feeder 30. The conditions refer to stiffness, thickness, or basis weight. For example, the control unit 20 may recognize the stiffness of the sheet 90 and compare the stiffness of the sheet 90 with a predetermined stiffness. For example, the control unit 20 may recognize the thickness of the sheet 90 and compare the thickness of the sheet 90 with a predetermined thickness. For example, the control unit 20 may recognize the basis weight of the sheet 90 and compare the basis weight of the sheet 90 with a predetermined basis weight.

[0061] Stiffness is an index representing the resistance when bending the paper. Grammage refers to the weight of the paper per square meter. The greater the grammage of the paper, the higher the stiffness of the paper. The thicker the paper, the higher the stiffness of the paper.

[0062] The stiffness of the paper 90 may be detected by a sensor provided in the cassette 31, and the control unit 20 may recognize the stiffness of the paper 90 based on the signal of the sensor. Data representing the stiffness of the paper 90 may be included in the print job data, and the control unit 20 may recognize the stiffness of the paper 90 by acquiring and reading the print job data. The user may input the type or stiffness of the paper 90 by operating the touch panel of the display unit 14 or the input unit 15, and the control unit 20 may recognize the stiffness of the paper 90 based on the input.

[0063] The thickness of the paper 90 may be detected by a sensor provided in the cassette 31, and the control unit 20 may recognize the stiffness of the paper 90 based on the signal of the sensor. Data representing the thickness of the paper 90 may be included in the print job data, and the control unit 20 may recognize the thickness of the paper 90 by acquiring and reading the print job data. The user may input the type or thickness of the paper 90 by operating the touch panel of the display unit 14 or the input unit 15, and the control unit 20 may recognize the thickness of the paper 90 based on the input.

[0064] The grammage of the paper 90 may be detected by a sensor provided in the cassette 31, and the control unit 20 may recognize the grammage of the paper 90 based on the signal of the sensor. Data representing the grammage of the paper 90 may be included in the print job data, and the control unit 20 may recognize the grammage of the paper 90 by acquiring and reading the print job data. The user may input the type or grammage of the paper 90 by operating the touch panel of the display unit 14 or the input unit 15, and the control unit 20 may recognize the thickness of the paper 90 based on the input.

[0065] The control unit 20 selects either the first control mode or the second control mode based on the sufficiency of the conditions regarding the sheet 90. For example, as a result of comparing the stiffness of the sheet 90 with a predetermined stiffness, if the stiffness of the sheet 90 is less than the predetermined stiffness, the control unit 20 selects the first control mode, and if the stiffness of the sheet 90 is greater than or equal to the predetermined stiffness, the control unit 20 selects the second control mode. For example, as a result of comparing the thickness of the sheet 90 with a predetermined thickness, if the thickness of the sheet 90 is less than the predetermined thickness, the control unit 20 selects the first control mode, and if the thickness of the sheet 90 is greater than or equal to the predetermined thickness, the control unit 20 selects the second control mode. For example, as a result of comparing the basis weight of the sheet 90 with a predetermined basis weight, if the basis weight of the sheet 90 is less than the predetermined basis weight, the control unit 20 selects the first control mode, and if the basis weight of the sheet 90 is greater than or equal to the predetermined basis weight, the control unit 20 selects the second control mode.

[0066] When the control unit 20 selects the first control mode, the control unit 20 controls the printing device 10 and the sheet cutting device 60 as described in the above "operation (1)" or "operation (2)". Therefore, the printing device 10 and the sheet cutting device 60 operate as described in the above "operation (1)" or "operation (2)".

[0067] On the other hand, when the control unit 20 selects the second control mode, the control unit 20 controls the printing device 10 as described in the above "operation (1)" or "operation (2)". Therefore, the printing device 10 operates as described in the above "operation (1)" or "operation (2)". On the other hand, the control unit 20 controls the sheet cutting device 60 as follows.

[0068] The control unit 20 controls the second transport device 65 in parallel with the control of the first transport device 35. FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the change in the transport speed of the second transport device 65 based on the control of the control unit 20.

[0069] Before the sheet 90 is carried from the printing device 10 to the sheet cutting device 60, the control unit 20 performs constant speed control on the conveyance speed of the second conveyance device 65 to a first target value greater than zero. Also, by controlling the actuator 82 of the switching guide 81, the control unit 20 raises the switching guide 81, and the space 83 is blocked by the switching guide 81. By controlling the actuator 87 of the switching guide 86, the control unit 20 lowers the switching guide 86, and the space 88 is opened.

[0070] When the sheet 90 is carried from the printing device 10 to the sheet cutting device 60, the sheet sensor 80 detects the leading edge 93 of the sheet 90, and the sheet sensor 80 outputs a signal indicating the detection of the leading edge 93 of the sheet 90 to the control unit 20. The control unit 20 recognizes the position and the moving distance of the sheet 90 in the feed direction according to the timing when the signal is input from the sheet sensor 80 and the number of pulses output to the drive motor 66 of the second conveyance device 65.

[0071] When the carried-in sheet 90 passes through the cutter 70, the cutter 70 cuts the sheet 90 in the feed direction. When the leading edge 93 of the sheet 90 passes between the movable blade 77 and the fixed blade 76, the control unit 20 decelerates the conveyance speed of the second conveyance device 65 from the first target value to zero. When the sheet 90 is conveyed by a first predetermined distance after the leading edge 93 of the sheet 90 reaches the meshing position of the movable blade 77 and the fixed blade 76, the conveyance of the sheet 90 stops. Then, with the second conveyance device 65 stopped, the control unit 20 drives the actuator 78 of the cutter 75. Then, the actuator 78 lowers the movable blade 77, and the sheet 90 is cut in the cross direction by the movable blade 77 and the fixed blade 76. The cutting line by the cutting is parallel to the cross direction. The cuttings generated by cutting the sheet 90 fall from the space 88 into the collection container 68. Then, by driving the actuator 78 of the cutter 75 in the reverse direction, the control unit 20 raises the movable blade 77.

[0072] Thereafter, by the control unit 20 controlling the second conveyance device 65, after the second conveyance device 65 conveys the sheet 90 by a first predetermined distance, the sheet 90 is stopped. Thereafter, by the control unit 20 similarly controlling the cutter 75, the cutter 75 cuts the front portion 91 of the sheet 90. Thereafter, the second conveyance device 65 conveying the sheet 90 by a first predetermined distance and the cutter 75 cutting the front portion 91 of the sheet 90 are alternately repeated. Thereafter, when the front end of the first product reaches the meshing position of the movable blade 77 and the fixed blade 76 by the second conveyance device 65 conveying the sheet 90, the control unit 20 stops the second conveyance device 65. Thereafter, by the control unit 20 controlling the cutter 75, the cutter 75 cuts the sheet 90 in the cross direction, and the chips generated by the cutting fall from the space 88 into the collection container 68.

[0073] Thereafter, by the control unit 20 controlling the second conveyance device 65 and the cutter 75 in the same manner as in the case of the above operation (1) or the above operation (2), products are successively created, and the created products are discharged from the sheet cutting device 60.

[0074] Even after the second last product is separated from the last product, by the control unit 20 controlling the actuator 82 of the switching guide 81, the second conveyance device 65, and the cutter 75 in the same manner as in the case of the above operation (1) or the above operation (2), the chips are cut off from the rear end of the last product, and the last product is discharged from the sheet cutting device 60.

[0075] <<Summary>> (1) The paper cutting device 60 includes a second conveying device 65, a cutting machine 75, and a control unit 20. The second conveying device 65 conveys the paper in the feed direction. The cutting machine 75 is provided in the conveying path of the paper 90 conveyed by the second conveying device 65. The cutting machine 75 cuts the paper 90 in the cross direction orthogonal to the feed direction. The control unit 20 controls the second conveying device 65 and the cutting machine 75. By operating the cutting machine 75 without stopping the second conveying device 65, the cutting machine 75 cuts the paper 90 while the second conveying device 65 conveys the paper 90. This contributes to reducing the number of stops of the paper 90. Reducing the number of stops of the paper 90 contributes to suppressing the occurrence of backlash in the gear mechanism of the second conveying device 65. Reducing the number of stops of the paper 90 contributes to suppressing the occurrence of slip of the roller pair of the second conveying device 65 with respect to the paper 90. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the deterioration over time of the feeding accuracy of the paper 90 by the second conveying device 65, and the accuracy of the conveying distance and position of the paper 90 is maintained. For example, even after the paper cutting device 60 has processed a large number of papers 90, the stop position of the paper 90 when the paper 90 is divided into products is accurate, and high-quality products can be obtained.

[0076] (2) The conveying speed of the second conveying device 65 when the cutting machine 75 cuts the paper 90 may be lower than the conveying speed of the second conveying device 65 when the second conveying device 65 conveys the paper 90 to the cutting machine 75. In this case, the conveying speed of the second conveying device 65 when the second conveying device 65 conveys the paper 90 to the cutting machine 75 is set to a high first target value. Thereby, the cycle time required for the paper cutting device 60 to process one sheet of paper 90 is short, and the productivity of the paper cutting device 60 is high. The conveying speed of the second conveying device 65 when the cutting machine 75 cuts the paper 90 is set to a second target value lower than the first target value. This can prevent the cutting machine 75 from failing to cut the paper 90.

[0077] (3) When the cutting machine 75 cuts the paper 90, the conveying speed of the second conveying device 65 may be equal to the conveying speed of the second conveying device 65 when the second conveying device 65 conveys the paper 90 to the cutting machine 75. In this case, the conveying speed of the second conveying device 65 when the cutting machine 75 cuts the paper 90 is set to a low second target value. This can prevent the cutting machine 75 from failing to cut the paper 90.

[0078] (4) Each time the second conveying device 65 conveys the paper 90 by a first predetermined distance after the second conveying device 65 reaches the cutting machine 75 with the paper 90, the control unit 20 operates the cutting machine 75 without stopping the conveying device. As a result, while the second conveying device 65 conveys the paper 90, the cutting machine 75 repeatedly cuts the paper 90.

[0079] (5) The first predetermined distance is equal to or less than the width L2 of the space 88 immediately behind the blades 76, 77 of the cutting machine 75. Therefore, the width of the cuttings cut from the paper 90 becomes equal to or less than the width L2 of the space 88, and the cuttings surely fall into the space 88.

[0080] (6) The control unit 20 controls the conveying speed of the second conveying device 65 when the cutting machine 75 cuts the paper 90 to be smaller than the value obtained by dividing the first predetermined distance by the cutting time of the cutting machine 75 for one time. Therefore, the cutting machine 75 surely cuts off the cuttings from the paper 90, and the width of the cuttings cut from the paper 90 becomes equal to or less than the width L2 of the space 88. Therefore, the cuttings surely fall into the space 88. Here, the cutting time of the cutting machine 75 for one time refers to the reciprocating time of the movable blade 77.

[0081] (7) After the cutting machine 75 cuts the paper 90 while the second conveying device 65 conveys the paper 90, the control unit 20 stops the second conveying device 65 and operates the cutting machine 75. As a result, the cutting machine 75 cuts the paper 90 while the paper 90 is stopped, and the cuttings 101 are cut off. Since the paper 90 is stopped, the cutting line 206 formed between the cuttings 101 and the first product is parallel to the cross direction, and the quality of the first product is good.

[0082] (8) The control unit 20 selects either the first control mode or the second control mode based on the sufficiency of the conditions regarding the sheet 90. When the sheet 90 is less than a predetermined stiffness, a predetermined thickness, or a predetermined basis weight, the control unit 20 may select the first control mode. When the sheet 90 is greater than or equal to a predetermined stiffness, a predetermined thickness, or a predetermined basis weight, the control unit 20 may select the second control mode. When the control unit 20 selects the first control mode, the control unit 20 operates the cutting machine 75 without stopping the second conveying device 65. When the control unit 20 selects the second control mode, the control unit 20 stops the second conveying device 65 and operates the cutting machine 75.

[0083] (9) Since the cutting machine 75 cuts the sheet 90 while the second conveying device 65 conveys the sheet 90, the cut sheet 90 may hit the blades 76, 77 of the cutting machine 75 and curl. The sheet 90 that hits the blades 76, 77 curls, and when the cutting machine 75 cuts the sheet 90 next, curled chips are generated, and the chips surely fall into the space 88.

[0084] (10) The cutting machine 75 has a pair of blades 76, 77 having blade tips 76a, 77a extending in the cross direction. These blades 76, 77 approach each other to cut the sheet 90. This cutting machine 75 contributes to the curling of the cut sheet 90 when the cutting machine 75 cuts the sheet 90 while the second conveying device 65 conveys the sheet 90.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0085] 60 Sheet cutting device 65 Second conveying device 75 Cutting machine 76 Fixed blade 77 Movable blade 88 Space 90 Sheet

Claims

1. A conveying device that conveys a sheet in the feed direction, A cutting machine provided in the conveyance path of the sheet conveyed by the conveying device, and cutting the sheet in a cross direction orthogonal to the feed direction, A control unit that controls the conveying device and the cutting machine, and By operating the cutting machine without stopping the conveying device by the control unit, the cutting machine cuts the sheet while the conveying device conveys the sheet A sheet cutting device.

2. The control unit controls the conveying device such that the conveying speed of the conveying device when the cutting machine cuts the sheet is lower than the conveying speed of the conveying device when the conveying device conveys the sheet to the cutting machine. The sheet cutting device according to claim 1.

3. The control unit controls the conveying device such that the conveying speed of the conveying device when the cutting machine cuts the sheet is equal to the conveying speed of the conveying device when the conveying device conveys the sheet to the cutting machine. The sheet cutting device according to claim 1.

4. Each time the conveying device conveys the sheet a predetermined distance after the conveying device has reached the cutting machine with the sheet, the control unit operates the cutting machine without stopping the conveying device, so that the cutting machine repeatedly cuts the sheet while the conveying device conveys the sheet. The sheet cutting device according to claim 1.

5. The predetermined distance is equal to or less than the width of the space immediately behind the blade of the cutting machine. The sheet cutting device according to claim 4.

6. The control unit controls the conveying speed of the conveying device when the cutting machine cuts the sheet to be smaller than the value obtained by dividing the predetermined distance by the cutting time of the cutting machine per cut. The sheet cutting device according to claim 4 or 5.

7. After the cutting machine cuts the sheet while the conveying device conveys the sheet, the control unit stops the conveying device and operates the cutting machine, so that the cutting machine cuts the sheet while the sheet is stopped. The sheet cutting device according to claim 1.

8. A conveying device that conveys a sheet in the feed direction, A cutting machine that cuts the sheet in a cross direction orthogonal to the feed direction, A control unit that controls the conveying device and the cutting machine, and The control unit selects either a first control mode or a second control mode based on the sufficiency of conditions regarding the sheet. When the control unit selects the first control mode, the control unit operates the cutting machine without stopping the conveying device, so that the cutting machine cuts the paper while the conveying device conveys the paper. When the control unit selects the second control mode, the control unit stops the conveying device and operates the cutting machine, so that the cutting machine cuts the paper while the paper is stopped. Paper cutting device.

9. When the paper is less than a predetermined stiffness, a predetermined thickness or a predetermined basis weight, the control unit selects the first control mode. When the paper is greater than or equal to the predetermined stiffness, the predetermined thickness or the predetermined basis weight, the control unit selects the second control mode. The paper cutting device according to claim 8.

10. When the cutting machine cuts the paper while the conveying device conveys the paper, the cut paper can be curled by the cutting machine. The paper cutting device according to claim 1.

11. The cut paper is curled when the cut paper hits the blade of the cutting machine. The paper cutting device according to claim 10.

12. The cutting machine has a pair of blades having cutting edges extending in the cross direction. The pair of blades approach each other to cut the paper. The paper cutting device according to claim 1.

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